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HM Queen Elizabeth II has died

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 September 2022 09 September 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch of Britain and the godmother of many vessels, passed away on Wednesday at Balmoral in Scotland. She was 96 years of age and had been on the throne for 70 years.

She was present with her younger sister, Princess Margaret, in September 1938 when her mother named RMS Queen Elizabeth of what was then Cunard White Star Line, on the Clyde in Scotland.

Eight years later, all three participated trials of the ship on the Clyde as it prepared to commence civilian service after six years of naval duty during and after World War 2.

In 1947, she named Caronia of Cunard White Star Line at the same John Brown shipyard on the Clyde that had built Queen Elizabeth. That same year she married Philip Mountbatten, later titled His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The next ocean liner that she would name was the Southern Cross of Shaw, Savill & Albion that was built at Harland & Wolff in Belfast and launched in 1954, two years after her accession to the throne.

A year later she named Empress of Britain of Canadian Pacific Steamships that was built by Fairfield on the Clyde. The ship became Greek Line’s Queen Anna Maria in 1964, but it is probably best remembered as Carnivale of Carnival Cruise Lines that acquired it in 1976.

Twelve years would pass before she would name the next large passenger ship – Queen Elizabeth 2 that was constructed at John Brown on the Clyde and launched in 1967.

The Queen was also godmother of Oriana of P&O Cruises, the first modern cruise liner intended for the British market, which was built in Germany and named at Southampton in 1995.

Two Cunard ships followed – Queen Mary 2 in 2003 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010 –before the naming of P&O Cruises’ Britannia in 2015. This was to become the final ship that she would name.

However, she performed the duty of godmother to several naval vessels as well, including the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2014.

Camilla, wife of the present king that was known as Duchess of Cornwall and who is now titled Queen Consort, named Cunard’s Queen Victoria in 2007 and the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales 10 years later.

King Charles III, who has succeeded Queen Elizabeth II on the throne, served in the Royal Navy in the 1970s and commanded the minesweeper HMS Bronington in 1976.

Photo: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the naming ceremony of P&O Cruises' Britannia in Southampton in March 2015.

Helsinki Shipyard statement regarding news on September 6

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 September 2022 07 September 2022

Helsinki Shipyard has made a following statement today, September 7:

"According to media coverage, Merima Oy has filed a bankruptcy application concerning Helsinki Shipyard Oy with the Helsinki District Court on Tuesday, September 6.

Helsinki Shipyard Oy has not yet received information from the district court about the bankruptcy application, but confirms that Merima Oy has a small disputed claim from Helsinki Shipyard Oy, the amount of which is well under 1% of the contract price, in other words, it is not a significant amount and we believe that it is negotiable.

The disputed claim relates to Merima’s defective delivery, of which Helsinki Shipyard Oy has complained to Merima Oy. The disputes have concerned, among other things, whether the subcontract for shipbuilding has been fulfilled.

The matter was last negotiated with Merima Oy on 5.9.2022.

In Helsinki Shipyard Oy’s view, Merima’s application is unfounded, but will naturally be investigated.

Merima has already been paid on September 7th the disputed claim in order to minimise the unreasonable reputational damage and damage it causes. Helsinki Shipyard will continue to collect its own receivables from Merima. Merima’s delivery is still incomplete."

Helsinki Shipyard is currently building SH Diana for Swan Hellenic.

New French company CFC to name ship Renaissance

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 September 2022 06 September 2022

Compagnie Francaise des Crocieres (CFC) the new French cruise line, will name its first vessel Renaissance before introducing it on the French market in February next year, company officials said in a webinar shown on Facebook.

The former Maasdam of Holland America Line would be placed under the French flag with Marseille as the port of registry, they said. The 55,575 gross ton ship was built in 1993.

The French company bought the ship last month from SeaJet, a Greek owner, which had bought it after it had been made redundant by the Carnival group member.

SeaJet had named the ship Aegean Myth and laid it up in Greek waters together with three the vessels it had acquired from the world’s largest cruise shipping group. None of these has re-entered service or found a buyer yet.

