Costa Cruises celebrates Italian Republic Day on ships and in Copenhagen and Oslo

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 28 May 2016 28 May 2016

Costa Cruises will celebrate Italian Republic Day and the 70th anniversary of the Italian Republic June 2 onboard its fleet of Italian-flagged cruise ships and at events organized by Italian embassies in two Nordic cities May 28 and May 30.

"The Italian Republic is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and we're proud to be taking part in the commemorative events," said Costa Cruises President Neil Palomba. "We're also proud to be global ambassadors for Italian excellence. For 68 years our ships have offered hundreds of thousands of guests from all over the world only 'Italy's finest,' a concept that is inextricably linked to our company's roots and identity. To mark Italy's national day on June 2, once again we intend to invite people to rediscover just how much excellence our country has to offer in terms of quality, style, hospitality and food and wine."

In honor of the Festa della Repubblica May 28 and 30, guests on Costa Favolosa in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Costa Pacifica in Oslo, Norway, respectively, will be treated to special events organized by the Italian embassies in each city. Local Italian ambassadors and government representatives will promote Italian tastes and excellence in those communities.

On June 2, the rest of the ships in the Costa fleet will hold celebrations. The Italian Republic Day program includes special menus inspired by the Italian flag and featuring traditional recipes from different regions of Italy, as well as playing the Italian national anthem.

Crystal Yacht Cruises unveils 2017 East Africa safari program

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 28 May 2016 28 May 2016

With more than 10 sailings scheduled in the Seychelles in 2017 aboard the ultra-luxury yacht Crystal Esprit, Crystal Yacht Cruises is offering guests the opportunity to extend their vacations with an immersive safari adventure.

Through Crystal’s popular “Extended Land Programs” – multi-night excursions that take travelers deeper into a destination, with all the details overseen by Crystal’s expert team – next year’s Crystal Esprit voyages in the Seychelles feature a post-cruise four-day safari through East Africa. The safari offers travelers an in-depth experience amidst the culture and wildlife in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Game drives will bring Crystal guests into the habitats of giraffes, lions, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs and other magnificent animals that roam the African plains. From the open plains to the dense bush, an expert director from acclaimed safari operator Micato Safaris will guide and enlighten guests on the animals’ hunting, playing, grooming and social habits as guests observe them in the wild.

For those seeking an all-encompassing bird’s eye view of the expansive African plains, an optional hot air balloon adventure affords just that, with a sunrise liftoff over the Mara Plain. The experience will unveil the complex and spectacular terrain below, illuminated by the colorful sunrise for which the region is famous. Juxtaposed with the grand perspective from the balloon’s altitude is a decidedly more intimate view of the region’s culture, showcased by a personal visit to Maasai Village. During this special encounter with the local village residents, Crystal guests will hear tales of Maasai’s history and also participate in traditional singing and dancing.

“Our Extended Land Programs are an excellent way to seamlessly continue one’s luxury vacation ashore while still enjoying the Crystal attention to detail and seeing to all arrangements,” says Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s president and CEO.

Included in the $3,495 per person base fare (dependent on air transportation selected) for the Crystal Esprit safari land program are three-night luxury accommodations at the Norfolk Hotel and the Fairmont Mara Safari Club; air transportation from Mahé/Victoria to Nairobi and up to two scheduled flights during the excursion; welcome amenities and gifts; game drive equipment and flight kits; and all gratuities to hotel staff and Micato Safari guides. The hot air balloon excursion is available for an additional cost; a Kenyan visa must be pre-secured by guests prior to arrival.

Sailing round-trip Mahé, Crystal Esprit’s 2017 Seychelles voyages call in pristine island destinations throughout the Indian Ocean, including St. Anne Island, Cousin Island, Praslin, La Passe, la Digue, Laraie Bay/Curieuse Island, Aride, and Big Sister Island. “Book Now” cruise fares start at $3,240 per person through June 30. An inclusive pre-cruise land program in Dubai is also available for the voyages.

