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Queen Victoria's dining options refreshed with new Verandah

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 June 2013 18 June 2013

A new alternative dining venue, The Verandah, opened aboard Cunard Line's Queen Victoria for her St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer cruise, which departed Southampton on 1 June 2013. The 100-seat alternative dining venue replaces the Todd English Restaurant and is based on the same concept as the popular and award-wining Verandah Restaurant on Queen Elizabeth, with a slightly different menu with a sophisticated, contemporary and relaxed theme.

"Queen Victoria's new Verandah Restaurant is an exciting addition to the Cunard culinary offering, which now includes some of the most highly-rated dining at sea and no fewer than twelve different dining venues," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.

"The passenger feedback we have received for both lunch and dinner in these first days of the Verandah's operation has been very positive indeed and booking has proved essential for evening dining in particular."

The Verandah menu has been created by Chef Patron Jean-Marie Zimmermann, global culinary ambassador for Cunard Line, who is also a Michelin-starred chef.

A particular highlight of the menu is Carpaccio of Smoked Beef with Marinated Aubergine, Quail's Egg and Truffle Mayonnaise, which combines magical pairings of flavours with theatrical touches: the dish is served under a glass cloche filled with scented smoke.

The new Verandah menu includes a choice of seven entrees, eleven plats principaux and six dessert choices. Plats principaux include Beef and Lobster Flambéed with Cognac and Truffle with Parmesan Fries – the most popular dish to date – and Baked Rack of Lamb in Pastry with Morel Mushrooms and Madeira Reduction.

The Todd English Restaurant, offering a vibrant taste of the Mediterranean, will remain the alternative dining venue aboard Queen Mary 2, as befits her iconic Transatlantic Crossings and more even mix of British and American passengers. This first-ever Todd English venue at sea has proved highly successful aboard Cunard's flagship since her introduction in 2004.

Other evening dining alternatives aboard Cunard's fleet include the Kings Court (Queen Mary 2) and The Lido (Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria). By night, these areas transform into intimate and casual spaces that offer cuisine from around the world:

– Queen Elizabeth choices including the South American grill Asado and Jasmine with its menus drawn from across Asia, while Aztec adds its own twist to Mexican culinary classics.

– Queen Victoria's Lido transforms into Bamboo for Asian flavours, Coriander with Indian cuisine, and Prime which features steaks and seafood.

– The Kings Court aboard Queen Mary 2 offers delicious Italian dishes in La Piazza, traditional British dishes in The Carvery, and flavours from across Asia in Lotus. Also featured on board is the Boardwalk Café, offering burgers on deck.

Silversea opens reservations for its 2015 World Cruise

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 June 2013 17 June 2013

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has opened the books on its World Cruise 2015. This grandest of travel adventures will commence on January 5, 2015, when the elegant, all-suite Silver Whisper is set to embark on a 115-day epic voyage, encircling the world and embracing the cultures of five continents, 30 countries and 50 unique destinations.

Departing Los Angeles with no more than 382 guests on board, Silver Whisper will sail the warm waters of the South Pacific to explore the idyllic isles of French Polynesia, then head west to the scenic wonders of Australia, and north to the marvels of the South China Sea. From there, the journey continues to Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and across the Indian Ocean to the glistening sands of the Seychelles. Silver Whisper then traces a course to some of Africa's most intriguing destinations, including Mombasa, Zanzibar, Cape Town, Walvis Bay and Dakar. The voyage concludes with a leisurely Atlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale, highlighted by stopovers in the sunny Caribbean islands of St. Lucia, St. Bart's and Puerto Rico.

World Cruise 2015 offers travelers the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in local culture with late-night departures in eight ports, plus overnight calls in Papeete, Sydney, Fremantle, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Singapore, Mombasa, and Cape Town.

"This exceptional voyage has been crafted to appeal to luxury travel's most discerning clientele," said Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas. "Our World Cruise guests will visit the most exotic places and fascinating cultures on Earth -- all while enjoying the pampering luxury of Silver Whisper."

