PLUS: BUILDING AND REFURBISHMENT | MARINE OPERATIONS | ONBOARD EXPERIENCE | PORTS AND DESTINATIONS

GREEN MATTERSMeeting sustainability goals

SCALING UPKeeping up with cruise orders

The global guide to passenger shipping

Sprin

g/S

um

me

r 20

17

£12.

50

SUSTAINABLE REGENERATIONPursuing plans to turn Victoria’s Ogden Point into a thriving destination that shows off local culture

GROWTH: Insights from FCCA president Michele Paige

KEYNOTE: Arnold Donald reflects on a year of record-breaking success

NEW CEO: Stena Line’s Niclas Mårtensson on efficient operations

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Spring/Summ

er 2017

Words simply can’t describe the experience of sailing through the Inside Passage from Vancouver to

Alaska. Guests begin their journey in one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world before

travelling along British Columbia’s majestic coastline. With so much to see, it’s hard to say what your

guests will talk about more – the journey or the destination.

Make Vancouver your Alaska cruise homeport. Visit portvancouver.com to learn more.

How’s the Alaska cruisefrom Vancouver?

File: 220039-03 Cruise_Intl_Cruise_Ferry Project: MagazineAd

Size: 210mm x 280mmBleed 216mm x 286mm

Project Manager: Maddie Davidson Designer: Ryan Semeniuk

Client: Port Metro Vancouver JULY 19, 2016 3:39 PM Operator: DLiddle

Colours: 4C Publication: International Cruise and Ferry

Give your guests more to talk about.

220039-03 Cruise_Intl_Cruise_Ferry.indd 1 7/19/16 3:39 PM

When you operate14 cruise ports around the world,

you find hundreds of waysto improve things.

Yet, in the end, the only waythat ma�ers to us is your way.

PRIORITY NUMBER 1:

BARCELONA • MALAGA • VENICE • LISBON • VALLETTA • RAVENNA • CAGLIARI • CATANIA • KUSADASI • BODRUM • ANTALYA • BAR • DUBROVNIK • SINGAPORE

globalportsholding.com

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

GP ilan son 21*28.pdf 1 15/02/2017 15:30

http://bahamas.com/

3

s we celebrate our 25th year, it would be easy to reflect on past glories. But passenger shipping is far too forward thinking for such

self-absorbed eulogies. This is a truly best foot forward omnibus edition with well over 100 industry executives, contributors and our in-house team all much more interested in originality, collaboration and gutsy hard work to ensure a bright future in this business.

With the newbuild order book acting as the standard barometer for maritime market strength, the cruise sector remains in fine fettle while other sectors flounder. This strength reverberates through the supply sector as companies seek to replenish lost revenues from other shipping markets through an improved cruise portfolio. And from this activity comes invention and innovation as companies seek a competitive edge. Of course, the cruise lines are not ignorant of their appeal in these good times and while they have been criticised for driving prices down and squeezing (or, in the apparent case of European shorex, sometimes removing) margins, they must be applauded for their willingness to embrace and adopt new ideas and technologies. Arnold Donald (in our keynote on page 11) and Adam Goldstein (on page 46) both embody this driven mentality and talk fervently about new goals and fresh ideas in our interviews with them in this issue. Goldstein captures the essence of the industry’s frame of mind, even in a quiet newbuilding year he is very “focused on generating fantastic experiences.”

While the ferry sector rightly continues to rely on old tonnage, it too will reap the benefits of advances made in the cruise sector – particularly in retrofit technologies and in the evolution of customer experience programmes. But once passengers have been given a flavour of what a great experience tastes like, sailing on a ship that has not kept pace with the rest of the market will be less palatable. Our Ferry Business contributors in this issue need not fear such cautionary undertones as they are all leading a charge to change the perception of ferry travel. Though at opposite ends of the business, Søren Poulsgaard Jensen and Sean Collins are both progressive thinkers and share how they’re championing innovation and improved customer satisfaction in our interviews with them on pages 74 and 88. Likewise, do our other contributors throughout the rest of the magazine.

Even in a big magazine, space prevents me from introducing you to more of what can be found inside. I hope you enjoy finding out for yourselves. Finally, a big thank you to all of our contributors, readers and advertisers over the past 25 years. We’re proud to partner with you in this exciting and vibrant industry, and look forward to reaching our half century by your side! C&F

Jon IngletonExecutive Editor

Celebrating future success

FOREWORD

CONTRIBUTORSSam Ballard Sam gained his experience in the industry as a section editor on ICFR. He is now a freelance journalist and independent publisher focused on the cruise sector.

Justin Merrigan Justin is a communications practitioner with over 25 years of experience in the ferry sector, including 10 years in PR for Incat in Tasmania.

David MottDavid has been a print and broadcast journalist for consumer and trade titles for more than 40 years, latterly specialising in the cruise and ferry industries.

Susan ParkerSusan has written about the shipping industry since 1990 and was editor of Lloyd’s Cruises International until 2008. She is a freelance cruise shipping specialist.

Sandra SpearesSandra has more than 20 years’ experience of writing about the cruise and ferry industry, and the technical, legal and regulatory issues affecting the sector.

International Cruise & Ferry Review is a member of:

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of 27 countries and territories, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members.www.onecaribbean.org

CLIA is the world’s largest cruise association and is dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise industry. CLIA was formed in 1975 in response to a need for an association to promote the special benefits of cruising. www.cruising.org

Interferry is the only shipping association representing the ferry industry worldwide. There are currently 220 members (representing approximately 500 individuals) from 34 countries.www.interferry.com

Run by and for the benefit of the cruise line industry, The Marine Hotel Association is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing quality through open dialogue between brands and committed suppliers.www.mhaweb.org

Established in Beijing in 2012, World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) is a non-profit international organisation whose members include many major cities and tourism-related institutions.http://en.wtcf.travel

Follow the Sun

As the largest tonnage provider for the expedition market, SunStone Ships offers guidance for fleet & vessel

owners as well as other stakeholders. SunStone specializes in commercial management of passenger ships and

is responsible for the buying, selling and chartering of the 10 vessels under its managed fleet. Embark on a never-

ending exploration of the globe, with the direction and hands-on experience of SunStone Ships.

Wherever Your Destination… SunStone Can Take You There. www.sunstoneships.com

M/V OCEAN DIAMOND

M/V OCEAN ENDEAVOUR

M/V SEA DISCOVERER

M/V SEA SPIRIT

M/V OCEAN ATLANTIC

M/V SEA ENDURANCE

M/V OCEAN NOVA

M/V SEA ADVENTURER

M/V SILVER DISCOVERER

M/V VICTORY I

G U I D A N C E • I N N O V A T I O N • S E R V I C E

5

CONTENTSUPFRONT CRUISE BUSINESS FERRY BUSINESS

46 A time to prepare: Adam Goldstein views 2017 as a year of consolidation and innovation for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.48 Lap of luxury: Larry Pimentel speaks about Azamara Club Cruises’ success in the luxury sector51 Expansion plans gather pace: Gianni Onorato tells us why MSC Cruises has never been a cruise line to let the grass grow under its feet55 Cruising like a local: Orlando Ashford outlines how Holland America Line is giving guests opportunities to learn and grow58 Changing times: Richard J. Vogel shares his key priorities in his new role as president and CEO of Pullmantur Group60 Lofty ambitions: Dan Mahar explains why luxury river cruise operator Tauck is well equipped for the future62 Crystal clear: Edie Rodriguez talks about the breakneck speed of Crystal Cruises’ growth trajectory 66 High tech cruise time: Carnival Cruise Line’s Vista class is bringing high tech cruising to guests, says Christine Duffy68 Building for the future: Neil Palomba shares why Costa Cruises is investing in its hardware and people to keep up with demand70 Polar adventures: Daniel Skjeldam highlights why Hurtigruten is perfect for the more adventurous traveller72 Better together: Cindy D’Aoust discusses her first 12 months at the helm of Cruise Line International Association

76 Making history on the Solent: Keith Greenfield talks about the investments Wightlink is making to keep its fleet fresh 78 Breaking records in Alaska: Captain Michael Neussl gives us an update on two of the largest vessels ever built in Alaska80 Taking the helm: Niclas Mårtensson talks about his new role as chief executive of European ferry operator Stena Line82 Capturing the Tasmanian Spirit: Bernard Dwyer tells us how Spirit of Tasmania is helping to grow the economy of Australian’s island state84 A successful past, a positive future: Max Foster tells us how service investments, new ferries and hard work are helping DFDS to grow86 Building on 165 years of success: Martin Dorchester reflects on CalMac’s plans for improving services 88 Better than the competition: Sean Collins chats about MBNA Thames Clippers success with shareholders and passengers90 Investing in green ferries: Paul Melles talks about Rederij Doeksen’s order for two eco-friendly catamarans from Strategic Marine91 A long life for the ferry fleet: Michael Grey highlights why the ferry industry is enjoying long-term success93 Expanding growth and influence: New CEO Mike Corrigan sets the stage for further development of Interferry

OPERATING TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT Cruise line executives share their thoughts on current and future green technology, and environmental challenges and goals

FORWARD-THINKING ENVIRONMENTALISTSSøren Poulsgaard shares why Scandlines is investing in hybrid ferries and scrubbers

EXCEEDING ALL EXPECTATIONSArnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, shares how the company overcame past voyage incidents and reputation issues to generate full-speed-ahead momentum and produce record financial performance

MARKETWATCH CLIA and cruise ports worldwide report all-time highs; cruise and ferry lines debut new vessels; operators prioritise environmental sustainability and LNG; ports sign new homeporting deals; and much more

THE REGENERATION OF OGDEN POINTDevelopments are underway at Victoria’s cruise terminal as Greater Victoria Harbour Authority goes ahead with its grand Master Plan to transform the port into a thriving destination that shows off local heritage and culture

Wärtsilä connects the dots Wärtsilä is the world leader in shipping, with the only complete marine offering. It includes all the

electrical and automation solutions you may possibly need. Because we know how all the parts

are made, we are the best at integration as well. We are very serious about fun – and know how

to ensure the optimal experience at sea or on land.

Thanks To wärTsilä funa, fred dances for The firsT

Time since 1984

wärTsilä has all The elecTrical and auTomaTion

soluTions you need

we are The reliable inTegraTor wiTh compelling audio and

sTunning video sysTems

We take fun seriously

read more at wartsila.com/funa meet us at seAtrAde crUise GloBAl, 13 - 16 march 2017, florida, usa, stand 407

7

CONTENTS

BUILDING & REFURBISHMENT MARINE OPERATIONS

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL The cruise order book covers everything from expedition to LNG-powered ships

SECURING THE FUTURE BC Ferries and AmaWaterways highlight the innovations that are making operations safer and more eco-friendly

98 Big ferries stay popular: Future Brexit uncertainty is not stopping European ferry operators from modernising their fleets with new tonnage100 Keeping things moving: A look at the latest repair and refurbishment projects that have taken place at some of the world’s leading shipyards104 Setting its course: Victoria Shipyards is ideally placed to increase its already bulging order book, says Joseph O’Rourke 106 Entering new markets: Turkey’s Cemre Shipyard is making a name for itself in the ferry sector107 An impressive record: Navantia Shiprepairs is building a solid reputation in the Mediterranean cruise ship repair and refurbishment market 108 Building expertise: Norway’s Fosen Yard offers services for operators wanting to build cruise and expedition ships, and passenger ferries

114 The path to greener shipping: An overview of the latest naval best practices that are improving operational efficiency for passenger ship owners118 Industry experts: Olaf Groeger explains how Columbia Cruise Services is making a big noise by staying small119 Day to day planning: Adonis is helping DFDS to create crew rotas for its ferries120 Always available: Angela Plott outlines how the Republic of the Marshall Islands Registry benefits cruise operators worldwide121 A revolution in rescue craft: Viking Life-Saving Equipment’s LifeCraft is moving closer to its official launch122 Navigating the remote: SunStone Ships provides a full management service to 10 expedition cruise vessels

ONBOARD EXPERIENCE

ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL We explore how today’s cruise lines are competing to create the ultimate onboard entertainment offering

128 What’s new and next? Bigger, better and jam-packed with entertainment, the newbuilds of 2017 will be some of the most impressive yet134 Cruise ship design trends to watch: An overview of the industry trends that are influencing the design of ship interiors and outside spaces140 Game-changing interior designs: AD Associates is quietly carving a niche for itself within the luxury marine sector142 A new beginning: We find out about the all-new YSADESIGN as it positions itself for growth in 2017 and beyond

144 To dream a dream: SMC Design’s work for Dream Cruises means the company can offer a more holistic experience for guests 147 Timeless appeal: Marco de Jorio reflects on De Jorio Design International’s successful partnership with MSC Cruises149 Cutting through the noise: Tillberg Design of Sweden has seen a 500% growth in business as ship operators strive to differentiate themselves150 Newbuild quality for refits: MJM Marine has successfully reinvented its outfitting approach using a Porsche-inspired methodology153 The true value of art: Artlink’s Tal Danai speaks about the importance of art in helping to enrich the onboard guest experience 154 Colour impressions: Textile design consultant Georgina Wright explains the art of colour palette development and selection155 Creating floating gardens: Barbara Bressem highlights how Dauerflora uses plants and greenery to transform passenger ships157 Staying one step ahead: Markko Takkinen highlights Antti Marine’s new projects and the growth in demand for marine doors

158 Creating the perfect cruise experience: Michael Jungen gives an insight into Ocean Medallion and how it will help Carnival Corporation personalise the guest experience160 The rising tide of onboard spend: Pragma Consulting advises how cruise lines can boost revenue by improving the onboard customer experience162 A wave of innovation: Heineken’s BrewLock system helps some of the biggest cruise and ferry lines to deliver fresh draft beer onboard their vessels164 Every centimetre counts: MKN explains how its range of SpaceCombi combi steamers make best use of available 165 Happy crew, happy guests: Dietmar Wertanzl outlines how CMI Leisure can help shipowners, charterers and operators to manage crew and hotel services 166 Mastering cruise cuisine: OSM Maritime Group believes the easy way to recruit the best people is to train them in house168 Better, faster communication: Pramod Arora tells us how Wireless Maritime Services is enhancing guest experiences and helping cruise lines boost revenue

Executive editor Jon IngletonAssociate editor Rebecca GibsonPublisher Nolan AndrewsEditorial team Sean Dudley, Lindsay JamesManaging editor Rebecca LambertFerry industry advisor Simon Johnson, YS CommsSustainable shipping advisor Michele Witthaus, Tangible ThingsEditorial contributors Sam Ballard, Michael Grey, Justin Merrigan, David Mott, Susan Parker, Sandra Speares

Advertising For advertising enquiries, please contactTudor Rose on +44 116 222 9900 or info@cruiseandferry.netAccount managers Christian Jones, Kimberley McClean, Benedict Pask, Stacey WraggSubscriptions Michael GeraghtyProduction manager Stuart FairbrotherWebsite development Chris Jackson

Design Bruce Graham, Libby SidebothamMarketing Leigh Trowbridge Cover photography Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Additional photography www.istockphoto.comCirculation Ritwik Bhattacharjee Publishing director Toby Ingleton Business management Rachael Heggs, Lesley Krotochwil, Richard Pepperman

www.tudor-rose.co.uk

Follow us: twitter.com/Cruise_FerryBecome a fan on Facebook

ISSN 0957-7696International Cruise & Ferry Review is the biannual global guide to passenger shipping. For further information and to subscribe, please visit: www.cruiseandferry.net

Printed in Great Britain by Buxton Press.

