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Explorer of the Seas to homeport in Southampton in 2015

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 March 2014 31 March 2014

Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas will sail its very first Europe season in summer 2015. The cruise line’s Adventure of the Seas, which was originally announced to homeport at Southampton, U.K., is being exchanged for Explorer of the Seas, which will take over three- to 16-night, roundtrip itineraries from late-April through Sept. 2015. Vacationers can choose among three- and eight-night Northern Europe itineraries, 11- to 16-night Mediterranean itineraries, or 10- to 14-night Madeira, Azores and Canary Islands itineraries. Adventure of the Seas will remain at San Juan, Puerto Rico, to sail seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises throughout the summer season.

Explorer of the Seas will complete an extensive, month-long drydock revitalization before starting seasonal service and boast a wide range of new innovative features to offer guests an unforgettable onboard experience. Guests can test their surfing skills on a new FlowRider surf simulator; watch a film come to life in a magical 3-D Movie theatre; and sample cuisine from around the world in a new range of onboard restaurants. There will also be all-new staterooms and luxurious suites, plus new virtual balconies that bring live ocean and destination views into interior staterooms. Additional revitalization details will be unveiled at a later date.

Voyager-class Explorer of the Seas is still among the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships, featuring Royal Caribbean exclusive onboard amenities not yet matched by any other cruise line. The Voyager class of ships was the first to introduce the active cruise vacation and features the cruise line’s iconic rock-climbing wall, a real ice-skating rink, a full-size basketball and sports court, and the Royal Promenade, an interior boulevard that runs nearly the length of the ship that is flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques and where spectacular parades and evening dance parties are held.

Explorer of the Seas will be joined in the U.K. by the industry’s ground-breaking Quantum-class ship Anthem of the Seas at Southampton and Radiance-class Brilliance of the Seas at Harwich, England. Only just revealed last week, the Quantum Class will introduce the new Dynamic Dining experience, offering more choice and flexibility than ever before. With Dynamic Dining, guests are empowered to decide when, where, and with whom to dine – as well as how to dress every evening – among a landscape of 18 restaurants as varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. For more information about the new Dynamic Dining experience, please visit .

Along with its sister-ship Quantum of the Seas, the 4,180-guest, 167,800 gross tonnage Anthem of the Seas – both currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany – will be a dramatic leap forward for the cruise industry and introduce more game-changing “firsts at sea” such as a skydiving experience call RipCord by iFLY (http://bit.ly/1h3lt5f), and the North Star (http://bit.ly/1c3qiFU), an engineering marvel featuring a jewel like capsule that extends 300 feet above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver 360-degree views for guests. Cutting-edge transformative venues include SeaPlex (http://bit.ly/1c3qiFU), 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. These new, larger staterooms (http://bit.ly/1c3qLrC) enable innovation in design, storage and comfort including the industry’s first virtual balconies. More information on Quantum class of ships is available at RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas.

Britannia first day bookings rise 81% vs Azura despite IT glitch

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 March 2014 31 March 2014

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, saw an 81% increase in bookings for Britannia on opening day compared to the launch of its last ship Azura that was introduced in 2010, Travel Weekly reports.

Chris Truscott, sales and distribution support director, said there had been massive demand despite issues with the company’s IT system which caused problems for agents and customers attempting to make bookings. "We were having problems with our systems the night before, and then they went down on the morning as we opened to bookings. It was a combination of problems with the system and bad timing, being the first day of bookings," he was quoted as saying.

Truscott said bookings showed a 24% increase on the best ever ship launch for Ventura, introduced in 2008, and that the "vast, vast majority of bookings made been made by agents."

He said the systems went down and then eventually P&O was able to take bookings through its contact centre which is normally open to just consumers but was available to agents during the system failure. He said agents made bookings through his method and then by 10.30 both systems were back up and running.

The 143,000 gross ton Britannia will be the largest ship in the P&O Cruises’ fleet and it will take the number of ships the company has to eight.

Uniworld christens its latest "Super Ship"

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 March 2014 29 March 2014

Uniworld launched its new "Super Ship," the S.S. Catherine on March 27, 2014 in Lyon, France following a christening ceremony. The ship’s Godmother, famous French actress Catherine Deneuve, led the red-carpet event complete with a live band and a ceremonial breaking of a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne across the bow. The inauguration was attended by 150 industry guests who will then experience the three-day sailing launch of Uniworld’s newest addition.

Like its sister ships, the S.S. Antoinette and River Beatrice, the S.S. Catherine has many unique features and was expertly designed by Mrs. Beatrice Tollman, President and Founder of Uniworld’s sister company The Red Carnation Hotel Collection; her daughter, Toni Tollman; and Brian Brennan, Projects Director. The ship offers 80 staterooms, 5 suites and one Royal Presidential Suite.

