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Oceania announces 2014 summer – Insignia returns to the fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 13 February 2013 13 February 2013

Today, Oceania Cruises unveiled its 2014 Summer Collection detailing 90 voyages, 10 new ports of call, an almost entirely new line-up of European itineraries and the highly anticipated return of Insignia. The line’s five ships – Riviera, Marina, Regatta, Insignia and Nautica – will sail to more than 180 destinations throughout the world. The 2014 cruise collection features 70 European cruises, 93 percent of which are new itineraries, plus 10 Alaska voyages, seven all-new Canada/New England cruises and three Panama Canal voyages.

All summer voyages feature two-for-one cruise fares and free airfare with additional bonus savings of up to $3,500 per stateroom if booked by August 31, 2013. Bookings for the 2014 Summer Collection made by May 31, 2013, also offer the added value of free pre-paid gratuities.

“Our newest cruise collection is the largest in the company’s history with five ships visiting Europe, Alaska and Canada/New England,” said Kunal S. Kamlani, the line’s president. “Our guests will love the new and exciting options for exploring the world with a wide range of seven- to 24-day cruises, a mix of overnight and extended stays and new ports of call in Albania, France and Greece, to name a few.”

“Bookings open today, and we are encouraging travelers to act quickly to secure the suite or stateroom of their choice and receive the added value of complimentary pre-paid gratuities on every sailing for those who book by May 31, 2013,” Kamlani added.

European itineraries

Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Riviera, will spend the entire summer in the Mediterranean on a series of seven-, 10- and 14-day cruises, sailing from as far west as Barcelona and the French Riviera, through Italy and Greece, to as far east as the Black Sea. Riviera ends the season with a transoceanic voyage to Miami.

Marina begins the European season in June 2014 with a series of cruises in Scandinavia, Russia and the British Isles, several of which feature the popular two-night stays in St. Petersburg. Marina spends the second half of the season in the Mediterranean, culminating with a transoceanic voyage from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro.

Beginning in May 2014, Nautica will sail the Western Mediterranean and then head north to Scandinavia, Russia and the British Isles. Featured itineraries include two back-to-back 20-day voyages: Viking Odyssey, which explores Greenland and Iceland as well as Scotland and Ireland, and Path of the Midnight Sun, which ventures as far north as the Polar Ice Barrier.

After a two-year charter, Insignia returns to the fleet in May 2014 with cruises throughout the Mediterranean and three voyages that call on cities such as Bilbao, Lisbon and Bordeaux along the Atlantic coasts of Spain, Portugal and France. The season also features more visits to the Dalmatian Coast, including Insignia’s Adriatic Medley sailing, which stops in Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia.

New ports in Europe include Tirana (Durrës), Albania; Antibes, France; Hamburg (Bremerhaven), Germany; Chania (Crete), Kos and Syros, Greece; Ullapool, Scotland; Lysekil, Sweden; and Milford Haven, Wales.

Alaska and Panama Canal

Regatta begins and ends the Alaska season with voyages through the Panama Canal. There are a total of 10 sailings in Alaska, including four new itineraries and several cruises sailing roundtrip from Seattle. Travelers also get a sneak peek at the winter season with the early release of the new 24-day Amazon Odyssey sailing, departing from Miami on November 4, 2014.

Canada & New England

Regatta and Insignia will offer seven autumn cruises along the Eastern Seaboard, the most in Oceania Cruises’ history. Voyages such as Capitals & Coastlines, 10-day sailings between New York and Montreal onboard Regatta and Insignia, will stop in some of the most beautiful places in New England and Canada, including new port of call Saguenay, Quebec, at the most stunning time of year.

Bullish Norwegian forecasts 2013 net yields to rise up to 5.5%

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 February 2013 12 February 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line Holding, the listed parent of Norwegian Cruise Liner and NCL America, said it expects Net Yield to increase between 3.5% and 5.5% in 2013 on both an as reported and Constant Currency basis. Fuel consumption is expected to be approximately 460,500 metric tons with a per metric ton price of approximately $695, net of hedges. Adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.20 to $1.40.

”For the first quarter of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, Net Yield is expected to increase between 2.5% and 3.5% on both an as reported and Constant Currency basis. Net cruise cost excluding fuel per capacity day basis is expected to be flat to up 1.0% on both an as reported and Constant Currency basis. Adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $0.02 to $0.05. Fuel consumption is expected to be approximately 109,000 metric tons with a per metric ton price of approximately $670 net of hedges,” the company said.