© 2017 Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be stored or transmitted or reproduced in any form or by any means, including whether by photocopying, scanning, downloading onto computer or otherwise without the prior written permission from Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd.

Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. Readers should take appropriate professional advice before acting on any issue raised herein.

The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject advertising material and editorial contributions. The publisher assumes no liability for the return or safety of unsolicited art, photography or manuscripts.

Currency exchange rates throughout the magazine are a guide only, and were correct at time of publishing.

Housekeeping meets environmental protection Premium ZP Eco The environmentally friendly design from Wanzl. The special features of the Premium Eco chambermaid trolley are particularly helpful for separating waste. This trolley helps to optimize processes on every cruise ship, worldwide.

www.wanzl.com | hotel@wanzl.de

Order our catalogue now!

Cruise_and_Ferry_Premium-ZP-Öko_70x251_0117.indd 1 12.01.17 11:52

99

CONTENTS

PORTS AND DESTINATIONS

DESTINATIONS OF DISTINCTION Representatives from ports and tourist boards worldwide share how they make their destinations stand out

HOW AUTOMATION IS TRANSFORMING CHECK-IN Innovative technology from Carus Port Automation is creating new efficiencies for ferry operators

BRIDGING THE GAP Jordi Floreta shows how ADELTE is leading the way in providing passenger boarding bridges for the cruise and ferry sectors

179 Constant enhancement: Emre Sayın reflects on his first year as CEO of Global Ports Holding and shares his vision for the future

Northern Europe183 New members and important priorities: Jens Skrede tells us how Cruise Europe will work with members and CLIA to drive European cruise growth 184 Creating memorable experiences: Cruise Baltic’s Claus Bødker outlines the benefits of local cruise networks 185 Gateway to the Norwegian fjords: The Port of Bergen provides the ideal place for cruise guests to start their Norwegian adventure187 Wales: an award-winning destination: We find out why Wales is the place to go for cruise itineraries 189 Bringing coal-face experience: Eamonn O’Reilly talks about Dublin Port Company’s achievements and his new role as chair of ESPO190 Diverse delights: Ports of Jersey’s Myra Shacklady shares what makes the island so enticing for cruise passengers192 Leading the Atlantic seaboard: Spain’s Port of A Coruña expects to welcome a record number of cruise passengers in 2017

Mediterranean193 A rising reputation: Passenger numbers are going through the roof in Zadar, Croatia, as more cruise visitors find out what the fuss is about195 Improving infrastructure in the Med: MedCruise aims to help members actively engage with cruise lines and destinations marketers to develop the port facilities 198 Breaking records: In 2017, more cruise ships are set to visit the ports of Palamós and

Roses on Spain’s Costa Brava coastline than ever before200 An island of delights: A Mediterranean location and interesting local culture ensures visitors enjoy their time on Menorca’s shores202 Investing in cruise success: Malta and Gozo’s government commits to infrastructure investments

North America205 At the heart of things: Carmen Ortega outlines what steps are being taken to ensure every visitor sees everything Vancouver has to offer206 Heading towards new horizons: Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu looks towards the Canadian archipelago’s bright future as it celebrates its 10th anniversary207 A taste of island life: Prince Edward Island offers passengers the chance to reacquaint themselves with life’s simple pleasures 210 All go in Galveston: Port of Galveston enjoys a purple patch as expansion work gets underway212 Hitting all-time highs: The Port of New Orleans is optimistic for the future following six consecutive years of record cruise growth 214 A record year for passenger throughput: Seven ships will homeport in Port Tampa Bay this year, bringing record numbers to Florida 217 An exciting year ahead: Port Everglades has a lot to celebrate as it enters the second year as host to Seatrade Cruise Global 218 Expanding to meet demand: With significant expansion plans and confirmed funding for the next five years, the future looks bright for PortMiami

Caribbean220 A gateway port of call: The Bahamas offers three ports and 16 different island experiences for visiting cruise passengers 222 Examining opportunities: William Tatham updates us on how Jamaica is advancing its reputation as one of the Caribbean must-see destinations224 Going above and beyond: Since opening in 2016, Tortola Pier Park has become the flagship cruise pier facility in the British Virgin Islands226 Discovering Dominica: Benoit Bardouille shares how Dominica’s tourism authority is diversifying shore excursions228 The Spice of the Caribbean: Patricia Maher highlights how Grenada Tourism Authority is promoting the island to the cruise industry229 Growing Grenada’s appeal: Clarice Modeste-Curwen talks about the Ministry of Tourism’s role in the cruise sector231 Riding the cruise industry’s rising tide: Michele Paige outlines how the FCCA can help Caribbean destinations differentiate themselves

GLOBAL GATEWAY

GLOBAL GATEWAY64-1617-30410 Resize Cruise Ad with Logos--Cruise & Ferry Magazine 210 X 280mm.indd 1 1/18/17 11:25 AM

KEYNOTE

Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, shares how the company overcame past voyage incidents and reputation issues to generate full-speed-ahead momentum and produce record financial performance. Rebecca Gibson reports

11

Exceedingexpectations

all

B: 283m

m

S: 268m

m

T: 280mm

B: 213mm

T: 210mm

S: 198mm

13 years leading the maritime communications market servicing the most prestigious cruise lines worldwide

The glory and glamour only come after the grunt work

sales@wmsatsea.com 954.883.2425wmsatsea.com

CLIENT: WMSPRODUCT: WMSJOB#: WMS20171SPACE: Full Pg. 4/CBLEED: 213 x 283mm”TRIM: 210 x 280mm SAFETY: 198 x 268mmGUTTER: NonePUBS: Cruise and Ferry Mag ISSUE: n/a TRAFFIC: Carlos LopezART BUYER: AT&T stock LibraryACCOUNT: WMSRETOUCH: Carlos LopezPRODUCTION: Carlos LopezART DIRECTOR: Carlos LopezCOPYWRITER: Carlos Lopez

This advertisement was prepared by WMS Inhouse

FontsATT Aleck Sans (Light)Graphic Name C:\Users\carlos_lopez\Desktop\Posters2017\shutterstock_1311041512.jpgType: RGBBits per Pixel: 24Channels: 3Size: 76781K, 4368 by 6000 pixelsDimensions: 641.314 by 880.925 points Resolution: 490.393 by 490.393 pixels per inch

,

Filename: WMS20171adcruise&ferryr.2.1FHR

Proof #: 2 WMS20171adcruise&ferryr.2.1FHR.ai Mechanicals: WMS20171adcruise&ferryr.2.1FHR.aiOperators: Carlos Lopez

Ink Names

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Created: 1-9-2017 02:14 PM Saved: 1-10-2017 03:16 PM Printed: 1-10-2017 03:16 PM Print Scale: None

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

WMS20171adcruise&ferryr.2.1FHR.pdf 1 1/10/2017 3:23:14 PM

13

or a man who initially took time to consider accepting the opportunity to run the world’s largest cruise company because he was content being semi-retired

and serving on several executive boards, Arnold Donald is making the best of what many predicted would be a tricky role.

When he took the helm in July 2013, the corporation’s reputation was suffering in the aftermath of several ship incidents. However, almost four years in and Donald has reinvigorated Carnival Corporation and improved the fortunes of its 10 cruise brands – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises UK and Seabourn. Today, the corporation employs more than 120,000 people worldwide and its 102 cruise ships carry more than 11.5 million guests annually – about 50% of the global cruise market. Brand reputations have soared and financial performance is stronger than ever. The corporation achieved its best-ever, full-year financial results in 2016, including record-setting second and third quarters, and preceded by several years of significant earnings growth.

“We’ve had tremendous success and it’s all down to the passion and dedication of our employees, as well as our travel agents and other industry partners who support our brands,” says Donald. “We’ve implemented a new revenue management tool, signed new homeporting and terminal expansion deals, welcomed and ordered new ships, and enhanced the onboard experience. These investments all add value for our customers and shareholders.”

A key factor in Carnival Corporation’s newfound success is the zeal and relentless ambition of its leader and, perhaps more importantly, his ability to instil the same drive in his employees.

“We’re in the vacation business and our job is to create fun – if you can’t have fun

while making fun, you need your head examined!” Donald quips. “I’m having a blast and running Carnival Corporation is one of the world’s best jobs. Cruise is one of the most inspiring industries to be involved in because the human spirit level is so high. It’s phenomenal to watch our employees bring people together – both on our ships and in the destinations we visit – to create memorable and life-changing experiences for our guests. I enjoy finding ways of engaging with our employees and unlocking the potential they have to achieve their personal goals, and those of our brands.”

Four new ships have joined the global fleet in the past 12 months. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands named Holland America’s Koningsdam in April, AIDA’s AIDAprima and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista debuted in May, and Seabourn Encore was christened by Seabourn this January.

Each ship is set up to cater to the preferences of its target market. “AIDAprima’s layout and onboard features resonate with our German guests, while Carnival Vista epitomises Carnival Cruise Line’s ‘fun ship’ promise with innovations like the industry’s first IMAX theatre and SkyRide,” Donald remarks. “Koningsdam is ideal for music enthusiasts thanks to the

AIDAprima was christened in front of around 1.6 million people in Hamburg on 7 May 2016 as the

German port celebrated its 827th anniversary

” Cruise is one of the most inspiring industries to be involved in”

B: 283m

m

S: 268m

m

T: 280mm

B: 213mm

T: 210mm

S: 198mm

13 years leading the maritime communications market servicing the most prestigious cruise lines worldwide

The glory and glamour only come after the grunt work

sales@wmsatsea.com 954.883.2425wmsatsea.com

CLIENT: WMSPRODUCT: WMSJOB#: WMS20171SPACE: Full Pg. 4/CBLEED: 213 x 283mm”TRIM: 210 x 280mm SAFETY: 198 x 268mmGUTTER: NonePUBS: Cruise and Ferry Mag ISSUE: n/a TRAFFIC: Carlos LopezART BUYER: AT&T stock LibraryACCOUNT: WMSRETOUCH: Carlos LopezPRODUCTION: Carlos LopezART DIRECTOR: Carlos LopezCOPYWRITER: Carlos Lopez

This advertisement was prepared by WMS Inhouse

FontsATT Aleck Sans (Light)Graphic Name C:\Users\carlos_lopez\Desktop\Posters2017\shutterstock_1311041512.jpgType: RGBBits per Pixel: 24Channels: 3Size: 76781K, 4368 by 6000 pixelsDimensions: 641.314 by 880.925 points Resolution: 490.393 by 490.393 pixels per inch

,

Filename: WMS20171adcruise&ferryr.2.1FHR

Proof #: 2 WMS20171adcruise&ferryr.2.1FHR.ai Mechanicals: WMS20171adcruise&ferryr.2.1FHR.aiOperators: Carlos Lopez

Ink Names

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Created: 1-9-2017 02:14 PM Saved: 1-10-2017 03:16 PM Printed: 1-10-2017 03:16 PM Print Scale: None

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

WMS20171adcruise&ferryr.2.1FHR.pdf 1 1/10/2017 3:23:14 PM

K-CHANGE

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

MI_International_Cruise210x280.pdf 1 19/01/17 11:29

15

Lincoln Center, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Billboard Top 40, as well for wine lovers who can create their own personal blend to drink onboard. Meanwhile, Seabourn Encore offers the ultimate ultra-luxury cruise experience with interiors by Adam D. Tihany and chef Thomas Keller’s signature grill restaurant.”

As part of its plans to entice a new type of passenger onto its cruise ships, namely millennials and young families, Carnival Corporation recently introduced several TV campaigns. The company aired three weekend series (80 episodes in all) on US TV and filmed a movie onboard Costa Fortuna, while P&O Cruises’ Britannia hosted a live episode of the UK primetime show Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on her top deck. Guests and crew onboard Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess also starred in a fly-on-the-wall documentary The Cruise.

“We used the TV shows to share personal cruise stories, debunking the myths and ensuring that cruising is top of mind when regular and potential cruisers are planning their vacations,” says Donald, adding that the corporation sponsored and was featured in The New Celebrity Apprentice in the US this February.

A review of Carnival Corporation’s 2016 highlights would not be complete without a mention of its historic foray into Cuba. Last May, the company’s newest brand Fathom

– where passengers get an opportunity to take part in volunteer projects as they travel – became the first US cruise line to sail from the US to the Cuban ports of Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba in more than 40 years.

“The inaugural cruise was a special moment for our company, Cuba and the US, particularly because it also marked the Cuban Government’s decision to overturn its decades-long ban on Cuba-born nationals travelling to or from Cuba by sea,” remarks Donald. “Our agreement was one of the first indications of the changing US-Cuba relations. It also characterises one of the most beautiful things about cruising: it brings people closer together and helps them to understand what they have in common, while valuing their differences.”

Fathom alternates seven-day cruises from PortMiami, Florida to Cuba on the 704-guest Adonia with similar week-long voyages to Amber Cove in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Guests can participate in artistic, educational and humanitarian activities that support cultural and economic development in Cuba. The response from both the guests and Fathom’s destination partners has been so strong that from November 2016, Fathom has made two social impact excursions – one at chocolate production plant Chocal and another at paper recycling micro-business RePapel – available to guests sailing to Amber Cove with six of its brands.

