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Shipboard entertainment/amusements industry to have major impact at Cruise Shipping Miami 2013

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 February 2013 06 February 2013

From air hockey to video car racing to rooms full of electronic-game consoles, shipboard computer and arcade-style games have become a significant source of on-board revenue for cruise lines. With the ongoing growth of the amusements industry at sea, the entertainment-gaming sector will have a greatly enhanced presence at a new pavilion in the exhibition at Cruise Shipping Miami, March 11-14, 2013.

The new Amusements and Recreational Attractions Pavilion at the Cruise Shipping Miami trade show will feature industry leaders Sega Amusements, Benchmark Games Inc., Betson Enterprises, BMI Merchandise, CORE Cashless and Brady Distributing Company. Another big name in the sector, Namco Entertainment Inc. makers of the PAC-MAN series of games is exhibiting in the Information & Entertainment Technology section of the exhibition.

"As more and more families take to cruising, we have seen a massive increase in the size of the arcade and gaming venues on contemporary cruise liners," said Peter Gustafson, general manager for Sega Amusements. "Whether it's a mother playing Sonic Air Hockey with her son or a father and daughter racing head-to-head in GRID, our new driving game, cruise lines look to us to supply them with the latest editions of electronic games and arcade-style entertainment."

Serving markets across the globe, SEGA Amusements is a wholly owned subsidiary of SEGA Corporation, Japan. SEGA Amusements creates state-of-the-art interactive video, photo-tainment, self-contained merchandisers, kiddie rides and redemption games.

Benchmark Games features a line of single- and multiplayer redemption and merchandise games.

Betson Enterprises will be displaying a varied mix of titles from leading game designers. BMI Merchandise whose motto is Fun Is the Ultimate Prize is a leading supplier of merchandise for redemption centers, tickets-to-prizes kiosks, direct-pay games, promotional events and parties.

CORE Cashless provides cashless payment systems for the amusement and recreation industries. Brady Distributing Company offers sales and service for more than 70 manufacturers and serves as the authorized service center for several manufacturers.

NAMCO Entertainment Inc. is a member of the BANDAI NAMCO Group, a publicly traded global network of more than 80 corporations and one of the foremost designers of electronic entertainment.

Roof terraces and spa cabins on Mein Schiff 3

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 February 2013 05 February 2013

Work has started at the Piikkio Cabin Factory of STX Finland on accommodation modules to be used on board TUI Cruises’ newbuilding Mein Schiff 3, TUI Cruises said in a statement. More than 80% of the cabins on board will have a balcony of their own and there will be cabins specially aimed at families. Veranda Deluxe family cabins will be of 42 qm and in addition they will have a 5sqm balcony. An Xbox play console will be standard in all family cabins on the ship.

It will be possible to combine two or three adjoining cabins to form a suite of rooms and those passengers that booked can book a barbecue to be held on the balcony, which a chef provided as well. Spa balcony cabins will be located near the sauna so that there will be direct assess to that area from these accommodations, while Premium Veranda Cabins will offer a large veranda of 30sqm.

Captain’s Suites will be of 54sqm and located near the bridge, while the Himmel und Meer Suites will feature a 29sqm roof terrace. Junior Balcony Suites, like all suite accommodation on the ship, will sleep four persons.

Carnival Victory launches year-round 4- and 5-night Caribbean/Bahamas cruises from Miami today

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2013 04 February 2013

Carnival Victory arrived at PortMiami this morning to kick off its new year-round schedule of four- and five-day cruises that visit tropical destinations throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Carnival Victory's new Miami-based schedule features three distinctly different itineraries, providing consumers with a variety of convenient and affordable cruise options departing from one of America's top tourist destinations.

Four-day "long weekend" cruises departing Thursdays call at Key West, Fla., and Cozumel, Mexico; five-day cruises departing Mondays include stops at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Nassau, The Bahamas; and five-day voyages departing Saturdays feature George Town, Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Each of these destinations offers a truly unique vacation experience, with miles of gorgeous white-sand beaches and an interesting array of shore excursion choices such as zip-lining, horseback riding, kayaking, and more.

Carnival Victory offers a variety of ways to have fun, from a 214-foot-long Twister water slide and fun supervised activities and spacious play areas for kids in three age groups to a 270-square-foot poolside LED screen showing nightly Dive-In Movies and a wide range of dancing and entertainment venues, including the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez.

Dining options range from two full-service restaurants with extensive menus and wine lists to a two-level casual eatery offering an array of delectable culinary choices, including a New York-style deli, an Asian specialty venue, a 24-hour pizzeria, pasta- and meat-carving stations, and a Taste of the Nations area offering a different international cuisine each day. Additionally, 60 percent of the ship's 1,379 staterooms offer either an ocean view or private balcony.

