Top Headlines

Victory Cruise Lines to introduce SunStone-newbuild in Alaska in 2021

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 02 May 2019 02 May 2019

Victory Cruise Lines, operated by American Queen Steamboat Company, released new design details on the upcoming Ocean Victory, in addition to teasing Alaska itinerary highlights. Currently under construction, the 200-passenger Ocean Victory was intimately designed for in-depth destination access and discovery, providing guests with world-class accommodations and amenities, along with immersive shore excursions at an unmatched inclusive value. The 7- to 10-night voyages onboard Victory Cruise Lines’ third vessel will explore the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of Alaska, complimented by onboard enrichment and lectures programs, sailing May through September, 2021.

“We are thrilled to continue to share details about our newest expedition vessel, Ocean Victory, as well as our Alaska itineraries” shares American Queen Steamboat Company Chairman and CEO John Waggoner. We can’t wait for guests to experience the wild and unparalleled landscape of Alaska, an area best explored via our intimate ship, allowing for up-close nature and wildlife viewing.”

The 104.4m Ocean Victory will feature 93 suites, of which 68 will have balconies, nine French balconies and 16 panoramic windows. The vessel will carry a crew of 100 in 57 cabins. Onboard amenities include two restaurants, in addition to an open-deck dining area, observation and lectures lounges, piano bar, library, gym, spa, swimming pool with a pool bar and jacuzzi.

Once complete, Ocean Victory will feature the latest in ship-building design and technology. Signature elements include a patented X-box design which will allow guests to experience a smoother, more comfortable ride with low levels of noise and vibrations; Rolls Royce Zero Speed Stabilizers to reduce rolling and therefore make cruising more comfortable for guests and Dynamic Positioning (aka “virtual anchoring”) - a computer-controlled system that automatically maintains the vessel’s position utilizing its own propellers and thrusters resulting in top-rated ship maneuverability. This means the ship can easily change positions for expedition operations, such as zodiac landings, while also minimizing its environmental impact. Lastly, the vessel’s small size and low draw allows it to dock in many of Alaska’s smaller ports not accessible to larger cruise ships.

The Ocean Victory will complete 20 voyages to Alaska starting in May, 2021. Equipped with 20 zodiacs and dozens of kayaks, the vessel will provide guests with endless opportunities for active adventure and up-close animal viewing like whales and bears. An onboard crew of marine biologists, scientists and naturalists will lead expeditions, provide education lectures and act a resource for all guests. Offering the same premier service, dining and accommodations guests have come to expect onboard Victory Cruise Lines and the American Queen Steamboat Company, Ocean Victory will feature the finest regional cuisines, top-of-the-line entertainment and immersive shore excursions.

Bookings for Ocean Victory Alaska cruises go on sale July 2019, with fares announced in the coming weeks. More information about Alaskan ports of call and shore excursions will be announced at a later date.

RCCL cuts full year 2019 EPS forecast to $9.65 to $9.75 range

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 01 May 2019 01 May 2019

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL), the Miami based listed cruise shipping group, has reduced its earnings per share (EPS) guidance for the full year 20219 on unfavourable foreign exchange movements and an incident at the Grand Bahama shipyard in April, in which one of its vessels was damaged.

“The company expects its full year Adjusted EPS to be in the range of $9.65 to $9.85 per share. This range includes the negative impact of $0.25 per share from the shipyard incident and also includes the negative impact of approximately $0.25 per share from currency and fuel since the January guidance,” RCL said in a statement.

In January, the company said adjusted earnings are expected to be in the range of $9.75 to $10.00 per share for the full year.

“Better first quarter results and an improved revenue outlook are offsetting the vast majority of these two negative impacts. Excluding these impacts, Adjusted EPS would have been in the range of $10.15 to $10.35 per share.

“Overall, the company's booked position remains at a record level in both rate and volume. As it has in the past, the company noted that its booked position on rate and volume is a product of numerous factors including market forces, itinerary composition, market segmentation and the company's revenue management decisions,’ RCCL said.

Net Yields for the year are expected to increase 7.5% to 9.0% in Constant-Currency, up relative to prior guidance due to better results in the first quarter as well as stronger demand for the balance of the year. While the incident at the Grand Bahama Shipyard had a negative impact on overall revenue, it was neutral to Net Yields.

