P&O Cruises extends pause in operations into April 2021

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 24 November 2020 24 November 2020

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it has decided to extended the pause in its operations into April 2021 in response to the current uncertainty around European ports of call.

On 17 September, the company said that all its Caribbean cruises would be cancelled until the end of January 2021 and all cruises from and to Southampton are cancelled through February as well as Arcadia and Aurora, which have already been cancelled through to the end of their spring world cruises.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said in a statement: “With hopeful news headlines clearly we do not want to extend our pause in operations any further than absolutely necessary, but given the ever changing guidance around international travel and the varying regulations in many European ports of call we felt it prudent to cancel these additional dates.”

“In addition, as the final payments are due for these cruises very soon we felt it was the right thing to do for our guests. We are so sorry to disappoint those who were due to travel but really hope they will re-book for later in the year or for our new programme of 2022 holidays which went on sale earlier this month with strong demand, showing great confidence in cruising in the future.”

Photo: P&O Cruises took delivery of Iona from Meyer Werft in Germany earlier this autumn.

 

Telenor Maritime acquires Finnish tech company KNL Networks

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 23 November 2020 23 November 2020

 

Telenor Maritime, which is part of the Norwegian telecommunications group Telenor, said it has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares in KNL Networks, a Finnish technology company that has developed a unique system providing data access through a secure mesh network around the globe for maritime and critical communication markets.

“With this technology and Telenor Maritime’s expertise, the merchant fleet’s missing link is finally in place: a dedicated end-to-end channel for reliable, secure, and above all affordable access to business-critical information,” Telenor maritime said in a statement.

“Telenor Maritime’s vision of a greener future in the maritime industry has taken a big leap forward with the acquisition of KNL Networks” said CEO of Telenor Maritime Lars Erik Lunøe. “This affordable technology provides the industry with a unique opportunity to utilize digitized solutions, enabling them to make data-driven decisions, improve efficiency, gain competitive advantage, and work towards a greener, more sustainable future” he continued.

Constantly pursuing the elimination of the “digital divide” between the offshore and onshore industries, Telenor Mari time can now provide the same quality of experience at sea as on land to the whole maritime sector, increasing its profitability through operational excellence.

By acquiring KNL networks and combining the competences of both companies, Telenor Maritime will be able to offer end-to-end managed services for the maritime market, including global access and access management of operation-critical data and cyber security.

“This positioning is unique in the maritime sector, making Telenor Maritime the only one stop shop for digital transformation of maritime industry. We’re excited about the opportunity to join forces with Telenor Maritime and to become a part of Telenor Group – a company that has over a century of history in the field of connectivity and reputation of being a trusted partner. I am confident that together we can lead the way of digitalizing maritime and help our clients on their digital transformation journey, as well as strengthen our position as a trusted partner to our customers in the critical communication segment,” said Toni Lindén, CEO KNL Networks.

Carnival increases dollar and euro note offerings, prices both

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 23 November 2020 23 November 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, said that Carnival Corporation has priced the private offerings of dollar and euro denominated notes and priced both offerings.

The private offerings comprise $1,450 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% senior unsecured notes due 2026 and €500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% senior unsecured notes due 2026.

The aggregate principal amount of notes to be issued was increased to $1,450 million and €500 million from the previously announced $1,000 million and €300 million, respectively. The offering of the notes is expected to close on November 25, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

“The USD Notes and the Euro Notes will pay interest semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2021, at a rate of 7.625% and 7.625% per year, respectively. The Notes will be unsecured and will mature on March 1, 2026,’ the company said in a statement.

The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by Carnival plc, the group’s UK domiciled and listed holding company, and certain of the Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's subsidiaries that own or operate the company's vessels and material intellectual property and that guarantee certain of our first-priority secured indebtedness, and our second-priority secured indebtedness, Carnival said.

Photo: Carnival Corporation & plc President and CEO Arnold Donald

Princess Cruises extends pause of global ship operations into 2021

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 20 November 2020 20 November 2020

In response to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "Framework for Conditional Sailing Order" pertaining to resumption of U.S. cruise operations, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in global operations to allow time for the estimated preparation needed for completing required activities prior to sailing and taking into consideration the temporary 7-night cap on itineraries that call at a U.S. port. The cruise operations impacted include the following:

– All cruises sailing through March 31, 2021
– All cruises longer than 7 nights sailing in and out of United States ports through November 1, 2021

Additionally, due to the uncertainty about when international travel restrictions might be lifted, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in operations for cruises departing in and out of Japan through June 25, 2021.

"We are focused on preparing our ships to meet the CDC health and safety requirements for our eventual return to service," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. "We also appreciate the continued support we have received from our guests, partners and travel advisors, reinforcing for all of us why we do what we do."

Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages will have the option to receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 25% of the cruise fare.

To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel advisor.

Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by December 31, 2020 or guests will be registered for the Future Cruise Credit option.

Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line's business and success.

The most current information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations, and more information on FCCs and refunds, can be found online at Information on Impacted & Cancelled Cruises.

Photo: Princess Cruises headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. Credit: Teijo Niemela