More News

Windstar Cruises announces voyages to Southeast Asia and Middle East

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 October 2013 23 October 2013

Windstar Cruises, has announced the lines debut in Southeast Asia & Arabia on its new 212-passenger power yacht, Star Pride. The new voyages are now open for sale and feature five unique itineraries exclusive to the all suite yacht, highlighting small ship ports throughout Asia, Arabia, and India. The inaugural Southeast Asia & Arabia season will begin on October 30, 2014. Voyages start at $3,999 per person.

"Small ship cruising is an incredible way to explore this part of the world. There are tremendous experiences to be had from the ancient cliff city of Petra to the colorful Ho Chi Minh City," said Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises chief executive officer. "This is our first journey beyond Europe, South Pacific and the Caribbean, and we are delighted to announce Star Prides Southeast Asia & Arabia deployment."

Star Prides 2015 Asia voyages include:

Wonders of Arabia

Follow the legends of Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, and Moses across the dunes to the Nile and Mount Sinai on this 18-day voyage from Athens, Greece to Dubai, UAE. Ports of call include Suez Canal, Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Luxor, Egypt; Aqaba, Jordan; and Salalah and Khasab, Oman. The voyage showcases the Red Sea, the Nile, and the rose-colored ruins of Petra.

Pearls of the Indian Ocean

Sail through some of the Andaman Seas most breathtaking islands and bays and explore the colonial Old Towns, ancient cave temples, and melting pot cities on this 15-day voyage from Dubai, UAE to Singapore. Star Pride visits Mumbai, Mangalore, Cochin, India; Phuket, Thailand; and Penang, Malaysia. This itinerary highlights everything from Indias colorful cities to the tranquil beauty of Thailands beaches.

Singapore & the Malay Peninsula

Discover Malaysia and Thailands most spectacular gems on this 10-day round trip voyage from Singapore. This voyage visits Penang, Langkawi, Pulau Pangkor, Kuala Lumpur, and Malacca, Malaysia; as well as Phuket, and Ko Yao Noi, Thailand. Guests can enjoy long days in port and blissfully beautiful destinations.

Treasures of Southeast Asia

Cruise in private yacht style on this 14-day voyage from the haute couture of Singapores legendary Orchard Road to French-flavored Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) and the monuments of Hanoi. The voyage starts in Singapore and visits Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hanoi (Haiphong), and Halong Bay, Vietnam before ending in Hong Kong. UNESCO World Heritage Sites are everywhere on this voyage: the ancient trading city of Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, Hue, and Halong Bay.

Vietnam Unveiled

Vietnam combines beauty and culture in one perfect experience on Windstars 10-day voyage from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Hong Kong. Ports of call include Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hanoi (Haiphong), and Halong Bay. Guests can visit Imperial Hue, ancient Hoi An, breathtaking Halong Bay, and amazing Ho Chi Minh City.

On each of these new voyages guests will experience the secluded coves and hidden harbors offered by small ship cruising, as well as the local culture brought to life on board in Windstars unique style. Local entertainment, authentic cuisine, intimate and personal shore excursions are all a part of the in-depth enrichment experience offered at Windstar Cruises.

Launching in May of 2014, the 9,975-ton Star Pride is the first of three new power yachts to join Windstars fleet. With a guest capacity of 212, the all suite yacht will undergo several upgrades and changes in design and décor to align with Windstars casual contemporary style. Star Pride will showcase many signature Windstar experiences, including the line's famous Sail Away party, yacht deck barbecue gala, and Open Bridge policy.

French Riviera Cruise Club and Royal Caribbean assist children in Haiti for second year

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 October 2013 23 October 2013

The French Riviera Cruise Club and Royal Caribbean International, have teamed up to provide assistance to schools in Haiti for a second year running, the first named said in a statement.

Three cubic metres of toys and games were collected after a request from the head of a school that has received donations from the organisation and the cruise line in the past. The line’s Liberty of the Seas, which is a regular visitor to the Bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, carries these donations to Haiti.

Last year, nine cubic metres of books and school materials were collected in Villefranche-sur-Mer with the help of the municipal council and the Centre de Découverte du Monde Marin. These were delivered just before Christmas last year.

Costa Victoria to receive $18 million refurbishment in Singapore

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 October 2013 23 October 2013

Costa Crociere, the Italian unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it will invest $18 million to refurbish the 1996 built Costa Victoria.

The 75,166 gross ton ship will re-enter service on 11 November when it departs from Singapore for her first cruise after the upgrade.

“Our investment in Costa Victoria will offer our valued passengers the absolute finest and most enjoyable cruising holiday,” said Mr. Buhdy Bok, Senior Vice President Pacific Asia & China of Costa Crociere S.p.A. “Costa Cruises is proud of how we’ve developed and have been able to satisfy the rapidly growing demand for cruise holidays with innovative and high-quality cruising options.”

