Latest news with #SevenSeasSplendor
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Seven Seas Splendor: Seven gems of one of the world's most luxurious cruise ships
Trotting up the gangplank of the Seven Seas Splendor is akin to turning left at the entrance of an airplane. And then sauntering through the business cabin, to the rarefied air of first class. And not just any first class - imagine a ship where you have the choice of
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Seven Seas Splendor luxury cruise ship: At the helm and inside the nerve centre
The bridge is generally off limits to guests, but with special permission, the NZ Herald has infiltrated. Armellino is in his element, responsible for the safe passage today of some 1259 people - 711 passengers and 548 crew - gliding across the Mediterranean's Ionian Sea, south of Italy, the captain's home country. He's responsible, too, for a ship that is more akin to a floating art gallery (with $US6 million [NZ$9.97m] of art, including two Picassos) or a six-star luxury hotel and restaurant (with 15 categories of suites, five high-end eateries and highly personalised service). Armellino, 60, has been on the ocean since he was 18, following in the wake of his father, who was a chief engineer, including time on the Achille Lauro cruise ship. Captain Ubaldo Armellino at the bridge of the Seven Seas Splendor. He loves the sea, but didn't like the sheer heat of the engine room that his father endured - 'room' being a loose term. In those days, engineers worked at a desk beside the machines they pampered. Armellino knew he'd enjoy a cooler deck role. 'I respect the sea,' says Armellino. 'I speak with the ship. The officers here all know me, but when a new officer comes on board, they see me talking with the bow, looking at the bow of the ship. They say, 'The captain is crazy'. 'But I have a very good feeling because I speak with the ship. I have to treat it well because it's my home - this is our home.' Armellino has been with Regent Seven Seas Cruises - and its predecessor company, Radisson - for 26 years, starting as a second officer and has a particular focus on the safety and security of all on board. Today, the Splendor is slicing through a flat springtime ocean. There were no issues at all in the five nights we were on board as we moved between Italy, Turkey and Greece. Armellino has a special respect for the Tasman Sea - he's brought several of the Regent ships to New Zealand in the past quarter century. Everything on board is safely bolted in place - including high security for the aforementioned art, including the Picassos, one of which sits above reception in the Prime 7 restaurant. Armellino loves the personalised service of a cruise ship. Generally, he'll try to spend two to three hours each morning walking the decks, speaking with passengers one-on-one. 'I've met thousands and thousands and thousands of people,' he says, although he becomes a little evasive when asked about any famous names. 'Our guests are very, very happy, always happy. I think about what we offer - and of course, what they pay - but what we offer.' He says meeting his guests is the most interesting part of his role. 'I'm not tired because I start from the point that life is a continuous learning process. 'I say to my officers when I have a meeting with them, 'Guys, don't think that you have reached something. I'm a captain. I'm still learning'. 'My goal is to learn [about] human beings, how they think. My wife sometimes makes a joke with me and says, 'You were supposed to be a psychologist'.' He has me thinking about the people I've met over the course of the five days, generally poolside and often with a cocktail or a drink in hand. A bird's eye view of the pool and exterior decks of the Seven Seas Splendor. Thirty-year-old Dakota, originally from Florida, now lives in Texas (Austin, to be precise). She's with her parents from Seattle – they've shouted her a luxury cruise to celebrate her milestone birthday. Another woman and her husband, also poolside, are seasoned cruise-ship travellers. We chat about New Zealand, their love of equestrian in the UK, and a shocking tragedy: their daughter was killed in the UK some years ago. Whether it's a case of celebrating, bringing families and friends together, or remembering loved ones, a cruise has a unique ability to take the stress out of travel. Unpack once and ease back – someone else is driving, someone else is pouring the drink. Get off the boat if you want at myriad stops - don't worry if you don't want to. Armellino says he's seen the world for free, and now he tries to view it through a different lens and always stays curious. He used to go ashore all the time when he was a younger officer, but for a couple of years, as he got older, he started to stay on board more. 'And then my wife suggested to me that you do it in a different way. You buy a good camera. 'So now I go around, I take a picture. That can be another way of how to visit. I love it. I go out even if I've been, let's say, to Barcelona 100 times. I try to discover places where I've never been. 'But I've reached the point that I have more than 20,000 pictures and no one wants to see my pictures.' Before I can blurt out the obvious question, Armellino takes command. 'I'm sure that you would like to know which country is the most beautiful? 'I love French Polynesia because there I feel free again. There is this freedom over there. Everything is still wild. Tahiti and Bora Bora. Bora Bora is one of my preferred places.' Bora Bora's coral maze and shark encounters redefine island adventures. Photo / Supplied He spends 10 weeks on the ship, and then 10 weeks at home. He's not permanently attached to the Seven Seas Splendor - he can be rostered onto any one of Regent's six ships (the other five are the Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Navigator, and Seven Seas Voyager). His wife encouraged him to be a cruise ship officer from the start. 'She said that when you work on the cargo ship, you become like a bear. Working on a cruise ship, you would be more human. She was right many years ago.' Home for the couple and their four children is Castel Gandolfo, located in the Castelli Romani region, about 20 minutes from Rome. 'There's a switch. At home, you focus on your family. On the ship, it's the safety and security of the crew and guests, and being as professional as possible. 'On the ship, I am a captain. At home - this is what I said to my wife - I am the second in command.' Details Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie was a guest of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, sailing on Seven Seas Splendor from Salerno, Italy, to Athens Greece. For more information on Revent Seven Seas Cruises, visit FACT BOX Name: Seven Seas Splendor Launched: February 2020 Guest capacity: 746 Crew: 548 Suites: 373, all with balconies Dinner restaurants: 5 Artwork value: $US6 million (NZ$9.97m) Length: 224m Athens to Istanbul Ship: Seven Seas Splendor Departs: May 15, 2026, from Athens (Piraeus) 7 nights Up to 42 shore excursions included Visits: Athens, Santorini, Heraklion Mykonos in Greece. Plus Istanbul, Turkey. Deluxe Veranda Suite G2 from $NZ10,610.00 per person
