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Technical issue brought forward Queen Victoria refit - report

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

Cunard Line, which is part of the carnival Corp & plc group, brought forward the dry docking of Queen Victoria to January 2015 from December due to a problem in one of its propulsion units (see separate story) . “Two scheduled cruises are being canceled as a result. While the problem is being fixed, the ship also will get a multimillion-pound refit,” Cruise Critic reports on its website.

The line has canceled two sailings as a result of the decision, these are a 12-night Canary Islands cruise (January 3-15) and a five-night Amsterdam & Cherbourg cruise (January 15-20).

"Due to a bearing in one of her propulsion units requiring replacement, unfortunately we will need to bring Queen Victoria into her planned dry dock earlier than scheduled," Cunard wrote in an email toa Cruise critic member that passed the message on to the website.

"The issue does not affect the safety of the ship, however, our technical team have advised that it is necessary to rectify it before her scheduled docking in December 2015."

Queen Victoria was built in Italy in 2007. Its sister ship, the 2010 built Queen Elizabeth was dry docked in May-June of this year at the same yard due to technical problems, the work having originally been scheduled to take place later, Cruise Business was told in the summer.

Cunard's Queen Victoria to undergo multi-million dollar refit at Blohm+Voss shipyard in January 2015

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

Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria will enter the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, in January 2015 for a multi-million dollar refit.

Following the success of Queen Elizabeth’s recent refit at the same yard, Queen Victoria’s makeover will create nine single staterooms for the first time on the ship, re-modelled from part of the casino. In addition, carpets will be renewed throughout; large flat-screen TVs – mostly 32” or above – will be installed in all passenger staterooms; and in the ship’s informal Lido restaurant, waiters will in the future serve hot drinks at all meals.

“Queen Victoria’s multi-million dollar refit will ensure this much-loved ship remains in tip-top condition for her World Cruise in 2015 and beyond,” said David Dingle, CEO for Cunard Line.

As on Queen Elizabeth, sun awnings will be erected on the open area near the stern Lido pool and on both sides of the Grills Upper Terrace area near the top of the ship to offer more shade on deck.

In the shopping area on board, the footprint will increase significantly. New fine jewellery and watch shops are opening and the layout, lighting and overall shopping experience for passengers is being enhanced.

On the technical front, scrubber technology is being installed aboard Queen Victoria to match that now aboard Queen Elizabeth, in line with the company’s commitment to minimising its environmental impact. The process involves the installation of a filtration system for the exhaust gas from the ship’s engines.

The timing of Queen Victoria’s dry dock is being brought forward, as a bearing on one of the ship’s propulsion units will need replacing prior to her previously scheduled dry dock in December 2015. This has no impact on the safety of the ship, but it is timely for the bearing to be replaced prior to the ship's Round World Cruise beginning 20 January 2015.

As a result, two Queen Victoria sailings have unfortunately needed to be cancelled: the 12-day cruise to the Canaries on 3 January 2015, and a short five-day trip to Amsterdam and Cherbourg on 15 January 2015. Passengers (and their travel agents) have been informed. A Future Cruise Credit of $175.00 per person is being offered to all affected passengers, which can be used in conjunction with any alternative Cunard booking made for cruises departing within the next two years (before 3 January 2017). Full refunds of any monies paid will also be available should affected passengers not be in a position to rebook an alternative Cunard cruise.

David Dingle stated, “While we are sorry to be cancelling the two cruises, we are looking forward to welcoming all those affected back aboard a Cunard ship in the near future, perhaps on Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth, both of which will be sailing in 2015 fresh from their make overs.”

Royal Caribbean unveils art collection for Quantum of the Seas

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

Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, which has exited the enclosed building hall at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, on August 13, revealing an unexpected occupant – a 30-foot-tall magenta polar bear situated prominently on the exterior deck of the ship. The bear, a sculpture created by Denver-based artist Lawrence Argent, is the first glimpse of the 2,980 piece, multi-million art collection themed “What Makes Life Worth Living” that has been curated for Quantum of the Seas.

In addition to Lawrence Argent, an impressive portfolio of artists, including Paul Villinski, who created a monumental installation called “Crossing” which encompasses a wall of 210 butterflies representing 30 species, each made of aluminum, stainless steel, acrylic and enamel; sculptor Soo Sunny Park, whose sprawling, undulating structure titled “Waves of Light,” explores the light’s potential as a structural element. Pieces by these artists and others span size, art forms and mediums, and can be enjoyed both inside and outside the ship.