NCC excluding Fuel for the year are expected to be up approximately 10.0% in Constant-Currency, higher than previous guidance mainly due to the canceled sailings that reduced capacity, RCCL stated.

RCCL reports record first quarter despite costly shipyard incident

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 01 May 2019 01 May 2019

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, has reported record earnings for the first quarter despite an incident at a shipyard that incurred significant costs.

Group net profit rose to $249.7 million from $218.6 million, while revenues rose to $1.71 billion from $1.43 billion. Operating income (EBIT) rose to $318.8 million from $274.1 million in the first quarter of 2018.

Earnings per share (EPS) rose to $1.19, according to US GAAP, from $1.02 year on. The fresh figure was reduced by about $0.25 due to an incident involving Oasis of the Seas that was undergoing maintenance at the Grand Bahama Shipyard when an accident on 1 April involving the drydock caused two construction cranes to collapse on the stern of the ship.

“The damage to the ship was extensive and the ship had to go to a dock in Europe for repairs. As a result, the ship was taken out of service for almost a month and is expected to return back to service for its normally scheduled May 5, 2019 sailing. The company estimates the direct financial impact of this unusual event, net of insurance, will be a reduction of approximately $0.25 per share to the company's full year Adjusted EPS, mostly driven by lost revenue,” the company said in a statement.

Gross yields rose by 10.8% and Net Yields by 9.3% in Constant-Currency, higher than the January guidance due to better than anticipated demand for onboard experiential products and activities as well as strong close in demand for our core products.

Gross Cruise Costs per APCD increased 9.5% in Constant-Currency. NCC excluding Fuel per APCD were up 9.6% in Constant-Currency, slightly lower than guidance, driven by timing.

Additionally, better than expected performance below the line, mainly due to better than expected performance from our joint ventures, contributed to the first quarter's positive performance, RCCL said.

Bunker pricing net of hedging for the first quarter was $444.1 per metric ton and consumption was 360,700 metric tons.

"We are very pleased to report another record-breaking quarter and to be driving towards record earnings for the year," said Jason T. Liberty, executive vice president and CFO. "The demand trends are strong, further exhibiting the strength for our brands and the public's growing propensity to cruise."

Celebrity Cruises announces three partnerships ahead of Celebrity Flora's debut

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

With just 66 days until the official debut of Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Cruises has unveiled three new partnerships for the revolutionary new ship: A world-renowned conservationist turned Godmother, a one-of-a-kind designer with an unmatched vision, and a leading university specializing in marine and atmospheric sciences.

“We are also thrilled to unveil three one-of-a-kind partnerships, which help underscore our passion for protecting this beautiful archipelago,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Each of these new partners are helping shape a better tomorrow for our planet in one way or another – whether it’s through the research, sustainable material sourcing or conservation – and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this sea change.”

Lutoff-Perlo also added: “These new partnerships are accentuating the already incredible work we’ve done with our other partners, including the amazing Francesca Bucci of BG Studio International, a New York City hospitality design firm – who designed every aspect of this stunning new ship – and the world-renowned marine scientist and regional destination expert Dr. Ellen Prager – who crafted new and exciting science- and discovery-based programming exclusive to Celebrity Flora.”

A godmother with purpose

"Naturally, sharing Celebrity’s passion for environmental stewardship was the most important factor in choosing a godmother for one of the most eco-friendly ships of its size in the Galapagos Islands. No one was a better match than Yolanda Kakabadse," Celebrity said.

Recognized as a prominent environmental leader and a global champion of sustainable development and biodiversity preservation, Kakabadse is a former Minister of Environment for the Republic of Ecuador and a former president of both the International Union for Conservation of Nature and World Wildlife Fund International. Kakabadse is passionate about reducing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of food waste, and is a member of Champions 12.3. She has dedicated her career to leaving the world a better place.

“The Galapagos Islands are an ecological treasure and I am excited to showcase its one-of-a-kind biodiversity through Flora,” said Kakabadse. “I am proud to partner with a company that is committed to sustainability in the Galapagos and showing leadership on an issue critical to sustain this beautiful ecosystem, food waste.”

