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Viking Line names its newbuild Viking Glory

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 May 2019 27 May 2019

This past spring, Viking Line held a major contest to come up with a name for the line's new cruise ferry. Thousands suggestions were received from Sweden, Finland, Åland and the rest of the world. Of these, ten finalists were chosen, which some 30,000 people have now voted on. As of today, 27 May 2019, Viking Line announces that the new vessel will be named Viking Glory.

"In 2021, passengers will be able to enjoy an entirely new cruise experience on the Baltic when Viking Line launches its new, climate-smart vessel. The new ship, which will sail the route between Turku, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden, is currently under construction in Xiamen, China. Before the ship was to be christened under her new name, the heads of the shipping line turned to the public to come up with one," Viking Line said in a statement.

"The level of engagement has exceeded all our expectations - we are so pleased and grateful for the thousands of people who took the time to help us out with this. We look forward to continue building this cruise ship of the future," says Gustaf Eklund, Head of Business Development and in charge of development of the new vessel at Viking Line.

The prize for each of the top ten finalists who participated in competition is a trip on the maiden voyage of the new vessel. The finalist who came up with the name Glory will be treated to a trip for two on the maiden voyage in 2021. Viking Line will be contacting all ten winners in week 22. A total of 22,500 people submitted name suggestions, while some 30,000 voted for the winning entry.

Brands debut innovative products at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 May 2019 25 May 2019

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo, the world’s first highly focused event dedicated exclusively to interior design, architecture, and outfitting for the cruise industry, will welcome industry-leading marine interior suppliers to debut their most innovative products on June 19 and 20, 2019, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, FL, USA.

Exhibitors participating in the inaugural event include MJM Marine, Trimline, SMC Design, Gerflor Group, Bolidt, Studio DADO, Shores Global, Brintons, and Chelsom. On the show floor, exhibitors will debut the newest products to hit the market and provide details of the services they offer.

To help attendees gain further insights and understanding of what the exhibitors have to offer, Cruise Ship Interiors Expo will host 16 live product demos on the show floor. Taking place across two days, prominent industry names will showcase their most innovative products available to the marine market. Each 15-minute session will see attendees directed to the exhibitors’ booths throughout the expo hall. Demonstrations taking place include:

– Grohe (booth 333) presents a revolutionary way to enjoy water using its new Grohtherm SmartControl technology.
– Forbo Flooring Systems (520) offers design inspiration in the form of Flotex FR, a textile flocked floor covering that meets all IMO standards.
– Dianthus Miami (319) will show attendees how to create their own living-wall floral arrangements with the help of its master florist, Walter Vermeulen.
– Fil Doux Textiles (348) offers a sustainable way to create high-quality, IMO-certified materials with its innovative Vinylife feature.
– Luxuryspa (727) presents its signature whirlpool spas and hot tubs, ideal for any space indoor or out.

Québec cruise passenger numbers hit new record high

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 May 2019 23 May 2019

On May 16th, Caroline Proulx, Québec Minister of Tourism, unveiled cruise passenger numbers for Destination Saint Lawrence. The cumulative total of 488,797 passenger-days logged in 2018 represents a new record high for Québec’s ever burgeoning cruise industry. The 2019 season, which launched only recently, is set to become the longest since international cruise ships first began sailing the waters of the Saint Lawrence, extending from an early spring stopover on April 28th in the Magdalen Islands to a late fall call into port on November 2nd at Saguenay.

Passenger numbers in 2018 increased 26% over the corresponding figure for the year previous. The total of 488,797 passenger-days and 193 041 crew combined to propel destination traffic to new heights. The 41 ships which operated on the Saint Lawrence spent 541 days in port in the nine Saint Lawrence ports of call. These impressive achievements speak volumes about Québec’s capacity to carve a place for itself in international cruise circles and build global recognition.

Now under way, 2019 is shaping up to be as successful as 2018, with the early spring arrival of Hurtigruten’s Fram, followed closely by Holland America’s Zaandam. As the season progresses, Destination Saint Lawrence will welcome four new cruise lines, namely TUI Cruises of Germany, MSC Cruises of Italy, Scenic Cruises of Australia and Peace Boat of Japan. Scheduled to operate itineraries originating in the United States, these new companies will help diversify our customer base.

