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Mariner of the Seas launches maiden Asian season from Singapore

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 June 2013 02 June 2013

Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas, the largest cruise ship homeporting in Asia, has started her maiden Asian season from Singapore on June 1. The 138,279 gross registered ton ship has arrived at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore for her first call after an 11-night repositioning cruise from Dubai. She is Royal Caribbean’s second Voyager Class Ship in Asia and will be based in Singapore and Shanghai.

An official ceremony was held onboard the ship to welcome her arrival, with plaque exchanges between Ms Ong Huey Hong, Director, Cruise Division of Singapore Tourism Board, Mr Tan Chuan Lye, SATS-Creuers Cruise Services Chairman and Captain Flemming Nielsen of Mariner of the Seas. Ms Jennifer Yap, Managing Director, Singapore of Royal Caribbean said, "The arrival of Mariner of the Seas in Singapore today marks yet another major milestone for Royal Caribbean as we set to keep growing with the region’s booming cruise market. Mariner of the Seas is our newest big attraction for Asia, which has something onboard to ‘Wow’ everyone! With her Voyager Class’ sheer size and groundbreaking features such as the Royal Promenade, ice skating rink and DreamWorks entertainment, our brand is not only creating a bigger wave of interest in cruising, it also makes us leaders once again in redefining the cruising experience in Asia.”

Mr Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board said, "We are very pleased to welcome Mariner of the Seas to Singapore. The deployment of another Voyager-class ship in the region is a significant demonstration of Royal Caribbean International’s commitment to Asia. We are especially delighted that Mariner of the Seas will be sailing out of Singapore for her maiden Asian season. With our cruise infrastructure at Marina Bay and Harbourfront, established supporting industries and numerous air links, Royal Caribbean International can count on Singapore as a key gateway to grow its fly-cruise business for the Asia-Pacific region and beyond."

The 15 passenger-deck, 3,807-guest Mariner of the Seas is the largest and most exciting ship based in Asia, after her sister ship Voyager of the Seas which is also now in the region. Mariner of the Seas offers cruisers the renowned Voyager Class activities and entertainment such as the 900-seater ice-skating rink, Royal Promenade – a boulevard of shops and cafes, full-sized sports court,
in-line skating track, rock-climbing wall and mini-golf course. In addition, there is a three-tier theatre, themed bars and lounges as well as a mezzanine split level nightclub.

Mariner of the Seas also features the unique DreamWorks Animation entertainment programme. Guests of all ages can interact with ‘celebrity’ characters like Shrek and Fiona of “Shrek”, Alex of “Madagascar” and Po of “Kung Fu Panda” during parades in the Royal Promenade, character breakfasts in the main dining room and photo opportunities. Also new in Asia with this ship is the Barbie Premium Experience for girls to set sail in true Barbie fashion with staterooms decorated in true Barbie fashion and exclusive, themed activities such as tiaras and teacups party and fashion show.

There are numerous dining options onboard including the grand three-tier main dining room and buffet restaurant which serve a variety of international cuisine with a selection of Asian dishes. There are also specialty restaurants onboard, namely Chops Grille Steakhouse, the rustic-style Italian restaurant Giovanni’s Table, Boardwalk Dog House for hot dogs and Johnny Rockets 50s’ style American diner. As for accommodation, the choice ranges from the luxurious Royal Suites to the unique Promenade staterooms with views overlooking the Royal Promenade.

Mariner of the Seas’ maiden Asian season has lined up cruises from Singapore in early June of 3 and 4 nights to Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Langkawi, and 10 nights to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Shanghai. She will sail North Asian cruises from Shanghai during the summer before returning to Singapore for more Southeast Asian cruises from November till next March. They include a variety of 3,4 and 5-night cruises to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Langkawi, Penang and Phuket, a 7-night cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) (overnight) and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), and an 8-night cruise to Shanghai with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) and Xiamen and an overnight in Hong Kong. She is Royal Caribbean International’s fourth ship homeporting in Asia, following Rhapsody of the Seas, Legend of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

Fincantieri delivers Royal Princess

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 June 2013 01 June 2013

Royal Princess, the new flagship of the Princess Cruises fleet owned by the Carnival Group, the world's largest cruise ship operator, was handed-over on Thursday at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard.

Attending the ceremony, among others, was the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Vincenzo De Luca, representing the Government. In attendance for Princess Cruises was Alan Buckelew, Chairman and CEO, and for Fincantieri Giuseppe Bono, Chief Executive Officer.

The construction of Royal Princess consolidates Fincantieri’s primacy in building the largest passenger ships in Italian shipbuilding history. In fact, at 141,000 gross tons, 330 metres long and 38 metres wide, the new ship is the largest ship ever built by Fincantieri.
It has 1,780 cabins, of which 1,438 with balconies (81% of the total), and is able to accommodate 3,600 passengers, with total capacity for over 5,600 people including crew.

As an innovative prototype for a new ground-breaking class of ship, Royal Princess stands out for its new "future-proof design", not only in terms of layout and state-of-the-art performance, but also because it complies with the most recent regulations in shipping.

Among the keystones of this trend are the rational use of space, with the aim of avoiding any wasted tonnage that would otherwise increase operating costs, and energy saving to reduce emissions into the atmosphere and water. The ship will be able to adapt to every possible type of cruise, operating from Alaska to Australia, even in environmentally protected areas where navigation is restricted.

Royal Princess, 31st cruise ship built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard (13 only for Princess Cruises’ brand), therefore represents a major industrial investment, and as such is Fincantieri's best response to the world market crisis. Fincantieri has built 64 cruise ships since 1990, 41 of which since 2002. Another 10 ships are being built or about to be built in the Group's yards.

