Top Headlines

Princess Cruises and Fincantieri sign contracts for two next-generation, LNG-powered cruise ships

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

Princess Cruises and Fincantieri announced today the signing of the final contracts for the construction of two next-generation 175,000 gross ton cruise ships, which will be the largest ships built so far in Italy with deliveries scheduled in Monfalcone in late 2023 and in spring 2025. This announcement follows the initial signing of a memorandum of agreement between the two parties in July 2018.

The vessels will each accommodate approximately 4,300 guests and will be based on a next-generation platform design, being the first Princess Cruises ships to be dual-fuel powered primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). LNG is the marine industry’s most environmentally friendly advanced fuel technology and the world’s cleanest fossil fuel, which will significantly reduce air emissions and marine gasoil usage.

“Princess Cruises continues to grow globally -- adding new ships to our fleet built by our long-time trusted ship building partner, Fincantieri, who brings decades of expertise to these next-generation cruise ships” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises President. “Even more exciting is that these two ships are being designed to include our MedallionClass platform, powered by OceanMedallion, the most advanced wearable device available within the global hospitality industry”.

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, commented on the announcement: “This result proves, once again, the trust we receive from the market, which allows us to look to the future with ambition. It honors our great work focused on innovation thanks to which we have been able to offer to the client a record-breaking proposal not only in terms of size. Besides we firmly believe that a new class of Princess Cruises’ ships, one of Carnival Group’s top brands, can stem from this promising project. In fact, for Princess Cruises, we have received orders for 21 ships, another unprecedented result in this industry”.

Considered a breakthrough in the vacation industry and recently honored with a CES® 2019 Innovation Award, the OceanMedallion is leading-edge technology that delivers personalized service on a large scale through enhanced guest-crew interaction, as well as enabling interactive entertainment. Guests are currently experiencing Princess MedallionClass vacations onboard Caribbean Princess and Regal Princess. By the end of the year, MedallionClass vacations will be activated on three additional ships, Royal Princess, Crown Princess and Sky Princess.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and United Nations reported that growth in the number of people cruising between 2004 and 2014 outpaced land-based vacations by over 20 percent, and CLIA projects 30 million people will take an ocean cruise in 2019, an all-time record. These stats signal a bright future for the cruise industry, as well as for professional travel advisor partners enthusiastic for more inventory to meet the growing demands for cruising.

With five ships being built over the next six years, Princess Cruises is the fastest growing premium cruise line in the world.

Carnival reduces 2019 EPS guidance to $4.35 to $4.55 range

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

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has reduced its guidance for earnings per share (EPS) for the financial year to 30 November from one it issued in December.

The US-UK company now expects full year 2019 adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $4.35 to $4.55, compared to December guidance of $4.50 to $4.80, due to changes in fuel price and currency exchange rates and 2018 adjusted earnings per share of $4.26.

“At this time, cumulative advanced bookings for the remainder of 2019 are ahead of the prior year at prices that are in line with the prior year on a comparable basis. Pricing on bookings taken since January have been running in line on a comparable basis to the prior year while booking volumes are ahead compared to the prior year. As a result, even with higher capacity, there is less inventory remaining for sale than at the same time last year,” the company said in a statement.

President and Chief Executive Officer Arnold Donald said: "Booking trends achieved during wave season rivaled last years' historical highs and were consistent with the demand trends we experienced going into the year, building further confidence in our full year guidance.”

“For our North America and Australia brands, our booked position is ahead of the prior year at higher prices while our Europe and Asia brands are well ahead of the prior year at lower prices. Our brands are strong and growing, including Continental Europe, where we continue to expect revenue growth driven by double-digit capacity increases," he said in the statement

Based on current booking trends, the company continues to expect full year 2019 constant currency net cruise revenues to be up approximately 5.5 percent, with capacity growth of 4.6 percent, and net revenue yields in constant currency expected to be up approximately 1.0 percent compared to the prior year driven by our NAA brands.

The company continues to expect full year net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD in constant currency to be up approximately 0.5 percent compared to the prior year.

Carnival Corporation & plc reports fall in first quarter income, higher revenue

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

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has reported higher revenues for the first quarter of its financial year than in the corresponding period year on, but both operating income and net income decreased.

Group net income fell to $336 million in three months to 28 February from $391 million in the same period year-on, while operating income decreased to $386 million from $491million . Revenues, however, increased to $4.67 billion from $4.43 billion.

Earnings per share (EPS) fell to $0.48 from $0.52.

