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Costa neoRiviera to join AIDA Cruises as AIDAmira

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2018 25 May 2018

Costa neoRiviera that was built as Mistral for the now defunct Festival cruises in 1999 will be transferred to AIDA Cruises’ AIDA Selection sub-brand as AIDAmira after a refit, the Rostock based company said in a statement.

Both companies are parts of Carnival Corporation & plc group.

Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises, said in the statement: "The feedback we have received from our guests and the high demand for our AIDA Selection programme continually inspires us to keep expanding our variety of routes and to call at new dream destinations in the most beautiful regions in the world.”

“Therefore, we are very pleased to have found with the Costa neoRiviera the perfect ship within the Costa Group for our explorer fleet at such short notice. Many of our guests have been hoping for AIDA cruises to South Africa for a long time. I am pleased that we are now able to fulfill this wish," he said.

Due to its size and design, AIDAmira is a perfect addition to the current three Selection ships. Since 2017, AIDAaura, AIDAcara and AIDAvita have been traveling unusual routes and have delighted over 157,000 guests. The AIDA Selection explorer program is ideal for cosmopolitan adventurers who would like to experience countries and cultures in an intensive and unique way.

Before going into service, the ship will be remodeled and refurbished. There will be two large pools and two whirlpools on the spacious sun deck of the 216 metre long vessel From 624 staterooms, 96 will be suites, 80 of them with balconies. Guests can enjoy delicious variety in six bars and six restaurants. AIDAmira will depart on its maiden voyage on December 4, 2019, in Palma de Mallorca.

The ship’s itineraries will also be totally new for the AIDA program: In December 2019, guests will have a first-time opportunity to experience the natural wonders in southern Africa with AIDAmira. The departure and destination port on the 14-day route "South Africa & Namibia" is Cape Town.

Further ports include Durban, East London and Lüderitz on the edge of the Namib desert. The multi-day stops in Cape Town on the cruises are an absolute highlight and give guests plenty of time to explore attractions such as Table Mountain and Lions Head. AIDAmira also stays overnight at Walvis Bay. In the large lagoon between the desert and the sea, guests can observe exotic species. AIDAmira cruises can be booked starting now.

While AIDAmira will expand the AIDA fleet from December 2019 onwards, the newbuild AIDAnova will be embarking on its first cruises already in November 2018. Two sister ships of AIDAnova are to follow in the spring of 2021 and 2023. The AIDA fleet will then include 16 ships.

Iona to enter UK and not Bermuda registry

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2018 25 May 2018

Iona, the first of two 180,000 gross ton newbuildings for P&O Cruises from Meyer Werft in Germany, is likely to enter the UK registry rather than that of Bermuda, where six of the seven present ships of the company are registered.

A computer generated video clip of the exterior of the ship that is due to enter service in 2020 shows Southampton as the port of registry of the vessel. Only the 2015 built Britannia is registered in the UK port, while the other ships of P&O Cruises are registered in Hamilton on Bermuda.

The ships of both P&O Cruises and Cunard Line, both of which are parts of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, were registered in the UK up to 2013. However, the registration of them was then moved to Bermuda, a British crown dependency, as the Bermuda government would allow masters of ships to conduct weddings on board, which was not possible in the UK registry.

There was also another reason: in that same year, the Parliament passed Equalities Act, which effectively meant that crew members from other member states of the EU would have to be paid the same wages as their British counterparts as they too had the legal right to live in the UK. In practice, this affected crew members mainly from Eastern European countries.

Ships registered in the UK and Bermuda – plus Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and Cayman Islands – use the British merchant navy flag, also known as the Red Ensign.

P&O Cruises to name eighth ship Iona

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 May 2018 24 May 2018

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it would name its next ship Iona. It will be eighth vessel in the fleet of the company.

The 180,000 gross ton LNG powered newbuilding that is due to enter service in 2020 is the first of two similar ships the company has on order at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

Iona is a small island on the west coast of Scotland and a legend has it that a monastery there was founded by St. Columba in 563. Consequently, the island became a centre of learning. Later, Vikings conquered the island and it remained part of Norway until 1266, when it passed to Scotland.

P&O Cruises senior vice-president Paul Ludlow said in a statement: “We are an island nation and as Britain’s favourite cruise line it seems very fitting to highlight one of our most notable islands and celebrate the geographic diversity of the UK, especially as we can trace back our roots to the Scottish Isles.”

Brodie Wilcox and Arthur Anderson that founded P&O in 1837 were both of Scottish origin.

“Iona played a significant part in shaping the history of our nation and we hope that with this very special name our new ship will shape the future of holidays at sea for generations.” The sea was a powerful force in the history of the Inner Hebridean island of Iona and is still today a crucial link to trade and a thriving tourism industry, requiring two sea crossings to reach the island.

