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San Giorgio del Port to transform Costa neoRiviera into AIDAmira

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 September 2019 29 September 2019

The Costa Group is relying on Genoa's technical skills, announcing its decision to bring to Genoa an important restyling project on a ship in its fleet, for a total investment of 50 million euros.

The order also involves the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard, whose contribution was made official today with the signing of an agreement, at the Italian company's Genoa headquarters, by Michael Thamm, Group CEO Costa Group and Carnival Asia, and Ferdinando Garrè, CEO of San Giorgio del Porto, in the presence of the President of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, Paolo Emilio Signorini and the Councilor for City Planning, Public Property and Urban Renewal of the Municipality of Genoa, Simonetta Cenci.

The restyling work, which will last about a month, will lead to the transformation of the Costa neoRiviera, a ship currently in service for the Costa Cruises brand, into the new AIDAmira, destined for the German brand AIDA Cruises. Both brands are part of the Costa Group, a market leader in Europe and China. A total of about 1000 workers will be involved, 150 of them working directly for the shipyard.

“This new investment in the city of Genoa, with a local partner like San Giorgio del Porto, is a further tangible sign of our link with Genoa and Liguria and of the positive impact that our Group can have locally. We have carried out a study on this subject, which has given very impressive results: in just one year, the Costa Group has generated an economic impact in Europe of 12.6 billion euros and over 63,000 jobs. It is precisely the shipbuilding industry that accounts for the largest part of this impact, thanks to the plan to expand and renew our fleet, but also the contribution that comes directly from each guest, amounting on average to 74.60 euros in every port visited, is particularly significant. Italy is among the top destinations for our guests, with 3.2 million passenger movements, a figure that is going to grow also thanks to AIDAmira, which will be calling at three ports in Southern Italy next summer," said Michael Thamm, Group CEO Costa Group and Carnival Asia.

“We are honored that the Costa Group continues to give us confidence and to believe in the know-how and technical skills of the Genoese shipbuilding industry and of San Giorgio del Porto in particular, despite the many infrastructure-related difficulties that continue to prevent the full development of ship repair and refitting activities. Costa's decision to bring a job of this magnitude to Genoa could not be taken for granted and for this we are grateful to the company," said Ferdinando Garrè, CEO of San Giorgio del Porto.

Costa neoRiviera will complete its last eleven-night cruise in the Mediterranean on October 29, 2019 in Savona. The next day the ship will arrive in Genoa to start the work, which will last until November 28. At the end of the operations, a completely renewed ship will leave the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard and arrive in Palma de Mallorca on November 29 to be renamed AIDAmira.

This will be the fourth ship in the "AIDA Selection" family, the German brand's offer designed for travelers who want to discover new destinations in a unique way, with long stops on land and an intimate atmosphere on board. AIDAmira will have large outdoor spaces, 5 different restaurants, 7 bars, a wellness area measuring 1,100 m² and about 700 cabins, including 125 with balcony or private sun terrace. After a 4-night vernissage cruise in the Western Mediterranean, the ship will be positioned to South Africa, offering 7-day cruises from Cape Town. From May to September 2020, she will offer two different one-week itineraries, which can be combined into a single 14-day cruise, departing from Corfu: one to Athens, Santorini, Crete and Brindisi, and the other to Malta, Catania, Crotone, Olympia and Kefalonia.

Viking Line raises 2019 earnings outlook

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 September 2019 27 September 2019

Viking Line Abp, the listed Finnish cruise ferry company, has raised its earnings guidance for this year.

“The board of Viking Line has decided to change the earnings guidance for the year 2019 as a result of materialised development. The board expects that operating result for the year 2019 will be better than that of the year 2018,” the company said in a statement.

In 2018,VikingLine reached an operating income of €9.3 million. Its third quarter interim result is due for publication on 25 October.

Viking Line is not related to Viking Ocean Cruises or Viking River Cruises.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to resume commercial sailings to Grand Bahama on September 27

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 September 2019 25 September 2019

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which was the first cruise line to dock in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island following Hurricane Dorian – transporting critical humanitarian aid and hundreds of volunteers – has announced it will resume commercial operations with two-night round-trip sailings from Palm Beach beginning Friday, September 27. With its return to Freeport, the company becomes the first cruise line to bring leisure travelers back to Grand Bahama following the storm. As part of today’s announcement, the company also revealed the inauguration of a second destination, Nassau, with sailings onboard Grand Classica, the cruise line’s second ship, beginning October 12.

“After ongoing discussions with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, we are thrilled to have been given official approval to resume leisure cruises to Grand Bahama Island, as well as to introduce Nassau as a second destination for our guests,” said Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. “Tourism is the most important industry in the Bahamas, and we all know the lifeline it brings to residents across the islands. While we remain focused on providing aid to our friends and family on Grand Bahama, we also know that returning to a traditional sailing schedule will make an incredibly positive impact on their economy. After hosting two successful humanitarian sailings, we are excited to invite travel advisors, and their clients, to sail with us back to the Bahamas.”

