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Uniworld to add three new river ships to its fleet in 2027

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 March 2025 03 March 2025

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announces the addition of three new Super Ships to its fleet, set to debut in 2027. The ships will be brand new builds, featuring lavish designs inspired by the destinations they sail through, and will complete Uniworld’s transformation to an all-Super Ship fleet. Uniworld’s trademark Super Ships are the pinnacle of luxury, with grand design elements using only the highest quality materials like custom fabrics, hand-carved wood and marble floors. Onboard all Super Ships, guests will find original artwork at every corner, most specially commissioned for the ship or by famed artists; and more space, including additional suites and dining venues, and ultra-luxurious amenities. All three new vessels will sail throughout Europe, cruising the Rhine, Main, Danube and Douro rivers.

“2027 will mark an extraordinary milestone for Uniworld as we complete our transformation into a fully Super Ship fleet with the addition of three incredible new builds,” says Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. “Our focus has never been on simply adding more ships, but on continually raising the bar on the luxury river cruise experience. These new vessels will embody our unwavering commitment to innovation and craftsmanship, delivering something truly unparalleled for our valued guests – where no detail is too small.”

The three new ships will join other recent Super Ships including the S.S. Emilie, debuting in 2026; the S.S. Elisabeth, debuting in 2025; and the S.S. Victoria, which set sail in 2024 – all in Europe – expanding the line’s fleet size by over 10% since 2020. Uniworld ships are the most extraordinary vessels on the rivers, all one-of-a-kind floating boutique hotels with curated artwork, custom decor to bring the destination to life onboard, and furniture of the highest quality. Similar to the S.S. Emilie, which is inspired by renowned Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and named after his life partner and muse, Emilie Flöge, the new builds will be inspired by prominent figures with strong connections to the regions sailed. The new ships will follow the same design approach, each with its own unique inspiration, look, and feel.
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Finnlines plans EUR 500 million investment for three new ropax vessels

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 March 2025 01 March 2025

Finnlines, which recently announced its 2024 results, is planning to invest for new ropax vessels.

Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO, commented the results: ”The Finnlines Group’s revenue in January–December 2024 amounted to EUR 699.3 (680.7 in 2023) million, an increase of 3 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, EBITDA, amounted to EUR 162.0 (166.3) million.

The cargo volumes transported during January–December 2024 totalled around 782 (710 in 2023) thousand cargo units, 85 (156) thousand cars (not including passengers’ cars) and 1,234 (1,344) thousand tons of freight not possible to measure in units. In addition, some 936 (695) thousand private and commercial passengers were transported.

During the past few years Finnlines has mostly developed its new routes outside Finland to reduce its dependency solely on the Finnish market. In 2022, Finnlines launched a freight service between Rosslare, Ireland, and Zeebrügge, Belgium. Demand for direct, scheduled freight services from Ireland to Continental Europe grew in the wake of UK leaving the EU. In April 2024, a freight and passenger line was opened between Malmö, Sweden, and Świnoujście, Poland. The Port of Świnoujście has good road connections to Southern Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and to other Central Eastern European countries. Malmö, in turn, is the gateway to Scandinavia and via the Öresund Bridge to Denmark and other destinations in the European continent. In autumn Finnlines moved its freight services to and from Britain to the Port of London Medway, into Sheerness, in the south-eastern part of UK. Today, Finnlines connects over 20 ports across Europe and many of the company’s ships are increasingly familiar sights in ports outside the Baltic Sea.

Finnlines has renewed its fleet during the past few years with three large-sized hybrid Finneco ro-ro vessels and two large-sized hybrid Superstar ro-pax vessels, and has now completed its EUR 500-million Green Investment Programme. Leveraging the fleet’s economies of scale and taking advantage of recent vessel sales, Finnlines can enhance its cost-efficiency, and through its routes opened outside Finland can create new growth opportunities.

Finnlines is currently considering a further investment of EUR 500 million in three new ro-pax vessels, which will be powered by methanol engines, which can also run on other fuels. These methanol or so-called multi-fuel vessels are projected to enter into service at the beginning of 2028 and through this huge environmental investment in green vessels, Finnlines will continue to support its customers in a most sustainable way.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings reports strong full year 2024 financial results

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 February 2025 27 February 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024:

– Generated 2024 full year record total revenue of $9.5 billion, increasing ~11% over full year 2023 on 3% capacity growth. GAAP net income was $910.3 million, up 448% compared to 2023, with EPS increasing 386%, to $1.89.
– 2024 full year Adjusted EBITDA grew 32% to a record $2.45 billion, compared to $1.86 billion in 2023 with Adjusted EPS of $1.82.
– Total debt was $13.1 billion and Net Leverage was 5.3x at December 31, 2024, a two turn reduction from December 31, 2023 on net cash provided by operating activities of ~$2.0 billion.
– 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be ~$2.72 billion, or an 11.0% increase versus 2024.
– 2025 Adjusted Net Income is expected to be ~$1.07 billion, including headwinds from foreign exchange and fuel. Adjusted EPS is expected to be ~$2.05, further establishing a clear path towards our Charting the Course 2026 targets.

“2024 was marked by strategic and transformative milestones for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. From launching our Charting the Course strategy, announcing an ambitious newbuild program and the construction of our Great Stirrup Cay pier, and successfully executing brand initiatives and new guest experiences across our entire portfolio, we have laid out a solid foundation for an exciting future,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “These achievements, driven by the dedication of our over 41,000 team members both shoreside and shipboard, led to exceptional financial performance with record revenue, Net Yield growth, and Adjusted EBITDA, enabling us to further strengthen our balance sheet and reduce our Net Leverage two full turns. Through disciplined cost management and by capitalizing on strong demand, we remain confident in achieving our 2026 Charting the Course targets.”

Full year 2024

– Generated record total revenue of $9.5 billion, an ~11% increase compared to full year 2023 on 3% capacity growth. GAAP net income was $910.3 million, a 448% increase compared to 2023, with EPS increasing 386%, to $1.89. Performance was driven by strong revenue growth and continued execution on cost reductions and efficiencies throughout the year. In 2024, the Company recorded a $162 million or $0.31 per share benefit from a tax valuation allowance release related to US deferred tax assets and a $53 million or $0.10 per share benefit from foreign exchange.
– Gross margin per Capacity Day was up 23% versus 2023 on an as reported and Constant Currency basis. Net Yield growth reached record levels, increasing over prior year by approximately 9.9% on an as reported and Constant Currency basis, due to strong demand and pricing across our deployment.1
– The Company’s sustained focus on margin enhancement drove significant improvements in operating costs. Gross Cruise Costs per Capacity Day was approximately $304 for the year. Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity Day was approximately $160 on an as reported and Constant Currency basis, and was up 3.9% as reported and 3.8% on a Constant Currency basis compared to $154 in 2023. Excluding a $5 impact from higher Dry-dock days and related expenses, Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity day was up approximately $1, or 1%, year-over-year driven by higher variable compensation.
– Adjusted EBITDA grew 32% to $2.45 billion, a record high, compared to $1.86 billion in 2023. Adjusted EPS grew to $1.82, which includes a $0.10 benefit from foreign exchange.
– Total debt was $13.1 billion. Net Leverage was 5.3x at December 31, 2024, a two turn reduction from December 31, 2023.
– Achieved Adjusted ROIC of 10.9%, a 320 basis point improvement from 7.7% in the prior year.
– Made strong progress and on track towards achieving our Charting the Course 2026 targets announced at our May 2024 Investor Day.
– Announced a transformative newbuild program – a total of eight state-of-the-art vessels, representing approximately 25,000 additional berths, and the construction of a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay.

Swan Hellenic opens bookings for enhanced 2026-2027 Antarctic cruises

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 February 2025 27 February 2025

Swan Hellenic today announced its 2026-2027 Antarctic Season cruises, enabling expedition cruise enthusiasts to plan well in advance and book now to avoid disappointment.

The cultural expedition cruise pioneer has attracted continually increasing interest with its expert-led expeditions and extensive choice of cruises, several of which sail further south into the Antarctic Circle than other expedition options.

Further attractions are Swan Hellenic’s much-praised guest service and elegant but informal, boutique ice-class vessels, the five-star sister ships SH Vega and slightly larger SH Diana, accommodating 152 and 192 guests respectively. But this exclusive experience also means limited capacity. Even with a total of 24 Antarctic departures between them, only 4,777 guest places are available for the entire 2026-2027 season. Which is why wise adventurers book well in advance and Swan Hellenic has announced everything as early as possible. With bookings for its 2025-2026 Antarctic sailings already past the 60% mark, non-planners can still take heart, but now’s the time to make a move for peace of mind.

At the heart of the season are 24 round-trip voyages from homeport Ushuaia, the “end of the world” in southern Argentina. Each follows one in a select series of five expertly curated itineraries exploring the Antarctic Peninsula in depth, three of which approach it from the lesser-visited Weddell Sea. Famous as one of the clearest bodies of water on earth, this is where explorer Ernest Shackleton was forced to abandon his ship Endurance to the ice.

Special Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year of the Horse celebration cruises are offered, with SH Vega combining Christmas and New Year in the 13-night Roundtrip Cruise to Ushuaia from 22 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.

A long semi-circumnavigation voyage complements these round-trip cruises, the 20-night South Atlantic Cruise from Cape Town, South Africa, to Ushuaia aboard SH Diana. This ocean discovery voyage explores Saint Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, along with the South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia Island, Shackleton’s final resting place.

A distinctive new feature of Swan Hellenic’s Antarctica cruises introduced for the 2026-2027 season will be the opportunity to walk on the wild side in included expert-led snowshoeing expeditions that enable beginner and experienced guests alike to explore further than a normal landing activity. Typically around one and a half hours long, each will be led by two experienced mountaineers and will of course be dependent on the snow conditions.

All Swan Hellenic cruises are fully inclusive and feature gourmet cuisine, specialist talks and hands-on, expert-led expeditions.

“We’re really excited about our new Antarctica offerings and the fantastic developments they introduce,” says Swan Hellenic Chief Commercial Officer Patrizia Iantorno. “From deep exploration of the Weddell Sea, one of the most pristine intact ecosystems on earth, to our new snowshoeing expeditions, they offer brilliant opportunities to see what others don’t on life-changing voyages exploring the world’s last great wilderness.”

Resorts World Cruises brings back Star Cruises and Dream Cruises brands

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 February 2025 26 February 2025

Resorts World Cruises has announced the return of two of former cruise brands – StarCruises (a refreshed take on the previous Star Cruises brand) and Dream Cruises. The Resorts World Cruises brand was used temporarily to restart cruising in Asia post Covid, and the company will be reverting to its original roots, which span over the last 30 years. The brand transition period will take approximately three months with the renewed ambition to reinforce StarCruises and Dream Cruises as pioneers of the Asian and global cruising industry.

Launched in June 2022, Resorts World Cruises has successfully welcomed close to two million passengers to date, setting the foundation for this momentous transformation. Now, as part of this historic revival, its fleet will transition under both brands:
– The Resorts World One cruise ship will be renamed Star Navigator, joining Star Voyager under the StarCruises banner.
– Genting Dream will continue under the Dream Cruises brand.

The transformation goes beyond a name change, as it is a declaration of excellence, innovation, and commitment to redefining cruising in Asia with unique, refreshed cruising experiences tailored to different markets, the company said in a statement.