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MedCruise Association launches a modernized website

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 May 2020 04 May 2020

The MedCruise Association has designed a tailored online tool, user-friendly which fits all devices. Among other technical updates, the brand-new online platform offers a closer insight into the Mediterranean cruise destinations, a visible importance to quality photos and videos, a better communication of the news and a more useful events’ calendar and a private area jut for members.

The website is composed of seven sections, the most remarkable of which is the Members' section. Each MedCruise member (Ports and Associates - Cruise related companies) has its fully updated profile with relevant data such as: contact data, history, destination information, must see tourist attractions, photo gallery, port Statistics, port facts (Berth, Anchorage, Quays…), company information, new projects and even more.

Another key section is the News section where the latest members’ news, internal press releases about MedCruise Activities and everything related to the Cruise Industry in the Mediterranean Sea, is published on a regular basis.

The Events section is a must for MedCruise and its partners, in this section is where all the information about the events organized by MedCruise is published. The Association holds two General Assemblies (GA) and the MedCruise Awards, every year. Other than that, every two years a Professional Development Course (PDC), just for MedCruise members, is organized. All the updates and main information about these events is published in this section. In addition, MedCruise provides a platform for the representation of its members in all major cruise related events around the globe. In the new website members get an easy picture of the relevant upcoming events worldwide (calendar format) together with important information such as event programme, organization contact person and link for registration.

The Home page, where you land when you enter to the website, contains a section worthy of note called publications. MedCruise reports published every year provide useful data as regards the cruise industry and the Mediterranean ports. This section is quite relevant since it offers the Annual Statistics Report, the Yearbook (members contact information) and the biannual publication MedCruise News.

On MedCruise website you will have easy access to the contact information of the Secretariat team, Board of Directors and President of MedCruise. An interesting feature of the new online platform, is the link with social networks. Thus, the new website is very adapted to the current way of sharing information. Another worth mentioning feature is the “COVID-19 Latest Updates”. Due to the global health situation, MedCruise has destined a section for the updates on the COVID-19 in the Mediterranean Sea cruise industry: Cruise Line Status (come back), Interviews with MedCruise President, MedCruise Statements, among others.

Airam Diaz, President of MedCruise Association said: “I am very proud to present our new website, which highlights the importance of the Marketing task in our Association, in line with the Working Plan approved by the members in Toulon during the 51st MedCruise General Assembly. I would like to thank all BoD members, specially, Maria Cano as Marketing Director and the Secretariat team for this big achievement”.

Maria Cano, MedCruise Marketing Director, expressed: “This project means a new era for MedCruise in terms of Marketing and Promotion. With the priceless support of the Secretariat, which has contributed with new and fresh ideas, we have started developing a responsive and modernized website. Starting small, we ended up creating a more useful tool for our members which will put MedCruise in another category within the online community. Much of my Online Marketing Strategy is represented in this project, for the benefit of our members."

German ferry builder Flensburger insolvent

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 May 2020 04 May 2020

Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), the German shipbuilder that has focused on ropax and freight ferries, has filed for insolvency, Norddeutsche Rundfunk (NDR) radio station reports on its website.

The objective after the filing is to restructure the company so that it could resume operations and Martin Hammer has been appointed new managing director.

Hammer has previously worked on restructuring shipyards in Stralsund and Wolgast, NDR said.

American Cruise Lines: Domestic bookings rise as cruisers seek to support American business

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

American Cruise Lines revealed yesterday a strong increase in demand across its domestic portfolio of river and coastal cruises. The company cites increased awareness of U.S. cruise options along with guests’ desire to support all-American businesses, as the primary reasons for the increase. "Advance bookings for the 2021 season are robust, with next year’s passenger counts currently more than 25% ahead of the same time last year. American has also just released its 2022 and 2023 schedules and announced an aggressive building program that remains on schedule," the company said in a statement.

"The strong occupancy rates are furthered by American’s recent product growth and exciting ship innovations, which appeal to broader markets. The Line now offers more than 35 itineraries in the U.S.A. and was recently lauded for introducing the first modern riverboats in the country. In late 2019, American also reintroduced its Cruise Close to Home™ marketing campaign, which resonates stronger than ever, as travel begins its first steps toward recovery."

