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Cuba Cruise hosts Havana reception celebrating first season circumnavigating Cuba

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 December 2013 17 December 2013

Last night, Cuba Cruise celebrated the launch of its first season in Cuba at an exclusive reception attended by international and Cuban dignitaries. Special guests were treated to a preview of the onboard entertainment, VIP tours of the Louis Cristal ship and gripping presentations by Cuba Cruise President, Dugald Wells and the ship's Captain, while onlookers lined up to snap photos of the stunning ship at port.

"We are truly grateful for the warm welcome to Cuba," says Wells. "Throughout the event, we were overwhelmed with positive comments and the sheer excitement for today's first sailing. It's going to be a spectacular season."

At the reception, guests enjoyed an astounding preview of onboard entertainment, directed by Marie-Josée Lévesque from Quebec's Cirque Fantastic and Enrique Nunez from the National Theatre of Cuba. A nationwide hero in Cuba, Nunez has arranged over 16 compositions specifically for the cruise and has even composed a special Cuba Cruise song.

The show's diverse talent overwhelmingly impressed the audience, including ambassadors from Austria, Serbia and Cyprus, Cuban government officials and domestic and international media. The preview showcased a sampling of classic musical numbers and duets, circus acrobatics, comedy and of course, traditional Cuban music and dance.

The first cruise departs Havana at midnight tonight. Passengers will circumnavigate the island, exploring Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, Montego Bay (Jamaica), Cienfuegos and Punta Frances before returning to Cuba's vibrant capital on December 23rd, 2013. The inaugural season runs from now until March 24th, 2014 with a lead-in price of $586 CAD.

Saga Cruises to offer voyage to South Africa and back

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 December 2013 16 December 2013

Saga Cruises, the UK based company that sells its holidays to those aged 50 and over, will offer a voyage to South Africa and back early in 2014.

The 18,800 gross ton Saga Pearl II will sail from Southampton on 7 January on a 26 night voyage to Cape Town and start a 22 night return voyage from there on 31 January, the company says on its website.

Saga Pearl II operated a regular service between Southampton and Cape Town briefly in 1984-84, when the then three year old vessel flied the South African flag and was called Astor. It should not be confused with a present vessel of the same name that was built in 1987 as an actual successor of its older namesake, which had emerged not ideal for the liner service, which was operated on a 14 night schedule in each direction.

However, South African Marine Corporation (Safmarine) operated the vessel only for a short time. It is currently operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages in Australia, from where it will offer a liner voyage to the UK via South Africa in the spring of 2014.

Saga Ruby suffers generator breakdown, changes itinerary

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 December 2013 16 December 2013

Saga Cruises, the British cruise shipping company that is part of Acromas Holdings group has decided to change the itinerary of its 1973 built Saga Ruby that will be retired soon, after one of the six generators on board failed, Cruise Critic reports on its website.

Instead of heading for a 31-night Caribbean itinerary as scheduled, the ship will continue in the Mediterranean, where it can operate normally at its current generator capacity.

"It was discovered that one of the six generators could not operate properly without a part that needed to be manufactured." Because the air conditioning needs to run at full capacity in the Caribbean, "The Captain decided that for passenger comfort, it would be better to change the itinerary," a spokesman for Saga was quoted as saying.

Of the 557 passengers onboard, less than 30 have returned to the U.K. and will receive a full refund. Those remaining onboard will receive a 40-percent refund.

"Having personally spoken to a great many passengers about our revised plans, I know that -- although some are disappointed about not proceeding as planned -- there is an understanding that this has been beyond our control, and it was better to find out now than in the heat of the Caribbean," said Robin Shaw, chief executive of Saga Shipping.

No injuries on Amorella's grounding

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 December 2013 15 December 2013

Viking Line's Amorella touched slightly a ground yesterday at 12.40 in the archipelago of Åland, Julgrund.

There were totally 1,945 passengers on board and no personal injuries were reported. Information was given to the passengers and the situation on board was calm. There’s no leak observed on the ship. A small leak is observed on the ballast tank which ordinarily contains water.

Amorella is on her way to Mariehamn, Åland Islands, and will be there at 01.30 a.m. The passengers can spend the night on Amorella in order to continue on Viking Grace to Turku tomorrow Sunday at 14.25 local time. The passengers bound for Sweden will be transported with the Rosella to Stockholm during the night. Estimated arrival time 7.30 a.m. local time.

The departure time of Gabriella has been changed. The new departure time from Stockholm on the 14th of December is 20.00 local time, with estimated arrival times to Mariehamn at 02.30 and Helsinki 13.00 local time.

Silversea announces new General Manager of the Fort Lauderdale office

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 December 2013 15 December 2013

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has announced the promotion of Kristian Anderson to general manager of the Fort Lauderdale office and senior vice president of sales for North America, effective 16 December 2013.

Anderson, who joined Silversea in June 2012 as vice president of sales for North America, is a travel industry veteran with over 25 years of sales and management experience. In his new position, Anderson will continue to develop and accelerate revenue growth throughout the Americas. He will report to Enzo Visone, Silversea's chief executive officer.

Ellen Bettridge, president of the Americas, will leave on 16 December.