More News

Viking Line cuts food waste by 40% in pilot project

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 December 2019 20 December 2019

Viking Line, the listed Finnish cruise ferry company that should not be confused with Viking Ocean Cruises, has reduced food waste by 40% on one of its ships during a pilot project, the company said in a statement.

“Efforts enacted aboard M/S Mariella have succeeded in reducing the amount of food waste by an estimated 27 tonnes over a period of four months. The amount of food saved is equal to approximately 70,000 meals,” the company said. Mariella operates overnight crossings between Helsinki in Finland and Stockholm in Sweden. It has accommodation for about 2,500 passengers.

Viking Line has made a serious effort to reduce its food waste. In April 2019, the company joined forces with Winnow, a company specializing in helping the hospitality industry to cut food waste, to undertake a project intended to reduce the food waste on Mariella.

The majority of the meals served on Mariella’s various restaurants are prepared centrally in the same galley. For the duration of the project, the galley waste bins were equipped with scales to measure the actual amount of waste. With the help of computer software, the waste is categorised, weighed and recorded for statistical purposes. “The computer-generated reports enable for the monitoring of plate waste, trim waste and waste due to overproduction. In practice, for example, all the discarded food from the buffet lines is measured,” Viking Line said.

“We have managed to minimise food waste per passenger by an average of 40%. This reduction was especially driven by an increase of efficiency in our kitchen procedures. We pay more attention to preparation amounts. As a concrete example, any potatoes boiled for lunches can also be used to prepare delicious side dishes for the dinner crowd,” explained Janne Lindholm, Restaurant Manager for Viking Line.

Viking Line restaurants are also developing, among other aspects, the presentation and serving size of their dishes as a means of reducing the plate waste. The buffet restaurant, for example, offers ready-made portions that enable passengers to select the exact amount that they want.

“None of the changes required us to compromise on the quality, freshness or availability of our food. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite. When we utilise raw ingredients more efficiently, we avoid overproduction and there is more time left to focus on development work and customer service,” Lindholm adds.

The remaining food waste is used towards the production of biogas. In 2018, the bio waste collected from Viking XPRS, Viking Grace and Mariella was used to produce a total of 98,550 cubic metres of biogas, which equals, in terms of energy, altogether 111,300 litres of gasoline.

The waste reduction project on Mariella will continue. Based on the positive results, a similar project is in the planning for Gabriella.

New Seine river ships to allow Viking to dock in the heart of Paris

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 December 2019 14 December 2019

Viking has announced new details about its 2020 river cruise season, which will see the addition of four new ships custom built to navigate the Seine River in the heart of Paris. Inspired by the design of the award-winning Viking Longships, the four new, identical vessels will debut in 2020; all will be deployed on Viking’s popular eight-day Paris and the Heart of Normandy itinerary by 2021.

Hosting 168 guests in 84 staterooms, the new Seine Ships – Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga – will be smaller than Viking Longships, but will feature many of the same popular features – including an Aquavit Terrace, a wide variety of stateroom choices and onboard solar panels, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic. Designed specifically to navigate the Seine River, these four ships will dock in the center of Paris, adjacent to the Eiffel Tower.

“We have always had a strong vision for how to help guests explore the world in comfort. For 22 years, we have led the industry in defining what modern river cruising looks like for experienced travelers who have interests in history, art and culture,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We continue to lead because we focus on the destination, and we continue to innovate for our guests, offering them new and different opportunities for learning – and opening doors around the world at places that may otherwise have been difficult to visit.”

Sailing roundtrip from Paris, guests on Viking’s Paris and the Heart of Normandy itinerary explore Giverny and visit the beautiful gardens and charming farmhouse where Claude Monet lived and worked; trace the footsteps of Joan of Arc in Rouen; walk hallowed ground at Normandy’s American Military Cemetery and World War II beaches; and savor Normandy cuisine. This 8-day cruise along the Seine River celebrates history, art, food and customs in the country’s most dazzling urbane and pastoral settings.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection introduces 2021 season itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 December 2019 10 December 2019

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has started to accept reservations for the 2021 season. With a leisurely cruising style, the legendary service of The Ritz-Carlton, and sought- after destinations around the world, the next season of itineraries introduces visits to over 50 new ports and will continue to deliver one-of-a-kind voyages to its guests onboard Evrima, the first of three yachts from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Evrima, a word of Greek origin meaning “discovery”, inspires travelers to immerse themselves in exceptional experiences, explore new destinations and foster the spirit of adventure that makes travel so rewarding.

