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Explora Journeys celebrates naming ceremony of Explora I in New York City

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 October 2023 12 October 2023

Explora Journeys, the luxury travel brand of MSC Group, today will celebrate the naming ceremony of Explora I in New York City.

The maritime tradition of cutting a ribbon to break a bottle of champagne on the ship’s bow to officially name the ship and bring good luck, will be conducted by Explora I’s Godmother Dr Sylvia Earle, the renowned marine biologist and oceanographer, at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

The event will be attended by distinguished guests from around the world, international journalists, key travel partners of Explora Journeys and senior representatives from MSC Group, who will all enjoy a gala dinner following the ceremonial launch and an evening of vibrant celebrations.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group, said, “In the world of luxury travel, Explora I is a game-changer. We are offering journeys that redefine the very essence of luxurious ocean travel. We are looking to attract a wider group of discerning travelers who have experienced the finest luxury land-based resorts but seek more value, more authenticity, and a deeper connection to the world. Explora Journeys is the answer by giving you a way to discover off the beaten track destinations by sea, all whilst enjoying some of the best real estate in the world. With a further five ships joining the fleet in the next five years, we are committed to delivering the same unique experience on board, wherever you are in the world.”

Michael Ungerer, CEO, Explora Journeys, added, “Today’s event is a significant milestone for Explora Journeys as our first ship EXPLORA I brings to life our vision to reshape luxury travel. . We are proud to introduce a new era of discovery and luxurious travel and to showcase our first ship in the vibrant city of New York."

Dr Sylvia Earle, Founder and Chairman, Mission Blue, said “I am honored to be the Godmother for Explora I and look forward to a meaningful relationship between Mission Blue, Explora Journeys and the MSC Foundation towards making a very positive contribution to protect and restore the world’s seas and oceans.”

Explora I, the first of six luxury ships constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in a deal valued at €3.5 billion, began sailing in July this year with a series of journeys in Northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic to New York with visits en route to Iceland, Greenland and Canada. The ship has 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences, six restaurants, 12 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, four swimming pools, extensive outdoor decks with private cabanas and nearly 1,000 square meters of wellness and fitness facilities.

The luxury ship will spend the autumn in North America, the winter in the Caribbean and spring on the U.S West Coast and Hawaii before returning to Europe in Summer 2024 for a series of sailings in the Mediterranean Sea with many itineraries including lesser-travelled ports for Explora I’s guests to enjoy a different perspective of a destination.

Explora II will enter service in summer 2024 and operate until April 2025 in the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. Explora III and Explora IV will both be powered by liquefied natural gas and enter service in 2026 and 2027 respectively. Explora V and Explora VI will enter service in 2027 and 2028 respectively and both will have state-of-the-art energy efficiency measures and be capable of using alternative fuels such as bio and synthetic gas. These two ships will pursue the use of liquid hydrogen with fuel cells for their hotel operations while docked in ports to eliminate carbon emissions with the vessels’ engines switched off.

All of the Explora Journeys vessels will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies, including selective catalytic reduction technology, shore power plug-in connectivity, underwater noise management systems to help protect marine life, and a comprehensive range of onboard energy efficient equipment to optimize engine use to further reduce emissions.

Editor's note: We returned back from the Explora I last week and will feature the ship as a cover story in our Winter 2023/2024 issue.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises charters two former Crystal ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 October 2023 12 October 2023

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced the addition of two new Super Ships, the S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth, which will begin sailing in Europe in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Uniworld will take over the ships from Seaside Collection under a three-year, bareboat charter agreement for each ship and create the signature Uniworld experience on existing itineraries with an all-Uniworld staff, as well as the brand’s trademark touches and amenities. Before joining Riverside Luxury Cruises, the ships were a part of Crystal Cruises’ river fleet as the Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler.

“We’re thrilled to add two stunning new ships to the Uniworld fleet, beginning with the S.S. Victoria on the beloved Rhine, fulfilling our promise to maintain the best and most luxurious ships on the rivers,” says Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld. “The S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth are unique vessels that we know our guests will love, featuring a modern design, some of the largest suites on the rivers, and an ambiance that exudes contemporary luxury. Onboard, guests can expect our Tiny Noticeable Touches throughout every aspect, from the impeccable service provided by the Uniworld crew they know and love to the multitude of all-inclusive amenities available to them.”

Identical sister ships, the S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth can accommodate 110 guests in 55 luxurious suites and staterooms. All rooms feature a similar design and feel, only differing in size and nuances, each with full-length windows directly in front of the king-sized beds for panoramic views of the passing scenery. Guests will find fine materials and finishes onboard such as leather, velvet, and marble, plus lavish features in select suite categories such as walk-in closets, fireplaces, and up to 759 square feet of space in a Uniworld-first two-bedroom accommodation with adjoining suites. Other ship highlights include a massage room, gym, bistro for snacks, rooftop bar and grill for cocktails and light bites, and fine dining restaurant for breakfast, lunch and gourmet dinner. Like all Uniworld cruises, dining venues will feature farm-to-table cuisine utilizing fresh local ingredients gathered by the chef in destination daily.

The S.S. Victoria will be the first to set sail at the start of the 2024 season, sailing a variety of itineraries currently operated. The ship will debut in March in Amsterdam onboard the 8-day ‘Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time’ cruise through Belgium and The Netherlands, mixing the classic Amsterdam tulip experience with historic cities, vibrant cultures and plenty of Belgian sweet treats. Next, the S.S. Victoria will sail the 8-day ‘Castles Along the Rhine’ itinerary from Basel to Amsterdam, featuring fairytale-like towns, historic castles and fine winemaking traditions. The ship will also sail along two rivers aboard the ‘Magnificent Moselle and Rhine’ itinerary over the course of 10 days for an in-depth look at multiple fascinating cities and their deep-rooted history. Finally, travelers can opt for the 8-day holiday-themed ‘Belgium Holiday Markets’ sailing round-trip from Brussels, featuring a mix of famous and under-the-radar Christmas markets in charming small towns at the most magical time of year.

The S.S. Elisabeth is scheduled to set sail for the 2025 season, with more details to come.

PONANT conducts an international safety exercise in the polar region

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 October 2023 11 October 2023

As the experts in polar zone navigation for more than 20 years, PONANT continues to innovate and advance maritime safety standards. Le Commandant Charcot was at the center of a second safety exercise in the polar region on September 30, 2023 at Herschel Island in the Northwest Passage.

The operation was supported by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre based at 8 Wing Trenton (Ontario, Canada), run jointly by the Royal Canadian Air force (RCAF) and Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). It involved the U.S. Coast Guard District Seventeen and Air Station Kodiak (Alaska) and a command unit at the PONANT head office in Marseille (France). This exercise spanned 10 time zones, with more than a hundred people were mobilized over a 12-hour period. PONANT teams aboard and ashore were fully mobilized in this exercise carried out on an unprecedented scale.

“We carried out a first rescue exercise on the ice in September 2021 during the ship’s trial voyage. This time, the operation took place in ice-free water. It’s a world first that allowed us to test our procedures and equipment, as well as the coordination with the Canadian and American services,” explained the Captain, Patrick Marchesseau, on Le Commandant Charcot. “This joint exercise and sharing of our expertise is contributing to advances in safety for the entire polar maritime and tourism industry”.

On board, 65 participants (including 24 passengers) were evacuated to an island in a heated lifeboat and then equipped with suits specially designed by PONANT. The Ice Cube, an innovative piece of kit that was also developed by PONANT to transport survival kits, was towed by the lifeboat and hoisted ashore and polar shelters were set up, some of which have been tested with a heating mode. The lifeboat was used as a hospital during the first part of the LIVEX. For this joint exercise, the Royal Canadian Air Force deployed a CC-130H Hercules, a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and a CC-138 Twin Otter and the United States Coast Guard deployed a C-130J Super Hercules and an MH-60T Jayhawk. The aircrafts were used to drop survival equipment, parachute in rescue teams and evacuate participants.

This joint exercise showcases extensive international collaboration aimed at strengthening maritime safety standards to benefit the entire industry.

Fincantieri to build ropax ferry for Sicilian Region in Palermo shipyard

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2023 10 October 2023

A new ferry, fully owned by the Sicilian Region and entirely “made in Sicily” will provide service to Lampedusa and Pantelleria. Sicilian Regional President Renato Schifani and Fincantieri CEO and Managing Director Pierroberto Folgiero signed the contract for the construction of a new ferry (Ropax Class A) today at the Palazzo d’Orleans, at the presence of Regional Councillor for Infrastructure and Mobility, Alessandro Aricò, for a base bid amount of nearly 120 million euros.

