Preview 2013: Cruise

By Tom Stieghorst

As 2013 arrives, the cruise industry can only pray that there is no repeat of the signature event of 2012.

A year ago, travelers seemed ready to pay higher prices for cruises. Then the Costa Concordia accident happened, casting a pall over cruising that lasted for a good part of the year.

Looking at next year, Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corp., which owns Costa Cruises, said in September that prices are generally well positioned to reach parity with 2011 by Q2 2013.

However, for the Costa line in particular, "to climb back to where things were before will take a couple of years beyond 2013," Arison said.

In some markets, there are signs that next year will be more normal. Starting in January, Norwegian Cruise Line is hiking prices 10% on its Pride of America ship in Hawaii.

Alaska will continue to regain capacity in 2013 that was lost to the ill-conceived passenger head tax several years ago. But trouble looms in 2015 with a tighter standard for low-sulfur fuel, though some breathing room remains for reaching a regulatory compromise.

The biggest unknown hanging over the industry for 2013 is Europe, both as a source of passengers and as a draw for North Americans faced with continued high airfares.

At Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., capacity for 2013 is down 20% in the Western Mediterranean and 9% in the Eastern Mediterranean.

"The European market continues to be the most puzzling market we're facing," said RCCL Vice Chairman Brian Rice.

Closer to home, cruise lines continue to bring more ships to within driving distance of their customers. Princess Cruises in 2013 will operate a ship year-round from San Francisco, giving the Bay Area drive-market itineraries to Alaska, Hawaii and coastal California.

Disney Cruise Line will offer a full year of cruising from Galveston, Texas, another popular drive market, while Norwegian, Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line will all operate additional cruises from Boston.

But the port with the biggest potential increase in passengers next year is New York, which stands to gain 4,000 passengers a week starting in May with the introduction of the $840 million Norwegian Breakaway.

The Breakaway is staking its claim to New York-area loyalists with a ship that boasts Sabrett hot dog carts and Brooklyn Brewery beer among its food offerings. Five water slides, a two-story spa and Norwegian's first seafood restaurant are some of the Breakaway's other attractions.

Another big debut will take place across the pond next year with the delivery of the Royal Princess, the first new ship for Princess in nearly five years. The 3,600-passenger ship will do 12-day Mediterranean cruises before repositioning in October to the Caribbean. Among its noteworthy features will be a cantilevered, glass-enclosed skywalk that extends 28 feet beyond the ship's edge.

MSC Cruises also has an entrant in the newbuild derby, the $742 million Preziosa, which will boast a 394-foot water slide, the world's longest at sea.

Carnival Cruise Lines in 2013 will take the wraps off the largest ship makeover in its history when it refits the 17-year-old Carnival Destiny in a 49-day drydock. When it emerges in April, the vessel will sail under a new name, the Carnival Sunshine, and with a slew of new features.

The $155 million transformation will add part of a new deck and expand two others, giving the ship a new layout.

Another 182 cabins will be added to the ship, along with new restaurants, more sports activities and a three-story, adults-only Serenity space.

The Sunshine is emblematic of the trend toward reusing and upgrading older ships rather than ordering new ones. Cruise executives say they want to add new ships in a more measured way than in the past to avoid excess capacity, which dilutes cruise pricing.

They are putting capital into retrofitting older ships with features from newer ones to give them a contemporary feel.

Another example is the Royal Advantage program under way at Royal Caribbean International, which is spending $500 million to modernize 11 ships.

Due for a makeover in 2013 are the Legend, Brilliance, Independence, Vision and Navigator of the Seas, which range in age from 5 to 18 years old.

Prominent among the additional features will be specialty restaurants that boost onboard spending, but the whole package should enable Royal, and agents, to tout new amenities that command better prices.

Deployments in 2013 will feature more cruise segments that can be combined into longer voyages. Celebrity Cruises, for example, will offer more short cruises in Europe that can be paired with a second short cruise with a different set of port calls.

"We want to have more seven-day itineraries for that family or couple who can't get away for a long time," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales at Celebrity.

Luxury lines, as always, will be focused in 2013 on destination development. Azamara Club Cruises will offer a night excursion with each cruise after its two ships come out of drydock early next year.

Another trend is a tighter watch on rebating, which makes for an uneven playing field among agents. Silversea Cruises cracked down on client poaching by saying that agents who rebook a client more than 30 days after they have already booked with a different agent will not receive a commission.

Whatever actions cruise lines take to improve their prospects, some of the key ingredients to prosperity remain beyond their control.

The wild card factors of the economy, oil prices and geopolitical stability can upend any strategy the industry has conceived.

That said, economic trends seem favorable going into 2013.

The wealth effect from a rising stock market could drive a more robust Wave season early in the year. At about $90 a barrel, oil prices were off their March high of $110 a barrel. And U.S. unemployment fell to 7.7% in November, meaning more consumers would be getting a paycheck to spend on vacations.

Although the jobless rate remains high, travel agent Grace Dieleman, owner of Vellinga's Travel Service in Chatham, Ontario, said that inverting the equation gives 2013 a rosier hue.

"You always hear about 10% unemployment," Dieleman said, "but that also means that 90% of the population is still working." 

Arrest made after spate of agency robberies

Jan 03, 2013 

A man has been charged with robberies at four travel agencies after being arrested as he boarded a flight from Gatwick to Portugal.

