Star Cruises celebrates maiden call in Kuantan, Malaysia

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 09 April 2014 09 April 2014

Since the recent homeport relocation of SuperStar Gemini in Singapore, Star Cruises now offers seven regular itineraries starting from 2nd April to 31st October 2014. These include the 6Day/5Night to Kuantan, Redang and Tioman, the 6Day/5Night to Penang, Langkawi and Malacca, the 4Day/3Night cruise to Penang and Langkawi, the 4Day/3Night cruise to Kuantan and Pulau Redang, the 3Day/2Night cruise to Malacca, the 3Day/2Night cruise to Pulau Tioman, and the 3Day/2Night high seas cruise.

Star Cruises celebrated SuperStar Gemini’s inaugural voyage to Kuantan April 7, making it the first international cruise line to call at port in the capital state of Pahang this year. Both local and international passengers were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a spectacular cultural dance performance staged by the National Department for Culture & Arts, Pahang. Yang Berhormat Dato’ Haji Mohamad Sharkar bin Haji Shamsudin, Chairman of Pahang State Tourism and Culture Committee was also present to welcome the disembarking passengers with special souvenirs as a token of remembrance.

Yang Berhormat Dato’ Haji Mohamad Sharkar bin Haji Shamsudin, Chairman of Pahang State Tourism and Culture Committee said “We are delighted to have Star Cruises’ SuperStar Gemini to call at 2 wonderful destinations in Pahang, namely Kuantan and Pulau Tioman. I would like to thank Star Cruises for their continous support and commitment in promoting the state of Pahang as well as Malaysia to the world.”

Jukka Silvennoinen, Captain of SuperStar Gemini said “On behalf of Star Cruises, we are proud to have Kuantan as one of the new destinations for SuperStar Gemini. Today’s welcoming ceremony in Kuantan is truly a testament of Pahang’s commitment and hospitality towards its guests. I am sure the passengers will have a wonderful and memorable experience here in Kuantan. We will continue to work closely with the relevant local authorities to make new destinations like Kuantan a popular tourist destination”.

With new holiday itineraries and destinations now available on SuperStar Gemini, Star Cruises remains passionate and committed in offering the best cruise experience with the ultimate freestyle cruising holiday concept, accentuated by world-class service with a warm touch of Asian hospitality. SuperStar Gemini passengers can enjoy a wide variety of onboard activities such as the must-see internationally acclaimed LIVE performances, sports and recreational activities, shopping at luxury stores or cdf Duty Free shops, or even embark on a gastronomic journey with our international and authentic Asian cuisines from our top award-winning chefs, and many more. In addition, Star Cruises offers top-notch facilities and amenities for pure rejuvenation and relaxation including spas, swimming pools, Jacuzzis and the gym, just to name a few.

Costa Cruises to broadcast 2014 FIFA World Cup matches across fleet

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 09 April 2014 09 April 2014

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup soccer championships taking place in Brazil June 12 to July 13, Costa Cruises plans to show live television broadcasts of matches onboard its fleet of 14 ships around the world. The line also has designed a variety of themed activities to celebrate the festive atmosphere surrounding the world's most popular sporting event.

Depending on the timing of matches and the nationalities playing, games will be broadcast in different shipboard venues, such as the big screen located on the Magrodome pool deck and in the main show lounge.

Costa Cruises also has planned a range of themed activities to engage football fans and guests who want to support their national team and enjoy championship soccer in the company of friends and new acquaintances from around the world.

During the day, creative guests will be encouraged to customize T-shirts or create banners with their favorite team's colors and slogans. There also will be group activities like soccer tournaments.

Sports enthusiasts also can enjoy a game of freestyle soccer ball dribbling or take samba lessons with a Brazilian dance teacher to learn how celebrate their team's goals with an enthusiastic gesture. For those who prefer to cheer while sitting by the pool, Costa Cruises has created a series of fun World Cup trivia quizzes with exclusive prizes.

Costa Cruises' rich entertainment program includes flash-mob Brazilian dances to the tune of the official World Cup anthem, Brazilian-style appetizers with a Caipirinha -- Brazil's national cocktail -- and election of "Mister World Cup 2014."

For more than 65 years Costa Cruises' ships have showcased Italian-made excellence throughout the world with their quality of service, variety of entertainment, range of fine food and wine, and exclusive onboard art collections.

Norwegian to screen FIFA World Cup on its ships

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 April 2014 08 April 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line is providing football fans with the chance to follow the FIFA World Cup™ while on board Norwegian ships this summer, as it will be screening the biggest matches fleet-wide, the company said in a statement issued by its office in the UK.

Starting in Brazil on 12 June 2014, Norwegian will offer the perfect alternative for any England supporters who can’t make it to Brazil but want to watch the matches in the sun.

A partnership with the TV channel SPORT 24 will ensure that throughout the competition the England football team’s matches will be available on board as well as all the other key games from the tournament. This means that football fans can have the best of both worlds – a relaxing holiday in the sun while enjoying one of the most exciting sporting events of the year.

Francis Riley, vice president & general manager international of Norwegian Cruise Line said, “It is important at Norwegian Cruise Line that we always listen to the requests and preferences of our guests, and showing all the key World Cup matches for our UK guests is a direct result of this. Fans won’t have to fight for space in the pub as we will be playing the games in multiple venues, so people can relax and enjoy their holiday while experiencing a great sporting atmosphere on board.

“For those who aren’t football fanatics, there will still be plenty of ways to escape by enjoying the spa, gym, pools, restaurants or one of the many bars, lounges and public areas found throughout the ship.”

