Seven new ships for 2011

Although the number of ocean-going ships set to come out of the shipyards next year is down on 2010 – the first sign that the recent building boom is ending – the talk in cruising is still of growth.

Association of Cruise Experts director Flo Powell says: “In tough economic times, people want to know what they are spending, which means cruising’s all-inclusive value proposition becomes even better.

“There will be fewer launches in 2011 but this year’s ship launches, new onboard activities and new destinations will have a snowball effect on next year’s bookings. The Passenger Shipping Association forecasts 6% growth to 1.75 million passengers.”

Next year’s eight new ocean-going ships include AIDAsol, which operates exclusively for the German-speaking market, leaving seven new ships for UK agents to sell.

On the rivers, Viking River Cruises is bringing out two vessels, to sail on the Danube and Yangtze; AMA Waterways is launching vessels on the Mekong and in Europe; Uniworld has new river cruise boats on the Rhine and Douro; and Avalon Waterways and Scenic Tours are each launching one new vessel in Europe.

In addition, the 700-passenger Royal Princess will be leaving the Princess Cruises’ fleet to join P&O Cruises after a gala renaming ceremony in Southampton in May.

Here’s a rundown of the seven new ships set to launch next year in the UK market in order of appearance


Oceania Cruises
Marina
Sets sail: January 22, 2011


Key selling points: The 1,258-passenger Marina is twice the size of the line’s three existing ships, which has made space for two more restaurants – Jacques for French cuisine, and Red Ginger for Asian. There’s a culinary studio for cookery lessons and La Reserve for wine-tastings.

Find it: Marina’s maiden voyage is a 13-day cruise from Barcelona to Miami. The ship cruises the US West Coast and Caribbean until March, then returns to the Mediterranean for the summer.

Sample price: From £2,633 cruise-only for a 10-day cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. oceaniacruises.co.uk

Disney Cruise Line
Disney Dream
Sets sail: January 26, 2011

Key selling points: The AquaDuck, the first ‘water coaster’ at sea travels 765ft around the ship and has a four-deck drop; virtual portholes that give passengers in inside cabins a sea view; and the Enchanted Garden dining room, which changes from day to night as you eat.

Find it: Disney Dream will be sailing three, four and five-night Bahamian cruises year-round from Port Canaveral, calling at Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.

Sample price: From £463 cruise-only for a four-night Bahamian cruise on April 10, 2011. disneycruiseline.co.uk

Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Magic
Sets sail: May 1, 2011

Key selling points: Carnival’s first pub at sea, the RedFrog, which has its own signature beer, ThirstyFrog Red. There’s a new Italian restaurant, Cucina del Capitano, a ropes course with nets suspended 150ft above the sea, the drainpipe and twister water slides, and an outdoor weight-lifting area.

Find it: Carnival Magic is cruising the Mediterranean from Barcelona until November, when it relocates to Galveston, Texas, where it will be based year-round.

Sample price: From £899 for a seven-night cruise from Barcelona including flights and transfers. carnivalcruise.co.uk

Compagnie du Ponant
L’Austral
Sets sail: April 27, 2011

Key selling points: More yacht than ship, it will have a chic grey and white hull and shades of brown inside. Cabins have open-plan bathrooms (with sliding doors if passengers want privacy) and several have interconnecting doors, so they can be put together to create a suite.

Find it: L’Austral will be based in the Mediterranean until October, when it relocates to Ushuaia, Argentina for cruises to Antarctica.

Sample price: From £1,655 cruise-only for a seven-night Adriatic cruise round trip from Venice on May 31, 2011. ponant.com

Yachts of Seabourn
Seabourn Quest
Sets sail: June 9, 2011

Key selling points: This is the third and last new 450-passenger ship being built by Seabourn, a sister to Odyssey and Sojourn, so it’s more of the same, rather than anything new. There’s Restaurant 2 for a taster menu, a stylish spa, balcony suites and caviar in the surf on calm days in the Caribbean.

Find it: Seabourn Quest will be based in the Mediterranean next summer, relocating to Fort Lauderdale in November. A 109-day maiden world cruise starts on January 5, 2012.

