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Voyages of Discovery joins Price Promise ranks

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 September 2012 03 September 2012

Voyages of Discovery, the destinational cruise brand in the All Leisure group in the UK, says it has today introduced a new ‘Price Promise’ – a pledge to customers and agents that if the cost of their cruise goes down in price at a later date, they will be offered an equivalent benefit in value, the company said in a statement.

The company joins Carnival brands Cunard and P&O Cruises plus Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in launching this format of pricing, which is hoped to encourage people to book early rather than to wait for last-minute discounts.

The new Price Promise applies to standard fares on all summer 2013 and winter 2013/14 sailings from 29 April 2013, and means that, should the standard fare on a cruise reduce prior to departure, Voyages of Discovery will refund the difference in the form of on board credit or a cabin upgrade to any passengers already booked.

Coinciding with the launch of the summer 2013 2^nd edition brochure and the new Winter 2013/14 preview brochure, the Price Promise encourages passengers to book their cruise early and be assured of receiving the best value fare. Standard fares also feature a range of benefits including on board gratuities, service charges and coach transfer or free car parking at UK ports for no-fly cruises. Plus, all passengers booking a higher grade cabin on cruises from summer 2013 onwards will receive a complimentary chauffeur service (within 75 miles) to the port or airport.

Sales and Marketing Director, Voyages of Discovery, Geoff Lawrence, says: “We have always been committed to providing excellent value for our passengers and want to ensure that those who book early get a great deal. The Price Promise means that customers who book next year’s cruise today won’t miss out on a better deal coming along at a later date, and also allows agents to assure their customers that prices won’t be undercut.

“While we may opt to introduce saver fares further down the line on specific cruises, early bookers can still be confident that they have received the best value for money as the saver fares will not include all the benefits available on our standard fares, nor will passengers be able to choose their preferred cabin and the fare will be payable in full at the time of booking.”

The Price Promise applies to all standard fares on cruises departing from 29 April 2013, the start of Voyager’s first summer season. The ship will sail a series of no-fly cruises from its home port of Portsmouth (UK) followed by fly cruises to the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

The new Winter 2013/14 season sees Voyager heading to the Far East with 21 new ports of call for the brand including Dubai, Tokyo and San Remo through to itineraries in India, China, Myanmar, South Korea and Japan. Voyager will also call at the bustling port of Bangkok (Thailand) and berth right in the heart of the city - a completely new venture for Voyages of Discovery, made possible due to the small size of Voyager.

Voyages of Discovery is offering a 5% early booking discount on all Winter 2013/14 bookings made by 31st October 2012. Highlights of the Winter 2013/14 programme include:

Asian Capitals and the Magic of Vietnam – A 19-day cruise from £2,399 per person. Passengers can explore Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore and Hong Kong (China) before taking in the scenery of UNESCO listed beauty spot, Ha Long Bay (Vietnam). Price is based on a 2 January 2014 UK departure.

Treasures of Asia – A 16-day cruise from £1,999 per person. Guests can discover the nature and wildlife in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Highlights include a visit to Thailand’s bustling capital of Bangkok, Mount Kinabalu National Park (Malaysia), the Angkor Wat temple (Cambodia). Price is based on a 17 February 2014 UK departure.

Ancient Worlds and Modern Masterpieces – A 15-day cruise from £1,599 per person where passengers can experience the Suez and Corinth Canals. Price is based on a 7 April 2014 UK departure.

Guests can enjoy Voyager’s newly enhanced features including three restaurants offering a range of dining options and al fresco dining and flexible seating, the refreshed library area and the Lookout Lounge which provides panoramic views from the front of the ship. Almost 90% of the cabins are outside cabins and 30 have balconies. All of the public areas on board Voyager will benefit from a light refurbishment including new art work and soft furnishings.

Bridgepoint completes acquisition on Ponant

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 September 2012 03 September 2012

Bridgepoint, a privately owned holding company, completes acquisition of Compagnie du Ponant, the French luxury cruise line renowned for its specialist polar cruises, from CMA CGM via its parent company Mérit. The terms of the transaction are undisclosed.

Founded in 1988 and with over 580 employees, Compagnie du Ponant (‘CDP’) operates three luxury ships (typically with between 32 and 132 cabins) and in 2011 carried 20,000 passengers and had revenues of €80 million.

