Celebrity Infinity's 2013 programme "affirms belief in strength of the UK business" - Hanrahan

Written by Kari Reinkiainen

Celebrity Cruises is underlining its commitment to the UK with the introduction of a second ship, Celebrity Infinity, to the market for summer 2013,the company said in a statement.

Recently refurbished Celebrity Infinity will offer a range of 10, 11 and 12-night Norwegian Fjords, British Isles and European wine harvest cruises itineraries out of Harwich next year – the first time the port has been used by the cruise line for a full season’s sailings.

The UK deployment of Celebrity Infinity was announced by Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises, on a visit to London. In addition, Hanrahan confirmed that Celebrity Eclipse will continue to offer its popular programme out of Southampton in 2013 – its fourth consecutive summer season at the port.

“UK holidaymakers are incredibly supportive of Celebrity Cruises and this is demonstrated by Celebrity Eclipse achieving the highest customer satisfaction ratings of all our ships” says Hanrahan. “Our decision to base Celebrity Infinity in Harwich affirms our belief in the strength of the UK business and is in direct response to increased demand for more Celebrity Cruises holiday experiences.”

Introduced in 2001, Celebrity Infinity has recently undergone a significant refurbishment as part of a $140-million, four-ship enhancement programme which is introducing the most popular and innovative features of its newest ‘Solstice-class’ vessels across the fleet. This includes new spa inspired AquaClass accommodation paired with the exclusive healthy-eating specialty restaurant Blu, an ice-topped Martini bar, an Italian coffee shop and gelateria Café al Bacio and the award-winning Qsine; the novel restaurant first introduced to Celebrity Eclipse to much acclaim.

Full details of Celebrity Cruises’ 2013 summer deployment will be announced in early March, and the new Celebrity Infinity cruises from the UK will go on sale in mid-March this year. Celebrity Infinity is scheduled to arrive in the UK in May 2013 with the season of cruises on offer from Harwich extending until late October 2013.

The move follows a decision by the company to operate a series of cruises this autumn by Celebrity Constellation from Southampton instead of a series of Eastern Mediterranean cruises that had been planned for the ship earlier.

Source:  cruisebusiness.com

Norwegian Gem Welcomes Nickelodeon

Norwegian Cruise Line welcomed Nickelodeon aboard Norwegian Gem yesterday, giving guests the opportunity to cruise with SpongeBob, Patrick, Dora the Explorer and Diego, among other favorite Nickelodeon characters. The new Nickelodeon experiences on Norwegian Gem include some of the popular family events, shows and activities that were first introduced in April 2010 on Norwegian Jewel and in July 2010 on Norwegian Epic, plus an exciting line up of new experiences.

Each cruise features Nickelodeon’s all-new Pajama Jam Character Breakfast. Upon arriving in the Spinnaker Lounge, guests, who are encouraged to wear their pajamas, are greeted with a goody bag filled with surprises and props for use during the event. Donning their pajamas, Team Nick and the rest of the gang sing and dance while families enjoy their morning meal. Each child attending the breakfast receives a complimentary, keepsake photograph.

Splash Mobs add a whole new element of surprise, bringing a new energy and excitement to the ship. These spontaneous, impromptu games are fun for the whole family with pies, slime and other surprises.

Additional elements include Dora’s Dance Party, where children ages six and younger have the chance to sing and dance to their favorite songs with Dora the Explorer and Team Nick; Nickelodeon Character Meet and Greets; Nick Jr. Story Time and Nickelodeon arts and crafts.

Families can enjoy all of these exciting events as Norwegian Gem sails a series of seven-day Bahamas & Florida voyages from New York City through September 1, 2012. Ports of call include Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral), Florida; Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian’s private island) and Nassau, Bahamas, as well as three relaxing days at sea. From September 8 through October 10, 2012, Norwegian Gem will sail 10-day Eastern Canada & Quebec cruises, followed by a series of nine-day Eastern Caribbean voyages.

More information can be found at:  cruiseindustrynews.com

TUI Cruises to sail in Adriatic Sea in summer of 2013 as Croatia's popularity as destination increases

Written by Kari Reinikainen

TUI Cruises, the German premium market operator, says it will operate cruises in the Adriatic Sea in the summer of 2013 to follow a trend that whereby Croatia has become a favourite travel destination

“Not only the options on board focus on the latest trends, but also the selection of routes reveals that TUI Cruises is always fully up to date,“ said Richard Vogel, CEO of the Hamburg based company. "At the moment Croatia is the shooting star with German holidaymakers. The Mein Schiff 2 will be sailing on 19 May 2013 on the one-week Adriatic route including Croatia for the first time. There is a choice of 11 departure dates for the exclusive route with calls at the ports of Dubrovnik, the medieval Kotor, Bari and Corfu. The seven-day cruise “Adriatic Sea including Croatia“ from 19 to 26 May 2013 on the Mein Schiff 2 from/to Valletta including Premium All-Inclusive board costs in an inside cabin occupied by two persons from 998 euros per person. Early bookers who book by 15.08.2012 can save up to 100 euros per person."

Anyone wanting to extend their cruise can combine routes to form a cruise of 14 nights on board the well-being ship, for instance the Western Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea including Croatia, the North and South Caribbean, the Canaries and the flower island of Madeira, or the Canaries with Agadir.

