Poseidon Expeditions to sponsor April 2018 Polar Symposium at Brown University in Providence, RI

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 31 March 2018 31 March 2018

Poseidon Expeditions, specialists in expedition cruising in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, has announced its sponsorship of an April 5-6, 2018, symposium at Brown University that will address issues impacting the polar regions.

Polar Opposites: Creative Interventions in the Arctic and Antarctica is under the auspices of The Brown Arts Initiative (BAI). Two days of panel discussions, presentations and exhibitions – all free and open to the public – will be held at the Perry and Marty Granoff Center for the Creative Arts on campus. Advance registration is required.

An exceptional group of innovators and practitioners including artists, scientists, activists, researchers and scholars will address issues impacting the polar regions. Polar Opposites is part of the BAI’s three-year Arts & Environment program addressing a diversity of topics related to natural and man-made issues with a focus on raising awareness of and creatively addressing the impact of climate change. The breadth of the symposium’s topics is designed to highlight collaborative experimentation, scholarship and problem-solving across disciplines.

“We are honored to sponsor this event,” said Nikolay Saveliev, president of Poseidon Expeditions. “A hallmark of our company is its long-term commitment to science and the arts as they relate specifically to the polar world. Frequently among our cruise guests are citizen scientists and international photographers and artists whose works continue to engage the greater public with these frozen environments.

“Like this symposium’s participants and attendees, we share the environmental imperative and responsibility for conservation of the Arctic and Antarctic habitats. A key part of our mission is to help our guests understand the importance of preserving polar regions for future generations,” he said.

Founded in 1999, Poseidon Expeditions is a recognized leader in icebreaker cruises to the North Pole and Franz Josef Land, expanding its products and services in recent years to include deluxe expedition cruises to the Arctic destinations of Svalbard and Greenland, and to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. The company operates two vessels, the 114-guest Sea Spirit and the 128-guest 50 Years of Victory, purpose-built as an icebreaker for venturing to 90º north latitude – the top of the world.

The company maintains offices in the US, UK, Germany, Russia and China and is committed to safe and environmentally responsible polar travel. It is a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).

AmaLea sets sail on maiden voyage

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 31 March 2018 31 March 2018

AmaWaterways' newest ship, the 156-passenger AmaLea, set sail this week on her inaugural Tulip Time voyage. The ship embarked on her first journey from Amsterdam and is currently sailing along the colorful canals of the Dutch and Belgian Waterways, returning to Amsterdam on April 1. AmaLea will begin her Danube itineraries starting May 6 with an official christening ceremony – led by AmaLea’s godmother and respected travel industry executive, Filomena Andre, taking place on May 26 in Vilshofen, Germany.

“We are thrilled to see AmaLea welcoming her first guests to enjoy her luxurious features, modern and spacious design and impeccable service as they sail an unforgettable Tulip Time cruise,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “I am confident our guests will appreciate the warm, pastel colors of the interior decor that marry so beautifully with the blooming tulip fields around them.”

Sister ship to the award-winning AmaKristina, AmaStella and AmaViola, AmaLea also features connecting and triple occupancy staterooms that are perfect for the growing multi-generational travel group markets. The ship will also feature AmaWaterways’ unique signature twin-balcony in most staterooms – offering breathtaking views of the European scenery.

Additional amenities include a daily “Sip & Sail” complimentary cocktail hour (new for 2018); a heated sun deck pool with swim-up bar; hair and massage salons; a well-equipped fitness center; complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship; a fleet of bicycles carried on board for guests to use complimentary. In addition to the stunning Main Lounge providing an exhilarating backdrop for guests to meet throughout the day and enjoy nightly entertainment, the ship also offers multiple dining venues, including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant with its wine-paired tasting menu.

AmaLea will sail six Tulip Time cruises before embarking on seven-night cruises on the Danube River between Vilshofen and Budapest, two of which are themed Wine Cruises hosted by Amelia Ceja, president of Ceja Vineyards Napa, CA and Frederick Frank, president of Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes Region, NY and take place in November. AmaLea will close out her inaugural 2018 season with four awe-inspiring Christmas Markets Cruises on the Danube.

