Windstar Cruises launches new loyalty program

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 14 October 2013 14 October 2013

Windstar Cruises today announced a new enhanced guest loyalty program launching November 1, 2013. Renamed Windstar Yacht Club (formerly Foremast Club), the new program better recognizes Windstar's valued loyal guests. Yacht Club members will enjoy special benefits when they book, while they are on board, and every time they share the Windstar experience with friends and family. Yacht Club member benefits become effective on November 1, 2013.

"The satisfaction and loyalty of our guests is paramount to us," said Hans Birkholz, Windstar's chief executive officer.  Our new Yacht Club program demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest levels of guest satisfaction while rewarding our loyal guests with enhanced benefits. We are dedicated to creating the world's best small ship cruise experience; rewarding our loyal Yacht Club members is an integral part of that experience.

Windstar Yacht Club members will receive the following exclusive benefits:

• Savings of 5% on standard cruise fares for most voyages, member discount may be combinable with other special offers (excluding FLASH fares);
• Upgrades to the next highest cabin category at no cost, or an upgrade from a standard stateroom or suite to a premium suite starting at $500 per person (based on availability during onboard check-in);
• Private member cocktail party;
• Dining with the Captain or other ship Officers;
• Commemorative Welcome Aboard gift;
• Savings of 10% on any purchase made in the onboard gift shop;
• Referral rewards.

The referral rewards give Yacht Club members an opportunity for additional perks when they refer a friend to Windstar Cruises. For every new friend a member refers, they will receive a $100 shipboard credit when final payment is received for their friend's first sailing. Additionally, each new guest who is referred to Windstar by a member will receive $100 shipboard credit on their first voyage.  

Windstar guests are automatically enrolled in Windstar Yacht Club upon completion of their first Windstar cruise. New members will receive a Windstar Yacht Club Welcome package, including Member ID card, shortly following their first cruise. Current Foremast members will be automatically enrolled in the new program starting November 1, and will also be receiving a Welcome package.

Norwegian to run UK agent roadshow in November

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 14 October 2013 14 October 2013

Following the success of the inaugural Partners First Roadshows last year, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it will hit the road again in November 2013, the company said in a statement.

Agents will be able to take advantage of full day cruise-selling masterclass Roadshows in four cities around the UK:

·         Glasgow on 11 November 2013

·         Belfast on 14 November 2013

·         Bristol on 19 November 2013

·         Birmingham on 20 November 2013

The Roadshows will ask agents three key questions: ‘Who are your customers?’, ‘Where are you going to send them cruising?’, and, ‘How are you going to do it?’.

Whether an experienced cruise seller or someone new to the business, the Roadshows will give all attendees the opportunity to benefit from an interactive and rewarding learning experience.

Nick Wilkinson, Director Business Development UK, Ireland and Scandinavia said: “We are delighted to bring back the Partners First Roadshows this year. Feedback from last year’s sessions proved the Roadshows were successful in making a difference to the way that our key travel partners sell cruise and at Norwegian we understand that the cruise selling landscape is constantly evolving.

“We have brought together sales and marketing experts from Norwegian, along with representatives of major U.S. and European tourist boards, to educate our travel partners in all elements of the cruise selling process, providing a great opportunity for agents looking to give their cruise business a boost and pick up some new skills along the way.”

The all-day Roadshows will run from 9.30am to 4pm and are free to attend. Refreshments will also be provided as well as opportunities to win some prizes.

Stuart Leven appointed UK Managing Director of Royal Caribbean International

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 14 October 2013 14 October 2013

The RCL Cruises Ltd new UK and Ireland business structure is taking shape with the appointment of hospitality and leisure industry veteran, Stuart Leven, to the role of managing director of Royal Caribbean International, the company said in a statement.

RCL Cruises operates three Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) brands in Britain – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. In September, it said in the future each of them would operate as independent RCCL group subsidiaries.

