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Monday, February 25, 2013

Cruise and Maritime Voyages Charters Astor

Astor to Sail in Australia for Cruise And Maritime Voyages.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages has announced they plan to enter the Australian cruise market in November with charter of Premicon Group's Astor.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) is pleased to announce the unveiling of plans to enter the Australian cruise market with the opening of a dedicated sales office in Sydney, the three year seasonal charter of the 600 passenger Astor to operate twice yearly ocean voyages between the UK, Australia and South Africa and the launch of a summer season of cruises from Fremantle, Perth commencing 12th December 2013.

The 20,606 gross ton Astor joins the CMV fleet in November 2013 and will operate alongside the 800 passenger flagship Marco Polo and 700 passenger Discovery, both operating sailings from eight British ports. Discovery also operates an autumn Mediterranean fly cruise program. Astor’s inaugural 10,000 capacity programme will increase CMV’s overall 2014 global capacity to almost 62,000 passengers.

Astor has a fine pedigree and excellent reputation currently operating European summer cruises on the German market. She is managed and marketed by the Munich based Premicon Group that also overlooks a fleet of 22 premium river vessels operating on the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube also presenting new marketing opportunities between Premicon and CMV.

The Astor was originally launched on the British market back in 1987 as a five star luxury ‘soft adventure’ product and since her inception has undergone a number of refits including a recent $22 million upgrade in 2010.

She will be positioned as a premium four star product and has 289 cabins including 42 suites with 70% of accommodation comprising an ocean view. There are a wide range of beautifully appointed lounges, seven passenger decks, traditional wooden decks and also an extensive sports deck with a wrap around jogging track and attractive wellness centre with a heated internal pool.

In announcing the introduction of Astor to the CMV fleet and the launch of a new voyage service to Australia, Chris Coates, Commercial Director commented, “Astor is indeed a beautiful ocean going vessel with a proud heritage and we are delighted that Astor will be part of our international development plans as we establish a strong presence on the Australasian cruise market.

We believe that Astor will become a firm favourite alongside Marco Polo and Discovery and a perfect match for the mid-sized more traditional business model we have developed since CMV’s launch in 2009. Despite the continued growth of mega resort style mass market vessels, the success and growing interest in the CMV product demonstrates that this niche sector has a significant role to play not only in the UK but also in the wider international English speaking markets and global arena. This new initiative also offers the travel industry an exciting new niche premium cruise product that lends itself to packaging opportunities”.

The opening of a sales office in Sydney follows the establishment in 2011 of a dedicated North
A new brochure including CMV Astor Voyages will be released later this month featuring the full program of southbound & northbound voyages through 2015, plus a selection of sailings from Fremantle including a splendid 35 night Circumnavigation of Australia and a 24 night Far East sailing.

The Astor will continue to sail for Transocean Tour's during the prime summer month returning the CVM for the winter seasons.

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Carnival Cruises Unveils Virtual Tour of the Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Cruises' Carnival Sunshine Serenity Retreat Area

Carnival Cruise Lines today unveiled a new virtual tour of Carnival Sunshine, the line’s most comprehensive ship transformation project ever encompassing an unprecedented $155 million renovation that will add a host of dining, bar and entertainment innovations and spectacular outdoor spaces.

Currently sailing as Carnival Destiny, the ship will emerge as Carnival Sunshine following a 49-day dry dock this spring then launch a schedule of European voyages April 12, 2013, before repositioning to New Orleans for year-round Caribbean departures beginning Nov. 18, 2013.

The virtual tour is available at www.carnival.com/sunshine where Carnival fun-atics can also check out the “Grab Your Destiny” contest that kicks off today and awards a grand prize European cruise for two on Carnival Sunshine, as well as a variety of keepsake items from the historic Carnival Destiny, the world’s first 100,000-plus-ton cruise ship.

“The virtual tour is a fantastic way to showcase all of the innovations of Carnival Sunshine while the contest provides our fans with a chance to be among the first to sail on this spectacular vessel and even take home a piece of history from Carnival Destiny,” said Jim Berra, Carnival’s chief marketing officer.

Carnival Sunshine Transformation Showcased With New Virtual Tour

Available at www.carnival.com/sunshine, the virtual tour takes viewers on a fun-filled flyover of Carnival Sunshine’s many new on-board features and innovations – all part of the line’s groundbreaking Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement initiative.

From the glittering new Sunshine atrium and poolside watering holes RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar to soon-to-be-added spaces such as a three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat, Havana Bar, ShakeSpot, and JavaBlue Café, viewers get a sneak peek at these exciting venues while stunning graphics illustrate the dramatic transformation from Carnival Destiny to Carnival Sunshine.

