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FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show now open for registration

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 April 2016 14 April 2016

Registration opened today for the 23rd annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show, taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico from September 26-30, 2016. The event will gather over 1,000 cruise tourism stakeholders and more than 100 FCCA Member Line executives, presidents and CEOs for a four-day series of meetings, workshops and networking opportunities.

"The FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show helps cruise tourism stakeholders maximize their business," said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation and the FCCA, who will be on-hand at the event. "In addition to imparting necessary operational knowledge, the event provides an invaluable resource-knowing the right people-by linking attendees with some of industry's most important decision makers."

The event offers a unique opportunity to target representatives from FCCA's 19 Member Lines who decide where ships call, what products are sold and used onboard, and how to invest in destinations and infrastructure. Attendees can access these key decision makers in a format that balances business sessions and casual interaction, including one-on-one meetings with pre-selected cruise executives, which provide a chance to promote products and receive individualized input; social functions that foster networking and relationship building; and workshops focused on current issues with panels comprised of knowledgeable industry professionals and cruise executives, along with the presidents and CEOs heading a roundtable discussion.

Together, this creates the perfect forum for exchanging information and industry trends, sharing ideas, and cultivating valuable business relationships. Plus, a ratio of about one cruise executives per 10 attendees affords some of the best odds to meet and gain insight from the influential cruise executives, as well as cruise lines' presidents and CEOs.

"I look forward to interacting with cruise tourism's key stakeholders [at the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show]," said Adam Goldstein, president & COO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, and perennial participant at the event. "This is a valuable opportunity for regional destinations and operators to learn how they are being affected by and can take advantage of the industry's latest developments."

The Trade Show expands this target, allowing exhibitors to capture the attention of this prominent audience. Any booth puts their product, company, or destination on attendees' and executives' minds, but special destination pavilion options provide the greatest impact at the Trade Show by showcasing a destination product as a team-from vendors and tour operators to destination ministries and port operators.

Attendees can also experience San Juan's exciting setting, activities and new infrastructure, allowing attendees to experience what cruise passengers see and do during a stay-over visit and why it welcomed more than 1.6 million cruise passengers from FCCA Member Lines last year – a 17% increase since the destination last hosted the event in 2011.

For anyone looking to establish or grow cruise tourism business, San Juan is the place to be from September 26-30.

British icebreaking research vessel to escort Crystal Serenity through Northwest Passage

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 April 2016 14 April 2016

Crystal Cruises, the luxury market unit in the Genting Hong Kong group, has signed a charter party with Tactical Marine Solutions of Victoria, Canada and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) headquartered in Cambridge, UK to have the RRS Ernest Shackleton escort Crystal Serenity on its 32-day expedition voyage through the Northwest Passage this August, Crystal Cruises said in a statement.

“The RRS Ernest Shackleton, operated by BAS, is an ICE 05 classed icebreaker (exceeding the more common 1A Super class) that will provide operational support to Crystal Serenity, including ice breaking assistance should the need arise, and carry additional safety and adventure equipment,” the company said in a statement.

The vessel is used mostly as a logistic supply vessels by the BAS to serve British scientists in Antarctica. It was built in Norway in 1995. “RRS” stands for Royal Resarch Ship.

“We have been planning this historic sailing for more than two years, working closely with expedition experts from EYOS-Expeditions, as well as Transport Canada, the US and Canadian Coast Guards and local agencies along the route to ensure the ultimate safety and a most memorable experience for our guests,” says Crystal president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez. “The RRS Ernest Shackleton’s assistance in navigating this region will only enhance the safety of our voyage.”

The RRS Ernest Shackleton will carry two helicopters for real-time ice reconnaissance, emergency support and flightseeing activities. In addition to its robust ice navigation and communications equipment, the RRS Ernest Shackleton will have onboard supplemental damage control equipment, oil pollution containment equipment and survival rations for emergency use.

Royal Caribbean International selects Chinese Godmother for Ovation of the Seas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 April 2016 13 April 2016

Royal Caribbean International yesterday announced that internationally-acclaimed Chinese actress, Fan Bingbing, will be the Godmother for Ovation of the Seas, the world’s newest cruise ship. The announcement was made by Dr. Zinan Liu, President, Royal Caribbean International - China and North Asia Pacific, at a press conference at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. Bingbing is the first Chinese celebrity selected to be the Godmother of an international cruise line and will officially name Ovation of the Seas at the ship’s inaugural ceremony in Tianjin, China on June 24, 2016.

The second Quantum-class ship to be deployed in China, Ovation of the Seas, will sail its inaugural season from Tianjin after a one month mini season from Hong Kong before the ship repositions to its winter homeport in Australia in December 2016.

