American Cruise Lines' first Coastal Cat christened on Buzzards Bay

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 29 August 2023 29 August 2023

American Eagle, the first American Cruise Lines’ Coastal Cat was introduced to much fanfare last week in New England. During the inaugural cruise of the company’s newest small ship, guests, cruise line executives, Massachusetts Maritime Academy captains, and local dignitaries joined together for a historic christening ceremony at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus on Buzzards Bay.

The christening was a nostalgic moment for Carol Robertson, wife of American Cruise Lines’ founder the late Charles A. Robertson, who served as godmother for the ship. The American Eagle is named after the first American Cruise Lines’ ship, which the couple launched in the 1970s. Robertson christened the 100-passenger American Eagle with one of her handmade, ribbon-wrapped champagne bottles, while both cruise and christening ceremony guests looked on. The ceremony began with heartfelt remarks from Robertson, followed by numerous speeches welcoming the exciting new ship. Also in attendance, was Charles B. Robertson, President and CEO of American Cruise Lines, as well as Congressman Bill Keating, captains from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, state representatives, local officials, and members of the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce.

“American Eagle embodies our commitment to building innovative small ships for America’s rivers and coasts,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “It is the flagship of our new series of small Coastal Cats, which is unlike anything else available in the U.S. market. American Eagle and her sisterships will change the landscape of possibilities for amazing small ship adventures around the U.S.A.”

American Eagle’s christening cruise followed the company’s popular 8-Day Cape Codder itinerary, roundtrip from Boston, MA, also visiting: Gloucester, MA; Mass Maritime Academy, MA; Martha’s Vineyard, MA; Newport, RI; Provincetown, MA, and Plymouth, MA. The christening cruise also highlighted American's inaugural visit to Plymouth, MA, a new regular stop along the itinerary.

For the remainder of the 2023 season, American Eagle will continue sailing the company’s Cape Codder itinerary, as well as Maine Coast & Harbors cruises roundtrip from Portland, ME; and Historic South & Golden Isles cruises operating between Charleston, SC, and Amelia Island, FL.

Accommodating just 100 guests, American Eagle features 4 decks and a unique catamaran bow. The new Coastal Cat offers elegant interior design and private balcony accommodations. American Eagle also offers a beautiful top deck for amazing views, comfortable lounges both inside and out, a main restaurant, casual café, and fitness center.

American Eagle is the first in American Cruise Lines’ new 12-ship series of 100-passenger Coastal Cats. The 2nd in the series, American Glory, is scheduled to begin cruising this November and will be followed by American Liberty and American Legend in 2024.

Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF kick off a multiyear partnership

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 25 August 2023 25 August 2023

Royal Caribbean International and Inter Miami CF have joined forces in an unprecedented, multiyear partnership that will combine the passion and commitment of the respective powerhouses in vacations and sports.

Royal Caribbean will become the Club’s Main Partner and Official Vacation Partner. The world’s largest cruise line and Inter Miami kicked off the first phase of their partnership in a bold way by officially welcoming global foot ball icons and their families to Miami in July. The highly anticipated unveiling event, La Presentación, marked the start of a new era, where the “Freedom to Dream” took center stage in a sold-out DRV PNK Stadium.

“Royal Caribbean started in Miami more than 50 years ago, and we have always had heart and passion for our community,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “It's been exciting to see Inter Miami’s success, including their recent Leagues Cup title, energize South Florida. As the Club’s Main Partner, we are thrilled to build on that momentum together and deliver memorable moments to fans around the world.”

“We are proud to partner with Royal Caribbean, an iconic Miami brand,” said Inter Miami CF Managing Owner Jorge Mas. “As a global leader in the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean shares Inter Miami’s innovative drive. Together, we will set the standard for the future of sports partnerships.”

Fans will see the partners unite on and off the field, through stadium LED, in-game content, fan zone activations, the Club’s digital and social platforms, and more starting with the next home game at DRV PNK Stadium. In addition, the two hometown favorites’ shared commitment to the community they call home will come to life across local initiatives in South Florida, building on Royal Caribbean’s decades-long track record of celebrating and contributing to the destinations its ships visit and Inter Miami’s commitment to harnessing the power of fútbol to do good since the Club’s inception.

“We always look for the opportunities that will provide us with an authentic partnership, and this one is a perfect fit,” said Inter Miami CF Chief Business Officer, Xavier Asensi. “This partnership makes total sense for all of us: two local brands with global audiences and huge ambitions.”

“Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami have won the hearts and minds of fans from around the world,” said Kara Wallace, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Royal Caribbean International. “Together as partners, the possibilities to reach more dreamers and adventurers are exponential from ship to pitch, especially as we look forward to the arrival of the new Icon of the Seas to Miami.”

The partnership comes on the heels of the countdown to the start of a new era of vacations. As Miami welcomes one icon, its next is set to make its debut in January 2024 – Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. As the first-of-its-kind combination of every vacation, from the resort getaway to the beach escape and the theme park adventure, the cruise line’s best-selling ship welcomes every type of family and adventurer. Everyone can make memories together and set out on their own adventures without compromise across record-breaking thrills, relaxing ways to chill, a neighborhood designed for young families, more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained; and more.

