Travelore Cruise News: MSC Cruises Announces Deployment Of MSC Splendida To China As Of May 2018

The high-end and luxurious MSC Yacht Club to be introduced to Chinese Cruisers with arrival of MSC Splendida

Geneva, Switzerland and Beijing- MSC Cruises — the Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa — revealed today that it will deploy MSC Splendida to China as of May 2018. In connection with this, following in the footsteps of the announcement of the opening of the new MSC Cruises office in Shanghai and a new management and operations team based in the region, the Company is taking another key step to further improve its ability to serve the Chinese home market.

Built in 2009, 137,936 GRT MSC Splendida will become one of the largest, most modern cruise ships operating in the region. She features 1,637 staterooms — 76 percent of which feature a balcony — and can accommodate a total of 4,363 guests.

In her new positioning, MSC Splendida will join MSC Lirica, which has been serving to great success the Chinese market since May 2016 and has recently moved her homeport to Tianjin, to serve the thriving North China market during the winter season.

Speaking earlier today at a press conference in Beijing, Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Deploying MSC Splendida to the shores of China is a further testimony of our commitment to this key growth market. In fact, since it came into service, MSC Splendida has been the most popular ship for Chinese and other Asian guests cruising the Mediterranean with us.”

“MSC Splendida represents a second, strong step towards meeting the growing demand for our unique product and ultra-modern ships by Chinese guests. She will also undergo significant dry-dock enhancement in late 2017, ahead of her deployment, to further improve and customize her already amazing range of services.”

MSC Splendida will also introduce the MSC Yacht Club to the Chinese market. This is an exclusive, “ship-within-a-ship” high-end concept that is unique to MSC Cruises and is designed for the most discerning guests who desire exclusivity and privacy. Offering a broad range of private facilities, MSC Yacht Club’s guests benefit from exclusive services including a 24-hour personal butler, dedicated concierge reception as well as priority boarding and disembarkation. MSC Splendida will be the only ship to make this high-end offering available to Chinese guests in their home market.

MSC Splendida will visit many popular cruise destinations in China, Japan and Korea. Her itinerary details will be communicated shortly.

To learn more about MSC Splendida and her features, watch the MSC Splendida cruise ship visit video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF-_3C588JA

Hilton Unveils First Hotel In Montenegro

PODGORICA, Montenegro & MCLEAN, VA - Hotels & Resorts announced the official opening of Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora, marking Hilton’s debut in Montenegro. The new Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora is conveniently situated in the city centre and close to all public and commercial facilities, making it the perfect option for both business and leisure guests. Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora offers 180 spacious and modern guest rooms, including 23 suites. The hotel’s Presidential Suite boasts a panoramic lounge overlooking the city.

“Montenegro, one of the oldest European states and often referred to as the pearl of the Mediterranean, is an exciting new destination for Hilton as we expand our global portfolio of more than 570 hotels,” said Andreas Lackner, regional head, Hilton brand management, Hilton. “We are delighted to offer our renowned hospitality to visitors and locals alike in Montenegro’s capital city. Opening a Hilton hotel in another attractive location allows our guests more choice when travelling, and we are confident Podgorica will be on the top of travelers’ lists.”

Montenegro is the one of the world’s top destinations and Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora offers convenient access to some of its top attractions, thanks to its historic location at the site of Podgorica’s first hotel, built in 1953. Guests can explore Biogradska Gora National Park, Boka Kotorska Bay (Bay of Kotor), Sipcanik Wine Cellar and the city’s many events and festivals while staying at the property. The hotel also provides a variety of transportation links across the city, making it easily accessible.

“Montenegro only continues to grow in popularity among travelers to the Mediterranean, attracting visitors with its breathtaking beauty and rich cultural history, and I am delighted to be opening the first Hilton hotel in the heart of the capital,” said Haluk Bilgili, general manager, Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora. “With great views of the city and an incredible team, Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora is poised to meet and exceed the expectations of our guests by providing exceptional experiences true to the Hilton name.”

Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora is located at Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog 2, Podgorica, 81000, Montenegro.

7 Reasons To Visit The Lake Geneva Region This Fall

1. James Bond Time – Timing is everything, especially for everyone’s favorite fictional spy, James Bond. It is fitting that an exhibition of the timepieces used in the James Bond movies will open this fall at Espace Horloger in Le Sentier in the heart of Swiss watchmaking, the Vallée de Joux.  This interactive museum is dedicated to Swiss timepieces and the James Bond Time exhibit will run from September 17 2016 to  April 23, 2017.

