Cruise ship changing places

A cruise ship to replace the Norwegian Star could be working out of Sydney by the end of the year. Sarina Bratton, managing director of Capricorn Cruise Lines, says her company is talking to ship owners around the world in its quest for a suitable vessel of about the same size as the 800-passenger Star, which transfers to Singapore in October.

Its travel programme will concentrate on cruises around Australia and maintaining some South Pacific visits. This reflects public interest in voyages to Australia's Top End, including Darwin and Broome, the Great Barrier Reef and Tasmania, with possible passenger side-trips to inland attractions such as Uluru and Kakadu. The Norwegian Star is moving to what its new owner, Star Cruises, believes is a more lucrative market in Southeast Asia, probably as a floating casino.

This follows Star Cruises' takeover of Norwegian Cruise Lines, parent company of Norwegian Capricorn Lines, which will be superseded in October by Capricorn Cruise Lines.