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GPH appoints Erika Tache as Vice President of Business Development for Shorex and Landside

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 March 2023 16 March 2023

Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world's largest cruise port operator, has appointed Erika Tache as Vice President of Business Development for Shorex and Landside. “With over 20 years of experience in the cruise industry, Tache brings a wealth of expertise in destination planning and development, offshore excursions, and cultural heritage tourism development,” the company said in a statement.

Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, Tache served as the Senior Director of Product Development, Operations, and Marketing for Carnival Cruise Line. In this role, she was responsible for product development and implementing strategies for excursions across 90 ports and 26 ships, as well as directing procurement and tour contracting for all of the nine Carnival Corporation brands in various regions.

Mehmet Kutman, Chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding, expressed his excitement about the appointment, stating, "I welcome Mrs. Erika Tache, to the GPH team. With her extensive knowledge in the development of Shorex and landside tourism, she will be a great addition to our team of experts and professionals at GPH. I look forward to working with her in the next stage of the development of our global network."

In her new role, Tache will work closely with the Office of the Chairman to develop the commercial business side of Global Ports Holding. With her proven track record of leading successful strategies for product development and quality assurance programs for unique travel experiences around the world, she is a valuable addition to the executive team

UK study finds significant rise in newcomer interest to cruise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 March 2023 13 March 2023

The number of newcomers expected to sail on a cruise in 2023 is more than double last year, a study by online travel agency cruise.co.uk has found.

A survey carried out by cruise specialist, cruise.co.uk, and completed by almost 1200 respondents, revealed that, while only 4% of people were new-to-cruise in 2022, over 9% are planning to take their first holiday at sea this year, the company said in a statement.

In the last year before the pandemic, 2019, similarly saw 4% of respondents taking their first cruise

The Mediterranean is the destination of choice for first-timers, with the Caribbean in second, and the Norwegian Fjords and north Scandinavia in third place.

The study also revealed that over 50% of respondents who are existing cruisers already have a future cruise booked.

Tony Andrews, deputy managing director of cruise.co.uk, said in the statement: “We’re encouraged to see such a significant increase in the number of new-to-cruise customers looking to sail this year. A holiday at sea offers unbeatable choice, to suit every taste and budget, so we’d urge anyone who hasn’t tried it yet to dip their toe in the water. Plus, with around 20 new ships launching this year, there is going to be even more reasons for holidaymakers to switch from land to sea.”

P&O Cruises says Wave season strongest ever

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 March 2023 13 March 2023

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, has reported its strongest Wave ever, with a record-breaking number of bookings made during the period.

The most popular destination was the Norwegian fjords, with guests also choosing holidays in the Caribbean and the Western Mediterranean, the company said in a statement.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said in the statement: “This year’s Wave season has surpassed all expectations with record-breaking days throughout the period. It’s particularly encouraging to see that guests who are new to cruising are recognising the excellent value for money, fantastic destinations and unique experience on a P&O Cruises holiday.”

Resorts World One starts sailing from Hong Kong

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 March 2023 11 March 2023

Resorts World One commenced its first voyage yesterday from the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal for a weekend high-seas cruise, after arriving in Hong Kong on 8 March 2023. The Resorts World One is the first cruise ship to restart cruises in Hong Kong with a year-round homeport deployment. With three sailings a week, vacationers can look forward to a series of 2 and 3-Night High Seas cruises until 31 March 2023, before enjoying a greater diversity of itinerary options when destination cruises from Hong Kong starts on 2 April 2023, boosting inbound and outbound cruise passengers to Hong Kong.

To commemorate the launch and inaugural sailing of the Resorts World One from Hong Kong, a special celebratory event was held yesterday on the cruise ship with over 400 attendees, comprising of local travel and business partners, the media, as well as key influencers. Resorts World Cruises representatives, comprising of Michael Goh – President and Raymond Lim – Chief Operating Officer officiated the inaugural sailing of the Resorts World One from the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

In conjunction with this special event, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) also made a special appearance onboard and performed for the very first time on a cruise ship with the Resorts World One as its performing venue. The HKCO performance on the Resorts World One’s Helipad during its first voyage out of Victoria Harbour was broadcasted LIVE online via Resorts World Cruises’ Facebook for the Hong Kong and international audience worldwide, another first for the event.

