Viking Ocean Cruises Orders Two 888-guest Passenger Cruise Ships

by Kevin Griffin of The Cruise People writing in cybercruises.com

It was confirmed last week that US-based Viking Ocean Cruises, an affiliate of Viking River Cruises, had placed an order with STX France in St Nazaire for two 41,000-ton ships with a double-berth guest capacity of 888 passengers, for delivery in the spring of 2014 and spring 2015.

With dimensions of 755 feet by 87 feet, the ships will be slightly larger than the 39,500-ton Europa 2, with dimensions of 739 by 87 feet, under construction at the same yard for delivery in the spring of 2013 to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Europa 2 differs, however, in that she will be in the ultralux category, with berths for only 516 passengers and a space ratio of 76.5 tons per guest.
The new Viking Ocean ships will be upper premium, with a ratio of 46.2 tons per passenger.

Viking Ocean also has an option for a third of the type, known as Project Odin, for potential delivery in 2016. Construction on the first ship will begin next September and a year later for the second. The order is subject to finance.

Viking Ocean is headed by Norwegian Torstein Hagen, chairman and chief executive of Viking River Cruises, who during the 1980s was chief executive of Royal Viking Line.
It was under his management that the original trio of Royal Viking ships was lengthened by 93 feet, something that probably prolonged the lives of these ships so that all three are still in profitable service to-day, almost forty years later.

The original Royal Viking Line disappeared in 1998, after its last two ships were taken over by Cunard Line.

Viking River Cruises, meanwhile, was formed in 1997 and now operates a fleet 23 premium river cruisers in Europe, Russia, the Ukraine, China and in Egypt, with another eight on order for the European market.

In terms of size, the new Viking Ocean ships fall in between the original 684-guest “R” ships, the most upmarket of which are operated by Azamara Club Cruises and Oceania Cruises (and starting in 2012 Hapag-Lloyd Cruises) and Oceania’s new Marina and Riviera, at 1,250 berths.

The comparisons in this size range, together with the Royal Viking quartet, are as follows:

Interesting here is the comparison with the Royal Viking ships. The statistics given here are for the original trio of Royal Viking Sea, Sky and Star in their stretched state, but even with a Passenger Space Ratio of only 34.2, they were regarded as ultralux in their time.

A decade or so later, Royal Viking Sun brought that ratio over 50. That ship survives today as Holland America Line’s 790-berth Prinsendam (PSR 47.9). The new Project Odin ships lie at 46.2, which is the upper end of the Royal Viking scale and slightly exceeds the “R” ships, and while less than Marina and Riviera, are not that much less.

Another interesting point was raised by Richard Marnell, Viking’s senior vice president of marketing, when he told Travel Weekly last week that “Mr Hagen feels the ocean vessels built of late have become too large and that they’re losing out on the destination.”

The new ships will be primarily destination-oriented and the first two anyway will probably spend much of their time in the Mediterranean. With a fleet of twenty-three and eventually thirty-one river ships, Viking also have the kind of customer database that will lend itself to destination-oriented cruising, where guests are carried in style to experience the cultural highlights of the world rather than stuck on ships full of gimmicks for a week.
The cruise market has now more firmly differentiated itself into mass market and bespoke cruising. Just as fashion is either tailor-made or mass market off-the-rack, so now cruising is getting that way as well, but the bespoke lines, as Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ managing director Sebastian Ahrens has said, are developing a critical mass all of their own.

Crystal’s Ultimate VIP Fireworks Blowout to Ring in New Year’s 2013 In Sydney

Next Year’s Private, All-Inclusive Party Valued at More Than $1300/person

On the eve of New Year’s Eve, travellers are reminded it’s not too early to start planning next year’s holiday, perhaps with  a private floating party in Sydney Harbour welcoming in New Year’s 2013.  The over-the-top celebration offers exclusive front-row "seats" to the world’s biggest New Year’s fireworks, gratis for guests of all ages on Crystal Symphony‘s culinary-themed holiday cruise through New Zealand/Australia beginning December 20, 2012.