“In addition, Dominic Paul is taking on an expanded role as vice president, international, reporting directly to Royal Caribbean International president and CEO, Adam Goldstein,” RCL said. He was previously responsible for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and he now adds Latin America, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean to his remit for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. Plus he continues in his role as managing director of RCL Cruises Ltd.

Stuart Leven will work alongside Jo Rzymowska who will lead the UK and Ireland Celebrity Cruises business. Both roles are new, and follow the announcement that the UK and Ireland office is creating three dedicated businesses for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises in response to the significant market growth achieved.

Leven brings a 20-year track record in the leisure and hospitality industry including airlines, travel agencies and hotels to the Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland business. He has held senior roles in businesses such as IHG, Thistle and Guoman Hotels, Choice Hotels Europe and KLM.

 Dominic Paul, vice president, international, comments: “We are evolving our business to be in the best possible position for future growth. Our new structure in the UK and Ireland, and the industry-leading management teams now taking shape, means that we can confidently deliver against the individual growth strategies of Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. We hope to be able to announce the new leadership role for Azamara Club Cruises very soon.”

Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises are currently recruiting for additional sales and marketing roles created by the move to dedicated teams for each brand, which will be in place by January 2014.

Operating each of the three cruise lines – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises – as individual businesses is an important milestone in the history of the overall global organisation. It is the first time that outside North America any of the brands will enjoy such commitment, focus and investment, RCL said.

Changes continue in Crystal's top management

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 14 October 2013 14 October 2013

Effective October 16, in addition to naming cruise industry veteran Edie Bornstein to the position of president and chief operating officer, ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises announces the promotions of its prized executives, Thomas Mazloum and Jack Anderson. Mazloum will become executive vice president, and will report to Bornstein. Anderson will assume the role of vice chairman. Bornstein and Anderson will report to Crystal Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Nobuyoshi Kuzuya.

"Befitting our enviable Crystal product and a most dedicated and enthusiastic staff on board and ashore, we have the industry’s most respected individuals at the helm of this great company," said Kuzuya. "This is truly the Dream Team – with a vast collective history of luxury experience, creativity, passion and leadership."

"As I’ve recently commented, Edie Bornstein is joining Crystal at a very positive time when we are growing our revenue, increasing the global agencies with whom we are working, and introducing so many new guests to Crystal Cruises.  I look forward to Edie leading Crystal into the future, continuing our upward trajectory, strengthening our brand, and reinforcing and growing travel agent partnerships, with support from a stellar group of executives and staff."

Edie Bornstein brings to Crystal more than 30 years of experience and leadership in the global cruise, travel and technology industries. Before being named Crystal president, she was senior vice president of marketing and sales at Azamara Club Cruises, the upscale division of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL). It was under her leadership that she and her team re-launched the young brand as Azamara Club Cruises. Previously, she was vice president of business development and strategic partnerships for Carnival Cruise Lines, and has also served as a senior officer at Cunard and Seabourn cruise lines, where she developed strategic plans and led partnerships with several respected luxury brands.  With her knowledge and appreciation of the luxury customer, she admits she has been a long-time Crystal admirer.

Thomas Mazloum first joined Crystal in 1990. Except for a three-year stint at Disney from 1999-2002, he has enjoyed a well-deserved rise at Crystal Cruises -- from hotel positions on board to becoming vice president, hotel operations in 2002, senior vice president, hotel operations in 2003, and then to expanding his role in 2010 as senior vice president, operations, overseeing the hotel and nautical operations of the Crystal fleet. In addition to his cruise industry expertise, Mazloum has an extensive European hotel background and has completed continuing education at Cornell University, the Hotel School of Lausanne and the Hotel School of Salzburg.

Jack Anderson joined Crystal in 2011 as senior vice president, marketing and sales.  His extensive and esteemed cruise industry pedigree includes senior management positions at The Yachts of Seabourn, Carnival Corporation, Holland America and Windstar.  At Crystal, he has been instrumental in initiating successful “Book Now” pricing strategies and in spearheading the earlier-than-ever development and launch of the line’s worldwide itineraries, and the materials, communications and sales efforts that have supported these initiatives.