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SuperStar Gemini inaugural cruise from Xiamen

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 October 2013 15 October 2013

SuperStar Gemini of Star Cruises reached Xiamen's shore on 11 October, 2013. Carrying 1,051 passengers, the ship set sail from its homeport Xiamen for Taiwan for the first time.

SuperStar Gemini's inaugural cruise from Xiamen was the debut promotion of Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau's new initiative to boost cross-strait international cruising. Xiamen Municipal Government Vice Mayor Kang Tao, Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau Deputy Director Zheng Weirong, officials and representatives from Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau, Xiamen Municipal Government, Xiamen Tourism Bureau and related authorities graced the milestone event on 11 October.

Star Cruises China Operations Senior Vice President Mr Ang Moo Lim thanked the Xiamen Municipal Government, the Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau and all affiliated authorities for the support and assistance they have rendered to Star Cruises.

Mr Ang said, "Star Cruises was founded by an overseas Chinese from Fujian. It grew from only one vessel 20 years ago to the number one cruise company in Asia-Pacific. Together with Norwegian Cruise Line, another premium brand under the same company, it is the third largest cruise operator in the world. The friendship of Star Cruises and Xiamen dates back to 1994 when Star Cruises first began to call at Chinese ports including Xiamen. We were the first international cruise line to enter the market and have since brought more than 1.2 million travellers to China from all over the world by cruise. What really excites us today is for SuperStar Gemini to be able to take Chinese travellers to Keelung, Penghu, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Hong Kong, Boracay and Manila for the first time with Xiamen being the homeport. We'd like to further develop these Xiamen-based itineraries and strengthen tourism in Xiamen so as to contribute to the development of Xiamen as a cruise homeport."

The Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau arranged a variety of traditional performances to commemorate the significant moment. Four lions did a joyful dance to wish passengers a bon voyage on SuperStar Gemini. The ship's world-class dancers also put on an extraordinary dance performance to showcase the magnificent entertainment offered onboard. The officials and special guests went on a ship tour after the ceremony to familiarize themselves with the different amenities onboard the luxury cruise liner.

The market has reacted overwhelmingly to the Xiamen-based itineraries since the launch. Other than the 11 October cruise, SuperStar Gemini is also offering a 7D6N cruise sailing from Xiamen on 14 October to Boracay and Manila and a 6D5N cruise from Xiamen to Penghu, Keelung, Taichung, and Kaohsiung departing on 20 October.

St Peter Line’s two cruise ferries to be used as accommodation vessels at Sochi

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 October 2013 15 October 2013

St Peter Line, the Russian cruise ferry company, says its two ships will be used as accommodation vessels at Sochi during the 2014 winter Olympics there.

Accommodation on the 1981 built Princess Maria that offers 1,601 berths and the 2,447 berth capacity Princess Anastasia that was built in 1986 will be available for booking on the Bedsonline service of TUI Russia, the tour operator, St Peter Line said in a statement.

Entertainment for adults and children will be available on both ships during their stay at the Black Sea city and the restaurants, bars, spa and gym on board each ships will also be open for guests to use.

Both ships are of approximately 35,000 gross tons and they normally operate short cruises from St Petersburg on Russia’s Baltic coast. They are named after two daughters of Nicholas II, the last Czar, and his wife Alexandra Fyodorovna, who was granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Britain.

Windstar Cruises launches new loyalty program

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 October 2013 14 October 2013

Windstar Cruises today announced a new enhanced guest loyalty program launching November 1, 2013. Renamed Windstar Yacht Club (formerly Foremast Club), the new program better recognizes Windstar's valued loyal guests. Yacht Club members will enjoy special benefits when they book, while they are on board, and every time they share the Windstar experience with friends and family. Yacht Club member benefits become effective on November 1, 2013.

"The satisfaction and loyalty of our guests is paramount to us," said Hans Birkholz, Windstar's chief executive officer. Our new Yacht Club program demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest levels of guest satisfaction while rewarding our loyal guests with enhanced benefits. We are dedicated to creating the world's best small ship cruise experience; rewarding our loyal Yacht Club members is an integral part of that experience.