The great numbers for 2021 speak volumes about the future of travel and specifically the future of small ship cruising in the U.S.A. In just the past 3 years, American has doubled its fleet, to a total of 12 small 100-200 passenger ships operating across the country – all are 100% U.S. flagged. And the Line continues to build new ships each year.

“American has truly lead the way in opening up the possibilities for adventure in the U.S. We have been building new small ship styles to suit every taste and we continue to expand our huge collection of curated itineraries, the options are endless with American. And the best part is you don’t have to travel abroad, or fly, to enjoy it all,” said Susan Shultz-Gelino, V.P. of Trade Relations for American.

The positive news for 2021 sales and the growing interest in cruising U.S. waterways was further reflected in the recent April 2020, CruiseCompete CruiseTrends report. In the latest report, American Cruise Lines was the #1 most requested river cruise line, and had the #1 most requested river ship, Queen of the Mississippi. Notably, the U.S.A. was also the #1 most requested country overall.

“People want to travel, and they are beginning to plan experiences for later this year and in the year ahead. American’s modern fleet, unique itineraries, and low passenger counts, allow us to offer amazing domestic options, as folks begin to cruise again. The desire to travel and the American spirit for exploration is alive and well,” said David Luxeder, Director of Marketing for American.

Genting Cruise Lines extends support to Singapore to provide temporary accommodations for foreign workers on two of its ships

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

Genting Cruise Lines has successfully completed stringent evaluation checks by the Singapore government for SuperStar Gemini and SuperStar Aquarius to extend support and provide temporary on board accommodations for foreign workers in Singapore who have recovered from COVID-19.

“On behalf of Genting Cruise Lines, we thank the Singapore government for their confidence in our ships to pioneer such an important initiative for the country and the region during these challenging times. Singapore has been our homeport for over 26 years and we are proud to extend our support with SuperStar Gemini, as well as SuperStar Aquarius that had recently arrived in Singapore,” said Michael Goh, President of Dream Cruises and Head of International Sales, Genting Cruise Lines.

“We are pleased that our on board facilities, as well as preventive and safety standards meet Singapore’s strict requirements for this initiative. From the onset of the pandemic, Genting Cruise Lines had implemented stringent precautionary measures, including the highest standards of preventive hygiene, sanitization and disinfection procedures to safeguard the well-being of all guests and crew. As such, there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 among guests or crew to date while on board or transmitted via any of Genting Cruise Lines’ cruise ships,” added Michael Goh.

“In addition to these, Genting Cruise Lines’ ship design enables 100% external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to the cabins and on board public areas – ensuring a constant and healthy flow of fresh air throughout the vessel with no recirculation of air within the ship,” he added.

“We have also taken a pro-active approach to carefully review our prevention and response plan with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind to provide enhanced and comprehensive measures across our fleet for future deployments, which we will adopt as the new safety norm and we hope for the industry too,” he continued.

As Genting Cruise Lines commences this initiative with the Singapore government, the health and safety of all individuals on board the ships remain the top priority. Together with the Singapore government at the forefront, every effort will be made to uphold the health and welfare of Singapore’s foreign workers while on board the ship, which include observing the highest standards of safe distancing and preventive measures at all times.

MSC Cruises extends fleet-wide halting of operations through July 10, 2020

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 April 2020 29 April 2020

MSC Cruises announced today a further extension of the halting of all its new cruise departures fleet-wide through to July 10.

MSC Cruises USA is offering guests affected by this measure a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) where they have the opportunity to transfer the full amount paid for their cancelled cruise plus an additional 25 percent credit to a future cruise of their choice, on any ship and any itinerary, departing on or before December 31, 2021.

In addition, MSC Cruises USA’s Cruise Assurance Program has recently been extended through September 30, 2020.

The Cruise Assurance Program allows guests who either already have a booked cruise or are booking a new cruise between July 11 through September 30 to reschedule their cruise to a future sailing up to 48 hours prior to their cruise departure date. Guests and their travel advisors will be able to transfer any of these bookings at no cost to any ship and any itinerary in the MSC Cruises’ fleet, departing on or before December 31, 2021.

The Company previously announced the temporary halting of all its ships globally through to May 29.