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Genting Cruise Lines makes homeport debut in Tianjin with SuperStar Virgo

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2018 08 October 2018

Genting Cruise Lines celebrated SuperStar Virgo’s inaugural homeport sailing from Tianjin on September 30, from where she will offer seven cruises to multiple destinations in Japan, including Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Beppu and Nagasaki. The occasion also marked Star Cruises’ second inaugural homeport in Northern China this year, preceded by SuperStar Virgo’s five-week homeport season in Dalian and to be followed by her debut homeport in the coastal city of Qingdao later this year.

As one of the top-ranking cruise ports in China, Tianjin boasts excellent port infrastructure and accessibility to key markets in the Northern region, which are both crucial to the strategic deployment of Genting Cruise Lines in the country. “The inaugural homeport deployment of SuperStar Virgo in Tianjin is instrumental in building the profile of Genting Cruise Lines as a key industry leader in Asia, as well as to lay a solid foundation for the market development of both Star Cruises and Dream Cruises in China and across the region,” said Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines.

Ang Moo Lim, President of Star Cruises said, “As the pioneer of cruising in Asia with 25 years of experience in the region, Star Cruises is committed to engage Asian travellers with thematic cruises that best cater to their needs. SuperStar Virgo’s homeport deployment in Tianjin is timed perfectly with the peak season of family travels in China – the Golden Week holiday and autumn trips in October. In addition to a great variety of itineraries of different durations and destinations, we have tailor-made entertainment and enrichment activities for all family members to enjoy such as our Senior Cruiser Program, “Treasure Hunt at Sea with Doraemon” and more.”

At 13 decks and 75,000 gross tons, the SuperStar Virgo features 935 cabins, including sea-view cabins and balcony suites. As well, SuperStar Virgo offers a wide variety of dining, shopping and entertainment choices - all part of Star Cruises’ promise to deliver exceptional cruise holidays highlighted by its signature, heartfelt Asian hospitality.

SuperStar Virgo houses over 10 bars and restaurants, including Chinese, Japanese and international restaurants along with an alfresco bar. On-board amenities include a foot reflexology salon and spa, gym with steam and sauna rooms, hairdressing salon, two-level theatre, duty-free shops, a 100-metre mega water slide, outdoor swimming pool, mini golf course, karaoke room, children's activity centre and more.

TUI Cruises launches plastic use reduction programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2018 08 October 2018

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise line, said it has launched a programme to reduce the use of plastics on board its fleet.

By the end of the year 2020, plastic products and disposable items should be replaced on board the company’s vessels and in its offices and replaced by alternatives made by using renewable and sustainable materials, the company said in a statement.

As examples of the measures to be taken TUI Cruises mentioned drinking water in the cabins, which will be served in glass carafes that can be refilled rather than in plastic bottles, which is the case now and shower gel that will be provided in containers that can be refilled rather than in small plastic bottles.

At the moment, in the cabins of the company’s vessels alone, about 900,000 plastic items are used each year.

AIDAnova to leave Papenburg 8 October

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 October 2018 05 October 2018

AIDAnova, the first LNG powered cruise ship in the world, will leave the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg and be transferred to Eemshaven in the Netherlands on 8 October., with the ship dye to reach the Dutch port on the following morning, AIDA Cruises said in a statement.

The same platform will be shared by Costa Crociere, P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, all parts of carnival Corporation & plc. The ships are to be built at the Meyer shipyards in Papenburg, Germany and Turku, Finland.

On Monday at around 07:00 am, it is time to "cast off". At 8:00 am, AIDAnova passes the dock gate in Papenburg. At about 2:30 pm, AIDAnova passes the Friesen-bridge near Weener followed by the Jann-Berghaus-bridge in Leer at around 7:00 pm. After the passage of the Ems barrier Gandersum around 1:00 am, the ship is expected to arrive in Emden at 02:30 am and moor in Eemshaven at 09:00 am.

For the numerous visitors who want to watch the spectacular crossing from the dikes along the Ems, AIDA Cruises distributes pretzels, croissants, coffee and tea at the Meyer shipyard, at the Friesen-bridge and at the Jann-Berghaus-bridge.

All information on the schedule are subject to the wind and weather conditions and the water levels and thus without guarantee. Time shifts are possible at short notice.

In its debut season, AIDAnova will be traveling to the Canary islands and Madeira from mid-December 2018 on seven-day cruises.

Costa to give a new look for the Fortuna prior its return to Europe

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 October 2018 02 October 2018

Costa Cruises announces that major renovation work will be carried out on Costa Fortuna at the Singapore shipyards from Dec. 10-16, 2018. The work involves the restyling of many public areas and the introduction of new services for guests, with an investment of 8 million euros.

The 103,000 gross ton ship, which can accommodate 3,470 guests, is currently operating in the Asian market but will return to Europe at the end of March 2019 to offer one-week cruises in the Mediterranean departing every Friday from Genoa, Italy. A substantial part of the work will, therefore, involve the creation of areas associated with providing typically Italian products and experiences, which distinguish the Costa Cruises brand. These new services will also be available for cruises in the Far East from Dec. 2018 to Feb. 2019, departing from Singapore and available for sale in all markets.

The restyling of Costa Fortuna was designed by the professionals of Artefice Group — an independent Italian group with over 22 years of experience in creating brand and retail design languages on the national and international market — with the exception of the Costa Shop, which will be in the hands of Dordoni Architetti, the Milanese firm that recently designed the cabins for the new Costa Smeralda flagship.

