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Fred Olsen Cruise Lines welcomes Nick Knowles for new YouTube collaborationFred Olsen Cruise Lines welcomes Nick Knowles for new YouTube collaboration
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has joined forces with television presenter Nick Knowles on a new YouTube collaboration, offering viewers a rare insight into the work of a busy dry dock programme. The cruise line’s smallest ship, Balmoral, entered the shipyard at A&P Falmouth on 1st December for a two-week programme of maintenance, including a complete refurbishment and rebrand of the ship’s buffet restaurant, removal and reapplication of anti-fouling paint to the hull to reduce fuel consumption, a technical refurbishment of The Neptune Lounge theatre, and installation of a new propeller. Nick Knowles joined the team on Tuesday, 10th December, to learn more about what goes into a ship’s time in dry dock, and had the unique opportunity to walk beneath the 43,500-tonne ship while it was out of the water. He spent time with many of the 700-strong workforce who together have made the dry dock programme possible, including some of the 30 apprentices involved. The episode went live on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ YouTube channel on Monday, 24th February. Speaking from the shipyard, Nick said: “Visiting Fred. Olsen’s ship Balmoral while she was in dry dock in Falmouth was an amazing experience. “To have the chance to walk underneath a ship is an experience very few people have, and then to learn more on the technical detail on things such as the propellers, the steering, the antifouling paint that’s been applied to the hull to use less fuel, and everything that goes into running a hotel on the water, it’s all amazing. “It’s been a really wonderful experience, full of technical knowledge for a nerd like me, but also reassuring that Fred. Olsen are taking the environment very seriously in all they do.” Sonia Holman, E-Commerce and Marketing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “It was a real privilege to welcome Nick Knowles and his team to Balmoral’s dry dock in Falmouth. “As a cruise line, we always get really excited about taking our ships out of the water and making enhancements for guests – while also conducting much of the maintenance that simply isn’t possible while she is sailing. “This is the first time we have documented a dry dock programme in this way, and it is a great opportunity to be able to bring such a technical operation to life for our guests, and to show the love, care and attention to detail that really goes into maintaining our ships, that we know our guests love just as much as we do.” It is a requirement for all cruise ships to enter a dry dock at least twice every five years, so that inspections and maintenance can be carried out of the parts of the ship that are usually beneath the water. The collaboration shows the extent of routine maintenance and attention to detail conducted by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to its fleet, and highlights the benefits of using a UK-based shipyard and supporting the local economy through its workforce and supply chain. 25 February, 2025 -
Silverseas Andreas Nuessel Promoted to Managing Director UK and EMEA
Silverseas Andreas Nuessel Promoted to Managing Director UK and EMEA
Silversea today announces the promotion of Andreas “Andy” Nuessel to Managing Director, U.K. and EMEA. With more than 25 years of experience in the cruise industry and an in-depth knowledge of the luxury segment, Nuessel is a very well-respected travel executive. The German national first joined Silversea in 2012 and returned to the brand in the position of Managing Director, Europe, in 2020. Under his leadership, Silversea has significantly increased its market share and presence in the territory. Continuing to report to Barbara Biffi, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Nuessel will lead the strategy for Silversea in the U.K., Ireland, Middle East, and Africa, in addition to his current remit in Europe. Given the importance of the markets, Nuessel will be recruiting a dedicated regional Managing Director in the U.K. and Ireland – reporting to him – to ensure that these markets get the attention they require. Peter Shanks, Managing Director, U.K., Ireland, Middle East, and Africa, is set to retire after a successful 45-year career in the travel industry. A respected leader, Shanks has led Silversea’s significant growth in the U.K. and Ireland for the last seven years, including transformational growth with the two new Nova-class ships, Silver Nova and Silver Ray. Actively involved with CLIA, Peter was recently inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame and received the Travel Weekly 2025 Outstanding Achievement Award. Bert Hernandez, President of Silversea, congratulated Nuessel on his new role and Shanks on his invaluable contributions to the brand and the travel industry. The transition will be completed by the end of Q2, and for the next few months, Peter and Andy will be working together for a smooth handover. 20 February, 2025 -
