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P&O Cruises to operate two world cruises in 2015

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 August 2013 21 August 2013

P&O Cruises is offering two world cruises for 2015, collectively visiting 69 unique destinations in 38 different countries and covering 61,470 nautical miles. Arcadia is sailing a 106-night full World Circumnavigation exclusively for adults with single cabins available, and Aurora is sailing a 105-night South America and Pacific Adventure for families, couples and solo travellers alike. Both sail roundtrip from Southampton. The world cruises are available for pre-registration from Wednesday August 21, 2013 on line, by phone or through your travel agent, and go on general sale Thursday September 5, 2013.

At 106 nights with lead-in Vantage Fares from £9,999 per person, Arcadia’s cruise is a classic full world circumnavigation. Exclusively for adults, the destination and port-rich cruise features five maiden calls for Arcadia to Bitung (Indonesia), Darwin (Australia), Lahaina (Maui, Hawaiian Islands), Manila (Philippines) and Sanya (Hainan, China).

Arcadia also features extended calls in San Francisco, Honolulu, Sydney, Hong Kong, Dubai, Safaga and Sokhna (Egypt) to enable passengers to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences in these ports – from tours of ancient civilisations visiting lavish tombs, temples and palaces in Egypt, to the hustle and bustle of modern day city life in Hong Kong.

Aurora’s 105-night South America and Pacific Adventure is family friendly with more time spent in New Zealand, including a cruise through its famed Milford Sound. The cruise features three maiden calls for Aurora to Akaroa (New Zealand), Rarotonga (Cook Islands) and Moorea (French Polynesia). Lead-in Vantage Fares for this cruise start from £9,299 per person.

Extended calls on Aurora will be in Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Sydney and San Francisco so passengers can take in these cities’ breathtaking sights during the day as well as into the night.

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “A world cruise offers so much more than an extended holiday, it’s an experience of a lifetime, an adventure on an epic scale. How else can you visit so many destinations around the globe, enjoy a whole host of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and immerse yourself in new cultures, countries and sights while travelling in consistent style and comfort?

“Our two world cruises for 2015 are no exception and offer excellent value for money. With prices from £89 per person, per night for our South America and Pacific Adventure on Aurora, it’s a fantastic way to see the world without having to compromise on home comforts.

Booking early also means passengers receive the best value, with our Price Promise protection, and they can enjoy all the benefits that booking early affords, such as being able to secure their preferred choice of cabin and dining option.”

The 106-night Arcadia World Circumnavigation (J501) departs from Southampton on January 6, 2015, highlights are:
·        36 destinations in 25 countries
·        Sailing over 34,000 nautical miles
·        Exclusively for adults with single cabins available
·        Four overnight calls in San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai
·        Five maiden calls for Arcadia:
-        Bitung (Indonesia)
-        Darwin (Australia)
-        Lahaina (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
-        Manila (Philippines)
-        Sanya (Hainan, China)
·        Scenic cruising under the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco
·        Panama Canal & Suez Canal transits
·        Scenic arrivals into Auckland & Sydney harbours
·        Unique perspectives of many of the world’s most iconic city skylines; Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Dubai
·        Vantage Fares from £9,999 per person including on board spending money
·        Equivalent to £94 per person, per night

The 105-night Aurora South America and Pacific Adventure (R502) departs from Southampton on January 8, 2015, highlights are:
·        30 destinations in 15 countries
·        Sailing over 27,000 nautical miles
·        Family-friendly with single cabins available
·        Three overnight calls in Montevideo, Sydney and San Francisco
·        Three maiden calls for Aurora:
-        Akaroa (New Zealand)
-        Rarotonga (Cook Islands)
-        Moorea (French Polynesia)
·        Two South American glaciers (PIO X and Amalia)
·        Cruise by Easter Island & Pitcairn Island on the west bound Pacific crossing
·        Extensive scenic cruising in Fjordland (Milford Sound)
·        Sails under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
·        Panama Canal transit
·        Vantage Fares from £9,299 per person including on board spending money
·        Equivalent to £89 per person, per night

Chef Sabourin joins Windstar as Corporate Executive Chef

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 August 2013 21 August 2013

Windstar Cruises announced today that Michael Sabourin has joined the company as Corporate Executive Chef. In this role he is responsible for the creation of new dishes, galley training, menu design, and enhancing the local culinary experience so Windstar guests can 'taste' the ports of call the leading small ship line visits. Chef Sabourin will report directly to Alan McGrory, Vice President of Hotel and Marine Operations.

With more than 18 years in the culinary industry, Chef Sabourin brings a strong cruise background. Most recently, he served as Executive Chef at Royal Caribbean International, including both Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. There he was responsible for directing all culinary and associated activities throughout the vessel, including the implementation of new dining room menus, chef table menus, and 5 star dining menus.

Chef Sabourin has global expertise, with a wide exposure to markets in Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and North America. He trained at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, the world's premiere culinary college. Prior to Royal, he worked for Sandals Resort, as well as Holland American Line.

"Chef Michael brings a wealth of culinary knowledge and an extensive amount of global experience," said McGrory. "We look forward to Chef Michael's contributions as we strive to provide the world's best culinary experience on Windstar Cruises."

