More News

American Cruise Lines building third new riverboat

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 March 2012 13 March 2012

American Cruise Lines, the leader in small ship cruising, has announced that it will be building another brand new riverboat due to the high demand for its U.S. river cruises. A contract has been signed and construction has already begun. The new riverboat will be slightly larger but similar in many respects to the 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi, which is nearing completion at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.

"We recognize a considerable strength in river cruising and have observed an increased interest in our U.S. river cruises over the last several years," said Charles A. Robertson, CEO of American Cruise Lines. "We look forward to introducing yet another new authentic paddlewheel riverboat to meet this demand."

Robertson attributes the success of the company's river cruise business to its "newer, low-density vessels, each built to meet the highest industry standards in comfort, safety and technology."

American Cruise Lines' third new riverboat will feature a similar capacity to that of the Queen of the Mississippi and will also boast the most spacious staterooms in the industry, entirely private balconies - all with sliding glass doors, a center atrium with a grand staircase, various lounges and numerous amenities including:

* Fully-functioning authentic paddlewheel
* 300+ square foot staterooms
* Private balconies with sliding glass doors
* Various unique lounges, libraries, and cafés
* Fine hotel-style bathrooms
* Room Service
* Wi-Fi in all staterooms
* Satellite TV and DVD player in all staterooms
* Single sitting, open seating dining
* Complimentary cocktail hour

As of yet, no decision has been made as to where the new riverboat will operate other than on U.S. rivers. Additional details and information will be announced in the coming months.

American Cruise Lines offers more than 35 unique itineraries on inland waterways and rivers across the United States. Over the last several years, American Cruise Lines has continued to add new itineraries and ships to accommodate demand. Its newest river itineraries are offered on two authentic paddlewheelers - the 120-passenger Queen of the West operating on the Columbia and Snake Rivers of the Pacific Northwest, and Queen of the Mississippi, American Cruise Lines' brand new authentic paddlewheeler. With a capacity of 150 guests and offering numerous never-before-available amenities, the authentic paddlewheeler is set to debut on the Mississippi River this coming August and is the first new riverboat built for the Mississippi River in nearly 20 years.

Iain Baillie appointed head of sales Carnival Cruise Lines - UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 March 2012 12 March 2012

Iain Baillie, with more than 15 years experience in the cruise and travel industries, has been named head of sales at Carnival Cruise Lines – UK last month. Baillie has joined Carnival on 1 March 2012 and is based at the company’s London offices. He reports to Adolfo Perez, managing director for Carnival Cruise Lines - UK.

In his role as head of sales, Baillie is responsible for overseeing the company’s sales, distribution, and trade engagement strategies in the UK and Ireland. Baillie began his travel career with Inspirations plc and then transitioned into trade-facing sales roles at Unijet, First Choice, and various organizations within the cruise industry

In 2002 Baillie joined Complete Cruise Solution, the UK sales function for P&O, Cunard, and Princess Cruises and served as senior sales manager for the east region. In this capacity, he managed relationships with a wide range of travel agent partners across various business models, working closely with them to increase the company’s cruise sales through strategic marketing initiatives.

“We are delighted to have Iain join the team as he is so passionate about the cruise industry and has developed outstanding relationships within the travel agent community,” said Perez . “His proven track record of success and leadership skills will help achieve our goal of building greater awareness and demand for the Carnival Cruise Lines brand in the UK and Ireland,” he added.

Louis Cruises to rename Thomson Destiny as Louis Olympia

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 March 2012 06 March 2012

Louis Cruises has announced the deployment of its cruise ship Thomson Destiny in its own brand operations as of this coming season. Thomson Destiny will replace the Louis Majesty - which has been chartered to Thomson Cruises as it is better suited for their 7 and 14-night cruises - in the 3- and 4-night cruises operation out of Piraeus and Kusadasi as of May 11th 2012.

