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TUI Cruises updates digital platforms

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 December 2015 10 December 2015

TUI Cruises, the German premium market cruise shipping brand, says it has updated its digital platforms as it has experienced a 86% increase in the use of mobile devices to search information about the company's products.

Under Meine Reise on the company's website customers can now book tables at specialty restaurants and e.g. spa treatments and shore excursions up to four months in advance. These bookings can be changed while on board the vessel. Passengers can view their personalised cruise programme also by using the TV in their cabins.

The company has also relaunched its app, which now allows users to easily select a time of holiday that is convenient for them, store it and to share this information with friends and family.The app also allows virtual walk around onboard the vessels of the company and to set up countdowns for various parts of the planned cruise. It also shows the position of the vessels of the company on a map in real time. The app also provides information about the company's offerings and cruise itineraries.

Those that already have the app downloaded on their devices must download an update to get the new functions, TUI Cruises said in a statement

Cruiseco signs agreement with P&O Cruises Australia to sell brand in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 December 2015 10 December 2015

Cruiseco, the coordinator of a network of 70 travel agents and owner of the consumer orientated website cruising.co.uk, has signed an exclusive partnership with P&O Cruises Australia to market the line's cruises in the UK, Breaking Travel News said on its website.

The Sydney based cruise line has just received two second hand vessels that after an extensive upgrade grew its fleet five vessels and a sixth one is due to join in 2017. Meanwhile, P&O Cruises in the UK has eight ships, although Adonia will leave the fleet next year to launch a new brand called Fathom.

P&O Cruises Australia, which is marketed in Australia and New Zealand without the Australia in the end of its name, and P&O Cruises in the UK are both parts of Carnival Corporation & plc group.

P&O Cruises Australia cruises now on sale in the UK cover 26 ports in Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia; as well as 26 ports in Australia such as Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne; nine ports in New Zealand including Auckland and Bay of Islands and Picton, plus 17 Pacific ports including Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga.

"Packages offer Brits the chance to join some of Australia’s most exciting cruises incorporating sporting events the Melbourne Cup and The Australian Open, or the opportunity to join the Australia Day celebrations," the report said.

"Cruises can be booked for as little as two days, as part of a wider trip, up to 18 days for those that want to experience the world ‘down under’ on the waves," it concluded

MSC Cruises to add MSC Armonia as second ship in Cuba 2016-17

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 December 2015 03 December 2015

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping group, said it is to strengthen its presence in Cuba by home-porting a second ship in Havana from the winter 2016-17 season.

“In a move that will quickly double the number of MSC Cruises Caribbean itineraries centred on Cuba, MSC Armonia will join MSC Opera in Havana, from November 2016, for the entire winter season,” the company said in a statement.

MSC Armonia will offer guests the choice of two different seven-night itineraries, adding new must-see Central American and Caribbean destinations to the MSC Cruises portfolio.

Following two days and one night in the Cuban capital, the first itinerary will take guests from Havana to the white sand beaches, pristine bays and spectacular coral reefs of Isla de Roatán (Honduras), before heading for the wood and brick colonial charm of Belize City (Belize).

Then it’s on to Costa Maya (Mexico) and an exclusive Caribbean beach experience on Isla de la Juventud (Cuba), before returning to Havana.

The second itinerary will start with two and half days and two nights in Havana, then set sail for Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands) and Cozumel, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, before circling back to the Cuban capital.

Guests will have the opportunity to combine both itineraries into a 14-night cruise.

In July. MSC Cruises announced that it would become the first global cruise line to homeport in Havana, with MSC Opera sailing from the city from December 2015. Its itineraries feature two-and-a-half days in the Cuban capital before calls in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico.

Celebrity Cruises reveals new sailings, destinations and overnights in 2017-2018

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 December 2015 03 December 2015

Celebrity Cruises is introducing its 2017-2018 cruises. The premium line’s richest season yet offers many firsts for guests to choose from among 282 destinations in 76 countries that include new ports of call, 236 exciting overnights in 55 cities and 31 double overnight stays in 10 different ports. On Monday, Celebrity has revealed its new Alaska, Bermuda and Canada/New England cruises, the first series of the “Go Celebrity!” campaign to open for sale. Two ships in this lineup are part of a $16 million refresh initiative, Celebrity Infinity in Alaska and Celebrity Summit in Bermuda and Canada/New England. More destinations will be unveiled this month. Captain’s Club members have early priority access to begin planning their ultimate vacation, three days before the 2017-2018 sailings open to the general public on Friday, Dec. 4.

