Travelbeat
Cruise News
Update: July 23, 2008 [2 stories]
USA
Royal Caribbean To Slash 400 Jobs
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. posted earnings of $84.7-million in the first quarter, a significant decline from its $128.7-million earnings during the same period last year.
The cruise line said it plans to reduce its staff by 400 positions and blamed soaring fuel prices for its economic woes.
"Too much of our profitability is being eroded by the increase in fuel prices," CEO Richard Fain said.
"This is unacceptable and we are evaluating everything we do to find ways to do it more efficiently and effectively."
(Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd)
Mexico
Implementation Of Tax On Cruise Passengers Delayed
Mexico's Ministry of Tourism had planned to apply a $5 head tax on cruise passengers who stop at the country's ports starting this summer but has postponed the implementation until October 1.
The Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, some Mexican ports and cruise lines are opposed to the tax, which supporters say will generate about $30-million annually.
(American Society of Travel Agents)
Update: July 21, 2008 [1 story]
Australia
Pacific Dawn Chef Inducted Into Gastronomic Society
P&O Cruises' Executive Chef Ravindra Jadhav was inducted into the international gastronomical society, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, at an exclusive lunch held onboard superliner Pacific Dawn yesterday.
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises, and the cruise line's Vice President of Hotel Operations, Sture Myrmell, were also honoured during the proceedings by Stephen Marks - Bailli Délégué of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.
Ms Sherry said she was thrilled to showcase P&O Cruises new culinary experience in front of such a prestigious audience of food professionals.
"Our association with La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is a great reflection of the direction we are heading with our food and wine offering," Ms Sherry said.
"The induction of our executive chef into the Chaîne is an important step in the transformation of the food and wine product onboard P&O Cruises ships, which include innovative new restaurants, modern menus, a new onboard wine list, and sailings featuring wine lectures and food expos."
La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is an international gastronomic society founded in Paris in 1950. It is devoted to promoting fine dining and preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table.
(MG Media Communications)
Update: July 19, 2008 [2 stories]
Australia
Record Number Of ICCA Masters On The Med
A record number of travel agents have signed up for the annual International Cruise Council Australasia's 2008 Masters' Conference at Sea, to be held onboard the MSC Poesia as she sails from Venice in October.
A group of 77 will cruise the Eastern Mediterranean for 7-nights aiming to boost their cruise knowledge and sales, as well as enjoy the spectacular ports of Bari, Italy; Katakolon, Greece; Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Cruise Council General Manager Brett Jardine welcomed the enthusiastic response from travel agent members in 2008.
"Despite rising interest rates and fuel prices, cruising continues to shine as a great value holiday option - as shown by the demand for places on our Masters' cruise," Mr Jardine said.
"It's fantastic to see travel agents looking to boost their knowledge of the cruise industry and capitalise on burgeoning Australian interest in cruise holidays."
The cruise departs Venice on Saturday, October 25, with all participants guaranteed a balcony cabin on the 89,600-tonne Poesia, which was launched in early April by Italian screen icon Sophia Loren.
Special guest speaker at the conference will be US-based trainer of travel agents Scott Koepf, who will share his 26-years of retail travel experience and skill as a motivational speaker.
Agents will gain Masters accreditation by attending all the conference sessions and completing a post-conference work-based case study.
(MG Media Communications)
Australia
Complete Cruise Solution Rewards Cruise Express
A boom in sale for Cunard and Princess Cruises products by cruise agency, Cruise Express, has prompted Complete Cruise Solution to offer the agency two major awards.
Representatives from CCS presented Cruise Express staff with two plaques - one as a Platinum Member for the Cunard Inner Circle - the line's highest trade award - and the other as an Elite Member for Princess Cruises - again that line's highest agent accolade.
Cruise Express is one of only three agencies in Australia to receive Cunard's prestigious Platinum Member award this year.
CCS made the award presentation in recognition of the high sales achieved for both the Cunard and Princess Cruises brands.
Based in Balmain in Sydney, Cruise Express is a specialist cruise agency and also runs its own successful programme of escorted cruise tours.
