Friday, November 22, 2013

Cruise News Daily Headlines for November 22, 2013

* Water, Water Everywhere - Except in Juneau
Passengers probably never think about it, but when they turn on the shower or flush the toilet, that water has to come from somewhere. Cruise ships can make fresh water from sea water, but at the price of fuel these days, it’s usually better to just buy fresh water in port - if the port has it to sell.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about the pause that refreshes ... and a record-breaking year in Boston.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

James Taylor to Again Perform aboard Queen Mary 2

Cunard Line announced James Taylor and his band will perform two concerts aboard Queen Mary 2 during its transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton sailing on August 27, 2014.

Taylor last performed aboard QM2 in 2009 during a crossing, and he loved it. “I’ve always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe, and in June 2009 we got the chance to do that. It’s such a civilized way to go, and Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first-class travel,” Taylor said.

He added, “In 2009, we realized a collective dream using that passage to transport and rehearse for our European summer tour: band, crew and family -- kit and caboodle. Now, in 2014, I am looking forward to celebrating the ship’s 10th Anniversary alongside her crew, staff and guests by performing two on board concerts as my band and I make our next European passage. Hallelujah, no jet lag!”

Highlights of his 2009 crossing are in the video below:

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Cruise News Daily Headlines for November 21, 2013

* First Home Ports for Anthem of the Seas Named
One of the industry’s worst-kept secrets was confirmed today when Royal Caribbean announced that Anthem of the Seas will be based at Southampton for its inaugural season in the summer of 2015.

Not quite as widely talked about, but logically, nonetheless, the ship will then reposition to a home port in Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades) for the winter season sailing Caribbean programs.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Monday Night Football on Princess ... BB King's expanding on Holland America ... James Taylor coming back to QM2 (related).

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Monica Fernandes Appointed Director, Assistant General Counsel

Holland America Line and Seabourn name Monica Fernandez Director, Assistant General Counsel

Seattle, Wash., Nov. 21, 2013 — Holland America Line and Seabourn have named Monica Fernandez Director, Assistant General Counsel. In this role, she will work with various departments to provide regulatory and transactional advice that supports the Holland America Line and Seabourn brands and their respective business strategies and initiatives.

Fernandez will report to Kelly Clark, Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Ethics Officer for Holland America Line and Seabourn.

“Monica’s breadth of experience makes her the ideal candidate to join our legal team,” said Clark. “With her exceptional education and professional background, she will be a great asset to our team as we move forward.”

Fernandez has diverse experience serving as outside counsel and in-house counsel in commercial litigation, operational health care, technology and intellectual property licensing, vendor contract negotiations and risk management policy development. She also has worked in corporate sales of legal case management software tools and e-discovery systems, including training lawyers and claims adjusters in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland.

Fernandez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance from California State University Long Beach, and a law degree from the University of Washington School of Law. Following law school, she clerked for Chief Justice Vernon R. Pearson and Justice Charles Z. Smith on the Washington State Supreme Court.

Source: Holland America Line

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Cruise News Daily Headlines for November 20, 2013

* An Enrichment Program Where the Speaker Gets to Prove How Good He Is
If you haven’t sailed on Holland America, you probably think all cooking demonstrations are the same. The chef mixes some ingredients together on a folding table put together either by the pool or in the atrium, while telling you some charming story in heavily-accented English, and there you have your cooking demonstration. But not on Holland America.

