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Change at the top of the Meyer Werft Group

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 July 2026 02 July 2026

The Chairman of the Management Board (CEO) of Meyer Werft GmbH, Bernd Eikens, left the company on 30 June 2026 and retire. As announced at the end of 2025, André Walter succeeds him on 1 July 2026 and will lead the company together with Ralf Schmitz (Chief Restructuring Officer) and Jörg Heidelberg (Chief Operating Officer).

André Walter (59) joins Meyer Werft from the European aerospace group Airbus, where he has served since 2022 as Chairman of the Management Board of Airbus Aerostructures GmbH and Airbus GmbH in Hamburg. The Oldenburg native began his Airbus career in 2006, holding various technical and leadership positions. Among other responsibilities, the engineer led the Airbus sites in Bremen and Hamburg.

Bernd Eikens joined the Management Board of Meyer Werft in December 2023 and guided the group through its most severe financial crisis in 2024. Today, the company has achieved financial stabilization and is successfully progressing along its restructuring path, which is expected to continue until the end of 2028. During his tenure as CEO, the company successfully delivered several vessels, including the cruise ships Asuka III and Disney Destiny, as well as river cruise ships for Viking through its subsidiary Neptun Werft. In addition to these shipbuilding projects, Bernd Eikens also implemented important internal initiatives aimed at improving operational processes and cost efficiency.

Dr. Christian von Lenthe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Meyer Werft said: “The Supervisory Board would like to thank Dr. Bernd Eikens for his outstanding work over the past three years. He took over the company during its most challenging crisis and stabilized it with calmness, clarity, and strong leadership. The fact that the group now enjoys such excellent prospects is due in no small part to his efforts. We wish him all the best for his well-earned retirement. At the same time, we warmly welcome Dr. André Walter aboard our company.”

André Walter said: “I am very much looking forward to working with the teams in Papenburg and at our subsidiary Neptun Werft in Rostock. I can build on the achievements that have already been made since the start of the restructuring in 2024 – whether in the order pipeline, internal processes, or the further development of the company culture.”

Bernd Eikens said: “These have been three challenging but ultimately successful years at Meyer Werft. As a native of Papenburg, it has always been a matter close to my heart to help ensure that this important company – for the region and for Germany as an industrial location – successfully turns the corner. I am grateful that we have achieved this.”

Andreas Hensen, Group Works Council Chairman of Meyer Werft commented: “On behalf of the Works Council and the entire workforce of all companies represented, we would like to thank Mr. Eikens for the trusting and constructive cooperation and wish him all the best for his retirement. We are confident that, together with his successor André Walter, we will successfully overcome the challenges ahead for the benefit of our colleagues.”

Carnival Corporation completes new pier extension for Celebration Key in The Bahamas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 July 2026 01 July 2026

Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company, recently announced the successful completion of its Celebration Key pier extension on Grand Bahama Island. The flagship expansion adds two new berths, enabling Celebration Key to accommodate up to four ships simultaneously and welcome over 13,000 guests in a day to the popular exclusive destination.

Building on the original two-berth pier that opened with Celebration Key in July 2025, the two additional berths were delivered ahead of schedule and double the arrival capacity to four ships at once. This marine-side expansion adds operational flexibility and unlocks roughly 200 more ship calls and 700,000 additional guest arrivals each year.

"Celebration Key is one of the centerpieces of our Paradise Collection – a bold destination built to redefine what a Caribbean vacation can feel like," said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation. "From a mile of white sand beach to the Caribbean's largest freshwater lagoons and five distinct experience portals, every part of Celebration Key was designed to deliver something unforgettable. Finishing the pier extension ahead of schedule gives us a real jump on meeting the extraordinary demand we're seeing and allows us to bring even more guests to this unique Bahamian paradise sooner than expected."

In less than 18 months, Celebration Key has firmly established its role as a cornerstone of Carnival Corporation's Paradise Collection. Twenty Carnival Cruise Line ships now call from 10 U.S. homeports reflecting Celebration Key's cornerstone position within the company's Caribbean deployment strategy. Starting September 2026, three- and four-ship days will be routine at the destination, and later this year, Princess Cruises and AIDA will join the rotation as Celebration Key becomes a true Carnival Corporation portfolio-wide Caribbean platform.

"Celebration Key's expansion reflects continued confidence in Grand Bahama and in The Bahamas as a leading tourism destination," said the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, Minister of Tourism. "Our priority is to ensure that investments of this scale create meaningful opportunities for Bahamian businesses, expand employment, and deliver lasting economic benefits to our people. We congratulate the team at Celebration Key on its first anniversary and look forward to its continued contribution to Grand Bahama's economy and the well-being of its communities."

"The expansion of Celebration Key's pier is a powerful endorsement of Grand Bahama's economic potential," said the Hon. Ginger Moxey MP., Minister for Grand Bahama. "Every ship that calls on our island creates opportunities for Bahamians – from entrepreneurs and small businesses to countless families who depend on a thriving tourism sector. This investment represents more than new infrastructure; it is an investment in our people, our economy, and a future built on sustainable, year-round growth."

When Celebration Key marks its first anniversary on July 19, 2026, it will have welcomed approximately 2.5 million guests. With the pier extension now in place, year two is expected to bring that number to about 3.5 million – growth that will deliver meaningful long-term benefits for The Bahamas. According to an economic impact study by Tourism Economics (an Oxford Economics company), the development, construction, and ongoing operation of Celebration Key is projected to create more than 2,500 direct Bahamian jobs, generate $3.2 billion in incremental government revenue, and contribute $9.7 billion in incremental GDP impact over the next two decades.

Celebration Key is just one of the seven exclusive Caribbean destinations that make up Carnival Corporation's Paradise Collection, which also includes RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale (Roatan), Amber Cove (Dominican Republic), Puerto Maya (Cozumel, Mexico), Grand Turks Cruise Center (Turks & Caicos) and Princess Cays (The Bahamas). Together, the Paradise Collection is unmatched by any other cruise company, creating differentiated guest experiences that drive incremental demand, support pricing strength and reinforce the company's leadership in the world's most popular cruise region.

Meyer Werft and MSC Cruises provide joint statement on newbuilding contract

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 June 2026 27 June 2026

Meyer Werft and MSC Cruises have issued the following joint statement regarding the current status of negotiations on the major contract for Meyer Werft to build four next-generation cruise ships, plus two options.

“In December 2025, Meyer Werft and MSC Cruises announced a letter of intent for the construction of four innovative cruise ships, plus two options, at Meyer Werft. In the meantime, concrete planning for the ships’ design and negotiations for the conclusion of the relevant contracts have reached an advanced stage. This involves an extensive and complex set of contracts, for which at least six months is typically required. Meyer Werft and MSC Cruises are confident that they will successfully conclude the negotiations in the coming weeks. The partners will then inform the public accordingly.”

Additional information: The cruise ships will form part of a new class of vessels to be known as the New Frontier. The contract would ensure the shipyard’s capacity well into the next decade. With a maximum passenger capacity of 5,400 and a gross tonnage of around 180,000, the New Frontier ships are due to be delivered annually from 2030 onwards.

P&O Cruises and Cunard announce organizational changes

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 June 2026 25 June 2026

Carnival UK (P&O Cruises and Cunard) yesterday announced a company‑wide restructure aimed at further strengthening operational excellence by leveraging the scale of the combined brands and leaning on the talent of the people while continuing to expand business‑enabling technology across the organisation.

The changes will establish new cross-company teams for even faster decision‑making, deeper collaboration and clearer accountability. The teams will work across brands and functions to continue delivering award-winning guest experiences reflecting the distinct heritage and identities of the iconic P&O Cruises and Cunard lines. This evolution reflects how work is shifting and positions the company to compete with an operating model optimized for speed, flexibility and rising guest expectations.

Alongside these changes, Carnival UK will reshape roles, responsibilities and team structures across the company, creating opportunities for employees to broaden their experience, contribute in new ways and advance their careers as the business evolves and grows. A formal consultation process will commence, inviting input and engagement from staff to help determine new roles and responsibilities.

Paul Ludlow will take on the presidency of Cunard in addition to his current role of Carnival UK and P&O Cruises president. Other changes to the executive leadership team include the following:

– Katie McAlister will transition into a newly created executive role of chief commerce officer for Carnival UK, supporting both Cunard and P&O Cruises, continuing to report directly into Paul Ludlow. Katie will be responsible for digital commerce, guest contact centre, UK and international sales channels and travel agent partners. Elizabeth Fettes will continue to report into Katie McAlliter and will be the Cunard lead in North America,

– Stuart Allison remains chief commercial officer with an expanded remit to set and lead the commercial strategy for both P&O Cruises and Cunard with responsibility for brand, pricing, itineraries, fleet deployment, product strategy, marketing & CRM.

– Chris Lees remains in his role as chief experience officer with an expanded remit across both brands leading guest experience, onboard revenue and operations in addition to procurement and supply chain capability and alignment.

Carnival UK, P&O Cruises & Cunard president Paul Ludlow said: “These are proactive changes aligning with our future vision and setting us up for operational excellence and resilience. A shared view across P&O Cruises and Cunard helps us sharpen our focus on amplifying what makes each cruise line exceptional, further boosting our competitive strength. Backing that with a more agile organization and stronger capabilities, we will be well-placed to capitalize on emerging opportunities and fully unlock the talent within our business.”

The remaining executive leadership team members continue in their current roles, including:

– Steve Capper, chief digital & information officer, leading technology, digital and AI agenda.
– Helen Adams, chief financial officer, managing performance and investment.
– Jo Phillips, chief people officer, accountable for organisational design and culture.
– Donnacha O'Driscoll, executive vice president of maritime & sustainability which includes ship operations.

Ludlow continued: “At the heart of this is the guest. A shared lens across our two cruise lines helps us zero in on what truly sets each one apart and bring that to life in more meaningful, tailored guest experiences, while making team collaboration, execution and innovation easier behind the scenes. Guests and our travel agent partners can expect the same high standards, while benefitting from the improvements brought about by our strategic emphasis on people and technology.

“This strategy reflects our continued commitment to long-term success, growth and shareholder value.”

American Maverick christened in Newport

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 June 2026 24 June 2026

American Cruise Lines christened American Maverick in Newport, Rhode Island last week during the ship’s inaugural 9-Day New England Islands cruise, sailing roundtrip from Providence, Rhode Island. The celebration took place on board with guests, crew, community partners, and many employees from the Line’s headquarters in Connecticut.

American Maverick is the newest small cruise ship in the country and the latest in the company’s growing fleet of ships exclusively designed for cruising the U.S.A., featuring many amenities surpassing those of the finest riverboats in the world. American Maverick will be followed by the deliveries of American Ranger, American Mariner, and American Navigator over the next year. American Cruise Lines also just launched the newest riverboat in the country, American Encore, in May.

American Maverick’s christening festivities took place on a glorious sunny day overlooking Newport Harbor with many people close to the company, including more than 50 employees from the Line’s home office in Guilford, CT. American’s President & CEO, Charles B. Robertson, gave remarks as did American Maverick’s Godmother, Susan Renner, American’s Board Chair and Treasurer. All christening attendees gathered on American Maverick’s top deck for the official blessing and ceremonial bottle smash, followed by a traditional New England lobsterbake at Fort Adams State Park just steps from where the ship was docked.

“We set the bar high for ourselves with American Maverick and were surprised to see that we set the bar for the rest of the river cruise industry in the process,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “The American Maverick is the new standard by which others should follow and with 8 more ships under construction, shows that the U.S. river cruise market will lead the way.”

Brand new American Maverick accommodates 130 guests. The small ship features 4 decks, all-private balcony staterooms, including singles and suites, plus, numerous spacious lounges (including a top deck lounge with a walking track), a chart room, a main restaurant and a casual café, as well as a fitness center, among other onboard amenities unusual for cruise ships of this size.

American Maverick now takes the mantle as the newest cruise ship built in the U.S.A., but it is also the latest in a long line of innovative new small ships introduced by American Cruise Lines.

The company’s 100% U.S.-flagged fleet and total dedication to the development of the domestic cruise market honors the true spirit of American ingenuity and innovation. This 4th of July, as the country celebrates its 250th birthday, American will have more domestic itineraries and more new small ships exploring along U.S. waterways than at any other time in the company’s 50-year history.