Norwegian goes all inclusive in UK in premium contemporary market segment drive

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 04 April 2017 04 April 2017

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings group, will introduce Premium All Inclusive concept in the UK and Scandinavia on 6 April, some 16 months after this had been introduced in the German and French speaking markets of Europe with good success.

Company executives said at a press conference in London on 3 April that the move was partly motivated by the management’s effort to position the company in premium contemporary market segment. Its research had found that people who book all inclusive holidays tend to do this earlier than in the case of other holiday types. This again would reduce the need to sell last remaining cabins on a departure at very low rates, which Norwegian hopes to avoid.

Premium All Inclusive includes:

• Varied selection of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in all bars, lounges and dining venues at any time throughout the cruise. From spirits, tap and bottled beers, to wines, cocktails, soft drinks and juices
• Unlimited juices, water and soft drinks for children and teenagers
• Lavazza coffee specialities during meals
• One free bottle of water per person, per day in staterooms
• Services charges and gratuities
• Culinary excellence in the main dining venues on board – including buffets with live cooking, on-deck grills, informal eateries and up to three signature main dining rooms per ship
• Award-winning entertainment, including Broadway hits, production shows, music and comedy
• Outstanding leisure facilities for all ages
• Additional exclusive benefits and privileges for guests staying in Suites and in The Haven by Norwegian®

On the launch of Premium All Inclusive in the UK, Managing Director Europe, Middle East and Africa, Christian Boell, comments: “Norwegian has long been an innovator in cruise and the introduction of Premium All Inclusive takes our carefree, relaxed cruising style to a whole new level. A considerable number of what were once considered ‘extras’ are now taken care of including a large choice of premium drinks as well as service charges and gratuities.”

“These newly included extras come on top of the many services that have always made a Norwegian cruise special, including the most exciting dining and entertainment scene at sea. Having already successfully launched in several European markets, I’m confident that our UK guests are going to love Premium All Inclusive too,” he added.

Nick Wilkinson, Senior Director and General Manager Northern Europe & MEA, Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “The launch of our product as Premium All Inclusive is a game-changer for the large ship ocean cruise market and it offers a wealth of opportunity for our valued travel partners. We have armed them with a powerful sales tool, helping to convert customers who may not yet have considered cruise as a holiday option, whilst also introducing new-to-brand cruisers to the Norwegian product. We know that our travel partners have seen an increase in enquiries for all-inclusive holidays, and our new pricing will continue to keep a cruise holiday with Norwegian in the equation.”

For all bookings made between 6 and 30 April, guests benefit from savings of up to £200 per stateroom. Guests sailing in Studios save £50, those sailing in ‎inside and oceanview staterooms benefit from savings of £100 and guests in balcony staterooms, Mini Suites, Suites and in The Haven save £200 per stateroom.

 

Majestic Princess departs for a first voyage from Trieste

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 31 March 2017 31 March 2017

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s leading cruise vacation company, took delivery of Majestic Princess, from shipbuilder Fincantieri at an official handover ceremony at the shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The cruise line’s first international luxury ship tailored for the China market, will start her inaugural season in Europe until May and then embark on a repositioning cruise themed the Silk Road Sea Route journey to her new homeport in Shanghai where she will begin her first homeport season in July.

The ceremony was attended by the Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni; executives from Carnival Corporation & plc including Micky Arison, Chairman; Arnold Donald, Chief Executive Officer; Stein Kruse, Chief Executive Officer of Holland America Group; Jan Swartz, Group President of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia; Anthony Kaufman, Executive Vice President International Operations of Princess Cruises, and Cherry Wang, Vice President and General Manager of the Princess Cruises’ brand offices in China. Fincantieri was represented by Giuseppe Bono, Chief Executive Officer, and Giampiero Massolo, Chairman.

“Majestic Princess has arrived and we are thrilled to add this new jewel to our crown representing the newest, most stylish and most luxurious flagship in fleet and ready to deliver an exceptional international cruise vacation experience to our guests,” said Jan Swartz Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia group president.

“Fincantieri proudly delivers Majestic Princess today to our long-term partner, Princess Cruises” said Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri’s Chief Executive Officer and SEVP Merchant Ships Business Unit ad interim, “The collaboration between Fincantieri, Carnival Corporation & plc and Princess Cruises to tailor Majestic Princess for China makes her special for us. We are proud to deliver this stunningly beautiful luxury cruise liner and highly value the partnership we have with Princess Cruises dating back to the 1980’s. We will continue to deliver increasingly sophisticated ships in the future that serve the needs of our partners and their treasured guests.”

After the successful handover from Fincantieri, Majestic Princess sets sail from Trieste on a preview cruise (March 31 to April 4) that will include loyal Princess guests, international media, travel agent partners and brand partners from around the world, including many guests from China.

