• CruiseBusiness.com CruiseBusiness.com REVIEWING CRUISE BUSINESS GLOBALLY Magazine Magazine WINTER 2023 MSC World Europa – ‘a gigantic leap forward’ FIVE PORTS, ONE ISLAND Jamaica is one of the unique cruise destinations in the Western Caribbean. The island offers five ports-of-call: Falmouth, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and Port Royal – each providing distinctive shore offerings and facilities. During 2022, the destination’s cruise business started to return to prepandemic levels, and the Port Authority of Jamaica reported a total of 290 calls with over 828,000 passengers. Our front cover features Norwegian Cruise Line’s first new Prima-class ship, the Norwegian Prima, docked at Ocho Rios. MyStar lights up the Baltic ferry scene kansi winter 2023.indd 1 kansi winter 2023.indd 1 7.2.2023 7.56 7.2.2023 7.56
• www.PosidoniaSeaTourism.com Bronze Sponsors Diamond Sponsor Silver Sponsor THE RETURN TO GROWTH 25-26 April 2023 Makedonia Palace Hotel Thessaloniki, Greece Introducingnewdestinations andportalternatives The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum moves to Thessaloniki, Greece ’ s 2 nd largest port Cruise Business_210x297 14-01-23 23:16 ™ÂÏ›‰· 1 kansi winter 2023.indd 2 kansi winter 2023.indd 2 7.2.2023 7.56 7.2.2023 7.56
• www.PosidoniaSeaTourism.com Bronze Sponsors Diamond Sponsor Silver Sponsor THE RETURN TO GROWTH 25-26 April 2023 Makedonia Palace Hotel Thessaloniki, Greece Introducingnewdestinations andportalternatives The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum moves to Thessaloniki, Greece ’ s 2 nd largest port Cruise Business_210x297 14-01-23 23:16 ™ÂÏ›‰· 1 kansi winter 2023.indd 3 kansi winter 2023.indd 3 7.2.2023 7.56 7.2.2023 7.56
• ONWARDS. Now it is time to work even harder. They say when you reach the top, there is only one way to go. We say that way is onwards . Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor AND #1 ON OCEANS... AGAIN, WHERE DO YOU GO NEXT? WHEN YOU ARE NAMED #1 ON RIVERS… Ship category: Mid-size ship 300–799 cabins From August 2022 Travel + Leisure® , 2022 Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. Travel + Leisure is published by TI Inc. Affluent Media Group, a subsidiary of Meredith Operations Corporation. Meredith Operations Corporation is not affiliated with Wyndham Destinations, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Travel + Leisure® is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. and is used under limited license. Viking Cruises is not affiliated with Wyndham Destination, Inc. or its subsidiaries. CST# 2052644-40 #1 Rivers & Oceans...again CONTENTS – WINTER 2023 4 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 6 Editor’s Commentary 8 Sponsored content: Successful events with Wulff Entre 8 Upfront 16 MSC World Europa ‘a gigantic leap forward’ 22 Princess Cruises previews Sun Princess 27 ICS 2022 convenes amidst industry recovery 29 MyStar lights up the Baltic 33 Carnival’s Excel class ships raise the bar 38 Mastering the Silver Endeavour 40 Viking business update Viking Polaris, the company’s second expedition vessel, and Viking Venus meet in IJmuiden, Holland Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä 4-5.indd 2 4-5.indd 2 10.2.2023 9.51 10.2.2023 9.51
• Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä ONWARDS. Now it is time to work even harder. They say when you reach the top, there is only one way to go. We say that way is onwards . Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor AND #1 ON OCEANS... AGAIN, WHERE DO YOU GO NEXT? WHEN YOU ARE NAMED #1 ON RIVERS… Ship category: Mid-size ship 300–799 cabins From August 2022 Travel + Leisure® , 2022 Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. Travel + Leisure is published by TI Inc. Affluent Media Group, a subsidiary of Meredith Operations Corporation. Meredith Operations Corporation is not affiliated with Wyndham Destinations, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Travel + Leisure® is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. and is used under limited license. Viking Cruises is not affiliated with Wyndham Destination, Inc. or its subsidiaries. CST# 2052644-40 #1 Rivers & Oceans...again 4-5.indd 3 4-5.indd 3 10.2.2023 9.51 10.2.2023 9.51
• B efore the Covid-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, China had become one of the largest source markets in the cruise business with over 1.9 million travelers a year. Major cruise corporations had made long-term investments in new capacity, which was tailored to the tastes of a Chinese or Asian clientele. When Covid-19 hit and shut down cruise operations globally, no one knew that the Chinese cruise business would still be at a standstill in January 2023. During this nearly three-year period, a lot of new tonnage has been delivered aimed at the Chinese market, so cruise lines have been scrambling to find new deployments. Although at presstime China was opening its borders, cruise lines were still far away from returning to its shores. The most notable example of this is Costa Asia, which shut down its operations completely. The company took delivery of two new 135,500 gross ton ships from Fincantieri during the pandemic – the Costa Firenze and Costa Venezia. Both were primarily designed with Asian guests in mind. In a novel solution, Carnival Corporation & plc decided to deploy the ships to the U.S. market with Carnival Cruise Line, but under the tagline Carnival Fun Italian Style. Even so, the Costa Group still is burdened with excess capacity. At presstime two vessels remained laid up, and the company has decided to sell up to three ships for further trading. But this doesn’t mean that Carnival Corporation & plc is absent from China entirely. Together with CSSC, it has a joint venture named CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping. The framework for this cooperation was signed in 2015, when the Chinese President Xi Jinping visited 10 Downing Street, London. Since then, the joint venture has taken over the 2000and 2003-built/85,700 gross ton Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea, which are still laid up in Cyprus. These ships will join a new brand, Adora Cruises, which will also take delivery of two newbuilds being built in Shanghai. These ships (135,500 and 145,500 gross tons, respectively), are based on the Carnival Vista platform and will be the largest cruise ships ever constructed in Asia. Adora is currently ramping up its sales Editor Teijo Niemelä Publisher Cruise Media LLC Chief Content Officer Carolyn Spencer Brown Copy Editor M.T. Schwartzman Sales and Production Christer Gorschelnik Art Director Julle Järvinen, Julle Oy 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 FINLAND ChrisGo Consulting Pahtankatu 10 as 10 FIN-21200 Raisio, Finland Telephone +358-440-159 554 E-mail christer.gorschelnik[a]kolumbus.fi SALES OFFICE USA Teijo Niemelä 209 N Queen Street Chestertown, MD 21620 USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 cruisemediallc[a]gmail.com 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 PRINTED IN FINLAND – PUNAMUSTA OY, HELSINKI EDITOR’S COMMENTARY organization and hopes to begin operating the first newbuild at the end of the 2023. D uring the pandemic we saw many older and middle-age vessels withdrawn from the market, offered for sale and even scrapped. Many ships built in the early 1990s still had technical life left, but they had become more and more costly to maintain. At the same time, cruise lines were taking delivery of new tonnage at a record pace. All this, while not being able to earn any revenue. Since most of the world’s cruise markets are now open except China, it is interesting to note there are still a handful of second-hand cruise ships available to acquire. Perhaps being followed mostly closely is the World Dream, the 2017-built/150,695 gross ton ship designed for now-defunct Genting Hong Kong’s Dream Cruises. Its sister ship, the one-year-older Genting Dream, has been chartered from Chinese banks for Genting’s new start-up, Resorts World Cruises, and is sailing regularly from Singapore. There was recently an auction for the World Dream that drew no serious bidders. This is not so much a sign of weakness in the cruise business as a commentary on how cruise ships are now tailored to specified markets – in this case Asia. For any buyer from another market, a costly refurbishment would be needed to ready the vessel for service. Our biggest trending news story on CruiseBusiness.com last year was the fate of the unfinished Global Dream at MV Werften, which filed for insolvency. The shipyard had been constructing the 208,000 gross ton newbuild, which was approximately 75% finished when construction was halted. It was a difficult task to find a new owner, but in a rather surprising move, Disney Cruise Line acquired the vessel and will finish it at the former premises of MV Werften in Wismar with the help of its shipbuilding partner Meyer Werft. These new developments will be interesting to follow. Teijo Niemelä HOW TO FOLLOW US Twitter.com/cruisebusiness n facebook.com/CruiseBusinessUSA n Instagram.com/niemelateijo CruiseBusiness.com Magazine 6 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WNTER 2023 CRUISE BUSINESS AWAITS CHINA’S RE-OPENING #WeLoveCruising CRUISE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS 6-7 .indd 2 6-7 .indd 2 1.2.2023 10.13 1.2.2023 10.13
• CRUISE BUSINESS AWAITS CHINA’S RE-OPENING #WeLoveCruising CRUISE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS 6-7 .indd 3 6-7 .indd 3 1.2.2023 10.13 1.2.2023 10.13
