MedCruise elects new President and Board of Directors
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 17 October 2011 17 October 2011
Stavros Hatzakos was elected president of the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise) last Thursday, October 14th, at the 39th MedCruise General Assembly in Sète, France. Hatzakos, elected to a three-year term, is the Director of the Administration Directorate of Piraeus Port Authority, one of the founding members of MedCruise, and acted as Vice President of the Association in the past.
The MedCruise assembly also elected the ports that will serve on its new Board of Directors.
Odessa, Ukraine, represented by Yuriy Vaskov, was elected senior vice president and Koper, Slovenia, represented by Bojan Babic, was elected vice president.
The other ports voted to the Board of Directors are Madeira, Portugal, with Bruno Freitas; Dubrovnik, Croatia, represented by Kristijan Pavic; Barcelona, Spain, with Carla Salvadó; Tunisian Ports, represented by Lotfi El Ajmi; Kusadasi-Bodrum-Antalya (GPH), represented by Figen Ayan; Trieste, Italy, with Livio Ungaro; Sibenik, Croatia, with Marijan Petkovic; Palamós, Spain, represented by Maria Cano; Portoferraio, Italy, with Giampiero Costagli; and La Spezia, Italy, represented by Lorenzo Forzieri.
Fincantieri's Palermo shipyard to refit Saga Sapphire
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 07 October 2011 07 October 2011
Fincantieri has been awarded the multi-million Euro refit and refurbishment project of the newest ship acquired by Saga Cruising, the 37,301-ton Bleu de France. The work planned for this ship will start during November 2011 at the Fincantieri Palermo yard and shall include the refurbishing of all public areas and spaces, the addition of a significant number of new passenger cabins, the complete refurbishment of the existing cabins and a new balcony deck.
Other jobs that the yard shall be responsible for during the ships stay at Palermo will include the overhauling and repair work on main machinery and equipment along with some steel and pipework replacement. The ship will be dry-docked for a period of the project during which time the items involving the external hull and all underwater work, such as painting, tailshaft, rudder and propellers maintenance will be undertaken. A very important job shall be the application of the Saga livery which will proudly define the ownership and new identity of the ship.
On completion of the work, expected in February 2012, the ship will be renamed the Saga Sapphire and then shall set sail for the inaugural cruise from Southampton to the Mediterranean, which is due to start on March 26 of next year.
Commenting on the contract, Saga Cruising CEO, Robin Shaw said: "The multi-million pound refit will ensure that Saga Sapphire is magnificent throughout, adding a theme of elegant and eclectic nostalgia to our classic cruising experience. Saga Sapphire will be the largest Saga ship to date, but will retain the intimate atmosphere and the quality of service that our passengers have come to expect. We are extremely pleased to have secured Fincantieri's expertise and resources and are looking forward to working together".
Giorgio Rizzo, Fincantieri SVP Shiprepair &Conversion, added: We are very pleased to have been trusted by Saga Cruising to carry out this major refurbishment project on their new ship the Saga Sapphire. We are looking forward to working closely with the SAGA team to ensure a successful outcome. Our expertise and capabilities in this specialist sector shall ensure that when the Sapphire leaves our yard, she will deserve her status as flagship of the SAGA fleet.
The award of the Bleu the France refurbishment project to Fincantieri has continued to ascertain the position of the Palermo shipyard as the leading centre for cruise ship repair and refurbishment in the central Mediterranean region. In addition to the prestigious project announced today, over the next few months Palermo shipyard will be committed on a further five major repair and conversion projects on cruise ships.
Norwegian Breakaway to be homeported in New York year-round
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 07 October 2011 07 October 2011
Out-of-town visitors spent $31 billion last year, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in our restaurants, shops, hotels, and cultural institutions," said Mayor Bloomberg. "By making New York City home to its newest and largest ship, Norwegian Cruise Line is further confirming our standing as a top cruise destination and a place that tourists from around the world want to visit."
"New York is not only one of our top markets, but also my hometown," said Norwegian Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sheehan. "Therefore, I am thrilled to announce that New York will be the year-round home for our next generation Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Breakaway. In addition, we are offering an exciting inaugural summer itinerary cruising to the beautiful island of Bermuda, a much sought-after summer destination."
"Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest ship ever to homeport in New York City, bringing more passengers, generating more spending, and creating more jobs in our City," said New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. "Thank you to Norwegian Cruise Line for their commitment to New York City, and for making Manhattan Cruise Terminal the homeport for this amazing new state-of-the-art ship."
"New York City remains one of the top ten cruise ports in the United States, and we thank Norwegian Cruise Line for making Manhattan Cruise Terminal Norwegian Breakaway's year-round home port," said George Fertitta CEO of NYC & Company, New York City's marketing and tourism arm. "Approximately 583,000 cruise passengers embarked in New York City in 2010 and that number continues to grow helping the City to report record breaking tourism numbers year after year. We hope Norwegian Breakaway and all of the Norwegian Cruise Line passengers will have an opportunity to visit New York City pre- or post-cruise and discover the energy and vibrancy of all five boroughs."
Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to homeport year-round in New York City beginning in 2003. Since then, the company has been committed to bringing its newest and largest ships to the Big Apple, with two ships calling in New York City since 2005. In 2013 alone, Norwegian Breakaway is expected to make 34 calls at Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT). In addition, Norwegian Gem will continue to call year-round at MCT, with an expected 47 calls, and Norwegian Star will make 15 calls in 2013 before being replaced. In total, Norwegian Cruise Line ships will bring approximately 285,000 embarking passengers into New York City in 2013, generating approximately $70 million in direct spending in the City - a $13.5 million increase due to the additional passengers on Norwegian Breakaway.
Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Breakaway will be 144,017 gross tons and is scheduled for delivery in April 2013. Following inaugural events, the ship will sail a series of 22 seven-day cruises from New York to Bermuda beginning May 12, 2013 through Oct 6, 2013. Departing on Sundays, the ship will spend three full days in Bermuda, along with three days at sea.
"The Government of Bermuda is honored to be the destination of choice for the inaugural sailings of Norwegian Breakaway for 2013. As a long-standing partner with Norwegian Cruise Line, we look forward to the launch of this new and innovative cruise product," said the Hon. Terry Lister, Minister of Transport. "We know their passengers will enjoy the cruise itinerary and the hospitality of the Bermudian people."
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