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BRIC Cruising
Much has been made of the term BRIC, representing the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, and cruising development has also been taking place in these markets, most particularly in Brazil.

It is a little-known fact that the Brazilian cruising market is the equal of the burgeoning Spanish market. In 2008-09, for example, 520,000 cruisers left from Brazilian ports, including 445,000 Brazilians. This compares to a Spanish market count of 497,000 in 2008. During the 2009-10 season, 18 ships will be operating in the Brazilian market, offering over 900,000 berths.
As well as Costa and MSC, Pullmantur, and Louis send ships to Brazil during the Mediterranean winter to join other ships cruising for Holland America, Oceania, Princess and Royal Caribbean and the more upmarket ships of Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea Cruises. Royal Caribbean bases both Splendour of the Seas and Vision of the Seas at Santos during the Brazilian season, which now lasts from October to May, while other ships come and go on cruises to and from Argentina, Chile and Florida.

In Russia, one might have expected to have cruise ships sailing from ports such as St Petersburg, Odessa and Vladivostok, but while more Russians have gone cruising, there is still no real Russian cruising fleet other than on its rivers. This is slightly surprising in a way as at one time the Soviet Union could boast the largest cruise fleet in the world, although much of it was admittedly aimed at raising much-needed hard currency in the west.

In India, Louis Cruise Lines last week announced that it will base its 1,200-berth Aquamarine in India starting this December, after her 2009 Aegean season. Based in Cochin, she will operate 3-night cruises Cochin-Maldives-Cochin and Cochin-Colombo-Cochin and well as 1-night cruises to nowhere.
Indian Ocean Cruise Line left the market last year and its 250-berth Ocean Odyssey, which operated between Goa and Cochin, has since been scrapped.
Star Cruises had also been active in the Indian market and has operated  Superstar Libra on short cruises from Mumbai to Goa in the past, while the newest addition is Aida, which will be turning some cruises at Cochin, as early as next month with  AidaCara.

In China, the growth has started, but the market is still a long way from being as developed as Brazil, or even Australia. Carnival Group member Costa Cruises was the first to enter the Chinese market in 2006 with its 1,000-berth Costa Allegra, adding the 1,697-berth Costa Classica just this April. Next June,  Costa Classica‘s sister ship Costa Romantica will replace  Costa Allegra, thus more than trebling the number of berths Costa operate in the Chinese market in not much more than one year.
Cruises leave Shanghai for Japan and Korea and from January 2010 from Hong Kong for Taiwan. Costa conducted three trial cruises to Taiwanese ports this spring. Other than Costa, a number of western companies are also active in river cruising on the Yangtse River, but these are primarily aimed at incoming travellers.
News from Elsewhere
Meanwhile, the Alaska Cruise Association, representing Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises, finally announced on Thursday that it was going to sue the State of Alaska over the subject of the Alaska head tax, or at least $46 of this $50 levy, claiming it is unconstitutional.
No longer able to make money on the Alaska route, Holland America, NCL, Princess and Royal Caribbean will reduce capacity to Alaska in 2010 by a total of 140,000 berths.
Meanwhile Crystal Cruises will return to Alaska in 2011, with Crystal Symphony operating cruises from San Francisco, while Disney Cruise Line, on its first Alaska season, will introduce Disney Wonder from Vancouver. Both these lines tend to be higher priced than the usual mass market lines.
(Source: By Mark Tré – Cybercruises.com)

The Battle of the Cruise Giants?

The North American cruise market will soon see three news giants added to the fleets of Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines. Within the next few months,  Oasis of the Seas, Norwegian Epic and Carnival Dream, largest ship ever built for each of the top three lines, will enter service from Florida to the Caribbean.

