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Cunard, P&O Cruises “unbelievable super brands” – Carnival’s Donald

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

The UK market is very important to Carnival Corporation & plc and Cunard and P&O Cruises are “unbelievable superbrands,” the Anglo-American cruise shipping group’s President and CEO Arnold Donald said in an interview.

He also commented on the group’s decision to dispose of some older ships and pondered on a road map how to expand the resumption of operations in the near future.

P&O and Cunard are two of our anchor brands. These are brands that have been around a long time, and have great history and legacy. People love those brands so they are very central to our corporation,” he said in a webcast interview with Travel Weekly.

“It’s a very important market to the cruise industry, and certainly to our company,” Donald said, referring to the UK. “So absolutely we see continued investment and priority in the British cruise market – there’s no question about that. P&O and Cunard are two of our strongest brands and they are fundamental to our business. These are unbelievable super-brands, really.”

In early summer, rumours circulated in the media that Carnival might sell Cunard and its luxury market brand Seabourn as part of its efforts to deal with the present crisis. The company soon dismissed the rumours.

Cunard was established in 1840 and P&O in 1837.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis arrives at Rosyth

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 September 2020 17 September 2020

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused cruise line, said it has completed its fleet by welcoming Bolette to Rosyth, Scotland – just two weeks after taking delivery of another new ship, Borealis.

Both ships were dry docked at the Damen shipyard in Rotterdam prior to their arrival in Scotland.

Bolette was previously Amsterdam of Holland America Line, while Borealis started life as Rotterdam of the same Carnival Corporation & plc group unit.

The new acquisitions are of about 62,000 gross tons and by a wide margin the largest ships in the fleet of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, eclipsing the 43,537 gross ton Balmoral. However, their passenger capacity of about 1,400 is only slightly higher than the figure of 1,325 of Balmoral.

Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination sold to undisclosed buyers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 September 2020 16 September 2020

Carnival Cruise Line said Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination, which had previously been put on long-term lay-up, have been sold to undisclosed buyers.

Carnival Fascination was built in 1994 and Carnival Inspiration a year later. Both are of 70,367 gross tons. The company has previously sold two other units of the class - Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration - that comprised eight ships. These were sold for scrap.

The sale is in line with Carnival Corporation & plc's plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet. It said yesterday that a total of 18 ships have ether beendisposed of or would be sold as a result.

“Upon return to operations, Carnival will still operate four upgraded Fantasy-class ships – Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise – which feature additional balcony staterooms as well as enhanced dining and entertainment options that are part of the line's Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement program,” Carnival said.

"While we are sad to see Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination leave our fleet, it is a necessary move as it allows us to focus on ships that offer the greatest variety of features and stateroom accommodations for our guests," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line in the statement.

Related to its ongoing ship enhancement program and the current pause in cruise operations, Carnival also advised guests and travel agents that it is delaying the return to guest operations for four ships until after scheduled dry dock enhancements are completed in the first half of 2021.

The four impacted ships and resulting cancelled itineraries include:

Carnival Magic itineraries operating from Miami will be cancelled until Mar. 13, 2021

Carnival Paradise itineraries operating from Tampa will be cancelled until Mar. 19, 2021

Carnival Valor itineraries operating from New Orleans will be cancelled until Apr. 29, 2021 (including the transatlantic cruise from New Orleans on Jan. 25, 2021 and the return from Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2021)

Carnival Spirit itineraries operating from Brisbane will be cancelled through May 16, 2021, with the first sailing being the Singapore to Brisbane voyage embarking on June 12, 2021.

"This extended pause in our operations has also impacted shipyard availability, and we've had to reschedule required dry docks. As we continue to work through issues related to our eventual return to operations, we are committed to providing our guests and travel agent partners with certainty where we can, although we regret disappointing our guests. We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our guests and hope to welcome them back on board soon," Duffy said.

AIDA Cruises to offer seven day Mediterranean cruises from October to end of November

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 September 2020 16 September 2020

AIDA Cruises, German unit of Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it would expand its range of cruises this autumn with new voyages visiting the highlights of Italy, starting on Oct. 17, 2020.

“The new seven-day itinerary departs from Civitavecchia near Rome and travels to Palermo and Catania in Sicily, Naples and La Spezia. In Rome, an overnight stay is planned. The voyages are offered weekly until Nov. 28, 2020,” the company said in a statement.

It noted that the AIDA health and safety programme will be implemented on all cruises. Developed with leading medical experts, the program has been audited and confirmed by the renowned independent auditing company SGS Institut Fresenius and the classification society DNV-GL.

“The measures include a complimentary COVID-19 test, regular temperature measurements for guests and crew, physical distancing and increased disinfection measures,” the company said.

Borealis to cruise from Liverpool 2021-22

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 September 2020 15 September 2020

Sailings for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ second new acquisition, Borealis, have gone on sale today, with the inaugural programme featuring itineraries setting sail mainly from Liverpool in 2021-22, the company said in a statement.

This follows the launch of Bolette – another new ship for the cruise line – which went on sale last week.

Borealis’ first cruise will be a six-night ‘Scottish Lochs & Isles’ sailing, departing from Liverpool on 23rd April 2021. This will be followed by a five-night ‘Irish Capitals & Scottish Scenery’ cruise, before the ship ventures further afield to the Mediterranean, Norway, Iceland and more.

“The ship will sail almost exclusively from Liverpool across the 2021 and 2022 programme, and will be taking on existing itineraries for Black Watch, which was retired from the fleet in August, as well as five brand new itineraries,” the company said.

Guests who book onto any of Borealis’ sailings for 2021 or 2022 by 30th September 2020 will enjoy free tips and money to spend on board – up to £100 per person.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “It is so exciting to have both of our new ships on sale, and to be able to showcase some of the incredible itineraries that we have on offer.”

“In addition to taking on Black Watch’s sailings, Borealis will also take guests on a number of new cruises, offering opportunities to witness the natural beauty of closer-to-home islands around the UK, seek out the Northern Lights, from where Borealis takes her namesake, and recharge on a short Spanish City Break in the run up to Christmas next year.”

“Importantly, the new ships will still offer that Fred. Olsen experience our guests have come to know and love, with familiar venues and faces on board, but with a range of exciting new facilities, too<’ she said.

Liverpool City Council Head of City Assets, Angie Redhead said: "We are delighted that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has chosen Liverpool as the home port for its new ship, Borealis. It is a wonderful show of commitment to our city and reinforces the already strong partnership we have with them.”