More News

Industry veteran Zarmati joins Fathom

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2015 09 October 2015

Fathom, the pioneer in social impact travel and Carnival Corporation’s 10th and newest brand, has engaged 44-year cruise industry veteran Maurice Zarmati to work with the burgeoning company. Fathom, which provides a different kind of cruise that combines travelers’ love of travel with their desire to make a difference, will tap Zarmati’s extensive knowledge of the cruise industry to augment its already robust tools designed to support travel professionals in marketing this one-of-a-kind travel experience.

“Maurice has been a trusted advisor to Carnival Corporation and me for more than four decades, beginning in 1972 when my father invited Maurice to be among the small group of founding members of the Carnival Cruise Lines team,” said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation. “I look forward to Maurice’s wealth of industry expertise furthering the success of this new category of cruise being pioneered by Fathom.”

An award-winning, multilingual, seasoned expert who is part of the Cruise Lines International Association Hall of Fame, Zarmati’s impressive career spans 40-plus years and includes executive-level positions with Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Cruises. After retiring from his role as president and CEO of North America for Costa almost four years ago, Zarmati began providing consulting services to a range of cruise line companies and cruise industry suppliers, assisting with worldwide sales, marketing and passenger-traffic initiatives.

“Maurice was on the frontlines selling Carnival Cruise Lines when the company had just three ships and carried only 160,000 passengers a year, so he has an insider’s perspective on the exciting journey from start-up to industry-leading global venture,” said Arnold Donald, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation. “His insight and relationships are a great addition to our Fathom team.”

According to Zarmati, working with the Fathom team is an exciting opportunity for him to apply his background and skills in new and different ways and make a positive difference in the world, as he helps market the unique Fathom experiences. “The Fathom team is doing something remarkable – it’s harnessing the assets and resources of the world’s largest travel and leisure company for the greatest possible transformative impact, globally. It is gratifying to be on the ground floor of building something that will for the first time provide travelers the opportunity to build community with like-minded travelers, become immersed in another culture, and work alongside its people to create enduring social impact,” said Zarmati.

“At our first meeting, I knew Maurice could be an incredible resource for Fathom,” said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. “Maurice is well-known and highly respected throughout the cruise industry. His first-hand knowledge and multicultural expertise will complement our current programs supporting travel professionals who are selling Fathom to the passionate and growing number of travelers seeking mindful, purpose-driven experiences.”

Zarmati resides in Miami. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages and literature and general and marketing management from the University of Miami.

Two Celebrity ships to undergo bold, new refresh

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2015 09 October 2015

Building on the multi-million dollar investment in previously "Solsticizing" its Millennium Class ships, now Celebrity Cruises is making even more upgrades to two of these ships, with a series of exciting refreshes that will elevate the modern luxury experience onboard. As the first cruise line to offer a spacious lawn of real, growing grass on the top decks of its ships, Celebrity will expand its lineup of modern, luxurious outdoor spaces this month, when Celebrity Infinity receives a new "Rooftop Terrace" venue – the first in Celebrity's fleet – during a scheduled drydock. Featuring chic, comfortable furniture and unique artistic elements, a large, outdoor film screen and stereo surround sound will highlight this space, which fuses movies with unique food experiences. The drydock work also will broaden Celebrity’s commitment to its Suite Class, with significant renovations to the ships' Penthouse and Royal Suites, and will include conversion of the ship's specialty restaurant to one of Celebrity's signature venues, Tuscan Grille. Celebrity Summit will follow with a similar scheduled drydock in March of 2016.

With modular furniture, a metal "garden-like" design, and cabanas, the new, multi-functional Rooftop Terrace will offer guests a relaxing, open space during the day. By night, the space will be illuminated by unique decorative lighting, and a large screen and soundscape will showcase movies and other entertainment. Rounding out the unique outdoor experience will be a variety of specially curated food options available for purchase and presented in unique serving vessels, inspired by the entertainment content, the destination, or the occasion. The Rooftop Terrace will be on the 12th deck of the ship, at the aft end. The Rooftop Terrace will officially open on December 5, 2015.

"The Rooftop Terrace is a brand-new way to enjoy the great outdoors on a modern luxury vacation," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises. "The popularity of our Lawn Club venues has shown us that some of the richest moments our guests enjoy are when relaxing in beautiful outdoor spaces. In creating the Rooftop Terrace, we wanted to create a hot spot where guests can kick back under the stars in the middle of the ocean, with amazing entertainment and food."

As part of the $16 million refresh plan, Celebrity is investing heavily in its Suite Class experience on Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Summit, as every Penthouse and Royal Suite will receive new glimmering fixtures, marble surfaces, and comfortable seats in the bathrooms. The rest of the suite will get refreshing touches like new carpeting, drapes, and bed linens.

"We want these suites to be so luxurious and comfortable that it's difficult for guests to leave at the end of their vacation," Lutoff-Perlo said. "We want the entire ship to turn heads."

