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Norwegian Cruise Line unveils select Fall and Winter 2017-2018 itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 March 2016 09 March 2016

Norwegian Cruise Line yesterday announced select 2017-2018 Fall/Winter itineraries that feature sought-after destinations while offering the freedom and flexibility on board that only Norwegian Cruise Line provides. Highlights include a variety of Caribbean & Bahamas cruises from New York, Port Canaveral and Miami; immersive 10-night Canary Islands cruises from Barcelona; as well as the company’s exclusive 7-night, intra-island Hawaii sailings from Honolulu. Norwegian’s new itineraries will be available for Latitudes guests and travel partners on March 22 and open for all bookings on March 23.

Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida

Norwegian’s newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape, will continue to sail 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailings every Saturday from Miami year-round, bringing guests the best that this region has to offer with calls in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. Featuring 28 dining options, Tony Award-winning Broadway entertainment, the brand’s first nursery with supervised care for young cruisers ages six months to two years, and much more, Norwegian Escape is a brand-new way to explore the Caribbean in style.

Guests who wish to explore the Western Caribbean from Miami on one of Norwegian’s newest and most exciting ships can enjoy Norwegian Getaway, which will return to the U.S. from the Baltic in Fall 2017 and sail 7-night cruises every Sunday from October 29, 2017 to April 22, 2018. Ports of call include Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Norwegian’s newest destination Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Norwegian Epic will also return to the U.S. in the fall of 2017 to once again homeport seasonally in Port Canaveral through the winter, offering 3-, 4- and 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries to fit any schedule or itinerary preference. The recently refurbished Norwegian Epic will feature Norwegian’s private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay, on all of her itineraries from Port Canaveral. As a part of The Norwegian Edge investment program, Great Stirrup Cay will receive new features, amenities and island-wide enhancements over the next 16 months, and will welcome guests in 2017 to what will be practically an all-new destination.

Norwegian Epic will sail alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral from November 5, 2017 through March 21, 2018. Norwegian Epic’s 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary will be a beach-lover’s paradise with stops in Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Guests can choose to soak-up the sun or opt for adventurous excursions on Norwegian Epic’s Western Caribbean itinerary, featuring stops in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Norwegian Epic will also offer guests who may not have the time to get away for a week-long vacation the perfect opportunity for a quick escape in March 2018 with a series of three- and four-day Bahamas itineraries with stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.

Guests looking for a longer escape can sail away on the recently enhanced Norwegian Gem, part of Norwegian’s Jewel-class, from October 21, 2017 through April 17, 2018 on alternating 10- and 11-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from New York. Ports of call include San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The 11-day cruises also feature a call in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

For those guests looking for a short cruise option that provides a tremendous value, Norwegian’s 3- and 4-day cruises on Norwegian Sky will continue to sail from Miami year-round, offering an all-inclusive experience featuring free open bar on all sailings.

Europe

Norwegian Spirit will go into dry dock in early 2017 for significant enhancements and will remain in Europe for Fall and Winter 2017, sailing the Canary Islands with departures from Barcelona. From November 23, 2017 to April 24, 2018, Norwegian Spirit will sail an immersive 10-night Canary Islands, Spain and Morocco itinerary. Ports of call on this exotic itinerary include Casablanca, Morocco; Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Malaga and Alicante, Spain.

Canada & New England

In addition to the previously announced 7-night Canada & New England roundtrip cruises from New York City during prime fall foliage season, Norwegian Gem will also offer an exclusive 10-night Eastern Canada and Quebec cruise from New York, with calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia; an overnight in Quebec City; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Hawaii

The recently-refurbished Pride of America will continue to sail her very popular seven-day Hawaii itinerary departing from Honolulu every Saturday through April 2018. Offering more than 100 hours of in-port sight-seeing time, the only ship to sail the islands features an itinerary with calls that include an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawai`i; Kona, Hawai`i; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kaua`i; and an afternoon cruise past the breathtaking Nãpali Coast.

