Encouraged by the positive response to its Asia cruises, Costa Cruises, plans to position a second cruise ship in the region in May 2013. So far, the company operated the 1,680-guest Costa Classica in Asia, and the deployment of two larger ships will mean a combined daily guest capacity of 5,074.
The 75,200-ton, 2,394-guest Costa Victoria is slated to start operations in Asia May 17, 2012, from Shanghai. In May 2013 the 85,700-ton, 2,680- guest Costa Atlantica, a wonderful ship dedicated to Italian cinema and arts, also will be deployed cruises in Asia.
With the debut of Costa Victoria in May 2012 and Costa Atlantica in May 2013, Costa Cruises will offer a unique product for the Asian market called “Italy at Sea,” with Italian-style hospitality, design, shopping, art and cuisine.
The double positioning of Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria will further expand the number of Costa’s Italian Style inspired cruises, with a 90 percent increase in the offering.
“Since 2006 when Costa Cruises started to market its cruise product in Asia, we have further strengthened and tailored our product to our local clients’ needs and wishes,” said Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman and CEO of Costa Crociere S.p.A. “The successful results we have obtained until now are encouraging our Company to further expand in the region. Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria will bring a piece of ‘Italy at sea’ to Asia as Costa has successfully done in all other countries, throughout its 64 years of history."
As the first international cruise company to enter the Chinese market, Costa has become one of the best recognized and most popular tourism brands in Asia. Since the company began operations in Asia, Costa has carried more than 350,000 Guests in the region.
Costa Victoria and Costa Atlantica will offer a variety of short and longer itineraries departing from Singapore, Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong that should appeal to both Asians and Europeans.
Costa Atlantica’s interior design celebrates Italian cinema and the arts: Fellini and La Dolce Vita, Madame Butterfly, the historic Caffè Florian in Venice, Via della Spiga, the 18th-century Tiziano Restaurant. The ship has 1,057 cabins, including 54 suites with private balcony, 620 cabins with private balcony and 40 Wellness cabins and four Wellness suites, with exclusive furnishings and maximum comfort, offering a customized spa experience.
From May to June 2013 Costa Atlantica will depart from Singapore on seven-day cruises to Malaysia and Thailand, and on three- or four-day cruises to Malaysia. The three itineraries also can be booked together as a 14-day itinerary, including Kuantan (Malaysia), Laem Chabang/Bangkok (Thailand), Koh Samui (Thailand), Langkawi (Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia), Port Klang (Malaysia), Malacca (Malaysia). From June through October 2013, Costa Atlantica will depart form Shanghai on short cruises to South Korea and Japan, calling at Cheju (South Korea), Pusan (South Korea), Fukuoka (Japan), Hososhima (Japan), Kagoshima (Japan).
Costa Victoria will debut in the region at Shanghai May 17, 2012, replacing Costa Classica. Costa Victoria will offer, for the first time, 246 cabins with balconies, enabling Guests to enjoy the splendid scenery of Asia from the privacy of their own cabins. Costa Victoria is furnished and designed in an Italian, elegant style, and each deck is named after an Italian opera. The Spa pool was inspired by the splendor of Pompeii and the Capricco Bar is tiled with the Italian artist Emilio Tadini’s mosaics. The natural beauty of the ocean can be savored by walking along the panoramic walks on either side of the ship on deck 12. Costa Victoria also will debut its unique on-board designer boutique concept, selling top brands at duty-free prices.
From May to October 2012 Costa Victoria will offer short cruises and seven-day cruises to Japan and South Korea from Shanghai, calling at Cheju (South Korea), Yeosu (South Korea), Fukuoka (Japan), Osaka (Japan), Kagoshima (Japan), Wakayama (Japan), Hososhima (Japan). From November 2012 to January 2013 the ship will be based in Singapore to offer seven-day cruises to Malaysia and Thailand, and three- or four-day cruises to Malaysia. The three itineraries can be combined into a 14-day cruise, including Kuantan (Malaysia), Laem Chabang/Bangkok (Thailand), Koh Samui (Thailand), Langkawi (Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia), Port Klang (Malaysia), Malacca (Malaysia).
Until October 2013 Costa Victoria will depart from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tianjin for short cruises to Taiwan or South Korea, Japan and Vietnam, with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Da-Nang (Vietnam), Haling Bay (Vietnam), Sanya (China), Keelung (Taiwan), Taichung (Taiwan), Fukuoka (Japan), Kagoshima (Japan), Cheju (South Korea), Pusan (South Korea).
Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria will be supported in China by Costa Crociere’s WOFE. In November 2011 Costa established the cruise industry’s first wholly owned foreign enterprise (WOFE) in China.
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Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Two ‘New’ Ships Underway for Saga Cruises
Saga Cruises' Saga Sapphire has finally embarked on a much-delayed maiden voyage –- if it can still be called that -- after two previous attempts at an inaugural cruise had to be scrapped due to engine trouble.
The 706-passenger, 33,819-ton ship left Southampton on Sunday (06/05/12), bound for the Baltic, after emergency repairs had to be carried out in Valencia in April. The original maiden voyage was cut short and passengers flown home when an engine failed, and the revised second itinerary was cancelled when repairs took longer than expected.
The inauguration of Saga Sapphire isn't the only change for the company. The ship that arrived in Southampton at the weekend as the 446-passenger, 18,591-ton Saga Pearl II was rapidly converted into Quest for Adventure, its new name painted onto the ship's dark blue hull before the vessel embarked on Sunday on a round-Britain and Ireland voyage.
Quest for Adventure replaces the old Spirit of Adventure, a smaller, aging ship that, after six years of service for Saga, has been sold to a German company. Both vessels are the side of Saga's cruising product it calls ‘Adventure Cruising' (as opposed to the ‘Classic Cruising' offered by Saga Sapphire and Saga Ruby).
Quest differs slightly from the ‘Classic' ships in that the minimum age for passengers is 21, not 50, and a selection of shore excursions, which varies according to the length of cruise, is included in the price. Many of the crew from Spirit have transferred to Quest, including the captains, cruise director and some hotel staff. But essentially, it's Saga Pearl II with a new name and new itineraries; we haven't heard of any plans for changing the interiors, and in any case, the ship underwent a £14 million refurbishment when Saga acquired it in 2009.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you
The 706-passenger, 33,819-ton ship left Southampton on Sunday (06/05/12), bound for the Baltic, after emergency repairs had to be carried out in Valencia in April. The original maiden voyage was cut short and passengers flown home when an engine failed, and the revised second itinerary was cancelled when repairs took longer than expected.
The inauguration of Saga Sapphire isn't the only change for the company. The ship that arrived in Southampton at the weekend as the 446-passenger, 18,591-ton Saga Pearl II was rapidly converted into Quest for Adventure, its new name painted onto the ship's dark blue hull before the vessel embarked on Sunday on a round-Britain and Ireland voyage.
Quest for Adventure replaces the old Spirit of Adventure, a smaller, aging ship that, after six years of service for Saga, has been sold to a German company. Both vessels are the side of Saga's cruising product it calls ‘Adventure Cruising' (as opposed to the ‘Classic Cruising' offered by Saga Sapphire and Saga Ruby).
Quest differs slightly from the ‘Classic' ships in that the minimum age for passengers is 21, not 50, and a selection of shore excursions, which varies according to the length of cruise, is included in the price. Many of the crew from Spirit have transferred to Quest, including the captains, cruise director and some hotel staff. But essentially, it's Saga Pearl II with a new name and new itineraries; we haven't heard of any plans for changing the interiors, and in any case, the ship underwent a £14 million refurbishment when Saga acquired it in 2009.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Titanic replica to be built in China
An Australian billionaireClive Palmer, who already owns a luxury holiday resort and is reportedly Australia’s fifth-richest person, expects the vessel – named Titanic II – to make its maiden voyage in 2016, sailing from Britain to New York.
“It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic, but will have state-of-the-art 21st-century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems,” said Mr Palmer. He described the project as “a tribute to the spirit of the men and women who worked on the original Titanic.”
More than 1,500 people died when the original Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912. This year’s 100th anniversary has seen dozens of events to remember those who perished, including the opening of a new visitor centre in Belfast and the sailing of a memorial cruise on Fred Olsen’s Balmoral.
Mr Palmer said he has commissioned the state-owned Chinese company CSC Jinling Shipyard to build the replica, as well as three other luxury cruise ships.
He added that he is working with a team of historical researchers to ensure the ship’s design is as close as possible to the original. has announced plans to build a replica of the RMS Titanic, 100 years after the original ship sank.
The diesel-powered vessel will have four funnels, although they will be purely decorative. There will be 840 cabins, nine decks and it will measure 270 metres long and 53 metres high.
“Titanic II will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury with on-board gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high-class restaurants and luxury cabins,” added Mr Palmer.
Changes will be made below the waterline, however. It will use welding and not riveting, and will have a more fuel-efficient design and an enlarged rudder for greater manoeuvrability. Construction is due to begin next year.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you
“It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic, but will have state-of-the-art 21st-century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems,” said Mr Palmer. He described the project as “a tribute to the spirit of the men and women who worked on the original Titanic.”
