Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Falkland Islands cruise tourism threat
The cruise season for the Falkland Islands which ended in April was another record year for the South Atlantic UK territory with more and more large vessels putting into Port Stanley. Once again the ‘day record’ was broken when nearly 5,000 passengers came ashore from three ships. However, this boom in tourism is a double-edged sword. Although cruise tourism this last season generated a £3m spend by the passengers coming ashore, Stanley’s infrastructure is not geared up to having such a large number of people in town at the same time and investment needs to be carried out here. However, there is a dark cloud on the horizon with the pending restrictions on large cruise ships operating in Antarctic waters and a limitation on the numbers of passenger ashore at any one time. This will ultimately mean that many of the larger ships will drop Antarctica from their schedules, which will have a knock-on effect on Falkland’s cruise tourism.
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Phoenix charters Athena
Germany’s Phoenix Kreuzfahrten has chartered Classic International’s Athena as a replacement for Alexander von Humboldt which is under arrest in Bremerhaven, Germany due to the collapse of Dutch operator Club Cruise. Athena took over the published cruise programme of Alexander von Humboldt from 6 June through to 12 November, with the latter ship expected back in Phoenix service on 20 December.
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RCI announces 2010 summer Nordic cruise holidays
RCI has announced the return of Vision of the Seas to the North and Baltic seas for a second summer season in 2010. Dedicated to the Nordic market from April through to September 2010, Vision of the Seas will feature 14 distinct itineraries on 24 sailings to 34 ports in 14 countries from the homeports of Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway and Stockholm, Sweden.
Brand new for the 2010 season are an 11 night Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen; seven night itineraries featuring St. Petersburg out of Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm; nine night British Isles & Normandy voyages from Oslo, and the addition of a new series of four and five night short cruises from Stockholm.
New ports of call for RCI will include Leith (for Edinburgh), Scotland; Olden and Tromso, Norway; and Riga, Latvia. Maiden ports of call for Vision of the Seas will include Gdansk, Poland; Honningsvag, Norway; Inverness, Scotland and Gothenburg, Sweden.
The 11 night Arctic Circle itinerary will feature a day of cruising through the Arctic Circle, and calls at the Norwegian ports of Alesund, Honningsvag, Tromso, Geiranger, Olden and Bergen.
The nine sailings calling at St. Petersburg will visit Gdansk, Visby, on the Swedish island of Gotland, Helsinki and Copenhagen. The three sailings departing Stockholm will visit Riga, Latvia, while the three sailings from Oslo will visit Tallinn, Estonia.
A nine night British Isles and Normandy itinerary, will visit Cherbourg and Le Havre, France; Inverness and Leith, Scotland; and Dublin, Ireland.
For passengers short on time, the new series of four and five night Short Breaks and Scandinavian Capitals itineraries will feature calls at Amsterdam, Bruges and Tallinn. Other ports on short cruises include Gdansk, Visby, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Copenhagen, St. Petersburg and Oslo. Sphere: Related Content
Brand new for the 2010 season are an 11 night Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen; seven night itineraries featuring St. Petersburg out of Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm; nine night British Isles & Normandy voyages from Oslo, and the addition of a new series of four and five night short cruises from Stockholm.
New ports of call for RCI will include Leith (for Edinburgh), Scotland; Olden and Tromso, Norway; and Riga, Latvia. Maiden ports of call for Vision of the Seas will include Gdansk, Poland; Honningsvag, Norway; Inverness, Scotland and Gothenburg, Sweden.
The 11 night Arctic Circle itinerary will feature a day of cruising through the Arctic Circle, and calls at the Norwegian ports of Alesund, Honningsvag, Tromso, Geiranger, Olden and Bergen.
The nine sailings calling at St. Petersburg will visit Gdansk, Visby, on the Swedish island of Gotland, Helsinki and Copenhagen. The three sailings departing Stockholm will visit Riga, Latvia, while the three sailings from Oslo will visit Tallinn, Estonia.
A nine night British Isles and Normandy itinerary, will visit Cherbourg and Le Havre, France; Inverness and Leith, Scotland; and Dublin, Ireland.
For passengers short on time, the new series of four and five night Short Breaks and Scandinavian Capitals itineraries will feature calls at Amsterdam, Bruges and Tallinn. Other ports on short cruises include Gdansk, Visby, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Copenhagen, St. Petersburg and Oslo. Sphere: Related Content
Ocean Dream quarantined in Venezuela
Spanish cruise line’s Ocean Dream was quarantined in Venezuela last week suspecting an outbreak of Swine Flu. More than 1,200 passenger and crew aboard the vessel were isolated onboard the vessel which was docked at the old cargo port of El Guamache on the Venezuelan island of Margarita.
After sailing to her homeport of Oranjestad, all passengers were allowed to disembark and fly home, the majority of which went to Spain. Sphere: Related Content
After sailing to her homeport of Oranjestad, all passengers were allowed to disembark and fly home, the majority of which went to Spain. Sphere: Related Content
Norwegian Sky completes Freeport refit
NCL’s Norwegian Sky has returned to her regular service of three and four day Bahamas cruises from Miami following a refit at Freeport’s Grand Bahama Shipyard. The work package on the vessel saw the refurbishment of public rooms and cabins, as well as the fitting of three new passenger cabins.
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Shipyard repairs required for Royal Princess engineroom fire repairs
Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess will require repairs at a shipyard following an engineroom fire in Port Said, Egypt last week. The vessel was on a 12-day Holy Land cruise from Civitavecchia to Piraeus, carrying 733 passengers and 393 crew, when the fire broke out after the vessel had sailed from Port Said. The vessel returned to the Egyptian port for inspection, which resulted in the damage to the engines being more extensive than originally thought. The cruise was then cancelled and passengers flown home. The vessel’s next cruise, scheduled for 25 June has also been cancelled.
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Falkland Islands cruise boom
The UK’s South Atlantic dependency of the Falkland Islands has set another record for the number of cruise passengers in one season, with 62,600 passengers arriving on 105 ships in the season which ended this April.
In the past 10 years the Falkland’s has seen a 218% growth in cruise passengers! A new ‘day record’ was set this year on 6 February when 4,053 passengers called in Port Stanley on three ships; Celebrity Infinity, Spirit of Adventure and Norwegian Sun. £3m was spent by cruise passengers this season, while a 1% growth is expected for the 2009/2010 season. Sphere: Related Content
In the past 10 years the Falkland’s has seen a 218% growth in cruise passengers! A new ‘day record’ was set this year on 6 February when 4,053 passengers called in Port Stanley on three ships; Celebrity Infinity, Spirit of Adventure and Norwegian Sun. £3m was spent by cruise passengers this season, while a 1% growth is expected for the 2009/2010 season. Sphere: Related Content
UK cruise market to hit 2m passengers by 2012
The booming UK cruise market is set to hit the magic 2m passenger mark by 2012, 600 delegates were told last week at the UK Cruise Convention in Dover.
Giles Hawke, Carnival UK’s sales and customer service director said: ‘The market is set for sustained growth as we expect 1.5m cruise sales this year. Sphere: Related Content
Giles Hawke, Carnival UK’s sales and customer service director said: ‘The market is set for sustained growth as we expect 1.5m cruise sales this year. Sphere: Related Content
Ponant seeks late delivery of second newbuilding in Italy
French small cruise ship operator Compagnie du Ponant, part of the large containership operator CMA-CGM, is seeking a delay in the delivery of its second 264 passenger capacity vessel building at the Ancona yard of Italy’s Fincantieri.
