Ventura Sails for Southampton

Extract from an Official P&O Cruises press release Posted 31 Mar 08

Ventura, the largest superliner built exclusively for British holidaymakers has set sail for her homeport, Southampton, after being officially ‘handed over’ to P&O Cruises by the Fincantieri shipyard, Monfalcone, Italy.

Dame Helen Mirren was recently announced as the godmother of Ventura, and will perform the official naming of the ship in a glamorous and dramatic ceremony on Wednesday 16 April.

Ventura will arrive into Southampton on Sunday 6 April, passing sister ship Aurora in the Solent and arriving into the Mayflower Cruise Terminal at approximately 11am. Visit www.pocruises.co.uk for information on the best viewing points along the way.

The maiden cruise will set sail from Southampton to the Mediterranean on Friday 18 April, to a fanfare of fireworks from nearby Stokes Bay.

Cunard Queens to Take on Southampton

Tuesday 22 April 2008 promises to go down in the annals of British maritime history when Cunard’s three Queens will meet in their homeport of Southampton in another historic first for the company. Queen Mary 2, company flagship and the largest ocean liner in the world, and Queen Victoria, the newest Cunard Queen, will salute QE2, the most famous and beloved ship in the world on the day she celebrates the 39th anniversary of her official entry into service in 1969*.

Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:

“We are delighted that this unexpected opportunity for Southampton to host our three ocean liners arose after we took the recent decision to have QE2’s scheduled 2008 refit in her homeport. We would like as many people as possible to witness this historic spectacle”.

Cunard advises those who wish to see the three Queens to use vantage points such as Mayflower Park and Town Quay car park (at the end of the pier).

Just after 1700 hours Queen Mary 2 will leave her berth at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal and proceed up river to get as close as possible to Queen Victoria (at the City Cruise Terminal) and QE2 (alongside Berth 105).
All three ships will sound their whistles in salute before Queen Mary 2 departs on her first transatlantic crossing of 2008 (her 81st crossing) followed by Queen Victoria embarking on her first voyage to Iberia and the Canaries.

* QE2 entered service on 22 April 1969 with her ‘Preview Voyage’ - an eight-day voyage to Las Palmas, Tenerife and Lisbon prior to departing on her maiden transatlantic crossing on 2 May.

Official Press Release Cunard Cruises dated 26th March 2008.

RCI Hunts for British Godmother for Independence of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International has launched a nationwide search for a British Godmother to reign over the cruise line’s newest and largest ship, Independence of the Seas, when she launches in Southampton, next month (April 2008).

Sir Steve Redgrave, five-time Olympic gold medalist and figure head of the Steve Redgrave Fund, will front the cruise line’s search for Independence of the Seas’ Godmother. Royal Caribbean International begins its nationwide call for Godmother nominations beginning Monday, March 24, 2008, working in conjunction with ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial television station.

The role of a Godmother is typically reserved for dignitaries or celebrities. Past Royal Caribbean Godmothers have included Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway, Lauren Bacall, Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan, Steffi Graff and champion wheelchair marathoner Jean Driscoll. Unusually, Royal Caribbean International is calling for an ordinary British woman who has done extra-ordinary things to become Godmother to the new Independence of the Seas this April. This special Godmother will demonstrate how she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and dedicated incredible time and effort to improve the well-being and future of young people under 18 years old in her community.

“Independence of the Seas is part of a family of the largest and most innovative ships in the industry, enjoyed by families and young people on holiday around the world. As our commitment to the UK and Europe grows in line with demand for our cruises, and to mark the arrival of Independence of the Seas into Southampton, we wanted to create an extra-ordinary inaugural celebration to showcase our commitment to the UK market. Our search for a British Godmother who demonstrates an extraordinary passion for young people is just that.” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
 
All potential Godmothers must be nominated via a dedicated website www.searchforagodmother.co.uk. To enter, applicants must explain in 250 words or less why they, or someone they know, would be the ideal Godmother for Independence of the Seas. A special panel of judges including Royal Caribbean International executives, guest judges and Sir Steve Redgrave, will select the ships’ Godmother.

