None of 24,000 Fred. Olsen passengers in six months demands money back on Enjoyment Promise

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 July 2014 08 July 2014

After over six months of its ‘Enjoyment Promise’ being in place, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said that not a single of the 24,000 guests it has received in that time has taken it up on its offer to fly them home and refund their cruise fare because they were not enjoying their cruise holiday.

“Fred. Olsen launched its unique ‘Enjoyment Promise’ in December 2013 – the biggest initiative of its kind ever to take place in the UK to encourage people to try cruising – and it now forms a key part of the cruise line’s brand (applicable on all freedom fare bookings made at least 14 weeks in advance, of between seven and 35 nights’ duration,” the company said in a statement.

If guests find that a Fred. Olsen cruise is not for them within 48 hours, they just need to let Guest Relations know on board and Fred. Olsen promises to arrange and pay for their flight back to the UK and repay the cost of their cruise*.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:  “When we launched our innovative ‘Fred.’s Enjoyment Promise’ late last year, we felt that our guests would fall in love with the destinations that we get closer to, the great value and friendliness that we offer on board – and it seems that this has, indeed, been the case!

“We have welcomed over 24,000 guests onto our ships since we introduced the ‘Enjoyment Promise’, and they have all enjoyed their time with us…in fact, many will be returning to holiday with us again in the future!  

“‘Fred.’s Enjoyment Promise’ demonstrates the confidence that we have in our product, and we hope that this faith in our high-quality cruise experience will encourage the millions of holiday-makers in the UK to give cruising a try with Fred. Olsen for the first time.”

Royal Caribbean International and Google employ Street View technology on Allure of the Seas

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 07 July 2014 07 July 2014

Royal Caribbean International said it is changing the way how people plan their holiday by working with Google to be the first cruise line to launch Google Maps Business View using Google’s Street View technology onboard the world’s largest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas.

“By using Street View technology, Royal Caribbean International will provide consumers with an immersive and interactive experience when they are searching for a holiday,” the company, which is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, said in a statement.

"Business View allows people all over the world to explore a range of businesses and organisations in great detail in just a few clicks” said Deborah Schenker - Program Manager at Google UK, “You can check out anything from restaurants to aircraft in Google Maps, and now for the first time you can sail the seas too with the first ever cruise ship coming on board."

With just a few clicks, guests will be able to virtually walk through the various decks of Allure of the Seas including the Royal Promenade, a boulevard that runs nearly the length of the ship, flanked by restaurants, boutiques and lounges; Central Park, an outdoor park longer than a football pitch complete with over 12,000 live plants and trees; the Boardwalk, featuring a hand-crafted carousel, two rock-climbing walls and the AquaTheater, a high-dive aquatic performance venue with the deepest pool at sea; Entertainment Place, with an elaborate theatre, night club, comedy club, jazz club and ice-skating rink, which offers professionally produced ice shows; the Pool and Sports Deck featuring a zip line, twin FlowRider surf simulators, full-size basketball/sports court, nine-hole mini-golf course, 15 pools and whirlpools and 22 restaurants, and many, many more.

Holidaymakers will be able to access the technology, a first for the cruise industry at

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/royalview or via Google Search results, Google Maps and Google+ whether they’re using their computers, smartphones or tablets.

P&O Cruises, Cunard Line cut Baltic, Norway cruises by 28% on emission control rules 2013-15 - report

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 07 July 2014 07 July 2014

Carnival UK, which operates Carnival Corp & plc group brands in the country, has warned that cruising in northern Europe “is not sacrosanct” as the shipping industry cranks up pressure against tighter planned international rules on sulphur emissions, a media report says.

Chief executive David Dingle told Travel Weekly that company brands P&O Cruises and Cunard Line have already planned a 28% cut in Baltic and Norway cruises between 2013 and 2015.

Despite a large increase in new ex-UK capacity targeting newcomers to cruise holidays next year, the Baltic region is not a strong draw for new to cruise passengers, suggesting further reductions could be possible.

