Editorial #106

Focusing on the Asia/Pacific region, including China and Australia, we are smitten by the enthusiasm of the cruise lines and port executives we have spoken to. China is obviously the big story and promises to drive the industry’s growth into the future. The Chinese market is set on an aggressive growth trajectory with more ships,…

Executive Profile: ‘Australia’s Home Brand’

P&O is Australia’s home brand, according to Sture Myrmell, president of P&O Cruises Australia. “Australia has seen double digit growth for more than 10 years. We are the backbone of the market and have been driving a lot of that growth, coming up with new products, new types of cruises, new homeports and finding more…

Executive Profile: ‘Focused and Creative’

“I’m in charge of the operation, including everything from product delivery to marine and hotel, port operations, itinerary planning and brand delivery,” said Hernan Zini, chief operating officer of SkySea Cruise Line. “With one ship at this time we can focus solely on the ship, fine-tuning the product for the future, and building the core…

China: ‘Huge Market’

Costa Crociere and Princess Cruises will carry about one million Chinese passengers this year, up from 500,000 in 2015, according to Alan Buckelew, COO of Carnival Corporation, who also has oversight of Carnival Asia. He added that he expects to see a significant percentage increase in 2017 as well, and that the growth will continue…

China: Royal Caribbean Driving Yield

The major news for Royal Caribbean International in China this year is the introduction of the new Ovation of the Seas, sailing from Tianjin, targeting the Northern China market, according to Dr. Zinan Liu, vice president of China and the North Asia region. “The new ship is building on the success we had when we…

Shipbuilding: Diversification

Fincantieri is building more cruise ships and a broader range of ships than any other shipbuilder. “We are building small, intermediate and large ships,” said Loris Di Giorgio, head of cruise ship marketing and sales, in an exclusive interview with Cruise Industry News. Added Monica Polidori, in charge of strategic market analysis: “Our model is…

LNG: Fuel of Choice

LNG is the next fuel of choice due to its availability and cruise lines’ need to meet environmental regulations, according to Paul Davis, technical manager, risk assessment marine at Lloyd’s Register (LR). “The market will choose the fuel,” he said, “and we (LR) will help the industry adapt to its fuel of choice in a…

F&B: Explorer Stays True to Regent

Ramping up Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ all-inclusive food and beverage offerings for its largest ship might seem like a gargantuan undertaking. But the line’s culinary mastermind said not only will there be no dip in service and product offered, but the new restaurant designs should elevate the level Regent cruisers have come to expect. The…