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Telenor Maritime acquires Finnish tech company KNL Networks

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 November 2020 23 November 2020

Telenor Maritime, which is part of the Norwegian telecommunications group Telenor, said it has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares in KNL Networks, a Finnish technology company that has developed a unique system providing data access through a secure mesh network around the globe for maritime and critical communication markets.

“With this technology and Telenor Maritime’s expertise, the merchant fleet’s missing link is finally in place: a dedicated end-to-end channel for reliable, secure, and above all affordable access to business-critical information,” Telenor maritime said in a statement.

“Telenor Maritime’s vision of a greener future in the maritime industry has taken a big leap forward with the acquisition of KNL Networks” said CEO of Telenor Maritime Lars Erik Lunøe. “This affordable technology provides the industry with a unique opportunity to utilize digitized solutions, enabling them to make data-driven decisions, improve efficiency, gain competitive advantage, and work towards a greener, more sustainable future” he continued.

Constantly pursuing the elimination of the “digital divide” between the offshore and onshore industries, Telenor Mari time can now provide the same quality of experience at sea as on land to the whole maritime sector, increasing its profitability through operational excellence.

By acquiring KNL networks and combining the competences of both companies, Telenor Maritime will be able to offer end-to-end managed services for the maritime market, including global access and access management of operation-critical data and cyber security.

“This positioning is unique in the maritime sector, making Telenor Maritime the only one stop shop for digital transformation of maritime industry. We’re excited about the opportunity to join forces with Telenor Maritime and to become a part of Telenor Group – a company that has over a century of history in the field of connectivity and reputation of being a trusted partner. I am confident that together we can lead the way of digitalizing maritime and help our clients on their digital transformation journey, as well as strengthen our position as a trusted partner to our customers in the critical communication segment,” said Toni Lindén, CEO KNL Networks.

Carnival increases dollar and euro note offerings, prices both

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 November 2020 23 November 2020

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, said that Carnival Corporation has priced the private offerings of dollar and euro denominated notes and priced both offerings.

The private offerings comprise $1,450 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% senior unsecured notes due 2026 and €500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% senior unsecured notes due 2026.

The aggregate principal amount of notes to be issued was increased to $1,450 million and €500 million from the previously announced $1,000 million and €300 million, respectively. The offering of the notes is expected to close on November 25, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

“The USD Notes and the Euro Notes will pay interest semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2021, at a rate of 7.625% and 7.625% per year, respectively. The Notes will be unsecured and will mature on March 1, 2026,’ the company said in a statement.

The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by Carnival plc, the group’s UK domiciled and listed holding company, and certain of the Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's subsidiaries that own or operate the company's vessels and material intellectual property and that guarantee certain of our first-priority secured indebtedness, and our second-priority secured indebtedness, Carnival said.

Photo: Carnival Corporation & plc President and CEO Arnold Donald

Princess Cruises extends pause of global ship operations into 2021

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 November 2020 20 November 2020

In response to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "Framework for Conditional Sailing Order" pertaining to resumption of U.S. cruise operations, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in global operations to allow time for the estimated preparation needed for completing required activities prior to sailing and taking into consideration the temporary 7-night cap on itineraries that call at a U.S. port. The cruise operations impacted include the following:

– All cruises sailing through March 31, 2021
– All cruises longer than 7 nights sailing in and out of United States ports through November 1, 2021

Additionally, due to the uncertainty about when international travel restrictions might be lifted, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in operations for cruises departing in and out of Japan through June 25, 2021.

"We are focused on preparing our ships to meet the CDC health and safety requirements for our eventual return to service," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. "We also appreciate the continued support we have received from our guests, partners and travel advisors, reinforcing for all of us why we do what we do."

Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages will have the option to receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 25% of the cruise fare.

To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel advisor.

Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by December 31, 2020 or guests will be registered for the Future Cruise Credit option.

Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line's business and success.

The most current information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations, and more information on FCCs and refunds, can be found online at Information on Impacted & Cancelled Cruises.

Photo: Princess Cruises headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. Credit: Teijo Niemela

Silversea returns to inclusive roots

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 November 2020 19 November 2020

Silversea Cruises is set to become more all-inclusive than ever, with the upcoming launch of its new 2022/2023 itineraries. For the first time in Silversea’s history, travellers will enjoy at least one complimentary shore excursion, from a range of experiences in every port of call, included with all voyages in the new itinerary collection – across the line’s entire fleet of 10 ultra-luxury ships. Enhancing Silversea’s all-inclusive offering further still – which is already among the most comprehensive at sea – all cruise fares will include roundtrip air and transfers, providing unprecedented value and convenience for guests.

