Category Archives: Middle East VIPs

Celebrity Cruises joins Safeen Tourism

22 Monday Jan 2018

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January 2018 will see Celebrity Cruises join its sister lines, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises, under the representation of Safeen Tourism LLC which operates as Royal Caribbean Arabia. As the region’s leading cruise representative, Royal Caribbean Arabia has been championing the world’s most innovative and state-of-the-art cruise experiences for over a decade.
Ranked among the top cruise liners in the world, the Celebrity Cruises’ 12 ships take guests across the seas in modern luxury, combining stylish design with the sophistication of a contemporary cruising experience.
Mohamed Saeed, General Manager, Royal Caribbean Arabia, commented: “We’re delighted to announce that Celebrity Cruises is now under the umbrella of Royal Caribbean Arabia. Celebrity Cruises is known for its smart integration of luxury with the latest technology. As pioneers in the cruise industry, we look forward to launching our most innovative ship yet, Celebrity Edge, by the end of this year.”
Celebrity Cruises’ recently refreshed ship: Celebrity Constellation is operational during the winter season from the Arabian Gulf, departing from the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port to numerous destinations in the Arabian Sea. With options of 12-day to 15-day cruises, the sailings include the beautiful cities of Dubai and Muscat, continuing the journey to picturesque destinations in India including Mumbai, Goa and Cochin.
 “Celebrity Constellation’s current itineraries are packed with a variety of experiences, in line with the temperate weather in this region, ensuring that our guests have the most diverse range of cruise packages for an ideal getaway,” added Saeed.
With award-winning dining, incredible design and the most attentive service in the industry, Celebrity Cruises promises a spectacular holiday with all the elegance and sophistication that cruise holiday-makers have come to expect at great value.

BRAND NEW CHARTER SUPERSTAR SUNREEF 74 CALMAO CUTS THROUGH WAVES IN CANNES: PRESENTATION OF THE YACHT

14 Saturday Oct 2017

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Showcased at the Cannes Yachting Festival this September, the Sunreef 74 Calmaois an advanced version of the award-winning Sunreef 74 model. This classy and sporty sailing catamaran features a comfortable bow terrace, a hydraulic aft platform and an enlarged flybridge.

Recognized as the Best Worldwide Sailing Yacht Above 15m at the Asia Boating Awards 2015, the Sunreef 74 is an easily handled, spacious and seaworthy yacht, boasting an amazing combination of luxury and performance. With a short lead time of 7 months, offering unlimited options for customization and space arrangement, she has become one of the shipyard’s most appreciated yachts and a true bestseller with 12 fully customized yachts commissioned so far.

A successful charter catamaran with a service-oriented and professional crew, the Sunreef 74 Calmao is the latest addition to the Sunreef Yachts Charter fleet. Currently crossing the Atlantic, she will be available for exotic cruises from December till April in the Caribbean.

The Sunreef 74 Calmao was one of the highlights of this year’s Sunreef Yachts Cannes showcase. Enjoy the video recap of the shipyard’s participation in one of Europe’s most important marine events.

THE STRONG PERSONALITY OF THE NEW 62 m M/Y CRN 137 COMES TO LIFE

26 Tuesday Sep 2017

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CRN – the historical Italian shipbuilder and brand, part of the Ferretti Group, specialising in the construction of fully-custom steel and aluminium pleasure vessels between 40 and 100 metres in length – is currently engaged in the construction of the new 62 m hull CRN 137.

 This new yacht, 62 m long and having a beam of 11.50, has been designed by CRN’s Engineering Department in cooperation with the Italian design firm Nuvolari Lenard, who developed the concept and design of both exterior and interior areas. The 62 m M/Y CRN 137 stands out for its sleek and yet sinuous lines, that seem to be shaped by the wind and the onlooker’s gaze, and a vertical bow that maximises both the yacht’s speed and its volumes.

Works at the shipyard are continuing at full speed: over the last few weeks, the hull, already including part of the superstructure, was moved; the rest of the superstructure is currently being mounted, after which the installation of the various systems and the preliminary activities for furniture installation will be carried out.