The fete unfolds aboard two luxury catamarans, sailing past Sydney’s crowd-lined shores in the exclusive, select-vessel Harbour of Light Parade flotilla.  Crystal has special-arranged final VIP stationing under Sydney Harbour Bridge, inside the off-limits Harbour Exclusion Zone, for the preeminent fireworks vantage point.  The intimate post-dinner soiree includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, premium open bar, music, dancing, midnight champagne countdown, Crystal’s renowned six-star service, and spectacular city views, with guests among the globe’s first ringing in 2013.

"This promises to be our most opulent New Year’s Eve in years," says Crystal’s Senior Vice President Operations, Thomas Mazloum.  "The night is not only an incredible backdrop for once-in-a-lifetime memories, the entire cruise is a tremendous value, considering the party, other holiday festivities, and all Wine and Food Festival events are complimentary."

The festive itinerary includes grand holiday decor, gourmet Christmas dinner, Chanukah traditions, and other seasonal delights during overnights in Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney (two nights), plus calls in Tauranga, Napier,Christchurch/Lyttleton, and Dunedin, NZ.  Numerous experts–including guest chefs, mixologist, oenologist, oceanographer, conservation biologist, CBS News correspondent, and South African Ambassador—are also scheduled to host enlightening destination-related presentations.

Until December 31, 2011, "Book Now" cruise-only fares for the 16-day voyage start at $8,205/person, including fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, plus pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff.  If flying from one of 24 North American cities, "Book Now" rates that include airfare and airport transfers start at $9,705/person.

Crystal Cruises’ passion for creating unique luxury experiences both on land and at sea have helped earn the company top ratings from international travellers for two decades, including Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s recent Readers’ Choice award for "Best Cruise Line" for the 18th consecutive year.

For more information/Crystal reservations, contact The Cruise People, Ltd. – John Lang at 800.961.5536 extension 21 or jlang@thecruisepeople.ca

del.icio.us Tags: New Years luxury cruise

Cruise Line Tag Lines Over The Years

Image via Wikipedia

by Kevin Griffin of our London office writing in cybercruises.com

In the words of a press release from Royal Caribbean International last week, “Royal Caribbean International to-day launched a new brand campaign that embodies the most inspirational element at the very core of the global cruise line’s offering … the sea!”
And what is this wonderful tag line? Why, it’s “The Sea is Calling. Answer it Royally.”

Royal Caribbean says the new slogan is aimed at “reawakening consumers to the sights and sounds of the sea.”

This is very interesting when in recent years the line has been emphasising its rock climbing walls, ice-skating rinks and various and sundry other onboard attractions, more recently even including Shrek on some of its ships! Now, someone has woken up and noticed that cruise ships sail on the sea. Not only that, but it took not just one, but two advertising agencies to recognise this! But such is progress.

So this week we have a look at some of the slogans that have been used over the years since cruising started its four-decades-long boom. Perhaps the best ever was Cunard Line’s in the 1950s and 1960s –“Getting There is Half the Fun” really said it all. Later this line metamorphosised into “Ships Have Been Boring Long Enough” but with the former accentuating the positive and the latter the negative we know which wins!

Here are a few more that come to mind:

“The Fun Ships” – in the Miami-based context, this little slogan was first used by Yarmouth Cruise Lines, operating a decrepit pair of 38-year old ex-coastal liners between Miami and the Bahamas – one of which, Yarmouth Castle, was lost to fire in November 1965 with the loss of 87 lives.

Nonetheless, it was enough years later that Bob Dickinson of Carnival Cruise Lines revived “The Fun Ships” in 1973 to replace “The Golden Fleet” that no one remembered the tragedy and the tag line is Carnival’s to this day.
Anyway, the “Golden Fleet” in 1973 had only one ship, Mardi Gras.

Over the years, Carnival has also played with other tag lines, one being “The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World.” Carnival have also used music in its television commercials, as it did in 2005 with Bobby Darrin’s “Somewhere Beyond the Sea,” but why beyond the sea and not on it?

