Royal Caribbean Returns to Australia this Winter

Royal Caribbean International will operate 14 Australia cruises and two transpacific voyages aboard Rhapsody of the Seas for winter 2008-2009. The cruises range from seven to 15 nights. Five roundtrip voyages from Sydney to the Coral Sea will visit 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 10-night itinerary, departing November 1, November 22 and December 13, 2008, includes calls in New Caledonia and at Vila, while an 11-night sailing on April 2, 2009, includes Luganville. Rhapsody also will offer two Great Barrier Reef adventures departing Nov. 11 and December 2, 2008.

The 11-night roundtrips from Sydney 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 departing on Jan. 6, 2009, will sail roundtrip from Sydney, and visit Burnie, Port Arthur and Hobart in Tasmania; and Melbourne. The company is also offering four 14-night New Zealand cruises sailing roundtrip from Sydney.

The Rhapsody offers two segments on its eastward transpacific crossing. The 16-night cruise departs Sydney on April 13 and sails to Honolulu, on the way calling at ports in the Society Islands and Maui. The following 10-night sailing, departing April 28, will cruise five days among the Hawaiian Islands before continuing on to Vancouver.