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Nine percent increase in domestic sales for Pullmantur

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2014 10 October 2014

After an extensive corporate restructuring, Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd's (RCCL) Spain and Latin America-focused subsidiary, has forecast a 9% increase in Spanish domestic sales this year. Alan Lam reports.

According to its new president, Jorge Vilches, the line carried around 120,000 Spanish passengers last year and it is on course to carry 130,000 this year.

In total, it expects to carry over 470,000 passengers this year and 520,000 in 2015, of which only 25% will be Spanish, thus signalling the importance of the company’s global strategy. Its dependence on Latin America is apparent, with Brazil contributing 125,000 passengers, Mexico 20,000 and the rest of Latin America 115,000. Pullmantur recently appointed a new Commercial Director for Colombia, which contributed 40,000 passengers to the cruise industry last year, of which Pullmantur had a lion’s share.

Ambitiously, overall Pullmantur aims to increase its sales by 15% in 2015 and 30% in 2016.

Its subsidiary, Croisères de France, is expected to carry around 100,000 passengers this year.

Much of this success is attributed to its new price policy. Jorge Vilches indicated that the prices were “adjusted according to market demand”. He also saw clear signs of recovery in the Spanish market.

The travel agent Nautalia, a former subsidiary of Pullmantur, reports selling more Pullmantur cruises than when it was under the line’s control. Nautalia, now sold to Springwater, still maintains a close business partnership with Pullmantur.

TUI Cruises to host four golf themed cruises in 2015

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2014 09 October 2014

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise operator, says it will host four golf themed cruises next year.

The first one will be on Mein Schiff 2 in the Arabian Gulf from 02 to 16 February and golfers will have the option to practise their game in e.g. Oman, Dubai and Bahrain. The second cruise, which will take place in September, will take players around the British isles and includes courses in the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland and Southern England.

The final golf cruise will take players to the Canaries in November, but before that players will be offered the option to enjoy their game in various locations around the Baltic on a cruise in August, the company said in a statement.

SS United States conservancy challenge comfortable exceeds target

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2014 09 October 2014

In June, cruise industry executive Jim Pollin pledged to match up to $100,000 of new supporter donations to benefit the SS United States, the trans-Atlantic liner that captured the Blue Riband for the fastest crossing of the ocean on its maiden voyage in July 1952, but which has been laid up since November 1969.

Last week, the Conservancy announced that it was only $2,072 away from that $100,000 goal. "Just one week later, we are thrilled to announce that we have received $122,167 in donations eligible for matching -- prompting Jim to raise his initial pledge by $20,000, and match $120,000," the conservancy said.

"Our nation's flagship isn't just an historic vessel," Jim Pollin said recently. "It also represents the people of a great and determined nation that once again have demonstrated they can rise to any challenge. In response to the generosity of so many supporters of the SS United States, I am proud to match their recent contributions with an additional donation of $120,000 to save this enduring symbol of our country."

Campaign supporters hailed from 44 states and 17 countries, and their contributions ranged from one dollar to ten thousand. Every donation made a major difference, and we are profoundly grateful to Jim Pollin and to everyone who contributed. The ship would not be afloat today without this extraordinary collective effort.

Royal Asian Cruises another step closer to launch

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2014 08 October 2014

With the view of launching a luxury cruise service next year, Royal Asian Cruises has signed an agreement with the Board of Investment in Sri Lanka. Alan Lam reports.

The company, with offices in USA and India, aims to invest US$200 million to acquire and operate two vessels by 2016. Its primary targeted source markets will be Indian and Sri Lankan diaspora, as well as potential Eastern European and Southeast Asian passengers.

It is reported that the first ship to be deployed, with homeport in Colombo, will be an 800-passenger vessel, scheduled for its first cruise as early as late 2015. The company’s plan for a second vessel is even more ambitious: the ship, which is projected to enter service in early 2016, will be able to accommodate 1,500-2,000 passengers.

The company also has a five-year plan to expand its fleet to five ships, representing a total investment of US$720 million.

The initial designed itineraries will include year-round seven-night cruises to Maldives and Cochin. The line will also offer 3- & 4-night cruises around Sri Lanka, as well as 10- & 11-night cruises further afield, to Singapore and back.

Royal Asian Cruises has partnered with Tillberg Design of Sweden to craft the ships’ interiors.

Thomas Cook to open 11 cruise concept stores in UK - report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 October 2014 07 October 2014

Thomas Cook, the London based listed tour operator, said the introduction of the Cruise Concept Stores marked the next phase of the company’s transformation, underlined its investment in the sector and expertise in the cruise market, Travel Weekly reports.

"Thomas Cook has long been considered the UK’s biggest cruise retailer by volume, although cruise line suppliers say it had been focussing on other areas in recent years. Five of the stores are in partnership with Carnival UK brands P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises and the other six stores are in partnership with Royal Caribbean International," the report said

The stores are being opened in Aberdeen, Harrogate, Gateshead, Merryhill, Liverpool, Maidstone, Darlington, Bolton, Newport, Plymouth and Fareham. Towns and cities have been targeted where there is more than one Thomas Cook branch, and while they will specialise in cruise product, land-based holidays can also be booked there.

Agents in the Cruise Concept stores will be trained on cruise products and the branding inside the stores will reflect the partnering cruise line. Joanna Wild, Cook retail director, said: “Retail is such an important part of Thomas Cook’s omni-channel approach. We know holidays are important to our customers, and cruise holidays are valued for offering a particular sense of adventure and security that everything will be taken care of as soon as our customers depart from port.

“The cruise market continues to grow and we want to invest in the market in support of our great cruise partners. The Cruise Concept Stores further illustrate the company’s commitment to the high street, aiming to offer a specially tailored and personalised service to our many cruise customers," she was quoted as saying.