On the waves . . .

DREAM Cruises, “Asia’s Global Cruise Line” and the only International cruise company that has year-round homeport deployments at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, welcomed the arrival of the 2 millionth passenger – Ms. Mu from Taiwan on September 23.

In 2018, Hong Kong is ranked 4th with the number of cruise calls in Asia. In 2017 the passenger throughput of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal doubled to 780,000. It is projected that the number of ship calls and cruise passenger throughput in #HongKong as a whole would range from 181 to 258 and from 564,102 to 1,041,031 respectively by 2023.

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Cruising to the top

THE first week of September became memorable for Seabourn, the world's finest ultra-luxury cruise line, as the company received 16 top travel awards and distinctions from Conde Nast Traveller, Cruise International, American Airlines Celebrated Living and Travel Weekly (U.S.) magazines. 

The accolades include best in luxury and readers' choice selections, as well as recognition at other levels in a variety of categories for everything from being the world's best small ship cruise line and best luxury cruise line to best design, onboard entertainment, marketing and loyalty program.

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Cruise magnet Puerto Vallarta

THE Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board welcomes the return of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Miracle first call to Puerto Vallarta in seven years. Connecting San Diego and Puerto Vallarta, the ship is scheduled to make its call on December 2019.

Carnival Miracle will join the 2019 winter season offering 10 voyages from the Port of San Diego, kicking off on December 1, 2019, with a seven-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera featuring stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.

Puerto Vallarta continues to be a great magnet for the cruise industry, the maritime terminal will receive 154 cruises this year with 404,734 people on board approximately, which represents 9 percent more than in 2017 when 145 vessels arrived.

Calls to the destination are expected to increase annually and Puerto Vallarta’s International Port (API) is preparing with an estimated $22 million USD extensive renovation and construction project that will improve port infrastructure, generate direct and indirect jobs, incentivize the Mexican Riviera's route and the Port - City link.

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Silversea offers saving for Australia to Asia sailings

ULTRA-LUXURY cruise line Silversea, is offering exceptional savings on a number of voyages to Asia in 2018 and 2019 with an All-Inclusive Package promotion now available on new bookings made before 31 July 2018. The savings program includes free economy roundtrip air or business-class air upgrade for AUD$999 each way for flights from select Australian gateways; free one-night pre-cruise hotel stay; free transfers between airport, hotel and ship; and at least one free shore excursion in every port.

Silversea’s shore experiences are carefully crafted to reveal the cultural, historical and natural treasures of Asia, from Vietnam’s surreal Ha Long Bay and the tropical paradise of Koh Samui to the golden temples of Myanmar. Nearly 20 new options have been added, totalling approximately 180 free shore excursions, complemented by additional shore options available for purchase.

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Sail away

SEABOURN, the world's finest ultra-luxury cruise line, introduced its newest vessel to the world with a festive naming ceremony for Seabourn Ovation in the beautiful baroque harbor of Valletta, Malta on May 11.

Seabourn orchestrated a line-up of celebratory events, including a live performance by the ship's godmother, actress and singer Elaine Paige OBE, one of the world's best-loved and most highly awarded artists. Following her performance, she made a traditional blessing and released a bottle of champagne that was broken against the ship, a time-honored ship naming tradition.

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Cruising for 145 years

HOLLAND America Line celebrated its 145th anniversary on April 18, 2018, marking its place in history as one of the most experienced cruise lines in the world. What started as shipping and passenger line Netherlands-American Steamship Company in 1873, is today an award-winning premium cruise line taking guests to more than 400 ports around the world, sailing on all seven continents. 

Within 25 years of its founding, the company owned a fleet of six cargo and passenger ships and operated between Holland and the Dutch East Indies. Because it was headquartered in Rotterdam and provided service to the Americas, over time the company became known as Holland America Line.

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Fred.Olsen fleet get-together

FOLLOWING on from the success of its ‘Four Ships in Bergen’ event in Summer 2015, and with it exciting ‘Captains in Cádiz’ celebration on the horizon on 10th September 2018, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is now pleased to announce that its fleet of four ocean ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – will be reuniting once again, this time in Funchal, #Madeira on Saturday 4th April 2020.