Cision Canada
25-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
2025 cruise season launch: Port of Montreal's Grand Quay all set to welcome close to 60,000 passengers and crew members Français
MONTREAL, April 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The Port of Montreal is pleased to announce the official launch of the 2025 cruise season, heralded by the return of Victory Cruise Lines' Victory I. With 58,000 passengers and crew members expected during the season, and tourist attractions spanning the Great Lakes and international destinations, Montreal affirms its position among North America's top cruise destinations. It's also an opportunity to mark the start of high season at the Grand Quai, which offers public spaces and events to the city's citizens and visitors. A great season ahead The 2025 cruise season features 42 operations from 13 cruise lines and 21 different ships, for an estimated total of close to 60,000 passengers and crew members. For the 2025 cruise season, the Port of Montreal highlights the new vessels calling at Montreal for the first time: Seven Seas Splendor (Regent Seven Seas Cruises), Silver Shadow (Silversea Cruises), and Allura (Oceania Cruises). "The Port of Montreal is proud to launch a new cruise season that manifests the vitality of our city and its appeal to cruise lines and travellers from around the world. Beyond the tourism aspect, cruises generate significant economic benefits for the local and regional community. It's also a great opportunity to showcase our river, our expertise and our hospitality," said Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the Port of Montreal. "At Tourisme Montréal, we are proud to see that 97% of cruise passengers are satisfied with their experience in Montréal. Our city continues to establish itself as one of North America's top cruise destinations. Our unique position as a preferred embarkation port for luxury ships brings tangible economic benefits to the city—across accommodations, dining, and cultural experiences. Wishing everyone a great season ahead!" said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. Major benefits for Greater Montreal The cruise industry remains an important economic driver and a real asset as a tourism draw for the city. In 2024, the economic impact was estimated at $25 million, not including the contribution of the river excursion sector, which attracted close to 120,000 passengers. Every cruise ship arrival brings direct business to the city's shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, generating direct and indirect jobs. This momentum also supports local initiatives that promote Montreal's cultural heritage while stimulating the local economy. Victory I: a lasting presence in Montreal To mark the season's first stopover, a commemorative plaque was presented to John Waggoner, owner of Victory Cruise Lines, with Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, and Captain Geir Lilleeng, master of the Victory I, also attending. The Victory I has a long history with Montreal. The ship first called under the name Saint-Laurent in July 2016 with the Haimark Line. It was then purchased by Victory Cruise Lines and renamed Victory I, before being bought by American Queen Voyages and renamed Ocean Voyager. In 2023, John Waggoner bought both vessels from the cruise line, renamed them Victory I and Victory II, and went back to the corporate name Victory Cruise Lines. Between 2016 and 2024, the two vessels made 35 calls to Montreal, carrying 7,167 passengers (PAX). By scheduling four stopovers this year, Victory Cruise Lines affirms its intent to develop Montreal as a must-see destination on its routes. Launch of the summer season at the Grand Quay The return of warm weather also signals the start of peak season at the Grand Quay. This summer's programming features a lineup of major events. Highlights include C2 Montréal, the Climate Summit in May, SAQ Inspire, Startupfest, the Salon de la Femme noire, and the Martinique Gourmande festival, which tops off the summer season. These events are in addition to the site's outstanding attractions: the green roof, Commencement Square along the river, and the Port of Montreal Tower with its spectacular views of the city and the St. Lawrence River. A unique setting to welcome visitors, residents and cruise passengers all summer long! Click here for the full schedule of cruise ship arrivals and departures at the Port of Montreal About the Port of Montreal Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the largest container port in Eastern Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its own rail network directly dockside connected to Canada's two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal. The MPA factors economic, social and environmental components into its corporate initiatives. This commitment is governed by a sustainable development policy whose guiding principles focus on involvement, cooperation and accountability. Port activity in Canada supports some 590,000 jobs and generates $93.5 billion in economic activity. About Tourisme Montréal Founded in 1919, Tourisme Montréal is a private non-profit organization that works to position Montréal as a world-class destination for various leisure and business tourism markets. As such, the organization leads innovative tourist welcome strategies with a twofold objective: ensuring that visitors enjoy a high-quality experience and maximizing the economic benefits of tourism. Now uniting more than 1,000 businesses working directly or indirectly in the tourism industry, Tourisme Montréal plays a leading role in the management and development of Montréal's tourism offer and makes recommendations on issues with regard to the city's economic, urban and cultural development. For more information, please visit SOURCE Montreal Port Authority
