More News

New Zealand source market grew by 10% in 2015 -- CLIA

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2016 25 May 2016

A record 66,152 New Zealanders plied the world’s oceans on a cruise holiday in 2015 with a 10% leap in passenger numbers helping to make the country one of the world’s top performing markets, according to a new report released today, CLIA Australasia said in a statement.

The report reveals that New Zealand was one of only three international cruise passenger markets to record a double-digit increase last year, beaten only by Australia and emerging hot spot China (up 52%).

With Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s annual New Zealand Cruise Industry Source Market Report now focussed solely on ocean cruising, in line with international CLIA reporting, the latest figures show the New Zealand ocean cruise passenger market has gone from strength to strength, recording almost 65% growth over the past five years.

Cruises in local waters, including New Zealand and the neighbouring regions of Australia and the South Pacific, continued to account for the majority (54%) of cruise passengers, with last year’s strong growth led by an increase in New Zealanders cruising in Australia (up 71%) as well as Asia (up 64%).

Released in Auckland, the figures also show that New Zealand cruise passengers spent almost 680,000 days at sea in 2015. CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell said the 2015 figures meant the equivalent of 1.4% of the population had taken a cruise last year with New Zealand now ranked sixth in the world for market penetration ahead of many established cruise nations including Italy (1.3%), Spain (1%) and France (0.9%).

“New Zealand is still an emerging source market but after another year of solid growth, which saw the nation outperform most key markets, it’s clear that cruising is growing in popularity,” Odell said.

“These figures show us that New Zealanders are increasingly recognising cruising as a great value and relaxing way to travel, not only in their backyard but also as part of an overseas trip.” The annual source market report is based on data received from CLIA’s cruise line members, which account for more than 95% of the world’s cruise passengers.

Disney Cruise Line returning to New York, San Diego and Galveston in fall 2017

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 May 2016 24 May 2016

In the fall of 2017, Disney Cruise Line will return to New York with sailings to the Bahamas and the Canadian coast – including a new 7-night Canada cruise. San Diego will serve as a home port with cruises to Mexico, and Galveston will again be a homeport with sailings to the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Bookings open to the public May 26, 2016. More details on the itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2017 page of disneycruise.com.

New Canada coast itinerary and new ports from New York

Disney Cruise Line returns to New York City in the fall of 2017, for a mix of voyages that include Canada coast and Bahamas itineraries.

On Oct. 21, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on a 7-night Canada sailing – the line’s longest-ever voyage to the Atlantic Canada coast. This sailing includes a new port of call for Disney Cruise Line – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Bar Harbor, Maine, is another new port of call for Disney Cruise Line and part of a 5-night sailing that departs New York on Sept. 27. This cruise also will stop at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

A total of six 7- and 8-night sailings to the Bahamas, all including a visit to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, will be a part of the 2017 New York season.

Adding to the magic on each of the Bahamian cruises will be the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World Resort when the ship stops at Port Canaveral, Fla. Each guest on these sailings will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and round-trip transportation for the short drive between the ship and the resort.

Return to San Diego, California

In September and October of 2017, Disney Cruise Line will return to San Diego with a variety of Disney Wonder cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera.

On most Baja sailings, guests can visit Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, to enjoy world-famous beaches and snorkeling. 2-night cruises depart San Diego on Sept. 15, Sept. 22 and Oct. 13, and a 3-night cruise departs Oct. 5 and includes a day at sea.

Mexican Riviera itineraries feature snorkeling and scuba diving hot spots, while Puerto Vallerta and Mazatlan are where cliff divers, culture and ziplining through the jungle canopy take center stage. 7-night itineraries departing on Sept. 24 and Oct. 15, call on Puerto Vallerta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Four additional 4- and 5-night Mexican Riviera cruises set sail during the season in San Diego.

Return to Galveston, Texas

Disney Cruise Line returns to Galveston in 2017, with a line up of eight 7-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. All Bahamian itineraries include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas.

On Nov. 10 and Dec. 1, the Disney Wonder will sail a western Caribbean itinerary from Galveston to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica.

On Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec, 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29, the Disney Wonder will sail from Galveston to Key West, Nassau and Castaway Cay.

Singer Lena Meyer-Landrut to name Mein Schiff 5 on 15 July

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 May 2016 23 May 2016

Lena Meyer-Landrut, the German singer who made her breakthrough at the Eurovision song contest in 2010, will name Mein Schiff 5, the latest newbuilding of TUI Cruises, in Travemunde on 15 July. The ceremony, which will take place at about 23.00, will be shown on large screens on the beach and the event will be followed by a fireworks show, the company said in a statement.

UK, US and China compete for fourth Oasis class ship – report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 May 2016 23 May 2016

The UK, US and China compete for the fourth Oasis class vessel of Royal Caribbean International Travel Weekly reported in a newsletter, currently referred to as Oasis 4.

“There is a massive global skirmish going on at the moment over Oasis 4. It’s hellish for me because I’m the key decision maker and when I make the decision everyone who hasn’t got the ship is going to be disappointed with me. It’s pretty comical,” Michael Bayley, President and CEO of the company was quoted by Travel weekly as saying.

“The battleground features three key characters – the USA, China and the UK,” he added. The vessel is due for delivery in 2018. Asked whether he thought the UK market could fill a ship of that size, Bayley said: “Absolutely, I believe it can.”

Royal Caribbean International currently has Independence of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas based in Southampton. The company is the contemporary market unit of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (RCCL).

Holland America Line names next Pinnacle-class ship Nieuw Statendam

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 May 2016 23 May 2016

Holland America Line announced last week that the name of the next Pinnacle-class ship set for delivery in fall 2018 will be Nieuw Statendam. Honoring the company’s past while keeping its eyes on the future, Nieuw Statendam will be the sixth ship in Holland America Line’s history to bear the name Statendam. It will be built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy, and construction will begin this summer.

Like sister-ship Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam represents a new class of ship for the cruise line. Carrying 2,650 guests, the 99,500-gross-ton ship will feature several of the innovative venues that were introduced on Koningsdam as well as new concepts that will debut on the newbuild.

“Holland America Line is writing the next chapter in our evolving story, yet we are a company with a deep history, and the name ms Nieuw Statendam perfectly blends our past, present and future ,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “The previous Statendam ships have been among the most beloved in our history, and we eagerly anticipate sharing this beautiful new ship with our guests in 2018.”

Renowned hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany’s designs will be featured on Nieuw Statendam, bringing his unique vision to this latest vessel as he did with Koningsdam. Also several public areas will be designed by Bjorn Storbraaten, who successfully worked with Holland America Line on Koningsdam, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam in designing the ship’s public rooms.

The history of the Statendam ships

The first Statendam launched in 1898 and was just 10,491 gross tons. It served the fleet until 1911. The second Statendam was built in the 1910s for Holland America Line but was sold to White Star Line as Justicia before it entered service. The next Statendam served the line from 1929 until 1940, when it was scrapped after a fire.

The fourth Statendam launched in 1957 and was christened by an 18-year-old Dutch Crown Princess Beatrix, who would later become Queen and name Eurodam as well. On Jan. 7, 1958, the ship departed on a 110-day World Cruise, the first for Holland America Line. Statendam remained in the fleet until 1982, when it was sold to Paquet Cruises. The fifth ship to carry the Statendam name launched in 1993 and served the line until 2015, when it was transferred to sister cruise line P&O Cruises Australia, where it sails today as Pacific Eden.