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Windstar Cruises launches new Cruisetours

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 July 2014 31 July 2014

Windstar is launching its first-ever series of Cruisetours, premiering in Asia and Arabia. For those wanting to extend their cruise vacation with a land experience, the Cruisetour collection allows guests to experience the wonders of the Far East without the stress of planning the travel. Starting at $5,299 Cruisetours include: the cost of the cruise, flights to the Cruisetour city, accommodations in a luxury hotel, excursions with an expert guide in each new city, select meals, and transfers.

Guests who book by August 29, 2014 will receive up to a $1,000 airfare credit per person, free hotel and transfers on arrival, a complimentary exclusive Private Event on the voyage crafted solely for Windstar guests, and savings of up to 50% of the cruise fare.

"We've applied our philosophy of exploring hidden harbors and secluded coves to our land experiences, handpicking the best excursions to taste the local culture," said Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises' chief executive officer. "Our Cruisetours take care of all the logistics, so our guests can truly relax and enjoy the destination at hand in exclusive Windstar style, both on land and at sea."

Singapore, the Malay Peninsula, & Myanmar Cruisetour

–    Cruisetour Experience: Travel to a world long closed to western eyes to enjoy the mystical beauty of Myanmar on this 4-day journey Guests will visit Yangon and Bangan to explore one of the world's most revered UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Bagan Archaeological Zone. Highlights include a trip to Phwar Saw Village where locals welcome participants into their homes and share cooking secrets, using the markets fresh ingredients.
–    Cruise: Singapore & the Malay Peninsula, 10-day round trip voyage from Singapore
–    Hotels: 5-Star Sule Shangri-La and 5-star Bagan Lodge
–    Special Tip: For a limited time receive a FREE hot air balloon ride in Bagan.

Southeast Asia Unveiled & Angkor Wat Cruisetour

–    Cruisetour Experience: Journey to the ancient temples in Cambodia on this 3-day excursion. Guests will start in Siem Ream, with visits to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Tonle Sap Lake, and Les Artisans d'Angkor. Highlights include a traditional Cambodian feast with a cultural dance performance and a guided tour on board a small shaded vessel moving between floating homes and small fish farms.
–    Cruise: Southeast Asia Unveiled, a 10-day voyage from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City.
–    Hotels: Le Meridien Angkor in Siem Reap and Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
–    Special tip: The Angkor Wat Cruistour can be booked either pre- or post- cruise.

Wonders of Civilization Cruisetour

–    Cruisetour Experience: Explore the ancient city of Cairo on this 5-day excursion. Guests will leave the ship in Luxor before traveling to Cairo to tour the ancient Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx. Local highlights include a tour of the Solar Boat, the ritual vessel believed to provide transport for the Pharoahs soul to the afterlife, as well as a camel ride through the desert.
–    Cruise: Wonders of Arabia, a 6-day voyage from Athens to Safaga
–    Hotels: Hilton Luxor, and 5-Star Mena House Hotel in Giza
–    Special tip: Join Windstar CEO Hans Birkholz as he hosts this Wonders of Arabia voyage.

Rolls Royce Power System reports stable first half 2014 revenues

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 July 2014 31 July 2014

Revenues generated by Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, which is part of the London based Rolls Royce plc group, remained stable in the first half of 2014.

“The 2014 half-year report published today by the Rolls-Royce Group shows revenues for the “Power Systems” segment of £1.214 billion (€1.473 billion). This represents 17% of the total revenues generated by Rolls-Royce. The business activities of today’s Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG are now included in the “Power Systems” segment, which is made up of the former Tognum Group, including the Norwegian subsidiary, Bergen Engines AS,” the company said in a statement.

The order book in the first half-year was at £2.042 (€2.682 billion), the return on sales was at 5.1%. For the full year, at constant foreign exchange, Rolls-Royce expects underlying revenue to be in a range of plus or minus 2%.

