Damen awarded cruise ship repair contract

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 28 October 2014 28 October 2014

Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion) has been awarded a cruise repair and maintenance contract from MSC Cruises. Built in 2010, the MSC Magnifica is 293 m long and has a capacity for more than 2,500 passengers. She arrived in Rotterdam on October 20 and is berthed at the yard’s largest drydock, which is 307 m in length. The timescale is tight, with the ship expected to stay for 18 days. The scope includes extensive steelwork, cleaning, painting and replacement piping, as well as the entire renewal of the rudder system.

Khalil Benjelloul, Cruise Vessels Product Manager of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, said the Group is delighted to welcome such a magnificent cruise vessel to Rotterdam and explains that the project is certainly a challenge given the timeframe. “During the drydocking the 700-strong crew will largely stay on the vessel and they have to be able to carry out their normal activities safely, so it is quite a logistical operation. At the same time, there could be up to 300 of our workers and subcontractors dealing with the project.”

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 15 repair and conversion yards worldwide, most of which are based around the North Sea. “Rotterdam was the preferred yard because it offers the large capacity needed and additionally, the MSC Magnifica will sail straight on to Hamburg, where she picks up her passengers for her next cruise.

“Every hour is needed to get the vessel ready on time. For the cruise industry, getting the job done within the deadline is crucial. We cannot have thousands of passengers waiting. We are honoured that MSC Cruises has shown such faith in Damen Shiprepair & Conversion and trusts us to deliver what we promised.”

Bohai Ferry to launch cruise itinerary from Shanghai

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 28 October 2014 28 October 2014

Following the success of its initial four-night cruise itinerary from the Chinese city of Yantai to destinations in South Korea, next month Bohai Ferry will launch its second route, from Shanghai to Taiwan, on its only vessel Zhong Hua Tai Shan. Alan Lam reports.

The company, which has plans to acquire a second cruise ship, is keen to cash in on the cruise boom in Shanghai and Taiwan, which is currently one of the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists.

Launching a cruise from Shanghai means that Bohai Ferry will expand its operation from a secondary cruise port in China to the premier port of the country, a port that expects its cruise passenger number to reach beyond one million this year - the first Chinese port to do so. It will also mean adding capacity to the increasingly crowded Shanghai cruise harbour.

Yet it seems that Shanghai will have no trouble in absorbing new capacities, nor will Bohai Ferry have problem filing its ship. In the first three quarters of this year, the city’s cruise passenger throughput reached over 972,000, representing a year-on-year increase of 61.6%. A big proportion of this number can be attributed to cruises involving Taiwan as a destination.

However, this decision, in a booming cruise business of the region, is not without its obstacles: after much behind-the-scene lobbying effort, the industry has failed to secure visa-on-arrival advantage for Chinese cruise passengers arriving in Taiwan. The authority in Taiwan, which is normally very relaxed about visitors from other countries, made a conscious decision not to allow this privilege to be extended to Chinese visitors from the Mainland.

On the other hand, the Chinese government is reportedly looking into extending the 72-hour visa exemption scheme to the cruise industry. But it is not clear, at this stage, if Taiwanese visitors will be included in this plan. In the past two years, the programme has been available to visitor arriving by air to a number of major cities in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Dalian

 

Interior design of new Costa Diadema represents "sophisticated, contemporary approach"

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 27 October 2014 27 October 2014

Costa Crociere, the Italian unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, has taken delivery of Costa Diadema, its largest ship so far while the interior design philosophy represents "sophisticated, contemporary approach," the company said in a statement.

The design philosophy of Costa Diadema is an evolution of Joe Farcus' style: new functions and circulation patterns were created for Costa Diadema, as well as a new ship layout, giving guests the possibility to experience something unlike any other cruise ship, Costa said. Farcus, who lives in Miami, has designed the interiors of Costa newbuildings since Costa Atlantica in 2000.

"The design philosophy is a sophisticated contemporary approach," said Farcus. "We have been trying to create special designs, which affect the emotions of the guests indicating to them they are sailing in a very special environment created for their leisure and delivering them to a dream destination."

"What guests on the quay will notice first is the ship’s added height resulting from an added deck. The top area has been expanded and there will be more areas dedicated to sunbathing and sports as well as a children’s park and pool. Furthermore, the bow and stern have been redesigned giving a more streamlined appearance. However the most notable feature will be the wide, open promenade that wraps around the ship on deck 5."

From Costa Diadema’s outdoor promenade, it will be possible to enjoy a spectacular view of the sea. With the longest promenade of the fleet, it features a yacht-like design and will offer a 500 metre walk around all four sides of the ship. Bars and restaurants overlooking it will add to the atmosphere of a Mediterranean summer outdoors.

The interior design of Costa Diadema exhibits stylish décor with an Italian touch. Ninety per cent of the chairs on board are products of Italian designers. Refined details are present in each corner of Costa Diadema, like the glass mosaics that tastefully decorate many areas of the flagship, including the open-air promenade and the Pizzeria. Chic details are present in other spaces like the Samsara Restaurant, where the striped marble wall includes art recesses with artworks inspired by Japanese theatrical masks. Moreover, the onboard Casino features golden walls where small light bulbs light the room giving a sparkling effect.

The 'Eliodoro Atrium' is the first place guests will see when getting on board. It is a crossroad for everyone and the busiest, liveliest place of the ship. It is a grand sight especially for guests descending in one of the four panoramic lifts. Cascading droplets of light resembling real jewels, curvy, wavy designs, mother-of-pearl decorations and the marble help create a three-dimensional, fluidic effect that reflects the modernity and grandiosity of Costa Diadema.

The main pool area, Lido Diana on deck 10, is a place where guests can comfortably sunbathe on the luxurious water sofas, built into the pool on at both sides. The white fiberglass walls trimmed in teak wood add a luxurious yacht-like appearance to the open-air promenade on deck 5.

The shopping area, on deck 4, is the largest ever on any Costa’s ship. The space extends beam to beam on the ship with a walkway running through it. "We have worked very closely with Costa’s shop experts to create a layout of the highest standard for today’s shopping trends to give the guests the most pleasant shopping experience second to none ashore," says Joseph Farcus. "We even have a dedicated Portobello Road area for super sale events and merchandise, adding to the unique shopping experience this ship offers."

As well as the wrap-around promenade, Deck 5 includes a variety of dining venues. At the Birreria Dresden Garden, for instance, guests can experience a beer garden on the water, with a décor that uses rustic wood. Also on Deck 5 is the Japanese Teppenyaki restaurant, where chefs cook on a grill while guests watch, sat at the polished granite counter so that they can experience Japanese cuisine in a distinctive and social setting. For those wanting something sophisticated to drink, the Costa Diadema offers Vinoteca Grand Duca di Toscana and the Bollicine Bar. Other dining options include the exclusive Samsara Restaurant, and the à la carte Diadema Club Restaurant. Furthermore, children will love indulging at the Gelateria Amarilla, Costa said.

New venture to offer cruises around Iceland

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 23 October 2014 23 October 2014

A new cruise line in Iceland offering circumnavigations of the country is set to begin operations from the 2015  summer, a media report says. Called

ProCruises, the line is a subsidiary of large Icelandic tour operator Iceland ProTravel and will initially offer six departures of a 10-day itinerary from June to August plus two 12-day cruises in late August, the report on Cruise Weekly, an Australian cruise industry website said.

The line’s fleet will comprise two ships in the 224-passenger Ocean Diamond, formerly of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, and Le Diamant, which previously sailed as part of the Ponant fleet. Voyage prices start from US$2,050, the report said.