EUROPA 2

by thecruisepeople

The Elements Asian Restaurant on board Europa 2

The Cathay Lounge on board Empress of Britain of 1931

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ new Europa 2 may well prove to be one of the most interestingly decorated ships since the Empress of Britain of 1931 and Normandie of 1935. But to keep things in a modern tone, Sebastian Ahrens, managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said, “We are breaking new ground with Europa 2. She will represent a modern and casual interpretation of luxury cruises in terms of her architecture, her restaurants and her entertainment programme.  Europa 2 will offer an international atmosphere for sophisticated, cosmopolitan customers who still have very demanding professional lives and are looking for the greatest possible degree of individuality in their spare time. We have therefore consciously decided to do without cruise traditions such as the Captain’s Dinner.”

“The ship will be positioned internationally.  English-speaking guests will feel comfortable on every cruise on Europa 2. Most of the entertainment on board does not rely on language. The on-board announcements will be reduced to a minimum and made in German and English at all times,” added Ahrens.

Flexibility and individuality will be found in every detail from entertainment to gourmet cuisine on board Europa 2. The routes of Europa 2 will be geared towards working people and families, with one-week itineraries offered. Personalized service will be heightened, with more than 370 staff members for a maximum of 516 guests, as well as butler and travel concierge services offering unsurpassed quality when it comes to catering to guests’ needs. New standards will also be set with regards to environmental protection – Europa 2 will be the first cruise ship equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction, which reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides by almost 95 percent.

Shorter Routes, Ideal for Working People and Families

With 7-day combinable cruises to the Mediterranean in the summer and 13-20 day combination cruises to far-away destinations in the winter, Europa 2 will meet the requirements of working people and families with limited holiday time. The ship will call at 123 ports on 26 different itineraries in 2013. Cruises will take guests to the western and eastern Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula, as well as Southeast Asia. The size of the ship is a major advantage – with a length of 739 feet and a draught of 20.7 feet, Europa 2 is capable of calling at small, rarely-visited ports such as Bonifacio and Portofino, which is not an option for larger ships. Furthermore, a total of twelve Zodiacs will be carried to take passengers to lagoons and beaches  in remote parts of Southeast Asia where ships can’t dock.

Accommodations On-board, All-Suites

Europa 2 will exclusively offer Veranda Suites with balconies each measuring at least 75 square feet facing the sea, a novelty in the cruise market. In addition, all suites will have a free of charge mini bar, Wi-Fi Internet access (at a charge) and a tablet PC. The 251 suites in seven different categories will measure in size from 301 to 1,066 square feet and will offer their own whirlpools with ocean view in the highest categories. In addition, 16 Spa Suites will have whirlpool tubs and rain showers with steam saunas, providing guests with a private oasis of well-being onboard. For families travelling together, there will be seven family-style suites where parents and children can live in two separate areas, connected by a door and the shared balcony.

Culinary Diversity with Flexible Times and Open Seating

The restaurant concept on board Europa 2 will be synonymous with diversity and flexibility – flexible mealtimes, no assigned seating, and plenty of tables for two. There will be eight restaurants to choose from among them, three speciality restaurants with Mediterranean, French and Asian cuisine, as well as a Sushi Bar. The Asian restaurant Elements provides an interesting comparison with Canadian Pacific’s Empress of Britain of 1931, which as the time was advertised in Germany as “das Luxusschiff der Welt” (“The Most Luxurious Ship in the World”). One of the Empress of Britain‘s chief attractions was the Chinoiserie used in her decorations, particularly in her Cathay Lounge, something that stemmed from Canadian Pacific’s Transpacific ocean liner service between Vancouver and the Orient.

The Tarragon French restaurant on board Europa 2. No extra charge to dine here.

All restaurants will be included in the cruise price (excluding beverages). On special occasions, passengers can book the private dining room, allowing them to dine in a very personal atmosphere. There will also be an on-board cooking school, equipped by Miele, where professional chefs will provide guests with unique insights. In addition to the eight restaurants, six bars are to be found on-board.

