Tag Archives: pandemic

Costa Magica Sold to Seajets

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The Costa Magica has been sold to Seajets, a Greek ferry operator, according to Greek media reports and multiple industry sources.

The ship represents another Carnival Corporation vessel leaving the Costa fleet as the world’s largest cruise operator continues to shed less economical capacity.

Of note, it is the newest and biggest vessel to exit a Carnival-owned brand, with the Magica having the capacity for 2,720 guests at double occupancy and having been built in 2004 at a cost of $400 million. It was one of three ships Carnival said would leave the fleet in December. The AIDAaura will also be retired, and a yet-to-be-named Costa ship will follow.

The Marios Iliopoulos-led Seajets has purchased multiple secondhand cruise ships since the start of the pandemic. A handful of ships have since been scrapped, while the former Maasdam was sold to French start-up CFC and will soon enter service.

The Magica will soon join a number of other ships in a layup in Greece under the control of Seajets, including the former Veendam, Pacific Area, P&O Oceania and Majesty of the Seas.

While the former Maasdam was sold to CFC, Seajets has also retired some ships for scrap value including the Columbus and Magellan, two ships that it bought at auction following the demise of Cruise & Maritime Voyages

Norwegian Cruise Line Drops COVID-19 Testing, Masking and More

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Norwegian Jade Photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements effective on October 4, 2022.

Given the significant, positive progress in the public health environment, the Cruise Line updated its health and safety guidelines, which are now more aligned with other global travel organizations, the company said in a press release.

“Health and safety are always our first priority; in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic,” said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. “Many travellers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.”

Virgin Voyages has secured $550 million in new capital to support its growth plans

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Scalet Lady

The new funding – which was led by BlackRock and includes new external financing and additional capital from existing investors including Bain Capital Private Equity and Virgin Group – will enable the line to continue its growth strategy and further strengthen its financial position as demand “continues to gain momentum”. 

Tom McAlpin, chief executive of Virgin Voyages, said the company has created an “incredible project” that investors and consumers “truly believe in”.
 
“This additional capital comes at a time when we’re looking forward to exponential growth that will, in turn, help us achieve what we set out to accomplish,” he added.
The investment comes as Virgin reports “exponential growth in bookings” in the last six months, with this year tipped to see a strong return across the industry as cruising heads toward pre-pandemic levels. 

According to research carried out by the line, 96% of consumers are keen to cruise this year following two years of restrictions.