Swan Hellenic christens SH Minerva
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 23 November 2021 23 November 2021
Today, Tuesday the 23rd of November 2021, Swan Hellenic announced the christening of its new ship SH Minerva at the Helsinki Shipyard during a small private ceremony this afternoon with godmother Johanna Mäkelä, Finland’s first professor of food culture and wife of Helsinki City Mayor Juhana Vartiainen. Mayor Vartiainen was also present, along with Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito and Helsinki Shipyard CEO Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch with top management.
The celebration follows global supply chain disruptions and recent spikes in COVID-19 cases in Finland, which caused Swan Hellenic to take the difficult decision to delay the start of Minerva’s inaugural season, preferring to cancel its first two cruises rather than risk in any way compromising the highest standards of quality and safety.
SH Minerva is scheduled to depart the shipyard early next week.
At the christening, Helsinki Shipyard Project Manager Jonas Packalén commented: “We are glad to see this day finally, following the many global challenges that made our task far from easy. Our special thanks to everyone involved in the project for their unstinting dedication and superb work!”
Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito added: “I, too, would like to congratulate everyone at Helsinki for their impeccable work in difficult circumstance and the tight safety measures which have kept SH Minerva a safe environment at all times. The vessel has been completed after only 26 month from the signing of the contract which is a remarkable achievement. We now very much look forward to taking our guests to see what others don’t, exploring in exceptional comfort and style.”
Silversea leads return to ultra-luxury expeditions to Antarctica
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 20 November 2021 20 November 2021
Silversea's Silver Explorer has launched the return of ultra-luxury expedition cruising to Antarctica, setting sail from her new departure port of Puerto Williams, Chile, on November 10. Silver Cloud subsequently joined her fleetmate in Antarctica, sailing from Punta Arenas, Chile, on November 14.
"We are proud and excited to be at the forefront of the comeback of ultra-luxury expedition cruising in Antarctica," says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea's President and CEO. "Accompanied by our seasoned team of expedition experts, our guests will not only be in awe of the authentic beauty and unique wildlife of the White Continent, but they will also enjoy the signature distinctions that have made Silversea the leader in luxury expedition cruising."
“We are making history. By embarking on a private, direct flight from Santiago to Puerto Williams, we are unlocking a flight path that has not been operated for more than 30 years - and never in such luxury - to deliver comfort and convenience to our guests,” says Conrad Combrink, Senior Vice President of Expeditions, Turnaround Operations and Destination Management, Silversea Cruises. “I am thrilled to launch our 2021-22 Antarctica season from the Chilean port of Puerto Williams – the southernmost town in the world – which is a first for Silversea. For their unwavering commitment to resuming expeditions to this unique part of the world, I would like to extend my gratitude to the respective authorities in Chile; the Mayor of Punta Arenas, Claudio Radonich; the Mayor of Puerto Williams, Patricio Fernández Alarcón; the Governor of Antarctica Chilena province, Nelson Cárcamo Barrera;Nicolas Pivcevic and the team at DAP Antarctic Airways; and my colleagues at Silversea Cruises.”
Partnership with DAP Antarctic Airways
For the first time, Silversea’s guests are discovering Antarctica from Puerto Williams aboard Silver Explorer. DAP Antarctic Airways is providing Silversea’s guests with private, round-trip flights between Santiago and Puerto Williams. DAP Antarctic Airways is also the carrier selected to provide the flight component of Antarctica Bridge®, Silversea’s new fly-cruise program that provides the fastest, most direct route to Antarctica.
Offering a diverse range of itinerary options, Silver Explorer and Silver Cloud will unlock the White Continent for guests through March 2022. Several itineraries focus on the stunning pristine wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, while others include visits to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, where opportunities abound to witness bustling penguin colonies and other amazing wildlife. Silversea will inaugurate its Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise option on December 11, 2021, enabling guests to skip the Drake Passage and fly in comfort straight to Antarctica to start their cruise. Another season highlight, a special Deep South Expedition voyage will spend 20 days tracing a path beyond the Antarctic Circle, attempting to reach a latitude of 69 degrees south, beginning January 27, 2022.
