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Grand Atrium to become entertainment hub on new P&O Cruises’ ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 May 2022 19 May 2022

P&O Cruises in the UK has unveiled details of new ship Arvia’s centrepiece – Grand Atrium with widescreen ocean views which will become the focus of entertainment for the ship.

The Grand Atrium is at the heart of Arvia and will provide a spectacular backdrop to aerial performers who will descend through the triple-height space and a striking installation of metal champagne-coloured ribbons which frame the great staircase. The Grand Atrium will also host a full programme of live events and entertainment, with local buskers, pop-up talks, magicians and performers, the company said.

Spanning three decks, each level of the Grand Atrium will offer guests a place to dine, socialise or relax, balancing larger sociable areas with more intimate spaces.

Describing the vision, the project architect and designer, Jennifer deVere-Hopkins said: “With its triple-height windows, we wanted to infuse the Grand Atrium with the same sense of energy even outside of the live performances. Its innovative design will capture the movement, freedom and spectacle of the ocean and always connect guests to the sea.”

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “With its elegant design, warm tones and beautiful custom-made elements, the Grand Atrium on board Arvia will provide guests with the perfect backdrop to their holiday photos. The design has made the most of the magical effect of light at different times of the day, so whether guests want to enjoy a morning coffee or evening drink, the Grand Atrium will provide the most spectacular backdrop.”

The Grand Atrium will be home to Amber Lounge, the home of crafted cocktails. Guests can watch mixologists create their perfect drink while enjoying dramatic aerial performances played out directly in front of them.

For dining, The Keel & Cow is the home of great gastro-pub fare, with traditional favourites including dry-aged steaks and and the best burger at sea, The Prime Minister.

The Glass House can be found on Deck 7. This dining venue offers guests a prime position to look out on to horizon views and aerial artists while enjoying dishes paired with wines selected by Food Hero Olly Smith.

Arvia will join the P&O Cruises fleet in December 2022, with a maiden voyage to the Canary Islands, followed by a winter season in the Caribbean. Arvia will be the largest ship to sail from home port of Barbados, offering guests a choice of holidays, ranging from seven to 22 nights, with an overnight stay in Barbados and an extended call to Antigua on many holidays. Arvia will join sister ship, Iona as one of the world’s most environmentally-friendly ships, fully powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc group.

Cunard reports busiest booking day on new ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 May 2022 19 May 2022

Cunard, which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it has had its busiest day of bookings ever as the line started to take reservations on a new ship.

Queen Anne that will enter service on 4 January 2024 triggered a strong inflow of bookings and the maiden voyage of the ship had already been sold out.

The demand has been particularly strong for the top end of the range Grill Suites for the 10 voyages of the new ship that have been published so far, the company said in a statement.

Third of four Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ships enters service

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 May 2022 19 May 2022

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has welcomed its third ship back into service, with the return of Balmoral marking the start of a summer season of sailing from Newcastle and Rosyth.

“Balmoral will split her summer sailings between the two ports, ahead of a programme of winter sailings from Southampton and Dover, with two new Captains, Captain Valentin Giuglea and Captain Steffan Ravneng, at the helm,” the Uk based company said in a statement.

In the coming weeks, guests will have the chance to witness the phenomenal Midnight Sun and the rugged beauty of Arctic Norway, explore the historic towns and cities of Tallinn and Riga and experience the famous Golden Circle in Iceland. Balmoral will also be offering scenic sailings into the heart of the Norwegian fjords and along the River Seine in France, made possible by her smaller size. The ship has a gross tonnage of about 45,500.

These follow on from Balmoral’s inaugural voyage - the 16-night ‘Canary Islands with the Funchal Flower Parade’ cruise - which returned to Newcastle on 18 May.

Borealis and Bolette have been in service since last year while the smallest ship of the lines, Braemar they is of just under 25,000 gross tons, is yet to resume operations.

Resorts World Cruises debuts in Singapore with Genting Dream next month

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 May 2022 18 May 2022

Resorts World Cruises, a new Asian luxury and dynamic lifestyle cruise brand will have its global debut in Singapore on 15 June 2022 with the Genting Dream. With its inception, Resorts World Cruises aims to position itself as the leading and best cruise line in the region for Asian and internationally sourced passengers, providing diverse international experiences, which can also be customized by the passengers. Resorts World Cruises is a successor for Dream Cruises, which was a part of failed Genting Hong Kong.

The 18-deck 150,695 gross tons Genting Dream can accommodate 3,352 passengers, with a space ratio of 45 gross tons per passenger, the most spacious ship in Asia. And with 1,600 crew, she will have the best service with the most crew per passenger compared with any other ship in the region. “The Palace” is a ‘luxury ship-within-a-ship’ at the top deck with 142 suites, including its own exclusive restaurant, bar, sundeck, spa, gym and other facilities with butler service. Genting Dream will cater to a wide Asian demographic that will provide an international cruise experience exceeding its peers.

