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Meyer family establishes two foundations to own shipyards in Papenburg, Warnemunde and Turku

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 June 2016 15 June 2016

The Meyer family has establish two foundations to own the Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg and Warnemunde, Germany, and Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the German shipbuilding company said in a statement.

Founded in 1795, the family company’s success has relied on a long-term approach that has aimed to develop technology, advance the skill-set of employees, and reinvest profits. “The basis for this success is a stable ownership structure. To ensure this stability also for the future, the family has decided to donate its shares into family foundations,” Meyer Werft said.

“The legal form of a German family foundation is a proven framework to ensure a long term stable ownership in a single hand supporting the sustainable development of the shipyards in Turku, Papenburg and Warnemünde,” it stated..

The next generation of the Meyer family is entering the business: Dr. Jan Meyer (39) is in the family business since 2008 and the CEO of Meyer Turku Oy, since 2014. Since 1 June, 2016, Tim Meyer (34) has entered the family business as one of the managing directors at Meyer Werft in Papenburg. Furthermore Dr. Paul Meyer (33) is taking over the responsibility for the IT of all shipyards as CIO.

“Family foundations are for us the ideal framework to maintain a single and stable owner for the shipyards in Turku, Papenburg and Warnemünde – also for future generations. By this step we want to secure the core success factors of our long-term success and maintain the character of a family company,” said Bernard Meyer.

Mein Schiff 5 to feature coffee shop-reading room

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 June 2016 14 June 2016

Mein Schiff 5, the latest unit of TUI Cruises in Hamburg, will feature a coffee ship reading room thanks to cooperation between the premium market cruise line and Nespresso, the coffee brand.

Thalia Leselounge & Nespresso Bar will be located near the reception area on deck 3. It will serve a wide variety of coffees and passengers can also buy coffee makers that will be delivered to their home after the cruise.

The lounge, which derives its name from the Thalia chain of book stores that has around 300 otlets in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and it will feature books of a wide range of genres, TUI Cruises said in a statement.

It will also feature eReaders that passengers can borrow to read books in digital format, the company said.

Princess Cruises sets up UK sales operation team, hits 2016 guest target – report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 June 2016 14 June 2016

Princess Cruises, which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, has set up a sales operations team in the UK and reached its 2016 guest target, Travel Weekly reports.

The team will be responsible for activities including online training, online and offline campaign collateral, events and communications. It will become the first cruise line in the UK to launch a live ‘web chat’ facility.

Currently on trial with launch in a few weeks, it will offer instant, real time online communication between agents and a member of the line’s contact centre.

“This year we enjoyed our best ever Wave period and the momentum has continued apace - our 2016 guest target has already been broken while we have comfortably surpassed projected sales for our key UK homeport ship, Emerald Princess,” Tony Roberts, vice president of Princess Cruises UK, was quoted by Travel Weekly as saying.

Updated: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to unveil significant investment, new direction on Monday

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2016 10 June 2016

Update 1:

The company said on Monday they are finalising the details of the matter and would publish the news as soon as possible.

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational operator of four cruise ships, said it would make an announcement on Monday.

“We just wanted to share with you the exciting news that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is making a significant investment across its fleet and moving in a different direction,” the company said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen Cruise lines has unveiled itineraries of three of its ships until early 2018. However, those of the 28,000 gross ton Boudicca that was build in 1973 only extend to October next year.

The company is based in Ipswich in the UK and owned by Bonheur ASA, listed holding company of the Olsen family in Oslo.

Thomson Cruises launches TUI Discovery in Palma, Mallorca

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2016 10 June 2016

Last night, Thomson Cruises launched its newest ship, TUI Discovery, at a glittering ceremony in Palma, Majorca. The show-stopping evening commenced with keynote speeches from; Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Helen Caron, TUI UK & Ireland Managing Director Nick Longman and TUI Discovery Captain, John Westgarth-Pratt.

On board deck 9 there was an action-packed production of performers from the destinations visited by the Thomson fleet, including a gigantic Spanish bull puppet, Caribbean carnival dancers in full costume, Middle Eastern whirling dervishes and belly dancers.

The ship’s godmothers Mimi Kasomwoshi Ragui and Hazel Ceguera, both Thomson Cruises colleagues, were welcomed on stage during the show to formally christen the ship.

Grammy Award winning artist Jess Glynne then wowed unsuspecting special guests with a medley of number one hits from her globally bestselling album, ‘I Cry When I Laugh’.

Fireworks lit up the city to close the show as Jess finished her set with her smash hit ‘Hold My Hand’, before the ship set sail for Barcelona.

The spectacular show was the brainchild of Black Skull Creative’s Dan Shipton and Ross Nicholson, who together have produced high profile events such as the glittering London 2012 Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies and worked with celeb names such as Ellie Goulding.

The move to name the newest addition to the Thomson Cruises fleet TUI Discovery is part of the re-brand which will see the whole of Thomson transition to TUI over the next eighteen months. Thomson Cruises recently announced the expansion of its fleet with the acquisition of Legend of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International (RCI). Thomson Cruises will operate the vessel, to be renamed TUI Discovery 2, from May 2017.

Whether it’s a family break or romantic getaway, the latest addition to Thomson Cruises fleet offers something for everyone. With a wide range of onboard facilities, the family-friendly ship boasts an outdoor movie screen, rock climbing wall and eight bars and lounges. In addition to the extensive dining choices, TUI Discovery will be the first in the fleet to offer all-inclusive drinks packages as standard from summer 2017.

Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Helen Caron, said: “The launch of TUI Discovery marks an exciting time for Thomson Cruises, so it was an honour to have Jess Glynne join us to celebrate what has been a fantastic night for everyone involved.

“TUI Discovery is a real game-changer for us and shows our commitment to delivering unforgettable holidays that are personalised for each of our customers. We’re incredibly proud of being able to offer truly memorable experiences in some of the world’s most exciting and exotic destinations and tonight has given a real taster of that.”

TUI Discovery and its 758 crew members will set sail on its maiden customer voyage on Saturday 11th June, visiting a variety of ports in the Mediterranean for destinations such as Rome, Barcelona, Corsica and Florence.