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Gonzales named Vice President – Guest Technology & Photo Operations for Carnival Cruise Lines

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 January 2013 03 January 2013

Gabriela Gonzalez, a highly accomplished professional with extensive expertise in marketing strategy, sales and product management, has been named vice president - guest technology & photo operations for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator.

In this new role, Gonzalez is responsible for overseeing the company's photo operation as well as all guest technology efforts, including Internet and voice and data communications. She is also responsible for the development and expansion of Carnival's FunHub computer and mobile products. Gonzalez reports to Gus Antorcha, Carnival's senior vice president of guest commerce.

Prior to joining Carnival, Gonzalez worked at Progreso Financiero, a fast-growing financial services firm where she led the launch of a reloadable prepaid card to serve as a loan disbursement vehicle and alternative bank account. She then moved on to leadership roles in product management and sales within the company. Prior to joining Progreso Financiero, Gonzalez worked at Monitor Group Consulting where she focused on developing marketing strategies for Fortune 500 companies in varying industries ranging from telecommunications and biotech to beverages and toys.

"With over four million guests per year, it is extremely important that we stay on the leading edge of technology to ensure we are providing our guests with a vacation experience that is as convenient and enjoyable as possible. Gaby's extensive and varied professional experience will help lead us toward the continued achievement of that goal," said Antorcha.

Gonzalez graduated with a bachelor of arts in international relations from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and earned her MBA from Stanford University in Stanford, Calif.

Star Cruises launches new SuperStar Gemini from SCC's HarbourFront Terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 December 2012 31 December 2012

SuperStar Gemini, the newly refurbished 50,764-tonnage passenger cruise vessel from Star Cruises, set sail on a 
maiden voyage from Singapore Cruise Centre’s (SCC) HarbourFront Terminal on 28 December 2012.

Formerly known as Norwegian Dream, the refurbished SuperStar Gemini features upgraded navigational and safety 
systems; restyled cabins, restaurants, entertainment & recreational facilities and a new hull artwork, depicting the 
constellation twins in vibrant colours.  
 
This transformation enables the vessel to deliver an all-inclusive cruise experience, offering a variety of entertainment 
and recreational choices to delight its 1,532 passengers. The vessel houses 766 luxury guest cabins as well as over 
6,000 sq feet of shops selling up-market duty- free luxury retail products, a spa and health club, a broad range of
Asian and international cuisine, among others. As one of Star Cruises’ most ambitious ship renovation projects to date, 
SuperStar Gemini will homeport in Shanghai from April to October andoffer idyllic sailings to popular destinations in 
North Asia.  
 
The maiden call marks yet another milestone in a long-standing relationship between SCC and Star Cruises since 
the latter became SCC’s first cruise line customer in 1993. 
 
David Chua, President of Genting Hong Kong said: “This is an important day for us. We are launching a newly refurbished 
SuperStar Gemini in Singapore with a long-term partner that shares our vision to further develop cruise holiday in Asia. Star
Cruises’ partnership with SCC, which stretches close to 20 years, will continue to give a boost to thealready booming tourism 
sector in Singapore.” 
  
He continued, "We also like to take this opportunity to thank all our travel industry partners and media for their ongoing 
support. SuperStar Gemini is the latest example of how Star Cruises creates indelible holidays for our valued passengers. 
Earlier this year, we completed a refurbishment of SuperStar Virgo and next year, we will refurbishSuperStar Libra. Such 
ongoing effort reflects our commitment to deliver a unique brand of Asian hospitality to a growing market of discerning 
global travellers." 
 
SCC’s CEO Christina Siaw said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we have the honour of being the first to welcome 
SuperStar Gemini on her maiden voyage, and in our newly upgraded cruise terminal.”

STX Europe AS sells its 50.75% stake in Singapore-listed STX OSV Holdings. Ltd. to Fincantieri Oil & Gas S.p.A.

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 December 2012 21 December 2012

STX Europe AS says it has on December 21, 2012 entered into a share purchase agreement whereby STX Europe AS has agreed to sell to Fincantieri Oil & Gas S.p.A., subject to the terms and conditions of the share purchase agreement, 598,851,000 shares in STX OSV Holdings. Ltd. ("STX OSV"), representing approximately 50.75 per cent. of the issued share capital of STX OSV, for an aggregate cash consideration of S$1.22, being S$730,598,220 in cash for each STX OSV share.