Over the years, Destination Canada New England, which includes the member ports of the Saint Lawrence, has secured a position of choice in the rapidly growing international cruise industry. Cruise ship construction continues unabated with a mix of larger liners and smaller expedition vessels due to enter into service in the years ahead. Given the breadth of destination offerings, Cruise the Saint Lawrence is well poised to cater to the needs of a diversity of traveller profiles. Going forward, our association will continue to provide for sustained, soundly managed growth, while devising and deploying a strategy intended to transform the Saint Lawrence into a year‑round cruise destination, winter included!

Cruise the Saint Lawrence is a sectoral organization which groups together the nine ports of call located along the shores of the Saint Lawrence River. The mission of the organization is to grow cruise market activities in Québec and across Destination Canada New England through the provision of marketing and development services to members. Cruise the Saint Lawrence enjoys the support of partners Tourism Québec, Québec Tourism Industry Alliance and Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Scarlet Lady to visit Dover and Liverpool - report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 May 2019 22 May 2019

Virgin Voyages’ first ship Scarlet Lady will call at Dover and Liverpool before homeporting in Miami next year, Travel Weekly reports on its website.

The 2,700-passenger ship will sail from Genoa where it is being built before arriving in the UK in late February. Miami based Virgin Voyages that is part of the London based Virgin Group has four 110,000 gross ton ships on order at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente yard in Genoa.

Agents will join media and VIPs at several exclusive events on Scarlet Lady before the vessel sails to Miami. The news was part of an announcement made by former Spice Girl Geri Horner at a press conference in central London.

It comes as Virgin Voyages also revealed it was expanding its partnership with music producer and DJ Mark Ronson. The British artist has joined the Virgin Voyages’ Creative Collective – a group of artists and designers which has collaborated with the line. Ronson will create a series of pre-voyage and onboard playlists for passengers, as well as curating the vinyl record selection in the ship’s RockStar Suites and the onboard music shop called Voyage Vinyl.

Ronson is also scheduled to play four times at The Beach Club, Virgin Voyages’ private beach in the Bahamas, on July 9, 2020 alongside DJ and record producer Diplo.

“Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin brand were legendary game-changers in the music industry and it’s a thrill to join them as they bring that same spirit to sea travel,” Ronson was quoted as saying.

SeaDream newbuilding’s battery pack will power up to three hours’ cruising

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 May 2019 20 May 2019

SeaDream Innovation, the 15,000 gross ton expedition ship SeaDream Yacht Club has ordered from Damen Cruise, will be equipped with a large battery pack of approximately 4 MWh, which enables sailing silently and without emissions for up to three hours with no disturbance to surrounding wildlife.

“The hybrid system will reduce local emissions by supporting the diesel generators in “peak shaving mode”, reducing fuel consumption. The yacht will be able to sail to sensitive areas such as the Norwegian fjords and along the ice edge toward the North Pole because of this system. The batteries also bring an added degree of safety, acting as ‘spinning reserve,’ which in the event of a motor shutdown switches instantaneously to the use of batteries without loss of power,” the company said in a statement.

SeaDream has received a grant for $1.8 million for the creation of the revolutionary vessel from Enova, an organisation owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment that is responsible for the promotion of environmentally friendly production and consumption of energy.

SeaDream Innovation will also be fitted with an "Organic Rankine Cycle" machine that takes waste heat from the engines and converts it to electricity. This can produce up to 150 kW of electrical power, which would otherwise have been wasted energy, and instead reduces fuel consumption and results in lower emissions.

Where available by port, SeaDream Innovation can be plugged into shoreside electrical grids around the world by using a multi-voltage shore connection system reducing local pollution anywhere in the world.

The mega-yacht has four modern diesel engines and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system for reducing nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions to the most stringent IMO rules with engines rated to meet the latest and most stringent MARPOL Tier III limits. SeaDream Innovation will be equipped with two podded propulsors providing the highest efficiency and maneuverability. Additionally, SeaDream Innovation will have the high ice class that is designated by PC6.