Norwegian introduces new features at Great Stirrup Cay
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 16 August 2012 16 August 2012
Norwegian Cruise Line says that a new Stingray Encounter and Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure are now available on Great Stirrup Cay, the line's 250-acre private island in the Bahamas. In addition, coming soon is a brand new Lighthouse Beach Bar presented by Patron. The launch of these three brand new experiences marks more exciting additions to the island as part of the ongoing $30 million enhancement project.
Located inside Bertram's Cove, on the right hand side of the main beach, the Stingray Encounter invites guests to interact with 18 specially-trained stingrays in an enclosed area. This exciting and unique excursion introduces guests to these smooth and graceful creatures. Each of the stingrays has a name and its own unique personality, and guests will enjoy feeding, watching and holding them, for the perfect photo opportunity. Also included in the Stingray Encounter experience is use of a mask, snorkel and snorkel vest so that guests can peer below the surface to examine the rays up close. The hour-long excursion includes 45-minutes of interaction with the rays and is $29 per adult and $19 per child, the company said in a statement.
Norwegian is also launching a new snorkel trail experience called, "Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure," for guests to enjoy during their time on Norwegian's private island. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities on the island and Norwegian has now enhanced that experience with the snorkel trail.
Located near the Stingray Encounter in Bertram's Cove, the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure is the first private island snorkel trail to depict an actual legend as it portrays the tale of a shipwreck. As the legend goes, "The Fancy," sailing from Nassau, Bahamas in 1696, encountered a mythical creature named Lusca that was half-shark, half-octopus. It is believed that Lusca was responsible for the ship disappearing near the Berry Islands, the location of Great Stirrup Cay. Guests can explore discover and look for clues underwater that lead to the treasure that the Fancy was carrying, highlighted by 17 different underwater scenes that depict the shipwreck and Lusca's legend, including cannons, a sunken piano, treasure chests, swords and more.
Developed in conjunction with IDEA Inc., an Orlando-based company with experience in developing theme park experiences, the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure features some authentic artifacts that are more than 300 years old. In addition, all of the artifacts are eco-friendly and will stimulate additional marine life in the area. To experience the snorkel trail, guests can rent snorkel equipment at a rate of $29 per adult or $15 per child for the entire day. Guests wishing to experience both the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure and the Stingray Encounter during their time on the island can purchase a combination package that includes both tours at a discounted price of $49 per adult, a $9 savings, and $29 per child, a $5 savings.
Norwegian has also partnered with the popular spirits brand, Patron, to introduce a new island bar experience to Great Stirrup Cay called, Lighthouse Beach Bar presented by Patron. This is the first private island bar that Patron has sponsored. It will feature Patron products, as well as a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The bar will be completely redesigned and will be outfitted with beach-inspired décor, Patron branded materials, including bar stools, umbrellas and menu boards, as well as two large flat-screen TVs that will showcase a variety of entertainment from music videos to sporting events. The new bar is set to open in September 2012.
Norwegian was the first cruise line to offer an uninhabited tropical island experience exclusively for its guests. Great Stirrup Cay offers magnificent white sand beaches, majestic palms and calm, pristine waters where an abundance of colorful marine life inhabits the surrounding coral reefs. Additional activities on the island include a Waverunner® tour; a large Hippo Waterslide; eco boat tour; kayaking; parasailing; shopping at the straw market; and more.
Norwegian Sky makes year-round stops at Great Stirrup Cay on her three and four-day cruises from Miami. Norwegian Gem visits Great Stirrup Cay during her seven-day Bahamas & Florida itinerary from New York. Beginning in October, Norwegian Jewel will also stop at Great Stirrup Cay on her seven-day Bahamas & Florida cruises from New York. Norwegian Pearl will also visit Great Stirrup Cay this winter on her seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary from Miami. Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian's newest ship launching next spring, will visit Great Stirrup Cay on seven-day cruises from New York to the Bahamas & Florida beginning in mid-October 2013.
AIDASol to take electricity fromLNG hybrid barge in Hamburg from next year
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 14 August 2012 14 August 2012
Already in 2013, AIDAsol as the first ship of the AIDA fleet shall be supplied with electrical energy by an LNG hybrid barge from Becker Marine Systems while berthed in the port of Hamburg., AIDA Cruises said in a statement.
AIDA Cruises, which is part of Carnival Corp & plc group, and Becker Marine Systems have jointly developed with other partners a pioneering project for an energy-saving and further emission-reducing power supply for cruise ships at berth in the port of Hamburg.
"We already have 3-liter vessels. The AIDA fleet is prepared for the use of onshore power. With the LNG hybrid barge, we have found a more flexible solution, which shows how modern environmental technology can be used economically successful, said Michael Ungerer, President AIDA Cruises.
Becker Marine Systems provides the LNG barge hybrid technical solution, and AIDA Cruises, one of the leading cruise companies in environmental technology, provides the know-how relating to the special requirements of cruise ships. The Schramm Group, operator of the first German LNG transshipment port, will operate the barge.
