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MSC Cruises to create private island experience in the Bahamas

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 17 December 2015 17 December 2015

MSC Cruises, the Geneva-based global cruise line has unveiled ambitious plans to create an unprecedented exclusive marine reserve island experience in the Bahamas.

The visionary project was officially launched yesterday afternoon (16 December) in the Bahamian capital Nassau, where Prime Minister Perry Christie and MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago signed a 100-year lease agreement that will enable MSC Cruises to occupy and develop the island, to be called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Over the next two years MSC Cruises will work hand-in-hand with the Bahamian Government and ecologists to develop the cay, a onetime sand extraction station, into a thriving marine reserve that will harmoniously coexist with the local ecosystem. This is a project that will transform the local economy base from resource exploitation to resource conservation.

And in keeping with the company’s commitment to providing absolutely authentic cruise holidays, the island will offer some of the finest beaches in the world, amid an array of Caribbean-inspired experiences. MSC Cruises will invest around $200 million in creating a flourishing natural haven from a desert island.

MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago commented: “This is a natural progression for our company, which is growing very rapidly, and we are thrilled about providing this totally new experience for our guests in the Caribbean.”

“Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and its exclusive offerings will be a magnificent extension of our shipboard experiences. We are scrupulous about ensuring every decision we take keeps each of our ships true to the promise of our brand, offering the authenticity and quality our guests expect. This is what made us the leading brand in many of the markets we operate, including across Europe, South America and South Africa. We will apply the same thinking and attention to detail to our Caribbean offering, of which this exclusive marine reserve will become a cornerstone, because we know our guests will be bowled over by this industry-unique experience.”

As well as being the only marine reserve island experience, at 95-acres (38.5-hectares) in size, and with 11,400 feet (3.5 km) of pristine beach front spread across six distinct beaches, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will be – by a large margin – the biggest island development by any cruise company in the Caribbean. In addition, it will offer a multitude of other key distinguishing features.

For example, a purpose-built berth and pier right on the seafront means that MSC Cruises guests will be able to step off the ship straight onto the island. This unique feature also means guests can move at leisure between ship and island, which will be especially useful since a key part of their visit will be the island’s night life, in particular live music and entertainment at the 2,000-seat amphitheatre, and many restaurants and bars. In addition, the ship and all onboard services – including the casino – will stay open while berthed at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

All installations and experiences on the island, which lies 20 miles (32 km) south of Bimini and just 65 miles (104.5 km) east of Miami, Florida, will be fully sympathetic to the culture and traditions of the Bahamas. A comprehensive landscaping plan will see more than 80 indigenous Caribbean trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs, such as Jamaica Dogwood, Red, Black and White Mangroves, and Beach Morning Glory, expertly planted across the island. And there will be an architecturally faithful Bahamian village, plentiful restaurants and bars offering local specialities, a variety of shops and an inviting arrival centre with island-themed music gazebo.

For MSC Yacht Club guests, the northwest corner of the island has been set aside as an exclusive spa and wellness sanctuary, with private bungalows and massage huts.

Also, getting around the island will be a breeze, thanks to a network of walking and running paths, bicycle rentals and other stress-free transport options.

As well as all must-have water sports and beach games, other highlights include:

– A family beach with kids’ restaurant, play areas and other useful facilities

– A charming inland lagoon for absolute tranquillity

– A thrilling zip wire crossing the island

– A pavilion for weddings and celebrations

MSC Cruises plans to break ground on the development in March 2016, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will open to guests in December 2017.

The Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve project will offer a permanent MSC Cruises presence in the Bahamas, for which the Company plans to recruit 240 Bahamians in various roles over 2016 and 2017. The cay will be ideal for all MSC Cruises ships serving the Caribbean region, notably MSC Divina and the under-construction next generation ship MSC Seaside (launching December 2017), both sailing from Miami, plus MSC Opera and MSC Armonia, sailing from Havana, Cuba. In addition, the Company will open a crew training school in Nassau to provide local manpower for the growing number of MSC Cruises ships sailing the Caribbean.

Carnival Cruise Line names new Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 15 December 2015 15 December 2015

Richard Morse – an accomplished professional with more than 35 years of experience in the hotel and resort industry – has been named senior vice president of hotel operations for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line, the world’s largest cruise operator.

In this capacity, Morse will be responsible for all guest-facing aspects of the Carnival vacation experience, including entertainment, culinary and dining, beverage, housekeeping, and guest services and logistics. He joins Carnival January 11, 2016, reporting to Gus Antorcha, Carnival’s executive vice president of guest shipboard operations.

Prior to joining Carnival, Morse spent 36 years at Marriott International, one of the world’s largest hotel companies, most recently serving as general manager of Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at the National Harbor in Maryland.

