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Viking Cruises selects New Orleans for launch of Mississippi River cruise service

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 24 February 2015 24 February 2015

Today, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Viking Cruises Chairman Torstein Hagen announced the selection of New Orleans as the homeport for Viking River Cruises’ first North American river cruise itineraries. The Mississippi River cruises will operate from docking facilities near the French Quarter in New Orleans. Viking’s new service will result in the creation of 416 new direct jobs for Louisiana-based operations and vessel crews, with an average salary of $40,000, plus benefits; and Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 368 new indirect jobs, for a total of more than 780 new jobs in the Southeast Region of the state.

In January, Gov. Jindal and Hagen met at Viking’s operational headquarters in Switzerland to discuss the new itineraries and the impact the project will have on New Orleans and the region. Plans call for the construction of six new vessels over the next three years at an estimated cost of $90 million to $100 million per vessel, all of which will be built in U.S. shipyards and crewed by U.S. citizens. The vessels will be owned by Tennenbaum Capital Partners, a Los Angeles-based alternative investment management firm, and time-chartered to Viking in full compliance with maritime laws. Viking River Cruises customers, traveling to New Orleans from across the U.S., Europe and beyond, will bring new business to hotels, restaurants, museums and other attractions in the city, expanding sales for local merchants. More than 90 percent of sales created by the project will come from out-of-state customers.

Gov. Jindal said, “We’re proud to welcome Viking River Cruises to New Orleans. This investment will not only bring great new jobs to our state, but it will also showcase Louisiana and the Mississippi River to the rest of the world. Since its launch in 1997, Viking River Cruises has connected its passengers to Europe and Asia’s most scenic landscapes and cultural landmarks. With today’s announcement, the picturesque Mississippi River and the beauty of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and other great cities of the American South will join the list of the company’s journeys as Viking River Cruises launches its first North American cruise. Viking could have chosen another port anywhere in the world, but chose Louisiana because of our state’s outstanding business climate, workforce and port infrastructure.”

With the launch of cruise operations on the Mississippi River in late 2017, two boats will be deployed per year, for a total of six new boats in the first three years. Cruises will take passengers on a journey along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to itinerary stops in St. James, East Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes; continuing upriver to Memphis, Tennessee; St. Louis; or St. Paul, Minnesota, depending on the season. The specialty-built riverboats will have a full complement of luxury amenities and host up to 300 passengers at approximately one-tenth the size of oceangoing cruise vessels. Viking’s cruises are renowned for their locally oriented educational and entertainment programs.

“The Viking team is very proud to partner with the State of Louisiana, and we are grateful for the support of Governor Jindal,” Hagen said. “We are excited about the prospect of bringing modern river-cruising to the Mississippi, a river that has been traveled by explorers for centuries. We know our passengers will enjoy the rich history, culture and cuisine of all the great cities and towns along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to St. Paul. Together with our U.S. partners, we take great pride in the economic benefit that river-cruising provides to the regions our guests visit, from the shipbuilders to the local businesses.”

“New Orleans is on a roll, and this investment is yet another example of the continued growth across industries in our city,” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “With the creation of nearly 800 direct and indirect jobs, Viking’s project will generate major opportunities for our citizens, boost our tourism industry, and continue to turbocharge the Port of New Orleans. I am thrilled to welcome Viking River Cruises to New Orleans.”

LED began discussing expansion possibilities with Viking River Cruises in November 2013. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered the company a competitive incentive package that includes a $4.5 million performance-based grant for site preparation at the company’s docking locations in Louisiana. The company also will receive the customized solutions of the nation’s No. 1 state workforce development program, LED FastStart®, which will include partnerships with the Louisiana Workforce Commission and local educational institutions.

“Having the top river cruise company homeport in New Orleans will be an outstanding chance to tell the story of the Louisiana renaissance to the world,” said President and CEO Michael Hecht of Greater New Orleans Inc. “Viking River Cruises choosing greater New Orleans is a testament not only to our culture and river, but also to our outstanding teamwork at the state, regional and local level. GNO Inc. is proud to have been an integral part of the team that met with Viking on two continents to bring them to New Orleans."

Viking River Cruises was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships and the launch of river cruise operations in Russia. Since that time, the company has grown to become the world’s leading river cruise line, owning the largest share of the market and operating the largest fleet of cruise vessels along rivers across the globe. The company’s fleet currently features 60 modern, deluxe river vessels, including its innovative Viking Longships®. The company first expanded into the U.S. market by establishing U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles. The Mississippi River itineraries will be the company’s first cruise offering in North America.

“We are thrilled by the choice of the Port of New Orleans as Viking’s initial entry into the North American market,” said Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange. “Viking is one of the premier cruise brands throughout Europe and Asia. Their worldwide reputation underscores New Orleans as a destination city for both international and domestic leisure travelers. The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans has worked with the Viking team for nearly two years to determine the proper venue for the new ships within the port and along the Mississippi River, and we couldn’t be happier to add Viking to the port’s cruise portfolio.”

“Viking River Cruises is an exciting and compelling addition to the opportunity-rich New Orleans destination,” said President and CEO Stephen Perry of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Viking is synonymous with elegance and class, and they will bring a diverse domestic and international clientele drawn not only to tremendous enjoyment of the river through cruising, but to the New Orleans part of their visit in this historic capital of American music and food as well.”

