Millennials and younger females increasingly attracted to expedition cruising

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 31 July 2019 31 July 2019

Expedition cruising offers an option to Millennials to travel in a way that suits their needs, while it also increasingly appeals to e.g. younger female holidaymakers, said Todd Smith, founder of AdventureSmith Expeditions in Truckee, California.

“One recent surprise is a growing number of younger female travelers who book solo trips to destinations such as Antarctica. It’s part of a trend with younger clientele to check off bucket-list destinations while they still have the ability to enjoy them fully, he said in a newsletter, adding that examples are those reaching seven continents before the age of 30.”

There is a growing segment of travelers, most notably Millennials, who are seeking unique and customised trips. “Expedition cruising is a perfect match for them, offering an array of activities from relaxing (sitting on the sun deck of a luxe yacht in the Mediterranean) to exhilarating (cross-country skiing and snow camping in Antarctica),” Smith said.

The typical expedition cruise passenger is educated, 40 to 70 years of age and interested in exploring destinations in-depth and with an element of discovery, active adventure options and education. “They are sustainability minded and interested in contributing to communities and natural environments in a positive way, becoming ambassadors and advocates for these destinations upon their return,” Smith continued.

A trend in the expedition cruising industry is the recognition and growing adoption of sustainable practices. By nature, small ship cruising treads lightly on a destination by carrying a small passenger count, being rooted in the region’s environment, hiring local people, purchasing local goods and contributing to local economies while also maintaining strict leave-no-trace and sustainable operating practices.

“But now an increasing number of cruises offer opportunities for citizen science, beach clean-ups and visits to local non-profits working on conservation. And we’re seeing many extra on-ship technologies and measures like plastic bans, heat recovery systems, desalination plants, biodegradable engine lubrication oils and lower fuel consumption,” Smith concluded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SeaDream Yacht Club adds the Black Sea, Istanbul and additional Israel voyage to 2021 season

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 30 July 2019 30 July 2019

SeaDream Yacht Club has added eight new voyages to its 2021 schedule for SeaDream II, which prominently highlight destinations in the Black Sea and Israel. After a six-year absence, the boutique luxury cruise line will be returning to Istanbul and the Black Sea. Additionally, due to the popularity of the recently announced 11-day voyage to Israel in May 2021, SeaDream has added a second Israel voyage in October of the same year. It will be the first time ever Israel has been offered as part of a SeaDream itinerary.

The Black Sea voyages feature many highlights, including an overnight in Odessa, often considered the “Pearl of the Black Sea,” where guests will be able to climb the Potemkin Steps and step back in time to the Russian Orthodox period as they enter the Ukrainian city. In Turkey, SeaDream guests can explore the always magnificent Istanbul as well as visit the vineyards and beaches of Bozcaada and the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Mudanya. Other Black Sea ports of call include Varna and Burgas in Bulgaria, and Constanta in Romania.

The new 11-day Israel voyage will feature Haifa, known for its striking Hanging Gardens, and Ashdod, which provides easy access to Israel’s most important cultural hubs, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. There will also be a stop in Limassol, Cyprus, another first for SeaDream. SeaDream’s two Israel voyages have been perfectly timed to take place in May and October, the best times of year to visit the region.

“It is important for us at SeaDream to follow the sun and listen to our guests and where they want to go,” said Andreas Brynestad, Executive Vice President of SeaDream. “Ultimately, it’s their yacht. Our guests were asking for new destinations and places we have not been to in a while, and we were happy to oblige. We have included Israel, the Black Sea, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other Mediterranean destinations and are confident our guests will welcome the new additions.”

Other unique destinations for 2021 include Neum in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kavala in Greece, which is famous for its Roman aqueducts. Additionally, an overnight in Casablanca will provide for the perfect opportunity to experience the splendor of Marrakesh, and SeaDream will also be returning to Bordeaux, following a couple of popular voyages to the port this year which included exceptional Yachting Land Adventures. SeaDream’s 2021 Mediterranean voyages have at least one overnight in every voyage as well as no sea days. With every new destination comes a different and exciting adventure on SeaDream.

Meyer Turku cuts first steel for Costa Toscana

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 30 July 2019 30 July 2019

First steel has been cut at the Meyewr Turku shipyard for Costa Toscana, the second LNG powered cruise ship for Costa Crociere, which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group.

The brand new plasma cutter line was used for the first time in a production start ceremony, the shipbuilder pointedout in a statement.

