Fashion model Lena Gercke to name AIDAperla on 30 June

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 13 April 2017 13 April 2017

Lena Gercke will christen AIDAperla, the 12th member of the AIDA Cruises’ fleet, in Palma de Mallorca on 30 June. Gercke is among the most famous and successful models and presenters in Germany.

The naming ceremony will be transmitted live on the Internet.

The first cruise of the Japanese built ship will run from Palma de Mallorca, from 24 June to 1 July, will take passengers to Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence (Livorno) and Barcelona. The ship will operate in the Western Mediterranean until march 2018, when it will be repositioned to Hamburg, AIDA Cruises said.

Carnival Cruise Line and City of Long Beach start renovations at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 12 April 2017 12 April 2017

Carnival Cruise Line marked the beginning of a multimillion-dollar renovation of its Long Beach Cruise Terminal facility to accommodate larger ships and enhance terminal operations. A “FUNstruction” groundbreaking ceremony today included remarks by City of Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, President and CEO of Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau Steve Goodling and Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Strategic and Commercial Port Development Carlos Torres de Navarra among others.

Carnival unveiled its design plans for the terminal during the celebration. The renovation will increase the space Carnival currently occupies in the terminal facility from approximately 66,000 square feet to 142,000 square feet. The expansion and new design will allow for a dramatically enhanced passenger experience and operational flow within the terminal. In addition, the project includes the expansion of portside “cold-ironing” to enable larger ships to plug into the local electric grid to reduce exhaust emissions while docked. Further enhancements to the area surrounding the geodesic dome which houses the cruise terminal and the adjacent Queen Mary attraction are also planned.

“The start of construction on this project further cements our commitment to the City of Long Beach and the outstanding relationships we have built with the leaders and people of this community,” said Carnival’s Torres de Navarra. “Our operations bring tremendous economic benefit to this area and expose hundreds of thousands of people a year to this great city. These new terminal enhancements will further grow that positive impact,” he added.

Carnival has run the Long Beach Cruise Terminal — the United States’ only privately operated cruise terminal — since 2003. It is one of the busiest terminals in North America, with ships docking at the facility five days per week resulting in a more than 70% utilization rate. Carnival has used just a portion of the geodesic dome that housed Howard Hughes’ “Spruce Goose” museum attraction for customs and guest check-in activities. The renovation will make 100 percent of the dome available for Carnival’s cruise operations.

“The expansion of the Carnival Cruise terminal is great news for Long Beach and great news for visitors to our city,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. “The added capacity will bring more tourism and economic activity to Long Beach, and we’re pleased to continue working with Carnival for many years to come.”

Currently, Carnival operates three ships from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal -- Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Imagination, which offer three- and four-day Baja cruises, and Carnival Miracle which operates week-long Mexican Riviera voyages along with 14- and 15-day cruises to Hawaii and Alaska. In 2018 when the larger Carnival Splendor replaces Carnival Miracle, the line will carry more than 700,000 guests annually from Southern California, operating nearly 250 three- to 14-day cruises a year.

In addition to marking the start of the renovation of the cruise terminal, Torres de Navarra announced a donation of $25,000 to the Mayor’s Fund for Education. The donation, made jointly by Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Foundation, is part of Carnival Corporation’s ongoing support for nonprofit educational and charitable organizations in the homeport communities where its brands operate.

AIDA Cruises announces godmother for AIDAperla

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 12 April 2017 12 April 2017

Lena Gercke will christen AIDAperla, the twelfth member of the AIDA fleet, in Palma de Mallorca on June 30, 2017. In Germany the likable beauty is among the most famous and successful models and presenters. The skyline of the old city of Palma will form the backdrop when the night sky above AIDAperla is transformed into a sparkling sea of color during a spectacular music and lighting event.

"With her natural charm and vitality, Lena Gercke is the ideal godmother of AIDAperla. I’m delighted that she will christen our new vessel. Lena Gercke is the perfect ambassador for the modern and unconventional attitude to life we stand for with our AIDA brand," said Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises.