Windstar Cruises Announces Brand Collaboration with Londons Iconic The O2
Windstar Cruises Announces Brand Collaboration with Londons Iconic The O2
Windstar Cruises today announced a new sponsorship with AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), the world leader in sports and entertainment. Starting in February, Windstar will become the official cruise line of AEG owned venue The O2, the world’s most popular live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination. As the world’s busiest arena, The O2 hosts over 200 events a year and has welcomed legendary artists and comedians including U2, Trevor Noah, Adele, The Rolling Stones, Billie Eilish, Chris Rock, Madonna, Beyoncé, Drake and many more since opening in 2007. It has also been home to world-class sporting events including the London 2012 Olympics, NBA season games, UFC, and the Laver Cup. Windstar’s sponsorship reinforces a company commitment to supporting and working with brands in the Anschutz Corporation family. Windstar Cruises is owned by Xanterra Leisure Holding, LLC, which like AEG, is part of the Anschutz Corporation. The sponsorship brings Windstar brand exposure across the venue to reach new potential travelers for the line’s small ship cruises. Visitors to the newest Premium space, The NinetyThird by Qatar Airways, will see a Windstar ship model on display year-round. As the second largest cruise market globally, the UK is a key growth focus for Windstar. Windstar Cruises is strengthening its presence in the region, working with The Cruise Line, which recently launched a new UK website with pricing in pounds. Itineraries created to appeal to UK travelers include a new series of 3- to 4-day cruises sailing roundtrip from London departing from the iconic Tower Bridge, 10-day Canary Islands cruises sailing roundtrip from Santa Cruz de Tenerife November through February, easily accessible sailings in the Mediterranean and Greece, and two 7-night Northern Europe voyages with homeports in London. “We are thrilled to be showcasing our brand in this iconic venue and to be reaching new prospective guests for Windstar,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “AEG, The O2, and Windstar are all leaders in their respective categories, and we feel this is a great first step in a meaningful and rich collaboration.” Nathan Kosky, Vice President at AEG Global Partnerships commented: “We warmly welcome Windstar Cruises, our newest sponsor to The O2, as they explore new opportunities for their expansion. We look forward to working together to showcase their offering to the millions of fans who visit the venue every year.” To plan a small ship cruise with Windstar or learn about booking offers, contact a travel advisor, reach out to Windstar Cruises by phone at 1-800-258-7245, or request a call by a Windstar vacation planner. UK residents can find information on the UK website here and call the UK phone line 0800-008-6682. 20 February, 2025 -
MSC World America Successfully Completes Sea Trials Ahead of April Debut
MSC World America Successfully Completes Sea Trials Ahead of April Debut
MSC Cruises’ latest flagship,MSC World Americahas successfully completed her deep-water intensive systems tests during a final sea trial in the Atlantic Ocean. MSC World Americawill become MSC Cruises’ 23rd ship and represents an evolution for the cruise line’s successful World Class platform with re-imagined venues and concepts tailored specifically to the U.S. market, combining European style with American comfort. The new ship will also be the first in the fleet to feature seven onboard districts that bring together a range of tailored experiences. Combining bars, restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities, each district will meet the needs, moods and desires of different types oftraveller. The sea trials checked the performance of the ship’s engines, maneuverability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distances.The ship will now receive her final finishing touches atChantiersdel’Atlantiqueshipyard in Saint Nazaire, France before being officially delivered to the cruise line on 27 March. MSC World Americawill then be officially named on 9 April at the new MSC Cruise Terminal inPortMiami, the largest cruise terminal in the