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TUI Cruises to host four golf themed cruises in 2015

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2014 09 October 2014

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise operator, says it will host four golf themed cruises next year.

The first one will be on Mein Schiff 2 in the Arabian Gulf from 02 to 16 February and golfers will have the option to practise their game in e.g. Oman, Dubai and Bahrain. The second cruise, which will take place in September, will take players around the British isles and includes courses in the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland and Southern England.

The final golf cruise will take players to the Canaries in November, but before that players will be offered the option to enjoy their game in various locations around the Baltic on a cruise in August, the company said in a statement.

SS United States conservancy challenge comfortable exceeds target

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2014 09 October 2014

In June, cruise industry executive Jim Pollin pledged to match up to $100,000 of new supporter donations to benefit the SS United States, the trans-Atlantic liner that captured the Blue Riband for the fastest crossing of the ocean on its maiden voyage in July 1952, but which has been laid up since November 1969.

Last week, the Conservancy announced that it was only $2,072 away from that $100,000 goal. "Just one week later, we are thrilled to announce that we have received $122,167 in donations eligible for matching -- prompting Jim to raise his initial pledge by $20,000, and match $120,000," the conservancy said.

"Our nation's flagship isn't just an historic vessel," Jim Pollin said recently. "It also represents the people of a great and determined nation that once again have demonstrated they can rise to any challenge. In response to the generosity of so many supporters of the SS United States, I am proud to match their recent contributions with an additional donation of $120,000 to save this enduring symbol of our country."

Campaign supporters hailed from 44 states and 17 countries, and their contributions ranged from one dollar to ten thousand. Every donation made a major difference, and we are profoundly grateful to Jim Pollin and to everyone who contributed. The ship would not be afloat today without this extraordinary collective effort.

Royal Asian Cruises another step closer to launch

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2014 08 October 2014

With the view of launching a luxury cruise service next year, Royal Asian Cruises has signed an agreement with the Board of Investment in Sri Lanka. Alan Lam reports.

The company, with offices in USA and India, aims to invest US$200 million to acquire and operate two vessels by 2016. Its primary targeted source markets will be Indian and Sri Lankan diaspora, as well as potential Eastern European and Southeast Asian passengers.

It is reported that the first ship to be deployed, with homeport in Colombo, will be an 800-passenger vessel, scheduled for its first cruise as early as late 2015. The company’s plan for a second vessel is even more ambitious: the ship, which is projected to enter service in early 2016, will be able to accommodate 1,500-2,000 passengers.

The company also has a five-year plan to expand its fleet to five ships, representing a total investment of US$720 million.

The initial designed itineraries will include year-round seven-night cruises to Maldives and Cochin. The line will also offer 3- & 4-night cruises around Sri Lanka, as well as 10- & 11-night cruises further afield, to Singapore and back.

Royal Asian Cruises has partnered with Tillberg Design of Sweden to craft the ships’ interiors.

Thomas Cook to open 11 cruise concept stores in UK - report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 October 2014 07 October 2014

Thomas Cook, the London based listed tour operator, said the introduction of the Cruise Concept Stores marked the next phase of the company’s transformation, underlined its investment in the sector and expertise in the cruise market, Travel Weekly reports.

"Thomas Cook has long been considered the UK’s biggest cruise retailer by volume, although cruise line suppliers say it had been focussing on other areas in recent years. Five of the stores are in partnership with Carnival UK brands P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises and the other six stores are in partnership with Royal Caribbean International," the report said

The stores are being opened in Aberdeen, Harrogate, Gateshead, Merryhill, Liverpool, Maidstone, Darlington, Bolton, Newport, Plymouth and Fareham. Towns and cities have been targeted where there is more than one Thomas Cook branch, and while they will specialise in cruise product, land-based holidays can also be booked there.

Agents in the Cruise Concept stores will be trained on cruise products and the branding inside the stores will reflect the partnering cruise line. Joanna Wild, Cook retail director, said: “Retail is such an important part of Thomas Cook’s omni-channel approach. We know holidays are important to our customers, and cruise holidays are valued for offering a particular sense of adventure and security that everything will be taken care of as soon as our customers depart from port.

“The cruise market continues to grow and we want to invest in the market in support of our great cruise partners. The Cruise Concept Stores further illustrate the company’s commitment to the high street, aiming to offer a specially tailored and personalised service to our many cruise customers," she was quoted as saying.

Guillermo Taleno is joining FleetPro as Vice President Hotel Operations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 October 2014 07 October 2014

FleetPro Passenger Ship Management announces that Guillermo Taleno will be joining the company as Vice President, Hotel Operations. Dietmar Wertanzl, Executive Vice President Hotel Operations and Guest Satisfaction for FleetPro Leisure, states; “Guillermo is a cruise industry veteran with a strong background in Hotel Operations, Product Development, New-building start-ups, Supply Chain, and Inventory Control Management. He joins FleetPro with a distinguished career from top cruise brands such as Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Guillermo is another addition to our experienced talent, with a distinct understanding of the industry that ensures our delivery of the highest ratings and service to the growing number of brands we work for ".

Wertanzl adds further that; “Michael Thomas currently Vice President Hotel Operations is planning to retire, but will remain part of the Hotel Operations team for the foreseeable future, to assist in ensuring a seamless hand-over and smooth transition.. Michael has been a strong contributor to FleetPro Ship and Hotel Management’s growth, our strong ratings and above all a successful bottom-line orientation”.

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