Second annual Rama Rebbapragada Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry in Asia accepting nominations for extraordinary recipient

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 18 August 2014 18 August 2014

Drawing on the success of the inaugural award at last years Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific event, UBM, organizers of the show, are now accepting nominations for the second annual Rama Rebbapragada Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry in Asia.

This award will honor an individual who has made a particularly noteworthy contribution to the development of the cruise industry in Asia, distinguishing his or herself through dedication to, and passion for, the industry within the Pan-Asia region.

The award's namesake, Rama Rebbapragada, embodied this dedication. During his quarter-century-long career with Royal Caribbean International, Rebbapragada created awareness of the potential of the Asia-Pacific cruise market to the international cruise community, while being a true friend to all who knew him all over the world.

The recipient will be chosen by a select group of industry leaders, and will be presented during Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific by Dr. Zinan Liu, Vice President, China and Asia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, who was a friend and colleague of Rebbapragada's for many years. I am so proud to have the honor of presenting this prestigious award in the name of my friend Rama, who was one of the most dedicated, loyal and passionate advocates for Royal Caribbean said Liu. He made a particular mark in waking the world's most populous region up to cruising. I look forward to sharing the stage with one who shares the same vision and aspirations as he did for the Asia cruise market.

Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:

– Made an outstanding contribution to the cruise industry in the Asia-Pacific region in 2014.

– Served to significantly raise the profile, visibility and credibility of the cruise industry in Asia.

– Represented the industry with dignity and professionalism
Nominations may be submitted to UBM by emailing to=This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by October 15, 2014.

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. Details regarding the Rama Rebbapragada Award may be found by clicking here<http://www.cruiseshippingevents.com/asia/conference/rama-rebbapragada-award>.

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

Regent Seven Seas reports results for second quarter 2014

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 15 August 2014 15 August 2014

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Cruises S. DE R.L., or the “Company”) reported financial results on August 12 for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014.
– Total Revenue was a record $142.9 million in the second quarter of 2014 compared to $142.7 million in the second quarter of 2013.
– Adjusted EBITDA was a record $29.8 million in the second quarter of 2014, an increase of 4.6% compared with $28.5 million in the second quarter of 2013.
– Net Income was a record $11.7 million in the second quarter of 2014, compared to $6.5 million in the second quarter of 2013.
– Net Yield increased 7.8% to a record $561.85 for the quarter compared with $521.24 in the second quarter of 2013.
– Occupancy was 95.4%, a decrease of 1.5 percentage points from a year earlier, while capacity during the quarter was 167,790 Available Passenger Cruise Days compared to 171,990 in the second quarter of 2013, due to 6 days of the 10- day scheduled Seven Seas Mariner drydock occurring in April 2014.

Commenting on the second quarter of 2014, the Company's Chairman and CEO, Frank Del Rio stated, “We are pleased with our financial results, including record revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, net income and Net Yield for the quarter. In July, construction began on Seven Seas Explorer with a steel cutting ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The ceremony marked the beginning of what we believe will set the standard for luxury cruising when Seven Seas Explorer joins the fleet in the summer of 2016. Our strong financial performance and new construction are a reflection of our commitment to providing our guests with an extraordinary experience."

Other key operating metrics for the second quarter of 2014 compared to the prior year are as follows:
– Net Cruise Cost, excluding Fuel and Other expense, per APCD, increased 0.5% for the quarter compared to the second quarter of 2013 due to fewer Available Passenger Cruise Days.
– Fuel expense, net of settled fuel hedges, was $9.8 million for the quarter compared to $10.1 million for the second quarter of 2013.
– Other expense was $4.9 million for the quarter compared to $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2013 due to 6 days of the 10-day scheduled Seven Seas Mariner drydock occurring in April 2014.

Princess introduces regional menus showcasing destination specialities

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 14 August 2014 14 August 2014

When the new Regal Princess sails into Florida this November to begin her maiden Caribbean cruise season, she will debut a new Princess Cruises dining program that will showcase regional culinary specialties designed to reflect the destinations its ships visit around the world.

The new program will enable guests to enjoy regional menu items created with local produce, spices and seafood. The first special menus are inspired by the Caribbean in keeping with the ship’s fall itineraries. The regional cruise ship menus will eventually roll out across the fleet, and will include culinary specialties from an array of vacation destinations including the Mediterranean, Alaska and Hawaii.

