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Azamara strengthens UK, several other teams

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 October 2022 11 October 2022

Azamara, the destination immersion focused upmarket cruise line, has a series of enhancements to its UK-based sales team, to bolster market growth and generate greater confidence amongst trade partners in the region.

These changes are a direct result of Azamara’s plans to increase in-market presence and sales function around the world. With global growth a top priority, Azamara has doubled the number of shoreside employees in key markets including the US, the Nordics, Germany, and Australia, the company said in a statement.

Carol Cabezas, the President of Azamara states, “We recognise the integral role that ‘on the ground’ sales teams have on market performance and the value of their relationships with local trade partners. By introducing new team structures with targeted focuses, such as that in the UK, and with a surge of new hires around the world, we are offering more support to trade partners globally and driving forward our international growth”.

David Duff to lead UK team as MD

In the UK sales team, David Duff, formerly Azamara’s International Commercial Director, will take on the role of Managing Director, UK. In this new position, David will focus his efforts on developing the UK market, driving growth, and providing visible market leadership. He will manage the UK team across all departments and work closely with the global teams based in Miami, which provide operational, day-to-day support to all international markets.

“This is a really exciting moment for Azamara in the UK” said David Duff, Managing Director, UK at Azamara. “The UK proves to be a leading market for us year-on-year, and now with a reinforced sales team, we can expand our reach even further, visit more travel partners and distribute products across more channels”. “We just had our best year on record in the UK, and with demand for cruising still strong, we are confident that these changes will set the foundations for further success in 2023 and beyond”.

Additional appointments include Lee Surman who will step into a new role as Head of Partnerships and Trading, taking over the commercial support to all markets, building new strategic partnerships and handling the day-to-day commercial needs of the international team.

In a new position as Head of Trade Sales, UK, Stuart Pearce will oversee the UK sales strategy, responsible for driving sales and responding to the challenging needs of the market, enabling us to reach more of the smaller independent agencies and consortia members by also adding new resources to his team with a Business Development Manager role for the UK. Nikki Singleton will take on a greater focus on the top strategic accounts nationally. Lori Scannella returns to deliver UK and Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) support in her role as Sales Support Manager.

Focus on Nordic and German speaking countries as well

For EMEA, Christina Hannon’s role has expanded to Strategic Accounts Manager for the Nordic and DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) countries where Azamara is establishing relationships for the first time. Christina has worked with partners in the Nordics for years and will continue to develop the market, while also focusing on the important regions of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Bruno Jansen will utilise his European experience in a new role as Sales Manager for the EMEA IR network, strengthening relationships with an important group of partners that operate on behalf of Azamara in each country. Christina and Bruno will be supported by a new team member, Daniela Riley. With over twenty years of experience working with the trade and helping build sales in EMEA, Daniela will join the team as Sales Support Executive for EMEA and will be based in Switzerland.

Finally, Richard Stanbridge will assume a new role as Trade and Guests Services Manager, International based in London, to support our trade partners.

Photo: The four ships of Azamara meet in Koper, Slovenia, September 2022.

MSC Cruises plans largest ever U.S. presence with five ships for winter 2023-2024 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 October 2022 11 October 2022

MSC Cruises has taken the next step in its ongoing U.S. expansion by revealing plans for a record five ships to sail from American homeports in the region by the end of 2023. The world’s third largest and fastest-growing cruise brand will broaden its range of itineraries in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Northeast and Canada beginning with the Winter 2023-2024 season.

The new MSC Seascape will lead the way with Eastern and Western Caribbean 7-night cruises following its inaugural voyage from PortMiami later this year. She will be joined in Miami by MSC Divina, which will offer everything from 3-night cruises to The Bahamas to 11-night journeys through Central and South America. MSC Magnifica will join the U.S. fleet and sail short cruises to The Bahamas and Key West.

MSC Seashore will sail from Port Canaveral with a mix of short cruises to The Bahamas and 7-night Western Caribbean sailings. This will be the first time one of MSC Cruises’ groundbreaking Seaside EVO ships sails from Port Canaveral, and it will provide the first chance for fans of shorter cruises to enjoy MSC Seashore’s impressive range of amenities.

