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MSC Cruises enriches family entertainment offerings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 October 2016 04 October 2016

MSC Cruises today announced a further addition to its family-focused offerings, this time with a new range of fun kids’ activities and supporting web series, “Kelly & Kloe On Board.” After a landmark year of enhancements and expansions to family entertainment, the new onboard experience will also engage younger guests through an accompanying web series, so that the fun can start prior to the cruise holiday and continue well after disembarkation.

“We’re very excited about launching this new experience for kids and their families both on and off-board. It really brings to life our commitment to providing our youngest guests with original entertainment products that are delivered to them in a unique and exciting way”, explains Matteo Mancini, MSC Cruises’ Children’s Entertainment Manager.

The “Kelly & Kloe On Board” experience day will be rolled out across the MSC Cruises fleet this month and follows the story of two young girls – Kelly and Kloe – who spend time on board an MSC Cruises ship alongside their father - the Master. One day, despite promising him an afternoon of quiet study in their cabin, the girls embark on an adventure filled with fun and mischief with their longsuffering butler and two cruise staff members in tow. During their adventure throughout the ship, they experience magic, videogames, 4D movies, a water-slide, sports and dances with endless costume changes.

The full day of kids’ entertainment, designed around the “Kelly & Kloe” overall story, will allow children on board to explore the ship and play like “Kelly & Kloe” themselves, bringing to life the magic of the story. With a day packed with seven different activities, kids will be able to learn the theme song and accompanying dance routine from the web series, take part in a selfie contest dressed up as characters from the story as well as have the opportunity to get creative with the chance to write their very own episode and continue the adventure.

The web series, which kids can watch on the MSC Cruises website, features in its first season four three minute episodes that the kids can watch before they go on their holiday or once they return home -- to relive the fun that was had on board. To watch the web series visit https://www.msccruises.co.uk/en-gb/MSC/Webseries-KellyKloe-Onboard.aspx

The new entertainment offering was developed by MSC Cruises’ entertainment team, working in cooperation with seasoned professionals from the world of TV and musical theatre to bring to life the story of “Kelly & Kloe” also through the web series.

Costa Crociere chooses four architect firms to design interiors of newbuildings from Finland

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 September 2016 30 September 2016

Costa Crociere, the Italian contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it has selected four leading design firms to create the interior spaces of the two 180,000 gross ton ships that are scheduled to be delivered in 2019 and 2021.

Jeffrey Beers International, Dordoni Architetti, Partner Ship Design and Rockwell Group were selected for the work.

The layout for the ships will reflect comments and suggestions from Costa guests and will include a more efficient use of the ships’ spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience, the company said in a statement.

Each of the chosen firms has a breadth of experience in the international hospitality design sector and is well-versed in design for projects like hotels, restaurants and public spaces. The team will have the objective of crafting an innovative new design concept that will build on the history and tradition of the brand with a bespoke realization of the ‘Italy’s Finest’ philosophy.

AWK, a sister company of Partner Ship Design, will serve as Coordinating Architect, working closely with the Meyer Turku Shipyard and the design teams. Partner Ship Design will head the design of two restaurants and several bars including the new “I Bacari” bar as well as passenger sun decks and pool areas.

Jeffrey Beers International will bring experience, vision, and architectural precision to the creation of The Casino and to multiple restaurants, bars, and lounges. Each venue will uniquely celebrate Italian art, culture, and craftsmanship.

The new layout and interiors of all the ships’ cabins, as well as the corridors and the staircases, will be developed by Dordoni Architetti, which will give each of these elements a unique touch of novel, innovative, and sophisticated Italian design. The firm will also lead the design of the gym and the Japanese restaurant.

With its vast experience in the field of hospitality design, Rockwell Group will create innovative, distinctive designs for several areas on the ship. The firm’s unique contribution to the project include a three-story atrium that will feature a café, bars and a performance space; several restaurants and bars; a theater and nightclub; beach club and pool; a shorex office and gallery; and kids and teens areas.

