Nadine Palatz appointed Hamburg Cruise Centre managing director

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 22 December 2014 22 December 2014

Gerd Drossel is handing over his position as Managing Director of the Hamburg Cruise Center (HCC) association and Nadine Palatz will be succeeding him, HCC said in a statement.

"Gerd Drossel has managed the administrative office of the Hamburg Cruise Center e.V. since January 2009. Prior to this a member of the board of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG and having spent 40 years working for this company, he swapped freight shipping for passenger cruises," HCC said.

"Being in that business for six years now and despite the clumsy settling-in period, I don’t want to miss the cruise industry anymore ” told Drossel the approximately 70 attendees at the Annual General Meeting of the Hamburg Cruise Center, held on 17 December. Speaking on behalf of the members Dr Stefan Behn, Chairman of the HCC, thanked Drossel for his untiring efforts, which have been essential to the positive development of Hamburg’s cruise industry.

The Annual General Meeting unanimously elected Nadine Palatz, who has worked in the association’s administrative office since January 2007, as Drossel’s successor. She will taking up the position of Managing Director of the Board of Directors with immediate effect.

During her eight years of employment with the HCC association Palatz has made a name for herself in the national cruise industry scene. In addition to this, she has been the managing director of the Atlantic Alliance since 2008, a joint marketing project of 18 western Atlantic ports. Thanks to this post as well as her involvement with Cruise Europe (from 2008 to 2010), a north European port federation with over 100 members, Palatz also has a good international reputation.

Palatz takes an optimistic view of the future and assured members that she has “lost none of the motivation and passion for the cruise industry in Hamburg with regard to the coming ninth year with the HCC association”. She is looking forward both to the new challenges as well as even closer cooperation with the city’s marketing bodies and the new terminal operator, Cruise Gate Hamburg. “Our objective in the future will be to further bundle the strengths and competences Hamburg has in the cruise segment since networks are the foundation for success,” continued Palatz.

MSC Fantasia adds Valetta to offer seven ports on seven night itinerary

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 22 December 2014 22 December 2014

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, says it will add Valetta in Malta to one of its western Mediterranean sailings in summer 2015, to offer seven ports of call on a single seven-night cruise. 

In one week, MSC travellers will visit seven spectacular Mediterranean destinations, waking daily to an unspoiled view of a new port. Departing from Genoa, the seven-night itinerary aboard MSC Fantasia will be the perfect way to discover cities that have shaped the history of the Mediterranean Basin.

MSC Fantasia’s spring and summer 2015 itinerary includes Genoa, Naples and Messina, in Italy, before crossing towards Valetta, in Malta. From there, the ship will head to La Goulette, in Tunisia, then Barcelona and Marseille. 

During MSC Cruises’ current turn-of-year promotional campaign, which runs until March 5, 2015, this seven-night itinerary is available from just £599 per person, including return British Airways flights from London (based on May 3, 2015 departure).

Other Western Med options in the same season include sister ship MSC Preziosa sailings from Genoa to Civitavecchia and Palermo, in Italy, followed by La Goulette, before heading to the Balearic island of Majorca, then Valencia, in Spain. The ship then calls at Marseilles, France, before heading home to Genoa.

In addition, MSC Armonia will visit Italy, Spain and France throughout the summer, calling at Genoa, Salerno and Olbia, in Italy, Majorca and Ibiza, in Spain, and Marseilles, France.

Norwegian to have three ships in Alaska, four in Europe; San Juan new seasonal base port in 2016-17

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 22 December 2014 22 December 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holding group, has announced its 2016-17 deployment. "Highlights include the addition of San Juan, Puerto Rico as a seasonal homeport for Norwegian Gem, along with new eight-night Eastern Caribbean and six-night Western Caribbean Norwegian Escape sailings from Miami," the company said in a statement.

In addition, all guests sailing a Western Caribbean itinerary in 2016-17 will have the opportunity to enjoy a visit to Harvest Caye, Norwegian’s new island destination in Belize. 