Additionally, beginning in 2016, Celebrity will introduce new, dynamic experiences that bring destinations right onboard before guests even get there, including chef-led shore excursions named “Chef’s Market Discoveries,” regional experts, authentic flavors and local entertainment.

Celebrity’s new cruises now revealed:

Alaska

Celebrity will continue to bring the wonder of Alaska within reach in 2017-2018, with three Celebrity ships – Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Infinity, the last of which has emerged from an $8 million modern luxury refresh with new venues and updated interiors. On these vacations, guests can indulge in:

– Views of Alaska’s magnificent scenery from beautifully designed onboard venues, including The Lawn Club onboard Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Infinity’s Rooftop Terrace, a brand-new venue where food and film are fused against a backdrop of chic, comfortable furniture, unique artistic elements, and a large outdoor film screen
– Destination-inspired experiences onboard, from authentic food sourced from each port, to local performances that will thrill guests
– Two new cruisetours that combine cruising with a land tour, for those who want to dive deep into the heart of the Last Frontier:
Ten-night “Authentic Tastes of Alaska”: A local Alaskan culinary experience, where guests can taste indigenous foods and discover the narrative of their place in Alaskan culture and history
Twelve-night “Great National Parks Expedition”: Guests can explore two national parks – Denali National Park and Kenai Fords National Park – and see the tundra, bays and fjords that are home to the region’s array of wildlife
Exclusive Uniquely Celebrity shore excursions including: a trip to an organic farm, an exploration of the rich history of Skagway, Alaska a tour through a local brewery straight to a cooking school, and participation in a crabbing and seafood feast
In-depth insights from one of Celebrity’s “Resident Naturalists” – a group of marine biologists, adventurers and wildlife researchers

The premium brand will offer the industry’s only seven-night, round-trip itinerary to the Hubbard Glacier from Vancouver on Celebrity Infinity, along with Celebrity’s popular, seven-night roundtrip Tracy Arm Fjord itinerary from Seattle, Washington onboard Celebrity Solstice, and a variety of open-jaw options from either Vancouver, British Columbia or Seward, Alaska aboard Celebrity Millennium.

Bermuda

Celebrity will transport guests to a Bermuda state of mind before they arrive at the stunning island, through experiences on Celebrity Summit, which will undergo an $8 million refresh similar to that of Celebrity Infinity, prior to its 2016 Bermuda season. Vacationers can enjoy:

– Bermuda’s stunning views at Celebrity Summit’s new Rooftop Terrace, which officially will be opened after the ship’s modern luxury makeover in 2016:
– Additional enhancements from the refresh will include exquisite upgrades to Suite Class amenities and experiences, and the addition of one of Celebrity’s signature venues, Tuscan Grille
– The chance to discover the island’s natural wonders with educational programs specially designed by Celebrity’s “Regional Destination Expert,” marine scientist and author Dr. Ellen Prager
– Celebrity’s first-ever, nine-night cruise that visits New England and Bermuda, with the first American female captain of a mega-ton cruise ship, Captain Kate McCue
– A brand-new “Signature Event Sailing” to witness one of the world’s most coveted sailing races, where teams go head-to-head for a prestigious trophy
– Authentic onboard entertainment, from a Bermudian steel drum band to cuisine inspired by the local flavors of the Caribbean, all part of Celebrity’s onboard experience newly infused with the destination’s culture
– Thrilling Uniquely Celebrity shore excursions such as: a night on Bermuda’s award-winning Rising Sun II catamaran for a festive white party; an immersion into the natural wonders and panoramic seascapes of Bermuda as guests hike the historic Railway Trail; and a tour of Wadson’s Farm, an organic farm that has been operating since 1976

Celebrity’s seven-night Bermuda cruises, onboard Celebrity Summit, feature three days and two nights in the tropical destination.

