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Carnival appoints Josh Weinstein President and CEO

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 April 2022 26 April 2022

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company announced that effective August 1st, Josh Weinstein (age 48), currently Chief Operations Officer for the company, will assume the role of President and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc

From the same date, Arnold Donald, currently President and Chief Executive Officer, is being appointed Vice Chair and member of the Boards of Directors, 'the company said in a statement.

"Josh is a proven executive who is well-respected throughout the company, serving in key leadership roles, driving strong business results during his tenure and playing an integral part in stewarding the company through the global pandemic," Donald said. "Josh's thorough understanding of our industry, operations and business strategy puts him in a tremendous position to lead the next phase of our company's journey. With his vision, intensity and core values truly aligned to those of our company, I cannot think of anyone better suited for this role than Josh."

A 20-year veteran of Carnival Corporation & plc, Weinstein has a long history of success in critical senior-level roles for the company. In his most recent assignment for the past two years as Carnival Corporation & plc's Chief Operations Officer, Weinstein oversaw all major operational functions including global maritime, global ports and destinations, global sourcing, global IT and global auditing. During this time, he also oversaw Carnival UK, the operating company for P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard, which he previously managed directly for three years as president.

Prior to his role with Carnival UK, Weinstein was treasurer for Carnival Corporation & plc for 10 years from 2007 to 2017, overseeing the treasury, tax, insurance and financial planning & analysis functions over this time period. From 2002 to 2007, Weinstein served as an attorney in the corporate legal department.

Weinstein said he recognized what a privilege it is to become CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. "I am truly humbled to take up the role of CEO and am honored to lead such a talented team of over 100,000 ship and shoreside team members who do such an incredible job in delivering unforgettable, happy vacations to our guests, day in and day out," Weinstein said. "I have benefitted tremendously from Arnold's guidance and mentoring, and I would like to thank him, Micky Arison our Chairman and the entire Boards of Directors for their support. I look forward to building upon the company's successes as we move forward."

Weinstein is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the New York University School of Law. A native of New York, Weinstein and his wife have three children.

Havila Capella receives six month dispensation to sail

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 April 2022 26 April 2022

Havila Voyages has received a dispensation from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate Havila Capella for six months and the company said it would now continue to work with insurance of the ship.

“The exemption is granted in accordance with §21 of the regulations on restrictive measures regarding actions that undermine or threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence, and stability. During this period, the Havila Voyages will continue its efforts to secure refinancing and change ownership of Havila Capella,” Havila Voyages said in a statement.

The ship and its sister vessels are scheduled to operate on the west coast of Norway between Bergen and Kirkenes and provide a vital link to the coastal communities along the way where the ships call.

A problem with insurance of the vessel arose as it had been financed by a Hong Kong company that is part of the Russian group sanctioned by western governments after Russian attack on Ukraine. Havila Voyages has said it is working on refinance of the ship.

“We are very happy that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given us a dispensation from the sanctions regulations. This means that the ship is now not sanctioned, since we do not operate in violation of any current regulations,” said CEO Bent Martini.

“We would like to thank our partners who have actively assisted us in this matter. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has been a great support to us, and the assistance we have received from the Norwegian Shipowners' Association has also been very useful to us. There are many who have turned around quickly and worked around the clock with this complex case related to the sanctions issue”.

The challenge Havila Voyages now faces is that some suppliers have treated Havila Capella as a sanctioned ship and announced termination of agreements entered.

“We expect that our suppliers will continue to provide us with support and service in line with our agreements now that the Norwegian authorities confirm that Havila Capella will not be sanctioned”, Martini says.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has in its reply letter emphasized that they have not taken a position on dispensation for insurance in the matter. Insurance of Havila Capella will require a special dispensation upon application from the insurance companies.

“With the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we hope for positive feedback from the insurance companies and that they apply for a dispensation. As we interpret it, it should be possible to get this dispensation”, says Martini.

“We fully understand that the insurance companies must make their own assessments, but we hope they will reinstate our insurance coverage to get Havila Capella sailing along the Norwegian coast as soon as possible”.

Virgin Voyages to name fourth ship Brilliant Lady

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 April 2022 26 April 2022

Virgin Voyages, which is the Miami based cruise operator in Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group of companies, has decided to name its fourth ship Brilliant Lady.

The ship, which will have a gross tonnage of about 108,000 and accommodation for 2,770 passengers, is due to enter service in 2023.

Like its three sister vessels, it is being built at Fincantieri in Italy.

Positive news from UK cruise market

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 April 2022 26 April 2022

Two companies have recently reported positive news from the UK cruise market, including both the deep sea and river cruise businesses

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Harry Sommer was quoted by Travel weekly as saying: “The UK market is performing fantastically. If the bookings in the last two months were to continue, it would be our best year ever from a booking perspective, which means 2023 will be our best year ever in terms of a travel guest perspective."

“We’re on track to be up between 15% and 20% over what we did in 2019 if the current trends continue. We’re seeing decent growth in the rest of Europe too, but the UK is leading the way in terms of growth. No country got Covid right, but in the last few months the UK has been taking the leading edge on trying to get back to normal and it shows,” the report said.

Meanwhile, online travel agency cruise.co.uk has reported a three-fold increase in river cruise bookings since the start of the year compared to 2019. The most popular destination is the River Rhine, the longest river in Germany, which flows into countries including Switzerland, France and the Netherlands.

A survey of 1,200 customers revealed that prior to 2020, just over half had sailed on or considered a river cruise, but that figure had now leapt to 83%.

The ideal destination for those planning a future river cruise is the Danube, as voted for by 29% of respondents. The Rhine is set to remain popular, as it received 25% of the vote, followed by the Douro on 15%.

River cruises take place on smaller ships than ocean cruises, and have around 100-200 guests onboard. They travel along many of the major rivers in Europe and across the world, and are generally for a week or longer. River cruise lines are now back on the water, with several new ships launching this year.

Tony Andrews, deputy managing director of cruise.co.uk, said: “The advantages of sailing on a river cruise have unquestionably led to a steep increase in demand, with UK guests now much more likely to consider smaller ships for their holidays. With fewer people onboard and the opportunity to travel right into the heart of multiple eye-catching destinations, river cruises are a fantastic option.”

The UK source market generated about 2.0 million passengers in 2019, before the onslaught of the pandemic.

Will Crystal Symphony emerge in Helsinki this summer?

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 April 2022 23 April 2022

The Baltic summer cruise season, in a state of flux as never before prior to the pandemic and of course as a result of the Ukraine conflict, has resulted in more than 100 cancellations of calls to the Port of Helsinki, among others. And yet, according to the Port of Helsinki's website, there's one astonishing addition to the 2022 season: Crystal Symphony, part of the now-in-bankruptcy Crystal Cruises fleet, is slated to make a call there on July 27.

Crystal Symphony, the website tells us, will be visiting on behalf of Holland America Line. We've reached out to Holland America for comment.

At the moment, the 1995-built, 51,044 gross ton Crystal Symphony is alongside at Freeport, in the Bahamas (its sibling, Crystal Serenity, is at anchorage nearby).