Resorts World Cruises is a brand extension of Resorts World, a global brand with 46 properties in 8 countries spanning 4 continents, welcoming over 80 million visitors a year and served by more than 30,000 employees. The latest Resorts World property, the US $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas opened in June 2021, the newest integrated resort and the only one to be built on the Las Vegas Strip after more than 10 years and features a 26,000 sq. feet Singapore-inspired Zouk Nightclub, the latest and most exciting nightlife attraction in Las Vegas.

Resorts World Cruises is supported by a management with over 5 decades of international hospitality experience and close to 3 decades of global cruise experience. Resorts World Cruises will be a game changer, going above and beyond with its rich Asian heritage in culture, hospitality and cuisine, complemented by exciting music and entertainment onboard. Genting Dream is the only halal-friendly cruise ship in the Asia-Pacific region with both certified ‘Halal’ and authentic vegetarian, including Jain vegetarianism, in addition to Western, Japanese, Chinese and other dining venues.

“We started our cruise operations 30 years ago in Singapore and we are excited to again launch the first Resorts World Cruises in Singapore, the first country to re-open cruising in the region. Resorts World Cruises will have its headquarters in Singapore and is committed to making Singapore the leading cruise hub in Asia,” said Tan Sri KT Lim, Executive Chairman of Resorts World Cruises. “We also appreciate the support and trust of the Chinese leasing banks in allowing Resorts World Cruises to charter the Genting Dream,” he continued.

Resorts World Cruises’ cruising lifestyle will be refreshing and exciting on so many levels, catering to all walks of life through a combination of diverse Asian and international offerings and activities. This is further complemented by options to curate and customize overall experiences from ship to shore, based on personal preferences with a pulse on today’s trending lifestyle activities. It all begins before the start of the cruise with a multitude of options to plan, choose and tailor activities according to preferences, including exciting choices to substitute inclusive-meals in the main dining rooms for alternative ala carte food and beverage in specialty restaurants and redemption for similar values at other outlets.

“In response to the evolving market demands and emerging needs for a personalize travel experience, vacationers can now have the ultimate indulgence to enjoy a kaleidoscope of lifestyle experiences on board Genting Dream. With Resorts World Cruises, we hope vacationers can immerse in a truly unique holiday that is rich in Asian heritage with diverse international experiences on the high seas”, said Mr. Michael Goh, President & Head of International Sales of Resorts World Cruises.

Genting Dream will launch its sailings starting 15 June 2022, in the midst of the Singapore school holidays, with a combination of round-trip cruises, comprising of the 2-Night Getaway Cruise and the 2-Night Weekend Cruise departing Wednesdays and Fridays respectively, as well as the 3-Night Escapade Cruise departing every Sunday. Exciting destination cruise itineraries await vacationers from 30 September 2022 onwards as Resorts World Cruises plans to expand its itineraries with more refreshing 2, 3 and 5-Night destination cruises to other popular neighbouring destinations in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Windstar Cruises cancels Asia and adds Tahiti sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 May 2022 17 May 2022

Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has cancelled its scheduled cruises in Asia for fall of 2022, citing the continued uncertainty regarding ports reopening in the region.

The move will affect seven scheduled itineraries on the all-suite Star Breeze, including a crossing of the Pacific from Alaska to Japan, two Grand Japan sailings, Island Hopping through Japan, Windstar Crew Hometowns: Philippines and Indonesia, Hidden Indonesia & the Great Barrier Reef, and Edge of the Outback.

Instead, Star Breeze will extend its Alaska season with an additional itinerary (Alaskan Splendors) in late August, followed by West Coast Epicurean Extravaganza down the coast of the U.S., a trans- ocean voyage from San Diego to Tahiti, and five sailings in French Polynesia.

During October 2022, Windstar will celebrate its 35th anniversary of operating cruises in Tahiti – one of the first lines to offer overnight cruises in the region. All sailings aboard Wind Spirit and Star Breeze in Tahiti will join in the celebration with special events planned during the cruise.

On November 11 Star Breeze departs for a trans-ocean journey to Sydney, arriving on November 22 for a scheduled charter cruise. The shift will make the December 4 Tasman Sea Treasures: New Zealand Fjords & South Australia Windstar’s first commercial cruise offered in the region. 2022 marks Windstar’s first time offering comprehensive itineraries to New Zealand and Australia, visiting small, rarely visited ports of call like Middle Percy Island.

“As Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines and South Korea are all currently still closed to cruising, Windstar joins several other cruise lines in making this decision to cancel cruises in Asia for fall,” says Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog. “We hope our guests rebook on these same fantastic itineraries for next year.”