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Australia's Voyager reach grand final of Eurovision 2023

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Voyager take Australia to ninth place in Eurovision grand final

Fans of song contest hail ‘a brilliant result’ as Perth synth metal rock band perform track Promise in Liverpool

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Australia’s Eurovision hopefuls Voyager have performed strongly at the song contest, placing ninth out of a tight field of just 26 acts in the grand final.

The synth metal rock band from Perth delivered a flawless performance of their track Promise, with lead singer Danny Estrin appearing in an 80s car flanked by other band members.

Australia landed a respectable 151 points, picking up 12 points from both Portugal and Iceland’s jury votes, and 21 points from the public vote.

The result put them ahead of last year’s Australian entrant, Sheldon Riley, who came 15th at Turin 2022. It is the third time Australia has finished in ninth place, but this year’s result doesn’t match the country’s 2016 performance, where Dami Im came in second place with her song Sound of Silence.

Voyager made it through to the grand final after qualifying in Thursday’s second semi-final which saw, among others, Greece, Denmark and Iceland knocked out, leaving the qualifying acts to go through to the grand final, along with the Big Five – France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Reacting to the result, Emily Griggs, head of the Australian Eurovision delegation, said: “Voyager are truly electric on stage and their performances from the pre-parties to the grand final has been incredible to see … We’re so incredibly proud to have them represent Australia this year and look forward to cheering on their continued success.”

Die-hard Australian fans travelled to Liverpool to watch the show. Despite tickets for the final being hard to come by, many watched in bars and fan zones around the city. Dale Roberts, who was watching in Liverpool, said it was an “incredible result”.

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Beto Popocatepetl from Melbourne, a longtime fan attending Eurovision for the fifth time, was watching in Liverpool.

“The reaction from the public [to Australia] was amazing … no one was sitting down, everyone was jumping. The people here love Voyager, it was an amazing response!”

Liv Webster, also in Liverpool, said a top 10 result for Voyager was “a huge moment for Australia”.

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She was happy for the winners too, and said “Sweden will do a fabulous job of hosting Eurovision 2024”.

Despite the time difference meaning the show was broadcast in the early hours of the morning in Australia, committed fans watched at organised viewing parties across the country in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.

In Perth, where the show started at 3am and the result was announced at 7am, many had stayed up all night but were not disheartened that Voyager didn’t win.

“Ninth place is a brilliant result, we’re so proud of Voyager,” said Kate Hansen, organiser of EuroClub Perth, a viewing party attended by the parents of Voyager’s lead singer Danny Estrin.

“This year was extra special for us, they’re our friends. The best thing is, about a month and a half ago I booked accommodation in Sweden for next year because I thought they might win!”

Australia has participated in Eurovision since 2015 and has had relative success, placing in the top 10 four times prior to this year.

The country’s participation in Eurovision is only guaranteed until this year, but those close to the Australian team are hopeful the country will be invited back next year, although no announcement has been made.

Paul Clarke, creative director of the Australian delegation to Eurovision, said he was “confident” Australia would return again.

The rules of Eurovision mean it must be hosted within Europe, so if Australia were to win it would mean another country would have to host for them, as the UK have done for Ukraine this year.

Fans are hopeful that Australia will return next year, “but even if not, I’ll still be supporting”, said Hansen.

• Eurovision 2023
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Australia's Voyager Make It To The Eurovision Final

“Thank you to our incredible team and everyone who voted for us. Holy moly."

Voyager @ Eurovision (Pic by Sarah Louise Bennett)

Australia’s Voyager  are officially grand finalists at the 67 th Eurovision Song Contest , after succeeding through the Second Semi-Final with their song, Promise .

“GRAND FINAL HERE WE COME,” the band wrote on social media , accompanying their post with multiple emojis: a guitar, the “horns”, a car, a champagne bottle, and of course, the Australian flag.

They added, “WE PROMISE YOU IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT!!!!

“Thank you to our incredible team and everyone who voted for us. Holy moly.” Check out their Second Semi-Final performance below.

The Eurovision  2023 Grand Final airs this Sunday from 5 am AEST – the prime-time broadcast will air at 7:30 pm that night on SBS and SBS On Demand.

Joining Voyager at the Grand Final this weekend is another nine contestants, and they are: Brunette  with Future Lover  (Armenia), Alika ’s Bridges  (Estonia), Gustaph ’s Because Of You (Belgium), Cypriot-Australian Andrew Lambrou ’s Break A Broken Heart  (Cyprus), Blanka ’s Solo  (Poland), Slovenia’s Joker Out  with  Carpe Diem, T eya & Salena ’s Who The Hell Is Edgar (Austria), Albina & Familja Kelmendi ’s Duje  (Albania), and Monika Linkytė ’s Stay  (Lithuania).

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Also making it through to the Grand Final is Australia 🇦🇺 #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/PzSg7sE0UY — Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 11, 2023

Voyager’s home city of Perth has gotten behind them in a big way. Earlier this week, the Perth Symphony Orchestra’s INNEKA covered the band’s Eurovision  song, Promise , on top of Optus Stadium. 

Featuring no vocals, the violin-based cover doesn’t miss a beat. It’s just as theatrical as the original track – perhaps even more so by performing on a roof.

“Perth Symphony are beyond excited to send this gift of love and support to Voyager from our beautiful home in the most isolated city in the world,” Fiona Campbell , the Creative Director for Perth Symphony Orchestra, said in a statement. “Australia will be cheering you on and could not be prouder of you all, rocking it out on the world stage. GOOD LUCK VOYAGER!” 

The band responded, “We’re truly speechless after seeing this incredible show of support from the Perth Symphony Orchestra and our beautiful State. This epic string version of our song Promise moved us to tears and we cannot be prouder to be ambassadors for Australia, Aussie music, and particularly our incredible WA music scene!"

"As a long-time Eurovision  fan, this is the pinnacle - Voyager gets to play the greatest show on earth," Voyager vocalist Danny Estrin said in February.

"Our song Promise  is made for the Eurovision  stage, and collectively we feel it's one of our best yet. We filmed the music video in both the city of Perth and beautiful parts of Western Australia to showcase the majestic beauty of our home state. Eurovisionation, we are coming!" And indeed, they have arrived.

