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Champneys returns to sea with Marella Explorer spa contract

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 November 2017 14 November 2017

Marella Cruises, the British cruise line in the TUI group of companies, has announced an onboard partnership with the UK’s biggest and original health spa, Champneys.

Champneys operated the spa on board P&O Cruises’ 1995 built Oriana early in the career of the ship. Marella Explorer is currently sailing as Mein Schiff 1 in the fleet of Hamburg based TUI Cruises. It was built in 1996 as Galaxy of Celebrity Cruises and it will join the Marella cruises’ fleet in May next year.

“Typical of UK Champneys resorts, the luxurious spa will feature a full treatment menu, including facials, body wraps, massages, manicures, acupuncture and more, as well as a salon, wellness centre and stylish relaxation room that boasts comfortable beds complete with stunning panoramic views,” Marella Cruises said in a statenment.

Distribution and Cruise Director at TUI UK & Ireland, parent company of Marella Cruises, Helen Caron, said: “We’re delighted to announce this partnership with Champneys onboard our fantastic new addition Marella Explorer. We’re proud to be known for the friendliest service at sea and Champneys’ world-class service really mirrors this. Our ships offer holidaymakers a relaxing home from home that they can return to following a full day of exploring a destination and this new introduction onboard Marella Explorer will ensure they can fully unwind in luxury onboard.”

Stephen Purdew, Champneys co-owner said: “We are thrilled to be working with Marella Cruises from next year, offering the very best Champneys spa experience onboard Marella Explorer. We’re confident that our state-of-the-art spa will bring even more enjoyment to guests’ holidays and can’t wait to hear about their experiences.”

In addition to four resorts and a spa hotel, Champneys also operate six city spas, two colleges and a range of globally recognised products.

The ship will operate fromPalma de Mallorca in the summer of 2018 and spend the winter of 2018-19 in the Caribbean and cruise from Newcastle in the UK in the summer of 2019, Marella Cruises’ 2018-19 brochure shows.

Majesty to re-join Celestyal Cruises fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 November 2017 12 November 2017

Celestyal Cruises has announced the Thomson Majesty will conclude its charter with Thomson and will contribute to the extension of the 2018 Celestyal Cruises season: the Majesty will sail approximately one month of 3- and 4-night Iconic Aegean cruises, from 30 March 2018 until 27 April 2018, when she embarks on her final Iconic Aegean cruise of the season.

The Majesty’s amenities include a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a fitness center with a sauna, a fully-appointed spa and salon, a casino and duty-free shopping. Her restaurants include two impeccable full-service dining rooms, each the perfect spot for authentic Greek meals – and two casual restaurants for buffet breakfasts and lunches. She is also home to four bars, where Celestyal Cruises passengers can enjoy great entertainment and signature cocktails, and The Coffee Bar, the perfect spot to try a Greek coffee with a view of the Aegean.

“The Celestyal Majesty is ready to take our passengers to the heart of the Aegean after having delighted Thomson passengers for years,” said Celestyal Cruises CEO Kerry Anastassiadis. “At 207 meters long and with just over 700 cabins spread over six decks, she’s perfect for the small, sparkling Aegean harbors at which we call. Her size makes it possible for her crew to provide each of our passengers with the personalized service that makes Celestyal Cruises journeys authentic and unforgettable.”

Celestyal Majesty was originally delivered as Royal Majesty from Masa-Yards Turku shipyard in 1992 for a newly-founded Majesty Cruise Line.

MedCruise to convene for 52nd General Assembly in Valletta

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 November 2017 11 November 2017

The 52nd MedCruise General Assembly will take place 23-26 May 2018 in Valletta, Malta. MedCruise is the Association of cruise ports in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas, now totaling 72 members representing more than 100 ports around the Mediterranean region, and other cruise trade members.

During the General Assembly meeting, MedCruise member representatives together with other guests will discuss the latest developments of the cruise sector, as well as the implications and prospects of cruising in the Med and its adjoining seas.

In line with the MedCruise tradition, all regular and associate members will have a first class opportunity to discuss the developments in the region, while they will also devote time in B2B meetings and interactive workshops with cruise line executives.

Keel laying ceremony for Spectrum of the Seas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 November 2017 10 November 2017

The keel laying ceremony for the first block of the new cruise ship Spectrum of the Seas was held at Neptun Werft, part of Meyer Werft, on November 8. Kevin Douglas and Sebastian Brunila from Royal Caribbean International placed the lucky cent under the block before the first block of the new ship was lowered into position.

This block is one of a total of 74 blocks for the newbuilding and weighs altogether 938 tons. The keel laying ceremony marks the official start of construction for the Spectrum of the Seas. The ship will register 168,800 gross tons and will be able to carry 4,200 passengers. Spectrum is specifically designed for Asian market.

The first steel parts for the Spectrum of the Seas were cut to size in the Meyer Werft Laser Center already back in August 2017. The completion of the ship is planned for spring 2019. Royal Caribbean took delivery of the similar sister ships Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

The keel laying ceremony was held in Rostock-Warnemünde, where the ship's engine room unit is produced, attended by Thomas Weigend, Stephan Schmees (Executive Board Member) and Carsten Pengel (Project Management) from Meyer Werft, Raimon Strunck (Managing Director) and Mathias Kopitzki (Project Manager) from Neptun Werft, Thomas Murken DNV GL and the team from Royal Caribbean International. "It is our great pleasure to build these innovative ships for Royal Caribbean and to continue our long-standing business relationship," said Stephan Schmees.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to upgrade three ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 November 2017 10 November 2017

Three of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ four ships will undergo multi-million pound refits this winter in preparation for the start of the 2018-19 season, the UK based company said in a statement.

Two ships – Braemar and Balmoral – will be refurbished before Christmas with the third, Boudicca, upgraded in March 2018. Black Watch, the fourth vessel, benefitted from extensive improvement work at the end of last year.

Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are very proud of our smaller, classic cruise ships and we recognise the importance of investing in ongoing upgrades to ensure that our guests can continue to enjoy them at their best. The refreshed Black Watch has been very well received by both new and existing guests so we are delighted that the rest of the fleet will also benefit.”

The schedule for the Fred. Olsen ships includes: upgrading the existing public areas, creating new facilities – such as a new restaurants and gelato bar on Balmoral, a new dining room on Boudicca, a new buffet restaurant on Braemar – and cabin enhancements across the fleet.

The 929-guest ship Braemar will set sail from Southampton to Hamburg on 23 November 2017 for a nine-day dry dock at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. Her first sailing after the refit will be a 16-night M1730 ‘Voyage to the Caribbean’ cruise from Southampton on 5 December 2017.

Fred. Olsen’s flagship Balmoral, will arrive in Hamburg on 10 December 2017 for a nine-day dry dock, before the 1,350 guest-ship departs on a 16-night L1728 ‘Canaries Christmas & Funchal Fireworks’ sailing from Southampton on 21 December 2017.

The 880-guest ship Boudicca will undergo a more extensive 13-day refurbishment in spring 2018, entering dry dock on 16 March 2018, before leaving from Dover on 29 March 2018 on a five-night D1804 ‘Mystery Cruise’.