Sample price: From £5,449 for a 14-day cruise from Barcelona to Piraeus, the port for Athens, on June 20, 2011, including flights and transfers. seabourn.com

Costa Cruises
Costa Favolosa
Sets sail: July 4, 2011

Key selling points: Favolosa is Italian for fairytale so Costa is promising decor resembling a modern-day enchanted castle. There will be Costa favourites including a Grand Prix driving simulator, 4D cinema and a large Samsara spa, plus a new Aqua Park.

Find it: Costa Favolosa (pictured top) will be based in Venice for the summer, sailing seven-day cruises to the Greek islands, Turkey and Croatia.

Sample price: From £769 for a seven-night Ancient Treasures cruise from Venice in July 2011 including flights and transfers. costacruises.co.uk

Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Silhouette
Sets sail: July 23, 2011

Key selling points: Silhouette is Celebrity’s fourth Solstice-class ship and will feature the same real grass lawn as its sister ships; a glassblowing workshop; Qsine for traditional dishes served in quirky ways; and Blu for healthy cuisine.

Find it: Celebrity Silhouette will be based in Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, for summer, sailing 12-night cruises to Egypt, Israel, Turkey and Greece. For winter 2011-12, it will be sailing Caribbean cruises from New Jersey.

Sample price: From £2,100 for a 12-night Holy Land cruise from Civitavecchia on August 10, 2011, including flights and transfers. celebritycruises.co.uk

MS Prinsendam Ship visit

I was lucky enough to visit Holland America's MS Prinsendam on Monday 12th of July. There was quite a 'stir' in South Wales as this was the first Cruise Ship to berth at Newport Docks!!

We arrived promptly as many of the cruise clients were boarding coaches to see the delights of Newport and the Wye Valley - what the mostly American guests thought of Newport in Summer (in the torrential rain) I can only guess....

We boarded for our tour on the smallest of the Holland America Line fleet of 14 ships. She is 38,000 tonnes with only 318 staterooms and a passenger capacity of 793. Built as Royal Viking Sun in 1988 and then operated as Seabourn Sun, HAL took delivery of her in 2002, following an extensive refit.

As it was around midday we went straight for lunch.... in the Pinnacle Grill, the alternative, reservation only(small cover charge of $20), dining venue - elegant surroundings and the most attentive service. The menu included Thai crab cakes, tomato and basil soup with a choice of Salmon, Filet Mignon or Pasta followed by rasberry tart and coffee... an excellent start. The Pinnacle Grill is one of 5 restaurants each with their own intimate character.

(Fontaine Dining Room)

On with the tour - I found it easy to navigate and get my bearings onto the Ocean Bar with bandstand, comfortable seats and dance floor. Past the Fontaine Restaurant with its two traditional set dining times or the flexible 'as you wish' dining - where you can dine at a time to suit you. There are spectacular sea views and tables set with Rosenthal bone china and silver service.


Then upstairs to the Promenade deck. This is where the luxurious

'Lanai' staterooms are situated - Deluxe verandha outside share a private covered deck and hot tub.


The explorers lounge with bandstand for after dinner music and where the complimentary hot and cold hors d'ouveres are served before dinner.


Past the Java Bar - where for a small charge espressos, cappuccinos and lattes's are served all day.



Also on this deck is the Photo Gallery, Culinary Arts Theatre (state of the art kitchen for demonstrations and workshops with celebrity chefs on board to host lectures, wine tastings and seminars. On past the Boutiques and front desk to the Queens Lounge - the main show lounge with seating for 521 and with 2 shows nightly.

Up one more deck to the 'Greenhouse Spa' and then up 2 decks to the Lido deck and the Neptune lounge and Lido pool and bar.
here also is the Lido Restaurant featuring a wonderful buffet and casual dining. Free coffee and tea available 24 hours and also the ice cream parlour..

One more flight of stairs brought us to the crows nest - an observation lounge with floor to ceiling windows, a piano bar and a spectacular view.

