Keel laid for Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn's newest ultra-luxury vessel

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 December 2016 02 December 2016

Seabourn celebrated the keel laying for Seabourn Ovation during a ceremony held today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri, Italy. Scheduled to debut in the spring of 2018, today's ceremony marks a significant milestone in the construction of the line's newest ultra-luxury ship.

Seabourn Ovation is the sister ship to Seabourn Encore, which was delivered just two days ago on Nov. 30, 2016. With the addition of these newest ships, Seabourn will have the youngest and most modern ultra-luxury fleet in the industry.

"Between the keel laying of Seabourn Ovation and the delivery of Seabourn Encore, this has been a historic week for our company," said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. "I am very proud to see our fleet evolving with even more important milestones during the construction of Seabourn Ovation in the next year and a half."

Designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany, the 40,350 gross ton ship will feature modern design elements and innovations in keeping with Seabourn's reputation for understated elegance. Seabourn Ovation will be configured with one additional deck and new expanded public areas, and will carry just 600 guests, based on double occupancy. In addition, every suite will feature a private veranda. The ship will expand and build on the line's award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011.

Costa Asia launches China’s first 46-day cruise to South Pacific Islands

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 December 2016 02 December 2016

Costa Asia, a brand under the world‘s largest travel company Carnival Corporation & plc, launched China’s first 46-day cruise to South Pacific Islands onboard Costa Atlantica from Tianjin on November 30, 2016. This cruise is a cooperation with Caissa Touristic, one of the largest travel agencies in China. Since Costa Asia entered China 10 years ago, it has focused on innovation to bring Chinese guests the most desirable and high-quality cruises. In line with China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, this year’s 46-day cruise promotes the cooperation between countries along the road in travel, business, culture, education and transportation.

In 2015, Costa Asia launched China’s first Around-The-World Cruise, taking Chinese guests on a voyage to the 28 most fascinating destinations around the world. Now, this 46-day Cruise to the South Pacific Islands, opens another chapter in China’s globe-spanning cruises.

“After the success of last year’s World Cruise, this new itinerary, as the first of its kind in China, marks a special milestone for Costa Asia and China’s cruise industry. I hope all of our passengers will experience an exciting and simply wonderful cruise on Costa Atlantica,” stated Buhdy Bok, President of Costa Group Asia.

“This cruise was 2 years in the making, the first itinerary covering the islands in the South Pacific, and the first China originating cruise crossing the equator and the International Date Line. We hope this cruise will boost the development of China’s cruise industry and enhance the cooperation between China and the South Pacific countries in the field of tourism exchange,” stated Chen Xiaobing, Founder of Caissa China and President of Caissa Touristic.

After thrilling in an “Italy at Sea” holiday on the 86-day world cruise, Costa Altantica continues to delight our esteemed Chinese guests where over 100 passengers from the World Cruise last year chose to sail along once again. With over 2,000 passengers choosing to explore South Pacific, Costa Atlantica will take passengers across two continents, visiting 12 islands of nine countries, allowing passengers to discover the South Pacific and unfrequented islands up close. Some of the most fascinating places on earth are included in the itinerary: Saipan, Suva, Papeete, Bora-Bora, PagoPago and Rabaul.

As a passenger representative, 60-year-old retiree Zheng Zeping said “Costa Asia’s World Cruise last year offered my husband and me a unique travel opportunity. This year, we are choosing South Pacific itinerary without hesitation, and will celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary onboard”. Another passenger representative, famous musician Qiao Chu said “Last year's 86-day Cruise inspired and shaped my work with blooming ideas. This year my fiancée and I will enjoy our honeymoon on Costa Atlantica where we fell in love. ”

MSC Cruises and STX France cut first steel of MSC Bellissima

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 December 2016 02 December 2016

MSC Cruises and STX France held a traditional steel cutting ceremony at STX France in Saint Nazaire on Monday to mark the official commencement of construction of MSC Bellissima, the second of the Meraviglia generation of ships that will come into service in 2019.

Part $10.2 billion investment that will see MSC Cruises’ capacity triple over the next ten years, MSC Bellissima is due to become the fourth of 11 next-generation ships due to come into service over this period.

“MSC Cruises and STX France have walked a long path together since the construction of MSC Lirica in 2003,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, while speaking at the Steel Cutting Ceremony in Saint Nazaire. “Our current fleet was built at STX France and we are now shaping the future of the modern cruise ship with two new prototypes from STX France. With work nearing completion on MSC Meraviglia, we are delighted to begin construction of MSC Bellissima.”

“I am delighted with this prototype, which will soon become a beautiful and balanced cruise ship capable of operating everywhere in the world,” said Vago. “I am also extremely pleased that my wife, Alexa Aponte-Vago, has been able to join me here in Saint Nazaire to share this important milestone.”

”We are proud to be MSC Cruises’ industrial partner from the beginning and we are very involved in their fleet development,” said Laurent Castaing, CEO of STX France. “It is very challenging and we have passed an important milestone with the MERAVIGLIA generation. Meraviglia literally means wonder and the four new ships will astonish the public with their elegant and beautiful design. MSC Bellissima is as well named as her sistership.”

MSC Bellissima has been designed to operate in all seasons and to call in most of the world’s international cruise ports. As her name suggests, MSC Bellissima will embody the beauty and magnificence of the next-generation of MSC Cruises’ ultramodern mega-ships, rich with new features and amenities for guests of all ages and interests.

With a gross tonnage of 167,600 and total capacity for more than 5,700 guests, this new cruise ship will be the largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet, along with MSC Meraviglia.

CLIA names Vice President, Public Relations, Europe

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 30 November 2016 30 November 2016

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced that Catherine Couplan has joined the organization as Vice President, Public Relations, Europe. Couplan will be responsible for leading public relations and communications efforts across Europe.

Couplan brings extensive experience in association and corporate leadership roles. Most recently, she launched a public relations consultancy service in Brussels, Belgium, where she worked with a wide range of international clients including airlines, hotels, tourism boards, retail brands. Prior to that role, she oversaw European regional communications for United Parcel Services (UPS), and led the global communications department of Conrad Hotels.

"The experience that Catherine brings with her to this new role is an ideal fit for CLIA," said Raphael Von Heereman, secretary general, CLIA Europe. "Her public relations and communications background, as well as her history in working with global corporations will be instrumental in managing the strategic direction and coordination of European communication functions within CLIA.”

In her new role, Couplan will lead programming and support the development and execution of communications strategies, including public relations, social media and digital programs throughout Europe. She will work in partnership with the CLIA Global Communications team, based in Washington, D.C. to create effective management processes that ensure continuity between offices, departments and outside agencies.