Top Headlines

TUI AG receives second €1.2 billion government lifeline

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 30 September 2020 30 September 2020

The Hannover based tour operator TUI Group said it has fulfilled another condition for the provision of a second stabilisation package by the German federal government that provides it with liquidity to survive over the forthcoming winter.

“Following the approval by the holders of the Senior Notes to waive certain bond conditions at the beginning of September, the German Economic Stabilisation Fund (Wirtschaftsstabilisierungsfonds, WSF) has now subscribed to the Group's warrant bond with a volume of 150 million euros as planned. Both conditions had to be fulfilled by 30 September 2020,” the company said in a statement.

TUI has a 50% stake in TUI Cruises, including Hapag-lloyd Kreutzfahrten, in Germany and owns in full Marella Cruises in the UK. It has a major network of travel shops in many countries and it is a major retailer of cruises of other lines as well.

With the proceeds from the bond with warrants and the increase in the KfW credit line of €1.05 billion, TUI Group will have a further 1.2 billion euros at its disposal. Including this second stabilisation package, TUI will then have financial resources of around €2.0 billion. The package ensures sufficient liquidity to cover the seasonal fluctuations over winter 2020-21 and also strengthens the Group's position in the current volatile market environment.

Fritz Joussen, CEO of the TUI Group: "We continue to operate in a very volatile market environment. Travel advice and travel disruptions in our markets and destinations are constantly changing. There are still significant restrictions on worldwide travel through COVID-19 and on our business.”

“This makes planning more difficult and requires enormous flexibility from tour operators. The increased stabilisation package with government loans will above all secure liquidity during the pandemic. We have to bridge this period without any significant turnover and at the same time accelerate the restructuring for the post-COVID-19 period.”

“TUI will become more digital and efficient. In addition, we want to continue to set standards for more sustainability in tourism in the future, even if the current focus has to be on overcoming the crisis," Joussen said.

In March 2020, TUI received the commitment for an initial stabilisation package. The KfW tranche of 1.8 billion euros was used to top up TUI's existing bank revolving credit facility ("RCF"). Two conditions were met for the second stabilisation package: the existing creditors of the bond due in October 2021 waived a possible future limit on financial indebtedness. In addition, TUI is issuing a bond with warrants, which will be subscribed exclusively by the WSF.

Greek authorities confirm: no cases of COVID-19 on board – cruise of Mein Schiff 6 continues as planned

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 29 September 2020 29 September 2020

After a successful start with cruises from German ports with satisfied guests and without incidents, the German shipping company TUI Cruises is the first cruise operator to offer cruises in Greece since 13 September. This was preceded by close coordination of the hygiene and safety concept with the Greek authorities involved. The handling of the unclear test results of crew members reported yesterday now once again confirms the processes agreed with the authorities for the resumption of the cruise business and proves that cruises are possible in times of Corona. Following a false alarm caused by a report of 12 positive test results on crew by a land-based laboratory, three further tests, including two PCR tests and one antigen test, have confirmed the results: There are no cases of COVID-19 on board Mein Schiff 6. This was confirmed by the Greek authorities this afternoon.

"The safety of the guests, the crew, but also the Greek population is the top priority for TUI Cruises. I would like to thank all the responsible authorities for their good and professional cooperation in connection with the unclear test results on board Mein Schiff 6 and I am pleased that the voyage can be continued for all guests tomorrow with shore excursions in Piraeus" said Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises.

About the hygiene- and health concept of TUI Cruises

For the resumption of cruise operations in times of Corona, TUI Cruises has developed a health and hygiene concept together with medical experts and adapted all processes before and during the cruise (including mandatory health questionnaire, mandatory PCR test before the cruise, daily temperature checks for guests and crew), at check-in (including mandatory digital check-in, staggered check-in times) and in the guest and crew areas to comply with hygiene and distance regulations. In order to comply with the distance regulations on land, the passenger capacity on board is limited to a maximum of 60 percent; only balcony cabins and suites will be occupied. Already existing and very high hygiene standards were supplemented by additional cleaning and disinfection measures. TUI Cruises is also prepared for emergencies.

Existing structures and already very strict measures to prevent the spread of viral diseases have been further tightened and adapted to the current situation. Each ship has always had its own on-board hospital with trained personnel. All precautionary measures are based on the medical standards of renowned institutions such as the German Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the World Health Organization (WHO) and comply with the guidelines of the Greek authorities for resuming cruise operations.

The Mein Schiff 6 is currently sailing in Greece with 922 guests and 666 crew members. The cruise started on Sunday, September 27th in Heraklion/Crete and will continue after shore excursions in Piraeus tomorrow with a planned stop at Corfu.

Miami-Dade Mayor urge CDC not to extend or renew "No Sail Order"

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 28 September 2020 28 September 2020

On September 3, 2020, the Miami-Dade County Commission passed a resolution urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expedite and conclude any analysis necessary for the establishment of the public health guidance and preventative measures required prior to the resumption of travel on cruise ships.

On Monday, September 21, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents 95% of global ocean-going cruise capacity and its Cruise Line Members, announced the adoption of mandatory core elements of health protocols to support a phased-in, highly controlled return to passenger service. The elements mirror the protocols established in Europe for the successful resumption of cruising and go beyond all other industries in requiring 100% testing of passengers and crew prior to boarding. Core elements include:

(1) COVID-19 Testing - 100% testing of passengers and crew for COVID-19 prior to embarkation.

