February

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the expanding UK based cruise shipping company, remains tight lipped over its future plans after the 20,636 gross ton Discovery will exit its three ship fleet later this year, but says its 2015 programme will be released soon. 
All Leisure group that owns the 600 passenger Discovery that was built in 1972 said the ship was taken out of service in the winter of 2012-13 and after a period of technical upgrade and refit was chartered to CMV who operated the vessel in a joint venture with the Group for 242 days. "A similar arrangement for 257 days is planned in 2014, after which the joint venture will cease," All Leisure group ceo Ian Smith said in a statement issued today.

Meanwhile, on 13 February CMV confirmed that the Discovery Summer 2014 cruise programme will operate as scheduled with the 20,000 passenger capacity ex-UK regional programme already 70% sold. "With offices in the UK, Australia, North America and now Germany, the CMV Group will carry in excess of 70,000 ocean and river cruise passengers during 2014," the company said.

Chris Coates, CMV’s Commercial Director commented, “Having contributed the vast majority of business for Discovery, we are pleased with the results we have achieved from our side. We look forward to working with All Leisure Holidays, our joint venture partners during the 2014 season and will shortly be releasing full details of our 2015 programme.”

CMV currently operates a fleet of three small to medium sized 600-800 traditional ocean passenger vessels; the Marco Polo, Discovery & Astor plus the Vienna I river ship and recently announced the take over-over of German based TransOcean Kreuzfahrten and entry into Europe’s second largest cruise market.

All Leisure group booked a £6.7 million impairment charge against Discovery in its financial year 2013 results, saying that the value of mature cruise ships had fallen markedly in recent times and that it would put the ship up for sale after the end of its current published schedules.

Providence, Rhode Island, USA
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and two IAATO Member Operators, Aurora Expeditions and Oceanwide Expeditions, took part in a live Search and Rescue Communications Exercise in collaboration with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Ushuaia, Argentina. 
The intent of the training exercise was to test the lines of communication between the ship in distress, MRCC Ushuaia and a vessel tasked with going to the incident area to assist.

In the scenario, the ship M/V Polar Pioneer operated by Aurora Expeditions, sent out a distress call from the South Shetland Islands off the Antarctic Peninsula after losing propulsion due to its propeller being entangled in a fishing net. The ship was carrying 64 passengers and 26 crew. In response, MRCC Ushuaia identified Oceanwide Expeditions’ 116-passenger ship M/V Plancius as being the nearest vessel to the Polar Pioneer and tasked it with going to assist.

IAATO Executive Director, Dr. Kim Crosbie said “Search and Rescue response in Antarctica is always a collaborative effort and we have a strong relationship with the five Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers that have responsibility in Antarctica. Live exercises such as this one provide valuable training opportunities, strengthen ties and demonstrate our ability to communicate in remote locations.

“Although we hope that these events are rare, IAATO’s role in collaboration with its member operators and the MRCCs is to ensure that we are ready to assist in any response quickly and effectively if they do occur.”

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled itineraries of Anthem of the Seas, their second Quantum-class ship that will measure at 167,800 gross tons and take 4,180 passengers. "It will offer 20 Mediterranean sailings beginning on 22 April 2015 before heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the Autumn of 2015. The new itineraries on offer range from three to 16 nights with a strong focus on ‘taster’ cruises designed attract a new breed of British holidaymaker who hasn’t previously considered a cruise holiday," the company said in a statement. 
Due for delivery in Spring 2015 the ship, along with Quantum of the Seas, will be a dramatic leap forward for the cruise industry and introduce more game-changing “firsts at sea” such as a skydiving experience call RipCord by iFLY and the North Star, an engineering marvel featuring a jewel like capsule that extends 300 feet above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver 360-degree views for guests. Cutting-edge transformative venues include SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever. These new, larger state rooms enable innovation in design, storage and comfort including the industry’s first virtual balconies.>

Anthem of the Seas goes on sale on 3rd March 2014. The new Royal Caribbean International sales team is gearing up to blitz agents, and continue to build the hype and excitement that really only Royal Caribbean International can deliver. Agents should also look out for dedicated Anthem of the Seas agent training.

Oceania Cruises has announced a second 180-day journey on the newly refurbished mid-sized luxury cruise ship Insignia for the 2015 season. Given the overwhelming response received on Oceania Cruises’ first-ever 180-day around-the-world cruise which was unveiled this past July, the 684-guest ship will embark on a 180-Day World Odyssey sailing round-trip from Miami July 8, 2015. Reservations for the second 180-day voyage open on December 4^th 2013.

“The first 180-day voyage introduced this past summer sold out in less than eight hours, leaving legions of our guests asking for an another epic journey,” shares Kunal S. Kamlani, President of Oceania Cruises. “Unlike conventional world cruises that commence in winter, the 180-Day World Odyssey starts in July, allowing us to create and deliver the most unique global-cruise itinerary ever offered.”

Embarking at the height of summer, Insignia will sail north to Canada and New England and then cross the Atlantic to majestic Greenland and Iceland. She will visit some of the most alluring ports in the Mediterranean before staying for multiple days in magnificent Asian cities including Mumbai, Rangoon, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Guests will explore Africa from Kenya to Cape Town and the continent’s western shores before concluding the voyage with a holiday season of island-hopping in the azure waters of the Caribbean.