Adam Goldstein appointed FCCA Chairman

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 September 2016 28 September 2016

Adam Goldstein, President and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., will become Chairman of the FCCA (Florida Caribbean Cruise Association), effective 1 January 2017, FCCA said in a statement.

"I am extremely proud to take over the chairmanship of the FCCA, and my main goal is to continue on this path by making sure the region is prepared to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this highly competitive and globalized environment," Goldstein said in the statement.

Goldstein seeks to continue the successful proactive and interactive approach and to further develop relationships with destinations through his hands-on dealings and unwavering dedication. “By participating at FCCA meetings and events, he will keep a constant dialogue between the cruise lines and destination stakeholders to achieve mutual benefits. His wealth of knowledge about the industry and destinations will lead the way to successful operations for both,” FCCA said.

TUI upbeat as cruises and UK continue to perform well

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 September 2016 28 September 2016

TUI AG, the Anglo-German tour operator, said its cruise operations and UK source market continue to perform well and highlighted four points that drive the good performance these activities.

Sustained strong performance by the UK, with revenue and bookings up 5%.

Continued strong trading by TUI Cruises, following the launch of Mein Schiff 5 in July. Sales for Mein Schiff 6 (which launches in Summer 2017) are also going well.

Further modernisation of the Thomson Cruises fleet, with the successful launch of TUI Discovery in June and additional ship TUI Discovery 2 for Summer 2017.

Expansion and modernisation of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition offering, with two new vessels scheduled to launch in the Spring and Autumn of 2019, the company stated.

TUI AG owns Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Thomson Cruises in full and has a 50% stake in TUI Cruises.

Friedrich Joussen, CEO, said in the statement: “We are continuing to deliver our strategy as a content centric, vertically integrated tourism group. The Summer 2016 season is almost fully sold, with a continued strong performance by the UK, Riu and Cruises, the launch this Summer of two additional cruise ships and the opening of five additional hotels in our core brands. Winter 2016/17 is trading in line with our expectations, with further growth driven by long haul.”

“ In addition, we are pleased to have announced the completion of the Hotelbeds Group disposal on 12 September and marketing of Travelopia (formerly part of Specialist Group) has commenced.”

“As we approach our 2015/16 year end, we are therefore confident of delivering between 12% and 13% growth in underlying EBITA1. This demonstrates the strength of our integrated business model and the success of our content centric strategy, as well as the continued delivery of our merger synergies,” he said.

MV Werften signs three contracts to upgrade Rostock yard

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 September 2016 27 September 2016

MV Werften, the German shipbuilding company owned by Genting Hong Kong, said has signed three contracts for the extensive investment programme for the Rostock yard, which are part of a €75 million investment programme..

“The agreements include a purchasing contract for a new thin-plate laser panel line with welding and production automation specialist Pemamek, the construction of a new hall with engineering company Inros Lackner and design services with service engineer Warnow Design,” the company said in a statement.

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman of the Genting Group, said: “This investment clearly indicates our long-term commitment to our yards and our plans to make MV Werften one of the world’s most modern and efficient cruise shipbuilders.”

“With the investment in our Rostock yard and especially in this new and most efficient welding method, we will further increase our steel prefabrication capacity and thus improve our productivity,” added Jarmo Laakso, Managing Director of MV Werften.

With the new line, the shipyard group will have one of the most modern welding stations in Europe and will then be able to handle the planned cruise shipbuilding projects with large amounts of thin steel plate construction. The advanced laser-hybrid welding station will be installed in the new hall from September 2017. Commissioning will be in February 2018.

The so called laser-hybrid technique offers a new high-quality and effective welding method by providing higher speed at less energy and heat input, thus causing less distortion and subsequently considerably lowering straightening work. In contrast to traditional steel processing, this technology allows improved stability at much lower costs and in highest precision.

Ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the new hall in Rostock will be in early 2017. The shipbuilding group will furthermore invest in a new block building line by the end of this year. In total, MV Werften will invest around €75 million in its Rostock yard.