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Who are metal band Voyager? Australia’s Eurovision entry set to rock the contest

Australia has a short but impactful history in Eurovision , and its 2023 entry looks set to be among its most memorable.

Metal band Voyager have been trying to get a place on the show since before Australia was even competing, so when Europe was extended to a land down under for the show in 2015, they were keen to join the fun.

Bass player Alex Cainon told the NME : “The most common feedback we get is that we look like we’re having fun onstage – which we’ve found, over the years, translates into the crowd themselves having fun. And that’s exactly what Eurovision is about, you know?”

Voyager formed in 1999 in the Western Australian city of Perth - a place other Aussies will tell you is in “woop woop” (a million miles from anywhere). And perhaps as geographical outsiders they have had what it takes to form a cult following which has seen them release eight albums - most recently Fearless in Love this year.

There is a huge Eurovision following in Australia and the country was set to compete only once in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary, but has returned every year since - although it has yet to win. While it is not unheard of for a metal band to win the competition (remember Lordi in 2006?) Voyager are considered outsiders for this year’s competition which begins, for them, on Thursday, May 11 with the second semi-final.

But winning is not everything and the band are instead hoping to put Australian metal onto the global stage.

“Eurovision is the kind of thing you can do and come out of with a completely new fanbase,” guitarist Scott Kay told NME .

“If they’re into more obscure types of music, hopefully they’ll see us and then check out all the other amazing talent we have in Australia.”

Voyager will enter the 2023 competition with their song Promise which they hope will provide a solid entry point for fans. The band have crossed the boundary and are now in the host city of Liverpool hoping to make the final which will be on Saturday.

To find out more about Eurovision 2023 click here .

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EUROVISION NEWS WITH ATTITUDE

“We needed a vehicle” — Australia’s Voyager on Eurovision 2023 staging and first rehearsal, including THAT car

• Posted on May 5, 2023 May 5, 2023
• by Renske ten Veen

Australia’s Voyager landed in the LUSH Liverpool Lounge to speak about their experiences performing across Europe, their Eurovision 2023 staging and the first rehearsal of “Promise”.

The five musicians from Perth sat down to discuss their voyage so far. On the biggest difference between performing for an Australian audience compared to a European one, they said:

“Probably the heat!”

“It’s probably a thirty to forty degree difference. Some of the hottest shows we’ve ever done have been in Australia, being like fifty degrees.”

“We have not sufficiently thawed yet!”

Australia’s Voyager “Promise” — Interview after Eurovision 2023 first rehearsal

In the footage that has been released of Voyager’s first rehearsal on the Eurovision 2023 stage, we can see some synchronised head banging as well as a notable prop: a real car on the stage. Voyager’s drummer Ashley Doodkorte said to us:

“We’ll promise you will have a fantastic time.”

Lead singer Danny Estrin added as an explanation:

“People are confused. Like: why is there a car? The story of the car is: we needed a vehicle to show that you are getting away from the kind of chaos into the nature. You know, escaping it all. What better vehicle than something quintessentially eighties? That I actually owned myself. I had one of those. It’s the first car I bought. It’s been featured in Voyager videos. That shape is so quintessentially eighties. It’s poor man’s Ferrari. A Toyota MR2.” 

“It’s an iconic eighties thing with pop-up headlights. And we thought: what better vehicle to use than that car to show the message?”

Australia at Eurovision 2023: Voyager “Promise” first rehearsal

Australia’s Voyager have had one rehearsal so far at Eurovision 2023, which took place on Tuesday. This rehearsal included some things that we had expected from the band, but also some surprises. The biggest surprise for many was the band shipping a real vintage Toyota to Liverpool.

They were not the first act to bring out a car this year, as Malta’s The Busker are also bringing their own vehicle to Liverpool.

Voyager are delivering a real eighties moment, including a keytar among the many guitars on the stage. The act includes lots of pyro and flashing lights. In short: we won’t be bored!

Do you think that car will drive Voyager to success during the second semi final of Eurovision 2023? Do you love “Promise”? Let us know in the comments down below!

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Renske ten Veen

Our Renske is a graduated Slavicist from the Netherlands. As a daughter of a Eurovision fan, she grew up watching and listening to Eurovision songs. wiwibloggs introduced her to a community of loving people from all over the world, including to her significant other.

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Delayed at the gas station. Picking up champagne.

Reminds me of a classic Australian movie from the 1980s, “Dead End Drive-In”, where outcasts from society are lured to a drive-in cinema, only to be locked in, kept away from the normies.

The drive-in cinema sounds like the Plato’s proverbial cave, only the film sounds back to front as to who’s in the cave and who’s not.

I just read up on the film, it sounds good!

I like it, it’s fun. Plato for Dummies.

Lead character is well-named too.

Or they could be entertainment for the Thunderdome?

That just reminds me of Tina Turner, and I don’t think anyone would like to be compared to her.

I should have phrased it “nobody can look good” if compared to her, she will always win, they will always lose.

Oh, well she is a wonder indeed 🙂

I wasn’t sure what your wording meant, I thought perhaps you meant no one wants to be compared to Aunty Entity…

I’m sure there are some politicians out there who wouldn’t mind.

and wiwibloggs commenters too, perhaps.

Have you ever been to ESC in person?

Just once. I love attending live events usually, but for this it has always been an “at home” tradition. On television, with people I love. Probably a childhood thing.

You, Jimmy?

I’m attending this year’s in Liverpool. It’s my first time 🙂

Like you say, there are so many different ways to enjoy Eurovision, it’s an event that I sometimes wish I could split into multiple realities – being there in person, having the at-home traditions with your nearest and dearest, and then spending it with all sorts of other people you’d love to share it with too.

Enjoy! Make some happy memories.

Of course, you too! 🙂

That sounds lovely. Which one was your once?

If you say 2016, I’ll be slightly jealous 😛

Please keep your hands off Marco when you’re in Liverpool. I saw him first.

2013, great year. Loreen’s entrance with the choir singing Euphoria, very memorable! Hope she bring the contest back to Malmö for you.

