 |
Criteria For Australia Cruises From Seattle
Your search for an Australia cruise originating from Seattle should start with a review of your budget. The distance between Seattle and Sydney is considerable enough to set prices well above typical cruise rates. The limited competition among cruise lines for the Seattle to Sydney route means that Holland America© and future companies can charge high rates for these cruises. If you are concerned about spending several thousand dollars on a one-way cruise to Australia, you may need to consider alternative vacation ideas.
Another concern when booking Australian cruises from Seattle is the length of a round-trip cruise. Newcomers to Australian cruises may assume that their trips will be straight lines from Seattle to Sydney and back. The true value of an Australian cruise from North America comes from visits to Hawaii, New Zealand, and other Pacific islands. In fact, the vast majority of time spent on an Australian cruise from Seattle is spent outside Australian borders. Vacationers without a month or two of free time available for Australian cruises should search for other vacation options.
The final criterion when choosing an Australian cruise from Seattle is the type of accommodations you will book. Single travelers and couples can save money for souvenirs, meals, and other expenses by staying in basic guest rooms. Parents should account for space for sleeping, lounging, packing, and eating when booking passage for their families. The deluxe suites and cabins offered through Australian cruise lines are expensive, but offer ocean views, luxury amenities, and ample room. Your budget, group size, and personal preferences should guide your choice of the best room possible aboard an Australian cruise line.
Challenges In Finding Australian Cruises From Seattle
As you search for Australian cruises from Seattle, you may be surprised at the dearth of results from your search. The most consistent cruise from Seattle to Sydney is offered by Holland America©, which runs a single cruise to Australia each year. The natural first question after finding few Australian cruises from Seattle is why such a blind spot exists in the American cruise industry. The answer to this question involves a multitude of factors that contribute to the lack of economic viability for this Australian cruise route.
The distance from Seattle to Australia is 7,769 miles, which is a considerable distance for any cruise ship to cover. Travelers also find the distance difficult to take aboard a swaying cruise ship that spends days on end away from land. For instance, the Amsterdam running Holland America’s© Australian cruise spends six entire days at sea between Los Angeles and Nuku Hiva. The challenges of programming four to eight weeks of entertainment along with the modest demand for Australian cruises from Seattle have scared off some cruise lines.
Seattle’s location in the Pacific Northwest contributes to the lack of Australian cruises originating from the city. Seattle is located between Vancouver to the north and Los Angeles to the south, two port cities that are popular destinations for cruise lines. The frequent rain, wind, and cool temperatures in Seattle create miserable conditions for outdoor activities during cruises. As Seattle gains a higher profile among international cruise lines and travel agents, its reputation may grow from secondary port of call into a prime destination.
Holland America©
Holland America© (http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/Main.action) is the sole vendor for travelers looking for direct Australia cruises from Seattle. This cruise company offers Australian cruises from Seattle aboard the MS Amsterdam. The Amsterdam holds 615 crew members and 1,380 passengers in a 780-foot frame. Travelers heading to Sydney aboard the Amsterdam have plenty of activities and dining establishments to kill time between ports of call.
The Amsterdam presents nooks and spaces to relax between Seattle and Australia. The Planeto Astrolabium is the centerpiece of the ship’s design aesthetic, a three-story statue resting in the center of the ship. The guest rooms and cabins aboard the Amsterdam contain Dutch works from the ship’s namesake, the 1938 cruise liner Nieuw Amsterdam. The Greenhouse Spa & Salon is ideal for guests who want to relax after seeing these works of art. Amsterdam passengers can access manicures, pedicures, hot stone massages, and massages at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon.
Travelers in love with food, wine, and the culinary arts will love Australian cruises aboard the Amsterdam. Food & Wine Magazine© sponsors the ship’s Culinary Arts Center, which is used for presentations and tastings during every cruise. The Pinnacle Grill offers seafood, wine, and decadent desserts in a fine dining environment. The Amsterdam has plenty of activities for travelers trying to stay active after dinner. The Crow’s Nest turns from an observatory into a nightclub, as the sun sets over the horizon. The Digital Workshop aboard the Amsterdam helps passengers create videos and photos of their Australian cruises that will be cherished for years.
Holland America© offers two Australia cruise packages to passengers each September. The first package is a 36-day Australian cruise that starts at Seattle and ends in Sydney. After the Amsterdam heads to Vancouver and Los Angeles, travelers are treated to Pacific locales such as Papeete, Moorea, and Pago Pago. The Amsterdam reaches Cairns in northeastern Australia by Day 26, Brisbane by Day 33, and Sydney by Day 35. This one-way trip costs between $4,500 USD for basic passage to $34,000 USD for the best cabins on the ship.
If you want to travel to and from Australia by cruise ship, you can opt for the 67-day Australian cruise through Holland America©. Travelers partaking in the 67-day cruise spend an extra day in Sydney before embarking for destinations in New Zealand. The Amsterdam hits New Zealand ports in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands. Holland America© allows passengers to check out additional Pacific destinations in Nuku’Alofa and Apria. The Amsterdam starts its final leg of the 67-day Australian cruise by hitting Hawaiian cities such as Honolulu and Hilo. The cruise ends in Los Angeles on Day 67 with Pacific Northwesterners taking planes, trains, and buses back to Seattle. Holland America© charges $8,000 USD for basic accommodations and $50,000 for high-end accommodations for its 67-day Australian cruise.
|
Saperecom Home