The site also includes videos and images documenting Carnival Sunshine’s ongoing construction progress, “before and after” pictures of Carnival Destiny and Carnival Sunshine spaces, and interviews with some of the people who are bringing the groundbreaking refurbishment project to life. There’s also a clock that counts down the number of days until Carnival Sunshine’s inaugural April 12, 2013, voyage from Venice.

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Norwegian Announces 2014/15 Winter European Cruise Deployment

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Jade 2014 European Winter Season

Cruise Line today announced its Europe deployment for the winter 2014/2015 season. Norwegian will have two ships sailing in Europe year round, Norwegian Jade will sail seven-Day Greek Isles; seven-Day Adriatic, Greece and Turkey; 10-day Eastern Mediterranean and an 11-day Western Mediterranean. Norwegian Spirit will offer 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages and 10-Day Canary Islands and Morocco itineraries. These cruises go on sale today, January 30, 2013.
“Europe itineraries during the fall and winter seasons continue to be a very successful and popular market for us,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “We are proud to have been named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards for five years in a row and will continue to offer our guests a variety of exciting itinerary options that take them to the best ports in Europe.”

Norwegian Jade
Norwegian Jade will set sail from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy during the winter and sail alternating 10-Day Eastern Mediterranean itineraries from November 12, 2014
through December 13, 2014 and January 14 through April 8, 2015. This scenic itinerary includes stops in Olympia (Katakolon), Greece; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey, Naples, Italy and features and overnight call to Istanbul, Turkey. Norwegian Jade will also offer an 11-Day Western Mediterranean itinerary from November 1, 2014 through December 23, 2014 and from January 3 through April 18, 2015. Setting sail from Rome (Civitavecchia), this amazing itinerary visits a new port of call almost every day throughout the cruise, giving guests the best of the Western Mediterranean. Ports of call include Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Provence (Toulon), France; Barcelona, Spain; Valencia, Spain; Cagliari, Sardinia;
Carthage, Tunisia; Palermo, Sicily; and Naples, Italy. Guests who are looking for the ultimate adventure and the opportunity to experience the Eastern and Western Mediterranean ports can combine these itineraries for the ultimate 21-Day Mediterranean experience.

Norwegian Spirit
From November 26, 2014 through April 15, 2015, Norwegian Spirit will sail 10-Day Canary Islands & Morocco itineraries from either Barcelona or Malaga, Spain*; giving guests the flexibility to depart from their most convenient homeport. This new itinerary visits Casablanca, Morocco, giving guests the opportunity to experience a full-day excursion to Marrakech; Funchal, Madeira; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands; Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Granada (Málaga), Spain.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Two Japanese Cruise Ship UnderGo Refit

Mitsui O S K Passenger's Nippon Maru Will Undergo Refit

Japan-based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has received orders from Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line (MOPAS) and Nippon Charter Cruise (NCC) to carry out repair and conversion works on two cruise vessels.

MHI's Yokohama Dockyard & Machinery Works in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, will be responsible for the work, which will be performed on the two vessels Nippon Maru and Fuji Maru, between mid-December 2012 and the end of January 2013.

The repair and conversion work is expected to strengthen MHI's cruise ship repair and conversion business, and is in line with the medium to long-range maintenance plans of MOPAS and NCC to increase ship safety and passenger comfort.

Under the deal, work on the Fuji Maru will be carried out from 14-26 December 2012, while on the Nippon Maru will happen from 15-27 January 2013.

Entered into service in 1989, the 23,235t Fuji Maru has a length of 167m, width of 24m and features 163 cabins.

The 22,472t Nippon Maru went into operation in 1990, has 202 cabins, and is 166.65m long and 24m wide.

Nippon Maru underwent a major conversion at the Yokohama Dockyard in 2010.
Apart from the periodical mandated inspection, work will also be carried out to increase energy savings and passenger service, as well as installation of LED lighting and the upgrading of galley facilities.

Both Nippon Maru and Fuji Maru were built at MHI's Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works.

Source: http://www.ship-technology.com

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Holland America Celebrates 15 Years of Offering Private Island Experience

Holland America Villas on Their Private Island.

Award-winning Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Bahamian island, celebrated its 15th anniversary this Caribbean cruise season, and to commemorate the milestone the cruise line has enhanced island offerings and features.

Guests to the island will notice five new, colorful, two-story Beach Villas available for rent during each call. The luxury hideaways boast exclusive hot tubs on the second floor and provide private accommodations for guests while they relax and experience the island’s highlights. Other beach cabanas were refreshed, and the Grand Cabana received new décor and a slide from the cabana deck straight into the ocean.

“For 15 years, Half Moon Cay has continuously been recognized as the most popular private island in the Caribbean, and to celebrate this milestone we have added several new features,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Our guests already rate Half Moon Cay as their favorite Caribbean port call, and these new enhancements will make the island even more enjoyable.”

