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Celestyal to sail Cuba's Punta Frances throughout 2016-2017 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 June 2016 16 June 2016

Celestyal Cruises has announced its newest port of call Punta Frances for the upcoming 2016-2017 Caribbean season.

"Chosen for its authentic vibe, impeccable coastlines, and crystalline waters shimmering in virtually every shade of blue, Punta Frances will replace Maria La Gorda on Celestyal Cruises’ all-inclusive 7-night Cuba itinerary. Located on the secluded Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth), Punta Francés features nearly two miles of sugary white sand beaches and crystalline Caribbean seas where travelers can discover the natural splendors of one of the country's most memorable marine sanctuaries: Punta Frances National Marine Park. The protected area is abundant with a multitude of bird species, gardens of sponges and corals, vast sea life," Celestyal said in a press release.

The revised itinerary offers travelers opportunities to enjoy both on-board and on-shore the unique immersion in Cuban natural beauty and deep-dive into an authentic Cuban experience which only Celestyal Cruises can provide.

The updated 7-night, all-inclusive Celestyal Cruises Cuba cruise itinerary to be performed starting in November 2016, through the end of 2017 offers embarkation in either Havana, Cuba or Montego Bay, Jamaica and is scheduled weekly as follows:

Monday – Havana
Tuesday – Havana – Depart at 17:00
Wednesday – Punta Frances – Arrive at 13:00; Depart at 18:00
Thursday – Cienfuegos – Arrive at 07:00; Depart at 15:00
Friday – Montego Bay – Arrive at 08:00; Depart at 20:00
Saturday – Santiago de Cuba – Arrive at 08:00; Depart at 16:00
Sunday – At Sea
Monday – Havana – Arrive at 09:30

Meyer family establishes two foundations to own shipyards in Papenburg, Warnemunde and Turku

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 June 2016 15 June 2016

The Meyer family has establish two foundations to own the Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg and Warnemunde, Germany, and Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the German shipbuilding company said in a statement.

Founded in 1795, the family company’s success has relied on a long-term approach that has aimed to develop technology, advance the skill-set of employees, and reinvest profits. “The basis for this success is a stable ownership structure. To ensure this stability also for the future, the family has decided to donate its shares into family foundations,” Meyer Werft said.

“The legal form of a German family foundation is a proven framework to ensure a long term stable ownership in a single hand supporting the sustainable development of the shipyards in Turku, Papenburg and Warnemünde,” it stated..

The next generation of the Meyer family is entering the business: Dr. Jan Meyer (39) is in the family business since 2008 and the CEO of Meyer Turku Oy, since 2014. Since 1 June, 2016, Tim Meyer (34) has entered the family business as one of the managing directors at Meyer Werft in Papenburg. Furthermore Dr. Paul Meyer (33) is taking over the responsibility for the IT of all shipyards as CIO.

“Family foundations are for us the ideal framework to maintain a single and stable owner for the shipyards in Turku, Papenburg and Warnemünde – also for future generations. By this step we want to secure the core success factors of our long-term success and maintain the character of a family company,” said Bernard Meyer.

Mein Schiff 5 to feature coffee shop-reading room

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 June 2016 14 June 2016

Mein Schiff 5, the latest unit of TUI Cruises in Hamburg, will feature a coffee ship reading room thanks to cooperation between the premium market cruise line and Nespresso, the coffee brand.

Thalia Leselounge & Nespresso Bar will be located near the reception area on deck 3. It will serve a wide variety of coffees and passengers can also buy coffee makers that will be delivered to their home after the cruise.

The lounge, which derives its name from the Thalia chain of book stores that has around 300 otlets in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and it will feature books of a wide range of genres, TUI Cruises said in a statement.

It will also feature eReaders that passengers can borrow to read books in digital format, the company said.

Princess Cruises sets up UK sales operation team, hits 2016 guest target – report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 June 2016 14 June 2016

Princess Cruises, which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, has set up a sales operations team in the UK and reached its 2016 guest target, Travel Weekly reports.

The team will be responsible for activities including online training, online and offline campaign collateral, events and communications. It will become the first cruise line in the UK to launch a live ‘web chat’ facility.

Currently on trial with launch in a few weeks, it will offer instant, real time online communication between agents and a member of the line’s contact centre.

“This year we enjoyed our best ever Wave period and the momentum has continued apace - our 2016 guest target has already been broken while we have comfortably surpassed projected sales for our key UK homeport ship, Emerald Princess,” Tony Roberts, vice president of Princess Cruises UK, was quoted by Travel Weekly as saying.

Updated: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to unveil significant investment, new direction on Monday

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2016 10 June 2016

Update 1:

The company said on Monday they are finalising the details of the matter and would publish the news as soon as possible.

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational operator of four cruise ships, said it would make an announcement on Monday.

“We just wanted to share with you the exciting news that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is making a significant investment across its fleet and moving in a different direction,” the company said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen Cruise lines has unveiled itineraries of three of its ships until early 2018. However, those of the 28,000 gross ton Boudicca that was build in 1973 only extend to October next year.

The company is based in Ipswich in the UK and owned by Bonheur ASA, listed holding company of the Olsen family in Oslo.