Asia Cruise Association appoints General Manager

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 09 July 2012 09 July 2012

The Asia Cruise Association (ACA) has appointed Kevin Leong as General Manager of the association from 1 July 2012. ACA Chairman Rama Rebbapragada said, ”This appointment is timely and represents the next phase in the development of the ACA. A lot of good work had been done over the past three years, but with the increased interest in the growth of the industry, there is a lot more that can be accomplished. The General Manager will give even more focus and direction which is needed to continue the good growth in the cruise industry in Asia.”

Kevin was formerly with the Singapore Tourism Board for 36 years, serving in a variety of portfolios that included international marketing, MICE and events marketing. He also spent 8 years with the STB’s New York office and 6 years in their Sydney office. In 2006 while in the Sydney office, he chaired the ASEAN Cruise Working Group to co-ordinate the development of the regional cruise industry for the 10-member countries. It was the beginning of his involvement with the industry leading to his current position with the ACA.

Kevin said, “I look forward to co-ordinating the efforts of the ACA members in two main areas – the training of travel agents as cruise specialists and the promotion of port development to enhance the existing range of cruise itineraries. It will also be important to create greater awareness of cruising among the public and industry stakeholders through industry events, the media and social networks.” 

ACA is Asia’s largest cruise association dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise industry in Asia. To join its mission in promoting the commercial and professional development of cruise industry, ACA invites all cruise industry stakeholders to join the Association as members. Its ordinary membership is for firms or corporations that operate cruise lines in the Asia region, and its associate membership is for businesses or corporations such as tourism boards, ground handlers, ship chandlers and suppliers, ship services and repair, port authorities, port agents, and travel agents. Companies that are interested to join ACA can refer to its websitewww.asiacruiseassociation.com for more information.

Pacific Sun on her final cruise under P&O Cruises' banner

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 07 July 2012 07 July 2012

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun departed Brisbane on July 3 for its final voyage before it leaves the cruise line’s fleet. Pacific Sun has been sailing with P&O Cruises since 2004 and has carried more than half a million passengers on hundreds of holidays over that time.

The 47,000-tonne ship was sold by P&O Cruises earlier this year as part of Carnival Australia’s continuing fleet renewal.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said Pacific Sun had been an enormously popular ship. "Pacific Sun has carried hundreds of thousands of Australians and New Zealanders on great holidays and helped build demand for cruising," Sherry said.

"When Pacific Sun joined our fleet eight years ago, Carnival Australia had two ships based in Australia and now we have seven – so she has certainly played a role in that growth."

Pacific Sun’s final cruise is a Pacific Island 7-night voyage.

Passenger Shipping association names new Chairman

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 05 July 2012 05 July 2012

Passenger services director for P&O Ferries, Simon Johnson, becomes the nineteenth Chairman of the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) at the organisation's annual general meeting being held today at the Chamber of Shipping in London.

Simon takes on the role at a time when both the ferry and cruise industries are pulling together to face economic and legislative challenges. More than 39 million passengers travelled by ferry to and from UK ports in 2011 and a record 1.7 million British people took a cruise. The UK is the second largest source market for cruise holidays worldwide and figures released in Brussels last week show that the cruise industry alone accounts for 2.28 billion pounds of direct expenditure in the UK and provides employment for more than 63,000 people.

On taking up his position Simon said: "Both the ferry and cruise industries are very important to the UK economy. We work well together to ensure best practice and both sectors have invested heavily in ships and services, but we face major new challenges ahead. Let me give you one example - sulphur regulations coming into force in 2015 will lead to substantial increases in shipping fuel costs - potentially up to 87 per cent for ships operating within Emission Control Areas (ECAs). The ferry industry could see the closure of longer routes and the cruise industry may see itineraries curtailed, affecting revenue and visitors in ports. Together with our partners, I can confirm that the PSA will continue to seek government support in finding measures to alleviate the substantial financial effects for passenger services that are confined to operating within an ECA."