I wish them well, whoever you might be referring to.

Fusa Nocta is annoyed haha

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Voyager: Meet the Eurovision die-hards finally representing Australia

Prog-rock band voyager have come close to representing their country a couple of times in the past, article bookmarked.

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Australia may have only joined Eurovision in 2015, but fans are hoping 2023 could be the country’s year thanks to the star power of prog-rock band Voyager .

The five-piece – whose current line-up features Daniel “Danny” Estrin, Simone Dowe, Scott Kay, Ashley Doodkorte and Alex Canion – first formed in 1999. Since then, the band have swapped out their members many times, releasing seven studio albums over 24 years.

Voyager are representing Australia for the first time in Liverpool in this year’s final, but this is far from their first shot at Eurovision glory.

Follow our live blog for all the latest updates on Eurovision 2023

The group were shortlisted to compete for Australia in 2020 (although they did not make it to the country’s final), only to become the runners-up in Australia’s competition last year, eventually losing out to the raven-haired belter Sheldon Riley.

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For 2023, Voyager were internally selected to represent Australia with their song “Promise”, which is part pulsing synth track, part rock head-banger.

As with many Eurovision songs, such as this year’s self-empowerment anthem “Queen of Kings” by Norway’s Alessandra , Voyager’s track imparts a positive message.

Lyrically, “Promise” speaks to the importance of companionship in a chaotic world. “Sometimes we all just need a friend, partner or family to tell us it’ll be alright,” said guitarist Scott Kay.

Voyager is set to compete in the second semi-finals on Thursday (11 May) in Liverpool, where they will be up against Denmark, Armenia, Romania, Estonia, Belgium, Cyprus, Iceland, Greece, Poland, Solvenia, Georgia, San Marino, Austria, Albania, and Lithuania for a chance to compete in Saturday’s grand final (13 May).

We spoke to guitarist Kay about the history of long-haired rockers in Eurovision and the pressures of going up against Sweden’s Eurovision favourite and competition darling Loreen in Liverpool.

Hi Scott! Congrats on your Eurovision entry track “Promise” – it’s a belter! What’s the backstory behind the song?

“Promise” began as an intriguing introduction, with Danny begging the question: “Have you ever done anything like this before?” to which our answer as a band was, “Nope!”.

It felt like a great idea to explore, so we delved into it together. “Promise” lyrically is a reflection of the chaos in the world, and that sometimes we all just need a friend, partner or family to tell us it’ll be alright.

Eurovision loves a long-haired rock star, who have been some previous favourites of the genre?

We love Blind Channel from Finland. The staging was epic, and the theatrics for the performance are epic. Their performance has influenced us, and we hope to capture that same energy.

Australia is still a relatively new addition to Eurovision – how has the country embraced the madness of the competition?

By staying up to ungodly hours just to simply watch Eurovision! We’re more dedicated viewers by default, I think. Australia is such a massive cultural melting pot, so it only makes sense that Eurovision would be embraced so deeply. We love theatre, drama, the discussion about the music and the outfits.

This isn’t your first attempt to represent Australia at Eurovision. What has made 2023 the right year?

We were internally selected this year, but won the popular vote last year with our song “Dreamer” in 2022. I genuinely think we were a point of difference for Australia last year; a heavy band with a pop sheen, and our song had immediacy to it. This year, we believe it only made sense to be chosen to represent the country considering how close we came in 2022!

What parts of Liverpudlian culture are you most excited to experience?

Liverpool is such an art-focused city, so it’s going to be great to be immersed not only in the Eurovision culture, but the music and art scene that already exists there. If we have time it would be great to get to a pub and watch some local talent, perhaps visit the Beatles Museum too.

Who’s your favourite past Eurovision winner?

“Euphoria” by Loreen is just such a captivating and powerful song, it’s hard to go past. It’s both amazing and slightly intimidating to be competing against her this year as well!

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Voyager lead singer Danny Estrin is Australia’s Spokesperson for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest jury

National treasure and lead singer of australia's 2023 eurovision representatives voyager, danny estrin, will be letting us know who gets our douze points..

Daniel Estrin, lead singer of Voyager. Credit: Michael Dann

AUSTRALIA’S EUROVISION SPOKESPERSON

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Customers of one of America’s largest rental car companies are feeling the sting after renting Teslas only to pay hundreds in gratuitous fuel fees — and then being denied refunds.

Hertz in the United States, which recently announced plans to offload 30,000 used Teslas, was accused of charging one customer a nearly $US300 ($447) “Skip the Pump” fee for failing to return the electric vehicle with a full tank, the New York Post reports.

Of course, EVs don’t require petrol.

A customer who’d rented a battery-powered Tesla Model 3 recently was billed $US277.39 ($413.77) for fuel he could not have pumped into the car.

The customer was initially told the charge wasn’t refundable, but Hertz wound up returning the money after a story appeared on motoring publication The Drive.

A separate report chronicled a $US340.97 ($508.61) “Skip the Pump” fee charged to a different customer, Evan Froehlich, who claimed he was unable to even reach Hertz’s customer service to request a refund.

Another Hertz customer, Toan Le, told The Drive he prepaid $US329.83 ($491.99) for a week with a Tesla Model 3, and returned it without a full charge.

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Le also was asked to pay a $US125.01 ($186.47) “rebill” charge for using Tesla’s Supercharger network.

The excessive and unwarranted fees are nothing new, according to reports.

Hertz was singled out on Facebook last year by a user who paid a nearly $US60 ($89.50) refuel fee for his rented Tesla.

Hertz acknowledged a problem for an unknown number of customers and blamed its computer system.

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“It should never have happened, and we have fixed the problem that caused it. We also proactively reached out to the customers who were affected and refunded the erroneous charge. To compensate them for their inconvenience, we have offered them a credit toward a future EV rental.”