Working with its established team and taking advantage of its successful strong niche positioning, Bridgepoint will provide the company with the resources to fulfil its growth ambitions and to expand internationally. A fourth vessel is scheduled for delivery in June 2013. The management, led by the co-founder Jean Emmanuel Sauvée and Véronique Saadé, will play an active part in this new stage of its development investing in the future of the company and contributing to the sustainability of the original concept.

The company enjoys global market leadership by volume in the polar cruise segment thanks to the specialist nature of its vessels. It is also the clear leader in the French-speaking European market (France, Belgium and Switzerland).

The luxury cruise market of the type served by CDP is a growing and resilient niche with global demand supported by an affluent customer base in Europe and the US that has been less sensitive to the macroeconomic environment. The polar cruise market in particular enjoys significant demand, yet capacity is limited due to the specialist nature of ships able to operate there.

Advisers involved in this transaction included: for Bridgepoint – Bucéphale Finance (M&A), Ashurst (legal), Boston Consulting Group (market), Ernst and Young (finance) and Arsène Taxand (tax); for CMA CGM and Merit - Willkie Farr Gallagher (legal).

Meanwhile, Ponant says it has joined passenger shipping Association, the UK organisation that embraces both the cruise and ferry sectors.

Daniel Mann appointed VP Product Management at AIDA Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2012 31 August 2012

Daniel Mann is taking over the position of Vice President Product Management at AIDA Cruises with effect from September 1, 2012, the company said in a statement.

"This means the shipping line has been able to recruit a top manager with an excellent combination of broad international experience and remarkable innovation skills. In his new position with the cruise operator, Mann will be responsible for the departments of OBR & Hotel Services, Food & Beverages, Operations as well as AIDA Entertainment. He will report directly to Michael Ungerer, President AIDA Cruises."

Mann has previously gathered many years of experience in strategy development and implementation in the luxury resort and hotel sector in various management positions with, among others, Ritz Carlton Hotels, Boca Raton Resort und Golden Door Spa from the Blackstone Group and the Revel Entertainment Group. The main emphasis of his previous work included, in particular, quality assurance and the implementation of operating standards in the guest area.

"With Daniel Mann, the product management will in future be managed by a very successful top manager with vast international experience, focusing on product and, in particular, service quality. We are certain that he will further advance the development of our product in a sustainable way with his commitment", explains Michael Ungerer.

With 9 ships, AIDA Cruises is Germany's leading cruise operator to dream destinations around the world. The AIDA fleet will grow to 12 vessels by 2016. The company, based in Rostock/Germany, currently employs 6,000 personnel on board and on shore.

Tai Chi classes on Swan Hellenic's Passage to Oman cruise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2012 31 August 2012

Should you want to perfect your handiwork with a paintbrush, get to grips with Tai Chi, or learn the art of needlework you can do all this on Swan Hellenic’s recently refurbished ship, Minerva, for a 15-day Passage to Oman cruise, the company said in a statement.

Passengers on board the Middle Eastern cruise can make the most of the ship’s enhanced facilities during their time at sea and take part in a range of workshops and masterclasses. Tai Chi master, Qu Leilei, will join passengers on board the ship to teach them the ancient art of body and mind relaxation whilst Sophie Long, who is trained in more than 30 embroidery techniques, will also be hosting fascinating needlework workshops.

The cruise starts from £1,595 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). The cruise departs from Safaga (Egypt) – overnight and calls at Djibouti, Salalah (Oman), Muscat (Oman) – overnight, Khasab (Oman) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) – overnight. Price is based on a 21 November 2012 departure.

Masterclasses on board other Swan Hellenic cruises can include painting, bridge, writing, singing and wine tasting.

Norwegian Cruise Line launches £500 on board credit promotion in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2012 31 August 2012

Agents will be able to offer guests up to $500 of on board spending money as part of a Norwegian Cruise Line autumn promotion. The added-value offer is available on any European cruise of three nights or more departing between April 2013 and April 2014, the company said in a statement.

"Guests must be booked between 1 to 30 September 2012 to take part in the offer which includes sailings on five Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Itineraries range from Transatlantic crossings to Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Canary Islands and Baltics sailings," the company said.

Once on board, guests can redeem their on board spend against a range of experiences which could include spa treatments, speciality dining or shore excursions.