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Lower costs lift Viking Line interims

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2015 01 September 2015

Lower operating expenses and reduction in dry docking costs helped Viking Line, the listed Finnish cruise ferry group, to report better interim results for both the second quarter and first half of the current year than in corresponding periods in 2014.

Group net profit in the second quarter rose to €2.5 million from €1.4 million in the same period last year. Revenues fell slightly, to €134.1 million from €137.5 million. In the first six months of the year, the group cut its net loss to €5.7 million from €14.2 million a year earlier. Revenues decreased to €239.0 million from €241.0 million.

The company said it had dry docked the 1985 built Mariella, which operates between Helsinki and Stockholm, during the review period. New restaurant concepts were introduced on board the 37,583 gross ton ship and these had been received well by the company's customers.

Viking Line, which operates services between Finland and Sweden plus Finland and Estonia with a seven strong fleet, said its passenger volume remained largely unchanged at 2.39 million in the first half of the year and that its market share increased by 0.5 percentage points to 34.2%.

Looking ahead, the company said continued weakness of the economy in Finland, its principal source market, remains a negative factor, but on the other hand, significantly lower fuel costs are likely to help the company to improve its full year result on that of last year. In 2014, the group made a net profit of €30.6 million. Most of the operating profit of the group is generated in the third quarter of each year as this the main holiday season.

Carnival to offer wide variety of Bermuda cruises in 2016 with nine different voyages between April and November

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2015 31 August 2015

With its famous pink-sand beaches, turquoise waters and picture-perfect weather, Bermuda is one of the most popular destinations in cruising. And Carnival Cruise Line will provide its guests with a variety of opportunities to visit the island paradise in 2016 with nine departures that feature at least one overnight docked alongside at historic King’s Wharf.

From April through November 2016, guests can embark on four different Carnival ships departing from five convenient U.S. homeports offering itineraries ranging from five to eight days — making 2016 one of the cruise line’s most robust Bermuda programs ever.

Carnival’s 2016 Bermuda schedule includes:

– Carnival Pride: five-day cruises from Baltimore departing April 10 and Oct. 26 as well as seven-day voyages departing Sept. 4 and 18.

– Carnival Victory: an eight-day sailing from Port Canaveral departing May 19.

– Carnival Ecstasy: seven-day cruises from Charleston departing May 12 and Nov. 5.

– Carnival Sunshine: a seven-day cruise from New York departing Oct. 1 and a five-day sailing from Norfolk departing Oct. 23.

Five-day itineraries feature an overnight call at Bermuda; seven-day cruises spend two nights docked at King’s Wharf; and the eight-day voyage features three nights on the island.

“By offering Bermuda cruises from a variety of convenient drive-to homeports, we’re providing guests even more opportunities to experience and explore this incredible island paradise,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president. “The island has tremendous tourist appeal and the wide range of cruises offer consumers maximum choice when planning their Bermuda vacation while providing travel agents with a sought-after destination to market to their clients,” she added.

While Bermuda might be best known for its unique pink sand beaches, pastel architecture and famous shorts, it’s also an island with an abundance of activities that enable guests to become immersed in its tropical ambiance and laid-back lifestyle. From world-class golf courses and beautiful beaches to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and underwater explorations by glass-bottom boat, snorkel or scuba, the longer calls make it possible to participate in a variety of activities throughout the day and into the evening. With overnight visits, guests are also able to experience the island’s local nightlife and dine ashore if they choose.

Shanghai to host 10th China Cruise Shipping Conference & Expo

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2015 31 August 2015

Alan Lam reporting

Preparations are under way in Shanghai for this year’s China Cruise Shipping Conference & Expo (CCS), which will celebrate its 10th edition.

The gathering - organised by China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA), held in different cities in China each year - has been gaining popularity. It is attended by about 400 delegates and over 4,000 participants visit the exhibition. It has become one of Asia’s premier cruise shipping events, attracting growing attention from tourism and leisure sectors worldwide.

Domestically, CCS is supported by various related industries, as well as national, provincial, and municipal governments and authorities such as National Tourism Administration, Shanghai Municipal Government, and China Communications & Transportation Association.

Senior international cruise line executives will also be in attendance; they include those from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Carnival Corporation & plc, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Genting Hong Kong Ltd. Many of them are invited to address various forums.

All major cruise ports in Greater China are represented.

The guest and speaker lists also include representatives from Meyer Werft GmbH, Fincantieri, China State Shipbuilding Corporation and many others from the supply industry.

Main topics of this year’s conference will include cruise tourism promotion, ports and destinations development, shipbuilding and refurbishment, as well as industry leadership and management.

Cruise Business Review will follow this event closely.

Cruise lines shelve Turkey calls

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 August 2015 28 August 2015

Cruise lines are monitoring the development of political situation in Turkey and at least two lines have decided to restrict their calls in the country.

Costa Crociere, which is part of Carnival Corp & plc group, has suspended calls at Turkish ports for the rest of the current year. The four ships concerned will call at ports in Greece, Italy and Malta instead.

Celebrity Cruises, the premium market unit in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, has decided to abandon an overnight call at Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and a major cruise destination, on the first weekend of September by one of its ships.

Cruises to North Korea from South planned for Chinese tourists

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 August 2015 28 August 2015

Alan Lam reporting

The dynamic cruise industry in Asia may have just taken a pioneering step towards breaking down a most obstinate barrier of our times. South Korea’s Jeju Cruise Industry Association has just announced plans to launch cruises to North Korea.

Departing from Jeju Island, the so-called Peace Cruise Line will call at North Korea ports of Nampo, Wonsan, Rajin and Sonbong.

Initially the cruise will be intended for Chinese tourists only, using a Chinese-flagged ship. Cruises on other non-South Korean vessels carrying South Koreans and other nationalities will follow. This will be the first time for a long time South Korean tourists will be able across the maritime border between North and South.

The project will require a substantial investment in North Korea. It is believed that the newly created Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank may be a funding partner in building reception facilities.

Won Hee-ryong, the Governor of Jeju, told the Asia Cruise Forum - which has just been held on the island – that the endeavour was to serve as a “messenger of peace through tourism”.

Contrary to popular belief, cruising in North Korea is nothing new. In August 2011 North Korea launched its first cruise on board an ageing, former cargo vessel named Mangyongbong. It was deemed as the “least luxurious cruise in the world”, as the liner was rusty, the cabins were cramped and the Captain’s Table was a help-yourself buffet.

North Korean port city of Nampo has nine docks for large vessels. It is ideal for excursions to Pyongyang. Wonsan has also limited tourist facilities and has served as receiving point for visitors from Japan.

The project, if successfully launched, will attract enthusiastic clientele from all over the world, as North Korea is truly a new frontier of cruise tourism in every sense of the word.