News

CLIA, ECC announce new lifeboat training measure

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 September 2012 20 September 2012

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the European Cruise Council (ECC)have announced that the cruise industry has adopted an additional safety policy regarding the loading of lifeboats by crewmembers for training purposes, the two organisations said in a joint statement.

"This policy, which exceeds current international regulatory requirements, is an outcome of the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review, which was launched in January 2012," they said.

The new ‘Life Boat Loading for Training Purposes’ policy requires the launching and full loading of a lifeboat at least once every six months for crew training purposes. The policy applies to all oceangoing members of CLIA and ECC, and is effective immediately.

During the training, the lifeboat is filled to capacity with crewmembers and manoeuvered in the water to facilitate familiarization with lifeboat operations. It is mandatory that all crewmembers involved in operating or loading of lifeboats attend the drill. Smaller ships with less than 300 crewmembers will conduct similar training as appropriate.

“The cruise industry continues to work on a global level to improve the safety of passengers and crew, which is our number one priority,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. “Since January of this year, and in keeping with our efforts to continuously improve operational excellence, the global cruise industry has voluntarily adopted seven wide-ranging safety policies. We remain fully committed to exploring further enhancements in a number of areas that will add to the industry’s excellent safety record.”

Commenting on the new policy David Dingle, member of the European Cruise Council executive, said: “This policy exceeds current stringent international regulatory requirements and has been independently verified by highly respected marine safety experts. It, along with the other seven policies voluntarily adopted by the industry this year, underlines our absolute commitment to continuously improving safety for our passengers and crew. We are determined to ensure that cruising remains the safest holiday choice.”

Carnival Cruise Lines to modify US travel agent commission tiers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 September 2012 20 September 2012

Carnival Cruise Lines will modify its U.S. travel agent commission tiers for new bookings made as of 1 January , 2013. "The modification will not impact business sold during 2012 for 2013 or 2014 sailings. This is the first modification to commission tiers Carnival has made in the past 10 years and the majority of travel agents will not see a change to their current commission level," the company said in a statement.

With the new modifications in place, travel agent commission tiers will now be more in line with the marketplace, as well as reflect Carnival's 50 percent capacity growth during the past 10 years. Additionally, in order to simplify the structure, the basis on which commission percentages are determined for each travel agency will be modified.

Commission percentages will continue to be based on volume instead of revenue and will be based on net cabin volume in 2013 rather than the current seven-day equivalent volume structure. This change is the result of agency feedback which indicated that the seven-day equivalent structure was cumbersome and confusing.

"We rely on and appreciate the support of travel agents and remain fully committed to helping them grow their businesses," said Lynn Torrent, executive vice president of sales and guest services for Carnival Cruise Lines. "Most North American cruise brands have decreased capacity in the U.S. as they've substantially increased international sourcing and deployment, while Carnival remains focused on the U.S. market. As such, Carnival pays more commission to U.S. travel agents than any other cruise brand and the vast majority of our guests are sourced from the U.S. which continues to create huge earnings opportunities for domestic travel agents."

Added Torrent, "The Carnival brand has been, and will continue to be all about providing fun and memorable vacations at a great value. We are committed to our brand and product, and to ensuring a healthy and robust distribution system. Carnival continues to focus on helping strengthen the travel agent distribution system by investing millions of dollars in growing the number of new cruisers and investing in tools and training to help travel agents more efficiently and effectively grow their business with us."

New York icons The Rockettes named godmothers of Norwegian Breakaway

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 18 September 2012 18 September 2012

Norwegian Cruise Line and MSG Entertainment announced today that the Rockettes, one of New York's most illustrious and beloved icons, will christen Norwegian Breakaway as the official Godmothers, further strengthening the ship's strong ties to New York. The christening ceremony will take place in New York City on May 8, 2013 on board Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round in New York. The partnership with the Rockettes will include Norwegian Cruise Line as the designated "Official Cruise Line" of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall, and as the "Official Partner"of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. As part of their role as Godmothers, two Rockettes will sail aboard the first six sailings of Norwegian Breakaway, beginning May 12, 2013, and the first sailing of each month thereafter, taking part in special events for guests to enjoy.

