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SuperStar Aquarius to include calls in Puerta Princesa City with its second season at Kota Kinabalu

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2014 01 September 2014

Star Cruises has announced that SuperStar Aquarius will return to the Sabah (Malaysia) and homeport in the city of Kota Kinabalu from 8th November 2014 till 1st March 2015. In conjunction with this, the 13-storey SuperStar Aquarius will introduce an exciting new destination to Puerto Princesa City, located at Palawan Island province in the Philippines. Star Cruises will offer the all new and exotic 4D/3N Kota Kinabalu/Puerto Princesa City destination cruise, 2 Night high seas cruise (available alternate week) and the regular 1 Night high seas cruise onboard SuperStar Aquarius.

Known as the city in a forest, Puerto Princesa City lives up to its reputation as one of the most environmentally-conscious cities in the Philippines. Located at the mid-section of the long strip of the Palawan Island province, Puerto Princesa City is a top tourist destination, known mostly to locals and well-travelled foreigners. It is home to many beautiful sights and natural wonders - pristine beaches, coral reefs and lush greeneries that are unique to the place. The climate-friendly city offers some of Philippines’ best kept heritage, culture and natural attractions.

Among some of the must-see places include the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature. As one of the most distinguished protected areas in the Philippines, the park features unspoiled natural beauties such as old reserved forests, clear white-sandy beaches, diverse endangered wildlife species and one of the world’s most impressive caves systems, with a series of spectacular limestone formations. The park also contains an 8.2 km underground river, which is said to be the longest navigable underground river in the world that flows directly to the South China Sea. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is truly a remarkable place like no other and is on many travellers’ bucket list.

The Palawan Island province is also home to various indigenous tribes including the shy and peaceful Batak tribe that lives in the foothills and mountains northeast of Palawan. The “Batak” which means mountain people in Cuyonon, is known for its rich traditions and heritage. Another highlight of the island is the Maoyon River Cruise that explores the rainforest jungle with a rare glimpse of the century old Dao tree, which is the tallest and oldest in Maoyon. An interesting tale and a piece of history awaits you in this enchanting place.

For adventurers that seek the ocean depth pleasure or simply relaxing by the beaches, Honda Bay is another premiere tourist destination located on Palawan Island. Consisting of several islets, Honda Bay’s clear sandy beaches and shallow reefs are well-known places for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Other surrounding islands at Honda Bay include Starfish Island that has various starfish, and hence its origin name. Another famous island is the Lu-li Island, which is only visible during low tide and completely submerges underwater when the tides change. The Pandan Island which is named after the fragrant “pandan” plant is also another low-key tropical paradise that is rich with natural flora and fauna. If you are lucky, you may even meet a sea turtle on the beach.

While at Puerto Princesa City, there are also many interesting sites within the city to explore and discover. The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre, which was formerly known as the Crocodile Farm and Nature Park is also a popular attraction. Endangered species like the Philippine Crocodile, as well as other endemic wildlife to the island such as the bearcat, are also protected in the sanctuary. Another interesting highlight of the city is the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm. Contrary to one imagining a penal establishment, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm is a unique correction establishment and is essentially a village that houses nearly 2,000 prisoners. There are no walls or barriers and yet prisoners do not attempt to escape. This is because families can stay with them and work together to earn a living at that area. It is really an amazing concept and you have to see it to believe it. Also, take a glimpse of unconventional religious structures by visiting the Immaculate Conception Church, which is famous for its angular structures. For those looking for a bargain of unique local gifts and souvenirs, be sure to visit the Flea market and you will find many interesting items such as cultured freshwater pearls and local crafts.

With plentiful of natural attractions, deep heritage and strong culture, Puerto Princesa City is indeed the perfect holiday get-away and ideal destination cruise for travellers of all ages. Make a date with Star Cruises to Puerto Princesa City as SuperStar Aquarius homeports in Kota Kinabalu from 8th November 2014 till 1st March 2015, offering new itineraries that include the much anticipated 4D/3N Kota Kinabalu/Puerto Princesa City destination cruise, 2 Night high seas cruise (available alternate week) and the regular 1 Night high seas cruise.

