Delta Emerges From Bankruptcy Protection

Delta Emerges From Bankruptcy Protection
Published on: May 1, 2007

Delta Air Lines emerged from bankruptcy yesterday and unveiled its new brand, a red widget icon flying across a blue background designed to symbolize the new Delta. The airline is now seeking to position itself as a customer-focused airline. In emerging from bankruptcy, Delta pointed out that it had completed a comprehensive transformation plan one year ahead of schedule, delivering $3 billion in annual financial improvements and reported four consecutive quarters of operating profits, with $155 million in operating profit in the first quarter of 2007. To conclude the exit process, Delta closed on a $2.5 billion exit financing facility that will be used to repay the company’s $2.1 billion debtor-in-possession credit facilities led by GE Capital and American Express, to make other payments required upon exit from bankruptcy, and to increase its already strong liquidity position. The exit facility was co-led by 10 financial institutions – JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, UBS, Barclays Capital, Royal Bank of Scotland, CIT, Credit Suisse and Calyon — and consists of an industry leading $1 billion first-lien revolving credit facility, a $600 million first-lien synthetic revolving facility, and a $900 million second-lien Term Loan B.

SuperClubs Opens First Brazilian Starfish Property

SuperClubs Opens First Brazilian Starfish Property
Published on: May 1, 2007

SuperClubs unveiled plans for a 203-room hotel in Sergipe, Brazil’s smallest state on the Atlantic’s northeast coast. Starfish Santa Luzia is located on the estuary island of Santa Luzia. As SuperClubs’ first Starfish in Brazil, following the launch of this affiliate brand in 2002 with Starfish Trelawny in Jamaica, this family-friendly all-inclusive resort is slated to open its doors in late 2007. It will feature three restaurants, including Italian, Japanese and Continental dining, an intimate spa and a vibrant Kids Center. Extensive conference facilities will appeal to the groups, meetings and conventions market, with eight separate meeting rooms and the ability to cater functions for up to 1,600 people.

To make your reservation, call Amy at A Room With A View.

Carnival Splendor to Launch Northern Europe Program

Carnival Splendor to Launch Northern Europe Program
Published on: May 1, 2007

Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor — representing a new class of vessel with innovations such as new spa staterooms — will debut in July 2008 operating the line’s first-ever Northern European cruise program. These 12-day Northern Europe voyages, which will operate July 13 through Aug. 30, 2008, will visit Denmark, Germany, Finland, Russia, Estonia and The Netherlands. Following the Northern European voyages, Carnival Splendor will feature a 12-day London-to-Rome cruise Sept. 11, 2008, and then sail a series of 12-day Mediterranean voyages Sept. 23 through Oct. 17, 2008.

Carnival Splendor will be the second Carnival ship deployed in Europe next year, joining the Carnival Freedom which will operate a program of 12-day Mediterranean cruises May-to-October 2008. Also included in Carnival Splendor’s 2008 inaugural season will be a 16-day transatlantic voyage departing Rome Oct. 29, as well as a series of seven-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale commencing Nov. 22, 2008. A one-time four-day eastern Caribbean cruise will depart from Fort Lauderdale Nov. 17, 2008. The 12-night Northern Europe debuts July 13, 2008, departing from London (Dover). Other departure dates include July 25, Aug. 6, Aug. 18 and Aug. 30, 2008. Ports include Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (two-day call); Tallin, Estonia; and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Following the Northern Europe cruises, Carnival Splendor will operate a one-time 12-day Western Mediterranean cruise departing London (Dover) Sept. 11, 2008, and calling at Le Havre (Paris), France; Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Malaga and Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. Carnival Splendor will then operate one “Grand Mediterranean” and two “Mediterranean & Greek Isles” cruises round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) Sept. 23 to Oct. 17, 2008. The 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise will depart Sept. 23, 2008, and call at Naples and Venice (two-day call), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. The two 12-day Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises will depart Oct. 5 and Oct. 17, 2008, calling at Naples, Italy; Marmaris, Izmir (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey, with scenic cruising of the Dardanelles; Athens (Piraeus) and Katakolon, Greece; and Livorno, Italy, as well as an overnight call in Rome (Civitavecchia).
As the first in a new class of “Fun Ships,” Carnival Splendor will offer a 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center, which will feature Carnival’s first elaborate thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome.

Surrounding the facility will be 68 spa staterooms, also a first for Carnival. Guests in spa staterooms will have exclusive entry access to the adjacent spa facilities and will receive a wide array of special offerings including priority spa appointments, unlimited use of the thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool, complimentary fitness classes and other amenities. Carnival will begin accepting reservations for Carnival Splendor’s European and Caribbean departures on May 10, 2007. Prices for the 12-day Northern Europe cruises begin at $1,299 per person, based on double occupancy; rates for the 12-day Mediterranean cruises start at $1,249; a 16-day transatlantic crossing starts at $849 per person and seven-day Caribbean cruises begin at $469 per person.