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Britannia to undergo refit at Damen in Brest this month

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2019 09 October 2019

P&O Cruises' Britannia will undergo a refit a the Damen shipyard in Brest in France that includes refreshed interiors and new details on a broad scale, the company said in a statement.

The atrium will be given a new lease of life creating a lively social hub at the heart of the ship, day and night. This space will have new eye-catching colour schemes, fresh design direction, relaxed entertainment, live music and informal performances all under the Starburst chandelier.

Following the success of temporary art exhibitions on Britannia, P&O Cruises is introducing a permanent new art gallery next to Blue Bar. The deck 5 experience can be completed by savouring some sweet treats from master pâtissier and Food Hero Eric Lanlard at The Market Café. The popular spot has already benefitted from new furniture and décor, as well as a menu with decadent ice cream creations made in exclusive collaboration with Hampshire dairy, Jude’s.

Guests will now have even more reason to check into the Oasis Spa and Salon with the creation of two ‘express spa’ pods boasting a range of treatments. In one pod, guests will enjoy high-tech massages; in the other, a zero-gravity lounger will offer express skin treatments as well as LVL lash treatments. For longer, deeper relaxation, guests can enjoy two new experiences in the thermal and hydropool suite: an Arctic cold room, with therapeutic benefits as well as an aroma steam room.

On deck 7, Java café will now serve alcoholic drinks; guests can relax with a drink and enjoy the birds-eye view of the action below. Also on deck 7, the photo gallery will include a Dixons electronics hub featuring the latest imaging, computing and audio tech from Amazon, Apple, Beats, Bose, Canon, Fitbit, GoPro, Microsoft, and Sony, among others.

Britannia is extending the shops, to give guests more choice and an immersive experience. As well as a host of new premium brands to choose from there will be a more interactive environment, including try-before-you-buy, tasting tables and consultation areas in the beauty and make-up zones. New brands include Jo Malone, Tom Ford, Edinburgh Gin, Michael Kors accessories and exclusive fine jewellers, Clifton, P&O Cruises said..

Elomatic to merge fully owned subsidiary companies with group parent

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2019 08 October 2019

Elomatic, the Finnish consultant engineering group, will merge its six fully owned subsidiary units to the group parent in a move to increase efficiency and simplify cooperation with its customers, it said in a statement.

Elomatic Marine Engineering Oy, which is the group naval architecture and marine services unit, was merged with Elomatic Consulting & Engineering Oy at the end of September. Two other subsidiaries were merged with the parent at the same time, while other three will follow at the end of October.

The mergers would not affect the business of the group and all contracts, responsibilities and liabilities of the subsidiaries will be transferred to the group parent in their entirety, Elomatic said.

Salcombe Gin to have distillery onboard Iona

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2019 08 October 2019

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit of Carnival Corporation & plc, said it is collaborating with award-winning gin distiller, Salcombe Gin, to develop and install the first distillery at sea on board Iona, which wull enter service next summer.

“The gin’s maiden production will take place in Iona’s custom-made still and will be distilled, bottled and labelled on board, allowing Iona’s guests to be the first to enjoy this deliciously smooth and one-of-a-kind gin,” P&O Cruises said in a statement.

Following the gin’s launch on Iona, Salcombe Gin will also distil the unique recipe, yet to be named, in its striking 450 litre copper still ‘Provident’ in Salcombe, ready to share and serve exclusively across all ships in the fleet. P&O Cruises is also working with Salcombe Gin to develop limited-edition gins celebrating and taking inspiration from the ports of call.

P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow, said: “Salcombe Gin is the perfect partner for us as it shares our zest for adventure and discovery. It has an unrivalled passion and attention to detail, not only in the award-winning gins created, but also in the unique gin experiences offered. We are incredibly excited by the bespoke gin being created for us, the maiden production run of which will be distilled in the first ever distillery at sea.”

Angus Lugsdin, co-founder of Salcombe Distilling Co, said: “We are extremely excited to partner on this exciting project with P&O Cruises. Our two brands have an amazingly rich and shared history. At the same time that P&O expanded into leisure cruising in the mid-19th century, the famous Salcombe Fruit schooners were entering their heyday, importing cargoes of precious fruits and spices from the Mediterranean to England’s ports and the ships probably passed each other on their voyages.

