City Cruises has acquired its first dedicated events boat, named the Erasmus.

The 300-capacity boat is City Cruises only private-hire corporate and leisure event venue in London.

The 38-metre vessel has several versatile indoor and outdoor spaces including, three alfresco decks, a formal 130-seater dining space with booth and table seating, plus a large inside mid-deck room which increases the inside vessel capacity to 300 guests.

The flexibility and technology capabilities of the boat allows event organisers to host corporate product launches, award ceremonies, company gatherings and personal celebrations from weddings to birthday parties.

Erasmus’ galley and kitchen team will cater to a wide variety of dining styles, from casual fare to canapés, fine dining and upper deck BBQs during the summer months.

Kyle Haughton, managing director of City Cruises, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome the Erasmus in to our London fleet today because we have seen a growing demand for private hire among the corporate and leisure market.

“The boat’s flexible space, layout and contemporary interior design made the Erasmus the perfect fit for City Cruises.

“Existing team members will staff the new boat, but we will be recruiting for additional team members to join our family in the future.”

Source: Breaking Travel News

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has placed an order with Italy’s Fincantieri to build another cruise ship.

With delivery scheduled in late 2023, the new vessel will be a sister ship to Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendour.

Accommodating up to 750 guests, the new ship will be Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ sixth-all-suite vessel.

Details about her itineraries, suites, restaurants, amenities and onboard experiences will be revealed leading up to her 2023 debut.

Voyages for the ship’s inaugural season will go on sale in 2021.

“Since debuting in 2016, Seven Seas Explorer has solidified her reputation as the most luxurious ship ever built based on the continuous awards and guest accolades she earns,” said Jason Montague, chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“When Seven Seas Splendour’s inaugural season went on sale in April last year, we set a new single-day booking record for our 26-year-old company, demonstrating the anticipation for her 2020 arrival.

“Each new ship is progressively more successful.”

The contract price for the vessel is approximately €475 million.

The company has obtained export credit financing with favourable terms to fund 80 per cent of the contract price of the ship, subject to certain Italian government approvals.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which also owns Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises.

Oceania recently placed its own with Fincantieri.

“We are excited to build on the spectacular success of Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendour as we embark on bringing to life a new vessel that will set an even higher benchmark for elegance, luxury and style,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

“This new ship further strengthens our company’s robust yet measured growth profile with vessels now on order for all three of our award-winning brands, enabling us to expand our presence globally, further diversify our product offerings and continue to drive shareholder returns.”

Fincantieri is currently building Seven Seas Splendour at its Ancona, Italy shipyard.

Source: Breaking Travel News

Celebrity Cruises is enhancing its sales team with two new appointments, internal promotions and a revised structure to better deliver for agent partners.

The developments come as the cruise line gears up for its largest ever investment into the UK and Ireland with record deployment for the region in 2020, new ships and a comprehensive fleet upgrade. 

The changes see Celebrity Cruises recruiting for two new people – a regional sales manager for the south-east, and one for Scotland and Ireland – to join its dynamic business.

Plus, in recognition of the high calibre of the existing team Mandy Burrie and Jonny Peat have been promoted to newly created positions for the Celebrity Cruises sales team and Zoe Edwards takes on a new role.

Edwards becomes strategic account manager retail south, and Burrie is now strategic manager retail north.

Each role will oversee a small number of major accounts allowing more streamlined focus.

Peat takes on the position of business development manager to identify and nurture new partners.

Edwards was previously a strategic account manager, and both Burrie and Peat’s past roles were as regional sales managers.

Celebrity Cruises’ regional sales managers will report to either Edwards or Burrie depending on their geographical location and be part of the team reporting to head of sales, Nicola McNeish.

Peat will report to head of business development, Michael English.

All changes are effective from March.

Claire Stirrup, director of sales, Celebrity Cruises UK and Ireland, explained: “I am thrilled that our growth brings new opportunities for much-loved and respected members of the sales team – huge congratulations to Zoe, Mandy and Jonny.

“And we look forward to adding two new recruits to our award-winning team.

“Thanks to growth delivered by new ships, ongoing investment and the support of our trade partners, our business is unrecognisable compared to a few years ago.

“Our ambitious plans, cemented by the commitment to both launch and base new ship Celebrity Apex in the UK in summer 2020, mean we need to evolve our approach to make the most of these incredible opportunities.

“This includes working to hone our focus on aiding agents to reach the right affluent guests.”

Source: Breaking Travel News

Princess Cruises has announced its full 2020 Japan programme is now on sale and available to book.

Throughout the year the 2,670-guest Diamond Princess will sail roundtrip from Tokyo and Kobe on over 50 departures to more than 50 destinations in 11 countries.

The voyages range from five-to-28 days and offer guests the opportunity to participate in activities and events including Japan’s most famous summer festivals; renowned spring flower and fall foliage sites; and celebrate the festive period in further afield destinations such as Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Diamond Princess is tailored for Japan cruising and gives guests the chance to enjoy local experiences onboard such as relaxing in a traditional ‘onsen’ bath and dining in a sushi restaurant.

Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises’ vice president UK and Europe, said: “Guests sailing Japan with Princess Cruises will get to experience the best that this fascinating region has to offer, both onboard and ashore.

“The variety of cruises on offer gives our guests the opportunity to tailor-make their own holiday.

“Shorter seven-day voyages allow a cruise to be combined with a land holiday, while longer cruises of 14-28 days are popular with those who are keen to explore.”

Source: Breaking Travel News

Crystal has invited travellers to connect to the world, each other and themselves with an evocative new marketing campaign titled Where Luxury is Personal.

In the campaign, the company speaks directly to travellers on levels that go beyond the lavish accoutrements of the good life.

The messaging eschews the common notion that luxury entails only the finer things in life in favour of the fact that it is defined by each traveller, making the experience wholly individual.

Working with the experts of MRM/McCann, Crystal has developed a poignant message that focuses on people – from its guests to crew – and how world travel touches their lives. 

The new branding campaign spans all Crystal Experiences – Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht & Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air and Crystal AirCruises – and will be seen across multiple print and digital media platforms beginning this month.

“Travel is extremely personal to those who crave exploration and meaningful moments, and global luxury travel has always been personal to Crystal,” said Carmen Roig, Crystal senior vice president of marketing and sales.

“Our philosophy of luxury is rooted in the individuality of each of our guests – the stories they’ve lived, what has brought them aboard, the memories they hope to create – and our passion for meeting and exceeding their hopes and expectations.

“We understand that time is precious, and aboard Crystal our guests relish spending their time exactly as they wish. To travel exactly as one chooses, connecting with friends who share their interests, and deeply exploring the world is a true luxury. And we are honoured that travellers choose to spend their time with us,” Roig concluded.

Source: Breaking Travel News