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Helsinki Shipyard celebrates first anniversary, working remotely gains traction

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 May 2020 20 May 2020

Helsinki Shipyard Oy, the shipbuilder in the Finnish capital, turns one on May 20 and in spite of the COVID-19 outbreak, the company decided to celebrate the event by sending greetings to all members of its staff.

At the same time, the company unveiled the results of a survey which showed that working remotely had become hugely popular among the part of its personnel who are able to do this.

“The first year of our operation has accommodated many positive events, such as a sale of two expedition cruise vessels, a completely new brand image, the launch of Helsinki Shipyard's own website, the introduction of AVEVA, the production of expedition cruise vessel blocks in Klaipeda, and much more,” the company said in a statement.

“Remote working has brought its own spice to the first year, creeping in from the shipyard’s gate along with the corona as a whole new way of working for us shipyard’s people. About 80% of designers and other office persons have done remote work during the pandemic.”

The company said remote working, it has come to the shipyard to stay, as up to almost 95% of the respondents are interested in working remotely in the future as well. However, remote workers miss the corridor discussions at the office and the social proximity of the office.

“Remote working has also spawned a new form of shipyard info, HS Live shows, which have gained a great popularity among the staff. However, remote working is not possible in the yard's production even during a pandemic, so in that sense it is good that the production work of the expedition cruise vessels at the yard will not start until August,” the company said.

Windstar Cruises plans to resume cruising in September 2020

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 May 2020 19 May 2020

Small ship cruise operator Windstar Cruises announced today the 148-guest Wind Spirit will be its first yacht to resume sailing after suspending operations further due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Wind Spirit will resume sailing in Tahiti with its first cruise departing on September 3, 2020.

“We have taken extraordinary measures to operate our yachts safely,” said Xanterra and Windstar Cruises CEO Andrew Todd. “While we look forward to welcoming guests aboard again, we believe this further suspension of operations is the responsible action to take. We have laid plans for a resumption of small ship cruising beginning in September.”

148-guest Wind Spirit: Resumes sailing September 3, 2020 in Tahiti on previously scheduled itineraries.

342-guest Wind Surf: Returns November 29, 2020 sailing in the Caribbean on previously scheduled itineraries before heading to the Mediterranean in April 2021.

148-guest Wind Star: Resumes sailing January 16, 2021 with Costa Rica and Panama Canal sailings and then heads to the Mediterranean in April 2021.

312-guest Star Breeze: Due to a shipyard delay in Italy, sailings in Asia, New Zealand and Australia are canceled. Star Breeze will begin sailing October 27, 2020 in the Mediterranean before moving to the Caribbean in December 2020 to pick up sailings from Star Legend and Star Pride. Then Star Breeze will offer a few new Caribbean itineraries until June when it heads to Alaska. A new 10-day Alaskan Splendors sailing was added on June 3, 2021 after which it resumes its previously scheduled Alaska itineraries.

312-guest Star Legend: Due to a shipyard delay in Italy, some sailings are canceled and others will be picked up by the Star Breeze. Star Legend begins sailing March 1, 2021 in the Mediterranean and will pick up some sailings previously scheduled for Star Pride.

312-guest Star Pride: Due to a shipyard delay in Italy, some sailings are cancelled and others will be picked up by Star Breeze. The Star Pride will begin sailing July 5, 2021 in Northern Europe.

Guests on cancelled cruises will receive a Future Cruise Credit valued at 125% of all monies paid on the booking to Windstar Cruises. Guests who prefer a refund can request their FCC be converted to a refund equal to the amount paid on the Windstar booking once they receive their FCC. Guests will have 24 months to book and embark on any available Windstar cruise using their Future Cruise Credit. Windstar Cruises will protect Travel Advisor commissions on the affected bookings following the normal policy for cancelled bookings.

The health and well-being of guests, crew, land-based employees and people in the communities visited is always a top priority. During this temporary pause in operations, Windstar’s staff is reviewing and updating its health and safety practices including enhanced sanitation protocols, health screenings, additional medical staff on board, expanded dining times with outdoor dining, and crew training.