“Fathom receives some of our highest guest ratings and has Carnival Corporation’s highest net promoter score because it offers a tremendously fulfilling onshore experience to our guests,” Donald enthuses. “It’s exciting to offer thousands of guests who sail with our AIDA, Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Princess and P&O Cruises UK brands to Amber Cove the opportunity to participate in Fathom’s social impact experience. Although Adonia will return to the P&O Cruises UK fleet in June, we’ll have other ships sailing in the Dominican Republic and Cuba.”

Carnival Corporation is set to continue innovating in 2017 too. Donald kicked off the year by becoming the first travel industry executive to give the opening keynote at the annual consumer technology trade show CES 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He used the opportunity to showcase how first-of-its-kind proprietary technology – developed internally – will deliver innovative, highly personalised onboard experiences to guests. Top of the bill was the new Ocean Medallion, a device that can be worn or carried by passengers to anticipate their every onboard need (see more on page 158).

“The medallion will make the cruise feel like it has been specifically engineered to each individual guest via touch-free access to staterooms, personalised dining experiences, interactive entertainment, transaction-free

Fathom’s Adonia made history in May 2016 when she became the first US cruise ship to sail from the US to Cuba in more than 40 years

The Port of Galveston has it all.

Modern, comfortable terminals. Pier 21, a waterfront entertainment

and dining area. Access to a charming historic downtown with more

than 100 shops, restaurants and art galleries. And 32 miles

of Gulf Coast beaches that can be enjoyed year-round.

For cruise passengers, cruise employees and cruise lines,

it's the perfect place to begin and

end your next trip.

PortOfGalveston.com | 409-765-9321

6-POG-106B_Int Cruise & Ferry Ad_210mm x 280mm_R1.pdf 1 7/25/16 4:43 PM

17

payments and expedited embarkation and disembarkation,” says Donald. “It can be paired with Ocean Compass, an optional personalised digital concierge, to significantly enhance interactions with crew members and guests. Ocean Medallion and Ocean Compass will truly transform the guest experience when they debut on Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess this November, followed by Royal Princess and Caribbean Princess in 2018, and more ships in future.”

Donald is also resolutely positive when it comes to the impact the UK’s impending exit from the European Union, President Donald Trump’s new White House administration, and political unrest elsewhere in the world could have on the cruise sector.

“Brexit will have a minor financial impact from a currency translation standpoint, but it may actually help P&O Cruises because the brand has always used the British pound so it will look favourable compared to other travel options available to British people,” Donald explains. “Time will tell if there’ll be any tax ramifications or limitations on freedom to move. Similarly, it’s too early to predict the impact of the new US administration, but public consensus seems

to be that it will be good for business so our share prices may benefit.”

In fact, says Donald, the bigger issue for Carnival Corporation and the industry as a whole is people’s willingness, and ability, to travel.

“As long as they have the freedom, finances and desire to travel, the cruise industry will continue to grow, but if anything restricts travel then we’ll be in trouble,” he explains. “Carnival Corporation is a global company so we hope that none of the world’s political issues prompt governments to close borders, or cause consumers to fear travel.”

Enhancing the safety of guests and crew is a key priority for all 10 brands. Last November, Carnival Corporation became the first maritime company to announce that it will use Interpol’s I-Checkit system to screen passengers’ travel documents against the Interpol Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database containing more than 69 million records from 175 countries.

In July 2016, the company also opened the €75 million (US$79.5 million) Arison Maritime Center in Almere, Netherlands to provide training for its 6,500 deck and engineering officers every year. The facility

houses an 110,000-square foot CSMART (Center for Simulator Maritime Training) Academy, which is equipped with four full-mission bridge simulators, engine room simulators based on actual ship layouts, 24 part-task engine simulators, eight debriefing rooms and eight part-task bridge simulators.

“The leading-edge curriculum, state-of-the-art equipment and training exercises that reflect real-life scenarios and sea conditions ensure that our crew know how to operate onboard systems and exactly how to protect themselves and our guests in an emergency,” says Donald.

In addition, investments have been made to extend Carnival Maritime’s Fleet Operation Center (FOC) in Hamburg, Germany to include a new Nautical Department. The FOC now provides real-time digital support, surveillance and route planning services for 37 cruise ships across the P&O Cruises, Fathom, Cunard Line, AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises brands. Plus, Wärtsilä has signed a 12-year deal to monitor and maintain almost 400 engines onboard 79 vessels to predict maintenance requirements, optimise vessel operations, reduce fuel consumption and potentially extend engine overhaul intervals.

” New ships are an important part of our measured capacity growth strategy”

Ocean Medallion will help Princess Cruises to fully personalise the cruise experience for every guest

CRUISE NEW ORLEANSA JOURNEY & A DESTINATION

Cruise New Orleans and Enjoy 2 Vacations In 1 | portno.com

• Aquarium of the Americas

• 1,000+ 5-star restaurants

• Historic French Quarter

• Audubon Zoo

• Swamp tours

• World War II Museum

• Antebellum plantation homes

• World-class shopping and art

• Steamboat excursions

It’s no secret that New Orleans is one of America’s most vibrant and exciting cities. And if you’re planning a cruise,

keep us in mind. Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines sail weekly to destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean

and Bahamas. But most passengers sailing from New Orleans enjoy two vacations in one by staying in the Big Easy

before or after their cruise.

“Our prime objective is to exceed guest expectations and we can’t do that if we don’t keep them safe, so continually improving the safety of passengers and crew is paramount,” comments Donald. “The investments we’ve made in the Arison Maritime Center, Carnival Maritime’s FOC and our partnership with Interpol make certain that we’re continuously mitigating risks to guests and crew, while improving fuel and itinerary efficiency.”

Donald points out that such investments are also helping the corporation to meet environmental requirements, which will become even stricter when the International Maritime Organization’s global 0.5% sulphur cap enters force in January 2020.

Three of the company’s 10 key sustainability goals include developing and operating exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) to lower sulphur and particulate matter emissions; increasing cold ironing capacity so ships can rely on shorepower in ports; and reducing carbon dioxide

emissions. “We’ve already equipped 41% of the fleet with scrubbers and will make further investments so our global fleet is prepared to meet the 2020 cap,” notes Donald.

In a further move towards sustainability, Carnival Corporation has contracted German shipyard Meyer Werft and Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku to build a total of seven 180,000gt, 5,200-guest LNG-powered newbuilds between 2019 and 2022.

Costa and AIDA will each take delivery of an LNG ship in 2019 and again in 2021, while Carnival Cruise Line will welcome one in 2020 and another in 2022. The newbuilds will be the biggest to join the line’s fleet and the first LNG-powered cruise ships to be based in North America. The seventh vessel will join P&O Cruises in 2020, becoming the most environmentally efficient ship in brand history and the largest-ever cruise ship to be built for the British market.

“AIDA was the first cruise line to use LNG in port, and now we’ve taken it a step

further by introducing the first ships that can generate 100% of their power in port and at sea using LNG,” says Donald. “Although global availability and relative pricing remains to be seen, we’re confident about our LNG investments. Regardless of whether they use LNG, all our vessels will comply with, and in most cases exceed, external environmental requirements. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, recently earned its first ECO Notation from Lloyd’s Register for doing just that with Carnival Vista.”

Including the seven LNG vessels, Carnival Corporation has 19 newbuilds scheduled for delivery over the next six years.

2017 will see AIDAperla joining AIDA, while Majestic Princess will make her debut in Shanghai, China for the Princess Cruises fleet. The 3,600-guest Royal Class vessel will be joined by two more yet-to-be-named sisters in 2019 and 2020. Meanwhile, Fincantieri will deliver Seabourn Ovation to Seabourn in early 2018, and Holland

AIDAprima was one of the first cruise ships to use LNG fuel while in port

Shipbrokers specialised in the sale and purchase of cruise ships and ferries/ropax

TRUSTED WORLDWIDEwww.braxship.com +46 (0)31 183200 brokers@braxship.com

BRAX SHIPPING

• 4,5,7,8,10&14daycruises• NewWestern,EasternandSouthern

CaribbeanitinerariesincludingCuba• Fast,Easy,CongestionFree• Morethan4,000safeandsecureparking

spacesstepsfromthecruiseterminals• NorthAmerica’ssecond-bestairportandfifthin

theworldincustomersatisfaction11Airports Council International

Tampaleadsthewaywithanengagingvarietyofthingstodoandseebeforeandafterthecruise,fromBuschGardens,YborCity,andDowntownTampatothebeachesofSt.Petersburg/Clearwater.Andthat’sjustthebeginning—yourcruiseshipsarelessthananhourfromtheworld-renownedthemeparksinOrlando.

1101 ChAnnelsIde drIve, tAmpA, FlorIdA 33602 www.porttb.Com | 800-741-2297

cruise port tampa bay

Reroute Your Thinking™

21

America will welcome its second 2,660-guest Pinnacle Class ship, Nieuw Statendam, in November 2018. A third will launch in 2021, taking the fleet to 16 ships. Two additional Vista Class newbuilds will join Carnival Cruise Line – one named Carnival Horizon in 2018 and another in 2019. Similarly, Costa Asia will introduce two 4,200-passenger ships, one in 2019 and another in 2020.

“These new ships are an important part of our measured capacity growth strategy, which includes replacing less efficient ships with newer, larger and more efficient vessels,” notes Donald. “Every new ship offers an opportunity to enhance the onboard experience, generate excitement about our brands, attract potential cruisers and showcase why cruising offers exceptional value.”

Majestic Princess and the two Costa Asia ships have all been designed specifically for the Chinese market, reflecting the corporation’s commitment to this region.

“China will play a major role in the growth of the global cruise sector and we’re proud to have partnered with China State Shipbuilding Corporation and China Investment Capital Corporation to help the country enact its five-year plan to develop a sustainable cruise market that acts as an economic multiplier,” says Donald. “We were the first in China in 2006, the first with six ships in China through our Costa and Princess brands, and we maintain a

strong leadership position with about 45% market share. Now that Asia’s economy is stronger and people have more discretionary income, they want to travel to more exotic places and we want to help them do that.”

However, Asia is not the only market Carnival Corporation is investing in. Collectively, its ships visit more than 700 ports worldwide and Donald says that consumer demand outstrips ship capacity in various markets, so there are growth opportunities worldwide.

“Our investments in passenger source markets are driven by economic situations and the ability to homeport ships so we’re mainly focusing on traditional markets like North America, Europe and the Caribbean,” he notes. “In the future, we expect Asia, South America, India and various parts of South Africa to become bigger source markets. From a destination standpoint, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Baltic remain popular, and there’s a lot of opportunity in Australia. We’ll also continue to offer expedition cruising in Antarctica, the Arctic and Alaska and work with all our port partners to improve facilities and the cruise terminal experience.”

Understanding, shaping and growing the global cruise industry will be another of Donald’s key priorities for 2017 now that he has begun his new role as chair of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA Global), taking over from Royal Caribbean

president and COO Adam Goldstein. He plans to use the expertise he has developed as Carnival Corporation leader and as member of CLIA’s Executive Committee to help build a stronger cruise industry.

“Working alongside CLIA president and CEO Cindy D’Aoust, I want to continue Adam’s fabulous job of representing the global cruise industry and supporting our members,” says Donald. “I’ll ensure we’re fulfilling our overarching responsibility as the unified voice of the global cruise industry and supporting our members as they tackle regulatory, environmental, political, economic and other challenges. This will involve strengthening standards and industry partnerships, and improving training for our travel industry partners.”

“We’re very fortunate to be in the golden age of cruising where people want to explore the world,” concludes Donald. “Carnival Corporation’s employees get a thrill when we exceed guest expectations so we’ll stay focused on listening to what they want and finding the best way to deliver memorable experiences. Plus, we’ll continue to work with our industry partners and stakeholders to deliver double-digit returns on invested capital within the next two years, ensure we’re being the best possible corporate citizen, and that Carnival Corporation is always the first choice of partner in the global cruise industry.” C&F

” We’ve had tremendous success and it’s all down to the passion and dedication of our employees”

Below: Koningsdam brought new innovations to the Holland America fleet in summer 2016; Right: Majestic Princess will

offer Princess Cruises’ signature Movie under the Stars venue

International Cruise & Ferry Review22

Upfro

nt

MARKETWATCH

total of 25.3 million passengers are expected to sail in 2017, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

CLIA’s 2017 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook found that passenger numbers surged from 15.8 million in 2007 to 24.2 million in 2016. The upward curve is likely to continue rising rapidly as the industry gradually introduces 97 new cruise ships between 2017 and 2026. This year alone, 26 new ocean, river and expedition cruise ships will take to the seas worldwide.

Certainly, many ports across the world welcomed more cruise traffic than ever before in 2016 and are set to do so again in

2017 and beyond. PortMiami, Florida, for example, set a world record by hosting 4.98 million multi-day passengers last year.

In Canada, maiden calls from several ships helped Gaspé to welcome 15% more calls (30) 18% more passengers (20,674) in 2016. This year, the Cruise Association of Newfoundland and Labrador’s 22 member ports will host 99,266 passengers and crew during 120 calls – almost double last year.

CLIA statistics show that Europe’s cruise sector has grown by more than 49% since 2008. A bumper year awaits Cruise Scotland’s 15 member ports, with 2017 projections indicating that total ship arrivals and passenger numbers will have increased

119% and 144% respectively since the organisation opened in 2010.

Further down the UK coast in north-east England, the Port of Tyne expects a record 50 calls, following on from its all-time high of 44 ship visits in 2016. In the south, Portsmouth International Port has secured calls from 47 vessels this year, an almost 25% rise from 12 months prior.

In Scandinavia, Danish port Fredericia is set for its largest-ever cruise season in 2017, hosting twice as many calls as in 2016. Cruise Norway’s 44 member ports will receive a combined total of 1,887 calls and 3.07 million passengers in 2017, a 4.31% and 13.49% respective rise in just 12 months. In neighbouring Sweden, Gotland

Cruise ports in North America and Canada, Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia-Pacific report all-time highs as CLIA predicts 25.3 million people will cruise in 2017

Cruise industry breaks records worldwide

PortMiami in Florida, US set a world record by hosting 4.98 million multi-day passengers last year

23

has already secured calls from over 40 cruise ships and 60,000 guests for 2018.

