ISP to manage Nova Star of Quest Navigation

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 28 December 2013 28 December 2013

ISP has announced the technical and hotel operational management of the new cruise-ferry service between Maine and Nova Scotia. Services will start on 01 May, 2014.

The Nova Star is currently in Singapore, where ISP has taken over the management of technical and hotel services for Quest Navigation Inc.

Maine based Quest Navigation has announced that it will re-launch the once highly popular daily cruise ferry service on the coast of Nova Scotia starting May 2014. Portland and Yarmouth are 207 miles apart by sea and about 750 miles apart by road. The highly popular tourism destinations between Maine and southwestern Nova Scotia will benefit greatly from this exciting reintroduction of services.

Quest Navigation Inc., has joined with International Shipping Partners of Miami and ST Marine of Singapore, to operate the cruise ferry service between Portland, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The state of the art cruise ferry, built in Singapore will be named Nova Star. The Vessel accommodates 162 cabins, two restaurants and has a maximum capacity for 1,215 passengers. It is 59 feet longer than the Scotia Prince, which operated between Portland and Yarmouth from 1982 to 2004.

Niels Erik Lund President and CEO of ISP states that: "our strong experience in running this cruise ferry service and the introduction of a brand new state of the art ship between New England and Nova Scotia will strengthen tourism and live up to the quality requirements this market demands. We are honored that the tourism sector and government, selected our expertise to make the Nova Star a successful service."

ISP Group of companies is part of FleetPro Passenger ship Management AG, Switzerland. Fleet- Pro is also the parent company for River Advice, the largest river cruise management company. The combined fleet of passenger ships between River Advice and ISP, in excess of 50 vessels, makes it the largest passenger ship management company in the world.

Keel laid for Viking Star

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 27 December 2013 27 December 2013

Viking Cruises has announced the keel was laid for its first ocean cruise vessel, Viking Star, marking the next construction phase of the company’s first-ever ocean product. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, December 18, at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard outside Venice, Italy. Viking Star is scheduled to be delivered in early 2015.

“Our new ocean itineraries are selling at an unprecedented rate, and the enthusiasm we have seen from guests is truly remarkable,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “There is undoubtedly interest in an ocean cruise experience that returns the focus to the destination, and Viking is actively planning to meet that demand.”

Steel was first cut for Viking Star in June 2013, and the laying of the keel is a formal recognition of the start of construction. The 930-passenger Viking Star features state-of-the-art design from experienced nautical architects and engineers. The company will also launch a record-breaking 14 new river vessels – Viking Longships – in March 2014.

Viking’s ocean itineraries will include Viking Star’s maiden voyages in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. Classified by Cruise Critic as a “small ship,” the all-veranda custom-designed vessel allows travelers to get closer than ever to their destinations with maximum time in ports, while highlighting history, art and local culture through privileged-access excursions and onboard experiences that are truly designed for the experienced traveler.

Carnival Splendor to operate seasonal Caribbean departures from PortMiami beginning in 2014

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 22 December 2013 22 December 2013

Carnival Cruise Lines, the number one cruise operator in South Florida, will further bolster its leadership position in the market when the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor launches seasonal Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning November 9, 2014.

Carnival Splendor will be the seventh Carnival Cruise Lines’ ship to be based in South Florida.

Including Carnival Splendor, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate more than 400 three- to eight-day departures from PortMiami and Port Everglades, accounting for approximately 1.2 million guests annually – the most of any cruise operator.

Carnival’s South Florida program features three to eight-day cruises visiting not only the best of the Caribbean and Bahamas but also a variety of unique destinations including the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Mahogany Bay in Isla Roatan, along with tropical island paradises such as Aruba and Curacao on eight-day itineraries, providing unparalleled choice for consumers.

Carnival Splendor’s new seasonal Miami-based schedule will encompass week-long cruises departing Sundays with itineraries alternating between the eastern and western Caribbean beginning November 9, 2014. Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at St Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk, and Nassau, while the western Caribbean route will call at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Mahogany Bay in Isla Roatan.

Prior to its Miami deployment, Carnival Splendor will operate two special eight-day cruises – a New York to San Juan departure calling at St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Antigua and St. Maarten departing October 24, 2014 and a San Juan to Miami voyage visiting St. Croix, Martinique, Grenada, Dominica and Grand Turk departing November 1, 2014.

MSC Orchestra to offer 33 night voyage from Dubai to Fremantle in 2015

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 20 December 2013 20 December 2013

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based privately owned cruise ljne, says it will offer an all inclusive 33 night cruise from Dubai in the Arabian Gulf to Fremantle in Western Australia in 2015.

During this voyage, travellers will enjoy 13 ports of call in eight different countries, across three continents, with a choice of over 70 incredible shore excursions, two overnight stays in Singapore and Sydney and 18 relaxing days at sea, the company said in a statement.

The cruise will take the ship to India, Malaysia, Singapore Indonesia and then to Eastern and Southern coasts of Australia.