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Saga Holidays to sell range of MSC Cruises products in second partnership deal

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 June 2014 13 June 2014

Saga Holidays, which is part of the UK based Saga plc grop, is to promote and sell a range of MSC Cruises’ itineraries as part of its new third-party cruising programme.

From the end of next month, the over-50s specialist will have allocations across the 12 ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, focusing on fly-cruise sailings, MSC Cruises said in a statement.

A few weeks ago, Saga entered in a similar agreemrent wityh Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destinational cruise operator that has a fleet of four vessels. Saga group itself has two ships of its own that trade under the Saga Cruises’ brand.

MSC Cruises sales and commercial director for UK and Ireland Lee Strongitharm said in the statement that as well as giving the cruise line a new distribution channel, the deal would support efforts to take a greater share of the UK’s early-booking market.

“This new agreement marks another significant step in the growth plans for MSC Cruises in the UK - both parties are focused on producing a high volume of passengers within two years,” he said.

“We have been working well together across all areas of each other’s business and having a lot of fun in the process during this early phase of planning for a July launch.”

MSC Cruises recently unveiled its new Experience Pricing approach for winter 2014/15 and beyond. The pricing structure supports early booking by ensuring the best deals and upgrades are always available furthest from departure date.

Strongitharm added: “Saga Holidays’ customers place a huge amount of trust in the brand and are very loyal, so this partnership is hugely significant. Saga clients can now take advantage of MSC Cruises competitively-priced and extensive fly-cruise programme – these are new customers for us.”

Saga Cruises chief executive Robin Shaw said: "We already operate a highly successful cruise business and are continually looking to expand this in-house operation. However, we also recognise that this venture allows us to reach out to more people, offering greater choice to today's over 50s in terms of experience, destination and duration.

“Customers booking MSC Cruises through Saga will automatically enjoy a range of added extras including our VIP door-to-door service to and from the port or departure airport, and included travel insurance."

P&O Cruises to add Ventura as third Southampton “winter ship” in 2015-16

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 June 2014 12 June 2014

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, will significantly increase its year-round capacity from Southampton in the winter 2015-16, when the 116,017 gross ton Ventura will become the third ship of the company to remain based there year round.

The 3,078 passenger Ventura will join the 1,880 berth Oriana and 2,016 passenger Oceana as year round Southampton based vessels. The 2008 built Ventura, which is based on the Caribbean Princess class of sister company Princess cruises, has a magrodome sliding glass roof over its centre pool, unlike its two year younger sister vessel, Azura.

The company will take delivery of the 143,000 gross ton Britannia early in 2016, which will become the eight vessel of the company.

Wärtsilä, ABB in 10 year technical support agreement with RCCL

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 June 2014 12 June 2014

Wärtsilä Corporarion the Finnish engineering group, says it has signed a 10 year maintenance and technical support agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), which includes a subcontract with ABB Turbocharging. “One of the largest between Wärtsilä and a marine customer, the service agreement covers 142 Wärtsilä engines and 170 ABB turbochargers in 36 vessels,” the company said in a statement.

Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading provider of innovative products, solutions and services, has signed a ten-year maintenance and technical support agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. ABB Turbocharging, the world leader in the manufacture and maintenance of turbochargers for 500 kW to 80+ MW diesel and gas engines, has been subcontracted by Wärtsilä in the servicing of the agreement, which covers 142 Wärtsilä engines and 170 ABB turbochargers in 36 RCL vessels, 32 already in operation and four newbuilds, with an option to add more vessels in the future.

Under the terms of the contract, Wärtsilä will provide a broad range of services for RCCL, including condition monitoring of the engines, individualised technical support, the development and design of new components as well as spare parts supply agreement. ABB Turbocharging will work with Wärtsilä to provide a customised service package for the turbochargers on the vessels, including scheduled and unscheduled spare parts and labour at ABB workshop.

The agreement is one of the largest between Wärtsilä and a marine customer. It supports Wärtsilä's strategy of offering long-term service agreements that allow customers to focus on their core business. ABB's agreement with Wärtsilä will bolster their strategy of responding effectively and intelligently to customers' needs to make a positive, lasting difference in their applications' operation.

"By combining the knowledge from the customer's side with the knowledge and experience from Wärtsilä and ABB, we made this agreement a reality. The contract will enhance the predictability of Royal Caribbean's operational costs, minimise scheduled and unscheduled maintenance costs as well as optimise the planning of maintenance and spare parts deliveries," says Kimmo Kohtamäki, Director of 4-stroke engines at Wärtsilä.

"Our focus has always been to ensure safe, cost-effective and reliable turbocharger operations so that RCL can focus on what is most important of all, namely the safety and comfort of their passengers and their business. We are very pleased to be able to work with Wärtsilä to offer RCL the very best standard in turbocharging," says Axel Kettmann, Senior Vice President and global head of sales, marketing and service at ABB Turbocharging.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates a substantial number of Wärtsilä engines, and has over 40 years of co-operation and partnership with Wärtsilä. Wärtsilä and ABB Turbocharging also have a longstanding collaboration around turbocharging in several key areas, including service agreements, research and development and sales.