Hebridean Island Cruises becomes CLIA associate member

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2019 08 October 2019

Hebridean Island Cruises, the UK based boutique cruise operator, has announced that it has recently become an associate member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the organisation said in a statement.

The company operates the luxury cruise ship Hebridean Princess, which carries 50 guests around the British Isles, Norway and France, and Royal Crown, a 1930’s style river ship which sails on the Dutch and Belgian Waterways, as well as the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle rivers.

Through the partnership the line plans to launch its online training module to over 4,000 CLIA travel agents, which went live during the last week of September. Hebridean will offer various incentives to encourage agents to complete the online module, CLIA said.

Hebridean Island Cruises’ managing director, Ken Charleson, commented: “Hebridean Island Cruises is always looking for ways to increase the number of travel agents who are aware of our luxury brand. Our online training module is a fantastic way for us to be able to work closer with agents so they can have a greater understanding of our brand and offerings. We look forward to developing our partnership with CLIA and its travel agent members over the next year and beyond.”

Princess Cruises names sixth Royal-class ship as Discovery Princess

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 October 2019 07 October 2019

The name of the sixth Royal-class cruise ship for Princess Cruises was revealed last week – Discovery Princess. The fastest growing international premium cruise line also announced the largest inaugural launch program ever with worldwide itineraries offered onboard Discovery Princess to Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Mexico and the California Coast for the 2021/2022 cruise season. Discovery Princess will be the first-ever new cruise ship for Princess Cruises to be based on the West Coast, sailing out of Los Angeles.

Designed from the ground up as a Princess MedallionClass ship, the 143,700 gross ton, 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess is currently under construction at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The ship will feature an evolution of the design platform used for the cruise line's previous Royal-class ships. Discovery Princess is scheduled to debut on Nov. 3, 2021, on a seven-day Mediterranean & Aegean inaugural cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Athens.

With cruise vacations open for sale Oct. 8, 2019, Discovery Princess will sail on destination-rich itineraries to the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South America before arriving in Los Angeles for her West Coast debut, sailing to Mexico and the California Coast.

"Discovery Princess will take our guests on the most memorable vacations of their lifetime introducing them to new sights, new cultures, and new experiences onboard every voyage," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. "Discovery is both an expression of our brand as well as an important aspect of our guest experience. We know Discovery Princess will offer our guests cruise vacations that create memories they will cherish for a lifetime and we're proud to mark a major milestone basing our newest ship on the West Coast."

The inaugural season of Discovery Princess includes 30 departures on 21 unique itineraries to more than 50 destinations in 23 countries, including several holiday sailings offering the perfect celebration vacation. Highlights include:

– Mediterranean: Eight itinerary options in the Mediterranean, sailing to 19 destinations in eight countries, and ranging in length from seven to 21 days. Guests can choose to sail from Rome, Athens or Barcelona. More Ashore late-night calls are offered in Barcelona, Genoa (Milan), and Mykonos on select itineraries. Cruise departure dates: Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2021.

– Caribbean: Six holiday voyages, ranging from four, eight or 16 days, cruising to eight destinations in seven countries visiting the Eastern Caribbean with a new port of call in Tortula and Southern Caribbean sailing to all three ABC islands. Cruise departure dates: Dec. 9, 13, 21, 29, 2021.

– South America: Sailing to 22 destinations in 11 countries on six departures, including a 50-day voyage from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles. More Ashore late night calls include Rio de Janeiro (overnight), Buenos Aires and Lima (overnight). Departure dates: Jan. 6, 24, Feb. 7, 2022.

– Mexico and the California Coast: Discovery Princess makes her West Coast debut in Los Angeles on March 1, 2022. Guests can set sail to the sunny beaches of Mexico on a 5-day cruise with an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas or on a 7-day Mexican Riveria cruise. Guest can then enjoy the beauty of the scenic California coastline on a 7-day Classic California Coast with More Ashore in San Francisco and San Diego including the unique experiences of sailing under the famed Golden Gate Bridge. Departure dates: March 1, 6, 13, April 3, 10, and May 1, 2022.

Princess past guests are eligible for a special promotion when booking early. A reduced deposit of 10% is available through February 29, 2020. In addition, those guests booking the 50-day South America Connoisseur voyage will receive onboard credit, complimentary gratuities and complimentary Wi-Fi.