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MSC Cruises to introduce adult-only solarium on Fantasia class

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 November 2012 29 November 2012

MSC Cruises says that on the top decks of MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa - that will be named in Genoa, Italy, on 23 March 2013 - MSC travellers will soon be able to soak up the sun in style at the new Top 18 Exclusive Solarium, an adult-only sanctuary of serenity boasting premium deck space and stunning sea views.

"With its own dedicated spa service, bar menu and complimentary delicious fruit skewers, Top 18 is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and watch the waves go by," the company said in a statement.

Designed exclusively for MSC Cruises’ Fantasia class ships, Top 18 Exclusive Solarium will be available from the beginning of the 2013 summer season.

Star Cruises announces 2013 programme for SuperStar Gemini

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 November 2012 28 November 2012

Star Cruises, the cruise line based in the Far East, has announced the 2013 programmes for its SuperStar Gemini, the ship currently undergoing a US$50 million large-scale refurbishment. Alan Lam reports.

The 50,760 gross ton vessel, Star Cruises’ latest addition to its fleet, will embark upon a series of inaugural cruises to some of Asia’s top destinations. Kicking off in Penang from 2 January to 24 January, followed by a 7-day 6-night special cruise (25 Jan – 31 Jan) to Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Hong Kong. From 1 February to 31 March the vessel will homeport in Sanya, Hainan, and from April to October the ship will homeport in Shanghai, offering over 40 cruises in 4-day 3-night to 7-day 6-night itineraries to a number of destinations in North Asia.

Among its rich array of entertainment programmes onboard, there will be magic shows performed by Charles Bach and ballroom dancing by Suzanna and Dima of Belarus.

Clearly, Star Cruises’ major focus for this ship in 2013 is on the Chinese market.

Alan Lam

Costa unveils seventh sustainability report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 November 2012 28 November 2012

Costa Crociere, Europe’s largest cruise line, says it has reached excellent environmental results in the seventh edition of its Sustainability Report (available online at www.costacruise.com/best4).

The report was revealed at the Seatrade Med 2012 in Marseilles, the biggest event of the year for cruise operators in the Mediterranean. Key achievements include a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 3.8% decrease in fuel consumption and a 40% increase in hours spent on training.

These results demonstrate that Costa Cruises not only operates in accordance with the established environmental compliance laws, but continuously strives to achieve wider objectives. Through a dedicated management and control system that goes beyond the scope of mandatory requirements set out by local, national and international regulations, Costa Cruises actually anticipates possible solutions for improving environmental standards.

The main results obtained in 2011 are as follows:

o A 3.8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous year due to reduced fuel consumption, representing a 14.5% decrease since 2007. These emissions are measured in terms of ‘specific’ emissions and consider factors such as the total nautical miles sailed during the year and the available lower berth days across the fleet. Various measures directed at reducing energy consumption were implemented to achieve this reduction, such as the use of ecological silicone-based coatings for the ship’s hull, the use of low power consumption LED light bulbs and energy-efficient HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) technology as well as the use of inverters to optimise the performance of fans and blowers in the engine room

A 50% decrease in emissions of ozone-depleting substances thanks to the replacement of refrigerating and conditioning systems and the gradual conversion of plants containing HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) into systems using HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), which have an ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) of zero
71% of the water used on the ships in the Costa fleet is produced directly on board using desalination plants and evaporators
2011 saw the launch of the ‘Sustainable cruise’ project co-funded by the European Commission through the ‘Life+’ Programme, the EU’s funding instrument for innovative environmental projects. Costa Cruises is Project Manager of this ‘Sustainable cruise’ project, the world’s first ever shipboard experimental project involving the use of innovative techniques and methods to deal with three specific types of waste – packaging, biodegradable (organic) waste and paper – with precise objectives regarding reduction at the source and recycling. Costa Pacifica (114,500 gross tonnage and 3,780 total guests) was chosen to pilot this project and the initial activities began earlier this year. The ‘Sustainable Cruise’ project dovetails with Costa Cruises’ own waste management policy of 100% separation of solid waste on board, which has been applied fleet-wide for some time now.

Costa Cruises’ ongoing commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by the prestigious environmental awards that stakeholders granted to the company once again in 2011, including eight new international awards certifying Costa Cruises’ vocation for innovation and compliance with the highest environmental protections standards.

Internal training was also a priority in 2011, in terms of both on-board and shore-side employees. Training hours totaled around 780,000, an increase of some 40% compared to the previous year, with tuition coveringsocial accountability, environment and safety, as well as managerial, technical and language refresher courses. Finally, Costa Cruises’ community support recycling projects continued in Brazil, where various types of waste are recycled with the aim of financing local social development. In 2011 funds were used to support ‘CAPDEVER’ association in Salvador de Bahia, which aids families living in extreme poverty, and to support ‘Crianca Feliz’ NGO in Santos which organises sport courses for children in need.

Cruise Baltic launches Port Service Standards tool and admits two more members

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 November 2012 28 November 2012

Cruise Baltic has announced two major developments at Seatrade Med, Marseille: the launched of its Port Service Standards Working Tool (PSSWT) - an industry first – and the inclusion of two new destination partners – the ports of Arendal and Aalborg. Alan Lam reports.

“In close dialogue with the ECC’s (European Cruise Council) Port Sub-Committee, cruise lines and Project Consultant Luis de Carvalho,” said Bo Larsen, the Director of Cruise Baltic, expostulating on this development, “the Cruise Baltic Working Group has created a practical and effective ‘overview’ rating system, which allows cruise line operators to access information related to every single pier at each of our Baltic ports. After considerable discussion we have evaluated what key data was needed in order to build a platform that would be useful not only for cruise line operators but also to function as a benchmark and motivational tool for ports within Cruise Baltic.”

Commenting on this development, Neil Palomba, Chairman, ECC’s Ports and Infrastructure Sub-Committee, and Corporate Operating Officer, MSC Cruises, said: “This Port Service Standard system set up by Cruise Baltic is a truly innovative initiative and I am confident that it will ease and improve itinerary planning for cruise lines. Even in its early stages, it already represents an invaluable tool for itinerary planners who need to deal with hundreds of ports all around the globe every year.”

The master PSSWT document is accessible through www.cruisebaltic.com

The announcement came after the initial presentation of the document at the previous steering group meeting held in Oslo, during which the inclusion of the two new ports as Cruise Baltic partners were also approved.

Alan Lam