Passenger business of two Baltic cruise ferry operators stages strong recovery

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 28 October 2022 28 October 2022

Two cruise ferry companies with operations in the northern Baltic have reported a strong increase in revenues for the third quarter of the year as passenger volumes soared after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tallink Grupp AS carried 1 893 603 passengers, which is 65.5% more than in the third quarter of last year. The number of cargo units transported increased by 13.1% in the same comparison.  The company reported a net profit of €37.9 million for the thid quarter compared to just €5.5 million year on, while revenues increased to €255.6 million from €170.5 million

“The Group’s operations and operating results showed overall improvements in most home markets in the third quarter of 2022. Moreover, the number of passengers increased by a fifth in comparison to the third quarter and by 66% compared to the previous year. Although to a limited effect, the recovery in demand was negatively affected by the war in Ukraine that emerged at the end of February 2022,” the company said.

Viking Line – which should not be confused with the cruise operator Viking – saw revenues rise to €170.4 million from €97.5 million in the third quarter, which includes the key summer holiday period.

Net profit declined to €9.5 million from €22.7 million in the same period last year, when an asset sale gain had lifted the figure.

Passenger volume rose more than double to 3.73 million in the first nine months of the year from 1.48 million year on, boosted by the arrival of the newbuilding Viking Glory in March. CEO Jan Hanses said that the demand in the passenger business and yields per passenger had remained strong, but a 66% rise in fuel costs impacted the bottom line.

Royal Caribbean says Icon of the Seas triggers best booking day

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 28 October 2022 28 October 2022

Royal Caribbean International saw its single largest booking day in its 53-year history when reservations opened for Icon of the Seas, the cruise line's first Icon Class ship.

"The enthusiasm and excitement for Icon are undeniable in more ways than one," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, in a statement.

"The incredible response we have received from our loyal guests, vacationers new to cruising, crew members and travel partners continues to come in, and this is just the beginning. We can't wait to share more of what Icon has in store in the coming months,” he stated.

SunStone takes delivery of Ocean Odyssey and Sylvia Earle

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 October 2022 26 October 2022

SunStone Maritime Group A/S, the world’s largest tonnage provider to the expedition cruise industry, has taken the delivery of two Infinity-class vessels, the Ocean Odyssey, and the Sylvia Earle. Final documents were signed on Friday, October 21, completing delivery of the two vessels from the CMHI Shipyard in Haimen, China to the SunStone companies. They will now begin repositioning before going on long-term charters.

The Sylvia Earle and the Ocean Odyssey are vessels four and five being delivered in the Infinity series being built at China Merchant Heavy Industries in Haimen, China. Both vessels will be on long-term, year-round charter – the Sylvia Earle with Aurora Expeditions, and the Ocean Odyssey with Vantage Deluxe World Travel.

The Infinity series is the product of a unique collaboration between European design and technology and Chinese shipbuilding efficiency resulting in an expedition cruise vessel with best-in-class safety and comfort features, and high operating efficiency. For two consecutive years, Infinity series have been awarded the Magellan Awards Gold Medal. In 2021 Albatros Travel won the gold medal Overall-Eco-Friendly “Green” Cruise Ship for the Ocean Victory, and in 2022 Aurora Expedition for the gold medal Overall-Eco-Friendly “Sustainable” Cruise Ship for the Greg Mortimer.

Infinity-class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and zero speed stabilizers. The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym, spa, and sauna.

Five Infinity-class newbuilds have now been delivered, and the next vessel Ocean Albatros will be delivered in March 2023. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.

Costa Cruises reported to pull out of Asia for foreseeable future

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 26 October 2022 26 October 2022

Costa Cruises, the Italian unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, has reportedly decided to pull out of Asia for the foreseeable future.

“As a result of continuing uncertainties regarding the full restart of international cruises in East Asia, Costa Cruises has decided to reorganise its structure in the region,” the South China Morning Post cited Costa Cruises as saying. The company was cancelling “future Asian home ports cruise programmes,” it added.

The decision comes against the background of continued zero- Covid-19 policies of China, where Costa Cruises had started operations in 2006 with the 28,500 gross ton Costa Allegra. It was the first western cruise line to enter the Chinese source market and to base a ship in the country.

Several ships affected

Two 135,000 gross ton newbuildings, Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze, were built at Fincantieri with the Chinese market in mind. However, the last named ship never entered service in China due to the pandemic and both vessels are now employed on the US market under a new, Costa by Carnival brand. They have also been reflagged from Italy to the Bahamas.

The 114,000 gross ton Costa Serena that was completed in 2009 and which had been employed on the Chinese market remains in lay up in Dubai.

Last year, Costa cruises transferred Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea that are both of about 86,000 gross tons to CSSC Carnival Cruise shipping, a Chinese venture in which the Carnival group has a minority stake. Both these ships that were built at the turn of the millennium are laid up in Cyprus at the moment. The Chinese company also has two 133,500 gross ton newbuildings on order at China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).

It appears to be unclear at the moment where these two vessels and the second hand purchases would be employed in the future.