“We are excited to have opened reservations for our 2021 season,” said Douglas Prothero, CEO for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “We have been thrilled with the response to The Ritz- Carlton Yacht Collection and look forward to continuing to build on that success, delivering experiences truly unlike any other on the market.”

The 2021 curated itineraries aboard Evrima will take guests to some of the most stunning locations around the world, providing unique access to iconic yachting playgrounds as well as hidden coves and charming towns. With most voyages 7-nights in duration, itineraries are designed to not repeat the same ports back-to-back, making them the perfect choice to do a single itinerary or combine with the following itinerary for those seeking an extended voyage.

An extended Mediterranean season includes ports-of-call in the Greek Isles and Cote d’Azur, while stops in places such as Cartagena and Martinique add to the splendor of a journey through the Caribbean. Travelers will also have the option to enjoy a plethora of iconic, laid-back destinations including Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, Barbados and Aruba, while up north, guests will marvel at the spectacular beauty of New England and Eastern Canada, enjoying the region’s charming autumn season. Travelers aboard Evrima will be met with luxury amenities and have limitless opportunities to make the most of their time at sea through a vast range of offerings and activities.

Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will enjoy an all-inclusive luxury experience including spacious suite accommodations, onboard activities and entertainment, multiple dining venues, onboard gratuities, WiFi and watersports from the yacht’s marina platform. Experiences available for an additional fee include specialty dining at S.E.A., the yacht’s signature restaurant designed by Michelin-starred Chef Sven Elverfeld, spa treatments, and immersive excursions offered through The Shore Collection. Voyage prices will vary based upon the itinerary and season.

Seatrade Cruise Global reveals programming for its 35th anniversary event

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 December 2019 10 December 2019

After last year’s record-breaking attendance numbers, Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry’s leading annual business-to-business event, is returning to the Miami Beach Convention Center 20-23 April 2020 for its 35th anniversary edition – expected to deliver its most robust program to date and attracting the world’s largest gathering of high-level executives, thought leaders and innovators from all facets of the cruise industry.

“This is the only annual event that unites the entire cruise community and all industry stakeholders,” says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “With it being a milestone year, and at such a pivotal and progressive period for cruising, we’re elevating the experience to offer connections, innovation, education and inspiration for a more diverse attendee audience.”

The Seatrade Cruise Global 2020 conference program will feature expert speakers and panel discussions on topics and trends shaping the cruise market and its future – including the highly anticipated annual State of the Global Cruise Industry keynote address. New for 2020, organizers have enhanced programming to include themed education tracks – curated sessions focused on related topics – for attendees seeking deeper knowledge on specific subject matter.

Thematic conference tracks and sample sessions include:

– Global Ports & Destinations: As cruise itinerary remains the primary selection factor, this track will explore worldwide excursion trends, port operations and creating an authentic experience. Sessions include the inaugural “Seatrade Cruise Global Debate: Shore Excursions…. Dead or Alive?” as well as “Private Islands are Having a Moment,” and “Spotlight on Port Infrastructure Development Projects Around the Globe.”
– Information Technology: New for 2020, this track showcases a “Tech Talk” series focusing on cruise tech trends and related challenges impacting cruise lines within the ever-evolving IT landscape. Sessions will discuss how technology – onboard WiFi; IOT and 5G; AI and AR/VR; biometrics – can enhance the crew and guest experience.
– Entertainment: One of the most notable differentiators of ships today, entertainment options – on both land and sea – are more innovative than ever before and will come to life during sessions like “It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Cruise Line Entertainment Anymore … Drag Queen Brunches, Tattoo Parlors and Oh My!” and more.
– Ship Interiors & Design: As ships continue pushing boundaries to enhance onboard environments, they continue to create design and interiors innovative experiences. Sessions such as “When Interior Design & Technology Collide,” along with a series of one-on-one interviews with top designers, will discuss how cruise lines can continue to surprise and delight.
– Expedition Cruising & Sustainability: Maintaining natural resources while sustaining exponential passenger growth, this track will discuss latest developments on industry-wide environmental advancements. Session topics will include the changing expedition marketplace, eco-conscious cruising and sustainable tourism.

