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P&O Cruises Australia names its new ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 July 2014 11 July 2014

After sifting through more than 30,000 suggestions from across Australia and New Zealand, P&O Cruises today drew a line in the sand to reveal the names of its latest ships – Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden.

Port Macquarie artist, Chloe Dickey, 24, unveiled the names in a spectacular 20-metre-wide mural raked into the golden sands of Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach as scores of spectators looked on.

P&O Cruises said while it had been overwhelmed with ideas, the two names, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, stood out from the field as they had a contemporary feel that reflected the blissful and indulgent spirit of a P&O Cruises' holiday at sea.

Eden, suggested by Nikki Smith from Bentley Park, Cairns, was chosen because of the sense of peace and images of paradise and beautiful destinations that the name evoked. In a happy coincidence, Eden is also an idyllic regional port on the cruise line's latest itineraries.

Meanwhile Aria, an entry from Katie Luxa from Canning Vale, Perth, conveyed a sense of beauty, grandeur and escapism – all words that could be used to describe a wonderful holiday at sea.

Ann Sherry, the CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises, said Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden were fresh, vibrant and contemporary names that captured the essence of its cruises.

“With ethereal and heavenly undertones, we thought Aria and Eden conjured up the happy, blissful and indulgent spirit of our cruise holidays, which offer the chance to escape the everyday world,” Ms Sherry said. “They really capture the cruising state-of-mind that hundreds of thousands of Australians experience on our ships each year.”

Chloe spent more than an hour creating the mural at Bondi Beach, carefully timing tides, swell and runners to reveal the names for the very first time. (View the images on Facebook.)

“It's not every day you get the chance to reveal the names of two new ships which will call Australia home, so we wanted to do it in an uniquely Australian way at one of the country's most iconic locations,” Ms Sherry said. “Chloe has an amazing talent and it was a delight to discover her work and bring her to Sydney to create an image that we think will capture Australia’s imagination.”

More than 93 per cent of entries had featured the word “Pacific”, consistent with the current P&O Cruises fleet – Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl – so the cruise line decided to maintain the prefix across all of its ships.

Ms Sherry said the extraordinary response to the two week Facebook search underlined P&O Cruises' place as the region's first and most popular cruise line.

“We were overwhelmed by the volume of suggestions from Aussies and Kiwis who wanted to put their stamp on our latest ships, which we hope will become as adored as our current fleet.”

The most common entries were gem stones' Diamond, Sapphire and Opal each suggested more than 500 times. Australians and New Zealanders also showed their creativity by putting forward names like Ozzie and Straya, Kiri Te Kawana, the Minogue sisters Kylie and Dannii as well as Dinky Di and Blinky Bill.

After coming up with the winning names and the most compelling reasons, Ms Smith and Mrs Luxa have each won a cruise for two on the inaugural voyage of the ships they successfully named and will also be invited to attend the naming celebration of the respective ships.

Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria will debut in Australia in November next year taking the cruise line’s fleet to a record five ships sailing year-round from Australia and New Zealand. The ships’ itineraries and home-porting arrangements will be announced in the coming weeks.

MSC Cruises unveils winter 2015-2016 Caribbean itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 July 2014 10 July 2014

Today, MSC Cruises announced its November 2015 through April 2016 winter Caribbean itineraries for MSC Divina. Now available for booking, the collection of seven-night Caribbean sailings features new ports of call and a 10-night cruise visiting Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica.

As part of its “Serving You” efforts dedicated to travel agent partners, MSC Cruises is launching the new itineraries with an appealing group promotion featuring special group rates starting at $349 per person, up to $100 ship board credit per stateroom, and no deposit due until December 31, 2014, when booked by September 30, 2014.

Available on all MSC Divina sailings from November 11, 2015 through April 16, 2016, with the exclusion of the December 26, 2015 departure, the group promotion allows travel agents to earn one tour conductor (TC) for every 13 full-fare guests, plus two amenity points per group to use towards bonus commissions or onboard enhancements such as stateroom gifts, cocktail parties, and shipboard credits. The promotion applies to group allotments of less than 100 cabins.

“We’ve released our newest itineraries earlier than ever to ensure our valued travel agent partners have the resources and crucial time needed to successfully organize group bookings, along with added incentives to make a group booking with MSC Cruises even more lucrative,” added Ken Muskat, executive vice president, Sales, PR & Guest Services.

Starting on November 11, 2015 with a 10-night roundtrip from Miami sailing highlighting three marquee ports – Cartagena, Colombia; Cristobal, Panama; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica – MSC Divina will continue her winter 2015-2016 season with seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings featuring new ports of call in La Romana, Dominican Republic; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Nassau, Bahamas.

In spring 2014, MSC Cruises launched an ongoing series of “Serving You” initiatives within its MSC True Partnerships program elevating MSC Cruises’ dedication to travel agents as it continues its expansion within the North American market. Most recently, the line announced the payment of 5% commission on ALL pre-paid special services pre-booked by travel agents on behalf of their clients. In addition to the current commissionable shore excursions, hotel packages, transfers, and airfare, it includes spa treatments, specialty restaurants, beverage packages and stateroom celebration packages, among others. The brand also continues to pay 10% commission on pre-paid cruise insurance coverage. Details on the list of pre-booked items available can be found on the MSC Travel Agent website www.msccruisesagent.com. Travel agents can receive additional news and updates by attending one of the Serving You Roadshow events scheduled in more than 20 major markets and regions across North America and by visiting the MSC True Partnerships’ Facebook page www.facebook.com/MSCTruePartnerships.

