Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. extends suspension of voyages

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 December 2020 02 December 2020

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, today announces an extension of its previously announced suspension of global cruise voyages as the Company continues to work through its return to service plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The suspension now includes all voyages on Norwegian Cruise Line embarking between January 1 through February 28 and select voyages in March 2021 and all voyages on Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises embarking between January 1 through March 31, 2021. The Company will continue to work in tandem with global government and public health authorities and its Healthy Sail Panel expert advisors to take all necessary measures to protect its guests, crew and the communities visited.

Guests who are currently booked on cancelled voyages on Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises are asked to contact their travel advisor or the cruise line for more information.

TUI in €1.8 billion financing agreement

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 02 December 2020 02 December 2020

 

TUI AG, the German travel company that is a significant participant in the cruise industry, said it has reached an agreement with private investors, banks and the German federal government on additional financing package of €1.8 billion.

This includes e.g. an approx. €500 million capital increase with subscription rights and a €420 million convertible silent participation by the Economic Support Fund of the German government plus an additional credit facility by KfW of € 200m, and a prolongation of an existing credit facility by KfW until July 2022.

TUI owns 50% of TUI Cruises, which operates a cruise brand of the same name plus luxury and expedition market focused Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, TUI is 100% owner of Marella Cruises in the UK.

“The financing package strengthens TUI's position and provides it with sufficient liquidity reserves in this volatile market environment. It also balances out the presumed travel restrictions until the beginning of the 2021 summer season. The package became necessary due to the increasing travel restrictions caused by the rising number of infections and the associated more short-term booking behaviour of some customers,” the company said in a statement.

The package also provides for a reduction of TUI’s share capital from € 2.56 per share to € 1.00 per share -without merging shares- followed by a capital increase by means of a rights issue of approx. 509 million shares. As TUI's largest single shareholder, holding approx. 24.89 % of the shares, Unifirm Ltd. has irrevocably committed to exercise its subscription rights in this capital increase.

“Including the financing package now agreed, as of 30 November 2020 TUI has pro forma financial resources and credit facilities of € 2.5 billion post € 300m Senior Notes redemption,” the company said.

Photo: Marella Discovery in Aqaba, Jordan

Carnival Corporation announces Jan Swartz as Group President, Holland America Group

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 December 2020 01 December 2020

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company, today announced Jan Swartz has been named group president of Holland America Group, responsible for Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and P&O Australia, as well as Holland America Princess Alaska Tours and inter-group operations.

She follows Stein Kruse, who will become Senior Advisor for Chairman and CEO.

"Jan is a highly respected executive and a role model," said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. "Jan is a champion of innovation and a proven leader."

In 2016, Swartz was named as group president of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia, as well as having executive oversight of the P&O Cruises Australia brand.

Previously, in 2013, she was appointed president of Princess Cruises after more than 12 years working with the cruise line. Prior to this, she served as executive vice president, overseeing the line's sales, marketing and customer service operations, a position held since 2009.

In 2004, Swartz served as senior vice president of sales and customer service for both Princess and sister brand Cunard, and in 2001, she was appointed vice president of strategy and business development and worked on the P&O Princess acquisition by Carnival Corporation.

Additionally, Swartz is the president of the Princess Cruises Community Foundation.

Swartz holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Virginia.

Swan Hellenic and Tillberg Design of Sweden reveals virtual tour of Vega-class ships

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 30 November 2020 30 November 2020

Swan Hellenic and Tillberg Design of Sweden have released a virtual tour video unveiling what the adventurous and creative-minded can look forward to in its five-star cultural expedition cruise ships currently being built at Helsinki Shipyard.

The video takes viewers through the ship as they would when returning from an expedition by zodiac, which is how the video starts. So, the first thing you see aboard is the concierge-service Basecamp changing room, where guests are assisted to leave their expedition outfits for cleaning and sanitising to prevent biological cross-contamination. But it’s also a place to socialise over coffee before and after expeditions, relaxing in a signature décor of airy natural textures and tones.

Making your way through the spacious reception with its bold clean lines, you enter the vortex of light that is the main staircase, the sunlight filtering through geometric wooden slat walls.

Reaching the Swan Restaurant (image below) with its varied seating choices and dramatic picture windows, you enjoy the same thematic abundance of wood and warm natural materials. Only there’s a trick up the sleeve, with lighting and table furnishing changes that transform its daytime rich casual comfort into a sophisticated evening dining venue.

The Observation Lounge – the heart of the ship – is your next stop and a complete contrast, with chrome and massive picture windows that make the plush sofas and easy chairs feel both inside and outside at the same time. Offering a variety of different seating spaces, including cosy niche indoor and outdoor areas, this lounge also features a large LED screen for lectures as well as a piano and pop-up screens for entertainment and multiple other uses.

Pausing in the Club Lounge (Image below), with its round-the-clock sophisticated food, varied intimate seating and holographic fireplace surrounded by panoramic views, the tour then takes you to explore the outdoor Pool Bar and Grill. Here you see the heated infinity pool and extensive outside decks that allow Swan Hellenic cultural expedition cruisers to truly immerse themselves in the inspiring landscapes they visit.

Next it’s off to the astonishing panoramic sauna and outdoor hot tub, where you can sweat it out to arctic views after an indulgent massage. After which it’s time to discover the understated elegance of your Balcony Stateroom or Suite, a modern medley of pastel colours, natural textures, hi-tech entertainment and multiple lighting options for every mood, set off by a holographic fireplace to warm the atmosphere.

With Swan Hellenic’s first ship Minerva arriving in November 2021, and a whole array of exceptional itineraries attracting strong bookings for the return of the original name in cultural expedition cruising, the virtual tour video now on the Swan Hellenic website is the perfect start to an unforgettable journey of discovery. As you watch it, you can easily imagine yourself on SH Minerva’s extraordinary Antarctic polar solar eclipse maiden cruise.

Fredrik Johansson MA, Tillberg Partner and Executive Project Director, observed: “Defining a new generation of expedition ships for the legendary Swan Hellenic has been incredibly inspiring and rewarding for us. We are humbled by the trust and confidence that has been placed in us throughout the design process, working closely with a team that has a very clear vision for its iconic brand but which also gave us the creative freedom of a blank slate.”

Tillberg Cruise Newbuild Director Iina Forsblom explained: “The keynotes of the Scandi-design interiors we have created are sophisticated elegance and comfort, while never forgetting that with Swan Hellenic the focus is always on the extraordinary views outside. So we have conceived all the interiors to create a seamless connection with the outside world”.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “We’re delighted with the way these designs have come together, creating unique experiences that honour Swan Hellenic’s cultural expedition heritage while bringing it bang up to date — in comfort, services and above all vision, transforming the inward-looking paradigm of classic cruise ships into a world of casual comfort and elegance that looks outwards to see what others don’t.”