66 | CRUISE NEWS


Belfast Harbour Recognised with Prestigious Silver Diversity Mark


www.nitravelnews.com


Holland America Line Launches First-Ever Branded Sparkling Wine


November/December 2024


BELFAST Harbour has been awarded the prestigious Silver Diversity Mark in recognition of its commitment to promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion. The accreditation from Diversity Mark, the


awarding body which helps businesses build more inclusive workplaces, was presented to Belfast Harbour for the progress it has made in establishing a more diverse workforce, with particular emphasis on its achievements in creating greater gender balance. The organisation was also praised for seeking


to influence diversity among its partners and clients within the Harbour Estate. Belfast Harbour was awarded the Bronze Diversity Mark almost five years ago, with the Silver accreditation being given following a review of its progress by Diversity Mark’s independent assessment panel. Examples of its achievements in that time


include: Introducing Disability and LGBTQIA+ employee forums to engage more directly with colleagues about key issues within these areas Developing a new ‘Women in Leadership’


programme Establishing an Employee Menopause Support


Group, as well as implementing a Menopause Policy and a Fertility Support Policy Becoming a Disability Confident Employer Launching a new Schoolgirl Mentorship


Programme Distributing over £100k to local communities


through the Belfast Harbour Community Awards, including groups supporting people with learning disabilities and refugee organisations


Winning the ‘Advancing Diversity in the


Workplace’ award at the Women in Business Awards in March 2024 Mike


Dawson, People and Digital


Transformation Director at Belfast Harbour, said: “Being awarded the Silver Diversity Mark is a huge achievement for Belfast Harbour, and a fitting tribute to what we have accomplished over the past four years in developing further upon our Bronze status. “This is a major milestone in a journey which


Belfast Harbour has been on for many years, and a worthy recognition of the ways in which we have sought to make our organisation a more diverse and welcoming employer and partner. “Not only is this a fantastic achievement in its own right, being an accredited Diversity Mark holder provides the structure and framework for us to continue making Belfast Harbour an even more diverse and inclusive organisation.” Diversity Mark was founded in 2016 and


assesses company commitment to diversity and inclusion across the UK and Ireland. Christine White from Diversity Mark said


“We are delighted to see Belfast Harbour achieve the Silver Diversity Mark accreditation. Their efforts in launching initiatives like the ‘Women in Leadership’ programme,


the


Employee Menopause Support Group, and their engagement with underrepresented communities is inspiring. “Belfast Harbour’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment sets a powerful example for organisations across Northern Ireland, and we look forward to continuing to support their journey towards even greater diversity and inclusion.”


Holland America Line is introducing its first-ever branded sparkling wine, available across its 11 ships from the end of October.


Emerald Cruises Announce Return of Emerald Azzurra To Caribbean


EMERALD Cruises has announced the return of, Emerald Azzurra, to the Caribbean for the Winter 2025- 2026 season. From December 2025 to March 2026, Emerald Azzurra will join her sister, Emerald Sakara, to offer exclusive voyages across some of the region’s most sought-after destinations, delivering on the continued strong demand for luxury yacht experiences. The decision to redeploy Emerald Azzurra comes in


response to the overwhelming success of the brand’s yacht cruises and growing consumer demand for intimate, luxury travel options. This change replaces the previously planned Red Sea and Seychelles itineraries, allowing both yachts to focus on providing exceptional Caribbean experiences. On board Emerald Azzurra and Emerald


Sakara, guests can explore the most secluded beaches and serene swimming spots across the Caribbean. The capacity of 100 guests creates an exclusive atmosphere and allows the yachts to stop at ports that larger ships are not able to visit. Guests can make the most of swimming in the Caribbean Sea from the yacht’s Marina Platform, with use of marina toys such as snorkelling kits, kayaks, and SEABOB water scooters. Enhanced Caribbean Itineraries Emerald Azzurra will sail weekly between San Juan, Puerto


Princess Cruise Celebrates Milestone of Second Sphere Class Vessel


PRINCESS Cruises celebrated a major construction milestone of its second Sphere Class vessel, Star Princess, with the traditional maritime float out ceremony at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The new ship will now transfer to the outfitting quay where construction will continue in anticipation of her Autumn 2025 debut. Honouring the hundreds-year-old seafaring


custom, the float out celebrates the first time the superstructure of a new ship meets water for the first time. Third Engineer Chiara del Vecchio, who currently works aboard sister ship Sun Princess, served as the brand’s madrina and became the first member of the Princess technical team to hold this time-honoured role. “Today


is a celebration of teamwork,


craftsmanship, and innovation. Star Princess is the second ship in our new Sphere Class, and now as she prepares to take to the water for the first time it is a testament to the incredible dedication and skill of the entire shipyard team,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “Fincantieri has again turned vision into reality, building on the success of her sister ship – Sun Princess – which has already captured the hearts of our guests with its elegance and cutting-edge design. Together, we are creating


