News

Cruise & Maritime Voyages takes over Transocean Kreuzfahrten

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 January 2014 27 January 2014

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based operator of three cruise ships, has agreed to acquire Transocean Kreuzfahrten, the German operator one deep sea cruise ship and four river cruise vessels from Premicon AG, the German private equity company.

This marks entry to the German market of CMV that is currently operating for its first season in Australia and which opened an office in Ft Lauderdale in the US a short while before that.

CMV has chartered from Transocean the 20,606 gross ton Astor for a series of cruises from Perth in Australia for three consecutive Austral summer seasons, plus for line voyages there and back to Britain. Transocean continues to operate the ship in Germany under its own brand name.

The deal also includes four river cruise vessels that will remain marketed in Germany by Transocean. CMV has chartered one river cruise vessel for the British market that promotes under the CMV Signature brand.

RCCL’s Fain leaves door open to further TUI Cruises’ orders

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 January 2014 27 January 2014

Richard Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL, the world’s second largest cruise shipping company, has left the door open to further orders for TUI Cruises, the German premium market company of which RCCL owns 50%.

"We think that the ships we have on order for our wholly-owned brands will serve us well and we do not anticipate an additional newbuild for delivery in 2017,” he said in a statement. TUI Cruises has two 99,3000 gross ton newbuildings on order at STX Finland in Turku and the Hamburg based company is widely believed to contemplate the construction of two more ships of the same type.

Based upon current ship orders, RCCL’s projected capital expenditures for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are $1.3 billion, $1.3 billion, $2.1 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively. "We remain committed to improving our shareholder returns, returning to an investment grade credit and maintaining moderate growth," said Fain.

RCCL says booking volumes, per diems ahead of last year

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 January 2014 27 January 2014

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping company, says its bookings during the fourth quarter were on par with historical levels, and the company is experiencing a typical Wave season. “Booked load factors are up year-over-year for the second, third and fourth quarter, and flat for the first quarter. Average per diems are ahead of same time last year in all four quarters,” it said in a statement.

The company expects a Net Yield increase of 2% to 3% on a Constant-Currency basis and approximately 2% on an As Reported basis for the full year.

“While the Caribbean continues to feel pricing pressure, strong demand for our other itineraries has more than compensated. In particular, load factors and pricing are up significantly for sailings in Europe and Asia. The overall result is increasing yields despite the remaining overhang from last year’s industry events,” said Jason T. Liberty, chief financial officer.

Net cruise costs (NCC) excluding fuel are expected to be flat to slightly down on a Constant-Currency basis and approximately flat on an As Reported basis – in spite of inflationary pressures, rising insurance costs and continued investment in the product and marketing.

Taking into account current fuel pricing, interest rates, currency exchange rates and the factors detailed above, the company currently estimates 2014 Adjusted EPS will be in the range of $3.20 to $3.40 per share.

First quarter yields are expected to be approximately flat on a Constant-Currency basis and down approximately 2% as reported. The first quarter of 2014 is the most difficult comparable due to the timing of last year’s negative media storm and its effect on Caribbean sailings. Yields in the second, third and fourth quarters are expected to be higher due to easier comparables and strong performance on Europe and Asia itineraries.