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Patrik Dahlgren joins NCLH leadership team as Executive Vice President, Vessel Operations

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

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a leading global cruise company that operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, today welcomed cruise industry veteran Patrik Dahlgren as the Company’s new Executive Vice President, Vessel Operations. Dahlgren will oversee marine and technical operations, hotel operations, entertainment, cruise programs and security across NCLH’s three brands, reporting to NCLH President and CEO-Elect, Harry Sommer. Dahlgren succeeds Robin Lindsay who will serve as Executive Vice President, Newbuild and Refurbishment, overseeing the company’s robust newbuild program and refurbishment projects.

“We are pleased to welcome Patrik and are confident his breadth of experience will greatly complement our executive leadership team,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer-elect of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Patrik is a dynamic and forward-thinking strategic leader with a profound understanding of all facets of cruise operations, developed over the course of an impressive 20-plus-year career in the industry, making him uniquely qualified to assume this role. His accomplishments also include a track record of successfully building diverse, inclusive, and performance-oriented teams, which aligns closely with NCLH’s core values and is an invaluable asset as we grow our fleet and strive to deliver on our business and financial goals.”

Sommer continued, “We would also like to congratulate Robin as he focuses on overseeing our robust newbuild program – including seven exciting new ships scheduled for delivery across our three brands through 2028 – as well as refurbishment projects across the existing fleet. Having already led the introduction of 10 groundbreaking vessels during his tenure at the company, Robin was the natural choice for this role.”

Dahlgren joins NCLH after having spent more than 23 years in leadership positions at Royal Caribbean Group, most recently as Senior Vice President of Global Marine Operations from 2016 to 2022. In that role, Dahlgren managed maritime operations and fleet optimization across all brands for more than 60 ships, providing direction for more than 10,000 team members. His responsibilities included working on design development of newbuild and innovation projects and steering the operator's energy and decarbonization program. Dahlgren was also instrumental to the cruise industry’s post-COVID comeback as he served as a member of the Healthy Sail Panel, a group of world-renowned experts brought together in a collaborative effort between NCLH and Royal Caribbean Group. Dahlgren’s previous roles at the company also included Vice President of Technical Operations (2014-2016) and Director of Newbuild and Innovation (2011-2013). Prior to joining shoreside management, he spent over a decade at sea including serving as Captain across a range of cruise ships, giving him firsthand knowledge of the ins and outs of ship operations.

“It’s a tremendous honor to join the passionate and talented team at NCLH, a trio of brands that offers extraordinary vacations for its guests worldwide and upholds a consistent world-class product across its fleet and private island destinations,” said Patrik Dahlgren, executive vice president, Vessel Operations of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “I began working on cruise ships in 1999 and this truly unique industry has had a special place in my heart ever since. I am excited for the opportunity to write the next chapter of my maritime career at an impressive organization like NCLH.”

Dahlgren continued, “As a relationship-driven leader, I am a big believer in empowering people and strengthening cross functional collaboration to accelerate progress and achieve desired outcomes. As we look to the future, I hope to combine tradition, innovation and the power of digitalization and technology to help take NCLH to new heights. I am eager to hit the ground running and bring a fresh perspective as we collectively work to deliver exceptional vacation experiences for our guests and drive a positive impact on society and the environment.”

Cruise shares stage strong gains on analyst upgrade

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 June 2023 12 June 2023

JP Morgan analyst Matthew Boss had upgraded shares of Carnival Corporation to Overweight from Neutral, and raised target prices of Carnival, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd (NCLH), Streetinsider.com reports. Shares in listed major cruise shipping groups staged strong gains as a result.

Boss increased the price target on Carnival Corporation stock to $16 from $11 in a note to clients Monday, while he also raised the Royal Caribbean price target to $103 from $100 and the NCLH target to $16 from $15 per share.

At mid-morning US east coast time, shares in Carnival Corporation traded almost 14% higher at $14.89, while Carnival plc in London had gained 11.1% to £10.10. Royal Caribbean was 3.3% higher at $94.33 and NCLH gained 8.8% to trade at $18.69

Boss was cited as saying that his firm hosted senior management meetings with Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean as part of its "Come Cruise w/ Us" event in Miami.

"Importantly, the two-fold takeaway from the 'Big 3' was (1) bullish tone on current trends (& 1H24 bookings) with zero signs of momentum slowing (& no change in historical lead indicators) as pent-up loyalist demand a year ago transitions to new-to-cruise strength today and (2) increased balance sheet flexibility w/ ample liquidity for debt pay-down (& no plans for equity issuance across the Big 3)," the analyst reportedly wrote.

He added that a key theme across from the visits was all management teams speaking about continued demand momentum with "no signs of softness cited in any single forward indicator by historical measure."

"Importantly, management teams broadly cited today's booking curve as in the sweet spot (historically, ~6-9 months) providing ~85% visibility into 2023 bookings and ~25% into 2024 as of today by our math (farther out visibility = key difference from our broader retail coverage)," the report concluded.

MSC Cruises business in UK grows, fly cruises gain popularity - report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 June 2023 12 June 2023

MSC Cruises has reportedly stated that its UK business is performing nearly 50% better this year compared with last, partly driven by the growth of fly-cruise sales.

Antonio Paradiso, managing director for the UK and Ireland, said a number of factors are behind the improved performance.

