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Pullmantur to operate four turn around calls from Bilbao 2013

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 September 2012 25 September 2012

After its recent successful second round-the-Iberian-Peninsula voyage on Empress, with Bilbao as the first port of call, Pullmantur announced an increase in its presence in the Basque port next year. During the 2013 season, it will have four departures from Bilbao and convert the city into the port of departure for its new “Corazón de Europa” (Heart of Europe) itinerary. Alan Lam reports.

On its recent eight-day seven-night cruise, the Empress set sail from Cherbourg. Her first port of call was Bilbao where she picked up 1,500 passengers before proceeding to A Coruña, Cádiz, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Almería and Valencia, highlighting the demand in the region.

The company stated that it wished to offer its cruise products to the people of Basque Region and position one of its vessels in Bilbao - one of the most important Spanish ports. “In 2013, we will intensify our operation in the port of Bilbao,” said D. Sergio Jiménez, Pullmantur’s Sales and Marketing Director for Basque Region. “Pullmantur reaffirms its commitment to Spanish ports, and in particular Bilbao where we value, above all, its excellent facilities, the good cooperation of the port authority, and the proximity of tourist attractions to the terminal in Getxo.

The new eight-day seven-night “Corazón de Europa” itinerary from Bilbao will include calls at Dover (for excursions to London), Ijmuiden, Zeebrugge and Le Havre.

Alan Lam

Third Classic International Cruises' ship reported held

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 September 2012 21 September 2012

Third ship of Classic International Cruises, the troubled Portuguese operator of five second hand vessels, has been detained due to unpaid bills, a French media report says.

The 1965 built Arion has been stopped at the Montenegrin port of Kotor. Before this, Athena and Princess Danae were held in Marseilles in France, reportedly due to unpaid bunker bills, tourmag.com says on its website.

Princess Daphne is in the Spanish port of Arrecife, according to Marinetraffic.com, the shipping movement website, while Funchal, the fifth vessel of the company, is in Lisbon according to the same source.

Costa appoints Tom Strang to new position of SVP Maritime Development and Compliance

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 September 2012 21 September 2012

Costa Crociere, the Italian unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, says it has appointed Tom Strang in the new position of Senior Vice President Maritime Development and Compliance for the company. "Tom will report directly to Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group, and be responsible for ensuring that industry regulations and safety standards are continuously updated and adjusted," Costa said in a statement.

Tom Strang, a British national, is responsible for supporting the Costa Group brands (Costa Cruises, AIDA and Iberocruceros) in ensuring that their maritime and safety processes, organisation and employees are the best in the industry. As well as guaranteeing compliance with industry standards and all national and international rules, he will lead the implementation of more advanced industry practices and promote a safety-centric culture.

Throughout September, Tom will make the transition from his current role in Carnival Corporation's Corporate Maritime Policy group and work with all the relevant people in Costa, AIDA and Ibero to ensure this task is delivered to the highest standard.

Tom Strang brings a wealth of experience to the role. He held his previous job as Vice President of Maritime Policy and Regulation MP&C (Maritime Policy and Compliance, now CMP – Corporate Maritime Policy) from 2005, where he was responsible for all aspects of policy development in relation to health, safety and the environment across the Carnival Group.

In February 2000, he joined Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding to oversee all aspects related to safety and in 2003 he transitioned to Corporate Maritime Affairs where he was responsible for technical aspects of maritime policy development across the Group.

Prior to joining Carnival, Tom Strang worked for Lloyd's Register in various international jobs and countries primarily as a passenger ship specialist. He is also very active within various trade associations and chairs a number of committees and panels.

UK cruise market "on track to two million passengers in 2020"

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 September 2012 21 September 2012

The British cruise market is on track to reach its self-imposed target of two million passengers in the year 2020, a senior industry executive reportedly said.

“The (travel) trade must help the entire (cruise) industry realise its potential. The UK market is on track to hit two million passengers by 2020. Expansion in Europe has also seen some positive trends,” Jo Rzymowska, general manager of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) was quoted by the Travel Weekly newsletter as saying. In 2011, the British cruise market generated 1.7 million passengers.

Cruise lines are offering incentives to boost trade amidst a prolonged economic slowdown. The Royal Caribbean group will, however, increase its exposure on the UK market next year, when Adventure of the Seas will join Independence of the Seas in Southampton.

Sister brand Celebrity Cruises has received Celebrity Constellation for a series of autumn cruises from the same port to accompany Celebrity Eclipse. In 2013 Celebrity Eclipse will return to Southampton, while Celebrity Infinity will introduce a new programme from Harwich.

Dominic Paul, md of RCCL in the UK, said at the European Cruise council event in Brussels in May that the company looks at positioning of ships from a global perspective. It builds its presence on a market over a number of years and looks at the deployment of its assets from a long term point of view.

Carnival Corp & plc forecast to report third quarter EPS of $1.44

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 September 2012 21 September 2012

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world;'s largest cruse shipping group, is forecast to report earnings per share (EPS) of $1.44 on 25 September, when the company will publish its interim result for three months to the end of August.

The highest forecast by analysts is $1.46 and the lowest $1.41, according to Thomson Reuters data posted on the company's website. In the third quarter of the 2011 financial year, Carnival reported EPS of $1.69 per share.