Cruise Express was voted National Cruise Agency of the Year in 2004 by the International Cruise Council of Australasia.
Pictured (l-r): CCS Business partnership Manager NSW, Trevor Thwaites, Cruise Express directors, Lance Mumby and Hardy Schneider, and CCS Regional Sales Manager Keith McDonald at Cruise Express' Sydney office.
(Peak PR)
Update: July 18, 2008 [1 Story]
USA
Royal Caribbean Expected To Downsize
Industry sources say Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is planning to implement "broad-based, shoreside expense reductions of up to 25%" as fuel prices soar and other operational challenges mount.
"We continuously look for ways to operate more efficiently without compromising the experience of our guests and travel agent partners," said Lynn Martenstein, RCCL's Vice President of Corporate Communications.
"Like most companies today, we are redoubling our efforts to find savings, but we have not announced any specific actions."
(American Society of Travel Agents)
Update: July 17, 2008 [2 Stories]
Australia
Agencies Win Luxury Voyage On Queen Mary 2
Cunard has announced the names of three lucky travel agencies that won a three-night luxury voyage onboard Queen Mary 2 to celebrate the return of the Cunard ‘Queens’ to Australia in 2009.
Jetset Preston in Victoria, and Interline Reservations Service and Breakaway Travel Club in New South Wales, achieved the highest revenue booking sectors to Sydney or Auckland on Queen Mary 2’s 2009 World Voyage.
Valued at more than $2700, the prize includes accommodation for two in a balcony cabin as the liner sails from Auckland on February 23, 2009, to Sydney.
Complete Cruise Solution Director of Sales Don Clark said the incentive had proved hugely popular with the travel trade, resulting in a hard fought competition for the top three spots.
“We are thrilled to announce the winners and sure they’ll enjoy their voyage on the grandest ocean liner at sea,” he said.
Pictured at Jestset Preston (l-r): Back row: Melina Catalano, Pepe Buchanan, Antonietta DeLorenzo. Centre: Lucia Guarino.
(MG Media Communications)
Australia
No Low Water Level Concerns For APT Cruises
APT is advising agents its seven Europe river cruise services are experiencing no problems with low water levels on its Europe river network.
APT, responding to reports of low water levels on the Elbe River impacting on river ship itineraries, said agents could reassure their clients about to leave Australia that all scheduled APT departures were unaffected, as were the itineraries of the seven services currently on the water.
APT confirms that since last Friday, eight travel agents have asked APT if they could accommodate clients booked on the July 14 inaugural Scenic Emerald departure from Amsterdam due to reported low water levels on the Elbe River.
Viking Danube departing Monday was fully booked but due to last minute cancellations was able to accommodate two Scenic passengers and it departed on schedule. Another four passengers were accommodated on later APT cruises.
APT General Manager, Chris Hall said that over the last 3-years, APT had successfully delivered four of its own new river ships on time to meet schedules that agents had sold confidently 12-months earlier.
“Our next two ships are also on track to enter service on time next year, which will be a huge year for agents because we will have a choice of 64 Magnificent Europe departures between March 7 and November 14, which is 31 more than in 2008,” he said.
“This has been made possible because of our partnership with local expert Amadeus Waterways - we have gone with experience rather than go it alone.”
(Graeme Willingham Public Relations Pty Ltd)
Update: July 14, 2008 [1 Story]
USA
Rejoining Silversea As EVP Fleet Operations
Silversea Cruises is pleased to welcome back Christian Sauleau, who rejoins the ultra-luxury cruise operator today as Executive Vice President of Fleet Operations, overseeing marine, technical, hotel, crewing, entertainment and land programmes.
He reports to the company's CEO, Amerigo Perasso and will be based in the Fort Lauderdale office.
Sauleau was the line's Senior Vice President of Operations in the mid-1990s, and was instrumental in developing the award-winning company's exceptional reputation for personalized service and hospitality.
Sauleau was recently the Executive Vice President of Operations at Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
His career also includes several years at Royal Viking Line in both shipboard and shoreside capacities.
Silversea also expects to finalise a management agreement shortly with V. Ships for technical management (including newbuild supervision), marine operations and crew management services.
