New company Elixir Boutique Cruises to start operations in summer

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 April 2021 07 April 2021

A new company called Elixir Boutique Cruises says it will start operations this summer by offering two itineraries of seven nights each in Greek waters.

The Piraeus based company will operate the 25 cabin capacity Elysium on the cruises that highlight well being and relaxation.

“It’s about unique journeys of discovery of new places and a new you. A holistic approach that embraces mind, body, and soul aboard yacht-like havens of wellness and understated luxury,” the company says own its website.

“Our first ship the Elysium, sails the Greek seas and takes you on unparalleled cultural voyages while rejuvenating, exhilarating and educating you.Our vision, a fleet of such boutique ships, offering immersive experiences around the world,” Elixir says.

The first cruises of the company, which has representation in the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, is scheduled to depart on 15 May.

Carnival sees slower than forecast cash burn, bookings stage strong increase

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 April 2021 07 April 2021

 

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping company, said bookings had stated a strong recovery in the first quarter to 28 February, whereas its cash burn had fallen short of forecast.

The company said its monthly average cash burn rate for the first quarter of 2021 was $500 million, which was better than the $600 million it had expected,  primarily due to the timing of capital expenditures. However, the fresh figure was unchanged from the previous quarter.

"The company expects the monthly average cash burn rate for the first half of 2021 to be approximately $550 million, which is better than previously expected,” Carnival said in a statement.

Carnival made a net loss of $2.0 billion in the quarter, which was unchanged from the previous three month period. Liquidity, however, increased by $2.0 billion and amounted to $11.5 billion at the end of February.

Regarding bookings, President and CEO Arnold Donald said:  "Booking volumes are accelerating. During the first quarter of 2021 they were approximately 90% higher than volumes during the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting both the significant pent up demand and long-term potential for cruising."

Cumulative advanced bookings for full year 2022 are ahead of a very strong 2019 as of March 21, 2021. The company highlights this level of bookings was achieved with minimal advertising and marketing. Due to the pause in guest cruise operations in 2020, the company's current booking trends will be compared to bookings trends for 2019 sailings.

Total customer deposits as of February 28, 2021 and November 30, 2020 were $2.2 billion, the majority of which are future cruise credits. “During the quarter, customer deposits on new bookings essentially offset the impact of refunds provided. As of February 28, 2021, the current portion of customer deposits was $1.8 billion, of which $0.7 billion relates to bookings for the remainder of 2021,” Carnival said.

P&O Cruises launch winter 2022/23 programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 April 2021 07 April 2021

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit of Carnival Corporation & plc, has launched its winter 2022/23 programme, which includes the first cruises of Arvia.

Arvia’s 14-night Canary Islands maiden voyage, departing from and returning to Southampton, is followed by a special Canary Islands Christmas and New Year cruise before a season of seven and 14-night Caribbean fly/cruises from home port Barbados and, new turnaround port, Antigua.

Arvia will be the second of two 185,000 gross ton LNG powered ships of the line and it is due to enter service in 2022. The first unit of the class, Iona, was delivered last year and is due to make its maiden voyage this summer.

"Arvia’s Caribbean holidays all include an overnight call in Barbados with new itineraries also featuring La Romana in the Dominican Republic - a maiden port of call for P&O Cruises; Curaçao; Martinique; St Kitts; St Lucia and St Maarten,” the company said in a statement.

In a P&O Cruises first, winter sun Canary Islands fly/cruises from Tenerife will be available as Azura offers a programme of two alternating seven-night cruises which can be combined to create a 14-night holiday. 

Iona will sail a winter 2022 season of Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands holidays featuring overnight calls in Lisbon or Barcelona as well as European city breaks.

P&O Cruises will offer a full world cruise, over 99 nights on Arcadia departing January 3, 2023, includes calls to Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Tauranga New Zealand, and Kuala Lumpur (from Port Kelang).

Aurora’s 65 night circumnavigation of South America will depart January 6, 2023, spending two days in Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, San Antonio and Lima (from Callao) among many more destinations. 

Saga Cruises reports very strong bookings for 2022/23

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 April 2021 07 April 2021

Saga Cruises, which is part of the UK based financial services to travel group Saga plc, has reported a fall in bookings  for 2021/22 from year on, but says that bookings for 2022/23 are very strong.

“Cruise bookings for 2021/22 are lower than the same point last year by 20% and 23% for revenue and passenger days respectively due to our decision to suspend operations for Spirit of Discovery until at least June 2021 and for Spirit of Adventure until at least July 202,” the company said in a statement. 

“However, demand is very strong for 2022/23 departures, with revenue and passenger days ahead of the prior year by 160% and 142% respectively. Around 45% of revenue booked for 2021/22 is from customers choosing to rebook cruises cancelled in 2020,” saga said.

The company has two ships of about 57,000 gross tons each that offer an all inclusive product for those over the age of 50, which is the target group to which the company sells its products.