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Celebrity Cruises appoints first ever female Captain in the Galapagos

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 August 2017 09 August 2017

For the first time in cruise industry history a female seafarer will navigate the rich archipelago of the Galapagos as Captain. A native of Ecuador, Nathaly Albán will command the ultra-exclusive Celebrity Xploration; as Captain of the recently revitalized catamaran.

With a total of 12 years’ experience sailing throughout the Galapagos, Captain Albán has worked on several ships in the region, first joining the Celebrity family in 2006 as third officer onboard the 100-guest Celebrity Xpedition.

Continuing the brand’s dedication to advancing the role of women in leadership, Albán’s appointment follows that of Celebrity Summit’s own Captain Kate McCue.

“Empowering strong women and elevating them to deserved leadership roles is a cause that is close to my heart, and one that Celebrity Cruises truly values,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “When the opportunity presented itself to promote Nathaly, who radiates passion and love for her job and for Celebrity, to captain, the decision was easy.”

Albán was only one of six women in her graduating class at La Escuela de la Marina Mercante Nacional in Ecuador. Prior to graduating, she held a variety of roles in the maritime industry, most notably serving in the FLOPEC Tanker Fleet of the Ecuadorian Navy. Following her graduation, Albán worked on several ships in the region, including Celebrity Xpedition.

"Simply put, Captain Nathaly Albán was the ideal candidate for the job and we believe in celebrating and advancing our brightest talent,” said Patrik Dahlgren, SVP of Global Marine Operations, Celebrity Cruises. "Our goal is to attract, develop and retain the best people from many different regions of the world and backgrounds. Our industry has typically been very male dominated - yet we believe in inclusiveness and opening up opportunities for all."

When asked how it feels to be named captain of Celebrity Xploration, Albán responded: “It is a great honor and privilege – I’m overwhelmed with positive emotion. I told my family many times that I would be wearing white one day and be the first woman to serve as a captain of a ship in the Galapagos, now it’s happening and I’m committed to delivering the very best experience for all guests onboard.”

Albán will begin her new role on Celebrity Xploration in August of 2017.

Discerning travelers now have even more options in the region, with the recent addition of two distinct new ships, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xperience, which began sailing in March 2017, following a multi-million dollar refresh per vessel for signature modern luxury enhancements. Guests can continue to sail onboard Celebrity's state-of-the-art Celebrity Xpedition as well. Together, the three ships offer six unique itineraries to 15 islands with more than 30 ports of call, and multiple packages to choose from.

AmaWaterways announces Godmother for AmaLea

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 August 2017 09 August 2017

AmaWaterways has announced that highly-respected travel industry leader Filomena Andre will serve as Godmother of its newest European ship, AmaLea. Andre will “bless” the 154-guest ship alongside AmaWaterways’ executive team during a christening ceremony in Vilshofen, Germany in May 2018.

“We choose the Godmothers for our ships very carefully. It is essential to us that they share our passion for growing the river cruise industry and our commitment to providing the most memorable vacations for our guests,” said AmaWaterways’ Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst. “Filomena is such a well-respected travel industry leader and we are thrilled to welcome her as Godmother of the stunning AmaLea. We can’t wait to celebrate onboard with her next year!”

Andre has served as a travel industry leader for more than three decades, beginning her career as a travel agent and quickly moving into management positions. In 2010, she joined the Automobile Club of Southern California as vice president for AAA Travel Products & Services, preceded by a long career as an executive at Signature Travel Network. Today, Andre oversees travel product management, strategy and performance for the Auto Club organization, the largest AAA affiliate in the country. Recognized as a strong advocate for retail travel, Andre is also a member of several industry advisory boards.

“It is such an unexpected honor to be selected as Godmother of AmaLea,” said Andre. “Rudi, Kristin, Gary and the entire AmaWaterways family have the innovative mindset and passion needed to push the river cruising industry forward. That, together with their exemplary customer service, is what I’ve admired most about their teams in the office and onboard their ships.”

