Overseeing Operations Across Carnival Corp
Carnival Corporation is taking a proactive approach to marine operations among its operating brands and a huge fleet of ships, under the leadership of Admiral William (Bill) Burke, who has been on the job as chief maritime officer since late 2013. “The job and goal is to avoid low probability, high-consequence events,” said Burke, who…
SkySea Cruises Launches in China
Ctrip may be the newest entrant into China’s cruise market, but plans have long been in the works for the country’s largest online travel platform. Announced as SkySea in a joint venture with Royal Caribbean Cruises last November, the company will start service this May with the Celebrity Century. Ctrip had set its eye on…
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ‘Bold Moves’
Moving the Quantum of the Seas to China is undoubtedly the biggest deployment news for Royal Caribbean International and perhaps the industry as well. Chris Allen, associate vice president of global deployment and itinerary planning for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, described the move to Cruise Industry News as “bold.” Also new this year, Royal…
Itinerary Planning: Consistent Deployment
Looking at trends, Simon Douwes, director of deployment and itinerary planning at Holland America Line, sees a bigger shift toward Asia and Australia/New Zealand, as well as stronger content in Northern Europe. “Those are safe bets,” he said, “but, that doesn’t mean any less content in the Mediterranean.” The latter is where Holland America will…
Caribbean: Routine Ceiling Check
For the first time since 2008, Caribbean capacity will be down year-over-year. Three hundred thousand people will be the difference, as Caribbean capacity dips to just about 8.8 million passengers, according to Cruise Industry News. Most of that dip comes from a decision by Royal Caribbean International to take the Allure of the Seas to…
Food+Beverage: Princess: Flexible Strategic Planning
Trend-setting and exciting food and beverage products aboard Princess Cruises’ ships start with laying down a strategy, according to Jonathan Wilson, vice president, guest food and beverage experience, product development and hotel analysis. “We like to think of it as a five-year plan of what our food and beverage should look and taste like, but…
Luxury Market: Seabourn’s Sweet Spot
Seabourn Cruise Line has made a big move, exchanging its venerable 10,000-ton vessels for two new ships more than four-times their size. Rick Meadows, the cruise line’s president, said the new 40,350-ton, 600-passenger Seabourn Encore and Ovation will inspire awe for their impeccable, personalized service, which he called a Seabourn core principle. “Keep in mind,…
Still Saving Fuel
No stone has been left unturned when it comes to operating cruise ships more efficiently. With fuel prices low for now, cruise lines are working hard to wring the last bits of savings out of their fleets while building new ships with the latest gadgets to conserve energy. Annual conservation targets will keep Wall Street…
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…