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European “Cool Water Cruising” soars in popularity

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 July 2012 24 July 2012

“Cool water cruising” is attracting a record number ofEuropean holidaymakers this year, with double-digit growth forecast for thenumber of passengers booking cruises to the Arctic regions, the Norwegianfjords, and the British Isles in 2012, according to new data compiled for CLIAand the European Cruise Council (ECC).

The number of passengers cruising the Arctic region,including Iceland, is expected to rise 37% compared with last year, the datashow. Cruises to the Norwegian fjords are likely to see a 29% rise in numbersof passengers. The British Isles are also forecast to see strong growth in thenumber of cruise passengers, up 16%, while the Baltic Sea, which accounts forthe largest number of cruises in the region, is expecting a 6% increase.

Overall, according to the data prepared by G.P. Wild(International) for CLIA and the ECC, a total 1.49 million cruise passengersare expected this year in the Northern European region, up 16% from 1.28 million last year.

Bo Larsen, director of Cruise Baltic, an association of 25Baltic Sea destinations and a partner to the European Cruise Council, said: “The Northern European cruise market isgrowing rapidly, benefitting both from the region’s newly extended range ofdestinations and also from the cruise lines’ desire to extend their season herewell into the colder months of the year.

“Northern Europe has become amust-visit region for international cruise passengers, attracted by its diverseand impressive attractions, including world-class cities, small towns andhidden gems, and of course its breathtaking natural beauty,”he added.

In all, cruise ships from a total 44 cruise lines serve atotal 253 ports in the Northern European region, of which 52 are in the Baltic,78 in Norway and the Arctic region, and 123 in North Western Europe (includingthe British Isles, North Sea and Atlantic ports).

Holland America Line introduces Early Advantage Programme on UK market

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 July 2012 23 July 2012

Holland America Line says it has launched a new Early Advantage Programme to encourage guests to book early for 2013 cruises and enjoy lower fares, free upgrades and flexible deposit terms whereby guests can make changes to their booking and pricing without penalty, prior to balance due date.

Managing Director UK, Lynn Narraway, said: “Summer 2012 has been very successful for Holland America Line and we have achieved a healthy growth in UK business, although we have seen a predominantly later booking pattern. At this time, we want to assure guests of the advantages of booking early - and give agents the opportunity to benefit by promoting these early booking offers to their clients”.

“By booking early, clients can already plan ahead and receive the accommodation of their choice, however now with Holland America Line, on selected sailings they can benefit from “early advantage” special reduced fares, free upgrades and a new flexible deposit policy”. For example a 7-night Norse Legends departing 4 May 2013 from Dover onboard ms Ryndam now leads in at £699pp and includes a free upgrade from inside to ocean view accommodation. A 10-night Panama Canal Sunfarer cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale onboard ms Zuiderdam on 15 February 2013 leads in at £1,049pp cruise only for an inside stateroom and £1,249pp for ocean view with free upgrade from ocean view to verandah stateroom.

Holland America Line guests booking 2013 cruises will now pay a lower 15% deposit rather than the previous fixed amount. Guests who book early on selected cruises+ can also be assured by Holland America Line’s new flexible deposit policy, which allows them to make changes to their cruise booking at no charge up until 90 days prior to sailing or final payment date (whichever is first). The “Early Advantage” promotion is available on selected sailings and may be withdrawn at any time.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines exend all inclusive package and introduce price pledge

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 July 2012 23 July 2012

To reflect the growth in the‘all-inclusive’ holiday market, and following the successful introduction ofits ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package on four limited availability 2013 Canariesfly-cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines says it is extending this offer.

“If guests book by 30^thSeptember 2012, for all cruise departures on, or after, 6^th April2013 and featured in its current ‘2013/14 Worldwide Cruises’ brochure(excluding the 2014 Balmoral and Black Watch ‘Grand Voyages’ andtheir sectors, and full-charter Boudicca cruise JMGD1321), they willautomatically qualify for a freeupgrade to an ‘all-inclusive’drinks package, including beers, wine, spirits and soft drinks,” the companysaid in a statement.

“This excellent deal will beadded to all applicable bookings retrospectively. But future cruise guests willneed to be quick to secure their place, as this offer is limited to the first100 bookings per sailing taken between now and the end of September 2012,” the company said.

Nathan Philpot, Sales andMarketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We know that many ofour guests are on a tight budget in this challenging economic climate, and withthis ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package, our 2013/14 cruise programme is evenbetter value for money. Our ‘drinks inclusive’ package on the four selected2013 Canaries fly-cruises, which we launched earlier this year, has provenextremely popular, and sold out three times as quickly as our cruises withoutthis valuable add-on.

