Holland America Line's new Koningsdam to feature new single and family staterooms
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 27 November 2014 27 November 2014
When ms Koningsdam debuts in 2016, the ship will feature Holland America Line’s first-ever purpose-built staterooms for families as well as single staterooms among its 1,331 guest accommodations (total capacity is 2,650). In addition, many familiar stateroom categories such as Neptune, Signature and Vista suites will be available in a wider range of sizes and different configurations to choose from.
The 32 new specially designed family ocean-view staterooms will range from 222 to 231 square feet and feature special amenities such as two bathrooms and accommodations for five people. The 12 single ocean-view cabins will range from 127 to 172 square feet in size and will be available on the forward Main Deck.
“A cruise is one of the most popular ways to travel as a family, and we continue to welcome more multigenerational groups each year. To help us better serve families, we are pleased to be able to offer these tailored staterooms on ms Koningsdam,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, sales, marketing and guest programs. “And the new one-person staterooms enable us to serve the growing market of solo travelers.”
With a sophisticated color palette and the freedom to design from the ground up based on guest feedback, ms Koningsdam’s staterooms and suites feature a host of modern functional details such as bedside USB ports, custom casework and frameless glass shower doors that feel elegant and luxurious.
Additional amenities found in all suites and staterooms include Holland America Line’s signature Mariner's Dream bed with finely woven cotton linens, plush bathrobes for use during the voyage, a premium massage showerhead, flat-panel TV with video-on-demand, mini fridge, complimentary fresh fruit on request and fragrant soaps, lotions, shampoo and other bath amenities from Elemis Aromapure.
On ms Koningsdam, the “suite life” gets sweeter with larger, more luxurious quarters. A grand Pinnacle Suite is an expansive 1,290 square feet with a bedroom, living room, dining area, dressing room and private verandah with whirlpool. The two Neptune Spa Suites and 43 Neptune Suites range from a generous 465 to a huge 855 square feet. Neptune and Pinnacle Suite guests have access to the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private place to relax, socialize with other suite guests and enjoy the personalized service of a concierge. The fleetwide lounges provide worktables, a large screen television, library, sofas and chairs, and complimentary refreshments throughout the day.
Pinnacle and Neptune Suite amenities also include corsages and boutonnieres for the first formal night, a cocktail party with the ship’s officers, priority dining and seating requests, binoculars and umbrellas for use during the cruise, a wall-unit bar, cold hors d’oeuvres served before dinner each evening on request and complimentary laundry, pressing and dry cleaning throughout the cruise and more.
The 14 Signature Suites are up to 400 square feet in size and the 104 Vista Suites range from 260 to 356 square feet. Signature and Vista suite guests receive many special amenities, including personalized cruise stationery, oversized bath towels, fresh flowers, a pillow menu, mini bar and one-touch phone concierge service.
“Holland America Line is known in the cruise industry for providing well-appointed staterooms,” said My Nguyen, Holland America Line’s deputy director of interior design. “With ms Koningsdam we enhanced these qualities by including many thoughtful details that improve the functionality of the staterooms. We also adopted a color pallet that takes advantage of texture and quiet color combinations to achieve a feeling of serenity and luxuriousness in each category.”
The ship will have the most staterooms with verandahs in the Holland America Line fleet with 912 total from Verandah to Pinnacle Suite categories. Guests looking to focus on health and wellness during the cruise can book verandah spa accommodations, conveniently located near the Greenhouse Spa & Salon that come with yoga mats for use during the voyage and an iPod docking station.
For guests looking for a more affordable option, the line is offering 266 standard or large interior accommodations up to 225 square feet.
Another Costa ship to homeport Shanghai
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 27 November 2014 27 November 2014
In another intrepid move by a major international cruise line, Costa Crociere, has just announced that it is to homeport its flagship, Costa Serena, in Shanghai, from next April. Alan Lam reports.
The 2007-built, 114,147gt ship will be another major unit to be added to the increasingly crowdedharbour of Shanghai, the city commonly regarded as the new Barcelona of the East in the cruise world. The deployment will be another forceful impetus for ports invicinity to speed up their facility upgrade programmes in order to better accommodate larger and mega ships.
One of the aims of this move, according to Bohdy Bok, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Costa Crociere, is to bring Asian passengers an Italian lifestyle experience.
