Silversea: ‘Memories and Experiences’
“We are very much focused on giving people memorable experiences,” said Roberto Martinoli, CEO at Silversea Cruises, being interviewed one-on-one by Cruise Industry News. “Also one of the things we do best is the way our crew approaches our guests. It is a very personable service and a smaller, more intimate environment. We have a…
Investing in People
“We continue to grow, so I think the opportunities to work at Royal Caribbean are amazing. We continue to promote people at a record pace, and we continue to invest in and develop people from all around the world,” Paul T. Parker, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Royal Caribbean Cruises, told…
Target North America
After building up MSC Cruises from next to nothing in a challenging South American market, Roberto Fusaro is now in Ft. Lauderdale and part of the team that will build up the Italian brand in North America. The Argentinean was named president of MSC USA in August. Sailing year-round from Miami, the MSC Divina will…
Pullmantur: For Spain and Latin America
“Our DNA, our identity, which has been adrift over the last few years, is that we are a Spanish cruise line,” said Richard Vogel, president and CEO of the Pullmantur Group, managing both Pullmantur Cruises and Croiseres de France (CDF). In an exclusive interview with Cruise Industry News, he said: “We are the only Spanish…
Operations: Navigating on America’s Waterways
On the 100-passenger American Independence, which offers itineraries on domestic waterways, Captain Gregg Scheiferstein said a small maneuverable boat (American Cruise Lines calls their vessels boats) like the Independence can navigate into places the big ships can’t get near. “It has a lot of strong points; it can do coastal journeys very comfortably,” he told…
Operations: Core Product Delivery
“The attention to detail and establishing a core product to make sure we have an execution that is as close to perfect as possible is one of our strong points,” said Jason Hale, hotel director aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam. “We don’t overstretch ourselves by trying to do something that may look like a good…
Windstar: Upscale and Boutique
Windstar can best be defined as an upscale cruising experience, according to President John Delaney, who took over the job in July. “We have different experiences we offer,” Delaney told Cruise Industry News. “The three wind ships are an iconic way to travel in warm-water destinations.” Then there are the company’s three 212-passenger yachts acquired…
Carnival: Biggest and Most Expansive Offering
After 40 years with cruise lines – more than 10 of those as Carnival Cruise Line’s Corporate Chef – Peter Leypold is as well versed in food at sea as anyone. Yet all this experience boils down to the cruise industry’s basic mandate, something he learned a long time ago. Call it hospitality 101. “I…
Alternative Fuels: Technology Progress
Cruise lines are exploring alternative fuels, which, in addition to LNG, include battery power and fuel cells. Battery technology has been advancing rapidly in the last few years, according to Andrea Cogliolo, director of marine, RINA Services. “We are seeing the quantity of energy compared to the weight of the battery increasing to a much…
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…