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Crystal Cruises previews 2015 World Cruise

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 July 2012 10 July 2012

Crystal Cruises is looking far into the future, sans crystal ball, revealing early details of its 2015 World Cruise. In honor of its 20th World Cruise, and 25th anniversary of the company, the ultra-luxe line will be offering a brand new route: a full circumnavigation of the globe conveniently round-trip from Miami starting January 15, 2015. The 108-day, warm weather voyage aboard Crystal Serenity will consist of six all-inclusive segments that will traverse Central and South America, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, and the Caribbean, as follows:

* Miami to Callao/Lima (16 days)
* Callao/Lima to Auckland (19 days)
* Auckland to Perth (21 days)
* Perth to Cape Town (21 days)
* Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro (15 days)
* Rio de Janeiro to Miami (16 days)

“For our 20th World Cruise, travelers can expect an especially spectacular addition to their personal bank of once-in-a-lifetime memories, with popular cultural capitals and off-the-beaten-path jewels that appeal to both our loyal regulars and those new to us,” says Crystal President Gregg Michel. “Add the hands-on world education, the bonding among guests, easy country-hopping, and luxurious home base of Crystal Serenity to the round-trip Miami circumnavigation and 25th anniversary celebrations, and this is sure to be one of the finest global explorations any adventurer could ever experience.”

Additional itinerary highlights include maiden calls in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Albany, Australia; Ambodifotra and Taolagnaro, Madagascar; and Richards Bay, S. Africa (in addition to three other South African calls), and stops in Easter Island, Bora Bora, the Cook Islands, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Reunion Island, Buenos Aires, Cartagena, Turks & Caicos, and more. Full World Cruisers receive a host of complimentary perks such as private enrichment classes, fitness programs, entertainment, social invitations, and mementos. The full itinerary will be posted on crystalcruises.com by July 16.

Crystal’s focus on stylish, comfortable design, most recently reinforced via $40 million extreme ship makeovers of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, combined with warm and friendly attentiveness, proffered by top-trained service staff from around the world, has earned the line a reputation for elevating hospitality to an art form. With a host of complimentary amenities, from custom-crafted cocktails and included gratuities, to specialty restaurant dining, featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio, and Creative Learning Institute partnerships with names such as USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, a Crystal cruise always offers tremendous value in luxury resort vacationing. The line’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

STX France floats-out Europa 2

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 July 2012 09 July 2012

Four months after the laying down of the keel, the EUROPA 2 left the drydock of the shipyard STX France in Saint-Nazaire on 6 July. In the context of a festive ceremony, the dock was flooded and the new addition to the fleet of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises took to the water for the first time. Now that the Europa 2 has left the drydock, the next construction stage is due to begin – the completion of the interior at the outfitting pier.

251 all-balcony suites, eight restaurants, a modern theatre as well as bars, lounges and public areas will be featured on board the Europa 2. A total of 835 shipyard workers are involved in the construction of the new ship – until the delivery of the latter in the spring of 2013. They will dedicate around 2.5 million hours of labour to the project, and 10,000 tonnes of steel have already been used in the process of building the Europa 2. The ship is expected to be delivered to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises at the end of April 2013 – her 14-day maiden voyage from Hamburg to Lisbon will take place from 11 until 25 May 2013.

The sister ship of the Europa will be positioned in the luxury segment as a lifestyle-oriented, casual alternative. The Europa 2 will offer a maximum of 516 guests more space per passenger than any other cruise liner, for example with 251 all-balcony suites. All the ship suites have a veranda and a minimum size of 28 square metres. Eight restaurants as well as six bars offer culinary diversity, and a large spa and fitness area takes into account the trend towards health and well-being on voyages.

Asia Cruise Association appoints General Manager

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 July 2012 09 July 2012

The Asia Cruise Association (ACA) has appointed Kevin Leong as General Manager of the association from 1 July 2012. ACA Chairman Rama Rebbapragada said, ”This appointment is timely and represents the next phase in the development of the ACA. A lot of good work had been done over the past three years, but with the increased interest in the growth of the industry, there is a lot more that can be accomplished. The General Manager will give even more focus and direction which is needed to continue the good growth in the cruise industry in Asia.”

Kevin was formerly with the Singapore Tourism Board for 36 years, serving in a variety of portfolios that included international marketing, MICE and events marketing. He also spent 8 years with the STB’s New York office and 6 years in their Sydney office. In 2006 while in the Sydney office, he chaired the ASEAN Cruise Working Group to co-ordinate the development of the regional cruise industry for the 10-member countries. It was the beginning of his involvement with the industry leading to his current position with the ACA.

