More News

Lindblad Expeditions christens the National Geographic resolution in Antarctica

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 December 2021 01 December 2021

Lindblad Expeditions celebrated the launch of their second new polar vessel, National Geographic Resolution, on her inaugural voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands las week. Under Antarctica’s clear blue skies and parked on fast ice in the Weddell Sea’s Duse Bay, guests walked onto the ice to cheer on Captain Heidi Norling as she christened the 126-guest National Geographic Resolution.

“I wish this ship calm winds, fair seas, and great adventures. May everyone who sails with her be blessed,” marked Captain Norling as she tossed the bottle. Following some remarks from Captain Martin Graser, guests, staff, and crew celebrated with a champagne toast in the time-honored tradition – with Adélie and gentoo penguins watching close by.

The occasion marked a major milestone for Lindblad Expeditions as the second polar new build in the company’s history—and their second vessel to launch in 2021. Both are in Antarctica for the season. “Seeing both of our new ships together in Ushuaia was very touching,” noted Sven Lindblad, Founder and Co-Chair of the Board, who just completed the inaugural Antarctica voyage of National Geographic Endurance. “They are extraordinary ships. We had very high expectations when we were building them — and their performance has far exceeded them.”

Named to honor the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle in 1773—navigated by the legendary Captain James Cook—National Geographic Resolution is fully stabilized and features the patented X-Bow® technology guaranteeing the smoothest, most comfortable ride in all kinds of conditions, and will enable guests to go where few have or can deeper into the polar regions. Her elegant interiors are Scandinavian inflected and offer the highest level of comfort afloat.

“There is over 1,000 years of combined team expertise that go into a moment like this, and what an amazing team it is. We are so proud of everyone that worked tirelessly to create this extraordinary ship,” noted Dolf Berle, CEO, Lindblad Expeditions.

Following her season in Antarctica, National Geographic Resolution will make her debut in Europe this spring. She will navigate from Portugal to France and Scotland to Norway in style. After a summer in the Arctic, National Geographic Resolution will return to Antarctica via Japan and the East China Sea, and the remote Pacific Islands.

Searchlight Capital takes stake in Celestyal Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 November 2021 29 November 2021

Funds managed by Searchlight Capital Partners, the US based private equity investor, has agreed to take an undisclosed stake in Celestial Cruises, the Greek cruise line that is part of the Cyprus based Louis PLC group.

“As part of the partnership, Searchlight will make an investment into a new holding company, Celestyal Holdings. This will enable Celestyal Cruises to amplify its brand globally, build upon its success to-date and expand its operational footprint whilst growing and renewing its fleet,” Celestial said in a statement.

Celestyal Cruises would continue to operate its fleet of two ships from its offices in Piraeus, Greece with its current global management team leading the business and the Louis Group will continue as a shareholder in the new holding company, it said.

“Prior to the pandemic, Celestyal was on a fast growth trajectory, and Searchlight’s infusion of capital will propel our growth strategy and accelerate our fleet renewal plan,” said Celestyal Cruises’ CEO, Chris Theophilides.

“We are extremely pleased to have Searchlight as a strategic partner and are eager to join forces with them to build on our positive momentum, amplify our global brand awareness and elevate our award-winning guest experience, taking it to new heights. Our 2022 season is already looking solid and with this significant development, we are extremely excited about Celestyal’s journey ahead.”

MSC Cruises and Fincantieri float out MSC Seascape

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2021 18 November 2021

MSC Cruises today celebrated the float out of its next flagship, MSC Seascape, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, a traditional event as the ship owner and shipbuilder of a new vessel come together to witness a ship touch water for the first time.

MSC Seascape will be delivered in November 2022, the second Seaside EVO class ship to enter the MSC Cruises’ fleet, and the fourth vessel in the line’s highly innovative Seaside class.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises, said, “The float out of MSC Seascape marks yet another significant milestone in the growth of our fleet and the vessel will pay homage to the oceans through yet another host of highly innovative maritime and design features."

“We have continued with our ambitious new build plans, in spite of the pandemic, and today is a double celebration for MSC as our next flagship MSC Seascape is floated out into water simultaneously as her sister ship MSC Seashore is officially named at our very own private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve."

