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Splendour of the Seas to operate eighth season in Brazil 2014-15

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 September 2013 10 September 2013

Royal Caribbean International has announced the winter 2014-15 Brazil and South America season of Splendour of the Seas, the eighth season the ship will spend in these waters, which is now open for booking.

“Sailing from Sao Paulo (Santos, Brazil), Splendour of the Seas will sail three- to eight-night Brazil cruises, calling at Buzios, Ilha Grande, and Ilhabela, and seven-night Argentina and Uruguay cruises, calling at Punta Del Este and Montevideo (Uruguay), and Buenos Aires (Argentina). A special eight-night sailing, departing on 27 December 2014, will take guests to Porto Belo, Buzios, Ilha Grande and Ilhabela, and see in the New Year at Rio de Janeiro to catch the world-famous fireworks show at Copacabana Beach,, "the company said in a statement.

Holidaymakers also can choose from two transatlantic sailings between Brazil and Spain that start and finish Splendour of the Seas’ winter 2014 season. A 15-night westbound itinerary from Barcelona (Spain) to Sao Paulo (Santos, Brazil) will depart on 22 November 2014 and call at Seville (Cadiz, Spain), Lisbon and Madeira (Funchal) (Portugal), Tenerife (Canary Islands) and Rio De Janeiro (Brazil). Splendour of the Seas returns from Sao Paulo (Santos) to Barcelona on 20 April 2015 and calls at Rio De Janeiro and Salvador De Bahia (Brazil), Tenerife (Canary Islands) and Malaga (Spain).

Splendour of the Seas was recently refurbished to offer guests more dining choices, incredible entertainment and more modern features. Guests can enjoy the Centrum’s aerial, acrobatic musical extravaganza that spans the ship’s six-deck-high atrium. Splendour of the Seas’ youngest guests, aged between six-36 months, can have fun in the new Royal Babies and Tots Nursery and Royal Caribbean International’s most loyal and suite guests can enjoy the exclusive new Diamond Lounge and Concierge Club, respectively.

All guests can enjoy Splendour of the Seas’ 10 onboard dining options, including speciality restaurants Park Café Gourmet Deli and the Boardwalk Doghouse, which are complimentary, and Chops Grille Steakhouse, Izumi Asian Cuisine, an a la carte menu in the Viking Crown Lounge Nightclub and the exclusive 16-guest Chef’s Table, which carry an additional charge.

Guests can stay connected with the ship’s optional bow-to-stern Wi-Fi service, enjoy the new oversized poolside cinema screen and find out what’s happening onboard and how to get there with new Digital Signage strategically placed throughout the ship. Throughout, all furnishings and upholstery in public spaces and every stateroom were renewed.

Royal Caribbean to feature Quantum Experience Advisors programme on new ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 September 2013 10 September 2013

Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market cruise brand in the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, says its newest class of ships, the Quantum class, will feature the Quantum Experience Advisors programme, including a group of experts in fields such as design, sport and fitness, entertainment etc.

They will work hand-in-hand with Royal Caribbean International’s internal teams to provide their expertise to help shape interior design, key features and activities on the Quantum-class. Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas are due to debut in November 2014 and April 2015 respectively,” the company said in a statement.

“Starting with design, Royal Caribbean has partnered with Genevieve Gorder, one of America’s favourite interior designers, as the Quantum Experience Advisor for Design. Gorder is collaborating with Royal Caribbean International’s newbuild and design team to offer insights and opinions and influence the décor and furnishings of the loft and suite accommodations onboard Quantum of the Seas. In addition to Genevieve Gorder, Royal Caribbean International will be revealing several other Quantum Experience Advisors in the coming months,” Royal Caribbean International said.

The Quantum Experience Advisors are lending their professional know-how and are actively involved in making pivotal decisions that will make a lasting impression on the Quantum class of ships, and developing new programmes and features for guests to enjoy. Royal Caribbean International is documenting the process through a series of online videos allowing guests to follow along and get an inside glimpse of the Advisors in action.

