Carnival Cruise Lines names Rear Adm. Roy A. Nash to the company's Safety & Reliability Board

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 18 October 2013 18 October 2013

Carnival Cruise Lines has appointed Rear Adm. Roy A. Nash, who recently retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, to the company’s Safety & Reliability Review Board. The line announced the development of the board in April 2013 and Nash becomes the fifth external member of the board, joining experts with extensive leadership, operational and maintenance experience within the U.S. Navy and airline industry.

A part of Carnival’s comprehensive fleetwide technical enhancement program, the review board was created to provide independent third-party perspective and to drive continuous improvement across the line’s fleet. The core objectives of the board are to review Carnival Cruise Lines’ current policies, practices and performance, and to guide the company in incorporating best practices from other relevant fields and industries.

Rear Admiral Roy Nash recently completed his career as Commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans.  He was responsible for port safety and security, commercial vessel safety, and response operations across the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. His duties included 10,300 miles of the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers. RADM Nash was previously assigned as Deputy Federal On Scene Coordinator for the nation's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, impacting five Gulf Coast states.

He commanded field units, serving as Captain of the Port, advancing maritime safety, security and environmental protection. He commanded the Marine Safety Center, the Coast Guard's technical center reviewing design, engineering, and fire safety plans of commercial ships, tank barges and mobile offshore drilling units. Nash initially served in engineering positions afloat, on staff, and as marine inspector, investigator and environmental responder.

Rear Admiral Nash holds a master of science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.  He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Meritorious Service Medals, among other awards during his 34-year career.

"Rear Admiral Nash brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board and will work together with other members to position Carnival Cruise Lines as an industry leader in operational best practices," said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. "Our new technical, safety and reliability initiative is designed to ensure we're going above and beyond in all areas of technical operations."

Ropax ferries’ reinsurance cost should not track cruise ships

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 18 October 2013 18 October 2013

International Group of P&I Clubs should differentiate liability reinsurance cost between ropax ferries and cruise ships due to different risk profiles of the two types of vessels, said Ben Abraham, head of global P&I at insurance broker Willis. 

Earlier, the International Group that is based in London had decided to increase the 2013-14 passenger ship allocation by 125%, largely due to the loss of the cruise ship Costa Concordia in January 2012. 

Abraham stated  there was a ‘compelling argument’ to differentiate between pure passenger ships and ro-pax ferries, where most carrying capacity is taken up by freight, because their catastrophe risk is so different.

“The increase meant, for example, that a 30,000gt ro-pax was faced with a $52,500 premium increase in one fell swoop,” Abraham said in a speech at the annual meeting of Interferry, the global ceiling organisation of the ferry industry, which was held in Malta.

“Over the last 20 years there have been five ro-pax claims into the pool amounting to $182M. This represented only 13.6% of the total cost of passenger ship claims as at 20 February 2013, so there is a very good argument for a review of the ro-pax ferry allocation,” he said in a statement.

Miami Dolphins cheerleaders named godmothers of Norwegian Getaway

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 18 October 2013 18 October 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line and the Miami Dolphins announced today that the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders will christen Miami's ultimate ship, Norwegian Getaway, as the official Godmothers. The Christening Ceremony will take place on February 7, 2014 on board Norwegian Getaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami. The line also announced a partnership with the Miami Dolphins that designates Norwegian Cruise Line as the Official Cruise Line of the Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium.

"Norwegian Getaway is Miami's ultimate ship, so the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders are a great fit with our brand as they are excellent role models and global representatives of South Florida," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's president and CEO. There's no better match here in Miami than to have these outstanding women christen our new ship.

"Partnering with the world's premier cruise line allows us to align with another iconic South Florida brand that like the Dolphins, strives to provide a first class experience in everything they do," said Jason Miller, director of corporate partnerships for the Miami Dolphins/Sun Life Stadium. "It is truly an honor that our cheerleaders have been selected to christen the largest ship ever to homeport in Miami. We look forward to building a mutually beneficial long term relationship with Norwegian."

The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders have been a visible aspect of Dolphins football history since 1966. These internationally known ambassadors for South Florida diligently rehearse every week to bring spirit and excitement to every game day and community event appearance. An ethnically diverse group of glamorous women, the cheerleaders wholeheartedly encompass what it means to be both beauty and brains, as they are all also well-respected professionals in their community. The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, just as the team they represent, exemplify teamwork, performance, the pursuit of perfection and an unrivaled passion for football.

"We are honored to be selected by Norwegian to be the Godmothers of their newest ship, Norwegian Getaway. Norwegian Cruise Line is a first class organization and a well-known brand in our community, making this an ideal partnership," said Emily Snow, director of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. "It is truly a privilege to be named as the Godmothers of Norwegian Getaway and we are anxiously awaiting the christening celebration."

Norwegian Cruise Line is also partnering with the Miami Dolphins throughout the football season at Sun Life Stadium and is an official sponsor of the team. At each home game, ticket holders can picture how they would Cruise Like a Norwegian by having their photograph taken in front of a Norwegian Getaway backdrop and they can enter a sweepstakes to win a cruise for four on Norwegian Getaway. On-site ambassadors are available with information about Norwegian's newest ship and overall fleet. During the Miami Dolphins Salute to Service in the third quarter at home games, a military hero is recognized with a cruise for two on Norwegian Getaway, courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Cruise Line is also being promoted on the stadium television network for all events at Sun Life Stadium year-round, along with permanent signage under the scoreboard. The partnership also extends onboard Norwegian Getaway, as the ship's library will house Miami Dolphins memorabilia highlighting the team's rich history.

To celebrate the announcement of the Dolphins Cheerleaders as Godmothers of Norwegian Getaway, the cheerleaders will make an appearance at Norwegian Cruise Line's photo area on the Grand Plaza (across from the Dolphins store at Gate G) at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday, October 20 from 11 am to 12 pm. The Cheerleaders will be available for photos and will be giving fans commemorative posters.

Norwegian Getaway will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises departing every Saturday from Miami beginning on February 8, 2014.

Regal Princess to debut early

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 17 October 2013 17 October 2013

Regal Princess will make her debut next year earlier than originally announced, and Princess Cruises has added two new sailings to her maiden schedule. The ship's first voyage, which was previously scheduled for June 2, will now be May 20, 2014. Passengers can select from two new week-long Mediterranean cruises traveling between Venice and Athens.

The two new Regal Princess Mediterranean cruises are:

– May 20, 2014 (New maiden voyage) – Seven-day cruise from Venice to Athens including stops in Corfu, Mykonos and an overnight call in Istanbul.

– May 27, 2014 – Six-day cruise from Athens to Venice including calls to Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Santorini, Katakolon (for Olympia) and Dubrovnik.

Both voyages can be combined into a 13-day Grand Adventure or added on to the previously announced June 2 cruise for a full 20-day Mediterranean escape.

To ensure that passengers previously booked on Regal Princess' maiden voyage continue to have the option to sail on the ship's first cruise, each of these passengers will automatically receive a duplicate booking on the new May 20 maiden voyage. They have until November 15, 2013, to decide if they want to take the new cruise instead of, or in addition to, their existing reservation.

"The construction of Regal Princess has been progressing very well and we're delighted the ship will be ready to welcome passengers even earlier than originally planned," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "We know that this beautiful new vessel will impress passengers just as much as her sister ship, Royal Princess, has this year."

Throughout the summer, the new ship will sail on Princess' signature Grand Mediterranean cruises, with two itinerary choices.

Regal Princess, a sister ship to Royal Princess, will offer its 3,560 passengers a variety of enticing features, including a soaring atrium, the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas; the Princess Live! television studio; a dedicated pastry shop; a special Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.