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RMC to deliver MyStar on 7 December

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 December 2022 05 December 2022

The Finnish passenger ship builder Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) said the ropax ferry MyStar that it is building for the Estonian ferry company Tallinn Grupp had arrived from its last sea trials weekend. “The results of the trials were good, and the previous technical findings have been sorted out. The newest and most technologically advanced vessel in the Baltic Sea, MyStar, is now ready to be delivered to Tallink,” RMC said in a statement

RMC will hand MyStar over to Tallink on 7 December at the Rauma shipyard. MyStar is expected to depart from Rauma on Friday, 9 December and to arrive at the Old City Harbour of the Port of Tallinn at 10 am on Saturday, 10 December. The first commercial voyage of MyStar will take place on 13 December 2022, departing from Tallinn to Helsinki at 1.30 pm local time.

“I want to thank Tallink for their excellent cooperation which has allowed us to bring the project to completion together despite challenging circumstances. I would also like to thank the partners and the classification society. MyStar represents Finland’s strong expertise in shipbuilding. It has been an honour to design and build such a technologically advanced vessel that upholds sustainable values. We wish MyStar the best of luck with the sailings,” said Mika Heiskanen, CEO of RMC, in the statement.

“We are very pleased that this week we can welcome and receive into our fleet its newest member and the brightest star on the Baltic Sea, MyStar. Her much-awaited arrival marks the beginning of yet another new era for the Tallinn-Helsinki route, with customer service standards now even higher, passenger comfort even greater and sustainability even more at the heart of our operations. The world has changed a lot since we began construction in the spring of 2020, and there have been many challenges along the way. We have, however, been successful in tackling these challenges, and are excited that MyStar is now completed. We welcome everyone to board the ship beginning 13 December. I want to thank the whole Tallink MyStar project team, Rauma Shipyard and all our partners who have contributed to making our dream of the brightest new star on the Baltic Sea a reality,” said Paavo Nõgene, CEO of Tallink Grupp.

The construction of the largest car and passenger ferry in the history of RMC began in April 2020. In 2021, the keel of the vessel was laid and the main engines as well as the tanks for LNG fuel were installed. The ship received its name in August 2021, when it was christened MyStar by the President of the Republic of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid.

MedCruise appoints Nicky Guerrero new Secretary General

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 December 2022 03 December 2022

MedCruise has announced the appointment of Nicky Guerrero as its new Secretary General, effective January 1st, 2023.

MedCruise President Figen Ayan states: "In my capacity as President of MedCruise, our Board of Directors, our secretariat, our port members and associate members would like to express our sincere gratitude for the excellent work, dedication and passion that Aimilia Papachristou has carried out over the years in her position as Secretary General of the MedCruise Association. The MedCruise Family wishes Beautiful Aimilia all the best in her new endeavours."

"Since Aimilia's announcement to move to another position in the maritime industry, I made the matter of her replacement an important and key matter while the activities of MedCruise were continuing at full speed. I have evaluated many profiles and wanted to find a fit which would be an excellent choice beyond my mandate, and I finally came to a common understanding with Mr Nicholas Guerrero."

"Nicholas, alias Nicky has been in the tourism and cruise industry for many years. He used to be one of our active board members, speaks several languages, has an excellent connection with the Secretariat but most importantly, loves the Association because he also sees its amazing potential in our vibrant cruise industry. I would like to warmly welcome Nicky to our family and hereby share his bio and picture (for those of you who don't know him) and strongly believe that the transition will be extremely smooth, given the above and his experience.

Nicky Guerrero's bio

Nicky was born, raised and educated in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar and is a graduate of the University of Brighton, UK. In his career, he has worked in the hotel, hospitality and tourism industry and, in 1997, joined the Gibraltar Tourist Board, where he carried out the roles of Product Manager and Sales and Marketing Manager. Nicky was then Chief Executive of the Gibraltar Tourist Board for the latter half of his time there, before retiring after twenty-four years at the Board in 2021.

The Chief Executive’s role included an extensive programme of marketing the destination outside of Gibraltar. Other tasks included liaising with the airline industry, including route development and working extensively with the cruise industry.

Nicky held the post of Director for Events and Partnerships on the Board of Directors of MedCruise, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports. In the past, Nicky has represented Gibraltar at the International Cruise Summit and all MedCruise and Seatrade events, including Seatrade Global in Miami, USA, for the last 24 years.

Nicky is widely known and respected in the cruise, airline and tourism industry at all levels. He is now an independent consultant and specialises in the cruise industry airline industry and has extensive experience in event management. Having had experience in broadcasting, one of his many strengths includes that of presenting and moderating events and discussion panels, as he has done on many occasions for MedCruise and Seatrade.

