 |
Latest News |
 |
 |
P&O's new superliner Azura-
From a distance she'll look just like her sister, but P&O's new superliner Azura couldn't have a more different personality from Ventura, launched last year with the roar of giant Scalextrics and all the fun of the circus.
News that childish pursuits such as toy car racing and bungee trampolining have been set aside for more grown-up pastimes such as ballroom dancing and wine tasting aboard Azura will be music to the ears of P&O's fan-base of mature and middle-class customers.
Since 2005, P&O's domination of the no-fly UK cruise market has been challenged by American lines. Some saw Ventura as P&O's defence against these glitzy US ships.
And while Ventura did its job of bringing in new customers who had never cruised before, P&O is not repeating the formula with Azura, to be launched in March. With spa staterooms and a Mumbai-style lounge club, P&O is off on a whole new tack. Or is it?
'Azura isn't a big departure at all. In fact we describe it as "back to the future", going back to our roots,' says Philip Price, head of brand marketing at P&O.
Banish thoughts of a time-travelling teenager - this is about giving loyal P&O clients another reason to book and luring new customers from other UK ships.
'Azura's designed to appeal to people who know what cruising is about - the love of the sea and traditions like high tea and visible British officers,' he explains.
Playground at sea: Ventura features pursuits such as bungee trampolining
It makes me wonder if the officers have all gone into hiding on Ventura - scared away by disgruntled old timers and disrespectful newcomers. But, he insists, that while 'there were some problems' on Ventura - these have been ironed out.
Azura is being marketed to 'sophisticated couples'. 'It will have excellent facilities for children and Noddy will be on board, but you won't see him in the brochure,' Mr Price adds.
The Retreat will be an adults-only area with outdoor spa treatments and private cabanas. Other new departures will be an open-air SeaScreen cinema. And a dancefloor in the atrium will feature demonstrations by Strictly Come Dancing professionals.
The decor will be traditional, with food and drink very important. The 17 restaurant (in the spot on Deck 17 occupied by The White Room on Ventura) will be in the style of the Savoy Grill.
There will also be Sindhu, an Indian restaurant created by Michelin-starred Atul Kochhar. The first single cabins in P&O's seven-ship fleet are perhaps the greatest nod to the era when passengers travelling alone were not seen as difficult customers. 'They are the most successful cabins in terms of sales already.'
Norwegian Epic inaugural Voyage-
Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that Norwegian Epic, the company’s largest and most innovative ship to date currently under construction in France, will make her inaugural transatlantic seven-day cruise on June 24, 2010, departing from London (Southampton). The 4,200 passenger Freestyle Cruising ship will arrive in New York, her first port of call in the United States, on July 1, 2010. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line also announced that a new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise has been added to Norwegian Epic’s inaugural season, departing Miami on July 10, 2010, one week earlier than previously scheduled.
“In true maritime fashion, Norwegian Epic will make the non-stop crossing from the U.K. to New York in just one week,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “This seven-day voyage gives our guests the opportunity to be the first to immerse themselves in all of the innovative and varied activities, world-class dining and spectacular entertainment that will be offered on Norwegian Epic.”
After an unprecedented response to a waitlist for Norwegian Epic’s transatlantic last month, Norwegian Cruise Line will give those guests on the waitlist first priority to confirm their booking on the transatlantic today and tomorrow. A special guest services team will be contacting those guests so that they can choose from Norwegian Epic’s wide range of accommodations from the innovative new Studios to the largest suite and villa complex at sea. On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, members of Norwegian’s past guest program, Latitudes, will have a special preview sale day to book the cruise. The much-anticipated transatlantic sailing will officially open to the public for booking on Thursday, September 17, 2009.
Norwegian Epic’s new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas, will go on sale to the public on September 28, 2009. Guests currently booked on Norwegian Epic’s July 17, 2010 Eastern Caribbean cruise will have priority to switch to the new sailing date if they so choose by calling Norwegian at 866-234-5609 by September 25, 2009.
In addition, Norwegian Epic’s 2010/11 inaugural season sailings from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean are currently open for sale. The ship’s alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, available as seven-day individual sailings or 14-day combined sailings, are available through April 2011.
