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Ponant's next newbuilding will be Le Soléal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2012 20 April 2012

With the same elegant contours as her two sister ships, Le Boréal (2010) and LAustral (2011), Le Soléal is set to become further embodiment of Compagnie du Ponants Yacht cruises concept.

Boasting five-star accommodation in the 132 staterooms and suites with a sophisticated design, Le Soléal offers the same level of comfort as a private yacht. Plus, this human-size vessel is permitted access to the most outstanding sites around the globe, where larger ships cant even get close.

By naming its new ship Le Soléal, Compagnie du Ponant not only makes the connection with its two other ships, LAustral and Le Boréal, obvious, but also aims to emphasise the soft expedition aspect of their itineraries. Etymologically, Le Soléal is a combination of two of the companys most powerful symbols le soleil (French for sun) and the one who leads the way.

For her inaugural season starting in July 2013, Le Soléal will be taking passengers to a new, rarely visited and exclusive, destination: the Arctic. From the legendary North West Passage (which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans) to the Bering Strait, from ice floe to tundra, these unusual itineraries will offer passengers the chance to discover hidden gems way beyond the Arctic Circle. Le Soléals 264 passengers will be able to follow in the footsteps of the great explorers, discover Inuit villages and watch extraordinary wildlife, including polar bears, brown bears, wolves, puffins, walrus and even belugas.

Excursions in zodiacs, hiking excursions and helicopter tours will also be on offer for the most adventurous guests.

Stable and quiet, Le Soléal is designed to navigate safely in the most extreme regions. The ship was awarded a CLEANSHIP certificate.

Designed by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, the contemporary interiors are inspired by the world of yachting. Nautical codes have been subtly revisited and applied to re-create the atmosphere of chic seaside resorts, with clean lines and combining the soothing colours of driftwood, and shades of grey and white.

Restaurants, lounges, a library, theatre and spa also offer passengers a whole range of five-star facilities and commodities.

A well thought design, excellent service and gourmet cuisine enhanced by state-of-the-art equipment and comfort reflects perfectly the philosophy of Compagnie du Ponant a slow cruise combining intimacy, authenticity and elegance, as only the French know how.

Dinkins named Vice President Corporate Human Resources for Carnival Cruise Lines

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2012 20 April 2012

Tony D. Dinkins, a highly accomplished human resources professional with more than two decades of experience, has been named vice president of corporate human resources for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator.

Dinkins will be responsible for overseeing the company's shoreside talent management process including all hiring, evaluation, performance-driven compensation, and rewards and benefits strategies, as well as corporate training, for personnel at the company's offices in Miami and Miramar, Fla., and Colorado Springs, Colo. Dinkins joins the company effective May 7, and will report to Carnival Cruise Lines' Chief Financial Officer Anne Bramman.

Prior to joining Carnival, Dinkins served as vice president of human resources consulting and services at Citrix Systems, Inc., a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based software company. In 2011 he was a recipient of the South Florida Business Journal Human Resources Excellence Award. Prior to joining Citrix, Dinkins held a number of senior level positions for major technology companies such as Avaya Inc., Lucent Technologies and AT&T Global Information Solutions.

"Carnival's continued growth requires a strong HR executive such as Tony to oversee our wide-ranging talent management, employee relations and human resource strategies," said Bramman. "Tony's extensive background, high level experience and proven track record of success makes him the ideal candidate for this position," she added.

Dinkins earned his MBA from Columbia University in New York, N.Y. and graduated with a bachelor of science in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

Finnish businessman reported to buy Louis Cristal

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2012 20 April 2012

A Finnish businessman is reported to be close to sign a deal with Louis Cruises, the Cyprus based cruise shipping company in the Louis Group, to buy the 26,000 gross ton cruise liner Louis Cristal.

Johnny Sid, the Turku based entrepreneur, plans to operate the ship on short cruises from Turku to Tallinn, Riga Bornholm and Visby under the Finnish flag, Finnish media reports say. The cruises should start already in the coming summer.

The ship was built as a cruise ferry in 1980 and five years later it was refitted to operate short cruises from Helsinki. A major fire at a Swedish shipyard in 1990 resulted in the ship being totally rebuilt. However, four years later it ran aground and was severely damaged.

Again repaired, it was used on charter by Norwegian Cruise Line and Star Cruises before return to the Baltic as Silja Opera in 2003. Problems at Silja Line’s owner Sea Containers put the vessel out of business as Louis acquired it as replacement of Sea Diamond that sank after grounding in 2007.

Princess statement on Star Princess not assisting a disabled fishing boat

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2012 20 April 2012

"Princess Cruises deeply regrets that two Panamanian men perished at sea after their boat became disabled in early March. Since we became aware of this incident, we have been investigating circumstances surrounding the claim that Star Princess failed to come to the aid of the disabled boat, after a crew member was alerted by passengers.

The preliminary results of our investigation have shown that there appeared to be a breakdown in communication in relaying the passenger's concern. Neither Captain Edward Perrin nor the officer of the watch were notified. Understandably, Captain Perrin is devastated that he is being accused of knowingly turning his back on people in distress. Had the Captain received this information, he would have had the opportunity to respond.

We all understand that it is our responsibility and also the law of the sea to provide assistance to any vessel in distress, and it is not an uncommon occurrence for our ships to be involved in a rescue at sea. In fact, we have done so more than 30 times in the last ten years.

We deeply regret this incident and are continuing our investigation to fully understand the circumstances."

New proposals to address crimes at sea

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 April 2012 19 April 2012

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced that the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to the proposal of the United Kingdom, CLIA, and the Philippines to develop guidelines to address concerns related to alleged serious crimes and persons missing at sea. All 24 delegations that spoke at the IMO meeting on April 18 expressed their appreciation for the proposal and supported it without exception.

Building upon an earlier proposal from CLIA, the United Kingdom led a coalition of government and industry stakeholders in support of the proposal.

CLIA President and CEO, Christine Duffy, said "CLIA greatly appreciates the extensive leadership and commitment of Minister Penning, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines in advancing this important proposal to governments."

Key elements of the proposal include: preservation of evidence; medical and pastoral care for victims; effective and timely reporting to governments; and cooperation between governments with regard to investigations.

The technical work necessary to complete the guidelines will begin immediately and will be led by the United Kingdom working with other Member States of the IMO to ensure that the development of guidelines are proportionate for different ship types and without excessive burden to the Master and crew A crucial element will be consultation and input from CLIA and other organizations with specialized expertise and consultative status within the IMO.