Sir Bob Geldof Makes Appearance on Queen Mary 2

Sir Bob Geldof Makes Appearance on Queen Mary 2

Sir Bob Geldof made a guest appearance aboard the Queen Mary 2 while cruising from to Cape Town, South Africa, treating guests to an exclusive question and answer session.

 Geldof spoke at the ship’s Royal Court Theatre on Wednesday, sharing stories with guests from his music career as well as his connection with Cunard.

Angus Struthers, senior vice president at Cunard, said: “As one of the world’s most iconic musicians and humanitarian figures, we were delighted to welcome Sir Bob aboard Queen Mary 2 for a unique Q&A.

 “It was an incredible opportunity for our guests to hear from a true trailblazer who has had a profound impact on music and the world at large. We were honoured to have him on board, and it was a truly unforgettable experience for our guests.”

Geldof’s father worked as a chef onboard the Cunard fleet, and Geldof revealed he treasures an original menu card as a memento. He embarked on the ship on April 3 in Durban and the Q&A was titled An Audience With Sir Bob Geldof.

 Sir Bob Geldof said: “It was a pleasure to join guests onboard Queen Mary 2 and share some interesting tales from my time in music and politics. I’ve a personal connection with Cunard, so it was wonderful to rekindle that family tie and experience the delights that make Cunard so unique.”

 

Hong Kong to Focus on Increasing Cruise Ship Arrivals

Hong Kong to Focus on Increasing Cruise Ship Arrivals

After reopening for cruise ships in January, Hong Kong is expecting to receive a total of 160 calls from 16 cruise lines through the end of 2023.

“We are still doing a lot of engagement, so, hopefully, towards the end of the year we’ll be able to receive even more ship calls,” Kenneth Wong, Hong Kong Tourism Board General Manager for MICE and Cruise, told Cruise Industry News during an exclusive interview.

Enlarging the number of arrivals is currently one of the priorities of Wong, who noted the city has had a strong return to the cruise scene.

“I now look forward to receiving more cruise ships in Hong Kong. That’s the number one priority,” he added.

To do that, the city came up with a “total package” that includes funding support, marketing cooperation and help with itinerary planning along with neighbouring ports, Wong explained.

“I also look forward to creating more interesting itineraries because, during the pandemic, all ports in the world and in Asia closed. Now, some of the destinations and ports are trying to reopen and pick up a bit,” he noted.

The scenario gives Hong Kong an opportunity to work with other ports to create new itineraries, Wong added.

According to him, the city currently offers a mix of deployment with not only ports of call but also homeport operations.

“We want to bring in more homeporting, which could actually give a very sustainable business for Hong Kong. We welcome those turnaround calls as well as ports of calls,” he explained.

Reasons for the transit visits include the new developments and attractions introduced by the city, Wong said.

“I think the cruise line as well as their customer would like to see the new happenings in Hong Kong through their excursion programs.”

Galveston Port Off to a Strong Start in 2023

Galveston Port Off to a Strong Start in 2023

The Port of Galveston is off to a strong start in 2023 with increased performance for cargo and cruise ships in February this year, compared to last year, according to a statement.

Port of Galveston welcomed a total of 71 cruise sailings compared to February last year, up 22 per cent and recorded 521,503 passenger movements (embarkations and debarkations) which is an increase of 123 per cent

“Solid financial performance is helping our self-sustaining port fund major capital projects, including cruise terminal and cargo facility expansions. All of this translates into more jobs and regional economic growth,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port director and CEO.

The port also saw an increase in cargo (52 total, a 13 per cent increase) and lay ship calls, (55 total, a 10 per cent increase).

“As these numbers reflect, cruising from Galveston Island has never been better. We estimate 355 sailings in 2023, a new record in the port’s 22-year history as a cruise homeport. We’re also on track to break our previous record of more than 1 million cruise passengers last year.”

