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American Cruise Lines plans 2 newbuilds
13/03/2006
American Cruise Lines is in final contract negotiations for two 130-passenger luxury ships which would be able to operate worldwide, the company announced today at Seatrade Miami.
Planned to enter service in 2008 and 2009, the newbuilds are expected to be firmly contracted in the first week of April.

The first vessel’s deployment is expected to focus on the Canadian Maritimes, the Caribbean and Central America. American Cruise Lines said it is also considering various itineraries that may include the British Isles, Mediterranean, Baltic, Alaska, South America and the Pacific.

The company said the two newbuilds will offer cabins ranging from 240 to 360 square feet with balconies, Internet connections, satellite television and other conveniences. Public spaces will include a single-seating dining salon, four lounges, a spa and a theater/lecture room.

American Cruise Lines operates three ships carrying no more than 100 passengers each, with a fourth now under construction and expected to enter service in 2007.

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A vibrant sector: ‘Beyond the Big Four’
14/3/2006
DVB Bank identifies approximately 60 small and mid-sized cruise operators as a $6bn slice of the $20bn global cruise industry. ‘Their slice of the pie is bigger than most people realize,’ said Richard Jansen, the bank’s svp and global head of cruise finance, setting the stage for Seatrade Miami’s first-ever State of the Industry ‘Beyond the Big Four’ session.
‘There’s an amazing array of products out there,’ Jansen added. ‘In some cases, they are direct competitors with the Big Four, evidence of their tenacity.’

Mark Conroy, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, said his luxury cruise brand’s turnover is now $400m. Average per diems are close to $400. Conroy sees more customers for his brand because ‘as the big guys get bigger, they create a larger pool of experienced cruisers who will come to me.’

Positioned as an 'upscale' brand with a price point ‘significantly below luxury and north of premium,’ Oceania Cruises ‘will continue to grow,’ pledged president and ceo Frank Del Rio, who scolded the ‘Beyond the Big Four’ sector for leaving profit on the table by not sailing at 100% occupancy. On the cost side, Del Rio brushed off concerns about fuel prices, saying his destination-intensive brand spends more on port costs than fuel.

Independent ship owners create new designs and product innovations, observed Roberto Giorgi, md of V.Ships, which manages 70 cruise vessels. But challenges for the sector are a shortage of qualified crew and controlling costs. ‘To find suitable and affordable second-hand tonnage is very difficult,’ he added.

Clipper Cruise Line represents the ‘upscale expeditionary element’ of the industry, said chief executive David Drier, citing intellectual curiosity as a commonality of his customers. ‘We are the boutique hotels at sea,’ he added. On the INTRAV side, Drier reported ‘unprecedented demand’ for river cruises,

President and ceo Gregg Michel cited four core values of Crystal Cruises: service, space, quality and choices. Michel sees the demand for luxury cruises growing as baby boomers age: ‘They want customization and personalization. I don’t think the baby boomer wants “mass exclusivity.’”

Larry Pimentel, president and ceo of SeaDream Yacht Club, cited the importance of ‘software’ – the crew and the high standard of service they provide. SeaDream’s per diems range from $500 to $950 and the company would like to expand but, Pimentel said, ‘building the ships is too costly and I don’t see a lot of capacity out there to buy.’

Regent Seven Seas has a newbuild blueprint for a larger ship, Conroy said, however the challenge is the exchange rate. And Del Rio said that when Oceania orders newbuilds, 'you’ll see mid-sized ships grow larger.'

]Charles Robertson, chairman and ceo of American Cruise Lines, predicted the next decade will see newbuilds in the small-ship sector. His ‘luxury adventure’ company is building after not being able to find existing tonnage to its standards. American Cruise Lines yesterday announced it is close to contracting a pair of 130-passenger vessels. Robertson said an announcement on another 300-passenger ship will likely follow next year. And, later this month, American will announce a new brand name for its to-be-constructed foreign-flag ships.

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Originally posted by Cambodge:
I wonder why "Cape Cod Light" and "Cape May Light" did not make ACL's cut? They were designed to do exactly what ACL does and they are available at a significant bargain price. To put in another way, if not ACL, who? Or are they doomed?

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It's because the AMCV "Capes" were inherently flawed in design. While very "pretty" to look at, the stateroom design was much too small and the ships are not suited to any type of warm weather cruising. This limits the ships to coastal cruising during the April-October periods.

IMHO, these ships will be sold for scrap or static use.

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Originally posted by Thad:
Interesting... I wonder if these ships will also be built and registered in the U.S., like their other ships. I can't wait to see a rendering.

Thad

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Thad, one will be US registered. ACL will be branching out to foriegen-flag service and launching a new brand.

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Originally posted by Tim in 'Lauderdale:

It's because the AMCV "Capes" were inherently flawed in design. While very "pretty" to look at, the stateroom design was much too small and the ships are not suited to any type of warm weather cruising. This limits the ships to coastal cruising during the April-October periods.

IMHO, these ships will be sold for scrap or static use.

Tim

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Hi Tim,

I had been wondering lately what had happened to the two "Capes". Where are they laid up? Still at the yard?

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March 28, 2006

AMERICAN STAR IS CHOSEN AS NAME FOR NEW SHIP

Guilford, CT—American Star has been chosen as the name of American Cruise Lines’ newest cruise ship, currently under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.

The American Star will enter service in May of 2007, and begin its Inaugural Season with two exciting 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruises. Heading north for the remainder of the summer, the American Star will make 7-night Maine Coast cruises with departures from Bangor, ME.

The 100-passenger American Star will be similar in size and design to the American Spirit, but will feature more staterooms with private verandahs. The oversized staterooms will have opening picture windows, flat-screen satellite TV and DVD players, individual climate control and Internet access. The ship’s layout will also include four lounges of various size, two observation decks, a well-stocked library and a spacious dining salon, accommodating all passengers in one sumptuous seating.

Look for more information on the American Star in the coming months. For more information on American Cruise Lines’ other vessels and their current schedule, call 800-814-6880. Cruise Specialists are available 7 days a week to assist you!

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