Silversea is offering guests the option to extend their World Cruise by adding a pre-cruise Panama Canal voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles (17 days), or continue on board from Fort Lauderdale to New York (3 days) or Southampton (15 days).

A host of added-value Amenities

Full World Cruise guests will enjoy a variety of special amenities, including a gala Bon Voyage reception, dinner and overnight stay at a luxury hotel, baggage valet service, complimentary Business Class air (or air credit) and transfers (between home, airport, and Silver Whisper), a $4,000 onboard spending credit (per suite), complimentary laundry service, Internet package and commemorative gifts.

For guests sailing the full 115 days, there will also be two complimentary Silversea Experiences, including one in Walvis Bay, offering the rare opportunity to dine under the stars in the Namib Desert, plus three exclusive complimentary World Cruise shoreside events. These include an elegant cocktail reception and evening performance at Sydney's famous Opera House, and a scenic journey by vintage train in Sri Lanka to explore the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, renowned for its conservancy work. Plus, guests will be treated to a tour of Cape Town's magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, followed by a visit to the historic Résidence de France for a sumptuous lunch set in its beautiful garden, with Table Mountain providing a stunning backdrop.

Guests will also have the chance to meet and mingle with distinguished destination experts, academics, journalists, diplomats and other specialists. Local entertainment, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and regional specialties will provide further immersion in each global destination.

Fares for World Cruise 2015 start at $58,950 per person, based on double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean International names new Senior VP of Marketing

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

Royal Caribbean International has announced the appointment of Carol Schuster to Senior Vice President of Marketing. Ms. Schuster joins the global cruise line with a proven track record and extensive background in building global brands, as well as new market entry, and will oversee all aspects of marketing for Royal Caribbean including brand strategy and positioning; consumer and trade advertising; digital and social media; and one-to-one and loyalty marketing.

"We are thrilled to welcome Carol Schuster to Royal Caribbean's leadership team and look forward to her building on the success that the brand has already achieved, said Lisa Bauer, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. Carol's extensive global marketing experience will play an integral role in our continued growth into established and emerging cruise vacation markets around the world."

Most recently, Ms. Schuster ran a global marketing and brand consultancy and spearheaded the launch of U.S. women's luxury apparel company, Lafayette 148 New York, in China. Prior to that, she held the position of worldwide managing director, Global Brand Management at the advertising agency, Ogilvy and Mather. She also held senior executive level positions at D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles in New York. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1991, she was one of the first business and marketing leaders to enter Central and Eastern Europe to start-up the global network for the advertising agency.

Ms. Schuster graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in German language and literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received her MBA in Global Marketing/Advertising and Chinese from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Ms. Schuster has won numerous awards and recognitions for her contribution to the advertising and marketing industry and was named one of 25 Women to Watch by Advertising Age. She has lived in North America, Europe and Asia and speaks English, Chinese, German and French.

Swan Hellenic says summer's ex UK programe now sold out

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

Swan Hellenic, the destinational niche cruise brand in the All Leisure group in the UK, says its cruise programme from the UK this summer has been sold out.

The programme of six cruises that runs until 12 September includes cruises to Norway the Faroes, around Britain and ports in France is based in Portsmouth on the south coast of England.

The company has cabin available in the autumn, when the 350 passenger Minerva will move to cruise in the Mediterranean.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to increase Anchor Fare commission to 10%

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

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has revealed that it is to increase agents' commission levels to 10% on its reduced 'Anchor' fares.

Commission on all new Anchor fares will be changed to 10% with immediate effect, while commission on existing Anchor fares will be changed to 10%, coming into effect from June 18.

Nathan Philpot, sales and marketing director, said: “These changes to commission levels are aimed at making our travel trade partners more profitable through promoting and selling Fred Olsen cruises.

“The number of late bookings has more than doubled in the last year, and we are aware that this has had a significant impact on agents’ earnings, with more bookings being made at lower commission rates and with lower yields. To help to redress the balance, we will be supporting our travel trade partners by moving all our special offers to 10% commission,“ the report said.