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Viking Line celebrates 50 years linking Turku to Stockholm

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 July 2023 03 July 2023

Viking Line has linked Turku with Stockholm since 1973. Over the decades, the popularity of the route has been boosted by shopping bargains, good economic times and bad, and ever more beautiful vessels. For this anniversary year, Viking Line is offering a package that combines a city holiday in Turku with a sea journey in one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos.

For 50 years, the Turku route has grown into a cornerstone of Viking Line’s business and become a route that the shipping company has made significant investments in. Over the past ten years, the two most climate-smart vessels on the Baltic Sea have started operating on the route. Viking Grace made its maiden voyage in 2013, and Viking Glory was placed in service in 2022.

Last year, a total of 1.95 million passengers sailed on Viking Line’s Turku vesels, and the company’s market share on the route was as much as 68%. The new vessels are big attractions not just for people sailing the Baltic Sea but also for visitors coming to Turku.

“The proximity to the sea and maritime passenger service between Turku and Stockholm are an important part of our city’s identity and attractiveness. Smooth commuter traffic by sea is an important competitive factor for businesses in our region. It is impossible to imagine Turku without Viking Line and the sea link to Stockholm that this passenger service enables. For 50 years, Viking Line has shown courage in renewing itself and investing to strengthen this vital link,” says the mayor of Turku, Minna Arve.

Viking Line launched service between Turku and Stockholm in the summer of 1973, when Viking 4 and Marella started morning and evening sailings on the new route. Turku had long been of interest to what was then Vikinglinjen, since the city offered “the fastest route to the west”. The route was expected to tempt Finns into trying cruise travel, which was still unusual then, because in a single day passengers on the Turku vessels could “eat and drink more cheaply than on land and buy their allowance of alcohol and tobacco at cheap prices on board”.

“Finns became really interested in taking a cruise in the 1980s. The Turku vessels played an important role in this boom, and the mini cruises in particular drew people from different parts of the country. Trains and tour operator buses stopped right outside the terminal,” says Viking Line’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, Johanna Boijer-Svahnström.

“At that time, it was exotic to go on a cruise. People travelled to Stockholm to buy products that weren’t available in Finland – even food. Our prices were moderate from the very beginning, since we wanted the boat trips to be accessible to everyone. The popularity of these affordable cruises did not fade even during the recession – then too, people needed to relax and get away from their everyday lives.”

With the breakthrough in cruise tourism, the 1980s were a golden age for the construction of every larger and more luxurious passenger ships. On the Turku route, Viking Line placed Viking Sally in service in 1980, Rosella in 1981 and Amorella in 1988. At the end of the decade, the company built its own port terminal in the Port of Turku.

“Versatility is the big advantage of the Turku route. On morning departures, people can enjoy the world’s most beautiful archipelago all day long, while the evening departures offer a long day in Stockholm and the picnic cruises provide a compact way for people to leave their everyday world behind. The route is popular with people travelling by car as well as with passengers attending a conference or taking a cruise. The vessels call both day and night at Åland, which is an important tourist destination for Viking Line,” notes Johanna Boijer-Svahnström.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Turku route, Viking Line has launched a mini-holiday package that, along with the cruise, also includes one night in a Turku hotel.

“Turku is a fantastic city for tourists since there is a lot to see and experience. By booking our new package, our passengers can enjoy Turku all day long if they want, get a good night’s sleep and then move comfortably to our flagship Glory for its morning departure. The mini-holiday has been well received by our customers, who previously headed for Turku and the morning departure really early in the morning.”

Viking Line’s vessels on the Turku route over the years:

– Viking 4 1973–1979
– Marella 1973–1979
– Turella 1979–1980
– Diana II 1979–1981
– Viking Sally 1980–1990
– Rosella 1981–1988, 1994–2002
– Amorella 1988–2022
– Kalypso 1990–1993
– Isabella 1997–2013
– Viking Grace 2013–
– Viking Glory 2022–

Photos from top to bottom: Viking Glory in Turku, credit: Port of Turku

Viking Glory and Viking Grace meet daily in Mariehamn, credit: Teijo Niemela

Cruise Media LLC Chief Content Officer Carolyn Spencer Brown enjoying a sail-away from Turku onboard the Viking Glory

Explora Journeys signs partnership with EHL Hospitality Business School

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 July 2023 02 July 2023

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, has announced its partnership with EHL Hospitality Business School, the world’s leading hospitality management school with campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. The partnership aims to provide an innovative and world-class Guest Experience Foundations training program for all Explora Journeys’ onboard employees.

