 |  | | Issue 415 | 1 October 2008 | | | Hi Cruisers,
I think everyone knows about the global problems now so lets talk about something positive. Yesterday I was lucky enough to have been invited to the naming ceremony of the new Qantas A380 and I have to tell you, it was an emotional experience. The who's who of the industry, Qantas, Government and media were there to witness history in the making. The A380 has its own new hanger, which is where the ceremony took place. Nancy-Bird Walton, as she is known, was there for the occasion. She was the first Qantas female pilot and at an amazing 96, she still packs a punch!
Nancy learnt to fly in 1933 at Mascot airbase when she was just 17 years old. She was taught by the worlds greatest aviator, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, and graduated in 1935. Geoff Dixon told the story that she was that small, she had to sit on a cushion to see over the dash and reach the pedals!
Since then, Nancy-Bird has been a tireless campaigner for women in aviation. She showed us the potential for talented Australian women and the extraordinary influence that one bright individual can exert – and most of all, the sheer joy of flying. Mr Dixon said the entire Qantas A380 fleet would be named after Australian aviation pioneers, including Charles Kingsford Smith, Reg Ansett, Hudson Fysh, Bert Hinkler, and the inventor of the Black Box Flight Recorder, David Warren. The full list of names will be announced on Qantas' 88th birthday on 16 November 2008.
After the ceremony, we boarded the plane for a one hour and thirty minute flight. We took off to the North and, banking over the Harbour Bridge, up the Harbour and out to sea. We then followed the coast line North to about Port Macquarie before turning around and heading back. Yes, we were sipping champagne and having a great old time. The plane itself is amazing. Very quiet and smooth during take off, flight and landing. The in-flight system is touch screen and easy to use. The entire upper deck is taken up by 72 Business Class seats and 20 or so Premium Economy. First Class is downstairs in front and then all the rest is Cattle Class. I thought the two biggest improvements in terms of seating were First Class and Premium economy. Business Class looks the same as the current seats although there are a few enhancements. I know the seats in economy are new but to me, the distance between you and the person in front is still way too close!
Qantas will have four A380 planes by January 2009. The first takes off this month from Melbourne to LA, then it will travel from Sydney. The plane is still undergoing trials and will head off to New Zealand today for more promotional flights. The crew on board are dedicated to the A380 and all seemed very excited about working on the plane.
Of course my trip would not be complete without some great photos and as you can see, I got some good ones of Nancy, I was in the front row! Even managed to get one with the female pilot! We'll have more photo's of the interior next week.
Click thumbnails to preview... Royal Caribbean's One Day "WOW" Sale - Thursday 2 October. We decided to send our newsletter out a day earlier this week as, not only did we want to tell you about the Qantas A380, we didn't want you to miss out on Royal Caribbean's one day "WOW" sale. For all new bookings made and deposited on Thursday 2 October only, on ANY of Royal Caribbean's cruises departing between 1 January and 25 December 2009, you will receive up to $US200 onboard credit plus 50% off your deposit. What a deal! This sale is valid for one day only so call one of our consultants on 1300 369 848 to book your Royal Caribbean cruise. For a list of our Royal Caribbean cruises, click here.
P&O UK coastal sectors now on sale. P&O UK has just released a selection of short coastal cruises in Australia and New Zealand on Aurora, Arcadia and Oriana during February and March next year. Prices start from only $299 for a 2 night cruise either from Adelaide to Melbourne on Arcadia or from Sydney to Brisbane on either Arcadia or Oriana. Or you can cruise from Auckland to Brisbane from only $1049 including one-way airfare to Auckland to start the cruise, 1 night pre-cruise at the Stamford Plaza Auckland and 5 nights cruise accommodation on board Oriana, click here for more. See below for a full list of sailings.
Up to 50% off selected Viking Europe 2008 departures. Viking River Cruises has just released some last minute specials on a number of their 2008 European river cruises with savings of up to 50% off. Cruise from Nuremburg to Vienna from only $3249 including return flights with Finnair, 1 night in Nuremburg and 7 nights onboard Viking Spirit, click here for more. Prices for Viking's Budapest to Amsterdam cruise now start from only $4149 including return flights with Finnair, 1 night in Budapest and 14 nights cruise accommodation, click here for more. See below for more specials.
