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Crystal Debussy christened in Amsterdam

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 May 2018 29 May 2018

Crystal River Cruises officially welcomed its newest ship to the fleet on May 28, as Crystal Debussy was christened in Amsterdam. Marking the occasion were Crystal’s president and CEO, Tom Wolber, Crystal River Cruises’ vice president and managing director, Walter Littlejohn, and Crystal Debussy’s godmother, Broadway star Rachel York.

The ceremony took place during the ship’s three-day stay in Amsterdam on its 10-day Splendors of the Rhine voyage, allowing guests aboard the sailing to participate in the traditional festivities, while Crystal crew members looked on from the decks of the ship.

“Crystal River Cruises has raised the bar of excellence with each new ship, and now again as Crystal Debussy joins the fleet, effectively redefining true luxury in the river industry,” Wolber said. “At the heart of this achievement are the crew and officers, all of whom are members of the Crystal team that ensure that every detail of our guests’ experience is seamless, from ship to shore.”

Littlejohn, who presided over the ceremony as emcee, added, “It is fitting that our crew and guests, as well as representatives from our parent company and the city and port of Amsterdam are all part of this milestone for Crystal Debussy and the Crystal River fleet. They each embody elements of the Crystal Family and our vision to create the most memorable luxury travel experiences in the world.”

Godmother Rachel York serenaded guests with her rendition of “Defying Gravity,” a nod to her esteemed career on the stages of the world, including those aboard Crystal’s ships as part of the Crystal on Broadway program.

“Crystal Debussy is an exquisitely-designed ship and her crew are so warm and welcoming,” York said. “I am truly honored to be the Godmother of this beautiful ship.”

Crystal Debussy joins Crystal River Cruises, which was voted “Best River Cruise Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure in the magazine’s 2017 World’s Best Awards.

Sailing itineraries between Amsterdam and Basel, the 106-guest Crystal Debussy embarked on her maiden voyage along the Rhine River on April 9. Guests visit ports in the Netherlands and Belgium on her seven-day itinerary, with 10-day voyages also calling in Germany. Throughout 2018 and 2019, the ship sails routes of seven and 10 days between Amsterdam and Basel along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, visiting Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.

Crystal’s new river vessels are the river cruising industry’s first and only all-balcony, all-suite, all-butler vessels in Europe, with every category of accommodation positioned above the waterline. They offer Crystal’s acclaimed butler service in every room category, king-sized beds, Panoramic Balcony-Windows, walk-in closets and dual vanity in the bathrooms in most categories, ETRO amenities, robes and slippers, and wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs. Additional enticing features include farm-to-table cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court for entertainment, enrichment presentations and sweeping views of the countryside.

AmaWaterways officially names AmaLea in Vilshofen, Germany

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 May 2018 27 May 2018

AmaWaterways yesterday christened its newest river cruise ship, AmaLea, with a joyful ceremony in Vilshofen, Germany. The festive event concluded a weeklong celebration, during which guests onboard were joined by AmaWaterways’ President and Co-Owner Rudi Schreiner, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst, AmaLea Godmother Filomena Andre of AAA Travel, along with travel industry friends and international media.

Presiding over his eleventh AmaWaterways christening ceremony, Captain Jan de Bruijn assisted Godmother Andre with the traditional ship christening by champagne while over 200 international and local guests joined in the special afternoon event, which featured the raising of a traditional Bavarian maypole, a dockside cocktail reception, religious blessing, local entertainment and warm welcome by Vilshofen Mayor Florian Gams. Celebrations continued into the evening with a gala dinner and culminated with a surprise fireworks display.

“We are thrilled to have our industry friends and business partners here with us in Vilshofen, celebrating the arrival of AmaLea, and marking an extraordinary time for us at AmaWaterways,” said Schreiner. “We look forward to welcoming many guests onboard this beautiful ship as she sails through the charming towns that sit along the banks of some of the most beautiful rivers in all of Europe.”

The 154-guest AmaLea features AmaWaterways’ exclusive twin balconies– offering panoramic views from both a French and outside balcony. She also has four suites (350 sq. ft.), connecting staterooms and triple occupancy staterooms designed for multi-generational families. Guests will enjoy gourmet dining onboard, with free-flowing wines at multiple venues including The Chef’s Table; a heated sun deck swimming pool with a swim-up bar; a fitness center and spa; complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship; and in-room Entertainment-On-Demand. In addition, a fleet of bicycles is carried onboard for guests to enjoy complimentary, charting their own path or participating in guided tours.

Sister ship to AmaViola, AmaStella and AmaKristina, AmaLea will sail seven-night cruises on the Danube between Vilshofen and Budapest during the summer and fall before concluding her first season with four Iconic Christmas Market Cruises.

“I am honored to serve as Godmother of this breathtaking ship,” said Andre. “I have long admired Rudi, Kristin, the Murphy family and the rest of the AmaWaterways team for their commitment to delivering excellence in so many aspects of the business. AmaLea is evidence of their dedication to providing guests with an exceptional river cruise experience, and I will forever have fond memories of this very special moment, helping to officially welcome her to the company’s incredible European fleet.”

Costa Cruises projects 43 percent capacity growth by 2021

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 May 2018 26 May 2018

Costa Cruises is continuing to expand and renew its fleet of ships flying the Italian flag. At Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard, construction has begun on a new 135,500-ton ship with 2,116 cabins, due for delivery in 2020. Like its twin Costa Venezia, it will be designed specifically for the Chinese market.

