This Week in Cruise: Analyst Expects Two Carnival Ship Orders by August; Oceana's Regatta Completes Upgrade

Cruise industry analyst Robin Farley of UBS Investment Research is forecasting two more ships to be ordered by Carnival Corporation for its brands by August. Farley cites the fact that the company has nothing on order for 2017, and the window for deliveries will close in that time frame. 

Farley estimated the cost to Carnival Corporation of two new ships for 2017 delivery at about $1.4 to $1.7 billion. Despite this, the cruise company has yet to make an announcement about its plans for 2017 ship orders. “We see almost no chance of them ordering more than the two to three ships per year to which they have limited themselves, and, in fact, for 2017 a one-ship year could be more likely than a three-ship year," Farley said. "We think any 2017 delivery would have to be ordered by this August.”

Oceana Cruises' Regatta returned to service following a drydock upgrade. This is the last of three sister ships to take part in a six-week, $50-million update, inkling the Nautica and Insignia which re-entered service in May.

The update was geared toward bringing the interior design elements of the Marina and Riviera vessels to Insignia, Nautica and Regatta. Other additions include the additions of a coffee bar, the Terrace Cafe and outdoor recreation facilities. After completing the upgrades, the ship set sail on a 10-night “Majesty of Alaska” voyage

Celebrity Cruises promoted a trio of its top people from the North American sales team led by Dondra Ritzenthaler, SVP, sales, trade support and service. Keith Lane has been promoted to VP, field sales and national accounts, North America; Carol Cabezas to associate VP, national accounts and strategic accounts, North America; and Ron Gulaskey to global director, corporate, incentives and charter sales.

Keith will be responsible for all sales efforts and the development and implementation of account promotions and advertising initiatives. He joined the company in 2004. 

Carol Cabezas, former director, sales planning and strategy, will report to Keith Lane in her new role as AVP, national and strategic accounts, North America. She will manage the development of business opportunities with national consortia, key strategic trade partners and Celebrity’s Galapagos product. 

Lastly, former director of corporate, incentives and charter sales Ron Gulaskey will now lead the team as global director, reporting to Dondra Ritzenthaler. Ron joined Royal Caribbean International in 2002 as sales director, North East region, and was promoted to director of corporate and charter sales, Celebrity Cruises in 2005.