Norwegian Star re-enters service with new features after refit

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 25 March 2015 25 March 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line welcomed the 2001 built Norwegian Star back into service on March 17, following a two-week dry dock where the 91,740 gross ton ship received numerous enhancements and new dining and entertainment venues as it readies for its busy summer season sailing the Baltic Capitals and Norwegian fjords from Copenhagen, the company said in a statement.

"As a part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s NEXT Programme, bringing new enhancements and experiences to the youngest fleet amongst leading North American cruise lines, Norwegian Star follows Norwegian Jewel as the third ship in the Norwegian fleet to receive updates since the programme launched in 2014. Highlights of the ship’s new features include two complimentary dining outlets, enhanced offerings in the popular Ginza Asian restaurant and Norwegian’s first 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar," the company said.

“Our guests can dine like nowhere else at sea with Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining and these exciting new venues on Norwegian Star make it even easier, more exciting and more fun for guests to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that only a Norwegian cruise can offer,” said Andy Stuart, President and Chief Operating Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Fans of Jimmy Buffett and patrons looking to escape and unwind can enjoy the fleet’s first 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, in an exclusive partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville®. The newest watering hole will serve up signature margaritas and “boat drinks” such as the “Who’s to Blame® Margarita”, ice cold LandShark Lagers and more, coupled with nightly live musical performances.

Norwegian Star’s popular guest favourite Asian fusion restaurant, Ginza, can now be enjoyed on a complimentary basis, as the previous $15 cover charge has been eliminated. In addition to a full complimentary menu that now includes delicious dishes from a dedicated Noodle Bar such as traditional Chinese noodles, wok-fried specialties, and dim sum favourites, Ginza Asian Restaurant will now also feature exciting new à la carte offerings such as Japanese Hot Rock Ishiyaki for a nominal fee and a sushi menu developed by expert Sushi Chef Yuki Ieto. The new mouth-watering sushi and sashimi pieces such as the Sashimi Hamachi Poblano, Ten Shades of Grey Roll and more will be served at the restaurant’s sushi bar or guests can also choose from four specialty rolls directly from a moving sushi belt, a first for the cruise industry.

Norwegian Star has also been retrofitted with the popular O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, a 24-hour complimentary restaurant that serves up local traditional pub fare in a friendly neighbourhood-pub setting. In addition, the ship’s Moderno Churrascaria, the Brazilian-style steakhouse, was relocated to a more intimate setting on Deck 13 and Sugarcane Mojito Bar, first introduced on Norwegian Getaway, was added adjacent to the new restaurant.

A number of additional guest area enhancements included: updates to the Casino and Photo Gallery, new carpets and flooring throughout guest areas, window replacements, upgrades in galley areas and updates to the pool deck. Norwegian’s innovative digital signage, first introduced on Norwegian Breakaway, has also been added to the ship. The interactive touch screen signs allow guests to order specialty items, get directions and reserve dining and shore excursions simply with a scan of their stateroom key, providing even more freedom and flexibility for guests to create their ideal holiday.

Technical modernisations also took place during the dry dock. The ship received an Azipod hydrodynamic upgrade and state-of-the-art silicone paint on the hull, in order to further improve fuel efficiency. Additional significant technical and safety updates include: lifeboat and tender boat release systems upgrade; thrusters and stabilizer maintenance; and ballast and bilge piping replacement.

UK river cruise market grew 6% to 139,400 passengers 2014

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 24 March 2015 24 March 2015

The popularity of river cruises has continued to grow with the number of UK passengers taking a holiday on waterways in Europe and further afield growing by 6% in 2014, according to figures released today by CLIA UK & Ireland.

“The number of British travellers taking a river cruise grew by almost 8,000, taking the total number to 139,400 in 2014. Europe remains by far the most popular region for UK travellers to take a river cruise accounting for 86% of all passengers,” the organisation said on Facebook.

Within the Continent, the River Danube’s popularity continued to soar, growing 41%, whilst cruises on the Danube and Rhine rivers grew 37%. Cruises on Russia’s rivers grew in popularity too, climbing 15%, whilst further afield, cruises on rivers such as the Mekong are up 55%, and in India, rivers including the Ganges and Brahmaputra are up 24%.

A key reason for the growing popularity of river cruises is the evolution of the holiday experience with the arrival of new, larger ships with greater on board amenities. A third of European river cruise ships have been built within the last ten years - a quarter within the last five.

These offer the kind of multiple dining venues, spa facilities and range of cabins with balconies which have already combined to transform the experience offered on many ocean cruise ships. The cruise industry’s investment in new ships is set to continue with 16 CLIA member river vessels due to be launched in 2015 alone.

Andy Harmer, Director of CLIA UK & Ireland, says: “With the continued investment in new, more innovative ships and the ever-increasing choice and diversity of itineraries in Europe and further afield, it’s no surprise that more UK passengers than ever are opting for river cruises as their holiday choice.”