He said this is the first year that MSC Virtuosa is sailing from Southampton every week, but he added that flights are also now in a more “stable” position, Travel Weekly reports

Paradiso was quoted as saying: “In 2022, there were quite a few issues with flights from the UK, so the fact we’ve had a more stable scenario this year has also allowed us to further grow our fly-cruise business to some of the best-selling destinations – Dubai, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean. That was the bit we were missing last year because it was challenging.”

Cruises from Southampton accounted for 80% of the company's business in the UK at one point, with fly cruises generating 20% of the volume. This is now roughly 65% ex Southampton and 35% fly cruises.

“There are only so many ships you can have in Southampton throughout the season, so I expect the fly-and-cruise business to further grow. Probably next year we’re looking at 40% being fly-and-cruise or something like that,” he was cited as saying.

“We’re not reducing the capacity from Southampton. It’s just that we want to grow the fly-and-cruise business because there is an appetite for destinations which are pretty much long-haul,” the report concluded.

MSC Cruises operates the 181,541 gross ton MSC Virtuosa from Southampton until the autumn, when it will be replaced by another Meraviglia-Plus call vessel, MSC Euribia, which named in Copenhagen earlier this month.

MSC Cruises officially names MSC Euribia in Copenhagen

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

MSC Cruises welcomed its new MSC Euribia to the fleet on June 8 during a Naming Ceremony taking place in Copenhagen. The traditional maritime ceremony honors traditional maritime heritage and pay tribute to the environmentally advanced MSC Euribia, which is designed to be the most energy-efficient cruise ship ever.

MSC Euribia is MSC Cruises’ second vessel powered by LNG, the cleanest marine fuel currently commercially available at scale. On board, she boasts a range of best-in-class environmental technology, including advanced onboard wastewater treatment systems and waste management handling. She has also been designed with the future in mind, allowing her to easily incorporate future innovations in sustainability, such as carbon-neutral synthetic and other alternative fuels as soon as they are available at scale.

"MSC Euribia is expected to be the most energy-efficient cruise ship design in the world at the time of her launch," the company said in a statement. During her maiden voyage, MSC Euribia completed a net zero GHG emissions journey from Saint-Nazaire to Copenhagen, benefiting from the emissions reductions allowed by bio-LNG and application of the mass balance approach.

Renowned Danish television host, actress and model Sarah Grünewald will oversaw the Naming Ceremony. Joining festivities were distinguished guests from around the world, key travel partners and international media, as well as top management from MSC Cruises and its parent company, MSC Group.

Godmother of MSC Cruises’ fleet and globally recognized screen legend Sophia Loren was also in attendance to officially name the ship, continuing her long-standing and close relationship with MSC Cruises.

The momentous occasion included live entertainment and speeches combined with the important maritime tradition of cutting a ribbon to break a bottle of champagne over the ship’s bow. Guests were also be treated to a gourmet gala dinner and unforgettable performances, including a spectacular DJ set by Bob Sinclar, internationally acclaimed French DJ and record producer, who closed out the evening.

The special event gave guests a first look at the revolutionary new ship’s cutting-edge design and various world-class guest experiences.

MSC Euribia began sailing in Northern Europe this summer with 7-night sailings from Kiel, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark to the captivating Norwegian Fjords, including Geiranger, Ålesund, and Flaam.

Royal Caribbean Group trials biofuels on two ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 June 2023 07 June 2023

Royal Caribbean Group, the world’ second largest cruise shipping company, said Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex and Royal Caribbean International's Symphony of the Seas, set sail in Europe using sustainable biofuel to meet part of the ships' fuel needs.

“The landmark test will contribute critical data and research on the fuel's capabilities and supply chain infrastructure needed to further the industry's alternative fuel ambitions,” the company said in a statement.

During the three-month test, Celebrity Apex will depart from the Port of Rotterdam and Symphony of the Seas will depart from the Port of Barcelona, using a biofuel blend that reduces the ships' carbon emissions. The biofuel blend is produced by purifying renewable raw materials like oils and fats and combining it with fuel oil to create an alternative fuel that is cleaner and more sustainable.

"Biofuels will play an increasingly important role in achieving, not only our own, but the entire maritime sector's decarbonization goals in the short and medium term. We take great pride in continuing to push our industry forward in exploring innovative fuel solutions that reduce carbon impact and preserve the vibrancy of the oceans we sail," said Jason Liberty, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.

The cruise company plans to continue increasing the use of alternative lower carbon fuel to meet the needs of its ships across the fleet. After the trials are completed this summer, Royal Caribbean Group plans to scale up the use of alternative fuels, including biofuels, across upcoming European summer sailings.

"With our sights set on a bright and sustainable future, we are committed to collaboration and innovation to ensure we deliver great vacation experiences, responsibly. With the completion of the trials our hope is to advance our ships' ability to meaningfully reduce emissions and propel forward strategic partnerships with suppliers and ports to ensure there is sufficient availability of biofuel and infrastructures to make maritime energy transition a reality," Liberty said.

This key step in Royal Caribbean Group's pursuit of alternative fuels follows closely after a biofuel trial on its California-based Navigator of the Seas, became the first a cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port while using renewable diesel fuel this past fall.

Image: Symphony of the Seas at a shipyard in Cadiz earlier this year. Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean Group.