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Gary Barlow becomes P&O Cruises’ brand ambassador

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 January 2020 16 January 2020

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group said it has appointed Gary Barlow, as its new brand ambassador, with the pioneering partnership set to fuse music with travel experiences for guests on board.

“Multi-award winning singer, songwriter, producer, musician and member of one of the biggest groups in British music history, Take That, Gary’s debut role will be as musical director of The 710 Club on Iona, the contemporary new P&O Cruises flagship to be launched in May this year,” the company said in a statement.

“As musical director of The 710 Club, Gary is set to make Iona’s intimate music bar the most exciting live music venue at sea. Showcasing an eclectic range of performances, curated to appeal to British music lovers, this atmospheric late-night music venue will offer an opportunity for up-and-coming musicians to get their break,” P&O Cruises said.

Gary will also perform at Iona’s naming celebration, which kicks off IonaFest, the UK’s most exciting new floating festival which is a seven night cruise to the Norwegian Fjords from Southampton on 4 July.

P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow, said in the statement: “We are immensely proud to have someone of Gary’s stature and talent working with us as brand ambassador. Gary’s impressive career speaks for itself and he will bring his vision and personality to our new The 710 Club; from guiding the resident band, selecting future performers and playlists and even shaping the interiors and signature cocktails.

Gary will also join guests on two Iona holidays in 2020 for exclusive performances: Iona G018 departing Southampton on 29 August for the Norwegian Fjords and Iona G025 departing Southampton on 31 October for Spain and Portugal, P&O Cruises stated.

PortMiami records best performance in its history

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 January 2020 15 January 2020

PortMiami set a new record-breaking year in collaboration with its partners. During the 12-month period ending September 30, 2019, the Port experienced a 3.4 % gain in cargo with a total of 1,120,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and a 22% increase in cruise passenger totals, surpassing its previous world record with an all-time high total of 6,824,000 passengers.

On the cruise side, the growth is strengthened by the development of new business. Royal Caribbean International officially opened Cruise Terminal A, the Crown of Miami, and celebrated the arrival of the world’s largest ship, the Symphony of the Seas. Norwegian Cruise Line also welcomed the Norwegian Bliss. Carnival Cruise Line added its new Carnival Horizon. Viking Ocean Cruises introduced the Viking Star and Viking Sun. Additionally, MSC Cruises welcomed the MSC Armonia.

In addition, PortMiami consolidated its partnerships by securing a series of long-term deals and new terminal developments with Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Bahamas, Terminal Link Miami, and Virgin Voyages. The expanded partnerships are anticipated to generate an additional estimated economic impact to South Florida of about $7.8 billion with 27,500 jobs new direct, induced, and indirect jobs annually.

“PortMiami’s development wouldn’t be possible without its dedicated partners including the cruise and cargo lines, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Biscayne Bay Pilots, International Longshoremen’s Associations’ Locals 1416 and 1922, Miami-Dade Police and Fire Departments, among so many others,” said the Chairwoman of the Tourism and the Ports Committee Rebeca Sosa. “New facilities, including cruise terminals and berths are in the works to accommodate the industry’s new generation of vessels. I am so proud of PortMiami, what it has accomplished, and where it’s heading.”

“The strong performance at PortMiami, one of Miami-Dade County’s main economic engines, is great news for our community," said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “The growth figures confirm our role as a leading global gateway and demonstrate the continuing draw of the Port. I am proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. I want to thank our cruise and cargo partners for working with PortMiami’s Director and CEO Juan M. Kuryla and his team on extending their business relationships. I will continue to work with the Port and its partners on additional opportunities. Everybody stands to gain from sustainable growth at our seaport.”

CLIA appoints Julie Green VP Strategic Communications in Europe

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 January 2020 15 January 2020

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said that it would be growing its European presence with the addition of Julie Green as Vice President of Strategic Communications and the establishment of the soon-to-be-filled position of Director General.

Julie Green joins CLIA with extensive experience in corporate and policy communications, serving most recently as the Head of Corporate Communications for leading consulting firm WSP UK. Green previously served as Global Head of Communications for Bechtel Corporation’s infrastructure business, where she spent more than a decade managing targeted communications and marketing initiatives on behalf of the global engineering and construction company.

