Royal Caribbean returns to China, deploys new ship to Singapore

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023

Royal Caribbean International has set the date for its return to China in April 2024 with Spectrum of the Seas, sailing from Shanghai. Holidaymakers can make memories with family and friends on 4- and 5-night cruises to a combination of popular getaway destinations like Fukuoka, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Osaka, and Tokyo, Japan. Spectrum will also offer eight sailings from Hong Kong, starting in December 2024, to places such as Ishigaki and Miyazaki, Japan; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China; and Nha Trang, Vietnam.

From one exciting debut to the next: The cruise line’s Anthem of the Seas will sail in Asia for the first time from Singapore in late 2024. Anthem features many of the signature favourites travellers know and love as well as a host of new ways for every type of holidaymaker to experience adventure.

“This is the moment we – along with Chinese holidaymakers – have been waiting for. Our return to China is an exciting milestone that could only be marked with Spectrum of the Seas, which became a household name with Chinese families and travellers alike when it debuted in Shanghai as the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean ship in 2019,” said Bert Hernandez, senior vice president, International, Royal Caribbean International. “We thank the government of China for establishing a pathway forward and continue to be committed to expanding the cruise industry in a region we have sailed from for more than a decade. This has also opened up a world of opportunities to expand the variety of holidays in Asia, as another award-winning ship sets sail in the region with the introduction of Anthem of the Seas in Singapore.”

Spectrum of the Seas from Shanghai – April 2024

Specially designed for Asia and holidaymakers of all ages, Spectrum features an array of restaurants with regionally inspired menus and entertainment, like Hot Pot, Teppanyaki, Sichuan Red, karaoke lounge Star Moment, and original productions like Showgirls at the Royal Theater. Alongside the familiar comforts is a lineup of adventures only on Royal Caribbean, including skydiving on the RipCord by iFly, scaling more than 90 metres above the ocean on the North Star all-glass observation capsule and The Effectors in the Royal Theater, the cutting-edge, transformative venue that comes alive with performers, robots and more.

And when it comes to luxury, the ship’s exclusive suite enclave has it covered with everything from a two-level, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite, featuring an in-suite slide and accommodating up to 11 guests for the ultimate multi-gen family vacation, to private dining, shopping and more.

Anthem of the Seas from Singapore – Late 2024

On Anthem, travellers can look forward to days of play with a variety of experiences to choose from. From lounges and bars to chill at after sunset, such as live music at Latin-themed club Boleros and Brass & Bock – the crowd favourite English pub with a live guitarist and pints of all kinds. Also on deck is showstopping entertainment and thrills, including Olivier Award-winning musical phenomenon We Will Rock You – featuring a score of killer Queen anthems – and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea, where guests can enjoy timeless thills like bumper cars. On the menu is a variety of restaurants and spots to grab a bite, such as Solarium Bistro with its Mediterranean-inspired flavours, American shakes, burgers and more at retro-themed Johnny Rockets; and Cafe Promenade, the all-day cafe. Popular dining concepts also return to the region, including classic American steakhouse Chops Grille, fresh Japanese fare at Izumi and whimsical dishes designed for all the senses at Wonderland.

Holidaymakers can soon mark their calendars and book their holiday to far-flung destinations on Spectrum or Anthem at Royal Caribbean’s website in the coming weeks.

Global Ports Holding expects sharp rise in passenger volumes 

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 15 May 2023 15 May 2023

 

Global Ports Holding plc (GPH), the Istanbul based company that is the largest cruise port operator in the world, experts strong rise in passenger volumes for its current financial year and expects a growing cruise fleet to drive investment in ports facilities around the world.

“In the 2024 Reporting Period, we expect to welcome 11.8 million passengers to our consolidated and managed cruise port portfolio. A more detailed financial outlook will be provided when GPH releases its financial statements for the Reporting Period,” the company said in a trading statement. In the 12 months to 31 March 2023, the group handled 9.2 million passengers. 

“Our inorganic growth aspirations continue and we expect to add San Juan Cruise Port and St Lucia Cruise Port to the network in the 2024 Reporting Period with additional opportunities under review,” the company said

GPH pointed out that the scheduled launch of new cruise ships in the year ahead means the number of available berths across the global cruise fleet will reach all-time highs in 2024. “Industry booking patterns have been rebuilt to market norms over the last 12 months, and all major cruise lines have reported record booking trends for 2023,” it said.  

