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Atlas Ocean Voyages takes delivery of World Traveller expedition ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2022 10 October 2022

Atlas Ocean Voyages has taken delivery of its new 200-guest World Traveller, which will be officially named on November 20. The handover ceremony took place here October 7, 2022, on board the vessel at the West Sea shipyard, where the yacht-style ship was built. From Portugal, the ship repositions to Ushuaia, Argentina, where she will be based for expeditions to Antarctica.

“This ceremony to mark the completion of the ship, and our acceptance of delivery, is just the first of a number of significant events over the next few weeks – including the ship’s official naming in Chilean Patagonia,” said James Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO.

World Traveller is the second vessel in the Atlas Ocean Voyages fleet and joins sister-ship World Navigator. Both ships will be named at a unique dual naming ceremony at Chile’s Garibaldi Glacier. Atlas will showcase the ship to North American travel advisors, dignitaries, and international media before she departs on her maiden voyage November 21.

After a series of expeditions to Antarctica, World Traveller repositions via the Canary Islands to Europe for 7- to 10-day voyages that highlight the best of the Mediterranean. Home ports include Seville, Lisbon, Barcelona, Nice and Civitavecchia – the port for Rome.

In August, three Arctic expeditions offer guests the chance to marvel at majestic glaciers, fjordlands, and mountains, and observe a range of wildlife, including birds, whales, polar bears, reindeer, walrus, and the elusive Arctic fox. From the land of the Midnight Sun, World Traveller offers an Iceland circumnavigation before charting a southbound course via the British Isles, Ireland, France, and Spain to conclude her Europe season on October 16 in Lisbon.

World Traveller is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified and caters to curious, global travelers with a passion for exploring iconic and off-the-beaten-path places. The stylish and intimate, yacht-style vessel offers every five-star comfort, from an all-inclusive onboard experience and luxurious accommodations to in-depth excursions and customized private tours, for a truly personalized voyage.

Disney Cruise Line reported to buy Global Dream

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2022 10 October 2022

Disney Cruise Line is rumored to be potential buyer of Global Dream, the 9,000 passenger capacity newbuilding of failed Dream Cruises that remains at a shipyard in Germany.

The ship had been ordered by the Genting Hong Kong group unit at MV Werften shipyard in Germany, but all three companies went bankrupt in the wake of the collapse of the group parent.

Various media reports say that Disney cruise Line that is part of Walt Disney Corporation, would acquire the incomplete 208,000 gross ton vessel and that Meyer Werft that itself has built ships for Disney, would supervise the work to finish the ship.

Photo: CGI of the ship in the colours of Dream Cruise.

Meyer Turku and RMC in talks to get emergency funding – report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2022 10 October 2022

Meyer Turku and Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), both Finnish shipbuilders that are active in the passenger ship sector, are reported to be in talks with the government about emergency funding.

Media reports in Finland say that Meyer Turku would seek €200 million in funding. Meanwhile RMC has already received €40 million from the state in the form of capital certificates in June, the reports say. Both companies made deep losses in 2021 as the Covid- 19 pandemic hurt their business.

Talks between the government and the shipbuilders are ongoing, the reports say.

Photo: Mardi Gras of Carnival Cruise Line was built at Meyer Turku

Some cruises sold in UK at or below 2012 prices, study finds

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2022 10 October 2022

A study has revealed the cost of cruising across a range of destinations has remained consistent, or in some cases cheaper, over the last 10 years.

The research, conducted by cruise specialist cruise.co.uk, found the majority of cruises remained cost consistent for sailings from seven to 14 nights - across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean - when looking back over the last 10 years.

“The agent took a series of sample sailings in 2012, 2019 and 2022, comparing similar experiences, from multiple cruise lines. Most were, as a minimum, in line with inflation, if not cheaper.

In a particularly striking example, an inside cabin on a 14-night P&O Caribbean cruise, sailing from Barbados came in at £1,659 including flights ten years ago in 2012. In 2019 the cost came down to £1,503 per person, while a matched 2022 sailing only set guests back £999,” cuise.co.uk said in a statement.

Similarly, a balcony cabin on an early summer 14-night Mediterranean cruise with Princess Cruises, sailing from Southampton was £1,499 in 2012, but just £1,315 if sailing this year, a reduction of 12%.

Tony Andrews, deputy managing director of cruise.co.uk, said: “Given how much is included on a cruise holiday - such as meals, top class entertainment, kids’ clubs across a range of ages and onboard leisure facilities - means it’s phenomenal to see so many examples of consistent pricing over the last 10 years.”

”Holidaymakers would be hard pushed to find any other getaway that offers such incredible value-for-money over time. With money-saving drinks packages also available on most sailings, we’re confident the all-inclusive nature of a holiday at sea means cruises will continue to offer unbeatable value,” he said.

Emerald Cruises to homeport at two Antigua ports in 2023

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 October 2022 05 October 2022

Antigua Cruise Port has confirmed that a luxury yacht owned by Switzerland-based Emerald Cruises will homeport in Antigua in 2023. Emerald Azzurra will begin conducting full turnaround calls at St. John’s from November. Emerald Sakara will also begin transit calls on both Antigua and calls at Barbuda in January 2024.

“Serving as a homeport has been one of our main strategic objectives since we began managing Antigua Cruise Port in 2019, so naturally, we are extremely excited about this partnership,” explained Dona Regis-Prosper, General Manager. “For us, taking this leap with Emerald Cruises makes it that much more satisfying, since our tourism product offering pairs well with the desires of luxury yacht clientele. This partnership has been two years in the making, so we are grateful to them for their willingness to work with us to try something new. This collaboration gives Antigua & Barbuda a huge advantage when promoting our destination as a luxury cruise partner.”

“In recent years, we have worked very closely with the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority to strategically promote the country as the Caribbean luxury destination of choice,” she added. “To this end, we have meticulously coordinated every element of the homeporting experience, from provisioning to hotel partnerships, to airport movements and transfers. We will give passengers a seamless and enjoyable experience from start to finish.”

She also noted that “Barbuda, specifically, is developing into a key destination for the “eco luxe” sector, so these passengers will experience new tours and activities that combine the best of both worlds – an appreciation of the finer things, while embracing our shared love of our planet. What could be better?”

Mark Robinson, VP of Cruise Operations for Emerald Cruises, shared his team’s enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We are delighted to offer our passengers “double the pleasure” by offering two homeport stops in the stunning islands of Antigua & Barbuda next year. The depth of experiences that await them in this pristine destination have certainly expanded lately, and we are especially pleased to add new adventures to our Caribbean itineraries. We are always looking for what’s new and next, and Antigua & Barbuda is at the center of the future of Caribbean cruising.”