Three cruise ships at Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 20 November 2012 20 November 2012

Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven AG, the German ship repair and refurbishment specialist, is experiencing another end-of-year rush with three cruise ships are in Bremerhaven in the coming days and weeks to be spruced up for the 2013 cruise season. They are the MS "Braemar" and the MS "Balmoral", belonging to new customer Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, and Saga Shipping Corporation’s MS "Saga Ruby." 

 Another first was the docking at Lloyd Werft of the 196 m long, 24,344 GT MS "Braemar" on November 11 and the acquisition of her owner Fred Olsen Cruise Lines as a new customer. The ship was docked up to November 21^st for extensive maintenance and repair including the complete overhaul of her stabilisers and the removal of both rudders. The funnel deck on the cruise ship, built in Valencia in 1993, was also being doubled in size. Work was carried out on the ship’s piping system and steel works were also undertaken. "The time-table for this extensive package of work is a tight one. But that’s nothing new for us", said Lloyd Werft Management Board Member Rüdiger Pallentin. He was particularly pleased the yard had acquired a new customer - an owner perhaps better known to date on the Elbe than on the Weser.Pallentin was even happier because Fred Olsen had sent a second ship to Bremerhaven straight after the first.

The 217 m long MS "Balmoral" of 43,537 GT was due at the yard on December 4^th. She was completed in 1988 at Meyer Werft as "Crown Odyssey" for Royal Cruise Line, then served with NCL as "Norwegian Crown" and was lengthened in 2007 by a good 20 metres. Since 2008 she has served with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines as "Balmoral".

 The yard was given just eight days to complete classification work on the ship. It was however also covering the installation of a catwalk, the exchange of main engine bearings and the dismantling, overhaul and reassembly of the double rudder plant. The "Balmoral" was also getting a new coat of paint before leaving the yard December 12^th for her next cruise.

 The 191 m long and 24,492 GT MS "Saga Ruby" docked in Lloyd Werft’s big Kaiser Dock on November 15^th. She is better known to the yard as Cunard’s "Caronia". Saga Shipping Corporation, a subsidiary of the English insurance concern Acromas Holidays, bought the cruise liner in 2004. "Saga Ruby", built in 1973, made a name for herself as the dream cruise ship "Vistafjord" and was for two years the main participant in the first of a series of popular German TV shows of that name.

Lloyd Werft has until the start of December to complete a comprehensive catalogue of class, repair and maintenance work on "Saga Ruby". The repairs in particular will take up a lot of time. They include the renewal of pipe work, the maintenance of pump, valves and fire-fighting equipment, steel repairs and the repair of cracks to superstructure supports and windows. Other scheduled work will be the cleaning of 16 tanks, the exchange of a generator and the cleaning and conservation of the hull of the "Saga Ruby". On December 4^th the ship will take passengers on board again in England for another cruise.

 

 

 

Azamara Quest re-enters service with new livery

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 19 November 2012 19 November 2012

Azamara Quest, the first of Azamara Club Cruises’ twin boutique ships to undergo refurbishment, has emerged from an 8-day drydock – complete with a refresh of all public spaces and staterooms and a new “Azamara Blue” hull.  Named for the cruise line by Navantia Shipyard, the unique navy-blue colour tone of Azamara Quest’s hull adds to the elegance of the ship’s silhouette, Azamara said in a statement.

 

The cruise line, known for featuring longer stays and more overnights in port to present up-market travellers the opportunity for night touring, is poised to break away from its category with its newly refreshed ships that sail to exciting destinations around the world that larger ships are unable to reach. Paired with the new complimentary AzAmazing Evening shore events on every voyage starting with each ship’s Europe 2013 season, Azamara Club Cruises is providing guests one of the most unique travel experiences that spotlights the nightlife of some of the world’s most intriguing destinations.

 

Shipwide renovations included new carpets, upholstery, and a new colour palette in public spaces reflecting the cruise line’s inviting atmosphere; new mattresses and upgraded veranda furniture for suites and staterooms; a resurfaced pool, and new sun loungers and pool towels on the outer decks.  The Casino Bar also was expanded and enhanced with new furniture, while the Spa and fitness centre was refreshed with a new steam room, showers, and state-of-the-art Life Fitness cardio equipment. Furthermore, a range of enhancements were made behind the scenes in the staff and crew area to add to the comfort of the cruise line’s most valuable asset.

