Top Headlines

Super yacht Emerald Azzurra floated out in Vietnam

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 07 December 2020 07 December 2020

The newest offering from Emerald Cruises – ocean-going super yacht Emerald Azzurra – was floated out this weekend at the Halong Shipbuilding Company in Vietnam. The float out marks just over a year until guests will be able to set sail on the highly anticipated 100-passenger super yacht when she debuts in January, 2022.

“We are incredibly excited to see Emerald Azzurra successfully enter the water as the next stage of her build, the completion of the interior, commences,” said Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of the Scenic Group, which includes Emerald Cruises. “Once again Emerald Cruises is looking to the future and building a game-changing vessel at a time when small-ship experiences are gaining popularity. We can’t wait for past river cruise guests and new customers alike to join us on board our very own ocean-going yacht in 2022.”

Emerald Azzurra is the first custom-built ocean super yacht launched by Emerald Cruises, and will set sail on January 28, 2022 for the eight-day Best of the Red Sea itinerary round trip out of Aqaba, Jordan. Cabins are still available on this inaugural cruise starting from $3,315 per person for an Oceanview Stateroom, or guests can take advantage of the Super Earlybird savings on a Balcony Stateroom from $3,769 per person.

Once complete, Emerald Azzurra guests will enjoy a small ship cruising experience with just 100 guests in 50 deluxe suites and staterooms – 88% of which include an outdoor balcony. The yacht also features an onboard wellness center (including spa, gym & sauna), three tenders and a Zodiac for shore landings. Three onboard dining locales give guests the opportunity to taste local flavors and savor cocktails while taking in the views. A marina platform on the yacht’s aft allows easy access to snorkeling, paddle boarding or swimming.

Emerald Cruises is the parent brand of Emerald Waterways and the newly formed Emerald Yacht Cruises. Emerald Azzurra, the first yacht to launch under the Emerald Yacht Cruises brand, is a 100-guest super yacht that will ply the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Red seas. Emerald Waterways features nine branded Star-Ships offering river sailings in Europe and on the Mekong, as well as a chartered river ship along the Volga River in Russia (MS Nizhny Novgorod). The brand offers contemporary deluxe ships, outstanding service and an incredibly inclusive pricing plan that has won them the honor of being named Best River Cruise Line for Value by the Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick Awards for five years running.

Windstar Cruises unveils transformed Star Breeze

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 18 November 2020 18 November 2020

If a cruise ship launches without any passengers on board, does it make a splash? Seattle-based Windstar Cruises hopes so – because the small ship cruise line shared today some good news in 2020 and digitally showcased the renaissance of Star Breeze, an all-suite yacht that was cut in half and lengthened with the addition of 50 new suites, two innovative restaurants, a reimagined spa/fitness center, enlarged pool and deck, new bathrooms in all suites and new efficient engines.

Capacity increased from 212 guests to 312 – still small enough for visiting small ports and hidden harbors around the world – although the ship won’t be welcoming passengers until 2021.

While Windstar has temporarily suspended operations, renovation work on its three Star Plus Class ships moved forward, with Star Breeze as the first to emerge from a $250 million Star Plus Initiative that also includes sister ships Star Pride and Star Legend. The two ships will join the fleet later in 2021, following their completed Star Plus transformations carried out by Fincantieri at its shipyard in Palermo (Italy). Fincantieri is regarded as the leader in major cruise ship renovations, particularly for this kind of highly complex undertaking.

“We’re delighted to take delivery of Star Breeze, the first ship completed as part of the Star Plus Initiative at Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo,” said Chris Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. “These three Star Plus Class yachts offer more amenities we know our guests want, while still being small enough to travel the narrow waterways and visit the small ports we’re known for.”

Prelog emphasized the additional work and investment into this yacht and others for health and safety features as part of the new Beyond Ordinary Care program. Star Breeze is outfitted with new HEPA filters and UV-C light technology, and the rest of the fleet will be outfitted with these updates and more before returning to service.