“We are delighted to welcome Fan Bingbing to the Royal Caribbean family as Ovation of the Seas’ godmother,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Bingbing is number one on the Forbes China ‘Celebrity 100’ list and has held that top position for three years making her one of the most influential Chinese stars and in the world. She has received awards from many international film festivals and is recognized as a fashion icon for her extraordinary style on the red carpet, at movie premieres and iconic fashion events. She is innovative, smart, ambitious, trendy and elegant, and that makes Bingbing the perfect person to be selected as the Godmother of our newest ship.”

“My father was a singer in the art troupe of the Political Department of the Navy in China. My childhood was filled with the melodies of the sea and I often dreamed about sailing out to sea for an adventure,” said Fan Bingbing at the press conference. “Now, thanks to this invitation from Royal Caribbean, my dreams will come true. I am really honored to be the first Godmother of Chinese nationality for such a prestigious international cruise line as Royal Caribbean International. And I like the name of Ovation of the Seas which in Chinese is interpreted as ‘praising the world and welcoming guests from everywhere’. As Godmother of Ovation of the Seas, I would like to invite more international guests to cruise from China on Ovation of the Seas.”

The role of Godmother is a lifetime title bestowed upon an individual, who figuratively presides over the ship and imparts good luck and divine protection over the vessel and all that sail aboard. Traditionally, Godmothers have celebrity status or even royal connections. Godmothers for Royal Caribbean ships have included, performer Gloria Estefan, actress Jane Seymour, comedian/actress Whoopi Goldberg and tennis champion Steffi Graf, to name a few.

Ovation and her sister ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas belong to the Quantum class of ships and are built with the most advanced technology. They feature unprecedented first-at-sea experiences and amenities, including the North Star, an observation capsule that gently rises more than 300 feet in the air to treat guests to breathtaking panoramic views; thrilling skydiving and surfing experiences; Two70 a daily social space which transforms into a multifunctional entertainment place in the evening; and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea, which includes basketball, roller-skating, bumper cars, and more. Each ship offers 18 restaurants onboard with a variety of cuisines to choose from as well as the industry’s most relaxing and luxurious accommodations at sea with the unique Loft Suites and groundbreaking Virtual Balcony staterooms, interior accommodations that feature large digital screens displaying real-time views, ensuring that every room has a view.

The newest addition to Quantum class will officially launch in April 2016, when she departs Southampton, England for Tianjin, China on a 52-day “Global Odyssey” voyage. She will arrive in Singapore in June for a 3-night cruise on 9th June to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and a 12-night one-way cruise to Tianjin on 12th June with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Hong Kong (overnight), Xiamen and Seoul (Incheon). She will return to Singapore from Hong Kong on a 7-night one-way cruise on 23rd Nov with calls at Sanya, Hue/Danang (Chan May) and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My).

Fathom cancels first cruise on safety issues - report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 April 2016 13 April 2016

Fathom, the new impact travel unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, had to cancel its first cruise that was due to sail on Sunday from Florida to the Caribbean due to issues that arose during safety inspection by the US coast guard, Cruise Critic reports.

The new venture is using the 710 passenger Adonia, which was transferred from sister company P&O Cruises in the UK. The 30,277 gross ton ship continues to be managed by the Southampton based company and it flies the British flag. It was built in France in 2001.

"The vessel had run into some issues; the main issues were that the fire screen doors, approximately 30 of them on one of the decks, were inoperable. We're working with the cruise ship to make sure that this is taken care of before they can get underway,” a Coast Guard spokesperson was quoted by Cruise Critic as saying.

"The ship arrived in Miami directly from dry dock and re-fit offshore and underwent rigorous operational tests with the U.S. Coast Guard that took longer than expected. Unfortunately, the company has learned additional testing will be required and as a result must cancel the soft-launch sailing," according to a statement from Fathom.

Genting Hong Kong and China Merchants jointly agree to develop Tai Zi Bay to mega cruise port

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 April 2016 11 April 2016

Genting Hong Kong, parent company of Star Cruises and Crystal Cruises, says it has signed an agreement with China Merchants Shekou Holdings to jointly develop Tai Zi Bay, Shekou, Shenzhen into an international cruise homeport with the goal to accelerate the growth of the cruise industry in China.

Li Jianhong, Chairman of China Merchants Group, said the Tai Zi Bay Cruise Terminal would be the only cruise port in China capable of accommodating 220,000 gross ton cruise liners. In 2015, more than 1.2 million Chinese travelers joined cruises and this number is expected to rise to 4.5 million in five years.

“In response to the increasing demand in the market and to help develop the cruise industry in the country, Genting Hong Kong is strengthening its strategic deployment plan in Southern China and will offer a wide range of products optimised for Chinese travelers, providing them with easy access to cruises right from their doorstep,” Getting Hong Kong said.