MSC rolls out new faster internet and social media packages

MSC Cruises has worked with business communications provider Marlink to develop new faster, more reliable and cost-effective internet and social media packages for guests.

Now live onboard MSC Preziosa and MSC Divina, the high bandwidth internet packages are available via the Marlink Sealink Cloud and will be rolled out across all 12 MSC ships over the coming months. The packages will also be available on the line’s next-generation ships that are currently under construction, including MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside.

“We are constantly seeking new ways to innovate and enhance the guest experience aboard what is already the most modern fleet at sea,” said Gianni Onorato, MSC’s CEO. “We know that staying connected while on holiday is increasingly more important to our guests hence we are rolling out state-of-the-art technology to allow them to stay connected whether they are looking to share experiences and memorable moments, stay in touch with friends and family, need to stay on top of work e-mails or simply catch up with daily news.”

Aimed at those who want to be connected 24/7 to social media, the Social Package allows guests to post pictures and chat with friends via popular social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Snapchat, WeChat and Pinterest. Prices start from €3.90 per day or €14.90 for a seven-day cruise.

The Surfer Package is designed for moderate internet users who want to read news, sports scores and catch up on e-mails. It also includes access to social media platforms as per the Social Package. Prices start from €9.90 per day or €29.90 for a seven-day itinerary.

Meanwhile, the Streamer Package has been created for heavy internet users who need access either for work or for personal use and enables full internet and social media access, including audio and video. Prices from €19.90 per day or €59.90 for a full seven-day voyage.

Guests will be able to select their package prior to embarkation and will be easy to upgrade or top up.

MSC Cruises evolves to match competitors' policies

MSC Seaside

MSC Cruises, as reported previously, will implement several new sales policies that make its terms less generous and more closely aligned with those offered by its competitors in North America.

Among the changes are its first policy restricting the practice of commission rebating, a rule in place for more than a decade at brands such as Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line.

“We want travel agents to advertise us at the going rate,” said Ken Muskat, the executive vice president of sales, public relations and guest services at MSC Cruises USA. “We want it to be fair across the board.”

The other policy changes include raising deposit minimums, making it harder to cancel cruises without a penalty, and setting a two-month window for passengers to move a direct booking to their agent’s account.

Taken together, Muskat said, the changes signal that MSC is evolving.

“MSC is starting to become very well-established in the market. We’ve got more demand. We’ve got more travel agents selling us,” he said.

The changes are set to go into effect on May 1.

Under the new policies, passengers will have 60 days from initiating a booking to switch it to their agent, provided the booking is not yet past the final payment date. While some agents would prefer that transfers be permitted all the way up until the final payment, Muskat said the new policy is competitive.

“Giving them 60 days to transfer that booking is more than enough time,” Muskat said. “It’s one of those things that, again, makes us more in line with what the other brands do.”

Other companies are also changing penalties for canceling a deposited cruise.

Under MSC’s new plan, previously adopted by Norwegian and Royal, passengers on cruises shorter than 15 days can lose their deposit if they cancel up to 90 days before sailing. It had previously been up to 60 days.

Muskat said MSC is trying to open sales 18 months to two years in advance, and with that comes the tougher terms.

MSC will also raise deposits from $100 to $200 per person on shorter cruises and to $300 on cruises longer than 15 days. Other lines are in the $250 range on deposits, so MSC retains an advantage, Muskat said, but “the higher deposits will make people a little more serious.”

The anti-rebating policy provides that sales can’t be made “at a price below [MSC’s] published or contracted pricing programs.”

Agents can use value-added gifts as incentives, but not cash equivalents, such as gift cards. Group bookings are not subject to the new terms.

Muskat said rebating hasn’t been a huge problem at MSC, but the policy should benefit home-based agents who can’t compete with larger players who can rebate in a big way.

Royal Caribbean reveals Ovation of the Seas’ panda sculpture

Royal Caribbean has released details of the art collection on board its newest ship, Ovation of the Seas, with “Mama and Baby” – a 33-feet high commission that depicts a mother panda and her cub reaching out to one another.

The pandas are also a nod to the cruise line’s newly announced partnership with World Wildlife Fund, which focuses on ensuring the long-term health of the oceans.

