Fincantieri launches "Masters of the Sea" training and recruiting project

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 February 2024 08 February 2024

Fincantieri has unveiled the "Masters of the Sea" project in Rome, initiating a paid training program, that will lead to the hiring of 90 individuals within the summer of 2024. This learning pathway is designed to search, educate and employ workers in the shipbuilding sector.

During the event, talks were given by Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, Luciano Sale, Executive Vice President Human Resources and Real Estate, Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division, Pietro Cum, CEO of ELIS, Enzo De Fusco, labor consultant and university professor, and Maurizio Millico, Senior Strategy & Business Development Italy of Indeed.

The "Masters of the Sea" initiative has been developed as part of Distretto Italia, an orientation, training, and job placement project launched in 2023 by the ELIS consortium, of which Fincantieri is a member. It represents an investment in technical knowledge, offering a paid training program aimed at direct employment at Fincantieri's shipyards across Northern, Central, and Southern Italy.

The initial two training courses, for Dimensional Control Operators and Naval Plant Operators, will involve 30 participants. Over the coming months, four additional courses are scheduled, aimed at training Naval Operators, Crane Operators and Slingers.

Fincantieri has based its Business Plan on the cultivation of skills and the "Made in Italy" spirit of innovation, moving beyond mere "craftmanship" to an evolved concept of "intellectual craftsmanship," capable of reconnecting Italians with manufacturing, skilled manual work, new technologies and the high standards of excellence that distinguish our products.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, said: “The course of Italy's industrial future passes through the training of a skilled workforce, the “intellectual craftmanship” of tomorrow. From this idea comes the 'Masters of the Sea' project, a paid training program aimed at recruiting young talents. The goal is to make attractive and cutting-edge jobs that young Italians tend to neglect."

Pietro Cum, CEO of ELIS, said: “Masters of the Sea stems from the need for professional profiles within a major Italian company and creates opportunities for the youth. We frequently hear about companies seeking staff without success and about disillusioned young people. When the realms of education and employment converge, we discover that a solution to the issue does exist."

Cunard report new January booking records

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 07 February 2024 07 February 2024

Cunard has reported that during January 2024, it has booked more guests than any equivalent period in the last decade.

Across the period, the luxury cruise brand booked a record number of guests, up by 25% versus the previous high of the last 10 years, with demand up for both sailings in year and future years.

Cunard President Katie McAlister said: “As we prepare to navigate what is set to be a truly ground-breaking year for Cunard, it has been fantastic to have such a strong start to the year. The appeal of Cunard is strong for guests across the world and is particularly strong for sailing across Europe on our new ship Queen Anne.”

Norwegian Cruise Line to base Norwegian Gem in Jacksonville

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 07 February 2024 07 February 2024

Yesterday, the JAXPORT Board of Directors unanimously approved a four year agreement for a three-year cruise operation with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to provide passenger cruise service from Jacksonville, Fla., beginning in November 2025. The 2,394-guest capacity Norwegian Gem will homeport in Jacksonville, Fla. from November to April every year through 2028, offering seasonal cruises to The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean.

When Norwegian Gem arrives at JAXPORT in November 2025, it will mark the first time NCL homeports in Jacksonville, Fla. The city is a growing drive-to cruise market, with more than 98 million consumers living within driving distance of the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal.

“Today marks a new milestone in the relationship between Norwegian Cruise Line and JAXPORT,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We look forward to Norwegian Gem’s arrival to Jacksonville in November 2025, and welcoming guests from the area, as well as neighboring cities and states, on board to deliver them an exceptional vacation. Thank you to the entire JAXPORT team for the partnership and welcoming us into your city!”

Norwegian Gem will sail immersive tropical getaways each year, offering three 12-day and two 11-day roundtrip Eastern Caribbean sailings from Jacksonville, Fla. calling to the tropical destinations of Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas and St. John’s, U.S. Virgin Islands; Antigua; Basseterre, St. Kitts; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and more. The ship will also sail a series of 4- and 5-day cruises to The Bahamas, calling to Great Stirrup Cay, Freeport, and Nassau, Bahamas.

Sailings will be available to book beginning Feb. 15, 2024 on ncl.com.

“Expanding our popular cruise program provides passengers throughout the Southeast U.S. and beyond with even more reasons to choose Jacksonville for their next vacation,” said JAXPORT CEO Eric Green. “We thank Norwegian Cruise Line for their partnership and look forward to working with them to attract more tourism, and the jobs and economic impact it supports, to our community.”

The cruise industry in Jacksonville, Fla. is responsible for nearly 800 jobs and more than $187 million in annual economic impact for Northeast Florida, according to a 2019 study. Sixty percent of travelers surveyed cited easy access to the port as the primary reason for cruising out of Jacksonville, Fla. And more than three-quarters of passengers surveyed said they would be “very likely” to return to Jacksonville, Fla. for a future vacation.

