More News

Azamara unveils 'Explore Well at Sea' programme before restart

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 May 2021 12 May 2021

Azamara, the boutique cruise line that describes itself as dedicated to Destination Immersion® experiences, has unveiled its ‘Explore Well at Sea’ programme ahead of the line’s return to service in August.

“Through Azamara’s commitment to wellness, the cruise line is implementing new standards with the launch of its ‘Explore Well at Sea’ program to enhance the onboard experience, keeping guests’ safety and peace of mind a top priority,” the company said in a statement

“With the guidance of the Healthy Sail Panel – a group of the best minds and leaders in public health, biosecurity, epidemiology, hospitality and maritime operations – travelers can expect advanced screening protocols such as fully vaccinated crew and guests, enhanced sanitation measures, and enhanced medical services,” Azamara said.

The company will continue to evaluate these protocols and update them as public health standards and the global situation evolves. Booked guests and travel partners will be advised of the latest requirements prior to voyage departure.

“Since we suspended our sailings over a year ago, we’ve had time to develop a strong restart plan and build on our existing health and safety protocols to ensure peace of mind for guests and crew, especially when it comes to traveling within our new world,” said President of Azamara, Carol Cabezas.

“Cruising is one of the safest places to travel, which is attributed to all the enhanced protocols set in place, and we are extremely fortunate to be guided by the Healthy Sail Panel for a healthy return to service in Greece beginning on August 28, with five back-to-back Country-Intensive Voyages and one classic Mediterranean sailing,” she noted.

‘Explore Well at Sea’ Program Highlights:

Testing & Screening: All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated two weeks prior to sailing, as an added layer of protection to keep guests and crew safe, in addition to providing a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. Once aboard, complimentary COVID-19 testing and medical evaluations will be available.

Air Filtration: With new HVAC filtration systems, the air indoors aboard each of Azamara’s ships is comparable to the fresh sea air. This advanced filtration system takes in fresh sea air and moves it through a two-stage filter, plus copper coils, to eliminate 99.99% of germs, making the transmission of aerosol particles between spaces extremely low to virtually impossible.

Cleaning Protocols: Advanced cleaning protocols and guidelines approved by the CDC and recommended by the Healthy Sail Panel will be followed. Every nook of the ships, from bow to stern, will be regularly cleaned and sanitized. New standards include enhanced team member training, use of EPA-certified disinfectants, and techniques like electrostatic spraying.

Medical Capabilities: An enhanced medical facility will be found on board each Azamara vessel, with more equipment, a dedicated infectious control officer, and new isolation staterooms to provide comfortable and complimentary care. New agreements will be in place with local governments, hospitals and transportation partners to ensure guests a safe return home.

Genting Hong Kong, creditors agree restructuring plan

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 May 2021 12 May 2021

Genting Hong Kong, the Hong Kong listed company, and its creditors have agreed on a restructuring plan of the company, which remains subject to internal approval by certain stakeholders.

Genting Hong Kong owns Star Cruises and Crystal Cruises in full and is the biggest shareholders in Dream Cruise.

“The Transaction is expected to be implemented as soon as practicable within the coming months following execution of long form documentation and satisfaction of certain commercial and legal conditions precedent specified therein,” the company said in a statement.]

It is based on the improved liquidity available to the group following the successful subscriptions by each of Ocean World Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, and Darting Investment Holdings Ltd. for new shares in Dream Cruises Holding Limited, which is an indirect non-wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

Pursuant to this, $59,000,000 of new cash was raised and $247,927,911.75 of intercompany loans were set-off, as previously detailed.

Key terms of the settlement agreed include:

(i) a new €215,000,000 subordinated secured loan facility and a €85,000,000 silent participation (being a form of lending which takes effect via provision of a limited-recourse equity stake to the lender in exchange for contribution of funding).

These will be provided by the Wirtschaftsstabilisierungsfonds (the “WSF”), being the German Economic Stablisation Fund, to MV Werften Holdings Limited (MVWH) , an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, and/or certain of its subsidiaries in order to fund the completion of the partially- completed Crystal Endeavor and Global Dream vessels and certain overhead costs.

