Top Headlines

Silversea launches new wellness program

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 22 October 2021 22 October 2021

Leading ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises unveils a new wellness program, Otium – set to launch on new ship Silver Dawn, which will welcome guests from spring 2022. In a nod to the cruise line’s Italian heritage, Otium takes inspiration from the leisurely nature of the ancient Roman lifestyle. In Roman culture, Otium – the opposite of negotium, the nonexistence of pleasure – was a period of time dedicated to leisure, in which people bathed, conversed, sung, theorized, drank, ate, and relaxed.

Diverging from existing wellness programs, Otium encourages balanced indulgence, pampering, and pleasure over sacrifice and delayed gratification. Otium is built on the principles that wellness should be a natural, enjoyable part of the day; that living well and being well are not mutually exclusive; and that wellness need not be a solitary, silent experience, but rather a social pursuit that is best enjoyed with others.

“Silversea has long excelled at enabling guests to ‘travel deeper in luxury’,” says Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer of Silversea Cruises. “While the immersive aspect of our offering is easy to convey, the luxuriousness of our product can often seem intangible: guests really need to see it – to live it – to fully appreciate it. Otium is unlike any other wellness program; it aligns perfectly with our brand positioning and will weave a tapestry of unprecedented comfort around our guests. It will revolve around instant gratification, extending the luxurious pampering for which Silversea is famous to different areas of the ship, from guests’ suites to the redesigned spa area and beyond. Otium will transform the way guests relax and enjoy their personal space. It will be an elevation of our already high levels of comfort.”

Otium will provide guests with a customized, multi-dimensional wellness journey throughout Silver Dawn, starting in some of the most spacious suites at sea, growing with a curated range of treatments in the reimagined spa, and trickling out to permeate every moment of the cruise experience. The result is an elevation of Silversea’s unique take on luxury, in which the fine details of the cruise experience have been enriched for guests’ enjoyment.

In a recent pilot of its new wellness program, Silversea showcased the following experiences as key pillars of Otium:

The Otium Sleeping Experience
With guests spending more than a third of their time in bed, the Otium wellness program begins with an exceptional night’s sleep, tailored to each individual’s preference. Each of Silversea’s guests sleeps in the finest Egyptian cotton linens, produced in Italy by ambassadors of premium artisanship. Aboard Silver Dawn, guests in every suite category will also benefit from a special Otium-inspired mattress, designed exclusively for Silversea for the ultimate sleeping experience. Offering guests greater choice, the cruise line’s customary pillow menu will expand to include customizable down and feather blends, memory foam, firm down, and improved down alternatives.

The Otium Bathing Experience
Integrating luxury into travelers’ daily routines, Otium will even extend to suite bathrooms, optimizing guests’ enjoyment of their personal space. Every suite category on Silver Dawn will offer guests the use of both a walk-in shower and a bath, in some of the most spacious bathrooms at sea. Otium will include a bespoke bathing experience, prepared by Silversea’s butlers, in which guests can indulge in a multisensory soak for complete relaxation. Enjoying plush Otium bathrobes, exclusive bath salts, and soothing candle lights, guests will bathe in bliss. They will unwind to the playlist of their choice from a curated musical menu, while savoring a range of delicacies, including caviar canapés, chocolate truffles, and champagne, among other luxurious comforts.

The Otium Balcony Experience
Extending Silversea’s unique take on luxury to guests’ private balconies for the first dedicated balcony experience at sea, Otium will encourage travelers to slow down and enjoy the breathtaking views that stretch to the horizon before them. On some of the most spacious balconies at sea, guests will be able to tailor their experiences according to the climate, whether cruising in cold- or warm-water regions. In cool conditions—such as Antarctica, the Arctic, or the Russian Far East—Silversea has curated a pampering experience on guests’ balconies, with a warm cashmere blanket, a selection of delectable appetizers, and the first hot chocolate menu at sea. When sunbathing in warmer climates—from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and beyond—guests can stay cool with refreshing body mists, luxurious sun creams, delicious cocktails, and gourmet bites.

The Otium Comfort Food Experience
Silversea’s culinary offering is already among the most luxurious at sea, with a range of fine restaurants available on each ship, sustainable caviar and champagne on-demand 24/7, one of the largest complimentary wine lists at sea, and a vast range of signature delicacies on offer. With Otium, Silversea is enhancing its food and drink offering further still. Perhaps the most enriching aspect of the program is the addition of an in-suite comfort food menu, available 24-hours per day—designed to enhance guests’ movie nights, pre-dinner aperitifs, and other moments of leisure. Signature dishes on Otium’s comfort food menu will range from lobster and caviar in brioche rolls to a selection of gourmet popcorn, and other options that incorporate the cruise line’s premium ingredients.

The Otium Spa Experience
Otium will guide guests on a journey of wellness throughout Silver Dawn, starting in guests’ suites, extending to the spa, and continuing into other public venues. Silver Dawn’s spa will be redesigned with Otium in mind, offering guests a highly selective treatment menu, designed by wellness experts for optimum relaxation. As well as enjoying relaxing massages and a range of other treatments, guests will be able to unwind and socialize in the spa’s thermal areas with a glass of champagne or signature snacks—enriched with trademark ingredients, from caviar to truffles. Rejuvenating treatments in the salon will complement Otium’s sensuous spa experience—at the heart of which lie enjoyment, indulgence, and instant gratification.

Global Ports Holding expands to Northern Europe

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 15 October 2021 15 October 2021

Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH", the world's largest independent cruise port operator, has announced that it has signed a 20-year agreement with the Port of Kalundborg to provide services for cruise passengers in Kalundborg Port, Denmark. Kalundborg Port will be GPH's first cruise port in the Northern European cruise port market, marking an important milestone in the continued development and growth of the company.

