Edition 28 - August 2015
Watermark Watermark This month is sponsored by The Scottish Port of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
A very warm welcome to the first edition of Watermark – a new name for our newsletter for Cruise Line and Executive Partner Members of CLIA.
Upcoming Events
Our intention is to cover some of the big cruise stories from the industry and to keep you updated on some of the events and resources that we offer too.
Seatrade Europe Cocktail Reception Hamburg, Germany September 8 2015
We have recently upgraded our website to be mobile and tablet compatible, and have added new resources and content that is relevant to ALL of our members – whether Travel Agents, Cruise Lines or Executive Partners. So online you will find all news stories, guest opinion, cruise search engines, a Resources Library, the latest stats and research, ship information and so on.
We have a wide range of upcoming events available to our Executive Partner Members, both in the UK and across the globe. European Port & Destination Summit Hamburg, Germany September 8 2015
Exclusive CLIA Global Executive Committee Event Hamburg, Germany September 8 2015, Diamond Members Only North America Port & Destination Summit Miami, FL, USA October 26 - 27 2015
And, so that you get more targeted content, our Cruise Lines and Executive Partners will also see a section called CLIA Updates which where we keep resources just for you.
Exclusive CLIA Global Executive Committee Event Miami, FL, USA October 27 2015, Diamond Members Only
Access to the site is of course included in your membership, so head over to cruiseexperts.org and do let one of the CLIA team know if you do not yet have access.
North America Technical & Regulatory Forum Miami, FL, USA October 27 - 30 2015
Added to our online resources are our events where you get the chance to network other members of interest to you. We will be releasing further details of our Cruise Partnership Day over the coming weeks, and we hope that we will see you all at our Annual Dinner aboard Magellan.
River Cruise Convention Amsterdam, Netherlands November 22 - 23 2015 Sponsorship Available Now - Click Here for Details
Please remember that you can feedback or comment on anything we do for you by using the email address brightideas@cruising.org
Cruise Partnership Day & CLIA UK & Ireland Annual Dinner London (Tilbury), UK December 10 2015 See below for further information
I look forward to seeing you soon! Andy
CLIA Partnership Day & Annual Dinner 2015 The CLIA Cruise Partnership Day is an opportunity for our Executive Partners and Cruise line partners to meet together both formally and informally, to discuss issues of mutual interest, and form new partnerships with fellow CLIA member companies. CLIA Cruise Partnership Delegates will be welcomed onboard Magellan from 14:00. We then encourage all attendees to join us that evening for our 2015 CLIA Annual Dinner, where tickets cost £199, including dinner, drinks, overnight accommodation and breakfast.
The countdown to Cruise Week is underway
WEEK2015 19 - 27 September 2015
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eFe s i u r C IA L C #
19 - 27 September 2015
with just over six weeks to go before we launch our ‘Festival of Cruise’. The week, which runs from Saturday 19 through until Sunday 27 September, will focus on generating positive awareness of cruise holidays using key topics such as destinations, cuisine, entertainment, activities, family and enrichment. A range of content will be created for use by our cruise line, travel agent and Executive Partner members. We will be engaging across all social media channels with activity including competitions, news, offers and videos with the objective of growing awareness of cruise among consumers – and in particular driving potential holidaymakers to accredited CLIA agents. Further details of how you can become involved with Cruise Week will follow in the next few weeks and keep an eye out for #CLIAcruisefest
The CLIA UK & Ireland website – www.cruiseexperts.org – has been developed over a number of years to be a leading source of cruise news, resources and events. This year the site has been further enhanced – it is now tablet and mobile compatible, and now features three sections all of which are available to you as members of CLIA: • Cruise Daily – the latest cruise industry news, exclusive opinion pieces, Guides, Top Tens and much more • Cruise Toolbox – all ocean and river ships, brochures, Factsheets, cruise search engine, destination guides and our Digital Pinboard and much more • Learning Academy – featuring a range of courses for all levels of cruise expertise, including destination courses, marketing and cruise line All of the resources and information available online are available to all members whether travel agents, cruise lines or Executive Partners – they are in place to keep you informed of our fast growing industry and are free for you to access at cruiseexperts.org
If you would like to request a log-in then please email alonsdale@cruising.org To share your latest company news with our membership, please email press releases to uknews@cruising.org
BOOK HERE Open to Cruise Lines, Executive Partners & Travel Agents... CLIA are delighted to partner with Melt to bring you this Digital Marketing Masterclass. The event will explore the digital challenges and opportunities that are facing the cruise industry today. We will explore and unravel how certain technologies are contributing to current industry dynamics – the rise of mobile searches for cruise and the spike in smart phone penetration for the over 50’s.
Conversely, we will explore the opportunities that digital technology presents for addressing the slowing growth in the UK and how a greater focus on UX and content marketing can drive increased offline sales. Melt is a digital agency founded by, backed by and staffed by travel people. Our experience extends far beyond the agency world – Melt’s core team has a combined 40 years in the travel industry, working across editorial, ecommerce and digital marketing and holding senior positions within global brands.
Welcome to the Orkney Islands
When the port of Kirkwall officially opened its newly extended berth at Hatston in 2013 with a length overall of 385 meters, it’s impact on Kirkwall’s cruise business was unknown. Two years later, the berth is now delivering 3.5 million gross tonnes of cruise shipping and 80 thousand passengers annually. It has been a major success story for Orkney.
In 2016, with 90 port calls already booked, Kirkwall will celebrate the arrival of its 1500th port call and 750,000th passenger since official records began in 1992. This season has seen the arrival of prestigious first time callers such as the Royal Princess, MSC Splendida, Disney Magic, Magellan and Aidaluna.
Contact Us Michael Morrison Michael.Morrison@orkney.gov.uk Telephone: +44(0)1856 885219
www.orkneyharbours.com
Crystal River Cruises To Launch In March 2017 With ‘River Yacht Class’ of Vessels and Guests’ Experience Top Of Mind On the heels of last month’s stunning announcement, including Crystal River Cruises, the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line unveiled today more detailed plans for its collection of two Crystal river yacht vessels, which will be launched in Europe starting in late March 2017. The new series of vessels will boast a yacht-like design featuring larger accommodations and space-to-guest ratio than any other river cruise ship, and include Crystal’s signature all-inclusive six-star service, plus a fresh approach to the traditional river itineraries and experiences. “We continue to listen to what our guests and the luxury traveller want, and river cruises are what they’ve been telling us they want for some time – it’s a natural extension of the exceptional ocean cruise Crystal has offered for the past 25 years,” says Crystal President and CEO Edie Rodriguez. “But more importantly, they want to experience river cruises on a luxury Crystal vessel, and their desires will be fulfilled on our luxury Crystal river yachts.” The 70-suite luxury river yachts, which will be built by German shipyard Lloyd Werft, will surpass current and planned river boats or ships, and be the first in the industry to feature exceptional amenities and itinerary highlights including: • 250 square-foot guest suites with walk-in wardrobes, American king size beds and bathrooms with double vanities • Two 500 square-foot Penthouse Suites with added comforts and conveniences • Spacious public areas, including Palm Court with dance floor and glass domed roof and a wellappointed fitness centre and spa Itineraries, fares and bookings for Crystal River Cruises will be available beginning December 1, 2015. Taking advantage of its large suites to avoid multiple packing and unpacking with pre and post hotel stays as it is common with other river operators, Crystal’s new river vessels will deploy itineraries that maximize time in port for meaningful shore-side excursions and experiences. This will afford Crystal guests virtually front-row access to some of Europe’s most charming cities and always guarantee the award-winning Crystal service and dining experiences without the hassle and uncertainties of local hotel services and standards. Crystal’s itineraries will also intentionally deviate from traditional river cruise routes to avoid congestion of other vessels in port. Crystal will dedicate a portion of each cruise to sailing along some of the most picturesque rivers in central Europe – including destinations such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria – during daytime hours, allowing travellers to relish the extraordinary scenery. This timing also affords guests the opportunity to enjoy the nightlife in select destinations with port overnights, which will often present inclusive culinary experiences ashore at Michelin-starred restaurants and local eateries, and exclusive evening events and entertainment. “The beauty of river cruising is not only that travellers enjoy close-up access to more fascinating inland locales, but also that the rivers themselves are coveted destinations that shouldn’t be overlooked,” says Rodriguez. “Our guests will have the opportunity to revel in the unique environment that sets river cruising apart from other travel experiences.” During days spent in port, Crystal River Cruises will offer guests a bevy of the immersive Crystal Adventures as well as launch its newest shore-side programme called Active Exploration Adventures. Tailored for guests wanting a high-intensity shore-side activity, Crystal is offering a complimentary active excursion for guests to explore the splendid European landscapes while staying fit on their holiday. Travellers may also choose to create their own active adventures using the many bicycles (electric or manual), segways and other active gear available on the ship for independent exploration. A luxury yacht tender will also be available for private yachting experiences that take guests to even more secluded areas within the destinations. Itineraries, fares and bookings for Crystal River Cruises will be available on December 1, 2015 by going online to www.crystalcruises.co.uk, contacting a travel agent or calling 020 7399 7601.