Norwegian Gem’s amenities include a magnificent spa, pool with panoramic views, a variety of award-winning specialty restaurants and bars, world-class entertainment, an arcade and casino, Splash Academy, NCL’s complimentary youth program, and more. To provide travelers with the best value at sea, Norwegian’s Free at Sea offer provides guests with six free perks including free unlimited open bar, free companion airfare and more. NCL has an endless number of sailings for cruisers to choose from across its 19-ship fleet as the Company sails to 450 destinations around the globe including Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and more.

JAXPORT is a full-service international cargo and cruise seaport in Jacksonville, Fla. In addition to a passenger cruise terminal, the port also owns, maintains, and markets three cargo terminals and two intermodal rail yards along the St. Johns River. The JAXPORT Cruise Terminal is located just minutes from major interstates, including I-10 and I-95, with fast access to and from Jacksonville International Airport.

Star Breeze takes over French Polynesia sailings as Windstar Cruises’ new, year-round ship in the region

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 06 February 2024 06 February 2024

Windstar Cruises, the leader in small ship cruising in Tahiti with more than 36 years of experience in the region, has introduced the all-suite, 312-guest Star Breeze, replacing Wind Spirit, as the new year-round ship in Tahiti and French Polynesia.

Star Breeze began cruising in Tahiti on February 4th, following a memorable ceremony attended by over 500 guests including esteemed dignitaries such as Moetai Brotherson, President of French Polynesia, Tony Geros, Speaker of the House, and Manouche Lehartel, Deputy Mayor of Papeete, Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Tourism partners, port officials, travel advisors, media and Windstar executives. The event marked a significant milestone in Windstar's commitment to providing unparalleled small ship experiences in Tahiti. In celebration, local artist Jessie Tiare Manutahi is on board to reveal an artistic Tahitian-inspired logo made up of symbols representing Windstar in Tahiti.

“This strategic shift in ships not only doubles capacity but also brings new experiences given the Breeze’s multiple dining options, enlarged spa and fitness center, and spacious accommodations,” explained Windstar Cruises’ President Christopher Prelog at the pier side celebration. “Travelers aboard Star Breeze still navigate Tahiti’s out-of-the-way harbors, hidden lagoons, and pristine beaches in Windstar’s signature, small ship style.”

Prelog also noted that the vessel shift means faster travel to and from the islands of French Polynesia and the greater South Pacific, enabling expansion to the remote Marquesas Islands with the brand-new, 14-day Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas set to sail in July 2024. The 148-guest Wind Spirit leaves Tahiti to sail in the Caribbean during the winter season and the Mediterranean and Greek Isles between May and November. Wind Spirit strategically joins sister-ship Wind Star in the Greek Isles to double occupancy in this top selling region.

Windstar’s Star Breeze visits 11 islands and atolls in French Polynesia beginning in 2024, offering enriched cultural onboard experiences and new elements like:

– An evening of “arearea” French Polenesian fun! Join local group the Mamas and the Papas on deck to learn how to make a lei, tie a pareo, and enjoy Tahitian music and dancing

– Hiring local team members in the service department

– A French Polynesian cultural ambassador on each cruise organizing events such as Tahitian dance and language lessons, crafts, Ukulele performance and more

– New shore excursions: Sail on a cultural catamaran cruise in Raiatea, explore coral nurseries with Coral Gardeners and refresh your PADI certification in Papeete prior to the cruise

– Local artwork decorating the ship; Tahitian media including movies, music channels, books and board games

– Turndown gifts made in the islands

As part of its partnership with Coral Gardeners, two new shore excursions take guests to the headquarters to meet the team, visit coral nurseries, and learn about the importance of protecting the corals in a hands-on and interactive way. To date, Windstar, along with its guests, have adopted over 2,500 corals with Coral Gardeners, but Windstar’s goal is to open a dedicated nursery supporting 5,000 corals in 2025.

Windstar’s longtime partnerships with island communities, Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Tourism continue to evolve with new ideas and offerings such as extended hotel stays for an enhanced Tahiti experience combining the cruise with hotels and activities on land. Air and hotel packages are offered from Seattle and Los Angeles and a new foodie cruise tour combines the seven-day Dreams of Tahiti cruise with a three-night stay at Moorea’s Hotel Manava Beach Resort and Spa, a foodie adventure and snorkeling tour.

Windstar will continue to offer key Tahiti favorites including the signature Bora Bora Destination Discovery Event on a private Tahitian motu where guests enjoy an al fresco dinner with traditional foods, live music and local fire dancers light up the night. Tahiti tattooist, cultural expert and guide Tihoti brings local culture and traditions alive on board in a not-to-miss presentation. Another favorite of Windstar guests – swimming directly off Windstar’s Watersports Platform. The South Pacific becomes the swimming pool and playground with complimentary paddle boards, kayaks, floating mats and snorkel gear.

Prelog tells all who ask that Tahiti is his favorite destination. “We have dialed in our itineraries and curated cultural experiences on and off the ship,” says Prelog. “We can’t wait to share it with more travelers.”