Sister ship to Karst’s namesake, AmaKristina, AmaLea boasts the most advanced design of any river cruise vessel currently in operation. The ship will feature the line’s exclusive Twin Balconies in most staterooms – offering panoramic views from both a French and outside balcony. The ship also features four suites, interconnecting staterooms and triple occupancy staterooms designed for multi-generation families. Guests will enjoy gourmet dining onboard AmaLea, with free-flowing wines at multiple venues – including The Chef’s Table; a heated sun deck swimming pool with a swim-up bar; fitness center and spa; complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship; in-room Internet and Entertainment On Demand; and a fleet of bicycles carried onboard for guests to enjoy complimentary, taking their own path or participating in guided tours.

In addition, guests sailing aboard AmaLea will enjoy expanded biking and hiking options next cruise season – giving adventure enthusiasts the opportunity to explore in more ports than ever before. Also debuting in 2018, AmaWaterways’ complimentary ‘Sip and Sail’ cocktail hour will serve premium beer, wine and spirits in the ships’ cocktail lounge each evening before dinner.

AmaLea will start her inaugural season with a series of six Tulip Time cruises from Amsterdam before hosting seven-night cruises on the Danube River between Vilshofen and Budapest with optional three-night pre- or post-cruise land programs offered in Munich and Prague. Topping off the 2018 sailing season will be four iconic Christmas Market Cruises on the Danube.

Genting Hong Kong warns of up to $220 million first half loss on host of issues

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 August 2017 07 August 2017

Genting Hong Kong, the parent company of Crystal Cruises, Dream Cruise, Star Cruises and MV Werften, warns of a first half net loss of between $200 million to $220 million as a number of its businesses are encountering headwinds.

The company said it expects an operating loss in Crystal Cruises, the Los Angeles based luxury brand that has expanded nto river cruises and aviation, due to a more competitive environment resulting from a 13.7% increase in new luxury cruise ship capacity in the industry, higher marketing costs and startup costs of new Crystal river ships and AirCruises operations.

Genting Hong Kong also sees full half year startup losses in 2017 versus two months in 2016 in MV Werften, its German new building shipyards as they gear up for steel cutting for the Global Class and Endeavor Class ships in March 2018.

Furthermore, additional depreciation and amortisation of new Genting Dream and shipyards; and additional interest of new Genting Dream ship. “Despite the decline in its consolidated net results, the performance of the underlying core Asian cruise business has improved in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2017, and the Group remains positive on the underlying core Asian cruise business for the second half of the year,” the company said in a statement.

It pointed out that based on the preliminary assessment of the latest unaudited financial information, excluding the share of results of Travellers, the Group is expected to record a consolidated net loss in the range of US$200 million to US$220 million for the six months ended 30 June 2017, as compared with a consolidated net loss of US$73.7 million, excluding the share of results of Travellers, for the six months ended 30 June 2016.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines reports slight drop in second quarter profit

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 August 2017 07 August 2017

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused operator of four ships, has reported a slight fall in net profit in the second quarter of the year.

The profit fell to NOK55 million from NOK67 million in the same period a year earlier, show figures released by Bonheur ASA, the line’s parent company that is listed in Oslo.

Revenues increased to NOK574 million from NOK550 million and EBITDA to NOK139 million from NOK102 million.

“The number of passenger days totaled 274,598 for the quarter (284,578- revised from 286,447 as reported for 2Q16), a decline of 3.5%. Net ticket income per diem (GBP) was 22.5% higher, compared to the corresponding quarter last year,” Bonheur said in a statement.

In the first six months of the year. Fred. Olsen Cruise Line broke even compared to having a NOK63 million profit in the same period in 2016. Revenues rose to NOK1.50 billion from NOK1.47 billion and EBITDA increased to NOK158 million from NOK132 million.

Weakening of the British pound against the krone had a negative effect of NOK57 million to the bottom line, Bonheur said.

One Ocean Expeditions to add third ship next year

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 August 2017 07 August 2017

One Ocean Expeditions, the Canadian operator of two ships chartered from Russian principals, will introduce a third ship next year, when the present Hanseatic of Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten will enter service with the company.

An image on the website of the company shows that the vessel One Ocean plans to introduce next year as RCGS Resolute is the present day Hanseatic. The company has teamed up with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), hence the prefix in the new name of the vessel.

Built in Finland in 1993, the 146 passenger ship that has Lloyds Register ice class 1AS will join the 1998 built Akademik Sergey Vavilov and Akademik Ioffe that is a year younger. These two ships were also built in Finland.