Celebrity Eclipse-
Celebrity Eclipse, the first Celebrity Cruises ship to be based from Southampton for a summer season will be arriving in the city earlier than planned in April 2010 and is introducing an additional three-night taster cruise to its schedule.
The new three-night cruise will depart Southampton on 26 April 2010 and call at Le Havre in Normandy, northern France, a destination popular with cruise travellers for day trips to Paris. Prices start from £399 per person for the three night break including meals and entertainment onboard ship, based on two sharing an ocean view with balcony.
Celebrity Eclipse is currently expected to arrive in Southampton for its launch celebrations, including a naming ceremony, in the week commencing 19 April 2010.
Robin Shaw, vice president and managing director UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line explained:
“Launch celebrations in July this year for Celebrity Equinox were a conscious effort to showcase our new Solstice-class of ships to as many British and Irish travel professionals as possible in the build up to the arrival in 2010 of sister-ship Celebrity Eclipse dedicated to the UK and Irish market. We are reaping the rewards of this activity and Celebrity Eclipse is the best performing ship in the Celebrity fleet. We hope that this additional taster cruise will stimulate the market further and introduce Celebrity Cruises to the new to cruise market.”
Celebrity Eclipse is the third ship in the Celebrity Cruises Solstice-class, and is currently being built in Papenburg, Germany. Onboard features include a real grass lawn, glass blowing studio, spa-themed AquaClass accommodation and a host of speciality restaurants and bars.
Thousands of British and Irish travel professionals are expected to join Celebrity Cruises in Southampton for the launch of the new ship in April 2010. Ongoing trade support includes updates to the agent training modules from Cruising for Excellence specific to selling Solstice-class ships, and a bespoke game called ‘Total Eclipse’ to enhance travel partners knowledge of Celebrity Eclipse.
The new three-night Le Havre sailing onboard Celebrity Eclipse goes on sale on 7 September 2009 for the first time.
world’s largest cruise ship, Independence of the Seas-
As the world’s largest cruise ship, Independence of the Seas, returns to the UK for its second season based from Southampton on 25 April 2009, owners Royal Caribbean International announce that the ship will be based year round from the port in 2010. The development will see Royal Caribbean International generate a massive £50 million in terms of knock-on economic impact on the Southampton area (1). Independence of the Seas will be the first ever Royal Caribbean International ship to be based year-round from the UK and will remain the largest and most innovative ship sailing in Europe.
Robin Shaw, vice president and managing director, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, UK and Ireland explained: “Royal Caribbean International is committed to continuing to grow its presence in the British and Irish markets. When Independence of the Seas first sailed from the UK it was one of the best performing ships in the fleet. The 2009 return of the ship has been equally successful due to the fantastic array of activity, entertainment and facilities onboard, and the enormous support we receive from our trade partners. It is great news that Independence of the Seas will call Southampton home for the long term and means that we firmly cement our position as one of the leading players in the UK cruise industry.” Royal Caribbean International first based a ship from Southampton in 2005, the 2,076-guest Legend of the Seas. After two summer seasons from the port, Royal Caribbean International introduced the 3,114-guest Navigator of the Seas for one year in summer 2007. Navigator of the Seas was replaced in summer 2008 when the 3,600-guest Independence of the Seas launched in Southampton and became the first new Royal Caribbean International ship to operate its inaugural season from this port. Operating at maximum capacity, Independence of the Seas can carry up to 4,300 guests.