amazing machines that will inspire adventure and deliver unforgettable experiences for all who sail with us for decades to come.” Padgett also announced that Commodore Nick Nash and Captain Gennaro Arma, who both were on hand for the ceremony, will serve as masters of Star Princess. Arma will serve as master of Star Princess when the ship is delivered next autumn ahead of Commodore Nash’s turn at the helm. The 4,300-guest, 178,000-tonne Star Princess is the second in the new Sphere Class of ships for Princess and will also be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Sister ship Sun Princess, also built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, debuted in February and is hailed as the next-level Love Boat featuring the iconic and elegant structural lines Princess is known for, while delivering an evolution of the brand with new eye-catching architectural spectacles like The Dome, the cruise industry’s first geodesic feature on the top deck; The Sphere, the suspended glass Sphere Piazza at the center of the cruise ship; and The Arena, the most technically advanced theater at sea. Voyages for the inaugural season of Star Princess


are on sale now.


Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent


Rico, and St. John’s, Antigua, calling on intimate ports and coves along the way. On the ‘Caribbean Yachting Hideaways’ route, guests will enjoy idyllic stops at destinations like Culebra’s azure waters, the charming town of Esperanza on Vieques Island, and the tranquil beaches of Cruz Bay on St. John, USVI. Additional highlights include Virgin Gorda and Gustavia on Saint Barthélemy on the ‘Caribbean Yachting Discovery’ itinerary, delivering a mix of natural beauty and vibrant culture. These carefully curated voyages offer a luxurious island-hopping experience, perfectly suited to the superyacht’s intimate design. Those seeking to explore more of the Caribbean may book consecutive week-long sailings with only one repeating port. During the same season, sister yacht Emerald Sakara will also sail weekly throughout the Caribbean between Bridgetown, Barbados and Marigot, St. Martin. Glen Moroney, founder and owner of Scenic Group, said: “Our luxury yachts offer a distinctive and sophisticated way to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations, particularly in the Caribbean, where intimate access to secluded islands and vibrant cultures sets us apart. “The demand for these experiences reflects a growing


desire for personalised, high-end travel, and we are proud to provide something truly unmatched in the market.”


Guests will be able to purchase the Holland America Line Sparkling Wine by the glass and bottle in all restaurants and bars, and as in-stateroom gift packages. It will also feature at events such as the Captain’s Toast and the Mariner Reception, which is part of the Mariner Society for past guests. The sparkling wine has been created in collaboration with Four Feathers Wine Services, based in Washington, US, using the ‘Methode Traditionnelle’ process, the same technique used for producing Champagne. Drew Foulk, senior manager of beverage and dining operations and innovation at Holland America Line, said: “Our goal was to create a wine that elevates a sense of luxury onboard. Whether our guests are celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging during their voyage, we aim to provide them with something truly exceptional.” Rebecca De Kleine, general manager and director of winemaking at Four Feathers Wine Services, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Holland America Line to craft this exceptional sparkling wine. This wine showcases the best of our estate-grown fruit, grown in the celebrated Columbia Valley. The Four Feathers team has ensured each bottle is a perfect balance of tradition and innovation. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, from vineyard practices to production, ensuring that our commitment to environmental stewardship enhances the quality and integrity of this wine.”


Windstar Cruises


Expands South Pacific


Itineraries


WINDS T AR Cruises has r e ve ale d an exciting expansion of its itineraries in the South


year-round.


Pacific, which, alongside the Mediterranean, is the only region where Windstar operates Starting


in


2026, Windstar will introduce new travel experiences to Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands, in addition to its established sailings in Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Tuamotus, and the Marquesas. New shorter itinerary options, such as the seven-night Tuamotus cruise and the 11-night Marquesas cruise, will make these remote destinations accessible to more travelers. Guests can also take advantage of additional air and hotel packages that include overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, allowing for extended stays in these iconic islands. With over 36 years of sailing in Tahiti, Windstar


is recognized as the cruising authority in the region, boasting strong relationships with local partners who facilitate access to remote areas and integrate the Polynesian way of life into their cruise experiences. Windstar offers the most frequent seven-day departures of any cruise line on its popular Dreams of Tahiti voyage. In 2024, the company began exploring the remote Marquesas, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its remarkable geography and unique culture. The 312-passenger, all-suite Star Breeze will now sail year-round in the South Pacific with more itineraries and islands than ever before thanks to the upcoming 2026 additions. “Tahiti is one of my favorite destinations on the planet, and I was thrilled to expand Windstar’s itineraries to the remote Marquesas Islands this year,” shares Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “These new destinations are a natural evolution for us, as they truly embody the essence of Polynesian culture. However, they can be challenging to reach on your own. With Windstar, you can effortlessly sail to these islands on an all-suite ship with a maximum capacity of 312 passengers. This allows us to visit places like Tonga and Taveuni without overwhelming these destinations


from a tourism, ecological, and


cultural standpoint, thanks to our small size and the strong relationships we’ve built over decades in the region.”


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