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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to operate two cruises from Belfast in 2013

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 January 2012 31 January 2012

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines says it will commence turnaround calls from Belfast in 2013, with 880-guest Boudicca making two such visits in October 2013. The news comes just a few weeks after the company had announced a series of cruises from Harwich on Black Watch, which is sister ship of Boudicca.

“I am delighted that Boudicca will be operating two exciting itineraries from Belfast Harbour in 2013. This is great news for all our guests living in the local area, as previously they have had to endure an expensive flight or long ferry crossing to reach our ships. Now, they can choose from an autumn escape to the sun or a mini cruise to Liverpool, where the ship will berth right in the heart of this vibrant city, said Matt Grimes, Director of Planning for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Boudicca will be offering a 12-night Iberian and 2-night mini cruise to Liverpool from Belfast in October 2013.

“The addition of this new regional departure port means that Fred. Olsen is able to operate a vessel within a radius of only 100 miles from 90% of the UK population, further enhancing our reputation as the UK’s local cruise line with a global choice of itineraries.”

“We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to work with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and offer the Northern Ireland public the opportunity to begin a cruise from their local port," said Joe O’Neill, Commercial Director, Belfast Harbour.

Belfast Harbour previously worked alongside Fred. Olsen in 2007, when 500 local people embarked on the Black Prince to begin their cruise.

In recent years, Belfast Harbour has invested significantly in its facilities to further develop Belfast’s port as a tourism gateway to Northern Ireland; consequently, we are delighted to see the cruise facilities now being used for the benefit of local people.”

Fred. Olsen will also be adding Harwich to its list of regional departure ports in 2013, with Boudicca’s sister ship, Black Watch, operating four fascinating itineraries from the Port in May and June 2013, meaning that guests living in the local area can take advantage of Harwich International Port’s excellent road and rail connections, and state-of-the-art facilities. Fred. Olsen operates cruises from Southampton, Dover, Newcastle, Rosyth and from 2013 also from Belfast and Harwich.

PSA welcomes CLIA safety review

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2012 30 January 2012

The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), the cruise and ferry industry organisation in the UK, says it welcomes the announcement by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) that in response to the Costa Concordia incident and as part of the industry’s continuous efforts to review and improve safety measures, they have launched a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review.

The PSA, European Cruise Council and CLIA are fully committed to working with the International Maritime Organisation, governments and regulatory bodies, including Parliament and the European Commission, to implement any necessary regulatory changes, the London based organisation said

Nobu to host “Foodie” cruise onboard Crystal Serenity

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2012 30 January 2012

Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is coming onboard Crystal Serenity this May to serve as in-person Executive Chef in Silk Road and the Sushi Bar, his speciality restaurants with Crystal Cruises. The world-famous Japanese chef plans to give cooking instruction, personally prepare dishes, take pictures with guests and sign autographs during a 12-night western European/Mediterranean voyage departing Dover on 24 May 2012. Crystal Cruises is part of the Tokyo based shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha.

P&O Cruises cancel Azura's 2013 world cruise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 January 2012 27 January 2012

P&O Cruises, the UK based contemporary market unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, has cancelled a world cruise planned for 2013 and decided to deploy the 115,000 gross ton vessel in the Caribbean instead on fly cruises.

"Based on the success of our recent world cruise programmes, we have added more world cruise capacity for 2013. Due to current economic circumstances however, we are seeing a growing preference for shorter cruises which leads us to believe that it could become more difficult to fill an enlarged world cruise programme next year. In order to recognise this situation, we have taken the decision to redeploy Azura from her scheduled world cruise in 2013 and instead operate her in the Caribbean," a spokesperson for P&O Cruises said.

In the autumn, the company revised the itinerary of the 30,000 gross to Adonia for autumn 2012, whereby the ship will sail from Southampton throughout the autumn rather than operating fly cruises in the Mediterranean.

Could Pacific Sun be headed for Thomson?

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 January 2012 26 January 2012

When Thomson Cruises’ Managing Director Fraser Ellacott said in an interview that he would unveil “exciting plans” in the next three to four months, could he refer to the introduction of Pacific Sun that P&O Cruises Australia have sold with delivery to undisclosed buyers in the summer of 2013?

“For the longer term, clearly we have a need to modernise,” he told Travel Weekly earlier this week.

Pacific Sun was built in 1986 as Jubilee of Carnival Cruise Lines and it is of 47,262 gross tons and it has 1,896 lower berths. Thomson currently has four ships thatall cater for the UK market; Thomson Dream, Thomson Spirit, Thomson Destiny and Thomson Celebration - plus one ship branded as Island Escape. These were built between 1982 and 1986 and range in size from 34,000 to 56,000 gross tons.

Thomson Cruises does not own any of the vessels but operates them on long time charters from their owners, such as the Cyprus based Louis group.