The business figures of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG have been fully consolidated in Rolls-Royce plc since the beginning of 2013. In March 2014, Daimler AG announced that it intended to sell its 50% shareholding in Rolls-Royce Power Systems to Rolls-Royce. The transfer of the shares is expected to take place this year, as soon as the regulatory authorities responsible have given their approval.

Online bookings continues rapid growth at Thomas Cook

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 July 2014 31 July 2014

Thomas Cook, the London based tour operator that is a major retailer of cruises, says that online bookings have continued rapid expansion of market share.

Year to date, the internet accounted for 38% of the group’s bookings, while the figure was just 35% a year earlier. The company intends to push it above 50% in 2015.

Bookings made by smartphones and tablets had driven the growth by a 73% increase in the review period.

Silver Galapagos to undergo second phase of refurbishment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 July 2014 30 July 2014

This September, Silversea Expeditions' all-suite Silver Galapagos will undergo a second phase of refurbishment during a month-long dry dock in Panama.

The renovations will entail a complete refurbishment of all suites, corridors and the Explorer Lounge. An elegant blue and beige colour palette will create an interior décor echoing that of the recently refurbished Silver Discoverer.

These further enhancements will achieve a consistency of interior design within the expedition fleet. The 100-guest Silver Galapagos underwent an initial partial refurbishment last year, highlighted by the installation of new in-suite bathrooms featuring rich marble detailing, plus a new fitness centre, massage room, beauty salon, outdoor Jacuzzi, and Silversea's signature outdoor dining venue, The Grill.

Silver Galapagos sails Saturday to Saturday on seven-day voyages through the Galápagos Islands, following either a western or north central route. These expedition cruises offer adventurous travellers the life-enriching chance to discover a wild, pristine paradise that has long been regarded as a natural laboratory of evolution. On complimentary expeditions ashore guided by an experienced expedition team (certified by the Galápagos National Park Service), Silversea's guests may experience up-close encounters with an abundance of wildlife that includes sun-basking land iguanas, giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, colourful marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins and Darwin's famous finches.

Norwegian Cruise Line introduces All-Inclusive package

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 July 2014 30 July 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line is debuting a new All-Inclusive package that takes the line's signature Freestyle Cruising to a new level, providing guests yet another way to customize their cruise vacation. Representing more than $2,400 in value per stateroom, Norwegian's All-Inclusive package is a first for major cruise lines, and is available for a limited time for all 2015 sailings* fleetwide**, for new reservations made from August 4, 2014 through August 29, 2014. The comprehensive package includes signature dining, alcoholic beverages, unlimited soda, shore excursions, internet access, service charges and more.

"Based on the popularity of our Fly, Cruise and Stay vacations, along with our onboard dining and beverage packages, we are now offering the first All-Inclusive package for our guests who want to experience all that the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Cruising has to offer," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "Always an innovator, we are making it easy for those that want everything included in their cruise vacation with the option of our All-Inclusive package."

The All-Inclusive package is available for 2015 sailings from three to 14 days in length, is priced by the number of days, and is available for all stateroom categories, including the Haven by Norwegian. When adding the All-Inclusive to a selected cruise, guests receive 10 percent off the cruise fare. For a seven-day cruise, the $899 package includes the Ultimate Dining package; the Ultimate Beverage package; shore excursion credit of $200 per person, pre-paid daily service charges; a 250-minute Internet package per person; 20 photos of any size; chocolate-covered strawberries; a bottle of wine; one bingo session and six bottles of water. For cruises from three to five days, the shore excursion credit is $100 per person; and for sailings from 9-14 days, the package includes 12 bottles of water.

As part of the All-Inclusive offer, Norwegian's Ultimate Dining package provides complimentary access to one of the line's specialty restaurants every night of the cruise, including Cagney's, the popular steakhouse; French bistro, Italian restaurant, Moderno Churrascaria, Asian-Fusion restaurant and more. The Ultimate Beverage package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, draft beer, bottled beer and glasses of wine up to $10 and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and on Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay.