Cruise Line Dedicates Rhapsody of the Seas to Region and Expands Season MIAMI, September 13, 2007 – Royal Caribbean International today announced 14 Australia cruises and two transpacific voyages aboard Rhapsody of the Seas for winter 2008-09. Ranging from seven to 15 nights, vacationers will have more sailings from which to choose a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation to the continent made famous by its awe-inspiring, rugged landscapes; unique wildlife; and diverse and welcoming people.
“Vacationers have a greater breadth of choices for Royal Caribbean adventures to the great land ‘Down Under’ in 2008-09,” said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Rhapsody’s deployment to the region for the entire season will help meet travelers’ demand for our innovative ships and unique style of cruising to more destinations around the world.”
Five roundtrip voyages from Sydney to the Coral Sea will take Rhapsody’s guests to New Caledonia, Vanuatu Islands, and Society Islands. A 13-night itinerary, departing October 19, 2008,includes calls at Noumea, Poum, and the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia; Luganville and Vila,Vanuatu; and Ouvea (Wadrilla) and Lifou in the Loyalty Islands. A shorter 10-night itinerary,departing November 1, 22 and December 13, includes calls in New Caledonia and at Vila, while an 11-night sailing on April 2, 2009, includes Luganville.
Rhapsody also will offer two Barrier Reef adventures on November 11 and December 2, 2008. On the 11-night roundtrip voyages from Sydney, guests will cruise by Willis Island and call at Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Port Douglas, Cooktown, Brisbane, and Hamilton Island (among the Whitsunday Islands) in Australia.
Additionally, a seven-night Tasmania voyage on January 6, 2009, will sail roundtrip from Sydney, and take guests to Burnie, Port Arthur and Hobart in Tasmania; and Melbourne.
Vacationers also can choose among four roundtrip sailings from Sydney for an exciting 14- night New Zealand adventure. Rhapsody of the Seas will visit at Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga,Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, as well as cruise through Dusky, Doubtful and Milford sounds in Fjordland National Park. On voyages departing December 23, 2008, and January 27, 2009, guests will also visit Napier, while those on the January 13 and February 10 sailings will enjoy scenic cruise past volcanic White Island.
Travelers with the luxury of time can combine two spectacular sailings for a 35-night “Down Under” exploration cruise to the four corners of the Australian continent. On the 17-night voyage,sailing on February 24 from Sydney, guests cruise the Coral Sea to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, and sail to cities along the northern Australian coast to Perth (Fremantle). On the following 18-night voyage, sailing on March 13 from Perth to Sydney, guests call at cities on the southern Australian coast and the Island of Tasmania, and cruise the Tasman Sea to New Zealand and its beautiful fjordlands.
Vacationers also can choose one of two sailings on Rhapsody’s eastward transpacific crossing. The 16-night sailing on April 13 from Sydney to Honolulu will take guests across the International Date Line to call at ports in the Society Islands of the Pacific and Maui. The following 10-night sailing, departing April 28, will spend five days among the Hawaiian Islands before continuing on to Vancouver, British Columbia. Royal Caribbean Cruisetours
Guests on Rhapsody’s Australia voyages also can extend their vacation with a cruisetour. Cruisetours offer vacationers the best of both worlds by combining a cruise with an escorted adventure on land by an Aussie or Kiwi expert. Royal Caribbean Cruisetours includes hotel-stays, transfers, most meals, and scheduled tours and activities. On most sailings, guests can choose a fivenight pre-cruise cruisetour to explore the capital city of Sydney; learn about the aboriginal Liru at Ayers Rock; visit Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland, the best place to see crocodiles and native wildlife; and venture out to the Great Barrier Reef.
On sailings departing November 11 and December 2, 2008, and February 24, 2009, guests can choose a six-night pre-cruise New Zealand cruisetour. Vacationers will arrive at Auckland, New Zealand, and experience a slice of Kiwi life as they visit a sheep farm; taste some of the world’s most exclusive vintages at a Rotorua winery; cruise through the breathtaking fjords of Milford Sound; and fly to Australia to uncover the excitement of Sydney before boarding Rhapsody.
Cruising with Royal CaribbeanOnboard, guests will enjoy non-stop entertainment as they travel to the many must-see attractions and destinations of the Australian continent. During the day, guests can enjoy a rejuvenating session in the Day Spa or relax by the many pools. At night, guests can take in a toprated musical revue in the Broadway Melodies Theater; relax in the many onboard bars and lounges; and “break the bank” in Casino Royale. Throughout the cruise, Royal Caribbean’s staff and crew make every guest’s experience memorable with friendly and engaging service, a hallmark of the line’s Gold Anchor Service.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand through its cruisetour division. For additional information or to make reservations, call 1-866-622-7447 or visit www.bestcruisebuy.com.
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