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P&O Cruises introduces new activity tours in the Caribbean

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2014 10 June 2014

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it has introduced new activities in the Caribbean, which it describes as perfect for adventure seekers.

Coral restoration dive experience in Bonaire
This is a rare opportunity for certified divers 15 years and over to become a part of the Coral Restoration Foundation in Bonaire and give something back to the underwater world. The unique hands-on experience is a combination of classroom instruction and dives to two sites where divers assist the CRFB to conduct surveys, collect data and clean or remove predators that can damage the corals. A very worthy cause and extremely rewarding. Prices from £89 per person.

Segway, sights and beach tour in St Lucia
A fun tour for all the family (children must be eight or over), this tour includes a training session at Rodney Bay, before gliding along the two mile nature trail to explore the historical wonders of Mount Primard. Guides will point out the flowers and butterflies, and talk about the battles between the English and French as well as stop for plenty of photo opportunities. Finish the tour at Pigeon Island to relax on the beach or snorkel. Prices from £56 per adult and £45 per child.

Helicopter flight in St Kitts
Feel like James Bond and take a 30 minute flight from Port Zante, sweeping along the rocky and black sand shoreline towards the lush rainforests and enjoy a view of the crater of Mount Liamuiga. As the helicopter swoops back down across the island, enjoy spectacular views of the Brimstone Hill Fortress, Romney Manor, the sister island of Nevis in the distance and a bird’s eye view of the cruise ship before coming into land. Prices from £168 for an adult or child.

P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington said: “There’s so much more to the Caribbean than the usual clichés of palm fringed beaches, turquoise blue waters, stunning sunsets and rum cocktails. These islands actually offer a hotbed of activity and our new tours are perfect for those which want to ditch the sunbed and don the trainers to experience something totally different. You can simply enjoy the rum cocktail afterwards!”

Kristin Chenoweth to play extended role as Quantum experience entertainment advisor

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 June 2014 09 June 2014

Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit of royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) says it is pulling out all the stops when it comes to the entertainment offerings for its newest ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, with a keen eye on pushing boundaries and introducing brand new innovations that have never before been seen on land or sea.

"With such a strong emphasis on entertainment, the cruise line has partnered with some of the most creative and talented minds in the industry to lend their expertise, includingQuantum of the Seas’ godmother, Kristin Chenoweth, who has been named Quantum Experience Advisor for Entertainment. Chenoweth joins a line-up of Quantum Experience Advisors who are working with Royal Caribbean to ensure the features and activities onboard Quantum of the Seasare nothing short of amazing, including HGTV-star and interior designer Genevieve Gorder, athlete and adventurer Dhani Jones, and James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz," the company said in a statement.

An Emmy and Tony award-winning performer, Chenoweth brings an invaluable perspective to her role as Advisor for Entertainment. As Advisor, she’s had the opportunity to participate in an executive review committee, previewing the concepts for all of the shows, productions, and themed events in development for Quantum of the Seas, and giving feedback on every aspect ranging from sets and music, to costumes, casting and more.

“Kristin is by far our most involved godmother yet and it is such a joy to be working with her,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Executive Vice President, Operations, Royal Caribbean International.

“We are privileged to have a world renowned performer such as her, sharing insights and feedback on the entertainment that we are so passionate about. Seeing the excitement and energy she has for what we are doing with Quantum of the Seas is such a powerful reinforcement that we are creating something truly special.”

“It has been such a wonderful experience to be the godmother for this incredible ship, and I am delighted to make my contribution as the Quantum Experience Advisor for Entertainment,” said Chenoweth.

“I have been blown away by what I’ve seen so far from the entertainment onboard Quantum of the Seas and am just so impressed, and that’s not easy to do. This is the real deal, and audiences have a lot to look forward to.”

Kristin Chenoweth, alongside Nick Weir, Royal Caribbean’s Vice President, Entertainment, will be hosting a live Google Hangout on Wednesday, 11 June 2014 at 9p.m. (UK time), to reveal the lineup of entertainment offerings onboard Quantum of the Seas. Media and consumers alike are invited to preview the next evolution in Royal Caribbean’s entertainment, and have the opportunity to submit questions to Kristin and Nick directly. The Google Hangout can be accessed athttp://bit.ly/1j6EH6S.

