MSC Opera takes up Venice deployment after major refit

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 07 July 2015 07 July 2015

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping company, said MSC Opera, the third of four MSC Cruises ships to be renovated under the Renaissance Programme, rejoined the high seas on Saturday 4 July and will homeport in Venice for the entire summer season. This positioning further strengthens the offering of MSC Cruises in the eastern Mediterranean for the season. the company said in a statement.

Majesty of the Seas to remain with RCI and to offer fastest Internet at sea

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 July 2015 07 July 2015

Majesty of the Seas will continue to offer short cruises sailing with Royal Caribbean International (RCI), the contemporary market unit of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, rather than to transfer to sister brand Pullmantur as announced earlier, and following a refit it will offer the fastest Internet at sea, RCI said in a statement.

The ship will homeport in Port Canaveral, along Florida’s Space Coast, starting in summer 2016.  Before her season in Port Canaveral where she will sail to the Bahamas, Majesty of the Seas will go into drydock for upgrades and receive transformational new onboard amenities.

“Voom, the fastest internet at sea, will be available free and unlimited exclusively for guests on Majesty of the Seas to stay connected, brag about their vacation to friends and family, stream their favorite movies and music, and enjoy popular online video gaming,’ RCI said.

New features to be introduced on Majesty of the Seas include thrilling waterslides  for guests of all ages; family-friendly Jacuzzis;  a poolside movie screen; and award-winning entertainment including the Dreamworks Experience featuring activities and entertainment with Shrek, Fiona and other favorite characters from the powerhouse animation studio’s popular movies.

An enhanced casino will offer gamers a variety of the latest popular slot machines and table games and suite guests will enjoy exclusive amenities and services as part of a newly enhanced suite program. Some of the new delectable culinary options include Izumi Japanese cuisine with fresh and flavorful sushi rolls and sashimi; the Sabor Taqueria featuring a mouthwatering menu of authentic, modern and unexpected Mexican dishes, including hand-made table-side guacamole – all which can be enjoyed alfresco; and the Chef’s Table, an exclusive experience hosted by the Executive Chef and Sommelier for an intimate wine pairing dinner.

“Our short itineraries have been very popular offering vacationers the perfect opportunity to sample the unmatched experience of a Royal Caribbean cruise, as well as providing a quick adventurous getaway,” said Michael Bayley, president & CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “With these exciting new features as well as unprecedented fast and free unlimited internet for guests on Majesty of the Seas, we are stepping up our game and offering a phenomenal short cruise adventure for our guests.”

Majesty of the Seas will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas with visits to the cruise line’s private island destination, CocoCay. Highly rated among guests, this tropical paradise offers white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters set in 140 acres of lush vegetation. The secluded Bahamian island – reserved exclusively for Royal Caribbean guests – features an aquatic park and water slide, beach volleyball and soccer, snorkeling and other water-based recreation

Cunard marks the 175th anniversary of regular Transatlantic service

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 05 July 2015 05 July 2015

Queen Mary 2 sounded her ship’s whistle at 2 p.m. in Liverpool on July 4 to signify the time exactly 175 years earlier that Cunard’s first ship Britannia left the city’s Coburg Dock and inaugurated the first ever scheduled Transatlantic service.

That first crossing changed the face of ocean travel, establishing the first permanent link between the Old World and the New – a link that has remained unbroken for 175 years as Cunard’s ships have crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic every year since, in peace and war, without fail.

Britannia was Cunard’s first flagship but at just 1,154 tons and carrying just 115 passengers, she could fit inside the Britannia Restaurant of today’s 150,000 ton flagship Queen Mary 2, which accommodates 2,600 guests. But the little ship’s departure heralded the start of passenger shipping sailing from Liverpool.

History was also made in the city on July 4 when 400 Cunard passengers embarked Queen Mary 2 bound for Halifax, Boston and New York. This was the first time in nearly 50 years that passengers have set out on a Transatlantic crossing from Liverpool since Cunard’s Franconia’s last crossing from the city in 1968.

The exact day of the company’s 175th anniversary was celebrated in style by Cunard with two concerts for the flagship’s passengers and region’s dignitaries. Held at Liverpool’s Anglican cathedral, Cunard’s story was told in words and music with noted speakers from the worlds of politics, TV and beyond introducing musical interludes representing key periods in the line’s 175 year history, performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Anthony Inglis, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, The Liverpool Cathedral Choir, The band of the Welsh Guards and highly-acclaimed soloists Laura Wright, Jon Christos and Jenny Williams.

Working in partnership with the city and its 175 Transatlantic themed activities at Pier Head, which included a Food and Vintage Festival, Classic Car cavalcade and world record Catwalk bid, Cunard’s 175 year celebrations culminated in a dramatic firework display fired from a mid-river barge as Queen Mary 2 prepared to set sail.