The ship’s crew will have the honour of naming the pandas when the ship sets sail, a custom for Royal Caribbean crew members as done for its sister ships’ installations – Quantum of the Seas’ Felicia the Bear and Anthem of the Seas’ Gigi the Giraffe.

Guests on board Ovation of the Seas can enjoy an 11,000-piece, $4.5m (£3.1m) art collection that was assembled to represent the ship’s destinations and its guests.

Other pieces include: “Sky Wave”, the first ever kinetic moving sculpture at sea, commissioned specifically for Ovation of the Seas; elevator art “The World of the Senses,” a collection of 10 pieces sure to surprise guests each time they ride from deck to deck; and an adaptation of Chinese artist Bieli Liu’s “Lure” series of installations, an energetic piece that responds to subtle air currents and movement.

Ovation of the Seas will sail three European itineraries before embarking on her 52-day Global Odyssey on 3 May.

Cuban protesters picket Carnival headquarters

A group of about 30 to 40 protesters marched outside Carnival Corp. headquarters in the Doral section of Miami, concerned about next month’s groundbreaking Fathom voyage to Cuba.

The protesters held placards accusing Carnival of “apartheid” because Cuban-born U.S. residents and citizens aren’t permitted on the Fathom trip to Cuba.

The protest was organized by the Movimiento Democracia, headed by Ramon Saul Sanchez, a long-time anti-Castro activist.

Cuban regulations stipulate that anyone born in Cuba cannot reenter the country by ship. Carnival released a statement saying it was sympathetic to the protest but that "we must comply with the visa, entry and exit policies of each country.”

Carnival said it is requesting that the Cuban policy be changed. "There has been a policy change with air travel to Cuba, so we are hopeful that a similar change can also happen with travel by sea,” the statement said.

In addition to picketing Carnival, the Sanchez group plans a flotilla of small boats in Biscayne Bay on May 1 when the first Fathom cruise to Cuba is scheduled to depart. In a website posting, Sanchez said he planned a meeting with the Coast Guard to discuss the idea.

In January, a flotilla of small protest boats at Labadee, Haiti, led Royal Caribbean International to cancel several calls at its private beach destination there.

 Cruise ship’s crew keeps it all afloat

Seattle Sketcher Gabriel Campanario

Thanks to the Crew Center.com

Sketched June 1, 2015

With 192 cruises scheduled out of Seattle this year, a scene similar to what I saw recently at Pier 91 repeats almost daily throughout the summer.

Cruise ship baker Allan Isuela and his crew were rushing to make hundreds of bread rolls down in the galleys and casino manager Stoyan Stefanov was taking a final walk through the slot machines on deck eight. Earlier in the morning, 1,200 passengers had disembarked from the Statendam cruise ship, and, just hours later, a new load of passengers were boarding for another two-week journey to Alaska and back.

My whirlwind sketching tour of this Holland America boat took me through piano bars, swimming pools and multiple theaters. What surprised me the most, though, was that 95 percent of the 571 crew are from other countries. Isuela, a 23-year veteran with the cruise line, lives in the Philippines and Stefanov, who has held his job for 12 years, is from Bulgaria.

Despite being away from home for months at a time, Stefanov said the job is fun and rewarding. “People are on vacation … they are always happy.”

Seattle Sketcher Gabriel Campanario: 206.464.8795 orgcampanario@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @seattlesketcher. Gabriel Campanario illustrates life in the Puget Sound region. He has been living and drawing in Seattle since 2006. He's a Seattle Times artist, founder of Urban Sketchers nonprofit, Spaniard, husband and father.

U.S. Coast Guard Cancels Carnival's Fathom line maiden voyage

U.S. Coast Guard Cancels Carnival's Fathom line maiden voyage

by kgnadmin (Crew Center.com)

The maiden voyage for the new social-impact cruise line Fathom has been canceled by the U.S. Coast Guard. The cruise ship Adonia, didn’t pass the U.S. Coast Guard safety inspection on Sunday after the authorities find out that 30 fire screen doors were not functioning properly.
MV Adonia was scheduled to set sail on April 10 from Miami on a 7-night voyage to the Dominican Republic, after a major dry dock renovation. Fathom says the April 10 cruise is completely canceled and, plans to make the maiden voyage on April 17.

