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Keel of first Virgin Voyages’ “Lady Ship” laid in Genoa

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 31 October 2017 31 October 2017

The keel of the first of three 110,000 gross ton cruise ships for virgin Voyages, which is part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group in London, was laid in Genoa on 31 October.

To be known as “Lady Ships,” the trio will feature silver grey hulls and cater for adults only. The company will call its passengers sailors and cabins with balconies sea terraces.

Tom McAlpin, CEO,  shared specifics on the Virgin Voyages design philosophy and experience. “The entire ship will be built with an attention to detail, reflecting the craftsmanship and materiality inspired by super yachts. Designed to feel more intimate and connected to the sea, 86 percent of all cabins will feature a sea terrace and 93 percent an ocean view. Virgin Voyages is creating a sophisticated ship and a transformational experience that offers our sailors a place where rejuvenating day-life meets exciting nightlife and everything in between.”

In a bold and unique move for the industry, McAlpin then gave details that the first ship’s experience will be “Adult By Design” – meaning that sailors must be at least 18 or older to sail. The decision was driven by feedback from future sailors and travel professionals, who are looking for a more elevated and premium experience, with a few Virgin style surprises.

The world also got its first glimpse of the ship’s distinct livery, which will feature a sleek silvery-grey hull, with smoked glass, and of course, distinctive touches of red. The livery was conceptualized by Ben Christie and David Azurdia from the multi-award-winning Magpie Studio in London. RWD from Beaulieu England, who are leaders in super yacht design, created the iconic red Virgin funnel of the vessel.

The ships are on order at the Sestri Ponente yard of Fincantieri.

 

Meyer Werft delivers World Dream

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 26 October 2017 26 October 2017

Today, October 26 in Bremerhaven, Meyer Werft handed over the new cruise vessel World Dream to the Asian shipping company Dream Cruises, subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong. Together with the new design, this cruise ship offers passengers a wide range of special features and comfort. About 75% of the cabins are outer cabins and most of these have their own private balcony.

The new ship for Dream Cruises has a capacity for 3376 passengers with a dimension of 151,300 gross tons. The ship is 335 meters long, 39.7 meters wide and can reach a speed of more than 23 knots. This cruise ship also carries a small deep sea submarine that can take four guests down to a depth of up to 200 metres. There is also a motorboat which can be booked for excursions.

Entertainment on the ship is guaranteed state-of-the-art thanks to an interactive communication system and extensive stage equipment. Most modern marine engines as well as numerous energy saving measures are reducing operating costs. The ship has also been designed and built according to the latest safety regulations. World Dream offers 35 restaurants and bars; various entertainment facilities such as theatres, a ropes course as well as plenty of space for other outdoor activities and a large range of virtual reality applications.

“This is our 44th cruise ship we delivered. Our team made a great job. I am proud and thankful for their contribution”, said Tim Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft.

The new cruise ship has been designed for the rapidly growing Asian cruise market.

After being handed over to the cruise company in Bremerhaven, World Dream will set sail to some of the loveliest destinations in Asia where it will offer cruises for two, five and seven nights. Sailing from Hong Kong, it will cruise through spectacular regions in Vietnam and China.

"On the World Dream with yard number S. 712 was promoted the first time application of innovative components with innovation aid of the Federal Ministry for Economy and energy (BMWi) and the country Lower Saxony."

Edie Rodriguez joins Ponant for a newly-created executive role

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 23 October 2017 23 October 2017

Ponant, the only French-owned cruise line and the world leader in luxury expeditions, has welcomed Luxury Cruise Industry Expert Edie Rodriguez as its new Americas Brand Chairman and Corporate Special Advisor.

Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of Ponant and Navin Sawhney, CEO of Ponant Americas are pleased to announce that Edie Rodriguez is joining the Ponant team. Edie Rodriguez, former CEO and President of Crystal, will be responsible for increasing Ponant’s brand awareness in the Americas, especially with professional networks including travel agencies, media, influencers, and prospective passengers. With her more than 30 years of experience in the cruise industry, she will act as a Corporate Advisor for the company.

Navin Sawhney, CEO of Ponant Americas said: “For the last several years now, Ponant has been building a solid strategy for the American market and has the means to achieve its objectives. Given our strong ambitions and the real potential of this market, I am happy to see our team strengthened by the arrival of Edie Rodriguez”

Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of Ponant said: “With two great seasoned Cruise Industry Experts like Navin and Edie in our team, I’m convinced that Ponant in the USA will achieve its full capability in terms of market share. Ponant should not only be known as a French luxury expedition cruise line, but for what we really are: The World Leader in Luxury Expeditions and the Best Cultural International Cruise line with that special French touch!”

Edie Rodriguez: “I have known Ponant for the last 10 years as they have led the global expedition cruise industry expansion and I have always thought that their ships are perfectly appointed to deliver an unmatched cruise experience. I am proud to help the Ponant brand achieve recognition and realize its ambitions for growth in USA and the Americas at the level it deserves. As well, the passion of Ponant’s founder, coupled with the strength in the global Luxury marketplace of their ownership ensures the brand’s success going forward.”

In her role as the new Ponant Americas Brand Chairman and Corporate Special Advisor, Edie Rodriguez has been hired to represent Ponant Americas and help to increase brand awareness and sales growth, as well as working with Ponant’s corporate headquarter teams on several new projects. Navin Sawhney, as CEO of Ponant Americas, is responsible for company P&L, strategy definition and implementation.

Corrected - Carnival’s rumoured three ship order at Meyer Turku could accelerate removal of ageing ships

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 16 October 2017 16 October 2017

Finnish news sources have said that Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, is in talks with Meyer Turku shipyard for three newbuildings. Should this happen, it could accelerate removal of older ships from the Carnival group fleet and demolition of old units worldwide, said Robin Farley, leisure industry analyst at UBS in new York.

The US-UK group currently has four (not three as stated earlier) 184,000 gross ton ships on order at the yard and the rumoured fresh orders that neither party has confirmed or denied, would likely be delivered in 2024-26

Withdrawal rate of older tonnage is likely to accelerate, which will bring down increases when netted against ship deliveries. Industry capacity that is at least 35 years old will go from 3,700 berths in 2016 to 10,000 by 2020, which will likely lead to higher withdrawals.

Carnival recently took a write down of about $400 million of some assets, which Farley believes may prepare them for sale to a secondary market, which could ultimately represent between 1% and 2% of North American capacity

“We think there are further opportunities for capacity to be laid up in secondary markets, as there are ships in the European discount cruise market that were built in the 1980s that if ultimately replaced by older tonnage sold out of North America could represent more than about 3% of North American supply today,” she said.

“The timing of this potential new order highlights a key point in understanding cruise supply trends: it doesn't matter that order books today are at record levels, because ships are being ordered further in advance than historically, so what matters is when they are delivered, and gross capacity in North America is set to grow on average of 5% over next two years, in line with 10 year CAGR of +5%,” she said in a research note.

Typically, a ship with 3,000 to 4,000 berths delivered mid-year could add roughly 40bps of North American capacity increase annually for 2024-2026.

“While capacity is historically a concern for investors, we believe there is some misunderstanding in the marketplace about the rate of supply growth, the rate of supply removal, and the historic rate of demand growth in cruising. See for more detail here on three key main points: (1) Supply growth is in line with historic rates; (2) Withdrawal rate of older tonnage is likely to accelerate, which will lower growth when netted against ship deliveries; (3) Demand growth also matters, not just supply growth,” Farley noted

Capacity growth will seem to "accelerate" in 2018 over 2017 before decelerating back down in 2019, but 2018-19 it is set to grow on average at 5%, in line with 10 year average.