Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific 2014 Conference to feature comprehensive sessions

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 23 June 2014 23 June 2014

UBM, organizers of Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific, slated for November 20-21, 2014, presents the 2014 conference program for the event’s fourth edition.

This year’s conference will analyze the market potential and challenges associated with the emerging Asia cruise market as well as explore the infrastructure and itinerary development opportunities. The conference will be led by a panel of regional and international industry experts who will be named at a later date.

The conference kicks off on Thursday, November 20 with The State of the Cruise Industry in Asia, followed by concurrent sessions: “The Operating Environment in Asia” and “Focus on China.”

It continues into Friday, November 21 with concurrent morning sessions: “How Asia Will Grow as a Source Market” and “Cruise Infrastructure Across Asia,” followed by “The Itinerary Development Across the Region” and “Shipbuilding and Refurbishment in Asian Yards,” running concurrently in the afternoon.

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.

AIDA expands barrier-free travel options

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 19 June 2014 19 June 2014

Barrier-free accessibility is a high priority with AIDA Cruises. In May 2014, a certified guide dog accompanied a couple on an AIDA Cruise for the first time. Nine-year-old Alfa helped her blind owner, Frank Kähms, make his way around the ship. This was a first for him and also for his wife Annelore and their Labrador Retriever Alfa. "Except for a ferry ride, we had never experienced traveling on a ship. Thanks to the competent advice provided by the AIDA barrier-free team in advance and their helpful support throughout the trip, we always felt right at home with AIDA," said Annelore Kähms.

The fact that Frank Kähms' faithful companion Alfa was also able to be by his side every day on board was a great help for the couple. Pets are not normally allowed on AIDA ships. However, in order to ensure that guests with limited vision can navigate without any barriers even when they are vacationing at sea, the cruise line has allowed guests to bring certified guide dogs on board.

AIDA Cruises has been offering guests with physical or health-related restrictions a comprehensive overview of barrier-free travel matters on its website since 2013. In addition to information for guests with limited mobility, vision, or hearing, there is a special area of AIDA's website that has a frequently asked questions section about barrier-free accessibility. The website  also provides information for guests with allergies as well as onboard medical treatment information.

In advance of the booking, specially trained AIDA staff members are more than happy to provide travel consultation over the phone or via email with guests who have any disability concerns.
 
Nearly all public areas on AIDA ships, such as bars, restaurants, elevators, outdoor decks, public restrooms, and staterooms have barrier-free accessibility and are equipped with signage in raised lettering and braille. A barrier-free meeting that is held on the first day of travel helps guests navigate the ship without any issues. AIDA's shore excursion options also include excursions that are particularly suited for guests with limited mobility.

Holland America Line returns to Bermuda in summer 2015 with 7-night roundtrip Boston voyages

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 19 June 2014 19 June 2014

Holland America Line is returning to the pink sands and pastel-colored skyline of Bermuda on 7-night cruises aboard Veendam. Sailing roundtrip from Boston, Mass., six departures will sail in May, June and July, and feature three days and nights at Hamilton, the country's capital known for its gorgeous beaches and abundance of golf courses.

Carrying just 1,350 guests, Veendam offers an ideal mid-size ship experience in Bermuda that enables the vessel to dock at Hamilton in the center of town. The 7-night voyages spend a day at sea after departing Boston and arrive at Hamilton mid-day with enough time for guests to go ashore and enjoy the town. The ship then spends three nights alongside, where guests can experience local nightlife and dine ashore, if desired. Veendam departs Bermuda in the afternoon of the final day in Hamilton, with a day at sea before arriving back at Boston.

"We know our guests will be excited to see us cruise again to Bermuda in 2015," said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line's executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest relations. "By extending the call to three nights, guests can have extensive time to experience the island while still enjoying the award-wining service and amenities that Holland America Line is known for."