Entertainment with Exclusive Productions & Performances

The entertainment programme will reflect the modern concept Europa 2. The theatre will have modern stage technology and a large LED wall extending across two stories – a novelty on a relatively small ship. For the first time for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the entertainment programme will feature spectacular productions, performances and light shows. The shows will have no adaptation of shore programmes, but instead will be exclusively performed aboard Europa 2. Two different shows per week will be offered, ensuring plenty of variety. Passengers who spend 14 days onboard will see four different shows. International guest artists will further enhance the entertainment programme. Many shows do not start simultaneously, allowing passengers to enjoy more than one show nightly.

Wellness and Fitness: 1,000 Square Metres/ 10,000 Square Foot Spa

Guests will also find diversity and plenty of space in the wellness area of Europa 2, which will boast 1,000 square metres/ 10,000 square feet. Treatments ranging from massages, to facials, to Thalasso therapy will be offered in the eight treatment rooms at the Ocean Spa. The extensive sauna landscape grants every guest more space to relax than any other ship of this class. In addition, passengers can book a Personal Spa experience and enjoy the private sauna and whirlpool facilities, as well as massage beds and comfortable relaxation furnishings, by the hour or the day, in an intimate atmosphere. The on-board facilities also include a large fitness area with fitness and cardio equipment, as well as a room where Pilates and Spinning will take place. Upon request, a Personal Trainer is available to counsel guests on their workout, and sports hosts are available to organise shore excursions, for example, bicycle tours or Nordic Walking.

Child Care Available For Toddlers Two And Older

Young cruise passengers are sure to enjoy themselves in the Kids and Teens Club, compiled by qualified child care specialists. For the first time in the German market, child care will now be available for toddlers two and older on board Europa 2 (subject to charge). There will be a special area for the infants called the “Knopf Club,” equipped with cots, changing tables and a lounge furnished with cuddly toys, by the renowned manufacturer Steiff. Steiff is a German-based plush toy company known for its high quality for over 100 years. Children aged 4-10 years old play in the adjacent Kids Club, and children 11-15 years old meet in the Teens Club, where table football, video game consoles, or the disco will await them. Children eleven and under will travel free of charge on board Europa 2, when accompanied by two full-price cruise guests. Shore excursions for children, teenagers, or the entire family are offered on all family cruises.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com. For bookings or brochure requests please call Gay Scruton at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk  in North America call 1-800-961-5536 or e-mail cruise@thecruisepeople.ca.

LiveJournal Tags: Empress of Canada,Europa 2

Manhattan Pier To Be Adapted for Norwegian Breakaway

by The Cruise People’s Kevin Griffin writing for cybercruises.com

It is sometimes forgotten that before Queen Mary 2 transferred to her new New York base at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook, she made a number of calls in Manhattan. Manhattan had in fact been Cunard Line’s traditional New York base since the first call there by the 1,422-ton Hibernia in 1845.

In 2013, Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, a ship very near to the size of  Queen Mary 2, will become Manhattan-based year round, with a series of twenty-two 7-night New York-Bermuda cruises by summer, New York-Bahamas and Florida cruises by autumn and and New York-West Indies cruises by winter.

To accommodate Norwegian Breakaway’s size, an additional $4 million will have to be spent to upgrade and modify the gangways and fenders of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Norwegian Breakaway’s arrival in April 2013 on a Transatlantic voyage from Southampton will in fact mark the tenth anniversary of the 2003 arrival of the 2,244-berth Norwegian Dawn (since expanded to 2,476 berths) to become Norwegian’s first year-round New York ship.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Miracle will also be making Manhattan her year-round homeport starting next month, offering departures from Manhattan to the Bahamas and West Indies, with a huge illuminated billboard on Broadway announcing to New Yorkers that “the Caribbean is closer than you think.”

LiveJournal Tags: Norwegian Breakaway,Carnival Miracle,Queen Mary 2,Hibernia

Exceptional Offers Aboard MINERVA

Book by April 30 for Savings of as Much as 60 Percent

To introduce travellers to the newly- refurbished Minerva, Swan Hellenic introduced special sale rates of as much as 60 percent off brochure fares for select cruises of discovery to exotic locales in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean from August through December 2012. 