“It was an honor to be part of Governor Jindal’s recent economic development trip to Europe, encouraging companies to locate in our great state,” said Chairman Greg Rusovich of the Louisiana Board of International Commerce. “We witnessed the world-class standards employed by Viking River Cruises. Their New Orleans homeport will provide a positive impact along the Mississippi River, benefiting the ports and the private sector.”

“The decision to locate Viking’s North American homeport in New Orleans speaks to the operational capabilities of our port, the expertise of our hospitality workforce and the increasing popularity of river cruising around the globe,” said executive board Chairman Henry Coaxum of the New Orleans Business Alliance. “We welcome Viking to the New Orleans business community and look forward to its success.”

In future, Thomson Cruises may own its fleet, Mein Schiff 1 and 2 could be transferred to Britain

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 24 February 2015 24 February 2015

Thomson Cruises, which is part of TUI AG, may own all its ships in the future and TUI Cruises could be launched in the UK with Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2, spokesman for TUI told Cruise Business Online.

“Thomson Cruises ships are popular with British customers many of whom return year after year to experience the fantastic range of destinations and renowned on-board service,” said Kuzeyn Esener, Head of Media Relations at TUI AG in Hannover, Germany.

“Over the last three years we have significantly invested in upgrading our Thomson ships, and we continue to modernise our fleet. However, it is important not only to look at successes of the past but also to identify new trends and to develop the vessels further accordingly,” he continued.

“Besides, we only own one of the vessels of the Thomson fleet whereas the German cruise operations are run with an asset heavy business model, which is more cost efficient in the long run. In future, the Thomson cruise operations may be run with a similar business model,” Esener said.

Thomson Cruises owns the 1986 built Thomson Dream, which is of 55,764 gross tons, through its TUI UK subsidiary. The other four units of the fleet are chartered.

In June, the second newbuilding (Mein Schiff 4)  of the TUI Cruises fleet will be commissioned and two more vessels, the Mein Schiff 5 and the Mein Schiff 6, have been ordered. As soon as we also decide for the optional seventh and eighth vessel we will think of marketing the first two ships of the fleet (Mein Schiff 1 & 2) to an international clientele. The British market may then be favourite choice,” Esener concluded. 

Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 were originally built for Celebrity Cruises, which is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (RCCL) group, which also owns 50% of TUI Cruises. .

Mark Tamis named Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations for Royal Caribbean International

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 22 February 2015 22 February 2015

Mark Tamis has been named senior vice president, Hotel Operations for Royal Caribbean International. Tamis will further the global cruise line's commitment to deliver outstanding vacations to almost four million guests per year. He will have oversight of the line's hotel services, food, beverage, entertainment and private destinations, and will report directly to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

"Mark has extensive knowledge and a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry and I look forward to welcoming him to the Royal family," said Bayley. "In his role, Mark will lead the dedicated men and women who work every day to deliver the best vacation adventures to our guests from around the world. And I am confident that he can help us take our award-winning experience to even greater heights."

A 25-year travel industry veteran, Tamis most recently served as senior vice president, Guest Operations with Carnival Cruise Lines. Prior to that, Tamis was the chief operating officer of The Setai Hotels and Resorts. He also held a variety of management positions with hotel organization, Ian Schrager Company. Tamis began his career with Four Seasons Hotels after earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration.  He is active in various civic and community service organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Special Olympics, and founded www.dadsforgiving.org, an organization that encourages fathers to volunteer with their children to benefit their communities.

Fincantieri delivers Britannia

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 22 February 2015 22 February 2015

Britannia, the new flagship of the P&O Cruises fleet, brand of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise ship operator, was delivered today (February 22, 2015) at Monfalcone shipyard.

The delivery of Britannia further enhances and strengthens the partnership between Fincantieri and P&O Cruises, a prestigious brand characterized by a particularly high target of customers, tailored to the British market, one of the most dynamic and elegant ones in the world.

The ceremony was attended by Enrico Morando, Italian Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation, David Dingle, Executive Chairman of Carnival UK and David Noyes, CEO of P&O Cruises, while Fincantieri was represented by Giuseppe Bono and Vincenzo Petrone, respectively CEO and Chairman.

Britannia is the second P&O cruise ship with a new livery with blue funnels and a stylized 97 meters long Union Jack draped over the bow. It is also the first cruise ship built in Monfalcone with two funnels. The last liner which has been delivered by Monfalcone shipyard with this feature was the Eugenio C in the far 1966.

With the construction of Britannia, Fincantieri consolidates its leadership in building the largest passenger ships in the Italian shipbuilding history. At 144,000 gross tons, 330 meters long and 38 meters wide, the new unit is the largest one ever built by Fincantieri and the largest one made for this historic cruise operator founded in 1837. It has 1,837 cabins, of which 75% have a balcony, and it is able to accommodate 4,324 passengers on board, with total capacity of over 5,700 people, including the crew.

An innovative ship for a new grounbreaking class which looks at the future, Britannia stands out for its new "future-proof design", not only in terms of layout and state-of-the-art performance, but also because it complies with the most recent regulations for big passenger units, among which the "Safe return to port" security system. These ships will represent a new technological benchmark, in Europe and worldwide, for extremely high performance and for the high quality of the technical solutions. They are the best proof that innovation and customer care, like the one established with the Carnival Group, market leader, are essential levers for tackling a crisis like the present one.

Fincantieri has built 68 cruise ships since 1990 and other 16 ships are currently being designed or built in the Group's yards.