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Five ships operated by CMV detained in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 June 2020 22 June 2020

Five ships commercially operated –but not owned or managed - by Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the destination focused UK based cruise line, have been detained in two ports in the UK on crew welfare grounds.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued detentins to Astoria, Astor, Columbus and Vasco da Gama that are laid up in Tilbury near London and Marco Polo which is in Bristol. Magellan, the sixth ship of the company, is not affected.

The events started to unfold at the end of last week as Astoria was about to leave Tilbury for Portugal. Many crew members on the vessel and the other four ships complained thst they jhave not been able to return home to India, although the contracts of many of them had expired.

CMV operates its fleet on time charter from Global Cruise Lines Ltd. (GCL), which is based in Athens. As the manager of the ships, GCL is also responsible for crewing

MCA said on Friday that the detention is a preventative measure in line with UK regulations, in order that a full inspection of the ship related to the maritime labour convention can be carried out before its intended departure. It cannot leave the port until the inspection is completed.”

Five other ships were also being inspected. “Acting as the port state control authority for the UK, the MCA has taken this action following a number of serious concerns which were raised about the welfare of the crew,” it said.

Carnival appoints Weinstein group COO, Palethorpe Carnival UK president

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 June 2020 19 June 2020

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has appointed Josh Weinstein group Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Simon Palethorpe President of Carnival UK.

“Reporting to Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald, Weinstein’s responsibilities will include oversight of major operational functions, including global maritime, global ports and destinations, global sourcing, global IT and global auditing,” Carnival said in a statement.

He will retain oversight of Carnival UK, the operating company for P&O Cruises and Cunard, which he managed directly for the past three years. In a second senior appointment, the company made Simon Palethorpe, currently President of Cunard, President of Carnival UK.

The structural leadership moves are part of the company's broader efforts to enhance operations and mobilize the global organization prior to its return to cruising, the company said.

Prior to joining Carnival Corporation & plc, Weinstein served as a corporate attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the New York University School of Law.

Palethorpe, who joined Cunard in 2016, has overseen several high-profile launches and campaigns for the brand, including Cunard's investment in Queen Mary 2's remastering.

Before joining Cunard, Palethorpe held senior roles at Terra Firma Capital Partners, PepsiCo, Avis Europe Plc. and John Lewis. He also managed a portfolio of online businesses in the specialty food, chocolate, cosmetics and ticketing industries.

Merima CEO hands over post to son

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 June 2020 18 June 2020

For the past three years Merima, the Finnish turnkey interior solutions provider for shipbuilding, has been undergoing a gradual generation change process. On midsummer, the family firm takes the next step in the process, when Merima founder Mauri Mäkiranta leaves the post of CEO, handing the position over to his son Mikko Mäkiranta, the company said in a statement.

“My son is a determined, persistent individual with a positive attitude. I ́m extremely confident that he will do an excellent job as the new CEO,” says Mauri Mäkiranta. “Mikko has been working for the company for over a decade, most recently as Deputy CEO, charting his own course through even the most challenging tasks. In the process he has earned the respect and trust of our workers, associates and customers. Now is the perfect time for me to leave the day to day operations of the company to the younger generation.”

“My father has built an excellent company over the past three decades,” Mikko Mäkiranta responds. “Merima has come a long way under his leadership. We are here because of his vision, passion and commitment. Today, Merima has an impressive portfolio of references as one of the leading providers of marine interior solutions, and we are constantly developing the company further. It will be both an honour and a privilege to build on this foundation. Together with our personnel, we have created a strong vision and strategy we all believe in. While the current market situation is challenging, I know that our 120 outstanding employees and our excellent partner network will help us through these demanding times.”

After leaving the post of CEO, Mauri Mäkiranta will concentrate exclusively on the duties of the Chairman of the Board at Merima, meaning that his valuable experience and connections will remain at the disposal of the company.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines donates £33,000 worth of food to Scottish charities

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 June 2020 16 June 2020

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused cruise line, said it has donated more than £33,000 worth of food to causes in need in Scotland while its ships are in lay-up in Rosyth, with the help of food distribution charity FareShare.

The donations, which equated to over 30 pallets worth of food, included cereals, biscuits, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, jams and sauces, chocolates, cured meats, baking ingredients, rice and more, all from its four ocean ships Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch, the company said in a statement.

The items were collected from Babcock’s Rosyth facilities, where the four ships are currently located, by FareShare, which works to support those in difficult circumstances, including isolation, poverty or homelessness.

Thomas Rennesland, Hotel Operations Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are used to feeding in excess of 4,000 guests and crew across our fleet every day, and while we have not taken on any additional fresh produce since we paused our operations in March – other than that required to feed our crew – our stores and freezers were fully stocked and ready for cruising as normal.”

“As our ships have been in the Rosyth area since March it seemed only fitting to donate these additional food items to those who need it most in Scotland.”

“The crew on board have worked extremely hard, in addition to their usual duties, to prepare all of the food items so that they are ready for collection by FareShare and I would like to thank all involved for their efforts for this very worthy cause.”

