More News

Royal Caribbean Group sets summer return to Alaska

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2021 25 May 2021

Royal Caribbean Group announced on Friday that this summer will mark the company’s long-awaited return to Alaska. World-class ships will set sail from Seattle on itineraries visiting the cherished communities of the Last Frontier once again, beginning in July. Following a year-long absence, travelers can explore the wonders of Alaska and visit the culturally rich towns and colorful traditions they have looked forward to discovering, all while helping revive the local economies through tourism.

“We are so pleased that Congress unanimously voted to pass legislation enabling cruise ships to sail to Alaska this season, said Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO. “We are thrilled Alaskans will be able to welcome cruise visitors this year knowing how important the tourism industry is to the economy and the communities we visit. It’s been a tough year for everyone, but people clearly have pent-up demand to cruise again, and we can’t wait to get back to what we do best, delivering world class vacations to our guests. Our immense gratitude goes to Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congressman Young along with Governor Dunleavey, and the Alaska State Legislature for making this reality happen.”

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will take passengers to far-flung destinations like Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska, as well as the imposing Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.

All sailings will depart with vaccinated crew and everyone over the age of 16 must be vaccinated; as of August 1, 2021, all US guests ages 12 and older must be fully vaccinated.

AmaWaterways to resume sailings through Europe beginning July 3

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2021 21 May 2021

AmaWaterways today announced its plans to return to the rivers of Europe resuming sailings on board select ships beginning July 3, 2021 in Portugal.

AmaWaterways’ Executive Vice President and Co-Founder Kristin Karst provided the following statement: “We are so excited to see the situation in Europe evolving in a positive direction and are very optimistic about the new tourist entry requirements that will be officially announced in the coming days. We are proud to announce a selection of sailings starting the first week of July in Portugal with other restart dates throughout July on select ships on all the European rivers including the most luxurious ship on the Danube River, the AmaMagna on July 21st.

On a personal note, being born in Germany, I could not be happier about the announcement that Europe will be opened this summer to safely welcome back tourists to assist with the much needed economic and social recovery.”

AmaWaterways’ President and Co-Founder Rudi Schreiner also shared the following: “As we proceed with our return to the rivers, we will continue to monitor the updates from global health authorities, local governments and airlines with regards to the entry requirements. In the coming days, we will be providing more information regarding the specific documentation needed for sailing with us. Details will also be posted in the Travel Updates section on our website and be sent to our travel partners via email.

Having successfully operated river cruises during summer 2020, our teams are experienced with enhanced health and safety protocols and are ready and eager to safely welcome guests back on board. Our team is committed to ensuring our guests have a wonderful experience as they return to the rivers, visiting the world’s most beautiful destinations.”

Specific sailing dates are as follows:

– July 3rd, AmaDouro will commence sailings through Portugal
– July 21st, AmaMagna will commence sailings on the Danube River
– July 22nd, AmaKristina will commence sailings in France on the Rhône River
– July 22nd, AmaLyra will commence sailings in France on the Seine River
– July 27th, AmaVida will commence sailings in Portugal and Spain
– July 29th, AmaDolce will commence sailings through Bordeaux, France
– July 29th, AmaSiena will commence sailings on the Rhine River

Second Windstar's yacht completes Star Plus initiative

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2021 21 May 2021

Windstar Cruises’ President Chris Prelog officially received Star Legend back from the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Italy today after completion of its part of the line’s $250 million Star Plus Initiative. The yacht begins cruising in Northern Europe on Sept 4, 2021 with the Belles of the British Isles sailing roundtrip London.

“We’re proud to see Star Legend emerge from this major project with all initial plans completed,” said Prelog. “I am so thankful to Fincantieri for their great partnership on this complicated and innovative project. This is the ship I began my seagoing career on 20 plus years ago and to see it today like a new ship is more than exciting for me. I am blown away.”

“Many thanks to the team here in Palermo for their hard work and diligence on a long, complicated project,” said John Gunner, Windstar’s vice president of expansion projects. “It was an amazing process to get the ship to where she is now; and we have one more to go.”

Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises embarked on its Star Plus Initiative in 2019 with plans to stretch all three Star Plus Class ships – Star Breeze, Star Legend, Star Pride – which inserted a new section into each ship with 50 new suites, new and reimagined public spaces and additional amenities. Though guest capacity increased from 212 to 312 guests, the size of these three all-suite motorized yachts still fit within Windstar’s credo to visit smaller, scenic ports for diverse itineraries mixing these with marquee ports.