SeaDream charts to Northern Europe in summer 2014

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 August 2013 21 August 2013

Known for its breathtaking beauty and rich history, travel to Northern Europe continues growing exponentially with cruising as a popular mode of exploration. Now SeaDream Yacht Club, best described as "yachting, not cruising," will expand its destination offerings with mega-yacht experiences in the Baltic and Norwegian Fjords for the Summer 2014 season.

The SeaDream I will explore the summer yachting ports of Northern Europe including overnight stays in popular cities with exclusive berthing privileges afforded only a mega-yacht. Guests will enjoy docking up the Neva River by the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Stockholm's historic Gamla Stan and anchoring steps from Tallin, Estonia's "Old Town" in the inner pond. SeaDream Yacht Club offers guests a perfect chance to experience the region in ultimate comfort and style from June through August 2014 on seven to 14-day voyages.

"In response to the popular demand from our past guests, SeaDream Yacht Club will bring its yachting lifestyle to Northern Europe in 2014," says SeaDream Yacht Club CEO Pamela Conover. "Our size allows us to visit some of the region's less traveled ports and become immersed in its rich culture in the care of the SeaDream I crew's highly personalized and anticipatory service."

Starting the season with a sailing from Hamburg, Germany on May 31, 2014, SeaDream I will embark on a journey through the Kiel Canal, calling on the metropolitan destinations of Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Stockholm. In contrast, the voyage also includes the picturesque island of Saaremaa in Estonia and Finland's Aland Islands, an archipelago of some 6,000 remote islands.

Highlights of Northern European voyages include:

– Multiple night stays in St. Petersburg, Russia, known as "the Venice of the North." Guests may enjoy a private opening of the world's largest museum of art, The Hermitage, or a behind-the-scenes look at Russia's famous Jacobson Ballet School. Enthralling tours of the Neva River and its canals allow an incredible vantage point from which to view St. Petersburg's renowned architecture.

– Discovering the small city of Mariehamn in the Aland Islands of Finland. A special private evening aboard the Pommern, a tall ship museum, has been arranged for guests to enjoy a Champagne tasting while engaging one-on-one with the diving team that discovered the world's oldest Champagne bottles at a wreck site near the coast.

– Exploring the majestic Norwegian Fjords up close, visiting hidden coves accessible only by small craft or mega-yacht. Overnights in Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord, Norway.

– Exclusive complimentary land excursion in Oslo to Hadeland Glassworks factory, owned by SeaDream Founder Atle Brynestad.

– Experience the Midnight Sun, when nightfall is twilight instead of darkness and daytime activities are possible round the clock.

– Outdoor activities including paddling through fjords in kayaks directly launched from the SeaDream I marina. Guests can also use the yacht's fleet of mountain bikes or hike trails on secluded and sparsely populated islands in the region.

Fully inclusive yachting fares begin at $4,499, based on double occupancy. The SeaDream I will be sailing a series of voyages in Northern Europe starting May 31 through August 2014. Itineraries include Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sweden.

Bergen Group sells 51% of Shipbuilding to JSV Zaliv

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 August 2013 21 August 2013

Bergen Group ASA, the listed Norwegian shipbuilding, offshore and services group, says it entered into a share sale agreement for the its shipbuilding division with the owners of JSV Zaliv Shipyard, which is one of the leading hull yards in Central and Eastern Europe. The new, international owners will purchase 51 % of Bergen Group's Shipbuilding division, for $18.22 million, the company said in a statement.

Bergen Group Fosen is building two large ropax ferries to Fjord Line, a domestic owner. One of these has been delivered, while the delivery of the second vessel is due to take place early next year. Both ships are behind schedule.

“Bergen Group is pleased to be able to lift the Group's Shipbuilding activities to a higher level. The new constellation brings in a strategic partner, which strengthens the entire value chain significantly - from basic design, detailed design and hull construction to final completion of the ships,” Asle Solheim, CEO of Bergen Group said in the statement.

“We have reason tombelieve that this new shipbuilding company gets a solid position with strengthened international competitiveness and basis for future growth. At the same time it provides us with access to supplementary competence in the work towards securing a significantly better profitability in the completion of the existing shipbuilding projects, “ Solheim said.

The new shipbuilding company has already secured $40 million in financing commitments for new hull projects, as well as NOK 50 million in working capital once the purchase agreement with Bergen Group has been finalised around the end of 2013 or beginning of 2014.

Meredith Lehr promoted to Senior Director, Legal and Assistant General Counsel for Holland America and Seabourn

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 August 2013 20 August 2013

Meredith Lehr has been promoted to Senior Director, Legal, and continues as Assistant General Counsel for Holland America Line and Seabourn. She reports to Kelly Clark, Vice President, Legal and General Counsel.

In this role, Lehr will assume additional responsibility for transactional, compliance and litigation matters for Holland America Line and Seabourn. Most recently, Lehr was Director, Legal and Assistant General Counsel where her responsibilities primarily included providing legal advice to the Human Resources, Risk Management, Guest Programs and Marketing departments.

"Meredith has been a steady and reliable resource for all who seek her legal expertise on a wide range of issues," said Clark. "The title of senior director recognizes her expanded role and ongoing contribution to our department's advisory and compliance efforts."

Lehr's relationship with Holland America Line began in 2006 when she joined the company as outside counsel with an onsite office, providing legal advice and services to various departments and work on special projects and contracts. In August 2010, she joined the company full-time as Director, Legal and Assistant General Counsel.