He continued: "The PSA's cruise line members and ferry operators together bring a wealth of experience and knowledge which has enabled the PSA to work successfully on common issues. More new ships are coming on stream and being deployed to the UK over the next year as testament to the confidence we have in demand for travel by sea and river. As the new Chair, I look forward to being actively involved in all areas of the Association and promoting every aspect of passenger shipping.'


Director of the PSA, Bill Gibbons said: "Simon takes over the position from Peter Shanks, MD and President of Cunard Line, whose two year term has now come to an end. I would like to thank Peter for his support and leadership during what have been unprecedented times for Association."

He continued: "As former chair of the Ferry Section, Simon is well versed with the work undertaken by the PSA. He takes on the chair at a key time which also sees the Association playing a pivotal role within the new Passengers Rights legislation. Coming into force in December the PSA shall, following consultation and confirmation become the complaints handling body for any disputes arising out of the legislation. The PSA is also actively engaged with the Government on the performance of its UK Border Agency where delays on entering the country may deter people from travelling."

Christophe Mathieu, Group Strategy and Commercial Director for Brittany Ferries, takes on the role of chair of the PSA's Ferry Section. Former chair of the PSA, President of Cunard Peter Shanks, takes on the role as Vice Chairman.

P&O Cruises celebrates 175 years of heritage in spectacular style with Royal fleet review

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 04 July 2012 04 July 2012

P&O Cruises yesterday celebrated 175 years of heritage with a 'Grand Event' in its home port of Southampton. The company’s seven ships were welcomed into port by ship’s Godmother Darcey Bussell for a day of celebrations. HRH Princess Royal later conducted a Royal Fleet Review as the ships departed in formation in the Solent, after a spectacular 'flutterfetti' and firework evening send-off.

The seven ships – Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Oceana, Oriana, and Ventura – with a combined gross tonnage of 569,000 tonnes, arrived into Southampton at dawn, marking the first-ever occasion all seven P&O Cruises ships have gathered together in their home port.

On the aft deck of Azura, Darcey Bussell, who named the ship in 2010, was photographed with seven ship’s officers including the master of the ship, Captain Keith Dowds, and the commodore of the fleet, Steve Burgoine.

HRH The Princess Royal was greeted on the quayside and presented with a posy of flowers by Captain Ian Hutley's daughter, 12 year old Georgia. Later, HRH The Princess Royal was greeted by the seven ship’s captains in a special ceremony. Her Royal Highness, godmother to two P&O Cruises ships, enjoyed a VIP reception on board Oriana, with P&O Cruises consultant chefs Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar and wine expert Olly Smith in attendance, as well as a special cake baked by celebrity patissier Eric Lanlard. 

With 2,600 bottles of champagne and 1,750 whole lobster loaded on board, passengers enjoyed deck parties as the ships sailed away.

Once in formation, the ships were reviewed by HRH The Princess Royal, who was on board the Trinity House vessel Patricia. HRH The Princess Royal was escorted by the Royal Navy’s newest Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dragon.

After taking the Royal salute the seven ships went on their separate ways on seven anniversary cruises around the world, including the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Scandinavia and the Canary Islands.

In a complex logistical operation, 15,000 passengers disembarked and 15,000 new passengers embarked throughout the ‘Grand Event’ day. An estimated 30,000 spectators gathered at vantage points around Southampton Water to watch the departure of the ships. The whole event brought £17 million to the local Southampton economy.

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “Our ‘Grand Event’ celebrations were a truly impressive spectacle, and we were honoured to be joined by HRH The Princess Royal, godmother to two of our ships, to carry out our Royal Review. During our 175 years of heritage, the ships and crew have been at the cutting edge of maritime and cruising innovation, served with distinction as troop carriers in several wars, and, most importantly, offered our passengers a superb cruising experience year in and year out.

“We were delighted to see so many people lining the shore to witness our historical event – in spite of rather grey weather! The whole day was a fantastic celebration of the past and present, looking forward to the future of Britain’s best-known and best-loved cruise line.”