Pandaw acquires 22 passenger sea going yacht

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 30 December 2015 30 December 2015

Pandaw River Cruises has purchased a 22-passenger motor yacht that will sail coastal cruises in Burma (Myanmar) and Indonesia, starting in June 2016, Cruise critic reports on its website.

“The Andaman Explorer, originally built in 1963 as Atlantic Guard, was a Norwegian coast guard vessel with ice class capabilities, and most recently owned by a Dubai shipping family. Before that, it had been acquired in 1998 by an Italian oligarch whose family owns the Carrara marble quarries; the 11-suite ship is currently floored with Carrara marble and other upscale amenities,” the report said.

The company, which is domiciled in the UK and registered as the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, has operated a chartered ocean going yacht in Burmese waters before.

The ship is traveling from Dubai to Rangoon (Yangon), where the company says it will be "redecorated and refurnished in Pandaw style." A fuller refit will follow in 2017. Each suite has a sitting room, a bedroom and a marble bathroom. The ship has a saloon, an indoor dining room and two teak decks, one for outdoor dining and the other with a Jacuzzi. The ship has two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for excursions to islands and beaches.

The ship will begin sailing Pandaw itineraries June 2016, on Indonesia cruises out of Bali with stops in Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo Islands and Flores. Beginning October 2016, the ship will cruise the Burma coast between Ranong, Thailand, and Rangoon, stopping at the Mergui Archipelago and the old colonial seaport of Moulmein, the report said.

Braemar rescues four people from yacht in distress

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 30 December 2015 30 December 2015

On 27 December, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' ‎ship Braemar came to the aid of a sailing yacht marooned in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, with the dramatic rescue of the 14-metre Nicollet and its four Polish passengers and crew, who had been adrift for nearly three days, the company said in a statement.

‎The ship was cruising from Santa Cruz, Tenerife to Bridgetown, Barbados, at a speed of 16.2 knots, when the Officer of the Watch ‎spotted the drifting sailing yacht Nicollet on the radar, positioned in the Atlantic Ocean, 10 nautical miles from the cruise ship.

The officer contacted the Nicollet to make sure that everything was in order, since the yacht was drifting and no sails were hoisted. The yacht confirmed that the steering gear was broken and the sea anchor had been deployed. The yacht had been drifting for 2.5 days‎ and was en route from Las Palmas to Dominica. The Nicollet was carrying two passengers, one male and one female, and two male crew members, all of Polish nationality.

The Braemar's Master, Captain Robert Bamberg, contacted the Nicollet and asked what assistance was required. The Skipper of the sailing yacht requested that the cruise ship take the two passengers on board and supply some material for the necessary repairs to the Nicollet, which the two crew members would carry out.

Windstar issues a statement on Star Pride grounding

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 23 December 2015 23 December 2015

Windstar Cruises has issued a following statement on Star Pride grounding:

"On December 22, at approximately 6:15 am CST, Windstar Cruises, Star Pride, experienced a grounding while coming into anchor at Isla de Coiba, Panama. All guests and crew are safe. Guests were disembarked as scheduled for the day’s private island event. Windstar’s technical team inspected the ship and identified some areas of the hull that are damaged, making the ship unable to sail.

As the safety and security of guests and crew is of the utmost priority, the current Star Pride cruise is canceled. Because of Isla de Coiba’s remote location (an island off the coast of Panama), the lack of infrastructure in the area, and the lack of other support vessels, Windstar arranged for sister ship, Star Breeze, along with the Tere Moana (also sailing nearby) to transfer the guests to the mainland. We are grateful and appreciative for the support of the Tere Moana in this time of need.

Star Pride guests are currently en route to Golfito, Costa Rica. From there they will be transferred to San Jose, Costa Rica where they have the option to stay in Costa Rica for the remainder of their vacation, or to fly home early. Star Pride guests were refunded 100% of their voyage, as well as a 100% of cruise fare paid for future cruise credit. The crew of the Star Pride will join the Star Breeze on Wednesday, December 23rd.

