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Cruise Shipping Miami offers registration discounts through Feb. 15

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 January 2013 25 January 2013

Cruise Shipping Miami is offering an early-bird discount of $200 off online delegate registration through Feb. 15, 2013, and $500 off on-site registration. The discount is available on both standard and VIP delegate registrations.

With the discount for registering by Feb. 15, standard delegate registration is $995 and VIP registration is $1,495. After Feb. 15, standard rises to $1,195 and VIP registration is $1,695. For those who choose to register on site beginning March 8, a standard delegate badge will cost $1,495 and a VIP pass will be $1,995.

Benefits of a standard delegate registration include three-day admission to the exhibition hall, admission to all conference sessions, admission to sponsored functions, invitation to the Cruise Lines Welcome Reception, complimentary 2013 Show Directory, conference documentation and a complimentary issue of Seatrade Cruise Review.

In addition to the standard benefits, a VIP pass includes access to all conference speakers and other VIPs, invitation to exclusive networking opportunities including the VIP/Speaker Reception, access to the VIP/Speakers Lounge, reserved meeting room availability, early access to the trade show floor, express check-in and valet parking, continental breakfast and refreshments daily, reserved seating at the State of the Industry session and lunch vouchers.

Visitor passes that provide access to the exhibition only are priced at $85 until Feb. 15, $125 thereafter and $175 on site.

Attendee and exhibitor registration and hotel-request forms are available online at http://registration3.experientevent.com/ShowCRU131/Default.aspx

For information about exhibiting or attending, visit http://www.cruiseshippingevents.com/miami.

Silversea details 'Grand Voyages' for 2013

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 January 2013 24 January 2013

Silversea Cruises, known for its luxurious cruise ships and exotic destinations, has rolled out 10 exquisitely tailored "Grand Voyages" for 2013.

Designed for the traveler who relishes a more leisurely pace, this special collection offers extended voyages from 34 to 54 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard intimate, elegant ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, featuring visits to must-see traditional ports, as well as exotic destinations that are off the beaten path.

"Our Grand Voyages are the perfect option for true travel enthusiasts who can spare the time and prefer a more immersive on-shore experience," said Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas. "You can circle South America, sail around Europe or sweep across hemispheres between Asia and the Americas -- all while enjoying the personalized luxury of our intimate ships and all-inclusive shipboard lifestyle."

Listed below is a small sampling of the Grand Voyages for 2013:
-- MEDITERRANEAN (Voyages 1326 - 1330): Silver Cloud departs September 16 on a 54-day "Three Continents Transatlantic" voyage from Istanbul to Barbados with calls in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, Malta, Italy, France, Monaco, Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Highlights include overnight stays in Valletta and Barcelona. Silver Privilege fares start at $19,476 per person.

-- MEDITERRANEAN (Voyages 5332 - 5335): Silver Spirit departs October 15 on a 41-day "Mediterranean Passage" from Athens to Fort Lauderdale with calls in Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia Malta, Monaco, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal and Bermuda. Highlights include an overnight stay in Barcelona and a two-night stopover in Venice. Silver Privilege fares start at $14,781 per person.

-- FAR EAST & OCEANIA (Voyages 3334 - 3336): Silver Shadow departs November 25 on a 40-day "Dragons, Kangaroos & Kiwis" voyage from Hong Kong to Auckland, with calls in Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Highlights include overnight stays in Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, and Melbourne. Silver Privilege fares start at $15,940 per person.

-- SOUTH AMERICA (Voyages 1332 - 1334): Silver Cloud departs November 26 on an exciting 40-day "South America Serenade" voyage from Barbados to Santiago, with calls in Grenada, Tobago, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Falkland Islands and Chile. Highlights include a two-night stopover in Rio de Janeiro and overnight stays in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. Silver Privilege fares start at $17,526 per person.

Aboard Silversea's intimate, all-suite ships, guests enjoy spacious ocean-view accommodations, sumptuous gourmet cuisine, the personalized service of a butler, and a generous selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet, and all gratuities.

Silver Privilege fares listed above are cruise-only rates per guest, based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite. All fares include Extended Voyage Savings of 5% and Fare Guarantee Program. Silver Privilege is a capacity-controlled program and subject to change.

