Top Headlines

Global Ports Holding wins 25 year concession to operate Nassau Cruise Port

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 29 August 2019 29 August 2019

Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH), the world's largest independent cruise port operator, said that it through Nassau Cruise Port Ltd (NCP) has signed a 25-year port operation and lease agreement with the Government of the Bahamas for the Prince George Wharf and related areas at Nassau cruise port.

NCP is a consortium comprising GPH, the Bahamas Investment Fund and the Yes Foundation. Shares in the Istanbul based GPH that is listed in London soared 10.4% to £3.30 on the news.

Nassau is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, attracting 3.7 million passengers per year with its unique combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage. It is in close proximity to the United States, with the largest cruise port in the world, Miami, within easy cruising distance.

Under the terms of the agreement, GPH will use its global expertise and operating model to manage Nassau Cruise Port. In addition, NCP will invest up to $250 million in expanding the capacity of the port, as well as taking a number of innovative steps to transform the cruise port experience for both the passengers and the local population.

The Nassau Cruise Port project involves the regeneration of the port and local town of Nassau. Through a majority Bahamian-owned public-private partnership (PPP), Global Ports Holding will work to enhance the cruise passenger experience and provide additional business opportunities for the local population.

The project will also see the building of a new terminal building; the creation of an event and entertainment area; investment into improving the current retail facilities; and the design and construction of new food and beverage facilities. It will integrate the port into Bay Street and downtown Nassau, with the expectation that it will act as a catalyst for the wider development of the downtown area. NCP is expected to complete the construction in 24 months.

Following the transformation of Nassau Cruise Port, the new waterfront is envisioned to be an attraction in its own right. The port will become a modern, world-class destination with large open spaces, as well as sufficient shaded areas to enable visitor comfort while being attentive to special needs, elderly passengers and children.

The project will feature improved transportation connections, traffic flow and signage, and will include an intermodal area for bus stops, taxis and parking. The new terminal will also include electric trams to transport passengers from ships to the terminal.

The new retail area will offer a great shopping experience to cruise passengers with the ability to experience Bahamian culture by providing retail space for local artisans and farmers. Underpinning the whole development will be key environmental stewardship considerations.

GPH Chairman and Co-Founder Mehmet Kutman said: "I am delighted that Nassau Cruise Port Ltd has signed a port operation and lease agreement for Prince George Wharf at Nassau Cruise Port. This is a truly historic moment for Global Ports Holding, building on our track record of investment in the Caribbean region. "

GPH CEO, Emre Sayin, said: "We are excited to apply our best practice model to develop the cruise offer in Nassau. Nassau will now become the biggest cruise port in our portfolio, increasing our passenger volumes by 50%. The GPH team very much looks forward to working with our partners, the cruise lines and the people of the Bahamas to reinvigorate the iconic cruise port and to make Nassau a great experience.”

Genting Cruise Lines announces the name of Dream Cruises' first 208,000 gross ton newbuild

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 28 August 2019 28 August 2019

Genting Cruise Lines today officially announced the name of her first 208,000 gross ton Global Class ship at IBTM China, the nation’s largest business travel and MICE show, in Beijing. Building on the successful debuts of Genting Dream, World Dream and Explorer Dream, the Global Class vessel -- Global Dream will enter into service in early 2021 to invite even more Asian travellers to sail globally on inspiring voyages on board the largest cruise ship to homeport in the Asia Pacific.

This event also provided guests the chance to experience an exclusive sneak preview of Global Dream through a specially constructed, full-scale smart show cabin on display during the event as well as to officially launch of the Chinese edition of “The Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships Guide” - the “bible” of the cruise industry.

Among the guests representing government, travel agents and business partners, notable attendees at the event included Guest of Honour, Mr. Song Yu, Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Cao Pengcheng, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Zheng Weihang, Executive Vice President of China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association, who joined Mr. Colin Au, Group President of Genting Hong Kong and Mr. Kent Zhu Fu Ming, President of Genting Cruise Lines for this special occasion.

“Global Dream, the first Global Class ship of Dream Cruises, belongs to a new generation of cruise ships designed for this region featuring the most advanced technology and state-of-the-art facilities. Global Dream will deliver a cutting-edge cruising experience through Artificial Intelligence that will maximize both convenience and speed for our guests on board,” said Mr. Kent Zhu. “To balance the new with the traditional, our guests will also be able to enjoy an authentic Asian experience and our signature heartfelt Asian hospitality on Global Dream, developed through the Genting Group’s over 50 years of experience in the Asian hospitality industry.

