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Havila Kystruten refinances fleet, walks away from GTLK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 September 2022 20 September 2022

Havila Kystruten, which is in the process of introducing four ships on the Norwegian coastal express route, said it has signed term sheets with lenders for refinancing of the fleet and has set dates for start of operations in route for Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux, the third and fourth of the ships.

The financing totals to €370 million and covers payment to Tersan on delivery of Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux as well as redemption of existing debt related to all ships.

“It is with great relief to have the refinancing of our ships in place It has been a demanding period with a lot of uncertainty for the company, employees and not least our guests. We are happy to have found a solution”, says CEO Bent Martini in Havila Kystruten.

Redemption of debts to GTLK, a Russian controlled company, will take place by further agreement with the new lenders in accordance with permission obtained from the Norwegian authorities and in compliance with international sanctions regulations.

Soon in full operation

New plans for the delivery of Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux from the Tersan shipyard mean that the scheduled start-up on route for Havila Polaris is set at the latest 29 December 2022 and Havila Pollux at the latest on 22 March 2023.

“Delivery challenges for critical components on the next two ships and thus some further delays, is of course very regrettable, especially for everyone who has booked a trip with us and not least for the coastal population”, says Martini.

“It is also very important for us to get the next two ships into operation, and we are very much looking forward to have a full operation with four ships along the Norwegian coast soon”, he concludes.

The company will accordingly contact passengers affected by the changes and offer similar voyages with Havila Capella and Havila Castor, alternatively voyages with the newest ships later.

Lindblad appoints John Delaney as Senior Vice President, Global Sales

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 September 2022 15 September 2022

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., a global leader of small ship expedition cruises and adventure travel experiences, has named John Delaney as Senior Vice President, Global Sales, effective immediately.

Delaney’s inspiring career includes thirty+ years in leadership roles in the hospitality and cruise industry. Most recently he served as President of Windstar Cruises, with management oversight for all aspects of worldwide operations for the line. He also served as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Sales for Seabourn Cruise Line; Vice President of Revenue Marketing for Holland America Line, and Director of Special Projects for Carnival Corporation.

Prior to his cruise experience, Delaney held senior roles at The Walt Disney Company and The Cheesecake Factory Restaurant Group. He has served on various non-profit Board of Directors and currently serves on the board of The Seattle Aquarium and New York based Reach the World. He also serves on the College of Hospitality Advisory Board for California State University at Long Beach.

In his role with Lindblad Expeditions, Delaney will lead their travel advisor, group, charter, and wholesale sales efforts, as well as develop new capabilities in revenue management. He will also be leading the company’s international sales growth, working to expand Lindblad’s reach around the globe.

“John’s appointment underscores our commitment to building a world class team as we continue to grow our fleet and adventure travel experiences around the world,” stated Dolf Berle CEO of Lindblad Expeditions. “His proven leadership, industry expertise and business acumen will add immeasurably in building the sales platform globally as we execute on our growth strategy.”

“I have been fortunate in my career to work for some of the world's best brands and I am incredibly honored to be joining Lindblad, the undisputed leader in authentic expedition travel,” said John Delaney. “It is an exciting time for the company, and I look forward to helping them achieve their vision and growth plans.”

Seatrade Cruise Global switches venue, dates for 2023

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 September 2022 14 September 2022

The world’s largest cruise trade conference, Seatrade Cruise Global, will host its 2023 conference and exhibition at the newly renovated Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center, 27-30 March 2023. The four-day event is expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees, bringing together cruise professionals, thought leaders and innovators from all facets of the industry.

Considering valuable feedback from exhibitors and attendees, the date change for the upcoming year mitigates challenges that may come with the potential of sharing Miami Beach with the Formula One Grand Prix event in 2023. The decision was made after close consultation with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), alongside other cruise line and industry partners. Seatrade Cruise Global will return to its customary April time frame in 2024 and onwards.

“Keeping our mission at the forefront, we’re confident that hosting the event at an earlier date in Fort Lauderdale will help ensure an optimal event experience for our exhibitors, partners and attendees,” says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “With the exhibit hall doubling in size, we’re able to recreate our traditional show floor layout, and hence, can accommodate our State of the Industry Keynote opening session onsite in the expansive Grand Ballroom.”

Recent updates to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center – part of the venue’s highly anticipated $1 billion renovation and expansion – include the extension of the exhibit hall to 350,000 square feet of continuous space, allowing all exhibitors to remain on a single show floor. Additional upgrades such as modern technologies, innovative dining concessions, versatile pre-function space and modern décor reflective of Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful waterfront, will elevate the conference experience.

“We look forward to reuniting with our colleagues worldwide at Seatrade Cruise Global in March 2023 where we will continue to collaborate and explore solutions that support sustainable cruising as we sail to a better future,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association.

“Serving as a hub for U.S. travel to the Caribbean, we’re excited to welcome our partners to the home of one of the busiest cruise ports in the world for another dynamic edition of Seatrade Cruise Global,” adds Michele Paige, President of FCCA.

Queen Anne keel laid at Fincantieri in Marghera

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 September 2022 13 September 2022

The keel of Queen Anne, which is scheduled to enter service with Cunard early in 2024, was laid at a ceremony at the Marghera shipyard of Fincantieri on 8 September.

The ship will have accommodation for 2,996 passengers and it will be the fourth ship in the fleet of Southampton, UK, based Cunard, which is part of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Cunard was founded in 1840 and Queen Anne will be the 249^th vessel in its fleet since then. It will be the first ship to bear the name Queen Anne, who was Queen Regnant from 1702 to 1714

Ponant and ITF sign collective agreement for non-EU seafarers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 September 2022 13 September 2022

The French expedition cruise operator Ponant and the International Transport Federation (ITF) have signed a collective agreement concerning non-EU seafarers in which standard minimum salaries are raised, breakdown of overtime hours reviewed, and social security cover is revised, the company said in a statement.

Ponant’s non-EU seafarers work under the ITF’s Maritime Labour Convention, as EU seafarers already benefit from their own national schemes. From recruitment conditions to wages, including social security cover, working hours and contract terminations conditions, all the topics have been approached.

Benefits that will apply from 1 January 2023 aboard Ponant’s ships include overtime being counted from 44 hours instead of the current 48, standard minimum salaries raised for operational staff, an extension to the sick leave period and a raise in death and disability compensations

This agreement is in line with the “Explore to inspire” roadmap led by Hervé Gastinel, CEO of Ponant, who places the human and social dimension at the heart of the company’s strategy to move upmarket, become more international, and socially responsible.

Recognised as the largest global organisation in the transport sector, ITF connects 700 trade unions from 150 countries, providing a voice for 20 million employees working in transport worldwide.

The agreement, negotiated by both François Vielfaure, Special Advisor for Marine Operations, and Thomas Verdier-Fuentes, Fleet Crewing Director, is a milestone on this maritime company’s CSR road map, the central pillar of which is focused on employees, Ponant said in a statement.