Royal Caribbean announces complimentary premium beverage package offer aboard select April 2013 sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 January 2013 24 January 2013

Embrace the romance and serenity of a classic ocean crossing with Royal Caribbean International, the cruise line known for the world's most innovative cruise ships. For a limited time, vacationers enjoy a complimentary Premium Beverage Package for two when they book a balcony- or higher-category stateroom aboard the following four trans-Atlantic cruises, sailing throughout April 2013:

"Navigator of the Seas 15-night sailing from New Orleans to Rome (Civitavecchia), Rome on Apr. 6
"Independence of the Seas 13-night sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to Southampton, U.K. on Apr. 7
"Brilliance of the Seas 11-night sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Lisbon, Portugal on Apr. 13
"Adventure of the Seas 14-night sailing from San Juan to Southampton on Apr 21

The Complimentary Premium Beverage Package offer is applicable only for new U.S. and Canadian individual bookings made on January 24 through February 15, 2013, in balcony and higher category staterooms. Complimentary Premium Beverage Package is only available for first two guests in a booking. The Premium Beverage Package includes house wines, beers under $6.25 each, fountain sodas, and well, call and premium brands of liquors and frozen drinks at restaurants, bars and lounges when open. Offer not applicable for group bookings.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.

British naval vessel frees Fram from Antarctic ice

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 January 2013 24 January 2013

A British naval vessel freed a Norwegian cruise liner from Antarctic ice, the Royal Navy said in a statement. Fram, the 12,647 gross ton expedition cruise liner of Hurtigruten, had been following the patrol ship HMS Protector through the gaps in the pack ice when she was surrounded by a number of fast moving floes.

“HMS Protector immediately turned back to help, approaching the Fram from astern and breaking up the ice – which was up to four metres thick,” the Navy said. Taking just over two hours at speeds of just two knots, the Fram was eventually released and led to safety.

Commanding Officer of HMS Protector, Captain Peter Sparkes, said: “This is what we do in the Ice Patrol Ship, we are the Royal Navy’s equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife – red, versatile and always there when you need us. Protector’s ship’s company are highly trained and well equipped to deal with a spectrum of operations in Antarctica. That we are able to do so, so readily, is a clear demonstration of the Royal Navy’s global reach and operational preparedness.”

Sub Lieutenant Rowland Stacey of the Royal Canadian Navy, currently on exchange with Royal Navy and serving with HMS Protector, said: “This was an extremely impressive feat - operations in ice can be very challenging, but HMS Protector made it look easy. I am delighted to be a part of this team.”

Holland America Line names Michael J. Smith Senior VP Hotel Operations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 January 2013 23 January 2013

Holland America Line has named Michael J. Smith senior vice president, marine hotel operations, replacing Johan Groothuizen who is retiring at the end of 2013 after 42 years with the company.

In this role, Smith is responsible for the overall marine hotel operations, including on-board services such as culinary operations, all hotel and entertainment services for both Holland America Line, as well as Seabourn. He will report to Dan Grausz, executive vice president, fleet operations.

"Michael's extensive background in both the hotel and the cruise industries makes him a knowledgeable and well-rounded addition to the team," said Grausz. "His enthusiasm, fresh perspective and attention to detail will ensure continued growth and service excellence for Holland America Line and Seabourn."

Prior to joining Holland America Line, Smith was vice president of hotel operations at Club Quarters Hotels in New York for more than 15 years. He also spent 16 years in the cruise industry serving in several executive positions both ashore and on board for Cunard Line, as well as Silversea Cruises.

During 2013 Groothuizen will serve as vice president, special projects, with a primary focus on the recently announced Holland America Line ship to be completed in 2015. In this role, he will work closely with the shipyard and architects to ensure the new Pinnacle Class ship incorporates both current brand features and future innovations.

"Johan has given more than 40 years of dedicated and successful service to Holland America Line, from his earlier days as shipboard crew to his exceptional job at the helm of the marine hotel department," said Grausz. "We all look forward to using that wealth of knowledge to develop our Pinnacle Class of ships."

In other marine hotel moves, John Peijs is promoted to director, marine hotel operations and Jafar Al Shibibi is promoted to director, marine hotel procurement. Peijs will continue his current responsibilities with on-board services. Al Shibibi will continue to make improvements to the line's purchasing activities.

"Both of these promotions are well earned," said Grausz. "John has taken on multiple responsibilities during his time with Holland America Line, and he has executed all of them with professionalism. And Jafar has taken on many jobs with the line and can look at each one with a strong sense of accomplishment."