MSC Seaview to spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 05 July 2016 05 July 2016

MSC Cruises announced today that the second of its Seaside-generation smart cruise ships, set to come into service in June 2018, will be named MSC Seaview. She will spend her inaugural season cruising the Western Mediterranean, with three major ports of embarkation in history- and culture-rich Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona.

Sales for the MSC Seaview cruise ship open today for MSC Voyagers Club members, an exclusive benefit of the program that rewards loyal MSC Cruises guests. Sales will open for all other guests on July 18.

“Our Company’s heritage lies in the Mediterranean and it was only natural that MSC Seaview — our third next-generation smart ship which comes into service in June 2018 — would be deployed in its historic and culture-rich waters,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. “Guests can now plan their vacation and experience everything that this ever popular region has to offer from on board one of the industry’s most innovatively-designed ships at sea.”

MSC Cruises’ Seaside-generation ships are being built by Italy-based Fincantieri, one of the largest shipbuilding groups in the world. These new ships combine Fincantieri’s shipbuilding tradition, expertise, Italian flair and excellence in design with the industry-leading innovation and global vision of MSC Cruises.

“We are proud of our partnership with Fincantieri in realizing our vision for this innovatively-designed, new generation of smart ships at sea,” said Onorato.

Known as the “ship that follows the sun,” the design of the Seaside-generation cruise ships embodies MSC Cruises’ passion for the sea and features the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest at sea. Inspired by a pioneering beach condo concept, MSC Seaview will bring guests and the sea closer, with special design elements that allow guests to make the most of the warmer weather. For example, guests will be able to enjoy their time on board eating, drinking and relaxing outdoors in the Mediterranean sunshine with some of the best sea views in the world. They will also benefit from an increased number of balcony staterooms, sea views and public areas, with every element carefully planned to allow guests to make the most of the sea and the sunshine.

A unique design feature of MSC Seaview is the impressive 360° promenade with glass balustrades that runs around the entire ship. This stunning public space will act as a lively recreation area where guests can stroll in the open air, eat and drink al fresco from a variety of bars and restaurants or shop in the boutiques, all while enjoying the spectacular sea views.

MSC Seaview is one of MSC Cruises’ new next- generation smart cruise ships, employing the latest and the best technology available at sea to enable guests to customize their onboard and onshore experience so that they each enjoy a uniquely personalized cruise experience. In partnership with technology leader Samsung, the next-generation technology will include everything from the latest displays and mobile solutions to products for enhanced reality consumer retail experiences. This will include, among others:

– Near Field Communication (NFC), using a cruise card, bracelet or smartphone for a range of different options including geo-location of children, stateroom access and onboard payment.

– Interactive screens to make it simple to select excursions as well as book shows and restaurants.

– iBeacon technology that is customized to each guests’ specific preferences so that they will never miss their favorite experiences and will be able to communicate with mobile devices and receive push notifications about relevant information and offers.

MSC Seaview will commence her maiden voyage from Genoa, Italy on June 10, 2018.

Astoria to leave CMV fleet in 2017

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 04 July 2016 04 July 2016

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the destinational British cruise line, said the 15,614 gross ton Astoria would leave its fleet next year after the company will have introduced the 63,500 gross ton Columbus, currently trading as Pacific Pearl for P&O Cruises Australia.

Astoria has been operated by CMV on charter from Portuscale Cruises, the Portuguese company that was set up in the wake of Classic International Cruises a few years ago. The ship currently trades on the French market, on charter by a local tour operator.

Astoria was built as Stockholm of the now defunct Swedish America Line in 1956. It made headlines a decade later, when it collided with the Italian liner Andrea Doria, which was lost.

Astoria has undergone several changes of name and ownership during its long career. In 1994, the ship was completely rebuilt and re-engined. The work helped Studio de Jorio, the Italian interior design company today used by MSC Cruises, to establish itself in the cruise industry.

Fred. Olsen repatriates Black Watch passengers after auxiliary engine room fire

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 04 July 2016 04 July 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destinational UK based cruise line, said it has repatriated passengers of Black Watch from Funchal in Madeira after the ship had suffered a fire in an auxiliary engine room that did not cause injuries.

Black Watch arrived in Funchal at ca. 4.30pm on Saturday. Mike Rodwell, managing director of the company, flew with a team of senior executives from the company’s headquarters in Ipswich to organise matters.