“Our teams at Royal Caribbean International are always leading the charge in terms of delivering innovative and industry-leading ships and programming and now, by teaming up with some of the brightest and most talented professionals in their respective fields, we are sure to make the Quantum-class some of the most amazing ships to ever set sail,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Executive Vice President, Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Guest experience is our number one priority and our QuantumExperience Advisors are bringing fresh insights, opinions and perspectives to help us deliver the kinds of WOW moments that can only be found on Royal Caribbean International.”

Since May 2013, Gorder has been participating in collaborative design sessions where she has had the opportunity to immerse herself in the ship’s design process and has reviewed plans, fabrics, carpets and furnishings for the ship’s luxurious accommodations. The sessions have allowed Gorder and the design team to provide a more cohesive look and feel to the onboard suites and lofts. Her whimsical style will be felt throughout the lofts and suites and many of her signature touches such as colour, fabric and patterns will be incorporated throughout the design. The next few months will see trip to the see the ship being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

“It’s exhilarating to work with Royal Caribbean International, a brand known for pushing the envelope in ship design and innovation,” said Gorder. “This has been an incredible process, learning what it takes to make everything come together from hardware to soft goods and the little design details. This project has been like nothing I have ever worked on before and is giving me the chance to collaborate with a team of ship building experts to come up with designs that will work onboard a ship as well as inspire every guest that stays onboard. This is their home away from home and it needs to feel amazing.”

The new Quantum class will debut in autumn 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015. Quantum ships span 16 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms.

Silversea to introduce Silver Discoverer in Pacific March 2014

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 September 2013 10 September 2013

Silversea Cruises, the Monaco based luxury and expedition market cruise shipping company, says it will operate the 128 passenger Silver Discoverer in the Pacific from March 2014, the company says on its website.

The vessel that was built in 1989 as Oceanic Grace for Japanese owners and which is of about 5,000 gross tons, will undergo a refit at an undisclosed shipyard before becoming the third expedition type vessel in the Silversea fleet.

“She's (Silver Discoverer) the perfect platform for viewing these untamed landscapes, with all ocean-view suites and plenty of deck space so that a breaching whale or a pod of dolphins is always within sight. Her shallow draft allows her to navigate closer to shore, and with a fleet of 12 Zodiacs and a glass-bottom boat, guests can land on isolated shores and explore wetlands and submerged ecosystems, up-close and in-depth,” the company said in a statement.

The ship will operate cruises in the waters of Australia, New Zealand, Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia plus East Asia and the Russian Far East, with Australia is key source market, the company says.

Star Princess involved in rescuing three people

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 September 2013 09 September 2013

A Princess Cruises cruise ship was diverted as part of a rescue operation off Vancouver Island on Friday, Cruise Critic reports on its website.

Star Princess and a Canadian Coast Guard vessel rushed to the aid of three people whose boat had capsized 18 miles offshore from Ulcluelet.

Both vessels arrived at the scene at the same time and the Coast Guard rescued the three people. They were taken to Tofino General Hospital after being found "alive and shivering," according to Darren Morley, a Coast Guard officer with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria, speaking to Canada.com.

He added: "They were found in the water clinging to a cooler and a dingy that they could not get into for whatever reason," he said. "They were plucked out of the water by the Coast Guard crew out of Tofino, with the Cormorant helicopter hovering overhead."

A spokeswoman for Princess Cruises said: "Yesterday [Friday], Star Princess was diverted by the Canadian Authorities to proceed to a vessel in distress with three persons on board. Star Princess and a Canadian Coast Guard vessel arrived on the scene at the same time and the people were rescued by the Coast Guard."

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding ceo Kang Duck-soo resigns

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 September 2013 09 September 2013

Kang Duck-soo, ceo of the troubled STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co in South Korea, has resigned from his post, the Yonhap news agency reports.

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding is the parent company of STX Europe in Oslo, which again owns 100% of STX Finland and 64% of STX France. Both companies are major builders of passenger tonnage. STX Offshore & Shipbuilding has suffered from serious financial problems and it has put many of its overseas assets, including the yards in Finland and France, up for sale.