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Olga Piqueras appointed Intercruises Managing Director as Mark Robinson takes President role

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 October 2015 21 October 2015

Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, a global business offering ground handling and port agency services to the ocean and river cruise industry, has announced the appointment of Olga Piqueras as Managing Director, with Mark Robinson moving into the role of President.

Olga has worked for Intercruises since the company’s inception and previously held the position of SVP Worldwide Operations, leading a team that supported the delivery of all ground handling and port agency operations worldwide. Olga has over 25 years of port and aviation experience and prior to joining Intercruises worked for Eurohandling UTE BCN and British Airways.

“It is an honour to take this role and I look forward to leading the growth of our business, working with Mark and all our teams worldwide to ensure our cruise line partners receive the best possible service,” Said Olga Piqueras, Intercruises Managing Director.

Mark Robinson, who helped create and has led Intercruises since 2003, takes the role of Intercruises President and expands his responsibilities within Intercruises’ parent company Hotelbeds Group, as Regional Managing Director Med & Europe for Destination Services, a full service global DMC.

“This change is part of the natural evolution of the business. Olga is an excellent leader and the ideal person to continue Intercruises’ development, supported by a very strong team of experienced professionals. I will have a more strategic role as opposed to the day-to-day global management of the business, but will maintain a strong focus on Intercruises and continue to be in contact with cruise industry stakeholders, including the cruise lines, ports and destination authorities.” Said Mark Robinson, Intercruises President and Regional Managing Director Med & Europe, Destination Services.

New suite design, Bvlgari amenities to debut on Oceania Cruises’ new ship, Sirena

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 October 2015 20 October 2015

Oceania Cruises announced the most palatial and prestigious accommodations on its newest ship, Sirena, that will undergo a major transformation. As part of the ship’s $40 million refurbishment, the Owner’s and Vista Suites will debut with an elegant new design featuring a crisp and modern motif.

Spacious and exceptionally luxurious, the six Owner’s Suites have been re-designed and furnished in a fresh, contemporary style. Spanning nearly 1,000 square feet, these magnificent suites feature every imaginable amenity including plush custom-made furnishings, Oceania Cruises’ exclusive Prestige Tranquility Bed, a newly renovated master bath with a lavish, oversized shower, a private half-bath for guests, and a private teak veranda offering stunning views over the horizon.

The four re-designed Vista Suites exude elegance through their opulent, yet welcoming design. The well-appointed suites feature a cozy sitting area, a sizeable bedroom with Prestige Tranquility Bed, a marble-infused master bath with expansive shower, a second bath for guests and a private veranda with sweeping views over the ship’s bow.

“World travelers and savvy cruisers are drawn to our fleet of intimate and luxurious ships because we continually invest in the product to further enhance our exceptional onboard experiences,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Oceania Cruises. “We recently introduced new gourmet dining experiences for Sirena, and our elegantly re-designed top-tier suites provide added style and comfort to some of the most spacious accommodations at sea.”

Both the Owner’s Suites and Vista Suites radiate style with a spacious design that is complemented by a clean, airy color palette and contemporary, custom-made furnishings. Vibrant artwork adorning the walls and dark walnut finishes provide exquisite contrast with the lighter hues featured in the furnishings and plush carpet flooring. Every detail has been carefully chosen to enhance the overall simple yet sophisticated design for each suite.

Perfectly complementing the elegant accommodations onboard Sirena, Oceania Cruises will introduce a new collection of fine Bvlgari bath amenities for guests booked at the Concierge Level or above. Guests can now select from a variety of Bvlgari tea scented amenities including The Blanc, The Vert, The Rouge and a new scent offered exclusively by Oceania Cruises, The Blu.

The menu option of scents is reserved for guests staying at the Concierge Level or higher; however, all guests sailing with Oceania Cruises receive Bvlgari amenities, which include shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, pleat-wrapped soap and other luxurious products. Additionally, Owner’s and Vista Suite guests are presented with a keepsake gift box of Bvlgari amenities entitled “The Bvlgari Hotel Gift Collection” which they can enjoy while onboard or take home as a reminder of their Oceania Cruises' vacation.