“It is an honour to be working with Royal Caribbean International in their search for a deserving woman to become Godmother for Independence of the Seas. This a very special ship and therefore this is an amazing accolade for anyone to receive, but the opportunity to increase awareness of the fantastic work with young people that is done by hundreds of individuals around the country is a very worthy campaign, which I am delighted to support.” Commented Sir Steve Redgrave.

In addition to being godmother to Independence of the Seas, where she will have a formal portrait of herself displayed onboard the new ship, the woman selected will receive an honorary role in the official ship naming ceremonies, including participation in the ribbon-cutting and a VIP experience onboard Independence of the Seas’ inaugural voyage. She also will receive a decade of cruising for two with Royal Caribbean International.

Independence of the Seas will launch in Southampton April 2008 weighing in at 160,000 GRT, with a capacity of 3,634 guests. The third in Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom-class of ships, and part of the family of the largest cruise ships in the world, Independence of the Seas feature some of the distinctive features the global cruise line is known for including: a FlowRider surf simulator; an ice-skating rink; an interactive H20 Zone water park for families; cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 ft. above the ocean; a rock-climbing wall; and the Royal Promenade - an entertainment boulevard stretching across the length of the ship.

Official Press release (abridged) Royal Caribbean International dated 25 March 2008.

RCI Announces Record Eight Ships for 2009 Europe Season

Royal Caribbean International today announced the planned deployment of a record eight ships to the region for the 2009 summer and fall seasons. Vacationers can select from itineraries ranging from four to 14 nights aboard some of the world’s most innovative cruise ships: Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Freedom-class ship; two Voyager-class ships, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas; as well as Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas. Totaling 70 distinct itineraries and 87 ports of call in 32 countries, Royal Caribbean will offer vacationers unprecedented choices throughout the Mediterranean Sea, Northern and Western Europe and a variety of transatlantic sailings in 2009. Bookings are available immediately for Royal Caribbean’s 2009 Europe cruises and cruisetours aboard all ships except for Vision, which will be opened in April 2008.

“Royal Caribbean’s Europe cruises offer great vacation value to see the continent’s most popular destinations and where guests need to unpack only once,” said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Vacationers can choose among twelve convenient European homeports to meet our ships - more than any other cruise line in the industry. In addition, guests can enhance their vacation by combining their cruise with a Royal Caribbean cruisetour and delve into Europe’s popular inland cosmopolitan centers.”

Cruisetours complement a Royal Caribbean International vacation in Europe by combining a cruise with land journeys, city tours and hotel stays ranging from three to five nights prior to embarkation. A tour director escorts each group on the itineraries, featuring the must-see landmarks and attractions in Europe’s popular cities, including Paris, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Stresa, Verona, Venice, Florence and Rome. Air and ground transfers, hotel reservations, tours and some meals are inclusive, and guests will have ample time for shopping and independent pursuits

In 2009, Independence of the Seas returns to Southampton, U.K., for her second Europe season, offering 14-night Western Mediterranean, 10- and 11-night Western Europe and Canary Islands, and four-night British Isles itineraries. Like no other cruise ship in Europe, Independence of the Seas exclusively features amenities that have revolutionized the industry, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the H20 Zone water park, a boxing ring, cantilevered whirlpools, and the four bedroom/four-bath Presidential Family Suite. With eight restaurants and more than 15 bars and lounges, Independence offers vacationers a unique onboard experience while cruising in Europe.

Navigator of the Seas will take guests on more varied itineraries from her homeports of Malaga, Spain, a new homeport for Royal Caribbean; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Barcelona. Voyager of the Seas - also homeporting through November 2009 in Barcelona - and Navigator will offer more opportunities for vacationers to experience a Europe cruise aboard a Voyager-class ship. Each ship offers guests an ice-skating rink, the line’s iconic rock-climbing wall, a nine-hole miniature golf course, and the Royal Promenade - a boulevard lined with shops, restaurants, bars and lounges that runs nearly the length of the ship.

 
Brilliance of the Seas will remain in Europe and continue offering year-round itineraries for a second consecutive year. In November and December, Brilliance will offer vacationers a new Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean itinerary sailing roundtrip from Barcelona, featuring the Greeks Isles and calls at Port Said, last called at by a Royal Caribbean ship in 2001, and Alexandria, Egypt.

