Top Headlines

Dry dock works for the first large Chinese cruise ship start in Shanghai

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 10 November 2020 10 November 2020

The beginning of hull erection works, as well as the coin ceremony of the first cruise ship that Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Ltd (SWS), subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), is building for CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited, joint venture between Carnival Corporation and CSSC, took place today at the Shanghai shipyard. The joint venture will also be in charge of operating the unit.

The ceremony took place at the presence, among others, of the Consul General of Italy in Shanghai Michele Cecchi and the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai Wu Qing. The event was also attended by Lei Fanpei Chairman of CSSC, Fabrizio Ferri CEO of Fincantieri China, and Tian Yulong and Gao Dongsheng, respectively Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The new unit, which will be delivered in 2023, will accommodate about 4,250 passengers, in addition to 1,400 crew members. She will be the first cruise ship built in China for the Chinese market.

The joint venture set up by Fincantieri and CSSC Cruise Technology Development Co. Ltd (CCTD) grants a technology license of the ship model platform and provides a series of technical services to SWS, including project management activities, supply chain management and sales of fundamental systems and components. The on board design will be tailored for the specific tastes of the Chinese clients.

During the China International Import Export (CIIE) 2020, the most important Chinese import exhibition ending today in Shanghai, Marine Interiors, subsidiary of Fincantieri and major international player in the design and construction of public and catering areas, as well as glass walls, also signed a contract with SWS for the supply of approx. 2,800 cabins to be installed on the first unit of the program. This demonstrates the validity of Fincantieri’s early vision to oversee and enhance its supply chain. Indeed, the involvement of Marine Interiors will have a positive impact on the Italian territory, where the company is established, through the supply of materials and components which, in compliance with the CIIE principles, will then be installed in China, under the supervision of Fincantieri China.

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “The production is moving forward as planned. This is an excellent sign for the cruise industry in China and it confirms the strong commitment of Fincantieri, CSSC and the Carnival group in this very difficult moment we are living in. The different teams have worked remotely for months with great ability and flexibility, and today's milestone not only confirms our Group's management leadership, but it also demonstrates the determination of the entire sector in tackling the crisis."

Viking completes installation of first PCR laboratory at sea

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 03 November 2020 03 November 2020

Viking announced today that it has completed installation of the first full-scale PCR laboratory at sea. This new onboard facility – an industry first – allows for unprecedented testing capacity in the cruise industry, enabling Viking to conduct PCR testing of all crew members and guests with a non-invasive saliva test. The laboratory has enough capacity for daily testing of every crew member and guest, which provides flexibility to respond to Covid-19 prevalence levels around the world.

This first laboratory has been installed on Viking Star, the company’s 930-guest ocean vessel; it will undergo a series of extensive tests to ensure the procedures and protocols that have been designed are fully effective.

“We have been working on this for a number of months, and today is important as it moves us one step closer to operating cruises again, without compromising the safety of our guests and crew. The recently announced CDC guidelines are clearly aligned with our public health research, and we welcome the agency’s push toward testing, as we believe this is the only way to safely operate. In our view, continuous PCR testing, along with our extensive onboard hygiene protocols, will lead to making Viking ships a safe place to get away to and explore the world,” said Matt Grimes, Vice President of Maritime Operations for Viking.

Viking will be demonstrating the PCR laboratory, as well as new design and operating procedures, when the Viking Star comes to Oslo, Norway in mid-November.

Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard delivers Silver Moon

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 30 October 2020 30 October 2020

The contractual delivery of Silver Moon – the second of three new ultra-luxury cruise ships that Fincantieri is building for Silversea Cruises, a brand of the Royal Caribbean Group – took place on October 30 at the Ancona yard.

Silver Moon is a sister ship of Silver Muse, that went out to sea in 2017 from the Sestri Ponente (Ge) shipyard, and of Silver Dawn, to be delivered in 2021 in Ancona. At 40,700 gross tons and with a capacity of 596 passengers, the vessel’s 298 spacious all-suite cabins are a distinctive feature of Silversea in the cruise landscape.

The newbuild is the ninth ship to enter the Silversea fleet. Once operating, she will significantly push the boundaries of the ultra-luxury segment with plenty of enhancements to the on board experience, while satisfying the highest standards in terms of guest-required amenities, i.e. comfort, service, and quality.

Among the vessel’s notations, the Green star 3 Design is of particular relevance: it is assigned to units that are designed, built and equipped in order to prevent air and water pollution, and those referred to the acoustic restraint on board.

Royal Caribbean Group third quarter loss narrows from previous quarter

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 29 October 2020 29 October 2020

Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), the world’s second largest cruise shipping company, has reported a reduction in loss in the third quarter from the previous three months, but the fresh figure remains far weaker than the corresponding one from 2019.

Net loss narrowed to $1.3 billion in the third quarter from $1.6 billion in the previous three months. However, both figures compare badly with the $883.2 million net income RCG reached in the third quarter of last year.

At the end of September, RCG had $1.8 billion in customer deposits of which approximately 50% are future cruise credits (FCC) and $180 million correspond to fourth quarter 2020 sailings. The amount of deposits the company held had not changed in the quarter.

