Schlagwort: Godmother

Emerald Cruises Announces CLIA President & CEO and Industry Advocate Kelly Craighead as Godmother of Newest Luxury Yacht Emerald Sakara

Pressemitteilung

Emerald Cruises is honored to announce Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), has been named godmother of Emerald Sakara, the line’s second ocean-going luxury yacht, due to launch in August. The naming ceremony will take place on December 2, 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

As President and CEO of CLIA, Craighead represents a broad and growing community of the world’s most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines, as well as a network of more than 66,000 CLIA Travel Trade Members and stakeholders across the industry. With more than 20 years of executive leadership in the private and public sectors, Craighead served as the United States government’s senior representative for travel and tourism, and the first-ever Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce. She joined CLIA in 2019, bringing a deep knowledge of public policy and how governments around the world work.

Under Craighead’s leadership, CLIA has honed its focus on leveraging its diverse community to advocate for a sustainable cruise industry. During the multi-year pandemic, Craighead and the CLIA team worked tirelessly to help ensure the long-term viability of cruising and the ability to safely return to operations in line with other travel sectors. In 2023, the cruise industry is projected to carry 31.5 million passengers – surpassing historically strong 2019 levels.

In addition to her leadership role at CLIA, Craighead serves as Vice Chair and Executive Director of the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, a non-profit public charity devoted to improving the quality of life in communities served by the cruise industry. Her leadership on sustainable tourism has helped position the cruise industry in a better place than it was three years ago – and well on its way towards achieving carbon reduction goals for 2030 and net carbon-neutral ship operations by 2050.

“I am honored to have been chosen as godmother to the luxury Ocean Yacht Emerald Sakara and am proud to represent this beautiful and ecologically friendly ship in this esteemed maritime tradition,” said Kelly Craighead, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association. “The name Sakara reflects my deep personal belief that positive thoughts manifest reality, and the strong rebound of cruise from the past few years – along with our commitment to a future of sustainable cruising – demonstrates the optimism that drives this industry forward every day. Additionally, Emerald Cruises’ Cherish the Planet ethos, built in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, aligns with CLIA’s work around environmentally responsible tourism and protecting the destinations we visit.”

Along with its many amenities, Emerald Sakara employs some of the industry’s latest technology, as Scenic Group’s commitment to environmental safeguards and travel sustainability is unwavering. Engines meet IMO tier III emission regulations, including the removal of NOx and SOx from exhaust gases; recycled energy is used to heat water for the yacht’s needs; and advanced sewerage treatment complies with the latest regulations. The company has earned a Green Passport from the EU for its recycling efforts.

Set to launch this August, Emerald Sakara will join sister-yacht Emerald Azzurra sailing the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, as well as the warm waters of the Caribbean. Carrying only 100 guests, the 110-meter Emerald Sakara offers more space-per-guest than vessels of a similar size, and 88 percent of the ship’s 50 staterooms feature balconies. Guests will enjoy a large infinity pool, spa, gym, and marina platform outfitted with aquatic toys including paddleboards, snorkeling equipment and more. 

All guests will benefit from Emerald Cruises’ signature inclusive pricing which comprises all onboard meals; complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; as well as a number of excursions and onboard activities. Emerald Sakara is the 11th vessel in the Emerald Cruises fleet, joining nine river-cruising Star-Ships and sister-yacht Emerald Azzurra.

Emerald Cruises offers a diverse lineup of river and yacht cruises on three continents. Emerald Azzurra, the line’s first ocean-going vessel which debuted in March 2022, is a 100-guest, luxury yacht sailing the warm waters of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, and new for the 2023/2024 season, the Caribbean and Central America.

In November 2022, Emerald Azzurra was named Best New Luxury Ship in Cruise Critic’s 2022 Editors’ Picks Awards. Emerald Sakara,the brand’s second luxury yacht, launches in 2023. On the rivers, Emerald Cruises sails eight branded Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong. The brand offers innovatively-designed ships, outstanding service and a focus on active shore excursions and onboard wellness offerings through their signature EmeraldACTIVE program. Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours and Evergreen Tours in Australia.

Text: PM Emerald Cruises

US-Turn-Star Simone Biles wird Taufpatin der Celebrity Beyond

Pressemitteilung

Die offizielle Tauf-Zeremonie mit der mehrfachen Weltmeisterin und Olympiasiegerin findet am 4. November in Fort Lauderdale statt – Die Celebrity Beyond ist das dritte Schiff der innovativen Edge-Klasse von Celebrity Cruises

Foto: Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises hat Turn-Star Simone Biles als Taufpatin für das neue Flaggschiff, die Celebrity Beyond, gewinnen können. Die offizielle Zeremonie wird am 4. November in Fort Lauderdale stattfinden.