"Norwegian Breakaway is being designed as New York's ship and we want everyone to know that this is the "must-sail" cruise ship from New York in 2013 and beyond," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "I strongly believe that the Rockettes, one of the most beloved and recognizable New York icons, are the perfect choice to serve as the ship's Godmothers. The Rockettes not only epitomize New York, they are known as strong role models and talented stars. We couldn't be more pleased to have these renowned dancers as the Godmothers of New York's ship, Norwegian Breakaway."

"We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line as we bring together three of our iconic New York based properties in the MSG Entertainment portfolio, Radio City Music Hall, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the legendary Rockettes," said Melissa Ormond, president, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. "This signature partnership will provide Norwegian Cruise Line with unprecedented access to the Rockettes, Radio City and the Christmas Spectacular, providing their customers an opportunity to experience firsthand these New York icons. The Rockettes have been beloved by millions of fans for the past 85 years in New York and it is such an honor to celebrate their legacy as the official Godmothers of the largest ship ever to homeport in New York City."

The larger partnership across the MSGE properties, Radio City Music Hall, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the Rockettes, will create expansive brand exposure for Norwegian Cruise Line at Radio City Music Hall, including onsite venue presence during the 2012 production of the Christmas Spectacular. Guests attending this year's Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall can participate in the "Spectacular Sweeps," a sweepstakes that can be entered right from their seats with the opportunity to win one of two cruises for a family of four on Norwegian Breakaway.

Norwegian Cruise Line will have a year-round display in Radio City Music Hall's Grand Lounge that features an 11-foot replica of Norwegian Breakaway, along with information on the ship's unique attributes, entertainment, dining, destinations and more.
Onboard Norwegian Breakaway, the Rockettes,with their unparalleled grace, athleticism and precision technique that has made them part of the fabric of New York City for 85 years, will be showcased with a variety of offerings, including a historical retrospective in the ship's library, exclusive fitness class designed by the Rockettes, featured beverages and more. On select sailings, guests will have the exclusive opportunity to meet two of the Rockettes. Sailing on the first six cruises from New York, as well as the first sailing of every month, two Rockettes will offer special fitness classes, photo opportunities, meet and greet speaker series and more.

"Having two Rockettes on board select sailings is going to be a very special opportunity for our guests to have more interaction with these incredibly talented and dynamic women," added Sheehan. "This truly takes the role of Godmother to a new level as the Rockettes will be a special part of Norwegian Breakaway's unique cruising experience."

Starting with their inaugural New York City performance in 1927, the Rockettes have wowed audiences for the last 85 years. From appearances on the Tony Awards, Project Runway, Dancing with the Stars and the Super Bowl Halftime Show to Presidential inaugurations, the Rockettes are the epitome of teamwork and the embodiment of the belief that "together we're better." Each dancer achieved their lifelong dream of becoming a Rockette through hard work, determination, dedication and dreaming big. Known for their rich history, unrivaled talent, strength, dynamism, precision and athleticism, the Rockettes have become one of the nation's most beloved icons. As the stars of the annual Christmas Spectacular production, the Rockettes entertain more than one million people each year and have played to 75 different cities across the country with the national touring production.

Known as the showplace of the nation, Radio City Music Hall has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment and music since it opened its doors on December 27, 1932. More than 300 million people have come to the Music Hall to enjoy stage shows, movies, concerts and special events, as well as the annual Christmas Spectacular production. The 2012 edition of the Christmas Spectacular invites audiences to take part in the Rockettes Celebration! This year's production commemorates 85 years of the past, present and future of the Rockettes featuring dazzling dance numbers, beloved favorites, breathtaking special effects and a brand new showcase featuring the Rockettes' most extraordinary costumes through the years, alongside beloved favorites that have been in the show since its inception.