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MSC Cruises enhances guest connectivity across the fleet with new technology and affordable internet packages

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 April 2016 18 April 2016

MSC Cruises – the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa – announced next-generation connectivity across its entire fleet and new internet packages designed to accommodate the various needs of today’s vacationers. The enhancements will provide MSC Cruises guests with fast, reliable access to the web and simple, easy to use packages.

Working with Marlink – a pioneer of business critical communication solutions for customers operating in remote environments – MSC Cruises will provide dynamic bandwidth to its 12 existing ships, as well as its next-generation ships currently under construction, including MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside. No matter where in the world MSC Cruises’ guests are sailing – MSC Cruises’ ships sail to more than 180 ports across five continents – they will receive continuous high-bandwidth global access.

“We are constantly seeking new ways to innovate and enhance guest experience aboard what is already the most modern fleet at sea,” said Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises CEO. “We know that staying connected while on vacation is increasingly more important to our guests, hence we are rolling out state-of-the-art technology to allow them to stay connected, whether they are looking to share experiences and memorable moments, stay in touch with friends and family, stay on top of work emails or simply catch up with daily news.”

MSC Cruises’ new offering allows guests to select from three different affordable internet packages based on their specific web and social media needs. All packages can be purchased either on a “per day” or “per cruise” basis, allowing guests maximum flexibility when selecting their internet needs.

– Option 1: The Social Package is aimed at guests that are interested in connecting to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, in order to post pictures and chat with friends while on vacation. Guests selecting this package will have 24/7 access to social networks on one device. Pricing is $4.50 per day or $16.50 for a 7-night cruise.

– Option 2: the Surfer Package is designed for moderate internet users who want to access social media platforms, be updated on what’s hot, surf the web for news or sports scores and catch up on emails during their cruise. Guests selecting this package will have access to internet on up to two devices. Pricing is $11 per day or $33 for a 7-night cruise.

– Option 3: the Streamer Package has been created for users who are interested in full internet access either for work or fun and want to be connected without any limitations at the fastest speed. This package gives guests full internet and social media access, including audio and video streaming, with access for up to four devices. Pricing is $22 per day or $66 for a 7-night cruise.

Internet packages can be booked prior to sailing or once on board. In addition, it will be easy for guests to upgrade or recharge their package while managing the consumption of each device.

The new services are now live on board MSC Divina in the Caribbean and MSC Preziosa, currently deployed in the Western Mediterranean, and will roll-out across the entire fleet over the coming months.

By offering one of the most advanced guest connectivity services available at sea, MSC Cruises continues to position itself as an innovative and forward-thinking cruise line. With several hundred Mbit/s (megabits per second) available in the Marlink Sealink cloud, MSC Cruises will deliver a whole new web and social media accessibility experience for guests that are hungrier than ever for cost-effective, reliable internet access while enjoying their vacations at sea.

Lars Ljoen named Executive Vice President at Carnival Maritime

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 April 2016 15 April 2016

Effective today, Lars Ljoen will take over the position of Executive Vice President and Managing Director at Carnival Maritime, the marine service unit of the Costa Group in Hamburg. Besides further advancing the unit’s performance, he will be responsible for supervising the departments Fleet Governance, Cruise Preparation & Projects, Cruise Execution as well as Continuous Improvement and the Fleet Operations Center.

The native Norwegian shows a long track record in marine operations: He began his career on supply vessels and shuttle tankers in the North Sea offshore industry. In 1997, he joined Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. where he worked on the cruise vessels and ashore at the headquarters in Miami, managing fleet-wide navigation issues, maritime training and deck operations. During his eight years of employment here, he became Director of Marine Operations. In 2005, Ljoen joined Ceres Marine Terminals (NYK Ports) in Miami as Vice President of Business Development. Almost ten years later he headed up the development of business strategies for cruise services, roll-on/roll-off business and general cargo for the North American port activities of NYK Line.

Finally in 2015, Ljoen joined Carnival Maritime, leading the Cruise Preparation & Projects department as Senior Vice President. In this position he was responsible for port operations, dry dockings, deck & engine human resources, innovations and technical purchasing.

