TUI Cruises to split senior marketing job between two persons

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 01 March 2017 01 March 2017

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market segment cruise line, has decided to split its senior marketing role and appoint two persons to the posts.

Mike Schwanke, who headed the marketing activities of the company up to the new year, will take up a new position outside TUI Cruises from 1 May. On that date, Udo Lutz will assume responsibilities of Director Sales, responsible for all the channel through which the company distributes its products.

Andrea Kruse will take up the responsibility for reservations, front and back office activities, guest feedback plus training and quality, also from 1 may, TUI Cruises said in a statement.

Windstar appoints Paul Barrett as Vice President of Technical Operations

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 February 2017 21 February 2017

Windstar Cruises announces the appointment of Paul Barrett to Vice President of Technical Operations beginning immediately. Barrett is responsible for the small ship line’s Technical Operations Department overseeing all related aspects with regard to safety and regulatory compliance, inventory control and purchasing, shipyard projects and refits. Barrett also oversees the Engine Department, to ensure timely, diligent and efficient maintenance and safe operation, with a minimum environmental impact as described in the company’s safety management system (SMS), and related policies, procedures, and practices.

“We are continuing to build incredible bench strength of industry leading talent in our efforts to be the world's best small ship cruise line,” said President John Delaney. “We are holding ourselves to a higher standard of operational excellence in everything that we do, which is why we are thrilled to have a consummate professional like Paul join Windstar’s team.”

Barrett arrives to Windstar with three-plus decades of marine engineering and technical operations experience, having most recently worked for the Holland America Group. Prior to that Barrett was Vice President of Technical Operations at Princess Cruises for seven years having progressed through various management positions and held oversight for the line’s 18 vessels deployed worldwide. Barrett began his maritime career as an Engineer Officer aboard P&O Cruises in 1984.

Barrett completed an Executive Management Leadership Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from California Coast University. Barrett is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists and Technologists in the U.K. and a member of the U.S.A. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. A native of England, Barrett resides in Seattle and joins the 130-plus corporate team at Windstar’s headquarters in downtown Seattle.

Carnival Maritime names Minas Miliaras as Vice President Fleet Cruise Execution

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 February 2017 21 February 2017

Since February 15, Minas Miliaras has taken on the role of Vice President Fleet Cruise Execution at Carnival Maritime, the Marine Service Unit of the Costa Group (AIDA, Costa) in Hamburg. Minas will head the fleet teams and the maintenance development team for all AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises and Costa Asia ships. He will be responsible for the fleet management of the 26 vessels according to efficiency and sustainability targets of Carnival Maritime. This includes technical management, improvement of repair efficiency, standardization and harmonizing processes as well as connecting offices and ships across the globe.

Greek-born Minas is a studied naval architect, and MBA marine engineer. Before joining Carnival Maritime, he worked for Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises for sixteen years. Since 2013, he headed the fleet team of 13 Royal Caribbean vessels in the position of Associate Vice President for Marine Operations. From 2009, Minas was Director Technical Systems at Celebrity Cruises where he was responsible for technical systems and services including Electrical and Automation, Energy, Advanced Water Treatment, Piping & Engines Maintenance. Minas started his career in the cruise industry in 1999 at Lloyds Register. In 2006 he began working as Site Office Manager for Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises where he supervised the construction of the 120,000 tons Celebrity Solstice Class Cruise Vessels.

Minas takes over his position from Björn Sprotte, who has led the department for the past 1 ½ years. Lars Ljoen, Managing Director of Carnival Maritime, says “I am very happy to welcome Minas to the team. He will add great competencies and longtime experiences in fleet operations to our team and is therefore a fantastic fit. I am confident that he will make a valuable contribution to the team and further advance our fleet management operations.”

Minas adds, “I am more than excited to join Carnival Maritime in this position and build on Björn’s great work. I look forward to further increasing the efficiency and sustainability targets of our services together with our international teams.”

Meyer Werft cuts steel for the first LNG-powered cruise ship

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 February 2017 21 February 2017

The steel cutting of the vessel with yard number S.696 at Meyer Werft in Papenburg marks the start of construction for the first LNG cruise liner for AIDA Cruises.

Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, pressed the start button of the computer-controlled cutting machine, thereby commencing work on the first steel plate for the next generation of AIDA cruise ships. The first ship in this new class will be delivered at the end of 2018. With this new project, AIDA is continuing its long-standing partnership with Meyer Werft. From 2007 to 2013, the Papenburg shipyard produced seven Diva class cruise liners that operate successfully today in the market for AIDA cruises.

"AIDA will be giving the German holiday market a completely new impetus with the new Helios Class," says AIDA President Felix Eichhorn. For the first time, these new ships will be powered by LNG engines made by Caterpillar/MaK which fulfill the strictest environmental regulations. Energy efficiency was the key focus of the entire engineering work. The planning and design activities gave absolute priority to heat recovery, innovative electric motors, LED lighting, ship automation geared to energy efficiency, optimized underwater paintwork to reduce resistance, weight-optimized material selection and many other topics.

"We are very pleased that we can break completely new technological ground with AIDA in this way. AIDA and Carnival now lead the way for establishing LNG as the fuel of the future," says Tim Meyer, CEO at Meyer Werft.

The new ships for AIDA Cruises are also equipped with features tailor-made for the destination and for a first-class cruise experience. The ships will be setting new standards, not only in terms of their gross tonnage of 183,900 and space for 2,500 cabins but also in terms of design and environmental compatibility.