Royal Caribbean also is expanding the line’s Northern Europe program with short Scandinavian itineraries aboard Vision of the Seas from her homeport of Copenhagen, Denmark, another new homeport for the cruise line; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm, Sweden. Concurrently, Jewel of the Seas will specialize in 12-night Scandinavia and Baltic voyages, featuring an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia, Peter the Great’s “Window to the West.” Jewel will also sail one 12-night itinerary that combines the British Isles and Norwegian Fjords, which includes a call at Geiranger, Norway, one of the highest rated ports by previous guests.

Vacationers also can choose among very special 10- and 11-night Holy Land itineraries aboard Vision of the Seas. From the line’s new homeports of Athens and Istanbul, Vision’s ports of call will include Haifa and Ashdod, Israel, last called at by Royal Caribbean in 2000, and Port Said.

Official Press release (abridged) Royal Caribbean International dated 19 March 2008.

Disney Cruise Line to Extend Port Canaveral Agreement

Disney Cruise Line announced it has finalized an agreement with Port Canaveral to extend the company’s current contract 15 years through 2022. In addition, as part of its continuing commitment to the Central Florida area, the company will home port its two new ships in Port Canaveral. The new agreement between Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral was ratified today by Port Authority Commissioners.

As part of the new agreement, the Canaveral Port Authority will expand and modify the Disney Cruise Line port facility including an extension of the dock and enlargements and enhancements to the terminal building to allow for additional luggage and passenger capacity. A multi-level parking structure, scheduled to be completed by 2011, will also be built for Disney Cruise Line.

“We are very excited to call Port Canaveral our home and look forward to bringing our new ships here,” said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. “The new enhancements being made to our terminal will provide guests an even more seamless transition from land to sea.”

Once completed, the enhancements to the already unique Disney terminal will provide for improved passenger flow and additional guest conveniences that together will contribute to the overall boarding experience. Disney Cruise Line will work with Port Canaveral to create a state of the art facility, which will contain several Disney touches that are certain to delight guests.

The terminal and dock enlargements are necessary to accommodate the new and larger Disney Cruise Line ships. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, they will be significantly larger than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer Stan Payne said, “Disney Cruise Line has been extremely successful in drawing a strong family market to Port Canaveral since its launch 10 years ago. We’re thrilled that Disney has committed to stay here long-term and are looking forward to the two new ships home porting here.”

Port Canaveral continues to be one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. More than 3.5 million Disney Cruise Line guests have sailed from Port Canaveral since the line’s beginning in 1998, adding to the economic and tourism growth of Brevard County. Future itinerary information for Disney Cruise Line ships beyond 2009 will be released at a later date.

Official Press Release Disney Cruises dated 19th March 2008.

SeaDream Yacht Club Wins German Cruise Award

SeaDream Yacht Club, operator of the elite mega yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II, has been named “Best Cruise Line for Service” at ITB, the world’s largest “tourism fair” which is held each year in Berlin. The award for the year 2008 was sponsored by the German-speaking market’s top cruise guidebook, Kreuzfahrt Guide.

A jury of seven top German travel journalists supplemented by the guidebook’s authors gave the top service award to SeaDream.

Accepting the award on the part of SeaDream was Bob Lepisto, the line’s Senior Vice President Worldwide Sales and Marketing, who said:

“We are especially delighted to accept this great accolade for two compelling reasons. First, at SeaDream service to our guests is always uppermost in our minds. We believe that the enjoyment of the travel experience begins and ends with guest service. So this is a corroboration of what our dedicated staff—both aboard our twin yachts and ashore—strive for on a daily basis. Second, this honor is highly important to us because it comes from the German marketplace which constantly increases in importance for us.”

SeaDream Yacht Club is the recipient of many awards and accolades from authoritative travel organizations and publications in North America, UK Australia and elsewhere.

Official Press Release (abridged) SeaDream Yacht Club dated 18 March 2008.

SeaDream Sets Speakers Program for November Transatlantic Voyages

SeaDream Yacht Club, operator of the twin, ultra-luxury, mega yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II, will offer guests on its upcoming transatlantic westbound voyages a high- profile speakers’ program as a bonus to the joys of blue water sailing.

The lecture programs will feature prominent speakers on World Affairs, Astronomy, Maritime History and People Profiling/Character Analysis.

