Bernadette Chua

Sydney

Content Editor at Big Splash Media

Deputy Editor at Cruise Passenger Magazine

Content Editor at Big Splash Media, travel writer, Sydney-based journalist and editor. Views are my own.

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Articles

Celestyal Reveals New Itineraries For The 2025/26 Arabian Gulf Season

1 week ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

The line has four new repositioning cruises for the upcoming Arabian Gulf season. Celestyal will return to Egypt for the first time in two years. Miaden calls include four new ports and two countries. Celestyal has launched four new 14-night repositioning cruises as part of its winter sun season in the Arabian Gulf.
Silversea Unveils New Details Of Its Luxury Antarctica Hotel

1 week ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

Luxury line Silversea has unveiled new details around its new Antarctica hotel. The Comorant at 55 South is designed for guests who want to fly over the Drake Passage. The hotel will open during the 2025/26 Antarctic season. Silversea has unveiled the first spaces and name of The Cormorant at 55 South, its new 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, which is scheduled to open during the 2025/26 Antarctic season.
Norwegian Aqua Officially Christened In Miami

1 week ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

Norwegian Aqua was officially christened in Miami. The cruise line’s godfather, actor Eric Stonestreet christened the ship along with other dignitaries. READ MORE: The first look inside the Norwegian Aqua. Norwegian Cruise Line has officially christened the new Norwegian Aqua in Miami. The ceremony took place at PortMiami and included a special appearance by Norwegian Aqua godfather and two-time Emmy Award-winning actor, Eric Stonestreet.
Tauck Ventures Into Small Ship Cruising

1 week ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

Tauck has announced two new voyages onboard Ponant ships. One voyage takes in Japan and Korea as well as the Arctic. The journeys are priced from $22,000 and include five-star hotel stays and more. Tauck, known for its river and land journeys, will be delving into small ship cruising, with the company launching two new itineraries in 2026. The company will be chartering two Ponant ships for the cruises.
Ovation Of The Seas Ship Guide, Deck Plans, & Photos

1 week ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

If you’re thinking about booking Ovation of the Seas (one of the most beloved cruise ships) for the upcoming season, you’re not the only one. This Quantum-class ship has built a bit of a cult following in Australia, and for good reason. It’s big, it’s packed with stuff to do (from skydiving simulations to bumper cars), and it sails to some pretty stunning places.
Serenade Of The Seas Ship Guide, Deck Plans, Photos- Cruise Passenger

1 week ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

Serenade of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class ships, which, true to their name have a light-filled radiance due to the extensive use of glass in their sleek design. A mid-sized vessel, Serenade of the Seas offers a more personalised and curated experience than the sprawling Royal Caribbean mega ships. Her smaller size grants Serenade of the Seas access to ports the larger ships can’t reach, offering itineraries with alluring destinations like Alaska and the Panama Canal.
Take A Look At The Star Princess As She Nears Completion

1 week ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

Princess has revealed images from the Fincantieri shipyard of the progress of the Star Princess. The ship is six months away from launch. The Star Princess will sail in the Mediterranean. Princess has revealed new behind-the-scenes images of the Star Princess. The ship is six months away from launch and is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The 178,000 gross tonne ship will float out on September 26, 2024.
Ponant Announces Full Circumnavigation Of Antarctica For 2028

2 weeks ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

Ponant launches new 2028 circumnavigation voyage of Antarctica. The ship will navigate around 11,200 miles of coastline. The itinerary follows in the footsteps of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot. Ponant luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, will embark on a full circumnavigation of Antarctica between January and March 2028, departing from Ushuaia. The itinerary will journey through remote regions and navigate around 11,200 miles of coastline.
Explora Journeys Launches New Loyalty Program With Five Tiers Of Benefits

2 weeks ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

Luxury line Explora Journeys has announced a new loyalty program. There will be five loyalty tiers weighted on nights spent at sea, suite category, and destination experiences purchased pre-cruise. The line is set to have a fleet of six luxury ships by 2028. Explora Journeys has revealed a new loyalty programme which has five tier levels for guests who may want additional benefits when sailing with the luxury line. The program has just rolled out this week.
Carnival Announces Details Carnival Festivale And New Deployments

2 weeks ago | cruisepassenger.com.au | Bernadette Chua

The cruise line has revealed details around its newest ship, the Carnival Festivale. Carnival also revealed the name of its fifth Excel-class ship, set to launch in 2028. The announcements come as Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure launch in Australia. Carnival Cruise Line is launching a new ship dedicated to sail out of Port Canaveral in the spring of 2027. The Carnival Festivale will be the fourth ship in the line’s Excel Class and will be designed for families.