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Carnival Legend becomes second Carnival Cruise Lines’ ship in Australia

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 May 2013 10 May 2013

Carnival Cruise Lines, which is part of the Carnival Corp & plc group, will bring a second ship to Australia to meet the burgeoning consumer demand for cruise holidays, an Australian media report says.

“The Carnival Legend will sail seasonally out of Sydney to the South Pacific from September 24 in what is a major vote of confidence in the Australian cruise industry by the world's biggest cruising company,” a report on Perthnow.com.au news website said.

Carnival Legend, which was built in Finland in 2002, is of 85,920 gross tons and it has a lower berth capacity of 2,124 passengers. It is the sister ship to Carnival Spirit which has carried more than 100,000 passengers since coming to Australia last October.

"We are all really excited about Carnival Legend joining her sister ship Carnival Spirit in Australia," Jennifer Vandekreeke, Director Carnival Cruise Lines Australia and New Zealand, said.

Strong UK, Nordic markets help TUI Travel to cut interim loss

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 May 2013 10 May 2013

Strong performance of its business in the UK and in the Nordic countries helped TUI Travel plc, the London based tour operator that owns Thomson Cruises, to cut its loss in the firstsix months of its financial year.

Group net loss in the period to 31 March narrowed to £404 million from £457 million in the same period a year earlier. Revenues fell slightly, to £5.40 billion from £5.45 billion.

In the UK, bookings rose by 7%, well ahead of a 3% increase in overall capacity the company has on offer, while prices rose 5% on average per holiday sold. The company is a major retailer of cruises through its Thomson travel shop chain.

In the Nordic region, bookings rose 9% and prices increased by 5%, while in Germany prices rose 7% but bookings declined by 3%, the company said in a statement.

Peter Long, Chief Executive Officer, said the company expects operating profit for the full year to rise by 10% year on, with the expectations based on current trading and constant currencies.

Freerunning team 3RUN showcase upgraded Thomson Dream

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 May 2013 09 May 2013

Thomson Cruises says for the first time ever, freerunning has taken to the high seas as world renowned Parkour professionals are captured on film leaping over stairwells, jumping from balconies and even scaling the side of the ship.

The short film was created by record breaking freerunning team, 3RUN who’ve worked on Hollywood blockbusters like Casino Royale and Harry Potter and use awe inspiring stunts to give customers a unique look at the makeover on the Thomson Dream, a 54,000 gross ton vessel that was built as Homeric in 1988.

Filmed against the stunning backdrop of the Caribbean, the freerunners pushed their bodies to the limit as they were captured flipping over the pool, vaulting tables in the restaurants and even recreating the iconic ship’s flag 20 feet above deck.

The film ends with a glimpse of the 3RUN crew relaxing with cocktails on a nearby Caribbean beach, having left the newly renovated ship and swam ashore.

Fraser Ellacott, Managing Director of Thomson Cruises says: “To celebrate the launch of the two newly renovated ships to sea and with 64,000 people expected to travel on the new Platinum Cruise ships this summer, we wanted to do something completely different to showcase the renovations. Partnering with 3RUN gave us the opportunity to highlight the multi-million pound makeovers in a truly entertaining way. We’ve moved towards a more contemporary look and feel onboard both the Thomson Dream and Celebration with refurbished cabins, revamped restaurants and bars and a luxurious spa and wanted to show it off in an equally modern way.”

Chase Armitage, CEO of 3RUN says: “The new look Thomson Dream provided the ideal free running playground for us to create some never done before stunts that show off both the ship and the skills of our team. In true action film style we’ve tried to create content that will entertain every generation.”

Watch the film now at:

Azamara says April bookings rose 146% year-on

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 May 2013 09 May 2013

Azamara Club Cruises, the destinational unit in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, says it celebrated a three year anniversary in April with a record-breaking booking month.

“The cruise line, which upgraded its destination-immersive offerings with the launch of AzAmazing Evenings last month, saw a 146% increase in bookings from the same time last year and has received outstanding feedback on its authentic, intimate and bespoke evening events, which are complimentary for all guests. The evening events reflect the culture and nightlife of intriguing destinations, offering guests the opportunity to pursue their passion for culture,” the company said in a statement.

Early in 2012, sinking of Costa Concordia on 13 January hurt bookings of cruise lines.

"We are delighted that our AzAmazing Evenings are receiving such a warm and enthusiastic response from both our guests and travel agent partners, who see the value in a truly destination immersive voyage with Azamara Club Cruises," said Edie Bornstein, senior vice president of Marketing and Sales for the cruise line. "To commemorate this record-breaking month, we have extended our celebratory anniversary offer throughout May, offering up-market travellers the opportunity to plan an unforgettable experience with us."

Guests that book to sail on one of a range of 2013 and 2014 cruises will receive a double upgrade so, for the price of an interior stateroom, guests will sail in a room with their own private balcony, plus free or reduced flights. If agents book three cruises within the anniversary offer, they will receive a free anniversary cruise.

Intercruises sponsors 10km run to celebrate 10th anniversary

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 May 2013 08 May 2013

Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, the ground handling and port agency services provider to the ocean and river cruise industry, will sponsor the “Cursa del Port de Barcelona”, a 10km run alongside the Mediterranean Sea and through the Port of Barcelona. The sponsorship is part of Intercruises’ 10th Anniversary celebrations and recognises where the business was started a decade ago, the company said in a statement.

“Barcelona is Intercruises’ home – our global headquarters are based in the Barcelona World Trade Center and ten years ago we delivered our first cruise services in the Port of Barcelona. We have grown into a global business, delivering services in over 300 destinations, spread across more than 50 countries worldwide. However, we started in Barcelona and as part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations we are delighted to support a local project that promotes the Port of Barcelona.” Said Mark Robinson, Intercruises Managing Director.

All registered participants will receive a running shirt and be provided with refreshments after the race. Prizes will be given to the three fastest male and female contestants. Registration is via the course website and costs:

• €12 if you have a transponder chip

• €14 without a transponder chip

• €22 to register and buy a transponder chip

The Cursa del Port de Barcelona is sponsored by Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, Coca Cola, ChampionChip and Racing.es