Celestyal Cruises strengthens North American team
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 30 March 2018 30 March 2018
Celestyal Cruises has appointed three new members to Celestyal Cruises, Inc. Each officially begins his or her tenure with the company in March, 2018:
– Maria Moreau, Brand Marketing and Social Media Executive, North America
– Roger Poulard, Business Development Manager, Northeast USA + Eastern Canada
– Kelly Predmesky, Business Development Manager, Southeast USA + Caribbean
Maria Moreau is a marketing professional and social media strategist with more than seven years’ experience in the Travel Retail and Food & Beverage industries. Ms. Moreau will be responsible for developing and executing the brand marketing and social media plan for North America while providing cooperative marketing support to the company’s travel trade partners. Ms. Moreau previously served as Marketing Manager at Areas, a leading provider of food, beverage and retail services to the U.S. travel hospitality industry. Ms. Moreau earned her Professional Social Media Certificate at the University of Miami and her Bachelor’s of Science in Digital Arts and Design at Full Sail University. Bilingual in English and Spanish, her technical skills include Adobe Creative Suite, Digital Photography and Motion Graphics.
Roger Poulard is a business development professional with more than 14 years’ experience in the cruise and travel industries. Mr. Poulard has been tasked with introducing the Celestyal Cruises brand to the travel agent community in the Northeast USA and Eastern Canada – he will be based in Newark, NJ. Prior to joining Celestyal Cruises, Mr. Poulard was most recently the Business Development Manager, New York, for MSC Cruises USA. Mr. Poulard is multilingual in English, French and German, and earned his B.A. at Otterbein College.
Kelly Predmesky is an industry professional with more than 12 years’ experience. Ms. Predmesky has been tasked with introducing the Celestyal Cruises product to the travel agent community in the Southeast USA and Caribbean – she is based in West Palm Beach, FL. Prior to joining Celestyal Cruises, Ms. Predmesky was most recently with MEDJI Tours; she also held positions with Contiki and STA Travel. She received her B.A. from the University of South Florida.
“We have hit the ground running,” said Leslie Peden, President, Celestyal Cruises, Inc., “and with the addition of Ms. Moreau, Mr. Poulard and Ms. Predmesky to our team, we are on track to implement our strategic development plans in North America. Mr. Poulard and Ms. Predmesky will soon commence a wave of business development, including a training webinar series and roadshows. Our goal is to educate the travel trade about Celestyal Cruises’ incomparable all-inclusive, Premium-Value Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean cruises. Ms. Moreau, Mr. Poulard and Ms. Predmesky bring immeasurable enthusiasm to their new positions, and I’m thrilled to have them on board.”
Costa strengthens its position in Ligurian ports of Genoa, Savona and La Spezia
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 28 March 2018 28 March 2018
Costa Cruises is strengthening its presence in Liguria with the announcement of three important items of news for 2019 concerning the region's main ports.
Over the course of the next year, Costa Fortuna will make regular calls at Genoa, while the new flagship Costa Smeralda will offer an itinerary that includes both Savona and La Spezia. Cruises for both ships will go on sale in the coming weeks. Important work to be carried out by both the Port Authority and Costa Cruises is scheduled to take place in Savona in the port and in the cruise terminal, so that it can host the Italian company's new flagship.
“Liguria has always been Costa Cruises' home throughout its seventy years in existence, which is why we are especially happy to strengthen our presence in all the three main ports of our region,” said Neil Palomba, Costa Cruises President. “These new investments have become a reality thanks in part to the constant dialogue we have with local institutions, including the Liguria Region, the three city councils and the Port Authorities. In particular, the support of the mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci and the President of the Liguria Region Giovanni Toti have played a decisive role in finally bringing back a Costa ship to Genoa after all these years."
