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Freedom of the Seas completes revitalization

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

Re-emerging from a 24-day drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas returned into service this weekend to offer vacationers one of the best cruise ships for incredible Caribbean’s adventures. The ship showcased its new features to more than 1,700 of the cruise line’s value travel agent partners on an exclusive two-night sailing before embarking on its first regular itinerary on Sunday, Feb. 1.

The newly revitalized Freedom of the Seas will amaze guests with a range of new tantalizing dining options, new staterooms categories, the new retro-chic R Bar lounge, and a bow-to-stern refresh of the entire ship’s furnishings. Freedom of the Seas continues Royal Caribbean’s 45-year history of taking vacationers aboard the world’s most innovative cruise ships to some of the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean. Throughout, the cruise line keeps pushing the boundaries of cruise vacations and has been recognized with the most awards in the industry.

Freedom of the Seas is the largest and most innovative cruise ship sailing from Port Canaveral and offers seven-night Caribbean roundtrip itineraries from Central Florida’s Space Coast. Vacationers can choose an Eastern Caribbean adventure, which calls at St. Thomas, St. Maarten and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private tropical island in The Bahamas. On a Western Caribbean sailing, guests call at Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach paradise in northern Haiti.

The first of the Freedom class of ships, Freedom of the Seas also was the first to introduce a FlowRider surf simulator at sea, just one of the many features found only on Royal Caribbean. The FlowRider surf simulator still remains an icon of the cruise line, as well as the rock climbing wall, first introduced on the cruise line’s Voyager class ships. Also on the top deck, guests can enjoy the ship’s full-sized basketball court, nine-hole mini-golf course, 42-feet high rock-climbing wall, the H2O Zone kids aquapark, and an oversized LED movie screen overlooking the family pool.

Guests also have a range of nine onboard dining options offering delectable experiences, including the new specialty dining experiences like the modern, authentic and unexpected Mexican specialty restaurant Sabor; a new Chops Grille: The New American Steakhouse, offering a completed revamped and elevated menu, featuring dry-aged steak options, the finest cuts of beef available only in top steakhouses around the world; a new Giovanni’s Table serving delicious Italian favorites, family style; as well as the classic Johnny Rockets 50s-style restaurant serving gourmet hamburgers and milk shakes.

An additional 67 new staterooms also have been added to Freedom of the Seas during its recent drydock. Among the new staterooms is a new category of Panoramic Ocean View staterooms located atop the front of the ship. Panoramic Ocean View staterooms feature a floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall window to offer guests expansive, unobstructed vistas of ports and sea.

Norwegian group opens Sao Paulo business centre, acquires Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania representative

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 February 2015 02 February 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has announced the expansion of its sales presence in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with the establishment of a sales, marketing and reservations centre to support the growing demand for cruise travel in the region and the acquisition of local Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises representative.

"The company's three lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have all experienced growth in the number of Brazilian guests that have chosen to take a cruise vacation, particularly in Europe, Alaska and Caribbean itineraries," the company said in a statement. The group hasa total of 21 ships.

"Given its economic growth and the increasing interest of Brazilians to experience the world by taking a cruise, Brazil represents a significant opportunity to advance Norwegian Cruise Line Holding's international growth strategy," said Andy Stuart, executive vice president of international sales for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has acquired Firstar Representacoes, the local representative for Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises in Brazil. Estela Farina will lead the new office as general manager. The company will have its main office in Sao Paulo and a satellite office in Rio de Janeiro.

The new office provides multiple benefits for local travel partners. For Norwegian Cruise Line bookings, these include the ability to offer cruise fares in BRL (Brazilian Reais), accept payment in up to ten installments with no financing fees and an on-line booking engine in Portuguese.

For Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Sea Cruises bookings, the sales center will allow guests to pay in up to four installments with no financing fees. The office will also offer local reservations, sales and marketing support for all three brands, providing direct access to travel partners and consumers.

The local reservation center will be available to make reservations in real time and invoice directly from the cruise line. Additionally, individual travel agency sales will be recorded and recognized for performance and compensation based on production. Finally, travel partners will continue to be provided training opportunities, now on a more regular basis and directly by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd staff.

Carnival Spirit to feature marine themed children’s club

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 January 2015 31 January 2015

Carnival Cruise Line has announced in Australia that it will bring the excitement and wonder of the ocean onboard its local ship Carnival Spirit with the launch of a new marine-themed children’s club

“Giving little cruisers the chance to immerse themselves in all the fun of the big blue sea, the new Camp Ocean will replace Camp Carnival on Carnival Spirit during its scheduled refurbishment in August,” said the company that is part of Carnival Corp & plc group.

The new larger kids’ club areas will be splashed out in bright blue ocean hues, offering more than 200 educational and engaging ocean-themed activities such as sea salt art, sea shell craft, ocean bingo, and make-your-own sail boats.