Seasonally, Norwegian also continues to offer three ships in Alaska, four in Europe, two in Bermuda, as well as a variety of exciting South America; Bahamas & Florida; and repositioning cruises. Norwegian will also continue to offer its unique inter-island Hawaii cruises year-round on Pride of America from Honolulu and short Bahamas itineraries from Miami year-round on Norwegian Sky. The new itineraries open for sale in the UK 8 January 2015 for all bookings.  

“Once again, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to offer a wide variety of exciting cruises for our guests to choose from in 2016 and early 2017,” said Drew Madsen, Norwegian’s president and chief operating officer. “Guests can cruise to the Caribbean year-round while experiencing the incredible innovations on Norwegian’s newest ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway. In addition, we continue to offer the best of Europe on four beautiful ships including Norwegian Epic year-round, and the opportunity to experience the scenic beauty of Alaska on some of the youngest ships in the industry.”

Bermuda

Norwegian will continue its tradition of sailing from both New York City and Boston to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda between April and October 2016. Norwegian Breakaway will return to Bermuda, sailing from New York City on seven-night cruises every Sunday from 24 April 2016 through 23 October 2016. From Boston, Norwegian Dawn will sail seven-night cruises, departing every Friday, from 3 June 2016 through 2 September 2016 and from 7 October 2016 through 21 October 2016. 

Caribbean 

Norwegian’s newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape, will sail seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami year-round. Ports of call include St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

Norwegian Escape will sail an eight-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Miami on 23 July 2016, 6 August 2016, and 20 August 2016. Ports of call will include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. Norwegian Escape will also sail a six-night Western Caribbean itinerary from Miami on 31 July 2016, 14 August 2016, and 28 August 2016. Ports of call include Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. These six- and eight-night itineraries can be combined to create an incredible 14-night Caribbean vacation.

Norwegian Getaway, Miami’s Ultimate Ship, will sail from Miami to the Western Caribbean on seven-night cruises every Saturday from 24 April 2016 to 23 April 2017. Ports of call include Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Norwegian’s newest destination Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Norwegian returns to homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2016 on Norwegian Gem.  She will sail a seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary from San Juan on 23 October 6 and 20 November and 4 December 2016. Ports of call will include Bridgetown, Barbados; Fort-de-France, Martinique; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Norwegian Gem will also sail a variation of the seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary on 30 October and 13 and 27 November 2016. Ports of call include St. George’s, Grenada; Castries, St. Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; St. John’s, Antigua; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands.  

Norwegian Spirit will sail alternating seven-night Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean itineraries departing on Saturdays from Port Canaveral. The Western Caribbean itinerary begins 10 December 2016 and continues to 15 April 2017. Ports of call will include Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary stops in Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, from 3 December 2016 to 8 April 2017.

Norwegian Jade will sail a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary every Saturday from Houston from 19 November 2016 to 15 April 2017. Ports of call include Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras.

Norwegian Dawn will sail a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary every Sunday from New Orleans from 20 November 2016 to 16 April 2017. Her stops will include Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Norwegian Star will sail a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary every Sunday from Tampa from 23 October 2016 to 16 April 2017. Ports of call will include Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Harvest Caye, Belize.

Alaska

Norwegian will continue to sail three ships in Alaska in the summer of 2016: Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jewel from Seattle, Washington and Norwegian Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska.

Norwegian Jewel, departing Saturdays, will sail a series of seven-night Sawyer Glacier cruises from Seattle between 7 May 2016 and 10 September 2016. Departing Sundays, Norwegian Pearl will set sail on seven-night Glacier Bay itineraries from 15 May 2016 through 18 September 2016. Both itineraries feature stops in Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

For those wishing to cruise on a longer Alaska itinerary, Norwegian Jewel will sail one 10-nightGlacier Bay itinerary on 17 September 2016, and will visit Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Icy Strait Point; and Sitka, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

Norwegian Pearl will offer a 10-night Glacier Bay itinerary from Vancouver on 5 May 2016, stopping in Juneau; Skagway; Sitka; Icy Strait Point; and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

Norwegian Sun will sail seven-night Glacier Bay one-way cruises between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska every other week from 30 May 2016 through 5 September 2016. Sailing north from Vancouver, guests will enjoy a cruise through the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier and visits to Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, Alaska.