Fathom passengers received the following letter:

“Dear Travelers

Thank you for being so gracious about the unexpected delay today. We are so sorry we did not sail as planned.

The ship arrived in Miami directly from re-fit and the U.S. Coast Guard is performing operational tests. These tests are still underway and the company hopes to sail once all tests are complete. We want to assure you that we are in constant contact with the Coast Guard and will continue to be throughout the night and into tomorrow to make arrangements to depart Miami.

We have arranged your dinner and breakfast at the hotel and have organized for late check out for you. Your check out is 1 p.m.

At 11 a.m. tomorrow, we will share more information in the lobby.

The Adonia is moving to a new terminal overnight – it will be at Terminal C on April 11.

We apologize that we haven’t been able to sail as planed but we sincerely hope that you have a restful evening.

The Fathom Team.”

U.S. Coast Guard conducts safety inspection when newly transformed cruise ship goes back to service in the United States. In order to provide safe environment in events of emergency, the vessel undergoes series of safety inspections on the watertight doors, fire doors, lifeboats and life rafts and their launch ramps, firefighting equipment and other safety procedures.

Norwegian's ship in China to feature many firsts at sea

The top deck of Norwegian Joy will be the home of Serenity Park.

SHANGHAI — David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' China operations, revealed some of the features that will debut on the Norwegian Joy, a ship being built for the Chinese market.

Herrera made the announcement here during a keynote address at Travel Weekly’s CruiseWorld China.
Although Joy is a sister ship to the Escape, it will offer several “first-at-sea” features related to activities, hotel, service and gaming.
Some attractions — a formal tea room and an upper-deck Serenity Park — are what one might expect on a ship built for Chinese guests.

Guests can ride hover craft bumper cars at the Galaxy Pavilion.

But other features would seem to fit ships sailing the Caribbean equally well.  The Joy’s highest-profile attraction, literally, will be a two-level race track on the top decks in which 10 guests in electric carts will compete in a 5-6 minute race. (NCL is in discussion with possible partners whose logos would adorn the cars, Herrera said.)
Autos are also front-and-center in a Formula 1 attraction. Race cars have been converted into individual three-screen simulators displaying famous race tracks from around the world.

Deck 16 activities will include Oculus virtual reality technology in several variations, including walking a plank between buildings, hang gliding and a design-your-own roller coaster module.

Oculus technology will be installed on additional new ships going forward, Herrera said.
Motion simulation will be the attraction in a colorful fleet of Star Wars Battle Pods.

The Haven's observation deck will have views "as good as the captain's."

Laser tag, a giant touch screen for young children, hovercraft bumper cars, wider-than-ever waterslides with transparent panels that go over the side of the ship and several karaoke rooms complete the new activities offerings.

On the hotel side, a new level called Concierge will be built above the Haven. It will not be as luxurious as the Haven but will have unique features, including a new suite class with two bedrooms and a simulated balcony.

Both the Haven and Concierge will have observation decks whose views, Herrera said, are “as good as the captain's.”

The ship will feature many more family friendly suites and rooms with connecting doors than on any previous NCL ship, Herrera said. He added that the new room configurations reflect the  Chinese tendency to travel with multiple generations.

Studio cabins for singles, a feature of every NCL ship since the Epic, will not be on the Joy.

A bathroom in a Concierge suite.

The ship will, however, feature the highest crew-to-passenger ratio of any contemporary-class ship, in part because it will carry 250 fewer passengers than the Escape. (Herrera said that additional staff was also hired.) The space occupied by some cabins that had been on the Escape has been given to the casino and shopping areas.

The 29 restaurants onboard will include one for Korean barbecue as well as a Japanese shabu-shabu restaurant. Herrera declined to say how many of the restaurants will be specialty dining requiring a surcharge.

“It’s about bringing best of east and west together,” Herrera said, summing up all the changes.
More details will be announced in the coming months, he added, including the names of luxury store brands.

A Concierge suite bedroom.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ executive vice president for international development, Harry Sommer, said that the Chinese operation has renamed itself from “Norway Cruise Line,” as it was known in China, to three characters which phonetically sound like “Norwegian” but which translate to “promising, exclusive and authentic.”

The characters for the word “Joy” represent “Inner Joy,” Sommer said.

The Norwegian Joy is due to enter service in summer 2017.

Princess' Sun Princess could be sailing into the sunset

Sun Princess

The news that Princess Cruises has ordered two new ships for delivery in 2019 and 2020 will likely mean the departure from the fleet of several older ships.

In announcing the orders at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy, Carnival CEO Arnold Donald made reference to the line’s measured growth strategy, which includes “replacing less efficient ships with newer, larger and more efficient vessels over a very specific period of time."

The oldest and presumably least efficient ship in the Princess stable is the 1995-built Sun Princess, now sailing in Australia. It doesn’t seem that long ago when the Sun Princess was the biggest, freshest ship in the Princess fleet.

In 1995 Princess was still predominantly a West Coast cruise line, but it was trying to raise its profile in the Caribbean. Its Sun class ships were part of that strategy.

Of course, that was before Carnival Corp. acquired Princess. The godmother of the Sun Princess, Lady Dorothy Sterling, was the wife of Lord Jeffrey Sterling, chairman of the line’s then-owner, the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

In fact, Princess was a competitor for several of Carnival’s brands until Carnival acquired the company in 2003.

The Sun Princess came along when cruise lines were first realizing the appeal and revenue power of balcony cabins. The ship’s 372 balcony cabins gave it a big advantage in the Caribbean when it first launched.

Today, at slightly less than 2,000 passengers, the Sun Princess carries 45% fewer passengers than the ships Carnival has ordered for the future. 

The other ship that was christened at Port Everglades in the fall of 1995, Celebrity Cruises’ Century, has already left the fleet and is sailing for Celebrity’s joint venture with Ctrip in China. 

By 2020, the Sun Princess will be 25 years old. I would look for a similar exit for it sometime in the next few years.

Ovation of the Seas joins Royal Caribbean's fleet following delivery ceremony

Ovation of the Seas joins Royal Caribbean's fleet following delivery ceremony

Richard Fain and Bernard Meyer

There is a new Royal Caribbean ship officially in the fleet, as of today.

Royal Caribbean took delivery of its 24th cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas, in a ceremony held today in Bremerhaven, Germany.  Ovation of the Seas is the third Quantum-class ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain took delivery of Ovation of the Seas from Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer at the official handover ceremony.

“Ovation of the Seas is magnificent,” said Richard. “Our thanks to the Meyer Werft team for their ongoing partnership in designing and building awe-inspiring ships with us.”

“It’s wonderful to welcome Ovation of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family of ships,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We have once again introduced yet another one of the most technologically advanced cruise ships and the very first that has been built for the China market – a market we continue to demonstrate our commitment to expanding. Quantum Class has redefined the status quo, and we are excited for our guests in China and Australia to enjoy their extraordinary vacations onboard this stunner.”

Ovation of the Seas will now sail to Southampton, U.K., where the ship will offer a series of short getaways before she sets sail on her 52-night “Global Odyssey” culminating in the arrival to her homeport in Tianjin, China.

She will begin her first homeport sailing season in China from Tianjin in June 2016. Ovation, together with Quantum of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Legend of the Seas, will make up the largest fleet of any cruise line sailing in China.

Royal Caribbean introduces overnight shore excursions

Tikal National Park - GoUNESCO

Royal Caribbean International said it will offer shore excursions that include overnight stays on select cruises.

The new Multi-Day Adventures program offers two-day overnight explorations in Greece; Bangkok; and Tikal, Guatemala.

The excursions let passengers leave their ship in one destination and rejoin at the next port of call. They include fully guided tours, dining, airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodations and transportation. Pricing wasn’t disclosed.

As an example, passengers can book flights from either Belize or Honduras to Tikal National Park, a Mayan archaeological site. The trip includes an overnight tour, an expedition to walk the ruins and a Mayan ceremonial experience, plus return flight.

