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Rauma shipyard celebrates the launch and christening of Spirit of Tasmania IV

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 October 2023 27 October 2023

Today, Rauma shipyard celebrated the launch and christening of 48,000 gross ton Spirit of Tasmania IV, a vessel Rauma Marine Constructions is building for the Tasmanian TT-Line Company. The ship is the first of two identical car and passenger ferries that will replace similarly Finnish-built sister ships.

The new vessels will operate on an extremely challenging route across the Bass Strait between Geelong, Victoria, and Devonport, Tasmania. The ferries have been specially designed to undertake this specific route.

The Spirit of Tasmania IV was christened at the RMC shipyard. The vessel’s godmother is Deborah Grainger from Australia. The christening was done using locally produced sparkling wine from Tasmania, Jansz Vintage Cuvee.

The keel laying of the newly launched Spirit of Tasmania IV was celebrated at Rauma shipyard exactly one year ago in October 2022. The production of the vessel’s sister ship, Spirit of Tasmania V, was celebrated with a traditional steel cutting ceremony in December 2022.

“We are excited to start a new phase in the construction of the vessel as the work shifts from building the ship’s hull to interior work and systems implementation. This also means that we are able to start constructing the second vessel’s hull in the construction pool," says Johanna Kaijo, Project Manager of Spirit of Tasmania at RMC.

After the launch, the work will shift from hull construction to equipment assembly and interior work. The focus will be on finishing plumbing and electrics as well as interior design for the hotel area. Furthermore, the work around the vessel’s engine room and car deck will continue. The equipment assembly phase will continue with the implementation of various systems, culminating in sea trials conducted before the handing out of the vessel.

TT-Line Company is a significant player in maritime transport between mainland Australia and Tasmania, and the large-scale project is the biggest individual foreign sale between Australia and Finland. The company employs over 600 people and transports over 450,000 passengers annually. Spirit of Tasmania is widely recognised for its contribution to the Australian tourism industry and for fostering economic development by providing world-class passenger and freight services.

RMC building three vessels side by side

The construction of the two vessels will create a total of around 3,500 person-years’ worth of employment at the Rauma shipyard between 2021 and 2024. Rauma shipyard will soon see the construction of three ships simultaneously as the construction of the first multi-role corvettes for the Finnish Navy will begin on 30 October 2023. The project comprises four vessels in total. The project will be finished in its entirety by 2029, and its direct impact on employment in Finland is approximately 3,600 person-years.

Entirely domestically owned, RMC has an orderbook worth approximately EUR 1.2 billion that extends all the way to the year 2028.

Before the Spirit of Tasmania vessels, RMC has built several technologically advanced commercial vessels. Last year, RMC handed over to Tallink Silja the energy-efficient car and passenger ferry MyStar that operates the route between Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland. In 2021, RMC handed over to Wasaline the car and passenger ferry Aurora Botnia which has won international awards for its sustainability.

“We at Rauma work every day to enhance our expertise in shipbuilding, striving to become stronger and more modern,” says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC.

Windstar replaces Middle East with winter Mediterranean sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 October 2023 27 October 2023

Windstar Cruises has announced its new winter and holiday sailing itineraries from December 2023 to April 2024, offering travelers the opportunity to discover iconic ports like Barcelona, Nice, Florence/Livorno , Marseille, and Rome in an entirely different light aboard the all-suite, 312-guest, Star Legend.

"The ship was originally scheduled to sail in the Middle East. We’ve postponed our launch in that region to begin in November 2024,” said Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog. "With a ship in the Mediterranean, we saw an opportunity to offer guests a legendary winter season in Europe. Our small ships and intimate atmosphere provide a truly unique way to explore Europe's winter wonderlands, while enjoying the magic of the season and the comforts and casual luxury that Windstar is known for."

While the allure of summer in the Mediterranean is undeniable, the quieter, more intimate charm of the winter months offers an exclusive perspective on these timeless destinations. These seven-night itineraries have been carefully designed for guests to take advantage of fewer crowds and easier access to museums, cultural events, historical landmarks, as well as local cuisine and genuine engagement with locals. The itineraries offer guests a blend of cultural exploration and festive celebrations that can only be enjoyed during the winter season through Spring.

New weeklong cruises in the Mediterranean will be offered from December 2023 through April 2024. Sixteen cruises sail between Rome and Barcelona (or reverse) visiting Florence & Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Marseille, France with overnights in the iconic cities of Rome, Barcelona and Monte Carlo. The last of the new Mediterranean series is an 8-night cruise from Rome to Athens visiting the Amalfi Coast and Greece. A Christmas holiday sailing can be booked as a 8- or 9-day cruise, the latter including New Year’s Eve.

