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Stena RoRo places order for yet another E-Flexer RoPax vessel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 January 2024 08 January 2024

Stena RoRo has placed an order for yet another RoPax-class E-Flexer vessel from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). The vessel will be delivered in the first quarter of 2026 to Corsica Linea and will operate between Marseille and Corsica. This is Stena RoRo's thirteenth vessel in the E-Flexer series and the first to be delivered to the Mediterranean region.

"The arrival of this new LNG vessel in the fleet is a strong signal that is in line with the ambitious course set for Corsica Linea the coming years: to become the most modern shipping company in the Mediterranean by 2030. This new and highly efficient ship will be an important factor in our green transition and a part of our objective to reduce our CO2 emissions with 40 % by 2030”, says Pierre-Antoine Villanova, CEO of CORSICA linea.

The E-Flexer series is based on a concept with larger vessels than today's standard RoPax ferries, and is very flexible. Each ship is tailored to the customers' needs, both commercially and technically. Optimized design of the hull, propellers and rudders help to ensure that the E-Flexer vessels are at the forefront when it comes to sustainability, performance and cost.

The vessels' engines are of the multi-fuel type and can run on LNG, conventional marine fuel (MGO) or biodiesel. The vessels have been designed in line with future environmental requirements and, through their technical design, can meet both existing and future international requirements by a wide margin. The vessels will be designed with the classification society notation “Battery power” which means that in the future the vessels will also be able to utilize batteries as a means of propulsion.

"This ship is a further development of our previous RoPax concepts, where the focus on sustainability and future-proofing has been a top priority,” says Per Westling, Managing Director, Stena RoRo. “Through the further development and optimization of the hull shape in combination with multi-fuel engines and battery hybrid technology, ordering new vessels will be the most important and powerful measure to reduce CO2 emissions from shipping in the future".

Stena RoRo currently has 13 confirmed orders for E-Flexer vessels, as well as two so-called “New Max” RoRo vessels, at the CMI Jinling shipyard in Weihai, China. A total of six vessels will now be under construction at the shipyard at the same time. Thus far, nine vessels have been delivered.

(Updated with video) Silver Nova officially named in Port Everglades

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 January 2024 07 January 2024

Heralding a new world of luxury at sea, Silversea officially named Silver Nova during an intimate ceremony in Port Everglades on January 4, honoring maritime traditions to welcome the ‘Ship of Light’ to its fleet. "The most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury ship ever built, the 728-guest Silver Nova strengthens Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to delivering the world’s best vacations, responsibly," Silversea said in a statement.

Customary traditions

Emotions ran high as bagpipes — a customary tradition of Royal Caribbean Group — resounded triumphantly through Silver Nova’s theater to mark the commencement of the ceremony. An emotional performance of the U.S. national anthem by Rachel York followed, as well as an exclusive screening of a commemorative video to honor Silversea’s 30th anniversary, which the Brand celebrates in 2024. Reverend Sanford Sears and Rabbi Adam Watstein blessed Silver Nova. Barbara Muckermann, President of Silversea, and Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, addressed members of the Brand’s extended family and announced the ship’s Godmother: celebrated chef, restaurateur, and television personality Nina Compton. Rounding out the ceremony, Compton – accompanied by Captain Cosimo Pontillo – officially named Silver Nova and triggered a magnum-sized bottle of champagne to smash on the ship’s hull, before Liberty led guests in a toast to mark the momentous occasion.

“After years of research, development, and collaboration, we are all incredibly proud to officially welcome Silver Nova into Royal Caribbean Group’s fleet. Silver Nova is a game changer, a new vision for the ultra-luxury travel experience,” said Jason Liberty. “We will continue to push boundaries and innovate the vacation experience in 2024 with our three global brands that, together, turn the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations for our guests around the world.”

“It is fitting that we officially named Silver Nova – a truly pioneering ship – in the same year Silversea celebrates its 30th anniversary: the ship connects our history with our tomorrow, striking a perfect balance between our Brand’s refined heritage and the future of ultra-luxury cruise travel,” said Barbara Muckermann. “Launching this pioneering ship would not have been possible without the invaluable support of Jason Liberty, and all involved at Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea, and Meyer Werft. A strong expression of our brand positioning, Silver Nova will immerse guests into the world’s most enriching destinations, championing human connection and cultural discovery. For this reason, Chef Nina Compton is the perfect fit for the ship’s Godmother – her values perfectly align with those at the heart of our S.A.L.T. culinary program, and I have no doubt she will inspire our guests to engage meaningfully with the planet and its people.”

Carnival Cruise Line drives demand as Amber Cove and Ensenada each celebrate one million cruise guests

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 January 2024 05 January 2024

With its Fun Ships filled with guests from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and California, Carnival Cruise Line has played a pivotal role in helping Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and Ensenada, Mexico each cross the one millionth cruise guest threshold as they closed out 2023.

Each destination celebrated in late December by recognizing the one millionth visitor as guests and their families arrived at each port. At Amber Cove, the Collier family were the special guests, visiting from Mardi Gras on Dec. 20. The Andrus family, who arrived in Ensenada aboard Carnival Radiance on Dec. 27, marked the special milestone. In each destination, local dignitaries, ship leaders and other guests joined together to celebrate the occasion.

