Celebrity Cruises to create brand-dedicated team in Asia

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 09 October 2013 09 October 2013

At the annual Cruise Shipping Asia conference today, Celebrity Cruises announced plans to create a single-branded organization in Asia. The new structure will take effect immediately.

Kelvin Tan will serve as Commercial Director-Asia Pacific for Celebrity Cruises. He and his team will be based out of Singapore, and will oversee the brand's commercial, marketing, trade support and sales in the region. He will continue to partner with the corporation's current International Representatives in the region, who successfully built a strong network throughout Asia.

"The Asia Pacific region has great potential for Celebrity Cruises, and this will best position the Celebrity brand for future growth in this dynamic region," said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Michael Bayley. "There is a high percentage of affluent travelers in the region who are eager for more premium cruise options, which Celebrity Cruises can deliver. And, as a result of this development, our brand will get greater visibility, and our travel partners can expect even more attention and support. Kelvin is the perfect executive to spearhead our growth in Asia. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge, having strongly contributed to Royal Caribbean's expansion in Asia over the past eight years. He also is well respected by his peers throughout Asia for his passion and commitment to cruising. I am confident Kelvin will help put Celebrity Cruises on the Asia map and in the minds of affluent Asian consumers when considering a premium cruise holiday."

Starting this December 7, Celebrity Millennium's second consecutive Asian season will present a series of exciting 13- to 15-night cruises from Singapore and Hong Kong. The season will be capped with a 7-night Japan Golden Week cruise from Yokohama on May 3, 2014. After her Alaska season in the summer, Celebrity Millennium will return to Asia for her third season, which runs from September 12, 2014 till April 26, 2015. In addition to Celebrity Millennium's deployment in Asia, Celebrity Century will begin her first Asia season January 25, 2015, sailing a series of 7- to 14-night cruises from Singapore and Yokohama. The ship will visit 26 ports in 11 countries, including 10 first-time destinations for the brand: Yangon, Myanmar; Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei; Dalian, China; Kanazawa and Otaru, Japan; Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi, Malaysia; Boracay and Manila, Philippines and Vladivostok, Russia.

Princess Cruises’ head of marketing in UK leaves company

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 09 October 2013 09 October 2013

Princess Cruises’ head of brand marketing Pieter van der Schee is leaving the company with immediate effect, Travel Weekly reported in a daily newsletter.

van der Schee joined the company back in 2001 and is leaving as a result of a reorganisation of the marketing functions at Princess Cruises. He is set to pursue opportunities outside the company, the report said.

Princess Cruises is part of the Carnival UK group in Britain and the group has seen a series of high profile management changes recently, including the departure of Cunard Line president and managing director Peter Shanks and that of P&O Cruises’ managing director Carol Marlow.

Royal Caribbean appoints Dhani Jones Quantum Experience Advisor

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 08 October 2013 08 October 2013

Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, says it has teamed up with athlete and adventurer Dhani Jones to create a game plan for active cruising onboard its newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, when it launches from the New York area in November 2014.

As 'Quantum Experience Advisor for Sports and Fitness,' Jones is the latest celebrity expert to suit up for the cruise line's Quantum Experience Advisors programme, whose roster also includes interior designer Genevieve Gorder

Dhani Jones, a former National Football League player for 11 seasons, is also known for his off-the-field adventures. Starring in his own Travel Channel show in the U.S., 'Dhani Tackles the Globe,' the self-proclaimed adventurer participated in many of the world's games. From Rugby to Sambo, Jones immersed himself in each culture and learned how athletes around the world compete in their favourite sports.

The next few months will see Jones sampling the existing programmes and signature innovations found only on Royal Caribbean International ships, while adding his trademark touches to distinct spaces onboard Quantum of the Seas, including four custom-themed SeaPods which will be found on the mezzanine level of the SeaPlex and will offer spectacular views of the sea. Jones also will help influence programming in the adjacent Sports Deck, which serves up signature Royal Caribbean International innovations such as the rock-climbing wall, the FlowRider surf simulator and RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea which allows everyone from first-time flyers to seasoned skydivers to enjoy the sheer thrill and exhilaration of skydiving in a safe, controlled, and simulated environment.

"I'm having a phenomenal time working with Royal Caribbean International as a Quantum Experience Advisor," said Jones. "It's giving me the opportunity to demonstrate my passion for sports, travel, fitness and adventure, and draw on my own experiences travelling the globe to contribute ideas that will bring good fitness and good fun to Quantum of the Seas."

Nobel Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu guest speaker on Amsterdam 2014 world cruise

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 October 2013 07 October 2013

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the former archbishop of Cape Town and Nobel Peace Prize winner, is scheduled to lecture on a segment of Holland America Line’s 2014 Grand World Voyage on ms Amsterdam, sailing 28 March to 2 April 2014 from Durban to Cape Town, South Africa.

Tutu will address guests at two speaking engagements onboard about his role as the first black African to serve as archbishop of Cape Town and about his work forging racial equality throughout the world.  Guests will also be able to gain a personal insight into his remarkable life through an open question and answer session with the archbishop.

“We strive to bring our guests the most interesting, relevant and unique experiences, and to have a lecturer of the calibre of Desmond Tutu on the Grand World Voyage is as thrilling for me as I know it will be for our guests,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programmes for Holland America Line. “To give our guests an opportunity to hear from someone like Desmond Tutu during their cruise is a shining example of our commitment to enhancing the cruise experience through our enrichment programme.”

The full Grand World Voyage lasts 113 days or, for those unable to travel for the full length, guests can book segments of the cruise that range from 20 to 86 days. Cruise prices for segments of the Grand World Voyage start from £2,430 per person, and the full voyage begins at £12,470 per person, both based on double occupancy of an Inside Stateroom.