CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 1 Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton yacht progress reports Princess Cruises enters Sphere-class era REVIEWING CRUISE BUSINESS GLOBALLY SPRING 2024 Magazine
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CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 3 Cover picture: The outward and suspended Sphere, the namesake of this new class of ships, takes the Piazza on the Sun Princess to the next level. Photo credit: James Morgan/Getty Images for Princess Cruises 6 Editor’s Commentary 6 Editor’s Commentary 8 Port Everglades sails with hospitality in the forefront 10 Upfront 16 Prolific partnership keeps continuous innovation on deck 18 Four Seasons Yachts unveils accommodations, first sailings 20 Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection previews its second ship, Ilma 22 Methanol Superstorage reignites cruise ship retrofit plans 24 Sun Princess ready for the global deployment 29 Seatrade Cruise Global – what is cooking in the cruise business? Sunset on the Lake Huron, photographed onboard the Viking Octantis CONTENTS – SPRING 2024 Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em ela CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 3
Viking.com With Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 for Oceans, Expeditions and Rivers CST# 2052644-40
Viking.com With Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 for Oceans, Expeditions and Rivers CST# 2052644-40
6 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 6 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 M ultiple new cruise lines are emerging this year. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted cruise operations four years ago, many cruise lines started to offload their surplus tonnage. While some of them were scrapped before their economic life ended, others found homes with new “speculative” owners. One of them was Seajets in Greece, which acquired over a half-dozen vessels from various cruise lines. Some of these ships were traded for existing cruise lines, while others have found homes in entirely new cruise ventures. These new companies are adding very diversified products to the industry. Interestingly, Seajets, which itself is a major Greek fast ferry operator with no previous experience in the cruise market, has launched its own cruise start-up: Neonyx Cruises, the newest line introduced this year. The company will operate adults-only, music-themed 3and 4-night cruises from Piraeus on the 102,587-gross-ton Goddess of Night, which is the former Costa Magica built in 2004. Another Greek-based operator, Celestyal Cruises, replenished its two-ship fleet with secondhand acquisitions: Celestyal Journey, which originally traded as the Ryndam of Holland America Line, and Celestyal Discovery, originally AIDAaura of AIDA Cruises. Perhaps the most-watched newcomer will be Aroya Cruises, an offshoot of Cruise Saudi. Tailored for the local Middle East market, the company acquired the former World Dream of Genting Hong Kong after it shut down. The 150,353-gross-ton, 2017-built ship, renamed Manara, has spent the last few months in Bremerhaven undergoing an extensive refurbishment in order to serve its new market. Notably, the ship will not have casinos, and in accordance with Saudi law, will not serve alcohol, but will offer a family-friendly product. Japanese Mitsui O.S.K. Line has served the local cruise market for decades under the trading name of Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line, or MOPAS. The shipping giant, however, decided to diversify its involvement more from cargo to passenger trading, and announced a new cruise venture, called Mitsui Ocean Cruises. While the company is seeking to order newbuilds on a later date, it was able to acquire the 33,346-gross-ton, 2009-built Seabourn Odyssey. The ship will be renamed Mitsui Ocean Fuji, and will begin operations December 2024 serving both Japanese and international markets. It has already hired several executives outside of Japan. In the Baltic, Birka Cruises, specializing in the Swedish short cruise market, ceased its operations during the pandemic and put its 2004-constructed Birka Stockholm up for sale. As the ship specialized in short cruises (mainly 24 hours) with heavy emphasis on tax-free sales, there was little interest outside its original market niche. Last year, two Baltic ferry companies, Gotlandsbolaget and Viking Line, joined forces by founding Gotland Alandia Cruises. The 34,924-gross-ton ship was renamed Birka Gotland and restarted its operations from Stockholm this spring. While this commentary was being written, another new company was emerging. Villa Vie Residences acquired the former Braemar of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and after an extensive refit, introduced the renamed Villa Vie Odyssey on a continuous world cruise. We hope for better success for this newcomer, which is rather similar to the failed Life at Sea, founded by Turkish Miray Cruises last year. Teijo Niemelä EDITOR’S COMMENTARY New cruise lines emerge due to availability of secondhand tonnage HOW TO FOLLOW US X/@cruisebusiness || Facebook/CruiseBusinessUSA || Instagram/niemelateijo || E-mail christer.gorschelnik(a)kolumbus.fi CruiseBusiness.com Magazine Editor Teijo Niemelä Publisher Cruise Media LLC Chief Content Officer Carolyn Spencer Brown Sales Christer Gorschelnik COMPANY ADDRESS Cruise Media LLC 209 N Queen Street Chestertown, MD 21620 USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 E-mail cruisemediallc(a)gmail.com SALES OFFICE USA Teijo Niemelä 209 N Queen Street Chestertown, MD 21620 USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 E-mail cruisemediallc(a)gmail.com SALES OFFICE FINLAND ChrisGo Consulting Pahtankatu 10 as 10 FI-21200 Raisio, Finland Telephone +358-440-159 554 E-mail christer.gorschelnik(a)kolumbus.fi FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR Carolyn Spencer Brown, the longtime, award-winning Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, is Chief Content Officer of Cruise Media LLC. In that role, she oversees the company’s branded content projects for cruise lines, business to business clients and ports and destinations: carolynspencerbrown.com
