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AECO to combat marine plastic litter

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

Armed with NOK 2.43 million in funding, UN backing and thousands of volunteers, AECO is taking on one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time: marine plastic pollution. As part of the UN Environment Clean Seas campaign, AECO will work to drastically cut back on single-use plastics on Arctic expedition cruise vessels, as well as enhance cruise passengers' involvement in regular beach cleanups.

Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund has recently decided to support the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators’ (AECO) efforts with NOK 1.8 million. Earlier this month, the association was granted NOK 634,000 from the Norwegian Environmental Directorate to enhance ongoing efforts to facilitate beach cleanups in Svalbard by expedition cruise passengers and crew.

AECO’s decision to initiate this project was sparked by a letter from UN Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim inviting the association to join the #CleanSeas initiative, a UN-led campaign to combat marine plastic pollution. AECO is also working with International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) on this project, as many of the planned measures may be applied to expedition cruise ships in Antarctica as well as the Arctic.

Members of AECO have been involved in beach cleanings in the Arctic for over almost two decades, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Having secured external funding, AECO will step up the association’s environmental efforts by hiring an Environmental Agent. The new team member will be responsible for AECO’s involvement in the Clean Seas Campaign, as well as coordinate beach cleaning efforts. Focus areas will be education, developing and sharing best practices, as well as logistics around beach cleanups.

AECO’s Executive Director Frigg Jørgensen is extremely satisfied and happy with the received funding and says that it will make it possible for the expedition cruise industry to make a big contribution in the fight to combat marine plastic litter. One of AECO’s contributions to the Clean Seas Campaign will be to take actions to reduce the use of disposable plastic products.

“Clean oceans is an issue that our members are extremely passionate about. For years, the Arctic expedition cruise industry has involved thousands of passengers in volunteering to pick garbage when they go on landings. As part of this new project, we will examine the whole value chain to reduce the risk of plastic finding its way to into our oceans in the first place. Our members would like to be part of the solution, and that involves finding alternatives to disposable plastic products on their ships,” says Jørgensen.

Jørgensen says that the expedition cruise industry would like to set an example of how the tourism industry can contribute to sustainable development.

“We have just signed a memorandum of understanding with UN Environment to formalize our cooperation. The plan is to work with the UN Clean Seas Campaign to develop information material targeted at staff and passengers. Our ambition is to change people’s attitude towards disposable plastics. We want to show people that there are good alternatives to things like plastic straws and plastic packaging. It’s not too late to tackle the issue of plastic marine debris, but we have to act now,” says Jørgensen.

Meyer Werft delivers Norwegian Bliss

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 April 2018 19 April 2018

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holding Ltd (NCLH) group, said it took delivery of the 168,028 gross ton Norwegian Bliss from Meyer Werft during a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany, marking the conclusion of an 18-month building period.

In attendance were executives from Norwegian Cruise Line, including Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer, Harry Sommer, executive vice president of international business development, Robin Lindsay, executive vice president of vessel operations for the 16-ship fleet, representatives from Meyer Werft including Bernard and Tim Meyer, managing partners of the German-based shipyard, and the ship’s captain and hotel director.

Before cruising to Southampton, England to begin her transatlantic journey on April 21, Norwegian Bliss will showcase all she has to offer to her first guests during a two-day European inaugural preview cruise hosted by Andy Stuart and Harry Sommer. Upon her arrival to the U.S. on May 3, the festivities for her U.S inaugural tour will commence with two-night preview events in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, and will conclude with a grand christening ceremony and sailing from her first homeport at Pier 66 in Seattle, Washington on May 30, the company said in a statement.

Following a three-day inaugural voyage with a call into the port of Victoria, British Columbia, she will return on June 2 and will then embark on her first seven-day voyage to Alaska.

Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus class, the most successful class in the company’s history, is the first cruise ship specifically designed with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruising experience. On board, guests will be able to experience their favorite amenities by Norwegian Cruise Line, plus some new first-at-sea offerings. Norwegian Bliss will thrill and excite guests with the largest competitive race track at sea, a first for any North America-based cruise ship.

The two-level electric-car race track sits at the top of deck 19, offering guests amazing views while twisting and turning at a speed of up to 30 miles per hour. After a thrilling ride, guests can then test their agility at the open-air laser tag course, or race side-by-side on the Aqua Racer waterslide at the expansive Aqua Park, with two multi-story waterslides, one of which extends over the edge of the ship and loops down to the deck below.

Aboard Norwegian Bliss, culinary enthusiasts can savor new exclusive specialty dining and bar concepts such as the debuting Texas smokehouse – Q, the cruise line’s first full-service Starbucks® store at sea, and Coco’s – a chocolate and sweet treats shop. At The District Brew House, guests can enjoy a variety of craft cocktails and beers, including local Seattle favorites from Red Hook Brewery.

Genting Hong Kong plans to sell remaining shares in NCLH

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 April 2018 19 April 2018

Star NCLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong, plans to sell the 3.148 million shares in Norwegian Cruise Line Holding, Ltd (NCLH).

Since August last year, when Star NCLC signed an underwriting agreement with a US investment bank to dispose of its holding in the world’s third largest cruise shipping group, it has sold 22.5 million shares in NCLH.

“Depending on prevailing market conditions and subject to any contractual selling restrictions, Star NCLC may from time to time in the future continue to dispose of the Remaining NCLH Shares to realize its investments in NCLH. The Future Disposal together with the Previous Disposals may, on an aggregated basis, constitute a very substantial disposal of the Company under Chapter 14 of the Listing Rules and requires Shareholders’ approval in a general meeting of the Company,’ Genting Hong Kong said in a statement

The minimum selling price shall not be less than US$43.86 per remaining NCLH share, it added.