These special sale fares – which begin at just over $125 per person per day, double occupancy – include shore excursions, gratuities, port fees, meals, entertainment and the line’s renowned guest speaker programme on the 350-passenger Minerva, which recently completed a multi-million-dollar refit.

Swan’s special sale fares must be booked by April 30 and are subject to availability.

Minerva’s new look features expansive new public areas and an increased number of suites with balconies, representing 23% of all stateroom accommodation. In addition, all 181 staterooms have been upgraded with new en-suite bathrooms. The ship also boasts a new Orpheus Lounge & Bar, a wrap-around forward observation lounge with expansive panoramic views; an expanded Shackleton Bar; a new Livingstone Lounge for relaxing or reading; dedicated internet lounge and Wi-Fi accessibility throughout the ship; and an impressive outdoor “walk around” Promenade Deck.

Among the itineraries included in Swan Hellenic’s Summer/Autumn Sale are the following:

• The 15-day Venice & the Adriatic (8/15/12) sails from Valletta to Athens, enabling guests to discover the walled cities of the Venetian Empire, the archaeological wonders of Burtrint, Albania and Delphi, Greece, and amazing scenery while cruising along the Dalmatian Coast.  Fares begin at $2,599 with overnights in Kotor and Athens.

• Minerva sails a 15-day Hellenic Highlights (8/29/12) journey from Athens to Istanbul, calling at the old and new Greek capitals of Nauplia and Athens, visiting Crete and the smaller islands of Delos, Paros, Chios and Symia, and sailing Turkey’s Lycian coast.  Fares start from $2,499 with overnights in Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi and Istanbul.

• Explore the Aegean & Levant (9/26/12) on a 15-day cruise that travels from Izmir in the Northern Aegean to Athens in the eastern Mediterranean, discovering cities of the Roman Empire and medieval times and Crusaders’ castles as well as Mount Athos, the Tombs at Vergina, and remote Greek islands and Turkish villages. Fares begin at $2,799 with overnights in Izmir and Athens.

• Unearth Treasures of the Near East (11/7/12) on a 15-day cruise from Athens to Luxor/Safaga. En route, passengers have the opportunity to explore Roman cities, Crusader castles and Egyptian treasures as they sail through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea. Fares start from $2,499 with overnights in Athens and Luxor/Safaga.

• On the 15-day Passage to Oman (11/21/12), Minerva sails from Luxor/Safaga to Dubai along ancient trade routes through the Red Sea. Discover Egyptian antiquities, archaeological sites, souks, palaces and mosques before arriving in the modern city of Dubai.  Guests will enjoy overnights in Luxor/Safaga, Djibouti, Muscat and Dubai, with rates starting from $1,899 (only $127 per day).

• Celebrate the holidays and toast the New Year while discovering the Mysteries of the Indian Ocean (12/19/12) on a 16-day cruise from Colombo to Singapore that features a rare sail up the Yangon River to Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar’s former capital, and the chance to explore the rarely visited Andaman Islands. Rates begin at $2,399 (just $150 per day) with overnights in Colombo, Yangon and Singapore.

On each Minerva sailing, guests will experience British country elegance with a focus on destination and enrichment cruising to iconic destinations and hidden gems with distinguished guest speakers and unparalleled shore excursions.
Swan Hellenic is an award-winning cruise line that has been defining the art of small ship discovery cruising for more than 50 years.  For reservations, contact The Cruise People at 1-800-968-6521 or e-mail cruise@thecruisepeople.ca

del.icio.us Tags: Minerva

Norwegian To Let Passengers Enjoy the Sea

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

Royal Caribbean International started it, with its new global slogan“The Sea is Calling. Answer it Royally,” which it varies slightly by markets. In France, for example, it’s “Royal Caribbean International, la mer autrement” and in Brazil “O Mar chama por Si. Sinta-o com a Royal!”