• 8 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 T he trade show and exhibition businesses have staged a strong comeback after the Covid-19 pandemic, and there is every reason to believe that this trend will continue, said Salla Salonen, Account Director, and Netta Huhtala, Sales Director, at Wulff Entre, the Finnish premium exhibition and remote studio services provider. Wulff Entre operates globally in the events business and its head office is based in Finland. Attendance at trade shows and exhibitions has returned to normal levels, and, as many events during the pandemic had to be cancelled outright, postponed or moved largely online, there is clearly a need to meet face to face. “We have been involved with several major events this autumn, and many companies have even said that these have been their best events ever – the quality of the visitors has improved,” Huhtala pointed out. “Our key advice for everyone is to start your preparations early, as many service providers in the exhibition industry, such as contractors and logistics companies, continue to suffer from staff shortages after the pandemic,” she continued. Companies are thinking carefully about what events they should participate in and exactly what their participation should produce in terms of concrete results. “Start-up businesses often attend large events in order to make their brand known among potential customers. More established businesses might look at events that have a narrower but a deeper focus on their specific field,” Salonen commented. Inflation is a concern for everyone. Some companies feel that instead of taking a stand at an event, they should send people to meet existing and potential new customers in the exhibition halls. This obviously can save money, but it does not produce the same visibility for the company than would be the case with a stand of its own. A stand will also make it easier to arrange meetings with people in advance by providing a setting where this can take place. Another key point of advice for a successful event is that companies make preparations and schedule meetings before traveling to the event, but as Salonen and Huhtala pointed out, there should also be flexibility in these arrangements. “You quite often just run into someone you want to talk to at an event, which can mean that you may struggle to come to a pre-arranged meeting on time. Therefore, your timetable should not be too tight,” Huhtala noted. The third piece of advice is that marketing and sales people should sit down together and discuss the objectives for attending an event well in advance, so that these are set and the right people to attend can be chosen. The pandemic accelerated the development of hybrid events, where some people attend physically and others online. Wulff Entre has a service called MyRemoteStudio that helps its clients to set up a digital presence. This can also be used to help those who physically attend an event, Huhtala and Salonen noted, as it allows for setting up meetings with a distributor or even the board of a company, depending on the requirements in each individual case. “New digital solutions obviously interest everyone. However, there are differences between various businesses regarding how they work and what their requirements are,” Huhtala added. Sustainability will probably be a key challenge to the exhibition and trade show businesses in the years to come, as indeed it is for many other businesses as well. The use of recyclable materials and considerations such as what items should be transported from one event to another and what will be sourced locally are among the questions that need to be answered. What’s more, it is important for the industry to make sure that companies included in their network pay appropriate wages, provide proper working conditions, and be mindful of other, similar matters. Promoting a brand is a key objective in attending an event, and dealing with an unethical business in connection with an event can cause considerable harm. n SPONSORED CONTENT SUCCESSFUL EVENTS WITH WULFF ENTRE Emblem ilman taustaa Emblem valkoisella taustalla Salla Salonen Netta Huhtala 8-9 WULFF.indd 2 8-9 WULFF.indd 2 2.2.2023 10.48 2.2.2023 10.48
• ? Emblem ilman taustaa Emblem valkoisella taustalla 8-9 WULFF.indd 3 8-9 WULFF.indd 3 2.2.2023 10.48 2.2.2023 10.48
• UPFRONT Meyer Turku delivered the Carnival Celebration, its fourth and final LNGpowered newbuilding for Carnival Corporation & plc, on November 1. The 182,800 gross ton and 5,374guest Excel-class vessel is operated by Carnival Cruise Line and based at PortMiami, offering 7-night sailings to the Caribbean. Meyer Turku had previously handed over the sister ship Mardi Gras and near-siblings Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana for sister brand Costa Cruises. Signing the handover were Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, while Meyer Group CEO Bernard Meyer looked on in the middle. Princess Cruises provided the first details of its new Sphere-class ships at a launch party in Port Everglades on September 16. The 175,500 gross ton and 4,300-guest newbuild from Fincantieri will be named the Sun Princess and sail its first months in Europe before offering cruises from Port Everglades to the Caribbean. The Sun Princess will be the first ship in the Princess fleet fitted with dual-fuel engines able to use LNG and will also be fitted with Azipods. From left are Jeff Corwin, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, actress Anji Corley, Princess Cruises President John Padgett and TV personality Randy Fenoli. Carnival Corporation & plc received another LNGpowered ship from the Meyer Group in December. This time, UK-based P&O Cruises took delivery of the 182,000 gross ton and 5,200-guest Arvia, sister ship to the Iona delivered two years earlier. From left are Meyer Werft Managing Director Jan Meyer and P&O Cruises President Paul Ludlow. 10 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 10-15.indd 2 10-15.indd 2 2.2.2023 10.39 2.2.2023 10.39
• UPFRONT CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 11 MSC Cruises has had a lot of reasons to celebrate lately. The company joined a very exclusive group of cruise lines operating 200,000-gross-ton-plus ships when it took delivery of its first World-class newbuild – the 215,863 gross ton MSC World Europa – from Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The 2,626cabin vessel is also the first in the MSC fleet to use LNG. In partnership with Qatar Airways, MSC officially named the MSC World Europa in Doha’s new Grand Cruise Terminal on November 13. The ceremony was presided over by the ship’s godmother – Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Foundation CEO and Vice Chairperson. Hot on the heels of the MSC World Europa naming, MSC Cruises launched its new MSC Seascape in a dazzling ceremony in New York. The 170,412 gross ton and 5,877-guest MSC Seascape is the fifth and final Seaside-class newbuild constructed at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard. During the winter season it is based at PortMiami. Sophia Loren – godmother of the MSC Cruises fleet and international movie icon – blessed the MSC Seascape virtually, while Alexa Aponte-Vago, daughter of MSC Group founder and Executive Chairman Gianluigi Aponte, performed the traditional cutting of the ribbon to officially name the ship. Norwegian Cruise Line officially christened its newest vessel, the Norwegian Prima, in Reykjavik, Iceland, on August 27. Global superstar and godmother of the Norwegian Prima Katy Perry joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings executives to name NCL’s 18th vessel and first in its cutting-edge Prima class. From left to right are President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Frank Del Rio, Katy Perry, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Harry Sommer and radio host Elvis Duran. 10-15.indd 3 10-15.indd 3 2.2.2023 10.39 2.2.2023 10.39
• UPFRONT Lindblad Expeditions acquired the 48-passenger former Crystal Esprit and transformed it into the National Geographic Islander II to operate year-round in the Galapagos. Angela Flaim – wife of the late longtime Lindblad leader and passionate Galápagos conservation advocate Juan Flaim – presided over the ship’s naming in an intimate ceremony that reflected the ship’s spirit and soul as a vessel designed for deep discovery and supreme comfort. Royal Caribbean International officially welcomed Wonder of the Seas – currently the largest cruise ship in the world – in its new year-round home of Port Canaveral, Florida. Godmother was Wonder Mom from Pennsylvania Marie McCrea. She was joined by Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty and Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley. Royal Caribbean Group signed a maritime declaration with the Finnish government, represented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (MEAE) and Meyer Turku, to chart the way forward for innovative and sustainable shipbuilding in Finland. The commitment is set to advance innovation, strengthen competitiveness and bolster the maritime industry's ecosystem. From left visiting the Icon of the Seas are Richard Fain, Chairman, Royal Caribbean Group; Mika Lintilä, Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs; Jason Liberty, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group; and Tim Meyer, CEO, Meyer Turku Oy. 12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 10-15.indd 4 10-15.indd 4 2.2.2023 10.39 2.2.2023 10.39
• CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 13 Meyer Werft started production of the ultraluxury cruise ship Silver Ray for Silversea Cruises on November 23, hosting a symbolic steel-cutting ceremony in Papenburg with a visit of Silversea’s then-President and CEO Roberto Martinoli. Like its sister ship the Silver Nova, which is already under construction, the Silver Ray will set new standards in sustainable travel and ultraluxury cruising with a host of innovations. Together, they will be the most sustainable ships in their class. The Silver Nova enters service in August, with the Silver Ray following in summer 2024. Silversea Cruises officially named its newly acquired Silver Endeavour at Lemaire Channel, Antarctica, on November 19. Built in 2021 as the Crystal Endeavor, this PC6-class ultra-luxury expedition vessel was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group last summer. At 20,000 gross tons, the ship carries just 200 guests in 100 suites. From second to left are godmother Felicity Aston MBE; TV personality Peter Greenberg; and the master, Captain Niklas Peterstam. Viking celebrated its 25th anniversary in Amsterdam with a naming ceremony for its two expedition vessels, the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, on October 1. Renowned explorers and educators Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft, the respective ceremonial godmothers, were in attendance. In honor of the company’s anniversary, for the first time ever three classes of Viking ships – a river ship, an ocean ship and the company’s newest expedition vessel, the Viking Polaris – met in Amsterdam and sailed in a special convoy to IJmuiden, Netherlands. UPFRONT 10-15.indd 5 10-15.indd 5 2.2.2023 10.39 2.2.2023 10.39
• While on its World Cruise last fall, Viking’s eighth ocean vessel the Viking Neptune was officially named at the Port of Los Angeles by its ceremonial godmother Nicole Stott – retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist. The Viking Neptune is equipped with a small hydrogen fuel system, making it the cruise industry’s first ship to test the use of hydrogen power for onboard operations. Also attending the event were Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen and EVP Karine Hagen, among others. UPFRONT Ambassador Cruise Line, a new British operator, will double in size with two 1,200-passenger vessels when the 1999-built Ambition is officially named and joins the 1991-built, 1,200-guest Ambience. The company recently announced that British sailor and double Olympic gold medalist Shirley Robertson OBE will be the ship’s godmother during a ceremony in Newcastle on May 11. Joining the announcement with Robertson were Ambassador’s Chief Commercial Officer Phil Gardner and Chief Marketing Officer Gordon Nardini. Hong Kong, one of the prime cruise destinations in Asia, welcomed back its first international cruise vessel on January 18, when Silversea Cruises’ Silver Spirit docked at the Ocean Terminal. Adam Radwanski, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Silversea Cruises, was thankful for Hong Kong’s support in arranging the return of cruising and emphasized that Silversea remains committed to the region, saying: “Cruising in Asia could not be complete and fully satisfying without calling in Hong Kong. It would probably be one of the most anticipated sailings in the region for us. Throughout 2023, Silversea is going to offer another seven voyages that will return to Hong Kong.” 14 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 THE PORT AUTHORITY OF JAMAICA Adversity is inevitable but our passion pushes us forward. Resilience. grit. fortitude. THE PORT AUTHORITY OF JAMAICA 5 Ports of Call. 5 Unique Experiences: Montego Bay | Falmouth | Ocho Rios | Port Antonio | Port Royal @cruisejamaica 10-15.indd 6 10-15.indd 6 2.2.2023 10.39 2.2.2023 10.39
