Carnival reports deeper final quarter, slightly narrower full year loss

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 20 December 2021 20 December 2021

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has reported a deeper net loss for the final quarter, but the figure for the financial year to 30 November narrowed slightly.

Fourth quarter revenues rose to $1.28 billion from $34 million a year earlier, while operating loss deepened to $1.89 billion from $1.64 billion. Net loss amounted to $2.62 billion compared to $2.22 billion a year earlier.

For the full financial year 2020-21, the company reported revenues of $1.91 billion, which was much less than the $5.53 billion in the previous financial year. Operating loss narrowed to $7.09 billion from $8.86 billion and net loss to $9.50 billion from $10.26 billion.

President and CEO Arnold Donald noted: "We achieved 4% higher revenue per passenger day in our fourth quarter compared to a strong fourth quarter of 2019, while at the same time ramping up occupancy and capacity. In fact, Carnival Cruise Line experienced another quarter of double-digit revenue growth per passenger day compared to 2019, operating at nearly 60% of its capacity while also improving occupancy, and is now approaching 90% occupancy levels in the month of December, which is a testament to the fundamental strength in demand for our cruise product."

Carnival group’s monthly average cash burn rate for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $510 million, which was better than expected. It includes revenues earned on voyages, ongoing ship operating and administrative expenses, restart spend, working capital changes (excluding changes in customer deposits), interest expense and capital expenditures (net of export credit facilities), and excludes scheduled debt maturities as well as other cash collateral to be provided. 

“As the company continues its gradual return to service, it expects to continue incurring incremental restart related spend, including the cost of returning ships to guest cruise operations and returning crew members to its ships as well as the incremental costs of maintaining enhanced health and safety protocols,” it said in a s

Costa Firenze inaugurates new Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 20 December 2021 20 December 2021

Costa Cruises strengthened its presence in Dubai with the departure of Costa Firenze’s first cruise, following the official opening of the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal on December 17. The new ship, whose design is inspired by the Florentine Renaissance, entered service last July and will offer a one-week itinerary in the Arabian Gulf throughout the 2021-2022 winter season.

Costa Firenze's debut in Dubai was marked by a double event linked to the city's tourism development. The Italian company’s ship inaugurated the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, the region’s first dedicated, purpose-built cruise port, in a spectacular ceremony that also included AIDAbella, from the Costa Group’s Germany-based AIDA Cruises. Costa Firenze also started the exclusive tours that take its Italian and international guests to discover Expo 2020 Dubai, in particular the Italian Pavilion, supported by Costa Cruises as a gold sponsor.

“Costa Firenze's debut in Dubai marks another important step in the resumption of our operations, and we are excited to restart cruises in a wonderful destination with great potential and where we have been the first to open to cruises," said Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Cruises. "The inauguration of the new Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal and our commitment to support the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai demonstrate how Costa, and the Carnival Corporation group to which it belongs, continue to invest in the restart of tourism and the cruise ecosystem, from which Italy and Europe benefit greatly economically and in terms of employment.”

The Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal project is part of a strategic partnership between Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, and Shamal Holding, which aims to transform Dubai into the region's leading maritime tourism hub. As the region’s first-ever dedicated, twin-terminal cruise port, Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal is capable of accommodating two large cruise ships simultaneously. Located in the heart of modern Dubai, the world-class facility spans over 120,000 square meters and includes two purpose-built terminal buildings that offer passengers and crew a safe, comfortable and seamless embarkation and disembarkation experience.

Together, six brands from Carnival Corporation – AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises and Seabourn – will visit the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal by 2023 and in total the six brands are expected by then to make 90 calls to the new twin-terminal cruise port. Costa Firenze will be homeporting weekly at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal through March 2022.

Costa Firenze's itinerary, which includes long stops at the ports of Dubai (two days) and Abu Dhabi (a full day, from 9am to midnight), allows guests to enjoy Expo 2020 Dubai to the fullest. Thanks to its collaboration with the Italian Pavilion, of which it is a gold sponsor, the company offers exclusive visits, which are true "grand tours" to discover the Italian excellence showcased at the Expo.

After a panoramic visit of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Costa Firenze guests enter Expo without queuing up, with a privileged entrance, to discover this extraordinary exhibition, which includes about 200 pavilions. Among these, a main attraction of the tour offered by Costa is the Italian Pavilion, to which a special visit is dedicated, with guides in foreign languages.