The yacht will develop over 5 decks, and the layout will include a master suite and 5 VIP cabins, allowing to host up to 12 guests. In particular, the master stateroom facing forward will benefit from a privileged position on the upper deck. This deck, which has become the Master’s Deck on this yacht, will feature a panoramic lounge located at the bow, which can remain private or be accessible to other guests, at the Client’s discretion.

Besides the 62 m CRN 137, CRN is currently working on two more yachts: 79 m M/Y CRN 135 and a 50 m M/Y Superconero. The latest-born at CRN, 74-metre Cloud 9 – a skilful combination of functional exterior & interior spaces and sophisticated interiors – will be presented as a world première at the Monaco Yacht Show.

HATTERAS YACHTS LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE HATTCON® SHIP MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN NEW M90 PANACERA MOTOR YACHT

19 Tuesday Sep 2017

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unnamed-8.jpg

HattCON displays at the helm of the Hatteras M90 Panacera

Hatteras/CABO Yachts, LLC (“Hatteras Yachts”), a world-leading builder of convertible sportfishing and luxury motor yachts from 45 to 100 feet, announces the launch of its new, proprietary HattCON® total ship management system at the Hatteras Club Experience event it is hosting today and tomorrow at Hatteras World Headquarters in New Bern, N.C . HattCON fully integrates the yacht’s navigation, vessel monitoring and automation systems into a seamless touchscreen interface, increasing their ease of use, overall performance and capability.

Designed by the Hatteras engineering team in collaboration with a leading German maritime engineering firm, the intuitive HattCON touchscreen interface puts monitoring and control of everything from the yacht’s radar and bilge alarms to HVAC temperature regulation and lighting at the user’s fingertips.
“We are very proud of the new HattCON system, which clearly demonstrates Hatteras Yachts’ ongoing dedication to innovation and to enhancing the yachting experience for our customers,” said Kelly Grindle, Hatteras Yachts president and CEO.

“What really drove this are the innovations available today in the ‘internet of things’ to automate and control homes, cars, corporate offices, even public transportation” said David Clubbs, Hatteras Yachts director of R&D. “We wanted to provide our customers with an inclusive smart control interface that not only integrates the yacht’s interior comforts but also grants access to every supporting system on board.”

Clubs added: “HattCON eliminates the multiple, often inconsistent operating systems that used to populate the helm station and replaces them with a single, seamless ship management interface.”

The fully redundant HattCON system includes multi-function touchscreen helm displays plus a surface-mounted display foil with integrated controls to ensure secure operation in rough sea conditions. A fingerprint reader with backup digital passcode safeguards the yacht’s ignition system.
HattCON provides control over the following onboard systems and functions:

  • Ship systems monitoring including bilge, fire and CO2, tankage levels, generator status, A/C and D/C electrical power, door- and hatch-open alarms, hydraulic system controls
  • Engine and propulsion data
  • Full integration capability with owner-supplied electronics including navigation, radar, chartplotter, sounders, AIS, and autopilot with rudder-angle feedback
  • Lighting systems including interior, exterior, navigation and Lumishore multi-color underwater lights. Master all-off light switch (password-protected) with exit timer
  • HVAC controls
  • Smart glass control
  • Window blinds control (optional).

The HattCON system also is mirrored in an iPhone/iPad app that is fully configured with dual profiles: a Master/Captain profile with access to the main system, and a Guest profile with access to lighting and HVAC controls. HattCON includes two 10-inch, integrated touch displays in the galley and crew quarters, as well as wall-mounted auto-dimming touchscreens with HattCON app-accessible features placed in the staterooms and convenient locations throughout the yacht. Video streaming from the onboard CCTV system to an iPhone/iPad via the HattCON app also is an available option.

“With HattCON as your co-pilot, control over just about every system on your yacht is just a swipe, tap or toggle away,” Clubbs said.

