Final voyage for last truly ‘British’ cruise ship comes to an end

Posted on 14 January, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

Saga Ruby marked a little piece of history with the completion of its final voyage this week, in what was the last sailing by a cruise ship to be built in Britain.

According to BBC News, no vessel has been constructed in this country in the 40 years since the Ruby sailed out of Swan Hunter’s Tyneside shipyard in 1972.

Previously, it has sailed under Cunard’s flag and the name MS Caronia, but last year it was announced that the vessel would finally be retired.

While it wasn’t expected back in Southampton until after the weekend, poor weather over the Atlantic prevented it from crossing the Bay of Biscay on its return journey, meaning that it arrived home early.

Ruby’s final cruise was a month-long Caribbean affair, which also visited Antigua, Portugal, Madeira and Spain en route to the islands.

All three of Saga’s vessels witnessed delays this week as a result of stormy seas, as did Queen Mary 2, which is preparing to celebrate its tenth anniversary.

Royal Caribbean hires firm to market Anthem of the Seas to younger generation

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s brand new cruise ship that is under construction and a member of the Quantum class of cruise ships. Anthem of the Seas will have her first cruise in spring 2015, with a homeport yet to be announced.

Royal Caribbean hires firm to market Anthem of the Seas to younger generation

Royal Caribbean has hired marketing firm TVC in an effort to reach a younger audience in the United Kingdom. Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship Anthem of the Seas will be based in Southampton and the hiring is in conjunction with the announcement.

The project work will build up to the new ship sailing out from Southampton in April 2015, with couples and families among the key younger groups targeted.

TVC client service director James Myers believes his company can help Royal Caribbean reach a new group of people, “The brief is about reaching a new audience, and reaching people who would not normally consider cruising.”

The six-figure deal will use music to evoke “holidays and good times” to help Royal Caribbean expand its share of the UK cruise market.

“Reaching a new audience is seen as difficult, so we’re trying to help dispel the myth that a cruise holiday may not be the coolest, most credible way to spend a holiday.”

Anthem of the Seas to sail Med cruises from Southampton; England

Posted on 22 November, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Anthem of the Seas to sail Med cruises from Southampton; England

By Jerry Limone

Royal Caribbean said the Anthem of the Seas, a Quantum-class ship due to enter service in April 2015, will sail from Southampton; England in the summer and South Florida in the winter.

The ship will be based in Southampton for Mediterranean cruises. In the winter months, the ship will sail from Fort Lauderdale.

The 4,108-passenger Anthem of the Seas is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

The first Quantum-class ship, the Quantum of the Seas, is scheduled to enter service in fall 2014, sailing Florida-Caribbean cruises year-round from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J.