Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2017 to focus on Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 01 February 2017 01 February 2017

Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum 2017 that will be held in Athens,  Greece 23 to 24 May will look at the situation and prospects for the cruise industry in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. Geopolitical events in both regions have hurt cruise business in them and stakeholders should work together to reinvent the regions’ combined offering, executive director Theodore Volos of Posidonia Exhibitions said in a statement.

AIDAprima hosted one day conference on LNG

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 30 January 2017 30 January 2017

s part of the international trade conference "Making LNG Happen: Combining Forces for Sustainable Shipping," 80 leading representatives from the fields of business, politics and science visited the cruise ship AIDAprima of AIDA Cruises in Rotterdam on Thursday, 26 January. The guests included Dirk Brengelmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Netherlands and his Norwegian colleague Martin Sørby.

On board of the first cruise ship in the world that uses a dual-fuel engine to produce its energy from low-emission liquefied gas (LNG) while docked at port, leading LNG experts from Germany, Norway and the Netherlands informed themselves about the practical experiences of AIDA Cruises with the use of LNG.

After the first successful test run for the LNG supply of AIDAprima in Hamburg on May 7, 2016, the cruise ship is successfully being provided with LNG while docked at all ports on its route - Hamburg, Rotterdam, Le Havre, Southampton and Zeebrugge. This is a significant contribution to environmental protection, since an AIDA ship spends about 40% of its operating time in a port. Compared to using conventional marine diesel with 0.1% sulfur content, emissions are considerably reduced even further by using LNG. Sulfur oxides and soot particles can be prevented completely. Nitrogen oxide emission is reduced by up to 80% and CO2 emissions are lowered by 20%

"We believe in LNG as the fuel with the lowest emissions that is currently available and have been performing pioneering work in this area for many years. In the summer of 2015 we announced that we will be the first cruise company worldwide to operate the ships of the next AIDA generation - which are being built at the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg and commissioned as of 2019 - 100 %with LNG. We are pleased that other cruise lines are now also following our example and have ordered new constructions with LNG fuel as well," said Dr. Monika Griefahn, Chief Sustainable Officer AIDA Cruises at the trade conference in Rotterdam.

"However, we also need the support of the ports and LNG producers to invest in the necessary infrastructure," Dr. Monika Griefahn continued.

AIDA Cruises invested in the research and testing of applications to use LNG in cruise ships early on. We collaborated on the LNG hybrid barge together with Becker Marine Systems in 2013 to develop and launch an innovative and flexible solution for providing environmentally friendly energy to the ships using liquefied gas while they are moored in the Hamburg harbor. Since May 30, 2015, AIDAsol has been supplied with low-emission power from liquefied gas (LNG) at the Hafencity Cruise Terminal; in 2016 alone this included 16 arrivals.

Genting Dream to cruise Okinawa, Japan this summer

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 January 2017 26 January 2017

Dream Cruises, the first-ever Asian luxury cruise line, today announced the Summer 2017 cruise itineraries for its inaugural ship, Genting Dream. Beginning from 2 April 2017, Genting Dream will set sail from her dual homeports of Hong Kong and Nansha, Guangzhou on 5-night voyages to the idyllic destinations of Naha and Miyakojima in Okinawa, Japan. Continuing through the summer, guests who are looking for a quick escape can also enjoy a two-night weekend cruise sailing from the cosmopolitan metropolis of Hong Kong.

“We are delighted to introduce Genting Dream’s first Summer Cruise Season which also marks her maiden cruise to Okinawa, Japan.” said Mr. Thatcher Brown, President of Dream Cruises. “With the success of our current Vietnam cruises, we are further developing exhilarating itineraries that will capture the beauty and diversity of Asia and excite the passions of our guests. With pristine beaches, crystal clear water and myriad cultural and historic attractions, Okinawa Japan is a natural and popular choice for Genting Dream this summer.”

Guests will also be able to discover a whole new underwater world in two state-of-the-art submersibles on board Genting Dream. Designed to carry one pilot and four guests, passengers can explore the spectacular sights under the Okinawan waters and marvel at the dazzling array of marine life and seascapes for an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience.

To educate, stimulate and inspire, Dream Cruises has designed and curated a remarkable range of events on board Genting Dream with a diverse programme featuring lectures on the historical ties between Okinawa and China along with award winning, world class photographers, motivational thought leaders, and iconic explorers of land, sea and space. Families can enjoy time together at innovative Space Camps for Kids and a Mermaid Academy at Sea while the gastronomically inclined can please their palates with comprehensive wine tastings and immersive workshops.

Jean-Michel Cousteau to join two Crystal Cruises’ voyages

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 24 January 2017 24 January 2017

Crystal Cruises, the luxury market unit in the Genting Hong Kong group, said one of the foremost living oceanographic experts will share tales from his lifetime of underwater exploration. Jean-Michel Cousteau – first son of ocean pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau – will join two luxury voyages aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity this spring and autumn, as well as an expedition sailing on the boutique yacht, Crystal Esprit.

While onboard, Cousteau will enlighten guests with expertise gained from decades as a leading explorer and conservationist, working in defense of the planet’s oceans.

The voyages set to feature Cousteau’s intriguing presentations are, fittingly, geographically diverse. Crystal Serenity’s 24th May ‘Hawaiian Havens’ sails the warmer regions of the Pacific Ocean; the 27th October ‘Amazon Escape’ explores the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Old Bahama Channel; while Crystal Esprit’s 19th November West Indies voyage sails round-trip from Marigot Bay through the deep Caribbean.

“As a company, we call the waterways of this planet our home, and as such, are honoured to welcome Mr Cousteau for the first time aboard our ships to offer a glimpse into his fascinating work,” says Crystal Chairman, CEO and President Edie Rodriguez. “The sea is truly his heritage and he has dedicated his life to protecting it. It is an extraordinary opportunity for our guests to learn from Mr Cousteau as they travel the seas together.”

In addition to lectures tailored to the region of each sailing, Cousteau will offer interactive and engaging presentations discussing his father’s legend and his own legacy, as well as insights into ocean life that most captivate him, including the delicate balance of the roles of orcas and sharks.

Guests will learn from Cousteau the connection between the oceans and everything else on the planet, and enjoy a glimpse of his newest film, which features images captured by Cousteau for the first time in his 60+ years of diving. Cousteau, who is the founder of the Ocean Futures Society, will also enlighten travellers about his extensive environmental and conservation efforts.