Kalundborg is located in the center of Denmark, just next to the deepwater t-route and is just over one hour from Copenhagen City Centre. The geographic location of the port means that it can provide cruise lines with a time saving and fuel-efficient alternative to Copenhagen Cruise Port.

Kalundborg is a cruise destination that has historically received just a handful of cruise calls per season. However, with a new 500m quay completed in 2019 and with the addition of GPH's global expertise and know-how, it expect to drive strong growth in cruise traffic at the port over the years ahead. As part of the agreement, subject to certain milestones, GPH will invest up to €6m by the end of 2025 into a purpose-built cruise terminal. GPH currently expects to take over cruise port operations before the end of the current financial year.

Global Ports Holding, CEO H. Emre Sayin said: “Kalundborg is an economic, sustainable and time efficient alternative port in Denmark for cruise lines and wanting to visit Copenhagen. Therefore, we are very much looking forward to working with the Port Authority, cruise lines, and local stakeholders as we introduce and transform the charming destination of Kalundborg into a sustainable port of turnaround and visit for the region. We believe that the enhanced cruise port facilities will deliver a great experience for all passengers visiting Kalundborg," he said and continued: "I am also thrilled because this agreement is a milestone for GPH as Kalundborg is our first port in the Northern European cruise market.”

What can be learned from post-pandemic luxury cruising?

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 06 October 2021 06 October 2021

Strategies often forced on luxury cruise companies as a result of the pandemic may well pave the way forward, from operational improvements to marketing efforts, leaders at top luxury brands shared yesterday at Seatrade's 2021 cruise conference in Miami. Discussions included four key areas of the business: The Pandemic Impact; Sustainability's Critical Role; and addressing luxury's current consumer mindset.  Panelists were Christopher Austin, chief sales officer of Explora Journeys; Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president, managing director of Crystal River Cruises; Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO of Silversea Cruises, and Navin Sawhney, vice president of the America's for Ponant. The panel was moderated by Carolyn Spencer Brown, chief content officer, Cruise Media, LLC.

Key insights:

Pandemic's Impact on Luxury: Cruise lines became more efficient while ships were in layup status. "When it happens again..." was a recurring theme in that improvements made in HVAC systems, protocols, HEPA filters in common areas, and better use of shoreside power have been developed as a response to the pandemic and will serve the industry when...it's forced to confront another likely scenario.

How Has Sustainability Become a Critical Factor in the Luxury Space in the Ocean, River and Expedition Sectors: Two particularly potent points were made. One: "When it happens again..." was a prescient nod to the pandemic, and improvements that have been made in HVAC, protocols, Hepa filters and even more efficient use of layups (making shoreside power more affordable) are all enhancements that will stand cruise operators in good stead in the future, no matter what. Another key revelation: Financial institutions will not provide capital to cruise lines not addressing sustainability in a major way. As well, the charter and incentive market has made sustainability a requirement for doing business.

What is the Consumer Mindset Evolving as the Pandemic Goes On: The pandemic helps people reflect even deeper and further. It will make travel even more purposeful, particularly in the luxury space. People will sculpt themselves into the environment and will travel with greater intent. People are buying less watches and more experiences. And travelers are craving new indulgences and connections via programs and activities, onboard and onshore.

Watch Seatrade's Global Cruise Conference panel on luxury cruising here:

Lindblad Expeditions takes delivery of National Geographic Resolution

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 01 October 2021 01 October 2021

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. yesterday took delivery of National Geographic Resolution from Ulstein Verft, marking the official completion of the line’s second polar new build. Present at the handover ceremony in Ulsteinvik, Norway for the official signing was Nikolaos Doulis, Senior Vice President, New Buildings and Kenneth Pettersen, Project Director at Ulstein Verft. The vessel is now ready to set off for her inaugural polar voyage on November 17, 2021 to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands.

The state-of-the-art 126-guest ship has been designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS as the ultimate expedition platform with a focus on safety and comfort. A core feature is ULSTEIN’s X-BOW solution, a distinctive bow that provides fuel efficiency while significantly improving guest comfort in rough seas; and PC5 ice class for access deep into polar regions. The ship’s expanded fuel and water tanks provide for extended operations in remote areas; while the zero-speed stabilizers help to ensure stability underway, whether at zero speed when stopped for wildlife observation, or embarking/disembarking the ship.

“This is an extraordinary ship, and I am so proud as we continue our growth with the addition of another best-in-class polar vessel to our fleet. With the National Geographic Resolution and her sister ship, National Geographic Endurance, we have the elusive result of expedition excellence and elegance exquisitely combined,” stated Sven Lindblad, Founder and Co-Chair of the Board of Lindblad. “It is also remarkable that her delivery was on time during this difficult period. “We had an extraordinary team of engineers, designers and crew from Lindblad, Ulstein, Partnership Design and Crist⁠ – under the leadership of Nikolaos Doulis⁠ – and their collective talent and dedication are evident in every aspect of National Geographic Resolution.”

“We are very pleased to see Ulstein Verft once again delivering a newbuild polar vessel to Lindblad Expeditions at the contracted delivery date. It has been an amazing experience cooperating with Lindblad on this splendid new polar vessel. Lindblad is an experienced and innovative polar explorer and decided to also be a pioneer in introducing the X-BOW® into the cruise segment. We are grateful for the trust that Lindblad has placed in Ulstein, and we are eager to receive the feedback from the Resolution’s first adventures,” says Cathrine Kristiseter Marti, CEO at Ulstein.