Previously announced, Sirena will also feature two new specialty restaurants, Tuscan Steak and Red Ginger, and Jacques Bistro a new gourmet lunch experience at the Grand Dining Room which features some of legendary chef Jacques Pépin’s signature dishes.

MSC Cruises begins selling 2016-17 cruises in South America

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 October 2015 19 October 2015

Alan Lam reporting

MSC Cruises’ focus on the South American market has just been sharpened by its announcement that it has started selling its itineraries for the 2016-17 season, 12 months before the cruises commencing.

MSC Orchestra will for the first time undertake 14 departures of 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-night cruises from Buenos Aires, including themed cruises such as Fitness, Dance with Me (Baila Conmigo), Carnival, Christmas and New Year Cruises.

Demonstrating its commitment and confidence in this market, the company will also have three other vessels operating in the region: MSC Preziosa, MSC Musica and MSC Armonia. In total it will offer more than 75 cruises from Argentina and Brazil during the season, making available about 20,000 cabins to the local market.

Despite the high cost of operating ships in the River Plate region, MSC’s commitment to this market appears to be unwearied. According to Javier Massignani, Commercial Director of MSC Cruceros, in Argentina 2015 has been a strategic year for the company, in that it has been looking at deploying different ships and introducing various itineraries to the region.

MSC regards this region as a key source market in a wider context. “For 2016,” said Massignani, “we have more plans and projects: we are discussing a year-round deployment in the Caribbean, with base in Miami; we are also planning to develop the Cuba market, which the Argentineans have already included in their vacation destination choices.”

Clearly, with such a commitment, MSC recognises the potentials of this region and is confidence about its future. Moreover, South America forms a key part of its global expansion programme. It can only become more important with the arrivals of its four planned newbuildings in the coming years and the deleterious geopolitical situation in Eastern Mediterranean.

Oceania Cruises reveals new advertising campaign

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 October 2015 18 October 2015

Oceania Cruises is bringing its exquisite guest offerings to life via a new print and direct mail advertising campaign, which launched Friday.

The new campaign showcases how guests have the ability to tailor their cruise experience according to their interests, desires and passions by utilizing the diverse variety of offerings available on an Oceania Cruises vacation. Each ad artfully portrays imagery from the perspective of an Oceania Cruises’ guest as they complete a scintillating list of travel experiences, while indulging in some of the world’s most alluring ports of call. The campaign truly exemplifies the line’s signature tag line, “Your World. Your Way.”

“We’re sharing a day in the life of our guests, showcasing actual experiences they encounter while exploring the incredible destinations we visit,” said James Rodriguez, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Oceania Cruises. “Vacations are personal. Each guest brings their unique perspective and experience to the places we travel. With this campaign, we are celebrating Oceania Cruises’ ability to deliver a truly personalized travel experience based on the individual interests of our guests.”

For instance, one ad captures a guest’s visit to a Buddhist monastery in Rangoon, Burma where a monk presented the guest with a traditional and ceremonial rice offering in the spirit of friendship. According to Rodriguez, the images in each ad depict real experiences available to any guest.

“Today – The Experience” – created by Oceania Cruises’ in-house marketing team – leverages visually compelling photography to portray the aspirational travel moments Oceania Cruises delivers for its guests. The campaign also touches on the three pillars that make Oceania Cruises unique:

– Finest Cuisine at Sea – No cruise line is more focused on food and culinary excellence than Oceania Cruises. Exceptional cuisine has exemplified the brand since its first cruise in 2003 with world-renowned Master Chef Jacques Pépin serving as Executive Culinary Director and inspiring the culinary team to perform feats of epicurean wizardry. Guests can tantalize their palates at a variety of specialty and open-seating gourmet restaurants, at no additional charge.

– Destination Immersion Specialists – Featuring multiple overnight stays and late evening departures, Oceania Cruises places an emphasis on destination-rich itineraries. Oceania Cruises offers an abundance of compelling shore excursions to assist guests with exploring the destinations. Among the options are Culinary Discovery Tours that provide guests with a hands-on opportunity to become immersed in some of the world’s most fascinating culinary destinations.

