More News

Uniworld appoints Ellen Bettridge as new President and CEO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 August 2016 09 August 2016

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has announced the appointment of Ellen Bettridge as President and Chief Executive Officer. Bettridge succeeds Guy Young, who is being promoted and will take on two new roles at The Travel Corporation (“TTC”), Uniworld’s parent company. Bettridge began her new position effective August 6, 2016, and Young will work with her to ensure a smooth transition prior to joining TTC.

The announcement was made last week by Brett Tollman, Chief Executive of The Travel Corporation. Said Tollman, “It is my great privilege and pleasure to welcome Ellen to our team at Uniworld. I have known and admired Ellen for many years. She is a superbly capable and talented travel industry professional, with an exceptional reputation and a winning track-record. I am confident that Ellen will make a consequential and instrumental contribution to Uniworld’s performance and success, and the team and I very much look forward to working closely with her.”

Bettridge will be responsible for managing and overseeing Uniworld’s global business, including operations and financial performance, product development, the industry’s foremost guest experience, service enrichment and onboard/onshore programming. She will also specifically focus on growing and expanding Uniworld’s business, as well as furthering its leadership and innovation in the river cruise industry.

Said Bettridge, “It is an honor for me to take the helm of the world’s finest river cruise line. I look forward to partnering with Brett and collaborating with the entire Uniworld team to ensure that the Company continues to lead and maintain the standard of excellence in the river cruise industry, as well as to create innovative experiences, programs and services that appeal to the most discerning and inspired travelers throughout the world.”

Bettridge joins Uniworld from Azamara Club Cruises, where she has served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing, responsible for growing Azamara’s markets in the Americas, as well as for developing strategic relationships with trade and marketing partners. Previously, Bettridge held the position of President, Americas at Silversea Cruises Ltd., where she developed and implemented successful sales strategies and marketing campaigns throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Prior to Silversea, Bettridge held various positions at American Express over more than twenty years, initially as a Travel Counselor and most recently as Vice President Retail Travel Business, responsible for the management of travel and financial services in twenty-eight owned locations in the U.S., 300 employees and 150 franchisee partners.

Young, who will continue to be based in the Company’s Encino office, is being promoted and will take on two newly created and exceptionally important roles; Global Brand Engagement Officer at TTC, reporting to Brett Tollman, and President of Costsaver, Trafalgar's fast-growing value brand, reporting to Gavin Tollman, CEO of Trafalgar. Said Brett Tollman, "Guy and I have worked together for over 25 years now, and he has led Uniworld to new heights and exceptional accolades during his tenure of nearly a decade. Both Gavin and I congratulate Guy on his accomplishments, and we very much look forward to working closely with him as we continue to drive and grow some of the very best brands in the travel industry."

AIDA Cruises launches first marketing campaign in China

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 August 2016 09 August 2016

AIDA Cruises, the German contemporary market unit of Carnival Corp& plc group, says it has launched the first marketing campaign on the Chinese market. From April 2017, with AIDAbella, AIDA Cruises will, for the first time, deploy a ship in China all year round and, in close cooperation with Costa Asia, be offering cruise vacation "Made in Germany" from Shanghai as a new premium product for the booming Chinese market, the company said in a statement.

"The ongoing growth of AIDA has made Germany the second biggest cruise market in the world. With our Costa Asia brand, we have pioneered the way in China since 2006 and were the first international shipping company to develop the cruise market there. The expansion of our product portfolio to include an AIDA Cruises ship on the fastest-growing market in the world is a strategic step for the further successful development of Costa and AIDA", said Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group.

"AIDA would not be as successful today if we had not constantly entered uncharted territory in the 20 years since the commissioning of our first new vessel. We are now venturing a further important step and, with AIDAbella, exporting our successful concept to China, the fastest-growing cruise market in the world. With our lifestyle-oriented and innovative product, we will provide further important momentum for the emerging Chinese market and thrill entirely new groups of guests. I would like to thank our colleagues at Costa Asia for supporting us with their know-how", commented Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises.

AIDAbella will be prepared for service in Asia during a dockyard refit in spring 2017. Without changing the essence of the successful AIDA brand, the ship and services will be oriented to the wishes and demands of Chinese guests. Under the motto "cruise vacation Made in Germany" i.a. the "Brauhaus" featuring a blend of Bavarian conviviality meets with modern far eastern cuisine in the in the spacious buffet restaurant "World of Asia" where the hot pot restaurant "Hot & Spicy" will be integrated. New on board are as well successful German brands as Rimowa or Hugo Boss.

P&O Cruises raises over £50k for Teenage Cancer Trust

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 August 2016 09 August 2016

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it has raised more than £50,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust since the beginning of 2016.

Carnival UK, chief executive officer, David Noyes said in a statement: “We set ourselves a target of £50,000 for the first year, so we are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud to have exceeded this amount five months early.”

Noyes continued: “Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer aged between 13 and 24. As we take thousands of British families and children on holiday each year, this charity has huge relevance and we want to help as much as we can.”

Teenage Cancer Trust, lead account manager, Laura Martin said: “We are delighted that our partnership with P&O Cruises has already raised £50,000. These fantastic fundraising efforts from staff, crew and passengers could fund over 1,600 hours of specialist care so that young people don’t have to face cancer alone. “Thank you to all those who have supported Teenage Cancer Trust so far. Right now for every young person we reach there’s another we can’t and our partnership will help us take a big step towards changing this.”

P&O Cruises has a three year partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust to support young people with cancer across the UK. Crew and guests on-board its three large family ships, Azura, Britannia and Ventura have been hosting a Teenage Cancer Trust summer fête on selected cruises with family favourites on deck including ‘bash the rat’, ‘hook a duck’, raffles and crew cycling challenges.

Shore based staff at Carnival House in Southampton also joined in the fundraising spirit by holding a dress down day, throwing sponges at David Noyes, chief executive officer, Carnival UK, plus marathon and Ironman events as well as sky diving.

All funds raised go towards the Teenage Cancer Trust’s vital services, including the funding of specialist nurses and youth support coordinators as well as dedicated hospital units for young people with cancer.

There are now 28 specialist Teenage Cancer Trust units in NHS hospitals across the UK and the charity wants every young person with cancer to have access to this specialist support, no matter where they live.

Norwegian Cruise Line expands partnership with Margaritaville

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 August 2016 05 August 2016

Norwegian Cruise Line today announced the expansion of its exclusive partnership with Margaritaville. As a part of The Norwegian Edge, a $400 million investment program dedicated to delivering an exceptional onboard experience, Norwegian will introduce new Margaritaville at Sea restaurants onboard Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway this fall.

Building on its success and popularity on board Norwegian’s newest ship, Norwegian Escape, Margaritaville at Sea onboard Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway will bring to life nostalgic island moments with a tropical menu that features signature items like the Cheeseburger in Paradise and Who's to Blame Margarita, available à la carte, in an open air-eatery offering stunning ocean views.

“Norwegian Cruise Line has been bringing guests to paradise for nearly 50 years,” said Andy Stuart, President and Chief Operating Officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “With the expansion of our partnership with Margaritaville to our Breakaway Class ships, our guests will now be able to enjoy the island lifestyle before the ship has even left port.”

Margaritaville at Sea will open September 18 aboard Norwegian Getaway in the former Flamingo Grill, and on October 9 aboard Norwegian Breakaway in the former Uptown Grill.

“We are excited to expand our relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line, allowing even more guests to escape to the Margaritaville state of mind,” said John Cohlan, chief executive officer of Margaritaville. “Norwegian shares our philosophy that combines fun with exceptional service and we look forward to continuing to take this partnership to new sea levels.”

Carnival Cruise Line reveals top names of Carnival LIVE 2017 lineup

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 August 2016 04 August 2016

Carnival Cruise Line has announced its initial 2017 Carnival LIVE lineup featuring country music stars Tim McGraw and Little Big Town along with comedians Jay Leno and Jeff Foxworthy who will perform on seven different ships departing from five convenient U.S. homeports.

Carnival LIVE is a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience that brings the best in live music and comedy to the seas, providing guests an opportunity to enjoy captivating performances by top artists in a unique and memorable setting where there’s never a bad seat in the house. Performances are held in the ships’ main show lounges which range in capacity from 900 to 1,300 – giving shows a more intimate and personal feel.

Three-time Grammy Award winner Tim McGraw will bring his signature brand of country music to two Carnival ships with show-stopping performances aboard Carnival Breeze March 2, and Carnival Valor March 3, while the ships are docked in Nassau, The Bahamas. In addition to 21 number one singles, 11 of McGraw’s albums have debuted at number one on the Billboard country album chart.

Platinum recording artist Little Big Town will have audiences singing along and dancing in the aisles with shows in Nassau aboard Carnival Dream May 11, and Carnival Valor May 12. The recipients of nine Country Music Association awards, the chart-topping band has earned a loyal following for their unique mix of harmonies and incredible musical talents.

One of the most successful comedians in the country, Jeff Foxworthy is the largest selling comedy recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee and author of 11 books. Famous for his “you might be a redneck if…” jokes, his comedy explores everyday family interactions and human nature. Foxworthy will perform two shows – one aboard Carnival Freedom June 21, and another aboard Carnival Ecstasy June 22, while the ships are docked in Nassau.

A member of the Television Hall of Fame and a longtime host of NBC’s Tonight Show, Jay Leno will entertain guests with his observational humor with a pair of hilarious performances in Cozumel aboard the Carnival Victory May 3, and Carnival’s newest ship the Carnival Vista May 4. Leno plays upwards of 200 shows a year and currently hosts “Jay Leno’s Garage” on the CNBC network.

Carnival LIVE tickets for Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Jeff Foxworthy and Jay Leno range in price from $30 to $80 for general admission, significantly less than land-based venues. VIP tickets are available for $100 to $300 and include seating in the first five rows, a photo opportunity with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.