More News

Asia's largest cruise ship Ovation of the Seas makes double maiden call at Subic Bay and Manila

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 June 2018 11 June 2018

Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, which is Asia’s largest and most revolutionary, arrived at Subic Bay for the first time today, June 8. She will also be making her maiden call at Manila tomorrow, June 9. This is the largest ever cruise ship to call at any Filipino port, and with the highest number of guests onboard totalling close to 4,600 from around the world. She is currently on a 5-night cruise from Hong Kong.

To celebrate the maiden call at Subic Bay, a traditional plaque exchange ceremony was held onboard between Ovation of the Seas’ Captain Flemming Nielsen and local officials namely Atty. Wilma Eisma, Chairman and Administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Mr Roberto Alabado III, Assistant Secretary of Department of Tourism. Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon and Ms Ma. Cristina Garcia, Vice Governor of Bataan were present at the event as well.

The same ceremony will also be held to celebrate the ship’s maiden call in Manila, with Captain Nielsen and Mr Mancile Francisquiel, Port Manager of Philippine Ports Authority, Mr Pocholo Joselito Paragas, Chief Operating Officer of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) – Department of Tourism, and Atty. Solfia Arboladura, Director of Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau who will present the “key to the City of Manila”.

At 347m long, 168,666 gross registered tonnes, and filled with first-at sea features and technologies, Ovation of the Seas is the largest cruise ship to enter the Philippines. She has a total capacity of 4,905 guests staying in 2,091 staterooms and hosted by 1,500 crew.

While Ovation of the Seas is in port at Subic Bay, guests will have the opportunity to discover and experience local attractions on Royal Caribbean’s shore excursions. Guests can marvel at the craftsmanship of antique and replicated mansions from the Spanish colonial-era during the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Tour, travel through breath-taking river valleys then soak in the steamy Puning Hot Spring and watch a variety of marine animals perform at Ocean Adventure.

In Manila, guests can choose to go for shore excursions such as the Tagaytay Tour and the Manila City Tour. During the Tagaytay Tour, guests will see the remarkable panoramic view of Taal Lake and Volcano and have the chance to visit a pineapple plantation to try sweet pineapples or buy souvenirs from the furniture and wood carving shops. Meanwhile, the Manila City Tour will present guests the opportunity to witness Roman Catholic and Spanish-colonial era landmarks such as the historic Basilica Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church which has a museum run by the Augustinian order featuring antique vestments and colonial-era furniture and the centuries-old “The Walled City” that consists of fortified walls, church ruins and relics from Spain’s Conquistadores.

Guests onboard the 18-deck Ovation of the Seas will enjoy the ‘North Star’, an observation capsule that rises 92 metres over the ocean; ‘Two70’ – a hi-tech entertainment venue; cocktails served by robotic bartenders at the ‘Bionic Bar’; skydiving and surfing simulation experiences; interior virtual balcony staterooms with real-time ocean views; luxurious Loft Suites with large living areas and private concierge service; and ‘SeaPlex’, the largest indoor activity space at sea housing roller-skating, bumper cars and more. The ship also features 18 dining venues with cuisines from around the globe, including Jamie’s Italian by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Highlights of Ovation of the Seas’ upcoming cruises are the 6-night cruise from Hong Kong to Tianjin with calls at Fukuoka and Shimonoseki on June 15; the 12-night cruise from Tianjin to Singapore visiting Okinawa (Naha), Taipei (Keelung), Hong Kong, Hue/Danang (Chan May), Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) on October 7; and the 14-night cruise from Singapore to Sydney visiting Perth (Fremantle), Adelaide and Hobart on October 19.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection opens reservations to the public

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 June 2018 11 June 2018

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. today announced the opening of reservations for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. With a leisurely cruising style, the legendary service of The Ritz-Carlton, and ports at sought after destinations around the world, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will deliver one-of-a-kind experiences to its guests onboard and transform the luxury cruising industry.