The 20-year-old from south London was detained by police in the early hours of December 31.

He has been charged with four counts of robbery and four counts of possessing a firearm while committing an offence.

The alleged offences took place in London, Kent and Sussex with the theft of currency and travellers' cheques.

Travel agents in Barnet, north London, Sandwich and Hythe in Kent, and Hove in East Sussex were targeted during December, the BBC reported

Paul Gauguin Cruises christens second ship

By Jerry Limone

Paul Gauguin Cruises christened the Tere Moana on Dec. 29 in St. Martin.

The ship formerly operated as Le Levant for Compagnie du Ponant. After taking delivery of the ship from Ponant in the fall, Paul Gauguin Cruises refurbished it.

Folllowing the christening ceremony and gala dinner, the Tere Moana embarked on its inaugural sailing, a seven-day Caribbean voyage.

In January and February, the Tere Moana embarks on 13- and 14-day Panama Canal cruises. From April through November, the ship will sail a variety of seven-day European voyages.

The Tere Moana is Paul Gauguin Cruises’ second ship. Its other ship, the Paul Gauguin, sails in French Polynesia.

Hairy Bikers take over Cruise ship

Hairy Bikers take over Cruise ship

 

According to a report in todays mail, 2,500 hairy, American Bikers booked themselves onto the RCI Cruise ship " Freedom of the Seas" for a cruise around the Caribbean.

An English family on board reported that they took over the ship with Drunkenness & lewd behaviour, they wore Leathers & other Bikers regalia in the MDR & told the English family who had dressed for Dinner, that they were in the wrong dining room.

RCI have offered a refund but state that they welcome groups of all persuasions on there cruise ships..

You have been warned, its going to happen here in the UK soon, perhaps a Boat load of " Hippies" on Cunard, I kid not.

By Tom Stieghorst

Outbreak of stomach illness reported on Queen Mary 2

Two environmental health officers and an epidemiologist from the federal Vessel Sanitation Program are expected to board the Queen Mary 2 when it docks in Brooklyn on Jan. 3 to assess an outbreak of illness on the ship.

About 7.5% of the passengers have been affected by an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, according to reports to the VSP. The ship is on a 12-night Caribbean Fiesta holiday cruise that began Dec. 22.

No cause has been assigned to the outbreak. Norovirus is often to blame for gastrointestinal outbreaks on land and sea during the winter months.

Cunard Line will conduct staged disembarkation of active cases to minimize the chance of transmission to healthy passengers, according to the VSP website.

Embarkation for the next cruise to Southampton, England, will be delayed to provide extra time for disinfection and cleaning. 

By Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean orders third Oasis ship from STX France

Royal Caribbean finalized a long negotiation by ordering a third ship in the 5,400-passenger Oasis class from the STX France shipyard.

The ship will be the same size as the Oasis and Allure of the Seas, and is intended for delivery in mid-2016.

Royal Caribbean had been negotiating with STX Finland, but financial support from the Finnish government apparently could not be worked out.

Royal Caribbean did not divulge the cost of the new ship. It said its capital spending for the next few years would be $1.3 billion in 2012, $700 million in 2013, $1.2 billion in 2014, $1.2 billion in 2015 and $1.3 billion in 2016, when the third Oasis ship is scheduled to be delivered.

When Royal Caribbean confirmed in November that it was negotiating for a third Oasis-class vessel, it said the price per berth would be less than the original two ships.

Royal Caribbean has a one-year option to build a fourth Oasis-class ship from STX France.

The contract with STX France includes the transfer of Pullmantur's Atlantic Star as part of the consideration. 

Where Carnival Corp. saved more and spent more in 2012

By Tom Stieghorst

Carnival Corp., and Carnival Cruise Lines in particular, hang their hats on cost control. So it is instructive to take a look at where Carnival saved the most money in fiscal 2012.

According to Carnival’s profit and loss statement issued last week, it saved $169 million on commissions, transportation and other costs.  That’s triple what it saved on tour operations ($50 million) and ten times what it saved on other shipping operations ($14 million).

Carnival paid $2.46 billion in commission and transportation in 2011, and $2.29 billion in 2012, a 6.9% decline.  Tour expenses fell 24.5%, to $154 million. Other shipping operations were flat, dropping 0.6%.

All other expenses rose, including payroll, up 1.1%; onboard expense, up 10.3%; and fuel, up 6.8%.  The biggest absolute increase in cost was for fuel, an additional $188 million.

It is always hard to sort out how much commission payments change from looking at the financial statements, because they are lumped in with air fares and other transportation costs. And looking at one year’s data, even if it is the most recent, doesn’t show a trend over time.

It may be worth noting, however, that the same expense line for commissions and transportation at the cruise industry’s other big publicly traded company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., shows a $10 million increase through the first nine months of 2012.

For travel agents, that’s a comparison that bears watching in the year ahead.

The QE2 to be 'sold for scrap' to Chinese

Dec 24, 2012 

Former Cunard flagship The QE2 is set to be sold to the Chinese for scrap for £20 million after a bid to bring it back to the UK as a five-star floating hotel failed.

The ship has been moored in a commercial port in Dubai since it was sold for £64 million in 2008.

A British consortium presented owner Dubai World with a bid to bring the QE2 to London and convert into a five star hotel moored opposite the O2 Arena.

The QE2 London bid could have brought up to 2,000 jobs to London.