Designed for children aged 2-11, Camp Ocean will feature three age-related areas including a new Penguin colony for two to five-year-olds and a Sting Ray camp for six to eight-year-olds, while nine to 11-year-olds will be able to sink their teeth into their new Shark enclosure.

Each area will have its own special features ranging from miniature play igloos for the smallest cruisers to interactive gaming stations for the biggest.

Carnival Cruise Lines Vice President Australia and New Zealand Jennifer Vandekreeke said Camp Ocean was a great fit for Australian children who had a natural fascination and affinity with the ocean.

“We can’t wait to introduce Camp Ocean to our Australian ship and watch our youngest cruisers dive in to the wonderful world under the sea,” Ms Vandekreeke said.

“We carry more families than any other cruise line in the world and we’re always trying to expand our horizons when it comes to ensuring kids, and their parents, have a memorable and enriching onboard experience – and a great holiday. While our current children’s programs are very popular, Camp Ocean will offer even more ways to have fun with its interactive and colourful links to the ocean.”

Camp Ocean was devised by a panel of experts including specialists in children’s engagement, toys, game play and even a mother of two who cruises frequently. The program is being rolled out across Carnival’s worldwide fleet.

Carnival Spirit’s current teen program will remain with Circle C entertaining guests aged 12 to 14 and Club O2 giving teens aged 15 to 17 somewhere to hang out.

The scheduled dry dock will also see Carnival Spirit receive a burger bar by US chef Guy Fieri, the BlueIguana Cantina bursting with Mexican flavours, a Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Rum Bar and an interactive EA Sports Bar.

Fred. Olsen cuts short Boudicca cruise, offers full refund to passengers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 January 2015 31 January 2015

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destinational British cruise operator, said that it has cut short its 18-night D1502 ‘Cape Verde & the Canaries’ cruise on board 880-guest Boudicca in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, following damage to the Engine Room on Sunday 25th January 2015.

Boudicca arrived in Tenerife on the afternoon of Tuesday 27th January 2015, where guests were greeted by Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, and a team from the Head Office in Ipswich, Suffolk.

A team of engineers and technicians also joined Boudicca in Tenerife, and have been investigating the extent to which the two main engines and electrical cables have been affected. Their expert assessment is that Boudicca should stay longer in Tenerife, in order for the ship to undertake all the work required.

As a definitive timeline is not able to be provided for the repairs, Fred. Olsen made the difficult decision to fly guests back to Southampton and Bournemouth, at its own expense, and they arrived back in the UK on the evening of Thursday 29th January 2015, supported by teams of Fred. Olsen staff at the airports. Alternative arrangements are being made for those who are unable to fly home.

Fred. Olsen expects that the next cruise will operate as planned, departing from Southampton on Saturday 7th February 2015.

Fred. Olsen appreciates the inconvenience and disruption that this has caused, and will also offer guests who booked with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines the following:

100% refund for the entirety of the cruise (not just the portion from today onwards)

a 50% discount voucher on any new booking for a future cruise within Fred. Olsen’s current 2015/16 programme (This voucher will be the equivalent to 50% of the value of the curtailed cruise and the future booking must be made by 28th February 2015)

The well-being of all guests is Fred. Olsen’s utmost priority, and Mike Rodwell, Captain Jensen and their teams would like to thank all those guests on board Boudicca for their support and assistance with these repatriation arrangements in very challenging circumstances. Boudicca departed from Southampton on Tuesday 20th January 2015, and called at Cadiz, Spain on Saturday 24th January 2015, before diverting to Tenerife.

Miller named Vice President of Nautical and safety Operations for Carnival Cruise Line

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2015 30 January 2015

Richard Miller, who served in the U.S. Navy for more than 25 years and possesses extensive experience in shipboard and shoreside global marine operations, has been named vice president of nautical and safety operations for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line.

In this capacity, Miller oversees all aspects of maritime safety and nautical operations for the company’s 24-ship fleet, including marine compliance, quality assurance, environmental functions and operational safety, with all shipboard deck and bridge personnel, including ship captains, reporting to him.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Rick’s caliber overseeing this important aspect of our operations,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of ship operations. “Rick’s wide-ranging experience and expertise will be of great benefit as we strive for excellence in the critical areas of safety, compliance, ship operations and environmental responsibility, among others,” Rodriguez added.

During his esteemed career, Miller served in a variety of positions within the U.S. Navy, including commanding officer/captain of a guided missile destroyer and executive officer/staff captain of a guided missile cruiser. Miller also held several shoreside positions within the Navy, including managing shipbuilding and repair budgets and, most recently, serving as chief of operations for U.S. Southern Command, responsible for directing all Department of Defense operations in South and Central America and the Caribbean region.

Miller has extensive experience in bridge resource management programs, oversight of damage control, operational and incident risk management, occupational and environmental safety programs, and vessel security. His seagoing experience has taken him throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in ocean engineering from the United States Naval Academy, master’s degrees in international affairs and national security studies, and is working toward completing Ph.D. requirements in political economy.