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Scandlines reported to have bought once rejected ferry newbuildings

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2014 01 February 2014

Scandlines, which operates ferries on short haul crossings between Germany and Denmark, has reportedly acquired the two ferry newbuildings from the administrators of P+S Werften, the German shipyard.

Scandlines has, according to German media reports, agreed to pay about €32 million for the two large short haul ferries it had ordered from P+S Werften, but which it refused to accept after it had emerged that the ships weighed more than contracted and could therefore carry less cargo. The shipyard went bankrupt as a result

In July, the ferry company that is owned by 3i, the London based international investor, signed a preliminary contract with STX Finland to build two ferries there instead. However, in the autumn shipyard said that work on a final contract had ben suspended. Finnish media reports said the shipbuilder, which is part of the South Korean STX Offshore & Shipbuilding group that is facing deep financial problems, had been unable to arrange working capital to secure finalising the deal with Scandlines.

STX Finland only has two 99,300 gross ton cruise ships on order, both for TUI Cruises in Germany with deliveries in the first half of 2014 and 2015 respectively. The German company is said to be interested in ordering two more vessels of the same type, but the company has delined to comment on these rumours.

AmaWaterways names Brenda Kyllo as godmother of AmaSonata

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2014 30 January 2014

AmaWaterways yesterday announced Brenda Kyllo, Vice President of Travel for the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), as godmother of its newest ship, AmaSonata. Kyllo will bless the ship at a traditional christening ceremony in Vilshofen, Germany on July 22, 2014 at the conclusion of its Melodies of the Danube voyage.

“We welcome more and more Canadian guests aboard our ships every year and a significant number of them are loyal CAA members,” said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways’ Executive Vice President and Co-Owner. “We want to recognize the warm relationship we share with our northern friends, and the person who symbolizes that best is Brenda Kyllo. We couldn’t ask for a more deserving godmother for the AmaSonata.”

An experienced travel industry executive, Kyllo has successfully managed a full range of travel and tourism responsibilities within wholesale, retail, resort management and cruise ship marketing and operations. She took over as Vice President of Travel at CAA’s national office in Ottawa in 2011. Kyllo works closely with nine CAA Clubs as well as preferred travel partners, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Féderation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to further enhance travel offerings for CAA’s over six million members.

“River cruising is such an ideal way to explore some of the world’s most beautiful regions, and CAA members have fallen in love with AmaWaterways’ intimate, innovative and elegant ships,” said Kyllo. “I am deeply honored that AmaWaterways asked me to christen the AmaSonata and very proud to be their first Canadian godmother.”

The tradition of christening a ship originated more than 4,000 years ago. A respected and well-known woman is carefully selected to serve as the new ship’s godmother, entrusted with blessing the vessel at a special christening ceremony. The blessing for the safety of the ship’s passengers and crew typically concludes with the time-honored ritual of breaking a Champagne bottle against the ship’s hull.

AmaSonata is a sister ship to the acclaimed AmaPrima and AmaCerto, as well as AmaReina, another newly built ship set to debut in March 2014 (chartered by AmaWaterways’ Australian partner, APT, for most of 2014). Capable of carrying up to 164 passengers, AmaSonata features spacious staterooms and suites (many with French Balconies or Twin Balconies), multiple dining venues, onboard massage and salon services, a heated swimming pool, fitness room, complimentary bicycles and many other upscale amenities and innovative design elements.

Bottega opens its first Prosecco Bar aboard the Viking Cinderella

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2014 30 January 2014

Pursuing a project of international scope, Bottega has launched the concept Bottega Prosecco Bar, which offers the atmosphere and ambiance of a typical Venetian Bacaro bar to an international audience.

Deeply rooted in the Italian tradition of fine wine and food, Bottega Prosecco Bar proposes a large selection of wines, along with traditional finger food and specialties, that can be enjoyed all day in a relaxed and pleasurable mood. This concept, aiming at promoting and enhancing the excellence of our country in the enological and gastronomic field, reflects the core values of Bottega SpA. Chairman Sandro Bottega explains: “At Bottega we advocate the importance of a healthy lifestyle, based on varied and unsophisticated food, which is innate in the Mediterranean diet. We also believe in the pairing of food and drink, which is why we have created our own food and wine combinations: these are our “Perfect Matches”, fresh and natural recipes made using high quality food of Italian provenance, and paired with the most suitable wines from the wide Bottega range. So we thought of introducing a new and unique experience that could convey an Italian touch and spread the ritual of wine drinking to global destination hubs”.

