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Anthony Kaufman promoted to Executive Vice President, International Operations for Princess Cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 07 October 2015 07 October 2015

Carnival plc announced today that Anthony (Tony) Kaufman has been promoted to the new position of executive vice president, international operations for the Princess Cruises brand. In addition to his continued leadership for the line’s Asia operations, he will now oversee the business in Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe.

In his previous role as senior vice president of Asia operations, Kaufman has been accountable for multiple sales and marketing teams throughout Asia that are focused on growing the Princess brand throughout the region and supporting the brand’s itineraries in China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore. In addition, he developed Princess Cruises’ strong relationships with government authorities, industry associations and business partners in the region. He also facilitated coordination with the many operating departments that support Princess’ growing Asia deployment.

“Tony has been instrumental in guiding our successful expansion into Asia and delivering a customized product that has truly resonated with our guests,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “With the additional oversight of Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe, he will continue advancing the Princess guest experience, growing our business, and meeting our operational objectives in these additional regions as well.”

Prior to his role overseeing Asia operations for Princess Cruises, Kaufman held the position of senior vice president of commercial affairs, which was a broad commercial role that included responsibility for onboard revenue and worldwide shore operations, as well as commercial transactions such as shipbuilding contracts, ship sales, and charters. He has also served as general counsel of the former P&O Princess Cruises plc based in London, and has held various other roles in legal and business affairs since joining the company in 1993.

Kaufman is based in the company’s Santa Clarita, California world headquarters office.

He holds a B.A. degree in communication studies from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and a law degree, cum laude, from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, where he was an editor of the Loyola Law Review.

Pitbull named Norwegian Escape's Godfather

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 07 October 2015 07 October 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that international music sensation Pitbull will serve as Godfather for its newest ship, Norwegian Escape.

On Monday, November 9, Armando Christian Perez, aka Pitbull, will be the honorary Godfather and headline performer at Norwegian Escape’s christening ceremony at PortMiami. Norwegian Escape will be the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami and features a multitude of innovative dining venues and entertainment offerings.

It is a longstanding tradition in the maritime world to name a Godparent of a new sea-going vessel. This honor, dating back to the 1800s, is bestowed upon an individual who officially names and christens a new ship, and remains in their role for the life of the vessel. Pitbull will serve as the honorary Godfather for Norwegian Escape, becoming one of the naming ceremony’s central figures along with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s CEO Frank Del Rio and Norwegian President Andy Stuart. This exciting event will take place while the ship is docked in PortMiami on Monday, November 9, where Pitbull will officially christen the ship during a high-energy pier side ceremony. The selection of Pitbull as the ship’s Godfather reinforces Norwegian’s non-traditional cruising that focuses on freedom and flexibility for guests.

“Pitbull has been an excellent partner and great friend to Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president. “A Miami native, he epitomizes and contributes to the energy, excitement and local flavor that our ships so proudly embody and we’re excited to build upon our relationship and have him serve in this special role as Godfather to Norwegian Escape.”

This new role builds on the superstar’s previous relationship with Norwegian, as the international recording artist thrilled the crowd during the February 2014 christening ceremony for Norwegian Getaway, which also featured the introduction of his signature Voli vodka brand to cruise goers. Voli is available across the Norwegian fleet and featured in several signature cocktails including the Mr. Worldwide and Dale.

New ship's superior efficiency key to profit growth - Saga CEO Bachelor

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 30 September 2015 30 September 2015

Superior efficiency and reliability of a new ship ordered by Saga Cruises, part of the listed British lifestyle company Saga plc, will be the key driver of profit growth in the group's cruise operations, CEO Lance Bachelor said in a webcast presentation this morning.

The company would not seek much higher revenues per passenger than on the current ships, although the 55,900 gross ton newbuilding that will enter service in 2019 will carry more passengers than the group's two existing ships, which does means an increase in revenues. through higher volume The new ship, which will be delivered in 2019, will carry fewer than 1,000 passengers.

"But margins per passenger day will be much higher due to better reliability and fuel efficiency. There will be a significant margin improvement," Bachelor said in the presentation.

Jonathan Hill, group cfo, said that the new ship would mean a significant EBITDA growth. The one plus one option contract with Meyer Werft that was announced earlier today will mean that Saga Cruises' two existing ships, the 37,012 gross ton Saga Sapphire and the 18,859 gross ton Saga Pearl II would be withdrawn from service as a new vessel enters service. He did not comment on which one of the 1981 built vessels would go first.

The company did not disclose the price of the newbuilding, but Hill said the company would use asset backed finance with loans covering 80% of the price of the ship.

Saga CEO Bachelor upbeat on cruise

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 30 September 2015 30 September 2015

The cruise operations of Saga, the listed British lifestyle company that offers a wide range of services to over 50s, have performed well and the outlook is encouraging, said group CEO Lance Bachelor in a statement.

"Within our cruise operation, we continue to make improvements and investments to ensure that customer satisfaction levels are maintained at the highest levels. Currently, 98% of our cruise customers rate their experience as excellent or good and, during August of this year, both the Saga Sapphire and Saga Pearl II achieved their best ever overall customer feedback scores," he said in connection of publication of the group's interim results.

"The cruise operation remains at the heart of the Saga brand, continually demonstrating the service excellence and value that Saga is renowned for. The decision we have made to invest in our shipping capacity will be transformational for the cruise business and for our cruise customers. The precise details of the new ships will be finalised over the coming months and the result will be a significant upgrade while retaining the traditional features our customers cherish," Bachelor said.

The company earlier today ordered a 55,900 gross ton newbuilding at Meyer Werft in Germany for delivery in 2019, with an option for another ship for delivery in 2021.

"This means that all cabins will have balconies but we will still provide an intimate small‐ship feel (under 1,000 passengers), a high crew‐to‐customer ratio and great public spaces and entertainment facilities," he said, referring to the new vessel. Saga Cruises started its operations in the mid 1990s and it currently employs the 37,012 gross ton Saga Sapphire and the 18,859 gross ton Saga Pearl II. Both ships were built in Germany in 1981 and were bought by Saga second hand.

"We have made good progress again in the first half of the year in travel and in the year to date our reservation levels for departures in holidays and cruising for the remainder of this financial year and for the financial year ending 31 January 2017 are very encouraging," Bachelor concluded.