Introducing Seven Seas Explorer

Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that they have signed a contract with Italy's Fincantieri shipyard to build the most luxurious cruise ship in the era of modern cruising. The new all-suite, all-balcony ship will be named Seven Seas Explorer with delivery scheduled for summer 2016.

"This new ship order represents an exciting time of growth for our company as we build the next generation of cruise ships for the world's most inclusive luxury cruise line," Frank Del Rio, the chairman and CEO of Regent's parent company, says in a statement accompanying the announcement. "Seven Seas Explorer will be the most luxurious cruise ship ever built."

The price tag for this all-suite, all-balcony luxury cruise ship has been reported to be $450m USD making it the most expensive luxury vessel afloat according to the line.
 Ship Statistics

Name: Seven Seas Explorer	Registry: Bahamas
Builder: Sestri Ponente (Genoa) shipyard	Country Built In: Italy
Ship Completion Date: Summer 2016	Number of Restaurants: 6
Number Balcony Suites: 369	Capacity: 738
Gross Tonnage: 54,000	Beam: 102 feet
Length: 732 feet	Draft: 23 feet
Power: diesel-electric engines	Speed: 20 knots

World-renowned architectural and interior design firms Tillberg Design AB, RTKL Associates and ICrave are designing the vessel, which will have the features the line is known for with the following highlights:

• 369 suites ranging from 300 square feet to 1,500 square feet
• six open-seating gourmet restaurants
• signature nine-deck atrium
• two-story Explorer Theater
• three boutiques  
• an expansive Canyon Ranch SpaClub®

"This new ship order is part of our disciplined growth strategy to expand our footprint in the luxury market," said Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "Since we purchased the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand in 2008, the ships have sailed full with industry-leading yields. We strongly believe that now is the right time to expand our fleet as our loyal guests have asked for a greater array of itineraries and our travel partners have proven that there is pent-up demand for a new Regent ship."

Additional information about the new ship will be released in the coming months and we will provide updates as the information is provided to us.   We look forward to welcoming this new ship to Regent's fleet.  Click the following link for more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

A Cruise Line is Born

Welcome to the new Viking Cruises

Just Announced May 17, 2013

Torstein Hagen, the visionary founder of Viking River Cruises, the world's largest and fastest growing river line, told the assembled travel agents, journalists and past passengers the company would launch its ocean-oriented cruise line in May 2015.  The announcement came at a gala banquet in Beverly Hills, California.

Click on this interactive image to start exploring the new cruise line and the first of its ships, Viking Star.



Viking Cruises, the new name of Viking River Cruises, announced the launch of its ocean product line, Viking Ocean Cruises, marking the introduction of the travel industry’s first new cruise line in nearly a decade.

Destination is Key Focus

Developed from the ground up to return the focus of cruising to the destination, Viking Ocean Cruises will begin sailing in May 2015 with its first vessel—Viking Star—embarking on maiden voyages in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

Leveraging extensive feedback and input from Viking River Cruises passengers, Viking Ocean Cruises was developed with experienced travelers in mind. Itineraries are curated for maximum time in port, often with late evenings or overnights, so guests can experience local nightlife or evening performances. Ports include both cosmopolitan cities and “collector ports,” and appeal to those with an interest in history, art and culture.

Small Ship Sailing with Unparalleled Value

All-inclusive pricing provides unparalleled value—with every cruise fare including a veranda stateroom, shore excursions in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Passengers also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; wi-fi; self-service laundry and 24-hour room service—a value of more than $2,400 per couple for an average cruise. 

Continued Fleet Expansion

Viking Cruises has aggressive expansion plans in both the ocean and river cruise categories, with a second ocean ship on order for delivery in 2016 and conditional orders and options for four more additional ocean vessels. The ocean ship order follows the company’s continued rapid fleet expansion in the river cruise sector, with 10 new river ships recently christened in March of this year and 12 new river ships planned to launch in 2014.

Earlier this year Viking set the World Record for the most ships launched on a single day: World Record Ship Launching

Working Closely With Viking to Launch New Cruise Line

Bookings Now Open for Viking Star 

Winstar Cruises Reorganizes

Windstar Cruises

Has a New Future

Ambassadors International, Inc., parent company of Windstar Cruises,  announced that it has entered into an agreement with Whippoorwill Associates, Inc., as agent to sell the cruise line through a court-supervised sale process.  Ambassadors and its U.S. subsidiaries today voluntarily filed petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

UPDATE:  May 19, 2011

New Buyer Victorious in Bidding War

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware approved the sale of Windstar Cruises and other assets to TAC Cruise LLC, an affiliate of Xanterra Holding Corp.

The sale is expected to close the week of May 23.  TAC is expected to pay $39M in cash for the cruise line.   Xanterra Holdings Corp. is based in Colorado and has been in the hospitality industry for 100 years.

No Impact On Current Operations

According to a statement released by the company, "Ambassadors and Windstar intend to continue normal business operations during the sale process, which is proposed to be completed in approximately 45 days.

Windstar also plans, subject to court approval, to continue to:

• Operate all Windstar cruises as scheduled;
• Maintain all of Windstar's customer programs and policies;
• Honor all Windstar fares and reservations, including charter contracts;
• Provide commissions and payments to its travel partners as usual and employee wages and benefits without interruption; and
• Pay all Windstar vendors and suppliers for goods and services received both before and during the reorganization process in connection with the sale. 

