Travel & Cruise 2nd Quarter 2019

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY SECOND QUARTER 2019

Carbon Bygones: Costa Rica Planning for

DECARBONIZATION NEW SHIPS, TECHNOLOGIES & TRENDS Propelling Cruise Lines Updates from & Insights for DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD Celebrating DIVERSITY

PIERFRANCESCO VAGO Vows More Ships & Partnerships for the Caribbean

ADAM GOLDSTEIN Shares How Growth & Sustainability Go Hand in Hand

SEVEN CRUISE LINE Presidents & Above Agree on Keys to Industry’s Success

Embark in journey of exploration. Delight your senses. Expand your mind. Let the beauty enchant your soul.

Discover Puerto Rico.

CASTILLO SAN FELIPE DEL MORRO Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

CELEBRATING 55 MARVELOUS YEARS 35+ MILLION PASSENGERS 1000’S OF BERTHS

@PortStMaarten

PortOfStMaarten

www.portstmaarten.com

GREAT TOURS, SHOPPING, BEACHES AND RESTAURANTS

@vacationstmaarten www.vacationstmaarten.com

CONTENTS

FIRST QUARTER 2019 WWW.TRAVELANDCRUISE.COM

39

ON THE COVER

Features River cruising a great way to tap ‘new-to-cruise’ segment; bookings and spending up; doubledigit demand increases; Alaska continuing its hot streak; and more from CLIA’s Travel Agent Cruise Industry Outlook Report

22 River Cruising and Alaska Are Hot

MEETINGS & EVENTS

24 SPOTLIGHT 12 Ocean Cay and MSC Cruises’ Commitment to Caribbean Cruising

07, 09 President’s Letter

Travel & Cruise Magazine © 2019.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, in any form, electronic or otherwise, without written permission of the FCCA is prohibited.

To subscribe or change your address, please send requests to info@f-cca.com Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) 10390 USA Today Way Miramar, FL 33025 Phone: (954) 441-8881 Fax: (954) 441-3171 Published by:

In Partnership with:

above had a similar message of what has driven the industry’s record success, and how to continue full steam ahead, at Seatrade Cruise Global’s State of the Industry.

30 Seatrade Cruise Global Plus FCCA Equaled Opportunities for Mutual Success Through a schedule loaded with

On the cover: Costa Rica

DEPARTMENTS

24 Differentiation, Diversity, Direct Engagement and Proactivity Propelling the Industry to New Records and Beyond Seven cruise line presidents and

Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago highlights the brand’s meteoric growth, unique approach targeting Europe and underpenetrated regions, and path to continued advancement by a “long-term commitment to Caribbean cruising.”

LET’S GET TECHNICAL 14 Cruise Industry Commits to Sustainable Practices Adam Goldstein,

RCCL Vice Chairman and CLIA Global Chair, shares how “growth and sustainability go hand in hand.”

meetings and networking, FCCA Platinum Members and representatives from partner destinations’ private and public sectors penciled in business and relationships with the record cruise executives in attendance.

32 2019 Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award Winners 34 Cruise Industry Launches ‘We Are Cruise’ Campaign

64

16 Global Cruise Passenger Numbers Exceed Expectations 18 Asia Hits Another Record with 4.24 Million Cruise Passengers in 2018 20 Infrastructure Plans Must Include Cruise

The information in this publication is provided “as is.” FCCA, CLIA and its Member Lines disclaim all representations and warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any information, services, products and materials contained herein. FCCA, CLIA and its Member Lines will in no event be liable for any damage or losses as a result of your use of this publication.

CLIA Australasia & Asia Managing Director Joel Katz praises Australia’s infrastructure projects, but shares, “…unlocking Australia’s tourism potential involves more than just initiatives on land…All levels of government… need to develop a united focus.”

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 3

DR CRUISE TO #

#GoDomRep GoDominicanRepublic.com

Catedral Primada de AmĂŠrica Santo Domingo

CONTENTS

12

Features 52 Puerto Rico Welcoming Unprecedented Numbers 55 Big Plans on Deck for PortMiami 58 Private Islands Sailing Full Steam Ahead 60 Australian Growth Continues Despite Infrastructure Constraints 62 Auckland: A Cruise Port with Incredible Potential With New

ON BOARD

ON LAND

37 Princess’ Next-Generation Ships in the Books

46 Costa Rica’s Roadmap for Becoming One of the First Countries to Achieve Decarbonization To combat climate change,

Zealand’s popularity stronger than ever and cruise demand set to continue, Auckland is in a perfect position safeguard the economic benefits for communities around the country, per CLIA Australasia & Asia Managing Director Joel Katz.

64 Best of All, It’s in Hong Kong

37 Holland America Line’s Next Pinnacle-Class Ship 37 Royal Caribbean Welcomes Spectrum of the Seas

Costa Rica launched its national plan aiming to achieve decarbonization by 2050.

48 Sixty Islands and One United Focus on Improvement in the British Virgin Islands

37 Seabourn’s New Expedition Ships

MEMBERS & TRAVEL AGENTS 66 Does Your Tour Guide Training Celebrate Diversity? Aquila’s Center

for Cruise Excellence President Beth Kelly Hatt tells how to deliver great service to all guests, even those with special needs or different lifestyles, cultures or religions.

51 Continuous Enhancement of Saint Lucia’s Cruise Tourism Product

69 FCCA Platinum Member Highlights

38 Shining the Light on Silver Origin

51 Guest Experience Flying High in Sint Maarten

71 Adam Goldstein Appointed as CLIA Chair

39 Celebrity Welcomes First Expedition Mega Yacht

51 Cayman Islands Breaking Records, Diving into Improvements

71 Costa Group’s Michael Thamm Appointed Chairman of CLIA Europe

38 Survey Says, Carnival Mardi Gras Will Be Grand Fun

40 Norwegian Joy Breaks Away with New Offerings 41 Princess Cruises Continues Activation of MedallionClass Vacations

60

42 Virgin Voyages Expands Epic Entertainment Lineup 43 Regent Taps Luxury Taste with Plant-Based Dishes 44 Disney Inspiring Next Generation of Female Ship Captains

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 5

Barbados Beyond our shores J

ust when you thought you knew it all about Barbados – the glorious white sandy beaches with exciting watersport activities, the endless sunny days and rum-soaked nights, the luxury resorts and enchanting restaurants – you find out that there’s so much more the island has to offer!

If you thought you knew it all about Barbados, get ready to find out what else lies beyond our shores.

You’d be surprised that close to the port in the capital Bridgetown, are a number of museums that safeguard the history of our island. Did you know that Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the Commonwealth?

The interactive Parliament museum, housed within the West Wing of the Gothic-styled Parliament Buildings, traces the development of our democracy in a collaborative way. Another incredible museum in Historic Bridgetown is known as The Exchange, where the development of business and trade in the city through the decades is featured.

The building houses two exhibition gallery floors and an art gallery.

You may have heard of George Washington House, the site where the first American President stayed on his only trip outside of the United States, but did you know of the Garrison tunnels, a network of passageways running for miles under the Garrison Savannah area?

In the North, St. Nicholas Abbey is a 17th century Jacobeanstyle mansion that is one of the island’s finest historic sites. Coming soon is their exciting feature attraction of an antique replica steam engine train that will take passengers on a remarkable journey that will include the stunning vista at Cherry Tree Hill.

As Barbados continues to innovate, the island recognises the importance of the natural ecosystem and many of our newest attractions certainly play their part in ensuring our commitment to protect, produce and preserve.

Coco Hill forest is one such experience where 53 acres of rainforest overlook the East Coast of the island. Visitors can engage in ‘green therapy’ surrounded by hundreds of palm trees, fruit trees and medicinal trees.

Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Tour lets you get down and dirty as you walk, creep and crawl through natural passageways to explore cave formations like the original discoverers of the cave did.

Hunte’s Gardens, located in the center of Barbados' rain forest in a sink-hole-like gully, offers a picturesque series of lovely mini-gardens. Vibrant colours and textures of rare, exotic plants offer the visitor an uplifting and fulfilling experience.

Discover local cuisine, souvenirs, music and culture at Festive Fridays, Bridgetown Night Market.

Ask your travel agent for more details or visit us at visitbarbados.org From top to bottom: Kadooment festival, St. Nicholas Abbey, Harrison’s Cave Eco-Tour, #1 Bajan Bus tour, Festival Fridays at the Bridgetown Night Market.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER: FCCA

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Micky Arison FCCA CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN CARNIVAL CORPORATION Michael Bayley PRESIDENT & CEO ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL Adam Goldstein VICE CHAIRMAN ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. Jeff Vahle PRESIDENT DISNEY SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES Richard E. Sasso CHAIRMAN MSC CRUISES (USA) INC. Andrew Stuart PRESIDENT & CEO NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

FCCA STAFF Michele M. Paige PRESIDENT Adam Ceserano SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Terri Cannici VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Omari Breakenridge DIRECTOR, DIGITAL STRATEGY & CREATIVE SERVICES Mario Aguirre DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP EVENTS & PROGRAMS Justin Paige DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS & STRATEGIC MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS Jessica Lalama EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Some say that good things come to those who wait, but we in the cruise industry believe that if your ship does not come in, you should swim out to it.

This constant proactivity is how cruise has remained the fastest-growing sector in the luxury travel market – and why the order book is filled not only with more than 70 vessels and 240,000 lower berths by FCCA Member Lines, but also innovations and technologies reflecting cruise lines’ differentiations and innovations to exceed the ever-evolving expectations of diverse—and global—guests.

Of course, the continued growth offers unprecedented opportunities for stakeholders, but maximizing those Paige with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley after a meeting with Member Line presidents chances requires the same philosophy of and above in the FCCA Executive Committee proactivity, while understanding what the diverse guests and lines want and need.

Fortunately, cruise lines are ready, willing and able to work with stakeholders and all throughout cruise communities, with the aim of leaving every place they touch better and an eye on long-term mutual success.

This edition of Travel & Cruise highlights that and more.

Pierfancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, takes the spotlight and shines the light on the brand’s grand growth—with guest capacity poised to triple in just 10 years—along with its unique approach by first targeting Europe and underpenetrated regions. However, MSC’s route for continued advancement now goes through the Caribbean, where Vago tells they see “great potential” and “seek to establish stronger partnerships” in order to drive “benefits for all partners,” while also working toward sustainability – and the under-construction Ocean Cay Marine Reserve serves as a shining example of this all.

Other Member Line Presidents and CEOs have the same message of differentiation, unique innovations and diverse guests leading to the current success, but sustainability, principles like diversity and inclusion, and a focus on further work with stakeholders and cruise communities being key to the foreseeable future – and this issue tells all about it by recapping Seatrade Cruise Global’s State of the Industry.

Some of the ways FCCA forges this mutual success are also featured, including the meetings and events coordinated for Seatrade Cruise Global, as well as a new training program by Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence helping tour guides celebrate diversity.

Initiatives and developments by our partner destinations and Platinum Members are also featured, such as the momentous aim by Costa Rica to reach decarbonization.

Hopefully this issue also provides knowledge or inspiration for you, as success for any of us means success for us all!

Respectfully yours,

Michele M. Paige President, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)

Vanessa Gutierrez ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 7

PRESIDENT’S LETTER: CLIA

CLIA GLOBAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Adam Goldstein CLIA GLOBAL CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. Arnold Donald PRESIDENT & CEO CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC Micky Arison CHAIRMAN CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC Pierfrancesco Vago EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN MSC CRUISES Frank Del Rio CEO NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS Richard Fain CHAIRMAN & CEO ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. Manfredi Lefebvre CHAIRMAN SILVERSEA CRUISES, LTD.

CLIA STAFF Kelly Craighead PRESIDENT & CEO Megan King SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & RESEARCH Mike McGarry SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLIC AFFAIRS & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Caroline Johnson SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP OPERATIONS

Welcome to this edition to Travel & Cruise, the official magazine of the global cruise industry. At CLIA, we have spent the first part of the year underscoring the global cruise industry’s commitment to sustainability as well as challenging our community to come together and share their stories about all the incredible work our industry is doing every day.

At the beginning of the year we welcomed back Adam Goldstein, Vice Chairman, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., as CLIA Global Chairman and appointed Michael Thamm as Chairman of CLIA Europe. Both leaders bring valuable knowledge and perspective to their roles, and I’m excited for you to learn more about them in this issue.

Last year, our industry helped 28.5 million passengers experience a cruise vacation—that’s almost 7 percent more than in 2017. With continued growth on the horizon, this is an exciting time to be a part of the industry. As the industry grows, so too are our efforts to preserve, protect and strengthen our environment and destinations communities through leadership, stewardship and partnership.

The global cruise industry has been listening to the concerns and needs of locals and working with destinations worldwide to strengthen their economies while preserving their place. We recently launched a new campaign, in partnership with Seatrade Cruise Global, called #WeAreCruise in an effort to promote the unique stories and positive impact the cruise industry has on communities worldwide.

These stories of growth and innovation are just a few examples of what you will find in this edition of Travel & Cruise. I look forward to continuing our work together and bringing you the resources and news that are relevant to you. On behalf of everyone at CLIA, we thank you for your continued support.

Best,

Kelly Craighead President and CEO

Brian Salerno SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MARITIME POLICY Joshua S. Good SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL FINANCE

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 9

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Spotlight

Ocean Cay and MSC Cruises’ Commitment to Caribbean Cruising

By Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises

A

s MSC Cruises’ global footprint increases—our fleet’s expansion will see our guest capacity triple in just 10 years—we are strongly growing our presence in the Caribbean. Working with local authorities, travel agents and other partners, every year we increase the number of ships that we deploy in these waters and the number of ports that we reach.

This past season we have had five cruise ships deployed across the Caribbean, homeporting in Bridgetown, Cozumel, Havana, Fort de France and Pointe à Pitre. Our partnership has generated a considerable contribution to these islands’ economies, supporting economic activities of strategic importance such as airlines, hotels and the restaurants.

In November, MSC Meraviglia will become our sixth cruise ship in the region. More ships will join them from 2020 onwards. In line with our commitment to sustainability, they will all be equipped with the most advanced environmental technologies.

12 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

POSITIONING FOR SUCCESS MSC Cruises represents an unusual case within the cruise industry. Challenging conventional wisdom, we grew out of Europe when competition in the Caribbean intensified, focusing instead on the Med and other underpenetrated regions. In just 10 years, we became the number one cruise line in Europe. Today, as the industry seeks to develop new markets across the world, we are extending our footprint in the Caribbean.

As part of the MSC Group, one of the world’s biggest shipping conglomerates, we already have a strong presence in the Caribbean. Every year our cargo ships move hundreds of thousands of TEUs across the region. We now seek to establish stronger partnerships for MSC Cruises in this region – with the long-term vision that only a family company can provide.

Despite persistent talk of market saturation, we see a great potential to grow in Caribbean waters. Having developed a strong international customer base—last

year we welcomed over 170 nationalities on board our ships—our guests’ diversity is one our strongest assets. We profile the Caribbean as a tourist destination around the entire world, bringing millions of international travelers to the region. Many of them will come back in the future, for longer stays.

To achieve this, we are constantly evolving our offering. In December 2017 we introduced MSC Seaside to the region. With the industry’s highest ratio of open space per person, she has been specifically conceived for the Caribbean’s warm weather. We are also working on other innovative platforms to give our passengers a wealth of choices. Among others, we are developing a new generation of luxury cruise ships that will bring a new and distinctive experience to the region.

A LITTLE TASTE OF PARADISE Perhaps nothing speaks better of our commitment to Caribbean cruising than the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Located in the Bahamas, this will be a cruise destination like no other, offering uninterrupted ocean views, crystal clear waters, soft white sandy beaches and endless entertainment options. It will exist in full harmony with the local ecosystem, giving our guests a little taste of paradise.

A former sand extraction site, it presented a desolate post-industrial landscape when we took it over in 2016. Our vision has been to move the cay away from resource exploitation to resource conservation.

NATURE AT ITS HEART For the past three years we have worked in partnership with the Government of the Bahamas and its environmental experts to restore Ocean Cay to its former pristine condition. Having removed over 5,000 tons of industrial waste from the cay and the surrounding waters, we are now planting 75,000 indigenous trees and shrubs across the island.

The work to restore the island’s surrounding waters is at the center of the

project. We are establishing a coral nursery to encourage the growth of new coral and enable balance to be restored to the sea bed, which will encourage the return of marine life. We also plan to build a marine laboratory.

Nature will be at the heart of our guests’ experience, with a vast array of experiences available to let them explore the Caribbean’s natural wonders.

“WE NOW SEEK TO ESTABLISH STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS FOR MSC CRUISES IN THIS REGION…” AN EXTENSION OF OUR SHIPS We are now assembling 100 environmentally-friendly structures as well as an iconic lighthouse that will become Ocean Cay’s landmark and a focal point of evening entertainment. Thanks to a navigational channel dredged when the cay was used for industrial purposes, our ships will dock alongside the island, letting guests embark and disembark at their leisure. Ocean Cay will effectively become an extension of our cruise ships.

Located in the Bahamas’ western rim, Ocean Cay is accessible from all corners of the Caribbean and will cater for East and West itineraries alike.

