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Oliver Design enters cruise sector with Scenic Eclipse

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 February 2016 22 February 2016

Oliver Design, the Spanish architectural firm, has entered the cruise industry by producing exterior styling and architectural design of Scenic Eclipse, the 16,500 gross tom expedition yacht of Australia based Scenic.

The Spanish company has information about the project on its website. It has worked with several ferry companies in the past, but the contract with scenic is the first time it has produced a design of a cruise vessel that will be built. It has produced several concept studies over the years.

Scenic Eclipse will be built in Croatia and it will be delivered in 2018.

Norwegian to change entertainment offering on two latest ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 February 2016 19 February 2016

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd group, says it will change the entertainment offerings aboard the line’s two newest ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway.

“Due to the show’s overwhelmingly popularity on Norwegian Escape, For the Record: The Brat Pack™ will be offered to an expanded audience, as a complimentary show in the Escape Theater beginning on 16 April,” the company said in a statement.

As For the Record moves to the Escape Theater, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet will not be featured on board Norwegian Escape as of the 5 March sailing and will re-open onboard Norwegian Getaway on 15 May.

From 5 March until 16 April when For the Record begins, The Escape Theater will feature Vocal Over Drive, a contemporary pop a capella group. Featuring five talented musicians, this explosive vocal band brings the popular a capella sound that’s sweeping the country today in hit films like Pitch Perfect to Norwegian guests.

Ovation of the Seas floated out, to offer extra three night mini cruise from Southampton

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 February 2016 19 February 2016

Royal Caribbean International says Ovation of the Seas, the third unit in its Quantum class of ships, has been floated out at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Gerrmany and that it would offer an extra three night mini cruise from Southampton in April.

A new, three-night inaugural cruise will sail out of Southampton on 14 April on a roundtrip to the Netherlands giving holidaymakers another chance to holiday onboard the new Quantum Class ship where guests can now also take in the sites of Rotterdam.

“This debut sailing is in addition to the two other European cruises already on sale, including a five night cruise to France and Belgium (17 – 22 April) and a seven night cruise to France and Spain (22 – 29 April) before setting off on her 52 day Global Odyssey tour to her homeport in Tianjin, China,” the company said in a statement.

“This sailing will also see guests being able to experience for the first time Royal Suite Class, Royal Caribbean’s new luxury offering that includes 24/7 service from the new Royal Genies. Royal Suite Class guests can indulge in a range of indulgent experiences including exclusive access to the California-chic Coastal Kitchen restaurant through to a private sundeck and complimentary access to the luxury Vitality Spa,” royal Caribbean said.

Ovation of the Seas has now been floated out but it will remain in the shipyard until about mid-March, where it will get some more work done, such as the addition of the North Star observation pod.

The next major milestone for Ovation of the Seas will be its conveyance on the River Ems to the North Sea for sea trials. It is expected to take place in about three weeks.

Costa Cruises unveils fashion partnership at start of Milan Fashion Week

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 February 2016 19 February 2016

Coinciding with the start of Milan Fashion Week, Costa Cruises has announced a partnership with Italian fashion label SLAM that bridges the worlds of fashion and travel.

“Keeping cruisers looking stylish while aboard, the cruise line has launched an exclusive collection of casualwear & accessories for men and women, called the ‘Capsule Collection’. Created together with SLAM, a traditional Genoese brand with nautical roots that specialises in technical clothing and sportswear, the items will be available exclusively in stores on board Costa ships,” the company said in a statement.

Costa Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & plc group.

Royal Caribbean International upgrades storm avoidance policy

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 February 2016 19 February 2016

Royal Caribbean International President sand CEO Michael Bayley said the company has upgraded its storm avoidance policy and dedicated more resources to avoid the reoccurrence of events like those faced by Anthem of the Seas earlier this month.

“The severity of the storm far exceeded forecasts, but ultimately it is our responsibility to avoid these possibilities – and this event has provided us with an important learning opportunity. We can do better, and we will. I want to let all travel partners know the steps we are taking,” Bayley said in a letter to travel partners.

“We’ve updated our storm avoidance policy and added additional resources at our headquarters to provide more data and guidance to support our captains. Senior marine executives and, when necessary, meteorologists will be involved in decisions about when, where and whether to sail when storms are forecast,” he stated.

A few issues still require attention, including replacing outdoor ceiling paneling by the SeaPlex, repairing some balcony partitions and replacing broken furniture.