Norwegian Cruise Line introduces elite pre-cruise concierge service for The Haven guests
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 28 November 2011 28 November 2011
Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a shoreside concierge desk exclusively for guests with reservations in the line's most luxurious accommodations, The Haven by Norwegian. Beginning today, the concierge desk provides pre-cruise assistance enabling guests and travel partners to pre-arrange a variety of services and amenities.
The concierge desk provides support in booking reservations for all suite accommodations; arranging dining and entertainment; booking shore excursions; making spa and salon appointments; as well as taking special requests such as pillow preference and any other arrangements. The concierge desk will send an email confirmation to the travel partner or guest prior to their sailing reconfirming all of the requests made.
The Haven is currently featured on board Norwegian's Jewel class ships (Norwegian Gem, Pearl, Jade, Jewel); and the line's newest and most innovative ship, Norwegian Epic. Norwegian's two new ships, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, will also feature The Haven by Norwegian when they launch in April 2013 and April 2014.
Suite guests are privy to an array of complimentary amenities, including 24-hour private butler service; priority embarkation and disembarkation; distinctive platinum keycard; priority boarding of tenders to shore; in-suite espresso/cappuccino machines; gourmet treats delivered each evening; Bliss Collection by Norwegian(tm) pillow-top mattress; fine linens, feather duvet and pillow menu; along with plush bathrobes, slippers, oversized towels; and much more.
Norwegian's Jewel class ships (Norwegian Jewel, Jade, Pearl and Gem) include up to 18 suites as part of The Haven, including the largest suites at sea - the 5,000 square foot, three-bedroom Garden Villas. All of these suites surround The Haven Courtyard that includes a pool, sundeck, hot tub, fitness room and more. The Haven on Norwegian Epic is the largest suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites on two private decks at the top of the ship. An additional 15 suites located throughout the ship also have access to The Haven which includes a private pool, two whirlpools, gym, saunas, sundeck, along with a private restaurant with indoor/outdoor dining, exclusive bar and concierge lounge.
Savona to host Costa Fascinosa naming event on May 6, 2012
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 28 November 2011 28 November 2011
Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s no.1 cruise company, announces big news regarding the new flagship Costa Fascinosa, the 16th member of the fleet, currently being fitted out at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, that together with her sister ship Costa Favolosa, will be the largest cruise ship flying the Italian flag.
On the occasion of the Costa Favolosa’s first call at Savona, Costa Crociere S.p.A. Chairman & CEO Pier Luigi Foschi declared that the Costa Fascinosa will be named in Savona on May 6, 2012. She will be the first cruise ship to be inaugurated in the Ligurian port city. The naming event will be staged with the support of the Port Authority of Savona, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Savona, the Savona Provincial Administration and the Liguria Regional Administration. The event will take place during the first vernissage cruise of the ship, departing from Venice on May 2, 2012.
Costa Cruises invested around 510 million euros for the construction of the Costa Fascinosa. After the Costa Fascinosa, Costa fleet expansion plans include another cruise ship to be built in the Marghera yard; the new building, which will be 132,500 gross tonnage and carry 4,928 total Guests, is scheduled for delivery in October 2014. Since 2000, Costa Cruises has ordered a total of 10 new ships from Fincantieri’s Italian shipyards, with a total investment worth over 5 billion euros.
To support the resulting increase of ships and guests arriving in Savona, Costa Cruises continued to invest in the growth of the Savona Palacrociere cruise terminal, which has been managed directly by the Italian company since 2003. January 2012 will mark the start of building work on the second terminal, with an investment worth around 9 million euros. The new terminal building is expected to be ready by March 2013.
In 2011 Costa cruise passenger movements at the Palacrociere reach the record number of about 1 million, a 35% growth compared to 2010. In 2012, 14 of the Costa fleet’s 16 ships will be calling at least once at the Savona Palacrociere. A total of around 230 calls are scheduled next year with more than 1 million cruise passenger movements.
The presence of Costa’s ships generates an important economic impact on the local area. According to a study carried out by MIP, the Milan Polytechnic Business School, in 2010 Costa Cruises generated a direct economic impact of more than 5.5 million euros in the Port of Savona and of 230 million euros in the Liguria Region.
In addition to the naming of the Costa Fascinosa, the Savona Palacrociere will be the starting point for two other upcoming major events already announced by Costa Cruises. On December 28, 2011, the Costa Deliziosa will set sail on the historic “round-the-world” cruise, for so long a highlight of the Italian line’s operations spanning more than 6 decades. A 100-day world voyage: from Savona to Los Angeles via the Caribbean and the Panama Canal; from Los Angeles to Singapore with stopovers in San Francisco, Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia; and from Singapore to Savona via Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Red Sea and Egypt. Guests embarking on the Costa Deliziosa “round-the-world” cruise will be about 2,300, coming from all over the world.