“Further strengthening our communications capabilities in Europe is essential to supporting our members as they deepen the industry’s commitment and leadership in responsible tourism,” said Kelly Craighead, CLIA president and CEO. “Julie has the experience and qualifications to guide us into this new and exciting era, and ultimately to help us share the incredible stories of the cruise industry with our partners and stakeholders in Europe and beyond. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”

Ponant unveils five Le Commandant Charcot initial season itineraries

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 January 2020 15 January 2020

Ponant, the French expedition cruise specialist, said it has unveiled five new itineraries aboard Le Commandant Charcot – a hybrid electric polar vessel – for its inaugural Antarctica season in winter 2021-2022.

Among the highlights are a sail to Peter I Island, where fewer people have visited than have set foot on the moon; close encounters with Antarctic seabirds, Minke whales and orcas; tethered hot air balloon rides above the White Continent; and opportunities to join environmental research expeditions. Itineraries will range from 11- to 24-nights and start at $13,960 per person.

The 30,000 gross ton Le Commandant Charcot is among the most environmentally friendly ships in the sea, powered exclusively by battery and LNG. It is under construction at a Vard shipyard in Norway.

The Emperor Penguins of the Bellingshausen Sea

This expedition will take guests beyond Peter I Island and Charcot Island into the heart of the Bellingshausen Sea. Named in honor of the Russian admiral and explorer who discovered Antarctica in 1820, this sea in the Southern Ocean is covered in ice for most of the year, making it difficult to reach and practically unexplored. The highlight is the gigantic colonies of rarely observed emperor penguins, which are endemic to the region.

19 days/18 nights

Departing on November 1, 2021

Prices from $25,830 per person based on double occupancy

Discover the expedition here

Expedition to Charcot and Peter I Islands

Sail to Peter I Island, a small volcanic island in the Bellingshausen Sea, where fewer people have visited than have set foot on the moon. From there, guests will sail to Charcot Island passing through The Gullet, a narrow channel with immaculate white walls. Passengers will follow the journey first explored by the Jean-Baptiste Charcot expedition in 1909.

15 days/14 nights

Three departures available November 19 and December 14, 2021 and February 2, 2022

Prices from $16,280 per person based on double occupancy

Discover the expedition here

The Weddell Sea & Larsen Ice Shelf

Impassable, extreme and captivating: this is the best way to describe the Weddell Sea, much of which is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice. In the northwest of the Weddell Sea stands the imposing ice barrier called the Larsen Ice Shelf with its colossal dimensions and the impressive icebergs it generates. This cruise will be an opportunity to get as close as possible to the fauna of the Weddell Sea, a veritable wildlife sanctuary.

12 days/11 nights

Four departures available December 3 and 28, 2021 and March 14 and 25, 2022

Prices from $13,960 per person based on double occupancy

Discover the expedition here

The Ross Sea

Sailing the Ross Sea is a chance to discover one of the most extreme parts of the Antarctic. Here, the cold is more intense, the wind stronger and the ice more impressive. Partially occupied by the Ross Ice Shelf, the largest ice shelf in Antarctica, this bay is located approximately 400 miles from the South Pole and is one of the last intact marine ecosystems on the planet. Guests will encounter prodigious wildlife here including Antarctic petrels (seabirds), Minke whales and orcas.

25 days/24 nights

Departing on February 16, 2022

Prices from $40,060 per person based on double occupancy

Discover the expedition here

The Weddell Sea & The South Sandwich Islands

The itinerary will bring guests into the heart of the Scotia Arc, a volcanic archipelago that was once a land bridge between South America and Antarctica. The 18-day cruise will explore four different ecosystems, from the wooded heights of the Tierra del Fuego in Argentina and the tabletop icebergs of the Weddell Sea, to the glacier-covered mountains of the South Sandwich Islands and the snow-capped summits of South Georgia.

18 days/17 nights

Departing on April 5, 2022

Prices from $18,990 per person based on double occupancy

Discover the expedition here

Scanship assumes new name Vow

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 January 2020 14 January 2020

Scanship Holding ASA, parent company of the Norwegian waste management equipment maker Scanship, has assumed a new name of Vow.

"Vow is not only a company name. It also reflects who we are, what we believe in and what we do. We develop and deliver world leading technology and solutions that purify wastewater and convert waste into valuable resources and clean energy.”

“I also like to think of the name as a reminder of our promise, our vow to customers, to investors and to the world. Giving waste value is crucial for a truly sustainable circular economy,” said Henrik Badin, CEO of Vow ASA, in a statement on the website of the company.

"Scanship AS with subsidiaries Scanship Americas for life cycle services and Scanship Poland for production remains the name of Vow ASA’s cruise business entities. Vow ASA is 100% owner of Scanship, and is the new name of the previous Scanship Holding ASA publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange," Badin told CruiseBusiness.com.