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Royal Caribbean introduces two more beverage packages

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

Royal Caribbean International says it is furthering its commitment to total guest satisfaction by expanding its existing onboard beverage program to include two new packages that will streamline and enhance the onboard guest experience. The cruise line is introducing two new beverage packages – Classic and Premium, which will allow guests to pay one price at the beginning of their cruise vacation and enjoy a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at greater savings and convenience for the duration of their voyage. Complementing the new beverage packages are a variety of specialty dining packages, which allow guests to pre-book the cruise line’s signature restaurants at an incredible value.

“Royal Caribbean is in the midst of an extensive revitalization program that will leave no ship untouched and includes enhancing the variety of new dining and beverage options for our guests,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, executive vice president, Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “The addition of these new beverage and culinary packages creates a seamless vacation experience for our guests, providing them with a greater selection of choices and delivering it to them at an incredible value and convenience.”

Guests interested in an alcohol-inclusive beverage package have a choice of the Classic Beverage Package for $45 per guest, per day, or the Premium Beverage Package for $55 per guest, per day, both inclusive of a service charge. The Classic features beer, house wines by the glass, as well as all non-alcoholic cocktails, fountain soda and juices. The all-inclusive Premium package features the afore-mentioned, as well as frozen drinks and all cocktails including premium brands.

Beverage packages are available for purchase on all seven-night or longer sailings and must be purchased on the first day. Guests choosing either package also must purchase the package for guests 21 years old or older sailing in the same stateroom. Packages are currently available on 13 ships and will be available on the remaining ships with seven-night or longer itineraries by early 2013.

By combining one of the new beverage packages or an existing package, such as the unlimited soda fountain package with a specialty dining package, guests will find all they have left to do is sit back and enjoy their vacation onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

Dining packages vary from ship to ship as many of the popular Oasis-class specialty restaurants are introduced throughout the fleet as part of the cruise line’s revitalization program. Some of the restaurant concepts include Giovanni’s Table, Izumi Asian Cuisine and Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse Chops Grille. Guests have the option of choosing an all- encompassing package for a full gourmand experience or from smaller packages for those looking to broaden their palate at a lower price point.

Aqua Park and 120 metre slide on MSC Preziosa

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 December 2012 12 December 2012

MSC Preziosa, the latest ship of MSC Cruises that will be named in Genoa, Italy, on 23 March 2013 will feature Doremi Castle Aqua Park and Vertigo, MSC Cruises’ longest waterslide to date and the longest single rider body waterslide on the seas, the company said in a statement.

“In prime space on deck 16, Doremi Castle Aqua Park boasts an exhilarating pathway of water features on raised platforms including sprays, fountains, water pistols and valves, each designed to splash, soak and delight in equal measures,” the company said in a statement. A drenching bucket builds suspense by filling up drip by drip over unsuspecting heads, ready to rain down from on high, while the area’s water cannons encourage mischievous interaction between friends, old and new.

MSC Preziosa’s waterslide is 13 metres high and 120 metres long, with a diameter of 900 mm. The maximum weight of each rider is 150 kg, and the minimum height is 120 cm.

Windstar Cruises reports 60% increase in bookings over prior year

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 December 2012 11 December 2012

Windstar Cruises announced December 8 that advance bookings on 2013 sailings are 60% ahead of the prior year. Based on current pace, 2013 will mark the fourth straight year of increasing revenue for the small-ship cruise line.

"Our team is thrilled with the results after all the hard work and changes.” says Hans Birkholz, CEO of Windstar. Brought on in 2010 to turn around the endearing, yet struggling cruise line, Birkholz began focusing on branding, product development, sales support and cost control.

“We have an outstanding product today. We truly deliver a unique luxury cruise experience that feels like your own private yacht while immersing you in the destination. With most of the cruise industry focusing on bigger ships, Windstar is investing in small-ship features and intimate yacht-style cruising.” said Birkholz.

As part of its private yacht vision Windstar invested $18 million in a fleet-wide renovation project, scheduled to be complete by the end of this year. Funded by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, who purchased Windstar Cruises in May of 2011, the 12-month project will enhance the guest experience from stem to stern on all three sailing yachts with updated décor, furniture, carpeting, upholstery and artwork in all public areas, staterooms and suites. In addition, 72,000 square feet of brand new, hand-crafted sails were replaced fleet-wide. Renovations on the Wind Star yacht were completed in April, while Wind Surf and Wind Spirit will complete renovation in December.

