* MSC Confirms Stretch of Four Lirica-class Ships
A couple of weeks ago we told you about plans MSC had to stretch their four Lirica-class ships, but the line didn’t want to confirm them yet at that time.
MSC confirmed the (nearly) E200 million project today, and the rumor was pretty close to reality.
* Moving to Miami
Carnival said today that Carnival Splendor will be homeported in Miami seasonally beginning with the winter season 2014-2015 for seven-day cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean.
It will be the seventh ship Carnival has based in South Florida.
* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about how the plot thickens at Celebrity, and what's going up at Holland America.
The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Carnival Brands Win Award for Clean Tech Marine Solutions
Carnival Corporation named Clean Tech award winner for best marine solutions by the New Economy
MIAMI (Dec. 20, 2013) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, has been named the Best Marine Solutions Company in this year’s Clean Tech Awards by The New Economy.
The Clean Tech Awards are given out by The New Economy, a quarterly publication whose goal is to engender financial investment and encourage discussion and debate of appropriate strategies for the promotion of global economic growth. The award winners demonstrated a commitment to producing clean technology to improve the environment in 2013.
Carnival has a long tradition of making environmental sustainability and clean technology a corporate priority. This includes initiatives such as developing ground-breaking exhaust gas cleaning technology – known as “scrubbers” -- on a number of ships to reduce the amount of air emissions from using high-sulfur fuel. The scrubbers, which will be on 17 Carnival Cruise Line ships, nine Holland America Line ships, seven Princess Cruises ships and Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 by 2016, will meet and exceed the new regulations. AIDA Cruises has also announced a 100 million euro investment to protect the environment, particularly to install the scrubber technology.
“This technology is an accomplishment as well as an important milestone for our company,” said Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald. “Working together with the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada, we have developed a breakthrough solution for cleaner air that will set a new course in environmental protection for years to come.”
Other initiatives include Carnival’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 percent in 2015 from its baseline 2005 level. From 2005 to 2012, Carnival has reduced its emission rate by 16.7 percent, including a three percent decrease between 2011 and 2012. Carnival has installed water treatment plants on nearly half of its entire fleet of ships, and plans to install advanced versions of the treatment plants on new ship builds and will continually upgrade existing ones. It is Carnival’s corporate policy to never discharge untreated sewage, despite maritime law allowing it in specific instances.
“In the cruise industry, and truly for all industries, environmental responsibility is essential to running a successful business in the 21st century,” said Carnival Corporation VP of Management Systems James Van Langen. “We are very proud of this award and we will continue to maintain our focus on achieving environmental excellence and promoting clean technology.”
The New Economy has been giving out awards since 2011. The New Economy Awards section of the magazine seeks to recognize those industry leaders who have set out to establish progress – rather than rely on the status quo. The research body investigates firms across the world in order to garner an understanding of the texture and thread of commercial markets.
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).
Together, these brands operate 101 ships totaling 208,000 lower berths with eight new ships scheduled to be delivered between spring 2014 and fall 2016. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.
Source: Carnival Corp
MIAMI (Dec. 20, 2013) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, has been named the Best Marine Solutions Company in this year’s Clean Tech Awards by The New Economy.
The Clean Tech Awards are given out by The New Economy, a quarterly publication whose goal is to engender financial investment and encourage discussion and debate of appropriate strategies for the promotion of global economic growth. The award winners demonstrated a commitment to producing clean technology to improve the environment in 2013.
Carnival has a long tradition of making environmental sustainability and clean technology a corporate priority. This includes initiatives such as developing ground-breaking exhaust gas cleaning technology – known as “scrubbers” -- on a number of ships to reduce the amount of air emissions from using high-sulfur fuel. The scrubbers, which will be on 17 Carnival Cruise Line ships, nine Holland America Line ships, seven Princess Cruises ships and Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 by 2016, will meet and exceed the new regulations. AIDA Cruises has also announced a 100 million euro investment to protect the environment, particularly to install the scrubber technology.
