Which Shares Would You Buy? – Cruise & Maritime Enters The Australian Market – Classic International Revived?

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 11th February 2013

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Within the past several months, both Facebook and Norwegian Cruise Line have launched Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on the Nasdaq. We have a look at some of the differences between the two and ask which shares would you prefer to buy? Elsewhere, news broke last week that Cruise & Maritime Voyages was going to enter the Australian market, in an effort to fill the void created by the demise of Classic International Cruises.. But no sooner had that been announced than the ghost of Classic International rose from the dead, with the news that its creditors Montepio Geral had sold the entire Classic International fleet, with four ships going to a Portuguese entrepreneur who intends to revive the operation, while one goes back to the sons of George Potamianos, who had founded Portugal’s cruise fleet with Classic International.

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THIS WEEK’S STORY                                     (See previous columns)

The World of Cruising According to Condé Nast – Argentina and Falklands Conflict Calms – And A New Home For Queen Elizabeth 2

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 4th February 2013

Condé Nast Traveler rates both the 540-berth Silver Spirit (above) and the 2,092-berth Queen Elizabeth as medium-size ships, while Berlitz more logically calls the Silver Spirit small and the Queen Elizabeth large.

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Last week, US-based Condé Nast Traveler magazine released the results of its 2013 best cruise ships poll, dividing the fleet into small, medium and large cruise ships plus river cruisers. Among the winners are names such as Azamara, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn and Silversea, as well as some lesser known cruising names such as Grand Circle and National Geographic. Meanwhile, from Silversea comes news that the situation in Argentina seems to be calming down, with their ships again calling on both Argentina and the Falkland Islands. Elsewhere, we have news of a new future for the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2, in a major Asian city yet to be announced.

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THIS WEEK’S STORY                                     (See previous columns)

The Growth of Cruising: A Twenty-Five Year Comparison – Norwegian Cruise Line Float – The New SuperStar Gemini

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 28th January 2013

In 1984, Princess Cruises introduced the 44,348-ton Royal Princess, at 761 x 96 feet and 1,200 passengers.

In 2011-12, Oceania Cruises introduced the 66,048-ton Marina and Riviera, at 777 x 105 feet & 1,250 passengers.

Twenty-five years ago, the main players in the cruise industry operated a fleet of around forty ships offering berths for some 37,000 passengers. Today, the same players operate a fleet of around 125 ships capable of carrying in excess of 250,000 passengers at any one time. Not only has the industry grown almost seven-fold during that period but it has in effect divided into the best and the biggest, with seven or eight lines offering the best in service and experience and another seven or eight offering another type of seagoing experience, on very large scale ships at affordable prices. This week, we look at this phenomenon. Elsewhere, Norwegian Cruise Holdings has floated at a 30% premium and another SuperStar Gemini has made her début.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                        (See previous columns)

Two Trios of Mega Ships A Century Apart – Norwegian Cruise Line Flotation – Costa Concordia One Year On

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 14th January 2013

A hundred years ago, Hapag’s 50,000-ton Imperator, Vaterland and Bismarck were the largest in the world

 Royal Caribbean’s 225,000-ton Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis 3, largest in the world today

A hundred years ago, the Hamburg America Line introduced the largest ship in the world when it christened its 52,117-ton Imperator, first of a trio, in 1913. And last month Royal Caribbean announced that it had ordered a third ship of its 225,000-ton Oasis class, for delivery in 2016. Hamburg America Line’s successor, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, is this year introducing its Europa 2, which if not the largest in the world may be the most luxurious for today’s generation, something that the Imperator boasted as well. Elsewhere, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it is floating on the NASDAQ and Costa Cruises commemorates the first anniversary of the loss of its 114,137-ton Costa Concordia, the largest passenger ship loss ever, at Giglio.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)

The New Crop of Ships – 100th Anniversary of Florida’s First Cruises – Tere Moana Is Christened in St Martin

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 7th January 2013

This year and next see the introduction of four major new classes of cruise ship. First to arrive, in 2013, will be Norwegian Breakaway, one of a pair from Meyer Werft, and Royal Princess, first of another pair from Fincantieri, both of which debut in Southampton. In 2014, these will be followed by Mein Schiff 3, one of a pair from STX Finland for the German market, and an as yet unnamed ship from Meyer Werft for Royal Caribbean International, known only as “Project Sunshine.” Most will not realize it, but today marks the 100th anniversary of the first cruises offered from Florida, when the original Evangeline sailed from Key West on an 11-night cruise, the first of eight, to Panama, Jamaica and Cuba. Finally, Paul Gauguin Cruises christened its latest addition, the 90-guest Tere Moana, in St Martin at the end of 2012.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)

How Costa Loss Led to a Global CLIA – Ponant to Transit Northwest Passage – Norwegian Breakaway’s Waterfront – Viking Ocean Cruises – Mega-Ships In Australia – And Other Stories From 2012

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 31st December 2012

Royal Caribbean International’s 3,114-berth Voyager of the Seas at Sydney’s Circular Quay.

The usual year-end cruise summary lists the newest ships and their latest features. But we bring you a slightly quirkier recap for the year 2012. Two of the most interesting results this year stem from the loss of the Costa Concordia in January. That tragedy has been well covered elsewhere, but the two results are: a German chief executive now heads up Costa Crociere, and CLIA has gone global. Other news for 2012 sees a new contender for the Northwest Passage, new concepts from Norwegian Cruise Line with the Waterfront on its latest ships and the end of Classic International Cruises. Holland America Line has abandoned Bermuda in favour of Canada, Seabourn goes to Antarctica and the mega-ships have arrived in Australia, while the Chinese cruise market conrinues to grow. We have also seen the beginning of a move back towards human scale cruise ships with Viking Ocean Cruises’ plans for up to six 48,000-ton cruise ships that will accommodate fewer than 1,000 passengers. Finally, in a surprise annoucement, STX France has nabbed the order for a third Oasis class ship for Royal Caribbean, with an option for a fourth. Happy New Year to All!

