Advertising spending in Australia is moving away from television and newspapers and onto the Internet. In November 2005, Merrill Lynch forecast that the Internet will be Australia's fastest-growing growing channel, with a 35% increase in advertising revenues that year. As of the end of 2005, the Audit Bureau of Verification Services (ABVS) reported that spending on online advertising in Aust. reached $620 million. & for the first quarter of 2006, the Australian online advertising market grew by 65% over the same quarter in 2005 to reach a total of  over $195 million.

LINKS TO MAJOR CRUISE LINES

John Pond: OTHER TRAVEL RELATED LINKS. GOOGLE#1 CRUISE & TRAVEL SITE

VISITED BY OVER A 1/3rd OF A MILLION TRAVELLERS ANNUALLY. Based on hits to index page.

Also emailed to an additional 3000 plus Australian travelers MONTHLY

JOHN POND

Editor & Publisher

INDEX

Page 1:

P&O Cruises

Emirates

Trafalgar Tours

Las Vegas

Page 2:

Editorial - United

Holland America

Star Cruises

Southern California

Cathay Pacific

P&O Cruises’ biggest-ever Europe program

in 2008 will see a record six ships exploring the continent from the Egyptian pyramids to the Arctic wilderness and all places in between. Click for MORE:

Cruise & Travel web Magazine

Edited by John Pond J.P.                              Sept-Oct 2007

What's New in Anaheim/Orange County, their US summer openings continue to build excitement as the area  The following is a summary of what’s new and currently on the horizon through 2008. Click for MORE:

MISSED THE BOAT: An Aussie couple missed their riverboat in Vienna because of a late arriving plane, they rang to find out how they could catch up with their dream holiday as it disappeared down the Danube in the direction of Germany. Click for MORE:

Visit Holland America Line's Eurodam news blog   www.eurodamnews.com went live today. The site will give  updates about the 86,700gt newbuild which is under construction at Fincantieri's Marghera yard and due for delivery next June.

Star Cruises have released details of next years Far East cruises for 800-passenger SuperStar Gemini. The programme features a large number of longer itinerary options with six 21-night round trip cruises from Singapore to destinations throughout Thailand, Vietnam, China and Malaysia.

JOHN POND

Editor & Publisher

EDITORIAL

UNITED AIRLINES 

I ALMOST GIVE UP

I had the unfortunate situation of trying to contact United Airlines after normal business hours last week. Unable to get an Australian number, in desperation I called long distance to Chicago. After going through several minutes of recorded announcements I finally contacted a live person who was very difficult to understand and I am sure had the same problem understanding me - she desperately needed some lessons in telephone technique. After 3 attempts of asking her to repeat she hung up on me.

The next day I rang again, this time I was put through to a charming person in the Phlllipines. After several attempts we reached a basic understanding of each others wants. Phew - it’s all too hard. Sorry United - I used to love flying the friendly skies. They are not so friendly anymore, or at least on the ground.

Guess I had better try another airline with some live Australians on the end of the phone line. It must be costing you business ?  Finally I got through to a charming live person at United in Sydney (I think) and they suggested I call their PR person (an outsourced company) they gave me the wrong number and incorrect company name). HELP, I had better walk. Maybe I will try United’s new Business Class Seats, they look good !!!

CATHAY PACIFIC announced orders for five more wide-bodied Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that will give it twenty-three of the extended range planes and a total fleet of over 130 by 2011. The new purchases will give Australian travellers access to over 120 destinations in Asia, North America, Europe and South Africa.

NEXT MONTH

Adelaide : A look at some of Australia’s most charming accommodation and Stamford Plaza Review.

Emirates’ First Class Suites aboard the B777-300ER ULR are being showcased at road shows to give passengers a first hand look at the level of luxury available on Emirates' flights. Seats naturally turn into lie flat sleepers.

TRAVEL OZ Australia's newest TV travel program is ON AIR. The first two episodes of Travel Oz have been dispatched to networks around the world,

They are are viewable on the website www.traveloztv.com. Negotiations are underway between the programme's producers, GraingerTV, and another 80 international broadcasters, including Australia's major terrestrial networks, to play TRAVEL OZ in prime time.

CEO Greg Grainger says the programme is being translated into 15 languages.

35% off Tropical Cruises Make a big splash this summer in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji and an even bigger savings with Captain Cook Cruises 35% off all 3, 4 and 7 night Great Barrier Reef and Fiji cruises. Click for MORE:

Saphire Princess Photo Gallery

LAS VEGAS has managed to retain some of its swinging Sinatra-era charm, there is definite vintage Vegas left if you know where to look. MORE:

AIRBUS COMING SOON: Will mean more elegant flying for us all. Vice President Flight Operations give the thumbs-up before the aircraft’s take-off from Dubai.

The Venetian Macao-Casino-Resort-Hotel Opens in Macao . Their convention and exhibition venues are large enough to hold ninety Boeing 747 jumbo jets, nowhere else in Asia will you find such a rare combination of facilities, attractions and amenities than at this 3,000 suite flagship property.

Queen Mary 2 to Return to Australia in 2009

Cunard Line’s luxurious Queen Mary 2 and its newest ocean liner, Queen Victoria, will make encore visits to Australia in 2009 as part of the globe’s most traditional world voyage program. Click for MORE:

http://www.msccruises.com.au/

MSC GETS MORE SHIPS: MSC's fleet will grow to 12 ships within the next three years, with announcement of an order to construct a fourth "Musica" class ship. The 2500-passenger vessel will have 242,000 feet of public area (that's about five acres), new technological and design features, and more than 85 percent outside accommodations. 2008 plans for MSC include year-'round Mediterranean sailings, with all of the fleet's 10 ships there at some time during the year. There will also be three ships sailing in Northern Europe, three in South America, and two in the Caribbean... It'll be Show Time all day and all night when the entertainment program gets rolling on the brand new 2500-passenger Orchestra. There will be 82 entertainers aboard,  A post-midnight "Late Night Show" and a 24hr movie program close the old day and start the new.

CRUISING the DANUBE

Like to share your favourite picture ?

Send me an email.  jpond@bigpond.net.au

MSC Cruises GM Lynne Clark  with Craig Owens Nat. Sales Manager hosted over 100 travel agents at a recent Sydney launch of their 2008 brochure.