Tour operators step up mobile efforts

Apps and ops: Tour operators step up mobile efforts

People who travel the world on packaged trips or guided tours have traditionally clung to the paper documents they receive before their trip, an excitement-inducing package of information containing all their travel details.

Even as tour operators have attempted to steer customers away from costly paper documents by, for example, emailing their clients PDF versions of the same documents, customers have resisted, asking instead for their beloved paper packs (preferably sent along with a branded document holder, travel bag and/or baseball cap).

But as the use of smartphones and tablets becomes significantly more widespread across demographics, there is renewed hope on the horizon of weaning customers off their physical travel documents and converting them to a digital version of those documents, not via email but by way of downloadable mobile applications.

As of last year, mobile apps downloaded onto smartphones and tablets took over the No. 1 spot for how the majority of all digital media is consumed in the U.S., according to the U.S. Mobile App Report, an in-depth study into mobile app usage released last year by Internet technology company comScore.

The report found that apps drive the vast majority of media consumption activity on mobile devices, with 88% of activity on smartphones coming from apps vs. 12% from standard Web browsing, and 82% of online tablet activity driven by apps vs. 18% by standard Web browsing.

Consequently, tour operators who have been holding off on investing in mobile for a variety of reasons are finally starting to look more seriously into mobile app technology, and they are doing so in growing numbers. The latest high-profile convert is Trafalgar, which after years of delivering travel details on paper and e-docs is preparing this month to launch a mobile app called myTrafalgar.

The myTrafalgar app, developed in-house in collaboration with a technology company, will enable those who download the app to access all their trip information, connect with other guests as well as with their travel director, share their experiences on social media, view images and learn about future trips. Guests will be able to download the app via the App Store or Google Play using their booking code to log in.

A countdown feature on the myTrafalgar app shows travelers how many days, hours and minutes are left until their trip.

“The myTrafalgar mobile app is designed to improve and personalize the on-trip experience,” said Paul Wiseman, president of Trafalgar USA. He said that downloading the app before the trip gives guests the opportunity to connect with their travel director before the trip begins, and the travel director, in turn, can learn more about his or her group in advance to better customize the experience. Once the trip is underway, the app will help facilitate social connections made while the group is traveling together.

“One of the common sentiments expressed by guests is how much they appreciated meeting new people within their travel group and the shared experience within a destination,” Wiseman said. “The app enables easy connectivity to new friends even sooner, rather than waiting for the trip to end, and encourages social engagement with family and friends through image sharing and journaling.”

Wiseman emphasized that the app is not intended to replace traditional paper documentation but rather is being offered in addition to it.

Trafalgar isn’t the only tour operator to see the value in connecting with customers via mobile. Anticipating the new wave of customers who want to be able to access all their travel documents, itineraries, boarding passes, e-tickets and weather on their smartphones and tablets, the British company Vamoos expanded into the U.S. market this summer, joining a small but growing group of companies that are developing mobile app technology specifically geared toward tour operators and travel agents.

“I tried to understand why there wasn’t any activity going on in mobile,” said Tony Bean, director of Appex Mobile, which developed the Vamoos white-label mobile app technology.

Bean came up with the idea for Vamoos after returning from a ski vacation. Although he had a great customer experience, he couldn’t understand why there wasn’t a way to have all his trip information in a single place on his smartphone. What he found after researching the mobile space is that when it comes to tour operators, “there are only a few companies that can afford the build cost of a new app.”

Three years ago, the Globus family of brands became one of the frontrunners in the U.S. tour operator mobile app space when it launched its Passport to Travel app as well as mobile-friendly customer service sites for its four brands: Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways.

Since it was launched, there have been more than 10,000 downloads of the Globus app, and the most popular function is the ability to view itineraries. So far this year, 40% of the company’s website traffic comes from mobile; mobile-driven website traffic has increased 14% this year over 2014.

But until recently, only the larger tour operators have had the financial resources to invest in mobile technology; for smaller operators, it has not been a worthwhile or attainable goal. Not only is mobile app development costly, but it was unclear whether and how much customers would use technology instead of traditional paper or emailed documents. Only recently, as mobile technologies have become ubiquitous, has a growing number of tour operators taken the leap of faith into mobile.

The myTrafalgar app includes a journaling function, which allows users to take notes and upload photos of their trip.

Frederic de Pardieu, CEO of Montreal-based mTrip, which has been providing mobile app solutions to tour operators since 2009, said part of the reason for the delay in going mobile is that until now, operators have been much more focused on getting their websites up to speed. Even in the mobile age, creating a great website is still much easier and more cost-effective than developing a solid app, he said.

De Pardieu said he has only begun marketing to U.S. tour operators seriously for the last year as interest in mobile began to pick up. 

“For a website, they can hire a developer or a designer and do it on their own,” he said. “If you go to the mobile space, if you want to do something that is really adding value, if you don’t want to only show flight and accommodation, if you want to go further in terms of planning and guidance, there is a technology barrier.”

And it can cost tour operators upward of $100,000 to $200,000 to get past that barrier, he added.

What companies like Vamoos and mTrip hope to do is to give operators the opportunity to tap into existing mobile technology templates with accessible pricing. The cost of Vamoos, for example, averages around $1.50 per passenger for the operators and travel agencies that sign up for the subscription-based service.

Tour operators can then customize the look and feel of the app.

When he launched Vamoos in the U.K. last year, Bean said, he wanted the app to be available to “all tour operators, whether they’re the smaller ones or the ones with deep pockets. Technology is supposed to be an equalizer, a democratizer. We have very small operators who find it’s a very good value for them, and we’ve actually signed a very large operator in the U.K. who also finds it to be a very good value.”

Making connections

For the most part, the mobile app technology that currently makes the most sense for tour operators does not actually have much, if any, booking functionality.

In this beginning stage of mobile adoption by operators, the most popular apps compile and organize all the travel documents that would normally be delivered to clients on paper or as PDF email attachments, provide multichannel communication options and, hopefully, enable companies to stay in touch with customers once they return from their trips.

An example of an app developed by mTrip.

They serve as a value-add and marketing tool rather than as a booking transaction tool. App developers note, however, that during the app development and customization phase, companies that want to build in booking functionality can certainly do so, though at an added cost.

Given the wide variations in the pace of adoption and levels of technology in the market at this point, there really is no way to calculate a clear-cut potential return on investment for mobile technology, which of course stands as yet another hurdle in justifying the investment.

Yet common sense suggests there is great long-term value in creating a mobile app that customers can download to their smartphone or tablet, because the technology is about staying connected to customers, learning about their needs and ultimately keeping them engaged before, during and after the trip.

“For us, both the app and the mobile-enabled sites have been about improving access and ease of use for travelers, rather than a straight ROI,” said Steve Born, Globus’ senior vice president of marketing. “Our evaluation of these tools has been as gateways to further research rather than revenue production.”

App developers agree that companies that invest in mobile will get a combination of increased customer satisfaction from users who engage with and appreciate the app’s functionality, the ability for an operator to maintain a more consistent connection with the customer and the opportunity to generate future bookings based on information gathered during app usage.

Additionally, travel apps can help facilitate social media interaction, which can serve as a great marketing tool for tour operators if passengers are snapping photos and sharing their experiences while on the road.

For customers concerned about their ability to access content while roaming internationally, most, if not all, of the apps being developed for the tour operator space are designed to have features such as itineraries that can be downloaded prior to the trip so that they can be accessed without using WiFi or other data sources.

Stiff competition

There are already numerous popular apps in the travel space that do a lot of what the apps being developed by and for individual tour operators do, including apps such as TripIt, TripCase or CheckMyTrip.

But according to de Pardieu, tour operators shouldn’t be discouraged by the prevalence of these heavyweight travel-itinerary apps, which he said are geared more toward business travelers who predominantly need to be able to access their flight information and accommodation details. The opportunity for tour operators is to go beyond simple logistics.

An example of a Vamoos mobile app interface.

“Our goal is really to provide something that is used from the time the trip is booked,” de Pardieu said, emphasizing the important role apps can play in generating pre-trip excitement by offering detailed itineraries and destination information.

While he does not see these apps as a primary booking tool, he suggested that tour operators and travel agents can also use apps to promote optional excursions and add-ons closer to the departure date, when customers are more likely to begin thinking about their detailed travel plans.

As with the Trafalgar app, there is also the opportunity to enable guests to connect with the tour guide or with past and present clients, including through social media, in advance of the journey.

Once customers are on the road, tour operator apps can essentially serve as a travel concierge service. Some of mTrip’s clients, for example, have opted for a function that gives customers suggestions for what to do during their free time in a destination, based on their individual preferences, what is popular in the region and what establishments are open during their free time.

As travel companies big and small race to get into the app game and develop loyalty through app usage, tour operators are entering a market already rife with noise. Beyond the TripCases and TripIts, everyone, from the airlines to the OTAs, already has their own apps.

“Everyone is going on the trip now with their smartphone,” de Pardieu said. “If [tour operators] want to survive, they need to go in this direction, also. They have to fight to keep the client with them and to not have the client go to the airline app.”

The winner in any tug-of-war for the client, he asserted, “will be [the one] who owns the client during mobility. The [app] that will be used is the one where you have the relationship. 

Royal Caribbean’s Suite Class product includes butler service

Royal Caribbean International said that for the first time in its history it will offer butler service in some of its top-end suites.

The cruise line made the disclosure in announcing the details of its Royal Suite Class product in 2016.

Suite Class debuted earlier this year on Celebrity Cruises, and Royal executives have said it was coming to Royal Caribbean, as well. 

In the top level of Royal Suite Class, called Star Class, guests will receive the services of a butler whose training will be certified by the British Butler Institute. Rather than calling them butlers, however, Royal Caribbean refers to them as Royal Genies.

The Star Class encompasses the high-end two-story Royal Loft Suite, the Owner’s Loft Suite, the four bedroom Family Suite, Grand Loft Suite, Sky Loft Suite and two bedroom Aqua Theater Suite. Other suites will be included in the Sky Class and Sea Class levels.

Royal Suite Class will use the existing suites on Royal’s Oasis- and Quantum-class ships, but package or add amenities and privileges into the fare for those suites.

In addition to the butlers, the amenities at various levels could include free Internet service; special linens and mattresses; bath and beauty products; access to the Coastal Kitchen restaurant; priority reservations for private cabanas at Royal’s private resort in Labadee, Haiti; a separate sun deck; and reserved VIP seating for entertainment productions.  Also included will be complimentary specialty dining; an ultimate beverage package; and inclusive gratuities, Royal said.

Reservations for Suite Class can be booked on cruises beginning in May 2016.

Carnival UK reveals major restructure

Princess Cruises’ UK boss is to switch brands and take the helm at P&O Cruises.

The announcement comes as part of a major restructure of the commercial teams for P&O Cruises and Cunard less than a week after the shock announcement that Carnival UK's chief commercial officer Gerard Tempest was to exit the business after two years.

Ludlow’s new role as senior vice-president of sales and marketing for P&O Cruises will also see him take responsibility for sales support, guest insight and the digital teams of both P&O Cruises and Cunard.

Cunard is now recruiting for the role of senior vice-president of sales and marketing.

As part of the restructure, sales and distribution director Chris Truscott will be leaving the business.

Head of partner sales, Jeremy McKenna, will lead the agency sales team for both brands, reporting directly to Ludlow in the interim period until the new Cunard role is appointed.

P&O Cruises marketing director, Christopher Edgington, will report into Paul Ludlow and Cunard’s Angus Struthers will report into the equivalent for Cunard when appointed.

Carnival UK chief executive, David Noyes, said that bringing sales and marketing together in one role would help Cunard and P&O Cruises create more momentum for the brands.

"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.

"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."

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."

During his time at Princess Cruises, Ludlow oversaw the creation of an individual sales team and commercial operation for the brand. He led the team which launched Royal Princess, named by the Duchess of Cambridge, and also oversaw the launch of new travel agent tools such as the recently-launched booking portal OneSource.

Princess Cruises is now recruiting for Ludlow’s replacement.

The Future of U.S. Cruises to Cuba

Havana Cuba.

Havana will soon be bustling with U.S. cruise passengers

Although U.S. laws still prohibit leisure travel to Cuba, cruise lines are waiting with plans in hand for the green light. Since last month’s announcement that Fathom, Carnival Corporation’s new social impact brand, was granted a license to sail from the Port of Miami starting next May, the floodgates seem ready to open.

Although Fathom is accepting bookings, negotiations with Cuba are not yet complete, and settling on ports of call remains up in the air. Rates for Cuba cruises, which start at $2,990 per person, are double those for Fathom’s originally announced Dominican Republic sailings, and Cuban fees will be tacked on to the cruise fare.

Meanwhile, Tom Baker, co-owner of Houston-based Cruise Center, has found land tours extremely high-priced in comparison to cruises.

“We’re looking at around $1,000 per day for a destination that is not a luxury experience,” he said. “I’m sure the tour operators are doing wonderful things, but they are still left with mediocre hotels, terrible roads and buses that may or may not maintain air conditioning. So I went to Cuba Cruise, where the highest-priced staterooms run around $3,000 for two people on a week long cruise, including shore excursions and an all-inclusive beverage package. You don’t have to take long bus rides, and both food and accommodations are going to be comfortable, at the very least.”

Baker originally booked a people-to-people cruise for himself, then decided to see if a LGBT group he was working with wanted to go as well. Now, he has more than 200 clients sailing on a Jan. 1 cruise, and the number of passengers continues to grow, all with little marketing.

Bonnie Habel, president of Fuller Travel in San Antonio, sees the current requirement for cruise passengers to interact with locals on the ground as another positive selling point.

“A lot of work and thought goes into those excursions, and it’s not just shopping and seeing a historic site,” she pointed out. “And with the cruise, people get a predictable level of food and lodging.”

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Fathom announcement is that president Tara Russell is also tasked with finding social impact cruise opportunities for other brands in Carnival Corporation’s huge fleet.

Habel and others believe they could sell the highest-level accommodations on a luxury ship in Cuba.

“If Carnival is smart, they will put Seabourn Cruise Line in there,” Habel said. “The highest-priced accommodations would fly out the door.”

Cuban-born Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., called the Carnival move a “critical first step.”

“Cuba will shine new light on the Caribbean, still the biggest cruise destination in the world,” he said.

According to Del Rio, Cuba has five or six ports with qualities “as different as New York and Texas,” and he believes all three of his brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — could differentiate themselves enough to more than satisfy the desires of various clienteles.

In addition to Fathom, a group of Florida ferry companies has been approved by the U.S. government to operate service to Cuba, including United Caribbean Lines, run by veteran cruise executive Bruce Nierenberg. His company is working with Haimark Ltd. to put the 210-passenger Saint Laurent into operation as the first small ship operated by a U.S. cruise line to circumnavigate Cuba in more than four decades. The line will offer nine-night roundtrip departures from Miami to Cuba beginning Feb. 20, pending final government approval.

Royal Caribbean Anticipates Anthem in NYC

Anthem of the Seas

The cruise line announces changes to Anthem, which will begin sailing out of New Jersey’s Cape Liberty Cruise Port in November

Counting down the last months before the 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas begins sailing out of Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J., on Nov. 4, Royal Caribbean International executives brought a preview of Anthem to the New York Times Center in New York City this July and offered news across the fleet.

With a performance from members of the cast of “We Will Rock you,” the shipboard production that was compared favorably to London’s West End production, the company stressed its exceptional entertainment. Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, and Mark Tamis, senior vice president of hotel operations, recounted the innovations on Anthem and across the fleet.

Anthem comes to Bayonne from a season in Europe with high-tech entertainment, from the Northstar glass viewing capsule high above the ship to Ripcord by iFly skydiving to Two70, where live performance merges with technology.

The new Dynamic Dining Choice program allows guests to dine when and where they wish, with the ability to select from among 18 restaurant concepts, including five complimentary main dining rooms, along with specialty dining venues headed up by chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Michael Schwartz and Devin Alexander. Dynamic Dining Classic is designed for guests who prefer traditional set seatings.

Anthem also features the fast, affordable Internet setup Voom, which Bayley described as having more capacity than the entire cruise industry fleet put together. With costs set at approximately $22.50 per day for two devices, the service offers a dramatic a drop in price, as well as its boost in connectivity. It is currently available on Quantum of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas and will also launch with next year’s Ovation of the Seas (Quantum-class) and Harmony of the Seas (Oasis-class). 

Harmony of the Seas under construction at STX shipyard in Saint-Nazare (Nantes, France)

Harmony, the largest cruise ship yet, will have a 5,479-passenger capacity and features such as a trio of waterslides — Cyclone, Monsoon and Typhoon — and The Abyss, a waterslide with a 10-story vertical drop. Harmony’s staterooms and suites will all be larger than those on Oasis, and they will include a four-bedroom presidential suite. Royal also has a fourth Oasis-class ship launching in 2018, and a fourth Quantum-class vessel in 2019. 

The line will introduce more inside staterooms with virtual balconies (a video wall projecting a live feed of the ocean outside) across the fleet, according to Tamis. In addition, he said Royal plans to expand the number of studio staterooms for solo passengers and debut connected staterooms for families that can hold up to 10, two-level loft suites and a four-bedroom Penthouse suite. The company also is launching the Royal Suite Class, designed for the luxury market.

Royal has an aggressive plan for fleet revitalization, as well. Liberty of the Seas will homeport in Galveston next year with firsts including a new waterpark and waterslide. Majesty of the Seas’ spring refurbishment will bring a family Jacuzzi, a poolside movie screen, the line’s signature DreamWorks Experience entertainment, a new casino and more. Jewel of the Seas will undergo revitalization in 2016, and details will be forthcoming soon. New dining choices on Majesty will include Mexican fare at Sabor Taqueria, sushi and sashimi at Izumi Japanese and a new Chef’s Table experience.

In addition, the company has a major commitment to install new scrubbers that reduce emissions by 98 percent. 

The land product has not been neglected, either: Royal has grouped its roughly 3,000 shore excursions into special interest categories that allow any travel agent to arrange a themed cruise for clients. These include Active Adventures, Family Connections, Royal Tour Challenge, Culture and Sights, Culinary Delights, Caring Discoveries and Royal Premium Tour Collection.

Concerns from agents that Royal would concentrate on its China market to the neglect of the Americas can be laid to rest with the recent announcements. With all the new builds and upgrades, there is a huge new world of product to sell.

Aqua Expeditions to upgrade both Amazon vessels

Luxury river operator Aqua Expeditions has announced that it will be renovating its two Peruvian Amazon vessels, the Aqua Amazon and the Aria Amazon. The upgrades are being overseen by the boats’ original designer, Peruvian architect Jordi Puig.

The vessels’ exteriors will be outfitted with new woodwork, a fresh coat of paint and new awnings. New wood flooring has been installed throughout most common areas. Additionally, all the suites are being redone with new floors, furniture and amenities, and the bathrooms with new floors and tiles. Both vessels feature newly upholstered furniture, new wall coverings and lighting. New skiffs have also been added on each vessel that seat up to 10 passengers.

Aqua Expeditions was founded eight years ago when it launched the 12-suite Aqua Amazon, which was followed by the 16-suite Aria Amazon. In October 2014, Aqua Expeditions launched a third luxury river cruise vessel, the 20-suite Aqua Mekong, on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia.

Undocking the Norwegian Escape

Meyer Werft: Undocking the Norwegian Escape 

expected on 08/15/2015

Report thanks to 

 ship journal

Undocking the Norwegian Escape: ship leaves the covered building dock of Meyer Werft on Saturday (15.08.2015) against 08.30 Clock

As the second ship in this year is the new cruise ship, the Norwegian ESCAPE leave the covered building dock of MEYER WERFT on Saturday, August 15, 2015. Extensive testing of security systems, mechanical and plant trials and completion of interior work had determined in the last few weeks the course in building dock II. The undocking of the ship that will be built for the American company Norwegian Cruise Line (Miami) starts at about 8:30 clock. After undocking and subsequent testing of thrusters, stabilizers and launching of lifeboats the ship will moor at the pier in the shipyard harbor.There, the lining of the chimney and the mast is fitted with a mobile crane.

Weather-related changes over time when undocking possible.

To facilitate the application of the Norwegian Escape at the pier, which is currently located at the fitting first swimming part of the Ovation of the Seas will be hauled. The second float member, which is currently in the building dock II shipyard is expected undocked on Friday afternoon and then also within the shipyard harbor. After undocking the Norwegian Escape are the two parts of the swimming Ovation of the Seas, which will be completed in spring 2016 maneuvered for further construction in the building dock II free.

At the fitting of the MEYER WERFT the final work and tests are carried out on the ship in the following days. Few days later, the first members of the crew then relate their cabins on the ship and familiarize yourself with the ship and its various systems and equipment. Already in mid-September will start their EMS overpass towards the North Sea, to ask where their seaworthiness prove the Norwegian ESCAPE. On September 5, we will make the ship nor the backdrop for this year's NDR 2 Papenburg Festival.

The 164,600-gt construction has an overall length of 324 meters and is 41.4 meters wide. It is built to meet current safety regulations and meets all known environmental regulations.

A webcam is under www.meyerwerft.de transmit the undocking.

Don't shake hands with the captain!

Don't shake hands with the captain!

Cruise ships said to have banned greeting because of fears contagious stomach viruses could be passed on

• Cruise ship captains have been warned against shaking hands on deck 
• It is feared that shaking hands can pass on the infectious Norovirus 
• Crystal Cruises admitted the new rule was designed to prevent disease
• The company said two of their boats were hit by Norovirus since 2008

Dining at the captain’s table is, for the lucky few, perhaps the glamorous highlight of a luxury cruise.

But having donned your dickie bow for the big night, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t stretch out a gold-braided arm in greeting.

For some cruise ships have banned passengers from shaking hands with the captain amid fears over highly contagious stomach viruses being passed on.

On-board outbreaks of norovirus have turned many a cruise into a nightmare for holidaymakers, leaving them suffering chronic vomiting and diarrhoea.

The bid to prevent it being passed to captains at dinners, cocktail parties and receptions was noted by Margaret Thatcher’s official biographer Charles Moore when he went on his first cruise recently.

Writing in The Spectator magazine about his time on board the £225 million, 1,070-passenger Crystal Serenity on a 12 day, £3,700 per person cruise from Lisbon to London via the west coast of France, he said: ‘Every effort was made to look after us courteously. Modern standards, however, put things under some strain. ‘As our voyage neared its end, the daily ship newspaper, Reflections, delivered to the door of our cabin (‘stateroom’) said: ‘All guests are cordially invited to join Captain Birger J Vorland and Crystal Society Hostess Isabell Wagner in the Palm Court at 7.45pm.

‘While the captain is pleased to meet you, he and the other staff receiving you refrain from shaking hands in order to provide the most effective preventative sanitary measures’.’

Yesterday a Crystal Cruises spokesman said: ‘It used to be, back in the day, that the captain would shake everyone’s hand. But because norovirus is spread so easily it’s just standard now that when the captains are greeting lots of people they don’t shake hands.

‘They are not being rude, it’s a preventative measure. It’s been the case on our two ships since at least 2008.’

Whether or not passengers can shake hands with the captain is down to individual cruise lines, say the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).

A Cunard spokesman said: ‘While I was on Queen Mary 2 last week the captain shook hands with passengers attending the many cocktail parties that were held.’

A CLIA spokesman insisted norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships are uncommon, affecting ‘just 1 out of every 12,000 cruise passengers’.

He said: ‘You are 750 times more likely to get norovirus on land than on a cruise ship.’

Standard procedures for CLIA cruise lines to follow when a guest on board is suspected of contracting the gastrointestinal illness include regularly sanitizing door handles, railings and elevator buttons, providing hand sanitizers to passengers during their cruise, and sending public health specialists as well as additional medical personnel to ships as required.

The CLIA spokesman said: ‘Norovirus can remain viable on hands for hours thereby giving hands the potential to spread the infection both directly and indirectly. ‘Hand washing is therefore the single most important procedure for preventing the spread of infection.’ 

Norwegian’s Asia cruises aimed at North Americans

Norwegian Star photo taken in Acapulco Mexico, by Dave Jones.

By Michelle Baran

 After announcing that the Norwegian Star will sail to destinations in Asia and Australia for the fall/winter 2016-17 season, Norwegian Cruise Line made clear that the cruises are not aimed at the Asian source market.

“We’re definitely marketing globally, but the North American market is a huge and very important market for these itineraries. … This is not a ship going out to Asia for Asians. This is a ship going out for our core, target audience,” Andy Stuart, president and COO of Norwegian Cruise Line, told travel agents during a webinar on Tuesday.

Stuart broke down the Norwegian Star’s journey eastward, which will begin after its summer season in Northern Europe next year. The ship will sail to Barcelona, then to Istanbul and the Holy Land, then to Dubai via the Suez Canal, on to India, and ultimately to Asia where it will visit ports in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong before continuing on to Australia and New Zealand.

The move eastward marks the first time since 2002 that Norwegian Cruise Line will sail to destinations in Asia.

The Asia expansion is separate from Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd.'s plans explore deployment options in China.

AmaWaterways christens AmaSerena in Germany

From left: AmaWaterways' Kristin Karst and Rudi Schreiner; Cruise Planners' Michelle Fee; Vilshofen Mayor Florian Gams; and 2nd County Commissioner Rainmund Kneidinger.

By Michelle Baran

Michelle Fee, co-founder and CEO of Cruise Planners, served as the godmother for the christening of AmaWaterways’ newest 164-passenger vessel AmaSerena, which took place this week in Vilshofen, Germany.

Fee was joined by Ama co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst.

The launch of AmaSerena brings the company’s 2015 fleet size to 16 vessels, with two additional launches planned for next year — the 158-passenger sister ships AmaViola and AmaStella.

The AmaSerena features the line’s first-ever connecting staterooms, designed to better accommodate families and groups traveling together. The majority of the staterooms on the vessel’s upper two decks have been outfitted with Ama’s signature twin balcony concept (an adjoining indoor and outdoor balcony). The AmaSerena also features salon and spa services; a sun deck; multiple dining venues, including The Chef’s Table restaurant; an intimate wine room; a fitness room; and a heated swimming pool with swim-up bar on the sun deck.

Future itineraries for the AmaSerena include the Enchanting Rhine, Magnificent Europe and the Romantic Danube.

Norwegian Cruise Line reports 42% profit increase

The benefits of acquiring Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises began to “hit their full stride” in the second quarter, Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd., said Tuesday as the company reported that Q2 net income rose 42%, to $158.5 million. 

Revenue also increased 42%, to $1.09 billion.

The company completed its $3 billion acquisition of Oceania and Regent last November.

Norwegian also said a strong Wave season at the start of 2015 had continued into the second and third quarters, with “volumes continually outpacing the same time last year.”

The company now expects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.80 to $2.90 for the full-year 2015. The previous guidance was $2.75 to $2.90.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. eyes Cuba and China

Norwegian Star in Cabo San Lucas, by Dave Jones

By Michelle Baran

One day after announcing that Norwegian Cruise Line will sail to destinations in Asia and Australia for the first time since 2002, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. revealed it is looking into opportunities for deployment in both China and Cuba.

“We believe that once Cuba opens up totally, it’s going to be a real windfall for the industry,” Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., said during the company’s second-quarter earnings call on Tuesday.

Del Rio said that the company has already applied for a license to operate Cuba cruises with the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and an export license with the Commerce Department. “And we have engaged the Cuban government,” said Del Rio.

He said that a possible Cuba deployment is still a work in progress, but that the company is hopeful it will receive the applicable permissions from both governments before the year is over. “And then we’ll have an interesting dilemma on our hands of what vessels to deploy to Cuba and from where,” said Del Rio.

He said that of the company’s brands, the first vessel to sail to Cuba would most likely come from the Oceania fleet.

As for speculation about whether the company’s Asia expansion would include deploying a vessel in China, Del Rio said that China plans aren’t finalized but that the market is desirable.

“You hear the other lines say how their most profitable ships are based in China, and so we want in on that action,” said Del Rio. “It’s now no longer a startup market if you will. … And given that the Norwegian fleet will have grown to 17 vessels, its’ time to deploy some tonnage there.”

He added that if the company decides to go to China, a ship will not arrive there before 2017.

In February, Del Rio told investors that China was being studied as a deployment option for one of its ships on order for 2018.

Norwegian Star to sail Asia and Australia cruises

Norwegian Star in Cabo San Lucas.

By Jerry Limone 

Norwegian Cruise Line will sail to destinations in Asia and Australia for the first time since 2002, operating voyages from six ports in fall/winter 2016-17 on the Norwegian Star.

Itineraries will depart from Istanbul, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand. Highlights include the line’s first visits to India and the Persian Gulf, a series of Southeast Asia cruises and two Australia/New Zealand voyages (one 12-day and one 19-day cruise). The Southeast Asia cruises feature overnight stays in Bangkok.

Also in winter 2016-17, the Norwegian Epic will return to Florida after more than a year in Europe, sailing eastern and western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral. The Norwegian Jade will replace Norwegian Star in Tampa, mainly sailing an itinerary that visits the Mexican Caribbean; Roatan in Honduras’ Bay Islands; and Harvest Caye, Norwegian’s new private destination in Belize.

Starting next summer, the Norwegian Spirit will replace the Epic as the line’s year-round European ship, sailing Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, Venice and Istanbul.

In addition to Norwegian’s previously scheduled Panama Canal cruises in February, the line has added two 14-day Panama Canal sailings from Los Angeles and Miami on the Norwegian Jewel, on Feb. 5, 2017, and Feb. 19, 2017. The Caribbean cruises go on sale Aug. 24.

Caribbean sailings for fall/winter 2016-17 will go on sale Aug. 19, and all other destinations go on sale Aug. 24.

RCCL execs pleased with pricing-discipline policy

By Tom Stieghorst 

Royal Caribbean’s campaign to curb last-minute deep discounts is off to a good start.

So say top execs at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., who had several things to say about what they’re calling Royal’s “price integrity policy,” in talking to Wall Street analysts last week.

Starting in March, Royal said it would stop filling its ships by offering very low prices within a month of sailing. Depending on the itinerary, Royal said it would stop discounting either 10, 20 or 30 days before the ship leaves the dock.

In an earnings call with analysts, Royal Chairman Richard Fain said the company was extending the policy in some cases to apply to bookings within 40 days of departure.

That is what is called incremental progress. If Royal sticks with it, there may be positive results for both Royal and travel agents.

Fain said that Royal is trying hard to be more consistent in its pricing, in part to keep travel agents in its corner.

“There's probably one thing that frustrates the travel agents that we work with as much as anything else, [and it] is those late last-minute discounts,” he said. “And we can't afford to frustrate them.”

A bit later in the call, CFO Jason Liberty raised a second reason why curbing the deep-discount cycle will benefit Royal.

“It's really very important to the branding,” said Liberty. It lacks credibility, Liberty said, to contend that you are a brand that is high quality and has high respect in the industry — “and you can have us for half-price.”

“So the ability to maintain your image as a higher-quality product, which really has to permeate everything you do, is probably a big driver, as big a driver of our thinking as anything else,” Liberty said.

Fain said Royal recognizes that the policy is costing money in the short term. But Royal’s second-quarter earnings were up 34% from a year ago, so any losses are being offset elsewhere.

“It's still early days, but the impact we have seen from a load factor perspective is relatively small, and it's in line with our expectations,” Fain said.

Kung Fu Panda restaurant opens on Quantum of the Seas

Kung Fu Panda Restaurant.

Royal Caribbean International said its first Kung Fu Panda Noodle Shop has opened on Quantum of the Seas.

It is the first restaurant on land or sea to feature characters from the Dreamworks Animation film "Kung Fu Panda," which is popular in China where Quantum is now deployed.

Menu items, priced from $2 to $5, include four-piece dim sum and noodle bowls such as Taiwanese spicy beef noodles. Desserts include sesame balls and custard tart.

There is also an opportunity for keepsake pictures with Po and other characters from the movie.

Costa Cruises to build world's largest passenger ships

By Hollie-Rae Merrick 

Costa Cruises is to build two 6,600 passenger ships, making the vessels the largest in the world by capacity.

The Carnival Corporation-owned brand will launch the new ships in 2019 and 2020. The two vessels will be built at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, and will be the first ships powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

The announcement of the new ships for Costa is a significant statement about the brand’s recovery following the Costa Concordia tragedy in 2012.

The Costa new builds will have 600 more passengers than Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class, which will remain the largest cruise ships in the world by size.

Costa’s ship order is part of parent Carnival Corporation’s multibillion dollar contract with two Meyer shipyards in Finland and Germany.

Carnival’s deal with the shipyards is for a total of nine new ships between 2019 and 2022, including the two newly announced Costa ships.

Michael Thamm, chief executive of the Costa group, said: “These ships will expand the leadership position for the Costa Group, the market leader in all major continental European markets.

“The multibillion dollar contract with Meyer mirrors our strategy to constantly innovate our vacation offers and to deliver an unmatched cruise experience to our guests.”

Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises, said: “The two Costa ships are a real innovation for the market, setting new standards for the whole industry: they will be the first green ships powered with LNG and they will offer an extensive number of guest-friendly features.

“The order also confirms that the Costa brand will continue to grow, becoming even stronger and keep on generating a positive economic impact in the main countries where it operates, including Italy.”