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P&O Cruises unveils new identity with Union Flag on bow and blue funnels with illuminated rising sun designs

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 January 2014 17 January 2014

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it is to change the livery of its ships with a bold new look which celebrates its heritage and its place as Britain’s favourite cruise company and the longest version of the Union Jack will adorn its new flagship, appropriately named Britannia.

For nearly two centuries P&O has exemplified Britain across the world, becoming the country’s greatest shipping company and part of its fabric. Now, as P&O Cruises refreshes and re-energises its brand, the company is to update the livery of its fleet of ships to celebrate, more clearly, its British credentials, the company said in a statement.

From the end of this year, the company’s eight ships will begin to embrace on their bow a bold new Union Flag, styled in a contemporary way which looks to the future, while celebrating the past. The imagery will be sympathetic to the ships’ sweeping lines and enhance their presence in port or at sea.

The ships will also have distinctive blue funnels carrying an illuminated rising sun motif which depicts the Oriental part of the Peninsular and Oriental (P&O) name on the company’s coat of arms.

The new livery was developed after extensive research among consumers. It will first be seen on P&O Cruises Aurora, after her drydock later this year, followed by Britannia at her launch in February 2015, and on all other P&O Cruises ships by the end of 2016. Britannia, the largest cruise ship exclusively for the British market, will display the longest version of the Union flag anywhere in the world, at 94 metres.

Chief executive officer David Dingle said: “In our 177^th year we are unveiling a new, contemporarily styled livery which symbolises all that we stand for, pointing to the future and celebrating our British heritage. This bold new look will make our ships yet more distinctive and recognisable across the world.

“Our ships will proudly carry on their bow Britain’s most distinctive symbol, the Union Flag, to all corners of the globe. The P&O Cruises name will be emblazoned along their hulls and the Rising Sun, the enduring symbol of our heritage, will shine from their funnels. This modern new look will exemplify the strengths and virtues of our company long into the future.”

The American Queen Steamboat Company closes on purchase of American Empress

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 January 2014 16 January 2014

The American Queen Steamboat Company, owner and operator of the U.S-flagged American Queen, announces the closing on financing and full ownership of its second vessel, the American Empress. The company entered into a purchase agreement of the 223-guest riverboat with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) in May 2013 and has had a team onboard preparing for her April 2014 launch on the Columbia and Snake River. All documents were signed by MARAD and American Queen Steamboat Company executives making the handover official.

"Over 30 skilled craftsmen and engineers have been hard at work preparing the American Empress for service over the last eight months focusing on the exterior, engine room and now the hotel portion of the vessel," shares John Waggoner, Chairman and CEO of the American Queen Steamboat Company. "It is exciting to officially sign on the dotted line taking full ownership of the vessel and begin writing a new chapter in U.S. river cruising history."

Formerly the Empress of the North, the American Empress will deliver opulence on a grand scale, following in the pedigree of the line's namesake American Queen, and proudly serve as the largest overnight riverboat west of the Mississippi River. A U.S.-flagged vessel, the American Empress measures 360 ft. with five towering decks and accommodates 223 guests in seven stateroom categories.

"We are pleased with the robust level of sales already taken for the inaugural season of the American Empress," remarked American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO Ted Sykes. "We look forward to a very successful year."

She will begin service April 5 after a christening ceremony in Portland, Ore. Her maiden voyage will be a nine-day journey immersing guests in the splendor of the Columbia and Snake Rivers featuring stops to some of the region's most celebrated ports including Astoria, Ore.; Stevenson, Wash.; The Dalles, Ore.; Sacajawea State Park, Wash. and finally Clarkston, Wash.

Complimentary shore excursions will be available in every port and include the cultural and historical landmarks that signify the living legacy of the region's first settlers. Travelers with specific interests are encouraged to enjoy the variety of Premium Experience Excursions such as the Walla Walla Wine Trail or the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum. Daily lectures will also be provided by the Riverlorian, an onboard history and culture expert.

The American Empress was built in 2003 and operated by Majestic America Line from 2003 to 2008, sailing Alaska's Inside Passage and the Pacific Northwest. Just as the American Queen brought luxury and grandeur to river cruising America's heartland, the American Empress will do the same for the Pacific Northwest.

GOP Variete-Theater to continue cooperation with TUI Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 January 2014 16 January 2014

GOP Variete-Theater, the German variety show company, will continue its cooperation with TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise shipping company, by staging a performance on the company's first newbuilding, Mein Schiff 3, in January next year.

The company will perform on a Canaries cruise that will run from 11 to 18 January next year. There will be two show performances each night and in addition, the passengers will be given an opportunity to enjoy performances by the group at other times of the day throughout the ship.

