Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to highlight nature and events 2017-18

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational operator of four medium sized ships, will highlight regions of natural beauty and events taking place in various parts of the world in 2017-18.

The ships - Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – will be visiting 220 destinations in 70 countries around the globe, plus 118 areas of scenic cruising. The new 2017-18 itineraries will go on general sale from 18 March 2016, the company said in a statement.

“In 2017-18, Fred. Olsen will be making the most of its smaller-sized ships by offering even more river, fjords and scenic cruising, taking guests along narrow sea passages and waterways, and past awe-inspiring scenery. Fred. Olsen will be visiting 118 picturesque scenic sea passages and waterways in 2017-18, totalling almost 1,000 hours of scenic cruising,” the company said.

Following their popularity in 2016, Fred. Olsen will now be offering its ‘Lochs of Scotland’ itinerary across all four of its ships. “This ‘Fred. favourite’ showcases Scotland’s glorious, unspoilt countryside,” the company pointed out.

In all, Fred. Olsen’s ships will be sailing from a total of 10 regional UK departure ports in 2017-18 – Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Falmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow)and Belfast.

In 2017-18, Fred. Olsen will be reconfirming its commitment to the port of Newcastle, offering a record 13 departures, between May and September 2017, aboard its 1,350-guest flagship Balmoral. Departures include a five-night ‘Norwegian Fjords’ cruise, an 11-night ‘Swedish Waterways’ holiday and a 15-night ‘Authentic Andalusia’ adventure, taking in seven sunshine ports of call in Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar.

Fred. Olsen’s Boudicca will be setting sail on 10 unique adventures from the Port of Liverpool in 2017-18, including a 26-night ‘Azores & the America’s Cup’ cruise, which has been specially crafted for guests to be able to enjoy the action of the 35th America’s Cup in Hamilton, Bermuda; an eight-night ‘Lochs of Scotland’ cruise; and a 16-night ‘Glitz & Glamour of the French Riviera’ holiday, with calls into eight beautiful locations, including Barcelona, Monaco and Cannes.

Fred. Olsen will also be reinforcing its reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line of choice’ in 2017-18, with 12 departures from Scotland, a country that has historically been very close to the Olsen family: three from Greenock (Glasgow) and nine from Rosyth (Edinburgh). Cruise holidays on offer to Scottish guests include a 10-night ‘French Rivers’ experience, departing from Rosyth on 4th October 2017, and a 10-night ‘Iceland’ adventure from Greenock, setting sail on 16 May 2017.

Black Watch and Balmoral will be embarking on ‘Grand Voyages’ in January 2018, visiting a total of 46 ports in 35 countries between them. Black Watch will be setting sail on a 108-night ‘Wonders of the World’ cruise, whereby guests will experience five of the seven ‘New Wonders of the World’ – Chichén Itzá, the Colosseum, the ‘Lost City’ of Petra, Machu Picchu, and the Taj Mahal – plus the only surviving ‘Ancient Wonder’, the Great Pyramid of Giza. This incredible ‘Holiday of a Lifetime’ is bursting with magical, unforgettable experiences!

Balmoral will be cruising to mighty South America on a 46-night ‘Rio Carnival and River Plate’ adventure, filled with sun, sea, sand and Samba! Highlights include four days in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the famous Rio Carnival, plus calls to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a full day in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises names first female Captain

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced the promotion of Serena Melani to Captain of Seven Seas Mariner, the world's first all-suite, all-balcony ship.

The first female Captain in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, Captain Melani – age 42 – is one of just a handful of women to ascend to the rank of captain in the history of the cruise industry. Overseeing 700 passengers and a crew of 450, she embarked February 21 on her maiden voyage as captain – a 12-night South American sojourn, from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro.

“Our guests expect the highest standard of cruising excellence, both in our ships and those who serve aboard it. Captain Melani exemplifies those qualities through her vast experience and leadership abilities,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Her promotion to captain is well-earned, and I know she will perform admirably in guiding Seven Seas Mariner as she sails from the Caribbean to Alaska.”

