Genting Cruise Lines has unveiled the new artwork that will adorn the hull of its latest ship, the 75,338-gross-ton, 1,870 passenger Explorer Dream.

The vessel is currently undergoing a comprehensive upgrade before her launch later this month.

The new hull artwork by New York-based, Chinese artist, Kuri Huang continues the brand’s signature mermaid brand icon as the ethereal hull painting beckons viewers to ride upon Waves of Dreams in a whimsical and colourful ode to exploration and discovery.

“Dream Cruises is excited to welcome the artistic talents of Kuri Huang who will provide the hull art to our newest ship, Explorer Dream,” said Thatcher Brown, president of Dream Cruises.

“Huang’s artistic style aptly embodies Dream Cruises’ brand essence with its imaginative depiction of mythic creatures on a quest to explore new horizons across the seas.”

The artwork on the hull of Explorer Dream continues the mermaid brand icon made famous by her sister ships Genting Dream and World Dream.

Huang’s fresh, new take on the myth of the mermaid sees a softer, almost impressionistic, approach to the depiction of this iconic figure and also introduces the dream-like figure of the unicorn to further personify the spirit of exploration and discovery.

“I am honoured to be able to add my artistic vision to the Dream Cruises brand and to be able to carry on the saga of their iconic mermaid for their newest family member, Explorer Dream,” said Huang.

“In my artwork, I wanted to symbolize the intrepid, pathfinding spirit of the new ship by bringing in the new character of the unicorn to represent the spirit of discovery in Explorer Dream.”

The artistic narrative of the new hull art tells the tale of a beautiful mermaid who yearns to travel beyond the confines of the ocean to a realm above the waters.

With the help of the sea god, in the form of a majestic unicorn, she is able to realise her dream of discovering new lands and experiencing exotic cultures while retaining her indelible link to the seven seas.

The latest addition to the Dream Cruises family, Explorer Dream will assume the role of pathfinder for the brand’s global aspirations.

Formerly the SuperStar Virgo of sister brand Star Cruises, Explorer Dream is currently undergoing a US$56 million dollar transformation that will incorporate new facilities.

Source: Breaking Travel News

Seabourn will name its first expedition ship Seabourn Venture.

The cruise company said the name paid homage to its Ventures by Seabourn excursion programme.

Seabourn began offering expedition experiences during its first sailing to Antarctica in 2013.

The success of the Antarctica programme opened the door for similar optional experiences under the name Ventures by Seabourn featuring Zodiacs, kayaks, and guided hikes offered on Seabourn ships in a number of desirable destinations around the world.

“The name Seabourn Venture is an exciting step in the process of launching even more immersive voyages designed specifically for the expedition traveller who dares to go
beyond the norm in terms of destinations and experiences they seek,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn.

“Combined with the team of 26 experts that will bring the expedition experience to life, we are going to draw on our pedigree to deliver breath-taking experiences and I know

Seabourn Venture is going to create lifetime memories for the adventurer that wants to go farther, into more remote destinations than they may have ever seen before, in true Seabourn ultra-luxury.”

Seabourn Venture is scheduled to launch in June 2021, with a second yet-to-be-named sister ship slated to launch in May 2022.

Both ships will be designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and will include a plethora of modern hardware and technology that will extend the ships global deployment and capabilities.

The new ships, which are being built by T. Mariotti, will be a brand-new innovative design, created specifically for the ultra-luxury expedition traveller, and will include many features that have made Seabourn ships so successful.

Specific details about itineraries and booking availability will be released in the spring 2019.

Source: Breaking Travel News

Brittany Ferries today reveals passenger, freight and financial results for 2018.

The company carried 2.6 million passengers on all routes last year, an increase of 1.4 per cent, and made a profit of €8 million on a total turnover of €442 million.

The encouraging results come despite the pound being worth around 15 per cent less than it was two years ago.

That has proved challenging for a company whose income is generated in pounds sterling, with a cost-base in euros.

Further challenges have come from on-going Brexit uncertainty and the effect this is having on summer bookings.

Brittany Ferries is a French company, but its success is largely built on British customers.

In total, 85 per cent of passengers come from the UK.

It has therefore used its 2018 results to reinforce an important message to French government: take urgent steps to ensure British holiday makers and freight move freely.

The regions of north west France depend upon us as a significant wealth generator.

Jean-Marc Roué, Brittany Ferries president, recently hosted Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French minister of Europe and foreign affairs.

Showing him around Roscoff port and its facilities, Roué talked at length about border controls and customs, as well as health and sanitary checks for goods arriving in France.

“Jean-Yves Le Drian told us that Roscoff will become a border post on the March 29th,” said Roué.

