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Cruise Critic announces new virtual ship tours and multimedia cruise reviews

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 September 2015 08 September 2015

Cruise Critic, the world’s leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community, has announced two new photo products: virtual cruise ship tours – featuring thousands of photographs per ship, through a partnership with photography specialists Oyster.com – and new multimedia cruise reviews, collecting and showcasing photos directly from cruisers as part of the cruise review process. The products aim to give new-to-cruise and seasoned cruisers greater insight to help choose the right ship and prepare for upcoming trips.

Colleen McDaniel, managing editor of Cruise Critic, explained, "The new images bring the ships to life and give a real sense of what it will be like when you step onboard. Our aim is to provide a rich depth of content to help people find and plan the right cruise. Combining Oyster's photography expertise with new cruiser-submitted photos, we're able to deliver the best possible insights to help consumers feel more confident and informed when booking and planning a cruise."

Features of Cruise Critic’s new virtual tours include:

– Easy-to-browse, high-resolution photo libraries of thousands of images per ship

– Real-life, unaltered photos of every onboard nook and cranny, taken by Oyster’s photographers

– Categorised folders, including: Activities and Events, Cabins, Family Amenities, Pools and Sundecks, Restaurants and Bars, Spa and Fitness and Ports of Call

– Public spaces documented as they change over the course of the cruise -- for example: a bustling pool deck at night that becomes a tranquil scene when the ship is in port

– New 360-degree panoramic imagery to make it easier to perceive public areas and cabins

– Over 27,000 photos across 11 ships and six cruise lines, including Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Celebrity – with more ships and lines continuing to be added

Speaking on the partnership, Eytan Seidman, Co-Founder and General Manager of Oyster.com, said, "We share a common core principle with Cruise Critic to provide clear, unbiased information that will help people to choose the right vacation for their needs. Of course, cruise ships are a lot larger than the average hotel, so adapting the formula that has proved highly successful for hotels to cruise ships, meant lengthening the shoot, and taking more than five times as many images. It's a huge task but very rewarding, and we're incredibly pleased with the results."

Cruise Critic also launched photo collection as part of its cruise review process, enabling travellers to upload ship photos to create multimedia reviews and share their own first-hand views of the ships on which they've sailed. As the world’s leading cruise reviews site, Cruise Critic features more than 150,000 consumer reviews representing nearly 500 cruise ships.

Crystal Cruises unveils culinary concept for Crystal Esprit

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

Crystal Yacht Cruises, the upcoming luxury yachting experience from the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line, is sparing no measure of luxury, including the culinary offerings on the new vessel. Crystal has unveiled the culinary concept for the 62-guest Crystal Esprit, which focuses heavily on quality local ingredients of the Seychelles Islands and Mediterranean coast, and showcases many of the favorite dishes served on the line’s acclaimed ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The yacht will set sail in December 2015 with an elegant and eclectic menu of globally inspired Michelin starred cuisine for its discerning guests, from extraordinary seafood cuisine on the al fresco terrace, to decadent pastries, snacks, espresso and wine in the quaint corner bar.

“The outstanding food and wine experience has always been a highlight of the Crystal Experience and will continue to be an integral part of the onboard experience aboard Crystal Yacht Cruises,” says Crystal President & CEO Edie Rodriguez. “With public spaces and dining areas that are more intimate, our superior culinary team will maintain – and even exceed – the standard of world-class, creative cuisine that travelers expect from Crystal.”

Crystal Esprit will offer guests an array of culinary choices at any time of day or night, from small bites and midnight snacks, to casual lunches al fresco and chic, multi-course dinners. “Local” versions of favorite Crystal dishes will also be served, using the freshest ingredients available in each destination and reflecting the local flavors. The onboard eateries include:

– The Yacht Club and its outdoor extension, the Patio Café restaurants will serve a selection of Crystal’s modern and classic specialties, with made-to-order omelets, waffles and pancakes and a health bar with fresh fruit and vegetable juices for breakfast; lunch options including made-to-order pastas and risottos, seafood and meat antipasti, and a raw and salad bar, plus an à la carte menu offering local dishes; dinner menus include a Modern Tasting menu and a Classic menu including local inspired dishes using the freshest ingredients found at the local markets, all served in a bright and immaculate setting with expansive windows and sea breezes;

– The Sunset Bar & Grill menu will feature burgers, wraps and locally inspired “global street food,” served tapas style and reflecting the destinations visited;

– The Pantry will serve as the 24-hour “go-to” spot for freshly baked light snacks and pastries, coffee and a self-service wine bar;

– Crystal Esprit Guest Suites also allow travelers to indulge in the plush privacy of their own staterooms, with available 24-hour stateroom dining.

AmaWaterways celebrates inaugural voyage of AmaDara on the Mekong

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

AmaWaterways, the world’s leading river cruise line, has announced the expansion of its Exotics division with the inaugural sailing of the new 124-passenger AmaDara. The line’s co-owners, Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Gary Murphy, met travelers in Siem Reap, Cambodia for the ship’s maiden voyage along the Mekong River.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the anticipated arrival of AmaDara on the legendary Mekong River,” said Kristin Karst, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of AmaWaterways. “This new ship gives travelers the chance to enjoy the comfort and luxury of AmaWaterways, while having a truly authentic experience exploring one of the most incredible regions of the world.”