“In spite of the challenges of securing aircraft from Funchal, Madeira at late notice, Fred. Olsen has organised three private charter flights back to London Stansted and London Gatwick airports, which will depart on Monday 4 July 2016,” the company said in a statement.

Special arrangements have been made for those guests, who are unable to fly for medical reasons. “Fred. Olsen will be assisting with arrangements for the transfer of guests to their onward destinations, as necessary,” the company said.

Fred. Olsen appreciates guests’ understanding and co-operation with these new arrangements. In recognition of the inconvenience caused, Fred. Olsen will arrange compensation as follows:

- 100% refund of the whole of the cruise fare, to arrive with guests shortly after their return home. Fred. Olsen will also be refunding guests any reasonable out of pocket expenses connected with the curtailment of their holidays

- In addition, Fred. Olsen will also offer guests a future cruise voucher of up to 50% of the fare paid for this cruise, to be used within Fred. Olsen’s current cruise programme

An advice desk for guests has been set up in the Guest Services area of the ship for guests to be able to request further information, and we have made the cabin telephones available free of charge to guests to enable them to contact relatives.

There are 696 guests and 365 crew on board, the majority of whom are British nationals, the company said.

Crystal River Cruises unveils details of four newbuild river yachts debuting in 2017

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 July 2016 01 July 2016

As Crystal River Cruises prepares to launch the first of its seven luxury river vessels, the fully reimagined Crystal Mozart, the luxury cruise line is simultaneously announcing design plans for the next phase of its four newly built luxury river yachts. The river yachts are set to embark in spring and summer of next year. As with Crystal’s other recent endeavors (including Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit and Crystal Luxury Air’s Global Express Jet), Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Ravel, Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Mahler will not simply join the ranks of competitors, but will set a new standard of luxury river cruising experiences.

“Emulation has never been part of our formula for success, rather, we have enjoyed a long reputation for innovating and leading the way in luxury travel experiences,” says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “Crystal River Cruises river yachts will showcase the most celebrated parts of the Crystal Experience – stylish and elegant design, creative itineraries and experiences ashore, unmatched genuine service – while also creating a brand new niche in river cruising that will appeal to the world’s most discerning travelers.”

The four new river yachts will boast nearly identical design strategy to Crystal Mozart, with some notable variances due to the difference in the vessels’ size. While Crystal Mozart is the largest river-going ship in Europe accommodating 158 guests, the new builds will carry approximately half that number for a more intimate environment. Sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Bach are distinguished as “Rhine Class” yachts, at 135 meters in length with 53 suites for 106 guests; while Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will sail on the Seine, Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde Rivers and are considered “Paris Class” yachts, with a length of 110 meters and guest capacity of 78 guests in 39 suites.

All four river yachts will offer Crystal guests luxurious amenities that surpass the comforts of home, including Crystal’s acclaimed butler service for every suite – suites that reach up to 759 square feet (Crystal Suite) and feature plush king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows are covered with fine Egyptian cotton linens, plus walk-in closets, full-length mirrors, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines.

Additional enticing features include Crystal’s highly-acclaimed cuisine in multiple eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; Cove Bar and Palm Court. Further cementing its differentiator in the river cruise industry, Crystal will offer true open-seating dining, allowing guests to dine where they want, when they want and with whom they want.

Public amenities and services include full-service spa and separate fitness center, equipped with modern machines and cardio equipment as well as free weights – both with dedicated professionals for service and nearly unheard of in the river cruising market. Plus a partial indoor/outdoor pool on the aft of Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler.

“We have ensured that, in designing Crystal River Cruises’ yachts, we remain committed to the cornerstones of the Crystal brand that travelers throughout the world have come to love: service, space, quality and choices,” says Walter Littlejohn, vice president and managing director, Crystal River Cruises. “It is imperative that our guests’ experience aboard these vessels conveys this commitment to the ‘Crystal Difference’.”

In order to give guests the best possible experience, the new river yachts will now offer all-suite accommodations that are located entirely above the waterline, providing spectacular and unobstructed views through the Panoramic Balcony-Windows.

“As part of Crystal’s longstanding tradition of offering the highest standard of luxury experiences, we have incorporated a critical redesign to the river yachts that will enhance the guests’ overall space and experience, allowing all guests to relish in the lush scenery along their journey,” says Rodriguez.