Commencing Antarctic expedition cruise season

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 22 October 2015 22 October 2015

Alan Lam reporting

The first Antarctic-bound expedition cruise vessel of the season has just departed the Argentine port city of Ushuaia. On the morning of 20 October the 90-pax Antarpply Expeditions docked at the capital of Tierra del Fuego and departed the following day for the White Continent, taking its enthusiastic international guests on an adventure and a “journey into the unknown”.

The current Antarctic cruise season will end on 2 April 2016. During this time a total of 31 ships are involved in expedition cruises to this destination, including the 262-pax Le Lyrial of Ponant and the 872-pax Asuka II of Asuka Cruises.

For the period the port of Ushuaia expects 331 calls by 45 ships. Only 31 of these ships will be involved in Antarctic voyages.

The Antarctic itineraries vary from 10 days to three weeks, often including calls to Sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia, Sandwich and South Orkneys. Normally, upon departing Ushuaia, the ships head south, crossing the Drake Passage in the direction of the extreme Northwest of the Antarctic Peninsula, about 1,000 kilometres from Tierra del Fuego. The journey takes two days.

According to Gianfranco Guardamagna, the president of Tierra del Fuego Institute of Tourism (Instituto Fueguino de Turismo), this season will see the biggest number of expedition cruise passengers arriving in the region. “This also means a great responsibility for the province,” he emphasized, “as it is the point of departure for 95 per cent of Antarctic-bound cruise passengers, representing more than two percent of global cruise traffics.”

He went on to say that there were many port projects underway “on the provincial level” aiming at providing better services to this industry from one season to another.

Olga Piqueras appointed Intercruises Managing Director as Mark Robinson takes President role

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 October 2015 21 October 2015

Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, a global business offering ground handling and port agency services to the ocean and river cruise industry, has announced the appointment of Olga Piqueras as Managing Director, with Mark Robinson moving into the role of President.

Olga has worked for Intercruises since the company’s inception and previously held the position of SVP Worldwide Operations, leading a team that supported the delivery of all ground handling and port agency operations worldwide. Olga has over 25 years of port and aviation experience and prior to joining Intercruises worked for Eurohandling UTE BCN and British Airways.

“It is an honour to take this role and I look forward to leading the growth of our business, working with Mark and all our teams worldwide to ensure our cruise line partners receive the best possible service,” Said Olga Piqueras, Intercruises Managing Director.

Mark Robinson, who helped create and has led Intercruises since 2003, takes the role of Intercruises President and expands his responsibilities within Intercruises’ parent company Hotelbeds Group, as Regional Managing Director Med & Europe for Destination Services, a full service global DMC.

“This change is part of the natural evolution of the business. Olga is an excellent leader and the ideal person to continue Intercruises’ development, supported by a very strong team of experienced professionals. I will have a more strategic role as opposed to the day-to-day global management of the business, but will maintain a strong focus on Intercruises and continue to be in contact with cruise industry stakeholders, including the cruise lines, ports and destination authorities.” Said Mark Robinson, Intercruises President and Regional Managing Director Med & Europe, Destination Services.

New suite design, Bvlgari amenities to debut on Oceania Cruises’ new ship, Sirena

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 20 October 2015 20 October 2015

Oceania Cruises announced the most palatial and prestigious accommodations on its newest ship, Sirena, that will undergo a major transformation. As part of the ship’s $40 million refurbishment, the Owner’s and Vista Suites will debut with an elegant new design featuring a crisp and modern motif.

Spacious and exceptionally luxurious, the six Owner’s Suites have been re-designed and furnished in a fresh, contemporary style. Spanning nearly 1,000 square feet, these magnificent suites feature every imaginable amenity including plush custom-made furnishings, Oceania Cruises’ exclusive Prestige Tranquility Bed, a newly renovated master bath with a lavish, oversized shower, a private half-bath for guests, and a private teak veranda offering stunning views over the horizon.

The four re-designed Vista Suites exude elegance through their opulent, yet welcoming design. The well-appointed suites feature a cozy sitting area, a sizeable bedroom with Prestige Tranquility Bed, a marble-infused master bath with expansive shower, a second bath for guests and a private veranda with sweeping views over the ship’s bow.

“World travelers and savvy cruisers are drawn to our fleet of intimate and luxurious ships because we continually invest in the product to further enhance our exceptional onboard experiences,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Oceania Cruises. “We recently introduced new gourmet dining experiences for Sirena, and our elegantly re-designed top-tier suites provide added style and comfort to some of the most spacious accommodations at sea.”

Both the Owner’s Suites and Vista Suites radiate style with a spacious design that is complemented by a clean, airy color palette and contemporary, custom-made furnishings. Vibrant artwork adorning the walls and dark walnut finishes provide exquisite contrast with the lighter hues featured in the furnishings and plush carpet flooring. Every detail has been carefully chosen to enhance the overall simple yet sophisticated design for each suite.

Perfectly complementing the elegant accommodations onboard Sirena, Oceania Cruises will introduce a new collection of fine Bvlgari bath amenities for guests booked at the Concierge Level or above. Guests can now select from a variety of Bvlgari tea scented amenities including The Blanc, The Vert, The Rouge and a new scent offered exclusively by Oceania Cruises, The Blu.

The menu option of scents is reserved for guests staying at the Concierge Level or higher; however, all guests sailing with Oceania Cruises receive Bvlgari amenities, which include shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, pleat-wrapped soap and other luxurious products. Additionally, Owner’s and Vista Suite guests are presented with a keepsake gift box of Bvlgari amenities entitled “The Bvlgari Hotel Gift Collection” which they can enjoy while onboard or take home as a reminder of their Oceania Cruises' vacation.

Previously announced, Sirena will also feature two new specialty restaurants, Tuscan Steak and Red Ginger, and Jacques Bistro a new gourmet lunch experience at the Grand Dining Room which features some of legendary chef Jacques Pépin’s signature dishes.

MSC Cruises begins selling 2016-17 cruises in South America

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 19 October 2015 19 October 2015

Alan Lam reporting

MSC Cruises’ focus on the South American market has just been sharpened by its announcement that it has started selling its itineraries for the 2016-17 season, 12 months before the cruises commencing.

MSC Orchestra will for the first time undertake 14 departures of 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-night cruises from Buenos Aires, including themed cruises such as Fitness, Dance with Me (Baila Conmigo), Carnival, Christmas and New Year Cruises.

Demonstrating its commitment and confidence in this market, the company will also have three other vessels operating in the region: MSC Preziosa, MSC Musica and MSC Armonia. In total it will offer more than 75 cruises from Argentina and Brazil during the season, making available about 20,000 cabins to the local market.

Despite the high cost of operating ships in the River Plate region, MSC’s commitment to this market appears to be unwearied. According to Javier Massignani, Commercial Director of MSC Cruceros, in Argentina 2015 has been a strategic year for the company, in that it has been looking at deploying different ships and introducing various itineraries to the region.

MSC regards this region as a key source market in a wider context. “For 2016,” said Massignani, “we have more plans and projects: we are discussing a year-round deployment in the Caribbean, with base in Miami; we are also planning to develop the Cuba market, which the Argentineans have already included in their vacation destination choices.”

Clearly, with such a commitment, MSC recognises the potentials of this region and is confidence about its future. Moreover, South America forms a key part of its global expansion programme. It can only become more important with the arrivals of its four planned newbuildings in the coming years and the deleterious geopolitical situation in Eastern Mediterranean.