Refurbished this year, the new addition to the own brand operations is ideal for 3 and 4-night cruises to the Greek islands and Turkey. Featuring 9 passenger decks and 7 elevators, she can accommodate 1664 passengers in 725 comfortable and welcoming staterooms, 419 of which with window views and 21 suites, 9 of which with balconies, an upgraded option for the Louis Cruises passengers sailing on 3 and 4-night cruises. With 3 eating outlets to choose from, passengers can enjoy the sumptuous Greek and Mediterranean cuisine on board as well as 24-hour room service. A large show lounge, various other lounges, the casino Royale, the spacious decks - ideal also for parties by the 2 large swimming pools - and the 5 bars on board provide a complete entertainment at sea. A fully equipped gym, badminton, basketball and table tennis are available along with the Ocean's Spa for treatments and saunas. The Kid's Club, duty free shops, library and Internet corner complete the experience offered on board.

The deployment of this cruise ship in the Louis Cruises own brand operations marks the launching of the company's enhanced identity as a Greek island and Turkey specialist niche operator with a genuine Hellenic and East Med experience on board. It is for this reason that Thomson Destiny will be renamed Louis Olympia. Named after the ancient sanctuary and archeological site of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, the Louis Olympia will provide her passengers with a truly Hellenic experience, fitting with Greece's vast history and culture which shaped today's civilization and democracy around the globe.

Commenting on the addition of Louis Olympia to the own brand operations, Kerry Anastassiadis, CEO of Louis Cruises stated: "The deployment of 'Louis Olympia' in our ex Piraeus and Kusadasi itineraries marks a new era for us at Louis Cruises since it further enhances our profile as the Aegean and East Med specialists. With a name representing the eternal values of Olympia and fitting with our Hellenic identity and local expertise in the region, the 'Louis Olympia' coupled with our 'Louis Cristal' that operates 7-night cruises out of Piraeus and Istanbul, will now both offer our passengers a complete experience of the region's history, culture, tastes, music and 'filoxenia', the Greek word our warm hearted hospitality is based on, while they sail to unique destinations. From the moment a passenger boards one of our cruise ships till the time of his disembarkation, a Louis Cruises sailing offers a genuine experience of Greece and Turkey. After all, we at Louis Cruises don't just sail in Eastern Mediterranean but in essence we invite our passengers for an authentic experience in our 'home' waters."

Keel-laying of Vking Line cruise ferry at STX Turku Shipyard

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 March 2012 06 March 2012

The keel-laying of newbuilding 1376, an environmentally friendly new generation cruise ferry to be built for Viking Line ABP was performed at STX Turku Shipyard on Tuesday 6 March 2012. The keel-laying ceremony followed old traditions and was witnessed by representatives of Viking Line, STX Finland and the classification society Lloyd's Register, invited guests and members of the press.

When completed the cruise ferry Viking Grace will be the most environmentally friendly large cruise ferry ever. It is fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), emissions into the sea have been totally eliminated, and emissions into the air are remarkably lower than those of any other ships. The 218-metre long cruise ferry is scheduled for delivery at the beginning of 2013. For the Turku Shiyard it brings approximately 2,600 man-years of labour.

"The project has advanced according to plan and we are pleased to be able to celebrate the keel-laying of the cruise ferry at the STX Turku Shipyard" says Jari Anttila, Director of STX Turku Shipyard. "The ship has already attracted a lot of interest both nationally and internatinonally due to her new and innovative technical solutions. This is positive for STX Finland and the Finnish shipbuilding in general," continues Anttila.

P&O Cruises in free cabin upgrade offer in March for 67 cruises from June to December

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 March 2012 06 March 2012

P&O Cruises is offering free cabin upgrades in March on a selection of 67 cruise holidays on all seven ships in the fleet, departing between June and December 2012, the company said in a statement.

"The Ultimate Upgrade promotion is valid on bookings made throughout March, and entitles customers to a higher grade cabin at a lower grade price. All cruises in the promotion depart from Southampton and are between two and 35 nights in duration, to a choice of destinations such as the Mediterranean, Baltic, Canary Islands, Caribbean, USA and Canada, Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, and Around Britain," the company said.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “Customers booking in March will receive a fantastic value cruise holiday, offering the kind of cabin that may normally not be affordable for an even better cruise experience. This summer or autumn you could be enjoying a stunning view of the fjords from your balcony or toasting the Caribbean sunset from a suite; all for less than expected, thus highlighting the unbeatable value for money offered by a cruise holiday."