Top Headlines

Norwegian Encore departs Meyer Werft and arrives to Eemshaven

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 01 October 2019 01 October 2019

Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that its newest ship, Norwegian Encore, successfully completed another major construction milestone, when she departed the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and sailed down the Ems River towards the North Sea.

On Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, Norwegian Encore began her conveyance to Eemshaven, Netherlands, with initial crew members on board already preparing to welcome her first guests this November. At nearly 1,100 feet long, with a gross tonnage of almost 170,000 and a guest capacity of 3,998, the ship will be delivered to the cruise line on Oct. 30, 2019. She will be christened by Grammy Award-winning artist Kelly Clarkson in Miami on Nov. 21, 2019 and will commence seven-day voyages to the Caribbean on Nov. 24, 2019.

“Today we celebrate a huge milestone for our history-making ship,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Now is when the anticipation truly begins to build. Our partners at Meyer Werft have collaborated with us to bring the industry-leading experiences from the successful Breakaway Plus class ships to Norwegian Encore, making her truly the best in class.”

Taking the brand’s exclusive, stand-out attractions to the next level, Norwegian Encore will feature the world’s longest race track at sea at 1,100 feet with four high-speed curves extending up to 13 feet over the side of the ship; the largest outdoor laser tag arena at nearly 10,000 square feet with the addition of augmented reality elements; and new immersive escape room and interactive theatre experiences in the 10,000-square-foot Galaxy Pavilion.

In addition to featuring many of the highly rated restaurants and lounges that have made the Breakaway Plus class one of the most innovative and successful in the company’s history, Norwegian Encore will debut a new elevated Italian dining experience, Onda by Scarpetta, in collaboration with LDV Hospitality. The Tony Award®-winning musical, “Kinky Boots” will headline the world-class entertainment on board, with returning guest favorites “The Choir of Man,” “Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical” and the rocking Beatles cover band of The Cavern Club.

As part of a recent partnership with JUST Goods, Inc., Norwegian Encore will be the first ship in the Company to be plastic bottle free when she debuts. By Jan. 1, 2020 Norwegian Cruise Line will be the first major cruise line to eliminate plastic bottles across its entire fleet, a significant effort towards providing guests with more sustainable options at sea.

Launching this fall, Norwegian Encore will offer seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami beginning Nov. 24, 2019; Bermuda, and Canada and New England itineraries from New York City beginning Apr. 22, 2020; and voyages to the Western Caribbean from Miami beginning Dec. 12, 2020. In the spring of 2021, she will make her West Coast debut and sail to Alaska from Seattle.

New luxury adventure company rebrands and announces executive management

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 September 2019 27 September 2019

Mystic Invest Holding’s Chairman Mário Ferreira announced today that the company’s U.S.-based subsidiary cruise line is changing its name to Atlas Ocean Voyages and establishing its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mystic Invest Holding is a leading international travel and hospitality company, which owns and operates the world’s third largest river cruise fleet, as well as hotels, attractions, helicopter tours, consumer space travel, and now, ocean cruise ships. The cruise line was previously Mystic Cruises USA.

“Atlas Ocean Voyages will bring inspired travelers on authentic and luxurious adventures around the world,” said Ferreira. “We adjusted our brand name to better reflect the distinctive and luxurious global experiences that North American guests will enjoy. And to bring our unique adventure-cruising vision to life, we’ve assembled a highly skilled team of experienced industry professionals to lead our operations in Fort Lauderdale. I am confident that travelers will delight in exploring the world in the new immersive and active way that only Atlas Ocean Voyages can deliver.”

Ferreira has appointed Alberto Aliberti as President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. He will lead the new company’s U.S. expansion. Alberto led strategic development and commercial operations at Mystic Invest and its subsidiary river-cruise company DouroAzul for nearly 15 years. He had also been a part of the shoreside management teams at Seabourn and Cunard. Prior, Alberto served aboard cruise ships for various lines, and started 27 years ago as a receptionist aboard Sun Lines’ Stella Solaris. Alberto is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

“It’s an honor to lead Mystic Invest’s latest venture and we are excited to open Atlas Ocean Voyages new office in Fort Lauderdale,” said Alberto. “We have an amazing team of industry professionals who will apply their breadth and depth of experience to bring new adventure travel options to U.S. travelers. We continue to build our Sales and Reservations teams and look forward to open bookings for World Navigator later this year.”

Lisa Auguste is the Vice President of Operations and responsible for establishing the adventure cruise line’s Fort Lauderdale headquarters and ensuring its ongoing office and call center operations. Lisa’s entire professional career has been in the cruise industry. She knows many areas of the industry and worked in nearly every corporate role, most recently as Vice President of Oceania and Regent Seven Seas’ International division. Her immense experience is pivotal as the cruise line continues to establish itself.

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Vice President of Sales and Trade Partnerships is Brandon Townsley. Brandon’s tenured career in the cruise industry includes sales and revenue positions at Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Virgin Voyages. He fully appreciates the indispensable service that the travel advisor community provides to both suppliers and travelers and will lead the cruise line’s Sales strategy to build loyal and mutually rewarding relationships with travel trade partners and industry leaders.

“Brandon is a commercial leader who understands the invaluable role that travel advisors play,” added Alberto. “He will leverage his extensive industry experience and unwavering advocacy to excite and educate travel advisors about our new travel product and help them create unforgettable Atlas Ocean Voyages adventures for their clients.”

