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Helsinki Shipyard lays keel of first Swan Hellenic ice class expedition ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 September 2020 24 September 2020

The keel laying ceremony for the first of Swan Hellenic’s two new ice-class expedition cruise ships has taken place at the Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, the cruise company said in a statement.

This saw the first 347 ton block of the ship - newly arrived from Klaipeda, where it had been outfitted and painted - being set on the keel over coins to bring good luck in accordance with ancient maritime custom.

Swan Hellenic announced during the ceremony that the ship would be christened SH Minerva in honour of the iconic company’s first purpose-built vessel, named after the Roman goddess of creativity and wisdom. The 12,898 gross ton ship operated for Swan Hellenic from 1996 to 2003.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito declared there could be no more fitting way for the relaunched company to take Swan Hellenic’s pioneering spirit back onto the waves.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Helsinki Shipyard Inc. CEO Carl-Gustasf Rotkirch and Project Manager Jonas Packalén, together with Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito, participating via video link due to the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

SH Minerva will feature a 4.6-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction, 3-megawatt max. battery package and PC5 ice-strengthened hull. Wirh a length of 113 metres, the 10,500 gross ton vessel has been specially designed to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on the planet.

Providing spacious 5-star accommodation for 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, SH Minerva will be operated by an onboard team of 120 to provide the highest levels of personal service.

Commenting on the special challenges of these innovative ships, Project Manager Jonas Packalén explained: “New build 516 and her sister NB 517 are designed for extreme weather conditions, from polar areas with quite heavy ice conditions to tropical regions. And they are naturally designed to respect the sensitive ecosystems of the regions where they’re going to sail.”

Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard Inc. remarked: “We are very happy to have been able to invite our workers back, engaging them in this exciting project. Now we can do what we know best - designing and building ships with a great history behind them and an even greater future ahead. These vessels for the iconic Swan Hellenic are inspiring us, and I hope the customer feels that.”

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito congratulated the assembled team for successfully achieving an ambitious schedule, thanking the Helsinki Shipyard, Robert McFarland, Tillberg Design and VShips teams for their support. “We’re excited and honoured to take Swan Hellenic into this next chapter and look forward to meeting you on board when we head to Antarctica in November 2021” he concluded.

Swan Hellenic was acquired by a group of investors from GAP Adventures earlier this year. The British cruise operator had lain dormant for several years. It was a pioneer in cruises that features heavy focus on destinations of historical and cultural interest and its cruises frequently had well known lecturers on board. The company was founded 1950.

Meyer Turku to suspend production for three weeks around Christmas

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 September 2020 22 September 2020

Meyer Turku, the Finnish cruise ship builder, said it would suspend production for about three weeks around Christmas.

The company would aim for savings by the measure that is also justified by the current low production volumes. These again are the result of rescheduling of deliveries of ships on order, the company said in a statement.

The suspension would mean that staff would be laid off and asked to take holidays. It would also suspend the work of companies in the shipbuilder’s network of suppliers, Meyer Turku said.

Balmoral to cruise from Portsmouth as part of new programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 September 2020 22 September 2020

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused cruise line, said it has launched eight itineraries for Balmoral including a number of regional departures from Portsmouth.

This follows the release of some itineraries of Bolette and Borealis, the latest ships of the company, in the past few weeks.

The 45,357 gross ton Balmoral has cruised extensively from Newcastle in the past few years. Portsmouth has previously been served e.g. by Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which went out of business earlier tis year.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Services for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We’re so pleased to be unveiling further new cruises this week, and just as excited to be returning to Portsmouth for four of our eight new sailings.”

“On board our elegant, smaller ship Balmoral, guests will be able to sail down the Seine, seek out the Northern Lights, chase the sun in Madeira and the Canaries or visit German Christmas markets for a bit of festive shopping,” she said in a statement.

Ian Diaper, Head of Operations for Portsmouth International Port, said: "Like guests, we can’t wait to see cruises start again, so we’re delighted to welcome Fred. Olsen’s prestigious Balmoral for turnaround cruises from the city next October. Guests will have the most enviable start to their holiday as they sail from our dramatic harbour, on a long overdue cruise. This marks a new cruise era for Portsmouth and we’re looking forward to working with Fred. Olsen on this exciting journey.”

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Highlights of Balmoral’s new itineraries include:

The 14-night L2103B ‘Canary Islands & Madeira Winter Warmth’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 2nd February 2021. Prices start from £1,599 per person. Prices start from £1,599 per person. Enjoy a FREE drinks package and your tips covered on this sailing when booked by 31st October 2020.