The lyrics begin well however:

Somewhere beyond the sea,
Somewhere, waiting for me,
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing

Speaking of love, “The Love Boat” was the name of a well-known American television programme that ran from 1977 to 1986, but it was also used for many years by Princess Cruises as its own tag line. After all, its Los Angeles-based Pacific Princess was used as the backdrop for this series.

It’s now a quarter century since the show was last made, but one thing it stood out for was false hilarity – it was one of the first hour-long American comedy series to use a laugh track. Somewhere along the way it seems that cruises might have started to get boring, however, because Princess for a while ran with the tag line “It’s more than a cruise, it’s the Love Boat.”

To-day, Princess uses the tag line “Escape Completely,” but I must say, like “Get Out There,” this one sounds rather American footballish and reminds me more of trying to escape Alcatraz rather than anything in the least bit romantic.

“Get Out There” – now who did we say wanted to connect with the sea?
This preposterous line – get out where? – was used by Royal Caribbean in North America only and it meant absolutely nothing if not read in context. It might have been the Romans telling the Christians to go and meet the lions. Far too macho, so perhaps “The Sea is Calling. Answer it Royally” will work.

It should catch the female ear better than “Get Out There.”

Royal Caribbean’s new advertising company maintains that the new tag line will cross cultures and be useable internationally – at least it sounds more like an instruction than an admonishment like “Get Out There.”

One tag line that Royal Caribbean used in the 1990s, however, was“The Grand Resorts of the Seven Seas” and one wonders why it dropped it, replacing it for a while with “You’ve Got Some Royal Caribbean Coming.”

“Let Us Exceed Your Expectations” was an early tag line for Celebrity Cruises and one that was befitting of its target, which was an upper premium audience. It reflected the whole reason for having formed Celebrity Cruises in the first place, getting away from the old name of Chandris, one that dated back to Australian emigration days from Europe.

Unfortunately, it’s gone. For a while it was replaced by “A True Departure” (a bit insipid don’t you think?) and now it’s “Designed For You” (sounds a bit like an Audi, but why not?) What was the matter with exceeding expectations? Could it no longer be done? It was a good tag line.

“Cruise Like a Norwegian” – Norwegian Caribbean Lines started as “The White Fleet” but over the years has also tried other slogans, most notably from 1990 with “Freestyle Cruising.”

Okay we all know that Norwegian’s new advertising company would like us to call it Norwegian instead of NCL, but just how does one cruise like a Norwegian? It sounds like a lazy adman’s copy of dance like an Egyptian, and no one really knew what that meant either..

“Signature of Excellence” is the tag line that Holland America uses to-day. Since both words can be translated as “mark” one wonders what the point is when in the early 1990s the same line used “A Tradition of Excellence.” The latter actually sounded more profound and it certainly beat their 1960s slogan “It’s Good to be on a Well-Run Ship.”

One of my favourites, however (tongue in cheek here), is the line Windstar Cruises used for many years, “A Holland America Line company.” Well, at least it wasn’t too vague.

Do you get my drift? Does it really matter?

Why do the cruise lines pay millions for these not so impressive sayings that are only replaced after a few years by paying someone else to come up with another one. They are just clutter and end up like bell-bottomed trousers, paisley ties, mini skirts and lacy blouses – very dated after a while.

But naughtiest of all is Quark Expeditions, who have just scooped up“Up Close and Personal” word for word from the now defunct Cruise West. I suppose they can’t be sued for infringement by a bankrupt company but it sounds awfully risky to me, sort of like tempting the fates.

What is most interesting however is that the more upmarket lines do better – Oceania’s “Your World, Your Way” puts the control with you and Azamara Club Cruises “You’ll Love Where We Take You” not only sounds like good English, but also revives the word love in a different way. Even SeaDream’s “It’s Yachting, not Cruising,” while unfortunately using a negative, has a ring to it that is true.

New Deputy Master & Executive Chairman for Trinity House

 

Captain Ian McNaught has been sworn in as Deputy Master of the Corporation of Trinity House and Executive Chairman of the Lighthouse Authority.

Captain McNaught succeeds Rear Admiral Sir Jeremy de Halpert who has stood down after almost ten years service.

