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Carnival first quarter net loss in line with year on

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 March 2022 23 March 2022

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has reported a net loss for the first quarter to 28 February that was largely in line with that in the same period a year earlier.

Group net loss amounted to $1.89 billion compared to $1.97 billion, while operating loss of $1.49 billion was also broadly in line with the $1.52 billion the company had reported a year earlier. Revenues, however, rose strongly, to $1.62 billion from a mere $23 million.

The company experienced an impact on bookings for its near-term sailings due to the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, including higher cancellations resulting from an increase in pre-travel positive test results, challenges in the availability of timely pre-travel tests and the disruption the virus caused on society overall during this time. “Therefore, occupancy in the first quarter of 2022 was 54%, a 20% increase in guests carried over the prior quarter,” the company said in a statement.

Available lower berth days for the first quarter of 2022 were 13 million, which represents 60% of total fleet capacity, increasing from 47% in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Carnival Corporation & plc President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Climate Officer Arnold Donald noted: "Despite the impact of Omicron, guests carried grew by nearly 20% in the first quarter compared to the prior quarter, while simultaneously increasing revenue per passenger cruise day and driving an improvement in adjusted EBITDA. We expect monthly adjusted EBITDA to turn positive by the beginning of our summer season as we build occupancy and return more ships to service."

"We believe we have positioned the company well to withstand volatility on our path to profitability and have been working hard to resume operations as a stronger and more sustainable operating company, to maximize cash generation and to deliver double digit returns on invested capital over time,” he said.

Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection contracts two vessels in France

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2022 18 March 2022

The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection said it would two build two superyachts, Ilma and Luminara, at Chanters de L’Atlantique in France. The vessels are slated to set sail in 2024 and 2025, respectively and the contract includes options for further vessels.

“We are thrilled to work with Chantiers de l’Atlantique on the development of our second and third superyachts, Ilma and Luminara,” stated Douglas Prothero, Chief Executive Officer for The Ritz- Carlton Yacht Collection. “They are a likeminded organization that is committed to excellence and a custom quality process and program that will help execute our vision as we thoughtfully expand our portfolio,” he said in a statement.

“The addition of Ilma and Luminara represent significant growth for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and we look forward to collaborating with management and Chantiers de l’Atlantique on the creation of these world class vessels,” said Tim Grisius, Global Officer for Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Development, and Real Estate, Marriott International.

The specially designed superyachts feature the highest space ratios at sea, with 228 suites, each with its own private terrace, and will offer a high percentage of larger suites, with two new, spacious upper suite categories measuring up to 100 square meters (1,076 square feet) in size. Both vessels will showcase modern craftsmanship and interior finishes imagined by AD Associates, the London-based architect and design firm, and DPA, the award-winning lighting designer. Aivan, the Finland-based yacht stylist, has developed the exterior design of the newbuilds, taking inspiration from the elegant aesthetics of private yacht design.

The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and legendary guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized. Having the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the luxury cruising category, Ilma and Luminara will provide nearly one staff member for every guest. In addition to unparalleled accommodations, the new superyachts will include five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, and signature spaces found on Evrima such as an expanded marina with a new mezzanine feature, a Ritz-Carlton Spa, and a special space for Ritz Kids programming. For special events, groups can enjoy an exclusive cocktail reception on the yacht’s expanded bow.

Reaffirming The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s commitment to implementing sustainable practices throughout the business, each vessel will be fitted with four dual-fuel engines and utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG) as its main fuel source, significantly reducing emissions as compared to traditional practices. Additionally, the yachts will include advanced water treatment systems, an efficient heat recovery loop, LED lighting, and more, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact.

DP World owned P&O Ferries dismisses 800 UK seafarers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2022 17 March 2022

P&O Ferries, which is part of the Dubai based DP World group, has dismissed 800 British seafarers with immediate effect, the company said in a statement.

It intends to replace them with cheaper crew supplied by agencies, media reports say.

“However, in its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business. We have made a £100m loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent DP World. This is not sustainable. Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries,” the company said.

The company operates services between Dover and Calais, Hull and Rotterdam, Liverpool and Dublin plus Cairnryan and Larne.

“In making this tough decision, we are securing the future viability of our business which employs an additional 2,200 people and supports billions in trade in and out of the UK. And we are ensuring that we can continue serving our customers in a way that they have demanded from us for many years,” P&O Ferries said.

Explora Journeys partners with Travelife

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2022 17 March 2022

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle travel brand of the MSC Group, today announced a partnership with Travelife for Tour Operators, the internationally-leading training, management and certification programme for sustainability in tourism, the cruise line said in a statement.

Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer, Explora Journeys said: “Working towards more sustainable travel experiences for our guests is an important part of our vision to become a truly defining and desired luxury lifestyle travel brand.”

“Our deep respect for the ocean is the principal component of our journey and out of a deep respect for local communities, our destination experiences are being designed to leave a positive impression and footprint.”

“We are committed in this regard to work towards building and maintaining a mutual understanding and firm commitment to sustainable tourism and so I am delighted, therefore, to partner with Travelife who can help us, our tour operators and travel advisor colleagues to achieve our ambition.” “

Explora Journeys` aim is to create a strong awareness among its partners for effective sustainability planning, maximising social and economic benefits for local communities where its ships will visit, enhancing cultural heritage and reducing environmental impact.

Naut Kusters, General Manager Travelife, added “Travelife’s sustainability management system naturally complements Explora Journeys’ commitment to create sustainable destination experiences. DMC’s, tour operators, travel advisors and ports are integral to support any sustainable implementation and they will be encouraged with education and incentives. We applaud Explora Journeys for its efforts to promote holistic sustainability.”

The partnership with Travelife allows all Explora Journeys’ tour operators and partner travel advisors with free access to the Travelife online platform to provide a range of benefits towards sustainable tourism. Additional face to face trainings are provided in European destinations in the frame of the EU supported SUSTOUR project.

These include a comprehensive learning platform with 16 on-demand sustainability modules including final exams and certification upon completion of each module; activity-specific excursion checklists that meet internationally recognised sustainability standards; practical reporting and action planning tools for the effective implementation of sustainability practices, plus best practice examples from the travel and tourism industry.

Princess Cruises to add two new U.S. homeports, plans to return Australia

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 March 2022 16 March 2022

Princess Cruises announced new deployment plans for the United States with a return to homeport cruising in Galveston, Texas starting in December 2022, and San Diego starting in September 2022. Princess is planning return to service in Australia with Coral Princess starting in June 2022 following indications authorities are becoming more comfortable with a return to service in the region.

"Deploying these three ships to service over the next two months will mark the return of the entire Princess fleet, once our highly anticipated return to Australia is approved by local authorities," said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. "Returning a ship to San Diego gives more options for our west coast guests and Galveston makes a Princess cruise easily accessible to millions of Texans."

After six years, Princess returns to homeport cruising from Texas. Ruby Princess will sail from December 2022 to April 2023, on a series of cruises from Galveston ranging from five to 11 days, calling mainly to destinations in the Western Caribbean. The ship will also sail through the Panama Canal on two 16-day, ocean-to-ocean transits between Galveston and San Francisco. Cruises will be on sale April 7, 2022.

From September 2022 through February 2023, cruising in California expands with a return to San Diego. Diamond Princess will be joining the fleet of west coast-based ships with a series of brand-new cruise itineraries ranging from five to 16 days and calling at ports along the Mexican Riviera, California Coast, and the Hawaiian Islands. In addition, the ship will sail a unique 20-day cruise to Central America, roundtrip from San Diego in November 2022. The on-sale date for these cruises is March 24, 2022.

Royal Princess moves to San Francisco for the West Coast 2022/2023 season, with roundtrip cruises to Hawaii, Mexico, and the California Coast. Arriving in September 2022, after completing the Alaska season, Royal Princess will initially sail from San Francisco along with Ruby Princess. In December 2022, Ruby Princess relocates to Galveston and Royal Princess becomes the official hometown ship of San Francisco for the remainder of the 2022/2023 season. These cruises go on sale April 7, 2022.

A return to cruising in Australia planned

In anticipation that Australian Federal and State Governments will soon welcome the return of cruising, we are announcing plans for Coral Princess return to service in June 2022, with roundtrip Brisbane itineraries ranging from three- to 12-days in length and calling to destinations in Queensland and New South Wales. In August, Coral Princess will position to Sydney and depart on a new 12-day voyage calling to Queensland and the Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea, before resuming the previously announced Australia & New Zealand program for the 2022/2023 season. Additionally, Majestic Princess will sail roundtrip from Sydney on a new Queensland voyage in February 2023 at the end of her already published season. Full details will be announced on March 17 and these Australia cruises will go on sale March 23, 2022.

As a result of these changes, previously published itineraries through April 2023 on Diamond Princess, and Royal Princess to Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, as well as two Ruby Princess Panama Canal sailings in February 2023 and select voyages on Majestic Princess in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific from February 2023 to May 2023 will be cancelled. Guests affected by these cancellations will be notified.