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Royal Caribbean Group signs agreement with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for sixth Edge-class ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 January 2025 23 January 2025

Royal Caribbean Group announced on January 21st that it has signed an agreement with Chantiers de l'Atlantique to order a sixth Edge-class ship for delivery to Celebrity Cruises in 2028. Edge 6 or “Xcel 2” will be the sister-ship to Celebrity Xcel, which is preparing to take its inaugural sail later this year. Other Edge-class ships include Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Edge – the first ship in the series that was delivered in 2018.

“Celebrity's Edge Series redefined premium travel at sea, blending groundbreaking design and unforgettable guest experiences. Each ship in this award-winning series has set a new standard for the industry, and Celebrity Xcel, sailing later this year, is no exception,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. Partnering with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to expand the Edge Series with Edge 6 is another milestone in our mission to deliver the world's best vacations responsibly.”

“Celebrity Xcel will be the happy place of vacationers globally when she launches in November and we’re thrilled to be making this commitment to bring her a sister ship in Edge 6," said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. "Celebrity Xcel will take forward the best of Edge Series ships coupled with seven new experiences, all perfected with the help of our recently announced Xcel Dream Makers - an industry first program enlisting the power of cruisers to make final decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment."

Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series ships transformed guest’s experience by bringing them closer to destinations with state-of-the-art features like the iconic Magic Carpet – the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform at sea – offering a unique way to dine, drink and connect with destinations, or take in the dramatic local landscapes. Other innovations introduced by Celebrity’s Edge Series ships include Infinite Veranda® staterooms, which erase the boundaries between ship and shore. The sixth ship in the lineup will incorporate the series’ key features and make room for other yet-to-be-announced innovations.

"The strong ties between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean Group have led to the creation of the unique Edge Series design,” said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “This sixth ship marks the epitome of a pioneering series in the cruise industry that is both elegant, high-performing, and ever more innovative, notably thanks to its methanol capabilities.”

Royal Caribbean Group’s newbuild pipeline currently includes a total of eight ships on order. This year, the company will welcome two new ships including Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel. With this announcement, Royal Caribbean Group continues to drive its moderate capacity growth to help guests turn a vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.

This agreement is contingent upon customary conditions, including financing.

Resorts World Cruises to homeport in Mumbai, India

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 January 2025 21 January 2025

Resorts World Cruises ihas announced that it will be expanding its footprint to India with the debut and homeport deployment of the Resorts World One cruise ship in Mumbai from 5 March until 1 June 2025.

Resorts World One will depart from the soon to be completed Mumbai International Cruise Terminal at the Ballard Pier Extension (BPX) berth of the Mumbai Port with three weekly roundtrip cruise itineraries. These include the 2 Night Weekend High Seas Cruise departing on Fridays; the 3 Night Lakshadweep Cruise to Agatti Island departing on Sundays; and the 2 Night Goa Cruise departing on Wednesdays.

“In support of the recently announced “Cruise Bharat Mission” by the Indian Government and the new world-class Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, we are excited to further boost India’s cruise tourism sector and bring the Resorts World One cruise ship to homeport in Mumbai,” said Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises. “Mumbai is the main gateway to cruising in India and Indians will have the convenience of departing from their ‘doorsteps’, without the need to fly to another country," he added.

Resorts World Cruises is a well-known cruise brand in India with many Indian passengers taking Fly-Cruise vacations with its ships cruising in Singapore, Dubai, Malacca, Penang, Phuket, Jakarta, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Keelung, Okinawa, Kyushu, Osaka and many other Asian ports.

Cunard’s new ship Queen Anne makes North American debut in New York

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 January 2025 20 January 2025

On January 18, Cunard’s highly anticipated new ship, Queen Anne marked her North American debut as she arrived in New York on her maiden call from Southampton, England. Cunard’s first new ship in 14 years spans 14 decks and features 15 dining venues, accommodating up to 3,000 guests.

For the first time in Cunard’s 185-year history, the line has two female leaders in command. Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, one of the few female captains in the maritime industry, is at the helm of Queen Anne, and Katie McAlister, Cunard’s president, is steering the company into an exciting era of luxury cruising.

The design of Queen Anne was led by creative director Adam Tihany who orchestrated a team of world-class designers to imagine a ship that reflects Cunard’s rich art-deco heritage while embracing modern elegance.

A testament to this artistic vision is the ship’s exclusive collection of 4,300 pieces of art, commissioned from both emerging and established artists worldwide, each offering a unique interpretation of Cunard’s iconic legacy. The ship also elevates onboard entertainment to new heights with innovative venues and experiences including the "Bright Lights Society," an intimate cabaret-style venue.

With the debut of Queen Anne, Cunard enhanced its wellness offerings for guests. The Pavilion wellness café is a new venue serving breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining, with a menu celebrating plant-based cuisine alongside sustainably sourced meat, fish, and dairy.

In addition, guests can enjoy the Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea program which offers three-day packages tailored to relaxation, energy restoration, or recovery, providing a rejuvenating journey at sea.

Queen Anne’s call in New York marks the first stop on her 107-day inaugural World Voyage. This journey continues Cunard’s legacy as the pioneer of world cruises since 1922; bringing together travelers from across nationalities and reflecting the brand’s dedication to fostering international connections and cultural understanding—values that resonate more than ever in today’s world.

Cunard and New York have a long and storied heritage with an impressive roster of milestones:

– Cunard has sailed into New York since 1847, longer than any other cruise line.

– Cunard ships carried one in five immigrants to America, helping millions begin new lives in New York and beyond.

– Cunard’s legendary ships including Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth epitomized the golden age of ocean travel, hosting world renowned cultural and political figures.

– In 2015, the Empire State Building was lit red to honor Cunard’s 175th anniversary, celebrating the company’s enduring bond with the city.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, expressed her excitement about the ship’s North America debut, stating: “Queen Anne represents the pinnacle of innovation, design, and hospitality for Cunard, and her arrival in New York is an historic milestone for our company. As we celebrate nearly two centuries of maritime excellence, Queen Anne ushers Cunard into a new era of luxury cruising and continues delivering unforgettable experiences that connect people and cultures around the globe. We are proud to contribute to the record-high1.5 million cruise passengers that travel to NYC bringing $500 million in local economic impact to New York.”

Ambassador Cruise Line and CFC reach agreement to merge

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 January 2025 15 January 2025

Ambassador Cruise Line, a Njord Partners portfolio company, and French cruise operator Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC), have reached an agreement to merge, forming the Ambassador Group. This strategic combination marks the creation of a leading European premium affordable value cruise line, targeting the no-fly silver market. The transaction is expected to close by the end of January 2025.

With Ambassador’s success in the UK market and CFC’s strong presence in the French no-fly cruise sector, the combined operators provide a formidable platform from which to expand the newly formed Ambassador Group’s footprint in the European market, taking advantage of the significant growth in the European cruise sector over the next decade. With the market expected to grow by 12% p.a. over the next five years, the Group will leverage its premium and highly regarded offering to establish new destinations while delivering authentic and sustainable cruise experiences to a wide audience.

The Group will operate a fleet of three small-to-mid-sized vessels incorporating Ambassador’s Ambience and Ambition and CFC’s 1,200 guest-capacity Renaissance, which is fully refurbished following recent multimillion-euro investments. Both the Ambassador and CFC vessels will continue to offer a traditionally British or French product offering to their respective markets, with each brand retaining its unique national identity so as to ensure that all guests travelling with the combined operator enjoy an unrivalled onboard experience in line with their expectations.

With the cruise industry increasingly focussed on sustainability, Renaissance will be upgraded with the latest environmental technologies after entering Dry Dock in January 2025 to make her IMO Tier III compliant in line with her sister ships, the standard bearers for Ambassador Group’s high environmental standards and commitment to sustainable travel.

Ambassador Group is introducing a joint fly-cruise Caribbean programme in Winter 2025/26 in partnership with Corendon, a leading European travel operator. With itineraries from October 2025 and homeporting in Barbados, Martinique and Curaçao, sailings will combine source markets from the UK, France and the Netherlands, marking the Group’s entry into the fly-cruise market and enhancing its year-round offerings. Further details of the Caribbean programme including itineraries will be provided in the coming days.

The combined businesses will achieve operational efficiencies through synergies including fleet management and sourcing, while fostering growth opportunities for both shipboard and shoreside staff. Ambassador Group will be majority owned by Ambassador’s existing shareholders, Njord Partners, with Cheyne Capital taking a minority stake.

Christian Verhounig, CEO of Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “The combination of Ambassador and CFC is a bold step towards our shared vision for the cruise industry. By uniting our strengths, we are creating an organisation that delivers exceptional experiences to our guests while upholding sustainable practices. Together, we will lead the way in offering affordable, high-quality, authentic and environmentally responsible cruises.”

Maëlysse Pierrot-Guibourt, CEO of Compagnie Française de Croisières, added: “This exciting merger underscores our collective confidence in the cruise industry's bright future and our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. CFC is a new and growing French brand, and this merger with Ambassador, a successful, ambitious British brand that wants to grow markets and destinations, is extremely positive for both businesses, maximising synergies to create a formidable force in the cruise industry. CFC, with its highly impressive levels of guest satisfaction and repeat business, offers authentic and unique premium French cruise experiences which will not only be retained but further enriched.”

Jakob Kjellberg, co-founder of Njord Partners, commented: “We are very proud to announce another significant milestone in Ambassador’s journey to becoming a leader in the European affordable value silver cruise market. We are committed to continuing to invest in the sector, confident in its potential and our ability to become a market leader. This partnership underscores our belief in the strength and growth of the European cruise market.”

Jason Montague returns to NCLH as Chief Luxury Officer

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 January 2025 06 January 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. today announced a new leadership structure to execute on its multibillion-dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. Jason Montague has been appointed Chief Luxury Officer for NCLH, effective February 17, 2025, overseeing both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, capitalizing on his extensive industry expertise and strong track record previously leading these brands. This appointment underscores NCLH’s focus on its Charting the Course strategy, which includes adding five newbuilds to its upscale brands’ fleets and plans to refurbish nearly all their existing vessels.

“With over 20 years of expertise in luxury hospitality and a strong track record of driving excellence, Jason brings exceptional strategic expertise to our company and to our executive team,” said Harry Sommer, President and CEO at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “Having already led Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises in the past, Jason is uniquely positioned to shape their future. His unwavering passion for these brands, coupled with his financial acumen, alignment with our corporate culture and strong focus on executing our Charting the Course strategy, make him the ideal leader for this next phase of growth. Jason is ready to hit the ground running from day one, and I am confident his leadership will propel our brands forward, setting new standards in upscale travel.”

To advance NCLH’s bold vision for the future, the company plans to substantially increase its presence and positioning in the ultra-premium and luxury markets. Over the next five years, NCLH will execute its previously announced multibillion-dollar investment in its upscale brands as it pursues continued leadership in this market. For Oceania Cruises, the brand is expecting three newbuilds through 2029, starting with Allura later this year. Additionally, the brands’ ships Marina and Riviera will be refurbished in 2026 and 2027, respectively. For Regent Seven Seas Cruises, two new vessels will be added through 2029, in addition to planned enhancements to Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

"I am deeply honored to once again lead Regent Seven Seas Cruises and collaborate with Frank in leading Oceania Cruises," said Montague, incoming chief luxury officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. "This is an exciting time for these two award-winning brands, as we are ready to execute on our commitment to delivering sophisticated mid-sized, upscale and luxurious ships with elegant designs and state-of-the art offerings. Also, the passion and exceptional talent of team members across each brand, both shoreside and shipside, are a true inspiration. I am confident we will set new standards and create unforgettable experiences for our guests."

Before this appointment, Montague served as a Special Advisor to NCLH for two years after leading the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand as President and Chief Executive Officer until 2022. Before that, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer for both the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, where he successfully oversaw the launch of Sirena for Oceania Cruises and the Seven Seas Explorer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Before NCLH’s acquisition of Prestige, Montague was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President at Prestige, where he played a key role in launching Oceania Cruises, overseeing the purchase of its initial R-class vessels, securing an investment from Apollo Global Management, and acquiring Regent Seven Seas Cruises. He also led the financing and delivery of Oceania Cruises’ new ships, Marina and Riviera. Prior to that, he served as Oceania Cruises’ VP & Treasurer and SVP of Finance. Earlier, he ran a consulting practice focused on strategic planning for SMEs and was VP of Finance at Alton Entertainment Corporation. Montague holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Miami.

To provide transition support, Andrea DeMarco, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises will remain in her role through March 4, 2025. DeMarco’s leadership has been instrumental in the success of Regent Seven Seas Cruises over the last few years. “We are grateful to Andrea for her more than a decade of contribution to the company and for setting the foundation for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ continued growth and success. We wish her the very best in her next chapter,” said Harry Sommer, President and CEO at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.