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Silversea rents entire island to delight World Cruise guests in the Philippines

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 March 2023 10 March 2023

Silversea Cruises rented an entire island in the Philippines on February 10 to host a bespoke event for approximately 300 guests traveling aboard Silver Shadow. Travelers journeying on Silversea’s South Side Story World Cruise 2023 enjoyed an immersive cultural display on Kalanggaman Island – an idyllic isle of pristine natural beauty, nestled between the Cebu and Leyte in the Visayan Sea. Two years in the making, the enriching event showcased the talents of more than 500 residents of the Eastern Visayas region, from performers, hospitality professionals, and event planners to massage therapists, mixologists, and chefs.

Connecting with the local culture, Silversea’s guests were warmly welcomed by traditional music and dance, refreshing cocktails, and a marienda (afternoon tea) featuring Filipino delicacies, as they disembarked Silver Shadow for the day of festivities. Wrapped in the island's tropical beauty, guests strolled Kalanggaman’s sanded beaches, swam in its clear waters, relaxed in hammocks and daybeds, and enjoyed complimentary massages on the beach. In the evening, travelers savoured a multi-course dinner featuring local specialities under the stars and a canopy of swaying palms. The event concluded with a colourful and lively dance performance.

“This once-in-a-lifetime experience took two years of planning and preparation, and we are grateful to the local community for their invaluable support,” said Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s Senior Vice President of Expeditions, Destination and Itinerary Management. “Utilizing our destination expertise, Silversea invests heavily in bespoke events for our guests’ enjoyment, connecting travelers with our planet’s most captivating cultures, communities, and landscapes. This is especially true of our World Cruise offering. Unlocking some of the most enriching experiences in the world for guests, these extended voyages include experiences that best showcase the most authentic aspects of each destination. Not only did our guests gain a deep insight into the local culture here on Kalanggaman Island, but we were able to benefit the local economy, helping to rebuild the island’s pontoon jetty and make other structural renovations that will improve the destination’s tourism infrastructure.”

“The added value of special World Cruise events like these is truly what sets Silversea apart,” said Barbara Muckermann, Silversea's President and CEO. “And we have more in store for our guests on this amazing 139-day voyage, from a bespoke Freddie Mercury tribute show staged at a historic palace in Zanzibar to an exclusive evening performance at the Manaus Opera House in the Amazon, complete with champagne and canapés, among other experiences. There is simply no better way to explore the world.”

Other events on Silversea’s South Side Story World Cruise 2023 have included a bespoke wine-tasting event at the Black Cottage Winery in Picton, New Zealand; authentic dance performance on Champagne Beach, Vanuatu; fire dancing display in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea; and fine gastronomy and folklore in the Cave of Descending Dragons, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

Silversea’s 132-day ‘Far East-West’ World Cruise 2024 will see guests journey throughout the Pacific, incorporating some of the planet’s most extreme destinations. Guests will depart San Francisco aboard Silver Shadow on January 15, 2024, before calling in 65 destinations across 14 countries.

Silver Dawn’s 136-day ‘Controtempo’ World Cruise 2025 will depart Tokyo for New York on January 13, 2025, unlocking some of the world’s most iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations during unconventional seasons, with immersive experiences that introduce local people and the most compelling stories. Guests will journey to 59 destinations in 30 countries, across four continents.

Fincantieri floats out Sun Princess

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 March 2023 08 March 2023

Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilder that is the world’s biggest builder of cruise ships, said it has floated out Sun Princess at its yard in Monfalcone.

The vessel is the first of two LNG dual fuel powered ships for Carnival group member Princess Cruises and at 175,500 gross tons, it is the largest cruise ship built in Italy so far. It will be delivered in the first quarter of next year.

This will be the third ship to be called in the history of Princess Cruises - the first one was built in 1972 and the second in 1995.

Norwegian Cruise Line expands exotic itineraries Collection for its 2024/25 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 March 2023 08 March 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced the opening for sale of new 2024/25 exotic itineraries, including the debut of Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky in Asia, and new ports of call to Manama, Bahrain; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Sokhna, Egypt; and Akita, Japan.

With this new season of itineraries from October 2024 through December 2025, NCL is expanding its voyages to Antarctica, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand by 37%, and its Extraordinary Journeys - the Brand’s collection of immersive and port-rich voyages - overall by 15%. This collection of itineraries only reaffirms the company’s commitment to providing guests with carefully curated voyages to some of the most sought-after destinations in the world.

"Our guests are craving longer, immersive and more unique itineraries that take them off the beaten path," said Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. "These new sailings represent the most diverse itinerary program to date and feature many brand firsts, including an extended Asia offering and new ports in Argentina, Bahrain, Japan and Egypt. Coupled with NCL’s renowned onboard experiences – from spacious accommodations, exceptional entertainment and diverse dining options that rival land-based offerings, it truly is an unforgettable way to explore the world."

Notable itineraries available to book as of today, include:

NCL’s first voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina: Norwegian Star will sail a 14-day South America voyage to Brazil and Antarctica departing March 1, 2025, offering a more immersive and port-intensive way to experience South America and cruise to Antarctica. Embarking from Ushuaia, Argentina for this once-in-a-lifetime journey reduces the number of sea days needed for an Antarctica cruise providing more port time for travelers. During the voyage, guests cruise through Paradise Bay in Antarctica and witness the surrounding glacial mountains and local wildlife while also having the opportunity to experience the culture in Puerto Madryn, and Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo and Punta Del Este, Uruguay; and Sao Paulo (Santos).

