Ambassador Launches Second-Ever TV Advertising Campaign

Ambassador Launches Second-Ever TV Advertising Campaign

Ambassador Cruise Line will launch its second-ever TV advertising campaign on Wednesday, September 16, focusing on the moments, experiences and human connections that make a holiday at sea special.

The launch comes more than three years after Ambassador made its television debut with its ‘Enjoy Yourself’ campaign in April 2023 on the Ambience.

Developed in collaboration with independent creative agency Purple Creative and Production company Wonderhatch, the campaign, which will initially air across UK linear television and BVOD until October 18, introduces “The Warmest Welcome at Sea Because Moments Matter.”

Gordon Nardini, CEO at Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “Our first television campaign helped introduce Ambassador to a much wider audience and brought to life the warmth, personality and sense of fun that guests experience when they sail with us.”

“When we launched ‘Enjoy Yourself’ in 2023, Ambassador was still a very young brand. Three years on, we’ve grown considerably, and we wanted our next campaign to move that story forward. ‘The Warmest Welcome at Sea – Because Moments Matter’ feels like a natural evolution, focusing not just on enjoying yourself, but on the experiences, connections and memories that make a holiday really matter,” added Nardini.

“What sits at the heart of our brand hasn’t changed. Holidays aren’t just remembered for where you went. They’re remembered for the welcoming moments along the way, seeing somewhere you’ve always wanted to see, watching a spectacular sunset, sharing a great meal, laughing at a show or making a new friend. That’s what we wanted this campaign to capture.

“Together with Purple Creative and Wonder hatch, we’ve created a campaign that feels unmistakably Ambassador while giving us the flexibility to tell different stories as the business continues to grow,” said Nardini.

Added Nardini: “We want to be open about how we’ve made this campaign. We’ve used AI and CGI, but the starting point is genuine Ambassador footage: real ships, real destinations and real experiences – which technology has allowed us to enhance and bring together in a new way.”

The company said in a press release that the new campaign features two distinct executions: one showcasing Ambassador’s core no-fly offering aboard the Ambience and Ambition and the other dedicated to its Caribbean fly-cruise program aboard the Renaissance.

The campaign will run exclusively as 60-second ads during its launch week, with airtime split equally between the no-fly and Caribbean fly-cruise executions.

Activity will run across a broad mix of channels, with a particular focus on travel and holiday programming and shows that are popular with the 55+ demographic.

Hantavirus-Hit Hondius Passengers Repatriated to Home Countries

Hantavirus-Hit Hondius Passengers Repatriated to Home Countries

Twenty British nationals evacuated from the Hondius are beginning 45 days of self-isolation in the UK after their chartered flight from Tenerife landed at Manchester Airport on May 10, according to the BBC.

The evacuees are isolating at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside for 72 hours before being asked to self-isolate for a further 42 days at home.

Seventeen American passengers from the vessel returned to the United States on May 11, landing in Nebraska, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

One American passenger tested mildly PCR positive for the virus, the department said, according to the New York Times.

The American passengers were transported to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, the country’s only federally funded quarantine center.

Two of the American passengers traveled in specialized biocontainment units out of an abundance of caution.

One passenger had mild symptoms and the other was the passenger who had tested mildly positive for the Andes virus, the department said.

International passengers from 23 nationalities were repatriated to their home countries following the vessel’s arrival at Granadilla port in Tenerife on May 10 at 06:24 local time, according to Oceanwide Expeditions.

Spanish nationals were given priority during the evacuation process, the Spanish health ministry said.

Passengers were ferried to shore in small launch boats and underwent medical screening before boarding evacuation flights arranged by their respective countries. Luggage stayed on the ship and will be dealt with separately.

The disembarkation was coordinated by local authorities, the WHO and international governments, with the sequence timed to the arrival of repatriation flights.

No quarantine of non-Spanish nationals took place in Spain, Oceanwide Expeditions said.

The Hondius docked in the Canary Islands on May 10 after Spain granted permission for the vessel to sail from Cape Verde.

 

Marella Cruises Signs with V.Ships Leisure for Ship Management

Marella Cruises Signs with V.Ships Leisure for Ship Management

V.Ships Leisure has been awarded a ship management contract by Marella Cruises, according to a press release.

