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Two Star Clippers' ships re-enter service after refit

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 June 2014 30 June 2014

As part of an ongoing programme to keep Star Clippers’ classic tall ships looking fresh and bright, Star Flyer and Star Clipper have undergone extensive refurbishment in time for this summer’s peak season, the company said in a statement.

All bed linen has been replaced and new bed covers introduced in sumptuous shades of gold and blue. New LED reading lights have been fitted, as well as flat screen TVs, in all cabins. Category One cabins have new side lamps, too.

During her transatlantic crossing at the start of this season, Star Clipper had a complete facelift, with all cabins and public areas painted and varnished and new upholstery in the dining room. This is part of a rolling programme of refurbishment; Royal Clipper received the same treatment and more in 2013, with new carpeting throughout and all bathrooms rejuvenated, while the public areas on Star Flyer were refurbished in 2012. The décor of all three ships has a nautical theme, with polished wood and brass throughout and wall-mounted prints and originals throughout each ship of the world’s most famous classic sailing vessels.

“It’s important to maintain the look of our ships so that when guests step aboard they feel like they are coming on to their own well-maintained yacht,” says Andy Lovering, director of sales and marketing. “We want to exceed our guests’ expectations for their entire Star Clippers experience and that includes the appearance of the ships.”

CMV to introduce Azores as replacement of Discovery in 2015

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 June 2014 28 June 2014

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based cruise operator, says it will introduce the 550 passenger classic cruise ship Azores to their fleet in 2015.

“Azores will replace Discovery as CMV’s second ex-UK cruise vessel operating alongside Marco Polo and will also be dedicated to the British and English speaking markets and positioned as an adult only product (16 years plus). Azores will operate year round sailings commencing operations from Bristol Avonmouth on 26th January 2015 with a 30 night CMV maiden voyage to the West Indies,” the company said in a statement.

Discovery that was built in 1971 will be sold by its owner, All Leisure Group, which has operated the ship jointly with CMV in the recent past. Azores became available for CMV following the collapse of German operator Ambiente Kreuzfahrten that had chartered it, earlier this year.

Azores was built in 1948 as Stockholm of the now defunct Swedish America Line. Sold to the then East Germany in 1959, it traded as Volkerfreundschaft until the early 1980s. The ship was completely rebuilt in Italy in 1994, when it entered service as Italia Prima.

“Azores will also be sailing from Hull and London Tilbury with programme highlights including; the Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights, Seville Fiesta, Summertime Gardens & Medieval Cities and a Scottish themed Edinburgh Festival cruise, plus all the perennial favourites, CMV said.

The Azores has been chartered from Lisbon based, Portuscale Cruises on a long term basis. All crewing and ship management services will be handled directly by CMV in line with the services provided by Marco Polo and Astor.

Azores is a classic ship with a traditional wrap around wooden promenade deck and a wide range of well appointed and inviting lounges and homely retreats. These include an impressive main show lounge, an auditorium, nightclub, casino, a selection of bars and lounges, two dining venues and a stunning marbled reception. 85% of her 277 cabins have an ocean view and almost 20% are of a de-luxe standard including nine balcony suites. All cabins also have a bath tub and mini bar facility.

Chris Coates, Commercial Director of CMV commented, “Azores is an excellent, upgraded addition to our cruise fleet and has been affectionately and very well maintained by her Owners. We are confident that Azores will prove to be a ‘real winner’ with our dedicated growing number of loyal customers and will also attract new clients seeking smaller ship alternatives and regional ex-UK no fly cruise options”.

Rui Alegre, Chief Executive Officer of Lisbon based Portuscale Cruises added, “I’m a strong believer in developing close and long term business partnerships. I’m very pleased to have concluded a charter with CMV and look forward to working closely with their team in successfully establishing Azores on to the British market. Azores is a beautiful ship and has been operating very well in achieving high levels of customer satisfaction. I am proud that she will be carrying CMV passengers next year and for many years to come.”

Full details of CMV’s new ship Azores’ programme alongside Marco Polo and Astor will be unveiled on Tuesday 1 July 2014 when a 2015 first edition preview brochure will be released featuring a cruise collection of over 50 sailings through until October 2015.

AmaWaterways to add second ship to Mekong operation

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

AmaWaterways, the rivercruise line, says it has announced details of its new custom-designed vessel, AmaDara, which will sail the line'sVietnam, Cambodia & The Riches of The Mekongprogramme in 2015. AmaDara is due to make her debut with an inaugural voyage on August 11, 2015 and will join sister ship AmaLotus on the Mekong.