“In my view, the return of a border between France and the United Kingdom fully legitimises the return of dedicated air and border police. 

“These Police Aux Frontières would work alongside customs services in the same way they currently do in ports like St Malo, Cherbourg and Le Havre.

“It is only a short-term solution in the event of a hard Brexit, but I am counting on the minister to relay this proposal to the government”

Concerns in France come as planning to minimise traffic queues on the UK side intensifies.

Portsmouth, for example, is Brittany Ferries’ UK-hub.

Recent exercises led by the local resilience forum suggest that carefully managed traffic solutions can prevent freight delays en-route to the port, should the UK leave the EU without a deal on March 29th. 

“We made a profit in 2018 thanks to a combination of careful management and structural change,” added Christophe Mathieu, chief executive of Brittany Ferries.

“Our positive results come despite the pound being worth significantly less than it was two years ago and as Brexit uncertainty weakens demand for trips to France and Spain this summer.

“We are now preparing for the years ahead.

“We have invested in three new ships and have made a clear commitment to the regions we serve.

“The challenge now is one for the French government in particular.

“All steps must be taken to ensure we have the right frameworks in place in Brittany and Normandy post-Brexit to keep goods flowing freely and to ensure our British passengers have the confidence to sail this summer and in the years to come.”

Source: Breaking Travel News

In response to requests from travel agents, luxury cruise line Cunard has announced a Liverpool departure for later in the year.

The Queen Mary 2 will depart on a 14-night Northern Atlantic Westbound Crossing, which includes Iceland, Canada and New York.

The voyage (M921), which is new for 2019 and will combine a classic Transatlantic Crossing with discovery days in maiden port Reykjavik, Iceland will depart Southampton on July 14th, arriving into Liverpool on July 16th.

The Queen Mary 2 will then sail via Halifax, Nova Scotia arriving in New York on the July 28th.

Gary Anslow, sales director, Cunard, said: “We are delighted to have added a Liverpool departure in response to trade demand.

“Quite a few partners in the region asked if we would create a Liverpool departure, given our historic ties with the city and the demand they have for local departures.]

“We are now looking forward to working with the trade on selling this fantastic itinerary to their clients.”

Cunard was based in Liverpool between 1839 and 1967 and the Cunard Building remains one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The University of Liverpool holds and maintains Cunard’s archive.

In 2015 over a million people lined the banks of the Mersey when Cunard’s three Queens met to celebrate the cruise line’s 175-year anniversary.

Source: Breaking Travel News

After launching as the first river cruise line of its kind last year, U is seeking to reinvent the river cruise experience even further with the launch of two new themed cruises.

The trips will take place this summer in Germany aboard The A.

The new tailored itineraries, Tattoo on U and U in Drag, are themes that share U’s fun ethos, and offer never-seen-before cruise experiences.

“We’re so excited to announce tattoo and drag queen themed cruises for our U guests,” said Ellen Bettridge, chief executive and president of U.

“The themes coincide with everything our U brand stands for which is encouraging our guests to completely let go, be confidently themselves and meet new like-minded travellers along the way.

“It’s important for us to continue to innovate in ways that inspire our guests and provide them with experiences that they won’t find anywhere else.

“The launch of these two cruises is just the beginning for our themed concepts onboard U.”

U’s new themed cruises are enhanced versions of the eight-day Germany’s Finest itinerary that sails from Frankfurt to Regensburg.

U in Drag will depart on July 6th.

U has teamed up with celebrity drag queens Jiggly Caliente, Darienne Lake and Phi Phi O’hara, as seen on the hit TV-show RuPaul’s Drag Race, to offer guests a week they won’t forget.

Along with several onboard performances throughout the sailing, the itinerary includes interactive activities co-hosted by the drag queens, such as a karaoke night, drag makeup lessons, an exclusive bar crawl at one of the ship ports, and more.

The sailing will be an action-packed celebration of culture, entertainment, glitter and stilettos.

On August 17th, Tattoo on U will set off.

On this cruise, U guests will sail with celebrity tattoo artists Steven Tefft, winner of season two of the US show Ink Master; Reese Hilburn, seen on Spike TV’s hit show Tattoo Nightmares Miami; the tattoo artist Bobby Moss and his wife, the leading tattoo model, Heather Moss; and tattoo expert Paul Gambino for a week dedicated to all things ink.

In addition to the opportunity to get inked by these celebrity artists throughout the cruise, the itinerary includes an onboard welcome party with the artists, a tattoo parlour crawl in one of the ports, and contests to win a free tattoo from one of the artists onboard.

Source: Breaking Travel News