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MSC Cruises to restart in UK in May, Princess Cruises in July

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 March 2021 19 March 2021

Two further cruise lines have unveiled their plans to resume cruising in the UK with MSC Cruises setting the start date for 20 May, only three days after the date that travel should be allowed in England

MSC Cruises said it would offer a range of short breaks and week-long cruises around the British Isles this summer starting from 20 May, for UK holidaymakers only.

“Departing from the new terminal in the port of Southampton these first sailings will kick off with a series of short cruises and will be followed by 7-night sailings visiting some of the UK’s favourite destinations and offering additional ports of embarkation to guests,” the company said in a statement.

“Further details regarding our UK sailings will be announced shortly, but we want guests to be assured that providing flexibility remains our top priority, so that they feel confident when booking their summer holiday with MSC Cruises,” said Antonio Paradiso, Managing Director MSC Cruises UK & Ireland in the statement

Meanwhile, Princess Cruises has revealed details of its series of short breaks and week-long cruises on Regal Princess and Sky Princess, which are scheduled to sail from Southampton around the UK coast from late summer.

Regal Princess will offer 14 voyages running from July 31 through to September 23, 2021. Sky Princess will offer eight UK cruises, running from August 30 through to September 28, 2021.

Regal Princess and Sky Princess, both Medallion class ships, will offer scenic cruises and voyages with stops in UK ports-of-call including Liverpool, Belfast and Greenock, with itineraries ranging from three to seven nights.

Fincantieri floats out Discovery Princess in Monfalcone

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2021 18 March 2021

Discovery Princess, the sixth Royal-class ship built for the ship operator Princess Cruises, a brand within Carnival Corporation, floated out today at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone. Interior fittings will now begin, leading the vessel to delivery, scheduled next year.

The new unit, at 145,000 gross tons, is built on the basis of the successful sister vessel project of Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess, built and delivered in the same shipyard starting from 2013, introducing a new generation of ships so well-received by the cruise passengers.

Like her sister ships, the vessel will represent a new technological benchmark in Europe and worldwide for her innovative layout, outstanding performances and the top quality of its state-of-the-art marine technology. She will be the best proof that innovation and customer care are fundamental levers in showcasing market leadership and will further consolidate Fincantieri’s long-time partnership with Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise ship operator and leisure travel company.

The partnership between the Monfalcone yard and Princess Cruises will continue with two next-generation cruise ships. These will be the largest built so far in Italy with a gross-tonnage of 175,000 tons, will accommodate approximately 4,300 guests and will be the first of the ship owner’s fleet to be dual-fuel powered primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

MSC makes five senior appointments for luxury brand

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2021 17 March 2021

MSC Group’s Cruises Division has announced details of five new senior members appointed to the yet unnamed luxury brand of the group.

The team is led by CEO Michael Ungerer, who said in a statement:“The leaders of the new brand bring more than 100 years of combined knowledge and expertise in the luxury, hospitality and cruise sectors.”

“Together they will create a luxury and lifestyle travel experience as distinct as it is trailblazing, exceeding the expectations of both discerning cruisers seeking something different, those new to cruising and nextgenlux travellers curious to start, he added”

The people and roles are:

Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer

Chris was most recently SVP Global Sales and Marketing for four years at Seabourn Cruise Line where in 2019 he received the accolade of ‘Cruise Ambassador of the Year’ from the global luxury travel agency network, Virtuoso. He previously worked for almost 20 years leading sales for the luxury brand portfolio at Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Sarah Doyle, Chief Marketing Officer

Most recently Vice President Marketing at Bacardi Limited Europe, Sarah previously spent six years at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, initially responsible for brand partnerships across the luxury brand portfolio, then as Global Brand Director for W Hotels Worldwide where she opened six global properties. Prior to her career in hospitality, Sarah for 10 years oversaw American Express’ Platinum and Centurion cardmember programmes at Momentum Worldwide.

Thatcher Brown, Commercial and Strategic Advisor

Thatcher most recently was President of Dream Cruises and Managing Director of Crystal Cruises Asia at Genting for four years. After starting his career at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts where he spent six years including the role of Executive Director Brand Marketing and Business Development, Thatcher worked at the Jumeirah Group luxury hotel chain for nearly five years, including the position of VP Brand Strategy and Marketing.

Sacha Rougier, Head of Itinerary Planning and Shore Experience

Sacha was Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg for nearly six years and managed the completion of two new cruise terminals, overseeing a 73 per cent increase in passenger numbers. Previously she was Business Development Manager for five years with the Port of Marseille.

John Stoll - Destination Experience Advisor

John worked as VP Land Programmes for 17 years at Crystal Cruises and was previously Director Land Programmes at Silversea Cruises for more than five years where he created award-winning shore excursions.

The first 63,900 gross ton vessel for the luxury brand will be delivered in 2023 from the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, with subsequent deliveries in 2024, 2025 and 2026.It will feature 461 of the largest suites at sea, all with ocean front balconies or terraces, MSC said.

RCCL, Hermes amend credit agreement

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2021 17 March 2021

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping company, said it has entered into an amendment to the credit agreement for the financing of Odyssey of the Seas in order to increase the maximum loan amount available under the facility.

Odysseys of the Seas is under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany for Royal Caribbean International, the RCCL group's contemporary market unit. It is a Quantum class vessel of about 168,700 gross tons and due for delivery next month.

“This agreement, as amended, makes available to us a U.S. dollar-denominated loan guaranteed 95% by Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft (“Hermes”), the official export credit agency of Germany, in a maximum amount equal to the US dollar equivalent of 80% of the vessel purchase price plus 100% of the premium payable to Hermes,” the company said in a statement.

There are no other changes to the other terms or conditions in the credit agreement as a result of the Odyssey Facility Amendment. “Certain of the lenders participating in the Odyssey Facility Amendment and affiliates of those parties, provide banking, investment banking and other financial services to us from time to time for which they have received, and will in the future receive, customary fees,” RCCL said.

SH Minerva hull assembly completed ahead of schedule

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2021 17 March 2021

Swan Hellenic, the Nicosia based expedition cruise line, said that the hull sections and deck modules of its first vessel, SH Minerva, had all been completed ahead of schedule.

It is the first of two 10,500 gross ton ships the cop[any has an order at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland. A third ship, of 12,500 gross tons, is also due to join the line from the same builder.

“Now that the structure is complete, the cabins are already taking shape, as also revealed online today, showing the Scandi-chic comfort, rich natural materials and spacious open perspectives out to sea of the elegant designs by Tillberg of Sweden,” the company said in a statement.

The new ship represents the next generation of polar expedition vessels, designed for worldwide cruising with a strong focus on high-latitude areas.

SH Minerva is being fitted with a 5-megawatt diesel-electric propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction, ready to receive 3-megawatt max. battery package and PC5 ice-strengthened hull and with Safe Return to Port notation.

Esko Karvonen, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard Inc. remarked: “We are very proud of the smooth progress made on SH Minerva, helped by its outstanding design. It is an inspiring journey to work on the remarkable first three vessels for the iconic Swan Hellenic and we are sure the guests who explore the world aboard them will also feel that.”