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Ambassador Cruise Line names first ship Ambience in ceremony at London Tilbury

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2022 20 April 2022

Ambassador Cruise Line has officially named their first ship, Ambience, with godmother Sally Gunnell OBE.

The former British athlete and Olympian named the first ship in Ambassador’s fleet at a special ceremony at London Tilbury on Tuesday 19th April 2022.

Ambassador is the first British cruise line to launch in over a decade. Sailing from London Tilbury, the no-fly itineraries provide a premium-value, authentic cruise experience predominantly aimed at the 50-plus traveller.

Over 500 guests, partners and suppliers were onboard to witness the naming and blessing of the ship, indulge in a celebratory nine-course meal including Ambassador’s signature “Baked Alaska” parade, and dance the night away at various entertainment venues across the ship.

CEO, Christian Verhounig said, “Nearly 25 years ago on this day, I joined my first cruise ship as a bar waiter. While I instantly fell in love with the cruise industry, I could never have imagined that one day I would be the CEO of a brand-new cruise line and witness the naming its first ship.

Launching a cruise line during the pandemic shows our belief in and commitment to the cruise and travel industry. Sustainability is also important to us. We have invested significant amounts into upgrading Ambience, including making the ship IMO Tier III compliant, making it possible for Ambience to sail in the most environmentally protected areas around the world”.

Godmother Sally Gunnell said, “It is an absolute pleasure to be godmother for Ambassador Cruise Line’s first ship, Ambience. Ambassador celebrates its first anniversary this month and since its launch in 2021, has firmly established itself in the cruise industry. Ambassador has a collection of brand values that I too strongly believe in, from community and wellbeing to being sustainable and ethical. This commitment demonstrates that Ambassador is a responsible cruise line and one that I’m extremely honoured to be working with.”

Ambience’s first season includes 31 sailings calling at over 90 different ports. Itineraries include its four-night maiden voyage to Hamburg, setting sail at 5pm today. Wednesday 20th April. Subsequent itineraries include exploring the British Isles, the Norwegian Fjords, The Nordics, Greenland, the Arctic, and Iceland, plus several short break cruises. For the winter months, a range of exploration style voyages will sail to the Canaries, Cuba, the Caribbean, Cape Verde, and Scandinavia.

Photo: Sally Gunnell and Christian Verhounig on stage

Hamburg kicks off Baltic cruise season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2022 20 April 2022

Plantours Kreuzfahrt has launched the Baltic cruise season 2022 with a 12-day 'Easter cruise' that shows how quickly times change and how nimble the cruise industry is.

Originally the ship's schedule after leaving Kiel on 8 April was an Easter tour of towns tour of the south, east and north coastal towns with calls at Gdynia, Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen. The two Russian ports of Kaliningrad and St Petersburg were cut out due to the sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine with Mariehamn in Åland, Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland and the Danish island of Rönne substituting.

According to its Master Mats Nelson the all-German speaking passengers accepted the destination changes gracefully and looked forward to seeing the new destinations – many for the first time naturally.

Covid-19 was also factored in before the cruise left as the ship's normally maximum 420 passengers were cut to 300 with regular testing of passengers and crew. Though some cases were reported by Helsinki, the cruise continued following isolation and distancing rules.

Not only is the Hamburg the first to undertake a proper Baltic cruise, but the ship's 2021 refurbishment was also making its debut. Thus many repeat passengers, which Plantours says forms a large segment, get to see new destinations in a new setting.

After arriving in Kiel the ship immediately sets off for a 5-day German Bight cruise of German destinations redeploying from Hamburg and then on 20 April, Hamburg leaves its eponymous port for a 11-day Round The British Isles cruise.

Reported by John Pagni

Cruise industry veteran Mark Robinson joins Scenic Group as Vice President of Cruise Operations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 April 2022 19 April 2022

Cruise and tourism industry veteran Mark Robinson has joined the senior executive leadership team at Scenic Group as Vice President of Cruise Operations. Robinson comes to Scenic with more than 35 years of industry experience, encompassing a wide range of cruise and tourism sectors and roles, including cruise port and ship operations, new business and corporate structure development, team leadership, and guest experience programs. He will oversee the day-to-day operations of Scenic Group’s award-winning luxury river and ocean yacht fleet as well as direct the transitioning of the company’s new builds into operation. Specific oversight duties include the company’s cruise/shore operations, hotel services, nautical and technical departments, HR and purchasing. He will report directly to Rob Voss, Scenic Group’s Chief Operating Officer.

“As we continue the growth our new luxury ocean yachts and river ships in the global markets, we are keen to reinforce a strong and robust executive leadership team for Cruise Operations that can assist in the operational integrity of all our many programs as well as support our strong guest-focused culture both onboard the vessels and ashore,” offered Rob Voss. “We look forward to Mark adding his extensive knowledge and successful history to our team and contributing to our never-ending focus on delivering the highest standards of luxury experiences and guest services across our fleets worldwide.”