Die US-amerikanische Sportlerin ist die bisher erfolgreichste Teilnehmerin bei Turn-Weltmeisterschaften. Hier gewann die heute 25-Jährige insgesamt 19 Gold-, 3 Silber- und 3 Bronzemedaillen. Zudem holte sie sieben Medaillen bei Olympischen Spielen, davon vier Goldmedaillen bei den Olympischen Spielen 2016 in Rio de Janeiro – in den Disziplinen Boden, Sprung, Mannschaftsmehrkampf und Einzelmehrkampf. Bei den Laureus World Sports Awards wurde die Ausnahmesportlerin in den Jahren 2017, 2019 und 2020 jeweils zur „Weltsportlerin des Jahres“ gekürt.

Drittes Edge-Schiff, dritte Patin
Für ihre innovativen Schiffe der Edge-Klasse wählt Celebrity Cruises gleichermaßen starke und mutige Patinnen aus, die mit Konventionen brechen und sich für Veränderungen in ihren jeweiligen Fachgebieten einsetzen. Biles schließt sich der Friedensnobelpreisträgerin Malala Yousafzai und Reshma Saujani – sie ist die Gründerin der gemeinnützigen Organisation Girls Who Code – an, die als Patinnen der Beyond-Schwesterschiffe Celebrity Edge und Celebrity Apex fungieren.

Video: via Celebrity Cruises

„Ich bin demütig und begeistert, Simone als Patin unseres neuesten Schiffes, der Celebrity Beyond, zu begrüßen“, sagt Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Präsidentin und CEO von Celebrity Cruises, und fügt hinzu: „Ich bewundere nicht nur ihr Können und ihre Erfolge als Turnerin, sondern auch ihren Mut, sich zu äußern, und ihre Begabung, anderen zu helfen. Simone hat schon viele Herausforderungen gemeistert. Sie ist eine Inspiration.“

„Ich habe viele tolle Erinnerungen an Kreuzfahrten mit meinen Eltern, also freue ich mich sehr, Patin der Celebrity Beyond sein zu dürfen“, sagt Biles. „Ich fühle mich geehrt, mich einer so herausragenden Gruppe wegweisender Frauen anzuschließen, und schätze die wichtige Botschaft, die diese Auszeichnung enthält, wenn es darum geht, unsere Leistungen anzuerkennen und hoffentlich die nächste Generation von Frauen zu inspirieren“, so Biles weiter.

Text: PM Celebrity Cruises

Global Adventurer, Mountaineer And Polar-Explorer, Alison Levine, Named Godmother Of New Seabourn Venture

From the highest peaks to the decks of a new ship, Levine will preside over the naming ceremony of Seabourn’s first expedition vessel

Pressemitteilung

Seabourn, the ultra-luxury expedition experience, is delighted to announce that global adventurer, mountaineer and polar-explorer Alison Levine will serve as Godmother of Seabourn Venture, the first of the line’s two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition vessels. Levine will be on board and in the spotlight for the traditional naming and christening of the ship, which is set to launch in July 2022.

Alison Levine, Foto: via Seabourn

“With her extraordinary history of travel and adventure, familiarity with the most striking of destinations, and her deep roots in the expedition world, Alison is a perfect choice to send Seabourn Venture off to explore the most-remote corners of the globe,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. “We are excited for Alison to take the mantle as Godmother of our first expedition vessel, and we’re certain she will embrace her role with the same passion she brings to everything she does.”

“I am truly honored and beyond excited to have been asked to become Godmother of Seabourn Venture and to be part of the line’s new chapter in expedition cruising,” said Levine. “I’m thrilled to be representing a company that embodies what the true adventure and expedition spirit is all about.”

Levine is an idyllic choice for Godmother of Seabourn Venture, which is being built to seek out adventure and natural wonders around the world. A native of Phoenix, she served as team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition in 2002, and in 2010 completed her bid for the Explorer’s Grand Slam which includes climbing the Seven Summits — the highest peak on each continent — as well as skiing to the North and South Poles.

Levine has also seen success in the business world. She earned her MBA from Duke University and worked in the pharmaceutical industry as well as on Wall Street with Goldman Sachs. After turns as deputy finance director for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful bid to become Governor of California and as an adjunct professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, she went on to become one of the world’s most in-demand leadership consultants and keynote speakers. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller, “On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest and Other Extreme Environments”, which chronicles the lessons she learned on her various expeditions. In 2019 she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, an award she shares with seven U.S. Presidents and numerous Nobel Prize winners.