CREATING LOCAL BENEFITS I cannot think of a better way to affirm our long-term commitment to Caribbean cruising than this project. While I appreciate that some may regard the development of private island destinations with skepticism, Ocean Cay will reinforce our presence in the region, creating benefits for all our partners. It will translate into more MSC cruise ships deployed across the Caribbean, creating more calls at more ports and on more islands.

The Bahamas, where the MSC Group already has a strong footprint, stands to capture many of the benefits that this project will produce. Ocean Cay represents a capital investment exceeding $200 million. It has already generated hundreds of jobs for local Bahamians during the development phase and will generate around 140 local permanent jobs when it opens its doors. Of course, returning an industrial wasteland to nature will have incalculable value for the Bahamas’ people and ecosystem.

A COMMITMENT TO THE REGION The Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve represents another major step in our Caribbean expansion. This one-of-akind island experience will reinforce our regional itineraries and our offering, giving our guests a glimpse of unspoiled Caribbean nature. It will also give us the tools to continue growing in this region, together with our friends and partners.

We cannot wait for MSC Meraviglia to bring our first guests to Ocean Cay on November 14.

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 13

Let’s Get Technical

Cruise Industry Commits to Sustainable Practices

“G

rowth and sustainability go hand in hand,” said CLIA Global Chair Adam Goldstein in a keynote speech delivered at both The Economist’s 2019 World Ocean Summit in Abu Dhabi and in Berlin at ITB, the world’s leading travel trade show.

In his remarks, Goldstein highlighted the importance of marrying growth opportunities with sustainability. “With opportunity comes responsibility,” said Goldstein, adding that “the water around and below us, the air above us, the communities around us, the people who work for us: all are critical factors when it comes to planning a sustainable growth strategy for the cruise industry.”

Although the cruise sector only represents 2 percent of the overall travel industry, Goldstein said the industry needs to play a leadership role in sustainable tourism, 14 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

outlining a three-pronged strategy based on leadership, stewardship and partnership.

In terms of leadership, CLIA Cruise Lines were the first to commit to emissions targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) within the shipping industry. CLIA pledged to advance sus-

“WITH OPPORTUNITY COMES RESPONSIBILITY.” —ADAM GOLDSTEIN, VICE CHAIRMAN, ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. AND CLIA GLOBAL CHAIR

tainability on the seas and to reduce the rate of carbon emissions across the industry fleet by 40 percent by 2030.

“Beyond the pure environmental concerns, the cruise sector is also leading the way on labor convention and being aggressive in gender diversity in the marine division of our ships—which accounts for 15 percent of the people working on the ships—up to and including women who are ship captains,” added Goldstein.

For stewardship, the cruise sector’s sustainability practices include onboard wastewater and sulfur treatment plants, pioneering hull coatings, hull design and air lubrication systems, advanced waste management and recycling systems.

Forging meaningful partnerships is a key step in the sustainability arena, and CLIA Cruise Lines are working with leading NGO’s, such as WWF and GSTC. CLIA

THE CRUISE INDUSTRY LEADS THE WAY in developing exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), a highly effective technology authorized by IMO, EU, US EPA, and others, and each system approved by Flag state to reduce air pollution from ships. EGCS is just one example of innovative technology fitted by the cruise industry to ensure responsible environmental practices.

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS!

EGCS effectively treat engine exhaust to significantly reduce sulfur and particulate matter from air emissions. As an equivalent technology under international regulations, EGCS must achieve air emission reductions that are at least as good as burning highly refined distillate fuels.

WHAT WILL YOU SEE?

60% of global cruise capacity utilizes EGCS. EGCS help reduce sulfur oxide levels by as much as 98%, a typical total particulate matter reduction of 50% or more, including elemental and organic carbon and black carbon, and nitrogen oxides by up to 12%.

The treatment of engine exhaust gas by an EGCS generates water vapor which can often be seen as a white plume from the ship’s stack. In cooler climates, the white plume may be more visible and, in near-shore environments with elevated topography and little or no convection, there may be a darker than normal appearance.

Although EGCS designs vary, they commonly rely on the following:

Water: Either seawater or fresh water are used to create a fine water mist

Exhaust Cleaning Unit: The fine water is applied to the engine exhaust in an exhaust cleaning unit causing a chemical and mechanical reaction which removes pollutants

is working with destinations around the world, including sensitive ports of call such as Dubrovnik, Santorini and Barcelona, to ensure that cruise tourism is working for resident communities, destinations and visitors.

Other sustainability efforts include taking action to reduce environmental impact of ships through innovation, such as retrofitting ships with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems designed to remove 99 percent of sulfur and well over 50 percent of particulate matter, including elemental and organic carbon.

“Sustainability lies at the heart of all we do, and no industry has a stronger interest in protecting oceans and destinations,” continued Goldstein. “Each day across the cruise industry, individual cruise lines are working to improve upon this record through strategic partnerships, new technologies, and bold sustainability commitments. CLIA Cruise Lines are constantly looking for new innovations that will lead to further emissions reduction and advance environmental sustainability.”

Scrubbed Exhaust: The scrubbed exhaust is released to the atmosphere, at times producing a white plume of water vapor

Washwater Treatment: Water used to scrub engine exhaust is drained. For systems operated in open loop mode, the washwater pH is adjusted as needed to meet regulatory standards before discharge. For systems operated in closed loop mode, chemicals can be added for the water to be recirculated for additional exhaust cleaning, or the treated washwater is held for later discharge.

OPEN LOOP SYSTEMS

HYBRID LOOP SYSTEMS

CLOSED LOOP SYSTEMS

Solid residue: Solids removed during washwater treatment are stored onboard for shoreside disposal

Source: http://www.egcsa.com/wp-content/uploads/EGCSA-Euroshore-scrubber-water-sampling-Ship-Guide-2016_17.pdf

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 15

Let’s Get Technical

Global Cruise Passenger Numbers Exceed Expectations

A

total of 28.5 million people took a cruise in 2018 – almost 7 percent more than in 2017.

While the cruise sector represents 2 percent of the overall global travel industry, this segment is on pace with international tourism worldwide.

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals grew 6 percent in 2018, totaling 1.4 billion, while cruise travel grew at almost 7 percent during the same timing.

CLIA’s research shows that North American travelers continue to embrace

16 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

cruising, with an annual passenger increase of 9 percent in 2018 (14.2 million passengers). The latest insights reveal travel to the Caribbean islands is still in full swing, with 11.3 million cruise passengers traveling there in 2018. Other growing North American destinations include the Hawaii and North Atlantic Coast region, Mexico, California and the Pacific, which increased 4 percent in 2018, totaling 1.3 million cruise passengers. Statistics further show that passengers are preferring shorter cruises and more adventurous destinations, especially Alaska.

Mediterranean cruises grew in popularity by an impressive 8 percent, totaling more than 4 million passengers worldwide.

Of those, more than 700,000 passengers came from North America, up by 29 percent from the previous year.

“I am proud to be a part of this dynamic industry that continues to grow and evolve making international travel accessible for travelers worldwide,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO, CLIA. “The cruise industry has once again raised the bar and exceeded projections and expectations as travelers are embracing cruise travel more than ever before.”

Crystal Caves, Grand Cayman. This is a creative representation; stepping in the water is not permitted.

Let’s Get Technical

Asia Hits Another Record with 4.24 Million Cruise Passengers in 2018

I

n May, CLIA released the 2018 Asia Cruise Industry Ocean Source Market Report. The report offers an in-depth look at the growth, demographics and trends of the top source markets in Asia.

Asia’s cruise passenger source market hit a new high in 2018 with 4.24 million people taking an ocean cruise, up 4.6 percent year-on-year. Asia continues to be the cruise industry’s third-largest market after North America and Europe, the CLIA figures show, maintaining a 14.8 percent share of the total global ocean passenger volume (28.5 million) for 2018.

The more measured increase in Asia’s passenger volume did not come as a surprise, as cruise ship capacity dipped in 2018 after years of rapid expansion in this region. Asia’s slowdown in ship capacity is due to the strong demand for cruise ships worldwide and reduced short cruise itinerary options ex-mainland China.

18 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

WHERE ARE THE ASIA PASSENGERS COMING FROM? Most of the source markets in Asia saw yearon-year gains in 2018, except Mainland China and Malaysia. In particular, passenger volume from Singapore, India, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam had double-digit growth.

Mainland China retained its dominance as a source market, accounting for 55.8% of all Asian passengers, though the Chinese market has been going through a period of adjustment and saw a marginal 1.6% decline in passengers.

The continued upward trend in growth from most Asian markets confirms that Asia holds immense potential as a source of passengers for cruise lines and destinations.

WHERE HAVE ASIANS BEEN GOING? Asian cruise passengers predominantly sail in Asia, with more than 50 percent (2.194M) cruising in Mainland China,

Hong Kong and Taiwan. Almost 40 percent (1.694M) cruise in the rest of Asia.

Outside of Asia, the Mediterranean, Caribbean/South America, Baltics/ Northern Europe, and Alaska were popular choices, in that order.

“…ASIA HOLDS IMMENSE POTENTIAL AS A SOURCE OF PASSENGERS FOR CRUISE LINES AND DESTINATIONS.” More trends of Asian cruise passengers:

•

Asian cruise passengers are found across the age spectrum, with an estimated average age of 45.4 years, lower than the global average of 47

•

years. Only three markets show real divergence: India, a young 37-year average; Indonesia, a 39-year average; and Japan, an older 57 years.

Shorter sailings remain the dominant choice of Asians, 89 percent of whom are sailing 4-6 nights, with an average duration of 4.9 days: the lowest amongst source market regions in the world.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ASIA? In the next few years, cruising in Asia is expected to continue growing in popularity with the arrival of new ships customized for Asia in 2019/2020 from Costa Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.

Several Asian destinations are building new infrastructure to support cruise development.

On the consumer end, Asian travelers also increasingly recognize that cruising is effortless, relaxing and excellent value for money holiday.

With the comparatively low cruise penetration rate, the opportunities for travel agents, destinations and stakeholders to leverage this region are tremendous.

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 19

Let’s Get Technical

Infrastructure Plans Must Include Cruise

By CLIA Australasia and Asia Managing Director Joel Katz

A

fter a succession of announcements

by Australia’s state and federal governments, it’s clear that big ticket infrastructure projects are high on the country’s political agenda right now.

Billions of dollars have been allocated for developments across the country, particularly for roads and rail upgrades aimed at increasing capacity on land.

In last month’s federal budget, a record $100 billion was announced for a succession of projects including a Melbourne-Brisbane inland rail line, a new Western Sydney Airport and a planned Melbourne Airport rail link. This is in addition to other projects flagged at the state level, including in New South Wales where concepts such as high-speed regional trains were revealed ahead of elections held in April.

All this investment is welcome, particularly from a travel and tourism perspective. But unlocking Australia’s tourism potential involves more than just initiatives on land. The world’s cruise lines are investing billions of dollars in more modern and advanced ships, and this needs to be backed with adequate infrastructure that supports Australia’s economy at sea.

Cruising’s key infrastructure issue in this region remains the lack of available 20 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

berthing space in Sydney, particularly in the peak summer season. The city is already missing out on valuable tourism opportunities, as cruise lines struggle to secure berthing slots and face difficult decisions on whether to deploy their ships here. The bottleneck is threatening to limit our industry’s prosperity not just in Sydney, but also throughout the South Pacific, and is already being reflected in reduced levels of growth.

“ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT… NEED TO DEVELOP A UNITED FOCUS…” The industry has welcomed the New South Wales Government’s Cruise Development Plan and is looking forward to seeing details on its business case for a third Sydney cruise terminal when further details are revealed. But while this progress is promising, we are still some

way from achieving the solution that cruise lines have been seeking in Sydney for over a decade.

The level of political will that has coalesced around other areas of transport, tourism and infrastructure needs to be applied to the cruise economy, worth almost $5 billion annually to Australia, as well.

All levels of government—federal, state and regional—need to develop a united focus on solving the infrastructure and regulatory issues that limit the cruise industry, and to commit to funding that will help unlock new growth, economic opportunities and job creation.

With a common approach—not just in Sydney, but across the country— Australia can fully capitalize on continuing global growth in cruising and the scores of new ships set to join the world fleet in coming years.

With the number of cruise passengers worldwide set to break the 30 million barrier this year, not to mention the extraordinary potential in emerging markets in close proximity to Australia, the opportunities that cruising presents for the tourism economy are immense. The key will be in achieving the same degree of political support we’re now seeing for other parts of the tourism and transport sectors.

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Let’s Get Technical

R

River Cruising and Alaska Are Hot

iver Cruises are currently one the hottest trends in cruising, drawing a significant number of first-timers, and Alaska continues to be the top growth destination for cruising a third year in a row, according to the new Travel Agent Cruise Industry Outlook Report by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Nearly four out of five travel agents (79 percent) stated a river cruise is a great way to introduce “new to cruise” travelers to cruising. Agents further remarked that river cruises are ideal for clients looking for new or different experiences, smaller ships, destination immersion and a relaxed way to see Europe. As a result, Europe is seeing an uptick in popularity.

Demand for river cruises has grown 53 percent year-over-year to eastern waterways (Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Elbe), 30 percent to western channels (Soane, Seine, Loire) and 24 percent to the south (Douro, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne, Po).

“The results of last quarter’s survey were no surprise,” reports Rob Huffman, vice president, sales, USA, Scenic Group. “We’ve seen tremendous growth for both of our river cruise brands—

22 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

Scenic and Emerald Waterways—on the traditional European routes like the Danube, as well as on newer routes like the Douro.”

In other report findings, more than four out of five travel agents (84 percent) stated bookings are up when compared to last year. Additionally, 83 percent reported spending is up, as well. More than a quar-

ter of agents (28 percent) reported clients are spending greater than 10 percent more than one year ago.

Alaska has been consistently the top growth destination for the last three years of the report. More than two-thirds of travel agents (67 percent) reported seeing

increased interest in the Northern-most U.S. state. CLIA said Alaska has gained an even wider margin than in the past.

“Alaska is selling like crazy right now, and families are liking the big ships traveling to Alaska,” reports Amy Madson of Cruise Inc. Some cruise destinations have seen a double-digit spike in interest from just a year ago. In the Mediterranean, interest has jumped from 25 percent to 42 percent over the past year. Interest in South America has grown from nine percent last year to 20 percent today.

Overwhelmingly, travel agents stated the most beneficial attribute for travel clients is the ability to provide valuable experience and product knowledge (86 percent).

Agents also reported another travel agent benefit is the ability to leverage relationships and expertise if something goes wrong (81 percent).

The Travel Agent Cruise Industry Outlook Report is a quarterly study conducted by CLIA. The data and research are compiled based upon online survey responses from the CLIA Travel Agent Research Panel, which consists of 1,300 travel agents from North America.

A new partner on board brings more choices on shore.

Two paths coming together with a steady goal can broaden horizons for all. Through a shared vision and passion for the cruise industry, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and ExcursionInsurance.com have joined paths.

As the new administrator of the FCCA Global Tour Operator Insurance Program, ExcursionInsurance.com provides tour operators with the coverage they need to grow their business—and enhance the destination experience.

To learn more, contact our experts today. Or, get to know us in person at the upcoming Seatrade Cruise Global.

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Meetings & Events

E

Differentiation, Diversity, Direct Engagement and Proactivity Propelling the Industry to New Records and Beyond

xcitement surged throughout the room with cruise executives and stakeholders celebrating the industry welcoming 30 million guests and record performances for most of those gathered at the Seatrade Cruise Global State of the Industry Address.

The numbers and industry’s global growth were the focus of Adam Goldstein, Vice Chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and CLIA Global Chair, who fielded an interview with Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO—an industry first and symbol of cruising’s role on the world stage—before a two-part roundtable.

Having sailed full steam ahead for so long as the fastest-growing sector in the leisure travel market and continually breaking records, a slowdown is expected by many, including roundtable moderator Lucy Hockings of BBC World News.

“It will happen sooner or later, but there’s nothing that I see—certainly by 24 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

the numbers that my three brands are posting—that would suggest any kind of slowdown is in the horizon,” encouraged Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

“…THERE’S NOTHING THAT I SEE…THAT WOULD SUGGEST ANY KIND OF SLOWDOWN IS ON THE HORIZON.” —FRANK DEL RIO, PRESIDENT & CEO, NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS

“We are a very small industry,” told Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, informing that cities like Orlando and Las Vegas have more annual tourists, with 70 and 40 million, respectively.

After somewhat tempering the crowd, while also motivating about growth potential, Donald continued with an advantage this smallness and nimbleness allows: “We’re able to find enough people…”

And there are a lot of people already interested in cruising with it growing as a mainstream option and continuing to engage everyone from experience-seeking Millennials to multi-generational families – plus, there could be more coming, with Donald sharing that the retiree population, a perfect fit for cruising because they certainly have “some time and a little bit of money,” has expanded dramatically and will probably almost double in the next 10-15 years.

Of course, cruising is also now a global option, and the current smallness and future potential are even more evident when considering international markets. In Europe, there were only 6.5 million cruise guests out of 600 million travelers, shared Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.

More markets, such as the growth of Northern Africa and resurgences of destinations previously dealing with geopolitical issues like the Eastern Mediterranean, mean more opportunities, continued Vago – especially considering cruisers’ historically high conversion rate implying that simply getting someone on a cruise for the first time more often than not includes a second.