It is anticipated that a number of operations employees in Silversea's Monaco office will move to V. Ships as a result of the reorganisation.
In conjunction with these organisational changes, Rocco Auteri, Senior Vice President of Fleet Operations, and Silvio Rossi, Vice President of Hotel Operations, are leaving Silversea.
All at Silversea wish them the very best in their future endeavours.
(Ink Publicity)
Update: July 13, 2008 [1 Story]
Unmatched Record Of #1 Wins
With its highest score in 5-years, Crystal Cruises has been voted the World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine for a 13th consecutive year.
The ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises is the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have won the prestigious award each year since the awards' inception.
Crystal's 2008 World's Best score of 90.67 marks the highest score of any cruise line - large and small.
This score ranks Crystal with the survey's most highly noted hotel in the world.
The World's Best Awards are based on a first quarter 2008 survey of thousands of world travellers.
Subscribers, who were allowed only one vote each, were asked to rate cruise lines on cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities and value.
"We are extremely honoured and gratified that the authentic warmth of Crystal's extraordinary staff, our seamless luxury and unparalleled attention to detail make for such a treasured experience for so many discerning Travel + Leisure readers," said Crystal Cruises' President Gregg Michel.
"This is a tremendous validation of the continual investments we make in our ships, the meaningful personalized programmes we've introduced, and Crystal's winning formula of superior service, choices, space and quality."
Crystal Cruises' luxurious, award-winning fleet consists of the 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony and 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity, which cruise worldwide on itineraries of seven to 106 days.
(Impact Asia Ltd)
Update: July 10, 2008 [3 Stories]
Germany
APT’s New River Ships Christened Together
APT christened its two new river ships ms Amadante and ms Amacello in the one ceremony at Regensberg on Monday when the two ships crossed on their scheduled cruises.
Louise Tandy (nee McGeary), a third generation director of the McGeary family’s APT travel company, is the Godmother of ms Amadante.
She is pictured at left with Judy Marbrow - Cruise & Booking Centre, Kath Williams - Jetset Rowville, Geoff McGeary, Carly O'Bryan -Travelscene Belrose, Karen McLaren - RACQ Eight Mile Plains, Tula Beames - RAC Travel Perth, John Wallace - RAA Travel, Alison Hunt - Phil Hoffmann Travel Stirling, Mandi Cooper - Villa Calotta and Leanne Mousley - National Seniors Travel.
Ms Amadante entered service on schedule on June 1 while ms Amacello also was on schedule when it started work before Easter.
Another four APT Amadeus Waterways river ships are on order for deliver in 2009 and 2010.
(Graeme Willingham Public Relations Pty Ltd)
Australia
Second Oman Ferry Betters Sister's Speed Record
The second of Austal’s two 65 metre vehicle-passenger ferries built for the Sultanate of Oman has become the first diesel-powered vehicle ferry to reach a speed of 56 knots.
Hormuz recorded a maximum speed of 56 knots (103.7km/h) and a service speed of 52 knots during sea trials held near Henderson in Western Australia on July 8.
The feat makes it the fastest diesel-powered vehicle passenger ferry in the world - a title previously held by its sister vessel Shinas, which recorded a maximum speed of 55.9 knots last year.
The vessel is scheduled for delivery to Oman next month, where it will join Shinas in providing a new tourism service to Oman’s spectacular Musandam Peninsular as flagships of the Sultanate’s expanded marine transport network.
(Austal)
Australia
Cruise Council's New Sydney Training Sessions
The International Cruise Council Australasia has released new training dates for Sydney in October this year after its August sessions sold out in record time.
The new Sydney training sessions will be held October 20-21 at the Orient Hotel on George Street.
“In times of soaring interest rates and fuel costs, cruise holidays stand out as value-for-money vacations so we’re delighted Sydney’s travel agents are coming onboard to make the most of the rising consumer interest,” said Council General Manager Brett Jardine.
“Our training sessions around the country are filling up fast so we’d like to encourage agents to get in quick to secure their places and join the cruise boom,” Mr Jardine said.
