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Valletta hosts CLIA’s Cruise360

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2019 18 November 2019

The Malta Tourism Authority in collaboration with Valletta Cruise Port supported the organisation of CLIA’s Cruise360 conference last October, with over 120 guests including travel agents, travel media and other partners. The 3-day conference served not only as a three-day event inclusive of ship inspections, but also as a networking and professional development opportunity for travel agents visiting Malta for the first time.

Established in 1975, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment and is dedicated to promoting the cruise travel experience. CLIA helps its members succeed by advocating, educating and promoting for the common interests of the cruise community.

Andy Harmer, Director at CLIA UK and Ireland took to the floor to reveal two brand-new CLIA initiatives focusing on the New to Cruise market. CLIA will be having a New to Cruise Guide, a continuously updated online resource. Additionally, a new classroom-style New to Cruise Workshops will launch in May 2020.

During the Malta event guests had the opportunity to visit Koningsdam, Seven Seas Voyager, Celebrity Edge and Azamara Pursuit berthed in Valletta’s historic Grand Harbour. An engaging trade fair was held at the Malta Conference Centre, complemented by informative conference sessions. Guests also enjoyed a welcome reception at Marina Club on the Valletta Waterfront with a gala dinner being held in the historic Magazino Hall which also is the main cruise check-in facility for Valletta.

“We were delighted to host travel agents and cruise lines from across Europe in Malta for Cruise360. When on a cruise, the destinations visited are just as important as the ship, which is why we chose the beautiful capital city of Valletta for this event. Agents were able to explore Valletta and discover what makes the city such a popular cruise destination, as well as have the opportunity to visit the fantastic cruise ships docked in port,” commented Harmer.

“We are proud to have hosted this trade gathering in our historic port, and get to know some of the partners who actively work to help grow this dynamic industry in the UK and Ireland,” said Stephen Xuereb, Chief Operating Officer for Global Ports Holding and Chief Executive Officer of Valletta Cruise Port.

During his speech, the Malta Tourism Authority Deputy CEO & CMO Carlo Micallef stated that “The Grand Harbour in Valletta has enjoyed one of its busiest summers on record. Moreover, the cruise industry is an important contributor to the Maltese economy, not only to the business community in Valletta and the Grand Harbor region in particular, but also to the old capital and silent city of Malta, Mdina. Apart from the resultant promotion of our Islands, surveys have shown that many cruise passengers are intrigued to return to Malta and Gozo for a longer holiday soon after.”

CMV to unveil larger successor of Astor in Germany soon

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2019 18 November 2019

Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the UK based destinational cruise operator, said it would soon unveil details about a larger successor of Astor in Germany as the ship will be transferred to a new French unit of the group in 2021.

“Astor which has been serving both the Australian and German cruise markets with complementary summer programs since being acquired by CMV in 2013, will be re-deployed to the French market commencing cruise operations in Le Havre on Saturday 1st May 2021. To meet growing demand on the German market under the Group's TransOcean Kreuzfahrten brand, she will be replaced by a larger vessel with details to be announced shortly,” CMV said in a statement.

TransOcean Kreuzfahrten operates the 55,481 gross ton Vasco da Gama on the German market in the summer, but for the winter the ship repositions to Australia to serve the local market. Since the introduction of Vasco da Gama in April, Astor has served the German market exclusively.

In June, the company’s CEO Christian Verhounig was quoted by CruiseCritic as saying: “I know this might seem like we are teasing you with [Vasco da Gama] leaving for Germany tomorrow, but we will have [a new ship] for the UK very soon, possibly by 2020."

Cruise & Maritime Voyages sets up French unit, to transfer Astor

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2019 18 November 2019

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based destinational cruise operator, said it will launch a dedicated cruise ship and product for the French market and open a new sales office in Marseille. The company already has operations in the UK, Germany, Australia, the US and Mexico.

The 1987 built Astor which has been serving both the Australian and German cruise markets with complementary summer programmes since being acquired by CMV in 2013, will be re-deployed to the French market commencing cruise operations in Le Havre on Saturday 1 May 2021.

Astor will be re-named Jules Verne in 2021 operating year-round under the Croisières Maritimes et Voyages (CMV) brand from both Le Havre and Marseille. Its maiden 2021-22 French season will include a programme of 18 sailings to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean & Black Sea, a Christmas & New Year Canaries cruise and the winter season concluding with a 123 night Round the World cruise sailing from Marseille on 8 January and returning to Le Havre on 11 May 2022.

Jules Verne will be re-named at an overnight Gala Event in Le Havre on Thursday 29 April 2021 followed by a second Gala Event in Marseille on Thursday 16 May.

