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Royal Caribbean commits second ship to Tampa

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 August 2013 29 August 2013

The Tampa Port Authority and Royal Caribbean International are pleased to announce that the cruise line will be deploying a second ship at the Port of Tampa beginning in the fall of 2014. Royal Caribbean International has been operating one ship at the Port of Tampa, during winter cruise seasons, since January 2002. Brilliance of the Seas, which will sail seasonally four- and five-night Western Caribbean cruises, will now be joined by a second Royal Caribbean ship, Vision of the Seas, which will offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises, sailing from Tampa throughout winter 2014-15. Vision of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas’ winter 2014-15 cruises from Tampa are now open for sale.

“It is extremely exciting to see Royal Caribbean International’s continued support of the Tampa cruise market by adding an additional vessel to our thriving home port. Royal Caribbean is a very important partner, offering a quality cruise experience to their guests and significant economic value to the port and our region,” Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, said.

Vision of the Seas will sail a nine-night Southern Caribbean itinerary from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on November 6, 2014, to Tampa, with calls at Aruba, Curacao, Grand Cayman and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach paradise on the north coast of Haiti. Beginning November 15, Vision of the Seas will sail every Saturday from Tampa to destinations in the Western Caribbean, including Grand Cayman, Cozumel (MX), Costa Maya (MX), Roatan (Honduras) or Belize. The 915-foot ship has a capacity of 2,000 guest, double occupancy, and a crew of 742. Previously announced, Brilliance of the Seas also will sail from Tampa in winter 2013-14 and 2014-15 on four-night cruises to Cozumel, and five-night Cozumel itineraries, which additionally call at Grand Cayman or Key West.

“We look forward to having two of our most recently revitalized ships, Brilliance of the Seas and Vision of the Seas sail from Tampa in 2014,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “The Port of Tampa has been a great partner for more than a decade and we look forward to continued growth with the Tampa Port Authority in the future.”

There will now be six cruise ships that homeport in Tampa. The projected passenger throughput with the sixth ship will be just over 1 million passengers, the largest throughput in the port’s 31-year history as a cruise port. Port officials are excited to welcome an additional ship to Tampa, which has been home port to Royal Caribbean ships since the first ship, Rhapsody of the Seas, called in January 2002.

With Brilliance of the Seas having just undergone an extensive revitalization in May 2013 and Vision of the Seas to also be revitalized in September 2013, guests will enjoy more dining options, exciting entertainment and innovative amenities for which Royal Caribbean is known. In addition to Broadway-style musical revues in the main theater, guests also will be WOW’ed by the new aerial-acrobatic entertainment production, which spans throughout both ships’ multi-story Centrum. All staterooms and bathrooms will be completely refreshed and new Royal Family Suites will offer another stateroom choice to cater to every member of the adventurous family. Vision of the Seas’ guests will enjoy eight restaurants, including new Park Café gourmet deli, which is complimentary, and Chops Grille, Izumi Asian Cuisine, and the exclusive Chef’s Table experience for 16 guests, which include an additional charge. Brilliance of the Seas’ guests also have choices of Rita’s Cantina and Vintages Wine and Tapas Bar, as well as the King and Country Pub, for an additional charge.

Through the cruise line’s ongoing fleetwide revitalization program, Vision of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas offer guests some of the more popular concepts that were introduced aboard Royal Caribbean’s ground-breaking Oasis-class ships, such as new digital signage, bow-to-stern Wi-Fi service, new flat-panel televisions in every stateroom, an oversized LCD movie screen overlooking the main pool, Concierge and Diamond Lounges for suite and Crown & Anchor Society loyalty member guests, and the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery for the youngest guests ages six to 36 months.

Windstar Cruises to renovate the staterooms

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 August 2013 29 August 2013

Windstar Cruises, the leader in small ship cruising, continues to evolve its fleet with three million dollars of stateroom upgrades scheduled for Wind Star and Wind Spirit, the two smallest sister yachts of the fleet. Wind Star's 72 guest staterooms will be renovated in a dry dock this November (one stateroom was already completed as a model showcase room).Wind Spirit is scheduled to have its 73 staterooms completed in April of 2015.

"We have a company-wide commitment to ensuring our yachts are constantly evolving to give our guests the best luxury experience possible," said Hans Birkholz, chief executive officer and president of Windstar Cruises. "These latest enhancements, along with the renovations done in early 2012, will make our staterooms some of the best in the luxury market."

The current layout will be transformed with a sofa where guests can relax, watch TV or catch a cat-nap to replace the previous desk and vanity set-up. When room service is ordered, or if guests want a place to write, the middle section of the sofa converts into a table, with seats at each end. Additionally, the center dresser located next to the bed will be exchanged for a chic new dresser that will give guests more open room. Before and after pictures of the mock-up stateroom can be viewed on Windstarsblog.

Staterooms on both yachts were previously enhanced as part of Windstar's $18 million fleet-wide renovation project in 2012. Across the fleet, staterooms were updated with leather headboards, stately arm chairs, linen wall coverings, new lighting features, elegant window coverings, plush wool carpeting, art work, and stylish bed cushions. Corridors were completely renovated from floor to ceiling with new wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, lighting, and art work.

"Guests are staying in our model showcase stateroom on Wind Star, and the reviews so far have been outstanding," said Birkholz. The new layout really exemplifies yacht-style cruising.

While Windstar's sailing yachts continue to evolve with the latest trends in the luxury market, Windstar Cruises is also preparing forStar Pride, the first of the company's three new power yachts, to enter its month-long dry-dock in April 2014, before sailing the Mediterranean in May of 2014.

Wärtsilä appoints Roger Holm to lead new 4-stroke organisation

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 August 2013 29 August 2013

Roger Holm (41), M.Sc. (Econ.), has been appointed Senior Vice President, 4-stroke, and member of the Ship Power management team as of 1 September 2013. In this position, he is responsible for Wärtsilä's 4-stroke activities globally.

Holm joined Wärtsilä in 1997 and has held several managerial positions, most recently leading the Seals & Bearings organisation within Wärtsilä Services. Before that he has had the positions of Vice President, Solutions Management and Vice President, Business Development, also within Services, and has worked as CIO for Wärtsilä Corporation.

In connection to this appointment, Wärtsilä PowerTech and the Ship Power 4-stroke organisation will be combined into one entity. The reorganisation is a continuation to the changes implemented in 2012. It aims to further strengthen the competitiveness and to serve customers more effectively with increased flexibility, faster decision making and optimal utilisation of resources. The new set-up will become effective as of 1 January 2014. As announced in June, the current head of PowerTech, Lars Hellberg, will pursue his career outside of Wärtsilä. He will support the change management until the end of September.

The new 4-stroke organisation in Ship Power will consist of all 4-stroke R&D and production for both the Ship Power and the Power Plants markets. In addition, it is responsible for engineering, project management and 4-stroke sales for the Ship Power market. The Power Plants and Services organisations will not change as a result of the new organisational set-up.

Holm will report to Jaakko Eskola, Senior Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation & President of Ship Power.

Splendour of the Seas continues seasonal South America cruises in winter 2014-15

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 August 2013 27 August 2013

Royal Caribbean International today announced the winter 2014-15 Brazil and South America season of Splendour of the Seas. Sailing roundtrip from Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil, Splendour of the Seas will sail three- to eight-night Brazil cruises, calling at Buzios, Ilha Grande, and Ilhabela, and seven-night Argentina and Uruguay cruises, calling at Punta Del Este and Montevideo, Uruguay; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. A special eight-night sailing, departing December 27, 2014, will take guests to Porto Belo, Buzios, Ilha Grande and Ilhabela, and herald in the New Year at Rio de Janeiro to catch the world-famous fireworks show at Copacabana Beach. Splendour of the Seas’s winter 2014-15 Brazil and South America cruises are now open for sale.

"We are glad to bring Splendour of the Seas back to Brazil for an eighth winter season," said Lisa Bauer, executive vice president of Global Sales and Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. "Splendour of the Seas combines a vast array of new and modern features and conveniences, exciting itineraries, and our world-renowned friendly and engaging GOLD Anchor Service to deliver a unique South America vacation experience that can only be found on Royal Caribbean. And our award-winning family programming will help make a vacation to the region an unforgettable experience for all ages."

