More News

Fincantieri delivers first LNG-powered ferry built in Italy

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 April 2015 06 April 2015

After having successfully completed the Liquified natural gas (LNG) sea trials, F.-A.-Gauthier, the latest generation ferry built by Fincantieri in its shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia (Naples), departed the yard on April 1 sailing to Matane, in Québec, Canada. The delivery to Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), a Québec crown corporation that operates in maritime passenger and vehicles transport, will take place when the ferry will arrive in Canada.

The new vessel represents a genuine technological revolution. It is the first LNG powered ferry ever built in Italy and the first of the kind to enter into service in North America.

A genuine concentration of technology, it adopts the most advanced solutions in terms of energy saving and low environmental impact, enabling a major reduction in emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide), NOx (nitrogen oxides) and reducing to almost zero the SOx (sulphur oxides). This ship, which is equipped with a unique integrated diesel electric propulsion system has four dual fuel diesel power generators installed and it can run on either gas (Liquid Natural Gas - LNG) or marine diesel oil (MDO). This propulsion system fully meets the ecological requirements of the ECA areas (Baltic Sea, North Sea, Caribbean, North America).

The ship, certified in the highest class designated by international registries for this type of service, is also in ice class 1A with regards to the hull and propulsion class 1AS, which are the highest levels awarded by these classification registries and which allow the vessel to operate non-stop in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, known for its adverse weather conditions. "F.-A.-Gauthier" is also able to break sea ice, thanks to its innovative bow and stern, designed and patented by Fincantieri.

The ferry’s two electric propulsion engines operate azimuth thrusters, each equipped with two Countra-Rotating propellers, which together with bow thrusters, make the ferry exceptionally manoeuvrable. These characteristics, combined with a complex and extensive system of ramps and doors at both bow and stern, will allow the vessel to load and unload very quickly.

133 metres long and 22 metres wide, F.-A.-Gauthier will be able to reach a maximum service speed of 20 knots and to carry 800 passengers and 180 vehicles. The ferry will be used in the Province of Québec on the Matane–Baie-Comeau–Godbout route, which, with 1,600 sailings per year, provides transport for more than 180,000 passengers and over 85,000 vehicles, allowing them to reach the opposite side of the river in a 2-hour navigation, instead of a 10-hour drive.

Royal Caribbean names Anthem of the Seas godmother

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 April 2015 02 April 2015

Royal Caribbean International today announced that travel agent Emma Wilby, 27, from Sunderland, U.K., is the Godmother for the Anthem of the Seas. Upholding a timeless maritime tradition, Ms. Wilby will officially christen Anthem of the Seas and perform a special song for more than 1,300 invited special guests and dignitaries at the ship’s inaugural ceremony in Southampton, U.K., on April 20, 2015. Designed to revolutionize the industry, Anthem of the Seas will sail its inaugural season from Southampton before the ship repositions to its permanent homeport of New York in November.

“We are delighted to welcome Emma Wilby into the Royal Caribbean family as Anthem of the Seas’ Godmother,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Emma is among many submissions from truly talented travel agents across the U.K. and the judging was very difficult. We thank all travel agents, who we value and are honoring by naming a fellow travel agent as the Godmother of our newest ship.”

In addition to being a travel agent for Thomson, Ms. Wilby is a military wife and budding singer who performs in the Military Wives Choir in Kinloss, Scotland, where she is based with her husband, a Royal Engineer for the British Army. To help her prepare for inaugural day, Craig Yates, Team Captain from British choir group Only Boys Aloud will be Ms. Wilby’s vocal coach, and Royal Caribbean is treating her to a full makeover.

“Emma’s inaugural song will herald in a ship that will be a new anthem for the cruise industry,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “I am very much looking forward to Emma’s performance and launching Anthem of the Seas with her. I know she will be simply spectacular.”

The Godmother role is a lifetime title bestowed upon an individual, who figuratively presides over the ship and imparts good luck and divine protection over the vessel and all that sail aboard. Traditionally, Godmothers have celebrity status or even royal connections, such as Royal Caribbean Godmothers Gloria Estefan, Jane Seymour, Whoopi Goldberg and Steffi Graf, to name a few.

