Holland America Line to increase departures, guest capacity in Alaska for 2013
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 25 July 2012 25 July 2012
For the 2013 Alaska cruise season, Holland America Line is increasing its presence in Alaska with more departures and more guests than in previous years.
Although the number of Holland America ships deployed in Alaska will remain at seven - the same as 2012 - ms Amsterdam will double its departures on new seven-day roundtrip sailings from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As a result, Alaska-season departures will increase 8.5 percent and guest capacity will increase 6 percent over 2012.
Plus, Early Advantage savings feature complimentary upgrades and free and reduced fares for third or fourth guests who share the same stateroom on select sailings. By planning ahead, a family of four can take advantage of fares on select departure dates starting at $699 per person for the first and second guest in a stateroom, and the third and fourth sailing free. Taxes are additional.
"Increasing our capacity in Alaska means that Holland America Line will offer nearly 1.6 million passenger days in the 2013 season," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "These itineraries have always been among our most popular, and Amsterdam's new seven day departures will allow us to bring more guests to Alaska and show off the natural beauty of this part of the world. We also encourage travelers to book early and enjoy greater benefits with Early Advantage savings."
When the 1,380-guest Amsterdam begins its Alaska season May 24, the ship will sail a series of 17 seven-day Inside Passage voyages. The Vancouver sailings feature port calls at Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as scenic cruising throughout Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm Fjord/Twin Sawyer glaciers.
For the 2013 Alaska cruise season, Holland America Line also will feature ms Zaandam and ms Statendam each sailing on 18 Gulf of Alaska departures from Vancouver. Statendam and Zaandam also will sail four total Inside Passage routes, along with Amsterdam (17), ms Volendam (21) and ms Zuiderdam (20). In addition, ms Oosterdam and ms Westerdam are slated to sail 21 and 20, respectively, seven-night voyages from Seattle, Washington.
AIDA ships received top ratings in the ADAC cruise test
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 25 July 2012 25 July 2012
"We are pleased that all AIDA ships tested from the ADAC, got the top rating 'very good'. The test results of the ADAC experts once again confirm the high safety standards on board our ships, " says Michael Ungerer, President of AIDA Cruises.
The ADAC performed independent safety tests on board 10 cruise ships in the Mediterranean. "The ADAC certified all the other ships that were tested, including those of the Costa fleet, a high standard of safety. This confirms once more the high safety standard in the cruise industry. Anyone who is planning a cruise on board our ships can spend a carefree holiday with the assurance that the safety of our guests is a top priority for us, " says Michael Ungerer.
For more information on the subject of safety on board of AIDA visit www.aida.de/sicherheit
SNCM plans to order eight ferries for €800 million
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
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- Published: 25 July 2012 25 July 2012
SociétéNationale Corse Méditerranée (SNCM), the French ferry company, plans to ordereight vessels in a fleet renewal programme that would mean an investment of€800 million, a report in France says.
TheMarseilles based company contacted 21 shipyards with regards of the plannedorders, received response from 15 of which the company selected six for furthertalks and now has a shortlist of three, the report in Les Echos daily says.
STXFrance, which is 34% controlled by the Frebch state and 66% by STX Europe thatagain is part of South Korean STX Business Group, is among the three. The othertwo yards are from Japan and South Korea, the report says.
SNCM isexpected to choose the builder by the end of the year and deliveries wouldbegin in late 2015 at a pace of two ships per year.
Louis Cruises unveils new destinations in innovative 2013 cruise program
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
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- Published: 24 July 2012 24 July 2012
The introduction of this novel itinerary furthers our goal to give clients a more well-rounded Greek experience, not just entree to the big islands that everyone knows by name, said Kyriakos Anastassiadis, CEO of Louis Cruises. We are committed growing by innovation and by providing differentiated experiences and are pleased to provide the opportunity for guests to really come and experience our area, our region, and more of its distinctive ports and islands.
The new Greece and Turkey program presents cruise travelers with a full day in Istanbul, Aghios Nicolaos (Crete), Santorini and an extended stay in Mykonos. Scheduled to operate from April 26th to October 25th of 2013, the cruise will depart weekly and will take travelers to experience the exotic and distinctive islands of Chios known for its sweet, aromatic Mastic trees and Symi with its postcard-picture panorama.
Additionally, Louis Cruises is introducing a new port of embarkation for the 8 day/7 night itinerary, which will be Athens port of Lavrion (Attica), conveniently located close to Athens International Airport. By implementing Lavrion as the new embarkation port in Athens, sailing time to Istanbul is reduced providing guests more time to enjoy a full day to partake in the shore excursion program with the best of Istanbul highlights. For further flexibility, embarkation / disembarkation will also be possible from Istanbul and Kusadasi in Turkey, Aghios Nicholaos (Crete), and Rhodes.
New venue for Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
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- Published: 24 July 2012 24 July 2012
UBM Live's Cruise Shipping portfolio has announced that they will be evolving their Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific conference and tradeshow by moving to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS). Taking place from September 17-18, 2012 this event will bring together the global cruise industry in the rapidly growing Asian marketplace.
Moving into the world's newest cruise terminal will give many in the cruise industry a first-look opportunity at the ultra modern terminal. Having just welcomed its first ship, RCCL's Voyager of the Seas in May, the MBCCS is primed to host the largest ships currently being developed. The Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific event themes of expansion, new
technology, and innovation are heavily underscored by hosting Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific at the MBCCS.
"The opportunity to have Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific in one of the world's newest and largest terminals is thrilling. The cruise market is dynamic and agile, and we know that our audience is constantly evolving and developing their offerings. Having a unique perspective of one of Asia's largest cruise terminals while also discussing modern key
pressure points and opportunities for the industry is certainly going to produce a ground-breaking event. Already, the buzz surrounding the show is tremendously enthusiastic. We are looking forward to welcoming the world cruise market to Asia this autumn," said Daniel Read, Portfolio Director of Cruise Shipping.
Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific 2012 will be a two day event, including a tradeshow and conference program focusing on the Asian cruise market. The exhibition will feature destinations, itinerary planning, shore excursion services, port and terminal development as well as ship operations, ship services and hotel operations. Social programs, travel agent training, and business matching opportunities will also be conducted at the event.
"We are very pleased to have the Cruise Shipping Asia Pacific 2012 at our terminal, MBCCS this year. I am sure delegates, exhibitors and visitors will find our venue a conducive place to network and share knowledge and information. The collaboration between UBM and MBCCS demonstrates how stakeholders can find synergies and work together to grow Asia's cruise industry while positioning Singapore as the region's leading cruise destination," said Mr. Melvin Vu, CEO of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services, terminal operator for the MBCCS.
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