Rees said that the factors contributing to the industry growth include the growing popularity of cruise vacations, the port’s location and the opening of a third cruise terminal in November 2022, among other factors.

“With all of this going for our port, it’s no surprise that popular cruise lines Carnival and Royal Caribbean, both long-time port cruise partners, are investing in cruise terminal infrastructure and newer and larger ships for Galveston. Other major cruise lines, Disney, Norwegian and Princess, have seasonal sailings from Galveston.”

“This cruise and cargo growth translates into new jobs and more hours for union workers. Experts forecast more than 650,000 union hours on the Galveston waterfront in 2023, the highest in years, “ added Rees.

Costa Sales ‘Robust’ as Easter Cruises Kick Off European Season

Costa Sales ‘Robust’ as Easter Cruises Kick Off European Season

Costa Cruises is highlighting a series of Easter cruises including sailings in the Western Mediterranean, South America and a two-week cruise bound for the Canary Islands, according to a press release.

“Sales in the last three months have been robust. Ship occupancy is growing steadily, and summer programs are selling quickly with a high demand for cabins. This is a very encouraging outlook, considering that our capacity in the Mediterranean has increased compared to 2019, while keeping our capacity in Northern Europe constant, thanks to the entry of new, state-of-the-art ships into the fleet in the last three years, such as Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda,” said Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises.

The Easter cruises mark the beginning of the spring-summer 2023 season. The Costa Toscana will be returning to the Mediterranean after a winter in the Arabian Gulf and will be offering one-week cruises to Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Cagliari, Naples and Civitavecchia/Rome. 

The Costa Smeralda will offer a one-week itinerary to Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca (Ibiza in summer), Palermo, and Civitavecchia/Rome. Joining them in the Mediterranean is the Costa Diadema, which underwent major renovation work over the winter and restarted on Friday. 

The Costa Diadema will introduce new experiences onboard such as the Archipelago restaurant, where guests can enjoy menus crafted by chefs Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze and Ángel León; the Sushino at Costa, a sushi bistro by the sea; and the Fiorentina Steak House, featuring Italian and international meats. The Costa Diadema will offer two-week cruises to the Canary Islands and a one-week itinerary starting May 7, with calls in Savona, Civitavecchia/Rome, Cagliari or Ajaccio (depending on departures), Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Marseille.

Starting on April 13, the Fortuna will also offer sailings in the western Mediterranean including a three-day mini-cruise and 14-day itineraries to Turkey and the Canary Islands. In the summer, the Costa Fortuna will offer a new two-week itinerary exploring the Greek and Balearic islands with calls in Savona, Civitavecchia/Rome, Messina, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Kefalonia, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona and Marseille.

The Costa Deliziosa will sail to Marghera/Venice, Katakolon/Olympia (Greece), Mykonos (Greece) Santorini (Greece) and Bari while the Costa Pacifica will visit Catania, Malta, Mykonos and Santorini. 

The Costa Fascinosa will sail 12-day itineraries to the North Cape, or nine-day cruises to the Baltic. The Costa Favolosa will explore Iceland, the Lofoten Islands and Greenland while the Costa Firenze will offer one-week cruises in the Norwegian fjords.

 

Cruise occupancy levels and pricing are set to come under pressure

MSC Virtuosa Entering Southampton photo credit Spacejunkie2 (flickr-Virtuosa Images)

Cruise occupancy levels and pricing are set to come under pressure in the coming years as supply outpaces demand, according to new data.

The prediction comes from Tourism Economics’ new Cruise Intelligence Platform (Cruise-IP), which found cruise lines will face "critical choices" in regional capacity deployment, with risks of over-supply in some markets.

 

Cruise operating capacity is on pace to exceed 2019 levels by 16% in 2024 and supply growth is anticipated to slow in 2025, but capacity should grow by roughly one-quarter in the medium term.

Recent booking activity indicates "robust" demand with a record pace of new bookings, Tourism Economics said, with pent-up demand for cruising along with substantial remaining household savings buoying demand.