MSC Cruises Plans to Build World’s Largest LNG-Powered Cruise Ships for $4.5 Billion

Laurent Castaing (R), President of French shipyard STX France, shakes hands with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Chairman Gianluigi Aponte (L) as French President Francois Hollande (C) looks on after signing a letter of intention for the order of four more ships from STX France, April 6, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Swiss-based MSC Cruises has revealed major plans to build up to four new LNG-powered cruise ships exceeding more than 200,000 gross tons.

The announcement was made as the company, the largest privately-owned cruise line in the world, signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the construction of the ships with STX France at the company’s shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The four ships provided under the LOI include two firm orders and two options with delivery planned in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026. MSC Cruises confirmed that the new order would represent a nearly $4.5 billion investment, which would bring the company’s 10-year investment plan to an “unprecedented” $10.2 billion and eleven next-generation newbuilds by 2026.

The vessel’s, to be known as the “World Class”, will be based on a new next-generation LNG-powered prototype featuring a GRT in excess of 200,000 tonnes, more than 2,700 staterooms and approximately 5,400 lower berths occupancy, making them the biggest LNG-powered cruise ships planned to date and the most environmentally friendly. 

A ceremony for the signing of the letter of intent was held at the Élysée Palace in France and attended by French President Francois Hollande François Hollande, as well as MSC Group’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Gianluigi Aponte, and STX France’s CEO Laurent Castaing.

“Today’s announcement is further proof, if needed, of our view that this industry presents significant opportunities for additional growth going forward for both our brand and product, as well as of our firm commitment to be best-positioned to capture them to the fullest,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman. “For this reason, our ten-plus year investment plan now encompasses up to eleven new MSC Cruises ships, coming into service between 2017 and 2026. It is also a reflection of our constant commitment to innovation, as we will partner with STX France to design yet again a completely new prototype – already the sixth in our history.”

Including the four ships announced Wednesday, a total of 20 ships will have been designed and built by STX France in Saint-Nazaire for MSC Cruises. 

MSC Splendida (Fantasia Class)

“We have just signed an unprecedented agreement with MSC Cruises which will give us a vision of our industrial capacity for the next ten years! We have had a good relationship with MSC Cruises for many years now, and this new agreement strengthens this further,” commented Laurent Castaing, STX Frances Chief Executive Officer. “We have already designed four different classes for MSC Cruises – Lirica, Musica, Fantasia and Meraviglia – each with four ships, and now we are working together on this new generation of “World Class” ships.”

MSC Cruises informs that in addition to the four ships just ordered, its current investment plan includes orders with STX France for two Meraviglia and two further Meraviglia-Plus Class ships as well as orders with Fincantieri in Italy for up to three next-generation Seaside Class ships. The plan also includes the $227 million Renaissance Program, in which four ships out of 12 of the company’s fleet were enhanced and enlarged at the Fincantieri shipyards.

MSC Cruises’ announcement follows some big cruise industry news over the weekend as Carnival Corp. finalized its contracts with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to build five new cruise ships costing more than $3.4 billion. Delivery of those ships are scheduled for 2019 and 2020. 

In June 2015, Carnival became the first to order ocean-going cruise ships powered by liquefied natural gas, the world’s cleanest fossil fuel, with its order for four ships. Those ships will be built by Meyer Werft and split between their yards in Papenburg, Germany and Turku, Finland. Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, currently has a total of 16 new ships scheduled to be delivered across several of its portfolio of brands between 2016 and 2020.

P&O Cruises ship 'fails US health check'

P&O Cruises ship 'fails US health check' 

P&O Oriana

US inspections reportedly found potentially hazardous food, unhygienic pool water and cockroaches on board two P&O Cruises’ ships.

Hygiene problems were discovered when Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) inspectors spot-checked Oriana and Oceana (pictured).

Oceana failed a health check in January while in the US, while Oriana passed an inspection in February despite cockroaches being found in a grill, ITV News reported.
P&O Cruises said issues on the ships were "rectified immediately".

Swimming and spa pools were closed on Oceana after inspectors found the water had not been disinfected and contained inadequate levels of chlorine and bromine.

Sandwiches were left to sit in "potentially hazardous" temperatures and one member of staff who was suffering from acute gastroenteritis, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, worked with food for three hours, the report found.

Inspectors also told the cruise company to "effectively control the presence of insects" after three live cockroaches were found underneath grills on Oriana.