A new glass-bottom boat that carries 290 guests also was introduced for tours and features underwater viewing of the island’s colorful reefs and sea life. The horseback riding tour is one of the island’s most popular, and six horses were recently added to the herd so more can enjoy the ride.

The enrichment of the island’s features extended to the Bahamian Church, which has been repainted and outfitted with new pews and interior artwork. The island’s private chapel is nestled in a garden overlooking the sea and provides the perfect setting for cruise guests to enjoy a unique, romantic wedding ceremony or vow renewal.

Over the past 15 years, Half Moon Cay — with its beautiful, crescent-shaped white-sand beach and warm, blue-green waters — has evolved into an idyllic playground for cruise guests while retaining the scenic natural beauty of the 1,700-acre uninhabited Little San Salvador Island. Recently it was named best private island for the 12th consecutive year by Porthole Cruise Magazine.

On the island guests can find solitude just a short walk down the beach or rollicking fun at Captain Morgan’s Bar. Half Moon Cay offers shore excursions ranging from a swim with stingrays to a horseback ride and swim. The 700-acre lagoon offers water sports on its protected waters. New amenities and shore excursions have been gradually added to Half Moon Cay over the years, always with an eye to protecting the island’s natural beauty and preserving its status as an important migratory-bird sanctuary.

Great Values Available through April 2013

Travelers who want a Caribbean vacation of a lifetime that includes Half Moon Cay can take advantage of current Sail & Save savings. For example, guests sailing aboard the March 16 ms Eurodam cruise enjoy 50 percent savings on fares and starting at $499 per person, double occupancy. Taxes are additional. Families also see great values with free or reduced third and fourth fares for persons in the same stateroom on select sailings.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

German Operator AIDA Cruises to Name New Ship - AIDAstella in Rostock-Warnemunde

AidaCruises' New Aidastella to be Christened in Rostock - Warnemunde

AIDAstella, the 10th member of AIDA Cruises fleet, will be christened in Rostock-Warnemünde on March 16, 2013. On the evening of the christening, however, Captain Nico Berg (38) will lead not one, but as many as 10 godmothers onto the stage for the ceremony. The company has invited its personnel and closest associates to be the guests of honor at the christening celebration.

The christening party on board AIDAstella will fully reflect the commitment of the companys staff. "Holding this fantastic event right on our doorstep gives us the opportunity to say a big 'thank you' to all AIDA personnel and their families", explains Michael Ungerer, President of AIDA Cruises. "Since our first new ship, AIDAcara, was commissioned in summer 1996, it has been our staff that have successfully built up the company with their enthusiasm, commitment and the proverbial AIDA smile."

The choice of the godmother is also a first, with AIDAstella being named by not one, but ten delightful ladies! Eight female staff from AIDA Cruises will represent the different countries and corporate divisions of the cruise company, and two godmothers come from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg und the architects Partner Ship Design respectively. With this gesture, AIDA Cruises would like to extend its thanks to the two companies that have made such a substantial contribution to the success of this new range of ships and the unique atmosphere of the AIDA ships.

There will also be lots on offer for the residents of Rostock, holidaymakers and AIDA fans on the day of the christening, with Karls Pier 7 organizing an extensive program for the opening of the season at the Warnemünde Cruise Center. Music, presenters and delicious delicacies will get visitors in the mood for the exciting event of the christening. On shore, all the guests will be able to follow the most emotional moment of the evening on 2 large LED screens when the 10 godmothers break the bottle of champagne over the bow of the ship. AIDAstella will then be lit up in the starlight atmosphere of a fabulous firework display.

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Friday, February 15, 2013

American Queen Steamboat Company's American Queen Emerges From Refit

The American Queen Steamboat Company announces hotel-side refurbishment details of the 436-passenger paddlewheeler currently underway at the New Orleans’ Bollinger Shipyards. As part of the American Queen’s scheduled annual layup, an abundance of enhancements totaling more than one-half million dollars will be evident to past guests boarding for her first 2013 voyage on February 23.

“The American Queen is a national treasure and our loyal guests of her 2012 inaugural season enjoyed a historic return to river cruising in the heartland,” explains American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO Ted Sykes. “After her makeover, public areas will appear even richer and more opulent, while back-of-the-house changes and additions improve efficiency.”

A team of one hundred craftsman is currently dedicated to the American Queen, preparing her for an even more comfortable and enjoyable second season. New woodwork, custom-milled carpets and period fabrics in rich jewel tones not only heighten the sense of elegance but reflect the paddlewheeler’s heritage and pay homage to the glory days of river travel.

