FleetPro is launching a record four ocean ships in May and June 2015 and three newbuild river cruise ships

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 04 March 2015 04 March 2015

FleetPro Passenger Ship Management is launching and inaugurating 4 ocean vessels in a very short period between May and June 2015. Iceland Pro Cruises is inaugurating MV Ocean Diamond for a series of extraordinary around Iceland cruises, as well as some unique Iceland combined with Greenland itineraries. Haimark Line is introducing MV Saint Laurent (formerly Sea Voyager), specifically built for Great Lakes Cruises and expedition style Panama Canal and South America cruises. Adventure Canada is launching their Arctic Canada program onboard Ocean Endeavour; a ship specifically refurbished for arctic and Antarctic expedition cruising. Not a new introduction but a renewed service of the Nova Star cruise ferry; this state of the art cruise ferry will sail again between Portland and Yarmouth starting June 1, 2015.
“These four ship’s introductions on the ocean are a new mile stone in FleetPro’s effort to manage high quality and demanding passenger ships programs and itineraries”, says Hans Rood Executive Vice President Commercial, FleetPro Passenger Ship Management. “Each of our clients has very specific requirements for onboard product delivery, Hotel Operations, expedition style and itinerary demands”, adds Hans Rood.

Furthermore, FleetPro will also inaugurate three new and state of the art river cruise vessels in the same spring early summer period;
Avalon Waterways launches two additional suite ships in March, the Avalon Tranquility II on the Seine river and the Avalon Tapestry II, sailing the classic Rhine cruise itineraries between Amsterdam and Basel. FleetPro is proud to open the 2015 river season with 15 deluxe Avalon river vessels under management. Vantage Deluxe World Travel announced their River Voyager inaugural departure to take place on June 25. The brand new 442 ft. river vessel built for 176 passengers will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube, all the way to the Black Sea.

“With the addition of three brand new vessels built mainly for the North American clientele, 50% of our entire operated river fleet sails for the English speaking market. FleetPro VIP treatment means: top hospitality management for our client’s guests as well as reliable and experienced treatment of the ship owners’ vessels” says Robert Straubhaar, President & CEO of the FleetPro Group.

“Our strong experience in running these high-quality ocean and river cruise products, makes FleetPro very unique in providing opportunities for our clients to expand business in a wide variety of cruise offerings for demanding clients, specifically interested in small ship ocean and river cruising.”

“Come see us and meet with our team during Cruise Shipping Miami in March”; adds Robert Straubhaar.

FleetPro Ocean (formerly ISP) and FleetPro River (formerly River Advice) manages a combined fleet of ocean-going passenger ships, expedition cruise ships and river cruise ships in excess of 60 vessels, making it the largest passenger ship management company in the world. What distinguishes FleetPro is a hands-on managing approach with extremely strong technical and top notch hotel operation expertise. This allows FleetPro to service a wide array of clients in the demanding global arena of river cruise operations, ocean going cruising and the itinerary intensive expedition cruise segments.

China's first Around-the-World Cruise debuts from Shanghai on Costa Atlantica

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 March 2015 01 March 2015

Costa Cruises celebrates China’s first Around-the-World Cruise onboard Costa Atlantica at a launch event before its departure with nearly 1000 passengers from the homeport of Shanghai on March 1st. Distinguished guests including Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Crociere Group, government officials, trade partners, journalists, and passengers were in attendance to bless Costa Atlantica as she sets sail on her for 86-day voyage.

“This first world voyage by a cruise ship specially for the Chinese market marks a particular milestone for the Costa Group and the cruise industry in the rapid further development of our business in Asia. We will invest further in this and accelerate the development of these important markets for the future with innovative ideas and products. I wish the passengers on the Costa Atlantica a unique, eventful, exciting and simply wonderful cruise at this world premiere!", says Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group.