Moving to the Mediterranean, Malta recorded 682,222 cruise passenger movements in 2016, a 2% rise from 2015 and an all-time high for the island. Sister island Gozo handled nearly 7,000 passengers during 19 cruise calls – double the number recorded in 2012. Growth will continue in 2017.

A Morningstar report predicted that China’s cruise passenger traffic will hit 4.3 million by 2020 and 7.3 million by 2025, up from roughly one million in 2015. Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong, for example, doubled its cruise traffic from 2015 to 2016 and expects to do the same again in 2018.

Carnival Cruise Line has become the second Carnival Corporation brand to gain approval for US-Cuba sailings. From June, Carnival Paradise will sail a series of four- and five-day voyages from Port Tampa Bay in Florida.

Two Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. brands will call sail US-Cuba itineraries, including Azamara Club Cruises, which will overnight in Havana during a roundtrip from PortMiami in March. Royal Caribbean International’s Empress of the Seas will sail a five-night cruise from PortMiami on 19 April, before repositioning to Port Tampa Bay to sail voyages calling in Cuban ports.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has secured Cuba approval for 2017. Oceania Cruises’ Marina will sail Caribbean itineraries featuring multi-day calls in Havana, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Mariner will visit twice. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky will offer 30 voyages with overnights in Havana from May to December.

MSC Cruises’ MSC Armonia and MSC Opera now both sail year-round cruises from and to Cuba. All itineraries start with either two or three days in Havana, allowing guests the time to fully experience the city.

CUBA CALLS ON THE RISE

DID YOU KNOW?

956,597 jobs are

supported by the global

cruise industry

CLIA

” Many ports across the world welcomed more cruise traffic than ever in 2016”

Top to bottom: Cruise ports in the Mediterranean (Malta), Northern Europe (Gotland, Sweden), the UK (Portsmouth International Port) and Asia (Kai Tak Cruise Terminal) are all attracting more cruise traffic

Upfro

nt

MARKETWATCH

International Cruise & Ferry Review24

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed a memorandum of agreement to build a third 2,660-guest Pinnacle-class vessel for Holland America Line, which will be delivered in 2021. It will also construct a sixth Royal Class vessel for Princess Cruises for 2022.

MV Werften has started work on Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel in Germany. To be delivered in 2018, the 106-guest vessels will sail in Europe alongside Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler, which MV Werften will complete this year.

Viking Ocean Cruises took delivery of its third ship, Viking Sky, from Fincantieri this January, ahead of her February debut. Sister ship Viking Sun is undergoing final outfitting at the yard in preparation for her late 2017 delivery.

Meyer Werft laid the first keel block for Dream Cruises’ World Dream at its Papenburg yard in Germany this January. The 151,000gt newbuild will join sister Genting Dream in November 2017.

NEWBUILD UPDATESDID YOU KNOW?

Regent SevenSeas Cruises

celebrates its

25thanniversary

in

2017

Swedish ship broker Brax Shipping has launched a new initiative to help cruise operators and investors break into the adventure cruise market.

The company has designed a concept expedition cruise ship and is building a

network of partners in the countries where the vessels are likely to sail regularly. It is also using the specialist skills of a Chinese shipyard to develop and construct the cruise ships, as well as ro-pax ferries.

Brax Shipping designs concept expedition ship

The Isle of Wight’s Wight Shipyard CO (WSC) is to build two 170-passenger fast ferries for London-based operator MBNA Thames Clippers.

This is the second newbuild contract for WSC – which started life as Shemara Refit – and represents the largest high-speed passenger ferry order at a UK yard in 25 years. The two newbuilds are due for delivery in summer 2017.

Newbuild order for Wight Shipyard Co

Danish naval architect OSK-ShipTech has acquired a 3D laser scanner and is pairing it with virtual reality (VR) technology to prevent costly design errors during ship renovation or construction projects.

OSK-ShipTech’s scanner has a scanning range of 150 metres and 1 millimetre accuracy, so it can scan areas onboard ships while they are in service, eliminating downtime and creating accurate production drawings. The VR tool uses the laser scans to simulate designs, allowing owners to visualise proposed interiors and layouts.

The technology has already been used for bulb optimisation projects on ro-pax ferries.

OSK-ShipTech turns to 3D laser and VR

A simulated VR view of a proposed interior for a ro-pax project

Image: O

SK-ShipTech

http://www.artlink.com/

Upfro

nt

MARKETWATCH

International Cruise & Ferry Review26

HH Ferries’ Tycho Brahe and Aurora will be converted into the world’s largest emission-free ferries using ABB technology in April and October, respectively.

Both will be fitted with ABB batteries, energy storage control systems and Onboard DC Grid technology. This will enable them to operate on battery power on the 4km route between Helsingør, Denmark and Helsingborg, Sweden. ABB will also supply automated shoreside charging stations for both terminals.

ABB to convert HH Ferries vessels

Simon Johnson joins the Cruise & Ferry teamWe’re delighted to reveal that industry stalwart Simon Johnson has joined the Cruise & Ferry team as our expert international ferry industry advisor.

Johnson was formerly chairman of the Passenger Shipping Association and has held senior roles at P&O Ferries, Stena Line, Sea Containers, Sealink and the London Chamber of Commerce.

In 2013, Johnson founded YS Comms, a management consultancy that helps passenger shipping operators – and retail and tourism companies – to improve customer experience and trade performance. He is also board director of the Institute of Travel and Tourism and a special advisor for a software specialist

that delivers European Union-funded logistics and transportation research.

We look forward to working with Johnson to strengthen our partnerships with key players in the global ferry industry and expand the Ferry Business section of International Cruise & Ferry Review.

Tallink Grupp’s new LNG ferry began service on the route between Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland on 29 January.

Built at Meyer Turku, the 2,800-passenger vessel has an advanced hull shape to substantially reduce fuel use, and can operate on both LNG and marine diesel fuel. Megastar offers three classes of accommodation, two lounges, seven restaurants and cafés, bars, a play area and a two-deck Traveller Superstore.

Megastar starts service China-based Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry has signed a letter of intent to build a 2,800-passenger, LNG-powered ferry for Viking Line. Deltamarin, Wärtsilä and ABB Marine will help to construct the 6,300gt vessel, which will operate on the Turku-Åland-Stockholm route from 2020.

Viking Line orders LNG ferry Cainby has manufactured and installed public

and safety signage onboard Tallink Grupp’s new Megastar.

Cainby has previously designed, produced and installed signage for Viking Line, Eckerö Group, Tallink Silja, Meyer Turku, ports, and other turnkey suppliers, hotels and public buildings. Its portfolio includes plastic, metal, LED and digital signage for indoor and outdoor wayfinding, decorative and advertising purposes. The signs can be saltwater resistant and certified to International Maritime Organization requirements if necessary.

Cainby supplies Megastar signage

ON BOARD, ON TV, ON BBC HD

NEW ENTERTAINMENTCHANNEL FROM THE BBC

EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE CRUISE AND FERRY INDUSTRIES

Your trusted partner in cruise equipment

TTSGROUP.COM

Mooring & anchor winchesDoors & platformsRescue & life boat davits

Passenger gangways Cargo lifts and loading platformsCustom designed innovations

Visit us at Fort Lauderdale, 13–16 March, Stand L3-362

TTS_InternationalCruise&FerryReview_ICFR12March_2017.indd 1 2017-02-07 09:57:09

Upfro

nt

MARKETWATCH

International Cruise & Ferry Review28

Tarragona has secured its first regular homeporting deal, signing up Costa Cruises’ Costa neoRiviera for 17 weekly Mediterranean departures this summer. The deployment will bring around 25,000 guests to the Spanish port.

Asia-Pacific operator Star Cruises is to be the first international cruise line to homeport a ship in Manila, Philippines. From March to May 2017, Superstar Virgo will provide six-day cruises to ports in the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and more.

Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises is redeploying Crystal Esprit to the West Indies from November 2017 to the end of 2018. Sailing roundtrip from Marigot Bay in St Martin, Crystal Esprit will alternate two week-long routes that can also be combined.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Bliss is to homeport in Miami, US from November 2018, following her Seattle debut and inaugural summer season in Alaska. She will sail to Eastern Caribbean destinations like the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and The Bahamas.

NEW HOMEPORTING DEALS

Celebrity Cruises is to become the first major cruise line to homeport at Dublin Port when it bases a Solstice-class ship in the Irish city in summer 2018.

Celebrity will embark more than 14,000 passengers on five European cruises from Dublin between late April and the end of June. This is expected to generate almost €6 million (US$6.36 million).

Celebrity to homeport in Dublin

MSC Cruises has broken ground on its exclusive Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in Bimini, The Bahamas.

Highlights of the 95-acre island will include a traditional Bahamian village, restaurants and bars, family beaches, an amphitheatre, watersports facilities, a lagoon, a zip wire crossing the island, and a MSC Yacht Club spa and wellness sanctuary.

MSC ships will call at the island regularly from November 2018.

MSC breaks ground on Ocean Cay

Mexico’s Port of Cozumel welcomed its largest-ever cruise ship when Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas made her inaugural visit last November.

Cruise passengers calling in Cozumel this year can head to a new pre-Hispanic-style shopping mall. Opened by port operator SSA Mexico, the mall has doubled the size of the port’s commercial area and will enable tourists to immerse themselves in Mayan culture. SSA Mexico will start further terminal renovations in May.

Changes underway at Cozumel

Cruise guests visiting Copenhagen, Denmark will be able to collect free maps and information from a new tourist information point at the cruise port this year.

Visitors will also be able to purchase the popular 12-hour Copenhagen Card for the first time. The card gives users free entry to a maximum of three attractions and free public transport.

Copenhagen debuts new tourist card

29

www.becker-marine-systems.comManoeuvring Systems

Energy-Saving Devices

LNG Hybrid Concepts

envi

ro

nmentally friendly

becker productsRELIABLEOur proven rudder systems are the perfect choice for all types of ships. A tough working environment requires a sturdy, well-customised design combined with superb manoeuvring capabilities. Seasoned captains trust in Becker rudders for their reliability, safety and exceptional manoeuvrability.reliability, safety and exceptional manoeuvrability.

Right: MSC FantasiaCruise Ship • built 2008LOA 333.3 m • 137,936 GT2 x Becker Flap Rudders Twisted Pi

ctur

e ©

MSC

Cru

ises

Celebrating 500 years of Le Havre

Why should cruise lines visit Le Havre this year? Work to build the city and port of Le Havre began in 1517, so this year marks its 500th anniversary. Between 27 May and 8 October, the city will be the backdrop for a packed schedule of celebratory events and exhibitions. Previously, we’ve put a lot of effort into promoting Le Havre as the gateway to Paris, but 2017 offers a fantastic opportunity for cruise visitors to enjoy our city’s own assets.

What will be the highlights of 2017?MSC Cruises will christen MSC Meraviglia in Le Havre on 3 June, and Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 will stop in the city on 15 September before embarking on her historic transatlantic journey. Visitors will be able to enjoy events like the Royal de Luxe (giant puppets) parade, or see the Tall Ships gathering, the impressionist exhibition in the MuMa – Claude Monet’s Impression Sunrise will be a highlight in September – and the temporary and permanent public art installations.

What is this year’s cruise schedule like?The season will be the greatest ever – we’re expecting 140 calls and 400,000 passengers. Le Havre port can accommodate the biggest cruise ships and the variety of tourist attractions in Le Havre, Normandy and Paris attracts newcomers and repeat visitors all year.

How will Le Havre Tourism grow the cruise market?In the first three months of 2017, we’re fully renovating the second terminal to ensure its as high quality as the main facility. We’re considering how we can develop our infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the market’s evolution.

INTERVIEW

Valérie Conan, director of Le Havre Cruise Club, explains why cruise guests should visit the French port in 2017

Upfro

nt

International Cruise & Ferry Review30

MARKETWATCH

BBC debuts TV channel for cruise shipsBBC Worldwide is to launch BBC HD, its first channel produced exclusively for cruise ships and the maritime market.

Like BBC World News, BBC HD will go live through Global Eagle Entertainment’s MTN TV. The channel will offer drama, comedy, factual entertainment, natural history and documentaries. Popular British soaps will air on BBC HD close to the original UK broadcast so guests can stay up to date while cruising.

“The addition of the BBC HD channel is part of our expansion plan for MTN TV to provide more entertainment options relevant to today’s cruising market,” said Walé Adepoju, executive vice president of Media and Content at GEE.

The channel will initially be available onboard P&O Cruises and Cunard Line’s cruise ships before being extended to the wider cruise industry.

“BBC HD will be a superb addition to our in-cabin entertainment and I’m sure will be welcomed by our guests on both P&O Cruises and Cunard,” said Paul Ludlow, P&O Cruises’ senior vice president.

Major operators including Viking River Cruises, Vantage Deluxe World Travel, Avalon Waterways, AIDA Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and TUI Cruises have deployed Wanzl’s trolleys to make hotel services more efficient.

Crews transport laundry on Wanzl’s SW 145 KX Laundry trolley, which has four castors and a steel frame. The trolley supports either a plastic bag with 40kg capacity, or a washable polyester bag with 100kg capacity.

Wanzl’s GS-Compact luggage trolley allows crew to carry passenger bags on a fold-out unloading platform with non-slip carpeting and pneumatic tyres.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Wanzl trolleys

GEE’s Travis Peterson, BBC Worldwide’s Zina Neophytou and Carnival UK’s Graham Douglas at the launch event

Imag

e: W

anzl

Met

allw

aren

fabr

ik

Imag

e: rg

_Ter

hart OSM Maritime Group has

won contracts with DFDS and Hurtigruten after launching its Cruise & Ferry Operational Unit and the OSM Hospitality & Catering Academy in 2016.

The company provides 200 hotel, catering, deck and engine crew personnel for seven DFDS vessels. Meanwhile, Norwegian expedition operator Hurtigruten now has an OSM-trained culinary team providing food and beverage services onboard Midnatsol (read more on pg 167).

Heineken Global Duty Free has introduced a digital in-store display on Viking Line’s Cinderella so passengers can learn about the craft beers and ciders on sale.

An interactive screen built into the shelf encourages guests to pick up the bottles and then plays a brand-specific video revealing the background story and tasting notes.