Giovanni Toti, President of the Liguria Region, said: “After almost fifteen years a Costa ship is coming back to Genoa, reflecting the success of the work the institutions have achieved together with the cruise company, with initiatives that will show Liguria in an even better light. The new Costa Fortuna will call at Genoa, while the Costa Smeralda, currently under construction, will expand Costa’s presence in the port of Savona, on a cruise itinerary that will also take in La Spezia. The collaboration between the Liguria Region and Costa Cruises began when the new regional council took over with the opening of a new training centre of excellence, opened in the wonderful Villa Figoli in Arenzano, where the company and the Italian Merchant Marine Academy provide high quality training and new job opportunities for young people and the unemployed in the seafaring job market, in particular in the on-board hotel sector. The excellent teamwork between the institutions and this private company has proven to be a great success and the benefits to our region are tangible. The fact that we are all here today tells us that Costa Cruises’ contribution continues and grows even stronger, with important consequences for employment: Costa's activities generate more than 700 jobs in Savona every year and have an economic impact of almost 40 million euro on the city. The cruise company calls at Savona approximately 200 times a year, bringing with it 300,000 tourists who embark and disembark ships in the city, and over 350,000 guests in transit arriving from other ports. These flows of people generate an average spend per year of almost 100 euros for each guest and 1,020 euros from related industries and activities for each inhabitant of Savona. The presence of Costa in Savona has also led to significant investments in its port and in the Terminal, both by the Port Authority and by the company itself. Today we are all showing our eagerness to carry on creating value in our region by strengthening the cruise sector even further, not only in Genoa, but also in the region’s other two main ports, Savona and La Spezia. This demonstrates how crucially important the maritime economy is for Liguria and is proof of Costa’s devotion to our region, and it will allow us to capitalise on all the wonderful things our region and our history have to offer.”
The Mayor of Genoa, Marco Bucci, said: “I'm extremely pleased that Costa Cruises is making this important return to Genoa. Costa Cruises is not just a shipping company for us: it is an important part of our city's history. Seeing Costa ships in our port again will be a source of great pride. But it also means that thousands of tourists will be coming to Genoa: the council and the city will provide accommodation, entertainment and cultural solutions that will meet all the expectations of Costa Cruises guests. We are looking forward to working in full synergy with the Costa group to make sure that tourists have the opportunity to explore and discover all Genoa’s treasures.”
From the end of March to November 2019, Genoa will be the home port of Costa Fortuna, a ship with a gross of tonnage of 103,000 and a total capacity for 3,470 guests that is currently in service in Asia. Its debut in the Ligurian capital is scheduled for 26 March 2019, with a three-day mini-cruise in the Mediterranean. From 29 March until 8 November, the ship will be in Genoa every Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., on two different itineraries. In the spring and autumn, the ship will call at Genoa, as well as Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia, Civitavecchia and La Spezia; and in the summer, Marseille, Tarragona, Palma de Mallorca, and a long stopover in Ibiza and Olbia are scheduled. Costa Fortuna will call at Genoa a total of 34 times. The ship was built just in Genoa, at Fincantieri shipyard, and named on 22 November 2003.
Starting from November 2019, the new flagship Costa Smeralda (180,000 gross tons and 6,600 total guests), currently under construction at the Meyer shipyard in Turku (Finland), will call at Savona and La Spezia every week for the whole winter season. The first call in Savona is scheduled on 3 November 2019, for a mini cruise. After that, from 9 November, Costa Smeralda will be in Savona every Saturday and La Spezia every Friday, on a one-week itinerary that will also call at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Civitavecchia.
In anticipation of the arrival of Costa Smeralda, important work will be carried out over the coming months in Savona, which will not compromise port operations anyway. The Authority Port System of Western Ligurian Sea will work on making the port basin deeper, while Costa Cruises will invest a total of 4.5 million euros for two new passenger boarding fingers and for upgrades work on the Palacrociere buildings.
In La Spezia, Costa Cruises has obtained the adjudication of the concession for the management of the port's cruise areas and services in 2018.
The new flagship Costa Smeralda, powered both in port and at sea by LNG, will perfectly embody the concept of "Italy's finest" that is the distinguishing feature of the Costa brand around the world. It will offer brand new innovations, as well as new developments in terms of features for the most successful products on the ships already in service. For the interiors, four internationally renowned design companies have been chosen – Dordoni Architetti, Jeffrey Beers International, Partner Ship Design and Rockwell Group – under the guidance of creative director Adam D. Tihany.
Norwegian Encore to sail seasonally from PortMiami to the Eastern Caribbean
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 28 March 2018 28 March 2018
Norwegian Encore, the latest addition to Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, is now on sale for voyages beginning in fall of 2019. Guests can now book their cruise vacation on Norwegian’s fourth Breakaway-Plus class ship, the final ship in the most successful class of the company’s history. For her inaugural 2019 season, Norwegian Encore will cruise out of Miami every Sunday, and sail 7-night voyages to the Eastern Caribbean, beginning with her first journey on November 17, 2019 through April 12, 2020.
