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Carnival Cruise Line to offer first-ever series of voyages from San Francisco aboard Carnival Miracle in 2020

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 December 2018 19 December 2018

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that for the first time, it will offer a series of cruises from San Francisco, with Carnival Miracle operating a diverse schedule that includes 4- to 15-night voyages to Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico in 2020.

Following strong reception to a previously announced program from San Diego in 2019, Carnival Miracle will also return to the port for a winter 2020-21 schedule of 3- to 15-night voyages.

These deployments further bolster Carnival Cruise Line’s position as the West Coast cruise leader, carrying more passengers than any other cruise operator. That number will continue to increase with the debut of Carnival Panorama from Long Beach in December 2019, the first new Carnival ship on the West Coast in 20 years.

With the addition of San Francisco, Carnival operates from 19 North American homeports, providing a convenient and cost-effective means for its guests to get to and from their cruises. Roughly half of the U.S. population is within a five-hour drive of a Carnival homeport.

“Carnival is the number one cruise operator from the West Coast, and these new programs from San Francisco and San Diego, as well as the deployment of the brand new Carnival Panorama from Long Beach, speaks volumes to our confidence in growing this important market,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival’s inaugural schedule from San Francisco

Carnival’s first-ever schedule from San Francisco kicks off March 19, 2020, aboard Carnival Miracle, and will include four-day long weekend voyages to Ensenada departing Thursdays and returning Mondays throughout the spring and summer, as well as five-day and six-day cruises to Ensenada, Catalina Island and San Diego in the spring.

The ship will also offer a summer schedule of 10-day Alaska cruises round-trip from San Francisco featuring a variety of popular destinations throughout the Last Frontier, including Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point as well as opportunities to visit Sitka and cruise Tracy Arm Fjord. There’s also a special one-time 11-day Alaska cruise departing Aug. 9, 2020.

Longer length voyages

A 15-day Carnival Journeys Hawaii cruise round-trip from San Francisco departs April 16, 2020, calling at awe-inspiring destinations across the Aloha State, including Maui (Kahului), Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, and Kauai, as well as a stop in Ensenada.

Prior to its West Coast deployment, Carnival Miracle will offer a 17-day Carnival Journeys Panama Canal transit March 2-19, 2020, calling at Santa Marta and Cartagena, Colombia; and Limon, Costa Rica prior to the Panama Canal transit followed by calls at Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Carnival Journeys cruises offer unique local culinary and entertainment experiences as well as special activities, including a 1980s-themed Throwback Sea Day.

Winter schedule from San Diego

Carnival Miracle will operate a winter schedule of voyages from San Diego beginning Oct. 4, 2020. The program includes convenient three-day getaways to Ensenada, four-day sailings to Ensenada and Catalina Island, and five-day departures that spend two full days in the Mexican resort town of Cabo San Lucas.

Also offered are four 15-day Carnival Journeys Hawaii cruises round-trip from San Diego departing Oct. 16 and Nov. 28, 2020, and Jan. 9 and Feb. 20, 2021. Featured ports include Hilo, Kona, Kauai (Nawiliwili), Maui (Kahului) and Honolulu, as well as stop in Ensenada, providing guests with a variety of landside experiences in this tropical Polynesian paradise.

Genting Cruise Lines celebrates 25th anniversary in Singapore

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 December 2018 19 December 2018

Genting Cruise Lines celebrated its silver anniversary with a special event held on board Genting Dream in Singapore on 14 December to commemorate the very first sailing of Langkapuri Star Aquarius from Singapore in 1993, beginning 25 years of supporting Singapore to become the premier cruise hub in Asia, handling the most international passengers in Asia.

Among the nearly 500 guests representing government, travel agents and business partners, notable attendees at the 25th Anniversary celebration included Guest of Honour, Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, who congratulated Genting Cruise Lines on its silver anniversary and long-standing relationship with Singapore. Genting Cruise Lines representatives at the event included Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Colin Au, Group President of Genting Hong Kong and other senior executives and staff members from the company.

Originally founded a quarter of a century ago as Star Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines has been an integral force in establishing the ASEAN as an important region and introducing innovative ships designed specifically for the more relaxed Asian cruise market where guests can enjoy a variety of leisure activities and dining options unrestricted by the rigid schedules commonly found on other cruise ships.

Over the past 25 years, the company has welcomed more than 6.5 million guests on board its fleet through over 7,500 ship calls in Singapore. In the last 12 months, Genting Dream, the only ship on a year-round deployment in the city, welcomed about 400,000 cruise passengers, of whom 60% were tourists, helping Singapore become the port with the most number of international cruise passengers in Asia. With the majority of guests flying in to Singapore, the transformation of the city as a turnaround port has had substantial economic benefits not only for airlines and airports, but hotels, as visitors normally stay pre or post cruise, shopping and other sectors of the tourism industry.