More than 1,500 people died when the original Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912. This year’s 100th anniversary has seen dozens of events to remember those who perished, including the opening of a new visitor centre in Belfast and the sailing of a memorial cruise on Fred Olsen’s Balmoral.
Mr Palmer said he has commissioned the state-owned Chinese company CSC Jinling Shipyard to build the replica, as well as three other luxury cruise ships.
He added that he is working with a team of historical researchers to ensure the ship’s design is as close as possible to the original. has announced plans to build a replica of the RMS Titanic, 100 years after the original ship sank.
The diesel-powered vessel will have four funnels, although they will be purely decorative. There will be 840 cabins, nine decks and it will measure 270 metres long and 53 metres high.
“Titanic II will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury with on-board gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high-class restaurants and luxury cabins,” added Mr Palmer.
Changes will be made below the waterline, however. It will use welding and not riveting, and will have a more fuel-efficient design and an enlarged rudder for greater manoeuvrability. Construction is due to begin next year.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you
Costa Cruises announces new safety procedures
Costa Cruises has introduced a number of new safety measures in the wake of the Concordia disaster.
At the launch of its newest vessel, the $510-million Costa Fascinosa, the company said it is implementing seven new procedures to ensure “the highest safety standard before departure and during the cruise”.
They include emergency training for all guests before the ship leaves port, and the introduction of a real-time route monitoring system.
Changes have also been made to encourage greater shared responsibility, with more crew members allowed to issue orders. The ship’s navigational plan will also be shared with staff during a pre-departure briefing.
They follow new regulations announced last month by the European Cruise Council and the US-based Cruise Lines International Association, restricting visits to the bridge and requiring ships to carry more lifejackets.
Costa Cruises faced criticism following the Concordia disaster on January 13, which resulted in the deaths of at least 32 passengers. The ship ran aground after sailing too close to the island of Giglio, off the coast of Tuscany. Francesco Schettino, the captain, deviated from the ship’s approved route to “salute” the residents on the island.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, it also emerged that safety drills had not taken place prior to the ship’s departure from Civitavecchia.
Meanwhile, the chief executive of Costa, Pier Luigi Foschi, has said that the company is prospering, despite the disaster. He said this weekend's launch of Costa Fascinosa was "an important stepping stone on our company’s road to recovery". He added that booking volumes were at the same level as last year.
Fascinosa will spend the summer sailing from Venice and Bari to Greece and Croatia, before heading to South America in the winter.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you
At the launch of its newest vessel, the $510-million Costa Fascinosa, the company said it is implementing seven new procedures to ensure “the highest safety standard before departure and during the cruise”.
They include emergency training for all guests before the ship leaves port, and the introduction of a real-time route monitoring system.
Changes have also been made to encourage greater shared responsibility, with more crew members allowed to issue orders. The ship’s navigational plan will also be shared with staff during a pre-departure briefing.
They follow new regulations announced last month by the European Cruise Council and the US-based Cruise Lines International Association, restricting visits to the bridge and requiring ships to carry more lifejackets.
Costa Cruises faced criticism following the Concordia disaster on January 13, which resulted in the deaths of at least 32 passengers. The ship ran aground after sailing too close to the island of Giglio, off the coast of Tuscany. Francesco Schettino, the captain, deviated from the ship’s approved route to “salute” the residents on the island.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, it also emerged that safety drills had not taken place prior to the ship’s departure from Civitavecchia.
Meanwhile, the chief executive of Costa, Pier Luigi Foschi, has said that the company is prospering, despite the disaster. He said this weekend's launch of Costa Fascinosa was "an important stepping stone on our company’s road to recovery". He added that booking volumes were at the same level as last year.
Fascinosa will spend the summer sailing from Venice and Bari to Greece and Croatia, before heading to South America in the winter.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Norwegian Breakaway to Feature Ropes Course, 5 Waterslides, For-Fee Club
Norwegian Cruise Line have announced the sun deck amenities to be found on its under-construction Norwegian Breakaway, set to launch April 2013. The 144,017-ton, 4,000-passenger ship will feature an unprecedented five top-ship waterslides, a three-story sports complex with a ropes course, an adults-only deck space and a for-fee beach club.
Here's what passengers can expect to find atop the ship:
Waterslides. Breakaway will feature five waterslides, two more than any other cruise ship. "Free Fall" comprises two side-by-side slides, atop which passengers will stand up and have the floor drop from underneath them -- a concept first introduced by Carnival Cruise Lines on Carnival Spirit, which will begin sailing Australia itineraries in October. Two additional side-by-side twisters (called "The Whip") are designed to pit passenger against passenger. The more tame "open-flume body slide" rounds out the offerings.