For over 125 years, EHL has pioneered the methods of Swiss hospitality education, set the standards of excellence in this field and is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

“With our brand being created in Switzerland - the cradle of luxury hospitality - we are proud to partner with the world’s leading hospitality school EHL. This partnership will offer our employees world-class luxury hospitality education and represents a significant step in ensuring that we continue to deliver exceptional guest experiences.” said Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys. “We believe that investing in training and development will enable us to create a distinct, culturally intelligent and sustainable service culture across the organization.”

The training program will even further elevate the solid, distinct and sustainable service culture across the organization. It is designed to reinforce the company's commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences with a focus on a truly European service style that creates a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere onboard.

The Guest Experience Foundation modules will be delivered by EHL Certified Trainers, covering both essential skills and advanced knowledge required for delivering exceptional customer experiences in the luxury hospitality industry. The program will be further reinforced by online refreshers, leveraging a self-directed e-learning environment for in-depth study of the topics. Additional activities will be conducted onboard by trained managers to reinforce the key messages and to elevate the foundational lessons.

As part of the partnership, a ‘Leading Guest Experience’ module has also been co-designed for managers. This includes tools that will be used for on-the-job reinforcement, including dynamic experiential activities.

“We are delighted to partner with Explora Journeys to deliver innovative and practical training programs that will equip their employees with the necessary skills to deliver exceptional customer experiences in the luxury hospitality industry,” said Markus Venzin, CEO of EHL Group. “Our program is designed to ensure that the employees at Explora Journeys receive the highest quality of education and training that will drive the company's growth and success. Our expertise in luxury hospitality education combined with Explora Journeys' commitment to exceptional guest experiences is a perfect match, and we look forward to working together to create a service culture that is second to none."

EXPLORA I will depart on her maiden journey on 17 July 2023 from Southampton, UK for a 15-night sailing discovering the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle to Copenhagen, DK.

Vantage Travel Services, Inc. signs agreement to sell business operations to United Travel Pte. Ltd.

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 June 2023 30 June 2023

Vantage Travel Services, Inc.yesterday announced that United Travel Pte. Ltd., an affiliate of Nordic Hamburg and Heritage Expeditions, has agreed to acquire Vantage’s assets and provide customers with future opportunities for the travel experiences and the luxury service that they have come to expect.

The proposed acquisition is being facilitated by a Chapter 11 filing yesterday in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts by Vantage. Vantage has sought customary relief from the court to preserve the status quo pending completion of the sale. Vantage has sought approval to complete the sale promptly, subject to any higher and better offers that may be submitted through the court supervised sale process.

Argus Management is serving as financial advisor and Casner & Edwards LLP as legal advisor to Vantage.

Silversea Cruises inspires guests with fleetwide premiere of Steve McCurry biopic

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 June 2023 29 June 2023

Silversea Cruises recently hosted its global fleetwide premiere of McCurry: The Pursuit of Color, an intimate portrayal of the brand’s long-term collaborator, Steve McCurry – one of the world’s most celebrated photographers. The cruise line screened the film to guests sailing aboard its 11 ships throughout June, inspiring travelers to cherish the world’s authentic beauty, and safeguard the planet and its inhabitants. Steve McCurry has travelled to over 35 countries as part of his exclusive collaboration with Silversea Cruises. Many of these journeys feature in the film, including trips to India; Mongolia; Madagascar; Bhutan; the Arctic; the Virunga Mountains, Uganda; and more.

From challenges in childhood to the pinnacle of world photography, McCurry: The Pursuit of Color charts Steve McCurry’s rise to the top of his craft, revealing the untold stories behind his iconography and reflecting on the pivotal moments of his adventurous life. Appealing to Silversea’s curious and well-travelled guests, his body of work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions, and contemporary culture alike—yet always retains the human element that made his celebrated image of the Afghan Girl so powerful. Directed by documentary filmmaker Denis Delestrac, the film explores the fascinating life of one of our generation’s greatest visual storytellers, as he travels across war-torn countries and other challenging environments, including monsoon-season India, to capture authenticity in its rawest form. Viewers see new, previously undocumented facets of Steve McCurry: his childhood, his travels, his life in New York, his family life, and more.