As Executive Vice President, Ljoen will directly report to Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group. He takes over his new position from Jens Lassen, until now Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Carnival Maritime, who will continue to assist Ljoen in an advisory capacity. "I am happy to welcome Lars in our management team. With his extensive experiences in marine operations and his passionate leadership style, Lars will strengthen our performance as a Center of Excellence for the fleet," Thamm comments.

"I am very excited about this new opportunity, as I feel it allows me to shape the future of cruising. My fantastic team and I will put our best efforts into reaching the ambitious goals of Carnival Maritime: Having the highest efficiency, lowest energy consumption and lowest repair and maintenance costs in the industry," Ljoen adds.

FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show now open for registration

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 April 2016 14 April 2016

Registration opened today for the 23rd annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show, taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico from September 26-30, 2016. The event will gather over 1,000 cruise tourism stakeholders and more than 100 FCCA Member Line executives, presidents and CEOs for a four-day series of meetings, workshops and networking opportunities.

"The FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show helps cruise tourism stakeholders maximize their business," said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation and the FCCA, who will be on-hand at the event. "In addition to imparting necessary operational knowledge, the event provides an invaluable resource-knowing the right people-by linking attendees with some of industry's most important decision makers."

The event offers a unique opportunity to target representatives from FCCA's 19 Member Lines who decide where ships call, what products are sold and used onboard, and how to invest in destinations and infrastructure. Attendees can access these key decision makers in a format that balances business sessions and casual interaction, including one-on-one meetings with pre-selected cruise executives, which provide a chance to promote products and receive individualized input; social functions that foster networking and relationship building; and workshops focused on current issues with panels comprised of knowledgeable industry professionals and cruise executives, along with the presidents and CEOs heading a roundtable discussion.

Together, this creates the perfect forum for exchanging information and industry trends, sharing ideas, and cultivating valuable business relationships. Plus, a ratio of about one cruise executives per 10 attendees affords some of the best odds to meet and gain insight from the influential cruise executives, as well as cruise lines' presidents and CEOs.

"I look forward to interacting with cruise tourism's key stakeholders [at the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show]," said Adam Goldstein, president & COO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, and perennial participant at the event. "This is a valuable opportunity for regional destinations and operators to learn how they are being affected by and can take advantage of the industry's latest developments."

The Trade Show expands this target, allowing exhibitors to capture the attention of this prominent audience. Any booth puts their product, company, or destination on attendees' and executives' minds, but special destination pavilion options provide the greatest impact at the Trade Show by showcasing a destination product as a team-from vendors and tour operators to destination ministries and port operators.

Attendees can also experience San Juan's exciting setting, activities and new infrastructure, allowing attendees to experience what cruise passengers see and do during a stay-over visit and why it welcomed more than 1.6 million cruise passengers from FCCA Member Lines last year – a 17% increase since the destination last hosted the event in 2011.

For anyone looking to establish or grow cruise tourism business, San Juan is the place to be from September 26-30.

British icebreaking research vessel to escort Crystal Serenity through Northwest Passage

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 April 2016 14 April 2016

Crystal Cruises, the luxury market unit in the Genting Hong Kong group, has signed a charter party with Tactical Marine Solutions of Victoria, Canada and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) headquartered in Cambridge, UK to have the RRS Ernest Shackleton escort Crystal Serenity on its 32-day expedition voyage through the Northwest Passage this August, Crystal Cruises said in a statement.

“The RRS Ernest Shackleton, operated by BAS, is an ICE 05 classed icebreaker (exceeding the more common 1A Super class) that will provide operational support to Crystal Serenity, including ice breaking assistance should the need arise, and carry additional safety and adventure equipment,” the company said in a statement.

The vessel is used mostly as a logistic supply vessels by the BAS to serve British scientists in Antarctica. It was built in Norway in 1995. “RRS” stands for Royal Resarch Ship.

“We have been planning this historic sailing for more than two years, working closely with expedition experts from EYOS-Expeditions, as well as Transport Canada, the US and Canadian Coast Guards and local agencies along the route to ensure the ultimate safety and a most memorable experience for our guests,” says Crystal president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez. “The RRS Ernest Shackleton’s assistance in navigating this region will only enhance the safety of our voyage.”

