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The Yacht Portfolio to acquire Sea Cloud Cruises

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2022 01 February 2022

The Yacht Portfolio, a strategic maritime investment company, announced today that it has entered into a letter of intent to acquire Sea Cloud Cruises of Hamburg, Germany. The company operates a fleet of three masted, full-rigged luxury tall ships; the Sea Cloud (109.5 meters; 64 passengers), the Sea Cloud II (117 meters; 94 passengers) and the recent newbuild Sea Cloud Spirit (138 meters; 136 passengers).

"Sea Cloud offers such a unique, environmentally-friendly experience in the cruise space, which aligns well with our continued focus on building a strong portfolio of niche luxury brands," said Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Yacht Portfolio. "We look forward to completing a transaction with the Sea Cloud team and supporting the brand's next phase of growth in the luxury cruise space."

The acquisition not only expands The Yacht Portfolio's presence in the luxury cruise sector, but also creates an opportunity to expand its relationship with Marriott International beyond The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and gives Marriott International the opportunity to enter the cruise industry through its other luxury brands.

"We are excited about the transaction between The Yacht Portfolio and Sea Cloud and look forward to the opportunity to collaborate further with The Yacht Portfolio to bring our luxury accommodations to sea," said Timothy Grisius, Global M&A and Real Estate Officer at Marriott International.

For over 40 years, Sea Cloud Cruises has pursued the principle of sustainable tourism, using wind power to provide unique, luxury sailing experiences around the world. The majority of each trip is conducted under the sails, engines off, offering the cleanest way to travel at sea. The tall ships of Sea Cloud offer a relaxed atmosphere, attentive service and loyal customer following.

"We are pleased that The Yacht Portfolio will strengthen Sea Cloud's market position," said Hermann Ebel, Managing Director of Sea Cloud Cruises. "The course is set for many more years of successful international marketing and the foundation is laid for further company and fleet growth."

Expansion of international marketing and laying the foundation for further company growth: Sea Cloud Cruises confirms successful conclusion of a letter of intent (LOI) by The Yacht Portfolio

For several months Sea Cloud Cruises has been in contact with The Yacht Portfolio, a strategic maritime investment company.

The negotiations have shown that both sides are ideal partners for strengthening their respective market positions. Sea Cloud Cruises is known as an exclusive operator of environmentally friendly sailing cruises in the 5-star segment, especially in Europe and the United States, for over 40 years. Through The Yacht Portfolio, the course is set for many more years of successful international marketing for Sea Cloud Cruises and the foundation is laid for further growth.

With the planned acquisition, The Yacht Portfolio is also sending a clear signal for continuity. In addition to the continuation of the successful business model, the headquarters of Sea Cloud Cruises will remain based in Hamburg/Germany and the highly experienced and motivated team of employees will continue to be employed as part of this transaction. This ensures that the employees' personal relationships with all customers and business partners will also be maintained. The existing voyage planning and charter commitments are intended to be continued.

The successful concept of Sea Cloud Cruises was the decisive factor for The Yacht Portfolio to contact Sea Cloud Cruises in order to pursue a desired growth strategy in this exclusive market segment. Sea Cloud Cruises would be The Yacht Portfolio's second brand extension, after The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Both sides intend to implement the LOI, which has now been concluded, swiftly.

Fincantieri delivers Discovery Princess

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2022 01 February 2022

Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilder, said it had delivered Discovery Princess, the sixth unit of the Royal-class for Princess Cruises, a brand within Carnival Corporation & plc group.

A further six cruise ships to be delivered from the yards of the company in the course of this year, it said in a statement.

Discovery Princess was built at Monfalcone and it is scheduled to make its first cruise on 27 March from Los Angeles.

MSC Cruises extends seasons in UK, Arabian Gulf

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2022 01 February 2022

MSC Cruises has decided to extend the season of MSC Virtuosa in the UK and that of MSC Bellissima in Saudi Arabia, t are company said in a statement.

MSC Virtuosa will now operate 23 cruises from Southampton between 29 April and November 2022. Antonio Paradiso, Managing Director MSC Cruises UK & Ireland said in a statement: “Sailings from Southampton have been our best sold cruises in 2022 and we are delighted to be able to extend the season to cater to the demand.”

The announcement follows the news that MSC Bellissima will offer additional 7-night cruises calling Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar, from 2 April through to 25 June. MSC Bellissima will finish her planned Red Sea itineraries homeporting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 26 March and then move to the Arabian Gulf taking over from MSC Virtuosa from 2 April.

Carnival Cruise Line celebrates six months of Mardi Gras

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 January 2022 31 January 2022

Today, Jan. 31, marks the six-month anniversary of the ship all cruise fans were waiting for: Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras, which welcomed her first guests from Port Canaveral on July 31, 2021.