Cruise Lines International Association Announces President & CEO Transition
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced that Thomas P. Ostebo who recently joined CLIA as President and CEO has stepped down from the position immediately, due to personal reasons. In the interim, Cindy D’Aoust, Executive Vice President of Membership and Operations, will assume the role of acting CEO and oversee the management of global operations and the CLIA leadership teams until CLIA appoints a permanent CEO. “CLIA’s current leadership team is doing an outstanding job supporting our membership and driving the vision of the organization globally, even during this time of transition,” said Global CLIA Chairman Adam M. Goldstein, President and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “While it is unfortunate that Tom is departing CLIA, his desire to put his family first is a testament to his character, and we wish him the best in all his future endeavors.”
Commercial restructure for P&O Cruises & Cunard Carnival UK CEO David Noyes has today, August 11, 2015, announced a commercial restructure for P&O Cruises and Cunard Line.
Commenting on the new organisational structure David Noyes said: “We have two leading brands and we need to differentiate between them. By bringing sales and marketing together we will bring a greater focus to each of our great brands.” As part of the restructure sales & distribution director, Chris Truscott will be leaving the business. David Noyes said: “Chris Truscott leaves this business in a significantly better position than the one he joined. He should be proud of what he has achieved and the relationships he has built. I wish him every success for the future.” Paul Ludlow has been appointed senior vice-president, sales & marketing for P&O Cruises. Ludlow, 36, who joins from Princess Cruises where he was managing director UK & Europe, will have full responsibility for the sales and marketing for P&O Cruises as well as sales support, guest insight and digital teams for both brands. Commenting on the appointment, David Noyes said “I am delighted to appoint Paul to this critical role. Paul’s 15 years of experience within our company makes him an ideal fit to lead the sales and marketing teams for P&O Cruises to ensure sustained growth of the brand.” Paul Ludlow said: “Following the launch of Britannia in March, which positioned P&O Cruises at the forefront of the nation’s mind, there has never been a more exciting time for the company. The potential for the industry as a whole is vast and I am determined, through giving a seamless, exemplary guest experience, working closely with our travel agent partners, to develop this growth to the maximum for P&O Cruises.” The restructure will also include a similar SVP sales & marketing role for Cunard, working alongside Rick Meadows, president for Cunard in North America. Recruitment for this position is currently underway. Jeremy McKenna, head of partner sales will lead the agency sales team, currently for both brands, reporting directly to Ludlow in the interim period until the SVP Cunard sales and marketing role is appointed. Princess Cruises will be recruiting for Paul Ludlow’s replacement. During his tenure at Princess Ludlow established separate commercial operations for Princess in the UK, including dedicated teams responsible for revenue management, sales, marketing, reservations, customer relations and PR. He led the team which launched Royal Princess in Southampton, by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. He also oversaw the growth of Princess guests from the UK, including the successful introduction of Asia as a key destination for the UK market and launched new travel agent tools, such as Flight Select and OneSource cruises, part of the line’s programme to support and reward its travel agent partners.
Gerard Tempest To Leave Carnival UK Carnival UK has announced that chief commercial officer, Gerard Tempest, is to leave the business. Tempest, who joined Carnival UK in December 2012, led the commercial transformation of the business through new structure and business strategies, resulting in improved performance. Carnival UK CEO, David Noyes said: “In Gerard’s tenure we have seen a significant improvement in our commercial performance. The last year has seen us deliver some spectacular events, most notably Britannia’s naming and Cunard’s 175 celebrations. With these events, we have driven forward our business, growing our ticketed revenue and profitability. We want to continue this success with a new organisational structure which focuses on greater brand differentiation and the end to end guest experience. “I would like to thank Gerard for his contribution and leadership. He leaves both brands well placed to meet their respective challenges over the coming years and I wish him every success in the future.”
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Marks Countdown As The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built, Seven Seas Explorer, Arrives In Exactly One Year
It’s exactly one year until the Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built™, Seven Seas Explorer, sets sail on 20 July 2016 from Monte Carlo on her maiden voyage. To mark the occasion, Regent Seven Seas Cruise s is launching its ‘Explorer Countdown’ campaign encouraging agents to register to be a part of their year-long countdown. Over the next year agents can be a part of exclusive Explorer webinars, announcements and invitations to events plus, the opportunity to win a host of luxury prizes including a place at the official float out later this year! Agent can register by visiting www.sevenseasexplorer.co.uk/july Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new all-suite, all balcony 750-guest Seven Seas Explorer, is designed to be the most luxurious ship ever built, with every inch of the vessel evoking elegance and grace. With a one-of-a-kind, opulent 3,875-square-foot suite, extravagantly designed lounges and showplaces, and lavish gourmet restaurants, the launch of Seven Seas Explorer is setting a new standard for luxury cruise holidays with an unrivalled collection of exciting options to explore the world together with the line’s signature brand of all-inclusive luxury. Over the last nine months, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has continually announced many new and innovative features and amenities to debut aboard Seven Seas Explorer, which included: • The Regent Suite – a new category of luxury suite, the Park Avenuestyle apartment is 3,875-square-foot and comes complete with an in-room spa retreat and custom Steinway Arabesque piano, both firsts at sea, and features an outdoor, glass-enclosed sitting area aptly named the Vista Garden that will provide magnificent, unobstructed 270-degree views over the ship’s bow. The privileges of booking the Regent Suite extend beyond its doors. Inclusive amenities to those booking this suite include a private car with driver and guide in every port, free unlimited laundry and pressing, business and first class air as well as limousine transfer to and from the airport. • Three distinct specialty restaurants - Open exclusively for dinner, Prime 7 is one of three distinct specialty restaurants on Seven Seas Explorer available for guests’ epicurean pleasures imposing no surcharge to dine at any of the specialty restaurants. The two new speciality venues are: • Chartreuse - a tantalising new gourmet French specialty restaurant featuring a classic French menu with dishes expertly prepared using both classic and modern techniques for a multiple course celebration of French gastronomy. Evoking memories of a chic Parisian fine dining restaurant this is the perfect respite for guests to enjoy an apéritif, including specialty cocktails infused with the French liqueur Chartreuse. The design team at ICRAVE responsible for this sophisticated French restaurant left no detail unattended, including a silver-leafed ceiling that is interspersed with dramatic gold-bordered black lacquered lines to complete the elegant Parisian motif and a decorative iron sculpting throughout the bar pays a graceful and subtle homage to Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower. The back portion of the restaurant seamlessly transitions from a regal dining room, to a whimsical Parisian courtyard, creating the illusion of al fresco dining. • Pacific Rim – celebrating the culinary traditions of Asia , Pacific Rim will be yet another historical first for guests to experience featuring a diverse array of delightfully prepared pan-Asian dishes, to be savoured in an elegant dining room whose design takes inspirational
cues from a variety of Asian cultures such as a Tibetan prayer wheel, contemporary lotus inspired windows, traditional Japanese rain chains and custom Chinese screens all melded harmoniously together for a truly remarkable culinary experience. • Culinary Arts Kitchen - Regent’s first culinary instruction centre will provide guests with all the ingredients to expand their culinary skills in a welcoming environment reminiscent of the most prestigious cooking schools in France in both layout and design. The culinary workstations are fully equipped with top-of-the-line induction cooktops, stainless steel sinks and a comprehensive collection of additional cooking essentials and offer more than a dozen unique classes covering a wide array of topics including healthy cooking, fish and shellfish preparation, perfect food and wine pairings for entertaining, delectable mini-desserts, high-heat grilling, and classes inspired by the destinations visited by the ship. • Canyon Ranch SpaClub® & Infinity Pool – the lavishly appointed, state-of-the-art spa featuring an infrared sauna, aromatic steam room and cold room will debut together with a selection of exclusive ultra-luxurious treatments developed by Canyon Ranch in partnership with lifestyle and beauty experts, Red Flower®. On a private outdoor deck, guests will find an inviting teak-deck terrace filled with plush lounge chairs that surround a beautiful infinity-edged plunge pool contouring the stern of the ship for magnificent views across the horizon. Seven Seas Explorer will sail her maiden voyage 20 July 2016 and spend her inaugural season in Europe before heading to Miami for a series of Caribbean voyages. For more specific itinerary details or for more information about Seven Seas Explorer, visit www.sevenseasexplorer.co.uk or www.rssc.com call 02380 682280 or contact a professional travel agent.
