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Windstar Cruises announces deployment through Summer 2025

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 May 2023 11 May 2023

Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has released its sailing schedule through summer of 2025, with several key deployment moves for its fleet of six ships including three all-suite motor yachts and three classic sailing yachts.

“People are spending more and traveling longer, and they are taking notice of the tremendous value that a Windstar cruise provides,” says Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “Our new deployment works towards responding to those trends with longer and even more remote options in Tahiti, as well as more connections between different itineraries to extend trips in new and exciting ways.”

Key developments by region include:

South Pacific
Windstar will go beyond its usual Tahitian cruise stops (where the line has sailed for more than 35 years and is considered to be the small ship expert) to the extremely remote Marquesas Islands on the brand-new, 14-day Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas in 2024 and 2025 aboard all-suite, 312-guest Star Breeze. The cruise accesses the Tuamotu Islands of Fakarava and Rangiroa en route to and from the Marquesas, where the yacht spends time in Omoa, Fatu Hiva; Atuona, Hiva Oa; and Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, ending with the Society Islands of Tahaa, Bora Bora (an overnight), Moorea, and Papeete. Prelog says, “We’ve been hearing from travel advisors and guests that they want us to offer different cruises in Tahiti, and we’re pleased to be able to take them beyond the more expected locales to far-flung islands that have fewer than 1,000 residents.”

Canary Islands
Windstar will launch new cruises in the Canary Islands beginning in 2024 on all-suite, 312-guest Star Pride. The eight-day Captivating Canary Islands from Lisbon to Las Palmas includes time on Madeira, as well as overnights in Funchal and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

In 2025, two new itineraries in the region include the 10-day Canary Island Idyll and 8-day Colorful Canary Islands with overnights or late nights to take in the renowned nightlife.

Mediterranean
Debuting in July of 2024, Adriatic Icons & Venetian Treasures is a nine-day roundtrip cruise from Venice on board 148-guest motorized sailing yacht Wind Spirit.

Central and South America
Starting winter 2024, a new seven-day Naturally Costa Rica cruise includes inaugural calls to enjoy the unspoiled Pacific coastline in San Juan del Sur and Corinto, Nicaragua. The new option, on 148-passenger motorized sailing yacht Wind Star, easily combines with a Panama Canal itinerary for a 14-day adventure in the region.

Middle East
Windstar is excited to introduce its guests to the Middle East with first-ever itineraries beginning November 2023 on all-suite, 312-passenger Star Legend, taking guests to sites from world religions to Egyptian temples, Bedouin villages, and oil-rich cities that have risen from the desert over the past few decades.

Sail dates are now listed into spring of 2025, with 12 different itineraries to choose from. Indicative options include:

– (10 days) from Dubai, UAE to Muscat, Oman and the reverse (with ports in UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman).
• Note November 23 will feature optional tickets to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (a Windstar exclusive)
• A New James Beard Foundation cruise has been added to the 2/1/24 sail date, guest chef TBD
– (9 days) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Aqaba, (Petra) Jordan and the reverse (with ports in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan)
– (18 days) from Athens, Greece to Dubai, UAE (with ports in Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and UAE)

Timed with the announcement is a new, limited-time offer where guests booking 2025 cruises in Europe, Tahiti, and Canada/New England receive a $100 per guest shipboard credit AND a free upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares, which means unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails; Wi-Fi; and gratuities. The offer expires July 5, 2023. More details at https://www.windstarcruises.com/specials/.

Vista named at Valletta Cruise Port

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 May 2023 11 May 2023

Oceania Cruises, the destination-focused cruise line, has named its newest ship, Vista, at Valletta Cruise Port (Malta) on May 8.

The 1,200-passenger Vista is the line’s first new ship in more than a decade. Valletta Cruise Port ids part of the Global Ports Holding group that is the world’s largest operator of cruise facilities in the world.

An international organising team with the support of local representatives SMS Group, Malta Tourism Authority and Valletta Cruise Port worked on a line-up of celebratory events to mark this day, involving tens of suppliers brought in specifically for the event: from AV suppliers and set builders to florists and makeup artists and hairdressers.

“We would like to congratulate Oceania Cruises on this momentous day. This is a proud moment for Valletta and Malta, and we are pleased to be have been entrusted with hosting the naming ceremony of such an anticipated ship in our historical Grand Harbour. The Capital City of Valletta served as the best possible backdrop for this event”, commented Stephen Xuereb COO of Global Ports Holding and CEO of Valletta Cruise Port, in a statement.

A traditional plaque exchange was held early in the day aboard the Vista between local port authorities and Captain Luca Manzi. At 241 meters long and more than 67,000 tons, Vista offers a staffing ratio with two crew members for every three guests.

