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MSC Cruises teams up with VSOE in luxury train connection offer

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 April 2013 02 April 2013

MSC Cruises says has formed partnership with the British Pullman, operated by London based Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), offering passengers a rail and sail package for a single cruise at first, but with more luxury train packages due in 2014.

“Holidaymakers can now book an exclusive journey from London to Southampton on the vintage and unique 1920’s carriages of the British Pullman before embarking on a seven-night Northern European cruise on the MSC Opera on 22 June 2013,” MSC Cruises said in a statement.

Passengers will board the Art Deco carriages of the British Pullman at London Victoria Station at 8.30am and arrive in Southampton at 12.00pm ready to embark on their cruise. “Once settled into comfy armchairs onboard, guests will enjoy a delicious brunch with a Bellini cocktail and take the chance to explore the individual and elegant carriages as the train glides through quintessentially British countryside,” the company continued.

There is a dedicated check in at Southampton for British Pullman passengers and there will be no need to worry about luggage; this will be checked in at London Victoria Station and then transferred directly to the cabins.

Business Development Director Oliviero Morelli said: “We are very excited by the partnership with the British Pullman, offering our customers the last word in luxury travel. This first June departure is just the start and we will extend the offer to customers departing from Venice in Summer 2014.

VSOE operates a luxury train of the same name between London and Venice, via Paris.

Norwegian Breakaway's captains and hotel director named

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 April 2013 01 April 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the seasoned captains who will serve on Norwegian Breakaway, the company's most innovative ship to date. Norwegian also introduced the ship's hotel director, responsible for all guest areas, including the 28 dining options, world-class entertainment which includes three Broadway shows, extensive nightlife venues, family and recreational activities and staterooms ranging from studios to the luxurious suites in The Haven.

Following the ship's transatlantic voyage and series of exciting inaugural events, Norwegian Breakaway, the largest cruise ship to ever be constructed in Germany, will sail 7-night cruises from New York City to Bermuda under the command of Captain Evans Hoyt, an experienced seafarer, with more than 30 years at sea. He joined Norwegian Cruise Line in 2005. Previously serving as Captain of the company's U.S. flagged vessel, Pride of America, Captain Hoyt is responsible for all aspects of the ship, its guests and crew. He also served as Captain aboard three additional ships within the Norwegian fleet, including Norwegian Spirit. Captain Hoyt graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York in 1982. Born in Morocco, the son of a U.S. diplomat, he has lived in many different countries. Showing his true passion for the sea, he and his wife sail the world on their sailboat during his time off.

While Captain Hoyt is enjoying his vacation, Captain Hakan Svedung will take the helm of Norwegian Breakaway. He has been at sea for 35 years and is currently captain of Norwegian Epic. Captain Svedung, who lives in Sweden, has joined Norwegian in 2006; prior to that he worked for Star Cruises, one of Norwegian's shareholders, for 12 years. Both captains are looking forward to this exciting and challenging new role.

Norwegian also announced that Denis Prguda will serve as Norwegian Breakaway's Hotel Director. Denis began his career at Norwegian in 1997 on board the Leeward and has since held a variety of positions on numerous ships in Norwegian's fleet. His previous positions have included Food and Beverage Director and Assistant Hotel Director. He was promoted to Hotel Director in 2008. As Hotel Director, he has led teams on Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Epic. When he is not on board, Denis spends his vacation with his family, including his wife and two daughters, in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

"We carefully chose these seasoned veterans to lead the on board team that will launch the most extraordinary ship in our company's history," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. These team members have a proven track record as successful leaders in our operations team and possess the dedication and passion that will make the launch of Norwegian Breakaway in New York City our most successful new ship launch to date.

Inaugural sailing dates

The company will showcase Norwegian Breakaway to travel partners and media in both Europe and the United States during four inaugural sailings, prior to the ship entering weekly summer service to Bermuda from New York City. Following delivery on April 25, 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will sail to Rotterdam for a two-night inaugural cruise departing on April 26, followed by a one-night cruise from Rotterdam to London (Southampton) on April 28, and then a one-night inaugural event in London (Southampton) on April 29. Following her transatlantic crossing from London (Southampton) to New York on April 30, the ship will be christened in New York City on May 8, followed by two, two-night inaugural cruises. Following the inaugural events, the ship will set sail on a series of seven-day cruises to Bermuda beginning on May 12.

