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The Cruise Division of MSC Group announces new North American leadership organization

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 March 2025 26 March 2025

The Cruise Division of MSC Group has announced that Rubén Rodríguez has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, Cruise Division, North America, where he will oversee the growth of both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.

Under the strategic guidance of Gianni Onorato, Global CEO of MSC Cruises, and Anna Nash, Global President of Explora Journeys, Rodríguez will work with each brand’s respective leaders – Lynn Torrent as President, MSC Cruises North America and Chris Austin, President Explora Journeys, North & Central America.

The new leadership structure in North America will support the Company’s continued growth in one of its most important markets. This new role and structure enable both brands to continue their own unique expansion while generating enhanced synergies and collaboration under the leadership of Rodríguez.

Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, Cruise Division of MSC Group, said: “In his role as President of MSC Cruises USA, Ruben achieved significant business results and laid the groundwork for growth and as such he was the natural choice to take on this newly created role. We are building a new organization that will better service the needs of our trade partners and consumers, maximize the performance of the two brands with their distinct offerings and strengthen our presence in North America.”

This is a pivotal year for MSC Cruises in North America as the brand’s new flagship MSC World America will launch from the Cruise Division’s new terminal at Port Miami on April 9, which is the largest cruise terminal in the world. The new ship will be deployed in the region offering Caribbean cruises all of which will call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – the Company’s private island destination in The Bahamas. Later in the year, the line will begin offering cruises from Galveston, Texas for the first time, followed by the addition of cruises to Alaska in the summer of 2026.

TUI Group provides update on its cruise business, reveals plans for two newbuilds for Marella

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 March 2025 25 March 2025

TUI Group provided the following statement on its cruise activities during Capital Markets Day:

"In Cruises we aim to grow our product offering through new ship deliveries based on a continued strong trading environment and market growth predictions, particularly in Europe. Our three award-winning brands incorporating Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd within our joint venture TUI Cruises, alongside our wholly owned Marella Cruises, hold strong market positions in Germany and UK respectively. Following the successful launch of Mein Schiff 7 in June 2024, Mein Schiff Relax will now join the Mein Schiff fleet ahead of the key summer season with a third vessel, Mein Schiff Flow, complimenting the fleet in Q3 2026. We expect the addition of the Mein Schiff 7 to deliver €25m to €30m EAT (TUI 50% share) and the larger Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow, to each deliver €35m to €40m EAT (TUI 50% share) per annum to the TUI business. We also expect the TUI Cruises dividend to return to pre-pandemic levels of at least €170m in FY25.

Against the background of an aging Marella Cruises fleet, we are currently exploring future growth options on how to position our highly profitable UK market leading business in a steadily growing market. We are in discussions with shipyards and we are currently considering ordering two vessels based on a design customised for the UK market. New-build slots are tentatively available from FY31 onwards. We would expect customary market financing, based on an Export Credit Agency (ECA) structure (80% debt and 20% equity) and that the equity contribution could be generated by an increase of joint venture dividends. An indicative business case calculates an EBIT of between €130m and €150m p.a. per ship and ROIC of 11% to 12%. In parallel we continue to explore partnership options for Marella Cruises, with TUI Group's capital allocation framework remaining our overriding focus."

Celestyal Discovery returns to service after major refurbishment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 March 2025 24 March 2025

Celestyal Discovery has returned to service after a major refurbishment carried out in Athens during the winter.

The 1,360-passenger ship departed from Athens on March 21 on its inaugural voyage of the 2025 season to Greece and the Mediterranean on a three-night "Iconic Greek Islands" cruise. The voyage continued with a stop in Santorini on March 23, marking the first cruise ship visit since the lifting of temporary restrictions imposed by local Greek authorities.

The renovation has incorporated 47 new cabins: 32 suites have expanded the ship's premium capacity by 52%, reflecting the growing demand for this type of accommodation, while 15 Cosmos interior cabins have also been added. This total cabin increase has raised the ship's overall capacity by 7.4%.

The 32 suites include two new categories: 30 Junior Dream Suites, measuring 25 m², with balconies up to 5.6 m², and two Grand Horizon Suites, located above the bridge, measuring 42 m² and featuring separate living areas and spacious 15.5 m² balconies.

Other enhancements include the addition of the Smoked Olive restaurant, in line with its sister ship Celestyal Journey, available as a dedicated dining space at no additional cost to all suite guests. Additional à la carte dining options, such as roast lamb shank and rum baba dessert, will also be available for a small additional charge. Later in the season, a pop-up evening restaurant called Grill Seekers will also be available, with a private, reservable dining area, featuring high-end regional cuisine inspired by the ship's itinerary destinations.

Celestyal has made a significant investment in the ship since joining the fleet in November 2023. Initially, the company updated all public spaces onboard, refurbished cabins, and added a new café, Café Nation, as well as complimentary dining options such as the Pizza Oven and the poolside Greek Deli. The refurbishment work was led by specialist design agency AMK.

Lee Haslett, Celestyal's Chief Commercial Officer, commented: "This latest refurbishment reinforces our commitment to constantly evolving our guests' experience and delivering unparalleled value. Our impressive enhancements, including two new suite categories, provide guests with even more comfort and choice, in line with the growing demand for more premium and spacious cabins.

"We are delighted to have unveiled Celestyal Discovery's enhancements last week and to be the first cruise line to return to Santorini, a favorite destination among our guests, kicking off the new season in the Greek Islands and the Mediterranean."

