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Royal Caribbean offers 10,000 free flights in UK promotion

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2012 01 February 2012

The peak ‘wave’ booking period is about to receive a major boost as Royal Caribbean International launches a new campaign offering 10,000 free flights on selected cruise bookings from now until 29 February 2012. In addition to selected free European flights, agents will also have the added option of offering extras such as free car parking or coach transfer on all UK departures.

Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, head of trade sales, Royal Caribbean International, explains:“With the peak wave booking period now firmly upon us we’re working hard to ensure both agents and consumers choose Royal Caribbean International. While 10,000 free flights may seem like a lot, they won’t be around for long so I encourage agents to take advantage of all the trade materials on offer and the fantastic incentives that we’ve included as part of this campaign.”

In addition to fun perks like mugs and t-shirts, agents who book any cruise that is part of the February campaign will be entered into a weekly prize draw to win a selection of exciting Red Letter adventure days for two such as rock climbing, whitewater rafting or snowboarding. Royal Caribbean International is also holding an exclusive agent incentive draw at the end of the month for one ‘ultimate cruise’ package - the details of which are being kept tightly under wraps until later in the month to further build hype in the campaign. With each new booking of selected Royal Caribbean International cruises upping agents chances of winning this ‘ultimate cruise’ package, agents are encouraged act fast if they want a piece of the action.

To drive bookings, the trade campaign will be supported by consumer advertising on TV, radio and in print press. Logos and artwork for cooperative consumer advertising have also been produced.

Itineraries that make up the Royal Caribbean International’s 10,000 free flights February wave period campaign include:

· Seven-night Western Mediterranean fly/cruise onboard Liberty of the Seas from £749 per person including free flights. Cruise departs Barcelona and calls at destinations such as Provence, Florence (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia) and Capri (Naples). Departures in October 2012 with free flights available from Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Heathrow and Gatwick

· 11-Night Spain & Canary Islands cruise onboard Independence of the Seas from £799 per person departing Southampton and calling at destinations such as Lisbon, Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Tenerife (Canary Islands) and La Coruña (Spain). Departures in November 2012

· Seven-night Greek Isles fly/cruise onboard newly refurbished Splendour of the Seas from £799 per person including free flights to join the ship in Venice and a cruise calling at destinations such as Bari, Corfu, Mykonos and Dubrovnik. Departures in October 2012

Trade marketing packs featuring details of the 10,000 free flights offer and selling tips for the campaign are being distributed to agents. The marketing packs also include comprehensive information on safety procedures, and the extensive investment in training and technology that ensures Royal Caribbean International remains ahead of the levels required by regulatory bodies.

Further support for trade partners includes new flyers promoting the 10,000 free flights February campaign and enhanced information online at cruisingpower.co.uk – the trade dedicated website for agents – detailing recent and pending ship revitalisations and the new features and facilities this delivers for cruise travellers. Agents can quickly and easily stay up to date with details of which ships offer iPads in every stateroom, new nursery facilities for babies and toddlers, and new entertainment options.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to operate two cruises from Belfast in 2013

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

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines says it will commence turnaround calls from Belfast in 2013, with 880-guest Boudicca making two such visits in October 2013. The news comes just a few weeks after the company had announced a series of cruises from Harwich on Black Watch, which is sister ship of Boudicca.

“I am delighted that Boudicca will be operating two exciting itineraries from Belfast Harbour in 2013. This is great news for all our guests living in the local area, as previously they have had to endure an expensive flight or long ferry crossing to reach our ships. Now, they can choose from an autumn escape to the sun or a mini cruise to Liverpool, where the ship will berth right in the heart of this vibrant city, said Matt Grimes, Director of Planning for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Boudicca will be offering a 12-night Iberian and 2-night mini cruise to Liverpool from Belfast in October 2013.

“The addition of this new regional departure port means that Fred. Olsen is able to operate a vessel within a radius of only 100 miles from 90% of the UK population, further enhancing our reputation as the UK’s local cruise line with a global choice of itineraries.”

“We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to work with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and offer the Northern Ireland public the opportunity to begin a cruise from their local port," said Joe O’Neill, Commercial Director, Belfast Harbour.

Belfast Harbour previously worked alongside Fred. Olsen in 2007, when 500 local people embarked on the Black Prince to begin their cruise.

In recent years, Belfast Harbour has invested significantly in its facilities to further develop Belfast’s port as a tourism gateway to Northern Ireland; consequently, we are delighted to see the cruise facilities now being used for the benefit of local people.”

Fred. Olsen will also be adding Harwich to its list of regional departure ports in 2013, with Boudicca’s sister ship, Black Watch, operating four fascinating itineraries from the Port in May and June 2013, meaning that guests living in the local area can take advantage of Harwich International Port’s excellent road and rail connections, and state-of-the-art facilities. Fred. Olsen operates cruises from Southampton, Dover, Newcastle, Rosyth and from 2013 also from Belfast and Harwich.

PSA welcomes CLIA safety review

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2012 30 January 2012

The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), the cruise and ferry industry organisation in the UK, says it welcomes the announcement by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) that in response to the Costa Concordia incident and as part of the industry’s continuous efforts to review and improve safety measures, they have launched a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review.

The PSA, European Cruise Council and CLIA are fully committed to working with the International Maritime Organisation, governments and regulatory bodies, including Parliament and the European Commission, to implement any necessary regulatory changes, the London based organisation said

Nobu to host “Foodie” cruise onboard Crystal Serenity

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 January 2012 30 January 2012

Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is coming onboard Crystal Serenity this May to serve as in-person Executive Chef in Silk Road and the Sushi Bar, his speciality restaurants with Crystal Cruises. The world-famous Japanese chef plans to give cooking instruction, personally prepare dishes, take pictures with guests and sign autographs during a 12-night western European/Mediterranean voyage departing Dover on 24 May 2012. Crystal Cruises is part of the Tokyo based shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha.

P&O Cruises cancel Azura's 2013 world cruise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 January 2012 27 January 2012

P&O Cruises, the UK based contemporary market unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, has cancelled a world cruise planned for 2013 and decided to deploy the 115,000 gross ton vessel in the Caribbean instead on fly cruises.

"Based on the success of our recent world cruise programmes, we have added more world cruise capacity for 2013. Due to current economic circumstances however, we are seeing a growing preference for shorter cruises which leads us to believe that it could become more difficult to fill an enlarged world cruise programme next year. In order to recognise this situation, we have taken the decision to redeploy Azura from her scheduled world cruise in 2013 and instead operate her in the Caribbean," a spokesperson for P&O Cruises said.

In the autumn, the company revised the itinerary of the 30,000 gross to Adonia for autumn 2012, whereby the ship will sail from Southampton throughout the autumn rather than operating fly cruises in the Mediterranean.