Top Headlines

Mark Conroy to assume new role with Prestige Cruise Holdings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 03 October 2012 03 October 2012

Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) has announced that Mark Conroy will be appointed as an Executive Advisor to the company beginning January 31, 2013 when he will step down as President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC). In his new role, Conroy will advise Frank Del Rio, PCH’s Chairman and CEO, and Kunal S. Kamlani, PCH’s President and COO on a series of core business strategies. PCH is the parent company of Oceania Cruises (OCI) and RSSC.

"Mark is a true professional and respected cruise industry expert who has been the guiding force behind Regent Seven Seas Cruises and its success since the very beginning," Del Rio said. "His insights into travel agent and guest relations, product development, and sales and marketing strategies have been and will continue to be an invaluable asset across our portfolio of brands."

"I’m very much looking forward to my new advisory role and taking a step back from the daily grind and extensive travel associated with running an international cruise line,” Conroy said. “I enter my new role with the confidence that the day-to-day running of the company is in the capable hands of a seasoned team."

Effective January 31, 2013, Kamlani will assume the role of President of RSSC in addition to his current responsibilities as President of OCI. Additionally, RSSC-veteran Randall Soy, CTC, has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, reporting directly to Kamlani.

"We have one of the best teams in the industry," Del Rio said. "In a little more than a year since he rejoined the company, Kunal has successfully delivered many of the innovations that have benefited our guests and travel agent partners alike including the company’s new anti-rebating policy across both brands, the expansion of our Oceania Club loyalty program and the successful launch of the second new vessel in the company’s history."

"Mark has led an incredible team that is known for consistently delivering an ultra-luxury experience that is second to none," Kamlani said. "I look forward to continuing our focus on our onboard product and service excellence that our guests have come to expect."
In his new role, Soy will be directly responsible for all marketing, sales and e-commerce strategies for RSSC. Soy is the company’s longest-tenured employee at more than 22 years.

"Randall is extremely well respected within the company and by our travel agent partners," Del Rio continued. "I am confident that under Kunal and Randall’s leadership, the team will continue to deliver the extraordinary sales and marketing support that our travel partners have come to expect as we prepare RSSC for an entirely new phase of growth."

Soy began his career with Seven Seas Cruise Line in 1990 and has held a variety of progressive senior roles including Director of National Accounts and Group Sales, Vice President of Channel Sales and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Sales. While at RSCC, he initiated the company’s first Business Development Manager Team; launched the brand’s Seven Seas Council top producer program; and expanded the company’s investment and resources for national and key accounts.

RCCL said to be close to order third Oasis class ship from STX Finland

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 03 October 2012 03 October 2012

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the second larges cruise shipping group in the world, is reportedly close to placing an order for a third Oasis class cruise ship with STX Finland’s Turku shipyard, a Finnish media report says.

The fate of the project depends largely on finance and the Finnish government’s economic affairs committee will discuss the matter in its meeting tomorrow Thursday, the Turun Sanomat daily reports. It does not disclose the source of its information.

STX Finland, which is part of the South Korea based STX Business Group’s STX Europe shipbuilding unit, has built two 226,000 gross ton Oasis class vessels for Royal Caribbean International, the contemporary market unit in the RCCL group.

Both vessels operate year-round in the Caribbean and the US source market has performed quite well in recent times is terms of yields and booking levels, cruise industry companies have said.

Silver Cloud to undergo major refit at Palermo in November

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 01 October 2012 01 October 2012

Starting this November, Silversea Cruises' 1994 built Silver Cloud will welcome guests to a stylishly renovated shipboard environment brimming with a host of new enhancements, the company said in a statement.

"A major stem-to-stern refurbishment will take place this month, with most of the work being completed during a three-week dry dock at Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo, Italy. Overseeing the design and construction elements of the project is renowned Italian architect Giacomo Mortola," Silversea said.

The goal is to completely renovate Silver Cloud's interior decoration, including the suites, public spaces and dining venues, in order to introduce a fresh and contemporary classic atmosphere. Silversea is making a significant financial investment in this refurbishment to ensure its guests experience a renewed sense of luxury and comfort when sailing aboard Silver Cloud.

Highlights of Silver Cloud's makeover will include:

Refreshed Public Spaces: As soon as guests step aboard Silver Cloud, they will notice a totally renewed lobby displaying a color palette of warm earth tones that will be carried throughout most areas of the ship with the installation of stylish new carpets, wall treatments and artwork in the corridors, staircases and public spaces. Providing contrast to the main color scheme of the ship will be The Bar, which will be decorated in cooler shades of teal mixed with neutral tones of brown and beige. All new furniture, carpet, curtains and reconditioned wood flooring will give the Panorama Lounge a refreshed contemporary look, while The Spa and Beauty Salon will also get a makeover.

Dining Enhancements:

-- Le Champagne, the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea, will be completely transformed with an upgraded entrance design, the addition of gleaming, backlit wine displays, a redesigned seating layout, and new wood flooring, fabrics and window treatments.

--La Terrazza's updated interior will include a remodeled buffet area and handsome new banquettes along the walls, offering greater seating flexibility, including more tables for two.

