News

Disney Cruise Line returning to Hawaii, West Coast and Galveston in 2015

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 19 May 2014 19 May 2014

In the fall of 2015, Disney Cruise Line is returning to popular destinations and home ports for limited-time engagements. Two Hawaii cruises, a return to the West Coast with departures from San Diego and a Galveston, Texas homecoming make up a season of special sailings.

Bookings open to the public on May 21, 2014. More details on 2015 itineraries can be found on the Itineraries and Ports for 2015 section of disneycruise.com.

Hawaii sailings

Disney Cruise Line will explore the Hawaiian Islands with two special 10-night cruises in September. The Disney Wonder will sail through the Hawaiian Islands, where guests can experience the famous beaches of Waikiki on Oahu, see the views from high atop the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui, take in the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of Kauai and, on Hawaii Island — the Big Island, explore the natural wonders of the world’s most active volcano.

10-night Hawaii with two days in Honolulu – Vancouver to Honolulu

Ports: Vancouver; Hilo (Hawaii Island); Nawiliwili (Kauai); Kahului (Maui) and Honolulu (Oahu) Departure date: Sept. 7 10-night Hawaii with two days in Kahului – Honolulu to Vancouver Ports: Honolulu (Oahu); Kahului (Maui); Hilo (Hawaii Island); Nawiliwili (Kauai) and Vancouver Departure date: Sept. 17

Rates start at $1,650 per person for 10-night Hawaii cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Galveston to the Bahamas

Starting in November, Disney Cruise Line will return to Galveston for the holiday season, offering a seven-night itinerary aboard the Disney Wonder to Key West; Nassau, Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. These sailings depart Nov. 13, 20, 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 28 (New Year’s cruise).

One seven-night western Caribbean cruise on Nov. 6 will visit Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Falmouth, Jamaica.

Two additional cruises are included in the Galveston season: a six-night sailing departing on Dec. 18 that stops at Key West and Castaway Cay and a four-night Christmas sailing that departs on Dec. 24 and stops at Cozumel.

Rates start at $948 per person for four-night cruises, $1,116 per person for six-night cruises and $945 per person for seven-night cruises departing from Galveston for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

San Diego to Baja

Disney Cruise Line will return to the West Coast for a limited time, offering six cruises from San Diego aboard the Disney Wonder. The five-night Baja sailings depart Oct. 4, 11 and 18, stopping at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. A three-night cruise on Oct. 1 stops at Ensenada. Two-night Weekend Getaway voyages depart Oct. 9 and 16, giving guests the perfect weekend retreat aboard their Disney ship.

Rates start at $404 per person for two-night cruises, $435 per person for three-night cruises and $625 per person for five-night cruises departing from San Diego for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Port Canaveral and Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean

In 2015, Disney Cruise Line will sail from Port Canaveral and Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean on a variety of itineraries. All of these cruises include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

From Port Canaveral, rates start at $480 per person for three-night cruises, $640 per person for four-night cruises, $1,465 per person for five-night cruises and $1,150 per person for seven-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
From Miami, rates start at $480 per person for four-night cruises and $600 per person for five-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom. Government taxes and fees, gratuities and Port Adventures are not included.

FCCA Conference and Trade Show to be hosted at the Port of St. Maarten

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 16 May 2014 16 May 2014

The FCCA has announced the site of its 2014 Conference & Trade Show, taking place in St. Maarten from October 6-10. The Port of St. Maarten has commissioned Eventstar to develop a state-of-the-art convention center at the port.

With a backdrop of visiting cruise ships, attendees will have a stunning view and a convenient hub for the event's business sessions, private meetings, workshops and registration. Plus Trade Show exhibitors will be front and center in the facility's largest exhibit hall, providing ample space for the unique destination pavilions and guaranteed traffic from attendees and FCCA Member Line cruise executives, presidents and CEOs, as all must enter and go through the Trade Show to access any of the Conference's functions.

"We are honored and excited to again host the FCCA Conference & Trade Show," told Mark Mingo, CEO, Port of St. Maarten. "In 2003 we saw the benefits for all involved, and we used this understanding to further integrate the event's business and social functions with St. Maarten's WOW factor for cruise executives and attendees to experience why so many passengers visit our port and destination."

"The FCCA appreciates St. Maarten's efforts and commitment to making the 21st Conference & Trade Shows one of the best events yet," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "It has pulled out all the stops to woo the cruise executives and Conference delegates, and hosting for a second time allows all to see the progress made over the last decade because of its dedication to cruise tourism."

"We are thrilled to be bringing the FCCA's 21st Conference and Trade Show back to St. Maarten to showcase all that they have achieved in creating a world-class cruise destination," stated Kevin Sheehan, FCCA chairman and Norwegian Cruise Line CEO.

Once again, St. Maarten leads the way in providing the necessary infrastructure to support the cruise industry. The cutting-edge facility will serve as an epicenter for the Conference & Trade Show and further showcase St. Maarten's innovations for cruise tourism. St. Maarten and the Port of St. Maarten-the "Port to Remember"-continue to show that the 21st annual FCCA Conference & Trade Show will surely be a Conference to remember.

To register and/or learn more about the FCCA Conference & Trade Show, please visit: https://www.regonline.com/fccastmaarten.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ first quarter revenue, EBITDA improve but losses prevail

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 15 May 2014 15 May 2014

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational cruise operator jointly owned by the Olsen family’s two Oslo listed holding companies Ganger Rolf and Bonheur, has reported a rise in revenues and operating result, but net losses remained unchanged from year on in the first three months of 2014, Bonheur said in a statement.

Revenues rose to NOK419 million from NOK386 million, while EBITDA increased to NK124 million from NK1 million. Net loss of MNK46 million was unchanged from a year ago.

“The UK cruise market’s weak economic conditions and overcapacity continued to result in lower sale. The number of passenger days totaled 300 343 (296 800) for the quarter. Net ticket income per diem was 5 % lower compared to the corresponding quarter last year. The average spot price of fuel oil in the quarter was 4% lower than in 1 quarter 2013,” Bonheur said.