Training sessions in other cities in 2008 include Melbourne: July 17-18, Gold Coast: July 29-30, Cairns: September 3-4, Brisbane: September 10-11, Perth: September 24-25 and Adelaide: December 2-3.
Course information and registration are available online at www.cruising.org.au.
Mr Jardine said agents who participated in the training would earn valuable points towards their Cruise Council accreditation.
The International Cruise Council Australasia is a not-for-profit organisation formed in 1996, committed to training travel consultants and raising consumer awareness of cruising.
(MG Media Communications)
Update: July 09, 2008 [6 Stories]
England
Lengthened Braemar Rejoins Fred. Olsen Fleet
Braemar, the second cruise liner Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has lenghtened and modernised, has re-entered service after work being carried out at the Blom & Voss shipyard in Germany.
A 31.2 metre midsection increased the ship's length to 195 metres and gross tonnage to about 23,500 from 19,089.
Earlier this year, the company lengthened Balmoral, which at 43,000 grss tons is the largest ship in its fleet, before introducing the vessel on the UK market.
Fred. Olsen has increased its capacity by 60% this year thanks to these two moves.
(Cruise Business Online)
Australia
P&O Cruises Donates Blankets to Homeless
P&O Cruises has donated more than 400 blankets to the Matthew Talbot Hostel in Sydney to assist with their Winter Outreach programme.
The blankets, which have become available following the introduction of duvets on Australia's first superliner, Pacific Dawn, have been distributed among families assisted by the Matthew Talbot Hostel to rebuild their lives after a period of homelessness.
Matthew Talbot Homeless Services' Community Support Team member, David Lamb said that the blankets would make a big difference to the lives of less fortunate families during the coldest months of the year.
"The blankets donated by P&O Cruises are of exceptionally high quality and we are thrilled to accept them for use in our outreach programme.
"Without the support of companies like P&O Cruises, we wouldn't be able to follow through with any of the programmes we run to make a difference to so many homeless people in Sydney," he said.
Bruce Peters, Manager of Operational Projects at P&O Cruises said the cruise line was grateful of the opportunity to support the good works of St Vincent de Paul through the Matthew Talbot Hostel.
"We are very privileged to be able to help such a great organisation like Matthew Talbot with their ongoing outreach programmes. It is our way of giving something back to the community," Mr Peters said.
Pictured: David Lamb, Matthew Talbot Homeless Services accepts the blanket donation from P&O Cruises' Bruce Peters while Belinda Devine and Rebecca Howes hold the blankets before they are distributed.
(MG Media Communications)
Australia
Fuel Prices Force Consolidation Of Cruise Season
Escalating fuel prices has forced Classic International Cruises to consolidate its 2008/09 summer season in Australia, with Princess Daphne and Funchal to be replaced by one ship - the line’s flagship, Athena.
The 650-passenger Athena will be based in Fremantle and Adelaide and will operate all the 16 cruises planned for the 500-pasenger Funchal.
Passengers booked on Funchal will be transferred to a similar cabin category on Athena, at no additional cost.
The decision means the seven cruises planned for Princess Daphne’s debut in Sydney have been cancelled, with all affected passengers offered free flights to Perth and a comparable cruise duration on Athena at no extra cost.
Classic International Cruises Managing Director Grant Hunter said escalating fuel prices had made the decision to consolidate the 2008/09 season unavoidable.
“We sincerely regret having to cancel Princess Daphne’s maiden season here but skyrocketing fuel prices, with more increases expected soon, meant it was financially impossible for us to bring two ships from Europe to Australia and back,” Mr Hunter said.
“If the four long line voyages had proceeded, we would have been forced to impose hefty levies on passengers on these voyages to cover the massive cost of fuel, which we felt would have been unfair and untenable.
“Passenger loadings for both Funchal and Princess Daphne were already high so in order to accommodate most guests booked on these ships, we will deploy the larger Athena to operate Funchal’s 2008/09 programme from Fremantle."
Originally a transatlantic liner, Athena was completely rebuilt as a cruise ship in 1994 and refurbished in 2005.
(Peak PR)
Australia
P&O Cruises Voted Best Cruise Operator…Again!