Travelers can participate in some of Europe’s most magical winter experiences including holiday markets and ice skating in Nice, France; Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Trevi Fountain excursions in Rome during the holidays; and Florence’s spectacular Light Festival, among many other once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Guests will also have several extraordinary holiday opportunities including the option to celebrate Christmas eve and day in Rome; ring in the New Year in Barcelona; spend Valentine’s Day in Nice; or enjoy Carnevale celebrations in both Spain and Italy at the end of February.

The schedule change has presented Windstar with the opportunity to position its all-suite Star Legend in Cannes in early December to coincide with the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) conference. Windstar executives including Prelog, Vice President of Sales Dianna Rom, and Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava will be on hand to showcase to those in attendance the ship’s renovation completed as part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative and with an opportunity to sail on a 2-night cruise to Rome after the event. For travel partners and media interested in touring or sailing, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Windstar Cruises’ new winter sailings will be ready for purchase on November 6, 2023.

MSC Cruises updates winter 2023-24 itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 October 2023 27 October 2023

MSC Cruises has cancelled MSC Orchestra full winter schedule, which consisted of sailing in the Red Sea from November 8, 2023 to April 17, 2024, due to the proximity of some ports of call to Israel as well as the number of restrictions in the bordering countries that would have adversely affected passengers’ travel experiences.

The line is also making changes to some of its other itineraries to ensure the safety of guests and crew, in light of the current geopolitical situation, travel restrictions issued by local authorities in certain destinations, and various government advisories against travel to certain areas.

MSC Sinfonia’s winter schedule has also been cancelled from November 12, 2023 to April 15, 2024, as the ship’s itinerary was focused on Haifa, Israel. MSC Cruises has also made some minor changes to the Grand Voyages itineraries for MSC Virtuosa, MSC Opera and MSC Splendida, as well as two 11-night sailings on MSC Armonia.
Guests affected by the itinerary changes can move their cruise to an alternative ship and itinerary of a similar length. They can also request a full refund.

The safety of guests and crew is always MSC Cruises’ top priority. As this is an evolving situation, the line will continue to monitor the situation and modify ship itineraries if necessary.

Cruise tourism generates record A$5.63 billion for Australian economy

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 October 2023 23 October 2023

Australia’s cruise industry has generated a record A$5.63 billion for the national economy in its first year of revival, bringing new levels of employment and visitor spending to destinations around the country.

An economic impact assessment jointly commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA) shows cruising has rebounded rapidly since local operations resumed in mid-2022, bringing significant economic impact to every state and coastal territory.

The assessment shows A$5.63 billion in total economic output generated by cruise tourism in Australia during the 2022-23 financial year, a 22.1% increase over 2018-19*. It shows cruise tourism supported a total employment of 18,225 full time equivalent positions around Australia, and total wages worth A$1.82 billion to Australian workers.

CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said the economic impact from cruise tourism last financial year was the highest ever recorded in Australia.

“Cruising returned to Australia much later than other parts of the world, but the ships have been resoundingly welcomed by cruise fans who have been heading back to sea in huge numbers,” Katz said. “The 2022-23 year has brought higher levels of passenger spending, higher levels of cruise line spending, and record levels of economic output around Australia. The result is a resurgent cruise industry worth A$5.63 billion to the Australian economy.”

ACA Chief Executive Officer Jill Abel said the level of employment supported by cruising was also at a record high, bringing renewal to dozens of tourism destinations around the country.

“Cruise ships visited more Australian destinations than ever in 2022-23, reaching 62 communities around our coast,” Abel said. “Together these destinations welcomed 1,354 ship visits, which generates enormous income for businesses like tourism operators, hotels and restaurants, retailers, transport providers and port operators. The supply chain that supports cruising is extensive, from the travel agents who manage the passengers’ arrangements through to the farmers who provide Australian produce served on board.”

The Value of Cruise Tourism economic impact assessment for Australia was prepared by AEC Group on behalf of CLIA and the ACA. Its key findings for 2022-23 show:

– A total economic output of A$5.63 billion nationally (up 22.1% over 2018-19*), including direct output of A$2.50 billion.
– Total employment of 18,225 full time equivalent positions nationally (up 9.9%), with total wages income of A$1.82 billion (up 35.7%).
– A total of 62 Australian ports and destinations visited, welcoming a combined 1,354 ship visits.
– A total of 3.35 million passenger visit days (down 4.1% due to fewer ships operating in the region during the industry’s recovery phase).
– Direct passenger expenditure of A$1.49 billion (up 10.6%) and direct crew expenditure of A$52.0 million (up 48.1%).
– An average passenger spend per day on shore of A$446 per person (up 15.2%). Average crew spend per day on shore A$137 per person (up 7.9%).
– The largest beneficiary of direct passenger expenditure was the hotel and accommodation sector which received A$457.1 million, or 30.6% of passenger spending. Other beneficiaries included food & beverage (A$300.1 million, 20.1%), shore excursions (A$194.3 million, 13.0%), transport (A$208.8 million, 14.0%), retail shopping (A$163.1 million, 10.9%) and entertainment (A$57.8 million, 3.9%).
– Direct cruise line expenditure of A$1.17 billion (up 8.3%).
– Cruise line expenditure included A$227 million (up 1.4%) paid to Australian ports and governments.
– New South Wales recorded the biggest benefit from cruising with a total economic impact of A$2.75 billion, or 48.8%) of the national total, which supported 8,908 full time equivalent jobs.
– Queensland is the country’s second-largest cruise economy, with a total economic output of A$1.69 billion, or 29.9% of the national total, which supported 5,546 full time equivalent jobs.
– Victoria recorded a total economic impact of A$379.5 million, which supported 1,173 full time equivalent jobs, followed by Western Australia (A$333.5 million, 1,055 jobs), South Australia (A$215.4 million, 704 jobs), Tasmania (A$144.1 million, 455 jobs) and the Northern Territory (A$127.3 million, 384 jobs).

*All comparisons are to 2018-19, the previous complete year of cruise operations in Australia. This year’s economic impact assessment adopted a revised methodology to calculate the direct economic output generated by cruise tourism expenditure, aligning with methodologies used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This shows a record level of total economic output, despite being a more conservative method of calculation. Figures for 2018-19 comparisons have been adjusted in line with the new methodology.

Norwegian Cruise Line returns to Asia for the first time in three years

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 October 2023 19 October 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 56-year history, today celebrates its long-awaited return to Asia as Norwegian Jewel set sail from Tokyo and commenced its extensive six-month season of voyages in the region.

As the first ship in the NCL fleet to return to Asia in over three years, Norwegian Jewel will offer 16 immersive and port-rich itineraries, visiting 11 countries and sailing from nine different departure ports, including Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Thailand; Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) Malaysia; Singapore; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; Bali (Benoa), Indonesia; Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan; and for the first time in NCL history Seoul (Incheon), South Korea.

Cruises range in length from 10 to14 days with an average of less than two sea days per sailing, inviting guests to enjoy up to 13.5 hours in iconic destinations like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as well as extended overnight stays in places that come alive at night, such as Phuket, Thailand; Osaka, Japan; and Bali (Benoa), Indonesia. The brand will also make its first calls to Manila, Boracay, Palawan and Salomague, Philippines; Bintan Island, Indonesia; and Hualien, Taiwan.

"Today is a milestone moment, as we return to Asia with Norwegian Jewel’s arrival to Tokyo," said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. "We pride ourselves in delivering the best vacation experience and providing endless opportunities for our guests to explore the world…including Asia! This region delivers some of the most intriguing history, cuisine, and culture for travelers to discover, and we are thrilled to deliver a diverse selection of port-rich voyages. This market is important to us, and we are committed to servicing it in the long term."

Firmly underlying the brand’s commitment to Asia, both as a source market and destination, NCL will have a record four ships deployed in the region during the 2024/25 season, providing travelers with unrivalled choice. In addition to Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Spirit, Sun and Sky will also visit the area’s most diverse ports, offering guests the opportunity to explore iconic and less discovered destinations including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia.

Norwegian Sun debuts in Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and Asia

Making its premiere, Norwegian Sun will offer a six-month Asia Pacific season, including 13 exotic itineraries from October 2024 to April 2025, four of which have never been offered before, including three departures from Melbourne, Australia and an Auckland, New Zealand to Bali, Indonesia sailing in March 2025. Departure ports include Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Honolulu; and Papeete, French Polynesia with itineraries showcasing the sublime scenery of each bucket-list worthy destination.

Norwegian Spirit returns to Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and Asia

After a successful maiden season, Norwegian Spirit will return to Australian and New Zealand waters for its second consecutive season from December 2023 through March 2024 for a series of popular open-jaw sailings between Sydney and Auckland. It will then sail a number of repositioning cruises in the South Pacific, before returning to the region for a series of 14 Asia voyages during an eight-month season from September 2024 to April 2025, departing from Manila, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul.

Norwegian Sky sails a series of exotic Itineraries in Asia, Asia Pacific and Africa

Norwegian Sky’s four-month Asian season features seven sailings departing from Manila, Philippines; Singapore; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo; and Port Louis, Mauritius between December 2024 and March 2025. Sailings range from 10 to 17 days and include several country-immersive voyages for a deeper discovery of fascinating destinations such as the Philippines and Japan.

For guests looking to fully immerse themselves in the destination, select sailings can also be combined with a three night/four day land exploration with one of NCL’s Cruise Tours in Tokyo, Taipei and Singapore.