The RRS Ernest Shackleton will carry two helicopters for real-time ice reconnaissance, emergency support and flightseeing activities. In addition to its robust ice navigation and communications equipment, the RRS Ernest Shackleton will have onboard supplemental damage control equipment, oil pollution containment equipment and survival rations for emergency use.

Royal Caribbean International selects Chinese Godmother for Ovation of the Seas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 April 2016 13 April 2016

Royal Caribbean International yesterday announced that internationally-acclaimed Chinese actress, Fan Bingbing, will be the Godmother for Ovation of the Seas, the world’s newest cruise ship. The announcement was made by Dr. Zinan Liu, President, Royal Caribbean International - China and North Asia Pacific, at a press conference at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. Bingbing is the first Chinese celebrity selected to be the Godmother of an international cruise line and will officially name Ovation of the Seas at the ship’s inaugural ceremony in Tianjin, China on June 24, 2016.

The second Quantum-class ship to be deployed in China, Ovation of the Seas, will sail its inaugural season from Tianjin after a one month mini season from Hong Kong before the ship repositions to its winter homeport in Australia in December 2016.

“We are delighted to welcome Fan Bingbing to the Royal Caribbean family as Ovation of the Seas’ godmother,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Bingbing is number one on the Forbes China ‘Celebrity 100’ list and has held that top position for three years making her one of the most influential Chinese stars and in the world. She has received awards from many international film festivals and is recognized as a fashion icon for her extraordinary style on the red carpet, at movie premieres and iconic fashion events. She is innovative, smart, ambitious, trendy and elegant, and that makes Bingbing the perfect person to be selected as the Godmother of our newest ship.”

“My father was a singer in the art troupe of the Political Department of the Navy in China. My childhood was filled with the melodies of the sea and I often dreamed about sailing out to sea for an adventure,” said Fan Bingbing at the press conference. “Now, thanks to this invitation from Royal Caribbean, my dreams will come true. I am really honored to be the first Godmother of Chinese nationality for such a prestigious international cruise line as Royal Caribbean International. And I like the name of Ovation of the Seas which in Chinese is interpreted as ‘praising the world and welcoming guests from everywhere’. As Godmother of Ovation of the Seas, I would like to invite more international guests to cruise from China on Ovation of the Seas.”

The role of Godmother is a lifetime title bestowed upon an individual, who figuratively presides over the ship and imparts good luck and divine protection over the vessel and all that sail aboard. Traditionally, Godmothers have celebrity status or even royal connections. Godmothers for Royal Caribbean ships have included, performer Gloria Estefan, actress Jane Seymour, comedian/actress Whoopi Goldberg and tennis champion Steffi Graf, to name a few.

Ovation and her sister ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas belong to the Quantum class of ships and are built with the most advanced technology. They feature unprecedented first-at-sea experiences and amenities, including the North Star, an observation capsule that gently rises more than 300 feet in the air to treat guests to breathtaking panoramic views; thrilling skydiving and surfing experiences; Two70 a daily social space which transforms into a multifunctional entertainment place in the evening; and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea, which includes basketball, roller-skating, bumper cars, and more. Each ship offers 18 restaurants onboard with a variety of cuisines to choose from as well as the industry’s most relaxing and luxurious accommodations at sea with the unique Loft Suites and groundbreaking Virtual Balcony staterooms, interior accommodations that feature large digital screens displaying real-time views, ensuring that every room has a view.

The newest addition to Quantum class will officially launch in April 2016, when she departs Southampton, England for Tianjin, China on a 52-day “Global Odyssey” voyage. She will arrive in Singapore in June for a 3-night cruise on 9th June to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and a 12-night one-way cruise to Tianjin on 12th June with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Hong Kong (overnight), Xiamen and Seoul (Incheon). She will return to Singapore from Hong Kong on a 7-night one-way cruise on 23rd Nov with calls at Sanya, Hue/Danang (Chan May) and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My).