P&O Cruises has won the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) for 'Best Cruise Operator' for the 3rd year in a row, earning it a place in the NTIA Hall of Fame.
The awards are voted directly by industry travel agents around Australia and were announced in Sydney on Saturday July 5, 2008.
Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President for P&O Cruises accepted the award on the night and said the cruise line was thrilled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after three consecutive wins.
"Being recognised by our travel industry peers three years in a row is a great honour for P&O Cruises and a reflection of the impressive quality of our product and service.
"We are currently introducing many innovations in both entertainment and dining onboard to create an even more unforgettable holiday for our passengers.
"P&O Cruises values its relationship with travel agents and we have recently restructured our sales team to develop even closer connections with agents," Ms Lourey said.
The National Travel Industry Awards are awarded by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents.
Pictured (l-r): P&O Cruises representatives - Keith McDonald, Alice-Louise Hutcheson, Jenny Lourey, Don Clark, Adam Armstrong, Trevor Thwaites.
(MG Media Communications)
USA
Uniworld Increases Company-owned Fleet To Ten
Uniworld has announced the launch of its tenth ship, the River Beatrice.
The majestic River Beatrice joins Uniworld's fleet of ten boutique, hotel-style ships, and will offer the same high standards of excellence in elegant accommodations, award-winning hospitality, and world-class cuisine.
She is poised to sail in March of 2009 along the river of composers and poets, the Enchanting Danube.
"We expect the River Beatrice to be well received in her debut season in 2009, and we know she will offer an exceptional river cruise experience for our guests who want to enjoy the best sights in Europe in world-class comfort," said Guy Young, President of Uniworld.
"With the addition of the River Beatrice to the Uniworld fleet, we have been able to further expand our product offering with even more cruises through this popular and historically rich region."
The River Beatrice offers luxurious staterooms of which 80% have French balconies, more junior suites than any comparable ship, and a spectacular owner's suite.
Room appointments include hotel-style beds with fine Egyptian cotton sheets and European comforters, plush terry robes, soothing bath amenities, bottled water, individual air conditioning, and flat-screen televisions with a selection of viewing choices.
The ship also boasts a lounge with panoramic views, restaurant, library, sundeck, massage services and fitness centre.
(Uniworld)
USA
New Cruise Terminal For Jacksonville
The Jacksonville, Florida, Port Authority has announced plans to spend $3.2-million to buy up properties as a first step toward building a new 8-acre cruise terminal to accommodate taller ships.
The new terminal is anticipated to cost between $40-million and $60-million and needs to be completed by mid-2010 to avoid service interruptions.
It would allow the port authority to add additional cruise ships while generating as many as 2,700 new jobs and an additional $1.5-billion for the local economy over 20-years.
(American Society of Travel Agents)
Update: July 07, 2008 [2 Stories]
Australia
Dedicated Cruise Department At Explore Holidays
Independent travel experts Explore Holidays is re-launching its cruise department with a team of handpicked, dedicated cruise specialists.
Explore Holidays Cruise have employed experienced consultants who have first hand knowledge in the cruise destinations, tours and know exactly what each of the vessels offer in the way of facilities, entertainment and onboard amenities.
Explore Holidays Director of Sales and Marketing Peter McCormack said Explore Holidays was thrilled to be re-launching its new cruise department.
“Not only will this dedicated service help agents field the growing number of enquiries for cruise holidays but it will help to maintain Explore Holidays as one of Australia’s leading travel brands,” Mr McCormack said.
He said the Explore Holidays’ website also would reflect the company’s renewed focus on cruise options by providing the latest in industry information and online holiday deals.
(Crook Publicity)
Australia
Holland America Ship Bound For Queensland
Premium cruise line Holland America will now include Brisbane in its itinerary next year - with the inaugural voyage set for 2010.
Queensland's Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the Volendam's arrival in 2010 would generate big economic returns for the state and put Brisbane Cruise Terminal on the international cruise shipping map.
"The Volendam which is now bound for Queensland, is one of Holland America's largest cruise ships, holding up to 1824 passengers," Ms Boyle said.