EDITOR'S COMMENT: "When Silversea was launched in 1994 with a Silver Cloud newbuild, it was the most inclusive product in the cruise market. Now Silversea is again differentiating from its competitors."

“We are enhancing our already comprehensive all-inclusive offering for the convenience of our guests, while leveraging on our destination leadership to take travellers deeper into over 900 of the world’s most amazing destinations on included shore excursions,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s President and CEO. "Our expansive new collection of itineraries for 2022 and 2023, which will be the largest itinerary launch in Silversea’s history, features inspired voyages that have been carefully curated by our destination experts. With the inclusion of roundtrip air and transfers, we are further enriching our all-inclusive offering, which is among the most broad-ranging in the ultra-luxury cruise sector."

Setting sail between March 2022 and May 2023, Silversea’s new collection of voyages represents the cruise line’s largest-ever itinerary release, with almost 12% more itineraries compared to the previous launch. The new collection includes 315 voyages across all seven continents, calling in 669 destinations in 114 countries, with 61 maiden calls.

Travellers booked on these voyages will be able to reserve their included shore excursions – as well as bespoke ‘Silversea Selected’ shore excursions (available for an additional charge) – from 180 days before sailing by accessing my.silversea.com. The cruise line’s Venetian Society members will enjoy an additional 30 days to make their selection, reserving their chosen experiences from as early as 210 days ahead of sailing.

The inclusion of roundtrip air and transfers on all voyages will enhance the offering for guests. Business class upgrades are also included in selected destinations and on selected voyages, such as the cruise line’s World Cruises and Grand Voyages. Special savings in the form of ‘non-use air credit’ is offered to travellers who wish to make their own travel arrangements or to those travelling from excluded regions. Depending on Silversea’s air programme flight schedule, guests may also enjoy one or two hotel nights, or the use of a dayroom, included in the cruise fare.

In addition to some of the most spacious suites at sea (90% of which offer verandas), guests travelling aboard Silversea’s ships enjoy personalised service provided by nearly one crew member for every guest; onboard entertainment; as well as the following inclusions:

Moreover, as part of the most comprehensible all-inclusive expedition offering at sea, Silversea’s guests will also enjoy the following inclusions on expedition voyages:

– In-country flights on selected itineraries
– Highly-qualified Expedition Team, comprising experts in their field.
– Guided Zodiac, land and sea tours, as well as shore-side activities.
– Enrichment lectures by our Expedition Team
– Complimentary expedition parka in cold water regions
– Complimentary use of wetsuits and snorkelling equipment on selected voyages
– Complimentary backpack and water bottle

As Silversea’s cruise fares will henceforth reflect the inclusion of shore excursions and roundtrip air, our travel partners will be eligible for a higher overall commission per booking.

Part of an exclusive pre-sale, Silversea’s new 2022/2023 itineraries will go on sale to the cruise line’s Venetian Society members from December 1. General sales will open on December 10.

Photos from top to bottom: Silver Moon is the company's latest newbuild delivered last month; Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO

Swan Hellenic appoints Pierre Thomas to head expedition operations

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 November 2020 18 November 2020

Swan Hellenic, the expedition cruise line that is gearing up to resume operations under a new ownership, said it has appointed Pierre Thomas as Director of Expedition Operations.

“The highly-experienced guide and lecturer Pierre Thomas, an expedition leader worldwide for over 26 years, including with top names in the cruise industry, has now found his home at Swan Hellenic, the company said in a statement.

“He has led expeditions on the water, under the water and overland by motorbike, and lectures in 5 languages on topics as varied as tropical fish, African history, the Panama Canal and Central American Post-World War II politics,” it continued. Thomas has previous expedition cruise experience with Lindblad, Metropolitan Touring, Noble Caledonia and Silversea Cruises.

“With a strong management team of top names in the high-end cruise industry and an order book that is now running at three custom-designed expedition cruise ships, Swan Hellenic is clearly on track to create an entirely new high-end cruise experience, beginning 2021 and already taking eager bookings,” the company stated.

The company has three newbuildings on order. Two 10,700 gross ton, five star polar PC5 ice-class expedition cruise ships arriving in November 2021 and April 2022, respectively, will each accommodate 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the majority with large balconies. A larger P6 ice-class vessel of 12,500 gross tons and accommodating 192 guests in 96 cabins and suites will be arriving at the year-end 2022.

Photo: Pierre Thomas at work