• THE PORT AUTHORITY OF JAMAICA Adversity is inevitable but our passion pushes us forward. Resilience. grit. fortitude. THE PORT AUTHORITY OF JAMAICA 5 Ports of Call. 5 Unique Experiences: Montego Bay | Falmouth | Ocho Rios | Port Antonio | Port Royal @cruisejamaica 10-15.indd 7 10-15.indd 7 2.2.2023 10.39 2.2.2023 10.39
• SHIP REVIEW 16 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 MSC WORLD EUROPA ‘A GIGANTIC LEAP FORWARD’ With the delivery of the MSC World Europa from the French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique at the end of last year, MSC Cruises became the second cruise line in the world to operate a ship with a gross tonnage exceeding 200,000, and it also joined the ranks of companies that have a vessel fitted with dual-fuel engines which can run on both oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship’s profile differs from most recent newbuildings, and multi-functionality of public spaces was high on the agenda in the design of the ship. By Kari Reinikainen O slo-based YSA Design developed the ship’s profile and outdoor areas including multiple pools and interiors, such as the company’s signature DoReMi Club area for kids, the multi-function Sportplex and signage throughout. “This is the largest cruise vessel YSA Design has ever worked on, and we were delighted to develop a ship profile which is far more elegant than the typical ship of this size,” said Trond Sigurdsen, YSA Design Senior Architect. “Instead of each deck in the superstructure being another ‘step,’ we unified the structure front to aft in a ‘wave’ which ties the side view together. There’s also a highly effective inversion, which delivers the largest possible space on the top decks.” Design solutions included multiple outdoor areas developed by YSA Design “for the human scale,” added Sigurdsen, where guests can enjoy smaller, secluded spaces. This approach was extended to the Magrodome on deck 19 that features partitioned areas which include Jacuzzis cocooned in rope netting to ensure privacy, while materials and colors throughout have been chosen to emulate a tropical paradise. YSA Design Senior Interior Architect Fabiana Vale Dornelas said that cruise passengers of the future will be drawn from younger guests creating happy memories today. Serving their preferences made the design solutions delivered for other zones on deck 19 a priority, she said. “The Baby Club, Mini Club, Young Club and Teens Club – each has a strong identity, with elements engaging the young mind and inspiring curiosity, whether by using bold colors, geometric shapes and quirky lighting for the very young; fairy-tale themed spaces for toddlers; or the manga-inspired wall art developed for teens,” she pointed out. The same flexible approach was applied in designing the ship’s Sportplex. “Just as the kids’ area has to appeal to every age group, the Sportplex accommodates team sports, rollerblading and even bumper cars in a single zone of the ship,” said YSA Design architect Carlo Mancin. “In this case, creativity was needed to allow quick changes from one function to another.” Martin Hendrata, Project Architect at MSC Cruises, worked closely with his colleague Marios Neoptolemou under the direction of Architect Director Antonio di Nenno to bring the MSC World Europa to realization. Hendrata said working as a project architect was about more than simply thinking of the interior design: It also involved artwork, catering and ownersupplied items. One thing that he believes makes MSC stand out from other cruise brands is the close involvement of the owners, as every ship of the line reflects their vision. “The owners are very deeply involved in the choices for furniture, fixtures and finishes, and especially for owner supply and artwork. Our owners are very hands-on in deciding what kind of ambience and architecture they want in their ship. This is what makes us different to any other brand. I like this because the family has a clear vision. They are willing to try something new,” he said. Multi-functionality takes a step forward Multi-functionality is part of the design, so that a public area which operates as a lecture theater and a dancing venue incorporates seating that retracts into the walls. This hi-tech innovation smoothed out the operational workflow required to maintain the multi-functional space. Hendrata explained how the MSC team worked closely with the shipyard to find the right supplier for this unusual request: “We consulted with the shipyard and asked them to help us source the correct supplier. We met with our shortlist of suppliers and asked them what effect or gadget can they produce to meet our expectations? We wanted to know how many similar projects they had done. The supplier we chose was based in France, so they were very close to the shipyard. We designed the retractable chairs, and they built them accordingly. Once the product was approved by the owners, we then designed the room itself to accommodate those retractable seats.” Ph oto cre dit : all ph oto s, M SC Cr uis es 16-21.indd 2 16-21.indd 2 3.2.2023 12.07 3.2.2023 12.07
• CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 17 ? The MSC World Europa also marks the introduction of a new cabin class to the MSC Cruises brand. The Aurea Class cabins offer a step up from the standard cabin experience, as they feature colorful accents within the room and a new balcony concept. The window can be opened in a way that creates an outsidein space providing a balcony experience without the structural requirements of a balcony. Hendrata said: “We wanted to show that you don’t have to have an old-fashioned separation between indoor and outdoor.” Other experiential design elements have been brought into onboard retail areas at the Coffee Emporium, which has been designed to be more than simply a coffee shop. MSC partnered with a leading coffee brand to add new elements to the experience. “Not only will guests be able to enjoy coffee prepared in styles from around the world, but they will be able to take part in a range of immersive experiences. Coffee lovers can try out the sensory coffee units, smelling the fragrance of the different coffee beans. Another addition is the coffee-roasting corner where passengers can witness the coffee being roasted in front of them,” he said. Using technology to create space Trevor Young, Vice President of Newbuilding and Refurbishment at MSC Cruises, said that space is a big thing with customers today, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. “Technology is hugely important in how we’re able to provide that. Space is a lot of things – space is obviously the space you have around you, but it also feeds into the technology so you don’t have to touch things anymore,” he said. MSC World Europa was designed by many renowned architect firms, including Studio de Jorio, Tillberg Design of Sweden and YSA Design 16-21.indd 3 16-21.indd 3 3.2.2023 12.07 3.2.2023 12.07
• 18 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 ? “The cruise industry has always had norovirus, which has always been a concern. Now with Covid, we have to start thinking in a different way to help our guests and make the environment as safe as possible for them – whether it’s developing special filters for air-conditioning, whether it’s designing locks that you don’t have to touch so the guest doesn’t get a key, they would get a bracelet or something similar, and when they go near the door it opens,” he continued. “Going to a public toilet, for example: How you get in and out of the public toilet? Should there be electronic doors? How do you wash your hands without contact? Today you can wash and dry your hands without touching anything. To me, this is a big part of what we need to do; that’s the technical side of making guests feel more welVenom Drive is one of the longest slides in the cruise business Balcony cabin La Plage Pool is an expansive sun deck area 16-21.indd 4 16-21.indd 4 3.2.2023 12.07 3.2.2023 12.07
• CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 19 “The cruise industry has always had norovirus, which has MSC CRUISES VESSELS IN EXCESS OF 100,000 GROSS TONS VESSEL GT LOA x B PAX BUILT Fantasia class MSC Fantasia 137,936 333.3 x 37.9 4,363 2008 MSC Splendida 137,936 333.3 x 37.9 4,363 2009 MSC Divina 139,072 333.3 x 37.9 4,345 2012 MSC Preziosa 139,072 333.3 x 37.9 4,345 2013 Seaside class MSC Seaside 153,516 323.0 x 41.0 5,084 2017 MSC Seaview 153,516 323,0 x 41.0 5,079 2018 Seaside EVO class MSC Seascape 170,412 339.0 x 41.0 5,877 2022 MSC Seashore 170,412 339.0 x 41.0 5,877 2021 Meraviglia class MSC Meraviglia 171,598 315.8 x 43.0 5,642 2017 MSC Bellissima 171,598 315.8 x 43.0 5,655 2019 Meraviglia Plus class MSC Grandiosa 181,541 331.4 x 43.0 6,334 2019 MSC Virtuosa 181,541 331.0 x 43.0 6,334 2021 MSC Euribia 183,500 331.4 x 43.0 6,327 2023 World class MSC World Europa 215,863 333.0 x 47.0 6,762 2022 MSC World America 215,863 333.0 x 47.0 6,762 2023 World Class 3 2025 World Class 4 2027 come,” Young said. On the other side of it, passengers have gone a little bit back to basics, as everyone has been at home, learning to cook, etc. “People have said, ‘I like the time; I like the freedom that this has brought.’ A lot of people want to experience quality service, genuine service, quality food, and that’s where we need to use the design and the tech to help us to achieve that,” he continued. Young said he spends a lot of time bringing people together and emphasized the importance of communication. “I get the head of ops, I get the galley guy, the project team, the internal architects, the external architects, the quality surveyor and so on, and get together a proposal that focuses on all of those aspects – whether it’s the cost of building, the return on investment, what it means for the guest, what sort of service they get, what sort of food they get. It has to be a holistic view before we can move forward.” In the past, many cruise lines had the view that if their competitor has a Japanese restaurant, they also need to have a Japanese restaurant. “So they go and build a Japanese restaurant, but they don’t talk to the Japanese chef, they don’t talk to the food and beverage people, they don’t talk to the maître d’! So all of a sudden they’ve built something, but it’s not functional. By getting everyone together and knowing how to ask the right questions to the right people, you’re able to then design effectively and efficiently and hit some big goals.” Increased beam brings increased volume MSC Cruises had taken delivery of 11 vessels with a gross tonnage in excess of 100,000 before the arrival of the MSC World Europa in 2022. It is interesting to look at the hull dimensions of each subsequent class of these ships: While most of them have a length of 333 meters, the beam has increased significantly. Compared to the MSC Fantasia that entered service in 2008, the MSC World Europa’s beam is 24% greater. However, its gross tonnage is a rather stunning 55% greater, at just under 216,000. Officials at MSC Cruises stated long ago that a vessel’s length is crucial when it comes to capacity available in portsof-call: The longer the vessel, the more space it takes on the quay, and maneuvering the ship in port becomes more challenging as well. Therefore, it is more advantageous to restrict the length of the vessel and to build it wider instead. Usually this also means improved stability and the possibility of adding volume high up in the superstructure, and it also gives a greater degree of freedom when it comes to the layout of public areas. ? Zen Pool MSC World Europa features its own brewery pub 16-21.indd 5 16-21.indd 5 3.2.2023 12.07 3.2.2023 12.07
