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Passengers forcibly removed from Quantum of the Seas in Shanghai after itinerary change - report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2015 01 September 2015

Around 300 passengers refused to disembark Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas in Shanghai yesterday morning following a change in the ship's itinerary, the Engligh language Shanghai Daily reports on its website.

"The liner, which left Shanghai on August 23, had originally been scheduled to visit three Japanese cities. But due to concerns about Typhoon Goni, this was changed to cities in South Korea instead.
Passengers argued that they should receive compensation for the change of route," the report said.

"At 11:30am yesterday, more than 200 passengers had still refused to disembark and the standoff lasted till 1pm, despite talks between cruise company Royal Caribbean International, tourism and district authorities and tourists. All the passengers were reported to have left the liner by 1pm, with the final few seen being removed by crew members. A man was photographed by other passengers being carried off the liner by four crew members," it said.

Negotiations between Royal Caribbean and passengers reconvened in a hotel. Officials with the Shanghai Tourism Administration said tourists should not use such methods in order to safeguard their rights. Shanghai lawyer Liu Weisong said that a ship’s captain has the right to cancel stops or change the route based on a situation.

"During the tour, Royal Caribbean said it provided passengers with free Wi-Fi and lobster dinners.
Following a number of disputes concerning changes of itinerary on cruise ship tours, a new recommended contract on these tours issued by Shanghai tourism authorities will be introduced this month, said tourism officials," the report said.

Viking Line to launch free cruise app

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2015 01 September 2015

Viking Line is launching a new type of mobile application. Among other things, the app enables passengers to maintain contact with their own travel group or make new friends on their cruise. It makes travelling easier and guarantees an even richer travel experience. The new app makes on-board communication more efficient by supplying shopping alternatives, cruise programmes and other relevant information via smartphone – starting on September 1, 2015.

Cruise apps are a new global trend, and Viking Line is among the first passenger shipping companies in the world to launch this type of mobile-based service. Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises introduced their own mobile services on their vessels at the beginning of 2015. Viking Line is now the first Baltic Sea-based shipping company to offer a free mobile app to its passengers.

“The new mobile application will revolutionize the cruise experience and further broaden the social dimension on Viking Line’s ships. We want the on-board experience to be uncomplicated and entertaining. With this app, we are bringing cruise travel into the new millennium,” says Kaj Takolander, Viking Line’s Head of Sales and Marketing in Finland and the Baltic countries.

Viking Line developed the app in partnership with the Finnish technology company Ixonos.

“The global digital breakthrough has placed the consumer at the heart of business activities. Consumers themselves want to choose their channel for contacts with service providers, and that channel is increasingly often mobile. Viking Line now wants to digitally challenge traditional services and bring them closer to the customer. It has been a fine experience to create completely new on-board user experiences in partnership with Viking Line, as the first on the Baltic Sea,” says Mikko Sjöblom, Development Manager at Ixonos.
 
A new social dimension and contacts between passengers

The mobile application improves communication between passengers and adds a completely new social dimension to travelling. Passengers can use the app to create closed discussion forums for their own travel group. In addition, the app can help establish completely new contacts and can therefore also be used for dating. Users may choose to share their own profiles and add a photo.

“On-board mobile phone coverage has traditionally been weak. The new app uses the vessel’s internal network, which has also been strengthened. This makes communication among families and friends easier during a cruise,” Mr Takolander says.

Passengers can also use the app to plan their own cruise programme, keep up with on-board entertainment offerings and opening hours and, in the future, create their own shopping lists in advance.

 Better services through development collaboration

The new mobile service has been developed in collaboration with both passengers and Viking Line employees. The aim is to ensure that the app works smoothly while travelling on Viking Line vessels, continuously providing the services needed for an entertaining cruise via passengers’ own smartphones.

Viking Line’s cruise app can initially be used on the Helsinki (Finland)–Stockholm (Sweden), Turku (Finland)–Stockholm and Mariehamn (Åland Islands, Finland)–Stockholm routes on board the M/S Mariella, M/S Gabriella, M/S Amorella, M/S Cinderella and M/S Viking Grace. Later the app will also be launched on the Helsinki–Tallinn (Estonia) and Mariehamn–Kapellskär (Sweden) routes.

The free mobile app can be downloaded to iOS and Android phones via the Apple AppStore and Google Play starting in September, 2015.

Lower costs lift Viking Line interims

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2015 01 September 2015

Lower operating expenses and reduction in dry docking costs helped Viking Line, the listed Finnish cruise ferry group, to report better interim results for both the second quarter and first half of the current year than in corresponding periods in 2014.

