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SH Vega auction to close 24 June

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 June 2022 23 June 2022

Helsinki Shipyard, the Finnish builder of expedition cruise ships and icebreakers, has placed the second ship intended for Swan Hellenic up for auction, with bids closing tomorrow.

The closing date for tenders for 113.5 metre long SH Vega is 24 June and the winner of the bid will be published a week later. Signing of the sale agreement is due to take place on 11 July and delivery of the vessel eight days later.

“Helsinki Shipyard Oy seeks to obtain the best fair market value for the vessel and reserves the right to reject any and all bids,” the shipbuilder said in a statement.

The ship had been ordered by GTLK, a Russian company that was to charter the ship to Cyprus based Swan Hellenic. Media reports say that GTLK has defaulted payment for the ship and that its assets are frozen in the EU, which means it cannot take delivery. Swan Hellenic intends to bid for the vessel, reports say.

Steel cut for first TUI Cruises newbuilding at Fincantieri

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 June 2022 23 June 2022

The steel cutting of the first of two LNG powered ships for TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, took place in San Giorgio di Nogaro (Udine) at Centro Servizi Navali, a company specialised in logistics and production of sheet metal for the Fincantieri yards located in northeastern Italy.

The 160,000 gross ton vessels will be built at the Monfalcone shipyard and delivered in 2024 and in 2026, respectively and they will operate under TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff brand. The two ships are the first newbuildings the German company has contracted at the Italian shipbuilder.

“The order is based on a prototype project developed by Fincantieri which enhances the well-established features of modernity and sustainability of TUI Cruises, a company with one of the most modern and environmentally friendly cruise fleets in the world. With an innovative product configuration, energy efficiency lies at the heart of the project, with the twofold objective of reducing fuel consumption and minimizing environmental impact, according to the latest industry regulations,” Fincantieri said in a statement.

Fincantieri is also studying the possibility to make the ships operate in the future with low-emission biofuels – an important step towards climate-neutral cruising.

They will also be equipped with improved catalytic converters (compliant with the Euro 6 standard) and a shore power connection. “This ensures almost emission-free ship operation while in port (about 40% of operating time). Finally, the ships will be equipped with an even more efficient and innovative waste treatment system that can shred organic waste by means of thermal treatment,” Fincantieri said.

Carnival Cruise Line to bring Costa Venezia to the U.S. in 2023, Costa Firenze in 2024, to sail as part of the Carnival fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 June 2022 22 June 2022

Carnival Cruise Line – known as America’s cruise line – is teaming up with Costa Cruises – Italy’s favorite cruise line – creating a new concept for Carnival’s North American guests when COSTA by CARNIVAL debuts in the spring of 2023 and Costa Venezia joins the Carnival fleet sailing from New York. Costa Venezia will be followed by Costa Firenze arriving in the spring of 2024 to sail from Long Beach.

Carnival will operate the ships, which will marry the great service, food and entertainment that Carnival’s guests enjoy with Costa’s Italian design features. “Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze will bring Carnival’s guests the ambiance and beauty of Italy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re going to invite our guests to Choose Fun with Carnival, Italian Style!”

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to operate two additional beautiful Vista class ships in the U.S. and bring a unique experience to those who love the culture, food and vibe of Italy,” said Duffy. “There are lots of ways we plan to create an immersive fun experience for our guests who choose to sail on these ships, which have beautiful Italian-design elements, dining and retail that will deliver Carnival fun leveraging the spirit of Italy from our sister line Costa Cruises.”

Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises, said, “We are excited to see these iconic ships make their debut in the U.S. under the leadership and operation of our sister brand. Costa providing the beautiful ship with its’ Italian design and Carnival delivering FUN, Italian Style!” Zanetti said that Costa will be informing clients impacted by this news.

Duffy said that the ships will continue operating their regular Costa itineraries until they are assigned to Carnival for dry dock work and deployment. Deployment and itinerary plans are being finalized, with the Venezia announcement coming soon given the spring 2023 launch date. Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze are sister ships to Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama, measuring 135,500 gross tons and accommodating up to 5,260 guests.

A&K Travel Group emerges as buyer of two Crystal Cruises’ ships and brand

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 June 2022 22 June 2022

A&K Travel Group Ltd., the London based travel company owned by Geoffrey Kent and Heritage Group, has acquired Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, the company said in a statement, adding that they have also acquired the Crystal Cruises brand.

Heritage Group is the industrial holding company chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, former owner of e.g. Silversea Cruises.

“The two ships will resume service in 2023 after undergoing extensive refurbishment and will operate under the award-winning Crystal Cruises brand that has also been acquired by A&K Travel Group Ltd,” the company continued.

"The idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride," added Geoffrey Kent, Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group Ltd. and Crystal Cruises, and Founder, Co-Chairman and CEO of Abercrombie & Kent.

Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent will report to Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group Ltd., who commented: "My return to luxury cruising after five years brings back so many emotions. It is an immense privilege to serve these two incredible brands that in the past decades have disrupted the travel industry numerous times. Manfredi, Geoffrey and I look forward to welcoming past Crystal and Abercrombie & Kent guests onboard, as well as those seeking rewarding luxury experiences."

A&K Travel Group Ltd. has partnered with V.Ships Leisure, the world's leading cruise ship manager, based in Monaco. With their unique experience, global scale and passionate team, V.Ships Leisure was the natural choice.

Carnival interims likely to cast light on pricing concerns

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 June 2022 21 June 2022

Carnival Corporation & plc will publish its second quarter interims on 24 June. These cover three months to the end of May as the company’s fiscal year starts on 1 December.

The interim result release and subsequent conference call are likely to cast light on recent concerns that ticket prices could be softening in the wake of accelerating inflation, which is reaching multi-decade highs in many countries.

Shares in leading listed cruise shipping companies have suffered from these concerns plus general turmoil on the equity markets and they have hit or courted 52 week lows in recent weeks.