But the gist of it is that the line has finally realized that people go on a cruise because they like to be at sea. So far, this is good public relations.

But last week, at Cruise Shipping Miami, came the next step when Norwegian Cruise Line announced that its next ship, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, will introduce a significant new design innovation: a quarter-mile-long, ocean-facing boardwalk that will be lined with restaurants, bars and shops.

The Waterfront, as it will be called, will span both sides of the ship and feature eight outdoor dining and lounging options, including a steakhouse, Italian eatery, seafood restaurant, cocktail bar and a beer and whiskey bar.

“This will bring the ocean and the sea back to our guests,” stated Norwegian ceo Kevin Sheehan, calling it “a unique experience unlike anything else at sea.”

Norwegian Breakaway, which is scheduled undertake a Transatlantic voyage from Southampton to New York next spring before entering the New York to Bermuda cruise trade for the 2013 summer season, will also feature a three-deck-high indoor complex of restaurants, bars and entertainment. To be named 678 Ocean Place, it will spread over decks 6, 7 and 8 of the new ship and her sister ship Norwegian Getaway. (See more images at: http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/pressroom/pressRelease.html?storyCode=PR_031412)

The new 678 Ocean Place will tie into the outdoor Waterfront on deck 8. Restaurants on this deck, including Cagney’s Steakhouse and the Italian La Cucina, will offer both inside and outside seating, with views overlooking the sea. Also will the Brazilian steakhouse Moderno Churrascaria and a new seafood restaurant to be called Ocean Blu, which will have a raw bar and a separate sushi bar.

“We really tried to open up the spaces and maximize the flow,” Norwegian marketing chief Maria Miller stated. “It’s the heart of Norwegian Breakaway, an experience that is really going to help set us apart.”

Also on this deck, with both indoor and outdoor seating, will be Shaker’s Cocktail Bar and Malting’s Beer & Whiskey Bar. The Waterfront also will introduce a new outdoor gelato bar and a yet-to-be-revealed entertainment venue. While several lines have added outdoor seating to shipboard restaurants, the placement of so much seating along the sides of the ship facing the sea is novel.

While the Waterfront area is partly exposed to the elements, designers have determined that it should not be particularly windy even when the ship is sailing at cruising speed. Other outlets planned for 678 Ocean Place include the Manhattan Room restaurant with dance floor overlooking the stern of the ship and a Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, both adapted from Norwegian Epic of 2010.

The twenty-four-hour O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, adapted from the bar of the same name in Norwegian Epic, will also feature in Norwegian Breakaway, as will a Bliss Ultra Lounge. She will also have a Teppanyaki restaurant and a French Bistro, as do other ships in the fleet.

The concept of opening out to the sea is very much to be welcomed after a decade and a half of cruise ships becoming more and more interior-facing, so much so that many interior windowed and balconied cabins now face onto inside decks. This trend originated in 1990-91 with the Helsinki-Stockholm night ferries Silja Serenade and Silja Symphony.

Several years later, in 1998, it was partly adapted in a cruise ship in Superstar Leo, now sailing as Norwegian Spirit, with her “inside outside”cabins. With their midship internal promenades, Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager and Freedom class ships fully adapted the Silja concept between 1999 and 2008. This culminated in the Allure and Oasis of the Seas in 2009-10.

Now, although it sounds like it might cost money to sit with a view of the sea, perhaps cruise ship design will evolve so that people will once again be more aware of the sea around them.

LiveJournal Tags: Norwegian Breakaway,Norwegian Epic,Norwegian Spirit

New Transatlantic Freighter Service to England

 

Photograph of Hyundai Tianjin © A Spörri

The Port of Felixstowe is celebrating the start of a new transatlantic cargo-passenger service with the arrival of Hyundai Tianjin as part of the new Americas Europe Express (AEE) service – the third transatlantic service to be operated by the New World Alliance (APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Mitsui OSK).

