News

RCCL receives permission from Cuba to start cruises to country

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 07 December 2016 07 December 2016

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the second largest cruise shipping group in the world, said that the Cuban government has granted approval for the company to begin cruises to Cuba. The company said it plans to announce its first Florida-Cuba itineraries in the near future.

“Our guests have expressed real interest in having the opportunity to experience Cuba, and we look forward to bringing them there," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

"Our discussions with our travel partners indicate that Cuba is a destination that appeals to a new generation of travelers.”

Two RCCL brands, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises, will provide guests with travel directly to Cuba for the purpose of providing people-to-people exchanges between guests and Cuban citizens and other travel permitted by current U.S. regulations

The cruise itineraries will comply with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that permit travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in people-to-people activities as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Cuba gives permission to all three brands of Norwegian group brands to call country's ports

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 07 December 2016 07 December 2016

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), the world’s third largest cruise shipping group, said that it has received approval from the government of the Republic of Cuba to operate cruises to Cuba, beginning March 2017.

All three of the company’s brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will offer U.S. travelers the opportunity to visit the culturally and historically rich country on select sailings starting next year. The voyages will provide guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to discover not only the rich culture, history and natural beauty of Cuba, but more importantly experience the warmth and hospitality of its people.

The company’s first cruise to Cuba will set sail from PortMiami on Oceania Cruises’ Marina on March 7, 2017 with select Caribbean itineraries featuring calls on Havana, including many multiple-day calls to allow guests to explore Havana and its environs. Seven Seas Mariner, of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, will call on Havana during two cruises in April 2017. Norwegian Sky will also offer a selection of four-day voyages that will overnight in Havana in May 2017.

“We are tremendously excited to have all three of our award-winning brands receive approval from the Cuban authorities to offer cruises to Cuba from the United States,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“As a Cuban-American and founder of Oceania Cruises, I am incredibly proud that one of Oceania’s vessels will be our company’s first to sail to Cuba. This is truly a dream come true for me, and I cannot wait for our loyal guests to experience the sights and sounds of my hometown of Havana and get to know its rich culture and its warm and welcoming residents.”

Guests sailing on all three brands will have a selection of shore excursions to choose from, all of which offer an authentic Cuban experience that explores the people, art, history and culture of the island, which are in compliance with OFAC regulations.

Full itinerary details and on sale dates for voyages that call on Cuba will be available tomorrow for Oceania Cruises, later this month for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and on December 20 for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian group refinances with $700 million private five year note offering at lower coupon

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 06 December 2016 06 December 2016

NCL Corporation Ltd. (NCLC), a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd has announced that it entered into an agreement to sell $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.750% senior unsecured notes due December 2021 in a private offering that are to be issued at par, the company said in a statement.

The company said it intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering, after deducting the initial purchasers' discount and estimated fees and expenses, together with cash on hand, to purchase any and all of its outstanding 5.25% senior notes due 2019 that are validly tendered and accepted for purchase in the previously announced tender offer and to redeem and satisfy and discharge any 5.25% Senior Notes not purchased in the tender offer.