“Thank you also to the Sailors’ Society Port Chaplain for Leith and Forth, who made the donation possible.”

Teresa McGoldrick, Regional Food Officer Scotland for FareShare, said: “The entire team at FareShare Scotland are enormously grateful for the substantial products received from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. This food will be hugely welcomed by the hundreds of community organisations we serve supporting the elderly and vulnerable at home during this very difficult time.”

“FareShare Scotland supports over 700 charity and community groups across Scotland including hostels, day centres, lunch clubs and young people’s projects and during this really difficult time it’s becoming very clear that food is the glue bringing communities together. The need now is greater than ever. The support from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is the equivalent of 30,000 meals to the most vulnerable people. That is the amazing difference this donation and others like it make to the lives of people in our communities. Heartfelt thank you from us all.”

Pauline Robertson, Sailors' Society's Leith port chaplain, said: "It's wonderful that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines wanted to benefit the local community and not let the food go to waste. We have a great relationship with the local agents and food banks, so when the call came through about the donation, I knew exactly where to direct them. We're supporting many seafaring families through the pandemic and it's amazing to see something positive come out of these tough times."

Crystal announces Caribbean itineraries for Crystal Serenity this fall

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 June 2020 11 June 2020

Travelers seeking warm island escapes this fall have brand new luxury options aboard Crystal Serenity, as Crystal Cruises announces 7-night Sunkissed Chic and Tropical Interlude Caribbean voyages for October and November. Sailing between Miami and San Juan, the itineraries can be combined for an extended 14-night Caribbean vacation, round-trip from Miami without repeating ports. The new voyages offer an enticing new Simply the Best program, which includes the best stateroom or suite available at the time of booking; reduced deposit of just $100 per guest; low Solo Fares from 125 percent; $250 As You Wish shipboard credit per stateroom or suite (based on double occupancy); and 10 percent cruise fare savings when guests choose the combined 14-night itinerary.

“Our new Caribbean itineraries offer guests a warm return to luxury travel, with exceptional value on the acclaimed Crystal Experience,” said Carmen Roig, Crystal’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “This value, combined with convenient air travel between Miami and San Juan and Crystal’s signature all-inclusive amenities and experiences and personalized service, adds up to a wonderful opportunity for travelers to save on a true luxury vacation.”

Crystal Serenity’s new Caribbean itineraries include:

Sunkissed Chic, Miami to San Juan, embarking October 1, October 15 and October 29: calling in Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands (maiden call); St. John’s, Antigua; Gustavia, St. Barts (overnight); and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten.

Tropical Interlude, San Juan to Miami, embarking October 8, October 22 and November 5: calling in Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Cruise fares for the new voyages begin at just $1,399 per guest; travelers with Future Cruise Credits may redeem them on these voyages.

Added peace of mind for guests looking forward to traveling again comes in part from programs like Crystal Confidence, which offers reduced deposits of just $100 for Ocean voyages; relaxed 60-day prior to first service final payment; and adjusted cancellation policy allowing guests to cancel up to seven days prior to sailing and receive 100 percent Future Cruise Credit, valid through 2022. Guests booking Crystal’s new fall 2020 Caribbean sailings will have an additional layer of voyage protection with the new Crystal Voyage Assurance program extended to these new Crystal Serenity voyages, which allows travelers to cancel their cruise for a full refund within seven days if there is a significant itinerary change – including the embarkation or disembarkation ports and/or changes to 30 percent or more of their selected itinerary – due to global travel restrictions.

A leader in unparalleled luxury cruising for 30 years, Crystal Cruises distinguishes its ships and its voyages with fine details and nuances that make a big impact for discerning travelers. All-inclusive entertainment; diverse enrichment options; globally inspired dining, including Nobu Matsuhisa’s only seagoing restaurants; unlimited pours of fine wines, beers and premium spirits and an unwavering standard of genuine, personal service for each guest underscores the Crystal difference.

By deliberate design, Crystal Serenity has always carried far fewer guests than ships of similar size – featuring one of the highest space ratios in luxury cruising – and her social spaciousness will be further increased with a commitment to lower guest capacity when she resumes sailing this fall. In addition, while the fleet is paused, the Crystal team is developing new procedures and policies that will support all public health and regulatory requirements and ensure that guests’ vacations continue to be not only relaxing and pleasurable but safe and healthy. Details of these new measures and initiatives will be announced soon.

The inherent design of Crystal ships maximizes personal and public space, offering plenty of options for those who choose to keep a healthy distance during their voyage. All Crystal ships across the fleet including Ocean, River, Yacht and Expedition offer nearly double the space per person than ships of a similar size, which is among the highest space ratios in the industry and their social spaciousness will be further augmented through the new measures we will be implementing. Further, Crystal Endeavor and Crystal’s River ships are all-suite and all-balcony and most staterooms on Ocean ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity feature private verandas for fresh airflow.

The safety of guests and crew members is Crystal’s number one priority and the fleet will resume service only when the company’s expert team and global health and government authorities indicate that it is safe to do so.