Mystic transfers World Voyager from Nicko to Atlas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 May 2023 11 May 2023

Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced World Voyager, the third vessel in the line’s Explorer Class expedition fleet. The 198-guest expedition yacht, sister ship to Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Traveller and World Navigator, begins its inaugural deployment for the 2023/24 Antarctica season following an October naming ceremony.

With the additional deployment of World Voyager, marking three expedition yachts for the 2023/24 Antarctica season, Atlas Ocean Voyages will now include a Fly and Cruise Expeditions option for the first time. This offering includes air departures from Punta Arenas, Chile, expediting the Drake Passage crossing with direct charter flights to Chile's Eduardo Frei Montalva air base on King George Island, Antarctica. Featured are two new five-day round trips from King George Island and four new one-way Drake expeditions of seven nights from King George Island or Ushuaia, Argentina. The one-way expeditions include charter flights from Punta Arenas to King George Island and Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Plus, guests will receive a complimentary pre-cruise hotel night on all expeditions and a post-cruise hotel night on all journeys ending in Punta Arenas. In addition to the Fly and Cruise Expeditions, a collection of ten 9- to 11-night expeditions from Ushuaia will be offered. All expeditions will go on sale on Tuesday, May 16, at 9 am EST, with waitlist options available beginning today. View the preview voyage calendar here.

“Demand for our two expedition yachts in Antarctica surpassed all expectations, and we are delighted to add capacity for exploring the world’s seventh continent during the upcoming 2023 season,” said James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “As our valued travel advisor partners and guests request more year-round expedition experiences, we look forward to welcoming a third expedition vessel to the Atlas Ocean Voyages fleet a full year earlier than originally planned.”

World Voyager is among the most advanced and safest expedition yachts like her Atlas fleet mates. The Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified vessel features two Rolls Royce 9,000 kw hybrid diesel/electric engines and incorporates 3D forward-looking sonar (FLS) technology to detect underwater hazards, obstacles, and shallows. The state-of-the-art system enables the ship to navigate ice fields, harbors, and rivers for convenient access to city centers, exclusive yacht harbors, and rarely visited destinations.

Originally delivered in 2020, plans call for World Voyager to undergo a style refresh before joining the Atlas fleet. She will debut with elegance and sophistication reminiscent of the Scandinavian style. This Nordic chic design accentuates light ash wood tones and stylish contrasts of marble accents throughout accommodations and social spaces. Such attention to detail creates an open and airy atmosphere that invites explorers to unwind in a warm, comfortable atmosphere on board. Spacious suites and staterooms offer five-star comfort and convenience and feature traditional maritime design cues like rich wood veneers complemented by contemporary furnishings and classic artwork. The ship’s main dining room will be renamed Madeira as an homage to the breathtaking natural settings, crystal-clear waters, and centuries-old traditions of the Portuguese archipelago. Similarly, the lecture hall where Expedition Team members host illustrated enrichment talks will be named Ferdinand Magellan Auditorium after the famed explorer. In addition to her new Atlas navy blue livery, the existing lido grill will become 7-Aft Grill, the main lounge will be renamed Atlas Lounge, the forward-facing observation Lounge will become The Dome, and the popular “grab and go” dining venue will transform into Paula’s Pantry.

World Voyager in Turku, Finland archipelago. Photo credit: Jouni Niskakoski

Fincantieri expects cruise ship orders to resume in the near future

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 May 2023 10 May 2023

Fincantieri, the Italian company that is the world’s largest builder of cruise ships, said it expects orders for cruise ships to resume in the near future.

The company published its Business Plan for the years 2023-27 in connection with a capital markets day in Milan.

The management said the plan is rooted in a challenging context, which nevertheless bears significant opportunities. “Cruise revamp following the Covid emergency with cruise passengers expected to grow at a 6% CAGR up to 2030, leading to an expected resumption in order intake from 2023-2024,” Fincantieri said.

TUI AG’s cruise operations continue to recover

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 May 2023 10 May 2023

The cruise operations of the German tour operator TUI AG staged a strong recovery in the second quarter of its financial year due to the absence of Covid-19 restrictions that had plagued it in the same period a year earlier.

The operations comprise the joint venture TUI Cruises in Germany, which operates cruise ships under the Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brands, and Marella Cruises in the UK.

In the second quarter of 2023 that ended on 31 March, the full fleet of 16 ships was in operation, while operations were limited in the second quarter of 2022 and only gradually ramped up as Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed.

The division's underlying EBIT improved significantly to €14.8 million from a loss in the previous year (2Q22: minus €73.5 million). “Occupancy of the ships of the three brands ranged between 67% and 95% available passenger days rose by 47% to 2.4 million,” the company said.

“The cruise business continues to recover and achieved its fourth consecutive positive quarter in terms of earnings, with TUI Cruises generating after-tax earnings of €18 million for TUI Group in the period under review. For the second half of financial year 2023, the average daily rate for TUI Cruises is currently 1% up year-on-year, with occupancy 23 percentage points higher than in the same period last year,” TUI said.