Fred. Olsen repatriates Black Watch passengers after auxiliary engine room fire

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 04 July 2016 04 July 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destinational UK based cruise line, said it has repatriated passengers of Black Watch from Funchal in Madeira after the ship had suffered a fire in an auxiliary engine room that did not cause injuries.

Black Watch arrived in Funchal at ca. 4.30pm on Saturday. Mike Rodwell, managing director of the company, flew with a team of senior executives from the company’s headquarters in Ipswich to organise matters.

“In spite of the challenges of securing aircraft from Funchal, Madeira at late notice, Fred. Olsen has organised three private charter flights back to London Stansted and London Gatwick airports, which will depart on Monday 4 July 2016,” the company said in a statement.

Special arrangements have been made for those guests, who are unable to fly for medical reasons. “Fred. Olsen will be assisting with arrangements for the transfer of guests to their onward destinations, as necessary,” the company said.

Fred. Olsen appreciates guests’ understanding and co-operation with these new arrangements. In recognition of the inconvenience caused, Fred. Olsen will arrange compensation as follows:

- 100% refund of the whole of the cruise fare, to arrive with guests shortly after their return home. Fred. Olsen will also be refunding guests any reasonable out of pocket expenses connected with the curtailment of their holidays

- In addition, Fred. Olsen will also offer guests a future cruise voucher of up to 50% of the fare paid for this cruise, to be used within Fred. Olsen’s current cruise programme

An advice desk for guests has been set up in the Guest Services area of the ship for guests to be able to request further information, and we have made the cabin telephones available free of charge to guests to enable them to contact relatives.

There are 696 guests and 365 crew on board, the majority of whom are British nationals, the company said.

Crystal River Cruises unveils details of four newbuild river yachts debuting in 2017

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 July 2016 01 July 2016

As Crystal River Cruises prepares to launch the first of its seven luxury river vessels, the fully reimagined Crystal Mozart, the luxury cruise line is simultaneously announcing design plans for the next phase of its four newly built luxury river yachts. The river yachts are set to embark in spring and summer of next year. As with Crystal’s other recent endeavors (including Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit and Crystal Luxury Air’s Global Express Jet), Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Ravel, Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Mahler will not simply join the ranks of competitors, but will set a new standard of luxury river cruising experiences.

“Emulation has never been part of our formula for success, rather, we have enjoyed a long reputation for innovating and leading the way in luxury travel experiences,” says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “Crystal River Cruises river yachts will showcase the most celebrated parts of the Crystal Experience – stylish and elegant design, creative itineraries and experiences ashore, unmatched genuine service – while also creating a brand new niche in river cruising that will appeal to the world’s most discerning travelers.”

The four new river yachts will boast nearly identical design strategy to Crystal Mozart, with some notable variances due to the difference in the vessels’ size. While Crystal Mozart is the largest river-going ship in Europe accommodating 158 guests, the new builds will carry approximately half that number for a more intimate environment. Sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Bach are distinguished as “Rhine Class” yachts, at 135 meters in length with 53 suites for 106 guests; while Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will sail on the Seine, Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde Rivers and are considered “Paris Class” yachts, with a length of 110 meters and guest capacity of 78 guests in 39 suites.

All four river yachts will offer Crystal guests luxurious amenities that surpass the comforts of home, including Crystal’s acclaimed butler service for every suite – suites that reach up to 759 square feet (Crystal Suite) and feature plush king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows are covered with fine Egyptian cotton linens, plus walk-in closets, full-length mirrors, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines.

Additional enticing features include Crystal’s highly-acclaimed cuisine in multiple eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; Cove Bar and Palm Court. Further cementing its differentiator in the river cruise industry, Crystal will offer true open-seating dining, allowing guests to dine where they want, when they want and with whom they want.

Public amenities and services include full-service spa and separate fitness center, equipped with modern machines and cardio equipment as well as free weights – both with dedicated professionals for service and nearly unheard of in the river cruising market. Plus a partial indoor/outdoor pool on the aft of Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler.

