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Crystal Serenity to feature supper club after refit

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 October 2018 25 October 2018

Crystal Cruises, the Los Angeles base luxury market unit in the Genting Hong Kong group, said it would debut a supper club experience on Crystal Serenity when she emerges from dry dock on 10 November.

“The Stardust Supper Club combines the impeccable culinary experience and style for which Crystal is known with the glamourous vibe found in dining concepts of a different era. Set in the ship’s Stardust Club, the supper club will be offered on the first and final Black Tie Optional evenings of voyages beginning with cruises of eight days or more, The company said in a statement.

“The Stardust Supper Club highlights the music and vibe of the exclusive clubs of the Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin heyday, and perfectly complements the elegance of a formal evening aboard Crystal ships,” said Toni Neumeister, Crystal’s senior vice president of hotel operations. “In keeping with our commitment to offer guests choices to make the Crystal Experience their own, this new dining and entertainment experience is an intimate alternative to the grand occasions found in the Crystal Dining Room, which will be transformed into Waterside during the redesign.”

Guests will enjoy a four-course menu of select Waterside favourites as they dine to performances by Crystal Serenity’s Show Band and featured vocalists. In between performances, musicians will provide non-stop music throughout dinner, while the ship’s Ballroom Dance Quartet takes to the floor to perform a couple of spotlight dances including one during dessert and coffee service where guests can join in on the dancing.

The Stardust Supper Club will accommodate up to 108 guests per evening, with reservations available upon embarkation with the restaurant manager aboard the ship. At a later date, reservations can be made via Crystal’s Priority Check-in and Planning Center (PCPC). Seating will begin at 6.30pm giving guests ample time to dine and dance before the night’s 9.15pm production show begins in the Galaxy Lounge.

Indigenous leaders call Carnival to stop using HFO in Arctic

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 October 2018 25 October 2018

A delegation of Arctic indigenous leaders and marine and environmental experts delivered a petition signed by 104,000 people from countries across Europe and North America, to Carnival Corporation & plc at its UK headquarters in Southampton, demanding that it cease burning heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic and Subarctic, the campaign organisers said in a statement.

At the International Maritime Organization headquarters in London, a gathering of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, MEPC73, will this week consider steps towards banning the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters.

“Carnival claims that sustainability and human rights are core company values, but it cannot be an environmental leader while burning one of the dirtiest fossil fuels in the pristine Arctic. We are asking Carnival to step up to meet its own higher standards, respect the express will of Arctic peoples, and end its use of heavy fuel oil in this fragile and imperilled region,” said Kendra Ulrich, Senior Shipping Campaigner for Stand.earth.

“Carnival can become an industry leader by making the move sooner than international regulations would require,” he pointed out.

“I need to reach you. We have to save the ocean. My people and my food are important. There are over 13,000 of us in eight communities, with a 90,000-mile jurisdiction. I need everyone’s help to make sure it’s safe. Don’t save money using dirty oil. I need to stay alive," said George Edwardson, President of the Iñupiat community of the Arctic Slope and Board Member for Inuit Circumpolar Council – Alaska.

Italian and French shipbuilding present RDI roadmap

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 October 2018 25 October 2018

The Italian and French shipbuilding industry associations, Assonave and Gigan, signed a common Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap for Shipbuilding and ship supply, the two associations said in a joint statement.

The European maritime technology industry is presently world leader in building high end ships equipped with sophisticated maritime equipment both for civil and naval purposes, thanks to continuous investments in RDI. The sector includes more than 300 shipyards and 22,000 equipment suppliers, and employ more than 900,000 skilled people, with an annual production value of € 112.5 billion.

“The size of our industry together with the need to guarantee the long term defence and security of the maritime domain, depends on our present edge in maritime construction. Shipbuilding is strategic sector not only for Italy and France, but also for Europe. Our leadership is currently under attack by the Asian key shipbuilding countries and requires high investments in RDI to be safeguarded in the near future, as well as strong governmental support to these investments,” the two said.

Yacht cruise operator Variety Cruises joins CLIA

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 October 2018 24 October 2018

Yacht cruise operator Variety Cruises has joined Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as it looks to develop and build relationships with travel agents across the UK, CLIA UK & Ireland said in a statement.

“One of the world’s leading yacht cruise lines, Variety Cruises operates a fleet of 11 fully-owned vessels with capacities ranging from 17 to 36 cabins. The boutique-size yachts dock in the heart of destinations, visiting unfrequented ports-of-call and often offering extended stays and overnights,” CLIA UK & ireland said.

The small ships serve handpicked cruise destinations across the globe, from Croatia, Greece & Iceland to Cape Verde, the Seychelles, Cuba and Costa Rica. The line will soon be adding Bali, the Red Sea and Barbados to its ships’ itineraries.

Chris Lorenzo, Variety Cruises UK managing director, said: “The team at Variety Cruises are thrilled to be a member of CLIA. Variety Cruises offers the ultimate yacht cruise experience for those looking for a friendly and relaxed cruise exploring unique destinations. We’re looking forward to working closely with travel agents through this partnership to increase awareness of Variety Cruises and all that we have to offer.”

Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland director, said: “We are delighted to have Variety Cruises join CLIA. Boutique lines like Variety Cruises have a unique offering as they can sail guests to small ports that larger ships can’t reach. When travel agents speak to customers who are looking for this type of cruise, they need to know all possible options available, which is why it’s fantastic to have Variety Cruises as a member of CLIA.”

TUI Cruises launches Italian dining venue La Spezia

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 October 2018 24 October 2018

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise line, has launched a restaurant serving Italian food on two of its ships and it will be on a third one soon, the company said in a statement.

Called La Spezia, the new venue has been opened on Mein Schiff 3 and Mein Schiff 4 and it is due to be opened on Mein Schiff Herz, the former Mein Schiff 2, in the near future.

The company has teamed up with the Michelin star chef Theodor Fslser to launch the new restaurant. Flaser was awarded a Michelin star in November 2014 for his venue in the Dolomites in Italy, TUI Cruises said.