Cruise1st attracts potential buyers as owner Royal Caribbean puts agency up for sale

Posted on 24 June, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean-owned cruise agency Cruise1st has been put up for sale and is understood to have attracted at least three potential trade buyers.

It is known that at least one of the cruise specialist agencies interested in buying the business has submitted an offer for Cruise1st, which is a trading division of Sunshine Cruise Holidays and employs more than 100 staff in the UK, Australia and Singapore.

In a statement, Manchester-based Cruise1st said it was “exploring the possibility” of an external sale and also strongly considering a management buyout.

Royal Caribbean declined to comment.

A source told Travel Weekly that a deal could be struck within the next couple of weeks.

Dan Townsley, chief executive of Cruise1st, said he was eager to weigh up options for the business, adding: “We’re in a position to explore our options and make the right choice for the business that will support our ambitious growth plans.”

The agency launched in 2000 and was acquired by Island Cruises three years later. Following the merger of First Choice and Tui UK, Cruise1st became wholly owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises in 2008.

In the past four years the agency’s booking numbers are claimed to have grown by 83%, and Townsley said the business had “aggressive expansion plans”.

The cruise sector has witnessed several acquisitions in recent years, including Iglu Cruise’s purchase of Planet Cruise in 2013 and dnata taking a stake in Imagine Cruising last month.

Private equity firms have also shown interest in cruise businesses, with both Cruise.co.uk and Iglu Cruise receiving backing.

The latter received further investment last week in a deal, believed to be worth £60 million, with private equity backer LDC. This prompted Iglu founder Richard Downs to say he was looking at acquisitions.

The world’s largest cruise ship just hit the water in France

Posted on 21 June, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

Harmony of the Seas

It’s 50 meters longer than the Eiffel Tower.

Royal Caribbean’s “Harmony of the Seas” — the world’s largest cruise ship — entered the water in France on Friday. It’s expected to take its maiden voyage in 2016.

The ship has been under construction since 2013, according to an Agence France-Presse report on Y ahoo YHOO -0.98% . The ship will carry 6,360 passengers along with 2,100 staff. It weighs 227,000 tons and measures 1,187 feet — that’s 50 meters longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.

The second biggest cruise ships are also owned by Royal Caribbean RCL 0.23% and are named “Allure of the Seas” and “Oasis of the Seas.” Both weigh 225,000 tones.

Construction on the new Royal Caribbean ship has required over 2,5000 people.

The boat is expected to set sail in mid-February on test runs. The first voyage could take place in May and will be from the United Kingdom to Spain, according to AFP.

Asia’s Largest and most revolutionary cruise ship Quantum Of The Seas makes maiden call at Cochin

Posted on 9 June, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

Quantum of the Seas

One of Royal Caribbean International’s newest and most revolutionary cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, has visited its first Asian port today in Cochin, India. The 18-deck, 167,800 gross registered ton ship is the largest ever to call at any Indian port and with the highest number of guests onboard, totalling close to 4,000 from around the world. She is on a 14-night cruise from Dubai to Singapore which has also called at Muscat and will next visit Penang.

Traditional plaque exchanges are conducted with Captain Srecko Ban of Quantum of the Seas with Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Traffic Manager Cochin Port Trust and Mr Keki Master, Sr Vice President of J.M.Baxi & Co to commemorate the ship’s maiden call, in the presence of local government officials, media, business partners as well as TIRUN Travel Marketing, Royal Caribbean International’s exclusive representative in India.

Ratna Chadha, Chief Executive of TIRUN Travel Marketing said, “We are thrilled that Quantum of the Seas has finally arrived in Asia today which is a huge milestone for Royal Caribbean. This is the ship that will change everything, in pushing the boundaries, elevating cruising to be among the top vacation choices and reinforcing our brand as an industry leader. The Quantum Class is the next generation of cruise ships filled with innovations in entertainment, technology and culinary that take guests to new heights on the high seas, which we are sure will unleash a new wave of excitement and cruise boom among Indian vacationers.”

Quantum of the Seas introduced many firsts-at-sea features such as the North Star elevated glass capsule, RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator and the Bionic Bar. She also features transformative venues such as the Two70 multi-purpose multi-level room, which offers 270 degree panoramic views out of the back of the ship and the SeaPlex indoor activity area, which is the largest active indoor area at sea that features bumper cars, rollerskating and even a circus school.

With 18 different restaurants on board, guests will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. Guests can look forward to dining at specialty restaurants created in conjunction with award winning chefs Jamie Oliver, Michael Schwartz and Devin Alexander, or at one of five complimentary restaurants available onboard.

Every room on Quantum of the Seas comes with a view thanks to the introduction of Royal Caribbean’s Virtual Balcony available in all interior staterooms. Multi-generational families now also benefit from new Family-Connected staterooms, which connect three different stateroom categories into a special layout with separate bedrooms and bathrooms for all.

Making a return are signature features found on other Royal Caribbean ships such as the H2O Zone kids’ aqua park, rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, Adventure Ocean children’s programme, Royal Babies and Tots Nursery and DreamWorks Entertainment.

Quantum of the Seas is currently on her 53-night epic Global Odyssey which departed from New York en route to Shanghai where she will homeport year round. As part of her Global Odyssey, she will also be embarking on Jun 12 on a 3-night round trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), followed by her 9 night long cruise on Jun 15 from Singapore to Shanghai, calling at Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Xiamen.