Cruise bartenders invited to submit their recipes for Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year 2015

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 04 December 2014 04 December 2014

Bacardi Global Travel Retail has announced the launch of the world renowned 2015 Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year, an annual event – now in its 10th year and believed to be the longest standing competition dedicated to the cruise industry.  Its aim is to identify the best bartender on the high seas, as part of the Bacardi strategy to help raise standards of professionalism and cocktail-making in this vibrant and growing leisure sector.

The competition opened on Wednesday November 19, via www.bacardicruisecompetition.com and all bartenders on cruise and ferry lines around the globe are invited to enter – subject to eligibility.  As in previous years, participants are required to create their own expertly crafted and unique, inspired cocktail recipes using at least one spirit from the Bacardi rum portfolio, in a way that demonstrates how that personal creation is inspired by their love of travel, the flavors, people and places they have experienced on their journeys including the interactions with guests they meet in the onboard bars.

This year’s competition is a one-stage competition where all entrants stand the chance to make the finals based on the quality of their recipes.  Entries close on January 12, 2015 and the five finalists will be announced on January 19, 2015.   The finals will take place in Miami, March 18-20, 2015.

Zachary Sulkes, Regional Manager Bacardi Travel Retail Americas explains the purpose of the competition: “Cruise is such a dynamic sector of tourism with strong levels of growth in the numbers of people choosing to vacation on the high seas – for example South America is a key market as more consumers start to travel internationally. With ever more sophisticated vessels launching each year and with many of these ‘super-ships’ offering up to 30 bars and restaurants as a major focus of the guest experience, we’re actively seeking to work with more cruise operators who share our vision to guarantee great cocktail experiences and to develop the mixology and presentation skills of the onboard bartender through initiatives such as the Bacardi Cruise Competition and in spotlighting the quality of destination bars such as Carnival’s Alchemy Bars, Celebrity’s Molecular Bars and Norwegian’s Mojito Bars, to name just a few.

“Cocktails and vacationing are perfect companions, creating special moments and the chance to try something new.  By helping the cruise lines and the ambitious onboard bar-tending community to enhance their craft, we can really create a sustained category driving strategy that wins all round.  I know there’s a lot of excitement already in the bartending community and we look forward to welcoming back some familiar faces from the last few years’ competitions.”

“Each bartender has a unique perspective on what makes the perfect cocktail – inspired by the flavors, the people and the places they’ve experienced in their travels. We want to see this come through in their submission, from personal passion and bold spirit, to unique creativity and innovation. We want them to show us what inspires them in their craft, in the same way they inspire their guests to have the best cocktail experience possible.”

The winner will receive $5,000 cash prize and a Bacardi experience, specifically selected to further the recipient’s craft and knowledge base.

In 2014, out of almost 2,000 entrants, the top prize went to Europe for the first time, with Liisi Kütt from Estonia – based Tallink Silja® Line, beating the competition with her “Summer Fairy” cocktail – a blend of BACARDÍ® Grand Melon, MARTINI® Prosecco, apple juice, fresh lime juice and simple syrup.  She explained: “The inspiration for the recipe came from my position looking out on the calm summer seas of the Baltic with a perfect soundtrack in the background from the live band playing in the bar. Summer Fairy is all about being in that magical moment where summer meets nature and you find yourself lost in time.”

Other finalists in 2014 were Carnival’s Ioana Luncean, Brian Bent and Vera Restarovic plus NCL’s Joeped Garrido and Allan Garcia.

Nathan Hickman joins Norwegian as Vice President, National Accounts and Field Sales

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 03 December 2014 03 December 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that Nathan Hickman, formerly vice president of national accounts for Oceania Cruises, is joining the line as vice president, national accounts and field sales effective January 1, 2015.

“Nathan has a wealth of experience in sales, in particular with national accounts and an extremely strong reputation in the industry,” said Andy Stuart, executive vice president of sales for Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are also pleased that in addition to managing national accounts, he will be taking on the new challenge of managing our sales team and ensuring Norwegian has an absolutely industry leading world class sales force.”

Hickman joined Oceania Cruises in early 2003 and was part of the startup team for the company as the first person hired into the sales team. He managed inside sales in 2003, international sales in 2004 and moved to national accounts in 2005. At Oceania, he also established and oversaw the onboard future sales program, along with Oceania Cruises’ loyalty program, the Oceania Club.

Hickman will report to Stuart and be part of the North American sales leadership team that includes Alex Pinelo, vice president, key accounts; Clark Reber, director, industry development; Glen Rothe, director, sales operations and Katina Athanasiou, vice president, charter, meeting and incentive sales. He will be based in Norwegian’s Miami office.

O'Sheehan's and Sugarcane Mojito Bar opens on Norwegian Gem

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 28 November 2014 28 November 2014

As part of its Norwegian NEXT program, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that Norwegian Gem now features popular guest eatery O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill. First introduced on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem is the second ship in her class to be outfitted with the 24-hour complimentary casual dining venue, which captures the friendly atmosphere of a neighborhood Irish pub and serves comfort food such as fish and chips and chicken pot pie.  

In addition, specialty dining restaurant Moderno Churrascaria – Norwegian’s popular Brazilian-style steakhouse – was relocated to a more intimate setting on Deck 13. Sugarcane Mojito Bar, first introduced on Norwegian Getaway, was added adjacent to the new restaurant and features handcrafted mojitos in a tropical setting.

Norwegian Gem sails numerous sought-after itineraries year-round from her homeport of New York. Her nine, 10, and 11-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries are a winter escape for New Yorkers from now through April 15, 2015, exploring some of the Caribbean’s favorites including San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Beginning April 24, 2015 through September 5, 2015, Norwegian Gem sails seven-day Bahamas and Florida cruises.

Chinese airline company charters cruise ship for Antarctic expedition

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 28 November 2014 28 November 2014

It has been reported that Qiantang Airways Industry of Zhejiang, a Hangzhou-based airline company, is chartering an ice-class cruise ship from the polar expedition specialist Amazing Cruises & Travel for an exclusive Antarctic tour. Alan Lam reports.

In recent years, the number of Chinese visiting this continent has shown the biggest growth. They now made up 9% of the total visitor number, as compared to only 0.2% ten years ago. The Chinese are now the third largest human Antarctic visitor group, after the USA and Australia.

It is expected that they may become the largest in five years. The cruise charter market in China, led by online giants, is now big and intricate. Very often an online company will charter a vessel, sell the package to travel agents who in turn repackage the product and sell it back to the online agents for distribution.

Qiantang Airways is not the only Chinese airline having shown an interest in cruise business, but so far it is the only one having made this concrete move. Moreover it aims at the upper end of the more discerning clientele in a market that is ruled by competition on prices. The company aims to organise a small group of about 200 passengers for an expedition in March 2016, according to our source in China.