Those happy cruisers and cruising’s “incredible word of mouth” are one of its strongest attributes and marketing tools, according to Vago. “They go back home and actually rave about it, and they spread the word.”

Another advantage of the industry, per Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain, “We’re constantly looking forward because we’re looking for new things, so as people’s tastes change, we adjust.

“If we’re not proactive, if we’re not looking out for the things that would worry us, if we’re not focusing on continuing to react when people’s taste change, if we’re not looking to put safety and environment at the top of our agenda, if we’re not looking to build the market, then it will get away from us. And I think the reason we’re doing well is because we have been proactive with all those things, and we have been aggressive in staying ahead of the curve.”

Of course, “People want different things,” reminded Donald, which is why the industry is so diversified – and why the notion of simply bigger ships 10 years from now will likely not be the reality.

“There will be bigger ships, and there will be smaller ships,” he told. “Some people want ultra-luxury, some want expedition, some want very large ships that have everything self-contained.”

Del Rio agreed that this differentiation helps drive the industry – which is why new competitors are positive for all.

“To have a vibrant industry, you need new entrants that keep us on our toes…

so I welcome the new competitors… introducing new wrinkles into the product. We’ll see if they work. We’re all very confident that we do what we do best, which is why we keep doing it…we’re all competing to try differentiate ourselves to consumers.”

“WE’RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FORWARD… AS PEOPLE’S TASTES CHANGE, WE ADJUST.” —RICHARD FAIN, CHAIRMAN & CEO, ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

“This is not one-size-fit-all,” said Fain. “And the fact is our industry has remained highly diverse, highly differentiated, and the new players help too because not only they bring in new products, but also just the fact they are entering gives a credibility to the industry – and it really does telegraph that this is something for everybody.”

“PEOPLE WANT DIFFERENT THINGS.” —ARNOLD DONALD, CEO, CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC

However, in some ways, guests are similar. After investing in highly tailored products for international markets, such as in China, Donald told they learned, “The reality is they’re like any other traveler.

They want to experience the different cultures, the different foods, the different [destination products].” Yet onboard offerings like karaoke rooms and mahjong to help Chinese guests feel at home away from home are a part of that personalized experience all guests want – personaliza-

tion to the point that Ocean Medallion provides a bartender with the information to know a guest’s favorite drink to make it feel like a local bar.

“Let’s also not forget that itineraries are one of the main drivers,” pointed out Vago, continuing that this applies to both where guests want to go and where ships can go. Larger ships mean current limitations, not just in terms of infrastructure, but also in proper guest flow, a “very important piece of the cruise experience,” which is why the industry and MSC place such significance on and investments in it.

Improving guest flow also combats the perception of overtourism, despite it mainly being a misconception as it applies to cruise tourism and its small—but “sexy”—share, for example about 5,400 of the 140,000 daily guests in Barcelona, informed Vago.

“But we can be part of solution…

We’ve collaborated on staggering the timing the ships so we can distribute the flow of people,” told Donald.

As for the Caribbean, Donald shared that overtourism should not be a concern there because of the capacity it offers, with about 100 islands. “There’s certainly opportunity for further growth.”

“I’m building an island,” quipped Vago, alluding not only to the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, but also to the numerous lofty investments by cruise lines throughout the region that will further support capacity and create demand.

However, all know that no man—or industry—is an island, and it takes destinations and bilateral relationships with those destinations for the cruise industry to fire on all cylinders, which is why Fain told that economic impact is of the utmost importance.

“We’re really proud of the economic impact that we make,” he told, pointing to the 325,000 jobs generated from cruise tourism in the US alone. “I think our real opportunity is to expand that, and to do that, we need to do a better job communicating what we offer and what we provide to the local economies.”

One area the industry needs no help is in women’s empowerment, and that also literally took the spotlight in the following roundtable featuring Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line; Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 25

Meetings & Events of Celebrity Cruises; and Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises – a forum that Duffy called “essential.”

“In the roles that we have in our companies, we are role models,” she continued.

“And I think the way we behave, the way that we interact with people both men and women, and I think, for me, particularly shipboard—where we still have so much work to do to embrace diversity and inclusion—we are not talking about [it], but actually doing it…and I think that’s really sending a great message to all of us.”

Lutoff-Perlo said she saw the opportunity to “significantly increase the balance of our gender” after becoming the leader of her multi-billion-dollar cruise brand, but quickly ran into headwinds. Despite the numerous positions and ships, she told there just is not a large percentage of women in the necessary fields, and even those that are often do not consider the cruise industry – but through active recruitment and more proactivity, they have gone from five to over 20 percent of women on the bridge.

“We have a lot of work to do to create opportunities for women, particularly on the dock and technical side,” agreed Swartz. She then shared an anecdote about Kerry Ann Wright, who decided to “reach for the Sky” after first boarding the ship as a spa therapist before deciding she would rather drive the ship – and who is now fully certified and serving as Second Officer on Sky Princess.

“It gives me great pride that we are creating those opportunities for people to pursue their dreams.”

Outside of the pride, the panel agreed with Duffy that there is also responsibility in a business sense to “…engineer the diversity that you want around the table to make sure that as we make decisions about ships, talents, investments and what guests want that we really have both genders well represented.”

“It’s good for our business; it’s good for the morale of our crew; it’s good for the experience of our guests; it helps our big business be stronger,” said Lutoff-Perlo.

“Our guests love it,” she continued, sharing a story about ringing the New York Stock Exchange bell on International Women’s Day and joining both Edge and Reflection in Grand Cayman. “The best part of that day was how engaged our 26 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

guests were and how important this was to our guests…the majority of the feedback that I get, believe it or not, is from men, fathers and grandfathers, who look at Captain Kate, who look at us sitting on the stage, who look at all the senior executives in our company, and they say this gives their daughters and their granddaughters hope.”

“…ITINERARIES ARE ONE OF THE MAIN DRIVERS.” —PIERFRANCESCO VAGO, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, MSC CRUISES

All also agreed with Swartz that this does not only apply to genders, but “diversity in all forms and flavors.”

“And that’s why it’s so important for us in leadership roles to have an intention around engineering for diversity when we look to do selections,” she continued. “I find on our senior leadership team, we’ve got a mix of Brits and Americans and peo-

“…THE MESSAGE IS ABOUT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AS A MEANS OF UNLOCKING TREMENDOUS BUSINESS VALUE.” —JAN SWARTZ, PRESIDENT, PRINCESS CRUISES

ple who grew up in rain versus sunshine – and all think very differently about business challenges and opportunities…I think it really is the message is about diversity and inclusion as a means of unlocking tremendous business value.”

“This is a business imperative,” echoed Duffy. “You do need diversity,” which she also told needs to extend past simply “inviting people to dance” into inclusion, which is “inviting them to get up on the dance floor with you” – or not just filling the seats around the table, but listening to their voices and input.

It is also good for business because consumers want to engage with brands that share their values, told LutoffPerlo, continuing that this is another benefit of the environmental efforts by both Celebrity and the entire industry, which has led the way in numerous initiatives – from pioneering technologies with advanced air quality systems and low-emission Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to sustainable sourcing, elimination of single-use plastics, restoration of coral reefs, and other policies and practices that regularly exceed standards while fostering a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment.

Diversity and inclusion were also perfectly encapsulated by the group’s discussion of crewmembers. Swartz informed Princess’ crewmembers come from over 80 countries around the world, “…so our ships sail as mini United Nations carrying guests from all around the world.”

She then reminded, “Happy crew equals happy guests,” and discussed initiatives like Ocean Medallion to empower crewmembers to do their jobs better and easier, helping provide both more fulfillment and a better guest experience – which the entire panel agreed is a crucial aspect of cruising.

“I think that’s what makes cruising so unique in the travel industry,” said Duffy.

“When was the last time you stayed at a resort and at the end of your stay, you hug and exchange numbers with the waiter?

“For them, serving others and creating and delivering a memorable great vacation experience, getting to know a family each and every week, brings them joy,” she continued and pointed to not just the global presence of crewmembers, but also a multi-generational one. “There’s a lot of word of mouth, generations of families that have worked on our ships.”

This should come as no surprise, as shipboard employment offers what Swartz called “a fantastic way to earn a living and a fantastic way to see the world – we think

we have an incredibly valuable proposition for them.”

That same kind of valuable proposition is imperative in furthering throughout the communities where cruise tourism calls, the panel agreed.

“We’ve done much more intentionally in the last few years to partner with local communities so that the places that we visit feel great about us having visited and feel better off for us having come,” said Swartz, who shared an example in New Zealand in partnering with a local tribe of indigenous people to create a small market for guests, which has created a new source of economic development for that community.

“I think that’s what we intend to do all over the world, with every community we touch, and there are so many more ways we can get more deeply involved with one another.”

Duffy reiterated the need for more community activity, telling that this involves a paradigm shift by the industry from more of a focus on government relations to being heard by the people. “They need to understand we, as Jan said, want to leave things better than the way we found them…

We know we drive economic impact that is positive for communities, but I think we need to do more at the community level—learning, listening, understanding— because I think there is more that we can do; we just have to have the right conversations.”

“…THIS GIVES THEIR DAUGHTERS AND THEIR GRANDDAUGHTERS HOPE.” —LISA LUTOFF-PERLO, PRESIDENT & CEO, CELEBRITY CRUISES

And this already is coming to fruition, as she shared that Carnival’s project in Grand Bahama—which will provide a substantial positive impact for the community there—has involved direct engagement with the local people, “I think much more than perhaps we would have in the past as we model and build things…

It is really about the destinations we currently go to—primarily in the Caribbean—and making sure that we continue to grow in a sustainable way with the community support and really in a partnership that is win-win.”

“We have to be proactive about this,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “Everyone is our future in this room…and we all want people to understand that we want to be an industry that any community welcomes.”

She continued, and the panel concurred, that this collective future applies to all industry stakeholders, and that it is crucial for all to understand both the cruise brands and their diverse guests – varying as dramatically as Carnival targeting 50 percent of the US population within a five-hour drive, to more than 80 percent of Celebrity guests needing to fly: “Whether its suppliers that sell amenities or ports of call, when you think about what you offer brands and your proposition…is how can I help your brand live up to the promise that you’ve created for your guests versus sometimes thinking that a one-size-fits-all approach is going to work for all of us…because the trends are going in completely the opposite direction.”

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 27

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Meetings & Events

Seatrade Cruise Global Plus FCCA Equaled Opportunities for Mutual Success

T

he highly anticipated return of Seatrade Cruise Global to Miami certainly lived up to the hype, with record-breaking attendance of cruise executives and exhibitors – leading to bountiful opportunities to renew and create business partnerships, discuss ideas and tackle issues.

And FCCA again multiplied the chances for Platinum Members and industry stakeholders by programming a robust schedule to pencil in business and relationship development between destination stakeholders and cruise executives, with both membership and open-registration networking functions, along with numerous prescheduled meetings.

“FCCA is crucial to maximizing time and opportunities during this busy week,” said Micky Arison, Chairman, Carnival Corporation & plc and FCCA. “Time becomes extremely limited, and FCCA makes it possible to meet with some of the industry’s most important stakeholders.”

It began the Sunday evening before Seatrade at Seaspice Brasserie and Lounge, where the annual welcoming party offered an intimate affair between Platinum Members and Member Line executives, including Arison as well as Orlando Ashford, President, Holland America Line, Adam Goldstein, Vice Chairman, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and dozens of high-level executives who decide where ships call, what is used and sold on board, and how to invest in destinations and infrastructure.

Sponsored by the United States Virgin Islands and hosted by Governor Albert Bryan,

30 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

who delivered the keynote address focused on making the destination the best in the Caribbean, the event let the group spark or strengthen relationships, prepare for the week ahead and sway to the steel drums and Real Nice musical stylings of Pressure Busspipe while taking in the water views and fresh catches of both fish and business.

“The welcome reception again proved successful in bringing together destination stakeholders and cruise executives to foster relationships and understanding – a feature throughout most of our functions, and one that becomes increasingly important during Seatrade Cruise Global’s prolific executives and opportunities,” said Michele Paige, President, FCCA. When Seatrade moved full steam ahead, FCCA and most of those same executives and stakeholders were in tow, as FCCA’s booth itself served as a hub for meetings and events. FCCA had arranged numerous meetings between cruise executives and various Platinum Members along with other private and public sector representatives in order to provide the platform to discuss everything from operational matters to potential new products – and the record cruise executive attendance was obvious with the numerous impromptu meetings taking place in the allocated space throughout both the open booth area and private rooms.

Additionally, the booth hosted exclusive networking receptions for Platinum Members and Member Line executives to bring them closer and help close deals.

Headlining FCCA’s event schedule was its transformational ‘newbuild’ – LIV ABOARD! – which gathered more than 175 high-level Member Line executives, including 11 presidents and above, with nearly 250 attendees looking to increase their cruise tourism business, all while supporting the FCCA Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization that supports humanitarian needs in the Caribbean and Latin America.

“The event gave a unique chance for stakeholders to interact with the cruise industry while benefitting a worthy cause,” said Arison. “Building understanding and relationships with the industry’s decision makers paves the way for successful operations and dealings, and FCCA always finds innovative ways to offer that platform.”

Replacing the FCCA Gala, which was decommissioned after 24 years, LIV ABOARD! turned LIV at Fontainebleau into a gangway to a unique networking experience and chance for attendees to

launch business and relationships with the executives, including: Orlando Ashford; Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International; Arnold Donald, CEO, Carnival Corporation & plc; Frank Del Rio, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; Roberto Fusaro, President, MSC Cruises USA; Adam Goldstein; Lisa LutoffPerlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises; Tom McAlpin, President & CEO, Virgin Voyages; Kevin Sheehan, Chairman, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line; Andy Stuart, President, Norwegian Cruise Line; and Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises.

The evening began in a close-knit setting between those executives and delegations from event sponsors: PortMiami, the featured sponsor, and main event sponsors of Bacardi, ExcursionInsurance. com, Park West Galleries, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Port St. Maarten, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Starboard Cruise Services, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, UBM and United States Virgin Islands.

“…THE FCCA’S MEETINGS AND EVENTS [MADE] IT POSSIBLE TO MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE IDEAS AND PROJECTS I WANT—AND NEED—TO HEAR ABOUT.” —ADAM GOLDSTEIN, VICE CHAIRMAN, ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

After the exclusive reception, the ropes dropped for all the nearly 250 attendees—with a complimentary registration included for FCCA Platinum Members and open registration for those throughout the multifaceted industry and

attending Seatrade Cruise Global to have the opportunity—to get on board with the influential audience.

All proceeds benefited the FCCA Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization that supports humanitarian needs in the Caribbean and Latin America, including annual scholastic competitions awarding scholarships and its Holiday Gift Project – which brought presents, festivities and cheer to more than 6,000 deserving children throughout 32 destinations last year – while providing assistance to institutions such as hospitals and orphanages as well as causes including disaster relief, environmental initiatives and more throughout its 25-year history.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same – and despite the revolutionary new format, the event stayed true to its roots: facilitating networking between Member Line executives and cruise tourism stakeholders, while contributing to a good cause,” told Paige.

“That was also the same throughout our meetings and events at Seatrade, with new innovations and approaches launched almost daily and being the topic of discussion, but FCCA again using its proven formula to offer opportunities for all parties to grow together.”

Indeed, this year’s Seatrade Cruise Global mirrored the fast-growing industry with record-breaking attendees, new features and a renewed location adding to its proven model, and FCCA maximized the chances to target key decision makers from Member Lines to foster relationships and business.

Or, as Goldstein put it, “…the FCCA’s meetings and events “made” it possible to meet with stakeholders who have ideas and projects I want—and need—to hear about.”

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 31

Meetings & Events

2019 Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award Winners

C

ruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced the 2019 Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards at the Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards Gala Dinner during CLIA Cruise360 Conference. The awards identify individuals and organizations whose efforts and accomplishments represent a significant contribution to the cruise industry.

“The Hall of Fame winners have proven themselves as some of the most forward-thinking thought leaders in the cruise industry, and every nominee is a great reflection on the industry as a whole,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO, CLIA. “CLIA is honored to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of each of the recognized individuals and award their passion and contributions to the cruise industry today and beyond.”

Here are the 2019 Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award Winners:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER Awarded to an individual who is a lifetime champion of cruise travel and has made monumental contributions to the cruise industry.

Winner: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, who as president and CEO of a multi-billion-dollar vacation brand, Celebrity Cruises, is a high-impact leader in the travel/hospitality industry. Her commitment to opening up the world through travel has brought recognition, awards and invitations for Celebrity Cruises to be applauded for their global impact.

TRAVEL AGENCY INNOVATOR AWARD WINNER Awarded to a CLIA Travel Agency Member who has demonstrated visionary leadership in their approach to promoting cruise travel and growing their cruise travel sales.

Winner: Avoya Travel, a CLIA Premier Travel Agency, is a family-owned company with a longstanding reputation for being one of the world’s most innovative marketing and travel technology companies.

ELITE CRUISE COUNSELLOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER Awarded to an Individual Agent Member who has demonstrated their career commitment to professional development through achievement of Elite Cruise Counsellor or Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar status—the pinnacle of CLIA certification with the requisite sales requirements—as well as significantly impacted the travel agent landscape through contributions to their agency.