The groundbreaking Quantum-class ships, Quantum of the Seas and sister-ship Anthem of the Seas (debuting in Southampton, U.K. in April 2015), will introduce a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences, such as Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey above the sea; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever. Guests also will enjoy the new Quantum-class Dynamic Dining, a completely new culinary experience that offers a landscape of 18 restaurant concepts as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, including specialty restaurants created with partner-chefs Jamie Oliver, Devin Alexander and Michael Schwartz.

Two taken to hospital as minor fire breaks out on Quantum of the Seas

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

Two persons were admitted to hospital on Thursday, 5 June, after a minor fire broke out on board Quantum of the Seas that is under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany.

The fire started in a cabin on deck 3 and it was quickly put out by the firefighters of the year and of the municipality of Papenburg, the shipyard said in a statement.

The damage caused by the fire is estimatedat €50,000, the yard added. The cauuse of the fire has not ben established yet.

Genting Hong Kong Limited held signing ceremony for US$1.6 billion vessel financing facilities

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 June 2014 05 June 2014

Genting Hong Kong Limited completed the ceremonial signing of vessel financing facilities in connection with the company’s two new mega cruise ships that are being constructed by Meyer Werft of Papenburg, Germany for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2017, respectively. The two term loan facilities provide an aggregate financing of up to the US dollar equivalent of EUR1.2 billion (approximately US$1.6 billion at today’s exchange rate) and each has a term of 12 years from the delivery of the vessel. The financing is backed by export credit insurance issued by the German Federal Government.

“The two new cruise ships to be purpose-built for the Asian market will reinforce Star Cruises’ leading position in Asia-Pacific and our commitment to develop the region as an international cruise destination. We are pleased to have secured financing from our key banks that share our vision and we are grateful for their staunch support," said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Genting Hong Kong. The signing ceremony was held at Genting Hong Kong’s headquarters.

The mandated lead arrangers for both vessel financing facilities are, in alphabetical order, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, DNB Bank ASA (Singapore Branch) and KfW IPEX-Bank. KfW IPEX-Bank has structured the overall financing and also serves as the facility, Hermes and CIRR agent.

P&O Cruises attracts big cheese to culinary line up

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 June 2014 05 June 2014

P&O Cruises has enhanced its speciality culinary offering on new ship Britannia with the introduction of international cheese judge and expert Charlie Turnbull.

Turnbull, who runs an award-winning delicatessen and cheese shop in Shaftesbury, Dorset and writes regular magazine columns on the subject, will be consulting on the range of British and artisan cheeses in the atrium Market Café and in the fine dining Epicurean restaurant. Following the launch of the ship in March next year, Turnbull will also be travelling several times a year to host cheese and beer/ale tastings on board as well as hosting cheese related shore excursions.

P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington said: “Britannia will have a real emphasis on authenticity across all aspects of the ship, whether that relates to the design, the entertainment or the variety of dining and ingredients. In each of these areas we have consulted and worked with the experts in the field. Even a detail such as cheese is no exception and in Charlie Turnbull we have a recognized master cheesemonger.”

The P&O Cruises Food Heroes concept embraces some of the biggest talent in the British culinary scene. These include James Martin, Eric Lanlard, Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar and wine expert Olly Smith.

“The Market Café will be the social hub of the ship with an informal café style atmosphere. Whether it is patisserie from Eric Lanlard, a plate of British charcuterie or a tasting selection of artisan cheeses chosen by Charlie, paired with a local British beer, we will showcase the best of the best from the best.”

Charlie Turnbull said: “I am really very excited about choosing a team of the best British and European cheeses for Britannia. In this World Cup year Britain would have every chance to win a Cheese World Cup with the cheeses being made here right now. Britannia is a unique opportunity for them to be seen and enjoyed.

“As Britannia will be the sailing ambassador of the best of British food, I am delighted to be the shepherd of her cheeses as she travels the world. I will also be taking advantage of ports of call in the Mediterranean to guest some local cheeses, as well as getting on shore with fellow travellers and seeking out local specialities to compare with our own.”

The Market Café will offer tasting notes for all the cheeses and suggestions to pair with wines and beers while cheese will also be served in the Epicurean restaurant, high up on deck 16. The Epicurean will be the place to go for a stunning, contemporary menu of molecular cooking, home smoking, ingredients with noted provenance and even flaming jellies.