Queen Mary 2 Celebrates 10th Birthday – Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa 2 Celebrates 1st Birthday – Pearl Mist To Cruise The Great Lakes

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 12th May 2014..

Queen Mary 2 en route to Southampton, flanked by Queen Elizabeth (foreground) and Queen Victoria (background)

At dawn last Friday, the Queen Mary 2, accompanied by fleetmates Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, arrived in Southampton for her tenth birthday celebrations. During her stay, she was visited by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Also in a celebratory mood, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises have announced some special fares for seven 7-night summer cruises on the world’s top-rated cruise ship, Europa 2. And elsewhere, itineraries and fares have been announced to the Pearl Mist’s first season on the Great Lakes.

FOR THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                                                             (See previous columns)

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ First Birthday Summer Specials On Board The World’s Top-Rated Cruise Ship, ms Europa 2

A view from the Europa 2 at sea

In recognition of ms Europa 2 ‘s first full year at sea, Hapag-Loyd Cruises has a birthday gift for Cruise People clients. On seven cruises this summer you can enjoy cruising the Mediterranean at fantastic fares.

In a guaranteed Veranda/Ocean Suite Category 0 you will pay only £2,730 per person,cruise only, double occupancy – and save up to £1,500 per person. The eligible cruises all take place this July and August, with Saturday departures:

EUX 1419    July 12-19                              Rome to Barcelona
EUX 1420    July 19-26                              Barcelona to Rome
EUX 1421    July 22-August 2                 Rome to Barcelona
EUX 1422    August 2-9                             Barcelona to Rome
EUX 1423    August 9-16                           Rome to Valetta
EUX 1424    August 16-23                         Valetta to Venice
EUX 1425    August 23-30                         Venice to Valetta

You can enjoy even more space (560 sq ft) and cruise at a cost of just  £5,460 per person in a guaranteed Spa/Grand Suite category 6, 7 or 8.

In addition, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has a special introductory offer to the UK market, with a 10-night cruise leaving Southampton on June 25 for Barcelona, with fares starting at £3,990 per person in double occupancy. A 2-night sampler cruise also leaves Hamburg for Southampton on June 23, with fares fropm £840. Free business class flights are included either to Hamburg or home from Barcelona.

Unlike her fleetmate Europa, which concentrates on the German market, Europa 2 operates in the international market and full English-language services are offered on every departure year-round.

For further details please call Gay Scruton at The Cruise Poeple Ltd in London or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.

Princess 50th Anniversary Cruise On Pacific Princess – Princess Pair Reflagged to UK – Adventure Canada Takes On Larger Ship In 2015

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 5th May 2014..

Canadian Pacific’s 6,062-ton t.e.v. Princess Patricia performed Princess Cruises’ first cruise, from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, on December 3, 1965.

Princess Cruises’ 30,277-ton Pacific Princess will perform the line’s 50th Anniversary cruise, from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, on December 3, 2015.

Last week Princess Cruises announced that it was scheduling the Pacific Princess (above) for a 14-night 50th Anniversary cruise from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera on December 3, 2015, fifty years to the day after the chartered Princess Patricia (top) departed on her first voyage for the new line. In other news, last month Princess transferred its Japanese-built Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess to UK flag, where along with three Australian-based P&O ships, they join a very small circle of five UK-flag ships in the Carnival fleet out of the thirty operated by Princess (17), P&O (10) and Cunard (3). Meanwhile, Adventure Canada will up its capacity by two-thirds next year with the charter of the larger Ocean Endeavour to replace Sea Adventurer in 2015.

FOR THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                                                           (See previous columns)

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For further details please call Miri Lopusna at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.

Adventure Canada Announces Its New Ship, Ocean Endeavour, For 2015 Canadian East Coast and Arctic Season

Toronto-based Adventure Canada announced this week that it would charter the 12,907-ton Ocean Endeavour for its 2015 Arctic expedition season. The Ice Class 1B ship will replace the 4,376-ton Sea Adventurer. Built for passenger service, outfitted with a fleet of 20 Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, several lounges and a ship-top observation room, Ocean Endeavour is a vessel perfect for intimate expeditions to remote environments throughout Newfoundland, Labrador, the Canadian Arctic, Greenland and the Northwest Passage.

“Not only will we retain the entertaining and educational expedition programming our guests value, but we’ll be able to invite even more resource staff aboard to further enhance the experience,” said Cedar Swan, Adventure Canada’s Vice President. “Ocean Endeavour allows us to provide more options for our guests.”

Ocean Endeavour’s shallow draft and maneuverability allow her to access isolated fiords, sheltered bays and secluded communities to deliver the routes Adventure Canada is known for. While venturing to some of the world’s last great frontiers, such as the Northwest Passage, guests can appreciate the comforts of a boutique hotel and know their safety is first.

The Ocean Endeavour will comfortably accommodate a maximum of 198 passengers when in service with Adventure Canada. Compared to 118 on the Sea Adventurer this will allow Adventure Canada to accommodate two-thirds more expedition passengers on these popular voyages. Guests can select from a variety of cabin categories, ranging from 100 to 320 square feet. All cabins are en suite with television.

Built in Poland in 1982, the ice-strengthened Finnish-registered vessel was converted for cruising in 2010 and underwent further extensive renovations this year. Passengers will enjoy spectacular views on several decks equipped with comfortable lounge chairs and can take advantage of  amenities including sauna, Jacuzzi, gym and spa. Ocean Endeavour’s three lounges provide spacious public spaces for simultaneous workshops, events and presentations, inviting each guest to tailor their own on board experience.

For further details on Adventure Canada’s Canadian Arctic and East Coast program please call Miri Lopusna at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.