In addition to on-property experience, which included management positions at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square and the Renaissance Miami Biscayne properties, Morse served as regional vice president of Renaissance Hotels for the eastern U.S. and area vice president for Marriott’s Select Service and Extended Stay properties in the eastern U.S. Morse earned his bachelor’s degree in hotel administration from Cornell University.

“Richard is the ideal candidate for this position, possessing extensive experience in all aspects of guest operations, while assembling a talented team for one of the world’s most successful hotel companies,” Antorcha said. “His wide-ranging experience, outstanding management skills and commitment to innovation will be of great benefit as we continue to build upon our leadership position in the cruise industry,” he added.

Carnival Corp & plc to publish final quarter interims on 18 December

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 14 December 2015 14 December 2015

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping company, will publish its final quarter and full financial year to 30 November 2015 results on Friday, 18 December.

Analysts in London and New York estimate that full financial year earnings per share would rise to $2.60 from $1.96 in the same period a year earlier, while the mean estimate for the final quarter is $0.40, which compares to $0.27 reported for the final quarter of the 2014 financial year.

The Anglo-American company earlier this year said it would place orders foe a total of nine ships, two of which have been ordered sat Meyer’s shipyards in both Germany and Finland.

The remaining five ships would be ordered from Fincantieri in Italy. The company has not as yet published any details about them nor confirmed the orders, but it has stated that this would be done before the end of 2015.

Abu Dhabi officially opens its new cruise terminal

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 13 December 2015 13 December 2015

His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, officially opened the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal. His Highness toured the premises during the opening ceremony of the new terminal organised by Abu Dhabi Ports – the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone in the Emirate.

Zayed Port’s new permanent terminal, a major landmark for cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf, will serve as a major facilitator in boosting the cruise tourism sector which in turn will reflect on the Emirate’s economy. The state-of-the-art terminal will attract international cruise liners to home port at Abu Dhabi, making it their first destination stop within the region and allow passengers to enjoy a longer stay in the Emirate.

His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State & Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports expressed confidence that the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal will support the influx of cruise tourism into the Emirate: “With the leadership’s direction, Abu Dhabi Ports is dedicated to further develop the tourism sector in support of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification efforts. By working closely with our strategic partners and building the necessary infrastructure we hope to expand Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector and reinforce its position as a major global destination.”

Zayed Port shall witness a fivefold increase in the number of passengers and ships during the 2015/2016 season in comparison to the first cruise season of 2006-2007. Growth projections for the cruise tourism sector in the Emirate anticipate more than 300,000 passengers by the 2019-2020 season.

Commenting on this occasion, H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “The new terminal is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s commitment to providing world-class infrastructure and services to support its growing tourism sector.

This facility will strengthen the city’s position as an international tourist destination, supporting the diversification of the emirate’s economy, in line with Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030. Abu Dhabi Airports would like to congratulate the entire project team and the strategic partners on the successful completion of this project.”

The new terminal is expected to be a turning point in Abu Dhabi’s ambition to establish itself as a leading winter sun cruise destination.

“These are exciting times for Abu Dhabi’s cruise industry,” said His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, TCA Abu Dhabi Chairman. “The opening of the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal marks a step-change in how Abu Dhabi is perceived as a cruise destination, and the collective effort of all partners involved in this achievement underlines the important role the cruise sector has in the expansion of our tourism industry.”

“Our global cruise marketing activity has built awareness of the depth and diversity of the emirate’s shore excursion opportunities to stimulate demand for Arabian Gulf cruises. I anticipate Abu Dhabi’s wide-ranging landscapes and experiences, UNESCO inscribed heritage sites and the forthcoming world-renowned cultural museums on Saadiyat Island will continue to be the catalyst to attract more passengers to commence their cruises from Abu Dhabi on home porting vessels at the new state-of-the-art terminal facility in years to come,” added Al Mubarak.

MSC Cruises, the Switzerland-based global cruise line – number one in Europe, South America and South Africa – is the first cruise line to choose Abu Dhabi and the new terminal as its home port for the 2015/16 season. MSC Musica that berthed at the terminal on the inaugural day will call various ports of the region in the UAE and Oman during this season. MSC Cruises and Etihad Airways recently announced ‘Fly & Cruise’ packages for guests from Europe, who will fly with Etihad Airways and partner airlines to enjoy the cruise in the region on the vessels homeporting in Abu Dhabi.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman, said: “We are proud to be the first global cruise line to call Abu Dhabi home for the season. The itineraries in the region are much sought after by our guests.

Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal with the support from Abu Dhabi Ports’ strategic partners will ensure the ease of the cruise passengers’ overall journey into and out of the Emirate. Through the terminal’s tourist information services, retail facilities, provision of city tours, passport border control counters and smooth and timely customs processes tourists will have an enjoyable experience.

Abu Dhabi Airports provided check-in counters operated by Etihad Airways. These counters will allow cruise passengers to check into their flights from within the terminal and will only need to go through passport control at the airport for their exit stamp.