Costa Toscana would be the first ship benefitting fully from the new panel line of Meyer Turku. The panel line is just one of the major over €100 million investments inside the steel halls, the whole shipyard going through an investment program of €200 million. “Modern shipyard for modern ships”, stated CEO of Meyer Turku Jan Meyer.

Costa Smeralda, the first ship of the type to be built for Costa Crociere, is due for delivery in October and Costa Toscana in 2021. With gross tonnage of over 180,000 and more than 2600 staterooms on each, the Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana are part of the Costa Group’s fleet expansion plan, with seven new ships scheduled to enter service by 2023.

The same design platform will be shared between AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, all parts of the Carnival group,  and the ships of the class are to be built at the Meyer shipyards at Papenburg in Germany and Turku in Finland.

AIDAnova, the first unit of the class, was delivered to AIDA Cruises in Rostock from Papenburg at the end of last yrar.

 

Carnival Corporation launches website featuring Advanced Air Quality Systems

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 18 July 2019 18 July 2019

Carnival Corporation & plc has announced the launch of a new dedicated Advanced Air Quality Systems website that features relevant background information, videos, animations, photos and graphics to highlight the environmental benefits of using the innovative technology commonly referred to as exhaust gas cleaning systems or “scrubbers.”

As a key element of Carnival Corporation’s commitment to sustainable operations, Advanced Air Quality Systems enable overall cleaner air emissions from ships both at port and at sea. These systems are proven to be a safe and effective solution for compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 regulations for sulfur, while also meeting international air and water quality standards.

The new website features key facts, figures and performance results that detail how Advanced Air Quality Systems work in the small confines of a cruise ship, using sea water to remove virtually all the sulfur from engine exhaust, preventing it from entering the atmosphere, improving air emissions and supporting sustainable operations in the global shipping industry.

Advanced Air Quality Systems have been used for decades on land as a proven and effective way to significantly reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter produced by an engine’s operation. As part of its commitment to developing innovative solutions that support sustainable operations, Carnival Corporation began pioneering this technology breakthrough in 2006, enabling Advanced Air Quality Systems to operate efficiently and effectively in the small confines of a cruise ship.

"Our Advanced Air Quality Systems are an important part of our strategy to improve air quality in port and at sea, a strategy that also includes the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG), shore power and marine gasoil (MGO)," said Mike Kaczmarek, senior vice president for marine technology for Carnival Corporation. "Due to the success we have had improving air quality with these systems, we decided to launch a dedicated website to help educate the public on the environmental benefits of Advanced Air Quality Systems and their effectiveness as a solution for meeting and exceeding the upcoming IMO regulations, while we continue to expand the technology throughout our fleet.”

As of July 2019, the company has installed over 220 Advanced Air Quality Systems on 77 of the more than 100 ships in its fleet, with a goal of installing nearly 400 scrubber systems over time in its multi-engine ships. By 2020, the company expects 85 percent of its global fleet to be fitted with Advanced Air Quality Systems at an investment of over $500 million.

The website features a number of third-party scientific studies that further validate that Advanced Air Quality Systems improve air quality and exceed major air and water quality standards with no adverse impact on the environment. A new study that includes third-party analysis by DNV GL, a leading classification society and recognized advisor for the maritime industry, shows that Advanced Air Quality Systems are a safe and effective means for compliance with the IMO’s 2020 requirements on the global shipping fleet, which include regulations for cleaner air emissions and strict wash-water quality standards.

The study concluded that the wash-water samples from the Advanced Air Quality Systems were below the limits set by several major national and international water quality and land-based water discharge standards, which provides further proof of the quality and safety of the wash water, even when compared to criteria like the World Health Organization’s (WHO) drinking water guidelines. In fact, when measured against IMO standards, the average wash-water test results in this study were over 90% lower than IMO limits. In the majority of samples, the materials were completely undetectable in the laboratory testing process.

Other benefits of the technology are highlighted on the new site, including that extensive testing has confirmed that Advanced Air Quality Systems in many ways outperform low-sulfur MGO in providing cleaner overall air emissions from ships. The systems remove almost all of the sulfur from engine exhaust and about 75% of all particulate matter (PM), and they are especially effective in removing small particulates. Additionally, studies show that exhaust from these systems has proportionally less PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and lower nitrous oxide (NOx) when compared to MGO emissions.

Coupled with other complementary technologies that also have ecological advantages, including launching the world’s first-ever cruise ships powered in port or at sea by LNG, and promoting the use of shore power, Advanced Air Quality Systems will help Carnival Corporation meet its own aggressive 2020 sustainability goals and international, national and local regulations for the over 700 ports the corporation’s ships visit each year.