MSC Cruises makes maiden call in Singapore

As she is currently undertaking her hugely popular first 33-night Grand Voyage from Dubai to Perth (Australia), MSC Orchestra has arrived in Singapore, the sixth of 13 ports along her journey.

In honour of MSC Cruises’ maiden call at the Asian city state, a special event to showcase the MSC Cruises experience was held on stunning 2,550-guest MSC Orchestra in the presence of key media, travel agents, local officials, business leaders and VIPs.

Welcoming the visitors, MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said: “This is a historic moment in our company’s journey – the first time an MSC Cruises ship has called at the magnificent city of Singapore. In fact, all 13 ports of call on MSC Orchestra’s pioneering Grand Voyage are firsts for MSC Cruises.”

He added: “We are in Singapore to show how firmly we believe in the Asian market’s potential, which is only going to grow further in the foreseeable future.”

Leading the presentations at the event, MSC Cruises Executive Director for Emerging Markets, Antonio Paradiso, said: “MSC Cruises has grown 800% since 2004. In 2014, we carried 40,000 guests per day on our fleet of 12 ships, and with up to seven ultra-modern ships in two state-of-the-art prototypes coming online by 2022 we’ll double our current capacity. We used to carry 80,000 guests per year at the start and we’ll carry 80,000 guests a day at the end of our investment plan. This growth will unlock fresh opportunities, including new markets and regions, and untried itineraries.”

2014 saw MSC Cruises report another strong year and with the progressive return to service of the remaining ships undergoing the Renaissance programme, the company is expecting a 10% further growth this year. What’s more, in 2015, MSC Cruises is poised to become the undisputed leader in the Mediterranean, currently forecasting  some 810,000 guests for the full year.

Paradiso added: “Asia is an already robust source market for our cruises around the world, and MSC Cruises is the cruise line of reference for thousands of Asians travellers who want to entrust their European adventures to the biggest privately-owned cruise company in the world.”

Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board, also lauded the move, and warmly welcomed MSC Orchestra to Singapore.

She said: “This development is testament to the potential of Southeast Asia, where Singapore serves as the regional cruise hub. Singapore’s strong air connectivity and seamless transport network augments cruise itineraries and enables more travellers to use Singapore to discover Southeast Asia.”

“Unknown to many, Southeast Asia is a cruising playground in its own right – with over 25,000 islands and diverse attractions ranging from cosmopolitan cities to pristine beaches and UNESCO Heritage sites. We are excited that travellers from all over the world will get to experience so much of Asia through MSC Orchestra.”

Antonio Paradiso concluded “We want to thank all those who took part in this event, and especially those who came a long way. We are sincerely grateful for the warm reception the city has given us.”

On 20 February, MSC Orchestra left Dubai for Mumbai, India, to embark on MSC Cruises’ inaugural Grand Voyage to Australia, covering 13 ports of call in eight countries across three continents. After Mumbai, MSC Orchestra call at Cochin before heading due south to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 27 February.

She then headed to Phuket (Thailand), Langkawi (Malaysia) and Singapore for an overnight stay, before setting sail for Benoa, in Bali (Indonesia) on 8 March. Four sea days follow, on a heading for Cairns, Australia.

MSC Orchestra’s time Down Under covers maiden calls in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, before her final destination of Freemantle, the port serving Perth.

Singapore’s breathtaking skyline was the backdrop for this event held on MSC Orchestra. At the crossroads of many cultures, it allowed MSC guests to soak up the charms of this city-state where history and modernity exist side by side -  a unique feature shared by MSC Cruises with its long seafaring traditions and commitment to modernity in every aspect of the guest experience.

While MSC Orchestra’s Grand Voyage marked the first time an MSC cruise ship has called in Asia. MSC Cruises has become the cruise line of reference for Asians wishing to visit the Mediterranean and the Gulf.

Magellan on way to London Tilbury to start Cruise & Maritime Voyages career

Magellan, the former Grand Holiday, has sailed from Piraeus in Greece for LOndon Tilbury to take up a new career with Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the destinational British cruise operator.

The 46,052 gross ton ship that started life in 1985 as Holiday of Carnival Cruise Lines was painted in the livery during wet docking in Piraeus, CMV said on its page on Facebook.