Revitalizing tourism to Grand Bahama Island

Beginning September 27, travelers can set sail from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island aboard Grand Celebration with cruise fares starting at just $109 per person, and 50 percent off the second guest for all sailings this fall. Guests will enjoy award-winning dining, ocean-class entertainment, a smoke-free casino, and more. Once in Freeport, travelers can enjoy a Beach Getaway excursion, experiencing the south side of the island. Known as some of the best beaches in the Bahamas, those on the island’s south side feature long stretches of pristine sands, where sand forms into ripples at low tide, often referred to as the island’s “welcome mat.” Local flavor will abound with island-inspired food, Junkanoo-style entertainment and the opportunity to interact with Grand Bahama Island locals, known for their warm hospitality.

Travelers interested in joining the island’s rebuilding effort may forgo the Beach Getaway excursion and instead participate in a volunteer excursion, which Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is currently planning with local organizations. Volunteer excursions are expected to include light manual labor, and as such, participants are required to wear athletic clothing and appropriate closed-toe footwear as a safety precaution. Volunteer excursions must be requested and booked in advance, through Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and its official partners only.

Diversifying Bahamas vacation opportunities with a second destination

Beginning October 12, guests will have the option to cruise to Nassau aboard Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Grand Classica, which is currently on its way home from a one-time Western Caribbean and Panama Canal cruise and private group sailing. Nassau has long been a destination of great interest for the cruise line, and the decision to add it as a port of call was based on current demand and feedback from guests and the travel advisor community.

Cruise-only fares start at just $159 per person for round-trip Nassau sailings and departures will be available to book starting September 25. Travelers can expect details on shore excursions soon.

“Our travel advisor partners have been asking for a second destination for quite some time, and Nassau has frequently come up in our discussions,” said Francis Riley, senior vice president, sales and marketing, of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. “We are incredibly appreciative of the support and flexibility of our travel partners through Hurricane Dorian and pleased that now, we are able to bring them – and their clients – a unique new way to getaway to Nassau. With the inaugural Nassau sailings, we will again be resuming daily cruises from the Port of Palm Beach, now serving two key Bahamian destinations with Grand Celebration and Grand Classica.”

Cruise & Stay program in Nassau

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s unique Cruise & Stay Program will soon be added as an option for guests sailing to Nassau to complement its existing and successful program on Grand Bahama Island. Travelers booking this option can cruise to Nassau aboard Grand Classica, where they’ll enjoy either an all-inclusive vacation or hotel stay at one of the cruise line’s partner resorts.

“Our Cruise & Stay options for guests are currently being finalized, but based on feedback from our guests who have enjoyed this option in the past on Grand Bahama, we know the demand is there and this will start a new chapter for many destination hotels in Nassau, as well as the outlying islands,” said Khosa.

The Cruise & Stay Program includes round-trip cruises from Palm Beach to Nassau, round-trip resort transfers, unlimited food and drinks at the all-inclusive properties, water sports, and activities, and daily and nightly entertainment.

Extinction Rebellion Finland tried to block Queen Elizabeth’s departure from Helsinki

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 September 2019 25 September 2019

A number of activists of Elokapina, or Extinction Rebellion Finland, tried to prevent the departure of Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth from Helsinki today (24 September).

The activists used kayaks to try to prevent the 294 metre long ship from sailing from the Hernesaari harbour in the Finnish capital. However, drone video footage shoot by the group shows how the ship left its berth, at which time the activists appeared to consider it better to move away from its path.

The ship departed on time, Finnish media reports say.

Carnival to expand in PortMiami

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 September 2019 25 September 2019

Carnival Cruise Line expressed appreciation on September 19 to the Miami-Dade County Commission for approving a proposal for a complete renovation and major expansion of Cruise Terminal F at PortMiami that will be capable of supporting the operations of Carnival's new Excel class ship – clearing the way for the yet-to-be-named sister ship of Mardi Gras to be homeported in Miami when it is delivered in 2022.

"With today's approval, we will move quickly on a plan to remodel and expand Terminal F so that it will accommodate the most innovative class of ship to join our fleet," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Over the last several months, we have had very constructive discussions with PortMiami and Miami-Dade leaders about our plans for Miami and our goal to enhance and grow our capacity and operations in our hometown. Everyone is very excited about Miami being home to our next liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship in North America and the sister ship to Mardi Gras, which arrives next August and is generating tremendous enthusiasm. Today's vote assures that the new ship and terminal expansion will both arrive in time for Carnival's 50th anniversary in 2022."

Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise operator in Miami with more year-round ships sailing from PortMiami than any other cruise line. The redesigned Terminal F will allow Carnival to continue to be the leader in the market, accommodating not only its largest and newest class of ship, but also allowing the line to bring its next LNG ship to south Florida. Duffy thanked local officials for their efforts to work cooperatively with the company to reach agreement on scope, timing and design work so that construction can be completed in time for the ship's late 2022 arrival. Mardi Gras, the first Carnival Excel class ship for the line, will be delivered in August 2020 and be homeported at Port Canaveral after inaugural sailings from Europe and New York.

When completed, Terminal F will be the third cruise terminal at PortMiami dedicated to Carnival operations. The agreement includes a commitment by Carnival to keep ships at Terminal F for 20 years, with the option of two additional seven-year extensions.

The terminal's simple and open design by Berenblum Busch Architects of Miami will allow for exceptional efficiency and flexibility to accommodate Carnival's largest class of ships, maximizing use of facial recognition technology and other elements to move guests through the embarkation process.

Expansion plans will result in Terminal F being Carnival's largest terminal in North America. All renovations are set for completion by October 2022 to welcome the Carnival Excel class ship arriving in late 2022.