Cruise news
CUNARD TO BUILD ‘QUEEN ELIZABETH' [10 Oct 2007]
Cunard Line announces that it has ordered a new 92,000-ton liner, to be named ‘Queen Elizabeth’, scheduled to enter service in the autumn of 2010. Cunard signed an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of the new 2092–passenger ocean liner, which will be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard at an all-in cost of approximately €500 million. The vessel will be the second largest Cunarder ever built.
In making the announcement, Cunard's President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, said: “Cunard already owns and operates the two most famous ocean liners in the world, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2, and a third - Queen Victoria - is due to be named by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales, in December of this year. The decision to order another ship for Cunard Line has been taken as a result of the strong booking response to the new Queen Victoria, and we are extremely pleased that Cunard will once again become a three-ship fleet so soon after the departure of the much-celebrated Queen Elizabeth 2 in November next year. Furthermore we are delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given her blessing to our calling this new Cunarder ‘Queen Elizabeth’, after our first vessel of that name. ”
The new ship follows a long line of famous Cunard liners stretching back to the company's inception as the first operator of a timetabled transatlantic service 167 years ago.
Queen Elizabeth will offer the very best of Cunard’s values and traditions, blended with every conceivable modern luxury that today's discerning travellers expect. Through her opulent public rooms and impeccable service, the new ship will reflect the grandeur which has been associated with Cunard ships since the introduction of the Mauretania in 1907; and from the outside, her black hull, gleaming white superstructure and distinctive red funnel will echo the classic characteristics of the company's distinctive liner heritage. Queen Elizabeth will fly the Red Ensign with her home-port Southampton, as is the case with the other ships in the Cunard fleet.
Design details and initial itineraries will be announced in due course.
MSC CRUISES SAFEGUARDS THE ENVIRONMENT [31 Aug 2007]
MSC Cruises has achieved yet another milestone implementing greater standards to protect the environment. The company has received the ISO 14001 certificate from the Bureau Veritas Certification in recognition of the management system that MSC Cruises has implemented on board their ships, as well as their offices, to monitor and reduce impact on the environment.
In addition to the correct procedure of MSC Cruises’ survey and monitoring system, the Bureau Veritas audit also acknowledges the valid monitoring and reporting system of all on board activities and the training for all personnel.
“The ISO 14001 certificate is a very important goal for our company. Our environment management system has met all the requirements of the International Normative and demontrates our commitment to the environment” declared Domenico Pellegrino, Managing Director MSC Cruises.
Bureau Veritas Certification is the certification division of the Bureau Veritas Group, responsible for quality control, health, safety, environment and social responsibility. The Group is active in 140 countries, with 600 offices and 18,000 experts.
NCL details 38 new ports in 2008-09 programme [13 Aug 2007]
Full details of Norwegian Cruise Line's largest deployment of ships in Europe for next summer have been issued in a new brochure. The line will have three ships in the region in 2008, including Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Jewel sailing from Southampton and Dover.
Two-night mini cruises from Southampton to Le Harve and Zeebrugge for Bruges and Dover to Amsterdam lead-in at £199 per person. Two Baltic Capitals itineraries from Dover on Norwegian Jewel start at £999 and £1,099 respectively while a 14-night Mediterranean sailing from Southampton on Norwegian Jade starts at £1,299 as does a 12-night Norway and North Cape itinerary.
A single 13-night round Britain and Ireland cruise from Southampton next July includes calls at Le Harve, Falmouth, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Greenock, Invergordon, South Queensferry for Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Zeebrugge. Prices start at £999.
New ship Norwegian Gem, being launched in Dover in October, will operate 28 seven-night fly-cruises from Barcelona between May and November with prices starting at £699.
The programme features 38 new ports of call including San Francisco. Alaska also features in the brochure with three ships sailing from Seattle or Vancouver while New England and Canada are served with departures from both New York and Boston, including three new itineraries. Hawaii is covered with pre- and post-cruise stays in Honolulu.
International business development vice-president Francis Riley said: "We've got so many USP's in place like the youngest fleet afloat when we launch the Gem in October, the industry's only inter-island Hawaiian cruise itineraries and NCL Freestyle cruising, the most flexible, fun and customisable holiday at sea."
Royal Caribbean docks in Singapore [12 July 2007]
Royal Caribbean Cruises has opened its new Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore. The regional headquarters will support the marketing efforts in Asia Pacific for three of the company's cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.
"Our expansion to the Asia Pacific region is an integral part of our international business development and growth strategy, and it is an exciting time to be here," said Rama Rebbapragada, managing director for Asia Pacific
"We will have Royal Caribbean International's Rhapsody of the Seas, the largest ship sailing in this region, 'homeported' here at the end of this year and we are committed to another Asia season in 2008-09."
In December 2007, Royal Caribbean International's Rhapsody of the Seas will debut in Singapore, offering travelers a selection of six short cruises that will range from two to five nights.
Rhapsody of the Seas also will offer three 12-night voyages between Singapore and Hong Kong, each featuring two-day calls in Bangkok and Hanoi, as well as Sihanoukville, Saigon, Vung Tau, Nha Trang and Hue Danang. The ship's Asia tour continues on from Hong Kong, where it will arrive in time for the Chinese New Year, offering a series of itineraries calling at the ports in Japan, Taipei, Korea and China.
QE2 to Leave Cunard Fleet [18 June 2007] 
Cunard Line today announced the sale of QE2 to Dubai World, in a US$100 million deal which will turn this iconic liner into a first-class tourism destination at The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
QE2 will be delivered to Dubai World in November 2008, where she will cease her role as an ocean-going passenger vessel. From 2009, the vessel will be berthed at a specially-constructed pier at The Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island, to create a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination. The ship, which was launched by Her Majesty The Queen in September 1967, 40 years ago this year, is the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history, and was their longest-serving flagship. Since she came into service in 1969, she has undertaken 25 world cruises, has crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and has carried more than 2.5 million passengers.
Carol Marlow, President and Managing Director of Cunard, said: "We are delighted that when her legendary career as an ocean liner ends there will continue to be a permanent home for her that will enable future generations to continue to experience fully both the ship and her history".
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, said: "QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today. I am delighted we will be able to create a home for her on the newest wonder of the world, The Palm Jumeirah.
"QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the must-see experiences of Dubai and of the Middle East. We are investing in creating a truly global tourism destination.
"Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished".
Destination-driven new cruise brand Azamara unveiled [30 May]
Celebrity Cruises has created a new deluxe cruise brand - Azamara Cruises - to offer destination-driven itineraries. The new brand will initially feature the 710-passenger Azamara Journey to be followed by sister ship Azamara Quest in October. Previously running under the Celebrity Expeditions banner, the vessels will operate in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
The first ship embarked on its maiden voyage following a month-long $19 million refit, including the conversion of 48 cabins into 32 suites an expanded spa area and two new restaurants. The line will operate in Bermuda, Panama Canal/South America this year, Asia, the Caribbean, South America and Europe in 2008.
Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises, said: "We created Azamara Cruises to target an area of the market that we believe is underserved, and an area this product is ideally suited to fill. This new line falls into what we consider the deluxe category - a category between premium and luxury."