Group net profit in the second quarter rose to €2.5 million from €1.4 million in the same period last year. Revenues fell slightly, to €134.1 million from €137.5 million. In the first six months of the year, the group cut its net loss to €5.7 million from €14.2 million a year earlier. Revenues decreased to €239.0 million from €241.0 million.

The company said it had dry docked the 1985 built Mariella, which operates between Helsinki and Stockholm, during the review period. New restaurant concepts were introduced on board the 37,583 gross ton ship and these had been received well by the company's customers.

Viking Line, which operates services between Finland and Sweden plus Finland and Estonia with a seven strong fleet, said its passenger volume remained largely unchanged at 2.39 million in the first half of the year and that its market share increased by 0.5 percentage points to 34.2%.

Looking ahead, the company said continued weakness of the economy in Finland, its principal source market, remains a negative factor, but on the other hand, significantly lower fuel costs are likely to help the company to improve its full year result on that of last year. In 2014, the group made a net profit of €30.6 million. Most of the operating profit of the group is generated in the third quarter of each year as this the main holiday season.

Carnival to offer wide variety of Bermuda cruises in 2016 with nine different voyages between April and November

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2015 31 August 2015

With its famous pink-sand beaches, turquoise waters and picture-perfect weather, Bermuda is one of the most popular destinations in cruising. And Carnival Cruise Line will provide its guests with a variety of opportunities to visit the island paradise in 2016 with nine departures that feature at least one overnight docked alongside at historic King’s Wharf.

From April through November 2016, guests can embark on four different Carnival ships departing from five convenient U.S. homeports offering itineraries ranging from five to eight days — making 2016 one of the cruise line’s most robust Bermuda programs ever.

Carnival’s 2016 Bermuda schedule includes:

– Carnival Pride: five-day cruises from Baltimore departing April 10 and Oct. 26 as well as seven-day voyages departing Sept. 4 and 18.

– Carnival Victory: an eight-day sailing from Port Canaveral departing May 19.

– Carnival Ecstasy: seven-day cruises from Charleston departing May 12 and Nov. 5.

– Carnival Sunshine: a seven-day cruise from New York departing Oct. 1 and a five-day sailing from Norfolk departing Oct. 23.

Five-day itineraries feature an overnight call at Bermuda; seven-day cruises spend two nights docked at King’s Wharf; and the eight-day voyage features three nights on the island.

“By offering Bermuda cruises from a variety of convenient drive-to homeports, we’re providing guests even more opportunities to experience and explore this incredible island paradise,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president. “The island has tremendous tourist appeal and the wide range of cruises offer consumers maximum choice when planning their Bermuda vacation while providing travel agents with a sought-after destination to market to their clients,” she added.

While Bermuda might be best known for its unique pink sand beaches, pastel architecture and famous shorts, it’s also an island with an abundance of activities that enable guests to become immersed in its tropical ambiance and laid-back lifestyle. From world-class golf courses and beautiful beaches to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and underwater explorations by glass-bottom boat, snorkel or scuba, the longer calls make it possible to participate in a variety of activities throughout the day and into the evening. With overnight visits, guests are also able to experience the island’s local nightlife and dine ashore if they choose.

Shanghai to host 10th China Cruise Shipping Conference & Expo

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2015 31 August 2015

Alan Lam reporting

Preparations are under way in Shanghai for this year’s China Cruise Shipping Conference & Expo (CCS), which will celebrate its 10th edition.

The gathering - organised by China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA), held in different cities in China each year - has been gaining popularity. It is attended by about 400 delegates and over 4,000 participants visit the exhibition. It has become one of Asia’s premier cruise shipping events, attracting growing attention from tourism and leisure sectors worldwide.

Domestically, CCS is supported by various related industries, as well as national, provincial, and municipal governments and authorities such as National Tourism Administration, Shanghai Municipal Government, and China Communications & Transportation Association.

Senior international cruise line executives will also be in attendance; they include those from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Carnival Corporation & plc, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Genting Hong Kong Ltd. Many of them are invited to address various forums.

All major cruise ports in Greater China are represented.

The guest and speaker lists also include representatives from Meyer Werft GmbH, Fincantieri, China State Shipbuilding Corporation and many others from the supply industry.

Main topics of this year’s conference will include cruise tourism promotion, ports and destinations development, shipbuilding and refurbishment, as well as industry leadership and management.

Cruise Business Review will follow this event closely.