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Viking XPRS ferry to undergo modernisation, no service interruptions

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2015 04 February 2015

Viking XPRS, the 35,918 gross ton ferry of Viking Line’s on its Helsinki−Tallinn service will be thoroughly modernised, the Finnish company said in a statement.

"After its renovation, M/S Viking XPRS will offer passengers on the route even more diverse restaurant and shopping choices. Among other things, a new à la carte restaurant and a new shop are opening in February. Another focus of the renovation will be to provide larger play areas for children," Vking Line stated.

The work has already begun on board the 2007 built vessel and the modernisation will be completed by summer 2015. "Most of the improvements will be made while the vessel is in service, so no dry-docking will be needed. The facelift will enable the Viking XPRS to offer passengers more diverse restaurant, entertainment and shopping choices than before. Viking Line has listened carefully to customer requests and feedback in planning the modernisation," the company continued.

“We are investing in on-board comfort and services in order to offer our customers the experiences that they want. For example, many of them look forward to first-class restaurant services even during short sea voyages,” says Kaj Takolander, Viking Line’s Head of Sales and Marketing in Finland and the Baltics.

Starting in February, it will also be possible to enjoy a quiet meal in a first-class restaurant on the Tallinn route, when the new à la carte restaurant Wine & Dine opens on board Viking XPRS.

By late March, the vessel’s entertainment facilities will get a facelift thanks to a modernization of the multifunctional Red Rose restaurant. This will include a new stage, smoother cashier logistics and a broader range of café products as well as a larger playroom in order to make the voyage more enjoyable for younger passengers as well.

Passengers will be pleased with the new Fashion Shop that opens in February. It will offer a diverse selection of fashion goods, such as clothing, jewellery, watches and shoes. In addition to these investments in restaurant and shopping choices, Viking XPRS is also modernizing the foyer of the conference department, while the number of seats on the outdoor decks will be expanded with handsome new furniture.

One reason for the modernisation of the Viking XPRS is Viking Line’s growing passenger volume on the Helsinki–Tallinn route. The number of passengers rose last year to more than two million, among other things because the two Helsinki-Stockholm service units, Mariella and Gabriella were placed in service for extra daytime sailings to and from Tallinn during the summer season.

This increase in capacity helped Viking Line set an all-time record of 6.6 million passenger journeys on its vessels during 2014. The company will be adding extra capacity on the Helsinki−Tallinn route again in the summer of 2015, Viking Line concluded.

Star Cruises to homeport two ships in Kaohsiung

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2015 04 February 2015

Star Cruises has announced its decision to homeport its two current biggest vessels in the Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung during the coming season. Alan Lam reports.

The Asia Pacific focused cruise line has decided to homeport its SuperStar Aquarius and SuperStar Virgo in Kaohsiung, which has been making great efforts in wooing cruise business in recent years. SuperStar Aquarius will begin its homeport deployment in Kaohsiung in March, while SuperStar Virgo will be dual-homeporting in Kaohsiung and Hong Kong. The two ships will offer 32 voyages and are expected to carry about 60,000 passengers during the season.

With its emphasis firmly on Greater China and South East Asia, Star Cruises has major expansion plans, which include new deployment strategies. The company, with two mega liners currently under construction in Germany, is well known for its flexible and fluid deployment choices. This is key to its success as the pattern of cruise business in the region is constantly changing.

Like the Mainland Chinese, the Taiwanese have embraced ocean cruising in recent years. Most of them choose to cruise to nearby Far Eastern destinations, such as Hong Kong, Vietnam, China, South Korea and Japan. Star Cruises responses effectively to this growing demand.

In 2014, the company offered 28 voyages in and out of Kaohsiung, representing for about 60% of the total cruise traffic to and from this southern Taiwanese city.

The city and port authorities are delighted by the cruise line’s latest decision, which will go some way towards redressing the industry’s disproportionate focus on the northern Taiwanese port of Keelung.

Cunard Line and Blue Note Records to form entertainment partnership

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 February 2015 03 February 2015

Cunard Line, the UK based premium market unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, said it and venerable jazz label Blue Note Records have formed entertainment partnership, which will debut on Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, on 29 October, 2015.

"Guests onboard will embark on a very special Transatlantic Crossing, featuring intimate jazz performances by the Blue Note 75th Anniversary All Star Band, Our Point of View, formed for the label’s milestone anniversary in 2014," Cunard Line said on its page on Facebook.

"The supergroup celebrates the vitality of Blue Note by looking ahead and assembling leading young artists on the Blue Note roster who steadfastly continue to move jazz forward. Featuring keyboardist Robert Glasper, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland, guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer Kendrick Scott, the band’s repertoire draws from each of these artists’ own remarkable catalogs as well new spins on Blue Note classics," Cunard concluded.

Royal Caribbean International begins construction on fourth Oasis-class ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 February 2015 03 February 2015

Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and the third Oasis-class ship will soon have a new sister to welcome to the Oasis class family. Today marked the steel cutting for a fourth Oasis ship, scheduled to be delivered in 2018. The steel cutting, marking the official start of construction, took place at the STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, where the third Oasis-class ship also is being built.

The Oasis class took the cruise industry by storm with the introduction of Oasis of the Seas in 2009, featuring a revolutionary design with a split superstructure and the cruise line’s neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas. At 225,282 GRT and spanning 16 decks with 2,700 staterooms, the Oasis-class ships also introduced extraordinary “firsts” at sea such as an 82 foot-long zip line, a handcrafted carousel, the Rising Tide bar, the AquaTheater high-diving performance venue, and the Central Park with more than 12,000 live trees and plants. The Oasis class also offers amenities that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, such as twin FlowRider surf simulators, cantilevered whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, the H2O Zone kids aquapark, and the Royal Promenade, an interior boulevard that stretches nearly the length of the ship and flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques, among many others.

Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas sail alternating seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries every Saturday and Sunday, respectively from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., visiting exciting warm-weather getaways in the Caribbean. During the 2015 Europe season, Allure of the Seas will be homeported at Barcelona, Spain, for the first full Oasis-class Europe season.

Details of the two Oasis-class ships currently under construction will be revealed in the coming months.

Unprecedented collection of suites to debut aboard Seven Seas Explorer

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 February 2015 03 February 2015

Regent Seven Seas Cruises revealed details on all ten categories of suites that will be offered on Seven Seas Explorer. While each category of suite provides a unique luxurious look, all exhibit the same level of elegance, design and comfort as the ship’s premier suite, the highly acclaimed, 3,875 square-foot Regent Suite.

Seven Seas Explorer, the world’s most luxurious ship, will offer a total of 375 spacious suites featuring the largest verandas in the cruise industry. Each suite is intricately designed with lavish details to provide guests with an ambiance that exudes luxury while also offering a warm and comfortable respite. European king-sized Suite Slumber Beds with sumptuous linens adorn the bedrooms, and oversized bathrooms are highlighted by rich marble and decorative tile.

All suites onboard Seven Seas Explorer include a private balcony, with a remarkable 93 percent of the verandas extending beyond 83 square-feet, offering a spacious outdoor oasis for guests to enjoy the scenic vistas and ocean breezes in total comfort.

Catering to the varied vacation needs of sophisticated world travelers, the all-suite ship features accommodations that range from the impeccably designed 307 square-foot entry-level Veranda Suite, to the exquisite and lavish 3,875 square-foot Regent Suite. The selection of the suites on Seven Seas Explorer include:

Top Tier Suites

The Master, Grand, Explorer, Seven Seas and Penthouse Suites represent the 85 named suites aboard Seven Seas Explorer. In addition to all the amenities currently included on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, guests booked in a named suite for the inaugural Mediterranean season are entitled to complimentary business class air, one-night pre-cruise five-star hotel package, free unlimited internet access and personal butler service.

– Master Suite: With its chic Park Avenue style, replete with rosewood polished furniture and crystal chandeliers, this two-bedroom suite features a modern sophisticated and elegant design. Located at the bow of the ship on decks seven and eight, the four Master Suites measure between 1,900 and 2,100 square-feet and boast a spacious living area with a bar for entertaining and balconies up to 1,000 square-feet. Adjacent to each bedroom, guests will find ornate marble and stone bathrooms with shower and tub.

– Grand Suite and Explorer Suite: Sister suites, the Grand and Explorer Suites share a common design element with striking high-contrast emerald accents blended perfectly with the rich grey, brown and cream décor elements. Both suites feature two full baths, and living areas with rich marble mosaics, exotic woods and unique furniture pieces based on haute couture fashion. The Grand Suite ranges up to 1,800 square-feet and offers an expansive private balcony, while the Explorer Suite stretches to 1,350 square-feet and features a slightly larger living space.

– Seven Seas Suite: Famed designer Dakota Jackson created the glamorous look for the Seven Seas Suite. This suite offers between 825 and 925square-feet of luxurious space, and exudes a cosmopolitan apartment feel with vibrant golden colored ceiling accents that reflect on the plush and tony furnishings. The room flows effortlessly from living room to dining area to bedroom, with sliding glass doorways leading to the spacious private balcony throughout. A magnificent white marble bathroom sits adjacent to the oversized bedroom.

– Penthouse Suite: The sumptuous and alluring sapphire jewel inspired Penthouse Suites range up to 625 square-feet with a stylish entertainment center that separates the living room and bedroom. A marble-topped bar and intimate dining area welcomes guests upon entering the suite, as the sumptuous living room beckons them to move further into the suite. Sliding glass doorways in both the bedroom and living room lead to an oversized balcony with chic outdoor furnishings.

Concierge Suites

The Concierge suites account for a majority of the accommodations aboard Seven Seas Explorer, with a total of 140 suites in this category. In addition to all the amenities currently included on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, guests booked in a Concierge suite are entitled to one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel package, complimentary internet packages and priority access to book shore excursions and specialty dining.

The Concierge suite provides guests with a spacious floor plan, measuring up to 460 square-feet, with a unique layout featuring a European king-sized Suite Slumber Bed that faces outwards towards the veranda. The expansive balcony stretches the entire width of the room and comes appointed with plush outdoor furnishings. A decorative vanity sits adjacent to the bed and the living area provides ample space to refresh and relax.

Superior Suites

The 415 square-foot Superior Suites were inspired by the regal beachfront estate homes found in the Hamptons with cool blue, brown and white color palate. This suite shares the same design and layout as the Concierge suites with the bed facing towards outdoor veranda and looking over the spacious living area.

Veranda Suites

The Deluxe Veranda and Veranda Suites on Seven Seas Explorer are 340 and 310 square feet respectively, placing them among the most spacious entry-level staterooms at sea. The Veranda Suites feature a warm and welcoming island manor feel and boasts a separate sitting area with a couch, coffee table and a marble-top vanity.

Reservations for Seven Seas Explorer’s July 20, 2016 maiden voyage and inaugural season opened on Jan. 19, 2015 exclusively for Seven Seas Society members and will become widely available starting Feb. 4, 2015.