What’s new on board?

One of the most anticipated developments in Star Breeze’s renaissance is the addition of two new restaurants: one an outdoor barbecue concept with grilling guru Steven Raichlen and the other a Spanish small plates restaurant from Anthony Sasso, one of the youngest chefs to be recognized by the Michelin Guide.

Star Grill by Steven Raichlen embraces the al fresco setting and ocean views with drinks like Strawberry Pimm’s Cups and Raspberry/Melon Slushies. From the smoker, Tea Smoke Duck and Coffee-Crusted Prime Brisket with Chipotle Molasses Barbecue Sauce will impress guests, along with grilled selections such as Shrimp on Sugarcane with Mount Gay Rum Sauce. Vegetarians won’t be ignored, including choices like Planked Camembert with Pepper Jelly, Pecans and Grilled Bread, Mexican Grilled Corn, Falafel Burgers, and Grilled Eggplant Salad.

On Deck 6 at Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso, guests can expect a curated collection of Spanish staples, all with a modern twist. Menu items range from Galicia’s Pulpo Gallego to Valencia’s Fideos Mar y Montaña, with decadent desserts including Madrid’s famous Churros y Chocolate. A chef's counter overlooking an open kitchen lets diners observe the cooking process, and a Spanish-centric wine and cocktail list completes the experience. The restaurant seats just 38 patrons at maximum capacity.

At Veranda restaurant, where guests are served breakfast and lunch daily, there’s a new coffee station, as well as more outdoor and ocean-view seating. Veranda transforms at night into another concept called Candles, Windstar’s reservation-only steakhouse. Dinner is served outdoors, under the stars and candlelight (thus the name), unless weather prohibits. Candles will debut a new menu on Star Breeze with a jaw-dropping 40-ounce Beef Bone-In Ribeye Tomahawk Steak, as well as a 30-ounce Bone-In Porterhouse Steak. Both are Linz Heritage Certified Black Angus, carved tableside, and require a small upcharge. (Note that dining across Windstar’s fleet is included in the cruise fare, with no additional upcharges beyond these individual items.)

Star Breeze now has a completely re-imagined and enlarged spa and fitness center to invigorate active guests. The workout equipment is made by Technogym, an Italian company known for its cutting-edge designs. The spa menu features regional spa treatments and destination-themed therapies as part of the World Spa by Windstar program. Massage therapists and beauticians will be using products from Elemis, a luxurious British body and skincare line.

The yacht now has a large pool and hot tub on an elevated top deck, offering outstanding views, along with expanded outdoor deck areas for relaxing and sun-bathing.

There are 50 new suites featuring new suite categories and open floor plan configurations, as well as two brand-new, larger Owner’s Suites. These combine suites to create up to a three-bedroom, two-balcony suite – the first of its kind in the cruise industry. Every suite on board will feature all-new bathrooms.

There are new, state-of-the-art, efficient engines and diesel generators, plus a new elevator mid-ship, making access to all decks easy from anywhere on board. There’s a comfortable tender loading area located mid-ship and two new 90-passenger tenders that will ferry guests to port when yachts are at anchor. In addition, staff and crew areas and accommodations were expanded and upgraded.

Covid-19 and cruising

Recently the brand announced a new Beyond Ordinary Care program, which is a multi-layered strategy with key hospital-grade elements: HEPA filters and UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to filter and disinfect the air, plus electrostatic sprayers to sanitize all surfaces throughout the yacht. The company worked with the Anschutz Medical Center department of epidemiology to design a multi-layered approach that takes the best practices in science, technology and behavior together, and believes this comprehensive program to provide a healthy environment on board will also give travelers (both avid Windstar guests and new ones) confidence to book when paired with a Travel Assurance Booking Policy that gives flexibility to make plans and update them without fees if things change.