 

"We have monitored, analysed and forecasted travel activity for more than 20 years," said Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics.

 

"With the launch of Cruise-IP, we have deepened this coverage with the most detailed and comprehensive datasets available, covering the entire cruise ship fleet across more than 2,500 cruise destinations."

Norwegian Pearl Kicks Off Summer Program in Boston

Norwegian Pearl Kicks Off Summer Program in Boston

The Norwegian Pearl is in Boston today to kick off its 2023 summer program in the U.S. Northeast.

Following a winter season in the Caribbean, the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel is set to offer different itineraries to Bermuda, Canada and New England departing from the Massachusetts homeport.

Extending through mid-October, the program begins with a series of week-long cruises to Bermuda. In addition to two or three overnights in King’s Wharf, some of the itineraries also include a visit to Bar Harbor, in Maine.

Continuing its Boston-based season, the Norwegian Pearl offers itineraries to Canada and New England starting in mid-August.

The fall and foliage program comprises both roundtrip and open-jaw departures and continues through late October.

Also sailing from Quebec City, the ship’s week-long itineraries in the region feature visits to destinations such as Halifax, Saguenay, Sydney, Charlottetown and Portland.

Upon completing its schedule in the Northeast, the Norwegian Pearl is set to return to Florida for a winter season sailing from PortMiami.

Following the Norwegian Jewel and the Norwegian Jade, the Norwegian Pearl debuted in 2006 as the third ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewel Class.

Built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the vessel has 93,000 tons and a capacity for nearly 2,400 guests.

In 2016, the Pearl was included in the Norwegian Edge program and underwent a major revitalization that included the modernization of both its guest-facing and technical areas.

While a new scrubber system was added to reduce the ship’s emissions, for instance, the design of all of the public rooms and staterooms was updated.

According to Norwegian, the refit aimed at giving the Pearl a fresh and modern look, which included new art pieces, new carpets, new upholstery and more.

Another area that went through a complete refurbishment was The Haven, the vessel’s ship-within-a-ship luxury suite complex, with got new furniture and finishings.

Keel Laid for New Disney Treasure at Meyer Werft

Keel Laid for New Disney Treasure at Meyer Werft

Disney Cruise Line reached a significant milestone in the construction of its next ship, the Disney Treasure, with the keel laying ceremony at Meyer Werft shipyard.

The ship is scheduled to enter service in 2024.

The ceremony, which follows maritime tradition and brings good fortune, was celebrated with the placement of a newly-minted coin under the keel of the ship, according to a statement.

The commemorative coin used in the ceremony featured an etching of Captain Minnie Mouse donning a new look that embodies the ship’s adventure motif. The theme of adventure, inspired by Walt Disney’s love of exploration, will pave the way for captivating onboard experiences that immerse guests in some of the company’s most legendary stories.

MSC Cruises’ First Newbuilds Completes 20 Years in Service

MSC Cruises’ First Newbuilds Completes 20 Years in Service

MSC Cruises’ first new build is completing 20 years in service in 2023 as the MSC Lirica was delivered to the company on March 24, 2003.

Built-in France by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, the 65,000-ton ship originally debuted in the Mediterranean.

Before kicking off its inaugural program in the region, the Lirica also became the first ship to be christened by Sophia Loren.

Later the godmother of all of the company’s newbuilds, the Italian actress named the vessel during a special ceremony in the Italian port of Naples.

In addition to the Mediterranean, the MSC Lirica also spent its first years in service sailing in the Caribbean – with U.S.-based cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale – and Northern Europe.

The vessel then debuted in South America in 2009 and in the Middle East, becoming the first MSC ship to sail a complete season in 2010.

In 2016, in another first for MSC Cruises, the MSC Lirica was repositioned to Asia for a series of year-round cruises out of China.