OSM Maritime wins cruise contracts

Heineken fits digital shelf on Viking ferry

SMC-DESIGN.COMIN T E R I O R S A RT W O R K G R A P H I C SSMC Design 2017 © Genting Dream - Dream Cruises

Upfro

nt

MARKETWATCH

International Cruise & Ferry Review32

Danish Decoration has refitted several public areas on Royal Caribbean International’s Adventure of the Seas.

The team refurbished the pool deck during a dry dock at Bahamas-based Grand Bahama Shipyard last November. Work was postponed following a hurricane, so Danish Decoration renovated the Chops Grille steakhouse while the ship was in service this January. It will complete other areas early next year.

Danish Decoration renovates Royal Caribbean ship

Trimline will complete interior refits for Thomson Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Holland America Line, Crystal Cruises, Carnival Australia, Disney Cruise Line and Seabourn, and more in 2017.

It will also upgrade passenger ferries for Wightlink, DFDS, Red Funnel and Isle of Man Steam Packet. More orders are to come.

Busy 2017 for Trimline

TVV Marine Lighting manufactured custom-made decorative lighting fixtures for Tallink Grupp’s new Megastar.

Produced from sketches by Finnish architects dSign Vertti Kivi & Co, the lighting fixtures were all manufactured to meet marine industry requirements and use the latest LED technology.

“It was a fantastic experience and we’ve created plenty of different decorative lighting fixtures that make the ship’s interiors warm and relaxing,” said Aldona Mäkinen at TVV Marine Lighting.

TVV Marine lights up Megastar

Finnish interior outfitting firm NIT is to install passenger and crew staircases, a spa and an HVAC and electrical system onboard AIDA Cruises’ AIDAperla.

NIT secured the project after working with Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to complete similar areas onboard sister ship AIDAprima last year.

Forbo Flooring has launched a new carpet tile range for use in cabins, lounge and recreation areas, staff quarters, offices and shops onboard ships.

Featuring a thick pile, Westbond FR is offered in a square tile format in 144 colours. Forbo Flooring can also match yarns to Pantone references to create a custom colour that complements clients’ interior design schemes. The tiles can also be bought in Forbo Flooring’s Flex design, allowing customers to mix shades from the Westbond Colour collection, or from their custom colour.

NIT to outfit AIDAperlaPROJECT SPOTLIGHT

RSSC chooses Chelsom lighting

Forbo Flooring expands carpet range

Trimline will convert Legend of the Seas into TUI Discovery 2 for Thomson Cruises

Chelsom created custom lighting fixtures for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new Seven Seas Explorer.

The firm made a chandelier formed of individual crystal octagon drops suspended from a brass frame for the atrium. It also designed a lighting fixture for the Constellation Theatre, hanging hand-cut triedri clear glass drops from a brass frame with clear lamps.

For the Meridian lounge, Chelsom developed a horseshoe chandelier with mouth-blown teardrop glasses lit from above by LED lights. Meanwhile, the Canyon Ranch Spa Club has a lighting

feature with stainless steel and hand-sculpted glass cylinder shades. The Destination Centre is illuminated by a chandelier with a metal frame and 350 individual rods containing mouth-blown glass spheres.

ABB´s automation and software solutions help our customers meet the challenges of stricter environmental and safety regulations and an even-tighter competitive environment. These solutions enable ship owners to reduce investment and operational costs, optimize vessel performance, increase overall safety, improve energy efficiency and enhance onboard equipment reliability and availability. www.abb.com/marine

Reaching wider horizons with ABB´s automation and software solutions?

Absolutely.

Upfro

nt

MARKETWATCH

International Cruise & Ferry Review34

New sustainability reporting serviceMichele Witthaus, the former editor of International Cruise & Ferry Review, is working with the Cruise & Ferry team to help industry organisations initiate regular sustainability reporting practices.

Globally, the ‘triple bottom line’ (taking in environmental, economic and social factors) is becoming more widely accepted as a measure for business integrity and sustainability. In this context, businesses are under pressure to provide transparency on their non-financial performance.

“During my years with the magazine, I observed an encouraging growth in awareness of sustainability issues across the cruise and ferry sectors,” said Witthaus. “Many of the leading ports, cruise and ferry operators, manufacturers and others featured in this magazine already lead by example in their commitment to environmental sustainability. I’m delighted to be working with the

Cruise & Ferry team to help organisations initiate regular sustainability reporting practices. Together, we can offer a unique blend of industry knowledge and current best practice in business sustainability and reporting, through the internationally trusted Global Reporting Initiative framework.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Wärtsilä has signed a

US$954 million

deal to maintain engines on

79 Carnival

Corporation ships until

2029

Ports of Auckland is exploring the feasibility of providing shore-based power so cruise ships can turn off their generators while berthed in the New Zealand city.

To be completed this April, the study will investigate how the port could provide power from either New Zealand’s national electricity grid, or LNG- or methanol-powered barges. The port authority will work with cruise lines to identify their requirements, as well as New Zealand company Vector to understand local grid capacity.

Auckland bets on shorepower

Cruise and passenger ferry operators will soon be able to deploy the world’s first fully automated, electrical Stop, Turn, Lock (eSTL) braking system, designed by Swedish manufacturer Dellner Brakes.

Developed to meet demand for smaller and flexible braking solutions, Dellner’s compact modular eSTL system allows customers to choose one, two or all three functions to create a braking solution that meets their needs. The system does not require additional piping, is easy to maintain, and can be used in green shipping zones.

Dellner debuts new braking system

The International Maritime Organization requires all ships to use marine fuels with less than 0.5% sulphur content from 1 January 2020.

REGULATORY REMINDER

35

Offering comprehensive ship repair, maintenance & conversions in its three dry docks & deep water port.

Proficient,professional &perfectly placed

GIBDOCKMAIN WHARF ROAD,THE DOCKYARD,GIBRALTAR, GX11 1AATELEPHONE +350 200 59400FAX +350 200 44404EMAIL MAIL@GIBDOCK.COMWEB WWW.GIBDOCK.COM

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Seatrade Cruise Global13-16 March; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USwww.seatradecruiseglobal.com

Ferries Asia Summit27-30 March; Cebu, Philippineswww.ferriesasiasummit.iqpc.sg

Marine Hotel Association Conference & Trade Show4-7 April; Naples, Florida, USwww.mhaweb.org/conference

Passenger Ship Safety Conference4-6 April; Southampton, UKwww.passengershipsafety.com

Ferry Shipping Conference5-7 April; Grandi Navi Veloci’s La Suprema in Italy www.ferryshippingconference.com

Cruise Europe Conference25-27 April; Bremerhaven, Germany www.cruiseeurope-conference.com

FCCA Central America Cruise Summit10-12 May; San Pedro Sula, Honduraswww.f-cca.com

The Poisidonia Sea Tourism Forum23-24 May; Athens, Greecewww.posidoniaseatourism.com

Nor-Shipping30 May-2 June; Oslo, Norway www.messe.no/nor-shipping

Ferry Safety & Technology Conference11-12 May; Manhattan, New York, USwww.ferrysafetyconference.squarespace.com

MedCruise General Assembly14-17 June; Gibraltarwww.medcruise.com

MSC Cruises and ARTA have developed an LNG bunkering system that can quickly refuel cruise ships during turnarounds.The system comprises a highly resistant double-walled

corrugated stainless steel hose that transfers LNG from the bunker ship, or shore facility, to the cruise ship. It will be used by MSC’s four LNG-powered World Class newbuilds.

ARTA and MSC develop LNG bunkering system

COVER STORY

Upfro

nt

International Cruise & Ferry Review36

ome to the busiest cruise port of call in Canada, Victoria is a shining beacon in North America’s booming cruise industry. A regular stop-off

on popular expeditions to Alaska – it is estimated that more than one million holiday-goers head to the polar region by ship every year – British Columbia’s capital has experienced something of a reinvention in recent years, and it’s drawing in the cruise crowds.

“Our aim at the moment is to ensure that Victoria’s Ogden Point terminal remains the busiest cruise port of call in Canada,” explains Ian Robertson, CEO of Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA), which owns and oversees all operations around Ogden Point and other Victoria harbour properties. “We’re doing everything we can to continue attracting cruise passengers, which involves working with our partners to ensure that passengers have the very best experience. We’ve still

got plenty to do, but we’re making good progress.”

At the end of last year, GVHA finalised its ‘Ogden Point Master Plan’ for the next 30 years. It includes proposals to better connect the terminal site with the neighbouring James Bay community, and continue to develop the site to make it a destination within itself, complete with retail and commercial facilities. All of this will be done in a sustainable fashion while strengthening ties with the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.

Developments are underway at Victoria’s cruise terminal as Greater Victoria Harbour Authority goes ahead with plans to transform the port into a thriving cultural destination. Rebecca Lambert reports

TheofregenerationOgden Point

Whales can often be seen offshore around southern Vancouver Island

37

Developments are already underway to grow Ogden Point’s infrastructure and enhance its cruise facilities.

“For this season, we’ve focused on improving accessibility and processing through the terminal,” explains Robertson. “This includes simple but effective measures such as fitting new doors to improve passenger flow.”

The next step will be to install a second mooring dolphin off the pier at Ogden Point to comfortably accommodate more of the largest vessels coming in to port.

“As we work through the redevelopment of the terminal site as part of our master plan process, a key area of focus will also be the new cruise terminal,” adds Robertson.

Because the terminal will only be used for six to seven months of the year during the Alaskan cruise season, GVHA is looking into how else the building may be used and in what ways it may be able to benefit the local community.

“It’s essential that the terminal is flexible,” Robertson explains. “As such, it’s really

important that we think about how the building is designed so that it not only integrates with the adjacent community, but that it serves a useful purpose for them too. We’re exploring what other functions it could serve. For example, during the off-season it could be used for community meetings, or a regular farmers’ market. The plan is to create something that we will get use from 365 days a year.”

As it seeks to attract more cruise vessels to its shores – and make a case for becoming a homeport – GVHA is keen to demonstrate its ability to efficiently handle growing passenger numbers. “We take really good care of our mooring operations,” Robertson says. “We pride ourselves on being able to get the ship in, tie it up and lay down the gangway within a very short space of time. We can have three ships in at one time and be able to process 9,000 to 10,000 passengers within an hour. It’s one of the key benefits we offer to cruise lines.”

Once they’re off the ship, passengers can expect a similar high level of service when it

comes to ground transportation and access to local attractions.

“Passengers have many exciting activities and sightseeing opportunities within short reach. And there are plenty of ways for them to get to where they want to go,” Robertson explains.

For the 2017 season, GVHA will be introducing North America’s first purpose-built fully electric double decker bus. The 99-seat bus will be piloted for a year, as part of the port’s plans to evaluate the feasibility of electric transportation, and help to reduce operational costs, emissions and noise. “We’re excited to get this fully electric double-decker bus into service,” says Robertson. “Because we are adjacent to a neighbourhood community, we want to mitigate the impact on the environment, so we’re really committed to testing and evaluating new technologies and ideas in ground transportation.”

What many passengers may not realise is that the city of Victoria itself is a pleasant 25-minute walk from the port. “We’re really eager to promote the walkability of

Ogden Point is equipped with four deep water berths to handle busy periods

COVER STORY

Upfro

nt

International Cruise & Ferry Review38

our neighbourhood,” Robertson adds. “At the moment we’re looking into how we can improve wayfinding and signage so that it’s even easier for people to navigate their way to the city centre.”

When they get there, guests are suitably impressed. “We do know that Victoria gets some of the highest satisfaction ratings from cruise line passengers,” says Robertson. “We survey them when they’re returning to the ships and the constant comment is that they had no idea how beautiful Victoria is and how much there is to do. Our city has a wide array of experiences for people with all types of mobility and budget options.”

Over the years, Victoria – known as the City of Gardens – has undergone a quiet transformation, now home to cool coffee bars, top restaurants and brightly painted bohemian shops. “If you’re looking for a good eatery, you won’t be disappointed by the range of restaurants on offer,” Robertson adds. “It’s also one of the fastest growing cities for craft beer and microbreweries.”

So rather than having to work on developing local attractions, for GVHA and the local tourist authorities it’s more about showing off what the city and surrounding area has to offer already, something Condé Nast Traveler’s latest top ten guide will certainly have helped with. Placing Victoria at number four on the top ten best cities in the world (outside of the US) list, the lifestyle travel magazine praises the city for its stately mansions and picturesque gardens. “Its mild climate and location on the southern end of Vancouver Island also make it an excellent location for outdoor activities, too,” says the review.

Indeed, many head to Victoria for its fantastic whale watching tours where guests are usually guaranteed an opportunity to see these breath-taking mammals up close. “From Ogden Point, it’s really easy to get to the main whale watching tour operators,” says Robertson. “It’s also possible to head to the water’s edge and see them from where you stand.”

With the number of Alaskan cruises only set to rise, Victoria is readying itself to welcome even more passengers into its harbour. “We know from speaking to the cruise lines that Alaska is going to continue to grow in popularity, which is great news for us,” Robertson concludes. “We’ll be ready to welcome passengers with our fantastic facilities and make their stay here a truly memorable one.” C&F

Making the case for a homeport

GVHA has plans in place to establish Ogden Point as a homeport within the next five years. “It’s the next step in our strategy to grow our cruise industry and attract more passengers to our city,” says Robertson.

Victoria is already well-equipped to handle a busy cruise season and has many of the facilities in place required to be a homeport.

“While we’re the busiest cruise ship port of call within Canada, we still have capacity during those key times that the ships want to turn,” explains Robertson. “We have three deep water berths available at all times.”

As part of its Ogden Point Master Plan, GVHA is also planning to make the port more of a destination in itself. A 30-acre development includes proposals for a First Nations village to highlight the local culture. A new terminal may also include restaurants, cafés and a redeveloped heliport where cruise passengers will be able to book helicopter rides to nearby attractions.

“We know that we need to be able to provide these unique and authentic experiences if we are to become a successful homeport,” says Robertson.

We share how GVHA is putting its vision into practice to establish Victoria as a homeport in the future

Holland America Line’s Amsterdam stops in Victoria on her way to Alaska

Saint John, New Brunswick - where tides four storeys tall are just

the start of your adventure.

