News

Costa Serena to become third Costa ship to be based year round in China

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 May 2014 12 May 2014

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company, says that the 114,000 gross ton Costa Serena of its Costa Crociere unit in Italy will deploy year-round in China next year, making Carnival the first global cruise company with four ships based in China, the world's fastest-growing cruise market, which is likely to become the number two source market by 2017.

Carnival will also have the 116,000 gross ton Sapphire Princess of its Princess Cruises brand in the country on a seasonal basis, capitalising on growing consumer demand that is expected to make the country the second largest cruise market in the world by 2017. Costa Serena will be based in Shanghai in April 2015, where it will join Costa Victoria and Costa Atlantica, both already deployed in China. The move will increase Costa's overall capacity in Asia by 74%.

The news comes soon after Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the world's second largest cruise shipping group, said its Royal Caribbean International brand would base the 167,800 gross ton Quantum of the Seas in China from autumn of next year. Star Cruises, which is part of the Genting Hong Kong group, has two 150,000 gross ton newbuildings on order at the Meyer Werft in Germany that will also target Asian passengers and based in the region.

The Costa expansion builds on eight years of successful operations in China and Carnival's surging momentum as the largest operator in the country. In addition to Costa Serena, another Carnival brand, Princess Cruises, will homeport out of Shanghai starting May 21 through Sept. 3, 2014, with Sapphire Princess, providing another unique cruising experience for Chinese travelers. Adding a third ship based in China this year increases Carnival's total 2014 capacity in the country by 66% . "In 2015, with four ships based in China for the first time, Carnival's industry-leading capacity is expected to jump 140% over a two-year period," Carnival said.

"Carnival Corporation (& plc) has for years recognized that Chinese travelers would love the cruising experience, and that is why Costa Cruises was the first global cruise line to commit to sailing from China back in 2006," said Carnival Corporation & plc CEO Arnold Donald.

"We have never been more committed to China as a market of great strategic importance for our company, and with today's news we will be the only global cruise company to have four ships operating out of China. More than that, as the world's largest cruise company with a portfolio of 10 of the world's most celebrated cruise lines, we are very well positioned to continue working with government officials in China to help the country meet its goal of becoming one of the most important cruise markets in the world."

Donald added, "Today's news is another big step in that direction. Chinese travelers love sailing on Costa's Victoria and Atlantica, and we are confident they will also love sailing on Costa Serena and Sapphire Princess. Our team is passionate about delivering a unique experience designed to exceed the expectations of every guest who boards one of our ships."

Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Group, said of today's expansion announcement: "Costa Serena's arrival in China is a monumental occasion for our company, and we're proud to be the first global cruise line to have three ships based in China. As we execute our strategy to accelerate growth in China, which has great market potential, we have the benefit of eight years of experience in China to not only help guide our expansion, but also to find unique ways to surprise and delight our guests as more travelers in China experience 'Italy at Sea' with Costa."

Carnival is investing significantly in China as well as in Asia to take advantage of strong growth opportunities across the region. In addition to investments in China, Carnival is concentrating on growth efforts in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea to maintain and expand its leadership position in Asia. Highlights of Carnival's strong momentum and leadership in the region include:

Viking Ocean Cruises names second and third ships Viking Sea and Viking Sky

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 11 May 2014 11 May 2014

Viking Ocean Cruises, the deep sea cruise operator associated with Vking River cruises, says it has named its second and third ship Viking Sea and Viking Sky, respectively.

“With demand far outpacing availability on Viking Star, we are pleased to announce itineraries for Viking Sea and Viking Sky. More ships mean more possibilities—and we have taken advantage of that by offering exciting new cruises exploring the British Isles, the Baltic, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean—including a new cruise to the North Cape,” the company said in a statement.

“In true Viking style, each of these carefully designed itineraries gets your clients closer to key attractions and introduces them to local people, cultures and traditions they cannot experience with larger ships,” Viking stated.

The ships are on order at Fincantieri in Italy. The 47,000 shiops will have 944 lower berths and deliverieswill start next year,when Viking Star will launch the operations of the company.

RCCL orders fourth Oasis class ship from STX France

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 09 May 2014 09 May 2014

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the world's second largest cruise shipping group, says it it has agreed with STX France to move forward on the order of a fourth Oasis-class ship for delivery in 2018. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard D. Fain and President and Chief Operating Officer Adam Goldstein, along with STX France Chief Executive Officer Laurent Castaing, announced the planned ship order at the keel-laying ceremony for the third Oasis-class ship at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The first two units of the class, Oasis of the Sea and Allure of the Seas, were built at STX Finland. The Frebch yard is responsible for the third and fourth units.

"The Oasis Class was a revolution in maritime design when it was launched in 2009. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas continue to be in a class by themselves both in terms of guest satisfaction and financial returns. Today's announcement is a reflection of their success," saidRichard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We are thrilled to announce the order of a fourth Oasis-class ship during the keel-laying milestone of the third. This announcement is also a testament to the men and women of STX France who have worked so hard and so cooperatively on Oasis III."

The order is subject to documentation and satisfaction of financing and other customary conditions. Projected capital expenditures for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are $1.4 billion,$1.4 billion, $2.2 billion, $0.3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, taking into account this order and existing ship orders.

Known for pushing the boundaries and as part of the cruise line's continuous improvement mantra, Oasis III will be approximately 20 percent more energy efficient than Oasis of the Seasand Allure of the Seas, which already are the most energy efficient cruise ships in the world. The fourth Oasis-class ship will further build on that efficiency.

"We are very excited that Royal Caribbean has agreed to move forward with a fourth Oasis-class ship demonstrating their confidence in STX France to construct the most superior cruise ships in the world," said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, STX France. "We look forward to advancing the efficiencies of our ship building process to produce the most innovative ships that vacationers have come to expect from Royal Caribbean."

The keel laying of the third Oasis-class ship marks an important milestone in the development of the ship, as it signifies the beginning of its physical construction. During the ceremony, a 1,000-ton block measuring 32-ft by 154-ft (10 x 47 meters) was lifted by crane into the building dock. Newly minted coins were placed under the keel and will stay in place there until the end of the ship's construction. Once the ship is near to completion, the coins are retrieved and presented to the ship's Captain and crew to be placed onboard the ship. According to maritime tradition, the coins are said to bring luck to the ship during its construction process and then to its Captain and crew when she is sailing out at sea. Still to be named, the third Oasis-class ship will be delivered in spring 2016.

The third and fourth Oasis-class ships will join Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas – which took the cruise industry by storm with their launch in 2009 and 2010, respectively – and share the title of the largest ships in the world. They feature a revolutionary design with a split superstructure and the cruise line's neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas. At 225,282 gross registered tons and spanning 16 decks with 2,700 staterooms, the Oasis-class ships also introduced extraordinary "firsts" at sea such as an 82 foot-long zip line, a handcrafted carousel, the Rising Tide elevating bar, the AquaTheater high-diving performance venue, and the Central Park with more than 12,000 live trees and plants. The Oasis Class also offers amenities that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, such as twin FlowRider surf simulators, cantilevered whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, the H2O Zone kids aquapark, and the Royal Promenade, an interior boulevard that stretches nearly the length of the ship and flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques, among many others.