Dingle spoke after a cross-party group of MPs last week lobbied the government to amend the rules to give the cruise and ferry sectors time to adapt their ships, the report said.

The sulphur content of fuel must fall to 0.1% in January 2015 in the Baltic, North Sea and English Channel to cut pollution.

BC Ferries orders three newbuildings from Poland

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 04 July 2014 04 July 2014

Following the completion of an extensive competitive bidding process, BC Ferries has awarded Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. of Gdansk, Poland contracts totaling $165 million to build three new intermediate class vessels.

The contracts have been approved by BC Ferries’ Board of Directors, as well as a total project budget of $252 million that includes financing and project management costs that would have been incurred regardless of where the vessels were built. The budget also includes $51 million for Canadian taxes and federal import duties. The total project budget is within the capital envelope set by the BC Ferries Commissioner.

"These are design-build, fixed-price contracts that provide BC Ferries with substantial guarantees related to delivery dates, performance criteria, cost certainty and quality construction,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ Vice President of Engineering.

Other highlights of the contracts include:

– Remontowa assumes all design, construction and delivery risk

– Guarantees are in place for vessel completion dates

– Favourable payment terms with 80 per cent payment upon vessel completion

– Vessel performance guarantees related to speed, carrying capacity, manoeuvrability and fuel consumption

– Warranties above industry standard

– Penalties for late delivery

– Refund guarantee

"As we begin the next phase of our newbuild program, a key objective is to achieve capital and operating cost savings and efficiencies through an overall class and standardization strategy," said Wilson. "Standardization offers greater interoperability and lower crew training and maintenance costs, and also enhances safety. This is a significant step forward in taking BC Ferries from 17 classes of ships to five classes."

The new intermediate class vessels will be the first vessels in BC Ferries’ fleet to operate as dual-fuel capable using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or diesel fuel for propulsion and power generation. “This is an exciting initiative for BC Ferries that can reduce upward pressure on fares due to lower fuel costs for LNG, and reduce the environmental emissions substantially since LNG is a cleaner and greener fuel compared to current alternatives,” said Wilson.

Two of the new ships will replace the 49-year old Queen of Burnaby, which sails between Comox and Powell River and the 50-year old Queen of Nanaimo, which services the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route. The third vessel will augment peak and shoulder season service on the Southern Gulf Islands route, plus provide refit relief around the fleet. These new 105 metre vessels will accommodate 145 vehicles and 600 passengers.

The first new intermediate class vessel is scheduled to arrive in British Columbia in August 2016, the second in October 2016 and the third in February 2017. Remontowa is responsible for delivering the vessels to Victoria. The first vessel is expected to be in service in the fall of 2016, following extensive crew training and familiarization.

The Gdansk ship repair and shipbuilding yard Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A , which is one of the world’s leading shipyards with state-of-the-art design and production facilities, is a member of the Remontowa Holding capital group specializing in ship design and construction of new ships, conversions and repairs, offshore units and steel structures. The shipyard was established in 1952 and privatized in 2001.

BC Ferries conducted an extensive competitive bidding process to ensure that the company secured the best bid for its customers and the taxpayers of British Columbia. One shipyard from BC, Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyard, was among the five shipyards shortlisted and invited to participate in the RFP process, however they decided to withdraw as they indicated they have maximized their available capacity due to commitments with the federal government building vessels under the National Shipbuilding and Procurement Strategy as well as constructing BC Ferries’ new cable ferry.

Criteria for shipyard selection included the design and construction plan, recent experience building intermediate ferries, capability of introducing new technology such as LNG, customer satisfaction (references from other customers), delivery schedule, price and payment terms, financial stability and ability to provide guarantees.

Under contract to the Province of British Columbia, BC Ferries is the service provider responsible for the delivery of safe, efficient and dependable ferry service along coastal British Columbia.