Holland America Line reports highest booking day in brand’s history

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 15 July 2023 15 July 2023

In a sign of continued strength for cruise travel, Holland America Line bookings on July 11 were higher than on any day in the brand’s 150-year history. Booking revenues also broke the line’s single-day record.

Most of the sailings booked July 11 were for 2024 and 2025, showing that cruisers are planning ahead and eager to travel. The bookings show significant interest in marquee locations for the cruise line including Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean, as well as a lift in sales for its new, longer, Legendary Voyages. Reservations included destinations across the world, including Australia, South America, the South Pacific and Asia.

“We see a record booking day like this as encouraging for the whole industry, but for Holland America Line, it’s an endorsement of the quality of cruising product we’re able to offer to our guests,” said Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line. “People are planning their vacations for next year and even into 2025, and in the process, they’re choosing the best service at sea and the unforgettable destinations that we offer.”

Holland America Line is a leader in Alaska with the most Glacier Bay visits in the cruise industry. Through Alaska Up Close, guests are deeply immersed in the local culture with authentic onboard programming, cruise activities and award-winning shore excursions.

In addition to seven-day cruises throughout the Caribbean, Holland America Line continues to offer a differentiated experience with longer sailings, offering the opportunity to visit more islands on one itinerary.

Upcoming Europe seasons offer a diverse range of cruises stretching from trending locales like Greenland and Iceland to the sun-kissed skies of Greece and Turkey. Itineraries range from weeklong getaways to longer voyages that extend into multiple regions. With two Pinnacle Class ships homeporting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 2024, guests are booking cruises to Northern Europe and the British Isles.

Holland America Line also recently launched Legendary Voyages, a new category of longer cruises with destination-rich itineraries carefully crafted to allow guests to linger longer, and with programming that enriches the experience in each destination.

MSC Cruises appoints Lucy Ellis as Chief Communications Officer

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 13 July 2023 13 July 2023

Lucy Ellis has been appointed as Chief Communications Officer for MSC Cruises, taking over from Luca Biondolillo who is leaving the company at the end of August to pursue a new professional opportunity.

Lucy will be responsible for leading the company’s global communications strategy, overseeing internal and external communications and managing corporate reputation. Having already worked for MSC Cruises for nearly eight years this internal promotion is a recognition of her proven leadership and expertise.

A seasoned international communications professional with more than 20 years of strategic communications experience, she previously held the role of SVP at Weber Shandwick and Associate Director at H&K Strategies consulting for global organisations such as Unilever, Mondelez and Nestlé.

Gianni Onorato, CEO MSC Cruises said: “I am proud to announce Lucy’s new appointment as it recognises the investment we make in our people to enable them to grow within our organisation. Lucy’s extensive experience as well as her knowledge of the business and industry made her the natural successor for this role. Together with the MSC family around the world, I want to thank Luca for his commitment and dedication over the last nine years and we wish him the very best with his new endeavours.”

Lucy Ellis added: “I’m thrilled to take on this role. MSC Cruises is an inspiring and very special business; we have a team of talented people and an exciting vision, and I look forward to leading the work of our dynamic global communications department.”

Photo credit: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

Seatrade Europe announces panel for State of the European Cruise Industry Keynote

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 13 July 2023 13 July 2023

Seatrade Europe – Cruise and River Cruise Convention, the bi-annual event for the European cruise and river cruise community, announces its awaited 2023 State of the European Cruise Industry Keynote lineup and details of its conference programme. The event will unite 300+ cruise executives and 250+ exhibitors and destinations in Hamburg, Germany 6-8 September 2023.

Kicking off the three-day event on 6 September 2023, the captivating keynote session will gather influential cruise leaders throughout Europe for a discussion inspired by this year’s conference theme - Scaling Sustainably. Moderated by Mary Bond, Group Director of Seatrade Cruise, the thought-provoking dialogue will delve into topics centered around the future of the cruise industry, encompassing current market conditions, projected growth trends, and how the industry can forge a path to sustained growth.

Featured panelists include:

– Felix Eichhorn, President, AIDA Cruises
– Herve Gastinel, CEO, PONANT
– Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General, CLIA Europe
– Michael McCarthy, Chairman, Cruise Europe
– Wybcke Meier, CEO, TUI Cruises

"After a long hiatus, we are thrilled to be back in Europe and reunite the cruise community as we convene for Seatrade Europe,” says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “We look forward to welcoming an influential group of industry leaders to spearhead discussions under the event’s overarching theme - Scaling Sustainably. The keynote panel will serve as a compelling catalyst that sparks conversations on what lies ahead as the cruise industry continues to reinvent and expand.”

