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Costa says Easter cruise bookings exceed year-on level

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 April 2012 04 April 2012

Costa Crociere, which is part of Carnival Corp & plc group, says that bookings over the last two weeks for its Easter cruises in 2012 have exceeded figures recorded over the same period for its Easter cruises in 2011, demonstrating that cruising remains one of the most popular types of holiday this Easter.

Costa Cruises has five ships operating in the Mediterranean this Easter offering a variety of itineraries. Costa neoRomantica departed on a nine-day Western Mediterranean cruise on 31 March to Savona, Marseilles, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cagliari, Malta, Catania and Naples, while Costa Mediterranea departs today, 4 April, on an 11-day cruise to Greece, Israel and Turkey, a route also operated by Costa Pacifica, leaving on 8 April. On 6 April, Costa Deliziosa sets sail on a five-day mini-cruise to Savona, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Ajaccio, while Costa Serena embarks on a one-week Western Mediterranean itinerary on 8 April visiting Savona, Civitavecchia, Palermo, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Marseilles.

Among the most popular new cruises in the Mediterranean this season are the mini-cruises of Costa Luminosa, Costa Atlantica and Costa Deliziosa, introduced for spring 2012 and especially suited to first time cruisers and people with a limited time frame who want to make the most of their holiday.

For those wishing to venture further afield to more exotic destinations this Easter, there are also one week cruises to the Caribbean on Costa Atlantica and Costa Luminosa, one week cruises to the United Arab Emirates and Oman departing from Dubai on the flagship Costa Favolosa, and two weeks on Costa Classica to Malaysia and Thailand, departing from Singapore.

Thomson Dream and Thomson Celebration due for multi million pound refurbishment

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 April 2012 04 April 2012

Thomson Cruises, which is part of TUI Travel plc, plans to spend millions of pounds to refurbish two its best performing ships, Thomson Dream and Thomson Celebration, Travel weekly reports in an email newsletter.

The news comes only a few weeks after the company said it would replace the 1982 built Thomson destiny with Louis Majesty, eight years younger and slightly larger at 40,186 gross tons, whicvh would be renamed Thomson Majesty this summer.

The 53,876 gross ton Thomson Dream was built in 1986 as Homeric for the now defunct Home Lines and traded as Westerdam for Holland America Line (not to be confused with present ship of the same name) and Costa Eueopa before joining the Thomson fleet in 2010. The 33,930 gross ton Thomson Celebration started life as Noordam of Holland America Line in 1984 and it has served with Thomson since 2005.

Thai and French restaurants will be introduced on board both ships, while public areas and cabins would also be upgraded. Spa facilities will also upgraded and both ships will feature spa cabins after their respective refits. Thomson Dream will re-enter service for its Winter 2012-13 Caribbean programme and Thomson Celebration for a series of cruises in the Mediterranean from Marmaris in Turkey in 2013, the report said.

Saga Sapphire arrives at Southampton for first time

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 March 2012 31 March 2012

Saga Sapphire, the 37,300 gross ton addition to the Saga Cruises' fleet, has arrived at Southampton in the UK for the first time after a four month long refurbishment at Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo in Italy.

The 1981 built vessel that started life as Europa of Hapag-Lloyd and last traded as Bleu de France for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd's Crioisieres de France brand, received additional balcony cabins and underwent complete renovation of its public areas and cabins.

It will join the 1973 built Saga Ruby of 24,292 gross tons on cruises that embrace most parts of the world over a year, with most of those in the summer and autumn sailing from Southampton or Dover. In addition, the Saga group operates a second brand, Spirit of Adventure, whose 1981 built 18,835 gross ton Quest for Adventure operates mainly fly cruises.

The Saga Group, which is headquartered in Folkestone in Kent, sells its products to customers over the age of 50 only and its portfolio includes a wide range of products, from holidays to financial services .

