13 June 2012

Voyager of the Seas debuts in Asia

Top Deck of the Voyager of the Seas

Enjoy A 20% Price Reduction At Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts’ Seasonal Savers

SuperStar Virgo now better than ever

Irresistible Fares from Silversea till year end

Mariner of the Seas to embark on its Asia adventure in 2013

2 13 June 2012

Editor’s Speak

ContentsEnjoy A 20% Price Reduction At Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts’ Seasonal Savers 4

SuperStar Virgo now better than ever 5

Irresistible Fares from Silversea till year end 6

Voyager of the Seas debuts in Asia 8

Mariner of the Seas to embark on its Asia adventure in 2013 10

Publisher Raymond Wong • raymond.wong@asiaxclusives.com

Editor James Chen • james.chen@asiaxclusives.com

Web Sam Soh • sam.soh@asiaxclusives.comOphilia Leung • ophilia.leung@asiaxclusives.com

• Published by Asia Xclusives Pte Ltd10 Ubi Crescent, #05-60 Ubi Techpark Singapore 408564 TEL: +65-6635 3173 | FAX: +65-6635 3174

James ChenEditor, Asia Travel Exclusivesjames.chen@asiaxclusives.com

For this week’s edition, besides the usual news, we take a look at the different form of holidays. Cruising. With Singapore opening

its spanking new Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Asia looks like it will be seeing a potential boom in this segment of travel. This of course

translates to greater cruising options for travellers in this part of the world. Read on to find out more.

Cruising as an alternative form of holidays

Voyager of the Seas top view

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4 13 June 2012

Looking for a getaway this summer? Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts have again published their seasonal holiday rates: Seasonal Savers offer guests 20% off the best available rate at 30 deluxe hotels at all Swissôtel destinations when staying two nights or more.

Bookings for this special offer can be made through travel agencies or online – by using Swissôtel’s website www.swissotel.com, guests can also profit from a complimentary room upgrade and late check-out. Seasonal Savers are valid from 30th June to 2nd September 2012 – taxes and service charges are not included in this special rate.

Enjoy A 20% Price Reduction At Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts’ Seasonal Savers

Seasonal_Saver_2012

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SuperStar Virgo now better than ever

After its US$25 million refurbishment in January, the 1,870-passenger SuperStar Virgo looks even better equipped to cater to regional and international passengers. This rejuvenation comes on the back of refurbishments to Star Pisces and SuperStar Aquarius in February and April 2011 respectively at a combined cost of US$13.6 million.

Asia Travel Exclusives takes a look at what to expect from the SuperStar Virgo after its revamp:

Every Meal is a Memorable FeastThe Mediterranean Buffet and Terrace’s famous feasts of mouth-watering regional and international cuisines are still a delight. At the ocean-inspired Blue Lagoon on Deck 7, guests can enjoy taste bud-tantalizing South East Asian dishes amidst ripple-shaped wall coverings & ceilings and vibrant-coloured tables. Two private-dining rooms, styled after dining courts of Chinese empires of the past, are now available at the Chinese restaurant The Pavilion, adding a truly majestic ambience to an already delightful culinary pleasure.

Having fun under the StarsTaverna, a stage designed for live music of all genres, is now added next to the Parthenon Pool. Serenading and upbeat tunes will add a new dimension to water fun and pool parties. Look out for a parade of performers to entertain at the Galaxy of the Stars.

24-hour PartiesThe swanky Celebrity Bar is the place to be for all day long parties. Indulge in a cocktail or two, mingle or dance with friends old and new. Guests can also sing to their hearts’ content in the state-of-the-art karaoke rooms with the latest tunes.

Slumber PleasuresThe contemporary suites and cabins now come in new layouts that maximize space with accentuated colours and refined ergonomics. All suites and cabins were designed to provide a wonderful night of rest after a day of fun-filled activities.

SuperStar Virgo

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6 13 June 2012

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has new fares on select voyages sailing till November 2012, including a few expedition voyages.

Renowned for its luxurious small ships, personalised service and exotic destinations, Silversea is regularly lauded by travel magazines and guidebooks from around the world.

Following is a small sampling of the 2012 voyages available now till the end of the year:

MEDITERRANEANVoyage 2230: Silver Wind departs Athens 24 September on a 7-day sailing to Venice with calls in Monemvasia, Corfu, Kotor and Split. Fares start at USD1,999 per person, and include an Onboard Spending Credit of USD500 per suite.

NORTHERN EUROPEVoyage 4222: Silver Whisper departs Stockholm 23 August on a 7-day sailing to Copenhagen with calls in Tallinn, St. Petersburg (3-day/2-night stopover) and Helsinki. Fares start at USD2,999 per person, and include an Onboard Spending Credit of USD500 per suite.

