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Ulstein captures its 7th cruise ship design contract for SunStone

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 February 2023 17 February 2023

SunStone Ships goes for another cruise vessel in its INFINITY class. All the vessels in this class are designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS. These vessels were the first to introduce the patented X-BOW design in the cruise industry, a solution that has been warmly welcomed by cruise passengers and crews alike.

“We are immensely pleased to announce that we have signed a new contract with the CMHI Haimen yard for the construction of a new X-BOW expedition cruise vessel of the ULSTEIN CX103 design”, states Lars Ståle Skoge, commercial director at Ulstein Design & Solutions.

Although all the SunStone vessels in this class are designed on the same platform, being 104.4 metres long and 18.4 metres wide, they are all customised to accommodate a varying number of passengers and crews, and the public spaces are also carefully designed according to the client’s request. This new vessel shares the feature of three other vessels in the INFINITY class of having windows all around the bow lounge to give a lot of light and a feeling of being in nature whilst indoors.

Bringing the outdoors inside

Tomas Tillberg Design is responsible for interior design.

“Our main focus is to bring the outdoors inside, capitalizing on the big windows like the two-story atrium ones and especially the spectacular forward bow windows that Ulstein made possible thus furthering the small ship to a big ship feeling,” states Tomas Tillberg.

The vessel holds accommodation for 199 passengers, and a crew of 101. She is ICE CLASS 1A certified for polar cruising, holds the highest comfort class, and is SOLAS* certified including a Safe Return to Port passport.

Photo: Ocean Explorer in Iceland. Photo credit: Teijo Niemela

Seatrade Cruise Global announces theme panelists for 2023 State of the Global Cruise Industry Keynote

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 February 2023 15 February 2023

Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry’s preeminent annual business-to-business event, announces its highly anticipated 2023 State of the Global Cruise Industry Keynote lineup, presented in partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

The conference’s opening session, taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 28 March, will unite senior leaders from the world’s largest cruise lines for a round-table discussion inspired by this year’s conference theme – forward momentum. Led by returning keynote panel moderator and BBC World News Presenter & Anchor, Lucy Hockings, the insightful dialogue will dissect key topics surrounding the future of the industry, such as environmental sustainability, destination stewardship and consumer travel trends.

Featured panelists include:

– Frank Del Rio, President and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
– Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group
– Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group
– Josh Weinstein, President, CEO & Chief Climate Officer, Carnival Corporation & plc
– Kelly Craighead, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association

“We’re incredibly excited to kick off the conference with a dynamic line-up of new and returning speakers representing all four major cruise lines and our partners at CLIA,” says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “Following our theme of forward momentum, the keynote panel will serve as a powerful introduction to spark dialogue on key topics impacting our industry, as we dive into another year of sharing, collaborating and networking at Seatrade Cruise Global.”

The discourse will explore unique perspectives regarding the industry’s commitment to net carbon-neutral cruising by 2050; how cruise lines are collaborating with destinations to support responsible tourism; current booking patterns and how the industry has moved forward post-pandemic. Furthermore, the conversation will look ahead at 2023’s ship launches and new cruising experiences.

“With major innovations on the horizon and consumer demand on the rise, this year is a pivotal moment for the cruise industry,” said Kelly Craighead, President and CEO, Cruise Lines International Association. “We look forward to reuniting with our colleagues worldwide at Seatrade Cruise Global this March, where we will continue to collaborate and demonstrate how cruise is leading the way in innovations that are helping us sail to a better future.”

Attendees can enjoy a line-up of thought-provoking forums and workshops throughout the four-day conference, explore new developments across sustainability, technology, health and safety, with new sessions on social media marketing; hotel-operated cruise lines; ethics and conservatism; entertainment and more. For additional details, view the complete conference programme.

The all-new F&B@Sea, an immersive two-day experience dedicated to the intersection of the cruise and food and beverage industries, will take place in tandem with Seatrade Cruise Global at Port Everglades, Terminal 2 on 28-29 March 2023.