Windstar operates a fleet of six small yachts carrying from 148 to 342 guests and is known for visiting small ports and hidden harbors around the world.

NCLH expects potentially prolonged delays in newbuilding deliveries

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 May 2020 15 May 2020

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH, the world’s third largest listed cruise shipping group, expects potentially “prolonged delays” in deliveries of ships it has on order.

“The Company expects that the effects of COVID-19 on the shipyards where its ships are under construction, or will be constructed, will result in delays in ship deliveries, which may be prolonged,” NCLH said in its firs quarter 2020 interim report.

The company has six Leonardo class ships on order for its Norwegian Cruise Line brand, with scheduled deliveries running from 2022 to 2027. Two vessels are due for Oceania Cruises, in 2022 and 2025, respectively, and one for Regent Seven Seas in 2023. All orders are with Fincantieri in Italy, according to SHIPPAX Info.

“As of March 31, 2020, anticipated capital expenditures for the remainder of 2020 were $0.4 billion with export credit financing in place for the anticipated expenditures related to ship construction contracts of $0.1 billion,” the company said, adding that it is finalising documentation for deferrals of approximately $170 million of newbuilding related payments, net of financing, due through March 31, 2021.

“Once deferrals are finalised, anticipated total capital expenditures for the remainder of 2020 will be approximately $195 million,” NCLH said.

The group made a net loss of $1.88 billion in the first quarter of the year, compared to a profit of $118.2 million a year earlier, as a $1.61 billion impairment charge hit the fresh figure.

Cruise Ships Interiors Expo 2020 cancelled

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 May 2020 14 May 2020

COVID-19 has created a lot of uncertainty around international travel and events in the coming months. As a result Cruise Ship Interiors Expo America and Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo America has been cancelled. As a result, he 2021 event reverts back to the original month of June (June 8 - 9 2021).

"It is no secret the cruise industry has been drastically affected by the current pandemic and we therefore understand that attending a trade show is not a priority at this time. We want to provide the industry with a show which is beneficial for all involved, at a time when there is more positive news to share and it is safe to do so. September does not feel the right time to do this and hence the decision to cancel until June next year," CEO Toby Walters said in a statement.

"We still have a lot of activity going on between now and June to keep the cruise community connected:

– We are busy working on putting together an innovative virtual version of CSI and CSH on 2 - 3 September which will include exclusive conference sessions and a host of networking opportunities through virtual meetings with exhibitors and other attendees. More information on this will follow shortly.

– Voting for the first ever Cruise Ship Interiors Awards is open until 5th June. If you haven't already, be sure to head over to the website and cast your vote. Winners will be announced via video on 15th June.

– Cruise Conversations is our new series of webinars hosting panel discussions with influential members of the cruise community, covering key topics impacting the industry on a daily basis. Be sure to register for these and stay up to date with the latest thoughts, developments and news within the industry. Why not subscribe to our YouTube channel now and catch up on any you have missed.

– Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe and Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo Europe is still set to take place 2 - 3 December 2020 at ExCeL London. Registration for this show will open shortly. If you are interested in exhibiting at what is likely to be the only cruise event of the year, then please reply to this email for more information.

– Cruise Ship Interiors Expo America and Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo America will now take place 8 - 9 June 2021 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Carnival group plans layoffs, redundancies to save cash

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 May 2020 14 May 2020

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, is planning a range of measures to save money on the personnel side, the company said in a statement.

“Last month the company completed a successful financing effort with a heavily oversubscribed offering of senior secured notes, senior convertible notes and common stock, netting $6.4 billion of additional liquidity. To further strengthen liquidity, Carnival Corporation and its brands are announcing a combination of layoffs, furloughs, reduced work weeks and salary reductions across the company, including senior management. These moves will contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in cash conservation on an annualized basis,” Carnival said.

“Since the company paused its guest cruise operations in early March, workforce changes were largely placed on hold, even in the face of no meaningful revenue, to forestall the financial impact on its employees while still meeting its fiscal responsibilities – deferring employee actions beyond that of many others in similar situations during this pandemic. The company continues to support its travel agent partners by paying commissions on canceled cruises and on future cruise credits when guests rebook,” the company stated.