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Star Cruises signs long-term 'Preventive Service' contract with ABB

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 January 2013 26 January 2013

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won a long-term service contract from Star Cruises for preventive maintenance of all ABB equipment onboard SuperStar Virgo for the next five years. The approximately US$ 1 million contract was signed in the fourth quarter of 2012 and commences in January 1, 2013.

Star Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise company, has led cruise development in the Asia-Pacific region, where it operates seven vessels between the ports of Singapore, Port Klang (Malaysia) and Hong Kong. Star caters to Asian passengers as well as to North Americans, Europeans and Australians interested in Asian destinations. Its energy saving program has given Star Cruises a best-in-class status in the cruise industry.

“A lot of effort and time has been put into coordinating several small service providers to do the maintenance of Star vessels”, Mikael Mattsson AVP Marine Operation, Star Cruises. “Through this service agreement, ABB becomes our sole service provider for equipment such as rotating machines, switchgears, transformers, drives, automation etc, considerably optimizing the maintenance process”.

“The market is looking for ways to increase safety and uptime of vessel operation, while extending the lifecycle of their assets and making costs more predictable”, said Heikki Soljama, Head of ABB’s Marine and Cranes business. “ABB has responded very successfully to this demand with a wide range of service agreements that provide security to our customers’ operations and business. In ABB, this has been the basis for building long-lasting and trusting relationship with ship managers and ship owners”.

The service contract covers periodic maintenance visits scheduled when they least disturb SuperStar Virgo operations. A long-term approach to maintenance and reduction in the variable costs caused by maintenance-related actions make budgeting more predictable. Additionally, the contract ensures effective communication and transparency between Star ship-management and ABB engineers.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs some 135,000 people.

Ocean Grand to sail between Singapore and Malaysia

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 January 2013 25 January 2013

Ocean Grand, a 1991 built vessel of some 30,500 gross tons, has been placed with the management of Oceanic Group by its new operator Somerset Asia that plan to introduce the ship in service between Singapore and undisclosed ports in Malaysia, Oceanic Group said in a statement.

The vessel, which has been chartered out to Somerset Asia by its owners HTB Cruises is now in Busan in South Korea and it will then proceed to Guangzhou for dry docking. The first cruise is scheduled to take place on 1 April.

The 193 metre long vessel was built as Ferry Lavender in 1991, but it hastraded under the names ionian king and Ocean Rose prior to being renamed Ocean Grand. Its current passenger capacity of 950 will be increased to 1,600.

Cruise Shipping Miami offers registration discounts through Feb. 15

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 January 2013 25 January 2013

Cruise Shipping Miami is offering an early-bird discount of $200 off online delegate registration through Feb. 15, 2013, and $500 off on-site registration. The discount is available on both standard and VIP delegate registrations.

With the discount for registering by Feb. 15, standard delegate registration is $995 and VIP registration is $1,495. After Feb. 15, standard rises to $1,195 and VIP registration is $1,695. For those who choose to register on site beginning March 8, a standard delegate badge will cost $1,495 and a VIP pass will be $1,995.

Benefits of a standard delegate registration include three-day admission to the exhibition hall, admission to all conference sessions, admission to sponsored functions, invitation to the Cruise Lines Welcome Reception, complimentary 2013 Show Directory, conference documentation and a complimentary issue of Seatrade Cruise Review.

In addition to the standard benefits, a VIP pass includes access to all conference speakers and other VIPs, invitation to exclusive networking opportunities including the VIP/Speaker Reception, access to the VIP/Speakers Lounge, reserved meeting room availability, early access to the trade show floor, express check-in and valet parking, continental breakfast and refreshments daily, reserved seating at the State of the Industry session and lunch vouchers.

Visitor passes that provide access to the exhibition only are priced at $85 until Feb. 15, $125 thereafter and $175 on site.

Attendee and exhibitor registration and hotel-request forms are available online at http://registration3.experientevent.com/ShowCRU131/Default.aspx

For information about exhibiting or attending, visit http://www.cruiseshippingevents.com/miami.

