Atlantic Star seen to reach Aliaga scrapyard today

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 04 April 2013 04 April 2013

Atlantic Star, which was sold by the Royal Caribbean group to STX France as part payment of the third Oasis class cruise liner ordered in December, is expected to reach scrap yard in Aliaga in Turkey today, a media report says.

The 46,300 gross ton Atlantic Star was built in France in 1984 as Fairsky for the now defunct Sitmar Cruises and it was powered by a 36,000 ship steam turbine propulsion plant, which is fuel hungry.

However, Sitmar Cruises operated three steam driven ships at the time and the management thought using the same type of propulsion would help to rotate engine room personnel from one ship to another.

Atlantic Star becomes the first cruise ship of the second generation, which were built from about 1981 to 1990, to end up being demolished.

The former Southward of Norwegian Cruise Line, a 1971 built first generation cruise ship,  was also demolished here.

Delta Air Lines flies again from New York to Nice

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 03 April 2013 03 April 2013

Delta Air Lines has restarted its daily service between Nice and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The flight is the only non-stop service between Nice and the United States and will be operated this summer using a Boeing 767-400 aircraft featuring 39 seats in BusinessElite; 28 seats in Economy Comfort, Delta’s premium economy class and 178 economy seats. This flight is operated in conjunction with joint venture partners Air France KLM.

“The return of our nonstop service marks the start of the summer season on the Riviera and we are delighted to offer greater convenience and more travel options for customers flying to the United States and beyond,” said Beatrice de Rotalier, Delta’s commercial manager for France. “Each year we see a high demand for this route, with load factors exceeding 80% in 2012, demonstrating that our customers are as pleased as we are to see Delta’s daily flight return to Nice.”

Delta’s flight departs Nice at 13:35 and arrives into New York-JFK at 16.50. The return flight departs New York-JFK at 21.00 and arrives into Nice at 11:25 the next day. The service is conveniently scheduled to connect with more than 60 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, including Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Delta is making a number of significant investments in its products and services to improve its customers experience on the ground and in the air.  These include Delta’s state-of-the-art, $1.4bn Terminal 4 at New York-JFK that will open on 24 May.  Customers flying between Nice and New York-JFK this summer will benefit from a greatly enhanced airport experience on arrival and departure at the airport. One of the largest terminals in North America, Terminal 4 offers travellers a spacious environment with a wide variety of shopping and dining options. For BusinessElite customers, the Delta SkyClub at Terminal 4 features a Delta SkyDeck – an outdoor airport terrace offering unprecedented runway views.

In addition to its service between Nice and New York-JFK, this summer Delta will operate a further 24 daily flights between France and the United States.  The airline is expanding its operations out of Paris Charles de Gaulle with a flight to Newark’s Liberty International Airport, an additional service to Atlanta, a seasonal service to Boston and year round service to Detroit. Altogether, Delta flies from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to 11 U.S. destinations: Atlanta, New York-JFK, Newark, Cincinnati, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, Seattle, Boston, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Holland America Line's Oosterdam and Volendam return to Australia/New Zealand for 2013-2014 season

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 03 April 2013 03 April 2013

Holland America Line's Oosterdam and Volendam will return to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands for the 2013-14 season with a series of sailings that will visit more than 50 ports of call. During the voyages, guests will have the opportunity to experience the regions incredible wildlife on land and in the sea, including Australia's legendary Outback and the world's largest coral ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef, during a complete circumnavigation of the continent.

Guests can select from a series of multiple departures ranging from 10- to 14-day sailings round-trip from Sydney, Australia, or Sydney to or from Auckland, New Zealand, between October 2013 and March 2014. New Zealand itineraries give guests a chance to experience some of the most amazing scenic cruising in the world, including the dramatic Fiordland National Park and Bay of Plenty, renowned for its majestic beaches. These itineraries also visit both the North and South Islands of New Zealand with calls at the popular ports of Wellington, Napier and Tauranga.

"Over the past few years the popularity of the Australia region has grown tremendously because of its beauty, diversity and friendly citizens, with many travelers making it their top must-do trip of a lifetime," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "Our array of itineraries includes popular ports, stunning island visits, extended stays, overnight calls and enticing pre- and post-cruise options to make the trip Down Under a memorable experience."

Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Voyages

In 2013-14 Oosterdam sails a total of four 14-day Australia and New Zealand cruises from Auckland to Sydney or reverse Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, 2013, and Feb. 2 and 16, 2014. Featured ports of call include Melbourne, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and Christchurch, New Zealand, and scenic cruising at Fiordland National Park. Cruise fares begin at $1,599 per person, double occupancy.

Three 14-day New Zealand Discovery voyages depart on Oosterdam round-trip from Sydney Dec. 8, 2013, and Jan. 19 and March 16, 2014. During those voyages throughout New Zealand port calls include Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Akaroa, Gisborne, Milford Sound, Napier, Tauranga and the Bay of Islands. Cruise fares begin at $1,499 per person, double occupancy.

Five additional sailings to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific include Oosterdam's 14-day Pacific Treasures cruises round-trip from Sydney Nov. 24 and Dec. 22, 2013 (holiday voyage), and Jan. 5 and March 2 and 30, 2014. Those cruises feature more exotic and lesser-known tropical ports at the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji. Cruise fares begin at $1,499 per person, double occupancy.

