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Oceania Cruises, Inc. and Apollo Management L.P. (“Apolloâ€) announced today that Apollo has forged a strategic partnership with Oceania Cruises. The transaction, valued at approximately $850 million dollars including the assumption of debt, is expected to be completed in the second quarter and is subject to normal conditions for a transaction of this type, including regulatory approval. Lehman Brothers Inc. and UBS Securities acted as financial advisors to Oceania Cruises on the transaction.
Oceania Cruises will remain a wholly independent brand, operating with the support of Apollo’s $12 billion private equity fund. Oceania Cruises’ founding management team, including Chairman and CEO Frank Del Rio, along with a syndicate of the line’s founding investors, remain stake holders in the new venture and are committed to the line’s continued growth and success.
Apollo is a New York-based private private equity fund that has invested more than $16bn into brands that have included Wyndham International, Saks Inc., Vail Resorts, Miraval, Sirius Satellite Radio and RockResorts, among others. Investments into Harrah’s Entertainment and Sotheby’s International Realty are pending.
We’re back and backwards this week. With Patricia back from her trip on Caribbean Princess we wanted to get her thoughts on the ship as soon as possible so we decided to do our feature show first and our news show tomorrow.
Like all our review shows we run a little long, however like all our review shows this one is chock full of information too.
Patricia gives you the details about Anytime Dining, the Aquatherapy Package, and even talks about a great place to watch the ship depart.
BTW if you’ve ever wondered about an accessible cabin, make sure you listen. They have some unique features of their own that are worth noting.
Pictures from the ship are up in the Photo Gallery, we’ve actually got two galleries right now for Caribbean Princess one is from my ship inspection last year and the other is from Patricia’s recently completed cruise.
Of course this week’s Deal of The Week is onboard Caribbean Princess as well, you’ll find the details here.
As always you can find the show in iTunes or click on the links below to download it right to your computer or play it in your browser window.
Holland America Line offers 30 canal sailings in 2008 including new full-transit cruises though the Panama Canal, exotic new 13- to 26-day Inca Discovery sailings, and new spring and fall departures from Tampa to highlight its 2008 canal itineraries. The premium cruise line features 13 trans-canal voyages on seven ships in 2008, plus 17 “Sunfarer” sailings — including four for the first time on the Vista-class ms Zuiderdam — that combine Panama Canal cruising with Caribbean exploration.
These 30 cruises offer extraordinary variety with itineraries ranging from 10 to 36 days and ports of call encompassing four exciting regions: the Mexican Riviera, Central America, South America and Caribbean. Itineraries are designed to provide opportunity to experience a broad mix of history, culture, wildlife, adventure and relaxing beaches.
You’ll find the details on these new itineraries when you click on “more” or call us at 888-286-9827.
Silversea, the worlds leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has announced details of the itinerary and special activities planned for the six-star rated Silver Whisper’s presence at the 32nd America’s Cup regatta. The prestigious yachting tournament is scheduled to be held this summer in Valencia, Spain, marking the first time Europe will host the race for the oldest trophy in sport. Switzerland’s Team Alinghi, the defenders of the title, swept the last competition in five straight wins, and Silversea guests will have the best seats in the house from June 23 to 29 for what is shaping up to be another amazing contest.
Silversea has an impressive line up of events to help you take in all of the festivities surrounding this storied yacht race, you’ll find the details when you click on “more.” Then call us at 888-286-9827 to book on board.
Cruise Community (registration required) is reporting that Carnival Corp has completed a deal to sell Windstar Cruises to Ambassadors International for $100 million. Ambassadors International purchased Delta Queen Steamship Company last year and merged it with American West Steamship Company to create Majestic America Line.
Carnival CEO Micky Arison is quoted as saying that the company decided to exit the niche cruise market some time ago. That strategy began with the transfer of Swan Hellenic’s Minerva II to Princess Cruises. Minerva II will not be replaced, and as a result the line will be shutting down once the transfer of Minerva II is complete in a few weeks.
According to Mr. Arison, while both Swan Hellenic and Windstar Cruises offer excellent products they do not fit into the company’s future growth plans.
Carnival expects the transfer of Windstar Cruises to be completed in the second quarter.
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