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Costa Cruises launches one-day tours from St. Petersburg to Moscow

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 23 May 2016 23 May 2016

Costa Cruises has announced the introduction of a major innovation for the 2016 summer season, which will make its Baltic Sea cruises even more exclusive. Starting this May, guests vacationing on the Costa Luminosa will have the unique opportunity to visit the city of Moscow, thanks to two new tours.

Costa is the first company to offer cruise passengers day trips without the need to fly to Moscow. During the two-day stopover in St. Petersburg, one of the calls on the Costa Luminosa’s 7-day cruises this summer season, guests will be able to get to Moscow in just 4 hours on the new Sapsan. Alternatively, they can opt for the 2-day excursion, combining Moscow with a guided tour the next day of all St. Petersburg’s main monuments, thus letting participants get a real feel for Russian culture and history.

Also, when they choose one of Costa’s shore tours in Russia, guests will not have to worry about all the red tape involved in applying for a tourist visa. Visas will be included in the price of the excursion; adding to the flexibility and convenience, these tours can be booked right up until the day before.

The “Moscow in a day” tour starts with a tasty, energy-boosting breakfast on the high-speed train, the perfect way to start the day en route to the marvels awaiting at your destination. In Moscow, the first stop on the panoramic tour is the Kremlin and a visit to its Armory Museum, dating back to 1581, followed by the staggeringly spectacular sight of St. Basil's Cathedral, the icon of Russia. While in Red Square, guests will have time at leisure, while they will be served dinner on the train journey back to St. Petersburg.

The 2-day “Super Russia” excursion includes all of the above plus a picturesque tour of St. Petersburg during the ship’s second day there. This panoramic tour of the home of the Czars takes in its main tourist attractions, notably the Winter Palace and St. Isaac's Cathedral. Guests will be able to enjoy a guided visit of the Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral, before heading for the world-renowned Hermitage, one of the largest museums in the world, with around 3 million items in its collection. Itself a travel destination, the Hermitage occupies more than 5 buildings and you could stay for days and still never see all the art on display. On this excursion there is a 2-hour guided tour of the masterpieces and the majestic architecture in which they are housed.

The “Jewels of the Baltic” itinerary on the Costa Luminosa, featuring the innovative Moscow tour, is available through August 13, with weekly sailings from Stockholm, and calls in Helsinki, St. Petersburg (two days) and Tallinn, before returning to Stockholm, where the ship stays overnight.

Southampton and Royal Caribbean International ink a seven-year, £5.5m deal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 23 May 2016 23 May 2016

As Royal Caribbean’s latest, and the world’s largest, ship – Harmony of the Seas – arrived into Southampton, the global cruise line’s Strategic Operation Officer, Mike Jones, Managing Director of UK and Ireland, Stuart Leven, announced a seven-year deal with the port of Southampton, worth £200 million to the local economy, at the official Plaques and Keys ceremony onboard the ship.

The deal secures Southampton’s City Cruise Terminal as the official UK home of Royal Caribbean International and secures £5.5 million’s worth of investment from the holiday company. The investment has so far enabled Associated British Ports (ABP), owner and operator of the Southampton port, to prepare the terminal for a new generation of ships heralded by the arrival of the latest addition to Royal Caribbean’s 25-strong-fleet.

The improvements made to the terminal have been designed to enhance the embarkation experiences for both passenger and crew. New paperless check-in for passengers and a kerb-to-gangway processing of only 10 minutes makes it the fastest route from home-to-international holiday for holidaymakers.

Other upgrades include improvement to layout and security screening areas, free wifi throughout the terminal, step-free-access to ships up to Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class, as well as the addition of digital signage and ‘wow walls’ to build excitement as guests check-in. New air-conditioning has been installed throughout the terminal and port staff will welcome improved logistics enabling the port to handle up to 500 tonnes of stores.

ABP Southampton is Europe's leading turnaround cruise port and can welcome even the biggest ships in the world. Thirty seven metres longer than the Eiffel Tower and the length of four football stadiums, Harmony of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship at 227,000 gross registered tonnes in weight. Such record breaking proportions have also necessitated the expansion of the port’s processing area to make City Cruise Terminal ship-shape for Harmony of the Seas and her guests.

Stuart Leven, Royal Caribbean’s Managing Director of UK & Ireland said of the deal: “Each year, more than 1.5 million holidaymakers either start or end their cruise holidays in Southampton, making the port Europe’s largest cruise ship hub. Such a busy passenger hub deserves best-in-class facilities and at Royal Caribbean we are constantly looking for ways to improve the passenger experience. I want our passengers’ extraordinary adventure to begin the moment they arrive at the Port, before they even step on board the ship.

Leven continued: “The investment Royal Caribbean has made into the Port is good news for our passengers and good news for Southampton’s economy.”

ABP Southampton Director, Alastair Welch, said: “We are delighted to confirm that the port of Southampton will be the official UK home of Royal Caribbean until 2023. This deal will secure the port’s reputation as the UK’s number one and leading European turnaround port long into the future. Equally, it is great news for the UK economy, and the landmark deal can only increase the significant contribution cruise makes to the 15,000 jobs and £1bn economic contribution of the port.”

The announcement was made at the traditional ‘Plaques and Keys’ ceremony in front of Nick Farthing, Southampton Chamber of Commerce, as well local business leaders including ABP’s CEO James Cooper. In by-gone days the keys of the city would be given to the Captain; today, however, Mr Farthing gave Harmony of the Seas captain, Gus Andersson, a plaque containing the city’s coat of arms.

