Top Headlines

Lindblad Expeditions offsets 100% of emissions

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 08 June 2019 08 June 2019

Lindblad Expeditions has announced that they will become a carbon neutral company beginning in 2019. This announcement continues the company’s legacy in ecotourism, demonstrating their long-standing and growing commitment toward defining travel industry standards for sustainability and environmentally responsible operations. Lindblad’s announcement also supports National Geographic’s ongoing efforts to identify greenhouse gas emissions associated with its travel programs, and decrease that impact by offsetting carbon emissions that cannot be eliminated.

Lindblad Expeditions’ investments will effectively offset 100% of emissions from their ships (eight from the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet and five leased), all land-based operations, employee travel, offices in New York and Seattle, and additional small but measurable emission contributors.

“As a company, recognizing that global climate change is arguably the greatest threat humanity has ever faced, we all need to urgently step up our efforts whether big or small,” said Sven Lindblad, CEO and Founder of Lindblad Expeditions. “Our goal is to reduce and offset our carbon footprint, and to commit to carbon neutrality throughout the many layers of our business. It has become increasingly more apparent that we, human beings, and our planet which sustains us are out of balance. Climate change and its resulting impacts on global biodiversity and human health and livelihoods has provided a clarion call and awakening. The message is clear; we must rebalance and rebalance urgently.”

“We are thrilled with Lindblad’s commitment to be a carbon neutral company,” said Nancy Schumacher, EVP Travel and Tour Operations of National Geographic Partners. “We recognize that travel contributes to the overall human footprint that affects the Earth’s climate, and have been actively working to reduce this impact over the past decade, investing more than $1.5 million in verifiable carbon offset projects. We look forward to working together to spur further climate action.”

Working in partnership with South Pole, a leading developer of international emission reduction projects, Lindblad Expeditions now has a portfolio of six carbon project investments that align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. These investments focus on renewable energy (solar and wind), reforestation, and community-based projects in six countries, including Mexico, Peru, and Vietnam, countries that Lindblad-National Geographic travelers visit. South Pole requires independent third-party verification and regular monitoring of all projects in their portfolio to ensure they deliver the stated impacts and adhere to the highest internationally recognized standards. Further, South Pole ensures emission reductions are accurately measured and verified to deliver transparent annual public reporting.

Carbon neutrality joins a diverse portfolio of corporate sustainability programs recently expanded under the direction of Amy Berquist, Vice President of Conservation, Education, and Sustainability, at Lindblad Expeditions. “We are always looking for creative and meaningful ways to support the health of the environment and the people and ecosystems reliant on it,” Berquist states. “Committing to carbon neutrality is a natural extension of our core beliefs, especially in the face of increasing threats posed by climate change.”

This announcement is Lindblad Expeditions’ next major step in turning bold commitments into meaningful impacts, through a holistic and robust sustainability program. They successfully eliminated guest-facing single-use plastics fleetwide in 2018 and have operated a sustainable seafood program aboard the fleet for many years. Other related sustainability initiatives include building new ships that reduce emissions while increasing efficiency; mandating supply chain solutions to eliminate plastic; sourcing and serving local, organic produce; making crew uniforms from recycled plastic; and more.

Longstanding leaders in environmental stewardship, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have raised more than $17 Million since 1997 from their travelers in the regions they explore together. These voluntary traveler donations currently go toward conservation, education, research, storytelling, and technology projects funded by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, whose mission is to support the health and viability of our world’s oceans, coastlines, and coastal communities.

CLIA: Cuba travel ban affects nearly 800,000 cruise passengers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 05 June 2019 05 June 2019

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) issued the following statement on the U.S. Government's new travel restrictions on Cuba: "Today, the United States Government announced the immediate implementation of new regulations prohibiting previously approved cruise line travel to Cuba from the United States. Without warning, CLIA Cruise Line Members are forced to eliminate all Cuba destinations from itineraries effective immediately. This affects nearly 800,000 passenger bookings that are currently scheduled or already underway. Passenger bookings had been made under a general license previously issued by the United States Government that authorized “people to people” travel to Cuba. These travel restrictions effectively make it illegal to cruise to Cuba from the United States.

