More News

AIDA Cruises to christen AIDAstella in Rostock

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

AIDAstella, the 10th member of AIDA Cruises’ fleet, will be christened in Rostock-Warnemünde on March 16, 2013. On the evening of the christening, however, Captain Nico Berg (38) will lead not one, but as many as 10 godmothers onto the stage for the ceremony. The company has invited its personnel and closest associates to be the guests of honor at the christening celebration.

The christening party on board AIDAstella will fully reflect the commitment of the company’s staff. “Holding this fantastic event right on our doorstep gives us the opportunity to say a big ‘thank you’ to all AIDA personnel and their families”, explains Michael Ungerer, President of AIDA Cruises. “Since our first new ship, AIDAcara, was commissioned in summer 1996, it has been our staff that have successfully built up the company with their enthusiasm, commitment and the proverbial AIDA smile.”

The choice of the godmother is also a first, with AIDAstella being named by not one, but ten delightful ladies! Eight female staff from AIDA Cruises will represent the different countries and corporate divisions of the cruise company, and two godmothers come from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg und the architects Partner Ship Design respectively. With this gesture, AIDA Cruises would like to extend its thanks to the two companies that have made such a substantial contribution to the success of this new range of ships and the unique atmosphere of the AIDA ships.

There will also be lots on offer for the residents of Rostock, holidaymakers and AIDA fans on the day of the christening, with Karls Pier 7 organizing an extensive program for the opening of the season at the Warnemünde Cruise Center. Music, presenters and delicious delicacies will get visitors in the mood for the exciting event of the christening. On shore, all the guests will be able to follow the most emotional moment of the evening on 2 large LED screens when the 10 godmothers break the bottle of champagne over the bow of the ship. AIDAstella will then be lit up in the starlight atmosphere of a fabulous firework display.

Heavy metal fan couple to be married on heavy metal cruise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2013 01 February 2013

A young German couple that are heavy metal fans will be married on a cruise on board TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 1 during a heavy metal themed cruise, the company said in a statement.

Marina Müller, who is 24 and the 27 year old Frank Albrecht and who come from Bavaria, were selected as the couple to be wed during the heavy metal cruise in May among candidates that had stated online their willingness for selection.

TUI Cruises has arranged several heavy metal themed cruises that have received strong demand over the years and this time the newly weds will be entertained by Doro Pesch, called first Lady of Metal by TUI Cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line to have two ships in Europe winter 2014/15

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2013 01 February 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced its Europe deployment for the winter 2014/2015 season with two ships sailing in Europe year round. Norwegian Jade will sail seven-night Greek Isles; seven-night Adriatic, Greece and Turkey; 10-night Eastern Mediterranean and an 11-night Western Mediterranean itinerary. Norwegian Spirit will offer 12-night Grand Mediterranean voyages and 10-night Canary Islands & Morocco itineraries.

“Europe itineraries during the autumn and winter seasons continue to be a very successful and popular market for us,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “We are proud to have been named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards for five years in a row and will continue to offer our guests a variety of exciting itinerary options that take them to the best ports in Europe.”

Norwegian Jade will set sail from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy during the winter, cruising alternating 10-night Eastern Mediterranean itineraries from 12 November 2014 through 13 December 2014 and 14 January through 8 April 2015. This scenic itinerary includes stops in Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey, Naples, Italy and features an overnight call to Istanbul, Turkey.

Norwegian Jade will also offer an 11-night Western Mediterranean itinerary from 1 November 2014 through 23 December 2014 and from 3 January through 18 April 2015. Setting sail from Civitavecchia (Rome), this amazing itinerary visits a new port of call almost every day throughout the cruise, giving guests the best of the Western Mediterranean. Ports of call include Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Toulon (Provence ), France; Barcelona, Spain; Valencia, Spain; Cagliari, Sardinia; Carthage, Tunisia; Palermo, Sicily; and Naples, Italy. Guests who are looking for the ultimate adventure can combine these itineraries for a unique 21-night Mediterranean experience.

From 26 November 2014 through 15 April 2015, Norwegian Spirit will sail 10-night Canary Islands & Morocco itineraries from either Barcelona or Málaga, Spain; giving guests the flexibility to depart from their most convenient homeport. This new itinerary visits Casablanca, Morocco, giving guests the opportunity to experience full-day excursions to Marrakech; Funchal, Madeira; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands; Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Málaga (Granada ), Spain.

Scot wins 2013 Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Indoor Bowls Championship

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

Stewart Anderson from Scotland was crowned as the new singles champion, in the finals of the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines World Indoor Bowls Championship 2013, on Sunday 27 January 2013. The 27-year-old ninth seed celebrated an epic 10-10, 10-9 victory at Potters Leisure Resort over fellow Scot Paul Foster, taking the coveted championship and a prize pot of £45,000.

The trophy was presented to Stewart by Nathan Philpot, Sales & Marketing Director of title sponsors, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, who said: “Congratulations to Stewart on a fantastic win. The standard of play has been very high this year and we have enjoyed some fantastic bowls. We are delighted to be title sponsors of this prestigious championship for the second year running and greatly value our close partnership with Potters Leisure Resort and its specialist company No Fly Cruising.com.

“The extensive coverage on BBC2 television, as well as on Eurosport and Sky TV, gave our cruise guests the chance to keep up-to-date with all the excitement of this championship.”

Holland America Line celebrates 15 years of delivering a top private island experience

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 January 2013 31 January 2013

Award-winning Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's private Bahamian island, celebrated its 15th anniversary this Caribbean cruise season, and to commemorate the milestone the cruise line has enhanced island offerings and features.

Guests to the island will notice five new, colorful, two-story Beach Villas available for rent during each call. The luxury hideaways boast exclusive hot tubs on the second floor and provide private accommodations for guests while they relax and experience the island's highlights. Other beach cabanas were refreshed, and the Grand Cabana received new décor and a slide from the cabana deck straight into the ocean.

"For 15 years, Half Moon Cay has continuously been recognized as the most popular private island in the Caribbean, and to celebrate this milestone we have added several new features," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our guests already rate Half Moon Cay as their favorite Caribbean port call, and these new enhancements will make the island even more enjoyable."

A new glass-bottom boat that carries 290 guests also was introduced for tours and features underwater viewing of the island's colorful reefs and sea life. The horseback riding tour is one of the island's most popular, and six horses were recently added to the herd so more can enjoy the ride.

The enrichment of the island's features extended to the Bahamian Church, which has been repainted and outfitted with new pews and interior artwork. The island's private chapel is nestled in a garden overlooking the sea and provides the perfect setting for cruise guests to enjoy a unique, romantic wedding ceremony or vow renewal.

Over the past 15 years, Half Moon Cay - with its beautiful, crescent-shaped white-sand beach and warm, blue-green waters - has evolved into an idyllic playground for cruise guests while retaining the scenic natural beauty of the 1,700-acre uninhabited Little San Salvador Island. Recently it was named best private island for the 12th consecutive year by Porthole Cruise Magazine.

On the island guests can find solitude just a short walk down the beach or rollicking fun at Captain Morgan's Bar. Half Moon Cay offers shore excursions ranging from a swim with stingrays to a horseback ride and swim. The 700-acre lagoon offers water sports on its protected waters. New amenities and shore excursions have been gradually added to Half Moon Cay over the years, always with an eye to protecting the island's natural beauty and preserving its status as an important migratory-bird sanctuary.