Assessment of returning United States to service makes progress

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 June 2016 07 June 2016

A team led by Crystal Cruises, which in February said it would assess the possibility to return the 1952 built Trans-Atlantic liner United States into service, has made progress in its work.

Divers have inspected the hull of the vessel that has been lsaid up since 1969 and the ship’s fuel and ballast water tanks will be examined. The tam is presently evaluating what products and materials have been used in the construction of the vessel.

It has also become clear that the ship would have to be re-engined. Its current power plant comprises four sets of quadruple expansion steam turbines and eight high pressure boilers

Fincantieri starts production of Seabourn Ovation

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 07 June 2016 07 June 2016

The steel cutting ceremony of Seabourn Ovation, the second of two ultra-luxury vessels which Fincantieri is currently building for the shipowner Seabourn, a brand of Carnival Corporation, took place today at the shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Genoa. The ceremony was attended by Seabourn President Richard Meadows and Fincantieri shipyard Director Raffaele Davassi. The sister ship, Seabourn Encore, is currently under construction in Marghera’s yard and will be delivered by the end of the year.

Seabourn Ovation, due to join Seabourn’s fleet in spring 2018, will be built according to the standards and technical solutions which make Seabourn one of the most prestigious brands in the ultra-luxury segment, continuing the fleet’s expansion started back in 2009.

The vessel, as its sister ship, will be approximately 41,000 gross tons, about 210 meters long, 28 meters wide, being able to reach a cruising speed of 18.6 knots. It will carry just 600 guests on board, based on double occupancy, featuring spacious suites each with private veranda. Safety will be one of the ship's major strong points. It will be built using the very latest technologies. Fuel consumption will be significantly reduced by optimizing the ship's hydrodynamics.

Fincantieri has built 73 cruise ships from 1990 to today, 61 of which for Carnival’s different brands, while other 22 are currently being designed or built in the Group’s yards and 10 of these are for the shipowners of thegroup. The cooperation between Fincantieri and Carnival Corporation has a remarkable strategic value not only for the shipbuilding industry but for the entire national economy. The Anglo-American group, thanks to the partnership with Fincantieri, is one of the major foreign investors in Italy with an overall amount, from 1990 to today, of almost 30 billion euros.

CLIA announces 2016 Cruise Industry Hall of Fame Award Winners recipients honored at 12th annual Cruise360 Conference

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 04 June 2016 04 June 2016

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is proud to announce the 2016 Cruise Industry Hall of Fame Award Winners. The awards recognize individuals and organizations whose efforts and accomplishments represent a significant contribution to the cruise industry. Winners were nominated and voted by CLIA Members earlier this year.

The 2016 Award Winners were honored at the Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards dinner during the CLIA Cruise360 conference in Vancouver, BC, on June 2, 2016 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

“Each year, the selection process is extremely difficult as the nominees included some of the brightest, most talented, hard-working individuals that are truly dedicated to advance the cruise industry,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. “The 2016 Hall of Fame Award Cruise Industry Winners represent the best of cruising and we are proud to honor them with this recognition.”

The 2016 Cruise Industry Hall of Fame Award Winners:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS - Awarded to an individual or individuals from any aspect of the cruise industry that is an advocate for cruise travel and has made remarkable positive contributions to the cruise industry.

Bill Smith – Vice President, Cruise Sales and Performance Management, Virtuoso, Seattle, WA – Bill has been working in the travel industry for more than 44 years and is scheduled to retire on July 1, 2016. He currently serves as Vice President of Cruise Sales for Virtuoso where he has made significant contributions, including the rebranding and expansion of the cruise program Virtuoso Voyages. Bill admits he "didn't know the front end of a boat from the back" when he moved to Los Angeles in 1984 to work for Sitmar Cruises. However, he quickly became a maritime devotee, working for 26 years in executive positions for cruise lines, including Crystal, Silversea, Costa and Princess.

“Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award means you’ve dedicated your life to the goal of furthering an industry or cause, and have done so in a way that has truly impacted those you serve,” says Matthew D. Upchurch, Chairman and CEO of Virtuoso. “Bill Smith has done just that in his 44-year history in this business. I feel so fortunate that the last five years of his career were at Virtuoso, and I’m proud to say he has been a supplier partner, colleague and friend for more than 25 years. Not only did he accomplish so much, but he enriched our lives with his passion and made it all so much fun. It is extremely befitting that Bill is inducted into CLIA’s ‘Hall of Fame’ as he unleashes his boat and sails into retirement, creating his own personal ‘wave season’!”