Carnival group has an agreement with the Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore that makes the Sembcorp Marine unit strategic partner in refits for the world’s largest cruise shipping group in the Far East.

Paradise Cruise & Ferry acquires second vessel for Black Sea fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 October 2013 22 October 2013

On October 21 2013 the fleet of ferry operator Paradise Cruise & Ferry was expanded with the Ro-Pax second cargo and passenger vessel, Poseidon Express.

Poseidon Express was purchased from Finnlines Germany GMbH, ex-name of the ferry is Translubeca. The ferry will ply on the Novorossiysk-Trabzon-Poti-Novorossiysk route.

InterContinental Marine has been honored to be appointed as the operator of this project. The ICM management is known as very successful and experienced in start up and operating of regular shipping lines in Russia. The new passenger-cargo line is planned to be opened on December 2103.

Paradise Cruise & Ferry was established in 2013 by co-owner and ex Top Managers of St Peter Line. The operations are planned for Black Sea region. Mr. Igor Glukhov - General Manager of Paradise Cruise & Ferry said that the acquisition new ships for the company’s fleet will serve to the best interests of the clients, for steady growth of the cargo handling capacities and high quality of the service for the new line.

Poseidon Express was built in 1990 on Stochna shipyard, Gdansk. According to classification of RINA this vessel is Ro-Ro passenger ferry. Main dimension: maximum length-153,4 м, maximum breadth-24.2м.

The deadweight of vessel is about 6000 tons of cargo, and 300 TEU of containers. The ferry has got 4 cargo decks with 1910 liner meters, which is the equivalent of approximately 110 full loaded trailers and 75 vehicles on car deck. The lower deck is intended for transportation of refrigerated Ro Ro cargoes.

The vessel can also accommodate up to 109 passengers and 17 crew members, with all necessary infrastructure including restaurant, bar, casino and Duty Free shop. The new ferry line be performed with high level of service for Russian and foreign customers on board and at all ports of call.

The passenger complex of new ferry is designed to satisfy best standards of quality and will make maritime journey between Russia, Turkey and Georgia very comfortable, and also provide the transshipment of wide range of Ro-Ro cargoes for foreign trade of Black Sea region and neighboring regions like Ukraine, Caucasus countries, Iran and the Middle East.

This project is an important element of the plans for Paradise Cruise & Ferry on the re installment of shipping industry in the Russian Black Sea ports.

In June 2013 the company acquired a first-class cruise ferry Isabella 1.The vessel can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers and 350 cars for the Crimea-Caucasus line, which will start in spring 2014 on the route Batumi-Sochi-Yalta-Odessa.

Costa Crociere launches “slow cruising” neoCollection

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 October 2013 22 October 2013

Costa Crociere, the Italian unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it will launch Costa neoCollection slow cruise concept that includes longer calls at ports and open seating dining.

“The Costa neoCollection is an invitation to make the most of every minute and holiday in a more leisurely way. This new type of cruise experience is tailored to suit individual tastes and let each person go at their own pace, both on board and ashore, making it ideal for couples and groups of friends,” the company said in a statement.

Costa neoRiviera, which has 624 cabins and which will be transferred from sister brand Iberocruceros, for which it is trading as Grand Mistral, and Costa neoRomantica with 789 cabins will be sailing to new destinations which are off the beaten path and inaccessible to bigger ships.

“The itineraries are designed with longer stopovers in each port, often overnight and part of the next day to allow maximum time on shore and the chance to thoroughly explore each place en route. “

“As cruising is not one size fits all, Costa Cruises has introduced a range of made-to-measure options, notably a series of specially devised shoreside excursions for small groups as well as fine gastronomic products based on the authentic taste sensations of the places visited, thanks to a new collaboration between Costa and the Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenzo.”

The Costa neoCollection debuts on 9 February 2014 from Dubai with a special cruise on Costa neoRiviera, the latest addition to the Costa Cruises fleet. This one-off 62-day voyage of discovery, the Grand African Tour, is a circumnavigation of the great continent offering a unique opportunity to combine the sea and the most beautiful Indian Ocean beaches with all the adventure of a safari in South Africa.

Costa neoRiviera will also add a new dimension to cruising in spring and summer, sailing on 12-day itineraries to the most attractive destinations in the Mediterranean, away from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism.

Starting 1 June 2014 and operating throughout the summer, the neoCollection style will also be present on Costa neoRomantica, with 13 and 15-day premium cruises in Northern Europe, beyond the North Cape or to the finest Baltic cities.

Keeping with the leisurely pace of the neoCollection cruises, guests can dine at any time between 6.30pm and 10.30pm without having to choose a particular sitting.

The slow food approach continues ashore, where food and wine excursions offer local product tastings. The Costa neoCollection shoreside tours are planned down to the last detail and specially designed to soak up the culture, scenery and flavours of each place along the route. So as to enhance the independent tourist feel, each excursion is arranged in small groups of no more than 25 people.