Captain McNaught has 40 years maritime experience, most recently serving as Master with Seabourn Cruises. He has been an employee of Cunard, owner of some of the most famous cruise liners in the world, since 1987 when he joined Queen Elizabeth 2 as a Second Officer. He rapidly rose through the ranks and was Master of the luxury cruise ship Sea Goddess 1, and more recently held Command of the QE2 until the vessel was paid off in November 2008.

As Executive Chairman of the Lighthouse Authority, Captain McNaught will lead an organisation responsible for the safe navigation of some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Trinity House is also a pioneer of research into new technologies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the aids to navigation it provides. As Deputy Master of the Corporation of Trinity House he will be responsible for the activities of the UK’s largest endowed maritime charity.

Commenting on his appointment, Captain McNaught said, “having spent nearly 40 years at sea, my election as Deputy Master of Trinity House is the pinnacle of a successful career as a Master Mariner. It provides me with an opportunity to lead the principle maritime fraternity and institution in the country for the benefit of Maritime Britain, the shipping industry, and all the seagoing community. There is, I believe, no greater opportunity than this, to use all my maritime experience and expertise gathered during my career at sea”.

LiveJournal Tags: QE2,Queen Elizabeth 2,Ian McNaught,Seabourn

Windstar’s Wind Surf Debuts New Look For Accommodations and Corridors

Image via Wikipedia

  

Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of three luxury sailing yachts that explore hidden harbours and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, announces the completion of the first phase of Wind Surf‘s refurbishment encompassing the yacht’s staterooms, suites, bridge suites and corridors.

Wind Surf welcomed guests December 10 in Philipsburg, St. Maarten and set sail for the start of its Caribbean season with a new luxurious, classic, stylish yacht look for its accommodations and corridors. Wind Surf‘s cabins now feature leather headboards, stately arm chairs, linen wall coverings, new lighting features, elegant window coverings, plush wool carpeting, art work and bed cushions. Suites were additionally outfitted with new furniture that converts easily to lounging, dining, or accommodating a third occupant. Corridors were completely renovated from deck to deckhead with new wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, lighting and art work.

"The new look enables us to provide an unparalleled guest experience and dramatizes Windstar’s brand position of providing a unique, boutique yacht vacation that is 180 Degrees from Ordinary," said Hans Birkholz, President and CEO of Windstar Cruises.

The second phase of Wind Surf‘s refurbishment will take place in the autumn of 2012 and focuses on the yacht’s public spaces including the Lounge, The Restaurant, Degrees, Veranda, Compass Rose, WindSpa, Yacht Club and Pool Bar.

• In the Lounge, carpeting will be replaced with hard flooring accented with inset rugs, a contemporary mix of furniture, lighter colour palette and improved sound insulation around the casino.
• The Restaurant will be completed with a new seating layout, all new soft goods, and state-of-the art wine display and storage.
• Degrees Restaurant will be transformed into a Mediterranean bistro, anchored by a central wine bar for counter dining as well as an inviting area to relax before and after dinner.  Wine tastings and cooking demonstrations will also be conducted here.
• The Veranda’s outdoor seating will be significantly expanded, creating a mid-ship area for enjoying breakfast and lunch alfresco.  The interior will include a new buffet, new lighting, and epicurean style display counters.
• The Compass Rose will be reconfigured to open up expansively to the adjoining outdoor deck, and its interior completely renovated to reflect the elegance of a private club.
• The Pool Bar will sport new awnings for additional shade, new deck furniture, and improved outdoor dining layout for Candles Grill.

Wind Star and Wind Spirit will undergo complete refurbishments of staterooms, owner’s suite, and corridors along with public spaces including The Restaurant, Veranda, Lounge, WindSpa, Library, Reception, and Pool Bar following their respective Costa Rica and Caribbean seasons. After the completion of work, both yachts begin their Mediterranean seasons with Wind Spirit starting April 15, 2012, and Wind Star beginning April 29, 2012.

Carrying just 148 to 312 passengers, the luxurious yachts of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries, contact The Cruise People at 1-800-961-5536.