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US/Canada : GENERAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL PARTS OF THE Grand Voyage Early Booking OFFER Benefits (“Offer(s)”): Offers are available for full 2026 93-Day Grand Australia & New Zealand to 1st/2nd guests sharing a stateroom who make a new booking on select categories by June 16, 2025. Offers are based on Promo(s) W**/UK*. Amenity values vary by category booked. Offers are only available on a limited basis and are capacity controlled (regardless of stateroom availability) and may not be combined with other offers or promotions (aside from those listed herein). Other exclusions may apply; void where prohibited. Offers and their parts are not transferable, not substitutable, and not redeemable for cash. Holland America Line (“HAL”) is not responsible or liable for any Offer errors, including printing, typography, or other errors. HAL may change or revoke the Offers at any time. All values are quoted in USD. If guest booking Offer received a complimentary upgrade or purchased a PLUS offer, promotional or stateroom amenities are based on the non-discounted category paid, not the upgraded stateroom category. For more information about our stateroom categories and suite descriptions, to view deck plans, and for full terms and conditions applicable to your cruise, please refer to HollandAmerica.com or the appropriate Holland America Line brochure. Offer ends June 16, 2025. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands. Advertised Offer value of $7900 is per person based on double occupancy and applies to the 93-Day Grand Australia & New Zealand (roundtrip San Diego) in a Pinnacle Suite based on the following approximate values: $2,000 Onboard Credit; Crew Appreciation valued at $1767; one complimentary shore excursion valued at $250 and must be selected from the Collections of Holland America Line list; luggage delivery service valued at $500; Surf Wi-Fi package valued at $615.99; Flight Ease Air Credit valued at $500; Roundtrip group transportation between San Diego airport and point of cruise’s embarkment/disembarkment on the day of embark (January 4, 2026) and the day of disembark (April 7, 2026) valued at $48; complimentary initial liquor setup (4 bottles) valued at $100; and a “Welcome on Board” bottle of sparkling wine valued at $21 per guest. The following amenities vary by category booked and are available throughout the entire booking window and are valued as follows: complimentary unlimited in-suite bottled water and soft drinks valued at US$782 and complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing valued at US$837.  The Grand Mariner discount is valued at US$500 per person and is available to guests who have previously sailed on a Holland America Line Grand Voyage. Pay in Full Saving Option: Pay in full by June 16, 2025, and save an additional 3% from the applicable fare. Applicable to full-cruise and segment-cruise guests, including third and fourth persons. Agent commission is based on the fare paid after all promotions are applied.   

Onboard Credit (“OBC”) Offer : OBC will be applied to guest’s folio account and amount varies based on stateroom type as follows: $2000 per person ($4000 for singles) for guests booked in a Pinnacle Suite (PS) stateroom; $1000 per person ($2000 for singles) for guests booked in a Neptune Suite (SA-SB) stateroom; $750 per person ($1425 for singles) for guests booked in a Vista Suite (A-BC) stateroom; $500 per person ($800 for singles) for guests booked in an Ocean-View (C-F) stateroom. Limit: One (1) OBC per guest and available only for 1st/2nd guests in a stateroom. OBC is not refundable, transferable, or redeemable for cash and has no cash value. OBC may only be used on the cruise it was awarded in connection with and expires at the end of such cruise. OBC may not be used in the casino or on other specified fees or items. Crew Appreciation : is paid on behalf of the guest for on-board items/charges but does not include other service charges including, but not limited to Crew Appreciation for bar, dining room, wine accounts and spa/salon services. Shore Excursion : Guest will receive one (1) shore excursion per person. Excursion is non-refundable and must be chosen from the Collections of Holland America Line list. Shore excursion credit cannot be redeemed for cash value or applied to a non-shore excursion item. Luggage Delivery Service : Delivery is available for U.S and Canadian residents only and only available to/from your home residence to the ship in San Diego. HAL will deliver up to 5 suitcases/bags for guests booked in Pinnacle Suite (PS) staterooms and Neptune Suite (SA-SB) staterooms; up to 4 suitcases/bags for guests booked in Vista Suite (A-BC) staterooms; up to 3 suitcases/bags for guests booked in Ocean-View (C-F) staterooms. HAL is not responsible for luggage or items contained therein. Guests should not leave personal documents, valuables, or money in luggage left for delivery. In-suite Liquor Setup and Sparkling Wine : Available only for Pinnacle suite (PS), Neptune Suite (SA-SB), Vista Suite (A-BC), and Ocean View (C-F) staterooms. Guest must be 21 years or older to receive in-suite liquor or sparkling wine. Guests under the age of 21 shall not receive any substitute beverage or item. 3% Pay in Full Discount : Guests that pay their full cruise-fare on or before June 16, 2025 receive a 3% discount off such cruise-fare. Discount does not apply to Taxes, Fees, or Port Expenses or any other expenses or costs. Surf Wi-Fi Package: Internet usage is subject to HAL standard policies, which may limit browsing of some sites due to network security and bandwidth usage. Applications that use high bandwidth may be blocked and offerings are subject to change with or without notice. The plan can be activated on any device but only one device can be actively connected at a time. Offer applies to guests 1 & 2 only in a stateroom. US$500 Air Credit is per person for flights booked through Flight Ease . Flights are subject to availability. Air credit must be used by the time of voyage departure.  Airport Transfers are provided to/from San Diego (SAN) airport on the day of embark and the day of disembark for up to 2 people per stateroom in standard transportation; guests flying into different airports shall not receive airport transfers. If any guest flies in earlier than the date of cruise embarkment or flies home later than the day of cruise disembarkment, then no airport transportation may be provided. Guests driving to the point of embarkment/disembarkment shall not be eligible for this part of the Offer. 

Segment guests will receive the following Onboard Credit amounts per person for 1st/2nd guests sharing a stateroom: For segments 34 days or longer : $500 per guest ($1000 for singles) for Pinnacle Suite (PS) or Neptune Suite (SA-SB), $500 per guest ($950 for singles) in Vista Suite (A-BC), $300 per guest ($480 for singles) in Ocean-View (C-F). For segments up to 33 days : $250 per guest ($500 for singles) for Pinnacle Suite (PS) or Neptune Suite (SA-SB), $250 per guest ($475 for singles) in Vista Suite (A-BC), $150 per guest ($240 for singles) in Ocean-View (C-F).  Grand Mariner Discount available for Segment Voyages at varying values dependent on voyage length (up US$300 value). 3% Pay in Full Discount : Guests that pay their full cruise-fare on or before June 16, 2025 receive a 3% discount off such cruise-fare. Discount does not apply to Taxes, Fees, or Port Expenses or any other expenses or costs. Surf Wi-Fi Package: Internet usage is subject to HAL standard policies, which may limit browsing of some sites due to network security and bandwidth usage. Applications that use high bandwidth may be blocked and offerings are subject to change with or without notice. The plan can be activated on any device but only one device can be actively connected at a time. Offer applies to guests 1 & 2 only in a stateroom.

