Genting Hong Kong in $1.2 billion two ship sale and leaseback deals
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 13 January 2020 13 January 2020
Genting Hong Kong, the Hong Kong listed parent company of Crystal Cruises, Dream Cruise and Star Cruises, said it had sold two ships and bareboat chartered them back in deals worth more than $1.2 billion.
The 2017 built Genting Dream of 150,695 gross tons has been sold for $900 million and taken back on a 12 year bareboat charter.
Crystal Endeavor that is under construction at MV Werften in Germany was sold for $388 million and bareboat chartered back. The 19,500 gross ton ship is scheduled for delivery later this year.
Variety Cruises to offer French Polynesia itinerary in 2020-21
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 13 January 2020 13 January 2020
Variety Cruises, which operates a fleet of 12 vessels of up to 71 passenger capacity, will offer a series of cruises in French Polynesia in the winter of 2020-21, the company’s latest cruise programme shows.
The sail yacht Panorama II that has 25 cabins will offer seven night cruises from Papeete that includes calls at Bora Bora, Huahine, Taha’a, Raiatea and Moorea.
All these are overnight calls apart from the one in Raiatea. The first cruise of the season will start on 10 December 2020 and the final one on 26 March 2021.
Finnlines orders two ropax vessels for its Finland-Sweden service
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
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- Published: 11 January 2020 11 January 2020
After the order of three hybrid storo ultra large green vessels at Jinling Shipyard back in 2018, Finnlines has announced that it has recently signed an order for two ropax vessels from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai), previously known as AVIC Weihai. Today, both shipyards are part of China Merchants Group.
Called the Superstar ropax vessels, they are expected to be delivered by 2023. They will be larger than the existing Star class vessels and will be Finnlines’ flagships both in terms of size and technology. With a length of about 230 metres, their loading capacity will be for 5,100 lane metres for rolling freight and around 1,100 passengers.
The vessels will have the highest Finnish / Swedish ice class and will be built with the top technical and environmental views in mind, while being pioneers in honouring green values.
The renewed concept combines the best of both cargo and passenger vessels. The Superstar ro-pax vessel is designed to have many types of seating and public areas, plenty of outdoor areas to admire the Archipelago scenery and adequate premises to serve different kinds of groups. Heart of the vessel will be the shopping area to enhance onboard travel experience.
The Superstar vessel is also designed with the focus on fast and efficient cargo handling to guarantee Finnlines’ customers a short turnaround time.
The next generation Superstar ro-pax vessels will bring significant improvement in Finnlines fleet’s passenger comfort and will provide a brand-new customer experience. The customer experience will be taken to a new level through digital services – from check-in to onboard services and feedback collection.
“We want to provide a high-quality service to our customers respecting all aspects of the environmental matters. This investment aims at energy efficiency and emission reduction, but at the same time, it is an investment for the highest passenger comfort. We want to lead the development of high-quality ro-ro and ro-pax services in the Baltic Sea region. Our ongoing EUR 500 million newbuilding programme will ensure that we continue to provide premium services to our customers”, says Emanuele Grimaldi, CEO of Finnlines.
CMV cancels 2021 Asia cruise on Hong Kong woes, introduces three new cruises instead
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 10 January 2020 10 January 2020
Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based destinational cruise line, has decided to scrap a 110 night cruise to Asia in early 2021, citing the political situation in Hong Kong as the reason, and it will introduce three other cruises instead of the cancelled one, the company said in a statement.
“The current situation in Hong Kong has adversely affected sales of the 110 night Oriental Odyssey Cruise and two shorter Hong Kong fly cruise sectors where we had planned to fill half of the ship’s capacity. We do not know what the situation will be in Hong Kong next year so we have decided to amend the programme now, “ CMV said
Instead of the planned cruise that would have included a call in Hong Kong, Marco Polo will now sail on three other itineraries.
The first one is a 42-night cruise to the Amazon departing from Bristol Avonmouth 5 January 2021. There will be a free pre-cruise coach transfer from London Tilbury or London Victoria to Bristol Avonmouth on 5th January and passengers can stay on board for an extra two nights and disembark at London Tilbury.
Two winter cruises to Norway will follow this. “Cruising from London Tilbury either 18 February or 5 March Marco Polo spends 15 nights cruising along Norway’s remarkable coastline. These similar itineraries include visits to Tromsø and Alta, two ports with the highest records of sightings of the Northern Lights,” CMV said.
Another alternative to search for the Northern Lights is on 20 March sailing from London Tilbury for 12 nights to Iceland staying on board overnight in Reykjavik while also visiting the Faroes, Orkneys and Shetland Islands.
Crystal Endeavor rolled out at MV Werften in Stralsund, Germany
On Saturday, December 21st, Crystal Endeavor rolled out of MV Werften in Stralsund, Germany touching water for the first time in the most recent milestone for the polar class expedition vessel. Video footage from the shipyard gives viewers a close-up look of the roll-out process and aerial views of the ship, including its expansive deck space and helicopter pads. The latest addition to the Crystal fleet, the German-built Crystal Endeavor will embark on her maiden journey from Tokyo on August 10, 2020.
“Each milestone marked in the journey to introducing Crystal Endeavor to the world becomes more thrilling, as we know that the most adventurous luxury travelers are eagerly awaiting the unforgettable experiences that lie ahead, just as we are,” said Crystal’s president and CEO, Tom Wolber. “The team at MV WERFTEN has beautifully brought our vision into reality and it is a wonderful moment to see this groundbreaking ship on the water.”
The 20,000 gross ton PC-6 expedition ship will accommodate just 200 guests with elegantly casual, generous public spaces designed to showcase the outside scenery; all-suite, all-verandah, butler-serviced guest rooms; Michelin-inspired dining options with six dining venues including Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma & Sushi Bar; full-service Crystal Life Salon & Spa and a state-of-the-art Fitness Center. Expedition-specific amenities and spaces will enhance guests’ experience, including enrichment areas, designated mud rooms and a helicopter lounge. A seven-guest submersible will also be on board, allowing for deep-water explorations up to 980 feet in select areas of the world.
Crystal Endeavor’s worldwide itineraries through early 2023 are now available for booking, comprising three dedicated categories of exploration: Remote Expedition, visiting some of the most far-flung destinations and uninhabited locales; Cultural Discovery, distinguished by an emphasis on the region and its people; and Destination Exploration, highlighting the natural wonders and beauty of the destinations. Regions explored range from the High Arctic, Antarctica, Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland to the tropics of Bora Bora and Indonesia, Africa’s Ivory Coast, the Chilean Fjords and Patagonia, Western Europe, the Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand’s Sub-Antarctic Islands. On every itinerary, a team of specialized expedition guides will highlight the journeys with expertise and insights into local landscapes, culture and history.