Crystal Serenity Rescues Capsized Rowers

 

Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity rescued two rowers this morning who had capsized their small boat 480 miles west of the Canary Islands overnight.  23 year-old Tom Fancett from the U.K. and Tom Sauer from the Netherlands, who were competing with 16 other boats in the 2011 Atlantic Challenge Race to row across the Atlantic, spent 10 hours in a tiny life raft after a large wave sank their boat.  The ship was 120 nautical miles north of the rowers, on her own Transatlantic cruise en route to St. Maarten, when it received the rescue assist call from the Falmouth Coast Guard.  Crystal Serenity picked up the men at 6:00 a.m. yesterday morning.

Captain Okland sailed full speed to the stranded boaters, through worsening weather and very small crafts of other contest participants.  With lookouts posted throughout the night, Crystal Serenity located the boaters’ flare five hours later.  Captain Okland carefully manoeuvered close to the raft, and the shipwrecked persons were rescued directly onto Crystal Serenity.

Upon checkup in the ship’s medical centre, both survivors appear to be healthy.  Crystal Serenity expects to arrive on schedule in St. Maarten on Sunday.

Norwegian Announces Its 2013 Programme

by Kevin Griffin of The Cruise People writing in cybercruises.com

Norwegian Cruise Line has just recently announced its 2013 programmes, which involve four ships being sent to Europe, three to Alaska, up from two, and  Norwegian Breakaway in her inaugural season boosting Norwegian’s capacity to Bermuda.

Norwegian will send four ships to Europe in 2013, the same as 2012.The 4,200-berth Norwegian Epic, 2,466-berth Norwegian Jade and 1,976-berth Norwegian Spirit, all scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean in 2012, will be back for summer 2013. But in the Baltic the 2,244-berth Norwegian Star will replace the 1,936-berth Norwegian Sun in 2013, bringing a 16% increase in capacity and freeing up Norwegian Sun to move back to the Alaska trade.

Norwegian’s largest ship, the Epic will return to the Mediterranean for the third year in a row with 7-night summer cruises from Barcelona, but on a revised itinerary. While she will continue to call at Marseille and Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples and Livorno, she will call at Mallorca instead of Villefranche in 2013. Norwegian Jade will offer alternating 7-night Greek Isles and Adriatic, Greece and Turkey itineraries from Venice in 2013.

Norwegian Spirit will meanwhile sail one-way, 12-night Grand Mediterranean voyages between Barcelona and Venice, calling at nine ports in five countries.

Norwegian Star will offer 9-night Baltic cruises out of Copenhagen, with highlights including two full days in St. Petersburg and an afternoon cruise of the Stockholm Archipelago upon departure from Stockholm. One new feature will be a call at Helsingborg. The Star will also will offer one 14-night Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands cruise out of Copenhagen in September 2013.

Two Norwegian ships will remain in Europe throughout the winter of 2013/2014. From October through April, Norwegian Jade will sail from Civitavecchia on a series of 10-night Eastern Mediterranean and 11-night Mediterranean and Holy Land voyages. And in late October, Norwegian Spirit will begin a series of twenty 9-night Canaries cruises.

With three ships scheduled to cruise to Alaska in 2013, Norwegian will offer added capacity, new land packages and a stop in a place no one has ever heard of called Hoonah.  Norwegian Sun will offer 7-day cruises between Vancouver and Whittier beginning in May 2013.

Sailing north through the Inside Passage, the Sun will visit Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier with stops in Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau. Southbound, the Sun will cruise a similar route with the addition of Sawyer Glacier and Icy Strait Point near Hoonah. Norwegian has not operated three ships in Alaska since 2009.

As the third ship to Alaska in 2013, the Sun will join the 2,376-berth Norwegian Jewel and the 2,394-passenger Norwegian Pearl.

The Jewel will sail 7-day Sawyer Glacier itineraries from Seattle, with a departure every Saturday. And the Pearl will sail 7-day Glacier Bay itineraries from Seattle on Sundays. Both ships will stop in the popular Inside Passage ports of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Norwegian chose Hoonah, a tender port, for Icy Strait Point, a new Alaska attraction. This village on Chichagof Island will offer passengers the opportunity to go whale watching, fishing, kayaking, learn about the Tlingit community and culture and shop for local crafts.

