Industry Insider

 

Carnival Corp's total revenues once again hit their forecast

With posted earnings of $4.8 billion, an increase of 11.4% year-over-year. Onboard spend experienced a slight decline (shore tours and spa up, but art auctions and bar spending down), but net revenue yields increased 4.1% year-over-year.

The one huge percentage change was fuel costs running 77% higher this year, but that surprised no one.

And it wasn't just Carnival Corp.'s European brands doing well. Their North American brands' capacity grew 1.5% in the third quarter, and their yield were up by 3.4%.

Chairman/CEO Micky Arison cited politics as a factor. "After the presidential conventions and going into the presidential elections, we generally see a slowdown, as people focus in on the presidential election through the first week in November," said Arison. "In the 30 plus years I've been doing this, almost every four years we do see that….but you add in all the market turmoil, and it's very hard to know what is causing what."

NCL Cancel their F3 Ship
European shipyard officials this week confirmed a dispute between NCL and Aker Yard France over construction of the first F3 ship but downplayed the rumored prospects of shopping it to other cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and MSC. "While we are in the middle of this process, it would not be correct to speculate on the outcome or on possible alternatives," said Aker President Jacques Hardelay. "Our focus is to find a solution, including continuing the planned activities at our yard in St. Nazaire."

Regal Empress to assist in Gulf Coast Relief Efforts
Imperial Majesty Cruises have issued a notice stating that the 1953-built REGAL EMPRESS is currently on loan to help with relief efforts in the Texas Gulf communities. Imperial state that her season has been called off until January 2009.

Without official word from Imperial Majesty Cruises, it has been revealed in maritime circles that the 1981-built ferry, MS PRINSESSE RAGHNILD, has been bought by US-based Celebration Cruise Holdings. There is speculation that she may either replace the classic 1953-built REGAL EMPRESS (ex OLYMPIA) on 48 hour mini cruises to Nassau from Port Everglades or be added as second ship running two-night cruises from another Florida port, possibly Port Canaveral.

The 15000 gt, 896 berth PRINSESSE RAGHNILD was built at HDW Kiel, Germany for the Oslo-Kiel service of Norwegian company Jahre Line (known as Color Line after 1981). In 1992, she was extensively rebuilt and lengthened with a new centre section and extra decks (becoming 38500 gt with 1876 berths) by Astilleros EspaĐoles, Cadiz, Spain. On July 7, 1999 she suffered a serious engine room fire on her Kiel-Oslo run. Passengers were evacuated while crew remained and extinguished the fire. PRINSESSE RAGHNILD was withdrawn from service May 6, 2008, and subsequently laid up at Sandefjord, Norway. Color Line sold PRINSESSE RAGHNILD for EUR 23 million in August, with a delivery date to her new owners set for October 1, 2008.

ROYAL STAR On Block

 

September 25: Bids for Bahamas-registered 1956-built ROYAL STAR are being accepted through a court order for non-payment of her crew, by an Admiralty Marshal at the Mombasa law courts, Kenya. The ship, listed abandoned, is to be sold without warranty to her condition. Built as SAN GIORGIO for Adriatica Line for services from Italy to Piraeus, Istanbul and Izmir. Most recently the 200-passenger ROYAL STAR has been based in Mombassa for Indian Ocean cruising.

Ueberroth Resigns from Ambassadors
Joe Ueberroth, chairman, CEO and president of Ambassadors International, announced his resignation, effective Sept. 19, 2009.

Until his departure next September, Ueberroth will continue his responsibilities while working with the board to ensure a successful transition.

In related news, Kevin Luebbers resigned from the board and as chairman of its audit committee, which will now be led by cruise industry veteran Art Rodney, who joined the board in April.

Ambassadors International holdings include Majestic America Line, which is up for sale, and Windstar Cruises, in addition to marine and travel, incentive and events divisions.

Roy Grimsland tapped to lead Paul Gauguin Sales

Regent Seven Seas Cruises veteran executive Roy Grimsland is back in the cruise industry with a new position: evp sales and marketing for Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd., owner of the Tahiti-based Paul Gauguin.

Working from Regent headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Grimsland is leading a small team that will help Regent's sales staff on the Gauguin product while also forging an identity with travel agents and key accounts including Virtuoso, American Express and Signature.

Regent has been managing the vessel in an agreement that expires at the end of 2009. Grimsland told Seatrade Insider it's not certain the relationship will continue so Paul Gauguin Shipping aims to establish a profile with retailers.

This week, he has been at the annual Motivation Show (ITME) in Chicago. Also, two regional sales directors have been hired: Evelyn Gaudin in Los Angeles and Liz Coleman in Boston. Grimsland said he may tap a third director, most likely California-based because half of Paul Gauguin's sales are from that state.

Grimsland, who worked at Regent for 13 years, first setting up the incentive sales group and then for a decade as vp sales, is very familiar with Paul Gauguin. After leaving Regent a few years ago, he served as corporate director of sales for the West Paces Hotels Group.

Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd. is controlled by Alan and Hank Lewis, the respective principals of Grand Circle Travel and Vantage Travel.

Paul Gauguin is scheduled for a drydock upgrade in January that will include the addition of balconies to 23 staterooms.

Travel Dynamics has postponed its plans for a new ship

The line had originally planned to introduce the 60-passenger Daphne in November 2009, but “an uncertain economic climate” in the U.S. has delayed plans until 2011, she said. Travel Dynamics will still go ahead as planned with the refurbishment of the 1990-built, 100-passenger Clelia II, which will begin sailing for the line this spring.