Latest news with #cruiselines
Skift
4 days ago
- Business
- Skift
MSC Cruises Is Reimagining the Private Island Experience Through Conservation
Cruise lines are rethinking what drives guest interest in a destination. Conservation-led private islands investing in ocean health and local communities are creating the kind of differentiation guests increasingly expect and value. This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. Private islands have become unique opportunities for cruise lines looking to create a memorable guest experience and diversify their brand. At the same time, there's a growing interest in experiences focused on quiet, nature-based engagement. Recent research from the Galápagos Islands found that satisfaction and loyalty are highest in destinations that provide ecological engagement, structured learning, and time for quiet reflection. This shift is happening against a backdrop of timely events, including the most severe coral reef bleaching on record between January 2023 and April 2025, which has left 84% of surveyed reefs pale white due to extreme heat stress. As World Oceans Day and World Reef Awareness Day take place this week, the time is now to take action. Amid these events, private islands' long-term relevance depends on their ability to support conservation and deliver experiences that align with travelers' growing expectations for sustainability while still providing exceptional hospitality. Initiatives that promote ocean health and environmental conservation in tandem with memorable hospitality will be critical differentiators in the competitive Caribbean cruise market. Innovating with Purpose Located in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is an example of this shift. MSC Cruises has transformed this former abandoned industrial site into a destination rooted in conservation and restoration. 'We took a different approach to developing Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve because we wanted to create a destination that provides travelers a deeper connection to nature,' said Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America. 'We envisioned Ocean Cay as a living example of regeneration and ocean stewardship in line with the growing desire among travelers for destinations that align with their values and contribute to the planet's health.' Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Source: MSC Cruises Before MSC Cruises entered the picture, the island was a sand excavation site left in poor condition after decades of industrial activity. MSC Cruises made significant investments to rehabilitate the neglected island, removing thousands of tons of scrap metal, relocating almost a million cubic yards of sand, and planting 5,000 palm trees and 75,000 native shrubs. The company also replaced the island's industrial scars with native vegetation, installed solar infrastructure to reduce its environmental footprint, and kept shoreline development to a minimum to protect the coastal ecosystem. Integrating Conservation Into the Guest Experience The island experience at Ocean Cay begins with nature and circles back to conserving it: What looks like a tropical escape is one of the Caribbean's most ambitious coral restoration projects. The MSC Foundation (MSC Group's philanthropic arm focused on environmental protection, education, and community support) restores endangered coral species and studies their ability to withstand rising ocean temperatures through its Super Coral Reefs Program. 'Our vision is to turn scientific discovery into real-world impact by combining research with restoration and education. We're not only growing thermally resilient coral but also growing awareness,' said Daniela Picco, executive director of the MSC Foundation. At the heart of this work, the newly opened Marine Conservation Center houses 22 coral tanks, a fully equipped bio lab, and a lecture hall. The center functions as a base for restoration and research, an educational hub, and a guest-facing venue that integrates regeneration directly into the guest experience. Ocean Cay Marine Conservation Center. Source: MSC Cruises The island encourages guests to slow down and engage with the environment. On target to begin in the fall, guests can attend talks from marine conservation experts, watch coral restoration efforts in progress, or join guided eco-excursions that explore the fragility and resilience of the island's surrounding reef. 'These experiences allow guests to deepen their understanding of coral restoration, making them active participants in Ocean Cay's ongoing story of environmental stewardship,' said Torrent. The work extends well beyond what guests see on the island. Populated by five coral species and 13 genotypes, the offshore coral nursery has achieved a 100% survival rate through the 2023 Caribbean marine heatwave. Scaling Impact According to Torrent, the next phase involves outplanting coral fragments for long-term reef restoration efforts. As of April 2025, MSC Foundation has already begun outplanting nursery-grown coral fragments at two reef sites near Ocean Cay in partnership with the Perry Institute for Marine Science. Together, they've planted over 200 fragments across five species, including the critically endangered elkhorn coral, at varying depths based on their maturity and potential for long-term survival. Divers cleaned the seafloor and secured the fragments using marine-safe cement, placing genetically related colonies in proximity to encourage natural fusion and improve reef resilience. Ocean Cay underwater coral nursery. Source: MSC Cruises This conservation-first model has brought Ocean Cay recognition within the global marine science and conservation community. Mission Blue declared the island a Hope Spot, placing it in a global network of over 160 locations that scientists identify as critical to ocean health. Founded by oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue highlights marine areas with the potential for ecological restoration. "Ocean Cay's restoration has been a multidisciplinary effort to re-establish the ecological balance of this limestone island and its surrounding marine estate," said Earle. "It informs thousands of people weekly about the importance of growing and outplanting thermally tolerant corals for marine conservation, ocean health, and human wellbeing." Economic Anchoring and Local Impact in the Bahamas As a fully staffed island destination, Ocean Cay has become a local employer with nearly 300 employees, with Bahamians making up 80% of its workforce. MSC Cruises plans to grow that number to over 500 employees in the next two to four years, increasing Bahamian representation across all services and roles. This investment takes many forms. MSC Cruises has partnered with local institutions to offer scholarships and internships for Bahamian students in marine science and sustainability, with the aim of helping build the country's future conservation workforce. 'A critical aspect of our Foundation's work are partnerships with universities such as Nova Southeastern, the University of Miami, the University of The Bahamas, and The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) to enable hands-on education and internships, passing on Ocean Cay's coral restoration commitment to the next generation of marine conservation leaders,' said Torrent. 'Our long-term vision is to deepen these collaborations, expand coral outplanting efforts, and scale public education programs.' She continued: 'Over the next decade, the most successful private islands will be those that go beyond scenic beauty and entertainment. They'll offer authentic experiences that deliver real value to nature and local communities.' That model is already taking shape at Ocean Cay. As more travelers seek out destinations with depth and purpose, it may well become the blueprint others follow. To learn more about MSC Cruises, click here. This content was created collaboratively by MSC Cruises and Skift's branded content studio, SkiftX.
