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P&O Cruises to refurbish Aurora for £26 million

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 August 2014 04 August 2014

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, has unveiled its plans for a £26 million make-over for the 76,132 gross ton, 2000 built Aurora this winter, the first ship in the fleet to receive the bold new livery design, the company said in a statement.

“The refurbishment will take place November 29 to December 18 in Hamburg, ahead of its Christmas and New Year cruise and before the South America & Pacific Adventure world cruise itinerary departing January 8, 2015.,” P&O Cruises said, adding that Aurora’s last refit was in 2009. The planned changes for 2014 include:

· A new look livery design, which celebrates P&O Cruises heritage and its place as Britain’s favourite cruise company. It features a contemporary version of the Union Flag on its bow and new blue funnels with illuminated rising sun designs

· The introduction of Sindhu restaurant for evening fine dining (replacing the library on deck 8) with an Indian fusion menu designed by Michelin-star celebrity chef Atul Kochhar

· The Glass House restaurant and wine bar is replacing Café Bordeaux on deck 8. Available for brunch, lunch and dinner it will house wine displays and wines selected by expert and TV presenter Olly Smith. Enomatic wine systems allow passengers to buy premium wines by the glass. There will also be a private room for wine tastings and dinners

· A complete refurbishment of the buffet restaurant (Lido deck, deck 12) with new décor

· In the evening, The Beach House menu replaces the Pennant Grill menu to include family favourites such as Fillet of Beef on Lava Rock

· A complete refurbishment of The Reef children’s clubs with room names changed to reflect Reef club names across the rest of the fleet

· The introduction of Freedom Dining to Medina Restaurant with more tables for two and Marco Pierre White dishes on gala evenings

· A refurbishment of the Sidewalk Café and the introduction of Costa Coffee and brand new “Grab and Go” counter, a great option for breakfast and lunch on the go

· The library relocates to the current cyb@study space adjacent to the Crow’s Nest on deck 13

· Casino and Champions refurbishment with new open-plan design, new furniture and improved stage area for entertainment, live music and quizzes

· Photography gallery upgrade to include more touch screen technology

· An extensive shop refurbishment

· Refurbishment of Oasis Spa

· Upgrade of all sound and light equipment in the theatre and show lounge

· New soft furnishings for all cabins with flat-screen TVs

P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington said: “This is a massive investment. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to ensure continuous improvement of our ships and consistency across the fleet. “Both Ventura and Arcadia underwent huge multi-million pound refits last year and Aurora is the next in line with Azura planned for 2015.

“Not only will Aurora feature firm favourites from Azura and Ventura, such as Sindhu and The Glass House restaurant and wine bar, but we will also see brand new initiatives as well as the distinctive new livery.

“As the very first ship to display our new livery, we have big plans to welcome Aurora back in to Southampton. We can’t wait to see her.”

Deilmann parent chairman vacates position as company fails to meet targets

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 August 2014 04 August 2014

MS Deutschland Beteiligungsgesellschaft, paret company of the luxury cruise shipping company Peter Deilmann Rederei, says its chairman has decided to vacate his position after the company is about to fail to meet its turnover growth and new customer targets, MS deutschland said in a statement.

Deilmann, which operates the 22,496 gross ton Deutschland, will fail to meet its turnover growth target by 6% in the current financial year. In addition, the company has not succeeded in acquiring new customers as had been planned.

As a consequence of this, Christopher Nolde, chairman of MS Deutschland, has decided to leave the company. The management will continue efforts to restructure the business with the help of Callista Private Equity, the company’s owner, with all options to restructure the business open.

Acciona contemplates on selling Trasmediterranea

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 August 2014 04 August 2014

The Spanish conglomerate Acciona is again contemplating on selling its shipping division, Trasmediterranea. The plan is to put it on the market from the end of this year. The sale will enable to company to concentrate its core business activities in water, energy, and infrastructure. The group’s director of corporate development, Juan Muro Lara, described Trasmediterranea as "a non strategic asset," Alan Lam reports.

Acciona acquired the previously state owned ferry business in 2000 for €300 million. This will not be the first time the group wants to sell it. Back in 2009, through the Spanish bank BBVA, it put the division on the market for €850 million. Unfortunately, owing to the then prevailing macroeconomic environment, no interested party was found on that occasion.

In recent years the division has been aggressively expanding its shore side service and cruise handling businesses in the Mediterranean. Only recently it was granted two-year passenger handling licenses in the Balearic Islands.

