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AIDA begins its second world cruise

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2018 10 October 2018

On Monday, October 8th 2018, at 08:00 pm AIDA said “Cast off and have a good trip!” to AIDAaura. After the grand send-off with fireworks, the ship sallied forth to its first world cruise. 20 countries and 41 ports are awaiting a visit from the globetrotter. Besides famous and popular destinations, new stops such as South Africa, Namibia, Melbourne, Tasmania and the archipelagos Fiji, Samoa, and New Caledonia are on the schedule.

The first part of her world cruise leads AIDAaura across the equator from Europe to South America. Dream destinations in Brazil and Argentina are awaiting the cruise guests. Alongside the breath-taking coast of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, the route leads to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.

After a few stops in Chile, the cruise gets exotic. On her way to Australia, AIDAaura visits Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Fiji, where guests get the chance to snorkel with colourful schooling fish, rays and turtles. After landings at New Caledonia, Australia and the wild landscapes of Tasmania, AIDAaura continues its voyage towards Mauritius, crossing the Indian Ocean.

Animal lovers get their money worth at the coast of Africa. Newly included are ports in South Africa and Namibia, which not only inspire with their diversified nature but also offer the opportunity to see The Big Five with your own eyes.

After crossing the equator a second time, ship and guests say ¡Hola! to the Canary Islands, Salut! to Paris and eventually Moin! in Hamburg when, after 117 days, the journey comes to an end on February 2nd 2019.

Carnival strengthens destination management in Norway

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2018 09 October 2018

Carnival Maritime GmbH announced today that Sandra Diana Bratland has been appointed Director, Destination Affairs for Carnival Group Norway, a new representative office in Bergen, as of October 1st.

“Norway is a strategic destination for Carnival’s Brands,” said Remco Buis, Senior Vice President Port Operations & Development at Carnival Maritime,“ and we believe we can ensure better stakeholder engagement and dialogue with relevant institutions through local representation.”

In this newly created role, Bratland will represent all relevant Carnival companies in the region and work closely with all stakeholders on active destination development and further improving sustainable cruise tourism.

Bratland possesses extensive experience on ports and destination related matters and was most recently employed by the Port of Bergen as the Head of Cruise Development after spending almost four years as the Managing Director for Cruise Norway. Other positions include Director of Shore Excursions for European Cruise Services.

Carnival Maritime is the marine service unit for Costa Group, the leading cruise company in Europe and Asia and part of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest leisure travel company.

First modern riverboat in U.S. History, American Song, has departed on inaugural cruise from New Orleans

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2018 08 October 2018

American Song, the 1st modern riverboat in U.S. history, departed from the Port of New Orleans this past Saturday, October 6, 2018. "Underway at 100% capacity, this historic new riverboat is off to a great start and is cruising the Mississippi River on its 8-day inaugural sailing between New Orleans and Memphis. American Song’s 184 guests are enjoying an unforgettable cruise with stops at Oak Alley, Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, and Vicksburg, arriving in Memphis Friday, October 12th," American Cruise Lines said in a statement.

American Song is the first ship in American Cruise Lines’ new modern riverboat series – the 2nd ship in the series, American Harmony, is already well under construction and will be launched in a few weeks. American Cruise Lines is pleased to offer American Song and its new series of modern riverboats in addition to its current fleet of authentic paddlewheelers.

After this week’s inaugural cruise, American Song will continue to cruise the Mississippi throughout 2018. In 2019, American Song will reposition out West to the Columbia & Snake Rivers and 2nd modern riverboat, American Harmony, will begin cruising the Mississippi.

Equipped with every modern advancement, including a unique bow with a retractable gangway, American Song represents the historic evolution of American Riverboats. Showcasing gorgeous interior design elements, from a five-story glass atrium to spectacular spacious lounges, American Song inspires. Thoughtfully designed to bring the outside world in, American Song boasts sweeping views throughout the ship. With the largest staterooms in the industry, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, and private furnished balconies, American Song is the first ship of its kind available on U.S. Rivers.

Genting Cruise Lines makes homeport debut in Tianjin with SuperStar Virgo

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2018 08 October 2018

Genting Cruise Lines celebrated SuperStar Virgo’s inaugural homeport sailing from Tianjin on September 30, from where she will offer seven cruises to multiple destinations in Japan, including Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Beppu and Nagasaki. The occasion also marked Star Cruises’ second inaugural homeport in Northern China this year, preceded by SuperStar Virgo’s five-week homeport season in Dalian and to be followed by her debut homeport in the coastal city of Qingdao later this year.

As one of the top-ranking cruise ports in China, Tianjin boasts excellent port infrastructure and accessibility to key markets in the Northern region, which are both crucial to the strategic deployment of Genting Cruise Lines in the country. “The inaugural homeport deployment of SuperStar Virgo in Tianjin is instrumental in building the profile of Genting Cruise Lines as a key industry leader in Asia, as well as to lay a solid foundation for the market development of both Star Cruises and Dream Cruises in China and across the region,” said Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines.

Ang Moo Lim, President of Star Cruises said, “As the pioneer of cruising in Asia with 25 years of experience in the region, Star Cruises is committed to engage Asian travellers with thematic cruises that best cater to their needs. SuperStar Virgo’s homeport deployment in Tianjin is timed perfectly with the peak season of family travels in China – the Golden Week holiday and autumn trips in October. In addition to a great variety of itineraries of different durations and destinations, we have tailor-made entertainment and enrichment activities for all family members to enjoy such as our Senior Cruiser Program, “Treasure Hunt at Sea with Doraemon” and more.”

At 13 decks and 75,000 gross tons, the SuperStar Virgo features 935 cabins, including sea-view cabins and balcony suites. As well, SuperStar Virgo offers a wide variety of dining, shopping and entertainment choices - all part of Star Cruises’ promise to deliver exceptional cruise holidays highlighted by its signature, heartfelt Asian hospitality.

SuperStar Virgo houses over 10 bars and restaurants, including Chinese, Japanese and international restaurants along with an alfresco bar. On-board amenities include a foot reflexology salon and spa, gym with steam and sauna rooms, hairdressing salon, two-level theatre, duty-free shops, a 100-metre mega water slide, outdoor swimming pool, mini golf course, karaoke room, children's activity centre and more.

TUI Cruises launches plastic use reduction programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2018 08 October 2018

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise line, said it has launched a programme to reduce the use of plastics on board its fleet.

By the end of the year 2020, plastic products and disposable items should be replaced on board the company’s vessels and in its offices and replaced by alternatives made by using renewable and sustainable materials, the company said in a statement.

As examples of the measures to be taken TUI Cruises mentioned drinking water in the cabins, which will be served in glass carafes that can be refilled rather than in plastic bottles, which is the case now and shower gel that will be provided in containers that can be refilled rather than in small plastic bottles.

At the moment, in the cabins of the company’s vessels alone, about 900,000 plastic items are used each year.