Updated: MSC Cruises debuts new, innovative pricing structure

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 04 September 2014 04 September 2014

Today, MSC Cruises announced the launch of its Inclusive Experiences, a new pricing structure that will allow guests to choose an “experience” based on their own preferences and amenities desired while cruising.

With the new pricing structure, guests will have the option of choosing from four different experience categories — Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, and MSC Yacht Club — ranging from a la carte to all-inclusive amenities.  Experiences offered will have a value up to $700+ per person.

Already introduced in most European markets, MSC Cruises is rolling out the experience pricing in North America due to the positive feedback received from guests and travel agents abroad.

“This is truly a win-win for travel agents and guests,” said Rick Sasso, president of MSC Cruises USA.  “Our unique model means increased profitability for travel agents and improved customer satisfaction as guests have more opportunity to customize their vacation experience based on their own personal desires.”

The inclusive experiences will include the following options:

Bella Experience — Best Price: The Bella experience is designed for value-conscious travelers looking to enjoy the wide-range of amenities and entertainment MSC Cruises offers to all its guests, while having the option to add additional onboard services, such as beverage or spa packages, a la carte.  The Bella experience is available for guests booking interior, ocean view or balcony staterooms.

Fantastica Experience — Priority Choice: The Fantastica experience provides guests additional flexibility and comfort options, such as the ability to choose a premium location stateroom and priority choice of early or late dining.  Additional benefits in the Fantastica experience include 50 percent off all fitness classes and personal training; free delivery of room service; and enhanced recreational activities for children including cooking and foreign language classes.  As a special promotion, guests booking the Fantastica experience for 7-night or longer sailings on the MSC Divina between Oct. 18, 2014 – April 11, 2015 will also receive a beverage package.  This experience is available for guests booking interior, ocean view or balcony staterooms.

Aurea Experience — Premium Choice: The Aurea experience bundles several exceptional amenities, including premium choice of balcony staterooms and suites and dining in the main restaurant with “My Choice Dining” flexible times.  Additional benefits in the Aurea experience include priority boarding; a beverage package consisting of unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; a spa package with a massage and private spa consultation; access to the exclusive adults only Top 18 sun deck; and all the perks associated with the Fantastica experience.  The Aurea experience is available for guests booking Aurea balcony staterooms and suites.

MSC Yacht Club – Elite Choice: The MSC Yacht Club is the line’s signature “ship-within-a-ship” for guests interested in an all-inclusive VIP club level experience.  Guests selecting this exclusive experience enjoy a private club with keycard access; priority check-in and check-out reception; signature Butler service; dedicated 24-hour concierge; exclusive Top Sail lounge and pool; 24/7 complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available within the Yacht Club area; and a private MSC Yacht Club restaurant.

Travel agents will receive full commission on the Inclusive Experiences booked by their clients. In addition, MSC Cruises will continue to pay five percent commission on any a la carte options (i.e. shore excursions) that are pre-booked and pre-paid by guests.  

The new experience pricing will be available for reservations starting Sept. 23, 2014 for sailings Oct. 18, 2014 forward. Guests who have already booked an interior, ocean view, or B1 or B2 level balcony stateroom will automatically receive the Fantastica experience, excluding the promotional drink package offer. Guests that have already booked a B3 level balcony stateroom or Aurea suite will automatically receive the Aurea experience. 

"MSC Cruises USA’s recent industry-first announcement of four all-inclusive offers is great to help grow agent profitability," said Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative who also sits on the MSC Cruises USA Advisory Board. "MSC’s simplified categories will offer agents the opportunity to earn more commission by upselling pre-paid services.

Recently, cruise lines have shifted their model from discounting to adding value to sell cabins. We have seen this with Celebrity’s 1-2-3 GO promo and Royal Caribbean International’s Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Off promo and Norwegian Cruise Line’s “ALL IN” package. MSC’s all-inclusive packages offers added-value rather than offering discounts, which benefits travel agents since the agent can earn more commission. For clients, there is the flexibility to add value into the price, while still maintaining an excellent value and experience."

P&O Cruises to send three ships on extended 2016 winter cruises

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 04 September 2014 04 September 2014

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, will again send three ships on extended winter cruises in 2016, it said in a statement.

“A trio of grand sailings, comprising a classic world cruise on Aurora; a South America & Japan sailing on Arcadia; and a Caribbean & America voyage on Oriana, will showcase some of the world’s most unforgettable sights and its most exciting cities,” the company said.

Collectively, the ships will cover over 90,000 nautical miles, visiting 90 ports in 58 countries, contrasting the Latin spirit of South America with the mysticism of the Orient and the heritage of America’s Deep South.

All three ships will stay overnight in key cities including New Orleans, San Francisco and Hong Kong, giving passengers two days to explore ashore, while evening port stays have also been built into itineraries to allow longer days for extra sightseeing.

