Seabourn launches 'Seabourn Private Air'

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 13 August 2019 13 August 2019

Seabourn has announced the launch of a new offering for guests headed for the most memorable journeys on the seas. Introducing Seabourn Private Air, a new private chartered jet service available for exclusive transportation to-and-from ports of call, and for mid-voyage overland options for Seabourn cruises all over the world, with bookings opening August 15.

Designed for guests who prefer the luxuries and conveniences of private jet travel to those offered by commercial carriers, Seabourn Private Air utilizes a global network of operators who adhere to the highest international and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration standards, and who appreciate what it means to provide exceptional service with a fleet of private jets that include a range of sizes and models. The Seabourn Private Air service will be able to accommodate groups of any size upon request, with available aircraft including light charter jets capable of carrying 5-8 passengers; mid-size jets sized for 7-8 passengers; and heavy private jets with capacity for 9-16 passengers. Pricing will vary by itinerary and aircraft.

“Time is an incredible luxury and as an ultra-luxury travel operator for three decades, we are always seeking new ways to enhance our guest experience. Seabourn Private Air will provide a world of comforts and conveniences for Seabourn guests en route to or from their cruise of a lifetime,” said Chris Austin, Seabourn’s senior vice president of Global Marketing & Sales.

Unlike many jet card or fractional options on the market today, Seabourn Private Air is designed to provide a guest up front, comprehensive pricing* for the private jet package, which is a similar standard to the Seabourn cruise itself where all dining venues are complimentary, as are selections of fine wines and premium spirits. Guests pay for the aircraft rather than by the seat, so the more passengers onboard, the lower the cost per person. The cost of the Private Air package is offered in addition to the cruise fare.

Amenities and services of the comprehensive Seabourn Private Air package include:

– Access to thousands of airports, large and small, that serve private aviation, as well as to most major international airports
– WiFi internet capability
– Private Valet luggage service
– Seabourn-standard catering options
– Seabourn-brand food & beverages on every flight, including Regiis Ova caviar, K+M Chocolates, Montaudon champagne, and a range of complementary spirits
– Amenities by Seabourn’s signature fragrance partner, Molton Brown
– Complimentary transfers to-and-from home to the nearest airport and onward to Seabourn’s cruise port**
– Cabin attendants, required on some aircraft, or available upon request*** if not required by aircraft
– Next port protection up to 1,000 miles from original destination.

*Private Air fares are separate from the cruise fare **Mileage limitations apply ***For an additional charge

Regardless of the jet type or passenger capacity, every aircraft offered through Seabourn Private Air will include a variety of conveniences and comforts in keeping with Seabourn standards. And, just like those enjoyed by Seabourn guests at sea, all of the above are included in the flight cost.

Celebrity Constellation pulled to Tampa from Arabian Gulf and Far East

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 13 August 2019 13 August 2019

Celebrity Cruises has decided to axe planned programme of Celebrity Constellation in the Arabian Gulf and Far East and the ship is to cruise in the Caribbean in the winter 2019-20 instead.

The ship had been due to sail from Civitavecchia in Italy on 18 November for a 15 night cruise to Dubai. From there, it had been scheduled to operate 15 night cruises to Singapore, from where the itinerary would work in reverse order on 15 night cruises back to Dubai.

These cruises, which would have required a passage through the Straits of Hormuz in each direction had been intended to operate until March 2020, when the ship would have sailed to Civitavecchia from Dubai.

P&O Cruises, which is part of the Carnival group, recently cancelled a series of winter 2019-20 cruises of Oceana in Arabian Gulf from Dubai, citing security considerations in the area as the reason. The ship will operate from Southampton in the UK instead.

Celebrity Constellation will operate a series of 10 and 11 night Caribbean cruises from Tampa. “Our guests and travel advisors have been asking us to return to Tampa since our last call there in 2007,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises, in a statement. The company is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group.

Recent construction and development in Tampa Bay aims to create a truly dynamic, urban lifestyle for workers, residents and visitors alike. The city’s downtown waterfront is currently being transformed through the $3 billion Water Street project. The 50-acre district will feature retail, offices, homes, hotels, culture and education.

Transformation of Tampa’s urban core was enhanced by the completion of the Tampa Riverwalk, an area now seeing hundreds of millions of dollars in private investments. In addition, historic Ybor’s City’s revitalization further adds to Tampa’s uniqueness as a robust and desirable world-class destination.

