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Seven Seas Navigator to sail four-month voyage around the globe in 2017

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 July 2015 15 July 2015

After a six-year hiatus, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is pleased to once again offer guests a chance to explore the world in luxury with an exciting 128-night World Cruise aboard Seven Seas Navigator. This incredible around-the-world voyage departs Jan. 5, 2017 from Miami and provides guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the globe with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ signature comfort, style and all-inclusive luxury. As Seven Seas Navigator circumnavigates the globe, guests will have the opportunity to visit iconic cities, historic landmarks and exotic tropical islands all while enjoying unsurpassed personal service.

“The expansion of our fleet allows us to take our ships to new destinations and be even more creative with our itineraries,” shared Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Our World Cruise aboard Seven Seas Navigator is a fantastic new addition to our itinerary collection. It will be the trip of a lifetime as we provide guests with the rare opportunity to see the world in one luxurious voyage.”

The 2017 World Cruise begins with a one-night, pre-cruise hotel stay and gala dinner featuring lively entertainment at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Miami. After departing Miami, Seven Seas Navigator will cruise the Caribbean with a stop in historic George Town in the Cayman Islands and a call in Cartagena, Colombia before making its way to the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal. After departing the canal, guests will enjoy scenic calls at several Central American coastal cities and sail along the Baja coast before calling on San Diego and Los Angeles. From there, the ship will venture to the islands of Hawaii, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand, and explore the east and north coasts of Australia.

After sailing the South Pacific, Seven Seas Navigator will then traverse the Timor Sea in route to Indonesia before sailing across the Java Sea and Indian Ocean to Singapore. From there, guests will pass through the Strait of Malacca heading to Thailand before cruising the Andaman Sea to Myanmar, followed by four ports of call in India. A northwestern passage across the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman through the Strait of Hormuz will bring the ship to the United Arab Emirates before it cruises southwardly along the coast to Oman, through the Gulf of Aden and into the Red Sea to call on Jordan, Israel and Egypt.

Seven Seas Navigator continues its global adventure by sailing through the Suez Canal en route to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, and then cruise the scenic Dardanelles and return to Greece before taking the Messina Strait to Italy, Monaco, France and Spain. After cruising the Mediterranean, passengers will visit Gibraltar before sailing to additional ports in Spain, Portugal and the Portuguese island of Madeira. After departing Europe, Seven Seas Navigator will make the trans-Atlantic voyage back to Miami.

In total, Seven Seas Navigator will visit six continents, 31 countries, and more than 60 ports of call featuring 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites on its World Cruise, and guests will be able to select from vast collection of free unlimited shore excursions in order to further explore the destinations.

Guests sailing this incredible worldwide journey aboard Seven Seas Navigator will do so aboard the fleet’s most intimate ship. Accommodating only 490 guests, the ship is the ideal size to circumnavigate the globe in style and comfort. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is continually recognized for providing guests with the most comprehensive, all-inclusive luxury experience, and aboard Seven Seas Navigator guests will enjoy all-suite accommodations, spectacular gourmet restaurants and an enviable staff-to-guest ratio. In fact, many seasoned cruisers regard Seven Seas Navigator as one of their favorite vessels.

Norwegian introduces à la carte specialty dining

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 July 2015 14 July 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today the introduction of à la carte specialty dining at the line’s signature specialty restaurants, providing guests the freedom to savor an array of tastes and gourmet dishes and the flexibility to choose how many courses they wish to enjoy during their meal.

Guests will experience the ultimate in Freestyle Cruising beginning this October on the all-new Norwegian Escape, where they can choose to dine at any of 11 complimentary dining options or experience new flavors at Norwegian’s signature specialty restaurants La Cucina, Le Bistro, Cagney’s Steakhouse and the new Bayamo by James Beard Award winning chef Jose Garces, on an à la carte basis.

Norwegian’s signature specialty restaurants on Norwegian Escape will feature enhanced menus that include favorite dishes and new tastes alike, offering guests the freedom to select how many courses they’d like to enjoy during their dinner, with per-item pricing. Whether guests wish to have a light meal of a favorite appetizer and soup or salad, or indulge in a multi-course dinner featuring Maine lobster, with Norwegian’s new à la carte options, guests will now have the opportunity to create their desired dining experience, just as they would at any land-based restaurant.