They’re serious about cooking. So serious they have built “Culinary Arts Centers” on each ship. These are fully-equipped small show kitchens in small theaters. The chef actually cooks things there for people who are genuinely interested in learning about cooking.  More

* The End of the Song
After leaving the Royal Caribbean fleet, one of the most iconic ships in the industry, Song of Norway, hasn’t ever found a home where the passengers loved it they way they did when it was a Royal Caribbean ship. (It was built to be Royal Caribbean’s second ship in 1970.) Since 1997, it has been passed from one line to another, each naming it something new, and it deteriorated along the way. Now it has come to the end of its life.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Anthem of the Seas is beginning to take shape (more) ... a matter of the amount of desire ... and in a fog (more)

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Holland America's Culinary Arts Center to Host More than 50 Well-Known Chefs in 2014

Seattle, Wash., Nov. 19, 2013 — Holland America Line is revealing a roster of celebrated chefs, authors and epicures scheduled to sail as part of the line’s Culinary Arts Center Program in 2014. Highlighting the lineup are Food Network “Next Iron Chef” competitor chef Jehangir Mehta, Food Network “Extreme Chef” winners Chef Amadeus and Terry French, and The New York Times columnist and cookbook author Mark Bittman.

The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, is an onboard enrichment program that offers guests the opportunity to learn from some of the most respected culinary figures in the business. Industry leaders engage guests in a range of activities from cooking shows and wine tasting, to question and answer sessions in the ships’ full show kitchen.

“We attract many culinary fans and the Culinary Arts Center continues to be a cornerstone of our onboard enrichment program and one of the most popular activities we offer,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “It’s a unique experience that we are able to give our guests with access to high-caliber chefs and experts who share insider knowledge and tricks of the trade.”

Renowned Chefs Lined Up for 2014 Include:
Chef Amadeus is the first winner of the Food Network’s “Extreme Chef” series and owner of Southern Passion, a line of salt-free blended spices that reflects his southern up-bringing and global fusion-style of cooking. He will be onboard ms Eurodam’s seven-day western Caribbean cruise departing Jan. 5.

Mark Bittman is an opinion columnist with The New York Times dining section. His books include the bestselling “How to Cook Everything” and the groundbreaking “Vegan Before 6 P.M”. Guests can join him on ms Prinsendam’s Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage from Jan. 5 - March 14.

Before gaining his title as winner of the 2012 Food Network “Extreme Chef,” Terry French was known by another notable nickname: The Rebel Chef. In addition to several projects currently in development, Chef French's catering company, Culinary Dreams, creates unique dining experiences that will be remembered for a lifetime. Chef French also gives back with his nonprofit organization, Chef's for Life. French sails on ms Amsterdam’s Grand World Voyage from Feb. 5-17, Fiji to Cairns, Australia.

Ash Fulk is known as one of the competitors from the Emmy award winning season six of Bravo’s hit series “Top Chef.” Fulk has recently been the chef of Hill Country Barbecue Market in Manhattan, where he delivered the restaurant two stars from The New York Times and made it the highest rated Barbecue spot in NYC. Fulk will sail Jan. 5-9 during the 68-day Grand South American & Antarctica Voyage aboard ms Prinsendam.

Jeff Maxfield will sail through Alaska on ms Westerdam for a seven-day voyage departing Sept. 6. Maxfield is known for creating impeccable local-inspired cuisine as the executive chef at the acclaimed SkyCity Restaurant, a revolving dining room atop the Space Needle in Seattle, Wash.

Mumbai-born Jehangir Mehta is a protégé of Jean-Georges, and is the chef/owner of Graffiti in New York City. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Mehta gained national attention as a competitor on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef” followed by “The Next Iron Chef.” He will be joining ms Zaandam’s June 27 Alaska cruise.

Sergeant First Class Brad Turner is the original grill sergeant and star of the show by the same name. “Grill Sergeants” airs every week on the Pentagon channel entertaining troops worldwide, and all of the chefs on the show are active-duty military. He will join the Culinary Arts Center in Alaska on ms Oosterdam May 18.

Other notable Culinary Arts Center guest chefs and cuisine experts slated to sail in the 2014 season include:

John Alonge, founder of San Diego Wine and Culinary Center and author of “The Wine Heretic’s Bible” will join ms Amsterdam for a portion of the Grand World Voyage from April 16-28.