• 20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 While greater interior space is beneficial in public areas, this is not necessarily the case in the cabin accommodations part of the ship, as interior cabins fetch lower per diems than outside and balcony cabins. However, a greater beam does allow designers a way out of this dilemma. In case of the MSC World Europa, the cabin accommodations at the stern are arranged either facing the sea or along a Y-shaped promenade that is open to the sky above and also has a sea view over the stern of the vessel. Such an arrangement was first proposed by Kai Levander, the highly innovative head of R&D at Wärtsilä in Finland in the early 1980s, when the company was still active in shipbuilding. It was first introduced in 1992 on the Radisson Diamond, a Small Waterline Area Twin Hull (SWATH) cruise ship that was one of Levander’s future visions. The ship itself was not a success, but the concept was later adopted for use in the Oasis-class ships of Royal Caribbean International – the first class of cruise ships to exceed 200,000 gross tons. The MSC World Europa also features an indoor promenade that runs most of the length of decks 6, 7 and 8. This is the part of the vessel that features most of the bars, restaurants, shops and nighttime entertainment venues, and the promenade ties these together, undoubtedly helping passengers to orientate themselves in a feature that brings to mind shopping malls and covered pedestrian areas of cities on land. A ‘game changer’ for MSC “MSC World Europa is a game changer for MSC Cruises,” said Petri Siren, Business Director at the Finnish travel agency Elämys Group, who referred to the vessel as “Il Grande Spettacolo” (The Great Spectacle). “To my surprise, this new ship had been flying under my radar all through its construction period. Maybe it was because of the ‘second-biggest’ status, something like Oasis class, but not quite it. Or maybe it was simply because it was a new MSC ship. Those have always had a bit less flair and fanfare when compared to the innovations of the new ships by some other cruise lines. This has been true not only with the woweffect activities and facilities onboard, but also with the food offerings and the restaurant options, as well as for the entertainment. After five nights onboard the World Europa, I can say, to my own amazement as well, that at the moment this is the best ship in the world,” he told CruiseBusiess.com Magazine. “The ship is huge, but it only feels enormous at some areas onboard. The main pool deck is one, and it is wonderful. Royal Caribbean Group’s Oasis class is wider than MSC World Europa, but due to the Central Park, there isn’t a single main pool area. The main pool deck on the MSC World Europa must be the sunniest main pool area of any ship. It is also a great and spacious venue for pool parties and outdoor concerts, etc. The aft pool area is also large and sunny. Another part of the ship where it feels gigantic is the World Promenade, but again the big size is perfect for it. The World Promenade is stylish, both day and night. It’s a place where passengers can enjoy a nice evening outdoor stroll and marvel at the spectacular 180degree aft ocean views – something that is quite unique to the World Europa. Evening lighting at the promenade is beautiful, and the five-man walking band performing on the promenade is the icing on the cake,” he stated. The MSC World Europa is easy and enjoyable to navigate, even for new-to-cruise passengers. The layout of the ship is not complicated; you will find new places and corridors even after a couple of days onboard, but you will not get lost, and you will not end up in “dead ends” – and they are a real logistics problem, for example, on the Norwegian Prima. Most new ships are “hi-tech” throughout, and this is true on the MSC World Europa as well. The MSC World Europa might be a bit behind the Norwegian Prima regarding virtual reality rides, but it compensates by being consistent in having “the latest” in all hardware. That includes state-of-the-art passenger elevators – unlike the elevators on the Norwegian Prima, which felt like they were 10 years old already. The hi-tech theme on the MSC World Europa extends also to entertainment, to the night clubs, to the gym and to the cabins. The Infinite view cabins of the MSC World Europa are categorized as window cabins, unlike the same kind on the Celebrity Edge class, which are veranda cabins. The MSC Cruises’ approach is far better; the Infinite view cabins on the MSC World Europa do not have a separate balcony space inside the cabin, and are therefore very spacious and suite-like with the convenient bookshelf divider that separates the bedroom from the living room. Panorama Lounge offers views to the ship’s wake 16-21.indd 6 16-21.indd 6 3.2.2023 12.07 3.2.2023 12.07
• Innovative specialty restaurants “For the first time, some of MSC Cruises’ specialty restaurants are truly innovative and industry firsts. The overall dining experience onboard the MSC World Europa has been elevated to at least match the experiences that other mainstream cruise lines can offer. This is a significant change, since MSC has been behind the competitors in the past,” Siren said. Many of the bars and lounges on the MSC World Europa have their own outdoor patios. These are not accessible from any outside promenade and are therefore nice and cozy hideaways to enjoy one’s favorite refreshments. An onboard brewery inside a popular two-story pub, a tea house, pool tables, darts and free retro video games around the ship are some of the cooler new-to-brand novelties. “I also liked the larger balconies on the promenade balcony staterooms. The sliced aft of the ship is apparently not wide enough for standard cabin layout, and hence the cabins are missing the sofa, but the cabin feels airy and spacious,” Siren pointed out. A persistent problem of poor acoustic design on MSC Cruises ships is also present on the MSC World Europa, but maybe not as bad as on other recent newbuildings from the company. “The ship wasn’t full of passengers at the time of my visit, so it’s difficult to estimate if there has been any improvements to the background noise levels,” Siren said. Perfect for families and couples The MSC World Europa’s has a lot of dedicated space and activities for children and teenagers. These have been isolated in an exemplary way. The ship’s overall feel is more adult-orientated and as such, it’s a perfect vessel for both families and couples. The waterslide area isn’t the biggest in the industry but the slides themselves are among the best. “The only letdown of the ship’s facilities and/or activities that I can think of is the highly anticipated Venom Drop. The dry slide is apparently too dry. Everyone who was under 200 pounds [90 kilograms] struggled to make it to the end of the slide by sliding, and you could see most people slowly crawling out of the end of the tunnel,” Siren pointed out. “MSC Cruises has a real money maker on its hands with MSC World Europa. Not only will the ship sell well, but it will also generate a lot of happy customers and repeat business. I’m afraid that the future cruise sales facilities onboard the MSC World Europa are seriously inadequate,” he quipped. “This ship is a gigantic leap forward for MSC Cruises. MSC’s revenue department also has not repeated the mistakes made by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises during the sales launch of the Celebrity Edge and the Wonder of the Seas. World Europa is priced only 10% [not 50%] higher than the cruise line’s other ships. This fact, combined with the industry-leading children discounts, makes the World Europa as the number one option for many traveling families,” Siren concluded. n CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 21 MSC World Europa is home-ported in Doha, Qatar, before returning back to Med for the summer season Les Dunes Restaurant World Gallery 16-21.indd 7 16-21.indd 7 3.2.2023 12.07 3.2.2023 12.07
• 20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2022 S W E D E N • P O L A N D • U S A • S I N G A P O R E • T I L L B E R G D E S I G N . C O M World leading within design since 1964 22-27.indd 2 22-27.indd 2 15.2.2023 10.38 15.2.2023 10.38
• ? CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 23 S W E D E N • P O L A N D • U S A • S I N G A P O R E • T I L L B E R G D E S I G N . C O M World leading within design since 1964 SHIP PREVIEW Carnival Corporation & plc – the largest cruise operator in the world – has only five new cruise ships in its orderbook from various European shipyards. The Sun Princess and its yet-to-be-named sister ship will represent a completely new class for Princess Cruises and will also introduce dual-fuel engines able to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Azipod propulsion to the brand for the first time. P rincess Cruises has been one of the fastest growing brands of the Carnival group. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it took delivery of two more 145,281 gross ton and 3,660-passenger Royal-class ships, the Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess. Since 2013, it also has launched the sister ships Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess and Sky Princess, all built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard, as well as the Britannia, based on the same platform for sister brand P&O Cruises in the UK. The new 175,500-gross ton and 4,300guest Sun Princess represents a completely new platform and debuts new design features for the company. The new class will be the second largest in Carnival Corp. and approximately 7,000 gross tons smaller than the Excel-class ships constructed at Meyer Werft and Meyer Turku shipyards for four different brands: AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises. “Sun Princess is a new and bespoke ship platform, designed to simultaneousPRINCESS CRUISES PREVIEWS SUN PRINCESS From top to bottom: Sun Princess will have a new exterior profile; Wake View Terrace; Piazza Atrium is an evolution from the previous ship classes 22-27.indd 3 22-27.indd 3 15.2.2023 10.38 15.2.2023 10.38
