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MSC Cruises partners with French chocolatier and pastry chef, Jean-Philippe Maury

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 February 2016 10 February 2016

MSC Cruises announced that it has partnered with acclaimed chocolatier and pastry chef, Jean-Philippe Maury, to bring his culinary genius aboard the cruise line’s ships. This latest announcement reflects MSC Cruises passion for food and commitment to provide world-class dining experiences for its guests through the highest quality partnerships and the addition of even more varied options and features.

“We constantly look to surprise and delight our guests with new and authentic culinary experiences. Jean-Philippe Maury is a world pastry champion who embodies passion, elegance, innovation and excellence – the same characteristics that distinguish MSC Cruises,” said Rick Sasso, president of MSC Cruises. “We partner with the world’s leading brands and individuals who lend us best practices in their fields to create unique and unforgettable experiences for our guests. Jean-Philippe’s artistic culinary creations are an exciting addition to the authentic Mediterranean and international culinary offerings already found across MSC Cruises fleet.”

As part of the first phase of the partnership, MSC Cruises is already working with Maury to roll-out new choices aboard MSC Divina, one of MSC Cruises’ ultramodern ships now sailing year-round from Miami to the Caribbean. This will result in new dessert offerings within the ship’s buffet, specialty restaurants and the MSC Yacht Club, the ship-in-ship luxury concept exclusive to MSC Cruises. Guests can expect his unique touch will add flair and some delicious culinary twists on original recipes. Following the introduction of Maury’s products on board MSC Divina, MSC Cruises will introduce his menus and creations across other ships in the fleet.

In the second phase of the partnership, Maury will have a permanent and high-profile presence on the first of MSC Cruises next-generation ships, MSC Meraviglia. Part of the unprecedented, $5.9 billion investment plan launched last year, the four Meraviglia and Meraviglia-plus generation ships will be the largest and most innovative cruise ships ever built by a European-based cruise line. Onboard guests will be able to enjoy a chocolate atelier with an open kitchen and watch the chocolatiers create masterpieces that seduce the palate and eye as well as sample Maury’s specialty pastry and bakery menus. Maury will also work with MSC Cruises to create a gourmet ice cream parlor and creperie located within the impressive indoor promenade, a convivial indoor space filled with shops and boutiques and encapsulated by the longest LED dome at sea.

Sales for MSC Meraviglia opened in June 2015. The ship will debut in June 2017 with an inaugural season sailing the Mediterranean.

"I am truly honored to partner with MSC Cruises in this new exciting adventure. Creativity and passion will lead us to the next level of excellence,” says Jean-Philippe Maury, Best Pastry Chef in France (Meilleur Ouvrier de France 1997) and gold medal winner at the World Pastry Team Championship (2002 and 2004).

Maury held the position of executive Pastry Chef at The Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas in 1998 and then Aria Hotel in 2009. Today, he is managing in partnership with MGM Resorts International his two shops Jean Philippe Patisserie, one of which houses the world’s tallest and largest chocolate fountain. Last summer, he opened an innovative dessert concept in San Diego, called iDessert.

Fincantieri floats-out Majestic Princess

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 February 2016 08 February 2016

Princess Cruises announced today, on Chinese New Year, that Majestic Princess, the first cruise ship built and designed specifically for the China market will also be the first ship in the fleet to debut a new livery design featuring the company’s iconic logo. The new livery design will roll out fleetwide over the next few years.

One of the most recognized brand logos in cruising; the design symbolizes the smooth and flowing gracefulness of ocean waves and represents the excitement and adventure of discovering the best the world has to offer on a Princess cruise vacation. The modern, sophisticated-look is designed to reinforce the premium experience of Princess Cruises, recognized around the world as a destination leader.

“For nearly half a century our Princess logo has represented the adventure of cruise travel around the globe,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “Now our ships sail to more than 360 ports of call worldwide and will be instantly recognized from afar. As the very first cruise ship built for China, we take great pride that Majestic Princess is our first ship to proudly display our new livery design.”

Also today, Majestic Princess reached a significant construction milestone when the Princess Cruises vessel “floated out” in its building dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The occasion was marked by a traditional ceremony as the ship met ocean water for the first time.

Following the Italian shipyard’s custom, the float out of a ship begins when a “madrina,” or godmother, cuts the cord that signals the flow of sea water into the ship’s building dock. Executive Vice President of Fleet Operations Keith Taylor and recently appointed Majestic Princess Captain Dino Sagani represented Princess Cruises at the ceremony. Captain Sagani’s mother, Graziella Sagani, served as the ship’s “madrina.”

Majestic Princess will offer many of the same special features as Royal Princess and Regal Princess, which have been so well-received. These include a dramatic multi-story atrium serving as the social hub of the ship; an over-the-ocean SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; the Princess Live! interactive studio; and a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light.

As the first cruise ship built and designed specifically for the China market, Majestic Princess will also feature a number of new venues and experiences created for that market, the details of which will be revealed in the coming months.

Majestic Princess will home-port in Shanghai and carry 3,560 guests.

Anthem of the Seas forced back to Bayonne after encountering fierce storm - reports

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 February 2016 08 February 2016

Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas has been forced to turn back to Bayonne in New Jersey after encountering a fierce storm that caused damage on board and injured four people, although none of them seriously, media reports say.

"This decision was made for guests' comfort due to weather forecasts. The forecast would likely have impacted original itinerary. We're also sensitive to what guests have already been through. We appreciate our guests’ patience and cooperation. We know it was tough day on Sunday apologize for their discomfort,' Royal Caribbean posted on Twitter, according to the Daily Mail newspaper in the UK.

The cruise line has offered a full refund and 50% off the passengers' next cruise. “Captain notified us that the ship is turning around to make way towards Bayonne, NJ. Too dangerous to go towards paradise,' tested Jacob Ibrag, 25, of New York, according to Daily Mail.

The ship that was introduced last year is the second unit of Royal Caribbean International’s 168,000 gross ton Quantum class vessels. The aborted seven night cruise was heading to Florida and the Bahamas.

Louis Group and banks to work out restructuring plan

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

Louis Group plc, the Cypriot hotel and cruise ship company, said it has entered in talks with its lenders to restructure the borrowings of the company.

“At the extraordinary general meeting of 17 December 2015, the main parameters of the proposed agreement were presented and explained and the shareholders of Louis plc unanimously approved the framework of the restructuring plan relating to the borrowings of Louis Cruises Ltd with DVB Bank and other Banks,” the company said in a statement.

“Furthermore, they authorised the Board of Directors to finalise the relevant negotiations. Once the negotiations are complete and the final agreement is signed, the Company will make a relevant announcement,” the company said.

At the end of September, the group that owns five elderly cruise ships, had non-current liabilities of €274.5 million and a balance sheet that totalled €677.9 million. It made a net profit of €9.0 million in the first nine months of last year, sharply lower from a €15.9 million profit in the same period in 2014. Revenues, however, rose to €198.5 million from €192.6 million.

Princess Cruises appoints Majestic Princess master and his relief master

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

Princess Cruises says it has appointed Dino Sagani as master of its next new ship, Majestic Princess. He will lead a senior officer team with more than 100 years of seagoing experience among them.

The relief Captain appointed to Majestic Princess is Princess Cruises’ veteran, Craig Street.

“We’re thrilled to appoint such experienced captains to our new cruise ship destined for China,” Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, said in a statement. “These skilled officers bring considerable seagoing and management skills and we know they will deliver an exceptional and memorable cruise vacation experience to all Majestic Princess guests.”