Lloyd Werft strengthens its management team

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 March 2016 07 March 2016

Alan Lam reporting

After having been acquired by Genting Group, Lloyd Werft, the German shipbuilder, has embarked upon strengthening its management by adding Jarmo Laakso to its board.

This addition effectively means that Genting has now a management quartet for its four newly acquired shipyards in Germany. Other board members consist of Rüdiger Pallentin, Carsten J. Haake and Dirk Petersjohann. “Jarmo Laakso is ideally suited for this new constellation,” said Rüdiger Pallentin.

Trained in Finland, Jarmo Laakso is both a shipbuilding and mechanical engineer, “a combination rarely seen at a German yard,” stated the Group, “and thus particularly prized by Lloyd Werft.” He will have an office at Lloyd Werft and one at Wismar.

He joined Schichau-Seebeckwerft in 1995 and garnered early experience at Lloyd Werft from the construction of Costa Victoria and of Norwegian Sky before spending six years at Meyer Werft, where he was a project manager in the Royal Caribbean International newbuilding team. He then spent a few years at Arosa Flussschifffahrten GmbH in Rostock before returning to Meyer Werft in 2005 as construction supervision head of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

The appointment of Jarmo Laakso is, according to the Group, “designed to expand the newbuilding competence of Lloyd Werft”. The number of newbuildings ordered at Lloyd Werft by Genting has grown to ten, which is deemed to be a “particular challenges” for the builder. “Future challenges in Bremerhaven,” said the Group, “on the scale now presented by Genting also require corporate answers of a dimension which the yard has not had to confront in the past.”

Under Genting, the Lloyd Werft group, now with four shipyards, is quickly emerging as another major cruise ship builder in Europe. This certainly appears to be the aim of the new owner. But above all Genting wishes to have full control of its newbuilding programme, which is key to its massive expansion strategy.

Royal Caribbean International to deploy eight ships in Europe during summer 2017

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 March 2016 05 March 2016

Royal Caribbean International sails into Europe for summer 2017 with itineraries that bring global experiences to the forefront of cruising. Bookings for Europe season open on Friday, March 4, 2016.

Travelers will venture through the majestic isles of the Eastern and Western Mediterranean on Jewel of the Seas sailing from Italy on 7- and 9-night voyages that visit Greece and Turkey, as well as 7-night sailings through the Western Mediterranean – offered more frequently with additional departures dates in 2017 – visiting France, Spain and Italy. Among the ports-of-call will be Santorini, Greece’s live volcanic island cluster that summons visitors to explore its cliff-top whitewashed towns, indulge in its gastronomic splendors, and daydream from its red, white, and black sand beaches; the Greek capital city of Athens will offer a taste of life in the ancient world with exploration through legendary landmarks such as the citadel Acropolis and the temple Parthenon; Turkey’s ancient town of Ephesus, dating back to the 10th century BC, will beckon history-lovers with a glimpse at the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean; an international capital of faith, art, and history, Rome will treat its guests to an unmatched blend of archeological treasures with modern appeal; and Venice’s Grand Canal will guide voyagers through this floating city’s bevy of architectural masterpieces and religious sanctuaries, and welcome a mid-day siesta on the steps of its waterfront structures.

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas will host guests on 7-night sailings through the Western Mediterranean, while Brilliance of the Seas navigates eight European destinations with a 12-night itinerary, both departing from Barcelona, Spain. A stroll through this vibrant city will present a lesson in architectural mastery, thanks to Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, while Barcelona’s flare for the arts will be highlighted by the country’s native Picasso in his namesake museum. Food and wine lovers will take note of the ship’s call in Naples, Italy – the birthplace of pizza and ever-popular lemon liquor, limoncello. A peak inside the city’s celebrated royal castles will intrigue the historically-curious, while Royal Caribbean’s walking tour will journey through a 19th century underground tunnel, over to the San Carlo Opera House, and to the 17th century Carmignano aqueduct. To the east of Naples, the walled medieval town of Kotor, Montenegro will await exploration, with its plentiful shops, restaurants, piazzas, and palazzos. The cruise line’s new Budva Riviera and Beach experience will offer a tranquil getaway to the country’s coastal towns and villages, with a stop at Montenegro’s award-winning Becici Beach.