Canada/New England

Celebrity is offering an exciting season in Canada and New England – for the first time in the premium brand’s history, vacationers can discover New England and Bermuda on a new nine-night sailing. More destination highlights include:

– The opportunity to experience key moments in time during a new Signature Event Sailing, which welcomes guests to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday overnight in Halifax and the USA’s Independence Day when overnighting in Boston, Massachusetts
– Sailing with the first American female captain of a mega-ton cruise ship, Captain Kate McCue, aboard Celebrity Summit
– Exciting Uniquely Celebrity shore excursions that grant guests access to an interactive tour through historic Halifax and the sights of Quebec City, Quebec by way of a walking tour, ending with a cup of tea at Chateau Frontenac

Cruises sailing to Canada and New England are featured in Celebrity Summit’s 14-night vacations, which can include visits to Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and two nights in Quebec City – the premium line’s first double overnight in the guest-favorite destination in 10 years.

Additional 2017-2018 highlights

Celebrity’s early reveal of 2017-2018 vacations is perfect timing for vacationers already imagining and planning their next vacation. As Go Celebrity! destination itineraries are unveiled, additional 2017-2018 highlights will include: new ports of call, four new once-in-a-lifetime Signature Event Sailings focused around the most iconic world events, new overnights (among the most the guests have ever been able to choose from), and more double overnights, guaranteeing a modern, upscale vacation for all guests that only Celebrity can deliver. Through internationally recognized speakers, a taste of the world’s flavors, cultural connections, exclusive Uniquely Celebrity shore excursions, ways to extend a vacation with unique City Stays and Celebrity Explorations vacation packages, and more, a Celebrity vacation infuses more of the world’s destinations at every turn.

Oceania Cruises names Sirena godmother

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 December 2015 03 December 2015

Long-time member of the Oceania Cruises family, Claudine Pépin will serve as godmother for Sirena at the ship’s christening ceremony in Barcelona on 27th April, 2016. Claudine’s father, legendary master chef Jacques Pépin, has been Oceania Cruises’ Executive Culinary Director since the line’s inception. Jacques’ involvement with the line has blossomed into a family affair, with Claudine joining him on Oceania Cruises’ annual Jacques Pépin Cruise to co-host special culinary events and cooking demonstrations.

“Claudine’s passion for food, wine, travel and deep family traditions make her the perfect choice for Sirena’s godmother,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Oceania Cruises. “If the culinary world had a royal family, it would be the Pépin family. As we continue to expand upon our finest cuisine at sea offerings, we are excited to deepen our relationship with the Pépin family and absolutely thrilled to have Claudine serve as godmother for Sirena.”

An acclaimed cookbook author and regular co-host on Jacques’ PBS show “Heart and Soul in the Kitchen,” Claudine will officially christen Sirena by breaking a bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull during an intimate pier-side celebration in Barcelona. Following the ceremony, she will sail onSirena’s maiden voyage with her father, mother, husband and 12-year-old daughter, Shorey.

During the maiden voyage, Claudine will interact with guests at cooking demonstrations and book signing events which will take place throughout the cruise. All guests booked on the maiden voyage will receive a complimentary copy of Claudine’s cookbook, Let’s Cook French, which was published earlier this year and pays homage to French-style family home cooking.

“It’s truly an honour to be Sirena’s godmother, and to celebrate its christening and maiden voyage with my entire family,” said Claudine. “We’ll be cooking together, enjoying delicious food – and, of course, laughing as much as possible. It will be a pleasure to share this special experience with all guests aboard Sirena.”

Many culinary fans have watched Claudine and her father prepare classic French dishes on the James Beard award-winning series “Jacques Pépin’s Kitchen: Cooking With Claudine,” “Jacques Pépin’s Kitchen: Encore with Claudine,” and “Jacques Pépin Celebrates.”

Earlier in her career, Claudine served as brand ambassador for Moët & Chandon and Dom Pérignon Champagne in New York while teaching food and wine pairing at the French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Centre) and the Sommelier Society in New York. In 2002, Claudine was named Woman of the Year by the Académie Culinaire de France – Filiale des Etats-Unis.