The ship is due to enter service with CMV later this month: its first cruise for the company will be a 12 night Solar Eclipse cruise from London Tilbury that is due to sail on 15 March. CMV now has a fleet of four deep sea and three river cruise ships.

New Seabourn Encore maiden season now open for sale

Seabourn has opened for sale today the maiden season itineraries for Seabourn Encore, the newest addition to join the ultra-luxury, small ship cruise line. Between December 2016 and April 2017, the ship will sail on a variety of voyages exploring the exotic coasts of Arabia and India, the gilded temples and tropical isles of Southeast Asia, and the incredible natural splendors and vibrant, friendly cities of Australia and New Zealand.

"We're excited to offer a diverse range of itineraries for the maiden season of Seabourn Encore and provide our guests with the opportunities to visit some of the most charming and sought-after destinations in Asia, Australia and New Zealand on the world's newest and most beautiful ultra-luxury ship," said Seabourn President Richard Meadows. "Seabourn Encore will set a new standard of ultra-luxury cruising that can only be found on Seabourn, and we can't wait to share her with our guests."

Following the ship's delivery in December 2016, Seabourn Encore will offer two pre-inaugural cruises, providing travelers with a preview of the vessel before its official maiden voyage. On December 4, 2016, Seabourn Encore will sail on a 16-day pre-inaugural cruise from Athens bound for Dubai, visiting various exotic ports including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel; Petra, Jordan; and Muscat, Oman. The voyage will be followed by an 18-day pre-inaugural holiday voyage departing Dubai on December 20, 2016, sailing to Arabia, India and Southeast Asia before arriving at Singapore.

On January 7, 2017, Seabourn Encore will make its official debut with a gala naming ceremony in the vibrant Asian city-state of Singapore. Following the naming, the vessel will embark on its 10-day official inaugural voyage to Bali, including stops in Surabaya, Java; Celukan Bawang, Bali; and Slawi Bay, Komodo, Indonesia. Seabourn Encore will go on to spend its maiden season operating a series of 16-day voyages cruising the Pacific Rim in Australia and New Zealand, calling at the metropolitan cities of Sydney and Melbourne and exploring both islands of New Zealand.  The ship will visit popular ports, such as Auckland and Wellington, while exploring other picturesque towns, including New Zealand's southernmost city, Oban on Stewart Island, and the charming port of Picton, the gateway to the stunning scenery of Marlborough Sound.

In April 2017, Seabourn Encore will return to Europe with two 16- and 18-day Arabia and India voyages. The ship will spend the summer in the waters of the eastern Mediterranean with a series of seven-day voyages.

Seabourn Encore will expand and build on the line's award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011. Seabourn Encore will maintain the line's high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalized service by close to one staff member for each guest on board. A sister ship, Seabourn Ovation, will join the fleet in 2018, and, with the addition of the two new ships, Seabourn will have the youngest and most modern ultra-luxury fleet in the industry.

Designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany, Seabourn Encore will feature modern design elements and innovations consistent with the line's reputation for understated elegance. The 40,350-GRT ship will be configured with one additional deck and new expanded public areas, and is expected to carry just 604 guests, based on double occupancy. In addition, every suite will feature a private veranda.

Seabourn has revealed renderings and updates about Seabourn Encore via a new dedicated microsite: http://encore.seabourn.com. Filled with imagery, details and updates on the ship's progress, including "sunsets until launch," the microsite offers an inside look at the most exciting Seabourn launch in years. Additional details, news and images will be revealed on the site on an ongoing basis.

FleetPro is launching a record four ocean ships in May and June 2015 and three newbuild river cruise ships

FleetPro Passenger Ship Management is launching and inaugurating 4 ocean vessels in a very short period between May and June 2015. Iceland Pro Cruises is inaugurating MV Ocean Diamond for a series of extraordinary around Iceland cruises, as well as some unique Iceland combined with Greenland itineraries. Haimark Line is introducing MV Saint Laurent (formerly Sea Voyager), specifically built for Great Lakes Cruises and expedition style Panama Canal and South America cruises. Adventure Canada is launching their Arctic Canada program onboard Ocean Endeavour; a ship specifically refurbished for arctic and Antarctic expedition cruising. Not a new introduction but a renewed service of the Nova Star cruise ferry; this state of the art cruise ferry will sail again between Portland and Yarmouth starting June 1, 2015.
“These four ship’s introductions on the ocean are a new mile stone in FleetPro’s effort to manage high quality and demanding passenger ships programs and itineraries”, says Hans Rood Executive Vice President Commercial, FleetPro Passenger Ship Management. “Each of our clients has very specific requirements for onboard product delivery, Hotel Operations, expedition style and itinerary demands”, adds Hans Rood.