“Genting Cruise Lines is honoured to have played a part in the evolution of Singapore to become one of the leading cruise hubs in Asia and we remain committed to the future growth of the city and the ASEAN region to become one of the most important and vibrant cruise regions in the World,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. “And we are proud of our latest milestone in Singapore with the arrival of our world-class, 150,695 gross ton Genting Dream, which has been named one of the top 10 Large Resort Ship by the esteemed Berlitz Cruise Guide.”

“Cruise is one of the key pillars of Singapore’s tourism strategy….In the area of marketing and promotion, the Singapore Tourism Board, Changi Airport Group and Genting Cruise Lines embarked on a S$28 million collaboration in 2017 to promote Genting Dream’s Singapore sailings. The three-year partnership is expected to bring in 600,000 overseas visitors and more than S$250 million in tourism receipts,” added Mr. Chee Hong Tat.

With the completion of the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore and clear Chinese policy to promote cruising, Genting Cruise Lines ordered two 150,000 gross ton ships for delivery in 2016 and 2017 to create “Dream Cruises”, specifically catering to the growing premium segment in Asia. With just 3,350 lower berths, the Dream Class was designed to be the most spacious megaship in the world at 45 gross tons per lower berth. Catering for the luxury segment, Dream Cruises also introduced an all-inclusive “luxury ship-within-a-megaship’ enclave, called The Palace, featuring a collection of 140 suites, private amenities including a swimming pool, restaurants, gym and other facilities and boasting the largest luxury passenger space ratio of about 100 gross tons per lower berth. Guests of The Palace will also enjoy the highest crew to passenger ratio in the world highlighted by private butler service and refined Asian dining with a complementary menu of herbal soups, seafood, bird nest and other delicacies. Western options will feature caviar, wine and other items found on international luxury cruise ships.

The acquisition of Crystal Cruises in 2015 also helped Genting Hong Kong capitalize on the growing global demand in the luxury cruise market. Through significant investment by Genting Cruise Lines, Crystal has embarked on the most ambitious brand expansion in the history of luxury travel and hospitality, introducing two new cruise options – Crystal Expedition Yacht Cruises and Crystal River Cruises – and reaching new heights with Crystal Luxury Air.

Genting Cruise Lines is built upon three pillars of excellence – a “Made in Germany” cruise fleet synonymous with the highest in quality, safety, comfort and reliability, legendary Asian service standards and uncompromising North European safety standards. Genting Cruise Line is also the first cruise line to install surveillance equipment on the bridge of all its ships and the first cruise line to build its own ship simulator for the regular training of ship officers.

Looking forward to the next 25 years, Genting Cruise Lines has bought its own shipyards in Germany, called “MV Werften”, and will be building a fleet of technologically advanced cruise ships for its three brands. The first of a fleet of luxurious 20,000 gross ton “Endeavor Class” expedition vessels will be delivered to Crystal Cruises in 2020, followed in succession by the first of a fleet of 200,000 gross ton “Global Class” ships for Dream Cruises in 2021, 67,000 gross ton “Diamond Class” ships for Crystal Cruises in 2022 and innovative “Contemporary Class” ships for Star Cruises in 2023.

Accommodating up to 9,500 passengers, Dream Cruises’ “Global Class” will be the largest cruise ships in the world by passenger capacity and will consist of mainly large, family-friendly cabins featuring two bathrooms bringing affordable cruising to all middle class passengers while also retaining its signature 150-suite “The Palace” enclave for luxury guests.

“The last 25 years have passed quickly and we are looking forward to our next 25 years to provide our cruise option to the 150 million Asian tourists who travel all over the world. By the end of the next quarter century, we will have the most modern fleet in the world for our three cruise brands, offering the most variety of itineraries and destinations, providing best-in-class service and, most important of all, maintaining our uncompromising safety culture developed over the past 25 years,” concluded Tan Sri Lim.

Genting Hong Kong to order newbuildings for Star Cruises – report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 December 2018 17 December 2018

Genting Hong Kong, the listed Hong Kong based cruise shipping group, is reported to plan newbuldings for its Asia-Pacific focused contemporary market brand Star Cruises, a report on the website of The Sun Daily in Malaysia says.

‘The first of a fleet of luxurious 20,000 gross ton “Endeavor Class” expedition vessels will be delivered to Crystal Cruises in 2020, followed in succession by the first of a fleet of 200,000 gross ton “Global Class” ships for Dream Cruises in 2021, 67,000 gross ton “Diamond Class” ships for Crystal Cruises in 2022 and innovative “Contemporary Class” ships for Star Cruises in 2023,' the report said.

It did not provide further details.