Jules Verne will be exclusively dedicated to the French-speaking premium cruise market offering a stylish and elegant 'modern vintage' cruise experience for discerning guests seeking attentive and exemplary service standards, fine culinary French cuisine and a more traditional destination-rich voyage experience. She will target the adult-only market apart from selected three-generation family cruises operating during the school holidays.

Chris Coates, Group Commercial Director commented at the Paris media launch "We are delighted to be entering the French market with Jules Verne and firmly believe that there is a real gap in the market to exploit between the larger mega-resort ship operators and niche luxury cruise lines with an affordable premium positioned product.

We are confident that Jules Verne and our new French product will prove to be a big hit in France and other French-speaking markets and under the leadership and expertise of Clement Mousset, we have assembled a highly experienced management and sales team ready to launch the program in the New Year".

At 21,000grt Jules Verne will carry 500 guests accommodated in 289 well-appointed staterooms including 42 de-luxe suites, 28 singles for the growing solo's market and a ratio of almost 70% of accommodation with an ocean view. All the public lounges and decks will follow a French theme and all the suites will be named after famous Chateaux.

Clement Mousset, Director Générale of CMV France added, "The ship is in great condition and a truly perfect fit for the French market. She is aimed at discerning guests looking for a more intimate, premium positioned, boutique 'modern vintage' style cruising experience seeking new friendships with like-minded passengers eager to broaden their cultural horizons, enrich their time onboard and explore great and exciting new places not always accessible to larger ships. Exciting times ahead!"

The CMV Group have much experience in serving the French cruise market having operated the 500 passenger Astoria under summer charter since 2016, to the much-respected Paris based cruise and tour operator, Rivages du Monde. This arrangement concludes in September 2020 and during the past four years, the product has received high levels of customer satisfaction.

A dedicated and refurbished new CMV sales office in Marseille, close to the Port will open for business on Thursday 2 January 2020. A new website with a booking engine facility will also be unveiled followed by an 80page special edition launch brochure.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line to dry dock three ships in winter

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2019 18 November 2019

Three of the four Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ocean going ships will be undergoing a multi-million pound refit this winter, as part of an extensive enhancement programme – in preparation for the start of the 2020-21 cruise season, the UK based destination focused cruise company said in a statement.

“The three ships – Braemar, Balmoral and Black Watch – will be undergoing various engineering works, general maintenance and refurbishment during their dry docks at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, as well as the creation of several new public areas and cabin enhancements. Fred. Olsen has a long-established partnership with Blohm+Voss, spanning nearly 50 years and several generations,” the company said.

The only ship not included in the list is Boudicca, which underwent a major upgrade last winter.

As well as extensive refurbishment of the accommodation on board both Braemar and Balmoral, a number of cabins on Black Watch will be receiving new bathroom upgrades.

Main Deck 6 on Balmoral will be seeing a number of enhancements. A brand new ‘Oriental Room' will be created in the forward area, where exotic teas and Far Eastern-themed cocktails and drinks will be served.

A new ‘Photo Gallery’ will be added mid-ship portside, and a new ‘Flower Shop’ will be installed mid-ship starboard side, where guests can choose from a selection of seasonal and year-round flowers to create a personalised bouquet, or select one of the expertly-crafted, ready-made arrangements.

The fourth ship in the Fred. Olsen ocean fleet, 880-guest Boudicca, will receive its own refit in Autumn 2020, having undergone a major transformation at Blohm+Voss in spring 2018.

Two Norwegian companies in approval phase to use hydrogen fuel on ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2019 18 November 2019

The Norwegian shipbuilding and maritime technology group Havyard and its partner Norwegian Electric Systems have entered approval phase in a project aimed to enable the use of hydrogen to power large ships, Havyard said in a statement.

The two companies have contracted Linde Engineering, a German company, to supply the tanks and PowerCell Sweden to supply the fuel cells.

“The agreement entails that the Havyard companies, together with PowerCell and Linde, will design a hydrogen solution and take the first step towards certification. This solution will be offered to Havila Kystruten for retrofitting,” Havyard said in a statement.

Havila Kystruten has two 15,800 gross ton ships on order at the Tersan shipyard in Turkey and similar two at the Barreras yard in Spain. They are intened to operate a passenger and freight service along the Norwegian coast between Bergen and Kirkenes.

“This encourages us to have a comprehensive solution in mind from the start. We will deliver a system that is safe, that takes up little space, that is easy to retrofit and, of course, that does the job.

The development of the hydrogen system is part of a PilotE project in which the Havyard companies and the research institutions Sintef and Prototech are working together, Havyard noted.