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TUI Cruises announces inaugural season for Mein Schiff 3

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 February 2013 20 February 2013

For the first time, TUI Cruises has outlined the inaugural season of itineraries for its newbuilding the Mein Schiff 3, as part of the brand's overall catalog of cruises announced for April 2014 to April 2015.

The Mein Schiff 3 makes her maiden voyage on June 1, 2014, on a cruise of Western Europe. Departing Hamburg, the vessel's 11-day inaugural itinerary takes her to Le Havre (Paris), Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz and Valencia before arriving in Palma de Mallorca. During her summer season, the Mein Schiff 3 sails from Malta to the Western Mediterranean and Adriatic. Cruise-only prices begin at EUR 1,098 per person, double occupancy; fly-cruise prices from Germany start at EUR 1,458.

In the fall, the Mein Schiff switches to cruises of the Canary Islands, in order to take advantage of the region's temperate weather, with cruises commencing in mid-November. Cruise-only prices for these Canary Islands departures begin at EUR 898 per person, double; fly-cruises begin at 1,338.

Besides the Mein Schiff 3's cruises of Southern Europe, the line will deploy two ships to Northern Europe for the very first time in the summer of 2014, the company said. Meanwhile, for winter 2014/2015, the Mein Schiff 1 travels to the Caribbean, while the Mein Schiff 2 returns to the Arabian Gulf, the company added. Overall, guests can look forward to 123 cruises on the Mein Schiff 1, Mein Schiff 2 and Mein Schiff 3 of 3 to 17 nights, on 40 different routes visiting 19 new ports.

Bookings open for AIDA 2014/2015 cruises

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 February 2013 20 February 2013

AIDA Cruises began accepting reservations today for 462 trips to 180 destinations around the world, scheduled to depart from March 2014 through April 2015.

AIDA guests can explore new territory on a butterfly route from PortMiami through the Caribbean aboard the AIDAvita. One route includes Port Canaveral, Puerto Rico, Tortola and Samana in the Dominican Republic; the other route departs Tampa bound for New Orleans (overnight), Cozumel and Key West. A 16-day transatlantic crossing in November 2014 features the Azores archipelago, including a port call at Ponta Delgado on the island of Sao Miguel, and another call in Cadiz, Spain, with additional stopovers also being made on the U.S. East Coast in New York (two days) and Charleston, before the ship arrives in Miami. The voyage begins in Palma de Mallorca. In the Adriatic Sea, AIDA offers several new adventures on the AIDAaura. Guests can begin their cruise in Venice, Antalya and Trieste for departures scheduled between April and October 2014.

In addition to these new routes, AIDA offers guests the benefit of stable pricing through the AIDA PREMIUM forward rate. Guests who book AIDA PREMIUM can book their excursions and spa treatments before other guests. One hour of surfing the internet is also included, as are two bottles of mineral water in the cabin. A welcome DVD featuring the travel film "Unforgettable Moments," as well as a voucher for a welcome-aboard photo, round up the PREMIUM package onboard. PREMIUM arrival and departure packages offer exclusive benefits, too, such as free seat reservation on the plane and train travel, plus transfers to the airport, making a cruise with AIDA even more convenient. Those who are flexible in their vacation planning can save money too, because AIDA has lowered season X and S pricing for shared occupancy.

Steve Tucker appointed President All Leisure Group, North America

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 February 2013 20 February 2013

All Leisure Group, North America, the parent company of Voyages of Discovery, Swan Hellenic and Hebridean Island Cruises, has appointed Steve Tucker, CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) to lead the company’s North American operation.

Tucker joins All Leisure Group, as President, All Leisure Group, North America from Silversea Cruises, where he was Vice President, Field Sales. He will report directly to Andrew Dufty, Chief Marketing Officer and brings a wealth of expertise from his career in the cruise industry to the business.

Andrew Dufty, Chief Marketing Officer, All Leisure Group commenting on Tucker’s appointment, states:
“We are pleased to appoint someone of Steve’s calibre to the North American leadership and given his impressive track record in the cruise sector, we are confident under his management/leadership our North American operation/business will thrive.”

Tucker is responsible for all operations at the Fort Lauderdale office including day to day liaison with travel agents, sales and marketing activities, and staff management. His past experience includes time working in sales for many well-known cruise lines including Holland America, Orient Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Tucker joins All Leisure Group on February 25, 2013 and will be based at the company’s North American office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

MSC Cruises returns to the United Arab Emirates

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 February 2013 20 February 2013

MSC Cruises ihas announced that MSC Lirica will return to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the 2013/2014 winter season, taking travellers on an unparalleled journey of discovery through the region’s rich traditions, vibrant modernity and dramatic landscapes.

On 5 November 2013, MSC Lirica will set off on a 18-night grand voyage from Genoa, Italy, arriving in Dubai, UAE, on 22 November 2013 after calls in Civitavecchia, Italy, La Valletta, Malta, Piraeus, Greece, Port Said, Egypt, Safaga, Egypt, Salalah and Muscat, Oman.

From 23 November 2013 until 29 March 2014, MSC Lirica will offer 18 seven-night cruises from Dubai, calling in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Khor al Fakkan, UAE, and Muscat and Khasab, Oman, with an overnight stay in Dubai allowing travellers to enjoy the unique nightlife of this glittering oasis of the desert.

“MSC Cruises’ return to the Emirates reaffirms our strong belief in the region’s potential as an innovative and highly desirable destination for cruise travellers,” said MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago. “As part of a broad commitment to encouraging future growth, the UAE government’s recent decision to allow multiple entry visas for cruise ship passengers has dramatically simplified visa procedures, making the region even more attractive to cruise lines and ensuring that many more travellers can discover this truly unique destination with ease.”

Star Clippers refits two of its ships

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

As part of an ongoing programme to keep Star Clippers’ classic tall ships looking fresh and bright, Royal Clipper – the line’s flagship – and Star Flyer recently underwent refurbishments to replace all of the soft furnishings and give the vessels a renewed look.

The 227-passenger Royal Clipper underwent a two-week dry dock in Trinidad in January, during which the elegant dining room received new carpeting and seating upholstery and the corridors received new carpet. Guest cabins were given an update with new paint and a bathroom rejuvenation. Wood panelling and accents in the public areas were treated to a fresh coat of varnish.

“It’s important to maintain the look of our ships so that when guests step aboard they feel like they are coming on to their own well-maintained yacht,” says Andy Lovering, director of sales and marketing. “We want to exceed our guests’ expectations for their entire Star Clippers experience and that includes the appearance of the ships.”

The 170-passegner Star Flyer recently underwent a dry dock in 2012 in which the ship’s soft furnishings were replaced, including new carpet in most public areas and new seating cushions the dining room and library. All of the cabins and public areas received fresh paint and new artwork in the nautical theme that is found in the décor throughout the vessel.

Royal Clipper will be sailing in the Mediterranean this summer and Star Flyer in the Baltic.