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International Cruise Summit in Madrid brings together executives from more than 25 cruise lines

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 November 2023 14 November 2023

Whilst in 2023 the cruise industry's forecast is to exceed 2019 figures by 6%, in 2024, a further growth of no less than 20% is expected, thanks to the addition of 16 of the 50 ships to be built in the next 5 years.

The most relevant international professionals of the cruise industry will meet on 14th and 15th November, during the celebration of the thirteenth edition of the International Cruise Summit, the renowned congress that each year brings together the cruise industry at Hotel Meliá Castilla.

For two days, several round tables and presentations will debate different topics of the cruise industry and tourist destinations. The cruise industry will be analysed from the outside following a year of recovery. In addition, the main leaders of the industry will outline the opportunities and challenges for the coming years.

Cruise companies continue to invest in the most advanced technologies to achieve zero net emissions by 2050. Several experiments with sustainable fuels have been carried out and research is being conducted on methanol and hydrogen engines. Half of the 50 ships to be built over the next five years will use Liquefied Natural Gas as a fuel, while the remaining 25 will be fitted with powerful gas filtering systems.

Many of these new ships will also be equipped with shore power so that they can switch off their engines while they are in port. At present, few ports have such a supply of sustainably sourced energy, but there are a large number of projects in the pipeline which will be brought to fruition in the coming years.

Top executives, international cruise line executives, port authorities, travel agents and companies and experts from the industry will be present at one of the most important cruise congresses in the world. The event will feature speakers from the top management of cruise companies such as Alessandro Carollo, Director, Government Relations at Royal Caribbean; Andrea Zito, CEO at Swan Hellenic; Linden Coppel, Vice President, Sustainability & ESG at MSC Cruises; Christopher Prelog, President at Windstar Cruises; Andreas Nüssel, Managing Director, Europe at Silversea Cruises; Matt Lebbern, Sales Manager, Europe & New Markets at Virgin Voyages International; Marie-Caroline Laurent, General Manager, Europe at CLIA; or Sander Groothuis, Vice President Port & Shore Operations of Carnival UK (P&O, CUNARD) among others.

Fincantieri delivers Seven Seas Grandeur

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 November 2023 14 November 2023

Seven Seas Grandeur, the third luxury cruise ship that Fincantieri has built for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the luxury cruise line in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s portfolio of three brands, was delivered yesterday at the Ancona shipyard.

Fincantieri has built all three luxury vessels in the Explorer Class, Seven Seas Explorer in 2016, Seven Seas Splendor in 2020 and now Seven Seas Grandeur in 2023. Like her sister vessels, Seven Seas Grandeur registers approximately 55,500 gross tons and will accommodate only 746 passengers on board, with one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the industry.

She has also been built using the very latest environmental protection technologies. The interiors are particularly sophisticated, with the utmost attention given to the guest experience on board.

In addition to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. operates Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which will receive another four Prima Class ships from Fincantieri in the incoming years, and Oceania Cruises, for which the Group has already delivered Vista, the first of two new-generation vessels of the Allura-class, with the second to be delivered in 2025. Since 2016 Fincantieri and Lloyd’s Register cooperate with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. on all brands of the group to deliver the new generation of ships.

Management shake-up in Azamara, Dondra Ritzenthaler named Incoming CEO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 November 2023 08 November 2023

Azamara, the small-ship cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion experiences and Extended Destination Days, yesterday announced the appointment of two senior executives to lead the company in its next phase of growth.

Dondra Ritzenthaler has been named Incoming Chief Executive Officer. A 40-year veteran of the travel industry. Ritzenthaler was most recently the Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Services for the Americas for Celebrity Cruises. Prior to her 20 years with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, she spent nearly 20 years with American Airlines in a number of sales and marketing leadership roles. Ritzenthaler will begin at Azamara in May 2024. Until that time, Chair of Azamara, Dan Hanrahan, will provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the team.

“Azamara provides a unique and exciting offering within the luxury cruise space, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the company into its next chapter,” said Ritzenthaler. “I look forward to working with the talented team and their travel partners to better serve the customer base and grow the Azamara brand.”

Alain Ferzli joins Azamara as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Ferzli has more than 20 years of significant experience driving profitable growth in the cruise industry. He served as the acting Chief Financial Officer for Virgin Voyages and in various financial leadership roles with Royal Caribbean.

Hanrahan commented, “Our team has worked diligently to maintain a solid foundation for Azamara amid unique industry-wide challenges over the last several years. Dondra and Alain’s deep knowledge of and experience leading cruise lines will support the shift of our focus to expanding our business and realizing Azamara’s full potential.”

Celebrity Cruises names its fifth Edge-class ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 November 2023 08 November 2023

Celebrity Cruises announced earlier this week that the fifth ship in its award-winning Edge Series will be named Celebrity Xcel, continuing the innovative experiences coveted in her sister ships and then going even further for an unmatched premium vacation experience.

The reveal was made at Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, as executives from both Royal Caribbean Group, the world’s leading family of cruise vacation brands that includes Celebrity Cruises, and the shipyard cut the first piece of steel for the new ship.

“The Edge Series has shattered preconceived notions of cruising, and I am thrilled to announce our next bold step as a brand with Celebrity Xcel,” said Celebrity Cruises’ President Laura Hodges Bethge. “True to her name, this next ship will ‘Xcel’ beyond her sister ships with entirely new experiences, yet to be revealed, but that will change the game all over again.”

Celebrity Xcel will make her debut in November 2025 in the Caribbean, sailing its inaugural winter season from Fort Lauderdale, on 7-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. The sailings are now open for sale.

Davie completes purchase of the assets of Helsinki Shipyard

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 November 2023 03 November 2023

Davie today announced it has finalized the acquisition of the assets of Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard Oy (HSO).

The historic transaction combines the skills, experience and capabilities of two leaders in Arctic shipbuilding and other high-value products. While the Canadian and Finnish shipyard will be separate legal and operating entities, the business headquarters will remain in Québec. The transaction will create opportunities for employees, encourage collaboration, facilitate the transfer of know-how, provide access to resources, and stimulate export potential.

While the details of the business purchase agreement are confidential, the transaction was made possible by a combination of Davie’s own funds and by €77 million ($110 million) of financing from the Québec government consisting of an equity investment of €30 million ($43 million) and a loan of €47 million ($67 million). A significant proportion of the funds will go to ensuring the shipyard has working capital while it gets up and running and secures new business.

Importantly, the Canadian government has looked favorably on the potential synergies resulting from the transaction for the construction of icebreakers under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Together, Davie and Helsinki Shipyard will deliver critical expertise for government and commercial customers. Both shipbuilders, renowned for their leadership and expert knowledge in clean energy solutions, will contribute to the creation of a greener and more sustainable ocean-going fleet.

The completion of the transaction is the culmination of a series of milestones, beginning in December 2022. In March 2023, Davie exercised an exclusive option to purchase the assets of HSO. This was followed in April by the signing of a business purchase agreement, and on July 4 Davie secured a new 50-year land lease from the City of Helsinki.

James Davies, Davie President and CEO, and Co-owner said, “We are delighted to bring two historic and highly complementary businesses together. It would not have been possible without the support of Québec, the City of Helsinki, Finland and Canada. We are confident our talented people and world-class supply chain will quickly form the preeminent global centre of excellence for green Arctic shipbuilding, and other specialized products. Empowered by Helsinki shipyard’s unique know-how, Québec can also more efficiently deliver Canada’s polar icebreaker order book, which is the western world’s largest.”

Alex Vicefield, Inocea Chairman and CEO, and co-owner added, “Linking together the capabilities, capacity and expertise of the two global leaders in ice-class vessel and icebreaker construction is a strategically important development for the western world. The Arctic is critical for future security, trade, navigation and the environment and Inocea is proud to be at the forefront of this next frontier.”

Pierre Fitzgibbon, Québec Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy commented, “The collaboration established through this acquisition will benefit both the Davie Group and its multiple suppliers throughout Quebec. As a result, the Davie Group is well positioned to secure contracts around the world. This is a win-win transaction for both sides of the ocean.”

Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada Minister of Public Services and Procurement: “It is with great pride that we see Davie acquire a world-class shipbuilding jewel, boosting the efficiency of icebreaker and ferry construction as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy. This acquisition will bring a clear advantage in terms of supply chain cost management through increased purchasing power, while maximizing the long-term economic impact for Canada and the greater Québec City region. Finally, the transaction will also open up new international markets for the local supply chain. This is yet another step towards making the Québec City region a world-class maritime hub.”

Wille Rydman, Finland Minister of Economic Affairs: “Thanks to the new owner, the future of the shipyard and the entire Finnish marine industry looks brighter. It is also very positive for the Finnish state that the change of ownership took place on market terms.”

Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Helsinki: “We have gained a strong, stable and competent operator from a reputable country for our shipyard operations. Versatile and vibrant business activity enables the success of Helsinki and enhances the well-being of our people. This is very welcome and happy news for all Helsinki residents.”

Kim Salmi, Managing Director, Helsinki shipyard: “This is the best possible news for Helsinki shipyard, our talented workforce and our supply chain. After months of planning, our top priority is to rapidly return this business to what it does best – designing and building world-class ships quickly, efficiently and cost effectively.”

Photo: Helsinki Shipyard photographed two years ago, when it was outfitting SH Minerva of Swan Hellenic. Credit: Teijo Niemela