World Dream to start cruises from Singapore 6 November
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 08 October 2020 08 October 2020
Genting Cruise Lines, whichis part of the Genting Hong Kong group, said that its Dream Cruises unit will be the first cruise brand to restart service in Singapore with World Dream, as she makes her homeport debut from 6 November 2020 onwards.
“World Dream will also be the newest built cruise ship to homeport in Singapore, offering a series of brand new 2 and 3-night “Super Seacation” experience for Singapore residents during the school and year-end holidays,” the company said in a statement.
Dream Cruises resumed operations with the successful deployment in Taiwan in July, which will now be followed by Singapore. “Working very closely with the Singapore government, Dream Cruises was granted approval by the local authorities to start a pilot based on the company’s stringent and enhanced health and safety protocols, complemented by its exemplary safety track record during its first two months of operations in Taiwan,” the company said.
With the safety and well-being of our guests and crew being the highest priority, Dream Cruises has completely re-examined and enhanced all of its health, hygiene and operating protocols to ensure the safest environment for everyone across its fleet and in accordance with the local authorities’ guidelines including health screening processes prior to embarkation, disembarkation and safe distancing measures on board.
It also includes thorough sanitisation and disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for guest cabins, crew member quarters, public areas and recreational facilities; safe food and beverage handling procedures; and, 100% fresh air ventilation in guest and crew cabins, as well as public spaces.
“Due to the invaluable support and confidence of the Singapore authorities in Genting Cruise Lines, the inaugural homeport deployment of World Dream in Singapore marks another important milestone in the recovery process post COVID-19 for the local cruise tourism industry,” said Michael Goh, President of Dream Cruises.
Carnival says cumulative advance bookings for second half 2021 at higher end of historical range
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 08 October 2020 08 October 2020
Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, said that cumulative advanced bookings for the second half of 2021 capacity currently available for sale are at the higher end of the historical range, although prices have softened.
Bookings in the first half of 2021 reflect expectations of the phased resumption of its guest cruise operations and anticipated itinerary changes. “As of August 31, 2020, the current portion of customer deposits was $2.1 billion with $0.1 billion relating to fourth quarter sailings," it said.
Approximately 60% of bookings taken during the three weeks ended September 20, 2020 were new bookings as opposed to future cruise credit (FCC) re-bookings, despite minimal advertising or marketing,” the company said in a trading update. The 60% figure marks an increase of five percentage points from three months to 31 August.
Carnival said it believes this demonstrates the long-term potential demand for cruising. Pricing on these bookings are lower by mid-single digits versus the second half of 2019, on a comparable basis, reflecting the effect of FCCs from previously cancelled cruises being applied. The company continues to take bookings for both 2021 and 2022.
As of 20 September, approximately 45% of guests affected by the company's schedule changes have received enhanced FCCs and approximately 55% have requested refunds. The figures were unchanged from three months to 31 August.
Total customer deposits balance at August 31, 2020, was $2.4 billion, the majority of which are FCCs, compared to total customer deposits balance of $2.9 billion at May 31, 2020. The decline in customer deposits is consistent with previous expectations, Carnival said.
Carnival Corporation & plc fleet to become more efficient on optimisation
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 08 October 2020 08 October 2020
The efficiency of ships in the fleet of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, will improve as a result of measures to optimise its fleet, the company said in a trading statement.
As stated earlier, the company plans to dispose of 18 ships, ten of which have already left the fleet. “In total, the 18 ships represent approximately 12% of pre-pause capacity and only three percent of operating income in 2019,” the company said..
The sale of less efficient ships will also result in future operating expense efficiencies of approximately two percent per available lower berth day (ALBD) and a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately one percent per ALBD.
“Based on the actions taken to date and the scheduled newbuilding deliveries through 2022, the company's fleet will be more efficient with a roughly 13% larger average berth size per ship and an average age of 12 years in 2022 versus 13 years, in each case as compared to 2019,” it said.
Carnival expects only two of the four ships originally scheduled for delivery in 2020, following the start of the pause, to be delivered prior to the end of fiscal 2020, including Enchanted Princess which was delivered last week. Carnival group member P&O Cruises have said Iona to the company this year.
The company currently expects only five of the nine ships originally scheduled for delivery in fiscal 2020 and 2021 to be delivered prior to the end of fiscal year 2021.
In addition, Carnival currently expects nine cruise ships and two smaller expedition ships of the 13 ships originally scheduled for delivery prior to the end of fiscal year 2022 to be delivered by then.
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