I enjoyed the visit immensly and thought that Prinsendam brought back echoes of traditional cruising and would be ideal for my more discerning clients. But with prices as these - great value for money -

Itineraries for 2009/10 include:

• Western Europe 14 days Sep 6th
  
• Mediterranean 14 days Sep20, Oct 4, 18
  
• Transatlantic 24 days Nov 1
• Amazon Explorer 26 days Nov 25
  
• Caribbean 14 days Dec 21
  
• Grand South American & Antarctic Voayage 70 days Jan 13
  
• Grand mediterranean & Black Sea Voyage 54 days Mar 24
  
• Transatlantic 21 days May 17
  
• Nothern Europe 18days June 7

My next trip

Due to our 'Longship' status with Fred. Olsen Cruises for selling so many cruises, I have been invited on board M.S. Balmoral this Friday for a 2 night cruise to Antwerp from Dover. I have been allocated a K Grade outside single cabin and I will post the photo's on here shortly. With only one business session it looks like a fun trip.

Silversea offers free flights to boost European cruise bookings

Silversea Cruises is offering British travellers free roundtrip economy flights from the UK to kick start bookings. The free flights are being offered from London and selected regional airports on 28 voyages to Europe and the Mediterranean this summer. The free Air Programme also includes complimentary transfers from airport to ship on day of embark and disembark. Business Class fares now start at just £199 for selected European voyages and £1,999 for Alaskan and Caribbean voyages - representing savings of over 50%. "We've created these new programmes to make it as attractive as possible for guests, who may have been holding back, to move ahead with their travel plans for 2009," said managing director for UK and Ireland Trudy Redfern. The special air incentives are being offered subject to availability.

Royal caribbean news

Independence to sail ex-UK all year

posted Thursday, April 23, 2009
Independence of the SeasRoyal Caribbean has intensified competition in the ex-UK cruise market by opting to base one of the world’s three largest ships year-round in the UK for the first time.The 4,000-berth Independence of the Seas (pictured), which in 2007 was the first new ship the line dedicated to the UK, will sail its first ex-UK winter season out of Southampton in 2010.The line said the decis ion was based purely on its confidence in the UK market. But it also represents a further challenge to the dominance of P&O Cruises in its Southampton home port.The repositioning of Independence will be more than made up for in the Caribbean winter season with Royal’s new bigger 5,400-passenger ships, in 2010 and 2011, according to Robin Shaw, Royal Caribbean’s managing director.He said he was “confident” there was pent-up demand for an ex-UK winter programme.“The shoulder periods in late April and November have proved very, very successful with Independence, so this is an extension of something we already do,” he said.“This reflects our confidence in the underlying strength of the UK market, which I’m convinced could double or treble in the near future.”Independence’s winter 2010-11 programme will add 15 cruises to the UK market and go on sale on June 1. It will offer two itineraries – 11-night Canaries cruises and 18-night trips to the Mediterranean – with prices leading in at £749. Call us to get the best fares NOW

First images of Norwegian Epic
The first images of Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,200-passenger ship Norwegian Epic have been released by the company.

The details of the line’s largest ship Norwegian Epic emerged ahead of cruises going on sale this spring.

Under construction at a French shipyard, the 19-deck vessel will be 1,068 feet long and 133 feet wide when completed in May 2010.

Group block bookings will open exclusively for travel agents later this month. Cruises are scheduled to go on sale to consumers this spring.

Details of itineraries and prices to be offered for cruises by the 153,000-tonne Norwegian Epic are expected to become available at the same time.

by Phil Davies

Cruises ‘better value’ than a decade ago

Cruise holiday prices are almost £2,000 cheaper per couple than they were 10 years ago, a leading line claims. Research by P&O Cruises found that a two week cruise this summer in an ocean view cabin cost £1,579 per person, compared with the same holiday ten years ago at £2,520.

P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale said: “The cumulative inflation rate between May 1998 and May 2008 is 32%, so if cruise holidays had increased accordingly, then our prices should be more than double those in this summer’s brochure. “In actual fact, this year’s prices are more than £900 cheaper per person, almost £2,000 cheaper for a couple than ten years ago.”

An ocean view cabin for two people on Oriana this year costs £3,158 – 37% less than ten years ago when the same cabin would have cost £5,040, according to P&O Cruises.

“Compare that to a loaf of bread, which cost 48p and is now £1.08, or a pint of draught bitter which cost £1.70 ten years ago and is now around £3 a pint or even the well documented price of a litre of unleaded petrol which cost 67p per litre in 1998 and is now £1.12,” said Esdale. “Household expenditure on everyday items has practically doubled, whilst cruise holidays have become more affordable than ever.