Upon returning to Europe in 2018, the 2,160-guest ship resumed its operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and sailed additional seasons in the Middle East.

As part of a €275-million refit plan called the Renaissance Program, the Lirica was enlarged and modernized in 2015.

After being cut in half at a drydock in Italy, the ship received a new 24-meter-long mid-section that allowed the addition of 194 extra cabins, a new lounge, a kid’s water park and more.

In addition to its new features, the MSC Lirica offers a two-deck theatre, a casino, a complete spa, four different restaurants, two swimming pools and more.

P&O Cruises to upgrade Arcadia and Aurora

Carnival Horizon Completes Five Years in Service

Carnival Horizon Completes Five Years in Service

The Carnival Horizon is completing five years of service in March.

After being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the Vista-class vessel was delivered to Carnival Cruise Line on March 28, 2018.

After leaving its building dock, the 4,000-passenger ship repositioned to Barcelona, Spain, where it departed on an inaugural Mediterranean cruise a few days later.

First, in a series of four sailings from the European port, the 12-night voyage included visits to different ports of call in Italy, Croatia and Malta.

After the short season in the Mediterranean, the Carnival Horizon crossed the Atlantic for the first time in May.

The vessel then spent the remainder of the summer, offering a schedule of four-night Bermuda and eight-night Caribbean sailings departing from New York City.

Before kicking service from the Big Apple, the Horizon was officially christened by its godmother musical artist and actress Queen Latifah on May 28, 2018.

After receiving raising donations both onboard and ashore, Carnival also donated $100,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the ceremony.

In late September, the ship repositioned to Miami – its current homeport – for a year-round program of six- and eight-night cruises to the Southern, Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Following the Carnival Vista, the Carnival Horizon debuted as the second in a series of three ships known as Vista Class.

According to Carnival, the vessels in the class were designed to connect guests to the ocean while offering “sweeping views and plenty to do both outdoors and indoors.”

Among the unique features of the Vista Class ships are the SkyRide, a suspended open-air cycling experience, and the Dreamscape, a three-deck-high LED sculpture in each vessel's atrium.

In addition to these elements, the Horizon introduced two firsts for Carnival Cruise Line: the brand’s first Teppanyaki Restaurant and the first unit of Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse and Brewhouse.

 

Costa Atlantica Returns to Southern Europe

Costa Atlantica Returns to Southern Europe

After several months anchored off the island of Cyprus, the Costa Atlantica recently returned to Southern Europe.

Currently, on its way to Marseille, the Spirit-class vessel also visited two Italian ports in March: Augusta and Naples.

Three years after its last drydock, the 2000-built cruise ship is expected to undergo scheduled maintenance at a local shipyard once it arrives at the French port.

Originally operated by Costa Cruises, the Costa Atlantica was sold into Carnival Corporation’s joint venture with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in 2018.

Handed over to its new owners a few days before the COVID-19 pandemic operational pause in early 2020, the vessel has remained out of revenue service.

Despite the change of ownership, Atlantica also retained its original name, in addition to Costa’s colours and features.

In November 2022, the Carnival Corporation – CSSC joint venture revealed plans to launch service in China under the Adora Cruises brand.

With a newbuild under construction in Shanghai, the company intends to welcome its first guests in late 2023.

Plans for the service restart of the Costa Atlantica and its sister ship Costa Mediterranea – which was also sold to the joint venture in 2018 – are yet to be confirmed.

The Atlantica originally debuted in 2000, becoming the first vessel in Carnival Corporation’s Spirit Class.

In addition to the Costa Mediterranea, the series of ships also include four ships operated by Carnival Cruise Line: the Carnival Spirit, the Carnival Miracle, the Carnival Legend and the Carnival Pride.

Built for Costa Cruises, the 2,100-guest ship served the company’s traditional markets in Europe for nearly 15 years before being repositioned to Asia in mid-2013.

Sailing year-round in the region through 2020, the Atlantica served different countries and markets, including Singapore, Taiwan, China and more.

