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American Cruise Lines designates newbuilds for Mississippi and Columbia rivers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2014 04 February 2014

American Cruise Lines today confirmed it will be placing the first of four upcoming newbuilds on the Mississippi River, where it currently operates its newest riverboat, Queen of the Mississippi. The second newbuild will operate in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, where the line is operating the 120-passenger Queen of the West. Construction of both new riverboats is well underway at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.

The new Mississippi riverboat will have a similar capacity to Queen of the Mississippi at 150 passengers, and will enter service in March of 2015. The new Columbia riverboat will follow later that same year. It will be slightly larger than American Cruise Lines’ other riverboats, with a planned capacity of 175 passengers. Similar in design, both will feature fully functioning paddlewheels.

The two new ships, as of yet unnamed, will enable American Cruise Lines to offer expanded itineraries on the Mississippi River System and the Columbia and Snake Rivers, adding new cruise options for those looking to experience these unique regions. The line currently runs numerous eight-day cruises on both rivers, offering various themes from wine and jazz music, to Mark Twain and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

“Demand on the Mississippi is high, and the Columbia River has not seen a new riverboat in many years,” said Timothy Beebe, Vice President of American Cruise Lines. “The new riverboats will offer the finest experience available in these regions, while maintaining the historic feel and authenticity of historic American river cruising.”

Both riverboats will feature historic accents and modern conveniences, as well as the latest safety technologies. They will feature the largest, most well-appointed staterooms on the rivers, and almost all will have large sliding glass doors offering panoramic views and entirely private balconies. A glass-enclosed dining room and various spacious lounge venues are also planned. During the cruise, guests will learn about the region’s history and culture, while enjoying personalized service and the comforts of the finest riverboats in North America.

Eckero Line managing director leaves company

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2014 04 February 2014

Irja Hanelius, managing director of the Finnish ferry company Eckero Line has left the company, Eckero said in a statement. The company operates the 35,000 gross ton ropax ferry Finlandia between Helsinki and Tallinn and it is part of Rederi AB Eckero group. Bjorn Blomqvist, CEO of the group will act as interim managing director of Eckero Line until a successor has been found for Hanelius, the company said.

Bergen Group Fosen delivers Bergensfjord

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2014 04 February 2014

Bergen Group Fosen, the Norwegian shipbuilder, says it has delivered the lng powered Bergensfjord ropax ferry Bergensfjord to Fjord Line, the Bergen based ferry company.

The vessel is second unit in a series of two similar vessels, the sister ship Stavangerfjord was delivered to the owner last summer.

The ships are designed by Bergen Group Fosen and they are both equipped with engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG engines reduce NOx emissions by 92% compared to engines powered by traditional heavy fuel oil. Emissions of sulphur are eliminated completely, while particulate emissions are cut 98%. The technology Fjord Line uses also reduces emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2) by 23%

The new ships, which are 170 meters long, are perfectly designed to handle North Sea waves and provide passengers with a smooth and stable voyage. Each ship has space for 1,500 passengers, with 306 cabins and a vehicle deck for up to 600 cars, trucks and cargo.

First Cunard Atlantic voyage from Liverpool in five decades attracts strong demand

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 February 2014 03 February 2014

About 500 persons registered their interest in sailing across the Atlantic from Liverpool to Halifax, Boston and New York on Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 in July 2015, when the line will offer its first crossing from the UK port since 1966, Liverpool Echo reports on its website.

Bookings will open in April, the report said.

John Cooper, Liverpool Cruise Club commercial manager, was quoted as saying: “We’ve had to go back to Cunard and request more cabins on Queen Victoria as bookings went wild. It’s incredible. Apart from a story in the echo Shipping Lines’ page we’ve not advertised and letters to regular clients have only just gone out.”

The majority of visitors to a fair arranged by Liverpool Cruise club, a local travel agency that focuses on cruises, made it clear to the cruise lines they wanted more ships sailing from Liverpool, rather than having to travel to Southampton and other south coast departure ports.

Meantime, demand was so high for the only Cunard Line sailing in and out of Liverpool this year that Liverpool Cruise Club requested more cabins onboard Queen Victoria. The ship is splitting her round- UK cruise in two so passengers can either sail into or sail from Liverpool on 30-31 May with coach travel completing the trip to or from Southampton.

Cooper said: “We’re talking to cruise lines about following the success we’ve had with Cunard splitting round Britain cruises. We’re trying to get Princess Cruises to split cruises as its liners now visit Liverpool four times a year on round Britain cruises. Princess brought extra staff because it expected to be busy at the Fair."

Cunard Line was founded in Liverpool in 1840 and the now Southampton based company will bring its three ships to the port in 2015 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of its foundation. RMS Britannia, a 1,154 gross ton wooden paddle steamer, sailed on the first Cunard voyage for Halifax and Boston on 4 July 1840.

Norwegian Cruise Line to report 4th quarter and full year results on February 18

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 February 2014 03 February 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line will report fourth quarter and full year 2013 financial results before market open on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 with a conference call to discuss results to follow at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, the company said in a statement. Analyst research restrictions in connection with the secondary offering that took place in December 2013 resulted in a modification of the Company's reporting timeline for financial results. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously via the Company's Investor Relations website, www.investor.ncl.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at the same site for 30 days following the call.