Kevin said, “I look forward to co-ordinating the efforts of the ACA members in two main areas – the training of travel agents as cruise specialists and the promotion of port development to enhance the existing range of cruise itineraries. It will also be important to create greater awareness of cruising among the public and industry stakeholders through industry events, the media and social networks.”

ACA is Asia’s largest cruise association dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise industry in Asia. To join its mission in promoting the commercial and professional development of cruise industry, ACA invites all cruise industry stakeholders to join the Association as members. Its ordinary membership is for firms or corporations that operate cruise lines in the Asia region, and its associate membership is for businesses or corporations such as tourism boards, ground handlers, ship chandlers and suppliers, ship services and repair, port authorities, port agents, and travel agents. Companies that are interested to join ACA can refer to its websitewww.asiacruiseassociation.com for more information.

Pacific Sun on her final cruise under P&O Cruises' banner

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 July 2012 07 July 2012

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun departed Brisbane on July 3 for its final voyage before it leaves the cruise line’s fleet. Pacific Sun has been sailing with P&O Cruises since 2004 and has carried more than half a million passengers on hundreds of holidays over that time.

The 47,000-tonne ship was sold by P&O Cruises earlier this year as part of Carnival Australia’s continuing fleet renewal.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said Pacific Sun had been an enormously popular ship. "Pacific Sun has carried hundreds of thousands of Australians and New Zealanders on great holidays and helped build demand for cruising," Sherry said.

"When Pacific Sun joined our fleet eight years ago, Carnival Australia had two ships based in Australia and now we have seven – so she has certainly played a role in that growth."

Pacific Sun’s final cruise is a Pacific Island 7-night voyage.

Passenger Shipping association names new Chairman

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 July 2012 05 July 2012

Passenger services director for P&O Ferries, Simon Johnson, becomes the nineteenth Chairman of the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) at the organisation's annual general meeting being held today at the Chamber of Shipping in London.

Simon takes on the role at a time when both the ferry and cruise industries are pulling together to face economic and legislative challenges. More than 39 million passengers travelled by ferry to and from UK ports in 2011 and a record 1.7 million British people took a cruise. The UK is the second largest source market for cruise holidays worldwide and figures released in Brussels last week show that the cruise industry alone accounts for 2.28 billion pounds of direct expenditure in the UK and provides employment for more than 63,000 people.

On taking up his position Simon said: "Both the ferry and cruise industries are very important to the UK economy. We work well together to ensure best practice and both sectors have invested heavily in ships and services, but we face major new challenges ahead. Let me give you one example - sulphur regulations coming into force in 2015 will lead to substantial increases in shipping fuel costs - potentially up to 87 per cent for ships operating within Emission Control Areas (ECAs). The ferry industry could see the closure of longer routes and the cruise industry may see itineraries curtailed, affecting revenue and visitors in ports. Together with our partners, I can confirm that the PSA will continue to seek government support in finding measures to alleviate the substantial financial effects for passenger services that are confined to operating within an ECA."

He continued: "The PSA's cruise line members and ferry operators together bring a wealth of experience and knowledge which has enabled the PSA to work successfully on common issues. More new ships are coming on stream and being deployed to the UK over the next year as testament to the confidence we have in demand for travel by sea and river. As the new Chair, I look forward to being actively involved in all areas of the Association and promoting every aspect of passenger shipping.'

Director of the PSA, Bill Gibbons said: "Simon takes over the position from Peter Shanks, MD and President of Cunard Line, whose two year term has now come to an end. I would like to thank Peter for his support and leadership during what have been unprecedented times for Association."

He continued: "As former chair of the Ferry Section, Simon is well versed with the work undertaken by the PSA. He takes on the chair at a key time which also sees the Association playing a pivotal role within the new Passengers Rights legislation. Coming into force in December the PSA shall, following consultation and confirmation become the complaints handling body for any disputes arising out of the legislation. The PSA is also actively engaged with the Government on the performance of its UK Border Agency where delays on entering the country may deter people from travelling."

Christophe Mathieu, Group Strategy and Commercial Director for Brittany Ferries, takes on the role of chair of the PSA's Ferry Section. Former chair of the PSA, President of Cunard Peter Shanks, takes on the role as Vice Chairman.