Viking Line sees rise in operating income after better 2013

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 13 February 2014 13 February 2014

Viking Line, the listed Finnish cruise ferry operator that has a fleet of seven ships, expcts its 2014 operating income to improve after reporting improved figures for both the final quarter and full year of 2013.

Group net profit for the final quarter of last year amounted to €6.7 million, while a year earlier it had booked a loss of €0.8 million. Revenues rose to €129.7 million from €126.6 million.

For the full year 2013, the group reported net profit of €27.0 million, san increase from €1.0 million in 2012. However, the fresh figure includes €23.5 million sale gain from the disposal of the Isabella cruise ferry. Revenues rose to €549.4 million in 2013 from €516.1 million a year earlier, the company said in a statement.

The number of passengers on Viking Line’s vessels during the financial year increased by 183,747 to 6,533,650, while cargo volume rose to 119,704 cargo units from116,906. Viking Line achieved a cargo market share of 20.9, an increase of 0.9 percentage points.

During the report period, Viking Line strengthened its market share on the Turku– Mariehamn/Långnäs–Stockholm route by 7.3 percentage points to 57.3%. Market share increased on the Helsinki (Finland)–Mariehamn–Stockholm route by 0.4 percentage points to 46.1%. In cruise services between Stockholm and Mariehamn, market share decreased by 0.5 per cent to 51.3%.

On the Helsinki–Tallinn (Estonia) route, market share decreased by 0.6 percentage points to 23.7%. On the short route over the Sea of Åland, market share decreased by 3.1 percentage points to 42.0%, primarily due to a reduced number of departures. The Group thus had a total market share in its service area of 34.6% against 33.9% a year earlier.

During the summer 2014 high season – in addition to serving their regular Helsinki–Stockholm routes – the Mariella and Gabriella will also temporarily serve the Helsinki–Tallinn route.

"To offset the extra expenses attributable to the European Union’s new sulphur directive, which enters into force on January 1, 2015, the Group has an ongoing action programme to improve its operational efficiency. This action programme primarily affects the areas of bunker consumption, repairs and maintenance, as well as organisational structure," Viking Line said.

"In January 2014 the Viking XPRS changed from a Swedish to an Estonian flag and the Rosella from a Swedish to a Finnish flag. The Board of Directors believes that operating income will improve in 2014 compared to operating income in 2013, excluding the capital gain from the sale of the Isabella," the company said.

Costa Crociere appoints Stefania Lallai sustainability and PR director

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 13 February 2014 13 February 2014

Starting in February 2014, Stefania Lallai has joined Costa Cruises as the new Sustainability and PR Director. She will report directly to Costa Crociere S.p.A. Vice President Communication & Sustainability Hansjoerg Kunze, the company said in a statement.

“I am delighted at the arrival of Stefania, she’s one of Italy’s leading sustainability experts who also has extensive experience in the areas of communication and corporate relations,” commented Hansjoerg Kunze.

 

Regent Seven Seas unveils 2015 summer cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 12 February 2014 12 February 2014

Today Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced its 2015 Summer Collection featuring voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Canada/New England, the Caribbean & Panama Canal, Asia, Africa and South America. Voyages are anticipated to fill quickly when reservations open February 19, 2014 at 8:30 am.

The Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator will visit more than 185 ports in 68 countries during the 2015 Summer season. Palamós and Almería, Spain; Walvis Bay, Namibia; Tyne (Newcastle), England; Izmir, Turkey; and Malmö, Sweden are among the seasons 27 new ports.

"The dream voyages in our 2015 Summer Collection promise memories that will last a lifetime," shares Kunal S. Kamlani, the line's president. "We deliver the most inclusive luxury cruise experience with highly personalized service, acclaimed gourmet dining with no surcharges and an exciting collection of free and unlimited shore excursions in each port."

The 2015 season features a refreshed and rejuvenated fleet, as each of the lines ships has completed a multi-million dollar refurbishment and exudes an aura of Park Avenue elegance and sophistication. The award-winning ships are the perfect size for exploring some of the worlds most legendary cities and boutique ports as they can sail in and out without restriction.

New and noteworthy in the 2015 Summer Collection:

– Seven Seas Voyager calls on new ports during her Northern Europe sailings, including the Solovetsky Islands in Russia. She offers 11 sailings across the region, many of which feature multiple overnights in historic St. Petersburg or a wealth of opportunities to explore the British Isles. A 20-night, round-trip sailing from Copenhagen departing July 6 explores the Norwegian fjords. Seven Seas Voyager then spends the holiday season on a 28-night, Cape Town-to-Singapore voyage with inaugural calls on Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Sabang, Indonesia.

– Seven Seas Mariner offers more choices in the Mediterranean than ever before, featuring the new ports of Trieste, Italy; Almería, Spain; and Gythion, Greece. Overnight destinations include Venice, Barcelona, Lisbon and Istanbul. Later in the season Seven Seas Mariner departs Lisbon and sails the coast of western Africa with an inaugural call in São Tomé and Príncipe.

– Seven Seas Navigator explores the Americas, as she sails along the glaciers of Alaska on 16 voyages. In September, she embarks on a 21-night itinerary that begins in San Francisco and transits through the Panama Canal, concluding in New York. From there, the colors of the fall take center stage as Seven Seas Navigator calls on the eastern seaboards most beautiful cities, including Montréal; Québec City; and Bar Harbor, Maine.

Pre- and post-cruise land programs

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a wide array of enriching and enthralling pre or post-cruise land programs; all include hotel accommodations, select meals, guided tours and transport.