“I still can’t believe I won,” said Ms. Wilby after being informed of her new title earlier this week. “I am really honored to have been chosen. I am hugely excited to be taking on the role of Godmother for Anthem of the Seas – it will be incredible to sing in front of all these people and a real honor to give the ship the best sendoff possible.”

Anthem of the Seas features Royal Caribbean’s unmatched innovations in onboard attractions, including the North Star aerial observatory, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views, and the RipCord by iFLY skydiving and FlowRider surfing simulators. Guests will be dazzled with the ships’ transformative venues, such as the Two70 lounge, a great room by day and an immersive, multimedia entertainment spectacular at night, and SeaPlex, where guests can challenge each other at bumper cars, disco roller skating, circus school, and basketball and other sports. Guests enjoy a choice of 18 onboard restaurants, each serving a distinctive menu of delectable fare, and rollicking live entertainment in Music Hall, the Royal Theater, and the Royal Esplanade.

MSC Splendida to operate six ex Southampton cruises 2016 as company returns to port

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

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping company, says it will operate 270 sailings and 22 itineraries on 12 ships in the summer of 2016 and return to Southampton after a break of one year.

“These will be made up of nine ‘core’ Med itineraries of seven nights; seven ‘longer’ Med itineraries of between nine and 12 nights; new Baltic and Norwegian fjords options; plus the chance to sail on one of MSC Cruises’ largest Fantasia-class ships (MSC Splendida) from the UK for the first time,” the company said in a statement.

The 137,000 gross ton MSC Splendida will offer six ex-UK sailings – the first time UK guests have been able to experience a Fantasia-class vessel in home waters. “The Southampton departures will include two 11-night round-Britain sailings in April and May with calls including Le Havre, France; Hamburg, Germany; Invergordon; Kirkwall; Greenock; Dublin and Cork. From £899pp. Additionally there will be four seven-night continental coastal cruises, featuring calls in Le Havre; Zeebrugge, Belgium; Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Hamburg,” the company said.

MSC Cruises executive director UK and Ireland Giles Hawke said: “We have made no secret as a business that we are intent on continuing our phenomenal growth. This 2016/17 brochure will be the last before the arrival of two spectacular new-builds in 2017, so it is vital we maximise the impact we make – and that means showcasing our inventory to UK guests.”

“MSC Cruises is already the number-one cruise operator in the Med with eight ships in the region for 2016/17, and fly-cruise continues to be our bread and butter. We know how much Brits love to get their holidays started and there’s no better way to do this than fly straight to the sun.

“We have also responded to feedback by making cruise-only an attractive option for those who wish to make their own arrangements or for agents who want to create their own packages.”

Guests booking before August 31 2015 will be able to take advantage of price reductions of up to £300 per person. For simplicity, cruise-only prices in Europe are set £150 lower than fly-cruise packages where available and £400 lower in the Caribbean and Emirates. On ‘Fantastica’ Experiences, upgrades from outside to balcony cabins are available for just £50pp.

The programme features a greater focus on cruises of eight nights or more. Introduced for summer 2015, longer sailings will operate in the shoulder seasons from Venice and Genoa on four ships [MSC Fantasia, MSC Lirica, MSC Opera and MSC Splendida].

Meanwhile, MSC Cruises will continue to offer its comprehensive selection of winter sailings in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Caribbean and Middle East across seven ships. For the first time, the popular Dubai winter season will be operated by one of MSC Cruises’ largest, Fantasia-class, ships [MSC Fantasia], with a tweak to the itinerary to include the debut of Bahrain.

For 2016/17 MSC Cruises has opted for a more contemporary look for its brochure, with the majority of itineraries presented over two pages. Colour-coded grids detailing prices for each cabin and Experience type have been introduced, with each giving the cost depending on seasonality.

