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Royal Caribbean returns to New Orleans, adds capacity to Galveston and Miami

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 May 2017 02 May 2017

After a three-year hiatus, Royal Caribbean International will return to the city of New Orleans, Louisiana with the newly announced repositioning of Vision of the Seas for the 2018-2019 winter season. The 915-foot cruise ship will sail 7-night itineraries to culture-rich destinations across the Bahamas and Yucatan Peninsula. Her 989-foot sister ship Enchantment of the Seas will move from Miami, Florida to join Liberty of the Seas in Galveston, Texas, offering 4- and 5-night Caribbean cruises that will complement Liberty’s popular 7-night Caribbean vacations. The two new offerings bring more options and easy access from the Gulf Coast for adventure-seekers in the region to embark on journeys to world-renowned dive destinations, explore ancient ruins of past civilizations, and discover the natural beauty of rainforests.

Before repositioning to its new home in “The Big Easy” on Dec. 15, 2018, Vision of the Seas will offer two, 16-night sailings through the Panama Canal from Miami to Los Angeles, California and from Los Angeles to New Orleans. This will be the first time in three years that Royal Caribbean will journey through this engineering marvel.

Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas also will be redelpyed in 2018 when the longtime resident of Asia-Pacific returns to the United States to homeport in Miami. Mariner will be the first Voyager-class ship – famous for introducing industry innovations including the rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink and Royal Promenade – to offer short Caribbean sailings perfect for first-time cruise travelers. The 3- and 4-night itineraries from PortMiami to the Bahamas begin on June 21, 2018, following the ship’s extensive, 32-day revitalization. Prior to going into drydock and her arrival to Miami, Mariner will embark on a previously announced “Global Odyssey,” consisting of three 13- to 15-night sailings from Singapore to Dubai; Dubai to Barcelona; and Barcelona to Miami.

Enchantment of the Seas arrives to Galveston on June 23, 2018. Guests currently booked on Enchantment for sailings departing Miami after June 23 will be contacted individually to transition the original booking to the freshly revitalized Mariner of the Seas from her new homeport in Miami.

Sailings onboard Mariner of the Seas will be available to book on May 1, 2017, Enchantment of the Seas and Vision of the Seas will be available to book as of May 5.

Peter Butz to join Expedition Voyage Consultants as COO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 May 2017 01 May 2017

Expedition Voyage Consultants announced today the appointment of Peter Butz as its Chief Operations Officer. In his new position, Butz will assume responsibility for the company’s day-to-day operations and resources as well as contribute to its consulting projects.

“We feel very fortunate to have Peter join our team. As the industry continues to expand at an unprecedented pace, building on our talented team with decades of bona-fide expedition experience reinforces EVC’s leading position. Peter’s background will be key to our offering the finest expedition advice in the industry, whether in ship design, operations, itinerary development or market analysis,” says EVC CEO Ben Lyons.

Butz began his career in the late 1970s when he first began working on the pioneering expedition ship Lindblad Explorer. As Expedition Leader, Butz managed voyages to the far flung corners of the world, including Antarctica, the Great Barrier Reef, the Arctic and the Amazon. In those early days of the industry, few ships were reaching these destinations, and Butz describes those years as “true exploration.”

Butz went on to join Special Expeditions (now Lindblad Expeditions) as Expedition Leader. Over eight years, he sailed to Alaska, Baja California, Papua New Guinea, the Arctic and Amazon. In 1989, he transitioned ashore to manage vessel operations. For the next 25 years, first as Vice President of Fleet Operations and then as Chief Operating Officer, he oversaw the company’s fleet grow to six globally deployed vessels and its employees and contractors grow to almost 500. Recently, Butz had spent three years consulting independently and overseeing Alaskan Dream Cruises’ expansion.

“Having started my career in the field, I’m thrilled to be joining a team that places such a emphasis on practical experience. The team at EVC represents decades of managing and running expedition logistics and operations on all sizes and types of ship; I look forward to providing our clients with some of the hard-won experience we’ve all learned first hand.”

Panama Canal welcomes first cruise ship through new locks

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 April 2017 30 April 2017

On April 29, the Expanded Panama Canal welcomed its first passenger vessel through the new locks: the Disney Cruise Line Disney Wonder. The milestone signals the further diversification of traffic through the Expanded Canal and with it, introduces new repositioning opportunities for the cruise industry and benefits to its customers.

“The original Panama Canal has been a cruise destination for many years,” said Panama Canal Deputy Administrator Manuel Benitez. “The historic transit marks the beginning of cruise lines being able to include the new locks as part of their itineraries, opening up additional transit options and allowing cruise passengers to witness first-hand this feat of modern engineering.”