Longer unique itineraries including Australia Circumnavigation

Holland America Line offers several longer itineraries throughout the season, including Volendam's 34-day Australia Circumnavigation. This voyage is round-trip from Sydney Oct. 20, 2013, and features more than 20 ports as well as scenic cruising in the remote Ribbon Reef and Far North Regions. Calls during the counterclockwise trip around the continent include Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Exmouth, Freemantle (Perth overnight), Esperance, Port Lincoln, Adelaide (overnight), Kangaroo Island, Melbourne and Burnie, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; Komodo Island, Indonesia, and a beautiful sunrise call at Lizard Island and sunset call at Booby Island off the coast of Australia. The ship also visits the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Cruise fares begin at $4,999 per person, double occupancy.

19-day Great Barrier Reef

Travel Melbourne to Singapore on the Volendam departing Nov. 20, 2013. Featuring two days of scenic cruising in The Great Barrier Reef with stops at Sydney, Burnie, Hamilton Island, Cairns and Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Bali and Semarang, Indonesia before arriving Singapore. Cruise fares begin at $2,299 per person, double occupancy.

Trans-Pacific crossing itineraries

One-of-a-kind itineraries also are offered at the beginning and end of the season sailing from North America to the Pacific region. Volendams 21- or 24-day South Pacific Crossing departs Los Angeles, Calif., or Vancouver, B.C., for Sydney Sept. 25 and Sept. 28, 2013. Oosterdams 24- or 27-day South Pacific Crossing departs Los Angeles, Calif., or Seattle, Wash., for Sydney Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, 2013, and includes an overnight call at Honolulu, Hawaii. Oosterdam returns to North America on a 28- or 29-day South Pacific Crossing from Sydney to Seattle or Vancouver April 13, 2014.

The repositioning cruises provide an excellent opportunity to visit the South Pacific and Hawaii, as well as enjoy more relaxing days at sea. Cruise fares for the trans-Pacific sailings begin at $1,899 per person, double occupancy.

Collectors voyages

Ranging from 28 to 58 days, Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Collectors Voyages on Oosterdam and Volendam are perfect for avid explorers who seek a more extensive cruise experience. The voyages combine back-to-back itineraries and represent the best per-day value for guests. Holland America Line sails a total of 17 Collectors Voyages, affording the most in-depth exploration of this diverse region with extended itineraries visiting multiple destinations and more days at sea. Cruise fares for the Collectors Voyages begin at $2,799 per person, double occupancy.

Extended stays and pre- and post-cruise tours

Guests are able to maximize their cruise experience at select calls throughout these voyages that feature a late departure or overnight visit allowing for evening shore excursions or longer independent explorations. Extended-stay ports include Hobart, Tasmania; Noumea, New Caledonia; Honolulu and Lahaina, Hawaii, and Suva, Fiji.

Cruisers looking to make the most out of their time in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific can add a three- or five-night pre- or post-cruise land tour to the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock/Uluru National Park or The Blue Mountains National Park, home to the famous Three Sisters rock formation.

Azamara celebrates third anniversary of delivering immersive voyages to intriguing destinations

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 02 April 2013 02 April 2013

Azamara Club Cruises is marking its three year anniversary this April with a month-long opportunity for up-market travelers to enjoy even greater value when exploring the world's most intriguing places aboard a destination immersive voyage. Travelers who make a booking in April 2013, for a voyage departing August 1, 2013 through July 2014, will enjoy a double-category upgrade to a Club Veranda Stateroom when booking at a Club Interior price. Paired with the cruise line's existing ChoiceAir cruise credit of $1,000 per stateroom, more inclusive amenities and newly launched complimentary AzAmazing Evenings, Azamara has created a unique value proposition that is sure to entice seasoned travelers.

"We are thrilled to mark our three-year anniversary of delivering destination immersive voyages at a great value as Azamara Club Cruises," said Edie Bornstein, senior vice president of Marketing and Sales for the cruise line. "Since our rebranding, we have upgraded destination immersion with AzAmazing Evenings. We also upgraded our inclusive amenities and both ships were upgraded through extensive refurbishments recently. To commemorate our milestone, we're upgrading up-market travelers with our anniversary offer to provide the opportunity to plan an unforgettable experience with Azamara."

Additionally, guests will enjoy up to 50 percent savings on the voyage fare, 25 percent off Land Discoveries shore excursions when booked online prior to their sailing, as well as $1,000 ChoiceAir cruise credit for bookings made before April 30, 2013. More information about Azamaras Anniversary offer and applicable sailings can be found at http://www.AzamaraClubCruises.com/2013UpgradePromotion.

Azamara Club Cruises offers distinct destination-immersive experiences for up-market travelers. The cruise line uniquely features longer stays and more overnights in ports on each voyage to provide guests the opportunity to experience night touring in some of the most compelling destinations of Europe, Asia, South America, West Indies as well as Central and North America. On board its two intimate ships, which embody a sophisticated country club ambience, Azamara guests receive extraordinary and personal service from every member of the crew whose aim is to anticipate guests every need. Guests also enjoy fine cuisine and boutique wines from around the world, as well as more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines during lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centers in ports, where available.

Beginning with each ship's Europe 2013 season, guests also will enjoy an authentic, intimate and bespoke AzAmazing Evening event on every voyage that showcases the true and sometimes unexpected colors and flavors of a destination, as well as more inclusive amenities including boutique wines, international beers and select standard spirits in the ships' bars, lounges and restaurants when open.