Brian Averna, senior executive with Sara Lee Corporation, will be on ms Zuiderdam’s 11-day Panama Canal cruise departing Jan. 13.

Mark Bitterman will cruise on a segment of ms Prinsendam Grand Africa and Mediterranean Voyage departing April 24. He is founder and owner of The Meadow, a gourmet market specializing in artisan salts, chocolates, bitters and Pacific Northwestern wines in Portland, Ore., and New York City.

Alain Bosse, “The Kilted Chef”, is past president of Taste of Nova Scotia and current president of Alain Bosse Consulting. He also is the food editor for Saltscape Magazine. Bosse will be on ms Maasdam’s Alaska cruise departing Oct. 18.

Joseph Caputo, cookbook author, executive chef at Zuppa del Giorno in Scranton, Pa., and a longtime guest chef of Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center, will join ms Nieuw Amsterdam Jan.12.

Michael Colletti, chef/owner of VB3 Restaurant and Bar in Jersey City, N.J., will be sailing the eastern Caribbean on ms Nieuw Amsterdam’s March 2 departure. He earned back-to-back victories for his creation of the “Colletti Smokehouse Burger” when he competed in the Food & Wine Festival Rachel Ray Burger Bash.

David Crews is the executive chef of Six Shooter Land and Timber. In August 2013, he was crowned “King of American Seafood” when he won The Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans, La. He will be onboard ms Statendam’s seven-day Alaska cruise departing May 25.

Catherine Fallis is a master sommelier, author and spokesperson for the wine industry. She is the founder and president of Planet Grape. Fallis will share her expertise in Alaska on ms Maasdam Aug. 9-16.

Tenney Flynn was called the fishmonger czar of the Gulf region by the Wall Street Journal. He is the chef/owner of GW Fins, a fine dining seafood restaurant in New Orleans. Guests can look for him on ms Amsterdam’s Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage departing Oct. 5.

George Geary is a cooking teacher, pastry chef, cookbook author, food writer, award winning culinary tour guide and spokesperson. To date, he has written 10 cookbooks. He will be on ms Amsterdam starting Jan. 15 for a portion of the Grand World Voyage.

Natacha Gomez is devoted to promoting Haitian gastronomy. She is the catering manager of Kokiyaj Bar and Grill and owner of Chef T in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. She will be on ms Westerdam in the eastern Caribbean Feb. 15.

Paul Gregutt will be onboard ms Maasdam in the Caribbean from Jan. 27-Feb. 7. He is a wine expert who focuses primarily on varietals of the Pacific Northwest, an editor at Wine Enthusiast, author of several books and publishes a weekly column, “Wine Adviser,” in The Seattle Times.

Kathy Guidi is a leader and innovator in the cheese industry. She holds the title Maitre Fromager, founded the Cheese Education Guild and is president of Artisan Cheese Marketing. Guidi will be on ms Eurodam cruising Canada & New England Sept. 14-24.

Pranee Khruasanit Halvorsen is originally from Phuket, Thailand, and is an expert in Thai cuisine. She is the founder of I Love Thai Cooking and will be sharing her knowledge on a portion of ms Amsterdam’s Grand World Voyage beginning March 1.

Bob Hart is the author of Heat and Smoke and founder of the Australian Barbecue Academy. He will be joining ms Oosterdam in his home-region of Australia & New Zealand Oct. 24.

Seis Kamimura is executive chef of CenturyLink Field, home to the Seattle Seahawks NFL team. He will be joining the Culinary Arts Center on ms Veendam’s Canada & New England voyage departing July 5.

Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough are contributing editors to Eating Well Magazine and creators of the Ultimate Cookbook series. The pair will be on ms Zuiderdam on departing April 7 for a Panama Canal Sunfarer cruise.

