More News

Costa Crociere to double Indian Ocean cruises in winter 2016-17

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 September 2015 30 September 2015

Costa Crociere, the Italian unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it gears up its operations in the Indian Ocean by doubling the number of cruises for the winter 2016-17 season to visit the most beautiful islands of this destination, an exclusive of the Italian company since the end of 2006.

"The first of a total of 11 cruises is scheduled to depart on 15th October 2016 and the last on 4th March 2017. The cruise, always for 14 days on board the Costa neoRomantica, will be even more exciting thanks to longer stopovers to allow guests to enjoy more extended visits of the islands," the company said in a statement.

The cruise will depart from Mauritius, quite easy to reach with flights from Europe, and then to the Seychelles Islands, where the ship will berth for two days and two nights. The cruise will continue with a focus on discovering the beaches and landscapes of Madagascar, with day calls to Nosy Be, Diego Suarez and Tamatave; the next stop, one day and one night, will be the island of Réunion, with its wild nature; then the return to Mauritius, with a final one day and one night call, for a close encounter with the culture and attractions of this island, before returning to Europe.

The increase in the number of cruises in the Indian Ocean is the end result of an agreement signed today in Paris, during the IFTM/Top Resa travel trade show, between Costa Cruises, the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and the Vanilla Islands Organisation (the organisation that promotes tourism in the islands of the Indian Ocean).

“We are the only company proposing regular cruises to these unique islands of the Indian Ocean and offer our Guests an exceptionally beautiful cruise experience” declaredNorbert Stiekema, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing of Costa Cruises – “Thanks to the partnership agreement reached with local authorities, our tourism offer to these destinations will continue to grow, and during the 2016-17 winter season we plan on taking about 15,000 guests, and most of them European, on cruises to the islands”.

The agreement calls for cooperation and investments for promoting tourism, for improving port infrastructures and guest hospitality facilities, for flight connections and for the excursions offered to guests.

On 12 December 2015, for the departure of the first Costa neoRomantica Indian Ocean cruise of the winter 2015-16 season, all the Ministers of each country member of the Vanilla Islands will be onboard with Norbert Stiekema for 2 days to work on the future development of the agreement.

Queen Mary 2 remastered - famed Grills Suites and restaurants to receive new look

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 September 2015 29 September 2015

Queen Mary 2’s renowned Queens and Princess Grill suites and restaurants will undergo lavish enhancements in May and June, 2016, ascending to a new level of luxury, sharing company with the world’s finest five star hotels. Cunard’s iconic flagship will stay true to her classic art deco heritage, while offering updated, crisp, contemporary interiors painstakingly re-designed for today’s most discerning travelers, and further solidifying the unique position of these distinctively luxurious at-sea accommodations.

The Cunard Grills experience affords the line’s most selective guests the highest standards of comfort at sea with large, well-appointed suites, all with prime locations and private balconies.

Cunard’s Grill guests always enjoy deluxe accommodations and the opportunity to unwind in the sublime comfort of intimate, sophisticated spaces reserved exclusively for them. Queens Grill guests are treated to the apex of luxury and personalized service, with a butler to tend to every need, including unpacking. Grill accommodation also includes thoughtful extras such as dedicated Grills concierge service for both Princess and Queens Grill guests, an amenity selection from bespoke heritage perfumer Penhaligon’s, and nine choices of pillow types.

The exclusive benefits of the historic Grills experience will remain unchanged, but all 172 Grills suites on Queen Mary 2 will receive a comprehensive restyling, reconfigured to maximize space, with subtle references to Cunard’s unrivaled history, including soothing muted tones and elegant textures with new bespoke luxury carpet throughout featuring design work inspired by rugs from the original Queen Mary.

The Grills dining experience will also be redesigned to elevate what is already the utmost in sophisticated dining at sea. Guests staying in Queen Mary 2’s Grill Suites enjoy open seating in the world-renowned Queens Grill or Princess Grill restaurants, both offering extensive a la carte offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The new Grill restaurants will each display a distinctive character through design, colour scheme and furnishings, and offer more intimate tables for two, increased space between tables for privacy, and additional loose tables for the ultimate in flexibility and ambiance. Spacious, beautifully redesigned dining rooms with rich, updated décor will be complemented by new culinary options and anchored by Cunard’s signature White Star Service.

“Under the moniker, ‘Queen Mary 2 remastered,’ there will be a host of innovations and enhancements, further confirming our commitment to invest in luxury on a grand scale,” said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard, North America. “Guests will certainly feel the sense of pride and confidence that the refurbishment will exude, befitting of Queen Mary 2’s luxury ocean travel experience.”

