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Royal Caribbean to redeploy Explorer from Cape Liberty to Port Canaveral

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

Royal Caribbean International today announced new Caribbean cruises for Explorer of the Seas from November 2014 through early January 2015. After eight consecutive years dedicated to the New York metropolitan area with year-round sailings from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J., Explorer of the Seas will redeploy to Port Canaveral, Fla., to offer a range of four- to nine-night Bahamas, and Western and Southern Caribbean vacations. Throughout the short season, Explorer of the Seas will join Freedom of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas at Port Canaveral to offer the most ships and itinerary options to The Bahamas and the Caribbean from Central Florida’s Space Coast. Guests aboard each ship will enjoy a Caribbean-holiday vacation that only Royal Caribbean can deliver, with the cruise line’s award-winning family programming, industry-leading entertainment and world-renowned friendly and engaging GOLD Anchor Service. Explorer of the Seas’ 2014 holiday season cruises from Port Canaveral are now open for sale.

Explorer of the Seas is among the Voyager class of ships, which first introduced innovative and iconic Royal Caribbean onboard amenities, such as Studio B – a real ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, an in-line skating track, and the Royal Promenade, a four-deck high boulevard that runs nearly the length of the ship. The Royal Promenade is lined with boutiques, lounges and a café and comes to life with colorful parades during the day and themed dance parties at night. Guests also can delight in professional ice-skating productions in Studio B and Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Broadway-style musical revues in the Palace Theater; try their luck in the Casino Royale; and dance into the night in The Chamber nightclub.

Young guests, ages three to 11, can join in Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean kids program, while teens, ages 12-17, have their own exclusive space. College-accredited counselors lead ongoing entertaining and educational sessions from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. in five age groups. Kids will enjoy the Adventure Beach splash pool and teens can hang out with their peers in the teens-only Optix lounge.

From close encounters with the rich wildlife both on land and below the sea, to enriching tours of cultural and historic landmarks, to exciting adventures into the lush terrain, Royal Caribbean’s expansive array of shore excursions help guests make the most of their Caribbean port of call and create long-lasting memories for every member of the family. No matter which Royal Caribbean shore excursion they choose, guests can rest assured that their guides and tour operators are reputable, experienced and insured.

On select itineraries, guests call at two destinations highly rated by guests, CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise in The Bahamas, or Labadee, the cruise line’s private beach destination on the north coast of Haiti. Guests can choose a wide range of watersports options on beautiful sandy beaches and enjoy a sumptuous seaside barbeque. Labadee also offers a range of activities for thrill seekers, who can soar 500 ft. down the mountainside on the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the longest zip line over water; twist and turn down the same mountainside on the Dragon’s Tail Alpine Coast; or beat the heat on the new 300 ft. long Dragon’s Splash Waterslide.

Explorer of the Seas will sail four Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Port Canaveral through Jan. 4, 2015. On these five-night itineraries, guests call at Cozumel, Mexico, and Nassau, The Bahamas, or CocoCay and Cozumel. Vacationers also can choose two Southern Caribbean sailings on a nine-night itinerary that call at each of the ABC Islands and Labadee.

Additionally, a five-night Bahamas cruise, departing Dec. 13, 2014, will call at Nassau, Grand Bahamas Island and CocoCay. Guests on a special four-night sailing, departing Dec. 23, will call at Labadee on Christmas Day. The following eight-night Caribbean itinerary will herald in the New Year in St. Maarten, as well as call at San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Croix and Labadee. Vacationers also can choose an extended 14-night Southern Caribbean itinerary, departing Nov. 1, 2014, which repositions Explorer of the Seas from Cape Liberty to Port Canaveral via the Southern Caribbean.

From Port Canaveral, vacationers also have Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas from which to choose. Freedom of the Seas, with its iconic FlowRider surf simulator, will continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries and Enchantment of the Seas will offer three- and four-night Bahamas getaways.

Serenissima refloated after Scottish incident

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

The small expedition cruise ship Serenissima has been refloated after it had become lodged on sand and gravel in Oban Bay in Scotland at around 6.30pm on Monday, media reports say.

“None of the 61 passengers or 51 crew members were injured during the incident,” the Scottish television reports on its website. The vessel is on charter to Nopble Caledonia, the London based niche cruise company.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said there were no reports of injuries, and no reports of pollution or of water entering the ship. Strong winds hampered initial attempts by the crew and the Oban RNLI lifeboat team to rescue the vessel, but it was eventually re-floated at about 1.10am. The Serenissima is now anchored in Oban Bay and will undergo a dive inspection later on Tuesday.

