More News

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines launch Bookmark Cafes

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 September 2015 15 September 2015

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational cruise shipping company, says it has launched onboard coffee and luxury chocolate shops as the ‘The Bookmark Café’.

“Fred. Olsen first introduced this relaxing, sociable area across its fleet of four smaller, more intimate ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – during the ships’ dry-docks in 2013 and 2014,” the company said in a statement.

This popular addition to the onboard facilities – which adjoins the ships’ Libraries – serves a delicious selection of specialty coffees and teas from world-renowned Taylors of Harrogate, as well as high-quality Pralines, Champagne Truffles and other hand-made chocolates.

Nathan Philpot , Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “The concept for ‘The Bookmark Café’ stems from where the coffee shops are positioned on each ship, and the brand has a classic and simple design, which complements the stylish décor on board.

“We have received fantastic feedback since we introduced the four Bookmark Cafés across our fleet, and they have quickly become firm favourites with our guests. Each one is located right at the heart of the ship, and retains a sociable and relaxing atmosphere for guests to pass the time with a luxurious latte or Taylors’ loose leaf tea, and delicious, hand-made chocolates as an extra treat. In fact, our chocolates have proved so popular that we find many guests take them home to share with friends and family!”

Two Ponant vessels sail through North West Passage

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 September 2015 15 September 2015

Le Boréal and Le Soléal, two ships of the French expedition cruise shipping company Ponant, have North West Passage from Greenland in the east to Siberia in the west.

"Having achieved a first for France in 2013, Ponant has pulled off a world first with two of its ships crossing the passage three days apart on the historic explorers’ route via the Bellot Strait. This latest achievement is the culmination of more than 15 years’ experience sailing in the Arctic and Antarctic regions," the company said in a statement.

“It is with great pride that we announce this crossing under the French flag, unique in international maritime history,” said Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Captains Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau on Le Boréal and Le Soléal ensured their passengers were able to take full advantage of an extraordinary experience aboard these two luxury yachts. Designed to sail in extreme regions, each has 132 staterooms and suites and have obtained the international Cleanship label from Bureau Veritas, the French classification society, for their innovative green equipment.

Along the voyage through the narrow channels and shifting glaciers of this little known region, they explored historic landmarks like Beechey Island of Franklin expedition fame, Gjoa Haven where Amundsen anchored his ship over a century ago, and Cape Bathurst. They also saw hundreds of belugas, around 60 bears and nearly 500 narwhals. Another highlight for passengers was meeting French adventurer Charles Hedrich, the first man to cross the Northwest Passage solo in a rowing boat.

Wolfgang Ebenbichler appointed Vice President Guest Experience, Food and Beverage for Princess Cruises

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 September 2015 14 September 2015

Wolfgang Ebenbichler has been appointed to the role of vice president, guest experience, food and beverage for Princess Cruises. In this role, he will be responsible for leading a team that connects with guests each day through a wide spectrum of culinary, dining, bar and lounge experiences.

Ebenbichler brings many years of experience as head of food and beverage operations and as an executive chef at hotels and resorts around the world, including Caesar's Entertainment, the Opryland Resort, and Starwood’s Disney World Swan and Dolphin, where he was responsible for developing a number of new food and beverage concepts.

Most recently he has served as Chief Executive Officer of u4iA Concepts, a hospitality organization that designs concepts and connects resorts and casinos with third-party restaurant and bar operators.

“Wolfgang brings valuable experience and a wealth of knowledge in food and beverage management and operations to Princess Cruises. We know he will drive a successful team to deliver to our guests memorable culinary experiences,” said Rai Caluori, executive vice president of guest experience and product development. “He will play an incredible role leading the development and implementation of many new culinary offerings including the roll-out of our new partnership with Chef Curtis Stone, new developments for Chocolate Journeys with Chocolatier Norman Love and our popular craft beer series, to name a few.”

A chef by training, Ebenbichler completed his culinary certification and hospitality management studies in Austria and began his career in the United States with culinary management positions at Ritz Carlton hotels.

Viking Line enjoys tailwind

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 September 2015 10 September 2015

Viking Line recorded excellent passenger figures during the summer 2015 season, especially in July and August. More than 2.3 million passengers travelled on the Company’s red- and white- painted vessels during June–August. Last year Viking Line offered expanded summer service on the Helsinki (Finland)–Tallinn (Estonia) route – and it did the same again this year, but with somewhat fewer sailings.

Because of colder-than-normal weather in June the summer season was weak at first, but it ended with a strong volume surge in July and August. Viking Line set an all-time record for July when its passenger volume on all routes reached 945,343, or 20,519 more than the previous record achieved in 2014. A total of more than 2,325,000 passengers sailed on Viking Line vessels during June–August, or 0.5 per cent fewer than in the same period last year.

Stable summer – increased travel between Sweden and Finland

The number of passengers between Finland and Sweden increased during the three- month period. Over 1,004,000 passengers travelled between the two countries during June–August, or 1.6 per cent more than last year (988,000). There was heavy demand for day cruises and short voyages. Volume was stable on longer routes, and on some days it even reached capacity.

The extra sailings by the M/S Mariella and M/S Gabriella between Helsinki and Tallinn provided an extra boost to passenger volume. The number of passengers on the Tallinn route during June–August totalled 734,000 (775,000). The reason why the figure is lower this year than in the summer of 2014 is that there were 46 more sailings last year than in June–August this year.

“We are pleased with this summer’s passenger figures. The extra sailings to Tallinn that we put in service were successful. This service ran smoothly, and last year’s passenger figures inspired us to provide it again. Passengers have obviously discovered this alternative between Helsinki and Tallinn and have felt comfortable on board our vessels. On this route, very tough price competition was evident this summer. This benefited customers, who enjoyed high quality at affordable prices. Passenger figures between Finland and Sweden were also encouragingly high,” says Jan Hanses, President and CEO of Viking Line.

On the Turku (Finland)–Åland Islands (Finland)–Stockholm (Sweden) route, passenger volume was 688,000 or 2.3 per cent higher than during the corresponding period of last year (673,000).

Passenger volume on the Helsinki–Åland–Stockholm route was stable, totalling 316,000 or 0.2 per cent more than last year’s corresponding figure (315,000).

In June–August more than 278,000 passengers chose to take cruises on the M/S Viking Cinderella from Stockholm to Mariehamn (Åland). Compared to the summer of 2014, the number of passengers rose by 10.4 per cent (252,000).

On the short Mariehamn–Kapellskär (Sweden) route, the M/S Rosella’s passenger count this past summer was 299,000 or 2.9 per cent lower than in the year-earlier period (308,000).

The number of passenger cars carried on Viking Line vessels increased by 1.5 per cent compared to the summer of 2014.

Princess Cruises appoints Tony Roberts VP UK & Europe

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 September 2015 08 September 2015

Princess Cruises has appointed Tony Roberts as VP UK and Europe, travel Weekly reports on its website. He succeeds Paul Ludlow who joined P&O Cruises as senior vice president, sales and marketing as part of a recent commercial restructure at Carnival UK.

Roberts, 40, has worked for Carnival UK for 15 years, initiating and launching a number of major projects alongside the commercial, sales and digital teams, the report said.

Princess Cruises is part of the Carnival Corp & plc group.