The Disney Wonder transited the Expanded Canal in a southbound direction from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. The Disney Wonder Panama Canal crossing is part of a 14-night voyage from Port Canaveral, Fla., to San Diego, where the ship will sail cruises to Baja, Mexico, before a summer season from Vancouver to Alaska. The Disney Cruise Line 2,713-passenger ship was transformed in late 2016, expanding the length of the Disney Wonder to 299.92 meters.

The Disney Wonder is one of several cruise ships to have transited the canal during the 2016-2017 cruise season that ends in May. Notably, the Disney Wonder’s transit on April 29, marked the first time a passenger vessel utilized the new locks of the Expanded Canal. Other lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line all sent passenger vessels through the original locks. In addition, smaller vessels, such as the Safari Voyager and National Geographic’s Sea Lion, which call on ports in the Caribbean and along the east and west coasts of Central America, contributed to the segment's traffic as well.

By the close of the 2017 fiscal year, which ends September 30, Panama Canal International Trade Specialist Albano Aguilar expects 233 passenger vessels – representing a total 237,298 passengers – to have transited both the original and new locks.

On April 1, the Panama Canal began accepting booking requests for passenger vessels in the new locks. So far, 18 reservations have already been made for passenger vessels to transit the Expanded Canal for the 2017-2018 season, a number which is expected to increase in the coming months.

Celebrity Cruises partners with Malala Fund that furthers education of girls

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 April 2017 28 April 2017

Celebrity Cruises, the premium market unit in Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (RCCL) group said it has signed a two-year partnership with Malala Fund, with head of the charity chosen as godmother of Celebrity Edge.

“With the shared commitment to diversity, inclusion and gender equality, the brand is partnering with Malala Fund whose mission is to secure 12 years of safe, free quality education for every girl,” the company said in a statement.

Inspired by Malala's mission and advances in furthering girl's education, Celebrity is honored to name 19-year old Nobel Laureate and U.N. Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai as the Godmother of their newest ship, Celebrity Edge, debuting late in 2018.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, said that Malala's dedication to girls' education sets an example worth following. "Partnering with Malala Fund was a natural fit as we share the same passion and commitment to an incredible cause. We believe in opportunities for all, especially as our crew onboard represent more than 50 different cultures - and amazing stories of achievement, education and economic advancement."

"Malala is an inspiration and a voice of hope," said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "This young woman is on a powerful mission, and we support it 100 percent. We are deeply honored to name Malala the Godmother of Celebrity Edge, and we're excited to team up with her and the Malala Fund to champion the global right to education."

Fain added: "Malala Fund also advances one of our company's key philosophies: that education is a great equalizer, providing opportunities to people who need it most."

"We cannot get 130 million out-of-school girls into classrooms on our own. We are grateful to generous partners like Celebrity Cruises who support our work to help every girl learn and lead without fear," said Philippa Lei, Malala Fund interim CEO.

A centuries-old maritime tradition, the role of Godmother is a lifetime title and honor. During the launch of a ship, the Godmother is responsible for bestowing good luck over a seagoing vessel and inspiring all that sail aboard by breaking a bottle over the bow as the ship is named, officiating the ceremony.

Malala began her life as an activist at 11 years old, writing a secret blog about life under the Taliban, who would not permit girls to go to school. She was targeted for her advocacy and, at 15, was shot on her school bus. Malala survived the attack and continued her campaign for girls' education around the world. In 2014, Malala became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize recipient, donating her entire prize earnings to finance a secondary school for girls in Pakistan. With Malala Fund, she continues to fight for every girl's right to education.

China bound Norwegian Joy delivered by Meyer Werft

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 April 2017 28 April 2017

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd group, said it has taken delivery of Norwegian Joy, the brand’s fifteenth ship and the first custom-designed for the Chinese cruise market, from Meyer Werft in Germany during an on board ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany.

At 167,725 gross tons and accommodating 3,883 guests, Norwegian Joy is the second ship in the line’s Breakaway-Plus class and features an innovative design with amenities tailored to provide a “First Class at Sea” experience for Chinese guests with the elements of freedom and flexibility that Norwegian Cruise Line has become known for across the globe.

Following the delivery, Norwegian Joy will begin her journey to China, where she will be showcased through a grand inaugural port tour featuring one-day events at the ports of Singapore, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, as well as VIP partner cruises from Norwegian Joy’s home-ports of Shanghai and Beijing (Tianjin).

The ship will be christened in an exclusive star-studded event for honored guests on 27 June led by her Godfather, the ‘King of Chinese Pop’, Wang Leehom, Norwegian said.