Tasmanian cruise adventure awaits
Coral Expeditions will be the first to
sail some of Tasmania’s most remote
coastlines when it launches seven
night Hobart to Hobart cruises on 16
November 2015.
Denis McDowall, an Expedition
Leader with 22 years of experience
at Coral Expeditions, will lead shore
excursions on the first set of departures
in November. The Expedition team
will include a Guest Lecturer and an
expert local Tasmanian Parks and
Wildlife Discovery Ranger. Guests will
embark on an active adventure both
on water and land, with opportunities
to kayak secluded bays and bush walk
in five national parks and two World
Heritage Areas. The highlight of this
itinerary will be 2 days exploring the
pristine region of Port Davey, a 17,000
hectare World Heritage Listed site
that is one of the most unique marine
reserves in the world. Accessible only
by boat, small aircraft or seven-day
walk, Port Davey is characterised
by the remarkable array of marine
life that exists under its dark tanninstained water. This adventure itinerary
also includes hiking the start of the
South Coast Track at Cockle Bay on
day two, an early morning walk to a
scenic lookout over Wineglass Bay in
Freycinet National Park, and exploring
the remarkable beauty and wildlife of
rarely-visited Maria Island, including
its UNESCO-listed historic town of
Darlington, all on day six. On day
seven, the cruise will present another
side to the Port Arthur Historic Site on
a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour, exclusive
to Coral Expeditions guests. The site’s
resident archaeologist will guide guests
through buildings and exhibits not
normally open to the public before
enjoying drinks and canapes in the
beautiful surrounds of Port Arthur’s
Asylum building.
Massimo Mele on the Menu
Carnival Cruise Line has made cruising
to the gourmet destination of Tasmania
even more appetising, with news that
award-winning chef Massimo Mele will
be cooking up a feast onboard three
cruises to the Apple Isle next year.
Guests on the five-night cruises will
have the chance to enjoy an exclusive
onboard cooking demonstration and
lunch with Massimo or attend one of
his special cooking master classes as
they sail to Tasmania. As an added
treat, holidaymakers on Carnival
Spirit’s 24 January cruise to Tasmania
will also have the option of enjoying
a memorable Australia Day lunch in
Hobart hosted by Massimo and his
mother, Maria.
Back in Service
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit
is back in service from a dry docking
in Singapore boasting a ship load of
exciting new features as it prepares
for its fourth year of cruising down
under. The ship which returned to
Sydney on 14 September now offers
25 bars, lounges and dining options
following the addition of seven new
bars and restaurants during the
multi-million dollar refit. This summer
Australian cruisers will be able to try
the Boomerang burger at Californian
celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s new onboard
burger joint, a cocktail prescribed for
cruising at Alchemy Bar, some tropical
poolside concoctions at Caribbeaninspired RedFrog Rum Bar, an authentic
Mexican-style beach cantina
experience at the BlueIguana Cantina
and Tequila Bar as well as some lively
new entertainment offerings including
the ship’s top deck Dive-In Movies.
38
November 2015
Born in Tasmania, Massimo is a past
winner of the People’s Choice Award
in the Lexus Young Chef of the Year
competition and has appeared on a
number of television cooking programs
in Australia. Having headed up the
superb modern Italian restaurant La
Scala on Jersey in Sydney, Massimo is
now planning an exciting new venture
for 2016 while focusing on creating
unique food events around Australia.
Massimo Mele will be onboard Carnival
Spirit’s 24 and 29 January 2016 cruises
to Tasmania as well as Carnival
Legend’s 5 April 2016 cruise.
Bookmark Café Unveiled
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has
announced the launch of its onboard
coffee and luxury chocolate shops as
the ‘Bookmark Café’. Fred. Olsen first
introduced this relaxing, sociable area
across its fleet during the ships’ drydocks in 2013 and 2014. This popular
addition to the onboard facilities
– which adjoins the ships’ Libraries –
serves a delicious selection of specialty
coffees and teas from world-renowned
Taylors of Harrogate, as well as highquality Pralines, Champagne Truffles
and other hand-made chocolates.
The Bookmark Cafés are located on
Lounge Deck 7 on board Balmoral
– Fred. Olsen’s flagship – on Lounge
Deck 5 on Braemar, on Lido Deck 7
on Boudicca, and on Lido Deck 7 on
Black Watch.