More News

P&O Cruises’ Iona to feature SkyDome for views, entertainment and more

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 August 2018 24 August 2018

Iona, the first of two 180,000 gross ton newbuildings P&O Cruises in the UK has on order, will feature a skyDome that will connect guests with the sea, sky and shoreline and be the place to go for relaxation, effortless dining and contemporary entertainment, the company said in a statement.

“The first of its kind in the cruise industry, the two-deck SkyDome on decks 16 and 17 will include a swimming pool that transforms into a stage at night, as well as a glass dome roof which creates a temperate climate while providing guests with fabulous views as they cruise through the scenic Norwegian Fjords,” P&O Cruises said. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc group .

By day, SkyDome will offer a relaxed, poolside environment, with tantalising dining and drinking options including a grill, pizzeria and street food as well as premium ice cream with flavours reflecting popular ports of call.

With the feel of an English park in summer, the area will feature a central pool and two whirlpools. Sun loungers, reclining chairs, greenery and artworks will all create a peaceful environment and make it a tranquil space during the day.

As the sun goes down SkyDome will come alive as the space seamlessly transitions into an entertainment venue, showcasing spectacular aerialist performances and playing host to party nights under the stars.

The mood will change from daytime to showtime with stunning audio-visual effects including light shows creating a dynamic ambience. The swimming pool will transform into a stage for the night’s entertainment, while aerial acrobatic shows will make full use of SkyDome’s height. After the show, the space will transition into a party night, with DJs playing as guests dance under the night sky, whatever the weather.

The glass dome roof was designed by award-winning British engineers Eckersley O'Callaghan, renowned for their work on such innovative structures as Bulgari Glass House in Italy and Apple Park in California. The inviting living space underneath the dome was created by cruise ship specialists Partner Ship Design.

P&O Cruises senior vice president, Paul Ludlow said: “SkyDome promises to be one of Iona’s star attractions, providing guests with a magical venue in which to spend quality time whatever the weather. With stunning views of the ocean by day and of starry skies at night, I’m confident that this extraordinary venue will prove popular with our guests, whether they are early birds or night owls. With sunshine, swimming, dining and dancing all in one contemporary, visually spectacular space, SkyDome will raise the bar for entertainment spaces at sea.”

Samantha Brown to christen AmaWaterways' revolutionary AmaMagna

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 August 2018 23 August 2018

AmaWaterways today announced that travel expert and television host Samantha Brown will serve as Godmother of the AmaMagna. Brown will “bless” the one-of-a-kind ship alongside AmaWaterways’ executive team and special guests during a Christening ceremony in Vilshofen, Germany in July 2019.

“For this incredibly innovative ship, we wanted to choose a Godmother who shares our passion for innovation within the travel industry,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice-president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “Samantha is an icon in both the travel and television industries, known as much for her warm personality as for her expansive travel knowledge. We are so thrilled to welcome her to the AmaWaterways family as Godmother of our 23rd ship the stunning AmaMagna.”

Throughout her 17-year career, Brown has hosted a variety of travel television series for The Travel Channel including, among others, “Passport to Europe,” “Great Hotels,” “Great Weekends” and “Samantha Brown’s Asia.” In 2017, Brown launched her PBS series, “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love,” which AmaWaterways proudly sponsors. Mirroring AmaWaterways’ commitment to providing authentic, immersive travel experiences for its guests, the series encourages viewers to experience the passion of people and soul of a place that only traveling can provide.

A well-respected and seasoned traveler, Brown has visited more than 250 cities in 62 countries and 40 states. She has charted more than 160 hours of programming, with that number continuing to grow.

“I am so excited and honored to have been asked to be the Godmother of AmaMagna,” said Brown. “I had the great pleasure of sailing on board AmaPrima this summer as we filmed an episode for my new PBS series. The total experience was remarkable but what impressed me the most was the incredible team on board the ship who took such good care of me, my film crew and my family who joined us during the cruise.”

Description generated with very high confidenceDefining contemporary elegance, AmaMagna features a total of 98 elegantly-appointed staterooms, most of which are spacious, full balcony suites measuring between 355 and 710 sq. ft. At twice the width of traditional river cruise ships, she offers various dining options, including two new dining venues to entice guests: Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant, named for AmaWaterways’ late co-founder Jimmy Murphy, and the Al Fresco Restaurant, with retractable ceiling and side windows for guests to indulge in the views of the picturesque Danube and the towns that dot its shores.