Swan Hellenic appoints Philipp Reutner as hotel director first ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2021 21 May 2021

Swan Hellenic, the Nicosia expedition cruise line, said that internationally-experienced hospitality and fine dining expert Philipp Reutener has joined the iconic company as Hotel Director of the first of its three new cultural expedition cruise ships, the five-star SH Minerva which will be embarking on its fully-booked maiden cruise toward the end of the year.

“Born into hospitality, helping his parents from an early age to run their bed and breakfast in the beautiful, historic town of Brunnen on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, Philipp's professional journey has ranged from chef at premium restaurants in Brunnen, Geneva and Lugano to front of house at the renowned “Le Beaujolais" in Banff, Canada,” the company said in a statement.

This was followed by senior management positions at the MythenForum Schwyz conference and event centre in Switzerland and then with Norwegian Cruise Line, initially as Food & Beverage Assistant Manager and soon after as Director between 2001 and 2002, leading to shore-based positions in Human Resources and Culinary Projects up to 2005.

His career then continued on land for the next 6 years, managing resorts for Amari, Anantara and Sandals in Thailand, the UAE and Jamaica. The lure of the sea was too strong, however, and in 2013 he returned to the waves as Hotel Director with Seabourn, mainly cruising the Baltic and his favourite region of the world, Antarctica.

Philipp’s passion for hospitality has not only seen him accumulate multiple qualifications (from the Swiss Hotel Management School Lucerne, Switzerland, and Cornell University in New York) but also led him to acquire extensive competence in languages, from his native Swiss German and German to French, English, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Thai. This, combined with his wide-ranging experience living and working in diverse cultures, make him a perfect fit for the iconic Swan Hellenic.

“We're delighted to have Philipp moulding the hospitality experience aboard SH Minerva, with his immense experience, refined competence and sheer joie de vivre,” declared Swan Hellenic Vice President of Hotel Operations Hans Heger. “We've already been hard at working selecting some very fine wines for the ship's cellar!”

Reutener commented: “I'm honoured to have been chosen to help create the extraordinary on-board experience that Swan Hellenic has conceived for SH Minerva, a distinctive combination of comfort, refinement and the highest service standards with the relaxed confidence typical of true connoisseurs.”

Holland America Line plans to restart cruising to Alaska from Seattle in July 2021

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 May 2021 20 May 2021

Following passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, work with Alaska government officials, and recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Holland America Line is announcing plans to restart cruising to Alaska in July roundtrip from Seattle, Washington, aboard Nieuw Amsterdam.

Bookings are open for the 11 Saturday departures that will operate from July 24 through Oct. 2. The 7-night “Alaskan Explorer” itinerary calls at Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan. Scenic cruising in Alaska’s iconic locales includes Glacier Bay and Stephens Passage.

Plans for these cruises to fulfill Holland America Line’s obligations under the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) are expected to be approved, as are final instructions from CDC, and the company is beginning the return-to-cruising preparation process effective immediately.

“Holland America Line has been cruising to Alaska for nearly 75 years, and we feel deeply committed to trying to help our friends in ‘The Great Land’ get back on their feet in any way we can this summer,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Given the recent positive collaboration from the CDC, as well as optimism about a resolution with the PVSA, we feel like it’s now or never to give ourselves a chance to bring cruising back to Alaska this year.

“We would like to offer our sincerest appreciation to Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young and Governor Mike Dunleavy for their tireless efforts on behalf of the many small businesses that are the backbone of Alaska tourism.”

“The Last Frontier is eager to welcome the return of the cruise industry this summer to restart our economy,” said Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. “Cruising has a tremendous impact on the people of our state and our communities, especially in the southeast, and we’re thrilled to finally see a light with the impending return of the cruise ships.”

On board, Holland America Line will continue to offer the amenities that are a hallmark of the brand. Dining will be available in all restaurants and specialty venues, as well as room service. Entertainment will be in full swing in the main show lounge, and live music will be featured in Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Billboard Onboard. Port-to-Table culinary demonstrations and other enrichment programming will bring Alaska and its culture on board through engaging activities. To accommodate physical distancing, additional performances may be added.

Alaska cruises also feature expanded onboard programming. Guests can engage with an Alaska naturalist, while EXC Talks and special presentations explore local topics such as Alaska’s bush pilots and famous Iditarod race. In Glacier Bay, the ship takes on a National Park Ranger and Huna native speaker.