Conversion of Celebrity Infinity' S.S. United States restaurant to Tuscan Grille, Celebrity's popular, Mediterranean-inspired steakhouse that debuted on its Solstice Class ships, will include complete refinishing of the space and the introduction of a refreshed menu designed to tantalize, including fresh pasta made in-house; an Italian cocktail menu, a first for Tuscan Grille; a wine list focused on the wine-growing regions of Italy; and new foods like artisanal salumi and cheeses; crispy crab arancini with lemon pepper aioli; grilled branzino with spinach and olive oil; swordfish with Castelvetrano olives, fennel and white wine; and oven-roasted USDA Prime dry-aged steak. Guests who are currently booked in the S.S. United States for sailings beginning on October 29, 2015 or later, will be given the first opportunity to cancel their reservations in order to rebook in Tuscan Grille. On Celebrity Summit, The Normandie will be converted into Tuscan Grille. Guests who are currently booked in The Normandie for sailings beginning on March 19, 2016 or later, will also have first dibs on reservations in Tuscan Grille.

On Celebrity Infinity, the maritime artifacts in the S.S. United States will be featured in a special display area in the casino's entry vestibule. Items include charts, maps, an original place setting, a ship model, and more. On Celebrity Summit's Normandie also features numerous artifacts that will be preserved and displayed in a special area onboard. These include photographs, artistic works, a ship model, and more.

Additional work taking place onboard both ships will include:

– The addition of an enclosed portrait studio similar to that found on Celebrity's Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Equinox
– The creation of a new future cruise sales office, where guests can take advantage of special offers
– A refresh of the Solarium, with new furniture, new floors, and refinished pool tops, and a refresh of finishes in the spa café
– The removal of the themed décor in the ship's casino

Celebrity Infinity enters drydock on October 15 and will emerge on October 29, 2015, before sailing several Panama Canal itineraries leading up to December 5. Then, Celebrity Infinity will begin its South America season, which will be followed by an Alaska season beginning in May 2016. Celebrity Summit will sail 7-night Southern Caribbean itineraries this winter, both before and after her drydock from February 27 to March 12, 2016, before heading to Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey in April, for her summer season of 7-night cruises to Bermuda. Both drydocks will take place at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas.

Oceania Cruises unveils 2016-17 winter itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 October 2015 07 October 2015

Winter Collection revealed by Oceania Cruises today represents the most diverse and extensive array of itineraries offered by the line, due in part to the addition of Sirena, the newest ship in the fleet. In late 2016 and early 2017, the Oceania Cruises fleet will crisscross six continents with a series of destination-rich cruises in Asia, Africa and South America and a collection of unique Australian voyages aboard Sirena. Oceania Cruises will also offer six sailings that traverse the Panama Canal.

The 2016-17 Winter Collection offers a total of 89 sailings that range from seven to 180 days in length, with 60 new itineraries and 19 new ports of call. From the remote beauty of seaside villages in Papua New Guinea to enticing South American rain forests, the 2016-17 Winter Collection offers a refreshing mix of popular destinations, enchanting boutique ports and off-the-beaten-path gems unmatched by any other line. Overnight and extended port stays allow for more in-depth exploration and easygoing touring on a variety of shore excursions that focus on culture, history, adventure and – of course – cuisine.

“The addition of Sirena gives us greater flexibility when it comes to itinerary planning, allowing us to explore more destinations and offer a greater variety of cruise options,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Oceania Cruises. “Our Winter Collection for 2016-17 includes a beautifully blended mix of must see, bucket list travel destinations and undiscovered jewels only accessible by our fleet of intimate and luxurious ships.”

Oceania Cruises’ early booking incentives program, OLife Advantage, has been extended to include all 2016-17 Winter Collection sailings. Guests who book before Dec. 31, 2015 are eligible for numerous complimentary amenities, including free shore excursions, unlimited Internet and pre-paid gratuities.

The 2016-17 Winter Collection itineraries include visits to 19 ports of call that are new to Oceania Cruises.

Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year 2016 now open for entries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 October 2015 07 October 2015

Bacardi Global Travel Retail announces the launch today of the world renowned 2016 Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year (BCC). The annual event - now in its 11th year – is believed to be the longest standing global competition dedicated to bartending in the cruise and ferry industry. It is an integral part of the Bacardi strategy for continuous improvement, partnered with cruise and ferry lines to raise standards of professionalism and cocktail-making in this dynamic leisure sector.

This latest iteration of the competition aligns it to the renowned Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition, which recognizes the best talent in the professional bartender community. As such, cocktail entries for the BCC must include BACARDÍ Superior rum OR BACARDÍ Gold rum and are required to be geared towards becoming the next Legacy cocktail on par with classics such as the BACARDÍ Daiquiri and the BACARDÍ Cuba Libre.

