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Carnival UK's Dingle airs thoughts of online's future role

Details: Published on Tuesday, 18 June 2013 15:16; Written by Kari Reinikainen

Carnival UK, which operates the brands of the world's largest cruise shipping group Carnival Corporation & plc in Britain, will increase the role of online functions in the future, but these will take into account requirements of the brands in question, says David Dingle, CEO of the Southampton based company.

New heads of marketing with deep understanding of the online world are being sought for Cunard Line and P&O Cruises brands.

"As instant connectivity, whether it be through mobile phones or tablets becomes the norm rather than a luxury, cruise lines are investing tens of millions of pounds in the provision of broadband service at sea, obtained via satellite connection, to ensure that passengers have the ability to connect with home and work and continue their online activities whilst on board," Dingle told Cruise Business.

"There are internet cafes across the fleet which provide connectivity and all the ships are wi fi enabled. Technology has also played a major part in the cruise booking process. We are about to introduce a number of Cruise Personaliser pre cruise booking options. This will mean that passengers can book speciality dining in advance of joining the cruise, book spa treatments and also pre book from a selection of VIP luxuries for example, strawberries and Champagne in the cabin, Champagne breakfast in bed, flowers and chocolates."

"The travel industry lends itself well to online engagement, as the content is so rich, varied and compelling. Unlike many industries we are privileged to provide an experience that people enjoy and look forward to, and both past and potential cruise passengers love to research and share their experiences as a core part of the anticipation and planning process. However, choosing a cruise can require greater support than a package holiday, so this is where we can really use the online space to help. We know that people who are looking to go on a cruise holiday use the internet a lot in their decision-making process, whether that's to look at photos and videos of possible destinations, or to take a virtual tour of the different ships."

"This is content not only produced by cruise companies like ourselves but also content that has been produced by other passengers. We are certainly investing in online content such as video, interactive tours and useful information that passengers are seeking, and looking at a number of different ways to share this content across different channels such as the website and social media, and devices, such as smartphones and tablets. We are constantly developing and enhancing our award-winning websites to keep up with the rapid pace of the online world, whilst ensuring that we are still catering for those who prefer to have tangible materials such as a paper brochure, magazine and regular print communication directly through the post."

"Cunard and P&O Cruises are brands which have been woven into the fabric of British cruising over the last 175 years, and are amongst the most famous cruise brands across the world. We have a great heritage to preserve and cherish. Any changes always form part of a carefully planned and executed evolution in order to maintain the freshness and relevance of our brands whilst never compromising their core values. It is too early to say exactly what will be seen over the coming months and years, but any work will ensure that P&O Cruises and Cunard are portrayed as strongly appealing and highly differentiated," he concluded.

Carnival Corporation appoints Senior VP of Corporate Communications

Details: Published on Tuesday, 18 June 2013 14:58; Written by Teijo Niemelä

Carnival Corporation & plc has appointed Roger Frizzell to the newly created position of senior vice president of corporate communications, effective June 24, 2013.

Frizzell will report to Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison and Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Howard Frank. In his new role, Frizzell will serve as Carnival Corporation & plc's chief communications officer, handling all corporate-level communications and public relations activities for the world's largest cruise vacation group, which is the parent company of 10 cruise lines.

"We are extraordinarily fortunate to have an individual of Roger's talents and background join our company to lead this critical function," said Frank. "His extensive experience will be a tremendous asset to our organization."

Frizzell most recently was vice president and chief communications officer for Pacific Gas & Electric in San Francisco, Calif. During the course of his 30-year career, Frizzell served as a top public relations executive at American Airlines for nearly a decade, as well as held high-level communications positions at Hewlett-Packard, Lucent Technologies and AT&T.

He was inducted into the PR News Hall of Fame in 2011 and named by the Holmes Report as one of the top chief communications officers in the industry.

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).

Together, these brands operate 102 ships totaling 209,000 lower berths with seven new ships scheduled to be delivered between May 2014 and April 2016. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

Gianni Onorato leaves Costa Crociere

Details: Published on Monday, 17 June 2013 20:30; Written by Teijo Niemelä

Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Crociere S.p.A., has announced his decision to leave the company, effective immediately, to pursue a new career direction.

