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Couple missing from Carnival Spirit in Australia

Details: Category: Latest News; Published on Friday, 10 May 2013 09:37; Written by Kari Reinikainen

Authorities were conducting an air and marine search Thursday off Australia’s east coast for two cruise passengers who were believed to have fallen overboard the night before, a media report said.

The couple from New South Wales were discovered missing Thursday morning after the 86,000 gross ton Carnival Spirit docked at Sydney’s Circular Quay, at the end of a 10 day cruise, said New South Wales state Police Superintendent Mark Hutchings.

He said surveillance camera footage showed that the couple — a 30-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman — fell from the ship’s mid deck Wednesday night, when the ship was about 120 kilometres off the coast of Forster, a city 300 kilometres north of Sydney.

Carnival Australia worried over access to Garden Island in Sydney

Details: Category: Latest News; Published on Friday, 10 May 2013 09:34; Written by Kari Reinikainen

Carnival Australia, the Sydney based operating company of Carnival Corp & plc group, is concerned the Defence White Paper released by the Federal Government today leaves unresolved the vital question of long-term access to Garden Island to support the Australian cruise industry’s continued growth and increasing economic contribution.

On Garden Island, which located east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, there is a major base f the Royal Australian Navy. This will be home of the two 27,000 ton displacement helicopter carrier/assault ships HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide that are both currently under construction.

Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Lines have said they will bring another ship to Sydney in September. Other Carnival group units that operate from the port include P&O Cruises Australia, Princess cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line and P&O Cruises.

Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry said the paper comes just days after the release of industry statistics that again confirmed cruising as the standout success of Australian tourism in 2012 with an increase of 11% in passenger numbers, the eighth consecutive year of double digit industry growth.

Sherry said the need for certainty in relation to access to Garden Island beyond the 2013-2014 summer cruise season was becoming increasingly urgent to allow itinerary planning that would ensure Sydney remains the hub of cruise industry operations in Australia.

“We welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to allow limited access to Garden Island for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 summer cruise seasons and experience shows that the arrangements have worked effectively,” Sherry said.

“As a maritime organisation, Carnival Australia has always understood and shared the Navy’s commitment to the traditions and security requirements that apply at Garden Island and have demonstrated our respect for them.

“The need to resolve Sydney Harbour’s port infrastructure requirements has never been more important knowing that the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay and Garden Island are the only suitable berths east of the harbour bridge for the increasing number of larger ships.

“On this basis, we are seeking access to Garden Island for the overflow of cruise ships that cannot or are unable to berth at Circular Quay during peak summer cruise seasons. We remain committed to achieving a solution as soon as possible that addresses the interests of the Navy, cruise industry and wider tourism sector that benefits from the growth of cruising.”

Carnival Legend becomes second Carnival Cruise Lines’ ship in Australia

Details: Category: Latest News; Published on Friday, 10 May 2013 09:26; Written by Kari Reinikainen

Carnival Cruise Lines, which is part of the Carnival Corp & plc group, will bring a second ship to Australia to meet the burgeoning consumer demand for cruise holidays, an Australian media report says.

“The Carnival Legend will sail seasonally out of Sydney to the South Pacific from September 24 in what is a major vote of confidence in the Australian cruise industry by the world's biggest cruising company,” a report on Perthnow.com.au news website said.

Carnival Legend, which was built in Finland in 2002, is of 85,920 gross tons and it has a lower berth capacity of 2,124 passengers. It is the sister ship to Carnival Spirit which has carried more than 100,000 passengers since coming to Australia last October.

"We are all really excited about Carnival Legend joining her sister ship Carnival Spirit in Australia," Jennifer Vandekreeke, Director Carnival Cruise Lines Australia and New Zealand, said.

Strong UK, Nordic markets help TUI Travel to cut interim loss

Details: Category: Latest News; Published on Friday, 10 May 2013 09:12; Written by Kari Reinikainen

Strong performance of its business in the UK and in the Nordic countries helped TUI Travel plc, the London based tour operator that owns Thomson Cruises, to cut its loss in the firstsix months of its financial year.

Group net loss in the period to 31 March narrowed to £404 million from £457 million in the same period a year earlier. Revenues fell slightly, to £5.40 billion from £5.45 billion.

In the UK, bookings rose by 7%, well ahead of a 3% increase in overall capacity the company has on offer, while prices rose 5% on average per holiday sold. The company is a major retailer of cruises through its Thomson travel shop chain.

In the Nordic region, bookings rose 9% and prices increased by 5%, while in Germany prices rose 7% but bookings declined by 3%, the company said in a statement.

Peter Long, Chief Executive Officer, said the company expects operating profit for the full year to rise by 10% year on, with the expectations based on current trading and constant currencies.

Freerunning team 3RUN showcase upgraded Thomson Dream

Details: Category: Latest News; Published on Thursday, 09 May 2013 08:37; Written by Kari Reinikainen

Thomson Cruises says for the first time ever, freerunning has taken to the high seas as world renowned Parkour professionals are captured on film leaping over stairwells, jumping from balconies and even scaling the side of the ship.

The short film was created by record breaking freerunning team, 3RUN who’ve worked on Hollywood blockbusters like Casino Royale and Harry Potter and use awe inspiring stunts to give customers a unique look at the makeover on the Thomson Dream, a 54,000 gross ton vessel that was built as Homeric in 1988.

Filmed against the stunning backdrop of the Caribbean, the freerunners pushed their bodies to the limit as they were captured flipping over the pool, vaulting tables in the restaurants and even recreating the iconic ship’s flag 20 feet above deck.

The film ends with a glimpse of the 3RUN crew relaxing with cocktails on a nearby Caribbean beach, having left the newly renovated ship and swam ashore.

Fraser Ellacott, Managing Director of Thomson Cruises says: “To celebrate the launch of the two newly renovated ships to sea and with 64,000 people expected to travel on the new Platinum Cruise ships this summer, we wanted to do something completely different to showcase the renovations. Partnering with 3RUN gave us the opportunity to highlight the multi-million pound makeovers in a truly entertaining way. We’ve moved towards a more contemporary look and feel onboard both the Thomson Dream and Celebration with refurbished cabins, revamped restaurants and bars and a luxurious spa and wanted to show it off in an equally modern way.”

Chase Armitage, CEO of 3RUN says: “The new look Thomson Dream provided the ideal free running playground for us to create some never done before stunts that show off both the ship and the skills of our team. In true action film style we’ve tried to create content that will entertain every generation.”

Watch the film now at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3313LCOBdJc