In addition, Silversea Cruises’ extensive line-up of worldwide voyages for 2013 are all on sale now. Complementing the most expansive schedule of any cruise line, are attractive 2013 savings incentives that include Onboard

2013 voyages are also now on sale, with over 30 new ports of call and an epic 115-day World Cruise

Irresistible Fares from Silversea till year end

Spending Credits of up to $1,500 per suite on all voyages (with the exception of Silversea Expeditions) and air credits.

In 2013, the company’s six intimate ships will offer over 200 voyages, visiting more than 450 destinations on seven continents. Highlighting the programme is Silver Whisper’s 115-day World Cruise, Silver Spirit’s inaugural calls in Hawaii and Silver Explorer’s new expedition cruises to Canada’s beautiful Hudson Bay.

Also noteworthy are Silversea’s 32 new ports of call, which include 21 just for Silver Explorer alone. Collectively, the line’s other ships will offer 11 new destinations: Soller de Majorca, Spain; Sabang (Pulau Weh), Indonesia; Port Arthur, Tasmania; Liverpool, U.K.; Klaipeda, Lithuania; Saaremaa, Estonia; Baie-Comeau (Quebec), Canada; Chios, Greece; Portsmouth, Dominica; Fanning Island, Kiribati; and Fukuoka, Japan.

Here’s a snapshot of Silversea’s 2013 schedule:

WORLD CRUISE 2013An epic 115-day journey from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale awaits guests when they board Silver Whisper on 5 January. Crossing the equator four times, the World Cruise itinerary will follow the tropical belt to 52 destinations in 28 countries with overnight stays in several key ports. The warm-weather journey will explore an array of far-flung cultures and scenic wonders including the idyllic isles of French Polynesia; New Zealand

2013 sees the Silver Shadow to return to Australia in Summer

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and Australia’s west coast; fascinating Asian cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore; and Africa’s rarely seen western coast. Guests may choose to extend their voyage an additional three days to disembark in New York, or 15 days to disembark in Southampton.

SILVER CLOUD Silver Cloud begins her 2013 season exploring South America and then transits the Panama Canal to the Caribbean to offer a series of roundtrip voyages from San Juan. After spending May in the Mediterranean, she’ll venture to Northern Europe for a summer season that includes calls in the British Isles, Iceland, the North Cape and remote Russian ports in the White Sea. Silver Cloud heads south to the warmer Mediterranean in the fall and come November, crosses the Atlantic to South America where highlights include a 17-day Amazon adventure and cruising the majestic Chilean Fjords at year’s end.

SILVER WIND For Silver Wind, the New Year begins in South Africa with three 10-day roundtrip sailings from Cape Town, followed by an 18-day cruise along the exotic west coast of Africa and two voyages in the Canary Islands. Silver Wind then repositions to the Mediterranean for an extended summer programme filled with mostly seven- and nine-day voyages exploring the Mediterranean. Highlights include a three-day extended visit in Monte Carlo for the Grand Prix during the May 23 cruise from Barcelona to Rome, as well as calls in Egypt and the Holy Land. Silver Wind then heads south along Africa’s west coast to conclude the year back in Cape Town.

Lauderdale, visiting 52 far-flung destinations across Oceania, Asia and Africa. From mid-May through August, she’ll explore Northern Europe offering primarily seven-day Baltic cruises with extended stays in St. Petersburg. A grand transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Montreal will reposition Silver Whisper to offer a collection of fall foliage cruises through Canada and New England before heading south to the Caribbean in November. Following a 16-day holiday cruise through the Panama Canal, she’ll wrap up the year where she started, in Los Angeles.

SILVER SPIRIT For Silver Spirit, 2013 arrives in the sunny waters of the Caribbean. In February, after a Panama Canal transit to Los Angeles, she repositions for a 31-day grand voyage through the Pacific, highlighted by calls in French Polynesia, Kiribati and the major islands of Hawaii. Throughout the European summer, seven- and nine-day sailings focus on the eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles. Other highlights include seven-day Black Sea cruises. In late November, Silver Spirit arrives in Fort Lauderdale for a series of roundtrip Caribbean cruises culminating with a 14-day holiday season cruise.

SILVER EXPLORER The luxury expedition ship Silver Explorer sails into 2013 at the bottom of the earth, offering a series of cruises to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Early bookings for the Antartctic season are essential. Adventure along the west coast of Africa and western Europe on the way to the British Isles, and Svalbard’s frozen Arctic landscapes for the northern summer. First-ever expedition voyages in Canada’s Hudson Bay highlight August. In September, Silver Explorer heads south to offer a series of Caribbean and Central America explorations before arriving in Ushuaia in November to conclude the year with Antarctic expeditions.