However a Chinese crew of around 20 boarded the QE2 last Friday leading to fears it has already been sold as scrap, the Daily Mail reported.

They replaced a crew of around 40 who had been maintaining the QE2 in Port Rashid for the last four years.

Roger Murray of QE2 London told the newspaper: “We have been told the ship is going to be put into a dry dock before being taken to an unknown destination in the far east.

“That is a tragedy because it almost certainly means the QE2 is being sold as scrap.

“Our investors were going to give £20 million for the ship itself plus £60 million for renovation and the cost of bringing the ship back to Britain.

“But the ship could raise as much as £20 million as dead weight scrap and the Chinese cash would be immediate.”

Alaric Errington from an organisation called Equity in Finance was leading the investment consortium behind the QE2 London bid.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity and we put forward a very commanding commercial proposition that was designed to give Dubai a future return.

“The QE2 is an icon but our proposal also makes business sense. The cost of renovating the QE2 and bringing it back to the UK is no more than acquiring land in central London to build a luxury hotel.”

When Istithmar – part of the state conglomerate Dubai World - bought the QE2 from Cunard in 2007 it agreed it would not sell it on for at least ten years.

But a source close to Dubai World said he believed “a contract modification could be agreed” allowing it to be sold on for scrap, according to the report.

Dubai World was unavailable for comment.

Carnival to deploy third ship in Long Beach, Calif.

By Johanna Jainchill

Carnival Cruise Lines will deploy a third ship from Long Beach, Calif, in 2014, expanding its West Coast short-cruise program.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Imagination will operate three- and four-day cruises year-round from Long Beach beginning in January 2014. The Imagination will move from Miami, where it has been offering short cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy, currently sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., will reposition to Miami to take the Imagination’s place.

Gerry Cahill, Carnival's CEO, said that Carnival is the only line to offer a year-round, short-cruise program from the West Coast, and that the sailings are especially popular with cruisers who drive to the port.

Carnival said it will carry approximately 550,000 guests annually from Long Beach in 2014, more than any other cruise operator.

The vessel will offer three-day cruises to Ensenada, Mexico, and four-day voyages to Catalina Island and Ensenada. The Imagination's sister ship, the Inspiration, will continue to offer similar three- and four-day cruises out of Long Beach.

Carnival’s seven-day Mexican Riviera and 15-day Hawaii itineraries, currently operated by the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor through February 3, will continue on the Carnival Miracle from October 2013 through April 2014. 

Flights disrupted by Chicago snowstorm

Dec 21, 2012 

A severe snowstorm in the US Midwest forced more than 90 flights to be cancelled at Chicago's O'Hare airport.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said that flights into Chicago were being delayed at their place of departure. Some flights were being delayed by more than two hours.

Blizzard conditions and as much as 1ft of snow are expected from Kansas to Wisconsin, with the Rocky Mountains already affected.

At least four people are reported to have died in the storm which could see temperatures plunge below -17C.

The severe weather could disrupt pre-Christmas travel, officials warned.

Two people died in a car crash in Wisconsin, one was killed in a 25-vehicle crash in Iowa, and a woman died in Utah after becoming stuck in snow. Rescuers in Utah found a woman dead after she tried to walk to find help after her car became stuck in snow.

High winds are reported to have damaged homes and downed trees in Arkansas and Alabama while tornado warnings were in place yesterday for parts of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

Island Princess rescues five stranded sailors

Island Princess rescues five stranded sailors

A group of stranded sailors have been rescued from certain death by a cruise liner


Five sailors who had been previously drifting on a small vessel in the Caribbean have been rescued by a passing Princess Cruises liner.

The group of Jamaican sailors had feared the worst when their small boat lost its way during a recent trip to a friend's barbecue, leaving them stranded in the ocean for three weeks.

However, they didn't count on the passing cruise vessel the Island Princess, which had been scheduled to head to the nearby port of Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

Speaking to the Associated Press, cruise holidaymaker Andy Greenberg recounted the events involving the discovery of the stranded vessel.

"We noticed the boat slowing down," he told the news provider

"We pulled up and the occupants were screaming: `No food, no water.'"

The stranded sailors initially requested fuel to continue on their trip but with cruise officials concerned for their health, this plea was denied and they were instead transported to the safety of the shore.

The story contrasts the tale of the Star Princess, which was previously accused of failing to stop for stranded fishermen back in March.

In that instance, evidence was eventually produced which cleared the cruise company of the claim.

Carnival Corporation's fourth quarter profits fall by 55%

By Melanie Hall

Carnival Corporation’s profits fell by 23% in 2012, with a 55% drop in the fourth quarter, following its “most challenging” year after the Costa Concordia tragedy in January.

The company revealed its full year and fourth quarter earnings today, which showed that its net profits in the 12 months to November 30 were $1.47 billion, down from $1.9 billion at the same time last year.

Its fourth quarter profits are down from $217 million in 2011 to $98 million in 2012, a drop of 55%, although Carnival Corporation’s chairman and chief executive Micky Arison said that the quarter’s earnings “were better than anticipated”.

Commenting on the full year’s earnings, Arison said: “As a result of the Costa Concordia tragedy in January, the past year has been the most challenging in our company’s history.

“However, through the significant efforts of our brand management teams, we were able to maintain full year 2012 net revenue yields - excluding Costa - in line with the prior year."

Arison added that unfavourable changes in fuel prices and currency exchange rates reduced earnings by $300 million compared to the prior year.

During the fourth quarter, Carnival reached an agreement on the construction of two new cruise ships - a 2,660-passenger ship for its Holland America Line brand to be delivered in 2015 and a 4,000-passenger vessel for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand to be delivered in 2016. Both are the largest ships ever built for those brands.

Carnival has forecast a decline of 2-3% in its revenue yields in the first quarter of 2013 but has predicted it will improve during the remainder of next year for the North American brands and Costa, although it said its European brands continue to be hit by a “deteriorating economic environment”.

“We remain well positioned for a recovery in 2013 and beyond evidenced by the demonstrated resilience of our global portfolio of cruise brands as consumers continue to capitalize on cruising’s superior value versus land-based vacation alternatives,” said Arison.

“We continue to focus on a measured growth strategy through the introduction of two to three new ships per year and the development of emerging cruise markets in Asia.”

MSC Divina Review

Hollywood royalty Sophia Loren and Gérard Depardieu preside over a star-studded ceremony to christen MSC Divina

Gracing the main stage in a shimmering floor-length gown, it was Sophia Loren who stole the show at the star-studded launch of MSC Divina in May. Joined by legendary French actor Gérard Depardieu, Italian jazz icon Paolo Conte and violinist Maxim Vengerov, Ms Loren welcomed MSC’s newest addition to the fleet with all the elegance, class and sophistication you might expect.

As the third ship in the Fantasia class and 12th in the MSC fleet, Divina is not simply another addition to their growing list of beautiful ships. Instead, the influence and involvement of the iconic Italian film star are more evident than ever, beginning with one particularly fundamental detail: its name.

Ms Loren recounts: “One evening, I was chatting to Gianluigi [Aponte, MSC’s founder and president] Ms Loren’s favourite novels. Despite these, Divina bears a striking resemblance to her sisters and boasts a number of luxurious additions.

If you’ve ever spent any time on board Fantasia or Splendida, you’ll have no problem navigating Divina’s 14 passenger decks and, apart from her sleek new colour palette and unique deck and restaurant names,Divina’s general layout sees very few changes. Likewise, the design of the cabins remains nearly untouched, and yet the unexpected spaces and additional luxuries manage to produce a decidedly Mediterranean flavour and give Divina a personality of her own.

One such unexpected space can be found at the very stern of the 15th deck, where a stunning infinity pool offers panoramic views out over a gentle trail of wake. Sitting within the Zen Area, the Garden about wishes and desires. I mentioned my dream of having a ship named after me and he immediately suggested ‘Divina’, as a divine experience gives you memories that will last forever.”

Ms Loren’s influence extends to suite number 16007, which can be found in the MSC Yacht Club – the exclusive section of the ship dedicated to an ultra-luxury experience. The ship’s godmother selected the rich palette of deep reds that are used throughout; the cabin features a set of specially designed lamps and the walls are decorated with photographs of Ms Loren in her most memorable roles. The final touch takes shape in a replica of her personal dressing table, where cabin guests will be able to prepare for glamorous gala dinners in true Sophia Loren style. The plush MSC Yacht Club library also features a collection of 20 of leave your locks looking shiny and radiant, meanwhile MSC’s first barbershop is happy to provide some masculine pampering for those gentlemen in need of a cut or shave. Divina is also the first in the fleet to offer Neophor, an anti-aging medical treatment, and her state-of-the-art fitness centre has welcomed the addition of a spinning centre and Arke equipment.

The dining options on board have also expanded to suit a variety of tastes. The range of wine and regionally inspired Italian pizzas are the focal point of La Cantina di Bacco, however, they also have an array of tapas and more than 20 types of beer to choose from. For the kids, the Sacramento Hamburger House is a fast favourite and delivers crispy fried chicken bites and mini hamburgers to booths straight out of a 1950s diner. For an afternoon snack, the Nutella Corner offers chocolate-laden crêpes to satisfy the sweetest of teeth, and if the kids are in need of some poolside refreshment, they can create a slushy masterpiece at the Happy Puppy ice crystal drink stand.

For finer dining, the fashionable Galaxy restaurant models itself on a 1950s Italian supper club. Floor to ceiling windows offer incredible views, and the menu evolves as the day progresses, offering plenty of options for a lazy brunch in the morning, a menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes in the evening and a selection of cocktails at night, when the restaurant transforms into a starlit disco.

One final Mediterranean touch exists in the re-creation of a typical Venetian ‘piazzetta’. Boasting a decadent Italian bakery and coffee bar, the Piazza Del Doge features a stoneware floor, carved pillars and murals of famous Italian landscapes, making it the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely cappuccino.

For entertainment, the Smurf-themed play area is a new creation for Divina’s youngest guests and, whileDivina’s lavish 1,600-seat Pantheon Theatre may feel familiar, three of its seven performances are new. The Kingdom Of The Pharoahs, Planet Music and Italian Genius will be performed for the first time on boardDivina, and will complement established favourites including Michael Jackson tribute Starwalker, and figure-skating spectacle Kids’ Story On Ice.

Drink packages now available on 13 Royal Caribbean ships

By Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean has begun offering all-inclusive drink packages on 13 ships and plans to make them available on all of its vessels sailing voyages of at least seven nights by early next year.

Passengers can now purchase "Classic" or "Premium" packages. Royal Caribbean has been testing the idea on several ships this year.

The Classic package includes beer and house wines, plus non-alcoholic beverages, for $45 a day. Premium, for $55 a day, adds frozen drinks and cocktails, including premium brands, to the Classic lineup.

Packages must be bought on or before the first day of the cruise and cover every day of the cruise. Also, if one passenger in a cabin buys the package, everyone over 21 in the same cabin must also buy one.

Carnival Cruise Lines began testing a similar package this summer and has it available on a half-dozen ships, while Norwegian Cruise Line has said it is evaluating such a package.

Fans of the idea say it helps them manage their bar bills; opponents say it facilitates excessive drinking. 

Clia move means 'business as usual', says Ace

By Lee Hayhurst 

The Association of Cruise Experts has promised no reduction in the support it offers agents after it becomes part of a global cruise organisation next year.

Ace, and parent body the Passenger Shipping Association, this week announced they were one of nine international cruise bodies that will form the global Cruise Lines International Association (Clia).

The two UK brands will become known as Clia UK. They will retain their London office, from where their training and trade events will continue to be run.

The PSA is understood to be fully funded up until April 2013 but after that there will be a 12-month period of transition to Clia UK.

Cruise lines will join the global group, which will allocate funds to projects around the world.

Regional cruise bodies will generate their own funds to support local activity.

Ace director Andy Harmer vowed it would be "business as usual" in 2013:

We Travel 2U ACE Certificate

“All Ace activity will continue; we will just become Clia UK, with the Clia global organisation focusing on the regulatory side of things in Brussels and Washington.

“This will allow us to focus on what we are good at: travel agent training and events. We will be judged based on the work we do, not on what we are called.”

Clia was formerly a US-only trade body. Outside of the US, Europe has the most well-established cruise organisations, with the PSA and the European Cruise Council the two most significant entities.

Ace, which was rebranded from Psara five years ago, is considered a leading light in agent training and it is likely Clia will seek to emulate much of its work in other markets.

As part of the changes, all the PSA’s ferry interests will be transferred to the Chamber of Shipping.

The PSA this week became the official complaint-handling body after maritime passengers in Europe were given the same rights as rail and air traveller.

Norwegian unveils Caribbean lineup for winter 2014

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line will shuffle its lineup in the Caribbean in the winter of 2014 after the arrival of Norwegian Getaway in Miami.

Norwegian Sun, currently sailing to the southern Caribbean from Miami, will shift to Tampa, while Norwegian's current Tampa vessel, Norwegian Dawn, will debut in New Orleans.

In addition, Norwegian Jewel will sail from Houston, giving Norwegian passengers five homeports (including New York) to choose from when going to the Caribbean.

Norwegian's itineraries for 2014-15 also include an increased schedule of Mexican Riviera cruises. Norwegian Star will offer seven-day cruises from Los Angeles to Mexico in December 2014 and March of 2015. 

Thomas Cook rolls out Symphony reservation system

Thomas Cook has announced the successful roll-out of the first phase of its new reservation system, with all its winter 2013-14 charter products now sold on the new web-based platform.

The new system, labelled ‘Symphony’ and which has gone live in less than a year, will replace TOS, and Thomas Cook said it “marks a significant milestone” in its IT modernisation programme

Anite’s @com modern browser-based system is quicker and easier for agents to use, said Thomas Cook, and enables component-based holidays and dynamic packaging, alongside package holidays, to be booked from a single selling platform.

Uli Sperl, product and yield director for Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, said: “A new, modern reservation system will make us more competitive by keeping us ahead of a rapidly-changing marketplace.

“It’s a huge step-change and allows many more complex bookings to be completed easily, such as weddings and groups. 

“Symphony is also great at allowing customers and agents to manage bookings through the holiday life-cycle, accessing a holidaymaker’s booking from whichever channel they contact us, providing industry leading service.”

Symphony is now being used by thousands of users across Thomas Cook, following an education programme of e-learning, classroom training and Anite-led workshops.

The next steps in the roll-out of the system will see all Thomas Cook’s summer charter products, including Neilson and Club 18-30, go on sale in May 2013 for the summer 2014 season.

MSC PREZIOSA BOASTS NEW AQUA PARK

MSC PREZIOSA BOASTS NEW AQUA PARK AND ‘VERTIGO’, THE LONGEST WATERSLIDE ON THE WAVES

Wild water features and over-the-water slide ensure bucket loads of fun



MSC Preziosa will be christened in Genoa, Italy, on 23 March 2013 and, as the four-month countdown to her arrival has already begun, MSC Cruises is proud to announce the first of many innovative new features to be found on board; the all new Doremi Castle Aqua Park and Vertigo, MSC Cruises’ longest waterslide to date and the longest single rider body waterslide on the seas. 

In prime space on deck 16, Doremi Castle Aqua Park boasts an exhilarating pathway of water features on raised platforms including sprays, fountains, water pistols and valves, each designed to splash, soak and delight in equal measures. A drenching bucket builds suspense by filling up drip by drip over unsuspecting heads, ready to rain down from on high, while the area’s water cannons encourage mischievous interaction between friends, old and new. 

While children under 120 cm are not permitted to ride the Vertigo waterslide, they won’t miss out at Doremi Castle, where a double and single slide have been designed especially for them. With fun features to ignite imaginations and spark creativity, Doremi Castle is the perfect place for MSC Preziosa’s smallest guests to splash away the day. 

Next to the park, thrill seekers can climb the stairs to deck 18 where they can embark on the wildest ride on the waves. Guests will set off on a journey down, around and even off the side of the ship, through 120 metres of fabulous twists and turns. Certain sections of the slide have even been enhanced with translucent bands of colour which catch the light, creating a wonderful strobe effect as guests zip through at top speed.

Vertigo stats

MSC Preziosa’s waterslide is 13 metres high and 120 metres long, with a diameter of 900 mm. 

The maximum weight of each rider is 150 kg, and the minimum height is 120 cm.

Riders will travel at an average speed of 6 m/s.

As it shoots out over the edge of the ship, a nine metre long transparent stretch of slide provides riders with amazing views of the water below, but only if they’re brave enough to keep their eyes open! 

Spectators who don’t dare ride for themselves can even have fun from decks below by spotting the more adventurous whizzing through the transparent section. 

MSC is a family company which prides itself on making sure that there’s never a dull moment for families on board, and these latest features guarantee bucket loads of fun for children, teenagers and the young at heart. 

Opening hours of the Vertigo waterslide are likely to fluctuate depending on itinerary and season, so guests should check out the times directly on board.

 Does this kind of on board attraction appeal to you?

Disney aims to work Magic in Med

By Mike Kelly

Disney Cruise Line is gearing up for its return to the Mediterranean next summer, when it will offer four-, seven- and 12-day itineraries out of Barcelona.

Disney has sailed the Mediterranean off and on since 2007, last cruising there in 2011.

Among the 13 ports that the 2,400-passenger Disney Magic will visit in 2013 are five where Disney has previously dropped anchor: Piraeus (Athens) and Mykonos in Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Venice.

With shore excursions (or as Disney calls them, "port adventures") a major component of most Disney cruises — more than 75% of passengers sign up for an excursion before sailing — officials from Disney just returned from a seven-day visit to some of the Magic's scheduled ports of call, where they checked on the planning progress for a few of next summer's shore excursions.

Disney, like other cruise lines, partners with local tour operators to provide shore excursions, and it's sometimes a challenge trying to preserve an authentic experience for visitors while mixing in a Disney twist, according to Arnaldo Zanonato, Disney's shore excursions manager, who was among those making the recent overseas visits.

"Often the initial impression they have of what we want is parties, balloons [and] colors," Zanonato said. "But we tell them, 'No, we want to tell your story.'"

Disney's great entertainment, imaginative stories and its characters are all found onboard, he added.

"On shore, we just take our storytelling skills and work with the locals to help tell our guests why we are bringing them to Venice or Croatia or Turkey," Zanonato said. "And when it's appropriate we try to make it more fun, make it hands-on for the kids, make it a learning experience for everybody."

In the coastal Turkish resort town of Kusadasi, a stop on one of the two 12-day itineraries, several excursions will include tours of the ancient city of Ephesus, the largest collection of Roman ruins in the Eastern Mediterranean. The site has long been a popular spot for other cruise lines sailing the Med, but Disney aims to add its typical array of Disney touches to make its shore excursions there something different.

At the ruins of St. John's Basilica, where the Apostle John is said to be entombed, Disney guests will encounter an "archaeologist" who will lead them in a competition to find scattered pieces of a sacred symbol, which they'll then have to piece together.

At Ephesus, a real-life archaeologist will be on hand to explain his job, show visitors a working dig and invite them to put their own digging skills to the test, searching for replicas of artifacts.
Another shore excursion for adults at Kusadasi will be a hammam, or Turkish bath, which combines elements of a steam bath and a massage parlor. Meanwhile, kids age 5 and over can make Turkish bracelets with the help of youth counselors from the ship.

In Venice — the only port where the Magic will overnight on one of its 12-day itineraries — Disney passengers can get a private, after-hours tour of the Doge's Palace, one of the city's most famous landmarks. Capping the tour will be a glitzy reception featuring Venetian royalty as well as Disney's own "royalty," in the form of several of its princesses: Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, etc.

Guests 16 and older can learn to pilot a gondola, while younger kids can help race a "dragon boat" or create their own version of a traditional Venetian mask.

Other offerings in Venice include visits to textile and marble workshops where artisans are commissioned to create items for exclusive clients such as the Vatican and Dolce & Gabbana. In the textile shop, the tools are a century old, and the workers produce just 8 to 10 inches of fabric a day.

Rome (Civitavecchia) has nearly always been a stop on Disney's past Med itineraries, so the challenge was to offer different experiences for visitors making a return trip to the Eternal City. "Highlights" tours will include the usual stops at St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain.

But other options will take guests to places like San Clemente Basilica, where they can descend to the bottom levels of the three-tiered complex, which dates back to the first century, when it was a pagan temple. Another offbeat destination is the Galleria Borghese, one of Rome's premier art collections, assembled and displayed in the residence of a single, fabulously wealthy 17th century family.

An art class for adults will instruct students in making mosaics as they enjoy wine, prosciutto and cheese. Younger passengers will have the opportunity to make pizza or take in a traditional Italian puppet show.

On all of its 2013 Med sailings, Disney is offering a limited number of packages featuring Adventures by Disney, which specializes in small-group themed tours. Some are precruise outings in Barcelona or Madrid, while others provide deeply immersive excursions at every port of call.

Tom Wolber, Disney Cruise Line's senior vice president of operations, said the cruise line expects that the new four- and seven-night itineraries will be popular with European markets, which are becoming more important to Disney as its North American market is dampened by the increasing cost of transatlantic flights.

Disney's Med cruises are already on sale, as are the accompanying Adventures by Disney excursions. Regular port adventures can be booked by repeat customers 120 days before sailing, and new customers can book them 75 days before departure.

With Celebrity Reflection, a big finish for Solstice class

Celebrity Solstice arriving in Fort Lauderdale ahead of her inaugural celebrations

By Tom Stieghorst

The Celebrity Reflection is the last of five Solstice-class ships built by Celebrity Cruises, and although executives won’t say they like it the best, they clearly take pride in the new baby.

The Reflection stands apart from its siblings based on size alone. Its 126,000 gross tons is 4,000 more than the others. That enables the ship to carry 72 extra cabins, adding between 150 and 200 more passengers.

The Reflection is also home to Celebrity’s first two-bedroom suite, a 1,636-square-foot apartment that offers a glass-sided shower cantilevered over the ocean.

The suite, not yet sold out for 2013, is one of a half-dozen new suites along a corridor on Deck 14 that is accessed with a private cardkey. All have extra-tall ceilings and butler service.

The rest of the vessel carries all of the Solstice hallmarks: the half-acre lawn so inviting to the toes; the bevy of specialty restaurants such as Blu and Qsine; the quirky bird’s-nest getaway nooks in the Hideaway, one of several two-deck public rooms that give the Reflection’s interior such a spacious feeling.

Of those, my favorite was the Library, a soaring wall of books with fiction on the port side and nonfiction to starboard. Sitting in front of the wall is a cozy quartet of wingback chairs that practically beg to be occupied.

A close look at the ship reveals some subtle changes in the Solstice product. Gone is Quasar, a disco. Instead, the ship’s conference center takes Quasar’s space on Deck 4.

The Reflection also has 34 new AquaClass suites, which include unlimited dining for occupants at the ship’s “clean cuisine” specialty restaurant, Blu.

Another change: Four more cabana-style Alcoves have sprouted from the lawn, double the number on Reflection’s predecessor, the Silhouette. The Alcoves, which rent for $99 on port days and $149 on sea days, fit four or five guests and provide a sun- and wind-sheltered way to enjoy the passing parade of passengers on Deck 15.

The Sunset Bar, an outdoor venue overlooking the Reflection’s stern, has been turned 90 degrees so it protrudes from the aft deck. It features a new Middle Eastern kasbah theme with orange-and-purple sofa benches and a drinks program that includes pitchers of beverages.

All of the bars seemed to have something to offer on the Reflection. The design in the Sky Observation Lounge is nothing but circles; at Michael’s Club, squares and right angles rule. There’s always a predinner crowd buzzing around the Martini Bar.

At the Molecular Bar, Junior Marino serves up fascinating cocktails made with artisanal ingredients and chilled with liquid nitrogen.

“The drinks are designed to appeal to all five senses,” said Marino, who runs a New York laboratory for high-tech designer drinks and has licensed the Molecular Bar concept to Celebrity for the Solstice ships.

Cabins on the Reflection are in keeping with Celebrity’s theme of “Modern Luxury.” At 194 square feet, my AquaClass cabin was a tight fit at times for two people. But a balcony, included on 85% of the accommodations on the Reflection, enhanced its spaciousness.

Musical entertainment on the Reflection ran the gamut from classical to pop vocalists to jazz and seemed to engage many of the guests on this two-day introductory cruise.

Speaking of a two-day cruise: I disembarked wanting more. There’s enough on the Reflection to easily occupy passengers on the weeklong cruises it is scheduled to take this winter, or the 10- and 11-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises on its deployment next summer. 

To view the latest prices, ship details, and news about Celebrity Cruise, click here

Thomas Cook joins Thomson in tech-driven bricks and mortar fight back

Thomas Cook has become the latest bricks and mortar traditional high street travel agent promising to emulate digital giant Apple with a new concept store.

The travel giant says its new store in Leeds, that will open this month ahead of the turn of year peak booking period, with exploit the latest technology to engage with customers.

The reveal about its plans came just a month after rival Thomson spoke of its intention to open a “groundbreaking” concept store of its own within 12 months.

The “shop of the future” would seek to emulate Nike, Apple and Audi, ditching brochure racks in favour of digital screens and the latest modern point of sale technology.

Other traditional operators including Kuoni and Virgin Holidays are also brand flagship stores in high street locations, the latter having incorporated Aurasma augmented reality among other technologies in its High Street Kensington location.

Cook said research has shown that 46% of customers still seek face-to-face interaction with their travel agent but providing an omni-channel retail environment is key for the future of travel.

Retail director, Joanna Wild, said: “Our new store will be more Apple than travel and uses technology and techniques championed by iconic, high-tech brands to place our customers at the heart of the experience; allowing them to choose how they access information and dictate the level of assistance they receive from us.

“We know that shopping habits are changing, with more and more customers researching their holidays online and transactions becoming quicker, but we also know that a holiday is a massive purchase for customers who want to be inspired and enjoy that purchase process, and of course they still value that human touch and having expert advice on-hand if they need it.

“This is where our concept store will stand out and we will use it as a test bed to see what elements we might want to introduce to other stores in future.”

The 1,400sq ft concept store, in Leeds’ White Rose shopping centre, will allow customers to research and book holidays however they choose, whether searching and booking on a tablet, consulting one of 25 staff, watching a video or checking in on Facebook to qualify for a special offer.

