Cunard Wedding Programme Details

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While Cunard ships have long served as a romantic backdrop to love stories across the globe, couples will soon be able to say "I do" during a luxury cruise or voyage, for the first time in the Line’s 172-year history. Beginning in April , passengers will be able to celebrate a wedding day at sea, conducted by the Captain, aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

Demand is already high.

Couples wishing to wed at sea can choose from the full spectrum of Cunard’s worldwide voyages lasting seven nights or more and departing after April 2012. In addition to Atlantic crossings, destinations include the Mediterranean and Scandinavia, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, the Far East and Australia.

To maintain exclusivity, only one wedding will be arranged per day, at either 11:00 a.m. or 3:30 p.m., and the ceremonies will take place on days at sea. With a dedicated on board wedding coordinator, the bride and groom will find that all of their wedding needs can be met, from hairdressing, make-up and manicures in the spa, to the wedding ceremony itself, as well as photography and video, and the reception afterwards.

In addition, weddings can be tailored with Cunard’s “Finishing Touches” to reflect individual requests and preferences, from an accompaniment by the ship’s own harpist, to a beautiful ice sculpture.

“There is nothing quite as special as the setting of a Cunard ship,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.  “Saying ‘I do’ at sea aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria promises so much more than a land-based venue. With a backdrop of the world’s most exotic coastlines in the Mediterranean and across the world, or the extraordinary sense of timelessness that you only experience mid-Atlantic, a Cunard wedding promises the happy couple a ceremony of classic style and sumptuous luxury.” 
Mr. Shanks continued, “And the ships are so much more than simply a setting for the ceremony itself – they are also honeymoon destinations, offering newlyweds a fresh view to wake up to each morning and a trousseau of unforgettable destinations to discover together ashore.”

Choosing to marry on one of the three largest Cunard ships ever built creates an exceptional setting for any style of celebration.  Various venues are available aboard each ship depending on the size of the wedding party, from elegant lounges to award-winning restaurants, including The Verandah on Queen Elizabeth and Todd English on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.  Under the guidance of Cunard’s global culinary ambassador, Chef Patron Jean-Marie Zimmermann, the ships’ world-class culinary teams will prepare wedding canapés, a delicious wedding lunch or an exquisite wedding dinner.

Cunard has created a Wedding Package – with an array of optional extras – to meet all requirements.  The main package includes the ceremony conducted by the Captain, traditional wedding music, a White Star Bellman escorting the bride, floral arrangements, Veuve Clicquot Champagne and, of course, the wedding cake as well as priority check-in and luggage delivery.

A never-to-be-forgotten day is available for $US2,500 plus a marriage license fee of $575.  An array of Cunard’s “Finishing Touches” is also available for purchase and include items such as a Bride and Groom’s Champagne and Caviar Breakfast in Bed, or a three-tiered fruit cake.  In addition, wedding gifts of fine wines, champagne and spa treatments can be purchased in advance and arranged for on board.

What’s included in the Wedding Package:
•    Priority luggage delivery
•    Press service for bridal outfits
•    Priority embarkation (and disembarkation) for the bridal couple
•    Services of a wedding coordinator on board
•    Two fresh floral arrangements for the ceremonial room
•    Bridal bouquet and bridegroom’s boutonniere, with a choice of roses, lilies or exotic flowers
•    One-tier wedding cake
•    Traditional wedding music
•    Elegant wedding ceremony venue
•    White Star Bellman to escort the bride to the ceremonial room
•    Ceremony at sea conducted by the Captain
•    Commemorative wedding certificate
•    Commemorative printed wedding menu
•    Bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne
•    Bride & Groom Breakfast in Bed
•    Wedding invitations and Thank You cards for voyage guests

Contact The Cruise People. Ltd. at 1-800-961-5536 or cruise@thecruisepeople.ca as soon as possible for more information about Cunard’s wedding programme.

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The Latest on Costa Concordia

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

As the general media have been covering the drama, we have not been commenting on the Costa Concordia tragedy. However, there are one or two pieces of news that we feel are worth commenting on. Firstly, should the elements allow, Costa has now announced that it intends to refloat the ship in one piece.
Others commenting have said that she is too big and will have to be cut up into sections. Ultimately, it will be the findings of the salvage company that will decide.

Ten salvage companies, Smit Salvage, Svitzer Salvage and Mammoet Salvage, all of the Netherlands, Titan Salvage, Resolve Marine Group, T&T Marine Salvage and Donjon Marine, all of the United states, Tito Neri of Italy and Fukada Salvage and Nippon Salvage of Japan, have been asked to tender on the wreck’s removal. Meanwhile, reports from US sources say that the ship’s insurers apparently favour Bisso Marine, a fifth-generation family business in New Orleans and Houston.

While Bisso was not even on the bid list it is always possible that it or its equipment might be subcontracted. Meanwhile, Smit Salvage is already on the scene as they were commissioned to remove the fuel from the wreck, about 40% of which has now been recovered. A final choice of salvage company is expected to be announced in March.

Should  Costa Concordia be righted and refloated intact, it seems that Costa have now given up any hope of placing her back in service again, indicating that in all likelihood she will be towed to a scrapyard. The damage to her port side is already evident, but that to her bottom and starboard side is as yet unknown.

Finally, according to Seatrade Insider and sources in Italy it appears that Costa Cruises bookings are down more than a third since the tragedy, as the line fights to protect the integrity of its brand. While other lines suffered lesser downturns, their bookings have started to rebound again after quick action by the cruise lines and public reassurances from the Cruise Lines International Association, the European Cruise Council and the UK’s Passenger Shipping Association.

The most important action has been that cruise lines have all now agreed to introduce mandatory safety drills before departure, something that exceeds International Maritime Organisation requirement that drills should be held within twenty-four hours of sailing.

LiveJournal Tags: Costa Concordia salvage

Seabourn Odyssey Named Best Small Cruise Ship Two Years in a Row

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For the second year in a row, Seabourn’s intimate, luxury cruise ships sailed to the top of Conde Nast Traveler’s prestigious list of the world’s 100 best cruise ships, based on scores achieved in the magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice poll.

Seabourn’s fleet dominated the survey, occupying five of the top seven spots. Once again, Seabourn Odyssey was the highest-rated small cruise ship, with Seabourn Pride coming in second. Seabourn Sojourn ranked fourth, and Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Spirit rounded out the top seven. Seabourn Quest, which debuted to rave reviews in June of 2011, was not included in the poll but is a sister ship to the top rated Odyssey.

"These honours truly belong to Seabourn’s hardworking crew," said Seabourn’s president, Richard Meadows. "We’re extremely proud of them, and we know that these rankings are a direct result of the exceptional way they care for our guests." 

The list, published in the magazine’s February issue, outlines the scores of each ship in a variety of categories, including service, itineraries, food and dining, activities, design and layout, and more. Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Legend received the highest scores in three categories: 97.1 for cabins, 98.8 for food/dining and 93.5 for design/layout, respectively.

In 2011, Seabourn completed a three-ship expansion, adding new vessels that garnered rave reviews and acclaim as "game-changers" for the luxury cruise segment.  The expansion included the launch of Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009, Seabourn Sojourn in June 2010, and the new Seabourn Quest in June 2011.  Each ship carries 450 guests, providing the highest ratio of space per passenger in the industry and  nearly one staff member per guest. Seabourn’s fleet includes the line’s original trio of 208-passenger ships: Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend.

Seabourn’s six-ship fleet circles the globe throughout the year. Cruises of seven days to World Cruises of more than 100 days visit hundreds of ports, including marquee cities and lesser-known yachting harbours and hideaways.

More information on Seabourn.

Hanjin Palermo To Revive Montreal-Mediterranean Cargo-Passenger Service

 

 

For the past couple of years travellers have been unable to book passage between Europe and Canada and have had to travel via US ports. But starting in April space will be available for eight passengers on the NSB vessel Hanjin Palermo.

Hanjin Palermo will depart Algeciras April 1 and Lisbon April 2 on her first Canadian voyage, which is due to arrive at Montreal on April 10. Returning, she will leave Montreal on April 13 for Algeciras, Valencia, Cagliari, Salerno, Livorno and Genoa, where she arrives May 1, before returning via Fos-sur-Mer, Algeciras and Lisbon to Montreal. Montreal to Genoa is an 18-day voyage,  while her May 2 departure from Genoa will see her back in Montreal on May 15, for a crossing time of 13 days. Subject to space being available, the full 35-day round voyage can also be booked as a ten-port Mediterranean and Transatlantic cruise from any of the ports of call.

The 45,625 deadweight ton Hanjin Palermo can accommodate up to eight passengers in an Owners cabin and two double cabins and two single cabins for sole travellers. Fares are €80 per day for the singles, €90 per person per day for the doubles and €95 per person per day for the Owners cabin, while sole occupancy of a double is €100 per day and the Owners €105 per day. Port charges are extra at €85 and deviation insurance is €105 for voyages up to 15 days and €160 for longer trips. The vessel is equipped with an indoor pool and fitness room as well as lounge and video/TV room. Meals are taken with the officers.

Note: This is a preliminary announcement as the vessel was fully booked on her previous Transatlantic route to and from New York. Reservations to and from Montreal will only open once existing bookings have been re-accommodated.

For further details please call Miri Lopusna at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk or in North America call Fred Cherney at 1-800-961-5536 Ext 22 or fcherney@thecruisepeople.ca

John Lang’s First Riverboat

Dertour’s Mozart Is Relaunched on the Danube

Kevin Griffin writing for cybercruises.com discusses John’s first European river ship.  Still his all-time favourite.

Built in 1987, MV Mozart was called in her time the most luxurious river ship in the world. Refurbished annually, this incomparable vessel is resplendent with polished rosewood and original art. She is also distinguished by the large size of her hundred staterooms and the number of public areas.

Of her staterooms, 97% are outside and are identical in size at 203 square feet, except for two suites at 406 square feet.

Some are configured as twins, others with a queen-size bed. The three inside cabins have three berths and can be used by families travelling together. All are well appointed and have large marble bathrooms equipped with hairdryers and terrycloth bathrobes. On the upper deck, all accommodations also feature French balconies opening up onto the river and the passing scenery.

Mozart, once the flagship of the Peter Deilmann river cruise fleet, now works for German tour operator Dertour, and is still arguably one of the most luxurious cruise vessels in the world. She also features a large forward lounge, two bars, a café, beauty salon, library, gift shop, complete fitness centre and wellness spa, heated indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, laundry, safe deposit boxes and a conference room, as well as an infirmary with a qualified doctor on board.

Her Sun Deck has plenty of deck chairs and blankets, if needed.

In addition to her forward-facing lounge, one of Mozart’s most striking attributes is a picture window right in the bows of the ship, which is located forward of her indoor swimming pool. This has been made possible because with dimensions of 394 by 75 feet, the ship’s accommodations are spread over two hulls. On the upper deck all outside accommodations also feature French balconies.

Dertour now market two itineraries, both operating round-trip from Passau, which is easily reached from Munich airport.

The 7-night itinerary includes visits to Vienna and Bratislava and turns at Budapest, while the 14-night itinerary proceeds further downstream to include the Iron Gates and the Danube Delta, with additional calls in Belgrade, Giurgiu in Romania and Rousse in Bulgaria, as well as at Tulcea, Romania, near the Danube’s exit into the Black Sea

Read more about Mozart and her programmes.