Northstar

NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com Sleek , luxurious Silver Whisper Crystal Symphony to undergo redesign in June LOS ANGELES – Crystal Cruises has announced that its Crystal Symphony will undergo a major US$15 million remodeling during its dry dock scheduled for June 2012. In just 15 days, at Germany's Blohm +Voss shipyard, ultra deluxe Crystal Cruises is redesigning the ship's signature spaces – Avenue Saloon, Pal, Court lounge, Galaxy showroom, Hollywood Theatre, Bridge Lounge and Fantasia and Waves "junior cruisers" areas . When completed, it would have a new look, that LOS ANGELES – Silversea Cruises, known for its luxurious ships, its all-inclusive fares, and exotic destinations, has unveiled an extensive line-up of worldwide voyages for 2013 – all on sale now. Also offered are saving incentives that include onboard spending credits of up to US$1500 per suite on all voyages (except Silversea Expeditions) and air credits. In 2013, its six ships will offer over 200 voyages, visiting more than 450 destinations on seven continents. Highlighting the programme are Silver Whisper's (115-day World Cruise), Silver Spirit's inaugural calls (Hawaii) and Silver Explorer's new expedition cruises (Canada's beautiful Hudson Bay). Silversea's 32 new ports of call, include 21 just for Silver Explorer alone. Collectively, the line's other ships will offer 11 new destinations: Palma de Majorca, Spain; Sabang (Pulau Weh), Indonesia; Port Arthur, Tasmania; Liverpool, UK; Klaipeda, Lithuania; Saaremaa, Estonia; Baie-Comeau (Quebec), Canada; Chios, Greece; Portsmouth, Dominica; Fanning Island, Kiribati; and Fukuoka, Japan. On January 5, its Silver Whisper began an epic 115-day journey from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale,giving guests an experience of crossing the equator four times, and following the tropical belt to 52 destinations in 28 countries with overnight stays in several key ports. The journey will cover the idyllic isles of French Polynesia; New Zealand and Australia's west coast and the fascinating cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore as well as Africa's rarely seen western coast. Guests may choose to extend their voyage an additional three days to disembark in New York, or 15 days to disembark in Southampton. "For the discerning luxury traveller, our 2013 schedule, with over 30 new ports of call, 8 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | 17 JANUARY 2012 offers unparalleled opportunities for unique and life-enriching journeys to all corners of the globe," said Steve Odell, senior vice president for UK, Europe and Asia Pacific for Silversea. "New destinations are a major draw-card for our guests and the inclusion of a 31 day Silver Spirit grand round trip voyage from Los Angeles will include exotic ports in French Polynesia, Kiribati and Hawaii." Silversea Cruises offers guest intimacy, and is recognised as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its all-suite vessels – Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit. With its expedition ship Silver Explorer, Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and fascinating destinations in between. Silversea has been voted "World's Best" nine times by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure (seven times). It was rated Number One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI). International awards include "Best Innovation in Products and Services" from the Italian Innovazione Marketing Oggi Awards (2009); "World's Leading Small Ships Cruise Line" from World Travel Awards (2009); "Five Star Diamond Award" from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2010); "Number One" small-ship line in the Readers' Choice survey conducted by Britain's Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2010); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" Excellence Award by Spain's Cruise News Media Group (2009); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2011); and "Best Luxury Cruise Operator" according to TravelWeekly China (2010 & 2011). though stylishly modern, will still keep the spirit of each space as appreciated by their guests. Crystal Cruises has invested more than $50 million in its vessels, generating praise and industry awardsfor their great style. "Our guest s expect the f inest of luxur y in every element of a Crystal cruise. They have a keen appreciation for design and expect the very best in furnishings, finishes and fine appointments," says President Gregg Michel. "By the completion of this project, within the past fi ve years we will have redesigned every room aboard Crystal Symphony – with great attention to rich, chic details." Jetstar plans more fl ights for Singapore hub SINGAPORE – Jetstar is increasing its seats by an additional 8500 for its Singapore hub, with the extra capacity provided by over 40 new weekly services. The destinations on which the services would be extended are Australia, Japan, Vietnam and Greater China. A second daily service on the Singapore-Taipei-Osaka route and three new weekly services between Singapore and Darwin, will bring the weekly offering to 10. It is also adding a new Darwin-Manila-Narita service. This new capacity follows the commencement last month of its new routes to Guangzhou and Hanoi,and additional services to Ho Chi Minh City. Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan said adding services on popular routes was contributing to the low cost carrier's "critical mass" across Asia Pacifi c. "The growth in low fare services from our Singapore hub is creating new travel demand in the region, which then fuels more growth and gives us economies of scale to keep the low fares coming," he said. "In 2012 we'll be focused on joining more dots on our route map, particularly in terms of a revitalised Vietnam presence and a new network with Jetstar Japan." www.travelweeklyweb.com

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