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Jack Anderson assumes Interim President & CEO role at Crystal – Tom Wolber to step down

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 02 October 2020 02 October 2020

Effective October 2, longtime cruise industry executive Jack Anderson will take the helm of Crystal as the company’s interim President and CEO. The announcement comes as Tom Wolber, Crystal’s President and CEO since September 2017, is stepping down to spend more time with his family and to pursue other interests, after completing his three-year service contract with the company. Wolber’s expertise in cruise ship operations and newbuild construction has been a guiding force in Crystal’s expansion of brand experiences that now includes an award-winning fleet of four new river ships and the upcoming 2021 launch of the company’s first expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor. Since 2017, Anderson has overseen Crystal’s commercial efforts serving as advisor to Wolber following his previous executive positions as Crystal’s vice chairman and senior vice president of marketing and sales.

“Jack’s history with Crystal runs deep; with nearly a decade of senior leadership and executive consultant roles at the company – combined with his 30-plus years of cruise industry experience – he possesses a profound knowledge of the Crystal brand and the luxury cruise market. He is uniquely suited to step into this role during this pivotal time in travel, ensuring a seamless transition,” says Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, CEO and Chairman of Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong. “We are grateful to Tom for his dedicated leadership, the successful introduction of our river ships and expanding Crystal into the expedition market, while maintaining Crystal’s commitment to an award-winning luxury experience.”

Prior to his roles with Crystal, Anderson served as senior vice president of marketing and sales for Seabourn, Holland America and Windstar Cruises, and senior vice president of marketing for Carnival Corporation.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with Crystal’s stewardship during this transitional time in our industry,” Anderson said. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Tom, growing this brand I care so deeply about, and I wish him all the best in his personal endeavors.”

As Wolber looks ahead to the future, his sights are set primarily on greater time with family.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside some of the very best professionals in this industry – all of whom embody the philosophy of ‘Crystal Family’,” Wolber said. “At this time, my focus is shifting toward my family and loved ones. I will always appreciate the rewarding experience I have had with Crystal and I know the company is in very good hands with Jack.”

The expansion of Crystal’s portfolio of award-winning brand experiences beyond lauded ocean ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity began in 2015 with Genting Hong Kong’s purchase of the company and the launch of Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit. This was followed by Crystal River Cruises in 2016 with four new-build river ships following in 2017 and 2018 with the company preparing for the launch of Crystal Expedition Cruises next year.

CDC extends 'No Sail Order' through October 31, 2020

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 01 October 2020 01 October 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. announced today the extension of a No Sail Order for cruise ships through October 31, 2020. This order continues to suspend passenger operations on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

Cumulative surveillance data reported to CDC from March 1 through September 29, 2020, shows at least 3,689 COVID-19 or COVID-like illness cases on cruise ships in U.S. waters, in addition to at least 41 reported deaths. We recognize these numbers are likely incomplete and an underestimate.

Recent outbreaks on cruise ships overseas provide current evidence that cruise ship travel continues to transmit and amplify the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,—even when ships sail at reduced passenger capacities—and would likely spread the infection into U.S. communities if passenger operations were to resume prematurely in the United States.

The challenges described in the No Sail Order highlight the need for further action before cruise ships can safely resume passenger operations in the United States. Recent passenger voyages in foreign countries continue to have outbreaks, despite cruise ship operators having extensive health and safety protocols to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on board and spread to communities where passengers disembark. When health and safety protocols were apparently observed, resuming passenger operations significantly burdened public health authorities by creating the need for additional SARS-CoV-2 testing, isolation of infected travelers, contact tracing, and quarantine of exposed people.

The continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, risk of resurgence in countries that have suppressed transmission, ongoing concerns related to restarting of cruising internationally, and need for additional time to assess industry measures to control potential SARS-CoV-2 transmission on board cruise ships with passengers without burdening public health, support continuation of the No Sail Order at this time.

On cruise ships, passengers and crew share spaces that are more crowded than most urban settings. Data show that when only essential crew are on board, ongoing spread of SARS-CoV-2 still occurs. If unrestricted cruise ship passenger operations were permitted to resume, passengers and crew on board would be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and those that work or travel on cruise ships would place substantial unnecessary risk on healthcare workers, port personnel and federal partners (i.e., Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard), and the communities they return to.

