Photo by abruzzo24ore.tv

A large group of senior policymakers from Liguria and Genoa, with the Mayor Marta Vincenzi, Claudio Burlando, President of the Region and President of the Port Louis Merlo, welcomed with great enthusiasm the first stop in Genoa of Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas.  Mariner of the Seas will make seven stops during this summer, while 14 are expected in 2012, for a total of 60,000 passengers.

In addition, as announced by Lina Mazzucco, general manager Royal Caribbean in Italy, "the company could become a shareholder of the passenger terminal of the Maritime Station, saw the new commitment of the port of Genoa."

At the first port of Genoa, Mariner of the Seas was also the scene of an opportunity to present the Royal Caribbean's partnership with the Telethon Foundation, a group that conducts research on genetic diseases.  Along with the testimonial of the initiative in Genoa - Olympic gold medalists Valentina Vezzali, Juri Chechi, Antonio Rossi. Royal Caribbean's Director of cruises in Italy, Lina  Mazzucco has provided details of the collaboration, which will be held with regular donations by Royal Caribbean, charity dinner on board ships arriving in Italy, and hospitality on board for the regular meetings of researchers from the Foundation.

Photo by DotSail.it

At the first stop of Genoa, Italy, Mariner of the Seas, flagship of Royal Caribbean in Italy, was presented the new programs of the Society of Genoa and the Italian market. "The first departure is tomorrow and the ship is full, "explains Lina Mazzucco, general manager of Royal Caribbean Italy, "When I joined the company spent only from Genoa, but this year we will do the next 7 loadings and even 14".

"In the port there have been many interventions to allow their ships like ours to have access and we are very pleased," continues Mazzucco , "Our goal is not only to bring Americans and other foreign tourists in Italy and Genoa, but also French and German just to embark from the port of Genoa. We are already working on that. "

The regional governor in Italy, Claudio Burlando, has proposed today better synergy between Genoa and Savona on the arrival of cruise passengers.  

"The collaboration with Royal Caribbean is very important, since it is a group among the largest in the world with next to Carnival and MSC, which incidentally is growing very well," said the president, during the first arrival in Genoa of Mariner of the Seas, flagship of Royal Caribbean in Italy.

"Last year, we met with Royal Caribbean officials on a cruise, and from there began a relationship that has led to increased calls. Next year we will already be at 60,000 passengers, so a number of all respect, then it may be that collaboration is being extended to become a customer and Caribbean ports of Liguria. And who knows not form a relationship with the company for construction at this time are the thorn in our side. It 'obvious that if we found a new party prepared to build here, the situation would change profoundly. "

Royal Caribbean has already bet on the port of Genoa to grab a share of the Maritime Station, the company that operates the passenger traffic. "When he left Genoa to Savona Coast had 500 to 600 000 cruise passengers in 2012 we will have as many 1 million in Savona and Genoa. It is about four times as much - still Burlando - The huge amount of passengers waiting to Savona places a high level of importance and necessity, more than double its terminals, while Genoa opened the new west pier, and you start works for the Ponte Parodi ".

"The movement hotel in Liguria attendance records 10 million and 3 million arrivals, with average attendance of 3 days - is the reflection of the regional governor - If we consider only to cruise passengers who arrive in Genoa, which this year will be 1 million and 800 thousand, it is a stream that does not deviate much from the classic hotel network users. This means that the cruise is a very valuable way to raise awareness of Liguria and should prompt us to promote a more articulate and attentive host, adapted to the needs of cruise passengers who decide to leave here because they want to spend a part of the journey. We can have a closer relationship with these people in Genoa tourism next year will have 2 million people. "

Very little is missing for the Genoa, Italy debut of Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas. From July 23 to September 3, Royal Caribbean will have Mariner of the Seas docked in Genoa for guests to board for its seven night itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, to Cannes, Ajaccio, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.

Aboard Mariner, the Italian spirit is everywhere: from entertainment (activities and TV programs) to food and wine, to the staff - with a team dedicated to the Italian guests - to the guaranteed excursions in each port of call in Italian. On board the attractions that have revolutionized the cruise product: the climbing wall at 60 meters above sea level, the regulation basketball court, the ice rink.

The first departure from Genoa will be celebrated as early as July  22 with a major event dedicated to the trade, called Friday Night Fever for more than 500 travel agents and journalists. On July 23, in Genoa, Mariner will be celebrated with the exchange of crest and plaques - officiated by the Captain of the ship - between city and port authorities and ship's officers, as tradition dictates for the first stop of a ship in a harbor.

Royal Caribbean Marketing Directory in Italy, Robert Pirrera, thinks the year of 2012 will bring its own set of obstacles for the cruise giant to overcome, "The year 2012 promises a year full of new challenges.  With enthusiasm, we will promptly respond to growing demand from the market with the opening of new ports of embarkation in Bari and Messina, extending the seasonal cruise from Genoa, the introduction of 7 nights cruises aboard Brilliance of the Seas in Northern Europe, new promotions, and especially the strengthening of our brand in Italy".

