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Celebrity Cruises achieves 32 percent female bridge officers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 March 2022 08 March 2022

With a long history of championing diversity and inclusion, Celebrity Cruises today set a new benchmark in the cruise industry, announcing that one third of its bridge officers are now female, in an industry where less than 2% of mariners are women. As a display of its commitment to equality, advancement and the accomplishments of women, the brand is changing its global “X” logo to “XX” on its social media channels in honor of the female chromosome for International Women’s Day. Celebrating all those who identify as female, this symbolic display supports this year’s #BreakTheBias international theme.

The “XX” logo was also projected onto Celebrity Beyond, the company’s highly anticipated flagship under final construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France in preparation for its April 2022 debut and set to be helmed by female captain Kate McCue. When McCue maneuvers Celebrity Beyond from the shipyard, she will become the first woman to helm an inaugural cruise ship sailing, an industry honor commonly referred to as being the “start up” captain.

With a penchant for rising above the industry norms, Celebrity has made maritime history for its progressive thinking and barrier-breaking initiatives. In 2015, President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, a catalyst for change in the 200-year-old industry, appointed Captain Kate McCue as the first – and still only – American female ship captain, starting an intentional effort by the brand to attract more women to the industry and into leadership roles across its fleet.

The cruise line further captured the world’s attention on International Women’s Day 2020, when the first all-female bridge and officer team led by Captain Kate departed on a history-making sailing on board the award-winning Celebrity Edge. Made up of 26 women representing 16 different countries, the all-female bridge and leadership team reunited virtually on International Women’s Day 2021, one year after their glass ceiling-shattering achievement, to reflect on the historic sailing and discuss the challenging year that followed amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Then, on June 26, 2021, Captain Kate led the Celebrity fleet – and the industry – back into operation when Celebrity Edge became the first cruise ship to sail with guests from a U.S. port in more than a year due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

“Looking back at how far we’ve come in six years is quite extraordinary, and speaks volumes to the leadership and shared vision of the talented men and women I work with every day,” said Celebrity Cruises president and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “Now, we have incredible women from 19 countries and at all levels of maritime leadership to inspire girls in this awe-inspiring industry that opens up the world with the transformative power of travel. We are so proud to pioneer this path and keep at this work so everyone who dreams of a career on board a cruise ship - whether they identify as male or female - encounters a new standard across the seven seas.”

When Captain Kate takes the helm of Celebrity Beyond this spring, she will be surrounded by an accomplished nine-person Bridge team, including four female officers: Chief Officer Rachel Arnold (UK); Second Officer Dionysia Giapappa (Greece); Third Officer Gifty Adu Gyamfi (Ghana); and Third Officer Antonina Kolodziejczyk (Poland).

Seatrade Cruise Global reveals details for 2022 State of the Industry Keynote

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 March 2022 06 March 2022

Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry’s leading annual business-to-business event, announces its highly anticipated 2022 State of the Global Industry Keynote lineup, presented in partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The 2022 conference theme, resilience, serves as the framework for an exclusive round-table discussion joining senior leaders from the world’s largest cruise lines. Led by returning keynote panel moderator and BBC World News Presenter, Lucy Hockings, the dynamic dialogue will surround the industry’s synergy to create a safe and innovative cruising experience for guests while remaining flexible during ever-changing times.

Panelists will include:

– Kelly Craighead, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association
– Arnold Donald, President & CEO, Carnival Corporation & PLC
– Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group
– Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises

“Our keynote opening session sets the tone for Seatrade Cruise Global 2022, welcoming attendees with a multifaceted dialogue reflective of the times. As so, this year’s preeminent event was curated to champion the resiliency of the cruise industry,” says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “In collaboration with CLIA and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) we continue to develop event protocols that align with those in the industry to ensure optimal attendee experience, while protecting the health and safety of our guests, participants and the public.”

The State of the Global Industry Keynote will take place from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 26 April 2022, highlighting the work of the industry to lead the way as a model for responsible tourism practices as well as its commitment to deliver memorable travel experiences. The discourse will explore topics including resilience and the restart; environmental sustainability; destination stewardship; health and safety; economic impact; the future of cruising.

“As the cruise industry continues to define resiliency, Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami provides an ideal platform for our community to come together to renew, restore and remember why we do what we do,” said Kelly Craighead, President and CEO, Cruise Lines International Association. “I look forward to being face to face with colleagues from around the world to strengthen our bonds with one another and to further our collective goals for making cruise one of the best ways to see the world.”

The keynote is one of many highly anticipated sessions taking place across the four-day conference. Attendees can enjoy thought-provoking forums and workshops exploring the latest trends across hotel operations; technology; health and safety, with new sessions on cruise public relations and communications; diversity; experience design and more. Speakers from Abercrombie & Kent, American Queen Voyages, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Holland America Group, Hurtigruten Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ponant, Silversea Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Variety Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Windstar Cruises will also be sharing their expertise.

RMC begins construction of two ferries for Australian client

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 March 2022 06 March 2022

The start of production of a passenger and vehicle ferry was celebrated on February 28 at Rauma shipyard. The construction of the Spirit of Tasmania IV, set to operate between mainland Australia and Tasmania, began with a traditional steel cutting ceremony. Even though the future route and the shipyard responsible for the construction are located on the opposite sides of the globe, trust and cooperation have been built over a long period of time.

