Tag Archives: Ocean

Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions to Merge

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Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions to Merge

Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions are set to merge their operations ahead of the 2026 season in the Arctic.

The two expedition brands joined forces earlier this year, coming together under the same ownership group.

While the merger was confirmed in a social media update, additional details of the joint operation will be announced in mid-October.

“We are very excited about our future in the expedition cruise industry, which we intend to lead through innovation, collaboration, and leading responsible tourism initiatives,” Polar Latitudes stated.

The brand added in a social media update that the merged operations will be highlighted by operating “the most fuel-efficient fleet” in polar areas.

In an interview with Luxury Australian Travel Trade News (Latte), Albatros Expeditions’ CEO Patrick Shaw said that the new company will be named Polar Latitudes Expeditions.

Shaw will reportedly serve as CEO of the newly created entity, having previously served as CEO and President of Quark Expeditions.

“Given this exposure and experience, I have been in a unique position to appreciate the possibilities that this merger affords, and I am honoured and delighted to be a part of this transformation,” he told Latte.

He noted that the new brand will operate “more durable, efficient and expertly led” ships, highlighting the company’s field staff training and integration with communities.

Polar Latitudes currently operates the Seaventure for seasons in Antarctica, while Albatros Expeditions sails the Ocean Victory and the Ocean Albatros.

The Ocean Albatros operates for the brand on a year-round basis, offering expeditions in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Chartered from SunStone Ships, the Ocean Victory sails for the brand seasonally, offering itineraries in Antarctica and South America.

Polar Latitudes Expeditions’ new website is expected to launch in mid-October, when the company is also set to organise a series of online events for trade members and customers.

Carnival to roll out revamped kids program

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By Tom Stieghorst
Camp Ocean logoCarnival Cruise Lines took a step to secure its base of family cruisers, announcing it will launch a new program for young children called Camp Ocean, starting in May on the Carnival Freedom.

Camp Ocean will be more themed than the current Camp Carnival, which it replaces. It will feature 200 marine-related activities for kids, ranging from assembling ocean artifact trays to creating aquariums.

The program was developed with input from a panel comprising experts in child development, toys, play and children’s media, as well as a mom who is a frequent Carnival guest.

“While our current children’s program consistently gets very high marks, we’ve challenged ourselves to exceed expectations with a truly dynamic and diverse program for our youngest guests,” said Mark Tamis, senior vice president of guest operations. He added that Club Ocean will give travel agents “an exceptionally family-friendly feature” to market.

The camp is designed for children ages 2 to 11 and is divided into three age categories, with kids 2 to 5 called Penguins, those in the 6-to-8 range dubbed Stingrays and 9- to 11-year-olds designated as Sharks.

Each group will have its own blue-and-white colored play area with custom-tailored features and activities. Penguins, for example, will be able to play in miniature igloo structures.

There will also be a new “badge challenge” program in which kids get to enjoy adventures and gain a sense of accomplishment. After completing tasks such as trying a new food or making a towel animal, kids can earn a Camp Ocean badge.

Camp Ocean is one of a steady strCamp Ocean play areaeam of product changes designed in part to redirect the conversation about Carnival after the fire on the Carnival Triumph last year.

In other changes, it has redesigned the main dining room, added a series of live concerts with widely known acts and licensed Dr. Seuss characters specifically targeting families and children.

With its 24 ships, Carnival carries more than 700,000 children annually, a greater number than any other cruise line.

Carnival said that on two ships, the Freedom and the Vista, due in 2016, there will be a common play area for all children ages 2 to 11 called Party Reef, along with Creative Cove, a breakout room for arts and crafts.

Camp Ocean will be expanded to the Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Triumph later this year, with the balance of the fleet getting the program by 2016.

Viking orders two luxury ships for new ocean-cruise brand

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Viking orders two luxury ships for new ocean-cruise brand

By Jerry Limone and Michelle Baran
 Shipbuilder STX France said Wednesday that the company has received an order to build two oceangoing cruise ships for a new Viking brand, Viking Ocean Cruises.

There is an option for a third ship, STX indicated.

The 888-passenger luxury ships, to be delivered in spring 2014 and spring 2015, will primarily sail the Mediterranean, STX said. The ships will have 444 cabins and 444 crew members, according to STX.

STX said Viking intends to market the ocean cruises to Viking’s river-cruise customers in the U.S., U.K. and Australia.

Based on the success of river cruising, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen “felt it was right to offer more of a destination-oriented ocean experience,” said Richard Marnell, Viking’s senior vice president of marketing. “Mr. Hagen feels the ocean vessels built of late have become too large and that they’re losing out on the destination.”

Marnell noted that Viking’s entry into ocean cruising will not affect the planned expansion of its river-cruise business.

“We know that there’s a demand for such a destination-oriented product because our passengers are certainly seeking that out on a smaller-ship experience in river cruise,” said Marnell.

At this time, Marnell said the company is not releasing product and itinerary details, or the price Viking is paying for the ships.

Viking River Cruises operates a fleet of 23 river ships and has eight under construction.