– Intimate & Luxurious Ships – Oceania Cruises offers guests exceptional personalized service on a fleet of intimate and luxurious ships with a country club casual ambiance featuring elegant lounges, gourmet specialty restaurants and the world-renowned Canyon Ranch SpaClub. Oceania Cruises’ intimate fleet enables guests to explore exotic and secluded ports-of-call not accessible by larger vessels.

The print ad campaign will launch with one- or two-page spreads in several prestigious publications that serve Oceania Cruises’ targeted audience, including: Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveller, Wine Spectator, Departures, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and others.

Crystal Esprit to offer combinable Mediterranean itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 October 2015 16 October 2015

Just months after its maiden voyage through the Seychelles, Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit will spend the spring, summer and fall of 2016 cruising some of the Adriatic Coast’s most coveted locales. Each of the seven-day voyages aboard the 62-guest yacht can be combined with the following one to create expanded vacations without repeating ports. From the end of March through October of 2016, more than 30 itineraries will cruise to destinations, many of which are only accessible by smaller vessels, captivating guests with the destination’s beauty, charm and historical significance.

“Crystal Esprit’s Mediterranean and Adriatic Coast voyages reflect the yacht itself – sailing in a region that has long been beloved by Crystal guests and travelers the world over, but also exploring destinations in an entirely new way,” says Crystal president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez. “These itineraries perfectly blend some of Western Europe’s most famously bustling cities with other, more remote and quaint spots.”

With a focus on intimate access and active experiences, the sailings will offer new perspectives on currently favored destinations visited by the line’s ocean-going ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. All of the itineraries have been carefully crafted to heavily explore several destinations within one or two countries, allowing guests a more immersive cultural experience. Some of the yacht’s Mediterranean locales include:

Piran, Slovenia – Set at the very tip of the Slovenian peninsula, which is the heart of what is affectionately known as the world’s outdoor playground, but also boasting a beautifully-preserved historic Old Town. Here, Crystal guests can enjoy the bounty of natural adventures and meandering walkways between seafood restaurants.

Kotor, Montenegro – A tradition-rich town that blends imposing walled fortresses with welcoming piazzas. Set at the base of a dramatically sloped mountain, Kotor is loved by history buffs and travelers with a taste for striking architecture and rich cuisine. The spectacular Kotor Fjord that surrounds the destination is, in itself, a “must see” for travelers.

Limassol, Cyprus – Truly a playground for virtually every type of traveler, with its storied past (look for Byzantine castles, Venetian walls and conflicting Greek and Turkish influences); outdoor escapes (with rugged landscapes that beckon hikers and explorers and waters that scuba divers find irresistible); and a vast menu of foods that reflect the many cultural influences on the island.

Kaş, Turkey – Where divers will find more than exotic sea life, but also centuries-old shipwrecks to explore in the famously inviting waters. Besides the plethora of outdoor adventures for which Kaş is ideal, the town is also populated with ancient walls, theaters and rock tombs that help tell its fabled history.

While Crystal Esprit’s itineraries along the Adriatic Coast and throughout the world will venture to new sites for the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line, what will remain is Crystal’s commitment to a superior standard of luxury for its globetrotting guests. Besides the vessel’s all-suite design that boasts a distinct atmosphere of sailing aboard one’s own private yacht, Crystal Esprit will be well appointed with elegant amenities; high-end finishes, modern technology and outfitted for adventure. This includes a two-passenger submarine, two 10-passenger zodiacs for special excursions and a 12-passenger Wider 32-foot super yacht tender for special boating adventures. Additionally, at the guests’ fingertips are water skis, wake boards, kayaks, jet skis, fishing, and snorkel equipment.

All-inclusive cruise fares for Crystal Esprit’s Mediterranean/Adriatic Coast voyages start at $3,920 when booked by October 30. The yacht’s complete selection of itineraries through the beginning of 2018 are available for viewing at www.crystalyachtcruises.com.