“Although the actual construction of the first ferry started today [February 28], RMC and Spirit of Tasmania already have a long history. The pandemic, among other things, disrupted our plans, but the agreement for the vessels was re-signed in 2021. We are particularly glad that our joint journey, which has lasted more than a decade, finally reached this important milestone. Therefore, I would like to thank Spirit of Tasmania for trusting our local expertise in shipbuilding,” says Jyrki Heinimaa, CEO and president of RMC.

The twin Spirit of Tasmania vessels will be constructed in Rauma. When finished, they will be the southernmost vessels to operate with LNG. In addition, the vessels will have a dual fuel solution, which will allow them to use other, alternative fuels, if needed.

Spirit of Tasmania (TT-Line Company), the purchaser of the vessels, is a significant player in maritime transport between mainland Australia and Tasmania. Currently, the Spirit of Tasmania-named vessels carry around 450,000 passengers each year. The new vessels will operate an extremely challenging route across the Bass Strait between Geelong, Victoria, and Devonport, Tasmania. The ferries have been specially designed to undertake this specific route.

The vessels will hold 1,800 passengers each and their gross tonnage will be approximately 48,000 metric tons. The new vessels will replace similarly Finnish-built sister ships from the 1990s. The first vessel will be finished in late 2023 and the second in late 2024.

Bernard Dwyer, CEO and Managing Director of Spirit of Tasmania says “This is a significant moment for Tasmania and for the Tasmanian economy. When completed, the vessel’s arrival in late 2023 will mark the start of a new era for passenger travel and freight transport across Bass Strait,” he said.

“While the new ships will be a similar design to the current Spirit of Tasmania vessels, they will feature substantially larger capacity for passengers, passenger vehicles and freight.”

For the city of Rauma and the surrounding region, the design and construction of the vessels will create a total of around 3,500 person-years’ worth of employment. The vessels are being built while the shipyard also finalises a new car and passenger ferry for Tallink and builds new multipurpose corvettes for the Finnish Defence Forces’ Squadron 2020 project.

Celebrity Cruises to sail year-round in the Mediterranean

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 March 2022 03 March 2022

Celebrity Cruises announced today that the company will sail year-round in the Mediterranean, adding on to its summer season with sailings from September 2023 through March 2024. Sailing in The Mediterranean for the first time in winter, guests will be treated to a new-luxury experience on board the Celebrity Infinity as they visit some of the most sought-after locations in the world, including the Pyramids of Egypt, the striking Acropolis of Athens, or one of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem.

The only Celebrity ship sailing in the Mediterranean all year round, Celebrity Infinity will kick off her winter season embarking on 9- and 10-night itineraries where guests will be treated to the best of the Iberian Peninsula. Rotating between setting sail from the ports of Barcelona, Spain, and Lisbon, Portugal, guests will experience one of the largest coastlines in the Mediterranean visiting the beautiful Palma de Mallorca, the stunning and historically rich city of Seville, and more.

Then, from October 2023 to January 2024, Infinity will call Barcelona home as she embarks on 11- and 12-night itineraries and returns to Morocco for the first time since 2008. Guests will experience the sights of the whitewashed hills of Tangier, Morocco, explore the authentic food vendors and medinas in Casablanca, and be treated to the fantastical landscapes of the Canary Islands among other top destinations.

Capping off the winter season, Infinity will then return to Greece, the birthplace of Celebrity Cruises, where bucket-list travelers will be treated in February and March 2024 to 10 or 11-night itineraries traveling three continents, visiting some of the world’s most revered historical sights and ancient wonders in Egypt and Greece, including The Great Pyramid, the Acropolis in Athens, The Temple of Artemis, and more.

“Being able to sail through the Mediterranean all winter will open up infinite possibilities for our guests to satiate their wanderlust, while experiencing new destinations as they Journey WonderFULLSM with us,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “With these new 2023-2024 offerings, we will continue to reintroduce our guests to the world with itineraries that reconnect them with cultures and experiences that will last a lifetime.”

Adding to the allure of these sailings are opportunities for guests to soak up the culture during overnight stays in Malaga, Spain; Porto, Portugal; Jerusalem, Israel; Alexandria, Egypt, or Athens, Greece.

Fincantieri launches Vista

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 March 2022 01 March 2022

Vista, the first of two new generation cruise ships that will start the Allura class for Oceania Cruises, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., was launched at the Sestri Ponente (Genoa) shipyard.

Vista will register approximately 67,000 gross tons and will accommodate 1,200 passengers on board, assisted by 800 crew members, for a ratio of three to two. The interiors have been designed with a blend of grand and welcoming spaces to deliver the company’s signature small cruise ship luxury experience, but with a fresh, new interpretation.

Vista will stand out for a high level of innovation devoted to the principles of sustainability. Future regulations, in fact, will increasingly encourage solutions capable of guaranteeing an impact reduction, and Fincantieri intends to anticipate those trends to ensure that its products constitute a reference for the market.

Fincantieri delivered Marina in 2011 and Riviera in 2012 to Oceania Cruises at the Sestri Ponente shipyard. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. also operates the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) brand, for which the Group is building six new generation cruise ships of the Prima class, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, whose fleet and has been joined by the extra-luxury units Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor, built respectively in 2016 in Sestri and in 2020 in Ancona. A third ship will be delivered to the brand in 2023.