CruiseSaintJohn @portsaintjohn @portsaintjohn sjport.comContact Betty MacMillan bmacmillan@sjport.com

twice the appeal...Our award-winning destination will have

With the future opening of our second berth,Cape Breton Island will extend our world-famous hospitality to more visitors than ever before...twice the reason to make us your next port of callon the Canada New England itinerary.

Joan Harriss

Cruise Pavilion

Cabot Trail

The second berth will be capable of docking vessels in excess of 300m

SYDNEYPORT.CA

Port of Syndey - Cruise and Ferry Half Page.indd 1 2017-02-07 4:23 PM

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

40

What is currently the most important piece of green technology onboard your ships and what does it do? David Dingle, chairman of Carnival UK, and Tom Strang, senior vice president of Maritime Affairs at Carnival Corporation: Exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers). Although the original drive for scrubbers was precipitated by the development of sulphur oxide (SOx) Emissions Control Areas (ECAs), the introduction of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.5% global limit in 2020 means that our advanced investment, research and installation of these systems was extremely worthwhile. Our scrubbers have been compliant from the word go, but we have opportunities to improve and upgrade them to make them more reliable. Carnival overperforms against the 0.1% ECA target, and there has been a small reduction for nitrogen oxide (NOx) and an appreciable decrease in particulate matter emissions. We also perform way above IMO requirements in terms of the water being emitted from open-loop scrubbers.

James Mitchell, vice president of Environment, Medical Policy and Public Health at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: Advanced wastewater treatment systems

allow our vessels to treat our wastewater to stringent internal and external standards prior to discharge. When our vessels go into dry dock, we take the opportunity to assess and install newer systems that will benefit our vessels and the environment. Water flow reducers have also shown a noticeable benefit over the years, decreasing the volume of the ships use, produce and bunker.

Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises: We constantly implement innovative technologies, which has made our three newbuilds particularly energy-efficient cruise ships. Each one consumes around 30% less energy than cruise ships of a comparable size and class. A centrepiece of green technology is the innovative combined system for treating exhaust gases, consisting of a hybrid scrubber, two catalytic converters and a washwater cleaning system. The system lowers SOx, NOx and particulate emissions by around 99%, 75% and 60% respectively.

Richard J. Vogel, president and CEO of Pullmantur: Protecting the environment is a priority and one of the pillars on which the operations area relies on in their daily work. Not only do we scrupulously comply with all international regulations, but we

have implemented much strict policies of our own. Recently we installed advanced water treatment systems across our fleet, allowing ships to purify greywater and blackwater onboard. Once the process is complete, the water is almost clean and is discharged, eliminating the ships’ environmental impact.

What do you think will be the most important piece of green technology in future and why?Dingle and Strang: There are several alternative fuel technologies, such as new battery and fuel cell technology, but LNG ticks all the boxes for reducing our emissions right now. None of the alternatives really drive a step change in the way LNG does; it will be the first major step on the road to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. We’re waiting to see what goals, timelines and milestones will be outlined in the IMO’s long-term GHG strategy, and we think this will drive new technologies. We also see significant improvement in big data. We are collecting more and more big data and using it in an intelligent way to improve performance, which then reduces emissions.

Mitchell: To date, our company has used scrubbers, specifically closed-loop

Operating to protect the environmentSusan Parker asks cruise line executives to share their thoughts on current and future green technology, as well as how they are meeting environmental goals and challenges

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE

David Dingle Tom Strang Wybcke Meier Richard J. Vogel James Mitchell

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

MedCruise-ICFR.pdf 1 18/02/15 11:38

International Cruise & Ferry Review42

Crui

se B

usin

ess

” The substitution of fossil fuels will play a key role in helping the industry become greener” Richard J. Vogel, Pullmantur

scrubber technology, on numerous vessels to minimise emissions while burning heavy fuel oil. There has been a move towards LNG and fuel cells that, if developed correctly, will drastically reduce the carbon footprint of vessels. It will be interesting to see how this is applied to the cruise industry as there are many challenges associated with it that still need to be worked out.

Meier: We’re actively working on further developing environmentally friendly cruises, but it’s difficult to predict what progress we’ll make. Certainly, the growing level of awareness in society means that guests will increasingly expect that cruise companies like TUI will sail ships in a manner that has hardly any impact on the environment. The adaptation of LNG-based technology is moving forward and we’re certain that once the infrastructure and the regulatory framework in the ports is established, it will be an important step towards a greener cruise concept.

Vogel: The substitution of fossil fuels due to their high environmental impact will unquestionably play a key role in helping the industry become greener. For years, steps have been taken to gradually reduce the

sulphur content in fuel, but this measure is not enough. The great revolution will come with the widespread use of new clean fuels, such as LNG.

Please outline your company’s annual goal for reducing its environmental footprint.Dingle and Strang: Carnival has already achieved 23.4% of the 25% 2020 sustainability goal it set for reducing its carbon footprint from the 2005 baseline.

We equipped 41% of the fleet with scrubbers and we’re on track to hit our aim of increasing advanced wastewater purification system technology by 10% because we’ve increased fleetwide capacity coverage by 1%. In addition, we expect to hit our 5% waste reduction goal, but we’re lagging on the goal to produce more water from seawater.

Mitchell: We have a goal to reduce our fuel consumption by 2% annually, which will help to decrease our carbon footprint. This is part of our ISO 14001 certification and environmental programme.

Meier: The long-term goal is to operate a cruise fleet with the one of the lowest levels of emissions in the world from 2025. Our environmental strategy is divided into the areas of energy efficiency, reducing emissions, climate protection, resource protection, environmental awareness, inclusion of interest groups, supply chain sustainability, and transparent progress reports. TUI’s environmental targets for 2016 included reducing carbon dioxide emissions per person per overnight stay (pppos) by 5% compared with 2015, lowering SOx emissions pppos by 15%, decreasing the fuel consumption of the fleet by 2%, reducing the quantity of

Norwegian Cruise Line’s vessels are equipped with advanced wastewater treatment systems to ensure they discharge clean water

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE

www.portsdebalears.com

Visitors can enjoy surrounded by the best conditions the outstanding sensations of the Balearic Islands thanks to the exceptional situation of our ports. The best image is represented by our islands seen from the sea.

FOLLOW US

P A L M A · A L C U D I A · M A H O N · I B I Z A · L A S A V I N A

Within the Mediterranean Sea,our most valuable treasure

A4 Cruceros Eivissa ING.indd 1 21/03/13 12:04

Crui

se B

usin

ess

International Cruise & Ferry Review44

waste pppos by 2%, and minimising water consumption pppos by 2%.

Vogel: All environmental measures are set out in our ambitious Save the Waves programme, which goes beyond international regulations. Our main objective is to reduce the waste we generate, both solids and liquids. In this sense, we use recycled, non-polluting materials whenever viable and if this is not possible, we recycle as much as we can. We treat greywater and blackwater, and we’re also progressively increasing the use of cleaner fuels with less sulphides. We always optimise the use of electrical energy and propulsion to reduce consumption, or optimise ballast operations to prevent the intrusion of organisms into other ecosystems.

What is the most challenging environmental regulation/requirement your company is facing and why?Dingle and Strang: While we support and comply with waste disposal requirements in the Baltic, we’re concerned that port reception facilities will not be ready. Our ballast water equipment, which complied with IMO regulations, no longer meets

the more onerous requirements of the US Coast Guard but there is now more clarity regarding these rules, which is helpful. However, we don’t see the introduction of a NOx ECA in the North Sea in 2021 as particularly challenging. We don’t yet know what the requirements for GHG will be so it is too early to talk about these.

Mitchell: With our industry operating in all areas around the world and the regulations constantly evolving and

changing, keeping up to date and in compliance is challenging, but an extremely important task.

Meier: Our policy is to go above and beyond, which means that we’ve already met and exceeded upcoming standards, including the 0.5% sulphur cap for 2020. Our ships are operating scrubber technology worldwide and reducing sulphur levels in their exhaust to less than 0.1%. We see challenges in the infrastructure of port facilities, particularly because not all ports meet our standards regarding wastewater collection, or processing and recycling solid waste. In some destinations, it’s quite difficult for our environmental officers to find waste vendors that recycle the waste properly. This is something that must be improved and we see port agencies and the cruise industry working hand in hand to do so.

Vogel: We consider the regulations regarding fuel with reduced sulphides in ECAs as a challenge due to their economic impact on operations. It is necessary to increase the provision for the purchase of these fuels and make an investment in the ships’ engines to adapt them to burn this type of fuel. C&F

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE

” We’ve already exceeded upcoming standards, including the 0.5% sulphur cap for 2020” Wybcke Meier, TUI Cruises

TUI’s Mein Schiff 4 consumes around 30% less energy than cruise ships of a comparable size, thanks to its combined system for treating exhaust gases

http://www.vallettacruiseport.com/

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

46

” We continue to pioneer cruise shipping worldwide”

acing a year almost free of newbuild deliveries, Adam Goldstein, president and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), has new top

priorities. “I’ll be focused on generating fantastic experiences, building up the Asia and general new-to-cruise markets, and putting more effort into the digital experience,” he says. “From a corporate standpoint, it is a year of double-digit in terms of the financial community so we are very determined to pursue financial goals as well.”

RCCL’s approach to its markets when it comes to its well established brands of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises is pretty clear. “Royal Caribbean is the leader in cruising of the larger brands and has fully established its global footprint, with Harmony of the Seas and three Quantum-class vessels delivered in a short space of time,” comments Goldstein. “While we have no new ships coming in 2017, we continue to pioneer cruise shipping worldwide. 2017 is an opportunity to leverage the fleet capability over the years and establish these four ships.”

Excitement is building within Celebrity Cruises as it starts to unveil details of the first of the Edge Class, due for delivery next year. Meanwhile, Azamara punches above its weight and has been the pioneer of the small-ship, authentic cruise experiences that offer one/two overnights in port and involvement in local communities. “A lot of brands are copying us,” notes Goldstein.

While Goldstein declined to comment on the possibility of a newbuilding for Azamara, he was a little more forthcoming about Royal Caribbean’s Icon class. The first is set for delivery in 2022 so the lead time is generous – and it needs to be for there is much work to be done. “From an LNG standpoint, Icon is an exciting development for the company and part of our long-term approach to environmental friendliness,”

says Goldstein. “If a ship project is going to emphasise a fundamental change in energy source, it is very significant. We have constantly pioneered things over 50 years and this will be one of the next steps for us.”

Another step is that the Icon class will use fuel cell technology. The timing could not be much better because in 2020, all ships must adhere to the International Maritime Organization’s 0.5% global sulphur limit. Although available, compliant fuel is very expensive, which has been a major factor in driving the development and implementation of exhaust gas cleaning systems on cruise ships. RCCL has been instrumental in testing these for some years and has a major retrofit programme in place for its existing tonnage.

“All our ships with advanced emissions purification (AEP) systems or LNG engines will be 2020 compliant,” Goldstein says. “We are actively retrofitting our existing ships with AEP units.”

Goldstein does not have numbers as to how many ships in the RCCL fleet will be retrofitted by 2020, but he does indicate that the Azamara vessels, being smaller

A time to prepareAfter a flurry of newbuilds, Adam Goldstein views 2017 as a year of consolidation and innovation for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Susan Parker reports

INTERVIEW

Harmony of the Seas is fitted with AEP systems to meet 0.5% sulphur limit

47

and older, may be more difficult and less economical to retrofit.

“A lot of factors go into the discussion as to whether a ship will stay in a given brand or the company. 2020 would be a variable around the talk of those that don’t have AEPs retrofitted, but it is about much more than that,” remarks Goldstein. He adds that now 2020 is set in stone, the chances are that more manufacturers will come in so by 2019, the rapidly developing AEP system technology is likely to be well ahead of where it is today.

In terms of the digital experience, RCCL will release more news as 2017 continues. “It is part and parcel of the general consumer experience throughout the world for every industry,” comments Goldstein. “At RCCL we are trying to produce this for before, during and after a cruise.”

When it comes to new markets, Goldstein says the whole Asian market has potential. “There will be continual development of China, but also the whole region including Australia and New Zealand,” he predicts. “We’re working very hard with brands to develop the market, which attracts a lot

of new-to-cruise travellers. We have to significantly increase Chinese travellers awareness about what a cruise entails and why it is such good value and, co-dependent to this, we have to develop distribution through China.”

Key to that, adds Goldstein, is ensuring that the agents understand and can explain a cruise vacation. “If you look at more mature markets like the US and UK over the years, travel agents have been a big part of awareness.”

However, there is another big piece to this puzzle: infrastructure. “In order for the cruise industry to truly capture the potential of the Asian market, we have to have ports of call with enough capacity and experiences to handle growing traffic,” explains Goldstein. “We need more transit call infrastructure. I am confident and optimistic, but I cannot take it for granted.”

When it comes to establishing homeports, China is more aggressive than others in the region. The limited facilities in Sydney are creating a choke point. “Australia is not where we want it to be,” says Goldstein. “It is a Sydney-centric homeport market and

it [Sydney] doesn’t yet have viable plans to expand. We are open to opportunities within Sydney harbour, but also to solutions in Port Botany.”

On the other side of the world, the Caribbean continues to be the most significant deployment sector of the industry. Goldstein was recently appointed chairman of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). “There are at least 40 different sovereign jurisdictions that we deal with on a daily basis,” he says. “It is a very dynamic environment. There are always newly elected people to educate. I think the challenge for the Caribbean is to understand global tourism and the standard of tourism. I would say in round numbers it is about 10% of world GDP and that is a tremendous impact on the world and a source of jobs.”

Last year’s FCCA conference in Puerto Rica heralded positive changes. “In meeting after meeting, we saw that the different countries and islands recognised the nature of global competition and want to compete,” enthuses Goldstein. “I think it is a very propitious moment to become chairman.” C&F

The Aquatheater onboard Harmony of the Seas

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

48

” We’re evolving our brand to offer even better destination experiences, which we call ‘Stay Longer. Experience More’”

Azamara Journey, pictured in Santorini, Greece, underwent an extensive revitalisation in 2016

efore being appointed as chief executive of Azamara Club Cruises in 2009, Larry Pimentel co-owned SeaDream Yacht Club, which is designed

to provide an intimate luxury yachting experience primarily in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line, and held the same role at Classic Hawaii.