Costa Atlantica, inspired by Italian cinema and arts, has been dedicated to Asia and China since May 2013, receiving a great appreciation for her unique elegance and style. During her inaugural 86-day Around-the-World cruise Costa Atlantica will take passengers across five continents, visiting 28 destinations in 18 countries. Some of the most fascinating places on earth are included in the itinerary: Maldives, Athens (Greece), Sicily island in Italy (with the call at Catania), Rome (Italy), Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), a 3-day call at New York City (USA), Miami (USA), a 2-day call at Los Angeles (USA), then San Francisco (USA) and the Polynesian paradise islands of Maui and Hawaii.

“As a cruise industry leader in the China market, we strive to bring the best holiday options for our valued customers in the region. Our unique packaging for the World Cruise will undoubtedly exceed consumer expectations. At Costa Cruises, we are always keen to bring new formulas to make a difference in China’s cruise industry,” stated Buhdy Bok, President of Costa Asia.

The World Cruise product reflects a new chapter in China’s tourism industry, bringing China to the World Cruise Era. It offers a unique travel opportunity to a broad target audience, introducing an innovative win-win product for Costa Cruises and its trade partners in China. With the support of local government, tourism boards, and Costa’s partners, this new innovative holiday option will have a tremendous impact on the local cruise industry.

Since Costa Cruises entered China in 2006 as the first international cruise line to operate homeport cruises, it supported China’s cruise industry to become the most exciting market in the world. Costa Cruises is always committed to bring more innovative holiday options to this market.

Tallink sells two 1980s built cruise ferries

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 27 February 2015 27 February 2015

Tallink Grupp, the Estonian listed cruise ferry company, says it has sold two 1980s built vessels that have not been used on its srvices in recent times. 

“Tallinn Stockholm Line Ltd., a subsidiary of AS Tallink Grupp has come to an agreement with Scandinavian interest (a non related party) to sell the motor vessel Regina Baltica. The vessel is expected to be delivered by April 2015,’ Tallink said in a statement.

Regina Baltica is of 13,878 gross tons and it was built in 1980. The ship has been chartered out for third parties in the recent past.

Meanwhile, Tallink Swedish Line Ltd., has sold the 1986 built 33,818 gross ton Silja Festival to Bridgemans Services Ltd and I will be delivered to the buyer by April 2015. The buyer is a Canadian company that has used the vessel as accommodation unit on the country’s west coast for some time.

Parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction prices. The transactions will have no major impact to the group operations and consolidated results. “The cash flow from the sale of the vessels will strengthen the group's financial position by supporting dividend payment, investments and repayment of loans,” Tallink said.

Cruise Critic launches new site in Australia

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 February 2015 26 February 2015

Cruise Critic, the world’s largest online cruise resource, has launched a new website for Australian cruisers. The new site, www.CruiseCritic.com.au, will provide reviews of cruise ships popular to the Australian market, with a heavy focus on cruise topics of interest to Australian cruisers, including pricing and deals.

“The Australian cruise market has grown exponentially in just the past few years, and it’s on par to be one of the largest areas of growth in the industry in 2015,” explains Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic. “With more than 200,000 Australian cruisers already planning their trips with Cruise Critic, we wanted to offer an experience catered specifically to those travelers – pricing, deals, tips and reviews to make planning a cruise even easier.”

Cruise Critic is a cruise review site and international community of cruise travellers which launched in the U.S. in 1995 as the first consumer cruise site on the Web and now helps more than 4 million people plan their cruise holidays every month.  The award-winning site features more than 100,000 cruise reviews and hosts the world’s largest online cruise community where travellers exchange advice and tips on all aspects of cruising.  Published by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor since 2007, the company's first international expansion was Cruise Critic's UK site which launched in 2008.

Serving as senior editor of Cruise Critic Australia will be Sydney-based writer and editor, Louise Goldsbury. Awarded ‘Best Travel Writer’ in the 2013 National Travel Industry Awards, and a member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers, Goldsbury covered the cruise industry for the past five years as editor of Cruise Weekly.

“Over the years, interest in cruising has really taken off with Australians,” says Goldsbury. “And cruise lines are answering that by sending more and more ships to our region. With so much growth, it’s an ideal time for the creation of a Cruise Critic specifically for Australians, to highlight the details and topics that matter most to us.”