This Week in Cruise: Cruise Stocks, Ship Delivery, New Itineraries

Cruise line stocks rallied over the week, as Robin Farley, financial analyst from UBS Investment, upgraded Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) from “neutral” to “buy,” according to maritime publication, Seatrade. In addition, UBS now considers the three biggest companies’ stocks (NCLH, Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival Corporation, the latter with some stock hiccups recently), as “overweight,” or expected to do well over the next year.

This month, in cooperation with connectivity partner Speedcast, Hurtigruten Expeditions will become the first cruise line to install SpaceX’s broadband service Starlink across its fleet. That will provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity.

Also on the expedition side, Atlas Ocean Voyages took delivery of its second expedition ship, World Traveller. From Portugal, the ship will reposition to Ushuaia, Argentina, where it will be based for expeditions to Antarctica.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has unveiled new mystery cruise itineraries in Europe for 2023. It’s also upgraded its 2023 “Exotics Collection” with its first “Cruise and Rail” journey in India and a new Egypt itinerary that’s part of its family-focused “Generations Collection.”

Onboard the new Norwegian Prima, Harry Sommer, president, Norwegian Cruise Line, talked about the new ship, what enhancements the company plans for Norwegian Viva, a update on NCL’s overall sustainability and the company’s “market to fill” pricing policy.

Huna Totem Corporation, an Alaska native corporation, broke ground on a new $80-million, privately funded cruise destination project in Prince William Sound, Whittier, AK. Undertaken in cooperation with NCLH, it will offer a cruise ship terminal, rail-and-bus facilities, retail and dining venues, cultural activities and more.

Carlos James, tourism minister, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, speaking at the annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) conference in the Dominican Republic, said his nation will remove all COVID-19 protocols for the winter 2022-2023 cruise season.

Silversea Cruises has named Felicity Aston as godmother for Silver Endeavour, the nearly new, former Crystal Endeavor, now being updated by Silversea. As covered by sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, the expedition ship will sail in Antarctica in winter 2022-2023. The naming ceremony will be conducted prior to the ship’s November 21 inaugural voyage.

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