British TV nature presenter Tony Soper to offer Vistas on Boudicca in October

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

The beautiful Canary Islands, with their sub-tropical climate, are home to a colourful array of plants and animals, and many of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ guests enjoy visiting these delightful islands. In Autumn 2013, a cruise focusing on the natural wonders of the Canaries – Boudicca’s 12-night D1323 ‘Madeira & the Canaries’ cruise, ex Belfast on 3rd October 2013 – will be hosted by TV naturalist, Tony Soper, through Fred. Olsen’s award-winning onboard enrichment programme, Vistas, the company said in a statement.

The cruise will offer a splendid opportunity to enjoy the seabirds of the North Atlantic. Gannets and Puffins will be in company with the ship, as they come together and migrate south to the Iberian Peninsula and the coast of West Africa. Tony Soper will be on board to enhance guests’ knowledge of the natural wonders that they experience, based on his own rich and varied career as a naturalist and bird watcher.

An acclaimed broadcaster, Tony's many credits include BBC Two’s 'Nature' and film series 'Discovering Birds' and 'Beside the Sea'. Tony co-founded the BBC's famous Natural History Unit, was its first wildlife cameraman and became its first-ever film producer.

Tony is a renowned bird watcher, and pioneer of expedition cruising, with over forty years’ experience of running small vessels on birding cruises, as well as lecturing on everything from seaside tripper-boats to the largest and grandest cruise ships. An enthusiastic diver and small-boat sailor, he is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Fred. Olsen’s nature-lovers’ Canaries cruise aboard Boudicca departs from Belfast – a new departure port for the cruise line – and calls first at the Portuguese port of Leixoes, for tours to Oporto, then at Funchal, the capital of Madeira. This lovely island is sometimes called ‘a floating garden in the Atlantic’, and is a paradise for plant enthusiasts. Next are the Canary Islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote, both enjoying dramatic and varied landscapes and some amazing wildlife. Boudicca makes her final call at the bustling Portuguese capital, Lisbon, before returning to Belfast.

Holland America Line makes three director appointments in fleet operations department

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 May 2013 18 May 2013

Holland America Line has appointed three directors in the Fleet Operations Department. Peter Brust is the new director, fleet security; Holly Love has been named director, medical services; and Eric Chamberlin joined the company as director, system management and program development.

Peter Brust will report to Cees Deelstra, vice president, nautical operations. As fleet security director, he is responsible for the security operations aboard Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships and Seabourn's fleet of six ships, as well as all turnaround ports and the headquarters office in Seattle. Additionally, Brust ensures that both companies are in compliance with all security directives from governments and other regulatory agencies regarding terminal, ship, crew and passenger security practices and procedures.

Most recently Brust was vice president at Guardsmark security services. Prior to that, he was Deputy Superintendent at the Chicago Police Department and retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation after 22 years. He served in the U.S. Army and holds a Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Sciences from Illinois State University.

Holly Love also reports to Cees Deelstra, vice president, nautical operations. In the role of director, medical services, she is responsible for hiring, training and supervising all Holland America Line and Seabourn onboard medical personnel to ensure that guests and crew are always provided high quality medical care, working with governmental agencies on medical-related issues and ensuring that both shipboard and shoreside staff are able to promptly and professionally respond to all medical situations.

Love has extensive experience in various positions in direct patient medical care and management in the medical air transportation business. Most recently she held a director position at an air ambulance company in Portland, Ore. She also sailed for six years as a medical officer on Holland America Line ships. Love holds a bachelor's degree in the Science of Nursing and is a registered nurse.

Eric Chamberlin reports to Mike Inman, vice president of safety and environment management systems. He is responsible for coordinating Holland America Line and Seabourn's safety and environmental management systems, policy development and emergency response planning and coordination.

Chamberlin joins the company after nearly 29 years in the U.S. Coast Guard where he worked through the ranks as a seagoing deck officer. When not serving on ships, Chamberlin was an assistant professor of electrical engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, coordinated law enforcement and international operations in the eastern Caribbean, acted as the Coast Guard liaison to the U.S. State Department and worked in ship and system acquisition and logistics, strategy development and coordination of regional operations in the Pacific Northwest. Chamberlin has a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and a master's degree in both electrical engineering and national resources strategy.

Windstar Cruises introduces new yacht and voyage collection

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 May 2013 18 May 2013

Windstar Cruises, a leader in yacht-style cruising, has announced the debut of its new all-suite yacht, Star Pride, and the 2014 Pride Voyage Collection. The new voyages open for sale today, and feature four new itineraries exclusive to the all-suite yacht, including Windstar's new itinerary through the Black Sea. Star Pride's nine distinctive voyages highlight small-ship ports throughout the Mediterranean seas and French Riviera, tucking into tiny harbors and hidden coves that others can’t reach. The collection features voyages from May 5 to October 21, 2014.

