December sees the launch of Louis Cruises winter operations

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Category: Latest News

Published on Tuesday, 08 December 2009 16:58

Written by Teijo Niemelä

Louis Majesty, the newest addition to the Louis Cruises fleet, having undergone routine maintenance and refurbishments sailed for her maiden cruise on December 4th 2009 with the Louis colors and a new, refreshed identity. Louis Majesty shall be operating itineraries from the ports of Genoa and Marseille to some of the most enticing destinations in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and North Africa.

The vessel retained her royal status and has been adjusted accordingly to fit the product and profile of Louis Cruises. Mediterranean warmth and the renowned Greek hospitality and culture are just some of the touches that Louis Majesty’s passengers will be experiencing onboard along with all the features and amenities that made her popular with discerning passengers cruising with her in the Caribbean and Bermuda.

This is the first year that Louis Cruises ventures into winter cruising out of Marseilles and Genoa and commenting on this development, Costakis Loizou, Louis Group Executive Chairman noted: "It is with great pleasure that we officially welcome MV Louis Majesty to the Louis fleet and I have to say that we were truly excited to see her depart on December 4th for her maiden journey with our new and revamped colours and identity. With her upcoming cruises already overbooked, we cannot but express our great satisfaction for her exceedingly successful launch in the European market. December is this year a landmark in our history for two reasons. This month we see the beginning of two new brand operations, namely the start of our winter operations with MV Louis Majesty and the launch of MV Aquamarine, sailing from the port of Kochi in India. Additionally, it marks Louis Cruises’ entrance into ‘adulthood’ with 2010 being the company’s 21st year in the cruising market and Louis Group’s 75th anniversary."

Finally, it should be noted that as of November 20th 2009, MV Orient Queen has started her operations out of Brazil, as per the terms of her charter to CVC, South America’s leading tour operator.

Silversea announces Silver Spirit's inaugural World Cruise 2011

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Category: Latest News

Published on Monday, 07 December 2009 14:49

Written by Teijo Niemelä

In 2011, for the very first time, Silversea's new Silver Spirit will embark on a full World Cruise traversing both hemispheres. 

This grandest of voyages, appropriately themed "Spirit of Discovery," begins in Los Angeles on January 19, when Silver Spirit is set to welcome no more than 540 privileged guests for a 119-night odyssey exploring 60 destinations in 25 countries – with 11 overnight port visits – before concluding in Southampton on May 19. Along the journey, Silver Spirit will take in the tranquillity of French Polynesia, Australia's untamed landscapes, the unique customs and cultures of Asia, ancient Egyptian 
wonders and timeless Mediterranean hideaways spanning from Italy and Monaco to Spain and Portugal.

To offer guests aboard this far-reaching voyage an opportunity to gain a closer look at the regions they visit, Silversea is hosting four complimentary World Cruise Events for guests sailing the full 119-night itinerary. These exclusive, custom-designed events include the chance to explore the history and sample some of Australia's premier wines at the original Penfolds winery, Magill Estate, and the National Wine Center in Adelaide; savor a Thai-themed gala dinner, staying overnight in the private Krungthep Wing of the five-star Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok; experience the exuberance of a traditional souk in Dubai, enjoying a festive dinner set amid the dunes of the Arabian desert as the sun sets; and attend a private opening of Barcelona's renowned Picasso Museum, with plenty of time to explore its treasures at a leisurely pace, without the usual crowds.

"A Silversea World Cruise is truly the ultimate travel experience," said Kenneth Watson, Silversea's Chief Operating Officer. "Not only will our guests have the chance to visit incredible destinations and explore fascinating cultures, but aboard our new Silver Spirit they'll also enjoy an unmatched level of pampering and personalized service set in a stunning 1930s Art Deco-inspired environment."

Guests aboard Inaugural World Cruise 2011 will enjoy spacious, ocean-view accommodations, sumptuous gourmet cuisine served in six dining venues, the personalized service of a butler assigned to every suite, and Silversea's generous selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, 24-hour room service, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet and all gratuities. 

Compagnie du Ponant reinforces its commitment to the international marketplace

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Category: Latest News

Published on Monday, 07 December 2009 15:39

Written by Teijo Niemelä

Cruise line Compagnie du Ponant reinforces its worldwide strategy, responding to increased demand from the international marketplace and introduces a range of new measures to satisfy the needs of all its discerning English-speaking passengers. For implementation on all future voyages, these measures are: - the employment of bi-lingual officers and crew, including the Cruise Director - shore excursions will be arranged in both English and French - daily programmes on board written in both English and French - all menus in both English and French - TV stations available in both English and French Says Véronique Saadé, Deputy Executive Vice-President, Compagnie du Ponant: "Since our formation in 1988, we have catered for English-speaking passengers. Our crew has always spoken fluent English and French. More than ever, the Compagnie du Ponant strategy needs to meet International markets expectations. Therefore, we are opening offices in Europe and North America and are committed to ensuring language barriers disappear on board our ships. All our international guests enjoy a welcoming, convivial atmosphere on board while sailing with us and experience truly magical and memorable voyages on our chic, intimate yacht ships."