Keep Cruising,
Brett
The engine is the heart of an airplane, but the pilot is its soul.
Walter Raleigh |
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What is RSS? | This week's Top 10 2009 Cruise Tours
2010 Cruise Tours
  | | | |  | |  | Sydney Return on Rhapsody  | | 10 nights on board Rhapsody of the Seas, cruising the East Coast. Departs 11 Dec 2009 | From
$1,499.00 |  | Kiwi Discovery | | 14 nights exploring beautiful New Zealand. Departing from Sydney 21 Jan & 4 Feb 2010 | From
$2,399.00 |  | Perth to Sydney | | 18 night cruise across the Bight to New Zealand, and back to Sydney. Departing 13 Mar 2009 | From
$3,449.00 |  | Honolulu to Vancouver | | 10 night cruise with Rhapsody, a night in both Hawaii & Canada, plus return airfare! Departing 28 Apr 2009 | From
$3,499.00 |  | Coast to Coast with Rhapsody | | Perth to Sydney, 18 nights with Rhapsody plus an airfare to get you there! Departs 3 Nov 2009 & 15 Mar 2010 | From
$3,499.00 |  | Aloha Vancouver | | Honolulu to Van, 10 nights on Rhapsody, 2 nights in Van & a night in Hawaii plus airfare as well! Departs 27 Apr 2010 | From
$3,799.00 |  | Hawaii to Sydney | | 19 night cruise package including 3 nights in Hawaii, transfers & airfare. Departs 30 Sep 2009 | From
$4,099.00 |  | '09 Auckland to Sydney | | 4 night cruise package with Oriana, includes a night in NZ and airfare. Departs 13 Feb 2009 | From
$699.00 |  | '09 Auckland to Brisbane | | 6 night cruise package with Oriana. Also includes a night in New Zealand & airfare home. Departs 13 Feb 2009 | From
$1,049.00 |  | '09 Sydney to Auckland | | 6 night package with Aurora, including a night in NZ and airfare. BE QUICK! Departing 2 Mar 2009 | From
$1099.00 |  | '09 Brisbane to Auckland | | 8 nights with Aurora, a night in New Zealand & airfare included. Departing 27 Feb 2009 | From
$1,599.00 |  | Magnificent Danube | Nuremberg to Vienna. 8 night package, up to 50% off!
Departs 23 Nov & 7, 21 Dec 2008 | From
$3,249.00 |  | Magical Rhine | All the highlights of the Rhine. Now up to 50% off!
Departs 30 Nov 2008 | From
$3,949.00 |  | Amsterdam to Basel | | Cruise the Rhine with Viking Sun. Up to 50% off! Departing from 7 Dec 2008 | From
$4,299.00 |  | Waterways of the Czars | | 12 nights from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Up to 50% off! Departs 14 Oct 2008 | From
$4,349.00 |  | Antwerp to Basel | | 14 night cruise tour with Viking Sun. Up to 50% off! Departs 16 Nov 2008 | From
$4,599.00 |  | European Voyage | | Amsterdam to Budapest, 15 night package with Viking Spirit. Up to 50% off! Departing 19 Oct 2008 | From
$4,649.00 |  | Basel to Antwerp | | Fantastic 15 night cruise tour. Up to 50% off! Departs 14 Dec 2008 | From
$4,949.00 | |  | Don't forget to check www.ecruising.travel for the best deals or call us on 1300 369 848 for more information on any of these cruises! |         | | | |  | |  | Celebrity Solstice Heads to Sea
| Celebrity Solstice departed Meyer Werft on Sunday, making its way down the River Ems as tens of thousands of onlookers lined the banks.
| |  | | UK Port says Farewell to QE2 | QE2 begins her final 'round Britain cruise from Southampton tomorrow. Five UK ports will welcome the Cunard liner on her historic farewell voyage.
| | |
| Don't forget to check www.ecruising.travel for the best deals or call us on 1300 369 848 for more information on any of these cruises! |  | | | |  | | | |
| You can now submit your feedback to us at www.ecruising.travel...
Click the "Feedback" link to see how! | |  | | | | | Brett Dudley - Editor
support@ecruising.travel
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'09 Sydney to Brisbane
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