The first ever winter 2010 season of Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas will go on sale on 1 June 2009. Royal Caribbean International will be supporting the push with a major trade and consumer marketing campaign, as well as dedicated point of sale materials for agents. Winter cruises in 2010 and 2011 will include romantic destinations along the Italian Riviera, amazing island visits in the Sorrentine Peninsula on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, as well as the Balearic Islands, these cruises range from 11 to 18 nights in duration. Prices for an 11 night Winter Sun cruise to the Canary Islands start from £799 per person based on two sharing an inside stateroom or an 18 night Mediterranean Cities cruise visiting historic coastal towns from £999 per person based on two sharing an inside stateroom. Traditionally, Royal Caribbean International ships have only operated the summer season (April until October) in Europe and the Mediterranean. In 2008, Brilliance of the Seas became the first ship in the fleet to operate year round in the Mediterranean from the homeport of Barcelona. Currently one of the largest in-class of cruise ship in the world, Independence of the Seas is longer than three and half football pitches and is unlike any other to have operated in UK waters in terms of both its size and onboard facilities. If standing upright on its bow it would dwarf the UK’s tallest building, London’s One Canada Square at Canary Wharf (771 feet tall). Featuring an onboard ice rink, rock climbing wall, surfing simulator and a ‘street’ packed with shops, restaurants and bars that is longer than the pitch at the new Wembley stadium, Independence of the Seas is an action-packed floating resort.
Cunards New Queen Elizabeth-
Cunard has shrugged off the world’s current economic woes by unveiling the first details of its unashamedly luxurious £365 million, 90,000-ton liner Queen Elizabeth, which will enter service in October 2010.
The 964ft vessel aims to put to recreate the halcyon days of cruising, during what the company said was a “more civilized era of travel”.The liner, which was built at the Monfalcone shipyard near Trieste cost £365 million, a total of 16 decks, 12 of which will be used for accommodation for just over 2,000 passengers.
It will boast art deco features similar to those in the original 1930s liner Queen Elizabeth. The focal point will be a vast chandeliered ballroom and nostalgic entertainment including Ivor Novello style piano evenings.
In addition to the bowling green, the games deck will offer passengers the chance to play croquet and paddle tennis.
The Elizabeth is the third new ocean liner to be introduced by Cunard in the past six years, joining Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria.
As a result Cunard will once again have all ‘three Queens’ sailing together.
They were launched during a period when cruising was enjoying a renaissance, with demand for holidays at sea soaring.
“For over 70 years there has been an ‘Elizabeth’ in the fleet,” said Carol Marlow, Cunard’s president and managing director.
“This beautiful modern day celebration of our past - Elizabeths’ will ensure this proud tradition will continue far into this century.”
Cruising in 2010-
Cruising is on the upswing: bigger ships, new destinations, more deals, a wider variety of choices and more passengers. 2010 is expected be a record year for the U.K. cruise market, with more British holidaymakers than ever before taking to the seas.
Unlike many other holiday sectors, cruise travel weathered the recession well. According to the Passenger Shipping Association, 1.5 million people in Britain took cruises in 2008 and, despite the tough economy, similar figures are expected for 2009. 2010, however, will see a host of new ships serving the U.K. and European markets, increasing capacity and stimulating continued growth over the next 12 months.
So, what does next year hold for the U.K. cruise market?
“In short, British holidaymakers have discovered cruising, and they’re hooked,” “It’s hard to resist a ‘resort’ that floats to the next port of call while you sit by the pool. It’s the ultimate for relaxing and sightseeing. Factor in the tremendous deals we’re currently seeing, the vast range of activities available onboard, plus the easy-to-budget inclusive pricing—and it’s no wonder cruise travel is on the up.”
“2010 will offer British travellers a wider choice of ships, destinations, itineraries, deals and cruise styles than ever before,” “You really need to do your homework beforehand and find the cruise line and ship that offer the type of holiday you want—formal or informal, family or romantic, relaxing or action-packed. And, with the completion of the engineering marvel that is the mammoth, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas later this year, we’re entering a whole new phase of cruising.”
· Cruising Will be BIG in 2010—Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas sweeps onto the scene to offer the biggest and greatest of everything (almost) at sea. Although the ship will not sail out of the U.K., fly-cruise deals to Florida will be available for those eager to experience the first carousel at sea, explore neighborhoods like The Boardwalk and Central Park, shop and sup along the expansive Royal Promenade mall and enjoy a cocktail in the first levitating bar on a cruise ship. Oasis, which debuts in November 2009, will not be the only exciting ship to try in the coming year. We’re also excited about P&O’s Azura (April), NCL’s Epic (July) and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth (late 2010).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|