Two more new ships ordered for Carnival and Holland America

New Carnival president Christine Duffy

The Christmas presents are arriving thick and fast as two more cruise ship newbuilds are announced.

Even before the full details of what is planned for Carnival Vista are revealed at a press conference scheduled for January 22 in New York, a second ship of the same design has been ordered.

Vista 2, measuring 133,500 tons and with capacity for 3,954 passengers, is due to enter service in spring 2018 as the 26^th vessel in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet.

Holland America Line is to get another ship, to the same design as Pinnacle-class Koningsdam, at 99,500 tons and carrying 2,650 passengers. It’s due to debut in autumn 2018. Both orders have gone to Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri, whose order books also include P&O’s Britannia (delivery March 2015), Koningsdam (February 2016), two Seabourn ships (2016 and 2018), Carnival Vista (2016), and a third Royal-class ship for Princess (due in 2017).

The total passenger capacity of the new ships Carnival Corporation has on order with Fincantieri amounts to almost 22,000.

The announcement of Carnival’s Vista 2 follows on the heels of the news that Christine Duffy is to take over as president of Carnival Cruise Line in February.

She replaces Gerry Cahill, who has retired. Duffy is currently president of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and will commence her new role on February 1.

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The unstoppable growth of cruising - 77 per cent more passengers than 10 years ago

Global demand for cruising has increased by 77 percent in the last decade, from 12 million to 21.3 million passengers.

The figures released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) on the eve of the Seatrade Med conference in Barcelona show that worldwide, cruise industry expenditures generated $117 billion in total economic contributions, supporting the employment of 891,009 full-time equivalent employees with total wages of $38.47 billion.

The announcement also coincides with the first visit to the Mediterranean by Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas (above) one of the two biggest cruise ships in the world.

“The cruise industry is truly global, bringing together a diverse mix of international passengers and crew to experience exciting itineraries, multiple destinations, and exceptional holiday vacation value on every continent,” said Christine Duffy, CLIA President and CEO.  “With so many fun options and a high return on vacation experience, it’s not surprising that the popularity of cruise holidays continues to grow. This study shows that the cruise industry’s growth is also generating increased jobs, income, and revenue in all regions of the world.”

“The figures published today show that nearly 45 percent of the industry’s 2013 global output was generated in Europe,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman of CLIA Europe and Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. “Unquestionably, the cruise industry today is a key contributor to Europe’s economic recovery, creating real jobs and growth at a time when both are hard to come by. With more Europeans choosing to cruise, more tourists cruising in European waters and more cruise ships being built in European ship yards, the weight of our industry in Europe can only continue to increase in years to come.”

The independent report is the first to assess the worldwide economic impact of the cruise industry. Commissioned by CLIA from Business Research and Economic Advisers (BREA), The Global Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism 2013 found that:

• 21.31 million cruise passengers embarked from ports around the world
• 55 per cent of all passengers are sourced from North America (11.82 million), including 10.92 million who live in the US
• 30 per cent of passengers are from Europe (6.4 million), including 1.73 million from the UK and Ireland, and 1.69 million from Germany
• Also enjoying cruise holidays are travellers from Australia (833,000), Brazil (732,000), and China (727,000)
• The average length of a cruise is 7 days, with 3-4 port calls
• The cruise industry generated nearly 115 million passenger and crew visit days at ports around the globe; cruise ship passengers and crew spent an average of £78 each port day

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Happy New Cruise Year!

By Editor Simon Veness

It's a very Happy New Year to cruise-goers everywhere, and a great new year to be looking forward to, with six new ocean-going ships, a whole bevy of new river-cruise vessels and numerous other milestones, including the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal.

And it's a very big year for us at World of Cruising, too. With new owners and a new-look magazine set to debut this month, we are ready to take our market-leading coverage to whole new levels in 2014.

Not only do we jump from four to six issues a year, but we also have new art and design, new features, columnists, destinations and ways to be involved. We will continue to provide the best coverage, but we will also be sharper, smarter and more user-friendly.

Regular readers will still get to enjoy award-winning writers like Gary Buchanan, John Honeywell (aka Captain Greybeard), Jo Foley, Andrew Maclear and others - confirming World of Cruising as THE experts in the field of cruising and cruise ships of all types - but we will also be adding new features from the likes of Andy Harmer (the Director of CLIA UK), Sue Parker and Silver Travel Advisor, as well as great new destination features like Three Of A Kind and Where Next.