The lead vessel, Le Boreal, is due for delivery on 4 May 2010, with the second vessel, as yet unnamed, originally due for delivery in the late summer of 2010. However, negotiations are now underway with the shipyard to have the second vessel delivered in 2011. Sphere: Related Content
The lead vessel, Le Boreal, is due for delivery on 4 May 2010, with the second vessel, as yet unnamed, originally due for delivery in the late summer of 2010. However, negotiations are now underway with the shipyard to have the second vessel delivered in 2011. Sphere: Related Content
Saga looses Malta conversion slot
As talks continue between the UK cruise line Saga and the receivers/bondholders of bankrupt Club Cruise on the purchase of the Dutch company’s 18,600grt, 1981-built Astoria, at appears that Saga has lost the slot it had at Malta Shipyard’s for the conversion of the vessel.
Saga was in the early stages of buying Astoria from Club Cruise for €30m before the Dutch owner went bankrupt, and was then to spend a further €15m on converting the vessel as a replacement for the 1965-built Saga Rose. Sphere: Related Content
Saga was in the early stages of buying Astoria from Club Cruise for €30m before the Dutch owner went bankrupt, and was then to spend a further €15m on converting the vessel as a replacement for the 1965-built Saga Rose. Sphere: Related Content
Greek ferry operator orders new tonnage in South Korea
Greek ferry operator Attica Holdings has ordered two large Ro-Pax ferries in South Korea for Greek inter-island services. The two 145.5m vessels will be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Machinery in a deal believed to be worth €140m, with delivery expected in 2011 and 2012. Each ferry will be able to carry 2,400 passengers and 450 cars, or 50 freight vehicles and 150 cars.
It was nine years ago that Attica last ordered new ferries from Daewoo, Strintzis Lines ordered three vessels for the Korean shipbuilder. Strintzis was acquired by Attica in 2002. Sphere: Related Content
It was nine years ago that Attica last ordered new ferries from Daewoo, Strintzis Lines ordered three vessels for the Korean shipbuilder. Strintzis was acquired by Attica in 2002. Sphere: Related Content
Hawaii SuperFerry tries to offload Austal catamarans
Failed US fast ferry operator Hawaii SuperFerry, which filed for Chapter XI bankruptcy protection at the beginning of June, is trying to offload its two Austal USA built high speed catamaran ferries after failing to find a suitable charterer.
Honolulu-based Hawaii SuperFerry ordered two vessels from the Mobile, Alabama shipyard of Australian fast ferry specialist Austal. The first vessel, the Auto Express 107m design Alakai entered service in August 2007, but the second vessel, the Auto Express 113m design Huakai, was not delivered before the failure of the ferry operator. Both vessels can carry 866 passengers and 282 cars at a service speed of 40 knots.
Hawaii SuperFerry is trying to place both vessels in the hands of Austal and another creditor, the US Maritime Administration (MarAd). Sphere: Related Content
Honolulu-based Hawaii SuperFerry ordered two vessels from the Mobile, Alabama shipyard of Australian fast ferry specialist Austal. The first vessel, the Auto Express 107m design Alakai entered service in August 2007, but the second vessel, the Auto Express 113m design Huakai, was not delivered before the failure of the ferry operator. Both vessels can carry 866 passengers and 282 cars at a service speed of 40 knots.
Hawaii SuperFerry is trying to place both vessels in the hands of Austal and another creditor, the US Maritime Administration (MarAd). Sphere: Related Content
Fast ferry SpeedOne sold to the UK’s Epic Shipping
The Incat 86m wave-piercing catamaran SpeedOne (Hull 045), most recently operated by now bankrupt UK operator Speed Ferries has been bought at auction by London-based Epic Shipping. Renamed Sea Leopard, the vessel remains in London’s Tilbury Docks while a suitable charter is arranged. Also lying in Tilbury Docks awaiting a charter or buyer is another Incat fast ferry, the 74m Emeraude France (Hull 023), now owned by the UK’s Maritime Charter Sales Ltd.
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Former Sea Containers fast ferries now in the Greek islands
Three former Sea Containers fast ferries are now being used by Greece’s Aegean Speed Lines on inter-island services to Ios, Santorini and Sikinos, and Syros, Tinos and Mykonos and Piraeus, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Kimlos and Folegandros.
Speedrunner II, Speedrunner III and Speedrunner IV are the former SuperSeaCat One, SuperSeaCat Three and SuperSeaCat Four that used to run between Helsinki and Tallinn in the Baltic, until the service closed in the autumn of 2008. All three vessels are Fincantieri MDV 1200 monohulls, capable of carrying 720 passengers and 150 cars at a service speed of 38 knots. Sphere: Related Content
Speedrunner II, Speedrunner III and Speedrunner IV are the former SuperSeaCat One, SuperSeaCat Three and SuperSeaCat Four that used to run between Helsinki and Tallinn in the Baltic, until the service closed in the autumn of 2008. All three vessels are Fincantieri MDV 1200 monohulls, capable of carrying 720 passengers and 150 cars at a service speed of 38 knots. Sphere: Related Content
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Annual Ukraine/NATO Military Exercise Called Off
A Ukrainian Naval source tells RIA Novosti that the combined Ukrainian/NATO/U.S. military exercise dubbed Sea Breeze has been cancelled this year. The annual Black Sea drill was to take place in July. It is unclear why Sea Breeze 2009 was called off.
Sphere: Related ContentMilitants Attack More Oil Infrastructure in Nigeria
The main Nigerian militant group on Sunday said it destroyed two Royal Dutch Shell pipelines and attacked a Shell offshore station in the Niger Delta.
These attacks come after the same group, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), this week claimed attacks on other Shell and Chevron infrastructure.
Sphere: Related ContentSearch Continues for Flight 447 "Black Boxes"
The New York Times has a good article about the massive search that is still underway for the flight data recorders missing from the crash of Air France Flight 447. The number of nations, vessels and manpower involved is unprecedented.
Unfortunately, the Brazilian military decided on Saturday (6/20) to remove from the effort an Embraer R-99 - a specialized aircraft with on-board radar.
Sphere: Related ContentSingapore Says Will Act Against N. Korean Ship
As the U.S. Navy tracks North Korea's vessel called Kang Nam and the U.S. military says the navy destroyer USS John McCain is headed towards Singapore,
Reuters Singapore reports officials there have said they will take action against the North Korean Ship if it attempts to land with a cargo of weapons. At this point no one seems to be sure exactly where the Kang Nam is headed or what its cargo might be, but the concern is the ship may be laden with weapons, missile parts and perhaps even nuclear materials.
Sphere: Related ContentSaturday, June 20, 2009
Ocean Dream quarantined in Margarita Island
The authorities in Venezuela quarantined a visiting cruise ship suspecting an outbreak of Swine Flu on board.
It was reported that more than 1,200 passengers and crew combined will be isolated on board the Spanish-owned Ocean Dream, docked at the old Cargo port of El Guamache on the Venezuelan island of Margarita.
Passengers were prevented from disembarking at previous stops in Barbados and Grenada after it was understood that 3 Crew members were diagnosed with the H1N1 Flu virus.
11 more crew members are since reported to have symptoms.
The Venezuelan health official Jorge Alchaer commented "The virus was detected in 3 Crew members and the ship must now stay in quarantine until June 24,".
Ocean Dream is managed by the Spanish tour operator Pullmantur. Miami-based Royal Caribbean, which owns Pullmantur, indicated that they could not comment on the situation.
The nationalities of the passengers on board were not immediately known, but we do know that Pullmantur operate essentially Spanish speaking cruises.
Our sister publication Pereptual Traveller last week reported that the WHO declared the virus a global pandemic essentially due to its spread to 74 countries. There have been some 30,000 cases diagnosed globally and more than 140 deaths. Sphere: Related Content
It was reported that more than 1,200 passengers and crew combined will be isolated on board the Spanish-owned Ocean Dream, docked at the old Cargo port of El Guamache on the Venezuelan island of Margarita.
