Executive Profile: Scientific Approach
“I think Virgin Cruises will be very good for the industry,” said Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of the start-up cruise line by the British Virgin Group, founded and led by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. Speaking to Cruise Industry News, McAlpin said: “We will bring new people (passengers) into the industry. We will develop the…
Procurement: Driving Value
In the newly created position of chief procurement officer (CPO) at Carnival Corporation, Julia Brown is overseeing everything Carnival spends money on from products to services. “The goal is to drive value that can be reinvested in the brands,” she explained. “And to take out costs of things that guests do not want, while at…
MSC: Outside the Box
By year’s end, MSC Cruises plans to launch a global campaign presenting its new market positioning, according o CEO Gianni Onorato. In an exclusive interview with Cruise Industry News, Onorato said that work was ongoing internally to better clarify the position of the brand and the company in the marketplace. Not only will the campaign…
Costa: Pushing Italian Lifestyle
“We have to make sure that our product is different than our competition,” said Neil Palomba, president of Costa Crociere. “We have to differentiate ourselves from the competition and this is the key, it is linked to our Italy’s Finest positioning. “We meet and exceed our customers expectations and they feel like they are in…
Ponant: Adding International Touch
The fastest-growing source markets for Ponant are Australia, France and the United States, according to Herve Bellaiche, executive vice president of sales. The company has recently seen a significant expansion in the U.S. market with the purchase of assets from Travel Dynamics. The office has grown from a few workers in Miami to a staff…
Working at Sea: Nautical Careers
Once facing a shortage of future officers, economic factors in Italy and poor employment opportunities shoreside have led to an increase in the number of applications to nautical schools. The training has become more demanding, with new criteria targeting a quality labor force aboard ships. “Due to the type of school we are, we have…
Food+Beverage: Koningsdam Offers More Choices
When Holland America Line’s new Koningsdam enters service next March she will have some familiar and some new dining venues and eateries, Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development, told Cruise Industry News. “It comes down to offering our guests more choices,” he said. Among the new venues will be Sel de…
Food+Beverage: Oceania’s Chef Kelly
At Oceania Cruises, Executive Chef and Culinary Enrichment Director Kathryn Kelly is responsible for developing the curriculum for the classes aboard the Marina and the Riviera and the line’s culinary discovery shore excursion tours. “I also serve as one of the instructors onboard and lead culinary tours ashore,” Kelly told Cruise Industry News. “We visit…