SH Minerva hull assembly completed ahead of schedule

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 17 March 2021 17 March 2021

Swan Hellenic, the Nicosia based expedition cruise line, said  that the hull sections and deck modules of its first vessel, SH Minerva, had all been completed ahead of schedule.

It is the first of two 10,500 gross ton ships the cop[any has an order at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland. A third ship, of 12,500 gross tons, is also due to join the line from the same builder.

“Now that the structure is complete, the cabins are already taking shape, as also revealed online today, showing the Scandi-chic comfort, rich natural materials and spacious open perspectives out to sea of the elegant designs by Tillberg of Sweden,” the company said in a statement.

The new ship represents the next generation of polar expedition vessels, designed for worldwide cruising with a strong focus on high-latitude areas. 

SH Minerva is being fitted with a 5-megawatt diesel-electric propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction, ready to receive 3-megawatt max. battery package and PC5 ice-strengthened hull and with Safe Return to Port notation.

Esko Karvonen, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard Inc. remarked: “We are very proud of the smooth progress made on SH Minerva, helped by its outstanding design. It is an inspiring journey to work on the remarkable first three vessels for the iconic Swan Hellenic and we are sure the guests who explore the world aboard them will also feel that.”

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines launch UK scenic summer cruise programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 17 March 2021 17 March 2021

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines,. The UK based destination focused cruise line, has published a ‘Welcome Back’ programme of cruises to showcase the best of the British Isles this summer, with scenic-only cruises and those with ports of call featured aboard its smaller ships, the company said in a statement..

The 11-cruise programme includes departures from Dover and Liverpool, with scenic sailings taking in the best of the British Isles, including the Shetland and Orkney islands and the Isles of Scilly.

New ship Borealis will be the first of the fleet to set sail, with a three-night scenic ‘Maiden Voyage’ from Liverpool on 5^th July, with Bolette to depart on a three-night ‘Maiden Voyage’ from Dover on 16^th August.

Peter Deer, Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are so excited to be unveiling these new summer cruises today. So often overlooked, our British Isles are home to some of the most wonderful wildlife, and so much spectacular scenery that is best enjoyed from the water."

“With this selection of shorter sailings, guests can dip their toes back into cruising and enjoy all that they love about being on board with us, before we all begin to venture further afield again. This is an incredibly important milestone for our business, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests on board our new-look fleet this summer.”

 

Highlights of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ summer sailings include:

 

Borealis’ four-night S213 ‘Scenic British Isles & Summer Wildlife’ no port cruise, departing from Liverpool on 8^th July 2021. Prices start from £549 per person. Enjoy up to £75 per person to spend on board. 

Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cruising by Neist Point Lighthouse – Cruising by Kilt Rock & Mealt Waterfall – Cruising Loch Broom –  Cruising by The Small Isles – Cruising Loch Hourn – Cruising by Dutchman’s Cap – (Bac Mòr) & Fingals Cave – Cruising Sound of Mull – Cruising by Duart Castle – Liverpool, England

 

Borealis’ five-night S215 ‘Scenic Orkney & Faroe Islands’ no port cruise, departing from Liverpool on 17^th July 2021. Prices start from £699 per person. Enjoy up to £100 per person to spend on board.

Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cruising by The Needle, Orkney, Scotland – Cruising by Old Man of Hoy, Hoy, Orkneys – Cruising by Marwick Head, Orkneys – Cruising by Fair Isle – Cruising by Sumburgh Head, Shetlands – Cruising by Cape Enniberg – Cruising Kalsoyarfjørður – Cruising Leirvíksfjørður & Djúpini – Cruising by Vestmanna cliffs, Streymoy – Cruising by Gásadalur – Cruising by Mykines – Cruising Gáshólmur, Tindhólmur & Drangarnir – Cruising by Hestur & Koltur – Liverpool, England

 

Bolette’s five-night T217 ‘Touring Scenic Orkneys & Shetlands’ cruise, departing from Dover on 24^th August 2021. Prices start from £799 per person. Enjoy up to £100 per person to spend on board.

