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Hebridean Island to celebrate 25th anniversary

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 May 2012 08 May 2012

Hebridean Island Cruises, the UK based destinational upscale boutique brand, is celebrating the 25th season of its luxury small cruise ship, Hebridean Princess, by offering guests the chance to sail on one of the original itineraries and save up to 25% off the cost of their cruise, the company said in a statement.

Hebridean Island Cruises has launch the 2013 Cruise Directory for Hebridean Princess and celebrates her 25th season with three original sailings being replicated include; ‘The Islands of the Inner Hebrides’, ‘St Kilda, the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Small Islands’ and ‘The Islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides’ – a replica of the first ever Hebridean Princess cruise which first set sail in May 1989.

In addition, Hebridean Island Cruises is offering a 10% early booking discount on all 2013 bookings made before the 15 June 2012, as well as an additional 5% loyalty discount for past guests. Guests booking two 2013 cruises with Hebridean Island Cruises at the same time will also receive 25% off their second sailing. New for 2013 are four new Footloose walking itineraries – providing walkers the opportunity to get off the beaten track and explore untamed landscapes - as well as partnership cruises with the NADFAS, the National Trust, and the Royal Horticultural Society.

Hebridean Princess was built in 1964 as Clansman, a ferry to operate services in the Firth of Clyde region on Scotland’s west coast. It was extensively rebuilt before being introduced as Hebridean Princess and the 49 passenger vessel continues to receive regular refits each year during a winter lay up, usually in Greenock.

Revitalised Brilliance of the Seas to Harwich in summer 2013

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 May 2012 08 May 2012

Royal Caribbean International says it will offer Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings on three ships in summer 2013 – the largest ever deployment to the UK from the business. The 2,112-guest Brilliance of the Seas will sail from Harwich, joining the already-announced UK-based ships of Adventure of Seas and Independence of the Seas sailing from Southampton. It will replace Jewel of the Seas, another member of the Radiance class quartet.

Brilliance of the Seas joins the UK cruise departure options from Royal Caribbean International following a multi-million dollar revitalisation that will take place during an extensive dry-dock refurbishment programme in May 2013.

Brand new features that will premier for the first time in Harwich at the start of the 2013 season include a large outdoor cinema screen; new speciality restaurants including sushi, steakhouse and Mexican options; new bars including a traditional English pub; flat screen TV’s in all stateroom accommodation; a new nursery for babies and toddlers, plus lots more.

"An exceptionally popular ship with UK holidaymakers, Brilliance of the Seas has previously been based in Europe during the summer, and winter hot-spot Dubai for the colder months. The deployment of Brilliance of the Seas to Harwich will also increase the number of cruises from the port for Royal Caribbean International compared to 2012<' the company said.

From Harwich, Brilliance of the Seas will sail to Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea on 11 and 12-night cruises. Itinerary highlights from the new 2013 season include:

· A 12-night Scandinavia and Russia cruise departing Harwich and calling at Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; Talinn, Estonia; Gothenburg, Sweden; and an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia. Departs 15 May 2013 from £1,146 per person.

· A 11-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland cruise departing Harwich and calling at Bergen and Geiranger, Norway; Lerwick/Shetland, Scotland; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; and an overnight in Reykjavik, Iceland. Departs 27 July 2013 from £1,238 per person.

Princess Cruises SVP of Commercial Affairs Tony Kaufman assumes responsibility for shore operations

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

Princess Cruises Senior Vice President of Commercial Affairs Tony Kaufman has assumed responsibility for the line's worldwide shore operations function. The change brings this area together with Kaufman's other fleet operations responsibilities.

The line's shore operations department includes shore excursion operations, port operations and passenger logistics in the more than 300 ports where Princess ships sail. The department previously was part of the company's corporate services division.

In addition to his new responsibilities for shore operations, Kaufman will continue his current role overseeing commercial transactions as well as onboard revenue, which includes the retail outlets, photography, spa and casino operations and a number of other products and services available on the ships.

Kaufman has worked for Princess since 1993 when he joined the company as assistant general counsel and director of business affairs. He has served as Princess' vice president of legal affairs as well as general counsel of Princess' former parent company, P&O Princess Cruises plc, based in London. In 2003, he returned to Princess Cruises' headquarters in California to take on his current position.

The consolidation of shore operations into the fleet operations department creates natural operational efficiencies and increased alignment to enhance the passenger experience. Kaufman's background in law and supply chain management will allow for continued emphasis on cost management, profit and commercial discipline.

Former President Bush & First Lady sail on the Queen Mary 2

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

The 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush, joined by their daughter, Dorothy, and granddaughter, Georgia, sailed their first Transatlantic Crossing aboard Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 this week. The seven-day voyage originated in Southampton, England, on 27 April and arrived into New York yesterday morning.

Upon embarking in Southampton, they received a White Star welcome in the ship's Commodore Club by Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line; David Dingle, CEO, Carnival UK; Captain Kevin Oprey, master of Queen Mary 2; and John Duffy, the ship's hotel manager. During the greeting, President Bush was heard to say of their Queen Mary 2 voyage, "I've been looking forward to this for weeks!" Barbara Bush agreed, "You've been talking about nothing else for months!"

"We are honored to have welcomed President Bush and his family as guests aboard Queen Mary 2," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "Throughout our history, countless dignitaries have enjoyed the height of leisure and luxury offered aboard Cunard's Transatlantic Crossings, and we are pleased that the President now joins in that legacy."

During the voyage, the President and First Lady enjoyed production shows in the Royal Court Theatre, experienced the world-class Canyon Ranch SpaClub(r) and attended one of Cunard's new Apple iStudy enrichment classes. By night, they could be seen dining with the captain, as well as in the Queens Grill Restaurant, La Piazza and Queen Mary 2's specialty restaurant, Todd English.

"Barbara and I have always wanted to make a Crossing, and it gives us great joy to be able to do so aboard Queen Mary 2 with our family and close friends. We have enjoyed the voyage from its beginning, and our experience has been made even better by the amazing crew and staff. We will always have fond memories of our Transatlantic Crossing," said President Bush.

Cunard's legendary Transatlantic Crossings reflect the pinnacle of adventure and civility in ocean travel. Queen Mary 2 is the only liner offering regularly scheduled Transatlantic service, ranging from seven-day voyages between New York and Southampton, England, to eight- and nine-day Crossings offered to Hamburg, Germany. Travel aboard Queen Mary 2 offers the ultimate luxury cruise vacation, rich in classic British traditions, fine cuisine and stimulating on board enrichment. This year's season includes several new offerings, such as new theatrical productions, jazz music workshops, lecture programmes, dining menus and spa treatments.

Norwegian Cruise Line to introduce new agent partnership programme in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 May 2012 02 May 2012

Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled details of a new agent partnership programme launched in the UK a year after it was first started in in the US, Travel weekly reports in a newsletter.

The initiative will officially launch via webinars on May 9 and 10 and agents will be invited to attend roadshows in London, Manchester and Glasgow to learn more in September and October. Partners First will consolidate all the support the line offers agents from training and fam trips, commissions and other incentives and drive all future strategies.

“Probably the most important part of driving demand for us has been travel agency advocacy, building relationships with travel partners that really makes them become ambassadors," Francis Riley, Norwegian’s president and general manager, was quoted as saying. He added the hope is that agents come to consider the operator as a partner of choice and work more closely with it for mutual benefit, the report said.

Earlier this week, NCL Corporation that is the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America, reported a net profit of $3.3 million for the first quarter of the year, compard to a loss of $7.9 million in the same period last year. Operating income rose 23.8% to $46.4 million and ticket prices rose 24%, the company said.