This new €300,000,000 WSF Funding will be guaranteed by the company and certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of MVWH and secured by way of a composite security and guarantee package;

(ii) amendments to $981,050,000 of existing financial indebtedness of the Company (which represents all material existing financial indebtedness of the Company) to reflect the following:

(a) a material extension of maturity of the facilities; and

(b) a reduction in, and the harmonisation of, interest margins for up to 24 months;

(iii) suspension of amortisation payment requirements under $1,496,897,825 of separate secured financing arrangements entered into by Dream Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises entities until the earlier of (a) 29 June 2023 and (b) the date falling 24 months after the date of implementation of the Transaction (the “Implementation Date”) along with consequential adjustments to each affected amortisation schedule,

(iv) retention of all guarantees and security under the Group’s existing financing arrangements, along with the implementation of appropriate limited credit enhancement arrangements including granting of new security and assignment of rights;

(v) continued provision for drawdowns under existing pre-delivery financing arrangements available to the Group in order to fund completion of construction of the partially-completed Global Dream vessel;

(vi) provision of a new committed €280,000,000 post-delivery financing facility on substantially standard market terms in respect of the Crystal Endeavor vessel by certain existing lenders to the Group. This facility will be guaranteed by the company;

(vii) suspension of financial covenant testing under all of the Group’s existing financing arrangements which contain financial covenants until the earlier of (a) 29 June 2023 and (b) the date falling 24 months after the Implementation Date, other than in respect of a minimum liquidity covenant which will be reset to an appropriate level; and

(viii) a full reset of all existing financial covenants with effect from 29 June 2023 to reflect appropriate ratios for the purposes of facilitating a fully funded business plan aligned with anticipated market recovery.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, the Company and/or its subsidiaries shall seek to raise at least $154,000,000 of additional liquidity by 31 December 2021. Should the Company and/or its subsidiaries be unsuccessful in raising this additional liquidity, the Company will pursue additional liquidity-raising transactions, including:

(i) an equity financing of the Company for a value of not less than $30,000,000; and

(ii) entry by the Company and certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of MVWH into conditional, committed standby loan facilities provided by the State of Mecklenburg Vorpommern and the WSF in an aggregate amount of $124,000,000.

“Implementation of the Transaction is conditional upon execution by all relevant parties of definitive documentation and satisfaction of certain commercial and legal conditions precedent.The Company and its advisers are working diligently towards the implementation and consummation of the Transaction as soon as practicable and will continue to keep the Company’s shareholders, creditors, other stakeholders and potential investors updated by way of further announcement(s) as and when appropriate,” Genting Hong Kong said.

Losses from TUI group’s cruise operations narrow slightly

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 May 2021 12 May 2021

Operating losses from the cruise operations of TUI AG, the German tour operator, narrowed slightly in the six months to 31 March compared to the previous year, the company said in a statement

The company reported an underlying EBIT loss of €153 million for the first half of its financial year for its cruisoperations, which was slightly less than the €180 million loss in the same period in the prior financial year.

The fresh figure reflects the limited capacity operated over the period as a result of travel restrictions. “Prior year includes 100% result of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which is now consolidated at equity within the TUI Cruises Joint Venture,” TUI AG said in a statement.

In the first quarter, TUI Cruises operated three ships (Mein Schiff 1, Mein Schiff 2 and Mein Schiff 6), offering short ‘Blue Cruises’ around the Baltic Sea, Greek and Canary Islands. In the second quarter, Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 operated in the Canaries.

Average daily rate of the operated fleet was €104 in the review period, down 26% versus prior year, reflecting the shorter average duration and more local routes of Blue Cruises. Occupancy of the operated fleet was 35%, a reflection of the overall more subdued environment for departures as a result of travel restrictions as well as adherence to Covid-19 government safety advice capping the numbers of passengers on board.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operated two ships during the first quarter, the Europa 2 and Hanseatic Inspiration, which offered sailings to the Baltic Sea and the Canaries.

Europa 2 continued to sail in the second quarter, offering itineraries to the Canary Islands. Average daily rate for the operated fleet was €411, down 33% versus prior year. This reflected the pricing of shorter and more local itineraries. Occupancy of the operated fleet was 33% compared to 77% year on.

Operations of Marella Cruises, the UK focused line that TUI AG owns in full, remained suspended throughout the period, in line with UK government travel advice, with our teams in preparation mode for restart towards the end of third quarter.

“We anticipate TUI Cruises to operate a phased restart with summer itineraries from May, with its full Mein Schiff fleet of seven ships to be in operation by Q4. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is currently sailing with Europa 2, with Europa to resume in Q4,” TUI AG said.

Expedition Class Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration would resume service at the end of May with short cruises, with Hanseatic Spirit scheduled to join the company from shipbuilders from August.

Marella Cruises is offering UK cruise itineraries with Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2 from end of June. From August, Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 are scheduled to operate cruises to the Mediterranean.