As we travel across the oceans and to remote areas of the world, it’s possible we may experience reduced or intermittent satellite connection. Although the high bandwidth satellite footprint is extensive, it does not cover the entire world. In some instances, our location and surrounding terrain can contribute to a slower browsing experience, partial loss of signal or temporary outage. We thank you for your patience during these times and recommend that you log out and try back later once the ship has relocated.   

*Fares are per person, in AUD, in complete twin accommodation based on the lead category for each stateroom type at time of publication, inclusive of all discounts, taxes, fees and port expenses (which are subject to change). Campaign ends on 16 June 2025. Valid for new bookings and not combinable with any other offer. Offerings on 93-day Grand Australia & New Zealand (roundtrip San Diego) departing January 4, 2026 incl segments as specified. Offerings vary by itinerary and stateroom category. Supplements apply for other stateroom categories. Fares based on specific departure dates only. Higher fares may apply to other departure dates. Holland America Line has set aside a reasonable number of staterooms which are available at these fares and once sold, fares may vary. Some staterooms have obstructed views. Offerings are valid for the eligible cruise only and are not transferable or redeemable for cash. Offers are based on Promo(s) W**/UK*. If guest booking Offer received a complimentary upgrade or purchasing a PLUS offer, promotional or stateroom amenities are based on the non-discounted category paid, not the upgraded stateroom category. Cruise Only fare is the cruise fare without any inclusions. 

To be read in conjunction with the Holland America Line Passage contract www.HollandAmerica.com/en_US/legal-privacy-australia/cruise-contract.html which guests will be bound by. Vaccination requirements apply. Government guidelines may result in a requirement to quarantine during or after your cruise and may restrict your ability to participate in shore tours or disembark the ship at ports we visit during your cruise. See our Health Protocols at https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/travel-well for more information. Guidelines are subject to change without notice and, as such, our actual cruise offerings may vary from the descriptions provided and images displayed. Cruise itineraries are not guaranteed. A credit card surcharge of 1.1% for Visa and Mastercard and 2.75% for AMEX will apply to direct bookings made through our website or call centre. No surcharges apply to debit cards. Travel agents may charge additional fees; check with your travel agent. Whilst all information is correct at time of publication, offers are subject to change or withdrawal. Carnival plc trading as Carnival Australia ABN 23 107 998 443 as agent for Holland America Line.

Pay in Full Saving Option : Pay in full by 16 June 2025 and save an additional 3% from the applicable fare. Applicable to full-cruise and segment-cruise guests, including third and fourth persons. Agent commission is based on the fare paid after all promotions are applied.  

Onboard credit: is in USD, per stateroom and applied to the first 2 guests in a stateroom. Solo travellers receive a different amount as specified. Onboard spending money expires at the end of the eligible cruise, is not transferable, non-refundable, not redeemable for cash and cannot be used at the casino or on other specific items. Amount varies by stateroom category and itinerary up to a maximum of $2000 as follows: For full Grand Voyage : $2000 per guest ($4000 for singles) in a Pinnacle Suite (PS), $1000 per guest ($2000 for singles) in a Neptune Suite (SA-SB), $750 per guest ($1425 for singles) in Vista Suite (A-BC), $500 per guest ($800 for singles) in Ocean-View (C-F). For segments 34 days or longer : $500 per guest ($1000 for singles) for Pinnacle Suite (PS) or Neptune Suite (SA-SB), $500 per guest ($950 for singles) in Vista Suite (A-BC), $300 per guest ($480 for singles) in Ocean-View (C-F). For segments up to 33 days : $250 per guest ($500 for singles) for Pinnacle Suite (PS) or Neptune Suite (SA-SB), $250 per guest ($475 for singles) in Vista Suite (A-BC), $150 per guest ($240 for singles) in Ocean-View (C-F).

Crew Appreciation : Available only for Pinnacle Suite (PS), Neptune Suite (SA-SB), Vista Suite (A-BC), and Ocean-View staterooms(C-F) on the full Grand Voyage. Crew Appreciation is paid on behalf of the guest for stateroom gratuities only and does not include other service charges including but not limited to Crew Appreciation for bar, dining room, wine accounts and spa/salon services.  

Shore Excursion : Available only for Pinnacle Suite (PS), Neptune Suite (SA-SB), Vista Suite (A-BC) on the full Grand Voyage. Available to the first 2 guests in the stateroom only. Receive one (1) complementary shore excursion up to the value of US$250. Only redeemable from Collections of Holland America, limit one (1) per person, not transferable, non-refundable, not redeemable for cash and expires at the end of the eligible cruise. 

In-suite Liquor Setup : Available only for Pinnacle Suite (PS), Neptune Suite (SA-SB), Vista Suite (A-BC)  staterooms on the full Grand Voyage. Guest must be 21 years or older to receive in-suite liquor setup. Maximum of up to 4 bottles per stateroom (total US$200 in value). Select beverages available and exclusions apply. No substitutes including for guests aged under 21 years. 

Surf Wi-Fi Package : complimentary Surf Wi-Fi package is for one (1) device, applied to the first 2 guests in a stateroom and subject to HAL standard policies. For full details, see: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/onboard-packages/cruise-ship-wifi . 

AU$650 Flight Ease® Air Credit: is in AUD, per person for guests on the full Grand Voyage only, and subject to Flight Ease® Terms and Conditions, available at https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/plan-a-cruise/flights . Flights are subject to availability. Air credit must be used by the time of voyage departure and is not transferable, non-refundable and not redeemable for cash.  