You will also see more focus on the three main areas of Ocean, River and Adventure cruising, plus a new-look World of Spas section sponsored by Champneys resorts and spas. 

Our January issue also boasts our essential - and exclusive - Cruise Planner, with a ship-by-ship look at ALL the choices of the various cruise lines worldwide. Others have tried to copy our unique formula for providing an at-a-glance guide to the immense array of options on offer, but only World of Cruising has the tried and trusted, reader-approved method.

So, if you're looking to set sail in 2014, whether for the first time or the 100th (!), be sure to check out all the details, advice and info with us first. And you'll be sure of a VERY happy New Year!

PS: If you like our New Year photo, be sure to see more at Tech Beasts!

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Push The Boat Out For National Cruise Week!

It's time to push the boat out again for National Cruise Week this month, with the latest news from the Adventure cruise companies and fantastic offers to exciting destinations worldwide.

The sixth annual National Cruise Week takes place from September 21-29, with the focus this year to get 'Britain and Ireland Cruising' by highlighting the great range of destinations and experiences that cruising offers UK consumers both on board and ashore.

The campaign's aim is to encourage more people to consider a cruise holiday for the first time and highlight the range of cruises available, from river-cruising along the European waterways to ocean cruises that travel to destinations only accessible by sea.

The number of holidaymakers who take a cruise holiday continues to grow, with more than 1.7 million Brits taking a voyage last year. The popularity of a cruise holiday lies in the exciting itineraries, experiences and destinations available from members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which has 60 cruise line members. Andy Harmer, CLIA UK and Ireland director, said: "This year we will celebrate the sixth National Cruise Week, an event that has gone from strength to strength thanks to the terrific support of travel agents and our cruise line members. More people than ever choose to cruise because of the incredible range of cruises available, the fabulous destinations, some of which are only accessible by sea, and the wonderful value-added experiences that I don't believe are available from any other type of holiday. All-in-all, young or old, solo or family, there is a cruise to suit everyone's taste and everyone's pocket."  One early offer for NCW 2013 comes from Hurtigruten, who are offering some amazing prices on selected Coastal and Explorer voyages during the period. The company currently has early booking discounts of up to 25% off 2013 and 2014 voyages, but is offering those booking from September 21-29 an additional 5% off the reduced prices.   Total savings could amount to more than £3,000 off the standard brochure price, depending on the type of cabin and itinerary booked. The 5% National Cruise Week discount alone could save more than £500 per person. Be sure to check out this link for more details or visit Hurtigruten at http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/. In addition, two Telegraph CRUISE Shows are also taking place in Birmingham (September 21-22) and Glasgow (October 5-6) where visitors are able to meet cruise lines and discover more inspirational travel ideas. The Discover Cruises website www.discovercruises.co.uk is also the home for everything cruise, whether it's for a family travelling for the first time, a couple looking for adventure or a solo traveller in need of a relaxing spa break - all of which can be classed as a great journey. Offering luxury, deluxe, river and specialist collections, Discover Cruises gives visitors access to the latest information on destinations, what's new on-board and a range of exciting and innovative excursions and activities. For further information about the CRUISE Shows visit www.cruisingshow.com - and don't forget, World of Cruising readers can get FREE tickets to both shows this year, at Birmingham and Glasgow. See our blog on the deal on this link. For cruise bookings, be sure to check out this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists,

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Glorious Seclusion At Sea

Worldwide cruising organisation Cruise Lines International Assocation (CLIA) recently highlighted the growing trend for cruise lines to add special secluded areas on their ships, and went on to list the different ways they have created these special 'private' areas aboard even some of the largest vessels.

I thought it was worth highlighting this, so I'm reprinting most of the CLIA press release here as it makes for really interesting reading...

FORT LAUDERDALE, August, 2013 --- There’s so much to experience on today’s cruise ships and now, as ships create tucked away spots for private dining, sunning and small gatherings, cruisers can add seclusion to the diverse attractions of a value vacation at sea.

“Increasingly, cruise lines are creating intimate spaces for guests, even on the largest ships,” says Christine Duffy, President & CEO of CLIA. She notes that while vacationers love the entertainment and activity experiences of cruising, many are also looking for quiet time and increased personalized service—“and they can get this now from a concierge level cabin with its own lounge or by having a romantic dinner for two under the stars in a secret nook of the ship.”

