Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific is set to take place Sept. 17-18 at the new Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore, featuring a dedicated conference and show for the Asia-Pacific cruise market.

According to, Daniel Read, UBM’s Director for the event, the pace of the event will be quite a step forward compared to other cruise shows. “It will be very dynamic,” he said. “We are targeting the key issues regarding the industry in Asia that are keeping people awake at night. We want to ensure that the topics vital for the continued growth of our highly innovative industry have the best possible forum.”

A state of the industry panel on Monday morning will be getting the dialog regarding the Asia-Pacific market going, featuring Christine Duffy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) (Chair); Ann Sherry, Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Australia; Gianni Onorato, President, Costa Crociere S.p.A.; Roberto Giorgi, President, V.Ships; Gavin Smith, Managing Director, Royal Caribbean Cruises Australia; Jan Swartz, Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Customer Service, Princess Cruises; and Dr. Zinan Liu, Managing Director China and Asia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Additionally the event will pay tribute to founding Asia Cruise Association Chairman, Rama Rebbapragada of Royal Caribbean Cruises, who sadly recently passed away following a long battle with illness.

The conference schedule has been developed by the industry, with exclusive partners CLIA, the FCCA, the ICCA and partnering with the ACA.

The industry in the Asia-Pacific is unique, said Read, and the panel and conference schedule will give all appropriate parts of the growing Asia-Pacific region a voice.

“The cruise potential in the Asia-Pacific market is strong,” added Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA.

Wetting the appetite of the big cruise lines is the Asian passenger sourcing potential. An arrived and further emerging middle class in China could ignite the industry’s growth, in addition to large populations in other countries, such as India.

“The sourcing potential for Asia passengers is impressive,” continued Duffy.

That sourcing potential has led CLIA, the ACA, ICCA and UBM to draw up a travel agent program at Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific, essentially training agents for the Asian market. Sessions are run by representatives from Costa, Silversea, Star, Princess and Royal Caribbean.

The show will not just be about destinations, Read explained, with technology providers and more, with companies from all over the world on display for the Asia-Pacific sector of the industry in Singapore.

“This is a truly regional event, representing the needs of the local marketplaces. We are delighted to be able to host the event with our partners in Singapore, one of the key hubs for the entire region.” Read added.

Another interesting panel tackles localizing the onboard experience and revenue streams, that will include tailoring cruise products to local markets, and will feature speakers from Mitsui OSK Passenger Line, Maritime Communications Partner and Royal Caribbean International.

In addition are panels on air/cruise programs, destination planning and development, terminal design, China, crewing, shore-ex, newbuilds and refurbishments and marketing to the Asian source markets.

For more information on the show, visit www.cruiseshippingevents.com/asia and read the special edition of Cruise Industry News, with a report on the Asia-Pacific market, debuting in Singapore on Sept. 17.