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Callista takes controlling interest in cruise liner Deutschland

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 January 2014 09 January 2014

Callista Private Equity, the Munich based private equity company, says it has acquired controlling interest in MS Deutschland Holding and hence in MS “Deutschland” Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, to which both Reederei Peter Deilmann and the 22,496 gross ton cruise liner Deutschland belong.

"The parties have agreed not to reveal the purchase price. The transaction was preceded by a due diligence process and lengthy discussions between the parties lasting several weeks," Callista said in a statement.

"The acquisition of a majority interest by Callista Private Equity is intended to continue the restructuring successfully initiated by AURELIUS in 2010. Following initial success, Callista Private Equity aims to press ahead with the strategy that has been applied by implementing further measures on both the operational and strategic sides. Callista Private Equity is also planning to inject more capital into the company by reinforcing the equity component with a view to permanently underpinning the growth course that has been set."

Cruise & Maritime Voyages says 70% of 2014 inventory sold

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 January 2014 03 January 2014

Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the UK based destinational operator of three ships, says it has sold 70% of its inventory for 2014. The company, which added a third ship in its portfolio last autumn by chartering the 20,606 gross ton Astor for part of the next three years, also expanded to the Australian market by basing the ship in Fremantle in Western Australia. It also offers sailings between the UK, South Africa and Australia twice a year on the 600 berth ship.

Chris Coates, commercial director of the line, said in the line's new Compass customer publication that the company had carried 160,000 passengers since starting its operations in 2010 and that it anticipated to carry 60,000 in the year 2014. So far, about 45% of the line's passengers are repeaters. As a new step, the company will launch this summer a series of European river cruises under the CMV Signature brand.

"There will be more exciting news in the New Year, so stay tuned," Coates said, but did not elaborate.

American Cruise Lines adding over 50 positions

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 December 2013 30 December 2013

American Cruise Lines (www.americancruiselines.com) – the largest U.S. cruise company – announced today that it is hiring an additional 52 people to fill positions throughout various departments. Headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut, the company is interviewing candidates for marketing and sales positions, including supervisors and trainers, as well as shore side operations positions, including directors of hotel and marine operations. Recruitment and training positions are also available, as are roles in accounting and finance.

American Cruise Lines is an award-wining cruise line leading the market in domestic river and coastal cruising. The company has an ambitious growth plan to meet demand and provide its superior service to more people each year. Currently operating a fleet of six ships which sail throughout the U.S., the company recently revealed it is building four additional ships to enter service between 2015 and 2017. This announcement closely followed another revealing American Cruise Lines has experienced annual growth of more than 25% in each of the past three years.

This continued growth and popularity of American Cruise Lines’ unique river and coastal ship cruises has led to an immediate need for additional members of the sales and operations teams, as well as other growing departments. Interested people are encouraged to visit the website to apply or call 203-453-6800. The company offers complete training programs, competitive compensation and benefits packages.

Celebrity Cruises sets up new business structure in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 December 2013 30 December 2013

Celebrity Cruises, the premium market brand in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, has announced a new business structure including broader brand-focused teams for revenue and commercial; sales; and marketing and PR in the UK and Ireland. Travel industry stalwart, Jo Rzymowska, will lead the new team as managing director for the line, it said in a statement.

The new team, exclusive to the Celebrity Cruises brand, also sees an enhanced 16-strong sales team headed up by Nicki Tempest Mitchell as director of sales and supported by head of sales, Michael English. Kathy Barbrooke has also been appointed to the role of head of guest and trade services and will oversee a 50-strong dedicated trade and guest services call centre for the UK & Ireland based in Weybridge, Surrey.

The trade support team will be headed up by Ian Sutton, recently appointed as trading support and planning manager, who will be supported by two executives. The recently announced appointment of marketing and PR director, Toby Shaw, sees Shaw heading up an expanded team of 11 people dedicated to marketing and PR.

Jo Rzymowska, Celebrity Cruises managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Celebrity Cruises. I’m looking forward to leading the brand’s first fully dedicated team and kick-starting a new era, and a gear change, for the cruise line as we continue to evolve. I have a great team with me who are all eager to develop the brand. 2014 is set to be a big year for us.

“The new year will launch with the continuation of our work with renowned explorer, Ben Fogle, as we continue to delve into the destinations we visit and offer more enriching experience for our guests. We’ve lots more exciting projects and developments in the pipeline and I can’t wait to get my teeth into this new role.”

The new team structure for Celebrity Cruises follows a decision earlier this year by parent company RCL Cruises Ltd to evolve its UK and Ireland business structure in response to business growth. From 1 January 2014 there will be three dedicated businesses each working solely on the Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International or Azamara Club Cruises brands. Previously, team members have been tri-branded

Cabin fire on King Seaways extinguished within 15 minutes

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 December 2013 29 December 2013

Yesterday, Saturday 28 December, a fire broke out in a passenger cabin on the DFDS Seaways cruise ferry King Seaways, which was en route from Newcastle to Amsterdam. The incident happened at around about 22:45 and crew acted quickly to contain the fire, which was extinguished within 15 minutes, DFDS Seaways said in a statement.

"We can confirm that there are 946 passengers and 127 crew members onboard. Fifteen passengers and eight crew members are reported to have suffered from smoke-related injuries. They have been checked by a doctor onboard, and two passengers and four crew members have been taken ashore by helicopter for further medical assistance at a local hospital in the UK," the statement continued.

"The ship has now returned to Newcastle (4.30 am GMT) where the police have entered the ship to investigate the cause of the fire. We will ensure that passengers and crew affected by the incident will be offered psychological assistance as well as other assistance that might be needed."