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Norwegian Cruise Line expands exotic itineraries Collection for its 2024/25 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 March 2023 08 March 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced the opening for sale of new 2024/25 exotic itineraries, including the debut of Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky in Asia, and new ports of call to Manama, Bahrain; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Sokhna, Egypt; and Akita, Japan.

With this new season of itineraries from October 2024 through December 2025, NCL is expanding its voyages to Antarctica, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand by 37%, and its Extraordinary Journeys - the Brand’s collection of immersive and port-rich voyages - overall by 15%. This collection of itineraries only reaffirms the company’s commitment to providing guests with carefully curated voyages to some of the most sought-after destinations in the world.

"Our guests are craving longer, immersive and more unique itineraries that take them off the beaten path," said Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. "These new sailings represent the most diverse itinerary program to date and feature many brand firsts, including an extended Asia offering and new ports in Argentina, Bahrain, Japan and Egypt. Coupled with NCL’s renowned onboard experiences – from spacious accommodations, exceptional entertainment and diverse dining options that rival land-based offerings, it truly is an unforgettable way to explore the world."

Notable itineraries available to book as of today, include:

NCL’s first voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina: Norwegian Star will sail a 14-day South America voyage to Brazil and Antarctica departing March 1, 2025, offering a more immersive and port-intensive way to experience South America and cruise to Antarctica. Embarking from Ushuaia, Argentina for this once-in-a-lifetime journey reduces the number of sea days needed for an Antarctica cruise providing more port time for travelers. During the voyage, guests cruise through Paradise Bay in Antarctica and witness the surrounding glacial mountains and local wildlife while also having the opportunity to experience the culture in Puerto Madryn, and Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo and Punta Del Este, Uruguay; and Sao Paulo (Santos).

NCL’s maiden call to Bahrain, its first dedicated Middle East sailing: The Brand will offer a seven-day Middle East cruise on Norwegian Sun from Doha, Qatar to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) departing April 12, 2025. An overnight stay in Abu Dhabi, UAE provides travelers with more time to explore the culturally rich destination. In addition, the open-jaw voyage includes visits to Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Manama, Bahrain – a first time visit for NCL; as well as Dubai and Sir Bani Yas, the largest natural island southwest of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Three NCL ships to Asia for the first time: Together Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky will debut in Asia, offering an extensive eight-month season from October 2024 through May 2025, sailing country-intensive voyages in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan – including a collection of coveted Japanese spring cherry blossom and fall foliage itineraries. For the very first time, NCL will call to Akita, Japan during Norwegian Sun’s 12-day roundtrip sailing from Tokyo, embarking on Oct. 23, 2024. Both ships will be joined in region by Norwegian Spirit, who will embark on a brand-new repositioning voyage from Australia to Asia on Dec. 7, 2024, followed by her first voyage in Asia on Dec. 21, 2024.

Extraordinary Journeys: NCL’s collection of immersive journeys that take guests to lesser-visited and once-in-a-lifetime destinations will include two new back-to-back voyages aboard Norwegian Sky. Departing December 2024, the vessel will offer a 16-day Africa sailing to Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Oman and more during its voyage from Dubai, UAE to Mauritius. Immediately following, she will offer a 17-day sailing from Mauritius to Singapore with calls to Seychelles, Maldives and Zanzibar. On April 19, 2025, Norwegian Sun will embark on a 16-day cruise from Dubai, UAE to Haifa, Israel featuring 10 ports of call, including Sokhna, Egypt – a brand-new port for NCL. Visiting Sokhna, Egypt allows for easier access to Cairo, where guests can explore the ancient Great Pyramids of Giza.

Brand-new Australian itinerary: Norwegian Spirit returns Down Under for her third season and launches a new 14-day open-jaw voyage from Sydney to Bali via the Queensland coast in December 2024. The voyage includes calls to Cairns and Darwin, Australia; as well as an overnight visit to Bali (Benoa), Indonesia, providing more time for cruisers to enjoy this exotic destination. In addition, the ship will make the Brand’s first port of call to Rarotonga, Cook Islands in November 2025.

Two NCL ships departing from Haifa, Israel: In November 2024, Norwegian Sky will sail a 16-day Middle East Extraordinary Journey from Haifa, Israel to Dubai, UAE, including the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for guests to transit the Suez Canal in Egypt. Guests can also choose from an 11-day Mediterranean cruise from Haifa, Israel to Istanbul, Turkey aboard Norwegian Sun. Departing May 5, 2025, the voyage will call to sought-after destinations in Greece, Turkey and Egypt.

UK cruise app generates half of bookings by those under 42

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 March 2023 07 March 2023

My Kind of Cruise, the world’s first fully-bookable cruise holiday app, has now had over 100k downloads. “The average age of a person booking via the app is 35, with 50% of users aged 42 or under,” the company said in a statement.

My Kind of Cruise has been in development since May 2022 and was fully launched January 2023. It already has a repeat booking rate of over 25%. The app boasts the ability to book a cruise in under two minutes, with the process for repeat customers at just 45 seconds.

Sixty five percent of downloads were generated via social media, the majority of which are through TikTok - the short-video hosting platform - which accounts for 30% of users.