Robinson’s most recent role was chief commercial & operations officer with start-up Cruise Saudi, where he was able to build considerable global interest in the region as a new cruise destination. Previously, Robinson spent three years as the Chief Commercial/Head of Business Development for Global Port Holdings, the world’s largest cruise port operator. His tourism and cruise experience includes 27 years with TUI & First Choice Group, where he was integral to the start-up and growth of Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services as its CEO, taking it from a single port operator to operating more than 500 ports globally, and establishing its position as the world’s largest global port services provider. While serving as Intercruises president, he was also managing director of Destinations Services and Pacific World, a TUI owned DMC Group with subsidiaries in the Med, Europe and globally.

“I am delighted to be joining the Scenic Group during this exciting period of its growth of both the Scenic and Emerald Cruises river and ocean brands,” said Robinson. “I am looking forward to working closely with our award-winning teams onboard our vessels and ashore as we offer our guests a first-class luxury experience for which the Scenic Group is renowned.”

Scenic Group, which includes Emerald Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours and Evergreen Tours, has grown over its 36-year history to include award-winning, river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys that take guests to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations covering all seven continents.

Havila Kystruten cancels voyage, aims to axe Russian finance

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 April 2022 19 April 2022

Havila Kystruten has cancelled a voyage of Havila Capella that was due to depart on 12 April as the company is working to severe links with Russian finance, it said.

The 15,800 gross ton ship is financed by GTLK group, a Russian company that is on the list of EU’s sanctions. Havila Capella had to cancel the voyage due to insurance concerns that have arisen from the finance. The ship had been scheduled to undertake a voyage long the west coast of Norway to Kirkenes and back to Bergen.

“We will now continue the dialogue with the authorities, insurance companies and finally refinancing of Havila Capella. We will sail again”, said Bent Martini, CEO of the Norwegian company.

Havila Capella is the only ship of the company that has been financed by GTLK. The other three newbuildings are still the property of the Tesan shipyard in Turkey that is building them.

“Now we are looking forward to the takeover of Havila Castor, with which we plan to start sailing from Bergen on 10^th of May. With a solution for Capella and Castor in operation, we will be well equipped for a glorious summer along the Norwegian coast. Despite the challenges we have encountered along the way, I choose to look positively going forward. We look forward to showing our fantastic ships to even more passengers in the time to come,” Martini said in a statement.

"Even though we have paid rent to a Russian-owned company, the ship is Norwegian for all practical purposes. We have assessed what has now happened as a possible outcome and have for a period worked to find alternative financing for our coastal cruise ships,” he noted.

P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer returns to Sydney

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 April 2022 18 April 2022

P&O Cruises Australia’s flagship, Pacific Explorer, received a spectacular welcome home to Sydney this morning with a ceremonial ‘water cannon salute’ celebrating her arrival – marking the start of the rebuild of the $5 billion a year Australian cruise industry.

Pacific Explorer became the first cruise ship to return to Australia in more than two years, passing through Sydney Heads at about 9.30am before gliding into Circular Quay mid-morning with an escort of official vessels and Sydney ‘boaties’.

Her arrival marked a 28-day voyage from Europe where the ship has been paused for much of the past two years waiting to come home to Australia.

Pacific Explorer was welcomed by chartered boats carrying cruise suppliers, loyal guests, travel agents and cruise line staff, who cheered and shed tears of joy as the ship came into view.

Leading the water cannon salute was the Port Authority of NSW’s fire tug, Shirley Smith — named after a Wiradjuri woman, social worker and humanitarian — in consort with Engage Towage’s water cannon tugs Martinique and Fitzroy. Two other Engage ‘working’ tugs, Cook and Diamantina accompanied Pacific Explorer to the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

“It was always going to be an emotional homecoming for Pacific Explorer and her crew and this morning was a fitting celebration for her return to Sydney,” P&O Cruises Australia President Marguerite Fitzgerald said.

“Pacific Explorer coming through Sydney Heads after two long years was a magic moment and I am proud to say there was hardly a dry eye among our suppliers, guests and staff.

“Pacific Explorer’s arrival has replaced uncertainty with optimism and marks the rebound of cruising, on the way to re-establishing Australia as the world’s most successful cruise market, previously contributing more than $5 billion annually to the national, state and regional economies, and supporting 18,000 jobs.”

Fitzgerald said the first cruise carrying fare-paying guests would be on 31 May, a four-night round trip from Sydney to Brisbane.

It would operate with comprehensive health and safety protocols developed in collaboration with eastern seaboard governments.

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott said: “The day has finally arrived for Sydney Harbour to once again reclaim its rightful place as the epicentre of local and international cruising in Australia. Our maritime workforce has been working hard to put new protocols in place and is ready to welcome local cruisers and visitors with open arms.”

The time between Pacific Explorer’s arrival today and first commercial cruise will be a busy period of preparing to again welcome guests on board. This will include welcoming additional crew, the testing of guest services and equipment, training of galley and restaurant staff including baristas to ensure Aussie cruisers can enjoy a great coffee.