In 2015, the ship also became the first to offer a world cruise from China. Sailing roundtrip from Shanghai, the 86-day itinerary included visits to 28 destinations in 18 different countries.

 

Meet The New Cruise Brands Entering Service in 2023

Meet The New Cruise Brands Entering Service in 2023

In another big year for start-up brands, at least five new cruise lines are set to launch service in 2023. With new builds and also secondhand vessels, the companies are set to offer different products, including luxury cruises, expedition voyages and more.

Explora Journeys
First ship: Explora I
Built: 2023
Capacity: 922 guests
Inaugural Cruise: July 17, 2023
Maiden Voyage Region: Northern Europe

After years of anticipation, Explora Journeys is making its debut in July. Marking MSC’s entry into the luxury market, the new brand is set to offer what it calls the “ocean state of mind.”

Adora Cruises
First ship: Unnamed Vista-Class Newbuild
Built: 2023
Capacity: 5,000 guests
Inaugural Cruise: TBA
Maiden Voyage Region: East Asia

Result of a joint venture between Carnival Corporation and China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Adora Cruises is the newest homegrown Chinese cruise brand.

Set to launch service later in the year, the startup cruise line has two new builds under construction in China and also acquired two former Costa Cruises vessels. Combining an international vision with local tastes, Adora plans to create the ideal cruise experience for Chinese guests, with year-round cruises departing from multiple homeports throughout China.

CFC
First ship: Renaissance
Built: 1993
Capacity: 1,258 guests
Inaugural Cruise: May 14, 2023
Maiden Voyage Region: Northern Europe

After acquiring Holland America’s former Maasdam in 2022, CFC aims to fill a gap in the French market by developing a customized premium product.

With all guest-facing staff fluent in French, the new cruise line intends to offer “a quality product” that focuses on the country’s identity and needs. Sailing from two different homeports in France, the Renaissance will debut in May, with a program of longer roundtrip cruises that visit destinations in Northern Europe, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Exploris
First ship: Exploris One

Built: 1989
Capacity: 132 guests
Inaugural Cruise: December 23, 2023
Maiden Voyage Region: Antarctica

With Philippe Videau, one of Ponant’s founders, serving as the company’s president, Exploris aims to operate a fleet of small expedition vessels for the French market.

Acquired from Silversea Cruises, the brand’s first vessel is set to enter service in December, offering exploration French-speaking exploration cruises in South America and Antarctica. Renamed Exploris One, the former Silver Explorer is set to sail in the Amazon, the Atlantic Islands, Western Europe and the Arctic during its inaugural season, including 30 departures and 26 unique itineraries.

Crystal Cruises
First ships: Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity
Built: 1995 and 2003
Capacity: 606 and 740 guests
Inaugural Cruise: July 31, 2023
Maiden Voyage Region: Mediterranean

After being acquired by the A&K Travel Group in 2022, the Crystal Cruises brand name is returning later this year under new management. The new luxury operator plans to launch service in July by using two of Crystal’s former oceangoing vessels, the Crystal Serenity and the Crystal Symphony.

Cunard Unveils New Archive Exhibition

Cunard Unveils New Archive Exhibition

Cunard unveiled a new archive exhibition at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum on March 23, 2023.

According to a press release, Cunard’s “Travel in Style – Iconic Cunard Advertising in the 1920s and 1930s” exhibition was specially curated to display the cruise line’s seafaring heritage. It features original advertising materials and other documents from the past 100 years.

Lee Powell, vice president of brand and product at Cunard, said: “Cunard is world-renowned for inventing the golden era of ocean travel and this exhibition beautifully showcases the timelessness of our brand. Luxury, sophistication, and glamour are rooted in our DNA and these core values are as important to today’s guests as they were to travellers 100 years ago.

