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Attendee registration for Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific 2013 opens today

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 August 2013 12 August 2013

Delegate and visitor registration for the 2013 Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific conference and exhibition is now open. The world’s only annual cruise industry event focused on the entire Asia-Pacific region is scheduled for October 8-10, 2013 at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Online registration is available at www.cruiseshippingasia.com

This year’s conference program will explore the revenue outlook throughout the region, including the incredible growth in passenger source markets for cruises and worldwide destinations, and the staggering opportunity in the ship refurbishment and repair sector.

"The opportunity for exhibitors and attendees is unprecedented," said Daniel Read, Portfolio Director for UBM Live, the show organizer. "Attendees can expect the show to offer trailblazers early entry into the burgeoning Asia-Pacific cruise market, one expected to surpass seven million passengers by 2020."

The event begins Tuesday, Oct. 8 with the Asia Cruise Tourism Summit, a gathering of high-level cruise line executives and ministerial-level tourism board representatives.

The Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific conference kicks off on October 9 with the State of the Cruise Industry in Asia, followed by two days of concurrent sessions that will assess the pace and direction of growth in the world’s newest and fastest growing cruise sector. The conference will be led by a panel of regional and international industry experts covering essential topics and providing valuable insights into the burgeoning Asia cruise market.

Additionally, travel agents are invited to attend free comprehensive cruise training presented by CLIA Australia. Those agents may also walk the show floor to meet various suppliers and destinations, which combined with the training, will offer them a 360 view of the industry and help them grow their respective businesses.

New to the 2013 event

New to the event in 2013 will be the presentation of the first Rama Rebbapragada Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry in Asia. The award will recognize a person who has played a significant role in developing the cruise industry in the region.

The award will be presented by Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Michael Bayley, who was for many years Royal Caribbean International’s Asia representative and who worked closely with Rebbapragada.

The award was established in memory of Rama Rebbapragada, who was instrumental in helping bring recognition of the potential of the Asia-Pacific cruise market to Western cruise companies.

TUI Cruises amends Mein Schiff 3 initial programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 August 2013 12 August 2013

TUI Cruises, the German premium market cruise company, says it has amended initial schedules of Mein Schiff 3, the first of its two newbuildings from STX Finland, in order to give the crew more time to familiarize themselves with the ship and the company’s product.

“The first cruise will start on 13 June instead of 1 June and it will be of nine nights instead of 11,” said Frederike Gronemeyer, Communications Manager at TUI Cruises in Hamburg.

The second cruise will; be reduced in duration to seven nights from 10, while the third cruise will be cancelled. From then in, the ship will sail according to earlier published schedules.

“The ship itself will be delivered on time, but we feel the crew will need more time to acquaint themselves with the ship so that they can deliver the quality of product that our guests expect,” she told Cruise Business.

Well known artists to perform on series of P&O Cruises’ autumn voyages

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 August 2013 12 August 2013

P&O Cruises, the British contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, says it is launching its biggest ever line-up of star studded cruises this autumn with famous faces from the stage and screen. Michael Ball, David Essex, The West End Men featuring Lee Mead and Here And Now – with live performances from six 80’s legends including Paul Young, Toyah and many more, will be joining selected cruises on a choice of ships and itineraries. The celebrity cruises go on sale today and include:

· The West End Men, featuring Lee Mead, perform on a 12-night Canary Islands cruise on Ventura (N325) departing September 29, 2013. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Lisbon. Getaway Fares* from £849 per person.

· Here And Now - The Very Best Of The 80s with Paul Young, Toyah, Heaven 17, Howard Jones, Carol Decker from T’Pau and Clare Grogan from Altered Images perform on a 12-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Oceana (E325) departing October 22, 2013. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include El Ferrol, Malaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Gibraltar and Lisbon. Getaway Fares* from £749 per person.

· David Essex performs on a 14 and 15-night Caribbean Transatlantic cruise on Azura (A326N/A326A) departing November 1, 2013. Departing from Southampton and finishing in Barbados, ports of call include the Azores, Antigua, St Maarten, St Kitts and St Lucia. Getaway Fares* from £999 per person.

· Michael Ball performs on a 10-night Baltic cruise on Aurora (R322) departing December 9, 2013. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Bruges, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Gothenburg (overnight) and Oslo. Getaway Fares* from £599 per person.

