China’s Mountain Tai
A new kid on the block has entered the cruise industry with China-based Bohai Ferry recently acquiring its first cruise ship from Costa Crociere. Enter the 24,500-ton Costa Voyager, with a rumored price tag of roughly $44 million. Handed over to Chinese owners on March 25, the ship became the Chinese Tai Shan, named after…
Europe: Driving Future Occupancy and Yields
In 2014, European deployment will be at its lowest over the past five years, with 28.8 percent of the worldwide passenger capacity compared to 31.0 percent last year, according to the 2014/2014 State of the Industry Annual Report from Cruise Industry News. With capacity temporarily down, yields appear to be trending up. However, next year…
European Operators: Carnival UK Invigorating the Market
This year is satisfactory, according to David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK, responsible for P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and Princess Cruises in the UK. “We are beginning to see green shoots of recovery,” he said, “following five years of tough conditions. “We are seeing robust signs, and I think that 2015 is going to be…
F&B Supply Chain Management: Global Master Plan
While Carnival Corporation is working to better leverage its scale, according to Josh Leibowitz, chief strategy officer, it is all about guest satisfaction. “Our goal is to exceed guest expectations, while leveraging our scale,” he explained, “and food and beverage play a key role, being the single biggest item of spending after fuel.” But contrary…
F&B: Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining is a Revolution
Where is the main dining room on the new Royal Caribbean International Quantum-class newbuilds? Gone forever. Enter what the Miami-based cruise line is calling Dynamic Dining. The Quantum will have 18 food options aboard when she sets sail this fall. “In a nutshell, it’s providing guests with total control and flexibility on how to decide…
Cruise Experience: Constant Innovation
On top of an innovative Fun Ship 2.0 program, Carnival Cruise Lines has not been wasting any time pushing even more new features across its fleet. In the last six months the biggest cruise brand in the world has revamped its main dining room with American Table and American Feast, introduced Seuss at Sea, in…
Design: 50 Years of Creative Solutions
Celebrating 50 years, Tillberg Design of Sweden has more fresh, creative talent than ever, according to Fredrik Johansson, partner and art director. “Over the past 18 months, we have grown our talent by nearly 30 percent,” he said. “Half of us worked under Robert Tillberg, who founded the firm, and the other half has joined…
Technical: Galleys Driving Innovation
The key to galley equipment? A balancing act of low-maintenance, energy-saving and smart appliances that can fit into uniquely tight spaces while complying with the latest rules and regulations. Thus, 2014 may be the biggest year ever when it comes to the technological development going on in cruise ships’ galleys. Upping their development game, Meiko…
Editorial: The Big News
The big news this year is the Caribbean, which will see record capacity of more than nine million passengers, despite increasing competition from a global marketplace. For 2015, we expect Europe to be the story with the Allure of the Seas spending the summer season, the Norwegian Epic starting year-round service, the Anthem of the…
Executive Profile: Collaboration Is Key
“My responsibility is to ensure that as a corporation we take full advantage of our scale,” said Alan Buckelew, chief operations officer (COO) for Carnival Corporation. “If we want to raise the bar, collaboration is critical. Historically, the brands have operated independently. Now, the overarching strategy is for the brands to cooperate, collaborate and communicate,…
Advanced Engineering Management Training in Almere
Carnival Corporation’s bridge training facility in Almere, the Center for Simulator Maritime Training (CSMART), has quietly expanded into engineering in a big way and has even larger plans on the horizon. Bridge simulators have been training officers to re-think management and roles in ship navigation, and since 2012, the same has been going on for…
Projections – The Biggest May Change
2014 marks yet another year dominated by Carnival Cruise Lines for overall passenger capacity, according to the 2014-2015 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. At double occupancy, Carnival is set to carry just under 4 million passengers, while Royal Caribbean International will carry its own personal best of 3.2 million guests. But things get more interesting…
Itinerary Planning: Ever Changing, Ever Challenging
With a growing fleet of larger cruise ships and an expanding pool of past passengers, cruise lines pursue different itinerary planning strategies, focusing on marquee ports that can accommodate the big ships to attract new passengers, while seeking new ports for experienced passengers, and meeting cost and revenue targets. With average per diems below where…
More Traffic Underlines Caribbean’s Market Position
2014 will usher in a major capacity spike in the Caribbean – with the region going over the nine million mark for the first time in industry history, and nearly 12.5 percent ahead of 2013, according to data from the 2014-2015 Cruise Industry News Annual Report The market has gotten even more cramped and competitive,…
Food and Beverage: Dine Like a Norwegian
The newest cruise ship at sea, the Norwegian Getaway, features no less than 27 dining venues and 22 bars and lounges. Continuing its so-called Freestyle concept that Norwegian launched years ago, all the venues feature open seating, including 10 complimentary and 17 specialty dining options, with a cover or a-la-carte charge. With all the different…