American Cruise Lines partners with Studio DADO

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 18 November 2020 18 November 2020

American Cruise Lines unveiled more than ten images showcasing the interior spaces of its new class of modern riverboats on November 17. The release marks the biggest change in American Cruise Lines interior design history, but remains true to its sophisticated style and brand. American recently partnered with Studio DADO to design the interiors of the new riverboats, including the 175-passenger American Melody. American also unveiled a new Virtual Tour of the new riverboats, which is available on the American Cruise Lines’ website at all times.

Studio DADO, a boutique firm based in Miami, Florida, has recently designed interiors for some of the biggest names in the cruise industry, but this is the company’s first foray into the domestic river cruise market. DADO’s work on the new riverboats integrates an elegant and refined aesthetic with American’s tradition for the spacious comfort found aboard all the ships in its fleet.

"Studio DADO has a remarkable ability to blend the sophisticated and the modern. Their design vision closely aligned with our mission to provide sophisticated experiences on modern ships,” said Charles B. Robertson, President and CEO of American Cruise Lines. “We have been proud to partner with them in creating the new class of modern riverboats. American Melody and its sister ships are the biggest step forward in American Cruise Lines design history, but continue to offer the same great experience that has defined us since our founding.”

“The magnitude of the American Melody build reaches beyond the normal anticipation we see with clients celebrating the expansion of their fleet,” remarked Studio DADO Founding Partner Jorge Mesa. “From our first insightful meeting through the entirety of the collaborative design process, our team was clear and honored, frankly, to step into the moment with American Cruise Lines and create a fresh, but still cultured atmosphere aboard its new ship. We leaned-in and considered every element from palette to architectural structure to functional details-while still paying homage to the brand’s perfectly American origins.”

Both Studio DADO and American Cruise Lines are two of the fastest growing companies in their respective fields. American Melody will be the first boat to showcase the new design, but will be the 13th new ship in American’s rapidly-expanding domestic fleet, and the 2nd new riverboat debuting on the Mississippi for the Line in 2021 (following American Jazz).

American Cruise Lines looks forward to a long partnership with Studio DADO, as the Line plans to continue introducing new small ships for the domestic river cruise market each year.

American Melody renderings from top to bottom: River Lounge, Dining Room and Aft Lounge

V.Ships Leisure partners with new Chinese cruise line

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 13 November 2020 13 November 2020

V.Ships Leisure, cruise start up specialist and the leading provider of independent management services for the cruise, ferry and yacht industries, and sister hospitality company Oceanic Catering have been selected by Sanya International Cruise Development Co., Ltd for ship and hotel management of Charming, the former Sea Princess.

The successful handover of the 2,222 berth vessel took place in Manila this week. The process which was mainly remote due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and preventative measures, involved close cooperation between V.Ships Leisure’s shore side team, officers and crew, Sanya International Cruise Development, Princess Cruises and the relevant authorities including Class and Flag.

Following the handover, implementation of V.Ships Leisure’s innovative plug-and-play platforms has begun including installation of the electronic Safety Management System and the cutting-edge digital platform ShipSure 2.0. This system will provide class leading data allowing for flawless service delivery to Sanya International Cruise Development.

The handover will also provide the new operator with access to V.Ships Leisure’s significant global crew network enabling the mobilisation of crew, even during the pandemic, to facilitate the handover, underscoring V.Ships Leisure’s capability and resilience.

In preparation for the launch of operations in 2021, V.Ships Leisure and Oceanic Catering will be working closely with the client to develop all aspects of the operation including the on-board hospitality concept and guest experience journey.

Per Bjornsen, CEO V.Ships Leisure, commented, “Being selected once again to manage the start-up of a cruise line in China highlights our unique capability to manage vessels locally with our highly experienced cruise dedicated team in China. Our integrated ship and hotel management partnership model is proving ever more popular as it enables delivery of a unified ship and shore side approach to safety culture and Covid-19 secure operations.”