Investment in port facilities should accelerate 

Looking further into the future, long-established demand and supply trends in the cruise industry have re-established themselves as key drivers of cruise industry growth. “Before Covid,-19, it was a requirement for many cruise ports to invest significantly in their infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing number of cruise ships and the growing size of cruise ships as well as the increased demand from passengers for an improved cruise port experience,” GPH stated. 

“Those requirements have re-emerged even stronger, as the anticipated growth in the industry brings exciting prospects and potential risks for those involved in the cruise port industry. Cruise ports will face some substantial obstacles due to the growing size of cruise ships and the continuous growth and segmentation of the passenger base,” it pointed out.

Revenues in the 12 months to 31 March 2023 rose to $213.4 million from $128.4 million in the same period a year earlier, while adjusted EBITDa rose to $72.7 million from $7.0 million. Shares in the company that is listed in London rose by 10% on the news.

Image: Cruise ships at Lisbon

Silversea's Mark Conroy to transition to Senior Advisor role

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 12 May 2023 12 May 2023

In 2023, the year he celebrates his 50th year in the travel industry, Silversea Cruises' Mark Conroy will transition from his position of Managing Director, The Americas, into a Senior Advisor role – supporting the cruise line’s Sales team. Conroy joined Silversea Cruises in 2016 and has since delivered exceptional results to affirm the cruise line’s position as the market leader, overseeing the reservations and sales activities in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Reporting to Massimo Brancaleoni, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Conroy will continue to pledge his expertise in his new position, while cruise industry veteran Joe Leon will drive trade sales in the Americas as Silversea’s Head of Sales – also reporting to Brancaleoni.

“All of us at Silversea Cruises are incredibly grateful to Mark for his contributions over the years, and we congratulate him on 50 successful years in the travel and hospitality industry – a truly remarkable achievement. At the forefront of our U.S. operations, Mark has played a vital role in our company’s growth in the market since joining in 2016, helping to establish Silversea as the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line by continuously building strong personal relationships with travel agents throughout the region. Few people possess Mark’s depth of knowledge, experience, and expertise in the luxury cruise segment; he has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on our industry. Mark will support the transition of leadership in the U.S. market, while pledging his expertise as a Senior Advisor to the Sales team,” said Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises.

“It has been a privilege to lead Silversea Cruises’ team in the Americas, working alongside some of the industry’s sharpest talent to strengthen the cruise line’s position at the forefront of ultra-luxury travel,” said Conroy. “After 50 years in the travel and hospitality industry, I step back from my position as Managing Director, The Americas, continuing to lend my expertise as a Senior Advisor to support our cruise line’s strategic growth. I thank Barbara Muckermann, Jason Liberty, and my colleagues at Silversea Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group for the unwavering support throughout the years and for this new opportunity. I would like to thank our trade partner community, many of whom have become close friends, for their inspirational commitment to our guests. Their support has been, and will continue to be, of fundamental importance to the cruise line’s sales strategy. And, last but certainly not least, I would like to thank Silversea’s guests for their passion, loyalty, and dedication – I will remain at our guests’ disposal while I transition into this new role.”

Conroy is one of the most respected leaders in the cruise industry, known for the close relationships he has nurtured with the travel agent community in the Americas. Setting out in the industry in 1973, he has accumulated many accomplishments in an array of senior positions in the luxury travel sector throughout his 50-year career. Most notably, Conroy led start-up Diamond Cruises, which later merged with Seven Seas Cruise Line to become Radisson, and later Regent Seven Seas Cruises; he was also the President of Renaissance Cruises, Vice President of Sales for Royal Viking Line, and Director of Group Sales and Passenger Services for Norwegian Cruise Line. Conroy also held the position of Chair of the Executive Committee of Cruise Lines International Association between 2002 and 2004, and was subsequently inducted to CLIA’s Cruise Industry Hall of Fame in 2013.

Virgin Voyages’ third ship to enter service

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 12 May 2023 12 May 2023

 

Resilient Lady, the third ship of Virgin Voyages, will sail on its maiden voyage on 14 May from Piraeus in Greece.

The seven night cruise will include calls at Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum and an overnight in Mykonos before they return to the Greek capital, the company said in a statement.

Following its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, the ship will be repositioned to Melbourne in Australia, where it will operate a series of cruises from 11 December 2023 to 27 March 2024. This would be the first time the company has operated cruises in the country.

Virgin Voyages, which is based in Florida, is part of the London based Virgin Group of companies. However, the company also has several other shareholders, including the US based private equity investor Bain Capital. 

Following the entry into service of Resilient Lady, Virgin Voyages still has one more similar ship of about 110,000 gross tons due from Fincantieri in Italy.