“As the first luxury hotel company to bring the legendary service and ambience of its resorts to sea, we are thrilled to offer guests a new way to create memories with The Ritz-Carlton,” said Lisa Holladay, Global Brand Leader for The Ritz-Carlton. “From the yacht’s design, to programming onboard and ashore, every aspect of the voyage has been carefully created to embody the signature service and casual luxury of a Ritz-Carlton resort. We look forward to officially welcoming guests onboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection as we open reservations.”

Reservations are now open for the inaugural season of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, set to take the seas in February 2020. With several distinct itineraries available in 2020, guests have the option to book back-to-back voyages without repeating ports, allowing them to explore a wider range of destinations and delve into the local culture at each port.

“The opening of reservations marks an exciting milestone for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which is set to redefine luxury at sea,” said Doug Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “Whether you are looking for culture, adventure, or the chance to go off the beaten path, we are thrilled to be able to invite guests to explore the world with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.”

Customers are also encouraged to visit the newly launched website for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which offers full details of itineraries, pricing, and onboard experiences. Guests can browse for voyages by region, departure date or ports of interest using the “Find a Cruise” feature, view suite and fare information, explore the yacht experience, and more. The website additionally features a downloadable digital brochure for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, with engaging imagery and further itinerary information for the inaugural season.

Designed with a yachting lifestyle in mind, the first of three bespoke yachts in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will stop at both signature and iconic destinations. Its intimate size allows for the vessels to sail into coveted city harbors around the world, and the relaxed pace of the yachts offers both daytime and overnight ports of call, giving guests more flexibility for their time on land. The first yacht will cruise a wide variety of destinations, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada and Northeastern United States. Voyages will range from seven to ten nights with ports including Barbados, Cartagena, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Mykonos, Portofino and many more. Each itinerary is packed with unique programming at each destination, from the Christening Celebration on the Inaugural Voyage to the Monaco Grand Prix, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, exploring the yachting playgrounds of the Greek Isles, Balearic Islands and French Riviera, as well as celebrating the holidays in the Caribbean.

The specially designed yacht will measure 190-meters, accommodate up to 298 passengers and feature 149 suites, each with its own private terrace. The yacht will also feature two 158 square- meter lavish Owner’s suites, each with its own private whirlpool, modern craftsmanship and interior finishes jointly designed by The Ritz-Carlton and leading design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden. The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and unparalleled level of individualized guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized, with one of the highest staff to guest service ratios in the cruise industry.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection guests will enjoy an all-inclusive luxury sailing experience including spacious accommodations, onboard activities and entertainment, beverages, multiple dining venues, onboard gratuities, WiFi and watersports from the yacht’s marina. Signature experiences available for an additional fee include a culinary experience at Aqua, the yacht’s signature restaurant designed by Michelin-starred chef Sven Elverfeld, spa treatments, and immersive excursions offered through The Shore Collection. Voyage prices vary based upon the itinerary and season.

MSC Seaview named in the historic port of Genoa

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2018 10 June 2018

On june 9, the newest addition to the ever-growing MSC Cruises fleet and new flagship, MSC Seaview, was christened in true MSC Cruises style with a star-studded line-up, VIPs, key travel partners and international media as well as top management from MSC Cruises and its parent company MSC Group. Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group’s founder and executive chairman as well as the ship owner, attended together with the Aponte and Aponte-Vago families.

MSC Cruises, Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and brand market leader in Europe and South America, is renowned for hosting spectacular christening events that celebrate the coming into service of the new ships and this event was no exception with a star-studded ceremony with live entertainment and speeches, fireworks and gala dinner combined with the significant maritime traditions that are so important to MSC Cruises as a family company with a long-standing seafaring heritage.
The christening ceremony was hosted by star of Italian TV, Swiss-born Michelle Hunziker who welcomed to the stage ‘father of Italian blues’ Zucchero Fornaciari. TV star Lorella Cuccarini hosted a special moment on stage, and Italian children’s choir, Piccolo Coro Dell'Antoniano, performed as the UNICEF ambassadors, to acknowledge MSC Cruises’ important partnership that helps improve the lives of children and their families in developing countries and those affected by crises. Also taking to the stage was young talent of belcanto, Matteo Bocelli, son of the world-famous Andrea Bocelli who sang at the christening of MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview’s sister ship in Miami last December. Matteo Bocelli sang during the Officers’ Parade, an important tradition to honor and thank the ship’s crew for their service.