Itinerary: Dover, England – Lerwick, Shetland Islands – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands – Dover, England

Viking to restart limited operations with domestic UK cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 16 March 2021 16 March 2021

Viking announced today that it will restart limited operations in May 2021 with three special sailings along the coast of England. Available exclusively for UK residents, the new 7-night ocean itinerary – England’s Scenic Shores – will sail roundtrip from Portsmouth, with departures on May 22, May 29 and June 5, 2021. Guests on the England’s Scenic Shores itinerary will be among the first to sail on board Viking’s newest ocean ship, Viking Venus, which will be delivered in April. Pre-registration for England’s Scenic Shores is currently open only to Viking’s loyal past guests; more details about the voyages will be released – and reservations will be available to all UK residents – in due course.

Viking was the first cruise line to suspend operations at the beginning of the pandemic, and today’s update about the official restart was triggered because the UK Government recently signalled that it will allow the resumption of domestic cruises beginning in May 2021. All other previously scheduled Viking sailings through May 31, 2021 remain cancelled.

“We welcome the UK Government’s support for the return of safe domestic cruises as an important component in the travel industry’s recovery. In recognition of this support, and to celebrate the fact we have a British godmother – the esteemed broadcaster and journalist Anne Diamond – we have chosen to name our new ship, Viking Venus, in the UK on May 17,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are in a position to restart operations quickly and to start sailing again in May because we have kept our ships crewed during warm lay-up throughout the past 12 months. We have been implementing our additional protocols, including daily quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests for our crew, for almost six months now. With our new protocol enhancements in place, we believe there will be no safer way to travel the world than on a Viking voyage and we look forward to welcoming UK guests back on board very soon.”

Those who sail these new voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking’s Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps—and most recently led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship, all guests and crew will receive daily quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey.

Dream Cruises welcomes 100,000th passenger at Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 16 March 2021 16 March 2021

Dream Cruises and Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) have welcomed Singapore’s 100,000th cruise passenger since the commencement of safe pilot cruises in the city. Starting with World Dream’s first sailing from 6 November 2020 has been a worry-free journey for guests aboard, with their health and safety being the number one priority for Dream Cruises.

As the lucky guest, Amin Abdul Rahim and his family were presented with a collection of prizes and goodies including an upgrade to The Palace suite accommodations for their upcoming voyage.

“My family and I were surprised and are extremely honoured to be the 100,000th cruise passenger as this is our first time on board World Dream. We had heard many good things about the cruise and we are especially looking forward to the Halal-certified cuisine which is so important to us. We are also excited about experiencing The Palace and we can't wait to share our experience with our family and friends,” said Rahim.

The Palace is the “all-inclusive, all-suite” luxury concept across the Dream Cruises fleet, featuring the charm of a boutique hotel with the exclusivity of a private clubhouse. Guests can indulge in an unprecedented level of service and comfort, with lavish dining experiences, a rich collection of enrichment activities, and all-inclusive privileges. The Palace elevates the luxury cruising experience into an art form.

With international travel currently restricted, Dream Cruises has been bringing the world on board World Dream with special themed Super Seacations that bring some of the most loved experiences from popular travel destinations to the ship. Guests can indulge in the best of cultural and gastronomic delights with the Rhythm of Korea until 31 March and Amazing Thailand from 31 March to 28 May.

“Having pioneered the safe pilot cruises in Singapore, we are excited to be part of this important milestone to celebrate Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore’s 100,000th cruise passenger since the program started and who sailed on World Dream on 12 March 2021. We hope to continue to welcome more Singapore residents aboard World Dream throughout the year,” said Michael Goh, President of Dream Cruises. “As a testament to our ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of our guests and crew, we are also proud to announce that World Dream recently became the first cruise ship in the world to receive a 3-year Certification in Infection Prevention - Maritime (CIP-M) from DNV, complementing the CruiseSafe Certification by the Singapore Tourism Board and DNV.”

"SATS-Creuers is proud to welcome the 100,000th cruise passenger in this cruise pilot, marking a significant milestone in the resumption of cruising at MBCCS. Reaching this milestone is a testimony to the commitment of our colleagues and industry partners in cruise and healthcare to provide a safe cruising experience for all. We look forward to welcoming many more passengers at MBCCS in the future," said Lionel Wong, CEO of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services.

“This momentous occasion underscores the progress that Dream Cruises has made in charting a new course for safe cruising and regaining the confidence of passengers. We are pleased with the efforts made by the cruise lines to ensure continual vigilance and adherence to health measures onboard, so that cruising is as safe as the experiences on land. We will continue to work with the industry to advance the cause for cruise tourism in Singapore and the region,” said Annie Chang, Director, Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board.