Cruise Ship Captain Dies Suddenly During Voyage

Editorial Summary

Doug Parker reports on several significant developments within the cruise industry for May 20th. The report begins with the news that Captain Bartali of the Diamond Princess died suddenly due to a medical emergency. The incident occurred while the ship was docked in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Captain Bartali was 52 years old and had been with Princess Cruises for nearly 30 years. Staff Captain Macha has taken command of the vessel as it travels through Japan. Princess Cruises issued a statement expressing condolences to the family and support for the crew. Additionally, Royal Caribbean has started sea trials for its new mega ship, Star of the Seas, off the coast of Finland. The vessel is undergoing testing of navigational and safety systems before its scheduled August debut in Central Florida. In fleet expansion news, MSC Cruises announced orders for two new ships from French shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique, scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030. Finally, the report covers mixed performance in cruise industry stocks, noting fluctuations for Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Viking.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.