Airport Transfers : are provided to/from San Diego (SAN) airport on the day of embark (4 January 2026) and the day of disembark (7 April 2026) for up to 2 people per stateroom on the full Grand Voyage only, in standard transportation. Guests flying into different airports will not receive airport transfers. If any guest flies in earlier than the date of cruise embarkment or flies home later than the day of cruise disembarkment, then no airport transportation will be provided. Guests driving to the point of embarkment/disembarkment shall not be eligible for this part of the Offer. 

“ Welcome on Board” bottle of sparkling wine : available only for Pinnacle Suite (PS), Neptune Suite (SA-SB), Vista Suite (A-BC), and Ocean-View (C-F) on the full Grand Voyage; Limit one (1) per stateroom, valued at US$21, and available to guests aged 21 years or older only.

Complimentary unlimited in-suite bottled water and soft drinks : available for Pinnacle (PS) and Neptune Suites (SA-SB) on the full Grand Voyage only. 

Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing : available only for Pinnacle Suite (PS), Neptune Suite (SA-SB) and Vista Suites (A-BC) on the Full Grand Voyage; and Pinnacle Suite (PS) and Neptune Suite (SA-SB) on segments. 

Grand Mariner Discount : available only to HAL Mariner Society members who have previously sailed on a Grand Voyage. For details, terms and conditions, see https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/plan-a-cruise/get-ready-for-your-cruise/mariner-society .    

GENERAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL PARTS OF THE Grand Voyage Early Booking OFFER Benefits (“Offer(s)”): Offers are available for full 2026 93-Day Grand Australia & New Zealand to 1st/2nd guests sharing a stateroom who make a new booking on select categories by 16 June 2025. Offers are based on Promo(s) W**/UK*. Amenity values vary by category booked. Offers are only available on a limited basis and are capacity controlled (regardless of stateroom availability) and may not be combined with other offers or promotions (aside from those listed herein). Other exclusions may apply; void where prohibited. Offers and their parts are not transferable, not substitutable, and not redeemable for cash. Holland America Line (“HAL”) is not responsible or liable for any Offer errors, including printing, typography, or other errors. HAL may change or revoke the Offers at any time. All values are quoted in USD. If guest booking Offer received a complimentary upgrade or purchasing a PLUS offer, promotional or stateroom amenities are based on the non-discounted category paid, not the upgraded stateroom category. For more information about our stateroom categories and suite descriptions, to view deck plans, and for full terms and conditions applicable to your cruise, please refer to HollandAmerica.com or the appropriate Holland America Line brochure. Offer ends 16 June 2025. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands. Advertised Offer value of $7900 is per person based on double occupancy and applies to the 93-Day Grand Australia & New Zealand (roundtrip San Diego) in a Pinnacle Suite based on the following approximate values: $2,000 Onboard Credit; Crew Appreciation valued at $1767; one complimentary shore excursion valued at $250 and must be selected from the Collections of Holland America Line list; luggage delivery service valued at $500; Surf Wi-Fi package valued at $615.99; Flight Ease Air Credit valued at $500; Roundtrip group transportation between San Diego airport and point of cruise’s embarkment/disembarkment on the day of embark (4 January 2026) and the day of disembark (7 April 2026) valued at $48; complimentary initial liquor setup (4 bottles) valued at $100; and a “Welcome on Board” bottle of sparkling wine valued at $21 per guest. The following amenities vary by category booked and are available throughout the entire booking window and are valued as follows: complimentary unlimited in-suite bottled water and soft drinks valued at US$782 and complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing valued at US$837.  The Grand Mariner discount is valued at US$500 per person and is available to guests who have previously sailed on a Holland America Line Grand Voyage. Pay in Full Saving Option: Pay in full by 16 June 2025, and save an additional 3% from the applicable fare. Applicable to full-cruise and segment-cruise guests, including third and fourth persons. Agent commission is based on the fare paid after all promotions are applied.   

Onboard Credit (“OBC”) Offer : OBC will be applied to guest’s folio account and amount varies based on stateroom type as follows: $2000 per person ($4000 per stateroom) for guests booked in a Pinnacle Suite (PS) stateroom; $1000 per person ($2000 per stateroom) for guests booked in a Neptune Suite (SA-SB) stateroom; $750 per person ($1425 per stateroom) for guests booked in a Vista Suite (A-BC) stateroom; $500 per person ($800 per stateroom) for guests booked in an Ocean-View (C-F) stateroom. Limit: One (1) OBC per guest and available only for 1st/2nd guests in a stateroom. OBC is not refundable, transferable, or redeemable for cash and has no cash value. OBC may only be used on the cruise it was awarded in connection with and expires at the end of such cruise. OBC may not be used in the casino or on other specified fees or items. Crew Appreciation : is paid on behalf of the guest for on-board items/charges but does not include other service charges including, but not limited to Crew Appreciation for bar, dining room, wine accounts and spa/salon services. Shore Excursion : Guest will receive one (1) shore excursion per person. Excursion is non-refundable and must be chosen from the Collections of Holland America Line list. Shore excursion credit cannot be redeemed for cash value or applied to a non-shore excursion item. In-suite Liquor Setup and Sparking Wine : Available only for Pinnacle suite (PS), Neptune Suite (SA-SB), Vista Suite (A-BC), and Ocean View (C-F) staterooms. Guest must be 21 years or older to receive in-suite liquor or sparkling wine. Guests under the age of 21 shall not receive any substitute beverage or item. 3% Pay in Full Discount: Guests that pay their full cruise-fare on or before 16 June 2025 receive a 3% discount off such cruise-fare. Discount does not apply to Taxes, Fees, or Port Expenses or any other expenses or costs. Surf Wi-Fi Package: Internet usage is subject to HAL standard policies, which may limit browsing of some sites due to network security and bandwidth usage. Applications that use high bandwidth may be blocked and offerings are subject to change with or without notice. The plan can be activated on any device but only one device can be actively connected at a time. Offer applies to guests 1 & 2 only in a stateroom. GBP$400 or EUR$450 Air Credit is per person for flights booked through Flight Ease . Flights are subject to availability. Air credit must be used by the time of voyage departure.  Airport Transfers are provided to/from San Diego (SAN) airport on the day of embark (4 January 2026) and the day of disembark (7 April 2026) for up to 2 people per stateroom in standard transportation; guests flying into different airports shall not receive airport transfers. If any guest flies in earlier than the date of cruise embarkment or flies home later than the day of cruise disembarkment, then no airport transportation may be provided. Guests driving to the point of embarkment/disembarkment shall not be eligible for this part of the Offer. 

