More News

Firming bookings indicate extended wave season – Carnival

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 March 2022 23 March 2022

A firmer trend in bookings in the recent past indicates that an extended wave season is taking place, Carnival Corporation & plc President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Climate Officer Arnold Donald said

"Given the recent strengthening in booking volumes coupled with the closer-in booking patterns, we expect an extended wave season. In fact, we gained occupancy even in the month of March with fleetwide occupancy nearing 70%and several sailings already exceeding 100%," he said in a statement.

Since the middle of January, the company has seen an improving trend in weekly booking volumes for future sailings. Recent weekly booking volumes have been higher than at any point since the restart of guest cruise operations.

During the first quarter, the company increased its booked occupancy position for the second half of 2022, albeit not at the same pace as a typical wave season due to the Omicron variant.

As a result, cumulative advance bookings for the second half of 2022 are at the lower-end of the historical range. However, the company believes it is well situated with its current second half 2022 booked position given the recent improvements in booking volumes and its continued expectation that occupancy will build throughout 2022 and return to historical levels in 2023.

Normalised for bundled packages, prices on bookings for the second half of 2022 continue to be higher, with or without future cruise credits ("FCCs"), as compared to 2019 sailings.

Cumulative advanced bookings for the first half of 2023 continues to be both at the higher end of the historical range and at higher prices, with or without FCCs, normalized for bundled packages, as compared to 2019 sailings. Due to the ongoing resumption of guest cruise operations, the company's current booking trends will be compared to booking trends for 2019 sailings.

As of March 22, 75% of the company's capacity had resumed guest cruise operations as part of its ongoing return to service. The company's enhanced COVID-19 protocols have helped it become among the safest forms of socializing and travel, with far lower incidence rates than on land. The company expects to have each brand's full fleet back in guest cruise operations for its respective summer season where it historically generates the largest share of its operating income.

Carnival first quarter net loss in line with year on

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 March 2022 23 March 2022

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has reported a net loss for the first quarter to 28 February that was largely in line with that in the same period a year earlier.

Group net loss amounted to $1.89 billion compared to $1.97 billion, while operating loss of $1.49 billion was also broadly in line with the $1.52 billion the company had reported a year earlier. Revenues, however, rose strongly, to $1.62 billion from a mere $23 million.

The company experienced an impact on bookings for its near-term sailings due to the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, including higher cancellations resulting from an increase in pre-travel positive test results, challenges in the availability of timely pre-travel tests and the disruption the virus caused on society overall during this time. “Therefore, occupancy in the first quarter of 2022 was 54%, a 20% increase in guests carried over the prior quarter,” the company said in a statement.

Available lower berth days for the first quarter of 2022 were 13 million, which represents 60% of total fleet capacity, increasing from 47% in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Carnival Corporation & plc President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Climate Officer Arnold Donald noted: "Despite the impact of Omicron, guests carried grew by nearly 20% in the first quarter compared to the prior quarter, while simultaneously increasing revenue per passenger cruise day and driving an improvement in adjusted EBITDA. We expect monthly adjusted EBITDA to turn positive by the beginning of our summer season as we build occupancy and return more ships to service."

"We believe we have positioned the company well to withstand volatility on our path to profitability and have been working hard to resume operations as a stronger and more sustainable operating company, to maximize cash generation and to deliver double digit returns on invested capital over time,” he said.

Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection contracts two vessels in France

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2022 18 March 2022

The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection said it would two build two superyachts, Ilma and Luminara, at Chanters de L’Atlantique in France. The vessels are slated to set sail in 2024 and 2025, respectively and the contract includes options for further vessels.

“We are thrilled to work with Chantiers de l’Atlantique on the development of our second and third superyachts, Ilma and Luminara,” stated Douglas Prothero, Chief Executive Officer for The Ritz- Carlton Yacht Collection. “They are a likeminded organization that is committed to excellence and a custom quality process and program that will help execute our vision as we thoughtfully expand our portfolio,” he said in a statement.