Before that, Mein Schiff 1 will host the company for the fourth year in a row, the company said.

Royal Caribbean International launches 2014 UK brochure optimised for tablets

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 January 2014 16 January 2014

Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit in the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, says it has launched a new 2014 family cruise brochure for tablets in the UK. "Designed to coincide with peak booking season, the industry first brochure is filled with videos and interactive content to help showcase all of the family friendly features and amazing experiences available on a Royal Caribbean International holiday," the company said in a statement.

Available to download free on iTunes, the new brochure also includes special early booking offers and a selection of the most popular family friendly itineraries. Featuring a range of helpful planning guides for mums and dads, including information on onboard restaurants, and a link to the cruise line’s new kid-friendly Penguin Ahoy! app; the e-brochure is packed full of reasons why Royal Caribbean International was recently voted best family cruise line in 2013 Cruise International Awards.

Families seeking a star-studded cruise holiday can enjoy a break with DreamWorks favourites such as Shrek, Puss In Boots and more with Royal Caribbean International. Guests can enjoy special onboard productions of Let You Entertain Me, an ice skating show of How to Train Your Dragon; a DreamWorks Animation parade down the Royal Promenade; interactive character breakfasts in the main dining room and various other shows and activities.

And for the pint-sized princess in your life, The Barbie™ Premium Experience is the ultimate indulgence for Barbie enthusiasts. Guests can enjoy staterooms decorated in the iconic doll's signature style as well as exclusive, themed activities throughout the duration of their cruise – from an invitation-only tea party and mermaid dance class to a fashion design workshop and Barbie Girls fashion show.

As well as two of the most popular experiences across the Royal Caribbean International fleet, the new e-brochure contains a whole host of information and interactive features to get families excited in advance of their cruise.

Jo Briody, director of marketing & PR, UK & Ireland, Royal Caribbean International commented: “Our new tablet friendly brochure is designed to allow families to plan their holidays together, and to showcase all of our family friendly videos and onboard features in one place. We hope that its ease of use and inspiring content will urge more families to consider a cruise for the first time.”

Key offers for 2014 featured in the new family friendly e-brochure include:

· A seven-night Western Mediterranean fly/cruise onboard Liberty of the Seas from £1272.00 per adult and £861.00 per child (based on a family of four sharing an inside stateroom including flights from London Heathrow). Based on 24 August 2014 departure.

· A seven-night Greek Isles fly/cruise onboard Splendour of the Seas from £1254.00 per adult and £744.00 per child (based on a family of four sharing an inside stateroom including flights from London Gatwick). Based on 23 August 2014 departure.

Norwegian Getaway arrives at Southampton for travel trade event

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 January 2014 15 January 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line today launched its newest ship Norwegian Getaway to the UK market at an inaugural on-board event held in Southampton.

The UK is the second most important source market for the Miami based company after the US, group ceo Kevin Sheehan said in April last year, when the company introduced Norwegian Breakaway to the UK travel trade and media. The company offers its products on fly cruise basis on the British market, rather than operating its ships directly from British ports.

The sister ship of Norwegian Breakaway, launched last April, Norwegian Getaway is a 4,000 passenger ship which will homeport in Miami and sail to and from the Caribbean all year-round. Featuring ground-breaking entertainment, the Miami-themed ship is the first to feature the newGrammy® Experience at sea, as well as other firsts at sea such as the all-new dining and entertainment experience, The Illusionarium, and performances of the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical Legally Blonde.

To launch the 13^th member of its fleet, Norwegian invited around 3,000 guests on board, including a number of key travel partners and their selected guests. Among the guests were celebrities Jennifer Ellison, premiership footballer Jos Hooiveld and former Great British Bake Off winner, Jo Wheatley. Jennifer met with the cast of Legally Blonde – in which she has appeared in the past – as well as meeting inspiring children, young people and their families from the event’s charity partner, CLIC Sargent, with other attending celebrities. In addition, celebrities signed a cake baked at on board Carlo’s Bakery, with all donations from the sales going to the charity.

Francis Riley, vice president and general manager international of Norwegian Cruise Linesaid, “I am thrilled to announce the launch of Norwegian Getaway to the UK and her arrival in Southampton. This is an exciting time for Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Getaway continues Norwegian’s long-standing tradition of innovation with features on board, such as The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place. This unique outdoor dining and entertainment space adds a whole new dynamic to ocean cruising as guests enjoy al fresco dining along with three action-packed decks that allow guests to fully experience the ship’s connection with the ocean."