Vacationers also can choose among two trans-Atlantic sailings between Brazil and Spain that bookend Splendour of the Seas’ winter 2014 season. A 15-night westbound itinerary from Barcelona, Spain to Sao Paulo (Santos) will depart on Nov. 22, 2014 and call at Seville (Cadiz), Spain; Lisbon and Madeira (Funchal), Portugal; Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Rio De Janeiro. Splendour of the Seas returns from Sao Paulo (Santos) to Barcelona on Apr. 20, 2015, and calls at Rio De Janeiro and Salvador De Bahia, Brazil; Tenerife; and Malaga, Spain.

Splendour of the Seas was recently revitalized to offer guests more delicious dining choices, breathtaking entertainment, and modern amenities. In particular, guests will delight in the Centrum’s aerial, acrobatic musical extravaganza that spans the ship’s six-deck-high atrium. Splendour of the Seas’ youngest guests, age six- through 36-months old, will love the attentive care in the new Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, and Royal Caribbean’s most loyal and suite guests can enjoy the exclusive new Diamond Lounge and Concierge Club, respectively.

All guests can enjoy Splendour of the Seas’ 10 onboard dining options, including specialty restaurants Park Café Gourmet Deli and the Boardwalk Doghouse, which are complimentary, and Chops Grille Steakhouse, Izumi Asian Cuisine, an a la carte menu in the Viking Crown Lounge Nightclub, and the exclusive 16-guest Chef’s Table, which are for an additional charge.

Guests also can stay connected with optional bow-to-stern Wi-Fi service; enjoy the new oversized movie screen poolside; and find out what’s happening and how to get there with new Digital Signage strategically placed throughout the ship. Throughout, all furnishings and upholstery in public spaces and every stateroom were renewed. For an informative overview of Splendour of the Seas’ revitalization, please see http://tinyurl.com/mrctwkq.

As the one true global cruise brand, Royal Caribbean International caters to an international clientele and deploys its cruise ships throughout the world. On Splendour of the Seas’ Brazil cruises, Royal Caribbean offers a culturally enriching cruise experience, in which vacationers will find that the majority of fellow guests are Brazilian and speak Portuguese. While guests will enjoy a more authentic regional experience, including additional onboard choices that reflect the region’s tastes and flavors, English is always spoken by the ship’s staff and crew.

International Corporate Art compiles the art collection on Europa 2

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 August 2013 27 August 2013

On the Europa 2, art lovers and connoisseurs can discover a range of various artworks in the public areas and suites. There are 890 originals on board in total, some of which were created as part of extra contract work for the casual luxury ship from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Art was conceived to be an integral component of the new ship design, and it interacts harmoniously with the architecture and technology.

The art concept on board the Europa 2 focuses on contemporary art befitting the modern design of the new ship, especially from young artists from Germany and Europe. Well-known names from the art scene and a selection of international works can also be found in the public areas. All works in the Europa 2 art collection were compiled by curators from International Corporate Art (ICA).

The collection features works by Gerhard Richter, Ólafur Elíasson, David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Adam Fuss and Hans Hartung. This exclusive list is complemented by works by Jeppe Hein, Georg Küttinger, Ingrid von Kruse, Eva Hild, Minjung Kim, Cornelius Völker, Rupprecht Mathies, Kubach & Kropp, Tenka Gammelgaard, Christiane Baumgartner and Christian Schoppe.

In addition to the public areas, special attention has also been paid to the art selection in various suites. For example, in the two Grand Penthouse Suites and the two Owner Suites, guests can encounter works by the British pop-art artist Damien Hirst from his portfolio The Souls I, II, III, IV. This consists of four different series of butterfly images in 80 different colours. The art collection on board the Europa 2 features all four types of butterfly in various colours.

Additionally, guests can find works by David Hockney, Donald Sultan and Bram van Velde in the upper suite categories.
Artists or gallery owners who can explain the works and discuss them with the guests will be on board for all cruises. An art tour is also held on every cruise, which provides background information on the works, the artists behind them and the general art concept on board. Guests can also enjoy alternating exhibitions in the gallery on Deck 9 of the ship.