CMV tight lipped over future options after Discovery exits fleet - for now

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 24 February 2014 24 February 2014

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the expanding UK based cruise shipping company, remains tight lipped over its future plans after the 20,636 gross ton Discovery will exit its three ship fleet later this year, but says its 2015 programme will be released soon.

All Leisure group that owns the 600 passenger Discovery that was built in 1972 said the ship was taken out of service in the winter of 2012-13 and after a period of technical upgrade and refit was chartered to CMV who operated the vessel in a joint venture with the Group for 242 days. "A similar arrangement for 257 days is planned in 2014, after which the joint venture will cease," All Leisure group ceo Ian Smith said in a statement issued today.

Meanwhile, on 13 February CMV confirmed that the Discovery Summer 2014 cruise programme will operate as scheduled with the 20,000 passenger capacity ex-UK regional programme already 70% sold. "With offices in the UK, Australia, North America and now Germany, the CMV Group will carry in excess of 70,000 ocean and river cruise passengers during 2014," the company said.

Chris Coates, CMV’s Commercial Director commented, “Having contributed the vast majority of business for Discovery, we are pleased with the results we have achieved from our side. We look forward to working with All Leisure Holidays, our joint venture partners during the 2014 season and will shortly be releasing full details of our 2015 programme.”

CMV currently operates a fleet of three small to medium sized 600-800 traditional ocean passenger vessels; the Marco Polo, Discovery & Astor plus the Vienna I river ship and recently announced the take over-over of German based TransOcean Kreuzfahrten and entry into Europe’s second largest cruise market.

All Leisure group booked a £6.7 million impairment charge against Discovery in its financial year 2013 results, saying that the value of mature cruise ships had fallen markedly in recent times and that it would put the ship up for sale after the end of its current published schedules.

All Leisure group reports deep financial year 2013 loss

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 24 February 2014 24 February 2014

All Leisure group, the listed British boutique cruise shipping and tour operating company, has reported a deep loss for 2013, in line with a trading statement it had published earlier this month that included a write down of the 1972 built cruise ship Discovery.

Net loss amounted to £21.7 million on revenues of £142.1 million in 12 months to 31 October, compared to a profit of £0.8 million year-on, when revenues totalled at £127.4 million. Occupancy rate fell by one percentage point to 77%, while the number of passenger days contracted to 213,761 from 277,854. Technical problems affecting the 1990 built 15,300 gross ton Voyager hit the group's Voyages of Discovery brand, while Swan Hellenic and Hebridean Island Cruises performed according to plan.

"During the year we have established a new and very experienced management team to run the business. I believe that we are well positioned to address the challenges presented by the current economic climate and geo-political events," Roger Allard, chairman, said in a statement.

"The acquisition of the Page & Moy Travel Group has provided significant cross selling opportunities to the respective customer bases and will continue to do so. The successful integration of this business into the Group has enabled us to realise significant synergies and efficiencies enabling us to create a much stronger business capable of delivering sustained growth," Allard said.

"Given the Group’s current forward visibility of trading, combined with the benefits of capacity management and the cost reduction measures that have been implemented, the Directors have increased confidence for the future of the enlarged business," he concluded.

Ian Smith, group CEO said that he disappointing headline results of the group had largely resulted from a series of exceptional events, which should not detract from a year of great accomplishment for the group. "Underlying trade improved significantly in the year with the tour operation acquisition continuing to perform strongly and the benefits of capacity reduction in the cruise business having an immediate impact. In keeping with the strategy of cruise capacity reduction the Board has taken the decision that the loss-making mv Discovery will be disposed of at the end of this summer."

"2012/13 has also been a very successful year of integration and synergising delivery for the Group. Our plans to streamline operations and amalgamate our knowledge base led to the closure of our Burgess Hill office in May followed by the Southampton office in December – ahead of schedule. All expertise has now been centralised at our Head Office in Market Harborough. The integration exercise was exceedingly well planned and executed and has delivered even greater than expected synergies to the Group. I am delighted with the outcome," Smith said.

 

Celebrity Cruises to coincide overnight stays with major events 2015-16

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 21 February 2014 21 February 2014

Celebrity Cruises, the premium market cruise line in the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, says it will offer 261 destinations in 72 countries in 2015-16, with calls at a number of ports to coincide with major events taking place.