Windstar Yacht Club members will receive the following exclusive benefits:

Savings of 5% on standard cruise fares for most voyages, member discount may be combinable with other special offers (excluding FLASH fares);
Upgrades to the next highest cabin category at no cost, or an upgrade from a standard stateroom or suite to a premium suite starting at $500 per person (based on availability during onboard check-in);
Private member cocktail party;
Dining with the Captain or other ship Officers;
Commemorative Welcome Aboard gift;
Savings of 10% on any purchase made in the onboard gift shop;
Referral rewards.

The referral rewards give Yacht Club members an opportunity for additional perks when they refer a friend to Windstar Cruises. For every new friend a member refers, they will receive a $100 shipboard credit when final payment is received for their friend's first sailing. Additionally, each new guest who is referred to Windstar by a member will receive $100 shipboard credit on their first voyage.

Windstar guests are automatically enrolled in Windstar Yacht Club upon completion of their first Windstar cruise. New members will receive a Windstar Yacht Club Welcome package, including Member ID card, shortly following their first cruise. Current Foremast members will be automatically enrolled in the new program starting November 1, and will also be receiving a Welcome package.

Norwegian to run UK agent roadshow in November

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 October 2013 14 October 2013

Following the success of the inaugural Partners First Roadshows last year, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it will hit the road again in November 2013, the company said in a statement.

Agents will be able to take advantage of full day cruise-selling masterclass Roadshows in four cities around the UK:

· Glasgow on 11 November 2013

· Belfast on 14 November 2013

· Bristol on 19 November 2013

· Birmingham on 20 November 2013

The Roadshows will ask agents three key questions: ‘Who are your customers?’, ‘Where are you going to send them cruising?’, and, ‘How are you going to do it?’.

Whether an experienced cruise seller or someone new to the business, the Roadshows will give all attendees the opportunity to benefit from an interactive and rewarding learning experience.

Nick Wilkinson, Director Business Development UK, Ireland and Scandinavia said: “We are delighted to bring back the Partners First Roadshows this year. Feedback from last year’s sessions proved the Roadshows were successful in making a difference to the way that our key travel partners sell cruise and at Norwegian we understand that the cruise selling landscape is constantly evolving.

“We have brought together sales and marketing experts from Norwegian, along with representatives of major U.S. and European tourist boards, to educate our travel partners in all elements of the cruise selling process, providing a great opportunity for agents looking to give their cruise business a boost and pick up some new skills along the way.”

The all-day Roadshows will run from 9.30am to 4pm and are free to attend. Refreshments will also be provided as well as opportunities to win some prizes.

Stuart Leven appointed UK Managing Director of Royal Caribbean International

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 October 2013 14 October 2013

The RCL Cruises Ltd new UK and Ireland business structure is taking shape with the appointment of hospitality and leisure industry veteran, Stuart Leven, to the role of managing director of Royal Caribbean International, the company said in a statement.

RCL Cruises operates three Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) brands in Britain – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. In September, it said in the future each of them would operate as independent RCCL group subsidiaries.

“In addition, Dominic Paul is taking on an expanded role as vice president, international, reporting directly to Royal Caribbean International president and CEO, Adam Goldstein,” RCL said. He was previously responsible for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and he now adds Latin America, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean to his remit for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. Plus he continues in his role as managing director of RCL Cruises Ltd.

Stuart Leven will work alongside Jo Rzymowska who will lead the UK and Ireland Celebrity Cruises business. Both roles are new, and follow the announcement that the UK and Ireland office is creating three dedicated businesses for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises in response to the significant market growth achieved.

Leven brings a 20-year track record in the leisure and hospitality industry including airlines, travel agencies and hotels to the Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland business. He has held senior roles in businesses such as IHG, Thistle and Guoman Hotels, Choice Hotels Europe and KLM.

Dominic Paul, vice president, international, comments: “We are evolving our business to be in the best possible position for future growth. Our new structure in the UK and Ireland, and the industry-leading management teams now taking shape, means that we can confidently deliver against the individual growth strategies of Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. We hope to be able to announce the new leadership role for Azamara Club Cruises very soon.”

Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises are currently recruiting for additional sales and marketing roles created by the move to dedicated teams for each brand, which will be in place by January 2014.

Operating each of the three cruise lines – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises – as individual businesses is an important milestone in the history of the overall global organisation. It is the first time that outside North America any of the brands will enjoy such commitment, focus and investment, RCL said.