Royal Caribbean to send Oasis of the Seas to New York, Anthem and Independence of the Seas to Southampton 2020-21

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 December 2018 13 December 2018

Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit of Royal Caribbean Cruises, ltd (RCCL) group, said Oasis of the Seas would operate from New York and Anthem of the Seas from Southampton in the UK in 2020-21.

“An amped up Oasis of the Seas will greet Lady Liberty and deliver new vacations from the Northeast with 7-night Caribbean itineraries that include an unforgettable day at the cruise line's highly anticipated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas. Oasis will be the first ship in her class and the world's largest to sail from the Northeast,” the company said in a statement, referring to a forthcoming major upgrade of the ship.

“For the first time since 2015, Anthem of the Seas will return to the UK to sail alongside Independence of the Seas, marking the cruise line's biggest presence in the region to-date,” RCCL said.

Celebrating its one-year anniversary in summer 2020, Perfect Day at CocoCay will welcome 10 ships from more ports than any previous deployment, including newly added Galveston, Texas, as well as Barcelona, Spain on Allure and Rhapsody of the Seas' transatlantic sailings in November 2020. Adventure seekers from around the world will have more opportunity than ever to discover the thrill and chill experiences that await the whole family, including the tallest waterslide in North America, the Caribbean's largest wave pool, and the highest vantage point in The Bahamas from a helium balloon that rises 450 feet in the air. Delivering on its promise of creating memorable vacations on land and on board, Royal Caribbean will tout seven ships in 2020-21 that have emerged from the global cruise line's $1 billion Royal Amplified modernization program launched in 2018, introducing a wide range of bold, new adventures designed to appeal to all ages.

Oasis of the Seas will undergo a bow-to-stern transformation in 2019 and become the first Royal Amplified ship to sail from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J., starting in May 2020. Oasis of the Seas will transport travelers to the clear blue waters of The Bahamas all summer with 7-night itineraries, as well as a select number of short cruises north to New England and Canada.

Adventure of the Seas will return to Cape Liberty, sailing a variety of 5- and 9-night summer and fall itineraries to Bermuda, New England and Canada, The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Travelers can extend leaf peeping season on Vision of the Seas, which will offer three 10- to 11-night open-jaw itineraries between Bayonne and Quebec City with an overnight in Quebec's capital – a UNESCO World Heritage treasure and North America's only fortified city.

Symphony of the Seas and sister ship Harmony of the Seas, the ultimate family ships, will return to PortMiami and Port Canaveral, Fla., respectively, offering 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Both ships will feature visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the ultimate destination for thrill and chill, on nearly all sailings.

Brilliance of the Seas will light up Boston in the fall, sailing 7- to 10-night cruises to Canada starting in September 2020, while Grandeur of the Seas continues to offer 9-night itineraries to Canada and New England for fall foliage from her year-round homeport in Baltimore, Md.Grandeur will embark on a combination of 5- and 9-night itineraries to Bermuda and The Bahamas in the summer months, and transition to 9-night Southeast Coast & Bahamas and 12-night Southern Caribbean cruises for the winter. Northeast, Canada and Bermuda itineraries will be available to book as of Dec. 13, 2018.

In 2020, San Juan, Puerto Rico will welcome what will be the newly modernized Freedom of the Seas. The largest ship to ever homeport in San Juan will return for the third consecutive year to sail 7-night itineraries year-round throughout the Southern Caribbean, traveling beyond the typical getaway to exotic destinations like Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Johns, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia and Bridgetown, Barbados. Rounding out the 7-night Caribbean offerings is Liberty of the Seas, which will continue to sail from Galveston to the Western Caribbean ahead of her own highly anticipated amplification in early 2021. The 7-night Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries will be available to book as of Dec. 13, 2018.

No stranger to Perfect Day at CocoCay, two of Royal Caribbean's Amplified ships – Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas – will continue to elevate short Caribbean getaways all year with 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday itineraries to The Bahamas. Reimagined in 2018, Mariner will continue to sail from Port Canaveral in Orlando, Fla., while an amped up Navigator will remain a resident of Miami, sailing from the cruise line's state-of-the-art Terminal A. Navigator will be the third ship to be reimagined in February 2019, building on the successes of the brand's Royal Amplified fleet modernization program to incorporate a lineup of firsts and Royal Caribbean favorites with new experiences, including an awe-inspiring Caribbean poolscape, two daring waterslides – introducing the longest aqua coaster at sea – the first blow dry bar the industry, elevated nightlife and dining, and thrilling activities. Short Caribbean itineraries are now open to book.

Sharing the Texas-sized spotlight, Enchantment of the Seas will, for the first time from Galveston, offer a lineup of sailings to Perfect Day at CocoCay for adventurous vacationers who want to wrangle first-time experiences that will top any bucket list. Enchantment will continue a mix of 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean sailings in the summer, perfect for short getaways and first-time cruise vacationers.

