Top Headlines

MSC Cruises to sell Melody

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 08 January 2013 08 January 2013

MSC Cruises today confirms that Melody, the smallest ship in the MSC
Cruises’ fleet, is retiring from service and will no longer offer
cruises on behalf of the Geneva-based company.

The decision to withdraw one of its first and most traditional cruise
ships reaffirms MSC’s focus on cutting-edge service and reflects the
company’s continued desire to offer travellers the highest standards in
product innovation and the maximum in comfort, elegance and technology
across the entire fleet.

Measuring 35,143 gross tonnes, measuring 204.7 metres in length and 27.35
metres in width, Melody has been part of the MSC Cruises’ fleet since
1995, when she was originally purchased as the Starship Atlantic. The
ship was swiftly renamed Melody and sailed from Florida to Durban, where
she received significant refurbishments and was transformed into the
much loved and immensely popular Melody, with a capacity of just over
1,000 guests in 532 cabins. The ship left Durban for Genoa on her maiden
voyage on 1 May 1997, and has sailed various itineraries all over the
world ever since, most recently in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and
South Africa, offering a relaxed and informal cruise-ship experience. 
MSC Cruises has set up a vast array of alternative choices for
passengers who have already booked a cabin on Melody for the upcoming
summer season. Over the next few days these passengers will all be
contacted, either directly by the company or through partner travel
agents, and informed about all possible options including an upgrade on
board one of the other beautiful ships in the MSC fleet.

Pamela Conover appointed CEO SeaDream Yacht Club

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 02 January 2013 02 January 2013

SeaDream Yacht Club announces the appointment of Pamela Conover as its Chief Executive Officer effective January 2, 2013. Conover, an internationally acclaimed luxury cruise line executive was President and CEO of Seabourn Cruise Line during the introduction of the Odyssey class ships and President of Cunard Line during the introduction of Queen Mary 2. “I am very excited to take on the CEO role at SeaDream Yacht Club which delivers award winning experiences aboard its two, 56 stateroom mega-yachts SeaDream I and II”, said Conover.

Atle Brynestad, Chairman and owner of SeaDream Yacht Club said “ I welcome Pam to take my role as the CEO of SeaDream, so I can spend more time towards the long term planning for SeaDream and also more time to my other businesses. I am delighted to have an executive of Pam’s talent and expertise to lead the SeaDream management team. We have worked together over the years and have a great track record of success together.” Pam Conover will be based in SeaDream’s Miami office and she will have the worldwide responsibility for SeaDream Yacht Club.

The expression “yachting” is not only a sentiment about size; it is a statement about lifestyle aboard the small vessels. Chic and stylish SeaDream’s 56-sateroom twin yachts are favored for their elegant informality, state-of-the-art facilities, personal service provided by a crew of 95, inclusive open bar and gratuities, ocean view accommodations, luxury spa and world-class cuisine. Itineraries include the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the Amazon, the Mediterranean and Black Sea and Asia.

STX Finland to start talks to cut Turku, Rauma workforce

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 02 January 2013 02 January 2013

STX Finland is to start employer-employee negotiations in Turku and Rauma shipyards to reduce personnel in January 8.

As a result of the company's financial situation and the loss to France an order for a third Oasis class cruise ship, the company's fixed costs should be reduced by 30 percent.

Jari Aalto, shop steward at the Turku shipyard this may mean "several hundred" jobs cuts.

Aalto says, the situation was inevitable, because the STX's Finnish shipyards have been operating at a loss for several years, and both yards are now under utilised.

The Turku shipyard has received two cruise ship orders from TUI Cruises in Germany, and the production of the first ship has already begun. However, funding of either vessels is not yet complete.

STX unsuccessfully requested €50 million subordinated loan from the Finnish government to be secure Royal Caribbean's and TUI's shipbuilding.

"Now it is extremely important that financing of the TUI ships will be concluded successfully. If the ships are lost, it means the Finnish shipbuilding industry would be run down,” Jari Aalto says.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis order: Atlantic Star part of the package

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 December 2012 27 December 2012

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL) announced today that it has executed a contract with STX France to construct a third Oasis-class vessel for delivery in mid-2016. This order is consistent with the plan announced by the company in October to build a sister-ship to the very successful Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

"The Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas have fundamentally transformed the cruise experience for our guests," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "These ships have consistently generated outstanding guest satisfaction ratings and continue to produce superior financial results. We are thrilled to be adding a sister to this extraordinary class of vessels at a compelling price. Being back building in France just adds to the pleasure."

"STX France is proud to partner with Royal Caribbean again and continue our decades-long relationship by building the third Oasis-class ship," said Laurent Castaing, chief executive officer of STX France. "Royal Caribbean has always been an important part of our shipyard's success, and we are delighted to add this highly innovative and spectacular ship to the list of vessels we have built together."

The newbuild contract includes the transfer of Pullmantur's Atlantic Star as part of the consideration. Additionally, the contract is subject to satisfaction of financing and other conditions. STX France has also provided the company with a one-year option for the mid-year 2018 delivery of a fourth Oasis-class vessel at similar pricing.

Including today's contract and existing ship orders, projected capital expenditures for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are $1.3 billion, $700 million, $1.2 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. The company's annualized capacity growth rate from 2012 to 2016 remains at a historically low rate of 3.5%.

Royal Caribbean chooses STX France to build the third Oasis-class ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 December 2012 27 December 2012

STX France SA signed today a contract for building a cruise ship intended for the Royal Caribbean International (RCI – a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd) fleet. The third ship of the Oasis-class, this ship featuring outstanding dimensions is due for delivery in mid-2016. An option for a second ship due in mid-2018 has also been provided.

At 361 metres long and 66 metres wide, this ship is one of the biggest ever built in Saint-Nazaire. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are indeed the largest and most revolutionary cruise ships in the world. Architectural marvels at sea, they span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carrying 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms.

"The Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas have fundamentally transformed the cruise experience for our guests," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "These ships have consistently generated outstanding guest satisfaction ratings and continue to produce superior financial results. We are thrilled to be adding a sister to this extraordinary class of vessels at a compelling price. Being back building in France just adds to the pleasure."

This contract is worth 10 million working hours distributed over more than three years. Design will start in January 2013, while production is planned to start in September the same year.

"We are extremely proud to have been selected by Royal Caribbean International to build this third unit, which is a real challenge to our yard. This ship is a real exception in the cruise world and is highly innovative and spectacular. Moreover, we are delighted to partner with Royal Caribbean again and continue our decades-long relationship. Royal Caribbean has always been an important part of our shipyard’s success as we have built twelve of their vessels. Our technical teams are already cooperating and are eager to start," declared Laurent Castaing, STX France Managing Director.