“This technology is an accomplishment as well as an important milestone for our company,” said Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald. “Working together with the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada, we have developed a breakthrough solution for cleaner air that will set a new course in environmental protection for years to come.”
Other initiatives include Carnival’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 percent in 2015 from its baseline 2005 level. From 2005 to 2012, Carnival has reduced its emission rate by 16.7 percent, including a three percent decrease between 2011 and 2012. Carnival has installed water treatment plants on nearly half of its entire fleet of ships, and plans to install advanced versions of the treatment plants on new ship builds and will continually upgrade existing ones. It is Carnival’s corporate policy to never discharge untreated sewage, despite maritime law allowing it in specific instances.
“In the cruise industry, and truly for all industries, environmental responsibility is essential to running a successful business in the 21st century,” said Carnival Corporation VP of Management Systems James Van Langen. “We are very proud of this award and we will continue to maintain our focus on achieving environmental excellence and promoting clean technology.”
The New Economy has been giving out awards since 2011. The New Economy Awards section of the magazine seeks to recognize those industry leaders who have set out to establish progress – rather than rely on the status quo. The research body investigates firms across the world in order to garner an understanding of the texture and thread of commercial markets.
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).
Together, these brands operate 101 ships totaling 208,000 lower berths with eight new ships scheduled to be delivered between spring 2014 and fall 2016. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.
Source: Carnival Corp
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Cruise News Daily Headlines for December 19, 2013
* Fincantieri Lays First Viking Keel
Fincantieri laid the keel for Viking Star this morning at their Marghera yard. Viking Star is the first of four ships on order by Viking Ocean Cruises.
* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Carnival's comments regarding the suit by Carnival Triumph passengers ... and Norwegian Getaway guests will enjoy top entertainers during the ship's stint as the Bud Light Hotel prior to the Super Bowl.
The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.
Fincantieri laid the keel for Viking Star this morning at their Marghera yard. Viking Star is the first of four ships on order by Viking Ocean Cruises.
* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Carnival's comments regarding the suit by Carnival Triumph passengers ... and Norwegian Getaway guests will enjoy top entertainers during the ship's stint as the Bud Light Hotel prior to the Super Bowl.
The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.
Fincantieri Lays First Viking Keel
Fincantieri laid the keel for Viking Star at their Marghera yard this morning. Viking Star is the first of four 47,800-ton oceangoing vessels Viking Ocean Cruises has on order with Fincantieri.
Shown at left is Viking chairman Torstein Hagen just before the first block was lowered into place in the dry dock.
Photo courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises. May not be copied or used without permission. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Cruise News Daily Headlines for December 18, 2013
* Next NCL Ship Also Reported to Be Based at Miami
And the highest bidder, for the Norwegian ship to be delivered in 2015, is apparently Miami, with a bid of $3 million plus.
Aspiring ports need to take note of a practice which is becoming more prevalent in securing cruise ships. They need to open their checkbooks wide.
* MSC Schedules Grand Voyage and Raises Grand QuestionMSC said today they have scheduled MSC Orchestra on a Grand Voyage in early 2015 that will take the line to parts of the world in which MSC cruise ships have never been seen.
MSC Orchestra will depart from Dubai on February 21, 2015 on a voyage that will take it to India, southeast Asia, and around Australia in 33 days.
The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.
And the highest bidder, for the Norwegian ship to be delivered in 2015, is apparently Miami, with a bid of $3 million plus.
Aspiring ports need to take note of a practice which is becoming more prevalent in securing cruise ships. They need to open their checkbooks wide.
* MSC Schedules Grand Voyage and Raises Grand QuestionMSC said today they have scheduled MSC Orchestra on a Grand Voyage in early 2015 that will take the line to parts of the world in which MSC cruise ships have never been seen.
MSC Orchestra will depart from Dubai on February 21, 2015 on a voyage that will take it to India, southeast Asia, and around Australia in 33 days.
The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.