On Norwegian Sun’s southbound seven-night Sawyer Glacier one-way itineraries from Seward, Alaska, sailing every other week from 6 June to 12 September 2016, guests will cruise the Inside Passage, Sawyer Glacier and Hubbard Glacier and enjoy stops in Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska. Norwegian Sun’s one-way cruises give guests the opportunity to see more of beautiful Alaska and make their cruise an adventure by adding on a pre- or post-cruise CruiseTour, giving guests the chance to experience more of Alaska. 

Norwegian Sun will also offer three seven-night Glacier Bay roundtrip cruises from Vancouver on 16 May 2016, 23 May 2016, and 19 September 2016. Ports of call will include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska, and will include cruising the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay.

Europe

Norwegian will offer a four-ship deployment in Europe during the summer of 2016. Norwegian Epic will remain in Europe year-round from her homeport in Barcelona, sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from 17 April 2016 to 20 November 2016.  Her exciting ports of call include Naples, Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Cannes, France; and Palma, Majorca, Spain.           

On 27 November and 28 December 2016, and 19 February, 12 March and 13 April 2017, Norwegian Epic will sail a 10-night Canary Islands & Morocco itinerary.  Her stops will include Tangier, Morocco; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Malaga (Granada), Spain. Norwegian Epic will also sail an 11-night Western Mediterranean itinerary on 7 December 2016 and 7 and 18 January, 8 February, 1 and 22 Marchand 2 April 2017. Ports of call include Cagliari, Sardinia; Messina, Sicily; Naples, Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain.

Norwegian Star will return to the Baltic, offering nine-night cruises from Copenhagen, Denmark on 8 and 24 May, 2 and 25 June, and 4 July to 5 September, 2016. This exciting itinerary includes an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as a scenic sail through the Stockholm Archipelago following the ship’s afternoon departure from Stockholm, Sweden. Other calls include Warnemünde, Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; and Helsinki, Finland.

On 11 June 2016, Norwegian Star will sail a 14-night North Cape itinerary, during the summer solstice. This incredible itinerary will set sail from Copenhagen, Denmark and will visit the best of Norway including Alesund, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Trondheim, Leknes, Tromso, Hammerfest, Honningsvag, Molde, and Bergen, Norway. This itinerary can also be combined with a nine-night Baltic Capitals itinerary for the ultimate northern Europe experience.

Norwegian Star will also sail two seven-night Norwegian Fjords itineraries from Copenhagen, on 1 and 17 May 2016. This breath-taking itinerary will sail through the beautiful fjords of southern Norway featuring stops in Alesund, Geiranger, Flam and Bergen. 

Norwegian Star will also sail a 14-night Norway, Iceland, & Faroe Islands cruise from Copenhagen on 14 September 2016. Port calls will include Bergen and Alesund, Norway; Lerwick, Shetland Islands; Thorshavn, Faroe Islands; Reykjavik, Iceland; Greenock, Scotland; and Dublin, Ireland.

Norwegian Jade will return to Venice and sail alternating seven-night Greek Isles and seven-night Adriatic, Greece & Turkey itineraries from May to October 2016. Guests may also choose to combine these two exciting itineraries to enjoy the ultimate 14-night adventure. The Greek Isles sailings will run from 7 May 2016 to 1 October 2016 with calls in Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, and Olympia (Katakolon), Greece, while the Adriatic, Greece & Turkey itinerary includes Dubrovnik, Croatia; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; and Split, Croatia from 14 May 2016 to 24 September 2016.