Segment guests will receive the following Onboard Credit amounts per person for 1st/2nd guests sharing a stateroom: For segments 34 days or longer : $500 per guest ($1000 for singles) for Pinnacle Suite (PS) or Neptune Suite (SA-SB), $500 per guest ($950 for singles) in Vista Suite (A-BC), $300 per guest ($480 for singles) in Ocean-View (C-F). For segments up to 33 days : $250 per guest ($500 for singles) for Pinnacle Suite (PS) or Neptune Suite (SA-SB), $250 per guest ($475 for singles) in Vista Suite (A-BC), $150 per guest ($240 for singles) in Ocean-View (C-F).

As we travel across the oceans and to remote areas of the world, it’s possible we may experience reduced or intermittent satellite connection. Although the high bandwidth satellite footprint is extensive, it does not cover the entire world. In some instances, our location and surrounding terrain can contribute to a slower browsing experience, partial loss of signal or temporary outage. We thank you for your patience during these times and recommend that you log out and try back later once the ship has relocated. 

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NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft is talking nonsense. Its friends on Earth are worried

Nell Greenfieldboyce

This artist's impression shows one of the Voyager spacecraft moving through the darkness of space. NASA/JPL-Caltech hide caption

This artist's impression shows one of the Voyager spacecraft moving through the darkness of space.

The last time Stamatios "Tom" Krimigis saw the Voyager 1 space probe in person, it was the summer of 1977, just before it launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Now Voyager 1 is over 15 billion miles away, beyond what many consider to be the edge of the solar system. Yet the on-board instrument Krimigis is in charge of is still going strong.

"I am the most surprised person in the world," says Krimigis — after all, the spacecraft's original mission to Jupiter and Saturn was only supposed to last about four years.

These days, though, he's also feeling another emotion when he thinks of Voyager 1.

"Frankly, I'm very worried," he says.

Ever since mid-November, the Voyager 1 spacecraft has been sending messages back to Earth that don't make any sense. It's as if the aging spacecraft has suffered some kind of stroke that's interfering with its ability to speak.

"It basically stopped talking to us in a coherent manner," says Suzanne Dodd of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who has been the project manager for the Voyager interstellar mission since 2010. "It's a serious problem."

Instead of sending messages home in binary code, Voyager 1 is now just sending back alternating 1s and 0s. Dodd's team has tried the usual tricks to reset things — with no luck.

It looks like there's a problem with the onboard computer that takes data and packages it up to send back home. All of this computer technology is primitive compared to, say, the key fob that unlocks your car, says Dodd.

"The button you press to open the door of your car, that has more compute power than the Voyager spacecrafts do," she says. "It's remarkable that they keep flying, and that they've flown for 46-plus years."

Each of the Voyager probes carries an American flag and a copy of a golden record that can play greetings in many languages. NASA/JPL-Caltech hide caption

Each of the Voyager probes carries an American flag and a copy of a golden record that can play greetings in many languages.

Voyager 1 and its twin, Voyager 2, have outlasted many of those who designed and built them. So to try to fix Voyager 1's current woes, the dozen or so people on Dodd's team have had to pore over yellowed documents and old mimeographs.

"They're doing a lot of work to try and get into the heads of the original developers and figure out why they designed something the way they did and what we could possibly try that might give us some answers to what's going wrong with the spacecraft," says Dodd.

She says that they do have a list of possible fixes. As time goes on, they'll likely start sending commands to Voyager 1 that are more bold and risky.

"The things that we will do going forward are probably more challenging in the sense that you can't tell exactly if it's going to execute correctly — or if you're going to maybe do something you didn't want to do, inadvertently," says Dodd.

Linda Spilker , who serves as the Voyager mission's project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, says that when she comes to work she sees "all of these circuit diagrams up on the wall with sticky notes attached. And these people are just having a great time trying to troubleshoot, you know, the 60's and 70's technology."

"I'm cautiously optimistic," she says. "There's a lot of creativity there."

Still, this is a painstaking process that could take weeks, or even months. Voyager 1 is so distant, it takes almost a whole day for a signal to travel out there, and then a whole day for its response to return.

"We'll keep trying," says Dodd, "and it won't be quick."

In the meantime, Voyager's 1 discombobulation is a bummer for researchers like Stella Ocker , an astronomer with Caltech and the Carnegie Observatories

"We haven't been getting science data since this anomaly started," says Ocker, "and what that means is that we don't know what the environment that the spacecraft is traveling through looks like."

After 35 Years, Voyager Nears Edge Of Solar System

That interstellar environment isn't just empty darkness, she says. It contains stuff like gas, dust, and cosmic rays. Only the twin Voyager probes are far out enough to sample this cosmic stew.

"The science that I'm really interested in doing is actually only possible with Voyager 1," says Ocker, because Voyager 2 — despite being generally healthy for its advanced age — can't take the particular measurements she needs for her research.

Even if NASA's experts and consultants somehow come up with a miraculous plan that can get Voyager 1 back to normal, its time is running out.

The two Voyager probes are powered by plutonium, but that power system will eventually run out of juice. Mission managers have turned off heaters and taken other measures to conserve power and extend the Voyager probes' lifespan.

"My motto for a long time was 50 years or bust," says Krimigis with a laugh, "but we're sort of approaching that."

In a couple of years, the ebbing power supply will force managers to start turning off science instruments, one by one. The very last instrument might keep going until around 2030 or so.

When the power runs out and the probes are lifeless, Krimigis says both of these legendary space probes will basically become "space junk."

"It pains me to say that," he says. While Krimigis has participated in space missions to every planet, he says the Voyager program has a special place in his heart.

Spilker points out that each spacecraft will keep moving outward, carrying its copy of a golden record that has recorded greetings in many languages, along with the sounds of Earth.