According to figures just out, Trasmediterranea - which operates 18 ferries and RoRo vessels, as well as occasional chartered units, in the Mediterranean and a link to the Canary Islands - in the first half of 2014 suffered a 13.4% reduction in passenger numbers and 17.4% fall in vehicle flow, despite a 5.9% growth in freight intake, resulting in a 1.0% fall in revenue, to €185 million.

This is regarded as the latest in a series of strategic moves made by the group, as, in recent years, Acciona has already disposed of its wind farm businesses in Germany and South Korea, a hospital in Canada, as well as various concessions in Spain.

Quantum of the Seas to leave building dock

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 August 2014 01 August 2014

On Saturday, August 9, 2014 the 167,800 gross ton cruise ship Quantum of the Seas, the third largest cruise ship in the world, will leave Meyer Werft's covered building dock II. The float-out of the ship, built for U.S. cruise operator Royal Caribbean International, will commence around 07:30 a.m.

Following the float-out, the Quantum of the Seas will be berthed alongside the yard's pier for one night, before being turned on 10 August for the thruster and stabiliser tests.

With the ship berthed at the yard's pier, the remaining works as well as tests and trials will be carried out on board until the ship’s conveyance down the river Ems to the North Sea, which is scheduled for the middle of September.

The float-out will be broadcast via webcam on www.meyerwerft.com

Celebrity Cruises to refurbish Celebrity Eclipse in spring 2015

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 August 2014 01 August 2014

Ahead of its sixth consecutive summer sailing from Southampton, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Cruises' principal UK based will be refurbished in early 2015, the company said in a statement.

"Celebrity Eclipse has offered modern luxury holidays from the UK port since its launch in the city in 2010 and is a firm favourite with British holidaymakers. When the ship returns for its 2015 season it will boast new signature spaces and experiences currently only available on sister ship, Celebrity Equinox, in addition to the array of guest-favourite features onboard. New food and drink venues will include:

Gastrobar – A new premium craft beer and comfort food venue, Gastrobar will offer food and beer enthusiasts over 40 handcrafted boutique beers to choose from in addition to Celebrity Cruises’ collection of wines andcocktails, all perfectly paired with a menu of gastro-style fare. The menus will be presented on iPads which will also include an app for guests to select their ideal food and drink pairings. Gastrobar’s upscale casual surroundings will feature entertainment and music for the complete sophisticated lounge experience. Guests can find the new venue in the space formerly known as Cellar Masters.

Slush – The poolside refreshments will get an overhaul and expand guests’ ‘cool’ beverage options with Slush –a vibrant and stylish frozen drinks bar. Guests will be able to relax by the pool and enjoy a variety of flavour-rich and fresh frozen cocktails. Slush will feature alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails with flavour options ranging from fresh pressed lemon juice, raspberries, cucumbers and mint, to Persian lime, Florida Valencia and Hamlin orange juice with organic agave nectar," Ecelebrity said
.

The revamped Celebrity Eclipse will also feature The Studio, a new private portrait photo studio, offering guests a luxury holiday memento to remember their cruise by. In addition, guests will be able to enjoy a range of exciting upgrades to the onboard casino including a re-styled bar, new British themed slot machines and European-style roulette.

This refurbishment will coincide with the launch of Celebrity Cruises’ new Suite Class offering following the addition of the Canyon Ranch Spa Club this year. New luxurious offerings for guests booking to stay in a suite include a dedicated, suites-only restaurant, VIP lounge, and complimentary ‘all in’ benefits such as premium beverages, dining at any speciality restaurant and unlimited internet access. Suite guests will also receive priority check-in and embarkation and will enjoy the Celebrity Cruises butler service. Personal butlers will unpack luggage, book excursions and be on hand 24 hours a day to ensure guests receive a dedicated and personalised service.

Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, director of sales, Celebrity Cruises UK and Ireland, comments,

“The refurbishment of Celebrity Eclipse will offer guests the opportunity to experience an enhanced luxury offering onboard which is also a strong sales message for our agents and partners. The stylish, contemporary design and installation of new dining and entertainment options, coupled with the Suite Class and Canyon Ranch Spa offers also available will I am sure encourage guests to book time and again.”

From 9 May 2015 throughout the summer season, Celebrity Eclipse will offer sailings of seven to 15 nights from Southampton. The revamped ship will sail to a range of destinations including Mediterranean countries including Portugal, Spain and Italy as well as Scandinavia and Russia.