At Cagney’s Steakhouse, starters on the new à la carte menu range from $4.99 to $7.95 and main courses from $17.99 to $29.99, featuring Certified Angus Beef brand steaks, the world’s leading Angus brand and consumers’ top choice for premium beef. At Le Bistro, guests will find delicious new main courses in addition to traditional French favorites, including Bouillabaisse, Pan-Seared Jumbo Bay Scallops and Veal Medallions with Sauce Morrel, starting at $15.99. And guests looking to find a taste of “la dolce vita” will be transported to the Mediterranean when they choose from an expanded menu at La Cucina, featuring antipasti, pasta, risotto and traditional secondi courses starting at $12.99 including Osso Buco alla Milanese, Free-Range Chicken with Prosciutto or Pan-Seared Sea Bass Filet.

Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki will remain at a cover charge of $19.95 and $29.95 respectively, as will entertainment dining including Wine Lovers The Musical and For The Record: The Brat Pack.

Guests who purchase a Norwegian Specialty Dining Package have the freedom to indulge as they wish, as Specialty Dining Packages will allow guests to enjoy La Cucina, Le Bistro and Cagney’s Steakhouse at no additional charge. Guests with a Specialty Dining Package can dine in Bayamo by Jose Garces for an additional fee of $15.

In addition to Norwegian Escape’s specialty restaurants, Ocean Blue on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway will also begin offering à la carte options on October 3, 2015, and the new à la carte dining will be available fleetwide beginning January 1, 2016. Other entertainment dining across the fleet, including Cirque Dreams & Dinner and The Illusionarium, will remain at a cover charge. For those guests who wish to reserve their dining times ahead of time, they can continue to do so via MyNCL; there is no charge to make a reservation and guests will have any à la carte selections added to their onboard account at the time of dining.

Queen Mary 2 arrives into New York City for Cunard's 175th anniversary celebrations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 July 2015 14 July 2015

This morning, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 sailed into its U.S. home port, New York, escorted by a historic ships and Coastguard vessels.

The Queen Mary 2 was accompanied by the Mary A Whalen, oil tanker; the Eric R Thornton, tug boat; John J Harvey Fireboat; Nantucket Lightship, and the Pegasus Tug after she passed under the Verrazano Bridge en route to her berth at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

This flagship's arrival marked the end of a journey that paid tribute to the original voyage made by Cunard’s first flagship, Britannia, as the company inaugurated the first scheduled mail and passenger service across the Atlantic on 4 July 1840.

Cunard has been sailing in and out of New York City ever since the Hibernia first called in 1847, and the company is very proud to call Red Hook Brooklyn its home since 2006. Sites of the company’s earlier history and its relationship to the city can be seen through the Cunard White Star sign at Pier 54 and the Cunard Building at 25 Broadway, which was completed in 1921 and is considered a New York City landmark today.

"Cunard’s relationship with the city of New York holds a distinctly unique place in our 175-year history,” said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard North America. "New York has been our U.S. homeport for decades, and has played a significant role in the transformative world events during our history. We are very pleased today to extend our heartfelt thanks for our enduring relationship with this great city.”

New York Stock Exchange

Later today, the commemorative anniversary activities will continue when Captain Kevin Oprey, Master of Queen Mary 2, rings the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange, as a testament to the economic and industrial achievements of Cunard, as well as to the future of the brand.

“Cunard is pleased to contribute to the growing success, visibility and economic impact of the city and to be a part of New York's growing cruise business, which attracts international visitors from across the globe,” Meadows added.

At approximately 9:30 pm, this evening, Queen Mary 2 will hold position in front of the Statue of Liberty for a spectacular light and music show in Battery Park. Designed by the acclaimed Quantum Theatricals, the light show will be cast over the ship, illuminating New York harbor and the sky above.

Celebrity Cruises names the industry's first-ever American female Captain

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 July 2015 14 July 2015

For the first time in the cruise industry – and in Celebrity Cruises' history – an American female will take the helm of a mega-ton cruise ship. At 37 years of age, San Francisco native Kate McCue will command Celebrity Summit– a 91,000-ton, 965-foot ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet, sailing between the eastern United States and Bermuda. As Captain, she will be responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the onboard experience of its 2,158 guests and 952 crew members.