Tauck christens its new rivership in Basel, Switzerland

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 07 April 2014 07 April 2014

Members of the Tauck family, Tauck executives, the company’s Board of Directors, special guests and local dignitaries all gathered dockside in Basel, Switzerland, on April 4 to christen Tauck’s newest riverboat, the Inspire. Tauck Cruise Director Lynn Hardcastle offered a traditional blessing, and the ship officially entered service moments later when Tauck Cruise Director Bridget Ashton cut a ceremonial ribbon to send a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne crashing against the ship’s hull. The festive atmosphere was heightened by music provided by a local band, and by a fireboat that sounded its horn in celebration while sending torrents of water gushing skyward.

Joining Hardcastle and Ashton as honorary godmothers to the Inspire were their Tauck Cruise Director colleagues Mary Pierik and Eszter Pusztai. Following an onboard reception, the Inspire and its guests departed on a celebratory two-night cruise along the Rhine.

“Today is another important step in the evolution of Tauck River Cruising,” observed Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “Not only are we welcoming a new vessel into the Tauck fleet, we’re also celebrating the debut of an entirely new class of Tauck riverboat.”  The Inspire is the first of two new Inspiration Class ships that will launch in 2014, joining Tauck’s four award-winning Jewel Class vessels. The Inspire’s sister-ship, the Savor, will launch in June as the second Inspiration Class ship.

“In tandem with our state-of-the-art Jewel Class ships, our new Inspiration Class ships will allow us to continue leveraging our 90 years of experience to deliver the finest, most enriching cultural explorations along Europe’s rivers,” said Mahar.  “Pairing our growing fleet of vessels with our incredible expertise promises to keep us firmly positioned as the ‘world’s best,’” added Mahar, noting that Tauck has been named both the “World’s Best River Cruise Line” and the “World’s Best River Cruise Line for Families” twice in the past three years by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.

The four Tauck Cruise Directors were selected as the Inspire’s godmothers in recognition of the outstanding service that Tauck’s onboard personnel provide to the company’s guests, Mahar explained.  “By honoring our four Tauck Cruise Directors as godmothers, we’re really celebrating the genuine, friendly and personalized service provided by all of our Tauck Cruise Directors and Tauck Directors,” said Mahar.  “They are the direct, critical link between Tauck and our guests, and they do an absolutely incredible job delivering the Tauck experience.”

Each Tauck riverboat is staffed by a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Directors who care for a maximum of just 130 guests per Tauck ship.  By comparison, riverboats of equal size operated by other cruise lines routinely accommodate nearly 50% more passengers (up to 190 guests), with just a single cruise director to attend to their needs.

With fewer passengers on its ships, Tauck can devote additional space to elements that enhance service and provide a refined overall onboard experience, while also ensuring guests enjoy a relaxed, intimate, club-like atmosphere.  And as with its Jewel Class vessels, the lower passenger capacity also allows Tauck to offer a far higher percentage of suites than other river cruise lines.  “Nearly a quarter of the cabins on our Jewel Class ships are 300-square-foot suites, and we’ve increased that to a third on the new Inspiration Class ships,” said Mahar.

The Inspire (and the Savor) will feature a second onboard restaurant offering lighter and traditional American fare to complement the ship’s more formal main dining room.  Named “Arthur’s” in honor of company chairman Arthur Tauck, Jr., the café-like restaurant will be located aft on the Diamond Deck where it will feature selections prepared in its own full-service kitchen.

According to Mahar, the restaurant’s name is an appropriate tribute.  “I can’t think of a person with more warmth and caring hospitality than Arthur Tauck, and his spirit will grace this space and everyone who dines here for years to come,” said Mahar.

Mahar also noted that the Inspire’s second dining venue reflected another quality that has characterized Arthur Tauck’s career.  “With the launch of our ms Swiss Emerald in 2006, we pioneered the concept of a second dining venue on a European riverboat.  It was a real innovation, and it was immediately popular with our guests,” said Mahar.  “That emphasis on innovation – of putting our guests first, of creatively anticipating their needs and exceeding their expectations – has been the hallmark of Arthur Tauck’s 50+ year career in the travel industry.  It’s a focus he learned from his father, Arthur Tauck, Sr., and it continues to drive all that we do today,” concluded Mahar.

That same spirit of innovation is also evident in the eight “loft” cabins located on the lower (Emerald) deck of the Inspire and Savor.  On other European riverboats the lower-level cabins are small, and because they’re mostly below the ships’ waterlines, they’re limited to modest, sealed windows at eye level that admit minimal sunlight and zero fresh air.  Tauck’s 225-square-foot loft cabins, however, have a raised platform seating area located against the ships’ hull/outer wall with a correspondingly higher ceiling immediately above.  The higher ceiling in turn allows the use of a much taller window than can normally be incorporated into lower-level cabins.  The middle portion of this window can be opened electronically for fresh air, and being taller, the window allows far more natural light to fill the cabin.

The two new Inspiration Class ships will both be 443 feet long, and each will have twenty-two 300 square foot suites furnished with two French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows, pull-out couch, roomy walk-in closets with built-in drawers, and spacious bathroom with rain shower.  Along with the suites, the newbuilds will also have thirty-two 225 square foot cabins, plus an additional thirteen cabins ranging from 150 to 190 square feet.  In keeping with Tauck’s policy of welcoming solo travelers, four of the 150 square foot cabins are being set aside for guests traveling on their own.  All suites and cabins will feature in-room movies, minibar, individual heating and cooling controls, Molton Brown toiletries, and plush bedding with 100% goose down pillows, 400-thread-count linens and pillow-top mattresses.

In addition to launching its two new ships, Tauck is also launching four new river cruise itineraries this year, including its first ever on the River Seine in France.