Meanwhile, on February 20, 2012, the Palacrociere will welcome the first cruise of the Costa neoRomantica (www.costacruise.com/neoromantica), the result of the refit of the Costa Romantica; this radical refurbishment is being carried out at the San Giorgio del Porto and T. Mariotti yards in Genoa, with a total investment of 90 million euros. The 11-day itinerary includes Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Madeira. In spring 2012, the Costa neoRomantica will offer 15-day cruises to the magical Atlantic capitals, while in summer 2012 the Costa neoRomantica will be operating in Northern Europe offering 15-day cruises that for the first time will bring together the best destinations of the Fjords and Baltic Capitals and 2 cruises to Spietzbergen Islands. The stylish ambience of the Costa neoRomantica will also be the setting for the Grand Cruise, from Italy to Australia and New Zealand, via the finest and most fascinating places in the eastern hemisphere, departing on September 19 from Savona.
Spirit of France runs aground after moorings snap in storm
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 28 November 2011 28 November 2011
Spirit of France, second of two 49,000 gross ton newbuildings P&O Ferries has on order at STX Finland’s Rauma shipyard, has ran aground after moorings in the bow of the ship broke in a storm on the night to Monday, Finnish media reports say.
The 213 metre long vessel has not sustained leaks in the accident, but it is possible that bottom plates of the ship have suffered dents. The ship was due to be delivered to its owner before Christmas.
Spirit of France will operate on P&O Ferries’ service between Dover and Calais. The owner is part of the Dubai based DP World group and should not be confused with P&O Cruises, which is part of the Carnival Corp & plc group.
ISP arranges the acquisition of Le Diamant
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 25 November 2011 25 November 2011
Splendour of the Seas becomes the first cruise ship to feature iPads in all cabins
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 23 November 2011 23 November 2011
Royal Caribbean International will mark another industry first with the introduction of iPad mobile digital devices in every stateroom onboard the newly revitalized Splendour of the Seas. The hottest tablet on the market empowers guests with an additional medium by which to receive, retrieve and use information on their cruise vacation. With a touch of the screen, guests will be able to access the daily Cruise Compass of events and activities; personal daily itineraries, including shore excursions; monitor their onboard account; order room service; view restaurant menus; access the internet; and watch movies. The iPads will be available beginning mid-February 2012 on Splendour of the Seas before being extended to all Vision-class ships when each undergoes revitalization in the following two years.
"Based on consumer research, we added the iPads to greatly enhance guest communication, interactivity and to continue to offer industry leading technology that helps enhance the guest experience," said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. This is just one of the many exciting ways that Royal Caribbean continues to provide our guests with the ultimate cruise experience.
The iPads, which will feature English and Portuguese when they debut on Splendour of the Seas, will offer guests the opportunity to access all of their information not only from the comfort of their staterooms, but through the pervasive WIFI also being installed throughout the ship, will enable guests to enjoy the iPads wherever they go onboard.
In addition to the iPads, Splendour of the Seas, which emerges from dry dock on Nov. 25, 2011, also will have an array of new stateroom amenities such as flat screen televisions, new bathrooms, and completely remodeled interiors, including luxurious new linens and furniture, as well as an additional 124 balconies. The ship also will be outfitted with the digital wayfinding technology that can be found on the line's acclaimed Oasis-class ships.
The newly revitalized Splendour also will debut new dining options including the Asian Izumi restaurant; the line's signature steakhouse, Chops Grille; the Boardwalk Dog House hotdog counter; the Park Café deli-style restaurant; and the exclusive Chef's Table dining experience. Royal Caribbean also will introduce a new à la carte menu in the Viking Crown Lounge that will offer guests the opportunity to enjoy bite sized portions of their favorite classics. Additional Royal Caribbean signature innovations debuting on the ship will be the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, a Diamond lounge, a Concierge Lounge, a Britto Gallery featuring works from Brazilian pop-artist Romero Britto, the new R-Bar as well as a reinvented Centrum experience.
Upon completion of the refurbishments, Splendour of the Seas will sail a trans-Atlantic voyage on November 25 from Lisbon, Portugal to her seasonal homeport of Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil. From there, she will offer a variety of South American itineraries that take advantage of the summer season in Brazil.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.
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