The 124-passenger AmaDara will feature some of the most innovative design in the river cruise industry. Elegant French colonial décor will be accented by authentic art and design elements in all air-conditioned cabins and public spaces. Each of the ship's 62 outside staterooms and luxury suites - the largest on the Mekong at 226-452 square feet - includes a private Twin Balcony, consisting of a French balcony with a second, full-sized, step-out balcony. Two stylish restaurants serve Western-style cuisine as well as locally inspired dishes, using flavours like sweet coconut, lemongrass, chilli and fresh citrus. Entertainment on board includes exclusive folklore dances, live musical performances, cultural discussion forums and themed dinners. Amenities include spa and salon services, a sun deck with swimming pool, a fitness centre and complimentary in-room ‘Infotainment’ with Internet, music, new release movies and TV, the company said in a statement.

Complimentary, free-flowing wine is available with lunch and dinner; while complimentary house spirits, local beer, soft drinks and bottled water are available all day every day and bottled water is provided daily in all staterooms. Shore excursions, meanwhile, are included in every port.

AmaWaterways offers two cruise options on the Mekong; a seven-night, cruise-only itinerary or a 16-day holiday including the cruise and a comprehensive land programme. The 16-day itinerary includes, in addition to the cruise, two nights in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital; a night on board an authentic junk in Halong Bay; three nights in Siem Reap, exploring the ancient temples of Angkor Archeological Park; and two in Ho Chi Minh City.

In Siem Reap, guests will have the chance to visit the Orphans and Disabled Arts Association's (ODA) Free Village English School. A proud sponsor of ODA, AmaWaterways supports this institution in offering young children free English language instruction and providing a safe, comfortable community centre for the village's residents.

Cruise Planners announces executive promotions

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 June 2014 26 June 2014

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, today announced the promotion of three award-winning team members to executive positions – Brian Shultz, Dan Hicks and Cathy Kusuma.

The promotions underline Cruise Planners’ commitment to professional development and the internal growth and cultivation of staff in its South Florida home office and its nationwide network of travel advisors.

"We believe in surrounding ourselves with dedicated, hard-working team players who exemplify our corporate culture," said Vicky Garcia COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel representative. "As Cruise Planners continues to evolve, these travel industry powerhouses are assets to our team and we are proud to have a stellar team of professionals who contribute to the overall success of our operations and truly have a positive ‘Cruisitude.’"

Brian Shultz was promoted to Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations after four and a half years with the company. In his new role, Shultz will be taking on an even greater leadership role within the executive team leveraging his pragmatic, strategic and forward-thinking leadership skills. Shultz, who closely monitors the travel industry and the company, is expected to improve efficiencies and find opportunities for operational enhancements and savings.

On the franchise side, Dan Hicks has been promoted to Vice President of Franchise Development. Under Hicks’ leadership in Franchise Development, Cruise Planners has reached record number of franchisees joining the growing company, which has been ranked on Entrepreneur magazine’s top franchises to own list for 11 consecutive years. Hicks will continue to lead the franchise sales team and focuses on lead generation, process improvement and fiscal management.

Cathy Kusuma has been promoted to Senior Director of Training and Strategic Partnerships where she will continue to manage the new franchisee training class held six times a year, bootcmaps and regional meetings. Kusuma will also overseeing the continual development of Cruise Planners University, and work to secure value-add and training partnerships for Cruise Planers agents.

Kusuma, who was the recipient of the 2013 Rising Star Award by Vacation Agent Magazine, will now spearhead the company’s annual Convention – the largest training and development event of the year.

The promotions mark significant milestones for Cruise Planners, as the company continues to expand and grow internally.

STX France invests in renewables, offshore wind facilities

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

STX France, the French shipbuilder in which the south Korean STX Offshore & Shipbuilding group has a 66% stake and the French government owns the rest, says it will invest €20 million in facilities to cater for renewables and offshore wind business.

“Considering the company’s order book on its ship markets for five years onwards and the related intense activity of its shipbuilding workshops, it has been decided to create new production facilities especially dedicated to renewables and offshore wind activities,” the company said in a statement.

The investment, worth about €20 million, will finance the construction of three workshops dedicated to “jacket” type foundations, transition pieces and electric sub-stations:

• An assembly workshop for « flat » units (dimensions 90 x 35m x 16m) provided with 2 x 60 t cranes.

• A 6,000m2 pre erection area

• A large painting cell (dimensions : 50m x 35m x 25m)

“These facilities will be at the cutting edge of technology with production means and processes mixing the state-of-the-art of digital, automation and standardization technics. It relies on our know-how in the sector of large marine steel structures to meet the requirements of our new customers on the energy markets. Thanks to its efficiency, STX will be in position to contribute actively to the reduction of the offshore energies costs,” the company said.

STX France is a major builder of cruise liners and it has orders from Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises in its current orderbook.