Montréal Cruise Committee celebrates the 50th anniversary of the ocean liner Marco Polo On August 13, Marco Polo will return to the Port of Montréal for a 24-hour visit. To celebrate its arrival and 50th anniversary, the Montréal Cruise Committee is encouraging Montrealers and tourists to come to the Old Port’s magnificent boardwalk at 8:15 a.m., when the ship is scheduled to arrive with 750 guests and 220 crew members aboard. To welcome the Marco Polo, there will be a water show, with jets sprayed from tugboats owned by Ocean Group. In 1965, Germany’s Wismar shipyard delivered to Russia a cruise ship named after the celebrated Russian poet Alexandr Pushkin. This ship completed transatlantic voyages travelling from Leningrad to Montréal, with stops in Helsinki, Copenhagen, London and Québec City. It would be the beginning of a long love affair between the ship and Montréal, as the Alexandr Pushkin visited Montréal 114 times in all. Its final trip to Montréal was on August 18, 1980. “Like probably thousands of Quebecers, I have family members who had the chance to travel on the Alexandr Pushkin. Now, I’m delighted to welcome back this ship that played an important role in Montréal’s cruise industry for 15 years,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Port of Montréal. Since cruise season began, the Port of Montréal has already welcomed some 25,000 cruise ship passengers and crew members, and by the time the season closes on October 29, this number is expected to be as high 90,000. This encouraging projection is more than 27% higher than last year, when 56,466 passengers and 14,578 crew members stopped in Montréal. “We’re anticipating a record high this year, as 19 internationally renowned ships have scheduled stops in Montréal. The fact that all these cruise lines choose to include our city on their itineraries proves that Montréal is a destination of choice for tourists from around the world. This year, a total of 77 stopovers are expected, up from 52 last year. I’m pleased to report that Montréal has the wind in its sails and we’re on our way to achieving our ambitious targets for the year,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. Supported by Tourisme Québec, the Montréal Cruise Committee works closely with the Montréal Port Authority and Tourisme Montréal, as well as five other local organizations: Aéroports de Montréal, the Old Port of Montréal Corporation, the Old Montréal Business Development Corporation, and the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal. The committee’s objective is to attract new cruise lines to Montréal while encouraging those that already stop here to come more frequently and stay longer once they’re here. For more information about cruises in Montréal, go to: croisieresmontreal.com.
A ‘Princess’ calls at Portsmouth International Port,returns again for second visit in August A ship described as the smallest luxury cruise ship in the world is making two calls at Portsmouth International Port this month, with visits to local historic attractions high on the list of priorities for its discerning passengers. Hebridean Princess has a maximum of 50 guests onboard at any one time, enjoying a relaxing cruise in the comforts of a “floating boutique hotel”. Originally designed as a ferry for the Scottish Western Isles, it was converted into a cruise ship in 1989. Twice chartered by the Queen for family holidays, the vessel is perfect for exploring the British Coastline. Hebridean Princess last visited Portsmouth in September 2011. The first visit this month came on Friday 7 August. The ship arrived from Honfleur as part of a nine-night holiday focused on military history. The ship stayed the night at Portsmouth International Port, giving passengers plenty of time to explore landmarks and attractions in the Waterfront City. Guests spent the morning at the Historic Dockyard, exploring HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the other fascinating exhibits. In the afternoon they visited the Mary Rose Museum, in the company of curator and guest speaker Vice Admiral Lippett. Hebridean Princess then departed on Saturday evening for Poole in Dorset. Hebridean Princess returns for another call on 12 August, during an eight-night cruise that allows guests to learn more about Great Britain’s seafaring heritage. Arriving from Cowes in the morning, passengers will witness some of the famous yacht racing off the Isle of Wight. They will then follow in the footsteps of recent arrivals on the Hebridean Princess, spending the following
morning looking at historic naval ships and discovering more about King Henry VIII’s famous flagship. The small but stylish cruise ship leaves for Newhaven on 13 August. For the first 25 years of its life Hebridean Princess carried 600 passengers, 30 cars and the Royal Mail to the Scottish Islands. Unsurprisingly it now has a very different ambience onboard, boasting a passenger to staff ratio of almost one to one. With just thirty luxury staterooms, and a restaurant serving the highest quality cuisine, guests are promised the refined service of a Scottish Country House. Harbour Master, Captain Rupert Taylor was on hand to welcome the ship, passengers and crew. He said “I was delighted to see Hebridean Princess return to Portsmouth International Port and pleased to know it’s only going to be a short time until we see her again. We look forward to welcoming her back again this week, with more passengers able to discover the wealth of maritime history on display in our wonderful Waterfront City” Portsmouth International Port has developed a reputation for expertly handling the needs of small luxury cruise ships like Hebridean Princess. The cruise team are able to offer a completely flexible service to operators, making sure the needs of each and every passenger are met. With world-class tourist attractions on its doorstep the Port has become a popular choice for explorer cruises, a growing niche market in the ever-expanding global cruise market.
Nigel said, “There’s a rich variety of creatures living in the sea just off the south coast, and the closer you get to the Bay of Biscay the more chance you have of seeing these majestic marine mammals. Ferries from Portsmouth to Spain sail across the Bay of Biscay, one of the most important hotspots on the planet for whales, dolphins and porpoises. By recording their numbers we will learn even more about them, and help protect their habitats.” Sally Hamilton, UK Director of ORCA said, “OceanWatch Week will be the offshore component to the National Whale and Dolphin Watch Week which is run every year by the Sea Watch Foundation. We’ve enlisted the help of local seafaring businesses that use Portsmouth International Port and ports along the south of England. It’s a fantastic way for the public and local businesses and organisations who use the sea to get actively involved in marine conservation.”