Hebridean Island Cruises encourages passengers to contribute towards marine conservation

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 March 2012 31 March 2012

In its 25^th Anniversary year of cruises on the Hebridean Princess, Hebridean Island Cruises will be the first UK cruise company to provide their guests with the opportunity to make a significant contribution towards

marine conservation, the company said in a statement.

A recommended donation of £20 for each booking will be requested as the booking is made (guests can donate more, if they prefer). Guests will not be under any obligation to make the donation, but all the donations made in this way will be collected by Hebridean Island Cruises, which is part of the All Leisure group, and handed to Sea-Changers a new marine conservation charity specifically set up to establish partnerships of this kind.

All of the money raised by Hebridean Island Cruises’ customers will be passed on to relevant marine conservation charities and projects, with no administration costs subtracted. Sea-Changers will distribute the

money to a range of projects, within one of the following areas:

· Marine Reserves/Protected Marine Areas

· Direct Marine Clean Up Action

· Education, Campaigning and Awareness Raising

· Species Protection and Research

Ken Charleson, Sales and Marketing Director of Hebridean Island Cruises said: “The preservation of Hebridean Princess’ cruising environment and the marine life which it supports is of great importance to the company. We’re delighted to have formed this partnership in order to give our customers the opportunity to give something back to environment they enjoy aboard the Hebridean Princess.”

Helen Webb, Co-Founder of Sea-Changers said: “It’s great to be working with Hebridean and their customers to raise much needed funds. Our vision is to create a world where seas and shores are clean and healthy, marine species are protected and where, far from damaging the oceans, those who use the sea for travel or their leisure pursuits, positively contribute to the sustainability of the marine environment. Hebridean and their

customers will be helping us to make that vision a reality.”

MSC Cruises unveils maiden itineraries in the Red Sea

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 March 2012 30 March 2012

On the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Straits of Tiran, the sheltered waters are crystal clear, inviting visitors to dive straight in from the golden dunes of its pristine, sandy beaches.

This is why MSC Cruises has created a unique opportunity for guests to experience the very best of this rich, historical region, introducing the Red Sea as a new destination for the 2012-2013 winter season.

On 2 November 2012 MSC Armonia will depart from Venice, Italy for an 8-night cruise, arriving at her new homeport in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt just over one week later. MSC Armonia’s course will take her from the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez transit canal to the Red Sea, with scheduled stops in Ancona, Italy, Heraklion, Greece, and Marmaris, Turkey arriving in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on 10 November 2012.

From 10 November 2012 through to 6 April 2013, MSC Armonia has a full schedule of 21 7- night cruises, departing every Saturday from Sharm El Sheikh, with scheduled stops in Safaga, Egypt, Elat, Israel, Aqaba, Jordan and Sokhna Port, Egypt.

Guests will even have the opportunity to combine the positioning cruises to and from Sharm El Sheikh with the first and last cruises of the Red Sea season for the perfect mix of days at sea and calls at port in this stunning region. The Red Sea will say farewell to MSC Armonia on 6 April 2013, when she starts her 9-night return cruise from Sharm El Sheikh to Venice in Italy Scheduled stops are Sokhna Port, Egypt, Limassol, Cyprus, Antalya, Turkey, Rhodes, Greece, Heraklion, Greece and Kotor, Montenegro.

During the Red Sea experience, guests on board MSC Armonia can enjoy the region's most fascinating attractions and discover not only the breathtaking beauty but also the rich history and culture of the region, with itineraries offering the perfect balance of relaxation, historical discovery and adventure through a diverse choice of shore excursions.

The MSC Armonia features 777 cabins, a sophisticated and elegant decor, superb attention to detail in all areas, the finest Mediterranean and international cuisine and a dazzling selection of entertainment. The luxury cruise ship boasts 4 restaurants, bars and lounges, the MSC Aurea Spa, a mini golf course, numerous boutiques, a casino, a theatre, a nightclub, and a children’s club.