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"King of Chinese pop" Wang Leehom named Godfather of Norwegian Joy

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 November 2016 21 November 2016

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today the naming of iconic Mandopop artist, Wang Leehom, as Godfather of its soon to-be-unveiled 3,850 passenger vessel, Norwegian Joy.

Arriving in Summer 2017 with home ports in Shanghai and Beijing (Tianjin), Norwegian Joy will be Norwegian Cruise Line's first purpose-built ship for the Chinese market and designed to deliver on the promise that guests will enjoy 'First Class at Sea’ experiences.

Along with serving as Godfather of Norwegian Joy, Leehom will also represent NCL China as its brand ambassador, introducing Norwegian Cruise Line’s unparalleled cruise experience to Chinese consumers through a variety of platforms, including television and radio commercial campaigns, as well as on social media. Wang Leehom will become the first Chinese Godfather of any cruise ship brand, joining the likes of renowned hip hop artist, Pitbull, Godfather of Norwegian’s most recent ship, the Miami-based Norwegian Escape. Leehom’s role will include a number of special appearances including the traditional role of christening Norwegian Joy at the ship’s inauguration ceremony in Summer 2017, as well as other exciting roles at the launch event and beyond.

A Chinese-American singer songwriter, music producer, actor, and film director, Wang Leehom is known as the “King of Chinese Pop” for his wide range of musical styles blending pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, classical and traditional Chinese music. His musical collaborations have included work with international stars including Tony Bennett, Avicii, Usher, Lang Lang, and JJ Lin. He has performed in over 100 cities worldwide in his career. Leehom’s film career includes a starring role in Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution.

As a bridge between Eastern and Western worlds, Wang Leehom is a worldwide cultural ambassador, with a platform of more than 60 million social media followers.

Leehom’s appointment as Godfather displays Norwegian Joy’s vision of delivering the best of the Norwegian Cruise Line brand to China, while also being customized to the Chinese traveler.

“I'm honored to have the opportunity to share the cruising lifestyle with Chinese guests as Godfather of Norwegian Joy. Cruising is an exciting way of experiencing travel and leisure that I'm thrilled to be sharing with China.” said Wang Leehom.

“As a Chinese star with a high international profile, connecting East and West through his music and movies, Leehom is the perfect Godfather for Norwegian Joy, a ship custom designed for our Chinese guests that also brings the best of the East and West together. We are thrilled to be working with him as a partner to introduce the NCL ‘First Class at Sea’ cruising experience to China next summer,” said Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings President and Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Del Rio.

“We are honored and excited to have Wang Leehom as the Godfather of our spectacular new premium vessel Norwegian Joy, and as a brand ambassador for NCL in China. Leehom is a highly accomplished artist and family man that we are proud to partner with in China and beyond.” said Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings China President, David J. Herrera.

Celebrity and STX France cuts the steel for Edge

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 November 2016 21 November 2016

The next generation of cruise ships moves from concept to construction today, as the first piece of steel is cut at the STX France shipyard for Celebrity Cruises' newest – and boldest – ship.

The ship will be called Celebrity Edge, befitting the many daring design advances and innovations of Celebrity's first new ship class since 2008. The cruise line is also announcing today the name of Edge's sister ship, Celebrity Beyond, signaling the incredible experience guests can expect onboard Celebrity Edge and the entire Edge Class, changing the way travelers see the world.

"Edge Class is destined to be a trailblazer in modern luxury travel," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. "The new ships will be on the cutting edge of innovation and the leading edge of design, so the ship names are spot on and offer a sense of how Celebrity Cruises is looking into the future."

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity's President and CEO, said: "We set the bar high for the architects and designers on Edge class, and we were rewarded with a stunning design. Cutting the ship's first piece of steel is the traditional first step in the shipbuilding process, and I'm excited to see our dreams turn into reality over the next 24 months."

She added: "We are excited to reveal more details soon, and travelers, trade partners and enthusiasts alike will not be disappointed – this ship is going to be amazing."

Laurent Castaing, General Manager STX France said: "Everyone involved in Edge has embraced the challenge of making this new class of ships dramatic and special, and we take great pride in helping Celebrity Cruises take such a remarkable step forward in ship design."

The company expects delivery of Celebrity Edge in Fall 2018. Celebrity Beyond is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2020, and the third and fourth Edge Class ships in Fall 2021 and Fall 2022, respectively.

RCCL, DNV-GL and Strathclyde University launch Maritime Safety Research Centre

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 November 2016 20 November 2016

Three parties – Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping company, the classification society DNV-GL and the Glasgow-based Strathclyde University’s Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering - have joined forces to launch the Maritime Safety Research Centre (MSRC)

“The world’s first centre of its kind, the MSRC will aim to improve safety at sea through a close collaboration between industry and academia, that targets interdisciplinary, common-threaded research and development, DNV-GL said in a statement.

“The time is ripe for adopting a new model by reconstituting a centre of excellence for maritime safety. In this new centre, the vision, and long- and short-term goals are set, shared and served through close collaboration between industry and academia to target a truly interdisciplinary, common-threaded R&D. Our research activities are strategically focused, ensuring that academic excellence is combined with strong industrial engagement,” said the Director of the MSRC and Professor of Maritime Safety, Dracos Vassalos, in the statement.

Sapphire Princess to Southampton as part of Princess Cruises' 2018 European programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 November 2016 20 November 2016

Princess Cruises, which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it has published its Europe itineraries for 2018, which include the basing of Sapphire princess in Southampton – the first time the ship has left the Pacific.