“The addition of Ilma and Luminara represent significant growth for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and we look forward to collaborating with management and Chantiers de l’Atlantique on the creation of these world class vessels,” said Tim Grisius, Global Officer for Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Development, and Real Estate, Marriott International.

The specially designed superyachts feature the highest space ratios at sea, with 228 suites, each with its own private terrace, and will offer a high percentage of larger suites, with two new, spacious upper suite categories measuring up to 100 square meters (1,076 square feet) in size. Both vessels will showcase modern craftsmanship and interior finishes imagined by AD Associates, the London-based architect and design firm, and DPA, the award-winning lighting designer. Aivan, the Finland-based yacht stylist, has developed the exterior design of the newbuilds, taking inspiration from the elegant aesthetics of private yacht design.

The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and legendary guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized. Having the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the luxury cruising category, Ilma and Luminara will provide nearly one staff member for every guest. In addition to unparalleled accommodations, the new superyachts will include five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, and signature spaces found on Evrima such as an expanded marina with a new mezzanine feature, a Ritz-Carlton Spa, and a special space for Ritz Kids programming. For special events, groups can enjoy an exclusive cocktail reception on the yacht’s expanded bow.

Reaffirming The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s commitment to implementing sustainable practices throughout the business, each vessel will be fitted with four dual-fuel engines and utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG) as its main fuel source, significantly reducing emissions as compared to traditional practices. Additionally, the yachts will include advanced water treatment systems, an efficient heat recovery loop, LED lighting, and more, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact.

DP World owned P&O Ferries dismisses 800 UK seafarers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2022 17 March 2022

P&O Ferries, which is part of the Dubai based DP World group, has dismissed 800 British seafarers with immediate effect, the company said in a statement.

It intends to replace them with cheaper crew supplied by agencies, media reports say.

“However, in its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business. We have made a £100m loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent DP World. This is not sustainable. Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries,” the company said.

The company operates services between Dover and Calais, Hull and Rotterdam, Liverpool and Dublin plus Cairnryan and Larne.

“In making this tough decision, we are securing the future viability of our business which employs an additional 2,200 people and supports billions in trade in and out of the UK. And we are ensuring that we can continue serving our customers in a way that they have demanded from us for many years,” P&O Ferries said.

Explora Journeys partners with Travelife

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2022 17 March 2022

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle travel brand of the MSC Group, today announced a partnership with Travelife for Tour Operators, the internationally-leading training, management and certification programme for sustainability in tourism, the cruise line said in a statement.

Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer, Explora Journeys said: “Working towards more sustainable travel experiences for our guests is an important part of our vision to become a truly defining and desired luxury lifestyle travel brand.”

“Our deep respect for the ocean is the principal component of our journey and out of a deep respect for local communities, our destination experiences are being designed to leave a positive impression and footprint.”

“We are committed in this regard to work towards building and maintaining a mutual understanding and firm commitment to sustainable tourism and so I am delighted, therefore, to partner with Travelife who can help us, our tour operators and travel advisor colleagues to achieve our ambition.” “

Explora Journeys` aim is to create a strong awareness among its partners for effective sustainability planning, maximising social and economic benefits for local communities where its ships will visit, enhancing cultural heritage and reducing environmental impact.

Naut Kusters, General Manager Travelife, added “Travelife’s sustainability management system naturally complements Explora Journeys’ commitment to create sustainable destination experiences. DMC’s, tour operators, travel advisors and ports are integral to support any sustainable implementation and they will be encouraged with education and incentives. We applaud Explora Journeys for its efforts to promote holistic sustainability.”

The partnership with Travelife allows all Explora Journeys’ tour operators and partner travel advisors with free access to the Travelife online platform to provide a range of benefits towards sustainable tourism. Additional face to face trainings are provided in European destinations in the frame of the EU supported SUSTOUR project.

These include a comprehensive learning platform with 16 on-demand sustainability modules including final exams and certification upon completion of each module; activity-specific excursion checklists that meet internationally recognised sustainability standards; practical reporting and action planning tools for the effective implementation of sustainability practices, plus best practice examples from the travel and tourism industry.