Rudi Schreiner – President and Co-Owner, AmaWaterways, (Calabasas, CA) – Known as the “The Godfather of River Cruising,” Rudi has helped turn river cruising from a niche travel experience to one of the most popular forms of cruising around the globe. He studied architecture and was inspired to enter the travel industry by his youthful adventures. In his early 20s, he constructed a raft for research on the Amazon River and spent seven months sailing through the legendary region – which could be considered his first river cruise. Rudi has been instrumental in the development and success of building river cruising into a hugely popular mainstream vacation as well as leading the design of some of the industry’s most innovative cruise ships.

“Almost 15 years ago, Rudi and I, along with our partner Jimmy Murphy, had the dream to create the best possible river cruising experience. I could not be more pleased to see Rudi’s success recognized, as he truly is a pioneer in so many ways,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice-president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “I know that I speak on behalf of the entire AmaWaterways family in saying how proud we are of Rudi for all that he has achieved through his hard work, passion and energy. Rudi’s innovative spirit and dedication to his business partners, the travel agent community and the AmaWaterways team and crew have helped create the long-lasting relationships that have made our company what it is today.”

TRAVEL AGENCY INNOVATOR AWARD WINNER - Awarded to a travel agency that has demonstrated innovation in their approach to promoting the benefits and value of cruise travel.

Cruises & Tours Unlimited - Jacksonville, FL – Cruises & Tours Unlimited received numerous nominations from employees that praised the agencies genuine desire to see them all succeed – not just as an agency, but as individuals. Nominees praised the organization’s commitment to improving agents’ education, sales skills and cruise travel knowledge by providing and encouraging new and innovative programs. They praised the agency’s amazing training and back office support, lauding top of the line on-demand training available 24/7, marketing tools and excellent customer service.

RISING STAR AWARD WINNER - Awarded to an Individual Travel Agent who has significantly impacted the travel agent landscape through contributions to their agency, as well as demonstrated their commitment to professional development, with a maximum of three years cruise industry experience.

Christine Brown - Expedia Cruise Ship Centers Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV – Christine joined Expedia Cruise Ship Centers Summerlin less than three years ago with no book of business and completely dedicated herself to the industry. She completed the ACC requirements in three months, has been appointed to the Norwegian Cruise Line advisory board, and has been invited to the Disneyland AEP. In the local community, she has increased awareness for cruise vacations, by hosting group events for church groups, high school reunions, family reunions/multi-generational cruising, and consistently helps customers experience these incredible vacations. Less than two years after joining the agency, she was promoted to Cruise Sales Manager, helping other agents in the office achieve great success.

The new and refreshed awards program gives CLIA Members an even greater opportunity to nominate and select the award recipients in the three aforementioned categories. CLIA Members and leaders from the CLIA STARBoard and Trade Relations Committee nominated and voted for this year’s winners.

European port associations release Code of practice for cruise ports

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 03 June 2016 03 June 2016

Speaking with a united voice, European cruise ports associations have published, under the umbrella of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), a Code of practice for cruise and ferry ports.

MedCruise is co-signing the Code, a valuable tool to be used in promoting sustainable passenger traffic growth but also communicating ports perspectives to stakeholders and policy-makers.

The five sections of the European Code are devoted to the discussion of competition and cooperation between ports; the importance of infrastructure developments; security of cruise operations; the improvement of the relations of ports and the hosting cities and destinations; and the structuring of relationships between ports and cruises and ferry lines and their associations.

The document was officially released in Dublin during a special session of the annual ESPO Conference 2016.

This is the first major outcome of the work conducted within the pan-European Network of cruise and ferry ports that has brought together the five regional European cruise ports associations- MedCruise, Cruise Europe, Cruise Baltic, Cruise Britain, and Cruise Norway – and ESPO in a strategic cooperation to share expertise and effectively represent the sector towards European institutions.

The Code provides a united cruise ports voice that informs policy makers and the public about the characteristics, challenges, and bottom-up initiatives undertaken by European cruise ports. At the same time it strengthens ports efforts to endorse best practices and enhance their performance.​

Kristian Pavić, MedCruise President states: "MedCruise members are excited with the opportunity to present with fellow associations a Code of practice that unite all European ports and conclude on the best ways to address key challenges, point best practices, and detail foundations of relations with ports users. MedCruise ports will confidently continue to seek further growth of the 27 million passengers and 13 200 cruise calls hosted per year, while actively strengthening the voice of a Network speaking with one voice for the European cruise and ferry ports sector."

Speaking under his capacity as Chairman of the Network, MedCruise Honorary President Stavros Hatzakos emphasised that “through the setting up of the Network, ESPO has created a platform for discussion about the challenges that exist in many ports”, stating that “this platform will also help in demonstrating the contribution of the cruise and ferry port sector to the local and regional economy and tourism in Europe."