“Highlights from Princess Cruises 2018 cruise vacations to Europe, include the maiden call of Sapphire Princess to this region, as well as round trip British Isles voyages aboard Royal Princess departing from Paris (Le Havre),” the company said in a statement

The 2018 season features five ships sailing to 115 destinations from the corners of the Mediterranean to the northernmost tip of Europe. Guests can choose from 57 unique itineraries on 168 cruise departures, visiting 35 countries.“We’re proud to continually earn awards for the best cruise itineraries around the globe and we’re sure to live up to our reputation with the 2018 Europe season,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We’ve worked hard to not only showcase the famous sites of Europe to our guests but also provide them authentic local experiences to immerse themselves in the culture, food, landscape and charm of these iconic destinations.”

Highlights of the April - December 2018 Europe season include:

Sapphire Princess makes her maiden call to the British Isles, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean out of London, in addition to a 38-day maiden voyage between Singapore and London. The cruise ship will also make the cruise line’s first port call to Skagen (Denmark).

New 12-day British Isles cruises, round-trip from Paris/Normandy (Le Havre) will be offered aboard Royal Princess, christened by The Duchess of Cambridge in 2013.

As part of the cruise line’s More Ashore program, offering more time in port, a 12-day European Capitals voyage aboard Pacific Princess features an overnight stay in Amsterdam and a late departure from Antwerp.

Cruises to the Mediterranean

Crown Princess will depart on 55 cruises, featuring 13 unique itineraries, including 27 destinations in the Mediterranean and Aegean. All seven-day departures from Rome to Athens include visits to Salerno, Kotor, Corfu, Crete and Mykonos. The ship’s 11-day cruises from Barcelona to Rome visit Marseille (for Provence), Florence/Pisa, Katakolon (for Olympia), Mykonos, Santorini, Kotor and Naples (for Capri and Pompeii).

Sapphire Princess will also offer 14-day cruises from London (Southampton) to the Western Mediterranean, with later departures from Barcelona.

With 12- to 28-day voyages on Pacific Princess, guests will visit a variety of destinations throughout the Mediterranean such as Croatia, Greece, Malta and Monte Carlo, with overnight stays in Venice on all 12-day voyages between Rome and Venice.

Northern Europe cruises

New for 2018, Royal Princess will offer 12-day roundtrip British Isles Voyages from Paris/Normandy (La Havre), in addition to roundtrip cruises from London (Southampton). Select sailings on this itinerary will feature overnight stays in Dublin and all cruises will include late a departure from Belfast.

Guests will have an opportunity to attend the notable Edinburgh Military Tattoo on select eight-day Pacific Princess sailings and 12-day Royal Princess cruises, with overnight stays in Edinburgh on Pacific Princess.

Sapphire Princess makes her maiden call to Northern Europe, along with returning ships Regal Princess and Pacific Princess for 11- to 14-day Scandinavia & Russia sailings from either Copenhagen or London. All cruises feature overnight stays in St. Petersburg.

Pacific Princess also offers round trip cruises from London (Dover), visiting a variety of remote Northern Europe destinations in Iceland, Norway and the Shetland Islands, in addition to a special Summer Solstice sailing visiting Spitsbergen.

More ashore

Offering guests more time to explore local cultures and culinary offerings, select itineraries in Europe provide overnight stays in 32 ports including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Petersburg, Stockholm and Venice and late evening departures from Belfast, Berlin and Oslo.

MV Werften selects MAN engines for two Global Class cruise ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 November 2016 17 November 2016

MV Werften and MAN Diesel & Turbo have concluded a contract to equip two Global Class cruise ships for Star Cruises. With a gross tonnage of 201,000 each, the ships will be some of the largest on the market and will each be equipped with six type 48/60CR engines with a combined output of 96,000 kW. The ships are scheduled for delivery in 2020 and 2021.

The customer and recipient of these ocean-going giants, which will operate in China and all over Asia, is the Star Cruises brand of Genting Hong Kong. Genting Hong Kong has been active in the cruise business for 23 years and recently launched its new up-market cruise line brand Dream Cruises with two 150,000 gross ton ships – the Genting Dream delivered this month and the World Dream to be delivered next year, both equipped with MAN engines.

This year, the company bought German shipyards in Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund and now operates them as the shipyard group MV Werften. This strategic step was taken to secure the company’s expansion plans in the growth markets of South-East Asia and China and in the global market for luxury cruise ships.

“The cruise business is globally experiencing strong growth. This has led to very long lead times of up to ten years for new large cruise ships, since only few shipyards are specialized in the very challenging construction process of cruise ships. We want to change this by having earlier delivery and incorporate the latest design as the ships are being built”, comments Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and CEO of the Genting corporation.

“The MV Werften sites have a long-standing tradition in shipbuilding and are in close proximity to the cluster of industries supporting cruise shipbuilding in Northern Europe,” adds Jarmo Laakso, Managing Director at MV Werften. “We have the experience and know-how for the construction of cruise ships, and are delighted to have gained an equally experienced and leading global specialist partner for maritime propulsion solutions in MAN Diesel & Turbo.”

“We are looking forward to working together with MV Werften and Genting Hong Kong, who have been established players in the cruise business and a MAN customer for many years,” says Dr. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Diesel & Turbo. “Experienced companies have come together to establish a fourth player in the tight global cruise liner shipyard market. And it has been done right here on the German Baltic sea coast, a region with a long shipbuilding tradition. We are contributing to this with modern propulsion concepts, based on state of the art ‘Made in Germany’ engine technology.”

MAN Diesel & Turbo is one of the world’s leading suppliers of propulsion systems for cruise ships and has been able to significantly extend its own market share within this segment in recent years. In total, the company has already equipped more than 80 cruise ships with engines or complete drive systems.