Dingle to become Carnival UK chairman, Noyes new CEO

Carnival Corporation & plc, the Anglo American cruise shipping group, said that David Dingle has been appointed chairman of Carnival UK and David Noyes, currently executive vice president operations, has been promoted to the CEO role, with operating responsibility for the UK-based brands P&O Cruises and Cunard Line. 

Dingle and Noyes will take up their new roles on October 1, and will both report to Carnival Corporation & plc president and CEO Arnold Donald.

“This moves allows us to strengthen further our overall leadership in the critically important UK marketplace, while also promoting from within to leverage the skills, experience and capabilities of our executive team,” said Donald. 

Dingle, who became CEO in 2007, joined P&O Cruises in London in 1978 where, after holding a series of commercial positions, he became managing director in 2000. At the time of the merger of P&O Princess Cruises plc and the Carnival Corporation in April 2003, he became managing director of Carnival UK.

Noyes joined Carnival UK in 2011, in his current position.  Prior to joining Carnival, he worked in the UK travel industry for 25 years, mainly with British Airways, where he was responsible for BA’s worldwide customer services operation, and latterly with Gray Dawes Travel as CEO.

Elaine Holt will join Carnival UK on October 1 as David Noyes’ replacement as executive vice president operations following a highly successful career in the rail, road and airline industries. She has led a series of transformational programmes as executive chairman of East Coast Mainline and before that as managing director of First Capital Connect.  Most recently she has acted as a non executive director of the Highways Agency. 

Commenting on the appointments, David Dingle said: “David Noyes is exceptionally placed to lead P&O Cruises and Cunard into the future and grow the business for the next generation. Elaine brings with her a strong blend of operational and customer services skills and will be a very valuable addition to our executive team.”

Dingle is a former President of The UK Chamber of Shipping and the European Cruise Council (now CLIA Europe) and continues to serve on the boards of both groups. In 2009, he joined the board of the European Community Shipowners Association. He has previously served as a director of the Association of British Travel Agents and The UK Passenger Shipping Association. 

CBR Odo Commentary – Growing orderbook puts pressure on supply driven business model

Cruise shipping companies have increased the rate of ordering newbuildings and the orderbook of Norwegian Cruise Line now amounts in value to 51% of its balance sheet (excluding effect of recently unveiled acquisition of Prestige Cruise Holdings), according to Odo Maritime, the research arm of Cruise Business Review.

At the same time, it would appear that the question of valuations of existing tonnage is gradually gaining importance after Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) sold Celebrity Century at a loss. Meanwhile, a senior official of the group in the UK warned that new ships alone may not be enough to fill the new capacity that will come online, unless the public’s perception of cruising will change.

In the opinion of Odo Maritime, this highlights concerns over the future of the supply driven business model of the cruise industry.

For more, please go to: www.odomaritime.com/#!news-and-analysis/c2t8

Ctrip and RCCL plan joint venture to manage Celebrity Century, explore deepening cooperation

Ctrip, the Chinese travel company that acquired the 1995 built Celebrity Century of Celebrity Cruises unit of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), says the two companies plan a joint venture agreement and the ship will be refurbished

“Ctrip has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to form a joint venture to manage the operations of the acquired cruise ship and potentially broaden the relationship,” Ctrip said in a statement.

"China is becoming one of the largest cruise markets in the world," said Min Fan, Vice Chairman of the Board and President of Ctrip. "As the largest cruise agency in China, Ctrip has sent over 120,000 guests to cruise trips so far and acquired more than 10% of market share in China. We are excited about the strong growth of the cruise industry and strive to strengthen our leadership in this market.

"We are thrilled about our acquisition of Celebrity Century, which is one of the top-tier vessels in the world," Min Fan continued," Century will be renovated to provide an outstanding cruise experience to China's leisure travelers, including premium hotel services, diversified dining options, exciting on-board facilities, varieties of entertainments, and inspiring excursions and tours.”

“ Ctrip will capitalize on our strong brand, large customer base, and superior service quality, as well as our partner's extensive cruise operating experience to generate great value to our customers and shareholders."