Inside Lindblad’s Procurement Wins
Lindblad Expeditions may be managing one of the most complex supply chains there is, according to Max Duque, chief supply chain officer. Duque and his team have their share of complexity, with a fleet of small ships operating expedition itineraries globally. “The itineraries we run are very unique and very difficult to service from a…
Crystal Cruises: Setting the F&B Benchmark
“Dining aboard our ships is immersive, elegant and deeply personal,” Günter Lorenz, vice president of food and beverage at Crystal Cruises, told Cruise Industry News. “We offer fine dining without formality, indulgence without excess and service delivered with intuitive warmth. Each venue offers its own identity, yet all share the same commitment to quality, precision…
For Emerald and Scenic, the View Keeps Getting Better
A rising tide raises all ships, the old saying goes. Scenic Group’s Managing Director Ken Muskat certainly sees the rapidly expanding luxury expedition cruising market that way. While the increase in high-end small-ship tonnage injects competition into the sector, it also amplifies what Scenic does better than any other, Muskat told Cruise Industry News. “I…
Regent and Oceania Chart Big Future Plans
“With the way the luxury market has expanded over the last 20 years, we’re perfectly situated,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The two brands under the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings umbrella have a combined nine ships on order, and Montague said the brands were capitalizing on…
AIDA’s Fresh Options Keep Guests Loyal
There are over 350 ports getting AIDA calls globally, head of deployment planning Diana Havkost told Cruise Industry News. “This year is our 30th anniversary so we have a sister-ship meeting planned in Hamburg on June 7, with the AIDAsol, AIDAprima and AIDAperla.” Also new for 2026 is the AIDAblu’s summer program in the Eastern…
Azamara’s Perfect Cruise Formula
“Part of our portfolio is to continue to have new things to keep people coming back,” Mike Pawlus, head of itinerary planning at Azamara Cruises, told Cruise Industry News. “We have more than 300 ports we call at each year, and we are seeing a lot of people that once they sail with us, they…
MSC Cruises Pursues Balanced Global Growth
These are engaging times for MSC Cruises with new programs and ships being launched. “We are starting to sail to Alaska for the first time this May with seven-night cruises aboard the MSC Poesia from Seattle,” said Luca Garritano, chief revenue and sales services officer. “And we are now also operating from Galveston year-round with…
Carnival Corporation: Driving Efficiency Gains
“We look at ways we can improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the fleet. We see drydocks as opportunities,” said Chris Millman, vice president of corporate marine technology at Carnival Corporation. “That may be installing equipment, blasting and painting, thruster grids, or making hydrodynamic improvements,” Millman said, in an interview with Cruise Industry News….
MSC’s Texas Product Uniquely Positioned
The MSC Seascape marked the brand’s entry into Galveston in November, with MSC’s European style blended with American comfort, said Suzanne Salas, executive vice president of marketing, e-commerce and sales. The product aboard the 4,560-guest ship has been adjusted for the local market, with a resident country band aboard, line dancing and a Texas-themed sail-away…
Star Princess Shines With Unique Productions
With dazzling original shows and ship-wide immersive entertainment on the new Star Princess, Rebecca Foley, head of global entertainment for Princess, leads the fleet’s future in engaging, entertaining and involving passengers. With her 26 years in entertainment, Foley brings to the table a wealth of experience and is a former professional dancer herself. “I want…
Disney: New Venues and Service Excellence
“It’s about getting the big engine running and doing it again and again with supervision and guidance,” said Daniel Cowan, senior manager standards and service excellence, Disney Cruise Line, in a recent interview with Cruise Industry News, when asked how he maintains those standards and service excellence. “First of all, our onboard teams are remarkable….
Fincantieri: Feasible and Practical Solutions
The 2026 drydock schedule at Fincantieri is well structured with a strong pipeline of cruise projects confirmed across the company’s yard facilities ranging from standard class renewals to larger upgrade packages, according to Massimo Costa, vice president of ship repair and conversions. These include a mix of medium- and large-size vessels, with several projects involving…
Azamara’s Upper Premium Position Driving Performance
“We are positioned in that upper premium space and we love it,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO, Azamara Cruises. “We get the consumers that don’t want to spend on the luxury (brands) and then we get the consumers that are upgrading from a premium ship that want a small vessel and an elevated product. “That is…
Galveston: Banner Years
Following the celebration of its 200th anniversary last October and the November start-up of year-round service by MSC Cruises, the Port of Galveston is looking forward to another banner year. With 10 ships homeported in Galveston this winter, Carnival Cruise Line announced recently that it will maintain its four-ship program in the port; Royal Caribbean…
Disney: ‘Creating Emotional Connections’
With the Disney Destiny launching service in November, following the Treasure in December 2024, Disney Cruise Line has launched two new ships in just two years, Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, which includes Disney Cruise Line, pointed out. “We’ll add another this year, and then five more beyond that through 2031 that we…