“There is a huge demand for‘all-inclusive’ holidays, which now account for one in three package holidaysbooked, with a 50% growth between 2008 and 2011.” [Source: Key Note,‘All-Inclusive Holidays Market Assessment 2012’ http://www.keynote.co.uk/market-intelligence/view/product/10535/all-inclusive-holidays

As well as the accommodationon board its fleet of four traditional, more intimate ships – Balmoral, Braemar,Boudicca and Black Watch – Fred. Olsen’s cruise prices includeall meals on board, free access to its award-winning Vistas onboardenrichment programme, glittering evening shows and entertainment, and porttaxes.

To offer guests the bestpossible price on their cruise, Fred. Olsen is also introducing a newearly-booking ‘Price Pledge’ for guests securing their cruise from 20^thJuly 2012 and before 30^th September 2012, to apply to all sailingsdeparting on, or after, 6^th April 2013 and which are featured in thecurrent ‘2013/14 Worldwide Cruises’ brochure (excluding the 2014 Balmoral andBlack Watch ‘Grand Voyages’ and their sectors, and full-charter Boudiccacruise JMGD1321).**

The ‘Fred. Olsen PricePledge’ means that, if the price of the cruise is reduced for the cabin gradebooked, Fred. Olsen will refund the difference through one – or a combination –of measures: a cabin upgrade; onboard spending credit; or a cash refund, all atFred. Olsen’s discretion. Fred. Olsen will contact all relevant guests beforethe applicable cruise departure date to advise them of how they havebenefitted, so that guests can relax and have no need to monitorprices.

Nathan Philpot continued: “Wehave been discussing a ‘Fred. Olsen Price Pledge’ with our key trade partnersfor a number of weeks, and this is one of a range of options that we areintroducing to help to restore confidence in the cruise market to encourageguests to book early. We want to offer our guests the best possible deal on theircruise with us, and by booking early with the ‘Fred. Olsen Price Pledge’, theywill have the peace of mind that, should the cruise price reduce, then we willmake up the difference, whilst they will be able to secure the best choice ofcruise and cabins.

The ‘Fred. Olsen PricePledge’ applies to the cruise element of the holiday, and not to other packagecomponents, such as flights, hotels and transfers.

Silversea appoints new Vice President of Marketing for the Americas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 July 2012 21 July 2012

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has appointed Keith Spondike as its new Vice President of Marketing for the Americas, effective 6 August.

Based in the company's Fort Lauderdale office, Spondike will report to Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's President of the Americas. He will oversee day-to-day marketing activities, including the development, implementation and management of advertising, collateral, direct marketing and e-marketing programmes.

Bettridge said: "Keith's leadership style and success in leveraging marketing strategy to achieve optimal financial results stood out among a very distinguished group of candidates, and I'm pleased to welcome him to Silversea."

Prior to joining Silversea, Spondike was chief marketing officer for Avantair, a leading private air travel services company. His past experience also includes 18 years with General Motors, where he helped lead the rebirth of the Cadillac brand.

Spondike commented: "I'm excited about the opportunity to work for such a prestigious luxury travel company. I look forward to working with all departments in the organisation to develop innovative marketing strategies to increase awareness of the Silversea brand."

Spondike holds a master's degree in business administration from Wayne State University and a bachelor of science degree in finance from Oakland University.

Viking River Cruises orders two more "Longships" for 2013

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 July 2012 21 July 2012

Viking River Cruises (www.vikingrivercruises.com) has placed an order for two additional Viking Longships in 2013. This brings the number of new ships launching next year to eight – an industry first – and a total of 14 new Viking Longships over a two year period.

"As the fastest-growing segment of travel, river cruising is inspiring more vacation plans than ever before," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. "We are very pleased by the response we have seen to our new Viking Longships, and we are continuing our expansion to meet that demand."

Viking Longships integrate patent-pending design and cutting-edge technology with comfortable amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends.

Accommodating 190 passengers, the ships are scheduled to sail four of Viking’s most popular European itineraries, including the 10-day Tulips & Windmills, 8-day Romantic Danube, 15-day Grand European Tour and 8-day Danube Waltz. The two newest ships, Viking Jarl and Viking Atla, will host guests on the 8-day Rhine Getaway cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Basel. Each of the new Viking Longships will be 443 feet (135 meters) long and will feature 95 staterooms per ship.