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Carnival Corp & plc forecasts full year eps in line with last year despite difficulties

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 June 2011 21 June 2011

Carnival Corp & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, forecasts its earnings per share (eps) this year to come close to the $2.47 figure reached in the previous financial year despite challenges resulting from unrest in North Africa and the Middle East.

“At this point in time, cumulative advance bookings for the remainder of the year are at higher prices with lower occupancies versus last year. For the last six weeks, booking volumes for the second half of 2011 are well ahead of the prior year for the North America brands, as well as, the Europe, Australia and Asia brands. Pricing for the North America brands remains strong. Pricing for the Europe, Australia and Asia brands has been significantly affected by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East and North Africa regions and earthquake in Japan, which necessitated veryclose-in deployment changes for more than 300 cruises. The Southern Europe brands were particularly affected with over 40 percent of their deployments in these areas,” the company said.

“As previously announced, the impact of these events are expected to cost the company an additional $0.15 per share in the second half of the year and reduces full year revenue yields by approximately 1.0 percent. The company now expects full year net revenue yields, on a constant dollar basis, to increase 1.5 to 2.5 percent, compared toits March guidance increase of 2.5 to 3.5 percent. Net revenue yields on acurrent dollar basis are expected to increase 4.0 to 5.0 percent for the full year 2011 compared to 2010.”

Chairman and ceo Micky Arison noted,"Our North America brands continue to perform well, benefiting from the gradual economic recovery, with strong yield growth expected in the second halfof the year. We expect lower yields for our Europe, Australia and Asia segmentin the second half of 2011 as a result of the significant deployment changes inEurope. Despite the considerable challenges we have faced this year, the long-term fundamentals of our business remain sound."

The company continues to expect net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for the full year 2011 to be flat to up 1.0 percent on a constant dollar basis, which is in line with its March guidance. "Taking all the above factors into consideration, the company now forecasts full year 2011 fully diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $2.40 to $2.50, compared to 2010 earnings of$2.47 per share. Based on the current spot prices for fuel, fuel costs for the full year 2011 are now expected to increase $515 million compared to 2010, costing an additional $0.65 per share," Carnival said.

Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises expand international sales force

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 June 2011 21 June 2011

Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have expanded and enhanced their international sales team, effective immediately. The announcement was made by Bob Binder, vice chairman and president of Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH), parent company of both brands.

Bernard Carter assumes the newly created position of managing director for Oceania Cruises in the United Kingdom and Europe. Alex Farquharson has joined Carter's team as sales development manager for the Northern UK region. Additionally, reservations agents, who will be based at the PCH office in Southampton, will be added in the near future.

Graham Sadler, managing director for Regent Seven Seas Cruises in the UK, will now also oversee sales and marketing throughout Europe and the Middle East. Raquel Gomez-Conde has been hired to manage the expansion of European accounts as sales manager. Samantha Farrar has joined the team as a public relations executive. Both report to Cecilia Abert, who is marketing director for both the UK and Europe.

Christian Sierralta is vice president of international sales in Latin America and the Caribbean for both brands. Working with Sierralta is Sylvia St. Lawrence as manager of international sales, along with Irina Adams, a new member of the team, who will serve as international sales coordinator for the territory.

Julie Rose is senior director of international sales and marketing for Australasia, Asia-Pacific and South Africa for both brands. Rose is assisted by Deborah Marin, account executive, and Fabian Obeso, who joins the team in the new position of international sales coordinator.

Beverly Roseman has assumed the newly created position of senior director of international marketing for Oceania Cruises. She will be assisted by Rick Leme, who joins the team as international marketing manager. Roseman will report directly to Binder.

"Our enhanced and expanded international sales team will help introduce both Oceania and Regent to a greater number of global travelers," according to Binder.

Norwegian Cruise Line launches onboard program for travel partners

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 June 2011 20 June 2011

Norwegian Cruise Line ("Norwegian") has launched "Partners First Onboard," a new initiative specifically designed to give travel partners more opportunities to experience Freestyle Cruising firsthand. The new program, developed as part of the company's "Partners First" corporate philosophy, offers special booking fares and a customized onboard experience for travel partners.

