Seatrade Cruise Global 2016 announces new format, moderator for State of the Global Cruise Industry Panel

Seatrade Cruise Global, the leading annual global business-to-business event for the cruise industry, in partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), announces the 2016 State of the Global Cruise Industry participants. This year’s panel will take on a new four-one-three rolling panel format moderated by CBS News Travel Editor and PBS’s “The Travel Detective” Peter Greenberg.

“It is an extraordinary time in the cruise world, one of innovation across the global fleet,” shares Robyn Duda, Portfolio Director for Seatrade Cruise Global. “This year’s State of the Global Cruise Industry brings together the four leaders of the world’s largest cruise lines, who are innovating for the future, and concludes with three leaders executing innovative approaches that are transforming the industry.”

Peter Greenberg will moderate the State of the Global Cruise Industry Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday 15 March, 2016. Setting the course of the cruise industry’s premier annual event, the four-one-three panel will commence with four key executives from the world’s leading cruise lines. The “Innovating FOUR the Future” panel is the following:

– Frank Del Rio, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd
– Arnold Donald, President & CEO, Carnival Corporation
– Richard Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd
– Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises

During the midpoint of the session, a research analyst will provide an outside perspective. The State of the Global Cruise Industry will conclude with an additional three cruise line leaders. The “Innovative Approaches” panel is the following:

– Charles A. Robertson, Chairman & CEO, American Cruise Lines
– Edie Rodriguez, President & CEO, Crystal Cruises
– Tara Russell, President, Fathom and Global Impact Lead, Carnival Corporation

“The new State of the Global Cruise Industry format promises to deliver a thought-provoking conversation,” said Cindy D’Aoust, acting CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “These iconic industry innovators are sure to deliver an informative and engaging dialogue and will be a highlight of Seatrade Cruise Global.”

Costa Group appoints General Manager for Northern Europe

Ralph Remkes has joined Costa Group in the position of General Manager Northern Europe, reporting to Massimo Brancaleoni Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales.

In this position Ralph leads the recently created Northern Europe Region with a coordination center at the Costa offices located in Amsterdam. With the goal to provide even more support and unmatchable services to its business partners achieving a sustainable competitive advantage in the local marketplace, the Northern Europe Region has been created by Costa and AIDA joining forces for a new Sales & Marketing organization for Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

The Northern Europe region combines the experience of 13 sales staff, putting at the service of trade partners their expertise and professionalism, providing a personalized approach to each agents’ needs to be able to support effectively their cruise sales with products specifically dedicated to the different types of consumers, both for Costa and AIDA brands.

The two Heads of Sales – Kay Sion, Head of Sales Benelux, and Giancarlo Tedesco, Head of Sales Scandinavia – are reporting to Ralph as well as the Business Intelligence Manager, Francesco Minerva.

Prior to join Costa Group, Ralph gained an extensive experience in marketing and sales in the tourism sector.

Ralph Remkes, 40 years old, is from Utrecht – The Netherlands, he is married and has two sons.

MSC Cruises appoints Antonio Paradiso UK Managing Director after Hawke

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping company, has announced the appointment of Antonio Paradiso as Managing Director for the MSC Cruises’ business in the UK and Ireland, effective 1 March 2016. Antonio will be replacing Giles Hawke, who will be leaving the Company in April. Hawke held the post for about three years.

Ponant and Ducasse Conseil in cooperation agreement

Ponant, the French luxury expedition cruidse line, says it has decided to work with Ducasse Conseil, the Alain Ducasse Entreprise expert consulting arm to develop its catering side.

Established in 2000, Ducasse Conseil offers support on strategy, operations and finance to assist with the redesign or creation of offers across all segments of the catering market. Ducasse Conseil can therefore assist hotels, restaurants, catering companies, concert halls, etc. in their projects to instil quality and efficiency for the long-term.

The two entities are embarking on a project anchored in continuity with a long-term view. It includes auditing, culinary concept creation and training for all the company’s chefs, the goal being to provide consistently high levels of service and cuisine across the company’s ten restaurants.

“This collaboration will raise PONANT’s culinary standards to a new level to better meet the highest expectations of our very discerning French and international passengers,” says the company’s CEO Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée.

For Carole Pourchet, Managing Director of Alain Ducasse Entreprise, in charge of Ducasse Conseil: “We are very proud to be involved with PONANT in this venture to promote French excellence. We will be putting the talents of all our chefs on the project, together with our expertise in onboard catering and our passion for contemporary French cuisine.”

 

Silja Europa returns to Tallinn-Helsinki service

Silja Europa, one of the largest passenger ferries in the world will be refurbished before its return to Tallinn-Helsinki route as from March 2016. Also the fast ferries Superstar and Star as well as cruise ferry Baltic Queen will remain operating on the route, AS Tallink Grupp announced today.

The Sales and Marketing Director of AS Tallink Grupp, Margus Hunt said that the majority of passenger areas, including cabins, restaurants, shops and show bar will be renovated and the passengers will have the opportunity to enjoy a fresh look and feel with exciting new discoveries. “The exact timetable and more details will be revealed soon," added Hunt.

In cabins the textiles, furniture and technical equipment will be renewed. Most of the restaurants and shops will be also renewed and refurbished.

Silja Europa will start sailing with two departures per day on Tallinn-Helsinki route in March, replacing also other ships of the route having planned maintenance dry dockings in March and April, such as fast ferry Superstar and cruise ferry Baltic Queen. More detailed schedule will be revealed by the company next week.

Silja Europa is built in 1993 in Germany. She is one of the world's largest cruise ferroies by the number of cabins with the length of 202 meters, width of 33 meters and passenger capacity of over 3000 people. There are 6 different cabin classes available on board, as well as 5 restaurants, 2 bars and nightclubs, a beauty salon, sauna and 4 shops. She has the highest ice class of 1A Super and her maximum speed is 21.5 knots. Her car deck accommodates 932 lane meters of vehicles and cargo.