The modern luxury cruise brand, which operates a fleet of 10 ships, has elevated McCue to the position of Captain based on her 15 years of successful experience and leadership in the maritime industry. During her tenure, McCue has managed ship logistics while sailing worldwide itineraries, including Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and along the Panama Canal. Captain McCue has also served as a maritime leader while sailing several transatlantic and repositioning cruises, and played a notable role in the revitalization of ships in Singapore.

Continuing Celebrity Cruises' dedication to advancing the role of women in leadership, Kate McCue's appointment follows that of Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, who was named President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises in December 2014.

"From the first time I met Kate, I looked forward to this moment, when I could extend my congratulations to her for being such a dynamic and highly respected leader who will continue to pave the way for women in the maritime industry," said Lutoff-Perlo. "Of all the great moments throughout my career, this is at the top of my list. I am both honored that Kate accepted this position, and proud of the way our team continues to transform the way people think about Celebrity, and about cruising in general."

A graduate of California State University's California Maritime Academy, Captain McCue has held a variety of roles in the maritime industry, beginning as a cadet and deck officer, then working through a series of successively more responsible positions to her most recent role as Master Mariner with Royal Caribbean International. McCue has earned numerous certifications in a variety of areas pertaining to leadership navigation, ship management and security.

"Becoming the first female American captain of a cruise ship has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember," says McCue. "The honor is amplified by being the first at a company like Celebrity Cruises. The cruise industry is ever-evolving, from the ships and the itineraries, to our guests' expectations for vacation experiences. Celebrity has a history of delivering on each of these and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I look forward to working with an amazing team and the exceptional leadership who bring the Celebrity Cruises vision to life every day."

McCue will begin her new role on Celebrity Summit in August of 2015.

Princess marks construction milestone of new ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 July 2015 11 July 2015

Carnival plc yesterday marked the beginning of construction of Princess Cruises’ third new generation of ships with the official keel laying ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. As the keel – the bottommost part of the ship – was ceremoniously lowered into position, and shipyard officials celebrated the occasion with a traditional Chinese lion dance. This, yet-to-be-named ship, will be customized to appeal to the China market when it debuts in summer 2017.

Following the lion dance and a traditional blessing by a priest, the ship’s keel – which weighs approximately 500 tons – was moved into position by crane onto the keel blocks. The computer-guided maneuver took only minutes, belying the more than two million man-hours that will ultimately go into building the vessel. The 3,600-passenger, 141,000-ton ship will remain in the building dock until float out next summer.

“We’re incredibly excited to mark this step in the ship’s construction,” said Anthony Kaufman, Princess Cruises senior vice president of Asia operations, who traveled to Italy for the ceremony. “We’re very pleased to be working with our long-term partner, Fincantieri, on our newest ship and we appreciate their partnership and collaboration to customize and tailor the ship for the Chinese market.”

“The lion dance has been part of the Chinese culture for thousands of years and is performed on various auspicious occasions and celebrations. According to traditional Chinese belief, the lion signifies courage, wisdom, and good fortune and brings happiness, longevity, and good luck. We believe this special ceremony will bring prosperity and good fortune to Princess Cruises and our guests in China,” said Cherry Wang, country director of Carnival China, who also traveled to Italy for the ceremony.

The new Royal Class ship will offer many of the same special features as Royal Princess and Regal Princess, which have been so well-received by the industry. 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; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light.

Guests will enjoy the international flavor of cruising with Princess, including experiencing cuisines from China, Japan, South-East Asia, Italy, France, and North America among other regions; as well as an array of international festivals re-created to celebrate cultures around the world; Princess Watercolor Fantasy, a fountain and music show; Movies Under the Stars featuring the largest outdoor screen at sea; and balconies on all outside staterooms. Accommodations will be configured to appeal to families and multi-generational travelers.

In addition, the new ship will showcase the exclusive Princess Class experience designed specifically for the Chinese market. Delivered by the ship’s dedicated and caring crew, Princess Class enriches the travel experience of each cruise guest, enabling them to participate in unique cultural, culinary, entertaining and inspiring programs including the World Leaders Dinner, traditional English afternoon tea, a Lobster Grill, Ultimate Balcony Dining, an ocean-view hot pot dinner option, ballroom dancing, and an unparalleled duty-free shopping experience.

Additional details about the new ship’s features and deployment schedule will be announced over the coming months.