Silver Origin to begin its inaugural season in Galápagos in June 19

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 May 2021 11 May 2021

Silversea Cruises today announced its long-awaited return to service in the Galápagos Islands aboard new ship Silver Origin, which arrived in San Cristóbal on April 30. With Silver Origin departing on her inaugural season from June 19, the leading ultra-luxury cruise line will welcome guests on all-new itineraries, which have been enriched to take guests deeper into the archipelago, and to increase the quality and frequency of experiences on offer.

Full vaccinations will be mandatory for guests and crew embarking Silver Origin from June 19, forming part of a comprehensive, multi-layered set of science-backed protocols that will help to safeguard the health and safety of guests, crew, and visited communities.

“Having worked exceptionally hard on our healthy return to service plan, we are delighted to be nearing the moment in which our extended family is reunited aboard our two new ships, Silver Origin and Silver Moon,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s President and CEO. “We extend our sincerest gratitude to the Ecuadorian Government and the Galápagos Government Council for their ongoing cooperation and their willingness to welcome cruising back to this remarkable archipelago. The first ship to join our fleet since Silversea Cruises joined the Royal Caribbean Group and our cruise line’s first destination-specific ship, Silver Origin is unique in her elegance. Following an extended period at home, our guests are eager to continue their discovery of our planet, and there are few destinations that inspire travellers with such unique natural beauty as the Galápagos Islands.”

“Our two new itineraries have been thoughtfully crafted by our destination experts to optimise the cruise experience in this extraordinary part of the world, providing more opportunities for guests to admire the archipelago’s iconic wildlife species, including the Galápagos Penguin, green sea turtles, endemic land and marine iguanas, whitetip reef sharks, Galápagos sea lions, and many remarkable bird species,” says Fernando Delgado, Vice President and General Manager of Silversea Cruises Ecuador. “Andwith Silver Origin offering the highest expert guide-to-guest ratio (1:10) and the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio (1:12.5) in the region, travellers will enjoy the most iconic experiences on offer with unprecedented insight and access. We thank the Ecuadorian Government and the Galápagos Government Council for their continued support and we look forward to inspiring our guests to safeguard this magical destination for generations to come.”

Silver Origin will sail on two alternating itineraries that incorporate five maiden calls, including the beautiful island of Santa Fe. Each itinerary will include calls in the iconic islands of Fernandina and Isabela – regularly described as the region’s must-visit destinations – and will each include enriched programmes ashore.

Hurtigruten Norway to make a significant investment in batteries and biofuel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 May 2021 11 May 2021

Batteries, shore power and biofuel are at the core of Hurtigruten Group’s large-scale green upgrade of the entire fleet of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express ships. The result: CO2 emissions will be reduced by least 25 %, and NOx emissions cut by 80 percent.

In what is described as one of the largest environmental upgrades in the history of European shipping, all seven Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express ships will undergo significant green upgrades by 2023.

"The world’s most beautiful voyage just got even better. We are combining the best available technical solutions and cutting CO2 emissions along the Norwegian coast with at least a quarter. And most importantly, we are laying the foundation for introducing new and even more efficient environmental solutions as they are developed," Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express CEO Hedda Felin says.

The ships will be upgraded using a combination of technologies and solutions specially adapted for each individual ship. All ships have already been fitted with shore-power connectivity – to fully eliminate emissions when connected in port.

Three ships – Richard With, Nordlys and Kong Harald – will undergo a full-fledged transformation to battery-hybrid power, with installation of new low-emission engines and large battery packs.

Across the seven ships, the upgrades will reduce CO2 emissions by 25%, and cut NOx emissions by massive 80%.

"This is one of the largest environmental vessel upgrade projects that has been done in Europe. For us, it’s rewarding to work with a company which shares our ambitious approach to technology and environmental issues. The green upgrades of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express’ ships represent a sustainable choice for their existing fleet," says President Egil Haugsdal of Kongsberg Maritime (KM) – which has been awarded the three-ship hybrid conversion contract.

KM has partnered with Norway’s Myklebust yard for the first battery-hybrid upgrade.

Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express is part of Hurtigruten Group, the world’s leading adventure travel group, which also includes Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world’s largest expedition cruise line.

"Our goal is to operate all our ships and all our cruises completely emission-free. While we get one step closer day-by-day, we cannot sit idle and wait for the technology to be in place. We are working closely with our partners do drive change, move boundaries while we at the same time utilize the best solutions available already today," says Hurtigruten Group CEO Daniel Skjeldam.

To ensure immediate effect of the green upgrade program already as Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express returns all seven ships to operation this summer, certified biofuel will be introduced across the fleet.

Hurtigruten Expeditions will also start trials with biofuel on selected ships and selected itineraries in 2021.
.