Celestyal Cruises strengthens North American team

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 30 March 2018 30 March 2018

Celestyal Cruises has appointed three new members to Celestyal Cruises, Inc. Each officially begins his or her tenure with the company in March, 2018:

– Maria Moreau, Brand Marketing and Social Media Executive, North America
– Roger Poulard, Business Development Manager, Northeast USA + Eastern Canada
– Kelly Predmesky, Business Development Manager, Southeast USA + Caribbean

Maria Moreau is a marketing professional and social media strategist with more than seven years’ experience in the Travel Retail and Food & Beverage industries. Ms. Moreau will be responsible for developing and executing the brand marketing and social media plan for North America while providing cooperative marketing support to the company’s travel trade partners. Ms. Moreau previously served as Marketing Manager at Areas, a leading provider of food, beverage and retail services to the U.S. travel hospitality industry. Ms. Moreau earned her Professional Social Media Certificate at the University of Miami and her Bachelor’s of Science in Digital Arts and Design at Full Sail University. Bilingual in English and Spanish, her technical skills include Adobe Creative Suite, Digital Photography and Motion Graphics.

Roger Poulard is a business development professional with more than 14 years’ experience in the cruise and travel industries. Mr. Poulard has been tasked with introducing the Celestyal Cruises brand to the travel agent community in the Northeast USA and Eastern Canada – he will be based in Newark, NJ. Prior to joining Celestyal Cruises, Mr. Poulard was most recently the Business Development Manager, New York, for MSC Cruises USA. Mr. Poulard is multilingual in English, French and German, and earned his B.A. at Otterbein College.

Kelly Predmesky is an industry professional with more than 12 years’ experience. Ms. Predmesky has been tasked with introducing the Celestyal Cruises product to the travel agent community in the Southeast USA and Caribbean – she is based in West Palm Beach, FL. Prior to joining Celestyal Cruises, Ms. Predmesky was most recently with MEDJI Tours; she also held positions with Contiki and STA Travel. She received her B.A. from the University of South Florida.

“We have hit the ground running,” said Leslie Peden, President, Celestyal Cruises, Inc., “and with the addition of Ms. Moreau, Mr. Poulard and Ms. Predmesky to our team, we are on track to implement our strategic development plans in North America. Mr. Poulard and Ms. Predmesky will soon commence a wave of business development, including a training webinar series and roadshows. Our goal is to educate the travel trade about Celestyal Cruises’ incomparable all-inclusive, Premium-Value Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean cruises. Ms. Moreau, Mr. Poulard and Ms. Predmesky bring immeasurable enthusiasm to their new positions, and I’m thrilled to have them on board.”

Costa strengthens its position in Ligurian ports of Genoa, Savona and La Spezia

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 28 March 2018 28 March 2018

Costa Cruises is strengthening its presence in Liguria with the announcement of three important items of news for 2019 concerning the region's main ports.

Over the course of the next year, Costa Fortuna will make regular calls at Genoa, while the new flagship Costa Smeralda will offer an itinerary that includes both Savona and La Spezia. Cruises for both ships will go on sale in the coming weeks. Important work to be carried out by both the Port Authority and Costa Cruises is scheduled to take place in Savona in the port and in the cruise terminal, so that it can host the Italian company's new flagship.

“Liguria has always been Costa Cruises' home throughout its seventy years in existence, which is why we are especially happy to strengthen our presence in all the three main ports of our region,” said Neil Palomba, Costa Cruises President. “These new investments have become a reality thanks in part to the constant dialogue we have with local institutions, including the Liguria Region, the three city councils and the Port Authorities. In particular, the support of the mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci and the President of the Liguria Region Giovanni Toti have played a decisive role in finally bringing back a Costa ship to Genoa after all these years."