It is believed to be the largest management contract in the cruise industry.

The five-year agreement will cover the full technical, crewing, digital and ESG management of all of Marella’s five cruise ships, with operations commencing towards the end of 2025.

Adrian Hibbert, Cruise Operations Director at Marella Cruises, commented: “Throughout the tender process, we were hugely impressed by the calibre of the team at V.Ships Leisure and the depth of their industry expertise. We look forward to working together to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable operations across our fleet.”

Per Bjørnsen, CEO of V.Ships Leisure, said: “This contract is a clear endorsement of our talented team, commitment to ESG and our digital-first approach. Above all, it’s a testament to our track record and further reinforces our leadership in the cruise sector. We are extremely proud to be working with Marella Cruises and are looking forward to collaborating to achieve operational excellence.”

The first two vessels will come into management by the end of the year, with the other three joining in the first half of 2026.

As part of the new partnership, V.Ships Leisure will build upon its already strong UK presence by establishing a dedicated Marella Cruises fleet cell in the UK, operating from its Southampton office and supported by the wider V. network. The decision reflects V.’s commitment to providing Marella Cruises with local expertise backed by global scale, reach and experience, according to a press release.

V. will leverage its ShipSure platform to enable data-driven decision-making across fleet maintenance and operations, supporting more efficient and proactive management and giving Marella Cruises enhanced transparency into the operations.

Marella Cruises will benefit both from V.’s end-to-end management services and from V.ERDE, our dedicated decarbonisation and environmental compliance program.

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Completes Two Decades at Sea

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Completes Two Decades at Sea

The Queen Mary 2 is completing its second decade at sea in 2024.

Having started sailing in early 2004, the 151,400-ton vessel was the result of the “Queen Mary Project.”

Announced by Cunard Line in 1998, the project called for the construction of the “the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner ever.”

After being built by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the Queen Mary 2 was christened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in Southampton on Jan. 8, 2004.

A few days after the ceremony, which celebrated Cunard’s British heritage with performances of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Marines band, the ship set sail on its first voyage: a transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale.

Before starting its transatlantic service, the Queen Mary 2 offered a media preview cruise, in addition an 11-night cruise to the Caribbean.

As the world’s last ocean liner, the ship traditionally spends most of the year offering one-way Atlantic crossings that sail between New York City, and Southampton, in the United Kingdom. Guests can also embark or disembark on the German port of Hamburg on some of the sailings.

Most of the six- to eight-night voyages feature only sea days and sail at higher speeds when compared to regular cruising.

In 2024, after returning from its 108-night world tour, the vessel is set to offer two- to 13-night cruises to Western Europe, the Norwegian Fjords, the British Isles, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, and more.

Cunard’s website describes the Queen Mary 2 as its “legendary flagship,” a “true icon,” and a “astonishing liner.”

According to the company, the 2,620-guest vessel offers several unique features, including a vast library, an indulging spa, and more.

P&O Cruises Launches Three New Wellbeing and Lifestyle Cruises

P&O Cruises Launches Three New Wellbeing and Lifestyle Cruises

P&O Britannia tired up in the Caribbean, photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr account)

P&O Cruises announced three new Wellbeing and Lifestyle cruises with TV presenter and women’s health advocate, Cherry Healey and stylist Kat Farmer.

The three voyages in 2024 to Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean will focus on overall well-being including mind, body, sleep and face.

Guests on these itineraries will get tips and tricks for health and happiness with workshop topics ranging from mind and body to skincare and more. Healey and Farmer will be joined by special guests including make-up artist to the stars, Hannah Martin, and fitness educator and presenter, Sarah Gorman.

P&O Cruises’ research reveals that everyone takes priority over looking after themselves with just one in five Brits (20 per cent) spending a brief 30 minutes a week on ‘self-care’.

Cherry Healey said: “I’m so thrilled to be bringing everything I’ve learned over the past 15 years working in the wellness space to a series of workshops curated specifically for P&O Cruises guests. From how to get great quality sleep, to the best skin of your life, to knowing which of the latest supplements to take and why, we will be sending people home refreshed, rejuvenated and feeling their absolute best!”