“Considering a cruise holiday today includes accommodation, almost all food, entertainment and even flights, the research proves the exceptional value it provides at a time when the credit crunch is hitting our wallets in every aspect of our daily life.“Passengers can eat in the restaurant of a celebrity chef, try bungee trampolining and circus skills, enjoy a martini in a contemporary designer bar or see a West End style show at minimal cost.”

Virgin Holidays Cruises managing director Robin Deller said: “We have seen a significant increase in cruise sales in 2008. “We believe this is mainly due to the fact consumers are now fully aware that a cruise holiday really does provide the best value for money. “This trend seems set to continue as more innovative ships appealing to the ‘new to cruise’ passenger and to families enter service.”

Cruiseline Tipping Policies

A Quick Guide to Tipping

Cruiselines Where Gratuities are not Included in Cruise Cost
P&O Cruises sticks with the cash and envelope system for passengers on fixed dining, but clients on Ventura or Oceana, who have opted for Freedom dining, will be changed £1.60 a day for the waiters. Envelopes will be provided for the stewards. Tipping is optional.

Princess Cruises adds $10 per person per day to the bill for all passengers. This can be removed on request.

Norwegian Cruise Line adds $10 per person per day service charge for adults, $5 for under-12s, which is mandatory. NCL also adds a mandatory 18% gratuity to all spa treatments.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines recommends £2 a day each for the cabin steward and restaurant waiter. Envelopes are supplied at reception.

Crystal Cruises includes gratuities for British passengers who have bought a flycruise package.

Cruiselines Where Gratuities are Included in Cruise Cost
Ocean Village
Island Cruises
Thomson Cruises
Silversea
SeaDream Yacht Club
Yachts of Seabourn
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Hebridean International Cruises

Ocean Village Unveils New Caribbean Destinations

Ocean Village is to run 14-night cruises in the Caribbean in winter 2009-10 to give access to new destinations not accessible on one-week sailings.

Three different fly-cruise itineraries will run by the line’s two ships with prices starting at £1,199 per person, including a 45% early booking discount.

New destinations on departures from Barbados include Samana in the Dominican Republic,

Grand Turk, Mayreau in the Grenadines and Colon for the Panama Canal.

All holidays are for 14 nights, reflecting a clear passenger preference for two weeks away – more than 85% of current Caribbean passengers opt for this duration, according to the company.

Prices Revealed for Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International has revealed that prices for nine-night fly cruises on mega ship Oasis of the Seas will start at £1,299 per person.

The ship is one of the most hyped vessels of all time and, with capacity for 5,400 passengers, will be 40% larger than the current largest ship in the world, Independence of the Seas, which is also owned by RCI. Oasis of the Seas will make its first sailing on December 12, 2009 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The inaugural season will begin with 19 consecutive seven-night sailings to the Eastern Caribbean, with ports of call at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas. From May 1, 2010, Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Eastern Caribbean itinerary with the Western Caribbean itinerary, which will call at Labadee, Royal Caribbean International’s private beach destination in Haiti; the new port of Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico.

The ship will feature the first ever outdoor park at sea, called Central Park. Cabins will go on sale on September 3rd and the company is so confident of strong sales that it has decided not to offer early booking discounts.

MSC Places New Ship Orders

MSC Cruises has placed orders for two new ships. The Italian line reportedly placed orders with the French Aker yard for two Musica-class vessels.

The ships are due for delivery in February 2011 and February 2012, further expanding the company's fleet.

MSC introduces its biggest ship, MSC Fantasia, in December. The 133,500-tonne ship will bring the fleet up to ten vessels, rising to 12 before the two new orders.

P&O Cruises Revamps Shore Excursions

P&O Cruises is offering holidaymakers the chance to drive a Ferrari for the day or race a private yacht if regular coach-based shore excursions no longer excite them.

P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale said: “We are attracting more new cruise passengers than ever before and these holidaymakers are looking for something a little different to do on shore than a guided coach tour.

“We can now offer them experiences that simply would not be possible on any other type of holiday.”