As part of Celebrity’s more than 20-year repertoire of environmental efforts and inspired by the work of Celebrity Flora’s Godmother, the brand is pleased to partner with Kakabadse to further focus on continued efforts to further reduce the any food waste and to create passionate advocates for conservation in every guest who sails.

Unraveling mystery of the ocean

Located at the intersection of five ocean currents are the lush Galapagos Islands, with their world-famous ecology featuring some of the most diverse flora and fauna anywhere in the world. Understanding how those currents and weather patterns have impacted development of the unique island environment and wildlife is a key part of conserving the one-of-a-kind archipelago for years to come.

With the launch of their newest ship, Celebrity Cruises had the opportunity to blend exploration and research by making Celebrity Flora the first vessel in the Galapagos to be equipped with cutting-edge oceanographic research equipment, known as Oceanscope. The program builds on a more than 20-year relationship with University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science that benefits from a cruise ship’s consistent itinerary to create a perfect and cost-effective way for scientists to gather and measure ocean circulation dynamics.

The system will track and map the region while measuring sea-surface temperatures and gathering data critical to research prediction of El Niño and La Niña. All findings gathered by Celebrity Flora will become open source data – globally accessible to research – a first for scientists around the world and anyone with a passion for this information.

"Celebrity Flora's repeated circumnavigations of the Galapagos Archipelago will not only yield data essential to understanding the physical system that has created and maintains the unique Galapagos ecosystem but will be an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the effects of global weather and climate upon eastern equatorial Pacific circulation and regional ocean acidification,” said Peter B. Ortner, Research Professor, University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

Destination inspired design

When Celebrity set out to build the first ship designed with the Galapagos in mind, the brand knew it needed to bring on a designer whose aesthetic not only drew inspiration from the region, but who also had a personal connection to this one-of-a-kind destination and would complement the stunning ship design by BG Studio.

Ecuadorian-native Adriana Hoyos was the perfect choice. A renowned interior and furniture designer, Hoyos pulls inspiration from her heritage and her extensive travels and highlights sustainable materials when crafting a new collection. Her one-of-a kind pieces can be found throughout the Discovery Lounge, Penthouse Suites and the Marina, complementing the ship design with local elements that connect to the destination organically.

“The Galapagos have always been a great inspiration for my work. Each island has different elements like the sand, the volcanic ashes, the leaves and all of those textures put together have a place in my furniture. That is why we chose selected pieces to complement the ship’ design with local elements that will connect organically to the design of the cruise,” said Hoyos. “The ship is unique and Galapagos is a unique place as well!”

Evolution of travel in the Galapagos

One of the most energy-efficient ships of its size in the diverse archipelago, the 100-guest Celebrity Flora is the first ship of its kind designed specifically for the Galapagos. The cutting-edge new ship will feature Celebrity’s signature outward-facing design concept, giving guests 360-degree views of the islands, and all-suite accommodations – including an unprecedented 50% Sky Suites with Infinite Veranda – equipped with personal attendants. Unique to Celebrity Flora are the first-ever glamping experience at sea, new dining venues, an open-air stargazing platform, expert-led ecological seminars, and custom-designed Novurania yacht tenders, which create a seamless sea-to-shore experience for guests.

Celebrity Flora will sail from Baltra year-round, making her first sailing on June 30, 2019. Bookings are now open at www.celebritycruises.com/galapagos/ships/celebrity-flora or through a travel advisor, for the ship’s alternating seven-night inner and outer loop itineraries and selection of 10-, 11-, and 16-night packages, which feature either pre- or post-cruise expeditions.

Asia Cruise Cooperation supports growth in cruising

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 18 April 2019 18 April 2019

Allan E. Jordan reports

Cruising in Asia continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of the industry, and despite a market correction in China, the outlook for the region continues to be strong. Marking its fifth anniversary, the Asia Cruise Cooperation (ACC) continues to support the development and growth of cruising in the region.

Started in 2014 as a partnership between Hong Kong and Taiwan, the ACC has grown to include Hainan, Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Xiamen, and today encompasses a total of 21 ports in the six destinations. Working collaboratively, the partners are seeking to support the development of cruising in the region with infrastructure investments, efforts with the cruise lines, and a new direct-to-consumer television marketing program to build awareness and interest in cruising.