A native of the Tuscany region of Italy, Captain Melani became enamored with the sea at a young age and prepared for her career by attending nautical school. She attained her first shipboard position in 1998, serving on a roll-on/roll-off ship carrying cars and general cargo. Later, after four years working on oil tankers and gas carriers, she made a career switch to the cruise ship industry.

“On cruise ships, you travel to more exotic places and get to meet so many interesting people,” said Captain Melani, whose favorite cruise destination is West Africa. “The ship is like a small village, and I take pride in ensuring that all of our guests experience a unique and enjoyable journey.”

While excited to be commanding a ship for the first time, Captain Melani downplayed the significance of her gender. “Yes, I am a female in a traditional male environment. But when you are on board, you are part of a team. Regardless of your gender, you have a job to do. And you must do it well.”

After seven years with another cruise line, Captain Melani joined Regent Seven Seas in 2010. She has served in several increasingly-responsible officer-level roles, including 2nd officer and safety officer. She most recently served a two-year stint as Staff Captain aboard Seven Seas Mariner, which she now captains.

When not at sea, Captain Melani lives with her husband in Croatia and her native Italy.

Royal Caribbean International unveils Private Journeys

Adding to Royal Caribbean International’s close to 3,000 shore excursions worldwide, guests will be able to craft personalized shore excursions to immerse themselves in local culture, cuisine and adventure across 288 ports of call in 77 countries. No matter the ship or the sailing, guests can book special Private Journeys, tailored to their budget, interests, experience and travel style.

This concierge-style planning service will connect guests with one of nine Destination Insiders to plan every detail of their shore experience before they set sail. Using their intimate local knowledge, nearly 100 years of combined experience and connections around the world, Destination Insiders will design personalized activities, programs and adventures for individual guests, couples, families and small groups. From cooking alongside Michelin-starred chefs, to wandering through the Italian and French Riviera on a private yacht, Destination Insiders will work hand-in-hand guests to design unique, memory-generating destination experiences that will serve as distinct bragging rights upon returning home.

“Private Journeys is a natural evolution of Royal Caribbean’s renowned shore excursion program that allows us to offer guests the bespoke travel destination experience of their dreams, even if they don’t know exactly what that is yet,” said Roberta Jacoby, Managing Dirictor, Global Tour Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “As travelers continue to seek out more personalized and immersive destination experiences that can be intimately shared with only their family and friends, Private Journeys empowers guests to make that a reality and a seamless element of their Royal Caribbean vacation.”

Private Journeys bookings will require a $100 deposit applicable to the final cost of the destination experience. In celebration of the new launch, Royal Caribbean is waiving the required deposit for all Private Journeys booked before March 31, 2016. Guests with confirmed cruise reservations can begin planning their Private Journey with a dedicated Designation Insider by calling (844) 571-7851 or (801) 666-3031.

Norwegian Cruise Line unveils select Fall and Winter 2017-2018 itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line yesterday announced select 2017-2018 Fall/Winter itineraries that feature sought-after destinations while offering the freedom and flexibility on board that only Norwegian Cruise Line provides. Highlights include a variety of Caribbean & Bahamas cruises from New York, Port Canaveral and Miami; immersive 10-night Canary Islands cruises from Barcelona; as well as the company’s exclusive 7-night, intra-island Hawaii sailings from Honolulu. Norwegian’s new itineraries will be available for Latitudes guests and travel partners on March 22 and open for all bookings on March 23.

Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida

Norwegian’s newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape, will continue to sail 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailings every Saturday from Miami year-round, bringing guests the best that this region has to offer with calls in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. Featuring 28 dining options, Tony Award-winning Broadway entertainment, the brand’s first nursery with supervised care for young cruisers ages six months to two years, and much more, Norwegian Escape is a brand-new way to explore the Caribbean in style.

Guests who wish to explore the Western Caribbean from Miami on one of Norwegian’s newest and most exciting ships can enjoy Norwegian Getaway, which will return to the U.S. from the Baltic in Fall 2017 and sail 7-night cruises every Sunday from October 29, 2017 to April 22, 2018. Ports of call include Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Norwegian’s newest destination Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Norwegian Epic will also return to the U.S. in the fall of 2017 to once again homeport seasonally in Port Canaveral through the winter, offering 3-, 4- and 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries to fit any schedule or itinerary preference. The recently refurbished Norwegian Epic will feature Norwegian’s private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay, on all of her itineraries from Port Canaveral. As a part of The Norwegian Edge investment program, Great Stirrup Cay will receive new features, amenities and island-wide enhancements over the next 16 months, and will welcome guests in 2017 to what will be practically an all-new destination.