As well as adding a ship to the Alaska trade, Norwegian has reaffirmed its loyalty to Bermuda for the next two summer seasons.
The cruise line’s 2013 schedule will include forty-four cruises to Bermuda by two ships. Its newest ship, the 4,000-berth Norwegian Breakaway, will cruise to Bermuda twenty-two times from New York between May and October 2013, while the 2,476-berth Norwegian Dawn will undertake twenty-two Bermuda cruises from Boston.

Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer, was quoted as telling the Bermuda Sun: “Bermuda is a beautiful and desirable destination for cruisers. We are pleased to be continuing our commitment to the island with Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn making regular calls in 2012.

In 2013, we will bring our newest and one of our largest ships, Norwegian Breakaway, sailing from New York to Bermuda.  Having Norwegian Breakaway call in Bermuda for her inaugural season is a definite coup for Bermuda.”

Norwegian Breakaway will leave New York on Sundays and spend three full days in Bermuda, plus three days at sea. And Norwegian Dawn will return to Boston for the summer of 2013, departing on Fridays.

This year two ships, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Gem, have visited Bermuda a total of forty-eight times and next year three ships, Norwegian Dawn, Star and Gem will cruise forty-eight times to Bermuda as well.  Norwegian Getaway will add substantial capacity in 2013, helping to offset the losses of Carnival, Princess and Holland America, which have all either cancelled their Bermuda programmes or cut them to the bone.

Silversea Offers ‘Grand Prix de Monaco’ Tour

Passengers sailing on the nearly sold-out Silver Spirit voyage of 24 May 2012 are in for a special treat. Silversea is offering an optional two-day "70th Grand Prix de Monaco" land package.

Silver Spirit guests will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of a Formula One race at the Monaco Grand Prix during the ship’s overnight visit on 26 May. On Saturday, guests will enjoy witnessing the time trials (practice runs for the drivers and their cars) from Tribune K reserved seats. From this section of the grandstand, guests will see cars racing towards them at tremendous speed, slow down, and then accelerate, before making the next turn. In the evening, participants attend an invitation-only cocktail reception hosted by the ship’s captain and a former Grand Prix driver, followed by a themed dinner of Mediterranean and Monegasque cuisine served in La Terrazza. On Sunday, guests return to their same reserved seats for the exciting race.

The tour includes escorted transfers and a gift package of spectator essentials featuring Bushnell binoculars, an official"70th Grand Prix de Monaco" programme, souvenir drawstring bag, hat, seat cushion and protective earplugs.

Darius Mehta, Silversea’s vice president of air and land programmes, said: "This is an amazing opportunity for our guests to experience the thrill and excitement of the world’s most renowned Formula One race."

Priced at US$1,799 per passenger, this special two-day, mid-voyage land adventure is only offered on Silver Spirit’s 24 May voyage (#5213), sailing from Barcelona to Rome. It requires advance booking by 24 January 2012. However, since space is limited, the tour may sell out before the booking deadline.

LiveJournal Tags: 70th Grand Prix de Monaco

CruiseTricks Chooses Cruise People/CMA CGM Cargo-Passenger Route as one of its Top Ten Unusual Cruises in the World

 

 

The German site www.cruisetricks.de has chosen The Cruise People’s CMA CGM New York to Seattle route via Suez as one of its “Top Ten Unusual Cruises in the World” for 2011. In making its choice, CruiseTricks’s Franz Neumeier said,

“That the French company CMA CGM offers the possibility for up to seven passengers to travel on three of its cargo ships is not unusual. Many cargo ships carry passengers these days. What is unusual about the service offered by the CMA CGM Figaro, CMA CGM Tosca and CMA CGM Dolphin, however, is that it follows the route of the first World Cruise undertaken by a passenger ship, as performed by Hamburg America Line’s Cleveland in 1909. These voyages can be booked through The Cruise People Ltd in London.”