• 24 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 Seatrade Cruise Global comes to Fort Lauderdale! 27-30 March 2023 | Expo 28-30 March 2023 Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA Exclusively supported by: 10,000+ attendees 80+ cruise line brands 500+ exhibitors 85+ countries Join the biggest annual cruise industry reunion today! Registration now open: www.seatradecruiseglobal.com ly embrace Princess heritage while boldly pressing into the future with iconic, elegant and pure lines unique to our brand,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises President. “A show-stopping, first-of-its-kind Dome on the top deck and suspended glass Piazza in the center of Sun Princess offer innovative designs showcasing expansive ocean views for incredible opportunities to connect with the sea.” Tillberg Design of Sweden as coordinating architects Princess Cruises selected Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) as coordinating architects for its new class. Beyond designing some specific venues onboard including the Horizon Dining Room and Wake View Terrace, the design firm worked with Princess’ partners at Fincantieri to develop the profile of the ship. In addition, Princess has utilized a number of world-class interior designers that specialize in the creation of certain types of venues and bring an exciting variety of designs to the ship. These included the services of Jeffery Beers International (Piazza and adjacent venues); ICRAVE (Dome, Kids areas): Richmond International (Lotus Spa, Princess Arena, and other venues); and The Johnson Studio (World Fresh Marketplace, Sabatini's). For very specialized design needs, Princess employed TAIT (Entertainment Rigging); Control AV (Entertainment Systems); Michael Riotto Design (Architectural Design); and Eckersley O'Callaghan (Special Glazing for the Sphere and Dome). Fredrik Johansson, Partner & Executive Director of TDoS commented, “We’ve had an extremely creative and innovative collaboration period, working closely together with Princess Cruises and the Holland America Group to define what the Princess brand stands for today and how it will develop over a 15to 20-year period. It’s a wider scope than designing the ship’s interiors, which is great in itself. It’s about helping to develop a very well-established and strong brand into something that stays prosperous and relevant far into the future. It’s incredibly inspiring and a fantastic vote of confidence from one of the biggest players in our industry,” Johansson said. Princess hallmarks and new features The Sun Princess will bring back some favorite signature spaces and introduce new features. The ship’s Piazza Atrium spans three stories, forming an iconic architectural feature offering guests an outward looking suspended space with comfortable seating and areas to enjoy ocean views in every direction. An impressive LED screen is showcased in the center of the Piazza, which can be moved and configured to deliver live entertainment programming. Adjacent to the Piazza will be a new coffee shop, Coffee Currents, along with Princess favorites like Crooners Bar and Alfredo’s Pizzeria. The other stand-out structure onboard the Sun Princess is The Dome. Inspired by the terraces of Santorini, it is a multi-level covered deck and true glass-enclosed dome – the first ever constructed on a cruise ship. During the day, the Dome features an indoor/outdoor pool and unique water feature in a comfortable and relaxed space. At night, the pool becomes a stage, and the Dome completely transforms into an entertainment venue with a South Beach vibe, state-of-the-art lighting effects and the ability to deliver stunning aerial performances. Signature Collection to debut With 2,157 total staterooms, including 50 suites and 100 connecting rooms, the 21-deck Sun Princess features more outdoor balcony space, and all balcony accommodations feature an in-room sofa. Also launching exclusively on the Sun Princess will be a new level of suite accommodations, the Signature Collection. In addition to premium stateroom amenities, Signature Collection suites include access to the Signature Restaurant, Signature Lounge and Signature Sun Deck – a private area of the Sanctuary. With the Sun Princess, Club Class accommodations onboard this ship and all other Princess ships will now be called Reserve Collection, which are the bestlocated mini suite staterooms. Within the Reserve Collection will be Reserve Collection Cabana rooms, resort-style staterooms that offer a balcony and private cabana – an extra-large outdoor lounge space. These premium accommodations also include access to the Reserve Collection Restaurant. n Top: the Dome; below: Reserve Collection Cabana Room ? 22-27.indd 4 22-27.indd 4 7.2.2023 8.00 7.2.2023 8.00
• Seatrade Cruise Global comes to Fort Lauderdale! 27-30 March 2023 | Expo 28-30 March 2023 Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA Exclusively supported by: 10,000+ attendees 80+ cruise line brands 500+ exhibitors 85+ countries Join the biggest annual cruise industry reunion today! Registration now open: www.seatradecruiseglobal.com 22-27.indd 5 22-27.indd 5 7.2.2023 8.00 7.2.2023 8.00
• Additional spaces with new designs, signage and décor will include Crooner’s (pictured), Wheelhouse Bar (pictured), International Cafe, Good Spirits and Gelateria. A first for Princess, the Horizons Dining Room introduces a three-deck dining venue. This newly envisioned space is open and flexible, featuring dining options to suit every mood. Wake views and natural light highlight a decorative sculpture that stretches from deck 6 to deck 8. The three decks will each have their own personalities and offer different dining experiences and range in levels of formality. The Princess Arena is an evolution and the most technologically advanced Princess Theater design. Upon entering, guests will be drawn to a stunning visual above the central stage which can become part of the show. A radical ceiling accentuates the Arena’s in-the-round configuration with soft curved walls that allude to the movement of the tide. With moveable seats and capacity of a little more than 1,000 people, three configurations will maximize sight lines, as technological capabilities deliver a truly captivating experience. Sabatini's Italian Trattoria is a Princess signature alternate restaurant serving a modern, casual but elegant Italian dining experience. It will have a crisp, tailored, geometric design that also will feature a pasta room for guests to marvel at the pasta-making process. The restaurant is designed with intimate bistro-style nooks and a dramatic circular main room. 26 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 22-27.indd 6 22-27.indd 6 7.2.2023 8.00 7.2.2023 8.00
• CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 27 T he 12th edition of the International Cruise Summit, held on November 15 and 16 in Madrid, put the spotlight on the global issues of rising costs and labor shortages that are affecting the cruise industry as well as most other economic activities. ICS 2022 was opened by Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General of CLIA Europe; Luis Fernando Martan Izquierdo, Director General of Tourism for Madrid; and Ãlvaro RodrÃguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado. In attendance were leading managers and executives from cruise lines, ports, shipping agents and other companies in the sector from all over the world. The cruise industry staged a strong comeback in 2022, although occupancy levels still lag behind pre-pandemic levels. Over the past three years, new highcapacity ships with the latest environmentally friendly technologies have been added, while older, smaller and inefficient ships have been scrapped. Despite the fact that occupancy levels are not yet fully recovered, cruise lines are committed to not lowering prices, which would devalue a product that offers exceptional value for the money. Cruise companies also face rising operating and fuel costs as never seen before. Combating myths and disruptions Combating the myths that damage the reputation of cruising remains an important goal. This can be accomplished by highlighting the industry’s health and safety record, commitment to reducing environmental impact, and the economic value that cruise ships bring to their destinations, where each cruiser spends $750 during a week of cruising. The lack of flights or their low frequency on certain routes is still an impediment to fully restoring operations. To alleviate the problem, more choices of embarkation points are being offered. Passengers are also given the option to arrive by train or even bus. Shortages are occurring throughout the supply chain, from the availability of buses, drivers and tour guides to difficulty in finding staff willing to work onboard and in port. However, the industry expects a return to normal as economic activity continues to grow. Embracing sustainability Sustainability is yet another selling point for cruise companies, which are building ships with the latest technologies in emissions reduction, water purification, single-use plastic reduction and separation systems for recycling. This mantra has extended its influence far beyond the ships and into the destinations, where a holistic approach is cultivated that considers not only good environmental practices at the port level but throughout the entire value chain including tour operators and transportation providers, as well as local activities and attractions. Andrea Zito, CEO of the cultural expedition cruise line Swan Hellenic, was interviewed on this topic by Virginia Lopez Valiente, CEO of CruisesNews Media Group, organizers of ICS 2022. Zito highlighted the environmental-education value of his company’s cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic, which he said have made a lasting impact on him personally. Meanwhile, cruise companies are also investing in research to develop new energy sources, such as hydrogen, ammonia or methanol, with prototypes designed to come on stream within the next few years. As part of its own sustainability program, CruisesNews Media Group donated signage stands and surplus material to be reused for an NGO’s activities in developing countries. Other highlights and news ICS 2022 also covered a range of other topics, including: n The industry is formalizing agreements with selected countries, such as Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, to train crew members to work on Caribbean cruise ships. n Janet Bava of AmaWaterways outlined how river cruising has found a new market segment with longer trips that are in high demand among consumers. The company is successfully selling 48-night river cruises on all the major rivers in Europe. n Finally, although 34% of cruise travelers are Generation Z and millennials, communication about the value of cruising must continue to improve in order to increase this percentage. The dates for ICS 2023 have been announced. It will be held on November 14 and 15 at the Hotel Meliá Castilla in Madrid. n ICS 2022 CONVENES AMIDST INDUSTRY RECOVERY 22-27.indd 7 22-27.indd 7 7.2.2023 8.00 7.2.2023 8.00