Winner: ECC-Lucinda Belden, ECC – Dream Vacations, Stingray Travel. Lucinda is committed to professional development and sharing the value of using a travel agent, particularly when booking a cruise. Lucinda also mentors travel professionals in developing nations through her involvement with the non-profit organization Adventure Angels.

The 2019 Cruise Industry Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards draw nominations from throughout the CLIA membership.

Recipients of the awards are determined by a selection panel that includes representatives from the CLIA Strategic Trade Advisory and Review Board (STARBoard) and Trade Relations Committee, as well as CLIA staff.

32 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

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Meetings & Events

Cruise Industry Launches ‘We Are Cruise’ Campaign

I

n an effort to promote voices beyond the industry leaders, CLIA has partnered with Seatrade Cruise Global to launch a new video campaign called #WeAreCruise. This video series features the unique stories and impact the cruise industry has on individuals, families and entire communities worldwide.

“We are really trying to tell the whole story of cruise, and we think that story is so well told by the larger cruise community,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO, CLIA. “#WeAreCruise is a dynamic approach to capture and share at an individual level how the cruise industry creates opportunities and supports people around the world.”

34 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

Although the cruise association worked on the campaign for months and released a few videos on Facebook in November 2018, a public announcement was not made until the Seatrade Cruise Global.

Since then, CLIA has been working with partners in New Zealand, Australia and Bergan, Norway. New destinations, including Victoria, British Columbia, have since expressed interest in bringing the campaign to their community.

The videos that have been released so far take place in Barcelona, Maine and Santorini. In the Barcelona version, a piano tuner talks about how the cruise industry brings him more work. The Santorini video features a Tenderboat

Captain whose job is completely dependent on cruises; 90 families depend on this income. It is important that the cruise industry tell these stories, stories of partnership and mutual benefit of their positive impact in communities large and small, in order to secure the industry’s next phase of growth.

The video series taking place in Maine was released this spring and features locals from Rockland, Bar Harbor, Eastport, and Portland including tour guides, culinary proprietors, local business and more. The stories range from local lobstermen working with cruise ship culinary teams to tour operators hosting cruise passengers.

The testimonials are being shared with ports, destinations, and tourism boards so that they can use them as needed. “We are hoping it shows that when we’re in an area, it’s not just us swooping in and bringing a big ship; it’s really about the relationship,” said Megan King, senior vice president of strategic communications and research, CLIA. The videos are currently being promoted digitally in each destination where they’re set, in the local language. The campaign videos are not meant to be the cruise industry’s cheerleaders. The goal is to find the right balance between recognizing they are not always perfect and constantly striving to be better.

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On Board

PRINCESS’ NEXT-GENERATION SHIPS OFFICIALLY IN THE BOOKS Princess Cruises and Fincantieri have signed the final contracts for the construction of two next-generation 175,000-ton cruise ships, with deliveries scheduled in Monfalcone in late 2023 and in spring 2025.

The vessels will each accommodate approximately 4,300 guests and will be based on a next-generation platform design, being the first Princess Cruises ships to be dual-fuel powered primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the marine industry’s most environmentally friendly advanced fuel technology and the world’s cleanest fossil fuel.

With five ships being built over the next six years, Princess Cruises is the fastest-growing premium cruise line in the world.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S NEXT PINNACLE-CLASS SHIP In a nod to its long line of historic ships that helped build the foundation for cruising as we know, Holland America Line’s next Pinnacle Class ship will be called Ryndam. The newbuild, due for delivery in May 2021, will be the fourth ship in the company’s history to carry the name.

Ryndam will be similar to sister ships Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, measuring 99,500 tons and carrying 2,662 guests. As the third in the series, Ryndam will feature enhanced Pinnacle Class amenities and innovations, along with Holland America Line hallmarks that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry.

“Holland America Line honors the timeless tradition of cruising while also embracing new innovations for today’s travelers, and the name Ryndam ref lects the unique history of this company while honoring previous ships that were progressive in their time as this last Ryndam will be,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president.

“From the first Ryndam more than 100 years ago to the most recent, the namesake ships have been beloved by our guests. The next Ryndam will bring new life to one of the most notable series of vessels in our history.”

ROYAL CARIBBEAN WELCOMES SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS On April 11, Royal Caribbean International officially took delivery of the 26th ship in its fleet, Spectrum of the Seas, which debuted the global cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, and innovative dining concepts, along with stunning features, experiences and technology— many of which have never been seen before at sea—along with an entertainment lineup featuring unrivaled talent, immersive technology and unparalleled special effects.

“We are excited to welcome Spectrum of the Seas, our first Quantum Ultra Class ship, to the Royal Caribbean family,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

“We have once again combined revolutionary ship design with the latest technology to deliver a ship that will redefine the China cruise market. We are excited for our guests to make amazing family memories.”

The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum began homeporting from Shanghai starting June 2019.

WONDERWALL OF CONSTRUCTION FOR OASIS CLASS There is a “Wonderwall” of construction for Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class. After announcing a sixth sister—scheduled for delivery in fall 2023—the newest and fifth sister in the revolutionary class celebrated the steel cutting on April 24 at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, marking the official start of construction. The fifth Oasis-class vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2021.

SEABOURN REVEALS DETAILS OF NEW EXPEDITION SHIPS Expedition travel is on many travelers’ bucket list, and Seabourn is creating two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships sure to take adventurers and the industry to a higher level. To reach some of the world’s most coveted, remote destinations, each ship will be constructed with the necessary hardware and technology— including a high level of autonomy allowing them to travel farther than many ships sailing today—while delivering a guest experience filled with luxury comforts.

“Our primary goal in building these new ships is to give expedition travelers the best possible destination experience onboard and far afield, with an innovative design that enables us to get all guests out into the environment as quickly as possible to fulfill those travel wish lists,” said Robin West, vice president of expedition operations for Seabourn. “These ships are being designed from conception for expedition travel blended with ultra-luxury and personalized service by leading travel experts and seasoned professionals with great SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 37

On Board depth of experience in expedition, hospitality, and luxury cruising.”

Scheduled for delivery in June 2021 and May 2022, both ships will have global deployment capability, venturing farther north and south than any ship in Carnival Corporation history and visiting many warm and cool weather destinations along the way.

MSC CONFIRMS LUXURY SHIPS ORDER On March 14, MSC and Fincantieri announced the signing of the final contracts for the construction of four luxury cruise ships, which will all have gross tonnage of approximately 64,000 GT and feature the latest maritime and environmental technologies available. Each equipped with 481 guest suites, they will also showcase a highly-innovative design and introduce ground-breaking options for guest comfort and relaxation.

“With this now firm order, MSC is entering a new segment that bears significant potential globally,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC’s Cruises Division. “While we already serve the premium market with the MSC Yacht Club featured on MSC Cruises’ fleet, our new true luxury brand will deliver to this separate and fast-growing segment with super-yacht vessels and an experience to match that.”

SURVEY SAYS, CARNIVAL MARDI GRAS WILL BE GRAND FUN The iconic TV game show Family Feud will be part of the entertainment lineup on the highly anticipated Mardi Gras when it enters service in 2020 through an exclusive partnership with Fremantle that will debut same format and signature set as the TV show.

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said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “As we continue to build Mardi Gras’ diverse entertainment lineup, we are excited about offering this iconic game show onboard and involving our guests in a great new way to Choose Fun.” Mardi Gras is Carnival’s most innovative ship with such groundbreaking experiences like BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, as well as Emeril’s Bistro 1396, the first seagoing restaurant by famed New Orleans chef Emeril Lagasse that will be housed in the ship’s French Quarter, one

of six themed zones on board. Mardi Gras will also be the first cruise ship in North America to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), part of Carnival Corporation’s “green cruising” platform.

Currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, Mardi Gras is slated to enter service in Europe on August 31, 2020, before repositioning to New York for a series of voyages then shift to Port Canaveral for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning in October 2020.

Shining the Light on Silver Origin Silversea has unveiled new details of Silver Origin, the cruise line’s first ever destination-specific ship, which will unlock deep travel experiences for guests in the Galapagos Islands from summer 2020. One of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships ever and designed entirely with these unique islands in mind, Silver Origin will combine Silversea’s local destination expertise with the cruise line’s trademark level of luxury to offer guests the ultimate destination experience.

The 100-passenger, all-suite Silver Origin will build on Silversea’s accrued know-how in the Galapagos Islands to form deeper connections between guests and the destination. In addition to the ship’s pioneering design and guests’ unique experiences ashore— which will be led by Silversea’s Expedition Team, who are certified by the National Park of the Galapagos—

this immersive concept will see guests enjoy Ecuadorian culture on board, through insightful content, including daily briefings, lectures, videos, and scientific information; authentic local cuisine, prepared by expert Ecuadorian chefs; and various other luxurious enhancements. Offering the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio in the region, at 1:12.5, Silver Origin will offer a luxurious outpost from which guests will enjoy personalized experiences throughout the Galapagos Islands.

“Silver Origin will elevate our industry-leading offering in the Galapagos Islands, unlocking meaningful experiences for guests, as they travel in ultimate luxury,” said Roberto Martinoli, CEO, Silversea. “Ever since the early planning phases, every decision on Silver Origin has been made to strengthen the connection between our guests and this spectacular, unique destination.”

Celebrity Welcomes First Expedition Mega Yacht Designed for the Galapagos Islands

Live music venue Music Hall will make its Oasis Class debut on board Royal Caribbean’s amplified Oasis of the Seas. A roster of live cover bands, an expansive dance floor, pool tables and lounge seating across two levels give vacationers ample room to end the night on a high note at a place where every seat is the best seat in the house.

OASIS OF THE SEAS SET FOR ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S LARGEST AMPLIFICATION YET Oasis of the Seas is set to marks its 10-year anniversary with a larger-than-ever, $165 million amplification. The first to introduce the unique seven-neighborhood concept and one-of-a-kind AquaTheater entertainment venue, Royal Caribbean International’s original gamechanger will set a new standard for family vacations with first-to-brand experiences and the latest Royal Caribbean hits.

Guest favorites making their way to Oasis include a reimagined, Caribbeaninspired pool deck that will feature a Splashaway Bay kids aquapark and The Lime & Coconut signature bar; famed Quantum Class staple, Music Hall; the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, and the Ultimate Abyss – the tallest slide at sea. Debuting alongside this lineup is the cruise line’s first barbecue concept, Portside BBQ , and dedicated karaoke venue Spotlight Karaoke. The amplified Oasis will set sail on November 24, beginning 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Royal Caribbean’s new, state-of-the-art Terminal A in Miami.

The architectural marvel will break even more records when she heads to the Big Apple in May 2020 as the largest ship to sail from the New York area.

Oasis will reposition to her new summer home at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, offering seven-night sailings to The Bahamas with visits to Royal Caribbean’s newly transformed private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The first ship designed specifically for the beautiful Galapagos Islands— Celebrity Cruises’ revolutionary Celebrity Flora—was welcomed by an intimate delivery ceremony on May 13.

In honor of the significant moment, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain hosted a ceremony aboard Celebrity Flora, while docked in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Company and shipyard executives were also in attendance, plus more than 70 crew members, many of whom are Ecuadorian natives.

“The delivery of Celebrity Flora is a momentous occasion,” said Fain.

“Designing a new ship specifically for the Galapagos Islands was an exciting challenge, and we think Celebrity Flora succeeded beautifully. It is of course luxurious – but it’s also the most energy-efficient ship of its kind in the region, which further demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and protecting the vital ecosystem of this unique place.”

“More than two years of planning, collaboration and construction have led to this very exciting moment,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO, Celebrity Cruises.

The most energy-efficient ship of its kind in the region, the 100-guest Celebrity Flora was designed specifically to explore the Galapagos. The cutting-edge new ship features Celebrity’s signature outward-facing design concept, giving guests 360-degree views of the islands, and all-suite accommodations. Unique to Celebrity Flora are the first-ever glamping experience at sea, new dining venues, an

open-air stargazing platform, expert-led ecological seminars, and custom-designed Novurania yacht tenders, which create a seamless sea-to-shore experience.

Celebrity Flora will have the highest ratio of Certified Naturalists per guest (1:9) in the Galapagos, who will offer travelers an in-depth experience with certification by the Galapagos National Park, recognizing their extensive educational training and commitment to maintaining the pristine nature of these islands.

Celebrity also blended exploration and research by making Celebrity Flora the first vessel in the Galapagos to be equipped with cutting-edge oceanographic research equipment, known as Oceanscope. The program builds on a more than 20-year relationship with University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science that benefits from a cruise ship’s consistent itinerary to create a perfect and cost-effective way for scientists to gather and measure ocean circulation dynamics.

The system will track and map the region while measuring sea-surface temperatures and gathering data critical to research prediction of El Niño and La Niña. All findings will become open source data, a first for scientists around the world and anyone with a passion for this information. Another first is that guests will be able to view the data through compelling real-time visualizations on board the ship. These visualizations will give guests the opportunity to learn more about the beautiful Galapagos Islands region and its scientific importance.

The Marina and the custom-built Novurania Yacht Tenders on Celebrity Flora in the final phases of construction at Shipyard De Hoop

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On Board

Carnival Sunrise Raises Its Offerings Following an extensive $200 million renovation, Carnival Sunrise made her debut at Norfolk’s Decker Half Moone Cruise Center on April 29, kicking off an exciting inaugural season of four- to 14-day voyages that visit destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, the Panama Canal, New England and Canada with the first four cruises from Norfolk.

Part of a fleetwide $2 billion ship enhancement program, Carnival Sunrise now includes popular features, such as: Casual F&B Options: Poolside venues like Guy’s Burger Joint and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, in collaboration with Food Network star and longtime partner Guy Fieri, BlueIguana Cantina & Tequila Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, as well as upgrades to the Lido Marketplace, an expanded ice cream station, the Java Blue coffee bar and 24-hour Pizzeria del Capitano.

Specialty Dining: The Chef’s Table fine dining experience, the cocktail

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pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, as well as Italian, sushi and seafood options.

Shopping and Personal Care: A Cherry on Top sweet shop, Pixels photo gallery, expanded retail outlets and renovated fitness and spa facilities.

Outdoor Decks and Attractions: A new water park with slides and a kiddie splash zone, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and a SportSquare recreation area with ropes course and mini golf.

Youth & Family Entertainment: Dedicated Camp Ocean, Circle “C” and Club O2 facilities hosting supervised children’s programming for kids 2-17, as well as an arcade.

Theater & Live Entertainment: The Punchliner Comedy Club in the new Limelight Lounge, Playlist Productions shows in the Liquid Lounge, live entertainment, deck parties, onboard programming and the popular sing-along piano bar.

Staterooms and Suites: Two redesigned Captain’s Suites and updates to all staterooms.

SILVER SHADOW TO UNDERGO MAJOR REFURBISHMENT Silversea’s all-suite, 388-guest Silver Shadow is set to undergo an extensive refurbishment this November, including the creation of a new Atrium area on deck 5 and major enhancements to all guest suites, corridors, and many public spaces – like a remodeled La Dame restaurant, Connoisseur’s Corner and casino.

Part of Project Invictus—a long-term plan to grow and enhance Silversea’s already ultra-luxury fleet of ships—the comprehensive refurbishment will be inspired by the design of Silver Muse.

Silver Shadow’s first voyage following the transformation will enable guests to travel deeper into the Caribbean on a seven-night itinerary, departing from Fort Lauderdale for San Juan on December 3.

NORWEGIAN JOY BREAKS AWAY WITH NEW OFFERINGS On the heels of an over $50 million renovation to make her almost identical to Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy set sail on April 24 for the first of two exclusive inaugural preview cruises before her first official sailing out of Seattle to Alaska on May 4. Beginning in the fall, she began sailing to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles, as well as the Panama Canal from Los Angeles and Miami. She will cruise to the Caribbean from Miami beginning in 2020.

“We are so happy to bring Norwegian Joy to North America to sail alongside

her sister ship, Norwegian Bliss,” said Norwegian Cruise Line President and CEO Andy Stuart.

The 15th ship in the company’s modern fleet of 16—and the second in the Breakaway-Plus Class, the most successful class in the brand’s history—Norwegian Joy is one of the most innovative in the fleet, featuring industry firsts including an onboard go-kart track, open-air laser tag arena and Galaxy Pavilion, a dedicated virtual reality and gaming venue.

She is the only ship in the fleet to offer the Concierge-level stateroom category, which features spacious suites with 24/7 concierge service and private dining.

Following the extensive revitalization, Norwegian Joy boasts an enhanced go-kart track and Galaxy Pavilion as well as a variety of new dining and bar venues.

CELEBRITY SUMMIT REACHES NEW HEIGHTS Celebrity Summit climbed to new heights after completing a dramatic transformation. The ship’s revitalization is the next chapter of THE CELEBRITY REVOLUTION, Celebrity Cruises’ extensive modernization effort with more than $500 million in upgrades across the fleet, with enhancements including completely redesigned staterooms and suites; the addition of The Retreat for suite guests, with exclusive new sundeck and redesigned lounge; stunningly reimagined restaurants, bars and lounges; a fully redesigned spa and casino; boutiques featuring some of the hottest designers in the world; a new, wellness-focused spa design for Canyon Ranch at Sea; an enhanced Persian Garden thermal suite; and Xcelerate Wi-Fi throughout the ship.

