Meyer Werft delivers Norwegian Breakaway

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Published on Friday, 26 April 2013 08:14

Written by Teijo Niemelä

Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of the 146,600 gross ton Norwegian Breakaway from Meyer Werft after a building period of only 18 months. Extensive tests and trials of all systems and intensive training of the crew kept everyone busy in the last weeks prior to the delivery in Bremerhaven.

Norwegian Breakaway is the first of two Breakaway class ships the Papenburg-based shipyard is building for Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Breakaway combines innovative design including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place with three unique decks of dining, entertainment and more, along with the largest aqua park and the largest ropes course at sea, and with the first ever salt room in the luxurious spa. Norwegian Getaway, the sister ship, will launch in Miami on February 1, 2014.

"We are elated to take ownership of this spectacular new vessel Norwegian Breakaway that has so many unique features, world-class entertainment and artfully designed staterooms," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chief Executive Officer. "This is the moment we’ve been waiting patiently. I am so proud of the team at Meyer Werft and at Norwegian who worked tirelessly on our newest and most exciting ship."

Along with its new design, this luxury liner offers guests a multitude of special features and comfort: approximately 75% of the staterooms are outside staterooms, most of them with their own balconies. The ship also includes staterooms designed and priced for solo travellers, con-tinuing the tradition that began on Norwegian Epic, along with The Haven by Norwegian, a top-of-the-ship complex that pampers guests with a range of suites, private restaurant, lounge, covered pool area and sun deck.

"We set out to deliver a ship that would really stand apart and our collaboration with the Norwegian team has been outstanding," said Bernard Meyer, managing partner with Meyer Werft. "It’s quite an accomplishment to build a vessel of this size and calibre in just 18 months."

The latest engine technology, the diesel-electric pod drive system, improved hydrodynamics as well as effective energy saving, heat recovery or ballast water treatment guarantee an eco-logical cruise experience at significantly reduced operating costs. In addition, the ship was designed according to the latest safety regulations. The building of Norwegian Breakaway - with the building number S.678 was supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the federal state of Lower Saxony with an aid for innovation for a ship type design and the first use of innovative components.

Following the handover (April 25), Norwegian Breakaway will leave the port of Bremerhaven in Lower Saxony, heading for Rotterdam. Following several inaugural events, she will start her transatlantic cruise from Southampton to New York, where the naming ceremony will take place. On 12 May 2013 she will head to Bermuda to start her 7-night cruises.

Read more on Breakaway updates as Cruise Business Review will be onboard from Southampton to New York.

RCCL to cut Europe itineraries by another 10% in 2014

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Published on Thursday, 25 April 2013 17:33

Written by Kari Reinikainen

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the second largest cruise shipping group in the world, plans to cut itineraries in Europe by another 10% in 2014 on the back of weakness in European economies, the company said in a statement.

“The company recently opened the majority of its 2014 deployment offerings and announced a two-month European summer micro-season for the Oasis of the Seas that complements the vessel’s scheduled maintenance drydock in Rotterdam. Demand for these sailings has been exceptionally strong,” RCCL said in a statement.

“Despite this micro-deployment, the company expects to further reduce its European deployment year-over-year by another 10% and also expects that European itineraries will be approximately 25% of its overall 2014 capacity,’ RCCL said.

North America demand strong, Europe improving, China slightly weakened – RCCL

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Published on Thursday, 25 April 2013 17:29

Written by Kari Reinikainen

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the Miami based cruise shipping group, says that demand in North America has remained strong and that in Europe is improving, but the Chinese market has suffered slightly rom territorial disputes with Japan. The company reiterated earlier forecast that yields would rise between 2% and 4% this year.

Since the beginning of the year booking volumes have averaged 5% ahead of the prior year. At this time, full year booked load factors and APDs are higher than the same time last year. The overall demand environment is in-line with the company’s expectations from February, but as usual there are regional fluctuations.

Bookings from North America have remained strong since the beginning of the year, with the exception of a modest disruption to Caribbean demand which the company attributes to adverse industry media coverage.

Despite the difficult economic news in the EU, demand from European sourced guests strengthened in early February and the company expects pricing improvement from the region for the year.

Demand from China has weakened somewhat due to itinerary changes related to the territorial dispute with Japan.

At this time, the company expects that the negative effects from the adverse industry media coverage in March and itinerary changes in Asia will be offset by the favorable performance in the first quarter and a slightly better outlook for Europe. As a result, full year 2013 Constant-Currency yield expectations remain unchanged from the company’s February guidance of an increase of 2% to 4%.

“Our brands have continued to generate solid demand despite a soft economy in Europe and recent adverse industry media coverage,” commented Brian J. Rice, vice chairman and chief financial officer. Rice continued, “The consumer continues to recognize that we offer a great vacation at an excellent value.”

RCCL first quarter EPS $0.35 far exceeds forecast

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Published on Thursday, 25 April 2013 17:24

Written by Kari Reinikainen

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, announced first quarter 2013 net income of $76.2 million, or $0.35 per share, versus net income of $47.0 million, or $0.21 per share, in the first quarter of 2012.

The fresh figure is much higher than the average forecast of $0.21 of cruise industry analysts.

“Both onboard revenue and ticket pricing improved, contributing to a Net Yield increase of 3.6% on a Constant-Currency basis. NCC (net cruise costs)  excluding fuel were also better than anticipated, primarily due to timing, and declined 0.5% on a Constant-Currency basis,” the company said

Bunker pricing net of hedging for the first quarter was $699 per metric ton and consumption was 5,000 metric tons lower than expected at 345,900 metric tons. Versus the first quarter of 2012, fuel consumption per APCD was 1.2% lower