Fred. Olsen’s third fleet get-together in Spring 2020 on the stunning ‘Garden Island’ of Madeira - 'Four Fred.s in Funchal' - will be packed full of lively celebrations and festivities, on four specially-themed cruise itineraries, went on sale on 22nd February 2018.

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Remote Pitcairn added to cruise programme

ARANUI Cruises is adding a special cruise to one of the most remote destinations in the world, #Pitcairn Island, as part of its bumper 2019 cruise program of 20 voyages in the South Pacific. 

It’s the first time the Tahitian adventure cruise line has offered a different itinerary from its regular roundtrip voyage from Papeete to the Marquesas, Society and Tuamotu islands, and marks the first new destinations added to the program since Bora Bora was introduced in 2015. The line’s 125-metre long mixed cargo and passenger vessel Aranui 5 will start the year with a new 13-day roundtrip cruise from Papeete to Pitcairn Island departing on January 10, 2019.

The one-off voyage includes the cruise line’s inaugural calls to the palm-fringed crystal-clear lagoons of Anaa and Amanu in the Tuamotus; Mangareva and Aukena in the Gambiers, which both offer pristine lagoons perfect for black pearls; and Raivave and Rapa in the Austral Islands, known for their intricate weavings.

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Picture Credit: By Makemake at the German language Wikipedia, /commons.wikimedia.org 1744176

Crystal Cruises earns top honours again

THE readers of Condé Nast Traveler have once again voted Crystal Cruises as the “World’s Best” medium sized #cruise line (501-2,499 guests), marking the record-making 24th year the #luxury line has earned top honours. 

The publication’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards included input from more than 300,000 readers, who cast votes for more than 7,000+ hotels, 500 cruise ships, 600+ cities and 200+ islands, resulting in a preeminent list of more than 1,400 of the world’s best travel experiences.


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On the water . . .

STAR Cruises, The Most Popular Cruise Line in Asia, was honoured with the Best Itinerary Award during the Shanghai Cruise Tourism Festival organized by the Shanghai Baoshan Government on 23 September 2017.

This award was in recognition of Star Cruises’ innovative 8D7N “Golden Sea Route” itinerary to Japan departing from Shanghai to the Japanese ports of Osaka and Tokyo with additional ports of call to take in the natural wonders of Mount Fuji and Kagoshima.

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Countdown to Majestic arrival in Australia

TODAY marks one year until Majestic Princess, the newest and most luxurious ship in the Princess fleet, arrives in Australia. Carrying 3,560 guests, the 143,000-tonne mega-liner will be the largest Princess ship ever to sail in Australian waters. The 330 metre long flagship will arrive in Sydney on Saturday, 15 September 2018, commencing the 2018/2019 summer cruise season in spectacular fashion.

During her inaugural Australian season, Majestic Princess will sail on 16 cruises to destinations including Fiji, New Zealand and Tasmania as well as two Asia voyages between Shanghai and Sydney, and Sydney and Hong Kong. The ultimate in premium cruising, Majestic Princess features 13 dining options including two restaurants with menus designed by Michelin star chefs – Harmony by Chef Richard Chen and La Mer by Chef Emmanuel Renaut – as well as more than 1000 square metres of designer shopping, the cruise line’s largest ever thermal suite and a dramatic over-the-ocean glass walkway, the SeaWalk.

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Pioneering cruise line Ponant reveals underwater passenger lounges

THE only French-owned cruise line and the world leader in luxury expeditions PONANT, in keeping with its pioneering spirit, is launching a world-first: Le Lapérouse will be the first cruise ship on Earth to be equipped with a multi-sensory underwater space, called Blue Eye. 

The other 3 yachts of the Ponant Explorer series, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville and Le Dumont-d’Urville, will be the next. In a world exclusive, the four ships of the Ponant Explorers series are equipped with an underwater passenger lounge, called Blue Eye, located within the hull beneath the water line. 

The design of this technical prowess was entrusted to architect Jacques Rougerie, who is deeply passionate about the sea. Rougerie’s mission is to enable PONANT guests to perceive and feel the underwater universe that has never ceased to amaze and inspire him throughout his career. 

“In my work, I have always had my heart set on making people aware of the role that the sea has played in the history of humanity. I designed this multi-sensory underwater lounge in order for it to become enshrined at the heart of the PONANT philosophy. I set out to discover this fragile and exciting ocean world, which covers 71% of the planet’s surface and remains a huge mystery for mankind. The destiny of the civilisations to come will be born from the ocean.”