Celebrity Summit is just the second “revolutionary” redesign for the brand, with Celebrity Equinox entering dry-dock in May 2019 and six more ships to be modernized by 2023.

shore excursions – such as savoring San Juan’s culinary delights on a food and culture walking tour and taking a horseback plunge into Cayman Islands’ azure waters along a guided adventure in Barker’s National Park, followed by a vegan lunch at Vivo.

FLEETWIDE ENHANCEMENTS FOR REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced three guest experience enhancements on March 28: nearly doubling internet bandwidth size across its fleet by January 2020; free unlimited valet laundry service for guests sailing in Master and Grand Suites; and a new digital guest survey to help Regent track guest experiences and feedback in real time.

These three initiatives are Regent’s latest guest experience enhancements.

Over the past year Regent has completed a $125 million fleet refurbishment program; unveiled its 2020-2021 Voyage Collection with 167 itineraries and new ports; introduced new relaxed outdoor evening dining fleetwide at the Pool Grill; debuted the most immersive luxury Cuban voyage itineraries; and revealed Go Local Tours and Regent Choice small group shore excursions – all while readying to launch its fifth ship, Seven Seas Splendor, in February 2020.

Photo by Douglas Friedman

MSC CRUISES AND MARTHA STEWART TO ENRICH EXPERIENCES MSC Cruises is partnering with Martha Stewart on new, exclusive culinary and discovery experiences on board and ashore to make MSC Cruises’ guests vacation moments even more special and memorable. In addition to surprise gift packages and onboard special holiday dinner menus and recipes, the partnership includes specially curated

SILVERSEA’S DEEP DIVE INTO AUTHENTIC LOCAL PERFORMANCES In order to unlock unique and immersive travel experiences for guests, Silversea is expanding its local entertainment offering by nearly threefold in 2019. The cruise line’s new, enhanced portfolio of 112 local performances—many of which are tailored exclusively for Silversea’s guests by talented artists—will enable travelers to dive deep into the cultures of the world, as they form meaningful connections with destinations.

PRINCESS CRUISES CONTINUES ACTIVATION OF MEDALLIONCLASS VACATIONS Princess Cruises will expand its MedallionClass Vacations to six additional ships in 2020—Ruby Princess ( January 27), Grand Princess (March 29), Enchanted Princess ( June 15), Emerald Princess (August 16), Coral Princess (October 16) and Island Princess (December 20)—bringing the enhanced and personalized cruise vacation experience to Australia, New Zealand and a World Cruise for the first time.

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On Board Princess and Royal Princess have enthusiastically embraced the OceanMedallion. We are thrilled with the response and working to extend Princess MedallionClass to more guests around the world,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president.

“Princess Cruises is passionately committed to giving all our guests the opportunity for a more personalized and simplified vacation experience.”

Princess MedallionClass Vacations are resulting in high guest satisfaction scores, thanks to a portfolio of experiences specifically designed to save precious time and enhance their cruise vacation, including expedited arrival; the ability to order drinks, food and retail items and have them delivered directly anywhere on board; and a Family and Friends Locator for guests to easily locate and chat with friends and family on board, as well as find their way throughout the ship. Other innovative features of the Princess MedallionClass experience include keyless stateroom entry; an interactive voyage timeline; and interactive games – even using the massive Movies Under the Stars screen as a monitor.

HOLLAND AMERICA BOOSTS DIGITAL GUEST PLATFORM Leveraging technology to further personalize the cruise experience, Holland America Line is expanding the functionality of its popular browser-based Navigator tool into a user-friendly, free app for mobile phones and tablets that can be used on board to personalize their cruise, book cruise experiences and chat.

“The Navigator app makes it easy for our guests to personalize their cruise experience from anywhere on the ship — whether they want to make a reservation at a specialty restaurant, see what the evening entertainment is or create a daily schedule with reminder notifications,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president.

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CRUISE NORWEGIAN APP PLUGS IN FLEETWIDE Norwegian Cruise Line’s 16-ship f leet is now equipped with its Cruise Norwegian app – offering guests a stress-free way to manage their experience from pre-cruise by booking activities and easing the embarkation process, to on board with continued reservations and last-minute excursion bookings, on through disembarking by first reviewing purchases and information about immigration and/or a future cruise.

The Cruise Norwegian app is one component of Cruise Freedom, the company’s technology platform aimed at enhancing the guest experience from booking to disembarkation.

VIRGIN VOYAGES EXPANDS EPIC ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP Virgin Voyages has turned up the volume for its 2020 sailings. With a heritage deeply rooted in music, Virgin Voyages has expanded its partnership with Academy, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning artist and producer Mark Ronson. Ronson will join the company’s Creative Collective, a group of world-class tastemakers, artists and designers who are collaborating with Virgin Voyages to bring epic Sailor experiences to sea.

In his role as the company’s “Minister of Music,” Ronson will be creating a series of pre-voyage and onboard playlists for Sailors, as well as curating the vinyl record selection in the RockStar Suites and the ship’s vinyl and music shop – Voyage Vinyl. What’s more, Ronson will be working with Virgin Voyages’ music teams, defining the brand’s sound at sea as well as at The Beach Club in Bimini, Bahamas.

As a part of Virgin Voyages’ On Deck residency program, Ronson has committed to four performances at The Beach Club at Bimini in 2020. Ronson’s July 9 poolside performance can only be experienced by those who book the July 5, 2020 Mayan Sol sailing featuring stops in Costa Maya, Mexico and Bimini, Bahamas.

Legendary DJ and record producer Diplo is also on deck for the residency program, including performances at the at the Beach Club in 2020.

“We see music as an essential element to a holiday, not just for parties, but also as the soundtrack to laughter, relaxation and much more,” said Tom McAlpin, president and CEO for Virgin Voyages.

SILVERSEA’S UNPRECEDENTED LUXURY The first initiative launched by Silversea Cruises in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Project Invictus, has increased Silversea’s luxury offering to enhance guests’ cruising experiences even further – with not only the two new Evolution-class ships, but also numerous upgrades the cruise line’s already exceptional culinary offering, including 24-hour Ars Italica caviar at the ready and increased quantities of the high-quality ingredients, like 180,000 bottles of champagne and 2,400kg of caviar.

OCEANIA CRUISES INTRODUCES NEW PLANT-BASED CUISINE As part of OceniaNEXT, Oceania Cruises, will also feature more than 200 new healthy menu selections. In addition to the current gourmet offerings, plantbased choices will be available at breakfast, lunch, and dinner in The Grand Dining Room and Terrace Café and guests will also have plant-based options available upon request during dinner service in each of the specialty restaurants.

“These new plant-based options are flavorful, colorful, bold, and creative. Our hallmark finest cuisine at sea now provides an innovative and appealing menu of choices that reflects our guests’ evolving palates and heightened focus on wellness while balancing our more decadent and extravagant dishes,” stated Bob Binder, president and CEO of Oceania Cruises.

The new menu offerings are in addition to the line’s already acclaimed vegetarian and Canyon Ranch Healthy Living selections and were developed by Oceania Cruises’ culinary leadership team in concert with world-renowned chef, culinary instructor, and author Christophe Berg.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Taps Luxury Taste with Plant-Based Dishes Regent Seven Seas Cruises will debut an extensive array of innovative plantbased cuisine on menus across its fleet.

Beginning this October 1, more than 200 gourmet plant-based selections will be offered at breakfast, lunch and dinner to meet the evolving tastes of luxury travelers who are following vegan or vegetarian lifestyles, or hunger to enjoy more plant-based fare.

“For luxury travelers who are increasingly adding more plant-based cuisine to their meals, we’re offering even more imaginative selections of bold, flavorful appetizers, entrees and desserts, with craveable tastes and mouth-watering presentations,” said Jason Montague, Regent Seven Seas Cruises president and CEO. Luxury travelers are increasingly interested in enjoying plant-based fare.

Worldwide, more than 9 of 10 plant-

based meals are consumed by people who are not vegans.

Regent’s 200 plant-based selections will be fully integrated into the daily menus on Regent ships, instead of being offered on a separate menu.

The new offerings were developed

by Regent’s culinary leadership team under the direction of Bernhard Klotz, Regent’s vice president of Food and Beverage, in concert with world-renowned chef, culinary instructor, and author Christophe Berg.

“Plant-based cuisine appeals to a broad audience of luxury travelers,” Klotz explained. “This is an emerging, modern specialty cuisine that allows our guests to enjoy more flavorful foods that are in harmony with their current tastes and pushes the boundaries on Regent’s acclaimed culinary creativity and imagination.”

MSC CRUISES COOKS UP MORE WITH RAMÓN FREIXA MSC Cruises is serving up another extension of the highly successful partnership with two Michelin-starred Spanish chef Ramón Freixa by opening an additional two HOLA! Tapas Bar restaurants on board MSC Meraviglia from May and MSC Grandiosa when the new ship launches later this year.

HOLLAND AMERICA INTRODUCES NEW CRAFT COCKTAIL MENU BY MASTER MIXOLOGIST DALE DEGROFF Holland America Line is introducing an exclusive craft cocktail menu developed by Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff — known as King Cocktail, author of two bestselling SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 43

On Board cocktail books and founding president of The Museum of the American Cocktail. The new craft cocktail menu of seven specialty drinks showcases the craft cocktail movement and embodies Holland America Line’s commitment to being at the forefront of food and beverage trends. Four of the featured cocktails are destined to become modern classics and highlight young mixologists who are leaders in the craft cocktail movement.

CARNIVAL MOVES AND GROOVES ITS OFFERINGS FOR YOUNGEST CRUISERS Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its onboard youth programming with an exclusive partnership with Zumbini, offering high-energy early childhood activities and classes that combine singing, dancing and playing. Aimed at Carnival’s youngest cruisers, the new program includes two classes led by Carnival’s trained youth staff and offered free of charge.

Silversea to Serve Up New Immersive Culinary Enrichment Program Captain Minnie Mouse is delighting children aboard all Disney Cruise Line ships, spreading the message of exploring new horizons as part of a collection of new initiatives aiming to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the maritime industry.

DISNEY INSPIRING NEXT GENERATION OF FEMALE SHIP CAPTAINS With a collection of new initiatives, Disney Cruise Line is aiming to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the maritime industry. The debut of Captain Minnie Mouse, new youth programs and the funding of scholarships are designed to empower girls and young women to pursue careers in the cruise industry and chart a course for success.

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Silversea Cruises has prepared an innovative new culinary enrichment program—S.A.L.T., an acronym of ‘Sea and Land Taste’—which has been crafted with immersive culinary experiences in mind. Designed in collaboration with Adam Sachs, a multiaward-winning journalist and former editor-in-chief at a leading culinary magazine, S.A.L.T. will enable guests to travel deeper through a range of culinary insights.

The new S.A.L.T. program will be tailored according to the sailed region and will incorporate both ship-based and shoreside enrichments, including market

trips, winery visits, and dining experiences in regional restaurants and bars; food and wine tastings; special dinners with guest hosts; insightful food lectures; cooking classes and demonstrations from local guest chefs and food experts; and numerous other exciting enhancements.

A dedicated S.A.L.T. Lab will provide the perfect setting for guests to explore culinary cultures from around the world, while a new S.A.L.T. restaurant will serve regional cuisine that will adapt according to the sailed destination.

The program will be inaugurated with the launch of Silver Moon in August 2020.

On Land

Costa Rica’s Roadmap for Becoming One of the First Countries to Achieve Decarbonization

C

limate change is evident and one of the greatest challenges we face in humanity. It affects everyone: our people, planet, democratic stability and peace. To combat climate change, Costa Rica launched its National Decarbonization Plan in February, which is one of the first decarbonization strategies in the world in the short and long term. By 2050, Costa Rica will be among the first countries to achieve decarbonization, if not the first.

Decarbonization is not a new concept to this Central American country.

Creating a low-carbon economy requires a major transformation – and has been an important initiative of Costa Rica’s government for decades, with progress including an electrical grid over 95 percent emission-free and minimal deforestation rates with 55 percent of the country protected. Costa Rica’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint is deeply rooted in its economy and culture. From an early age, children are taught to protect and love the country’s natural wealth and wildlife.

In 2017, the newly appointed president of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, announced his plans to make Costa Rica the first carbon-neutral nation in the world by 2021, the 200th anniversary of its independence.

Building on his earlier initiatives, the new National Decarbonization Plan sets up the roadmap between the current goals and the 2050 goals by outlining 10 major focus

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areas and phasing out policies, which will be enacted to decarbonize Costa Rica by 2050.

DEFINING COSTA RICA’S NATIONAL DECARBONIZATION PLAN The National Decarbonization Plan applies to every sector of the country and society: public institutions, local governments, private companies, citizen organizations and universities. The 10 focus areas or plan stages address changes in key areas, in order to reverse greenhouse gas emission trends and to foster an economy under a vision of green growth.

The 10 stages are dissected into three phasing out periods: Starting Point (20182022), Turning Point (2023-2030) and Mass Deployment (2031-2050), as well as eight cross-sectional strategies that address considerations across the institutional framework, tax framework and education system.

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Development of a mobility system based on safe, efficient and renewable public transportation, along with active and shared mobility schemes. In 2050, the public transportation system (buses, taxis and trains), will operate in an integrated manner and replace private vehicles as the first choice of mobility. By 2035, 70 percent of buses and taxis will be zero-emission and trains will be 100 percent electric.

In 2050, 100 percent of buses and taxis will be zero-emission.

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Transformation of the light vehicle fleet to zero-emission, powered by renewable energ y of non-fossil origin. The country will have an extensive charging network and supplementary infrastructure for zero-emission technologies, such as hydrogen stations.

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Promotion of freight transportation that adopts modalities, technologies and sources of zero-emission energ y or with the lowest possible emissions. By 2050, at least half of freight transportation will be highly efficient. By 2018, 20 percent will have reduced emissions.

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Consolidation of the national electrical grid with the capacity, flexibility, intelligence and resilience required to supply and manage renewable energ y at a competitive cost. By

2050, electric power will be the main source of energy for the transportation, residential, commercial and industrial sector, among others. By 2030, the electrical grid will be able to operate entirely with renewables.

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Development of buildings for different uses (commercial, residential, public) under high-efficiency standards and low-emission processes. By 2050, all commercial, residential and public buildings will operate with low-emission standards (with high electrification or use of renewable energy for cooking and water heating).

Modernization of the industrial sector through the application of electrical, sustainable and efficient processes, as well as low- and zero-emission technologies. By 2050, the industrial sector will have switched energy sources.

•

Development of an integrated waste management system based on the separation, reuse, revaluation and final disposal with maximum efficiency and low emission of greenhouse gases. By 2050, 100 percent of the territory will have solutions for waste collection, separation, reuse and disposal. By 2030, Costa Rica will have a citizen and business culture oriented toward a lower waste generation and their successful management, under a circular economy approach.

•

Promotion of highly efficient agri-food systems that generate low-carbon local consumer and export goods. By 2050, the most advanced methods and technologies will be applied to achieve a sustainable, competitive, low-carbon and resilient agriculture with the lowest levels of pollution.

•

Consolidation of an eco-competitive livestock model based on productive efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gases. By 2050, the livestock industry will use the most advanced technology according to standards of sustainability, competitiveness, low emissions and resilience in what concerns climate change.

•

Consolidation of a management model for rural, urban and coastal territories that facilitates the protection of biodiversity and the increase and maintenance of forest cover and ecosystem services from nature-based solutions. Maintain and increase forest cover by 60 percent in 2030, while reversing the degradation process of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

In creating the National Decarbonization Plan, Costa Rica evaluated all scenarios and possible trajectories to reach its goal in the most cost-effective manner with changes to transportation posing the largest challenge. One of the plan’s most incredible transformations will be the development of an electric train that will provide the population with a modern public transportation system that connects the country’s four provinces. The plan is consistent with the United Nation’s Paris Agreement’s objectives to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by limiting a global temperature rise.

Costa Rica is no stranger to change.

The country abolished the death penalty in the 19th century and has had no army since 1948. In 2017, Costa Rica ran the record for 300 days using only renewable energy. The decarbonization of the economy, however, will be the greatest achievement yet – and could serve as an example for the whole world.

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On Land

Sixty Islands and One United Focus on Improvement in the British Virgin Islands

T

he word is out on “Nature’s Little Secrets” in the British Virgin Islands, with recognition like The Baths in Virgin Gorda—where granite boulders seemingly stack on top each other, forming caves, tunnels and secret pools on the island’s south end near Spanish Town—featured on the cover of the February 2019 issue of Travel + Leisure.

More than just making its name known, however, the destination is undergoing a period of reinvention. As a symbol of this, on February 15, the Tortola Pier Park was officially renamed to Cyril B Romney Tortola Cruise Pier in honor of former Chief Minister, Hon. Cyril Romney, a tourism visionary and local cruise industry pioneer.

That same vision and pioneering attitude can be seen throughout any of the BVI’s 60 islands, especially its main four— Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke—with numerous initiatives, enhancements and new openings adding to the existing and inimitable destination products, history and culture – all making it a perfect option for everyone from cruise to stay-over guests and sailors alike.