Passengers were prevented from disembarking at previous stops in Barbados and Grenada after it was understood that 3 Crew members were diagnosed with the H1N1 Flu virus.
11 more crew members are since reported to have symptoms.
The Venezuelan health official Jorge Alchaer commented "The virus was detected in 3 Crew members and the ship must now stay in quarantine until June 24,".
Ocean Dream is managed by the Spanish tour operator Pullmantur. Miami-based Royal Caribbean, which owns Pullmantur, indicated that they could not comment on the situation.
The nationalities of the passengers on board were not immediately known, but we do know that Pullmantur operate essentially Spanish speaking cruises.
Our sister publication Pereptual Traveller last week reported that the WHO declared the virus a global pandemic essentially due to its spread to 74 countries. There have been some 30,000 cases diagnosed globally and more than 140 deaths. Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A tale of two fast ferries!
The cross-channel ferry route between England and France is fast becoming popular again by operators of high speed ferries. In a week which saw the 50th anniversary of the entering into passenger service of the hovercraft and the 40th anniversary of the entering into service of the largest passenger carrying hovercrafts ever built, French ferry operator LD Lines started operations between Dover and Boulogne using the brand new 112m Incat wave-piercing catamaran Norman Arrow. LD Lines moved quickly into the fast ferry sector following the collapse of low-cost operator SpeedFerries on the same route. The difference between the vessel used by SpeedFerries and LD Lines craft is in size, passenger ride and comfort, and, most important of all, the fact that Norman Arrow can carry freight. The French operator is seriously considering investing in a second 112m Incat for this route and is also looking at starting a fast ferry service linking Portsmouth and Le Havre.
Meanwhile, there is further news about the proposed fast ferry service between the UK port of Ramsgate and Boulogne by UK operator Euroferries. After many false dawns over the past five years, it looks like the service will, at long last start in mid July. Some cynics have said which year!
Euroferries will be using Fred Olsen’s SA’s Bonanza Express on the run. I have been reliably informed that the 96m Incat has been repainted in the Canary Islands and named Euroferries Express, and is ready to make the journey north any day now. Senior port officials from Boulogne have just had a meeting with Euroferries to finalise plans. But as one senior port official told me this week, ‘I’ll believe the service will start when I see the ferry sail into Boulogne.’ There are many on both sides of the channel with the same opinion. When you compare the professionalism of LD Lines with that of Euroferries, who have been telling anyone who will listen over the past three-four years that their service start-up date is ‘imminent’, there is no comparison! Sphere: Related Content
Meanwhile, there is further news about the proposed fast ferry service between the UK port of Ramsgate and Boulogne by UK operator Euroferries. After many false dawns over the past five years, it looks like the service will, at long last start in mid July. Some cynics have said which year!
Euroferries will be using Fred Olsen’s SA’s Bonanza Express on the run. I have been reliably informed that the 96m Incat has been repainted in the Canary Islands and named Euroferries Express, and is ready to make the journey north any day now. Senior port officials from Boulogne have just had a meeting with Euroferries to finalise plans. But as one senior port official told me this week, ‘I’ll believe the service will start when I see the ferry sail into Boulogne.’ There are many on both sides of the channel with the same opinion. When you compare the professionalism of LD Lines with that of Euroferries, who have been telling anyone who will listen over the past three-four years that their service start-up date is ‘imminent’, there is no comparison! Sphere: Related Content
Celebrity Equinox leaves Meyer Werft
Celebrity Cruises’ latest vessel, the 1,425 passenger capacity Celebrity Equinox, has left her building berth at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, and is set to sail down the River Ems on 19 or 20 June for final sea trails. She will then sail for the UK’s leading cruise ship port of Southampton and is scheduled to arrive on 19 July for MCA inspections etc, prior to hosting a series of special events for press, travel agents and consumers from Southampton from 23-31 July.
Celebrity Equinox, the second in the line’s five Solstice-class fleet, will sail on her maiden fare paying passenger voyage from Southampton on 31 July. This summer the vessel will undertake a series of ‘Ancient Empires’ and other European itineraries from Southampton and Civitavecchia, Italy, followed by 10 and 11-night ‘Ultimate Caribbean’ cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning in November. Sphere: Related Content
Celebrity Equinox, the second in the line’s five Solstice-class fleet, will sail on her maiden fare paying passenger voyage from Southampton on 31 July. This summer the vessel will undertake a series of ‘Ancient Empires’ and other European itineraries from Southampton and Civitavecchia, Italy, followed by 10 and 11-night ‘Ultimate Caribbean’ cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning in November. Sphere: Related Content
New Asian itineraries unveiled for Legend of the Seas
RCI has announced its spring and summer 2010 Asian itineraries for Legend of the Seas. As many as 14 different itineraries ranging from four to nine nights are rolled out for 2010, with eight itineraries being featured for the first time. New ports of call next year include Hualien, Taiwan; Miyazaki and Nagoya, Japan; and Vladivostok, Russia. On top of Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai, a new homeport, Yokohama for Tokyo, is added for this season.
Highlights of Legend of the Seas 2010 Asian season include six sailings of four distinct itineraries out of Hong Kong, to destinations including Sanya, China; Hua and Danang, Vietnam; Taipei, Taiwan; and Okinawa, Japan. Passengers can also experience two different itineraries from Yokohama, one to Shanghai, China; Jeju and Busan, South Korea, and the other to Hakodate and Otaru, Japan; Vladivostok, Russia; and Shanghai, China. There will also be three sailings out of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to ports of call such as Halong Bay, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
In addition, the cruises from Shanghai to popular Japanese destinations such as Kobe, Kagoshima and the South Korean port of Busan in particular, are expected to attract the interest of the local and international visitors in the city during the World Expo 2010. Sphere: Related Content
Highlights of Legend of the Seas 2010 Asian season include six sailings of four distinct itineraries out of Hong Kong, to destinations including Sanya, China; Hua and Danang, Vietnam; Taipei, Taiwan; and Okinawa, Japan. Passengers can also experience two different itineraries from Yokohama, one to Shanghai, China; Jeju and Busan, South Korea, and the other to Hakodate and Otaru, Japan; Vladivostok, Russia; and Shanghai, China. There will also be three sailings out of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to ports of call such as Halong Bay, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
In addition, the cruises from Shanghai to popular Japanese destinations such as Kobe, Kagoshima and the South Korean port of Busan in particular, are expected to attract the interest of the local and international visitors in the city during the World Expo 2010. Sphere: Related Content
Venice naming for Seabourn Odyssey
The Yachts of Seabourn’s latest ship, Seabourn Odyssey, will be named at a sunset ceremony in Venice, Italy on 24 June. Unusually, all passengers on the maiden voyage will be the ship’s God Parents.
Currently being completed by Genoa’s T. Mariotti shipyard for delivery on 15 June, Seabourn Odyssey will offer 225 ocean-view suites, ranging in size from 295 sq ft to 1,682 sq ft, 90% with private verandas. Sistership Seabourn Sojourn will join the fleet in June 2010. Sphere: Related Content
Currently being completed by Genoa’s T. Mariotti shipyard for delivery on 15 June, Seabourn Odyssey will offer 225 ocean-view suites, ranging in size from 295 sq ft to 1,682 sq ft, 90% with private verandas. Sistership Seabourn Sojourn will join the fleet in June 2010. Sphere: Related Content
Chinese tour group to visit Taiwan
August will see for the first time a mainland Chinese group travelling directly to Taiwan on a Hong Kong cruise ship when Star Cruises’ SuperStar Aquarius sails on 2 August on a five night cruise to Tainen, Taichung and Keelung (for Taipei).
