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Ukko Metsola takes leadership role at CLIA in Europe

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 September 2020 02 September 2020

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice for the global cruise industry, announced today the appointment of Ukko Metsola as Director General for CLIA in Europe.

Effective 1 September, Ukko will lead CLIA’s presence in Europe as Tom Boardley begins his planned transition from his role as Secretary General. Ukko will be serving as Director General during a critical transitional phase as the cruise industry progresses with its gradual return to service.

Ukko Metsola joins CLIA from Royal Caribbean Group where he has served as Vice President for Government Relations in Europe and Asia-Pacific since 2016. During his previous political career, Ukko held senior positions in the Finnish Parliament and in the Finnish Prime Minister’s Office. He is a graduate of the University of Helsinki and the Harvard Kennedy School, where he studied with a Fulbright scholarship.

Kelly Craighead, President and CEO, CLIA said: “I want to thank Tom Boardley for his contribution throughout his tenure as Secretary General, and especially for his leadership in Europe during this global crisis. Tom will continue his association with CLIA in an advisory role and will assist with Ukko’s transition. As we move into the next critical stage of our return to service, I am delighted that Ukko Metsola has agreed to lead us in Europe and drive forward our industry engagement with the EU Institutions. Ukko’s in-depth knowledge of the cruise sector combined with his wealth of experience in public policy and European Union affairs makes him a perfect fit for this leadership role at such a pivotal moment for our industry.”

Ukko Metsola said, “I am delighted for the opportunity to represent an industry that supports a diverse and extensive maritime cluster, encompassing businesses across the continent, from the family-run tour operator to the great European shipyards and their suppliers. With its strong European roots and commitment to innovation, collaboration and sustainability, the cruise industry can contribute to the future economic recovery and partner constructively in the European green growth agenda.”

Silversea appoints Roberto Bruzzone as new Senior Vice President of Marine Operations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2020 01 September 2020

Silversea Cruises today announces the commencement of Roberto Bruzzone as the company’s new Senior Vice President of Marine Operations.

Commencing September 1st, Roberto will report directly to Silversea‘s President and CEO, Roberto Martinoli, and will be responsible for the marine and technical operations of the fleet. He will also oversee newbuilding and refitting activities, as well as handle the technical procurement and crew management functions.

With extensive experience in the shipbuilding industry and having held various positions at major international cruise lines in a successful career that has spanned almost 20 years, Bruzzone will play a key role in supporting the expansion of Silversea’s ultra-luxury fleet in the coming years.

Following a five-year stint as Vice President of Technical Operations at a major cruise corporation – part of a 14-year period at the same company – Bruzzone took the position of Chief Operating Officer to oversee the company acting as the Newbuilding Division of another major cruise line holding, managing large teams of professionals in a position of great responsibility.

A Chartered Naval Architect and Marine Engineer with a Master’s Degree in the field, as well as an Executive Master’s in Business Administration at the London Business School, Bruzzone has studied in America, Italy and London. He is a Member of both the Lloyds Register Technical Committee and the RINA Technical Committee.

“We are delighted to welcome Roberto Bruzzone to our team,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s President and CEO. “His wealth of expertise will bring great value to our cruise line, as we continue to grow our fleet for the benefit of our guests.”

Former CMV CEO Verhounig buys assets of failed company

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2020 01 September 2020

Christian Verhounig, formerly CEO of Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) that entered administration earlier in the summer, has acquired certain assets of the company, with an aim to launch a new cruise operator, media reports in the UK said.

“Paul Williams, Phil Dakin and Edward Bines of Duff & Phelps, Joint Administrators of Cruise & Maritime Voyages Ltd (CMV), together with sister companies South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd, Independent Coach Travel (Wholesaling) Ltd and Viceroy Ltd (together the Companies), are pleased to announce that a sale of certain assets of the Companies to CVI Group Limited (CVI),” Travel Weekly cited the administrators as saying.