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Summer Party Night in Liverpool

MAKE the most of the August Bank Holiday this year with a memorable ‘Summer Party Night’ aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Boudicca in Liverpool, on the evening of Monday 28th August 2017. 

Boudicca – one of Fred. Olsen’s most popular and friendly ships – will be in port during the city’s annual ‘International Beatleweek Festival’, taking place from 23rd to 29th August 2017, and Fred. Olsen is delighted to have secured one of the best-known Beatles tribute acts around – 'The Backbeat Beatles' – to entertain guests live on this very special party evening.

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Tampa to Havana with Carnival

THE Cuban capital of #Havana will be added to select Carnival Paradise voyages from Tampa beginning in June 2017.

The overnight visits to Havana will be featured on 12 four- and five-day #cruises aboard Carnival Paradise departing from the Port of Tampa starting June 29, 2017, providing vacationers with a rare and exciting opportunity to explore this fascinating and previously off-limits destination.

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Cruise travel trends for 2017

THE world’s largest cruise industry trade association Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), is predicting the top eight #cruise #travel trends that will have an impact on the industry in the coming year.

New Generation Takes to the Water – A recent study found that younger generations—including Millennials and Generation X — will embrace cruise travel more than ever before, rating it as better than land-based vacations, all-inclusive resorts, tours, vacation house rentals, or camping.

Travel Agent Use Increases – According to the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, consumer use of a travel agent increased nearly eighty percent from 2015 to 2016. CLIA also found that cruisers report high levels of satisfaction with their travel experience when assisted by an agent.

River Cruise Demand Increases – River cruises offer travelers a unique and intimate travel experience. Due to demand, CLIA cruise line Members currently deploy 184 river cruise ships with 13 new river cruise ships on order for 2017, an increase of about 7 percent.

More Private Islands on Cruise Itineraries – As more cruise lines introduce private island destinations, travellers are responding and booking these itineraries. In 2017, cruise lines offer ports on a total of seven private islands.

New Cruisers Will Take to the Sea – Interest in ocean cruising is projected to remain strong in 2017. When asked what kind of vacations might be of interest in the next three years nearly half (48 percent) of non-cruisers expressed interest in taking an ocean cruise while a striking 85 percent of cruisers also expressed interest.

Drivable Port Locations in Favour – The cruise industry offers a variety of small and large market port location options across the United States and internationally. Citing the advantages of a myriad of locations seven out of ten (69 percent) non-cruisers believe the greatest benefit is cost savings and three quarters (74 percent) of cruisers like the convenience of driving to a cruise ship.

Lure of Celeb Chefs – Cruise travelers are embracing specialty dining and will continue to consider cruise dining experiences based upon celebrity chefs. This year, several cruise lines feature restaurants and dishes created by famous chefs including Guy Fieri, Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa and Geoffrey Zakarian. 

Demand for Expedition Cruises – According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure travel is growing at a record pace and CLIA is reporting that cruise expeditions are seeing the impact. In fact, itineraries for Antarctica regularly sell out.

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Picture Credit: bvi4092 13445173@N06/12026116925 Road Harbour Panorama - 2 cruise ships docked via photopin

Fred.Olsen commits small ship fleet to UK in 2017/18

FRED. OLSEN CRUISE LINES will sail its fleet of four smaller, more intimate ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca, and Black Watch –from 10 regional ports in 2017/18. The sailings will launch from Southampton, Dover, Tilbury, Harwich, Falmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Greenock (Glasgow), Rosyth (Edinburgh), and Belfast.

Nathan Philpot, sales and marketing director for Fred. Olsen #Cruise Lines, said: ‘We know that travel to and from a departure port is a key influencer for guests booking a cruise holiday, and Fred. Olsen is continuing to offer the widest range of regional departure ports of any cruise line, with a total of ten, covering all the important cruise markets of the UK.

We are also committed to ensuring that we match our departure ports to the right kind of cruise itinerary, meaning that we can offer the shortest duration of Norwegian fjords experience, of just five nights, from Newcastle, and a Canaries and Madeira holiday of just 12 nights from Falmouth.’

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