The latest news and statistics from the cruise industry from the last six months.
Colin Veitch, president & CEO, NCL Corporation, discusses the cruise operator’s future as the operator ambitiously expands into new markets with new ships such as Norwegian Jade and two upcoming, 150,000 tonne vessels scheduled for delivery between 2009 and 2010.
Pierfrancesco Vago, president & CEO, MSC Cruises, discusses the corporation’s future as the operator ambitiously expands into new markets with new ships MSC Fantasia (2008), MSC Splendida (2009) and MSC Magnifica (2010).
Terry Dale, president of the CLIA, gives his market outlook for 2009.
What 21st century cruise passengers want and where to find a new generation of cruisers. We talk to Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic and one of ForbesLife Executive Woman’s "25 Most Influential Women in Travel list".
Daniel J. Hanrahan, chairman, Cruise Lines International Association’s Marketing Committee and President & CEO, Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, gives his market outlook.
A review of the 122,000-ton, 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice, which launches in December 2008.
As cruise passengers flock to the Mediterranean itineraries, we examine the challenges of operations in the region looking at how the differences in procedures, practices and culture are being addressed. We talk to Tom Wolber, senior vice president of operations at Disney Cruise Line, which sailed the Disney Magic in the Mediterranean last summer, and Pierfrancesco Vago, president & CEO, MSC Cruises.
Revolution in the restaurants. Food and beverage directors face even greater demands as they become responsible for greater numbers of restaurants on board ships catering to a diverse clientele. We talk to Frank Weber, vice president of food and beverage operations for Royal Caribbean International, Peter Leypold, corporate executive chef at Carnival Cruise Lines, Tony Egger, director of culinary and beverage operations at Seabourn and Elizabeth Blau of Blau and Associates.
Catch that chef. There is shortage of catering staff throughout the industry. We examine how this problem is being addressed. We talk to Jeff Beattie, director of human resources at Holland America, and Thomas Carlson, general manager of International Cruise Management Agency.
Cruising for kids. We examine what the next generation of facilities and technology for children will be like and explore what more cruise lines can do to make cruises more attractive to families. We talk to Ozer Balli, vice president of hotel operations at Disney Cruises, Rick Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programmes at Holland America and Juan Trescastro, associate vice president guest port services at RCI.
Meeting the challenges of reducing emissions. We talk to Don Gregory, director environment & sustainability, BP Marine.
As oil prices rise, we ask operators how they are consolidating their fuel supplies and whether increased fuel surcharges are likely to apply in the future. We talk to Michael McNamara, associate vice president of global fuel procurement at RCCL.
Lap of luxury. An interview with interior architects Yran & Storbraaten - designers for two upcoming cruise ships for the luxury market: Seabourn Odyssey, a 450-capacity ship debuting in June 2009; and the Magellan Residential Cruise Ship, the most luxurious residential cruise ship ever to be built.
Interview with Fredrik Johansson, partner & senior architect, Tillberg Design, who have designed many ships including Queen Mary 2, Independence of the Seas and Crystal Serenity. Johansson discusses the relationship between operator and designer in creating new concepts as well as their upcoming projects including a "mother ship" capable of launching a fleet of smaller vessels.
Classic v. contemporary. The future of the cruise liner suite. We talk to Joe Farcus, chief naval architect and interior designer for Carnival Corporation, who discusses the launch of Costa Cruises new ships in 2009.
Roberto Perocchio, managing director of the Venice Passenger Terminal discusses how ports are going to address the threefold increase of cruise traffic to the Mediterranean. We also talk to Antonio de Rosa, vice president of cruise operations at Costa Cruises.
How better can cruise lines improve passenger experience demand in oversubscribed destinations like the Caribbean. We talk to Andrew Poulton, director of strategic marketing at Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the Barbados Department of Tourism, Simon Douwes, director of itinerary planning at Holland America and Matthew Sams, vice president of Caribbean Relations at Holland America.
New South American itineraries. We talk to the operators to discuss where South America fits in with their future strategy.
Sue Cox, environmental consultant, DNV and Marcie Keever, clean vessels campaign director at Friends of the Earth discuss how the industry can best prepare for changes in environmental laws.
The challenges of ship recycling. We talk to Gramann Henning, environmental engineer at Germanischer Lloyd.
We examine whether current safety procedures at sea need to be evaluated in the wake of high profile incidents. Is safety being compromised as ever bigger ships are being launched and is officer and crew training and port infrastructure keeping up? We talk to Southern Ocean Coalition’s James Barnes, Gerry Ellis, Seabourn Cruise Line's director of compliance and designated person ashore, Rene Roussel, vice president, nautical and compliance for Holland America Line and Chris Metson,
P&O’s fleet safety manager.
How to combat the terror threat. We speak to Dimitrios Theologistis, head of unit, security policy and maritime security at the European Commission.
SHIPBUILDING, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
We talk to Christer Schoug, RCCL’s vice president newbuildings, about his newly created role which see him work with the various on-site newbuild teams.
Stretching ships. We examine the challenges of expanding and refurbishing to create better, more spacious vessels. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar has been lengthened to increase capacity. We talk to Fred Olsen’s managing director Mike Rodwell and marketing director Nigel Lingard and Blohm and Voss engineer Mathias Eschner and Space, The Design Practice managing director, Mark Hilferty.
The challenges facing the European ship yards. We ask shipbuilders how they are responding from pressure from Asia.