"TUI Cruises also has suitable arrangements for combining the well-being atmosphere of a Mein Schiff cruise with the passion for discovering a city. The Mediterranean with Turkey cruise including a night in the modern metropolis of Istanbul is ideal for satisfying several holiday needs. The ten-day cruise ”Mediterranean with Turkey“ from 7 to 17 April 2013 on the Mein Schiff 2 from/to Antalya including Premium All-Inclusive board costs in an inside cabin occupied by two persons from 1,148 euros per person. Early bookers who book by 15.08.2012 can save up to 150 euros per person," the company said in a statement.

Source:  cruisebusiness.com

Wildlife photographer to host A&K Galápagos photo safari

48- passenger Eclipse

Abercrombie & Kent has booked zoologist, conservationist and wildlife photographer Mark Carwardine to lead a photo safari in the Galápagos Islands May 24-June 3.

A&K said late spring is the perfect time of year for photography in the Galápagos when the Humboldt Current brings cooling waters and more nutrients to the archipelago.

Photographers can come face to face with giant tortoises, sea lions, marine and land iguanas, and indigenous birds including the blue-footed booby.

Carwardine will share practical tips for capturing these animals on twice-daily shore excursions, along with presentations on board about his adventures with
Stephen Fry filming ‘Last Chance to See,’ a BBC series devoted to animals facing extinction based on the book he wrote with Douglas Adams.

Carwardine will accompany the group each day, hosting lunches and dinners on board and sharing his experiences during evening programs devoted to wildlife and photography.

The trip sails on the 48-passenger Eclipse, which earned the Rainforest Alliance ‘SmartVoyager’ green seal of approval for environmentally-sensitive operations.

Source: expeditioncruising.com

Cruise Baltic Continues Collaboration

Cruise Baltic recently held its first Steering Group meeting of 2012. The organization used the opportunity to reiterate its on-going commitment not only to working closely together as a unified force in the Baltic Sea Region, but also collaborating together with industry colleagues at the European Cruise Council (ECC), the Cruise Lines International Association and the Passenger Shipping Association.

“The Baltic destinations are committed to communicating their messages to the marketplace on the value of cruising, ensuring they offer to both the cruise line and their passengers ‘the world’s best cruise experience, said Bo Larsen, director.

“It is essential to face head-on all the current market challenges being presented, from the issues of safety and environment, to fuel and climate change.”

Highlights on the two-day meeting included presentations and commentary from the industry, including Neil Palomba, chairman of the Ports & Infrastructure Sub-Committee of the ECC and corporate operating officer of MSC Cruises, and Robert Ashdown, director - technical, environment & operations, ECC.

MSC’s Palomba commented: “The landscape has changed. With emphasis now on Brussels, the subject of operation safety legislation is being reviewed and will be on the agenda for months to come.

“We (MSC) need ports that are experts shore-side, to make recommendations to us. Finding solutions together and working pro-actively three to five years ahead is essential.”

He encouraged Cruise Baltic ports to lobby their own cities and councils, identifying who are the decision makers in each destination.

Ashdown, speaking on environmental issues: Emission Control Areas (ECAs) said this is the biggest challenge currently facing the industry. “European controls are being reviewed that establish what marine fuel oils ships can burn in 2015,” he commented. “Given the increases in fuel costs that accompany this legislation, currently the impact on what this will do for cruise numbers in the Baltic is a guessing game - cruising is price sensitive and costs cannot be passed on easily. Traditional growth is driven by perceived value-for-money. The European cruise industry makes a massive contribution to the economies of Europe.”

Cruise Baltic also announced that it has formed a new port standards sub-committee, looking to work closely with the ECC to evaluate and tackle relevant issues.

Source:  cruiseindustrynews.com

Celebrity plans largest season ever in Europe, brings Solstice to Alaska

Written by Teijo Niemela Celebrity Cruises has shared a sneak preview of its itinerary plans for the summer of 2013. Speaking to an audience of travel partners and press in London, Celebrity's President & CEO Dan Hanrahan revealed that, for the first time, joining Celebrity Eclipse in offering modern luxury vacation experiences from the UK will be the newly Solsticized Celebrity Infinity. "Like the reaction to every stunning Solstice-class ship, the response to Celebrity Eclipse from our guests and travel partners has been extremely rewarding, ever since it debuted in Southampton in 2010," said Celebrity's President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "Our decision to expand our European vacation options from the UK on our newly Solsticized Celebrity Infinity is in direct response to increased demand for more of the modern luxury holidays that only Celebrity can provide, as validated by the expanding host of honors our brand continues to receive." Celebrity Eclipse – which this week was named Best from the UK in Cruise Critic's Cruisers' Choice Awards – will continue to offer sailings from Southampton in the spring and summer of 2013, while Celebrity Infinity – which emerged in December 2011 from Celebrity's ambitious, four-ship, $140-million Solsticizing investment – will present enticing new British Isles and Fjords sailings from Harwich, England. The summer of 2013 will mark Celebrity's biggest season ever in Europe, with Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Reflection – which debuts in October of this year – all joining Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Infinity in offering the broadest array of modern luxury cruises and cruisetours on the newest fleet of ships in the region. The 2,850-guest flagship of the Solstice-class fleet, Celebrity Solstice, will become the first of its class to offer vacations in Alaska in the summer of 2013, joining Celebrity Century and Celebrity Millennium in pairing Celebrity's chic style and design, signature cuisine, exciting activities and extraordinary service with the region's breathtaking, inspiring scenery. Source:  cruisebusiness.com