Nigel Marven launches ORCA OceanWatch Week at Portsmouth International Port A new UK wide whale, dolphin and porpoise conservation initiative has just been launched at Portsmouth International Port.
Fresh from his cruise ship based documentary series, TV wildlife expert Nigel Marven was in the passenger terminal to kick start ORCA OceanWatch. Known for his infectious on screen enthusiasm, Nigel used a 50 foot long life sized model of a Blue Whale to teach a class of local school children about the importance of these incredible and important mammals. ORCA is one of Europe’s leading whale, dolphin and porpoise conservation charities. The aim of ORCA OceanWatch (25 July - 2 August) will help build a comprehensive picture of where whales, dolphins and porpoises are distributed in UK and European waters. The charity has recently trained crews from The Royal Navy, P&O Cruises, Cunard, Wightlink and commercial shipping companies operating from Portsmouth International Port to spot cetaceans (the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoises). The reports from the bridge of each vessel will be collated to give a detailed view of current numbers and habitats. Thirty children from Cottage Grove Primary School in Portsmouth listened intently as Nigel Marven told them how they could see some of the world’s most amazing sea creatures by taking a ferry crossing from Portsmouth International Port.
Today’s launch also saw the start of a three week long exhibition at Portsmouth International Port, highlighting the work of ORCA and focusing on the creatures that passengers might see during their crossing. All ferry and cruise ship passengers will be able to enjoy the exhibition as the busy summer holiday season gets underway. Free “spotters guides” are being given out so ferry and cruise ship customers can make the most of their time at sea. Martin Putman, Manager at Portsmouth International Port, said “We know that passengers really enjoy seeing whales, dolphins and porpoises from ferries that are heading to Europe from Portsmouth International Port, with a growing number taking advantage of Brittany Ferries whale watching mini cruises. I’m delighted that so many ships coming and going from Portsmouth have signed up for The ORCA OceanWatch Week, and know it will provide invaluable information for the charity to use. “ Passengers travelling to France, Spain and the Channel Islands are also being invited to help celebrate the sea this summer. Anyone posting an ocean inspired picture on social media with the hashtag #Pipsea stands a chance of winning the latest top of the range GoPro action camera. The winner will be chosen at the end of the summer holiday season. Competition details will be on the spotter’s guide available at the Port. For more information on Portsmouth International Port please contact Emma Gaisford or Julie Blackwell on julie.blackwell@ purple-agency.com or Tel 01256 631696 and www.portsmouthport.co.uk For more information about ORCA OceanWatch please visit: www.orcaweb.org.uk/get-involved/oceanwatch For more information on Brittany Ferries Whale Watching cruises please visit http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/offers/mini-cruises/ whale-dolphin-cruise-2015
Stockholm calling for Princess Cruises Princess Cruises recently completed its second sailing into the heart of Stockholm on one of its newer ‘royal class’ ships. The 3,560-guest Regal Princess - which is currently travelling on the line’s Baltic itinerary - had previously always been at anchor at Nynashamn, located 35 miles from Stockholm, when sailing to Sweden. The decision was made in conjunction with the local port authority after a comprehensive set of testing and simulator trials were carried out. At present the journey is also dependent on certain weather conditions. At the end of Regal Princess’ Baltic season a decision will be taken as to whether more sailings to Stockholm on royal class ships can be scheduled.
Princess’ other classes of ship already make the more direct journey to Stockholm. Captain Ed Perrin was at the helm for both arrivals. He said: “Having previously taken one of our smaller ships in to Stockholm, I’m equally as confident our larger ships could make the port a more permanent fixture. While Nynashamn will always be an attractive destination, the majority of our guests travel onwards to Stockholm, meaning this would ultimately prove more convenient for them. We now await the full results of the trial with interest.”
CLIA SUMMER PARTY
cruises
The Independent Traveler, Inc. Names New General Manager New appointment will head up the publisher’s three online travel brands – Cruise Critic, Family Vacation Critic and IndependentTraveler.com The Independent Traveler, Inc. – publisher of three leading online travel sites, and part of the TripAdvisor Media Group – announces the appointment of Mike Ewing as general manager. Ewing will oversee the online publisher’s three brands – Cruise Critic, Family Vacation Critic and IndependentTraveler.com. “We’re thrilled that Mike has joined the Independent Traveler team, heading up the company’s business strategies and day-to-day operations,” said David Krauter, President, SmarterTravel and The Independent Traveler, Inc. “Mike’s extensive background across a variety of business entities – from startup to publicly traded, online and offline – will help us capture the tremendous opportunities ahead for the company.” Ewing will be responsible for the continued growth of the publisher’s three sites, including Cruise Critic – the world’s largest online cruise resource. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015, Cruise Critic stands as a leader in the cruise industry. Additionally,
Ewing will lead efforts to continue growth for Family Vacation Critic and IndependentTraveler.com. “Coming into a well-established, highly-esteemed company is an exciting opportunity,” explains Ewing. “The IndependentTraveler has solidified itself as a clear leader. I’m pleased to be joining the existing team to support the company’s continued success. There is a huge opportunity to take these brands to the next level and ultimately to help travellers plan the perfect vacation.” Prior to joining The Independent Traveler, Inc., Ewing held management roles at LogMeIn, Vistaprint, and Monster.com. Ewing’s professional career includes time in the US as well as time abroad with responsibility for large geographic regions. An avid traveller, Ewing has been around the world while managing global teams focused on consumer, media and B2B businesses. Ewing is a regular speaker and contributor on topics as wide-ranging as sales and marketing, building high-performance teams and venture funding. For more information on The Independent Traveler’s brands, visit www.cruisecritic.co.uk, www.familyvacationcritic.com and www. independenttraveler.com.
Princess Cruises Announces Exclusive Celebrity Chef Partnership with Curtis Stone Princess Cruises today announced a new exclusive partnership with esteemed restaurateur, New York Times bestselling author and television personality chef, Curtis Stone. This collaboration will serve up new culinary offerings designed by Chef Stone, dedicated to fresh flavourful cuisine, ultimately creating memorable experiences as guests travel the world. Internationally known, Chef Stone began his cooking career at the age of 18 in his homeland of Australia and later honed his skills at Michelin-starred restaurants in London. He has appeared on a number of top-rated cooking programmes and his first solo restaurant, Maude, opened in the U.S. to rave reviews in 2014. Curtis is also a New York Times bestselling author, having written six cookbooks, his most recent named Good Food, Good Life. Through the partnership, guests will be invited to enjoy three special offerings developed by Chef Stone, available only to passengers of Princess. This includes: • ‘Crafted by Curtis’ menu items available in the main dining room across the entire fleet • A new specialty restaurant concept and menu designed by Chef Stone • A special ‘Chef’s Table by Curtis Stone’ experience “Crafted by Curtis” menu items offered in the main dining rooms will debut aboard Golden Princess during the autumn and roll out fleet-wide through the end of 2015. Chef Stone’s first restaurant at sea will debut in December aboard Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Coral Princess and Sun Princess. Stone’s Chef’s Table experience will debut across the fleet beginning in early 2016. Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises, said: “We take tremendous pride in preparing and serving our guests freshly made dishes served with passion and care. This is an exciting step for Princess and sure to delight our guests since Chef Stone also believes that great meals bring people together to create lifelong memories, much like travel.” She added: “This partnership will appeal to Princess guests around the world and most certainly to those enjoying Australia-based cruises since Chef Stone hails from Oz and is incredibly popular in his homeland.” Chef Stone said: “Just the word ‘cruise’ puts me in my favorite mood – relaxed. Princess Cruises is known for visiting great worldwide destinations - I’m set on bringing a new culinary experience to the sea to enhance and complete a cruise vacation.” He continued: “Since I travel often, I know that discovering delicious food and sharing a great meal can create some of the most memorable moments and I’ve designed my restaurants with this in mind. It’s important to me that guests have the experience that I would want and food that I’d be thrilled to eat myself, at sea or anywhere else in the world.” More programme details, including the menu items, specialty restaurant name and concept, as well as a complete roll out schedule will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.princess.com/curtis-stone.