“While we cherish our heritage, we also use it as inspiration for forward-looking ideas when we plan for the future. Queen Anne is the next in a fine line for Cunard and will be bursting with breath-taking moments around every corner; all of which contain subtle references to our history.”

The exhibition opens to the public on March 25 and will be displayed in Gallery 5 at the museum.

The wider Cunard archives can be found at the University of Liverpool library with many records dating from the early 1900s.

Siân Wilks, archivist (Cunard) at the University of Liverpool Library, said: “The Cunard archive contains most of the surviving business records produced by Cunard since it became a limited company in 1878. As a unique resource, the archive provides rich insight into the Company’s history and the social history of thousands of people whose lives Cunard impacted, including members of its crew, office staff and passengers.

“The exhibition will give visitors to Liverpool the opportunity to view a selection of original Cunard travel posters that are not normally accessible due to their large size and preservation requirements. Printed advertisements and ephemera will also be on display, which will include examples of memorabilia that have been donated by members of the public, reflecting their personal experiences of travelling with Cunard.”

 

LG launches LED displays to elevate the cruise experience

LG has launched outdoor direct-view LED (DVLED) displays to be used on cruise ships’ outside decks

Launching at Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale at the end of March, the screens will provide a high-quality picture, no matter the weather or the time of day.

“LG’s marine-grade DVLED technology is the ideal outdoor display medium because it can produce bright images and has the contrast necessary for watching videos in direct sunlight,” said LG Business Solutions USA director of hospitality, cruise and fitness Jake Benner.

“Outdoor areas on cruise ships can now be outfitted with movie theatre-sized displays, while providing optimal performance day in and day out, regardless of how salty, wet or unpredictable the environment is.”

LG will launch two models: one with a 6.2-mm pixel pitch and a 5,000:1 contrast ratio for where the viewer is closer to the screen. The second has an 8.3-mm pixel pitch and a 7,000:1 contrast ratio that is aimed at spaces where passengers view the screen from a distance.

Both screens have a 160-degree horizontal viewing angle and can be operated on either 110-volt or 240-volt power systems. They can function in temperatures ranging from -30C to 50C and have a powder coating to protect them against salinity and corrosion.

Mr Benner said, “Cruise operators can deliver large, captivating content that can catch visitors’ eyes from across the deck. The placement possibilities are endless, and we are excited to see how designers and owners integrate these powerful displays into their environments to elevate the cruise experience.”

Carnival Firenze Opens for Sale with Cruises from Long Beach

Carnival Firenze Opens for Sale with Cruises from Long Beach

Carnival Cruise Line announced that it has opened reservations for the inaugural season of the Carnival Firenze, which will offer year-round sailings from Long Beach, California from May 2024 through April 2025.

“Carnival Firenze is named after the spectacular city of Florence, Italy. She was designed to evoke the same charm and beauty found in Florence and she’ll also pack in plenty of Carnival fun, which will be brought to life by the friendly and dedicated team members that make cruises across our fleet memorable,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

“This truly stunning ship will serve as a great new cruise vacation option from Long Beach, joining Carnival Panorama and Radiance, and offering a range of sailing lengths to Baja Mexico and the Mexican Riviera.”

The new sailings feature 15 different itineraries of three to seven-day cruises. Sailings from Long Beach, California include:

• A five-day Mexican Riviera Inaugural Cruise, departing on May 2, 2024, with calls in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico;
• A six-day Mexican Riviera Cruise, with multiple departure options and calls in Ensenada and two days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico;
• A seven-day Mexican Riviera Cruise, with multiple departure options and calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

 

The Carnival Firenze will be the second ship to feature the all-new Carnival Fun Italian Style, after Carnival Venezia, which will make its debut in May 2023.

Enchanted Opens Princess’ 2023 Summer Program in Europe

Enchanted Opens Princess’ 2023 Summer Program in Europe

The Enchanted Princess is launching Princess Cruises’ 2023 summer program in Europe today.