New and unique itineraries are also part of Windstar’s success. The Company has revised its entire deployment over the last three years to create new or improved itineraries with a focus on the much desired smaller ports. “Windstar is known for visiting the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world. While we take our guests to famous cities and legendary places, it’s a top priority to create voyages to engaging destinations you can’t experience on a bigger ship,” said Birkholz.

Smaller ports of call are only one attribute of Windstar’s revamped itineraries. In 2013, guests can experience exclusive, once-in-lifetime land tours offered on select voyages. On the popular Yachting the Riviera voyage, sailing from Rome to Nice, guests can experience the Monaco Grand Prix highlighted by exclusive access to Formula One’s famous race. Windstar’s Gaelic Explorers voyage, sailing from Edinburgh to Dublin, offers guests the opportunity to golf at five of the world’s greatest courses with the Legendary Links package.

“The steady and accelerating increase in bookings is validation of our direction” says Birkholz, noting that he is especially pleased with the dramatic increase in FIT bookings over the last two years. “Our travel agency partners have been very supportive of our strategy with several larger agencies generating two to three times more bookings over the previous year. Travel agents know Windstar for our small-ship sailing experience. After their customer sails with us, the agent feedback is typically about our exceptional service and private yacht style,” he said.

“Windstar Cruises could not have come this far without the dedication from our onboard crew members and the team in Seattle. They’ve done an incredible job in driving demand, developing the product, servicing the guests and managing the business,” said Birkholz. “I want to personally thank everyone for sticking through the challenging times and for the dedication to our vision.”

Construction of Costa Diadema starts in Marghera

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 December 2012 11 December 2012

Work has begun at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard on the construction in the dry-dock of the Costa Diadema, the future flagship of Costa Cruises and of the Italian-flagged passenger fleet. Today’s ceremony marking the occasion was attended by Costa Crociere S.p.A. CEO Michael Thamm and President Gianni Onorato, while Fincantieri was represented by its CEO Giuseppe Bono.

Costa Crociere S.p.A. CEO Michael Thamm commented: “The construction of the Costa Diadema is a tangible commitment to the future growth of our Company. It is significant not only for us but also for Italy in general and Venice in particular. The Costa Diadema consolidates our alliance with Fincantieri, which has already resulted in the building of 10 new ships for us since 2000, worth a total of almost 5 billion euros with the creation of wealth and employment for the country as a whole.”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said: "The end of year is approaching and it's time for us to take stock. 2012 has been an extremely difficult year, especially for shipbuilding. Total global investments have been little more than a quarter of those in 2007, resulting in a halving of the number of cruise ship orders,” he said in a statement.

“We’ve done our part, by securing almost all of these orders and confirming the dual challenge we set ourselves: on the one hand, to focus on sectors that offer good opportunities for development, and on the other, to maintain our leadership in our traditional sectors. Today, as we start work on what will be another splendid ship for our friends at Costa, we’re looking to the future with a bit more certainty."

Fincantieri launches Le Soleal in Ancona

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 December 2012 06 December 2012

Le Soleal, a luxury cruise ship ordered from Fincantieri by the French shipping line Compagnie du Ponent (Bridgepoint Group), was launched today at the Ancona shipyard. The ship will be delivered in June 2013 and will be essentially more like a mega yacht in size and for the paramount attention to interior fit-out.

The ceremony was attended, amongst others, by Jean-Emmanuel Sauvee, CEO and founder of Compagnie du Ponant, Véronique Saade, the company's Deputy General Manager, Gabriele Cocco, Executive Senior Vice President of Merchants Ships of Fincantieri, and Giovanni Stecconi, Manager of the company’s Ancona shipyard. The ship's godmother was Kiki Tauck, wife of Dan Tauck, CEO and Director of the Tauck Group, a long-standing customer of Compagnie du Ponant.

The new ship, which will fly the French flag, is the third twin following L'Austral and Le Boreal, the two mini cruise ships delivered in May 2010 and April 2011 respectively. Like its twins, the new ship is equipped with the very latest in environmentally friendly technology, while its small size means that it will be able to reach ports and destinations inaccessible to larger vessels. Its interior will be designed on a "human scale" with the utmost attention to detail.

The Compagnie du Ponant, based in Marseille, currently has a fleet of three cruise ships targeting the super luxury market. Founded in 1988, it became a member of the Bridgepoint Group in 2012.

Since 1990 Fincantieri, world leader in this sector, has delivered 63 cruise ships. Another 7 ships are being built or will be built between now and 2016 in the Group's shipyards. In addition to the ships under construction, Fincantieri has recently reached two important agreements: with the US group Carnival Corporation for the construction of two cruise ships for the Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines, and with Viking Ocean Cruises for another two cruise ships.