Holland America and Seabourn Employees Fighting Hunger
Holland America Line and Seabourn employees help Northwest Harvest Fight Hunger
Seattle, Wash., Dec. 16, 2013 — Nearly 400 Holland America Line and Seabourn employees were joined by Holland America Line President and CEO and Seabourn Chairman Stein Kruse and other company executives this week as they helped process and prepare more than 111,000 pounds of food at Northwest Harvest, an organization dedicated to feeding the hungry in Washington State. The cruise companies’ sixth annual community giving week ran from Dec. 9 through 13, with employees volunteering for morning and afternoon shifts at the organization’s Kent, Wash., distribution center.
Northwest Harvest organizes and distributes food for area food banks, shelters and meal programs. Aside from providing volunteers, Kruse also presented Northwest Harvest with a monetary and grocery card donation totaling nearly $6,000 on behalf of the cruise lines and their employees.
“Every year, this volunteer experience becomes more rewarding for our employees because we’re directly impacting our community,” said Kruse. “Northwest Harvest is an incredible organization that supports so many in our area and we are honored to be able to work with them during the holiday season.”
Since 2008, more than 3,000 Holland America Line and Seabourn employees have volunteered at the Kent location, in addition to giving food and monetary donations. Northwest Harvest executives estimate that company employees have helped sort well over 150 tons (300,000 pounds) of food over the years.
Northwest Harvest is Washington’s only statewide hunger relief agency. The organization supplies free food to a network of nearly 360 independent food banks and meal programs throughout the state. Relying on contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations and other organizations, 93 percent of Northwest Harvest’s total budget goes to food distribution. For more information contact www.northwestharvest.org
Source: Holland America Line
Seattle, Wash., Dec. 16, 2013 — Nearly 400 Holland America Line and Seabourn employees were joined by Holland America Line President and CEO and Seabourn Chairman Stein Kruse and other company executives this week as they helped process and prepare more than 111,000 pounds of food at Northwest Harvest, an organization dedicated to feeding the hungry in Washington State. The cruise companies’ sixth annual community giving week ran from Dec. 9 through 13, with employees volunteering for morning and afternoon shifts at the organization’s Kent, Wash., distribution center.
Northwest Harvest organizes and distributes food for area food banks, shelters and meal programs. Aside from providing volunteers, Kruse also presented Northwest Harvest with a monetary and grocery card donation totaling nearly $6,000 on behalf of the cruise lines and their employees.
“Every year, this volunteer experience becomes more rewarding for our employees because we’re directly impacting our community,” said Kruse. “Northwest Harvest is an incredible organization that supports so many in our area and we are honored to be able to work with them during the holiday season.”
Since 2008, more than 3,000 Holland America Line and Seabourn employees have volunteered at the Kent location, in addition to giving food and monetary donations. Northwest Harvest executives estimate that company employees have helped sort well over 150 tons (300,000 pounds) of food over the years.
Northwest Harvest is Washington’s only statewide hunger relief agency. The organization supplies free food to a network of nearly 360 independent food banks and meal programs throughout the state. Relying on contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations and other organizations, 93 percent of Northwest Harvest’s total budget goes to food distribution. For more information contact www.northwestharvest.org
Source: Holland America Line
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Cruise News Daily Headlines for December 17, 2013
* Jacksonville Decides to Proceed with the Status Quo
Longtime readers (or at least those who have been following the industry since 2008) know there’s been something of a panic in Jacksonville to settle on a site for a new cruise terminal, because the port’s cargo terminal was going to expand onto the location of the cruise terminal. The way things were progressing, the wrecking balls were en route to the port to knock it down (figuratively). At several times the port had even gone so far as to option other parcels of land for the cruise terminal that would actually be in better locations than the current one.
So it comes as a stunning change that the port has decided to just let the cruise terminal stay where it is - for now.
* CNN Looks at the Carnival Triumph Fire
Last night CNN aired a report on Anderson Cooper 360 based on a lawsuit filed by a small number of passengers who were aboard Carnival Triumph when it experienced an engine room fire. The ship subsequently drifted in the Gulf of Mexico under very unpleasant conditions.