world. The ship’s maiden voyage will be a celebratory sailing to the company’s private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas ahead of the vessel’s deployment in the Caribbean Sea. The 22-deck Gross Tonnage 216,638 vessel measures 333.3metres in length and is 47 metres wide, with a capacity for 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew, features 2,614 cabins and offers more than38,400m2of public space. MSC World Americawill have 18 bars and lounges and 19 dining venues, including four main restaurants, two buffets, two venues in the MSC Yacht Club exclusively for its guests, plus six separate speciality restaurants. Guests can expect new dining concepts including Greek restaurant Paxos and the only Eataly restaurant at sea, along with new complimentary fast casual options to cater to every taste and temptation. The new flagship will also debut two brand-new lounge concepts – All-Stars Sports Bar, offering an authentic game-day atmosphere with all-American fare and bar games, and The Loft, a multi-purpose venue for comedy, karaoke and more. The ship’sinaugural season from Miami starts on 12 April. She will sail alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; and Ocean Cay. MSC World America’suse ofLNG enables a direct transition towards drop-in bio and synthetic renewable LNG fuels. The ship is fitted with shore power connectivity, which allows the ship’s engines to be switched off while in port, eliminating local emissions and improving local air quality and the new MSC Cruise Terminal is equipped with shore power capability. The ship also has an advanced wastewater treatment plant and a comprehensive on-board recycling management plant to minimise waste. MSC Cruises’ current orderbook includesMSC World Asiato be delivered in 2026 and a yet unnamed fourth World Class vessel in 2027. 20 February, 2025 -
Carnival Cruise Line begins countdown to Celebration Key launch
Carnival Cruise Line begins countdown to Celebration Key launch
Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination in Grand Bahama, will officially open in five months when Carnival Vista completes the inaugural call on July 19, 2025. To mark the occasion, Carnival Corporation chief executive officer Josh Weinstein and chief maritime officer Lars Ljoen joined Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy for a behind-the-scenes look as construction enters its final phases. During the visit, they placed commemorative keys into the 10-storey Suncastle, the centrepiece of the destination’s five ‘portals’, which comprise: Paradise Plaza - serving as the gateway to Celebration Key. Starfish Lagoon – a family-friendly area with a range of activities, including water slides and a sports court. Calypso Lagoon – an adult-friendly area with the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean and a large swim-up bar. Pearl Cove Beach Club – offering an adult-only experience with an infinity pool, beachfront daybeds, private cabanas and exclusive super villas. Lokono Cove – a retail village celebrating Bahamian culture through local art and handmade goods. Carnival representatives also planted palm trees from the Plant a Tree community engagement programme, launched last year as part of an initiative that has involved replanting thousands of native trees across Celebration Key. Additionally, Christine Duffy participated in the ceremonial filling of one of two freshwater lagoons, the largest in the Caribbean, that will be sustained by Celebration Key’s desalination system. The lagoons span over seven acres and hold seven million gallons of water. Christine Duffy said: "Celebration Key represents a new chapter for Carnival and its construction builds on our close partnership with the Bahamas, so seeing it transform from vision to reality is incredible. We broke ground on this site less than three years ago and now in five short months we’ll see our first guests enjoy the many experiences we created just for them to celebrate and enjoy this gorgeous place on Grand Bahama." Josh Weinstein said: “This destination will serve as a tribute to the rich Bahamian culture and Grand Bahama’s natural environment. It is clear Celebration Key will be a game-changer for our flagship brand and its loyal guests, with endless options for relaxation and recreation, but it’s also truly great to see firsthand how we’re implementing our company’s robust sustainability initiatives on land.” Celebration Key will be a port of call on more than 500 itineraries, across 20 ships sailing from 10 US homeports. To watch a video of the visit, click here. 20 February, 2025 -
Actor Luke Jacobz to host 22nd annual CLIA Awards
Actor Luke Jacobz to host 22nd annual CLIA Awards