Norwegian Encore’s Eastern Caribbean cruises will feature some of the region’s most popular destinations offering a perfect mix of leisure activities, culture immersion and adventurous experiences. On this 7-night voyage, guests will first visit San Juan, Puerto Rico where they can explore everything the city has to offer. Guests can stroll through the colorful plazas and cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, tour the island’s popular Bacardi Rum distillery, and visit historic sites including the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, immersing themselves in the history of the citadel. Norwegian Encore will then make her next call into St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, notably known for its picturesque beaches, amazing snorkeling locations and bountiful shopping options. Finally, guests will have the chance to revel in the exotic, beautiful isle of Tortola, British Virgin Islands and relax on its sprawling white sandy beaches while surrounded by its lush tropical scenery.
“Our decision to have the inaugural season of Norwegian Encore cruise the Caribbean reinforces our long-standing relationship with this region and strengthens our support to some of the most beautiful islands in the world,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are excited to reveal the ship’s new features and amenities over the next few months, and look forward to continuing to offer our guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ultimate cruise vacation aboard our newest ship.”
In January, Norwegian Encore marked her first construction milestone with an official steel-cutting ceremony that took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Slated to be approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating up to 4,000 guests, Norwegian Encore will make her much-anticipated debut in Miami in November 2019 to coincide with the scheduled completion of the new terminal at PortMiami, which will be dedicated to Norwegian Cruise Line. The design that was recently revealed at the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in March is a creation of the architects at Bermello Ajamil and Partners, and will feature modern elements including state-of-the-art lighting, inviting indoor and outdoor waiting areas, new technology for a more efficient checking-in process and other innovative features to enhance the overall guest experience.
Reservations now open for new Carnival Panorama's year-round departures from Long Beach
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 26 March 2018 26 March 2018
Carnival Cruise Line has began accepting reservations for the 133,500 gross ton Carnival Panorama, which kicks off its year-round 7-night Mexican Riviera schedule from Long Beach, Calif., Dec. 14, 2019, becoming the first new Carnival ship homeported on the West Coast in 20 years.
Prior to the launch of 7-night service, Carnival Panorama will offer a special one-time 3-night cruise to Ensenada from Long Beach Dec. 11-14, 2019.
Carnival Panorama will offer a three-port, 7-night itinerary from Long Beach, departing every Saturday to stunning destinations along the Mexican Riviera, including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. During these cruises, guests can relax on world-class beaches, visit centuries-old historical sites, and enjoy unforgettable dining and shopping opportunities and exciting experiences ashore.
“Carnival Panorama promises to be a spectacular addition to our fleet and we’re delighted to provide our guests with an opportunity to be among the first to sail on our first new ship on the West Coast in two decades,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Voyages will depart from the newly refurbished Long Beach Cruise Terminal, housed in a massive 146,000-square-foot geodesic dome that once housed Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose airplane. The expanded facility offers a streamlined embarkation and debarkation process along with stunning design elements that pay homage to the Golden State, including a mural of the Sierra Nevada mountains and replicas of the Spruce Goose.
Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Carnival Panorama will offer groundbreaking attractions like a bike-ride-in-the-sky attraction called SkyRide, a massive WaterWorks aqua park, and the SportSquare open-air recreation area, along with a vibrant Havana section with tropics-inspired staterooms and its own Cuban-themed bar and pool, Family Harbor featuring extra-roomy accommodations and the luxurious Cloud 9 Spa. Like its name implies, Carnival Panorama will also offer both indoor and al fresco food and beverage concepts, including the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Library Bar, and Bonsai Sushi.
MSC Bellissima to be named at Southampton in early March 2019
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 22 March 2018 22 March 2018
MSC Cruises will host 2,500 agents on board MSC Bellissima when it is named in the UK next spring, Travel Weekly reports.
The ship will dock in Southampton for three days on 1 to 3 March, with the naming ceremony taking place on 2 March.
MSC Cruises last christened a ship in the UK with the launch of MSC Poesia in Dover in 2008.
With capacity for 4,500 passengers and with a gross tonnage of 171,600, MSC Bellissima will be the largest ship to be named in the UK.
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