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Holland America Line's Zaandam to sail four Asia itineraries in Spring 2012

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 July 2011 26 July 2011

Holland America Line will enhance Zaandam's 2012 Asia itineraries by now offering five 14-Day Asia Explorer voyages. In addition, Zaandam will offer one unique 14-Day China and Korea voyage that will sail roundtrip Hong Kong with calls to Incheon (Seoul) and Jeju (Cheju) City, South Korea. The four unique itineraries offered on seven departures range from 14 to 28 days and give travelers ample time to discover the region's historical and cultural landmarks, as well as explore its mystical allure.

"Asia continues to be a 'must-see' destination for our guests looking to explore a culture that is rich in tradition and mystery, combined with modern technology and intriguing architecture," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, for Holland America Line. "Filled with unique sights, sounds and experiences, we're thrilled to add South Korea to our diverse Asia itineraries."

14-Day Asia Explorer Voyages: Zaandam's five 14-day Asia Explorer voyages sail between Hong Kong and Singapore and feature port calls at Koh Samui and Bangkok, Thailand; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Phu My and Nha Trang, Vietnam. Departure dates are Jan. 8, Jan. 22, Feb. 5, March 4 and March 18.

14-Day China and Korea Voyage: The 14-day China and Korea voyage departs Feb. 19 and sails roundtrip Hong Kong. Two full days at both Shanghai and Xingang (Beijing) allows ample time for guests to delve into the culture and take advantage of fantastic shore excursion opportunities including the Maglev Train Ride & New Shanghai and the Summer Palace & the Great Wall of China. Additional fascinating ports of call (and maiden calls for the Zaandam) include Incheon (Seoul) and Jeju (Cheju) City known for its idyllic beaches, pine forests and waterfalls.

28-Day Asia Explorer Collectors' Voyage Combines Asia Explorer and China & Korea: Zaandam's 28-day Asia Explorer Collectors' Voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong departs Feb. 5 and combines back-to-back itineraries for a longer cruise at the best per day value. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy overnight calls at Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand, and Shanghai and Xingang (Beijing), China, as well as extended stays in many of the region's favorite ports of call.

22-Day Japan and Alaska Repositioning Voyage: The 22-day Japan and Alaska voyage departs April 15 from Kobe (Osaka), featuring port calls at Jeju (Cheju) and Busan (Pusan), South Korea and Petropavlovsk (Kamchatka), Russia before crossing over the Northern Pacific Ocean to Vancouver, British Columbia, with stops at Kodiak, Sitka and Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska.

Cruise fares begin at $1,599 per person, double occupancy for the 14-day sailings; $2,099 for the 22-day Japan and Alaska sailing; and $3,399 for the 28-day Asia Explorer Collectors' Voyage sailing.

Updated: Norway terrorist attacks – MSC Cruises statement on MSC Orchestra docked in Oslo

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 July 2011 22 July 2011

Today, MSC Orchestra was docked at the port of Oslo in Norway, where in the afternoon two explosions hit buildings in the city center. MSC Cruises reports that the cruise ship has not suffered any damages and that all passengers came back from excursions as planned. All guests are now safe on board and the cruise will follow its original schedule.

Meanwhile, Costa Cruises has canceled the call of Costa Magica in Oslo tomorrow due to the Friday's terrorist attacks.

UK cruise retailer Gills Cruise Centre acquired after business failure

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 July 2011 19 July 2011

Gill's Cruise Centre, the UK cruise retailer that ceased trading last week, has been taken over by P&P Associates, the company behind Asda Travel, This is money.co.uk reports on its website

Gill's foundered after its biggest customer, Carnival UK, refused to accept bookings on concerns over mounting debts.

The new owner sought to reassure customers that all bookings would be honoured by the cruise lines and said any holiday booked through Gill's was fully protected by ABTA, the report said.

Gill’s was the third largest cruise retailer in the UK and it sold some 60,000 cruise holidays last year, another report said. The British market generated about 1.63 million passengers in 2010.

Signature Travel Network head Michelle Morgan to name Celebrity Silhouette

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 July 2011 19 July 2011

Celebrity Cruises has confirmed the appointment of Michelle Morgan, the highly regarded president and CEO of Signature Travel Network, a cooperative of North American and Canadian travel agents, to serve as Godmother of Celebrity Silhouette. The first travel industry executive to serve as Godmother of a Celebrity Cruises ship, Morgan will preside over the line’s first naming ceremony to be held in Hamburg , Germany , on 21 July.

“We are thrilled and honoured to have a woman of Michelle’s calibre serve as Godmother of this exceptional ship,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises and Chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Her achievements in business are remarkable, and her personal life is as inspiring as her professional life.”

With a career spanning 33-years as a travel marketing executive, Morgan joined Signature Travel in 1991, when the company had 30 locations in Southern California . Today, its membership has grown to 350 locations in 38 states and two providences in Canada , with sales exceeding $5billion.

The member-owned co-operative has enjoyed explosive growth over the past 20 years. As president and CEO, Morgan maintains day-to-day operating responsibility and has been instrumental in framing the organisation's strategic direction, partnership development, marketing, technology and member services programmes.

Morgan has received a host of industry honours, including recognition as Luxury Travel Advisor’s Retail Travel Partner of the Year, and one of Forbes’ “25 Most Influential Women in Travel.” This year, Michelle also was inducted into Cruise Line International Association’s (CLIA) Hall of Fame.

Oceania Cruises second newbuilding launched

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 July 2011 19 July 2011

Oceania Cruises says the company celebrated a major milestone on Saturday, July 16, as the line’s new 1,250-guest Riviera was afloat for the first time and moved from the construction dock to her fitting-out berth.

“The float out of a ship is a beautiful occasion which marks the beginning of her life and we are eagerly anticipating the day next spring that we can unveil her to the world,” stated Frank Del Rio, Chairman and CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of Oceania Cruises.

The shipyard will now focus on fitting out and finishing Riviera’s exquisite interiors which were designed in concert with the renowned team from Y&S of Oslo, Norway.

Riviera will offer 625 elegantly appointed and custom-crafted accommodations that are among the largest at sea, ranging from 174 to a palatial 2,000+ square feet. Her top suites will be a study in chic, residential elegance and feature furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home and designs by Dakota Jackson of New York City and S.B. Long Interiors of Greenwich, CT. The ship will also feature a Lalique-designed grand lobby, 10 dining venues and numerous bars and lounges. Facilities will include a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub and fitness center, innovative Bon Appétit Culinary Center, swimming pool and hot tubs.

In her inaugural year, Riviera will cruise the Mediterranean and then cross the Atlantic where she will spend the winter cruising the yacht harbors of the Caribbean.