Norwegian Epic will sail alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral from November 5, 2017 through March 21, 2018. Norwegian Epic’s 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary will be a beach-lover’s paradise with stops in Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Guests can choose to soak-up the sun or opt for adventurous excursions on Norwegian Epic’s Western Caribbean itinerary, featuring stops in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Norwegian Epic will also offer guests who may not have the time to get away for a week-long vacation the perfect opportunity for a quick escape in March 2018 with a series of three- and four-day Bahamas itineraries with stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.

Guests looking for a longer escape can sail away on the recently enhanced Norwegian Gem, part of Norwegian’s Jewel-class, from October 21, 2017 through April 17, 2018 on alternating 10- and 11-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from New York. Ports of call include San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The 11-day cruises also feature a call in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

For those guests looking for a short cruise option that provides a tremendous value, Norwegian’s 3- and 4-day cruises on Norwegian Sky will continue to sail from Miami year-round, offering an all-inclusive experience featuring free open bar on all sailings.

Europe

Norwegian Spirit will go into dry dock in early 2017 for significant enhancements and will remain in Europe for Fall and Winter 2017, sailing the Canary Islands with departures from Barcelona. From November 23, 2017 to April 24, 2018, Norwegian Spirit will sail an immersive 10-night Canary Islands, Spain and Morocco itinerary. Ports of call on this exotic itinerary include Casablanca, Morocco; Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Malaga and Alicante, Spain.

Canada & New England

In addition to the previously announced 7-night Canada & New England roundtrip cruises from New York City during prime fall foliage season, Norwegian Gem will also offer an exclusive 10-night Eastern Canada and Quebec cruise from New York, with calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia; an overnight in Quebec City; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Hawaii

The recently-refurbished Pride of America will continue to sail her very popular seven-day Hawaii itinerary departing from Honolulu every Saturday through April 2018. Offering more than 100 hours of in-port sight-seeing time, the only ship to sail the islands features an itinerary with calls that include an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawai`i; Kona, Hawai`i; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kaua`i; and an afternoon cruise past the breathtaking Nãpali Coast.

Lloyd Werft strengthens its management team

Alan Lam reporting

After having been acquired by Genting Group, Lloyd Werft, the German shipbuilder, has embarked upon strengthening its management by adding Jarmo Laakso to its board.

This addition effectively means that Genting has now a management quartet for its four newly acquired shipyards in Germany. Other board members consist of Rüdiger Pallentin, Carsten J. Haake and Dirk Petersjohann. “Jarmo Laakso is ideally suited for this new constellation,” said Rüdiger Pallentin.

Trained in Finland, Jarmo Laakso is both a shipbuilding and mechanical engineer, “a combination rarely seen at a German yard,” stated the Group, “and thus particularly prized by Lloyd Werft.” He will have an office at Lloyd Werft and one at Wismar.

He joined Schichau-Seebeckwerft in 1995 and garnered early experience at Lloyd Werft from the construction of Costa Victoria and of Norwegian Sky before spending six years at Meyer Werft, where he was a project manager in the Royal Caribbean International newbuilding team. He then spent a few years at Arosa Flussschifffahrten GmbH in Rostock before returning to Meyer Werft in 2005 as construction supervision head of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

The appointment of Jarmo Laakso is, according to the Group, “designed to expand the newbuilding competence of Lloyd Werft”. The number of newbuildings ordered at Lloyd Werft by Genting has grown to ten, which is deemed to be a “particular challenges” for the builder. “Future challenges in Bremerhaven,” said the Group, “on the scale now presented by Genting also require corporate answers of a dimension which the yard has not had to confront in the past.”

Under Genting, the Lloyd Werft group, now with four shipyards, is quickly emerging as another major cruise ship builder in Europe. This certainly appears to be the aim of the new owner. But above all Genting wishes to have full control of its newbuilding programme, which is key to its massive expansion strategy.