This Order will remain in effect until the earliest of:

– The expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency,
– The CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations, or October 31, 2020.

CDC will continue to update its guidance and recommendations to specify basic safety standards and public health interventions based on the best scientific evidence available. For more information about COVID-19 and cruise ships, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-ship/what-cdc-is-doing.html. To view the No Sail Order, go to www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise.

Fincantieri delivers its 100th cruise ship in 30 years

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 30 September 2020 30 September 2020

A live video message was sent by the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to celebrate the delivery at Monfalcone shipyard of Enchanted Princess to Princess Cruises, a Carnival Corporation & plc brand. It is the 100th cruise ship delivered by Fincantieri in the last thirty years.

The ceremony was virtually attended, from the United States, by Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation, Arnold Donald, President and CEO of Carnival Corporation, Stein Kruse, Group CEO of Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Carnival Australia and Carnival UK, and Jan Swartz Group President of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia. Fincantieri was represented by Giuseppe Bono, CEO, while Giampiero Massolo, Chairman, was remotely connected.

Enchanted Princess is the 18th unit built by Fincantieri for Princess Cruises at Monfalcone shipyard. This new unit, with 145,000 gross tons and accommodation on board for 4,610 passengers in 1,830 cabins and 1,411 crew members, represents an evolution of the successfully delivered sister ships – Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess and Sky Princess, all built from the same shipyard starting from 2013 onwards. This class introduced a “new generation” of ships that was warmly welcomed by cruise passengers. The upcoming unit of the same class, Discovery Princess, is to be delivered in 2021.

Enchanted Princess, like its sister ships, represents a leading technological model in Europe and worldwide thanks to its innovative layout, outstanding performances and top quality of its state-of-the-art technology. This project once again demonstrated that innovation and customer care are pivotal in confirming Fincantieri as market leader, further consolidating its historic partnership with Carnival Group, the world's largest cruise ship operator.

“With the delivery of Enchanted Princess, we officially welcome her into the Princess family and recognize the strong bond between Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises and Fincantieri, our long-standing shipbuilder partner,” said Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises. “Fincantieri shares the Princess spirit of delivering the highest level of excellence, and we know they will also share in our enthusiasm and pride when the ship welcomes its first guests”.

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “Enchanted Princess is a special ship: she is, indeed, the first cruise ship we delivered after COVID-19 outbreak and the 100th ship built by Fincantieri in the last 30 years. We believe she demonstrates the best ability to tackle the hardest times with passion and commitment, as well as the historic resilience of our industry. Hence, I wish fair winds and following seas to this newly-built jewel, to our Princess Cruises friends with whom we have worked together successfully, and to all of the cruise industry workers, trusting that the recovery has already begun”.

The partnership between Monfalcone shipyard and Princess Cruises will continue with two next-generation cruise ships. These will be the largest built in Italy with a 175,000 gross tons, expected to be delivered at the end of 2023 and in spring 2025. The vessels will accommodate approximately 5,300 guests and will be the first – in the owner’s fleet – dual-fuel ships primarily powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Fincantieri has built 100 cruise ships since 1990 (70 of which for Carnival Corporation), and other 44 ships are currently being designed or built in the Group’s yards.

Meyer Werft delivers Spirit of Adventure

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 30 September 2020 30 September 2020

The Spirit of Adventure, the second new cruise ship for the British cruise line Saga Cruises, was handed over yesterday in Emden by Meyer Werft.

Meyer Werft was thus able to deliver the new cruise ship a few weeks after the Ems passage. The Corona crisis had caused these important milestones to be postponed.

"Despite all the adversities in the last few months caused by the corona pandemic, we were able to complete both the construction in Papenburg and the testing and commissioning of the ship within a manageable time frame. This is mainly due to the good partnership with Saga Cruises, our partners and the commitment of our teams, who completed the ship with dedication and know-how," says Thomas Weigend, Managing Di-rector of Meyer Werft.

The Spirit of Adventure is characterised by an environmentally friendly and resource-saving design. Like her sister ship Spirit of Discovery, an eSiPod drive from Siemens is used. With a length of 236 metres, a width of 31.2 metres and 999 passengers, she is one of the smaller and more exclusive cruise ships.