The first of Carnival’s all new Excel class, Mardi Gras has been wowing guests on every cruise since July, welcoming more than 110,000 guests to date. To celebrate the six-month mark, as well as looking ahead to the arrival of its two sister ships, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, Carnival released the video after talking with guests about why they love the new ship.

Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by a liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology platform. Carnival Corp. pioneered the introduction of LNG fuel in the passenger cruise sector as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and emissions reduction. Mardi Gras is also the first ship to feature a roller coaster at sea, BOLT, which earned an engineering award from Popular Science magazine. So far, guests have enjoyed more than 30,000 invigorating BOLT rides.

The ship’s innovations and stunning new features have helped to earn other honors as well. USA Today’s Reader’s Choice 10Best Awards selected Mardi Gras as the Best New Cruise Ship of 2021 and Cruise Hive named it the Best Cruise Ship of 2021.

Mardi Gras is decked out with something fun for everyone — and that includes delicious dining options with several new venues on board, like Emeril’s Bistro 1396, Shaq’s Big Chicken, Chibang! and Street Eats.

Since the restart of cruising, momentum continues to build across Carnival Cruise Line. Nearly one million guests have taken a cruise vacation with Carnival since the restart on more than 400 sailings.

This fall, more excitement arrives when Carnival Celebration arrives home to PortMiami. Carnival’s next Excel-class ship will share all the fun guests are enjoying on Mardi Gras, like BOLT, plus some exclusive features as well.

A third Excel-class ship, Carnival Jubilee, will begin operations from its homeport in Galveston in the fall of 2023 and will also feature unique aspects all her own. Carnival Jubilee opened for sale last week.

[Read more on Carnival's Mardi Gras on the next issue of CruiseBusiness.com Magazine. Photo: Mardi Gras in Roatan, Honduras. Photo credit: Teijo Niemela]

Atlas Ocean Voyages realigns product to offer travelers greater choice and flexibility

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 January 2022 31 January 2022

In service for five months, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ newly constructed, expedition ship, World Navigator, has been bringing experienced, fun-seeking travelers to some of the world’s most remote and captivating destinations. Throughout, guests and travel advisors have overwhelmingly enjoyed Atlas’ innovative, active, and all-inclusive luxury style, as well as communicated their preferences for elements they value. In response to their encouraging feedback, Atlas Ocean Voyages announced today that, the luxe-adventure expedition line will offer its voyages independent of included air travel and shore excursions, beginning with bookings made from February 15, 2022, for departures from April 24, 2022, and beyond. Atlas remains an all-inclusive cruise, and, with the new set of inclusions, travelers enjoy more competitive cruise fares, as well as more convenient options for air travel and more personalized, shoreside adventure options in small and authentic ports, a hallmark of Atlas’ distinctive itineraries. World Navigator is currently completing her successful inaugural Antarctica season and will be charting a course for the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, The Arctic, Iceland, Greenland and the Fjords in April.

“Since our first ship, World Navigator, launched in August 2021, we have learned a lot from our travel advisor partners and guests,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “And from their feedback, we are refining and realigning those aspects of the Atlas experience that they have told us they value most. As a result of these improvements, Atlas’ cruise fares will be more attractive, as well as provide greater choice and flexibility for guests.”

“What has not changed is our commitment to deliver excellent luxury adventures to travelers and our appreciation of our valued travel advisor partners,” Alberto adds. “That is evident with our current promotion of paying travelers $2,000 to incentivize them to book with a travel advisor.”

For all new bookings made through March 31, 2022, travelers can enjoy a savings of $1,000 per guest – up to $2,000 per room – for making their luxe-adventure voyage booking with a Travel Advisor.

On board, guests enjoy Atlas Ocean Voyages’ signature relaxed luxury style and inclusions, such as prepaid gratuities, premium wine and spirits, international beers and specialty coffees, international gourmet cuisine, and L’OCCITANE bath amenities. In every stateroom, guests enjoy robes, slippers and binoculars to use throughout the voyage, personalized coffee, teas and bar service, and butler service in suites.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure, expedition cruise line designed for discerning, fun-seeking travelers to immerse in unique and awe-inspiring moments in remote and captivating destinations. Launched in August 2021, World Navigator features 98 suites, solo suites with no single supplements, and staterooms and is the line’s first newly constructed small expedition ship, which can reach smaller, authentic and exclusive locales where larger ships cannot reach.

World Navigator will cruise the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Iceland, Greenland and The Arctic in summer 2022; Central and South America in the autumn; and return to Antarctica for her winter 2022-23 season. Atlas’ second ship, World Traveller, launches in November 2022, with three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, to join the fleet by 2024.