Celebrity names Giorgi chief marketing officer

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 05 April 2016 05 April 2016

Celebrity Cruises, the premium market unit in the Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL) group, said it has named Peter Giorgi Chief Marketing Officer. Giorgi will oversee the bold new “Modern Luxury Lives Here” brand campaign, as well as all aspects of the cruise line’s global marketing platforms, brand strategy and development, digital marketing, social media, research, loyalty, direct marketing and advertising. Giorgi will join Celebrity on April 15, 2016, and will report to Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises.

“This is an exciting time for Celebrity,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “We are excited for Peter to join our team. We are looking forward to him bringing his many years of creativity, brand strategy, disruptive and bold marketing, and success with other well-known consumer brands.”

Giorgi most recently served as Head of Global Advertising for Airbnb, where he led the development and execution of creative marketing platforms that contributed to the growth of one of the world’s most disruptive and newsworthy brands. His work at Airbnb included launching community-driven social campaigns, global film and digital campaigns, anthemic cultural campaigns and award-winning digital content.

Hurtigruten restructures UK commission payments

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 04 April 2016 04 April 2016

Hurtigruten. the Norwegian company that operates the coastal express service and expedition cruises, has announced a restructuring of commission payments in the UK, which it said could result in agents earning up to 20% commission, amid a raft of changes designed to re-engage the trade in selling the adventure cruise line, Travel Weekly reports.

“While the standard commission rate will drop from 15% to 13%, UK head of sales Anthony Daniels stressed this was ‘absolutely not a cut’, with new quarterly bonus payments of up to 4% and an annual bonus of 3%. Payments will be made at the time of booking rather than departure, meaning agents who meet specified targets could find themselves better off, “ the report said.

The company recently left CLIA UK & Ireland in order to profile itself as an expedition company rather than a mainstream cruise ship operator.

Speaking during an international fam trip hosting nearly 40 UK agents onboard the refurbished Kong Harald, he was quoted assaying: “The earning potential is now up to 20% because [agents] have got more departure years they can sell into, and the more they support us and the more business they drive, the more they are going to earn with us.

“It’s absolutely not about a cut; it’s the chance to earn more. The more you do with us, the more you will earn. We will pay per quarter so the actual cash flow is enhanced; now you can get four payments a year, and they will be based on booked revenue regardless of departure date, so the portfolio to sell has tripled.”

The company has a sleet of 14 ships, two of which are tailored for expedition cruising, mostly in Arctic and Antarctic waters.

Ponant unveils 2017-18 polar cruise collection

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 04 April 2016 04 April 2016

Ponant, the French expedition cruise company, says it has published a polar collection of 2017-18 cruises that take in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

“Designed as an unusual brochure, the diary concept puts the emphasis on stunning images and personal testimonies to the emotions experienced in the polar regions: a whale emerging to starboard of a zodiac, a penguin colony plunging into glacial-blue Antarctic waters or a meeting with the Inuit people… to name a few,” the company said in a statement.

Aboard Le Soléal, three cruises will follow in the wake of the legendary Viking dragon ships, the Drakkars. From Iceland to St Lawrence, they offer an opportunity of a lifetime to visit archaeological remains, meet the local people and attend fascinating talks to understand more about the Viking civilisation and their adventures. These cruises, which can be taken back-to-back, will bear passengers away into pristine ice-bound territories and the New World.

The Saga of Erik the Red. From the icy inhospitable east coast to the green welcoming west coast, on the route taken by Greenland’s first Colonizer.

Reykjavik - Kangerlussuaq (13 days / 12 nights) - Departs 9 August 2017 (includes Kangerlussuaq / Paris flight in economy class on a European airline).

Ultima Thule – The Horizontal Everest. Meet the Inuit people, the polar regions’ richest and most diverse range of wildlife, and drifting ice.

Kangerlussuaq - Kangerlussuaq (17 days / 16 nights) - Departs 21 August 2017. (includes Paris / Kangerlussuaq and Kangerlussuaq / Paris flights in economy class on a European airline).

Vinland - The Discovery of America Experience the thrill of discovering the shores of America, as it was by the Vikings 500 years before Christopher Columbus Kangerlussuaq – Quebec (15 days / 14 nights) - Departs 6 September 2017. (includes Paris / Kangerlussuaq flight in economy class on a European airline).

In the Antarctic, Le Soléal will offer a first for the company: crossing the Antarctic Polar Circle (latitude 66°33’39’’).

Passengers will call into the Falkland Islands and South Georgia before reaching the Antarctica glaciers. Accompanied by naturalist-guides and experienced expedition leaders, they will go on outings to see colonies of king penguins and explore the Antarctic Peninsula’s most beautiful site, Neko Bay.

Sailing through the sea ice, Ushuaia - Ushuaia (17 days / 16 nights), departs 23 January 2018 (includes Buenos Aires / Ushuaia and Ushuaia / Buenos Aires flights).

Holland America Line takes delivery of largest ship, Koningsdam

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 31 March 2016 31 March 2016

Koningsdam, the largest ship of Holland America Line, which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group,, was delivered today at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera.

“At 99,800 gross tons, almost 300 meters long, with accommodation for up to 2,650 passengers on board in more than 1,300 cabins, 70% of which with private balcony overlooking the sea, the new unit will not only be a new “Pinnacle” class ship, but also the 15th unit realised by Fincantieri for Holland America Line, complementing its fleet, six years after the debut of Nieuw Amsterdam, delivered in Marghera, also, in 2010,” The Italian shipbuilder said in a statement.

“Koningsdam is characterized by a modern and contemporary style which blends perfectly with the traditional elegance which distinguishes all the ships in the fleet. The design was created by two of the world’s major and prestigious architecture studios, Tihany Design and Yran & Storbraaten, with “the architecture of music” being an inspirational element for the design of many public areas,” Fincantieri said.

It is the first ship in the Holland America Line fleet to exceed the original maximum dimensions of the Panama Canal of 294 metres in length and 32.2 metres in beam. The canal is being significantly enlarged to allow larger vessels to use it.

Koningsdam is the largest ever vessel to enter service with Holland America Line, which was founded in 1873. Carnival Cruise Lines acquired the brand, business and assets of the Dutch company in 1988 in what was the first acquisition of what is Carnival Corporation & plc today. The original Holland America Line remains listed in Amsterdam as HAL Invest and it has stakes in various companies, including the maritime services group Royal Boskalis Westminster.