Oceania Cruises adds ‘Around the World in 180 Days’ Voyage for 2017 Sailing to six continents, 36 countries and 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Driven by overwhelming demand from guests with a passion for exploring the far corners of the globe, Oceania Cruises is proud to announce a new 180-day Around the World cruise aboard Insignia. Scheduled to depart on 6th January 2017, the 180-day cruise is the fourth in a series of epic globetrotting adventures offered by Oceania Cruises and represents the longest and most comprehensive world cruise itinerary in the entire industry. “This is a landmark itinerary for Oceania Cruises. It’s designed for travellers who want to immerse themselves in the diverse cultures found throughout the world, and believes each destination should be savoured and enjoyed in a leisurely manner,” stated Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Oceania Cruises. “This revolutionary approach to world cruising has generated an extremely positive response from our guests, and the fact we are now preparing a fourth iteration of this epic 180-day voyage is a testament to its appeal.” The 2017 version of the Around the World in 180 Days will take guests to six continents, 36 countries, 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 98 ports of call, including stops in Ireland, Spain and Turkey not offered during previous world cruises. Embarking from Miami on 6th January 2017, Insignia will set sail for the Caribbean before continuing on a southern course to South America, passing through the Panama Canal and making several calls on the Pacific coast of Central America. After departing San Diego, Insignia will cruise the Pacific en route to the Hawaiian Islands, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. After numerous stops throughout Australia and New Zealand, passengers will cross the Timor Sea to Indonesia and explore the Java Sea before passing through the Karimata Strait to Malaysia. Cruising the South China Sea, Insignia will call on Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Thailand and India. From there the ship will cross the Arabian Sea to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Next on Insignia’s journey, the ship cruises the Red Sea to Jordan and Egypt before passing through the Suez Canal to Israel and southern Turkey, the gateway between East and West. The ship then spends an extensive period of time in the Mediterranean, visiting coastal cities in Greece, Italy and Spain before reaching Gibraltar and re-entering the Atlantic Ocean. She will continue sailing the Atlantic coast of Spain and call on cities in Portugal and France before cruising the Celtic and Irish Seas with several stops in Ireland. From there Insignia will cross the Atlantic to the New World, where she will arrive in Newfoundland before cruising up the St. Lawrence River to Quebec. Insignia will the New England coast, New York City and overnight in historic Charleston, South Carolina before returning to Miami on 6th July.
Trimline hire new CFO Southampton-based marine interior specialists Trimline have appointed Michael Colebourn as their new Chief Financial Officer. As a key member of the senior management team, Michael will play a central part in Trimline’s future as the business continues to enjoy rapid growth. After graduating from the University of Southampton with a BSc (Hons) in Accounting & Finance, Michael joined BDO and qualified as a chartered accountant, servicing a variety of industries throughout this period. He then gained broad experience of the maritime sector during eight years with Norwegian ship owner and maritime services specialist Wilhelmsen. Implementing new structures, systems and processes to partner the firm’s expansion, he also played an important role in restructuring whilst working alongside various global stakeholders. Away from work, Michael is married with a one-year-old daughter and he loves to keep fit, with particular interests in golf, football, tennis and triathlons. “I’m very excited to be joining Trimline as they celebrate their fiftieth anniversary,” said Michael. “This is a company with strong foundations on which we can build an amazing future. I’m determined to make Trimline’s financial operations as cutting-edge as the services they provide and I am confident the business leaders will support me in everything I do.” “I’m delighted to welcome Michael Colebourn to Trimline,” added CEO Andrew Richards. “His flair for business management and his extensive experience of the maritime industry make him an ideal fit for us and I’m confident that he will be crucial to our future plans. We are growing faster than ever and Michael’s financial strategies will help to take us to the next level.”
Silversea Cruises Cuts Steel On Silver Muse Silversea Cruises celebrated the beginning of Silver Muse’s construction with the cutting of first steel at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy on Friday. Silversea’s chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio co-hosted the event with Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. Set to debut in the spring of 2017, Silversea’s new flagship will maintain the line’s commitment to operating the highest quality ships in the ultra-luxury segment. The steel cutting for Silver Muse follows extensive planning and development of new concepts to enhance the onboard experience. “We’re very pleased to once again partner with Silversea,” commented Bono. “Silversea has shown remarkable dynamism and ability to achieve important results in this market. This project offers us the opportunity to develop creative solutions and set new standards for shipbuilding in the ultra-luxury segment.” Lefebvre d’Ovidio said, “the start of construction of Silver Muse is a very proud occasion for us. Silver Muse is the only ship with 40,700 grt and less than 300 suites to be launched in the ultra-luxury segment in the coming years. “It will provide our guests with an outstanding dining experience, offering the highest number of restaurants than any other vessel in the category, while ensuring the same, unparalleled level of service we are famous for. Silver Muse will bring the world to our guests, featuring new, carefully curated itineraries that will allow them to visit the most exceptional destinations in the utmost elegance at sea.”
Flagler Global Logistics Breaks Ground on Canaveral’s First Inland Port Facility Flagler Global Logistics broke ground on the new Titusville Logistics Center today, marking the start of construction of Port Canaveral’s first multimodal inland port facility. This milestone was celebrated in a ceremony attended by local dignitaries, business and community leaders, and Port Canaveral and Flagler Global Logistics executives. The Canaveral Port Authority is the first tenant at Flagler Global Logistics’ Titusville Logistics Center, having inked a landmark build-to-suit lease agreement last year. The state-of-the-art 246,240-square-foot facility will be completed in early 2016 in support of expanding cargo and container terminals. “The development of Port Canaveral’s inland facility at the Titusville Logistics Center will help further leverage the region’s centralized location and poise North Brevard County as a major national and international cargo hub,” said Chris Scott, president and CEO of Flagler Global Logistics. “The facility has been designed to offer cargo importers, exporters and distributors more storage capacity than any surrounding warehouses on a site with unparalleled connectivity via rail, air and sea.” Adjacent to Space Coast Regional Airport and minutes away from Port Canaveral, the Titusville Logistics Center’s strategic location combined with direct rail connectivity to the Florida East Coast Railway and easy access to US1 and I-95 will provide a surge for the local economy as the demand for accessible cargo operations continues to grow. “Our new inland port facility is a critical step in the Port’s overall expansion plan to attract more container business and elevate
our strategic value within the national supply chain by offering a more cost-saving, efficient route to move goods throughout the southeast,” said John E. Walsh, CEO of Port Canaveral. “We partnered with Flagler Global Logistics because of the company’s reputation for developing world-class logistics facilities. Flagler Global Logistics’ partnership with Port Canaveral will provide manufacturers and importers savings on time and money in its effort to support the region’s growing cargo and logistics businesses. “We are proud of the fact that Port Canaveral and Flagler Global Logistics chose Titusville for their new inland port and logistics center,” said City of Titusville Mayor Jim Tulley. “We see this as a significant step toward the rebirth of Titusville and as a strategically important multi-modal transportation hub where we can build our future today.” Flagler Global Logistics is a leader in developing Florida commercial real estate and is applying its 100 years of expertise to develop the Titusville Logistics Center. The Center will accommodate up to 2.9 million square feet of industrial development, offering flexible warehouse and distribution options with multi-modal transportation connections.