Oasis of the Seas (www.oasisoftheseas.com)
What other ship in the world has two-storey loft suites, an outside amphitheatre, a zipline, rock wall climbing, surfing, a skating rink, a bar that goes up and down between decks, a royal promenade, a boardwalk, a central park and what Royal Caribbean likes to call neighbourhoods? The answer of course is none, at least until her sister ship Allure of the Seas is introduced in 2010.
No one ever thought we would see ships so huge after the 80,000-tonners RMS Queen Mary, Normandie and RMS Queen Elizabeth, but here we are in 2009 with fully fifty ships in service or under construction of above 100,000 gross tons, with two of these being above 200,000 tons. With the exception of the RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004, it is Royal Caribbean which has consistently built the world’s biggest cruise ships, starting with the 73,192-ton Sovereign of the Seas in 1987.
In recent years, this has included the 137,276-ton Voyager of the Seas and her three sister ships in 1999-2003, the 154,407-ton Independence of the Seas and her two sister ships in 2006-08, and now the twin Oasis class. More are likely to follow.
Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of the new Oasis of the Seas is that unlike most past mass market ships, she will not depart from Miami but from nearby Port Everglades to the north, the port for Fort Lauderdale that has usually been known as the base for upmarket lines such as Celebrity and Holland America. Port Everglades is promising pier to cabin in fifteen minutes and for some 6,000 travellers this will be some achievement!

Norwegian Epic (www.epic.ncl.com)
One of the more interesting things about the new Norwegian Epic is that 100% of her outside cabins will have balconies, a first for a mass market ship. Originally ordered as a pair, the second order was cancelled and for now this is a one-ship programme, and at a higher price for the single ship. The third generation of NCL’s newbuildings will be the latest deconstruction of the cruise product that NCL calls “Freestyle Cruising.”
Apart from a rather huge and ungainly superstructure mounting and dominating the ship’s bridge, the lines of the Epic are typically St Nazaire, at least the hull, the bridge itself and some of the superstructure, echoing earlier St Nazaire-built ships, particularly in the fleet of MSC.
Some of the news ship’s interesting points will be the lack of a large American-style show lounge, in favour of more smaller venues, the lack of a single large dining room in favour of multiple dining venues (14 restaurants in all), two different bowling alleys at sea, rock-climbing and rappelling walls, an Aqua Park with three waterslides.

Carnival Dream (www.carnival.com)
Carnival Dream, although she will become Carnival’s largest ship when she enters service next week, is actually 22nd largest in the world in terms of her length overall. Celebrity Solstice, MSC Fantasia, Disney Fantasy and  Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas classes are all larger. Not to mention Oasis of the Seas. Carnival, while still building big ships, including the world’s first 100,000-tonner in Carnival Destiny, has decided not to go the bigger is better route.
In many ways, however, Carnival Dream is a successor to the original Carnival Destiny design, from the same shipbuilders, Fincantieri, but about 25% larger and with such additions as a full wraparound promenade deck and much more extensive restaurant arrangements.
Like  Oasis of the Seas, the latest and biggest Carnival ship will not be based in Miami. Instead she will turn around at Port Canaveral, the closest port to Disney World.

 

(Source: By Mark Tré – Cybercruises.com)

A Comparison of the Giants
Readers who want to know more need only consult Google News and the individual web sites for each of these new ships, but here are some interesting facts and figures about the ships:

New NORWEGIAN EPIC to Cross Atlantic 24 June 10

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that Norwegian Epic, the company’s largest and most innovative ship to date currently under construction in France, will make her inaugural transatlantic seven-day cruise on June 24, 2010, departing from Southampton.  The 4,200 passenger Freestyle Cruising ship will arrive in New York, her first port of call in the United States, on July 1, 2010.  In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line also announced that a new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise has been added to Norwegian Epic’s inaugural season, departing Miami on July 10, 2010, one week earlier than previously scheduled.

“In true maritime fashion, Norwegian Epic will make the non-stop crossing from the U.K. to New York in just one week,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer.  “This seven-day voyage gives our guests the opportunity to be the first to immerse themselves in all of the innovative and varied activities, world-class dining and spectacular entertainment that will be offered on Norwegian Epic.”

