Holland America Line in three partnership deals

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 29 October 2015 29 October 2015

Holland America Line, the premium market brand in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it is partnering with BBC Earth, the television channel, the software provider Utrip and experiential travel expert AFAR Media to enhance its product.

“Through the innovative and breathtaking programming that is a signature of BBC Earth, guests will be taken closer to the ocean and natural world through groundbreaking concerts, films, shows, children's activities and theme cruises,” the cruise company said in a statement. The BBC Earth programme is set to roll out across Holland America Line's fleet starting in April 2016 and will be on all ships by September 2016.

"Holland America Line cruises are all about experiential travel and venturing to all corners of the globe, and this exclusive partnership with BBC Earth will make that a richer, more rewarding experience for our guests," said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line's president, in the statement.

Through integration into the Holland America Line website, the software Utrip platform will offer a novel way to personalise content in new Destination Guides being created in partnership with travel authority AFAR Media.

Passengers will be able to browse the information on their own or utilise the Utrip functionality to select desired ports of call, highlights and activities ashore. They will then receive customised recommendations on the line's cruise itineraries, port highlights, as well as shore excursions tailored to their interests.

The experiential travel expert AFAR Media will help cruiser passengers to plan, choose and prepare for the perfect cruise vacation. Through the collaboration, AFAR will provide “Destination Guides” for all of Holland America Line’s ports of call and scenic cruising areas — totaling approximately 400.

The Destination Guides will be available on Holland America Line’s website, giving guests the most comprehensive information accessible to travelers in the cruise industry. AFAR will utilise its vast network of local experts to curate the content, providing travelers with authentic recommendations for top attractions, restaurants and shopping experiences in each destination.

New cruise line Anteros targets US based LGBT market

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 29 October 2015 29 October 2015

A new cruise line, called Anteros, will offer year-round sailings for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) passengers, beginning in 2017, CruiseCritic reports on its website.

The new company has opened a website, anteroscruisesusa.com that only allows US based customers to sign up for updates. This apparently means that the new line will only accept US passengers.

The first dedicated cruise line for LGBT passengers will use a 400-passenger ship for its sailings, which will begin in the Mediterranean in 2017, Marc Baron, the line's director of business development, told CruiseCritic.

The company is not disclosing the current name of the ship for contractual reasons, he said, adding that the vessel would receive a new name once it transfers to Anteros, the report said.

Princess Cruises introduces The Salty Dog Gastropub

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 29 October 2015 29 October 2015

Princess Cruises is pairing gourmet small dishes inspired by pub favorites with craft beers, cocktails and wines with the debut of The Salty Dog Gastropub aboard Crown Princess. The menu offerings, including a signature burger, were developed in collaboration with former executive chef of Umami Burger and current chef of Plan Check Kitchen + Bar in Los Angeles Ernesto Uchimura, who was recently awarded “Chef of the Year: The Comfort Master,” from Los Angeles Magazine.

Presented within the Wheelhouse Bar nightly, in refreshed surroundings and live entertainment, guests will choose three small plates from The Salty Dog Gastropub menu featuring new twists on classic pub dishes. Plates include Pale Ale Pork Cheeks, Spicy Stout Short Ribs, Wild Mushroom Sauté, and Lobster Mac & Cheese, among other delicious options.

The pièce de résistance is “The Ernesto” burger from Chef Uchimura – rib eye and short rib beef patty, grilled pork belly, caramelized kimchi, beer battered jalapeño, charred onion aioli, topped with cave aged gruyere cheese.

"The Salty Dog Gastropub is an enticing addition to our onboard culinary offerings and brings yet another unique dining option to our guests,” said Rai Caluori, executive vice president of guest experience for Princess Cruises. “Chef Uchimura’s signature burger is sure to be savored, along with pub favorites reinvented for a more upscale dining experience.”

“A gastropub at sea is an innovative concept and it inspired me to get creative in the galley,” said Chef Uchimura. “The Salty Dog Gastropub’s menu will not only satisfy comfort food cravings but also offer guests new pub food flavors and tastes perfectly paired with a craft beer or fine whiskey.”

Adjacent to The Salty Dog Gastropub, also in the Wheelhouse Bar, is an expansive new, international whiskey bar menu, featuring some of the best Scotch whiskeys, American Bourbons and international whiskeys from areas including Japan, Ireland and Australia. Offerings include Johnny Walker Blue, Bakery Hill Classic (Australia), Connemara Whiskey Irish Cask (Ireland) and Hakushu 12 year (Japan) The menu offers daily specialized whiskey flights, allowing guests the opportunity to taste and compare selections around the world.

The Salty Dog Gastropub and new international whiskey menu, both available in the Wheelhouse Bar, have just launched aboard Crown Princess, and will be onboard Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess in mid-December. A food charge of $19 per guest applies.

The whisky menu will also be available in the Wheelhouse Bar aboard Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Sun Princess, Diamond Princess and Golden Princess by the end of 2015, and aboard all ships with the exception of Pacific Princess by the summer of 2016.

TUI Cruises unveils new features on Mein Schiff 5

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 26 October 2015 26 October 2015

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise operator, will introduce a number of new features on its third newbuilding that will differentiate the vessel from the two previous units of the 99,500 gross ton class of ships.

Mein Schiff 5, which will enter service next summer, will feature a Cafe Bar and library in the reception area on deck 3. The new ship will feature a 25 metre outdoor pool as well as did the earlier units of the class, but the indoor pool aft of this will be replaced by a Lagoon and outdoor pool area on the new ship.

On the catering side, a pizza and pasta restaurant called Osteria will be located on deck 5, this venue will feature table service. Döner kebabs and Belgian pommes frites will be available in the Bosporus snack bar, which will be located on the pool deck.

The Tag & bistro will feature a new design with Scandinavian feel and the Richards Feines Essen restaurant will be replaced by Schmankerl, a new venue with focus on Austrian dishes. A the stern of the ship, the Cafe Lounge will give way to Hanami, an Asian themed restaurant that will feature a Japanese cherry tree as central part of the decor, the company said in a statement.