This new cruise programme was sanctioned by China’s central government following a series of nine cross-straits cruises from Shanghai to Taiwan earlier this year, made by RCI’s Legend of the Seas and Costa’s Costa Classica. Sphere: Related Content
This new cruise programme was sanctioned by China’s central government following a series of nine cross-straits cruises from Shanghai to Taiwan earlier this year, made by RCI’s Legend of the Seas and Costa’s Costa Classica. Sphere: Related Content
Celebrity launches new brochure for 2010/2011
Celebrity Cruises has unveiled its new 2010/2011 worldwide brochure which features over 200 ports of call from 10 different ships. Southampton, UK-based Celebrity Eclipse will call at 25 ports during her summer season.
Commenting on the launch of the new brochure, Jo Rzymowska, general manager and associate vice president, Celebrity Cruises, UK and Ireland, said: ‘Celebrity Cruises is ramping up its profile in the UK and Ireland and we have produced a comprehensive range of selling tools, including the new worldwide brochure, for agents. When Celebrity Eclipse arrives in the fleet in April 2010 and becomes the first newbuild Celebrity Cruises ship to sail from the UK then we really will be one of the major players in the luxury large cruise ship market. This is exciting for us and our agent partners alike, as we are now able to offer greater choice for our guests wishing to sail from the UK.’
Highlighting the importance and popularity of ex-UK itineraries, the brochure features comprehensive details of the introduction of Celebrity Eclipse sailings from Southampton in 2010. A dedicated spread focuses on the benefits of sailing from Southampton, including free car parking, great value regional flights and transfers and convenient door-to-port service. Celebrity Eclipse – like her sisters Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox – features spectacular real grass on the top deck and a glass blowing attraction.
For 2009/2010, Celebrity is offering a choice of three ships in Europe, with new ports of call including Cobh, Republic of Ireland, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Cagliari, Sardinia.
Some of the highlights of the new 2010/2011 worldwide brochure include:
• Longer Mediterranean cruise options from the Celebrity Eclipse Southampton-based summer season featuring a variety of 14 and 16-night cruises.
• New and unusual ports of call in the US and the Caribbean visited by a number of the fleet include Monterey, California; Newport, Rhode Island; Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic; Baltimore, Maryland; and Falmouth, Jamaica.
• New Holy Land itineraries onboard Celebrity Equinox feature destinations such as Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; Haifa, Israel; Ashdod, Israel; Alexandria, Egypt; and Naples/Capri, Italy. Sphere: Related Content
Commenting on the launch of the new brochure, Jo Rzymowska, general manager and associate vice president, Celebrity Cruises, UK and Ireland, said: ‘Celebrity Cruises is ramping up its profile in the UK and Ireland and we have produced a comprehensive range of selling tools, including the new worldwide brochure, for agents. When Celebrity Eclipse arrives in the fleet in April 2010 and becomes the first newbuild Celebrity Cruises ship to sail from the UK then we really will be one of the major players in the luxury large cruise ship market. This is exciting for us and our agent partners alike, as we are now able to offer greater choice for our guests wishing to sail from the UK.’
Highlighting the importance and popularity of ex-UK itineraries, the brochure features comprehensive details of the introduction of Celebrity Eclipse sailings from Southampton in 2010. A dedicated spread focuses on the benefits of sailing from Southampton, including free car parking, great value regional flights and transfers and convenient door-to-port service. Celebrity Eclipse – like her sisters Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox – features spectacular real grass on the top deck and a glass blowing attraction.
For 2009/2010, Celebrity is offering a choice of three ships in Europe, with new ports of call including Cobh, Republic of Ireland, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Cagliari, Sardinia.
Some of the highlights of the new 2010/2011 worldwide brochure include:
• Longer Mediterranean cruise options from the Celebrity Eclipse Southampton-based summer season featuring a variety of 14 and 16-night cruises.
• New and unusual ports of call in the US and the Caribbean visited by a number of the fleet include Monterey, California; Newport, Rhode Island; Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic; Baltimore, Maryland; and Falmouth, Jamaica.
• New Holy Land itineraries onboard Celebrity Equinox feature destinations such as Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; Haifa, Israel; Ashdod, Israel; Alexandria, Egypt; and Naples/Capri, Italy. Sphere: Related Content
Oasis of the Seas completes first sea trials
The world’s largest cruise ship, RCCL’s Oasis of the Seas has successfully completed her first sea trials in the Baltic, which were ‘a terrific success’ according to Chairman and CEO Richard Fain.
Sphere: Related Content
Marina on schedule for end of 2010 delivery
Work on building Oceania Cruises’ 66,000grt Marina at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard is on schedule with the luxury vessel set for delivery towards the end of 2010.
Construction work on a sistership has yet to start at the Italian shipyard, but is scheduled to begin once Marina has left the building dock. The contract for a third vessel has been cancelled due to global economic recession. Sphere: Related Content
Construction work on a sistership has yet to start at the Italian shipyard, but is scheduled to begin once Marina has left the building dock. The contract for a third vessel has been cancelled due to global economic recession. Sphere: Related Content
Good start to Norman Arrows’ Dover-Boulogne service
French cross channel ferry operator LD Lines new high speed ferry Norman Arrow has had a good first week in service after her maiden voyage on 6 June, with extremely encouraging load factors, Norman Arrow is a 112m wave-piercing catamaran from Tasmania’s Incat and is the largest ever fast ferry to operate on the cross channel ferry routes between England and France.
The 40 knot vessel is also the world’s largest diesel-powered catamaran, the first 112m Incat to operate in Europe and the first ever freight carrying high speed vessel to operate across the Dover Straits.
Norman Arrow can carry 1,200 passengers, 417 cars or a combination of up to 30 freight vehicles and 195 cars. The ability to carry freight was the main reason behind LD Lines entering the fast ferry market. Crossing time between Dover and Boulogne is just one hour, with four return sailings being provided daily.
LD Line’s first fast ferry is on a long term charter from her owners, London-based Montrose Global Capital LLP (MGC), with the French company having a purchase option to acquire the ferry at any time over the next 10 years. LD Lines managing director Christophe Santoni told ‘Off Radar’ that the company was looking at a second 112m Incat for the Dover-Boulogne run and a decision on a second vessel would be made after ‘fine tuning’ the existing product. He is also interested in Incat’s latest 125m design and this could possibly be the vessel that could be introduced on a talked-about fast ferry route between Portsmouth and Le Havre. LD Lines already operates two conventional ferries on this route. Sphere: Related Content
The 40 knot vessel is also the world’s largest diesel-powered catamaran, the first 112m Incat to operate in Europe and the first ever freight carrying high speed vessel to operate across the Dover Straits.
Norman Arrow can carry 1,200 passengers, 417 cars or a combination of up to 30 freight vehicles and 195 cars. The ability to carry freight was the main reason behind LD Lines entering the fast ferry market. Crossing time between Dover and Boulogne is just one hour, with four return sailings being provided daily.
LD Line’s first fast ferry is on a long term charter from her owners, London-based Montrose Global Capital LLP (MGC), with the French company having a purchase option to acquire the ferry at any time over the next 10 years. LD Lines managing director Christophe Santoni told ‘Off Radar’ that the company was looking at a second 112m Incat for the Dover-Boulogne run and a decision on a second vessel would be made after ‘fine tuning’ the existing product. He is also interested in Incat’s latest 125m design and this could possibly be the vessel that could be introduced on a talked-about fast ferry route between Portsmouth and Le Havre. LD Lines already operates two conventional ferries on this route. Sphere: Related Content
One Missing, One Rescued After Cruise Ship Falls
Monday (6/15) in the Gulf of Mexico two people went overboard from two cruise ships. In the first incident, a male passenger was rescued after falling from the Carnival ship Inspiration near Tampa. In the other case, a woman went overboard from the Carnival ship Holiday. A search is underway for her about 75 miles south-southwest of Pensacola, Florida.
