The Australia-based traditional ocean liner, Athena, will make maiden visits to four Asian ports next year.
The 580-passenger ship, operated by Classic International Cruises, will make inaugural calls at Keelung in Taiwan, the Philippine capital Manila, the South Korean city of Busan, and Kagoshima in Japan in February and March 2013. The new ports form part of Athena’s 38-night Far East cruise which departs Perth on 18 February.
Athena will take passengers to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean before sailing on to Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Busan, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kagoshiman, Keelung, Manila and Bali before returning to Perth on 28 March 2013.
In total, Athena will operate 17 cruises in Australia next summer. Onboard facilities include a pool, fitness centre, five bars and lounges, a nightclub, showlounge, casino, library, cinema and two restaurants.