After crossing the Atlantic, the vessel is in Barcelona to start the first cruise of the season: a six-night voyage to the Western Mediterranean.

Cruising roundtrip from the Spanish port, the itinerary sails to France and Gibraltar. In addition to the UK port in the Iberian Peninsula, the cruise features visits to Ajaccio and Marseille, as well as two full days at sea.

Following a routine drydock, the Enchanted Princess continues its European summer program in mid-April, offering additional itineraries in both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

The series of seven-to 21-night cruises include different destinations across the Greek Islands, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Montenegro and more.

Fifth in a series of six ships known as Royal Class, the Enchanted Princess first entered service in November 2021.

Built-in Italy by the Fincantieri shipyard, the 3,660-guest ship offers more than 25 dining venues and bars onboard, including the new such as La Mer, a French Bistro that debuted on the Majestic Princess.

The ship also offers varied entertainment options, as well as unique Sky Suites. According to Princess, the balconies of the staterooms – which measure over 90 square meters – are among the biggest in the entire cruise industry.

In addition to the Enchanted Princess, three other Princess Cruises vessels are cruising in Europe during the 2023 summer: the Sky Princess, the Regal Princess and the Island Princess.

Mostly sailing in Northern Europe, the ships will offer different itineraries between March and early December.

Based out of the UK, the Sky Princess is sailing a series of four- to 24-night cruises to Scandinavia, Iceland, Norway, the Canaries, the Baltic and the Mediterranean departing from Southampton.

Also sailing from the English port, the Regal Princess is poised to sail a program of ten- and 12-night itineraries to the British Islands.

Completing the local offering, the Island Princess sails in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, offering longer cruises departing from Southampton, Copenhagen, Civitavecchia and more.

MSC Preziosa Turns Ten Years Old

MSC Preziosa Turns Ten Years Old

The MSC Preziosa is completing ten years this month. Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, the 140,000-ton vessel was delivered to MSC Cruises on March 13, 2013.

After leaving the French facility, the vessel offered a pre-inaugural cruise to the Mediterranean. Sailing to Portugal, Spain, France, Morocco and Italy, the one-way voyage ended in Genoa – where the ship was christened before officially entering service.

The ship was joined by the MSC Lirica and the MSC Splendida during the ceremony, which took place on March 24, 2013, and was attended by Sophia Loren, the Italian actress that served as godmother of the Preziosa and most of MSC’s newbuilds.

According to MSC, the event also included a high-profile gala dinner, and entertainment from top Italian and international performers in the company of celebrities, media, authorities and the company’s top management.

Following the ceremony, the MSC Preziosa kicked off its inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean.

Sailing from Genoa through the end of the European summer, the vessel offered a series of weeklong cruises during its maiden program.

Visiting Italy, Tunisia, Spain and France, the itinerary featured Naples, Messina, La Goulette, Barcelona and Marseille as ports of call.

In November, the MSC Preziosa crossed the Atlantic for the first time ahead of a winter season in Brazil.

Sailing from the Port of Santos during the entire 2013-2014 season, the vessel became the biggest and one of the newest cruise ships ever to sail from the South American country.

Completing MSC’s Fantasia Class, the MSC Preziosa offers most of the amenities of its sister ships, including a three-deck theatre, three pool decks, five restaurants, a complete wellness centre and more.

The 3,500-guest vessel also introduced new features such as Vertigo, a 120-meter-long waterslide, and the Doremi Castle Aqua Park, a water park for children.

 

Frank Del Rio To Retire from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Sommer Named Next CEO

Frank Del Rio To Retire from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Sommer Named Next CEO

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today announced that Frank J. Del Rio has decided to retire and step down from his position as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and from its Board of Directors, effective June 30, 2023, according to a press release.

Del Rio will serve in a consultant capacity as a Senior Advisor to the Board through 2025. Harry J. Sommer, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of NCL since 2020, has been appointed to succeed Del Rio and will also join the company’s Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023.