Between 2019 and 2021, four new ships will enter service for Costa, with an overall increase in capacity of 43%. Costa Venezia, currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, is due to arrive in Feb. 2019. The flagship Costa Smeralda, the second cruise ship for the world market powered by LNG, built by Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, is due to arrive in 2019, with the sister ship of the Costa Venezia due in 2020, followed by that of the Costa Smeralda’s sister in 2021.

Starting in March 2019, the fleet innovation program also includes the return to the Mediterranean of the Costa Fortuna, a ship currently operating in Asia, which will offer one-week cruises departing from Genoa, Italy. At the end of 2019, the Costa neoRiviera will be transferred to the fleet of AIDA Cruises, the Costa Group’s German brand. After being remodeled and refurbished, the ship will be named AIDAmira, departing on its maiden voyage on Dec. 4, 2019, from Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

In addition, the Costa Victoria has been operating regularly in the Mediterranean since March 30, 2018, having undergone renovation work worth 11 million euro, carried out at the Marseilles Shipyards. The majority of the work was focused on the cabins, the internal and external public areas, with the creation of a new "tapas and paella bar." In fact, during the next summer season, the ship will offer a week-long itinerary dedicated to the beaches and entertainment of the Balearic Islands and Spain.

Under this growth program, the number of ships in the Costa fleet will increase to 17 in 2021, compared with the current 14. Overall, the Costa Group currently has seven new ships on order, for a total investment of over six billion euros. In addition to Costa Cruises four new ships, there are three new LNG ships for the AIDA Cruises fleet, arriving between autumn 2018 and 2023.

Stena RoRo orders another newbuild and signs a 10-year charter contract with Brittany Ferries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2018 25 May 2018

The vessel now ordered, which will be built for LNG operation, is the sixth in the so-called Stena E-Flexer RoPax class with delivery set for autumn 2021. Stena RoRo has a further two options with the Chinese shipyard AVIC International. At the same time, the newbuild has been signed to a 10-year charter with the French ferry shipping company Brittany Ferries.

This vessel, together with a further vessel in the E-Flexer series ordered last winter, will supplement Brittany Ferries’ fleet operating between Portsmouth in the UK and Bilbao and Santander in Spain. The new ferries will have a capacity of 3,100 lane metres and will accommodate up to 1,000 passengers.

In 2016, Stena RoRo placed an order for four large RoPax vessels with the Chinese shipyard AVIC International with an option on a further four vessels. The vessel now ordered is the sixth in the series and, in contrast to the other vessels, will be built for LNG operation. Recently, a 10-year charter contract for a vessel planned for service in the English Channel was signed with the Danish shipping company DFDS. The other three vessels will be operated by Stena Line on the Irish Sea.

“These ships have been designed to satisfy our customers’ demanding standards with respect to both operational efficiency and the environment. The Stena E-Flexer class is designed to offer the highest possible flexibility as regards future fuels and Brittany Ferries has chosen LNG operation for this ship," says Per Westling, MD, Stena RoRo AB.

Costa neoRiviera to join AIDA Cruises as AIDAmira

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2018 25 May 2018

Costa neoRiviera that was built as Mistral for the now defunct Festival cruises in 1999 will be transferred to AIDA Cruises’ AIDA Selection sub-brand as AIDAmira after a refit, the Rostock based company said in a statement.

Both companies are parts of Carnival Corporation & plc group.

Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises, said in the statement: "The feedback we have received from our guests and the high demand for our AIDA Selection programme continually inspires us to keep expanding our variety of routes and to call at new dream destinations in the most beautiful regions in the world.”

“Therefore, we are very pleased to have found with the Costa neoRiviera the perfect ship within the Costa Group for our explorer fleet at such short notice. Many of our guests have been hoping for AIDA cruises to South Africa for a long time. I am pleased that we are now able to fulfill this wish," he said.

Due to its size and design, AIDAmira is a perfect addition to the current three Selection ships. Since 2017, AIDAaura, AIDAcara and AIDAvita have been traveling unusual routes and have delighted over 157,000 guests. The AIDA Selection explorer program is ideal for cosmopolitan adventurers who would like to experience countries and cultures in an intensive and unique way.

Before going into service, the ship will be remodeled and refurbished. There will be two large pools and two whirlpools on the spacious sun deck of the 216 metre long vessel From 624 staterooms, 96 will be suites, 80 of them with balconies. Guests can enjoy delicious variety in six bars and six restaurants. AIDAmira will depart on its maiden voyage on December 4, 2019, in Palma de Mallorca.

The ship’s itineraries will also be totally new for the AIDA program: In December 2019, guests will have a first-time opportunity to experience the natural wonders in southern Africa with AIDAmira. The departure and destination port on the 14-day route "South Africa & Namibia" is Cape Town.

Further ports include Durban, East London and Lüderitz on the edge of the Namib desert. The multi-day stops in Cape Town on the cruises are an absolute highlight and give guests plenty of time to explore attractions such as Table Mountain and Lions Head. AIDAmira also stays overnight at Walvis Bay. In the large lagoon between the desert and the sea, guests can observe exotic species. AIDAmira cruises can be booked starting now.

While AIDAmira will expand the AIDA fleet from December 2019 onwards, the newbuild AIDAnova will be embarking on its first cruises already in November 2018. Two sister ships of AIDAnova are to follow in the spring of 2021 and 2023. The AIDA fleet will then include 16 ships.