TORTOLA The J.R O’Neal Botanic Gardens—a two-acre floral refuge in the center of Road Town—are again blooming, now fully reopened for all to experience the botanic collections and exotic species representing the different habitats of the BVI, including the rainforest, coastal environments and dry forest. Named after BVI’s first conservationists and leading figure in the formation of the National Parks Trust, Joseph Reynold O’Neal, the Gardens welcome guests with an avenue of royal palms leading to a captivating fountain and the garden lined with colorful blossoms draped over shady pergolas.

Fitting to O’Neal’s namesake, the nursery at the garden is an important repository for endemic and endangered species of flora found within the BVI, such as the Acacia anegadensis, ensuring their survival from habitat loss.

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The outpouring of love the Territory received after Hurricanes Irma and Maria yielded new seeds – Seeds of Love. The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) is spreading love in the BVI through its global “Seeds of Love” initiative.

The campaign aims to replant the islands’ indigenous trees and vegetation destroyed

by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, while preventing erosion and protecting the ecosystem – the very thing that makes the tourism product unique. Environmental preservation is vital to ensuring that the destination lives up to its image of unspoiled landscapes portrayed with the tag line, “Nature’s Little Secrets.” Besides enjoying the idyllic paradise, the initiative also gives guests a chance to help create it with voluntourism activities like planting trees during their visit with advanced notice to BVITB. Through the initiative, the destination also celebrated Earth Day all month long, with a full slate of events—including school plantings and discussions, voluntourism planting events, a plant donation drive, and a planting at the Ellis Thomas Downs Race Track—cultivating community awareness and sustainability.

A new attraction awaits visitors at Yolo Adventures BVI, which is offering creative ways to explore Scrub Island’s pristine waters and reefs – by discovering the underwater world from above in crystal clear kayaks. Guided night tours are also available, where the kayaks are outfitted with LEDs lighting up the aquatic nightlife for a three-hour adventure, and cruise guests’ transfers to and from the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park can be coordinated with the operator.

Some of Tortola’s rich history and culture can be experienced through Heritage Tour, which tells

the unique story behind the village of Long Look—the oldest free AfricanCaribbean village in the Virgin Islands—in a festive setting with live performances from local fungi bands, moko jumbies, local carolers and demonstrations of cultural traditions.

Plus, The Pottery Garden—a pottery studio located in Josiah’s Bay—fires up guests with original handmade pieces of Virgin Islands art and an opportunity to watch the process. Visitors can take home a piece of the culture through the handmade pottery in numerous styles, or simply enjoy the peace along the grounds featuring a rare wood-fired kiln adorned with stone. Finished pieces are displayed in a charming display studio, and guests are welcome to watch the artist when in action.

VIRGIN GORDA A visit to St. Thomas Bay Beach now has a colorful way to stay in the shade, with new and vibrant bohios adding contrast to the picturesque aquamarine waters and giving guests a new way to relax and enjoy their beach day.

Popular among all visitors, the St. Thomas Bay Beach also caters to sailors and boaters, with good anchoring conditions and amenities including a chandlery, dinghy dock, dive shop, fuel, garbage disposal, laundry, provisions, restaurant and water service.

And those that “search for tomorrow on every shore” will surely appreciate the new Marina Village and Nova Restaurant by Oil Nut Bay, a luxury residential community on the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. Complete with an overwater lounge featuring hammocks floating

above the water and a pool perched over the edge, Nova has served up quite a buzz – and the Village offers everything from a coffee shop and market to a provisioning store, a boutique and even a library.

ANEGADA Anegada is more accessible than ever, with a new mid-day ferry making it possible for cruise guests with longer calls to discover offerings like the Conch Shell Mounds—where thousands of conch shells form a mountainlike formation and homage to Anegada’s history as one of the Caribbean’s most fertile conch grounds and home to the Arawak people thousands of years ago—and watersports with Tommy Gaunt at Anegada Beach Club.

Visitors should also keep their eyes peeled for the endemic Anegada Rock Iguanas (Cyclura pinguis), which will also be more accessible through the destination’s Anegada Rock Iguana Head Start Facility. The National Parks Trust’s second rehabilitation project began in 1997 for the rapidly declining population facing threats of starvation, habitat loss and hunting by wild cats. To give juvenile iguanas a chance at survival, a Headstart Facility was constructed with assistance from scientists from the Iguana Specialist Group (ISG) and technical input from a consortium of zoos. In the first year, three juveniles were captured from high-risk areas in the wild and placed in the Facility, where they are fed daily and measured monthly to assess their progress. The long-term project goals include the release of captive iguanas into the wild, habitat restoration and protected area status.

JOST VAN DYKE The gangway is also more open than ever to Jost Van Dyke, with numerous excursions now available for cruise guests from Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park to discover this island named after an early Dutch settler and former pirate – and ransacked with rugged scenery and colorful folklore.

Small in stature—measuring just 12 square miles and home to less than 300 inhabitants—the smallest of the four main BVI islands is large on features and history, with pages filled by Arawak Indians, Caribs, Dutch, Africans and the British.

The options are just as plentiful for food and fun, with numerous places to indulge in favored cuisine, such as barbecues, West Indian rotis, fish sandwiches, grilled fresh fish and lobster. Plus, Ocean’s Seven 2 recently opened to serve up an exclusive experience on White Bay, famous for Soggy Dollar Bar and home of the Painkiller.

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THE SECRET COUNTRY Go deep into the green jungle and know the legacy that the Maya civilization left behind in pyramids, ceremonial centres, observatories, and temples.

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On Land TOURISM PARTNERS COLLABORATE TO ENSURE CONTINUOUS ENHANCEMENT OF SAINT LUCIA’S CRUISE TOURISM PRODUCT Saint Lucia added 261 certified customer service experts to its ‘frontline’ from May 7-8, when officers who interact with cruise guests and create their unforgettable experiences—including tour guides, taxi and tour operators, cruise agencies, immigration, port police and the health sector—took part in the Customer Service and Frontline Training Program

by Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence.

The training not only taught excellent customer service—focused on areas of the greatest impact on tourism and the cruise industry, community and partnerships, service excellence, cultural do’s and don’ts, creating product experiences, managing difficult situations, managing and minimizing risk, creating a culture of excellence and exceeding expectations—but also will ensure that the best practices are adopted, with the officers later evaluated in their respective lines of duty.

“This training is about reinventing ourselves and becoming better ambassadors for Saint Lucia,” said Minister with Responsibility for Tourism Dominic Fedee. “It all begins with the first impression, and we appreciate the need to surpass our current abilities and to do much better than we are.”

Another part of the destination’s continuous product enhancement and a joint effort by the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism, Invest Saint Lucia and the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, the training follows a record 2018 calendar year—with the destination welcoming 760,306 cruise guests thanks to an expansion at Berth #1 at Pointe Seraphine—and looks to build even more momentum for 2019.

For more information about the island’s cruise tourism product, visit www.stlucia.org.

GUEST EXPERIENCE FLYING HIGH IN SINT MAARTEN New figures show Sint Maarten scored 9.3/10 for cruise guest destination experience, surpassing the 9.1 shared at the PAMAC Cruise Summit. Port St Maarten reported the news following Seatrade Cruise Global, thanking and crediting the hard work and dedication from partners in the hospitality industry to maintain and improve their products and services – along with new programs developed by TEATT in collaboration with partners like the Port to drive sales, improve the visitor experience and increase return visits.

Some of those initiatives have involved direct work with Member Lines, including information sharing that laid the foundation for enhancements of the shopping experience (with future plans for onboard sales personnel to help drive guests to Front and Back Streets) and meetings regarding ongoing port improvements to increase demand. With guests’ clear satisfaction in the current product, experience and warmth of the people, the focus is on developing and enhancing attractions.

A few of those new attractions are already teed up and flying high. The Pelican Peak Zipline just opened this spring. Located near Port St. Maarten, guests embark from the Pelican Peak landing area by vehicle on a guided adventure up a hill where guides will entertain with stories of culture and maritime and natural history before the thrilling plunge. The hillside also offers easy walking trails and several viewing decks overlooking Great Bay and neighboring islands.

Additionally, Loterie Farm—famous for its zip line adventures—has ventured into other leisure activities for cruise guests, including the development of a par-three, nine-hole, state-of-the-art golf course set on a challenging terrain with varying elevations. The average distance between holes is 160 yards, the longest being 200 yards and the shortest at 85 yards.

For more information about the destination, visit: www.facebook.com/portstmaarten or www.portstmaarten.com

CAYMAN ISLANDS BREAKING RECORDS & DIVING INTO IMPROVEMENTS Cayman Islands is rewriting its record book while reinvigorating its products.

January marked the busiest month in recorded history for the Cayman Islands’ cruise industry, with a total of 271,111 cruise guests—a 24% increase compared to 2018—arriving in Grand Cayman, according to figures from the Department of Tourism. Air arrivals were also up significantly in January, with more than 40,000 visitors touching down at Owen Roberts International Airport – an increase of more than 5% compared to last year and another record for the island.

In February, the destination welcomed 44,876 stay-over visitors in February—12% more year-over-year—along with 197,234 cruise guests in George Town following its century-high figure for January. Officials estimate that in the first two months of the year more than half a million visitors spent over CI$145 million on the island, fueled by the record-breaking stay-over guests – more than 86,000 in just two months.

Then following its record for most-ever overnight arrivals in recorded history set in March—with 59,563 overnight guests and an 8.4% increase compared to March 2018—the Department of Tourism revealed yet another record: the highest number of stay-over visitors for any year’s first quarter since records began. Over 145,800 guests flew into the destination between January 1 – March 31 – an increase of 8.7% over the same span in 2018, which was a record-breaking year for overnight guests.

Despite the record success, the destination and its people are not resting on laurels, and instead constantly focusing on upgrades, enhancements and new products. As part of those initiatives, Cayman Tenders added two new 250-guest tenders to their fleet—for a total of 14, all standardized for docking both at ship and piers and all wheelchair accessible—to shorten transport times and give guests more time on island.

A new locally-owned tour operator, Cayman Sun Tours, is offering the Caymankind philosophy with tours providing meaningful information on Cayman’s cultural and maritime heritage and key historic sites on a sightseeing bus and walking tours from the George Town SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 51

On Land Cruise Port and Cayman Islands National Museum Waterfront, respectively.

Additionally, Peppers Bar & Grill—a casual, friendly local restaurant and bar on West Bay Road—has kicked it up a notch with new renovations and menu additions.

FCCA OPERATIONS COMMITTEE PREVIEWS CHARLOTTE AMALIE REVITALIZATION PROJECTS The revitalization of downtown Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas continues apace with ongoing progress on major capital projects such as the expansion of Veterans Drive and Main Street, both of which are extremely popular with cruise ship passengers.

The world-famous retail and port district offers visitors endless choices for shopping, dining, exploring historic sites or just relaxing. Representatives from Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International visited “Rock City” in April to get a preview of the projects, including plans for enhanced harbor water transportation, for which they had prepared feedback and a presentation.

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LIVING THE PURA VIDA WAY With health and wellness travel expecting to increase 43% between 2015-20 to a $808 billion-dollar industry, Costa Rica is in a healthy spot to benefit from its wellness practices that run deep in local culture and mindset. With a motto of Pura Vida (“pure life”) that can be heard in greetings, it is the same feeling awaiting guests as they treat their mind, body and spirit though activities ranging from al fresco yoga in the rainforest or letting out the hot air through its landmark hot springs, to luxurious spa experiences and local cuisine serving up sustainability.

three-year and five-year averages, and air access growing at all airports – with San Juan International airport (SJU) seeing a 23.8% year-over-year increase in air traffic in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first three months of 2018.

Major online travel agencies like Priceline, Kayak and Expedia Group have also publicly reported accelerated increase in demand for lodging on the Island.

Priceline has reported that room night bookings are up 125% in Q1; Kayak.com analyzed Spring Break search traffic across all 50 states and saw a 115% search iwncrease compared to 2018, with the hot spot most commonly searched for in 30 out of 50 states as San Juan; and Expedia Group data showed that demand increased by 440% and 40%, respectively, in Q4 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

PUERTO RICO WELCOMING UNPRECEDENTED NUMBERS Built fort tough, Puerto Rico’s 2019 Q1 lodging demand was on par with 2017 Q1 levels as of April 29 – just 14 months post-hurricane Maria, signaling an unprecedented pace of recovery for a destination.

Total demand for independent rentals was up 72% from 2017 Q1 levels, underscoring a large growth in visitors. For the rest of the year, the forecast looks promising as the remainder of 2019 is booking 24.1% higher than 2018 levels – and expected to continue to rise as the average booking to arrival window is approximately 2.5 months.

Puerto Rico’s tourism industry has indeed made great strides in record time.

Additional milestones include a new record for most passenger arrivals in a month, welcoming 209,974 cruise guests in January—3.6% more than the record set in December 2014 and 28.9% more than January 2018—many of whom were homeporting, with a 56.6% increase in homeport cruise passengers compared to January 2018.

Plus, 2019 Q1 leads and bookings in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) space far surpassed past

Photo of Castillo San Felipe del Morro by @kumarfilms_ (IG)

NEW DOLPHIN EXPERIENCES AT CORAL WORLD IN ST. THOMAS Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas is home to the St. Thomas Sea Sanctuary, the first of its kind to be opened that meets the federal government’s Marine Mammal Protection Act and Animal Welfare Act requirements. Ever committed to education and conservation, Coral World now introduces park visitors to two new experiences that provide exciting, up-close interactions with these familiar, fascinating mammals.

“Dolphin Splash” and “Dolphin Moment and Sea Sanctuary Tour” combine fun and learning, while educating visitors about protecting the species and the world’s marine ecosystem.

PICTURE OF SUCCESS FOR JAMAICA’S LOCAL SUPPLIERS Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett recently previewed the new artisan village under construction along the historic Falmouth Port—a $5.7 million project with 47 shops scheduled for completion by year’s end—at a walkthrough where he highlighted the project’s importance in creating opportunities for small and medium businesses.

He told that forms part of the destination’s overall strategy to increase earnings among local suppliers, and another potential project could do the same for the sleepy beach town of Lucea. Bartlett later shared that “Lucea is very much on our radar,” with plans to establish new attractions and reinvigorate its historic sites like the 18th-century Fort Charlotte, along with opening up the roads to tourism expansion by building a bypass for Lucea.

ARUBA HOSTS MICHELIN-STARRED POP-UP DINNERS Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort’s Windows on Aruba restaurant hosted the Caribbean’s largest Michelin pop-up dinners from June 7-8. Featuring an extravagant five-course meal from chefs with eight combined Michelin stars, as well as wine pairings from Pepia-Est Aruba, the evening was not only decadent, but also displayed of some of the Netherlands’ top culinary stars – with the participating chefs, all hailing from the Netherlands, including François Geurds, Erik Van Loo of Parkheuvel, Edwin Vinke of De Kromme Watergang and Jermain de Rozario.

CURAÇAO INTERNATIONAL DIVE FESTIVAL A full schedule of fun activities designed around adventure, education and conservation—and showcasing Curaçao’s worldclass scuba offerings—has been planned for the 2019 Curaçao International Dive Festival. With events planned so far kicking off Sept. 30 with “Blues Monday” and featuring everything from a sustainable marketplace to beach parties, there will be plenty to dive into outside of the water as well.

CARIBBEAN HOTELS POST STRONG OCCUPANCY & REVENUE GROWTH The Caribbean hotel industry is welcoming a strong run of occupancy and revenue growth. According to STR’s April report, occupancy was up 1.1% in March – at 74.8% and good for the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year growth (for the first time since 2015). Average daily rates rose 8.5% to $279.41, and revenue per available room rose 9.7% to $209.11. For the year, occupancy stood at 72.8%, 1.1% more than 1Q2018; daily rates were up 8.8% to $266.44; and revenues were up 10% to $193.88.

“We wish to increase the room stock, first to pre-hurricane levels, and secondly to expand,” Said Premier Andrew Fahie on April 5, continuing that the goal is to add 5,000 beds within five years.

VIEQUES TO CHECK IN NEW HOTEL The island of Vieques in Puerto Rico will soon feature a new $50 million hotel. Set on the sea in the area of Esperanza, the 118 -unit, 16-villa Zafira St Clair is already under construction and will also feature a restaurant, spa and nightclub when opening around February 2021. “We want all tourists who come to Puerto Rico to know the wonders and the charm of Vieques; it is a true jewel…” said Keith St Clair, CEO of the St Clair Collection.

About half of the projected investment will be dedicated to the construction phase, which will generate some 180 direct jobs and more than 50 indirect jobs. Once operational, the Zafira resort is expected to create 60 direct jobs.

Photo of Saint Lucia by @wiiiam.a (IG)

BVI TO WELCOME 5,000 EXTRA BEDS WITHIN FIVE YEARS BVI Government is reportedly introducing a major tourism development plan that will see thousands of additional accommodations for overnight visitors by 2024.