“MSC Seascape - together with MSC Seashore - features some of the latest environmental technologies and solutions to minimize her impact on the environment which will help us take a further step forward towards realizing our ambition of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri added, “Such an imposing ship makes it even more suggestive to reflect on the enormous work behind her construction. We began the work on MSC Seascape almost concurrently with the onset of the emergency and today, together with an established operator like MSC, we celebrate her float out in line with pre-pandemic plans. The great determination in respecting production commitments and preserving the entire orderbook has become the hallmark of our Group, an authentic cornerstone of the culture of the company, and there could not be a better precondition for looking to the future with renewed confidence.”

The 169,400 gross ton MSC Seascape will be able to accommodate up to 5,877 guests with approximately 140,000 square feet of outdoor space.

MSC Seascape’s sister ship, MSC Seashore, is officially named today at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas, the first naming ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island anywhere in the world. The ship’s naming ceremony also marks the formal inauguration of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in late 2019 and closed temporarily due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Celebrity Cruises cuts steel on fourth Edge-class ship – Celebrity Ascent

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2021 18 November 2021

As company executives signed the ceremonial first cut of steel for the fourth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, the cruise line that took consumers to the Edge and Apex of luxury travel, and will soon show consumers Beyond what anyone thought possible for a cruise ship, revealed it will climb even higher with the beginning of construction on Celebrity Ascent.

The ceremony signaled the next chapter in a remarkable year for Celebrity Cruises as it led the cruising industry out of the pandemic with Celebrity Edge, the first ship to sail from a U.S. port on June 26, 2021; formally launched the second Edge Series ship, Celebrity Apex, in an emotional naming ceremony on Nov. 2, 2021; and shared more details throughout the year on the series’ third ship due in late April, 2022, the highly-anticipated Celebrity Beyond.

“The name of this new ship is very apropos as the industry rebounds, but also as Celebrity continues to lead the industry as an unmatched new-luxury brand and cruise line,” said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Ascent will take the industry to new heights as it pushes the boundaries of what people can experience on a ship and how they experience it.”

“What another wonderful moment for our brand, our company and our industry to be in this incredible shipyard making the traditional first cut of steel on this magnificent ship and signaling the bright future that lies ahead,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “While I wish I could share what we have in store for this ship, I can tell you our ‘Ascent’ will be Celebrity Beyond’s sister ship in every way, and then some.”

"This is a momentous occasion and a new milestone in the long success story we have with Celebrity Cruises and the Royal Caribbean Group,” said Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l'Atlantique. “Celebrity has been on the forefront of pushing the industry forward on multiple levels, and it’s our privilege to partner and collaborate with them as we bring Celebrity Ascent to life.”

Celebrity Ascent is expected to make her debut in early 2023.

NCLH increases note offer, adds share offer to refinancing move

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 November 2021 17 November 2021

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH), the world’s third largest listed cruise shipping company has increased the amount of a note offering and decided to offer new shares as well, with part of the proceeds being used to refinance debt raised earlier.

“NCL Corporation Ltd (NCLC)., a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced today that it has priced its offering of $1,000 million aggregate principal amount of its 1.125% exchangeable senior notes due 2027, which were offered in a private offering that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended The aggregate principal amount of Exchangeable Notes to be issued was increased to $1,000 million from the previously announced $800 million,” the company said in a statement.

NCLC has granted the initial purchasers of the Exchangeable Notes an option to purchase, during a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the first day on which the Exchangeable Notes are issued, up to an additional $150 million aggregate principal amount of Exchangeable Notes.

NCLC expects to use the net proceeds from the offering to repurchase up to $715,899,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.00% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2024 pursuant to privately negotiated agreements with a limited number of current holders, with remaining net proceeds from the offering being used for general corporate purposes.

Meanwhile, NCLH has announced that it has priced its registered direct offering of 46,858,854 ordinary shares to certain holders of NCL Corporation Ltd.’s a subsidiary of the company, 6.00% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2024 at a price of $23.64 per share.

“The Offering is expected to close on November 19, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Offering to redeem up to $236.25 million aggregate principal amount of NCLC’s 12.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 and up to $262.50 million aggregate principal amount of NCLC’s 10.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, including any accrued but unpaid interest thereon, to pay related premiums, fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes,” the company said.