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Meyer Werft invests EUR 10 million in new development centre in Papenburg

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 July 2015 15 July 2015

Meyer Werft once again invests in a future project at the Papenburg shipyard. Due to the continually increasing number of employees and the very good order book of the shipyard, the decision has now been taken to build a new technology and development centre. In the new building complex, large parts of the design and development work is bundled for the new, complex new ships under construction. In future, a total of about 400 designers and engineers can work on the great variety of subject areas involved in cruise ships.

The new building will offer a surface area of about 5,500 m² on four floors. The overall investment amount is about 10 million euros and contains state-of-the-art building control techniques and energy-saving measures, e.g. the use of geothermal heating and cooling. The construction is to be concluded by the beginning of 2016.

CEO Bernard Meyer says: "We are convinced that we can only remain successful in future if our employees can pursue their exacting work under good working conditions. This is a great wish of our committed and highly-motivated employees."

In addition to this, the shipyard will adjust the areas for the recreation rooms and the canteen areas so as to satisfy the increased requirements.

In the past twelve years the shipyard has already massively invested in the shipyard premise location and in new technologies (laser welding, robot technology, assembly lines and flow lines as well as CAD-Software, etc.): apart from the extension of the second dry dock (2008), the laser centre was expanded and modernised in 2008 and 2011, and a state-of-the-art pipe centre was created. In total, more than 550 million euros were invested in the past years.

Currently, more than 3,300 directly employed persons in Papenburg are building state-of-the-art, sea-going cruise ships. ln Rostock, about 500 directly employed persons are, for the largest part, building river-cruise ships and other special ships. In Finland, about 1,350 directly employed persons are currently working on new cruise ships and ferries.

Attica Group receives license from the USA to serve Cuba

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 July 2015 15 July 2015

Attica Holdings S.A., a member of Marfin Investment Group (MIG), last week announced that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), granted Attica approval to operate through its wholly owned US subsidiary, Superfast Ferries (USA) LLC, a marine route between US and Cuba, in connection with travel or transportation of persons, baggage or cargo between the United States and Cuba.

Attica is in the process of applying for appropriate regulatory and other approvals from the Cuban government. Attica Group’s financial and operational success in Greece and the broader South European region has provided the platform for this expansion initiative. The US - Cuba route enables Attica Group to leverage its long industry experience operating in developed and competitive markets and unique know-how in maritime transport, in the fast growing US - Cuban market.

Attica’s fleet of 13 modern and technologically advanced vessels include a number of vessels ideally fit for the US - Cuba route. Two of these vessels have initially been identified for this service, each with carrying capacities of about 1,700 passengers, 700 berths and 2,000 lane meters garage, capable of carrying about 570 cars. All ferries are fully equipped with restaurants, duty free shops, swimming pool, bars, playroom and other family oriented activities.

Spiros Paschalis, CEO of Attica Group, stated, “We are pleased to receive the US government approval and are excited to be able to offer service on the historically important US - Cuba marine route. The US license confirms the reliability, trust and superior quality for which Attica Group’s fleet has been internationally renowned for. Our proposed ferry service would provide daily non-stop transportation between the PortMiami in Florida and the Port of Havana in Cuba, a distance of 230 miles, in less than 10 hours, in a relaxed and casual atmosphere with our usual superior service standards.”

Seven Seas Navigator to sail four-month voyage around the globe in 2017

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 July 2015 15 July 2015

After a six-year hiatus, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is pleased to once again offer guests a chance to explore the world in luxury with an exciting 128-night World Cruise aboard Seven Seas Navigator. This incredible around-the-world voyage departs Jan. 5, 2017 from Miami and provides guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the globe with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ signature comfort, style and all-inclusive luxury. As Seven Seas Navigator circumnavigates the globe, guests will have the opportunity to visit iconic cities, historic landmarks and exotic tropical islands all while enjoying unsurpassed personal service.

“The expansion of our fleet allows us to take our ships to new destinations and be even more creative with our itineraries,” shared Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Our World Cruise aboard Seven Seas Navigator is a fantastic new addition to our itinerary collection. It will be the trip of a lifetime as we provide guests with the rare opportunity to see the world in one luxurious voyage.”

The 2017 World Cruise begins with a one-night, pre-cruise hotel stay and gala dinner featuring lively entertainment at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Miami. After departing Miami, Seven Seas Navigator will cruise the Caribbean with a stop in historic George Town in the Cayman Islands and a call in Cartagena, Colombia before making its way to the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal. After departing the canal, guests will enjoy scenic calls at several Central American coastal cities and sail along the Baja coast before calling on San Diego and Los Angeles. From there, the ship will venture to the islands of Hawaii, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand, and explore the east and north coasts of Australia.

After sailing the South Pacific, Seven Seas Navigator will then traverse the Timor Sea in route to Indonesia before sailing across the Java Sea and Indian Ocean to Singapore. From there, guests will pass through the Strait of Malacca heading to Thailand before cruising the Andaman Sea to Myanmar, followed by four ports of call in India. A northwestern passage across the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman through the Strait of Hormuz will bring the ship to the United Arab Emirates before it cruises southwardly along the coast to Oman, through the Gulf of Aden and into the Red Sea to call on Jordan, Israel and Egypt.

Seven Seas Navigator continues its global adventure by sailing through the Suez Canal en route to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, and then cruise the scenic Dardanelles and return to Greece before taking the Messina Strait to Italy, Monaco, France and Spain. After cruising the Mediterranean, passengers will visit Gibraltar before sailing to additional ports in Spain, Portugal and the Portuguese island of Madeira. After departing Europe, Seven Seas Navigator will make the trans-Atlantic voyage back to Miami.