2. Villa le Lac -- A hidden treasure in the Lake Geneva Region, the Swiss architect Le Corbusier designed Villa le Lac, also known as Petite Maison Corseaux, in 1923-24 on the shores of Lake Geneva for his parents. Situated just outside of Vevey, this modernist masterpiece was his first work in Switzerland and was recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. The house is open to visitors on weekends in July and August, or by appointment.

3. nest – The new nest discovery center by Nestlé opened in Vevey this summer to celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary. This is a 32,000 square foot interactive space, with a sculptural ramp that winds through small displays, as well as a life-size tree decorated in over a thousand "flowers" made from crumpled and folded Nestlé packaging. Think Cailler chocolates, Nescafé instant coffee and Maggi stock cubes. These products originated at Nestlé and nest is located just behind the Vevey rail station in the iconic building where Henri Nestlé devised his "Farine Lactée" milk food for infants in 1866. Visit nest for more information.

4. Alimentarium -- Founded by Nestlé, the Alimentarium was the first museum in the world entirely dedicated to food when it opened in 1985. It reopened this summer after a nine month renovation, it has a new permanent exhibition, a multilingual digital archive and a Food Academy where members of the public can take cooking classes. Situated along the waterfront in Vevey, it’s easily spotted by the giant fork sculpture in Lake Geneva. Visit the Alimentarium.

5. L’Italie -- The paddle-boat L’Italie has undergone a year-long renovation and will be relaunched on Lake Geneva in November. This 1908 vessel is one of eight Belle Époque boats of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman  (CGN) that link cities and towns on the lake.

6.New Museum Restaurants -- Some of Vaud’s recent gastronomic highlights can be found in the cafes and restaurants of the regions new and reopened museums. They include Café Henri at the nest museum, The Tramp at Chaplin’s World (above)  as well as the café and restaurant of the Alimentarium.

7. Les Trois Ours – A remarkable new B&B in the ski resort of Villars-Gryon, Les Trois Ours offers a small spa with a range of wellness massages, an alfresco hot tub and a “Sauna Cosmic” with a dramatic mountain view. There’s also a Carnotzet, a small lounge adjacent to the wine cellar. Guests can choose from three south facing guestrooms as well as two apartments, and reserve the Saturday evening fondue. Details at Les Trous Ours.

The Lake Geneva Region (Canton of Vaud) is located in the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland. Visitors come for the history and the rich culture, but also for wine tastings in the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. They dine in celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants and local brasseries and visit lively farmers markets. Outdoor opportunities are endless, from skiing to hiking, biking and walking in the mountains and boating or swimming in Lake Geneva. Visit the Lake Geneva Region for more information.

Hajj Scams: What Muslims Will Do To Get To Mecca

Some Muslims are apparently ready to go to any lengths to participate in the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Strict quotas and expensive travel have pushed some pilgrims to smuggle drugs, forge passports and paperwork, and, in some cases, enter Saudi Arabia illegally.

In August, 177 Indonesians were arrested after attempting to use fake Philippine passports to travel to Medina by means of a massive passport scam. It was also reported that another 500-700 Indonesians managed to enter Saudi Arabia using forged Philippine passports. A further 229 Indonesians were detained by the Saudis for not having proper permits. And, a Nigerian woman was found guilty of attempting to smuggle cocaine in order to pay for her Hajj.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and every Muslim has to fulfill this duty once in his or her life,” Stephan Rosiny, a research fellow at the German Institute of Global and Area studies told The Media Line. “Saudi Arabia controls the Hajj because it takes place in its territory and the Saudi king calls himself the protector of the two holy sites, Mecca and Medina.

While this journey is only required for all able-bodied and financially stable Muslims, it is not only expensive, but nearly impossible to perform unless a pilgrim goes through a travel agency. Travelers to the kingdom are required to apply for special Hajj visas and each country has a quota of pilgrims it may send.

“You have something like 1.5 billion Muslims nowadays and you cannot allow all Muslims to take part each year. Each country has a fixed quota of people who can come every year,” Rosiny said. “It is a major source of income for Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage and Hajj have always been connected to business.”

The quotas limit the number of Muslims allowed to enter Saudi Arabia because the country does not have the infrastructure or resources to support the massive amount of people who wish to perform the Hajj. Not having proper documentation to travel to Mecca can result in imprisonment and exile.

With approximately 250 million Muslims, Indonesia has the largest population of Islamic devotees in the world, comprising over 12 percent of the world’s Muslims. However, the Saudi government has capped their quota at 168,000. The Indonesian waiting list to go to Mecca for the Hajj is 15 years.

