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P&O Cruises announces senior management team for new ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 September 2013 06 September 2013

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market brand in Carnival Corp & plc group, has announced its senior management team for its yet unnamed 141,000 gross ton newbuilding.

Captains Paul Brown and David Pembridge will alternately lead the shipboard team, supported by deputy captains Martin Allen and Hamish Sunter and executive pursers Darljit Sharma and Keith de la Mare.

The team will take the ship from Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste to its launch in spring 2015.

Captain Brown will be joining the head office in Southampton early in 2014 as the project starts to gain considerable momentum, with the rest of the team joining at different times prior to launch.

Paul Brown joined the company in 1996 and was first promoted to master in June 2007 on board Aurora. He then went on to be master on board Artemis, Oriana, Ventura and Azura.David Pembridge joined the company in 1976 and was first promoted to master in October 2002 on board Pacific Princess. He then went on to be master on board Royal Princess, Sun Princess, Artemis, Oceana, Ocean Village 2, Oriana and Aurora.

MSC Cruises to have stricter smoking policy for MSC Divina's Caribbean sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 September 2013 05 September 2013

With the upcoming arrival of MSC Divina to PortMiami, MSC Cruises is expanding its smoke-free policy in order to accommodate the North American market.

Effective November 2nd, when MSC Divina’s Grand Voyage departs Venice en route to Miami, smoking areas on MSC Divina will be limited to two general areas: the Cigar Lounge and port side of designated outside decks (away from all bars and food areas). The Top Sail Lounge, located in the prestigious and private MSC Yacht Club, and the Black & White Lounge will also become 100% non-smoking. In addition, the casino has been designated as non-smoking. At the discretion of the casino manager, smoking will be occasionally allowed for playing guests, during certain hours and in limited areas that will be clearly designated as smoking permitted.

As with all other MSC ships, smoking will continue to be prohibited in staterooms, on balconies, and in corridors, elevators, stairways, and public bathrooms.

Costa Diadema milestone: fore-end block laid on future flagship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 September 2013 05 September 2013

Today at Fincantieri's Marghera, Italy, shipyard, Costa Diadema's fore-end block hull section was laid. The future flagship of Costa Cruises' Italian-flagged fleet is scheduled for delivery Oct. 30, 2014. With Costa Diadema's entry into service, the Costa fleet – Europe's largest – will accommodate up to 45,000 guests.

The fore-end block section is approximately 26 feet high, 111 feet long, 118 feet wide at its maximum beam and weighs 432 tons.

Costa Cruises is investing approximately 550 million euros to build Costa Diadema. It is the 10th cruise ship built in Italy by Fincantieri for Costa Cruises since 2000, representing a total investment of almost 5 billion euros.

Among the many innovations onboard Costa Diadema are new wine-tasting venues including the Vinoteca and Proseccheria, the Bavarian Bierkeller for a wide selection of beers, and new dining choices such as Japanese Teppanyaki, Piazza Pizza and Gelateria for desserts.

The new flagship's interiors will offer spacious, split-level public rooms overlooking the sea that are conveniently interconnected, evoking the atmosphere of a vibrant seaside resort. For sun, sea and spectacular ocean vistas, there is a 1,640-square-foot open-air promenade with cabanas.

New entertainment offerings include the Country Rock Club featuring American music and arcade-style interactive games including Laser Maze.

Portobello Market Piazza will be the heart of an 11,840-square-foot area consisting of designer stores and retail outlets.

The three-level Samsara Spa -- located on the upper decks -- features an exclusive outdoor area and privileged access. The full-service facility offers guests an opportunity to enjoy the holistic regenerating experience that is the epitome of a "wellness cruise."

Royal Caribbean has completed management transfer of 12 ships to UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 September 2013 05 September 2013

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) group has completed the transfer the management of 12 of its 40 ships to the UK in the course of last year, the company’s 2012 Annual Report shows.

Initially, only Brilliance of the Seas that RCCL’s Royal Caribbean International contemporary market unit, was managed from the UK as the ship is on lease to the company from a British bank.

In its 2012 annual report, RCCL said it operates 13 ships under companies, which have elected to be subject to the United Kingdom tonnage tax regime.

"The requirements for a company to qualify for the UK tonnage tax regime include being subject to United Kingdom corporate income tax, operating qualifying ships, which are strategically and commercially managed in the United Kingdom, and fulfilling a seafarer training requirement,’ RCCL stated.

"Failure to meet any of these requirements could cause us to lose the benefit of the tonnage tax regime which will have a material effect on our results of operations," RCCL concluded.

The company did not specify which of its ships are now managed from the UK. None of the RCCL group vessels fly the British flag and it is not the requirement of the UK tonnage tax to do so in order to qualify for the system. RCCL flags in ships in the Bahamas and Malta, both of which are Commonwealth countries.

Royal Caribbean “has not confirmed Anthem of the Seas’ deployment”

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 September 2013 05 September 2013

Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. group, says it has not decided yet where Anthem of the Seas would operate after delivery in the spring of 2015.

"We have not yet confirmed Anthem of the Seas' deployment," the company told Cruise Critic, the consumer orientated cruise website.

The comment followed speculation that the 168,000 gross ton newbuilding that is the second unit in the Quantum class might replace Independence of the Seas in Southampton. The Quantum class vessels are “winter ships,” with many activities under a roof than traditional cruise ships feature outdoors.