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Quark Expeditions takes ownership of Ultramarine

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 April 2021 01 April 2021

Quark Expeditions took ownership today of the polar vessel, Ultramarine. The official handover of the technologically-advanced ship took place in Split, Croatia, attended by Malcolm Ellis, Senior Vice-President of Operations for Quark Expeditions, and members of the Brodosplit shipyard team.

“Today, we took ownership of more than a new ship. We officially welcomed into our fleet a game-changing vessel that will soon become an unrivalled operational base for polar adventures,” said Andrew White, President of Quark Expeditions. “Every aspect of Ultramarine has been designed and engineered to enable our teams to get guests off the ship and deep into the polar wilderness better than ever before. This new vessel – in the hands of the most experienced team in the expedition industry – will allow us to create truly immersive off-ship adventures for our guests while providing them with a superior onboard experience.”

“This game-changing ship was delivered after more than five years of dedicated work and considerable financial resources,” said White. “This commitment of time and money, especially during an industry-challenging pandemic, reflects our confidence in the future of polar travel and underscores our commitment to delivering life-changing polar experiences no one ever thought possible.”

The 128-metre (420 foot) Ultramarine will accommodate 199 guests, and will feature:
– Two twin-engine helicopters and two heliports:

The two H145 helicopters, operated from two heliports, will allow more passengers to simultaneously experience new destinations accessible only by air, and to enjoy more unique aerial perspectives of the Polar Regions than on any other ship.

– Twenty quick-deploy Zodiacs:

The 20 quick-launching Zodiacs at four embarkation points mean the expedition team can load and embark Zodiacs faster, safer and easier than ever before.

– The industry’s largest selection of adventure options:

Ultramarine, with its two helicopters and 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs, will offer the most robust portfolio of off-ship adventure options in the industry, allowing guests to customize their polar experience. These include flightseeing, heli-hiking and helicopter-supported alpine kayaking, among others.

– Advanced sustainability features:

The vessel’s sustainability features include the Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS), which is the industry-leading system that converts waste into energy at the site that it's generated. MAGs eliminates the environmental impact of waste transportation, offering an innovative sustainability feature that exceeds all industry standards.

“The completion of Ultramarine – with its superior on-ship amenities and advanced technology – is a testament to the community of engineers, naval architects, welders, structural fabricators, riggers, electricians and all of the other crew at the Brodosplit shipyard – as well as the designers, innovators and operational team members in the Quark Expeditions head office – who’ve worked long and hard over the last three years,” said Malcolm Ellis, Senior Vice-President of Operations for Quark Expeditions. “So many people have contributed to the building of this vessel – and that includes our expedition team whose input spurred so many of the innovations that catapult Ultramarine into a league of its own.”

Below Ultramarine's Panorama Lounge

Swan Hellenic says demand strong across the board

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 April 2021 01 April 2021

Swan Hellenic, the Nicosia based expedition cruise line, said that interest in its cultural expedition cruises is translating into buoyant bookings across the board.

Driven by renewed consumer confidence, this uptick is particularly strong for the company's cruises of New Zealand & the Pacific Islands, UK & Northern France, the Scottish Islands and Antarctica. Indeed, its Antarctic Polar Solar eclipse inaugural cruise is already fully booked the company said.

“At the same time, the Swan Hellenic model of cultural expedition cruising has clearly hit a chord, strengthened by the news that construction of its all-new fleet of three 5-star ice-class expedition ships at Helsinki Shipyard is proceeding successfully on schedule,” the company said in a statement.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “Small expedition ships coupled with further afield destinations are considered well placed to lead the resurgence in cruising. We’re delighted to have inspired a diverse spectrum of curious minds in such numbers and look forward to welcoming them aboard to see what others don’t.”

Cunard reports busiest booking day for decade in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 April 2021 01 April 2021

Cunard, the premium to luxury market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group, has reported its busiest day of bookings in the UK for a decade as its programme of domestic cruises went for sale.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said in a statement: “Guests are showing that their desire to travel with Cunard is stronger than ever as they seek a slice of luxury and exemplary service. This record-breaking day follows a phenomenal response to our Centenary World Voyages, on board Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in 2023, which went on sale a few weeks ago.”

“In perhaps an indication that guests are upgrading having not travelled for a while, suites on board these voyages pretty well sold-out at the end of the first day of sales, with only one top suite remaining. We are delighted by this response from guests and particular thanks to all of our agent partners for their continued work supporting guest bookings,” he said

Cunard’s Summer at Sea voyages on board Queen Elizabeth, sailing between July and October 2021, comprise of scenic cruises along the UK coastline, voyages that include ports of call around Britain or those that simply sail to wherever the sun shines brightest. All are round-trip from Southampton.

British Isles Voyages include scenic sailings along Britain’s coastline including The Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO world heritage site, Cornwall including Land’s End and Scotland including the Isle of Arran, Mull of Kintyre and Sound of Mull. Four voyages will make various port calls, including Liverpool, Greenock, Invergordon, Belfast, Newcastle as well as a maiden call for Cunard’s fleet to the Welsh port of Holyhead.

Storylines to build its residential ship at Brodosplit

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 March 2021 31 March 2021

Storylines confirmed the agreement to construct the residential ship Narrative with Brodosplit, Croatia today. Engineering has commenced with the first steel cutting expected next year. “The ship building industry was hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and industry-wide delays and cancellations have been inevitable,” said Storylines founder and co-CEO Alister Punton. “However, there has been a silver lining with having had a few extra months to adapt to changing Covid-related regulations and to include some additional features that our residents requested such as additional work spaces,” he continued.

The pandemic has also resulted in a high demand in recent months of remote workers and families now having the flexibility to reinvent the way they work, live and learn.

Shannon Lee, Storylines founder and co-CEO added, “Working with Brodosplit helps us achieve our founding principles and sustainability goals as their area of expertise includes LNG engine manufacturing. We’re thrilled to finally be able to release the shipyard agreement for the construction of our new LNG powered ship and we would like to thank our residents for their support to get to this very exciting point,” he continued.

“We’re thrilled to finally be able to announce the shipyard for the construction of our new LNG powered residential ship,” said Storylines founders Shannon Lee and Alister Punton.

The ship features fully furnished residences ranging from 237 sq. ft. to 2411 sq. ft., priced from $300,000 to more than $8 million for a premium two-level penthouse suite. Owners and invited guests will have the opportunity to live a sustainable life of luxury and freedom while at sea. Owners have the option to make their unit available through the Storylines rental program.

Positioned as the greenest ship in the market, Storylines Narrative utilizes LNG fuel along with innovative reusable energy technologies and energy storage and recovery systems. The ship also includes a waterfront marina, microbrewery, art studio, hydroponic gardens, and more.

Anthem of the Seas joins UK domestic cruise rush

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 March 2021 31 March 2021

Royal Caribbean International will operate Anthem of the Seas on the UK domestic cruise market this summer, making it the latest vessel to join the rapidly expending range of ships catering for this market.

The ship will operate a series of cruises of five to eight nights from Southampton, including calls at sports such as Belfast, Liverpool and Kirkwall. The first cruise will sail on 15 July.

Royal Caribbean International said in a statement that it would make 999 cabins available free to key workers in health and social care plus the armed forces in recognition of their efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The number to dial emergency services in the UK is 999.

The cruises would be available only to fully vaccinated UK residents and the crew would be fully vaccinated as well, the company said.

Royal Caribbean International is bringing Anthem of the Seas back to the UK this summer to run domestic cruises.

The line is making 999 cabins available free to NHS, social care sector and armed forces workers in recognition of efforts of the emergency services in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.