Crystal Symphony emerges from dry dock

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 03 October 2014 03 October 2014

Crystal Symphony has emerged from a two-week, $20 million-plus dry dock redesign with lushly reimagined spaces, indoors and out. Luxury cruise leader Crystal Cruises unveiled the ship’s new look on September 27, as guests embarked on an eight-day Hamburg-Lisbon voyage, greeted by contemporary and elegant new designs in the Crystal Plaza and adjacent Crystal Cove Bar area – the ship’s main activity “hubs”. Luxury travelers on board will also experience a new outdoor “Fitness Garden” spanning three aft decks; top of the line indoor fitness equipment; redesigned spa and casino spaces; additional PURE allergy-friendly staterooms; and technological upgrades throughout the ship.

“We continue to invest in creating a contemporary and sumptuous environment that meets the travelers’ desire,” says Crystal President and COO, Edie Rodriguez. “The new features and spaces added during this dry dock are astounding, and offer our guests the relaxed, yet luxurious comfort that they have come to expect and enjoy on Crystal Cruises.”

Online retailer Cruise.co.uk. eyes expansion to Ireland, Australia, South Africa and Scandinavia - report

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 03 October 2014 03 October 2014

Cruise.co.uk, the British online cruise retailer, is reported to  be looking to purchase  a small agency in both Ireland and Australia as it eyes international expansion that could embrace South Africa and Scandinavia as well.

Managing director Seamus Conlon said, according to Travel Weekly, that the company would be operating in Ireland by the end of this year as Cruise.co and in Australia by early next year. He expects the company’s website model in the UK, which combines cruise deals with extensive user generated content, to work well in other markets. The user content, which includes reviews and Q&As, will be replicated for the two markets.

“It has been part of our strategy, in changing venture capitalists, to expand to other English-speaking markets,” Conlon said. Our preferred option is to invest in an existing business [rather than a start-up].”

Marketing director Sukie Rapal, who will co-ordinate the move and expansion, said: “Our strategy is to buy a really small agency in Ireland and invest in it so it can operate as our base there. The same will be done in Australia.”

She added: “We are also looking at South Africa and Scandinavia, where there is a high proportion of English-speakers, as well as [possibly] partnering with someone in the US. Ireland and Australia are still emerging [markets] when it comes to cruise. They are where the UK was a few years ago so we believe our combination of user reviews and deals will work well in these markets,” the report said.

Carnival Miracle to begin year-round Mexican Riviera program next week

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 October 2014 01 October 2014

Carnival Miracle will depart Saturday, Oct. 4 from Long Beach, Calif., on the first voyage of a new year-round cruise program to the Mexican Riviera.  The ship will be among the first to visit Cabo San Lucas following Hurricane Odile when it calls there October 6 and will be loaded with relief supplies provided by Carnival for local residents.

Carnival Miracle’s new year-round Mexican Riviera program will encompass three different week-long itineraries, including a new three-port, seven-day cruise featuring Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

During the ship’s first visit to Cabo San Lucas, the crew will be off-loading several pallets of bottled water, canned food, cereal, diapers, paper products, personal items and other supplies for local residents.

“We have been in close contact with officials in Cabo San Lucas and have sent our own teams there to evaluate the recovery process,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines.  “The residents, along with local, state and federal authorities, have worked extremely hard to ready the destination to receive visitors and revitalize the economic contribution that tourism brings to the area.  At the same time, local residents are still in need of relief supplies and it is extremely gratifying to be resuming our Mexican Riviera cruise program while doing some good for the local community,” Cahill added.

Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, federal under minister of tourism for Mexico, stated, “Our tourism destinations are ready to receive visitors.  Tourism is an important part of the local economy and we are grateful for everyone’s contribution to the recovery of Los Cabos.  The destination is ready for cruise passengers and the majority of restaurants, shops and tours are ready to be enjoyed.”

Carnival Miracle’s year-round schedule from Long Beach also includes two other itinerary options.  The first is a seven-day, two-port itinerary that features a stop in Cabo San Lucas, along with a two-day overnight stay in Puerto Vallarta. The second alternate itinerary includes a visit to Puerto Vallarta, along with a two-day call at Cabo San Lucas.

MSC Cruises upgrades shore exursion commissions in UK

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 01 October 2014 01 October 2014

MSC Cruises says it is giving retail partners in the UK more opportunity to benefit from selling its products with the launch of upgraded commission payments on shore excursions.

"Promised as part of the cruise line’s ‘Serving You’ programme for agents, which launched in July, the higher commission goes live today (October 1 2014) and will initially run as a six-month trial. Previously all agents received a standard 5% on excursions but that will now rise to the level of their individually-negotiated base commission," the company said in a statement.

To receive the higher payments, retailers must book the excursions via MSC Cruises’ new trade booking portal, MSC Book (www.mscbook.com/uk).

Giles Hawke, MSC Cruises executive director UK and Ireland said: “When we unveiled ‘Serving You’ we set out our plans to get closer to the trade and listen to their concerns. Enhancing commission on excursions was on our ‘to do’ list and we have been true to our word.

“Agents had told us in the past that our excursions were complicated to book and that the payments didn’t reflect the time it took. MSC Book is much more user friendly and integrates excursions into the sales path, so our partners can now book land-based activities easier and make more money.”

The launch of higher commission payments comes hot on the heels of the roll-out of MSC Book. Access to the new booking system is now available to all retailers following its successful introduction across the UK during September.