“The signing of this contract” said President of Sicily Schifani, “represents a turning point for connections with Sicily’s smaller islands. Ours is the first region in Italy to field the funds that the Ministry of Transport has allocated to sea connections and the first to be a full owner of a ferry. We will improve the quality and safety standards of naval transport for Lampedusa and Pantelleria, with a modern ship that also guarantees great attention to respect for the environment. We are giving a concrete response to residents and those who need to reach the islands for business or tourism. I also express particular satisfaction with the fact that the new unit will be entirely built in Palermo shipyards. It is a confirmation of the great professional quality of the workforce of the Palermo shipyard that I have personally witnessed, an asset that it is right to enhance in such a strategic sector as shipbuilding”.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented: “The awarding of this order represents an important test for Fincantieri. In an industrial sector that over time has moved to Asian shipyards, we have the opportunity to bring ferry production back to Italy, rehabilitate our historical competencies in the sector, and demonstrate our ability to be competitive while ensuring the highest production standards, with benefits in terms of operations and sustainability that will reach the end user. The strength of our project is, once again, technologies for reducing environmental impact, intercepting the needs of the energy transition, which are destined to outline the maritime transport sector of tomorrow."

The new vessel will be entirely built in the Palermo shipyard, will be delivered in 2026 and will serve routes between Sicily and the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria. The ferry will have a length of about 140 meters and about 14,500 gross tons. It will be able to reach a maximum speed of 19 knots and a capacity of 1,000 people and 200 cars on board. Of note, the unit will be distinguished by the propulsion technologies installed. It will be equipped with a dual fuel engine, that is, powered by diesel and liquefied natural gas, the cleanest marine fuel currently available on a large scale, which significantly lowers nitrogen oxide and sulfur emissions. It will also have a photovoltaic system that, thanks to energy storage in a battery pack, will ensure that it will stay in port with zero emissions for about four hours.

“We succeeded, with President Schifani, in obtaining” said Councillor Aricò, “that Fincantieri would build the ship in its entirety in the Palermo shipyard: a 100 percent “Made in Sicily” ship, which will allow the Region to provide itself with an additional means of transport for the Sicilian islands, as well as to relaunch the Sicilian shipbuilding sector. The ship will be equipped with stabilizers similar to those on oil platforms that will allow it to dock even in prohibitive weather conditions. Today’s signing completes the work initiated by my predecessor Marco Falcone and implemented by this government. It is an extraordinary achievement: Sicily is the first region in Italy to have commissioned a ship, financed under Law 208/2015, which establishes a fund aimed at direct purchase for the improvement of public transport. The Region will have the possibility, as provided for in the notice, to exercise the option to build a second vessel."

George Washington University expert analyses Disney's latest investments on cruises, theme parks

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 October 2023 07 October 2023

The Walt Disney Company recently announced plans to spend about $60 billion over the next 10 years on its theme parks, domestically and internationally, as well as to continue building its Disney Cruise Line. It’s double the investment Disney has spent on its parks and cruise lines over the last decade. A professor at the George Washington University says there are several factors driving this new investment, like a renewed interested in cruises post-pandemic, as well as some potential disruptors to keep an eye on.

Larry Yu is a professor of hospitality management at the GW School of Business. Yu’s current research focuses on hotel market analysis, tourism product value chain analysis, tourist satisfaction and hospitality crisis management. Yu says Disney’s strategic decision to invest in its theme parks and cruise lines is based on three main factors. The first of which is about Disney’s pandemic recovery, which saw significant operating income growth. The second involved Disney’s reputation. Yu adds that Disney is known for its innovation in “imagineering” projects, services and experiences and it’s now critical to invest in new attractions and experiences for the next-generation as well as extend the life cycle of Disney attractions to drive new, latent demand from family tourists and welcome repeat visitors. The third factor relies in a larger trend in the travel industry.

“The cruise industry is booming after the pandemic. Demand for cruise travel is now higher than 2019. Major cruise lines are adding capacity by building new ships (Disney Treasure will start sailing by late 2024). Many younger people, including Millennials and Gen-Z, have become cruise travelers, which fits the Disney market,” Yu says. “Disney Cruise Line, like many other major cruise lines, have been investing in owning and developing private islands for growing cruise business. Castaway Cay in the Bahamas and the new Lighthouse Point in the Bahamas will be open for cruise visitors in the summer of 2024. These investments, executed strategically, will continue to propel Disney’s growth for the next decade.”

Yu says there are a couple of potential inhibitors that may disrupt Disney’s investment strategy. Those include:

1. Demographic changes in its international markets: Japan, China and Europe are all experiencing an aging population, declining birth rates and late marriage, which could affect the family tourist market for the parks;
2. Many cruise destinations experience over-tourism and are pushing back to limit ships and number of daily visitors (such as Dubrovnik in Croatia);
3. Local community buy-in for park expansion, such as the new Disneyland WestCOT project under the local community hearing and review. Similar project by Disneyland was rejected by the local community in the early 1990s;
4. Uncertainties affected by economic, social, political (Florida) and geopolitical factors.