Last Friday, NCL Corp, Apollo Management and Star Cruises quietly agreed to the termination of Star’s interest in NCL America, exactly four weeks to the day that Star shares shot up in Hong Kong on rumors of the disposal of an unnamed subsidiary.
NCL Corp. has made an unspecified payment to Star for its interest in Pride of America’s assets. In January, assets related to Pride of Aloha are expected to be settled.
A circular from September 2007 detailed the agreement between Star and Apollo. It also gave the parties until the end of this year to decide whether to continue the NCL America venture, and also outlined the financial terms of continuing or disbanding the US-flag brand. It appears the agreement provides for a total distribution of approximately $500m to Star from NCL Corp.
The circular states that if the parties agreed to continue the NCL America operation after Star gave notice to withdraw, NCL would pay a cash consideration equal to $800m, based on the appraised value of Pride of Aloha ($340m) and Pride of America ($460m) less depreciation for both ships from April 2007 to the NCL America valuation date, and the $251m in debt on Pride of America.
Pride of America continues to operate in Hawaii under the US flag, a program recently extended through January 2012
A quick show for our last show of the year with just some news.
Silver Wind completes her scheduled drydock.
NCL confirms that what was once a three ship order is now just a single ship. They’ve also signed a 10 year deal with the Port of Miami.
Princess and Holland America ships will be using shore power while docked in Vancouver BC.
We’ve got some word on what the plans are for QE2 and the Port of Tampa has funded some improvements.
Holland America Line announced it will more than double its previously announced Bermuda cruises in 2010 from 11 to 24 beginning on April 25, 2010. Sailing roundtrip from New York aboard ms Veendam, the cruises will visit both Hamilton and St. George’s, Bermuda’s cultural and shopping hubs.
When the 1,350-guest ms Veendam sails in April on the first of 24 seven-day roundtrips to the island, it will mark Holland America Line’s return to New York City as a home port and to Bermuda as a destination. Additionally, guests of Holland America Line will have an opportunity to fully experience Bermuda’s British charm and its unique island culture by day and by night with multi-day stays in Hamilton and St. George’s. The itinerary calls for approximately two and half days in each port. The season lasts until October 10, 2010.
Bermuda offers many activities for the entire family, from historic discoveries, active pursuits such as horseback riding and kayaking and wonderful beaches with swimming and snorkeling. The island is also known for world-renowned golf courses.
Holland America Line worked closely with the Bermudian government to form the partnership that takes Holland America Line back to the island that it first visited more than 70 years ago. In 1926, Veendam II, with a guest capacity of approximately 500, left New York on the company’s first Caribbean cruise. During the summers of 1930 and 1931, Veendam II sailed on five-day roundtrip cruises between New York and Bermuda.
Founded in 1609, the town of St. George’s in the northeast area of Bermuda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second oldest settlement in North America. Only Jamestown in the United States is older. Narrow, twisting streets and pastel-painted houses create a European feel. The oldest Anglican Church in North America is in St. George’s and many other historic buildings, most made of stone, have been preserved. More than a dozen forts dating to the 17th century are scattered in the hills surrounding the town.
Hamilton, the major commercial hub and seat of government, is in the geographic center of the island and is close to south shore beaches. Veendam will dock at the town’s front door just steps from Front Street and its colorful array of shops and restaurants. Hamilton is home to a massive 19th-century, neo-Gothic cathedral and the Georgian-style Sessions House dating to 1815.
The ms Zuiderdam will become the fifth ship in Holland America Line’s fleet to use shore power when it homeports in Vancouver, British Columbia, for its 2009 Alaska cruise season. Purchasing shore power — or local electricity — reduces fuel consumption and emissions and the Zuiderdam will join the ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Noordam and ms Amsterdam, which have employed shore power in Seattle for Alaska cruise seasons since 2006.
The Zuiderdam will use shore power, also called cold ironing, when in Vancouver during a series of seven-day Alaska cruises between May 9 and Sept. 26, 2009. As at the Port of Seattle, the Port of Vancouver will provide “plug-in” capability for the Zuiderdam, which then will use local electricity instead of diesel fuel, for power while docked between cruises.
San Diego, Los Angeles and Civitavecchia, Italy (gateway to Rome), are also working towards implementing a shore power system in the future. As they come on line, Holland America Line will engineer additional ships with the capability to use and purchase this power. Holland America’s newest ship, the Signature-class ms Eurodam, is partly outfitted for shore power and can have the final plug-in additions made quickly.
After docking under their own power, Holland America ships are hooked up to shore power within 20-30 minutes. Power generation is transferred back to the ship shortly before departure.
The Zuiderdam sails 20, seven-day roundtrip cruises from Vancouver to Alaska, departing Saturdays between May 9 and Sept. 19; on Sept. 26 the ship departs Vancouver for an 18-day cruise down the Pacific coast and through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale.
The total cost to retrofit a Holland America ship with a shore power connection system is nearly $1.4 million. In addition, local ports must establish hook-ups and install a transformer dockside.
Westerdam and Oosterdam were the first to be retrofitted to use shore power at the Port of Seattle in 2006. In 2007 Noordam was retrofitted and joined Oosterdam. In 2008 Oosterdam, Westerdam and Amsterdam all used shore power in Seattle. In 2009 Westerdam and Amsterdam will use Seattle shore power while Zuiderdam “plugs in” at Vancouver.
Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is toasting the New Year with an enticing new collection of 11 Wine Series voyages for 2009.
On each wine-themed cruise, discerning travelers with a passion for fine wines will enjoy sampling great vintages and learning about the tradition and art of winemaking in special tastings and lectures conducted by wine professionals, vineyard owners, winemakers and other epicurean specialists from renowned establishments, including California’s Justin and Wente wineries, Italy’s Castello Banfi and Chile’s Santa Alicia Winery, to name a few. On many voyages, guests will also have the chance to explore some of the world’s most celebrated wine regions on guided shore excursions.
Of special note is the participation of Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the Italian fashion visionary. Renowned for their signature handbags and footwear, the Ferragamo family also owns Il Borro, an acclaimed wine-producing estate in Tuscany. Ferragamo is slated to host Silver Wind’s July 6 wine-themed sailing from Lisbon to Monte Carlo.
You’ll find the exact itineraries when you click on “more” below.
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