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Queen Latifah names new Carnival Horizon in New York

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 May 2018 24 May 2018

Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Carnival Horizon, was officially named by godmother Queen Latifah in a ceremony in New York yesterday that showcased the talented young artists from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital whose artwork adorns the Dreamscape, a stunning three-deck-high LED sculpture in the ship's atrium.

Following the ceremony, Latifah squared off against Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott in Lip Sync Battle: Horizon modeled after the hit Paramount Network TV series and rolling out across the Carnival fleet.

Latifah rocked the house with her incredible interpretation of the Weather Girls classic "It's Raining Men," while Elliott had a chance to live out his rock star fantasies performing Whitesnake's arena anthem "Here I Go Again," all performed with back-up dancers from Carnival Horizon's Playlist Productions to a packed house in the Liquid Lounge.

But the big winner was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which received a $100,000 donation from Carnival representing monies raised from various fundraisers, both onboard and ashore. The funds continue the line's ongoing support of St. Jude with more than $16 million raised in the fight against childhood cancer since the partnership began in 2010.

"Carnival Horizon's naming ceremony was one of our best yet, with Queen Latifah carrying out her duties as godmother then battling it out with Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott of my hometown Philadelphia Eagles in an entertaining Lip Sync Battle," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "We were also delighted to showcase the wonderfully talented children from St. Jude whose artwork on the Dreamscape will be forever associated with this spectacular ship," she added.

Added Latifah, "My time aboard Carnival Horizon was nothing short of incredible. In addition to having the honor of serving as the ship's godmother, meeting the amazing kids from St. Jude and their families and squaring off against Jake in an all-out Lip Sync Battle is certainly something I will always cherish."

"This is an absolute thrill for our patients and their families to have their artwork featured as a permanent display on this magnificent ship," said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The ongoing support of Carnival team members and their customers around the globe for our lifesaving mission plays a critical role in advancing research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases."

As the newest ship in the fleet, Carnival Horizon introduces several innovations, including the first-ever Dr. Seuss water park, a new teppanyaki venue, and Smokehouse Brewhouse, a unique dining concept that combines real deal BBQ favorites created by Food Network star and longtime partner Guy Fieri, along with four craft beers brewed on board by brewmaster Colin Presby.

The second in the line's Vista-class series, Carnival Horizon also includes features like SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre, a Havana section with its own Cuban-themed bar and pool, and Family Harbor with extra-roomy staterooms and the Family Harbor Lounge.

Carnival Horizon kicks off a summer schedule from New York with a four-day cruise to Bermuda departing later today. The ship will operate four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from New York through September then reposition to Miami for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning later that month.

Windstar debuts new Signature Expeditions Program marking its arrival back to Alaska

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 May 2018 24 May 2018

Seattle-based Windstar Cruises’ 212-passenger all-suite Star Legend is now sailing in Alaska through August, launching the small ship line’s first endeavor into expedition cruising, with a kick off in Kenai Fjords National Park on May 18, this cruise marks a return to Alaska for the award-winning travel company after a 20-year hiatus from the region.

“We are thrilled to finally be back in Alaska having just launched our Signature Expeditions that embraces the natural beauty of the region, and allow for the most authentic, destination-focused experiences for our guests,” commented Windstar President John Delaney.

Windstar offers a new, active and elegant choice for travelers, with its boutique brand of small ship cruising and experiential travel, including newly-announced Signature Expeditions, which take guests on zodiac and kayaking adventures along Alaska’s rugged natural coastline and gets guests closer, shows them more, and sends them home with once-in-a-lifetime photos and memories. The highly skilled and knowledgeable Windstar Signature Expeditions Team leads tours aboard rigid inflatable watercraft and expedition kayaks, as well as guiding guests on scenic hikes. The Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, guests will delight in the abundance of local seafood specialties on board and on small group tours ashore.
In Alaska, cruisers can choose from more than 25 different Windstar cruise departure dates in 2018 and 2019 for small ship cruises and Cruise Tours that include Denali National Park.

