More News

Carnival provides an update of Carnival Vista drydocking

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 June 2019 26 June 2019

Carnival Cruise Line shared some additional information yesterday on the dry dock scheduled next month for Carnival Vista to complete a repair to the ship’s Azipods. As previously announced, Carnival Vista will be taken out of service on July 9, at which time it will transit to Freeport, Bahamas.

Carnival is working with ABB, the Azipod manufacturer, to complete the repairs and return the ship to scheduled service on July 27. Carnival is completing negotiations and planning with a shipping vessel operator on a protocol that will be a first-of-its-kind procedure to facilitate the repair, given the current lack of facilities at Grand Bahama Shipyard.

More information on that procedure will be forthcoming, but plans are in place to complete the work and return Carnival Vista to Galveston for the scheduled July 27 sailing.

Tillberg Design of Sweden launches a new visual identity

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 June 2019 20 June 2019

Tillberg Design of Sweden has launched a new visual identity for the group. The new design is built around the logotype made up of thin intersecting lines, creating a timeless brand mark that combines our heritage from 1964 with contemporary design. The light Nordic design also stands for simplicity and transparency, two of TDoS core values.

”After more than 50 years of creating award winning marine architecture & interior design, it was time to redesign ourselves.” says Fredrik Johansson, Owner & Executive Project Director. ”The new visual identity is developed during the last 12 months collateral with a strategic project that will sharpen our design and content products to our clients”.

Pace of UK & Ireland river cruise volume growth halved in 2018

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 June 2019 19 June 2019

The number of river cruises taken by British and Irish passengers has reached record levels but the rate of growth halved from the previous year, CLIA UK & Ireland said in a statement.

The total number of river cruise passengers reached 232,300 last year – an increase of 21,900, or 10.4% year on year. However, that compares with a 21% rise in 2017 when the annual total jumped by 36,000 to 210,400.

The number of ocean cruise passengers increased by 2.0% to 2.01 million, CLIA UK & Ireland has reported earlier.

Saga Cruises expects £3 million first half loss on transition, uncertainty

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 June 2019 19 June 2019

Saga Cruises, which is part of the UK based lifestyle group Saga plc, forecasts an operating loss in the region of £3 million in the first half due to transitional stage of its cruise business and political uncertainty, the parent company said in a statement.

The company phased out the 18,859 gross ton Saga Pearl II earlier this year and is due to introduce the 58,650 gross ton newbuilding Spirit of Discovery next month.

“The Group expects to be in line with target booking levels for departures this year. Forward bookings for the 2020/21 year for the two new ships are broadly on track, with a significant step up in marketing activities planned for the next three months to coincide with the launch of the Spirit of Discovery,” Saga said.

Trading to week ended 8 June 2019, the company had sold 85.9% of the inventory of Spirit of Discovery’s 2019-20 sailings and 31.1% of those in the following year. A second newbuilding, to be called Spirit of Adventure, will join the fleet next year and on 8 June, 30.6% of its capacity for 2020-21 had been sold.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines wraps up Normandy landings commemorations

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 June 2019 19 June 2019

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destination focused UK based cruise line, have played its part in hosting 250 D-Day veterans – plus their carers and companions – on a poignant pilgrimage around the UK and Normandy, France, on The Royal British Legion’s ‘D-Day 75 Voyage of Remembrance’ aboard Boudicca, from 2 to 9 June 2019, the company said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen’s Boudicca – resplendent in The Royal British Legion’s recognisable red poppy décor – set sail from Dover on 2nd June 2019, taking the veterans to Dunkirk, Poole, Portsmouth and Le Havre, where they attended a series of commemorative events to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6th June 1944.

Suffolk-based travel specialists, Arena Travel, partnered with The Royal British Legion on the historic Voyage – with whom they have been an official travel partner since 2013 – and contacted local Suffolk cruise line Fred. Olsen, due to the number of veterans to be transported and the high costs and lack of availability of hotels in and around Normandy.

Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – who joined Boudicca for the Voyage – said: “It has been an incredible honour to play our part in The Royal British Legion’s commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy. It has been a very moving and emotional experience for all concerned, and our staff have thoroughly enjoyed having these courageous D-Day veterans on board and sharing in their stories and memories.