Photo by @juanca787 (IG)

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On Land HOTEL BOOM IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Pardon the construction, but the Dominican Republic is in a bona fide boom. According to the April STR report, 6,200 rooms—or 8.7% of its existing supply—are under construction. That comfortably puts it in the Caribbean’s crane-driver seat, outpacing the 600 rooms of the second-leading destination (Cuba) by nearly 1,000 percent – and following an additional 4,365 rooms and 6% growth in 2018.

and zen culture—with Selina opening another hostel in the destination. Located alongside Guiones beach, the Nosara hostel offers community rooms, privates and suites; an on-site restaurant, swimming pool, bar, movie room and yoga deck; and a unique setting only reachable by 4×4 and ranked by National Geographic as one of the world’s 20 top surfing locations.

Boschulte told there has been strong demand for seats to St Thomas and St Croix this past winter season – which will likely lift off additional capacity this winter season and the following summer.

According to Boschulte, United is preparing to launch daily nonstop Houston-St Thomas service for this summer and would also consider plans for new and additional flights to St Thomas and St Croix the following summer – and his meeting with American Airlines revealed robust growth in demand to the destination, with increased capacity from Chicago, Dallas and Miami in the coming months, along with potential for growth out of the Charlotte hub, under consideration.

Photo by @marco88gs

Photo of Cayo Arena by @aquaventureros (IG)

COLOMBIA’S STRONG HOTEL DEVELOPMENT Colombia’s historic charm is about to welcome plenty of new additions. According to the April STR report, the destination has 3,826 rooms under construction – good for the second-most in Latin America and 7.3% of its existing inventory.

BARBADOS NOW A PORTAL TO NEWARK JetBlue has lifted off its service from Newark to Barbados, upgrading from weekly nonstop Saturday service from Newark Liberty to year-round service on May 4.

“The extension of our popular seasonal, weekly Barbados service to year-round weekly service is thanks to the continued growth of travel to Barbados,” said Andrea Lusso, JetBlue’s director of route planning.

This should come as no surprise with the destination’s continued increase in US arrivals for four consecutive years. Most recently, 2018 landed a record 204,830 visitors, 8.4% more than 2017, and airfare increases this year include new gateways to cities such as Boston, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.

Photo by @dashleyworldtour (IG)

Photo by @adamwienckowski (IG)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WORKING TO INCREASE COMPETITIVITY OF DOMINICAN-BASED AIRLINES TO LIFT LOCAL FLYERS Frederik Jacobsen, new CEO of low-cost airline Flycana, intends to use a similar model as his last stop at VivaColombia— which made air transportation accessible and affordable to Colombian citizens—at his new location. Flycana is reportedly “working closely” with the Dominican government to create a “level playing field” for Dominican-based airlines by removing tax burdens not applicable to airlines from other countries. Flycana and its low fares aim to target citizens, and to convert them to frequent flyers, with the hopes of benefitting both the Dominican Republic and wider Caribbean region.

Photo by @michaelsironi (IG)

NEW WAY TO HANG 10 AND CATCH Z’S Surf lovers, backpackers and adventurers have a new place to rest their boards and bags in Nosara, Guanacaste—a popular retreat known for its unspoiled beaches 54 SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE

INCREASED AIRLIFT ON THE RADAR FOR USVI After meeting officials from American Airlines and United Airlines in late April, tourism commissioner designee Joseph

Photo by @hvilorio (IG)

JAMAICA LANDING MORE NONSTOP FLIGHTS Airlift in Jamaica is taking off, with the destination set to land a number of new nonstop f lights this summer. More than 1.4 million seats were already secured for this summer season as of April 30— an extra 108,872 seats and 8.4% YoY increase. “We are looking to build on the strong start to 2019, having welcomed over 1.3 million visitors through the end of March, which generated just under $950 million…” said Jamaica Director of Tourism Donovan White.

“The groundwork has been laid in the first quarter, and with the increased seat capacity this summer, we anticipate continued growth and increased earnings for the destination.”

United’s twice-weekly flights from Newark for the season; and American Airlines’ new service from Dallas on Saturdays launching in May

Photo by @jacobstaedler (IG)

BRIGHTLINE ON TRACK FOR THE HIGH SEAS Brightline, or Virgin Trains, formed a strategic partnership with MSC Cruises to offer travelers a carefree, bag-free experience prior to setting sail, in addition to a convenient travel option between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale to PortMiami. Brightline will offer bundle packages that allow MSC Cruises’ guests sailing from PortMiami to park their car, check-in and check their luggage at Brightline stations before boarding the cruise. Brightline will safely and seamlessly deliver riders’ luggage directly to guest staterooms on the ship. The packages will also include a Lyft Ride from Virgin MiamiCentral station to PortMiami.

ST. KITTS AIR ARRIVALS SOARING St. Kitts & Nevis’ air arrivals soared through the first two months of the year—with a 15.3% increase and a 19.3% boost from North America— according to data from late March released by the Ministry of Tourism, which aims for 150,000 stayover visitors. New flights and expanded services include Sun Country’s new flights from Minneapolis that began in December;

Dade Board of County Commissioners, MSC Cruises will design, construct, operate and maintain a large building that hosts two cruise terminals (AA and AAA) and two berths. Designed by Arquitectonica, the terminals will be capable of hosting two mega cruise ships at the same time, allowing the Company to conduct two turnaround operations simultaneously, handling up to 28,000 passenger movements per day.

“With another 13 cruise vessels due to join our fleet in the next eight years, our ambition is to have our most innovative ship classes represented at PortMiami, bringing a wealth of choice to our North American as well as international guests,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises.

“In particular, the new terminal— which will be one of the most innovative the industry has seen—will ensure that we can provide our guests an enhanced endto-end high-quality experience while both embarking and disembarking, thus adding to their ability to fully enjoy every moment of their vacation.”

Work on the new terminals is due to commence in early 2020, with completion expected by late 2022. With the new cruise facilities, MSC Cruises will bring a total 1 million guests through PortMiami each year.

Additionally, on Monday, April 15, the Miami-Dade Tourism and Ports Committee approved a deal allowing Royal Caribbean to ‘revitalize’ its current parking lot by building a 10-story, 350,000-squarefoot office building and garage designed by HOK – which will accompany its current offices that are getting studs-up renovations as part of the project, while expanding its workforce capacity from 2,200 to 4,200.

With an expected total spend of at least $300 million, the new building is slated for completion by October 2020, with the renovations finished by fall 2021.

Photo by MSC Cruises

BIG PLANS ON DECK FOR PORTMIAMI MSC Cruises is planning a new highly-innovative cruise terminal at PortMiami that will support its expanding presence in North America – and particularly the Caribbean.

Per the agreement, approved by the Miami-

MSC Cruises’ PortMiami Rendering

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Why Do the World’s Largest Cruise Ships Choose One of the Caribbean’s Smallest Islands?

Close to other islands. Far from ordinary Cruise lines prefer St. Kitts because it’s close to other island destinations and provides passengers with easy access to an unforgettable day of authentic experiences. Our two berths (1,100 ft long with minimum depth of 28 ft) are just steps from the historic capital of Basseterre and within easy range of thrilling half-day adventures further afield.

Please contact us for a confidential review of your requirements.

P.O. Box 132 • Pelican Mall • Basseterre, St. Kitts (869) 465-4040

Explore www.StKittsTourism.kn /StKittsTourism

@StKittsTourism

/MyStKitts

On Land

T

Private Islands Sailing Full Steam Ahead

he cruise industry is investing heavily in innovations ashore, such as new ports, longer stays and new shoreside experiences, meaning cruise guests get to experience destinations in entirely new ways.

One significant trend within the industry is the investment in land-based attractions, such as privately-owned islands. With holidaymakers increasingly seeking more adventurous, immersive and unique experiences, cruise lines are investing in new sets of islands or upgrading old ones, with several of the cruise industry’s largest operators pledging to spend millions, sometimes even hundreds of millions of dollars into building and enhancing private island resorts.

New versions of private islands have better bars, acres of lounge chairs, more shade, improved landscaping, deluxe beach pavilions and easier accessibility.

Some islands, such as Princess Cruises’ Princess Cay, has seen the addition of WiFi to meet the guests demands of always being connected.

MSC Cruises’ new island development in the Bahamas scheduled to open on November 9, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, is also equipped with Wi-Fi, along with over two miles of white sandy beach shore surrounded by 64 square miles of

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protected, crystal blue waters – and a robust activity lineup that not only features the picturesque sand and water and local ecosystem, but also the destination’s and company’s focus on sustainability and protecting the oceans and coral reefs with dedicated edutainment programs and a marine laboratory that will research climate change-resistant coral.

Royal Caribbean is attracting adventurers through a $250 million transformation of its private island in the Bahamas.

The first in its Perfect Day Island Collection of next-level private destinations around the world, freshly opened on May 6 and what Chairman Richard Fain called a “game-changer” for the industry, Perfect Day at CocoCay has a combination of first-of-their-kind thrills and one-of-a-kind ways to chill, from plunging down North America’s tallest waterslide and soaring 450 feet in a helium balloon to lounging in an overwater cabana and dipping in the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool.

Travelers are also increasingly seeking luxury experiences on their holiday. As such, cruise lines are investing in upgrading their private island’s ‘luxury’ areas, such as Norwegian Cruise Line expanding

its spa areas by building more than 30 new private villas.

Virgin Voyages will also provide an exclusive experience, one fit for a rock star, on all Scarlet Lady Caribbean sailings: The Beach Club at Bimini. Designed with Miami-based architects, overlooking the ocean and cascading down to the sea with a lagoon-style pool, it will spotlight the island flavor and culture of Bimini and its turquoise waters, while turning up the volume with programming rivaling the best beach clubs in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez—like DJ-led pool and flotilla parties—and giving with a dose of Vitamin Sea with quiet spots and yoga and meditation sessions.

With 30 million guests set to take a cruise globally this year and 24 new ships launching in the market increasing capacity by over 42,000, investing in onshore attractions such as private islands means that cruise lines can drive demand—and capacity—for both repeat and new-tocruise guests. Cruise lines constantly up their game by adding unique amenities and luxury enhancements both onshore and onboard, tailoring the experience to what guests desire.

On Land

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Australian Growth Continues Despite Infrastructure Constraints

ustralia has continued its long run of cruising growth with a total of 1.35 million Australians taking an ocean cruise during 2018, a slight increase on the previous year’s record.

However, growth slowed to just 0.9 percent year-on-year, according to the 2018 Ocean Source Market report for Australia released in May by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), reflecting capacity constraints associated with a shortage of berthing infrastructure in Sydney.

Despite the lower growth, the result still showed a higher number of Australians choosing a cruising holiday than ever before. Nearly one in every 17 Aussies, or 5.8 percent of the population, took a cruise last year, giving Australia the highest market penetration rate of the world’s major established cruise markets – ahead of the US (4.0%), the UK (3.0%) and Germany (2.8%).

Cruising in local waters (Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific) grew by just 0.1 percent over figures for 2017, reflecting current infrastructure constraints. But this was offset by growth of 3.4 percent in the number of Australians taking fly-cruise options in destinations further afield, indicating demand remains strong in the Australian market.

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“Cruising continues to be exceptionally popular among Australian travelers after many years of growth and world-leading market penetration,” said CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz. “A lack of berthing capacity in Sydney has hampered cruise lines’ efforts to expand their operations in local waters, but the increasing number of Australians flying to ports overseas shows the market is still strong and holds great potential for the future.”

CLIA’s report says a subdued growth trend will continue in the short term into 2019, but it predicts a return to stronger growth in the near future.

“Cruise lines have already announced significant new vessel deployments in this region from the 2020-21 season, with smaller, older ships to be replaced with newer, larger options,” said Katz.

“Combined with the construction of a new International Cruise Terminal in Brisbane and other projects announced in Cairns, Eden and Broome, this is expected to reignite growth in the Australian market.”

Katz continued that the development of new berthing facilities in Sydney remained the most urgent infrastructure priority for the cruise sector in Australasia, and that the industry looked forward to further announcements on the NSW Government’s Cruise Development Plan.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKS RECORDS Meanwhile, across the Tasman Sea, the number of New Zealanders taking an ocean cruise broke through the 100,000 barrier for the first time in 2018, reaching a total of 112,000 passengers in a year of world-leading growth.

The record result was a 14.6 percent increase on the previous year, giving New Zealand a growth rate well ahead of some of the world’s largest and more established cruise markets.

CLIA’s 2018 Ocean Source Market report for New Zealand showed strong momentum, with passenger growth averaging 13.5 percent each year over the past 10 years.

“New Zealanders have developed a strong passion for cruising, resulting in growth rates that are among the highest in the world,” said Katz. “Not only are they choosing a cruise to explore the world in increasing numbers, they’re also opting to cruise in their own waters to see more of New Zealand.”

Growth was driven primarily by a 20.6 percent increase in the number of New Zealanders cruising within the South Pacific, Australia and domestically. The number taking fly-cruise options in destinations further afield also grew, up 3.2 percent on the previous year.

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On Land

Auckland: A Cruise Port with Incredible Potential

By Joel Katz, Managing Director, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia & Asia

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here’s no doubt Auckland has great potential as a travel destination. Its natural beauty and cosmopolitan lifestyle have rightly made it the country’s international gateway, creating important first impressions and introducing visitors to New Zealand’s distinct character and way of life.

It’s a role Auckland performs well, and the impression that visitors have of the city is consistently positive – even before they get to experience New Zealand’s wider beauty.

This is especially true of cruise passengers who rate Auckland highly in satisfaction surveys, thanks in part to a very professional local tourism industry and the focus of Auckland’s leaders on the importance of supporting tourism.

The result is a thriving cruise sector that has grown strongly in New Zealand over recent years, injecting NZ$491 million into the national economy last financial year and supporting 9,100 jobs.

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With New Zealand’s popularity stronger than ever and cruise demand set to continue, Auckland is now in a perfect position to plan how it maintains its success and safeguards the economic benefits for communities around the country.

It’s also in a position to decide what else it would like to achieve with economic winds in its favor.

Auckland reached a new landmark recently when planning authorities approved a proposal to improve berthing facilities at Auckland’s Queens Wharf, which will provide much needed certainty for New Zealand’s cruise sector.

The approval comes after lengthy discussions with CLIA and its member cruise lines – and means the city will construct two temporary mooring points (dolphins) to ensure Auckland is able to cater to all types of cruise vessels.

Currently Auckland’s berthing facilities are inadequate for many international cruise ships, and the city cannot cater to

some of the larger vessels that operate in the region.

This is hampering Auckland’s tourism industry and threatening to prevent future growth, not just for the city itself, but also for other destinations nationally.

The problem is that existing facilities at Queens Wharf can only accommodate cruise ships of up to 294m in length. Ships between 295m and 320-330m can berth at the nearby Princes Wharf, but this is dependent on weather conditions and does not involve a dedicated terminal or border processing facilities.

Cruise ships larger than 320-330m are unable to berth in Auckland at all, and their only option is to anchor in Waitematā harbor.

Thousands of passengers and crew are then transferred to shore on tender boats in a process that is complicated and time consuming.

Not only does it create an awkward arrival, it means that some passengers opt to remain on board—particularly those who are less mobile—and therefore make

no further contribution to the local economy. For those who do come ashore, their time is much more limited.

Luggage cannot be ferried by tenders either, so larger ships are unable to use Auckland as a turnaround port and instead visit only as a transit stop. This means the city loses the much greater economic benefit gained when passengers can stay longer before or after their cruise.

The tender system also means larger ships do not replenish their supplies in Auckland, which results in a huge loss for providers of New Zealand food and wine, which are now common on ships’ restaurant menus.

Ports all over the world have utilized dolphins as a means of increasing their cruise ship capacity with minimal impact. This is part of a worldwide effort to welcome a new generation of larger ships that will become commonplace in the global cruise sector.

Currently, there are more than 100 new cruise ships on order for construction and delivery by 2027, of which almost a third are likely to be longer than the current capability of Queens Wharf and Princes Wharf.

If Auckland is to continue prospering from cruise tourism, it will need to be capable of catering to this coming generation of ships.

But the effort Auckland is making to accommodate cruise ships is not just a question of fixing logistical problems. It’s also an opportunity for leaders to think about what makes a true global city – and how a healthy visitor economy can be harnessed to develop a destination’s natural vibrancy and enhance the lifestyle of its residents.

This is a chance to think about how the benefits of cruising can be shared with other parts of the country and what role Auckland plays in facilitating economic development elsewhere.

“THIS IS A CHANCE TO THINK ABOUT HOW THE BENEFITS OF CRUISING CAN BE SHARED WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY…”

The cruise industry is very supportive of the steps that Auckland Council has made in accommodating cruise ships.

Where Auckland has a bigger opportunity is through not just tackling its capacity issues, but also thinking creatively about how to maximize the benefits that will be unlocked once they are overcome.

Cities around the world have had great success in creating vibrant neighborhoods and thriving local communities by incorporating tourism into their thinking. The impact stretches throughout the economy – not only to tourism operators, but also into the dining scene, entertainment, arts, shopping and all the other elements that help make a great city for visitors and residents alike.

This is an opportunity not just for Auckland, but for communities across New Zealand. Any restrictions on cruising in Auckland have knock-on effects for destinations all over the country, but through lifting them the benefits are unlocked for all.

The world’s cruise lines are already conscious of the potential Auckland holds and its appeal for international visitors.

The question is how the city chooses to capitalize on that interest and use it to shape its future direction.