• P.O.Box 55, Suojantie 5 FI-26101 Rauma, Finland Phone +358 30 600 5400 info@RMC?nland.? www.RMC?nland.? Building ships for specialist purposes and harsh conditions with skills and enthusiasm trusted for centuries. Seafaring has always been vital to Finns. Shipbuilding at coastal facilities in and around Rauma stretches from 14th century merchant ships to ultra-modern, specialized vessels of the 21st century. Hundreds of ships constructed in Rauma are today sailing and operating all the seas of the world. Rauma’s shipbuilding competence has always been characterized by traditional spirit and pride and recent decades have seen a focus on the successful development of marine and environmental technology. NB6002, Aurora Botnia, The New Ferry for Wasaline NB6003, MyStar, The New Tallink Shuttle Ferry ”eye catcher”! NB6009 and NB6010 ”The New Ferries for TT-Line, Tasmania” rauma 9.8.2021.indd 1 10.8.2021 15:41:38 NB6009 and NB6010 The New Ferries for TT-Line, Tasmania Photo: Tallink/Raul Mee NB6003, MyStar, The Tallink Shuttle Ferry NB6002, Aurora Botnia, The New Ferry for Wasaline Photo: Wasaline “Eye catcher”! 28-32.indd 2 28-32.indd 2 6.2.2023 7.56 6.2.2023 7.56
• CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 29 P.O.Box 55, Suojantie 5 FI-26101 Rauma, Finland Phone +358 30 600 5400 info@RMC?nland.? www.RMC?nland.? Building ships for specialist purposes and harsh conditions with skills and enthusiasm trusted for centuries. Seafaring has always been vital to Finns. Shipbuilding at coastal facilities in and around Rauma stretches from 14th century merchant ships to ultra-modern, specialized vessels of the 21st century. Hundreds of ships constructed in Rauma are today sailing and operating all the seas of the world. Rauma’s shipbuilding competence has always been characterized by traditional spirit and pride and recent decades have seen a focus on the successful development of marine and environmental technology. NB6002, Aurora Botnia, The New Ferry for Wasaline NB6003, MyStar, The New Tallink Shuttle Ferry ”eye catcher”! NB6009 and NB6010 ”The New Ferries for TT-Line, Tasmania” rauma 9.8.2021.indd 1 10.8.2021 15:41:38 NB6009 and NB6010 The New Ferries for TT-Line, Tasmania Photo: Tallink/Raul Mee NB6003, MyStar, The Tallink Shuttle Ferry NB6002, Aurora Botnia, The New Ferry for Wasaline Photo: Wasaline “Eye catcher”! D ue to the Covid-19 pandemic, handover of the MyStar from Rauma Marine Constructions was a year late, but well worth the wait. Despite being described as a sister to the 2017-built Megastar, there are significant differences between the two vessels as experience and technology have advanced. Additionally, passengers saw their range of options expanded. “We wanted to make the two as similar as possible for our customers, so they can easily orientate onboard,” states TarviCarlos Tuulik, Senior Master and Tallink Ship Management CEO. Accordingly, capacities and vital statistics for the two ferries are the same: 2,800 passengers, up to 200 crew and 3,190 lane meters (3,490 yards) for vehicles. Equally, there is more than enough LNG/MDO dual-fuel propulsion power to make the 80-kilometer (50 miles/45 nautical miles) crossing from Helsink to Tallinn in the scheduled two hours with flank speed up to 27 knots. After just 60 minutes in port to disemCRUISE FERRY REVIEW MYSTAR LIGHTS UP THE BALTIC The latest fast cruise ferry showcases once more how cuttingedge technology can be incorporated on vessels and combined with new passenger experiences – even on a two-hour ferry voyage. By John Pagni bark and re-load, both shuttle fast ferries depart for the return voyage. The MyStar and Megastar each make six crossings daily, seven days a week. Thus reliability is paramount. And although two hours may not seem long, the company wants to keep passengers and its accountants happy – so a range of options caters to many different tastes. ? Ph oto cre dit : Ra ul M ae MyStar's Captains from left to right: Aivar Moorus, Vahur Ausmees and Ain Aksalu Ph oto cre dit : Ke n Oj a 28-32.indd 3 28-32.indd 3 6.2.2023 7.56 6.2.2023 7.56
• 30 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 Engine efficiency and maintenance Technically, the main differences between the two ships lie in the engine room and how the ships move and maneuver. While the Megastar has a configuration of three large and two small Wärtsilä DF engines, the MyStar has five identical MAN main engines. The reasons are simple: “When designing Megastar – the first large LNG shuttle – the only reliable engines with validated running hours were Wärtsilä’s. To improve efficiency, we wanted the best and looked at alternatives, looking at fuel consumed per kilowatt hour,” says Tuulik. “It’s good to have competition. We visited Augsburg, where these engines are made, compared maintenance costs and MAN was the winner. We have MAN engine experience on Silja Europa, so they are not new to us.” With the five MAN 51/60 DFs putting out 8,500kW each (42MW in total) for the electrically propelled and powered MyStar, the configuration results in an unusual setup. “As we now have onshore power for when the ships are in both ports [known as cold-ironing], there is no need to have smaller units. We are aware of the ship’s efficiency and suitable power setting. All five engines will have similar running hours for maintenance purposes, operating in rotation with three running [and] one spare, while the fifth can be overhauled. Power supplied is optimized to meet the demand. On Megastar, we noticed the larger engines had more hours logged than the smaller ones, which were mainly intended for use in port” reveals Tuulik. The MyStar’s LNG tanks are larger as well. It has two tanks of 400 cubic meters capacity each, compared to the Megastar’s two of 300 cubic meters. “The larger tanks allow us to perform less rebunkering,” Tuulik explains, which is healthier for the environment. But as LNG prices have skyrocketed, ships in the BalFrom top to bottom: Sea Pub; Family Picnic; Garden; Platinum Lounge Ph oto cre dit : Tõ nu Tu nn el 28-32.indd 4 28-32.indd 4 6.2.2023 7.56 6.2.2023 7.56
• CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 31 HIGH QUALITY CEILINGS with beautiful design METAL CEILINGS Carnival Celebration, MyStar, SH Vega MADE IN NUMMELA, FINLAND tic 0.1% sulphur emissions control area (ECA) currently use mainly MDO with the LNG used when boil-off demands. Experience and computer modeling showed that the propellers would perform better rotating inwards on the MyStar due to the modified hull shape necessary to accommodate larger LNG tanks and the retail shop location. The five-bladed Kongsberg propellers gave smoother sailing. Azipods were considered then rejected, as three units would be needed to meet the power demand, while the location of the third would have been problematic. “Fine for smaller ships, but not one of MyStar’s size and speed today,” as Tuulik puts it. Otherwise, the similarity concept was held to with ABB supplying the generators “made in Estonia,” says Tuulik proudly, with control room technology supplied by Valmet along with Wärtsilä’s Platinum navigation suite. There are two 2.2MW bow thrusters and two stern thrusters of 1.2MW each. Both ships employ automatic mooring systems (AMS) operated by the master in both Helsinki and Tallinn harbors. These improve the ships’ turnaround time in port and crew working. Tuulik points out that the MyStar’s thrusters have skewed propeller blades, not the classic blade shape, as they are better for docking and are less noisy – thus improving passenger comfort. Tallink is currently comparing the two ships’ efficiencies, with torque at similar speed about the same. Although further information is needed, Tuulik is confident that the bigger ship will be superior. Passengers can relax at sea With up to 2,800 passengers aboard, care has been taken to provide as many options to occupy minds and appetites as can be reasonably expected. The interior design was created by dSign Vertti Kivi & Co, which has ferry and cruise ship experience including the Megastar. The basic plan for the passenger areas can be described as “copy and paste,” but with subtle tweaks to spice up the atmosphere. Therefore, “Beauty of the Baltic” formed the inspiration for its theme of uniqueness, nature and culture. “Our starting point was that we wanted to show how beautiful the Baltic is. Each of the 14 areas would get its own feeling,” explained Vertti Kivi, CEO. The color scheme focuses on clear, fresh, bright shades rather than a palette of dark and gray. Feedback and experience from the Megastar played a key part in making adjustments and new additions. Starting with the passenger segments, the Business Lounge and Comfort Lounge have been complemented by a new Platinum Lounge located in-between. This closed off area with seating for up to six is for those wishing isolation with privacy. Three enclosed seating booths in an open lounge are supplemented by the usual all-inclusive facilities including food and drinks. A private stairway to and from the car deck for Platinum Lounge users completes the exclusivity for car travelers. For such a short voyage, twenty-two cabins were originally put aboard the Megastar for commercial drivers – who have their own separate area, too – but the MyStar now has a suite (#1029), five “allergy” cabins and two work studios along with regular cabins, bringing the total to 44. The large Coffee & Co (297 seats), which is the central sitting and gathering area for passengers, does not have a shop as on the Megastar. Instead, seating has been expanded and a white grand piano installed, which can be played or plays automatically. General passenger extras have not been forgotten: Family Picnic (209 seats) is a brand-new area designed for exactly what its name implies. To give parents or relatives respite, play areas for all ages are adjacent or nearby: play station, video games and Lottemaa for pre-schoolers. For adults, the Sea Pub (287 seats) ? 28-32.indd 5 28-32.indd 5 6.2.2023 7.56 6.2.2023 7.56