Silver Wind leaves drydock
Silversea’s third ice-class ship, Silver Wind, has now left the drydock at the Remontowa shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland. Expanding the range of voyage options for Silversea's expeditions, Silver Wind will debut as an expedition ship in May 2022 in the Mediterranean, before heading to Northern Europe and the Arctic for the summer season.
Enchanted Princess makes inaugural sailing
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 15 November 2021 15 November 2021
Princess Cruises offered a first look at the cruise line's newest MedallionClass ship – Enchanted Princess, the newest ship to join the global fleet. The ship is currently sailing its first 10-night cruise from Port Everglades.
A special naming ceremony celebration will be broadcast on Monday, December 13, on Princess.com, Princess Cruises' Facebook page and YouTube channels with more details to follow.
The 145,000 gross ton, 3,660-guest ship represents an evolution of the design platform consistent across her sister ships – Royal Princess (2013), Regal Princess (2014), Majestic Princess (2017) and Sky Princess (2019) – offering an elevation of spectacular style and elegance that is distinguished by Princess.
"Introducing our newest ship – Enchanted Princess – is a significant milestone for Princess and we look forward to the first guests experiencing all this gorgeous ship has to offer," said John Padgett, Princess Cruises President. "Enchanted Princess is our seventh ship to enter service since the global pause, signifying our successful path forward, with many loyal and new guests ready to sail with us and our teammates ready to deliver meaningful and memorable vacations at an incredible value."
Enchanted Princess delivers the ultimate in effortless, personalized cruising featuring the world-class dining and entertainment Princess is renowned for, all elevated with the Princess MedallionClass Experience. As with all ships in the Princess fleet, it begins with the Medallion, a quarter-sized, wearable device that enables everything from expedited contactless boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share their favorite cruise moments using MedallionNet, the best WiFi at sea, as well as stay connected with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the ship, quickly post content and stream favorite movies and shows.
Notable features and entertainment offerings found onboard Enchanted Princess include:
– Sky Suites – First introduced on Sky Princess (2019), the new luxury Sky Suites offer inclusive amenities, attentive service and a dedicated Suite Experience Manager, luxurious accommodations for up to five guests and a 1,000 square-foot balcony featuring 270-degree views from the cruise line's largest balcony at sea.
– 25 Bars & Restaurants – With the most al fresco dining options of any Princess ship, Enchanted Princess features Bistro Sur La Mer by Three Michelin Star Chef Emmanuel Renaut, Sabatini's Italian Trattoria with its own Pasta Room, Crown Grill Steakhouse and Bar, Crooners, Chef's Table Lumiere, Gigi's Pizzeria, The Salty Dog Gastropub, Gelato, three beautifully appointed Main Dining Rooms and more.
– Aquatic Relaxation - In addition to multiple hot tubs, Enchanted boasts two deep-tank pools, adjacent to the top-deck bar. At the ship's aft end, the infinity-style Wakeview pool and bar offer spectacular views of the horizon, while the Retreat Pool offers a quiet oasis.
– Fan Favorite Original Production Shows – First debuted onboard Sky Princess to rave reviews, Enchanted Princess showcases Rock Opera, featuring incredible costumes inspired by glamorous avant garde fashion with a musical soundtrack spanning classic rock, opera and musical theater. In addition, 5-SKIES with its technologically enhanced production features a virtual gaming world, spectacular digital effects and acrobatics, intricate sets and contemporary music for one of the cruise line's most visually advanced shows ever.
– Take Five – First debuted on Sky Princess, Take Five showcases vintage footage, iconic imagery and intimate conversations that transport you to the heart of the jazz era. Guests can enjoy nightly live jazz while sipping cocktail favorites from Master Mixologist Rob Floyd and specialty gin cocktails crafted exclusively for Take Five.
Enchanted Princess also offers signature Princess venues and amenities including the Piazza, Lotus Spa, The Sanctuary, Movies Under the Stars, Princess Live! Café, Good Spirits at Sea Bar, Vegas-Style Casino, The Shops of Princess, Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Center and Discovery at SEA programs.
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