Cruise
Avalon gets busy in 2013
On the heels of announcing two new Suite Ships in Europe and Avalon Choice, Avalon Waterways is also unveiling plans to add five new itineraries plus a new themed cruise to its roster of cruise options. "We're not only expanding choices as far as dining and excursion options go,"says Stéphanie Bishop of Avalon's Canadian office. "We now have more itineraries throughout Europe, including a new Culinary Cruise in northern France -- which I know will be a huge success with Canadians."The company is also adding a cruise along China's Yangtze River, aboard two new ships. Avalon is expanding...
Costa Fascinosa set for May 5 delivery
Costa Fascinosa, Costa Cruises' new flagship, will be officially delivered to the cruise line in Venice on May 5. The 114,500-ton, 3,800-guest cruise ship was built at Fincantieri's Marghera yard. Fascinosa has successfully completed sea trials, passing a series of running tests on its systems, machinery and engines, and will be officially handed over to Costa Cruises by Fincantieri a day before a scheduled preview cruise. On May 6, Costa Fascinosa is scheduled to depart Venice bound for Slovenia; Trieste, Italy, and Croatia on a cruise hosting the 19th edition of "Champions of the Sea,"an...
Encore offers agents ‘charming’ incentive
Effective tomorrow, Encore Cruises is offering agents a free sterling silver Pandora charm bracelet (valued at $200) as part of its new "Charming"incentive for booking with Encore. The offer is valid on new bookings made between April 25 and June 22, when booking either seven balcony and/or suite categories, or 10 inside and/or oceanview categories with AMAWaterways, Azamara Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Paul Gauguin, Regent Seven Seas or Royal Caribbean International. Each cruise booking must be a minimum of a seven-night sailing. Agents...
Cruise industry unveils new safety policies
CLIA and the European Cruise Council (ECC) released details of three new safety policies that have been adopted and which will be immediately implemented. The announcement was made by Manfredi Lefebvre, chairman of the ECC and member of CLIA's executive committee, during a presentation at a major European Commission-organized Passenger Ship Safety event in Brussels. Lefebvre outlined how these policies have been agreed to by the industry and that they represent the third such announcement arising from the cruise industry's Operational Safety Review. The three new policies address issues...
Celebrity in the game with live airing of the Olympics
It's estimated that more than one billion people will tune in for this year's Olympic Games in the host city of London, and Celebrity Cruises has arranged the rare opportunity for guests sailing on its fleet to be among them. From the eagerly anticipated Opening Ceremony July 27 to the celebratory Closing Ceremony Aug. 12, Celebrity will broadcast "live"via satellite the swimming, diving, gymnastics, rowing, cycling, athletics and basketball events, in addition to airing daily compilations of highlights from all 26 sports featured in the Games of the XXX Olympiad. On Celebrity ships sailing...
Cruise industry unveils new safety policies
CLIA and the European Cruise Council (ECC) released details of three new safety policies that have been adopted and which will be immediately implemented. The announcement was made by Manfredi Lefebvre, chairman of the ECC and member of CLIA's executive committee, during a presentation at a major European Commission-organized Passenger Ship Safety event in Brussels. Manfredi outlined how these policies have been agreed to by the industry and that they represent the third such announcement arising from the cruise industry's Operational Safety Review. The three new policies address issues...
Salvage contract awarded for Costa Concordia
Costa Crociere and the Costa Concordia Emergency Commissioner's Office have announced that the tender for the removal of the ship from Giglio Island has been awarded to Titan Salvage in partnership with the Italian firm Micoperi. The work will begin in early May subject to final approval from the Italian authorities and is expected to take about 12 months. Titan Salvage is an American-owned specialist marine salvage and wreck removal company, part of the Crowley Group. Micoperi is an Italian marine contractor with a long history as a specialist in underwater construction and engineering....
New proposals to address crimes at sea
CLIA reports that the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed to the proposal of the United Kingdom, CLIA and the Philippines to develop guidelines to address concerns related to alleged serious crimes and persons missing at sea. All 24 delegations that spoke at the IMO meeting on April 18 expressed their appreciation for the proposal and supported it without exception. Building upon an earlier proposal from CLIA, the United Kingdom led a coalition of government and industry stakeholders in support of the proposal. CLIA President and CEO, Christine Duffy, said,...