World Cruise Industry Review

Our World Cruise Industry Review annual survey examines the state of the market and gives a rundown of how 2006-07 really was.

2007 was a good year for Cunard, launching the Queen Victoria and ordering sister ship Queen Elizabeth. President and managing director Carol Marlow talks to us about the future of luxury cruising. In a special report we examine the Queen Victoria project with Fincantieri's Pierluigi Punter.

In light of incidents such as the sinking of the m/s Explorer in the Antarctic in November 2007, we look at how evacuation procedures on ships can be improved and talk to Richard Pruitt, director of environmental and public health programmes at RCCL and John Creighton, commission president at the Port of Seattle.

President and CEO of Holland America Line Stein Kruse talks about the company's plans to accept ms Eurodam this June.

With the advent of Genesis building bigger has never been more popular. In this issue of World Cruise Industry Review we ask whether building big is the best way forward for the cruise industry. Bob Dickinson, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise lines, explains the concept behind the company’s ambitious ship overhaul and makeover programme, while Kai Levander from Aker Yards explains how ship designers can create impressive interiors.

The need for eco-friendly maritime operations is paramount today. Holland America Line’s Pieter Rijkaart explains how onboard technologies can help the cruise industry protect the natural environment while the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators’ Denise Landau advises cruise lines on how they can minimise their environmental impact on fragile ecosystems.

The increasing interest in the cruise industry is the high point of this issue of World Cruise Industry Review. Munir Samji looks at the popularity of smaller, luxury cruises, while Russell Mittermeier considers the impact cruise ships have on their surrounding environments, and what can be done to protect fragile ecosystems.

Elsewhere, Brett Bullock looks at the options for intellectual fulfilment for cruise passengers. High cuisine is a priority for many ships, and Steve Kirsch outlines Holland America Line’s new culinary arts programme.

In this edition we focus on the trend towards bigger and better ships in the quest for competitive advantage. Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation reveals what it takes to cater to an expanding European customer base. Following on RCCL's Peter Fetten discusses the importance of developing a strategy for the existing older fleet alongside the design and building of bigger state-of-the-art cruiseships.

We also look at the area of on-board services and how this particular side of the industry is becoming ever-more competitive. Antonio de Rosa of Costa Cruise Lines stresses the importance of staying in touch with emerging trends and translating them into appropriate services.

In addition we also look at how the expansion of new routes for cruise lines is impacting on the regions chosen. We examine how and what new ports are doing to attract cruise line business with commentary from RCCL’s Diana Block.

Crystal Cruises' President Gregg L Michel talks to Huw Kidwell about his successes with the cruise line and what he hopes to achieve in the future. Richard Vie.from says Carnival Cruise Lines explains why constant re-evaluation of design must go hand-inhand with efficient and timely delivery and Dr Reinhard Lüken, Secretary General of CESA, gives insight into why European yards are benefiting from the growth in popularity of cruise holidays.

Elsewhere, Patricia Davis, Port of Seattle, and Niklass Oscarsson, Port of Stockholm, talk to Lee Adamson about how cruise lines and ports are combining efforts to reduce sulphur emissions.

Peter Fetten, Vice President of Fleet Design and Newbuilding for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, talks about the ground-breaking renovation of Enchantment of the Seas and Bill Morani at Holland America Line shows that although the shipping industry may not be widely regarded for its environmental concern, great efforts have been made to make the green agenda part of the business.

John Krousouloudis, Vice President of Marine Operations for Celebrity Cruises, gives insight into the scale and variety his role entails in maintaining the well-being of his passengers, ship and crew. And WCR speaks to Joe Farcus, the interior ship Architect for Carnival Cruise Lines, who has designed all the interiors of Carnival’s vessels for almost three decades.

World Cruise Industry Review talks to Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch of Aker Finnyards, the man responsible for introducing the life-cycle concept to the sector, about this new trend in the cruise shipbuilding industry.

NCL has been taken on board by Star Cruises, the third-largest cruise line company in the world, so we asks Trond Sorensen, Vice President, Technical Newbuilding, about the challenges ahead.

Regarding the forthcoming sulphur emission legislation, how can low sulphur fuel oil be exploited for the benefit of customers operating in restricted areas? From technology to training, detail is the difference-maker, explains Christian Sauleau, Executive Vice President of Operations, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises.

From newbuild to rebuild, cruise ship rebuilding and revitalisation contracts are a growing trend and we show how they could be a vital source of income for European shipyards and Jonathan Turvey, Manager, Auditing and Coordination for Holland America talks about future challenges that will increase the need for the cruise industry to develop a more collaborative approach to problem solving.

Regarding new technologies, we look at GSM at sea which allows cruise passengers to use their mobile phones during cruises, giving the cruise operator a major competitive edge. World Cruise Industry Review also talks to Charles Towsley, Chairman AAPA cruise committee, about how these expectations remain undimmed.