Nicky is a keen commercial aviation enthusiast and enjoys many extracurricular activities, including amateur dramatics. He is fluent in English and Spanish and is highly competent in French.

Ken Muskat joins Scenic Group as Managing Director for the USA market

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 December 2022 02 December 2022

Scenic Group has appointed Ken Muskat, a highly-regarded and experienced cruise line executive, as Managing Director – Scenic Group USA. Ken will join the USA management team on December 12 in the Hollywood, FL office and will report directly to Anna Wolfsteiner, Global Chief of Sales & Marketing.

Ken comes to Scenic Group USA with more than 25 years of cruise industry management experience with leading travel brands, most recently serving as EVP & Chief Operating Officer for MSC Cruises (USA), CEO of SkySea Cruise Line in Shanghai, China as well as serving 18 years in a variety of key leadership roles at Royal Caribbean International. His high marks for professionalism, strategy development and execution, securing new business opportunities, trade relations and team building fueled his steady and rapid rise through the executive ranks.

“With the exciting growth of Scenic Group, the US Market is a key strategic market for our company’s success,” said Anna Wolfsteiner. “Ken’s experience and expertise in developing teams, forging strong relationships with the trade distribution, and building brand awareness will ensure we drive demand from our valued travel advisors and consumers for our ocean and river brands. We are excited to welcome Ken to the Scenic Group family during this time of growth for our company and strong return of the cruise industry.”

As the USA managing director for Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises, Ken will be responsible for the oversight and development of the US Market with key focus in the areas of sales, marketing, finance, revenue management and contact center working alongside colleagues from around the globe. He will lead significant growth efforts within the luxury trade distribution in the US, Mexico, Central & South America and continue to build brand awareness and demand for Scenic Group’s growing family of luxury ocean yachts and luxury river cruise ships. With two new ocean yachts being delivered in 2023, top priorities for Ken include building demand through sales and marketing efforts by ensuring the talented sales force and trade distribution have the best tools to market and sell Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises as well as providing outstanding service in the company’s contact center for guests and travel advisors.

"I am beyond excited to begin this next chapter in my career with Scenic Group,” offered Ken. “I have wanted to expand into the luxury ocean, expedition and river cruise vacation segment and I cannot think of two better brands to do this with than Scenic Luxury Cruise & Tours and Emerald Cruises. Having now personally experienced the industry leading vacation product provided on Scenic Eclipse, I am certain there is tremendous opportunity to build brand awareness and significant demand amongst the trade distribution and consumers in the US market as well as Mexico, Central & South America. The once in a lifetime vacation experiences and meaningful memories these brands provide our guests is something consumers are looking for today and one that I am excited to work with an outstanding team to deliver."

Ken has also been involved at the industry level, serving two years as the Chairman of CLIA’s Trade Relations Committee. He was twice named Travel Agent’s Top 100 Rising Stars of the Travel Industry.

When not working, Ken contributes time to charitable causes, promoting the importance of physical and mental activities for himself and friends, traveling the world for the sake of new experiences and learning, and mentoring his team and up-and-coming hospitality industry professionals.

One dead, four injured as rogue wave hits Viking Polaris

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 December 2022 02 December 2022

One passenger has died and four others have been injured when a rouge wave hit the expedition cruise ship Viking Polaris in the waters of Antarctica, Buenos Aires Times reports.

‘The accident occurred last Tuesday at 10:40 p.m. local time (01:40 a.m. GMT on Wednesday, November 30) when the Norwegian-flagged cruise ship "Viking Polaris" was hit by a large wave, which caused several glass panels to break in the booths,” the report said.

The ship, which had entered service earlier this year, hit the wave while sailing towards Ushuaia, 3,200 km south of Buenos Aires, a Viking company source in Norway said.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm that a passenger passed away after the incident. We have notified the guest's family and shared our deepest condolences," the source was quoted as saying.

Viking Polaris is of 30,150 gross tons and thereby one of the largest expedition cruise vessels.The ship and its sister Viking Octantis were built by VARD, part of Fincantieri.

Princess Cruises to significantly grow UK, Continental Europe capacity

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 December 2022 02 December 2022

Princess Cruises will significantly grow its capacity in the UK and Continental Europe both next year and in 2024, according to Eithne Williamson, VP Europe and UK.

In 2024, the company that is part of the Carnival group, will offer 162 departures and almost four million passenger nights in a season that will run from February to November.

The number of passenger nights in 2024 would be 28% higher than in 2023, which again would be 42% higher than the corresponding figure for this year, she said in a presentation.

The 2024 season will see the introduction of Sun Princess, which at some 175,000 gross tons would be the largest ship of the line.