The transatlantic sailings are:

• SeaDream I, Voyage #1845, Tenerife-Antigua, 11 days, November 1-12. Cost is from $3,099. Price is based on double occupancy of a SeaDream Yacht Club stateroom. Modest government, port, document issuance, fuel surcharge and handling and service fees of $528 per person are extra. Rates are also available for solo travelers occupying a stateroom and for and third persons in a stateroom. Available.

• SeaDream II, Voyage #2843, Tenerife-Miami, 11 days, November 13-24. Cost is from $2,999. The same fee and rate stipulations apply.

The Transatlantic Speakers for SeaDream I, Voyage #1843 are:

• Bruce Gronich—Professor Gronich is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and later lectured there. Following his Army service he became a professor at University of Texas and taught both physical science and Astronomy. An active lecturer, Professor Gronich’s series on Astronomy have always been well-attended by students as well as by adults fascinated by the heavens.

• Alice Weiser—A leading expert on People Profiling and Character Analysis, Alice Weiser has had a lengthy career as a consultant to U.S. Government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. A specialty is advising on jury selection. Her track record shows that attorneys who engage here have won more than 90- percent of their cases. Her lectures are filled with anecdotes about her work and make use of audience participation.

The Transatlantic speakers for SeaDream II, Voyage #2843 are:

• Irving R. Levine—Known widely as one of the most renowned and respected figures in American journalism, Irving r. Levine served as an NBC News correspondent for 45 years, pioneering coverage of economic news on TV. He was the first American TV correspondent granted permission to broadcast from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. An author, academic and popular lecturer, he regularly is a commentator on PBS-TV’s “A Nightly Business Report.”

• Anthony Nicholas—An acclaimed TV and radio guest, writer and reviewer, Anthony Nicholas has made a lifetime study of what he terms “The Golden Age of Ocean Travel.” This love affair with maritime history began when he was ten and increased over the years until now when he is one of the world’s leading authorities on this colorful seagoing history.

• Rafael Vargas—A 30-year career U.S. Army officer, has led Vargas to be a well-known expert of European affairs. He retired as a Colonel after spending 16 years overseas culminating at NATO headquarters in Brussels where he shed his uniform to assume the role of diplomat. As chief of the Situation Center he was responsible for NATO crisis management throughout the world. His career also includes a five year teaching stint at the University of Nevada.
 
SeaDream does not regularly offer a lecture program on its yacht-like sailings. Its guests have ample opportunity to entertain themselves with the company’s noted water sports program, unique shore excursions at ports of call and other activities designed for well-traveled, active guests. It is offering its transatlantic travelers this series of compelling speakers as a diversion from those lazy days at sea that attract travelers to these “blue-water” sailings.

“We believe the combination of mental tranquility afforded by days at sea and the stimulation of interaction with speakers on topical subjects will provide our guests on this transatlantic sailing with the best of all possible worlds,” said Larry Pimentel, SeaDream’s President and CEO.

SeaDream fares include all meals, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar, use of the water toys and gratuities. Air transportation and ground transportation to and from the SeaDream yacht is not included. Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change with out notice.

Official Press Release (abridged) SeaDream Yacht Club dated 17 March 2008.

Fred Olsen’s Balmoral Completes Florida Cruise

Balmoral, latest addition to the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fleet, has completed her inaugural cruise to Florida, her base for Caribbean cruising. The ship left Dover on 13th February, and after calling at La Coruna and Tenerife, crossed the Atlantic to the Caribbean, with arrival in Miami on schedule on 1st March.

The ship will now operate a short series of ten and eleven night Caribbean fly/cruises from Miami before returning to Europe and an early summer cruise programme from Civitavecchia (the port for Rome). These Mediterranean fly/cruises are an innovation for Fred. Olsen, made possible by the expansion of the fleet.

The 1340-passenger Balmoral, while larger than her sisters, still maintains the Fred. Olsen tradition of smaller ships, with friendly personal service and a relaxed and very British atmosphere on board. Her interior has been elegantly refitted in the classical Fred. Olsen style, reminiscent of an English country house – perfect for Fred. Olsen customers.