The report seemed to accept that the plaintiffs were right, which isn’t surprising, but what was surprising was that Carnival actually participated in the story, granting interviews and giving statements.
The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.
Longtime readers (or at least those who have been following the industry since 2008) know there’s been something of a panic in Jacksonville to settle on a site for a new cruise terminal, because the port’s cargo terminal was going to expand onto the location of the cruise terminal. The way things were progressing, the wrecking balls were en route to the port to knock it down (figuratively). At several times the port had even gone so far as to option other parcels of land for the cruise terminal that would actually be in better locations than the current one.
So it comes as a stunning change that the port has decided to just let the cruise terminal stay where it is - for now.
* CNN Looks at the Carnival Triumph Fire
Last night CNN aired a report on Anderson Cooper 360 based on a lawsuit filed by a small number of passengers who were aboard Carnival Triumph when it experienced an engine room fire. The ship subsequently drifted in the Gulf of Mexico under very unpleasant conditions.
The report seemed to accept that the plaintiffs were right, which isn’t surprising, but what was surprising was that Carnival actually participated in the story, granting interviews and giving statements.
The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.
December Update on Project to Remove Costa Concordia
CND reported on the meeting last Saturday to update the residents of the Isle of Giglio on the progress to remove Costa Concordia. While we reported on the details of the timeline, the bottom line is that the ship is now expected to be refloated and removed at the end of June 2014.
In a side note, Costa reported they have now emptied the safes in 405 now dry cabins. The contents will be inventoried and returned to the owners.
In a side note, Costa reported they have now emptied the safes in 405 now dry cabins. The contents will be inventoried and returned to the owners.
The portion of Costa Concordia now righted and above the water is shown on the starboard side looking aft. This is the side which was under the water and upon which the ship was resting until it was righted. The damaged areas on this side need to be repaired (so the ship will float) before the sponsons are attached in April.
A longer view of the ship's port side.
Photos courtesy of the Parbuckling Project. May not be used or copied without permission. All rights reserved.
Composto Joins Silversea as VP of Marketing for the Americas
Silversea appoints new vice president of marketing for the America
(Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- December 17, 2013) Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has appointed Angela Composto as its new vice president of marketing for the Americas, reporting to Kristian Anderson, senior vice president of sales and general manager for North America. She will be based in the Fort Lauderdale office.
With 20 years of experience in marketing management and promotion, Composto will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day marketing activities for the Americas, including the development, implementation and management of advertising, collateral, direct marketing and e-marketing programs.
"I'm pleased that Angela is joining us at such an important time when our expedition fleet is growing and the company is about to celebrate 20 years of leadership and innovation in the luxury segment," said Anderson. "Her extensive marketing experience and proven track record in leading teams to success will be invaluable to the company."
Prior to joining Silversea, Composto was senior marketing communications director for Ryder System, Inc. Her past experience also includes positions with JM Family Enterprises, Costa Cruise Lines, and Renaissance Cruises.
"I'm very excited and pleased to be joining such a distinguished luxury travel company. I look forward to being a part of this highly successful team and helping the company further shape and strengthen its brand image," said Composto.
Composto holds a bachelor of business administration degree in international business from Hofstra University in New York.
Source: Silversea Cruises
With 20 years of experience in marketing management and promotion, Composto will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day marketing activities for the Americas, including the development, implementation and management of advertising, collateral, direct marketing and e-marketing programs.
"I'm pleased that Angela is joining us at such an important time when our expedition fleet is growing and the company is about to celebrate 20 years of leadership and innovation in the luxury segment," said Anderson. "Her extensive marketing experience and proven track record in leading teams to success will be invaluable to the company."
Prior to joining Silversea, Composto was senior marketing communications director for Ryder System, Inc. Her past experience also includes positions with JM Family Enterprises, Costa Cruise Lines, and Renaissance Cruises.
"I'm very excited and pleased to be joining such a distinguished luxury travel company. I look forward to being a part of this highly successful team and helping the company further shape and strengthen its brand image," said Composto.