Furthermore, FleetPro will also inaugurate three new and state of the art river cruise vessels in the same spring early summer period;
Avalon Waterways launches two additional suite ships in March, the Avalon Tranquility II on the Seine river and the Avalon Tapestry II, sailing the classic Rhine cruise itineraries between Amsterdam and Basel. FleetPro is proud to open the 2015 river season with 15 deluxe Avalon river vessels under management. Vantage Deluxe World Travel announced their River Voyager inaugural departure to take place on June 25. The brand new 442 ft. river vessel built for 176 passengers will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube, all the way to the Black Sea.

“With the addition of three brand new vessels built mainly for the North American clientele, 50% of our entire operated river fleet sails for the English speaking market. FleetPro VIP treatment means: top hospitality management for our client’s guests as well as reliable and experienced treatment of the ship owners’ vessels” says Robert Straubhaar, President & CEO of the FleetPro Group.

“Our strong experience in running these high-quality ocean and river cruise products, makes FleetPro very unique in providing opportunities for our clients to expand business in a wide variety of cruise offerings for demanding clients, specifically interested in small ship ocean and river cruising.”

“Come see us and meet with our team during Cruise Shipping Miami in March”; adds Robert Straubhaar.

FleetPro Ocean (formerly ISP) and FleetPro River (formerly River Advice) manages a combined fleet of ocean-going passenger ships, expedition cruise ships and river cruise ships in excess of 60 vessels, making it the largest passenger ship management company in the world. What distinguishes FleetPro is a hands-on managing approach with extremely strong technical and top notch hotel operation expertise. This allows FleetPro to service a wide array of clients in the demanding global arena of river cruise operations, ocean going cruising and the itinerary intensive expedition cruise segments.

China's first Around-the-World Cruise debuts from Shanghai on Costa Atlantica

Costa Cruises celebrates China’s first Around-the-World Cruise onboard Costa Atlantica at a launch event before its departure with nearly 1000 passengers from the homeport of Shanghai on March 1st. Distinguished guests including Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Crociere Group, government officials, trade partners, journalists, and passengers were in attendance to bless Costa Atlantica as she sets sail on her for 86-day voyage.

“This first world voyage by a cruise ship specially for the Chinese market marks a particular milestone for the Costa Group and the cruise industry in the rapid further development of our business in Asia. We will invest further in this and accelerate the development of these important markets for the future with innovative ideas and products. I wish the passengers on the Costa Atlantica a unique, eventful, exciting and simply wonderful cruise at this world premiere!", says Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group.

Costa Atlantica, inspired by Italian cinema and arts, has been dedicated to Asia and China since May 2013, receiving a great appreciation for her unique elegance and style. During her inaugural 86-day Around-the-World cruise Costa Atlantica will take passengers across five continents, visiting 28 destinations in 18 countries. Some of the most fascinating places on earth are included in the itinerary: Maldives, Athens (Greece), Sicily island in Italy (with the call at Catania), Rome (Italy), Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), a 3-day call at New York City (USA), Miami (USA), a 2-day call at Los Angeles (USA), then San Francisco (USA) and the Polynesian paradise islands of Maui and Hawaii.

“As a cruise industry leader in the China market, we strive to bring the best holiday options for our valued customers in the region. Our unique packaging for the World Cruise will undoubtedly exceed consumer expectations. At Costa Cruises, we are always keen to bring new formulas to make a difference in China’s cruise industry,” stated Buhdy Bok, President of Costa Asia.

The World Cruise product reflects a new chapter in China’s tourism industry, bringing China to the World Cruise Era. It offers a unique travel opportunity to a broad target audience, introducing an innovative win-win product for Costa Cruises and its trade partners in China. With the support of local government, tourism boards, and Costa’s partners, this new innovative holiday option will have a tremendous impact on the local cruise industry.

Since Costa Cruises entered China in 2006 as the first international cruise line to operate homeport cruises, it supported China’s cruise industry to become the most exciting market in the world. Costa Cruises is always committed to bring more innovative holiday options to this market.