News

Global cruise market reached 20 million passengers 2011

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 13 September 2012 13 September 2012

The number of people around the world who took a cruise holiday grew by 10% last year – an increase of almost two million people which topped 20 million global ocean cruise passengers for the first time.

The figures were compiled from industry associations including the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the European Cruise Council, Passenger Shipping Association, International Cruise Council Australasia and industry analysts G P Wild (International) Limited. The numbers increased from 18.7 million to 20.6 million between 2010 and 2011. The main markets are North America (11.5 million) and Europe (6.2 million).

Christine Duffy, CLIA President and CEO, said: “We are delighted to see 10% annual global growth in cruise passengers last year, with milestones being broken all over the world as growth continues. This is the first time that European figures have passed six million and the first time Australian cruise passengers have topped half a million.

“The latest statistics clearly show that the cruise industry has proved resilient during difficult economic conditions and these results are a testament to the industry’s ongoing innovation and investment. As we continually improve operations, an d add new and exciting innovations and itineraries, we’re confident our sector has huge potential for continued growth on a global basis.”

William Gibbons, Director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said: “ British ocean cruise passengers exceeded 1.7 million for the first time in 2011 and are currently the second largest source of cruise passengers in the world. We’re looking forward to that growth continuing as new ships come on stream to satisfy demand.” European cruise numbers last year were up nine per cent on the 5.56 million Europeans who took a cruise in 2010.

Countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and France have seen cruise passengers increase by an average of seven per cent to 15% in the past five years. Australia is a region of rapid growth, with cruise passengers increasing by 30% in the past year to exceed more than half a million for the first time. The International Cruise Council Australasia has predicted that there will be one million Australians who will take a cruise holiday in 2020.

Carnival Corporation appoints Pier Luigi Foschi to oversee company's Asian cruise strategies

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 September 2012 12 September 2012

Carnival Corporation & plc has appointed Costa Cruises Chairman Pier Luigi Foschi to oversee the company’s growth strategies within the rapidly expanding Asian region.

In his role as chairman and chief executive officer of the new Carnival Asia unit, Foschi will be responsible for establishing Carnival Corporation & plc’s new corporate offices in Singapore and providing guidance and assistance to the organization’s various operating units in pursuing their Asian cruise strategies.

Currently, Carnival Corporation & plc’s Asia operations include two Costa Cruises ships based in China and Singapore and Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess, which will launch a series of voyages from Japan next spring.

Foschi, who retired as CEO of Costa Cruises in July, will continue to serve in his current role of chairman and a managing director of the Costa group and as a member of the board of directors of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Foschi has extensive experience in the Asian marketplace, overseeing Costa’s initial entry into the region in 2006 and has also maintained excellent relationships with local government and tourism officials. Additionally, prior to joining Costa, Foschi resided in Hong Kong and Singapore for many years while serving as executive vice president of Pacific Asia operations for the Otis Elevator Company.

"With Asia such an important part of our global strategy, it’s critical that we increase our presence in the region by establishing this new office in Singapore and appointing an experienced executive to coordinate our current operations and our future expansion efforts," said Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc’s chairman and CEO. "Pier is the ideal candidate for this new role and considering that his responsibilities at Costa are winding down, we are delighted that he agreed to oversee our growth strategies in this emerging cruise region," he added.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to focus on the luxury and expedition segments

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 07 September 2012 07 September 2012

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has announced its future strategy will be focused on luxury and expedition cruises and is looking to grow these segments by expanding its international marketing activities. The newly-built Europa 2 – "sister ship" to the existing EUROPA – will be positioned in the 5-star luxury segment as of May 2013. In addition to the Hanseatic and Bremen in the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet, growth opportunities in the expedition segment will be identified and evaluated.

In German-speaking countries, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is regarded today as one of the leading operators in the luxury and expedition segment. The expansion of marketing activities in international markets goes hand-in-hand with the focus on the areas of luxury and expedition. "By consistently focusing on these two pillars, we strive to enhance further our strength and our leading position as regards quality in these segments and at the same time we will address new markets," explains Dr. Wolfgang Flägel, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

Selected cruises aboard all of the ships of the present fleet, except for the Columbus 2, will be marketed internationally. "With Europa 2, we will put into service a ship designed to offer an international flair and address a sophisticated, cosmopolitan target group, planning in future to increase market share in English-speaking countries such as the USA, UK, Belgium and the Netherlands," adds Flägel. The first English-language EUROPA 2 brochure is due to be published in mid September.

Columbus 2: The Hamburg-based operator has taken over operation of the Columbus 2 from Oceania Cruises in the context of a two-year charter contract through to April 2014.