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Adventure Canada adds Ocean Endeavour to its fleet

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

Adventure Canada upgrades its charter fleet with the announcement of its newest ship, the Ocean Endeavour. The 1B ice class ship replaces the Sea Adventurer on explorations beginning with the 2015 Arctic summer. Purpose built for passenger service, outfitted with twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, multiple lounges and a top deck observation room, Ocean Endeavour is a stylish and robust vessel perfect for intimate expeditions to remote environments throughout the Arctic, Greenland and Canada’s East Coast.

“Not only will we retain the entertaining and educational expedition programming our guests value, but we’ll be able to invite even more resource staff aboard to further enhance the experience,” says Cedar Swan, Adventure Canada’s Vice President. “Ocean Endeavour allows us to provide more options for our guests.”

Ocean Endeavour’s shallow draft and precision maneuverability allow her to access isolated fiords, sheltered bays and secluded communities to deliver the unique routes Adventure Canada is known for. While venturing to some of the world’s last great frontiers, such as the Northwest Passage, guests can appreciate the comforts of a boutique hotel and know their safety is the first priority.

Built in Poland in 1982, the ice-strengthened vessel underwent extensive renovations in 2010 and 2014. Next season’s passengers will enjoy spectacular views on multiple decks with comfortable lounge chairs and can take advantage of the ship’s exceptional amenities including a sauna, Jacuzzi, gym and spa. The ship’s three lounges provide spacious public rooms for multiple workshops, events and presentations to occur simultaneously, inviting each guest to tailor their onboard experience.

Cunard welcomes film director Wes Anderson aboard Queen Mary 2 this June

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

Cunard Line has announced that award-winning film director Wes Anderson will sail with flagship Queen Mary 2 during her 13 June 2014 Transatlantic Crossing. Anderson will be joined on-board by a group of esteemed colleagues who are also close collaborators – Academy Award-winning actress Tilda Swinton, actor Jason Schwartzman and screenplay writer and producer Roman Coppola.

Passengers on board the seven-day voyage will have an exclusive opportunity to participate in multiple film screenings, plus a Q&A session with the entire group in Queen Mary 2’s Royal Court Theatre. This special event will include a screening of Mr. Anderson’s newest film, the critically acclaimed The Grand Budapest Hotel, which includes Ms. Swinton and Mr. Schwartzman in its all-star cast, with Special Photography helmed by Mr. Coppola. The film has received rave reviews from viewers and critics, and it is Mr. Anderson’s highest-grossing film to date.

“We are delighted to welcome Wes Anderson and his friends, Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola and Tilda Swinton, aboard Queen Mary 2, especially during her 10th Anniversary year,” said David Dingle, CEO for Cunard Line. “Mr. Anderson has many fans among Cunard passengers, and we know they will jump at this unique opportunity to enjoy his films, and spend time with him and his wonderful collaborators. It’s another example of the exceptional programming we feature on our Transatlantic Crossings.”

Wes Anderson is well-known for his distinct visual and narrative style, as seen in films such as The Royal Tenenbaums and The Darjeeling Limited. The Grand Budapest Hotel won The Jury Grand Prix at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Anderson traveled on one of the last voyages of the Queen Elizabeth 2. “This is going to be my first time on board the Queen Mary 2, but I have been looking forward to having this chance since before the ship was even launched over ten years ago,” Anderson said. “I'm especially happy to be able to travel this way with my great friends.”

Tilda Swinton is a Scottish actress, producer and cultural activist admired for her unique style and beloved by the film and fashion worlds alike. In addition to the Wes Anderson films, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Moonrise Kingdom, Ms. Swinton’s films include Orlando, The Chronicles of Narnia, I Am Love, Burn After Reading, We Need To Talk about Kevin and Only Lovers Left Alive. In 2008, Ms. Swinton won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Michael Clayton.

American actor and musician Jason Schwartzman is best known for his frequent collaborations with Mr. Anderson, including his breakthrough performance in Rushmore, as well as appearances in Fantastic Mr. Fox, Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel, to name a few. He has also garnered critical praise for performances in I Heart Huckabees and Shopgirl.

Roman Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenplay writer. He has collaborated with Mr. Anderson, on a number of films, including The Darjeeling Limited and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Both Mr. Coppola and Mr. Anderson were nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay for Moonrise Kingdom.

Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola, Tilda Swinton and Jason Schwartzman are part of Cunard’s illustrious history of hosting famed entertainers with peerless cachet. Legendary notables such as Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Cary Grant and Clark Gable frequently crossed the Atlantic on Cunard’s earlier Queens, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth; and since Queen Mary 2’s debut nearly ten years ago, the ship has welcomed film notables such as George Lucas, Uma Thurman, John Cleese and Angela Bassett. Later this year, Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor, will also join Queen Mary 2 on her 27 August Transatlantic Crossing.

For nearly 175 years, Cunard Line’s Transatlantic Crossing has appealed to a broad range of sophisticated travellers with a love of glamour, elegance and tradition. Each Crossing aboard Queen Mary 2 features a series of Royal Nights themed balls on the largest dance floor at sea in the Queens Room; and the Royal Court Theatre presents West End-style musical revues and guest performers.

Windstar Cruises unveils new logo

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 April 2014 29 April 2014

Windstar Cruises has redesigned its logo and brand insignia as part of a comprehensive plan to refine marketing communications.

Inspired by Windstar's continued commitment to unique luxury travel, the new logo presents a polished new look to dramatize Windstar's casually elegant, yacht style experience in the luxury cruising industry.

"The logo's classic, serif typeface with a slightly taller initial capital letter is a modern interpretation of the elegant type styles closely associated with the yachting lifestyle. This is balanced by the flourish and star emblem. Placed behind the first letter and coming to rest above the I, the emblem draws its inspiration from soft breezes, gentle waves, and clear nights that are part of the intimate experience of small ship cruising," the company said in a statement.

"We wanted a refreshed look that keeps pace with the company as we enter into a new era of growth as the market leader in small ship cruising, yet still reflects our heritage of sailing," said Hans Birkholz, president and chief executive officer of Windstar Cruises. "We will also be launching a new website in June of this year to align with our fresh image."

The new look marks a highpoint for Windstar Cruises, which recently doubled the size of the fleet and expanded into new regions of the world such as Southeast Asia, Arabia, Iceland, and beyond. On May 2, Windstar will make its much anticipated return to Tahiti, which also will feature the company's brand new Private Events, an exclusive event created solely for Windstar guests, and are complimentary on all 2015 itineraries. On May 5, in Barcelona, Spain, Windstar will celebrate the inaugural launch of Star Pride, the first of three new power yachts added to the Windstar fleet.

Cunard fleet to celebrate Queen Mary 2's first 10 years in Southampton

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 April 2014 29 April 2014

Cunard will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, on Friday 9 May 2014 with the arrival of the whole three-ship fleet in Southampton. This will be a rare occasion to see Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth together, and Southampton will be the only place in the world to have hosted the Three Queens three times.

The ships will arrive together at first light to begin a day of spectacular celebration, with an early morning Birthday Salute, a special reception and lunch on board Queen Mary 2 for invited guests in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, and a spectacular fireworks send-off in the evening before Queen Mary 2 leads the three ships in convoy down Southampton Water.

"We're delighted to have the Three Queens come together in our homeport, Southampton, to mark the first ten years of the grandest ocean liner ever built – Queen Mary 2," said David Dingle, CEO of Cunard Line. "Southampton is where Queen Mary 2 was named by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004, and Southampton has been the main UK departure point for Cunard's crossings to New York since 1919. So it is fitting that it is in Southampton that we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Queen Mary 2, which has become almost synonymous with Transatlantic voyages, and we are honoured that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will be visiting this magnificent ship in celebration of this milestone."

Norwegian announces $500 million share repurchase program

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 April 2014 29 April 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today the authorization by its Board of Directors of a three-year, $500 million share repurchase program. The company may repurchase its ordinary shares from time to time, in amounts, at prices and at such times as it deems appropriate, subject to market conditions and other considerations. Norwegian may make repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, in accelerated repurchase programs or in structured share repurchase programs, and any repurchases may be made pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 plans. The program will be conducted in compliance with applicable legal requirements and will be subject to market conditions and other factors.

"Our focus at Norwegian is to drive shareholder value by strengthening our product proposition, honing our strategy of driving demand and increasing returns through our disciplined newbuild and fleet enhancement programs. This share repurchase program complements these initiatives by allowing us to be flexible and opportunistic to repurchase shares at attractive levels," said Sheehan.

The program does not obligate Norwegian to acquire any particular amount of ordinary shares and the program may be modified or suspended at any time at Norwegian's discretion. As of March 31, 2014 the company had approximately 205 million ordinary shares outstanding.