“Adjusted net income excludes net charges of $2 million for the first quarter of 2019 and net gains of $16 million for the first quarter of 2018 relating to unrealized gains on fuel derivatives net of other charges,” the company said in a statement.

Carnival Corporation & plc President and Chief Executive Officer Arnold Donald stated, "First quarter earnings included revenue growth from higher capacity and improved onboard spending, offset by the timing of cost increases and a drag from fuel price and currency compared to the prior year. First quarter adjusted earnings were better than the mid-point of December guidance by $0.07 per share."

Gross cruise revenues of $4.6 billion compared to $4.2 billion for the prior year. In constant currency, net cruise revenues of $3.6 billion compared to $3.4 billion, an increase of 4.7 percent.

Gross revenue yields (revenue per available lower berth day or "ALBD") increased 5.8 percent. In constant currency, net revenue yields increased 0.5 percent, better than December guidance of approximately flat.

Gross cruise costs including fuel per ALBD increased 8.6 percent. In constant currency, net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD increased 0.9 percent, better than December guidance of up approximately 2.0 percent, mainly due to the timing of expenses between quarters.

Changes in fuel prices and currency exchange rates decreased earnings by $0.03 per share.

Viking Cruises statement on Viking Sky

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 24 March 2019 24 March 2019

Viking Cruises has issued a following statement regarding the Viking Sky today as of 10 am Norwegian time:

"We can confirm that as of 10am (Norwegian time) today March 24, the Viking Sky, is safely travelling to Molde under its own power. The ship is being accompanied by two offshore supply ships and one tug assist vessel. The evacuation of passengers has ended and there are currently 436 guests and 458 crew onboard.

The 479 passengers who were airlifted from the vessel are currently on shore and arrangements have been made to fly them home, with the first passengers leaving today. Currently we understand 20 people suffered injuries as a result of this incident, and they are all receiving care at the relevant medical centres in Norway, with some already having been discharged.

Throughout all of this, our first priority was for the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and our crew. We would like to thank the Norwegian Redningssentral and the Norwegian emergency services for their support and skill displayed in managing the situation in very challenging weather conditions. We would also like to thank the local residents who throughout the whole process have been extremely supportive and hospitable. If you have questions or concerns about any guests please call this number for US/AU booked guests 1-888-889-8837, and for UK booked guests 07585 779 853 or 0208 780 7900.

The next sailing, Scandinavia & the Kiel Canal, which was scheduled to embark on March 27th has been cancelled, and guests and their travel agents have been contacted directly. We do not anticipate any additional cancellations at this time."

UPDATED – Viking Sky underway at slow speed

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 23 March 2019 23 March 2019

UPDATE: Viking Sky, which earlier today issued a distress call after it had lost power on the west coast of Norway, is underway at a slow speed.

At 2015 local time, the ship was making 3.8 knots and it is steering at a course of 311 degrees, information on Marinetraffic.com shows. There is a 40 know wind form the west, according to the same source.

The said course is taking the ship further away from the land, a map on MarineTraffic.com shows.

FIRST STORY: Passengers are being evacuated from Viking Sky of Viking Ocean Cruises on the west coast of Norway after the 2017 built cruise ship had lost power on the west coast of Norway, the police in the More and Romsdal County in Norway said.

Media reports say that the total number of persons on board was about 1,300, when the ship lost power, It has been able to restart one of its four main engines that drive generators which again power electric motors and anchor near the coast. About 100 people had been air lifted to land from the 47,800 gross ton ship by late afternoon local time, reports said.

“Just past 14:00 on Saturday 23 March the Norwegian police received information about a cruise ship in distress due to engine problems in Hustadvika off the midwestern coast of Norway. The ship was subsequently identified as the Viking Sky,” the police said in a statement posted on Twitter.

“We urge the public to make room for emergency vehicles, evacuation buses etc. as our response teams are currently (at 17:00 hrs) experiencing difficulties in reaching their destinations due to gathering spectators,” the poice said.

“The ship's passengers are currently evacuated by the police and transported to the indoor sport court Brynhallen in the Fræna municipality. Municipal officers are assisting the police and have provided basic necessities in Brynshallen. The police is registering all passengers arriving at Brynshallen,” it added.

Five helicopters are on the scene and the ship has anchored in Hustadsvika Bay, ITV News in the UK report. There are heavy seas and high winds in the area.

Viking Sky was built by Fincantieri in Italy and it has capacity for 930 passengers and it sailed on its maiden voyage in February 2017. It flies the Norwegian flag.