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P&O Cruises Australia extends operational pause until 31 August

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 May 2020 05 May 2020

P&O Cruises Australia, part of Carnival Corporation & plc, has extended its voluntary pause in operations in Australia and New Zealand until 31 August, in response to continuing travel restrictions owing to the impact of Covid-19, it said in a statement.

The decision will affect passengers booked on departures after 16 June.

“Australia and New Zealand have led the world in flattening the COVID-19 curve, which adds to our optimism for the future. However, we also recognise that a further extension is the prudent and responsible course,” said P&O Cruises Australia president Sture Myrmel.

Passengers whose cruises had been impacted by the extended pause in operations were eligible for a full refund or a future cruise credit equal to the cost of their original cruise plus an onboard credit offer, the company said.

UK consumer sentiment for cruising cools

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 May 2020 05 May 2020

The proportion of British consumers that are vey likely or likely go for a cruise in the next two years has decreased in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis, CLIA UK & Ireland research shows.

Among consumers who have never cruised before, 61% would be very likely or likely to take a cruise in the next two years, a drop of 10 percentage points since last autumn.

“Of those who had cruised before, 75% said they were very likely or likely to take a cruise in the next two years when asked last month, compared to 79% who said the same last autumn,” CLIA UK & Ireland said in a statement.

The survey was based on views of 500 respondents who have taken an international holiday in the last two years.

Commenting on the figures, Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland director, said in the statement" Our findings show a remarkably small divergence in responses between these times and suggest a very modest shift in sentiment. This could be largely due to cruise guests understanding the industry’s commitment to their health and safety. We will continue to work to earn that trust as we work through this global crisis, putting public health and safety at the heart of our response.”

MedCruise Association launches a modernized website

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 May 2020 04 May 2020

The MedCruise Association has designed a tailored online tool, user-friendly which fits all devices. Among other technical updates, the brand-new online platform offers a closer insight into the Mediterranean cruise destinations, a visible importance to quality photos and videos, a better communication of the news and a more useful events’ calendar and a private area jut for members.

The website is composed of seven sections, the most remarkable of which is the Members' section. Each MedCruise member (Ports and Associates - Cruise related companies) has its fully updated profile with relevant data such as: contact data, history, destination information, must see tourist attractions, photo gallery, port Statistics, port facts (Berth, Anchorage, Quays…), company information, new projects and even more.

Another key section is the News section where the latest members’ news, internal press releases about MedCruise Activities and everything related to the Cruise Industry in the Mediterranean Sea, is published on a regular basis.

The Events section is a must for MedCruise and its partners, in this section is where all the information about the events organized by MedCruise is published. The Association holds two General Assemblies (GA) and the MedCruise Awards, every year. Other than that, every two years a Professional Development Course (PDC), just for MedCruise members, is organized. All the updates and main information about these events is published in this section. In addition, MedCruise provides a platform for the representation of its members in all major cruise related events around the globe. In the new website members get an easy picture of the relevant upcoming events worldwide (calendar format) together with important information such as event programme, organization contact person and link for registration.

The Home page, where you land when you enter to the website, contains a section worthy of note called publications. MedCruise reports published every year provide useful data as regards the cruise industry and the Mediterranean ports. This section is quite relevant since it offers the Annual Statistics Report, the Yearbook (members contact information) and the biannual publication MedCruise News.

On MedCruise website you will have easy access to the contact information of the Secretariat team, Board of Directors and President of MedCruise. An interesting feature of the new online platform, is the link with social networks. Thus, the new website is very adapted to the current way of sharing information. Another worth mentioning feature is the “COVID-19 Latest Updates”. Due to the global health situation, MedCruise has destined a section for the updates on the COVID-19 in the Mediterranean Sea cruise industry: Cruise Line Status (come back), Interviews with MedCruise President, MedCruise Statements, among others.

Airam Diaz, President of MedCruise Association said: “I am very proud to present our new website, which highlights the importance of the Marketing task in our Association, in line with the Working Plan approved by the members in Toulon during the 51st MedCruise General Assembly. I would like to thank all BoD members, specially, Maria Cano as Marketing Director and the Secretariat team for this big achievement”.

Maria Cano, MedCruise Marketing Director, expressed: “This project means a new era for MedCruise in terms of Marketing and Promotion. With the priceless support of the Secretariat, which has contributed with new and fresh ideas, we have started developing a responsive and modernized website. Starting small, we ended up creating a more useful tool for our members which will put MedCruise in another category within the online community. Much of my Online Marketing Strategy is represented in this project, for the benefit of our members."

German ferry builder Flensburger insolvent

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 May 2020 04 May 2020

Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), the German shipbuilder that has focused on ropax and freight ferries, has filed for insolvency, Norddeutsche Rundfunk (NDR) radio station reports on its website.

The objective after the filing is to restructure the company so that it could resume operations and Martin Hammer has been appointed new managing director.

Hammer has previously worked on restructuring shipyards in Stralsund and Wolgast, NDR said.

American Cruise Lines: Domestic bookings rise as cruisers seek to support American business

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 May 2020 01 May 2020

American Cruise Lines revealed yesterday a strong increase in demand across its domestic portfolio of river and coastal cruises. The company cites increased awareness of U.S. cruise options along with guests’ desire to support all-American businesses, as the primary reasons for the increase. "Advance bookings for the 2021 season are robust, with next year’s passenger counts currently more than 25% ahead of the same time last year. American has also just released its 2022 and 2023 schedules and announced an aggressive building program that remains on schedule," the company said in a statement.

"The strong occupancy rates are furthered by American’s recent product growth and exciting ship innovations, which appeal to broader markets. The Line now offers more than 35 itineraries in the U.S.A. and was recently lauded for introducing the first modern riverboats in the country. In late 2019, American also reintroduced its Cruise Close to Home™ marketing campaign, which resonates stronger than ever, as travel begins its first steps toward recovery."

The great numbers for 2021 speak volumes about the future of travel and specifically the future of small ship cruising in the U.S.A. In just the past 3 years, American has doubled its fleet, to a total of 12 small 100-200 passenger ships operating across the country – all are 100% U.S. flagged. And the Line continues to build new ships each year.

“American has truly lead the way in opening up the possibilities for adventure in the U.S. We have been building new small ship styles to suit every taste and we continue to expand our huge collection of curated itineraries, the options are endless with American. And the best part is you don’t have to travel abroad, or fly, to enjoy it all,” said Susan Shultz-Gelino, V.P. of Trade Relations for American.

The positive news for 2021 sales and the growing interest in cruising U.S. waterways was further reflected in the recent April 2020, CruiseCompete CruiseTrends report. In the latest report, American Cruise Lines was the #1 most requested river cruise line, and had the #1 most requested river ship, Queen of the Mississippi. Notably, the U.S.A. was also the #1 most requested country overall.

“People want to travel, and they are beginning to plan experiences for later this year and in the year ahead. American’s modern fleet, unique itineraries, and low passenger counts, allow us to offer amazing domestic options, as folks begin to cruise again. The desire to travel and the American spirit for exploration is alive and well,” said David Luxeder, Director of Marketing for American.