Highlights of the offerings include:

– Cape Town, South Africa: Safari – this land program features a three-night African Safari where guests will take in breathtaking scenery and discover some of the worlds biggest game.

– Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Opulent Cities of the Emirates – this three-night, post-land program includes tours of Dubai City, Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Beach and the Dubai Museum.

– Athens, Greece: Sacred Treasures of Greece – in this two-night immersion into the glorious ancient history of Greece, guests will visit archaeological museums, hallowed ruins and centuries-old monasteries perched high in the mountains.

Land programs are available in Amsterdam, Anchorage, Athens, Barcelona, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Istanbul, London, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, San Francisco, Singapore, Vancouver, and Venice.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises leads the industry with its luxury value proposition, being the first to launch fleet-wide free Wi-Fi for Concierge Suites and higher throughout the ships.

Navigator of the Seas completes revitalisation

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 12 February 2014 12 February 2014

Having completed a month-long drydock revitalisation, Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas is primed to resume year-round service from Galveston, Texas, the company said in a statement.. "Part of an extensive fleetwide programme to enhance every Royal Caribbean ship, Navigator of the Seas will introduce new and enhanced dining options; debut a new FlowRider surf simulator; and offer a glimpse ahead toward the cruise line’s highly anticipated Quantum of the Seas, with new first-at-sea features," Royal Caribbean said..

 Most anticipated of all the ship’s revitalisations is the new FlowRider surf simulator, the center of the action atop the deck 13 Sports Deck, as well as the debut of Royal Caribbean’s first Virtual Balconies in 81 interior staterooms displaying expansive views of the ocean and destinations. Virtual Balconies were first announced for Quantum of the Seas, which debuts October 2014, and holidaymakers can be among the first to experience the innovation on Navigator of the Seas – even before the Quantum class is launched. Holidaymakers also can choose new Panoramic Ocean View staterooms, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls facing outward to provide guests unobstructed views all the time.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests also can look forward to an expanded line-up of eight different dining options, led by the debut of an all-new modern Mexican specialty restaurant Sabor, featuring a menu of modern Mexican dishes, such as Oaxacan Ceviche of Red Snapper, Spicy Chicken Flautas, or Chicken and Roasted Corn Empanada, topped with Green mole and spicy peanut sauce – to name a few. Sabor diners also can delight in customised guacamole and salsas, made tableside right in front of their eyes, as well as an assortment of tacos, quesadillas and burritos, all made with the freshest ingredients. Sabor has a service charge of $25 per guest.

Guests can complement their experience with a curated menu of tequilas, mezcal, and Mexican beers, as well as delicious sangrias and tableside-mixed margaritas, for an additional charge. Sabor’s tequila flights also offer guests a chance to sample a trio of Plata, Reposado and Anejo tequila, or savour the nuances among three Reposado tequilas.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests will also be the first to enjoy the fully revamped and elevated Chops Grille: The New American Steakhouse, which marries contemporary flair to traditional steakhouse offerings. The first among Royal Caribbean’s fleet to offer the new menu, Chops Grille onNavigator of the Seas will feature brand new selections, such as the Veal Chop Parmesan, slow broiled with caramelised shallots and topped with parmesan herb butter, a Slow-braised Short Rib of Beef with Bordelaise sauce, and a Dry-aged Steak Burger served on a brioche bun and topped with melted gruyere and pancetta. Guests also can still enjoy Chops Grille classic cuts, such as the 8 Oz. Filet Mignon, served with Béarnaise butter, and a 10 Oz. Grilled Sirloin Steak, as well as a range of new and delicious signature appetisers, soups, salads, and sides – such as new, decadent Truffled French Fries and Gruyere Cheese Tater Tots – that will complete the experience in the cruise line’s hallmark specialty restaurant. Chops Grille steakhouse has a service charge of $35 per guest.

 Chops Grille also features two new premium selections of the finest quality cuts of beef in the world, a 16 Oz. dry-aged NY Strip Steak and a 20 Oz. dry-aged Porterhouse Steak (an additional $18 and $19 respectively), each USDA prime beef, dry-aged for four weeks to achieve the pinnacle of flavour, tenderness and aroma. This dry-aged process can only be found at select steakhouses around the world, and now, in a cruise industry first, is offered onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Chops Grille.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests also can choose exciting sushi and Asian fusion dishes in the ship’s new Izumi Japanese Cuisine (a la carte menu), and delicious classic Italian favourites in Giovanni’s Table Italian trattoria ($15 for lunch and $20 for dinner per guest). Rounding outNavigator of the Seas’ culinary experiences is the grand, three-story main dining room, newly renamed Sapphire, the casual-dining Windjammer Café, and complimentary room service from 5 – 12 a.m. Navigator of the Seas’ specialty restaurants are available for advance online reservations for booked guests at RoyalCaribbean.com.

 Guests also will enjoy some of the more popular concepts that were introduced aboard Royal Caribbean’s ground-breaking Oasis-class ships, such as new digital signage, bow-to-stern Wi-Fi service, new flat-panel televisions in every stateroom, an oversized LCD movie screen overlooking the main pool, a new Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty member guests, and the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery for the youngest guests ages six to 36 months. Additionally, the ship’s Champagne Bar has been re-conceptualised into Royal Caribbean’s signature, retro-chic R Bar.

Navigator of the Seas will sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries every Sunday from Galveston, visiting exciting warm-weather getaways in the Caribbean, including; Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Falmouth, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman, the company said.