To enrich the already immersive destination experience, guests will enjoy a diverse array of included, exclusive shore side events throughout the voyage:

· An exquisite wine tasting and dinner at the Médoc estate Château Giscours in Bordeaux, France

· A night of glamour in Abu Dhabi at the seven-star Emirate Palace rising above the Arabian Desert

· A visit to the “immortal city” of Amarapura, home to the Mahagandayon Monastery and Mandalay, the last royal capital of the Myanmar Empire

· A day of exploring the ancient temples of Bagan in Myanmar

· An evening at the world-famous Jim Thompson House in Bangkok

· An open-air dinner at Swakop River Canyon outside Namibia’s Walvis Bay

As the leader in destination-rich itineraries, Oceania Cruises’ 180-Day World Odyssey features 14 overnight stays and visits a total of 100 ports of call. The full list of overnights includes:

· New York City, USA - July 12-13

· Jerusalem (Haifa), Israel - September 6-7

· Abu Dhabi, UAE – September 18-19

· Mumbai, India - September 24-25

· Rangoon, Burma (Yangon, Myanmar) – October 4-5

· Singapore, Singapore – October 10-11

· Bangkok, Thailand – October 15-16

· Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam – October 18-19

· Hanoi (Ha Long Bay), Vietnam – October 22-23

· Hong Kong, China – October 25-26

· Mahé, Seychelles – November 12-14

· Cape Town, South Africa – November 30-December 1

· Walvis Bay, Namibia – December 4-5

Bookings for the 180-Day World Odyssey cruise open on December 4, 2013, and guests reserving their suite or stateroom by March 31, 2014 will receive:

· Free onboard medical service

· Free pre-paid gratuities

· Free visa package including entry visas for 11 countries

· Free unlimited Internet and laundry service

· Free round-trip transfers

· Free luggage delivery service

Guests must book by March 31, 2014, to receive the early booking fare offer.

For more information visit www.oceaniacruises.com

About Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises^® offers unrivalled cuisine, elegant accommodationsand exceptional personalised service, all for an extraordinary value. Known for its unique and destination-rich itineraries that appeal to the seasoned traveller, Oceania Cruises calls on more than 330 ports across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Americas aboard five award-winning mid-size ships: the 684-guest Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, and the 1,250-guest Marina and Riviera.

Permits for a group whose chartered Russian ship became trapped in sea ice last month were issued without considering its proposed course. The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) says it looked at the environmental impact of the expedition, but not its "operational parameters".
AAD director Dr Tony Fleming says those powers are being pursued after Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis had its summer program disrupted to rescue 52 stranded passengers.

"The Antarctic Treaty has discussed that matter and when all nations ratify the measure then we will be focusing on looking at the safety of the planned expeditions," Dr Fleming said.

Passengers rescued from the MV Akademik Shokalskiy arrived in Hobart on Wednesday, nearly three weeks after the emergency began. The vessel, chartered by the University of NSW-associated Australasian Antarctic Expedition to retrace the steps of explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, became stuck in thick sea ice on Christmas Eve.

Dr Fleming said costs were being determined but could range from $1.8 million to $2.4 million.
Delays to scientific programs, including a study of ocean acidification scheduled for next year, were harder to price, he said, and the AAD was in discussions with the insurers of the ship and the UNSW.

"The government will be pursuing all avenues to recover costs and minimise the burden to the Australian taxpayer," he said. Expedition leader Professor Chris Turney apologised for the disruption and defended the scientific merit of the tour, which cost participants a minimum $8000.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority will conduct a debrief but any inquiry into whether the ship should have been in the remote area would be Russia's responsibility, it said.

The Akademik Shokalskiy's captain sent out a distress call near Commonwealth Bay when he became concerned about icebergs.

Initial rescue attempts failed before the passengers were airlifted by a Chinese helicopter to the Aurora Australis in an operation involving four nations.

Tickets still aren’t on sale, but the company responsible for restarting ferry service between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine, says things remain on track for a May 1 start date.
NOVA STAR CRUISES announced its price structure late in 2013 but that information was removed from the company’s website until American regulations regarding customer refunds are satisfied. A company spokesman said the prices would not be different when they are reposted.

Sean Lewis said the company’s ship —NOVA STAR — is at a shipyard in Singapore where it’s being painted and receiving modifications. The ship will be in North American waters in April, said Lewis. Other details about the service remain unresolved, including a winter run for the ship for when it isn’t servicing Nova Scotia and Maine, as well as hiring a crew. An announcement about a call centre for the service is expected soon and officials in the Yarmouth area remain hopeful it will be located there.

Murray Goodwin, warden for the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth and chairman of the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission, said upgrades at the ferry terminal there would be ready in time for May 1. Goodwin said a more thorough long-term plan for the site is also in the works. “By today’s standards we’re small,” he said.

While the delay in selling tickets is a concern, Goodwin said it’s nothing to make him think “that we’re not going to have the ferry come up the harbour the first of May.” “This is a new company and I think they’re dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s and making sure everything is done right.” Another outstanding issue is whether SMT Quest will rent or lease the terminal facilities, said Goodwin. “Those negotiations are ongoing as we speak and I understand they’re also ongoing with the City of Portland.” Neither Portland Mayor Michael Brennan nor an official from the city’s port could be reached on Wednesday. Economic and Rural Development Minister Michel Samson said the company is in the best position to answer questions about the service and wouldn’t say if he’s concerned about ticket sales. Samson said the province has fulfilled its commitments and “the onus is now on the company to meet the conditions that have been set out” in the contract.

Meanwhile, Yarmouth MLA and Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill, for whom this has been a top issue since the day he threw his hat in the ring to run for office, said he remains cautiously optimistic about the start date for the service. Churchill said he hopes May 1 is still realistic but acknowledged it’s a “tight time line” between now and then. He said “it’s important that everybody is realistic about that.” The main thing is ferry service resumes, said Churchill. “If it does take a little longer than previously anticipated, that’s OK and we can work with that.” Lewis said the company is busy with marketing and has ads placed with major tourism publications in Nova Scotia and Maine.