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Resorts World Cruises debuts in Surabaya with the Genting Dream

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 December 2022 20 December 2022

Resorts World Cruises, Asia’s newest luxury and dynamic lifestyle cruise brand today celebrated a new milestone with its maiden voyage to Surabaya on the Genting Dream with over 3,500 passengers from its dual homeports in Singapore and Malaysia (via Port Klang). In addition to Surabaya as a destination, the ship will also visit North Bali the following day as part of Resorts World Cruises special Indonesia cruise itinerary to celebrate the year-end holiday period.

“Resorts World Cruises is excited to include both Surabaya and North Bali as destinations for this special Indonesia cruise from both our homeports. Indonesia remains an important cruise market with huge potential both as a destination and source market for the FlyCruise sector. We would like to thank the local authorities, travel and business partners, media and consumers for their ongoing support, as we continue to work closely together to revitalize the cruise and tourism sector in Indonesia and across the region in a post COVID era”, said Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises.

During the ship’s visit to Surabaya, guests disembarking had the opportunity to explore many of the city’s hidden gems, which include famous landmarks such as the Four Faced Buddha monument with the biggest and tallest Four Faces Deity statue in Indonesia; the spectacular view of Putuk Truno Waterfall or Mount Penanggugan in Tretes; shopping at Pasar Genteng and Tunjungan Plaza and so much more. The Indonesia adventure continues in North Bali the following day, as the ship makes a special stop to offer guests more exciting local attractions. These include various gorgeous and photo worthy places like the Kekeran Rice Terrace, as well as the protected sanctuary of Plataran Menjangan Resort Bali and also West Bali; or diving in the pristine waters of Menjangan Island and more

MSC Cruises unveils top trends on UK cruise market

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 December 2022 19 December 2022

MSC Cruises has unveiled eight top trends it has detected on the UK cruise market ahead of the new year.

“There are many aspects of the travel landscape have changed over the past few years with new trends and ways of travel emerging which is why MSC Cruises is revealing the top trends to watch out for in the travel and cruise industry next year,” the company said in a statement.

Convenience is king – More Brits are looking for hassle-free holidays and going flight-free is an ideal way to keep trips simple. MSC Cruises saw many Brits choosing to cruise from Southampton in the summer of 2023, in fact almost 65% of all MSC Cruises’ UK guests chose to board in the UK

Focus on sustainability – As travellers become more and more conscious of the environmental footprint of their travel and seek out eco-friendly holiday options, MSC Cruises booking data reveals that the “Nature & Wildlife” shore excursion is the most popular shore excursion for Brits.

Big plans – Travellers are set to make 2023 a big year for getting out and exploring the world, booking longer trips. MSC Cruises in the UK has seen that 7-night cruises are the most popular for next year with an increase of 104% YOY, showing that people are prioritising travel.

Luxury travel – Among all the new travel trends for next year, luxury travel is that’s set to be big.

Under-the-radar destinations – Travellers are looking to expand their horizons and are considering lesser-known destinations with under-the-radar charm. Brits are increasingly booking unique destinations such as Iceland and the Fjords looking for once-in-a-lifetime experiences and Instagram-friendly holiday snaps

A family affair – Cruising provides a safe, hassle-free environment for families, with food, accommodation and non-stop entertainment all thrown in, so it’s no wonder that families with kids are a key demographic when looking at bookings next year.

All-inclusive – When costs are rising elsewhere, it’s essential that families still have time to take a break and get away to bond over their family holiday, and nothing offers better value than a cruise, even more so with an all-inclusive package.

Ride the wellness wave - In 2023, wellness travel is expected to reach new levels of popularity, with a focus on health and wellness often high on new year's resolutions lists.

Image: MSC Virtuosa operates from the UK port of Southampton year round.

GPH lead consortium preferred bidder for 15 year contract to operate Alicante Cruise Port

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 December 2022 19 December 2022

Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH), the world's largest independent cruise port operator, said that following a public tender process, the Port Authority of Alicante has awarded preferred bidder status to an 80:20 joint venture between GPH and our local partner Sepcan S.L ("Sepcan"), to operate a 15-year cruise port concession for Alicante Cruise Portin Spain.

The consortium and Port Authority of Alicante will now work towards agreeing on the terms of the concession agreement, with the consortium currently expected to take over operations at Alicante Cruise Port in the first half of the calendar year 2023.

Alicante Cruise Port, with over 100,000 passengers annually, is one of the most in-demand and growing cruise destinations on the east coast of Spain. The port has strong airlift connectivity and is well located for inclusion in Mediterranean itineraries.

“The port in Alicante is currently undergoing a multimillion-euro investment by the Port Authority that will significantly enhance the port and surrounding area and integrate it into the fabric of the wider waterfront and city. As part of the concession agreement, GPH plans to invest up to €2.0 million into refurbishing and modernising the cruise terminal,” GPH said.

Fincantieri presents vision of technology development of cruise ships to 2050

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 December 2022 19 December 2022

Fincantieri, the Italian company that is the largest builder of cruise ships in the world, has presented a view how cruise ships of the future would differ from those in service today.

Digitalisation and automation would make deep inroads into the industry and by 2050, Fincantieri expects that even navigation of the ships would become automated.

Many ships are expected to change propulsion systems in the region of 2040, when block chain technologies are expected to become widely used, Fincantieri said in its 2023- 27 business plan.

Fincantieri sees demand to exceed cruise fleet lower berth capacity in 2026

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 December 2022 19 December 2022

A rapid recovery of the cruise industry from the Covid-19 pandemic and continued increase in demand should mean that the demand will exceed lower berth capacity of the global cruise fleet in 2026, Fincantieri has forecast.

The world’s largest builder of cruise ships said in a strategic business plan report that it assumes the global cruise fleet to resume full operations next year. The demand for cruises would grow by an average of 6% per annum 2022-30, the Italian company said.

It expects 38 million passengers to take a cruise in 2026, when it also expects the demand to exceed the lower berth capacity of the global cruise fleet. In the 2022-26 period, the demand would grow by an average of 8% per year.

The rate of growth would slow down to 5% per year in 2027- 30 and at the turn of the decade, Fincantieri expects 46 million passengers to take a cruise holiday.

“With regard to the global fleet and taking into account the deliveries of vessels in order book and potential decommissioning, a gap between supply and demand is expected starting from 2026, foreseeing a resumption of order intake from 2023,” the company said in the report.

“As of today, resumption of orders has already been recorded for the luxury niche segment, with newcomer operators, for medium to small vessels,” Fincantieri continued.

Business scenario as well as economic and geopolitical outlook would be influenced by level of technological maturity to address emission reduction requirements financial support to shipowners by Export Credit Agencies, the company concluded.