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Holland America Line’s Rotterdam kicks off its inaugural season of Caribbean cruising

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 November 2021 06 November 2021

Holland America Line’s new Rotterdam departed yesterday, Nov. 5, from Port Everglades, Florida, on its inaugural Caribbean cruise — a roundtrip 5-night sailing that visits Bimini, Bahamas, and spends two days at Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s award-winning private Bahamian island. The ship arrived at Port Everglades Nov. 3 following its maiden transatlantic voyage that set sail from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 20.

Rotterdam marks the second ship to return to Florida cruising and the Caribbean for Holland America Line since the industrywide pause began 20 months ago. During November, the ship will be joined at Port Everglades by Pinnacle Class sister-ship Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam, which also kick off their Caribbean seasons. Nieuw Amsterdam began Caribbean cruising from Fort Lauderdale Oct. 23.

“We have been awaiting our return to the Caribbean for a long time, and having Rotterdam and our other ships restart operations out of Fort Lauderdale is an incredible moment for our company,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Rotterdam’s maiden voyage from Europe was a huge success and we’re getting a lot of positive feedback from guests about the ship.”

The cruise line celebrated Rotterdam’s Caribbean departure with fanfare to welcome guests on board, and Antorcha was on hand to greet embarking passengers.

Following the Nov. 5 cruise, Rotterdam will sail in the Caribbean through April, with all departures roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. The cruises range from 6 to 11 nights and span the region on southern, eastern, western and tropical itineraries. Guests looking for a longer getaway can embark on a Collectors’ Voyage — combined back-to-back itineraries that offer an in-depth exploration covering more than one area.

Every Caribbean cruise includes a call at Half Moon Cay, rated the number-one port of call in the Caribbean by the line's guests. This quaint sanctuary has evolved into a playground for cruisers and features the finest white-sand beaches, two-story villas and private cabanas, dining venues like Lobster Shack, a children’s waterpark and a variety of fun-filled tours for nature lovers, adventurous travelers and explorers.

Holland America Line has been homeporting from Port Everglades since the 1990s. Operationally, each ship visit directly contributes $364,000 to the local economy in provisioning (fuel, food, flowers, piano tuning, supplies), port taxes and spending. Holland America Line works with nearly 100 local vendors who supply the company and its ships with goods and services.

Throughout the years, Holland America Line has been actively involved with more than 30 nonprofits in South Florida through giving, shipboard lunches and cruise donations, including Seafarers’ House, Henderson Behavioral Health, Coast Guard Women’s Leadership Initiative, Symphony of the Americas, The Opera Society and more.

SunStone's new Ocean Explorer christened in Boston

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 November 2021 05 November 2021

SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful christening of the Ocean Explorer.

Boston-based Vantage Deluxe World Travel christened the Ocean Explorer, its first ocean-going small ship, in Boston at the city’s Raymond L. Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

The five-star ship can accommodate up to 162 guests and offers 15 itineraries, four of which depart from Boston. The luxury ship has 77 cabins, including 15 for solo travelers.

“At Vantage, our goal is to provide the ultimate in small-ship luxury experience,” said Henry R. Lewis, founder and owner of Vantage Deluxe World Travel, in a statement. “Ocean Explorer will offer a completely unique experience for travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the culture of faraway lands and truly experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, while enjoying the incredible service and amenities of an intimate small ship environment.”

The vessel will sail worldwide year-round expedition cruises for Vantage Travel.

SunStone’s Infinity-class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, with a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and zero speed stabilizing. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.

Laid up Baltic overnight cruise ship could be converted for expedition use

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 November 2021 05 November 2021

A cruise ship that mainly operated 22 hour cruises from the Swedish capital Stockholm could be converted to a high end of the market expedition cruise ship, a media report says.

The 34,924 gross ton Birka that was built in 2004 has been laid up since early last year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the 1,800 passenger capacity ship that has Finnish/Swedish ice class 1 A Super, the highest on that scale, could be converted to a 600 passenger expedition cruise ship with relatively little work and hence low cost, a report on Alands Sjofart said.

The London based ship broker Clarkson Platou has valued the vessel at €82.8 million and a team from Rederi AB Eckero, the ship’s Finnish owner, has teamed up with Fosen Design to evaluate viability of the conversion.

The ship’s life saving equipment would have to be updated and the number of cabins should be reduced to 300 from the present 700 and balconies should be added to 215 that are in the superstructure, the report said.

Havila Voyages takes delivery of it’s first of four new coastal cruise ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 November 2021 05 November 2021

Havila Capella is delivered to Havila Voyages, and soon the first of four state of the art vessels for the new ship owner Havila Voyages will start its sailing towards the Norwegian coast. The ship will start its’ sailings on the traditional coastal route from Bergen on December 1. The CEO of Havila Voyages, Bent Martini, says this is a day of joy.

"We are many who have waited a long time for this, and now the first ship is finally in our hands and we will start preparing for setting sail towards Norway."

Mehmet Gazioğlu, general manager of Tersan is also happy that the first ship now can leave the quay at the yard."The four coastal cruise ships for Havila Voyages are a special assignment for us. We have faced various challenges, including the corona pandemic, which has led to delays, but we have learned a lot from the first ship and expect more efficient construction of the next ones. And today we are looking forward to seeing the good result and the beautiful ship that Havila Capella has become."