UN Food Barges Attacked in Southern Sudan
This past Friday, 27 barges carrying UN food aid up Sudan's Sobat tributary, part of the White Nile river system, came under attack by gunmen from the Jikany Nuer ethnic group. Reuters reports that officials said at least 40 south Sudanese soldiers and civilians, including women and children, were killed in the gunfight.
According to the UN World Food Program, some of the boats are unaccounted for and none of the food aid reached its destination of Akobo.
Friday, June 12, 2009
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Progress Media showcases more than 20 Blogs, Websites and unique brands providing news, information and original content in the fields of Tourism, Cruise & Ferry and Global issues in addition to local events and activities on the Island of Cyprus.
Each brand is featured within our weekly Newsletters that are delivered to 20,000 confirmed readers in over 101 countries, which is forecasted to expand to 50,000 by the end of 2009. Collectively all Brands are forecasted to register one million visits in 2009 and interest is developing rapidly.
The core brands highlighted below are present on social networking sites such as Facebook and each is programmed to be Google and Yahoo friendly.
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Each brand is featured within our weekly Newsletters that are delivered to 20,000 confirmed readers in over 101 countries, which is forecasted to expand to 50,000 by the end of 2009. Collectively all Brands are forecasted to register one million visits in 2009 and interest is developing rapidly.
The core brands highlighted below are present on social networking sites such as Facebook and each is programmed to be Google and Yahoo friendly.
List of top readers
1) UK
2) US
3) Cyprus
4) Germany
5) Greece
6) Italy
www.perpetualtravellernews.com/
http://hypoglobal.blogspot.com/
http://cyprusevents.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Where have all the new orders gone?
Cruise shipbuilders worldwide are anxiously awaiting decisions being made by major cruise lines with regard to the latest trance of newbuildings. However, the global credit crunch seems to have seriously affected certain operators plans, with some yard’s also having to renegotiate on the price of existing contracts. It seems that a number of operators are considering major refits/upgrades as opposed to new ships, good for certain yards, but not the established cruise ship builders. There is some talks that there is a multi-ship order in the offing from Carnival, but the only recent cruise ship order of late has been the six river cruise vessels ordered in Germany by Munich’s Premicon. The short term future for a number of shipyard’s who reply on cruise ship orders looks somewhat bleak!
Sphere: Related Content
Korean Company Fined Millions for Environmental Violations
The U.S. Justice Department last Friday (6/5) announced that the Korean corporation STX Pan Ocean Co. Ltd. has been ordered to pay $2.2 million in penalties and serve four years of probation for conspiring to falsify and falsifying environmental compliance records in connection to violations committed by the crew of the commercial cargo ship M/V Ocean Jade.
DHS Announces Border Security Grants
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced the FY 2009 Operation Stonegarden grants. This money is allocated to 13 northern and southern border states, and Puerto Rico to enhance the capabilities of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to jointly secure U.S. borders and territories. The grants total $60 million with Texas receiving the most at nearly $17 million and Idaho getting the least at just over $225,000.
Behind the Scenes of Somali Piracy
Somalia — The BBC's Rob Walker is taking an inside look at the world of Somali piracy. The piece delves into the story of the CEC Future that was hijacked in November 2008. Walker talks to the captain of the vessel, its owners and most importantly the Somali man who acted as the negotiator and intermediary between the pirates and Clipper Projects, the ship's owners.
Nigerian Navy Rescues Hostages, Kills Militants
The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday responded to a distress call from vessels under attack from Niger Delta militants. A Navy spokesman told Reuters that the boaters were rescued and seven militants were killed in a gun battle.
Falmouth dropped in inaugural Oasis of the Seas season
Delays in the completion of the new cruise port at Falmouth, Jamaica, mean that in the inaugural season of the world’s largest cruise ship, RCI’s 5,400 passenger capacity Oasis of the Seas, will call at Mexico’s Costa Maya instead, on her 16 Western Caribbean sailings from Port Everglades.
Oasis of the Seas’ sailings start this December. However, from May through to November 2010 the vessel will call at Costa Maya instead of Falmouth. The itinerary also includes calls at Cozumel, Mexico; and Labadee, RCI’s private beach on the northern coast of Haiti.
On the modified itineraries, Oasis of the Seas will call at Costa Maya’s recently restored pier, providing passengers with easy access to shore without tendering operations. In Costa Maya, shore excursion options include diving in search of undersea life on Catamaran Sail & Snorkel, an all-terrain vehicle adventure before stopping to relax on a secluded beach with the ATV Jungle & Beach Adventure, or exploring the virtually unexcavated Chacchoben Mayan ruins in the jungle near the Belizean border on the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins.
Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Western Caribbean itinerary with an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, which will include calls at St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship is now scheduled to resume her original Western Caribbean itinerary and make her maiden call at the historic port of Falmouth during the ship’s 11 December 2010 sailing.
The new cruise berth at Falmouth, owned jointly by the Port Authority of Jamaica and RCCL, is located 22 miles east of Montego Bay in what is really a run down port area, but an area which is being rejuvenated to bring out Falmouth’s historic past. The new finger pier will be able to accommodate two RCCL Genesis-class vessels simultaneously. Sphere: Related Content
Oasis of the Seas’ sailings start this December. However, from May through to November 2010 the vessel will call at Costa Maya instead of Falmouth. The itinerary also includes calls at Cozumel, Mexico; and Labadee, RCI’s private beach on the northern coast of Haiti.
On the modified itineraries, Oasis of the Seas will call at Costa Maya’s recently restored pier, providing passengers with easy access to shore without tendering operations. In Costa Maya, shore excursion options include diving in search of undersea life on Catamaran Sail & Snorkel, an all-terrain vehicle adventure before stopping to relax on a secluded beach with the ATV Jungle & Beach Adventure, or exploring the virtually unexcavated Chacchoben Mayan ruins in the jungle near the Belizean border on the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins.
Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Western Caribbean itinerary with an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, which will include calls at St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship is now scheduled to resume her original Western Caribbean itinerary and make her maiden call at the historic port of Falmouth during the ship’s 11 December 2010 sailing.
The new cruise berth at Falmouth, owned jointly by the Port Authority of Jamaica and RCCL, is located 22 miles east of Montego Bay in what is really a run down port area, but an area which is being rejuvenated to bring out Falmouth’s historic past. The new finger pier will be able to accommodate two RCCL Genesis-class vessels simultaneously. Sphere: Related Content
Multiple ship orders from Carnival?
At a time when new cruise ship orders are few and far between and owners are expected to spend more and more money on refits and conversions, there are strong rumours in Europe suggesting that the Carnival Corp that the Miami-based giant is about to order a series of vessels for its various brands. The only thing Carnival would say about this matter was ‘watch this space.’
Sphere: Related Content
Norwegian Epic in July float out
NCL’s largest ship to date, the 150,000grt Norwegian Epic, is set for an 11 July float out at the St. Nazaire yard of ASTX France Cruise. She will then be positioned in the French shipyard’s outfitting dock.
Sphere: Related Content
Rotterdam set for Signature enhancements
Following the successful 34 day Signature enhancement refit of Holland America Line’s Veendam at Freeport’s Grand Bahama Shipyard, handled totally by the shipyard, HAL’s Rotterdam is the next vessel for the same treatment in Freeport this December.
