Celebrity Cruises presents Caribbean programme for 2014-15

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 April 2013 08 April 2013

Celebrity Cruises today announced its 2014-15 Caribbean programme it describes as “guest-inspired, destination-rich, modern luxury holidays” for the 2014-15 season.

"Opening today with Priority Access and exclusive offers for members of Celebrity’s Captain’s Club loyalty programme are Celebrity Cruises’ 2014-15 Caribbean getaways," the company said in a statement.

Six ships will provide guests with Celebrity Cruises’ modern luxury ambience, on a collection of itineraries visiting 25 destinations in 19 countries.

Every Celebrity Cruises ship in the region will feature the cruise line's popular, spa-inspired AquaClass accommodations, whose guests enjoy exclusive access to the speciality restaurant, Blu, and complimentary access to the Persian Garden and Relaxation Room in the AquaSpa.

From Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Celebrity Cruises will have the youngest fleet of ships presenting seven-night itineraries, and an incredible variety for guests to choose from, with 4-, 5-, 7-, 10-, 11- and 14-night Caribbean holidays.

Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Reflection – with its all-glass shower in the luxurious Reflection Suite, along with entirely new AquaClass Suites and Signature Suites – will offer 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailings roundtrip from Miami on Saturdays from November 2014 through to April 2015, with visits to some of the region’s most popular ports: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

Celebrity Silhouette – the first ship to present the interactive Lawn Club Grill – will present alternating 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries every Sunday from Fort Lauderdale from November 2014 through to April 2015. The Western Caribbean itinerary will visit Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica, and the company’s private island destination of Labadee. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary will visit San Juan, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.

Celebrity Summit will return to San Juan for her seventh consecutive season of 7-night Caribbean itineraries from October 2014 through April 2015, visiting marquee ports in the Eastern Caribbean, as well as the exotic islands of Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada and St. Lucia.

Celebrity Equinox will return to South Florida to offer Ultimate Caribbean itineraries for a sixth consecutive season. The ship’s 10-night itinerary will visit destinations in both the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, including Barbados and Dominica, which typically cannot be reached from South Florida on shorter itineraries. The ship’s 11-night itinerary will feature unique destinations in the South Western Caribbean, including Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama.

Celebrity Eclipse will continue to present 14-night Exotic Southern Caribbean sailings, and will transition to departures from Miami on Sundays beginning in November 2014. The ship will return to Kralendijk, Bonaire, and also will visit Aruba and Curacao.

Celebrity Constellation will return to South Florida in November 2014 to present the perfect modern luxury getaways for consumers with limited holiday time – short Caribbean itineraries through to April 2015. The ship’s five-night sailings in the Western Caribbean will visit Key West and Cozumel, while the four-night itineraries will visit Nassau, Bahamas and Key West, Florida.

To further enhance guests’ destination experience, every Celebrity Cruises ship beginning in 2014 will offer the services of a Destination Concierge, whose in-depth knowledge of the ports of call on every itinerary will allow the expert to guide guests through every aspect of their adventures on land, or to create special excursions tailored precisely for their preferences.

Nineteen new ports in Voyages of Discovery 2014-15 programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 April 2013 08 April 2013

Voyages of Discovery, the destinational UK based cruise operator, says it is sailing to 19 new ports of call across ten countries, including a full circumnavigation of the African continent, as part of the new Summer 2014 and Winter 2014-15 cruise programmes, launched today. Plus, those who book early can take advantage up to 10% off and complimentary on board credit offers.

A variety of cruises to destinations such as the Baltic, the North Cape, India, Africa and Iceland, with new ports of call including Antsiranana (Madagascar), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Sarande (Albania) and Husavik (Iceland), are available across 18 months' worth of itineraries featured in the cruise line's two new brochures.

The new Summer 2014 programme, launched in the new year-round brochure, features four ex-UK cruises sailing from Portsmouth between May and June 2014. History and heritage fans can book a partnership cruise with the National Trust - the 14-day National Treasures of the British Isles - including especially themed shore excursions and an exclusive performance by the renowned Cardiff Arms Park Male Voice Choir, or enjoy a two night stay in St. Petersburg to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the famous Hermitage Museum on board the 16-day Classic Baltic cruise. Those who like to keep active can join a specialist 'Footloose' walking cruise - Natural Wonders and Wildlife - to explore the contrasting landscapes of Iceland and the Faroe Islands by foot.

