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Costa Diadema to offer three-dimensional scale-sized statuette of passengers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 November 2015 06 November 2015

Through the wonder of 3-D printing technology, Costa Crociere, the Italian contemporary market unit of Carnival Corp & plc, has come up with a truly unique souvenir for guests aboard its flagship Costa Diadema -- a three-dimensional scale-sized statuette.

The Italian company is offering this exclusive product in partnership with Labs3D, an innovative 3-D design studio based in Spain.

The process is simple: Shipboard experts will complete a full body scan using a handheld scanner in minutes. After capturing every detail of a person -- from hairstyle to arm position -- the file generated by the software program is sent via secure link to the Labs3D studio in Barcelona. There, the file is processed in a 3-D printer, creating a miniature three-dimensional likeness of the guest.

The statuette is then shipped to the guest's home.

The 3-D reproductions are available in five sizes (converted from metric): 5-1/8 inches tall, 6 inches, 6-11/16 inches, 7-1/2 inches and 8-1/4 inches. Prices start at €89 (US$97) plus shipping expenses. "This special souvenir opportunity is only available on Costa Diadema's seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean," the company said in statement.

MSC Cruises completes four ship Renaissance programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 November 2015 05 November 2015

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping company, says it has completed Renaissance Programme has delivered four renewed ships that will spearhead its push into new markets and further strengthen its position in those where it is the leader.

MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer Gianni Onorato told a press conference aboard MSC Lirica – the final ship to complete the Renaissance transformation – that the project reinforced the elements that so distinguish the MSC Cruises experience: tailored amenities and services for families; exquisite, varied dining offerings; outstanding entertainment; a broad choice of relaxation and wellness options and more, all provided with a touch of Mediterranean flair and flavour.

Detailing some of the onboard innovations and enhancements, Mr Onorato said much of the Renaissance was carried out with families in mind, which is why every ship now has five separate clubs for young guests up to 17 years old, including two designed and equipped by leading childhood brands Chicco® and LEGO®.

Dining has been made even more flexible with an extended range of menus and restaurants, while guests can truly cruise at their own pace with buffet options available for a full 20 hours a day.

The entertainment offering has also been further enhanced with a packed, 20-hour programme of day-and-night activities, live music and dance, and themed events across a range of upgraded entertainment venues - including the spectaculartheatre - on each ship.

The ships’ beauty and wellness services have had a makeover of their own with more massage suites added to the Aurea Spa, restyled whirlpool baths and a spa doctor on hand for a discreet, highly personalised service.

Talking specifically about MSC Lirica, Mr Onorato said the ship had been fully customised ahead of its May 2016 deployment in Shanghai, China with an array of tailor-made touches just for Chinese consumers. These include the world’s first Cruise Ambassador service, an industry-leading ratio of Mandarin-speaking staff (up to 80%) and a totally new dining offer, comprising refined Asian and international cuisines.

Closing the press conference, Mr Onorato said: “Renaissance is the first pillar of MSC Cruises’ second growth phase, while the four next-generation new builds we’ll launch between 2017 and 2019 are the second. Renaissance has delivered four holistically improved ships that will serve strategic segments of the global cruise market with the standard-setting experiences, amenities and service that are synonymous with MSC Cruises today.”

Fjord Line in financing talks over debt and equity

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 November 2015 05 November 2015

Fjord Line, the Norwegian company whose shares are traded on the OTC list in Oslo and which operates ferry services to Denmark and Sweden, says it has initiated a dialogue with its senior lenders with the purpose of refinancing the group's long term debt and that it has received an offer for an equity injection plus offer to buyout minority shareholders.

“As a part of this refinancing, the board of directors of the company also resolved to arrange for a share issue in a minimum amount of NOK 100 million. The main shareholder in the company has, on certain conditions, indicated a willingness to underwrite the share issue,” the company said in a statement.

Fjord Line has, on 3 November 2015, received an offer from Ferd AS for the subscription of 40 million shares in the company at a subscription price of NOK 5.00 per share, amounting to a total of NOK 200 million. The offer, which contains certain conditions, has been accepted by the board of directors of Fjord Line.

Ferd will also make a voluntary offer to all shareholders in Fjord Line – apart from the two holding companies of its biggest shareholder - at a price of NOK 5.00 per share. “Due to the limited liquidity of the Fjord Lines shares, the board of directors are pleased that the minority shareholders are offered to sell their shares at a price equaling the subscription price, the company said

Ferd is a family-owned Norwegian investment-company, owned by Johan H. Andresen and his family, committed to value-creating ownership of businesses and investments in financial assets.

Ferds' offer is based on their underlying belief in the industry in general, and especially in Fjord Line. “The company operates a new and modern fleet and has achieved an impressive growth so far in 2015. The technical start-up issues related to the new LNG cruise ferries seems to be solved and the company has obtained settlements/solutions for all recent disputes. Furthermore, Ferd has a good impression of the management of the company and is confident in Fjord Lines' continued growth,” Fjord Line said.

Subsequent to the capital increase, holding companies Kontrari AS/Kontrazi AS will jointly control 57.86% of the shares of the company and Ferd 21.56%.

TUI Cruises appoints Denis Wiechert as Director Product Management

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 November 2015 04 November 2015

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise shipping company, says it has appointed Denis Wiechert to the newly created position of Director Product Management. He will join the company on 26 January next year and he will be responsible for quality and guest satisfaction.

The company will have five vessels in service next summer and it has further two units on order and the growth of the business has made it necessary to create the position in question in the organisation, TUI Cruises said in a statement.

Phoenix Seereisen to offer nine cruises on Deutschland in 2016

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 November 2015 04 November 2015

Phoenix Seereisen, the German ocean and river cruise operator, will offer nine cruises on the Deutschland between May and September next year, information on the company's website shows

The cruises will start on 14 May and run until 7 September and they will depart and terminate in Bremerhaven. Deutschland will join Albatross, Amadea and Artania that operate year round for Phoenix.

The 22,496 gross ton Deutschland was built in 1998 for Peter Deilmann Reederei, which together with a company that from a later point owned the vessel both went bankrupt last year. It was sold for private US based interests in 2015 and it has been operated by Semester At Sea as a floating university.