TUI Cruises may order more ships, enter UK market

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 21 May 2014 21 May 2014

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium cruise market operator jointly owned by TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited (RCCL), may order more ships and enter the UK source market, TUI AG said in a statement.

“Further fleet growth is conceivable to achieve the planned internationalisation of TUI Cruises within the TUI Group, in particular through a potential entry into source market UK. The Group is currently evaluating long-term options for an expansion of its fleet. However, here, too, capital discipline remains the priority,” TUI said in a statement.

TUI Cruises has two ships in service and two 99,300 gross ton newbuildings on order at STX Finland in Turku. The first one is due to enter service shortly and the second in the spring of 2015. They all cater for the German spaking market.

Thomson Cruises, which is part of the London based TUI travel plc group in which TUI Ag is the biggest shareholder, operates five ships on the British market.

“TUI is assessing the outlook for the cruises business as particularly positive. The Executive Board of TUI AG is confident that the Sector will achieve the turnaround by the end of the financial year. Following the commissioning of the third vessel by TUI Cruises in June 2014, Mein Schiff 4 is to be delivered in 2015, as scheduled,” TUI said.

TUI Cruises has been highly profitable, whereas the destinational to luxury brand Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten has experienced difficult times.

Norwegian Cruise Line investing $250 million for fleet enhancement program

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 20 May 2014 20 May 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it is investing more than $250 million in "Norwegian NEXT," a program focused on bringing "new enhancements, experiences and transformations" across the fleet, with the goal of elevating the guest experience and building on the success of the line's two new ships: Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway.
Norwegian NEXT encompasses ship revitalizations, dining enhancements, new experiences in entertainment and guest activities, along with innovations in technology, new tropical destinations and the line's continued commitment to the environment. Through 2015, the company has plans to revitalize a number of vessels, including Norwegian Jewel, which just re-entered service following dry dock, along with Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Spirit, which were also recently refurbished.

"The youngest fleet at sea continues to get even better with our robust enhancement program taking place over the next two years," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "We want to continue to provide fresh and relevant experiences to our guests every time they sail with us. We are investing significantly in making sure that our guests have the vacation of a lifetime and fully experience what it means to Cruise like a Norwegian."

Norwegian reinvented the dining experience at sea with the line's Freestyle Dining concept, which it is taking to the NEXT level with the introduction of new menus in complimentary dining rooms and Garden Cafes that offer more variety and choice, including numerous new dishes crafted by expert chefs using the finest ingredients. New food and beverage venues are also being introduced across the fleet. Norwegian Jewel is the first to be retrofitted with the popular, complimentary dining venue, O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill. The line is also adding the Sugarcane Mojito Bar, first introduced on Norwegian Getaway, to Norwegian Jewel, adjacent to the new location of the Moderno Churrascaria restaurant. In addition, treats from the wildly popular Carlo's Bake Shop by Buddy Valastro, star of TLC's Cake Boss and Next Great Baker, will be featured on all ships.

Along with dining, Norwegian is also making enhancements to its beverage program. A partnership with the world-renowned Michael Mondavi Family has already introduced a new wine menu across the fleet and the family is curating wine concepts for Norwegian's upcoming new ships. A new destination-based handcrafted beverage program, developed in partnership with James Beard Award-nominated mixologist Gabriel Orta of Miami-based Bar Lab Cocktails, is bringing guests seasonal specialty cocktails with a local twist. There will also be further fleet wide beverage training of bartenders, wine stewards and restaurant managers, providing guests with an even more knowledgeable staff to further enhance the dining experience onboard.

Norwegian is an innovator in entertainment and there are a wide range of new guest activities that will be introduced across the fleet. The line's exciting new H2GLOW Party, first introduced on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, will also be rolled out fleet wide. Speaking to the quality of entertainment on board, the line is producing a series of new shows at its recently opened 45,000 square foot rehearsal facility, Norwegian Creative Studios, in Tampa, Florida. From soaring acrobats in "Elements," to the 15-foot revolving showgirl staircase in "Paradis" to rocking out with the full rock band in "Rock of Ages," Norwegian's award-winning entertainment will be customized for every ship and itinerary with line-ups that will constantly stay fresh. With a focus on family, Norwegian's five ships that feature exclusive Nickelodeon entertainment will offer new activities, dining experiences, and more ways to interact with Nickelodeon favorites like SpongeBob SquarePants.

The line is focused on introducing advanced technologies and innovations that bring more freedom and flexibility to its guests' cruise vacation from start to finish. Enhanced pre-cruise planning experiences give guests the opportunity to easily design their vacation. Once on board, there is wireless internet access from bow to stern along with interactive digital displays that are being added fleet wide. These touch screen signs will allow guests to order specialty items, get directions and reserve dining and shore excursions simply with a scan of their stateroom key. Guests can also take advantage of Norwegian's groundbreaking iConcierge mobile application to manage their cruise experience and stay in touch with fellow cruisers and family at home.

The line is also making a substantial effort to reduce its impact on the environment through its Eco-Smart Cruising programs and will install exhaust gas scrubbers on six ships, in addition to those that are already being fitted on Pride of America and the company's two new builds, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss.

Enhancements continue on the line's private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, with the opening of the Bacardi Bar. In addition, the line is developing a new eco-friendly cruise destination, Harvest Caye, in southern Belize. The 75-acre experience is planned to open in fall 2015 and will offer guests the option to take shore excursions on the mainland or enjoy the authentic shopping village, water sports or relaxing beach area on the island.