"The science mission will end. But a part of Voyager and a part of us will continue on in the space between the stars," says Spilker, noting that the golden records "may even outlast humanity as we know it."

Krimigis, though, doubts that any alien will ever stumble across a Voyager probe and have a listen.

"Space is empty," he says, "and the probability of Voyager ever running into a planet is probably slim to none."

It will take about 40,000 years for Voyager 1 to approach another star; it will come within 1.7 light years of what NASA calls "an obscure star in the constellation Ursa Minor" — also known as the Little Dipper.

If NASA greenlights this interstellar mission, it could last 100 years

Knowing that the Voyager probes are running out of time, scientists have been drawing up plans for a new mission that, if funded and launched by NASA, would send another probe even farther out into the space between stars.

"If it happens, it would launch in the 2030s," says Ocker, "and it would reach twice as far as Voyager 1 in just 50 years."

• space exploration
• space science

How to visit Australia without flying: Holland America launches new Grand Voyage

The long-haul flight can be enough to keep some U.S. travelers from visiting Australia . But a new Holland America Line itinerary will offer an alternate route.

The cruise line’s Grand Australia and New Zealand voyage will sail round-trip from San Diego, California in 2026, taking guests down under and back over 93 days.

"Our Grand Voyages are renowned for connecting guests with the world's most fascinating places while sailing roundtrip from the United States," Beth Bodensteiner, the line’s chief commercial officer, said in a news release . "Our team crafted this itinerary to show guests the parts of Australia and New Zealand they expect to visit, but also included frequently asked for, but rarely visited, ports throughout Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands."

When is Holland America’s Grand Australia and New Zealand voyage?

The cruise will depart on Jan. 4, 2026 aboard the line’s 1,432-guest Zaandam ship.

Where will the cruise sail?

The ship will visit 44 ports in 10 countries. Passengers will make their way to Hawaii first before heading to the South Pacific. The ship will then visit Australia – almost circling the country – and New Zealand, followed by Tonga and French Polynesia on the way back to San Diego.

The itinerary features two days of scenic cruising at the Great Barrier Reef and four late-night departures in Adelaide, Australia and the French Polynesian islands of Moorea, Raiatea and Huahine. Guests will also stay overnight in six ports, including Honolulu, Sydney and Auckland, giving them ample time to explore.

Short vs. long cruises: Which one is right for you?

How much does the cruise cost?

The cruise currently starts at $17,699 per person based on double occupancy, according to Holland America’s website . Travelers who book by June 16, 2025 can get perks like a Surf Wi-Fi package, airport transfers in San Diego, a 3% pay-in-full discount and more thrown in (though they vary by stateroom category).

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Virgin Voyages free cruise winner says prize will cost her $8,000 in flights after Virgin ends Australian cruises

Morgan* won a cruise with Virgin Voyages — but cashing in on the trip would mean having to spend $8,000 on flights, more than the value of the original prize. 

"We definitely don't love Virgin at the moment," she said.

"I think we feel pretty used to be honest."

Morgan won a twin share cruise in November last year.

She was flying Virgin Airlines to her home state of Tasmania after a work trip in Melbourne when she noticed something unusual at the departure gates.

"They had a lot of cameras around, there was dancing … they asked everybody to wear sailor hats when we boarded our flight."

Once on board, the air steward called Virgin boss Richard Branson on Facetime, who announced everybody had won a free Virgin Voyages Cruise.

"We were thrilled," Morgan said.

"Everyone around me was so excited."

Here is how Virgin promoted the event:

Cruise winner left high and dry

Morgan runs a small business, so gathering together savings and taking time away for a holiday for her and her partner is always tough.

"It was just nice … to get us through a bit of a tough year … to know at the end of the year we could take a break and have this free cruise," she said.

The couple used their prize to book a cruise out of Brisbane, but in February this year they were told all of Virgin's Australian cruises had been cancelled because of ongoing tensions in the Red Sea.

Morgan contacted Virgin's public relations team to see whether she could still redeem the prize and was told her only options were to take a cruise out of Europe or the Caribbean.

She discovered two return flights to the Caribbean would cost $8,000, more than the $7,000 value of original prize.

"When I clarified this with Virgin's PR team they stopped responding," she said.

Morgan said she is keen not to appear entitled but points out that "Virgin got precisely what they wanted; a massive amount of media coverage".

"We know this because people sent us messages from all over Australia saying they saw me on the news winning a cruise.

"It feels like they got all the benefits and we got nothing but cancellation fees."

The couple had to change the flights they booked to meet the cruise, at a cost of around $150.

"We were genuinely shocked, we thought Virgin would provide us with an alternative prize like a flight credit … or they would allow us to rebook on a later season," Morgan said.

"They sort of gave up on us … like 'you're a bit of a problem now'.

"It just feels very corporate for a brand that tries not to be very corporate."

A marketing strategy that works

Virgin "relies on winners to become brand ambassadors by sharing their stories with friends, family and social media followers," Dr Balkrushna Potdar, lecturer in marketing at the University of Tasmania, said.

Dr Potdar said while Virgin benefitted from showcasing winners, it was essential the company honoured promises made during the promotion.

He said with the cancellation of Australian cruises, Virgin should provide a replacement prize or compensation — if that doesn't happen, the company risks damage to its brand and people may lose trust in Virgin and see their marketing practice as deceptive.

"The winner's negative experience may become a cautionary tale dissuading potential customers from engaging with the brand," Dr Potdar said.

He said Virgin should consider some form of damage control including a "heartfelt apology" and an offer of compensation.

"This could include covering the cost of flights to Europe or the Caribbean, offering a free cruise credit, providing additional perks and benefits," he said.

Virgin apologises but said safety must come first

In a statement, a Virgin Australia Group spokesperson said "we apologise to our winners who can no longer redeem their prize due to the cancellation of Virgin Voyages' Australian and New Zealand cruises amid the conflict in the Red Sea".

The spokesperson said safety was always its priority.

"We are grateful that Virgin Voyages have offered all impacted guests the opportunity to take complimentary cruises on its other international sailings, including in Europe and the Caribbean."

The value of the replacement cruise is $10,500.

Morgan has described Virgin's response as "tone deaf".

* name has been changed

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