"I regret Gianni’s decision," said Costa Crociere S.p.A. Chief Executive Officer Michael Thamm. "He has played an important role in the development and growth of Costa Crociere. Personally and on behalf of the whole company I want to express my gratitude to Gianni for having contributed to the success of Costa. I wish him the very best for his personal and professional future."

Mariner of the Seas celebrates maiden Hong Kong call – more Voyager-class programs announced for 2013 and 2014

Details: Published on Saturday, 15 June 2013 01:09; Written by Teijo Niemelä

Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas, the largest cruise ship now homeporting in Asia, called at Hong Kong on June 12 for the first time. The 138,279 gross ton ship arrived at the new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal for an overnight stay as part of her 10-night cruise from Singapore to Shanghai. She is Royal Caribbean’s second Voyager Class ship in Asia.

An official ceremony with local cultural performances was hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board at the terminal to welcome the ship’s arrival, with plaque exchanges between Captain Flemming Nielsen of Mariner of the Seas and Mr Philip Yung, Commissioner for Tourism, Ms Daisy Lui, Deputy Executive Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board(HKTB), as well as other key partners.

Dr Liu Zinan, Royal Caribbean’s Regional Vice President, Asia said, "Mariner of the Seas is our newest big attraction for Asia, which has something onboard to ‘Wow’ everyone! Her Voyager-class' sheer size and groundbreaking features such as the Royal Promenade and ice skating rink make us leaders once again in redefining the cruising experience and standards in Asia."

"More importantly, her successful arrival and berthing today, made possible by the new cruise terminal, sets the stage for her Hong Kong cruises this year-end and an even bigger Hong Kong season in 2014 on her sister ship Voyager of the Seas. This is a significant development for Royal Caribbean in Hong Kong, which demonstrates the market’s strong potential to our company and our commitment to grow further with Hong Kong."

"Mariner of the Seas is Royal Caribbean International’s fourth ship homeporting in Asia, and we have grown tremendously from deploying the smaller Vision Class ships here like Legend of the Seas to today’s Voyager-class ships which are twice her size. With these world-class innovative ships, Royal Caribbean International has become the largest global cruise brand in Asia and we are set to deepen our regional presence in the years to come,” he added.

Commissioner Yung said, "Kai Tak was the site of our legendary airport, and it is now turning a historic page by connecting Hong Kong with the rest of the world through the seven seas. With the addition of the new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Hong Kong is in full gear to receive mega cruise ships, and to offer service to more cruise ships in the future. I hope Mariner of the Seas will find Hong Kong a wonderful homeport."

Deputy Executive Director of the HKTB Ms Daisy Lui said, "The HKTB welcomes the arrival of Mariner of the Seas, which is berthing at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and in Hong Kong for the first time. We hope that passengers of the cruise liner have a pleasant and memorable time in Hong Kong. The HKTB will actively promote Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, an important tourism facility in Hong Kong, to international cruise companies and media, as well as Hong Kong’s diverse land-based offerings and other advantages as a cruise destination, with a view to attracting more cruise companies to include Hong Kong in their itineraries and consolidating the city’s position as Asia’s Cruise Hub."

Bigger presence in Hong Kong

Mariner of the Seas’ maiden Asian season has lined up North Asian cruises from Shanghai during the summer and Southeast Asian sailings from Singapore from November till next March.

As for her Hong Kong seasons, Mariner of the Seas will be returning here to offer four sailings of 3 to 5 nights this October and November including a one-way cruise from Shanghai with a call at Jeju, two round cruises to Taiwan’s Kaohsiung and Taipei (Keelung) and a one-way cruise to Singapore with a call at Ho Chi Minh (Phu My). Next year, Voyager of the Seas, which is similar in size and capacity, will be offering a longer Hong Kong season in the same period in the year, which includes cruises to Taiwan and Okinawa (Naha) and will coincide with China’s Golden Week which is the key highlight.

More Voyager-class attractions in Asia

The 15 passenger-deck, 3,114-guest Mariner of the Seas is the largest and most exciting ship based in Asia, after her sister ship Voyager of the Seas which is also now in the region. Mariner of the Seas offers cruisers the renowned Voyager Class activities and entertainment such as the 900-seater ice-skating rink, Royal Promenade – a boulevard of duty-free boutiques and cafes, full-sized sports court, rock-climbing wall and mini-golf course. In addition, there is a three-tier theatre that features Broadway-style musicals, themed bars and lounges as well as a mezzanine split level nightclub. Revitalized last year with new dining and entertainment options, for the new Asian season now, the ship has received further additions worth US$10 million such as luxury boutiques of branded leather products, watches and jewelry as well as more varieties of casino machines.

Mariner of the Seas also features the unique DreamWorks Animation entertainment programme. Guests of all ages can interact with ‘celebrity’ characters like Shrek and Fiona of “Shrek”, Alex of “Madagascar” and Po of “Kung Fu Panda” during parades in the Royal Promenade, character breakfasts in the main dining room and photo opportunities. Also new in Asia with this ship is the Barbie Premium Experience for girls to set sail in true Barbie fashion with staterooms decorated in true Barbie fashion and exclusive, themed activities such as tiaras and teacups party and fashion show.

There are numerous dining options onboard including the grand three-tier main dining room and buffet restaurant which serve a variety of international cuisine with a selection of Asian dishes. There are also specialty restaurants onboard namely Chops Grille Steakhouse, the rustic-style Italian restaurant Giovanni’s Table and Johnny Rockets 50s’ style American diner. As for accommodation, the choice ranges from the luxurious Royal Suites to the unique Promenade staterooms with views overlooking the Royal Promenade.

Star Cruises to homeport Aquarius in Kota Kinabalu from November 2013

Details: Published on Friday, 14 June 2013 04:52; Written by Teijo Niemelä

Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in Asia-Pacific, has announced that the 51,309-tonnage SuperStar Aquarius will commence her seasonal homeport deployment from Kota Kinabalu, the city capital of Sabah, Malaysia, for the first time from 6 November 2013 to 30 March 2014.

Star Cruises will be the first international cruise line to homeport in Kota Kinabalu, continuing Star Cruises' pioneering and leading position in Asia's cruise industry.

Edward Johann Leong, Vice President, East Malaysia Operations, Star Cruises, said, "Sabah has been a top tourist destination for decades. We are proud to be the first international cruise line to homeport in Kota Kinabalu, attracting not only domestic but also international guests to Sabah. We envision that this deployment will help build the cruise tourism industry in this part of Asia and boost local tourism economies."

He added, "We will be offering 4D3N cruises from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei's Bandar Seri Begawan and Sarawak's Bintulu, departing every Sunday. We have come up with a number of exclusive shore excursions for guests to choose and explore local attractions. From Wednesday to Saturday, passengers can immerse in another dimension of cruise fun and entertainment on SuperStar Aquarius' daily 1-night high sea experience."

Once onboard, guests will be spoilt for choice with nonstop activities and entertainment. They will be wowed by world-class entertainment performed by a cast of European and Asian artistes and acrobats; and grand illusion shows by renowned magicians. Their fun continues in a selection of onboard recreational activities and unique shore excursions that showcase the beauty and wonders of Borneo. Guests can also shop to their heart's content onboard in the 409-square-meter upscale duty-free shopping gallery featuring China Duty Free, upmarket wristwatch and jewellery boutique Canopus, leather goods specialist Milan Station, gifts and souvenirs outlet Ports O' Call and many more. For food lovers, SuperStar Aquarius' 9 restaurants and bars, led by Executive Chef Harold Mark, present an international, Southeast Asia and Chinese cuisines. After a full day of non-stop fun, guests can unwind and relax with a choice of over 30 types of well-being and health treatments at the spa.

SuperStar Aquarius, currently homeported in Keelung, Taiwan, will embark on a special 8D7N cruise, departing from Kaohsiung on 29 October 2013 with stops at Hong Kong, Manila, Boracay and arriving in Kota Kinabalu on 6 November 2013.