Giovanni Toti, President of the Liguria Region, said: “After almost fifteen years a Costa ship is coming back to Genoa, reflecting the success of the work the institutions have achieved together with the cruise company, with initiatives that will show Liguria in an even better light. The new Costa Fortuna will call at Genoa, while the Costa Smeralda, currently under construction, will expand Costa’s presence in the port of Savona, on a cruise itinerary that will also take in La Spezia. The collaboration between the Liguria Region and Costa Cruises began when the new regional council took over with the opening of a new training centre of excellence, opened in the wonderful Villa Figoli in Arenzano, where the company and the Italian Merchant Marine Academy provide high quality training and new job opportunities for young people and the unemployed in the seafaring job market, in particular in the on-board hotel sector. The excellent teamwork between the institutions and this private company has proven to be a great success and the benefits to our region are tangible. The fact that we are all here today tells us that Costa Cruises’ contribution continues and grows even stronger, with important consequences for employment: Costa's activities generate more than 700 jobs in Savona every year and have an economic impact of almost 40 million euro on the city. The cruise company calls at Savona approximately 200 times a year, bringing with it 300,000 tourists who embark and disembark ships in the city, and over 350,000 guests in transit arriving from other ports. These flows of people generate an average spend per year of almost 100 euros for each guest and 1,020 euros from related industries and activities for each inhabitant of Savona. The presence of Costa in Savona has also led to significant investments in its port and in the Terminal, both by the Port Authority and by the company itself. Today we are all showing our eagerness to carry on creating value in our region by strengthening the cruise sector even further, not only in Genoa, but also in the region’s other two main ports, Savona and La Spezia. This demonstrates how crucially important the maritime economy is for Liguria and is proof of Costa’s devotion to our region, and it will allow us to capitalise on all the wonderful things our region and our history have to offer.”

The Mayor of Genoa, Marco Bucci, said: “I'm extremely pleased that Costa Cruises is making this important return to Genoa. Costa Cruises is not just a shipping company for us: it is an important part of our city's history. Seeing Costa ships in our port again will be a source of great pride. But it also means that thousands of tourists will be coming to Genoa: the council and the city will provide accommodation, entertainment and cultural solutions that will meet all the expectations of Costa Cruises guests. We are looking forward to working in full synergy with the Costa group to make sure that tourists have the opportunity to explore and discover all Genoa’s treasures.”

From the end of March to November 2019, Genoa will be the home port of Costa Fortuna, a ship with a gross of tonnage of 103,000 and a total capacity for 3,470 guests that is currently in service in Asia. Its debut in the Ligurian capital is scheduled for 26 March 2019, with a three-day mini-cruise in the Mediterranean. From 29 March until 8 November, the ship will be in Genoa every Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., on two different itineraries. In the spring and autumn, the ship will call at Genoa, as well as Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia, Civitavecchia and La Spezia; and in the summer, Marseille, Tarragona, Palma de Mallorca, and a long stopover in Ibiza and Olbia are scheduled. Costa Fortuna will call at Genoa a total of 34 times. The ship was built just in Genoa, at Fincantieri shipyard, and named on 22 November 2003.

Starting from November 2019, the new flagship Costa Smeralda (180,000 gross tons and 6,600 total guests), currently under construction at the Meyer shipyard in Turku (Finland), will call at Savona and La Spezia every week for the whole winter season. The first call in Savona is scheduled on 3 November 2019, for a mini cruise. After that, from 9 November, Costa Smeralda will be in Savona every Saturday and La Spezia every Friday, on a one-week itinerary that will also call at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Civitavecchia.

In anticipation of the arrival of Costa Smeralda, important work will be carried out over the coming months in Savona, which will not compromise port operations anyway. The Authority Port System of Western Ligurian Sea will work on making the port basin deeper, while Costa Cruises will invest a total of 4.5 million euros for two new passenger boarding fingers and for upgrades work on the Palacrociere buildings.

In La Spezia, Costa Cruises has obtained the adjudication of the concession for the management of the port's cruise areas and services in 2018.

The new flagship Costa Smeralda, powered both in port and at sea by LNG, will perfectly embody the concept of "Italy's finest" that is the distinguishing feature of the Costa brand around the world. It will offer brand new innovations, as well as new developments in terms of features for the most successful products on the ships already in service. For the interiors, four internationally renowned design companies have been chosen – Dordoni Architetti, Jeffrey Beers International, Partner Ship Design and Rockwell Group – under the guidance of creative director Adam D. Tihany.