Additionally, Marie Fernandez-Abou is named Vice President of Marketing, and brings her extensive experience in branding, design and promotions to advancing the adventure cruise line and inspiring travelers. She previously served as Managing Partner at Miami-based Imagery Creative for 15 years and has been a recipient of the Hispanic Woman of Distinction and numerous outstanding business woman awards. Marie also brings extensive experience in leading strategic marketing initiatives for Seabourn Cruise Line and other travel and tourism clients. She currently also serves as Executive Director of the non-profit Pack of Dogs Volunteer Task Force and is a former Chapter President of the American Advertising Federation.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is innovating the industry by focusing on authentic, active and adventurous experiences in some of the world’s most captivating destinations, such as Antarctica, Baltic, Mediterranean, and Central and South America. The line’s luxurious and intimate small ships will bring inspired travelers on exciting itineraries for invigorating, at-sea and shoreside adventures, while employing the latest sustainability technology to help preserve the waters they ply for future generations to enjoy. Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator is currently under construction at WestSea Viana shipyard in Portugal and scheduled to launch in mid-2021.

American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines appoints new President

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 September 2019 27 September 2019

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC), a leader in U.S. river cruising, has appointed Ares M. Michaelides as President of AQSC and Victory Cruise Lines. In this role, Michaelides will lead the strategic growth plans of the AQSC fleet (American Queen, American Empress, American Duchess and the highly anticipated American Countess) and the Victory fleet (Victory I and Victory II and the Ocean Victory scheduled to debut in 2021).

Michaelides will lead each brand’s business strategy to continue to develop and innovate AQSC/Victory’s unique product offering – AQSC is a leader in US river cruises and Victory a leader in Great Lakes cruising - and elevate the vacation experience for its guests. Michaelides has 25 years of experience in the maritime and cruising industry and will build upon past success at various entities to optimize AQSC/Victory’s strategy and brand offering.

“American Queen Steamboat Company’s legacy is rooted in our ability to offer time-honored traditions on our river cruises from dining, to Broadway-caliber entertainment and top-tier shore excursions,” shares John Waggoner, Founder and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Company. “As we continue to progress, we’re confident that Ares will tap into his long history and success in the industry to help continue the growth of the company.”

Prior to his role with AQSC, Michaelides most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Ship Supply International, a leading global supplier of goods and services to the maritime industry. Prior to that, over the course of 10 years, he held executive positions (Interim CEO, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer) with Starboard Cruise Services, the world’s largest cruise retailer. Previously, Michaelides spent over a decade in executive positions with the world’s largest cruise companies including Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Celebrity Cruises Inc. and MSC Cruises USA.

“I’ve been very fortunate that my cruise experience has allowed me to have a hand in managing all aspects of the business, from understanding the economics of the cruise sector to retail innovation and execution to managing logistics for the world’s largest cruise lines,” said Michaelides. “I am honored to be a part of the American Queen Steamboat Company/Victory Cruise Lines team and look forward to leading a strategic vision that elevates the company to the next level and continues its success.”

Michaelides holds a Master of Science and Master of Arts degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drew University and a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Born and raised in New York, Michaelides now resides in Louisville, KY.

Carnival cut Southern Europe capacity as economic malaise deepens

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 26 September 2019 26 September 2019

Carnival Corporation & plc has reduced capacity in Southern Europe, where economic conditions have weakened and faced deployment changes at a short notice on geopolitical issues, which have a negative effect on profitability.

“We have taken actions to bring capacity in Southern Europe more in line with demand, reflecting the current conditions which have been heavily influenced by ongoing economic malaise, the uncertain geopolitical environment and recent trends in consumer confidence,” President and Chief Executive Officer Arnold Donald said in a statement.

Donald added: "As a truly global cruise company, with nearly 50% of our guests sourced outside of the U.S., we are facing a number of current headwinds, including weakening economies affecting our Europe & Asia segment, a strong dollar and of course, the IMO 2020 regulations, and we are working to mitigate them.

“We have also made close-in deployment changes, including those made to address the recent situation in the Arabian Gulf, which has had an impact on recent booking trends and ticket prices.”

“While we are subject to uneven economies in the short run, the global aspect of our business has proven to be a strength over time, producing our industry leading position with over $5 billion in cash from operations, attractive returns on capital and the strongest balance sheet in the industry."

Booked volumes, prices for 2020 turned lower in June, Carnival says

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 26 September 2019 26 September 2019

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping cpmpany, said booked volumes and prices for 2020 turned lower versus year on in June, while new regulations will increase its fuel bill by $200 million next year

The group’s cumulative advanced bookings for the first half of 2020 are ahead of the prior year at prices that are in line compared to 2019 on a comparable basis.

“Since June, both booking volumes and prices for the first half of next year have been running lower than the prior year,” the company pointed out, the company said.

For full year 2020, the company expects capacity growth of approximately 7%. As previously indicated, in 2020 the company will increase its usage of Marine Gas Oil (MGO) as a percent of total fuel consumption as a result of the IMO sulfur emission regulations.

MGO is currently anticipated to represent approximately 40 %of fuel consumption for full year 2020 compared to approximately 20 %for full year 2019. Using fourth quarter September guidance fuel prices, fuel expense for full year 2020 is expected to be $1.8 billion compared to $1.6 billion expected for full year 2019.

The company currently expects depreciation to be approximately $2.4 billion for full year 2020 compared to $2.2 billion for full year 2019.