Atlas to deploy private charter jet service for Antarctica expeditions
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 30 November 2020 30 November 2020
Atlas Ocean Voyages, the luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand is chartering a private wide-body jet to bring guests from the United States to Ushuaia, Argentina, where they will embark World Navigator, Atlas’ new expedition ship. Atlas’ private charter jet service shortens the travel time it takes for guests to reach and return from the Antarctic embarkation port and avoids the layovers and inconvenient scheduling, which are common with commercial routes. Guests also enjoy Atlas’ elegant and engaging service as soon as they board the private jet, all part of Atlas’ All Inclusive All the Way commitment, in which complimentary, round-trip air travel and more is always included.
“Antarctica is the ultimate bucket-list destination and Atlas Ocean Voyages is innovating the industry again by greatly reducing the transit time for North American travelers,” said Atlas’ President Alberto Aliberti. “And our guests will enjoy Atlas’ engaging and enjoyable ambience as soon as they board our private charter jet. This innovation is part of Atlas’ All Inclusive All the Way commitment, in which we take care of the details and make it more convenient and seamless for our guests to enjoy Atlas’ once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”
Guests of World Navigator’s Antarctica itineraries enjoy included, complimentary air travel from 16 major U.S. and Canada gateways. They connect at Orlando, Florida, with Atlas’ private charter wide-body jet, which brings guests directly to meet World Navigator at Ushuaia. The direct service trims off at least a day’s travel time when flying from North America to the Argentine town, also known as the “End of the World.” On board, suite guests are accommodated in business-class seating, while all guests enjoy premiums meals, attentive service and unlimited beverages.
Upon arrival at Ushuaia, guests will be escorted through immigration and transferred to World Navigator, while their checked luggage is delivered to their suites and staterooms. At the conclusion of their luxury expedition, guests will be hosted at a Patagonian Gaucho ranch for a farewell meal and experience, prior to boarding Atlas’ jet for home.
Atlas’ newly constructed, safe, clean and green, small expedition ship, World Navigator, will offer 12 departures on nine-night itineraries to the Antarctic Peninsula, starting Nov. 19, 2021. Two special, 12-night itineraries will offer guests a more extensive Antarctic expedition: the Nov. 28 departure brings guests under the umbra of a rare Antarctic Solar Eclipse and includes the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, while the Feb. 2, 2022, itinerary crosses the Antarctic Circle to initiate guests into the exclusive Order of the Red Nose.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure, expedition cruise brand designed for worldly and fun-seeking travelers to immerse in active and awe-inspiring experiences in less-visited, bucket-list destinations. At 9,300 gross tons, World Navigator fosters a refined and convivial ambience for up to 196 guests and features the most-modern hygiene and cleanliness measures incorporated into her state-of-the-art design.
Atlas’ signature All Inclusive All the Way provides guests a more seamless and worry-free experience by including emergency medical evacuation insurance for all guests, as well as complimentary round-trip air travel, polar parkas, prepaid gratuities, premium wine and spirits and international beers, coffees and smoothies, Wi-Fi, L’Occitane bath amenities, and regionally inspired gourmet dining. In every stateroom, guests enjoy binoculars to use on board, en suite coffee, tea and personalized bar service, and butler service in suites.
World Navigator is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified and her construction is on schedule for delivery in July 2021, followed by World Traveller and World Seeker in 2022 and World Adventurer and World Discoverer in 2023.
Meyer Werft floats out Odyssey of the Seas
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 28 November 2020 28 November 2020
On Saturday, November 28, the Odyssey of the Seas was floated out from Meyer Werft's covered building dock II (hall 6). The 347-meter long cruise liner is under construction for Royal Caribbean International.
The ship moored at the outfitting pier in the shipyard harbour. After the manoeuvre, the masts and chimney were lifted onto the ship by crane and installed. Various tests were be carried out. The ship was expected to moor at the outfitting pier in the shipyard towards the evening.
At Meyer Werft's outfitting pier the interior work on the Odyssey of the Seas will be completed in the coming months. The ship will then be conveyed down the river Ems to complete the technical and nautical sea trials.
