Norwegian unveils Encore's hull artwork

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 14 September 2018 14 September 2018

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed that Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, the award-winning Spanish artist, created the hull artwork for the fourth and final ship of its Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore, debuting in Miami in November 2019. 

A representation of his modern and abstract style, the ship’s hull will feature a labyrinth of color inspired by Arranz-Bravo’s life by the sea in Barcelona and pay tribute to the vibrant guest experience for which the Norwegian brand is recognized.

“Norwegian Cruise Line is a dynamic, pioneering company known for its innovative experiences and breathtaking collection of beautifully designed ships,” said Arranz-Bravo. “I am honored to not only bring that vibrancy to life even more on Norwegian Encore but also showcase my love for the ocean and my hometown of Barcelona.”

Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, played a key role in the selection of Arranz-Bravo as the hull artist for Norwegian Encore, having been inspired by his work for many years. Del Rio’s passion for the arts has helped elevate Norwegian’s on-board experience, most recently with the multi-million-dollar art collection curated for Norwegian Bliss.

“We are well-known for our iconic hull designs and know that Arranz-Bravo’s lively design will complement the colorful destinations in the Caribbean that Norwegian Encore will visit when she debuts next year,” said Del Rio.

Recognized for his inventive and humanistic approach to abstract art, Arranz-Bravo’s work is showcased throughout the world and portrays a constant evolution that some refer to as futuristic. He is highly regarded, having been the recipient of countless awards and accolades, and was one of three artists chosen to represent the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

“Eduardo’s design will be a perfect complement to the collection of hull artwork within our fleet and is a testament to the dynamic experience our guests will have on board,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are proud to welcome him to our Norwegian Cruise Line family.”

At approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating up to 4,000 guests, Norwegian Encore will complete the Breakaway-Plus class, the most successful class in the company’s history. She is currently being built at Meyer Werft, in Papenburg, Germany and will feature many innovative dining, entertainment and recreational activities that guests have come to expect from the industry-leading brand.

Following her unveiling, she will cruise out of Miami every Sunday and sail seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean, beginning with her first journey on November 17, 2019 through April 12, 2020.

Viking Line is renewing its spa services

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 11 September 2018 11 September 2018

Viking Line is renewing its spa services together with its new co-operative partner, BABOR. The German company BABOR is the market leader in skin care and pampering spa treatments in Europe and is known for its quality products and research and product development work. Viking Line offers spa services on all ship routes travelling to Stockholm.

Passengers are increasingly looking for cruises that provide quality wellness services and ways to escape everyday life. According to Viking Line’s most recent customer survey from 2017, Finnish passengers’ interest in spa tourism has increased by up to 11 %. Viking Line has responded to customers’ wishes and has renewed its spa services. After the newest additions, Viking Line’s spas will comprise a range of tax-free priced treatments and sales products, a menu of treatments specifically designed for Viking Line customers and access to the professional spa products manufactured by BABOR.

“Viking Line is the only cruise line providing spa services on the Baltic Sea. We hope that our latest changes will provide our customers with even better opportunities for a nautical spa experience. Often, customers come to our spas looking to relax and take time to pamper themselves, but we also provide equally satisfying services for those who desire fast and visible results. Our co-operation with BABOR enables us to meet the varied expectations of our customers,” explains Saara Lamont, SPA Operations Manager.

The spa services are provided on the Helsinki–Stockholm route as well as on both vessels travelling from Turku. The spa concept aboard Cinderella, travelling from Stockholm to Mariehamn, will be renewed in early 2019. The largest spa area and widest selection of treatments and products can be found on Viking Grace.

A variety of different massage options are among the most popular treatments, and requests for facials and different combinations of treatments are also on the rise. The renewed spa services will provide the opportunity to purchase BABOR products and to try out, e.g. the beauty ampoule bar, where a trained cosmetologist will assist you in finding the optimal mix of ampoules for your specific skin needs.