I saw four Fred.s come sailing in! Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines celebrates historic fleet gathering in Bergen on 28th July 2015 Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is celebrating an historic coming together of its fleet of four ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – in Bergen, Norway on 28th July 2015. This ‘4 Bs in Bergen’ event – named after the initial letter of each of the four Fred. Olsen ships – was the first time ever that the fleet has converged in one place, anywhere in the world. Fred. Olsen’s four ships sailed into the Bergen harbour at just before 8am in brilliant sunshine, and 4,000 lucky guests were treated to spectacular views of the entire fleet as they entered in formation and took up their positions in the Port. Flagship Balmoral was berthed at Bontelabo Pier, sister ships Boudicca and Black Watch at Skolten Pier and Braemar at Festningskaien Pier, nearest to the city centre. Speaking at the event, Mike Rodwell, Managing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Today has been a very special day for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. We were delighted to be joined by Fred. Olsen and Fred. Olsen Jnr, our Chairman, at the Port of Bergen today, and it was with great pride that the fifth and sixth generations of our company looked upon their cruise fleet, joined together for the very first time. “It is testament to our incredible crews that we were able to lay on such an enjoyable array of festivities and activities for our guests to participate in throughout the day, and there has been a very special atmosphere in the beautiful city of Bergen today. “We are committed to the city of Bergen – known as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’ – on our Norwegian cruise itineraries. The Olsen association with Bergen can be traced way back to the 19th Century and we would like to thank the Port and the city of Bergen for making us so very welcome today.” Captain Victor Stoica, Master of Balmoral, said: “Today was a memorable event in the history of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and, along with all crew here on board Balmoral, I feel honoured to have been part of it.. There has been an electric atmosphere on board since we sailed from Southampton and our guests have enjoyed every single second of this incredible experience! As Captain of Balmoral, I am very proud of the efforts from each and every crewmember and office personnel, who have worked tirelessly in creating an event that will be talked about for years to come.” Fred. Olsen’s four ships departed from Bergen in convoy at 6pm, and made a majestic exit from the harbour in a ‘diamond’ formation, led by a fire tug boat ceremoniously spraying its water cannons. To celebrate this special one-off event, guests had the chance to visit all four ships as they were berthed along the quayside, and were invited to enjoy the different range of activities taking place across the fleet, which were all unique to each individual ship. Fred. Olsen is renowned for its proud Norwegian heritage. The Fred. Olsen Company originated in the small village of Hvitsten, outside Oslo, in 1848, when three Olsen brothers – Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas – bought their first ships and began an international shipping company. Now into the fifth generation of the family, there is no better way to experience all the many wonders that Norway has to offer than on a Fred. Olsen cruise!
CMV’s Marco Polo to celebrate 50th Anniversary in Montreal next month The first of Cruise and Maritime Voyages Anniversary cruises celebrating 50 years this of the legendary cruise ship Marco Polo, set sail last week. The ship was originally called the Alexandr Pushkin, after the Russian poet and was launched in 1965. The ship operated regular crossings from Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) to Montreal in Canada via London Tilbury. So this marks an historic reconnection with Montreal going back half a century. When the ship arrives in Montreal on Thursday 13 August, the guests on board include 500 regular CMV passengers who are members of the company’s compass Club loyalty programme. Such is the following for this ‘grand lady’ that so many people return to sail on her year after year. Invitations have also been made from Tourism Montreal and the Port of Montreal to around 60 local dignitaries and leading media people to have lunch on board. The event is being co-ordinated by Nathalie Gaudet, Project Manager at the Montreal Cruise Committee. Members of the company’s management team – Chris Coates - Commercial Director, Mike Hall – Head of Marketing, Bob McGowan - Head of Customer Services, plus John Dennis - Vice President Sales and Marketing USA will also be on board. The first Marco Polo 50th Anniversary voyage left Edinburgh – Rosyth 23 July picking up additional passengers at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury on Friday 24 July cruising to Canada and Greenland on an epic 36 night voyage. Among the highlights, this journey includes visits to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Québec, Montréal and cruising the St. Lawrence River. As a bonus calls are also being made in the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland.
UK cruisers report spending same on fares in 2015 as 2011; Med stays top destination; Two thirds of cruisers are below average retirement age*, according to Cruise Critic findings
Cruise Insights 2015
64% are under the age of re7rement*
Where to find deals?
94%
Desirable des3na3ons?
Most likely to visit on next cruise 13% 15%
look on travel sites, such as Cruise Cri7c 26%
Mediterranean 49%
look in newspapers
Caribbean Norwegian Fjords
18%
Canary Islands 30%
84%
cruise with a Bal7c partner Cruise spend? Amount spent on fares (not inc. flights or onboard costs)
Cruise Critic the world’s largest cruise reviews site and cruise community, today announced the results of an annual survey revealing insight into preferred cruise destinations, and the booking and spending habits of UK cruisers.
33%
consult a travel agent
So much choice! On average:
Cruisers have sailed with
21% spend less than £1,000pp 49% of those cruising once a year spend at least £1,500pp 45% spend £1,000 – £2,000pp
5%
cruise alone
3 different lines Frequent cruisers have sailed with 5
Source: Cruise Cri7c UK Survey 2015 – full press release available from Vikki Bulbeck: vbulbeck@cruisecri7c.co.uk **Based on current UK state pension age for men (65).
Desirable destinations – next cruise Survey participants were asked which destinations they would most likely visit on their next cruise, and while the Mediterranean is king, the Caribbean is hot on its heels. The top five choices were: • Mediterranean (including Greek islands): 49% • Caribbean: 30% • Norwegian Fjords: 18% • Canary Islands: 15% • Baltic: 13% Young at heart – cruise is for all ages • A quarter (26%) of respondents are aged between 35-54 • Two thirds (64%) of respondents are under the age of 65 Cruising company - travel companions When asked with whom they are most likely to cruise, a huge 84% of respondents selected their spouse/partner. Other selections included: • A friend or group of friends: 17% • Extended family: 9% • On my own: 5% Regular wave rider – cruise frequency Three quarters (74%) of those surveyed cruise regularly (every couple of years or more), with a quarter (25%) taking to the high seas several times a year. • Just over a fifth (21%) of respondents have yet to cruise or have done so only once It’s all about the money – cruise fare cost • Almost half the respondents (45%) typically spend between £1,000-£2,000 on their cruise fare per person (not including air fares or onboard costs) • Those spending less than £1,000 accounted for around a fifth (21%) of respondents • Around half (49%) of those who cruise once per year spend at least £1,500 • According to the survey, people are spending the same in 2015 as they did four years earlier
So much choice – number of lines sailed with • Respondents have sailed with three different lines on average • Those who have cruised between 11-20 times have tried approximately five different cruise lines Cruise don’t lose – deals With many cruise deals now available both on and offline, survey participants were asked where they look for these, and the Internet came out top: • 94% look for deals on travel sites, such as Cruise Critic • One third (33%) consult a travel agent • One quarter (26%) like to hunt for deals in newspapers, compared with only 6% of US respondents Planning tips – the importance of reviews When planning a trip, cruise reviews remain the most important tool to help with the process, ahead of advice from family/ friends and travel agents: • Almost all respondents (95%) rate reviews as very or somewhat important • 89% regard advice from Cruise Critic members/forums as very or somewhat important • One quarter (26%) deem professional advice from travel agents as very important, while two thirds (66%) rate advice from non-professionals, such as family/friends and Cruise Critic members, as very important • Around half (52%) say that social media advice is important “It’s interesting to see cruisers reporting that spending is flat, most likely because cruise lines have looked to onboard costs and add-ons to increase revenues, to keep base fares competitive. To this end, it’s important to make sure that when you are booking a cruise, you look at what the total cost of your holiday is likely to be, including shore excursions and onboard spending. As a rough measure, we advise budgeting for about a third of the base fare in additional costs,” explained Cruise Critic, UK editor, Adam Coulter. The survey, which ran on the Cruise Critic site in 2015, received responses from 5,814 people. *Based on current UK state pension age for men (65).