Carnival Victory replaces Carnival Destiny which departs PortMiami this afternoon on an 18-day trans-Atlantic crossing that will end in Venice, Italy, on Feb. 22, positioning the vessel for a $155 million renovation. Carnival Destiny will emerge from the 49-day dry dock with a new name - Carnival Sunshine - along with a host of dining, bar and entertainment innovations that are part of the line's Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement initiative.

Reservations are currently being accepted for Carnival Victory's four- and five-day cruises from Miami.

Capvis embarks with river cruise operator Nicko Tours

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 February 2013 03 February 2013

Capvis, the leading private equity firm in Switzerland, has agreed on the purchase of a majority stake in the nicko tours group with headquarters in Switzerland. The founder and owner of the river cruise specialist, Ekkehard Beller, will retain a significant stake in the company and will continue his involvement as a member of the board of directors. With Capvis as catalyst and by bringing his companies under one umbrella, Mr. Beller looks to provide the company with a new platform for future growth. Wiebke Harms, director of sales & marketing, will succeed Mr. Beller as managing director.

The nicko tours group achieved a turnover of EUR 115 million with around 80,000 passengers in 2012. The company employs around 70 people. The purchase is subject to approval by antitrust authorities.

European market leader for river cruises

nicko tours is the leading specialist for river cruises in German-speaking Europe. Through its 33 ships it operates the largest fleet and provides the broadest product offering in Europe. While the company has historically been known as a specialist for river cruises in Russia and the Ukraine, it has under the leadership of Mr. Beller continuously expanded its product offering to include over 40 routes in Europe, Asia and Africa. The company covers the entire value chain from developing and marketing tours to ship operations. The company's success is underpinned by the two mega-trends demography and leisure.

Shared growth aspirations

Ulrich Eckhardt, partner at Capvis Equity Partners AG, about the investment, "nicko tours is an excellent addition to the Capvis portfolio as the transaction fits the sweet spot as a local champion sold in the context of a succession solution. We are extremely proud to be able to support the continued growth trajectory of this unique company as partners." nicko tour?s annual passenger growth of more than 30% over the past ten years is a clear indication that comfortable river cruises with high culinary and cultural standards are increasing in popularity.

Ekkehard Beller is delighted about the involvement of Capvis, "I have found Capvis to be a private equity firm with Swiss virtues such as professionalism and cooperation focused on sustainable growth strategies." Continuity is ensured as Ms. Harms, director of sales & marketing, will succeed Mr. Beller as managing director. She has been with nicko tours for ten years and has more than thirty years of industry experience. Mr. Beller will continue his involvement as a member of the board of directors of nicko tours AG.

AIDA Cruises to christen AIDAstella in Rostock

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 February 2013 02 February 2013

AIDAstella, the 10th member of AIDA Cruises’ fleet, will be christened in Rostock-Warnemünde on March 16, 2013. On the evening of the christening, however, Captain Nico Berg (38) will lead not one, but as many as 10 godmothers onto the stage for the ceremony. The company has invited its personnel and closest associates to be the guests of honor at the christening celebration.

The christening party on board AIDAstella will fully reflect the commitment of the company’s staff. “Holding this fantastic event right on our doorstep gives us the opportunity to say a big ‘thank you’ to all AIDA personnel and their families”, explains Michael Ungerer, President of AIDA Cruises. “Since our first new ship, AIDAcara, was commissioned in summer 1996, it has been our staff that have successfully built up the company with their enthusiasm, commitment and the proverbial AIDA smile.”

The choice of the godmother is also a first, with AIDAstella being named by not one, but ten delightful ladies! Eight female staff from AIDA Cruises will represent the different countries and corporate divisions of the cruise company, and two godmothers come from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg und the architects Partner Ship Design respectively. With this gesture, AIDA Cruises would like to extend its thanks to the two companies that have made such a substantial contribution to the success of this new range of ships and the unique atmosphere of the AIDA ships.

There will also be lots on offer for the residents of Rostock, holidaymakers and AIDA fans on the day of the christening, with Karls Pier 7 organizing an extensive program for the opening of the season at the Warnemünde Cruise Center. Music, presenters and delicious delicacies will get visitors in the mood for the exciting event of the christening. On shore, all the guests will be able to follow the most emotional moment of the evening on 2 large LED screens when the 10 godmothers break the bottle of champagne over the bow of the ship. AIDAstella will then be lit up in the starlight atmosphere of a fabulous firework display.