Category Travel

Many more cruise liners come calling at Indian ports

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 05.04.2012: In the days when journalists used Olivetti typewriters and bromides to make news pages, merchant navy ships making port calls at Mumbai were a major attraction. The narrow pavements of Colaba and Fort would be dotted with hawkers selling the `imported’ Australian Kraft Cheese, the Italian Ferrero Rocher chocolates, American Lacoste Tshirts and airline socks on wooden boxes transformed into tables for displaying wares.

Today, along with cargo ships, many of the world’s renowned cruise liners regularly make port calls along India’s lengthy coastline. Cruising is fast becoming the choice of Indian travellers to explore the world for its all-inclusive nature, relieving the stress of constant packing and unpacking, checking-in and checking out. On a cruise, one unpacks on day 1 and packs on the last day whether travelling for days, weeks or even months.

Continue reading

Cruise takeaway – Onboard the MS Amsterdam from Melbourne to Sydney

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.

Continue reading

Industrial body orders end to Qantas stir

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.

Continue reading