Qantas and Emirates begin historic partnership

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 March 2013 31 March 2013

Qantas and Emirates have marked the official start of their historic partnership, with the first Qantas flights departing from Sydney and Melbourne to London via the international hub of Dubai.

The partnership marks a new era for Qantas and Emirates, and a seismic change for global aviation, as the two carriers collaborate to deliver the best network, lounges, frequent flyer benefits and travel experiences.

Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Alan Joyce, said the partnership would make long haul travel more seamless – and faster – for millions of Australians.

“From today, our customers from Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney have one-stop access to 65 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, the UK and Europe via the joint Qantas and Emirates network.

“By travelling through Dubai, Qantas customers can connect to the extensive Emirates network into Europe and the UK and fly directly to their destination,” said Mr Joyce.

“Before today, the Qantas network offered five one-stop codeshare destinations into Europe and the UK with our partners. From today, we offer access to more than 30 destinations in Europe on the combined Qantas and Emirates network.

“The new network will cut average journey times by more than two hours from Melbourne and Sydney to the top 10 destinations in Europe,” added Mr Joyce.

Combined the two airlines will offer 98 flights a week between Australia and Dubai. Qantas will continue to operate its A380 services from Sydney and Melbourne through to London.

President of Emirates, Tim Clark, said no other aviation partnership offered customers a coordinated premium airline experience like Emirates and Qantas.

“The strength of this partnership stems from the fact the Emirates and Qantas brands are an excellent match. Emirates customers using a Qantas lounge or taking a Qantas flight will experience a level of service that is on par with what they expect from Emirates,” he said.

“Our two airlines offer the largest joint fleet of Airbus A380s and passengers will be welcomed through the world’s only all-A380 terminal at DubaiInternationalAirport, which is the geographical centrepiece of the partnership.

“A major benefit is the range of products we are offering frequent flyers. Customers of either airline can leverage many of their privileges when they fly on the joint network, including earning points, redeeming flights and accessing lounges,” added Mr Clark.

Customers have already responded very strongly to the partnership, with over 210,000 sectors booked so far on the joint network. Qantas has seen a sixfold increase in bookings to Europe on the joint network in the first nine weeks of sales compared to the same period last year.

The number of Emirates customers booked to travel on Qantas’ domestic network is almost seven times higher than under Qantas’ previous partnership arrangement in the same nine week period.

The partnership is expected to benefit Australian tourism, with both airlines developing a global marketing campaign to promote Qantas destinations that are now part of the extended Emirates network. New codeshare destinations such as Hobart, Cairns, the Gold Coast and Port Lincoln are now part of the joint network.

Qantas is also receiving bookings from customers outside of its traditional markets, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Malaysia, for its flights between Dubai and London. These are Emirates customers opting to fly on codeshare flights operated by Qantas.

As part of the Qantas-Emirates partnership, today also marks:

- A return to a Middle East stopover for the Kangaroo route (Sydney-Dubai-London and Melbourne-Dubai-London) following a 30 year absence while it operated via Asia.
- Lounge access for eligible Qantas and Emirates passengers into either airline’s network in Australia, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the UK and Europe.
- Chauffeur Drive for Qantas Business and First Class passengers on flights (matching Emirates’ existing service).
- The ability to redeem existing Qantas Frequent Flyer or Emirates Skywards points for flights to 175 destinations worldwide, on both airlines.
- Reciprocal status recognition for frequent flyers across both networks (e.g. priority check-in for Qantas Gold Frequent Flyers when flying Emirates).
- Harmonised baggage policies, including an increase in Qantas’ Economy checked baggage allowance from 23kg to 30kg.

Costa Cruises celebrates its 65th anniversary

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 March 2013 30 March 2013

On March 31, 2013, Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s no.1 cruise company, is celebrating its 65th Anniversary. It will be 65 years to the day since the first departure from Genoa to Buenos Aires of the Anna C. She was carrying 768 passengers and was the first ship in the Costa fleet dedicated to passenger transport, effectively marking the beginning of the history of Costa’s grand cruises.