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. files to end secondary listing on Oslo Exchange

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 September 2015 28 September 2015

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. last Thursday announced that it has filed an application for the voluntary delisting of its shares from the Oslo Stock Exchange.

At the annual meeting held earlier this year, the Company's shareholders demonstrated strong support for this move, with over 93% of the votes cast in favor. The Company's delisting application is subject to approval by Oslo Børs. The company intends to take a number of steps to minimize inconvenience to impacted shareholders. Firstly, the company plans to maintain its OSE listing for a minimum of three months. In addition, the company will assist shareholders to transfer their shares to the New York Stock Exchange, where the Company's shares will continue to trade without interruption.

In the motion approved by shareholders, it was explained that the benefits of maintaining a secondary listing on the Oslo Børs had been outweighed by the additional costs and regulatory requirements associated with the secondary listing. The company intends to return to a single listing on the NYSE, which has been RCL's primary listing since the company first offered shares to the public in 1993.

"Norway plays an important part in Royal Caribbean's history, and we appreciate the support we continue to receive from our investors here," said Jason T. Liberty, the company's chief financial officer. "We remain appreciative of our long partnership with the Oslo Børs, and we intend to do all we can to encourage continued participation by our Norwegian shareholders and to create a smooth transition for those shareholders who do not intend to remain."

Ron L. Phillips named SVP of Human Resources – Office of People and Potential for Carnival Cruise Line

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 September 2015 25 September 2015

Ron L. Phillips has been appointed Senior Vice President of Human Resources - Office of People and Potential for Carnival Cruise Line. In this capacity, Phillips will oversee shoreside and shipboard human resources for the world's largest cruise line, including talent acquisition, talent management, leadership development, human capital planning, employee engagement, compensation and benefits, and performance management. Phillips begins his new role effective October 19 and will report to Carnival President Christine Duffy.

Phillips has nearly 20 years of HR experience, most recently serving as Chief Human Resources Officer for New York Presbyterian Hospital, which encompasses seven major hospitals, 23,000 employees and 6,000 affiliated physicians. Prior to that he spent eight years in human resource roles at Comcast, eventually rising to the position of Senior Vice President of Human Resources. He has also served in HR roles at Ryder Transportation and McDonald's Corporation.

"Ron brings a wealth of HR experience to his new role and we look forward to his leadership skills as we work toward continued unification of our shipboard and shoreside HR functions and strive to provide an exceptional workplace for our more than 38,000 employees worldwide," said Duffy.

Phillips has a B.S. degree from Virginia State University and a Law Degree from the University of Richmond.

MSC Cruises teams up with Barrhead to offer Glasgow-Genoa flights summer 2016

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 September 2015 23 September 2015

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping group, and Barrhead Travel, the Scottish travel company, are giving Scottish guests the opportunity to fly straight to the Mediterranean sunshine in 2016, thanks to new regional departures from Glasgow, the cruise line said in a statement

Scottish travel agency giant Barrhead Travel will operate its first dedicated Glasgow – Genoa service right through the summer next year, with flights perfectly timed for cruisers joining MSC Fantasia on its seven-night Western Med sailings from the Italian city.

Giles Hawke, MSC Cruises executive director UK and Ireland said: “We know there are a huge number of MSC Cruises fans, and potential future fans, north of the border and these new flights will make it even easier for them to get straight to the heart of the med, get onboard and start their holiday with us.

“Barrhead Travel is a highly trusted name in Scotland and a great supporter of MSC Cruises. It is fantastic that we can further extend our relationship with these new flights.”

Flights will run from Glasgow to Genoa for 19 weeks between Sunday May 29 and Sunday October 2, 2016 and Barrhead Travel will offer its own selection of all-inclusive fly-cruise packages aboard the 3,274-guest MSC Fantasia. Sailings call at Cannes, France; Palma, Majorca; Barcelona, Spain; Ajaccio, Corsica; Naples, Italy; La Spezia, Italy and Genoa.

Alternatively, guests can opt to fly with Barrhead Travel on its existing Saturday flights from Glasgow to Venice, joining up with the 1,952-guest MSC Sinfonia for its seven-night Eastern Med itineraries. Again, Barrhead will offer its own all-inclusive fly-cruise packages on these sailings, which feature calls at Split, Croatia; Santorini, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Ancona, Italy and Venice.

Both routes use British Airways aircraft, giving guests ample leg room, a generous baggage allowance and convenient flight times. Barrhead’s all-inclusive package deals feature complimentary ‘Allegrissimo’ drinks packages, which include unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, ice-cream and speciality coffees.