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Cuba Cruise prepares Louis Cristal for season start

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 November 2013 13 November 2013

Cuba Cruise, the Canadian company that has chartered the 1992 built Louis Cristal of 26,000 gross tons for a series of cruises around Cuba, is preparing the ship for a crossing of the Atlantic, the company said in a statement.

The ship has been dry docked and is due to sail for Cuba on 24 November.

Guests can join the 7-night cruise at either Havana in Cuba or Montego Bay in Jamaica with a lead-in price of CAD 586. Each cruise includes the opportunity to visit world famous beaches, UNESCO world heritage sites and national reserves, as well as in-depth exploration of Cuba’s dynamic culture. The experience offers the best qualities of cruising and all-inclusive getaways combined with a Cuba that few people see.

Cuba Cruise, launched in January 2013, is a revolutionary cruise line offering a unique opportunity to experience Cuba’s history, landscapes, and culture in a comfortable and seamless travel environment.

"This is an all-inclusive that moves. Guests aboard Cuba Cruise spend their days experiencing the wealth of the region, beautiful beaches and a view beyond compare. From the impeccable service and delicious meals made with Canadian beef and fresh produce, to exceptional daily shore excursions using the best local guides and operators, this is a chance to experience a Cuba rarely seen," the company said.

Cuba Cruise’s first season begins December 16, 2013 and sails every Monday from Havana and Friday from Montego Bay through to March 24, 2014.

Norwegian to offer Wii U

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 November 2013 12 November 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line says the company and Nintendo of America are expanding their partnership to offer Wii U™ video game systems and Wii U games fleet wide. As part of the partnership expansion, the line will feature Nintendo’s newest video game console in all ships’ atriums and youth and teen centres. In addition, the new HD Wii U systems will be featured at various competitions and events on board each ship.

Norwegian first partnered with Nintendo in March 2007, when Wii™ systems were introduced fleet wide. Now, with the introduction of Wii U, the successor to Wii, the gaming experience is being elevated to new levels. The interactive Wii U gaming system complements Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising® by offering gaming opportunities to guests of all ages.

The new consoles give guests the chance to experience a variety of new action, adventure, party, racing, strategy, puzzle and sports games. Upcoming game rollouts will include The Legend of Zelda™: The Wind Waker HD, a high-definition re-release of one of the greatest Nintendo games of all time; Super Mario™ 3D World, the first multiplayer 3D Mario game for Wii U; New Super Luigi U™, starring Mario’s green-clad brother; Pikmin™ 3, which asks players to command an army of colourful creatures; and The Wonderful 101™, which puts players in control of a band of superheroes fighting off an alien invasion.

Wii U delivers great video game experiences with exclusive Nintendo characters in HD. Wii U also features the GamePad controller, which removes the traditional barriers between players, their favourite games and the television by giving one player a second touch screen, while other players use traditional controllers. It’s perfect for the kinds of multiplayer game-playing parties found on board cruise ships.

“The Wii consoles have always been extremely popular among our guests,” said Richard Ambrose, Norwegian Cruise Line’s vice president of entertainment. “The new Wii U systems are guaranteed to take gaming on board to the next level, and will surely be a hit.”

“Wii U provides one of the most social video game experiences you can have, whether you’re playing with family members or friends,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “The ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet give people a great opportunity to experience Wii U for themselves, have fun playing Nintendo games and make some new friends.”

TUI Cruises raises €20,000 for Philippine disaster relief

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 November 2013 12 November 2013

Passengers and crew members of its two ships plus shoreside staff of TUI Cruises, the German premium market cruise company, have raised about €20,000 for Philippine disaster relief, the company said in a statement. Thousands of people are reported to have lost their lives in a major typhoon that hit the island state over the weekend.

Star Cruises to homeport SuperStar Virgo in Hong Kong from April to October 2014

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 November 2013 12 November 2013

Star Cruises will homeport SuperStar Virgo, the largest ship of its Asian fleet, in Hong Kong from April to October 2014. The 75,338 gross ton vessel will embark on a six-month seasonal deployment, offering itineraries to Keelung (Taipei), Taichung and Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Sanya in Hainan and Halong Bay in Vietnam.