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8 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 Positive guest experiences are a priority for Port Everglades, with more cruise lines joining the fleet and travelers from across the globe eager for Florida and Caribbean vacations. To learn more about the port’s cruise guests and how to improve their short visits, Port Everglades conducted a comprehensive study that included interviews with more than 7,000 travelers. Participating cruise lines included Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea and Viking. The best news is that 94% of those surveyed rated “ease of sailing” from Port Everglades as excellent or good. Hospitality is also on the radar of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1526, professional porters whose primary role is to greet cruise guests, confirm stateroom numbers and handle baggage. More than 350 ILA members completed an interactive hospitality training program at Port Everglades designed to provide friendlier services to visitors. The port’s enviable location in the heart of South Florida and just a shell’s throw from the Caribbean, makes it one of the three busiest cruise homeports in the world with more than 3.7 million cruise guests anticipated in 2024 and even more in 2025. NEW THIS SEASON AND NEXT For cruise guests launching their summer vacations from South Florida, Port Everglades offers five cruise ships, from one fit for a princess to another that takes guests on a magic carpet ride: Celebrity Beyond (seven days), Celebrity Reflection (three and four days), Disney Magic (three, four and five days), Enchanted Princess (seven days), and Freedom of the Seas (seven days). The port is officially the second homeport for Disney Cruise Line (DCL) sailing Disney Dream from the re-imagined Cruise Terminal 4 and adding Disney Magic in summer 2024 with Disney Dream returning in fall 2024. The partnership with Disney includes a 15-year agreement with one ship to be homeported in Port Everglades year-round and joined by a second, seasonal ship, to be announced in 2025. Walt Disney Imagineering re-imagined the 104,000-square-foot Cruise Terminal 4 exclusively for DCL guests to provide a seamless embarkation experience. Once guests arrive at the terminal to embark on their voyage, they “dive” into the world of Disney and Pixar’s film, “Finding Nemo,” with some of their favorite friends from the film displayed on colorful murals. Luxury cruise lines continue to drop anchor at the South Florida homeport including Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which will host its naming ceremony for its newest ship, Ilma, at the port in December 2024. Celebrity Cruises will introduce its fifth award-winning Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcel, to Port Everglades November 2025, with its maiden voyage to the Bahamas and Mexico. Celebrity Ascent, the fourth Edge-class ship, made its debut at the port with preview sailings in November 2023 followed by its official naming ceremony in early December 2023. Silversea Cruises’ innovative Silver Nova, fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), makes several sailings from Port Everglades in 2024. It will be joined by the newest Nova Class ship, Silver Ray, which will sail from the port in December 2024. Under the umbrella of next-generation fueled ships is the new LNG-powered Sun Princess from Princess Cruises, which will begin homeporting in fall 2024. Offering guests an evolution of the signature Princess brand, Sun Princess will be homeported at Port Everglades from October 2024 through March 2025. The rebranded luxury line Crystal will homeport the refurbished Crystal Serenity in November 2024 with several sailings scheduled during the 2025 season. Port Everglades offers everything under the sun from Caribbean cruises to world voyages to fast ferry getaways — all from the vacation paradise of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Port Everglades guests enjoy the port’s proximity to three international airports including rapidly growing Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) less than 2 miles away. For preand post-cruise stays, Port Everglades is a short drive to sweeping beachfronts, a vibrant art scene, world-class restaurants, craft breweries, entertainment, shopping, casinos, and family-friendly activities — including the port’s namesake, the Florida Everglades. View details on the latest cruise offerings at PortEverglades. net or contact us by emailing PortEverglades@broward.org. Port Everglades sails with hospitality in the forefront Port Everglades in a busy day Disney Cruise Line embarkation ADVERTORIAL
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 9 Everything needed for a seamless journey is right here. Port Everglades guests enjoy easy access through a leading international airport, direct highway connections, state-of-the-art terminals, secure parking, and boundless preand post-cruise possibilities in the world’s most inviting destination, Greater Fort Lauderdale, where Everyone Under the Sun is embraced with open arms. We make it easy. PortEverglades.net This Port is Paradise. Welcome to smooth sailing the voyage begins here
10 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 UPFRONT Carnival Cruise Line celebrated 30 years of sailing from New Orleans on a special event onboard the Carnival Liberty on May 6, 2024. Carnival is the top cruise operator in New Orleans and the only ocean cruise line to homeport in the city year-round. Nearly 7 million guests have cruised from Port NOLA on Carnival ships since the cruise line began the port’s first yearround service from the city in 1994. Pictured from left, former Carnival Corp. & plc CEO Arnold Donald, the cruise line’s Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse and Brandy D. Christian, President & CEO, Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. Carnival Cruise Line, the largest brand of Carnival Corp. & plc, added its fifth ship in just 18 months, when it celebrated the naming ceremony of Carnival Firenze in Long Beach, California, in April. The 135,156-gross-ton and 4,208-passenger, 2020-built vessel was transferred from sister brand Costa Cruises. By next year, Carnival will embark more than 750,000 guests from Long Beach on more than 200 sailings, an increase of 100,000 more guests compared to 2019. Photographed from the left, the ship’s Godfather Jonathan Bennett and Capt. Enzo Palomba. Hannah Waddingham (in the middle) officially welcomed the newest Princess Cruises ship — Sun Princess — serving as godmother during a star-studded naming ceremony in the Port of Barcelona on April 23. Actor and magician Michael Carbonaro (pictured left) served as master of ceremonies for the event, and was joined by a host of celebrities and TV personalities including Tyra Banks, Romero Britto, Randy Fenoli, Jeff Corwin, Rob Floyd, along with celebrated chefs Dario Cecchini, Makoto Okuwa, and original “Love Boat” cast members Jill Whelan (Vicki Stubing), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Bernie Kopell (Doc). Photographed on the right: Princess Cruises President John Padgett.
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 11 Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management and Anglo-Eastern Leisure Management (formerly Cruise Management International and CMI Leisure Management) are now proud members of the Anglo-Eastern family, which has been managing ships of all types and sizes for high-profile clients around the world since 1974. It’s a legacy we’re proud of and inspired to build upon, through new markets, new partners, and new possibilities. And nothing could be more exciting than leveraging our global scale and expertise for growth in the cruise industry with two of the most trusted experts in the business that share our same commitment to quality, safety, and the enviroment.