Ferrari driving is available to cruisers in Italy, from the port of Livorno, while racing a private Beneteau 40 yacht can be done for those stopping off in Antigua. Zip wiring trips through the rainforest are also available to cruisers in Jamaica, while in Grasse, near the port of Cannes, holidaymakers can create a personal fragrance with master perfumers.

Meanwhile, glaciers and ice-fields can be explored from Reykjavik. Many of the new excursions are available now, with some offered from 2009.

TAKE A CRUISE AND COME BACK LOOKING TEN YEARS YOUNGER

NCL Freestyle Cruising has taken holiday rejuvenation to the next level as it becomes the the first cruise line to offer BOTOX® Cosmetic, Restylane® and Perlane® facial aesthetic treatments on board in its Mandara operated spas, in partnership with global provider of spa services Steiner Transocean, LLC (“Steiner”).

The treatments, which are part of Mandara’s medi-spa programme, are currently available on select NCL ships, including Norwegian Gem - currently based in Barcelona - Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Spirit, with plans to launch fleet-wide this autumn.

Guests simply book in for a 30 minute consultation period with a medically-licensed doctor, and an individual treatment plan is created to tackle those areas showing the telling signs of aging.
All facial aesthetic treatments are under the careful supervision of Steiner’s Medical Director, Dr. Brad Herman, a Miami-based, board-certified plastic surgeon and his team of medically-licensed doctors who have been trained specifically in the administration of these treatments.
“Our spas are the best at sea and we are always looking for new ways to enhance the guest experience,” says Stephen Park, general manager, NCL UK.

“NCL has always been the most innovative cruise line, and being the first to offer these popular medi-spa treatments is a further example of our product development and offering.
“We are excited to be able to offer Botox treatments for those passengers sailing on Norwegian Gem on her popular Western Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona and look forward announcing that not only do we have the youngest fleet at sea – but we also have the youngest looking passengers!”

Leonard Fluxman, president and chief executive officer of Steiner Leisure, says, “We believe this expansion of our medi-spa services provides yet another opportunity to perpetuate our philosophy of imparting inner and outer beauty for our guests. As beauty and wellness needs continue to evolve, we always strive to present our guests with a premium selection of treatments that suit their individual lifestyle and preferences.”

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, non-surgical treatment that can safely and effectively soften lines and reduce wrinkles. BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used therapeutically for over 18 years, and according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, has been the number one non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the US since its FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002.
Guests who want to reduce lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth can opt for the number one selling dermal filler in the United States: Restylane® or its sister product Perlane®. Restylane® and Perlane® treatments can provide volume and fullness to the skin with instantaneous and long-lasting results.

These medi-spa treatments supplement NCL’s wide-range of skin, body, massage, and hair and nail care already available on board. Other treatments available at sea include GoSmile Tooth Whitening, Microdermabrasion and Ionithermie Cellulite Reduction Program, a body contouring treatment instantly improving the look of cellulite.

MSC CRUISES LAUNCHES ONLINE CHECK-IN

MSC Cruises, the world’s fastest growing cruise line, has launched MSC Express, a new and innovative check-in service, available at all major ports in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

This new system will allow passengers to significantly reduce the time it takes to get on board the ship by utilising a simple, fast track system.

The first port of call for passengers is the new www.mscexpress.net website, which for extra convenience is also accessible via the www.msccruises.co.uk website. Once logged on, passengers simply enter their booking information - reservation number, passenger name and surname, together with the ship name and departure date.

After inputting these brief details, a second screen is displayed where passengers’ personal details need to be entered in order to complete online check-in. This then produces a printout which allows passengers to be fast tracked through check-in at the port, thanks to the new addition of dedicated MSC Express desks. Passengers simply present their printout and tickets at the desk on the day of embarkation, vastly reducing waiting times and queues.

“MSC Cruises has a commitment to providing innovative solutions that help our passengers have the most enjoyable trip possible. The addition of online check-in and dedicated MSC Express desks is an extra convenience that cuts queues and waiting times at the port, meeting the growing demands of busy clients.

“We hope that this new service will help our passengers to start their trip sooner and ultimately get their holiday off to the most relaxing start possible,” said Guilio Libutti, MD, MSC Cruises UK and Ireland.

The MSC Express service is currently available to passengers departing from the ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia.