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Cruise News

05 Feb 2024

Cruise Passenger Numbers Rebound at Port of New Orleans

(Photo: Port NOLA)

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) reports its cruise passenger numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels. The port said Monday that it finished calendar year 2023 with nearly 1.2 million cruise passenger movements and renewed commitments to the New Orleans cruise market from both oceangoing and river cruise lines.“The cruise business has rebounded in New Orleans and cruise line partners are confident in our Port NOLA cruise market,” said Port NOLA president and CEO Brandy D. Christian.

12 Feb 2024

Royal Caribbean Upbeat on 2024 Profit

© Roberto Sorin / Adobe Stock

Royal Caribbean Group projected 2024 profit above Wall Street expectations after robust demand for cruise vacations and steeper ticket prices helped it beat fourth-quarter earnings estimates on Thursday.With travelers opting for cruises instead of more expensive land-based vacation options, operators are experiencing record levels of bookings compared to pre-pandemic levels, giving them enough room to mark up ticket prices."2023 was an exceptional year, propelled by unmatched demand for our brands from new and loyal guests…

26 Jan 2024

Carnival Flags Impact to Operations Amid Red Sea Tensions

© icholakov / Adobe Stock

Cruise operator Carnival on Friday joined the growing list of companies flagging a potential hit to their operations following attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis."We believe that the instability in the Red Sea region currently impacting shipping could have an impact on our results of operations," Carnival said in a regulatory filing.The company's U.S.-listed shares fell nearly 2% in morning trade.The attacks, which the Houthis say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza…

14 Jan 2024

HX Appoints New CCO

Alex Delamere-White courtesy of HX

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has announced Alex Delamere-White’s official appointment as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), following six months as acting interim CCO.Based out of the new HX HQ in London, Delamere-White will bring the global functions under one leadership model to further fuel HX’s long-term growth plans, including newly evolved roles for Nathaniel Sherborne and Jim Sayer. Sayer is appointed to SVP Global Marketing bringing together the global marketing functions under his leadership.

15 Dec 2023

Steel Cut on Seventh SunStone Infinity Cruise Ship

Image courtesy Sunstone

The steel cutting ceremony for the seventh and final vessel in the Infinity series of expedition cruise ships took place at the Haimen shipyard of China Merchants Heavy Industries (CMHI).The PC6 expedition cruise ship, yet to be named, will embark on a long-term charter upon its delivery, the ship is technically identical to the rest of the Infinity vessels.The Infinity-class newbuilds, featuring up to 95 passenger cabins, each equipped with bathrooms and most with balconies, promise an immersive and comfortable experience for travellers.

19 Oct 2023

Shell Supplying LNG Fuel for MSC Cruise Ships

(Photo: Shell Marine)

Shell LNG has completed the first bunkering of MSC Euribia in Rotterdam, under the agreement with MSC Cruises S.A for Shell Western LNG B.V. (Shell) to provide marine fuels for the line’s second LNG powered newbuild. MSC Euribia is currently operating in northern Europe.This new agreement is in addition to the ongoing cooperation between MSC Cruises and Shell toward achieving broader shared decarbonization objectives, a collaboration which has been in place since 2021.Shell said both companies see LNG as an important lever in supporting their ambition for net-zero emissions by 2050.

16 Oct 2023

Wasaline RoPax to Burn Biogas Fuel on Fridays

(Photo: Wasaline)

Finnish shipping company Wasaline announced it has started operating with certified biogas one day a week from October 13, in preparation for the EU emissions trading system that will come into force next year.The company, which operates the route connecting Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden, said it will use certified biogas aboard its ro-pax vessel Aurora Botnia for all Friday departures through December 22 as part of its “Green Fridays” pilot project.Biogas is more expensive than liquefied natural gas (LNG)…

22 Jul 2023

Amsterdam Moves to Ban Cruise Ships

© NAN / Adobe Stock

Amsterdam took a first step toward banning large cruise liners under broader plans to reduce mass tourism and pollution, officials said on Friday.Once implemented, the measures adopted by the city council would bring the Dutch capital into line with other high-profile European cities, including Barcelona, Dubrovnik and Venice, that have already cut cruise liner numbers or are considering doing so.The council approved the proposed ban on Thursday. "The motivation ... was to reduce the number of tourists…

26 Jun 2023

Canada Clamps Down on Cruise Liners Dumping Sewage

© aquamarine4 / Adobe Stock

Canada on Friday banned cruise ships from dumping sewage and dirty water close to shore, and said it would impose fines of up to C$250,000 ($190,000) for offending vessels.A range of anti-pollution measures introduced on a voluntary basis in April 2022 will become obligatory with immediate effect, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a statement.Environmental groups said Ottawa had ignored the largest source of liquid pollution from cruise ships: the water used to clean exhaust gas cleaning systems…

19 Jun 2023

Fincantieri Wins $436m Four Season Yachts Ship Order

Launch of MSC Seaview, built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, 2018. Copyright maudanros/AdobeStock

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri said on Monday it had signed a contract worth more than $436 million to deliver a second luxury vessel for Four Seasons Yachts. Fincantieri had won a first order from Four Season Yachts last year."Today's result also bears witness to the start of the orders recovery for the sector, at the same time reinforcing Fincantieri's leadership in the new extra-luxury segment based on haute hotellerie," Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said in a statement.Four Seasons Yachts…

08 May 2023

Meyer Turku Increased Turnover in 2022

Icon of the Seas under construction at Meyer Turku shipyard © Finmiki / Adobe Stock

Meyer Turku Group has published its 2022 financial results indicating a positive turnaround on the previous year.The Group’s turnover was 1.30 billion euros, up about 200 million euros on 2021. The loss for the financial year was 15.6 million euros, which was less than the previous year's 17 million euros.Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer comments on the result: "During 2022, we were particularly affected by the difficult availability of materials and overall increased costs, especially on materials and financing.

05 Apr 2023

Power Play: Innovative Mobile Device Connects Vessels to Shoreside Electricity

(Photo: Watts Marine)

Mobile Cable Positioning Devices can quickly accommodate vessels of many sizes and shapes, making shore power available almost immediately, a boon to the industry’s ambitious decarbonization goalsOne of the keys to reaching Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) target of net-zero carbon cruising globally by 2050 is switching from diesel burning engines to shoreside electricity while in port. Although the technology can significantly reduce emissions to address climate change and improve air quality…

17 Feb 2023

Stena Line Inks Deal to Operate Birkenhead Terminal Until 2100

(Photo: Stena Line)

One of Europe’s largest ferry route and port operators, Stena Line, said it has signed a new deal with U.K. port operator Peel Ports to operate its 12 Quays port and ferry terminal in Birkenhead until the beginning of the 22nd Century. The Swedish company has operated twice daily ferry services to Belfast since 2011 and this new deal will see them continue to operate there for at least another 77 years, until 2100.The value of the deal has not been disclosed.Stena Line operates six routes and 12 vessels across the region and Birkenhead has been a key focus for investment in recent years.

16 Feb 2023

PortMiami to Get World’s Largest Shore Power System

© dbvirago / Adobe Stock

The world's top passenger port is installing a network shore power systems for cruise ships that, once completed, will be the largest of its kind globally.PowerCon said it has been tapped as a subcontractor to deliver five systems that will supply shore power for cruise ships at PortMiami's V (Virgin), F (Carnival), A (Royal Caribbean), B (Norwegian Cruise Line) and MSC Cruise Line terminals.The Denmark-based engineering and manufacturing company said it has established a local subsidiary…

20 Jan 2023

First Cruise Ships Tap Shore Power at Port of San Diego

(Photo; Port of San Diego)

On January 13, two cruise ships plugged into the newly completed shore power expansion at the Port of San Diego cruise ship terminal for the first time – a doubling of the previous capacity.The Disney Wonder and the Insignia were able to simultaneously use shore power rather than running their diesel engines while at berth. Previously, only one cruise vessel could plug in.The recent addition of the new station along with the initial one installed in 2010 make it possible for the…

01 Jun 2022

Anglo-Eastern Signs Agreement to acquire CMI

Image courtest Anglo-Eastern Univan Group & CMI

Anglo-Eastern Univan Group and the shareholders of Cruise Management International and CMI Leisure Management have signed a letter of intent regarding the sale of CMI to Anglo-Eastern. The move effectively opens up a new sector—expedition cruising—for Anglo Eastern's ship management operations. The sale and purchase are expected to be finalized in July 2022, following the standard due diligence. CMI will continue to be based in Miami, from where the group’s companies will maintain their business and operations.