The relocation of SuperStar Virgo, with 13 decks and 935 cabins, is a part of Star Cruises' on-going strategy for Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, as well as Korea and Japan markets. William Ng, Chief Operating Officer - Cruise, Genting Hong Kong, said, "In view of the growing demand for cruise travel in Asia, we're pleased to bring our flagship SuperStar Virgo to Hong Kong. The ship will sail to destinations popular amongst travellers in the region and serve them with our renowned Asian style hospitality. The wide array of onboard entertainment, leisure, retail and food & beverage options will make these cruise holidays memorable for all."

Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Dr Peter Lam said, "The HKTB welcomes Star Cruises' decision to deploy the luxurious SuperStar Virgo, the biggest vessel in the cruise line's Asian fleet, to Hong Kong in 2014, and to arrange various sailings for the ship between April and October, with Hong Kong as the home port. This will provide consumers with greater choices and encourage more cruise travellers to visit Hong Kong. The strategic deployment of SuperStar Virgo by Star Cruises not only reflects the tremendous potential of the Hong Kong and Greater China tourism markets, but also helps strengthen Hong Kong's image as Asia's cruise hub. The HKTB will certainly continue working closely with the cruise travel trade and neighbouring ports to promote Hong Kong's advantages as a cruise destination, and to attract more cruise companies to feature Hong Kong in their itineraries."

From 7 April to 26 October, 2014, customers can cruise on SuperStar Virgo with any of the three exciting Hong Kong-based weekly itineraries tailor-made for them – the 4D3N cruise to Kaohsiung and Taichung, the 4D3N cruise to Sanya and Halong Bay, and the 1-night high seas cruise. Customers wishing to extend the trip and prolong the fun can go on a monthly 7D6N cruise to Keelung (Taipei), Kaohsiung, and Taichung.

SuperStar Virgo is currently homeported in Singapore, offering itineraries to Penang, Phuket, Malacca and Port Klang. On 2 April, 2014, SuperStar Virgo will embark on her 6D5N relocation cruise from Singapore and call at Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang in Vietnam en route to Hong Kong. After completing her six-month Hong Kong deployment, on 28 October, 2014, she will set sail from Hong Kong for Sanya and Ho Chi Minh City before returning to Singapore.

All four Disney Cruise Line ships in Caribbean early 2015

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 November 2013 12 November 2013

Disney Cruise Line, which is part of the Walt Disney Corporation, says all its four ships will be based in the Caribbean in the early part of 2015, where they will offer cruises from three to seven nights in duration.

"With all four Disney Cruise Line ships sailing from Florida ports in the early part of 2015, Disney’s private island Castaway Cay takes centre stage. Every cruise departing from January to April includes a stop at Castaway Cay, a lush tropical island reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests," the company said in a statement.

Three-night Bahamas cruises on Disney Dream will sail to Nassau and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $450 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

A four-night Bahamas itinerary on the Disney Dream will sail to Nassau and Castaway Cay, including a day at sea to enjoy the one-of-a-kind Disney Cruise Line shipboard experience. Rates start at $600 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Magic will offer a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary, which calls at Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $980 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Another seven-night Western Caribbean, including Jamaica, aboard the Disney Magic also includes calls at Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay. Rates start at $980 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

A seven-night Eastern Caribbean, including St. Maarten, aboard the Disney Fantasy. Rates start at $1,225 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Ports of call are Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, San Juan and Castaway Cay.

There will also be another seven-night Eastern Caribbean, including St. Thomas, aboard the Disney Fantasy. Rates start at $1,225 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. This itinerary takes in Port Canaveral, St. Thomas, San Juan, Castaway Cay

In 2015, the Disney Wonder will sail from Miami on four-night Bahamian and five-night Western Caribbean cruises. Rates start at $352 per person for four-night cruises and $440 for five-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The four night itinerary comprises Miami, Castaway Cay, Nassau, Key West, while the five night one entails Miami, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay.