SNCM seen to choose newbuilding yard next month

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 27 September 2013 27 September 2013

Societe Nationale Corse-Mediterranee (SNCM), the Marseille based ferry company in the Veolia Transport group, is expected to announce a yard to build two lng powered ropax ferries next month, it has been reported.

Stirling Design International, the French company whose previous work includes the Le Boreal class luxury ships of Compagnie du Ponant, has designed the exterior of the planned ships, Ferryvolution.com says on its website, adding that the two ships are likely to be delivered in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

SNCM was recently awarded the concession to operate a ferry service between the French mainland and Corsica up to 202.It  currently operates five cruise ferries plus three ropax vessels and it has been reported to be planning to replace its entire fleet with new ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line expands Cruisetours

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 25 September 2013 25 September 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today new Hawai`i and Europe Cruisetours, available now for sailings beginning January 2014. These new offerings further expand the line's Cruisetours and provide guests even more ways to enhance their cruise experience with a land vacation in Hawai`i, Europe and Alaska.

For guests sailing a seven-day inter-island Hawai`i cruise on the newly enhanced Pride of America, the four-day, three-night O'ahu Explorer Cruisetour showcases the beauty, history and culture of the islands, while providing guests with an opportunity to explore O'ahu in-depth prior to the cruise.

Featuring three of the island's top attractions, the O'ahu Explorer begins with a journey to the spectacular North Shore and the historic surfing town of Haleiwa. After a chance to view the famous Pipeline surfing destination, guests will then continue on to the Polynesian Cultural Center, which celebrates various cultures of the original habitants of Hawai'i. Interactive experiences range from island games, to traditional dances and a leisurely canoe ride.

The following day, guests will visit historic Pearl Harbor. The tour includes time to explore the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island and includes a drive though the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

On the final day of their tour, guests will visit the Kualoa Ranch for a customized tour to celebrate the ecology and way of life of ancient islanders. Along the way, they'll have the chance to visit the scenic Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, known for breathtaking views of the lush Windward Coast and strong, howling winds, along with the dramatic cliffs of the Ko'olau Mountain Range and cascading waterfalls. Once at the ranch, cultural practitioners will invite guests for hands-on experiences, including traditional island games, poi tasting, lei making and learning an authentic hula dance. Guests will then enjoy the ranch's Tram ride, offering spectacular scenery, along with lunch and a catamaran cruise on the Bay.

The O'ahu Explorer tour includes a traditional fresh flower lei greeting at the airport; a personal escort to the hotel transfer; free time each evening to explore Waikiki; baggage collection and delivery to and from the hotel to the cruise ship; transfers to Pride of America on embarkation day; customized tours and park admissions with local tour guides; and hotel accommodations at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Rates for the Hawaii Cruisetours with ocean view accommodations begin at $939 per person.

In Europe, guests have three new Cruisetours to choose from to enhance their cruise vacation. Baltic cruisers can now start their adventure with a three-day, two-night Gardens & Castles of Copenhagen tour. Guests begin with a city sightseeing tour to view the National Museum, Christiansborg Palace, and the colorful 17th-century harbor district of Nyhavn, and finish their adventure with a classic Scandinavian smorgasbord lunch. Guests will also enjoy a special nighttime visit to Tivoli Gardens, as well as a visit to Kronborg Castle, the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Guests embarking in Barcelona can live like a Spaniard on the four-day, three-night Art & Architecture of Barcelona tour. Highlights include a city tour with visits to Park Guell, the Gothic Quarter, La Sagrada Familia Basilica and the 1992 Olympic Stadium on Montjuic Hill; and an excursion to the Catalonian countryside with stops at the Monastery of Poblet. For food and drink lovers, the tour includes an authentic tapas lunch and a cava tasting at a local wine estate.

For guests embarking in Venice, the four-day, three-night Canals & Palaces of Venice provides a chance to experience all of the top attractions the Floating City is known for, including Doge's Palace and a boat tour with time to explore the Lagoon Islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Guests will experience a memorable Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal with music and prosecco, and enjoy a tasting of traditional Italian gelato and local tapas-style specialties known as Cicchetti.

All European tours include hotel accommodations, breakfast, arrival transfers to hotel and port transfers, an English-speaking local guide and entrance fees for all itinerary destinations. These new Europe Cruisetours complement Norwegian's choice of existing Europe Cruisetours, including the four-day, three-night Rome & the Vatican cruisetour, available to guests sailing on Norwegian Epic, and the 11-day Classic Italy cruisetour, available for guests of Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Epic.

Norwegian's Cruisetours program also includes four unique pre- or post-cruise adventures in Alaska, with experiences ranging from a ride on the Alaska Railroad to a private tour of an Iditarod musher's home, a dogsled tour and much more.

In celebration of National Cruise Vacation Month, Norwegian is offering a special limited time offer of up to $500 in onboard credit per stateroom for guests who book a qualifying Norwegian cruise or cruisetour during the month of October.

Cruise industry leaders to participate in Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific forum

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 24 September 2013 24 September 2013

The conference portion of the third annual Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific event, slated for October 9-10, 2013 kicks off with the State of the Cruise Industry in Asia: The Next Step Forward.

Several of the leading players in Asia's rapidly expanding cruise industry will discuss the next phase of Asian cruise development and what new opportunities lay ahead for the market. The session will feature Didier Scaillet, Vice President, Business Development, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) presenting the global cruise industry outlook; and Zinan Liu, Chairman, CLIA Asia, and Regional Vice President, Asia & Managing Director, China, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd; and Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman & CEO, Carnival Asia, providing the keynote addresses.

Panelists at the 10:00 am session include Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises; Zinan Liu, Chairman, CLIA Asia, and Regional Vice President, Asia & Managing Director, China, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd; William Ng, Chief Operating Officer-Cruise, Genting Hong Kong Ltd; and Ann Sherry, AO Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Australia.

"We are bringing together key cruise line executives whose brands are integral to the growth and prosperity of the market" said show organizer UBM's Portfolio Director Daniel Read. "We look forward to a lively and informative panel discussion from these engaging industry leaders."

The State of the Industry assembly has long been a mainstay of the conference program of UBM's flagship event, Cruise Shipping Miami and organizers expect the Asia-Pacific show to be become another pillar of the Cruise Shipping brand. It is the only plenary session of the event and will set the stage for the two days of conference sessions to follow. The conference will be led by a panel of regional and international industry experts covering essential topics.

Wednesday afternoon, October 9 will offer "Asia as a Destination - Cruise Deployment and Operations" and "Supplying the Cruise Industry in Asia," running concurrently.

Thursday October 10, concurrent morning sessions will include "Building Asian Source Markets" and "Cruise Ship Terminal Development." Afternoon sessions include: "The Cruise Geography of Asia" and "Shipbuilding and Refurbishment in Asia."
Conference session details can be found at cruiseshippingasia.com or by clicking here<http://www.cruiseshippingevents.com/asia/conference/conference-program>.

For information about exhibiting or attending Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific visit www.cruiseshippingasia.com<http://www.cruiseshippingasia.com>

UPDATE-Britannia to feature look out bar, single balcony cabins

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 24 September 2013 24 September 2013

UPDATE:

The Britannia will continue the "Modern Classic design concept that P&O Cruises introduced in 1995 with Oriana, the first ship purpose built for the British cruise market. It will feature a large spa and retain Atul Kochar and Marco Pierre White restaurants, while further details about dining would be disclosed later, said David Dingle, Chief Executive Officer of P&O Cruises.

The 330 metre / 1,082 long vessel that will have accommodation for about 3,600 passengers will feature a new hull form that will reduce fuel consumption by 20%, which is important both the economical and environment points of view.

P&O Cruises is essentially a British brand, but the company is expanding its footprint elsewhere too. By positioning the 116,017 gross ton Ventura in the Mediterranean fora series of fly cruises that can be booked as either a 14 night cruise or two separate seven night itineraries, P&O Cruises is also targeting passengers from English speaking countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

Following the introduction of Britannia, there will be an additional platform to increase this dimension, Dingle stated. Britannia's itineraries have not been disclosed yet, but it will sail from Southampton to destinations in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Atlantic Islands and occasionally, to the other side of the Atlantic.

 

 

 

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Britannia, the new ship P&O Cruises will introduce in the spring of 2015, will feature 27 single cabins, including ones with balcony, ceo David Dingle said at a presentation in London. The ship will also feature a look out bar, with forward facing views.

The ship will be built on the same platform as Royal Princess of sister brand Princess Cruises, which does not feature a lounge with forward views.

The ship will carry on the theme introduced on Azura in 2010, Dingle stated, but pointed out that many new features would be disclosed later.