Trimline transform ship repairs with their new In-Service Support Department Marine interior refurbishment specialists Trimline have achieved another first with the launch of their In-Service Support Department, providing a one-stop-shop solution to identify, plan and deliver maintenance activities ‘on the run’ to maintain a high standard between refurbishments. At a time when operators are moving towards longer periods between refurbishments, the In-Service Support service allows vessels to meet passengers’ most demanding expectations without the need to have specialist staff on call 24/7. Trimline are long-established leaders in full turnkey marine refurbishments and their new team will provide round-the-clock support to fleets in excess of 50 vessels, which can continue to operate without loss of revenue. Ongoing condition reporting and assessment will be undertaken by experienced Surveyors to identify necessary repairs and improvements to any area of the vessel including galley, laundry, wet rooms, pools, spas, dance floor, carpeting, carpentry, joinery, upholstery, laminate, marble, flooring, tiling, bulkheads and deckheads, resulting in the client receiving a detailed and prioritised report. A programme of work can then be agreed, focusing on maximising value and minimising disruption to passengers or crew. A web portal, already used by some clients, will allow instant reporting of issues and the rapid establishment of KPIs, budgets and deadlines. The team will be managed by newly appointed In-Service Support Director Ian Jolliffe, who has 15 years’ experience in marine engineering and business improvement at Sunseeker. Ian will be supported by Catering In-Service Support Manager Ieuan Wathen, who is renowned for his expertise in galley design, troubleshooting and maintenance. Under their leadership, the team is expected to grow rapidly, contributing 30% of Trimline’s total turnover within three to five years. “Trimline is the first and at present only supplier to offer this unique service,” said Ian Jolliffe. “Our focus is to deliver excellent value and to constantly improve passenger experience by maintaining everything from galley to upholstery in between scheduled full refurbishments. We will be operating as a true one-stopshop and it goes without saying that we will maintain the high standards for which Trimline is renowned.” “This a huge step forward for the business and for our clients,” added CEO Andrew Richards. “We have always sought to minimise vessel downtime and control clients’ costs, but Ian and his team will deliver real continuity whilst taking our offering to the next level and transforming the way ship operators think and work.” “As a regular port of call for Norwegian Cruise Line ships, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to homeport Norwegian Epic and welcome Norwegian Cruise Line guests into our community,” said Port Canaveral CEO John E. Walsh. “Our focus is to continue to provide the best customer service and facilities for our business partners and their passengers. Our efforts are being rewarded with the largest ships afloat and more itineraries from Port Canaveral.” “Bringing Norwegian Epic, our largest ship and our newest ever to homeport in Port Canaveral, represents a big opportunity for the Norwegian brand,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian’s president and chief operating officer. “We know that there is pent-up demand from our loyal guests to cruise from Port Canaveral and we are excited to bring this spectacular ship to the Greater Orlando area.”
Norwegian Epic To Sail From Port Canaveral In November 2016
Port Canaveral will homeport Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship and currently the fifth largest in the world—Norwegian Epic—starting in November 2016, offering seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, as well as three- and fourday cruises to the Bahamas in 2017.
The Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes visits to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The Western itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The three- and four-day Bahamas itineraries includes Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay in January and March 2017. “This large increase to Norwegian Epic in November 2016 demonstrates a huge commitment to Central Florida and Port Canaveral,” Walsh said. In November 2015, Norwegian Spirit will homeport at Canaveral through April 2016.
Norwegian Cruise Line unveils global deployment expansion
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced exciting and exotic new itineraries for the brand’s Autumn/ Winter 2016/2017 deployment, bringing the world to guests who want to explore new sights while experiencing the freedom and flexibility that only Norwegian Cruise Line can offer. Norwegian offers guests new destinations and new ports to choose from in 2016 and 2017, including cruises to Asia on board Norwegian Star, with itineraries departing from Istanbul, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney and Auckland—marking the line’s return to the Asia and Australia regions for the first time since Norwegian Wind Autumn/Winter 20012002 and first-ever visits to The Gulf and India. Norwegian Epic will continue to spend her summers in Europe and return to the US in the autumn as Norwegian’s newest and largest ship to homeport in Port Canaveral, offering three-, four- and seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. Exploring South America by sea will now be more accessible than ever with Norwegian, with a number of itineraries ranging in length from seven to 20 nights, with embarkations in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Valparaíso (Santiago de Chile), Chile; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Norwegian Spirit will return to homeport in Europe year-round, sailing through the Eastern and Western Mediterranean with departures from Barcelona, Istanbul and Venice. In addition, Norwegian Jade will now sail seasonally in the winter months from Tampa to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, while Norwegian Jewel will sail two new 14-night Panama Canal sailings from Los Angeles and Miami in February 2016 and two in February 2017. Norwegian’s new itineraries will be available for booking later this month. Caribbean sailings will open on 19 August and all other destinations on 24 August. “We are truly excited to offer these incredible new itineraries to our guests, who now have the opportunity to explore areas of the globe that we haven’t called on in many years and some that we’ve never before visited,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian’s president and chief operating officer. “Norwegian is taking guests to their dream destinations, where they can indulge in new tastes, new cultures and new experiences, along with the flexibility to unpack once and the freedom to explore many distinct destinations during one holiday-of-a-lifetime.”
Royal Caribbean Debuts Kung Fu Panda Noodle Shop On Quantum Of The Seas
Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation celebrated the grand opening of the Kung Fu Panda Noodle Shop, a new family style eatery onboard Quantum of the Seas and the first-ever DreamWorks Animation Kung Fu Panda themed restaurant on land or at sea. Guests will be able to give their taste buds a “Kung Fu” kick with the bold flavours of dim sum, savoury noodle bowls and traditional Chinese desserts alongside Po and the cast of colourful characters from the DreamWorks Animation film Kung Fu Panda. “We’re very excited to continue building on our relationship with DreamWorks Animation and offer our guests new dining experiences onboard Quantum of the Seas as she debuts in her new home in China,” said John Suley, Vice President, Food and Beverage, Royal Caribbean International. “A creative collaboration amongst our team of chefs to create the menu for our Kung Fu Panda Noodle Shop is another example of how we continue to ensure that our onboard options reflect what today’s food conscious traveller and our Chinese guests expect from their holiday.” Following a 53-night global odyssey from New York to Shanghai, Quantum of the Seas set sail for the first time from her new homeport of Shanghai, China on June 25, 2015. She will sail
three to eight- night itineraries year round from Shanghai to Japan and Korea. The newest addition on board, the Kung Fu Panda Noodle Shop will entice guests to indulge in four-piece dim sum, noodle bowls, such as Taiwanese spicy beef noodles, and desserts including sesame balls and custard tart. Guests also can strike a pose with Po and the Furious Five for a souvenir picture sure to reveal their inner Dragon Warrior. Menu items are priced a la carte, ranging from $2 to $5. The DreamWorks Experience, available only on Royal Caribbean, allows guests to get up close and personal with their favourite feature film characters such as Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots of Shrek; Alex the Lion and the Penguins of Madagascar; Po of Kung Fu Panda; and Hiccup of How to Train Your Dragon. Guests can engage with their favourite characters during energetic parades, character breakfasts, themed activities and more. The DreamWorks Experience is available on Quantum of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. Quantum of the Seas, which launched in November 2014, is the first of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships, which include Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, as well as a fourth vessel to be delivered in 2019. Quantum-class ships feature unmatched innovations in onboard attractions, such as RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea; the North Star, an engineering marvel that transports guests more than 300 feet above the ocean; SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; as well as the Bionic Bar powered by Makr Shakr— home to the world’s first robotic bartenders.
