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Expanded Panama Canal opens for business

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 June 2016 27 June 2016

During yesterday’s official inauguration ceremony, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and Panama Canal Administrator and CEO Jorge L. Quijano spoke to a crowd of more than 25,000 jubilant Panamanians, Canal employees, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world, Canal customers, shipping and trade executives, and nearly 1,000 journalists. This is the first expansion of the waterway since its original construction.

“More than 100 years ago, the Panama Canal connected two oceans. Today, we connect the present and the future,” said Mr. Quijano speaking to the people of Panama. “It is an honor to announce that what we did it together: providing this great connection to the world. This is the beginning of a new era.”

“Canal users can be assured that we’ll continue to support the Panama Canal Authority and our port operators to provide them a world class service and strengthen our logistics system by creating the necessary incentives and conditions to give added value to our inter-oceanic route,” said Panamanian President Varela.

The inaugural transit began with the passage of Neopanamax vessel COSCO Shipping Panama through the Agua Clara Locks on the Atlantic side of the country and concluded with its transit through the Cocoli Locks on the Pacific side. The ship is en route to Asia.

Considered and analyzed with more than 100 studies, the Expansion will provide greater economies of scale to global commerce. It will introduce new routes, liner services, and segments such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

“We are thrilled that we currently have 170 reservations for Neopanamax ships, commitments of two new liner services to the Expanded Canal, and a reservation for the first LNG vessel, which will transit in late July,” Mr. Quijano added. “Our customers care that their supply chain is reliable and that they have a diversity of shipping options. And the Canal has always been reliable; today, we offer the world new shipping options and trade routes.”

The Expansion Program is the Canal’s largest enhancement project. In 2006, more than 75 percent of Panamanians approved the project in a nation-wide referendum, and, in 2007, construction of the $5.25 billion project began. It included the construction of a new set of locks on the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway and the excavation of more than 150 million cubic meters of material, creating a second lane of traffic and doubling the cargo capacity of the waterway.

In 2015, the original Canal set a tonnage record, transiting 340.8 million PC/UMS. It will continue to operate, transiting Panamax-sized vessels or smaller. While the Expansion’s locks are 70 feet wider and 18 feet deeper than those in the original Canal, they use less water due to water-savings basins that recycle 60 percent of the water used per transit.

Actress Fan Bingbing names Ovation of the Seas in Tianjin, China

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 June 2016 25 June 2016

The arrival of Royal Caribbean International’s new Ovation of the Seas at the port city of Tianjin in northeast China, took place today to huge fanfare. The historic milestone was celebrated with the first ever cruise ship naming ceremony in China. The first Chinese Godmother, world famous actress Fan Bingbing, presided over the celebrations which culminated with the maritime tradition of the breaking of a champagne bottle on the hull of the ship to wish good fortune to the ship and all who sail on her. Royal Caribbean already deploys sister ship Quantum of the Seas in China.

Designed and built to deliver an unforgettable vacation experience for guests of all ages, Ovation of the Seas is the first world-class ship to make China its homeport immediately after its delivery. As one of the largest cruise ships ever built, accommodating 4,180 guests at double occupancy and 1,500 international crew members, Ovation of the Seas boasts an array of stunning features and experiences many of which are only on the Ovation and its sister ships Quantum of the Seas (based in Shanghai, China) and Anthem of the Seas (based in Bayonne, NJ, USA).

Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said “We are excited to bring our newest and most technologically advanced ship to China. The unprecedented first-at-sea experiences will provide an incredible vacation adventure to our guests in the region. Chinese consumers have grown to expect the best the world has to offer, and this ship meets that standard like no other – this is a cruise from the future.”

Royal Caribbean’s innovations in onboard attractions include the North Star, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views. For guests seeking an adrenaline-fueled experience there is the thrilling RipCord by iFly skydiving experience, and the FlowRider surfing simulators where guests have the opportunity to surf on the high seas. TWO70, a daily social space with incredible 270 degree views of the ocean at the aft of the ship transforms into a multifunctional entertainment place at night. The young at heart will be kept busy at SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea, that features basketball, roller skating, bumper cars and more.

There are 18 restaurants onboard Ovation with a variety of international cuisines to choose from. Well-appointed accommodations include the unique Loft Suites which offer the most luxurious accommodations at sea, and Virtual Balcony staterooms, interior accommodations with large digital screens displaying real-time views of the destinations the ship visits.

“With the arrival of Ovation of the Seas in Tianjin, Royal Caribbean now has the largest fleet in the region. Now, Chinese guests can enjoy a wider variety of world-class cruise experiences and destinations right from their home market. We believe that this ship will continue to take cruisers to new heights with our extraordinary activities, creative entertainment and diversified dining options.” said Dr. Zinan Liu, President, Royal Caribbean International – China and North Asia Pacific, “We can provide the unforgettable and unexpected cruise experience that the Chinese market deserves.”

As further testament of its commitment to China, Royal Caribbean continues to invest in people though its strategic collaboration with the Tianjin Marine Talent Institute. Royal Caribbean has built a training facility site for onboard crew training and development in hotel operations and over 100,000 jobs have been created in the past four years for major ports cities in China. Royal Caribbean is committed to cultivate talent for the cruising industry in China.

China is the cruise industry’s fastest-growing market in the world and the demand has increased by double digits since 2013. China alone accounted for 1 million cruise passengers last year, up from about 700,000 in 2014, and the Chinese Ministry of Tourism has forecasted 4.5 million passengers by 2020.

2017 Singapore season

Ovation of the Seas will also offer return trips from Singapore in 2017 in March and April, ranging from 3 to 5 nights to Penang, Phuket, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), and a one-way cruise to Tianjin with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) for an overnight, Hue/Danang (Chan May), Hong Kong and Seoul (Incheon).

