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New Sky Princess to offer Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises during the inaugural season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 May 2018 18 May 2018

Princess Cruises guests sailing to the Caribbean will enjoy the white-sand beaches, warm sunshine and inviting island life on a variety of cruise itineraries to all three sought-after regions – Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean. On sale since yesterday, the newly announced fall 2019 to spring 2020 program features the maiden season of Sky Princess, debuting in December 2019 on a 3-night inaugural cruise, followed by a series of seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

The cruise line's fourth Royal-Class ship, Sky Princess, sets sail out of Ft. Lauderdale on a three-day, roundtrip cruise departing Dec. 4, 2019, visiting Princess Cays, recognized as one of the top cruise line private islands in the Bahamas. The ship then sails on alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale Dec. 7, 2019 - April 4, 2020. Voyages offer late-night stays, during every visit to St. Thomas and Cozumel so guests can enjoy more time in these popular destinations.

"The Caribbean continues to be a highly desired destination for families, honeymooners and travelers alike, offering a memorable taste of the island life through its culturally diverse people, flavorful food and of course, the sun-drenched beaches," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. "The new Sky Princess and our other beautiful ships provide comfort and convenience while visiting the many diverse Caribbean islands."

Onboard, our guests can celebrate the unique colors, cultures and flavors of the islands with our Rhythm of the Caribbean program. Princess guests can immerse themselves in one-of-a-kind cultural activities — from local music and crafts to meeting "Parrots in the Piazza" and captivating presentations from local experts like shark divers and treasure hunters.

At-a-glance, itinerary highlights for the 2019-2020 Caribbean season include:
– Five ships offering 10 itineraries and 119 departures onboard Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Pacific Princess, Regal Princess and the new Sky Princess.
– Regal Princess also offers seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Ft. Lauderdale with "More Ashore" stays in St. Thomas and Cozumel.
– Longer and more destination-rich itineraries to the Southern Caribbean aboard Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess, featuring 10- or 14-day cruises.
– Princess Cruises visits 25 Caribbean islands and six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Belize Barrier Reef System and Antigua Naval Dockyard and related archeological sites
– Calls to the award-winning Princess Cays on every seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyage, and select Western and ten-day Southern Caribbean voyages.
– A unique 14-day holiday cruise aboard Pacific Princess visiting Southern Caribbean island Mayreau for the first time.

Sky Princess also introduces the line's new Sky Suites, offering guests the largest staterooms on the ship, and best views with their most premium suite ever. With 270 degree views from the top of the ship and exclusive views of the ship's Movies Under the Stars screen, guests will enjoy a variety of new amenities exclusive to the Sky Suites. The Princess Cruises Sky Suites will be the first staterooms to accommodate up to five guests, and offer the largest balconies in the fleet with luxury furnishings. More details on the suites to be announced in the coming months.

AmaWaterways reveals new renderings, amenities of AmaMagna

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 May 2018 17 May 2018

AmaWaterways has released new renderings of its revolutionary ship – AmaMagna – including details on the ship’s public spaces, accommodations, multiple dining venues and expansive wellness studio. Debuting in May 2019, AmaMagna will be in a class of its own, offering guests the highest level of luxury and generous personal space of any ship on the rivers. The images released showcase the ship’s Main Restaurant, which features a spacious layout with floor-to-ceiling windows offering guests magnificent views of the grand cities and quaint towns that line the legendary Danube’s riverbanks, as well as a first look at the innovative Water Sports Platform at the rear of the ship.

Although AmaMagna is nearly double the width of traditional river cruise ships, she welcomes only 20% more guests, allowing generous personal space with more than half of the 98 staterooms designated as suites measuring between 355 and 710 sq. ft.. All staterooms and suites are appointed with stylish décor and natural wood accents. The suites feature full outside balconies, open seating areas and luxurious bathrooms, complete with double sinks and walk-in showers. Six Grand Suites (474 sq. ft.) and an Owner’s Suite (710 sq. ft.) provide even more amenities with separate seating areas and sizable bathrooms complete with spa-like bathtubs.

“As the luxury river cruise market evolves, we plan to continue paving the way as an innovative industry leader. While this new concept has been in the works for us for some time, we believe that now is the perfect moment to introduce this very special ship,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “With more personal space, the freedom of multiple dining venues and exceptional accommodations, AmaMagna has been designed for those seeking a fresh, contemporary and dynamic take on river cruising as well as ocean cruisers accustomed to the luxury of more.”

AmaMagna offers four unique dining venues. In addition to the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table Restaurant, guests can also choose to dine in the Al Fresco Restaurant or Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant (named in honor of the late Jimmy Murphy, one of AmaWaterways’ original co-founders). “My father truly enjoyed sharing a glass of wine with friends; in fact, a favorite photo in my office shows Rudi, Kristin, my father and me together at a winery, all with joyous smiles on our faces,” said Gary Murphy, vice-president sales. “Selecting “Jimmy’s” as the official name of the new wine bar restaurant, brought a great deal of joy to the entire Murphy family, but particularly to my mother who said, ‘your father would be very happy with that; he loved those ships, and now he has his own spot on a very special one’.”

The ship will also provide enhanced entertainment offerings and onboard amenities including the expansive Zen Wellness Studio, complete with large exercise area offering group classes focused on stretching, cardio and core strengthening led by a professionally trained Wellness Host; a juice bar and two massage rooms, along with manicure, pedicure and hair services; a sun deck with a large heated pool, relaxing whirlpool and pop-up sky bar, as well as a Water Sports Platform at the rear of the ship (pictured left), where complimentary tours will be offered on the intimate Sundowner vessel.

Exclusive to AmaMagna, guests may take advantage of the new Concierge Golf Program, providing the opportunity to experience four top-level golf courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany while enjoying the magic of river cruising. AmaMagna’s itineraries include Romantic Danube, Melodies of the Danube and Christmas Markets on the Danube.

