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Early-bird registration discount expires soon for the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 July 2014 10 July 2014

Less than two months remain to register with the discounted rate for the FCCA Conference & Trade Show – the largest cruise conference in the Caribbean and Latin America. "Make sure to book as soon as possible to lock in the reduced price, which will increase over 20% in September. Registering now also guarantees your spot for one-on-one meetings, as they have a first-come, first-serve basis and are only guaranteed to those registered by July 31," FCCA said in a statement.

The Conference gives attendees access to key decision makers-over 100 FCCA Member Line cruise executives, presidents and CEOs during a four-day series that balances business sessions and networking opportunities. These include one-on-one meetings and a chance to promote a product to or receive individualized input from cruise executives selected by attendees; social functions that foster interaction between attendees and executives in a laid-back, engaging atmosphere; and workshops focused on current issues with panels comprised of knowledgeable industry professionals and cruise executives, along with the presidents and CEOs heading a roundtable discussion.

If you want to establish or grow your cruise industry business, St. Maarten is the place to be from October 6-10.

To register and/or learn more, please visit https://www.regonline.com/fccastmaarten.

Costa neoRiviera earns top ratings in Costa Cruises' fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 July 2014 09 July 2014

Costa Cruises' Costa neoRiviera recently achieved the highest scores across the fleet on customer satisfaction surveys. When Costa asked guests how likely they were to recommend their cruise to a friend, colleague or relative, passengers gave Costa neoRiviera the highest ratings, highlighting how quickly the line's neoCollection has gained popularity since its inception.

Costa introduced its neoCollection late in 2013, featuring two of the line's smaller ships – Costa neoRiviera and Costa neoRomantica – both able to sail to destinations inaccessible to larger vessels. The ships feature "slow cruising," a style of cruise vacation that features longer, leisurely itineraries and extended time in port. The cruise line also designed small-group shore excursions to showcase cultural and natural attractions in each destination.

"We launched the neoCollection because we recognized that many travelers are looking for a more immersive cruise experience," said Scott Knutson, vice president of sales and marketing for Costa Cruises North America. "Costa neoRiviera's number-one ranking in the fleet validates our decision to develop the slow-cruise product and we're pleased that it’s been so well received."

For guests who want to embark on a neoCollection cruise there is a range of enticing itineraries to choose from. This fall both ships will sail 11-night itineraries in the Mediterranean roundtrip from Savona, Italy.

Costa neoRiviera's 11-night itinerary features an overnight stay at Barcelona, Spain, and calls at Toulon, France; Valletta, Malta; and Porto Empedocle, Salerno and Livorno, Italy. Dates for that itinerary are Sept. 12 and 23; Oct. 4; and Nov. 6.

Costa neoRomantica's 11-night itinerary features calls at Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Messina, Sicily; Piraeus (Athens) and Heraklion, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Valletta; and Marseille, France. The ship departs Savona Oct. 9, 20 and 31; and Nov. 11 and 22. Guests can also enjoy the same itinerary, but roundtrip from Civitavecchia, with departures Sept. 29; Oct. 10 and 21; and Nov. 1 and 12.

Following a refurbishment, Costa Classica will join the neoCollection in December as Costa neoClassica and will sail the Indian Ocean and east coast of Africa.

Costa neoClassica's first sailing will be a 25-night cruise from Savona, departing Dec. 18, and featuring calls at Naples, Italy; Sharm El Sheik and Safaga, Egypt; Aqaba, Jordan; Salalah, Oman; Diego Suarez, Madagascar; St. Denis, Reunion; with overnights at Eilat, Israel; Mahe, Seychelles; and Port Louis, Mauritius. In January 2015, the ship will begin 15-day itineraries roundtrip Port Louis, featuring an overnight at Port Louis and two nights at Mahe. The ship will also call at Nosy Be, Diego Suarez and Tamatave, Madagascar, and St. Denis. Departures are Jan. 12 and 26; and Feb. 9 and 23.

Viking Cruises seeks note holder approval to amend indenture

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 July 2014 08 July 2014

Viking Cruises Ltd, the privately owned river to ocean cruise shipping group, said that it is soliciting consents from holders of its outstanding 8.50% Senior Notes due 2022 to approve amendments to the indenture relating to the notes with an outstanding amount of $250 million to provide Viking with financial and operating flexibility.

“Adoption of the proposed amendments requires the consent of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes voting as a single class,” the company said in a statement.

The Consent Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 15, 2014, unless we extend it. “Only holders of record of the Notes as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 3, 2014 are eligible to deliver consents to the proposed amendments in the consent solicitation, Viking cruises said.

Parts of rockets fell on AIDAdiva in Ashdod, no injuries

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 July 2014 08 July 2014

Parts of several rockets fell on AIDA Cruises’ vessel AIDAdiva as at the Israeli port of Ashdod, a German media report says.

None of the 2,700 persons on board came to any harm at the incident that took place at 20;28 local time last night, according to a report on the n-tv.de television station.

It is not yet known who had fired the rockets.

None of 24,000 Fred. Olsen passengers in six months demands money back on Enjoyment Promise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 July 2014 08 July 2014

After over six months of its ‘Enjoyment Promise’ being in place, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said that not a single of the 24,000 guests it has received in that time has taken it up on its offer to fly them home and refund their cruise fare because they were not enjoying their cruise holiday.

“Fred. Olsen launched its unique ‘Enjoyment Promise’ in December 2013 – the biggest initiative of its kind ever to take place in the UK to encourage people to try cruising – and it now forms a key part of the cruise line’s brand (applicable on all freedom fare bookings made at least 14 weeks in advance, of between seven and 35 nights’ duration,” the company said in a statement.

If guests find that a Fred. Olsen cruise is not for them within 48 hours, they just need to let Guest Relations know on board and Fred. Olsen promises to arrange and pay for their flight back to the UK and repay the cost of their cruise*.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “When we launched our innovative ‘Fred.’s Enjoyment Promise’ late last year, we felt that our guests would fall in love with the destinations that we get closer to, the great value and friendliness that we offer on board – and it seems that this has, indeed, been the case!

“We have welcomed over 24,000 guests onto our ships since we introduced the ‘Enjoyment Promise’, and they have all enjoyed their time with us…in fact, many will be returning to holiday with us again in the future!

“‘Fred.’s Enjoyment Promise’ demonstrates the confidence that we have in our product, and we hope that this faith in our high-quality cruise experience will encourage the millions of holiday-makers in the UK to give cruising a try with Fred. Olsen for the first time.”