“We have ensured that, in designing Crystal River Cruises’ yachts, we remain committed to the cornerstones of the Crystal brand that travelers throughout the world have come to love: service, space, quality and choices,” says Walter Littlejohn, vice president and managing director, Crystal River Cruises. “It is imperative that our guests’ experience aboard these vessels conveys this commitment to the ‘Crystal Difference’.”

In order to give guests the best possible experience, the new river yachts will now offer all-suite accommodations that are located entirely above the waterline, providing spectacular and unobstructed views through the Panoramic Balcony-Windows.

“As part of Crystal’s longstanding tradition of offering the highest standard of luxury experiences, we have incorporated a critical redesign to the river yachts that will enhance the guests’ overall space and experience, allowing all guests to relish in the lush scenery along their journey,” says Rodriguez.

Tallink's new LNG ferry Megastar christened today at Meyer Turku Shipyard

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 July 2016 01 July 2016

The new LNG driven fast ferry Megastar was christened today in Meyer Turku shipyard. The environmentally friendly ship was christened by former president of Finland Tarja Halonen.

Janek Stalmeister, the CEO of AS Tallink Grupp said, that the process of completing the ship is now almost half way done. “The ship as such is coming together and so are the new and innovative services we prepare to surprise our passengers with that particular vessel in terms of renewing the Tallink Shuttle concept. We are also very honoured for having President Halonen as the Godmother, as this is a high acknowledgement to the ship`s exceptionally developed environmental indicators. Megastar will be a good messanger from that perspective to the whole industry," he added.

“The interesting part of our type of shipbuilding is that we have demanding customers that push the boundaries – also for the environment. So we are very happy that today our latest LNG ferry is taking shape and after 1 ½ years of design and production work starts to look like a ship. Tallink Megastar is custom designed for Tallink’s passengers and is in that sense unique. Hence we are delighted that Tallink has chosen a traditional naming ceremony and even more happy as former president Tarja Halonen is honoring us with her presence,” says the CEO Of Meyer Turku doctor Jan Meyer.

The steel cutting for Megastar started on 4th of August 2015, the keel was layed on February 9th and the float-out and sea-trials are planned for July and the last months of 2016 respectively. The delivery of the vessel is planned to take place in the beginning of 2017.

The ship will combine the comfortable fast ferry service, social eating experience of open-layout dining areas, versatile choice of lounges and well thought through shopping solutions. The passenger comfort is upgraded with two-level loading, enabling the passenger vehicles and large cargo units to enter and exit from different levels, also making the car-deck logistic easier. The upgrade continues with the easy and wide access to passenger areas with different venues, including a quiet sitting lounge. There will be a number of smart services on board.

Megastar will be 212 meters long and will accommodate altogether 2800 passengers having the same length and capacity as the largest cruise ferry of the company, the Baltic Queen. Megastar will use LNG as fuel, but will also be able to run on diesel. With LNG, her environmental performance will improve much by creating no Sulphur or soot particles and decreasing the Nitrogen and CO2 emissions. She will be a 49 000 GT ship with a service speed of 27 knots. Designed for the Tallinn-Helsinki route exclusively, Megastar will comply with the current and future emission regulations for the ECAs (Emission Control Area), including the Baltic Sea.

Fincantieri launches Silver Muse

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 July 2016 01 July 2016

Silver Muse, the new ultra-luxury cruise ship which Fincantieri is building for the shipowner Silversea Cruises, was launched today at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Genoa Sestri Ponente. Interior fittings will now begin, leading the vessel to its delivery, scheduled in April 2017.

The launching was introduced by the traditional and well-wishing coin ceremony, consisting, according to an ancient shipbuilding custom, in welding a silver commemorative coin on the last deck of the ship. The Godmother of the ceremony was Costanza Lefebvre d’Ovidio, daughter of the Chairman of Silversea Cruises, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, who, among others, attended the ceremony together with Fincantieri’s CEO, Giuseppe Bono.

At 40,700 gross tonnes, able to accommodate 596 passengers on board, Silver Muse will represent an evolution of Silver Spirit, delivered in 2009 by Fincantieri in Ancona, redefining ultra-luxury ocean travel, always maintaining the small-ship intimacy and spacious all-suite accommodations, hallmarks of the Silversea experience.

The new build will expand Silversea's fleet to nine ships.