The ship will be towed to the port of Balboa in Panama for further inspections and repairs. At this time we are also cancelling the December 26th Star Pride voyage. Letters and call outs will start going out when our Vacation Planning department opens at 6:00 am PT."

Fathom announces top recreational activities in the Dominican Republic

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 21 December 2015 21 December 2015

Fathom, the pioneer in social impact travel and Carnival Corporation’s 10th and newest brand, announced today a line-up of fun and memorable recreation, leisure and sightseeing activities available to Fathom travelers to experience in the Dominican Republic when not participating in social impact projects. Whether exploring ancient ruins, interacting with the abundant marine life in the crystal clear water, lounging along the sun-soaked stretches of surf and sand, or participating in social impact activities, travelers will have the opportunity to make the most of their experiences in the Dominican Republic.

Fathom travelers visiting the Dominican Republic can customize their trip to include a variety of unforgettable recreational activities and social impact experiences – including projects focused on educational, environmental and economic development – that perfectly match their interests and desired activity levels. In addition, travelers who prefer to break from scheduled activities during their stay may simply relax and enjoy the island’s rugged mystical terrain and fertile valleys, its breathtaking turquoise waters, enchanting waterfalls and tropical rainforests, as well as its predictable weather and scenic beauty.

“At Fathom we are creating purpose-driven impact experiences for our travelers that will make a lasting difference in the lives and the communities in the in the Dominican Republic,” said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. “While at the same time, we want our travelers to know there also are many opportunities for them to explore, unwind and recharge during their free time.”

Top recreational activities recommended for Fathom travelers include:

– Traditions and Local Flavors – Puerto Plata is home to the first fort built by European settlers in the New World and is one of the many scenic areas on the island. Travelers can explore the city’s historical features and shop in the bustling downtown area, which boasts numerous artist studios, rum and cigar factories, and the famed Malecon, a three-mile-long open air beach-side boardwalk with numerous restaurants and shops.

Fathom travelers can also stroll through the historical city and visit the San Felipe Fortress, Cathedral San Felipe, Vrugal rum factory, Plaza Independencia and other museum attractions.

– La Isabela, Columbus History and Folklore – The historic town of La Isabela, one of the first European towns in the Americas, gives travelers the opportunity go back in time and walk through nearby ancient ruins to learn about the history of the island and its first inhabitants.

– Beginner Scuba Diving – The country’s ample marine life and warm waters make it a prime location for those curious to explore the island’s lush underwater world. Whether swimming alongside sea turtles and schools of colorful fish or exploring world-class reefs, a beginner scuba diving course will introduce travelers to the basic safety guidelines required to do a dive with an instructor.

– Two-Reef Snorkel by Catamaran – A day onboard a modern and luxurious Catamaran is the perfect way to discover the beauty of Sosua Bay. Calm waters, diverse species of fish and intricate reef formations make this a great place to put on the flippers and go for dip.

– Countryside Zipline Adventure – Crisscross from platform to platform soaring through the treetops to gain a new perspective on the Dominican Republic and its breathtaking views from the island canopy.

Fathom’s Adonia will dock at the recently opened Amber Cove located in the Puerto Plata region where travelers will have access to select Amber Cove shore excursions. The port will offer numerous sea and landside experiences, including several beach getaways, kayak, paddle board and snorkeling tours, ATV-like terracross buggy expeditions, Puerto Plata tours, helicopter rides, fishing trips, horseback riding, deep sea fishing tours and catamaran sailings.

Prices for the seven-day trips to the Dominican Republic start at $974 per person, excluding taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences, three onshore social impact activities and related supplies. Prices will vary by season. To secure a spot on future sailings, a fully refundable $300 per person deposit is required for all cabin categories and occupancy levels. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Prices for seven-day itineraries to Cuba start at $1,800 per person, excluding Cuban visas, taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences and on-the-ground cultural immersion activities. Prices will vary by season. To secure a spot on future sailings, a fully refundable $600 per person deposit is required for all cabin categories and occupancy levels. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. To reserve a spot on future sailings, travelers may call 1-855-9Fathom or work with a travel professional.