The Chinese actress Gao Yuanyuan, has been named as Costa Serena’s godmother.
Following the Shanghai premiere, Costa will host several roadshows with the vessel to Shanghai and other neighbouring cities.
After eight years of operation in China, Costa’s strategy is to maintain the leadership position in thefastest cruise market, as it faces stiffening competition from day to day.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines adds second Arctic Explorer cruise after strong demand
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
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- Published: 26 November 2014 26 November 2014
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational operator, said its first Arctic Explorer cruise was so popular it sold out in less than a week. "So we are delighted to offer another in-depth Arctic itinerary, departing in 2016, taking in Norway, Iceland and Greenland in one amazing cruise," the company said in a statement.
"Over 26 nights we’ll take you north, close to the North Pole, to see awe-inspiring scenery, elusive wildlife, ancient cultures and natural phenomena such as the Midnight Sun. With not a tourist trail in sight, this sailing is designed to take you to remote and hidden parts of the world so you’re sure to return with an album full of unbelievable photographs," it said.
The cruise will depart from London Tilbury on 17 July 2016 and it will be operated by the 28,000 gross ton Black Watch. It has gone for sale today.
Azamara to set sail from India
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
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- Published: 24 November 2014 24 November 2014
For the first time ever, Azamara Club Cruises will launch two itineraries from India by the end of this year. Alan Lam reports.
On Wednesday, 26 November, the line’s Azamara Quest will begin its 13-day Spice Route Voyage from Mumbai, calling at Goa, Kochi, Maldives, Colombo, Galle, and Chennai. Then, on 9 December, the ship will sail from Chennai for its second 13-day cruise across of the Bay of Bengal to Singapore, with calls at Andaman Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.
This development will be welcome by a country that has until now been largely ignored by the cruise industry. Since the brief appearance of Star Cruises a few years ago, India has hardly had any cruise activity to speak of.
As it looks on with envy at the vibrant cruise scene in the Far East, especially China, India hopes that many more brands to touch its shores. It is working on relaxing its maritime rules in an effort to attract cruise business.
The first cruise line formed specifically to serve this region is likely to be the long awaited Royal Asian Cruise Line, which is still in preparation for launch.
Mass market cruise tourism is still a distance from becoming reality in India. Azamara will suit the country’s pioneering elites. The company is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group.
Costa Crociere sustainability report shows fall in emission, energy and water consumption
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 24 November 2014 24 November 2014
Costa Crociere, the Italian unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it has published its sustainability report, which shows a fall in emissions and reduction in both fuel and water consumption.
The report is divided into three main sections, each describing the activities undertaken, the associated performance indicators and the objectives achieved in terms of economic results, environmental compliance and social accountability during two years period. The Report was drawn up in accordance with the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and certified by PwC Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Costa implemented various measures to deliver on its commitment to protect the environment, develop and provide opportunities for its employees, strengthen its stakeholder relations and enhance the communities in which the company visits and operates. The efforts include, among others, the review of cruise routes and the introduction of energy-saving measures on board led to a substantial reduction in emissions, while numerous projects and initiatives have been designed to reduce environmental footprint both at cruise itineraries destinations and in the sea.
Detailed information and figures can be obtained in the Sustainability Report – highlights include:
Reducing fuel consumption by 6.5 % per passenger per day within just two years
Reduction of 9.9 % in SOx and 5.8 % in NOx
Reduction of CO2 by 6 % in two years
Reduction of Energy Consumption by 6.5 %
Reduction of water consumption by 4.7 % per person per day
Regarding employability:
Increase of 9% of total shore- side personnel in 2013 compared to the previous year
14,286 people interviewed in the two years resulting in 10,284 new hires employees
"Sustainability at Costa Crociere is about preserving the environment, respecting its employees and communities. Today's report details Costa’s progress towards both its goal to reduce emissions, and its ongoing commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen. Sustainability is a core part of how Costa conducts business," the company said in a statement.
The awareness of Costa’s importance in terms of the economic and social wellbeing of the local communities in which she operates worldwide only strengthens Company resolve to guarantee effective community stakeholder engagement and contribute to local development. Based on that over 2013 Costa implemented various procedures in order to set up the Costa Crociere Foundation: its projects can be found on the dedicated web site www.costa-crociere-foundation.com.
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