Mariner of the Seas is ready to celebrate its debut in Genoa on July 22, when an event is scheduled for members of the press and other cruise industry figures.  On that day, Mariner will sail from Civitavecchia to reach Genoa, new home port for Mariner of the Seas. Friday Night Fever, the name given to the event, will involve more than 500 travel agents and journalists who will spend the night before the first call  in Genoa. The next day, in Genoa, Mariner of the Seas will be welcomed by local authorities and port with the press conference and ceremony "Plaque & Keys", the exchange of crest and plaques from local authorities to the officers on board.

Meanwhile Pirrera confirmed that Royal Caribbean is doing quite well in Italy, with 100% growth since last year, "We have grown over 100% compared to last year, with excellent returns on advertising investments. Without forgetting the excellent performance of the website, which last January after redesign has more than doubled visits. "

If you're looking to get away this summer on a Royal Caribbean cruise, there may be a cruise on sale for you.

The "Bring a Friend" offer allows curent Crown & Anchor Society members to bring guests new to Royal Caribbean with them on a cruise and receive $25 onboard credit per stateroom, up to five rooms per sailing.  You must book by July 31.

Royal Caribbean has placed select ships on sale as well, most notably Voyager of the Seas' Adriatic Sea sailings where the 7-night itineraries in July and August 2011 can get you  $2,000 of ChoiceAir credit for a Suite stateroom, $500 for a Balcony stateroom, $400 for an Ocean View stateroom, and $300 for an Interior stateroom.

In addition, there are deals on four, five and seven night sailings in the Western Caribbean on Jewel of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.  These ships sail out of Tampa, New Orleans and Galveston and prices start at $896 per quad-occupancy stateroom from November 2011 through April 2012.

Seven night cruises to Alaska on the Radiance of the Seas are also available at $649 per guest from August 5 through September 9, 2011.

Less than a month until the debut in Genoa, Italy of Mariner of the Seas.  Royal Caribbean has decided to dedicate her to Italy, in 2011 in electing her the flagship "product Royal Caribbean for Italy. " From July 23 to September 3, 2011, for the first time ever in the history of the Company, Mariner of the Seas will sail from Genoa - as well as from Civitavecchia - and will offer guests seven nights cruises in the Western Mediterranean, which will touch Cannes Ajaccio, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.

On board, everything will speak Italian: from entertainment (activities and TV programs), food & beverage offerings, staff service (there will even be a team exclusively reserved for  Italian guests) excursions guaranteed for each leg of the cruise.

Here they are in detail: At Cannes, guests can choose whether to remain on board or continue by bus to Nice, the capital of the Cote d'Azur and Monaco to Antibes or the picturesque, historic Formula 1 circuit and the Principality of Monaco, with the Prince's Palace and ancient cathedral.

In Ajaccio the city tour is a tribute to Napoleon: Napoleon from course, we reach the central Place de Gaulle, which is dominated by the huge bronze statue of Napoleon and his brothers. We continue on towards the Place d'Austerlitz, where Napoleon as a child he used to spend his days, and where now stands an imposing monument in his honor. Walking through the ancient streets of the old town, you can also admire the Cathedral where Napoleon was baptized and the facade of the Maison Bonaparte, where he was born. Alternatively, there is mounting that the tour following the meandering path of the river Prunelli winds down to Lake Tolla, for a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean vegetation of this island, its beautiful landscapes and many picturesque villages.

In Barcelona the tour "Gaudí and Barcelona" is a tribute to Gaudi's Barcelona. From the Park Guell, designed by Gaudi and declared a monument of UNESCO Universal in 1984 continues to the Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila and Casa Batllo, whose facade is covered with multicolored tiles and the roof is accessible by stairs of glazed ceramic.
Even Palma Mallorca has a lot to offer in terms of historical and architectural: Choosing the tour reaches Valldemossa is one of the most beautiful and typical villages of the island where it is kept inside the piano with which Chopin composed some of his masterpieces. Worth a visit of course the city of Palma, with its imposing cathedral, the bullring and the recently restored Royal Palace.

Do not underestimate even the very Italian ports of Civitavecchia and Genoa, where it is possible to land (in addition to board), for a taste of Rome and the wonders of the oldest and largest center of Europe, Gulf Paradise (Portofino, Rapallo, Santa daisy) and Cinque Terre.

Royal Caribbean aims to expand in the Italian cruise market and announced Genoa, Italy as the second port of call for Mediterranean cruises.

Starting on July 23, 2011 and running to September 3, 2011, Mariner of the Seas will sail from Genoa and offer Western Mediterannean seven-night cruises to the guests that will visit Cannes, Ajaccio, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.

Mariner of the Seas arrived in late March for the first time ever in the Mediterranean where she sails from Italy in the port of Civitavecchia.  In October 2011, two alternating 12-night itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean (at the beginning and end of season) and itineraries of seven nights in the central western Mediterranean in the season.