While this situation is completely beyond our control, we are genuinely sorry for all cruise line guests who were looking forward to their previously booked itineraries to Cuba. “We are disappointed that cruises will no longer be operating to Cuba,” said Adam Goldstein, Chairman of Cruise Lines International Association. “While out of our control, we are genuinely sorry for all cruise line guests who were looking forward to their previously booked itineraries to Cuba.”

Vard to build a second cruise ship for Coral Expeditions

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 05 June 2019 05 June 2019

Fincantieri’s subsidiary Vard Holdings Limited, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, signed a contract with the Australian cruise operator Coral Expeditions for the design and construction of a second expedition cruise vessel. The unit will be named Coral Geographer, sister ship of Coral Adventurer which entered the owner’s fleet in last April, and delivery is scheduled for 4Q 2020, from the Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam as well.

As for the first vessel of the class, Coral Geographer will be 93.4 meters long, will have a guest accommodation capacity of 120, and will be developed by Vard Design in Norway in close cooperation with the client. The vessel will be built according to the highest standards in terms of comfort and customer care.

Certares Holdings invests in Mystic

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 03 June 2019 03 June 2019

Mystic Invest Holding has closed on an investment from Certares Holdings, an investment platform managed by Certares Management LLC, a global travel, tourism and hospitality investment firm. Certares joins the Ferreira family as shareholders of Mystic, a Portuguese-holding company and leader in the cruising industry with more than 25 years’ experience. Certares is committed to supporting Mystic’s long-term growth initiatives and innovation in the river and expedition cruising segments. The Ferreira family maintains majority share and operational control of Mystic.

Simultaneous with the transaction, DouroAzul, Nicko Cruises, Mystic Cruises and Mystic Cruises USA were contributed to the company, with the Ferreira family and Certares as shareholders. The Ferreira family has retained full ownership of its existing non-cruise businesses. DouroAzul is the leading river cruise company in Portugal and an award-winning cruise operator, having been considered the best River Cruise Company in Europe on five occasions. With more than 20 years of experience, DouroAzul also provides sightseeing cruises on the Douro River. Based in Germany, Nicko Cruises offers river cruise programs across 12 rivers in three different continents. From the unspoiled landscapes of the Douro, crossing European art centers on the Rhine and the Danube, to the exotic shores of the Yangtze and the Mekong, Nicko provides the perfect settings for dream cruises. Mystic Invest also operates Mystic Cruises USA, a U.S. distributor of its ocean cruises, which offers expedition-style adventures in eco-friendly ways and brings guests to Antarctica, the Arctic, and other high-adventure destinations.

Mário Ferreira, shareholder and CEO of Mystic, said “Our partnership with Certares comes at a wonderful period of opportunity and growth for Mystic. We look forward to continuing our growth in the river cruising market and expanding our capabilities with the launch of our expedition fleet. We are proud of the company we have built and welcome Certares as shareholders in our family business. By partnering with Certares, we will be able to leverage its expertise in the global travel industry to continue to innovate and provide the very best experience for our guests.”

Colin Farmer, Senior Managing Director and Head of the Management Committee of Certares Management LLC, said “We are extremely excited to be partnering with the Ferreira family as shareholders of Mystic. Mário, Paula and the Mystic team have built a wonderful business, with durable and growing leadership positions on the Douro River, in the German market with Nicko Cruises, and as an emerging expedition cruise operator globally. We look forward to supporting the Company as it enters the expedition cruising space, which is an exciting next chapter in the Company’s development. We are partnering with an exceptional team in a growing and innovative business.”

Ritz-Carlton orders second of planned three cruise yachts

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 31 May 2019 31 May 2019

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which is part of the UJS based hotels group Marriott Inc, has ordered a second high end of the market cruise yacht from the Barreras shipyard in Spain, the shipbuilder said.

The 24,000 gross ton vessel will have a length of 190 metres and it will be able to accommodate 298 passengers. The first unit of the class, to be named Azora, is due for deliver in November this year.

Ritz-Carlton and Barreras have a letter of intent that covers the construction of three ships of this type.