A P&O Cruises spokesman said: 'We are extremely disappointed in the result of this inspection and we immediately rectified the areas identified as needing attention."

Meyer Werft: Construction & keel-laying of the Norwegian Joy

Meyer Werft: Construction & keel-laying of the Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Joy Keel Laying

Construction of the fourth vessel for Norwegian Cruise Line

The construction of the first phase of the latest fleet member Norwegian Cruise Line has begun. Shareholders and members of the board of the US shipping company and representatives of the MEYER WERFT attended the keel was laid on 5 April 2016th During the celebration of the block 45 of 168,800 gt vessel was lifted into the covered building dock II shipyard.

Photo: Meyer Werft

Photo: from left - Lambert Kruse, Managing Meyer Werft, Harry Sommer, EPP Norwegian Cruise Line International, Andy Stuart, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, Bernard Meyer, managing director Meyer Werft, David Herera, President Norwegian Cruise Line China, Alex Xiang, Vice President of Sales, China

Andy Stuart, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, Harry Sommer, EPP Norwegian Cruise Line International and David Herera, President Norwegian Cruise Line China laid the traditional "lucky penny" under the block before the 680-ton component to the 800-ton crane on was placed the few days earlier docked machine room module.

Photo: Meyer Werft

"We are excited today the keel laying of the Norwegian Joy with our partner of Meyer celebrate shipyard" , says Andy Stuart. "The beginning of the assembly process is an important milestone and we are aware of the good work of the yard, with the Norwegian Joy again for a classic to build the ship. "

Already in 12 months the ship will be ready and complete the sea trials in the North Sea. The Norwegian Joy is the fourth of six ships which MEYER WERFT will finish up in 2019 for Norwegian Cruise Line.

"Today we have the first placed of about 80 blocks in our dry dock" , said Bernard Meyer, CEO of Meyer Werft."It makes us very proud to continue to build the Norwegian Joy our good cooperation with our longstanding customer Norwegian Cruise Line. "

Once completed, the Norwegian Joy her first trip to China takes in the summer 2017th As a developed specifically for the Asian market ship will be used exclusively for Chinese travelers.

The 4,200 passengers bidding cruise ship has a length of 324 meters and a width of 41.4 meters. The new building will combine the advantages of Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape and offer guests on another deck many additional facilities and attractions.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises orders fifth ship

Regent Seven Seas Cruises orders fifth ship

Regent Seven Seas New Builds

Regent Seven Seas Cruises said it has ordered a version of its 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer, which will add a fifth ship to its fleet.  

The line said it reached an agreement with the Italian shipyard Fincantieri to deliver the ship in 2020 at a price of about $480 million.

The Seven Seas Explorer, due in July, has had record-breaking pre-delivery sales.

“We expect that the positive impact on earnings and impressive return on investment from Seven Seas Explorer will be significant. and that her sister vessel will make a similar contribution,” said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Regent's parent company.
Regent's three other ships are Seven Seas Voyager, Navigator and Mariner.

Several luxury cruise lines have new ships on order, including Seabourn (launching the Seabourn Encore at the end of the year), Silversea Cruises (gaining the Silver Muse next year), and Crystal Cruises (building a trio of ships for delivery starting in 2018). 

Carnival Finalizes Contracts to Build Five New Cruise Ships at Fincantieri

MS Koningsdam sea trials. Photo: Holland America

A big weekend for the world’s largest cruise company as Carnival Corporation finalizes contracts with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to build five new cruise ships costing more than $3.4 billion.

The final order adds a fifth ship to a memorandum of agreement between Carnival and Fincantieri announced in December 2015 calling for the construction of just four ships by 2020.  

The ships include two that will be built for Costa Asia for deployment in China, two for Princess Cruises and one designated for P&O Cruises Australia, with deliveries expected in 2019 and 2020, Carnival said over the weekend.

Fincantieri confirmed that the total value of the contracts exceeds 3 billion euros ($3.4 billion).

The contracts were formalized during a signing ceremony held Saturday as part of the official handover ceremony for Holland America Line’s MS Koningsdam at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy.