The New World Alliance is deploying high reefer capacity ships in the new service with an average capacity of 3,200 TEU. APL will supply three vessels while HMM and MOL contribute one each.  HMM’s Hyundai Tianjin, which is  on charter from NSB in Germany, carries seven passengers in an Owners cabin, two Doubles and a Single. Fares are €90 to €95 per person per day (€105-110 for sole occupancy) plus port charges and deviation insurance.

The AEE service rotation is: Rotterdam, Bremerhaven (day 2), Felixstowe (day 4), New York (day 13), Charleston (day 15) and Manzanillo, Panama (day 20), with return by way of Charleston (day 25) and New York (day 27) for Rotterdam (day 35). An interesting aspect of this service is that it also connects Europe with Panama, with a 10-day round trip south from Charleston to Punta Manzanillo.

For passenger bookings please call Miri Lopusna at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk or Fred Cherney in Toronto at 1-800-961-5536 ex 22, fcherney@freighters.ca

Last-Minute Fares from US $1,450 for M.V Explorer’s 15-night May 2012 Enrichment Voyage to Central America, Ecuador and the Galapagos (sailing from Ensenada to Puerto Caldera)

 

The Institute for Shipboard Education invites adventurers of all ages to explore six ports of call with an option to visit the Galapagos Islands on its upcoming Enrichment Voyage, “The Ancient Wonders of Ecuador, the Galápagos and Beyond.” The voyage, from May 4 to May 19, will explore both familiar and off-the-beaten-path destinations in Mexico, Central America, and South America on one of the world’s fastest passenger ships, m.v. Explorer. This unique learning opportunity offers adventurous port excursions combined with abundant onboard learning opportunities. Last-minute fares, including port charges of $280 per person, apply as follows:

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Inside Cabins  -  $1,450 (£955) per person
Outside Cabins  -  $1,700 (£1,115) per person
Suites  -  $3,280 (£2,155) per person
Balconies  -  $3,680 (£2,420) per person.

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The May Enrichment Voyage departs Ensenada, Mexico (nearest airport: San Diego)  on May 4 and cruises to Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Puerto Quetzal, (Guatemala), Corinto (Nicaragua), Balboa (Panama) and Manta (Ecuador) before finally docking in Puntarenas-Puerto Caldera in Costa Rica (nearest airport: San José) on May 19. Participants can investigate the history, arts and culture of Central America and two ports in Ecuador before setting out on a field excursion to the diverse and unparalleled region of the Galápagos Islands. Galapagos add-ons from $1,999 for two nights on the island (hotel) option or $3,599 for 5 nights on the seagoing (m.v. Galapagos Legend) option – please ask for further details.

Enrichment Sessions aboard m.v. Explorer include discussions on oceanography, local music, biodiversity, cultural traditions and Spanish lessons. Participants enjoy the relaxed atmosphere aboard. Smaller and more intimate than traditional cruise ships, this well-appointed vessel has two dining rooms, a wellness centre, outdoor swimming pool, outdoor sports court, fitness centre, 9,000-volume library, computer lab and wireless Internet access.

The 24,318-ton m.v. Explorer was built in 2002 for Royal Olympic Cruises and now sails for Semester at Sea. Sponsored by the University of Virginia, she is managed by V.Ships of Monaco. A product of the famous Blohm & Voss shipyards in Germany, she is diesel-engined and capable of speeds of up to 28 knots. As well as university students and a huge library, Explorer carries a few hundred passengers on these Enrichment Voyages at very competitive rates.

Enrichment Voyages are travel to learn opportunities on Semester at Sea’s floating campus, Explorer, and are open to participants of all ages. Experience the history, culture, and arts of  Central America as well as Ecuador and the Galapagos with experts, and enjoy field excursions and opportunities unlike any other, with interactive lectures, workshops, and port briefings led by college professors and real experts (not shopping guides).

Book now for this spring to get the chance to travel to the Galapagos,and also visit Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador and Costa Rica in m.v. Explorer.

For further details please call The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mailcruise@cruisepeople.co.uk in Toronto at 1-800-961-5536 or e-mail cruise@thecruisepeople.ca