Cook said “the holiday vibe in-store will be created with ambient music and video, while social media technologies will enable customers to share personalised, holiday-related content” and it will be the first step “in truly networking Thomas Cook travel consultants across the country”.

Recently appointed head of retail for large shops Lucy Green, who is in charge of the project, said: “The aim is to build a store that allows customers to engage and interact with us in any way they want.

“Our research found customers want options, and they felt the only option at the moment was to come in and sit with a consultant for a significant amount of time. The research focused on what they would like the store to be, and how they wanted to engage with us.”

Green, who formerly worked for The White Company, added: “Up and down the high street you can see where retailers are fighting back by investing in their bricks and mortar to create showcases for their brands.

“Ultimately it’s about future-proofing them by creating a more profitable, omni-channel retail environment but it’s also in direct response to reaction from customers who are coming back to the high street for that personal service – especially for high value or significant purchases – with John Lewis being a perfect example.”

Viking plans eight-ship order for 2014

By Michelle Baran

As part of a newbuild order that appears to be growing without end, Viking River Cruises said it plans to launch eight Longships in 2014 in addition to the 10 ships it will launch next year.

When the first two 190-passenger Longships, Viking's newest class of river cruise vessel, launched in March, the company revealed plans to launch six Longships each in 2012 and 2013 with the option for six more in 2014. Those plans have grown to 10 in 2013, and now eight in 2014, for a total of 24 new ships in three years. 

"The river cruise segment is rapidly growing, as more travelers are inspired to experience old destinations in a new way," Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen said in a release.

He added that Viking has had an "overwhelmingly positive response" during the first season for the new Longships, and stated that "we are pleased to continue our expansion to meet that demand."

Viking will simultaneously inaugurate eight Longships in a christening ceremony in late March in Amsterdam. The two additional Longships ordered for 2013, the Viking Baldur and the Viking Magni, will join the fleet in late August and September, respectively.

The ships are all being built at the Neptun Werft shipyard in Germany, part of the Meyer Neptun group.

Norwegian Getaway to have tropical hull art

By Tom Stieghorst

Hull art for the Norwegian Getaway will depict a mermaid holding the sun, along with pelicans and palm trees, Norwegian Cruise Line disclosed Monday.

Miami artist and muralist David Le Betard will execute the whimsical tropical ocean theme, which was unveiled at Le Batard's studio in the city's Wynwood area.

The Getaway is scheduled to launch in early 2014 and will sail year-round from Miami.

"Norwegian Getaway will be Miami's ship and, therefore, we wanted to ensure that her hull was designed by artist with strong ties to Miami and the Latin community," Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan said.

Le Batard paints in a style called "post-modern cartoon expressionism," which according to Norwegian "combines cartoon imagery with bold color and unique linear composition."

He has previously worked with Gibson Guitars, Ferrari and Harley-Davidson.

Norwegian Breakaway to have Sabrett hot dog carts

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line said the Breakaway will have three Sabrett hot dog carts, associating another New York icon with the 4,000-passenger ship.

Sabrett's yellow and blue umbrellas and all-beef frankfurters are ubiquitous on New York streets.

“We’re so excited to offer our hot dogs on board Norwegian Breakaway," Sabrett vice president Mark Rosen said.

The Breakaway will enter service in April and sail year-round from New York, and Norwegian has taken pains to link the ship to the city. The hull will be painted with a likeness of Lady Liberty and a city skyline, and the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes will serve as godmothers.

Norwegian also said that Brooklyn Brewery's Brooklyn Lager beer will be served at the Uptown Bar and Grill.

"Our guests will truly get a real taste of the city as a part of their whole New York experience while onboard," Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan said.

UK's Top Cruise Company SPLIT UP!

Carnival UK announces new sales structure to create “unrivalled” agent partnerships and deliver a “new generation” of cruisers

Carnival UK has announced changes to the structure of the agent facing sales teams for its three major brands.

From early March 2013 there will be two separate sales teams, one supporting P&O Cruises and Cunard Line and the other supporting Princess Cruises.
 

This change recognises the importance of each brand’s market position and product differentiation. As each brand evolves, their subsequent distribution and marketing solutions vary and this structure will enable more dedicated resource to work with our agent partners to fulfil those needs.

The Complete Cruise Solution sales team has driven significant increases in cruise business through many agents in this country over a number of years. Now is the time to underpin that solid foundation, encourage a new generation of cruisers and build on that growth to further commercial success.

The introduction of two sales teams will increase the internal resource available to maintain the current high standards of travel agent support and encourage unrivalled business partnerships. It will drive business growth and extend the marketing to the benefit of each of our three cruise lines and their agent partners.

The award winning agent extranet, www.completecruisesolution.com, will continue to provide top-quality booking and training services for all three brands, and will continue to receive significant investment.

The new Princess Cruises sales team will report into the newly created head of sales position, which will in turn report to Princess Cruises UK director, Paul Ludlow.

The sales team for P&O Cruises and Cunard will report into the newly appointed head of sales, Chris Truscott, who will join the organisation from early in the new year. Truscott will report to Carnival UK sales and customer services director, Giles Hawke.

All three brands are committed to continued commercial collaboration to provide a consistency of approach and to creating new sales organisations capable of delivering exceptional account management for mutual benefit.