"I love traveling and I’m on the road a lot - professionally as well as privately. All the more I am looking forward to becoming the godmother of a beautiful ship such as AIDAperla. I think it’s great to discover many countries in a short time and to have a wonderful hotel always with you," commented the future godmother Lena Gercke.

The christening cruise from June 24 to July 1, 2017 will take guests from Palma de Mallorca to three cities in the Mediterranean: Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence (Livorno) and Barcelona. Those who cannot join the celebrations in Palma de Mallorca or on board AIDAperla should still note the date of June 30, 2017 in their calendar, though, as the christening will be transmitted live on the internet and various social media channels.

Cruise fans will have the opportunity to get to know the youngest member of the fleet on several introductory trips even before the official start of the christening cruise. From July 1, 2017, the 300 meter long and 37.6 meter wide cruise ship will travel the Western Mediterranean. As of March 2018 AIDAperla will be based in Hamburg.

The many highlights on board include the Beach Club under a weatherproof and UV-permeable foil dome and the Four Elements with water slides and climbing garden. The award-winning Body & Soul Organic Spa delights guests with its various saunas, multiple indoor and outdoor pools, a tepidarium and a fireplace room for complete relaxation. The Lanai Deck complements the varied facilities offered with its infinity pools, glass elevators, two skywalks, state-of-the-art LED technology and aerial structures for extraordinary performances, as well as an interactive floating globe for the entertainment program. In addition to the Kids and Teens Club, there is also a Mini Club on board to look after small children from the age of 6 months. Furthermore the food & beverage facilities offered on board leave nothing to be desired: 12 restaurants, 3 snack bars and 14 bars invite guests to embark on a culinary world tour.

CMV adds Portsmouth, Poole sailings to 2018 programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 11 April 2017 11 April 2017

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based destinational cruise line, said will add a further seven UK sailings on board the 550 passenger Astoria from the South coast Port of Poole and from Portsmouth International Port for a late summer and autumn 2018 programme featuring ten cruising holiday options.

CMV had intended to terminate the charter of Astoria, which ws built as Stockholm in 1948 and rebuilt with e.g. new engines and interior in 1994 after the end of this season, but it has changed its mind and will keep operating the Portuguese owned and flagged ship.

Chris Coates, Commercial Director at CMV said “our strategic focus is to continue broadening the range of regional programmes and sailings from around the British Isles and we are delighted to add the south coast ports of Poole and Portsmouth to our portfolio. Local departures, convenience and bringing cruising closer to home is proving a big hit with our customer base and we now offer the most comprehensive choice of 16 different departure port options across the British Isles.”

“Market demand from the southern counties has steadily increased in recent years and this new initiative is also responding to positive regional growth”.  

CMV has scheduled three departures from the Port of Poole plus two open jaw cruise combination options with return coach transfer options back from Portsmouth to Poole.

The programme for Poole includes:

31 August 2018 for a three nights weekend cruise to Rouen in France with an exciting navigation of the River Seine and the chance to watch the Bournemouth International Air Show*,

 

3 September for 12 nights cruise on a Grand British Isles Discovery voyage visiting 10 ports of call from £884pp, and Saturday,

 

15 September for a special overnight Captain’s Gala Cruise to Portsmouth including a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight. Fares start from £75pp.

 

From Portsmouth, Astoria will operate four  cruises.

 

16 September for 9 nights to the Norwegian fjords from £634pp,

 

25 September for 13 nights to the Baltic cities & St Petersburg from £869pp, 8 October for a 9 night European rivers & canals cruise from £599pp,

 

17 October for 14 nights Astoria goes in search of the Northern Lights in northern Norway from £929pp.

 

CMV also has introduced a new Pullman Express Coach Service to Poole and Portsmouth offering 30 different regional pick ups across Dorset, Hampshire & Sussex from Lyme Regis in the west right along the coast to Hastings in the east. Also included is a service from London Victoria. Prices start from just £20pp.

On site port parking conveniently adjacent to the cruise terminals is also at both ports from £11 per night.

CMV’s new 3,500 passenger capacity south coast programme goes on sale on Wednesday 12 April 2017 with ‘Buy one get one Free” Early Booking Fares valid until Friday 30 June 2017, the company said in a statement.