If everything goes according to plan, AIDAsol could be the world's first cruise ship that is docked in the port of Hamburg Grasbrook City and with supplied with electricity by a LNG hybrid barge in the summer of 2013.
The energy is produced on the floating LNG hybrid barge with engines from a CHP and generators using LNG (liquefied natural gas). The so-generated electricity is fed into the supply network of the cruise ship as needed. The energy required for the operation of the cruise ship is no longer generated on board the ship by diesel engines, but with more environmentally friendly liquefied gas (LNG). Thanks to the energy production with liquefied natural gas (LNG), emissions will be reduced even more. Compared to conventional marine diesel with 0.1 percent sulfur, there will be no more sulfur oxides (SOx) produced in the future while the ship is in port. The emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) will be reduced by up to 80 percent, emissions of carbon dioxide by 30 percent.
For times with lack of demand for the LNG hybrid barge on the part of the AIDA ships a land-based partner is already aboard. The Hamburg-based energy supplier E.ON Han
TV journalist and MP Martin Bell to sail with Voyages to Antiquity
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 13 August 2012 13 August 2012
Voyages to Antiquity, the destinational UK based boutique cruise brand with focus on history, says that Martin Bell, a well-known British TV journalist, an independent Member of Parliament and UNICEF ambassador, will sail on their cruise to Burma.
The 16 night cruise will depart on 5 December.
“We are delighted to announce that Martin Bell - the distinguished television journalist and independent politician - will be travelling with us on this cruise-tour. You’ll hear about his experiences over his 30-year career, during which he reported from 80 countries and covered 11 conflicts, having made his name in Vietnam in the 1960,” the company said in a statement.
Royal Caribbean International to waive Royal 5K race entry fee on Team GB triumph
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 13 August 2012 13 August 2012
The special race coincides with a cruise itinerary dedicated to running enthusiasts that includes running themed activities, such as:
- Social fun runs and beach workouts
- Private meet-and-greet sessions with high-profile racing athletes
- Seminars and lectures with high-profile athletes
- Personal training tips from experts
- Speed tests on the onboard running track
The 7-night Eastern Caribbean Royal 5K fly/cruise starts from £1,403 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom, transfers and return flights from London Heathrow) and includes meals, entertainment, all running related events onboard and entry into the Royal 5K race. The cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA) on 1 December 2012 and calls at Nassau (Bahamas), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) and Philipsburg (St. Maarten) – location of the Royal 5K, before returning to Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA) for the flight home.
"The exclusive six day offer follows Mo Farah’s Gold medal winning performance in the final of the men’s 5K race with an amazing time of 13 minutes, 41.66 seconds. With Mo Farah and other British athletes dominating the podium at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Royal Caribbean International has also seen a surge in the number of people enrolling in its popular Royal Caribbean Runners programme both on land and at sea," Royal Caribbean said.
Dominic Paul, Vice President and group managing director, Royal Caribbean International, Europe – and keen triathlete - commented: “Mo Farah’s electrifying performance has inspired the runner in all of us. With interest in our Royal Caribbean Runners groups really taking off and the fitness facilities onboard our ships busier than ever, we thought what better way to show our support for Team GB than by waiving the entry fee for this year’s Royal 5K race. From sports courts to surf simulators, making investments that get people active has always been a key part of Royal Caribbean International’s business and we’re thrilled to be paying tribute to one of our country’s finest athletes in hopes of encouraging experienced runners and novices alike to join us on a running themed holiday at sea.”
Launching of Viking Line cruise ferry at STX Turku Shipyard
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 10 August 2012 10 August 2012
The float-out of Viking Grace, an environmentally friendly new generation cruise ferry, being built for Viking Line Abp was performed at STX Turku Shipyard on Friday 10 August 2012. At the beginning of the event, the invited guests had an opportunity to visit the dry dock floor and see the ship from a rare perspective. The float-out ceremony was witnessed by representatives of Viking Line, STX Finland and the classification society Lloyd's Register, invited guests and members of the press.
Once completed, the newbuilding 1376 will be the most environmentally friendly large cruise ferry of all time. It is fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), emissions into the sea have been totally eliminated, and emissions into the air are remarkably lower than those of any other big passenger ships. The vessel, featuring a large variety of novel technological innovations, has attracted a lot of attention already during the construction phase, even internationally. The 218 metres long cruise ferry, to be delivered to the customer by the Turku Shipyard at the beginning of 2013, will operate on the Turku (Finland) -Åland Islands-Stockholm (Sweden) route. The vessel will provide some 2,600 man-years of labour to the shipyard.
"We are very pleased to be able to float out this magnificent cruise ferry according to plans. The project has progressed in good collaboration with the client and vendors. After this float out, the works will continue actively by final installation of the various systems of the ship and by interior outfitting. The ship will be ready for delivery to the customer at the beginning of next year," says Jari Anttila, EVP and COO of STX Finland, and Director of STX Turku Shipyard.
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