More News

O3b Networks to provide ultra-fast Internet communications to Oasis of the Seas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 June 2012 23 June 2012

O3b Networks today announced a milestone multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to provide high-speed satellite-delivered broadband service aboard the world's largest cruise ship. By summer 2013, more than 8,000 guests, staff and crew members aboard the cruise industry leader's flagship Oasis of the Seas – under the Royal Caribbean International brand – will be the first to enjoy O3b's enhanced connectivity at sea as if connected to fiber at home or in the office.

A true technology innovator, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is the first to utilize O3b's new maritime offering O3b Maritime, which delivers the reach of satellite and the speed and latency of fiber at a fraction of the cost of conventional providers. O3b is enabling maritime service providers to offer affordable fiber-like capacity across the Caribbean and ocean regions around the world. Providing unparalleled bandwidth, O3b's steerable satellite beams will provide cruise industry passengers ultra-fast Internet communications throughout their voyage.

"Royal Caribbean is committed to delivering the most contemporary vacation to our guests, and that includes pushing ahead for onboard technological advances that offer the modern conveniences that guests enjoy on land," said Adam M. Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "This milestone agreement with O3b Networks enables us to provide our guests with unprecedented Internet service at sea aboard Oasis of the Seas and potentially in the future aboard other ships in our fleet."

"From the moment we met the Royal Caribbean team we were struck by an intense customer focus and a determination to provide an unrivalled cruise experience to their guests on boar," said Steve Collar, Chief Executive Officer, O3b Networks. With O3b Maritime, Oasis of the Seas will experience connection speeds that are an order of magnitude higher and latency that is four times lower than offered in the market today. "At O3b, we believe that affordable, high speed broadband should always be within reach – wherever you are in the world, on land and at sea – and we are delighted to showcase the unrivalled performance of O3b Maritime together with Royal Caribbean."

Destinations, people, local colours key to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ passengers

Details: Category: More News More News; Published: 22 June 2012 22 June 2012

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the Norwegian owned company that is based in Ipswich in the UK, has launched its 2013/14 worldwide cruise brochure. The 244-page colourful publication epitomises the line’s forward strategies and ambition, while company officials also published some performance data that they have not done previously, Alan Lam reports.

During the launch reception, held in the Royal Geographical Society in London, Nathan Philpot, the Sales and Marketing Director, introduced the brochure as “the most lavish ever”.

After carrying out various studies and talking to their customers during the year, the line came to the conclusion that the current cruise focus is on destination. “Not the brand or the ship, our guests want more time in port,” said Nathan Philpot. “They want to meet the people, experience and local colours and see the world. They don’t want cramped public spaces, ports of no interest and unnecessary dress codes.”

The itineraries in the new brochure are based on these findings. Among its myriads of cruise programmes, from mini two-night cruises to its longest-ever 114-night grand world cruise, there are a few new features. Fred. Olsen’s ex-UK cruises will include three new ports of departure - Liverpool, Harwich and Belfast. In total, the ships will depart from nine UK ports. “90% of the UK residents will be no more than 90 minutes away from one of Fred. Olsen ships,” stated Nathan Philpot. The company’s focus on the UK is relentless. There will be 98 ex-UK cruises for the 2013/14 season.

As a part of its more destination-orientated approach, Fred. Olsen has introduced a whole host of maiden ports, including Osaka, Vaasa, Townsville (Australia), Melilla, and Yangan (Burma). “Our ships are smaller and they can go further. We can go directly into the hearts of Ho Chi Minh City and Manaus, for example.”

The itineraries include a new fly-cruise to Tenerife, the traditional destination of Fred. Olsen. This cruise has proven to be extremely popular and is selling very well, according to Nathan Philpot. Other popular choices include - perhaps not surprisingly - the around the UK cruises, the Amazon, Arctic and White Sea, Northern light, and world cruises.

Perhaps the most radical of all is that the line will go “all-inclusive” as from 2013. The new slogan is “The drinks are on us!”

Special efforts are made to promote its 114-night world cruise that include South America and Australasia, and the 104-night world cruise that includes Burma and Japan. A good deal of emphasis has been placed upon far away destinations.

Performance

Fred. Olsen’s booking pattern echoes the general trend of the sector – it is getting later and slower.

So far this year:

Guests -5%

Revenue -3.5%

Yield +2%

On booking pattern:

25% booking inside 6 weeks

75% booking inside 3 months

Over 50% customers are repeaters

Xiamen said to plan newbuilding, tonnage acquisitions

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 June 2012 21 June 2012

Xiamen International Cruise Company in China is reported to plan a newbuilding that would be built at a domestic yard plus seek to acquire second hand tonnage, media reports in China say.

According to a report in Xiamen Daily report, the planned newbuilding would be of about 100,000 gross tons, and it would provide comfortable accommodations to over 2000 passengers on international trips. Meanwhile, Xiamen is speeding up the preparatory works for transforming Dongdu Port into an international cruise homeport and building a Southeast International Shipping Center.

Shan-Hai-Shu Group and Xiamen International Cruise Copmpany recently launched the 2012 cruise season using Legend of the Seas chartered from Royal Caribbean International. Xiamen is also reported to look at the acquisition of second hand tonnage, with Hapag-Lloyd’s 1999 built Europa as one candidate.