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to announce our largest ever choice of star studded cruises. Combine these celebrity names with our other famous faces performing at sea; Katherine Jenkins, the Strictly Come Dancing team and our very own celebrity chefs, and I think we have something for everyone, whether you’re a child of the 70s, 80s or 90s.”

The West End Men is a musical theatre concert which celebrates the greatest musical numbers from the biggest shows. Featuring Lee Mead, and other critically acclaimed leading men from the West End stage, a selection of signature numbers will be performed from some of their most famous roles together along with a collection of some of the best known show tunes in the world.

Here And Now - The Very Best Of The 80s is the most successful high profile 80s live show. It brings together some of the most iconic and influential names from the world of 80s pop. Joining the Oceana cruise will be Paul Young, Heaven 17, Howard Jones, the original punk princess Toyah, Carol Decker of T’Pau fame and Clare Grogan from Altered Images.

David Essex is one of Britain’s most accomplished singers, actors and composers. His amazing career encompasses 19 Top 40 UK singles, including two Number Ones, 16 Top 40 albums and the iconic films That’ll Be The Day, Stardust and Silver Dream Racer. It was while filming That’ll Be The Day, co-starring Ringo Starr, that he wrote Grammy award-winning Rock On, which reached number one worldwide and he has since gone on to produce numerous chart hits and platinum selling albums.

Michael Ball, Britain’s leading musical star, has performed in lead roles in the West End and Broadway over the last 25 years. As a multi-platinum recording artist, top selling live concert performer and radio and television broadcaster, he has won critical and public acclaim and is set to wow audiences on Aurora.

Norwegian Jade and SNAV Toscana to be used as accommodation vessels at Sochi Olympics

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 August 2013 12 August 2013

FSUE Rosmorport,the Rusian state owned port operator, has signed an agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line and Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) regarding time charter of ships use as an accommodation vessel during the Winter Olympics in Sochi next year, Rosmorport said in a statement.

The 93,558 gross ton Norwegian Jade that was built in 2006 and 30,317 gross ton SNAV Toscana, which started life in 1980 as Visby, will be used as floating hotels while organizing the placement of audience and temporary staff at the time of the Winter Games.

“Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd and Grandi Navi Veloci companies are the winners of the open request,” Rosmorport said, adding that both vessels would be moored at a cruise terminal currently under construction.

Sun Princess begins extensive $30 million refurbishment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 August 2013 09 August 2013

Sun Princess has begun an extensive $30 million transformation that will refurbish and enhance the Princess Cruises' ship. During the two-week makeover, the vessel will receive a sparkling new atrium with Princess signature International Café, a new sushi and seafood venue, an updated Horizon Court buffet, and a refreshed Lotus Spa.

Interested viewers can follow the drydock progress while the ship is at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore with regular photo updates offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse each day through August 20. The online drydock journal will offer a rare insiders look at the work required to transform the ship with new interior furnishings and finishes, fresh hull paint and exterior refurbishment, and its new contemporary and Asian-style touches.

"Sun Princess debuted our first Japan-based cruise program earlier this year, and now the vessel will benefit from its time there with some new Asia-inspired elements as well as signature Princess features," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises' executive vice president. "We know from past projects that there is a great deal of interest in a drydock such as this, so we're again inviting the public to follow along as the ship is transformed."

When Sun Princess emerges from drydock, the ship's new atrium will feature Princess signature International Café with expanded seating and new décor. A new dining venue, Kai Sushi, will serve up sushi and seafood. The Horizon Court will feature contemporary food service areas and action stations for live a la carte cooking as well as a special pastry shop and coffee bar, refreshed décor and expanded seating. A sophisticated space designed especially for the ship's Sterling Steakhouse experience will also debut. The ship's top deck hamburger grill will be transformed into an al fresco barbeque venue, and the ice cream bar will add specialty coffee options. The Lotus Spa will also get a thorough makeover, with new décor.

Once out of drydock, Sun Princess will set sail on a season of Asia and Australia cruises, before beginning a second season of Japan-based cruising in April 2014.

The new features aboard Sun Princess add to the ship's current impressive array of dining and entertainment options plus signature innovations such as the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside theater and The Sanctuary, an exclusive top-deck retreat. The 77,000-ton Sun Princess carries 2,022 passengers and features a high number of staterooms with private balconies, a steakhouse, pizzeria, boutiques, and internet café among other amenities.