New Indian cruise venture emerges

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 28 December 2020 28 December 2020

A new company has emerged in India, which has acquired one ship and says is in the process of looking for a second one.

Called Cordelia Cruises, the new company has acquired Empress of the Seas built in 1990 and of 48,563 gross tons, from the Royal Caribbean Group.

“It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt Ltd that recently bought over the Jalesh Cruises brand has decided to further capitalise the massive potential of cruising by entering the Indian market, with the Empress of the Seas, that belonged to the Royal Caribbean International until recently,” Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO of Cordelia Cruises said in a statement.

The new venture is part of Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt Ltd, which has also taken over the Jalesh Cruises brand, which had to cease operations in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It used to operate the 70,310 gross ton Karnika, built in 1990 as Crown Princess for Princess Cruises.

Cordelia Cruises is already in the process of adding a second ship to its fleet, Bailom said.

On 16 December, Royal Caribbean Group said it had sold Empress of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas that was built two years later and which measures at 73,941 gross tons to a buyer based in Asia-Pacific that would release details for future sailings at a later time. As yet, no news has emerged regarding the future of Majesty of the Seas.

Viking Octantis meets water for first time

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 24 December 2020 24 December 2020

Viking has announced its first expedition ship – the 378-guest Viking Octantis – was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time that the new ship touches water. Scheduled to debut in early 2022, Viking Octantis will spend her maiden season sailing voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. A second, identical expedition ship, Viking Polaris, is set to debut in summer 2022 and will sail journeys to Antarctica and the Arctic. Viking has also developed a series of short videos about the new expedition voyages, ship design and prestigious scientific partnerships, which can be found on its website here .

“Working with Fincantieri over the last eight years, we have built the world’s most beautiful ocean ships. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Fincantieri’s VARD and celebrate this important milestone in the construction of our first expedition vessel,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “In creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition,’ we are perfecting polar expedition cruising, and we will usher in a new era of comfortable exploration in the heart of North America. Viking Octantis and her sister ship, Viking Polaris, will allow our guests to explore further – to the ends of the earth as well as closer to home. I would like to thank our partners at VARD and everyone working at the yard for the hard work and dedication on the building of Viking Octantis; we look forward to welcoming her to our fleet in early 2022.”

The float out is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out ceremony of Viking Octantis took place on December 22; she was then moved to a nearby outfitting dock for further construction and interior build-out. After final outfitting, Viking Octantis will be delivered at Fincantieri’s VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway.

Esteemed explorers Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft will be honored as ceremonial godmothers to Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, respectively. Arnesen, a native Norwegian, became the first woman in the world to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 1994. Bancroft is the first woman to successfully ski to both poles. Arnesen and Bancroft also became the first women to ski across Antarctica in 2001. Together they co-founded Bancroft Arnesen Explore / Access Water, an initiative that aims to engage and empower more than 60 million minds to create a sustainable tomorrow.

Royal Caribbean Group announces $40 million travel advisor support programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 21 December 2020 21 December 2020

Royal Caribbean Group, the world’s second largest cruise shipping company, has decided to launch a $40 million programme to support travel advisors to weather the Covid-190 pandemic.

Called "Pay It Forward," it is a second phase of its RCL Cares programme to support its travel advisors as they look to rebuild their businesses after a challenging 2020.

“The program makes a $40 million pool of funds available to qualifying travel advisors, who can apply for three-year, interest-free loans of up to $250,000 to keep their businesses focused on a return to growth at a time when the pandemic shows increasing prospects for coming under control,” the company said in a statement

"We know our travel advisor friends are suffering, too, and we will get through this tough period together, just as we always have," said Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group's chairman and CEO. 

"Our travel partners have stood strong beside us for more than 50 years, and we are determined to be there for them now. We're going to get to the other side of this challenging time together," he added.

The company said details about the application process for the program would be shared directly with travel advisors in January.

(Corrected) Viking's ninth ocean newbuild to operate the 2022-2023 World Cruise

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 18 December 2020 18 December 2020

In response to strong demand for its World Cruise itineraries, Viking has announced its new 2022-2023 Viking World Cruise, which will span 138 days, 28 countries and 58 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities. Departing on December 22, 2022 from Ft. Lauderdale, guests will sail on Viking’s newest ocean vessel, Viking Neptune, which will join the company’s fleet of award-winning 930-guest ocean ships in late 2022.

Viking World Cruise guests will embark in Florida and journey to Central America, before transiting the Panama Canal and sailing up the West Coast of North America. A shorter, 121-day Viking World Journeys itinerary, is also available, allowing guests to join Viking Neptune in Los Angeles and cross the Pacific Ocean to call in Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, before exploring ports of call in Asia and the Middle East. Finally, the ship will journey through the Mediterranean and conclude the voyage in London.

“We are pleased to offer this new opportunity for explorers to circumnavigate the world in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “World Cruises are truly special voyages, and they continue to be one of our most sought-after offerings. Our 2021-2022 World Cruise has already sold out more than a year in advance, which speaks to the enthusiasm of our guests as they look forward to the return of international travel.”

2022-2023 Viking World Cruise highlights

Viking’s newest World Cruise itinerary visits dozens of the world’s most iconic cities, alongside lesser-known destinations, in one seamless itinerary. Overnight stays in 11 ports, such as Sydney, Haifa, and Istanbul, and double overnights in Auckland, Bali, Ho Chi Minh, Yangon, and Mumbai allow guests to delve deeper. While on board, Viking offers cultural enrichment through onboard lectures and entertainment – such as the Viking Resident Historian program, which provides guests with a high-level historical and cultural education specific to their journey. Guests will immerse themselves in the world’s rich cultures during included excursions that provide unmatched insight into daily life, as well as Privileged Access visits to cultural institutions.

Correction: Viking Neptune will be Viking's ninth ocean newbuild, not eighth.