In return, the ship gave Mr Farthing and Mr Cooper, a print of Stephen Wiltshire’s artwork commissioned specifically for Harmony of the Seas. Currently displayed on board, Stephen’s artwork was created entirely from memory yet perfectly captures the coastal cities of Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Marseille, three of the locations guests will experience when sailing on Harmony of the Seas after she sets sail on her inaugural voyage on the 5th June from Barcelona.

Cruise season begins in Baie-Comeau

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 23 May 2016 23 May 2016

The arrival of the Pearl Mist marks the start of the international cruise season in Baie-Comeau on Wednesday May 25th. This is the first time we welcome a cruise ship so early in the season. In 2015, the same vessel visited Baie-Comeau’s port June 1st. Pearl Seas Cruises’s ship will come to visit us for a third year in a row and for a total of four time in 2016. Cruise guests of the Pearl Mist will visit several tourist attractions of the region such as: Franquelin Lumberjack Village, the Church of St. Amelia, and the Manor of Baie-Comeau.

However, it’s this fall that most of the cruise ships will come into port. Eleven calls are expected in Baie-Comeau for 2016. Baie-Comeau Cruises’10th season will reach a record, the organization is expecting more than 8800 passengers and crew members, a season that promises to be busy, that’s an increase of 13% regarding 2015. And for the first time in Baie-Comeau Cruises’ history, two ships will be coming into port at the same time; the organization will host two ships on the same day; Seabourn Quest and the Pearl Mist, September 15th. That same day it's 1046 passengers and crew members that will visit Baie-Comeau.

Baie-Comeau Cruises is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and develop the various tourist attractions and businesses of Baie-Comeau and the Manicouagan region and to operate an international port of call to help raise Baie-Comeau’s profile in international markets.

MedCruise promotes Med in Asia

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 18 May 2016 18 May 2016

MedCruise President Kristijan Pavic and Secretary General Thanos Pallis promoted the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas during Seatrade Cruise Asia that was held in Busan, Korea, 12-13 May 2016.

Kristijan Pavic joined the Travel Agents Training programme as a key speaker and educator. This special programme provides a comprehensive education platform that helps agents in Asia better understand the cruise industry.

Pavic invited travel agents to cruise to the magic world of the Mediterranean Sea explaining that there is nowhere else on earth where one can cruise to so many different countries within a short period of time and sample as many flavours, cultures and retrace the footsteps of history as one can in the Med and its adjoining seas.

Τhe MedCruise delegation updated cruise lines, travel agents, and other stakeholders on the facilities offered by MedCruise port members and the prospects of cruising in one of the most interesting regions of the world.

MedCruise was the sponsor of the Travel Agent Training programme, with all delegates receiving the latest MedCruise Yearbook, Statistics Report, as well as a specially designed MedCruise newsletter in Korean language. The programme was attended by travel agents from different regions of the Far East, who had the opportunity to discuss with the MedCruise team on the richness of the destinations of the Med and the opportunities offered by the region.

This is part of a pioneering MedCruise project that commenced in 2014 and promotes the attractiveness of its members in the Far East, in a strategy aiming to transform Asia into a key passenger source market for Cruises in the Med. Earlier this year MedCruise participated also at COTTM and CETCOM events in Beijing, China - whereas a Chinese website circulates news about MedCruise ports in the China tourist market.

MedCruise member ports further benefit from the work of the Association by expanding their professional network with key travel agents around the globe.

Port of Adria welcomes its maiden call

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 18 May 2016 18 May 2016

Port of Adria, operator of Port of Bar, Montenegro, welcomed its first scheduled cruise ship, Thomson Celebration on May 11th, 2016. Port of Adria is a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding, world’s largest cruise port operator.

Thomson Celebration, docked at 280m long quay, brought 1 222 passengers and 550 crew members to Bar. Passengers arrived from Hvar and sailed towards Dubrovnik, the last stop at their itinerary.

Passengers of Thomson Celebration were welcomed with local offerings and folk dances. Some of the passengers attended to shore excursions to discover the wonders of Montenegro; such as Stari Bar, Skadar Lake and Sv. Stefan tours. The rest of the passengers and crew enjoyed the beautiful town of Bar featuring mountain and Adriatic Sea views at the same time. Local food market at the city center had been a pleasant surprise for the independent passengers.

“It is our please to be able to provide today necessary infrastructure, in accordance with the international standards, to host cruise passengers. Port of Adria has all conditions for accommodating large ships. Our intention is to enhance these conditions in the future.” said Sedat Kara, acting CEO of Port of Adria.

Municipality President, dr Zoran Srzentić emphasized the significance of development of cruising for local economy. “We recognize the significance and possibilities for Bar economy if, apart from commercial operations, our port would be able to attract cruisers as well. These are the first, but certainly important steps in this direction. Therefore, as local government, in cooperation with public companies, we would like to provide necessary support for partners in this process.”

“From the first days of doing business in Montenegro, Global Ports Holding includes Bar as new destination in its promotional activities. We believe that Bar and Montenegro have great potential in terms of cruise tourism development. We shall continue to promote Bar in order to increase the number of cruisers and create opportunities for local economy. I believe that good impressions of this first visit shall result in Bar obtaining a significant place on the Adriatic cruise itineraries” said Arpak Demircan, Deputy CEO of Global Ports Holding.