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Lisa Bauer named President and CEO Of Starboard Cruise Services

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2019 10 June 2019

Starboard Cruise Services, the premier retailer at sea, has shared President and Chief Executive Officer. Respected travel and cruise industry veteran Lisa Bauer officially assumes the leadership post today.

Earlier today, Toni Belloni, Group Managing Director of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, formally announced the appointment of Bauer. She will be based out of Starboard’s Miami headquarters and report to Belloni, who is based in the LVMH Paris headquarters.

In her leadership role, Bauer will oversee all operations for Starboard and sister company Onboard Media, an integrated media company, comprising 2,500 employees working both on land and on board the ships of the companies’ eight partner cruise lines. Both Starboard and Onboard are part of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury provider.

“Lisa’s career has been rooted in the travel industry. She has a passion for driving the customer experience through innovation. She is an accomplished leader, who possesses an enviable record in the Airline, Hotel, Cruise Line and Leisure Travel Industries. Her international experience will greatly benefit Starboard’s future potential,” commented Toni Belloni.

Most recently, Bauer held the position of Vice President of Onboard Experience at Delta Airlines, responsible for creating the strategy to elevate the carrier’s onboard customer experience and improve its competitive advantage on the global stage. Prior to joining Delta, Bauer was Executive Vice President of Global Operations and Chief Operating Officer for International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE), a global travel and leisure company with a worldwide network of innovative travel alliances.

Before joining ICE, Bauer had a long and successful career with Royal Caribbean International. She served as Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, overseeing worldwide marketing and revenue management as well the company’s tri-branded sales and marketing offices and international representatives. In this capacity, she played a key role in the company’s Asia growth strategy and regional team development.

Other positions held by Bauer at Royal Caribbean included Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, responsible for hotel services, food & beverage, onboard revenue, and entertainment, as well as Senior Vice President of Sales, directing North American sales activities.

“I’m honored to be assuming the leadership role for Starboard and Onboard Media during this innovative time in both cruise and in retail,” Bauer said. “Returning to the industry where I’ve spent the majority of my career and applying my focus for exceptional guest experience is a thrilling proposition. Our customers are celebrating life’s special moments and we have the chance to provide the ultimate memory of their dream vacation. I’m eager to reconnect with our cruise line customers and excited to meet with our global teams who delight thousands of guests every day through The Starboard Way.”

Throughout her career, Ms. Bauer has been involved in many charitable causes. She served nine years with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, including one year as Board Chair. Among numerous honors received, she was named one of the most powerful women in travel by Travel Agent Magazine.

Spectrum of the Seas to overnight in Tokyo for special sailings in summer 2020

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2019 10 June 2019

Spectrum of the Seas will raise the bar in the Asian cruise market as the revolutionary ship plans new overnight stays in Tokyo, Japan in summer 2020. Built to deliver great vacation experiences, the first Quantum Ultra Class ship boasts the cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, innovative dining concepts, and stunning features and adventures – many of which have never before been seen at sea.

In summer 2020, Spectrum of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas will each sail two special cruises into Tokyo’s brand-new cruise terminal, Shinkyaku Pier, offering guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience to take in the city’s vibrant energy as it comes alive during this exciting time. Spectrum will depart on July 25 and August 2 from Shanghai, China to Tokyo, and Voyager will offer itineraries beginning July 26 out of Hong Kong and August 2 from Tokyo, each staying overnight. Adding to the excitement, Quantum of the Seas will begin sailing from Singapore in 2019, and with both Spectrum and Quantum sailing from Singapore this year, this marks the start of Royal Caribbean’s Double Quantum Year in the region.

“Our ships are designed and created to deliver unforgettable vacation experiences to our guests, and we are proud to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience in Tokyo next summer,” said Bert Hernandez, President, Royal Caribbean China.

Norwegian Getaway completes first sailing after extensive renovation

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 June 2019 09 June 2019

Norwegian Cruise Line celebrates the completion of Norwegian Getaway’s first sailing after the ship’s extensive refurbishment as part of The Norwegian Edge program, reaffirming the company’s commitment to elevating the standard of excellence across the fleet.

