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Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess arrives in China

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 July 2017 05 July 2017

Majestic Princess, the newest flagship in the Princess Cruises fleet, arrived in Xiamen, China on July 3, after a 37-day journey along the Silk Road Sea Route. The arrival also marked the successful completion of the cultural programs and performances for guests aboard the Majestic Princess under the theme “Telling the Chinese Story along the Silk Road Sea Route.”

From May 21, Majestic Princess sailed from Rome to embark on the “Silk Road Sea Route” and visited countries including Greece, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and Singapore along the ancient Silk Road trading route. The route sought to revitalize the Silk Road Sea Route and promote Chinese culture and tradition.

Chinese cultural organizations were invited to showcase traditional Chinese dance, fashion, music and opera. These performances demonstrated the spirit of the ancient Silk Road to more than 7,000 guests from more than 40 countries aboard the Majestic Princess. These organizations include Yan’an Youth Waist Drum Team and Yangge Dance Team, China National Orchestra, China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater and Shaoxing and Sichuan People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

“The success of the Majestic Princess’ Silk Road Sea Route is another important milestone for Princess Cruises in China,” said Anthony Kaufman, Princess Cruises Executive Vice President, International Operations. “Princess Cruises has always placed significant value in the Chinese market. This cooperation with Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries demonstrates Princess Cruises’ commitment to promote the spirit of China’s Belt and Road initiative and to offer the ultimate cruise vacation for Chinese travelers.”

Majestic Princess will continue its Silk Road Sea Route voyage by visiting ports including Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, and will arrive at her Asia homeport in Shanghai on July 9, where she will be officially named by Yao Ming and his wife, Ye Li. She will commence her first cruise from Shanghai on July 11, where she is set to offer Chinese guests an international cruise vacation.

In 2018, two 14-day Grand Asia voyage sailings between Shanghai and Singapore, will be available to guests throughout the world on Majestic Princess. These sailings will visit Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand, including spending more time ashore on the late night call in Hong Kong. The first voyage departs Shanghai on February 25, 2018, with the second departing Singapore on March 11, 2018.

Princess Cruises will also call Australia home from September 2018 to March 2019. Majestic Princess will sail itineraries from Sydney and Auckland on voyages from 6 to 13 days in length, and will call in ports at destinations including New Zealand, Tasmania, Fiji and other islands in the South Pacific.

CSSC launches marine service business with state of the art logistics centre

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 July 2017 03 July 2017

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has launched a new business CSSC Marine Service Co.,Ltd, to coincide with the inauguration of their new logistic centre within the Yangshang free trade zone, Shanghai, the company said in a statement.

The inauguration was marked with a ceremony on 30 June 2017, attended by over 150 industry representatives from leading shipowning, managing and operating companies along with key cooperation partners ABB, MAN PrimServ and WinGD.

Able to accommodate over 20,000 kinds of original small parts including fuel injection equipment, piston rings, pipes, flaps and valves, and large parts such as cylinder liners, covers and piston crowns. The third party operated centre forms phase one of an overall project for CSSC Marine Service Co.,Ltd.

Covering 9000m2, the warehouse and distribution facility includes quality assurance monitoring and a state of the art warehouse management system with a light identification system that will enable speedy picking, packing and delivery of parts.

CSSC Marine Service Co.,Ltd was established earlier this year to facilitate lifecycle services and flexible solutions to the entire CSSC product portfolio. This new logistics centre is the first step to enable quicker responses to customer needs. With future plans for expansion of the current represented service centres in Hamburg, Athens, Singapore, Houston and Dubai, which in total will see six strategic service hubs and 28 service stations worldwide by 2020.

Andrew Stump, President, CSSC Marine Service Co.,Ltd, commented: “In the future CSSC Service will manage parts, field service and warranty for all CSSC manufactured products. There will be a particularly strong focus on Low Speed main engine and medium speed auxiliary engines from brands manufactured by CSSC. Our logistics centre will act as the hub for our global distribution network with the aim to be capable and efficient in the delivery of key engine components on a global scale. We know this will take time and energy to ensure we are in the right places to support the vessels needs, but we are confident that our young, exciting and energetic team will progress very quickly”.

Celebrity Edge to feature “chillful, playful, sinful” Eden

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 June 2017 29 June 2017

Celebrity Edge, the first unit in a new series of newbuildings of Celebrity cruises, will feature a three deck high space called Eden which the company desbries as “chillful, playful and sinful.”

With three levels of sensory experiences, fully encased in glass and looking out to the ocean, it is a true window to the world. Where nature is effortlessly intertwined with design and performance art.

“From the awakening aromas rising from Eden Café to the natural scents of the Library of Plants growing above Eden Bar; from the divine, experiential cuisine at Eden Restaurant to the crescendo of theatrics that close the night while delighting your eyes and ears…we invite you to indulge every sense in a space that transforms from chillful mornings to playful afternoons to sinful evenings,” the company said in a statement.

“Eden Restaurant offers a unique, personal culinary journey. Before entering Eden Restaurant, you will enjoy signature cocktails at Eden Bar on the second level. Once seated, Edenists will serve a choreographed series of experiential culinary temptations that will not only thrill your taste buds, but every other sense as well.”