12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 The first new ship for the Cunard in 14 years, the 113,000-gross-ton and 2,996-guest Queen Anne was officially named in Liverpool on June 3 by five Liverpool icons representing the city, including former Spice Girl and author Melanie C, broadcaster and community leader Ngunan Adamu, local restaurant entrepreneur Natalie Haywood, Liverpool music and cultural legend Jayne Casey, and British Olympian heptathlon athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson. In the picture they are joined by Cunard President Katie McAlister. Queen Anne is the fleet mate three other Cunard vessels, the Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, all of which were named by a member of the royal family. Silversea Cruises, part of the Royal Caribbean Group, took delivery of its second Nova-class ship, Silver Ray, from Meyer Werft on May 14. The 55,051-gross-ton and 728-guest ultra-luxury ship joins the fleet of 11 other vessels. Celebrating the official handover, among others, were Bernard Meyer, Chairman of the Meyer Group, Bernd Eikens, CEO of Meyer Group and Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. UPFRONT Royal Caribbean and The Bahamas broke ground on the cruise line’s new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau in April. Opening in 2025, the first in the Royal Beach Club Collection will debut a Bahamian beach day for vacationers and a public-private partnership in which Bahamians will own up to 49% equity. Photo from left to right: Phylicia Woods-Hanna, Director of Investments of The Bahamas; Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer, Royal Caribbean International; Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness of The Bahamas; Jason Liberty, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group; Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International; I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation of The Bahamas; JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Minister of Energy and Transport of The Bahamas; Philip Simon Jr., President and General Manager, Royal Beach Club and Royal Caribbean International Bahamas; and Russell Benford, Vice President of Government Relations – Americas, Royal Caribbean Group.
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 13 Meyer Turku delivered the 111,500-grosston and 2,894-passenger Mein Schiff 7 to TUI Cruises on June 10. Mein Schiff 7 is the first vessel with methanol readiness built at the Meyer Turku shipyard. At the official signing ceremony, Meyer Turku Shipyard was represented by CEO Tim Meyer and Head of Projects Tom Degerman and TUI Cruises by CEO Wybcke Meier and CFO Frank Kuhlmann. Mein Schiff 7 is also the seventh vessel Meyer Turku has constructed for TUI Cruises since 2014. Fincantieri and Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the float-out of the first Prima Plus -class newbuilding, Norwegian Aqua, in Marghera shipyard. At 156,300 gross tons, Norwegian Aqua will be 10% larger than the first two Prima-class vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.. Construction continues on Norwegian Aqua until its debut in April 2025, where the ship will sail 7-night Caribbean itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. The New York Stock Exchange welcomed Viking Holdings (NYSE: VIK), on May 1, 2024, in celebration of its initial public offering. To honor the occasion, Torstein Hagen, Chairman & CEO, joined by Lynn Martin, President, NYSE Group, ringing The Opening Bell along with Viking’s senior executives. Ph ot o Cr ed it: NY SE
14 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 MedCruise organized its 64th General Assembly in Spain Tarragona in June 11-14. The event took place simultaneously with the opening of the new cruise terminal operated by Global Ports Holding. Our Summer 2024 will have a complete report of the event. Official opening of the GA took place on June 11: MedCruise President Figen Ayan (center) with Mayor of Tarragona Rubén Viñuales (third from left) and Tarragona Port Authority President Saul Garrett (second from left) with other port and destination representatives. Royal Caribbean International welcomed Utopia of the Seas, the sixth Oasis-class ship, to its fleet. A handover took place in Saint-Nazaire, France, in June with 1,400-plus crew members and workers, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, Chantiers de l’Atlantique General Manager Laurent Castaing and Chantiers de l’Atlantique Senior Vice President of Operations JeanYves Jaouen. Earlier this spring, the company ordered 7th Oasis-class vessel. UPFRONT 14 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 15 Royal Caribbean Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique teams celebrated the Celebrity Xcel keel laying on June 13. (L to R) Jean-Yves Jaouen, Chantiers de l’Atlantique Operations Senior Vice President; Eric Perennou, Chantiers de l’Atlantique Senior Project Manager; Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean Group Executive Vice President Maritime and Newbuilding; Beatrice Siri, Royal Caribbean Group Associate Vice President Newbuilding; Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises President; Vasilé Sofronia, Chantiers de l’Atlantique welder; Laurent Castaing, Chantiers de l’Atlantique General Manager; Arnaud Le Joncour, Chantiers de l’Atlantique Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing; Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO; Keith Lane, Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President Hotel Operations; Robert Flack Celebrity Cruises Associate Vice President Hotel Operations CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 15 UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR SHIP DOORS The all-new Icon of the Seas, the greatest cruise ship ever, comes equipped with over 3200 intelligent cabin doors. The intelligence lies in e-hinges which open a variety of smart options for remote control. Should your next ship also get e-hinges? See more on our website: anttimarine.fi/icon-of-the-seas
16 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 Prolific partnership keeps continuous innovation on deck SHIPBUILDING The success and longevity of Meyer Werft’s partnership with Bolidt is the result of continuous innovation fueled by close collaboration, said the shipbuilder’s Managing Director, Thomas Weigend. “While shipyards generally prefer to work with multiple suppliers to promote the competition that can stimulate product development, some partnerships see close collaboration as an enduring source of mutual benefit. Having first worked together on Celebrity Cruises’ Horizon in 1989, Meyer Werft and Bolidt have since collaborated on every cruise ship built at the Meyer Werft yard in Papenburg, Germany, as well as on most of those constructed by sister yard Meyer Turku in Finland. This fruitful relationship has seen Bolidt supply its decking solutions to vessels operated by cruise companies such as AIDA, Carnival Cruise Line, NCL, P&O, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea and TUI Cruises. According to Thomas Weigend, Managing Director, Meyer Werft, Bolidt’s approach to collaboration and innovation has consistently delivered the variety that has enabled the shipyard to meet customer expectations. “Bolidt quickly became our number-one supplier for decking systems because its solutions were so ahead of their time, but it has never taken this position for granted,” he said. “As well as being relentlessly innovative, Bolidt is always willing to listen and take ideas on board, expanding the interior and exterior possibilities for vessel designers. Given that customer expectations evolve so rapidly in the cruise industry, Bolidt’s proactive approach is invaluable.” Solidarity between the two cruise ship innovators has also been influential. In the early stages of their partnership, Weigend recalled Meyer Werft and Bolidt facing challenges in convincing cruise ship owners and architects to swap teak for resin-based decking, even though the latter replaces a scarce tropical hardwood. Tried and tested in shipbuilding for centuries, teak was also the standard for luxury cruise vessels, with its aesthetic appeal matched by high durability. Ultimately, it was the considerable weight savings offered by Bolidt’s alternative — rather than its greater sustainability — which proved decisive. Weighty issues “Before the Panama Canal was expanded in the years 2007-2016, strict width limitations meant that cruise operators were looking for ways to minimize weight to fit as many cabins on board their ships as possible,” explained Weigend. “Bolidt’s solution was inherently lighter than teak, while its superior noise attenuation eliminated the need for a rubber underlayer to reduce noise transfer to lower decks, resulting in further weight savings.” Following the expansion of the canal and the subsequent increase in vessel width, weight
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 17 Prolific partnership keeps continuous innovation on deck was no longer the main focus for operators when selecting decking systems. Nevertheless, Bolidt’s synthetic applications were already firmly established in the cruise market, with Bolideck Future Teak — launched in 2005 — offering a solution that was not only lightweight but also durable; easy to install, maintain and clean; sustainable; and similar in appearance to real teak. In recent years, intensifying environmental regulations have seen the reemergence of weight considerations as a priority in cruise ship design. Against this background, Future Teak has provided a high-performance and cost-effective means of minimizing overall vessel weight to reduce fuel consumption and, as a consequence, cut greenhouse gas emissions. Weigend pointed to Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, as an example of how Future Teak meets the sustainability requirements of major cruise lines. Built by Meyer Turku, Icon of the Seas features an LNG/diesel-electric propulsion system and is almost completely powered by liquefied natural gas. Its environmental performance is further supported by the 32,000 square meters of sustainable decking, including a significant amount of Future Teak, supplied by Bolidt. Today, environmental factors must be balanced with ever-evolving design trends — and this is no truer than for operators and architects in the luxury cruise segment, where guest expectations are particularly high. By combining sustainability with a luxurious look and feel, Future Teak continues to find a ready audience in a fast-growing segment. Bolidt has recently supplied — or secured orders to supply — a number of luxury cruise vessels including Silver Nova and Asuka III. More to come on deck Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova, which embarked on its maiden voyage in 2023 following delivery by Meyer Werft, showcases an innovative deck layout for which Bolidt supplied Future Teak alongside stone-effect flooring and prefabricated parts. For NYK Cruises’ Asuka III, currently under construction in Papenburg, Bolidt will deliver an extensive decking solution — comprising Bolideck Future Teak, Select Soft and Select Hard — in its first order with a Japanese cruise line. Offering a hint at where Meyer Werft and Bolidt’s partnership may lead in the future is the Algae Lifecycle Floor (ALF) conceived by Meyer Werft concept designer Thorben Stubbe. As the winner of Bolidt’s inaugural Design Challenge in 2021, ALF is a versatile, carbon-negative decking innovation combining a bioplastic water tank containing live algae, which turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, with Pavegen tiles, which convert kinetic energy from footsteps into electricity. “ALF provides a glimpse at the future of decking technology and is another example of a Meyer Werft–Bolidt collaboration that has the potential to revolutionize cruise ship design,” said Weigend. “We are proud of our longstanding and prolific relationship with Bolidt and excited to see where it leads in the years ahead.” Icon of the Seas, largest cruise ship ever built Thomas Weigend, Managing Director of Meyer Werft Jacco van Overbeek, Director of Maritime Division at Bolidt
18 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 Four Seasons Yachts unveils accommodations, first sailings Four Seasons, better known for its upscale shoreside hotels and resorts, has unveiled the designs for guest accommodations on its first yacht, which is under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy. The 95-suite ship is scheduled to begin sailing in winter 2026. Four Seasons Yachts is jointly owned and operated by Four Seasons and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd. Marc-Henry is owned by entrepreneur Nadim Ashi, who also serves as Executive Chair of the company. Ashi is founder and CEO of Fort Partners, a real estate development firm based in Florida, with offices in New York and London. Marc-Henry’s initial co-founders also included Larry Pimentel and Philip Levine, who exited the partnership this winter. The joint venture has two 34,000-grosston yachts on order from Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. What is noteworthy is the vessels’ enormous space ratio of 153. There will be 95 guest suites, which will accommodate a maximum of 222 guests. Similarly the guestto-crew ratio is 1-to-1. In collaboration with Tillberg Design of Sweden and the Yacht’s Creative Director, Prosper Assouline, “the Yacht’s suite design embodies the essence of intuitive luxury, each a sanctuary of tranquility with panoramic views, elegant interiors, thoughtful details and a residential feel that creates the sense of a welcoming home at sea,” Four Seasons said in a press statement. “Our goal was to craft an environment that feels both familiar and extraordinary, with warm hues and open designs. We are creating an inviting, welcoming environment that reflects the same feeling one experiences at a Four Seasons hotel or resort,” says Fredrik Johannson, Partner and Executive Director of Tillberg Design of Sweden. “At the same time, we are designing a look and feel that is unique to this project, creating an elegant yet simple interior that stands out on its own, while blending beautifully with the majestic seas that will surround it.” With 50% more living space per guest than currently available with any competitor at sea, all suites will offer floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing sweeping sea views, double vanity bathrooms with spacious showers and closets, expansive private terraces, and dynamic use of space and light. The Yacht’s extensive network of adjoining suites will feature an innovative system that connects accommodations with modular walls, offering numerous options of vertical and horizontal combinations within the signature suites. This versatility will unlock more than 100 different connection options and the unique opportunity to reserve an entire side of a deck, perfect for those traveling with family, friends or larger groups. For example, this one-of-a-kind design will allow for more than 13,000 square feet (1,200 square meters) of total living space. The Funnel to turn heads The largest accommodations are seven signature suites ranging from 2,981 to 9,975 square feet (277 to 927 square meters) of indoor and outdoor living space. They offer two to three bedrooms, separate living rooms, indoor and outdoor dining space, splash pools, outdoor showers and the option to connect to additional suites. The premier signature suite accommodations — the Funnel and Loft Suites — both feature three bedrooms, outdoor showers and splash pools. The largest on board, the Funnel Suite, housed within the Yacht’s glass-enclosed funnel, is 9,975 square feet (927 square meters), spanning four levels of living space. The suite’s towering floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows, made up of the largest contiguous piece of glass at sea, is a one-of-a-kind engineering feat offering 280-degree panoramic views. The Loft Suite is 7,952 square feet (739 square meters) and can accommodate large group sizes of up to 20 people by connecting with seven additional suites, the largest number of connecting suites available. When exploring beyond their suites, guests can enjoy 11 dining options, spa and wellness offerings, a state-of-the-art transverse marina, and the stern pool, set to be one of the largest in the industry at nearly 19 meters long and 5 meters wide (65 feet long and 18 feet wide). Its unique hydraulic lift design will allow the pool deck to level out, creating an expansive outdoor space for weddings, celebrations and other events. Repositioning from the Med to the Caribbean After its delivery in January 2026, the ship will reposition from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. The first Caribbean itineraries feature seven nights through popular yachting destinations including Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts), Nevis, the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Curaçao and Aruba. Meanwhile, the first Grand Mediterranean voyages will begin in March 2026 and will include sailings through Croatia, Gibraltar, Montenegro, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. The Mediterranean itinerary will also highlight the Greek Isles, with stops in Athens, Ios, Santorini and Milos among others. PREVIEW Four Seasons Yacht will feature one of the largest pools at sea aft of the vessel
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 19 The expansive Funnel Suite Terrace Hydraulic lift design will allow the pool deck to level out, creating an expansive outdoor space for weddings, celebrations and other events Living room in the Loft Suite CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2024 19 State-of-the art Marina CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 19
20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 PREVIEW Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection entered the cruise business in October 2022 after many delays of its newbuild ship, the 25,401-grosston and 298-guest Evrima, which was commissioned from Spanish shipyard Hijos J. Barreras in Vigo. Before that first ship was in service (and its sister ship subsequently canceled), the owners of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection signed a contract with French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique for two much larger cruise ships able to carry 448 guests each. The largest shareholder of the cruise brand is Oaktree Capital Management. One of the reasons for the increased size of those newbuilds is that the twins will operate using LNG, thus requiring more space for the fuel. Despite the size of 46,750 gross tons, the ships will have similar profiles to traditional yachts, as does Evrima as well as some of the competitors, such as Scenic Group, comprising Scenic and Emerald brands. And Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is not the only new entrant in the cruise segment capitalizing on well-known hotel brands, as companies such as Aman, Four Seasons Yachts (read more from the previous pages) and Orient Express will follow soon with their newbuilds. Successful sea trials Ilma is currently in its final outfitting stage at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in SaintNazaire, France. In May, it conducted successfully its first sea trials, and the ship is expected to begin its maiden voyage from Monte Carlo on Sept. 2. Ilma will join inaugural yacht Evrima in sailing throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. In the summer of 2025, Ilma will explore the North and Baltic seas of Northern Europe, offering guests the opportunity to discover cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Reykjavík and more, marking the collection’s inaugural itineraries in the region. The 240-meter (790-foot) Ilma is a completely new platform for Ritz-Carlton. Its interior is designed by renowned London-based architectural and design firm AD Associates and lighting designer DPA, while exteriors reflect the vision of Helsinki-based Design studio Aivan. “With an aesthetic influenced by superyacht design cues, Ilma’s defining feature is its seamless integration of spaces, fostering a profound connection to the sea,” said Nicola Preece, design director at AD Associates. “A harmonious flow of geometry and texture between the interior and exterior creates a cohesive and tranquil atmosphere.” The 224 suites onboard the Ilma are located on the full length of the superstructure on Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection previews its second ship, Ilma Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is one of the newest names in the ultra-luxury cruise segment, debuting less than two years ago. Currently, it is in expansion mode, introducing two more ships, the Ilma, in 2024, and Luminara, in 2025. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is also one of the new cruise ventures in recent years capitalizing at sea on well-known hotel and resort brands.
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 21 Decks 6 to 10, while on Deck 5 they take the forward part, leaving aft for the public rooms. Each suite boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony. As far as public spaces are concerned, as a signature feature across the fleet, Ilma will expand on The Marina and Marina Terrace, featuring large Panasonic glass windows that draw in natural light, side doors that open and float above the water, and a hydraulic platform that will connect guests directly with the sea. Deck 10 presents a dynamic open-air space for live entertainment and sunbathing, with the main pool, pool bar and an outdoor LED screen. A new destination onboard Ilma will be the Beach House, conceptualized with Toronto-based luxury design firm Chapi Chapo Design. This indoor-outdoor restaurant will provide guests a vibrant waterfront haven with 180-degree views, enveloping them in a casually elegant environment where they can discover unique ingredients and culinary creativity rooted in Peruvian and Pan-Latin cuisine, alongside craft cocktails. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, providing treatments from 111SKIN and ESPA, will expand to 11 rooms, with five equipped to offer outdoor treatment options. There will also be three distinct fitness spaces with a movement studio, cycle studio and fitness studio with weights and cardio machines. Expanded array of dining and beverage options When it debuts, Ilma will expand its dining and beverage options to five restaurants, seven bars and a wine vault. In addition to the Beach House, another highlight will be Seta su Ilma by chef Fabio Trabocchi, featuring modern Italian fine dining. These concepts will complement Memory, which will serve contemporary Pan-Asian dishes; Mistral, which will offer Mediterranean cuisine; and Tides, which will offer a regionally inspired menu. At the heart of Ilma will sit the Living Room. As its name suggests, this is the space where guests can pick up and have their freshly prepared coffees and baked pastries at the espresso counter each morning. As the day progresses, the Living Room bar will serve cocktails, wines and Champagne accompanied by a live pianist. In the evening it will transform into a preand after-dinner venue, followed by late-night entertainment. Guests will also have the option of in-suite dining. While the Ilma is an all-inclusive product, the nightly seven-course tasting menu at Seta su Ilma is available for an additional fee. Concierge Suite Beach House is the new indoor/outdoor restaurant Mistral Grill Tides Main pool area Ilma photographed during the sea trials
22 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 A B SUSTAINABILITY Methanol Superstorage reignites cruise ship retrofit plans Cruise industry owners have been in the vanguard of the alternative fuel movement, but commercial shipping led 2023’s charge to methanol. Now, space-efficient ‘Methanol Superstorage’ is putting new energy into key cruise ship retrofits to replace conventional fuels. Methanol-capable engines were a stand-out feature of the 2023 orderbook for commercial ships, as leading players in container transport threw their investment behind an alternative fuel whose ‘green’ version can one day run vessels emission-free. DNV logged methanol as “the most popular alternative fuel choice in 2023” by a small margin, with 138 ships ordered to feature methanol-capable dual fuel engines, compared to 35 in 2022. Container ships contributed 106 of the orders. For the first time, methanol ship orders overtook LNG as an alternative to fuel oil. Stakeholders in the cruise industry have long been open to the attractions of the methanol alternative, buying into a fuel which is already widely used by other industries as derived from natural gas, but could be recovered from renewable sources. MSC Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Group are members of The Methanol Institute grouping, for example. Owners seeking practical pathways towards International Maritime Organization and EU targets for decarbonisation have been persuaded by methanol’s availability, predictability and relative ease of handling. Little space for big demand However, beyond the lack of bunkering infrastructure that stands in the way of rapid adoption of alternatives to HFO, the methanol road map features a shipboard storage challenge which undermines conventional ship operating cost models. Tonne for tonne, methanol is almost two and a half times more space hungry than HFO in terms of energy efficiency. Cruise shipping’s main players have therefore been quick to respond to Lloyd’s Register Approval in Principle (AiP) for ‘Methanol Superstorage’ – a new approach to storage tank construction which developer SRC Group says increases volume by 85% over conventional solutions. Conventionally, tanks storing low flashpoint fuels on board ship require cofferdams of at least 600mm across to separate internal and external walls as a safety precaution. Methanol Superstorage instead features 25mm thick tank walls which are formed by sandwich panel system (SPS) technology. Applicable to newbuilds and retrofits, the Methanol Superstorage solution can be installed with only a minimal impact on the general arrangement. SPS technology consists of a patent protected continuous polymer core that has been injected between two steel surfaces. The steel-polymer-steel barrier has been used in maritime and offshore applications for over two decades, and has been approved for permanent repairs by all major IACS class societies, including for corrosion in ship structures. Class approvals have also involved laboratory testing of the polymer core material for chemical resistance including for methanol. Energetic discussions With all of the leading cruise lines already considering retrofitting ships for methanol as a marine fuel, Hannes Lilp, CEO, SRC Group says the specialist Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation company has quickly been invited into talks. “These are confidential discussions, but the projects that have been progressing are now under review to accommodate consideration of Methanol Superstorage, while one project that looked totally dead is being revived,” says Lilp. Securing AiP provides a technology developer confirms that there are no major obstacles to future certification or classification, allowing a developer to “gain early confidence that your technology has the potential to satisfy regulatory requirements” in the words of Lloyd’s Register. It means “stakeholders will have confidence in their investment”. Alex Vainokivi, Innovation Manager, SRC Group, acknowledges that the regulations underlying fuel storage are still evolving. “The journey from AiP to full class approval is also substantive,” he observes. “Due to the regulatory status of low flash point fuels, methanol fuelled ships need to go through a Risk Based Certification process that includes the whole fuel system from bunkering station to the engines.” One strength of the Methanol Superstorage case rests on its equivalent protection against fire or leakage to a conventional tank, he adds. The injected polymer also creates oxygen-free conditions behind the steel plates to prevent corrosion. “Under fire testing, SPS technology satisfies the fire safety objectives and the functional requirements of SOLAS A-60 regulations without the need to install thermal insulation,” says Vainokivi. “What’s also been new since we secured AiP for Methanol Superstorage has been that the major engine makers have been contacting us too, while shipbuilders in Europe and Asia have been in touch with detailed, but often similar, enquiries,” he adds. Methanol Superstorage visual
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 23 2024 The present and future of the worldwide cruise industry SAVE THE DATE! The International Cruise Summit is a registered brand and product of WWW.INTERNATIONALCRUISESUMMIT.COM 12 & 13 NOVEMBER • MADRID Anuncio ICS 2024 v4.indd 1 Anuncio ICS 2024 v4.indd 1 12/6/24 20:50 12/6/24 20:50
24 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 At 177,882 gross tons, the new Sphere class was on the drawing board seven years before its debut this February. The Sun Princess represents the first new class of the ships for Princess since the Royal class was introduced in 2013. Since then, Princess added a total of six 145,000-gross-ton vessels to its fleet. During the years, the newer units received some updates to their decor and layout, but the original platform remained rather in its original form. When commissioning the Sun Princess and its sister ship Star Princess, which will debut in 2025, the parent company Carnival Corp. & plc trusted Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, which had built all newbuilds ordered by Princess Cruises since 1990, except two ships ordered from the French Chantiers de l’Atlantique early in the millennium. Simultaneously, Carnival Corp. & plc was busy commissioning slightly larger (182,000 gross tons) new Excel class ships in Meyer Group’s shipyards in Finland and Germany for four other brands of the company, including AIDA, Carnival, Costa and P&O Cruises. What these different classes of ships all share is that they are powered by Liquefied Natural Gas and are fitted with dual-fuel engines. While the parent company took its first LNG-powered newbuild in 2019, the Sun Princess is the first of its kind to the Princess brand. Another novelty for the Sun and Star is that they are the first Princess vessels fitted with ABB’s Azipods. NEW DESIGN STANDARDS While Sun Princess represents an entirely new platform and layout, the company also brought both experienced and new designers for the project. Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) — part of the Viken Group — was tapped to outline a new GA platform for this 21-deck vessel, and to design several of the key public rooms onboard. The project began in 2017, and TDoS was appointed by Princess Cruises to be the coordinating architects. The objective was to push the boundaries of traditional ship design, and create a renewed visual identity for the Princess Cruises brand. “We are used to managing extremely complex onboard flows and operations, and we know how to handle even the largest projects so that everything both looks and works to perfection,” explained Fredrik Johansson, co-founder of the Viken Group and Executive Director of TDoS. “With a capacity of nearly 100 people within the Viken Group, we have a rather unique pool of both top-end competence and capacity within interior and exterior design, as well as naval architecture and engineering,” Johansson said. “The Sun Princess project spanned over nearly seven years, and at times we had over 25 people working for that client alone.” Optimizing the design and development proREVIEW Despite its size, Sun Princess has been designed for global deployment and it can also transit the Panama Canal Fredrik Johansson of Tillberg Design of Sweden Sun Princess ready for global deployment By Teijo Niemelä When Princess Cruises was designing its new Sphere class, one of the fundamentals was that it had to be able to serve the “Love Boat” brand’s global itineraries. Princess Cruises has more ocean ports of call than any other cruise line in the world and it is not a coincidence that the new Sun Princess will spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean.
