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Work begins for Viking Sea at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 September 2014 13 September 2014

Fincantieri has announced that the steel-cutting ceremony for Viking Sea was held at its Marghera shipyard. Viking Sea is the second ship in order of acquisition that Fincantieri is building for Viking Ocean Cruises. Fincantieri is also building Viking Star, with delivery scheduled in Marghera in spring 2015, and Viking Sky, which will be delivered in Ancona in summer 2016.

Like its two sister ships, Viking Sea will measure approximately 47,800 gross tons and will have 465 staterooms, accommodating 930 guests. Also like its sister ships, the ship was designed by experienced nautical architects and engineers, including London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios.

Maiden voyage itineraries for Viking Ocean Cruises start in April 2015, with cruising in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. Guests on Viking’s ships will experience cruising with destination as the focus, maximum time in port and an onboard cultural enrichment program ideal for an experienced traveler with interests in history, art and culture.

The relationship with Viking adds a major new brand to Fincantieri’s list of cruise ship customers.

Sea Cloud Cruises appoints Daniel Schäfer as Managing Director

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 September 2014 12 September 2014

Daniel Schäfer (35) has been appointed to the Management Board of Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH by the company's General Meeting with immediate effect.

Daniel Schäfer has been employed by the HANSA TREUHAND Group since 2005. Having graduated with a degree in business administration, his first position within the group was as Assistant to Chairman of the Board Hermann Ebel. Since 2009, he has been an authorised representative of HANSA TREUHAND Holding AG. In November 2010, he joined the management of Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH as Sales Director and Vice President Sales.

Hermann Ebel and Klaus Gerken have expressed their gratitude to Daniel Schäfer for his accomplishments to date in his former role. His appointment as Managing Director is recognition of his personal commitment by the company´s Shareholders.

The Management Board of Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH now is formed by Hermann Ebel, Klaus Gerken and Daniel Schäfer.

Since 1979, Sea Cloud Cruises remains one of the top names in the world of cruising. The 83-year-old four-masted barque Sea Cloud is with her high quality the model for the other passenger ships belonging to the cruise line. Recently, Sea Cloud und Sea Cloud ii were re-elected by the Berlitz Cruise Guide to the top five boutique ships. Sea Cloud Cruises is a member of 'Feine Privathotels'.

Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific to provide travel agent training in Hong Kong convention

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 September 2014 12 September 2014

In an ongoing effort to impart the value and revenue potential of the global cruise market to the callow Asian travel agent community, Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific will once again host a comprehensive travel agent training program, presented by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Presented by cruise industry veteran Peter Kollar from CLIA Australasia, this comprehensive education program will help agents better understand the cruise industry's value and revenue potential, and ensure the development of the retail cruise business moving forward in Asia.

CLIA’s renowned education program was designed to teach agents best sales practices, help them monitor emerging trends, and discover new destinations, essentially in an effort to help them increase their business. “Travel agents in the Asia-Pacific region will be elated with the amount of tangible and practical knowledge they will receive during these training sessions,” said Brett Jardine, General Manager of CLIA Australasia. “This is really a wonderful opportunity to help agents explore the benefits of selling cruises.”

Following is the current line-up of training sessions:

November 20:
Building Your Cruise Business
This 2-part session is a must for any small business owner or travel agent that wants to succeed in cruise retail. Whether an online retailer, store agency, or individual seller, you will learn the proven methods of small business success and apply it to the cruise market. By the end of the sessions you will be able to:

–    Increase your sales by recognizing the current trends and future direction of the cruise industry.
–    Grow your business by learning to statistically analyse cruise data to evaluate and plan your cruise business future.
–    Improve your marketing by working with the cruise lines and understanding the importance of developing a loyal cruise community through social media.

November 21
Selling Cruise Destinations
One of the most underestimated tools used in selling cruise holidays is the ability to use the cruise itinerary and destination. This training session will excite you and engage you, delivered by one of the most well-travelled cruise experts in the industry. By the end of the session you will be able to:

–    Learn the main strategy for converting your customers to clients.
–    Understand that each cruise region around the world has a different appeal.
–    Learn how to change your selling dialogue for each situation and destination.

Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific will take place November 20-21, 2014 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. For information about exhibiting or attending Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific visit www.cruiseshippingasia.com.

Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific is organized by UBM plc and is exclusively supported by Cruise Lines International Association and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Official Event Partner: Hong Kong Tourism Board.

New German venture reported to plan eco cruise ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 September 2014 12 September 2014

Green Sailing, a new German cruise shipping venture, is reported to plan to build eco friendly cruse ships that would use Flettner rotor technology to provide wind power and use LNG as fuel.

The ships would take 350 passengers each and cost between €100 million and €150 million each to build, a report on tradewindsnews.com says. An order is planned to be placed next year and the company plans to invest a total of €750 million in the fleet.

Viking Line appoints Kaj Takolander head of marketing in Finland

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 September 2014 11 September 2014

Viking Line, the listed Finnish cruse ferry company, has appointed Kaj Takolander as head of marketing at its Finnish unit. He will succeed Anni Kallioniemi and will take up his new position in October, the company said in a statement.