For a combination of eastern and western Mediterranean itineraries, guests can embark on Norwegian Spirit’s 12-night Grand Mediterranean from Venice on 19 May, 12 June, 6July, 1 and 25 August, 18 September, 12 October, and 5 November, 2016. This incredible itinerary visits five different countries, with calls in Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; and Provence (Toulon), France.

Additionally, Norwegian Spirit will sail a 12-night Grand Mediterranean one-way itinerary from Barcelona to Venice on 7 and 31 May, 24 June, 13 August, 16 and 30 September, and 24 October, 2016. Her stops include Provence (Toulon), France; Livorno (Florence/Pisa)), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Istanbul and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; and Venice, Italy.

Norwegian Spirit will also sail a spectacular 14-night Grand Mediterranean itinerary from Barcelona to Venice on 18 July 2016. Ports of call include Provence (Toulon), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Istanbul and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Bahamas and Florida

Norwegian Gem will sail seven-night Bahamas & Florida cruises from New York in 2016 from 30 April 2016 to 14 May 2016 and from 18 June 2016 to 27 August 2016. This popular family-friendly itinerary includes visits to Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral), Norwegian’s private island Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas. Along with recent enhancements to add brand favourites Sugarcane Mojito Bar and O’Sheehans Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Norwegian Gem also features exclusive Nickelodeon™ programming on board. 

On 21 May 2016 and 4 June 2016, Norwegian Gem will sail eight-night Bahamas and Florida sailings that feature an additional sea day, as well as a full day in Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral). 

For a shorter cruise option, Norwegian Sky will continue sailing three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas year-round from Miami departing Fridays and Mondays. Ports of call include: Nassau, Grand Bahama Island, and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island.

Norwegian Getaway will also sail a one-time two-night Bahamas itinerary from Miami on 2 September 2016, stopping in Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Canada & New England

Norwegian Gem will again offer two summer Canada & New England roundtrip cruises from New York City in 2016. These six-night sailings on 29 May and 12 June 2016 call in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Portland, Maine.

Norwegian Gem will also offer seven-night cruises roundtrip from New York City from 3 September to 8 October 2016, visiting four beautiful ports of call: Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Portland, Maine; and Newport, Rhode Island. 

Norwegian Dawn will offer one-way seven-night cruises between Boston, Massachusetts and Quebec City, Quebec from 9 to 30 September 2016. The northbound itinerary features visit to Portland, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Gaspésie, Quebec; and Saguenay (La Baie), Quebec, while the southbound route begins with an overnight in Quebec City, Quebec and then  visits Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Bar Harbor, Maine. These sailings can be combined for an ultimate 14-nightCanada & New England experience. 

            

Hawaii

The recently-enhanced Pride of America will continue to sail her very popular seven-night Hawaii itinerary departing from Honolulu every Saturday through April 2018. Offering more than 100 hours of sight-seeing time, ports of call include an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawai`i; Kona, Hawai`i; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kaua`i; and an afternoon cruise past the breath-taking Nãpali Coast. 

Panama Canal

Back by popular demand, Norwegian Pearl will sail 11 and 10-night Panama Canal itineraries from Miami beginning autumn 2016. The 10-night Panama Canal sails 28 November and 19 December 2016, and 13 March and 3 April 2017, with calls in Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. The 11-night Panama Canal on 29 December 2016 will include port calls in Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

An alternate 11-night Panama Canal round-trip itinerary on 17 November and 8 December 2016, and 23 March 2017 will include calls in Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.  

South America

Norwegian Sun returns to South America to sail 14-night South American one-way Westbound itineraries from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso (Santiago) and Eastbound from Valparaiso (Santiago) to Buenos Aires.

