More News

TUI in €1.8 billion financing agreement

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 December 2020 02 December 2020

TUI AG, the German travel company that is a significant participant in the cruise industry, said it has reached an agreement with private investors, banks and the German federal government on additional financing package of €1.8 billion.

This includes e.g. an approx. €500 million capital increase with subscription rights and a €420 million convertible silent participation by the Economic Support Fund of the German government plus an additional credit facility by KfW of € 200m, and a prolongation of an existing credit facility by KfW until July 2022.

TUI owns 50% of TUI Cruises, which operates a cruise brand of the same name plus luxury and expedition market focused Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, TUI is 100% owner of Marella Cruises in the UK.

“The financing package strengthens TUI's position and provides it with sufficient liquidity reserves in this volatile market environment. It also balances out the presumed travel restrictions until the beginning of the 2021 summer season. The package became necessary due to the increasing travel restrictions caused by the rising number of infections and the associated more short-term booking behaviour of some customers,” the company said in a statement.

The package also provides for a reduction of TUI’s share capital from € 2.56 per share to € 1.00 per share -without merging shares- followed by a capital increase by means of a rights issue of approx. 509 million shares. As TUI's largest single shareholder, holding approx. 24.89 % of the shares, Unifirm Ltd. has irrevocably committed to exercise its subscription rights in this capital increase.

“Including the financing package now agreed, as of 30 November 2020 TUI has pro forma financial resources and credit facilities of € 2.5 billion post € 300m Senior Notes redemption,” the company said.

Photo: Marella Discovery in Aqaba, Jordan

Carnival Corporation announces Jan Swartz as Group President, Holland America Group

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 December 2020 01 December 2020

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company, today announced Jan Swartz has been named group president of Holland America Group, responsible for Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and P&O Australia, as well as Holland America Princess Alaska Tours and inter-group operations.

She follows Stein Kruse, who will become Senior Advisor for Chairman and CEO.

"Jan is a highly respected executive and a role model," said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. "Jan is a champion of innovation and a proven leader."

In 2016, Swartz was named as group president of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia, as well as having executive oversight of the P&O Cruises Australia brand.

Previously, in 2013, she was appointed president of Princess Cruises after more than 12 years working with the cruise line. Prior to this, she served as executive vice president, overseeing the line's sales, marketing and customer service operations, a position held since 2009.

In 2004, Swartz served as senior vice president of sales and customer service for both Princess and sister brand Cunard, and in 2001, she was appointed vice president of strategy and business development and worked on the P&O Princess acquisition by Carnival Corporation.

Additionally, Swartz is the president of the Princess Cruises Community Foundation.

Swartz holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Virginia.

Swan Hellenic and Tillberg Design of Sweden reveals virtual tour of Vega-class ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 November 2020 30 November 2020

Swan Hellenic and Tillberg Design of Sweden have released a virtual tour video unveiling what the adventurous and creative-minded can look forward to in its five-star cultural expedition cruise ships currently being built at Helsinki Shipyard.

The video takes viewers through the ship as they would when returning from an expedition by zodiac, which is how the video starts. So, the first thing you see aboard is the concierge-service Basecamp changing room, where guests are assisted to leave their expedition outfits for cleaning and sanitising to prevent biological cross-contamination. But it’s also a place to socialise over coffee before and after expeditions, relaxing in a signature décor of airy natural textures and tones.

Making your way through the spacious reception with its bold clean lines, you enter the vortex of light that is the main staircase, the sunlight filtering through geometric wooden slat walls.

Reaching the Swan Restaurant (image below) with its varied seating choices and dramatic picture windows, you enjoy the same thematic abundance of wood and warm natural materials. Only there’s a trick up the sleeve, with lighting and table furnishing changes that transform its daytime rich casual comfort into a sophisticated evening dining venue.

The Observation Lounge – the heart of the ship – is your next stop and a complete contrast, with chrome and massive picture windows that make the plush sofas and easy chairs feel both inside and outside at the same time. Offering a variety of different seating spaces, including cosy niche indoor and outdoor areas, this lounge also features a large LED screen for lectures as well as a piano and pop-up screens for entertainment and multiple other uses.

Pausing in the Club Lounge (Image below), with its round-the-clock sophisticated food, varied intimate seating and holographic fireplace surrounded by panoramic views, the tour then takes you to explore the outdoor Pool Bar and Grill. Here you see the heated infinity pool and extensive outside decks that allow Swan Hellenic cultural expedition cruisers to truly immerse themselves in the inspiring landscapes they visit.

Next it’s off to the astonishing panoramic sauna and outdoor hot tub, where you can sweat it out to arctic views after an indulgent massage. After which it’s time to discover the understated elegance of your Balcony Stateroom or Suite, a modern medley of pastel colours, natural textures, hi-tech entertainment and multiple lighting options for every mood, set off by a holographic fireplace to warm the atmosphere.

With Swan Hellenic’s first ship Minerva arriving in November 2021, and a whole array of exceptional itineraries attracting strong bookings for the return of the original name in cultural expedition cruising, the virtual tour video now on the Swan Hellenic website is the perfect start to an unforgettable journey of discovery. As you watch it, you can easily imagine yourself on SH Minerva’s extraordinary Antarctic polar solar eclipse maiden cruise.