Covering an area of 3,500 square meters, the Italian Pavilion is highly recognizable thanks to the three large "hulls", which are covered with coatings made from food scraps and form the world's largest tricolor of the Italian flag. The theme that runs through the pavilion is "Beauty connects People," recognizing beauty as the element capable of combining multidisciplinary knowledge and skills of the past, present and future. The pavilion offers visitors a journey to discover Italian excellence, featuring a "garden of stories" and a synthesis of different elements, which are not exclusively related to the world of art and culture, but represent a social tale of the know-how of Italian companies.

Costa Cruises is one of the excellences of savoir-faire present in the Italian Pavilion, playing a leading role in the sustainability-themed forums in the transport and tourism sectors, an area in which Costa Cruises is at the forefront and a pioneer. At the end of the visit, participants in the "grand tour" of Costa's Italian Pavilion will be guests of Bvlgari for a unique gastronomic experience.

With new funding, Pandaw plans to resume operations

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 20 December 2021 20 December 2021

 

The south east Asia focused river cruise operator Pandaw said that the company has now secured funding to see it through to September 2022, when they anticipate restarting operations on Asian waterways.

The announcement came about a month after the company said would be forced to close down as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic that had deprived it of cash.

“Following the announcement last month that Pandaw would close due to lack of funds, as a result of Covid-19, the company was inundated with hundreds of goodwill messages from regular passengers. In addition, several would be investors emerged keen to acquire this iconic brand,”the Singapore based company said in a statement.

Founders retain control

The Strachan family, who own Pandaw are who are of Scottish origin, have managed to secure further finance to cover the lay-up and vessel refurbishment costs for a restart next autumn. They plan to keep the business in the family and relaunch marketing activity as soon as all remaining travel restrictions have been lifted.

Pandaw Founder, Paul Strachan said: “If it were not for the incredible support from the members of the Pandaw community, with so many kind words evoking memories of incredible experiences with us, I think we would have thrown in the towel. A big thank you to all our supporters for raising morale after nearly two years of hell.”

Strong bookings 

Bookings for season 2022/23 have been strong and many departures sold out with bookers cancelled by Covid using their credits to rebook. Many new bookers have taken advantage of the USD100 deposit scheme that reassures against the risk of further cancellations.

Meanwhile, Pandaw’s destinations are reopening with India, Thailand and Cambodia are open now to vaccinated travellers. Parts of Laos and Vietnam will be accessible i

Wonder of the Seas to sail from Port Canaveral in summer 2023

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 16 December 2021 16 December 2021

Royal Caribbean International today revealed the 2023 seasonal Caribbean cruises that will make waves with a summer of firsts. Wonder of the Seas, debuting in March 2022, headlines the lineup with its first U.S. summer from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. The new, innovative ship will be joined by the amplified Mariner of the Seas, while Harmony of the Seas calls Miami its summer home for the first time. The bold lineup is rounded out by the first Oasis Class summer in Galveston, Texas, with Allure of the Seas slated for a full season at the cruise line’s new, $125 million terminal. Summer 2023 Caribbean cruises are now open, with more Caribbean getaways to be revealed early next year.

Families and travelers of all ages can have their pick of short, 5-night cruises and 7- to 8-night sailings that feature idyllic destinations in Bermuda and the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean. The vibrant, tropical places they visit from April through October 2023 include Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (ABC islands), Puerto Rico, Mexico, St. Kitts and Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

Whichever itinerary beckons travelers, a day of thrill and chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay will be among the highlights on most sailings from Florida. The cruise line’s top-rated destination in the Caribbean welcomes guests to create their perfect day with 13 heart-pumping waterslides at Thrill Waterpark, including the tallest waterslide in North America; sights from the highest vantage point in The Bahamas on helium balloon Up, Up & Away; the first floating cabanas, a dedicated restaurant and infinity pool at Coco Beach Club; and more across dining, relaxation and adventure.

The matchup of award-winning ships and array of itineraries makes for exhilarating thrills from ship to shore. On Oasis Class ships Wonder, Allure and Harmony, adventures await in Royal Caribbean’s distinct signature neighborhoods. There are all-time favorites like the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea, and more than 20 different restaurants, bars and lounges, plus all-new highlights on Wonder, such as the Suite Neighborhood and the area’s dedicated sun deck. The amplified Mariner brings to life a combination of experiences for guests to seamlessly transition from a day at the pool to a night out. The lineup on board features a Caribbean-inspired and resort-style pool deck, a trio of high-speed waterslides known as The Perfect Storm, The Bamboo Room, a tiki-chic lounge; and more.