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P&O Cruises Australia three ship fleet in Sydney for National Day

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 January 2015 26 January 2015

In an historic display, P&O Cruises’ entire fleet of three cruise ships will spend Australia Day berthed in Sydney offering around 6000 guests a front row seat to all the action on the harbor, the company said in a statement.

“The trio is set to begin sailing through the heads at 530am with Pacific Dawn to be based off Kurraba Point, Pacific Jewel berthing at Athol Bay and Pacific Pearl anchoring at Point Piper,” said the company, which is part of Carnival Corp & plc.

To mark the occasion, Pacific Pearl and Pacific Jewel will sport patriotic decals with the nation’s catch cry, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie”, while Pacific Dawn will be draped in giant Australian flags.

The three ships will enter the harbour at 15 minute intervals and are expected to be in position by 645am and dressed by 730am.

It will be the first time all three P&O Cruises’ ships have met in Sydney, with the display marking the third year the cruise line has been the official sponsor of the Australia Day Sydney Harbour Program.

P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Tammy Marshall said P&O Cruises’ decked-out superliners had become one of the key features of Australia Day on the harbour.

“We’re as Australian as meat pies and kangaroos so we’re thrilled to bring our entire fleet into Sydney’s iconic harbour for the first time on our national day,” Ms Marshall said.

Special Australia Day events on the harbour include the Ferrython, the Army’s 21-gun Salute to Australia, RAAF flyover, a Harbour Parade, a Tug and Yacht Ballet, a 'tinnie muster', Tall Ships Parade which Pacific Pearl will start with her horn, the P&O Cruises’ fireworks display between the three ships at 830pm, and for the first time HMAS Canberra will join the festivities in the centre of the harbour.

Australian entertainers will perform on the ships, while guests will dance the day away to Aussie music, watch Australian movies and enjoy a quintessential Aussie BBQ onboard.

Pacific Pearl’s three-night Australia Day cruise from Sydney commences on January 24, Pacific Jewel’s three-night Australia Day cruise from Sydney will run from January 25 while Pacific Dawn will offer her first Australia Day short break with a four-night roundtrip itinerary departing Brisbane on January 24.

Fred. Olsen’s Boudicca heads for Canaries after engine room fire

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 January 2015 26 January 2015

Boudicca, one of the four ships operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in the UK, is on its way to the canaries following an engine room fire early on Sunday, the company said in a statement.

“Following a fire in the engine room on board Boudicca at around 4am on Sunday 25th January 2015, sailing off the coast of Casablanca, Morocco, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines can confirm that the ship is now proceeding towards the Canary Islands, at a slower speed than planned. Guests are being kept informed of the situation at all times,” the company said.

The 28,388 gross ton Boudicca was built in Finland in 1973 as one of the three ships of the now defunct Royal Viking Line of Norway. It was lengthened in 1981 and re-engined in 2006.

Queen Victoria departs her 2015 World Voyage after multi-million dollar refurbishment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 January 2015 24 January 2015

Queen Victoria sailed past a fusillade of fireworks to mark the start of her 2015 World Voyage and show off her stunning new look. The ship set out from Southampton in tip-top form having just returned from an intensive 20 day refurbishment at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg.

Nine brand new single staterooms were installed as part of the refurbishment. In addition to refreshing existing furnishings, enhancements have been made to the outdoor spaces, beverage provision in the ship’s informal Lido restaurant and eight brand new internet stations have been installed on the upper floor of the library.

2,000 contractors representing thirty different nationalities worked a total of 600,000 man hours around the clock to replace all 215,278 square feet of carpet in the passenger areas. They also renewed all 3,167 mattresses on board and replaced over 19,685 square feet - 3.75 miles - of pipe work insulation. 2,695 gallons of paint were used inside and out, enough to paint 54 Boeing 737's.

“The results of Queen Victoria’s refit are a true testament to Cunard’s ability to respond to passenger input. We are delighted to incorporate their wish for more outdoor space with enhancements to the Upper Grill Terrace and additional areas for sunbathing. We also provided more single staterooms for our single travelers. It’s this commitment to our passengers that keeps Cunard’s 175 year heritage going strong,” commented Rick Meadows, President of Cunard, North America.