This is a major milestone for the company, an eloquent testimony to a wealth of experience and tradition that is extraordinary in the global cruise industry. Throughout its history, Costa Cruises has shared happy, unforgettable moments, day after day, with millions of guests, offering the very best every time. Thanks to the their constant appreciation, Costa is looking ahead with great energy and renewed enthusiasm, determined to share just as many happy times in the years to come.

March 31, 2013 marks the beginning of a series of special initiatives that the company will be launching throughout the year. The 65th anniversary will be celebrated in style on all 14 ships in the fleet, all over the world, whether it’s in the Mediterranean, Asia, the Caribbean, South America or the Emirates and Oman. On board there will be a string of special 65th anniversary events and activities arranged for Guests – cocktail parties, special shows, gala dinners, commemorative postcards and souvenir photos. Some of the ports where Costa’s ships will be calling that day, from Buenos Aires to Shanghai, will be decked out with festive anniversary decorations.

The celebrations marking the event will also involve all the company’s employees, its partner organizations and the local community in Genoa, the city where Costa is headquartered.

To mark the occasion, the company is offering past clients and new clients alike unique opportunities to go on a Costa cruise with exceptional “special anniversary” offers.

Costa is also running a major international advertising campaign, mainly in the press, featuring a slogan stressing the close ties that have linked the company to its clients for some 65 years now: “Since 1948, always with you, better than ever.”

Other initiatives marking this important anniversary have been scheduled for the rest of 2013.

Queen Mary 2 to embark 200th Transatlantic crossing on July

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 March 2013 30 March 2013

Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 will mark a major milestone on her 6 July 2013 voyage from New York to Southampton, achieving her 200th Transatlantic crossing in her ninth season since entering service in 2004. The milestone will be commemorated with various activities and special speakers and performers on board to add to the celebratory mood.

"Sailing a Transatlantic crossing aboard our flagship Queen Mary 2 is a luxury travel experience like no other," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "And now with 200 Crossings under her belt, the grandest ocean liner in the world has proven to be the icon of the new golden age of ocean travel across the Atlantic."

As part of the Cunard Insights on board enrichment programme, Stephen Payne OBE, who was largely responsible for the overall design of Queen Mary 2, will present a fascinating perspective on her construction. Stephen also will be guest of honour at an evening gala on board, which will include a commemorative dinner with a special menu. In addition, BBC newsreader and Classic FM presenter Nick Owen will lecture on board.

Also adding to the festivities will be 16 musicians, plus a band leader and vocalist, from the world-renowned Juilliard School of Dance, Drama and Music. The group will perform as a jazz orchestra providing a selection of Big Band, Swing and Glenn Miller style music and smaller ensemble pieces. Other Juilliard performances will include an evening event in the Royal Court Theatre with full orchestra and vocalist, an afternoon tea dance, lunch time jam sessions featuring an ensemble in the Chart Room, and a late evening ensemble in Illuminations. The band leader and members of the orchestra will also give two jazz master class lectures and a live Q&A.

Queen Mary 2 is still the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive ocean liner ever built. She is also the fastest passenger ship in the world.

In the course of the flagship's 200 Transatlantic Crossings, Cunard estimates that passengers have consumed:
– 8.4 million cups of tea
– 980,000 scones
– 481,000 bottles of champagne
– 644,000 eggs
– 960,000 litres of milk

In total, Queen Mary 2 has served 22.4 million meals and sailed over 600,000 nautical miles during her first 200 Crossings. These figures do not take into account her annual World Cruise or her sailings to the Canaries, Fjords, Iceland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, around Britain, up to Montreal and Quebec in Canada, or among the Caribbean islands.

Looking at Cunard's earlier vessels, Queen Mary (1936 - 1967) crossed the Atlantic 1,001 times; Queen Elizabeth (1940 - 1968) crossed 896 times; and Queen Elizabeth 2 (1969 - 2008) crossed 812 times.

Transatlantic crossings aboard Queen Mary 2 offer time to leisurely explore the ship's extensive on board amenities and activities, including lectures through the award-winning Cunard Insights programme; stargazing in the only planetarium at sea; white-gloved afternoon tea served in the Queens Room or a spin around the dance floor during a Royal Nights themed ball; taking in a performance or workshop by members of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; or perusing 8,000 volumes in the largest library at sea.

Special promotional fares for the 200th Transatlantic Crossing aboard Queen Mary 2 on the 6 July 2013 voyage start from $1,399 per person.