SkySea Cruise Line introduce more flexilility and convenience with onboard mobile pay with Alipay

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 07 September 2017 07 September 2017

SkySea Cruise Line, the first contemporary cruise line specifically created for the China market, announced that it will cooperate with Alipay, one of China's leading third-party payment platforms, to begin accepting mobile payments on the SkySea Golden Era since September 17th, bringing contemporary cruising and mobile payment together for the first time.

SkySea will also launch its new website on September 12nd, it will not only offer direct booking, but also new features such as Quick Booking and Online Room Selection, bringing an improved booking experience. Guests will have more choices to book with www.skysea.com directly or through one of valued travel agent partners, which will greatly improving the cruise booking experience.

Pay with Alipay at Sea for a smarter cruise experience

In the past when cruise guests spent money on board, they needed to link a credit card to their room card or pay a fixed deposit. This rather cumbersome process meant than many transactions were not processed instantly.

To cater to the growing demand for mobile payment from cruise guests in the mobile Internet era, SkySea Cruise Line introduce more flexibility and convenience with onboard mobile pay with Alipay, one of China's leading third-party payment platforms, to begin accepting Alipay as a payment method on board the SkySea Golden Era since September 17th.

Guests will be able to use their mobile phone-bound Alipay accounts to pay across most of the ship, including at the service center, restaurants, bars, and duty-free shops. According to SkySea, guests that use Alipay on board can instantly see their daily expenses, which is significantly more convenient than linking a credit card to a room card like in the past. It also suits the payment habits of cruise guests in the mobile Internet era. Guests using the Alipay mobile app to pay on board will not be restricted by access to the Internet. The only difference is that guests who have access to the ship's Wi-Fi can enjoy a higher payment limit.

This is the first time SkySea will accept third-party mobile payments on board. Ken Muskat, CEO of SkySea Cruise Line, pointed out that cooperation with Alipay is an important strategic alliance for SkySea to improve the guest experience, and a contemporary cruise is also the perfect landscape to drive the mobile payment trend. "In the past, we’ve relied on our high quality product and outstanding value, with guests experiencing the four specialties of SkySea—Gourmet Foods, Themed Activities, Five-Star Service and MICE. In the future, we will continue to place enhancing the guest experience at the forefront, constantly improve the quality of products and services, and further build SkySea as the preferred international cruise brand for Chinese tourists”, Ken Muskat said.

SkySea website becomes more powerful with Quick Booking and Online Room Selection

At the same time as providing more convenience for guests on board, SkySea is also working to enhance the booking experience. On September 12nd, SkySea’s upgraded website will be launched, which will introduce two new functions - Quick Booking and Online Room Selection.

Guests will be able to participate in online sales events, and using the new Quick Booking function, they will be able to book without filling in all the passenger information. It can then be added at a later, more convenient time. In addition, online room selection will be added, so that much like selecting a seat for a flight, guests can choose their preferred room in advance. This will make it much easier for guests travelling in groups to select rooms near friends and family.

Viking Cruises to operate second World Cruise in 2019

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 06 September 2017 06 September 2017

Ahead of its first-ever World Cruise scheduled for this winter, Viking Cruises has announced Viking Sun will continue to sail the globe on the company’s second World Cruise, which will span 128-days, five continents, 21 countries and 44 ports, with 10 port overnights.

Departing on January 3, 2019 on the soon-to-be delivered fourth vessel in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, this grand journey will mark Viking Sun’s second voyage around the world. The ship will spend much of her maiden season on Viking’s first World Cruise, which departs from Miami on December 15, 2017. Sailing from Miami to London, the new 2019 World Cruise itinerary allows guests to explore South America and the islands of the South Pacific; call upon ports in Africa, from Cape Town to Dakar; and cruise the Strait of Magellan, Tasman Sea, and Indian Ocean, before concluding in London. As with all Viking itineraries, guests receive a complimentary shore excursion in each of the 44 ports and free unlimited Wi-Fi; World Cruise guests also receive Business Class airfare and all gratuities and service fees, along with an extensive list of added-value included features in their cruise fare.

“We offer itineraries that are designed for explorers, and our World Cruises are the most extensive and culturally immersive journeys available in the industry. Our first World Cruise is 100 percent sold out, and we are pleased with the initial response to our second World Cruise itinerary among new and returning guests,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “Our guests are experienced travelers who want to explore the world in comfort. As we continue to expand our offerings around the world, we will remain true to our guests – with an award-winning fleet design, the highest industry accolades and far more included value than any competitor.”