Domestic cruises drove Australia’s 15% passenger count rise last year

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 27 May 2016 27 May 2016

The total number of Australians taking an ocean cruise worldwide rose by almost 15% in 2015 to reach a record 1,058,781 passengers, with a 42% increase in domestic cruise passenger numbers contributing significantly to the result.

“The growth in cruising in Australian waters saw local passenger numbers rise by more than 80,000 to 269,915 – a result which means one in four Australian cruise passengers took a domestic ocean cruise last year,’ CLIA Australasia said in a statement.

Meanwhile the number of Australians taking an ocean cruise in Asia jumped 71.5% from 55,000 in 2014 to 95,000 in 2015.

Released in Sydney, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s 2015 Australian Cruise Industry Source Market report reveals that Australia once again leads the global cruise industry in terms of market penetration, with the equivalent of 4.5% of the Australian population taking a cruise last year.

The industry’s 14.6%annual growth rate was the second highest recorded by an international cruise region last year, with only the emerging market of China reporting stronger growth (40.3%).

The annual report, which is now focussed solely on ocean cruising in line with international CLIA reporting, shows that Australian ocean cruise passenger numbers have increased by an impressive annual average of 19.2% since 2006.

The study also found that 135,000 more Australians took a cruise last year than in 2014 - one of the biggest increases on record in real terms.

Commenting on the report’s findings, CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell said Australians were responding to the increasing array of cruises on offer. “In 2015 we saw a range of new shorter coastal cruises sailing from Australian homeports and these have clearly captured the imagination of Australians, who see them as a new way to explore their nation,” Odell said.

“What’s more, many of these cruises are calling at regional ports around the coastline, creating a lot of chatter and enticing more Australians to try a holiday at sea, while also injecting valuable dollars into local economies.”

Odell said the expanding range of cruise options in Asia was also tempting Australians, with new itineraries available from China, Japan and Singapore in 2015.

“Whether they are on a four-day cruise to a Queensland island or a 14-day voyage exploring the exotic ports of Asia, clearly more Australians are discovering that cruising is an easy, relaxing and great value way to holiday.”

 Other key findings of the 2015 Australian Cruise Industry Source Market report include:

 The South Pacific maintained its position as Australians’ favourite cruise destination attracting more than one-third of ocean cruise passengers (383,889). Australia was the second favourite destination.

 Europe remained the leading long-haul destination and Australians’ third most popular destination overall, attracting 9.5% of passengers (101,419)

 The number of Australians cruising to New Zealand rose by 13.5% to break through the 100,000 mark for the first time

 Short break cruises of four days or less leapt in popularity, growing by 25% in 2015, while cruises of 15-21 days rose by more than 50%

 Close to 90 % of all Australians cruising in 2014 took a cruise of 14 days or less

 At a State level, New South Wales was the biggest source of cruisers (421,950) while Queensland recorded the strongest growth with cruise numbers from the State rising by almost 30% compared to 2014, giving the state a record population penetration rate of 5.9%

Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas arrives PortMiami after $50 million refit

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 25 May 2016 25 May 2016

Miami’s latest hometown ship, Empress of the Seas, arrived to her new homeport today after a $50 million revitalization. This is almost 26 years later, when the ship first time entered for a short cruise market sailing out from Miami. The ship will set sail on her first sailing on Friday, May 27 visiting Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay, Bahamas and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship will then offer short 4- and 5-night getaways from Miami to Nassau, The Bahamas; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Grand Cayman and Key West, Florida. With longer stays in every port, guests will be able to experience spectacular golden sunsets in the Caribbean. Plus, on select 5-night itineraries, guest can experience the authentic Mexican culture and cuisine during overnight stays in Cozumel, Mexico.

Empress of the Seas will offer signature amenities including a thrilling rock-climbing wall for adrenaline seekers; new pools and whirlpools; a spa with an extensive treatment menu; and a complimentary Adventure Ocean youth program. Empress also will offer a variety of dining options, including the casual atmosphere of the Windjammer Café and fine dining at the brand’s signature steakhouse Chops Grille. In addition, the ship will offer Voom, the fastest internet at sea.