Transformation of Mein Schiff 1 to Marella Explorer begins

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 April 2018 19 April 2018

Marella Explorer, the latest addition to the Marella Cruises fleet, is now on the blocks in Cadiz, Spain as the refurbishment process begins. The ship is due to depart from Cadiz on 13th May before embarking on her first customer sailing around the Mediterranean, leaving from Palma, Majorca on 19 May.

Marella Cruises is part of TUI UK & Ireland, a fully owned subsidiary of TUI AG, the Hannover based and London listed travel company. As Mein Schiff 1, it belonged to TUI Cruises, a German company jointly owned by TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL). The 76,998 gross ton ship was built as Galaxy for Celebrity Cruises, part of RCCL, in 1996.

With just a four-week stint in dry dock before she takes to the seas, around 1,600 people, from partners, contractors and the Marella Cruises team, will provide over 200,000 man hours to deliver a dramatic multi-million pound makeover. A total of 45 square kilometres of carpet will be laid, along with over 60km of data cabling and 650 Wi-Fi access points.

Ten tonnes of Marella-branded items, including uniform and 1,000 show team costumes are already enroute to Spain. Not to mention the tens of thousands of litres of paint, 3km of bathroom trims and mile-upon-mile of fabric that go into giving the ship a facelift.

At 265.5 meters long and 32.2 meters wide Marella Explorer is the biggest ship to be welcomed into the Marella Cruises fleet. The 1,924 capacity ship (double occupancy) boasts 962 cabins, nearly 40 per cent with balconies, and spans 13 decks.

Entering the fleet as Marella Cruises’ biggest ship yet, Marella Explorer is getting the full top-to-bottom treatment. Two of the biggest new features will be Indigo – the ship’s new flagship bar, club and casino – and the first Champneys Spa at sea. Indigo will be home to the longest bar on the ship – making the most of its top-of-the-ship spot and wraparound sea views.

Champneys Spa, will offer a full-service thermal suite, treatment suites with their own showers and mini saunas, a Finnish sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, and spa cabanas on the adults-only Veranda that come complete with thermal suite access.

Marella Cruises have also announced their chosen Godmothers today, recognising two outstanding employees who have contributed significantly to Marella Cruises. Hotel Operations Manager Sue Stewart and TUI retail agent Mandy Galloway have been chosen for their commitment to and passion for cruise, particularly around their focus and dedication to customer experience. It’s tradition for Marella Cruises to invite team members to become Godmothers, which illustrates how integral their staff and crew are to the service excellence they continue to demonstrate.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ guests raised £25,000 for Caribbean disaster relief

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 April 2018 17 April 2018

Generous guests across the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fleet have joined together to raise nearly £25,000 to help the Caribbean relief effort – following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 – and support the rebuilding of an area of the world that is so close to their hearts, the company said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen guests have raised £12,100 since November 2017, which has been donated to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s ('CTO') ‘Hurricane Relief Fund’. From there, it will be disbursed directly to the Ministries of Tourism in the impacted Caribbean member states, to enable them to rebuild their devastated communities and provide financial relief to those most in need.

Carol Hay, Director of Marketing UK & Europe at the Caribbean Tourism Organization, said: “The support from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has been fantastic! We can’t thank the staff and guests enough! It’s heart-warming to know that so much time and effort was taken to raise funds to support the CTO Hurricane Relief Fund. 100 percent of the funds go to help those affected; and most importantly goes towards the Sustainability of the Caribbean Tourism Product. “We look forward to continually welcoming Fred. Olsen to our shores; and thank them for helping us to build back better!”

In addition, Fred. Olsen guests have also raised a separate sum of over £11,000 to help the island of Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, specifically. This was one of the worst-hit areas of the Caribbean, and Fred. Olsen’s Braemar – which is the ship that operates its popular Caribbean fly-cruise season – chose to donate directly to the British Virgin Islands Red Cross, to benefit the people and communities of Tortola, where the ship has been calling for a number of years.

Sharon Flax-Brutus, Director of Tourism at The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, said: “On behalf of the people of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Red Cross, I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support for our islands from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the Braemar. It is heartfelt gifts like these that continue to encourage and inspire us to work even harder at rebuilding our beautiful BVI.”

Fred. Olsen guests across its fleet of four ocean cruise ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – have been taking part in a number of fun and lively onboard activities to raise funds, such as raffles, crew ‘Tug of War’ competitions, an ‘International Street Market’, ‘Human Fruit Machine’, quizzes and art auctions, all organised by the ships’ Entertainment teams.

Rachael Jackson, Public Relations Manager for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We would like to thank the thousands of guests and crew across our fleet who have given so generously to raise nearly £25,000 to help the people of the Caribbean rebuild their lives and their glorious region. We have been working with the Caribbean Tourism Organization – of which we are a long-standing member – and the British Virgin Islands Red Cross, to support their hurricane relief efforts and provide assistance to those destinations most badly affected."

“We look forward to seeing the Caribbean get back on its feet and we know that this year's Braemar fly-cruise programme will receive the usual warm and friendly welcome from the people of this amazing destination!”

Fred. Olsen has also assisted the Caribbean hurricane relief effort by donating brand new crew uniforms, worth £33,000, to a further two badly-impacted islands – Barbuda and Dominica. Fred. Olsen donated 1,465 new uniform items to the islanders before Christmas last year, including shoes, trousers, shirts and skirts, along with 2,263 used uniform items.