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QE2 reported sold for hotel conversion in Far East

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 January 2013 18 January 2013

Queen Elizabeth 2, the former Cunard flagship affectinally known as QE2, has been reported as sold by its Dubai based owners to buyers in the Far East, who intend to convert the ship to a 500 room five star hotel.

The BBC reports on its website that Nakheel, the Dubai based company that bought the ship from Cunard in 2008 for $100 million, has sold it to the new buyers for £50 million or about $80 million. Nakheel had planned to rebuilt the ship as a floating luxury hotel for use in Dubai, but the plan collapsed in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008-09.

The ship was built in Scotland in and delivered to Cunard in 1969. Originally steam turbine powered and measured at 65,863 gross tons, it became probably the most refitted and rebuilt passenger ship of recent history.

In 1986-87 it received a diesel-electric propulsion plant and in 2004, its interiors were totally redesigned giving it a very different identity than before the work that was called Project Lifestyle. Decommissioned in 2008, the ship measured at 70,327 gross tons in its final years in service.

Jackson named Vice President – Technical Operations at Carnival Cruise Lines

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

Mark Jackson - a 24-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard with extensive experience in nautical engineering, maritime repair and refurbishments, and ship operations - has been named vice president - technical operations at Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator.

In this capacity, Jackson will oversee all technical marine functions across Carnival Cruise Lines' 24-ship fleet, including repair and maintenance, refurbishment projects, and related technical services. Jackson joins Carnival April 1, reporting to Martin Landtman, senior vice president - marine operations.

Jackson most recently served as commanding officer of the United States Coast Guard base in Miami Beach, Fla., with responsibilities that included naval and electronics engineering, procurement, finance, human resources, and port operations. He was also commanding officer of the Naval Engineering Support unit in Miami overseeing a team of 100-plus engineers and served as lead instructor for shipboard stability and firefighting at the U.S. Navy Warfare Officers School. Jackson also served on several U.S. Coast Guard vessels, earning the rank of chief engineer.

Jackson holds a bachelor's degree in marine engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy and two master's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- one in naval architecture and another in mechanical engineering.
"As Carnival continues to enhance its technical operations function, Mark is the ideal candidate to oversee this critically important aspect of our business, possessing wide-ranging knowledge and experience in all areas of ship operations and nautical engineering," Landtman said.

Birka Paradise to become Birka Stockholm

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 January 2013 17 January 2013

Rederi AB Eckero, owner of Birka Cruises that operates the 34,578 gross ton Birka Paradise mainly on 20 hour cruises between the Swedish capital and Mariehamn on the Aland Islands, has decided to rename the vessel Birka Stockholm.

The 2004 built vessel is currently in dry dock in Naantali in Finland and when it will re-enter service next Monday, it will have been renamed, a company official told the Alandstidningen daily.

The same company recently introduced a 36,000 gross ton ropax ferry on service between Helsinki in Finland and the Estonian capital Tallinn that it renamed Finlandia. Built in 2001, the vessel had started life in the fleet of Moby Lines in Italy. It replaced the 1980 built Nordlandia in Eckero service.

24-hour live Sports channel to play on Cunard and P&O Cruises fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 January 2013 16 January 2013

Sport never stops and nor will sports coverage on board Cunard or P&O Cruises ships with the arrival of the 24-hour live sports channel 'Sport 24' across both fleets.

Sport 24 is produced and distributed by IMG Media, a division of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company.

It is the first-ever dedicated 24/7 sports channel specifically designed for the cruise industry. The channel will be shown in public bars and lounges on board all three Cunard and seven P&O Cruises ships and will significantly extend the range of sporting events and the number of broadcast hours given over to sport on board.

2013 sporting events to be featured on Sport 24 will include live action from the Australian Open, Formula 1, US Open Tennis, Wimbledon, the British and Irish Lions Rugby Tour and the Bundesliga. However, perhaps of more interest to the British passengers of both brands, lovers of the ‘beautiful game’ will not miss any Barclays Premier League matches and will be able to cheer on their team while enjoying a pint in one of the pubs which grace the ships of Cunard and P&O Cruises.

Cunard and P&O Cruises executive vice-president operations, David Noyes, said: “Sport was one of the true highlights of 2012 and continues to play a large part in people’s lives, so we want to make sure our passengers don’t miss out on any of the sporting golden moments that 2013 and beyond has in store for us”.

Sport 24, Richard Wise, said: “We look forward to working with Cunard and P&O Cruises to bring live 24 hour sports coverage to sport lovers on board ship, allowing fans to enjoy the Barclays Premier League and more while sailing to destinations right across the world.”

The channel will be delivered to the fleet via MTN-TV whose satellites provide up to 96% worldwide coverage.

The schedule for Sport 24 will be known in advance which will enable passengers to plan their days while on board one of the 10 ships that comprise the Cunard and P&O Cruises fleets.

Holland America Line adds Canaletto Restaurant and enclosed Wintergarden to Prinsendam

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

Holland America Line recently completed the addition of the line's casual Italian restaurant Canaletto and transformed the Lido Terrace into an enclosed Wintergarden aboard ms Prinsendam. Named for the famous 18th-century Venetian artist, the award-winning Canaletto is located in the Wintergarden, which is adjacent to the Lido dining area. The restaurant serves classic Italian fare with tableside service for dinner only, and reservations are encouraged. With the addition of the eatery to Prinsendam, Canaletto is now on all 15 ships in the Holland America Line fleet.

"We continue to invest in our fleet and the onboard experience to offer the best premium cruise experience," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Prinsendam has one of our most loyal followings, so the new Wintergarden and popular Canaletto will certainly be appreciated by our guests."

In addition to Canaletto, the 835-guest Prinsendam's aft Lido terrace was enclosed and remodeled into a covered Wintergarden. The new area increased the dining capacity of the Lido and provides the venue for Canaletto. The ship also received other cosmetic enhancements during its dry-dock in Freeport, Bahamas, including new balcony decking and balcony dividers.