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Norwegian Jewel arrives in Houston to end line's seven year absence

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 October 2014 14 October 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line returned to the Port of Houston for the first time in more than seven years with the arrival of Norwegian Jewel on Saturday, October 11 at the Bayport Cruise Terminal. "This inaugural call marked the beginning of the 2014 Fall Cruise Season for the Port of Houston Authority, where the Houston Ship Channel is celebrating its 100th year," the company said in a statement. The 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel, featuring Norwegian’s signature Freestyle Cruising with 16 dining options; 13 bars and lounges; exclusive Nickelodeon programming and activities; and the largest suites at sea – the almost 5,000 sq. ft. Garden Villas – began sailing the first of 27 Western Caribbean cruises through April 11, 2015. During a ceremony onboard, Norwegian Jewel’s Captain Kenneth Harstrom tipped his new cowboy hat to the great state of Texas, as he welcomed officials from the Port of Houston Commission including Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria. “We are excited about the impact Norwegian Jewel will bring to the City of Pasadena and the greater Houston region. According to an independent research firm, just one sailing season will create nearly 100 jobs and $50 million economic impact locally,” said Chairman Longoria. Norwegian Jewel Houston -16On her inaugural voyage from Houston, Norwegian Jewel will also be the first large cruise ship to call in the Western Caribbean’s newest cruise port of Banana Coast, the deep-water Bay of Trujillo, Honduras, on October 15. Other port calls include Cozumel, Mexico; and Belize City, Belize. The ship recently underwent an extensive refurbishment and was the first in Norwegian’s fleet to be retrofitted with the popular O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, a casual pub eatery. In addition, the ship’s Moderno Churrascaria, the Brazilian-style steakhouse, was relocated to a more intimate setting on Deck 13 and the Sugarcane Mojito Bar, first introduced on Norwegian Getaway, was added adjacent to the new restaurant. While onboard, guests can also enjoy delicious cannoli and cupcakes from Carlo’s Bake Shop by Buddy Valastro, star of TLC’s Cake Boss and Next Great Baker, which have been added in the Java Café. Norwegian’s innovative digital signage were also added to the ship, the 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.

New ship and new routes for Pullmantur

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 October 2014 13 October 2014

At a recent press briefing, Pullmantur’s new president and CEO, Jorge Vilches, and its director general, Sonia Prieto, announced the continuing changes the company was making. Alan Lam reports.

In regard to its approaches, the primary philosophy of the line will remain one of offering its passengers “a home away from home” service, aiming at proving them the same degree of comfort they’ll find at their own homes.

Jorge Vilches underlined that, as from next season, the “all inclusive” concept would disappear; instead the customers would be offered a choice of two variations of the concept at additional costs: the options of “All Inclusive Plus” and “All Inclusive Premium”; the costs of which would be €15 and €30 per person per day upon booking at the travel agent or €18 and €35 if the passenger decided to take up this offer after coming on board.

The presence of the Monarch in the Americas underlines the line’s commitment to the New World. Pullmantur continues to increase its presence in countries like Brazil and Colombia by opening up offices there. In the Caribbean, it will introduce two new itineraries, namely “Caribbean Maya” and “Mayan Coast”, with cruises to Yucatán, Central America and the Bahamas.

The line will place equal emphasis on the Old World. During the Northern Hemisphere summer months, it is introducing a new “Midnight Sun” programme. The itinerary will include Norway, Russia and the Artic Circle. The package will also include flights from Spain.

To facilitate its new objectives, Jorge Vilches announced the introduction of a new ship in 2016. It is possible that the Sovereign class Majesty of the Seas will be transferred to Pullmantur.

Up till now, Pullmantur has been known for being a cruise line exclusively catered for Spanish-speaking clientele. This will change, as the line will also target other nationalities, such as German and British.

Meyer Turku and TUI Cruises celebrates the float out of Mein Schiff 4

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2014 10 October 2014

Turku shipyard celebrated a historical day on 10 October 2014. Meyer Turku Oy, which changed ownership only three weeks earlier, floated out the cruise ship Mein Schiff 4. Jan Meyer, the CEO of Meyer Turku Oy, and Wybcke Meier, the new CEO of TUI Cruises opened the valves to flood the dry dock.

In May 2013, about 17 months ago, Turku shipyard celebrated the keel-laying of Mein Schiff 3 and start of production of Mein Schiff 4. Mein Schiff 4 will be handed over to the customer in spring 2015. During the summer of 2015, Mein Schiff 4 will travel on a variety of routes in the Baltic Sea to the Baltic states and in northern Europe around Norway. During the winter, the ship will embark on seven-day voyages to the Canary Islands, taking in Morocco or Madeira. The production of the next ship of the series, Mein Schiff 5, will begin in November 2014, and that of Mein Schiff 6 one year later.

“This day is special in many ways. We have the opportunity to witness the float-out of the first new-build of Meyer Turku. I am very pleased that Mein Schiff 4 is right on schedule. It is good to continue from here and proceed to outfitting and commissioning phases,” says Jan Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku Oy.

“As my first official act in my new role at TUI Cruises, setting a well-being ship afloat is a fantastic beginning,” noted Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises.

The technically highly advanced, innovative and environmentally friendly 99,500-GT cruise ships are approximately 294 metres long and some 36 metres wide. They have approximately 1,250 cabins (2,500 lower beds) and a crew of 1,000. Special attention has been paid to environmental friendliness and energy efficiency of the ships. Each vessel in the series of ships brings approximately 5,000 person-years of labour to Meyer Turku shipyard and a significant amount of labour for the Finnish maritime industry network as well. The domestic content of these ships is approximately 80%.

Nine percent increase in domestic sales for Pullmantur

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2014 10 October 2014

After an extensive corporate restructuring, Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd's (RCCL) Spain and Latin America-focused subsidiary, has forecast a 9% increase in Spanish domestic sales this year. Alan Lam reports.

According to its new president, Jorge Vilches, the line carried around 120,000 Spanish passengers last year and it is on course to carry 130,000 this year.

In total, it expects to carry over 470,000 passengers this year and 520,000 in 2015, of which only 25% will be Spanish, thus signalling the importance of the company’s global strategy. Its dependence on Latin America is apparent, with Brazil contributing 125,000 passengers, Mexico 20,000 and the rest of Latin America 115,000. Pullmantur recently appointed a new Commercial Director for Colombia, which contributed 40,000 passengers to the cruise industry last year, of which Pullmantur had a lion’s share.

Ambitiously, overall Pullmantur aims to increase its sales by 15% in 2015 and 30% in 2016.

Its subsidiary, Croisères de France, is expected to carry around 100,000 passengers this year.

Much of this success is attributed to its new price policy. Jorge Vilches indicated that the prices were “adjusted according to market demand”. He also saw clear signs of recovery in the Spanish market.

The travel agent Nautalia, a former subsidiary of Pullmantur, reports selling more Pullmantur cruises than when it was under the line’s control. Nautalia, now sold to Springwater, still maintains a close business partnership with Pullmantur.

TUI Cruises to host four golf themed cruises in 2015

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2014 09 October 2014

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise operator, says it will host four golf themed cruises next year.

The first one will be on Mein Schiff 2 in the Arabian Gulf from 02 to 16 February and golfers will have the option to practise their game in e.g. Oman, Dubai and Bahrain. The second cruise, which will take place in September, will take players around the British isles and includes courses in the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland and Southern England.

The final golf cruise will take players to the Canaries in November, but before that players will be offered the option to enjoy their game in various locations around the Baltic on a cruise in August, the company said in a statement.