Urban warrior – Audi Q3

29 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by in All About Wheels - Automotive (Cars, All About Wheels - Automotive (Cars, Car Clubs, SUV's, RV's etc), Car Clubs, Lifestyle features, Middle East VIPs, Retail Therapy

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Shereen SHabnam Audi

Looking for that perfect car that is safe to drive and looks great can be daunting. With the Audi Q3, I found that it was the perfect model for a working mum with the space, entertainment options and of course, the choice of colours.

After trying almost every SUV in the market, I was most impressed with the Audi Q3 and the RS Q3 during a recent trip to Munich. For school runs and short weekend trips to other Emirates, both cars come in a size that is perfect for a small family for shopping, weekends away and is economical than most SUV’s launched recently.

The sophisticated Q3 high quality interiors are done tastefully with enough space to be comfortable on long rides with a boot that would fit most of my shoes, groceries, gym bags which is all a woman needs really.

Shereen Audi Q3

While the Q3 has beautiful leather upholstery that looks good and feels good with the heated front seats, what was even better was the Q3’s multimedia system. The Multimedia Interface control knob was easy to use as we explored the options for the radio, camera, phone and more importantly, the navigation, as we were driving on a new route each time we ventured out on the roads in Munich.

The exterior is more compact than most Audi SUV models but looks just as great. It is a compact SUV with a clean sleek profile, sporty lines and made to look more sexy and aggressive at the same time with the headlights contrasting with the grill and scoops that are inset with matte black hexagonal mesh.

What was great about the Audi Q3 was being able to drive at a fairly decent speed on the Autobahn and feeling the smooth acceleration as the car eased from different driving modes. Parking was fairly easy as well.

The 2015 Q3 comes with either front-wheel drive or Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive. The transmission is a 6-speed automatic, and the engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and at 200 horsepower. This model is significant because it offers a more affordable entry point into quattro, making it unrivalled in this class.

We had more fun naturally with the Audi RS Q3. As part of the entire Q3 range’s facelift for 2015, the RS model is given extra attention for the more discerning buyers. I tried both the “comfort” and the “sport” setting. In sport mode, it rode more steadily, impressively and felt safer at high speeds.

In comfort mode, I felt I could ease up and enjoy the green countryside, the freeways, and suburban streets as well as enjoy the car’s power even on roads that were wet from light showers.

A touch of the accelerator and the vehicle responded quickly and provided excellent acceleration in all gears. Both the Q3 and the RS Q3 offer a fantastic combination of high performance, practicality, value and are seen as a comfortable urban warriors, perfect for both city and country drives.

 

Azimut Yachts brings new yachts into Qatar

15 Saturday Nov 2014

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Azimut 50Fly Shereen Shabnam

Azimut Yachts will be exhibiting five models and the new Azimut 50 Flybridge as a Middle East Premiere at the Qatar International Boat Show, until the 15th November in Lusail City, at Mourjan Marinas along with a selection of its most iconic yachts.

Over the last season the Gulf market has been characterised by a strong growth which allowed Azimut Yachts to double the sales in this area.

Among the models on display: Azimut 55S, Azimut 72S, Azimut 60 Flybridge, Azimut 64 Flybridge as well Azimut 50 Flybridge.

Azimut Yachts with its Dealer can rely on an active presence in the area with its offices in Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait in order to ensure, according with the company’s philosophy, the highest quality of assistance and pre- and post-sales service to the owners.

Dubai International Boat Show 2014 Opens Tomorrow

03 Monday Mar 2014

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Dubai Boatshow 2014 Shereen Shabnam

Diva is excited – for two years in a row the Millionaire Group has supported the Dubai International Boat Show and the 22nd edition of the show opens tomorrow, providing a wide range of activities including exciting prize giveaways, live entertainment, and exclusive dining experiences, along with convenient parking and public transportation. The show will be held from 4-8 March 2014 at the Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi.

I met with the key organisers and sponsors last week at DIMC and they mentioned that more than 26,000 visitors from the 70 countries are set to attend the region’s largest marine leisure exhibition. Visitors can expect to be enthralled by the 430 boats on display, including 19 superyachts at the stunning outdoor Marina Display Area. The SYBAss Lounge, which falls under the umbrella of the prestigious Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss), has 10 members confirmed to participate at the event.