Princess names Sky Princess in Port Everglades

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 December 2019 09 December 2019

Princess Cruises christened its newest ship, Sky Princess on December 7 in a tribute to the pioneering women of the U.S. Space Program who represent crowning achievements in science, research and technology through innovation and their desire to explore the far reaches of the sky.

Princess Cruises chose the theme of Reach for the Sky for the occasion, and honored two women of NASA for their achievements in the U.S. space program: Captain Kay Hire, and engineer Frances “Poppy” Northcutt, who served as the godmothers of Sky Princess.

Captain Hire began her 30-year NASA career as a mechanical systems engineer, helping to launch more than 40 space missions. Then, as an astronaut, she logged 700 hours in space, flew over 12 million miles, and orbited the earth 475 times. She was the first female assigned to a military combat flight crew while serving in the U.S. Navy. And, she retired from the U.S. Navy with more 35 years of service. Poppy Northcutt served as the first female mission control engineer when NASA made history with its mission to the moon. When the crew of Apollo 13 became stranded in their service module, it was her team’s calculations that brought them home safely – a feat of heroism that earned the entire mission operations a Presidential Medal of Freedom Team Award.

“As we celebrate our newest, most technologically advanced ship – one whose spirit of adventure and discovery match the grandeur of her name, Sky Princess, we also applaud the groundbreaking women of the U.S. Space Program.” said Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz. “Our godmothers, Captain Kay Hire and Poppy Northcutt, remind us all of what we can achieve when we reach for the sky.”

Sky Princess Captain Heikki Laakkonen also recognized two Sky Princess female officers who embody the Reach for the Sky theme, striving for success in leadership positions –Kerry Ann Wright, who started working in the cruise industry as a spa technician and went back to school to rise through the ranks to become a Second Officer working on the bridge; and Chief Security Officer Susan Morgan, who is the longest serving woman in the British Royal Navy.

Captain Hire and Poppy Northcutt, recited the traditional cruise ship blessing before pushing a NASA- style “launch” button releasing and smashing a 15-liter bottle of champagne, officially naming Sky Princess.

Additional women of NASA recognized for their unwavering quest to Reach for the Sky in a tribute video, included:
- The first woman of color to travel to outer space Dr. Mae Jemison.
- The first Hispanic woman in space who later became Director of the Johnson Space Center Dr. Ellen Ochoa.
- The first woman to command the Space Shuttle Eileen Collins.
- The first woman to command the International Space Stations Peggy Whiston.
- The first woman to join a spacewalk Kathryn D. Sullivan.

The ceremony featured star-studded entertainment adding to the exciting bottle break moment, including Princess Cruises Celebrations Ambassador and Love Boat actress Jill Whelan, serving as ceremony co-host with Sky Princess Cruise Director Alexander Yepremian; and a performance of Dream On from America’s Got Talent Alum Brian Justin Crum. The finale of the naming ceremony included a performance of This is Me from The Greatest Showman and featured in the cruise line’s new production show Rock Opera.

Sky Princess, recently completed her inaugural season in Europe and is now sailing on voyages to the Caribbean through spring 2020. Representing an evolution of the design platform used for her sister Royal-Class ships - Regal Princess, Royal Princess and Majestic Princess – the 143,700-ton, 3,660-guest Sky Princess offers an elevation of spectacular style and elegance that Princess is known for, in addition to new distinct features.

Introduced on Sky Princess are new luxury Sky Suites boasting expansive views from the largest balconies at sea. In addition, two new entertainment experiences are offered – Phantom Bridge, a world’s first game combining digital and physical elements for the ultimate immersive escape room, and Take Five, the only jazz theater at sea, celebrating the iconic sounds, culture and history of jazz.

The debut of Sky Princess marks the first MedallionClass new build. Powered by the OceanMedallion, the global hospitality industry’s most advanced wearable device, MedallionClass vacations deliver a new level of service for a vacation that is more seamless, effortless and personalized. Considered a breakthrough in the vacation industry and a CES 2019 Innovation Award Honoree, the complimentary OceanMedallion features leading-edge technology that delivers personalized service through enhanced guest-crew interactions, while eliminating friction points and enabling interactive entertainment.

The Princess Cruises fleet continues to expand with Enchanted Princess in June 2020, Discovery Princess in November 2021 and two new (LNG) ships in 2023 and 2025.