The latest launches and statistics from the cruise industry in the last six months.
World Cruise Industry Review Survey 2010
With the launch of Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International president Adam Goldstein explains how the operator stays ahead of the game.
With the cruise industry reeling from the effects of the economic downturn, the luxury segment has been left in the position of offering value while maintaining exclusivity. We talk to Crystal Cruises CEO Gregg Michel about how the cruise line is working to keep its sparkle.
Terry Dale, president of the CLIA, gives his market outlook for 2010.
We discuss the state of the global cruise marketplace in the wake of the global financial crisis and look at how cruise operators are responding. We talk to William Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association; David Dingle, chairman ECC, chief executive Carnival UK; Michael Bayley, SVP, international operations division, Royal Caribbean International; Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO, MSC Cruises and Cruise Critic’s Carolyn Spencer Brown.
We list ten cruise leaders who are going to make waves in 2010 and beyond.
SHIPBUILDING, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
NCL's Norwegian Epic, due in May 2010, promises facilities and entertainment to match its impressive size. We speak to Christer Karlsson, VP new buildings at NCL, and profile the project.
Aker Yards is now STX Europe reflecting the entry of the South Korean STX Business Group as principal shareholder in the company. We talk to Sang Ho Shin, the new president and CEO of STX Europe ASA, to discuss the shipbuilder’s new strategic focus.
We examine the Silversea Cruises Silver Spirit project and talk to Christian Sauleau, executive VP fleet operation at Silversea Cruises.
New trends are emerging in bar operations at sea. We meet Tony Abou-Ganim, known as 'The Modern Mixologist', who has done work with, amongst others, Crystal Cruises and the Hilton. We also look at the Rising Tides Bar on Oasis of the Seas and the Ice Bar on the upcoming NCL Epic.
A Johnny Rockets burger joint in the center of the Boardwalk, a 1950s-style ice cream parlour, a doughnut shop, a seafood shack, restaurants themed on Japanese and Italian cuisines, a steak house, several cafes and healthy dining spots, whole pizzas made to order, a gourmet venue on Central Park – Oasis of the Seas will serve and endless variety on its launch.
Traditionally associated with culinary classics, cruise ship kitchens are now addressing a demand for menus that reflect the sailing itinerary. We talk to Franck Garanger, fleet corporate chef of culinary development for Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Toni Neumeister, VP, food and beverage operations for Crystal Cruises.
In November 2009, Crystal Cruises has two landmark cruises that bring luxury to a new dimension. Crystal Cruises is offering travellers two compelling 'Experiences of Discovery' cruises sailing from Miami this Thanksgiving. The Duke Ellington Alumni Band, featuring several of the original members of Ellington’s orchestra, will headline Crystal Serenity’s round trip, seven-day Caribbean jazz voyage from Miami. On Crystal Symphony, some of the most renowned names in the culinary, wine and mixology fields will spice up the 13-day wine and food cruise to Manaus, which marks the first time in three years that Crystal has sailed the Amazon.
We examine the new theatrical facilities aboard the Oasis of the Seas and others including Cunard’s Queen Victoria, and examine the challenge of bringing complicated stage productions to the high seas. We talk to Scott Wilson of Wilson Butler Architects, the chief designers for the Oasis of the Seas AquaTheatre, the first amphitheatre at sea.
As Silversea prepares to take on the 36,000t Silver Spirit in December and Seabourn awaits delivery of the 32,000t Seabourn Sojourn next summer, we discuss the challenges of creating innovative luxury experiences at sea. We talk to Pamela Conover, president of Seabourn.
We examine the amenities, programmes and services that are evolutionary rather then revolutionary. Michael Rohr, AIDA Cruises; Ole Christensen, Fred Olsen Cruises; and Andre Nordseth, Silversea reveal their latest services and how lines gauge what their guests want.
We examine clean engine technology and what operators expect from engineers.
We examine the increase in automation onboard cruise ships and discuss how it affects staff training and recruitment.
While their onboard features may evolve, Princess Cruises’s reputation for intimate and elegant interior design always stays the same. Princess VP of interior design Teresa Anderson discusses the secrets of the cruise line’s lasting appeal.
Bigger ships offer more space and greater opportunities for innovative design concepts, but according to Emilio Perez, manager of new building and design for Celebrity Cruises and Marco De Jorio from De Jorio Design International, it is important to not let interior design go overboard.
New procurement challenges are in store for 2010. As the cruise fleet expands globally and passenger demands get ever more diverse, we examine the challenges operators face in terms of price, quality and logistics with input from John Meszaros, VP procurement / supply chain management at Carnival and Alvin Dennis, who is responsible for NCL's hotel purchasing.
The Australian cruise industry is growing, with Royal Caribbean opening new offices in Sydney – the opening of the Australian office is strategically timed. Since 2002, the number of Australians that took a cruise holiday has more than doubled and, according to the International Cruise Council of Australasia, the number is predicted to grow even further.
A look at new itinerary strategies for the next five years and the impact they will have on deployment? We talk to Peter Cox, director of itinerary and land development at Seabourn Cruises
Bruce Krumrine, director of shore operations Europe and the exotics at Princess Cruises and Cunard Line, discusses how cruise operators are improving embarkation and disembarkation.
The new environmental agenda, new challenges and how the cruise industry intends to respond. We talk to Marcie Keever from Friends of The Earth.
The cruise industry has been given more time to meet Alaska’s high wastewater discharge standards, but is the new deadline of 2015 realistic? William Morani, VP environmental compliance for Holland America, and Richard Pruitt, Royal Caribbean Cruises director of environmental programmes, discuss how they are gearing up with new technology to help meet the targets.
Improving port security. How existing and new port terminals such as San Diego can improve security.
Dimitrios Theologistis, head of unit, security policy and maritime security, European Commission and the International Maritime Organisation discuss the current threat to cruise ships in the Mediterranean off the horn of Africa from terrorism and piracy.
The sinking of the MV Explorer in 2007 in the Antarctic made cruise lines operating in the area quickly reassess their safety procedures. Hurtigruten’s VP of marine operations, Torkild Torkildsen, and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises CEO, Sebastian Ahrens, discuss how the incident has affected the industry.
