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Azamara to set sail from India

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 November 2014 24 November 2014

For the first time ever, Azamara Club Cruises will launch two itineraries from India by the end of this year. Alan Lam reports.

On Wednesday, 26 November, the line’s Azamara Quest will begin its 13-day Spice Route Voyage from Mumbai, calling at Goa, Kochi, Maldives, Colombo, Galle, and Chennai. Then, on 9 December, the ship will sail from Chennai for its second 13-day cruise across of the Bay of Bengal to Singapore, with calls at Andaman Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.

This development will be welcome by a country that has until now been largely ignored by the cruise industry. Since the brief appearance of Star Cruises a few years ago, India has hardly had any cruise activity to speak of.

As it looks on with envy at the vibrant cruise scene in the Far East, especially China, India hopes that many more brands to touch its shores. It is working on relaxing its maritime rules in an effort to attract cruise business.

The first cruise line formed specifically to serve this region is likely to be the long awaited Royal Asian Cruise Line, which is still in preparation for launch.

Mass market cruise tourism is still a distance from becoming reality in India. Azamara will suit the country’s pioneering elites. The company is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group.

Costa Crociere sustainability report shows fall in emission, energy and water consumption

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 November 2014 24 November 2014

Costa Crociere, the Italian unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it has published its sustainability report, which shows a fall in emissions and reduction in both fuel and water consumption.

The report is divided into three main sections, each describing the activities undertaken, the associated performance indicators and the objectives achieved in terms of economic results, environmental compliance and social accountability during two years period. The Report was drawn up in accordance with the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and certified by PwC Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Costa implemented various measures to deliver on its commitment to protect the environment, develop and provide opportunities for its employees, strengthen its stakeholder relations and enhance the communities in which the company visits and operates. The efforts include, among others, the review of cruise routes and the introduction of energy-saving measures on board led to a substantial reduction in emissions, while numerous projects and initiatives have been designed to reduce environmental footprint both at cruise itineraries destinations and in the sea.

Detailed information and figures can be obtained in the Sustainability Report – highlights include:

Reducing fuel consumption by 6.5 % per passenger per day within just two years
Reduction of 9.9 % in SOx and 5.8 % in NOx
Reduction of CO2 by 6 % in two years
Reduction of Energy Consumption by 6.5 %
Reduction of water consumption by 4.7 % per person per day

Regarding employability:

Increase of 9% of total shore- side personnel in 2013 compared to the previous year
14,286 people interviewed in the two years resulting in 10,284 new hires employees

"Sustainability at Costa Crociere is about preserving the environment, respecting its employees and communities. Today's report details Costa’s progress towards both its goal to reduce emissions, and its ongoing commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen. Sustainability is a core part of how Costa conducts business," the company said in a statement.

The awareness of Costa’s importance in terms of the economic and social wellbeing of the local communities in which she operates worldwide only strengthens Company resolve to guarantee effective community stakeholder engagement and contribute to local development. Based on that over 2013 Costa implemented various procedures in order to set up the Costa Crociere Foundation: its projects can be found on the dedicated web site www.costa-crociere-foundation.com.

Ponant's Le Lyrial launched in Ancona

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 November 2014 24 November 2014

Ponant, the French boutique cruise shipping company, says its fifth luxury cruise ship Le Lyrial, ordered from Fincantieri, was launched on October 23 at the Ancona shipyard in Italy. The ship is to be delivered in Spring 2015.

"After Le Boréal (2010), L’Austral (2011) and Le Soléal (2013), the launch of Le Lyrial concludes this unique series of four beautiful yachts loyal to the Ponant spirit," said the company which is owned by London based private equity group Bridgepoint. "Like her sisterships, Le Lyrial embodies a subtle atmosphere, a combination of luxury, intimacy and wellbeing which is the company’s signature."

"The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and intimate size (only 122 staterooms and suites, compared to 132 in the sisterships) make her a rare and innovative ship on the cruise market, giving passengers the feeling they are on a private yacht," Ponant said in a statement.

Designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel the ship’s welcoming contemporary interior mirrors the company’s destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation from which Le Lyrial takes her name. Shades of blue combine the luminous delicate grey-blues of the Polar ice with splashes of turquoise from Mediterranean coves.

Costa Celebration reported sold to undisclosed buyer

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 November 2014 21 November 2014

Costa Crociere, which is part of the Carnival Corp & plc group, has reportedly sold the 1987 built cruise ship Costa Celebration to undisclosed buyers.

Media reports say the 47,300 gross ton ship that was until recently known as Grand Celebration of Iberocruceros, a Spain focused brand of the Carnival group that lately had two ships. Carnival decided to close down the operation and to transfer its two ships to Costa.

The second ship of Iberocurceros was Grand Holiday, of 46,000 gross tons and built in 1985, which never entered service with Costa, however. Instead, it will join the fleet of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the UK based company that will introduce it as Magellan in March.

Riley, Sadler to new positions in expanded Norwegian group

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 November 2014 20 November 2014

Following the closing of Norwegian Cruise Line’s acquisition of Prestige Cruises International Inc., two changes in senior management of the group have taken place.

Francis Riley, most recently Norwegian’s vice president and general manager international, has been appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president, international spanning across three brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Norwegian said in a statement.

In this role, Riley will be responsible for business development, marketing, and passenger services in all international markets, including the UK and Continental Europe, along with Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa regions. Riley will be relocating to the company’s Miami headquarters in order to oversee the global business. He will report to Andy Stuart, executive vice president of international for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas.

As a result of the growth in the UK, Graham Sadler, currently Managing Director of Regent Seven Sea Cruises for UK, will now become Managing Director of the three combined brands for the UK.

Graham will oversee the UK business and have a presence in the offices located in London and Southampton. Sadler has led the Regent Seven Seas UK office since 2001.Recognising his significant contribution in developing the Oceania brand in the UK and Europe over the past 10 years, the line’s current managing director, Bernard Carter, will remain responsible for Oceania’s UK and EU business. He will report into Sadler for UK business.