Renaissance will operate cruises from Marseille and Le Havre, the officials said. Renaissance was also the name of a 12,000 gross ton cruise ship built in 1966 for the now defunct Paquet company.

UK market shows resilience despite rising cost of living

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 September 2022 06 September 2022

The UK cruise market has shown resilience so far despite rising cost of living, although households are expected to face another significant increase in energy prices from the autumn onwards.

Princess Cruises has reported customer demand for 2023 sailings is “well outstripping” previous years – two months after the line achieved its record booking day in the UK, Travel Weekly reports.

Eithne Williamson, the line’s vice-president of UK and Europe, explained how the biggest-ever booking day in late June had been a key driver for the current 2023 cruise booking volumes Princess was seeing.

She said there was “great interest” from UK passengers for fly-cruises in the Mediterranean as well as highlighting how demand was returning for destinations such as the Caribbean and Alaska.

However, she added that her team should never take things for granted and highlighted how the line had recently cancelled 11 Diamond Princess sailings over staffing challenges, she pointed out.

Meanwhile, research by the online agent cruise.co.uk has shown that cruise enthusiasts are still prioritising their holidays at sea despite the current increases in cost of living.

A survey of 1,015 people by the company found that almost 70% have booked or will book a voyage this year. Of this number, around three-quarters will travel on their first-choice sailing, with the final quarter still cruising but opting for a lower-priced option than they would usually book.

The results were published on 19 July, which was about a month before news of significant further increase in energy prices that households would face from the autumn onwards.

Of the remaining survey respondents, 20% stated they would go on a non-cruise holiday this year, either in the UK or overseas. The final 10% have postponed their holiday plans until 2023 or beyond. Nearly 20% of the overall respondents have at least one sailing lined up in both 2022 and 2023.

There is an even 50/50 split between cruisers either sailing from the UK or flying overseas to meet their ship, with little sign the ongoing issues at airports have affected plans.

For those yet to book this year, the Mediterranean is the favourite destination, with the Caribbean second and Norwegian Fjords / North Scandinavia third. The growing popularity of river cruises continues, as sailing a European waterway is in fourth place.

Photo: Ambiance is the first ship of new UK cruise operator Ambassador Cruise Line that started sailing in the spring.

P&O Cruises' Arvia to feature more than 30 bars and restaurants

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

P&O Cruises newest ship Arvia, arriving in December 2022 will feature more than 30 places to eat and drink and new menus by Local Food Heroes, Shivi Ramoutar and José Pizarro. Arvia is also set to be home to new restaurants created exclusively for the ship including Green & Co feat. Mizuhana and 6th Street Diner.

P&O Cruises is collaborating with queen of contemporary Caribbean cooking, Shivi Ramoutar and acclaimed Spanish chef, José Pizarro, to bring local food experiences to Arvia's holidays in the Caribbean and Mediterranean respectively.

At The Beach House Shivi will celebrate her passion for Caribbean cuisine with a range of dishes including her vibrant Jerk Chicken Supreme with rice and peas, coleslaw, shallow-fried plantain and a Jamaican cornmeal speciality known as festivals.

In The Glass House and Cellar Door guests will be able to try tapas created by José Pizarro, paired with wines selected by Food Hero Olly Smith. Dishes will include José Pizarro Tapas with grilled whole tiger prawns, mango, chilli and garlic salsa; lamb cutlets, crushed potatoes, olives, dried cherry tomatoes and romesco sauce; and tuna tartare with avocado, tomato and chilli dressing.

