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Royal Caribbean International to deploy eight ships in Europe during summer 2017

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 March 2016 05 March 2016

Royal Caribbean International sails into Europe for summer 2017 with itineraries that bring global experiences to the forefront of cruising. Bookings for Europe season open on Friday, March 4, 2016.

Travelers will venture through the majestic isles of the Eastern and Western Mediterranean on Jewel of the Seas sailing from Italy on 7- and 9-night voyages that visit Greece and Turkey, as well as 7-night sailings through the Western Mediterranean – offered more frequently with additional departures dates in 2017 – visiting France, Spain and Italy. Among the ports-of-call will be Santorini, Greece’s live volcanic island cluster that summons visitors to explore its cliff-top whitewashed towns, indulge in its gastronomic splendors, and daydream from its red, white, and black sand beaches; the Greek capital city of Athens will offer a taste of life in the ancient world with exploration through legendary landmarks such as the citadel Acropolis and the temple Parthenon; Turkey’s ancient town of Ephesus, dating back to the 10th century BC, will beckon history-lovers with a glimpse at the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean; an international capital of faith, art, and history, Rome will treat its guests to an unmatched blend of archeological treasures with modern appeal; and Venice’s Grand Canal will guide voyagers through this floating city’s bevy of architectural masterpieces and religious sanctuaries, and welcome a mid-day siesta on the steps of its waterfront structures.

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas will host guests on 7-night sailings through the Western Mediterranean, while Brilliance of the Seas navigates eight European destinations with a 12-night itinerary, both departing from Barcelona, Spain. A stroll through this vibrant city will present a lesson in architectural mastery, thanks to Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, while Barcelona’s flare for the arts will be highlighted by the country’s native Picasso in his namesake museum. Food and wine lovers will take note of the ship’s call in Naples, Italy – the birthplace of pizza and ever-popular lemon liquor, limoncello. A peak inside the city’s celebrated royal castles will intrigue the historically-curious, while Royal Caribbean’s walking tour will journey through a 19th century underground tunnel, over to the San Carlo Opera House, and to the 17th century Carmignano aqueduct. To the east of Naples, the walled medieval town of Kotor, Montenegro will await exploration, with its plentiful shops, restaurants, piazzas, and palazzos. The cruise line’s new Budva Riviera and Beach experience will offer a tranquil getaway to the country’s coastal towns and villages, with a stop at Montenegro’s award-winning Becici Beach.

Independence of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas will sail the Mediterranean and the Spanish Canary Islands from Southampton, England with itineraries that extend from 7 to 14 nights. Southampton’s location allows for an easy city getaway to London, an excursion to the historic Stonehenge site, or the famed Downton Abby estate from the hit BBC television show. Those looking for an adrenaline-inducing experience can seek out the GoApe adventure in 440-acre Itchen Valley Country Park, complete with tunnels, suspended bridges, and zip lines through the treetops. Also on the agenda: Nice, France, the seaside town on the glamourous French Rivera, will bring sun, surf, and the sophistication of the French lifestyle. The local Cours Saley market will present a selection of fresh fruit and vegetable snacks before a hike up the city’s Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill), where visitors will find a picturesque point for outdoor picnics and a children’s playground amid sweeping views of Nice and its Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). The North African country of Morocco will add an exotic touch with its cultural kaleidoscope that blends Berber, Arabian and European influences. A landing in the resort town of Agadir will grant visitors a relaxed day on the far eastern shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Serenade of the Seas and Vision of the Seas will head to northern Europe with a checklist of ports that includes Copenhagen, Denmark, home to the 100 year old Tivoli Gardens amusement park; Tromso, Norway, located north of the Arctic Circle with an unexpectedly milder climate and peaks for soaking in seasonal views of the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun; sightseeing in the Swedish capital of Stockholm via Royal Caribbean’s new paddleboard excursion, taking travelers on a water-based tour along the scenic Karlberg Canal; as well as a day spent cruising the Artic region laden with magnificent glaciers and unique wildlife.

Seabourn Encore launched in Marghera

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 March 2016 05 March 2016

Seabourn Encore, the first of two ultra-luxury cruise ships that Fincantieri is building for Seabourn Cruise Line, brand of Carnival Corporation, was launched yesterday at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Venice).

The ceremony was attended, among others, by John Delaney, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales, while Fincantieri was represented by Antonio Quintano, the Marghera Yard Manager.

Seabourn Encore, due to join the Seabourn fleet in the end of this year, is being built according to the standards and technical solutions that make Seabourn one of the most prestigious brands in the ultra-luxury segment and will continue the fleet modernization that began in 2009.

The all-suite ship is approximately 41,000 gross tons, 210 metres long and 28 metres wide and will be able to reach a cruising speed of 18.6 knots. It will carry up to 600 guests, based on double occupancy. Every suite will feature a private veranda.

Safety will be one of this ship's major strong points. It will be built using the very latest technologies, whose standards will exceed the requirements of the relevant legislation. Fuel consumption will be significantly reduced by optimizing the ship's hydrodynamics.

Fincantieri has built 70 cruise ships since 1990 (of which 47 from 2002), and other 14 ships are currently being designed or built in the Group's yards.