• MyStar vs. Megastar in figures Cost + maiden voyage: €250m 2022 €230m 2017 GT: 50,629 49,134 Length: both 212.4m (232.3 yards) Ice Class: both Super 1A Crew: up to 200 Cabins: 44 22 Total engine power: 42MW 40.6MW Travellers Superstore area: 2,500m² WW 2,800m² Decks: 12 reappears with barrel-shaped alternative booth-style seating for groups, as well as standard tables and chairs. The Nordic Bar (360) sports copper and leather, making its patrons feel at home either in groups or individually. Large screens broadcast sports, news and other entertainment via local and international channels. Linking both areas astern on Deck 9, Garden is for all seasons protected from the elements with its pergolas, plants and 270-degree views. Deck 10 includes an open-air sun deck (closed during the bitter Baltic winter) that has a selfie spot, as well as an overhanging glass balcony. Some selected bathrooms on Deck 8 have what Tallink calls “magic mirrors,” which show another person looking back. Fans of the Moomins can have themselves photographed with the Moomin family characters (similar to Disney characters) in the Superstore. Reliable favorites like the Delight Buffet (capacity 376) and fine dining Chef’s Kitchen (84 seats), as well as fast-food chain outlet Burger King and self-service Fast Lane (352 seats), have been brought back, completing the offerings. The Travellers Superstore – the second-largest largest floating shop on the Baltic Sea at 2500 square meters (2,691 square yards) – offers a range of 2,500 brands at attractive prices, as does the Superstore aboard the Megastar, whose version is 300 square meters larger. Finland’s expertise in shipbuilding “I want to thank Tallink for their excellent cooperation, which has allowed us to bring the project to completion together despite challenging circumstances. I would also like to thank the partners and the classification society Bureau Veritas,” commented Mika Heiskanen, CEO, Rauma Marine Constructions, the shipbuilder. “MyStar represents Finland’s strong expertise in shipbuilding. It has been an honor to design and build such a technologically advanced vessel that upholds sustainable values. We wish MyStar the best of luck with the sailings.” Although MyStar had a difficult delivery, it has been warmly welcomed by customers and crew alike. This process may have started when the godmother of the ship, then Estonia President Kirsti Kaljulaid, named the vessel on August 12, 2021. Due to holdups, the ship’s maiden voyage took place over a year later on December 13, 2022. For a full review of the Megastar on which the MyStar is based, see CruiseBusiness.com Magazine’s winter issue of 2017. n 32 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 Traveller Superstore 28-32.indd 6 28-32.indd 6 6.2.2023 7.56 6.2.2023 7.56
• ? CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 33 C arnival Cruise Line, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, has focused on bringing more efficiencies to its large, U.S.-focused cruise ship fleet. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Carnival was just preparing to take delivery of its first 182,000 gross ton Excel-class ship, the Mardi Gras. Built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the ship stood idle until summer 2021, when SHIP REVIEW EXCEL-CLASS SHIPS RAISE THE BAR Carnival Cruise Line, the largest cruise brand of Carnival Corporation & plc, has experienced a gradual reorganization of its “Fun Ship” fleet during the last three years. It has focused on retiring older vessels and bringing new and larger tonnage online, including the first LNG-powered cruise ships in the North American market – the Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. By Teijo Niemelä the cruise business was able to resume operations in the U.S. market. During the pandemic, Carnival retired six 70,367 gross ton Fantasy-class ships, and all of them ended up to being scrapped. This has resulted in a significant restructuring of the “Fun Ship” fleet, which also included the transfer of the Costa Luminosa from sister brand Costa Cruises to sail in Carnival’s Australian program as the Carnival Luminosa. Later this year, two more Costa ships – namely the Costa Firenze and Costa Venezia – will join Carnival in the North American market. These changes were a direct result of the pandemic, as otherwise the Fantasy-class ships would still have had operational life ahead of them. Carnival’s newbuilding program before the pandemic began included two Mardi Gras was the first LNG-powered cruise ship in the North American market Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä 33-37.indd 3 33-37.indd 3 15.2.2023 8.07 15.2.2023 8.07
• ? READ BETWEEN THE FRAMES It looks like a classy ship door, but beneath the surface there’s a huge amount of intelligence, experience, best practices, and certified solutions. If you have a new project, contact Antti already in the beginning. Depending on your goals, we can develop your doors’ cost-effectiveness, design, sustainability, and connectivity. Our doors are open for contact: anttimarine.fi Mardi Gras You’ll see the difference 34 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 • Fantasy class (two ships) • Spirit class (five ships) • Conquest class (five ships) • Splendor class (one ship) • Dream class (three ships) • Sunshine class (three ships) • Vista class (three ships) • Excel class (two ships) Excel-class ships under contract from the Meyer Turku shipyard. That number was later increased to three, as the parent company decided to transfer a ship under contract with Meyer Werft in Papenburg from AIDA Cruises to the Carnival brand. The three Carnival Excelclass ships are therefore the Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, which will be homeported year-round in Port Canaveral, Miami and Galveston, respectively. On the left is a list of the ships currently in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, which the company breaks down into eight different classes: This list does not include the Costa Venezia, Costa Firenze or Carnival Jubilee, which will all join the brand this year. The Carnival Jubilee’s delayed maiden voyage is now expected to take place from Galveston on December 23. Excel class highlights The Carnival Celebration, like its sister ship the Mardi Gras, accommodates 5,282 guests (double occupancy) with a full guest capacity of 6,465. It features more than 20 dining venues and a dozen bars and lounges across six unique zones. The ship’s Miami-themed zone – 820 Biscayne – is named after Carnival’s first headquarters address and is designed as a tribute to Miami’s cultural vibe and dining and beverage scene. The ship’s top deck features the allelectric roller coaster BOLT: Ultimate Sea From top to bottom: Grand Central; Emeril’s Bistro; Piazza; Havana Bar Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä 33-37.indd 4 33-37.indd 4 15.2.2023 8.07 15.2.2023 8.07
• READ BETWEEN THE FRAMES It looks like a classy ship door, but beneath the surface there’s a huge amount of intelligence, experience, best practices, and certified solutions. If you have a new project, contact Antti already in the beginning. Depending on your goals, we can develop your doors’ cost-effectiveness, design, sustainability, and connectivity. Our doors are open for contact: anttimarine.fi Mardi Gras You’ll see the difference 33-37.indd 5 33-37.indd 5 15.2.2023 8.07 15.2.2023 8.07
• 36 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 FREEDOM OF DESIGN WITH PROVEN SOLUTIONS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DECORATIVE SOLUTIONS Seamless, durable and flexible artificial PUR deck system, the new Sikafloor® Marine Deco Comfort and Teak. Contact us now Sika Services AG, Tueffenwies 16, 8048 Zurich Tel. +41 (0)58 436 58 01, www.sika.com/marine Sikafloor® Marine Deco Teak Sikafloor® Marine Deco Comfort Coaster, which has been thrilling guests on the Mardi Gras since its debut in 2021. The top deck is also home to the resortstyle Loft 19, which can be accessed directly from premium category Excel suites – one of 11 categories in 180 total suites. The ship boasts more than 2,641 staterooms in all. I personally experienced the Mardi Gras in November 2021 on a 7-night sailing from Port Canaveral to the Western Caribbean. My impression was that Carnival had really evolved and elevated the product. My favorite public room was the impressive Grand Central, spanning three decks on the starboard side of the vessel. It serves as a focal point for the ship’s activities, such as game shows and other staff-led activities. Each of the three levels is flanked by the ship’s passenger services, such as retail stores and food and beverage outlets. Dining is one of the experiences that has been most improved aboard the Mardi Gras. New formal and informal dining options include Emeril’s Bistro 1396 (created by Emeril Lagasse), Rudi’s Seagrill (created by Rudi Sodamin) , Big Eats (created by Shaquille O Neal) and Street Eats. Several fan favorites can also be found aboard the Excel-class ships, such as Bonsai Teppanyaki and Bonsai Sushi and Guy’s Burger Joint (created by Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri). Overall layout flows well Carnival’s Excel-class ships reach up to 19th deck. The passenger cabins are generally located on deck 4 and 5 and then again in the superstructure from deck 8 forward up to deck 16 forward (there is no deck 13). For vertical movement, there are three main staircases with elevator lobbies. Both forward and midship elevator banks have a total of eight elevators each, while the aft bank has just six elevators for a grand total of 22. As far as the location of public services is concerned, a major change from Carnival’s earlier classes is the relocation of the Cloud 9 Spa to deck 5 from the prime real estate of the upper decks. Meanwhile, the Family Harbor Lounge and Camp Ocean for kids are located in windowless areas amidships on deck 4. Unfortunately, this is a growing trend on new cruise ships of not providing outside views for children. Another interesting relocation is that Guest Services is now found at the aft of deck 8, which also houses the ship’s expansive (but not full wraparound) promenade called the Lanai. Overall, Carnival’s new Excel class provides a very balanced ship design and elevated decor with emphasize more premium experience. This is a class of ships I would like to see to expand with further newbuildings. n Ph oto cre dit : TM ey er Tu rk u Sun deck offers plenty of space in several levels Carnival Celebration at Meyer Turku 33-37.indd 6 33-37.indd 6 15.2.2023 8.07 15.2.2023 8.07
• FREEDOM OF DESIGN WITH PROVEN SOLUTIONS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DECORATIVE SOLUTIONS Seamless, durable and flexible artificial PUR deck system, the new Sikafloor® Marine Deco Comfort and Teak. Contact us now Sika Services AG, Tueffenwies 16, 8048 Zurich Tel. +41 (0)58 436 58 01, www.sika.com/marine Sikafloor® Marine Deco Teak Sikafloor® Marine Deco Comfort www.almaco.cc Suite ? Viking Glory Eat well, sleep well, relax and enjoy! Our purpose is to create stunning surroundings at sea that make passengers and crew long back the second they leave. TURNKEY PROJECTS & LIFECYCLE SOLUTIONS AT SEA 33-37.indd 7 33-37.indd 7 15.2.2023 8.07 15.2.2023 8.07