Fred. Olsen’s sales and marketing director, Nigel Lingard, said: “This is a very exciting time for Fred. Olsen as we see our fifth ship cruising successfully.  Expansion is essential in today’s cruise market and it is important that we maintain our market share in the UK.  Balmoral is very different from the giants that are being introduced into the UK market this year; she is a traditional cruise ship in the true Fred. Olsen style.”

Official Press Release Fred Olsen dated 4th March 2008.

Fred Olsen Celebrates First Fly/Cruise to Miami From Stansted

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has greatly increased the use of regional airports for its programme of fly/cruises to the Caribbean and Mediterranean in 2008/9. One of the most popular airports in the programme is Stansted and on Monday 3rd March, the first Fred. Olsen charter took off for Miami to join latest cruise ship, Balmoral, on an 11-night cruise round the islands of the Eastern Caribbean.

To celebrate the occasion, Fred. Olsen’s sales team, led by regional sales manager Angela Flynn, laid on a special Caribbean welcome for the passengers boarding at Stansted. They were greeted by a steel band, given fruit punch to drink (non-alcoholic, of course, as it was 6am!) and each customer had a flower garland to get them in the mood.

Angela said: “We are delighted to be using Stansted for so many of our Caribbean fly/cruises as it is so convenient for many of our customers, easily accessible and exceptionally well run. ”

There are no fewer than 26 departures from Stansted featured in the current cruise brochure, with fly/cruises to the Mediterranean and Florida from this airport. All Fred. Olsen’s charter flights are exclusive to their customers and are fully escorted from airport to ship by their own personnel, ensuring a stress-free and relaxed start to the cruise holiday.

Official Press Release Fred Olsen dated 4th March 2008.

Oceania Cruises’ 2009 European Collection Drives Record Demand

Oceania Cruises announced that on March 3rd, a new record for reservations was set as the line’s 2009 European Collection of sailings went on sale. Oceania Cruises opened its reservation lines at 8 am on March 3rd and took more than 500 new reservations in the first hours. At the close of business the line had bested it previous reservations record by more than 20% and some departures were close to 50% sold.

“With limited availability for our 2008 sailings, Travel Agents and Oceania Club members have been eager to learn details of our 2009 European itineraries. Our Travel Partners have always provided us with tremendous support and the response to our newly released itineraries has been nothing short of spectacular,” stated Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises.

Oceania Cruises’ 2009 European Collection includes 56 voyages to Scandinavia and Russia, the British Isles and Norway, the Western Mediterranean, and the Greek Isles. Sailings range from 10 to 30 days in length, call on more than 80 ports of call, and feature an abundance of overnight port stays.

“One of the primary drivers of our success has been our focus on providing our guests with the richest and most rewarding destination experience possible. When you combine our itineraries with an acclaimed dining experience, and a level of personal service that can only be found on mid-size ships, it creates an unrivaled value proposition that drives demand from agents and past guests to exceptional levels,” stated Frank Del Rio, Chairman and CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings.

Highlights of the 2009 European Collection
From the Black Sea to the Baltics, there are 56 extraordinary voyages to choose from including 10 distinct Western Mediterranean itineraries.
 
A New 16-day Venice-Rome voyage highlights the scenic splendor and intriguing history of the Dalmatian Coast. Insignia sails from Venice to Rome on May 15 and calls on Koper, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Sarande, Valletta, Taormina, Sorrento, Amalfi, Florence, St Tropez, and Cinque Terre.
 
Regatta returns to Scandinavia and Russia and sails to Norway and the British Isles for the very first time. A 12-day Norwegian Fjords and British Isles cruise sails roundtrip from Dover on July 13 and calls on Edinburgh, Invergordon, Alesund, Hellesylt, Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, and Fowey.
 
A new 14-day Egypt and Israel itinerary sails from Barcelona to Istanbul and includes Tunisia, Malta, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey. This voyage departs aboard Nautica on June 27, Insignia on August 9 and Regatta on October 31.
 
4 new Grand Voyages that span all of Europe and South America. Guests may sail from Venice to Stockholm; Barcelona to Venice, showcasing virtually the entire Mediterranean; Istanbul to Miami; and Rome to Rio de Janeiro.

Official Press release Oceania Cruises dated 04 March 4 2008.

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