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CMV to charter Azores to Rivages du Monde in expansion to France

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 April 2015 27 April 2015

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based destinational cruise shipping company, said it is to sub-charter of the 16,144 gross ton, 550 passenger Azores from summer 2016 onwards to Rivages du Monde, the Paris based specialist cruise and tour operator.

"Cruise & Maritime Voyages also confirm that Azores will be re-named Astoria when she completes her UK summer 2015 season. Prior to the start of the 2016 French North European, Adriatic and Mediterranean summer season, Astoria will operate a two month ex-UK spring season," CMV said in a statement. Azores is currently on charter to CMV from Portuscale Cruises in Lisbon.

Christian Verhounig, CEO and Chairman of CMV commented, “We are committed to developing our international market presence and are delighted to have forged a business partnership with one of France’s most established and respected travel companies."

"We believe that by changing the name to Astoria the product presentation will be simpler and more in line with our smaller ship offering alongside the similarly named 600 passenger Astor in contrast to our larger mid-sized vessels; the Marco Polo and Magellan, adopting the explorer theme”.

In 2016 Astoria will commence her French business on 11 May under the Rivages du Monde brand as a home market product operating 14 North European, Greenland, Adriatic and Mediterranean sailings from Le Havre, Dunkirk, Ostend, Bordeaux and Marseille.

Chris Coates, Commercial Director added, “We have been experiencing strong demand for Azores 2015 ex-UK regional summer programme. The introduction of Magellan to the fleet, which in 2016, will be operating year round, will enable Marco Polo to also be deployed regionally for part of the 2016 programme bolstering capacity and supporting Astoria’s spring season. This will increase year on year UK market capacity close to 70,000 annual carryings”.

CMV already has foothold on the German and Australian markets as well as the UK. It has a fleet of four ocean going and three river cruise ships, all of which are operated on charter.

Riccardo Casalino appointed MSC Cruises' Chief Marketing Officer

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 April 2015 27 April 2015

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping company, said in a statement that Riccardo Casalino had joined the its executive leadership at its global headquarters, in Geneva, Switzerland, as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

Carnival expects 25% rise in Southampton passenger numbers in two years

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 April 2015 27 April 2015

Carnival Corp & plc, the Anglo-American cruise shipping group, expects a sharp rise in passenger numbers in the port of Southampton in the UK in the next couple of years.

"The increased number of cruise ships visiting Southampton, coupled with the rising capacity of new ships, means P&O Cruises, Cunard and other brands of the Carnival Group, are expecting passenger volume to increase by 25% at Southampton over the next two years," Associated British Ports (ABP) that owns the port said in a statement.

Steven Young, director of port services & government affairs at Carnival UK said in the statement: “The Carnival cruise business at Southampton continues to go from strength to strength and with the introduction of new larger ships such as P&O Cruises' Britannia, it is important that improvement to the cruise terminals and our passenger journey keeps pace. With the reopened Mayflower terminal we aim to keep this as free flowing and stressless as possible."

AIDA Cruises, the German unit of the Carnival group, will replace seasonal calls of an existing ship to the port with year round calls by the larger, 124,500 gross AIDA Prima once the ship will be delivered by builders in Japan.

Today over 280 of Southampton’s 440 cruise ship calls to the port are by the cruise brands of the Carnival Group, ABP said.

Maritime Silk Road cruises gaining popularity in China

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 April 2015 27 April 2015

The growing interests in Maritime Silk Road has prompted at least two companies in China to establish cruises to destinations dotted along this ancient sea route. Alan Lam reports.

In February this year the first-ever nine-day Maritime Silk Road cruise was launched from Beibuwan Cruise Terminal in China’s Guangxi Province to Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, with calls at Da Nang, Nha Trang, Genting and Kuantan. This itinerary will now be extended to include Redang Island in Malaysia from May.

With the approval of the State Department of Transportation, the ASEAN Haishangsilu Cruise Lines began operations shortly before the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), using the 9,960 gross ton con-pax vessel, Beibu Gulf Star. The vessel is certified to carry 399 passengers and 160 TEU of containers.

In April 2013, Coconut Princess, a ro-pax supply vessel, began offering cruises from Hainan Province to Xisha Islands. It has so far undertaken about 40 voyages, carrying about 6,000 tourists to these destinations. With the growing interest in the Silk Road, this operation was re-routed and rebranded as a Maritime Silk Road cruise only two days after the launch of Beibu Gulf Star cruises.

China’s National Tourism Administration declared 2015 as the year of Silk Road Tourism. The 200-berth Coconut Princess route is one of seven Maritime Silk Road cruises Hainan Province Tourism Commission has announced.

It is believe that these itineraries will proliferate in the coming years. More cruise lines will emerge on this route. Although, at present, the cruises are generally more expensive and ships less modern, the demand for far-flung destinations is growing among the Chinese clientele. The nascent ocean cruise business in China is segmenting and the demand for expeditionary-type itineraries is growing in the shadow of the Asian mass market gold rush.

Windstar names Star Legend Godmother, announces new appointment

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

Windstar Cruises has made three major announcements at the Cruise3Sixty press conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Gloria Bohan is the Godmother for the line’s newest yacht, Star Legend; Windstar debuts a new Rising Star program for travel professionals; and Steven Simao is appointed as Vice President of Travel Agency Sales.

Gloria Bohan, CEO of Omega World Travel, announced as Godmother of Windstar’s Star Legend. A seasoned travel executive and entrepreneur, Bohan brings over four decades of experience, expertise, and knowledge to the travel industry. She is the founder of Omega World Travel, the largest travel agency founded, operated, and majority-owned by a woman. Bohan is a travel industry leader with expertise that crosses all aspects of travel including corporate, government, meetings, vacations, and cruises.

Bohan cruised with Windstar for the first time in November, 2014 and enjoyed every minute of her experience. “I am so pleased to solidify my relationship with Windstar through my appointment as Godmother,” says Bohan, "It’s an honor to represent such beautiful ships, sailing such magnificent itineraries, and offering guests a true country club lifestyle experience. Windstar has really created a special cruising experience."

Windstar will unveil Star Legend on May 25 at a Christening Ceremony in Rome, hosted by Bohan as Godmother. The ceremony involves a pier-side celebration and the maritime ceremony of naming and christening the ship. "We are honored to have Gloria serve in the prestigious role of Godmother of Star Legend. She is well respected in the travel industry, and a valued trade partner, says Hans Birkholz, CEO of Windstar Cruises. "Gloria is active with several philanthropic organizations and passionate about mentoring other entrepreneurs. Her entrepreneurial spirit aligns with Windstar’s own philosophy, and we are delighted to partner with her."

In March Windstar announced female travel influencer Wendy Perrin as the Godmother for Star Breeze, Windstar’s other addition to its fleet in 2015, which launches on May 6, 2015. Both Star Legend and Star Breeze underwent $8.5 million complete stem-to-stern renovations with new public spaces, suites, and dining venues. The addition of these vessels, as well as Star Pride that debuted in May of 2014, is allowing the company to cruise to new destinations in 2015 including Iceland, as well as year-round sailings in Tahiti.