Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, reported a sizable net loss for full year 2022 although an improvement over 2021. However, NCLH also reported “very strong” Wave Season bookings that signal good things on the horizon.
NCLH's occupancy reached 87 percent in fourth quarter 2022. Also, ticket pricing and onboard revenue are generating better-than-expected total revenue per passenger cruise day – up approximately 23 percent in 2022, compared with the same period in 2019.
In a major executive leadership change, Seabourn announced that Natalya Leahy is the luxury line's new president, She succeeds Josh Leibowitz who's leaving to pursue other opportunities. Leahy's seven years with Holland America Group have included operational oversight of Seabourn.
Sustainability-wise, testing of fuel cells installed on MSC Cruises new MSC World Europa demonstrated a 60 percent increase in electrical efficiency and a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions. Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Bloom Energy plan to collaborate on developing fuel cell installations on other marine vessels.
New Voyages on the Horizon
AmaWaterways will begin next year's European river cruise season earlier than usual for two of its river vessels. Starting in February 2024, AmaMagna will begin sailing on the Danube River and AmaLucia will sail the Rhine River. Separately, sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor has a robust story today about AmaWaterways' new Magdalena River cruises in Colombia. Two new river vessels will begin cruising there in 2024. They'll each accommodate 60 or so guests.
Also in 2024, Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys will offer 24 co-branded departures. Guests will hear from notable enrichment speakers and have new immersive experiences. Several new itineraries will explore Alaska, New Zealand and the Mediterranean.
Explora Journeys announced new fall/winter 2024-2025 journeys. In addition, Atlas Ocean Voyages' new World Traveller, which debuted in late 2022, will visit the Arctic and Iceland in summer 2023.
Trade Policies and Advisor News
Riviera River Cruises has updated its group booking policy to make it easier to receive a free tour conductor berth. Also to assist travel advisors, Swan Hellenic has expanded its North American sales team. Cruise industry veterans Eric Bacon and Kelly Predmesky will each serve as sales director, key accounts. Based in California, Bacon will handle the western region and Predmesky, based in Florida, will focus on the eastern area.
On the retail side, CruiseOne franchise owner Jason Newquist was recently honored by the International Franchise Association (IFA) with its annual Franchisee of the Year Award.