Independence of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas will sail the Mediterranean and the Spanish Canary Islands from Southampton, England with itineraries that extend from 7 to 14 nights. Southampton’s location allows for an easy city getaway to London, an excursion to the historic Stonehenge site, or the famed Downton Abby estate from the hit BBC television show. Those looking for an adrenaline-inducing experience can seek out the GoApe adventure in 440-acre Itchen Valley Country Park, complete with tunnels, suspended bridges, and zip lines through the treetops. Also on the agenda: Nice, France, the seaside town on the glamourous French Rivera, will bring sun, surf, and the sophistication of the French lifestyle. The local Cours Saley market will present a selection of fresh fruit and vegetable snacks before a hike up the city’s Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill), where visitors will find a picturesque point for outdoor picnics and a children’s playground amid sweeping views of Nice and its Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). The North African country of Morocco will add an exotic touch with its cultural kaleidoscope that blends Berber, Arabian and European influences. A landing in the resort town of Agadir will grant visitors a relaxed day on the far eastern shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Serenade of the Seas and Vision of the Seas will head to northern Europe with a checklist of ports that includes Copenhagen, Denmark, home to the 100 year old Tivoli Gardens amusement park; Tromso, Norway, located north of the Arctic Circle with an unexpectedly milder climate and peaks for soaking in seasonal views of the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun; sightseeing in the Swedish capital of Stockholm via Royal Caribbean’s new paddleboard excursion, taking travelers on a water-based tour along the scenic Karlberg Canal; as well as a day spent cruising the Artic region laden with magnificent glaciers and unique wildlife.

Seabourn Encore launched in Marghera

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 March 2016 05 March 2016

Seabourn Encore, the first of two ultra-luxury cruise ships that Fincantieri is building for Seabourn Cruise Line, brand of Carnival Corporation, was launched yesterday at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Venice).

The ceremony was attended, among others, by John Delaney, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales, while Fincantieri was represented by Antonio Quintano, the Marghera Yard Manager.

Seabourn Encore, due to join the Seabourn fleet in the end of this year, is being built according to the standards and technical solutions that make Seabourn one of the most prestigious brands in the ultra-luxury segment and will continue the fleet modernization that began in 2009.

The all-suite ship is approximately 41,000 gross tons, 210 metres long and 28 metres wide and will be able to reach a cruising speed of 18.6 knots. It will carry up to 600 guests, based on double occupancy. Every suite will feature a private veranda.

Safety will be one of this ship's major strong points. It will be built using the very latest technologies, whose standards will exceed the requirements of the relevant legislation. Fuel consumption will be significantly reduced by optimizing the ship's hydrodynamics.

Fincantieri has built 70 cruise ships since 1990 (of which 47 from 2002), and other 14 ships are currently being designed or built in the Group's yards.

MSC Cruises and Technogym to cooperate in “wellness travel”

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 March 2016 03 March 2016

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping group, said it would introduce aWellness Experience, developed in partnership with Technogym, the world’s leading wellness company.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO, said in a statement: “The global wellness travel segment is projected to grow by nearly 10% annually over the next five years as holidaymakers are increasingly seeking out ways to combine being active and healthy with their holiday.”

To design the new experience, the MSC Cruises team worked for over a year with the wellness, fitness, nutrition and technology experts at Technogym. This resulted in the co-creation of a personalised programme with a wide range of dedicated activities and facilities.

The experience features cutting-edge technology and state-of-art fitness facilities, a co-created food and beverage offering available throughout the day, exclusive shore activities as well as access to MSC Cruises Master Trainers certified by Technogym.

“Understanding guests’ wellness motivations, such as the desire to look and feel better, improve sporting performance or health and happiness, is key to creating a motivational programme. For this reason, the experience begins well before the holiday as, once the cruise is booked, guests are invited to complete the Aspiration Finder™, the first-ever scientific online questionnaire developed by Technogym’s Research Department. The result of the questionnaire is a personalised Aspiration Map, which forms the basis for the programme,” MSC Cruises said.