During the event, guests were treated to an exclusive sneak preview of Global Dream with the unveiling of a specially constructed balcony show cabin, built in Germany and shipped over for the occasion. Featuring 20 square metres of space, the luxurious Global Class cabins will be the industry’s most spacious staterooms, at approximately 15% larger than standard cabins found on most other cruise lines.

Designed for two guests, the staterooms can also accommodate up to four with a unique two bathroom design to allow several people to get ready at once and a sofa bed that easily unfolds to sleep two comfortably. A thoughtful touch is a privacy curtain that can be closed to divide the room into separate seating and sleeping areas, making the cabins suitable for families and group travellers.

State-of-the-art technology will include Bluetooth locks and a new smart system allowing passengers to control different functions such as the LED mood lighting and climate control with a smartphone app, voice recognition or through a touch-screen control panel. Smart sensors will also be able to detect occupants in the cabin to automatically adjust the lights and temperature for better energy efficiency and triple vent air-conditioning outlets ensure even air distribution for maximum comfort.

The event also served as the official launch of the Chinese edition of the Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Guide 2019. Since the publication of its first edition in 1985, the Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Guide has been meticulously updated every year by cruise expert Douglas Ward, the Guide’s eminent author. The 34th edition of the Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Guide in 2019 contains unbiased reviews and fascinating details on almost 300 ocean-going cruise vessels and grades them on service, food, entertainment and facilities, using an internationally recognised rating system.

“The author is the most feared critic in the business,” said The Times, London and the Berlitz evaluations and ratings – created objectively and independently by the author and his editorial team – have set the standard for the cruise industry and is widely recognized as the bible of the industry.

Global Dream and her sister ship will enter into service in early 2021 and early 2022, joining the current Dream Cruises fleet of three vessels. Both Dream Cruises’ Genting Dream and World Dream have been recognized as two of the top 10 large cruise ships by the Berlitz Guide to Cruising 2019 and are the only two highest-rated cruise ships to be operating in Asia. Dream Cruises’ third ship, Explorer Dream, commenced service this year in Eastern and Northern China and has enjoyed record occupancies. At the end of the year, Explorer Dream will be repositioned to Australia and New Zealand for Asian sourced passengers who are looking to escape the cold northern winter to enjoy summer cruises in the southern hemisphere.

By 2022, Dream Cruises five ship fleet will be the youngest and most modern in the world. As the only global cruise line with all “Made in Germany” cruise ships, Dream Cruises’ fleet will feature the highest safety standards, build quality, speed, power and luxury finishes. Coupled with the Genting Group’s over 50 years of experience in the Asian hospitality industry, Dream Cruises will provide its Asian-sourced guests with the best food, entertainment and service standards on board the finest vessels sailing to all the popular destinations in the world.

The Global Class ships have been designed for the rapidly growing Asian cruise market, which will see the largest increase in the number of middle-income households in the world over the next decade. Innovative new features and facilities on board the ships will include the industry’s most spacious staterooms and most luxurious suites, the first-ever cruise ship theme park featuring the world’s longest roller coaster at sea and the largest cinema at sea with eight theatres to meet the leisure and entertainment needs of travellers and MICE guests. Zouk, the 3rd best club in the world, will also have a presence on Global Dream while Dream Avenue will provide guests with a multi-purpose outdoor leisure and recreational space. The ship will also be equipped with voice and facial recognition technology and self-guided mobile assistants to usher in the future of cruising.

Accommodating up to 9,000 passengers and with lower berth capacity of 4,700 passengers, Global Dream will be the largest cruise ships in the world by passenger capacity and brings affordable, high-end cruising to a wide range of passengers with 2,350 cabins consisting of a variety of categories including villas, penthouses, suites, themed suites, balcony cabins and inside cabins. Global Dream will also feature Dream Cruises’ signature 151-suite luxury “ship-within-a-ship’ concept, “The Palace”.

“Dream Cruises is excited to begin a new chapter in its story when Global Dream begins her journey to take Asian travellers around the world on grand voyages to Australia, New Zealand, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean in the future,” added Mr. Zhu. “We invite everyone to come on board to experience our innovative facilities, thoughtful amenities, impeccable service, authentic Chinese cuisine and the largest variety of Asian and International dining at sea.”

Disney Cruise Line names its fifth ship as Disney Wish

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 25 August 2019 25 August 2019

At the D23 Expo today, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek revealed the highly anticipated name of the fifth Disney Cruise Line ship, as well as a first look at the ship’s elegant, three-story atrium and the iconic Disney character that will adorn the ship’s stern. Chapek and Imagineer Joe Rohde also shared new details about plans for a second island destination for Disney Cruise Line in The Bahamas.

With a little help from Tinker Bell, Disney fans were the first to hear that Disney Wish will be the name of the fifth Disney Cruise Line ship. The Disney Wish is scheduled for delivery in late 2021 and is expected to set sail beginning in January 2022.

“There couldn’t be a better name for our incredible new ship because making wishes come true is part of the Disney DNA and is at the heart of so many of our cherished stories,” Chapek said.

A new rendering provided D23 attendees with a first look at the ship’s bright and airy three-story atrium, inspired by the beauty of an enchanted fairytale.

Stern characters – a beloved hallmark of Disney Cruise Line vessels – have been a tradition of the Disney fleet since the beginning and reflect the theme of each ship. For the Disney Wish, the ship’s stern will feature Rapunzel. Spirited, smart, curious and above all, adventurous, Rapunzel embodies the wish and desire to see and experience the world.

“Each Disney Cruise Line ship is unique, with a name that embodies the excitement of sailing with Disney and the power of our stories. The new ships will have the experiences our guests love, as well as all-new magic,” Chapek added.

The three new ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas and, at approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Disney’s second Bahamas destination – Lighthouse Point

Also at the D23 Expo today, Disney revealed new information and two early conceptual artist renderings for its second island destination in The Bahamas, which is located on the breathtaking island of Eleuthera at a place called Lighthouse Point.

“With three new ships joining our fleet, we thought this would be an incredible opportunity to add another unique destination to our ports of call. We looked all over The Bahamas and Caribbean for an ideal location that would enable us to create new experiences, while celebrating the culture of this amazing region,” Chapek said.

Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, whose work includes the design of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in Orlando and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, has embarked on an in-depth cultural tour of the Bahamas to meet with local artists and cultural experts. Together, they have explored arts and cultural sites across New Providence and Eleuthera, from Junkanoo shacks to noted art galleries.

“The Lighthouse Point site is so beautiful and so full of nature that we want to preserve this and use our designs to call attention to the extraordinary quality of the place itself – a place of natural beauty with a rich and fascinating cultural tradition,” Rohde said. “We will be directly involved in conservation efforts to preserve and protect the environment that creates this beauty, and we will be working with artists of every kind, much like we did with Aulani in Hawaii, to create a unique destination that is rooted in Bahamian culture and imbued with Disney magic.”

Disney Cruise Line completed its purchase of privately owned Lighthouse Point earlier this year and signed an agreement with the Government of The Bahamas that guides the responsible and sustainable way the site will be developed.

Disney has committed to develop less than 20 percent of the property; employ sustainable building practices, including an open-trestle pier that eliminates the need to dredge a ship channel; establish environmental monitoring programs during construction and operation; and donate more than 190 acres of privately owned land to Government, among other commitments.

Through the Disney Conservation Fund, Disney has provided more than $13 million to marine conservation programs around the globe, including several in The Bahamas. Since 2007, Disney has been directly involved in leading a multiyear initiative to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs in The Bahamas and will continue to work with leading conservation organizations and communities to protect special places there.

Construction at Lighthouse Point will begin only after an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan are reviewed and accepted by the Government of The Bahamas and public consultation has occurred. Construction could begin in 2020 with completion in late 2022 or 2023.

Hurtigruten to upgrade three ships to hybrid power in expedition ship conversion

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 19 August 2019 19 August 2019

Hurtigruten, the Norwegian coastal express ferry and expedition cruise ship operator, is to convert three ships to hybrid powered expedition cruise ships.

The company will from next year share the coastal express route between Bergen and Kirkenes with Havila Kystruten, a new company in the Havila group, which is building four 15,800 gross ton ships for this service, They are all due to enter service in 2020.

The Trollfjord, Finnmarken and Midnatsol will undergo a major refit that will, in addition to technical areas, include cabins and public spaces. All three will also be renamed. The company has not stated where the work would be done. It owns the Kleven shipyard, which is building expedition ships for it.

Otto Sverdrup, the present day Finnmarken, will have battery packs installed during a 2020 yard stay, with a letter of intent for the same battery installation on Maud (today Trollfjordand Eirik Raude (presently Midantsol) in 2021. The battery packs will support the ships engines, and drastically cut emissions.

The three ships will also be equipped for shore power, to cut emissions to zero when docked in ports with shore power facilities.

In addition, the three ships will get substantially upgraded low-emission engines, complying with all known and upcoming regulations (Tier3).

All cabins and suites will be renovated. This are the first sketches of the brand new corner-suites at the front of the top deck on board Maud and Eirik Raude.

Through the three single largest upgrade projects in Hurtigruten’s more than 125 years of history, the ships will be transformed into premium expedition cruise ships, carrying a maximum of 530 guests. This is the same as the capacity of the recently introduced expedition cruise ship newbuilding Roald Amundsen and its sister vessel Fridtjof Nansen, which is under construction at the Kleven shipyard in Norway.

The keel-to-mast upgrades will introduce several new features and venues on the ships. Some highlights include:

Using natural Scandinavian materials such as granite, oak, birch and wool, all public areas on Maud, Otto Sverdrup and Eirik Raude will be redesigned to create a relaxed and stylish look and feel, and add to the premium on-board experience.

A specially designed Expedition Launch – the tender pit area where guests embark on their on their excursions and off-ship adventures – will be added to all ships, complete with tender boats and other expedition equipment.

All cabins and suites will be completely refurbished, and new suites with spectacular views added to all three ships.

Hurtigruten’s signature Science Center will be added to the three ships. Packed with state-of-the-art technology and high-tech gadgets such as touch screens, science equipment and other interactive features, the edutainment area will also be the on-board HQ for the ship’s Expedition Team.

A brand new wellness-area, complete with gym, lounge and treatment rooms, will be built. The pool area (Otto Sverdrup) and outdoor hot tub areas (Maud and Eirik Raude) will be fully upgraded.

Three brand new restaurants will be added, matching Hurtigruten’s new restaurant concepts for the growing fleet of expedition cruise ships: The main restaurants will be transformed to Restaurant Aune (pictured above), Hurtigruten’s new expedition cruise main restaurant concept.

Aune will be social and informal with the use of natural elements in design and interiors, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner based on a Scandinavian identity.

Restaurant Lindstrøm a specialty restaurant named after the favourite chef of the Norwegian polar heroes, will be added. Lindstrøm will be an upper premium fine dining restaurant with strong roots in traditional Norwegian cooking that are contrasted with modern cuisine.

The informal eatery Fredheim, named after a legendary 1920s hunting station in Svalbard that sheltered adventurers from around the world. In addition, a new outdoor grill venue will be added outdoor on the top decks.

The ships’ extensive art collections will be preserved.

Norwegian Encore floated out from the building dock at Meyer Werft

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 18 August 2019 18 August 2019

Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship, Norwegian Encore, has successfully completed a major construction milestone, when it emerged for the first time from the Meyer Werft ship building dock in Papenburg, Germany.

Norwegian Encore will remain in the shipyard port for the final phase of construction, before her conveyance up the Ems River and towards the North Sea at the end of September. At nearly 1,100 feet long, with a gross tonnage of almost 170,000 and a guest capacity of 3,998, the ship will be delivered to the cruise line on Oct. 30, 2019. She will be christened in Miami on Nov. 21, 2019 and will commence seven-day voyages to the Caribbean on Nov. 24, 2019.

“To see the ship emerge from the shipyard is always one of the most exciting construction milestones,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Our partners at Meyer Werft have been committed to our vision for not only Norwegian Encore, but for this industry leading class of ships, supporting our dedication to delivering our guests the best cruise vacation at sea.”

Taking the brand’s exclusive, stand-out attractions to the next level, Norwegian Encore will feature the world’s longest race track at sea at 1,100 feet with four high-speed curves extending up to 13 feet over the side of the ship; the largest outdoor laser tag arena at nearly 10,000 square feet with the addition of augmented reality elements; and new immersive escape room and interactive theatre experiences in the 10,000-square-foot Galaxy Pavilion.

In addition to featuring many of the highly rated restaurants and lounges that have made the Breakaway Plus class one of the most innovative and successful in the company’s history, Norwegian Encore will debut a new elevated Italian dining experience, Onda by Scarpetta, in collaboration with LDV Hospitality. The Tony Award-winning musical, “Kinky Boots” will headline the world-class entertainment on board, with returning guest favorites “The Choir of Man,” “Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical” and the rocking Beatles cover band of The Cavern Club.

Launching this fall, Norwegian Encore will offer seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami beginning Nov. 24, 2019; Bermuda, and Canada and New England itineraries from New York City beginning Apr. 22, 2020; voyages to the Western Caribbean from Miami beginning Dec. 12, 2020; and in the spring of 2021 will make her West Coast debut and sail to Alaska from Seattle.

[Norwegian Encore will be featured in Winter 2019/2020 issue of CruiseBusiness.com Magazine]