The 169,000 gross tons cruise ship has an overall length of 347. meters, width of 41.4 meters and can accommodate more than 5000 passengers.
Viking Cruises and China Merchants Shekou form joint venture
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 27 November 2020 27 November 2020
Viking Cruises, the privately owned ocean and river cruise operator, and the listed China Merchants Shekou group have formed a joint venture to operate Viking Sun under the Chinese flag on coastal cruises for the Chinese source market, China Merchants Shekou said in a statement.
The new venture would capitalise on China Merchants Group's strong comprehensive strength and Viking Cruises' rich experience in high-end cruise operation.
It aims to target people who have a strong interest in nature, history, folk customs and food culture and onboard Viking Sun, the plan is to organically integrate simple Nordic style with Chinese culture.
Torstein Hagen, Viking Cruises’ chairman, said in the statement that the China coastal cruise project of the joint venture company will bring a new cruise travel experience to the Chinese market.
Saga Cruises receives health assurance accreditation from Lloyd’s Register
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 27 November 2020 27 November 2020
Saga Cruises, the UK based luxury market operator, said it has become the first cruise operator to be awarded new Covid-19 health assurance accreditation by Lloyd's Register, the maritime safety experts.
“The move is a crucial step ahead of the planned return of cruise operations in spring next year in a Covid-secure environment,” the company said in a satement.
“Lloyd's Register has awarded Saga the Shield+ accreditation, the highest category of health assurance they have. The new framework has been created to reduce risk and provide greater confidence in the safety procedures of operators against the introduction of infectious diseases onboard cruise ships, including Covid-19, Norovirus and common flu, as the industry works with government to restart an industry that employs 88,000 people and is worth £10bn a year to the British economy,” the companysaid.
Saga Cruises is part of the listed Saga plc group that offers a range of products from travel to financial services to those over the age of 50. It has two ships, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, both of roughly 56,000 gross tons
Being awarded the accreditation demonstrates that Saga exceeds the compliance criteria in every category set out by the UK Chamber of Shipping in their guidance for COVID Secure Cruising, which has been supported by the government.
The safety accreditation is assessed against six key categories covering every aspect of ship safety where health risks are elevated: medical, policy, food, ventilation, accommodation and water.
Award of the accreditation follows months of detailed planning from Saga, designing and putting in place detailed new procedures to meet the highest standards of health and safety.
Saga said its ships have been surveyed and inspected in all key areas and the accreditation has been awarded for both the Spirit of Discovery and the Spirit of Adventure, which was delivered from Meyer Werft in Germany earlier this autumn and is due to set sail for the first time in May 2021.
AIDA Cruises starts with Canary Islands cruises next week
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 26 November 2020 26 November 2020
AIDA Cruises, the leading cruise line in Germany and a part of Carnival Corporation & plc, has announced that it will offer Canary Islands cruises starting from December 5, 2020.
On December 5, 2020, AIDA Cruises will open their cruise season around the Canary Islands with AIDAperla, followed by AIDAmar, which will start its winter season with the Christmas voyage on December 20, 2020. The 7-night voyages to the islands of eternal spring start on Saturdays or Sundays from Gran Canaria.
The Spanish government adopted clear regulations for safe travel in the Canaries in November, which are in line with AIDA's already established hygiene and prevention measures. AIDA's health and safety protocols, which have been audited by SGS Institute Fresenius and confirmed by the classification society DNV-GL, among others, include measures such as the free Covid-19 test before the voyage, secure arrival and departure, medical care, distance regulations and increased disinfection measures on board, as well as guided shore excursions.
Due to the current situation in the United Arab Emirates, Spain (except Canaries) and France, AIDA has to adjust the schedule in the Orient and the Western Mediterranean. All cruises on AIDAstella and AIDAprima that were planned between December 1, 2020 and January 26, 2021 are cancelled.
Guests whose cruises are cancelled will be informed immediately.
Photo Cumbra Vieja National Park / Hellocanaryislands.com
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