Following a two-week dry dock in Brest, France in late May, Norwegian Getaway returned to Copenhagen, Denmark after completing her first sailing showcasing new venues and artwork, updated social spaces and refreshed accommodations and décor. The renovations were completed just in time for a summer of Scandinavia, Russia and Baltic cruising.

“Norwegian Getaway is the youngest ship in our fleet to cruise Europe this season,” said Andy Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are proud to showcase her and the new experience she delivers to guests exploring the region this summer. A season of European sailing immediately following her multi-million-dollar renovation showcases our commitment to the market, where our brand has been honored as “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards for the 11th consecutive year.”

New outlets aboard Norwegian Getaway include the company’s first on-board, full-service Starbucks® licensed store available in the European market, and the popular rock ‘n’ roll-themed entertainment venue, Syd Norman’s Pour House. Debuting on Norwegian Breakaway in 2018, Syd Norman’s Pour House is inspired by the greatest rock clubs and features rock-themed events, cocktails, movies and live tribute bands performing hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

In addition, as part of the revitalization, nearly 800 pieces of art were incorporated aboard the ship, and over 20 percent of those works of art are original pieces. Notable works include an original installment by sculptor Eric Levy, whose work is also featured on Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape. The piece is displayed prominently in the ship’s atrium. A striking original work by renowned Barcelona artist and Norwegian Encore Hull Artist, Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, is also featured in The Haven by Norwegian, the company’s ship-within-a-ship concept.

Norwegian Getaway will complete her Scandinavia, Russia and Baltic cruising in late October 2019. She will then return to North America to homeport for the first time in New Orleans for a winter and spring of Western Caribbean cruising in November 2019 with routine calls to Norwegian’s premier island destination in Belize, Harvest Caye. In 2020, Norwegian Getaway will return to Europe to sail the Mediterranean for the first time while homeporting in Rome (Civitavecchia) for a summer of cruising Italy and the Greek Isles.

American Cruise Lines’ second modern riverboat nears completion

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 June 2019 09 June 2019

American Cruise Lines announced that at 5:00 am on June 7, that its second new modern riverboat, American Harmony, moved under its own power to the shipyard’s outfitting pier for final touches. American Harmony was successfully launched at Chesapeake Shipbuilding this past November, 2018, and is well ahead of schedule for its August 17, 2019 inaugural cruise on the Mississippi River.

American Harmony is the second of five new ships in American’s revolutionary new modern riverboat series. The first ship, American Song, was the first modern riverboat in U.S. history and went into service last fall. American Harmony was launched exactly one year to the day of its sister ship American Song. Construction on American Jazz, the third ship in the modern riverboat series, is well underway and will be launched in about three months at Chesapeake Shipbuilding.

American Harmony will have the same sophisticated modern design and state-of-the-art technical features as the series flagship, American Song, including the same unique opening bow and retractable gangway. American Harmony has 10 more deluxe suites on its upper deck and features huge all-outward facing staterooms, all with private furnished balconies. Like American Song, American Harmony also has a gorgeous multi-story glass atrium in the center of the ship.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding has a long history of designing and building innovative new ships for American Cruise Lines. In addition to American Harmony, American Cruise Lines’ 3rd modern riverboat, American Jazz, is coming in 2020, as well as more new ships in 2021 and 2022.

CMV to add two ships to UK, one to Germany in two years – report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the rapidly expanding UK based destinational cruise line, plans to introduce two ships to the UK market and one in Germany in the next two years, Travel Weekly reports on its website.

The first ship in the UK should arrive in May next year and be of the same size as the Columbus, which is of 63,785 gross tons and which accommodates 1,250 passengers. An announcement about the vessel's identity should be made before the end of this month.

Ship number two is due to enter the German market, also next year, while the second ship to the UK is planned to commence operations in 2021, CEO and Chairman Christian Verhounig said, according to Travel Weekly.

CMV’s 2019 cruise programme has been completely sold out and 40% of its inventory for next year has also been sold at this point, the report said.

The company added ship number six in its fleet earlier this spring, when it introduced the 1993 built Vasco da Gama, formerly Pacific Eden on P&O Cruises Australia, on the Australian and German markets.

CMV operates its ships on time charter from a Greek principal, which is also in charge of technical management and crewing of the vessels. All ships in the CMV fleet are second hand ones and given the rapid pace of planned expansion of its fleet, these ships too will be second hand acquisitions.