Still at the luxury end of the cruise spectrum, Pimentel manages Azamara and its two 686-passenger ships – Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest – both of which were extensively refitted last year to ensure they offer a more intimate cruise experience to discerning travellers. While Azamara is part of the wider Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd. group, the brand’s emphasis is very much on offering passengers a wide range of cruises to less frequented destinations that can be linked to an onshore segment.

At a time when other cruise lines are heading to the shipyards with more orders for new tonnage, Azamara looks to be concentrating on improving the experience, and facilities on its existing ships.

So, what does Pimentel feel are the challenges of only operating two vessels in

the increasingly competitive luxury ocean cruise market?

“Small is beautiful in our space, but being small also lacks economy of scale – so the size of our fleet is both an upside and a downside,” he comments. “Having said that, sensible growth is a positive, but for the sector, too much growth too quickly has many negative implications including market saturation.”

When considering how the luxury market and consumer demand may evolve over the coming year, Pimentel says: “Today’s luxury is all about experiential, exclusive, authentic and localised experiences. It’s also about the

‘human connection’, experiencing destinations as a local, finding those hidden gems only known to those who live there – such as where to see the perfect sunrise or sunset, or where to get the best fresh local produce and wines.”

Pimentel believes that the luxury market is big and growing. “According to studies we’ve done, globally the number of core and aspirational luxury consumers is expected to grow from 380 million to 440 million between 2013 and 2020,” he explains. “The same survey showed that travel is the third-highest spend category among luxury consumers after second homes and

Lap of luxuryAzamara Club Cruises’ Larry Pimentel has built up over two decades of experience in the cruise industry, mostly at the luxury end. Here, he talks to Sandra Speares

INTERVIEW

49

automobiles. More than 30% of luxury consumers plan to increase travel spending in the next year, greater than in any other product category. I see 2017 as directionally positive for most luxury market segments, including travel.”

This view appears to echo that of chief executives at other cruise lines who have suggested that passengers are now seeking new destinations and experiences. Considerable attention is being paid to give passengers a more intimate view of the places they visit and experience them as a local would.

No further upgrades are planned for this year following the dry docks in 2016. “We completed bow-to-stern renovations of both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest in the first quarter of 2016, so there is no need for further upgrades this year,” comments Pimentel. “The 2016 upgrades are the most significant since the ships were reconstructed and were designed to reinvigorate the onboard guest experience. They were outfitted with new venues, public spaces and technologies to bring fresh services and amenities to guests. The upgrades included all staterooms and suites, dining, spa and entertainment areas.”

Pimentel says that while Azamara is best known for its land and Destination

Immersion programmes – which have enabled it to boast an unprecedented number of repeat guest bookings – the company also wanted to ensure the onboard experience was modernised to meet guests’ every need. “The ships now have a new look and feel, setting a brighter, more contemporary ambience, while the new venues are bringing guests fresh experiences and we’ve had some fantastic guest feedback from those who have recently sailed with Azamara.”

Turning to Azamara’s itinerary planning strategies for 2017-2018, Pimentel reveals that the shore excursion and destination programmes have been expanded. “Towards the end of January, we announced a significant development of our shore excursion programme,” says Pimentel. “In 2010, we launched Azamara Club Cruises as the cruise line that champions Destination Immersion – meaning longer stays, more overnights and night touring. To enhance this, and exceed the demands of today’s affluent travellers, we are evolving our brand to offer even better destination experiences, which we call ‘Stay Longer. Experience More’.”

One element that Azamara has improved is the one-to-one human connection. “Our excursions will be curated to ensure guests

get to connect in a personalised and unique way with the people of the destinations they visit,” Pimentel explains. “This may be through cultural experiences, spending time with families, enjoying local food and beverages, music or events, but the focus will always be on authentic experiences. We will deliver this experience in more than 200 ports worldwide in 2017 and 2018, 35 of which we will be visiting for the first time. In addition, more than 50% of the ports we’ll visit are ports that larger ships can’t visit, and we’ll continue to give guests plenty of opportunity to visit the destinations at night when they come alive.”

Pimentel’s other top priorities for 2017 include continuing to focus on enhancing guest satisfaction and greater shareholder profitability. Azamara will continue to build upon the Destination Immersion offering, with the aim of ensuring that passengers can enjoy authentic experiences all over the world.

As for the International Maritime Organization’s new international regulations limiting global sulphur limits to 0.5% from 2020, the company will either install exhaust gas cleaning technology to ensure compliance, or use compliant marine gas oil or low sulphur fuel on its ships. C&F

Azamara Quest berthed in Monte Carlo, one of the many luxury destinations Azamara visits on its itineraries

Available for:

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:Cruises: Koos Vrijlandt koos.vrijlandt@heineken.comFerries: Onno Huyghe onno.huyghe@heineken.com

REAKTHROUGH100% disposable one way keg

ASEWeighs 25% less than steel kegs and has an Easyfi t coupler which means any trained staff member can quickly change a keg

AVINGSNo cost of returns, no cost of CO2 and no deposit on kegs resulting in cost savings

ASTENo CO2 or mixed gas added during pouring means a perfectly carbonated beer every time.BrewLock™ perfectly preserves the beer’s taste and aromas, providing an outstanding taste

BREWLOCK™, a revolutionary new draught technology developed by HEINEKEN to bring draught beer at brewery quality to consumers at signifi cantly reduced logistical and handling complexity.

170131 Brewlock adv for 30.1 - 210-280mm 2.indd 1 30-01-17 16:44

51

MSC Meraviglia pictured during her transfer to the wet dock at STX France’s Saint-Nazaire yard

SC will take delivery of 11 newbuilds between 2017 and 2026, including four LNG-powered World Class ships and six

confirmed orders: two Seaside Class, two Meraviglia Class and two Meraviglia Plus Class vessels. Two vessels will be delivered in 2017 – MSC Meraviglia in June and MSC Seaside in late November – and will be followed by MSC Seaview in May 2018, MSC Bellissima in February 2019 and the first, as-yet-unnamed Meraviglia Plus class ship later in the year.

“We’re very excited about the new ships, which represent two totally different prototypes and should allow MSC to cover the wide range of regions we operate in,” says Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ chief executive.

MSC’s newbuild programme has now been established as far as type of ships and amenities are concerned, barring the World Class series which is still on the drawing board with a detailed general arrangement plan to be revealed this year. The new series will be in the 200,000gt range with about 2,700 cabins and will offer MSC’s first LNG-powered ships.

One consideration will be which ports are equipped with the right facilities to handle LNG-fuelled cruise ships. The other will be how to manage LNG onboard to meet safety requirements while being as efficient as possible in terms of the space required to accommodate it.

When the new ships launch, MSC will have the right tools to follow its strategy of growing and consolidating its position in its primary markets – Europe, America and South Africa. For example, it will further develop the UK market by homeporting one ship in Southampton for summer 2018. “The UK market is strong, but MSC’s presence has been at a low level to date,” says Onorato.

The additional ships will also allow MSC to extend its presence in the Caribbean and North American market, and give it the flexibility to move MSC Splendida to

Shanghai, China in May 2018, where she will join MSC Lirica.

“We have been marketing Caribbean cruises, including Cuba, to UK passengers and our winter cruises are proving attractive to passengers from India and China,” Onorato comments. “This is the kind of strategy MSC wishes to pursue to grow the company.”

For destinations like Cuba, MSC will be considering which charter operations are serving the country as it develops its cruise offering there. “More and more airlines are starting to look at Cuba,” says Onorato.

Other new cruise destinations for 2017 include growing destinations in the Mediterranean that have only been visited on an occasional basis, like Sardinia, and unusually, Saranda in Albania. After investigating the possibility of operating a larger ship in Albania, the line has opted to deploy MSC Poesia there from April 2017.

“The spike in bookings since MSC decided to introduce port calls in Saranda

is proof that customers are much better educated than we are,” comments Onorato, adding that there are two UNESCO World Heritage sites and beaches closes to Saranda. “It is very well positioned for our seven-day itinerary out of Venice.”

Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will also be a new port of call. The line has a preferential arrangement with Abu Dhabi Port Authority and tourism department for Sir Bani Yas because it cooperated with the organisations to design the facilities and committed to having ships visit. Certainly, says Onorato, the global political situation has not affected destinations like Dubai, although nationalities view things differently in terms of foreign travel.

“MSC has also found a very good level of cooperation in destinations like Qatar,” says Onorato, explaining that the line offers a 14-day cruise that takes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, but also destinations like Bahrain and Qatar.

Expansion plans gather paceMSC Cruises has never been a cruise line to let the grass grow under its feet. Sandra Speares talks to Gianni Onorato to find out about the company’s impressive €9 billion expansion plan to 2026

INTERVIEW

http://www.studiodejorio.it/

53

” We’re very excited about the new ships, which represent two totally different prototypes”

MSC has another onshore project, the 95-acre Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, located in the Bahamas which is totally different. The island will have sports facilities, an amphitheatre, dining venues, a spa and wellness sanctuary, beaches and more. Onorato admits that while MSC underestimated the complexity of the project at the start, the line is very excited by the project. “the island is easy to access and becomes part of the ship,” he says.

Sand has been laid to sculpt the island to the desired dimensions. The target is for work to be completed by October 2018 and the project is on schedule. One of the key selling points for the project is that it is probably the only island owned and managed by a cruise line that can be used for both Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries. “The location is unique,” comments Onorato.

Enhancing the onboard experience on its ships is also a key priority, so MSC has formed several exclusive partnerships with brands such as global hairstyling company Jean Louis David and children’s toy manufacturer LEGO. “Our strategy has been very simple: MSC is a private family-run cruise company and has always tried to do everything in house so we have full control over everything

we’re doing,” Onorato explains. “However, we have to be humble and not think we can be the best in everything we do. A big ship means a rich ship in terms of both amenities and product offers, and to do that, we need to involve the professionals.”

The line has also joined with technology giant Samsung. As part of this partnership, Samsung will install 3D mirrors on the Meraviglia class vessels to enhance the shopping experience by allowing passengers to see themselves wearing clothes in 3D, without actually having to try them on.

“The new ships will be smart ships,” remarks Onorato. “We are trying to apply Samsung’s technology for safety purposes, as well as for enriching our guest experience. For example, we will offer a ‘kids locator’ which allows parents to use their smartphone to locate their children on the ship. This technology is also being introduced to help people navigate the vessel.”

As far as the new environmental regulations are concerned, Onorato says all the ships are being retrofitted with scrubbers to meet the 2020 global sulphur cap requirements. Scrubbers have been installed by Fincantieri in cooperation with STX France in Saint-Nazaire where all the existing fleet was built. C&F

MSC Meraviglia will be delivered in June 2017

FOR YOUR 25% DISCOUNT

TO A ONE-YEAR PRINT EDITION SUBSCRIPTION*

TO VIEW THE FREE DIGITAL EDITIONS

AND TO RECEIVE THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

FOR THE TABLET, MOBILE, LAPTOP

AND DESKTOP APP EDITIONS

* Your print subscription will cover the next two printed issues. Offer ends 31st May 2017

www.cruiseandferry.net/offers +44 116 222 9900

Sign up to

ST.LAWRENCE’SGRAND GATHERINGDESTINATION

SEPT-ÎLES PORT OF CALL50° 11’ 50’’ N 66° 22’ 59’’ W

10,000 years ofNative & Euro-Americanculture and history

Canada’s 3rd largestnatural deep-sea port

destinationsept-iles.com dsin@portsi.com

55

INTERVIEW

Koningsdam offers various innovative features, including World Stage

olland America Line’s new ship Koningsdam has been getting rave reviews from passengers since her delivery in spring 2016 and has been received

‘wonderfully well’ according to company president Orlando Ashford.

One highlight is the innovative multi-function World Stage, which can be operated as a proscenium or as an auditorium surrounded by a 270-degree LED wall. The BBC Earth Live show can be watched here and other popular features include Music Walk, which incorporates Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Billboard Onboard.

Excitement is now building for Koningsdam’s sister ship, Nieuw Statendam, which is under construction at Fincantieri and will essentially be a replica of Koningsdam, but with a few surprise new features and enhancements. A third Pinnacle-class ship will be delivered in 2021.

The reception that Koningsdam is getting has acted as a stimulus to the entire fleet. “As we generate more excitement with our guests and more momentum for the business, it builds the case for why we might need more tonnage in the fleet and I am hoping that will play out as we go forward,” comments

Ashford. “I am having those debates and discussions with my colleagues here at Carnival Corporation.”

Holland America has been in operation for nearly 145 years, so how does the line differentiate itself from the other brands in Carnival Corporation? Ashford says two aspects spring to mind: the classic style of the brand’s premium cruise ships, and how it delivers the destination experience to guests. Cuisine is also a differentiator with particular emphasis on new onboard dining experiences, such as seafood brasserie Sel de Mer on Koningsdam.

In December 2016, Holland America launched Explorations Central, a multi-faceted initiative that provides passengers with in-depth information on the ports and countries they will be visiting, advice from insiders and experts on culture and history, tour opportunities, port guides and other information. “The service allows guests to immerse and educate themselves, and experience the destination in a way that we uniquely deliver,” Ashford explains. “Our goal is to create the opportunity for guests to touch, feel and taste destinations as a local would.”

“The fact that we get to take more than 850,000 people to more than 400 ports in 120

Cruising like a local Sandra Speares catches up with Orlando Ashford to understand how Holland America Line is giving guests opportunities to learn and grow

” Our goal is to create the opportunity for guests to touch, feel and taste destinations as a local would”

International Cruise & Ferry Review56

Crui

se B

usin

ess

INTERVIEW

countries on all seven continents and allow them to leave a little bit of themselves and take a little bit of the destination with them, I believe helps improve our understanding of the world and our understanding of one another,” adds Ashford. “That’s an energy that we’re going to celebrate a little bit more in 2017. In fact, we just launched a nationwide initiative that celebrates the transformational power of travel to inspire shared humanity, including a new television advert.”

The whole cruise industry is excited about opportunities offered by Cuba, and Holland America is no exception. The company operates a wide range of ship sizes, meaning it can flexible on destinations so it hopes to add Cuba to itineraries in the near future.

