Financial issues related TUI Cruises two newbuildings in Finland solved

Uncertainties related to a financial package agreed in February to ensure completion of the two 97,000 gross ton cruise liners of TUI Cruises at STX Finland have been solved, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy said in a statement.

The ministry, TUI Cruises, STX Finland and other parties related to the project have signed an agreement that will ensure construction time funding of the two ships in Helsinki today.

The Finnish government pays STX Finland a total of €31 million in innovation grant plus purchase price of the site of the Turku shipyard, where the two ships are built. The Finnish government’s exposure to the project will not grow from this.

Finnvera, the state export credit organisation, will have a maximum exposure of €292 million in the project through guarantees.

STX Finland, which is part of Oslo based STX Europe, has suffered from weak workload and problems at group parent STX Shipbuilding & Offshore, which is headquartered in Seoul in South Korea.

Meyer Werft delivers Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of the 146,600 gross ton Norwegian Breakaway from Meyer Werft after a building period of only 18 months. Extensive tests and trials of all systems and intensive training of the crew kept everyone busy in the last weeks prior to the delivery in Bremerhaven.

Norwegian Breakaway is the first of two Breakaway class ships the Papenburg-based shipyard is building for Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Breakaway combines innovative design including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place with three unique decks of dining, entertainment and more, along with the largest aqua park and the largest ropes course at sea, and with the first ever salt room in the luxurious spa. Norwegian Getaway, the sister ship, will launch in Miami on February 1, 2014.

"We are elated to take ownership of this spectacular new vessel Norwegian Breakaway that has so many unique features, world-class entertainment and artfully designed staterooms," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chief Executive Officer. "This is the moment we’ve been waiting patiently. I am so proud of the team at Meyer Werft and at Norwegian who worked tirelessly on our newest and most exciting ship."

Along with its new design, this luxury liner offers guests a multitude of special features and comfort: approximately 75% of the staterooms are outside staterooms, most of them with their own balconies. The ship also includes staterooms designed and priced for solo travellers, con-tinuing the tradition that began on Norwegian Epic, along with The Haven by Norwegian, a top-of-the-ship complex that pampers guests with a range of suites, private restaurant, lounge, covered pool area and sun deck.

"We set out to deliver a ship that would really stand apart and our collaboration with the Norwegian team has been outstanding," said Bernard Meyer, managing partner with Meyer Werft. "It’s quite an accomplishment to build a vessel of this size and calibre in just 18 months."

The latest engine technology, the diesel-electric pod drive system, improved hydrodynamics as well as effective energy saving, heat recovery or ballast water treatment guarantee an eco-logical cruise experience at significantly reduced operating costs. In addition, the ship was designed according to the latest safety regulations. The building of Norwegian Breakaway - with the building number S.678 was supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the federal state of Lower Saxony with an aid for innovation for a ship type design and the first use of innovative components.

Following the handover (April 25), Norwegian Breakaway will leave the port of Bremerhaven in Lower Saxony, heading for Rotterdam. Following several inaugural events, she will start her transatlantic cruise from Southampton to New York, where the naming ceremony will take place. On 12 May 2013 she will head to Bermuda to start her 7-night cruises.

Read more on Breakaway updates as Cruise Business Review will be onboard from Southampton to New York.

RCCL to cut Europe itineraries by another 10% in 2014

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the second largest cruise shipping group in the world, plans to cut itineraries in Europe by another 10% in 2014 on the back of weakness in European economies, the company said in a statement.

“The company recently opened the majority of its 2014 deployment offerings and announced a two-month European summer micro-season for the Oasis of the Seas that complements the vessel’s scheduled maintenance drydock in Rotterdam. Demand for these sailings has been exceptionally strong,” RCCL said in a statement.

“Despite this micro-deployment, the company expects to further reduce its European deployment year-over-year by another 10% and also expects that European itineraries will be approximately 25% of its overall 2014 capacity,’ RCCL said.