End the summer with Ellie Goulding at Bumbershoot festival! Even though summer is still upon us, Seattle is preparing for its annual end of summer party, “Bumbershoot”. The festivities will take place over Labour Day weekend, from the 5th until the 7th of September in downtown Seattle. Starting in 1971 as a city festival, four and a half decades later it has grown to be one of America’s most respected annual celebrations with over 85.000 visitors. The festival will be held under one of Seattle most iconic landmarks, the Space Needle. This quirky festival will feature comedy, theatre, visual arts, performing arts, spectacles, film and more. This year 2 main-stages will be in Key Arena and Memorial Stadium and they will welcome Bumbershoots extensive line-up including Ellie Goulding, the Weekend and Hozier. This year’s edition will be sponsored by the centre for infectious disease research who will receive a portion of each ticket sold. More information at www.bumbershoot.com
Matthias Rieger appointed new managing director of Hamburg Cruise Center Hamburg Cruise Center (HCC), the marketing initiative for the cruise destination Hamburg, has appointed Matthias Rieger as its new managing director with effect from 1 August 2015. Mr Rieger takes over the post from his predecessor Nadine Maraschi (née Palatz) and possesses longstanding experience of the Hamburg tourist industry. Dr. Behn presented the new managing director to the association members at the mid-season HCC event on 29 July 2015. “In appointing Matthias Rieger as head of HCC we have succeeded in gaining an acknowledged expert with longstanding experience not only on the purchasing side, but also the organisational side of the tourist industry and with industrial, political and administrative contacts. As such we have an excellent successor to Nadine Maraschi, who will be sorely missed; not least thanks to the outstanding service she rendered in developing Hamburg into one of the most significant European cruise ports.” Rieger headed the CCH Congress Organisation for many years and was latterly managing director of the Hamburg Convention Bureau (HCB). Within the scope of this position he was also active internationally and coordinated, for example, German community stands at trade fairs all over the world. Commenting on his new post, Matthias Rieger said that he “was looking forward to forging ahead with the successful HCC concept for marketing the destination and consolidating the interests of the 120 plus members. Together we aim to further expand cruise business in Hamburg.” Encompassing 125 stakeholders from tourism, the port, industry, cruise business and politics, the HCC mid-season event held at Cruise Terminal 1 in HafenCity, duly acknowledged the departure of Nadine Maraschi, who worked successfully for many years at HCC. Mrs Maraschi will remain active in both the cruise industry and the Hanseatic city of Hamburg after moving to her new position as Liaison Manager Northern Germany at MSC Cruises. “From its modest origins as a 2-to-3-year pilot project with a membership of just 20, Hamburg Cruise Center has developed into a key player with over 120 members and is today a true beacon of success in terms of cruising in Hamburg,” said Nadine Maraschi in her farewell speech. In the wake of a record year in 2014 that embraced 189 port visits, 589,000 passengers and 23 cruise lines with a total of 34 ships calling to Hamburg, the first six months of 2015 has promptly set a further record. In May 2015 the cruise terminals in Hamburg processed 120,257 passengers during 37 port visits; a 15.5 percent rise against May 2014 (104,143 passengers). Even more amazing is the fact that back in 2009 this figure constituted the passenger volume for the entire year. This shows what the destination Hamburg is now able to achieve when all partners work together. Hamburg Cruise Center is the public-private partnership organisation responsible for internationally marketing the cruise destination Hamburg. Currently consolidating the interests of around 125 members from across the cruise industry supply chain, the association provides these members with a meaningful common platform. On behalf of the Hamburg Ministry of Economy, Transport and Innovation, the association also operates the Cruise Office, whose aim it is to network all stakeholders in the city.
the only television channel in the world dedicated to holidays and cruises, they know a thing or two when it comes to what they like. “Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines are right to be proud of winning this award. Food is a major part of any cruise experience, and to be voted the best in Britain in the ‘Telly’ Awards is a badge of honour they should wear with pride.” Dirk Helsig, Corporate Executive Chef for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “All the Executive Chefs and their teams are over the moon to have won this award, and we are very proud to work for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
Fred. Olsen is crowned ‘Britain’s Best Cruise Line for Food’ in the Holiday & Cruise Channel’s prestigious ‘Telly’ Awards
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is delighted to be crowned ‘Britain’s Best Cruise Line for Food’, in the Holiday & Cruise Channel’s prestigious ‘Telly’ Awards, which are voted for entirely by viewers. Fred. Olsen won the accolade by a considerable margin, registering nearly 10,000 votes. Every quarter, the Liverpool-based Holiday & Cruise Channel – which broadcasts on Sky Channel 256 and Freeview Channel 55 – runs a poll on its website, to find out what its viewers think about selected areas of cruising, and the winner wins one of its coveted ‘Telly’ Awards. In the last quarter, the channel asked ‘Who is Britain’s ‘Best Cruise Line for Food’, and Fred. Olsen came out as the resounding winner! Fred. Olsen offers a range of restaurants and dining experiences across its fleet of four smaller, more intimate ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – to suit the tastes and appetites of its predominantly British clientele. John Cooper, Commercial Director of the Holiday & Cruise Channel, said: “Our viewers are a very discerning lot; after all, being
“Whether they are washing pots or removing garbage, it is a team effort from all the individual Galley staff, but we should also not forget the Restaurant team’s important contribution to this success. “We will continue to work with the very best British ingredients to create feasts for all of our guests to enjoy as they take an exciting Fred. Olsen cruise!” Fred. Olsen’s award-winning cuisine includes hearty cooked breakfasts, fresh fruit, delicious buffets, ‘Traditional Afternoon Tea’ – with white glove service – mouth-watering five-course à la carte menus and speciality grilled meat and seafood dishes in the new Grill restaurants, which have been introduced across the fleet. Fred. Olsen also offers an array of vegetarian and healthier choices, too, with an emphasis on fish and seafood dishes, inspired by the company’s Norwegian heritage. Fred. Olsen also caters to vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements. All guests are asked about any special needs when they complete their booking form, so that the Executive Chef and his team are made aware, and they are always happy to discuss menus with these guests while on board. Fred. Olsen offers more regional UK departures than any other cruise line, sailing from ten convenient ports in 2015: Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Avonmouth (Bristol), Liverpool, Newcastle, Greenock (Glasgow), Rosyth (Edinburgh) and Belfast.
Norwegian Escape’s signature hull art comes to life with Guy Harvey Famed marine wildlife artist Guy Harvey laid eyes upon his largest canvas to date for the first time this week – the hull artwork on the new Norwegian Escape, debuting this November in Miami. Currently being built in Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Escape is Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the largest in the company’s history. Norwegian Escape represents an evolution of the line’s innovative history of providing guests with the freedom and flexibility to enjoy their ideal cruise holiday. The ship yard visit took place as Harvey’s artwork is now beginning to take shape, bringing to life his perspective of the spectacular Caribbean marine life on the expansive canvas of Norwegian Escape’s hull. Spanning more than 1,000 feet in length from bow to stern, the custom-designed artwork features a scene of marine wildlife which blends two underwater seas seamlessly together. Featuring Harvey’s signature sailfish, the design also showcases key Caribbean sea life including sting rays, sea turtles, whale sharks and a variety of tropical fish. “I’m so proud to showcase the incredible marine life of the Caribbean on the largest canvas a human could possibly paint,” said Dr. Guy Harvey. “After weeks of work, the artisans at Meyer Werft have done an incredible job of recreating my art on such a vast format. I’m overjoyed at the level of detail that has been achieved and I can’t wait to see Norwegian Escape in her element out on the ocean.”
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