The Old World will get a new spin with Royal Caribbean's summer 2020 deployment. Longtime New York resident, Anthem of the Seas, will make the journey across the Atlantic to Southampton, England returning for the first time in five years. Anthem is set to embark on her biggest adventure yet as the Quantum Class ship visits coastal towns along the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands, on 8- to 14-night itineraries. Modernized in 2018, Independence of the Seas will return to Southampton for the season and sail 7- to 14-night cruises around the Norwegian Fjords, Canary Islands and North Africa, Scandinavia & Russia, and Italian Mediterranean, including new destinations Agadir, Morocco and Ponta Delgada in Portugal's Azores archipelago in the mid-Atlantic. Vacationers can also revel in the beauty of the Baltic with a 14-night itinerary – a first for a Freedom Class ship – featuring an overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark and two nights in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Royal Amplified will reach the far corners of Europe as Allure of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas debut multimillion-dollar modernizations as they journey across Europe for the 2020 summer and fall seasons to rediscover legendary landmarks, charming coastlines and the diverse cultures. Allure of the Seas will be the first Royal Amplified Oasis Class ship in Europe, offering 7-night Western Mediterranean itineraries that depart from Barcelona. From Rome, the reimagined Explorer will offer a mix of 7- to 12-night sailings along the Greek Isles, uncovering storied temples, amphitheaters and villages.

Vision of the Seas will join Allure in Barcelona for the summer and fall seasons to offer travelers 12-night cruises across the Mediterranean, as Rhapsody of the Seas returns to Venice, Italy for the summer to offer shorter itineraries, alternating between Greece & Croatia and the Greek Isles. Copenhagen will welcome Jewel of the Seas for the season, as the ship sails a mix of 7-night itineraries through the Norwegian Fjords and Scandinavia & Russia. Brilliance of the Seas will return to Amsterdam for a third summer, sailing 12-night Baltic itineraries and a special 12-night sailing around the British Isles. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, adventurers can board Brilliance for a 15-night arctic crossing as the ship repositions from Amsterdam to Boston, Mass. European itineraries will be available to book the week of Dec. 17, 2018. All itineraries will be open to book by Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members one day prior to the general opening date.

Ege Port Kuşadası to host the next MedCruise General Assembly

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 December 2018 12 December 2018

Ege Port Kuşadası, the gateway to the world famous ancient city Ephesus and a Global Ports Holding port, will be hosting the 54th MedCruise General Assembly. During the General Assembly, MedCruise members’ representatives together with other esteemed guests such as cruise lines’ executives and international press representatives will discuss the latest developments of the cruise sector and the state of the industry as well as the implications and prospects of cruising in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.

Home of the ancient Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, Kuşadası is a historical city. With a dynamic cruise port and its blue flagged beaches, Kuşadası is the most preferred tourism destination. Offering a wonderful contrast between the excitement of a lively holiday destination and the serenity of ancient ruins. With the typical Mediterranean climate of hot summers and mild winters, the region enjoys a long tourism season, and without doubt, Kuşadası is one of Turkey’s most beautiful holiday destinations.

As a member of MedCruise, the Association of cruise ports in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas, now totalling 70 port members representing more than 120 ports around the Mediterranean region and 33 associate members, Ege Port Kuşadası will be hosting the 54th General Assembly of MedCruise, which is a major event of the cruise business.

The first acquisition of Global Ports Holding, Ege Port Kuşadası is among the most visited cities in the Mediterranean. With the completely renovated Scala Nuova Village, located directly across the terminal, the port offers exotic, colourful shops with chic cafes, bars and restaurants tailored for the cruise passengers.

Airam Diaz Pastor, the President of MedCruise: “We are very proud to announce that our General Assembly will take place on the Eastern Med, a region with a splendid boost on the following seasons. Our prestigious 54th General Assembly will be welcomed by the Ege Port Kuşadası, a historical region and a great cruise destination. This major cruise event will have a positive impact not only on the traffic of this area but also on the nearby regions, which is one of the main goals of our Association”.

Aziz Güngör, the General Manager of Ege Port Kuşadası: “We are very happy to host the MedCruise General Assembly here in Kuşadası, hosting the cruise industry leaders, the member port managers, as well as the press. As the traffic to East Med is getting stronger once again, Kuşadası will be welcoming the passengers back with delight.”

Emre Savin; Chief Executive Officer of Global Ports Holding Plc added that “As the world’s largest cruise port operator, Global Ports Holding Plc is delighted to support this event hosted by one of our ports, Ege Port Kuşadası. Kuşadası, also referred to as “Ephesus” is one of the top cruise destinations in the East Mediterranean. We hope you enjoy this year’s event and appreciate the historical beauty of this wonderful destination.”