“We are honored to work closely with Steve and to sponsor, co-produce, and screen this insightful film, directed by award-winning Director Denis Delestrac, across our fleet of 11 ultra-luxury ships,” said Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “Silversea Cruises facilitates immersive travel as a form of self-enrichment, encouraging a deep respect for the planet and the communities we visit. In this regard, Steve McCurry is the perfect ambassador for our cruise line. The film presents strong messages on diversity, respect, and embracing differences. As one of the most iconic voices in photography for over 50 years, his work inspires viewers and our guests, celebrating the authentic beauty of the world we all share with a distinctive quality.”

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Silversea Cruises and Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO, for showcasing the documentary about my work and career on their fleet. I hope that viewers see the world as I have over these past five decades and understand how photography transcends language barriers and cultural divides and beckons us to reflect on the beauty and complexity of our planet."

McCurry: The Pursuit of Color, produced by Intrepido Films and Polar Star Films, is written and directed by Denis Delestrac, a renowned documentary filmmaker and winner of more than 40 international awards. In 2001, after having worked as a writer and photographer in France and the United States, Delestrac switched his career to documentary filmmaking in India, where he met Steve McCurry, with whom he made his first documentary short. Delestrac has previously worked with Silversea and Steve McCurry on various projects.

"Steve is the creator of a lot of iconic images, throughout a lot of modern history, for a lot of people, but he's a very low-key person," says Denis Delestrac. “He prefers to let the images speak for him, but I was interested in going beyond the images to find out what has made his work so strong and relevant over nearly four decades. In the film, we travel back to his childhood and life experiences to understand his unique vision. I will forever be grateful to Steve for opening up and sharing his life stories with me. I also thank Silversea, who made our voyages to the world's most rewarding destinations possible."

McCurry: The Pursuit of Color is now available on Amazon Prime Video (U.S and U.K.) and Apple TV (U.S.).

Corrected: Miray Cruises announces new ship for its Life at Sea Cruises brand

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 June 2023 29 June 2023

Miray Cruises announced today the introduction of Lara, an extraordinary new world cruise ship that will redefine the realm of extended voyages. "After the overwhelming demand received from the initial launch of Life at Sea Cruises, Miray Cruises has now acquired a newer, larger vessel to accommodate the unprecedented enthusiasm from adventurous souls worldwide," the company said in a statement.

Gemini, the former cruise ship that successfully launched Life at Sea Cruises, is slated to continue her Aegean Sea voyages and will now be succeeded by Lara. While larger than Gemini, Lara will still maintain an intimate feel and experience for the residents onboard who are looking to create a like-minded community at sea for the three year voyage. Residents will experience a neighborhood-type feel onboard MV Lara and indulge in a sense of community and belonging.

“We are beyond excited to introduce the beautiful MV Lara for this incredible, history-making, 3-year voyage" says Kendra Holmes, CEO of Miray Cruises. “Our fleet is expanding due to the unprecedented demand for our long-duration circumnavigation voyages to responsibly explore every corner of our planet. Our residents are changing their lives for this opportunity, and we are honored to be a part of their personal journeys.”

The new vessel will offer Life at Sea Cruises residents an enchanting fusion of amenities and convenience with redesigned staterooms, a business center with offices, a cigar and wine bar, along with other creative offerings. There will also be a 24-hour on-call hospital with complimentary medical visits, learning and enrichment lectures, and opportunities to engage in volunteer and philanthropic initiatives. During the three year journey, the 42,000 gross ton vessel’s voyage will span over 130,000 miles covering 382 ports, 7 continents, and 148 countries.

MV Lara ia the former AIDAaura, which sails with AIDA untill early fall.

"Seeing such an overwhelming interest in our itinerary and unique ports where we will always be in summer is truly thrilling" says Ethem Bayramoglu, COO of Miray Cruises. "This is evidence of the allure of our extended world cruise concept and the exceptional experiences that await our residents aboard MV Lara."

The world’s first three year cruise showcases an extraordinary itinerary created by Robert Dixon that encompasses 13 of the Wonders of the World, UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as other mesmerizing locations. At each port of call, travelers will have the luxury of multiple days for unhurried exploration and the freedom to embark on their own unique adventures.

“As the world turns around the sun to create years, Miray Cruises will turn around the world to create a lifetime of memories. Let’s do it together!” says Fuat Guven, Vice President of Hotel Operations for Miray Cruises.

Prior to its inaugural departure from Istanbul on November 1st, 2023, Miray Cruises will be hosting a series of welcoming events and revelries in Turkey for all booked residents which coincides with the 100th anniversary celebrations of the foundation of the Turkish Republic. These celebrations will set the stage for the journey of a lifetime, creating unforgettable memories from the very beginning.

Correction: MV Lara will be AIDAaura, not AIDAvita.