The new ships for both Costa Asia and P&O Cruises Australia are expected to be 135,500-ton vessels with the capacity to carry 4,200 passengers. The 143,700-ton, 3,560-passenger ships for Princess Cruises will be the brand’s fourth and fifth Royal-class vessels, featuring the same design used on Royal Princess, Regal Princess and the new Majestic Princess coming in 2017.

The five new ships across three brands will be built at Fincantieri’s shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera, Italy.

Carnival Corporation has now taken delivery of two new ships in 2016 – AIDAprima for AIDA Cruises and MS Koningsdam for Holland America Line. Including the five just ordered, Carnival Corporation has a total of 16 new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2016 and 2020.

“Today has been especially exciting for our company, our partners and our guests, as we celebrated the arrival of our amazing MS Koningsdam ship and officially signed agreements with Fincantieri to build five new cruise ships for the future,” said Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald at Saturday’s ceremony. “Supporting our goal to exceed guest expectations on every cruise, these new ships will create a whole new level of excitement and opportunity to deliver experiences that our guests will not only remember for the rest of their lives, but will also share with others. 

Using our strategic fleet enhancement plan to delight our guests is an important part of our measured growth strategy, which includes replacing less efficient ships with newer, larger and more efficient vessels over a very specific period of time.”

The finalized contract with Fincantieri is a result of the memorandum of agreement announced by Carnival Corporation and Fincantieri in December 2015, and builds on the larger strategic shipbuilding partnership announced by the two companies in March 2015. 

Specific ship features and deployment details will be announced by each brand at a future date.

Royal Caribbean seeks name advice from 'Boaty McBoatface' creator

In this April Fool's Day-inspired rendering, a new Royal Caribbean ship is Boaty McBoatface of the Seas.

 Royal Caribbean international is seeking name input on future ships from the British man who coined “Boaty McBoatface” for a U.K. research vessel. The cruise line says it's not an April Fool's Day stunt.

James Hand submitted the childish sounding moniker in an online contest to name a $288 million Antarctic survey vessel. Hand’s suggestion leads in online voting, which closes April 16.
Now he’s been invited to sail on Harmony of the Seas and possibly spice up Royal Caribbean's somewhat predictable “of the Seas” ship name series.

“The people of the United Kingdom know the name of a great ship when they see it,” said Royal Caribbean President Michael Bayley. “Like the rest of the world, we fell in love with the name Boaty McBoatface when we heard it, and we knew immediately that Royal Caribbean could use James Hand’s talent to name our next ship.”

Hand told USA Today that the offer came as a “massive surprise” as has all the attention he’s received since he submitted the name.

MSC adopts new rebating and cancellation policies

MSC Divina at her home port, Miami.

MSC Cruises has instituted new rebating and cancellation policies that take effect May 1.
No travel agencies can advertise, market or sell a cruise or cruise package at a price below MSC's published or contracted pricing.

Agencies may continue to offer such as onboard spending credits and prepaid gratuities. The value-add cannot be cash, a gift card or other items that reduce the base price of a cruise.

Agencies that violate MSC's rebating policies will be "subject to written warning, a reduction in the co-op support provided by MSC Cruises and other actions such as, but not limited to, a reduction in the base commission paid on all future cruises booked by that agency," MSC said.
For all new bookings made beginning May 1 for all sailings departing in April 2017 and forward, MSC has adjusted its cancellation policy.

MSC Seaside

For cruises less than 15 nights, guests lose their nonrefundable deposit if they cancel between 89 and 61 days before departure; lose half the fare if they cancel 60 to 46 days out; lose 75% of the fare if they cancel 45 to 16 days out; and lose 100% of the fare if they cancel with 15 days or fewer before departure.

For cruises more than 15 nights, they lose their nonrefundable deposit if they cancel between 109 and 61 days before departure, half the fare for 60 to 46 days, 75% of the fare from 45 to 31 days, and 100% if they cancel 30 days out or fewer.  

Also, MSC Cruises said it will continue transfer a direct booking to a travel agent upon request of the customer when the appropriate forms are submitted by the customer to MSC Cruises. Bookings may only be transferred to an agent up until 60 days from creation if the request is made outside of final payment period and the booking is not paid in full.