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 25 T I L L B E R G D E S I G N O F S W E D E N I S P A R T O F V I K E N G R O U P
26 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 cess from concept to competition is a core competence of Tillberg, but the creative process started by establishing a new PCL design manifesto, which drew inspiration from nature’s endless variations and elements of coastal living. This manifesto, which also contained guidelines for design language, material palettes and lighting principles, then served as a foundation and north star for all the six design companies that were involved in the design process. “The most important aspect for a seamless and efficient project is the assurance that everyone involved is aligned with and well-informed of the vision and the priorities of the key stakeholders,” said Johansson, and this core focus of TDoS translated well to the Sun Princess project. “By ensuring there is a clear understanding of the end goal in a massive project organization, we can also empower and motivate each individual within the various disciplines involved.” The result is a new generation of PCL ships that pays homage to the organic design language of the existing fleet, but with a new and fresh approach to materials, finishes, details and lighting. Guests will experience a seamless and intuitive journey through the ship, but also endless variations between the different spaces. “We always put a lot of focus during the master planning and engineering phases to maximize the contact with the sea, the elements, and the destinations,” explained Johansson. “We are also accustomed to creating impactful and unique experiences that do not yield endless amounts of unused space.” “Overseeing the design process of the Sun Princess has been an incredible journey of collaboration and innovation,” said Natalia Kuli?ska, TDoS Project Manager for Sun Princess. “Our goal was to push the boundaries of traditional ship design while creating intimate and welcoming spaces within the vast footprint of the ship. Through meticulous planning and attention to detail, we aimed to provide guests with an unforgettable experience that seamlessly integrates contemporary design with Princess Cruises DNA, emphasizing indoor-outdoor connection and creating seamless transitions between spaces. It’s been a privilege to be part of such a groundbreaking project.” REVAMPED DINING ROOM EXPERIENCE Within the overarching vision, TDoS designed the three-story Horizon’s Dining Room seating up to 2,000 guests, and the expansive and panoramic Wake Pool terrace with an infinity pool overlooking the ship’s wake. Horizon’s is the first Princess Cruises’ main dining room with multi-deck height and providing floor-toceiling windows to the aft. It also has been divided for three different service concepts: On Deck 6, it offers a traditional dining (first and second seating) with a capacity of 941; on Deck 7, offering anytime dining with a capacity for 664, and on Deck 8, the American Diner for 326 guests. This is also a restaurant, which serves all-day breakfast. Teppanyaki is a new addition on the Princess ship. SeaKing supplied multiple catering areas on the Sun Princess Aboard the Sun Princess, TDoS also developed an innovative and unique Waiter Station concept that — unlike traditional cruise ship Horizon’s Dining Room spans three decks Sabatini’s is mainstay on Princess ships serving Mediterranean cuisine 26 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 27 Crown Grill CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 27
28 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 server areas — is completely hidden from guest view and facilitates seamless crew service, a critical feature for a ship housing over 1,600 crew with a 3:1 guest-to-crew ratio. What Princess did differently was also moving the large, buffet-style casual dining area to the lower level. Now accommodating the aft part of Deck 9, The Eatery provides a capacity for 742 and provides also an al fresco seating outdoors on the promenade. When it comes to the lido area on Deck 17, it still provides numerous food outlets, including serving salads, burgers, tacos and more. Spellbound by Magic Caste blends world of magic with art of mixology. Entrance by reservation only Sun Princess features up to 30 different restaurant and bar venues with a collection of celebrity collaborators. Highlights include Love by Britto, a dining experience celebrating love, in partnership with Romero Britto; The Butcher’s Block by Dario, in partnership with Dario Cecchini; and Makoto Ocean, in partnership with Master of Edomac-style sushi Makoto Okuwa. All in all, Sun Princess has 10 dining venues with an additional fee. As far as other guest spaces, Sun Princess features new eye-catching architectural elements. The Dome, with a capacity of 250, is a geodesic, glass-enclosed structure on the forward part of the top deck, overlooking the ship’s bridge. It also offers the first indoor-outdoor pool on a Princess ship, thus making the design very useful in cold climates. At night, The Dome features acrobatic performances created in partnership with Cirque Eloize. ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN FOCUS The cruise business is looking every way to be more sustainable and energy efficient, and the Sun Princess is not an exception. Although the new ship registers 177,882 gross tons and is 345 meters (1,133 feet) long, compared to the last Royal class ship, Discovery Princess (145,281 gross tons, 330 meters long), Sun Princess’ total power is just 68.78MW compared to the Discovery’s 62.4MW. Princess also decided on a different combination of Wärtsilä engines on the Sun to increase the efficiency: There are a total of five engines, two large, two medium and one small, while the Royal class has four engines. “We can use any combination we need and while in port, just use the smallest one to create the hotel power,” said Capt. Craig Street on the media meeting on the ship’s bridge. Captain Craig Street Together with its two Azipods and bow thrusters, which have 18,000 horsepower versus 10,000 horsepower on the Royal-class, Sun Princess is more maneuverable as well. Capt. Street had already endured 35-knot winds during the port visit, which the ship handled well. Sun Princess bridge features a new layout The Dome is a multipurpose facility with capacity for 250 plus additional outdoor seating under cover forward Lido deck features two large pools and several food and beverage outlets 28 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 29 SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL What’s cooking in the cruise business? The annual Seatrade Cruise Global took place in Miami Beach in early April. The event demonstrated that the cruise business has recovered well from the pandemic and business is reaching new heights. The industry body, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), reported that passenger volume for 2023 reached 31.7 million, surpassing 2019 by 7%. Just before the conference and trade show opened their doors, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings took the limelight by announcing a bold newbuilding order and expansion and enhancement