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P&O Cruises and Cunard Line make 2022 single use plastics commitment

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 February 2018 06 February 2018

P&O Cruises and Cunard Line, both UK based parts of Carnival Corporation & plc, said they intend to remove single use plastics from the hotel operation on their ships by the end of 2022 as part of their overall environmental compliance plan.

Carnival UK president Josh Weinstein said: “Whilst we have stringent regulations and procedures on board our ships for recycling, we need to go to the source of the supply chain to encourage changes to packaging and remove single use plastic products from our hotel operation. Carnival UK operates the brands of the Carnival group in Britain.

“We are in discussions with our suppliers to try to influence the removal of single use plastic in products such as straws, water bottles and food packaging wherever possible, as well as reviewing our wider sourcing strategy of the most environmentally friendly products across the board."

“Programmes such as Blue Planet have shone a light on the impact plastic can have on our seas and it is our responsibility, as an ocean-going cruise line, to take action now, however many hurdles we have to face along the way," he said, referring to a BBC television series on nature.

“The ocean is a fundamental part of our business but more importantly its preservation and that of the surrounding shores is critical for our future and that of future generations. We, as well as our guests, have a duty to respect and protect it as part of our wider environmental protection. The second XL class ship for P&O Cruises, which is fully powered by LNG and one of the most environmentally advanced ships in the world, and the new Cunard ship will be launched in 2022 so this intention goes even further in our ongoing quest for environmental protection,” Weinstein noted.

Fred. Olsen Holidays appointed Victory Cruise Lines’ GSA in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 February 2018 02 February 2018

Fred. Olsen Holidays, based in Ipswich, Suffolk, said it has been appointed as UK General Sales Agent (GSA) for Victory Cruise Lines, a US-based small ship operator offering cruises to North America's historic Great Lakes.

Victory Cruise Lines is the only cruise line to offer ports of call on all five Great Lakes - making it perfect for passengers with an adventurous spirit who wish to explore remote islands, quaint villages & unique bays alongside iconic cities such as Boston, Toronto, Chicago and Milwaukee.

In addition to its Great Lakes cruises, Victory Cruise Lines also stops at ports in Canada, New England and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Its two boutique ships, Victory I and Victory II (the latter of which will celebrate its inaugural voyage in 2018), carry just 202 passengers and are able to visit ports that larger ships cannot reach, enabling guests to truly immerse themselves into the community, meet the local people, explore the history and soak up the culture in every destination.

All shore excursions are included within the cruise fare and are delivered by knowledgeable local guides. Examples include the chance to enjoy a thrilling cruise into the very heart of Niagara Falls or to go back in time and explore the Victorian-era charm of Mackinac Island by horse-drawn carriage.

Passengers can choose from six remarkable itineraries that include time to explore British Strongholds, the New England colonies, rare stops in quaint French Canadian villages, Victorian-era towns rich with seafaring history, and remote islands with spectacular wildlife viewing and fascinating local cultures.

Viking Line has decided not to exercise its option on another newbuilding

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2018 01 February 2018

Viking Line Abp has decided not to exercise the option to construct another vessel included in its shipbuilding contract with Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. The option has expired.

AIDA Cruises to offer “pre-premiere” cruises on AIDAnova

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2018 01 February 2018

AIDA Cruises, the German contemporary market unit f Carnival Corporation & plc, sad it take delivery of the 180,000 gross ton LNG powered AIDAnova from Meyer Werft ahead of schedule on 15 November and it will offer short cruises on the ship before its official maiden voyage.

“Guests will be able to experience the new flagship on a series of pre-premiere cruises before Aidanova’s maiden voyage when she will leave Hamburg on 2 December, 2018, heading for the Canary Islands, the company said in a statement.

These short cruises can be booked as of 1000 a.m. on 1 February. The first four-day trip will start directly after the formal handover of the ship in Bremerhaven on 15 November, and will lead from Oslo to Hamburg, where AIDAnova will make her first call on 19 November. Further short cruises will also depart from Hamburg, sailing to either Rotterdam or Oslo, the company said.

AIDAnova is the first unit of a series of LNG powered ships of about 180,000 gross tons that will be shared between Carnival group’s AIDA Cruises, Costa Crociere, Carnival Cruise Line and P&O Cruises brands.

MSC Cruises rumoured to plan order for four 700 passenger ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2018 01 February 2018

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping group, is rumoured to be planning an order for four 700 passenger high end of the market ships, TheMediTelegraph reports on its website.

The ships would be about 200 metres long and they would be built at Fincantieri shipyards in Italy. The report also said that the ships would have a crew of about 200 each, which is a low figure for a high end of the market ship with accommodation for 700 passengers.