Hectic start-up of large hotel

To make the final preparation more efficient, both workers from the yard and subcontractors will be involved in parts of and the entire voyage to Bergen. In addition, Havila Voyages has its own employees who start work on preparing the ship for traffic along the Norwegian coast. When the ship arrives in Bergen, even more people will be on board to familiarize themselves and get ready for the first sailing.Bent Martini says it will be hectic days for many.

"Havila Capella is a large hotel with 179 cabins, several restaurants and large common areas that will be made ready in a very short time in addition to crew and hotel employees to get to know the ship, systems and each other. But we have got off to a good start already, and we are confident that this will go well."

He himself and several others from the administration will also establish a temporary office on board the ship when it arrives in Norway.

"We do this both because we need to have short distances, because we can be helpful and give an extra hand and of course also because this is something we want to be a part of. It is of course a special event to take part in, when starting up the first ship in the largest tourism investment we have seen along the coast."

Sharing glimpses of Havila Capella on her voyage to Norway

The plan is that the first round trip Bergen-Kirkenes will depart from Bergen on Wednesday 1 December. Then the passengers get a first encounter with a ship. The ship’s food and interior reflect the coast they travel through, the cabins are large, common areas are tailored to enjoy the view - as for example glass roofs to the northern lights sky and midnight sun and a long, outdoor promenade perfect for a walk on the sea.

Martini says he is looking forward to showing the ship to people along the coast and to the passengers who will travel with her.

"We are really looking forward to get Havila Capella into service, and on the journey from Turkey to Norway we will post movies and photos on social media where you can meet ships and crew and get several sneak peeks on board."

Environmentally friendly from the start

Even before the ship enters service, the coast and nature will benefit from the environmentally friendly ships of the Havila Voyages. The ship stays at the quay for a couple of weeks in Bergen. Then the ship is operated by the batteries on board and clean hydropower.

"It gives zero emissions and no smoke that settles over Bergen city center. And that is just the beginning of Havila Voyages's history with environmentally friendly voyages along the coast where we with the world's largest battery pack on board can go without noise and emissions for up to four hours"

P&O Cruises publishes 2023/24 programmes

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 November 2021 03 November 2021

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it has launched its summer 2023 and winter 2023/24 programmes.

These include Arvia’s maiden summer season, first full winter season in the Caribbean and new “island vibe” summer itineraries on Britannia. All holidays include a range of launch booking offers.

Arvia will enter service in late 2022 and it will be sister ship of Iona that entered service this summer, although the ship had been delivered in the autumn of 2020.

Arvia’s first summer sailing from Southampton will be a series of 14 night holidays featuring up to six of the most popular ports in Italy, Spain and France. Itinerary choices include La Spezia (for Florence and Pisa) or overnight visits to Barcelona.

From October 2023 Arvia will sail its first full season of Caribbean fly/cruise holidays from home port Barbados until the end of March ’24.

Pre-registration for summer 2023 and winter 2023 / 2024 holidays opens on November 3, 2021.

Summary of 2023/24 itineraries and ship deployments

Arvia

In summer, a series of 14 night holidays to La Coruna; Marseille; Seville (from Cadiz) and Barcelona (with selected cruises offering an overnight call); other ports include Palma; Florence and Pisa (from La Spezia); Valencia or Alicante

In winter, seven and 14 night Caribbean fly/ cruises from Barbados.

Iona

In summer, seven night holidays to the Norwegian fjords round trip from Southampton.

In winter, holidays to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands round trip from Southampton.

Britannia

In summer, seven night Norwegian fjords cruises, 14 night Baltic cruises, including two day calls to St Petersburg, as well as 14 night western Mediterranean island cruises featuring either an overnight call in Palma or Palma and Ibiza

In winter, 14 night Caribbean fly/cruises from Barbados.

Azura

In summer, Mediterranean fly/cruise holidays of either seven or 14 nights departing from Malta to either iconic ports in the Western Mediterranean including Rome (from Civitavecchia); Ajaccio in Corsica and Villefranche or alternatively Greece and its islands including Mykonos and Corfu in the Eastern Mediterranean

In winter, Canary Islands fly/cruises from Tenerife, consisting of two alternating seven night cruises which can also be combined to create a 14 night holiday.

Ventura

In summer, Atlantic Coast and Canary Islands holidays as well as short breaks to Amsterdam.

In winter, holidays to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands and well as Caribbean cruises with some itineraries also visiting New Orleans. To celebrate New Year 2024 Ventura will sail a special five night cruise to the vibrant cities of Amsterdam and Bruges (from Zeebrugge).

Arcadia and Aurora

In summer, Arcadia and Aurora will visit Norway, Russia, New York and the Greek islands. Itineraries have been specifically designed to include lesser frequented destinations, including Grundafjordur in Iceland, Palermo in Sicily and Klaipeda in Lithuania.

Arcadia summer itineraries feature an Iceland and North Cape cruise including an overnight call to Reykjavik and scenic cruising of the North Cape. Aurora’s summer holidays include a 30 night Canada and USA cruise with overnight calls in both Boston and New York.

In winter, Aurora will operate two 12 night ‘in search of the Northern Lights’ itineraries with one of these trips taking place over Christmas 2023. The ship will also offer a 65 night USA, Caribbean and Central America cruise with an overnight call New Orleans plus a partial transit of the Panama Canal.

Arcadia will offer a full world cruise of 99 nights, departing January 6, 2024, with ports including Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong and Singapore. For 2024 an overnight call to Singapore has been added in addition to the established overnights in Honolulu, Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai.