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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ losses deepen in second quarter and first half

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 July 2013 29 July 2013

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational cruise shipping company, has experienced deeper losses in both the second quarter and first half of 2013 compared to the respective periods a year earlier.

In the second quarter, the Ipswich based operator of four ships booked a net loss of NOK42 million, which was NOK6 million more than in the corresponding period a year earlier. Revenues fell to NOK340 million from NOK391million.

In January-June, the loss amounted to NOK 88 million, an increase from NOK77 million in the same period last year. Revenues declined to NOK726 million from NOK839 million, parent company Bonheur ASA said in a statement.

“The UK cruise market continued to experience difficult economic conditions resulting in lower sale and occupancy. Number of passenger days totaled 284 964 (314 991) for the quarter. Net ticket income per diem was at the same level as same quarter last year. The average spot price of fuel oil in the quarter was 5% lower compared to second quarter 2012,’ Bonheur stated.

Bonheur is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and it is controlled by the Fred. Olsen family. Its net profit rose to NOK545million in the second quarter of 2013 from NOK498million a year earlier.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holding to report second quarter interims 29 July

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 July 2013 29 July 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line Holding, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, will report second quarter 2013 financial results before market open on Monday, 29 July, 2013 with a conference call to discuss results to follow at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the company says on its website. 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.

Country artist Rockie Lynne to perform during Princess Cruises' veterans charity cruise

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 July 2013 26 July 2013

Country singer Rockie Lynne has been announced as a featured performer during Princess Cruises' first-ever fundraising cruise to support U.S. veterans. Lynne, a veteran himself who frequently supports military causes, will perform with his five-piece band during the November 5-9 sailing.

Lynne's debut single, "Lipstick," spent an impressive 10 consecutive weeks in the #1 slot on Billboard's Country Singles Sales chart. He is also co-founder of an annual charity motorcycle ride called TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS, which has raised more than $250,000 in aid to families of the fallen. One third of the proceeds from his new album, Songs for Soldiers, will benefit troop-related charities. The inspiration for the album was his 21-day tour of Afghanistan, Southwest Asia, and The Persian Gulf, where he and his band entertained U.S. troops stationed abroad.

During the cruise, Lynne and his band will be headliners in the ship's Princess Theater, and will also offer an up-close performance in Club Fusion.

The groundbreaking sailing will raise funds for two respected veterans' organizations - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Inc. and Operation Homefront Inc. The voyage sails roundtrip from Houston aboard Caribbean Princess to the Western Caribbean, and is expected to generate $1 million for the two charities.

Lynne joins a number of special guests who will be aboard the cruise, including former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen (Ret.); retired senior officers from the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force; an award-winning war correspondent; and other respected speakers, authors and panelists. More information and the latest line-up of special guests can be found at http://www.princess.com/cruisingforacause/veteranscruise.html.

The cruise will offer passengers the opportunity to honor those who have served in the military as well as active duty military personnel. In addition to Lynne and the line-up of impressive military guests and speakers, there will be special performers, celebrities, unique topic panels and a military film festival. Princess will offer onboard activities such as a Stars and Stripes Sailaway, a Red, White and Blue Gala, and more – to celebrate U.S. veterans.

Also throughout the voyage, representatives from the Veterans History Project will be onboard to assist veterans interested in working with families and friends to record personal accounts of their service experience for preservation with the Library of Congress.

Cruise fares range from $499 to $1,849 per person based on double occupancy. A portion of each passenger's cruise fare expected to reach approximately $500,000 will be matched by Princess Cruises for a total of $1 million earmarked for the two veterans' organizations. As part of Princess' ongoing Military Cruise Benefit Program, active and retired military personnel choosing to book this cruise will receive a $50 onboard credit.

The cruise launches Princess Cruises' new Cruising for a Cause initiative where the company will dedicate entire sailings to support select charitable causes. This new, industry-leading program will provide the line's passengers, many of whom are looking for opportunities to make positive contributions to their communities and the world, a way to make a difference even as they vacation.

Iron chef Geoffrey Zakarian to host dining experiences at sea

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 July 2013 25 July 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that Celebrity Chef Geoffrey Zakarian will host a number of special activities on board Norwegian Breakaway during two of the ship's upcoming sailings: November 3 and December 1, 2013. These sailings will feature an exclusive opportunity to meet and interact with the Iron Chef in his on-board restaurant, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian.

While sailing on board Norwegian Breakaway from November 7 through 10 and December 5 through December 8, Zakarian will offer Norwegian guests a variety of unique and interactive opportunities. He will host an exciting meet and greet session, giving guests the chance to take a photo with their favorite Iron Chef and a dynamic cooking demonstration, followed by a personalized book signing of his latest cookbook. The special event of each cruise will be the opportunity to attend an intimate dining experience* where a limited number of guests will enjoy a specially-curated Ocean Blue tasting menu served by the Iron Chef himself.

Geoffrey Zakarian recently launched three brand new seafood-centric restaurants on Norwegian's New York City-inspired ship, Norwegian Breakaway; Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, an elegant seafood dining experience that focuses on premium ingredients and expert culinary techniques; The Raw Bar, an adjacent bar that highlights crustaceans, crudos, cocktails and wines by the glass; and Ocean Blue on The Waterfront, a more casual dining option that serves fun and easy fare. All three of these unique venues utilize the freshest ingredients and finest techniques that Zakarian employs in his land-based restaurants, truly bringing the best of New York City dining experiences to sea on board Norwegian Breakaway. Showcasing his eye for details, Zakarian also orchestrated every element of the restaurant from menus, to uniforms, to glassware and utensils.

Zakarian's taste, style and passion for fine cuisine have defined his career, which has spanned more than 25 years. An accomplished chef who has presided over some of the country's top kitchens, he currently has two popular restaurants in New York City – The Lambs Club and The National; one in Atlantic City – The Water Club at Borgata; and a highly acclaimed cookbook Geoffrey Zakarian's Town/Country: 150 Recipes for Life Around the Table. Zakarian emerged victorious in the recent fourth season of Food Network's The Next Iron Chef, Super Chefs. He appears regularly on Iron Chef America, demonstrating a razor-sharp knowledge of culinary techniques in this fast-paced cooking competition. When he's not battling in kitchen stadium, Zakarian stays busy filming CHOPPED, where he is featured as a recurring judge, and highlights his favorite dishes on The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

Steel-cutting for a new Canadian ferry

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 July 2013 24 July 2013

The steel-cutting ceremony was held today at the Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) shipyard for the latest generation ferry that Fincantieri is building for Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), a Canadian company that operates in maritime passenger transport.

The ferry, which is scheduled for delivery in Canada in late 2014, will be a concentration of technology and innovation, adopting the most advanced solutions in terms of energy saving and low environmental impact.

It will be equipped with a diesel electric propulsion system, like on modern cruise ships. The four diesel power generators will be dual fuel and can run on either gas (Liquid Natural Gas - LNG) or marine diesel oil. Two electric propulsion engines will operate azimuth thrusters, each equipped with two counter-rotating propellers, which together with transverse propellers, will give the ferry exceptional maneuverability. These characteristics, combined with a complex and extensive system of ramps and doors at both bow and aft, will allow the vessel to load and unload very quickly.

The ship will be certified in the highest class designated by international registries for this type of service and will also be in Ice class 1 A and propulsion class 1 AS, the highest level awarded by the classification registries.

The ferry will be used in the Québec province for multiple services on the Matane-Baie-Comeau-Godbout route, which allows more than 205,000 passengers and over 118,000 vehicles to travel with 1,600 sailings a year.