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Lindblad Expeditions expands operations in Galápagos market with addition of two vessels

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 June 2024 12 June 2024

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., global leader of adventure travel and the pioneer of modern expedition cruising, today announced that it has added two purpose-built Galápagos expedition vessels to join the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet.

“We recognize and appreciate the immense privilege our Company has to operate and grow our expedition cruise offerings in the Galápagos Islands,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, Founder and CEO of Lindblad Expeditions. “By sourcing well-appointed vessels and onboarding the most experienced crew and staff who meet our exacting standards of responsible exploration, we’re able to transport guests from around the world to the iconic archipelago and help them understand the importance of protecting and preserving its wonders and wildlife, as a consequence of their personal experience.”

He continued: “When my father, Lars-Eric Lindblad, led the first international citizen expedition to the Galápagos nearly 60 years ago, I don’t think he ever could have dreamed it would serve as the foundation for ecotourism in the archipelago and would be the catalyst for meaningful, positively impactful connections. We look forward to not only bringing more Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic guests to the islands with the growth of our fleet, but also to having a greater positive social impact supporting conservation, education and the creation of livelihoods.”

Later this month, bookings will open for sale and the names of the two ships will be revealed. The first of the two new ships (formerly Celebrity Xpedition) is a 48-guest configuration and features two unique dining venues and 24 outward-facing cabins, including 13 balcony suites. Even more intimate, the second vessel (formerly Celebrity Xploration) is a 16-guest, eight-cabin catamaran perfect for family vacations, affinity groups, and private charters.

Following the closing of the transaction in January 2025, the ships will undergo multi-million-dollar revitalizations. Once complete, the ships will embody the spirit of adventure and extreme comfort, both synonymous with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, and will celebrate the Company’s deep connection to the islands, Ecuador, and its people.

“For decades, Lindblad Expeditions has set the standards for sustainable tourism in Galápagos and been an extraordinary friend and supporter to the Charles Darwin Foundation and the greater conservation community in the islands,” said Rakan Zahawi, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation. “Together with community leaders, farmers, scientists and researchers, as well as Ecuadorians from Galápagos and the continent, Lindblad Expeditions has helped to uplift local communities and safeguard the archipelago’s precious species and habitats. We are grateful for their continued commitment to protecting, promoting, and preserving our home, while showcasing its beauty to responsible travelers.”

Lindblad Expeditions has been the global leader and pioneer of modern expedition cruising in the Galápagos since leading the first-ever non-scientific international civilian expedition to the region in 1967. For years, the Company has operated two ships in the region, the state-of-the-art 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II and the 48-guest former mega-yacht turned expedition vessel National Geographic Islander II, and offers six immersive itineraries across more than 100 departures year-round. The addition of the newly added 48-guest and 16-guest ships will double the size of the Company’s Galápagos fleet.

Cunard celebrates record bookings following Queen Anne launch

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 June 2024 11 June 2024

Cunard has announced record-breaking bookings following the launch of its new ship Queen Anne.

The 3,000-guest vessel set sail on a maiden voyage on May 3 before returning to her homeport of Southampton on May 24 to begin her celebratory British Isles Festival voyage – which included a spectacular naming ceremony in Liverpool.

And the cruise brand can now report it booked more guests in May than any equivalent period on record, with Queen Anne Europe itineraries proving to be particularly popular with guests.

Culture Liverpool estimates that more than 50,000 people attended Queen Anne’s naming ceremony, with thousands more lining the banks of the River Mersey to witness her arrival in the city. Cunard also generated over 21 million impressions across social media channels on the day of the event.

Cunard President Katie McAlister said: “We’re delighted to see such strong booking momentum in response to the successful launch of Queen Anne. This record-breaking booking period is testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to welcome so many new guests on board Queen Anne and the rest of our iconic fleet in the future.”

Meyer Turku shipyard delivers Mein Schiff 7

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2024 10 June 2024

Today, June 10th, 2024, Meyer Turku delivered Mein Schiff 7 to its customer, TUI Cruises. Mein Schiff 7 is the first vessel with methanol readiness built at the Meyer Turku shipyard. At the official signing ceremony, Meyer Turku Shipyard was represented by CEO Tim Meyer and Head of Projects Tom Degerman and TUI Cruises by CEO Wybcke Meier and CFO Frank Kuhlmann.

Mein Schiff 7 is the seventh ship of the Mein Schiff series built at the Turku shipyard. "Mein Schiff 7's symbolic start of production, the steel cutting ceremony, took place at our shipyard on June 14th, 2022," says Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku, "We are very proud to have delivered Mein Schiff 7 to TUI Cruises today, less than two years later. This was made possible by our long-standing and close cooperation."

Mein Schiff 7 is the first ship in the Mein Schiff fleet to run exclusively on low-emission marine diesel (with maximum sulfur content of 0.1%). The ship has a shore power connection and is equipped with catalytic converters. In addition, Mein Schiff 7 is built so that it can also run on methanol, which with the green methanol of the future will make the ship's propulsion power almost CO2-neutral. Mein Schiff 7 is the first vessel with methanol capability built at the Meyer Turku shipyard.

"Receiving this ship is a special moment for us. Ten years ago we acquired our first Blu Motion class ship here in Turku, and by 2019 we had built a total of six vessels. We would like to thank the Meyer Turku shipyard for the excellent cooperation and the development of our well-being fleet. We are now sailing on Mein Schiff 7 to Kiel, where we will welcome the first guests on board on June 12th”, says Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises.

DFDS to sell Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route to Gotlandsbolaget

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2024 10 June 2024

DFDS will sell cruise-ferry route between Norway and Denmark to Swedish shipping company Gotlandsbolaget. The decision will ensure that the route receives the future focus and investments needed to further develop, while DFDS strengthens the focus on its core business within freight, passenger transport and logistics. The sale price is around DKK 400m.

Today, DFDS has announced that the route between Oslo, Frederikshavn and Copenhagen (OFC) will be sold to Gotlandsbolaget. The sale includes the two vessels deployed on the route, port agreements and terminal equipment. As part of the sale, approximately 800 employees in route operations and support functions will also move to Gotlandsbolaget.

“The route is a part of our history and heritage, and it is with a heavy heart that we have found a new home for the route and will be saying goodbye to a lot of valued colleagues. We have determined this to be the best way forward for all. We have grown and developed significantly over the years, and the route deserves to be in the hands of an owner with cruise experience as a core part of their strategy going forward. We are happy to have found that with Gotlandsbolaget,” says Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS.

The OFC route is first and foremost a cruise experience route carrying more than 700.000 passengers between Norway and Denmark every year. The route fits well with Gotlandsbolaget’s strategic focus:

"We see great potential in this business. The route is performing well today, and together with our new colleagues, we will both work to ensure continuity and develop the product. This is yet another step in our strategic direction to expand in passenger shipping", says Håkan Johansson, CEO of Gotlandsbolaget.

Enabling strategic focus on core business

The sale of the OFC route reflects DFDS’ strategic focus on providing transport and logistics services using combinations of ferry, road, and rail transport.

DFDS’ ferry transport network hereafter consists of freight-only routes in the Mediterranean and on the North Sea and combined freight and passenger routes on the Baltic Sea, between the Netherlands and the UK, on the English Channel and on the Strait of Gibraltar. The ferry transport network is complemented by DFDS’s European wide road and rail transport network and logistics services.

“The decision to sell the OFC route has been difficult. We believe it is the right decision and right timing for both the route and DFDS. Going forward we will focus on our core business activities within freight, logistics and transport passengers as we continue to execute on our Moving Together Towards 2030 strategy unlocking the potential of our transportation network,” says Torben Carlsen.

The two vessels – Crown Seaways and Pearl Seaways - will not be reflagged in connection with the transaction and no layoffs are planned as part of the transfer of the route.

When the transaction is finalised, DFDS will have 21 Danish-flagged vessels employing around 1.100 seafarers. In addition, DFDS employs over 1.000 people across more than 10 land-based offices, terminals and logistics sites in Denmark. After the transaction DFDS in total employs 13.200 people.

The sale price is around DKK 400m and the agreement which also includes a potential earn-out payment is expected to be closed in October 2024.

The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions while no regulatory approval conditions apply.

Costa Fortuna inaugurates its new itinerary from Piraeus

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 June 2024 07 June 2024

Costa Fortuna today inaugurated in Piraeus its new Summer 2024 itinerary, dedicated exclusively to Greece and Turkey.

Until 13 September, Costa Fortuna will depart every Friday from the port of Piraeus to discover Istanbul and the Greek islands of Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes and Santorini. On some departures there will be a second call in Turkey, in Bodrum, or on the Greek island of Kos, instead of Rhodes.

"The proposed product is the ‘flight+cruise’ package, available from all major European countries. In this way, it will be possible to visit, with maximum comfort, these magnificent destinations, among cities rich in history, splendid archaeological sites, nature reserves, and crystal-clear sea," the company said in a statement.

The Costa Fortuna's itinerary will offer another great innovation, available only with Costa: the ‘Sea Destinations’. Alongside the experiences that will take guests to discover the cities and islands where the ship will call, the Costa Fortuna will propose new experiences to be enjoyed on board, while sailing, in order to appreciate at best the iconic places included in the ship's route. For example, during the crossing of the Dardanelles Strait, at sunset, guests will take a real journey back in time, seeing the gates of the Orient appear in the spiraling veils of the Dervishes, authentic ritual dancers who for centuries have practiced a mystical, whirling dance as a form of meditation. In Mykonos, all the energy of the night will come on board for a sea party by the pool. Amidst lights and colors reminiscent of the island's golden beaches and white houses, DJs with music from Mykonos' most glamorous clubs will keep guests dancing late into the night. On the other hand, in Santorini guests can admire one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, seen from the sea, capturing the splendid panorama in a photo while sipping their favorite aperitif.

Thanks to the excursions organized by Costa, the ‘land’ destinations included in the itinerary will be visited from a unique viewpoint, off the beaten track. In Athens, in addition to the city's most iconic sites, there will be the experience of sailing along the channel separating two seas, passing through rocky gorges and vertical walls, to the ancient city of Corinth. Istanbul will be explored from different perspectives, including by boat on the Bosphorus, while in Mykonos a local farming family will take Costa Fortuna guests on a discovery of rural traditions and recipes for local dishes, with a sunset barbecue. In Bodrum there is a tour in a “gulet”, a typical local boat, to capture all the nuances of the turquoise coastline, while in Santorini guests can live like an islander amidst the blue of the domes and the white of the houses, lunching with a traditional plate throwing.

The Costa Fortuna, built in 2003, is an Italian-flagged ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, accommodating up to 3470 guests in 1358 cabins.

Photo: Costa ship anchored off Mykonos, Greece