Oceania Cruises celebrates 10th anniversary in 2013
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 07 January 2013 07 January 2013
On January 6, 2013, Oceania Cruises marked its 10th anniversary, kicking off a year of special events, designated sailings, engaging social media initiatives and onboard celebrations.
Founded by cruise industry visionaries Frank Del Rio, Bob Binder and Joe Watters in 2003, the line’s mission was to deliver destination-rich itineraries, “best in class” cuisine, an inviting country club atmosphere, and luxurious accommodations all at an extraordinary value.
With the addition of Marina in 2011 and Riviera in 2012 to the fleet of Regatta (2003), Insignia (2004) and Nautica (2005), Oceania Cruises has built an entirely new segment of the industry with its elegant, award-winning, mid-size ships and exceptional personalized service.
“Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Oceania Cruises is an achievement made possible by the loyalty of our guests, employees, crew and travel partners,” said Frank Del Rio, the line’s founder, and chairman and CEO of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings. “Because of their support, the next 10 years – and beyond – are filled with just as much promise and opportunity to continue to evolve the Oceania Cruises experience and the modern cruise vacation for our guests.”
Guests will have the opportunity to sail with company founders and top executives on four specially designated “Anniversary Sailings.” Each voyage will feature a different executive who will host an anniversary cocktail reception, celebratory caviar brunch and gala dinner with private label 10th anniversary wine served complimentary. Frank Del Rio, Joe Watters, Bob Binder, vice chairman of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings, and Kunal S. Kamlani, Oceania Cruises president, will sail. Anniversary sailings are:
Marina’s 14-day Scandinavian Serenade departing from London to Stockholm on June 11, 2013 with Bob Binder. In addition to a 3-day stay in St. Petersburg, Russia, the cruise visits Amsterdam, Netherlands; Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Riga, Latvia; Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland.
Riviera’s Italian Escapade with Kunal S. Kamlani, departs on July 3, 2013, from Rome for a 10-day voyage to Venice. Ports include Florence/Pisa/Tuscany (Livorno), Italy; Sorrento/Capri, Italy; Amalfi/Positano, Italy; Taormina (Sicily), Italy; Corfu, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Regatta’s 7-day Coastal Alaska with Frank Del Rio on July 5, 2013 from Seattle to Seattle with calls at Ketchikan and Wrangell, Alaska; and Prince Rupert, Canada.
Nautica’s Roman Legends with Joe Watters, departs September 6, 2013 for a 10-day voyage from Barcelona to Athens. Visits include Provence (Marseille), France; Portofino, Italy; Florence/Pisa/Tuscany (Livorno), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Sorrento/Capri, Italy; Taormina (Sicily), Italy; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey and Santorini, Greece.
The company will celebrate fleet-wide with a special 10th Anniversary dessert called ZEN, a Manjari Chocolate Bar with Milky Gianduja-Yuzu and Hazelnut Croquant featured in the Grand Dining Room and a menu of Canyon Ranch SpaClub® 10th anniversary treatments available on all ships.
Throughout the year, Oceania Cruises’ fans will find profiles of crew members who will also pass the 10-year mark with the company on the line’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/OceaniaCruises. Nearly 100 crew members are reaching this milestone and past guests will find a number of pictures and stories from many of their favorite officers, staff and crew.
Oceania Cruises’ past guests will also be invited to share pictures and memories from sailings over the past 10 years on the company’s Guest Book on its Facebook page. The company will be tweeting 10th Anniversary updates and news throughout the year at #OceaniaCruises10.
Gonzales named Vice President – Guest Technology & Photo Operations for Carnival Cruise Lines
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 03 January 2013 03 January 2013
Gabriela Gonzalez, a highly accomplished professional with extensive expertise in marketing strategy, sales and product management, has been named vice president - guest technology & photo operations for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator.
In this new role, Gonzalez is responsible for overseeing the company's photo operation as well as all guest technology efforts, including Internet and voice and data communications. She is also responsible for the development and expansion of Carnival's FunHub computer and mobile products. Gonzalez reports to Gus Antorcha, Carnival's senior vice president of guest commerce.
Prior to joining Carnival, Gonzalez worked at Progreso Financiero, a fast-growing financial services firm where she led the launch of a reloadable prepaid card to serve as a loan disbursement vehicle and alternative bank account. She then moved on to leadership roles in product management and sales within the company. Prior to joining Progreso Financiero, Gonzalez worked at Monitor Group Consulting where she focused on developing marketing strategies for Fortune 500 companies in varying industries ranging from telecommunications and biotech to beverages and toys.
