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Commentary – Cuba cruise ban to affect premium pricing, smaller ships and Global Ports Holding

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 June 2019 05 June 2019

Norwegian Sky docked in Havana cruise terminal (Photo credit: Teijo Niemela)

A decision of the U.S. to ban cruises from the country to Cuba will affect the cruise industry at least in three aspects.

Firstly, itineraries that have included calls at Cuban ports have commanded a premium over ones that do not. Revised itineraries of the ships involved should lose this premium.

Many Cuban ports have restrictions to the size of cruise ships they can accept alongside. This has provided attractive utilisation for smaller and older tonnage. The cruise ban may accelerate disposals of older vessels from major fleets, given high order books.

The ban should also negatively impact Global Ports Holding, the Istanbul-based port operator that in May 2018 signed a 15-year agreement to operate cruise facilities in Havana. The plan was to increase the number of cruise ship berths to six in 2024 from the present two.

Spectrum of the Seas named in Shanghai

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 June 2019 03 June 2019

Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, made its debut in China today. The first Quantum Ultra Class ship sailed into Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Shanghai after completing a 46-night Global Odyssey that spanned 17 cities. In honor of Spectrum arriving to her new home, the cruise line held a grand naming ceremony with Chinese celebrities and Royal Caribbean brand ambassadors, Xiaoming Huang and Angelababy, in attendance. Honored with the lifetime role of Godparents, the popular couple were on hand to name the ship and bestow a blessing of safekeeping over all those who sail on her.

Spectrum’s historic milestone is on the heels of Royal Caribbean’s 10th anniversary in China. Building on years of success with Quantum and Ovation of the Seas, the arrival of the largest and most expensive cruise ship in Asia will continue to raise the bar and lead the Chinese cruise industry into a new era.

“Royal Caribbean has always been known for innovating and pushing the boundaries, and Spectrum of the Seas is a great example of this,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Spectrum brings to life the best of Royal Caribbean along with curated experiences for our Chinese consumers.”

Custom built for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas features bold and unexpected experiences, including the cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, innovative dining concepts, and stunning features and experiences – many of which have never before been seen at sea.

Viking Line celebrates Viking Glory's keel laying in China

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 June 2019 03 June 2019

The construction of Viking Glory is proceeding on schedule. The keel laying ceremony took place on June 3 at the Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry shipyard in China. The new eco-friendly ship will begin operating along the Turku-Åland-Stockholm route in 2021. Passengers can make bookings for the ship from December 2019.

The keel laying ceremony is an old shipbuilding tradition, in which coins are placed under the keel of the ship to bring luck during the construction phase. In the ceremony, the first section of the ship is lowered onto the keel blocks on which the lucky coins have been placed. The keel laying ceremony symbolises the birth of the ship; the point at which the first section is complete and the other sections can then be joined together. Once the ship is ready for launch, the lucky coins under its keel are recovered and stored until they can be later welded to the base of the ship’s mast.

The eco-friendly ship Viking Glory will offer passengers unprecedented archipelago views and has already stirred a great deal of interest in Finland and Sweden. The name competition held in April produced more than 22,000 name suggestions. Viking Line will start taking bookings for the new ship in December of this year.

Remastered Riviera returns to service

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 May 2019 30 May 2019

Oceania Cruises revealed the many exciting enhancements that were recently completed during the Riviera’s dry-dock in Marseille, France as part of the brand’s OceaniaNEXT program. Similar enhancements will be carried out on Riviera’s sister ship Marina, in May 2020.

“With the evolution of OceaniaNEXT, this was a great opportunity to not just enhance the guest experience aboard Riviera, but to elevate it through the addition of surprising new elements,” stated Bob Binder, President & CEO of Oceania Cruises.

The most dramatic change is the all-new coffee bar area and addition of a tony new lounge with sweeping sea views on Deck 14. Resplendent in silvery-grey and sea greens punctuated with bold accents of gold and high-gloss ebony and white marble, the new Bar Istas lounge is the perfect place to relax in quietude or enjoy lively conversation over a bespoke illy coffee creation. There is even a brand new gleaming silver Victoria Arduino espresso machine – the reputed “Rolls Royce of Coffee”.