The 14-night South America from Buenos Aires (Westbound) sails on 3 and 31 December 2016 and 28 January , 25 February and 25 March 2017, with calls including Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile; Puerto Chacabuco, Chile; and Puerto Montt, Chile. During the cruise, guests will sail Cape Horn, across the Beagle Channel offering breath-taking glacier views, the Strait of Magellan, the majestic Chilean Fjords, the Patagonic Channels, and Canal Moraleda.

The 14-night South America cruise from Valparaiso (Santiago) sails on 19 November and 17 December 2016 and 14 January, 11 February, and 11 March 2017 with calls in Puerto Montt, Chile; Puerto Chacabuco, Chile; Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay. During the Eastbound cruises, guests will also cruise the Patagonic Channels, Chilean Fjords, Strait of Magellan; Beagle Channel, and Cape Horn. Guests can also choose to extend their South American exploration with a CruiseTour, providing an unparalleled opportunity to explore this region’s culture and spectacular destinations such as Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls and Easter Island. 

 

Mexican Riviera

Norwegian returns to the Mexican Riviera, offerings cruises from two different homeports.  Norwegian Jewel will sail a seven-night itinerary from Los Angeles from 2 October 2016 to 23 April 2017, with calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norwegian Sun will sail an 11-night Mexican Rivera itinerary from San Diego on 30 September 2016 and 11 and 22 October 2016. Ports of call will include Acapulco; Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa; an overnight call in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Repositioning Cruises

In spring of 2015, Norwegian will offer a variety of once-in-a-lifetime repositioning cruises including Caribbean repositioning, Transatlantic cruises and Pacific Coastal itineraries.

AmaWaterways confirms passing of Jimmy Murphy, co-founder and travel industry legend

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 19 December 2014 19 December 2014

AmaWaterways has confirmed the passing of company co-founder Jimmy Murphy. Murphy passed away yesterday at the age of 82, surrounded by family.

Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways said, “I have known Jimmy Murphy for 25 years and the more I got to know him, the more I realized what a unique, true gentleman Jimmy Murphy actually was. In 2002, Jimmy, Kristin Karst and I decided to start our own river cruise line and during our 12-year partnership at AmaWaterways, our families became very close. When Kristin and I got married in April 2011, Jimmy took over Kristin’s ‘Father of the Bride’ role since her own father no longer traveled long distances and he gracefully guided Kristin to the altar. We all loved Jimmy Murphy and he will be missed by all of us.”

Born and raised in Ireland, Murphy spent nine years with a retail travel agency in Dublin before moving to the United States.  He served as a sales executive with Aer Lingus for eleven years before co-founding Brendan Worldwide Vacations in 1969.  In 2006, Murphy sold the company after it had become one of the country’s most successful tour operators.  

During his tenure at Brendan Worldwide Vacations, Murphy spent four years as national treasurer of American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).  He was instrumental in the creation of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), serving as founding president and the company’s first-ever chairman, followed by a second chairman stint in 1992.

In 1995, Murphy received ASTA’s Allied Member of the Year Award and in 2003, was inducted into the ASTA Hall of Fame.

Murphy co-founded AmaWaterways in 2002 with Schreiner and Karst, noting that river cruising was “a thing of the future,” recognizing the opportunities for innovation that were to come from this rapidly growing segment of the travel industry.  He served as chairman and co-owner of AmaWaterways until his passing.

Murphy’s son, Gary, who is AmaWaterways’ vice president of sales, commented, “I feel blessed, for rarely do a father and son have the opportunity to share so much together.  As a family, we count our blessings for our husband and father, and each other.  Dad introduced us to the world, and how to live well in it.”

Murphy is survived by his wife, Sheila Murphy, and his children, Sharon Devitt, Susan Murphy, Sean Murphy and Gary Murphy.

Services will be held Monday, December 22, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Corpus Christie Church, 880 Toyopa Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.  Additional services will be held in Ireland on January 12, 2015, where Murphy will be buried.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the attention of Paul K. Smith, written to “The Archdiocese of LA fbo Murphy Music Fund” at Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 3424 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90010.