 

 

Three ships, the CMA CGM Dolphin, CMA CGM Figaroand, CMA CGM Tosca(shown below), now offer an interesting itinerary between New York and Seattle, as well as Vancouver BC, via the Suez Canal. Known as CMA CGM’s Columbus Loop, the full 105-day round voyage is made via ports in the Far East. Eastbound, ships leave New York via Norfolk and Savannah and sail directly to Tanjung Pelepas, a port in Malaysia located just across the water from Singapore. Calls are then made at Hong Kong, Yantian and Shanghai before proceeding to Pusan, in South Korea, and on to Seattle and Vancouver.

The return voyage is made from Vancouver to Yokohama and then calls at the Chinese ports of Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong and Yantian before returning to New York via Tanjung Pelepas.

Voyage time from New York to Seattle is 55 days and from Seattle to New York 50 days (Vancouver to New York is 46 days). This voyage is for those who love the sea, the longest transit being 29 days from Savannah to Tanjung Pelepas (on the return, Tanjung Pelepas to New York is 23 days).

The new routing retraces the route of the first World Cruise, which was offered by Hamburg America Line’s Cleveland before the Panama Canal had even been opened – but takes half the time. Chartered by Frank C Clark of New York, an early cruise organizer, Cleveland left New York on October 16, 1909, and took 108 days to proceed across the Atlantic to ports in the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, India and the Far East before finishing the world’s first Round-the-World Cruise in San Francisco on January 31, 1910. Passengers then returned to their homes from the West Coast by train while Cleveland retraced her steps on a second world cruise. Equally, passengers taking the new Columbus Loop cruise can travel around the world in either direction and complete their circumnavigation in less than two months by making the rail journey across North America.

CMA CGM Figaro and CMA CGM Tosca carry seven passengers each in different mixes of single and double cabins, with fares set at €100 per person per day or €110 per day for sole occupancy of a double cabin. CMA CGM Dolphin carries up to six passengers in three double cabins. Fares include full board, port charges, deviation insurance and complimentary French table wine with lunch and dinner. Part voyages are also possible but the full 105-day round voyage starts at €10,500 (about $14,645 or £9,350). New York to Seattle is €5,500 (about $7.670 or £4,895) for 55 days and Seattle to New York is €5,000 (about $6.975 or £4,450) for 50 days.

For further details please call Fred Cherney at 1-800-961-5536 Ex 22 or email fcherney@thecruisepeople.ca.

Entertainment Lineup for AMERICAN QUEEN

The Great American Steamboat Company has announced the first details of the entertainment line-up for the inaugural season of the Steamer American Queen, including the line’s inaugural season Riverlorian.

Top entertainers will bring down the house in the American Queen’s majestic Grand Saloon. Two decks tall, the Grand Saloon is absolutely palatial, the most elegant showplace on the river. Every evening, passengers will be treated to a different celebration of America’s best music, from Broadway hits to Dixieland Jazz, big band to bluegrass, ragtime to rock and roll. Showboat-style cabaret acts and old-fashioned radio shows add variety and charm to the evening lineup.

“The American Queen and her fabled predecessors were consistently renowned and acclaimed for their lavish, award-winning entertainment and we could not be more pleased to offer our guests all of these legendary names aboard the most legendary riverboat in the world,” stated Christopher Kyte, president of Great American Steamboat Company.

The Return of the Riverlorians
While the entertainment in the Grand Saloon will have guests’ toes tapping, the enrichment and historical aspects will have their senses piqued. As  American Queen carries forward the 100+ yearlong legacy of the fabled Delta Queen Steamboat Company, it is only fitting that a much-loved Delta Queen veteran serve as the inaugural Riverlorian. Mary Charlton, who has served as Riverlorian aboard Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and American Queen in the past is returning in her starring role.
“The American Queen is not just the only authentic steamboat on America’s waterways, she presents the only truly authentic Steamboating experience and the only true Riverlorians, which of course were a staple of the Delta Queen boats for decades,” stated Kyte.