Celebrity unveils new Galapagos excursions programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 June 2014 11 June 2014

To celebrate 10 years of offering adventure holidays to the Galapagos Islands, Celebrity Cruises has launched new land excursions that range from dining on authentic cuisine prepared by local residents to contributing to the protected islands by giving new life to a native tree species, the company said in a statement.

Building on 10 years of involvement in the Galapagos Islands, Celebrity Cruises continues its commitment to supporting and empowering the communities of the region with a medical clinic, fishing and agriculture cooperatives, and a partnership with the Galapagos Conservancy which will include a matching programme to double the value of guests’ donations.

New experiences available for guests visiting the unspoiled region include:

· Authentic dining in the Highlands – Dine on local fare at a family’s farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Galapagos. Arranged exclusively by Celebrity Cruises, the immersive experience directly connects visitors with residents of the local community and the beauty of the island, its farms and even the giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat.

· Scalesia Reforestation Project – In close collaboration with the Galapagos National Park in Santa Cruz, guests guided by Celebrity Cruises’ naturalists can join a reforestation project with the goal to plant 5,000 Scalesia trees – an endemic tree that has lost much of its habitat in the Galapagos. This Scalesia-saving project is the first ever of its kind with the Galapagos National Park.

· Collaborating with farmers for onboard menus – The new dining menu onboard Celebrity Xpedition reflects Celebrity Cruises’ effort to preserve the natural conditions and support local farmers in the Galapagos region. Foods sourced from Galapagos Islands’ fishermen and farmers and served onboard include locally caught, sustainable fish and seafood and fresh, organic vegetables and fruits.

· Commemorative Book – Each guest onboard Celebrity Xpedition between June 2014 and December 2015 will receive a coffee table book featuring fun, touching and inspiring stories and photos submitted via Facebook by past guests who have explored the islands with Celebrity Cruises, along with information on the Galapagos Islands environment and community.

The new adventures are included when sailing onboard Celebrity Xpedition, in addition to the daily naturalist-led lectures and excursions on the untouched islands, their highlands and beautiful beaches.

Celebrity Cruises Galapagos sailings range from seven to 15 nights onboard the 98-guest Celebrity Xpedition with prices for an all-inclusive ten-night cruise starting at £5339 per person for an Ocean View Stateroom departing on 5th July 2015 – selected packages feature all-inclusive amenities including adventure gear, chartered luxury air transfers, gourmet cuisine and in-stateroom dining and cocktails.

Celebrity Cruises returns to Taste of London festival

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 June 2014 11 June 2014

London’s top food festival will set sail again this year as Celebrity Cruises returns to bring a taste of its modern luxury restaurants and bars to the event, the copany said in a statement.

"At the popular Taste of London food and drink festival which takes place in Regents Park on 18 to 22 June 2014, food and drink enthusiasts will have the opportunity to attend a series of food and wine tastings, including one of two exclusive sessions with leading wine expert Oz Clarke on Friday 20^th June on the Celebrity Cruises stand, Deck Fourteen," the company said in a statement.

Celebrity Cruises said it offers award winning dining experiences and features one of the largest and rarest wine collections at sea. Visitors will be able to sample food designed exclusively for the event by Celebrity Cruises director of culinary operations, John Suley. Tasting plates are inspired by the Lawn Club Grill, which sits on Deck Fourteen of the brand’s Solstice Class ships. Dishes include Cajun shrimp, Lamb chop and New York strip steak in addition to a selection of wines that are available onboard also picked for the festival by John Suley. Three tasting sittings hosting 16 people at a time will take place per session and visitors can secure a place by signing up at Deck Fourteen on the day.

Visitors to Deck Fourteen will also have the opportunity to win a ten night Eastern Mediterranean cruise for two people onboard Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Cruises’ newest Solstice Class ship.

Jo Rzymowska, managing director Celebrity Cruises UK and Ireland, explains:

“Celebrity Cruises is passionate about offering our guests an exceptional choice of great food and stunning wines and exhibiting at the Taste of London festival is a great way to bring that experience to a new audience on land. Deck Fourteen will offer a unique showcase of wine tasting and food samples created by our own team of experts and we’re delighted that Oz Clarke will be part of the fun this year.”

Visitors to Taste of London sign up for the tasting sessions at Deck Fourteen on the day. Each session costs 6 crowns per person and includes a sample of steak, lamb and prawn dishes inspired by the Lawn Club Grill. Tickets to Taste of London cost from £25.80 (including booking fee) and allow access to over 40 of the top UK restaurants and the cuisine on offer from Celebrity Cruises. Taste of London takes place between 18 and 22 June 2014.