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Ånedinlinjen to cease trading

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 June 2013 28 June 2013

Ånedinlinjen, the Swedish shipping company that operates the 1953 built Birger Jarl on short cruises between Stockholm and Mariehamn, will cease trading from the start of July. The 3,500 gross ton vessel that started life as a steamer but which was converted to diesel propulsion some thee decades ago has been operated at a loss and the company has been forced to close down the service.

The company sought debt restructuring at the new year, but the summer season had not produced an expected increase in passenger volumes, which prompted the management to make the decision to terminate the service.

Ånedinlinjen started operations in the early 1970s and it derives its name from Onedin Line, a contemporary BBC production on the life of members of a fictional Victorian shipping family in England. The letter Å equals O in pronounciation in the Swedish language.

TUI Cruises brings own branded products to online shop

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 June 2013 27 June 2013

TUI Cruises, the German premium market cruise shipping company, says it will start to offer its own branded products that are currently owny available on board its two ships to shoppers online. The Hamburg based company will start to offer a range of products from t-shirts to sun glasses and coffee cups for purchase online at tuicruises.com/shop.

MSC Cruises in new Eataly and Hyrdorider partnerships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 June 2013 27 June 2013

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping group, says it has formed new parterships ahead of the introduction of MSC Divina in Miami

With less than six months to go before the arrival of the dazzling MSC Divina in Miami, when it will become the first MSC ship to sail year-round from North America, MSC Cruises is announcing a series of new features. In line with the company's unique Mediterranean way of life, MSC Cruises recently joined forces with Eataly, a popular Turin-based chain founded on the principles of the slow food philosophy, the company said in a statement

Following the successful launch of the first two Eataly restaurants at sea on board sister-ship MSC Preziosa, MSC Cruises is now extending the partnership and launching two new Eataly restaurants and a marketplace on board MSC Divina. In the area that previously hosted the Tex Mex specialty restaurant, MSC Divina will now feature two dining venues; upscale Ristorante Italia and regional steakhouse, Manzo, fashioned after the famed restaurant in Eataly's Manhattan location.

A boutique Eataly marketplace will also be available for guests to purchase authentic Italian products, including olive oils, dried pastas, artisanal sweets and aged balsamics. “ Spinning enthusiasts can now rejoice as MSC Divina becomes the industry's first ship to offer Aqua Cycling by Hydrorider. Reported as this summer's latest fitness craze across US media, Aqua Cycling will allow MSC Divina travelers to take spinning to new heights while cruising the Caribbean," the company said.

Seven Seas Voyager to be refurbished

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 June 2013 27 June 2013

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) has decided to refurbish Seen Seas Voyager to keep the 2003 built vessel in line with the expectations of the company’s passengers, it said in a statement

“In keeping with our on-going commitment to deliver the most all-inclusive luxury travel experience, we are making improvements to Seven Seas Voyager that will enhance our guests’ overall experience,” said Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Within the past five years, we have made significant investments in a comprehensive refurbishment program that has updated our fleet of elegant, stylish and sophisticated ships that are designed with the comfort of our discerning guests in mind.”

As part of the ship’s refurbishment plans, the company will re-decorate all Penthouse Suites in a stunning new décor with custom-crafted elegant furnishings, plush carpeting, curtains, wall coverings, furniture, lighting, original artwork and outdoor furniture.

A complete refurbishment is also planned for the Horizon and Observation lounges. The venues will receive distinctive new bars, furniture, carpeting, wall coverings, lighting and original art. Additionally, the Constellation Theater will be refurbished with new carpeting, wall coverings, tables, wall sconces, banquettes and chairs.

New plush carpeting will be installed throughout the interior of the ship and all public spaces will receive an eclectic selection of original artwork. The atrium will be outfitted with fine marble and receive new furniture. Outside, new teak will be installed on all balconies. The outdoor relaxation area on Deck 11 and outside the Observation Lounge on Deck 12 will receive new resort-style furniture and decor.

Appearing continuously on annual “world’s best” and “top” awards lists by noted media including Travel & Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Luxury Travel Advisor and more, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ fleet is comprised of three all-suite ships that carry from 490 to 700 guests in luxury to ports in Australia, Europe, Asia, South America, South Pacific, Alaska, New England, Canada, Africa, India, and the Caribbean.

Depending on the ship, guests can choose from up to four, open-seating gourmet restaurants, including Prime 7, a contemporary American steakhouse and Sette Mari at La Veranda, the line’s Italian dining experience. With some of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the cruise industry, accommodations include such requisite amenities as down comforters, Egyptian cotton linens, flat-screen television, DVD players and Wi-Fi access. Penthouse and higher-category suites aboard all three ships are equipped with iPads.

The ship is of 42,363 gross tons and it has ll suite accommodation for 700 passengers. RSSC is part of the Prestige Cruise Holdings group.

Engine room fire disables Zenith off Venice

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 June 2013 26 June 2013

A fire broke out in the engine room of Pullmantur Cruises’ Zenith early on 25 June off Italy as the ship sailed from Ravenna to Venice with 1672 passengers and 600 crew, media reports say.

The fire started at approximately 03:48 AM in the engine room and the ship lost power and had to anchor some 17 miles off Venice. The fire was put out quickly by the crew, with no reported injuries. Pullmantur said everyone was safe and was being kept apprised of developments by the Captain. There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.

Pullmantur is Madrid based subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL). Zenith was built in Germany in 1992 and it was later transferred from Celebrity cruises to Pullmantur. Next year, it will join the feet of Croisiered de France, another RCCL subsidiary.