From New York, MSC Meraviglia will sail to Bermuda, Florida and The Bahamas after completing her inaugural summer season in the Northeast with a series of voyages to both Florida and the Bahamas, and to Canada and New England. Like every ship in the cruise line’s U.S. fleet, her trips to The Bahamas will include stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve—the company’s breathtaking island destination focused on sustainability.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “Bringing more ships to the U.S. allows us to offer a wide variety of itineraries, adding new destinations and providing more opportunities for travelers to discover our unique international flavor. It’s especially exciting to know how many of those guests will experience Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and see firsthand how we’ve embraced the island’s natural beauty, and how committed we are to sustainability. Caring for the ocean and showing our guests the true extent of its wonders drives everything we do at MSC Cruises.”

Atlas Ocean Voyages takes delivery of World Traveller expedition ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2022 10 October 2022

Atlas Ocean Voyages has taken delivery of its new 200-guest World Traveller, which will be officially named on November 20. The handover ceremony took place here October 7, 2022, on board the vessel at the West Sea shipyard, where the yacht-style ship was built. From Portugal, the ship repositions to Ushuaia, Argentina, where she will be based for expeditions to Antarctica.

“This ceremony to mark the completion of the ship, and our acceptance of delivery, is just the first of a number of significant events over the next few weeks – including the ship’s official naming in Chilean Patagonia,” said James Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO.

World Traveller is the second vessel in the Atlas Ocean Voyages fleet and joins sister-ship World Navigator. Both ships will be named at a unique dual naming ceremony at Chile’s Garibaldi Glacier. Atlas will showcase the ship to North American travel advisors, dignitaries, and international media before she departs on her maiden voyage November 21.

After a series of expeditions to Antarctica, World Traveller repositions via the Canary Islands to Europe for 7- to 10-day voyages that highlight the best of the Mediterranean. Home ports include Seville, Lisbon, Barcelona, Nice and Civitavecchia – the port for Rome.

In August, three Arctic expeditions offer guests the chance to marvel at majestic glaciers, fjordlands, and mountains, and observe a range of wildlife, including birds, whales, polar bears, reindeer, walrus, and the elusive Arctic fox. From the land of the Midnight Sun, World Traveller offers an Iceland circumnavigation before charting a southbound course via the British Isles, Ireland, France, and Spain to conclude her Europe season on October 16 in Lisbon.

World Traveller is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified and caters to curious, global travelers with a passion for exploring iconic and off-the-beaten-path places. The stylish and intimate, yacht-style vessel offers every five-star comfort, from an all-inclusive onboard experience and luxurious accommodations to in-depth excursions and customized private tours, for a truly personalized voyage.

Disney Cruise Line reported to buy Global Dream

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2022 10 October 2022

Disney Cruise Line is rumored to be potential buyer of Global Dream, the 9,000 passenger capacity newbuilding of failed Dream Cruises that remains at a shipyard in Germany.

The ship had been ordered by the Genting Hong Kong group unit at MV Werften shipyard in Germany, but all three companies went bankrupt in the wake of the collapse of the group parent.

Various media reports say that Disney cruise Line that is part of Walt Disney Corporation, would acquire the incomplete 208,000 gross ton vessel and that Meyer Werft that itself has built ships for Disney, would supervise the work to finish the ship.

Photo: CGI of the ship in the colours of Dream Cruise.

Meyer Turku and RMC in talks to get emergency funding – report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 October 2022 10 October 2022

Meyer Turku and Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), both Finnish shipbuilders that are active in the passenger ship sector, are reported to be in talks with the government about emergency funding.

Media reports in Finland say that Meyer Turku would seek €200 million in funding. Meanwhile RMC has already received €40 million from the state in the form of capital certificates in June, the reports say. Both companies made deep losses in 2021 as the Covid- 19 pandemic hurt their business.

Talks between the government and the shipbuilders are ongoing, the reports say.

Photo: Mardi Gras of Carnival Cruise Line was built at Meyer Turku