Guests on board AmaMagna will be able to personalize their river cruise experience with a robust complementary daily excursion program that includes escorted hiking and biking tours and group fitness classes led by a trained Wellness Host. Additional features include a large heated Sun Deck swimming pool; an expansive Zen Wellness Studio with massage, hair and nail salon services; and an innovative Water Sports Platform complete with the Sundowner boat for evening river excursions at no extra charge. Exclusive to AmaMagna, guests may also take advantage of the new Concierge Golf Program, providing the opportunity to experience five top-level golf courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic while enjoying the magic of river cruising.

AmaMagna will start her much-anticipated inaugural season on May 5, sailing the Romantic Danube itinerary from Vilshofen to Budapest. In addition to the Romantic Danube, AmaMagna’s itineraries include Melodies of the Danube and the festive Christmas Markets on the Danube.

Princess Cruises names its fifth Royal-class ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 August 2018 22 August 2018

As Princess Cruises’ fleet expansion continues, the premium international cruise line has revealed the name of the ship it will launch in 2020 – Enchanted Princess.

Enchanted Princess is scheduled to debut on June 15, 2020 sailing on a series of European voyages. Bookings for her maiden season, Summer 2020, will open on November 8, 2018.

"The name Enchanted Princess is captivating and conveys the elegance and grace of our new ship which will introduce more travellers to the pleasures and value of cruising," said Jan Swartz President of Princess Cruises. "We are certain Enchanted Princess will exceed the expectations of our guests, ensuring they have the most memorable cruise holiday."

Swartz said Princess has the strongest pipeline of premium new ship builds in the world. The arrival of Enchanted Princess will be followed by the debut of the sixth Royal-Class vessel for Princess Cruises in 2022. The cruise line also has two new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered ships on order, bringing its new ship order to five ships in six years.

Construction of the 143,700 gross ton, 3,660-passenger Enchanted Princess will take place in the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard with the ship set to feature an evolution of the design platform used for the cruise line’s previous Royal-Class ships.

Princess Cruises currently operates a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships, sailing voyages around the globe. Enchanted Princess is a sister ship to four other Royal-Class ships in the cruise line’s fleet – Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess and Sky Princess (joining the fleet in October 2019).

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines enjoys 8.5% year-on rise at start of autumn/winter campaign

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 August 2018 20 August 2018

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destination focused UK based cruise line, said it is celebrating a bumper start to its new 'Warmer Cruising' campaign, with one of its highest booking days for guest numbers ever, following the promotion’s launch on Wednesday 15th August 2018. “In the first two days of the new campaign, sales have been up 8.5% year-on-year,’ the company said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen’s new ‘Warmer Cruising’ campaign offers guests up to 40% off a selection of 42 tempting cruises between October 2018 and March 2019, on new bookings made up to 17th October 2018 inclusive. Durations vary from 107 nights to shorter breaks of five nights – the perfect ‘taster’ cruise for those taking a holiday at sea for the very first time.

Justin Stanton, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "In spite of the uncertain economic conditions, demand for our smaller, friendlier style of cruising is stronger than ever, with sales up 30% on the year.

“We are always proud of our richer, 'closer' itineraries on our more intimate ships, and our new 'Warmer Cruising' campaign offers 'something for everyone'. From culture to adventure, city breaks to global discoveries, we are committed to ensuring that our guests have outstanding experiences and cherished memories, wherever they choose to travel with us."

Fred. Olsen's new 'Warmer Cruising' promotion features a wide range of great-value getaways, including ‘Around the World with Sydney at New Year’, 'California, Mexico & the Panama Canal’, 'Islands of the Indian Ocean', 'Uncrowded Baltic’, 'Canary Islands & Madeira Winter Warmth', as well as three intriguing 'Mystery Cruises'.

Sailings are from Fred. Olsen’s convenient departure ports of Southampton, Dover, Liverpool and Newcastle, as well as fly-cruises from London and Manchester airports.

Family from Hesse to name AIDAnova

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 August 2018 20 August 2018

For the first time in the history of AIDA Cruises, the German contemporary market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, a whole family will name the newest ship AIDAnova.

Family Mirza from Hanau in Hesse was selected from hundreds of applicants by a jury.

“On August 31, 2018 Sonja (31) and Asad (33) Mirza with their children Sophia (2) and Adrian (3) will christen the newest ship of the AIDA fleet. 25,000 spectators are expected at the dazzling event at the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg. The AIDA Open Air with a spectacular christening show and a live concert by star DJ David Guetta is one of the biggest events in northern Germany. And what is more: Sonja and Asad will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary on the day of the christening,” AIDA Cruises said in a statement.