The ACC highlights that cruise tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Asia. Between 2012 and 2018, the ACC estimates a 33 percent average annual growth in cruise tourists to nearly 4.26 million in 2018. Each of the partners has participated in this growth. In the past five years, Hong Kong, for example, has experienced a 140 percent increase in ship calls with passenger throughput up 360 percent. The Philippines had an increase up to 178 cruise calls, including major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Carnival Corporation’s cruise lines, Genting, as well as Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line. Xiamen, which has been receiving cruise visitors for over 30 years, expects to double its cruise calls in 2019 with over 200,000 passengers.

While a number of ships have recently been repositioned away from China, long-term the market will continue to add new ships. Costa Cruises, for example, took delivery of the new Costa Venezia at the end of February and starting in May, the new ship will be dedicated exclusively to Chinese guests, offering cruises departing from Shanghai. In addition, in April Genting’s rechristened the 20-year old SuperStar Virgo as the Explorer Dream, while Royal Caribbean International took delivery of its first Quantum Ultra Class ship, the Spectrum of the Seas, which starting in June will be homeported in Singapore.

The members of the ACC are working to make the cruise lines aware of the attractiveness of the region and each destinations’ appeal. The six destinations within the ACC are well positioned to meet the consumers’ focus on new experiences and the desire to explore local cultures. The six destinations offer a broad range of cultural experiences and diversity from the lush nature to beautiful beaches, history and major cities. These messages for the consumer will all be highlighted as part of a new regional TV program the ACC is launching cooperation with the Discovery TLC channel.

Supporting the long-term positive outlook for cruising in the region, the six destinations are each working to expand their cruise infrastructure. Hong Kong, which has traditionally been one of the homeports for cruise ships in the region, points to the opening of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in 2013 as its tipping point. A state-of-the-art facility, it can handle the world’s largest cruise ships. Hong Kong has continued to make major investments in its infrastructure, such as the recently opened high-speed rail link that connects Hong Kong with 44 rail stations in mainland China. Making China more accessible for cruise passengers, it also makes it easier for people living in central and western China to travel to the cruise ships sailing from Hong Kong. In addition, the world’s longest sea crossing, a bridge that links Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao, was recently inaugurated.

With cruise lines anxious to provide their passengers with new destinations, the ACC members are working to increase the diversity of their ports. The Philippines, which for example has over 700 islands, is expanding ports in the Northern Philippine and Subic Bay, once home to the U.S. Navy, is also becoming a popular cruise destination. Similarly, Hainan has also made it more convenient for foreign tourists with visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies.

Around the region, the destinations are working to expand their port facilities to support cruising, including offering modern dedicated facilities able to handle the world’s largest cruise ships up to 225,000 GT. In April, Korea will be opening an international passenger terminal at the Port of Incheon with a shopping and resort complex and access to Seoul. Xiamen has also accelerated its cruise infrastructure development with a new terminal due in mid-2019. Taiwan will also be completing a modern port terminal in Kaohsiung by 2020 that will handle the world’s largest cruise ships and provide more convenient access to Taiwan’s local culture. Additionally, facilities are also being enhanced in Taiwan’s Port of Keelung. The Solaire Cruise Center, expected to be completed by 2021, will be the first cruise-dedicated terminal in Manila.

The destinations are also working with the cruise lines to build regional itineraries and expand Asia as a cruise destination. They are collaborating to support the cruise lines with shorter regional itineraries that appeal to Chinese travelers who typically take short holidays and working to build their homeport programs. In 2016, and again in 2018, The Philippines, for example, was the homeport for a successful three-port cruise program and in 2018 Taiwan was homeport for a fly/cruise program from the UK operated by Noble Caledonia. Xiamen will also be homeport for a new Chinese cruise program, Piano Island, launching in the fall of 2019, and the China State Shipbuilding Corporation is expected to launch its cruise joint venture, CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited, late in 2019.

As it marks its fifth anniversary, the ACC is continuing to expand its efforts to support and develop the regional cruise market. The partners are excited by the opportunities and look forward to welcoming a broad range of travelers to their countries.