"My Kind of Cruise takes away the hassle of purchasing a cruise holiday over the phone – while simultaneously comparing options and pricing – and gives customers the ability to instantly search, book and compare sailings side by side, across cruise ships, lines and sailings. 80% of bookings are made out of hours, Monday to Friday between 6pm and 9am and Saturday and Sunday evenings, with the app tailored to serve its audience 24/7 through online-only communications," the company continued.

Despite having a significant under-40 audience, the app is used across the generations; the oldest customer to book a sailing to date is 87.

Sefton Monk, co-founder of My Kind of Cruise, said: “People keep asking why cruising now appeals to a younger audience, but really they should be asking why the cruise industry doesn't market itself to a younger audience. Our research has shown that 66% of Millennials and under, want to book their holidays via an app, which is why we are seeing so much interest and demand.

“We developed My Kind of Cruise to be as user-friendly and accessible as possible, and as such our users have a suitably diverse range of ages. Cruising is for everyone, and our app clearly demonstrates that, whether you're booking a cruise aged 18 or aged 98.”

Cruise Saudi bought World Dream for reported $330 million

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 March 2023 07 March 2023

Cruise Saudi, the government owned organisation tasked with developing cruise tourism in Saudi Arabia, has acquired the 2017 built cruise ship World Dream for a reported $330 million.

The 150,695 gross ton vessel was sold at auction in Singapore following the collapse of Genting Hong Kong, its previous owner, early last year. The new owner has renamed the ship Manara.

“One of collapsed cruise ship operator Genting Hong Kong’s flagship Asia-based cruise ships has been sold by liquidators in Singapore for US$330 million. World Dream, launched in 2017 to serve the Asian market and with capacity for 5,000 passengers, was snapped up in late February by Cruise Saudi – a relative newcomer to the global cruising industry and financially backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund,” Inside Asian Gaming reports on its website.

Cunard publishes 2024/25 itineraries

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 March 2023 06 March 2023

Cunard has published its itineraries for 2024/24 and said the programme includes over 130 voyages to 159 destinations and four ships, including 30 maiden calls for Queen Anne and five fleet maiden calls for Queen Elizabeth.

A 38-night adventure in June 2024 will start with a trip around the Mediterranean on board Queen Victoria, then embarking on Queen Anne for a voyage from Rome to Southampton before travelling across the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 and then flying to Vancouver to meet Queen Elizabeth for the final leg in Alaska.

Queen Elizabeth

Departing from Vancouver on a series of nine and 11-night roundtrip voyages between May and September 2024, Queen Elizabeth’s itineraries offer a mixture of scenic cruising with ports of call including Ketchikan and Sitka. “A number of voyages visit the jewel in Alaska’s crown, the Glacier Bay National Park, and Hubbard Glacier, another stunning highlight,” the company said in a statement.

From early October, Queen Elizabeth will sail a mixture of short and long voyages in Australian waters before heading to Japan, where highlights include a nine-night Golden Week voyage and a 19-night Grand Voyage to Nagasaki, Yokohama – the gateway to neon-lit Tokyo, and Osaka.

Queen Anne

Cunard’s latest programme will also include a number of firsts for its newest ship Queen Anne. In January 2025, it will embark on its maiden Transatlantic Crossing, going westbound from Southampton to New York, before a World Voyage of 111 nights visiting more than 30 ports in five continents. Nine overnight calls are also included, in ports such as San Francisco, Honolulu and Singapore.

Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria

Between January and May 2025, the fleet’s flagship Queen Mary 2 will combine Transatlantic crossings with visits to multiple destinations across Europe and the Americas, while Queen Victoria embarks on a 78-night South American cruise from Southampton to Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador.

Sture Myrmell, President, Carnival UK, said in the statement: “We’re so excited to share our newest programme featuring some fantastic itineraries and – with over 130 to choose from – you’ll certainly be spoiled for choice. Whether you want to wander Europe’s historic streets on a short break, channel your adventurous side trying street food across Asia, or savour the sunsets in Hawaii, Cunard has a voyage for you.”

Carnival, banks agree $2.1 billion revolving credit facility

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 March 2023 02 March 2023

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has announced that it has successfully arranged a new forward starting $2.1 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility.

“The New Revolver will replace Carnival Corporation's existing multi-currency revolving credit facility upon its maturity in August 2024. The New Revolver was issued by the Carnival Corporation's subsidiary Carnival Holdings (Bermuda) II Limited and has an initial term of one year, commencing August 2024, with two, mutual one-year extension options,” the compa y said in a statement.

The new facility also contains an accordion feature, allowing for additional commitments up to an aggregate of $2.9 billion, which is the amount of the existing revolver.

"Our new facility enables us to retain the full benefit of our $2.9 billion revolver until August 2024, while building on our base $2.1 billion commitment over the next 18 months. The successful transaction is a direct reflection of our strong bank relationships and confidence in our continuing return to strong profitability, which we plan to utilize as a springboard to deleveraging and returning to investment grade," said David Bernstein, Chief Financial Officer.

The new revolver would be unsecured and guaranteed on an unsecured basis by Carnival Corporation, Carnival plc and the same subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee the Existing Revolver. “In connection with entering into the New Revolver, the Company and its subsidiaries will contribute three unencumbered vessels to the Borrower, with each of these vessels continuing to be operated under one of the Company's brands,” Carnival said.

The new revolver was co-coordinated by Bank of America, BNP Paribas and JP Morgan. PJT Partners served as independent financial advisor to Carnival Corporation & plc.