Holland America Line’s Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine
Holland America Line’s industry trend-setting Culinary Arts Centers are featured on each of the line’s 15 ships. A “world class show kitchen at sea,” the Culinary Arts Centers, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, resemble the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs. The facilities are used for cooking shows, wine tastings, hands-on cooking classes and mixology presentations. All events are taught by highly skilled culinary and beverage staff during every Holland America Line voyage.

Each facility features a theater-style venue with two large video screens and a large cooking display counter. Holland America Line also offers a youth Culinary Arts Center activity program on select sailings to teach kids and teens how to cook. The program incorporates dishes from breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in complimentary 45-minute classes.

For a full schedule of Holland America Line’s culinary guest program, visit the Culinary Arts Center page of Holland America Line’s website.

Source: Holland America Line

Anthem of the Seas Begins to Take Shape

Meyer Werft laid the keel of Anthem of the Seas yesterday (November 19, 2013) at their Papenburg yard. Shown here is the first block which was lowered into place by Meyer's 800-ton crane. It was the first of 74 blocks, measuring 59 by 121 feet and weighing 620 tons.



The 167,800-gt Anthem of the Seas will carry 4,180 passengers (double occupancy). Anthem is the sister to Quantum of the Seas, which will be delivered in the fall of 2014. Anthem of the Seas is scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2015.

Photos courtesy of Meyer Werft.

Video of Norwegian Getaway's River Convenance

Last week Norwegian Getaway left Meyer Werft, and we showed you pictures. It was an unusual river conveyance to be sure, with a nighttime departure (to coincide with the tides) from the yard at 1am, an even-larger ship having to ease through the narrow passages, and fog virtually all the way. Meyer Werft has now released a video of Norwegian Getaway's journey from the yard to the sea.



Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Cruise News Daily Headlines for November 19, 2013

* MSC Has Arrived
Get ready for a change. MSC Divina arrived in Miami this morning at the end of an 18-day cruise that repositioned her from Venice to her new year round home port in North America.

MSC Divina being in Miami signals that things are going to be different both for the Miami market and for MSC. Even her arrival this morning was quite different from any other celebratory cruise ship arrival Miami has seen before - and Miami has seen a lot of them. More

The complete article appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

MSC Divina Arrives at Miami

MSC Divina arrived in Miami early this morning after its 18-day transatlantic repositioning cruise from Venice. Miami will be the ship's year round home port, and it is the first time MSC has based a ship of this size in the US.



MSC Divina was met in Miami by a fleet of FIAT 500 personal watercraft which seemed to enjoy buzzing around the ship during its entry into the harbor.


Run for your life!



Photos courtesy of MSC Cruises USA. May not be copied or reproduced without permission.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Cruise News Daily Headlines for November 18, 2013

* Full Circle
Carnival Sunshine was christened yesterday in New Orleans and left this afternoon on its first cruise from its new home port.

Of course it was a media event, so there is lots of coverage, both printed and video. It’s virtually all about the “new” ship, but there was a more interesting story in New Orleans. More

* They Aren’t Getting It
Last month, voters in Key West defeated a measure on the ballot that decided whether or not to move forward studying a project that would widen and deepen the channel into the port. Without the enlargement, cruise ships of today’s average size cannot get into port.

The measure was defeated, but new comments from those opposed seem to show some flaws in their logic.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Carnival Sunshine Christened in New Orleans

Carnival Sunshine was christened last night (November 17, 2013) in New Orleans, and its godmother is a woman who has been there throughout the life of Carnival Cruise Lines, Lin Arison, the wife of Carnival's founder, Ted Arison.

Confetti flew when Mrs. Arison pulled the cord to christen Carnival Sunshine while Capt Giuseppe Giusa looked on.
Capt Giuseppe Giusa and Carnival Chairman, Micky Arison, tour the bridge with Mrs. Arison. Note the cool view of New
Orleans.
"Family" photo of Mrs. Arison and Capt Giusa with Carnival executives and their spouses.

Carnival Sunshine in New Orleans this morning

Photos courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.