News

North American cruise industry economic impact $40.4 billion in 2011

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 07 September 2012 07 September 2012

The North American cruise industry continued to expand its contribution to the US economy in 2011 according to an independent study commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Direct purchases by CLIA’s 26 member lines and their passengers and crew totalled approximately $19 billion resulting in $40.4 billion in total economic impact. The related cruise industry spending generated nearly 350,000 jobs paying $16.5 billion in wages to American workers.

After a strong rebound in 2010 from the recessionary impacts of 2009, the North American cruise industry continued to expand in 2011 at a pace that matched the growth for key operating metrics the previous year. The continuing expansion allowed the industry to reach new highs for capacity and the number of passengers sailing on CLIA member cruise lines, with the North American cruise industry outpacing the growth of overall economic activity in the USA continued to be the economic driver for the industry, providing close to two-thirds of all global passengers and 60 percent of all cruise embarkations.

Christine Duffy, CLIA’s president and CEO, said: “In this uncertain economic environment, we are pleased to demonstrate the importance of the North American cruise industry to the US economy in creating jobs and positively impacting the residents of all 50 states through direct and indirect spending.

“These findings are further evidence that the industry’s ability to provide outstanding choice and value that resonate strongly with consumers work in beneficial ways for the country’s economy as well.”

“The Contribution of the North American Cruise Industry to the US Economy in 2011” was prepared for CLIA by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA) of Exton, Pennsylvania. The key findings include:

Total economic impact on the US economy grew by 6.8 percent to $40.42 billion in 2011, with direct spending by the cruise industry growing by 4.8 percent to $18.9 billion; total employment grew by 5.4 percent to 347,787 and wages and salaries jumped by 8.3 percent in 2011.

The North American cruise industry benefited every state economy through direct purchases of goods and services, with approximately 80 percent of the impact concentrated in ten states – Florida, California, New York, Texas, Alaska, Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois and Colorado.

#1 Florida cruise passenger and crew visits totalled 8.94 million in 2011, a 2.6 percent increase, with direct spending of $6.7 billion and 130,950 jobs that generated $5.76 billion in income.

#2 California cruise passenger and crew visits totalled 979,000, generating $1.86 billion in direct spending and creating 42,254 jobs that paid $2.3 billion in wages.

#3 New York, with 896,000 passenger and crew visits, accounted for 6.6 percent of the industry’s direct expenditures ($1.25 billion), generating 16,608 jobs paying $944 million in income.

#4 Texas received just over $1.12 billion in cruise industry direct spending, creating 17,316 jobs paying $917 million in income.

#5 Alaska received just over 4.8 million passenger and crew visits in 2011, a 1.4 percent increase over the previous year, which accounted for 5.4 percent of the industry’s direct spending ($1.02 billion generating 22,493 jobs paying $962 million in wage income.

Worldwide, 16.3 million people took cruise vacations on CLIA member lines in 2011, an increase of 10.1 percent over the previous year. US cruise passengers totalled 10.4 million, or 63.5 percent.

Star Cruises to introduce SuperStar Gemini after a US$50 million refurbishment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 06 September 2012 06 September 2012

Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in Asia-Pacific, has announced the launch of SuperStar Gemini, the 50,764 gross ton vessel which will soon undergo a US$ 50 million multi-faceted major refurbishment. She will be completely overhauled with upgraded navigational systems, new hull design and onboard facilities, including cabins, restaurants, entertainment and recreational venues, retail & bodycare outlets. Designed with an all-encompassing holiday experience in mind, SuperStar Gemini will immerse guests in a resort-at-sea environment with an edge - a shopping haven that promises a broad range of upmarket duty-free wristwatches, jewellery and handbags amidst idyllic and blissful cruise voyages.

SuperStar Gemini, formerly known as Norwegian Dream, will join SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Libra and Star Pisces to offer indelible holiday experiences for guests from Asia-Pacific and beyond.

In early 2013, SuperStar Gemini will parade herself through a series of inaugural cruises from Penang (2 - 24 Jan) calling at Krabi / Phuket in 17 cruises; a 7 days / 6 nights special cruise (24 Jan 1 Feb) to Singapore / Ho Chi Minh City / Nha Trang / Hong Kong; and from Sanya (1 Feb 31 March) calling at Danang / Halong Bay / Hong Kong in 26 cruises.

From April to Oct 2013, the vessel will commence her summer homeport deployment in Shanghai offering over 30 cruises in 4D3N to 7D6N itineraries to a number of highly popular destinations including Cheju, Busan, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Naha, Ishigaki and Keelung. A number of special chartered cross-strait itineraries from Shanghai to Taiwan is in the pipeline, subject to approval by the authorities. These cruises are expected to be highly sought after cruises drawing on the up-and-coming cruise markets in China and Taiwan.

After the Shanghai deployment, SuperStar Gemini will be homeported in Sanya in the winter season from mid-Oct 2013, calling at Vietnam ports amongst others.

William Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Star Cruises, said, As the leading Asia-Pacific cruise line, Star Cruises is proud to introduce another luxury vessel in Asia, serviced by our signature heart-warming Asian hospitality the freestyle way. SuperStar Gemini is a testament to our ongoing effort to expand our footprint in the region from our well-established key markets in Hong Kong, Penang, Sanya, Singapore and Taiwan. With the strengthened fleet, we are well-positioned to further develop the Asia-Pacific cruise market by introducing world-class cruising experience as a holiday option to the growing North Asia holidaymakers.

SuperStar Gemini was so re-christened as to highlight the constellation twins protection for seafarers and their fondness to delight mankind with joyful harp music. She will house a spate of onboard facilities where guests will find culinary pleasure and recreational fun, including restaurants of Chinese, Asian and international cuisines, open deck barbecue, show lounge, karaoke, spa & health club, beauty salon, childrens playroom and swimming pool. With a passenger capacity of 1,532, the vessel will house 766 guest cabins in a variety of layouts including ergonomic oceanview staterooms, smartly-styled junior suites and deluxe executive suites.

SuperStar Gemini will boost a shopping area of over 4,000 square feet, providing a premier duty-free shopping experience like no other. A number of luxury retailers has come on board to enrich this shopping experience with high-end wristwatches, jewellery as well as a wide range of luxury items such as designer handbags, purses, perfumes, sunglasses, accessories and fashion items.

SuperStar Geminis refurbishment follows SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius and Star Pisces, which all underwent a make-over last year totaling over US $38 million. As part of Star Cruises ongoing refurbishment exercise, SuperStar Libra will also undergo refurbishment in early 2013.

Gerard Tempest appointed to new post of CCO at Carnival UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 05 September 2012 05 September 2012

Gerard Tempest has been appointed in the new role of chief commercial officer (CCO) for Carnival UK. Tempest will report to David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK, and will be responsible for all commercial and marketing activities for its two UK based brands, P&O Cruises and Cunard Line, Carnival UK said in a statement.

Tempest, who will begin at Carnival UK in early December, is currently sales and marketing director of Whitbread’s Hotels and Restaurants division. Alongside other divisional duties, he is responsible for the highly successful Premier Inn brand which has seen impressive growth and business performance in recent years.

Commercial director Nigel Esdale, managing director P&O Cruises Carol Marlow and president and managing director Cunard Line Peter Shanks will report into Tempest in the new structure.

David Dingle commented: "Gerard brings with him a very impressive track record and has over 20 years’ experience of the hospitality industry in senior commercial and marketing positions, having worked on a number of successful UK and international brands including Marriott and Thistle Hotels. We are delighted to welcome him to Carnival UK."