• INTERVIEW MASTERING THE SILVER ENDEAVOUR C ruiseBusiness.com Magazine joined the inaugural cruise of the newly named Silver Endeavour on November 20, 2022, at King George Island off the Antarctic Peninsula. After a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, we boarded the 20,499 gross ton and 200-passenger Silver Endeavour following a short Zodiac ride from shore. Silversea Cruises calls its newest fleet member the industry’s most luxurious expedition cruise ship. The original price tag was approximately $375 million, which gives a perberth cost of almost $1.9 million. On the other hand, each of the 100 guest suites is designed to carry four passengers, if necessary. Needles to say, the ship’s current capacity provides a very high space ratio of 102. During our 7-night sailing, which was extended on the both ends by one night due to weather, we had a chance to experience the great capabilities of the PC6classed vessel. Captain Niklas Peterstam, who has extensive experience in polar-region navigation, was one of the original masters of the Crystal Endeavor Royal Caribbean Group acquired the Crystal Endeavor at auction after the insolvency of Genting Hong Kong and its ultra-luxury subsidiary Crystal Cruises. Delivered from the German shipyard MV Werften in summer 2021, the Crystal Endeavor – billed as the most expensive cruise ship built per passenger – joined Silversea Cruises’ expedition fleet in July 2022. As part of its acquisition, the company invited former Crystal crew and officers to apply to work on the vessel. One of these former employees is Captain Niklas Peterstam. By Teijo Niemelä during its 2021-22 Antarctic season. He started his maritime career in 1979 and moved into expedition cruising in 1991, sailing to Antarctica, the Arctic and the Russian Far East. He has also served aboard several larger cruise vessels, such as those of Star Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, in Asia, Hawaii, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Replacing Silver Explorer The Silver Endeavour has replaced the 1989-built Silver Explorer on Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge itineraries. The Silver Explorer has already been sold to a new French owner and will leave the fleet after this 2022-23 season. Among the great features of the Endeavour are its long range and tremendous storage capacity. The ship can sail 7,500 nautical miles without bunkering, according to Peterstam, while a regular 7-night cruise is approximately 550 nautical miles. The ship can also achieve a speed of more than 19 knots, which is more than many other expedition cruise ships. The Silver Endeavour is also fitted with very generous storage areas for food and waste. Fresh supplies from Chile are served when the ship makes its turnaround at King George Island. Silversea, which employs DAP Airlines for Antarctica Bridge flights, uses the Avro 100 aircraft’s cargo hold for fresh produce. As far as waste is concerned, the ship does not use incinerators at all, but dries and shreds all waste produced onboard, which is disposed of during service calls after every few weeks in South America. A typical Antarctic sailing does not have a pre-set itinerary. Stops are decided upon by the captain and expedition leader. Due to weather patterns, our November 20 sailing was the first one of the 202223 season able to navigate south of the Antarctic Circle. As conditions can change rapidly, stops may be canceled at the last minute due to safety concerns, as there is no shoreside infrastructure. While guests are making landings or taking Zodiac rides, the Silver Endeavour uses Dynamic Positioning to keep it in place rather than anchoring during most calls. The 164-meter-long Silver Endeavour has an ice re-enforced hull and its polar class is Polar Class 6. Peterstam calls it a very maneuverable vessel, as it is not too 38 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä Silver Endeavour features a tremendous bridge with ergonomical layout. Bridge design has its roots to the Baltic cruise ferries Captain Niklas Peterstam 38-39.indd 2 38-39.indd 2 15.2.2023 8.12 15.2.2023 8.12
• MASTERING THE SILVER ENDEAVOUR long and is relatively low. “Once in Ushuaia [Argentina], we encountered 40-knot winds, but we were the only expedition vessel allowed to dock in the port and without the assistance of the tugboat,” he said proudly. The ship is equipped with two Azipod D pods and bow thrusters, which makes the vessel easy to turn on a dime, Peterstam continued. Experience required The expedition cruise market has expanded at a very fast pace during the last few years. During that time, new tonnage has entered the market from many different cruise lines including Hurtigruten, Lindblad Expeditions, Mystic Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Scenic, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, SunStone Ships and Viking. As a result, recruiting professional officers has become more of a challenge. According to Captain Peterstam, navigating in polar waters requires special skills from the officers. Each ship must have an ice master or, alternatively, two advanced polar code officers. n 38-39.indd 3 38-39.indd 3 15.2.2023 8.12 15.2.2023 8.12
• 40 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 W hen we outlined Viking’s rapid expansion in 2017, the company had entered its third year of ocean operations by introducing a third vessel, the 47,800 gross ton and 930guest Viking Sky. In six short years, the company has not only expanded its roots on European rivers, but has launched more ocean vessels – which now stand at eight – making Viking the industry’s largest luxury cruise ship operator. But that’s not all: In winter 2020 Viking celebrated the introduction of its expedition ships with a launch party in Beverly Hills. The company had contracted two BUSINESS UPDATE VIKING EXPANSION FOCUSES ON CORE MARKETS Just six years ago, we looked back on Viking Cruises’ first 20 years in the river and ocean cruise business. Since then, a lot of has happened – -including the Covid-19 pandemic, which halted cruise operations globally. Despite the setback affecting all cruise lines, Viking has focused on continued growth while keeping an eye on delivering an award-winning product. By Teijo Niemelä identical 30,114 gross ton and 389-passenger expedition vessels, namely the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Both entered service in 2022, just in time for Viking’s 25th anniversary, which was celebrated in Amsterdam with a dual christening of both vessels. What makes these vessels special in the expedition market is their design that allows them to operate on the North American Great Lakes during the northern summer months. Meanwhile, as a leading river cruise company, Viking has continued its expansion not only in Europe, but also on the Nile, the Mekong River and – last but not least – the Mississippi River. Just last year, it began operation of its purposebuilt, U.S.-flagged, 386-guest Viking Mississippi on its namesake river. On the other hand, due to the war in Ukraine, river cruises in Russia and Ukraine have been paused. According to Chairman Torstein Hagen, “Before the pandemic we doubled our size every three years. We have been investing in marketing $300 million a year.” This has helped Viking to secure the top position as the largest river cruise operator in the European river cruise market with a 50% market share. Viking is a newcomer in the U.S. domestic cruise market, which has been controlled by American Cruise Lines and American Queen Voyages 40-42.indd 2 40-42.indd 2 15.2.2023 8.18 15.2.2023 8.18
• CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 41 ? Sticking with core values Traditionally, when cruise lines have expanded, they have been looking toward new demographics to attract a larger audience. This is not the case with Viking, which says it will not be everyone’s cruise line: Viking guests are English speaking, at least 18 years old and curious, with an interest in history, science, culture and music. The median age of the typical Viking guest is 55-plus. As a result, the onboard product has been very consistent, and there have not been big changes in ship layouts over the years: Viking’s Longships on European rivers are identical to each other, as are the ocean ships. As an example, the ocean ships don’t offer children’s areas or casinos. Viking’s focus on maintaining a consistent product has kept the company as the leading cruise line in the river and luxury cruise segments. Two major travel publications, Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler, have repeatedly named Viking as the best cruise line in their reader surveys. Viking Mississippi is similar in decor with other fleet mates providing understated Scandinavian design Torstein Hagen 40-42.indd 3 40-42.indd 3 15.2.2023 8.18 15.2.2023 8.18
• 42 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2023 There is, however, one demographic market beyond English-speaking passengers that Viking has targeted: In 2016, Viking dedicated five Longships in Europe for Mandarin-speaking Chinese travelers. In 2019, the company hosted 20,000 Chinese customers in Europe. In 2021, Viking transferred its fourth ocean vessel, the Viking Sun, to its joint venture with China Merchants Group and renamed the vessel as the CM-Yidun to sail under the Chinese flag, offering China coastal cultural cruises. Viking by the numbers Viking is approaching a very important milestone: It will soon operate 100 cruise ships on rivers, oceans and expeditions. In 2019 Viking carried half million guests, served by over 10,000 employees from 84 countries. According to Hagen, the company lost $6 billion in revenue during the Covid19 pandemic. Viking was the first cruise operator to announce a full cessation of sailings in March 2020. Viking was also among the first lines to return to operations in the summer of 2021, creating “bubble” itineraries in Bermuda, Iceland and the Mediterranean before the rest of the world opened up. Today, Viking ships sail to all seven continents and call at 418 ports in 88 countries. Current operations generate revenue of $3 billion annually. Future newbuildings Viking took delivery of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Neptune, in November; the ship is currently on a world cruise. Its next vessel from Fincantieri will be the Viking Saturn in April, which will join the fleet as the company’s 10th ocean ship. After that, Viking will take delivery of at least six more ocean ships between December 2024 and November 2028. The new ships from the 11th newbuilding onward will be slightly larger with an increased length from 238 meters to 249 meters. They will also be fitted with pods for increased maneuverability and efficiency. However, the real novelty will be hybrid propulsion based on liquid hydrogen and fuel cells. This will help Viking to operate with zero emissions in the Norwegian fjords. n Viking Octantis transiting Weiland Canal in Ontario, Canada. At the length of 205 meters and breath of 23.7 meters Octantis and Polaris were purpose built by VARD/ Fincantieri for both Great Lakes and polar cruises Viking Sky was the third ocean newbuilding 40-42.indd 4 40-42.indd 4 15.2.2023 8.19 15.2.2023 8.19
• Seatrade Cruise Global comes to Fort Lauderdale! 27-30 March 2023 | Expo 28-30 March 2023 Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA Exclusively supported by: 10,000+ attendees 80+ cruise line brands 500+ exhibitors 85+ countries Join the biggest annual cruise industry reunion today! Registration now open: www.seatradecruiseglobal.com 43-44 takakansi.indd 1 43-44 takakansi.indd 1 15.2.2023 10.43 15.2.2023 10.43
• 43-44 takakansi.indd 2 43-44 takakansi.indd 2 8.2.2023 9.20 8.2.2023 9.20