“One of the joys of travel is experiencing the culinary specialties for which a destination is known,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “So now when our guests cruise with Princess around the world, they’ll be able to enjoy some of the most celebrated local dishes onboard as well as ashore.”

Beginning with Regal Princess, regional cruise menus will introduce guests to the exotic fusion of flavors found in island cuisine, including such offerings as:

Arawak’s Caribbean-Style Pork Chop – Prepared with traditional Jamaican jerk spice and curry, and served with red beans, rice and rum sauce, this extraordinary dish earned Princess Cruises Corporate Executive Chef Alfredo Marzi the top prize at the 8th Annual Bacardi Bartender and Chef Cruise Competition.

Red Snapper Mojito – Featuring ceviche accented with fresh mint, mango and avocado, and finished with a splash of rum, this was the winning dish created by Princess Cruises Executive Chef Antonio Cortese at the 6th Annual Bacardi Bartender and Chef Cruise Competition

Island-Spiced Jerk Chicken – A marinade of rum, molasses, tangy lime juice and thyme, plus sweet-and-fiery Scotch Bonnet peppers, infuses this tender chicken dish with the spirit of the islands.

Caribbean Cocktails – The Caribbean Cooler is the perfect poolside cocktail, with coconut rum, melon liqueur, banana liqueur, citrus mix and pineapple juice. The West Indies Yellow Bird offers a classic taste of the region, featuring a shaken melody of rum, galliano and banana liqueur with orange and pineapple juice. The Cool Runnings cocktail, a favorite of the Caribbean Islands, features a delicious combination of rum, banana liqueur, blackberry brandy and grenadine, blended with coconut and pineapple.

Regal Princess begins her Caribbean cruise season on November 6 with a short preview sailing, followed by a schedule of seven-day cruises to ports in the Eastern Caribbean including St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Princess Cays in the Bahamas.

Quark Expeditions launches new ship for Antarctica 2015-2016

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 14 August 2014 14 August 2014

Quark Expeditions, the polar expedition leader announces the addition of a third small expedition ship to its Antarctic fleet. The 199-passenger Ocean Endeavour will replace the Sea Spirit during the 2015.16 Antarctic season. Quark offers a greater choice of vessels and number of voyages to Antarctica than any other operator.

Following a million-dollar makeover, Ocean Endeavour will be ready to set sail for 12 once-in-a lifetime voyages to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia in November 2015. She is expertly engineered to explore the Polar Regions, with an ice-strengthened hull, Zodiacs for exploration and remote landings, generous deck space and advanced navigation equipment. The ship’s interiors have a contemporary aesthetic that provides a bright and spacious feel to the cabins and common spaces.

Endeavour will be the only polar adventure ship in Antarctica with a special focus on health and wellness. Passengers electing to participate can enjoy healthy meals, take part in yoga and stretching classes, indulge in a massage therapy session or take advantage of the sauna or gym all while also experiencing all the same exciting daily expedition activities available on every voyage.

“All our expeditions offer intimate, life-enriching voyages to rare and remote destinations, and now with Ocean Endeavour travelers can experience Antarctica in an overall envelope of wellness that will complement their adventure and feed their mind, body and soul,” said Hans Lagerweij, president of Quark Expeditions®. “Endeavour will feature a broad-based approach to health and wellness as part of the onboard experience, from the food to the activities in addition to providing the same incomparable expedition experience that makes Quark the leader in Polar adventures. It will be part of the overall experience of unplugging from the world and immersing yourself in this pristine wilderness.”

The ship will offer the same great all-inclusive features as Quark’s other ships, with pre-night hotel, all onboard meals, complimentary hot beverages, transfers to and from the ship, lectures and two shore excursions every day. In addition, Endeavour will feature unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, wine service with dinner as well as a wellness café and juice bar.

Cabin types

Capitalizing on the growing demand of solo travelers, a number of cabins will be priced for single occupancy and will have no single supplement. Overall, Polar travelers will have a choice of 13 different categories of accommodation, from the spacious owner’s suite to a range of twin, triple and single cabins. Prices for an 11-day Antarctic Explorer voyage begin at US$5,495 per person for triple accommodation.

New adventure activity

Quark will also be the first operator to introduce stand-up paddleboarding in Antarctica as an optional activity on all voyages aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Those looking to explore the more untouched and remote corners of the Antarctic Peninsula will also be able to experience camping, kayaking, mountaineering and cross-country skiing on select trips.