Celestyal Discovery will offer three- and four-night 'Iconic Greek Islands' cruises from Athens, from March to November, with calls in Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini. Prices start from €339 per person for a Cosmos interior cabin, €1,009 per person for a new Junior Dream Suite, and €1,009 per person for a Deluxe Suite. €1,249 per person for a new Grand Horizon Suite.* All meals, soft drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are included in the rates.

TUI Cruises hosts more than 150 international sales partners aboard new Mein Schiff Relax

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 March 2025 20 March 2025

Between March 6 and 9, more than 150 international travel agents – more than ever before in the history of Mein Schiff – had the opportunity to experience for themselves what feel-good ambassador Robbie Williams means when he says in the commercial “Relaxing rocks with the new Mein Schiff Relax. .... You should check it out”. And that is exactly what the international travel sellers did on the “Together at Sea” fam trip: they put the first vessel of the new InTUItion ship class through its paces during the day and rocked the Mein Schiff Relax with guest stars such as Alex Christensen, DJ Mokaby and Mitchy and André Katawaz in the evening.

TUI Cruises invited sales partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Scandinavia, Spain, Hungary, Slovakia and South Tyrol on board for an exciting training and entertainment program. The Mein Schiff sales team had put together an attractive programme. Highlights included onboard tours and numerous presentations on various topics, as well as an interactive ship rally using one's own smartphone. During the “Relaxing Rocks Rally”, the sales partners had the opportunity to explore all areas of the new feel-good ship at their own pace and, with a little luck, win a free cabin for two people.

The response from travel agents to the “Together at Sea” trip and the Mein Schiff Relax has been consistently positive. “The bilingual project is bearing fruit and making the Mein Schiff fleet more and more accessible to non-German-speaking guests. The new Mein Schiff Relax is a very good example of this,” says Karin Niehoff, Product Manager Cruises at TUI Nederland. Ivar Mensink, Senior International Sales Manager for the Mein Schiff brand, also draws a positive conclusion: “It was very nice to see the interest and fun with which the partners explored the Mein Schiff Relax, the first ship of the InTUItion class. The atmosphere on board was great and the agents filled the motto ‘Relaxing rocks’ with life and interpreted it in their very own way.” Clas Eckholt, Vice President Commercial at TUI Cruises, adds: “The commissioning of our new feel-good ship Mein Schiff Relax is an important milestone – for us and for our sales partners, who are at the heart of our growth strategy. It is even more gratifying that our international sales partners, for whom Mein Schiff Relax offers completely new sales opportunities, have embraced the trip so well and that we were able to welcome over 150 non-German-speaking partners for the first time. Exploring and discovering on board Mein Schiff Relax themselves provides the best foundation for successful discussions and for selling our new flagship even more convincingly.”

Queen Elizabeth completes extensive transformation in Singapore

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2025 18 March 2025

Cunard has unveiled a new-look Queen Elizabeth ahead of her debut season sailing from Miami and its inaugural Alaska voyages from Seattle. The 2,000-guest ship completed a transformative three-week makeover at Seatrium’s Admiralty Yard in Singapore on Friday, March 14.

Queen Elizabeth’s debut Alaska season from Seattle begins on June 12, while her inaugural Caribbean voyage from Miami departs on October 16 – a 12-night roundtrip sailing offering guests the chance to visit Bridgetown’s UNESCO-listed Garrison and bustling markets of Castries, St Lucia.

Queen Elizabeth’s signature spaces, such as the Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge, and The Pavilion, have each been thoughtfully revitalized, connecting guests to the ocean while providing the perfect space to relax or enjoy al fresco dining.

Outdoor decks have also been revamped to give guests better opportunities to admire majestic Alaskan glaciers or gorgeous Caribbean vistas, with more sunshades to the aft deck to accommodate warmer weather, for example.

The story behind the Queens Room redesign, which exudes the elegance and luxury reminiscent of the golden age of ocean travel, takes inspiration from the Royal Palace’s heritage of planting Mulberry trees since King James I, with its new carpet pattern replicating a lush garden shrubbery.

The Grills experience – a hallmark of Cunard’s luxury offering – has also been elevated to new heights. Guests staying in the exclusive Grills suites will enjoy enhanced interiors and exteriors, featuring sumptuous furnishings, sophisticated detailing, and thoughtful design to deliver the ultimate in comfort and style. The Grills terrace also features new furniture for guests to enjoy sunset cocktails.

Another standout feature of the refurbishment is the introduction of The Pavilion Wellness Café, which debuted in 2024 on Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne. This wellness-focused venue will serve breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining with a menu celebrating plant-based cuisine alongside sustainably sourced meat, fish, and dairy.

Guests can also enjoy the Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea program, first seen on Queen Anne. This industry-first partnership with Harper’s Bazaar offers three-day wellness packages tailored to relaxation, energy restoration, or recovery, providing a rejuvenating journey at sea.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “As Queen Elizabeth begins this exciting new chapter, we are delighted to offer guests an even more refined experience on board, with beautifully updated spaces that combine classic Cunard style with modern comfort. With a full season based in Miami for the first time, more guests from the US and around the world can now experience the Caribbean with Cunard’s unique sense of luxury. The region remains a favorite for travelers on both sides of the Atlantic, and we can’t wait to welcome guests on board.”

For the first time in Cunard’s history, one of their iconic fleet will spend the full season in Miami and Queen Elizabeth will offer a dedicated program of roundtrip Caribbean voyages with itineraries ranging from nine to 28 nights. Guests will enjoy idyllic escapes to iconic destinations including Montego Bay in Jamaica, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and St John’s in Antigua.