Sarah Gorman said, “You have one body and it is your responsibility to treat it well. Look after the vessel that takes you through this life and it will look after you. My sessions will give you some of my favourite tips and advice to aid your holistic well-being.”

VIDEO: MSC Cruises showcases health and safety protocols

MSC Cruises has produced a video to showcase new health and safety protocols introduced for its return to cruising.

The video was recorded on MSC Grandiosa, which is currently operating seven-night cruises with embarkations in the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo, plus a calling at Valletta, Malta.

Due to Foreign Office advice against ocean cruising, British and Irish passengers are currently unable to join the sailings. However, the line said it was working closely with Clia to ensure protocols would be aligned when the guidance is lifted.

The planned return of MSC Magnifica has been delayed, with the ship now due to return to service from the October 19, operating 10-night cruises from Genoa and calling in Livorno for Florence and Pisa, Messina in Sicily, Valletta in Malta, Piraeus for Athens, Katakolon for Olympia in Greece and Civitavecchia for Rome.

Spirit of Adventure Leaves Building Hall

Do you think they have put the smokestack the wrong way around?

Saga's new Spirit of Adventure has left the building hall at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

With the ship leaving the building hall, the funnel was also fitted by a crane.

The British brand's second newbuild will now move pierside for final outfitting.

The ship was originally set to start her revenue service in August. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that has been delayed until early November.

Nigel Blanks, Managing Director of Saga Cruises, said: “This is a very exciting day as it brings us another step closer to being able to welcome Spirit of Adventure to our fleet. Over the past 18 months, we have been focused on creating a British boutique cruising experience for our guests that is not available elsewhere on the market. The arrival of Spirit of Discovery last year was the first milestone in this plan and the ship has been extremely well received by our guests. I’m confident that Spirit of Adventure will see an equally warm welcome and I cannot wait for guests to join us on board and enjoy all she has to offer”.

P&O Cruises confirms order for second new ship

P&O Cruises confirms order for second new ship

A second large next-generation cruise ship for P&O Cruises was confirmed tonight as the line seeks to attract more first time cruisers.

The vessel will be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and is due to join the fleet in 2022 – two years after a similar sister ship enters service.

The latest order will be 180,000 gross tons and have a capacity of 5,200 passengers.

Both new ships will be registered in the UK and built by leading German shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Papenburg.

The ship will feature the Carnival Corporation’s exclusive “green cruising” design as one of the first generation of cruise ships to be powered by both while in port and at sea.

This will “significantly reduce” air emissions with the shipping industry’s most advanced fuel technology, the company claims.

The new ship is part of a fleet enhancement strategy with 19 new vessels set for delivery across Carnival Corporation brands between 2018 and 2022.

Carnival UK president Josh Weinstein said: “We are seeing the momentum in awareness of cruising both across the media and in our national psyche as ever-increasing numbers of people see first-hand the value for money, unrivalled service and extraordinary onboard experience.

“These two next-generation ships for delivery in the next four years are real and tangible evidence of our absolute optimism for future growth.”

P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow added: “We have a bold and ambitious vision for P&O Cruises to become Britain’s number one holiday choice and we can only do that by increasing our fleet.

“The build for our 2020 ship begins this spring and it will offer all generations of British guests the holiday of a lifetime on the next generation of P&O Cruises ships.

“In four years’ time when her sister ship is launched, adding an additional 22% capacity, we will see an even greater rise in the popularity of cruising across all demographics and all age ranges including both Millennials and Generation Xers.

“Many of them have already learned to appreciate cruising by going on cruises with their families while growing up. Additionally, there are millions more we will attract in the future by retaining the amazing onboard and on-shore experiences and itinerary choices P&O Cruises is known for, while reflecting forward-thinking trends and tastes of British holidaymakers.

“This evolution of the guest experience will be evident over the next few years but will be underpinned throughout with in-depth market insight and feedback we receive from the best source: our current, past and prospective guests.

“The first of our new ships will go on sale in September and we will be announcing key elements of the design and build this year.

“Our P&O Cruises signature features in dining and entertainment will be across all our ships, but the space and build of the two new ships allow us to have innovative new experiences to create the most memorable holidays.”

Thomas Weigend, managing director of Meyer Werft, said: “We are very happy to continue our excellent partnership with Carnival Corporation and P&O Cruises.”