Page 45: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Jan/Feb 2019)

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CRUISE MARKET WATCH

Roberto and the entire team as together we take Silversea to ticular to Hondius. the next level.” Though designed in stylish mid-century modern décor, the

That next level is Project Invictus, a multi-year initiative to company says this vessel holds true to Oceanwide’s distinc- take Silversea’s ultra-luxury offerings to the next level from tive cozy and informal atmosphere according to company product upgrades to a magnifed ship revitalization programs. literature. “It is our philosophy to keep sea time short so that

Those already include ships for only 296 to 540 guests; all we can focus instead on fast, effective access to shore and ocean-view suites (all with butler service), and almost all with near-shore activities,” according to company literature. A private verandas and personal service where gratuities are in- 20-day trip around the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and cluded in your fare, and tips are not expected. Antarctica will cost at least $11,000 and you must bring your

With Silversea joining the RCL lineup alongside Royal own snowsuit.

Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Norwegian Cruise Line expects to spend fve-years and

Cruises, TUI Cruises and Pullmantur Cruceros, the Royal Ca- $400 million modernizing all its current ships starting in 2019. ribbean Cruises Ltd. feet now numbers 59 ships with an ad- ditional 15 on order. C shina Tirs

The inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Royal Caribbean Cruises said during an earnings call re-

Galapagos, Silver Discoverer, and with Silver Cloud recently cently that sailings in China had “performed very well” — joining the Expedition feet and two ships on order plus one better than expected — in the second quarter. Chief Finan- option, means that Silversea’s itineraries encompass all seven cial Offcer Jason Liberty said the market was booked “nicely continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Medi- ahead” in volume and rate for the rest of 2018 and into next terranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and hundreds of fas- year. A new ship, Spectrum of the Seas, will enter the market cinating destinations in between, according to the company. in June. Norwegian Cruise Line, announced plans to move

Starting in 2019 over 20 ships with nearly 4,500 berths will its built-for-China ship to North America. Tensions between be introduced offering expedition cruises. Ponant will be frst China and South Korea reduced the demand because sev- during the summer with two ships in its four-ship Explorer eral popular ports were off limits. But tension between the class, while Hurtigruten’s Roald Amundsen due late in 2018 Trump administration and China had little effect with 2.4 mil- and equipped with an auxiliary electric engine will be the in- lion cruise passengers coming from mainland China in 2017. dustry’s frst hybrid electric vessel. Much of the progress has come from better relationships and

Oceanwide Expeditions embarked on its expeditionary better training for China-based travel agents.

journey in 1993, originating in a university research program in the northern Netherlands. Employing a former oceano- a e Y aCTive and xCiTing ear head graphic vessel, this program became the frst in the world to Looking ahead again, a total of 272 CLIA-member cruise provide civilian voyages to the Arctic island of Spitsbergen. ships are projected to be in operation by June 2019. Beyond

These original routes still form the core of some of their most this, two other lists expect 24 new ships to debut in 2019. popular voyages. Whatever the fnal count, all stakeholders believe that 2019

Unlike many polar providers who charter Polar rated will be the biggest year ever for new ship introductions. ships. Oceanwide owns and operates the majority of its And it will certainly be the biggest year ever for the small, vessels, all of which comply with the highest safety stan- lucrative expedition class ships. And, that’s good news for dards. These include the m/v Plancius (116 passengers), operators, shipyards, equipment OEM’s and, of course, the m/v Ortelius (116 passengers), and s/v Rembrandt van Rijn customers, too.

(33 passengers). They also manage a historic schooner, s/v

Noorderlicht (20 passengers).

Oceanwide Expeditions enters the luxury expedition mar- ket later this year with the launch of m/v Hondius (174 pas-

Rick Eyerdam

The Author sengers). Designed from the ground up for swift and adaptive is an award winning journalist and editor. Formerly, he polar exploration, Hondius is the world’s frst-registered Po- was Editor of Florida Shipper Magazine. Additionally, he lar Class 6 ship and one of the most advanced vessels on the was Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group market. The passenger capacity certifcate for Hondius is 196 and Captain of the Port of the Miami River. He is a gradu- ate of Florida State University with majors in English and persons. One deck consists of a large observation lounge and

Government. His articles have appeared in myriad ship- separate lecture room, which are reserved for a wide variety ping magazines and newspapers since 1970.

of interactive workshops, exhibitions, and performances par- www.maritimelogisticsprofessional.com 45

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