Green & Co feat. Mizuhana will be a new restaurant exclusive to Arvia and will offer guests exquisitely crafted fish and plant-based dishes. Guests will be able to dine at the sushi bar and watch the expert chefs at work or be seated at tables to enjoy the views out to sea. Dishes will include:

– Chakalaka Wellington with a South African inspired spiced, smokey tomato sauce, red cabbage gel, corn relish, warm green bean salad, crispy corn kernels and a side of spiced sweet potato pakoras, coconut labneh, pea and mint dip
– Moriawase Platters Nigiri with yellow fin tuna, Highland salmon, yellow tail, sea bass, maki and tuna uramaki
Chocolate Earth Plate with dark chocolate and beetroot pebbles, chocolate mushrooms, tarragon jelly, chocolate soil and non-dairy vanilla gelato

6th Street Diner is new for Arvia and is an all-American diner serving breakfast, brunch, dinner and sweet treats, accompanied with great music and ice-cold cocktails. Dishes will include:

– Pennsylvania Dutch Waffles with fried chicken and spicy maple syrup
– New York Strip Steak with grilled asparagus, crispy shallows, garlic butter and fries
– Red Velvet Whoopie Pie with cream cheese frosting
– Roast at The Quays is also new for Arvia with traditional lunches served with a modern twist, including a jumbo Yorkshire pudding filled with Sunday roast favourites.

Other highlight on board include:

– Amber Lounge – situated in the Grand Atrium, guests will be able to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails while watching artists perform aerial vignettes above. New cocktails for Arvia include a Barberousse (with a mixture of 3 different rums, apricot and pomegranate juice) and a Tortuga Cobbler (with Aperol, grapefruit, raspberry juice and rum from The Tidal Rum).

– Anderson’s Bar – boasting a boutique distillery and a menu of craft rums and gins, this intimate bar is a cosy spot for drinks by day and night. During the winter season, the on-board still will create unique rum, created exclusively by The Tidal Rum and in the summer, we make bespoke Marabelle Gin.

– Infinity - the new swim-up bar on board Arvia will be the perfect place for guests to enjoy a cocktail or two.
Fresh and informal

– Vistas Café Bar - Café serving pâtisserie and sweet treats with Costa coffee, teapigs™ tea and ocean views.
Ripples - Gelateria, in partnership with Snowflake Luxury Gelato, serving gelato cones, cakes, and sundaes, including a rum & raisin gelato and a special Caribbean-inspired sundae.

– Taste 360 - Serving burgers, hot dogs, oven-baked pizza, authentic street food and special dishes from Local Food Heroes, Shivi Ramoutar and José Pizarro.

Contemporary flavours

– The Olive Grove - Mediterranean restaurant with a menu featuring the region’s iconic dishes, from Greek mezze to Moroccan lamb tagine. On Celebration Nights, the restaurant will offer an exclusive menu from José Pizarro.

– The Keel and Cow - Gastropub serving dry-aged steaks, British classics and signature burger, The Prime Minister.
Sindhu - Guests can dine amidst stylish surroundings whilst chefs take them on a journey that celebrates the best of contemporary Indian cuisines.

Chic and special

– Epicurean - Classic British ingredients are given a modern twist and are served with fine wines, flawless service, elegant surroundings and stunning ocean vistas.

Served with entertainment

– The Limelight Club - a ticketed event exclusively for adults, guests will be able to settle back for entertainment provided by some of Britain’s best-loved performers while eating a three-course dinner.

– The 710 Club - a sophisticated live-music bar that’s been crafted to Music Director Gary Barlow’s creative vision, guests will be able to immerse themselves in an array of musical genres while enjoying stylish cocktails and negronis hand-picked by Gary.

Example itineraries

Arvia maiden, Canary Islands, 14 nights from £1,449pp
14-night cruise on Arvia (K203) for £1,449 per person for an inside cabin. Departing December 9, 2022, the price includes kids' clubs, full board meals and entertainment. Departing from and returning to Southampton ports of call are Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz and Lisbon.

Mediterranean, 14 nights from £1,049pp
14-night cruise on Arvia (K307) for £1,049 per person for an inside cabin. Departing April 2, 2023, the price includes kids' clubs, full board meals and entertainment. Departing from and returning to Southampton ports of call are La Coruna, Mallorca, La Spezia, Marseilles, Barcelona and Cadiz.

Photo: Green & Co feat. Mizuhana Credit: Partner Ship Design