News

RCCL orders fifth Edge class ship for Celebrity Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 11 April 2019 11 April 2019

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, said it has entered into an agreement with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique to order a fifth Edge-class ship for delivery in the fall of 2024.

"Edge class made an immediate hit with Celebrity Cruises guests and is a state-of-the-art example of technical excellence and elegant design," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, RCCL. "We can't wait to build the next one."

"Celebrity Edge has delighted our guests and affirmed Celebrity Cruises as the leading modern luxury brand. Chantiers de l'Atlantique has been a brilliant partner and we look forward to creating another amazing vessel with them," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises.

"We are really proud and happy to have built such an outstanding relationship with our customer, based on mutual trust and driven by the spirit of innovation," said Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l'Atlantique. "After the four Millennium-class ships at the beginning of 2000's and the four Edge-class ships, this is the ninth ship ordered by Celebrity Cruises at our shipyard and it will be the 24th vessel built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and operated by RCCL. This is a real testimony of the exceptional level of cooperation we reached together."

Celebrity Edge was delivered in 2018. Three other Edge-class ships were ordered earlier and are scheduled for delivery in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This new order is contingent upon financing.

RCCL is a global cruise vacation company that controls and operates four global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises and Silversea Cruises. We are also a 50% joint venture owner of the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49% shareholder in the Spanish brand Pullmantur Cruceros. Together these brands operate a combined total of 61 ships with an additional 15 on order as of March 31, 2019. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on all seven continents.

Global cruise market grew 5.3% to 28.2 million passengers 2018 – CLIA

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 10 April 2019 10 April 2019

The number of cruise passengers worldwide rose by 5.3% to 28.2 million last year, slightly less than the 5.9% increase in the previous year, figures published by CLIA show.

The organisation is forecasting that the pace of growth would accelerate slightly, to 6.0% this year and that a total of 30 million passengers would cruise in 2019.

Passengers want experiences, not sight seeing, work and use smart technology onboard - CLIA

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 10 April 2019 10 April 2019

The cruise industry is experiencing a range of changes in what passengers expect from their holiday and many of these changes are driven by new information technology, CLIA said in its 2019 State of the Industry Report.

People want to work onboard ships, post photos of their experience on platforms such as Instagram and utilise smart technology onboard ships.

In addition, sight seeing is no longer enough when it comes to excursion ashore for many, but instead want experiences like hiking to Macchu Picchu. This is most evident with Generation Z, which likes genuine experiences overmaterial matters, the report said.

CLIA listed 10 consumer trends that affect the cruise industry at the moment:

“Instagram photos are driving interest in travel around the world. With onboard connectivity, cruise passengers are filling Instagram feeds with diverse travel experiences both onboard and on land from several cruise destinations.

Stressed out from fast-paced lives, travelers are seeking ways to check out from daily responsibilities and rejuvenate more than ever before. Cruise lines are responding by offering total wellness in the form of restorative spa experiences, onboard oxygen bars, healthy menu choices for a wide variety of diets, and the latest in fitness innovations.

Experiential travel has evolved into achievement travel as vacationers are looking for experiences beyond sightseeing. Bucket lists have become goal demands. Passengers can conquer Machu Picchu or complete culinary workshops hosted by Le Cordon Bleu chefs.

Travelers use tech in daily lives and are expecting smart tech when vacationing as well. Cruise lines have adopted technology for cruise travelers, including key chains, necklaces, bracelets, apps and in order to provide a highly personalized travel experience more while on and off the ship.

Travelers want to see the world in a conscious, mindful way. The cruise industry is more conscientious than ever, working to local destinations to local cultures, landmarks and minimize environmental footprints.

Travelers are setting sights on destinations that were previously out of reach – some only accessible now by cruise ship – from the Galapagos Islands to Antarctica.

Generation Z is set to become the largest consumer generation by the year 2020—outpacing even Millennials. This generation like the one before, prefers experiences over material items and is seeking out travel. The appeal of multiple destinations and unique experiences, such as music festivals at sea, is attracting this new category of cruisers.

The off-peak season is rising in popularity whether travelers want to escape the cold in a tropical locale or embrace the chill in a new destination. Cruising offers some once in a lifetime experiences during colder months including excursions to see the Northern Lights, visiting a penguin colony and touring European Christmas markets.

Combining work with leisure time is on the rise. Straying far from the notion of device-free travel, many modern travelers or “digital nomads” are opting for trips where they can work remotely which cuts down on time off and lost wages. With WiFi, desks and work-friendly cafes, travelers can keep up with work while enjoying a cruise vacation.

With the number of female travelers growing, many tourism and travel companies are creating female-centered itineraries based on interests and connecting women with other women. Female- centered cruises can create a female empowerment community at sea while allowing travelers to experience the world around them, as well as famous feminist landmarks.

With more Google searches for “solo travel” and “traveling alone” than ever before, solo traveling is rising in popularity. Cruising allows for solo travel without the worry of arranging a ton of details while visiting even the most far-reaching destinations and connecting with other travelers, forming community bonds and once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” CLIA said.