Historically, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have a fraught relationship due to competing views on Islam. “It’s a complicated relationship in terms of how they (Saudi Arabia and Indonesia) each view their own hierarchy. Saudi Arabia does not think Indonesia is very high in terms of other Muslim countries and Indonesia has a self-consciousness about that,” Aaron Connelly, research fellow at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute for International Policy told The Media Line. “The important thing about the relationship with Saudi Arabia is that many Saudis don’t really consider most Indonesians to be good Muslims.”

Many Saudis also see Indonesians as domestic workers, which contributes to the contentious relationship, Connelly added.

While many of the pilgrims go through third party syndicates to help them get to Saudi Arabia, others resort to illegal activities.

Binuyo Basari Iyabo, a 55-year-old mother of three, was arrested at the international airport in Abuja, Nigeria by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for smuggling cocaine. Iyabo, who excreted some 82 cocaine pellets, was taken into custody while trying to board an Emirates flight on her way to Saudi Arabia as a Hajj pilgrim.

According to Vanguard, a Nigerian newspaper, Iyabo admitted to trafficking the narcotics to help cover her trip to Saudi Arabia. “I wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I have no money. My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage. This was how I got involved in the act. I was excited until the issue of drugs was introduced,” Iyabo said in an interrogation.

Not only is the pilgrimage expensive, but it can be dangerous as well. Last year, there was a stampede that killed some 2,236 pilgrims.

“Mecca gets really, really crowded,” Shahed Khaled, a Saudi medical student told The Media Line. “People die yearly because of that. It is, however, very organized if you stay calm and follow the rules.”

The Hajj began on Friday, September 9 and ended September 14.

Jamaica Tourism: Sandals To Invest US$350 Million To Add 750 New Rooms

A plan by the Ministry of Tourism to increase hotel room stock by 15,000 over the next five years has received yet another boost from Sandals Resorts International.

Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Sandals Chief Executive Officer Adam Stewart recently disclosed that the home-grown hotel chain would be adding 750 rooms in three properties with an investment of US$350 million over the next five years.

Congratulating Mr. Stewart and Sandals on the new initiative, Minister Bartlett sees this as a strong signal to local investors to get on board as the country goes all out to have a total of 40,000 rooms and five million visitors putting US$5 billion in the economy annually by 2021.

Minister Bartlett was giving the main address at the opening of the inaugural Island Routes’ Caribbean Partner Conference at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort recently. The conference has brought together some 50 critical tour and excursions providers responsible for delivering Island Routes excursion experiences.

The 750 new rooms will come from three properties; a top-of-the-line hotel in Kingston, the development of Dragon Bay in Port Antonio and the expansion of an existing property in Negril.

Minister Bartlett, who is particularly excited about the city hotel for Kingston, said Kingston “has to be repositioned as one of the leading city destinations in this part of the Caribbean.”

While noting that “the competition is going to be strong because we already have great activities out of Cuba and Santo Domingo where city tourism is concerned,” the Tourism Minister expressed confidence that “we can define our own space because Kingston has a charm and an allure of its own with a history and a tradition and culture that is iconic.”

He said he is satisfied that, “our music and heritage and the entertainment element that Kingston potentially offers will out rival every other destination in the Caribbean and we have to work it and get it right.”

Mr. Stewart noted that approval has already been received for development of the lifestyle Kingston city hotel which will not carry a Sandals brand but will be operated by them. “That connectivity is going to be there and we’re very deliberate in what we’re trying to do,” said the Sandals CEO, adding, “the essence of what we’re doing is to say that you can come here for business but we’d like you to stay here a few extra days as well, visit the Blue Mountain and get out for an excursion.

Regarding the Port Antonio development, he said it would be getting the personal attention of Sandals Resorts Chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, “he has three architects and he has said this is the crown jewel in the chain.”

Supporting this development is a plan by government to lengthen the runway at Ian Fleming Airport. “This is the missing link today for the opening of the east of the island. We know that the beauty is there but we need the employment, the training and development, the economic stimulus to take place there the way we know it can,” said Mr. Stewart.

Minister Bartlett added, “we are excited about the Port Antonio development and we want to use this also as a means of saying to more local entrepreneurs, let’s add the rooms because the experiences are being laid out.” With Mr. Adam Stewart heading the Tourism Linkages Council, the Minister said “those networks are going to expand experiences in the destination that will bring more people here and provide more opportunities for Jamaicans to reap more benefits from tourism.”