Deck 10 will welcome the Pizzeria Pummid’Oro, which will serve pizzas made with top quality ingredients. This pizzeria will only use San Marzano DOP tomatoes, selected flours and sourdough thanks to a partnership with the University of Gastronomic Sciences, Pollenzo, which, together with Costa Cruises, promotes a sustainable diet, respecting the land and the environment. Thanks to a collaboration with “Latteria del Curatino” and innovative machinery made by Comat, the mozzarella will be produced directly on board and used to top the pizzas as well as in many standard dishes featuring all the different varieties, from “fior di latte” to “treccia”, buffalo mozzarella to “stracciatella.”

On deck 9, beside the central swimming pool, the new Gelateria – Bar Amarillo ice cream parlor will be installed for guests to treat themselves to a delicious handmade ice cream, freshly made on board every day. In renewing this area, the Artefice Group architects have taken inspiration from traditional Italian bathing establishments, using pastel colors that give the space a playful and relaxed atmosphere for the ice-cream parlor, as well as inspiring guests to taste the highly sought-after cocktails during evenings by the pool.

In addition, specifically so that guests can capture the best moments of their holiday, a new photo shop will be installed on deck 4, with an exhibition gallery featuring the new "My Moments" concept, which is due to make its début at the end of Oct. on Costa Pacifica and in December on Costa Diadema. The My Moments shop and gallery will offer guests a new experience, introducing a variety of different shades of color to the environment depending on the products on offer: Photo Shades, for professional photos and high quality photo books, Portraits with captivating settings and backgrounds and classic photos and Souvenirs, which capture the highlights of life on board. Moreover, before guests return to their daily lives, a visit to the new Costa Shop, offering Costa branded clothing and accessories, will be a must.

The elegant and completely refurbished central atrium of Costa Fortuna will be dominated by three large sails illuminated by LEDs in different colors in an environment inspired by the new visual identity, with stylized waves inspired by the iconic yellow funnel of Costa Cruises ships.

The cruise company has also planned to restyle the Conte Verde ballroom, which will be transformed into a multifunctional space in which to sip a drink in the lounge bar or hold conferences and meetings, and the Conte Rosso, where guests will be welcomed by a "constellation" of lights under which to savor a glass of wine from the wine bar selection and enjoy the entertainment in the piano bar. The Sala Leonardo will also sport a new look: it will in fact be fitted with more modern lighting and its dance floor will be extended. Restyling work will be carried out on the outdoor swimming pools and jacuzzis, as well as the two main restaurants, also fitted with new and more efficient lighting systems.

Costa Cruises will also be paying special attention to the suites, which have always guaranteed comfort and elegance: guests occupying these cabins will be able to relax under the water jets from brand new emotional showers complete with lights, which will replace the jacuzzis. Finally, the Club Restaurant kitchens will be adapted to offer the special menu for guests choosing to stay in the suites (and Costa Club Perla Diamante members, subject to availability).

After the shipyard work is completed in Singapore, from Dec. 16, 2018, to Feb. 26, 2019, Costa Fortuna will sail on two different one-week itineraries, which can be combined, departing from Singapore to discover Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia. On March 5, 2019, the repositioning cruise will take place from Singapore to Genoa, which will be the ship's main departure port for the rest of the year. The first call is scheduled for March 26, 2019, with a mini-cruise; from March 29 to Nov. 8, 2019, the ship will be in Genoa every Friday for two different itineraries. In Spring and Fall, in addition to the Ligurian port, the ship will also visit Marseilles, France, Barcelona and Valencia, Spain, and Civitavecchia and La Spezia, Italy; for the summer, calls are scheduled for Marseilles, Tarragona, Palma de Mallorca, plus a long stopover in Ibiza, Spain, and Olbia, Italy. The ship will call at Genoa 34 times in total.

Eesti Gaas places order for the first LNG bunker vessel for Northeast Baltic Sea

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 October 2018 02 October 2018

The leading Estonian energy company Eesti Gaas has placed an order for an LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunker vessel with bunker tank capacity of 6,000 m3. The new vessel will provide mobile and efficient LNG bunkering for the growing number of LNG-fuelled vessels in the Northeast region of the Baltic Sea and onshore clients. The vessel will be built by the Dutch shipyard Damen Group and will be delivered in September 2020.

“The vessel will load LNG in the Baltic Sea region terminals for distribution in the Baltic area. The vessel will predominantly operate in the Gulf of Finland area, which has a clear need to move towards clean energy supply,” commented Ain Hanschmidt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Eesti Gaas.

Eesti Gaas will operate this LNG bunker vessel under a long term charter from its parent company and owner of the vessel, Infortar AS. The technical management for the vessel will be provided by the region’s leading shipping company Tallink Grupp.

By creating a mobile LNG-fuelling infrastructure, the LNG bunker vessel incentivises the construction and use of new LNG-fuelled vessels in the Baltic Sea Region and, therefore, has the potential to reduce Co2 emissions annually by more than 66 000 tons.

The two type-C LNG tanks will contain up to 6,000 m³ LNG at -163°C. The tanks and their piping system will be located partly exposed on the deck, which ensures good access and easy upgrade options as the LNG consumer market develops.

The LNG bunker vessel is an important part of the new mobile LNG infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. This project is co-funded by the EU through the CEF Transport programme.