MSC Cruises named official partner of Expo 2015 in Milan

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 12 February 2015 12 February 2015

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise company, said that it has been named Official Cruise Carrier of Expo 2015, the Universal Exposition that since 1851 has celebrated human achievement and debated the big questions facing humanity.

"Under the partnership, MSC Cruises, the market leader in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brazil, will proudly display the Expo Milano 2015 logo on the hull of MSC Fantasia, which will sail in the Med throughout 2015," MSC Cruises said in a statement.

MSC Cruises will also be an official vendor, so that guests can buy Expo tickets on board and attend the event by joining special shore excursions when calling at Genoa and La Spezia. Between May and October MSC Cruises will bring nearly 600,000 cruise passengers through these two ports alone.

This collaboration between MSC Cruises and Expo Milano 2015 will formally kick off at the Borsa Italiana del Turismo 2015 (BIT) tourism trade show, where MSC Cruises will have a presence on the Expo Milano 2015 stand.

This year’s Expo, in Milan from 1 May to 31 October, explores the issue of sustainability in food, under the slogan “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”.

MSC Cruises to launch booking system for theatre performances on its Lirica-class ships

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 12 February 2015 12 February 2015

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, says it is introducing a system that allows passengers to book a seat at the theatre on its four Lirica class ships.

"The innovative technology will allow guests on board MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica to guarantee a spot to see their favourite evening shows at the performance of their choice, rather than take a chance in the current ‘first-come, first-served’ arrangement," the company said.

Guests will be able to book their seats in the theatre on 10 large touch screens situated around the ships, or by using their smartphones/tablets and tapping in to the shipboard Wi-Fi at no charge. Entry to the theatre will be linked to each guests’ cruise card.

The new technology will be introduced as part of the current £160 million ‘renaissance project’ to lengthen and refit each ship. MSC Armonia has already been completed, with work currently continuing on MSC Sinfonia. MSC Opera and MSC Lirica will begin their transformations in May and August respectively.

MSC Cruises will also tailor the number of performances on board depending on the occupancy level of each sailing – adding extra shows to cater for high demand.

Information about how to book theatre spaces will be available via the Daily Programme distributed to each cabin, while the Guest Relations desk will be available to help with any queries.

Posidonia Forum to host CLIA Europe Executive Committee Meeting

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 12 February 2015 12 February 2015

The Eastern Mediterranean is gearing to increase its share of the cruise sector’s €40 billion annual contribution to Europe’s economy. "According to industry representatives who will participate in the upcoming Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, scheduled to be held on May 26-27 in Athens, 2015 brings the first positive news following the industry’s post Arab Spring deployment correction and a capacity increase with the introduction of new and larger vessels," the organisers of the event said in a statement.

Senior executives from the world’s biggest and most prestigious cruise lines will be there to table the challenges the sector is facing in the Eastern Mediterranean, tackle long standing issues and try to turn trends to opportunities for the industry’s key players and the region’s port destinations.
Speakers include senior officials from Azamara Club Cruises, Celestyal Cruises (former Louis Cruises), Crystal Cruises, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and more, who will gather in the Greek capital for this two-day event to meet industry officials from the region’s private sector, government bodies and regulatory authorities.

As Royal Caribbean Cruises’ representative Andreas Stylianopoulos, President & CEO, Navigator Travel said: “I am confident that the East Mediterranean will continue to recover as a cruising sub-region in spite of the fact that some of its strong destinations are still out of play. One important factor in the renewal of demand for East Mediterranean cruises is that Greece, as a tourist destination, has recently become very much in fashion worldwide. Sustainability in tourism requires a clear vision with farseeing strategies, constant nurturing with great attention to detail and of course, political stability coupled with consistent policy.”

His optimism is shared by Marco Digioia, Government Affairs Director of CLIA Europe. “We plan meetings with senior Greek government officials to discuss the potential for cruise growth in Greece and the East Med, the projected increase of deployment in the East Med for 2016, and to address current barriers to the growth of both cruise calls and home-porting in Greece,” said Digioia. On the occasion of the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, CLIA Europe will be holding its biannual Executive Committee Meeting in Athens, thereby showing the importance the region has for the cruise industry.

According to Theodore Vokos, Executive Director of Posidonia Exhibitions, the event’s organiser, Greece continues to enjoy a significant cruise presence with passenger calls reaching a total of 5 million in 2014. “Several Greek cruise ports are among the top ranking in Europe in absolute passenger visits and this, in combination with the emergence of new cruise ports in the region, will continue to provide cruise lines with a significant choice of exciting and lucrative destination options.”

Thomas Cook reports fall in most 2015 selling prices on continued weak European economy

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 11 February 2015 11 February 2015

Thomas Cook, the London based listed tour operator, has reported a fall in selling prices and a mixture of rises and falls in volumes as Continental Europe continues to suffer from weak economy, the company said in a statement.

With the Winter season 85% sold, total tour operator bookings are in line with this time last year with average selling prices down 2%. "Bookings in our UK business have increased significantly, with volumes 6% higher than at this time last year (and average selling prices 1% lower) as we have expanded our Winter Sun offering to new destinations, including the Caribbean, Cuba and Cape Verde," the company said.

Continental Europe bookings are 4% lower than last year, reflecting the discontinuation of unprofitable routes in France and Russia and a later booking profile in Germany. Average selling prices are 3% lower than last year reflecting competitive market conditions. "However, the booking trend in the last four weeks has improved significantly," Thomas Cook noted.

Northern Europe bookings are 1% below last year, while prices are 3% higher. "Our Nordic business continues to perform well in Sweden and Denmark, while demand in Norway has been impacted by wider macroeconomic factors," the company pointed out.

The Summer 15 season is 41% sold for the Group as whole, 3% higher than this time last year. "Total bookings for our tour operator business are 2% lower than last year with a slight decrease in average selling prices," Thomas Cook continued. UK Summer bookings are 5% higher than last year with average selling prices 1% lower. "As part of our capacity management for the Summer season, we have increased the level of flight capacity allocated to dynamically packaged products and “seat only” business, reflecting customer demand for more flexible products."

"In addition, we have successfully launched new sales channels for our airline, including long haul flight destinations such as New York and Miami. This strategy has improved our operational flexibility to meet customer demand while ensuring that in-house flight capacity is managed in the most efficient manner. As a result, although average selling prices in total are 1% lower than last year, Charter Risk pricing has improved by 2%," it said

"In Continental Europe, with 29% of the programme sold, early Summer bookings are 6% lower than last year compared to a strong comparative, particularly in our German business, which has experienced a later booking profile. Average selling prices have been maintained at last year’s level," the company concluded.