Norwegian Epic‘s new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas, will go on sale to the public on September 28, 2009.  Those currently booked on Norwegian Epic’s July 17, 2010 Eastern Caribbean cruise will have priority to switch to the new sailing date if they so choose.

Norwegian Epic‘s Innovations & Features

Norwegian Epic is changing the face of cruise line entertainment.  In an industry first, Blue Man Group will perform in the ship’s 685-seat Epic Theater.  Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience and beginning next summer will be seen for the first time ever at sea only on Norwegian Epic during a 90-minute show customized specifically for the ship.

Norwegian Epic will have multiple, specially-designed entertainment venues throughout the ship so that one can choose from a wide variety of entertainment each evening of their cruise.  No longer will entertainment be focused on two nightly shows in one large main theatre.  Norwegian Epic will offer a number of entertainment options in specially-designed venues, some offered for the first time ever at sea, with choices to appeal to a broad audience.

On this ship, travellers will find the only “big top” at sea. In this intimate 265-seat theatre-in-the-round, famed producer/director Neil Goldberg will present Cirque Dreams^® and Dinner.  This one of a kind interactive theatrical dining experience will be performed in the air, while juggling dinner courses, with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination.  During this two-hour show, diners will marvel in amazement and become part of a celebration of spectacle and fantasy.  The entire experience will be unlike anything else at sea.

Norwegian Epic will offer the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 20 dining choices and 20 bars and lounges.  The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first Ice Bar at sea, Spice H₂0 and Posh, exclusive open-air hotspots; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea — The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas and the first squash court at sea. 

Norwegian Epic also incorporates several new types of accommodations – the modern, curved New Wave staterooms where all outside staterooms have balconies; the largest Villas complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship; a new category of inside staterooms, The Studios with exclusive access to the Living Room; and spa and family-friendly accommodations. 

LiveJournal Tags: Norwegian Epic

Master Appointed to New QUEEN ELIZABETH

Captain Chris Wells, who joined Cunard as second officer in Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1992, has been appointed Master of the company’s new 90,000-ton liner, Queen Elizabeth, which will enter service in October 2010.
53-year-old Captain Wells, who is married to Hedda – whom he met in QE2 – was born and brought up in Bournemouth, and educated at Poole Grammar School. His love of the sea developed when he learned to sail in Poole Harbour, and resulted in his commencing a four-year cadetship with Shell Tankers at Warsash College in 1974, qualifying as a second officer in 1978. He obtained his Master’s certificate in 1985.
Captain Wells served with Shell for 16 years, also finding time in 1986 to join the Royal Naval Reserve. He still undertakes two weeks’ training with the RNR each year, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1994.
After joining Cunard and QE2, Captain Wells worked his way through the ranks to become staff captain. He later was seconded to RMS Queen Mary 2 New Build Team and spent 18 months at the St Nazaire shipyard. Having seen the ship develop from the beginning and bringing her into service as Staff Captain, Captain Wells was extremely proud when appointed to the command of RMS Queen Mary 2 last year.
Queen Elizabeth, currently under construction at the Monfalcone yard in Trieste, will be a classic Cunarder, offering  Cunard heritage and tradition along with every conceivable modern luxury facility. She will join her fleetmates Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria next year ensuring one of the oldest shipping lines in business has the youngest fleet in the world.
Peter Shanks, President and Managing Director of Cunard Line says:
“It is a well deserved honour for Captain Wells to be appointed Master of Queen Elizabeth. He will be a fine leader for all of our colleagues working with him in Queen Elizabeth. His experience in both QE2 and Queen Mary 2 will ensure he continues the famous traditions of Cunard Line”.
Commenting on his appointment, Captain Wells says:
“Bringing Queen Elizabeth up Southampton Water to her home port will be one of the proudest moments of my life, and I very much hope that the people of Southampton and beyond will take the ship to their hearts as they have all the Cunard Queens since Queen Mary was launched in 1934; Queen Elizabeth certainly follows in that great tradition’.
Captain Wells lives in Barnham, West Sussex, with his wife and three children.

