Indonesia to ease entry requirement for cruise ships

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 12 November 2014 12 November 2014

Following its earlier announcement of a plan to lift tourist visa requirement for citizens of a selected number of countries, which include China, Indonesia has announced its intention to ease its regulations on entry permits for foreign cruise ships. Alan Lam reports.

 

In a scramble to attract cruise tourism, and as another clear sign of the growing importance of this business in the region, the Indonesian authorities are working toward reducing the process surrounding the entry requirement of yachts and cruise ships to its territorial waters. Currently this process takes up to three weeks. The aim is to shorten it to just one day - a huge and complicated step for this country’s gigantic bureaucratic machinery. 

 

Under the current regime, cruise ship operators have to apply to 16 institutions in order to obtain an entry permit, another reason Indonesia is lagging behind in the Far Eastern regional cruise business development.

 

Indonesia is one of a small number of South East Asian countries still operating a visa requirement scheme for nearly all overseas visitors. Recognising the importance of tourism to its economy, it is progressively easing control in this regard. It aims to increase it annual tourist number to between 10 and 20 million during 2015-19.

 

This latest move will be welcomed by cruise operators, as, within that country, there are a number of destinations that are of immense interest to itinerary planners.Indonesia is also of strategic importance to cruise business of the region.

Quantum of the Seas arrives Bayonne, New Jersey first time

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 11 November 2014 11 November 2014

Royal Caribbean International’s newest cruise ship Quantum of the Seas arrived into her homeport of Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ on November 10, bringing with her a wave of unprecedented first-at-sea features and amenities.  Superfast wireless connectivity, the world’s first robotic bartenders, a skydiving simulator, bumper cars, futuristic entertainment, and partnerships with celebrated chefs Jamie Oliver, Michael Schwartz and Devin Alexander, are just a small sample of what the modern age of cruising looks like onboard Quantum of the Seas.     

“Quantum of the Seas isn’t just changing cruising, it’s changing how today’s traveler vacations,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  “It’s not just how you travel, it’s the experience from start to finish.  With Quantum we are empowering our guests to customize every aspect of their journey, providing them with an unprecedented level of freedom and flexibility.”     

The official naming ceremony for Quantum of the Seas will take place on Friday, Nov. 14 during the pre-inaugural celebration hosted by the ship’s godmother, Kristin Chenoweth.

Janek Stalmeister becomes Tallink Grupp's new CEO

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 11 November 2014 11 November 2014

The Supervisory Board of AS Tallink Grupp has accepted the resignation letter of the Chairman of the Management Board, Chief Executive Officer Enn Pant, effective from 1st of January 2015. The Supervisory Board will propose to the Special Shareholders General Meeting to elect Mr. Pant as a member of the Supervisory Board and sees him as the new Chairman.

According to Enn Pant, the CEO of AS Tallink Grupp since 1996, the decision to resign does not mean he would retreat from Tallink in general. „During those 18 years I have built a magnificent company and put together a fantastic team. Janek is absolutely the right person to successfully lead the company. I will continue to participate in developing the business strategy for Tallink, just in the Supervisory Board“, added Pant.

The Supervisory Board of AS Tallink Grupp elected on 11.11.2014 the Group’s member of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Janek Stalmeister (born 1974) as the Chairman of the Management Board and the Chief Executive Officer of AS Tallink Grupp, effective from 1st of January 2015.

Janek Stalmeister said, that it is a large responsibility to guide such a powerful company. „I have worked in Tallink since 1999 and participated in the rapid development of this enterprise. With this experience I wish to strengthen the leading position of the company even further“, added Stalmeister.

Janek Stalmeister joined Tallink in 1999. Throughout the years he has been in the positions of the Financial Advisor, Treasurer and Financial Director, from 2009 he has been a member of the Management Board and the Chief Financial Officer. Janek Stalmeister has graduated from the Faculty of Economics from the International University „LEX“, Estonia, in 1999. Before joining Tallink Grupp he was the head of the External Debt Service at the Estonian Ministry of Finance from 1994 to 1997. Janek has a direct shareholding of 45 000 shares in AS Tallink Grupp.

Enn Pant has been the CEO of AS Tallink Grupp since 1996, from 1992 to 1996 he was the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance of Estonia. He is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS Infortar. Enn Pant graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tartu, Estonia in 1990. Enn Pant has a direct shareholding of 3 951 913 shares in AS Tallink Grupp.

Carnival Pride launches winter schedule of 7-night Caribbean cruises from Port of Tampa

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 11 November 2014 11 November 2014

Carnival Pride kicked off a winter schedule of 7-night Caribbean cruises from the Port of Tampa on Sunday following an extensive $75 million dry dock that added a wide variety of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations, including four spectacular Playlist Productions shows.

On its new winter schedule from Tampa, Carnival Pride departs Sundays on week-long cruises to four popular Caribbean destinations:  Cozumel, Mexico; Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan; Belize City, Belize; and George Town, Grand Cayman, or Costa Maya, Mexico. Each of these destinations features beautiful beaches, unique cultural experiences and a variety of shore excursion choices, from ziplining, snorkeling and kayaking to cave tubing and exploring ancient ruins.

“We’re very excited to launch a winter schedule of Caribbean cruises from Tampa on the Carnival Pride, which is better than ever with a wide variety of new Fun Ship 2.0 dining, bar and entertainment innovations, including four new Playlist Productions shows,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.  “Not only does the Carnival Pride offer fantastic new choices for our guests it also provides our travel agent partners with an outstanding, value-packed Caribbean cruise option from Tampa for their clients,” he added.

Carnival Pride emerged from an extensive three-week dry dock that added a variety of exciting new features that are part of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement initiative.

These include delicious dining choices like Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, the full-service Bonsai Sushi, and BlueIguana Cantina serving authentic Mexican fare, as well as innovative beverage venues like the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, EA SPORTS Bar featuring a huge 16-monitor video wall, and the poolside BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar.  A massive WaterWorks aqua park highlighted by Green Thunder, the fastest and steepest water slide at sea, along with audience favorite Hasbro, The Game Show, offering larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic games, and Cherry on Top, a “candy and more store,” were also added.

Guests sailing on Carnival Pride can also enjoy four new Playlist Productions shows – 80s Pop to the Max, Heart of Soul, Getaway Island and 88 Keys: The Rock and Roll Piano Show. The new shows are highlighted in an entertaining video hosted by popular Senior Cruise Director John Heald and featuring interviews with members of Carnival’s entertainment team and exclusive behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage.  The video can be viewed here.

Carnival Pride will operate from Tampa through March 2015 then reposition to Baltimore for year-round five- to 14-day departures from that port.