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Costa neoRomantica to become fifth ship of company in Asia

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 April 2017 10 April 2017

Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation & plc, said that 57,130 gross ton and 1,800-passenger Costa neoRomantica will be based in Asia as the fifth vessel of the Italian company.

“The deployment of Costa neoRomantica comes as part of Costa Asia’s continuing investment strategy in the region and represents the company’s commitment to its valued markets in Asia,” Costa Cruises said in a statement.

The company has consistently increased its capacity across the region in recent years, with Costa Victoria’s deployment in Asia in 2012, followed by Costa Atlantica (2013), Costa Serena (2015), Costa Fortuna (2016) and Costa neoRomantica (2017), demonstrating great confidence in the market by adding ships each year since 2015.

“The deployment of the fifth Costa ship in Asia, will reinforce our leading position in Asia and allow us to continue significantly grow the Asian cruise market in the next decade, and further boost Asia market to become one of the most prominent markets in the world.” said Costa Group Asia President Buhdy Bok. The ship will undergo a HKD900 million refit and its cruises will include new destinations, including Sokcho and Busan in Korea, Vladivostok in Russia and Hakodate, Aomori, Sakata, Niigata, Kanazawa, Maizuru and Sakaiminato in Japan.

Viking Line signs firm contract with Xiamen for cruise ferry

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 April 2017 07 April 2017

Viking Lune, the listed Finnish cruise ferry group, said it has signed a firm contract with Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co in China to build a 63,000 gross ton LNG powered cruise ferry.

The contract is subject to the approval of the boards of the both companies and conclusion of financial arrangements. The companies signed a letter of intebt regarding the vessel in the autumn of 2016.

The €194 million vessel is due for delivery in 2020 and the contract includes an option for a second unit.

Norwegian's premium all inclusive is product change, not promotion

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 April 2017 04 April 2017

The premium all inclusive concept that Norwegian Cruise Line will introduce in the UK and Scandinavia for all bookings made after 6 April is a product change rather than a promotion, said Christian Boell, Managing Director Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The new concept will cover all bookings in the said markets and unlike e.g. drinks package promotions that many cruise line offer, there will be no charge added to the basic cruise fare for customers to enjoy it. However, the introduction of the concept is likely to increase the fares of Norwegian, but their actual amount will depend on commercial considerations that change at high frequency.

Speaking in London on 3 April, he said that the time to introduce the concept in the UK and Scandinavia had come after it had been in place in the German speaking market for about 16 months and also in France. In both cases, the reception of the concept that widens the range of offerings included in the fare had been positive.

Boell said that as Norwegian now has the right hardware, it was the right time to introduce the premium all inclusive concept in further markets. “Norwegian is not a British brand, but an international one,” Boell said, adding that this means the management felt it should be positioned in premium contemporary market segment – a new definition in the cruise industry.

However, Ocenia Cruises that is also part of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings group, has described itself as an upper premium market brand ever since it started business some 15 years ago.

Norwegian to return to Southampton next year, 2019

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 April 2017 04 April 2017

Norwegian Cruise Line will return to Southampton next year and again in 2019, company officials said at a presentation in London on 3 April.

This summer will see the return of the company to the principal cruise port in the UK after a break of several years, when Norwegian Jade will operate a series of cruises from there. Some of the cruises allow German passengers to join the ship in Hamburg.

Norwegian has already published its 2018 programme, which will see Norwegian Jade back in Southampton and Hamburg. Its plans for 2019 have not been published yet.

Norwegian goes all inclusive in UK in premium contemporary market segment drive

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 April 2017 04 April 2017

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings group, will introduce Premium All Inclusive concept in the UK and Scandinavia on 6 April, some 16 months after this had been introduced in the German and French speaking markets of Europe with good success.

Company executives said at a press conference in London on 3 April that the move was partly motivated by the management’s effort to position the company in premium contemporary market segment. Its research had found that people who book all inclusive holidays tend to do this earlier than in the case of other holiday types. This again would reduce the need to sell last remaining cabins on a departure at very low rates, which Norwegian hopes to avoid.

Premium All Inclusive includes:

Varied selection of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in all bars, lounges and dining venues at any time throughout the cruise. From spirits, tap and bottled beers, to wines, cocktails, soft drinks and juices
Unlimited juices, water and soft drinks for children and teenagers
Lavazza coffee specialities during meals
One free bottle of water per person, per day in staterooms
Services charges and gratuities
Culinary excellence in the main dining venues on board – including buffets with live cooking, on-deck grills, informal eateries and up to three signature main dining rooms per ship
Award-winning entertainment, including Broadway hits, production shows, music and comedy
Outstanding leisure facilities for all ages
Additional exclusive benefits and privileges for guests staying in Suites and in The Haven by Norwegian®

On the launch of Premium All Inclusive in the UK, Managing Director Europe, Middle East and Africa, Christian Boell, comments: “Norwegian has long been an innovator in cruise and the introduction of Premium All Inclusive takes our carefree, relaxed cruising style to a whole new level. A considerable number of what were once considered ‘extras’ are now taken care of including a large choice of premium drinks as well as service charges and gratuities.”

“These newly included extras come on top of the many services that have always made a Norwegian cruise special, including the most exciting dining and entertainment scene at sea. Having already successfully launched in several European markets, I’m confident that our UK guests are going to love Premium All Inclusive too,” he added.

Nick Wilkinson, Senior Director and General Manager Northern Europe & MEA, Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “The launch of our product as Premium All Inclusive is a game-changer for the large ship ocean cruise market and it offers a wealth of opportunity for our valued travel partners. We have armed them with a powerful sales tool, helping to convert customers who may not yet have considered cruise as a holiday option, whilst also introducing new-to-brand cruisers to the Norwegian product. We know that our travel partners have seen an increase in enquiries for all-inclusive holidays, and our new pricing will continue to keep a cruise holiday with Norwegian in the equation.”

For all bookings made between 6 and 30 April, guests benefit from savings of up to £200 per stateroom. Guests sailing in Studios save £50, those sailing in ‎inside and oceanview staterooms benefit from savings of £100 and guests in balcony staterooms, Mini Suites, Suites and in The Haven save £200 per stateroom.