MSC Cruises and Technogym to cooperate in “wellness travel”

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 March 2016 03 March 2016

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping group, said it would introduce aWellness Experience, developed in partnership with Technogym, the world’s leading wellness company.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO, said in a statement: “The global wellness travel segment is projected to grow by nearly 10% annually over the next five years as holidaymakers are increasingly seeking out ways to combine being active and healthy with their holiday.”

To design the new experience, the MSC Cruises team worked for over a year with the wellness, fitness, nutrition and technology experts at Technogym. This resulted in the co-creation of a personalised programme with a wide range of dedicated activities and facilities.

The experience features cutting-edge technology and state-of-art fitness facilities, a co-created food and beverage offering available throughout the day, exclusive shore activities as well as access to MSC Cruises Master Trainers certified by Technogym.

“Understanding guests’ wellness motivations, such as the desire to look and feel better, improve sporting performance or health and happiness, is key to creating a motivational programme. For this reason, the experience begins well before the holiday as, once the cruise is booked, guests are invited to complete the Aspiration Finder™, the first-ever scientific online questionnaire developed by Technogym’s Research Department. The result of the questionnaire is a personalised Aspiration Map, which forms the basis for the programme,” MSC Cruises said.

Mein Schiff 1 to be transferred to Thomson Cruises 2018

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 March 2016 03 March 2016

TUI Cruises’ first vessel, Mein Schiff 1, will be transferred to Thomson Cruises in 2018, the Hamburg based operator of the ship said in a statement.

The ship will operate the winter season 2017-18 in Asia and its final voyage for the German company will be a 42 night cruise from Singapore to Palma de Mallorca, which will depart on 1 February

Thomson Cruises is part of TUI AG, the German-British tour operator, which also owns 50% of TUI Cruises. TUI has said it intends to renew the five ship fleet of Thomson Cruises with more modern tonnage. The current vessels were built in 1983-92.

Mein Schiff 1 was built as Galaxy for Celebrity Cruises in 1995. It launched TUI Cruises in 2010 after a major refit. It has a gross tonnage of 76,522

This summer, Thomson Cruises will receive the former Splendour of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International. The 1995 built vessel replaces the 1982 built Island Escape, a converted ferry and one of the last mainstream cruise vessels with upper and lower berths in standard cabins. The newcomer will be called Thomson Discovery.

Thomson Cruises to re-introduce ex-UK cruising

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 March 2016 03 March 2016

Thomson Cruises has today announced that it will re-introduce ex-UK cruising as it continues to build on its pledge to position choice and flexibility at its heart – with customers able to sail out of Newcastle from summer 2017.

The move is the latest step Thomson Cruises has taken towards providing cruisers with a wider-than-ever range of choice, with ten new itineraries and a range of durations from four to 14 nights, visiting key ports in the Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia and the Baltics, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, St Petersburg and Reykjavik on board Thomson Celebration.

In addition to this, Thomson Cruises has announced that customers on board new ship Thomson Discovery will have an enhanced selection of on-board facilities at their disposal, including new dining and entertainment options, and a whole host of family-friendly facilities.

With four breakfast venues, seven lunch venues and seven dinner venues, passengers will be able to choose between casual and formal, gourmet and street, healthy and indulgent, with only two restaurants requiring an additional charge, meaning there is more included in the price of the holiday than ever before. Thomson Cruises is also delighted to introduce celebrity chef and restaurateur, Ian Pengelley, to the team. One of the world’s leading Pan-Asian chefs, Ian will oversee the menu at Kora La, the on board Pan-Asian restaurant and sushi bar. Ian previously held the role of Executive Head Chef at Harrods and has appeared on a variety of prime time cookery TV shows.

Discovery will also see the introduction of a new entertainment programme, with everything from innovative virtual bands to interactive quizzes and music from the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. A team of big names will also join the ship to create 11 new West End-style shows, including choreographer and dancer Tara Wilkinson, who has worked on hit shows, Motown and The Full Monty, and Martyn Ford, a musical arranger and conductor who’s worked alongside musical legends Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

The latest ship in the Thomson Cruises fleet will also boast a wide range of family-friendly facilities, including The Wall, a climbing wall with sea views; mini golf; The Hideout, a teen room complete with karaoke booth; and Baby Centre, a space equipped with changing facilities, a food preparation area and somewhere safe to play. A brand new children’s show, ‘Splash Live!’, which sees animated characters come to life to take children on a journey under the sea, will also be added to the entertainment line-up.

Those choices, coupled with a luxurious spa, casino and exclusive adult-only sunbathing area called The Veranda, ensure Thomson Cruises can offer a contemporary experience for the whole family.

Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Helen Caron, said: “I’m excited to reveal the re-introduction of ex-UK cruising to our programme in 2017. This will open up even more destinations for our customers, giving them the opportunity to create truly memorable experiences.”

“I’m also thrilled to unveil the new family-friendly and adult-only dining and entertainment options on board Discovery, which is key to delivering passengers’ personalised experience. I’m delighted at the calibre of talent involved with bringing this to life and I’m sure it’s something our customers will really value.”