Editorial: It’s About People
There are many common denominators that affect the industry and the different cruise lines, but the people factor seems to be the most important. For instance, all the cruise lines need qualified staff to serve passengers, and the higher up the product ladder, the more important the staff becomes in terms of offering six-star service….
CSR Has Multiple Bottom Lines: Profitability, Environment and Social Equity
It is no longer enough to be in business and be profitable. In addition it is becoming increasingly important how that business is run. Thus, AIDA Cruises was recently awarded a Maritime Social Responsibility (MSR) certificate from Germanischer Lloyd (GL), as part of the line’s integrated management system covering ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001…
Marine/Technical Operations: People Make the Difference
Fuel conservation, maintenance and recruitment are some of the issues that will keep marine and technical operations busy in 2007, in addition to new ship introductions and refurbishment projects. “We have made significant reductions in fuel consumption already,” said Captain William Wright, senior vice president of marine operations at Royal Caribbean International. “We are using…
Hotel Operations: Staying Fresh
This promises to be a busy year for hotel operations, with the introduction of new ships and refurbishment projects, as well as new homeports and new itineraries, while also meeting revenue targets, keeping expenses under control, and delivering a solid guest experience. At Royal Caribbean International, Senior Vice President of Total Guest Satisfaction Michael Bayley…
North American Ports: Florida Drives Expansion
As the cruise traffic grows, Florida ports continue to benefit from the lion’s share of the business, while also gearing up for more. And to handle the growth, terminal construction and upgrades, dedicated transportation systems and roadways, are either underway or being planned. While the cruise industry has grown 107 percent over the past 10…
Luxury Defined
The North American-based luxury lines were sailing with the current in 2006 and expect another good year in 2007. With things looking up, Seabourn Cruise Line ordered two new 450-passenger ships to be built by T. Mariotti, at a cost of $250 million each, for delivery in 2009 and 2010. This optimism is in contrast…