More News

CLIA UK and Ireland launches within a new global cruise structure

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 April 2013 29 April 2013

The cruise association CLIA UK and Ireland launches on Wednesday May 1 as the two UK trade bodies, the Association of Cruise Experts and the Passenger Shipping Association, merge to create a new national body within the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

In December, CLIA announced 11 cruise organisations from around the world had joined together to become part of an integrated structure to serve as the voice of the cruise industry. The global association has been created to provide increased benefits and a unified voice for travel agents, cruise lines and business partners all of whom contribute to an industry that creates nearly $100 billion in economic impact and more than 753,000 jobs worldwide. Christine Duffy is global president and CEO of the new association. CLIA UK and Ireland will report to CLIA Europe, based in Brussels led by secretary general Robert Ashdown and chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio.

Headquartered in London, CLIA UK and Ireland will focus primarily on travel agency training, marketing and promotion and will be led by Andy Harmer, formerly director of the Association of Cruise Experts. Robert Ashdown will manage government affairs in the UK in close cooperation with the UK Chamber of Shipping. Jo Rzymowska, AVP and general manager UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises takes on the role of chair for CLIA UK and Ireland.

The new global association, which has 60 cruise line members, will offer travel agents expanded training, shared marketing and promotional activities, greater support and networking opportunities. For cruise lines, the new structure will mean a single, one-stop global resource on technical and regulatory issues and all the benefits associated with a unified global approach.

CLIA UK and Ireland director Andy Harmer said: "The global cruise industry has seen accelerated growth over recent years. In Europe alone the cruise market doubled to a record 6.2 million passengers in the past eight years. The industry's issues, regulators and stakeholders have also evolved and increasingly span international borders, so it's more important than ever to implement an appropriate global structure.

"The new CLIA structure and our association in the UK and Ireland will support a 'One Industry, One Voice' approach to policy development, advocacy and industry-wide promotional activity," Harmer said. "We are confident that cruise lines, the travel industry and new and existing cruise passengers will all feel the benefits of this new arrangement."

CLIA Europe secretary general Robert Ashdown added "While CLIA UK and Ireland will focus primarily on encouraging more people to cruise, the UK remains a powerful maritime influence in both the International Maritime Organisation and in the European Union. It is vital that the UK understands the importance of cruising to the economies of Europe and works to ensure that the UK, and Europe as a whole, remains a good place in which to do cruise business."

"I want to congratulate the PSA and its directors for their efforts in finalising the establishment of CLIA UK and Ireland, a cruise association representing critically important national markets within the new global structure," said CLIA president and CEO Christine Duffy. "I join with the leaders of CLIA UK and Ireland in ensuring continued, robust growth with the support and efficiencies offered by the CLIA global organisation."

Voyager of the Seas launches Tokyo sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 April 2013 29 April 2013

Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas made her maiden call at the Port of Tokyo over the weekend on April 27, as part of her Tokyo sailings. The 137,276 gross ton ship has arrived from Shanghai and is based in a Japanese port for the first time.

These Tokyo sailings range from 5 to 6 nights and visit Busan, Jeju and Nagasaki till early May, including one chartered by Club Tourism, a major tour operator in Japan. The traditional plaque exchange took place between Mr Mitsuchika Tarao, Director General, Bureau of Port & Harbor, Tokyo and Captain Charles Teige of Voyager of the Seas onboard the ship to commemorate the ship’s maiden call. The official ceremony was well-attended by around 100 governmental VIPs, media, business partners as well as Royal Caribbean representatives in Japan.

Mr Kelvin Tan, Royal Caribbean’s Regional Director, Asia Pacific said, “We are proud to bring Voyager of the Seas to Japan to let our fans here experience directly from home Royal Caribbean’s signature international and innovative cruising style. Japan is one of our top markets in Asia, and we are very encouraged by the strong response from this market for these cruises. We will continue to work with our Japanese representatives, agents and partners to bring more of such cruises to Japan.”

Voyager of the Seas is the largest ship based in Asia. She offers cruisers a wide choice of onboard activities and entertainment never seen before in Asia, such as the ice-skating rink, the Royal Promenade – a boulevard of shops and cafes – and a full-sized sports court. Other onboard innovations include the in-line skating track, water slide, rock-climbing wall, mini-golf course and golf simulator. In addition, there is a three-tier theatre, themed bars and lounges as well as a mezzanine split level nightclub.

Voyager of the Seas also offers guests the unique DreamWorks Animation entertainment programme. Guests of all ages can interact with ‘celebrity’ characters like Shrek and Fiona of “Shrek”, Alex of “Madagascar” and Po of “Kung Fu Panda” during parades in the Royal Promenade, character breakfasts in the main dining room and photo opportunities.