2019 World Cruise highlights

Viking’s 2019 World Cruise visits dozens of celebrated cities, charming ports and idyllic islands in one grand voyage. Guests will immerse themselves in the world’s rich cultures during included excursions in each port, while The Viking Way of Exploration offers additional, optional excursions that provide unmatched insight into Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access visits to cultural institutions. Overnight stays in 10 cities allow World Cruise guests to delve deeper into destinations; and Viking’s Culture Curriculum® offers additional enrichment on board with regional entertainment and lectures, as well as learning opportunities as part of the new Viking Resident Historian program. Full details on the 2019 World Cruise can be found on Viking’s website here; highlights include:

– Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Peak of Brazilian Culture—During an overnight stay in the historic city of Rio de Janeiro, guests can visit Corcovado Mountain and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue before relaxing on the scenic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches of the coastal metropolis.
– Port Stanley, Falkland Islands: Islas Malvinas—This remote archipelago, also known as Islas Malvinas, is comprised of nearly 200 small islands and home to less than 4,000 people. Renowned for their maritime history, guests can learn the rich history of the Falkland Islands while visiting the capital, Port Stanley, and experience the abundant wildlife of the surrounding waters including penguins, dolphins, seals and orcas.
– Ushuaia, Argentina: “End of the World”—Perched on a steep hill on the southernmost tip of South America, commonly referred to as the “End of the World,” guests can explore the scenery of Ushuaia through excursions to the nearby Escondido and Fagnano Lakes, and the Tierra del Fuego National Park, which was first inhabited by humans 10,000 years ago.
– Easter Island, Chile: Isolated in Mystery—Resting 1,200 miles from its nearest neighbors, Easter Island is the world’s most remote inhabited island. Guests will visit the island’s famed archaeological sites, including the nearly 900 monumental Moai stone head statues, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rapa Nui National Park.
– Milford Sound, New Zealand: Astonishing Landscape—Guests will have the opportunity to sail the breathtaking waterway of New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park in Milford Sound. Stretching for almost 10 miles, from the Tasman Sea into a wonderland of alpine peaks, the landscape features monolithic granite walls and waterfalls as tall as skyscrapers.
– Hobart, Tasmania: An Island of History and Wilderness—Capital of Australia’s island state of Tasmania, Hobart sits nestled amongst the foothills of Mount Wellington and at the entrance to the Derwent River, and offers guests the chance to learn about its UNESCO World Heritage sites, including historic convict locations and a unique wilderness area.
– Maputo, Mozambique: Wildlife Abounds—While visiting this Indian Ocean port, guests can experience the preserved Portuguese colonial architecture and local markets in this historic city, before venturing to Kruger National Park for an overnight safari and a chance to view the “Big 5:” lions, African elephants, African leopards, Cape buffalo and rhinoceros.
– Cape Town, South Africa: Cultural Riches—An overnight stay in Cape Town helps guests explore this city in-depth. Guests can appreciate the picturesque landscape from the monolithic wonder, Table Mountain, enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting at the Vineyards of Stellenbosch, or stay in the city to witness an array of historic architecture and delicious cuisine.

Silversea rehires Christian Sauleau for fleet operations role

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 06 September 2017 06 September 2017

Ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea has rehired Christian Sauleau as Executive Vice President of Fleet Operations. He will oversee marine, technical, hotel, crewing and entertainment for Silversea’s nine-ship fleet, which is expected to grow further within the next few years.

Sauleau, who reports to the company's CEO, Roberto Martinoli, has an extensive and impressive career in luxury travel, nearly 20 years of which were spent with Silversea. Starting in the mid-1990s, he was instrumental in developing the company’s award-winning unsurpassed reputation for personalised service and hospitality. He will now be based in Silversea's head office in Monaco under Martinoli's helm.

"We are very excited to have Christian back on our leadership team," said Roberto Martinoli, CEO, Silversea. “Christian perfectly understands our top quality standards in order for us to become the best company in the cruise luxury business. Our company will benefit greatly from his wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to excellence. He will be part of our new demanding programme to extend talent and capacity. He will definitely be an invaluable asset as we prepare to further expand our fleet."

"I'm delighted, honoured and proud to be returning to Silversea," said Christian Sauleau, Executive Vice President, Silversea Fleet operations. "I wish to thank both our chairman and CEO for this wonderful opportunity. The company has a special place in my heart, and I look forward to collaborating again with this great team."

Sauleau has held many leadership positions with luxury cruise operators undertaking fleet expansions, where he was instrumental in the successful launch of several new luxury ships. He is known for enriching the onboard experience with pioneering partnerships.

Addressing evolving challenges of Europe’s cruise industry

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 06 September 2017 06 September 2017

Alan Lam reporting from Hamburg

On 6 September, over 600 delegates and more than 260 exhibitors (19 of whom are new to cruise industry) gathered in Hamburg for the first day of the biannual Seatrade Cruise & River Cruise Convention.

The focus of the main panel discussion was firmly on the future of cruise industry in Europe and the evolving challenges. Beside the usual geopolitical and environmental issues, the industry in Europe now finds itself increasingly having to deal with such concerns as over-tourism, Brexit, and the impact of expedition cruise boom.

An impressive panel of industry grandees, with a combined experience of more than 200 years, expounded their views on the dynamism of the cruise industry in Europe and the wider world. They offered advices to stakeholders and suggested ways of facing these challenges.

Innovation and improved communication were two key areas they recommended for overcoming the emerging and persisting challenges. While the industry is at the forefront of innovation, its ability to communicate the message and value of cruising to the wider public is fragmented and leaves a lot to be desired. Much more effort is needed in this regard, not only to win hearts and minds of the public, but also to increase market penetration, which continues to be low and shallow.

A full and insightful report on the discourse will appear in the winter issue of Cruise Business Review.