Adults-only deck space. The obligatory adults-only sun deck space is Spice H20, a stern-situated enclave that debuted on Norwegian Epic in 2010. Like the version on Epic, Breakaway's Spice features a movie screen, bar, hot tubs and plush loungers. Breakaway's Spice also has a dual waterfall feature under which passengers can cool off. At night, the space turns into an outdoor dance club.
For-fee beach club. Passengers 18 and older can access the Vibe Beach Club by purchasing an "access pass." The club features ocean views, an oversized hot tub, chaise loungers and a water feature. A full-service bar, water spritzers and chilled towels will also be available. The entry cost -- and what that cost will include -- are yet to be determined, said spokeswoman AnneMarie Mathews.
Sports complex. Borrowing another page from Carnival's playbook, Breakaway's three-story sports complex will feature a ropes course, a concept introduced on Carnival Magic. Breakaway's version, the largest at sea, will have 40 different elements, including a "zip track" and "The Plank," a platform that extends eight feet over the side of the ship. Younger cruisers will have their own mini-version. Other sports complex features will include a rock-climbing wall, basketball court, bungee trampoline and "spider web," a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage with a spiral slide.
Kids' activities. For the younger sun deckers, the Kids' Aqua Park features Nickelodeon characters from Bikini Bottom, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick and Squidward; a kiddie pool and mini-slide; and the requisite water-spraying aparati. Other Nick-branded kids' activities will include a Pajama Jam Character Breakfast, Dora's Dance Party, character meet-and-greets and impromptu games utilizing pies and slime.
Top-ship dining. The Garden Cafe, Breakaway's "action station" buffet venue will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving seafood, pizza, fruit, soups, pasta, ethnic specialties, burgers and desserts.
Norwegian has been revealing a steady stream of information on the Breakaway, including its solo cabin-and-lounge complex, Haven suite complex, kids' activities, restaurants and itineraries (the ship will homeport in New York).
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Here's what passengers can expect to find atop the ship:
Waterslides. Breakaway will feature five waterslides, two more than any other cruise ship. "Free Fall" comprises two side-by-side slides, atop which passengers will stand up and have the floor drop from underneath them -- a concept first introduced by Carnival Cruise Lines on Carnival Spirit, which will begin sailing Australia itineraries in October. Two additional side-by-side twisters (called "The Whip") are designed to pit passenger against passenger. The more tame "open-flume body slide" rounds out the offerings.
Adults-only deck space. The obligatory adults-only sun deck space is Spice H20, a stern-situated enclave that debuted on Norwegian Epic in 2010. Like the version on Epic, Breakaway's Spice features a movie screen, bar, hot tubs and plush loungers. Breakaway's Spice also has a dual waterfall feature under which passengers can cool off. At night, the space turns into an outdoor dance club.
For-fee beach club. Passengers 18 and older can access the Vibe Beach Club by purchasing an "access pass." The club features ocean views, an oversized hot tub, chaise loungers and a water feature. A full-service bar, water spritzers and chilled towels will also be available. The entry cost -- and what that cost will include -- are yet to be determined, said spokeswoman AnneMarie Mathews.
Sports complex. Borrowing another page from Carnival's playbook, Breakaway's three-story sports complex will feature a ropes course, a concept introduced on Carnival Magic. Breakaway's version, the largest at sea, will have 40 different elements, including a "zip track" and "The Plank," a platform that extends eight feet over the side of the ship. Younger cruisers will have their own mini-version. Other sports complex features will include a rock-climbing wall, basketball court, bungee trampoline and "spider web," a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage with a spiral slide.
Kids' activities. For the younger sun deckers, the Kids' Aqua Park features Nickelodeon characters from Bikini Bottom, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick and Squidward; a kiddie pool and mini-slide; and the requisite water-spraying aparati. Other Nick-branded kids' activities will include a Pajama Jam Character Breakfast, Dora's Dance Party, character meet-and-greets and impromptu games utilizing pies and slime.
Top-ship dining. The Garden Cafe, Breakaway's "action station" buffet venue will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving seafood, pizza, fruit, soups, pasta, ethnic specialties, burgers and desserts.
Norwegian has been revealing a steady stream of information on the Breakaway, including its solo cabin-and-lounge complex, Haven suite complex, kids' activities, restaurants and itineraries (the ship will homeport in New York).
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
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