There are numerous dining options onboard including the three-tier dining room and specialty restaurants, namely Portofino Italian restaurant and Johnny Rockets 50s’ style diner. The choice of accommodation is also comprehensive with more than 40% more staterooms and five more categories than today’s offerings in the region, ranging from luxurious Royal Suites to unique Promenade staterooms with views overlooking the Royal Promenade.

The ship, currently in her second consecutive Asian season, will be returning to Tokyo in September as part of her new 12-Night All Japan Explorer Cruise.

Celebrity Infinity to offer five night Scottish cruise from Liverpool

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 April 2013 26 April 2013

Celebrity Cruises’ 91,000 gross ton Celebrity Infinity will offer a five night cruise from Liverpool to Harwich that includes calls at Greenock and Inverness in September.

The ship will sail from Liverpool Cruise terminal on 1 September on what is a section of a round Britain cruise from Harwich, Cruise Liverpool said in a statement.

The section that targets passengers from the north of England is offered via Cruise Connections, the travel agent.

Celebrity Infinity is one of the two ships of the line based in the UK this year –the other one is the 128,000 gross ton Celebrity Eclipse, which operates from Southampton.

Queen Mary 2 to offer first Cunard sailings from Liverpool in 45 years in May

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 April 2013 26 April 2013

The first chance to sail in and out of Liverpool on Queen Mary 2 will take place this spring as the Cunard Line flagship offers two seven night cruises from the port that was the birthplace of the company. 

This will be the first time in 45 years that passengers can sail on a Cunard liner from the Pier Head waterfront. “The cruises have been organised by Liverpool Cruise Club independent travel agency by splitting in two a northern European cruise by the 148,528 gross ton liner,” Cruise Liverpool, the body that promotes the city as cruise destination and home port, said in a statement.

The ship will dock at Liverpool Cruise Terminal on Friday 17 May, allowing passengers to either sail into Liverpool from Southampton or cruise back to the southern port.

The first seven night cruise departs on 10 May with coach travel to join QM2 at Southampton and will sail to Hamburg, Greenock and Dublin, arriving at Liverpool on May 17.

The second cruise will depart Liverpool on 17 May, for an eight night sailing to Invergordon, Stavanger, Hamburg and Southampton, with a return by coach to Liverpool. Fares for both sailings start from £599, but there are only 200 berths available on each of the cruises.

John Cooper, of Liverpool Cruise Club sales and marketing manager, said: “This is a fabulous event, which we’ve been negotiating like hell to do. It’s a chance for Merseysiders to experience Cunard’s elegant style of five star cruising with on the world’s most famous ship. This will be cruising in or out of the new Liverpool Cruise Terminal for the very first time on Cunard Line.”

The last Cunard turnaround call in Liverpool before this took place on 30 January 1968, with RMS Franconia. The first Cunard Line vessel, RMS Britannia, sailed from the port for Halifax and Boston on 4 July 1840, although the line was then known as The British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.

Katherine Jenkins to perform on Oriana in October

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 April 2013 25 April 2013

Katherine Jenkins, classical crossover artist, will be performing on Oriana for two short cruises later this year, prices start from £399 per person for four nights.

The following cruises go on sale on May 1, 2013:

- Departing Oct 31, 2013, a four night cruise on Oriana (X323) calling at Zeebrugge (for Bruges) and Amsterdam starts from £399 per person for a Vantage Fare.

- Departing Nov 27, 2013, a four night cruise on Oriana (X326) calling at Zeebrugge (for Bruges) and Amsterdam starts from £399 per person for a Vantage Fare.

Oriana, which is exclusively for adults, has three pools, Oasis Spa, gym, theatre, cinema, sports court, plus numerous restaurants and bars including the Ocean Grill by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “These short breaks provide the opportunity for an indulgent weekend of fine dining, pampering in the spa, time to explore the ports, rounded off by a very special performance from the world’s most prolific classical crossover artist Katherine Jenkins.”

Since launching her career in 2003, the Welsh star has sold in excess of seven million albums, which has made her the fastest selling soprano ever. Katherine has become a premier ambassador of bringing classical music to a mainstream audience.

Vantage Fares benefits include a choice of cabin, the flexibility to make amendments to, or even change, the choice of cruise or cabin up to 90 days prior to departure, plus one of the following; on board spending money, car parking in Southampton or return coach travel to Southampton. It also features P&O Cruises Price Promise protection, which ensures that should the price of the Vantage Fare reduce; the difference will be awarded in on board spending or a cabin upgrade, P&O said in a statement.