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Crystal unveils entire 2015 through early 2016 itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 July 2013 24 July 2013

Sailing to all seven continents, ultra-luxe global cruise specialist Crystal Cruises has revealed its complete and comprehensive collection of cruises for 2015 through Winter/Spring 2016. In 2015, Crystal will celebrate its 25th anniversary with 64 voyages calling in 248 ports in 79 countries -- with its most ever maiden calls. Crystal Symphony begins 2016 immersed in South America and Antarctica, while Crystal Serenity kicks off the year with a grand Panama Canal cruise that precedes a new World Cruise.

Until now Crystal had only released itineraries through spring 2015, which include a dazzling Asia series and a 108-day “Silver Celebration” World Cruise circumnavigating the globe round-trip from Miami.

Among the new and distinctive highlights for 2015 are:

– 22 maiden calls to lesser-known locales like Albany, Australia; Ambodifotatra and Taolanaro, Madagascar; Burgas, Bulgaria; Chania/Souda, Greece; Macapa, Brazil; Richards Bay, South Africa; Rijeka, Croatia; Sanary-sur-Mer, France; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Aomori, Japan; Archangel, Korsakov and Solovetsky Islands, Russian Federation; Belawan, Indonesia; Bodo, Narvi and Øye/Hjørundfjord, Norway; Helgoland, Germany; Kochi, Japan; Sanya, China and Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago.
– Overnight stays with most itineraries – often conveniently scheduled in the port of embarkation or disembarkation – and several feature double overnight calls (three days!) in Shanghai, Bordeaux’s port of Bassens, Hong Kong, Monte Carlo, St. Petersburg, and Yangon, Myanmar.
– A dozen voyages are conveniently round-trip from the world’s most coveted destinations like New York, London’s port of Dover, Monte Carlo, Singapore, Los Angeles, Montreal, and, for the first time, Copenhagen (for a new Baltic route) and Istanbul (for a new Black Sea cruise).
– Brand new 18-day North Cape & White Sea cruise from Reykjavik features five maiden calls.
– New Holy Land & Mediterranean cruise visits Ashdod and Haifa, Israel.
– New European cruises to and from Amsterdam and Marseille.
– New TransAtlantic cruise calling overnight in Bermuda.
– Both ships will cruise the British Isles with a new combination of ports.
– Mexico is back on the roster, along with an expanded convenient Caribbean collection.
– Approximately a third of the cruises are 10 days or less.
– A new Christmas/New Year cruise from San Juan to Rio de Janeiro joins Crystal’s popular holiday roster.

In keeping with its recent practice to release its full year schedule with the first quarter of the following year, Crystal is also revealing the first quarter of 2016, which includes:

– Two January/February cruises cruising Antarctica and South America, including a new route round-trip from Buenos Aires.
– New Panama Canal cruises: from Chile to Miami and Miami to San Francisco.
– New Caribbean cruises that begin and/or end in Colon, Panama.

– 102-day World Cruise that, for the first time, follows a route round-trip from San Francisco, with segments beginning in Sydney, Bali, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Crystal’s 2015/early 2016 cruise schedule is available for savoring – and planning – at www.crystalcruises.com. Pricing details, with compelling, limited-time Book Now fares, will be released on August 31, 2013, when the 2015/16 cruises will be available for booking.

Windstar offers "ultimate" Monaco Grand Prix experience

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 July 2013 23 July 2013

Windstar Cruises combines its distinctive yacht style cruising with the glamour and excitement of the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix to offer guests a VIP experience during this world famous Formula One event. Guests have two voyage options to choose from: a complete Grand Prix themed cruise on the May 21, 2014 Grand Prix of Monaco voyage onboard Windstar's newest yacht Star Pride; or a Grand Prix excursion package on the May 20, 2014 Yachting the Riviera cruise onboard Wind Surf, the largest of Windstar's three sailing yachts.

"Windstar's Grand Prix of Monaco packages offer the ideal opportunity for guests to cruise through all the pleasures of the Riviera combined with a chance to take part in one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world," said Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises' chief executive officer. These experiences are just another way Windstar is able to bring its guests closer to the local flavor of each region we sail to.

