In future, Thomson Cruises may own its fleet, Mein Schiff 1 and 2 could be transferred to Britain
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 24 February 2015 24 February 2015
Thomson Cruises, which is part of TUI AG, may own all its ships in the future and TUI Cruises could be launched in the UK with Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2, spokesman for TUI told Cruise Business Online.
“Thomson Cruises ships are popular with British customers many of whom return year after year to experience the fantastic range of destinations and renowned on-board service,” said Kuzeyn Esener, Head of Media Relations at TUI AG in Hannover, Germany.
“Over the last three years we have significantly invested in upgrading our Thomson ships, and we continue to modernise our fleet. However, it is important not only to look at successes of the past but also to identify new trends and to develop the vessels further accordingly,” he continued.
“Besides, we only own one of the vessels of the Thomson fleet whereas the German cruise operations are run with an asset heavy business model, which is more cost efficient in the long run. In future, the Thomson cruise operations may be run with a similar business model,” Esener said.
Thomson Cruises owns the 1986 built Thomson Dream, which is of 55,764 gross tons, through its TUI UK subsidiary. The other four units of the fleet are chartered.
In June, the second newbuilding (Mein Schiff 4) of the TUI Cruises fleet will be commissioned and two more vessels, the Mein Schiff 5 and the Mein Schiff 6, have been ordered. As soon as we also decide for the optional seventh and eighth vessel we will think of marketing the first two ships of the fleet (Mein Schiff 1 & 2) to an international clientele. The British market may then be favourite choice,” Esener concluded.
Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 were originally built for Celebrity Cruises, which is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (RCCL) group, which also owns 50% of TUI Cruises. .
Mark Tamis named Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations for Royal Caribbean International
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 22 February 2015 22 February 2015
Mark Tamis has been named senior vice president, Hotel Operations for Royal Caribbean International. Tamis will further the global cruise line's commitment to deliver outstanding vacations to almost four million guests per year. He will have oversight of the line's hotel services, food, beverage, entertainment and private destinations, and will report directly to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
"Mark has extensive knowledge and a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry and I look forward to welcoming him to the Royal family," said Bayley. "In his role, Mark will lead the dedicated men and women who work every day to deliver the best vacation adventures to our guests from around the world. And I am confident that he can help us take our award-winning experience to even greater heights."
A 25-year travel industry veteran, Tamis most recently served as senior vice president, Guest Operations with Carnival Cruise Lines. Prior to that, Tamis was the chief operating officer of The Setai Hotels and Resorts. He also held a variety of management positions with hotel organization, Ian Schrager Company. Tamis began his career with Four Seasons Hotels after earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration. He is active in various civic and community service organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Special Olympics, and founded www.dadsforgiving.org, an organization that encourages fathers to volunteer with their children to benefit their communities.
Fincantieri delivers Britannia
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 22 February 2015 22 February 2015
Britannia, the new flagship of the P&O Cruises fleet, brand of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise ship operator, was delivered today (February 22, 2015) at Monfalcone shipyard.
The delivery of Britannia further enhances and strengthens the partnership between Fincantieri and P&O Cruises, a prestigious brand characterized by a particularly high target of customers, tailored to the British market, one of the most dynamic and elegant ones in the world.
The ceremony was attended by Enrico Morando, Italian Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation, David Dingle, Executive Chairman of Carnival UK and David Noyes, CEO of P&O Cruises, while Fincantieri was represented by Giuseppe Bono and Vincenzo Petrone, respectively CEO and Chairman.
Britannia is the second P&O cruise ship with a new livery with blue funnels and a stylized 97 meters long Union Jack draped over the bow. It is also the first cruise ship built in Monfalcone with two funnels. The last liner which has been delivered by Monfalcone shipyard with this feature was the Eugenio C in the far 1966.
With the construction of Britannia, Fincantieri consolidates its leadership in building the largest passenger ships in the Italian shipbuilding history. At 144,000 gross tons, 330 meters long and 38 meters wide, the new unit is the largest one ever built by Fincantieri and the largest one made for this historic cruise operator founded in 1837. It has 1,837 cabins, of which 75% have a balcony, and it is able to accommodate 4,324 passengers on board, with total capacity of over 5,700 people, including the crew.
An innovative ship for a new grounbreaking class which looks at the future, Britannia stands out for its new "future-proof design", not only in terms of layout and state-of-the-art performance, but also because it complies with the most recent regulations for big passenger units, among which the "Safe return to port" security system. These ships will represent a new technological benchmark, in Europe and worldwide, for extremely high performance and for the high quality of the technical solutions. They are the best proof that innovation and customer care, like the one established with the Carnival Group, market leader, are essential levers for tackling a crisis like the present one.
Fincantieri has built 68 cruise ships since 1990 and other 16 ships are currently being designed or built in the Group's yards.
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