 

On the culinary front, guests can now enjoy a new caviar and champagne bar within Aqualina, one of the ships’ two speciality dining venues, as well as a new Chef’s Table concept featuring three wine menus – Italian, French and Californian. At Mosaic Café, the ships’ central gathering spot, guests can purchase a freshly brewed cup of bespoke coffee.

 

Upon departing from Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, Azamara Quest has set sail on a  13-night Madeira and Canary Islands voyage, beginning 16 November, followed by a four-night Spanish and Northern Africa voyage on 28 November. The ship then departs on 2 December, to embark on a 16-night, trans-Atlantic voyage to Rio De Janeiro for its South America season.

 

Guests onboard Azamara Quest enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, speciality coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centres in ports, where available.

 

 

 

Celebrity Reflection slowed down by technical problem, to miss port

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 19 November 2012 19 November 2012

Celebrity Reflection, the latest ship in the fleet of Celebrity Cruises, will miss a port of call on its current Trans-Atlantic positioning voyage due to a technical problem, passengers have been informed.

The ship is on its way from Barcelona to Florida and it called at Malaga yesterday. However, a planned called at Tenerife will be omitted and the ship will proceed directly to the US, according to Teijo Niemela, editor of Cruise Business Online, who is travelling on the ship.

The ship had experienced problems on its previous cruise, he said. The passengers have been told that the problems do not compromise the safety of maneouvrability of the vessel that was delivered from Meyer Werft in Germany earlier this autumn.

 

P&O Cruises announces Strictly stars for next summer

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 15 November 2012 15 November 2012

Strictly Come Dancing judge, Craig Revel Horwood, will join seven Strictly cruises next year, along with a flurry of the BBC show’s professional dancers, P&O Cruises said in a statement.

"Available on selected cruises to Europe from May to October 2013, the professionals set to storm the stage include some of this year’s favourites; James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Natalie Lowe and Kristina Rihanoff. Prices start from £1,179 per person for a 13-night Canary Islands cruise," the company said.

Revel Horwood will join all seven Strictly Come Dancing themed cruises. In addition, each cruise will have two professional dancers to bring all the glamour and glittering performances to the dance floor. All cruises depart from and return to Southampton. The 2013 Strictly Cruises are:

 Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe on a 13-night Canary Islands cruise on Azura (A311N) departing May 11, 2013. Ports of call are Madeira, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz and Lisbon. Vantage Fares from £1,179 per person.

James Jordan and Ola Jordan on a 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Azura (A313N) departing May 31, 2013. Ports of call are Cartagena, Messina, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Malta and Gibraltar. Vantage Fares from £1,669 per person.

Pasha Kovalev and Katya Virshilas on a 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Aurora (R308) departing June 18, 2013. Ports of call are Alicante, Messina, Cephalonia, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and Cadiz. Vantage Fares from £1,749 per person.

Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor on a 12-night Canary Islands cruise on Ventura (N317) departing July 1, 2013. Ports of call are Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Lisbon. Vantage Fares from £1,199 per person.

Ian Waite and Camilla Dallerup on a 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Arcadia (J310) departing August 4, 2013. Ports of call are Cadiz, Malta, Venice, Dubrovnik, Cartagena and Gibraltar. Vantage Fares from £1,849 per person.

Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova on a 14-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Oceana (E321) departing September 1, 2013. Ports of call are Cartagena, Barcelona, St Raphael, Florence/Pisa, Palau, Gibraltar and Corunna. Vantage Fares from £1,379 per person.

Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova also on a 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Azura (A323N) departing October 1, 2013. Ports of call are Cadiz, Messina, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Malta and Lisbon. Vantage Fares from £1,509 per person.

 "The top names will show off their routines with the samba, foxtrot, rumba, quickstep, jive and more. Guests will also see a collection of the intricate costumes worn by the celebrities and stars this series," the company said.