(2) Mask-Wearing - Mandatory wearing of masks by all passengers and crew onboard and during excursions whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained.

(3) Distancing - Physical distancing in terminals, onboard ships, on private islands and during shore excursions.

(4) Ventilation - Air management and ventilation strategies to increase fresh air onboard and, where feasible, using enhanced filters and other technologies to mitigate risk.

(5) Medical Capability - Risk-based response plans tailored for each ship to manage medical needs, dedicated cabin capacity allocated for isolation and other operational measures, and advance arrangements with private providers for shoreside quarantine, medical facilities, and transportation.

(6) Shore Excursions - Only permit shore excursions according to the cruise operators’ prescribed protocols, with strict adherence required of all passengers and denial of re-boarding for any passengers that do not comply.

With the development of these rigorous safety protocols, the cruise industry is demonstrating its leadership and commitment to public health in travel and tourism. Based on the effectiveness of the protocols implemented by CLIA members in Europe and other parts of the world, and the core elements developed by world-class experts in medicine and science, our cruise partners are confident that a resumption of cruise operations in the Americas can be done responsibly.

"The “No Sail Order” is set to expire on September 30, 2020. Now that the cruise industry has adopted the mandatory core elements, I urge the CDC to not extend or renew the “No Sail Order.," Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said.

Twelve crew on Mein Schiff 6 have Covid-19 – report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 28 September 2020 28 September 2020

Twelve crew members on Mein Schiff 6 of TUI Cruises that it cruising in Greek waters have contacted Covid-19 and are isolated in their cabins, a media report said.

“Coastguards confirmed that 12 crew members on the 98,800-gt Mein Schiff 6 (built 2017) have contracted the Covid-19 disease,” Tradewindsnews.com said on its website.

The ship has 922 passengers and 666 crew on board and it is currently near the Greek islamd of Milos and waiting from instructions from the authorities.

It is not known how the crew members contacted the virus or whether any of them has developed symptoms of the disease, the report said.

TUI Cruises, which is based in Hamburg, has operated cruises in Northern Europe. They have not included calls at any ports and there have been no reports of problems with the disease on these cruises.

TUI Cruises is jointly owned by the German tour operator TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group.

Christopher Prelog named President of Windstar Cruises

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 25 September 2020 25 September 2020

Christopher Prelog is now new President of Windstar Cruises reporting into Andrew N. Todd, CEO of Windstar Cruises and of Xanterra Travel Collection (the Colorado-based group of companies that includes Windstar). Prelog began his career in the cruise industry with Seabourn, working first as a waiter, then in onboard hotel operations and finally as head of all ship operations before joining Windstar nearly four years ago. Prelog will now chart a course for the award-winning small ship cruise line, Seattle-based Windstar Cruises.

Prelog has a long and distinguished career in the cruise industry and world of hospitality. While he began his career at various Hilton Hotels in Austria, he entered the world of cruise vacations when he signed aboard the Seabourn Legend. From that vital front-line guest relations position, he rose through the ranks and held the positions of Headwaiter, Restaurant Manager, and Hotel Director (all on the Legend) before advancing to Manager of Hotel Operations, Director of Hotel Operations and Vice President of Hotel Operations and Purchasing for Seabourn Cruise Line.

He has earned a degree from the Florida International University in Miami in Hotel Management and Accounting, as well as certificates from Harvard’s Kennedy School, Cornell University and the Higher Tourism Institute in Austria.

“Chris is the perfect person for this role,” stated Todd, “As Windstar’s Chief Operating Officer, he has led the $250 million dollar Star Plus investment in expanding and renovating our three all-suite yachts in addition to managing our operations through this pandemic. His in-depth knowledge and expertise of the small ship cruise business combined with his collaborative leadership style have won the hearts, minds and respect of the Windstar crew and corporate team alike.”

“I am excited and humbled to lead this tremendously talented team at Windstar,” added Prelog. “I know this has been the most challenging year for the cruise industry and our teams at Windstar and Xanterra have worked together across all disciplines to implement Our Beyond Ordinary Care program and numerous plans in response to the pandemic. I am so proud of the work that we have delivered as a team and honored to be chosen for this important role.”

Windstar operates a fleet of six small yachts carrying 148 to 342 guests on voyages around the world. In fall 2020, Star Breeze will be the first of three yachts to emerge from a $250 million Star Plus Initiative with a lengthened/renovated/re-engineered ship featuring two new restaurants, a larger spa and fitness center, expanded pool, all new bathrooms and fifty new suites. Star Legend and Star Pride follow in 2021. The 342-guest Wind Surf – one of the largest yachts under sails - underwent a major refurbishment in fall 2019.

2021 sailings and Beyond Ordinary Care program

Windstar has cancelled all sailings through 2020 and plans to resume sailing operations in January of 2021, instituting a new Beyond Ordinary Care program that focuses on key hospital-grade elements: HEPA filters and UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to filter and disinfect the air, plus EvaClean with PurTab to sanitize all surfaces throughout the yachts. Windstar offers itineraries in Tahiti, Alaska, Greece, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and more..