Approximately 50% of the guests booked on cancelled sailings have requested cash refunds, an increase of about two percentage points from 30 June.

“The cumulative booked position for sailings in the second half of 2021 is within historical ranges with prices that are down slightly year-over-year when including the negative yield impact of bookings made with FCCs and about flat when excluding them,” RCG said.

Since its last business update, more than 65% of the 2021 bookings are new and the rest are due to the redemption of FCCs and the "Lift & Shift" programme, the company said.

Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter to join P&O Cruises Australia's fleet in first half of 2021

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 22 October 2020 22 October 2020

Australia’s home-grown cruise line, P&O Cruises Australia, has announced the next stage of its fleet transformation with both Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter arriving in the first half of 2021 in a mark of confidence in the expected rebound of the local cruise industry. The ships currently trades as Golden Princess and Star Princess and registers 109,000 gross tons.

The Pacific Adventure is planned to begin sailing from Sydney on April 30 next year and the delivery of Pacific Encounter is being brought forward by at least six months to ensure the local fleet is poised to drive the resurgence of cruising at the right time.

Pacific Encounter is scheduled to call Brisbane home from May 7, 2021 – but additional voyages may be added even earlier, depending on the timing of the return of cruising in Australia.

The sister ships will sail alongside P&O’s current flagship, Pacific Explorer, which will extend its operational pause until January next year.

“The arrival of these much-anticipated ships, Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, in the first half of next year represents a step-change for the fleet and a sign of confidence in the market,” P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said.

“This investment in our fleet is a demonstration that P&O Cruises Australia is ready to lead the industry in bouncing back when government and public health authorities agree it is appropriate to begin sailing again with protocols in place.

“It is also a mark of respect for our many loyal guests as well as crew, fresh food suppliers, entertainers and musicians, shore tour operators and port logistics partners who are looking to be a part of the resurgence of the Australian cruise sector over time.”

Myrmell said both Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter will offer something for everyone from a range of inclusive dining options, speciality restaurants by renowned chefs Luke Mangan and Johnny Di Francesco as well as family-friendly activities and vibrant night-time venues brought to life by some of Australia’s leading comedians, musicians and our own talented entertainment staff.

In recent weeks, P&O Cruises Australia announced the early departure of Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria. It had previously been announced the ships would leave as part of a fleet transformation.

“These have been challenging times for the entire community and, for our part, we have sought to use this operational pause to fast-track our planned fleet refresh. Our pathway to a return to cruising may be unclear but we wanted to give our guests confidence about our future fleet and our commitment to Australia and New Zealand,” Myrmell said.

Key elements of announcement include:

– Pacific Adventure will call Sydney home. Her first voyage is a three-night Short Break scheduled for April 30, 2021. Pacific Adventure was originally planned to debut in November this year but was delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

– Brisbane’s new international cruise terminal will become the new home port for Pacific Encounter. At this stage, her first voyage is scheduled to depart Brisbane on May 7, 2021 and is a three-night Short Break. Additional voyages may be added earlier.

– Pacific Explorer is planned to be homeporting from Auckland, New Zealand from February 6, 2021 to her last voyage on April 25, 2021.

– Extending the pause for Pacific Explorer until the end of the year, covering her Christmas and New Year cruises from Brisbane, to give certainty for guests over this important holiday period. Pacific Explorer’s first cruise is now scheduled for January 9, 2021.

“While the current pause in cruise operations is until 17 December in Australia, the pathway to re-start remains unclear. We felt the best approach was to cancel Pacific Explorer’s remaining 2020 cruises to allow families to plan with certainty for their Christmas and New Year activities. It was a difficult decision but in the end it was an effort to do the right thing by our guests on both Pacific Explorer and Pacific Adventure, which is also affected over the holiday period,” Myrmell said.

P&O Cruises Australia will assist those guests whose bookings have been affected by the changes. Guests can choose alternative arrangements including an option to move their booking to the same time next year and receive bonus onboard credit, request a full refund or bonus onboard credit if they choose the future cruise credit option.

P&O will pay refunds back to travel agents for guests who booked through that sales channel. The cruise line will also protect travel agent commissions on all bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full as at October 21, 2020 and for the total amount of the future cruise credits.

Looking ahead, Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter will have the signature experiences, entertainment and programmed activities that sets apart P&O as a contemporary cruise holiday for everyone.

Due to the complexities created by COVID, the waterslides will be installed at a later date but the ships will be a step change with a mix of fresh offerings, such as Byron Beach Club and the family pool area. With a retractable roof for all weather, the pool area is set to be one of the most popular areas on the ships with loads of family-oriented activities around the deck.

All the favourite dining options that guests love will continue such as The Pantry, Waterfront, Angelos, Dragon Lady, 400 Gradi and Luke Mangan’s restaurant and grill. The best production shows at sea will be showcased in Black Circus and fantastic music and performances throughout the other entertainment venues, Blue Room, bars and pubs onboard both ships. P&O will remain a major supporter of live Aussie comedy, a sector which has suffered in recent months.

The ships will also have Edge activities, kids clubs, top-class boutiques and a range of programmed events.