Finishing off the traditional proceedings Godmother Sophia Loren cut the ribbon to launch the bottle of champagne to name MSC Seaview, the 13th MSC Cruises ship. As the godmother of all MSC Cruises’ ships, Madame Loren is practically part of the MSC Cruises family and brings a touch of Hollywood glamour and style to each Christening.

Also present at the ceremony was Ramon Freixa, the Spanish two Michelin-starred chef who has now extended his partnership with MSC Cruises to develop his first restaurant at sea on board MSC Seaview. Pan-Asian chef Roy Yamaguchi, attended his second MSC Cruises’ ship christening to celebrate his second restaurant at sea, with his first launching on MSC Seaside. Other stars in attendance included Spanish model and actor Jon Kortajarena, Brazlian presenter and actor Giovanna Ewbank and French television personality Ariane Brodier.

Described as a game-changing cruise ship, the vision was to create something truly unique that would enable guests to enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean sea. The ship is designed to enhance the enjoyment of the open water and sunshine, specifically intended to cruise in warmer climates and to create a very special connection between guests and the sea.

Most cruise ships are planned and engineered to offer entertainment, dining and other experiences inside the ship while MSC Seaview is designed to bring guests outside to the open decks and walkways. Featuring the highest ratio of outdoor space of any MSC Cruises ship, MSC Seaview brings guests closer to the sea and helps them enjoy the outdoors in every aspect of the experience, including staterooms and suites with elongated balconies offering both sun and covered areas, dining and drinking in true Mediterranean “al fresco” style, and outdoor fitness and luxury spa cabanas in the open air.

MSC Seaview is the 15th addition to the MSC Cruises fleet and the third ship to come into service in just 12 months under the Company’s industry-unprecedented €10.5 billion ($12.4 billion USD) investment plan.

MSC Seaview will commence her maiden voyage from Genoa on June 10, offering six embarkation ports in the Western Mediterranean including the popular ports of Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona as well as other much sought after Mediterranean destinations including Naples, Messina in Sicily and Valetta in Malta. After her inaugural season, she will journey to South America to call on a variety of picturesque destinations including in Brazil.

Aboa Mare director Karlsson wins Finnish maritime award

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 June 2018 08 June 2018

Per-Olof Karlsson, director at Aboa Mare, the Turku based institution that offers degree and continuing education for the maritime industry, has been awarded maritime theme award in Finland.

The award committee comprised of representatives of the country's shipping industry, maritime trade unions and the University of Turku.

Karlsson has worked in maritime education for 30 years with the same positive attitude in developing the field and its operations environment. “The operations in Finland’s oldest vocational institution have grown more and more diverse and reached a broader student body,’ Aboa Mare said in a statement.

Under Karlsson’s leadership, Aboa Mare has directed an ever increasingly amount of its operations to international waters and exported Finnish expertise in the form of maritime education to the Philippines, among others. The latest partnership agreement was concluded with a South Korean maritime institution.

"Collaboration with actors in the field has been easy and fruitful; solutions to problems have always been found,' Aboa mare noted.

Karlsson graduated as a sea captain in Turku in 1985 and worked on merchant vessels for several years. In 1988, he began teaching in Turku but combined teaching and his career on the seas for many years. Since 2002, he has worked as head of Aboa Mare, which is a consolidation of the Novia University of Applied Sciences and the vocational institution, Axxell.

The purpose of the maritime theme award is to give credit to a person or actor in the field that has improved the operational prerequisites in seafaring, increased the esteem of seafaring, developed collaboration or increased visibility in the field. The decision to choose Karlsson for this year’s award was unanimous.

Fincantieri delivers Viking Orion

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 June 2018 08 June 2018

Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilder, has delivered the 47,800 gross ton Viking Orion to Viking Ocean Cruises, the rapidly expanding upper premium cruise shipping company, from its Ancona shipyard. The 930 passenger ship is the fifth in a series of similar ships, the first of which was delivered in 2015 and a further 10 units should be built up to 2027, the shipbuilder said in a statement.