Top Headlines

Norwegian Epic-re-enters service after drydocking at Damen Brest Shipyard

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 October 2015 20 October 2015

Norwegian Epic welcomed guests onboard on Monday, October 19, following a three week dry dock where the ship received significant enhancements across the vessel, including entertainment, dining, technical operations and more. The new features come as Norwegian Epic readies for her winter and summer season sailing the Mediterranean from Barcelona, followed by her return to the United States and her new home in Port Canaveral in the fall of 2016.

Norwegian Epic now features a brand new entertainment outlet The Cavern Club, bringing the legendary Liverpool venue where the Beatles saw their popularity skyrocket to life. Following the addition of Broadway sensation Burn The Floor earlier this year, Norwegian Epic was outfitted with a second new Broadway show during the dry dock, Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical. Based on the Oscar-winning movie, the show is a heart-warming, uplifting comedy adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of discovering. The Tony Award winning musical features a dazzling array of over 500 award-winning costumes, 200 extraordinary head-dresses and a hit parade of dance floor favorites, including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

Dining enhancements for Norwegian Epic include extensive renovations to the existing Moderno Churrascaria, Cagney’s, La Cucina, Le Bistro, Garden Café, Manhattan Room restaurant and Taste restaurant. Many of the onboard dining venues received a refreshed look with new carpeting, reupholstered furniture, new décor and more.

Norwegian Epic was also outfitted with a brand new photo gallery, library and card room. Guests looking for a “cool” adventure can tee up at the new SplashGolf, which was installed in the ship’s Kids Aqua Park. This new attraction combines two age-old elements of fun –water features and mini golf— into one completely new, interactive water based game attracting all age groups for more family fun. Additionally, the vessel received major renovations and enhancements to the Mandara spa, Bliss Ultra Lounge, pool deck Marketplace, Epic Theater, Casino, and the exclusive Haven suite complex; including new lighting fixtures, artwork, wall covering, furniture and more.

“Norwegian Epic’s extended dry dock has given us the opportunity to not only enhance the ship’s public spaces but to add significant new features, including a brand new Tony Award-winning musical with Priscilla Queen of the Desert, a new entertainment venue with The Cavern Club and new activities like SplashGolf,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief operating officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We continue to heavily invest in our current fleet, to ensure that guests have a consistent experience across all Norwegian ships and the freedom and flexibility to create their ideal cruise vacation.”

Technical modernizations and maintenance also took place during the dry dock at the Damen Brest shipyard. The ship received a new pair of Becker rudders together with more efficient propeller caps, and state-of-the-art energy efficient hull paint. Additional significant technical and safety updates include: lifeboats and tender boats release systems upgrade; thrusters and stabilizers full maintenance, air ducts upgrades as well as improved storerooms’ refrigeration systems.

Cruise industry US based spending up 4.6% to $21.02 billion 2014 – CLIA

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 19 October 2015 19 October 2015

The cruise industry’s total spending in the US rose by 4.6% to $21.02 billion last year, according to figures released by Cruise Lines’ International Association (CLIA).

The growth rate almost doubled from a figure of 2.4% in 2013 over the previous year.

The number of US cruise passengers rose by 5.8% to 11.3 million in 2014, a much stronger performance than the 0.3% rise in 2013 on the previous year, the figures show.

Global cruise passenger volume rose 3.4% to 22.04 million 2014, growth below 10 year average

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 19 October 2015 19 October 2015

The number of cruise passengers worldwide reached 22.04 million in 2014, which was 3.4% more than in the previous year, figures released by Cruise Lines’ International Association (CLIA) show.

The growth rate accelerated from 1.9% in 2013 over the previous year, but remained well below the annual average growth rate of 6.8% in the 2004-14 period.

The number of passengers sourced from North America reached 12.16 million, which was 2.9% more than in the previous year. However, the rate of growth was slightly below the 3.30% average in the 2004-14 period.

Europe recorded a fall of 100,000 passengers to 6.39 million in a sharp reverse of the 12.2% average growth in the 10 year review period.

The rest of the world generated 3.49 million passengers last year, which was 12.9% more than in 2013. Again the figure fell significantly below the 20.8% average growth rate in the 2004-14 period, the CLIA statistics show.

Royal Caribbean International's new brand campaign defies industry misperceptions by spotlighting authentic exploration

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 15 October 2015 15 October 2015

Royal Caribbean International sails 23 ships to more than 250 destinations around the world delivering the world’s best vacation for adventure seekers on the most innovative vessels at sea. The cruise line is launching a new brand campaign inviting these seekers to “Come Seek” their own experience filled with adventure, exploration and discovery.

“Come Seek” reflects the brand’s adventurous spirit by placing the traveler’s personal experience and point of view at the heart of the campaign. It also showcases the essence of the experience that the brand has been delivering for more than 40 years. Known for its innovation – including the revolutionary Oasis- and Quantum-class ships – and delivering many industry-firsts from ziplines and rock climbing walls, the FlowRider surf simulator and the RipCord by iFly skydiving experience, to leading technological breakthroughs like VOOM – the fastest internet at sea, Royal Caribbean continues to transform the cruise experience offering an active adventure with an immersive experience and connectivity that all travelers desire.

“Our mission is to challenge misperceptions and invite the next generation of travelers to experience the unique Royal Caribbean adventure,” said Michael Bayley, president & CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Our loyal guests recognize that Royal Caribbean is an adventure designed to inspire and excite the senses. With our new campaign, we will show these new travelers what our guests already know and love.”

Even as the cruise industry has grown on the strength of new ships and modern program offerings, the reality is that a majority of the population – particularly the millennial generation – has never taken a cruise. The new campaign is not only an invitation from Royal Caribbean to “Come Seek,” but aims squarely at conventions that may inhibit continued growth.

The integrated marketing campaign includes broadcast, digital and outdoor advertising, in addition to public relations, social media and direct marketing. The multi-million dollar campaign will debut on Monday, October 19th with a series of broadcast and online ads, including a first-of-its-kind live streaming outdoor campaign delivered via the social platform Periscope.

“Come Seek” is a call to travelers who want more than to sightsee along the beaten path. It’s for adventurers who don’t just want, but require, immersive, culturally rich travel. Royal Caribbean delivers adventure both onboard and with exciting and culturally rich experiences in destinations around the world. Seekers are introduced to these destinations with experiential excursions, such as an Ocean Racing Experience in Antigua, which matches two guest teams of six each with professional yachties in head to head competition, and a Mountain Top Downhill Trek through historic plantation ruins in St. Maarten.

For a sneak peek of the “Come Seek” campaign elements visit Royal Caribbean’s You Tube page.

Age group 25 to 34 second biggest customers of cruise lines in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 14 October 2015 14 October 2015

Young adults aged 25 to 34 are the second largest age group for cruise lines in Britain, just one percentage point behind the 65 plus age group, survey commissioned by Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) shows.

Cruise holidays were particularly popular with holidaymakers aged 65 plus with 13% of those who took a holiday in the last 12 months taking a cruise.

“They were followed by people aged 25-34, 12% of holidaymakers in this age group took a cruise in the last year. 25-34 year olds are also the most interested in taking cruise holidays with almost half (48%) stating that they were interested in trying a cruise,” ABTA said, adding that 15% of young families (those with children under five) who took a holiday in the last 12 months took a cruise.

Cruise line officials have said that the industry has suffered for a long time from an image problem in Britain, whereby cruises are viewed suitable only for elderly people. The figures released by ABTA could thus indicate that this could be changing.

Last year, 1.65 million Britons took a cruise, a fall of 5% on the previous year.