Glenn Miller Orchestra– The big band show, with a sound of its own, draws rave reviews performing original arrangements of classics that defined a generation. Swing, sway or just tap in time with nostalgic tunes like In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Chattanooga Choo Choo and many others.
Voyage dates: July 27, August 3, December 28

Harry James Orchestra – Directed by Fred Radke, who played first trumpet for the master himself and is held in esteem by jazz greats, the incredible orchestra stirs memories of the good old days with hits including All or Nothing at All, Ain’t She Sweet, Up a Lazy River and more.
Voyage Dates: April 19, April 27

Rat Pack Show – Guests will close their eyes and swear it’s Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Amazing performers evoke the sounds and memories of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, backed by our onboard orchestra. Enjoy hits that include Fly Me to the Moon, That’s Amore, Everybody Loves Somebody, New York, New York, When I Was Seventeen and others.
Voyage Dates: May 8, May 15, May 22, June 28, July 18, October 22, December 14

B.J. Thomas – The voice is unmistakable and the audience will return to the late 60s and early 70s as the legendary B.J. Thomas sings his chart-topping songs, Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head, Hooked on a Feeling, I Just Can’t Help Believing, Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song and others.
Voyage Dates: July 11, July 18, July 22

The Lovin’ Spoonful – Playing the hits that put them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the band will transport the Grand Saloon to the 60s with their great songs, including Do You Believe in Magic, Daydream, Summer in the City and Nashville Cats.
Voyage Dates: July 11, July 18, July 22

The Platters – The original doo-wop act brings back the sound of the 50s with the songs that became classics: Only You, The Great Pretender, My Prayer, Twilight Time, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and others.
Voyage Date: September 7

Bill Haley’s Comets – The genesis of rockabilly and early rock, Bill Haley’s Comets will have guests moving to energetic hits like Rock Around the Clock and Shake, Rattle and Roll.
Voyage Date: September 7

Annie Moses Band – This incredible classically trained family  will have everyone in the holiday spirit performing seasonal music. Featured are violin, viola, cello, harp, guitar, piano and stunning vocals.
Voyage Dates: November 19, December 9, December 14

The New Orleans Jazz All-Stars –These maestros of the Big Easy’s jazz scene will take theAmerican Queen on a journey through the history of a purely American music genre.
Voyage Dates: April 13, April 19

Juggernaut Jug Band – Steamboaters will delight in the authentic form of river music known as “jug music.” Rooted in the port towns of the Deep South, jug music includes styles of swing, jazz and bluegrass, performed by Juggernaut’s amazing artists.
Voyage Dates: May 4, May 29, September 28, October 12

Storefront Congregation – Graze on their smooth blend of bluegrass, country and blues and it will be known why the band is called “bluegrass’s newest sensation.”
Voyage Date: April 27

Additional details on these and other acclaimed acts, along with additional voyage dates will be available online at GreatAmericanSteamboatCompany.com/entertainment.
Great American Steamboat Company offers a variety of voyage lengths, ranging from three nights to ten nights, and fares beginning at $995 per passenger, offers exceptional value and convenience, with little or no flying required. And  with one of the best early booking bonuses in the industry, its "Steamboating Plus"  programme offers a complimentary luxury hotel stay before or after sailing along with transfers, a welcome brunch and much more.

The Steamer American Queen is the largest, grandest and most opulent riverboat in the world. Featuring plush accommodations for 436 privileged guests, she is a marvelous blend of old-world luxury and modern amenities and comforts. Under the guidance of famed American chef Regina Charboneau, guests will be treated to her acclaimed cuisine in their choice of four dining venues, all at no additional charge.

The Great American Steamboat Company not only has an exceptional management team behind it but exceeds all current Federal financial protection guidelines, offering a unique "Total Financial Security Programme" where 100% of fares paid are held in escrow accounts until the voyage is completed. The Great American Steamboat Company has assembled many of the same talented individuals that made the steamboat experience one of the most successful and acclaimed cruise products of its day. Every one of the senior executives has a total commitment and passion for the unique niche steamboats occupy in American history and legend.

Given the long absence of steamboats from the great rivers of America, we expect the Inaugural Season to fill quickly and prompt reservations are encouraged to avoid disappointment.  For additional information and reservations, kindly contact The Cruise People, Ltd. at 1-800-961-5536.

LiveJournal Tags: American Queen