"It is estimated that each time she berths in a Queensland port, it generates up to $750,000 in direct economic returns for the destination.
"This is fantastic news for our tourism industry.
"The economic benefits of these visits will be felt right across the tourism industry, from restaurants to tour operators."
Ms Boyle said Holland America's decision to add Brisbane to its itinerary was largely thanks to lobbying by Tourism Queensland at this year's Sea trade Cruise Shipping Convention in the US.
"This is a great testament to the work our peak tourism body is doing to grow tourism in this state," Ms Boyle said.
(Government of Queenlsland)
Update: July 06, 2008 [1 Story]
Malaysia
Star Again Wins Brand Laureate Award
Star Cruises has won the The Best Brands In Leisure & Hospitality in The Brand Laureate Awards 2007/2008 - the only branding award in Malaysia - held in Kuala Lumpur on June 30, 2008.
The Brand Laureate Awards seek to honour the eminent brands which have outstanding brand equity and have made significant contributions to the Malaysian economy.
A total of 80 awards under different categories were handed out by the Asia Pacific Brand Foundation (APBF).
The Best Brands in Leisure and Hospitality 2007- 2008 was bestowed upon Star Cruises for its strong brand attributes and essence.
Resorts World, Star Cruises' sister company, also won The Best Brands in Leisure and Hospitality 2007- 2008 and The Brand Laureate Societe Awards for Humanitarian and Philanthropy 2007-2008.
Mr Chong Chee Tut, Star Cruises' Executive Director and COO, who accepted the award, said ... "Having won the award for the second year is indeed an honour for Star Cruises as it is a powerful validation of our achievements in brand-building as well as acknowledgement from the consumers.
"Being the only international cruise brand originating in Asia 15-years ago, Star Cruises has also achieved global recognition through its subsidiary, Norwegian Cruise Line, which is one of the most recognized brand names in the North American cruise industry."
Pictured: Mr Chong Chee Tut, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Star Cruises receiving the award and certificate from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
(Star Cruises)
Update: July 04, 2008 [1 Story]
USA
Renewed Focus On Travel Agents
During a quarterly earnings call, Carnival Corp. CEO and Chairman Micky Arison said Carnival Cruise Lines was striving to focus more on travel agent sales and reduce direct sales.
Gerry Cahill, President of Carnival Cruise Lines, discusses the change and its effects.
"Travel agents bring a lot of value to a cruise company," Cahill said.
"They can help us to differentiate the product, what makes the Carnival product unique. They can help us on the marketing side. They can also have the ability to reach customers we don't reach."
(American Society of Travel Agents)
Update: July 03, 2008 [1 Story]
Australia
Flight Centre Eyes New 'Sails' Opportunity
Flight Centre Limited has set its sights on 'sails' growth through the expansion of its specialist cruise brand.
The company has launched a nationwide retail expansion plan for the Cruiseabout brand, which currently operates shops in Brisbane and Sydney.
Under the plan, new retail shops will open in south east Queensland, Melbourne and Adelaide in the short-term with further expansion to take place throughout Australia during the first quarter of the 2008/09 financial year.
Managing Director Graham Turner said the expansion, which would create Australia’s first nationally-branded specialist cruise brand, is in line with the company’s global growth strategy of increasing its presence in niche areas of the market.
“Cruising represents a very real opportunity for Flight Centre Limited to increase its retail footprint in a specialised and buoyant sector of the travel market,” Mr Turner said.
“Our aims are to grow the Cruiseabout brand organically, to deliver a better nationwide service to cruise customers and to increase our market share in the increasingly popular cruise sector by providing a specialised service and building on the sales we generate through our existing retail travel brands.”
Figures from the International Cruise Council Australasia show a record 263,435 Australians took a cruise holiday last year. The figures showed 14% year-on-year growth in passenger numbers.
The first of Cruiseabout’s new shops is set to open at Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast this month.
Joell Ogilvie, the former leader of FLT’s Australian retail operations, will oversee the brand’s expansion.