“This year, we’re celebrating that no one does fun like Carnival, and it’s also true that no cruise line drives demand and the tourism economy like Carnival! We’re delighted that our guests set these important distinctions for both Amber Cove and Ensenada,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. “Amber Cove is one of the best destinations in the Caribbean. Our guests love the relaxation and adventure they find here and that’s why many of our ships visit Amber Cove. Likewise, Ensenada is a quaint coastal town that has grown into a strong part of our West Coast offerings. Our guests love its rich history and vibrant culture, with the addition of Carnival Firenze joining our fleet this spring, plus some exciting plans under development, we see even better things ahead for the destination.”

Amber Cove, located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic just outside Puerto Plata, welcomed its first Carnival ship in 2015. The cruise port is an island paradise operated by Carnival Cruise Line’s parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc, and features pools, bars and many shore excursion opportunities, such as snorkeling and a waterfall adventure.

“We congratulate the Amber Cove cruise terminal for reaching one million cruise visitors. This represents unstoppable growth for Puerto Plata and its people who directly receive the benefits of these achievements,” said Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism David Collado.

Carnival has sailed to Ensenada, one of Mexico’s original seaside getaways, for nearly three decades. From historical sightseeing to thrilling ATV riding, Ensenada offers something for everyone. Carnival guests enjoy the delicious food they find in the vibrant city, as well as finding adventure nearby, learning about local traditions and exploring the nearby wine country.

“This achievement is the result of the efforts of the Ensenada Cruise Committee, as well as the Ensenada City Council, the Ensenada National Port System Administration and Hutchison Ports, and commits us to continue working for Ensenada to consolidate itself as a leading cruise destination in Mexico," said Miguel Aguíñiga Rodríguez, secretary of tourism of Baja California.

Carnival sails to Ensenada from San Francisco seasonally and year-round from Long Beach, Calif., where Carnival Firenze will soon add more options for more people to sail from the West Coast with four-day cruises visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, as well as five-day Mexican Riviera cruises calling in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Carnival Firenze, named after the city of Florence, Italy, will join the fleet in April 2024, sailing from Long Beach as the second ship to showcase Carnival Fun Italian Style experiences.

Royal Caribbean partners with Eurovision Song Contest

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 January 2024 04 January 2024

Royal Caribbean International has joined forces with the world’s largest live music event, the Eurovision Song Contest. As an Official Partner for 2024 and 2025, Royal Caribbean will bring to life a wide range of moments and experiences, including brand exposure throughout the event, host-city promotion and more.

The new collaboration will debut ahead of the upcoming 68th Eurovision Song Contest that will be held in the city of Malmö, Sweden, in May 2024, and broadcast in the 37 participating countries with millions more watching online. This will also mark the start of Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated European season with six award-winning ships sailing from eight cities across the continent and visiting a line-up of landmark destinations.

Ben Bouldin, vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Royal Caribbean International comments, “As two world-renowned brands that are known for delivering memorable moments to millions across the globe, the combination of Royal Caribbean International and Eurovision Song Contest makes the ultimate partnership that will bring to life the very best of world-class live entertainment and a fusion of cultures from all over. With more than 60 historic years of the Eurovision Song Contest, we’re proud to partner with an iconic brand that has a global audience, which only continues to grow with the popularity of an event that has become a cultural moment for so many around the world.”

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest said: “We’re thrilled to announce our exciting new partnership with Royal Caribbean International. The Eurovision Song Contest and Royal Caribbean share a passion for creating unforgettable experiences that unite people from all around the world. We look forward to making new memories for our fans and guests alike and can’t wait to set sail together on this new adventure!"

For those who love live entertainment, exploring the world and creating lifelong memories, Royal Caribbean’s 2024 summer season is a line-up of holidays that bring all three together. Holidaymakers will be blown away with full-scale shows across four signature “stages” – air, ice, water and theatre – alongside live music and comedy. With more than 50 years of experience delivering holidays with experiences for every type of family and traveller, Royal Caribbean sets the stage for everyone to make memories their way every day on holiday.

Details on how fans can get tickets to the 68th annual Eurovision Song Contest with Royal Caribbean will be revealed in the coming months.

MSC Cruises rolls out new global brand campaign

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 January 2024 04 January 2024

MSC Cruises, the contemporary brand of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, is launching its brand new global integrated marketing campaign, “For a Greater Beauty”.

The campaign encourages audiences to discover the beauty of cruising in a more conscious way with a profound respect for the ocean and the planet. Beauty, represented in the film by an alluring voice, invites the audience to immerse themselves in the world’s destinations, into nature and into wonderful experiences on and off board.

The campaign will be activated in more than 30 countries worldwide and will be seen through a mix of marketing channels including TV, out of home, print media, digital and social media.

The TV spot was filmed on board MSC World Europa, the fleet’s first ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), featuring the latest environmental technology. MSC World Europa offers an enriching vacation experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where guests can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs and the latest user-friendly technology.

MSC Cruises is firmly committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions for its marine operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide.

Created in partnership with Dentsu Creative Italy, the new campaign has been filmed by the Australian director Kiku Ohe. Known for his ability to craft compelling visual narratives, elicit authentic character-driven performances, his highly awarded film craft displays a rare depth and artistry. The production is signed by Birth.