Tag Archives: southampton

Norwegian Breakaway arrives in Southampton

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Norwegian Breakaway arrives in Southampton

By Phil Davies

Norwegian Breakaway arrives in SouthamptonNorwegian Breakaway becomes one of the biggest ships to make its debut in Southampton today for a special trade preview.

The latest Norwegian Cruise Line ship made a pre-inaugural overnight sailing from Rotterdam to arrive in the UK port this morning.

Hundreds of agents will be on board as the 4,028-passenger ship is showcased today by senior executives led by chief executive Kevin Sheehan.

They will be able to earn up to 4% bonus commission for their agencies by attending educational sessions onboard.

Norwegian believes the Engage and Reward initiative on board new ship Norwegian Breakaway is a first for the travel industry.

Agents will be given a unique barcode on arrival, which they will have scanned as they attend ship tours and presentations from senior managers, Ace and Travel Weekly among others.

The maximum bonus commission they can earn is 4%, which will be available to all staff in their agencies between May 15 and June 14 for sailings before the end of 2013.

Agents are being given the opportunity to meet representatives from key cruise destinations as they move through check-in and embarkation at Southampton.

Participating destinations include Alaska, Seattle, Miami, Clearwater Beach, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma.

Breakaway

Norwegian is also providing £25 bonus commission on new bookings made by May 14 as part of promotional campaign involving price cuts of up to £150 per cabin across various ships in the fleet.

UK & Ireland business development director Nick Wilkinson said: “Our Partners First philosophy recognises the central part that the trade plays in product distribution, and the Engage & Reward programme idea is rooted in that.

“Attending agents will have the opportunity to earn incremental commission for their organisation through attending the various educational elements of the launch activity.”

Norwegian Breakaway leaves tomorrow for its homeport of New York where it will be officially named on May 8. Summer cruises to Bermuda start two days later.

Norwegian Breakaway features seafood restaurant Ocean Blue by New York celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, three Broadway shows, a quarter mile long ‘broadwalk’ and five water slides.

The vessel will be joined in April 2014 by sister ship Norwegian Getaway.

Royal Caribbean set to upgrade Independence of the Seas

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Independence of the Seas

Royal Caribbean set to upgrade Independence of the Seas

24Jan2013

As part of Royal Caribbean’s Revitalization program to upgrade all of its cruise ships to include amenities first introduced on the Oasis of the Seas, Independence o the Seas has recently been scheduled to have its upgrade take place in April 2013.

Independence of the Seas will receive

  • Outdoor movie screen

  • Cupcake Cupboard

  • Digital Signage

  • Pervasive Wi-Fi

  • Nursery

  • Giovanni’s Table specialty restaurant

The $7 million refurbishment will take two weeks, at which point Royal Caribbean will deploy Independence of the Seas to Southampton, England where on May 2, 2013 she will begin her summer season.  Some of the itineraries offered include some new shorter sailings such as a two-night cruise to Le Havre for Paris and three-night cruises to Le Havre for Paris and Zeebrugge for Bruges.

UPDATE; Independence has just left Southampton, and is on her way to Hamburg to start her refit. 

Duchess of Cambridge to name new cruise liner

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The Duchess of Cambridge is to officially name Princess Cruises’ 3,600-passenger Royal Princess this summer.

The Duchess, whose baby is due in mid-July, will be at Southampton on June 13 for the naming ceremony of Princess Cruises’ 3,600-passenger Royal Princess.

The official ceremony will involve a blessing, the celebratory tradition of smashing a bottle over the hull of the ship and a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards.

The Duchess will also go on board for a brief tour of the new liner which will leave on its maiden voyage on June 16.

Princess Cruises’ president and chief executive Alan Buckelew said today: “It is a great honour for Princess Cruises that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge has accepted our invitation to become the Godmother to Royal Princess.

“We are delighted that the Duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company’s British heritage and our commitment to the country.”

Features of the new ship include a top-deck, glass-bottomed walkway extending 28ft (8.5m) beyond the edge of the ship, the largest pastry shop at sea and balconies on all outside staterooms.

The Royal Princess will go on Mediterranean cruises this summer followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.