David J. Herrera, who has served as Chief Consumer Sales and Marketing Officer of NCL since 2021, will succeed Sommer as President of NCL, effective April 1, 2023.

According to a company statement, Del Rio’s well-deserved retirement is the culmination of a remarkable career spanning three decades in the cruise industry.

Del Rio has led the company since 2015 and prior to that led Prestige Cruise International, Inc., or its predecessor, which operated and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, from 2002 until its acquisition by Norwegian. Del Rio founded Oceania Cruises in 2002, creating a new “upper premium” market space in the cruise industry. During his tenure, Del Rio successfully led the company in welcoming eight new and innovative ships since 2015, introducing the company’s second private island destination, Harvest Caye, and achieving industry-leading yields and financial results. Del Rio also led the company through the COVID-19 pandemic, the most tumultuous time in its 56-year history, and was a vocal leader and advocate for the entire cruise industry through unprecedented times as it worked to resume cruise operations globally.

Sommer, 55, has more than 30 years of cruise industry experience across sales, marketing, revenue management, passenger services, itinerary development and international business development and operations. In addition to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, NCL, Sommer expanded his responsibilities in recent months to include oversight for all of the company’s other revenue-generating functional areas, including Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the tri-branded Onboard Revenue department. Previously, he served as President, International and throughout his career also held executive roles at various cruise operators.

“On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I thank Frank for his invaluable contributions to this company and the cruise industry throughout the last 30 years,” said Russell W. Galbut, chairman of the Board of Directors of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “He has delivered superior financial results, expanded our fleet with luxurious and innovative ships, strengthened our global footprint and delivered unparalleled experiences for our guests. His passion and dedication will have a lasting impact on both our business and the industry at large.”

Galbut continued: “The Board is thrilled to appoint Harry to succeed Frank as the company’s next CEO, – the culmination of a thoughtful succession planning process. A highly experienced leader and operator, Harry has worked alongside Frank for many years and helped drive the success of our largest, award-winning brand during a critical time. He successfully relaunched the NCL fleet following a more than 500-day pause, delivered the game-changing Norwegian Prima, the first of six ships in the brand’s new class, and led the team to a record-breaking booking year in 2022. Harry is undoubtedly the right leader to lead our company forward into the next chapter of growth.”

“Leading Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “My heartfelt gratitude goes out to our 39,000 team members around the globe whose innovation, tenacity and collaboration have strengthened this company and built the industry’s most passionate and loyal base of cruisers. With the company solidly positioned for 2023 and beyond, I am confident that now is the right time to pass the baton to Harry. Having worked closely with Harry for decades, I know firsthand that his talent and skills are ideally suited to take this company into its next era. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Harry, the Board and our management team during the coming months to ensure a seamless transition. I am delighted to continue to serve as a Senior Advisor to the Board after the transition.”

“I am incredibly humbled to succeed Frank as this iconic company’s next President and CEO, and I’m grateful to have the unwavering support of him and the Board to lead the company as we embark on the next chapter for our storied brands,” Sommer said. “I am proud to have been a part of the company’s successes during the last 15 years, and I look forward to the bright future ahead, including the transformational growth we have in the pipeline. I am honoured and excited to lead and work alongside what is unquestionably the best team in the industry to deliver on our business and financial goals.”

Sommer added: “I’m particularly happy that David will be leading Norwegian Cruise Line as he has been a key contributor to NCL’s success in recent years. With his strong financial, sales, marketing and business development background, David will be further empowered to guide the NCL brand on an accelerated path forward. I am confident that he is the right person, at the right time, to lead this amazing brand into a bright future ahead.”

“I look forward to continuing to work alongside Harry and our leadership team to build on our strong momentum and continue to provide NCL guests with industry-leading experiences,” Herrera said. “I am honoured and grateful for this incredible opportunity to lead this premier cruise line and our world-class team.”