As an added bonus, the brochure features four teaser pages with information about facilities planned for MSC Cruises’ exciting new-builds. The company has four ships on order - the innovative all-season STX Vista project vessels [4,500 passengers double occupancy] will launch in spring 2017 and 2019, while Fincantieri’s Seaside project ships [4,140 passengers double occupancy], are set to join the fleet in November 2017 and 2018.

Details revealed include the news that both classes of ship with have larger MSC Yacht Club areas, including luxurious duplex suites and suites with private whirlpool bath. Both will also feature ‘cluster cabins’, where three adjacent cabins can be linked together for families.

As announced earlier in March at Cruise Shipping Miami, the first ‘Seaside class’ vessel will be named MSC Seaside, and based year-round in Miami. The ship will feature an innovative and high-tech aqua park with four thrilling slide rides.

New 'Jet to Joni' contest from Carnival awards travel agents a chance to travel to Miami to meet Carnival executives and win free Carnival Journeys cruise

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

Carnival is inviting travel agents to share their most memorable “Fun Ship” client moment as part of the new “Jet to Joni” contest awarding three agents with a trip to Miami meet with the line’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales Joni Rein and other Carnival executives, as well as a free nine- to 15-day Carnival Journeys cruise. The contest starts today and runs through April 30, 2015.

Travel agents may submit the most memorable experience they created for a client sailing on Carnival by submitting their story to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. during the contest period. A panel comprised of members of Carnival’s sales management team will choose three winners who will be announced on or around May 27, 2015.

“With this contest, we’re celebrating the incredible impact travel agents make in creating lifetime memories for their clients,” said Rein. “From start to finish, travel agents play a key role in marketing the Carnival cruise experience that keeps guests coming back to them and ultimately to us.”

Winners will receive a trip to Miami highlighted by a day-long visit to Carnival’s headquarters. During their visit, agents will receive a special behind-the-scenes look at the line’s headquarters from Rein, along with briefings with various Carnival executives and lunch with Carnival President Christine Duffy. That evening, Carnival’s sales team members will host the winners for a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant. In addition, winners will receive a complimentary Carnival Journeys cruise for two in balcony accommodations.

Carnival Journeys is a unique collection of nine- to 15-day seagoing adventures that kick off this fall and feature spectacular ports throughout the Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii and Mexico, along with exciting shipboard activities and experiences created especially for this one-of-a-kind cruise program.

For additional information on the “Jet to Joni” contest, including complete terms and conditions, agents can visit GoCCL.com.

Princess Cruises brings The Sound of Music out to sea

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

Beginning mid-April, Princess Cruises will partner with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to screen the biggest movie musical of all time, The Sound of Music, onboard all 18 of its cruise ships and feature sing-a-longs, trivia games, and other movie-themed experiences throughout the year. The offerings celebrate the 50th anniversaries of both the cruise line and the musical and are part of a year-long campaign to honor the classic film.

In addition, Princess Cruises is offering movie fans chances to win a free cruise and a $500 onboard gift card every month through December 2015. More details about the themed onboard experiences and cruise giveaways are available at www.princesscruises.com/SoundofMusic.

A phenomenon upon its debut in 1965, The Sound of Music won five Academy Awards®, including “Best Picture” and continues to inspire audiences around the world with unforgettable songs including “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Every Mountain,” and “The Sound of Music.” Starring Oscar® winners Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, the film follows Maria (Andrews), the warm-hearted young woman who brings joy and music to Captain von Trapp (Plummer) and his seven children.

"The Sound of Music isn’t just a classic film - watching the movie together is a classic family activity. In a year in which both Princess Cruises and The Sound of Music mark their golden anniversaries, this is truly a fun and memorable way to join in the celebrations,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president.

The Sound of Music will be shown once on every sailing throughout 2015 on Princess Cruises giant Movies Under the Stars top deck screens, with the sing-a-long version featured in the Princess Theater. Song birds can meet and rehearse for a special The Sound of Music edition of Princess Pop Choir and a themed Trivia Challenge will test fans' movie knowledge.

The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Blu-ray™ featuring the all-new documentary “The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg” is available everywhere now.