I can’t wait to take Tash to the show again as being half an islander, she shares my passion for the sun, sea and sand, Fiji style. Especially since two of the largest superyachts in the history of the Dubai International Boat Show will be showcased on outdoor Marina Display Area. The 88.5-metre-long superyacht Nirvana, built by Oceanco and exhibited by Edmiston, is one of the world’s top 50 longest superyachts and the exhibition’s largest-ever superyacht to date. The 88 metre Quattroelle superyacht, built by German shipyard Lürssen, will also be showcased this year. The luxury superyacht features elegant accommodation for up to 12 guests and provides plenty of exterior deck space for entertainment and relaxation.

The show will host 42 global and regional launches including regional launches of the 13.5-meter Cranchi, an 11-meter boat from Christ Craft, the 12-meter Everglade by Gulf Yachts, the 8.9 meter Qs855 Activ from Delma Marine, amphibious quad skis from Gibbs Sports, and the first-ever amphibious ribs from ASIS Boats. My favourite people from the Al Shaali families will be there in full force. Watch out for Gulf Craft and As Marine – they are super nice people and Erwin Bamps from Gulf Craft is always the person in the know about what the local boat makers have in store for the boating enthusiasts. 

Of the show’s 750 exhibiting companies and brands from 50 countries around the world, many are putting an increased emphasis on small to medium sized boats, speed boats, and jet skis for visitors looking to pursue leisure marine activities. Thrill-seekers can explore jet skis and diving equipment, along with countries promoting their destinations for boating, jet skiing, snorkelling and diving.

The event will be open to trade visitors and the general public from 3 pm – 9:30 pm daily, with admission of AED 60….see you there.

Gulf Craft shines in Thailand

12 Sunday Jan 2014

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Gulf Craft

Gulf Craft, one of my favourite UAE manufacturers of luxury yachts and fiberglass boats recently exhibited in Thailand and found that Thailand’s natural affinity to life on the water is largely responsible for turning the country into one of the most desirable marine hubs in Asia.

Having a close connection to Thailand I naturally agree with Gulf Craft on this one – absolutely loved the place and even got married in Hatyai before hanging out in Krabi for weeks enjoying the sun, sand and sea while shopping in Bangkok is just amazing.

Thailand welcomed boating enthusiasts from across Asia and beyond to the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) 2014.

“Thailand offers a winning combination of beautiful beaches and water and a regulatory environment and infrastructure that allow cruising to be easy and pleasurable for yacht and boat owners,” says Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer of Gulf Craft.

“It’s a winning and enviable formula that any country keen to capitalize on its marine assets would be lucky to possess and one that Thailand has very successfully translated into tourism dollars. Thailand is country where we see yachting and tourism grow hand in hand, and a compelling reason for that growth is the country’s intuitive boating culture,” Bamps continued. “Both, resident boat owners and boating and yachting tourists visiting Thailand find it very easy to head out and enjoy the water,” Bamps continued.

Gulf Craft

According to information released for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in October 2013, yacht brokers predict that the number of yachts visiting Thailand will increase significantly by at least 31.25%, to approximately 2,100 yachts, by 2016.

According to the TAT figures, Thailand currently welcomes 110 superyachts each year, identified to be among the highest tourism spenders. TAT predicts that by 2016, Thailand will welcome 190 superyachts annually, accounting for a growth of 72.72%, and generating significant income for Thailand’s marine industry.

Gulf Craft says the market looks incredibly promising and is showcasing a range of its yacht and boat models including the Majesty 56, Silvercraft 34, Silvercraft 36 HT and the Silvercraft 36 CC, the latter making its regional debut at PIMEX.

Tony Nixey of Go Boating Thailand, Gulf Craft’s exclusive distributor in Thailand added: “PIMEX kicks the South East Asian show scene into gear as the first show in the 2014 season. PIMEX is an important player in the show scene in Asia and attracts the cream of buyers not only from Thailand but from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. The popularity of boating as a leisure activity among local owners and Thailand’s growing prominence as an established yachting destination internationally makes a presence here mandatory for major players in the Asian market.”