The closing date for entries is 6 November 2015 at which point judges from Bacardi will select a shortlist of three cocktails. The bartender creators of those cocktails will work with Bacardi on a 3 month promotional plan before travelling to Miami for the Bacardi Legacy Competition Cruise Finals the week of February 21st, 2015. The overall winner will travel to San Francisco for the Bacardi Legacy Competition Global Finals April 15th – April 19th 2016 where they will compete against the final 35 country winner bartenders from around the globe. Please see eligibility rules in notes to editors. Entries are invited via http://www.bacardicruisecompetition.com/

Zachary Sulkes, Regional Manager Bacardi Travel Retail Americas, explains the purpose of the competition: "Each year the Bacardi Cruise Competition goes from strength to strength with increasing numbers of entrants and a noticeable elevation in the standard of recipe development and execution. We are witnessing a surge in the number of ambitious bartenders in the cruise and ferry sector dedicated to their own professional development with the support of their employers, supporting them as they hone their craft, mixology and presentation skills. The results are win-wins for all concerned, ultimately offering on-board guests a choice of fantastic cocktail experiences that add a new level of sophistication to their vacation and help create memories to treasure.”

Past winners and finalists of the Bacardi Cruise Competition have progressed to compete successfully in many international competitions.

Largest cruise conference in the Caribbean and Mexico officially opens

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 October 2015 07 October 2015

Yesterday leaders from cruise lines and Mexico officially opened the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show-the largest cruise conference in the Caribbean and Mexico and one of the best ways to target the cruise industry and maximize its benefits.

Participants included Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc and the FCCA; Roberto Borge, Governor of Quintana Roo; Honorable Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, Secretary of Tourism for Mexico; Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line; Freddy Marrufo, Mayor of Cozumel; and Michele Paige, president of the FCCA.

Mayor Marrufo welcomed all attendees-nearly 1,000 cruise tourism stakeholders from tour operators and taxi drivers to port authorities and ministries of tourism, along with 100 cruise executives-to "one of the most important ports in the world" and invited all to enjoy the wonderful sites that would be on display during and after the event.

Paige told that hosting the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show displays Mexico's hard work-not only for coordinating the event, but also for developing a prominent cruise destination. " We are here to revel and learn from the success," she said and pointed out that Cozumel received more than 3.3 million passengers from FCCA Member Lines last year-one million and nearly 50 percent more than in 2007, when Cozumel last hosted the event.

She spotlighted cruise tourism's significance to the entire country, with Mexico welcoming more than 5.5 million FCCA Member Line passengers last year, expecting nearly 5.7 million this year and more than 6.1 million for 2016. She shared some of the economic benefit from this industry, with cruise tourism directly contributing to $565.4 million in expenditures, along with 15,9990 jobs paying wages of $93.5 million, during the 2006/2007 cruise year-when the country overall participated in the Business Research & Economic Advisors study, Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism in Mexico.

She also told attendees that Mexico's resurgence showed the importance of engaging a proactive approach and constant communication, ensuring a safe environment, and always improving products.

Holz delivered the keynote address and discussed the industry's growth, with "continued bookings strength, the introduction of innovative new ships and experiences, and a commitment by the industry to continually up the ante with technology, entertainment, dining and virtually every other aspect of the cruise vacation," along with port development.

He displayed this growth by mentioning that passenger arrivals in the Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico have jumped from 8 million to more than 20 million expected from FCCA Member Lines this year.

"The question then becomes, how does the Caribbean keep growing with the expansion of the cruise industry?" He told it takes "adapting to the changing marketplace, taking risks, launching innovations and ultimately delivering on ever-evolving consumer expectations... We must continually adjust our approach in order to meet consumer demands and introduce exciting new dimensions to our business - dimensions that will keep drawing cruisers to the Caribbean."

This model is similar to the cruise lines' own way of differentiating and innovating, he said. He then mentioned Disney's focus on telling stories and assured the audience that the industry's "greatest stories have yet to be told...As long as we can envision a brighter tomorrow, there's no limit to where our imagination can take us."

Arison awarded winners of the annual FCCA Foundation Children's Essay Contest, which provided more than $30,000 to Caribbean and Latin American essayists and schools in 2015.

Governor Borge praised the growth from hosting the last event and expressed excitement for again actualizing the event's potential. He highlighted Quintana Roo's improved infrastructure and product, touted the jobs and improving social conditions resulting from cruise tourism, and assured that "Mexico wants to keep growing with the cruise industry."

Secretary Hon. Cordero, also representing President Enrique Peña Nieto, elaborated on the importance of tourism overall to the entire country, representing nearly 9% of GDP and providing jobs to 8 million people, including 20% of employment of young persons and a large segment for small to medium businesses and entrepreneurs. He then shifted to cruise tourism, reiterating the passenger arrivals and focusing on the significance of destinations like Mazatlan and Vallarta recuperating.

"We want to work as partners with the cruise industry," he said and told how the country continues to do so by constantly asking, "What are your needs" and "how can we innovate new products?"

"We are aware we are in a world of constant competition," he said and unveiled some of Mexico's competitive advantages, including location and source markets that travel and spend, along with the "secret weapon-Mexicans...a population that likes to treat people well."