At Bottega Prosecco Bar, customers can enjoy a glass of Prosecco in a stylish, yet friendly, Venetian bar. The bar offers a modern and welcoming ambiance, designed using warm, natural materials - such as dark wood and gilded metal - with graphic panels on the wall that will have images related to the Italian ethos of eating and drinking.

The first Bottega Prosecco Bar opened aboard the prestigious Viking Cinderella Cruise on January 25th, 2014, during a launch event that presented the renovated ship in conjunction with the tenth anniversary since its inception. Gordan Schmidt, Product Manager at Viking Cinderella, says, “We have updated the decor according to the modern cruise passenger needs and preferences. The goal has been to make it both comfortable and pleasing to the eye”. Johan Nordberg, architect at Viking Line, adds: “Stylish Italian design is repeated in both furniture and lighting. Important components are from Italian companies Tonon and Pedrali and contemporary chandeliers are in blown glass”. At Bottega Prosecco Bar, passengers traveling on the route Stockholm - Mariehamn will be served Italian specialties for lunch and dinner, offered midnight appetizers, or they can simply enjoy a glass of quality wine.

Originally intended as an airport bar and for other travelling spaces, the Bottega Prosecco Bar is flexible and can be broadened and adapted to any environment, such as downtown, high street and evening consumers sites. In fact, Bottega will be announcing the openings of more Prosecco Bars at other international locations.

Ponant unveils details of its new ship, Le Lyrial

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2014 30 January 2014

The latest addition to Compagnie du Ponant's’s fleet will be launched in the Spring of 2015. In the wake of Le Boreal (2010), L’Austral (2011) and Le Soleal (2013), Le Lyrial will be the last in Ponant’s series of four sister-ships flying the French flag. Human-size yachts offering sophistication and efficiency, the series is unique in what it has to offer the cruise sector in terms of design and innovation. Le Lyrial will make her first cruise in April 2015.

Le Lyrial refers to the Lyra constellation in the northern hemisphere. Its principal star is the blue Vega, one of the brightest stars in the sky which is on its way to becoming the next northern pole star, a fitting reference for a Five Star Expedition specialist of the polar regions.

Like the rest of the fleet, Le Lyrial embodies the ‘Yacht Cruises’ universe as conceived by Ponant a subtle combination of intimacy, authenticity and elegance with the inimitable “French touch”.

The interior design, cosy yet contemporary, has again been entrusted to interior architect Jean-Philippe Nuel. He will be working closely with Veronique Saade, Deputy Managing Director of Compagnie du Ponant, to create a “yachting” feel inspired by the dream destinations the company visits and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result will be a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in Mediterranean coves.

To meet its clientele’s expectations, Compagnie du Ponant has redesigned Deck 6 on Le Lyrial to accommodate larger suites, up to 55m2 for the Owner’s Suite. As a result Le Lyrial will have 122 staterooms and suites compared to the 132 on her three sister ships.

Certified a CLEANSHIP like her sister-ships, this exceptional yacht will be cruising round the Mediterranean for her inaugural season, to Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Turkey and beyond, before heading to the icy shores of Antarctica.

American Queen Steamboat Company enters refurbishment preparing for third season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 January 2014 29 January 2014

American Queen Steamboat Company, owner and operator of the largest riverboat in the world, announces refurbishment details of the 432-passenger paddlewheel currently underway at the New Orleans' Boland Marine Shipyards. As part of the American Queen's scheduled annual layup, which includes the renovation of the steam plant, many of the engineering and cosmetic enhancements will be evident to past guests boarding for the launch of her third season on Feb. 21.

"For our second season, we were delighted to carry over 20 percent more passengers as compared to our inaugural season," explains American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO Ted Sykes. "With this year's upgrades and improvements, we look forward to bringing even more guests the nostalgia of river cruising with modern comforts in the 2014 season."

A team of local contractors and crew are dedicated to preparing the American Queen for another safe and enjoyable third season. New paint and coating systems are being incorporated throughout the vessel to improve her appearance. A major rehabilitation of the decks is being completed. Guests will enjoy brand new shows in the Grand Saloon, which are being custom made for the American Queen along with new sound and lighting. An added digital content management system will also allow for in-house programming in each hotel cabin television.

Some of the most significant electrical upgrades since the American Queen's construction include the renewal of the main switchboard and all associated systems. In the galley, new steam powered "combi ovens" will add capacity and allow the culinary team to expand their onboard pastry and dessert offerings. Additionally, a state-of-the-art combustion control system will save fuel, reduce emissions and exert less stress on the vessel's steam plant while making the vessel more environmentally friendly.

Offering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, fares on the American Queen begin at $1,049 per person based on double occupancy. All journeys include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in all ports, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and a host of other amenities.