Fredrik Johansson MA, Tillberg Partner and Executive Project Director, observed: “Defining a new generation of expedition ships for the legendary Swan Hellenic has been incredibly inspiring and rewarding for us. We are humbled by the trust and confidence that has been placed in us throughout the design process, working closely with a team that has a very clear vision for its iconic brand but which also gave us the creative freedom of a blank slate.”

Tillberg Cruise Newbuild Director Iina Forsblom explained: “The keynotes of the Scandi-design interiors we have created are sophisticated elegance and comfort, while never forgetting that with Swan Hellenic the focus is always on the extraordinary views outside. So we have conceived all the interiors to create a seamless connection with the outside world”.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “We’re delighted with the way these designs have come together, creating unique experiences that honour Swan Hellenic’s cultural expedition heritage while bringing it bang up to date — in comfort, services and above all vision, transforming the inward-looking paradigm of classic cruise ships into a world of casual comfort and elegance that looks outwards to see what others don’t.”

Atlas to deploy private charter jet service for Antarctica expeditions

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 November 2020 30 November 2020

Atlas Ocean Voyages, the luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand is chartering a private wide-body jet to bring guests from the United States to Ushuaia, Argentina, where they will embark World Navigator, Atlas’ new expedition ship. Atlas’ private charter jet service shortens the travel time it takes for guests to reach and return from the Antarctic embarkation port and avoids the layovers and inconvenient scheduling, which are common with commercial routes. Guests also enjoy Atlas’ elegant and engaging service as soon as they board the private jet, all part of Atlas’ All Inclusive All the Way commitment, in which complimentary, round-trip air travel and more is always included.

“Antarctica is the ultimate bucket-list destination and Atlas Ocean Voyages is innovating the industry again by greatly reducing the transit time for North American travelers,” said Atlas’ President Alberto Aliberti. “And our guests will enjoy Atlas’ engaging and enjoyable ambience as soon as they board our private charter jet. This innovation is part of Atlas’ All Inclusive All the Way commitment, in which we take care of the details and make it more convenient and seamless for our guests to enjoy Atlas’ once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”

Guests of World Navigator’s Antarctica itineraries enjoy included, complimentary air travel from 16 major U.S. and Canada gateways. They connect at Orlando, Florida, with Atlas’ private charter wide-body jet, which brings guests directly to meet World Navigator at Ushuaia. The direct service trims off at least a day’s travel time when flying from North America to the Argentine town, also known as the “End of the World.” On board, suite guests are accommodated in business-class seating, while all guests enjoy premiums meals, attentive service and unlimited beverages.

Upon arrival at Ushuaia, guests will be escorted through immigration and transferred to World Navigator, while their checked luggage is delivered to their suites and staterooms. At the conclusion of their luxury expedition, guests will be hosted at a Patagonian Gaucho ranch for a farewell meal and experience, prior to boarding Atlas’ jet for home.

Atlas’ newly constructed, safe, clean and green, small expedition ship, World Navigator, will offer 12 departures on nine-night itineraries to the Antarctic Peninsula, starting Nov. 19, 2021. Two special, 12-night itineraries will offer guests a more extensive Antarctic expedition: the Nov. 28 departure brings guests under the umbra of a rare Antarctic Solar Eclipse and includes the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, while the Feb. 2, 2022, itinerary crosses the Antarctic Circle to initiate guests into the exclusive Order of the Red Nose.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure, expedition cruise brand designed for worldly and fun-seeking travelers to immerse in active and awe-inspiring experiences in less-visited, bucket-list destinations. At 9,300 gross tons, World Navigator fosters a refined and convivial ambience for up to 196 guests and features the most-modern hygiene and cleanliness measures incorporated into her state-of-the-art design.

Atlas’ signature All Inclusive All the Way provides guests a more seamless and worry-free experience by including emergency medical evacuation insurance for all guests, as well as complimentary round-trip air travel, polar parkas, prepaid gratuities, premium wine and spirits and international beers, coffees and smoothies, Wi-Fi, L’Occitane bath amenities, and regionally inspired gourmet dining. In every stateroom, guests enjoy binoculars to use on board, en suite coffee, tea and personalized bar service, and butler service in suites.

World Navigator is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified and her construction is on schedule for delivery in July 2021, followed by World Traveller and World Seeker in 2022 and World Adventurer and World Discoverer in 2023.

Meyer Werft floats out Odyssey of the Seas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 November 2020 28 November 2020

On Saturday, November 28, the Odyssey of the Seas was floated out from Meyer Werft's covered building dock II (hall 6). The 347-meter long cruise liner is under construction for Royal Caribbean International.

The ship moored at the outfitting pier in the shipyard harbour. After the manoeuvre, the masts and chimney were lifted onto the ship by crane and installed. Various tests were be carried out. The ship was expected to moor at the outfitting pier in the shipyard towards the evening.

At Meyer Werft's outfitting pier the interior work on the Odyssey of the Seas will be completed in the coming months. The ship will then be conveyed down the river Ems to complete the technical and nautical sea trials.

The 169,000 gross tons cruise ship has an overall length of 347. meters, width of 41.4 meters and can accommodate more than 5000 passengers.