Lisbon counts down to Seatrade Cruise Med

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 May 2018 15 May 2018

The Port of Lisbon Authority (APL) has begun the count-down to Seatrade Cruise Med 2018 – the world’s largest cruise industry event focussed on the Mediterranean and adjoining seas – and this year, an integral element of the recently announced Portugal Shipping Week.

Hosted by the Port of Lisbon Authority and supported by MedCruise and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the event will take place from 19 - 20 September 2018 and feature a showcase exhibition, conference and a full networking programme.

To date, 29 of the anticipated 150 cruise line executives have already confirmed attendance at this key industry event, including AIDA Cruises; Azamara; Carnival UK; Disney Cruise Line; MSC Cruises; Mystic Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line; Royal Caribbean International; Sea Cloud Cruise Line; Silversea; TUI and Viking Ocean Cruises. In addition, more than 70 ports are expected to exhibit at the event which will also see the General Assembly of MedCruise take place on 21st September.

President of Port of Lisbon Authority, Lidia Sequeira stated that: "To host this prestigious event is recognition of the work we have been doing in the cruise sector for many years. The hope is that this event will give an important boost to the local and national economy of this sector, especially now that Lisbon is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to welcome all the cruise ships and their guests."

As part of the two day cruise event, attendees will be able to visit the Lisbon Cruise Terminal, which opened its berths late in 2017. Lisbon Cruise Port (LCP), operator of the cruise facilities in the Portuguese capital and part of Global Ports Holding, invested approximately €22m a new terminal building which includes 360 car parking spaces; 80 bus/taxi parking spaces; ship stores area; automated gangways; latest CCTV technology and up to seven scanner inspection lines.

The terminal is served by a berthing quay of 1490 metres in length.

The top of the low level building also has a viewing platform providing a panoramic view of the River Tagus and cruise port on the one side and the city on the other. The facilities cover 13,800 sq mts in total. There is also a cafeteria, shops and crew facilities inside.

With the completion of the new terminal, the Port of Lisbon Authority estimates that current traffic continues to grow and that Lisbon becomes an important homeport for cruise ships.

The exhibition at Seatrade Cruise Med will see a mix of ports and destinations, tourism authorities, cruise associations, ground handlers, tour operators, port agents, technical equipment and hotel suppliers showcasing their products and services to the cruise industry.

Airam Diaz Pastor, MedCruise President, commented: “MedCruise represents over 20% of the global cruise traffic with more than 100 members in the Black Sea, Red Sea, Adriatic, West and East Med and Near Atlantic.”

He added: “25.9 million passenger movements were handled by MedCruise ports in 2017 with 28 million forecast for 2018.

“And together, we face the new challenges that the cruise sector is facing, including new buildings, the development of port facilities, the expansion of emerging source markets, as well as new regulations, and environmental and energy related issues. Events such as Seatrade Cruise Med present a platform to discuss these challenges and opportunities and we welcome this event in September as a crucial arena for discussion.”

Pandaw to introduce lower Ganges itinerary

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 May 2018 14 May 2018

Pandaw Expeditions, the Singapore-Scottish river cruise operator, will expand its business by offering a series of cruises in the lower Ganges in India, between Kolkata and Farakka.

The seven night itinerary includes calls at seven destinations and a four hour journey by train between Farraklka and Kolkata.

The company will employ the 2008 built Orient Pandaw on the itinerary. The 55 metre or 180 foot long vessel can take 60 passengers, the company said on its website.

Norwegian Bliss becomes the largest cruise ship to transit Panama Canal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 May 2018 14 May 2018

The Panama Canal today welcomed the Norwegian Bliss, the largest passenger vessel to ever transit the waterway.

“The Panama Canal is proud to welcome the Norwegian Bliss and recognizes that this distinct milestone is made possible by the Canal Expansion, as well as the experience and efforts gained in the two years since its inauguration,” said Deputy Canal Administrator Manuel Benítez.

The Norwegian Bliss left Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard in March to begin a 15-day itinerary this month, sailing from Miami, Florida through the Panama Canal and up along the west coast of Central and North America before reaching its final destination at the Port of Los Angeles in California. The ship will then service the Alaska region until the end of the cruise season, after which it will be repositioned in the Caribbean.

“We are very proud to help the Panama Canal close out the season with the crossing of our highly-anticipated ship, Norwegian Bliss,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “As she makes her way to Seattle, we are excited for this sixteenth ship in our young and modern fleet to begin welcoming guests and providing them with the stand-out service, dining, entertainment and amenities for which we are recognized.”

For the Panama Canal, May 24 marks the unofficial end to the 2017-18 cruise season when it will transit the Pacific Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, as part of a 17-day voyage from Los Angeles, California to its final destination at the port of Fort Lauderdale.

The Canal’s international trade specialist Albano Aguilar commented on the waterway’s successful season. “By the end of its cruise season, the Panama Canal will have transited a total 248 passenger ships with a total of 312,304 passengers onboard,” explained Aguilar. “Of this, a total of 20 cruises will be Neopanamax vessels, including the Caribbean Princess, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor, Norwegian Bliss and Disney Wonder – all able to transit the waterway thanks to the Expansion of the Canal.”

Smaller ships such as the Safari Voyager and the Wind Star also contributed to total transits. These vessels, with itineraries of eight and 11 days, respectively, visited ports located on the west coast of the Central American isthmus. Additionally, the Panama Canal received passenger ships that were not expected to transit, such as Le Boreal and Logos Hope.

Through the end of the season, renowned cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, among others, will continue offering itineraries for complete and partial transits, the last of which include Panama City and the interoceanic route, in particular, as destinations.