Meyer Group strengthens leadership – Bernd Eikens to join Meyer executive team

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 25 August 2023 25 August 2023

In the past 228 years, Meyer Group has developed from a local to a global player in specialized shipbuilding. This growth and development was based on the initiative and ingenuity of generations of shipbuilders and the Meyer family. Time and time again, the company has had to reinvent itself to adapt to fundamental changes in the business environment. Also today, the Group is faced with new challenges that it will address by initiating “The New Meyer Way”, a structural reorganisation that will allow us to strengthen old and build new business opportunities.

As part of this initiative, we are happy to announce that Bernd Eikens will join the Meyer Group executive team as Group CEO. Bernd has worked in different management po-sitions for UPM-Kymmene for 25 years, since 2013 as a member of the group executive team. His international career includes positions in the US, China, Germany and Finland. Most recently, he headed the successful implementation of a pulp mill project in Uruguay with an investment volume of USD 3.5 billion.

Bernd has been a member of the Meyer Turku advisory board since 2019 and, in this position, has become familiar with the shipbuilding industry in general and the Meyer Group in particular. He holds a MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt, a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Colorado State University and a MSc in Supply Chain Management from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Bernd Eikens will join the Meyer Group in December 2023.

Bernard Meyer: “Bernd Eikens is a perfect fit for our Meyer Group combining international leadership experience with a strong background in operations and project management. Additionally, it is a great benefit that he has management experience in both Germany and Finland. We are looking forward to strengthening our management team with Bernd, whose experience in a large, multinational company will bring new impulses for our operations in the shipyards and the overall development of the Meyer Group.”

Bernd Eikens: “I am very much looking forward to joining the Meyer Group. The ship-yards are close to my heart and I am certain that my experience can be a valuable as-set for the Meyer Group and the New Meyer Way. As part of my board work for Meyer Group, I have become familiar with the issues of shipbuilding in Europe and I trust that we will form a strong team to address the challenges of the future.”

In order to account for the growing complexities of the present business environment, the Meyer Group will restructure its core leadership team. A Meyer Group Executive Board is established that will steer all activities and developments in the Meyer Group. This broader management allows the Meyer Group to strengthen its core business and to further develop new business opportunities.

Bernd Eikens as a group CEO will be in charge of global operations in shipbuilding and the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg. Tim Meyer will be named Family speaker, representing the company towards shipbuilding customers and stakeholders. Additionally, he will continue as CEO of Meyer Turku Oy, a position he has held since 2020. Thomas Weigend will be named Chief Sales Officer and will lead the holistic customer interface and cross-yard capacity planning and will further develop the new business opportunities Meyer Floating Solutions and Meyer RE. Jan Meyer will oversee new business development centering around Neptun Werft shipyard and including the new Offshore Wind Business as well as overseeing technology development as the Chief Business Innovation Officer. The new business areas are expected to grow substantially. After 50 years in company operations, Bernard Meyer, who just turned 75, will concentrate on non-operational topics in the Advisory Board of the Meyer Group.

Jan Meyer: ”This structure is a commitment of the Meyer family to further develop and diversify our company. At the same time it takes the increasing complexity of our products and maritime excellence into account. For the Shipbuilding operations, we will capture synergies between our yards and further enhance the cooperation between them. Additionally, operational performance in each ship yard will be strengthened supported by our know-how and the existing professionalism of our employees in each location.”

Viking's newest Nile River ship named in Aswan

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 24 August 2023 24 August 2023

Viking has named its newest river ship, the Viking Aton, with a special celebration in Aswan, Egypt, on August 19. The ship’s ceremonial godfather, Richard Riveire, designer of Viking’s award-winning river, ocean and expedition vessels and founding Principal of internationally acclaimed interior design firm Rottet Studio, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship – an evolution of the naval tradition dating back to thousands of years. The Viking Aton, an identical sister ship of the Viking Osiris, is a state-of-the-art vessel specifically built to navigate the Nile and will sail Viking’s popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

“Today, we are pleased to welcome Viking Aton to our growing fleet. Together with her sister ship, the Viking Osiris, they are the newest and most elegant vessels on the Nile, by far,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “With extraordinarily strong interest in Egypt among our guests, we are proud to bring another state-of-the-art vessel to this region, and we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to the country’s rich cultural treasures. I am also thankful to my friend, Richard Riveire, for his tremendous contributions to Viking, including the design of this new vessel and our other award-winning river, ocean and expedition ships.”

“It is an incredible honor to be the godfather of the Viking Aton and to celebrate the growing Viking fleet,” said Richard Riveire. “For well over a decade, I have been proud to work alongside Tor, Karine and the Viking team to help design how the Viking brand comes to life on board. Together, we share the belief that the design of each Viking ship should showcase the destination, wherever you may be in the world.”