Work on Rotterdam will involve the fitting of the new casual Canaletto restaurant, new Lanai cabins, a pool area The Retreat and other new features. The same work will be undertaken on Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam in two phases; during drydockings in 2010 and 2011 and dockings during 2012 and 2013. In the first phase of work on this trio of HAL vessels all three will receive cabin upgrades, plus the additions of Mix, Showroom at Sea, Canaletto and other public area enhancements. Phase 2 of the refit will see the addition of The Retreat and new cabins in the after end of the ships, as well as forward veranda and spa cabins. Sphere: Related Content
Work on Rotterdam will involve the fitting of the new casual Canaletto restaurant, new Lanai cabins, a pool area The Retreat and other new features. The same work will be undertaken on Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam in two phases; during drydockings in 2010 and 2011 and dockings during 2012 and 2013. In the first phase of work on this trio of HAL vessels all three will receive cabin upgrades, plus the additions of Mix, Showroom at Sea, Canaletto and other public area enhancements. Phase 2 of the refit will see the addition of The Retreat and new cabins in the after end of the ships, as well as forward veranda and spa cabins. Sphere: Related Content
AIDAblu to get larger Spa
AIDA Cruises’ AIDAblu, currently under construction at Germany’s Meyer Werft is to receive a bigger spa area than her sisters AIDAluna, AIDAdiva and AIDAbella. The spa area will be 300 sq m larger, with 40 exclusive cabins and suites, new restaurants, as well as the first ever brewery on a cruise ship.
Sphere: Related Content
Premicon orders six large, luxury river cruise vessels in Germany
German shipyard Volkswerft Stralsund is to build six large, luxury river cruise vessels for Munich-based tourism company Premicon AG. The shipyard also holds an option on a further three vessels, which has to be exercised by the end of this year.
The 135m river cruise vessels will be able to carry 220 passengers over three decks in 110 cabins. Delivery is scheduled between 2010 and 2012, after which the vessel will operate on the rivers Rhine and Danube.
The Volkswerft Stralsund newbuildings are improved versions of Premicon’s TwinCruiser series of river cruise vessels which were built by Rostock’s Neptun Werft, where the engineroom and passenger areas are separated, enabling a cruise that is engine noise and vibration free. Sphere: Related Content
The 135m river cruise vessels will be able to carry 220 passengers over three decks in 110 cabins. Delivery is scheduled between 2010 and 2012, after which the vessel will operate on the rivers Rhine and Danube.
The Volkswerft Stralsund newbuildings are improved versions of Premicon’s TwinCruiser series of river cruise vessels which were built by Rostock’s Neptun Werft, where the engineroom and passenger areas are separated, enabling a cruise that is engine noise and vibration free. Sphere: Related Content
The first carousel at sea on Oasis Boardwalk
RCCL’s Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, will be the first ship to feature a traditional fairground carousel. The carousel will be the centrepiece of the Boardwalk neighbourhood and has been handcrafted from poplar wood and features 21 figures suspended from stainless steel poles showcasing a time-honoured menagerie of animals such as zebras, giraffes and lions, alongside a variety of hand-painted horses.
Sphere: Related Content
New expeditions and destinations feature in Orion’s 2010 itineraries
Sarina Bratton, managing director of Australia’s Orion Expedition cruises, has announced the 2010 itineraries for the five star expedition cruise vessel Orion.
‘Our 2010 itineraries continue to build on our core promise to take guests on paths less travelled and we are very excited to be providing expeditionary voyages to explore more Australian coastal marine parks, nature reserves, National Parks and World Heritage areas than ever before.
‘Our popular expeditions include the Antarctic, Kimberly, Arnhem Land, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand continue – but we have added a range of seven night East Coast, South Australian and Tasmanian explorations stretching from Cairns to Hobart.
‘New South East Australian itineraries take us to Melbourne, coastal Victoria and South Australia for the first time, providing plenty of opportunities to explore by sea and land, revelling in fine food and wine, and discovering the hidden treasures of the Limestone Coast, Kangaroo Island and the Eyre and Fleurieu Peninsulas.
This now means that Orion has expeditions to every State in Australian in 2010!
‘Building on guest feedback from successful expeditions to date I am pleased to announce we will be expanding our itineraries in Papua New Guinea to include six new destinations. We are also visiting new parts of the exotic spice and Tanimbar Islands and for the first time will be adding an expedition that includes Irian Jaya, world famous for its Asmat Art.
‘There is a wide choice of enticing destinations for new and repeat guests alike in 2010, with voyages from the polar regions to the tropics to the exotic, all experienced onboard the world’s youngest purpose-built expedition ship, Orion.’ Sphere: Related Content
‘Our 2010 itineraries continue to build on our core promise to take guests on paths less travelled and we are very excited to be providing expeditionary voyages to explore more Australian coastal marine parks, nature reserves, National Parks and World Heritage areas than ever before.
‘Our popular expeditions include the Antarctic, Kimberly, Arnhem Land, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand continue – but we have added a range of seven night East Coast, South Australian and Tasmanian explorations stretching from Cairns to Hobart.
‘New South East Australian itineraries take us to Melbourne, coastal Victoria and South Australia for the first time, providing plenty of opportunities to explore by sea and land, revelling in fine food and wine, and discovering the hidden treasures of the Limestone Coast, Kangaroo Island and the Eyre and Fleurieu Peninsulas.
This now means that Orion has expeditions to every State in Australian in 2010!
‘Building on guest feedback from successful expeditions to date I am pleased to announce we will be expanding our itineraries in Papua New Guinea to include six new destinations. We are also visiting new parts of the exotic spice and Tanimbar Islands and for the first time will be adding an expedition that includes Irian Jaya, world famous for its Asmat Art.
‘There is a wide choice of enticing destinations for new and repeat guests alike in 2010, with voyages from the polar regions to the tropics to the exotic, all experienced onboard the world’s youngest purpose-built expedition ship, Orion.’ Sphere: Related Content
Recession beaters in focus at influential Interferry forum
Strategies to overcome global economic strife will dominate Interferry’s 34th annual conference this year, which takes place in Istanbul, Turkey between 14-17 October. Highlighting the credit crunch and Istanbul’s bridgehead position between Europe and Asia, the conference theme is ‘At the crossroads – choosing the best route through challenging times.’
Major sessions of the conference will address a range of recession-driven issues. A guide to surviving financial meltdown will include banking, ferry operator and oil industry insights; managing risk will be assessed from legal and insurance aspects; and an IT session – practical applications for making money – will feature software solutions for revenue management/forcasting and asset tracking.
The conference is due to open with a welcome from the Turkish premier and a keynote address from the Turkish transport minister. This will be followed by a review of urban ferry innovations in Istanbul, Nigeria, London and Hong Kong and insights on emerging markets in the Black Sea, the Red Sea, Oman and Iran.
Further details on the conference are available at www.interferry.com Sphere: Related Content
Major sessions of the conference will address a range of recession-driven issues. A guide to surviving financial meltdown will include banking, ferry operator and oil industry insights; managing risk will be assessed from legal and insurance aspects; and an IT session – practical applications for making money – will feature software solutions for revenue management/forcasting and asset tracking.
The conference is due to open with a welcome from the Turkish premier and a keynote address from the Turkish transport minister. This will be followed by a review of urban ferry innovations in Istanbul, Nigeria, London and Hong Kong and insights on emerging markets in the Black Sea, the Red Sea, Oman and Iran.
Further details on the conference are available at www.interferry.com Sphere: Related Content
Next generation Austal trimaran revealed
Australian fast ferry specialist Austal has officially unveiled its new 102m trimaran passenger/vehicle ferry design, which is currently under construction at its Western Australian shipyard and available for purchase.
The new 102m trimaran is an evolution of Austal’s landmark 2005 trimaran ferry Benchijigua Express in every sense – optimising performance, sea-keeping, fuel efficiency, passenger comfort and payload to deliver a truly next generation transportation solution.
