Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced that it will establish a dedicated Australian office by purchasing the cruise business operations of Discover the World Marketing, the international representative that has successfully represented its business in Australia for the past 17 years.  The new office in Sydney will support the commercial and operational efforts in Australia for the company’s three cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.

The opening of Royal Caribbean’s Australian office is strategically timed.  Since 2002, the number of Australians who took a cruise holiday has more than doubled and, according to the International Cruise Council of Australasia, this number is predicted to grow even further.  Royal Caribbean’s range of cruise offerings is perfectly placed to take advantage of Australia’s increasing interest in cruising.

 

It also builds on Royal Caribbean’s success and expertise in the North American and European markets, the Australia office will continue the company’s international expansion plans and support the growing demand for itineraries in the South Pacific and around the world.

 

“This region shows great growth potential in terms of providing new destinations for international cruise guests from North America, Europe and Asia, giving them exceptional port options that explore the beauty and uniqueness of Australia,” said Michael Bayley, senior vice president of international for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “This, coupled with the knowledge that Australia is a substantial source market for new cruise guests, gives us tremendous opportunity for growth in the region.”

 

Next year, Rhapsody of the Seas will embark on its third season in the South Pacific and Australia.  Rhapsody of the Seas will sail in Australia from September 2009 through April 2010, offering 17 voyages to Hawaii, the South Pacific islands and New Zealand.

Itineraries range from eight to 18 nights, visiting a total of 39 ports in six countries.  This 4.5 star ship carries 2,435 passengers, or up to 41,000 over a single season, many of whom are tourists from the US, Asia and Europe.

 

Guests on Australian and New Zealand voyages also get to see a lot of the tourist attractions around the countries by adding on ‘cruisetours’ before or after their vacation to destinations including Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, or Milford Sound, Queenstown and Rotorua in New Zealand.

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