Fincantieri launched Nieuw Statendam at Marghera

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 December 2017 07 December 2017

Nieuw Statendam, which Fincantieri is building for Holland America Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc, has been launched tat the Marghera (Venice) shipyard. The fitting-out phase can now begin, ending in autumn 2018 with the handing over of the ship, the shipbuilder said in a statement.

The event was introduced by the traditional and well-wishing “coin ceremony”, consisting, according to an ancient shipbuilding custom, in welding a silver dollar on the last deck of the ship. Madrina of the ceremony was Anne Marie Bartels, a member of Holland America Line’s elite President’s Club loyalty program, who first sailed across the Atlantic from Rotterdam to New York as a young woman.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by Keith Taylor, Executive Vice President for Fleet Operations for Holland America Group, on behalf of the ship-owner and Antonio Quintano, shipyard director, on behalf of Fincantieri.

The new vessel, the 16th ship built by Fincantieri for Holland America Line and the second Pinnacle class ship after Koningsdam, delivered in 2016 from the same shipyard, will be about 99,500 gross tons, almost 300 meters long, with accommodation for up to 2,660 passengers on board in more than 1,300 cabins. She will be characterized by a contemporary style which blends perfectly with the traditional elegance, which distinguishes all the ships in the fleet. The design will be created, as for Koningsdam, by the designer Adam D. Tihany and the designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten, with “the architecture of music” being an inspirational element for the design of many public areas.

 

 

 

 

 

MSC Meraviglia to offer three sailings from New York

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 December 2017 07 December 2017

MSC Cruises has announced that its first Meraviglia-class mega ship, MSC Meraviglia, will offer three sailings departing from New York as she comes to the US for the first time.

This includes two 10-night round trip sailings from New York, sailing to brand new destinations in the New England area and Canada, and a 13-night sailing cruising the Caribbean, ending at MSC Meraviglia’s new homeport in Miami. Sales for these cruises will open to all on January 2, 2018.

The arrival of the ship further demonstrates MSC Cruises’ commitment to growing in the region, and another exciting step in the company’s unprecedented investment plan.

 

American Queen enjoys strongest ever year 2017

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 December 2017 07 December 2017

American Queen Steamboat Company, owner and operator of the American Queen, American Empress and new American Duchess, reported 2017 as the most successful year in the company’s six year history, the company said in a statement.

Delivering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, the three U.S. flagged paddlewheelers exceeded sales goals throughout the calendar year and recorded the highest guest satisfaction scores to date. The August debut of the first purpose-built boutique paddlewheeler American Duchess, newly expanded wine voyages on the American Empress sailing the Pacific Northwest and the American Queen’s popular 23-day Mighty Mississippi itineraries were among the American Queen Steamboat Company’s many 2017 highlights.

“The American Queen Steamboat Company has had an incredible year as we expanded our fleet and showcased the beauty of America’s heartland and the Pacific Northwest to more guests than ever before,” shared Ted Sykes, American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO. “Demand for U.S. river cruising is higher than ever before and I want to thank our loyal guests and dedicated travel agent partners for being a part of our record-breaking year.”

The American Queen is currently sailing the lower Mississippi River as part of its second annual Holiday Christmas Market season, showcasing local artisans, seasonal décor and river town traditions in ports such as Natchez, Miss. and St. Francisville, La. American Duchess guests recently departed on the first of several roundtrip Nashville Holiday itineraries sailing the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers for the conclusion of its inaugural season. The American Empress has concluded its 2017 season in the Pacific Northwest and will resume sailings in March 2018.

Norwegian Cruise Line introduces next generation of booked guests app

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 05 December 2017 05 December 2017

Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced next generation of its booked guest mobile application, the Cruise Norwegian app. Designed to be the ideal travel companion from time of booking to day of disembarkation, the new Cruise Norwegian app features a multitude of functions that help provide a stress-free vacation experience, helping guests make the most of their time on and off the ship as well as stay connected with their friends and family both on board and back home.

“Whether they’re 60 days from their sail date or in the middle of their cruise, the Cruise Norwegian app brings seamless anytime-access to a myriad of onboard offerings, services and activities right into the palms of our guests’ hands,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “Once on board, the Cruise Norwegian app will allow guests to continue customizing their ideal cruise experience and view or manage their existing account information, allowing them to maximize their time and spend it on the things they enjoy the most.”

With the Cruise Norwegian app, guests’ dream cruise vacation is right at their fingertips with the capability to preview and book shore excursions, make dining and entertainment reservations, purchase onboard packages such as dining and beverage packages or special occasion packages before they cruise. Helping provide a stress-free embarkation day, the Cruise Norwegian app provides directions to the port and with mobile online check-in functionality guests can save time at the pier and have a paperless boarding process with mobile e-done.

Once on board, guests can use the Cruise Norwegian app complimentary by connecting to the ship’s wifi to stay up-to-date on what’s happening on board. The app allows guests to make reservations for their favorite Broadway-style shows, snag a seat for a mouthwatering dinner at one of Norwegian’s many Freestyle dining restaurants and book their next in-port adventure on a shore excursion. Friends and family can stay connected on board using the Cruise Norwegian app, which features unlimited onboard calls and messages for a one-time fee of $9.95. Groups can organize meet ups and share their favorite photos with everyone in their party with group messaging through the app. Those wishing to check-in with loved ones back home can make calls through the Cruise Norwegian app for a nominal fee of $0.79 per minute for outbound calls to nearly every country in the world.

Before disembarking the ship, guests using the app can track and review their onboard purchases, as well as view helpful disembarkation information including immigration and Easy Walk-off details. Those dreaming of their next cruise vacation can view information about Norwegian’s Cruise Next program and review their Latitudes Rewards points and learn about onboard tier benefits.

The free Cruise Norwegian app is currently available for use on cruises aboard Norwegian Sky. The new app will be available on board Norwegian’s newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, when she launches in summer 2018, and will be available fleet wide by yearend 2018.