Carnival Corp unveils new generation ‘green ships’

Posted on 16 June, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

By Phil Davies

Carnival Corp unveils new generation 'green ships'

The first giant cruise ships to be powered at sea by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – claimed to be the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel – have been ordered by Carnival Corporation.

The four new vessels – part of a previously-announced multi-billion dollar order for nine new ships between 2019 and 2022 – will also feature a revolutionary ‘green cruising’ design.

Each of the four next-generation ships will have a total capacity of 6,600 passengers, feature more than 5,000 lower berths, exceed 180,000 gross tons and incorporate an extensive number of ‘guest-friendly’ features.

A major part of the innovative design involves making much more efficient use of the ship’s spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience.

Each new ship will be specifically designed and developed for the brand and the passengers it will serve.

Two of the ships will be built for German line AIDA Cruises at Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Additional information about the ships, including which new ships will be added to each brand, will be made available at a later date, the group said.

The four new ships will be the first in the cruise industry to use LNG in dual-powered hybrid engines.

LNG will be stored onboard and used to generate 100% of power at sea. Using LNG to power the ships in port and at sea will eliminate emissions of soot particles and sulfur oxides.

Meyer Werft will build the other two ships at its yard in Turku, Finland.

Carnival Corporation chief executive, Arnold Donald (pictured), said the contract is consistent with the company’s measured capacity growth strategy to replace ships with less efficient capacity with newer, larger and more fuel efficient vessels over time.

“We are looking forward to executing on the next step in our fleet enhancement plan,” he said.

“At a cost per berth in line with our existing order book, these new ships will enhance the return profile of our fleet.

“These are exceptionally efficient ships with incredible cabins and public spaces featuring a design inspired by Micky Arison and Michael Thamm and developed by our new build teams.”

Arison is chairman of the board of directors for Carnival Corporation and Thamm is chief executive of the Costa Group, which includes AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises.

Donald added: “It will be exciting to see our shipbuilding team bring these new ships to life. Every step of the way, our focus is on designing state-of-the-art ships that provide a vacation experience our guests will love, and we are putting all of our creative energy and resources into making sure we achieve that goal.”

Thamm said: “These ships will expand our leadership position for the Costa Group, the market leader in all the major European markets.

“These will be spectacular ships designed specifically for our guests who sail on our Costa Group brands.”

Bernard Meyer, chief executive of Meyer Werft, said: “In past years, we have built seven highly successful ships for AIDA Cruises. We are honoured that Carnival Corporation has entrusted us with the implementation of this ambitious shipbuilding program, and we look forward to building these four magnificent ships.”

Carnival brand Fathom placed on same commission set-up as sister lines

Posted on 12 June, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

By Hollie-Rae Merrick

Carnival Corporation’s new cruise brand Fathom will be placed on the same commission structure as sister lines P&O Cruises and Cunard.

Fathom was launched last week and will offer seven-night ‘social impact’ cruises, from Miami to the Dominican Republic, allowing passengers to work on community projects in the Caribbean destination.

The line’s first sailing will be in April 2016. It will launch with one ship, Adonia, which will be transferred from the P&O Cruises fleet.

Tara Russell, president of Fathom, confirmed that UK agents would be able to make bookings from next week. Speaking to Travel Weekly, she said: “Initially we are targeting [customers from] North America, but from June 15 agents in the UK will have all the tools and resources they need to book people with Fathom.

“Bookings will have the same commission structure as Cunard and P&O Cruises.

“Our intention is to marry Fathom into the P&O Cruises commission structure as they are a very important partner with Fathom.”

Russell, who set up social enterprise Create Common Good and has been working on the Fathom project since 2013, said she expected interest from customers in the US, UK, northern Europe and Australia.

She believes Fathom’s fleet will grow to between four and six ships within 15 years.

“I would love us to have a ship homeport in Europe, Asia and Australia because that way we would be able to impact a lot of communities,” she said.