Riviera’s 200 Concierge and 244 Veranda staterooms along with the 124 Penthouse Suites radiate a stylish new air inspired by the better-than-new Insignia and Sirena. Retaining the warmth and charm they’re renowned for, the lustrous wenge walnut paneling and upholstered headboards are now offset with tones of Espresso, Caramel, and Ivory in the new carpeting and fabrics.

The proverbial jewel in the crown of the re-mastering are the three next-generation Owner’s Suites furnished exclusively with the Ralph Lauren Home Collection. Guests now enter through the breathtaking foyer with a limestone and black cabochon inset floor, walls of inset Georgian wood paneling, and a mahogany and quartzite bar. Spacious and airy, this grand room features dramatic sea-views from floor-to-ceiling windows dressed with Ralph Lauren Home Grimaldi-weave sail fabric, along with a self- playing ebony piano that provides the perfect interlude for in-suite entertaining.

The elegant living room is anchored by a new deep-navy sectional accented with saddle-suede and accompanied by a mahogany Lounge Moderne chair upholstered in navy and white Super-Yacht Stripe. The centerpiece of the dining room is the Mayfair dining table with a new Barrett Knurled chandelier overhead.

The master suite, which is an entire retreat unto itself, has taken on an entirely new persona with a new Cote D'Azure king-size bed, elegant Mayfair Bergere side chairs upholstered in Sutton Suede Doe, and dramatic nickel-trimmed lighting accents.

Finally, the wraparound teak verandas feature stylish pieces that were custom-crafted by Ralph Lauren Home for Oceania Cruises.

Designed by Los Angeles based Trevor R. Howells Interior Design, the Owner’s Suites reflect Ralph Lauren’s appreciation for sailing, Hollywood glamour and timeless, classical beauty.

Marine Catering Expo announces full agenda and speakers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 May 2019 30 May 2019

Marine Catering Expo (MCE), taking place June 19-20, 2019, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is the world’s first exhibition and forum to focus exclusively on the ever-evolving marine catering industry. It will provide an opportunity for galley and restaurant stakeholders to meet with qualified buyers from the marine sector. Co-located with the highly anticipated Cruise Ship Interiors Expo (CSIE) – the world’s first event focusing exclusively on interior design, architecture, and outfitting in the cruise industry – MCE will showcase the most innovative designs and technologies used in the galley and restaurant areas.

More than 15 C-level speakers will discuss and debate the industry’s most important issues across a series of focused sessions at Marine Catering Forum. Sessions include:

– Designing Marine Catering with Guest Experience in Mind
– Produce & Menus
– Designing the Perfect Galley
– Sustainability at Sea
– Legislation, Regulations & the Health Aspect of Public Spaces

Attendees registered to attend Marine Catering Expo will also have complimentary access to conference sessions at the co-located CSIE.

Led by industry experts, the Marine Catering Forum has been specially curated to inspire delegates and provide tangible solutions to challenges presented by the galley.

One of the speakers on the Forum will be vice president of specialty at WaterLogic USA, Harry W. Ostwald. In anticipation of his session, which will focus on sustainability, Ostwald commented: “I'll be showcasing the positive impact that cruise companies can have by removing single-serve plastic, as well as highlighting the benefits of point-of-use filtration versus plastic bottles.”

The Forum will begin on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at 11.20am – after CSIE’s keynote session, ‘Cruise Industry Outlook: Leaders’ Debate’ – with a session led by director international key account marine at RATIONAL, Mikael Eliasson, and director of food systems & equipment at Royal Caribbean Cruises, Paul Fortin. Other key speakers include:

– Vice president of cruise at DSV Air & Sea, Maxine Krajniak
– Sustainability and external relations director at Costa Cruises, Stefania Lallai
– Vice president of sales at SeaKing, Pasi Suvanto
– Senior vice president of hotel operations at Virgin Voyages, Frank Weber

Attendees at the event will enjoy two days of networking, a sold-out show floor across both shows, and product launches and demonstrations from world-leading brands.