Entrepreneur
21-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Viking Holdings Posts Strong Q1, Eyes Growth Ahead
After one year of being publicly traded, VIK stock shows resilience and a positive trend, supported by a loyal customer base and an innovative business model This story originally appeared on MarketBeat Viking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: VIK) is a relative newcomer to investors. The cruise line, known for its longships and child-free cruises, completed its initial public offering (IPO) in April 2024. The company just reported its first-quarter earnings for 2025. The results show a company that's maturing, and the stock chart may confirm future growth even at a premium valuation. [content-module:CompanyOverview|NYSE:VIK] The first quarter is historically the weakest for cruise lines, and seasonality is particularly notable with Viking. The company's river cruise season primarily runs from April to October. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that Viking delivered a double beat with revenue of $897.06 million coming in over 6% higher than analysts' estimates of $841.18 million. The topline number was also an impressive 24.9% higher on a year-over-year (YOY) basis. That was supported by a 14.9% increase in capacity passenger cruise days and 94.5% occupancy for the quarter. Also, in a quarter when cruise lines typically post losses, Viking's loss of $0.24 per share beat estimates of a $0.27 loss and improved from the $0.74 loss reported in May 2024. Demand Remains Strong [content-module:Forecast|NYSE:VIK] Like many transportation stocks, Viking stock dropped sharply on the announcement of the Liberation Day tariffs. However, that appears to be an example of traders selling first and asking questions later. The cruise line industry appears to be insulated from tariff pressures. Viking's target audience consists of a generation with the disposable income to travel. Viking's business model includes no casinos on board the ships and no passengers under the age of 18. These are not party ships. The stock's drop after the report may express concern about the number of passengers who sailed in the prior quarter, which came in approximately 88,000 below estimates. Still, there's no evidence that demand is waning. The company announced that it has booked 92% of its capacity for this season. If there was one hiccup in the earnings report, it's that 2026 bookings are currently at 37%. That's slightly below the 39% it had booked at this same time last year. New Ships Mean New Adventures Another highlight for the company was the announcement of its newest river ship, the Viking Thoth, which will be delivered in October. This is the latest addition to its Nile River fleet, which the company plans to expand to 12 ships by 2027. One ship, the Viking Libra, will be powered by hydrogen, meaning it will be capable of operating with zero emissions. The company expects to have the ship delivered in 2026. Plus, the company announced plans to take delivery of one ocean ship and nine more river vessels in 2025. More capacity along with favorable demand trends is a bullish sign for a company that posted an adjusted gross margin that was 23.8% higher YOY. A Trend Reversal Looks Favorable Although VIK stock has only been publicly traded for a year, it has shown several instances of making higher highs with higher lows. On the occasions when the stock has broken that pattern, it hasn't been because of the company's results but broader macroeconomic concerns that spooked investors. That's why the price action after the company's quarterly earnings report looks favorable. The stock dropped nearly 7% immediately after the report was released. However, in midday trading, Viking stock cut that loss nearly in half, and it may confirm support at a level around December 2024, along with its 10-day simple moving average (SMA). That said, the stock was overbought as it was heading into the earnings report. Investors may want to see a confirmed break above the May 19 close or if analysts raise their targets for the stock before adding to or taking a new position. Before you make your next trade, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and none of the big name stocks were on the list. They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now... See The Five Stocks Here
