Top Headlines

U.S. Government statement on repatriation of American passengers from the Diamond Princess

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 18 February 2020 18 February 2020

On February 16, the U.S. State Department facilitated the voluntary repatriation of over 300 U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who had been passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Passengers were evaluated by medical personnel from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and all were deemed asymptomatic and fit to fly before being processed for evacuation.

During the evacuation process, after passengers had disembarked the ship and initiated transport to the airport, U.S. officials received notice that 14 passengers, who had been tested 2-3 days earlier, had tested positive for COVID-19. These individuals were moved in the most expeditious and safe manner to a specialized containment area on the evacuation aircraft to isolate them in accordance with standard protocols. After consultation with HHS officials, including experts from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the State Department made the decision to allow the 14 individuals, who were in isolation, separated from other passengers, and continued to be asymptomatic, to remain on the aircraft to complete the evacuation process. During the flights, these individuals will continue to be isolated from the other passengers. These flights departed Japan at approximately 4:30 PM Eastern time on February 16 and will arrive in the United States later this morning. All passengers are being closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the flight, and any who become symptomatic will be moved to the specialized containment area, where they will be treated.

Upon landing in the United States, passengers will deplane at either Travis AFB or Joint Base San Antonio and will remain under quarantine for 14 days. Passengers that develop symptoms in flight and those with positive test results will remain isolated on the flights and will be transported to an appropriate location for continued isolation and care.

Every precaution to ensure proper isolation and community protection measures are being taken, driven by the most up-to-date risk assessments by U.S. health authorities. We continue all possible efforts to protect the welfare of U.S. citizens. We encourage U.S. citizens considering international travel to continue to review State Department Travel Advisories at Travel.State.gov, and to closely monitor and follow the guidance of the CDC and local health authorities.

RCCL says bookings start to soften outside Asia

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 14 February 2020 14 February 2020

The coronavirus outbreak has so far impacted bookings in Asia, but recent indications suggest that a weaker tone is setting in elsewhere as well, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, said in a statement.

“There are still too many variables and uncertainties to make a reasonable forecast for 2020. While the early impact due to concerns about the coronavirus is mainly related to Asia, recent bookings for our broader business have also been softer,” the company said.

“If the travel restrictions and concerns over the outbreak continue for an extended period of time, they could materially impact the company's overall financial performance,” the company warned.

RCCL has cancelled 18 cruises in Asia so far and revised itineraries of a number of others, which it estimates would reduce 2020 earnings per share by up to 6.3%.

A few days earlier, Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping company, had warned that the outbreak would lower its full financial year earnings by share by roughly 13%.

RCCL cuts 2020 EPS forecast by up to 6.3% on coronavirus

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 14 February 2020 14 February 2020

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, has warned the effects of the coronavirus outbreak so far would cut its earnings per share (EPS) by up to 6.3% from its earlier forecast.

“As a result of the travel restrictions in place and related circumstances, the company has now cancelled a total of 18 sailings in Southeast Asia and has also modified several itineraries,” the company said in a statement.

Taken together, the measures taken so far have an estimated impact on the company's financial performance for 2020 of approximately $0.65 per share,.

In its 2019 earnings release that it published earlier this month, RCCL estimated its full year 2020 EPS to reach the range of $10.40 to $10.60

“While not currently planned, if the company was to cancel all of its remaining sailings in Asia through the end of April, it would impact 2020 financial performance by an additional $0.55 per share,” the company said.

Fincantieri delivers Scarlet Lady for Virgin Voyages

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 13 February 2020 13 February 2020

Scarlet Lady, the first of four ships which Virgin Voyages (new cruise operator and a brand part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group), ordered from Fincantieri, was delivered today at the shipyard in Genoa Sestri Ponente.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by the President and CEO of Virgin Voyages Tom McAlpin, by the Governor of the Liguria Region Giovanni Toti, by the Mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci, welcomed by the Chairman of Fincantieri Giampiero Massolo, and its CEO Giuseppe Bono.

Scarlet Lady registers about 110,000 gross tons, is 278 meters long and 38 wide. Virgin Voyages second ship, Valiant Lady, currently under construction in the same yard, will be delivered in 2021, while the third and the fourth units, still unnamed, will set sail respectively in 2022 and 2023. They will all feature over 1,400 guest cabins designed to host more than 2,770 passengers, accompanied by 1,160 crew members on board to deliver the famed Virgin service. The quality of life on board is guaranteed by the "comfort class" certification, testifying minimum levels of noise and vibration, as well as by an extensive use of home automation. Thanks to this, by installing an app on their smartphones, guests are able to manage a wide range of cabin functions (air conditioning, lightening, opening and closing of blinds, music, and television).

The development of Scalet Lady stands out for her design, as well as for the particular attention paid to energy recovery, featuring cutting-edge alternative technologies that reduce the ship’s overall environmental impact. For example, the ship is equipped with an energy production system of approximately 1 MW, which uses the diesel engine’s waste heat. In addition to a scrubber system for the waste management of sulfur dioxides, the new unit is also fitted with a catalytic converter, which reduces nitrogen oxides. “Scarlet Lady” is entirely equipped with led lights to reduce energy consumption, while the hydrodynamic design of the hull provides excellent performance with consequent fuel saving.

Havila Voyages adds two orders at Tulsan

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 13 February 2020 13 February 2020

Havila Voyages, the Norwegian company that wull start operations on the west coast of the country next year, said it has signed a contract with the Turkish shipyard Tersan for the construction of the last two coastal route vessels.

The same builder already has two 15,800 gross ton ships on order from the Norwegian company and the construction of the second batch of two ships would commence in just a few weeks, Havila Voyages said in a statement.

The 468 passenger capacity ships had been planned to be built at the Barreras shipyard in Spain, but the company ran into financial problems and this has led to challenges for Havila Voyages that will affect early operations.

“Two new vessels will be delivered and are scheduled to sail from January 2021. These will give our passengers the most environmentally-friendly voyages along the Norwegian coast. While we wait for the next two vessels, we will use replacement vessels, and provide good and safe transport and meet our customers’ expectations,” CEO of Havila Voyages Arild Myrvoll said in a statement.

From 2021, Havila Voyages will operate four vessels on the voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes on the west coast of the country.