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Fincantieri to buy stake in STX France shipyard

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STX France shipyard

An agreement has been reached for the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to acquire 48% of the French shipyard in St. Nazaire that is one of a handful of yards that builds large cruise ships.

The French yard is majority-owned by Korean conglomerate STX with the French government a minority 33% partner. The French government would continue to hold its one-third stake, plus veto power over decision-making, the French daily Ouest France reported.

A navy shipbuilder in France, DCNS, would get a 12% stake and a nonprofit called Fondation CRTrieste would be a 7% partner, the paper said.

The agreement, according to Ouest France, includes “commitments, particularly regarding the sustainability of the site and its activities, as well as investment and the maintenance and development of employment.”

Fincantieri emerged as the only bidder for the STX stake in the French yard, which has been for sale for several years due to financial pressures at STX.

STX France built the Harmony of the Seas for Royal Caribbean International and has contracts for a fourth Oasis-class ship, plus two Edge-class ships for Celebrity Cruises, due in 2018 and 2020.

With the deal, Fincantieri and Germany’s Meyer Werft will be the two major suppliers of big ships to the cruise industry, following Meyer’s acquisition of yards in Finland and Fincantieri’s investment in the STX France facility.

Dover Cruise Port to welcome 96 cruise calls in 2017

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Photo Credit; Dave Jones Port of Dover taken from the Carnival Legend.

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic will return to Dover in both 2017 and 2018 (Image: Port of Dover)

Destination Dover and Dover Cruise Port is set to welcome 96 cruise calls in the 2017 season, which started on 15 March with a call from Saga Cruises’ Saga Pearl II.

This year, several cruise lines will return to the UK port including Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Phoenix Reisen with Artania and Albatros. Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic will also return on 24 May and then make further turnaround calls on 28 June and 9 July. Disney Magic has also booked four calls for 2018. Another highlight of 2017 will be an inaugural call from Silversea Cruises’ Silver Explorer on 1 June.

“It’s wonderful that the cruise season is underway again here at Dover Cruise Port and fantastic to be able to announce that Destination Dover has secured so many cruise calls for the 2017 season,” said Sonia Limbrick, Port of Dover’s head of Business Development (Cruise). “The history and inspiring regeneration of Dover Western Docks and town has created a buzz of excitement within the industry and placed Dover firmly on the map as a destination of choice for both local and international cruise passengers.”

Norwegian Cruise Line to operate even more Cuba cruises

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Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Cruise Line will extend its sailings to Cuba on Norwegian Sky through December 2017.

The extension adds a total of 25 new cruises to the five that Norwegian had previously scheduled in May.

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean International said it would add seven Cuba sailings through November on Empress of the Seas, sailing from Tampa.

“We are thrilled to be the first cruise line able to offer weekly sailings from Miami to Cuba through the fall of 2017, all with overnights in the beautiful city of Havana,” said Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.

The Norwegian Sky will sail four-day round trip cruises from Miami each Monday. In addition to Havana, they will have a call on Great Stirrup Cay.

Guests will be offered a selection of 15 half and full-day shore excursions that are compliant with the U.S.’s requirement for people-to-people travel, including the opportunity to have a farm-to-table dining experience, explore the flora and fauna of Soroa, and see modern Havana in an American classic car. The Sky sailings also feature an open bar.

Stuart said the Cuba sailings previously on sale have generated “great demand.”