Now part of AmaWaterways’ Exotics division, AmaDara features an innovative design, boasting 62 extra-spacious staterooms and luxury suites, as well as a new specialty restaurant. Each well-appointed stateroom includes a private “Twin Balcony,” consisting of a French Balcony with a second full-sized step-out balcony. The ship’s interior is reflective of Elegant French Colonial décor, while inspired by Southeast Asia with authentic Mekong artifacts and accents.

Guests sailing aboard AmaDara will delight in an array of comfortable amenities including air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, a spa, a fitness center and a refreshing sun deck with swimming pool. Complimentary unlimited wine is available with lunch and dinner; complimentary house spirits, local beer, soft drinks and bottled water are available all day.

Travelers seeking a unique, immersive experience on the fabled Mekong River can either travel upstream or downstream, as AmaDara will sail in both directions. Stops along the way will include Hanoi, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau and Ho Chi Minh City. Pricing for the full 15-night cruise and land itinerary, which also includes Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, starts at $4,498 per person.* Cruise only pricing for a seven-night sailing onboard AmaDara starts at $2,299 per person. Travelers can also opt for a 10-night itinerary that combines the cruise with three nights in Siem Reap, starting at $3,098 per person.

Passengers forcibly removed from Quantum of the Seas in Shanghai after itinerary change - report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2015 01 September 2015

Around 300 passengers refused to disembark Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas in Shanghai yesterday morning following a change in the ship's itinerary, the Engligh language Shanghai Daily reports on its website.

"The liner, which left Shanghai on August 23, had originally been scheduled to visit three Japanese cities. But due to concerns about Typhoon Goni, this was changed to cities in South Korea instead.
Passengers argued that they should receive compensation for the change of route," the report said.

"At 11:30am yesterday, more than 200 passengers had still refused to disembark and the standoff lasted till 1pm, despite talks between cruise company Royal Caribbean International, tourism and district authorities and tourists. All the passengers were reported to have left the liner by 1pm, with the final few seen being removed by crew members. A man was photographed by other passengers being carried off the liner by four crew members," it said.

Negotiations between Royal Caribbean and passengers reconvened in a hotel. Officials with the Shanghai Tourism Administration said tourists should not use such methods in order to safeguard their rights. Shanghai lawyer Liu Weisong said that a ship’s captain has the right to cancel stops or change the route based on a situation.

"During the tour, Royal Caribbean said it provided passengers with free Wi-Fi and lobster dinners.
Following a number of disputes concerning changes of itinerary on cruise ship tours, a new recommended contract on these tours issued by Shanghai tourism authorities will be introduced this month, said tourism officials," the report said.

Viking Line to launch free cruise app

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2015 01 September 2015

Viking Line is launching a new type of mobile application. Among other things, the app enables passengers to maintain contact with their own travel group or make new friends on their cruise. It makes travelling easier and guarantees an even richer travel experience. The new app makes on-board communication more efficient by supplying shopping alternatives, cruise programmes and other relevant information via smartphone – starting on September 1, 2015.

Cruise apps are a new global trend, and Viking Line is among the first passenger shipping companies in the world to launch this type of mobile-based service. Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises introduced their own mobile services on their vessels at the beginning of 2015. Viking Line is now the first Baltic Sea-based shipping company to offer a free mobile app to its passengers.

“The new mobile application will revolutionize the cruise experience and further broaden the social dimension on Viking Line’s ships. We want the on-board experience to be uncomplicated and entertaining. With this app, we are bringing cruise travel into the new millennium,” says Kaj Takolander, Viking Line’s Head of Sales and Marketing in Finland and the Baltic countries.

Viking Line developed the app in partnership with the Finnish technology company Ixonos.

“The global digital breakthrough has placed the consumer at the heart of business activities. Consumers themselves want to choose their channel for contacts with service providers, and that channel is increasingly often mobile. Viking Line now wants to digitally challenge traditional services and bring them closer to the customer. It has been a fine experience to create completely new on-board user experiences in partnership with Viking Line, as the first on the Baltic Sea,” says Mikko Sjöblom, Development Manager at Ixonos.
 
A new social dimension and contacts between passengers

The mobile application improves communication between passengers and adds a completely new social dimension to travelling. Passengers can use the app to create closed discussion forums for their own travel group. In addition, the app can help establish completely new contacts and can therefore also be used for dating. Users may choose to share their own profiles and add a photo.

“On-board mobile phone coverage has traditionally been weak. The new app uses the vessel’s internal network, which has also been strengthened. This makes communication among families and friends easier during a cruise,” Mr Takolander says.

Passengers can also use the app to plan their own cruise programme, keep up with on-board entertainment offerings and opening hours and, in the future, create their own shopping lists in advance.

 Better services through development collaboration

The new mobile service has been developed in collaboration with both passengers and Viking Line employees. The aim is to ensure that the app works smoothly while travelling on Viking Line vessels, continuously providing the services needed for an entertaining cruise via passengers’ own smartphones.

Viking Line’s cruise app can initially be used on the Helsinki (Finland)–Stockholm (Sweden), Turku (Finland)–Stockholm and Mariehamn (Åland Islands, Finland)–Stockholm routes on board the M/S Mariella, M/S Gabriella, M/S Amorella, M/S Cinderella and M/S Viking Grace. Later the app will also be launched on the Helsinki–Tallinn (Estonia) and Mariehamn–Kapellskär (Sweden) routes.

The free mobile app can be downloaded to iOS and Android phones via the Apple AppStore and Google Play starting in September, 2015.