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Thomson Cruises to base TUI Discovery 2 in Malaga and Tenerife

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 June 2016 30 June 2016

Thomson Cruises has unveiled its latest ship TUI Discovery 2, will homeport in Malaga, Spain and Tenerife for summer 2017, when it joins the fleet next year. Holidays on-board the new ship will go on sale from 21st July 2016.

The ship will sail from Malaga in May 2017, visiting some of the Mediterranean’s most iconic destinations such as Barcelona, Valencia, Ibiza, Porto, Lisbon and Marseille. It will reposition to Tenerife in September, visiting ports in the Canaries, Morocco and Madeira on itineraries including Iberian Treasures, Continental Coasts and Canarian Flavours.

To offer customers even more flexibility and choice, Thomson has extended its cruise and stay portfolio, so customers can increase their holiday by three, four or seven nights and spend more time exploring the destination. Those traveling on itineraries based in Tenerife can choose from 17 hotels, including the luxury 5T+ Sensatori Resort Tenerife, whilst customers on Malaga based itineraries have a selection of 12 hotels, including the adults-only 4T Sensimar Riviera in Costa del Sol, Spain.

Helen Caron, Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, said: “I’m delighted to unveil Malaga and Tenerife as homeports for our newest ship TUI Discovery 2. Both ports offer the perfect base for families, friends and couples, looking to explore stunning destinations.

“At Thomson Cruises we are committed to offering customers a holiday that suits their every need and are delivering this through a great mix of destinations, flexible durations, cruise and stay options as well as fantastic onboard facilities. The introduction of TUI Discovery 2 to our fleet in 2017 continues our modernisation and transformation strategy.”

This new ship will be identical to its sister ship TUI Discovery, which launched earlier this month. It will have a capacity of 1,832 (double occupancy) across 915 cabins, with nearly 40 per cent boasting balconies. All-inclusive drinks will also come as standard on TUI Discovery 2 with customers able to enjoy the wide range of restaurants and bars onboard alongside a selection of premium drinks, all included in the price of their holiday. From gourmet cuisine to laid-back street food, families and couples alike will all be able to get the most from their holiday whilst enjoying activities and entertainment including an outdoor poolside movie screen, a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf course and an indoor swimming pool and spa.

Thomson Cruises parent company TUI UK & Ireland recently purchased the TUI Discovery 2 from Royal Caribbean International, as part of their four ships in four years investment strategy in their cruise line. TUI Discovery 2 is the second ship to enter the fleet, following the arrival of TUI Discovery earlier this year, as well as the previously announced Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2, acquired from TUI Cruises and due to enter the fleet in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Fincantieri delivers Seven Seas Explorer in Sestri

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 June 2016 30 June 2016

Seven Seas Explorer, the newest ultra luxury ship of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, was delivered today at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Sestri Ponente (Genoa). The ship owner has already ordered to Fincantieri a sister ship, which will be delivered in 2020.

Seven Seas Explorer is the flagship of the fleet with its approx. 55,200 gross tonnes, 223 meters in length and is able to accommodate 750 passengers in 375 spacious suites. The new ship has been built using the most advanced environmental protection technologies. The interiors are particularly sophisticated, with every attention paid to passenger comfort.

Fincantieri has built 74 cruise ships since 1990 (including the ship delivered today), while other 21 ships are currently being designed or built in the Group’s yards.

MedCruise GA advances cruise development in the Med and the Black Sea, welcomes membership expansion

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 June 2016 29 June 2016

This June, the city of Odessa in the Black Sea turned into the centre of discussions regarding cruise development in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas, as Odessa Sea Port Authority hosted the 48th MedCruise General Assembly, 22-25 June 2016.

Being part of MedCruise 20 years celebrations, this major cruise event offered its delegates a unique networking opportunity with more than 120 cruise industry professionals including cruise lines, port associations, journalists from all over the world, port executives, travel agents and other stakeholders, while at the same time enjoying an unforgettable travel experience in beautiful Odessa.

During specialised interactive Workshops, MedCruise members along with esteemed cruise line guests, discussed the best practices to 'Invest and Develop Cruise Terminals’ and searched for ways to 'Reach New Source Markets'. Plenary sessions focused on the prospects of cruising in the Black Sea and ways to unlock cruise potential in the Med.

Participants had also the chance to discuss the newly published Code of Good Practices for Cruise and Ferry Ports, that was published by the port network formed within ESPO, during a special session involving representatives of ESPO, Cruise Baltic, Cruise Europe, Cruise Norway and MedCruise.

In line with the MedCruise tradition, all port and associate members had also a first class opportunity to enjoy in total three sessions of B2B meetings with cruise line executives and international press representatives.

A special moment of the event was the gathering of all past MedCruise presidents, in celebrating the 20 years milestone, discussing the evolution of the Association and the ways forward. Intervening on behalf of CLIA Europe, Raphael von Heereman, Secretary General CLIA Europe, congratulated MedCruise for its 20 years celebration, praising the collaboration of the two Associations in educating travel agents in Europe and beyond.

MedCruise continues to expand as the 48th MedCruise General Assembly confirmed the admission of two new members, Varna and Ancona, and three associate members, Alfaship, Mediterranean Unique Experience and Var Provence Cruise Club.

The excellent organisation and the unique hospitality of Odessa Sea Port Authority added to the satisfaction of MedCruise members, who returned home looking forward to attending the forthcoming 49th MedCruise General Assembly to be held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on 23 September 2016.

RCCL in €546.7 million loan deal to finance Edge newbuildings

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 June 2016 29 June 2016

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, said it has signed a €546.7 million loan agreement with its banks to finance the construction of two Edge class cruise ships at STX France.

The banks are Citibank Europe UK Branch, Citicorp Trustee, Citibank N.A. London branch and HSBC France. The two 117,000 gross ton vessels will be delivered to RCCL group’s Celebrity Cruises premium market unit in 2018 and 2020 respectively

Crystal to open new corporate regional office in Australia

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 June 2016 29 June 2016

Crystal Cruises will expand its reach in the Pacific region with the opening of new dedicated corporate office in Sydney, Australia. The office will represent Crystal Cruises, Crystal Yacht Cruises and Crystal River Cruises, and serve as the central nerve for sales, marketing, finance and reservations for the Australia and New Zealand.

Leading the center is cruise industry veteran Karen Christensen, who most recently served as general manager and director of sales and marketing (Asia Pacific) for Silversea Cruises as part of her 10-year tenure with the company. During this time, she was integral in establishing the luxury cruise segment in Australia and New Zealand with the opening of the company’s regional office. Karen’s first official day with Crystal will be August 1.

“We are thrilled to further solidify our presence in Australia and New Zealand as our company grows and offers more options for travelers throughout the world,” says Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s CEO and president. “Karen’s depth of knowledge of the Pacific market and its travelers’ wishes, habits and preferences will help ensure that our vast portfolio of luxury travel offerings is effectively communicated and expertly sold to the discriminating travelers in the region.”

The establishment of a dedicated sales and marketing center in the Pacific region marks the end of Crystal’s partnership with Wiltrans International Travel. Rodriguez added, “I want to thank Diane Patrick and the team at Wiltrans for their support and dedication to Crystal’s success over the course of 26 years.”

Christensen’s professional history in the cruise industry stretches more than two decades, including nearly 10 years as the general manager of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), having founded and served as chairman and board director of CLIA’s Australasia division. Christensen resides in Sydney, where she will lead a sales and marketing team and report directly to Rodriguez.