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Holland America says Koningsdam to sail first season in Mediterranean

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

When Holland America Line’s Koningsdam sets sail in February 2016, the ship will first head to the Mediterranean on a seven-day Premiere Voyage and then continue on a series of 12-day Premiere Sailings through early May 2016, the company said in a statement.

"The debut cruises will explore some of the region’s most popular capitals, culturally rich cities, charming villages and beautiful beaches. Bookings for the Premiere Voyage and Sailings open on 1 December 2014."

The 2,650-guest ship is scheduled for delivery by Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy on 15 February 2016. Following its repositioning to Civitavecchia (Rome), Koningsdam will sail a seven-day Premiere Voyage roundtrip from Civitavecchia, departing on 20 February 2016 and sailing to Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kérkira (Corfu) and Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; and Naples, Italy.

“Since we announced ms Koningsdam, guests have been anxiously awaiting itinerary details, so we’re pleased to share the spring Mediterranean season,” said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line’s executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest relations. “We have a very loyal following and we anticipate these cruises will fill up quickly, so I recommend booking early.”

Following the Premiere Voyage, from the end of February through to early May, Koningsdam will cruise a series of six 12-day Premiere Sailings on two alternating roundtrip itineraries from Civitavecchia. The first itinerary calls at Katakolon, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes and Crete, Greece; Istanbul (overnight) and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; and Naples, Italy. The other itinerary visits Naples, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Cagliari, Sardinia; Gibraltar, British Territory; and Cádiz, Málaga, Cartagena and Barcelona (overnight), Spain.

Holland America Line is working to finalise details on the ship’s summer and autumn 2016 cruises and information will be released in the coming months. Cruise fares on Premier Sailings begin at £699 per person, cruise only, based on two sharing.

Koningsdam represents a new Pinnacle Class of ship for Holland America Line. The vessel will debut several innovative concepts and new public spaces and venues, while still featuring popular features that guests associate with Holland America Line.

To bring a fresh vision to Koningsdam, Holland America Line is working with Adam D. Tihany, one of the world’s pre-eminent hospitality designers. Tihany joins distinguished maritime designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten, who worked with Holland America Line on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. The two firms will create an interior that blends a fresh, contemporary styling in perfect harmony with the line’s renowned classic elegance, Holland America said.

Meyer Turku Shipyard begins steel work on Mein Schiff 5

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 November 2014 19 November 2014

Meyer Turku Shipyard, the Finnish shipbuilder controlled in the Meyer Werft group that is based in Germany, has started work on the 99,500 gross ton Mein Schiff 5 for Hamburg based TUI Cruises.

This is the third newbuilding of the premium market cruise operator and the start of steel work comes only a month after Mein Schiff 4 had been launched at the same shipyard. Mein Schiff 5 is due to enter service in 2016 and Mein Schiff 6 in the following year,the cruise line said in a statement.

Lania Rittenhouse joins FleetPro Ocean as President

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 November 2014 19 November 2014

FleetPro Passenger Ship Management announces that Lania Rittenhouse is joining FleetPro Ocean as President.
Lania comes to FleetPro with strong leadership and operational experience, having worked for Carnival Cruise Lines, NCL, Renaissance Cruises and Fraser Yachts in Executive Hotel and Technical Management roles.

"Lania brings FleetPro a combination of hotel operations and ship technical management experience, which is perfectly in line with our strategic position," says Robert Straubhaar, Group CEO of FleetPro Passenger Ship Management.

"With an experienced team in place, Lania’s primary role will be to focus on growing the business while assuring our clients that they will continue to receive personalized service in order to successfully deliver the many different brands we represent," adds Straubhaar.

FleetPro Ocean (formerly ISP) and FleetPro River (formerly River Advice) manage 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.

Fincantieri redelivers MSC Armonia after lengthening

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2014 18 November 2014

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, has taken redelivery of MSC Armonia, the first of four Lirica class ships to be lengthened at the Palermo shipyard of Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilder.

The four ship Renaissance Programme represents an investment close to €200 million and MSC Lirica spent about 10 weeks at the shipyard in Sicily, the shipbuilder said in a statement.

"The works have concerned the insertion of an entire prebuilt midship section, launched at the end of July, providing an addition of approximately 200 cabins, as well as new entertainment spaces and new technological enhancements. The impressive onboard boutiques has been enhanced with new interiors, more space and an all-new perfumery with display corners dedicated to leading brands," Fincantieri said.

The ship has left the shipyard to sail to Genoa, before heading to the Canary Islands for a 10-day inaugural cruise.

The Renaissance Programme, which was announced in December 2013 by MSC Cruises and Fincantieri, will involve also MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Opera, and will be complete in 2015.

MSC’s Lirica class Renaissance Programme follows the dry dock schedule below:

MSC Armonia (2004): 31 August to 17 November 2014

MSC Sinfonia (2005): 12 January to 16 March 2015

MSC Opera (2004): 2 May to 4 July 2015

MSC Lirica (2003): 31 August to 9 November 2015

The four Lirica Class ships were built between 2003 and 2005 at the STX yards in Saint-Nazaire, France. They are currently 251 metres long, have a gross tonnage of about 58,000 and carry 2,069 passengers. After the “Renaissance Programme”, the ships will be 275 meters long, their gross tonnage will rise to 65,000 and carry 2,680 passengers, boasting 193 additional cabins (plus 59 new cabins for crew members).

Viking Line opens first Victoria's Secret shop at sea

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2014 18 November 2014

Viking Line, the Finnish cruise ferry group, said it has opened the world’s first Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories shop onboard a ship and the first shop of the brand in Finland.

"Viking Line is opening the first Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories shop in Finland. The shop has opened today on November, 18 on board the M/S Viking Grace and will offer passengers beauty products, fragrances, panties and handbags. Victoria’s Secret is the largest retailer of lingerie and beauty products in the United States and a highly anticipated newcomer in Viking Line’s product offering," the company said in a statement.

Viking Line has previously been able to offer selected Victoria’s Secret beauty products. Now our range will become far more diverse, since the M/S Viking Grace can now provide a whole store dedicated to the brand. "Meanwhile this will be the first Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories (VSBA) shop located on board a cruise vessel. Passengers will be tempted by an extensive variety of products, including prestigious Victoria’s Secret beauty products and attractive handbags, wallets and sunglasses," the company said.

Viking Grace is a 58,000 gross ton cruise ferry that operates between Turku in Fonland and Stockholm in Sweden.