Few will be able to resist the quality of cruises on offer from Compgnie du Ponant throughout the Summer of 2010 and the opportunity to relish the inaugural cruises of the company’s new yacht, Le Boréal. This brochure from Compagnie du Ponant features voyages from May to October 2010 and lures the reader into a dream world of "Yacht Cruises" on small scale ships. Over 90,000 copies of the brochure (available in English, or French) are being distributed to the international marketplace and, as the testimonies of passengers and captains reveal, the ambiance on board a Compagnie du Ponant vessel is unique – more like being on a private yacht than a cruise ship. The cruise line’s commitment to the environment and the yacht ships’ facilities, together with options available for children, are all detailed. Dream locations off the beaten track, new cultures and close encounters with Nature’s wonders, in the relaxed yet sophisticated style that the French know how to do to perfection, the 2010 brochure opens up a privileged world of "Yacht Cruises" which have become the signature of Compagnie du Ponant.

Win a trip to shipyard: Celebrity offers a chance of a lifetime

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Category: Latest News

Published on Monday, 07 December 2009 02:15

Written by Teijo Niemelä

Celebrity Cruises caters to cruise lovers, and on Monday, the line will launch a sweepstakes for an experience that is the stuff of dreams for any cruise enthusiast. Celebrity’s "Eclipse of a Lifetime" sweepstakes, running from today through January 14, 2010, will entitle 10 winners and their guests to be the first individuals outside of the line's employees to board Celebrity Eclipse when it sets sail for the very first time; the first to have exclusive, up-close-and-personal views of the construction process of Celebrity's fourth Solstice Class ship in Germany at Meyer Werft, one of the most modern shipyards in the world; first to be led and hosted throughout Celebrity Eclipse by Celebrity's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan; first to nestle into the ship’s AquaClass staterooms; first to sample the ship's innovative cuisine created by the line’s VP of Culinary Operations and Chef Jacques Van Staden, and the first to have the chance to interact with the ship’s senior officers.

All this will take place surrounding an experience that will occur only once in the ship’s life, and only once in the lives of the winners: the conveyance of Celebrity Eclipse. Scheduled for March 13, 2010, the conveyance marks the occasion when Celebrity Eclipse departs Meyer Werft shipyard for the first time, and navigates the narrow River Ems – backwards – from Papenburg, Germany, to Emshaven, Netherlands, prior to embarking on sea trials.

During the "conveyance" through Germany's River Ems, more than 75,000 residents are expected to line the river banks – in cars, on bikes, on horseback and in RVs – to watch and cheer as one of the largest ships ever to transit the river meanders past charming villages and quaint farmlands. An indisputable rarity in cruising, the conveyance takes the ship along a truly challenging course: At its tightest points along the way, there will be as few as two feet between each side of the 1,040-ft-long, 121-ft-wide Celebrity Eclipse and the locks. The depth of the river and the draft of the ship allow for mere inches – or less – beneath the ship. Celebrity and shipbuilder Meyer Werft have essentially created a science all their own, to closely and carefully monitor the position of the moon and tidal conditions to pinpoint the precise moment when the depth of the river is ideal for the ship to depart the shipyard.

"The science and precision of the process is actually more complex than transiting the Panama Canal," said Hanrahan. A railway bridge must be completely dismantled, and normal train schedules adjusted, to allow for the ship’s passage at one point on the course, among other narrow passages. The journey will take between 12 to 15 hours to complete, and is likely to be the most challenging ride the ship will encounter in its life. Only one captain in the world – who sweepstakes winners will have the exclusive opportunity to meet – is licensed and qualified to take the helm during the conveyance. The limited space available for navigation, the nature of sailing in reverse, and the number of narrow passages and bridges to transit are factors cruise ship captains normally don’t have to deal with; but, it provides the chance for them to test the ship’s maneuverability at slow speeds.

In addition to the series of 'first-ever' experiences, Celebrity's "Eclipse of a Lifetime" prize package includes a night in Dusseldorf, one of the hippest cities in Germany, prior to boarding the ship, and a night in freewheeling Amsterdam after departing the ship. Each “Eclipse of a Lifetime” prize package also includes coach-class air for two from each winner’s nearest major gateway to Dusseldorf, Germany; hotel accommodations and meals prior to boarding Celebrity Eclipse; all meals and activities onboard the ship; all pertinent gratuities; ground transfers to and from airports, hotels, and Celebrity Eclipse; the exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Meyer Werft shipyard, and coach-class air from Amsterdam to the U.S.

Celebrity has made it a breeze to enter the sweepstakes. Simply visit the Celebrity web site, at www.celebritycruises.com and click the “Eclipse of a Lifetime” tab to access the entry form and sweepstakes rules. Or, click www.celebritycruises.com/EclipseSweepstakes. The sweepstakes runs from December 7, 2009 through January 14, 2010. Winners will be announced January 28, 2010. This sweepstakes is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada. See Official Rules on the site for complete information.