Other highlights of the Summer 2014 programme include:

·         15-day Summer Solstice and the North Cape cruise, from £1,519 per person. Passengers can witness the midnight sun, visit the Lofoten Islands and the medieval Nidaros Cathedral. Price is based on a 14 June 2014 UK departure when booked before 31 May 2013.

Those looking to guarantee themselves some Winter sun in 2014/15 can celebrate Christmas and New Year on the other side of the world on board the East Africa and Indian Ocean Gems cruise, from £2,024 per person when booked before 31 May 2013, as mv Voyager sails around Africa.

 Other highlights of the Winter 2014/15 programme, as featured in the brand new Preview brochure, include:

·         The 16-day In Search of the Northern Lights cruise from £1,614 per person. As well as a chance to see the impressive Northern Lights, highlights include an overnight stay in the Ice Hotel, dog sledding and a visit to the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø. Price is based on a 1 March 2015 UK departure when booked before 31 May 2013.

 ·         The 14-day Natural Wonders and Total Eclipse cruise from £1,614 per person. Passengers are able to visit Norway in Winter giving them the best chance of witnessing the total solar eclipse. Guests will also be able to visit some of the most remarkable waterfalls, geysers and hot springs in the region and bathe in the Blue Lagoon. Price is based on a 16 March 2015 UK departure when booked before 31 May 2013.

Bookings made before the 31 May 2013 on all newly launched cruises (departing between 4 May 2014 and 16 March 2015) will benefit from early booking offers of up to 10% off as well as an additonal £200 on board credit on balcony suite cabins (category SC or above), or £100 on board credit for outside cabins (categories FB - JS).

Guests can enjoy recently refurbished ship mv Voyager's newly enhanced features including three restaurants offering a range of dining options including al fresco dining, the refreshed library area and the Lookout Lounge which provides panoramic views from the front of the ship. Almost 90% of the cabins are outside cabins and 30 have balconies, the company said in a statement.

MedCruise restructures its secretariat, appoints new Secretary General

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 08 April 2013 08 April 2013

In a move to further empower its role, MedCruise, the Association representing cruise ports in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas, announced today the appointment of Dr. Thanos Pallis as its new Secretary General.

The move comes in the light of the latest developments in the sector and the resulting necessity to strengthen MedCruise presence on a number of issues of interest to its members.

To better serve cruise ports and associate members, MedCruise has restructured its secretariat. Appreciating the productive and successful work done for the association in the past two years by Maria de Larratea, she will now act as Deputy Secretary General, and together they will lead MedCruise to a new phase.

Stavros Hatzakos, MedCruise President, states for this change:

“All our members face challenges, and expect MedCruise to continue its pivotal role and assist them in benefiting from the growth of the cruise industry by providing networking, promotional and professional development opportunities. The experience and involvement of our new Secretary General in port associations, and intergovernmental organisations, as well as his record on port policy, management and economics issues in Europe and beyond, will provide additional expertise.

The restructuring results in a winning team that will further the excellent present work of the MedCruise Secretariat and enable the Association to provide further benefits for all its members.”

The new MedCruise Secretary General, Dr. Thanos Pallis, works for the port sector for the last two decades. A Jean Monnet Professor in European Port Policy at the University of the Aegean, Greece, he is a regular contributor at OECD, UNCTAD, European Commission, IAPH, AIVP, and ESPO discussions on ports, and member of research teams advising the European Commission and national governments on port performance and benchmarking. He served as General Secretary for Ports & Port Policy, Ministry of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping, Greece. He is the co-director of the PortEconomics.eu web initiative and has an extensive publication record including the books European Port Policy and The Common EU Maritime Transport Policy.

MedCruise was set up in 1996 and its membership has grown to well over 100 cruise ports in the Mediterranean region, the Black Sea, the Red Sea and the Near Atlantic, plus 30 associate members, representing relevant associations, tourist boards and ship/port agents.

North Atlantic Cruise Symposium in Iceland now open for registration

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 April 2013 08 April 2013

On May 9-10, 2013, the Cruise Islands of the North Atlantic partners will be hosting a cruise symposium in Reykjavik, Iceland.

The conference program focuses on the challenges and opportunities for the cruise industry in the North, present and in the future. The venue will be in the new Conference and Music Hall "HARPA". The organizing partners include Newfoundland & Labrador; Greenland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Torshavn, The Faroes; Orkney Islands and Western Norway.