Celestyal, Fred. Olsen pick up Carnival Corp. ships

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Europe-based lines Celestyal Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines both said they had purchased ships from Carnival Corp., which has said will shed 13 ships from its nine brands this year.

Greece-based Celestyal said it had acquired the 1993-built, 1,800-passenger Costa NeoRomantica from Costa Cruises, while Fred. Olsen said it had purchased the youngest pair of the four ships leaving Holland America Line’s fleet.

The U.K.-based Fred. Olsen said it had acquired the Amsterdam, built-in 2000, and the Rotterdam, built-in 1997 and would rename them the Bolette and Borealis, respectively, both names of former Fred. Olsen ships.

“We have chosen these vessels as they will fit seamlessly into our existing fleet of small ships, each carrying under 1,500 guests, bringing with them new and larger public areas whilst not compromising on our small-ship experience,” said Fred. Olsen Jr., chairman of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, in a statement. “This increase in our capacity demonstrates our confidence in the future. With over 170 years of seafaring history, we have sailed through many difficult periods. With these new additions to the fleet, we will come out of this current situation stronger than ever, ready to deliver the award-winning itineraries that we are famous for.”

The Costa NeoRomantica.

Celestyal’s CEO, Chris Theophilides said that the NeoRomantica purchase is part of the line’s strategic growth plan, despite being on pause until 2021.

“I’m delighted with the addition of this midsize cruise vessel to our fleet,” Theophilides said in a statement. “She is ideally suited to our business model and is very well appointed following her significant transformation in 2012.”

Details of the ship’s delivery and deployment will be announced at a later date, Celestyal said. It is the second Costa ship to exit its fleet since Carnival Corp.’s announcement about shedding ships. The 23-year-old Costa Victoria was sold for scrap.

Costa to market boutique cruising under new brand

Costa to market boutique cruising under new brand

By Tom Stieghorst
Costa Cruises said two of its older, smaller ships will offer a new style of cruising and be marketed under the NeoCollection brand.

The ships, the NeoRomantica and NeoRiviera, will do longer, more leisurely itineraries with plenty of time in port in what Costa has labeled “slow cruising.” There will be an emphasis on locally sourced food and custom shore excursions.

Many of the itineraries are exclusive to the NeoCollection ships, which can go to smaller ports less accessible to Costa’s bigger vessels.

For example, The “Mediterranean Heart” itinerary departs Savona and calls at Toulon, France; Salerno and Livorno, Italy; Valletta, Malta; Porto Empedocle, Sicily, and concludes with an overnight call at Barcelona.

At 1,248 passengers (NeoRiviera) and 1,578 passengers (NeoRomantica), the two NeoCollection ships are among the smallest in Costa’s fleet.

Shore excursions for groups of 25 or fewer guests have been designed to highlight cultural and natural attractions in each destination.

New menus developed in collaboration with Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenza, Italy, feature authentic cuisine that incorporates local food and wines.