Tag Archives: Europe

Scenic Cruises unveils new pool concept for upcoming river ships

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By Michelle Baran
Scenic Cruises plans to christen two river cruise ships in Europe next year, the 169-passenger Scenic Opal and Scenic Jasper.

The Opal and Jasper will introduce a new pool concept — a relaxation pool filled with warm water on one side, and a pool with a jet stream (enabling lap-like swimming) on the other.

The vessels will also feature a redesigned bar and lounge area and an indoor/outdoor extension of the Portobello restaurant, with the ability to enclose the area with a moving glass wall of windows.

The two new vessels will bring Scenic’s Europe fleet to 12, including the Scenic Gem, which is launching this year on the Seine in France.

In addition to launching two more ships, Scenic is adding several new itineraries in 2015, including a Bordeaux sailing and a Rhone-only sailing in France.

Other new sailings in 2015 will include a 16-day Vienna to the Danube Delta itinerary that traverses six countries, and a 21-day Jewels of Europe adventure that adds three nights each in Prague and Berlin to a 15-day Amsterdam-to-Budapest river cruise.

Scenic’s river cruises include complimentary beverages, wines and spirits at any time; open bar service in the lounges; complimentary mini-bar items; personal butler service in all cabins; a personal GPS commentary device, which serves as on onboard tour guide service; all airport transfers; all meals; all gratuities; and free WiFi throughout the ship.

Scenic Cruises is owned by Australian parent company Scenic Tours.

Allure of the Seas to be based in Europe for first time

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By Hollie-Rae Merrick 

Allure of the Seas to be based in Europe for first timeThe world’s biggest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, will be based in Europe for the first time next year as Royal Caribbean International targets new customers.

The cruise line said support from the UK trade had been a key factor in the decision.

UK managing director Stuart Leven said agents would have an opportunity to sell “a unique and innovative ship”, perfect for the family market, when the 6,318-berth Allure, which launched in 2010, starts sailings from Barcelona on May 3, 2015.

He said: “We look at the support from the trade when making these decisions, just as we did when we decided to base Anthem of the Seas in Southampton. We look at the markets that support the brand. The UK has always been supportive of Independence of the Seas out of Southampton and it was an obvious decision to take Allure to the Med and open it to a new customer base.”

Royal Caribbean has produced a mini-brochure about the ship and a marketing toolkit that includes videos, campaign tools and images.

Leven said operating Allure in Europe alongside Anthem of the Seas, which will be based in Southampton when it launches in 2015, demonstrated the line’s commitment to the European market. It will be the first time Allure has sailed outside the Caribbean.

The ship will operate seven-night cruises from Barcelona between May and October 2015, calling at Palma, Marseille, La Spezia and Civitavecchia, where there is the chance to join the ship.

Norwegian mega-ship Epic to sail year-round in Europe

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By Phil Davies 

Norwegian mega-ship Epic to sail year-round in EuropeNorwegian Cruise Line’s mega-ship Norwegian Epic is to be deployed year-round in Europe.

Chief executive Kevin Sheehan revealed that the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic would move to Barcelona year-round in April 2015.

He was speaking on board the soon-to-debut Norwegian Getaway, which arrives in Southampton this week en-route to its home port of Miami.

“Consumers in Europe love the ship [Norwegian Epic],” Sheehan told reporters during a preview sailing of Getaway from Rotterdam for European travel agents.

Norwegian Epic already spends its summers in Europe sailing the Mediterranean out of Barcelona. The ship currently spends winters in the Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

The ship will become the largest cruise vessel ever based year-round in Europe.

Sheehan declined to reveal the itineraries Norwegian Epic will operate in Europe or whether it would be replacing one of the two smaller Norwegian ships now based year-round in Europe, Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Jade.

Itineraries are due to be announced in mid-March.

The 155,873-ton Norwegian Epic is the world’s third largest cruise ship, behind Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.