The debut of American Queen's 2013 voyages

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

The Great American Steamboat Company has announced the 2013 schedule for the reigning queen of the Mississippi river, the grand American Queen. These fabled river voyages on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers for the 2013 season will go on sale Friday, June 22, 2012. Once again, travelers will enjoy this truly American experience, celebrated by Mark Twain and others, of steamboat voyages on the great rivers of the America's heartland. With convenient departures from some of the United States' most storied cities such as Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis, St. Paul, Cincinnati, Chattanooga, and Pittsburgh, planning a steamboat vacation on the American Queen has never been easier.

2013 Voyage Highlights

- A total of 30 departures from Memphis and New Orleans, showcasing the fabled Lower Mississippi's fabled plantations, civil war battlefields, history and Southern culture
- Five special departures featuring Natchez's Spring Pilgrimage Pageant
- "Blue Hawaii", an Elvis Tribute
- New themes - Blues & Barbeque, Louisiana History & Culture, Mystical Krewe of Steamboating Mardi GrasSM, Dixie Fest, Southern Spirits, Gardens of the River, In the Good Old SummertimeSM, Baseball Legends, Manifest Destiny, The Great Steamboat Era and the first annual Delta Queen Steamboat Company and Paddlewheel Steamboat Society Of America(tm) Reunion voyages
- Epic Civil War voyage between Memphis and Chattanooga
- More accommodations for single travelers including new Single Outside Staterooms
- Red, White and Blue Pricing - offering greater value for travelers
- The most inclusive river cruise product in North America - every steamboat holiday includes a free one night deluxe hotel stay in the city of embarkation, all shore tours on our trademark SteamcoahesSM in all ports, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and a host of other amenities
- Fares start at an amazingly affordable $1,095 per guest

Befitting a company that celebrates the American experience, the American Queen employs an affable, all-American crew that is eager to please. Few things are nicer than mint juleps on deck on a glorious summer afternoon on the Ohio River or morning coffee in the grand J.M. White Dining Room as you steam into St. Paul. With a homeport of Memphis, the American Queen carries with her the same devotion to exceptional dining and entertainment, including Dixieland Jazz and gracious southern charm and hospitality. Inspired by the greatest steamboats of the 19th Century, the American Queen offers an opulent two-level Grand Saloon, an elegant two-deck high Dining Room, staterooms and suites appointed with period furnishings and antique touches, many with their own private veranda and all with the modern amenities today's travelers expect. Most notably, the American Queen carries only 436 guests, surrounding them in an atmosphere befitting a fine antebellum mansion complete with rich paneling, priceless antiques, Tiffany glass and public rooms that are warm and welcoming.

As a tribute to this historic steamboat and following in the footsteps of its fabled predecessor, the company is being renamed in honor of its iconic flagship. Effective July 1, the company will be renamed the American Queen Steamboat Company.

"Just as the Greene family renamed their operation to honor the historic Delta Queen, we are embracing the legacy of the American Queen and renaming the Company in honor of her. Because of her iconic status, she has quickly become the brand in the eyes of our guests and travel agent partners," stated Jeffrey D. Krida, the company's chief executive officer.

A variety of voyage lengths, ranging from four nights to twelve nights, and fares beginning at $1,095 per guest, offers exceptional value and convenience, with little or no flying required.

InnerSea Discoveries adds an expedition vessel to Hawaii in 2013

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

InnerSea Discoveries’ 76-guest expedition vessel Wilderness Explorer begins active adventure cruising among the Hawaiian Islands in fall 2013. The boat joins the line’s 36-guest upscale yacht Safari Explorer offering island explorations from the sea.

From November 2013 through April 2014, the Wilderness Explorer will sail seven-night AdventureBound Hawaii cruises between Oahu and the Big Island and reverse. The itinerary visits Ka’ena Point State Park, Wai’anae Harbor, Maui, Lana’i, Honomalino Bay, Opihihali and Kailua-Kona. Guests will also enjoy scenic cruising and searching for whales and dolphins in the wildlife-rich Humpback National Marine Sanctuary.

“We are sending the Wilderness Explorer to Hawaii to add another option for travelers seeking an active island adventure at a moderate price.” said Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “It’s a tremendous value when you add in all the included activities and the ability to explore multiple scenic islands.”

Highlights of the new itinerary include snorkeling at Molokini’s undersea volcanic crater, a night snorkel with Giant Pacific Manta Rays, watching whales and dolphins and guided hikes exploring scenic areas on all four islands. Expert naturalists provide interpretation on guided excursions ashore and at sea.

The Wilderness Explorer has a swim platform for easy access to water sports equipment and entry into the water. A specially built kayak launch platform comfortably launches four kayaks at once. Guests enjoy included water sports activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding, skiff explorations and swimming. Guests may also take a spin on the innovative human-powered watercraft powered by two peddlers and up to six paddlers.

On board, innovative meals are served buffet style to accommodate a flexible schedule of adventure activities. A wellness program includes a sauna, fitness equipment, complimentary yoga on deck and massages for a fee. Cabins feature a flatscreen TV/DVD player, iPod dock and eco-friendly bath amenities. In the lounge, guests will find a selection of games and a library of books and DVDs.

For luxury adventures in the Hawaiian Islands, the line’s 36-guest Safari Explorer sails seven-night cruises between Hawaii, the Big Island and Lana’i with two days of activities on Moloka’i. Guests making a new reservation on the yacht by September 30, 2012 receive a $500 travel credit per couple for cruises November 2012-April 2013.

Cruise fares on the Wilderness Explorer start at $2,495 based on double occupancy.