The vessel utilises Austal’s trimaran technology, combining the softer roll of monohulls with the low resistance, stability and carrying capacity of catamarans, to open up new markets beyond existing fast ferry designs. A lower roll speed means lower accelerations experienced by passengers –significantly reducing passenger sea sickness.
The trimaran’s unique hydrodynamic hull form combined with its three engine propulsion train delivers fuel efficiency across a range of operating conditions. Sphere: Related Content
The new 102m trimaran is an evolution of Austal’s landmark 2005 trimaran ferry Benchijigua Express in every sense – optimising performance, sea-keeping, fuel efficiency, passenger comfort and payload to deliver a truly next generation transportation solution.
The vessel utilises Austal’s trimaran technology, combining the softer roll of monohulls with the low resistance, stability and carrying capacity of catamarans, to open up new markets beyond existing fast ferry designs. A lower roll speed means lower accelerations experienced by passengers –significantly reducing passenger sea sickness.
The trimaran’s unique hydrodynamic hull form combined with its three engine propulsion train delivers fuel efficiency across a range of operating conditions. Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Available now - Port Facility Assessment Solution
Asvaco Port Facility Security
The Asvaco Port Facility Security Assessment solution is the most comprehensive available, and is based 100% on 33 CFR 105. Using Asvaco's web-based assessment tool, you can easily maintain and automatically produce the FSA and FSP to meet MTSA, TWIC and ISPS compliance. The Asvaco System will automatically generate the mitigations identified in the facility security assessments (FSA) and security vulnerability assessments (SVA). Additionally, the Asvaco System automatically builds and populates Appendix A to Part 105 -- Facility Vulnerability and Security Measures Summary (Coast Guard Form CG-6025/6025A).
See http://www.asvaco.info for more details.
Asvaco Port Facility Security Advantage
The Asvaco System provides both efficiency and a cost advantage to the Facility or Vessel organization. This ensures that however the assessment is being done, either the ASVACO Team, the Security Officer (FSO) or Vessel Security (VSO), will be able to prepare and revise security plans, develop countermeasures to prevent security events, evaluate TWIC related requirements, improve emergency preparedness, develop security guidance documents, conduct training to strengthen post-event mitigation, and assist clients with selection and implementation of appropriate countermeasures.
The Asvaco System is also available completely web based and deployed over the internet (secured, encrypted, and PCII compliant). In addition, the Asvaco System gives you the ability to complete the security system over the Internet saving both time and additional cost.
The Asvaco System enables the user to get the job done efficiently and faster. The ASVACO Team or Security Officer can assign up to ten other team members to help collect data and answer questions. This unique "Force Multiplier" feature allows for instant access by your command center, supervisors, and security personnel to properly deploy human and physical security resources based upon probable threats or breaches.
Written for consistency with stringent guidelines, the auto-generation of the assessment project report is a tremendous time saver. As a 'living document', assessment reports for the FSA and FSP can be updated any time there are changes to the facility. The report may also be updated, as desired, to augment the content for use by different officials and recipients.
Asvaco's comprehensive approach provides a powerful and affordable software system that integrates with the Security Officer's mission of providing a holistic security solution to meet both FSA and FSP requirements.
The Security Officer and other officials can easily determine security gaps that require attention through visual color coding that is aligned with the threat-level system adopted by the Department of Homeland Security or any other regulatory organization.
The Asvaco System allows the facility or any user the ability to incorporate their mission specific questions along with the regulatory requirements to create an assessment that is tailored to their specific needs.
Affordable price: If executed online by the user, the annual subscription is $2500 per individual assessment, which includes as-needed assessment updates. Sphere: Related Content
The Asvaco Port Facility Security Assessment solution is the most comprehensive available, and is based 100% on 33 CFR 105. Using Asvaco's web-based assessment tool, you can easily maintain and automatically produce the FSA and FSP to meet MTSA, TWIC and ISPS compliance. The Asvaco System will automatically generate the mitigations identified in the facility security assessments (FSA) and security vulnerability assessments (SVA). Additionally, the Asvaco System automatically builds and populates Appendix A to Part 105 -- Facility Vulnerability and Security Measures Summary (Coast Guard Form CG-6025/6025A).
See http://www.asvaco.info
Asvaco Port Facility Security Advantage
The Asvaco System provides both efficiency and a cost advantage to the Facility or Vessel organization. This ensures that however the assessment is being done, either the ASVACO Team, the Security Officer (FSO) or Vessel Security (VSO), will be able to prepare and revise security plans, develop countermeasures to prevent security events, evaluate TWIC related requirements, improve emergency preparedness, develop security guidance documents, conduct training to strengthen post-event mitigation, and assist clients with selection and implementation of appropriate countermeasures.
The Asvaco System is also available completely web based and deployed over the internet (secured, encrypted, and PCII compliant). In addition, the Asvaco System gives you the ability to complete the security system over the Internet saving both time and additional cost.
The Asvaco System enables the user to get the job done efficiently and faster. The ASVACO Team or Security Officer can assign up to ten other team members to help collect data and answer questions. This unique "Force Multiplier" feature allows for instant access by your command center, supervisors, and security personnel to properly deploy human and physical security resources based upon probable threats or breaches.
Written for consistency with stringent guidelines, the auto-generation of the assessment project report is a tremendous time saver. As a 'living document', assessment reports for the FSA and FSP can be updated any time there are changes to the facility. The report may also be updated, as desired, to augment the content for use by different officials and recipients.
Asvaco's comprehensive approach provides a powerful and affordable software system that integrates with the Security Officer's mission of providing a holistic security solution to meet both FSA and FSP requirements.
The Security Officer and other officials can easily determine security gaps that require attention through visual color coding that is aligned with the threat-level system adopted by the Department of Homeland Security or any other regulatory organization.
The Asvaco System allows the facility or any user the ability to incorporate their mission specific questions along with the regulatory requirements to create an assessment that is tailored to their specific needs.
Affordable price: If executed online by the user, the annual subscription is $2500 per individual assessment, which includes as-needed assessment updates. Sphere: Related Content
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Costa sees bright future for Spanish market
Bucking the trend set earlier this year, where there were a number of casualties in the Spanish cruise sector, Costa has taken 100% control of Iberocruceros, outing leading Spanish tour operator Orizonia for complete control of the company. Costa believes that the Spanish market is highly significant for the cruise industry and sees strong growth prospects. If that’s the case, why did the others say adios earlier this year?
Sphere: Related Content
RCI in major Dubai initiative
The cruise industry and the destination of Dubai are expected to receive a substantial boost following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding towards the formation of a strategic marketing partnership between Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and DUBAILAND. The aim of the agreement is to promote the development, growth and commercial success of the two brands through joint marketing and promotional activities in key global source markets. RCI will feature DUBAILAND’s key live attractions in its shore excursion programme, while DUBAILAND will actively promote RCI’s Dubai cruises through their global agency network.
From January to April 2010 RCI will introduce seven-night sailings onboard Brilliance of the Seas from Dubai to an international mix of passengers, in line with its signature style of cruising for active holidaymakers. Passengers will have time to explore the spectacular city with overnight at the beginning and end of the cruise.
DUBAILAND is the world’s largest tourism, leisure and entertainment destination. Phase I of DUBAILAND is now open with its five live projects – including Dubai Autodrome in MotorCity, Dubai Outlet Mall in Outlet City, The Global Village, Al Sahra Desert Resort and Dubai Sports City, which contains the Ernie Els Golf Club, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and the Cricket Stadium – operational.
Currently the projects receive up to eight million visits annually, and are designed to add further variety Dubai’s tourism offering by providing visitors with exciting entertainment options and value for money.