SILVER SHADOW Silver Shadow returns to Australia and New Zealand for the summer months. In late February and March, she’ll offer a series of itineraries focused on Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand before heading north to China and Japan for the northern spring. Summer finds Silver Shadow in Alaska for a series of mostly 7-day cruises between Seward and Vancouver. During October and November, she’ll offer cruises focusing on China and Vietnam, before heading south to celebrate the festive season with a 15-day voyage between Sydney and Auckland.

SILVER WHISPER Silver Whisper begins 2013 in grand style with a World Cruise. Over the course of four months, she’ll journey west from Los Angeles to Fort

Silver Whisper to embark on an epic 115-day journey from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale in 2013

Silver Wind departs this September from Athens on a 7-day sailing to Venice

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8 13 June 2012

Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas arrived in Singapore for the first time on 26 May amid much fanfare.

The 138,000 tonne ship from Royal Caribbean International is the largest ever to homeport Singapore, carrying up to 3,840 passengers and 1,176 crew members. This gives regional cruise enthusiasts the chance to experience Voyager Class’ activities and entertainment never seen before in Asia. This includes the Studio B ice-skating rink, Royal Promenade – a boulevard of shops and cafes – and a full-sized sports court. Other onboard innovations include the 3D movie theatre, in-line skating track, rock-climbing wall, mini-golf course and golf simulator. In addition, there is a three-tier theatre, themed bars and lounges as well as a mezzanine split level nightclub.

Voyager of the Seas debuts in Asia

Voyager of the Seas

Boutique Shopping

Rockwall and Sports Court

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It was a triple celebration of sorts as the ship was also the first to dock at Singapore’s much awaited second cruise terminal, the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore.

Voyager of the Seas also offers guests the unique DreamWorks Animation entertainment programme. Guests of all ages can interact with ‘celebrity’ characters like Shrek and Fiona of “Shrek”, Alex of “Madagascar” and Po of “Kung Fu Panda” during parades in the Royal Promenade, character breakfasts in the main dining room and photo opportunities.

There are numerous dining options onboard, including the three-tier dining room and specialty restaurants including Italian-style Portofino’s and 50’s style diner Johnny Rockets. The choice of accommodation is also wide-ranging with more than 40% more staterooms and five more categories than today’s offerings in the region, ranging from luxurious Royal Suites to unique Promenade staterooms with views overlooking the Royal Promenade.

Maiden Asian Season Voyager of the Seas is featuring short cruises of three to five nights from Singapore to Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Phuket, as well as an eight-night cruise to Shanghai that visits Ho Chi Minh, Xiamen and has an overnight in Hong Kong.

After the Singapore leg, the ship will move to China and offer five- to seven-night North Asian cruises from Shanghai and Tianjin visiting a variety of Japanese and Korean destinations such as Fukuoka, Kobe, Okinawa and Jeju from June to October.

Alex at Basketball Court

Ice Show

Johnny Rockets

Kung Fu Panda

DreamWorks character breakfast

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10 13 June 2012

After the Voyager of the Seas, a second Voyager Class ship, Mariner of the Seas will debut in Asia next year. The ship, which is the same size as Voyager of the Seas, recently underwent a multi-million dollar revitalization.

The cruise liner will be starting her maiden Asian season in Singapore in June 2013 with three cruises of 3-10 nights to Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan and Shanghai. She will return to Singapore from mid-November to offer a series of Southeast Asian cruises.

The Mariner of the Seas will offer guests enhanced staterooms and other innovative features that Royal Caribbean International has created in recent years. On top of a greater variety of new onboard dining and entertainment options, there will be:

• Outdoormoviescreen:Agiantoutdoorscreenoverlookingthepooldeck.

• RoyalPromenade:Anindoor“mainstreet”stretchingnearlythefulllengthofthemiddleoftheship,linedwithplacestoeat,drink,shopandbeentertained.

• “StudioB”IceRink:Aniceskatingrinkforgueststhatdoublesasa700-seatvenueforiceshowproductionswithworld-classfigureskaters.

• BoardwalkDogHouse:Acasualeateryforgueststoenjoyarangeofbrats,links,wienersanddogs.

• NewTechnology:GuestswillenjoypervasiveWi-Fi,interactiveflat-paneltelevisionsinstaterooms,andelectronicmustering.

• DigitalWayfindingSystems:Onboardactivities,realtimeupdates,customizeddirectionsandrouting,aswellasshipfactoidswillallbeatguests’fingertips with new plasma and LCD touch screen signs prominently placed throughout the ship.

• Sportsfacilitiesincludinganinlineskatingtrack,RoyalCaribbean’ssignaturerock-climbingwall,a9-holeminigolfcourse,agolfsimulator,afullsizesports court with basketball court, three swimming pools and six whirlpools.

Mariner of the Seas to embark on its Asia adventure in 2013

Mariner of the Seas

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