LiveJournal Tags: Captain Wells,liner Queen Elizabeth

Princess Ships Start Plugging Into Shore Power at Port of Vancouver

 

Island Princess Inaugurates New Canada Place Facility to Reduce Air Emissions

 Island Princess helped inaugurate the Port of Vancouver’s new shore power facility by turning off her engines and instead “plugging in” to  hydroelectric power from shore.

The new shore power technology at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal enables Princess Cruises’ ships, and other equipped vessels, to use power from the city’s grid instead of the onboard diesel-powered engines, reducing emissions when docked in Vancouver.

The port becomes the third in the world where ships can take advantage of this innovative technology. The new shore power installation is the first use of this technology in Canada and is the result of a $9 million cooperative partnership among Port Metro Vancouver, Transport Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada, British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, British Columbia Hydro, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.

“We’ve been committed to shore power for many years, so we’re pleased we can now ‘plug in’ our ships at Port Metro Vancouver,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “We know that local air quality issues are important to the community, and we’re proud to join with all those involved in realizing this important environmental initiative.”

Princess’ shore power programme made history when it debuted in Juneau, Alaska in the summer of 2001. It expanded to Seattle in summer 2005 and is planned to roll out in other ports that have made commitments to the technology, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. Currently nine of the line’s ships are outfitted with the capability to “plug in” to a shoreside power source.

Four Princess ships will use shore power in Vancouver during the remainder of the 2009 Alaska season. The vessels – Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Island Princess and Sapphire Princess – sail on seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruises.

To create this unique power system, Princess has outfitted its ships with custom-built connection cabinets that connect the ship’s electrical network to the local electrical system ashore. Since 2001, Princess has invested nearly $7 million in equipment alone to enable its vessels to connect to shore power.

Also known as “cold ironing,” shore power uses electrical power transmitted from a landside transformer to the vessel via four 3½-inch diameter flexible electrical cables. The actual cable connection on a vessel is a traditional, though quite large, plug and socket. The length of time needed to connect a ship to shore power and shut down the vessel’s diesel generator is approximately 40 minutes. Once connected, the ship’s engines are powered down and, simultaneously, the necessary amount of power, provided by BC Hydro, will be used to run the ship’s services while in port.

Large Advance Purchase Savings on World Passenger Freighter Sailings

 

From The Cruise People, Ltd. – Canada’s Original Cruise Agency

Book our Pearl String full world voyage over 12 months in advance and save 1000 Euros per person. Book the full voyage over 6 months ahead and save 500 Euros per person.

We are delighted to recommend this voyage. We just booked our 24th and 25th clients on this voyage and would like you to join them.
MCC Rickmers supplies our best-selling world freighter voyage of approximately 126 days.

Reasons for popularity:
Early Booking Reductions – See above
Mystery itinerary – Being partially tramp, these ships have a long list of ports usually called and a shorter list of ports called when cargo demands.
Longer port times – Being partly general cargo (as well as containers), some port calls will be longer.
Age flexibility – Age limit is 75 but it will accept older passengers with two good medical reports from their doctors
No single supplement – A single in a single cabin pays the same as the each-of-two price in the best double – less than Eu 83 per day -  including port taxes/fees and deviation insurance.
Ships sail almost every month.
Web site which allows you to follow the progress of your ship on its way to pick you up and your friends and relatives can follow your voyage progress.

Out-of country hospital/medical insurance including emergency evacuation (sometimes called air ambulance) coverage is required. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended to protect your fare in the event of illness, accident or bereavement of passengers or members of immediate family. We are happy to quote on insurance for Canadian residents and supply a source for our American clients.

Sailings begin and end in Houston or Hamburg. Segments may be available subject to availability and cabotage.

Please feel free to ask us for more information on these or any other voyages.

LiveJournal Tags: world cruise,passenger freighter travel,passenger freighter specialist