of its private island. It unveiled the most comprehensive newbuild order in its history — a total of eight vessels, representing nearly 25,000 additional berths, with new classes of ships for each of its three brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas. The new ship orders across all three brands are scheduled for delivery over a 10-year period between 2026 and 2036. Following the delivery of four Prima-Plus -class ships from 2025 through 2028, Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to take delivery of four approximately 200,000-grosston ships, each with a capacity of nearly 5,000 guests, in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036, which are subject to financing. While the bold newbuild order of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings was a topic of the show floor and the conference, the other large cruise corporations have taken a more conservative approach. Carnival Corp. & plc, the largest cruise operator in the world, this spring ordered its first two newbuilds since the end of pandemic, trusting its existing platform of Excel-class ships from Meyer Werft, while the second-largest operator, Royal Caribbean Group, secured an order for the seventh Oasis-class vessel from Chantiers de l’Atlantique. During the week, Scenic Group and Windstar Cruises also shared their expansion plans with the new tonnage. We are especially excited about Windstar, which will add two 224-passenger vessels — with the first one being newbuild Star Seeker. It is currently being constructed in the WestSEA shipyard in Portugal, and is expected to be delivered in December 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December 2026. Destination development For the first time since the pandemic, the Asian destinations of Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines and China’s Xiamen hosted a joint lunch during the Seatrade in Miami’s South Beach to proclaim the rebounding of Asia in the cruise space. Seatrade Cruise Global was organized in early April. Cruise Media LLC’s Chief Content Officer Carolyn Spencer Brown (left) moderated panel on current geopolitical challenges. Participants included Klaus Bondam, Cruise Baltic; Francesca Antonelli Ibáñez, Valencia Port; Janet Bava, Windstar Cruises and Claudius Docekal, Scenic USA By Teijo Niemelä Windstar Cruises revealed its expansion plans during the Seatrade Cruise Global. It will add two 224-guest Star-class ships in 2025 and 2026 of Wärtsilä engines on the Sun to increase the efficiency: There are a total of five engines, two large, two medium and one small, while the Royal class has four engines. “We can use any combination we need and while in port, just use the smallest one to create the hotel power,” said Capt. Craig Street on the media meeting on the ship’s bridge. Captain Craig Street Together with its two Azipods and bow thrusters, which have 18,000 horsepower versus 10,000 horsepower on the Royal-class, Sun Princess is more maneuverable as well. Capt. Street had already endured 35-knot winds during the port visit, which the ship handled well.
30 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 What’s important, said Kenneth Wong, General Manager, MICE & Cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, who spoke for the group, “is that destinations across this region collaborate and innovate. Asian destinations are continually improving and updating through very strong partnerships and this represents a very bright future.” The four destinations spotlighted at the luncheon featured, all total, 18 ports of call, including Korea’s Incheon, Busan, Sokcho, Yeosu, Jeju and Gangjeong, and Xiamen’s international cruise terminal. Also highlighted were Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and its Ocean Terminal, as well as details on its role as pivotal to flight traffic (visa-free entrance to 170 countries, an airport with three runways and 170 different airlines). In the Philippines, the presentation centered on the archipelago’s offerings in culture, cuisine and nature. Kenneth Wong, General Manager, MICE & Cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board shared the latest update of Hong Kong Meanwhile, Dr. Trust Lin, Deputy Director-General of Taiwan Tourism Administration underscored Taiwan’s successful recovery of its cruise industry: “Prior to the pandemic, Taiwan was the second-largest source market for cruise passengers in Asia. In 2019, over a million passengers embarked on cruises from Taiwan, with over 600 cruises calling in Taiwan or using it as a home port, generating an economic value of approximately US$1 billion. As of 2024, Taiwan’s cruise industry has recovered to around 70% of the pre-pandemic levels. Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA), Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), and the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) have all introduced incentives to invite more cruise ships to call at Taiwan or use Taiwan as a home port.” Prior to the pandemic, Taiwan was the second-largest source market for cruise passengers in Asia MedCruise organized a press conference on the show floor. Figen Ayan, President of MedCruise, discussed the global trends shaping the cruise industry, particularly highlighting the major sailing regions and dominant cruise lines by market share during 2023 and 2024. She further examined trends specific to the Mediterranean and its surrounding regions: the Canary Islands, Trans-Atlantic and Red Sea. Ayan also dedicated significant attention to analyzing the evolving trends specific to MedCruise ports. Notably, it was highlighted that the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas retain its position as the second-largest global cruise market, capturing a 21.5% market share and accommodating more than 7 million passengers. The region has returned to pre-pandemic levels, witnessing a 6.59% increase in passenger calls and a 7.91% rise in cruise calls in 2023 compared to 2019. Additionally, it is worth noting that all major cruise lines maintain their presence in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas. Next Seatrade Cruise events Seatrade Cruise Global will be organized next time in Miami Beach on April 7-10, 2025. But, before that, cruise industry stakeholders will have a chance for networking in Málaga. Spain, Sept. 11-12, 2024, when Seatrade Cruise Med will take place. Seatrade Cruise Global showcases various products and services for the cruise industry. Photographed of the actual delivery of SeaKing catering products on the largest cruise ship of the world, Icon of the Seas Photo credit: Kari Palsila
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 31 smm-hamburg.com the leading international maritime trade fair driving the maritime transition 3 – 6 sept 2024 hamburg facebook.com/SMMfair youtube.com/SMMfair linkedin.com/company/smmfair smm-hamburg.com/news buy a ticket or redeem your invitation smm-hamburg.com/ ticket SM24_AZ_210x297+3mm_Ticket_LNG-Shipping-Terminals.indd 1 SM24_AZ_210x297+3mm_Ticket_LNG-Shipping-Terminals.indd 1 26.03.24 13:03 26.03.24 13:03
32 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 T I L L B E R G D E S I G N O F S W E D E N I S P A R T O F V I K E N G R O U P