"With Partners First Onboard, we are inviting our travel partners to sail with us to experience Norwegian's freedom and flexibility for themselves since our product is unique to the industry," said Camille Olivere, Norwegian's vice president of sales, Americas. "The more our partners educate themselves on Freestyle Cruising, the better they are able to pass that knowledge on to their customers, which is an advantage for everyone involved."

As part of "Partners First Onboard," special booking fares on Norwegian's fleet of 11 ships are exclusively available to travel partners enrolled in NCL University, the line's online educational program (to participate in NCL U, partners may join by visiting www.ncluniversity.com). These rates are offered in three different tiers, so as partners move through the educational program and achieve certain status they receive more advantageous pricing. In addition, more sailings will now be available to book in advance rather than the traditional last minute offers, allowing partners to better plan ahead. As an added convenience, requests can now be submitted online making the process quicker and more efficient.

All qualified travel partners sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line are included in the onboard portion of the program automatically when booking a reduced agent rate. If paying full fare, they just need to notify the reservations agent when booking the cruise. Once booked, the travel partner will receive a pre-cruise letter from Olivere that gives an overview of the ship, useful pre-cruise information, as well as personal recommendations from Olivere for dining and shore excursions. Once onboard, partners will receive a $50 dining credit to experience one of Norwegian's specialty restaurants, along with other amenities and surprises. They are also provided with contact details for the Onboard Cruise Consultant in order to learn more about Norwegian's product and the Freestyle Cruise Rewards Program.

After the cruise, travel partners will receive a letter from Olivere encouraging them to connect with Norwegian on Facebook and Twitter to share their Freestyle Cruising experience. They will also receive a personal call from their Business Development Specialist or Manager to discuss feedback from the cruise and future opportunities with Norwegian.

Posidonia Sea Tourism event to open tomorrow in Athens

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 June 2011 20 June 2011

The potential for sea tourism and its significance as a key factor in the development of the economies of Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea region will be examined in depth during the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, scheduled to take place 21-22 June 2011 at the prestigious Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens.

The 1st Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum will bring together government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs and representatives of the regions sea tourism industries and create the opportunity to interact, discuss and explore ways which can help develop this important sector and maximize the sea tourism potential of the region.

MSC Cruises acquires Starlight Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 June 2011 20 June 2011

MSC Cruises, the fourth largest cruise company in the world and market leader in the Mediterranean, South African and Brazilian markets, says it has acquired Starlight Cruises, their sales agents in South Africa of almost 20 years. The new company will trade as MSC Starlight Cruises with effect from May 2011. The agreement gives MSC Cruises overall control of Starlight Cruises. It also allows for the continued management by former owners, the Foggitt family, who have operated as sales agents for cruiseliners in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands for over 30 years.

MSC Cruises’ CEO Mr Pierfrancesco Vago welcomed the formalization of the company’s first office in sub-Saharan Africa. “This is an important acquisition that affirms the close relationship we’ve shared with Starlight Cruises. It also endorses our commitment to the future success of South Africa and continued growth of cruise tourism in the region,”said Vago.

Daphne Osborne, who becomes Managing Director of MSC Starlight Cruises, said the two companies had enjoyed anexcellent business and personal ‘engagement’ for almost two decades. “It has been a marriage on the cards for years now, and in the wake of two successive record breaking seasons, and sure signs of a continuation of this trend, itwould seem the time is right.” Allan Foggitt remains Marketing Director of MSC Starlight Cruises. Stefano Vigoriti, who has headed up MSC Cruises in South Africa until now, becomes Operations Manager for the new company.

The relationship between Starlight Cruises and the larger Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group, the second largest container shipping company in the world, began soon after the company’s firstventure into cruise shipping in the late 1980’s and subsequent deployment ofthe Achille Lauro and MSC Monterey to South Africa.