Target North America
After building up MSC Cruises from next to nothing in a challenging South American market, Roberto Fusaro is now in Ft. Lauderdale and part of the team that will build up the Italian brand in North America. The Argentinean was named president of MSC USA in August. Sailing year-round from Miami, the MSC Divina will…
Pullmantur: For Spain and Latin America
“Our DNA, our identity, which has been adrift over the last few years, is that we are a Spanish cruise line,” said Richard Vogel, president and CEO of the Pullmantur Group, managing both Pullmantur Cruises and Croiseres de France (CDF). In an exclusive interview with Cruise Industry News, he said: “We are the only Spanish…
Operations: Navigating on America’s Waterways
On the 100-passenger American Independence, which offers itineraries on domestic waterways, Captain Gregg Scheiferstein said a small maneuverable boat (American Cruise Lines calls their vessels boats) like the Independence can navigate into places the big ships can’t get near. “It has a lot of strong points; it can do coastal journeys very comfortably,” he told…
Operations: Core Product Delivery
“The attention to detail and establishing a core product to make sure we have an execution that is as close to perfect as possible is one of our strong points,” said Jason Hale, hotel director aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam. “We don’t overstretch ourselves by trying to do something that may look like a good…
Windstar: Upscale and Boutique
Windstar can best be defined as an upscale cruising experience, according to President John Delaney, who took over the job in July. “We have different experiences we offer,” Delaney told Cruise Industry News. “The three wind ships are an iconic way to travel in warm-water destinations.” Then there are the company’s three 212-passenger yachts acquired…
Carnival: Biggest and Most Expansive Offering
After 40 years with cruise lines – more than 10 of those as Carnival Cruise Line’s Corporate Chef – Peter Leypold is as well versed in food at sea as anyone. Yet all this experience boils down to the cruise industry’s basic mandate, something he learned a long time ago. Call it hospitality 101. “I…
Alternative Fuels: Technology Progress
Cruise lines are exploring alternative fuels, which, in addition to LNG, include battery power and fuel cells. Battery technology has been advancing rapidly in the last few years, according to Andrea Cogliolo, director of marine, RINA Services. “We are seeing the quantity of energy compared to the weight of the battery increasing to a much…