With three days in port, guests will have multiple opportunities to experience Hamilton's British charm, cultural heritage sites and world-renowned beaches on a variety of shore excursions. From the ship, guests can take a short walk to Front Street and explore its array of colorful shops and restaurants. Hamilton also is home to a massive 19th-century neo-Gothic cathedral, and the Georgian-style Sessions House built in 1815.

The 7-night Bermuda itinerary can be combined with a 7-night Canada/New England cruise to create a 14-night Bermuda & Canada/New England Collectors' Voyage. The full Collectors' cruise calls at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston; and Hamilton, with scenic cruising in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Bermuda cruise also can be combined with a 17-night Panama Canal transit to create a 24-night Panama Canal and Bermuda Collectors' Voyage. The ship departs San Diego, Calif., April 15, and calls at ports in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia, as well as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Boston and Hamilton, including a full transit of the Panama Canal.

Veendam offers an onboard experience defined by spacious comfort and the latest features and amenities. Guests aboard the ship will not only enjoy elegant dining rooms, a $2 million art and antique collection, wide teak decks and spacious staterooms - many with private verandahs - but also new and exciting venues and along with the latest culinary and entertainment enhancements.

Cruise fares begin at $799 for the seven-day cruises; $1,499 for the 14-day Bermuda & Canada/New England Collectors' Voyages; and $2,499 for the 24-day Panama Canal and Bermuda Collectors' Voyage, all per person, double occupancy.

Costa Diadema to offer open air promenade with cabanas, overlooking bars

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 18 June 2014 18 June 2014

Costa Diadema, the latest newbuilding of Costa Crociere, will offer large, split-level, conveniently-interconnected rooms that directly overlook the sea, evoking the atmosphere of a buzzing seaside resort. "What’s more, guests can enjoy spectacular sea views from the longest Promenade of the fleet - a 500m long walkway reminiscent of gorgeous Italian shorelines and waterfronts such as the Sanremo Passeggiata dell’Imperatrice, the seafront of Santa Maria di Leuca in Puglia, or the promenade of Rimini," the company said in a statement.

Strolling through the open-air Promenade which circles the ship from stern to bow on deck five, guests will be able to admire Roberto Bixio’s artwork Riviera Ligure; two large glass mosaics of the Mediterranean coastline that frame the left and right-hand sides of the walkway and cover a total area of 134m².

The Promenade measures from 5-8m across, with six cabanas and two jacuzzis positioned in wider areas that extend out from the side of the ship and create the feeling of being suspended over the sea. Guests can enjoy a leisurely drink or a romantic sunset dinner in the cabanas, comfortably sheltered from the wind.

A number of bars and restaurants overlook the Promenade, creating a Mediterranean-summer atmosphere. A selection of bottled beer by the most prestigious Italian and international brands along with a range of fresh draught beers are available at the Birreria (beer house), while top quality Italian regional wines are on offer at Vinoteca Gran Duca di Toscana. Guests can also enjoy an aperitif at Bar Bollicine which boasts a wide selection of DOC and DOCG Prosecco.

Dinner options include the authentically Japanese Teppanyaki and typical Italian cuisine in the casual and cosy atmosphere of the Pizzeria, while the Gelateria Amarillo serves up delicious ice-cream, traditional Italian pastries, crepes, hot chocolates and pralines. Gourmet food lovers can savour the delicacies of quality Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in the a la carte Club Restaurant and the Samsara Restaurant before chilling out in the elegant Teodora Bar at the bow.

Deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, Costa Diadema will visit five of Italy’s main ports during her inaugural month in November - Trieste, Naples, Genoa, La Spezia and Savona – and will become an Ambassador of Italy’s finest.

From 8 November, the 2014/15 winter season and for the 2015 summer season, the new flagship will leave Savona on seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean Sea, calling every week at Marseille, Barcelona, ​Palma de Mallorca, Naples and La Spezia, allowing guests to visit both Florence and Naples, two of the most popular Italian cities, and beautiful Mediterranean cities like Barcelona and Marseille, in a single cruise, the company said.