CMV operated a fleet of six vessels that were all on time charter, mostly from Global Maritime Group (GMG) in Greece. The Athens based company owned Columbus, Magellan, Vasco da Gama, Astor and Marco Polo, while Astoria was on charter from Portuguese principals.

GMG was also due to take delivery of Pacific Aria and Pacific Dawn from P&O Cruises Australia, which is part of the Carnival group. Both ships were die to be chartered out to CMV.

The future of the GMG ships that had been operated by CMV remains uncertain as does that of the two ships that were due to join the GMG-CMV operation.

Seabourn cancels more cruises for three ships, updates itineraries for new Seabourn Venture

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2020 31 August 2020

Seabourn, the ultra-luxury resort at sea, announced today that it will cancel additional voyages for three cruise ships in its fleet as a part of its pause in global ship operations.

The announcement applies to Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn Encore, and Seabourn Quest with each ship having a different “effective through” date. Specific details are as follows:

– Seabourn Ovation: with its operations pause effective through January 3, 2021
– Seabourn Encore: with its operations pause effective through January 6, 2021
– Seabourn Quest: with its operations pause effective through May 10, 2021

Seabourn is also announcing a revised delivery date for its new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Venture , which is now scheduled for December 1, 2021. The delay is because of shipyard closures at T. Mariotti earlier this year as part of responses to COVID-19, which resulted in disruptions to the overall construction and finishing process for the ship.

The brand announced that Seabourn Quest will operate the line’s 2021-2022 Antarctica experience. Seabourn Venture will debut in December 2021 with a series of first-ever “Norwegian Winter” voyages where they may be able to see the Northern Lights. Guests will be able to place a future cruise deposit on the new Northern Lights itineraries.

Details about the revised inaugural season for Seabourn Venture are currently being finalized and will be announced in October. The brand has opened a wait list for guests interested in the voyages from December 2021 to April 2022. Guests currently booked on the inaugural voyage for Seabourn Venture will be offered the opportunity to sail on the new inaugural itinerary on a priority basis before it is open for sale to the general public. Additional details on rebooking for other affected Seabourn Venture voyages will be shared with booked guests and travel advisors in mid-October.

Due to the redeployment of Seabourn Quest to Antarctica, the line is cancelling Seabourn Quest’s Panama Canal voyages scheduled for November 7 - December 19, 2021.

Seabourn is continuing to assess the timing to resume operations on Seabourn Odyssey in the Caribbean. As a courtesy to guests booked on December sailings aboard Seabourn Odyssey, final payment will now be due 60 days prior to departure.

Seabourn had previously announced a pause in its global ship operations from March 14 through May 2021, depending on the ship, effectively cancelling all voyages for those ships scheduled to operate during that timeframe. The decision to cancel additional voyages is a proactive action to deal with the circumstances continuing to evolve from the global response to the COVID-19 situation.

“Our utmost priority is the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the people in destinations. We recognize the long lead time for planning an ultra-luxury Seabourn experience and with that in mind, we proactively announce the cancellation of these additional voyages,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. “We are working very closely with science and medical advisors as well as our source and destination markets to develop protocols for the ultimate return to operations.”

Seabourn will be communicating changes for voyages scheduled to depart in the extension timeframe with all booked guests and their travel advisors.

Seabourn Venture – Bow Lounge

Brittany Ferries' new Galicia to serve between Portsmouth and Santander

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 August 2020 30 August 2020

Brittany Ferries has announced that its newest ship Galicia is to take to the seas linking the UK with Spain. And customers can already make bookings for travel aboard the brand-new ship next year.

Mewasuring in at over 40,000 gross tons, Galicia will be one of the largest ships ever to serve the company, and at 215 metres long she will be the longest. The ship is currently nearing completion at the CMJL shipyard in Weihai, China. Sea trials have successfully taken place, and she will shortly embark on the 10,000-mile voyage to Europe. On arrival Galicia will undergo a period of crew training and dry-docking for finishing touches, before welcoming first passengers on board as early as mid-December 2020.