All furniture in both public areas and suites is being either reupholstered or replaced. As guests enter their stateroom or suite, they will be welcomed by new mahogany plantation shutters enhancing both privacy and ambiance. Added river scenes by noted artist Michael Blaser will adorn hallways throughout the boat, complementing the décor and reinforcing a sense of nostalgia.

Guests arriving in the J.M. White Dining Room will be greeted by a dramatic new marble and granite entryway, wallpaper and carpeting. New empire-style dining chairs are being added for a grand atmosphere. A mahogany wine wall showcasing a collection of both popular and boutique wineries creates a dramatic centerpiece. The room also features a new double-sided buffet to accommodate a greater selection of culinary specialties at breakfast and lunch. Behind the scenes, newly added appliances will also be welcomed by the galley staff to deliver Culinary Director Regina Charboneau’s signature cuisine.

A perennial favorite among guests, the Front Porch of America, will now become the Front Porch Café, offering a more comprehensive alternative dining option with the addition of a small prep kitchen executing a light menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. New furniture will adorn this sitting area while the outdoor deck remains a favorite spot for reading a classic novel or simply watching the river pass by.

Offering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, American Queen’s fares will begin at $1,495 per guest based on double occupancy in 2013, and include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in every port onboard deluxe SteamcoachesSM, the acclaimed cuisine of legendary chef Regina Charboneau, and complimentary wine and beer with dinner. A variety of holiday lengths ranging from five days to fourteen offer exceptional value and convenience with little or no flying required.

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Thursday, February 14, 2013

First Steel Cutting for Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas


First Steel Cutting For Royal Caribbean's First Sunshine Class Ship the Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean International took a major step this week in the development of the cruise line’s next generation of cruise ships when the first piece of steel was cut for the first of two Project Sunshine ships. The steel cutting took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where the two ships will be built.

            To celebrate the milestone, Royal Caribbean announced the names of the two new ships – Quantum of the Seas, set to debut in fall 2014, and Anthem of the Seas, which will follow in spring 2015. They will be part of the Quantum class of ships and will build upon Royal Caribbean’s legacy of revolutionary ship design and bold innovation.

            “We are extremely excited to celebrate this important milestone for our first Project Sunshine ship. After three years of design and advance planning this is the first step of the construction of the ship and I look forward to seeing it all come together in the coming months,” said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The new ship will be such a leap forward in terms of vessel design and guest experiences that we thought the name Quantum of the Seas was perfectly appropriate.”

            Royal Caribbean International’s legacy is built on introducing ‘at sea firsts’ such as rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, surf simulators, zip lines and even a tropical park with over 12,000 live plants. The Quantum class of ships will continue to build on this legacy with unprecedented experiences and amenities. They will once again deliver on Royal Caribbean’s tradition of designing for ‘WOW’.

            “Throughout our history we have made huge strides in cruise ship design and innovation and the Quantum class will be no exception,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. “We look forward to introducing consumers to Quantum cruising."

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Legend of the Seas Emerges From Refit

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas Emerges from Refit.

Royal Caribbean International’s Legend of the Seas emerged today from a month-long $50 million drydock in Singapore and will show off a new array of features and amenities for its remaining Asia season before returning to Europe. The Vision-class Legend of the Seas is the most recent ship in the fleet to receive Oasis-class amenities, extensive upgrades and a bow-to-stern revitalization.

Legend of the Seas will “wow” guests with acclaimed industry enhancements, such as popular specialty dining, first introduced on Oasis of the Seas, and give diners the choice to expand their palates with Park Café, Chef’s Table, Chops Grille and Izumi Asian Cuisine, along with new spots for an evening cocktail at the 60’s inspired R Bar or Viking Crown Lounge nightclub. Onboard entertainment options now include an outdoor movie screen, perfect for alfresco movie viewing and the addition of aerial entertainment experiences in the Centrum, the main gathering place on the ship. New and updated staterooms, flat-panel TVs, digital signage and bow-to-stern Wi-Fi all add to the contemporary guest experience onboard.

Through March, guests can enjoy the newly revitalizes ship as she sails Southeast Asia itineraries from her Singapore homeport. Itinerary options include: Malaysia (three nights), Southeast Asia (four or five nights), Bangkok and Ko Samui (five nights) and Borneo (seven nights). Beginning in April, the ship will sail a four night Southeast Asia itinerary roundtrip from Singapore and then reposition to Europe for the summer season. It will begin by sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Rome.

Legend of the Seas divides her 2013 Europe summer between the Italian homeports of Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice. From May through August, the ship will sail a seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, calling at Genoa, Italy; Provence (Marseilles), France; and Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Valencia, Spain. A nine-night circumnavigation of the Italian peninsula, departing August 31, will bring Legend of the Seas to Venice, where she will offer vacationers 10-night Greek Isles and 11-night Greece and Turkey itineraries in September and October. The ship will then return to the Caribbean to offer Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings.

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