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STX Finland completes cruise ferry conversion for Fjord Line

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

On 4 June 2013, STX Finland and the Norwegian passenger ship company Fjord Line AS signed a contract on conversion of Fjord Line's cruise ferry. The steel production for the conversion project began 1.10.2013. In connection with the rebuild of MS Bergensfjord, the ship was renamed MS Oslofjord. The overall value of the conversion contract was approx. EUR 30 million, and it provided some 200 man-years of labour.

MS Oslofjord is 134 metres long and 24 metres wide ship, built in Norway in 1993. The converted ship will enter traffic between Sandefjord (Norway) and Strömstad (Sweden) in June 2014. The most significant change in the ship was transforming it from a night ferry to a day cruise ferry. Two cabin decks were converted to public spaces, which practically quadrupled the tax-free area, and increased the selection of cafeterias and restaurants significantly. The interior changes were designed by the Norwegian Falkum-Hansen Design. One fixed middle deck for cars was added, providing additional parking space. The third deck was extended, and a new area, called the Fjord of Coffee, was built there. In addition to interior design, the appearance of the ship changed as well. For example, the ship's window area increased, and its funnel was covered with aluminium. The conversion increased the ship's passenger capacity considerably. After conversion, the capacity is 1,800 passengers and 370 cars.

"The conversion implemented on the ship was extremely extensive and demanding. The basic design needed to be reviewed almost totally and the project was executed on a turnkey basis. We are very satisfied being able to hand over this totally renewed ferry to Fjord Line," says Kari Toivonen, Project Manager, STX Finland Oy.

"Now the MS Oslofjord looks like a brand new ship, and we are looking forward to introducing her to our passengers, truck drivers and freight shippers," says Marcus Pettersson, Fjord Line director for the Sandefjord-Strömstad route.

Ambiente Kreuzfahrten to close after failure to meet volume targets

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 May 2014 30 May 2014

Ambiente Kreuzfahrten, the German tour operator that has operated the 16,800 gross ton Azores on charter since the spring, will close down its business after it had failed to meet targeted passenger volumes, the Berlin based company said in a statement.

The last cruise of the company will run from 29 August to 5 September, which means that the charter of Azores that is owned by Portuscale Cruises in Lisbon will come to an end about two months earlier than what had originally been agreed.

Silversea announces appointments in sales

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 May 2014 28 May 2014

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has announced key appointments within its sales team.

Kim Guimaraes is promoted from director to vice president of national account sales for the Americas, reporting to Kristian Anderson, senior vice president and general manager for the Americas. She has been instrumental in advancing the strategic organisation and growth of the national accounts portfolio, and will continue to expand and develop these key account partnerships with a focus on increasing revenue performance. Guimaraes joined Silversea in 2010 as a regional sales director, bringing to her position over 24 years of management experience in the travel industry, including travel agency sales development and 12 years leading regional sales efforts for Carnival Cruise Lines.

Kris Endreson is promoted to vice president of field sales for the US and Canada, reporting to Anderson. She will oversee management of the field and inside sales teams, with responsibility for developing and implementing strategic sales initiatives. Most recently she served as regional sales director for the eastern US and Caribbean, and has a proven track record of outstanding sales performance. Endreson joined Silversea in 2011 as a regional sales director. Starting out in finance, her career transitioned to travel and includes 14 years as a sales manager with Royal Caribbean International.

Phil Flad, who joined Silversea last year as director of brand partnerships, is named regional sales director for the eastern US, reporting to Endreson. He will be responsible for driving sales in the region by strengthening and expanding relationships with agency partners, and will also continue to manage brand partnerships. His past travel industry experience includes 16 years in management positions with American Express.

Anderson said, "I'm delighted to announce these new roles for Kim, Kris, and Phil. These talented individuals are a tremendous asset to Silversea, and will continue to work to enhance the strong relationships we have established with our valued travel agent partners."

Italian-flagged Costa Cruises celebrates Italian Republic Day June 2, 2014

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 May 2014 28 May 2014

Costa Cruises, Italy's ambassador to the world, is preparing to celebrate the upcoming June 2 Italian Republic Day on its fleet of 14 Italian-flagged ships.

Costa Cruises will support celebrations to promote Italian excellence organized by Italian embassies and consulates at Washington, D.C.; Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; and Ankara and Izmir, Turkey. During a scheduled call at Copenhagen, Denmark, May 31, Costa Luminosa will host a reception onboard organized by the Italian embassy there.

On Italian Republic Day June 2, Costa Cruises and its guests will celebrate the birth of the Italian Republic on all 14 Costa ships sailing in the Mediterranean, northern Europe and Asia. Guests will be invited to raise their glasses to the Italian national anthem that will resound from the decks of the Costa fleet.