Named after godmother Sophia Loren, MSC Divina offers several divine new features, including two Eataly restaurants - the upscale Ristorante Italia and spectacular regional Eataly Steakhouse fashioned after the famed restaurant in Eataly’s Manhattan location and artisanal marketplace, and is the first ship to offer Aqua Cycling at sea. The 1,751-cabin ship boasts 322,900 square feet of public spaces including 18 bars and lounges, five swimming pools, a bowling alley, gym and exotic Aurea Spa, the popular Formula 1 simulator, 4-D Cinema, and new Segafredo Zanetti gourmet coffee bar.

MSC Divina also features the MSC Yacht Club, an innovative “ship-within-a-ship” concept with 69 suites on board. MSC Yacht Club guests can indulge in comfort and convenience, from their own personal Butler and 24-hour concierge service to complimentary wines and spirits available any time of the day throughout MSC Yacht Club’s exclusive lounges and pool area.

Early-bird registration discount expires soon for the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 July 2014 10 July 2014

Less than two months remain to register with the discounted rate for the FCCA Conference & Trade Show – the largest cruise conference in the Caribbean and Latin America. "Make sure to book as soon as possible to lock in the reduced price, which will increase over 20% in September. Registering now also guarantees your spot for one-on-one meetings, as they have a first-come, first-serve basis and are only guaranteed to those registered by July 31," FCCA said in a statement.

The Conference gives attendees access to key decision makers-over 100 FCCA Member Line cruise executives, presidents and CEOs during a four-day series that balances business sessions and networking opportunities. These include one-on-one meetings and a chance to promote a product to or receive individualized input from cruise executives selected by attendees; social functions that foster interaction between attendees and executives in a laid-back, engaging atmosphere; 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.

If you want to establish or grow your cruise industry business, St. Maarten is the place to be from October 6-10.

To register and/or learn more, please visit https://www.regonline.com/fccastmaarten.

Costa neoRiviera earns top ratings in Costa Cruises' fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 July 2014 09 July 2014

Costa Cruises' Costa neoRiviera recently achieved the highest scores across the fleet on customer satisfaction surveys. When Costa asked guests how likely they were to recommend their cruise to a friend, colleague or relative, passengers gave Costa neoRiviera the highest ratings, highlighting how quickly the line's neoCollection has gained popularity since its inception.

Costa introduced its neoCollection late in 2013, featuring two of the line's smaller ships – Costa neoRiviera and Costa neoRomantica – both able to sail to destinations inaccessible to larger vessels. The ships feature "slow cruising," a style of cruise vacation that features longer, leisurely itineraries and extended time in port. The cruise line also designed small-group shore excursions to showcase cultural and natural attractions in each destination.

"We launched the neoCollection because we recognized that many travelers are looking for a more immersive cruise experience," said Scott Knutson, vice president of sales and marketing for Costa Cruises North America. "Costa neoRiviera's number-one ranking in the fleet validates our decision to develop the slow-cruise product and we're pleased that it’s been so well received."

For guests who want to embark on a neoCollection cruise there is a range of enticing itineraries to choose from. This fall both ships will sail 11-night itineraries in the Mediterranean roundtrip from Savona, Italy.

Costa neoRiviera's 11-night itinerary features an overnight stay at Barcelona, Spain, and calls at Toulon, France; Valletta, Malta; and Porto Empedocle, Salerno and Livorno, Italy. Dates for that itinerary are Sept. 12 and 23; Oct. 4; and Nov. 6.

Costa neoRomantica's 11-night itinerary features calls at Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Messina, Sicily; Piraeus (Athens) and Heraklion, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Valletta; and Marseille, France. The ship departs Savona Oct. 9, 20 and 31; and Nov. 11 and 22. Guests can also enjoy the same itinerary, but roundtrip from Civitavecchia, with departures Sept. 29; Oct. 10 and 21; and Nov. 1 and 12.

Following a refurbishment, Costa Classica will join the neoCollection in December as Costa neoClassica and will sail the Indian Ocean and east coast of Africa.

Costa neoClassica's first sailing will be a 25-night cruise from Savona, departing Dec. 18, and featuring calls at Naples, Italy; Sharm El Sheik and Safaga, Egypt; Aqaba, Jordan; Salalah, Oman; Diego Suarez, Madagascar; St. Denis, Reunion; with overnights at Eilat, Israel; Mahe, Seychelles; and Port Louis, Mauritius. In January 2015, the ship will begin 15-day itineraries roundtrip Port Louis, featuring an overnight at Port Louis and two nights at Mahe. The ship will also call at Nosy Be, Diego Suarez and Tamatave, Madagascar, and St. Denis. Departures are Jan. 12 and 26; and Feb. 9 and 23.

Viking Cruises seeks note holder approval to amend indenture

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 July 2014 08 July 2014

Viking Cruises Ltd, the privately owned river to ocean cruise shipping group, said that it is soliciting consents from holders of its outstanding 8.50% Senior Notes due 2022 to approve amendments to the indenture relating to the notes with an outstanding amount of $250 million to provide Viking with financial and operating flexibility.

“Adoption of the proposed amendments requires the consent of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes voting as a single class,” the company said in a statement.

The Consent Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 15, 2014, unless we extend it. “Only holders of record of the Notes as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 3, 2014 are eligible to deliver consents to the proposed amendments in the consent solicitation, Viking cruises said.