Ponant names icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 06 September 2018 06 September 2018

Ponant, the French expedition cruise specialist, has decided to name its 30,000 gross ton icebreaker cruise ship Le commandant Charcot after the French explorer who lived from 1867 to 1936.

“An explorer by vocation with a true passion for sailing, Jean-Baptiste Charcot is an emblematic figure of French polar expeditions. By naming its forthcoming polar exploration vessel after him, Ponant is paying tribute to this ‘gentleman of the poles,’ who was respected by everyone,” the company said in a statement.

“This choice is even more significant since this new ship will be fitted with the latest technology for minimising environmental impact, as well as a scientific laboratory for conducting operational oceanography missions and research,” Ponant said.

Bookings for cruises aboard Le Commandant Charcot will open on 4 April 2019, but pre-bookings may be made from 6 September 2018 to secure a stateroom and the early bird price. A chance to discover the Geographic North Pole (latitude 90 degrees North) or parts of Antarctica, such as the Ross Sea, Charcot Island and Peter Island, that were inaccessible until now, Ponant said.

“Gin is In” as P&O Cruises aims at younger clientele with largest ship

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 05 September 2018 05 September 2018

Iona, the first of two 184,700 gross ton LNG powered ships of P&O Cruises, will feature an on board gin distillery as the UK focused contemporary market unit of Carnival Corporation & plc positions its latest ship towards a younger clientele than its other ships.

Olly Smith, a food and wine expert that the company has been working for several years, said at a presentation in London on 4 September that gin and tonic is the most popular drink sold onboard cruise ships worldwide.

In Britain, gin sales totalled 19 million litres last year and a bar on P&O Cruises’ Britannia already stock 30 brands of gin. The continued popularity of the drink has encouraged the company to establish a distillery on board.

The ship, which will join the P&O Cruises’ fleet in May 2020, will feature a total of 95 conservatory mini suites, which will be located on the promenade deck and on deck 9 above it. These will have a sitting area that can be both indoors and outdoors as P&O Cruises’ research showed that its passengers like to spend time outdoors.

Iona is a sister ship of similar LNG powered vessels of Costa Crociere, Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises and the promenade deck conservatory mini suites occupy a location taken up by Lanai cabins on AIDAnova, the first unit of the class for the German unit of the Carnival group.

On the dining front, restaurants will range from casual to formal and for the first time, all will operate under the Freedom Dining concept, i.e. without fixed seating time throughout the cruise.

The ship will offer inside and outside dining at The Quays, a food market type venue on the starboard side of deck 7, a move that follows contemporary practice on many recent ships and contrasts starkly with the rather rigid separation of indoor and outdoor areas on the 2015 built Britannia, a derivative of Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess class.

A gastro pub will also debut on the new ship and it will feature a dry aging fridge to perfect steaks.

The company has decided to retain one formal night that covers all areas on Iona on each seven night cruise. From May next year, it will drop automatic tips charged on passengers’ accounts at a rate of £7 per night spent on board.

Iona will operate seven night cruises to Norway throughout its initial season in the summer of 2020. The company has found that while the average age of UK cruise passengers was 53 years in 2017, majority of the passengers cruising to Norway last year were under the age of 55 and in the school holiday period, their proportion rose to two in three.

Consequently, shore excursions will offer a range of activities, including kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, cycling, hiking and power boat rides in the fjords.

As the 1995 built Oriana will leave the fleet next summer, the 2000 built Aurora will assume its role as a year-round UK based ship, whereby it will join the 2008 built Ventura. Britannia will continue to spend the winters in the Caribbean with Azura, while Oceana will operate fly cruises in their Mediterranean in the summer and cruises to the Arabian Gulf and India from Dubai in the winter. Arcadia will operate an annual around the world cruise and sail the rest of the year from Southampton.

A travel agent Cruise Business Online spoke to said that the new ship is likely to receive an enthusiastic reception from the public, particularly those new to cruising.

However, P&O Cruises also has a loyal base of customers who prefer the line’s more traditional ships, such as Aurora, which have a very different ambiance onboard. “I think that people do understand that you need to move on with the times,” she said.