Aurora’s 114-night World Circumnavigation visits 38 ports in 24 countries, including iconic cities and sights such as Sydney, Cape Town and Hong Kong, plus Table Mountain, the Great Barrier Reef and Pearl Harbour. There are also maiden calls at The Gambia, Philippines, Taiwan, Lahaina (Hawaii), Malaysia and the Seychelles. The round-trip Southampton voyage departs on January 2, 2016, with prices from £10,849 per person.

Arcadia’s 115-night South America & Japan Adventure visits 32 ports in 19 countries, including headline cities and landmarks such as Rio de Janeiro, Beijing and San Francisco, plus Easter Island, Panama Canal and the Great Wall of China. Maiden calls are Papua New Guinea, Hilo (Hawaii), South Korea, Cape Verde, Falkland Islands and Tauranga (New Zealand). The round-trip Southampton voyage departs on January 11, 2016, with prices from £10,949 per person.

Oriana’s 50-night Caribbean & American Adventure visits 20 ports in 15 countries, and features iconic ports such as New Orleans, Charleston, Key West and Miami with a maiden call at Progreso (Mexico). The round-trip Southampton sailing departs on January 6, 2016, with prices from £3,999 per person.

P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington said: “At P&O Cruises, we pride ourselves on creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our customers and these sailings do just that by bringing the world to their feet.

“Customers can choose between a full world cruise offering a true lifetime experience or one of the many shorter sectors for an exotic winter holiday with a difference. If you are looking for adventure and you want inspiration, these sailings open up a world of possibilities that few other experiences can match.”

The cruises go on sale on September 10, 2014

Silversea completes inaugural expedition through Northwest Passage

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 03 September 2014 03 September 2014

Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea's 132-guest Silver Explorer has successfully completed the company's first-ever journey through the legendary Northwest Passage.

The 23-day voyage commenced in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland on 9 August and concluded in Nome, Alaska on 1 September. It covered a distance of nearly 3,500 nautical miles, following a route through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago similar to Roald Amundsen's momentous east-to-west expedition of 1903 to 1906, the first successful navigation by boat through the passage.

Conrad Combrink, Silversea's director of expedition planning and strategic development, said: "Sailing the Northwest Passage is an experience reserved for true adventurers and dedicated explorers. We are honoured to know that what was once an unfulfilled dream for such renowned explorers as Captain James Cook, Henry Hudson, and many others, is now a successful chapter in the history of Silversea Expeditions."

The Northwest Passage is famous for its shallow channels and floating ice. Although summer ice conditions have permitted a number of successful transits since Amundsen's expedition, the passage can still present challenges. The small-sized Silver Explorer, with her shallow draft, ice-strengthened hull, 1A ice class certification, and Captain Alexander Golubev at the helm, is well suited to take on such missions.

"It's a special privilege to sail through the world's most elusive and historic waterways. Such a journey requires careful and meticulous planning at every stage," said Golubev, who has led over 50 voyages to the Arctic, Antarctic and Greenland. In an abundance of caution, Captain Golubev enlisted the services of an icebreaker to escort Silver Explorer through a critical portion of the route. "I'm pleased that all our strategising and preparations resulted in success for Silversea's first-ever Northwest Passage expedition, and I'm very grateful to be among a small group of mariners who have experienced such an extraordinary opportunity during their careers."

Silversea is a member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), dedicated to managing respectable, environmentally friendly and safe expedition cruising in the Arctic.

Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards begins construction on new BCFS cable ferry

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 03 September 2014 03 September 2014

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) announced today it has officially started construction on a new Cable Ferry for BC Ferries.

The 78.5 metre ferry, slated for delivery in Spring 2015, will accommodate up to 50 vehicles and 150 passengers, while servicing the Buckley Bay to Denman Island route.

This new build will engage all VSY unions, including Marine and Shipbuilders Local 506, International Association of Machinists Lodge 692, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 213, United Association of Pipefitters Local 170, and Canadian Office and Professional Employees Local 15, and is expected to employ 100 workers at the peak of the project.

“Seaspan has a long and established relationship working with BC Ferries in building and repairing ships for the people of British Columbia, and we are proud to begin construction today of its first-ever Cable Ferry at our new, state-of-the-art, $185 million facility,” said Brian Carter, President – Seaspan Shipyards.

The Cable Ferry project follows several other BC Ferries contracts that have been successfully completed at Seaspan Shipyards in 2013/14, including maintenance refits on the Northern Adventure, Island Sky, Coastal Celebration and Spirit of Vancouver Island.

“With community roots tracing back to 1886, Seaspan is a long-serving contributor to British Columbia’s economy and we look forward to continuing to play that role for many years to come through our service to BC Ferries and its customers,” said Brian.

“We’re proud of our partnership with Seaspan and we know that they will construct an excellent ship for the millions of customers who will sail on her over the next 40 years,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ President and CEO.

Seaspan Shipyards’ two-year Modernization Project is scheduled for completion by Fall 2014.