Celebrity will sail to all seven continents, visit new ports of call in Alaska, Europe and Asia, and offer exciting overnight stays, many of which coincide with internationally renowned festivals. Full details of Celebrity Cruises’ 2015-16 will be revealed as each set of itineraries opens for bookings,” the company said in a statement.

Marking the launch of Celebrity's World Tour, Celebrity has today unveiled 51 sailings to Alaska. Three ships will sail to this state, including Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Infinity, which returns to the region for 2015-16. Celebrity Solstice, the newest of all cruise ships sailing to Alaska, offers the most verandas at sea, allowing incredible views of the unique scenery and wildlife.

Captain’s Club loyalty members will have exclusive 'Priority Access' for booking their Alaska trips beginning February 20, 2014, five days before the official on sale date - February 25, 2014.

 To inspire holidaymakers, Celebrity will sail to new far-flung destinations for the first time ever. New ports include:

 ·         Haines, Alaska

·         Fredericia, Denmark

·         Beppu and Kanazawa, Japan

·         Vladivostok, Russia

·         Dublin Bay (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland

Celebrity will also offer exciting overnight stays in 2015-16 with 29 destinations to choose from. Guests will have the opportunity to experience the nightlife in dynamic, culture-rich cities and be part of glamorous, world-renowned events and occasions such as:

·         Celebrity Constellation will visit Venice, Italy, during the Redentore Festival

·         Celebrity Silhouette will overnight in Edinburgh, Scotland during the British Open Golf  Tournament

·         Celebrity Equinox will overnight in Cannes during the star-studded Cannes Film Festival

·         Celebrity Equinox will present overnight stays in two destinations widely recognised for their vivacious nightlife: Ibiza, Spain and Mykonos, Greece

·         Celebrity Millennium will overnight in Hong Kong during festive Chinese New Year celebrations

Along with newly added destinations and overnight stays, guests can indulge in the new “Suite Class” experience, which launches during April 2015. New luxury benefits include:

 ·         A dedicated suites-only restaurant using world class ingredients, available morning, noon and night

·         A VIP lounge, Michael’s Club, for guests in Celebrity, Signature, Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites

·         Complimentary ‘all in’ benefits - Premium drinks, dining at any specialty restaurant, unlimited internet access, private bar with water, soft drinks and beers – all included for guests staying in Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites

To make the booking experience as luxurious as the holiday itself, Celebrity has taken the concept of a printed travel planning brochure and transformed it into an experiential tablet app, using Adobe Digital Publishing Suite. From detailed ship layouts to interactive videos, this innovative technology offers an immersive experience while they plan their upcoming journeys.

“Celebrating the launch of Celebrity’s World Tour, each destination will open with an incredible offer. For the first time in Celebrity’s history, guests can receive up to $400 to spend onboard for every cruise or cruisetour that is four nights or longer (from the newly available sailings) and booked by April 30, 2014, excluding Celebrity Xpedition sailings,” the company said. 

Pandaw launches second vessel to cruise Chindwin River in Burma

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 21 February 2014 21 February 2014

A new river recce vessel begins construction in Rangoon this week and will enter service at the end of the year with Pandaw River Cruises, the company said in a statement

The Kha Byoo, drawing just 75cm of water, will join the Kalay on the Chindwin River between Monywa and Homalin on the same seven night routing and schedule. “The Kha Byoo can be booked back-to-back with the Kindat on our Mandalay to Bhamo routing on the Upper Irrawaddy,” Pandaw said.

 “The Chindwin, up till now only accessible by larger ships in the monsoon, can be explored year round on a small ship like the Kha Byoo. This has to be the loveliest river in Asia with a varied landscape and many exciting river features including gorges and whirlpools set amidst jungles, forests and high mountains,” the company stated.

There is a rich cultural life in the Upper Chindwin valley with delightful old colonial towns like Mawlaik, or bustling India border towns like Kalaywa. Homalin is the capital of Burmese Nagaland. Some of the oldest teak carved monasteries may be found around the ancient royal town of Mingkin

At 40 metres long with only ten cabins, Kha Byoo is essentially an enlarged version of the Kalay. The design shares the same features including an owner’s state room on the upper deck. “The other nine cabins have louvred French windows that open to the promenades on either side of the ship so they are very light and airy and much larger than the traditional Pandaw cabin. There is an indoor bar—dining area but many passengers will choose to live and dine on deck outside.”