Supplier News
Canada – Century signs two casino cruise deals
By Phil - 28 February 2014
Century Casinos has signed deals with Nova Star Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises as it continues to make waves in the casino cruise line sector.
Nova Star Cruises will operate a round trip cruise ferry service connecting Portland, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, providing a high level of comfort and entertainment on this ferry route, which is scheduled to start May 1, 2014. The project has the full support of the Province of Nova Scotia, which pledged roughly USD 20 million over seven years to restart the Maine –Nova Scotia cruise ferry service.
Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, an integrated engineering group head-quartered in Singapore and listed on the Singapore stock exchange under the symbol SGX, built and owns the vessel and is also a 10% shareholder in Nova Star Cruises.
The brand new Nova Star has a capacity of 1,215 passengers and 336 vehicles. With a wealth of amenities and entertainment options onboard (luxury cabins, fine dining, casino, showroom, duty free shopping, conference center, spa & fitness, art gallery), Nova Star is the ideal vessel to meet the needs of a large number of passengers during the ten-hour crossing between Yarmouth and Portland, by providing a comfortable, highly appealing travel experience for all ages and types of travelers. Century will fully equip and operate the casino with 70 state of the art slot machines, live and electronic table games, slot accounting and surveillance systems and furniture, fixtures, and fittings. The initial term of the casino concession agreement will run until October 2020.
Century’s Co CEOs Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger said: “We are thrilled about the opportunity to run the casino on board the Nova Star. We believe that the casino will be a popular amenity on board the vessel leading to good returns for both Nova Star Cruises as well as Century. This will further solidify Century’s position as the world-wide market leader in operating casinos on cruise vessels.”
Century has also signed an amendment to the casino concession agreement with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, extending casino operations on board the Mariner, Navigator and Voyager through December 31, 2016.
Century said it will introduce a fleet-wide progressive jackpot on board of all eight vessels of Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises throughout 2014. Progressive slot machines on each vessel will be linked via secure Internet connection with the jackpot controller, allowing passengers on all eight vessels to play for the same progressive jackpot. The company believes this is the first such fleet-wide progressive jackpot in the upper premium cruise industry and it will add excitement and fun to the overall casino experience.