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On Land

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Best of All, It’s in Hong Kong

ong Kong is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. The amazing attractions and prime geographic position make it the perfect place to create compelling cruise itineraries to nearby Southern China and Southeast Asia to actualize some of the unlimited potential throughout the region – and during a pre- or post-cruise visit, its diversity of sites, activities and attractions, along with rich history and culture, are sure to please even the most discerning traveler.

CULINARY & NIGHTLIFE Some say Hong Kong is worth visiting for its food scene alone, with over 14,000 restaurants at your service, including more than 60 Michelin-starred restaurants.

From local Dai Pai Dong street food, to world-renowned Dim Sum and fine international dining, Hong Kong satisfies every culinary taste. After dinner, enjoy Hong Kong at night. It seems like the city never sleeps with exciting and diverse nightlife areas specializing in handcrafted cocktails and stunning views. For a special culinary experience, attend the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival (Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2019) that combines world-class food

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and drinks with entertainment along the stunning Victoria Harbour skyline.

LOCAL CULTURE AND HERITAGE When guests visit Hong Kong, they will experience a modern city built on an ancient civilization and experience the cultural contrasts that shape Hong Kong.

They can visit famous local attractions, attend unique cultural events and festivals, shop till they drop or immerse themselves in the arts and local culture and heritage including: Chinese temples and Festivals, monuments and historical sites as well as modern architecture and museums.

GREAT OUTDOORS Hong Kong is well known as the ultimate urban destination. But, as is the way in Hong

Kong, contrast is never far away. Hong Kong features quiet outlying islands, quaint villages, sandy beaches, mountain paths and nature parks. Perfect respites from life in the city for cyclists, hikers and lovers of nature are all accessible on an easy day trip from the city.

LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS Travelers seek destination authenticity, immersive experiences and lifelong memories. In addition to Hong Kong’s glamour and intensity, guests can explore its many neighborhoods to experience the authentic side of Hong Kong and the best things to see, eat, buy and do. With nearly 20 diverse neighborhoods to enjoy, begin

where you can find some of the best shopping and street markets in Hong Kong.

your exploration in Old Town Central, an eclectic blend of old meets new. It’s the oldest district in Hong Kong, with cobblestone streets lined with art, culture, architecture, shopping and dining. Cruise guests can experience Old Town Central’s colorful history and explore a city that is always changing but never detached from its origins. While nestled in the heart of Kowloon, Sham Shui Po has a longstanding reputation as a working-class neighborhood. It is also

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE With two new infrastructure projects launched in 2018, Hong Kong’s long-established role as a gateway to China is further enhanced. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section) connects Hong Kong to 44 mainland cities without interchange, providing travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen in only 23 minutes, and Guangzhou takes as little as 47 minutes.

The longest sea bridge in the world links Hong Kong and Macao to the mainland China city of Zhuhai. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge cuts the travel time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai from three hours to a mere 30 minutes.

With these two new projects, Hong Kong visitors and cruise guests have more access to the mainland for touring.

For more information on Hong Kong tours and other experiences for cruise guests, visit us at discoverhongkong.com.

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Members & Travel Agents

Does Your Tour Guide Training Celebrate Diversity?

By Beth Kelly Hatt President, Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence, FCCA’s Exclusive Training Partner

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re you aware of how well your guides respond to your guests? And what about guests who are different from them? Are they delivering great service to all your guests, even those with special needs or different lifestyles, cultures or religions?

When it comes to tour guiding, respectful behavior is crucial, and now is the time to have open conversations and to include respectful behavior practices in training. Tour guides deal with different people every day, people from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, age groups and abilities. The stereotypes that a tour guide believes can affect how guests feel treated and the guest satisfaction ratings at the end of the day. Tour guides also get very close to guests, such as putting on harnesses or helping with scuba gear, so they need to learn the best ways to approach guests while helping them with these important functions. Having a culture of respect is important part of the equation for a successful cruise destination.

Aquila was recently asked by cruise lines to look at this subject matter and create a program to address it. This new, short online program gives tour guides the tools they need that speaks to the following topics in creating a culture of respect: • • • • •

Slang, Phrases and Nicknames There are many slang terms, phrases, and nicknames that are offensive. Whether they are directed at a particular race, ethnicity, culture, background, lifestyle or sexual orientation, such slang terms, phrases and nicknames are unacceptable.

Come-ons, Solicitations and Innuendos Suggestive comments, come-ons, solicitations, and sexual innuendos are all sexual harassment. These types of language and comments are disrespectful, offensive, and unacceptable.

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Comments About Appearance It is not appropriate to comment on a guest’s appearance. Whether it is skin color, ethnic traits, choice of clothing, or another factor of a guest’s appearance, it is not respectful to comment on it. Further, it is very important not to make assumptions on a guest’s personality or preferences based on his or her appearance.

Patronizing Comments Avoid comments that are patronizing. Do not look down on anyone or talk down to anyone. Treat all guests fairly and equally, and ensure your comments reflect that fair and equal treatment.

Offensive Comments Avoid comments that could offend your guests. Comments about race, ethnicity, religion, lifestyle, culture, background, gender, sexual orientation, or political or other beliefs should be avoided, as they can easily become offensive.

Comments About People Avoid talking about people, including your guests, your colleagues and any other people.

Whether your comments are intended to be overheard or whether they are meant to be private, talking about others is disrespectful and projects a negative image for guests.

Understanding differences and demonstrating respect Identifying the different types of harassment Ensuring respectful behaviors and interactions with all guests Taking responsibility for a creating a culture of respect Understanding the cruise industry and tour guides’ role in the success of cruise destinations

To give an example by taking one short topic from the course, let’s briefly discuss how a tour guide can be more respectful with language and comments. One of the most important ways we can show respect to our guests is by what we say to them.

The words we choose are crucial. We need to be careful with our comments and ensure we are being respectful. For example:

disability. For example, do not assume that a disabled guest requires your help, and instead ask politely if your assistance is needed.

Comments About Age or Ability Comments or actions regarding a person’s age or physical or mental abilities can be offensive, even if intended to be helpful.

It is important to be respectful with our comments, and it is just as important not to make assumptions on a guest based on his or her age or a physical or mental

As an industry, it is great to view our differences as a positive and see us all work together to give guests a warm welcome by treating them kindly, fairly and with respect.

Learning about diversity and cultural differences helps us to appreciate the diversity of people, recognizing that there is no right or wrong, only differences. The cruise lines and their guests have many expectations of their cruise destinations, and exceeding those expectations is up to each of us!

Contact Beth for more information about this program and other training at Beth@CruiseExcellence.com.

For fly-in convenience, culture, non-stop entertainment, or simply relaxing in the warm Southern California sunshine, nothing beats a cruise vacation out of the Port of Los Angeles. Our world-renowned home-ported cruise lines offer exceptional accommodations and itineraries to suit any passenger preference.

And when your clients are back on land, there’s no limit to the fun they can have in greater LA – one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. So book them on a one-of-a-kind experience that they’ll truly love.

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For more information, visit www.portoflosangeles.org or www.lawaterfront.org

RATINGS RISING IN COSTA MAYA Guest experience and ratings in Costa Maya, a cruise giant in the Mexican Caribbean, are on the rise. New attractions and adventures are being implemented. Innovations include new snorkel tours, new ATV adventures and a whole new line of exclusive transportation for Chacchoben Historical Mayan Ruins and Baccalar Seven Colors Lagoon.

ALL PORTS LEAD TO NICARAGUA Nicaragua is experiencing a cruise explosion! From the key ports of Puerto Corinto, San Juan Del Sur and Corn Island, travelers can enjoy short excursions and explore this hidden gem of Central America three ways! The 2018/2019 travel season kicked off with renewed optimism and a positive forecast, with 65 cruise ships coming through the destination bearing approximately 89,504 passengers and 43,587 crew members from North America and Europe.

good food and endless adventures. Stop in and see what it’s all about and then plan your trip back to immerse yourself deeper.

“FLY AWAY” TO NASSAU From heralding the highest number of international arrivals ever to launching a new Fly Away campaign with BahamianAmerican rock star Lenny Kravitz, to announcing exciting plans for the development of a state-of-the-art cruise port in Nassau, The Bahamas’ tourism business is thriving and busier than ever.

THE ABC BOOTH AT SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL The ABC islands—Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao—once again joined forces and shared an ABC booth during the annual Seatrade Cruise Global expo in Miami.

Curaçao was represented by Curaçao Ports Authority, Curaçao Tourism Board, Chamber of Commerce, Maduro Shipping and Curaçao Airport Partners.

YUCATAN BASKING IN LUXURY This year Yucatan will receive its first luxury arrivals from Ponant and in 2020 will be welcoming AQSC to its shores. In Progreso Port we are looking towards expanding the cruise market towards luxury lines as well as developing infrastructure to have a better guest satisfaction with clients such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

DISCOVER “NATURE’S LITTLE SECRETS” IN BVI Discover one of nature’s best-kept secrets when you cruise into the British Virgin Islands. Set among 60 islands, this destination is overflowing with unique culture,

Frontier Americas Awards, including the coveted Americas Travel Retailer of the Year, Cruise Retailer of the Year and New Shop Opening of the Year for The Celebrity Shops on Celebrity Edge. The awards recognize excellence in travel retail.

MARTINIQUE TOURISM AUTHORITY RECOGNIZES CRUISE INDUSTRY’S IMPORTANCE The Martinique Tourism Authority launched an unprecedented awareness campaign to the importance of the cruise industry. For the first time, in March the Martinique Tourism Authority initiated a $200,000 campaign to raise the population’s awareness to the economic impact of the cruise industry. This campaign entitled “Martinique says thank you” ranges over two seasons. The cruise lines welcomed the initiative at Seatrade Cruise Global.

JOY SPENCE APPLETON ESTATE RUM EXPERIENCE Partnering with Jakes Farm and Fisherfolk for a dinner on the Saturday closest to the full moon, the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience ( JSAERE) provided an immersion through rum, beyond the greenery of the Appleton Estate. With all locally sourced culinary delights, the JSAERE and Jakes continued its support of the St. Elizabeth community for a distinctive and memorable experience.

STARBOARD CRUISE SERVICES A BIG WINNER AT 2019 DFNI-FRONTIER AMERICAS AWARDS Starboard Cruise Services, the preeminent cruise retailer, won the most 2019 DFNISECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 69

Members & Travel Agents BLUE LAGOON ISLAND OBTAINS LEADING SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION Blue Lagoon Island is proud to be the first Bahamian company to obtain the leading sustainability certification in the travel sector: the Travelife Partner award. This is confirmation that Blue Lagoon Island complies with more than 100 criteria related to office management, product range, international business partners and customer information.

SAVORING BACARDI IN SAN JUAN Cruising through San Juan? Check out the new Bacardi experience in the Pier 4 duty-free store for a great range of Bacardi rums and cocktail memorabilia. Try a Bacardi Mojito at the bar and remember to buy your personalized bottle of Bacardi Carta Blanca to mix your own cocktails.

EL SALVADOR, A JEWEL El Salvador is a fascinating country with multiple natural and cultural attractions.

Its indigenous name, Cuscatlán, means “Land of Jewels,” precisely what visitors find within the country. You may be in close contact with impressive towns, its culture, and its people; visit volcanoes, beaches, archeological sites, mountains, artisan sites; and more.

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COSTAMED READY TO SERVE Costamed is the strongest medical network in the Mexican Caribbean, providing medical attention to the cruise lines for over 21 years with state-of-the-art technology and board-certified specialists available 24 hours every day of the week.

Contact us at www.costamed.com.mx or 018009001133

AMBASSATOURS GRAY LINE ACQUIRES DOUBLE DECK TOURS Ambassatours Gray Line, Atlantic Canada’s largest sightseeing tour company, announces the acquisition of Double Deck Tours, one of Niagara Falls’ most established tour companies. Ambassatours’ existing 25 British double decker buses expands by 12 with the acquisition, becoming the world’s largest owner- operator of vintage Routemaster double deckers.

JAXPORT SERVES RECORD PASSENGERS JAXPORT’s Cruise Terminal served a record 199,899 passengers in 2018. More than 2.4 million passengers have sailed from Jacksonville since 2003. Carnival Cruise Line recently agreed to extend service potentially through 2027, resulting in a number of major terminal enhancements. Beginning in May, the recently

upgraded Carnival Ecstasy assumed Carnival Elation’s year-round four- and five-day cruises out of JAXPORT. PORT OF GALVESTON TO WELCOME CARNIVAL DREAM The 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream kicked off its year-round short cruise program from Galveston to Mexico on May 11, boosting Port of Galveston’s capacity by 22 percent. Carnival Dream joined Carnival Freedom and Carnival Vista, and together these three ships are expected to carry nearly 650,000 passengers annually from Galveston—more than any cruise line.

PORT OF GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI Port of Gulfport tenant, Island View Casino Resort, has invested $133 million in their gaming, dining and hotel accommodations.

The casino provides plenty of opportunities to win big, and when it’s time to relax, the resort’s 970 luxurious rooms and suites, tropical pools and spa offers the ultimate escape!

PORT OF NEW ORLEANS CONTINUES CRUISE PASSENGER GROWTH Port of New Orleans topped 1 million cruise passenger movements for the fifth consecutive year in 2018. The new record of 1,182,111 is a 2.3 percent increase over the previous year, signaling 10 years of passenger growth and the continued impact Port NOLA has on its region’s hospitality and tourism sector.

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Adam Goldstein Appointed as CLIA Chair

dam M. Goldstein, vice chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., succeeded Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc as chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

“I’m honored to take on this role for the second time and look forward to building on the great work that Arnold has accomplished during his time as Chair,” said Goldstein. “As the cruise industry continues to grow globally, it’s exceptionally important that we work together to ensure a positive experience for our guests and for the destinations we visit. I’m excited to collaborate with all of our constituencies to pursue this vision.”

M

Goldstein previously served as CLIA Global Chair in 2015 and 2016 and has remained on the CLIA Global Executive Committee for the past two years. In addition to his more than 30-year tenure with RCL, he most recently served as chairman of FloridaCaribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

“Adam is a proven leader and his experience is invaluable to the cruise industry,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO, CLIA. “It has been great working alongside him as CLIA continues to advance the common interests of our community.”

She added that CLIA thanks Arnold Donald for his outstanding leadership over the past two years. Donald will continue to serve on the Global Executive Committee.

Costa Group’s Michael Thamm Appointed Chairman of CLIA Europe

ichael Thamm, CEO of Costa Group and Carnival Asia, has been appointed as chairman of CLIA Europe from January 2019.

“I am grateful for my election as chairman of CLIA Europe and honored by the trust the industry places in me at a crucial time for the growth of our business,” said Thamm. “Under my leadership, CLIA Europe will strengthen its commitment to a constructive dialogue with our stakeholders to find solutions to the challenges we face and to further develop the cruise industry in Europe. It is our goal to prosper together and create a more sustainable future, while we continue to deliver great vacations at sea and meaningful experiences to our passengers.”

In his role, Thamm will work with the CLIA Europe general assembly and CLIA teams across the continent to continue to promote the common interests of cruise ship operators in Europe. This will include close liaison with key EU institutions, and a wide range of stakeholders to foster the sustainable growth of the cruise industry in the European market.

Tom Boardley, secretary general of CLIA Europe, added, “I would like to thank David for his stewardship of the

CLIA Europe General Assembly these past months. It has been a pleasure working with him. I’m pleased to welcome Michael as the new chair of CLIA Europe, and I look forward to working with him at this exciting and dynamic time for the European cruise industry.”

As the global cruise industry continues to grow and expand into new destinations, Europe remains a vibrant hub for cruising.

“Michael’s passion and enduring support for the cruise industry is of great benefit for the organization as he continues to lead CLIA Europe’s work with policymakers, regulators and stakeholders,” said Kelly

Craighead, president and CEO of CLIA. Thamm is a veteran in the cruise sector, with over 30 years of industry experience.

From 1993, he was a key player in developing the cruise market in Germany, positioning AIDA Cruises as the market leader.

He was President of AIDA Cruises from 2004 to 2012, during which time he initiated a new building program that saw the fleet grow by one vessel each year between 2007 and 2013.

In 2012, Thamm was appointed Group CEO to lead the global business of Costa Group that includes Costa Crociere, AIDA Cruises and Carnival Maritime. Besides this role, in January 2017 he was named Group CEO Costa Group and Carnival Asia, extending his responsibility over this region.

Europe is the world’s second-biggest cruise market, both in terms of source of passengers (7 million) and as a cruise destination (6.5 million passengers embarked). The cruise market contributed almost €48 billion to the European economy in 2017, with 400,000 people employed in cruise and cruise-related businesses. Under Michael’s leadership, the cruise industry will continue to contribute significantly to the European economy in smarter and more sustainable ways.

SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 71

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FOUR PORTS - SAIL TODAY TO A WORLD-CLASS DESTINATION. You’ve just docked at the right port. The U.S. Virgin Islands awaits you with four ports and seven berths, where ships and crews can find a complete structure, while passengers can find a culture full of heart, great shopping, culinary attractions, and of course, breathtaking beaches surrounded by a beautiful turquoise sea.

For more information visit www.viport.com and www.wico-vi.com.

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