"With over four million guests per year, it is extremely important that we stay on the leading edge of technology to ensure we are providing our guests with a vacation experience that is as convenient and enjoyable as possible. Gaby's extensive and varied professional experience will help lead us toward the continued achievement of that goal," said Antorcha.
Gonzalez graduated with a bachelor of arts in international relations from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and earned her MBA from Stanford University in Stanford, Calif.
Star Cruises launches new SuperStar Gemini from SCC's HarbourFront Terminal
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 31 December 2012 31 December 2012
SuperStar Gemini, the newly refurbished 50,764-tonnage passenger cruise vessel from Star Cruises, set sail on a
maiden voyage from Singapore Cruise Centre’s (SCC) HarbourFront Terminal on 28 December 2012.
Formerly known as Norwegian Dream, the refurbished SuperStar Gemini features upgraded navigational and safety
systems; restyled cabins, restaurants, entertainment & recreational facilities and a new hull artwork, depicting the
constellation twins in vibrant colours. This transformation enables the vessel to deliver an all-inclusive cruise experience, offering a variety of entertainment
and recreational choices to delight its 1,532 passengers. The vessel houses 766 luxury guest cabins as well as over
6,000 sq feet of shops selling up-market duty- free luxury retail products, a spa and health club, a broad range of Asian and international cuisine, among others. As one of Star Cruises’ most ambitious ship renovation projects to date, SuperStar Gemini will homeport in Shanghai from April to October andoffer idyllic sailings to popular destinations in
North Asia. The maiden call marks yet another milestone in a long-standing relationship between SCC and Star Cruises since
the latter became SCC’s first cruise line customer in 1993. David Chua, President of Genting Hong Kong said: “This is an important day for us. We are launching a newly refurbished
SuperStar Gemini in Singapore with a long-term partner that shares our vision to further develop cruise holiday in Asia. Star Cruises’ partnership with SCC, which stretches close to 20 years, will continue to give a boost to thealready booming tourism sector in Singapore.” He continued, "We also like to take this opportunity to thank all our travel industry partners and media for their ongoing
support. SuperStar Gemini is the latest example of how Star Cruises creates indelible holidays for our valued passengers.
Earlier this year, we completed a refurbishment of SuperStar Virgo and next year, we will refurbishSuperStar Libra. Such ongoing effort reflects our commitment to deliver a unique brand of Asian hospitality to a growing market of discerning
global travellers." SCC’s CEO Christina Siaw said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we have the honour of being the first to welcome
SuperStar Gemini on her maiden voyage, and in our newly upgraded cruise terminal.”
STX Europe AS sells its 50.75% stake in Singapore-listed STX OSV Holdings. Ltd. to Fincantieri Oil & Gas S.p.A.
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 21 December 2012 21 December 2012
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines launch quarterly customer magazine
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 19 December 2012 19 December 2012
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines says it has launched a new, quarterly guest publication – Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Closer Magazine. "This stylish, glossy ‘lifestyle’ magazine is a combination of fun and informative features and articles on exciting ports and destinations around the world, gardening, health, well-being, shopping, cookery and much more."
An initial print run of 150,000 copies will be mailed to all members of Fred. Olsen’s loyalty scheme – Oceans – and distributed via cabins and public rooms aboard the fleet of four cruise ships, so that all of Fred. Olsen’s guests will be able to have a copy.
Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are delighted to be launching Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Closer Magazine and really hope that all our guests enjoy reading it. We spent a lot of time thinking of a name that adequately conveys the warm and friendly atmosphere on board our ships, where our staff remember your name and favourite tipple, and we hope that our guests will get ‘closer’ to us by contributing their own stories and photos to the magazine.”
One of the main focusses of our new magazine is the way that a Fred. Olsen cruise can transport you to over 240 far-flung, exotic destinations around the world, from even more convenient regional departure ports in 2013.”
The first issue of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Closer Magazine showcases the Red Sea, Baltic and Greece, giving guests an informed insight into places that they have never experienced before, and inspiring them to want to discover more of the world with Fred. Olsen.
Other highlights of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Closer Magazine include a feature on Fred. Olsen’s award-winning Vistas onboard enrichment programme, exploring the exciting new themes coming in 2013, such as gardening with green-fingered Charlie Dimmock and wine tasting with oenophile Jilly Goolden; Fred. Olsen’s chosen charity, the RNLI, introduces some of its hard-working volunteers in the magazine; and Harwich International Port explains why it will be such an important addition to Fred. Olsen’s cruise programme from next year.
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