In total, Seven Seas Navigator will visit six continents, 31 countries, and more than 60 ports of call featuring 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites on its World Cruise, and guests will be able to select from vast collection of free unlimited shore excursions in order to further explore the destinations.

Guests sailing this incredible worldwide journey aboard Seven Seas Navigator will do so aboard the fleet’s most intimate ship. Accommodating only 490 guests, the ship is the ideal size to circumnavigate the globe in style and comfort. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is continually recognized for providing guests with the most comprehensive, all-inclusive luxury experience, and aboard Seven Seas Navigator guests will enjoy all-suite accommodations, spectacular gourmet restaurants and an enviable staff-to-guest ratio. In fact, many seasoned cruisers regard Seven Seas Navigator as one of their favorite vessels.

Norwegian introduces à la carte specialty dining

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

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today the introduction of à la carte specialty dining at the line’s signature specialty restaurants, providing guests the freedom to savor an array of tastes and gourmet dishes and the flexibility to choose how many courses they wish to enjoy during their meal.

Guests will experience the ultimate in Freestyle Cruising beginning this October on the all-new Norwegian Escape, where they can choose to dine at any of 11 complimentary dining options or experience new flavors at Norwegian’s signature specialty restaurants La Cucina, Le Bistro, Cagney’s Steakhouse and the new Bayamo by James Beard Award winning chef Jose Garces, on an à la carte basis.

Norwegian’s signature specialty restaurants on Norwegian Escape will feature enhanced menus that include favorite dishes and new tastes alike, offering guests the freedom to select how many courses they’d like to enjoy during their dinner, with per-item pricing. Whether guests wish to have a light meal of a favorite appetizer and soup or salad, or indulge in a multi-course dinner featuring Maine lobster, with Norwegian’s new à la carte options, guests will now have the opportunity to create their desired dining experience, just as they would at any land-based restaurant.

At Cagney’s Steakhouse, starters on the new à la carte menu range from $4.99 to $7.95 and main courses from $17.99 to $29.99, featuring Certified Angus Beef brand steaks, the world’s leading Angus brand and consumers’ top choice for premium beef. At Le Bistro, guests will find delicious new main courses in addition to traditional French favorites, including Bouillabaisse, Pan-Seared Jumbo Bay Scallops and Veal Medallions with Sauce Morrel, starting at $15.99. And guests looking to find a taste of “la dolce vita” will be transported to the Mediterranean when they choose from an expanded menu at La Cucina, featuring antipasti, pasta, risotto and traditional secondi courses starting at $12.99 including Osso Buco alla Milanese, Free-Range Chicken with Prosciutto or Pan-Seared Sea Bass Filet.

Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki will remain at a cover charge of $19.95 and $29.95 respectively, as will entertainment dining including Wine Lovers The Musical and For The Record: The Brat Pack.

Guests who purchase a Norwegian Specialty Dining Package have the freedom to indulge as they wish, as Specialty Dining Packages will allow guests to enjoy La Cucina, Le Bistro and Cagney’s Steakhouse at no additional charge. Guests with a Specialty Dining Package can dine in Bayamo by Jose Garces for an additional fee of $15.

In addition to Norwegian Escape’s specialty restaurants, Ocean Blue on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway will also begin offering à la carte options on October 3, 2015, and the new à la carte dining will be available fleetwide beginning January 1, 2016. Other entertainment dining across the fleet, including Cirque Dreams & Dinner and The Illusionarium, will remain at a cover charge. For those guests who wish to reserve their dining times ahead of time, they can continue to do so via MyNCL; there is no charge to make a reservation and guests will have any à la carte selections added to their onboard account at the time of dining.

Queen Mary 2 arrives into New York City for Cunard's 175th anniversary celebrations

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

This morning, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 sailed into its U.S. home port, New York, escorted by a historic ships and Coastguard vessels.

The Queen Mary 2 was accompanied by the Mary A Whalen, oil tanker; the Eric R Thornton, tug boat; John J Harvey Fireboat; Nantucket Lightship, and the Pegasus Tug after she passed under the Verrazano Bridge en route to her berth at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

This flagship's arrival marked the end of a journey that paid tribute to the original voyage made by Cunard’s first flagship, Britannia, as the company inaugurated the first scheduled mail and passenger service across the Atlantic on 4 July 1840.

Cunard has been sailing in and out of New York City ever since the Hibernia first called in 1847, and the company is very proud to call Red Hook Brooklyn its home since 2006. Sites of the company’s earlier history and its relationship to the city can be seen through the Cunard White Star sign at Pier 54 and the Cunard Building at 25 Broadway, which was completed in 1921 and is considered a New York City landmark today.

"Cunard’s relationship with the city of New York holds a distinctly unique place in our 175-year history,” said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard North America. "New York has been our U.S. homeport for decades, and has played a significant role in the transformative world events during our history. We are very pleased today to extend our heartfelt thanks for our enduring relationship with this great city.”

New York Stock Exchange

Later today, the commemorative anniversary activities will continue when Captain Kevin Oprey, Master of Queen Mary 2, rings the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange, as a testament to the economic and industrial achievements of Cunard, as well as to the future of the brand.

“Cunard is pleased to contribute to the growing success, visibility and economic impact of the city and to be a part of New York's growing cruise business, which attracts international visitors from across the globe,” Meadows added.

At approximately 9:30 pm, this evening, Queen Mary 2 will hold position in front of the Statue of Liberty for a spectacular light and music show in Battery Park. Designed by the acclaimed Quantum Theatricals, the light show will be cast over the ship, illuminating New York harbor and the sky above.