 

 

CSA 2020 welcomes study that supports scrubbers as best way to tackle CO2 emissions

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 12 August 2019 12 August 2019

Members of the Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA) 2020 have welcomed a new addition to the canon of scientific literature relating to exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), the latest of which indicates that continued use of residual fuels with a scrubber can help towards global CO2 reduction, the organisation said in a statement.

In a study published in June by Norway’s SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organisations, Chief Scientist Dr Elizabeth Lindstad concluded that from well-to-wake the continued use of HSFO or HFO (heavy fuel oil) with an EGCS is the most environmentally beneficial means of meeting global Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets.

After detailing findings from research involving full scale testing on a number of newbuild vessels, Dr Lindstad told CSA 2020 that: “[Studies] indicate that two-stroke engines with Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and scrubbers represent the most cost- and GHG-effective way of meeting both IMO Tier 3 NOx rules and the 2020 sulphur cap.

Dr Lindstad stated that based on the energy consumed during the global production of distillate fuels, the continued use of residual fuel will have a positive impact on global GHG emissions, given the energy required to produce distillates would result in higher levels of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.

“With new modern refineries set up to convert crude into higher priced products, HSFO will, from 2020, be delivered from existing refineries where its share of energy consumption can be considered to be next to nothing. The explanation is that the heavy bunker oil coming out from the refinery is the bottom of the barrel. If we acknowledge the lower energy consumption in delivering HSFO and deduct the refining we get 9 to 10g of CO2 equivalent per MJ for HFO, rather than 13 to 15 of CO2 equivalent per MJ for LSFO/MGO.”

Dr Lindstad also believes that emissions abatement rules need to be reviewed to consider pollution problems in different areas.

“To meet climate targets, i.e. reduce global GHG emissions, we can no longer afford to have standards that are strict in areas where we do not have local pollution problems, while areas with high pollution may need even stricter rules than today,” Dr Lindstad told CSA 2020.

Ian Adams, CSA2020 Executive Director, said the industry has long realised that there is an energy penalty differential in the production of fuels.

“Using higher sulphur fuels with an exhaust gas cleaning system will have a beneficial impact on the global reduction of sulphur and nitrogen oxides emissions, and also on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” said Adams.

But that’s not all: according to Adams there is also a significant benefit from reduced particulates in emissions. “With reduced particulates in exhaust emissions of 75% or more, the combination of dramatically reduced SOx and particulates makes a big difference in improved air quality and lower health risks,” he said.

“This study provides further scientific evidence that both local SOx and NOx to air and global CO2 emissions will be reduced by the expanded use of HFO with exhaust gas cleaning systems in the marine fleet, with benefits to the marine and port environments and, of course, human health.”

 

 

 

 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines appoints Peter Deer as Managing Director

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 12 August 2019 12 August 2019

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused cruise line that operates four medium sized ships, said it has appointed Peter Deer as its new Managing Director, with effect from 1 September 2019.

Peter will take over as Managing Director from Mike Rodwell, who will be retiring from Fred. Olsen on 31st August 2019, after over 30 years with the company.

Based at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Head Office in Ipswich, Suffolk, Peter will take overall responsibility for overseeing and managing the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ operation, which covers over 220 staff in Ipswich and over 2,000 crew members across the Fred. Olsen fleet of four ocean cruise ships.

Peter joined Fred. Olsen in 1993, as an Accountant. He went on to become Chief Accountant, before taking up a role as Financial Director of a Kent-based fruit shipping business in 1998. Peter returned to Fred. Olsen in 2004, this time as Commercial Director.    

Speaking of his new role, Peter Deer said: “We have a first-class team, both ashore and afloat, dedicated to providing fabulous holidays, and I am proud to be leading the Fred. Olsen journey.

“The UK cruise market will continue to grow, as many more people try ‘taster’ cruises for the first time and realise that cruising offers a diverse range of experiences. Fred. Olsen’s friendly, more intimate ships are all about delivering memorable holidays and getting to know our customers by name.”

Fred. Olsen Junior, Chairman of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are a proud, family-run company that offers a cruise experience like no other, and I am very pleased that Peter Deer will be taking the helm from Mike Rodwell, to continue his legacy and lead our brand. Peter has a breadth of knowledge and expertise in the travel and cruise industries, and I look forward to working with him in his new role to take the business to the next level.”