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Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific to offer travel agent training at annual cruise event

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 September 2013 04 September 2013

In an ongoing effort to impart the value and revenue potential of the global cruise market to the relatively new Asian travel agent community, Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific, will be hosting a comprehensive travel agent training program, presented by CLIA Australia.

CLIA Australia’s renowned education program was designed to teach agents best sales practices, help them monitor emerging trends, and discover new destinations, essentially in an effort to help them increase their business. “Travel agents in the Asia-Pacific region will be elated with the amount of tangible and practical knowledge they will receive during these training sessions,” said Brett Jardine, General Manager of CLIA Australasia. “This is really a wonderful opportunity to help agents explore the benefits of selling cruises.”

Following is the current line-up of training sessions:

October 9:

Session 1: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Cruising the 21^st Century
This module looks at the modern day cruise experience. It covers the attraction of cruising in its current format to the changing demographics now taking cruises, and includes trends, definitions, and current developments and partnerships occurring in the industry.

Session 2: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Cruise Sales & ServiceThis comprehensive module dissects the sales process and how to apply proven patterns of consultation into selling cruise holidays. It also addresses sound customer service practice and tips on how you can take your cruise business to the next level.

October 10^th

Session 1: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Cruising Europe
This visually stunning presentation has been the highest rated training module delivered by CLIA Australia. A comprehensive look at cruising in the European region. Learn where ships dock, how to get into city centres, what and where the attractions are, as well as tips to give your clients. You will leave with a greater understanding of how to ‘sell’ European ports when dealing with current and potential clients.

Session 2: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Cruise Groups
This module is designed to give you a better understanding on how to increase your business by attracting group travel to cruising. Tips and a comprehensive plan of attack are provided, as well as innovative ways to stand out from the competition. Having a successful groups business is a powerful way to grow your cruise sales.

This training is free to participate and an excellent way to help agents learn to increase their cruise revenue.

For information about exhibiting or attending Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific visit www.cruiseshippingasia.com

Royal Caribbean International appoints William Baumgartner svp Marine Operations

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 September 2013 04 September 2013

Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit in Miami based Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd group (RCCL), said it had appointed Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, U.S. Coast Guard, Retired, as its Senior Vice President of Marine Operations.

“In his new role, Baumgartner will oversee the global cruise brand’s fleet and their nautical, technical and maintenance operations,” the company said in a statement.

Baumgartner holds Bachelor of Science Degrees in Marine Engineering and Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, an MBA from the University of New Orleans, and a Law Degree from Harvard Law School, RCCL said.

AIDA Cruises to invest €100 million in environmental protection

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 September 2013 03 September 2013

Aida Cruises, the German unit in the Carnival Corp & plc group, will invest up to €100 million in environmental protection between now and the year 2016.

The two 125,000 gross ton newbuildings of AIDA Cruises in Germany has on order at mItsubishi in Japan will be fitted with comprehensive exhaust gas filters, the company said in a statement. However, AIDAcara, which was built in 1996 and which is the oldest ship of Aida fleet, will be retrofitted with the system already this October.

"With this till now unique technology for the waste gas follow-up treatment we can filter all three emissions - soot particles, nitric oxides and sulphur oxides - for the first time and therefore reduce between 90% and 99% This comprehensive filter concept is a milestone for AIDA Cruises but also for the cruise industry, altogether," said Michael Ungerer, president of AIDA Cruises.

The plant, developed within the Carnival Corp & plc group for the treatment of the waste gases, backs a new technology with a particularly compact style which for the first time makes it possible to put all substantial treatments of sewage technically. Nitric oxides are bound in a catalyst and soot and fuel delays precipitated in a filter. The sulphur oxides are removed without addition of chemicals in a launderer.

UPDATE-Detained Funchal may sail from Gothenburg later today

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 September 2013 02 September 2013

Funchal has left Gothenburg at 1613 local time for Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, according to Marinetraffic.com shipping traffic information website.

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Funchal, the 1961 built cruise liner of the Lisbon based start up cruise shipping company Portuscale Cruises, may be able to sail from Gothenburg in Sweden as planned today, said Tomas Astrom, head of the maritime and aviation unit at the Board of Transport in Sweden.

The vessel, which is on charter to a Swedish tour operator, was detained in Gothenburg last week. Astrom said in a live interview on the P4 radio network that among the problems detected was that the ship did not have passenger certificate, its watertight doors did not close properly and that fire fighting equipment did not meet requirements.

“We have a dialogue with the class (classification society – Bureau Veritas). We will go on board and to go through the list of problems that we have detected,” Astrom said.

Funchal has undergone a major refit and Astrom says Portuscale had given the short time frame of the refit and the amount of work that had to be done as a reason to the problems fond on board. Work has been in progress on board throughout the weekend and provided the problems are rectified, it may sail on a cruise to Sotland with 400 passengers later today.

“Funchal may sail today with passengers if it receives passenger certificate,” Astrom added.

Portuscale Cruises acquired four vessels from creditors of Classic International Cruises (CIC) that collapsed last year. Funchal has retained its original name, while Porto traded as Arion for CIC and started life as Yugoslavian Istra. The Lisboa sailed as Princess Danae for CIC, while Azores was called Athena under the CIC house flag.

British TV journalist Sir David Frost dies on Queen Elizabeth

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2013 01 September 2013

Sir David Frost, the British TV journalist, has died of a heart attack on board Queen Elizabeth. He was 74.

Sir David was due to give talks about his career on board the ship. His interview of former US president Richard Nixon in 1977 was recently voted the best broadcast interview of all time. During his long career, he had interviewed the past seven British prime ministers and seven American presidents.

Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said in a statement: "Sir David Frost was a remarkable journalist and broadcaster. Cunard had a proud association with him over many years. On behalf of us all at Cunard Line I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, family and friends."

Queen Elizabeth left Southampton on 31 August on a 10-day Mediterranean cruise to Civitavecchia (Rome), the company said.