Silversea details 'Grand Voyages' for 2013

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 January 2013 24 January 2013

Silversea Cruises, known for its luxurious cruise ships and exotic destinations, has rolled out 10 exquisitely tailored "Grand Voyages" for 2013.

Designed for the traveler who relishes a more leisurely pace, this special collection offers extended voyages from 34 to 54 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard intimate, elegant ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, featuring visits to must-see traditional ports, as well as exotic destinations that are off the beaten path.

"Our Grand Voyages are the perfect option for true travel enthusiasts who can spare the time and prefer a more immersive on-shore experience," said Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas. "You can circle South America, sail around Europe or sweep across hemispheres between Asia and the Americas -- all while enjoying the personalized luxury of our intimate ships and all-inclusive shipboard lifestyle."

Listed below is a small sampling of the Grand Voyages for 2013:
-- MEDITERRANEAN (Voyages 1326 - 1330): Silver Cloud departs September 16 on a 54-day "Three Continents Transatlantic" voyage from Istanbul to Barbados with calls in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, Malta, Italy, France, Monaco, Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Highlights include overnight stays in Valletta and Barcelona. Silver Privilege fares start at $19,476 per person.

-- MEDITERRANEAN (Voyages 5332 - 5335): Silver Spirit departs October 15 on a 41-day "Mediterranean Passage" from Athens to Fort Lauderdale with calls in Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia Malta, Monaco, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal and Bermuda. Highlights include an overnight stay in Barcelona and a two-night stopover in Venice. Silver Privilege fares start at $14,781 per person.

-- FAR EAST & OCEANIA (Voyages 3334 - 3336): Silver Shadow departs November 25 on a 40-day "Dragons, Kangaroos & Kiwis" voyage from Hong Kong to Auckland, with calls in Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Highlights include overnight stays in Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, and Melbourne. Silver Privilege fares start at $15,940 per person.

-- SOUTH AMERICA (Voyages 1332 - 1334): Silver Cloud departs November 26 on an exciting 40-day "South America Serenade" voyage from Barbados to Santiago, with calls in Grenada, Tobago, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Falkland Islands and Chile. Highlights include a two-night stopover in Rio de Janeiro and overnight stays in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. Silver Privilege fares start at $17,526 per person.

Aboard Silversea's intimate, all-suite ships, guests enjoy spacious ocean-view accommodations, sumptuous gourmet cuisine, the personalized service of a butler, and a generous selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet, and all gratuities.

Silver Privilege fares listed above are cruise-only rates per guest, based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite. All fares include Extended Voyage Savings of 5% and Fare Guarantee Program. Silver Privilege is a capacity-controlled program and subject to change.

Royal Caribbean announces complimentary premium beverage package offer aboard select April 2013 sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 January 2013 24 January 2013

Embrace the romance and serenity of a classic ocean crossing with Royal Caribbean International, the cruise line known for the world's most innovative cruise ships. For a limited time, vacationers enjoy a complimentary Premium Beverage Package for two when they book a balcony- or higher-category stateroom aboard the following four trans-Atlantic cruises, sailing throughout April 2013:

"Navigator of the Seas 15-night sailing from New Orleans to Rome (Civitavecchia), Rome on Apr. 6
"Independence of the Seas 13-night sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to Southampton, U.K. on Apr. 7
"Brilliance of the Seas 11-night sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Lisbon, Portugal on Apr. 13
"Adventure of the Seas 14-night sailing from San Juan to Southampton on Apr 21

The Complimentary Premium Beverage Package offer is applicable only for new U.S. and Canadian individual bookings made on January 24 through February 15, 2013, in balcony and higher category staterooms. Complimentary Premium Beverage Package is only available for first two guests in a booking. The Premium Beverage Package includes house wines, beers under $6.25 each, fountain sodas, and well, call and premium brands of liquors and frozen drinks at restaurants, bars and lounges when open. Offer not applicable for group bookings.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.