“Royal Caribbean has a long history of showcasing original art at sea; in fact, we boast one of the world’s largest private art collections across our fleet,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Executive Vice President, Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “The pieces we have commissioned for Quantum of the Seas are stunning, engaging and in some cases completely unexpected, and we are so thrilled that our guests have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exceptionally brilliant works from some of the world’s most talented artists such as Lawrence Argent.”

The bear titled “From Afar” is comprised of 1,340 stainless steel triangles, weighs approximately eight-tons and is intended to incite wonder among guests, encouraging them to admire the bear from afar, as well as interact with it on a more intimate, yet whimsical level. The piece helps guests explore the ship’s art theme by showcasing intangible qualities of what makes life worth living, such as peace, love, joy, gratitude and passion, which is what Quantum’s art pieces are meant to evoke, while sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, scheduled to debut April 2015, uncovers tangible aspects of the theme such as adventure, entertainment and nature.

“It is quite exciting to be collaborating with Royal Caribbean on a very visible and significant piece of art that will allow my work to be exposed to thousands of people each week,” said Argent. “The thing about cruise vacations is that they transport individuals from the normality of their everyday lives and leave them open to new experiences. The bear engages those that have a fear of thinking they don’t know what art is and turns it into an approachable entity.”

For more than 20 years, International Corporate Art (ICArt) has curated the collections for Royal Caribbean’s global fleet of 21 ships. The team combs the world for inspiring artists, new and seasoned, who create intriguing works to be showcased on the cruise line’s ships, a process that generally takes two to three years.

The groundbreaking Quantum-class ships, Quantum of the Seas and sister-ship Anthem of the Seas will introduce a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences, such as Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, 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.

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

Regina Line plans to launch UK-Denmark ferry service in April 2015

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

Regina Line, a new Danish company, says it plans to introduce a year round ferry service across the North Sea between the UK and Denmark in April 2015.

The company intends to operate three sailings per week in each direction using a ferry that it plans to call Regina. It does not disclose the identity of the vessel on its website, not the ports that the planned service would serve. However, the ship will have a number of bars and restaurants, an indoor swimming pool and a variety of cabins plus airline style recliners. It will also carry cars.

DFDS, the large Danish ferry and logistics group, currently operates a ferry service between Harwich in the UK and Esbjerg in Denmark. However, the service will close on 29 September due to poor profitability.

Regent Seven Seas adds unlimited free internet to all-inclusive offerings

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

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ brand of all-inclusive luxury is expanding to include unlimited internet access. For all Regent Seven Seas Cruises voyages setting sail after January 1, 2015, guests booked in Master, Grand, Seven Seas, Horizon, Mariner, Navigator and Voyager suites will receive unlimited complimentary internet access. The free internet access is available for the duration of the cruise and is accessible in all public spaces and suites via the ship-wide Wi-Fi system.

“By introducing the industry’s only unlimited complimentary internet program onboard our ships, we continue to fulfill our guest promise to deliver the most inclusive experience available, at sea or on land,” shared Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “The expansion of our free internet program, coupled with widespread enhancements made to the ships during recent dry docks, strengthens the luxury proposition found on Regent Seven Seas Cruises and better prepares us for the arrival of Seven Seas Explorer, which will be the most luxurious ship ever built.”

The addition of free unlimited internet access for upper suites coincides with the completion of a multimillion-dollar upgrade to internet systems on all Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships. The upgrades entail a doubling of available bandwidth to increase internet speed and reliability, and an expansion of the Wi-Fi system to provide connectivity throughout the entire ship, including all public spaces, outdoor decks and suites.

While top tier suites will enjoy unlimited internet access, guests booked in Penthouse and Concierge suites will continue to receive complimentary internet time based on cruise length. For example, guests sailing on a seven-night voyage receive 200-minutes free and the amount of gratis internet time extends to 500-minutes for voyages over 16-nights. Members of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises loyalty program, Seven Seas Society, who achieved gold status or higher will continue to receive unlimited complimentary internet access onboard, regardless of suite selection.

The expansion of the unlimited internet program adds to the most comprehensive list of included amenities in the vacation industry, including round-trip air, a pre-cruise hotel night stay, fine wine and spirits, unlimited shore excursions in every port, specialty dining, ground transfers and gratuities.