Ludlow said: “Iona is known for its peace and tranquillity, stunning landscape and, most importantly, the view of the ocean from almost every point on the island. This mirrors our primary intention when building the ship, which was to make the sea the star. Throughout the design process we were mindful that we were building a ship, not a hotel, and the intrinsic beauty of the sea, the vistas of the coastlines and ports of call should be at the fore and visible as much as possible from all areas of the ship.“

The name was unveiled by BAFTA award-winning TV presenter Stephen Mulhern on Iona, which is protected by the National Trust for Scotland, where he was joined by several of the islanders.

Queen Latifah names new Carnival Horizon in New York

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 May 2018 24 May 2018

Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Carnival Horizon, was officially named by godmother Queen Latifah in a ceremony in New York yesterday that showcased the talented young artists from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital whose artwork adorns the Dreamscape, a stunning three-deck-high LED sculpture in the ship's atrium.

Following the ceremony, Latifah squared off against Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott in Lip Sync Battle: Horizon modeled after the hit Paramount Network TV series and rolling out across the Carnival fleet.

Latifah rocked the house with her incredible interpretation of the Weather Girls classic "It's Raining Men," while Elliott had a chance to live out his rock star fantasies performing Whitesnake's arena anthem "Here I Go Again," all performed with back-up dancers from Carnival Horizon's Playlist Productions to a packed house in the Liquid Lounge.

But the big winner was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which received a $100,000 donation from Carnival representing monies raised from various fundraisers, both onboard and ashore. The funds continue the line's ongoing support of St. Jude with more than $16 million raised in the fight against childhood cancer since the partnership began in 2010.

"Carnival Horizon's naming ceremony was one of our best yet, with Queen Latifah carrying out her duties as godmother then battling it out with Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott of my hometown Philadelphia Eagles in an entertaining Lip Sync Battle," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "We were also delighted to showcase the wonderfully talented children from St. Jude whose artwork on the Dreamscape will be forever associated with this spectacular ship," she added.

Added Latifah, "My time aboard Carnival Horizon was nothing short of incredible. In addition to having the honor of serving as the ship's godmother, meeting the amazing kids from St. Jude and their families and squaring off against Jake in an all-out Lip Sync Battle is certainly something I will always cherish."

"This is an absolute thrill for our patients and their families to have their artwork featured as a permanent display on this magnificent ship," said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The ongoing support of Carnival team members and their customers around the globe for our lifesaving mission plays a critical role in advancing research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases."

As the newest ship in the fleet, Carnival Horizon introduces several innovations, including the first-ever Dr. Seuss water park, a new teppanyaki venue, and Smokehouse Brewhouse, a unique dining concept that combines real deal BBQ favorites created by Food Network star and longtime partner Guy Fieri, along with four craft beers brewed on board by brewmaster Colin Presby.

The second in the line's Vista-class series, Carnival Horizon also includes features like SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre, a Havana section with its own Cuban-themed bar and pool, and Family Harbor with extra-roomy staterooms and the Family Harbor Lounge.

Carnival Horizon kicks off a summer schedule from New York with a four-day cruise to Bermuda departing later today. The ship will operate four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from New York through September then reposition to Miami for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning later that month.

Windstar debuts new Signature Expeditions Program marking its arrival back to Alaska

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 May 2018 24 May 2018

Seattle-based Windstar Cruises’ 212-passenger all-suite Star Legend is now sailing in Alaska through August, launching the small ship line’s first endeavor into expedition cruising, with a kick off in Kenai Fjords National Park on May 18, this cruise marks a return to Alaska for the award-winning travel company after a 20-year hiatus from the region.

“We are thrilled to finally be back in Alaska having just launched our Signature Expeditions that embraces the natural beauty of the region, and allow for the most authentic, destination-focused experiences for our guests,” commented Windstar President John Delaney.

Windstar offers a new, active and elegant choice for travelers, with its boutique brand of small ship cruising and experiential travel, including newly-announced Signature Expeditions, which take guests on zodiac and kayaking adventures along Alaska’s rugged natural coastline and gets guests closer, shows them more, and sends them home with once-in-a-lifetime photos and memories. The highly skilled and knowledgeable Windstar Signature Expeditions Team leads tours aboard rigid inflatable watercraft and expedition kayaks, as well as guiding guests on scenic hikes. The Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, guests will delight in the abundance of local seafood specialties on board and on small group tours ashore.
In Alaska, cruisers can choose from more than 25 different Windstar cruise departure dates in 2018 and 2019 for small ship cruises and Cruise Tours that include Denali National Park.

The ship arrived at Seward (Anchorage) for its maiden cruise in Alaska on May 17 and is currently on a 14-day itinerary that visits Kenai Fjords National Park, Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Haines, Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm, Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Metlakatla, Ketchikan, and in British Columbia – Prince Rupert, scenic cruising of the Grenville Channel and Inside Passage, ending on May 31 in Vancouver, BC, marking its first arrival to that homeport for the season. Star Legend will sail on numerous cruises round trip from Vancouver and between Seward, AK and Vancouver, BC throughout the 2018 Alaska season. The ship will also make a special one-day visit to Seattle on June 27 for a special event on Lake Union, including a Zodiac naming ceremony.