For more than 66 years Costa Cruises ships have showcased Italian-made excellence worldwide with their quality of service, variety of entertainment, stunning range of food and wine, and their exclusive shipboard art collections.

Costa Cruises' Italian roots will be highlighted Nov. 7, 2014, when the company's new flagship, Costa Diadema, is christened at Genoa, Italy. The ship is under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, and represents a total investment of US$682 million. The project employs approximately 1,000 shipyard workers and 2,500 employees of allied industries, including about 400 contracted suppliers, most of them Italian firms.

Princess Cruises debuts 2015-2016 'Exotics' sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 May 2014 27 May 2014

Princess Cruises has debuted its 2015-2016 Exotics program which will take guests to a myriad of fascinating destinations that span the globe.

The diverse deployment includes more than 40 unique itineraries to 140 destinations in 70 countries on six continents. Guests will be able to book cruises to Tahiti and the South Pacific, South America, Australia/New Zealand, Asia and Africa. In addition, cruisers will experience less-traveled ports- available on the line’s small ships, or circumvent the globe on a 111-day World Cruise sailing roundtrip from North America.

Among the highlights of next season’s offerings are the lines’ largest ever deployment of cruises in Australia as Golden Princess becomes one of five ships to sail from the area - more ships than ever before for Princess; the line’s first Perth-based deployment during the Australian summer; longer cruises to Africa, Asia and the South Pacific; and sailings roundtrip from Singapore on Sapphire Princess.

“Our award-winning itineraries offer our guests the chance to travel the globe and enrich their lives by being introduced to the worlds’ cultures and peoples,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. "Our upcoming 2015-16 Exotics program underscores our position as a destination leader in the cruise industry."

Princess’ 2015-16 Exotics cruise program includes:

Asia & Africa cruises

Sapphire Princess will offer a robust season of departures from Singapore to both ancient locales and bustling cities - sailing not only roundtrip from the port of Singapore but to Hong Kong or Beijing as well. In addition, Sapphire Princess will continue offering the line’s most popular Asia cruise- the 17-day Grand Asia itinerary, while small ship Ocean Princess will sail on a 36-day West Africa Adventure from London (Dover) to Cape Town, followed by a 35-day voyage ending in Rome, or a combined 71-day Grand Adventure cruise to a number of exciting destinations around Africa, home to a variety of vibrant cultures and fascinating wildlife.

Australia & New Zealand cruises

An unprecedented five ships will be deployed to four homeports in Australia this season, offering the widest variety of itineraries ever. Golden Princess will debut for the first time in Australia sailing during summer “Down Under” from Melbourne on five different itineraries visiting New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Tasmania.

Sydney will be home to both Diamond Princess and Dawn Princess. Diamond Princess will offer voyages to an of assortment destinations, including a 33-day full circumnavigation of Australia, and two special sailings between Sydney and Auckland. Dawn Princess will offer two-week cruises throughout the season to New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands.

Sun Princess will sail year-round, remaining in Sydney winter through June 2015 for a mix of cruises, and for the first time ever, will homeport in Perth (Fremantle) for the Australian summer offering both shorter and longer cruises – including a 46-day voyage to South Africa and the Indian Ocean. Sea Princess will return to Brisbane for the Australian summer season sailing seven-, 10- and 11-day voyages to New Zealand and islands in the South Pacific including Papua New Guinea.

South America cruises

Star Princess sails to the Southern Hemisphere sailing between Santiago (Valparaiso) and either Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires on itineraries sailing the southernmost tip of South America and the Chilean Fjords. In addition, Star Princess will sail between two continents and cross the Equator on two departures of Andes and South American cruises featuring Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and and optional overland tour of Machu Picchu.

The start of 2016 will see Ocean Princess sail on her first-ever full circumnavigation of South America, sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. This 64-day Grand South America voyage will offer guests the opportunity to visit Antarctica on an optional overflight tour from Punta Arenas.

Tahiti & Polynesia cruises

Pacific Princess will return to Tahiti’s clear blue waters and offer 10-day voyages sailing from Papeete throughout the fall to explore this beautiful destination. Each departure includes two full days in Bora Bora. Adding variety to the 10-day program, Pacific Princess will include one departure of a 10-day Marquesas & Polynesia itinerary featuring the remote island of Nuku Hiva.

World Cruise

Princess’ World Cruise will once again depart from and return to North America. The 111-day voyage on Pacific Princess will sail roundtrip from Los Angeles or Ft. Lauderdale visiting 35 destinations, 26 countries and includes overnight stays in Hong Kong, Dubai and Venice, as well as maiden calls to Chania, Crete and Bari, Italy.