12 May 2022

Fincantieri Delivers Viking Mars Cruise Ship to Viking

Viking Mars - Credit: Fincantieri

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has delivered the ocean cruise ship Viking Mars to the shipowner Viking. The ship was delivered on Thursday at the shipyard in Ancona.The 227 meters long Viking Mars will be placed in the small cruise ship segment. Like its sister ships, the Viking Mars is about 47,800 tons, 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers."Viking Mars”, the eighth of this class, has been designed by experienced naval architects and engineers, including an interior design team of Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios and London-based SMC Design…

06 May 2022

Royal Caribbean Flags Slow Summer Demand in Europe as Ukraine Crisis Weighs

Credit: Phuong

Royal Caribbean Group on Thursday flagged slow summer demand for European cruises due to the Ukraine crisis, after a dull first quarter as it reeled under a resurgence in COVID infections in some parts of the world.Shares of the cruise operator fell about 5% to $73.87 after Royal Caribbean Group said higher fuel and food costs, spurred by inflationary and supply chain-related challenges, are expected to weigh on 2022 earnings.The company said while bookings for Europe sailings improved throughout the first quarter, they slowed following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in late February.

03 May 2022

Cruise Line Azamara Adds New Vessel to Its Fleet

Credit: Azamara

Cruise line Azamara has officially added Azamara Onward vessel to its now four-ship fleet on Tuesday, following a festive naming ceremony in Monte Carlo. The christening ceremony was led by the President of Azamara, Carol Cabezas, and Azamara Onward Godmother, Beth Santos, founder and CEO of global community and lifestyle brand Wanderful."We are thrilled to introduce Azamara Onward and share this special moment with our loyal guests," said Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara.

02 May 2022

'Exceptional times lasted longer than expected," Meyer Turku CEO Says as Loss Widens

File image: Meyer Turku

Finland-based cruise shipbuilder Meyer Turku saw its full-year 2021 net loss widen, despite a somewhat higher turnover compared to 2020. Still, the company said it was a "satisfactory result in the midst of a protracted pandemic."The company's turnover was EUR 1.08 billion. It is somewhat higher than in the previous year, but the result for the financial year was a loss of EUR 17.0 million, Meyer Turku said.Tim Meyer, CEO said: “Exceptional times lasted longer than expected. The global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as labor and material mobility, affected our operations as well.

02 May 2022

Havila Voyages Cancels 'Havila Cappela' Roundtrip Citing Insurance Issues

Havila Capella - Credit: Havila Voyages

Norwegian cruise shipping company Havila Voyages has canceled an upcoming roundtrip in Norway with the Havila Capella cruise ship, citing unresolved issues with the ship's insurance coverage."There is still an unresolved situation related to Havila Capella's insurance coverage. The company has therefore been forced to cancel the roundtrip scheduled to start from Bergen on 4th May for the sake of the passengers traveling into Norway before entering the ship," the company said,…

01 Apr 2022

Marlink, Intelsat Increase Bandwidth Capacity for Cruise and Merchant Shipping Sectors

©Intelsat

Smart network company Marlink has extended its partnership with Intelsat to offer increased Ku and C-band satellite connectivity to maritime customers in cruise and merchant shipping sectors.The agreement will see Intelsat assign capacity to the Marlink network providing a unique level of coverage in waters as far south as Antarctica as well as ocean regions around Africa and the Middle East. Marlink will derive the additional capacity from multiple assets, including Intelsat’s high-throughput satellites…

31 Mar 2022

Hurtigruten Plans First Emissions Free Ship by 2030

MS Nordnorge in Hjørundfjorden in Norway. Photo: Fabrice Milochau / Hurtigruten Norway

Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express partners with SINTEF to create zero emission ships for the Norwegian coast by 2030.Since 1893, Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express has carried local passengers, goods, and tourists between 34 ports. The company is currently upgrading its existing fleet through what is one of the biggest environmental upgrade programs of it's kind in Europe, that will see CO2-emissions cut by 25% and NOx by 80%. The company aims to be a leader in sustainable travel…

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