Foto: Seabourn

Levine has also shared her experiences, insights and tales of adventure with guests of Seabourn through Seabourn Conversations, the line’s popular onboard enrichment program, aboard Seabourn Sojourn in December 2019. It was her first-ever cruise — a trip she never thought she would do — but she admits she is hooked and looks forward to more travels by ship in the future.

Seabourn Venture and its sister expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, will feature 132 luxurious oceanfront veranda suites and take travelers to some of the most awe-inspiring places in the world, some of which are only accessed by ship. Further information on the new ships, suites and public spaces of the ship can be found here.

Itineraries for the first season of travel aboard Seabourn Venture are now open for booking on the Seabourn website.

Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel. Our all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships coming in 2022 and 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways.

Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.

For reservations or more details, please contact a professional travel advisor; call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com. A dedicated shore excursion call center is available for guests at 1-800-984-3225.

Text: PM Seabourn


Pressemitteilung von Seabourn (30. März, Deutsch): hier.

Taufe mit Franz Joseph

Für den Gründer der amerikanischen Flusskreuzfahrt-Reederei AmaWaterways, Rudi Schreiner, war es sicher die Erfüllung eines langgehegten Traumes: den nach seinen Plänen entwickelten größten Neubau auf der Donau in seiner österreichischen Heimat zu taufen. Michael Wolf berichtet.

Schon der Rahmen ist schön für diese Bilderbuchtaufe: Strahlender Sonnenschein, das pittoreske Städtchen Grein mit seiner hübschen Donaupromenade und dem schönen Schloss.
Als die AmaMagna an diesem Donnerstagnachmittag im Juli in Grein anlegt, warten bereits zahllose Einwohner und lokale Politiker auf das spektakuläre Schiff. An der Gangway stehen sogar Kaiserin Sisi und ihr Gemahl Kaiser Franz Joseph „persönlich“, flankiert von anderen Persönlichkeiten in historischen Kostümen, dazu werden Champagner, lokales Bier und österreichische Würstel serviert. Auch das Showprogramm ist lokal inspiriert: Zu den Klängen der „schönen blauen Donau“ und anderer Strauss-Walzer stürzen sich die Gäste im Drei-Viertel-Takt in ein Taufvergnügen der besonderen Art. Auch Kristin Karst, Miteigentümerin von AmaWaterways, kommt nicht am tanzenden Kaiser vorbei, die amerikanischen Gäste freuen sich über Walzerklänge und einen fast perfekten Imitator des österreichischen Kultsängers Falco, dessen Hits sogar in den Staaten beliebt waren.

Ein gutes Aufwärmen für die Taufe des 22. Flusskreuzfahrtschiffes der amerikanischen Reederei, allerdings diesmal ein ganz besonderes. Das neue Flaggschiff, die AmaMagna, ist etwa doppelt so breit, bietet vier Restaurants, zahlreiche große Suiten, Kino, Spa und Fitnesscenter. Dennoch hat sie nur etwa 20 Prozent mehr Gäste als die „normalen“ Schiffe, bietet Luxus fast auf Hochseeniveau.
Die amerikanische Fernsehmoderatorin Samantha Brown, bekannt in den USA durch ihre TV-Reisesendungen, fungiert als charmante und professionelle Taufpatin. „Ich habe heute den besten Job auf der ganzen Welt“ freut sie sich, bevor sie die Magnumflasche Veuve Clicquot gegen die Bordwand schmettert.
Zuvor hatte Reederei-Gründer Rudi Schreiner die komplizierte Entstehungs-Geschichte des Schiffes erzählt. Greins Bürgermeister Rainer Barth wünschte dem Schiff „viele relaxte und sichere Kreuzfahrten“. Von kirchlicher Seite stand dem nichts im Weg: der örtliche Priester segnete die AmaMagna.
Beim folgenden Empfang in der majestätischen Greinburg lässt es sich Hausherr Erbprinz Hubertus von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha nicht nehmen, die Gäste mit einem Glas Sekt zu begrüßen. Eine Folkloregruppe präsentiert lokale Volkstänze – und lädt Mutige zum Mittanzen ein.
Die richtige Party beginnt dann nach Sonnenuntergang: Akrobaten performen in leuchtenden Kostümen auf dem Pooldeck, ein Höhenfeuerwerk glitzert über der Donau. Bis in den Morgenstunden wird getanzt – so ein Schiff kommt so schnell nicht wieder.

Fotos: enapress.com