Swan Hellenic forms alliance with Cruise Online

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 18 February 2021 18 February 2021

Swan Hellenic, the Nicosia based expedition cruise company, said it is partnering with Cruise Online, a division of Aviation Online Pty Ltd, with offices in Sydney and Auckland, to provide close support to the travel trade across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

The company,which will operate three ships that are currently on order in Finland, has formed a number of strategic alliances in the past few months to gain foothold on source markets around the world.

Cruise Online offers trade operators the highest standards of service and efficiency, with almost 20 years’ experience across the aviation, vacation, cruise and expedition sectors.

“Dedicated to a niche of discerning travellers, the company is ideally placed to help its trade partners ensure Swan Hellenic customers across the region enjoy exemplary tailored service,” the company said in a statement.

The company said the latest partnership is a strategic agreement in line with Swan Hellenic’s long-term vision of establishing a presence in strategic markets worldwide, focused on supporting the trade to deliver the close personal service to which it is committed. The Cruise Online agreement sees the iconic cultural expedition cruise pioneer take a further step towards complete global coverage.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “We’re delighted to partner with Cruise Online, who truly understand the region’s passion for authentic expedition travel and a high-end vacation experience that’s personal and attentive, but also informal and unpretentious. Thanks to Cruise Online’s extensive professional travel and airline experience, trade partners will be able to offer these exacting guests the benefits of full sea-sky integration to see what others don’t.”

P&O Cruises names second newbuilding Arvia

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 18 February 2021 18 February 2021

 

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it has named the second LNG-powered Excel class ship Arvia, meaning “from the seashore.”

It will join the fleet in December 2022 and it is a sister ship of Iona that was delivered by the same builders, Meyer Wrft in Germany, in the autumn of 2020. As a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the ship has not made its maiden voyage yet.

The Excel class design is shared between P&O Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Costa Crociere and Carnival Cruise Line, all parts of the Carnival group. The ships are built at Meyer’s shipyards in Germany and Finland.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Arvia will join Iona as an innovative and future-focused ship offering an outstanding, varied and contemporary holiday. Arvia has been designed to travel to the sun year-round and to maximise views of the ocean and the seashore from everywhere on board, so it seemed a very fitting name and one which will reflect the experience for guests on board.

“The seashore is known for its relaxing properties and tranquillity and a holiday on Arvia will, indeed, celebrate this and have relaxation at its heart. The rejuvenating and restorative qualities of a walk on the beach and invigorating sea air will be reflected in the experiences both on board and on shore as well as the vast space on board which has enabled us to include a number of new and extraordinary features,” Ludlow said in a statement.

The name of the 184,700 gross tonne ship was unveiled through a video reveal made up of outlining the letters in the name in various different locations, all relating to the beach and the seashore.

MSC Cruises unveils details of MSC Seashore

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 18 February 2021 18 February 2021

 

 

 

 

 

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, has unveiled dtails about MSC Seashore, the first of two 169,380 gross ton Seaside EVO class cruise ships it is building at Fincantieri in Monfalcone.

Some of the key highlights of the include: 

• 13,000 sqm of outdoor space with a wide choice of outdoor bars and dining, pools and deck area for relaxing and sunbathing
• Six stunning swimming pools with enlarged poolside areas including a spectacular new Infinity Pool and two new Infinity Whirlpools
• An expansive 540 metre-long waterfront promenade close to the water, ideal for grabbing a drink and al fresco dining or simply taking a stroll to enjoy the fresh sea air
• The largest and most luxurious MSC Yacht Club spanning 3,000 sqm over four decks with two palatial new Owners Suites
• 11 different types of cabins and suites with balconies including the coveted aft suits, 50 terraced suites with extended balconies offering up to 15 sqm of private terrace and 32 different suites with outdoor private whirlpools

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises said in a statement: “With each new ship we build, MSC Cruises continues to innovate and push design boundaries. MSC Seashore represents an evolution of the Seaside class as an extended and further enriched ship. 65% of the public areas have been reimagined to create something truly unique for our guests.”

“ The new aft design has allowed us to introduce a brand-new lounge, Cabaret Rouge, spanning two decks with panoramic views of the sea, offering new entertainment experiences. The specialty restaurant experience has been completely redesigned with the Chef’s Court on deck 8 making this a go-to destination for bars and restaurants. Each of the pools have been enhanced including an impressive double-deck extended magrodome pool and an incredible Infinity pool at the aft,” he said.

Workforce to be cut at MV Werften

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 17 February 2021 17 February 2021

MV Werften, the German shipbuilder that is part of Genting Hong Kong group, will have to reduce its workforce in order to continue restructuring of the business of the cruise shipbuilder, it said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the negotiations between the management, the works councils and IG Metall, the powerful steel and engineering industry trade union, on the restructuring concept of the shipyards were intensified again.

“Specifically, it is about securing ongoing shipbuilding projects and employment scenarios for a final loan commitment from the economic stabilisation fund. The prerequisite for the granting of federal loan funds is the adjustment of the workforce to the order situation,” the company said.

The company currently employs about 2,800 people.

“Despite the necessary staff reductions, all those involved assured their full support in efforts to achieve social compatibility, a balance of interests and a transfer company,” it added.

Peter Fetten, Managing Director of MV Werften said in the statement: “It must be the joint effort of the federal government, the state, IG Metall, works councils and us as management to continue the current projects successfully and to regulate the financing conditions for new orders at the same time. A positive development would also result in an increase in the number of staff. "

Ines Scheel, General Works Councilor at MV Werften noted: “After the very successful development of our shipyards over the past 10 years, we cannot allow a virus to stop us within 10 months. Political courage and reasonable financial terms are now required.”

MV Werften is building three 19,500 gross ton high end of the market expedition cruise ships and three 65,000 gross ton ice class luxury segment ships for Crystal Cruises, which is part of the Genting Hong Kong group.

Its orderbook also comprises six 88,000 gross ton Genting Universal class ships for Genting Hong Kong plus two 208,000 gross ton ships for Star Cruises, also a Genting Hong Kong group member, according to SHIPPAX Info.

It has three facilities, which are located in Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund on the German Baltic coast.

Photo: Global Dream is one of the two 208,000 gross ton cruise ships on order at MV Werften