TUI Cruises orders second cruise ship from STX Finland

TUI Cruises announced today that the company confirms the order of a second cruise ship from STX Finland. The production of the second ship will start in summer 2013 and it will be delivered from STX Finland's Turku Shipyard in spring 2015.

The sophisticated and highly innovative 99,300 GRT cruise ship will be approx. 294 metres long and approx. 36 metres wide. The ship will have 1,250 staterooms, serve 2,500 passengers and have a crew of 1,000 persons. The cruise ship will have many environmentally friendly features, with a particular emphasis on the vessel's energy efficiency.

"We are extremely pleased that TUI Cruises confirmed the order of the sister ship for magnificent Mein Schiff 3 cruise ship. We have today reached this milestone of production start of the first ship after well performed and intensive basic design phase. After this production start, manning on this project will increase significantly during the coming months to reach the maximum level before summer next year", says Jari Anttila, EVP and COO of STX Finland.

"After being just four years in the business and after successfully putting two ships on the market - Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 - we are proud to proceed with building our first new ship and that way continue the growth of our fleet", says Richard J. Vogel, CEO of TUI Cruises. He continues, "We have been extremely busy with the planning over the past two years, but now things are really starting to move."

RCCL raises note offering to $650 million, coupon 5.25%

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the second largest cruise shipping group in the world, has increased the amount of 10 year senior unsecuted notes it will offer to $650 million from $500 million.

“The Senior Unsecured Notes were priced at 100% of the principal amount, will bear interest at the rate of 5.250% per annum and will mature on November 15, 2022. The Senior Unsecured Notes are expected to be issued on November 7, 2012,” RCCL said, adding that it plans to use the proceeds from the offering to repay amounts outstanding under its unsecured debt facilities.

 

RCCL plans to offer $500 million senior 10 year notes

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the second largest cruise shipping company in the world, said it plans to issue $500 million worth of senior notes that will mature in 2022.

In a document filed with US stock market authorities, the Miami based company had as yet not defined the coupon of the notes nor the price at which they would be offered.

RCCL has indicated that it plans to place an order for third Oasis class vessel of 226,000 gross tons before the end of the year.