The following is a sampling of some of the wonderful features being created on CLIA North American fleet cruise lines for passengers seeking a tranquil retreat or exclusive enclave.

Balconies are among the most popular privacy features, and ships, from luxury to mega, are upping the percentage of cabins with balconies. One line has even figured out a way to provide views and balconies for inside cabins. For example:

• Disney Cruise Line’s newest ships have private verandahs on 70 percent of staterooms and suites, while more recent duo Disney Dream and Fantasy have 'virtual' portholes..
• Princess Cruises' new Royal Princess, which made its debut in June, has balconies on ALL outside cabins.
• Royal Caribbean’s refurbished Navigator of the Seas will emerge next year with “virtual” balconies (below) – LED projection screens showing live images taken by exterior cameras--for interior cabins.
  

 

Club sections take exclusivity and pampering to new levels. Similar to luxury hotel concierge floors, many ships have club or concierge level cabins with upgraded services and intimate lounges. For example:

• Holland America Line’s Neptune Lounge, open to guests in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, is a private lounge with a widescreen TV, continental breakfast and coffee, tea and snacks throughout the day as well as concierge service.
• Oceania Cruises’ Executive Lounge, available to guests in Owners, Vista, Oceania and Penthouse Suites, features complimentary soft drinks, coffees and snacks throughout the day and a dedicated concierge; a separate Concierge Lounge is provided for guests in Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms.
• Disney have their own Concierge level on Disney Fantasy and Dream, adding a gorgeous extra amenity for guests on that level.

 

Cabanas, usually rentable by the day or for the whole cruise, put guests in the heart of the action while indulging them with special services. For example:

• Celebrity Cruises’ “The Alcoves,” on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection come with fresh fruit, chilled towels, use of a pre-loaded iPad and more. An attendant is also on hand to arrange for spa treatments, food and other services.
• Holland America Line’s “Cabana Club” on the Nieuw Amsterdam offers airy, tented cabanas with plush upholstered seating where guests receive extras such as bathrobes, chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne and a pre-loaded iPod.
• Princess Cruises has The Sanctuary, a similar private retreat on all its recent ships, with the option for cabana hire.

 

Adults-only areas are becoming increasingly popular, especially on kid-friendly sailings. While spas have long been serene retreats, adults-only spaces for everything from dining to swimming and sunning are now popping on a wide array of ships. For example:

• Disney Cruise Line’s Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar invites adults to sunbathe, swim, sip a cool drink or soak in a hot tub overlooking the ocean.
• Royal Caribbean's glass-canopied Solarium pool area and café, with cantilevered whirlpools that jut out over the sea, are popular adults-only spots.
• Carnival Cruises Lines’ Serenity adult-only area, offered on many of its ships, features plush lounge chairs, bar and food service, whirlpools and soothing music. 

 

The cocooning concept goes one step further with the creation of the new wave of elite

sections on some ships. Here, guests find everything they need in their own private retreat. For example:

• MSC Cruises’ MSC Yacht Club (left), called a “ship within a ship,” wraps guests in a private pool, solarium, restaurant and butler-serviced suites.
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s “The Haven” has butler-serviced cabins that surround a private two-story courtyard with pools, whirlpools, a massage room, private restaurant, cocktail bar and concierge lounge. 

 

Exotic dining spaces set the scene for personal evenings. These very private areas can be ideal for special anniversaries or other occasions. For example:

• Paul Gauguin Cruises’ M/S Paul Gauguin offers private dining on the watersports marina for up to four guests to enjoy gourmet cuisine at a table set with white linen, fine china and crystal glasses along with live Polynesian entertainment.
• Oceania Cruises’ Riviera and Marina both offer Privée, a dining room that can be reserved for up to 10 guests, where the plush décor features a white Venini glass chandelier, white baby crocodile throne chairs and backlit onyx-clad walls. 

 

And there's more of course, with new twists and additions to the formula all the time. It just goes to show the cruise industry is incredibly adept at evolving its formula and reacting to guest needs for more sea-going experiences.

 

For expert advice, travellers can turn to CLIA travel professionals, who stay current on the latest offerings and trends, and can help clients select the ship with the features that will fulfill their dreams. To find a CLIA travel professional in your area, visit www.cruising.org and click on Vacations. In the UK, visit www.cruisexperts.org and, for an example of a top cruise agent specialist, see www.cruiseline.co.uk.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.