NCL’s maiden call to Bahrain, its first dedicated Middle East sailing: The Brand will offer a seven-day Middle East cruise on Norwegian Sun from Doha, Qatar to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) departing April 12, 2025. An overnight stay in Abu Dhabi, UAE provides travelers with more time to explore the culturally rich destination. In addition, the open-jaw voyage includes visits to Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Manama, Bahrain – a first time visit for NCL; as well as Dubai and Sir Bani Yas, the largest natural island southwest of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Three NCL ships to Asia for the first time: Together Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky will debut in Asia, offering an extensive eight-month season from October 2024 through May 2025, sailing country-intensive voyages in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan – including a collection of coveted Japanese spring cherry blossom and fall foliage itineraries. For the very first time, NCL will call to Akita, Japan during Norwegian Sun’s 12-day roundtrip sailing from Tokyo, embarking on Oct. 23, 2024. Both ships will be joined in region by Norwegian Spirit, who will embark on a brand-new repositioning voyage from Australia to Asia on Dec. 7, 2024, followed by her first voyage in Asia on Dec. 21, 2024.

Extraordinary Journeys: NCL’s collection of immersive journeys that take guests to lesser-visited and once-in-a-lifetime destinations will include two new back-to-back voyages aboard Norwegian Sky. Departing December 2024, the vessel will offer a 16-day Africa sailing to Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Oman and more during its voyage from Dubai, UAE to Mauritius. Immediately following, she will offer a 17-day sailing from Mauritius to Singapore with calls to Seychelles, Maldives and Zanzibar. On April 19, 2025, Norwegian Sun will embark on a 16-day cruise from Dubai, UAE to Haifa, Israel featuring 10 ports of call, including Sokhna, Egypt – a brand-new port for NCL. Visiting Sokhna, Egypt allows for easier access to Cairo, where guests can explore the ancient Great Pyramids of Giza.

Brand-new Australian itinerary: Norwegian Spirit returns Down Under for her third season and launches a new 14-day open-jaw voyage from Sydney to Bali via the Queensland coast in December 2024. The voyage includes calls to Cairns and Darwin, Australia; as well as an overnight visit to Bali (Benoa), Indonesia, providing more time for cruisers to enjoy this exotic destination. In addition, the ship will make the Brand’s first port of call to Rarotonga, Cook Islands in November 2025.

Two NCL ships departing from Haifa, Israel: In November 2024, Norwegian Sky will sail a 16-day Middle East Extraordinary Journey from Haifa, Israel to Dubai, UAE, including the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for guests to transit the Suez Canal in Egypt. Guests can also choose from an 11-day Mediterranean cruise from Haifa, Israel to Istanbul, Turkey aboard Norwegian Sun. Departing May 5, 2025, the voyage will call to sought-after destinations in Greece, Turkey and Egypt.

UK cruise app generates half of bookings by those under 42

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 March 2023 07 March 2023

My Kind of Cruise, the world’s first fully-bookable cruise holiday app, has now had over 100k downloads. “The average age of a person booking via the app is 35, with 50% of users aged 42 or under,” the company said in a statement.

My Kind of Cruise has been in development since May 2022 and was fully launched January 2023. It already has a repeat booking rate of over 25%. The app boasts the ability to book a cruise in under two minutes, with the process for repeat customers at just 45 seconds.

Sixty five percent of downloads were generated via social media, the majority of which are through TikTok - the short-video hosting platform - which accounts for 30% of users.

"My Kind of Cruise takes away the hassle of purchasing a cruise holiday over the phone – while simultaneously comparing options and pricing – and gives customers the ability to instantly search, book and compare sailings side by side, across cruise ships, lines and sailings. 80% of bookings are made out of hours, Monday to Friday between 6pm and 9am and Saturday and Sunday evenings, with the app tailored to serve its audience 24/7 through online-only communications," the company continued.

Despite having a significant under-40 audience, the app is used across the generations; the oldest customer to book a sailing to date is 87.

Sefton Monk, co-founder of My Kind of Cruise, said: “People keep asking why cruising now appeals to a younger audience, but really they should be asking why the cruise industry doesn't market itself to a younger audience. Our research has shown that 66% of Millennials and under, want to book their holidays via an app, which is why we are seeing so much interest and demand.

“We developed My Kind of Cruise to be as user-friendly and accessible as possible, and as such our users have a suitably diverse range of ages. Cruising is for everyone, and our app clearly demonstrates that, whether you're booking a cruise aged 18 or aged 98.”

Cruise Saudi bought World Dream for reported $330 million

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 March 2023 07 March 2023

Cruise Saudi, the government owned organisation tasked with developing cruise tourism in Saudi Arabia, has acquired the 2017 built cruise ship World Dream for a reported $330 million.

The 150,695 gross ton vessel was sold at auction in Singapore following the collapse of Genting Hong Kong, its previous owner, early last year. The new owner has renamed the ship Manara.

“One of collapsed cruise ship operator Genting Hong Kong’s flagship Asia-based cruise ships has been sold by liquidators in Singapore for US$330 million. World Dream, launched in 2017 to serve the Asian market and with capacity for 5,000 passengers, was snapped up in late February by Cruise Saudi – a relative newcomer to the global cruising industry and financially backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund,” Inside Asian Gaming reports on its website.