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Norwegian launches new travel partner portal

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

To further support its commitment to the travel partner community, Norwegian Cruise Line has launched an all new web-based Travel Agent Portal called Norwegian Central, making it simpler than ever for partners to access all of the tools they need to learn about, promote, and sell Norwegian cruises. A key element of Norwegian’s Partners First initiative, the new portal’s main feature is a single sign on, giving partners easy access to Norwegian’s Marketing Headquarters, NCL University, the line’s new booking engine and more, in one centralized, convenient location.

Norwegian Central features a user-friendly interface that is organized into four easy-to-navigate sections: Book Norwegian, Research & Promotional Tools, Cruise Enhancements, and Connect with Us. Under the Book Norwegian section, partners can book new reservations, manage existing reservations, or review weekly promotions and pricing information. The Research and Promotional Tools section offers information such as itineraries, deck plans and ship facts. Within the Cruise Enhancements section, partners can conveniently learn more about Norwegian’s dining options, onboard activities by ship, and details about hotel and transfer programs. Finally, in the Connect with Us section, agents can search for their local Business Development Manager and headquarter-based Business Development Specialist contacts, view a calendar of upcoming webinars, access archived presentations, find information on the Ask Away program, read the latest from Andy Stuart’s blog and much more.

“We want our partners to know that we are listening, and making meaningful changes to help serve them better,” says Andy Stuart, executive vice president of global sales and passenger services. “After talking with our partners and getting their direct feedback, it was clear that a new, centralized source of information is what they need to be successful selling Norwegian. Our travel partners are the key to our success, so it is important for us to continue investing in their success.”

Partners can explore the new portal today by visiting www.norwegiancentral.com and logging in with their existing BookNCL username and password.

Oceania Cruises takes its 1,000,000th booking

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 June 2014 04 June 2014

Oceania Cruises has taken its 1,000,000th booking, just over ten years since the luxury cruise line was founded by cruise industry veterans Frank Del Rio and Bob Binder. The company operates a five ship fleet, offering worldwide cruises from 7 – 180 days on three 684-guest ships, Insignia, Nautica and Regatta, which have just completed a $50m refurbishment programme, and two 1250-guest ships, Marina and Riviera, which debuted in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

The upper-premium line has made a name for itself by offering destination-intensive sailings at a tremendous value, and ongoing partnerships with Bon Appétit and Wine Spectator, as well as a focus on all things culinary have also earned the line the unofficial reputation “The Best Value in Luxury Cruising.”

Lloyd Werft to fit new engines, balconies on Artania

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 June 2014 04 June 2014

Lloyd Wertf Bremerhaven, the German ship repair and conversion specialist, has won an order from V-Ships to re-engine and to fit new balconies on the 1984 built Artania that is operated by Phoenix Seereisen.

“The conversion of P & O Cruises’ Artemis into Artania two years ago for V.Ships/Phoenix Seereisen inside just 28 days was a demanding and attractive job. Now the 44,588 gross ton cruise liner, the biggest in the Phoenix fleet, is returning to Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven at the end of September – only this time for 76 days and considerably more comprehensive work,” the shipyard said in a statement.

“The latest conversion covers new engines, a new diesel generator, new balconies for 152 cabins, new suppressors, the modernisation of the fresh water system and extensive repairs and drydock work,” it said. Artania will arrive on 27 September and go back into service on 6 December.

Lloyd Werft Chairman Rüdiger Pallentin said he is a satisfied man: "We won this large contract - which is very demanding in every respect - over some stiff competition from other yards," he says. Lloyd Werft’s order books were already well-filled but Pallentin adds "now we are chock-full. There’s just no room for any more at the moment. Sometimes the yard is simply too small."

Destination matters more than price, Fred. Olsen survey finds

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 June 2014 04 June 2014

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational cruise line, says it has conducted a survey of its guests post-cruise to determine their motivation in booking, and has found that, out of approximately 20,000 responses itinerary and destination are more important factors than the low price of the cruise holiday, scoring 39% and 16% respectively.

In addition, the convenience of regional departure ports has also proven to be a key factor for guests when booking their cruise holiday, scoring higher than onboard facilities and entertainment.

The full findings of the survey, conducted over the last 12 months, are as follows:

Itinerary / Destination – 39%

Low Price – 16%

Departure Port – 15%

Convenient Departure Date – 13%

Onboard Facilities – 7%

Onboard Entertainment – 5%

Short Cruise Duration – 5%

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, we are exceptionally proud of our traditional, more intimate style of cruising and renowned friendliness across our fleet. We also offer exceptional value for money on our cruises, and were delighted to be voted ‘Best Affordable Cruise Line’ by Cruise International magazine’s readers in 2012 and 2013."

“However, just as importantly, we also offer one of the most extensive and innovative ranges of itineraries and destination experiences of any cruise line, and it is for this reason that over half of our guests have cruised with us before. With Fred. Olsen, every cruise is tailored and unique, and we strive to bring the world closer to everyone in the UK through our regional departures and smaller ships.”

