MSC Cruises renews initiative with UNICEF

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 21 January 2014 21 January 2014

Started in 2009, MSC Cruises’s collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has contributed to building hope for children in need around the world, the Geneva based company said in a statement.

"In the past four years, as part of the MSC Cruises’ “Get on Board for Children” initiative, and thanks to the generosity of MSC Cruises’ guests, more than €2.8m was donated to UNICEF in Brazil to combat poverty and inequality by helping ensure children in 126 vulnerable communities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo achieve access to a quality education," the c ompany stated.

 

Two third of Brits want to explore something new in 2014, study shows

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 21 January 2014 21 January 2014

Exploration is the key holiday trend for 2014 as research published today reveals that two thirds (65%) of Brits are keen to experience something new on holiday this year, Celebrity Cruises said in a statement.

"In addition Brits are proving their holiday ambition grit with over a third (35 %) believing they will be able to tick off their bucket list of top destinations to visit in their lifetime. One in ten think it is likely or very likely that they will experience them all,"  according to the research from Celebrity Cruises.  

Britain is the second largest source market for ocean cruise passengers in the world, with 1.79 million passengers last year, an increase of 5% on 2012, figures released by Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) show.

Brits are keener than ever to venture into the unknown with trips that will exercise the mind, rather than the body. The biggest holiday ambition is to visit a famous site (30%), followed closely by being able to see wildlife (25%) and experience a new culture (18%.

 "Celebrity Cruises commissioned the research ahead of the launch of ‘Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures’ – a series of unique and exclusive shore excursions  developed for those keen to add an alternative element to their holiday and really make the most of their time away. Writer, broadcaster and explorer Ben Fogle was appointed as the Celebrity Cruises ‘Destination Expert’ in 2013 to share his knowledge of the world with the cruise line’s guests and even shape the experiences they have on holiday. From life as a castaway on a Scottish island, to racing across the Antarctic and trekking the Sahara, he is certainly well qualified to advise on adventure and how to add a different dimension to holiday programmes. The new shore excursion programme includes speedboat rides and snorkelling with salmon in Norway, a gastronomic tour through Sicily, triathlon trails in Croatia and kayaking through the Stockholm archipelago."

 "Specifically Brits are keen to raise the bar, or even out-do friends and family when it comes to choosing our holiday. A quarter of those surveyed (24 per cent) choose their holiday based on the opportunity to do something and go somewhere completely different, compared to only three per cent who book their holiday based on a family or friend’s recommendation. The over 55s are the most innovative holidaymakers as 23 per cent are keen to do something different, compared to just 16 per cent of under 24s."

 "Brits’ bucket lists for 2014 reveal that we are keen to explore shores closer to home with 32 per cent opting for holidays in Europe, compared to 12 per cent in Australia and New Zealand, 10 per cent to the Caribbean and North America. Just three per cent are keen to follow the sporting hype of the World Cup and travel to South America."

Commenting on the results, Ben said, “It is really encouraging to see Brits realising that holidays can be more than a break away and an opportunity to try something different.  Many are keen to realise their ambitions to take the road less travelled and immerse themselves in new cultures and experiences. With the launch of my Great Adventures, Celebrity Cruises are leading the way in innovative and exclusive shore excursions across the globe that will add a new and exciting dimension to their cruise holidays in 2014 and beyond.”

Jo Rzymowska, managing director for Celebrity Cruises UK & Ireland adds, “Exploration and enhancing the travel experience for guests are at the heart of Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures. As Blue Monday is officially behind us and with the first payday of the year approaching, now is the time to plan exciting holidays for the year ahead. The research published today suggests that 2014 will be the year Brits truly broaden their horizons on holiday. With ambitions to tour famous sites, become immersed in a new culture and savour new cuisine, exploration looks set to be the holiday trend for this year.”

 Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures offer Celebrity Cruises guests the opportunity to embrace the spirit of exploration with excursions that include speedboat trips and snorkelling with salmon in Norway, a triathlon-themed tour across Croatia, a nature-themed excursion across the Stockholm archipelago by kayak and RIB boat and a gastronomic tour of Sicily.

 

Mein Schiff 3 to be named in Hamburg 12 June

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 21 January 2014 21 January 2014

Mein Schiff 3, the first of two 99,300 gross ton newbuildings TUI Cruises has on order at STX Finland in Turku, will be named at a ceremony in Hamburg on 12 June, the company said in a statement. The vessel is now 78% complete and construction has progressed according to plan. Meanwhile, the keel of Mein Schiff 4 is due to be laid next month so that the vessel can enter service early in 2015.

P&O Cruises introduces regional flights from seven airports for Ventura's Med programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 20 January 2014 20 January 2014

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, has added departures from seven regional airports on selected Fly-Med cruises on Ventura for this summer, the company said in a statement.. 

The direct* regional charter flights will be available, at no extra cost, on 16 Fly-Med cruises across seven regional airports including; Bournemouth, Belfast, Cardiff, East Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle and Stansted. Flights are also available from London, Manchester or Birmingham as standard. 

P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington said: “This is great news. We all want our holidays to be made as easy as possible and our new regional airport departures for the Fly-Med cruises do exactly that.  They will cut the travel time dramatically from home to holiday, providing even quicker access to the sun.” 

New for 2014, P&O Cruises is offering fly-cruise holidays in the Med on its large family-friendly and contemporary ship Ventura. Flying straight to the sunshine these cruises tick all the boxes for couples and families; excellent age-specific kids' clubs facilities both day and night, a new city to explore, beach to laze on or pool to play in every day, a fantastic choice of dining from relaxed pizzas by the pool to al fresco fine dining in Marco Pierre White's restaurant, and a new place to explore nearly every day - all in one action-packed holiday. 

A variety of seven and 14-night fly-cruise holidays are available from March to October. Ventura will sail from either Venice or Genoa and sail round the Greek Islands, Dalmatian coast, French Riviera and take in some of the region’s most iconic cities including Rome, Venice, Naples, Dubrovnik and Florence, as well as other smaller destinations including Kotor and Ajaccio in Corsica.