TUI Cruises buys Splendour of the Seas for Thomson Cruises in UK
- Details
- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 02 March 2015 02 March 2015
TUI Cruises unit of the Anglo-German travel group TUI AG has acquired Splendour of the Seas from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) that owns 50% of the buyer company for introduction on the UK market under the Thomson Cruises brand name in the summer of 2016. It will replace the 1982 built Island Escape of 40,171 gross tons, marketrd under the Island Cruises brand name.
"The TUI Group will modernise its UK cruise operations through the acquisition of Splendour of the Seas from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The ship will be acquired by the Group’s subsidiary TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and chartered to the Group’s British cruise line Thomson Cruises," TUI said in a statement.
"Splendour of the Seas is to be operated in the British market from Summer 2016. The vessel will replace Island Escape, currently operated by Thomson Cruises’ sister company Island Cruises, so that the overall UK fleet will continue to be comprised of five cruise ships. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed," the company said.
Splendour of the Seas has a gross tonnae of 69,130 and a capacity of 1,830 passengers (double occupancy) and offers more than 900 cabins, nearly 40% of which have a balcony. The ship will be the largest vessel in the Thomson Cruises fleet. It was fully refurbished a few years ago. Following its integration in the fleet, Splendour of the Seas will be renamed.
"As already announced at our Annual General Meeting, we intend to continually modernise our fleet in the UK in the next few years. The acquisition of the Splendour of the Seas is the first step in this direction. We regard the cruise market as a growth market for our Group and intend to develop into one of Europe’s leading providers in this segment," said Sebastian Ebel, TUI Group CEO Platforms in charge of cruise operations.
The TUI Group currently has a fleet of 12 cruise ships via its subsidiaries TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten and Thomson Cruises. Mein Schiff 4 will be commissioned in the summer of this year. Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 6 have already been ordered and will be delivered in 2016 and 2017.
HM The Queen to name Britannia
- Details
- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 27 February 2015 27 February 2015
Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, will name the new P&O Cruises vessel Britannia at Ocean Terminal, on Tuesday March 10, 2015, P&O Cruises said in a statement.
The biggest ship designed exclusively for Britain, Britannia is P&O Cruises latest "modern classic", heralding a new era of holiday choice.
"We are honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name Britannia almost 20 years after she named the P&O Cruises ship Oriana.
"Britannia, a ship for the nation, will be the embodiment of contemporary Britain, and with her Union Jack livery she will fly the flag for Britain across the Globe,”said Carnival UK chairman, David Dingle
MSC Cruises unveils Vista and Seaside class details, additional order plans
- Details
- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 27 February 2015 27 February 2015
MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping group in terms of capacity, has unveiled details about its Vista and Sunshine class newbuildings plus plans to order more of these ships.
Two 167,600 gross ton Vista class vessels are on order at STX France for delivery in 2017 and 2019 respectively. However, the Geneva based company said on a video that it intends to take delivery of two additional 5,700 passenger units, which are due to enter service in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
The Vista class will feature an aqua park with amusement park, double deck indoor promenade lined with bars and restaurants plus an 80 metre led dome, the largest on any ship. A double deck lounge in the aft will be provided for entertainment. There will be family cabins, while suites will feature private Jacuzzis. The Yacht Club will be enhanced compared to existing ships.
The Sunshine class of two 154,500 gross ton ships from Fincantieri in Italy, with deliveries due in 2017 and 2018, would be complemented by a third unit that is scheduled to enter service in 2021.
The 5,300 passenger Sunshine class vessels are designed for warm water cruising and they will feature 43,000 sqm of public areas. A double deck atrium with a glass wall facing the stern will be a feature of these ships, as will panoramic lifts. A waterfront promenade will be featured, while accommodation will comprise family cabins and suites with private Jacuzzi.
More Articles ...