The State of the European Cruise Industry Keynote will take place from 10:10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 6 September 2023.

The Seatrade Europe conference programme will dive deep into how major players in the cruise industry are collectively navigating towards a sustainable future. Attendees can enjoy a line-up of discussions, presentations, and workshops that explore key topics surrounding scaling sustainably, including:

– Maximizing Efficiency of Operations Shoreside
– Evolution of Itineraries
– Developing Destinations
– Harnessing Stakeholder Relationships
– Using Technology to your Advantage
– Navigating ESG Goals Industry Wide

On Thursday, 7 September Seatrade Europe will offer a dedicated River Cruise Day, developed in collaboration with content partners and supporters River Cruise Europe & IG Rivercruise. Hearing from key players in the industry, the full day programme will spotlight the river cruise market, hearing from operators, charterers, suppliers, and destinations that play a key role in the future of river cruising in Europe, and further afield.

The programme offers an opportunity to delve into all things river cruise with discussions centering around the differences between river and ocean cruising and what makes river cruise lines and destinations unique. Attendees can expect to understand the current state of affairs for river cruising in Europe and the outlook from industry experts on navigating the future for lasting growth.

A pass to Seatrade Europe will also provide access to 12 hours of additional content at MARINE INTERIORS Cruise & Ferry Global Expo, Europe’s first stand-alone trade fair covering upcoming cruise and ferry trends including interior design, outfitting, technology, and sustainability solutions. The co-located events will take place at Hamburg Messe + Congress, 6-8 September 2023.

Royal Caribbean Group transforms waste management In the cruise industry

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 13 July 2023 13 July 2023

Royal Caribbean Group is building on its industry-leading waste management practices by introducing the next generation of technology to make its way to the high seas. These tools, from waste-to-energy systems, food waste applications and an expanded network of green hubs are a result of the cruise company’s relentless drive to deliver the best vacation experiences responsibly.

Debuting this year, on two of the cruise company’s newest ships, will be the cruise industry's first systems to turn solid waste directly into energy onboard.

“I am proud of Royal Caribbean Group’s drive to SEA the Future and be better tomorrow than we are today,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Pioneering the first waste to energy system on a cruise ship builds on our track-record of waste management and furthers our commitment to remove waste from local landfills and deliver great vacation experiences, responsibly.”

Solid waste to energy at sea

The systems, Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis (MAP) and Micro Auto Gasification (MAG), debuting respectively on Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas and Silversea Cruises' Silver Nova, will take waste on board and convert it into synthesis gas (syngas) that the ship can directly use as energy. Much like land-based waste-to-energy facilities, the result is repurposing waste in an efficient and sustainable way. An additional bioproduct of the system, biochar, can also be used as a soil nutrient.

Reducing food waste

Royal Caribbean Group is also looking at waste management from start to finish. Including its plans to reduce food waste across the fleet by 50% by 2025. To do so, the cruise company is implementing initiatives across its brands including:

– Developing a proprietary platform to monitor food supply and accurately estimate how much food should be produced, prepped and ordered on a given day.
– Using artificial intelligence (AI) to adjust food production in real time.
– Introducing a dedicated onboard food waste role to monitor and train crew members.
– Tracking guest demand for specific menu items and adjusting menu preparation and ordering accordingly.
– Introducing a food waste awareness campaign in the crew dining areas fleet wide.

To date, Royal Caribbean Group has achieved a 24% reduction in food waste by focusing on the front end of the food system, which prevents and addresses many of the main causes of food waste, including inventory management and over-preparing.

Expanding Green Hubs

Since the company’s first environmental initiative, Save the Waves, aimed at ensuring no solid waste goes overboard, Royal Caribbean Group has worked diligently to increase accountability and strengthen responsible waste management practices. To do so, it developed Green Hub, a capacity-building program to identify waste vendors in strategic destinations that has helped divert 92% of its waste from landfills. Since its start in 2014, the program has grown to 33 ports worldwide.

Now joining the Green Hub program is the Galapagos Islands, where Silversea became the first operator to gain certification in environmental management by diverting all waste from landfill. Initiatives like this allow Royal Caribbean Group to continue to safeguard the delicate ecosystem of the Galapagos for future generations.

Championing the environment

With a sustainability journey that began over 30 years ago, Royal Caribbean Group has remained steadfast in its commitment to innovate, and advance, the solutions necessary for a better future. Building on a robust portfolio of technologies that improve energy efficiency, water treatment and waste management, incorporating waste-to-energy systems is an extension of the company's commitment to reach beyond the expected and SEA the Future to sustain the planet, energize the communities in which it operates and accelerate innovation.