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Princess Cruises doubles UK agent commission to 10%

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 March 2013 14 March 2013

Princess Cruises, which is part of the Carnival Corp & plc group, has decided to increase basic upfront commission payments to agents in the UK from 5% to 10% for 2014 sailings, Travel Weekly reports in an email newsletter.

The move has been welcomed by the travel trade and Advantage leisure director Julia Lo Bue-Said said: "There are bridges to be built (between Princess and the trade) and this will aid that. This move is probably an attempt both to improve clarity about bookings and a recognition of the value the trade brings," she was quoted by Travel Weekly as saying.

However, two other Carnival UK brands, Cunard Line and P&O Cruises, have not followed the lead of Princess in this matter.

Advantage member sales of Complete Cruise Solution brands, which include Princess, have been "significantly down" since the move to 5% in 2011, when the consortium took CCS lines off its preferred supplier list, said Bue-Said.

Sukie Rapal, marketing director at Cruise.co.uk, cautiously welcomed the move, provided it did not result in a return to discounting. "It would be a huge shame if we went back to discounting," she said. Cruise 118 director James Cole said: "On the surface it would appear to be a positive move by Princess which is agent friendly and conducive to increasing sales in the UK."

Princess Cruises' UK managing director Paul Ludlow said the move was a result of trade feedback, but insisted it was not a "knee-jerk reaction" or an admission the 5% rate was a mistake. Despite Princess moving to the headline rate of 5% in 2011, along with P&O Cruises and Cunard, potential earnings were higher, as agents could earn 3% extra on the cruise element when booking flights through Princess and more by taking out a group deal.

However, these were paid after sailings on a quarterly basis. Ludlow said agents wanted a simpler arrangement so they know what their earnings are, the report said.

MSC Cruises takes delivery of MSC Preziosa

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 March 2013 14 March 2013

MSC Preziosa was officially delivered to MSC Cruises at the STX France shipyard in St Nazaire today, the cruise line said in a statement.

During the traditional flag ceremony, the shipyard’s pennant and the French flag were lowered, accompanied by the French national anthem, before Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France, formally handed the ship over to MSC Cruises’ owner Gianluigi Aponte.

Mr Aponte then gave command of the ship to Captain Giuliano Bossi, and the flags of Italy and MSC Cruises were raised to the sound of the Italian national anthem.

Erminio Eschena, General Director of MSC Cruises France, Belgium and Luxembourg, was also in attendance as well as French Minister for Industrial Renewal Arnaud Montebourg, French Junior Minister for Transport and the Maritime Economy Frédéric Cuvillier, H.E. Hye Min LEE, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to France and Mayor of St Nazaire Joël Batteux.

The honour of cutting the ribbon fell to Alexa Aponte Vago, MSC Vice President. After the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne, three blasts from the ship’s siren signalled the end of the ceremony.

Norwegian Getaway to feature all new dining experience

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 March 2013 14 March 2013

Norwegian Getaway will bring the excitement and allure of the Magic City to sea when she arrives in Miami in February 2014. At Cruise Shipping Miami today, Norwegian Cruise Line announced an all-new dining and entertainment experience, The Illusionarium. A first of its kind at sea, The Illusionarium will envelope guests in the fascinating world of magic, inviting them to experience the astonishing illusions of world-class magicians and supernatural special effects.

"I am so excited about this new magical experience that will come to life aboard Norwegian Getaway," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "The Illusionarium will be an experience unlike anything at sea today and take adults and children alike on a journey into the mystical world of magic. This is so perfect for the ship that will embody the vibe of the Magic City."

The new experience is the result of a first of its kind collaboration between Norwegian's groundbreaking entertainment team and Broadway director/choreographer Patricia Wilcox, Tony Award winning scenic designer David Gallo and veteran magician Jeff Hobson. The show's design is inspired by the science fiction of Jules Verne, the artistry of legendary magicians such as Houdini and the popularity of recent blockbusters featuring supernatural characters.

As guests wait to enter the portal of The Illusionarium, they will be surrounded by antique spell books, magical interactive artifacts and relics in a steampunk-inspired environment. The centerpiece of the Illusionarium is a 30' diameter video dome that will transport audiences to mystical places. The Illusionarium will offer 12 performances per cruise, two shows per night.

CMV’s Discovery to sail from Bristol 15 March as planned

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 March 2013 13 March 2013

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) say that the authorities have completed their inspections onboard Discovery and given clearance for the ship to sail to Bristol Avonmouth in readiness for her scheduled 15 night cruise to the Land of the Northern Lights departing on Friday 15th March.

CMV charter the 20,636 gross ton Discovery from the All Leisure Group and as part of the arrangement, the last-named company are responsible for the technical management of the vessel and the recent refurbishment works undertaken in Italy.

Technical issues precluded Discovery from sailing on its cruise scheduled for 28 February. Instead of Bristol Avonmouth, the 1972 built vessel that was previously known as Island Princess of Princess Cruises, docked at Portland instead.

Marco Polo to be dry docked, next cruises cut three days short

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 March 2013 13 March 2013

Marco Polo, the 22,080 cruise ship operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) in the UK, will be terminating its current Land of the Northern Lights cruise in Antwerp on Thursday 14 March on the scheduled arrival day.

“The ship will undergo a dry docking inspection for minor repairs to her hull after the vessel struck an uncharted object under the command of the local pilot minutes after sailing from Sortland on Saturday evening. CMV have prioritised the comfort and safety of all the passengers and crew,” the company said in a statement.

All passengers will be transferred to Tilbury and London via the Channel Tunnel or ferry by coach scheduled to arrive mid to late afternoon on Thursday 14 March.

The cruise departures 14 March and 28 March will now depart 3 days later and those passengers affected are being advised. All passengers involved in these unavoidable delays and date changes will be receiving compensation, plus special discounts for a future cruise.