Norwegian Cruise Line launches Winter 2013-14 brochure in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 May 2013 31 May 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line says it has launched its Winter Cruises brochure in the UK, showcasing some of the line’s best cruises across Europe and the Caribbean. Britain is the second largest source market for the company after North America.

For the 2013-2014 winter season, Norwegian will continue to have two ships sailing in Europe and seven ships sailing a variety of itineraries in the Caribbean. Itineraries featured in the new winter brochure include Norwegian Spirit’s revised nine-night Canary Islands & Morocco voyage, Norwegian Jade’s new 10- and 11-night cruises from/to Civitavecchia, as well as a selection of Caribbean itineraries including Norwegian Getaway’s maiden nine-night Eastern Caribbean fly-cruise departing from Miami and brand new ship Norwegian Breakaway’s nine-night Bahamas & Florida fly-cruise departing from New York.

Itineraries outlined in the Norwegian Cruise Line ‘Winter Cruises in Europe & the Caribbean’ brochure include:

· Nine-night Canary Islands & Morocco from Barcelona fly-cruises on board Norwegian Spirit. Departing dates between 26 October 2013 and 15 April 2014 and travelling: Fly UK / Barcelona (Spain) – Casablanca (Morocco) – Funchal (Madeira, Portugal) – Arrecife (Lanzarote, Spain) – Malaga (Granada, Spain) – Barcelona (Spain) / Fly UK. Price from £759pp. Based on 1 & 10 December 2013 departures.

· 11-night Western Mediterranean from Civitavecchia (Rome) fly-cruises on board Norwegian Jade. Departing dates between 26 October 2013 and 12 April 2014 and travelling: Fly UK / Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy) – Livorno (Florence/Pisa, Italy) – Monte Carlo (Monaco) – Toulon (Provence, France) – Barcelona (Spain) – Valencia (Spain) – Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy) – Carthage (Tunisia) – Palermo (Sicily, Italy) – Naples (Pompeii, Italy) – Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy) / Fly UK. Price from £818pp. Based on 7 December 2013 departure

· Ten-night Eastern Mediterranean from Civitavecchia fly-cruises on board Norwegian Jade. Departing dates between 6 November 2013 and 23 April 2014 and travelling: Fly UK / Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy) – Katakolon (Olympia, Greece) – Piraeus (Athens, Greece) – Izmir (Ephesus, Turkey) – Istanbul (overnight, Turkey) – Naples (Pompeii, Italy) – Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy) / Fly UK. Price from £768pp. Based on 27 November 2013 departure.

· Seven-night Eastern Caribbean from Miami cruises (nine-night fly-cruises) on board Norwegian Getaway. Departing dates between 31 January and 25 April 2014 and travelling: Fly UK / Miami (USA) – Philipsburg (St. Maarten) – Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands) – Nassau (Bahamas) – Miami (USA) / Fly UK. Price from £1719pp. Based on 25 April 2014 departure.

· Seven-night Western Caribbean from Miami cruises (nine-night fly-cruises) on board Norwegian Epic. Departing dates between 1 February and 19 April 2014 and travelling: Fly UK / Miami (USA) – Ocho Rios (Jamaica) – Costa Maya (Mexico) – Cozumel (Mexico) – Miami (USA) / Fly UK. Price from £1519pp. Based on 19 April 2013 departure.

Voyager suffer generator trouble, one cruise aborted, second cancelled

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 May 2013 31 May 2013

Voyages of Discovery has been forced to cancel a departure on Sunday due to power failures on the ship 15,300 gross ton Voyager, Travel Weekly reports in a daily newsletter emailed to Cruise Business in the UK.

“A 10-day Heritage of the British Isles cruise due to depart from Portsmouth has been cancelled following the problems on the vessel on Tuesday,” the report said. This follows the abandonment of the current nine-day cruise to Ireland due to “unusual and unforeseen technical problems” with two of the four generators on board.

Voyages of Discovery, which is part of the Hertfordshire based All Leisure group, was cited as saying it was contacting passengers booked on the June 2 cruise and any affected trade partners. Passengers will receive a full refund, or the option to receive credit towards another booking for a cruise on MV Voyager to the value of 140% of their original fare.

Travel arrangements are being made to return all 487 passengers on board the vessel in Killybegs, County Donegal to Portsmouth, where the current cruise originated. “Specialist engineers are working hard to repair the affected generators. Voyager will remain in Killybegs while these repairs continue,” the company said.

The ship was built in 1990 as Crown Monarch for the now defunct Crown Cruise Line, after which it has seen service under many houseflags. It entered service with Voyages of Discovery last autumn after a refit.

Greek government's support of cruise industry welcomed in Posidonia

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 May 2013 30 May 2013

Following the success of the first forum in 2011, the second Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum was held in Athens, Greece, on 28-29 May 2013, attended by hundreds of delegates from cruise lines, ports, and tourism organisations. More importantly, the cruise part of the forum was attended by two ministers and one deputy minister, signalling how much weight the new Greek government put on cruise tourism. Alan Lam reports.

There is now an unmistakable confidence for recovery and growth in Greece. The willingness on the part of the new Greek government to help promote cruise business is unequivocal. It has demonstrated an unprecedented understanding of cruise and it is willing to listen, speakers and delegates said.

The forum also addressed a wide range of subjects; the most hotly debated ones were port and destination related. Inevitably, the crisis in Greece occupied the minds of the cruise professionals. But the mood was overwhelmingly upbeat for the future.

A Cruise Business Review correspondent attended the forum and a full report and analysis of the event will be published in the next issue of Cruise Business Review.

Cruise Business Review was also a sponsor of the event