Quantum of the Seas calls at Singapore for the first time

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 11 June 2015 11 June 2015

Quantum of the Seas arrived at Singapore for the first time today. The 18-deck, 168,666 gross ton ship is the largest ever to call at Singapore and with the highest number of guests onboard, totalling close to 4,000 from around the world. She is on a 14-night cruise from Dubai which has also called at Muscat, Cochin and Penang.

Traditional plaque exchanges are conducted with Captain Srecko Ban of Quantum of the Seas with Ms Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board and Mr Yacoob Piperdi, Executive Vice President of Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd to commemorate the ship’s maiden call, in the presence of local government officials, media, business partners and Royal Caribbean staff in Singapore.

Jennifer Yap, Managing Director, Singapore and Southeast Asia of Royal Caribbean Cruises said, "We are excited to bring Quantum of the Seas to Singapore today, which is a huge milestone for Royal Caribbean in terms of ship size and amenities. The Quantum Class is the next generation of cruise ships filled with innovations in entertainment, technology and culinary that take guests to new heights on the high seas, which we are sure will unleash a new wave of excitement and cruise boom among Singaporean vacationers. Deploying Asia’s largest Quantum class ship here also underscores our heightened confidence in the region’s potential and deepened commitment to growing our regional presence, and we hope a ship of her size and innovative amenities will once again redefine cruising in Asia."

Quantum of the Seas is currently on her 53-night epic Global Odyssey which departed from New York en route to Shanghai where she will homeport year round. As part of her Global Odyssey, she will also be embarking on June 12 on a 3-night round trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), followed by her 9 night long cruise on June 15 from Singapore to Shanghai, calling at Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Xiamen. Her sister ship Ovation of the Seas which will be launched next year will also be sailing out from Singapore in June 2016.

Norwegian Cruise Line introduces flexible dining packages

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 11 June 2015 11 June 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today the introduction of new Specialty Dining Packages that allow guests the freedom to savor an array of tastes and unique experiences at the line’s signature specialty restaurants and the flexibility to choose the number of nights they’d like to dine for one set price. Norwegian guests sailing fleetwide from August 7* and beyond can enjoy a Specialty Dining Package ranging from three days to the length of their entire cruise, with pricing starting at $59 per person** for a three-day package when purchased online prior to sailing, providing cruisers with an excellent value.

Guests who purchase a Norwegian Specialty Dining Package can opt to go medium-rare at Cagney’s, Norwegian’s signature steakhouse; make it al dente at a Norwegian’s La Cucina Italian restaurant; enjoy an evening of fine Parisian dining at Le Bistro; and experience fun and fare at Teppanyaki, Norwegian’s signature Japanese Hibachi restaurant.

With Freestyle Cruising and Norwegian’s new Specialty Dining Packages, guests have the freedom to choose how, where and when they’d like to dine. Guests can tailor their taste buds to their cruising schedule and discover a different specialty restaurant each night or find a favorite and dine there a few nights during their vacation.  Guests on a seven-day cruise can choose from packages ranging from three to seven nights, to make the most of their vacation experience and at a savings from the restaurant’s individual cover charges.

Specialty Dining Packages are honored in all specialty steakhouses, Brazilian churrascarias, French, Japanese Hibachi and Italian restaurants. Norwegian guests who have purchased a Specialty Dining Package additionally have the flexibility to indulge in their heart’s desire in select à la carte priced restaurants and entertainment-based restaurants for a small upcharge*** including:

– Ocean Blue (Norwegian Getaway/ Norwegian Breakaway) - $15
– Cirque Dreams (Norwegian Breakaway/Norwegian Epic)- $10 general seats/$15 premium seats/$35 VIP seating on Norwegian Breakaway
– The Illusionarium - $10 general seats/$15 premium seats
– For the Record: Dear John Hughes (Norwegian Escape)-  $15
– Bayamo (Norwegian Escape)- $10
– Pincho Tapas Bar (Norwegian Escape)- $7
– The Raw Bar (Norwegian Getaway/ Norwegian Breakaway) - $7
– Sushi Bar (fleetwide)-$7

Specialty Dining Packages can be pre-purchased prior to sailing for additional savings or onboard during the first two days of the voyage; the dining packages are exclusively sold on the first day of the voyage on three-day itineraries only. Norwegian guests who pre-purchase a Specialty Dining Package prior to sailing can reserve their dining reservations online within 90 days of their sail date or go Freestyle and decide when and where to dine once onboard. Specialty Dining Packages are purchased individually and guests traveling in the same stateroom do not need to purchase packages as a group.

Seatrade Cruise Asia event in Busan, Korea cancelled

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 10 June 2015 10 June 2015

Seatrade Cruise Asia, due to take place in Busan, Korea June 11-12 has been postponed to a later date.

Due to increasing notifications from key stakeholders - delegate, speakers and cruise lines - of their withdrawal from the event due to the current Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) related circumstances in korea and regional travel restrictioncs being imposed by other Asian countries, the planned conference programme can no longer be delivered in its published form and Seatrade is threfore advising that the event will need to be postponed to a later date.

Andrew Williams, general manager Seatrade commented, "This decision has not been an easy one and we have looked into every possibility, however in consultation with the industry, we feel that this is the most appropriate course of action."

UBM remains fully committed to supporting the global cruise industry and the delivery of a successful Seatrade Cruise Asia event. New dates will be announced as soon as possible.

AmaWaterways announces new features on its family oriented ships

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 09 June 2015 09 June 2015

In April, Disney Corporation and AmaWaterways announced their partnership to offer family-oriented river cruises on the Danube in 2016. Today AmaWaterways unveils further details of the two ships that will be deployed for this enterprise. Alan Lam reports.

The 158-passenger sister ships AmaViola and AmaStella, set to make their official debut in 2016, will have innovative features to accommodate a new category of river cruise travellers, according to the company.

The ships will join AmaWaterways’ European fleet as the third and fourth vessels of their class.  Both will be equipped with connecting cabins that offer added convenience for groups and families travelling together. Room configurations include:

– 12 staterooms that can accommodate up to three family members each
– Six sets of adjoining cabins that can be connected via an internal doorway, accommodating families of up to five
– Four suites with convertible sofa-beds that can accommodate families of up to four

Recognizing the growing demand for more cabins with twin or French balconies, as well as suites, AmaWaterways is introducing another design change.  The fitness room and salon on these ships will be moved to the lower deck, allowing for the addition of balconied staterooms and suites with panoramic views.

Both vessels’ destination-inspired décor will complement the new layout and state-of-the-art amenities, including marble-appointed bathrooms, multi-jet showerheads, plush linens, luxurious salon and massage services, fitness rooms, refreshing sun decks and heated pools with swim-up bars.

Staterooms will also be equipped with AmaWaterways’ signature Entertainment on Demand system, which affords travellers complimentary access to Internet, the latest Hollywood movies, and a music library, etc.

“At AmaWaterways,” said Kristin Karst, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of AmaWaterways, “we take great pride in the fact that we build new ships at a careful pace, taking our time to ensure we incorporate the most innovative features possible for our guests. These new ships have been developed in a way that will bring added comfort to groups and families seeking the beauty, history and culture of a European river vacation. They were designed in part with feedback from our new partners at Adventures by Disney, and we are confident that the final result will broaden the appeal of our product to new types of travellers.”

AmaStella’s maiden voyage will set sail 6 April, followed by AmaViola’s on 20 April.