Mexico: Two Coasts; Different Trends
Mexico ranks as one of the top cruise destinations in the world, but while traffic is trending up on the Gulf Riviera, it is dropping significantly on the Pacific Riviera. The reasons are many. The Gulf benefits from the Caribbean traffic with the newest and largest ships, proximity to major U.S. homeports, and from the…
F&B: Wine Partner to Cruise Lines
Slainte Wines, a major supplier of wines to the cruise industry, has been on a growth course and today represents what Christopher O’Connor, president, called a huge portfolio – more than 100 brands. “We are focused on being good to everyone we represent,” he said. “We are not adding brands just to add brands.” Last…
Editorial: Cruise-Ship Building at a Crossroads?
Is cruise-ship building at a crossroads? In many ways it is. The economic downturn, which has led to a slowdown in newbuilding orders, has come at the same time that new rules and regulations are being phased in, allowing more innovative designs, and also making for safer and greener ships. In addition, the shipowners are…
Shipbuilding: Taking Initiatives
“Our strategy is very simple: It is to work hard,” said Gabriele Cocco, executive vice president for merchant ships at Fincantieri, and responsible for cruise ships. “The situation is very difficult for all shipbuilders. That is a fact,” said Cocco. “The future is different – characterized by uncertainty. There is no long-term perspective any more,…
New Ships: Disney Dream: To A New Level
The 128,000-ton, 1,250-stateroom Disney Dream will be delivered in January from Meyer Werft. The Fantasy follows in 2012, as Disney Cruise Line more than doubles its capacity with the two newbuilds joining the Magic and Wonder. “The Dream is so full of new, innovative features, and a handful are industry firsts,” said Tom Wolber, chief…
Technical: Scrubber Tests
While Holland America Line continues to test its scrubber system, Royal Caribbean Cruises has also launched a test program. The emission control technology selected for testing on the Independence of the Seas is new, with Royal Caribbean partnering with Ecospec to install the CSNOx system. The system uses patented Ultra Low Frequency Electrolysis System (ULFELS) to…
Onboard: Crystal Sparkles on Black Sea Cruise
Norwegians say that any milestone in life divisible by five or 10 is worthy of a special celebration. This year being one of those steps in our lives we opted, for the first time, to take a cruise with Crystal, on the Serenity. The timing and the amazing itinerary it covered was a perfect fit…
Asia/Pacific: Building Business
The Asia Cruise Association (ACA) provides a platform and forum for both the industry and destinations in Asia, according to ACA Chairman Rama Rebbapragada, who is also regional vice president, international, at Royal Caribbean Cruises. “We are engaging governments, port authorities, tourism boards and the travel trade on an industry level,” he explained. “Our priorities…
Asia/Pacific: Niche Markets
Regarded as a major emerging market, Cruise Industry News talked to some of the leading Asia and Pacific cruise operators to get their take on the cruise business, the economy, itineraries and more. Japanese Market At NYK Cruises, Shinji Imasaki, president, said that the Asuka II, the line’s sole ship and ex-Crystal Harmony, is dedicated…
Summer 2010: Editorial
This summer and spring, we have worked with three industry organizations that in our opinion all stand out in terms of their purpose, commitment, accomplishments and access. We attended the Canada New England Cruise Symposium in St. John’s, New Brunswick in June, where also the Cruise the St. Lawrence Cruise association participated (a report will…
Europe: Growth Market
Europe is the new growth market for the cruise industry. Not only are the Europe-based cruise lines growing their capacity by introducing new ships, the U.S.-based cruise lines are also sourcing more passengers in Europe and dedicating ships to European markets. Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are deploying ships year-round in Europe….
Dining: What’s New
From dining with the chefs to design-your-own cupcakes and Indonesian tea time, there are many new and unique offerings at sea when it comes to cuisine. “There’s so much happening in food and beverage,” Frank Weber, Royal Caribbean’s vice president of food and beverage operations, said quite aptly. Over the past decade, celebrity chefs at…
Beverages: Contemporary Bar Scene
Elevator bars, ice bars, martini bars, wine machines, onboard breweries, master mixologists, and more, the cruise industry beverage scene continues to be as innovative as ever. The Oasis of the Seas and soon to-be-launched sister-ship, Allure, feature the Rising Tide Bar. A full bar that doubles as an elevator, the space moves between the Royal…
Design: Making Space Usable and Relevant
“Not only are the ships getting much bigger, the designs are also more relevant, making it easier for passenger to relate based on their land experiences,” said Andy Collier, managing director at SMC Design in London. At Tillberg Design in Sweden, Fredrik Johansson, partner and senior architect, attributed the progress being made to cruise lines…
Technical: Next Generation Rules
The cruise industry is again in transition. The latest generation of ships is setting new standards for shipyards, which at the same time have to comply with the new IMO rules for the next generation of ships, already evolving due to the Novel Design Concept approach. Discussions years ago that led to the IMO’s Safe…