(PRESS RELEASE)_Shanghai, June 3, 2019 – Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, made its highly anticipated debut in China today. The first Quantum Ultra Class ship sailed into Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Shanghai after completing a 46-night Global Odyssey that spanned 17 cities. In honor of Spectrum arriving to her new home, the cruise line held a grand naming ceremony with Chinese celebrities and Royal Caribbean brand ambassadors, Xiaoming Huang and Angelababy, in attendance. Honored with the lifetime role of Godparents, the popular couple were on hand to name the ship and bestow a blessing of safekeeping over all those who sail on her.
Spectrum’s historic milestone is on the heels of Royal Caribbean’s 10th anniversary in China. Building on years of success with Quantum and Ovation of the Seas, the arrival of the largest and most expensive cruise ship in Asia will continue to raise the bar and lead the Chinese cruise industry into a new era. “Royal Caribbean has always been known for innovating and pushing the boundaries, and Spectrum of the Seas is a great example of this,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Spectrum brings to life the best of Royal Caribbean along with curated experiences for our Chinese consumers.” Custom built for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas features bold and unexpected experiences, including the cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, innovative dining concepts, and stunning features and experiences – many of which have never before been seen at sea. Transformational Spaces Spectrum features a two-level, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite, accommodating up to 11 guests. The three-bedroom suite features a master bedroom and a bathroom that extends over the side of the ship for unparalleled ocean views, along with two additional suites for grandparents and other family members. Kids have their own kid-friendly space on the upper level, complete with an in-suite slide that will transport them to the living area below. Everyone in the family can enjoy time together in the recreation room, featuring surround-sound equipment for a night of karaoke, movies or video games. (ROYAL NEWS)_Spectrum of the Seas, the first in the Quantum Ultra class, was designed and built for unforgettable vacation experiences. The ship features the global cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, and innovative dining concepts, along with stunning features, experiences and technology – many ofwhich have never been seen before at sea. The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum will homeport from Shanghai.
(PRESS RELEASE)_Porto, Portugal—(June 3, 2019)—Mystic Invest Holding (“Mystic” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has closed on an investment from Certares Holdings (“Certares”), an investment platform managed by Certares Management LLC, a global travel, tourism and hospitality investment firm. Certares joins the Ferreira family as shareholders of Mystic, a Portuguese-holding company and leader in the cruising industry with more than 25 years’ experience. Certares is committed to supporting Mystic’s long-term growth initiatives and innovation in the river and expedition cruising segments. The Ferreira family maintains majority share and operational control of Mystic. Simultaneous with the transaction, DouroAzul, Nicko Cruises, Mystic Cruises and Mystic Cruises USA were contributed to the Company, with the Ferreira family and Certares as shareholders. The Ferreira family has retained full ownership of its existing non-cruise businesses. DouroAzul is the leading river cruise company in Portugal and an award-winning cruise operator, having been considered the best River Cruise Company in Europe on five occasions. With more than 20 years of experience, DouroAzul also provides sightseeing cruises on the Douro River. Based in Germany, Nicko Cruises offers river cruise programs across 12 rivers in three different continents. From the unspoiled landscapes of the Douro, crossing European art centers on the Rhine and the Danube, to the exotic shores of the Yangtze and the Mekong, Nicko provides the perfect settings for dream cruises. Mystic Invest also operates Mystic Cruises USA, a U.S. distributor of its ocean cruises, which offers expedition-style adventures in eco-friendly ways and brings guests to Antarctica, the Arctic, and other high-adventure destinations. Mário Ferreira, shareholder and CEO of Mystic, said “Our partnership with Certares comes at a wonderful period of opportunity and growth for Mystic. We look forward to continuing our growth in the river cruising market and expanding our capabilities with the launch of our expedition fleet. We are proud of the company we have built and welcome Certares as shareholders in our family business. By partnering with Certares, we will be able to leverage its expertise in the global travel industry to continue to innovate and provide the very best experience for our guests.” Colin Farmer, Senior Managing Director and Head of the Management Committee of Certares Management LLC, said “We are extremely excited to be partnering with the Ferreira family as shareholders of Mystic. Mário, Paula and the Mystic team have built a wonderful business, with durable and growing leadership positions on the Douro River, in the German market with Nicko Cruises, and as an emerging expedition cruise operator globally. We look forward to supporting the Company as it enters the expedition cruising space, which is an exciting next chapter in the Company’s development. We are partnering with an exceptional team in a growing and innovative business.” About Mystic Mystic is a family-owned financial holding with multiple brands operating in the travel and tourism sector, in areas such as cruises, tours and attractions. Mystic focuses on providing a high-quality service, with a value for money philosophy as a standard banner, ensuring guests fully enjoy their experience with Mystic. For more information, please visit www.mysticinvest.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – June 3, 2019 – The newly modernized Celebrity Equinox is officially ready to revolutionize the way travelers experience the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean. The dramatic transformation — part of THE CELEBRITY REVOLUTION — makes Celebrity Equinox the third ship to be “revolutionized” as part of Celebrity Cruises’ $500 million investment in ship-wide upgrades and breath-taking reimagined spaces, taking the brand’s fleet to the Edge.
“Celebrity Equinox holds a very special place in the hearts of everyone at Celebrity Cruises, and also for our guests; this one-of-a-kind ship continues to be the most awarded in our entire fleet,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Now, emerging from her dramatic modernization, our guests are going to love the new, ‘revolutionized’ Celebrity Equinox even more. There is no better way to experience the Caribbean year-round than on board this stunning ship.” On the transformed Celebrity Equinox, Caribbean cruisers will enjoy enhancements that include:
Celebrity Equinox’s bow-to-stern modernization began on May 4, 2019, in Cadiz, Spain. There, the ship spent a total of 29 days in the skilled hands of more than 500 engineers, architects, artisans, designers, contractors, shipyard employees, and the newbuild and Celebrity teams. Celebrity Equinox is just the third revolutionary revitalization for the brand. Celebrity Silhouette is next, scheduled for completion on January 31, 2020, with five more ships to be modernized by 2023. To learn more about THE CELEBRITY REVOLUTION, visit www.celebritycruises.com/revolution. |
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