The ship arrived at Seward (Anchorage) for its maiden cruise in Alaska on May 17 and is currently on a 14-day itinerary that visits Kenai Fjords National Park, Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Haines, Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm, Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Metlakatla, Ketchikan, and in British Columbia – Prince Rupert, scenic cruising of the Grenville Channel and Inside Passage, ending on May 31 in Vancouver, BC, marking its first arrival to that homeport for the season. Star Legend will sail on numerous cruises round trip from Vancouver and between Seward, AK and Vancouver, BC throughout the 2018 Alaska season. The ship will also make a special one-day visit to Seattle on June 27 for a special event on Lake Union, including a Zodiac naming ceremony.

Tallink Grupp to list shares also in Helsinki Stock Exchange

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

AS Tallink Grupp has today announced to the Tallinn Stock Exchange that is plans to undertake a secondary listing of the Company’s shares on the Nasdaq Helsinki Stock Exchange. The respective decision was made this week by the Group’s Supervisory Board based on a proposal from the Group’s Management Board. According to the decision, the Group will now commence preparations for listing on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. The estimated effective date for listing will be clarified during the preparations, but is estimated to be early autumn 2018. Tallink Grupp’s shares will also continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange.

Commenting on the decision, AS Tallink Grupp’s CEO Paavo Nõgene said, "The secondary listing will make Tallink Grupp’s shares more widely accessible to investors and the Helsinki Stock Exchange is a natural choice for the listing since Finland is one of our Group’s most important home markets.“

"By listing shares on the Helsinki Stock Exchange we create additional opportunities for investors to make transactions with Tallink Grupp’s shares and enable people in Finland once again to contribute to the activities of the historic brand Silja Line as well as the wider Tallink Grupp,“ Nõgene added.

AmaWaterways appoints Kevin Duffin as Group Chief Financial Officer

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

AmaWaterways today announced the appointment of cruise industry veteran Kevin Duffin, who joins the company as group chief financial officer (CFO). Effective immediately, Duffin will oversee all aspects of the company’s financial strategy from its headquarters in Calabasas, CA.

“Over the last 16 years, we have enjoyed tremendous growth at AmaWaterways – with the expansion of our fleet to 23 ships and new offices in the UK and Basel, Switzerland,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “We are pleased to welcome Kevin to our family and tap into his wealth of financial expertise within the cruise sector, specifically, to support our future success.”

A seasoned professional, Duffin brings more than two decades of hospitality and cruise finance and strategy experience to AmaWaterways. After graduating from Baylor University, Duffin has held various finance leadership positions with Brinker International, KinderCare Education and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, where he spent 16 years working in revenue management, product marketing, operations finance, and corporate planning and strategy. Duffin last served as vice president of finance and strategy for Celebrity Cruises overseeing the brand’s financial planning, analysis and strategy.

This year, AmaWaterways expanded its European fleet with the addition of AmaLea, sister ship to the award-winning AmaKristina, AmaStella and AmaViola. AmaLea began her Danube itineraries on May 6 with an official christening ceremony taking place on May 26 in Vilshofen, Germany. In 2019, the line will welcome three new ships to its European fleet – AmaMagna, AmaMora and AmaDouro – the most in a single year since its 2002 launch. These new ships are sure to showcase the company’s commitment to innovation, excellence and luxury.

“Throughout my time in the cruise industry, I have admired AmaWaterways’ approach to pushing beyond the norms of river cruising and the company’s personal commitment to delivering the highest level of guest satisfaction,” said Duffin. “Needless to say, I am thrilled to be a part of this team as we step into an exciting phase of growth.”

British cruise market to surpass 2.0 million in 2018 – P&O Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2018 21 May 2018

The British cruise market should generate more than 2.0 million passengers this year, the first time it has exceeded the figure, said Paul Ludlow, P&O Cruises senior vice president.

Last year, the figure came in at 1.96 million, with less than a percent’s growth on the previous year.

Speaking in connection with the cutting of the first steel to the first of two 180,000 gross ton newbuildings, he said: “This is a very exciting and momentous day. Our new ship will be the largest ship ever operated by the brand and the largest ever to be dedicated exclusively to the UK cruise industry. It will also be the first ship in our market to be powered by LNG, the most environmentally-friendly power source yet for large-scale cruise ships.”

“With UK passengers numbers set to top two million for the first time this year, we are confident in cruising’s future and believe that there will be an exceptionally positive UK response to this ship and the innovations it will bring. We also expect this ship to persuade many UK consumers to take that all important first cruise.”