DUBAILAND, a member of Tatweer, has been designed to elevate the position of Dubai as an international hub for tourism. Covering an area of three billion square feet, DUBAILAND comprises an unparalleled portfolio of diverse mega projects that include theme parks, cultural attractions, spas, hotels and resorts, sports and entertainment venues. These world-class projects are being developed by respected international and local investors. Sphere: Related Content
From January to April 2010 RCI will introduce seven-night sailings onboard Brilliance of the Seas from Dubai to an international mix of passengers, in line with its signature style of cruising for active holidaymakers. Passengers will have time to explore the spectacular city with overnight at the beginning and end of the cruise.
DUBAILAND is the world’s largest tourism, leisure and entertainment destination. Phase I of DUBAILAND is now open with its five live projects – including Dubai Autodrome in MotorCity, Dubai Outlet Mall in Outlet City, The Global Village, Al Sahra Desert Resort and Dubai Sports City, which contains the Ernie Els Golf Club, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and the Cricket Stadium – operational.
Currently the projects receive up to eight million visits annually, and are designed to add further variety Dubai’s tourism offering by providing visitors with exciting entertainment options and value for money.
DUBAILAND, a member of Tatweer, has been designed to elevate the position of Dubai as an international hub for tourism. Covering an area of three billion square feet, DUBAILAND comprises an unparalleled portfolio of diverse mega projects that include theme parks, cultural attractions, spas, hotels and resorts, sports and entertainment venues. These world-class projects are being developed by respected international and local investors. Sphere: Related Content
Peter Fetten to join Carnival Corp
One of the most respected men in cruise vessel design, refit and operation, German Peter Fetten is to join the Carnival Corp as of 1 July in the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Corporate Ship Refits.
Fetten has previously held senior technical positions at RCCL, Freeport’s Grand Bahama Shipyard, Hamburg’s Blohm & Voss shipyard, as well as running his own consultancy. He will be responsible for the refits and conversions of all vessels operated with the various Carnival brands. Sphere: Related Content
Fetten has previously held senior technical positions at RCCL, Freeport’s Grand Bahama Shipyard, Hamburg’s Blohm & Voss shipyard, as well as running his own consultancy. He will be responsible for the refits and conversions of all vessels operated with the various Carnival brands. Sphere: Related Content
Iberocruceros now 100% Costa owned
Spanish cruise line Iberocruceros is now 100% owned by Costa Cruises following the Italian company’s acquisition of Spanish tour operator Orizonia’s 25% stake in the line.
Commenting on the deal, Costa’s chairman and CEO Pier Luigi Foschi said: ‘Despite the fact that the current economic and financial crisis has hit Spain harder than other European countries we remain convinced that this market is highly significant for the cruise industry and we see strong growth prospects here.’
Iberocruceros operates three vessels; Grand Celebration, Grand Mistral and Grand Voyager, Sphere: Related Content
Commenting on the deal, Costa’s chairman and CEO Pier Luigi Foschi said: ‘Despite the fact that the current economic and financial crisis has hit Spain harder than other European countries we remain convinced that this market is highly significant for the cruise industry and we see strong growth prospects here.’
Iberocruceros operates three vessels; Grand Celebration, Grand Mistral and Grand Voyager, Sphere: Related Content
Med ports told to improve their act
Leading cruise industry personnel at last week’s MedCruise general assembly in Cartagena, Spain called for Mediterranean cruise ports to improve their act if they wanted to receive the latest generation of large modern vessels. A number of cruise line executives highlighted the fact the a number of ports are not growing their infrastructure in line with cruise lines investment in new tonnage. Costa’s port operations manager Elisabetta de Nardo singled out the lack of dedicated cruise berths at many Med ports and limited long term investment plans for cruise infrastructure. MSC Cruises’ Port Captain Luigi Pasterna was also critical of many Med ports, while AIDA’s Kay-Uwe Maross said that Med ports needed to develop a reliable long term berth reservation system, as the first-come, first-served system was simply not acceptable anymore.
Sphere: Related Content
DVB says more refits and conversion in the pipeline rather than newbuildings
German transport and shipping bank DVB believes that the cruise industry is set to focus on upgrading existing vessels rather than embark on expensive newbuilding contracts, and says that thus year’s refit market is likely to exceed US $1bn by a comfortable margin.
DVB also expects a number of existing newbuilding orders for cruise ships to be renegotiated, while established European cruise ship builders will face increasing competition, not from yards in the Far East, but from the Bahamas!
In its latest in-depth analysis on the cruise market, DVB says that given the lower levels of consumer confidence in today’s challenging economic and financial markets, cruise operators’ revenue per passenger is expected to fall both this year and in 2010. ‘All indications are that it will take until the second half of 2010 before there is a visible shift in consumer sentiment and with it the fortunes of the cruise lines.
‘With cruise lines being pressed by lower margins as consumers feel the pinch of the credit crunch, it will not be entirely surprising if we see some of the contracted prices for newbuildings being renegotiated,’ said the DVB report.
DVB also believes that Freeport’s Grand Bahama Shipyard could become a major force in the cruise ship newbuilding sector; the yard already having made a name for itself in the refit and conversion markets. Sphere: Related Content
DVB also expects a number of existing newbuilding orders for cruise ships to be renegotiated, while established European cruise ship builders will face increasing competition, not from yards in the Far East, but from the Bahamas!
In its latest in-depth analysis on the cruise market, DVB says that given the lower levels of consumer confidence in today’s challenging economic and financial markets, cruise operators’ revenue per passenger is expected to fall both this year and in 2010. ‘All indications are that it will take until the second half of 2010 before there is a visible shift in consumer sentiment and with it the fortunes of the cruise lines.
‘With cruise lines being pressed by lower margins as consumers feel the pinch of the credit crunch, it will not be entirely surprising if we see some of the contracted prices for newbuildings being renegotiated,’ said the DVB report.
DVB also believes that Freeport’s Grand Bahama Shipyard could become a major force in the cruise ship newbuilding sector; the yard already having made a name for itself in the refit and conversion markets. Sphere: Related Content
Lloyd Weft to concentrate on shiprepair
German cruise ship specialist Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven is now set to concentrate on shiprepair and conversion work, and pull out of newbuilding activities has the global credit crisis impact hard on German shipyards.
Italy’s Fincantieri was to have taken a controlling interest in Lloyd Werft after acquiring 21.05% of the Bremerhaven yard in 2006, but this deal didn’t materialise. Lloyd Werft has just completed the major refit of TUI Cruises’ first vessel, Mein Schiff, the former Celebrity Galaxy. Sphere: Related Content
Italy’s Fincantieri was to have taken a controlling interest in Lloyd Werft after acquiring 21.05% of the Bremerhaven yard in 2006, but this deal didn’t materialise. Lloyd Werft has just completed the major refit of TUI Cruises’ first vessel, Mein Schiff, the former Celebrity Galaxy. Sphere: Related Content
Second cruise berth for Bayonne?
Following the official opening last week of the permanent cruise berth at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey, the port is now looking for Federal funding for the construction of a second berth.
The first berth at Bayonne is 1,400ft long, with an alongside water depth of 50ft. In just five years Cape Liberty Cruise Port has handled more than 1.5m passengers on more than 300 homeport calls. With Celebrity Cruises resuming Bermuda sailings in 2010 and RCI’s Explorer of the Seas continuing year-round operations, Bayonne could become one of the busiest US East Coast cruise ports. Sphere: Related Content
The first berth at Bayonne is 1,400ft long, with an alongside water depth of 50ft. In just five years Cape Liberty Cruise Port has handled more than 1.5m passengers on more than 300 homeport calls. With Celebrity Cruises resuming Bermuda sailings in 2010 and RCI’s Explorer of the Seas continuing year-round operations, Bayonne could become one of the busiest US East Coast cruise ports. Sphere: Related Content
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