The Grand Prix themed cruise onboard Star Pride will be hosted by John Bisignano, a former Formula One pit reporter and includes the chance for guests to cheer on their favorite driver from Grand Stand seats during the qualifying races on Saturday, May 24, 2014, and the finals on Sunday, May 25, 2014; as well as delighting in a post-race cocktail reception at the luxurious Hotel de Paris in the heart of Monte Carlo. Before arriving along the French Riviera, guests will also enjoy a special cocktail reception and Grand Prix dinner in addition to other onboard surprises including a Grand Prix gift package. Star Pride's seven-day Grand Prix of Monaco voyage sails round-trip from Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy on May 21, 2014, and visits Portoferraio, Portofino and Portovenere, Italy; Cannes, France; and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Guests onboard the 310-guest flagship Wind Surf Yachting the Riviera voyage also have the opportunity to attend these unforgettable races with Windstar's Grand Prix excursion package, which includes Grand Stand seats for the qualifying races and finals, as well as an exclusive onboard cocktail reception and a Grand Prix gift package. Wind Surf's seven-day Yachting the Riviera voyage sails from Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy on May 20, 2014, to Nice, France and visits Portoferraio, Portofino and Portovenere, Italy; Nice, France; and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Lloyd's Register joins Titanic II project

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

Blue Star Line Chairman Clive Palmer has announced the appointment of Lloyd’s Register to review the design and safety features for Blue Star Line’s Titanic II project. Palmer said Lloyd’s Register had more than 250 years’ experience with passenger ships and would review key design drawings, calculations and studies for Titanic II. He said the appointment of Lloyd’s Register further strengthened the team that had been assembled to deliver Titanic II in 2016.

"I would like to welcome Lloyd’s Register to the Titanic II team and look forward to working closely with them on this landmark project," Palmer said. "Blue Star Line has engaged Lloyd’s Register to review key design drawings, calculations and studies for Titanic II against relevant rules and regulation. This will include class rules and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) aspects which relate to the structure, stability and safety of Titanic II."

Paul Nichols, the Lead Specialist with Lloyd’s Register’s Passenger Ship Support Centre in the UK, said Lloyds Register was delighted to be part of the Titanic II project "Working with Blue Star Line and Titanic II’s designers Deltamarin, Lloyd’s Register will help ensure the vessel will be compliant with all the current statutory and classification regulations," Nichols said.

"Lloyd’s Register opened its first office in China in 1869, more than 40 years before the original Titanic was built and will be proud to play a part of the building of Titanic II in China. Lloyd’s Register provides independent assurance to companies operating high-risk, capital-intensive assets in the energy and transportation sectors. We enhance the safety of life, property and the environment by helping our clients to ensure the quality construction and operation of critical infrastructure."

Titanic II is scheduled to be launched from its construction base in China in 2016, before her maiden passenger voyage retracing its original journey from Southampton to New York. "Titanic II will be a regular feature on the transatlantic route between the UK and USA," Palmer said.

"This magnificent vessel is being constructed in memory of the heroic people who served on the first ship, as well as the passengers who sadly shared their fate. We also want to recognise the artists and artisans whose skill, creativity and dexterity has never been fully recognised because of the ship’s limited service."

Princess Cruises names Regal Princess senior officers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 July 2013 19 July 2013

Princess Cruises has announced that Captain Ed Perrin will be at the helm of its next new ship, Regal Princess, leading a senior officer team with more than 100 years of seagoing experience among them. The senior four-stripe team will also include Relief Captain Dino Sagani, Relief Captain John Foster, Chief Engineer Rosario Segreto, Hotel General Manager Dirk Brand, and Staff Captain Aldo Traverso.

Following in the wake of sister ship Royal Princess, Regal Princess launches in June 2014 for a season of Mediterranean cruising. The ship will offer the same dramatic features that have already made headlines on Royal Princess, including a soaring atrium, the dramatic over-water SeaWalk, the new Princess Live! television studio, a special Chef's Table Lumiere, and balconies on all outside staterooms.

"It takes a talented team to bring out a new vessel of this caliber," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "These skilled officers bring considerable seagoing and management skills to the new ship's maiden season."

Captain Ed Perrin: Captain Edward Perrin has been in command of numerous Princess ships since 2006, beginning with the former Tahitian Princess sailing in French Polynesia. Captain Perrin attended the College of Maritime Studies in Southampton and worked aboard several types of cargo ships before setting off aboard cruise ships. He then joined Princess in 1996. A native of Dorset on the South West Coast of England, Captain Perrin grew up watching the cargo ships and ocean liners sail from local ports, which sparked his growing desire to work at sea.

Relief Captain Dino Sagani: Captain Dino Sagani commanded a variety of Princess vessels, including Sea Princess, Dawn Princess, Sapphire Princess, Diamond Princess, and most recently as relief captain on Royal Princess. Sagani was born in Trieste on the North East Adriatic coast of Italy. Following the family tradition, he studied at the Nautical College in Trieste, which is one of the oldest Nautical Schools in Europe. On completion of his studies, he joined the Italian Navy, serving on a minesweeper during the first Gulf War. After the Navy, he joined Princess Cruises in 1995, where he quickly climbed the ranks and was promoted to captain in 2007.