“Try divine, experiential cuisine at Eden Restaurant to the crescendo of theatrics that close the night while delighting your eyes and ears. We invite you to indulge every sense in a space that transforms from chillful mornings to playful afternoons to sinful evenings,” Celebrity Cruises said.

Crystal River Cruises to train masters in simulators

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 June 2017 29 June 2017

Crystal River Cruises, which is part of Genting Hong Kong’s Los Angeles based Crystal Cruises luxury cruise company, said it will be the first in the river cruise industry whose captains will complete their training and assessments in a state-of-the-art simulator.

“The training will take place at the Simwave simulator center in the Netherlands as part of an agreement between Netherlands-based Simwave and Crystal parent company Genting Hong Kong, when the simulator is completed in November. Crystal River Cruises’ Captains will maximize real-world preparation and safety proficiency for those at the helm of the company’s groundbreaking luxury vessels,” the company said in a statement.

Beyond the actual hardware and technology of the simulator, a Development Captain will oversee training programs for Crystal river captains. The Development Captain is entirely dedicated to creating and executing extensive training curriculum, ensuring that Crystal River Cruises’ captains are effectively the most experienced river captains in the world.

“Crystal is committed to setting new standards of excellence in every facet of the Crystal experiences around the world, with the expertise of our captains and officers being of chief importance to the safety and security of our guests,” says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “Innovation and groundbreaking technology are integral to the beautiful new river yachts joining the Crystal River Cruises’ fleet, and we’re thrilled to extend that innovation to the training of our officers.”

The simulator’s 3D mathematical model is designed by Simwave’s mathematical modeling & research department, using actual specs from the Crystal vessels to accurately implement handling characteristics for real-world situation training. The bridge layout and design are also based on Crystal’s river ships, ensuring that captains are fully familiar with the components of the vessels before they come aboard. While Crystal’s first river ship, Crystal Mozart, is the only river ship in operation that employs two captains manning the navigation bridge at all times (she is the largest vessel on European rivers), the river simulator accommodates a second captain to train in emergency relief situations aboard the “Rhine Class” ships.

The bridge simulator includes nine vertically-mounted displays that are integrated with the globally unique mission engine room. The horizontal field of view is 240 degrees and the vertical field of view is 47 degrees, giving the optimal high density pixel count for safe sailing. “Due to the details in the visual scene like ropes, navigation objects, etc. it is of great importance that the sharpness and details in the visual system be high quality,” explains Joost van Ree, co-founder of Simwave. “This makes it possible to simulate scenarios in complex environments more realistically.”

The simulator’s tailor-made environments and controls are advanced training tools by the standards of the river cruising industry, with which Crystal’s captains are already extensively familiar. Each officer chosen to helm the luxurious vessels along the rivers of Europe boasts decades of experience, as well as lifelong knowledge of the region and its waterways.

Viking Cruises to operate winter cruises to Norway in 2019

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 June 2017 28 June 2017

Viking Cruises, the rapidly expanding premium market cruise line, announced a new ocean cruise itinerary that will allow guests the rare opportunity to explore the far north in Norway’s winter, during a peak period for aurora borealis sightings.

“Sailing between London and Bergen starting in January 2019, In Search of the Northern Lights will establish Viking as the first U.S. cruise line to offer a full-length itinerary in the Arctic Circle in the winter season,” the company said in a statement.

“Our Nordic heritage is evident in all that we do, from our spirit of exploration to the serene, understated elegance of our ships. Scandinavia is Viking territory, and no other cruise line can show guests this part of the world like we can,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises.

“Norway’s landscapes in the winter are truly magnificent, something few North Americans get to witness. I am pleased to offer this exclusive opportunity for our guests to explore my homeland.”

Sailing on Viking’s third 930-guest ocean ship, Viking Sky, guests will experience Norway’s pristine beauty and dramatic snow-dusted wilderness, with a chance each day to stargaze and scan the dark skies for the northern lights.

On the 13-day itinerary, guests will be able to immerse themselves in the rich culture of northern Europe, visiting seven destinations – with overnights in Tromsø, Alta and Bergen, Norway, and a complimentary excursion in each port. Highlights of the new In Search of the Northern Lights itinerary include:

Experience the Northern Lights in Alta: Home to some of northern Europe’s most magnificent natural beauty, Alta’s frequent clear skies make it an ideal place to view the luminous aurora borealis during the height of the viewing season.

Experience Nordic Life with the Sami Community of Máze: While in Alta, visit the nearby native Sami community of Máze for an authentic lunch of local dishes and an exciting ride in a reindeer-drawn sleigh.

Visit the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø: Home to the largest concentration of wooden houses in northern Norway dating back to 1904, marvel at the classic architecture contrasted with modern buildings, including the Arctic Cathedral, a stunning triangular building in white and icy blue often called the “Opera House of Norway” for its resemblance to the Sydney Opera House.

Step into the Viking Age in Stavanger: Visit the Archaeological Museum, where a host in traditional Viking dress will demonstrate essential tools and artifacts of the time period, then stop at the Swords in Stone monument commemorating the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872.

Ascent of Mt. Ulriken in Bergen: A panoramic tour of Bergen takes you to the beautifully preserved wharf of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was central to Bergen’s role in the Hanseatic League. Afterwards, embark on a gondola ride for a scenic ascent to Mt. Ulriken, the highest of Bergen’s famous Seven Mountains