Such a successful refit depended on a great working partnership between the ship and the shipyard and throughout the refit, Cunard’s shipboard White Star service standards were observed. To sustain the workforce over its tea-breaks for example, over 317 gallons of soup – served in true Cunard style, with croutons – and 2,000 cookies were consumed daily. 80,000 teas and coffees were consumed over the 20 days.

In honour of the company’s anniversary, Queen Victoria welcomed her World Voyage passengers aboard with a commemorative flag-raising ceremony which took place at the ship’s mast. This was to hoist the signature flag for the first time on board and as is traditional, was performed by the youngest crew member, 20 year-old deck cadet Fraser Browne. The flag will be flown at iconic landmarks across the world during all three of the fleet’s World Voyages and will be auctioned at their conclusion with all proceeds going to The Prince’s Trust, Cunard’s official charity.

A volley of fireworks illuminated the sky overhead as Queen Victoria set sail. The ship’s first call will be Ponta Delgada in the Azores on 23 January before she sails to the Caribbean, transits the Panama Canal and heads for Hawaii and Australia.

MSC Cruises launches new, free, interactive mobile app

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 January 2015 22 January 2015

MSC Cruises has launched a new, interactive, mobile app for iOS and Android devices that allows vacationers to easily explore the fleet’s 12 ships and the multiple destinations visited around the world.

The official MSC Cruises app, which is free to download from the App Store and Google Play, is packed with easy to use functions, tips and information, from finding the perfect itinerary and shore excursions to 360 degree virtual ship tours in which users can view actual staterooms, restaurants, lounges, pool decks, the theatre and spa.

“As MSC continues to grow in the North American market, it’s critical that vacationers can quickly and easily get a sense of the overall MSC Cruises’ experience across our 12 ship fleet,” said Ken Muskat, executive vice president of sales, PR and guest services for MSC Cruises USA. “The new app is the perfect tool to help potential guests discover MSC Cruises and our huge range of cruise offerings.”

Functions of the MSC Cruises’ app include:

· View hundreds of MSC Cruises’ worldwide itineraries and info about the destinations and ports visited.

· Find all the latest cruise deals and news from MSC Cruises.

· Take virtual tours of the 12 ships in the fleet including staterooms, restaurants, public lounges and sun decks.

· Watch live onboard webcam feeds from each ship (including the view from the bridge).

· Save “favorite” cruises of interest so that they can easily be viewed later.

· Track the fleet in real time through a global positioning feature.

The launch of the MSC Cruises’ App is the first phase of a strategic effort by MSC to enhance the overall user experience. Throughout the year, MSC will introduce improved consumer and travel agent platforms, ultimately resulting in more consumers engaging with MSC and exploring the line’s diverse cruise offerings and travel agents having the tools to better sell and promote MSC.

For more information on MSC Cruises’ App, visit http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/Multimedia/New-MSC-Cruises-App.aspx

Holland America Line promotes Beth Bodensteiner to SVP, Revenue Management

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 January 2015 22 January 2015

Beth Bodensteiner has been promoted to senior vice president, revenue management for Holland America Line. In this capacity, Bodensteiner will lead the development and execution of all revenue management programs and initiatives that support Holland America Line's revenue goals.

She will report directly to Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.

"Since joining the company more than a decade ago Beth has consistently demonstrated a level of professionalism and expertise that have been instrumental in the company's planning and decision making," said Ashford. "This promotion recognizes not only her vast contributions, but also the great dedication and leadership she has shown in our efforts to achieve financial goals."

Bodensteiner previously was Holland America Line's vice president of revenue management and product marketing. Prior to that she was director, cruise marketing for voyages, as well as director, cruise marketing for Caribbean and North America.

Before joining Holland America Line in 2003 in the marketing department, Bodensteiner worked as a program manager with Zebra Hill Marketing in Bellevue, Wash. She holds a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Washington.