CroisiEurope applying Bureau Veritas infection prevention measures across a fleet of 32 vessels
“Restart your business with BV” will be delivered to CroisiEurope’s fleet of 30 inland, and two seagoing cruise vessels
• Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore certificates will be issued and the associated label, “SAFEGUARD” will be applied demonstrating that measures are in place
Paris La Défense, 10th June, 2020 Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services has started working with CroisiEurope to implement infection prevention measures. The cruise ship operator – the European leader for inland waterways cruises – offers a large choice of cruises on canals, rivers and seas in Europe and in other regions of the world, with hundreds of destinations onboard human-size ships. BV will help the company demonstrate that infection prevention measures have been put in place and they have been subjected to a rigorous audit process.
“Restart your business with BV”, a new service launched in April by Bureau Veritas, addresses biological risks, as posed by COVID-19 and other infections, providing procedures and measures to protect passengers, company personnel and other stakeholders. As businesses world- wide resume operations it is vital that appropriate health and safety standards are put in place to help ensure confidence. BV has been working across many industries to help develop new requirements for clients, in order to provide assurance to stakeholders and regulators that the risks of infection and pandemic risk are being addressed.
The new service for passenger ships includes a framework of standards based on audits and certification with assurance demonstrated by a new Bureau Veritas label, “SAFEGUARD”. The intention is that the label is visible and helps provide confidence to all onboard and in related operations ashore.
The SAFEGUARD label demonstrates that upon the successful completion of a BV audit, it can be satisfactorily certified that the operator has addressed health, safety and hygiene requirements, has properly implemented necessary procedures, has trained the crew and all employees on board and has, as well, agreed procedures with ports and terminals for port operations.
Speaking for CroisiEurope the Schmitter family said: “We are delighted to partner with Bureau Veritas for setting up the SAFEGUARD label. This certification confirms the efficiency of the health protocol our teams have been working on for several weeks. It will allow our guests and crews to stay in high health security environment for the restart of our cruises.”
Herman Spilker, Vice-President for Northern Europe for Bureau Veritas, Marine & Offshore, commenting said: “This customized service is helping CroisiEurope put in place and confirm that the measures they have established meet the required standards to provide confidence as they resume operations. This service is all about protecting people, fitting perfectly with our core mission as a class society, as well as our expertise in both seagoing and inland waterway passenger ships.”
About Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 78,000 employees located in more than 1,500 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions, in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.
Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.
For more information, visit https://bureauveritas.com
CROISIEUROPE IS LAUNCHING EGYPTIAN CRUISES ON THE NILE
LUXOR • EDFU • ASWAN • KOM OMBO • ABU SIMBEL • LUXOR
Beginning in February 2020, discover the mysteries of ancient Egypt along the Nile River on board the
luxurious Steigenberger Royale, chartered by CroisiEurope.
Our new, eight-day cruise takes passengers through over 2,000 years of history across the Land of Pharaohs
guaranteeing a spectacular, dramatic, and unforgettable experience.
Ports of call and excursions in the Nile Valley include Luxor, the Karnak Temple Complex, Edfu, the Philae Temple Complex, and Kom Ombo. Majestic temples, tombs, pyramids, and lively villages are waiting to be explored in this part of the cradle of civilization. A tour of the Valley of the Kings and four of its tombs – among them, the longest and deepest of royal tombs built for Seti I – is a second-to-none experience. All excursions are included, with the exception of the options to enjoy the Sound and Light Show at the Karnak Temple Complex and a tour of Abu Simbel. We have an onboard Egyptologist and tour guide who will add to our visits through cultural lectures.
The Steigenberger Royale, can welcome up to 106 passengers in its fifty spacious cabins (20 m2/215 ft2). The three-deck ship measures 72 m long (236 ft) and 13.8 m wide (45 ft). A television, safe, and individual climate control provide top-quality comfort and security in each cabin. Onboard amenities such as a pool, hot tub, massages, free Wi-Fi throughout the entire ship, laundry service, and souvenir shop ensure a relaxing vacation environment.
In addition, a pre-cruise program is available to discover all the emblematic sites in Cairo and its surroundings over three full days.
Personalized service from our CroisiEurope cruise director assures the quality our company strives for in all our cruises.
CROISIEUROPE ANNOUNCES ITINERARIES FOR NEW OCEAN SHIP, LA BELLE DES OCÉANS
Itineraries for CroisiEurope’s new ocean ship, La Belle des Océans, have been announced, with the ship sailing a selection of exciting itineraries in Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic before moving to the Saint Lawrence in Canada for summer 2020.
La Belle des Océans will kick off its inaugural season on 17th October 2019 with nine 11-day sailings between Singapore and Phuket. The itinerary will feature calls at Malacca, Port-Kelang/Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Ko Muk, Koh Lanta and Phang Nga Bay with departures on 17th and 25th October; 2nd, 10th, 18th and 26th November; and 4th, 12th and 20th December. There will also be a 12-day sailing of this itinerary over the New Year departing 28th December.