See the complete details of this transaction ...  Ambassadors International Enters Into Agreement to Sell Windstar Business and Operations to Private.

Windstar Cruises consists of a fleet of three small ships, Wind Spirit, Wind Star, and Wind Surf.

The small, sleek yachts of Windstar are made for seeing the world quite literally from a different point of view.


For the small ship lover, this is good news that the cruise line will continue operations.   According to the press release, there are even plans for expansion under the reorganization.


We will continue to monitor this story and bring you updates as additional details are released.

Oceania Cruises Double Bonus Alaska 2011

 See Alaska by Small Ship

 Oceania Cruises inaugural season in Alaska is currently open for bookings.   To kick off the traditional start of the selling season, they have announced a Double Bonus Savings Offer.

“We are offering our best fares ever on our inaugural Alaska sailings as we kick-off the traditional Alaska selling season,” stated Bob Binder, president of Oceania Cruises. “We have a long-standing tradition of offering the best fares and promotions up-front to reward our loyal guests and encourage them to book their preferred voyage and accommodations as early as possible.”

Travelers will discover Alaska aboard Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Regatta – an intimate ship known for its gourmet cuisine, luxurious public rooms and accommodations, and attentive service. As a special highlight, Pacific Northwest specialties will be featured during lunch in the casual Terrace Café and in the ship’s elegant Grand Dining Room. Regional specialties will also be showcased in all four of the ship’s open-seating restaurants; all of which are available with no surcharge. 

 

ALASKA DOUBLE BONUS SAVINGS OFFER

Oceania Cruises has announced Double Bonus Savings on 10 exciting, new voyages for summer 2011. The limited-time promotion offers per stateroom savings of $1,000 off cruise fares plus a $1,000 shipboard credit on top of two-for-one prices and free airfare. In addition, third and fourth guests in a stateroom may travel for only $999 per person, cruise-only.

Depending on the cruise, scenic highlights encompass Hubbard Glacier, the Gulf of Alaska, Tracy Arm and College Fjord. With two-for-one cruise fares and Double Bonus Savings, a 10-day Alaska cruise starts at just $2,999 per person, based on double occupancy. This special offer expires Dec. 31, 2010.

A DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT ALASKAN EXPERIENCE

• Each of our cruises presents a complete Alaska experience
• One or Two Full Days of Glacier Cruising
• Unique, off the beaten path ports combined with Alaska's star destinations
• Intimate, mid-sized ships that are the perfect size for exploring Alaska
• The finest cuisine at sea, including unique Pacific Northwest specialties

Known for its award-winning itineraries to the world’s most alluring ports, Oceania Cruises inaugural Alaska cruises explore the Inside Passage in depth. Itinerary highlights include at least one full day exploring the Inside Passage and one or two complete days of glacier viewing on every cruise, as well as a mix of marquee as well as off-the-beaten-path ports. In addition to Sitka, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, itineraries feature quaint, less-visited outposts, such as Kodiak, Homer and Hoonah.

Choose From Four Intriguing Itineraries

• Majestic Alaska – 14 days roundtrip from San Francisco, a maiden port for Oceania Cruises, visiting Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia; Sitka, Hoonah, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Astoria, Ore. Departures: May 12, Aug. 26.
• Alaskan Grandeur – 12 days between San Francisco and Vancouver. Ports include Astoria and Victoria, as well as Wrangell, Juneau, Hoonah, Sitka and Ketchikan. Departures: May 26, Aug. 14.
• Frontiers and Glaciers – 10 days roundtrip from Vancouver, calling at Sitka, Hoonah, Kodiak, Wrangell and Ketchikan. Departures: June 7, Aug. 4.
• Glacial Wilderness – 12 days between Vancouver and Anchorage, with visits to Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Hoonah, Skagway, Sitka, Seward and Homer. Departures: June 17 and 29, July 11 and 23.

Cruise West Ceases Operations

The final chapter in the 64 year history of Cruise West was written this weekend as Chairman, Dick West, announced that the company was shutting down. He said in the statement that he is "heartbroken" by the end of his family's legacy.  The small ship, Seattle, Washington-based cruise line was founded by the late Chuck West -- a pioneer of tourism in the state known as "Mr. Alaska".

Visiting the Cruise West website, you'll find the following statement:

"For the last year, Cruise West has aggressively pursued a number of options with interested parties to maintain operations, including investment, selling assets, and selling the company.  In part because of the most recent dip in the markets and the continued lack of economic confidence, these options have not come to fruition."

The statement indicated that it has canceled all future sailings, with the exception of a Danube river voyage scheduled to begin on Wednesday.


In July, Dick West had secured a $1.5M personal bridge loan to allow operations to continue.  As reported in our blog post,  Cruise West Continues Restructuring, the company has recently sold the Spirit of Oceanus in a last effort to continue operations.    Perhaps this was too little too late.

West thanked the line's "loyal employees, many of whom have been here for decades."  "I am devastated that, though they have given abundantly of their time and energy, we will be unable to continue delivering memorable experiences," he said.

As reported previously, layoffs had already begun at the company as part of the restructuring.  Only a small handful of employees will remain to complete the shutdown.

Their Galapagos partner, Canodros, is working to provide alternative options for guests booked on the cruises that were to depart through 2011.   For other guests, the instructions are the same as we reported when the news first broke (see the actual statement for details if you are impacted).

The actual date of the cessation of operations is September 18, 2010.  This is a sad day for the cruise industry, and for small ship lovers in particular.