p24 cruise mar20 17/3/09 15:09 Page 24
Cruise
Lee Hayhurst
020 7921 8001
lhayhurst@ttglive.com
For the latest cruise news, visit ttglive.com/cruise
Celebrity releases
UK/Ireland range
CELEBRITY Cruises has launched its first
dedicated Europe and Mediterranean brochure,
for the 2010 season, featuring its newest ship,
Celebrity Eclipse, based in Southampton.
In summer 2010, all three Solstice-class ships,
the newest additions to Celebrity’s fleet, will be
based in European ports.
Celebrity Solstice, launched last November,
will be based in Civitavecchia, Rome, while
Celebrity Equinox is to be launched in
Silversea bullish
Southampton in July and sail from Barcelona
and Venice.
The new brochure features savings of up to
£400 per stateroom for bookings before July 31, about ship launch
2009, and free car parking in Southampton for
all Celebrity Eclipse sailings, excluding transat-
Michael Walsh.
of a yacht with the facilities of a larger ship.”
lantic, for bookings before December 31, 2009. SILVERSEA Cruises insists it is not worried about Redfern said she was satisfied with trading so
Celebrity Eclipse will feature five itineraries launching its biggest-ever ship in a recession. far this year.
over 12 departure dates covering the Canary Is- Silver Spirit will become the Italian line’s sixth “UK passenger numbers are on a par with
lands, Spanish Mediterranean, eastern Mediter- ship when it sets sail in December. With capacity last year, which in the current climate is very
ranean, Scandinavia and Russia, and short taster for 540 passengers, it will be 41% bigger than encouraging, but yields are slightly down,
cruises to Cork, the latter priced from £449. Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper. perhaps by $5 per person per day.
Celebrity Constellation will also return to “The luxury cruise sector accounts for 3% of “And booking trends are so late, but we do
Europe with sailings to Scandinavia, Russia and the total UK cruise market and has room to have very strong forward bookings for 2010.”
Arctic cruises from Amsterdam and shorter grow,” said Trudy Redfern, Silversea’s managing Anil Swarup, Silversea’s UK marketing direc-
Mediterranean options from Barcelona. Prices director for the UK and Ireland. “There is money tor, attributed the line’s figures to a high level of
start from £989 for seven nights. out there; people are willing to book.” repeat customers, as well as the attraction of its
Silver Spirit will feature verandas in 95% of Silversea Experience cruise days and themed
■ NCL pulls out of Southampton in 2010, p26 the suites, an indoor/outdoor spa, six restaurants sailings, such as one with chef Anton Mosimann.
and Silversea’s first nightclub. Silver Spirit will sail an 11-day maiden voyage
“Silver Spirit will bring us a whole new from Barcelona on December 23. Agents are
audience,” said Redfern. being an offered a £150 incentive on top of
“It will combine the atmosphere and ethos commission for bookings on its first two cruises.
Royal Caribbean targets Europe
ROYAL Caribbean International will have eight Customers booking before July 31, 2009,
ships sailing in Europe during 2010, including will receive savings of up to £400 per
Independence of the Seas, which returns to stateroom on selected 14-night cruises and £200
Southampton for a third successive year. per stateroom on selected seven to 13-night
COINING IT: Oceania Cruises founder The line’s new Europe and Mediterranean sailings.
Frank del Rio (left), chairman and chief brochure also features Vision of the Seas, Mark Walter, head of field sales, said:
executive of the line’s parent Prestige Adventure of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, “Independence of the Seas has changed the
Cruise Holdings, and Bob Binder, the line’s Navigator of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, perception of cruising in the UK and Ireland,
president, conduct the ceremonial coin Brilliance of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas. leading both agents and consumers alike to
welding ceremony at the keel laying of All of Royal Caribbean’s summer 2010 cruises re-appraise how to get a great-value holiday in
the line’s new ship Marina in Italy went on sale on March 12. Europe and the Mediterranean.”
24 20.03.2009
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