In 2015/16, Fred. Olsen’s cruise programme will see its four ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca andBlack Watch – visit no fewer than 245 destinations in 81 countries around the globe, including 42 countries on its 2016 ‘Grand Voyages’ alone.

Sailing from ten convenient, regional UK departures ports – Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Bristol (Avonmouth), Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow) and Belfast – Fred. Olsen’s ships will be positioned within only a 90-minute drive from 80% of its guests, reinforcing Fred. Olsen’s reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line’.

Fred. Olsen will be embarking on its inaugural African ‘Grand Voyage’ on board Boudicca in 2016, of 76 nights’ duration – the first time that this smaller, more traditional ship has ever been deployed on such a long cruise – and will be calling at the new and exotic ports of Luanda (Angola), Maputo (Mozambique) and Zanzibar (Tanzania).

Fred. Olsen’s 115-night ‘Around the World’ ‘Grand Voyage’ on Black Watch in 2016 will be taking in a grand total of 27 countries, visiting the maiden port of Tuticorin, in India, as well as the popular destinations of Yangon, capital of Myanmar (formerly Burma), and Komodo Island, home to the famous Dragons, which is only accessible by sea.

Following their tremendous popularity in 2014, Fred. Olsen will be offering even more river cruising itineraries in 2015/16, on Braemar – which is ideal, with its shallow draft – taking in the French rivers, the German waterways and a Spanish itinerary, cruising up the Guadalquivir to the centre of Seville.

Another feature of Fred. Olsen’s 2015/16 cruise programme is its series of ‘Into the Heart of the Baltic’ voyages. These specially-written Baltic itineraries allow Braemar to dock at ports and berths right in the city centre, giving guests easy access to some of the Baltic’s most spectacular sights.

Fred. Olsen will also be offering two Adriatic cruises – one on Black Watch from Liverpool in April 2015 and the other on Braemar from Dover in September 2015 – staying overnight in Venice, Italy, where Fred. Olsen’s smaller-sized ships can still call, and offering the amazing ports of Kotor (Montenegro),Durres (Albania) and ‘picture perfect’ Dubrovnik, in Croatia, which is one of Fred. Olsen guests’ favourites.

In 2015/16, Fred. Olsen’s fleet will be undertaking even more ‘scenic cruising’, visiting 51 picturesque locations, including Lysefjord – one of the ‘pearls of Norway’, featuring ‘Preikestolen’ (‘Pulpit Rock’) and ‘Mount Kjerag’ (‘The Mountain Bolt’) – the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, and the Turku and Stockholm archipelagos.

Holland America Line's Volendam to add 21 lanai staterooms and Mix bar area at end of 2014

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 June 2014 03 June 2014

When Holland America Line's Volendam completes dry-dock in December 2014, the ship will feature 21 new exclusive lanai staterooms, the contemporary bar area Mix and updated bathrooms in all suites and select other stateroom categories. With the conversion of existing outside staterooms to the new lanai accommodations, Volendam's guest capacity of 1,432 will not change.

The unique lanai accommodations feature large sliding-glass doors with direct access to the Lower Promenade wrap-around teak walking deck. Each lanai stateroom includes reserved deck chairs, and the sliding-glass doors have a one-way mirrored coating to ensure privacy. Holland America Line ships already outfitted with lanai staterooms are Maasdam, Rotterdam and Veendam.

"Volendam's itineraries in Alaska and other scenic parts of the world are ideal for direct promenade deck access and the enhanced views of the popular lanai layout," said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line's executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest relations. "We're also making other exciting enhancements to the ship, and adding Mix presents a stylish multi-themed venue for our guests to mingle and enjoy themselves."

During the dry dock, all suite bathrooms will also be updated to feature new whirlpool bathtubs, stone vanities, lighted mirrors, Grohe fixtures, floors, walls and sinks. Several additional categories, including the Lanai Staterooms, will also receive new bathroom appointments and walk-in showers.

Volendam's centrally located bars will be reconfigured to feature Mix, a space that incorporates three specialty theme bars: Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales.

Martinis serves 19 Grey Goose martinis elegantly offered in individual shakers as well as a full range of cocktails. Guests can also enjoy a martini flight made up of several mini martini concoctions. A featured cocktail is Holland America Line's signature martini, the Yellow Tulip, a mixture of Grey Goose vodka, lychee juice, pineapple juice, guava juice, coconut cream and fresh lime juice.

The bubbly flows at Champagne, which offers a selection of 20 champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world. This venue will offer events such as late champagne breakfast, pre-lunch Mimosa and Bellini hour, champagne tea time and pre-dinner champagne hour with caviar canapés.

Spirits & Ales features an international selection of beers and premium whiskeys and brandies sure to impress even the most discerning connoisseur. Here guests can drop by to enjoy a wide array of beers on tap while watching sporting events or relax after some shopping in the nearby boutiques.

Ships that already have Mix are Maasdam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Statendam and Veendam.