From January 2020, La Belle des Océans will sail the following itineraries:
• An 11-day cruise around India departing 11th January
• An 11-day cruise from Abu Dhabi to Oman departing 27th January
• A 10-day cruise visiting Jordan, Egypt, Israel and Cyprus departing 13th February • A nine-day cruise between Cyprus and Athens departing 22nd February
• An eight-day cruise from Athens to Naples departing 1st March
• An eight-day cruise from Naples to Nice departing 8th March
• An eight-day cruise from Nice to Ajaccio departing 24th March
• An eight-day Corsica cruise with four departures on 31st March and 7th, 14th and 21st April • A 12-day cruise from Ajaccio to Lisbon departing 28th April
• A nine-day cruise visiting Lisbon, Madeira and the Azores departing 9th May
• A nine-day cruise between Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Quebec departing 23rd May
In June 2020, La Belle des Océans will arrive at its summer home port in Quebec where it will sail a season of 11-day itineraries on the Saint Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. These sailings from Quebec City to Niagara Falls will operate until October 2020 and will feature colourful stopovers in Montreal, the Thousand Islands, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
These unique itineraries will expand and enhance CroisiEurope’s worldwide cruise programme and satisfy the desire of their loyal customers for new and exciting destinations.
Previously Silver Discoverer, the seven-deck La Belle des Océans measures 103 metres long and 15 metres wide, and accommodates 120 passengers in 60 spacious ocean-view suites, nine of which have private balconies.
• One Ocean Suite measuring 38m2 with private balcony, seating area with sofa, twin or queen-size beds • Eight Riviera Suites measuring 26m2 with private balcony, seating area with sofa, twin or queen-size beds • Four Panorama Suites measuring 25m2 with two large windows, seating area, twin or queen-size beds
• 38 Horizon Suites measuring 17m2 with window, seating area, twin or queen-size beds
• Nine Horizon Suites measuring 17m2 with two large portholes, seating area, twin or queen-size beds
All suites are en-suite with walk-in shower, desk, hairdryer, built-in wardrobe with safe, mini bar, flat screen TV and air conditioning.
This luxuriously elegant ship offers a variety of comfortable and stylish public spaces including a swimming pool, two bars / lounges, a restaurant, an outside grill and grill bar around the pool, fitness centre, beauty salon with hairdresser and spa as well as a laundry service.
La Belle des Océans will be CroisiEurope’s second ocean ship alongside MS La Belle de l’Adriatique.
CROISIEUROPE INAUGURATES ITS LATEST PREMIUM SHIP ON THE DOURO THE MS AMÁLIA RODRIGUES
On March 19, 2019 the Schmitter family has inaugurated the MS Amália Rodrigues in Porto with Portuguese and French personalities, partners and national and international journalists.
The godmother of this Premium ship is Dr. Maria Alexandrina Quaresma representing the famous Amália Rodrigues Foundation. Amália Rodrigues was known as the “Queen of Fado” thanks to her exceptional voice, she was instrumental in popularizing fado worldwide. She has also been one of the greatest cultural ambassadors of Portugal and her voice has earned her an international reputation.
The godfather is Dr. Marco Martins, mayor of the city of Gondomar who welcomes regularly ships from CroisiEurope in its port.
Portuguese father Alfredo Padre and French father Patrick Koehler jointly celebrated the christening on the Quebrantoes quay in Vila Nova de Gaia.
On March 20, the ship will leave from Porto for its first inaugural cruise on the Douro (Porto – Regua – Pinhao – Vega de Teron – Barca d’Alva – Porto).
Built at the Meuse and Sambre shipyard in Namur, the MS Amália Rodrigues is the 6th ship to join CroisiEurope’s fleet on the Douro and its third premium rated ship on the Golden River.
Furnished and decorated by CroisiEurope’s interior designer, the MS Amália Rodrigues has a contemporary feel, featuring colours and shapes of the Mediterranean along with plenty of natural lighting and open spaces, designer furniture and stylish, sleek décor.
The three-deck ship measures 80 metres long and 11.4 metres wide and can accommodate 132 passengers in 66 double-occupancy cabins, including 4 suites, of which 2 are on the upper deck and have terraces. There is also a cabin for guests with reduced mobility. All cabins are air conditioned and equipped with twin/double bed, private bathroom, wardrobe, flat screen television, hairdryer and safe. The 58 cabins on the middle and upper deck have French balconies with large windows to make the most of the stunning scenery. There is also a spacious lounge, panoramic restaurant, a shop, a large sun deck with sun loungers and a beautiful swimming pool.
The 25-person crew use their skills to meet the highest expectations onboard.
From April to October, the MS Amalia Rodrigues will offer exceptional cruises on the Douro, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Spanish border. The ship will cruise 6- and 8-day itineraries through the Douro Valley, one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001, passing breathtaking landscapes en route from Porto to Regua, Pinhao, Teron Vega, Barca d’Alva, Salamanca and Ferradosa.
All-inclusive prices start from $ 1 554 per person for a 6-day cruise round trip from Porto including onboard accommodation with all meals and drinks as well as entertainment and a gala evening.
History of the fleet in Portugal
2002, first ship: MS Vasco da Gama • 2003: MS Fernao of Magalhaes • 2004: MS Infante D. Henrique 2015: MS Gil Eanes • 2017: MS Miguel Torga • 2019: MS Amália Rodrigues.