MSC Cruises enters partnership with hair stylist brand Jean Louis David

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 June 2016 24 June 2016

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise line, has announced an exclusive partnership with global hairstyling brand Jean Louis David. "In another industry-first, the Company will introduce Jean Louis David salons across its fleet by the end of the year," it said

“The new service will further enhance the already wide and continuously enhanced range of beauty and wellness amenities exclusively available on board as MSC Cruises’ guests will now be able to benefit from a whole host of high-end hair styling services from Jean Louis David trained stylists whilst at sea,” the company said in a statement.

Queen Mary 2 re-enters service after remastering

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 June 2016 24 June 2016

Queen Mary 2, the Cunard Line flagship, has re-entered service afer remastering in Germany.

The work included redesign and refurbishment of the Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites and restaurants, as well as Britannia staterooms, the latter to be fully complete by the end of the year, the company said in a statement.

Thirty further Britannia Club staterooms, 15 Britannia single staterooms and five Britannia inside staterooms were added and key public spaces and restaurants were redesigned.

The former Winter Garden was transformed into the Carinthia Lounge, The Verandah was introduced as the ship’s new speciality restaurant, and the Kings Court, the ship’s popular buffet area, was reworked.

Furthermore, 10 additional kennels, complete with Liverpool lamp post and New York fire hydrant to make dogs feel at home in the world’s only transatlantic kennel service, the company said.

Celebrity Cruises reveals its new Galapagos offerings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 June 2016 24 June 2016

Where the fittest survive, modern luxury thrives. Celebrity Cruises has today revealed its exciting new cruises onboard its newest ships in one of the most dynamic corners of the world – the Galapagos Islands.

Travelers now have even more options with the addition of two distinct new ships, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xperience, which begin sailing in March 2017, following a multi-million dollar refresh per vessel for signature modern luxury enhancements. Both ships offer a wide all-inclusive range of indulgences and land excursions while sailing new itineraries. Guests can continue to sail onboard Celebrity's state-of-the-art 100-passenger Celebrity Xpedition. Together, the three stunning ships will offer six unique itineraries, 15 islands, more than 30 ports of call, and multiple packages to choose from.

Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xperience are both uniquely intimate. Ideal for travelers seeking a tight-knit community of like-minded vacationers, Celebrity’s Xploration is a stunning catamaran featuring eight luxurious staterooms, each with a window or veranda offering unforgettable views. The larger Celebrity Xperience offers a similar modern luxury experience to guests staying in its 24 stylish staterooms. Regardless of the ship, each stateroom features deluxe accommodations with upgraded premium mattresses and pillows, plus luxurious bedding - all to create the most comfortable bed in the Galapagos. In addition, each room will have LCD TVs and high-speed internet service will be available throughout the ship. All vacations feature award-winning shore excursions led by expert naturalists, specially crafted meals, featuring fresh regional seafood and fish, by Celebrity’s Michelin-starred chef. Guests can also enjoy regional coffee, chocolate and other delights, premium spirits, a curated wine list, and service from the best staff at sea.

"With more than 12 years in the Galapagos Islands, guests have told us that we are best-in-class at providing award-winning vacations in this unique corner of the world,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Now we are offering the trip-of-a-lifetime onboard our newest ships with itineraries featuring ports of call we’ve never visited before and experiences that are exclusive to Celebrity. If a modern luxury vacation in the Galapagos Islands wasn’t on your bucket list before, it definitely should be on it now!"

Onboard Celebrity’s new ships, guests experience some of the most distinctive islands in the world through the ultimate modern luxury lens. Packages range from seven to 15 nights, and feature northern and southern loop itineraries:

Celebrity Xperience

– Guests can choose from seven-night, 10-night or 13-night, all-inclusive vacations
– New ports-of-call include Mosquera Islet, Black Turtle Cove, Cerro Brujo, Santa Fe, Darwin Bay and El Barranco - famous for its Prince Philip steps leading to vast seabird colonies of Nazca and Red-Footed Boobies
– Launching today and exclusive to Celebrity is a new Xperiential Travel 13-night itinerary. Guests can get up close and personal not only with the Galapagos wildlife but with the people who reside in the islands’ communities. After spending two nights exploring Quito, Ecuador, sailing for seven nights, guests will disembark the ship and begin a three-night experience, which includes:
– Accommodations in a seaside hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
– A visit to a local farm or green house to gather provisions that will later be used to prepare an exclusive dinner with a professional chef at a local restaurant
– Time with a local fisherman in search of a special catch of the day for a special dinner with the chef that evening. Vacationers will learn about responsible tourism that fuels and helps preserve the islands while encountering wild species of fish. After, guests can visit a private beach to snorkel and swim

Celebrity Xploration

– For the ultimate experience in the Galapagos, guests can charter their own ship for a seven-night, all-inclusive vacation with a variety of choices of pre- and post-cruise experiences
– New ports-of-call include El Barranco, Darwin Bay, Espumilla Beach, Mosquera Islet, Chinese Hat, Kicker Rock, Cerro Brujo, Walls of Tears and Puerto Villamil - the small town home to the Galapagos Giant Tortoise Center

In addition to the two new ships, travelers can continue to sail on the award-winning Celebrity Xpedition with seven-, 10-, 11- or 15-night, all-inclusive vacations. Launched in 2014 to mark the 10th anniversary of sailing in this region of wonder, immersive and inspiring land excursions exclusive to Celebrity are available to guests sailing on the ship. These experiences range from dining on authentic cuisine prepared by local residents to contributing to the protected islands through the Scalesia Reforestation Project - a unique partnership with the Galapagos National Park.

All sailings can be combined with pre- and post-cruise land experiences, and each offers something different, so modern travelers can make their vacations exactly what they want them to be.