Relief Captain John Foster: Captain John Foster has most recently commanded Sea Princess and Grand Princess. Foster started his seagoing career as an officer cadet with Esso tankers at the age of 16. After completing his cadetship, he joined his first Princess ship – the original Royal Princess. He was also assigned to the new build projects of Dawn Princess, Grand Princess and Island Princess. Foster was born in the maritime city of Liverpool, on the banks of the river Mersey, on the North West coast of England, where he still resides.

Chief Engineer Rosario Segreto: Chief Engineer Rosario Segreto has held this position for Princess Cruises since 1999 and is now one of the most senior chief engineers in the Princess fleet. In 2010, he was asked to participate in the design and development of the new class of ships, Royal Princess and Regal Princess, and has spent the past several years working extensively with the shipbuilding team. Segreto is from the small town of Villamassargia on the island of Sardinia, Italy, and graduated from the Nautical School in Cagliari, Sardinia in 1980. He began his career at sea as a cadet engineer on tanker and cargo ships. He joined Princess Cruises in 1988.

Hotel General Manager Dirk Brand: Hotel General Manager Dirk Brand will oversee all hotel functions aboard Regal Princess, a position he has held aboard a variety of Princess ships, including most recently Royal Princess and Ruby Princess during the ships' inaugurals. He has also worked aboard the ships of sister company Cunard. Brand was born in Berlin, Germany and grew up in Munich. After completing his education and apprenticeship in hotel management, he served with the Air Force in Sardinia, Italy. Fluent in three languages, Brand began his career at sea in 1998 as a senior assistant food and beverage director during the inaugural season of Grand Princess. He currently resides in Spain.

Staff Captain Aldo Traverso: Head of the deck department and second in command to the captain, Staff Captain Aldo Traverso joined Princess in 1998 aboard the original Regal Princess. A native of Genova, Italy, Traverso graduated from that city's Nautical Institute, after which he served in the Navy – first at the Naval Academy in Livorno and then on board a Navy vessel. His Princess career began as an able seaman fireman, after which he rose swiftly through the ranks to his current position. Today, Traverso resides in the Piemonte region of Italy.

Regal Princess, will debut on June 2, 2014 with a seven-day inaugural voyage from Venice to Barcelona. The ship will then sail on a 10-day Mediterranean & Aegean cruise, followed by a season of Princess' signature Grand Mediterranean cruises, with two itinerary choices.

Silversea reveals Grand Voyages for 2015

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 July 2013 17 July 2013

Following on the heels of the unveiling of its World Cruise 2015 last month, ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises today opened the books on its two Grand Voyages for 2015, offering a further tantalizing peek at the line's soon-to-be-announced schedule for the full year.

Silver Shadow will depart January 7 on a 62-day "Circle South America" roundtrip voyage from Fort Lauderdale with calls in Key West, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Falkland Islands, Uruguay, Brazil, French Guiana, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas. Highlighting the itinerary's 36 intriguing destinations is a crossing of the Panama Canal, two days cruising Chile's majestic fjords, a two-night stopover in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival, overnight stays in Callao and Punta Arenas, plus many late-night port departures. Fares start at $24,390 per person, based on double occupancy.

On January 22, Silver Spirit will set sail on a 64-day "Southern Cross" roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles to explore a collection of 32 exotic and marquee destinations mostly in the South Pacific, including the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji Islands, Samoa, Kiribati, and Hawaii. Highlights include sailing New Zealand's scenic Dusky and Milford sounds, overnight stays in Papeete, Melbourne, and Sydney, plus several late-night port departures. Fares start at $25,695 per person, based on double occupancy.

A host of added-value amenities

And for the first time, Silversea is extending special perks to guests sailing full Grand Voyage itineraries. These include a gala Bon Voyage dinner and pre-cruise overnight stay at a luxury hotel, a $2,000 onboard spending credit (per suite), and commemorative gifts. Plus, for guests on the full "Circle South America" voyage, there will be a complimentary Silversea Experience in Devil's Island and an exclusive event at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Similarly, full-cruise guests will be treated to a complimentary Silversea Experience in Fanning Island (Kiribati) and an exclusive event at the Sydney Opera House on the "Southern Cross" voyage.

"On Grand Voyages, our guests spend exciting days ashore exploring magnificent destinations at a leisurely pace, always returning to the easy-going luxury and special camaraderie of a small ship," said Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas. "They are perfectly suited to those avid travelers who have the time and desire to indulge their wanderlust on a grand scale."

Whether sailing completely around South America or cruising the warm waters of the South Pacific, Silversea guests on these unique journeys will experience fascinating places and cultural encounters from the comfort and luxury of elite, all-suite vessels specifically designed for fewer guests -- just 382 on Silver Shadow and 540 on Silver Spirit. Each ship features spacious ocean-view accommodations, sumptuous gourmet cuisine, the personalized service of a butler, and a generous selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet, and all gratuities.