"We are thrilled to welcome Star Pride to our fleet in Spring 2014, enabling Windstar to cruise a global set of itineraries to new destinations including our new Black Sea Tapestry voyage," said Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises’ chief executive officer. "With a maximum of 212 guests on board, Star Pride delivers our promise of the private yacht experience in a casually elegant setting, all while exploring some of the world’s most legendary destinations and hidden harbors."

The four exclusive Star Pride 2014 European voyages include:

Black Sea Tapestry: For the first time, Windstar offers the enigmatic, once hidden, wonders of Europe's Black Sea in signature Windstar yachting style. This seven-day, roundtrip voyage from Istanbul, Turkey departs June 13, 20; and September 8, 2014, and visits five new ports including Yalta, Sevastopol, and Odessa, Ukraine; Constanta (Bucharest), Romania; and Nessebar, Bulgaria. Highlights include: Istanbul’s elegant Blue Mosque; Swallow’s Nest Castle in Yalta; the intriguing Potemkin Steps in Odessa; Sevastopol’s beautiful beaches; and medieval Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its impressive collection of historic churches.

Pride of the Aegean: Explore the breadth of the Aegean Sea, from the southernmost azure tip of Crete to the soaring spires of Istanbul, in one comprehensive nine-day sailing departing from Athens, Greece or Istanbul, Turkey on June 4, and 27; August 30; September 15 and 24; and October 3, 12, and 21, 2014. Star Pride visits Monemvasia, Chania, Santorini, and Rhodes, Greece; and Bodrum, Kusadasi, and Cesme, Turkey. Highlights include: Chania’s beautiful Venetian mansions and churches; the whitewashed buildings and blue domes of Santorini; the ancient Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes; Cesme’s 14th century Genoese castle, as well as the marble, myths, and magic of Athens and Istanbul’s world-famous Grand Bazaar.

Riviera Enchantment: Discover the glamour, the enchantment, the excitement, and the exquisite élan of the world's most famous yachting playgrounds on this seven-day voyage roundtrip from Rome, Italy departing May 21; and August 6, 2014. Rome sets the stage for this exciting cruise which visits some of the world’s most glamorous ports along the French Riviera including Cannes, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Portoferraio, Portofino, and Portovenere, Italy. For an added thrill, guests sailing on the May 21 departure can add Windstar’s Grand Prix Cruise Package and experience the perfect combination of luxury cruising and Formula One racing.

Venetian Passageways: Uncover the wonders of Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, as Windstar overnights in this magical city on this nine-day voyage along the ancient trade routes through the narrow Corinth Canal, to the ancient oracle of Delphi, and into the majestic fjords of Montenegro. Star Pride departs July 6; and August 21, 2014 from Athens, Greece or Venice, Italy visiting Hydra, Corinth Canal, Delphi/Itea, and Zakynthos, Greece; Butrint, Albania; Kotor, Montenegro; and Dubrovnik and Hvar, Croatia.

Also new for 2014, is Windstar’s Sicilian Splendors voyage. Sail around the Isle of Sicily and discover wonders from the ruins of Pompeii and Capri’s Blue Grotto to Baroque marvels and the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi Coast with this 10-day sailing roundtrip from Rome, Italy departing May 11, 2014. This new 2014 voyage visits five new ports including Catania, Porto Empedocle, and Trapani, Italy; and Valletta and Gozo, Malta; as well as Lipari (Sicily), Sorrento, and Capri, Italy, and also spends one romantic night at sea. Highlights include: the ancient city of Syracuse in Catania; historic tapestries and armor in Valletta’s Palazzo Parisio; and some of the world’s best-preserved Greek ruins at the Valley of the Temples in Porto Empedocle.

In addition, Star Pride will offer many Windstar favorites including:

Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast: Discover the magic of Venice, the grandeur of Rome and the captivating island of Capri before cruising the privileged waters of the Ionian Sea with visits to the breathtaking fjords of Montenegro and the sundrenched shores of Croatia on this eight-day cruise departing from Rome or Venice on July 15 and August 13, 2014.

Glitter & Glam of the Rivieras: From the sparkling cities of Marseille and Portofino to the chic style of Monaco and Cannes, Star Pride explores the legendary ports of the world’s most privileged yachts on this seven-day voyage departing from Rome or Barcelona on July 23 and 30, 2014.

Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast: This seven-day cruise departing May 28, 2014, explores the idyllic islands, charming cobbled villages, spectacular scenery, and intriguing history of the heart of the Mediterranean.

Star Pride, with a guest capacity of 212 in 106 suites, will undergo several upgrades and changes in styling and décor to align with Windstar’s brand. Star Pride will showcase many signature Windstar experiences, including the line’s famous Sail Away party, Yacht Deck Barbecue gala and Open Bridge policy.