Departing April 4, 2017, the 143,000-ton Majestic Princess will sail on her inaugural voyage, a five-day Adriatic Sea cruise roundtrip from Rome with stops in Kotor and Corfu. Following her maiden cruise, Majestic Princess will tour Europe, offering guests a chance to experience the ship on 7-, 14-, 21- and 28-day cruises departing from Rome, Barcelona or Athens.

On May 21, Majestic Princess will embark on the “Silk Road Sea Route” a 49-day journey from Rome to Shanghai. During the voyage she will visit a total of 22 ports including Athens, Dubai, Cochin, Singapore, Port Klang and Xiamen before arriving in Shanghai, her new homeport in China. Majestic Princess will begin her first cruise from China on July 11 carrying 3,560 guests to a variety of cruise destinations.

American Cruise Lines names newest ship American Constitution

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 30 March 2017 30 March 2017

American Cruise Lines has announced the name of its latest vessel, American Constitution, now under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding of Salisbury, MD. The name was inspired by the USS Constitution, the United States Navy’s oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat and named by President George Washington. This new ship will be delivered in 2018 and is the sister ship to the American Constellation which begins sailing this May.

The American Constitution is a coastal vessel with full active wing stabilization. With the capacity for approximately 175 guests, the new ship will cater to passengers looking for the sophisticated and intimate experience of a modern smaller ship. As with the other American Cruise Lines ships, American Constitution will have large well-appointed staterooms with private balconies, as well as a variety of spacious lounges.

“With the addition of the American Constitution, we will continue to raise the bar for small ship cruising in the United States” said Tim Beebe, Vice President of American Cruise Lines. “We are committed to continue building new ships which will meet today’s guest expectations for comfort, spacious staterooms, and modern amenities.”

The two sister ships will elevate the standard for small ships on both coasts of the United States, cruising on the East Coast this year, and expanding to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska in 2018. Details on the 2018 schedule will be announced soon.

Thomson Cruises unveils plans for new ship TUI Explorer

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 30 March 2017 30 March 2017

Thomson Cruises has announced its latest addition to the fleet will be named TUI Explorer and will join recently launched ships TUI Discovery and TUI Discovery 2 in offering All Inclusive as standard. Based in Palma, Majorca from May 2018, TUI Explorer offers even more choice, space and flexibility for customers, including two new cabin types and a wider choice of dining and premium entertainment.

Entering the fleet as Thomson Cruises’ biggest ship yet, TUI Explorer introduces new feature bar, Indigo, which offers stunning ocean views from its prime position at the top of the ship and is home to the casino and nightclub when the sun goes down; Aperitif, an intimate speakeasy style bar perfect for pre and post dinner drinks; Scoops, an ice-cream parlour with quirky bicycle-themed seating; and The Lounge, a new venue complete with colour-changing bar and signature brightly coloured piano, where customers can relax and listen to live music.

TUI Explorer will also showcase ten dining venues including the ever-popular Surf & Turf, Kora La and Snack Shack, as well as new addition Umi Sushi, a showcase sushi counter. Also joining the line-up is The Mediterranean, a dining area featuring glass roof inspired by open air terraces and local tavernas which will house two inclusive restaurants – a pizzeria and tapas restaurant – plus the Hot Stone Grill at an additional cost.

The ship will also feature an extensive onboard spa hosting eleven different areas including a Finnish sauna with floor to ceiling windows, a couples room and two luxury treatment suites, and The Veranda, an adults-only sunbathing area with padded sun loungers, pod chairs and day beds.

New cabin types on TUI Explorer include 14 family balcony cabins that measure 20m², sleep up to five people and have a balcony of up to 9m², and a balcony cabin with more external space. Standard inside cabins onboard TUI Explorer are 16m², bigger than any other standard cabin in the fleet.

Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, Richard Sofer, said: “I’m delighted to unveil the name of TUI Explorer, our biggest and most exciting ship yet. As part of our continued modernisation and transformation strategy, and our commitment to offering choice and flexibility, we’ve created a whole host of new spaces onboard to meet our customers’ needs. We’ve got ten restaurants and ten bars, as well as more onboard activities and spaces for families including an indoor cinema and a fantastic new Kids’ Club with children’s pool and slide. I’m also really excited about our new flagship entertainment venue, Indigo – a huge space with incredible ocean views, sat right at the top of the ship.”

TUI Explorer joins TUI Discovery and TUI Discovery 2 in continuing to introduce the TUI brand to UK customers ahead of the re-brand which sees Thomson transition to TUI later this year. Investment in its holiday offerings to enhance and personalise the customer experience is fundamental to the ethos of the TUI brand and unveiling the new ship as TUI Explorer demonstrates this on-going commitment.

The ship will sail from its homeport Palma, Majorca in May 2018, visiting Western Mediterranean highlights such as Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Florence and Lisbon. On sale later this month, TUI Explorer will sail four itineraries – Cosmopolitan Classics, Highlights of the Mediterranean, Magic of Spain and Mediterranean Secrets.