The closing of the transaction is subject to certain conditions, including third party consents. Completion of the transaction is expected to take place by no later than the end of April 2013. Upon the satisfaction of the conditions, Fincantieri Oil & Gas S.p.A. will be required to make a mandatory cash offer for the remaining shares of STX OSV in compliance with the rules of the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines launch quarterly customer magazine

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 December 2012 19 December 2012

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines says it has launched a new, quarterly guest publication – Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Closer Magazine. "This stylish, glossy ‘lifestyle’ magazine is a combination of fun and informative features and articles on exciting ports and destinations around the world, gardening, health, well-being, shopping, cookery and much more."

An initial print run of 150,000 copies will be mailed to all members of Fred. Olsen’s loyalty scheme – Oceans – and distributed via cabins and public rooms aboard the fleet of four cruise ships, so that all of Fred. Olsen’s guests will be able to have a copy.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are delighted to be launching Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Closer Magazine and really hope that all our guests enjoy reading it. We spent a lot of time thinking of a name that adequately conveys the warm and friendly atmosphere on board our ships, where our staff remember your name and favourite tipple, and we hope that our guests will get ‘closer’ to us by contributing their own stories and photos to the magazine.”

One of the main focusses of our new magazine is the way that a Fred. Olsen cruise can transport you to over 240 far-flung, exotic destinations around the world, from even more convenient regional departure ports in 2013.”

The first issue of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Closer Magazine showcases the Red Sea, Baltic and Greece, giving guests an informed insight into places that they have never experienced before, and inspiring them to want to discover more of the world with Fred. Olsen.

Other highlights of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Closer Magazine include a feature on Fred. Olsen’s award-winning Vistas onboard enrichment programme, exploring the exciting new themes coming in 2013, such as gardening with green-fingered Charlie Dimmock and wine tasting with oenophile Jilly Goolden; Fred. Olsen’s chosen charity, the RNLI, introduces some of its hard-working volunteers in the magazine; and Harwich International Port explains why it will be such an important addition to Fred. Olsen’s cruise programme from next year.

Viking River Cruises adds Bordeaux region wine cruise to 2014 programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 December 2012 14 December 2012

Viking River Cruises has announced a new itinerary in France’s Bordeaux region for 2014 that will celebrate the senses. This eight-day cruise—Châteaux, Rivers & Wine—allows guests to enjoy the beauty and history of Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region, while exploring some of the world’s finest names in wine. Guests will sail on Viking Forseti, marking the first time an award-winning Viking LongshipTM will be deployed in France, the company said in a statement.

“Our itineraries in France have always been very popular, and we are pleased to introduce this unique new experience in the Bordeaux region,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “We have designed an itinerary that allows our guests to explore this historically fascinating region and enjoy some of the world’s most celebrated wines.”

Châteaux, Rivers & Wine takes guests on a unique exploration of the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers, through the region that has for centuries produced France's most remarkable wines including Margaux, Pomerol, St. Emilion and Sauternes. The eight-day cruise journey begins in Bordeaux and makes its first stop in Pauillac, where guests can sip the full-bodied blends of the renowned Médoc and Margaux wine regions and travel along the famed Route des Châteaux for an insight into authentic château life. Next, guests have the opportunity to explore the Citadel in Blaye and the charming town of St. Emilion—both UNESCO World Heritage sites—before continuing on to picturesque Cadillac, where they can taste the sweet Premier Cru wines from the Sauternes region. The unhurried voyage concludes with an in-depth tour of the beautiful churches, grand Louis XV architecture and charming cafes of Bordeaux.

To enhance appreciation and understanding of the Aquitaine Valley during the journey, Viking’s Culture CurriculumSM on Châteaux, Rivers & Wine has been designed with the assistance of local experts toprovide opportunities for passengers to experience various aspects of the regional culture. Guests may learn to make tender canelés, a caramelized custard pastry, observe the winemaking traditions that have made the area so famous, begin or expand their appreciation of fine Bordeaux wines with the guidance of a master sommelier, and brush up on their conversational French with optional onboard lessons.

Guests on the Châteaux, Rivers & Wine cruise will travel on the state-of-the-art Viking Forseti, which will be the newest and most innovative ship to sail the rivers of the Aquitaine Valley—and the first Viking Longship to sail in France. Recently named Best New River Ships of 2012 in Cruise Critic’s® Editors’ Picks Awards, Viking Longships integrate patent-pending* design and cutting-edge technology, including an indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace, diesel-electric hybrid engines, solar panels and onboard organic herb gardens.