The sunshine and scenery of these beautiful islands awaits you on this relaxing and rejuvenating late winter escape. You’ll have chances to unwind on Gran Canaria’s golden sands; marvel at the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife and Lanzarote; explore the verdant lands of La Palma and stimulate your senses with Madeira’s fragrant gardens. Meanwhile, the cities of Lisbon and La Coruña boast an abundance of architectural, historical and cultural delights.

Ports of call: Southampton, England – Lisbon, Portugal – Funchal, Madeira – Santa Cruz, La Palma – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – Arrecife, Lanzarote – La Coruña, Spain – Southampton, England

The 13-night L2135 ‘Arctic Norway & Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 4th November 2021. Prices start from £1,599 per person. Enjoy a FREE drinks package and your tips covered on this sailing when booked by 31st October 2020.

Revel in the early winter wonders of Northern Norway. In Narvik, embark on a thrilling husky-sled ride or witness Arctic wildlife at the Polar Park, while Tromsø’s attractions include Mount Storsteinen and the Arctic Cathedral. This sailing brings with it the chance to witness the wonder of the Aurora Borealis illuminating the night sky.

Ports of call: Portsmouth England – Molde, Norway – Narvik, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight stay) – Tromsø, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Portsmouth, England

The 6-night L2137 ‘German Christmas Markets’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 30th November 2021. Prices start from £699 per person. Enjoy a FREE drinks package and your tips covered on this sailing when booked by 31st October 2020.

Immerse yourself in the famous yuletide spirit of Germany with visits to two enchanting cities, Bremen and Hamburg. Experience the magic of the German Christmas markets, draped in twinkling lights and decorations, with plenty of traditional gifts and fare on offer. Visit Bremen’s historic, UNESCO-listed centre and Hamburg’s impressive architectural landmarks, beautiful Alster Lake and the unique Miniatur Wunderland.

Ports of call: Portsmouth, England – Bremen, Germany – Hamburg, Germany (overnight stay) – Portsmouth, England.

Princess Cruises sells Sun Princess, Sea Princess to undisclosed buyers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 September 2020 22 September 2020

Princess Cruises, which is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, said it had sold Sun Princess and Sea Princess to undisclosed buyers.

The sale is in line with the parent company’s plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet. It has earmarked a total of 18 ships for disposal, some of which have already been sold.

Sun Princess that was built in 1995 at Fincantieri was the lead ship in a series of four 77,400 gross ton vessels and when it entered service, it was briefly the largest cruise ship in the world. Sea Princess was completed in 1998.

With the sale of P&O Cruises’ Oceana that was built as Ocean Princess in 2000 earlier this year, only the 1997 built Dawn Princess remains in the Carnival group fleet, sailing since 2017 as Pacific Explorer for P&O Cruises Australia.

“Sun Princess and Sea Princess contributed to significant growth in Australian cruising,” said Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz. “Both ships defined the premium cruise experience with Australians and New Zealanders spending close to 14 million nights aboard these ships. While it is never easy to say goodbye to any ship in our fleet, this will allow us to deploy newer ships enhancing our offerings for Australia cruisers and focus on bringing into service exciting newbuilds like the upcoming delivery of Enchanted Princess.”

Cunard, P&O Cruises “unbelievable super brands” – Carnival’s Donald

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 September 2020 18 September 2020

The UK market is very important to Carnival Corporation & plc and Cunard and P&O Cruises are “unbelievable superbrands,” the Anglo-American cruise shipping group’s President and CEO Arnold Donald said in an interview.

He also commented on the group’s decision to dispose of some older ships and pondered on a road map how to expand the resumption of operations in the near future.

P&O and Cunard are two of our anchor brands. These are brands that have been around a long time, and have great history and legacy. People love those brands so they are very central to our corporation,” he said in a webcast interview with Travel Weekly.

“It’s a very important market to the cruise industry, and certainly to our company,” Donald said, referring to the UK. “So absolutely we see continued investment and priority in the British cruise market – there’s no question about that. P&O and Cunard are two of our strongest brands and they are fundamental to our business. These are unbelievable super-brands, really.”

In early summer, rumours circulated in the media that Carnival might sell Cunard and its luxury market brand Seabourn as part of its efforts to deal with the present crisis. The company soon dismissed the rumours.

Cunard was established in 1840 and P&O in 1837.