Britannia to feature largest spa in P&O Cruises’ fleet

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 August 2014 29 August 2014

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, says it will unveil the most opulent wellness facilities in its fleet as well as the largest gym and most extensive selection of classes and additional spa treatments when Britannia launches in March next year.

“The Oasis Spa will boast two new features designed to appeal to couples or groups, with a private villa in the spa area and a fun new blowout menu, for a fabulous blow dry, style and make-up in the hair salon,” the company said in a statement.

With an estimated gross tonnage of 143,000, Britannia will be the largest vessel in the fleet of P&O Cruises and its entry into service will increase the number of vessels in the fleet to eight.

The addition of the Oasis Villa marks a first for the P&O Cruises fleet, offering an exclusive area where pampering fans can unwind in sumptuous surroundings that include a private whirlpool and personal spa therapist for a treatment of their choice. They can even complete the hedonistic treat by ordering a glass of champagne.

Also making its debut is the blowout menu which is trending across UK hair salons. Perfect for black tie evenings on board, passengers can pop along to have their hair expertly styled by head honchos of the hair dryer and masters of the make-up brush. Options include deep conditioning hair treatments to full blown bombshell makeovers with hair up and make-up.

As with the rest of the P&O Cruises fleet, Britannia’s Oasis Spa will feature Elemis products and the list of treatments has been expanded to include seven new advanced facials. The line’s first Spa Shop will also open its doors, featuring skin and haircare products by Elemis, La Therapie, Phyto, Bliss and Sebastian.

Like its sister ships, Ventura and Azura, Britannia will have a VIP open-air deck area, The Retreat, where stewards serve cold flannels, chilled drinks and snacks, and alfresco spa treatments are offered in the privacy of shaded cabanas.

The Hydrotherapy suite provides a suitably impressive roll-call of sybaritic temptations, from heated loungers, waterbeds and a salt cave to a hydrotherapy pool with reflexology, massaging jets and air recliners.

Viking Line suffers sharp weakening of second quarter and first half interims

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 August 2014 27 August 2014

Viking Line, the listed Finnish cruise ferry company, has reported a sharp deterioration of both second quarter and first half interims results, but says the full year operating result should match that of last year’s.

Group net profit in the second quarter narrowed to just €1.0 million from €17.4 million in the same period in 2013. Revenues contracted sharply, to €72.8 million from €104.7 million.

In the first half of the current year, the group suffered a loss of €14.7 million compared to a profit of €1.6 million. Again, revenues contracted significantly, to €146.9 million from €159.1 million.

“The decrease in consolidated sales is primarily explained by the prevailing pressure on prices in today’s tough competitive situation, which had a negative impact on net sales revenue per passenger,” the company said in a statement.

In January 2013, Viking Line took delivery of the cruise ferry Viking Grace and sold the 1989 built Isabella, there were no changes in the fleet in the first half of this year.

The number of passengers on Viking Line’s vessels during the report period decreased by 52,708 to 2,962,436 (3,015,144). During the report period, Viking Line reduced its market share on the Turku (Finland)–Mariehamn/Långnäs (Åland Islands, Finland)–Stockholm route by 2.3 percentage points to 56.6%.

On the Helsinki–Mariehamn–Stockholm route, market share increased by 0.4 percentage points to 45.7%. In cruise services between Stockholm and Mariehamn, market share decreased by 1.5 percentage points to 51.6%.

On the Helsinki–Tallinn route, market share increased by approximately 0.3 percentage points to 23.5%. On the short route over the Sea of Åland, market share increased by 2.3 percentage points to 42.5%. The Group thus had a total market share in its service area of approximately 33.6% (34.6).

Viking Line’s cargo volume was 64,428 cargo units (59,364) and it achieved a cargo market share of 21.8% (20.8).