“Resorts World One’s maiden voyage today from the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal signifies an important step forward in reigniting Hong Kong’s cruise tourism. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Tourism Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong Tourism Board and the relevant authorities for their support as we pioneer the restart of the Hong Kong year- round cruise deployment,” said Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises. “Resorts World One will open-up new opportunities for the inbound and outbound travel in Hong Kong for cruising and Fly-Cruise guests, which will have a positive spill over effect beyond the cruise tourism sector in Hong Kong,” he added.

Kenneth Wong, HKTB’s General Manager, MICE & Cruise, said, “Resorts World Cruises’ establishment of business and homeporting deployment in Hong Kong underlines Hong Kong’s undiminished strength as a regional cruise hub and international tourism destination. The arrival of Resort World One on 8 Mar alone has already brought over a thousand cruise visitors from various Southeast Asian countries to Hong Kong. As cruising in Asia further resumes we look forward to collaborate with international cruise lines as well as trade partners in both Hong Kong and source markets to diversify our cruise products, so as to not only enrich our visitor profile but also promote the growth and opportunities in the Asian cruise market.”

Silversea launches charter flights to the Arctic from London, New York, Montreal and Oslo

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 March 2023 11 March 2023

Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line, has introduced new direct private charter flights for 28 Arctic and Greenland sailings in 2023 and 2024. Guests sailing on select Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind, and Silver Cloud voyages will benefit from a more seamless journey via London, New York, Montreal, and Oslo to some of the Arctic’s most remote destinations – such as Longyearbyen, Kangerlussuaq, Pond Inlet, and more. The latest innovation from Silversea Cruises enhances ultra-luxury cruising’s most diverse and extensive Arctic offering, which comprises 37 itineraries to over 110 destinations between 2023 and 2025.

As part of the most complete and seamless journey to the Arctic, Silversea’s guests can enjoy private executive transfers to and from the airport; convenient connections via London, New York, Montreal, and Oslo; and warm welcomes by Silversea representatives throughout the journey. Guests opting for both Silversea’s door-to-door and port-to-port offerings will fly to the Arctic on private charter flights, with an enhanced service throughout, a superior culinary offering, premium beverages, and bespoke in-flight entertainment. When required by the itinerary, overnight luxury accommodation will be included as standard with both port-to-port and door-to-door fares. Once in the Arctic, guests will be transferred to their luxury vessel rested and ready to explore.

“Building on our all-inclusive expedition offering – which is the most comprehensive in the industry – we are pleased to introduce new private charter flights to the Arctic and Greenland to enhance the seamlessness of our guests’ journeys,” said Massimo Brancaleoni, SVP Global Sales at Silversea Cruises. “Silversea is committed to innovation and we are always looking for ways to enhance the travel experience for our guests, including the pre- and post-cruise journey. Not only do we unlock the Arctic’s most remote regions with unique destination expertise and some of the most luxurious ships at sea, but we do so in unparalleled comfort and convenience. Complementing our private executive transfers between home and the airport, our new offering of private charter flights will allow our guests to focus on enjoying their Arctic adventure from the moment they leave their homes.”

Silversea’s Arctic cruises define transformative travel. Traveling aboard three of the cruise line’s ultra-luxury ships – including the new-to-fleet Silver Endeavour, the world’s most luxurious expedition ship – guests enjoy all-inclusive comfort, enrichments from the cruise line’s expedition experts, and access to some of the region’s most off-the-beaten-path destinations. Guests might spot polar bears and whales, visit Inuit communities, or brave the ‘polar plunge,’ among other immersive experiences – all the while enjoying the signature level of comfort for which the cruise line is renowned.