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Thomson Cruises to introduce Thomson Majesty as replacement of Thomson Destiny

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

Thomson Cruises, which is part of the London based TUI Travel PLC group, is replacing one of the four ships in its fleet this summer as part of the line’s modernisation plans, Travel Weekly reports in a newsletter.

The 1990 built 41,000 gross ton Thomson Majesty is coming in this summer in place of the 1982 built Thomson Destiny, which is of 38,000 gross tons. Thomson Majesty will operate four itineraries originally scheduled for Thomson Destiny from May 4 calling at ports such as Corfu Town, Venice, Santorini, Dubrovnik and Split in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as Atlantic islands sailings to Santa Cruz, Funchal, Las Palmas and Agadir in Morocco.

Managing director Fraser Ellacott said a “significant” number of passengers who had booked Thomson Destiny were being contacted about the switch of ships. But he said Thomson Majesty, which offers 12 additional berths, had a range of facilities which would appeal to those transferring vessels including more modern cabins, an a la carte restaurant and a couples’ massage room, the report said.

Thomson Majesty was ordered by Birka Cruises, a Finnish company, for short cruise service in the Baltic from Stockholm. However, the shipyard that was building the vessel went bankrupt and Birka did not accept the higher price the restructured shipbuilder wanted for the vessel. Instead, it was sold to Majesty Cruise Line and operated in the Caribbean as Royal Majesty. The ship was later sold to Norwegian Cruise Line who renamed it Norwegian Majesty and lengthened the ship sop that its gross tonnage increased by about 8,000. It let the Norwegian fleet a few years ago as part of their fleet renewal programme and was bought by Louis Cruise Lines, the Cypriot company, which has chartered it to Thomson Cruises..

Azamara Club Cruises extends UK promotion

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

Azamara Club Cruises says they are extending their “Sell Three and Sail Free” offer which provides agents with a free sailing for every three new bookings they confirm on selected cruise itineraries to the end of March.

The cruise line is also providing agents with the added incentive of offering free flights on selected cruise bookings to a host of European ports of call. Plus, as well as selected free European flights, agents will have the additional bonus of offering guests complimentary extras such as one night pre-cruise hotel accommodation and luxurious balcony stateroom upgrades.

The stateroom upgrades are available on a host of itineraries on both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest during 2012. Agents need to act now to make the most of the incentive offer which ends on 31 March 2012.

Sonia Limbrick, business development manager, Azamara Club Cruises, explained: With warm weather on its way and savvy travellers planning their summer holidays, we’re working hard to ensure both agents and consumers choose Azamara Club Cruises. The most luxurious ships at sea are supported by unbeatable value offers and incentives – it has never been easier or more rewarding to sell Azamara Club Cruises.”

The promotional campaign applies to selected sailings including:

10-night Adriatic fly/cruise aboard Azamara Quest from £2,642.00pp. Cruise departs Venice with ports of call including Kotor, Brindisi , Corfu and Capri . Departs August 2012 and price includes a balcony stateroom upgrade.

10-night Western Mediterranean fly/cruise onboard Azamara Quest from £2,032.00pp with cruise departing Barcelona . Ports of calls include Palma de Mallorca, Bonifacio, Rome ( Civitavecchia ) and Nice. Departs October 2012 and price includes a balcony stateroom upgrade.

12-night Jazz in the Fjords fly/cruise aboard Azamara Journey from £2,614.00pp with cruise departing Copenhagen and calling at destinations including Skagen, Denmark, Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Amsterdam. Departs July 2012 and price includes a free balcony stateroom upgrade.

All offers apply to selected sailings and selected departure points. All bookings must be made during the qualifying period (6 – 31 March 2012 inclusive)

Changes in STX Finland management

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

STX Finland reinforces its management in order to achieve its strategic and financial targets. The changes will promote achievement of the financial targets and establish solid foundations for the development of business operations in the coming years.

In the challenging market situation, the primary target set for STX Finland is profitable operation. In 2011 this target was achieved, and now the focus is strongly on how similar development could also be secured over the years to come.

By consolidating sales and marketing into a corporate level activity, STX Finland strengthen and increase the efficiency of its strategic targets which main focuses are diversification, differentiation and customer relationship management.

Appointments and special areas of responsibility:

Mr Timo Suistio has been appointed EVP, CMO of STX Finland. He is tasked with enhancing the functioning capacity of sales and marketing and boosting the order book of the shipyards to ensure long-term operation of the company.

Mr Jari Anttila has been appointed EVP, COO of STX Finland. He is tasked with ensuring cost-efficient implementation of company projects, exploiting the resources of both Turku and Rauma shipyards. Mr Anttila will also continue as Director of the Turku Shipyard.

Mr Suistio and Mr Anttila will report in their duties to President and Chairman of STX Finland Oy, Mr Su-Jou Kim.

Mr Toivo Ilvonen has been appointed Director of the Rauma Shipyard.

Mr Tapani Pulli has been appointed Deputy Director of the Turku Shipyard. He will also continue as Vice President, Strategic Planning.

Mr Ilvonen and Mr Pulli will report in their duties to EVP, COO Mr Jari Anttila.

The changes are effective from 1 March 2012.

MSC Cruises to increase capacity in South Africa in 2012-13

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 March 2012 05 March 2012

MSC Cruises, the world's fourth largest cruise shipping group, will increase capacity in South Africa in the winter of 2012-13 by sending the 58,000 gross ton MSC Sinfonia to the region to join its sister ship MSC Opera. The newcomer will replace the 35,000 gross ton MSC Melody that was built in 1982 and is the oldest and smallest vessel in the fleet of MSC Cruises. New ports of call will include Harmanus in South Africa, Anakao in Madagascar and Luderitz in Namibia, MSC Cruises said in a statement. The company did not say anything about the deployment of MSC Melody.

Totally restyled Costa neoRomantica departs Savona on first cruise

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

Costa Cruises' totally restyled Costa neoRomantica departed Savona, Italy, on March 2 with 1,600 guests on board, following a private naming ceremony.

On the occasion of Costa neoRomanticas inaugural sailing from Savona, Costa Crociere top management attended a private blessing ceremony conducted by His Excellency Vittorio Lupi, Bishop of Savona.

At the beginning of the blessing ceremony, one minute of silence was observed in respect and mourning for the victims of Costa Concordia.

Following long-standing maritime tradition, a bottle of champagne was broken across the ships hull. Serving as Costa neoRomantica's godmothers were Francesca Scuffi, a member of the Costa Club for repeat guests, and Gabriella Gentile, a member of Costa Concordia's crew. She was chosen as a symbol of the gratitude the company expresses toward Costa Concordia's crew.

Costa neoRomantica was virtually a new ship when it left San Giorgio del Porto shipyard in Genoa. The five-month restyling represents an investment by Costa Cruises of approximately US$120 million (90 million euros), one of the most expensive and extensive cruise ship refit projects ever undertaken in the industry.

Costa neoRomantica's interior design has a contemporary, elegant and refined style created by Swedish architectural firm Tillberg Design and Syntax, the London firm specializing in prestigious hotels and spa.

Costa neoRomantica departed on an 11-night round-trip Canary Islands cruise calling at Barcelona, Spain; Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco; Arrecife and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal (Madeira), Portugal and Malaga, Spain.