Competition in Viking Line’s service area implies further pressure on both prices and volume. The economic downturn in Finland is another uncertainty factor. At present, the Board of Directors is nevertheless of the opinion that operating income will improve in 2014 compared to operating income in 2013, excluding the capital gain from the sale of the Isabella (€11.9 million).

Lloyd Werft appoints Petersjohann to head engineering and offshore

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 August 2014 26 August 2014

Lloyd Werft, the German ship repair and conversion specialist, says it expands management board by appointing Dirk Petersjohann to head Engineering & Offshore and also unveils closer co-operation with German Dry Docks and MWB

Following their re-organisation more than a year and a half ago into the Bremerhaven Shipbuilding Alliance, Kaiserhafen trio Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven AG, German Dry Docks GmbH & Co KG and MWB Motorenwerke Bremerhaven AG, are about to take a further step into the future. Outlining the latest changes, Rüdiger Pallentin says: "We are moving even closer together. The top priorities now are to create synergies and more efficiency and to further expand our capabilities".

The Lloyd Werft Spokesman of the Executive Board believes these are "logical steps to secure the future" and part of this has been the acquisition of younger people at management level. Engineering graduate Dirk Petersjohann (44) began his work as a member of the Lloyd Werft Board on August 1st . Another young and experienced engineering expert - Guido Försterling (39) - has meanwhile joined German Dry Docks.

Lloyd Werft, German Dry Docks and MWB have already proven themselves in practice as autonomous brands within the alliance. This strategy has worked. Work forces have also reacted positively to the changes. "The important thing now" says Pallentin’s Lloyd Werft Board colleague Carsten J. Haake, "is to exploit our mutual capabilities even further in order to find a common platform and strengthen the core competencies of the individual companies" such that the shipbuilding trio can work even closer together on the Lower Weser.

Dirk Petersjohann’s main job is to join Rüdiger Pallentin (59) and Carsten J. Haake (47) on the board of Lloyd Werft in strengthening sales. He will also take over the Design sector and further stimulate Offshore business. Petersjohann previously headed sales at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft and is a well-connected specialist in offshore newbuilding. His promotion now to the Lloyd Werft Board is a further rung on the career ladder but not unknown territory for him.

Petersjohann’s experience, above all else, along with his comprehensive knowledge of the offshore and engineering sectors and his all-round engagement were what decided the shipbuilding alliance to invite him to come to Bremerhaven. His job here, among other things, will be to co-ordinate the engine works, machinery and engineering activities of all three companies. The idea is to intelligently and consistently expand the network of co-operation which is already being built up among the three companies in such a way as to benefit companies and customers alike.

Rolls-Royce completes Power Systems acquisition

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 August 2014 26 August 2014

Rolls-Royce, the British engineering group, said today it had competed the acquisition of Rolls-Royce Power Systems (RRPS).

This follows the announcement on March 7, 2014 that the Board of Management of Daimler AG had decided to exercise the put option relating to its 50% equity interest in RRPS and the announcement on 16 April 2014 that Rolls-Royce and Daimler had agreed on a fair market valuation for the shareholding of EUR 2.43 billion.

John Rishton, CEO of Rolls-Royce said “We are pleased to welcome Rolls-Royce Power Systems fully into Rolls-Royce. The business adds scale and capability to our reciprocating engines portfolio. It has outstanding technology, operates in long term growth markets and has proved a valuable addition to our Marine & Industrial Power Systems division.”

RRPS, which previously operated as Tognum AG, is a world leader in reciprocating engines, propulsion and distributed energy systems. It is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in Southern Germany and employs around 11,000 people.

Ulrich Dohle, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems said: “With our well-known MTU high-speed engines, MTU Onsite Energy distributed energy systems, Bergen medium-speed engines and L’Orange fuel-injection systems, we are proud that we are now a full member of the Rolls-Royce family and look forward to contributing to its success.”

Daimler will remain an important partner in the development and supply of medium and heavy-duty diesel engines in the power range below 500kW. MTU markets the off-highway versions of these truck-derivate engines to customers in the construction, industrial and agricultural markets.