Later this week, CLIA UK & Ireland will launch its first ever River Cruise Weekend. Running from 26th – 30th March, 2015, it has been created to raise the profile of river cruise holidays and the diversity of great destinations available. Some of the world’s leading river cruise lines are offering a host of exclusive deals and added-value offers on a range of 2015 and 2016 cruises.

Consumers and travel agents are also being invited to post their photos of river cruise destinations and reasons to love river cruise holidays with the hashtag ‪#‎lovecruise The photographs will be placed on CLIA’s Facebook with a winner selected at random at the end of CLIA River Cruise Weekend who will receive an iPad mini.

Norwegian group cuts jobs in organisational restructuring

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 22 March 2015 22 March 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the world's fourth largest cruise shipping group, has cut an unspecified number of jobs at its Florida headquarters, the company said.

"The recent acquisition of Prestige Cruise Holdings has provided the opportunity to review our organisational structure. The company has implemented an organisation designed to take advantage of synergies between the three brands and position the company for future growth,” the company said in a statement.

“The new structure maintains dedicated leadership and support for each of the individual brands, ensuring brand distinction and the highest quality guest experience, while finding efficiencies and leveraging best practices across the company."

AIDA Cruises adds Northern Lights and Azores to offerings

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 22 March 2015 22 March 2015

AIDA Cruises, the German unit of Carnival Corp & plc group, says it will introduce winter cruises to Norway and add e.g. the Azores to the range of its destinations in a new brochure launched 20 march.

"Dreaming of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world," as the new brochure is headlined, features about 130 routes including all-new destinations and route combinations. "Each cruise is presented on one page with a clear overview of dates, departure and arrival times, prices, and special highlights on the route," the company said in a statement.

"As a new and exclusive highlight, the new catalog includes three dates for cruises to wintry Norway. These 14-day cruises from/to Hamburg take guests to the land of the northern lights and a unique winter landscape in the fjords. On the route "Norway with Lofoten & North Cape" with AIDAvita guests can explore new territory at three destinations: in Bodø north of the polar circle, in Haugesund in Norway, and in Århus in Denmark," AIDA said.
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In August, Fishguard in Wales and the English city of Newcastle will enhance the route "Great Britain & Ireland." The route "Nordic islands with Iceland" will include three stops at the volcanic glacier island and also the Shetland Islands, Orkney, Scotland, and Denmark.

For the first time, cruises to the Canary Islands with their year-round mild temperatures can be booked in summer as well. New routes at this destination combine the Canary Islands and the Azores. Hot volcanoes, historical towns, crater lakes as smooth as glass, and miles of hydrangea hedges - the Azores are an unusual destination far away from mass tourism. AIDA stops in Faial, Terceira, and São Miguel.

More cruise highlights include new destinations in the Mediterranean, such as classy Nice on the Côte dAzur, the Balearic beauties Ibiza and Minorca, La Spezia, the picturesque Propriano in Corsica, and Souda Bay in Crete.

Up north, surprising new destinations await guests, such as the British Channel Island Guernsey, the Yell Sound strait and Norwegian destinations such as Tromsø, Kristiansand, and Versterålen.
On the Canary Islands, El Hierro will be a destination for AIDA cruises for the first time; St. Thomas will be a stop in the Caribbean, Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, and Costa Maya in Mexico. Bornholm will be added to the Baltic Sea, and North America will now include Portland as an attractive new port.

The AIDA routes in the new catalog will take cruise guests to more than 200 ports in 63 countries on five continents. "Cruises ranging from 3 to 51 days in duration allow totally individual vacations.
From fascinating nature up north to cultural treasures in the Baltic countries, Indian summer trips in Canada, cruises in the mysterious Orient, and exotic islands in the Caribbean and in Southeast Asia - the new AIDA program offers astounding variety. European cities and cosmopolitan hubs such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, New York, and Montreal deliver a program full of contrasts for urban explorers," AIDA said.

For the first time, cruises with additional programmes, such as theme cruises, workshops, and presentations by guest artists and lecturers are specially marked in the catalog. This makes it easier to find personal highlights. On the popular theme cruise "AIDA dances", guests train with celebrity dancer and jury member of the RTL show "Let's Dance", Motsi Mabuse. With the Yogaida & Ayurveda Special, renowned experts introduce guests to a world of ancient healing arts and wellness traditions. And the AIDA holiday cruises, whether for Easter, Christmas, or New Years Eve, promise wonderful buffets, festive celebrations, and fantastic surprise.
The new flag ship AIDAprima will leave Yokohama in Japan on 1 October 2015, for its 50-day maiden voyage. AIDAprima will spend the winter in the Orient for 7-day cruises before it heads north in the second part of its maiden voyage to its future home port in Hamburg. With the port on the Elbe as the point of departure, AIDAprima will set off year-round on Metropolitan Cruises in Northern Europe starting in April 2016.