Eyes were on the skies in Liverpool at 4:15 p.m. as the RAF Red Arrows performed a surprise flypast over Queen Mary 2 to mark Cunard's 175th anniversary, thrilling spectators who had gathered along Prince's Parade to see Cunard's flagship and the nine Red Arrows jets in dramatic combination.

The world’s leading aerobatics team provided the flypast Queen Mary 2 in her 'spiritual home' of Liverpool. This evening the flagship continued the celebrations with a Transatlantic Crossing to New York, calling en route at Halifax and Boston to re-create the original Liverpool/Halifax/Boston voyage of Cunard’s first ship, Britannia, back in 1840.

"Six weeks ago, the Three Queens Liverpool Salute was seen around the world, and the city has once again given Cunard a warm welcome,” said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard North America. “The support for Queen Mary 2 has been fantastic on the exact day that Cunard’s first ship set out on her maiden crossing from Liverpool, 175 years ago.

Queen Mary 2’s departure re-created that first voyage from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston, and on board talks by historians, ship designers and Cunard specialists will bring fresh new perspectives to the Cunard story just as our two concerts in Liverpool's Anglican cathedral today have really brought the company's history alive in such a resonant way.

July 4 has also been the first time in nearly 50 years that we’ve been able to welcome transatlantic passengers aboard in Liverpool and those 400 people have each been a part of making Cunard history.

This has been such an extraordinary year for Cunard but it has been the strength of the partnership with Liverpool, our ‘spiritual home’ which has made our 175th anniversary so special. Thank you Liverpool for celebrating with us today!”

Oceania Cruises launches new 'OLife' early booking initiative

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 July 2015 02 July 2015

Since its inception Oceania Cruises has rewarded guests who book early with the best possible fares, and today the line introduced a new innovative program called the OLife Advantage, which provides extraordinary additional incentives for guests looking to book their 2016 spring, summer or fall cruise vacations early.  Launching July 6, 2015, the OLife Advantage program streamlines and unifies all of Oceania Cruises’ advanced booking incentives, giving all guests who book a veranda stateroom category or above the same collection of complimentary amenities, including free shore excursions, unlimited internet and pre-paid gratuities.

“We are excited to introduce this new simplified promotion strategy, which we created based on feedback received from our loyal guests and travel agent partners,” shared Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Oceania Cruises.  “With the OLife Advantage we’re further incentivizing guests to book early with an incredible new value package of complimentary amenities, which include unlimited internet access so guests can stay connected with friends and family back home and free shore excursions to delve more deeply into history, culture, art and cuisine of the destinations visited.”

“Equally important,” added Montague, “this simple and all-encompassing promotion allows us to focus on our travel partners, empowering them with the confidence to encourage their clients to book early for the best possible value.”

Oceania Cruises sets the standard with creative, destination-rich itineraries featuring ample time ashore and multiple overnights, so guests can explore some of the world’s most fascinating locales at their leisure.  The OLife Advantage program provides three free excursions per person on sailings up to nine days, four free excursions on journeys between 10 and 13 days, and five free excursions on itineraries 14 days or more.  Guests sailing on the OLife Advantage program have a wide variety of shore excursion to choose from, including a scenic visit to Ravello in Amalfi/Positano, a walking tour of Tallinn, Estonia and sea kayaking to Eagle Island in Ketchikan, Alaska.

“As destination experts, the Oceania Cruises’ fleet sails to some of the most picturesque and iconic destinations around the globe,” explained Montague. “The free excursions offered with our new OLife Advantage program will allow guests to further immerse themselves in these incredible destinations, helping to make their cruise vacation more complete and satisfying their desire to discover new places.”

Guests will be able to take advantage of the free Internet either through the ship’s Wi-Fi system or at the Oceania@Sea Internet café.  Oceania Cruises recently upgraded the Wi-Fi system across its fleet to provide connectivity throughout the entire ship, including all public spaces, outdoor decks and all suites and staterooms.

The OLife Advantage program extends to all spring, summer and fall 2016 voyages in Europe, Alaska and Canada/New England.  To qualify for the complimentary shore excursions, free unlimited internet and pre-paid gratuities, guests must book a veranda stateroom category or above before Sept. 30, 2015.  

The summer 2016 collection also includes the highly anticipated maiden season for Sirena, the newest addition to the Oceania Cruises fleet. The expanded six-ship fleet provides Oceania Cruises even greater flexibility to create an unprecedented number of new itineraries for the upcoming season, offering a perfect fusion of classic and off-the-beaten-path ports. The summer 2016 itineraries, all available for the OLife Advantage program, will capture the imagination of even the most seasoned traveler.