2023 registration is now open

Seatrade Cruise Global returns to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center, 27-30 March 2023, along with F&B@Sea, 28-29 March 2023 at Port Everglades Terminal 2. Join 10,000+ attendees representing over 85 countries by registering today.

Meyer Turku starts production of second Icon class ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 February 2023 15 February 2023

Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland has started the production of the second Icon class cruise ship for Royal Caribbean Group, the shipbuilder said in a statement.

The yet unnamed vessel will measure roughly 250,000 gross tons, which makes the Icon class the largest cruise ships in the world. The vessel is due for delivery in 2025.

Meyer Turku and Royal Caribbean Group also have a contract to build a third vessel of the same type that is scheduled to enter service in 2026, it said.

New UK agency to focus on high end cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 February 2023 14 February 2023

A new luxury travel agency, focussing on exclusive, tailor-made cruise and stay offerings, has launched in the UK.

“Above and Beyond Luxury Cruises is offering customers ultra-luxury holidays, with a concierge service to match,” it said in a statement.

Its portfolio comprises Seadream Yacht Club, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Oceania Cruises, Explora Journeys and Ponant, according to its website

Customers will be able to call, email, text, WhatsApp, video call and have a home visit from their dedicated cruise concierge team, in a bid to offer 'ultimate connectivity' during and after the booking process. The concierge will offer premium cruise services to customers, including discounted airport parking, airport lounge passes and high-end shore excursions.

Bespoke services are also on offer to help with individual holiday arrangements. These include extras such as booking pet care, taking care of gifts for friends and family for anyone missing a special occasion, and a 'welcome home' essentials shop after returning, the company said.

TUI AG’s cruise operations reach EBIT break even in first quarter

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 February 2023 14 February 2023

The cruise operations of TUI AG, the German tour operator, have reached a break even level in EBIT terms in the first quarter of its financial year that runs to 31 December, the company said in a statement.

The cruise operations comprise the joint venture TUI Cruises with Royal CaribbeanGroup in Germany, which operates cruise ships under the brands Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Marella Cruises in UK that is fully owned by TUI AG.

Underlying EBIT for the 16 ships that these operations entail rose to positive by €0.2 million in the review period from being negative by €31.7 million in the same period a year earlier.

The segment operated a full fleet of 16 ships in the first quarter (Q1 2022: 14 ships operated due to a more restrictive travel environment).

Q1 2023 Cruises revenue, reflecting Marella Cruises solely (TUI Cruises is accounted for using the equity method) grew to €115.2m, with both TUI Cruises and Marella contributing to the positive development and highlight the continued improvement across all brands supported by higher volumes as well as improved occupancies.

“This is the third consecutive positive quarter for our Cruises business with TUI Cruises achieving Q1 2023 EAT (earnings after tax) at €8 million,” TUI said.

The Germany focused contemporary market unit Mein Schiff operated their full fleet of seven ships against six ships in the previous year, offering itin eraries to the Canaries, the Caribbean and around the world with Asian itineraries resuming in the quarter for the first time since the pandemic.

“Occupancy of the operated fleet in Q1 2023 was 88% as a result (Q1 2022: 53%) demonstrating the strong demand for our German language, premium all-inclusive product. At €139, the average daily rate was close to pre-pandemic levels (Q1 2019: 149€) but -10% lower versus prior year (Q1 2022: €155) due to a higher mix of premium cabins with overall lower occupancies and capacity in the prior year,” TUI said.

The luxury and expedition market unit Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operated itineraries around the world as well as voyages to Antarctica with, as in Q1 2022, their full fleet of five ships in Q1 2023. “Q1 average daily rate was €669, well above pre-pandemic levels (Q1 2019: €591), an increase of 7% on prior year (Q1 2022: €624). Q1 occupancy of the fleet was 65% (Q1 2022: 50%), underlining the increased demand for these cruises,” TUI noted.

Marella Cruises had all four ships in operation against three in Q1 2022, and it offered itineraries to the Caribbean and the Canaries. “The business achieved an average daily rate of £157 up 10.7 % (Q1 2022: £142) and above the pre-pandemic level of £137 with occupancy at 91%, versus a previous Q1 of 48% supported by an improved trading environment,” TUI said.