“Fleet renewal is an integral part of our five-year recovery plan and Galicia’s arrival is the result of a commission made in happier times,” said Christophe Mathieu Brittany Ferries CEO. “That is why I am delighted to bring this good news story to our staff, freight drivers and passengers today. Our message is clear: we have invested in beautiful new ships. Given the right support to get through this terrible crisis Brittany Ferries can have a bright future, as well as a proud past.”

In a first for French-owned Brittany Ferries, Galicia has been built from the keel up with the ship’s Iberian destination at heart. A warm, relaxing and authentic Spanish holiday ambiance will fill the ship’s interiors, with décor, paintings, photography, sculptures and murals inviting passengers to take a journey through the towns, countryside and coastlines of northern Spain, and to delve into the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the region that bears her name. The theme will even extend to the food and drinks served on board, with authentic Spanish dishes and drinks on the menu in bars and restaurants.

Customers will enjoy a wide range of facilities aboard the new ship including a beach-themed Azul restaurant, the vibrant town-square-inspired Plaza Mayor bar, an authentic Taberna de Tapas, as well as a spacious boutique. Dining aboard will offer great value. And, in a first for Brittany Ferries, one dinner and continental breakfast will be included in the fare for all UK-Spain sailings.

Comfort, cosiness and style are central to the design and fit-out of Galicia, with special care and attention given to comfortable furniture, spacious en-suite cabins, large beds, stylish carpets, and chic fabrics. In another first for Brittany ferries the ship will host an exclusive airline-style premium lounge – a warm and welcoming space where drinks and snacks are included in the entrance fee.

As with all ships in the Brittany Ferries fleet, Galicia will offer the many benefits afforded by space, with wide corridors and staircases and roomy facilities presenting airy, easy layout allowing customers to find their way around with ease, and to feel at home right away. Large portholes reveal a vista of seascapes, whilst wide open sundecks will bring passengers sea-air, sunshine and the promise of outdoor exercise and a children’s play area. And at the heart of the ship a huge vehicle deck will host spacious parking for over three kilometers of cars and freight vehicles, with easy access for all.

The ship has also been designed with the environment and efficiency in mind. Particular attention has been given to Galicia’s fuel-efficient propulsion plant and its long, slender hull and bow, with fine lines giving excellent seakeeping in all weathers, and a significantly lower emissions footprint compared to other ships of a similar size. Her funnel will be fitted with latest closed-loop, exhaust-emission-scrubbers to strip particulate matter (soot) and harmful components, such as sulphur oxides (SOx) from airborne emissions.

Relaxed times, and timings

Timetables have been planned for maximum comfort and convenience for customers, with handy departure and arrival times with plenty of relaxing time aboard to soak up all the sights and richness of travel by sea. Galicia will operate two return trips a week between Portsmouth and Santander, departing Portsmouth on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Santander on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The crossing time is between 28 and 33 hours.

In addition, the ship will offer one weekly round trip between Portsmouth and Cherbourg, with overnight sailings departing Portsmouth on Sundays and Cherbourg on Mondays. Brittany Ferries’ Pont-Aven and Cap Finistère will also continue to sail between the UK and Spain, with up to seven weekly return sailings in total between the two countries.

“The arrival of Galicia will serve as a statement of our confidence in the future of ‘Spain without the plane’,” added Christophe Mathieu. “We started running ferry services from the UK to Spain in 1978, and – in a normal season – they are among our most popular crossings, with around 350,000 passengers per year. Customers know that Spain without the plane means freedom to explore, taking everything you need in your own car, motorhome or bike, and it starts with a fantastic voyage by sea.

“But this is the very first time in the history of Brittany Ferries that we have designed, themed and decorated a ship around Spain. Galicia is the first in an entirely new class of ship for Brittany Ferries, with two sister ships, Salamanca and Santoña coming in 2022 and 2023. We can’t wait to welcome the first customers on board, and to give them a true taste of Spain as they sail towards it in comfort and style.”