Cruise takeaway – Onboard the MS Amsterdam from Melbourne to Sydney

20/01/2012 0 Comments read Travel

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 20.01.2012 (Khaleej Times): With the advent of summer, cruise liners begin port calls on Australian shores. So instead of a 90-minute flight or 10-hour drive, I embark on my maiden cruise on Holland America’s MS Amsterdam from Melbourne to Sydney. Overzealous customs officials greet me at the Melbourne Port before I am ushered on board by cheerful crew.

The classic interior, broad staircases and polished decks display Dutch heritage and tradition. At the epicentre is the Planeto Astrolabium, a signature sculpture soaring in a three-story atrium, which tracks constellations, the planets, world time and ship time.

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Industrial body orders end to Qantas stir

01/11/2011 0 Comments read Business and Trade, Travel

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 01.11.2011 (Business Standard): Small and big businesses, especially those affiliated with tourism, were counting the cost after Fair Work Australia, the country’s industrial relations body, ordered an end to the dispute between the management of Qantas, the national airline, and union members.

Destination New South Wales, for instance, estimates Parramasala, a unique international festival which celebrates South Asian Arts, could lose A$750,000 due to artists not arriving and lost business for restaurants and hotels. The festival began yesterday with a Deepavali Fair and runs until November 6. Five Indian artists from a musical group are due to leave Delhi on a code-share flight with Qantas and festival organisers fear that if an alternative flight cannot be found, performances may need to be cancelled and 1,600 tickets refunded.

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Qantas remains fogbound

31/10/2011 0 Comments read Business and Trade, Travel

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 30.10.2011 (Business Standard): Australia’s flagship carrier, Qantas’ entire fleet remains grounded affecting 68,000 passengers worldwide with the cancellation of 447 flights costing millions of dollars to the national economy.

A marathon two rounds of hearing before Fair Work Australia, which is considering the Federal Government’s application for termination or suspension of industrial dispute between Qantas and the Australian Licenced Engineers Union (ALAEA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA), was far away from a resolution tonight.

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