February 18, 2025 – Actor and television presenter Luke Jacobz has been named as the host for this year’s 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards, joining a crowd of 500 people next month to celebrate the brightest stars of the Australasian cruise community. At a sold-out event presented by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Luke will lead a spectacular night of accolades and entertainment as the Australasian cruise industry pays tribute to its travel trade partners. A total of 75 finalists from across Australia and New Zealand will be in the running to win at the 8 March event, representing the stand-out achievers of CLIA’s Australasian travel agent membership. “This year’s awards night will celebrate the achievements of our travel agent members with an energy and showmanship to rival our cruise line entertainers,” said CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz. “Luke Jacobz is a brilliant fit for a night that promises to reflect the same excitement we create for our guests at sea.” Luke Jacobz has been a familiar face on Australian television for more than 25 years, having been a regular on dramas like Home and Away and McLeod’s Daughters, as well as the host for programs like X Factor and a two-times winner of Dancing with the Stars. Luke is seen regularly on 7's Sydney Weekender travel program. Around 800 nominations were received for this year’s awards, which will involve 15 categories. Key awards will be presented for Agency of the Year, Cruise Consultant of the Year, Home-Based Cruise Agent/Broker of the Year, Rising Star, Cruise Champion, Promotion of the Year and a Media Award. For the full list of finalists visit CLIA Cruise Industry Awards. 18 February, 2025 -
Viral social media post drives three-figure increase in world cruise sales
Viral social media post drives three-figure increase in world cruise sales
Following a cruise expert conference and training collaboration between P&O Cruises and TUI, along with viral social media posts, TUI stores have seen a 400% increase in bookings on P&O Cruises world cruise sailings. P&O Cruises and TUI have focussed their agent training efforts on World Cruise offerings since December, which was kick-started with a dedicated Cruise Expert conference and a day visit on Aurora in Southampton to experience ‘a day in the life’ of a round-world cruise. The frontline agents were hosted by the P&O Cruises sales team and had exclusive access to explore the onboard venues and attend a focussed training session to deepen their knowledge on the benefits of a world cruise and how to sell 21+ night cruises to their clients. Agents were inspired to share their new-found passion and knowledge via Facebook, sharing window-card style posts generating record-breaking results with multiple posts going viral. TUI Leicester Superstore reached over 11,000 comments and over 1200 shares, and TUI Walsall Superstore broke its engagement record with over 2600 comments. The increased social media awareness combined with the expert knowledge gained by working closely with P&O Cruises saw a 400% increase in guests booking a P&O Cruises world cruise booking with TUI. P&O Cruises sales director Ruth Venn said, “At P&O Cruises, we know the incredible once-in-a-lifetime moments a world tour offers and we realise booking a holiday like this isn’t a decision guests take lightly. TUI travel agents provide their clients with such expert advice, and we wanted to make sure we gave agents the tools and knowledge they needed to convey just what makes a world cruise special. We are so impressed with the enthusiasm to learn shown by the TUI agents and the results are truly fantastic.” Belinda Vazquez, director of customer sales and service TUI UK&I, said, “We know that giving our agents the tools and knowledge to be able to sell products is key, and these results are absolutely testament to that. A world cruise is big purchase for customers, we want to make sure we are giving them the best service and all the information they need to book that once in a lifetime experience.” P&O Cruises offers world cruises onboard Arcadia and Aurora from less than £95 per person per day. Travel agents should head to www.shinerewardsclub.com/ for more information and toolkits including campaign details, marketing assets and leading fares. 18 February, 2025 -
VIVA Cruises to host agents on VIVA TWO at CLIA RiverView
VIVA Cruises to host agents on VIVA TWO at CLIA RiverView
