Editorial: Exciting Times
Just as it looked like the industry was maturing and plateauing, it has burst out into new phase of activities and development. Existing markets seem to be recovering from their temporary economic declines, new markets are tapped, new ships are ordered, new executive are hired, second-hand tonnage is bought and traded, even a new brand…
Operations: Hydrodynamic and Optimal Speed Push
Since joining Royal Caribbean International in late 2013 as Senior Vice President of Marine Operations, Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner (U.S. Coast Guard, retired) said: “The foundation of what I worry about is safe, reliable and efficient operations. “In terms of efficiencies a huge focus for us is fuel,” he said. “That is one of…
Operations: Approachable and Accessible
The first ship in his command, Captain Aseem Hashmi took over on the P&O Cruises Arcadia this past January after two decades of climbing the marine ladder at Cunard Line and then Carnival UK. “This is the only P&O vessel with podded propulsion, which gives it extreme maneuvering capabilities,” said Hashmi. “We can get into…
Pullmantur Finding New Markets
After carrying 450,000 passengers last year, 9 percent more than the previous year, Pullmantur Cruises President and CEO Jorges Vilches told Cruise Industry News the cruise line will consolidate its market positions this year, before taking delivery of the 2,354-passenger Majesty of the Seas from sister brand Royal Caribbean International next April (2016). Starting out…
Brands: Carnival Targeting New-To-Cruise
The goal is to attract more new-to-cruise customers, according to Jim Berra, chief marketing officer of Carnival Cruise Lines. “We are pushing hard, realizing that we are competing among other leisure travel options, not just within the cruise industry. So we are gearing our marketing and product to new-to-cruise and experienced cruisers at the same…
Mexico: Record Year
Mexican ports were on their way to a record year collectively at press time with total passenger numbers at 3.8 million, up 24 percent over the previous year by the end of the third quarter. While more than 75 percent of the cruise traffic is on the Gulf Coast, Mexican Riviera ports are also on…
North America: Florida Ports Lead the Way
The three premiere cruise ports in Florida lead the industry in building and planning for the future, working with the cruise lines and providing a seamless guest experience. Cruise Industry News caught up with PortMiami, Port Everglades and Port Tampa Bay. PortMiami The new port director at PortMiami, Juan Kuryla, is building toward a future…
Food+Beverage: Ever Expanding Operation
“I’ve done many restaurant and hotel openings. They all have challenges and stresses,” said Brian Abel, vice president of food and beverage operations at Royal Caribbean International. “We opened 32 restaurants and bars collectively at the same time on Quantum. I don’t think that has ever been done before.” Those 32 locations were basically all…
Quantum Technical Profile
Twenty percent more efficient per passenger than the Allure of the Seas, efficiencies on Quantum are driven by better hydrodynamics, engine and propulsion management, more efficient HVAC, LED lighting and advanced software. “Quite clearly the one big element is the propulsion and the elements related to it,” said Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president maritime, Royal…
Working at Sea: Recruitment and Retention
The industry is facing two challenges: recruitment and retention. On the recruitment side, said Richard Brearley, vice president of shipboard HR for Royal Caribbean Cruises: “We are changing the game from the traditional recruitment model. We are no longer just advertising job openings and putting people on the ships for training. Instead, we are going…
Editorial: Exclusive Reporting
Our reports are exclusive, based on one-on-one interviews and independent research. This issue is no exception and offers uniquely insightful information into how the different segments of the industry are evolving on a global basis. In China, our extensive coverage presents the industry to the various stakeholders there, including the government. As we are the…
Function-Based Bridge Management Drives Culture Change at Carnival Corporation
“Navigator. Suggestions, anything?” asked the operations leader on the bridge of the Royal Princess. With the bridge in red mode, the operations leader, who happened to be the captain, was doing his situational report, going through team members while standing behind the bridge team. The navigator was fully immersed in the single task of positioning…
Norwegian Cruise Line: Creating Shareholder Value
His focus is on creating shareholder value, Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, told Cruise Industry News. He said that everything else flows from there. “I am also preparing how we are going to integrate the new ships in our fleet,” he continued. “After the Breakaway and Getaway, the next ships will feature some…
Technical: Next Steps for Powerplants
Two-stage turbocharging and electronic fuel injection with intelligent power management will be the next development steps for medium-speed, four-stroke diesel-engine technology for cruise ships, according to Sokrates Tolgos, head of sales, cruise and ferry for MAN Diesel & Turbo. He said that two-stage turbocharging allows for more efficient fuel consumption and lower NOx emissions by…
Shipbuilding: AIDA’s Center of Gravity
The new AIDAprima, launching late next year, will be some 20 percent more efficient than the line’s most recent newbuild, the AIDAstella. “This is a brand-new ship class, we developed it from scratch, implementing everything possible with energy savings,” said Christian Schönrock, newbuilding director. “We have a completely new hull design, and have done a…