(Crook Publicity)
Update: July 02, 2008 [3 Stories]
USA
Academy Launches CRUISE Video Series
Princess Cruises' Princess Academy has launched an educational online video series offering travel agents a peek behind the scenes of the line's CRUISE customer service programme.
The CRUISE programme - which stands for Courtesy, Respect, Unfailing in Service Excellence-has been in place for more than a decade.
The videos feature Princess ambassador and Capt. Stubing on "The Love Boat," Gavin MacLeod.
The new video course, found in the Academy's "Extra Courses" section, lets agents test their customer service acumen as MacLeod performs scenarios depicting customer service mishaps, and invites the audience to spot the errors.
Travel agents who watch the first episode of this program by July 11 will be entered in a drawing for $100.
Many elements of the CRUISE training programme help to keep both crew members and shoreside employees actively engaged in continuing training, said Jan Swartz, Princess' Senior Vice President of Customer Service and Sales.
"So we thought it would be fun to give them a behind-the-scenes look at one of the ways we emphasize our service mantra to crew members and inspire them to be the consummate host.
"We put significant resources behind delivering excellent service not only to our passengers but also to travel agents."
(Cybercruises)
Italy
New Record With Dual Ship Launch
Leading Italian cruise line Costa Cruises and the world's leading cruise ship builder Fincantieri have set a new record, launching two ships on the same day.
The ships, Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, will both enter service next year with Costa announcing a joint christening ceremony will be held in Genoa on June 5, 2009.
The 92,700-tonne Costa Luminosa was launched at Fincantieri's shipyard in Marghera in the Province of Venice on June 27, while the 114,400 tonne Costa Pacifica, was launched in Genova-Sestri Ponente the same day.
Their simultaneous launch is unprecedented in the cruise industry and is testimony to the entrepreneurial skill of the two companies.
Costa Cruises has invested more than 900-million euros in the construction of the two liners, with around 6,000 people working on the projects.
"This simultaneous launch is a concrete example of the entrepreneurial success of two Italian companies and also a milestone in the expansion of our fleet, which will have 17 ships by 2012," said Costa Cruises S.p.A. Group Chairman & CEO Pier Luigi Foschi.
Work is now set to continue for almost a year on the fitting out and interior decoration of both liners.
The 2,828-guest Costa Luminosa is due for delivery at the end of April 2009, while the 3,780-passenger Costa Pacifica is due at the end of May 2009.
Their naming ceremonies will be another first for the cruise industry with the two being christened together on June 5, 2009 in Genoa, where Costa Cruises - this year celebrating its 60th anniversary - has always been headquartered.
Pictured: Costa Cruises CEO Pier Luigi Foschi at the Costa Pacifica launch.
(MG Media Communications)
Australia
NRMA Purchased Creative Cruising
NRMA Motoring & Services has continued to expand its travel wholesale operations by acquiring established cruise wholesaler Creative Cruising.
Creative Cruising has been operating in the Australian market for almost 15-years. NRMA will take control of the wholesaler from July 1.
NRMA Director Wendy Machin said Creative Cruising was a respected operator within the cruise sector of the Australian travel industry.
"Creative Cruising has established business relationships with more than 2000 travel agents and strong alliances with all key domestic and international cruise lines," Ms Machin said.
"The NRMA's purchase of Creative Cruising will complement the expansion of our travel arm, adding to the company's overall wholesale travel capabilities.
"The purchase will also offer NRMA members more travel related benefits in future."
NRMA's acquisition of Creative Cruising follows the company's acquisition of specialist South Pacific travel operator Coral Seas in September 2007.
(AAP MediaNet)
Update: June 29, 2008 [1 Story]
Australia
It’s In The Mail!
Passengers sailing on Pacific Dawn’s 28-night Tahiti voyage enjoyed a novel way to send their postcards back home - by tin can.
The opportunity came as the ship sailed by the spectacular volcanic Tongan island of Niuafo’ou - also known as Tin Can Island.
Rising steeply from the ocean floor and offering no safe anchorage, the remote island’s name harks back to the early 20th century when its inhabitants used to swim out to meet passing steamers and give them their post in a tin can.
While the construction of an airstrip on the island in the 1980s made the tin can service redundant, Pacific Dawn’s 2050 passengers enjoyed a reenactment on June 23 as they sailed by the island.
As passengers watched, gold-plated tin cans containing more than 2000 letters and postcards were lowered over the side of the ship to locals from Tin Can Island waiting in their dinghy.
The mail will be marked with the island’s distinctive “Tin Can Mail” stamp then sent on to passengers’ friends and family.
(MG Media Communications)
Update: June 26, 2008 [3 Stories]
Fiji
Pacific Dawn Makes First Visit To Denarau
P&O Cruises made its inaugural call to the Fijian resort island of Denarau today as the cruise line prepares to deliver a record number of cruise passengers to the popular Pacific nation over the coming 18-months.
Pacific Dawn and her sister ship Pacific Sun will make more than 70 calls to Fijian ports from July 2008 to December 2009, while Sun Princess and Dawn Princess, operated by P&O Cruises' sister line, Princess Cruises, will make a further nine calls to Fiji.
The visits by the two cruise lines will deliver about 50,000 passengers and are expected to inject up to F$14-million into the local economy over the next 18-months, with each visit estimated to generate around F$200,000.
The Fijian Government Ministers of Tourism and Transport were both present to welcome Pacific Dawn into Port Denarau today, with Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia, which represents the two lines.
Ms Lourey said that Fiji was a firm favourite with Australian passengers.
"We're pleased to have so many visits to Fiji over the months ahead, including 18 calls to our new port of Denarau, which will be a big hit," Ms Lourey said.
She said P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises were committed to contributing to the economic success of Fiji and its Pacific neighbours by supporting the development of tourism.
Pacific Dawn will visit Denarau next year as part of a 28-night round trip voyage to Tahiti, departing Sydney on June 4.
(MG Media Communications)
England
Uniworld Unveils New Queen Of The Nile
Uniworld has announced the debut of its newest, company-owned ship, the River Tosca.
Poised to set 'the' standard for service on the Nile, the Tosca will begin sailing in April 2009.
The River Tosca joins Uniworld's nine other intimate, boutique hotel-style ships and will deliver the same impeccable service, award-winning hospitality and lavish décor.
"Uniworld has seen 100% growth in Egypt this year, so we are experiencing a very strong demand in this region," said Guy Young, President of Uniworld.
"We believe the River Tosca will fit in extremely well with Uniworld's existing European product line, and we are delighted to offer our loyal guests a new level of luxury when cruising on the Nile."
The Tosca was decorated by the renowned interior design team responsible for furnishing the prestigious Red Carnation Hotel Collection, one of Uniworld's sister companies.
Each of the 42 suites onboard the all-suite Tosca is lavishly adorned with rich wood paneling, original Egyptian artwork, handcrafted Alhambra brass lanterns and fine linen drapes accented with Ian Mankin striped fabric.
Most suites are over 300sq.ft. For those desiring additional space, Presidential cabin suites are over 650sqft. with large, adjoining private terraces.
Uniworld is a member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
(Uniworld)
USA
California Panel Defeats Cruise Safety Legislation
A California Assembly committee rejected a bill that would have put 'ocean rangers' - who are combined certified peace officers and licensed marine engineers - on board cruise ships that sail out of the state's ports.
Cruise lines strongly opposed the legislation, and there were concerns that a legal and jurisdictional mess would ensue.
Travel agents and cruise industry executives say crime isn't a major issue aboard ships, and therefore, the legislation wasn't necessary.
(American Society of Travel Agents)
Update: June 25, 2008 [1 Story]
USA
Senator To Introduce Cruise Ship Safety Bill
Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., said he plans to introduce legislation that would strive to boost safety on cruise ships as well as improve crime reporting within the industry.
"Passenger safety should be the top priority for the cruise line industry, and it's clear that they have work to do," Kerry said.
Terry Dale, President and CEO of CLIA, testified at a recent hearing that the safety of cruise line passengers is their top priority.
"Our care and compassion in the past toward those who have suffered injury or loss has not always been satisfactory," Dale said. "However, we have made great strides to improve our procedures."
(American Society of Travel Agents)
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