VIVA Cruises will host agents on VIVA TWO at this year’s CLIA RiverView Conference. The ship will be moored in Budapest and available for agents to visit and stay over between March 8 and 10. VIVA TWO is the line’s second vessel with 95 cabins and capacity for up to 190 passengers. It sails cruises on the Danube River with stops in Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. VIVA Cruises now has a nine-ship fleet after launching in 2018, including VIVA TWO’s sister ship VIVA ENJOY which debuted last month. Andrea Kruse, VIVA Cruises Chief Executive Officer,said: “We are excited to introduce VIVA TWO at the upcoming CLIA RiverView Conference. We showcased our first build ship, VIVA ONE, last year, so it’s now time for agents to meet her bigger sister, VIVA TWO– which offers three restaurants and an open lounge area which will wow guests. “The CLIA RiverView Conference is a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with industry experts, present our latest innovations and explore the future of river cruising. We are eager to meet with our peers and share our dedication to creating unforgettable cruise experiences.” 18 February, 2025 -
MSC Cruises Joins Forces with BWT Alpine Formula One Team as Premium Partner
MSC Cruises Joins Forces with BWT Alpine Formula One Team as Premium Partner
World-leading cruise line MSC Cruises has joined forces with BWT Alpine Formula One Team as a Premium Partner for 2025 and beyond. A Global Partner of Formula One, MSC Cruises now further expand their dedication to the pinnacle of motorsport by teaming up with BWT Alpine Formula One Team. The collaboration between the two organisations provides another significant boost in the team’s growing partnership portfolio. MSC Cruises will feature prominently on the 2025 car, the A525, which will be unveiled at the F175 Launch at the O2 Arena in London on 18 February. The connection between BWT Alpine Formula One Team and MSC Cruises is most visible in the way both the cruise liner and motorsport industries operate. Collaboration, skill, expertise, and precision teamwork behind the scenes and constant high standards are key values to achieve operation. Competing in design and against the clock is only possible thanks to innovation and team collaboration which are both paramount in the operations of BWT Alpine Formula One Team and MSC Cruises in high-end performance and delivering premium experiences. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman MSC Cruises: “Formula 1® continues to grow in popularity around the world and as a Global Partner we have achieved exceptional results, so it is only natural for us to further develop our presence at the world-class races by joining forces with a team. We are proud to announce our collaboration with BWT Alpine Formula One Team with a strong heritage and legacy and our shared values of innovation and team spirit will make for the perfect partnership.” Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor, BWT Alpine Formula One Team: “We are incredibly excited to announce our new partnership with MSC Cruises. It is an honour for BWT Alpine Formula One Team to welcome as one of its valued partners, MSC Cruises, who have already shown their commitment to the sport as partners of Formula 1. This collaboration brings together two dynamic industries, both driven by a passion for innovation, performance and excellence. We see many exciting synergies between the world of motorsport and luxury cruising, where precision, teamwork and delivering unforgettable moments are key elements. We truly look forward to working together with MSC cruises on many exciting projects, throughout the F1 season and beyond.” 18 February, 2025 -
MSC Cruises Welcomes First Passenger at New State-of-the-Art Barcelona Terminal
MSC Cruises Welcomes First Passenger at New State-of-the-Art Barcelona Terminal
On Saturday the 15thof February, the first guest disembarked fromMSC Fantasia, becoming the inaugural passenger to experience the new terminal inBarcelona. This state-of-the-art terminal will serve bothMSC Cruises and Explora Journeysships and is a significant infrastructure development for the Cruise Division of MSC Group. To commemorate the moment, Sandra Yunta, Director of the MSC Barcelona Cruise Terminal, was in charge of welcoming and receiving the first passengers with a special toast with cava together with Gianluca Suprani, SVP of Global Port Development and Shore Activities. The new cruise terminal, a cutting-edge architectural project developed by Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura (RBTA), reinforces MSC Group’s commitment to Barcelona and their vision for the future. It seamlessly combines elegant and innovative design with an enhanced guest experience, ensuring a smooth and memorable journey from the very first moment. The new terminal will be officially inaugurated in the coming months when more details will be announced. 18 February, 2025