Cruise-only fares start at $1,540, with an unspecified proportion to be donated to local projects.

The brand is targeting people in their 20s and 30s, the family market, and those over 50

Carnival Corporation to launch new cruise brand

Posted on 4 June, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

P&O Adonia

P&O Cruises’ smallest ship Adonia (pictured) is being transferred to a new ‘social impact’ cruise brand being established by parent company Carnival Corporation.

The 710-passenger vessel will operate under the ‘Fathom’ brand, running weekly departures from Miami to the Dominican Republic where passengers will work with local communities on a range of projects for up to three days per cruise.

Cruise-only prices for the seven-day trips start at $1,540 per person, including three onshore social impact activities in the Puerto Plata region.

These can range from helping cultivate cacao plants and organic fertiliser at a local women’s co-operative in producing artisan chocolates, to working with local schools to help teach English and building water filters for islanders.

Fathom sailings are due to start in April 2016 with reservations opening this month. The cruises will be available to book through the UK trade with 15% commission for reservations made until September 4.

Agents can register online via fathom.org and confirmations will be converted onto the Polar Online reservations platform by October. A Founder’s Circle membership scheme is being created for agents who make at least one booking in the first 90 days, with further details to emerge in the autumn.

An unspecified portion of every cruise purchase price will go directly to partner organisations to cover on-the-ground activities in the Dominican Republic, according to Carnival Corporation. Other destinations will be added after the launch phase.

The initiative is being targeted at people aged in their 20s and 30s “looking to make a difference in the world”, and those over 50.

But Fathom chiefs also believe more than half of passengers will be families, as parents “seek a way to open their children’s eyes to other parts of the world in a meaningful way”.

A growing market of potential ‘social impact’ travellers – approximately one million North Americans, in addition to global travellers already pursuing service-oriented travel experiences worldwide – have been identified as being interested in the concept.

The company believes Fathom will attract a “significant number” of new-to-cruise passengers. Almost 40% of those who will book a social impact trip on Fathom will have never been on a cruise before.

Sailings will start with one to two days at sea preparing for going ashore, including an orientation to the Dominican Republic, conversational Spanish lessons, impact activity training and creative workshops.

The onboard experience will be customised to include “purposeful retail options and amenities,” as well as geographically-inspired menus and music.

The ship will serve as a home base for travellers while it is docked at the new Amber Cove port being opened in the Dominican Republic by Carnival Corporation in October.

US social entrepreneur, Tara Russell, founder and chairman of food production social enterprise Create Common Good, is to run the new offshoot as president as well as global impact lead for Carnival Corporation.

Chief executive, Arnold Donald, said: “Fathom will cater to an underserved market of consumers who want to have a positive impact on people’s lives, and aren’t always sure where to begin.

“We believe travel is a meaningful way to allow for personal growth while making purposeful and engaging contributions in the world.

“We are so pleased that Fathom will give travellers a unique opportunity to work alongside local people as part of a larger scale effort that will demonstrably improve lives. Both our travellers and the local citizens will learn and benefit from the opportunity to serve together.”

Russell added: “We created Fathom to meet the real hunger in the world for purpose, while at the same time tackling profound social issues through a sustainable business model.

“We harness the assets and resources of the world’s largest travel and leisure company and combine them with the talents and hearts of those working in social enterprises around the world.

“Travellers will work in partnership with proven, trusted local organisations on the ground to amplify their missions for far greater, sustained impact.

“Because Fathom will bring hundreds of travellers to a destination on a regular basis, Fathom can achieve focused and holistic, collaborative contributions in a broad region of the country – allowing Fathom travellers to make a collective, transformative impact that they know will extend far beyond their involvement.

“They also will know they played an important role in ensuring the region flourishes.

“We are excited about making the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic our first partner destination, and we are optimistic about taking all that is being built in and through Fathom to other global destinations and to the broader Carnival corporate family.”