Decorations include original commissioned and antique artwork alongside exquisite details reflected throughout the Uniworld fleet. A unique, magnificent Murano chandelier decorates the lobby alongside a glass elevator, which features a waterfall cascading down one side. The S.S. Catherine boasts a signature Bar du Leopard, complete with cinema facilities, referencing the famous Leopard Lounges found in some Red Carnation Hotels. The Super Ship also features a spacious Van Gogh Lounge, elegant Cézanne Restaurant, cozy bistro, coffee and tea bar, swimming pool, Serenity River Spa, fireplace and fitness center.

Like all Uniworld ships, the S.S. Catherine serves high-quality cuisine made from the finest ingredients. Daily visits to the local farmers’ markets ensure that Uniworld guests can expect gourmet dishes for every meal.

“I am confident that the S.S. Catherine will continue setting the standard of excellence in luxury river cruising,” said Guy Young, President of Uniworld. “She will allow us to offer more capacity to support our popular Burgundy and Provence and Grand France itineraries.”

Europe shines, Egypt suffers in 2013 UK river cruise bookings

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 March 2014 27 March 2014

The continued investment in new river cruise ships has led to a 22% increase in the number of UK passengers taking a European river holiday in 2013, but the continued unrest in Egypt has hit badly the business on the Nile, figures released by Cruise Lines’ International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland show.

The number of British passengers on European river cruises in 2013 increased to 109,800 from 90,000 in the previous year, while those cruising outside Europe numbered 21,700, a sharp fall from 39,800 in the previous year. Nile lost 57% of the business, with just 12,200 British passengers last year, while the Far East suffered a fall of 38% to 4,300 passengers.

“European river cruising is in the process of a major product re-invention and this is reflected by UK travel agents reporting a surge in demand for river cruises. In just the last two years (2012-13), 27 new ships have been introduced on Europe’s rivers and 24 more are due during 2014,” CLIA said.

The previous generation of river cruise ships were small with few if any cabins with balconies. Dining was limited to one venue and fixed times while entertainment options were limited. This has changed radically with the new generation of ships.

A third of European river cruise ships have been built within the last ten years - a quarter within the last five. These are larger than their predecessors with some having a new-style twin-deck design. They also offer the kind of multiple dining venues, spa facilities and range of cabins with balconies which have already combined to transform the ocean cruising.

Another key change is that most river cruise brands have now moved towards a more comprehensive and easier-to-understand all-inclusive pricing model, CLIA stated.

Royal Caribbean Quantum class ships to feature UK chef Jamie Oliver restaurant

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 March 2014 27 March 2014

Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, says it has teamed up with Jamie Oliver, the British celebrity chef, who will have his restaurant on the two Quantum class ships the line has on order.

"In yet another first for Britain’s best loved chef, Jamie’s Italian and leading holiday company Royal Caribbean International today announce that it will open the first Jamie Oliver eaterie at sea. The company’s most innovative resort ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will feature a Jamie’s Italian. ‘Anthem of the Seas’ will open to guests during spring 2015 and sail from Southampton whilst ‘Quantum of the Seas’ will open to guests during autumn 2014 and sail from New York," Royal Caribbean said.

The addition of Jamie’s Italian to the restaurant portfolio aboard the Royal Caribbean ships reflects the holiday company’s plans to completely reimagine dining at sea. Smaller, flexible and personalised main restaurants and a collection of smaller, modern and distinct eateries such as ‘Jamie’s Italian’ and experiential restaurant ‘Wonderland’ will cater for the full spectrum of food lover. The new approach to dining will feature exclusively on Royal Caribbean International ships ‘Quantum of the Seas’ and ‘Anthem of the Seas’ replacing the Captain’s Table style dining usually associated with the cruise holiday experience.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Royal Caribbean, a brand that continually pushes the limits of what’s possible, to debut my very first restaurants at sea onboard the new Quantum-class ships,” said Jamie Oliver. “Royal Caribbean shares my approach to food and dining, which is to serve simple, fresh ingredients in a warm, inviting ambience. I couldn’t be more excited to bring my love of Italian cooking to their guests with Jamie’s Italian. It’s going to be brilliant!”

Since opening its first restaurant in Oxford in May 2008, Jamie’s Italian has become one of the biggest success stories in high street eating. The quality of the food and service, coupled with the affordability of the food, has meant that customers return time and time again. The casual dining experience is based on offering tasty and simple Italian food, using only the best fresh ingredients. All produce used in Jamie’s Italian is higher welfare and the restaurants aboard the Royal Caribbean ships will be no different.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Executive Vice President, Operations, Royal Caribbean International explains “Jamie Oliver is known for pushing the boundaries within the world of food and Royal Caribbean has a history of pioneering many firsts within the holiday industry. With ‘Jamie’s Italian’ creating unique but accessible dining with food that is at its freshest and ethically sourced, we are able to guarantee guests will only be served the freshest Italian dishes possible while on holiday with Royal Caribbean. This is just one element of a revolutionised dining concept to ensure the options we have on board reflect what today’s modern family looks for from their holiday.”