"2013 marks the beginning of the next chapter of Norwegian's growth story," commented Kevin Sheehan, CEO. ”The delivery of our Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class vessels, designed to improve on the already successful platform of Norwegian Epic, along with our strong product proposition that offers a consistent experience throughout our fleet, has Norwegian well positioned for 2013 and beyond."

Norwegian Cruise Line Holding 2012 net profit soars to $173.1 million

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 February 2013 12 February 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line Holding, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America, reported full year 2012 net income of $173.1 million, or $0.97 diluted EPS, before a non-recurring, non-cash share-based compensation charge of $4.5 million related to former CEO, compared to net income of $126.9 million, or $0.71 diluted EPS, in 2011.

Revenue for the full year 2012 increased 2.6% to $2,276.2 million from $2,219.3 million. Net Yield increased 1.6%, or 2.4% on a Constant Currency basis, from higher yields from both passenger ticket and onboard and other revenue. Net cruise costs (NCC) ex Fuel decreased 5.3% in the period, or 4.6% on a Constant Currency basis, as a result of cost improvement initiatives in all line items. The Company's fuel price per metric ton, net of hedges, increased to $664 from $571 from the same period last year. Despite the increase in fuel price, Net Cruise Cost per Capacity Day decreased 1.0%, or 0.5% on a Constant Currency basis.

"We are very pleased to begin our journey as a public company by posting strong results for 2012," said Kevin Sheehan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "In addition, our fourth quarter results marked our eighteenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA growth," continued Sheehan.

"While 2012 included some unexpected challenges in the macro environment, our results demonstrate our ability to manage our operations through these external factors and report healthy growth," said Sheehan.

For the final quarter, the company repprted net income of $5.6 million and diluted EPS of $0.04, while adjusted EBITDA increased 17% Net Yields increased 2.5% (2.7% on a Constant Currency basis) while net cruise costs NCC ex Fuel decrease of 6.7% (decrease of 5.9% on a Constant Currency basis).

Update - Carnival Triumph suffers engine room fire off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 10 February 2013 10 February 2013

Passengers on the stricken Triumph "are doing well under the circumstances," Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen told Cruise Critic, after confirming the second tugboat has arrived on the scene. The two tugboats are now towing Triumph to Mobile. Originally the ship was due to be towed to Mexico

Gulliksen also confirmed the line will be flying passengers from Mobile to Houston, Cruise Critic reports.

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This morning the cruise ship Carnival Triumph experienced an engine room fire while the vessel was sailing approximately 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The ship’s automatic fire extinguishing systems activated and the fire was contained to the aft engine room. At this time, the fire is fully extinguished. No casualties or injuries to guests or crew have been reported.

The vessel is currently without propulsion and the ship is operating on emergency generator power. The ship's technical crew is continuing to assess the damage and attempting to restore power. In the meantime, a tugboat is being dispatched to the ship's location in the event it is needed. All appropriate authorities including U.S. Coast Guard have been notified

There are 3,143 guests and 1,086 crew on board and all guests have been asked to remain in the ship’s public areas and open decks for their comfort. Guests are being provided with food and refreshments. All guests on the current voyage will receive a full refund inclusive of gratuities and any transportation expenses.

Carnival Triumph is currently on a four-day cruise that departed Galveston, Texas on Thursday. Carnival has contacted guests booked on the next voyage which was scheduled to depart tomorrow to make them aware of the situation and advise that tomorrow’s voyage will not depart as scheduled. Guests have the option of cancelling now and receiving a full refund or waiting for further information to determine if a shortened, partial voyage may be possible. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

We have contacted the designated emergency contacts for all guests on board. Concerned family and loved ones of guests and crew may call 888.290.5095 or 305.406.5534.

Five crew reported dead in Thomson Majesty lifeboat accident

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 10 February 2013 10 February 2013

Five crew members of Thomson Majesty are reported dead after a lifeboat fell into the sea from its davits during an emergency drill.

The incident happened at midday on Sunday in the Spanish port of Santa Cruz in the Canary Islands. A further three crew members were injured in the accident,media reports say.

Thomson Majesty, which flies the flag of Malta, is operated by Thomson Cruises in the UK. The company is part of the TUI Travel group, which is based in London. The ship is owned and managed by Louis Cruise Lines on Cyprus. The 40,876 gross ton ship was built in Finland in 1992 and lenghtened in Germany six years later, when it belonged to Norwegian Cruise Line that operated it is Norwegian Majesty.