--The Restaurant will be refreshed with chairs dressed in bright new fabrics, new window treatments and reconditioned hardwood flooring.

--The Grill, with its unique interactive dining concept, will now be featured aboard Silver Cloud as the existing Pool Bar and Grill area is expanded with additional seating, a large overhead awning, and the removal of the central stair unit, which will be replaced with a curving corner staircase. At this new outdoor restaurant, guests will enjoy an innovative dining experience that lets them cook prime meats and fresh seafood on heated volcanic rocks at their table.

Sophisticated New Decor for Suites: The sofas and chairs will be updated with new fabrics. All carpets, headboards, curtains and outside veranda furniture will be replaced. Each suite will have a new mattress custom-made exclusively for Silversea. The mattress will feature an individual spring system with a soft and firm side that can be reversed to suit each guest's preference. The new beds will be outfitted with plush new Pratesi sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers. All bathrooms will be enhanced with new flooring, marble appointments and either a new bath-and-shower combination or a new walk-in, glass-enclosed rainforest shower with sitting area, offering a soothing, spa-like experience. (This will replace the existing bath-and-shower combination in nearly 90% of the Veranda and Vista Suites). The Owner's and Grand Suites will be outfitted with a modern wet room bath configuration featuring a new rainforest shower that will be separate from the bathtub.

Upgraded Outdoor Spaces: The jogging track will feature all-new synthetic turf and the pool area will be outfitted with new deck furniture.

In addition to enjoying a fresh reconditioning and polishing of teak decks and woodwork, the ship will undergo thorough maintenance on mechanical and propulsion systems. Silver Cloud's sister ship Silver Wind has already undergone a corresponding refurbishment.

Royal Caribbean promotes Rice, Liberty, Bauer and Lutoff-Perlo

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 26 September 2012 26 September 2012

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has announced that Brian Rice has been promoted to Vice Chairman and CFO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. In this expanded role, Rice will continue to oversee the finance function, but also take on responsibility for the company's supply chain department, as well as focusing more on strategic issues. Rice will continue to report directly to Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO.

Rice has been with Royal Caribbean for over 20 years, most recently as Executive Vice President and CFO. Prior to that, Rice has served in a variety of senior management positions, including Senior Vice President, Revenue Performance, where he was responsible for revenue management, air/sea, groups, international operations, decision support, reservations and customer service. He has also served as Vice President, Market Planning and Development; and Director, Revenue Planning and Analysis.

In a related move, Jason Liberty has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Strategy and Finance, and in his new role will continue to report to Rice. Liberty will assume responsibility for overseeing Strategic Planning, Corporate Planning, Investor Relations, Deployment and Treasury functions. Liberty joined Royal Caribbean in 2005, and most recently served as Vice President, Corporate, Revenue Planning and Insurance – responsible for corporate and capital planning, revenue planning and systems, energy management, newbuild and risk management.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean International has appointed Lisa Bauer as Executive Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing and Lisa Lutoff-Perlo Executive Vice President of Operations. Bauer and Lutoff-Perlo will continue to report to Adam Goldstein, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. Since joining the company in 2002, Bauer has had responsibility for several key functions including, at various times, Royal Caribbean International's sales department and hotel services areas. As EVP of Global Sales & Marketing, Bauer is responsible for Royal Caribbean International's worldwide marketing and revenue management as well as for the corporation's sales and marketing offices around the world.

Lutoff-Perlo is a 27 year veteran of the company who has served in a variety of roles within both Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. She started at Royal Caribbean International as District Sales Manager for New England. More recently she was responsible for Celebrity Cruises entire hotel operation including introducing the Solstice class of award winning ships. In her new role as EVP of Operations for Royal Caribbean International, Lutoff-Perlo will be responsible for all of Royal Caribbean International's Hotel Operations as well as its Marine and Port Operations.

"I am excited that these powerful leaders will further strengthen our organization and help drive our profitability into the future," said Fain. "I've always believed it is our people who are the key to our success and who continue to make Royal Caribbean a leader in the vacation industry worldwide."

Arison reiterates newbuilding pace, focus on emerging markets, says old ships could be sold

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 25 September 2012 25 September 2012

Micky Arison, Chairman and CEO of Carnival Corp & plc, said that in keeping with the company’s previously stated strategy of introducing two to three new ships per year, the company has seven new ships scheduled for delivery between 2013 and 2016, some of which will replace existing capacity reductions from possible sales of older ships.

Arison also noted that the company expects to direct capacity growth toward the continued development of emerging cruise markets. The company has almost tripled its guest sourcing from emerging cruise markets in the past five years. For 2013, the company will capitalize on the increasing popularity of cruising in Asia with the deployment of a second Costa ship in China and the launch of a new Princess Cruises program for the Japanese market, he said in a statement.

Arison stated, “Looking forward, we remain committed to a measured pace of newbuilds and achieving a strategic balance of supply and demand in established markets.” Arison added, “Our lower capital commitments should result in significant excess free cash flow in the coming years which we intend to return to shareholders.”