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AIDA Cruises appoints Dr. Gregor Brendel as new SVP Hotel Operations & Guest Experience

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 September 2014 21 September 2014

As of October 1, 2014, Dr. Gregor Brendel (46) will be reinforcing the AIDA Cruises leadership team as the new Senior Vice President Hotel Operations & Guest Experience. In his new position with the cruise line Dr. Brendel will be responsible for the entire hotel and service area of the fleet, including AIDA entertainment. He will report directly to Michael Ungerer, President AIDA Cruises.

“I am very pleased that, with Dr. Gregor Brendel, we have acquired a top manager with international experience, who will successfully drive the continuing growth of our company with product innovations and new service concepts for our guests,” said Michael Ungerer.

Dr. Brendel, who holds a doctorate in economics sciences, was Chairman of the Management Board of Hamburg-based Europa Center AG before moving to AIDA Cruises. Prior to taking up a management position with Europa Center AG in 2009, Dr. Brendel’s professional career was closely linked with ECE-Projektmanagement GmbH where, as Director Center Management International, he was responsible for opening up new markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

With a fleet of ten ships, AIDA Cruises is Germany’s leading provider of cruises to more than 180 global destinations. By 2016 the AIDA fleet will have grown to twelve ships. The company currently employs 6,900 people on board its fleet and at its corporate locations in Rostock and Hamburg.

Pandaw to launch Brahmaputra River programme March 2015

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 September 2014 19 September 2014

Pandaw River Cruises, the Singapore Scottish river cruise shipping company that dfocuses on itineraties in south east Asia, says it will introduce a programme of cruises on the Brahmaputra River in Assam in north eastern India in March. The company will operate the 55 metre long Mahabaahu that was custom built for the Brahmaputra in Kolkata in 2012 on these itineraries. The ship has 23 staterooms, the company said in a newsletter emailed to Cruise Business Online.

Norwegian Escape keel laying held at Meyer Werft

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 September 2014 19 September 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT today celebrated the keel laying of Norwegian Escape at MEYER’s state of the art facility in Papenburg, Germany. During the ceremony, block 35/41, the first of 86 blocks that will comprise the 164,600 gross ton vessel, was lifted into the covered building dock, officially marking the start of the ship’s construction. Norwegian Escape will be Norwegian’s largest ship to date, carrying 4,200 passengers, set for delivery in October 2015.

Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer, was on hand in the dock and laid the traditional “lucky coin,” before the first block, weighing 400 tons, was placed by a massive crane. A special commemorative coin featuring the ship was created to celebrate the day’s activities.

“Norwegian Escape will be our largest and most innovative ship to date, building on the phenomenal success of Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway,” said Sheehan. “We are looking forward to seeing this ship take shape over the next year and welcoming her to our fleet in October 2015.”

Norwegian Escape is the first ship in her class, and is being built by MEYER WERFT through a highly-efficient construction process that will deliver the ship of 164,600 gross tons in just over 19 months from steel cutting to delivery.

“We are proud to begin the construction of Norwegian Cruise Line’s first Breakaway Plus vessel and continue our long-standing partnership,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of MEYER WERFT. “Norwegian Escape will be a spectacular ship and it is our honor to bring the dreams and innovations of the Norwegian team to life.”

Norwegian Escape will begin weekly seven-day cruises from her year-round homeport of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on November 14, 2015. The ship will be the largest to home port year-round in Miami, carrying 4,200 guests to tropical Caribbean destinations including St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

The ship’s signature hull artwork is designed by marine wildlife artist and champion of ocean conservation, Guy Harvey, which features an underwater scene of marine wildlife. Norwegian’s newest ship is Harvey’s largest canvas to date, at 1065 feet in length, with his artwork spanning from the hull to the aft featuring two undersea scenes that blend seamlessly. Norwegian Escape will boast all of the exciting and innovative features found on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, plus a number of new spaces and interactive experiences that are yet to be announced. Accommodations include the company’s signature luxury ship–within-a-ship complex: The Haven by Norwegian; along with Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers; and many options for families, multi-generational groups, spa enthusiasts and more.

Construction of third Quantum-class ship starts in Meyer Werft

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 September 2014 19 September 2014

On the cusp of delivering the first in a new generation of technologically advanced cruise ships Royal Caribbean International marked an important milestone on September 18 as the first piece of steel was cut marking the official construction start on the third Quantum class ship.

The steel cutting for Ovation of the Seas, scheduled to be delivered in the autumn of 2016, took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and now Ovation of the Seas are being built.

The groundbreaking Quantum class ships will debut new unprecedented features, such as dancing Roboscreens in the unique Two70 entertainment venue; robotic bartenders in Bionic Bar; RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea; the North Star, an engineering marvel that transports guests more than 300 feet above the ocean; transformative venues, such as Sea-Plex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever, including the industry’s first-ever Virtual Balcony staterooms, which offers expansive, real-time views of the ocean and exciting destinations for interior staterooms.

The Quantum Class spans 18 decks, encompasses 167,800 gross registered tons, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy and features 2,090 staterooms. Quantum of the Seas will sail out of New York Harbor from her homeport of Cape Liberty for her inaugural season before departing to her new homeport of Shanghai (Baoshan), China. Anthem of the Seas will debut in Southampton, U.K. in April 2015 sailing Mediterranean itineraries.

Costa Crociere names Gabriele Baroni Communications Director

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 September 2014 17 September 2014

Costa Crociere S.p.A. has named Gabriele Baroni to the position of communications director, effective immediately. He will report to Vice President Communication & Sustainability Hansjoerg Kunze.

Baroni will be responsible for developing and executing media relations strategies and tactics in support of Costa brand communications as well as managing internal communication activities. In his new role Baroni will be in charge of corporate communications, press office and communications coordination of the international markets.

"It's a pleasure for me to welcome Gabriele onboard," said Vice President Communication & Sustainability Hansjoerg Kunze. "With the appointment of Baroni the Costa Crociere communications team can count on a group of passionate professionals who will be able to take advantage of all the challenges and continue with the process of opening the dialogue and relationships building with all the relevant stakeholders."

Baroni joins Costa Crociere from the public relations and communications firm Burson-Marsteller, where he started in 2001. He developed considerable expertise in corporate communications, media relations, corporate reputation, stakeholder engagement programs and crisis management plans. Since February 2010 he was Burson-Marsteller's director of the financial, energy and crisis practice.