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)

CLIA Goes Global Today – Holland America, Seabourn & P&O Cancel Argentina Calls – Australian Consumer Protection

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 17th December 2012

The Cruise Lines International Association has announced today that it is going global and will in future have arms such as CLIA UK (the Passenger Shipping Association/Association of Cruise Experts), CLIA Europe (the European Cruise Council), CLIA Brazil (ABREMAR) and CLIA Australasia (the International Cruise Council Australasia), among others. Meanwhile, with Argentina having refused to take any action to ensure the freedom of the seas for cruise ships calling on both Argentina and the Falkland Islands, some cruise lines are beginning to announce the cancellation of calls in Argentina, while others are dropping the Falkland Islands. Finally, we see what progress (if any) is being made towards Australian consumer protection.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)

Cruising in the Crystal Serenity – Azamara Club Cruises Going All-Inclusive – The Ocean Liner Society Chooses MS Hamburg

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 3rd December 2012

On Wednesday last, The Cruise Examiner boarded Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity at Lisbon for an 11-night cruise to Madeira, the Canary Islands, Morocco and Spain. Here is his first report on the new all-inclusive Crystal Cruises. Meanwhile, Azamara Club Cruises has become the latest to join the all-inclusive cruise lines, leaving Oceania Cruises as the odd man out. Elsewhere, the Ocean Liner Society has chosen Plantours’ MS Hamburg for its 2013 annual group cruise.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)

Holland America Extends The St Lawrence Cruise Season – Australian Consumer Protection – Two More Royal Caribbean Brands Go Blue

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 26th November 2012

For some time now the Canada New England trade has been suffering from the misperception that it is best to go there in September and October for the “autum leaves,” when in fact the region enjoys a wonderful spring and summer season starting in May. This week, we look at how Holland America is leading the way to extending the cruise season at Montreal and Quebec, while others such as Crystal Cruises and Royal Caribbean are starting to offer round trip cruises from these ports. Meanwhile, after the demise of Classic International Cruises, the Australians are looking at phasing out their Travel Compensation Fund, but with what replacement? Elsewhere, two more Royal Caribbean brands, Azamara Club Cruises and Pullmantur, are adopting blue hulls and new colours.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)

Cruising, Travel Agents and The Social Media – Vancouver To Gain While Victoria Loses – Boston Record – Houston To Gain Two Ships

           THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 19th November 2012

With Holland America Line’s appointment of a dedicated director of social media last week, we look at a survey of travel agents on this subject completed by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) earlier this year.  Not surprisingly perhaps, 76% of travel agents have booked clients cruises on line but only 15% think participation in social media is “essential,” and almost half as many, 7%, think they are a waste of time. But the ASTA survey did not include blogs, like the one you are reading. Here are the ASTA survey results: -

Elsewhere, with cruise seasons just finishing, the news is mainly from the ports. Vancouver will see a rise of more than 20% to more than 820,000 passengers next year, caused mainly by the return of the Disney Wonder. Boston set a record in 2012 with 380,000 passengers, brought about because of the arrival of the Carnival Glory for cruises to Canada. And Houston will be getting two new ships in 2013-14, with first the Caribbean Princess and then the Norwegian Jewel.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)

A New Cruise Ship Lexicon: SunStone, FleetPro and Waterland – TUI Cruises Orders Fourth Ship – UK Cruise Market Stalls But Holds

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 12th November 2012

TUI Cruises’ first 2,500-berth newbuilding, Mein Schiff 3, will enter service in 2014, to be followed in 2015 by Mein Schiff 4

Last week came news of the formation of a new passenger ship owning company called SunStone Ships Inc, which will take over the shipowners’ representation functions presently performed by International Shipping Partners Inc of Miami. Included in this will be the promotion of ISP’s previous newbuilding project for eight 100-balcony-cabin expedition ships capable of carrying 200 passengers each, called Project Unlimited. At the same time came news out of both Miami and Basel of the formation of a new independent cruise ship management company. FleetPro Passenger Ship Management will have two branches, with ISP undertaking management of ocean-going ships from Miami and River Advice looking after inland vessels from Basel. Finance for the FleetPro organisation has come from Netherlands-based Waterland Private Equity, which already has a majority interest in A’Rosa River Cruises of Germany. Elsewhere, TUI Cruises has confirmed its option for a second newbuilding, Mein Schiff 4, from STX Finland in Turku, while the latest UK cruise statistics indicate a market whose growth has stalled, but is at least holding its own

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)

Cruising: What A Difference Thirty Years Makes – Other Cruise News: Classic International Australia Calls In Administrators – New Liner Service Between Europe and Australia?

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 5th November 2012

The Port of Miami in 1982 (left) and 2012 (right), with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ships in each view

For something different this week, we look back thirty years. Examining the third weekend of January, at the start of the Caribbean high season in the traditional cruise trades from Florida and Puerto Rico, we compare what is on offer now to the same weekend in 1982. Last week, we announced that Classic International’s Australian arm had succeded in finding a replacement ship for the arrested Athena. This announcement appears to have been premature, however, as only two days later Classic’s Australian went into administration. Finally, we look at what would normally be considered a hare-brained idea – a passenger liner service between Europe and Australia – although the design for the two ships is reportedly to be entrusted to one of the world’s pre-eminent naval architects.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)