Composto holds a bachelor of business administration degree in international business from Hofstra University in New York.
Source: Silversea Cruises
Monday, December 16, 2013
Cruise News Daily Headlines for December 16, 2013
* Viking Ocean Orders More
It’s still a year and a half before the first of the Viking Ocean ships is delivered to the line, but today Fincantieri announced Viking has ordered two additional vessels bringing their order for an oceangoing fleet to four.
The oceangoing fleet will operate separately from the river cruises, but is targeting much the same clientele.
* Meeting on Giglio
Over the weekend (Saturday) there was a meeting on the Isle of Giglio for residents to update them on the status of Costa Concordia.
What they heard should have reassured them that things are moving forward, but it also would have been upsetting to those who were holding out hope the ship would be quickly removed in the spring. It seems that the best estimate now is that the ship will be towed away at the end of June.
* Your photos are ready
In the last few days, it seems everyone has something they want to show us, so we have been busy posting those to our blog.
We have the latest construction photos from Meyer Werft of Quantum of the Seas.
Would you like to see the Christmas decorations on Queen Elizabeth?
If Mickey Mouse is more your taste, we have the Christmas tree on Disney Magic.
And we have a first look at the new Bacardi Bar on Great Stirrup Cay (NCL’s private island).
It’s still a year and a half before the first of the Viking Ocean ships is delivered to the line, but today Fincantieri announced Viking has ordered two additional vessels bringing their order for an oceangoing fleet to four.
The oceangoing fleet will operate separately from the river cruises, but is targeting much the same clientele.
* Meeting on Giglio
Over the weekend (Saturday) there was a meeting on the Isle of Giglio for residents to update them on the status of Costa Concordia.
What they heard should have reassured them that things are moving forward, but it also would have been upsetting to those who were holding out hope the ship would be quickly removed in the spring. It seems that the best estimate now is that the ship will be towed away at the end of June.
* Your photos are ready
In the last few days, it seems everyone has something they want to show us, so we have been busy posting those to our blog.
We have the latest construction photos from Meyer Werft of Quantum of the Seas.
Would you like to see the Christmas decorations on Queen Elizabeth?
If Mickey Mouse is more your taste, we have the Christmas tree on Disney Magic.
And we have a first look at the new Bacardi Bar on Great Stirrup Cay (NCL’s private island).
Quantum of the Seas Construction Update
These photos show Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas under construction at Meyer Werft in Papenburg (Germany).
The top photo was taken at the end of last week.
The photo below was taken this morning (December 16, 2013). Quantum can be seen at the rear of Meyer's covered building dock. The ship in the foreground is believed to be Anthem of the Seas.
Photos courtesy of Royal Caribbean International and Meyer Werft. May not be used or copied without permission. All rights reserved.
The top photo was taken at the end of last week.
The photo below was taken this morning (December 16, 2013). Quantum can be seen at the rear of Meyer's covered building dock. The ship in the foreground is believed to be Anthem of the Seas.
Photos courtesy of Royal Caribbean International and Meyer Werft. May not be used or copied without permission. All rights reserved.
Disney Magic Ready for the Holidays
Disney Cruise Line has completed decorating Disney Magic for its first holiday season since it was "re-imagined" this fall. In these photos you can see the ship's magnificent two-deck-tall Christmas tree in the atrium. (Note the gingerbread house just behind the tree.)
Photos courtesy of Disney Cruise Line. May not be copied or used without permission. All rights reserved.
Photos courtesy of Disney Cruise Line. May not be copied or used without permission. All rights reserved.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Christmas Comes to Queen Elizabeth
The Christmas decorations went up on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth this week.
Photos courtesy of Cunard Line. May not be used or copied without permission. All rights reserved.
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| Queen Elizabeth's atrium is all decked out |
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| The decorations extend into the Queen's Room as well as many other places on the ship. |
Photos courtesy of Cunard Line. May not be used or copied without permission. All rights reserved.