Gulf Craft’s foray into South East Asian markets extends back to 1992. Sales of Gulf Craft’s range of Oryx sport cruisers, Silvercraft fishing and family boats have since grown strongly. The company has also witnessed growing interest in its premium yacht brand Majesty Yachts in recent years with its Majesty 88 and Majesty 56 models drawing particular attention.

Benetti Panthera: 47 metres of elegance, speed, and ultimate comfort

09 Monday Dec 2013

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BENETTI PANTHERA-232aa

BENETTI PANTHERA NAV-144a

Benetti introduces the new FB502 m/y “Panthera”, the 47-metre aluminium yacht, whose contemporary style is simultaneously sporty and elegant.

The FB502 M/Y “Panthera” is the second yacht in the 500s series. The first one, FB501 “Imagination”, came on the market in 2010; and the third one, FB503, is scheduled for delivery spring 2014. Constructed at Benetti’s Livorno boatyard, the 500-series yachts are 100% aluminium, 47 metres long and 8.8 metres wide. Their hull geometry ensures superior performance (maximum speed 24 knots and cruising speed 22 knots), as well as significant stability while underway; noise and vibrations are almost completely eliminated, for enhanced comfort even at higher speeds.

All this makes “Panthera” a fast and comfortable yacht with a style that reflects the refined personality of the boat owner who has commissioned a contemporary yacht featuring timeless elegance. Clean, soaring lines and large tinted oval windows go perfectly with the metallic silver colour of the exterior, silver shades being the dominant colours of the “Panthera”. On the exterior, the teak detailing (traditionally black) is grey; and the interiors have a sophisticated combination of lighter and darker grey tones.

A key feature highlighting the contemporary and carefully thought-out aesthetic of the FB502 is given by the large fashion photos hung throughout the yacht’s main areas; whether in black and white or colour, large or small, framed or unframed, the images portray the magnetic feminine allure of gorgeous international models and actresses, adding even more glamour to this sophisticated yacht.

BENETTI PANTHERA-oWNER S CABIN 4

BENETTI PANTHERA-Upper saloon 3a

 

Al Marakeb makes a Splash at Pre-owned Boat Show

25 Monday Nov 2013

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Scylla35 Shereen Shabnam

Last year Little diva and I had great memories of the Pre owned boat show at the Creek Marina. This year it’s equally exciting and one of the boat builders to look out for is Al Marakeb. The UAE boat builder makes a splash at the Dubai Pre-Owned Boat Show that is on until 10pm tonight and will be showcasing three of its value-for-money craft at the event, which is being held at Dubai Creek Marina.

This year marks the third consecutive year that Al Marakeb has participated in the event, having identified the market it serves as being one that attracts the serious sailing aficionado. Founder and Managing Director of the company, Basel Shuhaiber, says that his company’s line up of open water craft appeals particularly to those who are genuinely considering purchasing a leisure vessel.

For the past two years at the Pre-Owned Boat Show, Al Marakeb has exhibited its Dino 31 model, an entry-level craft that will also be making an appearance this year. Alongside it will be two of the company’s new models, the Habbar 25 – a fishing boat that was launched earlier in the year – and the Scylla 35, the company’s first cabin vessel, which made its maiden voyage on the market two weeks ago.

Al Marakeb believes that the type of craft that his company manufactures attract serious interest because they incur a relatively low financial outlay, require minimal maintenance and are economical to operate. They also do not require a quayside berthing space, as they can be easily parked on a trailer outside the customer’s home

Established in 2007, Al Marakeb growth has been exponential year on year. The company’s other two models in its five-boat line up are the Spartan 25 and Triton 35, with all of its vessels being customisable with flexible personalisation options. Al Marakeb supplies boats to private and commercial buyers in the regional and international markets. Currently, the company’s network extends into the Sultanate of Oman, GCC, North Africa and Asia.

Last year’s Dubai Pre-Owned Boat Show attracted the participation of 7,200 people. Twenty-nine yachts were sold at the event for a total value of $2.6 million, making it one of the top boating events in the region.