In 2017, Holland America will celebrate 70 years of taking passengers to Alaska. The US state is a very strong part of the business and the company has substantial onshore investments, including railways and hotels. It is a destination from which many people choose to start their cruise experience and Holland America has been developing the McKinley Chalet Resort to provide accommodation for passengers on Holland America’s Land + Sea journeys, which combine a cruise with a trip to

Denali National Park. Last summer, Holland America opened Denali Square, offering a new communal area for guests to relax, shop, dine and enjoy music and entertainment at the resort.

Holland America has also enhanced the information it provides through HAL Academy to reflect the expanded range of services offered on its ships. The academy serves as a focus for informing and educating travel professionals on what the company is up to, or Holland America’s ‘bold new story’.

“The academy is a vehicle through which we inform and educate, and there is a lot to share,” says Ashford, noting that the company has worked hard to convey the energy and experience on its ships to people who have yet to sail on them first-hand. “Technology is one way of doing this. It is one thing to describe the space, it is another to describe the energy that the space creates.”

Like every other shipping sector, the cruise industry has been affected by new regulations.

“The cruise industry is well equipped to handle these challenges,” remarks Ashford. “I’ve got very talented people with the expertise and technical skills to make sure we are complying or exceeding requirements as best we can, and that we’re getting in front of

any potential issues and sharing best practices across the corporation.”

Koningsdam, for example, is designed according to the Safe Return to Port criteria laid down in International Maritime Organization regulations to increase the safety and comfort of the passengers in case of an emergency.

Energy saving criteria was also followed during the design process, so the ship features LED lights in passenger cabins and public areas, HVAC fan coils in the same areas, and a heat recovery system. A real-time performance tool assists the crew in optimising the vessel performance and an open-loop exhaust gas cleaning system has been installed on two engines to reduce sulphur oxide emissions.

Looking to the future, Ashford is confident that the cruise industry will remain strong despite the downturn in the shipping sector generally.

“A cruise is a discretionary purchase, but people need to spend time recharging with family and loved ones” he says. “A cruise is the best vacation value there is. It’s also a wonderful way to see the world and experience multiple cultures with people who understand the location. I think there are good things on the horizon for the cruise industry.” C&F

Above: Holland America’s first Pinnacle Class vessel Koningsdam has had great feedback since launching in April 2016. Right: Oosterdam sailing in the Hubbard Glacier, one of the many Alaskan destinations

Holland America has visited for the past 70 years

A breath of fresh air...

When it comes to building new vessels we take everything onboard. We build and supervise from hull to delivery, from A to Z. We design the vessel in consultation with the client, and realise the interior to the fi nest detail.

The high-quality application of technologies for propulsion, climate control, electronics and sanitary facilities ensures that the vessel meets every requirement. And all this is achieved within the agreed deadline.T +31 (0)184 - 676 140

www.breejen-shipyard.nl

A breath of fresh air...

CLIENT-ORIENTED DESIGN

Client-oriented design

When it comes to building new vessels, we take everything onboard. We build and supervise the entire process from hull to delivery, from A to Z. Every vessel is designed in consultation with the client, taking into account even the finest of details. Using the latest in technological excellence for propulsion, climate control, electronics and sanitary facilities, we ensure that each vessel meets every requirement. And we achieve all of this on time and within budget.

T +31 184 676 140 www.breejen-shipyard.nl

professional marine lighting solutions since 1999www.tvvmarinelighting.com

Architectural and custom-made solutions

B0- and B15-rated LED downlights

Hi-tech LED downlights

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

58

oyal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s (RCCL) decision to sell a 51% majority stake in subsidiary Pullmantur Group to Springwater Capital Group

in 2016 prompted a change in the brand’s leadership. Jorge Vilches stepped down as president and CEO of the group, which incorporates Pullmantur Cruceros and Croisières de France, and was replaced by veteran cruise specialist Richard J. Vogel.

Vogel has a wealth of experience in the industry having spent nine years at TUI Cruises (another RCCL brand). He has been non-executive director at Saga Cruises since May 2016. His first months at Pullmantur Group have been busy.

“The seven months that I have been at the helm of the Pullmantur Group have been very intense,” says Vogel. “I spent almost all the first quarter seeking to understand the specifics of the company in regard to organisation, strengths and weaknesses, and how our different source markets are operating. For me the most important task was to understand our employees, and I don’t mean just in terms of the language. Now we’ve had this

absolutely necessary immersion phase, we have started to implement some changes that, when combined, will represent a major transformation of Pullmantur in terms of product and organisation. One goal was to define clear responsibilities and competencies, but also work on long-term and more efficient itinerary planning, and the product itself.”

However, Vogel admits there have been some challenges. “Perhaps the main one has to do with the communication of our own product to customers,” he says. “We have to get better at highlighting what our distinctive attributes are, our value proposition, why we are unique and why customers should choose us, even though we don’t have the newest fleet on the market.”

In the future, Pullmantur aims to capitalise on the ‘huge’ demand in Spain and Latin America. “With a company like ours operating four vessels, the change in our business model in France – which undoubtedly will mean that we continue to work closely with travel agencies – is related to our needs in terms of deployment and the challenges that we face in the coming years,” Vogel

comments. “Currently, we’re immersed in a process that takes us back to our origins, which are strongly rooted in Spanish and Latin American culture and customs, and constitute the essence of our DNA.”

While Spain and Latin America will play a fundamental role, France and other markets will remain very important for Pullmantur, Vogel says. “We will be happy to receive all those passengers who want to enjoy their holidays and a Spanish way of life. This certainly includes our French passengers and repeaters, as well as our loyal guests from other countries.”

Pullmantur operates four vessels – Zenith, Horizon, Monarch and Sovereign – so the line has had to decide how many different products and source markets it can and should serve, and adjust its strategy accordingly.

“Latin America is one of our main markets, together with Spain, and although it’s an area with great opportunities, instability is a variable that we should never lose sight of,” Vogel says. “We’re getting a very positive response from Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile and they’re countries where we see a lot of potential.”

Changing timesSandra Speares finds out how Richard J. Vogel has settled into his new role as president and CEO of Pullmantur Group and hears about his key priorities

INTERVIEW

59

” We have started to implement some changes that will represent a major transformation of Pullmantur”

Vogel adds that the brand has made some positive developments in the region in the 2016-2017 season. “As a result of our commitment to this market, we’ll operate there on a permanent basis throughout the year, which has resulted in a 40% increase in capacity,” he says. “We’ve also expanded our offer in the Caribbean by launching two new itineraries – Islands of the Caribbean and Legendary Caribbean – alongside our already successful Antilles & South Caribbean voyage. There will be two versions of the Islands of the Caribbean itinerary in 2017-2018 – Islands of the Caribbean & St. Maarten and Islands of the Caribbean & Barbados – to give our passengers greater options to discover the destination.”

Pullmantur will continue to explore new destinations in future. “At Pullmantur we are always looking to innovate and introduce new routes into our portfolio that conform to the market demands and that are attractive to potential guests,” notes Vogel. “However, this search for novelty must co-exist in perfect harmony with already established, consolidated itineraries and we design with a view to still being there in the future. Launching a new itinerary takes great effort from the operational point of view, as well as sales and marketing. For this reason, there must be a perfect balance. In addition, as part of our daily work we’re analysing how we can improve our existing deployment to increase passenger satisfaction – one of

the main concepts around which all our decisions revolve.”

New ships are not currently on the horizon. “We are experiencing a key moment as a company; we are very focused on consolidating our product, the regions in which we operate, our priorities, and setting goals that lead us to the place that we want to occupy in the future,” explains Vogel. “This process is vital. Before we talk about new ships we have to stabilise our business, our brand and our position in the market. If all works as planned, I am sure we will have some options on the table.”

One area that Pullmantur always prioritises is complying with environmental legislation.

“At Pullmantur Group we are fully committed to protecting the environment,” confirms Vogel. “Not only do we comply with all environmental legislation, but we go one step further because our procedures are more stringent than international standards. Perhaps the exhaust regulations pose the greatest challenge for us. This leads to huge investments in either scrubber technology or more expensive fuels.” C&F

Pullmantur’s Monarch spends her time sailing the Caribbean Sea and in Northern Europe

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

60

” We finished 2016 with a record number of bookings and that speaks volumes about the resilience of our customers”

Tauck’s loft cabins offer guests additional space and boast windows spanning one-and-a-half decks.

o succeed in the river industry takes more than just luck. Operators need imagination and skill in abundance. In no other area of travel is the playing field

quite so level, with the possible exception of air. European river lines all operate within the same rigid parameters when it comes to hardware; there is no philosophy of ‘build them bigger and they will come’ on these waterways. Their art is what they do with the canvas that’s put in front of them. For a company like luxury operator Tauck, having 92 years of tour operating history to fall back on is no bad thing either.

“Differentiating from our competitors was never even a thought,” explains Dan Mahar, CEO of Tauck, when asked about the innovations he has implemented across his fleet of European river vessels. “It was all about making a better experience for our customers.”

Mahar is talking about the loft cabins that have been installed on Grace, Joy, Inspire and Savor, four of Tauck’s newest ships.

The eight 225 square foot cabins extend from the first to the second deck and boast windows spanning one-and-a-half decks. The lowest deck, where guests typically have to make do with a submerged cabin and a tiny window that is (usually) just above the water line, is now one of the most coveted onboard.

“The change totally transformed the experience for guests on that deck,” Mahar explains. “With the loft cabins we took a weakness and made it a strength. As a company we wouldn’t have been around for that long if we didn’t focus on making incremental changes to our guest experiences.

“People love our newbuilds,” he adds. “We’ve had great feedback. The customer reviews have been fantastic and our write-ups from journalists have been terrific. Our employees – who are our best arbiters – have been really supportive too.”

It’s little wonder that the accolades have been pouring in for the most recent additions to Tauck’s fleet. For one, boats of this size are usually built to accommodate 190 passengers. Tauck’s have capacity for just 130.

Fewer guests means greater space and larger suites, something that Mahar says goes down extremely well with his well-heeled clientele.

“That’s what our guests love,” he says. “Our customer feedback is better when they’re in the bigger cabins. They have walk-in closets at home, but love that they can have them in their suites onboard too.”

The fact that the ships have fewer people is felt right round the vessel – from the bigger suites to a less crowded main restaurant and lounge. The other benefit is that the company has been able to install

a second, more relaxed dining experience called Arthur’s, which was named after the company’s chairman Arthur Tauck Jr.

The trend of increasing the size of suites and public spaces onboard is not just limited to the company’s new Inspiration class. Last year, Swiss Sapphire and Swiss Emerald were refurbished and the remaining Jewel class ships – Treasures, Swiss Jewel and Esprit – will soon be brought up to Inspiration-class

Lofty ambitionsDan Mahar explains to Sam Ballard why with 92 years behind it, luxury river cruise operator Tauck is well equipped for the future

INTERVIEW

61

standard. An Arthur’s restaurant was added and the capacity taken from 118 down to 98. When the company announced the refurbishment at the beginning of 2016, it was with the intention to eliminate the gap on the two classes – with both sailing under the Tauck Destination Fleet flag.

Now, with everything moving in one direction, Mahar can look to the future and, in particular, at how broader societal trends are affecting the way in which his customers take their holidays.

“There is a consumer trend that is transcending demographics right now,” he says. “A 70-year-old today is a lot more active than a 70-year-old two decades ago. They’re eating better, they’re more active – it’s a broader societal trend. Now, it’s flat along the rivers of Europe and the paths are beautiful. They’re ideal for biking and hiking. The increase in guest demand for those kind of experiences is one of the most significant trends in the past year or two.”

“We’re responding to that by offering itineraries and experiences to do it in the best

way for our customer,” Mahar adds. “In doing this, however, we will broaden the appeal of river cruising to a wider group, including many younger people. So many people build fitness into their life and they just do not want to give that up when they travel. The beauty of these river cruises is that there are so many immediate and healthy ways to take part in these activities right outside your door.”

The move towards more health-conscious holidays fits in with another, less publicised – but no less important – decision that the company is taking.

“We believe in being proactive and reducing our environmental footprint,” Mahar explains. “You can do that in a multitude of ways: how you handle your waste water or electric use onboard, for instance. However, the biggest consideration is your fuel.”

Tauck is testing a new fuel in France, called gas-to-liquid technology. “It’s created by Shell and is a natural gas, which is the cleanest burning fossil fuel,” comments Mahar. “We convert it to use it onboard our river boats. It’s a little bit more expensive but

is a lot cleaner. It’s colourless and odourless, so it could be a very exciting development for the broader river industry.”

That’s big news for Mahar’s company and further proof of the pioneering status that Tauck has adopted across the best part of a century. It also validates the opinions of a company that has survived the Great Depression, World War II and everything else thrown at it for the past 92 years. What then does the CEO think of recent troubles in Europe, the company’s sole river cruising destination?

“Europe has had a lot of volatility,” says Mahar. “The biggest impact has been in France and central Europe, but Americans still want to travel to Europe. They’re travelling to Spain, Portugal, Italy and Northern Europe. True, they’re avoiding certain locations but in some areas it’s actually picking up.

“We finished 2016 with a record number of bookings and I expect 2017 to be even better. That speaks volumes about the resilience of our customers.” C&F

Savor is one of Tauck’s four vessels with loft cabins

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

62

he feedback for our river yachts? It has been extraordinary,” begins Edie Rodriguez, the self-effacing president and CEO of luxury juggernaut Crystal

Cruises. “We only launched in July but have already won awards in the US and the UK. We are selling out – the success has been monumental.”

For anyone familiar with the Crystal story, it’s hard to think of a more apt adjective than monumental to describe what has happened to the company. For years Crystal Cruises worked hard to carve out a sector of the ultra-luxury cruise market with its fleet of just two ships: Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, which launched in 2003 and 1995 respectively. While the company has constantly delivered for its loyal guests; there was only so far it could go with its limited hardware. Especially when competitors such as Carnival Corporation’s Seabourn Cruise Line boasts twice as many ships, the oldest of which was only launched in 2009.

Rodriguez, who joined the company in 2013, is as assertive as Crystal itself. When Genting Hong Kong bought Crystal for US$550 million in 2015, few doubted whether the woman nicknamed Speedy Edie would stay on.

Shortly after the purchase, announcements about river ships, aircraft and an expedition fleet were made. Residencies at sea will follow on an entirely new class of ship.

Rodriguez, who is famous for sleeping just four hours a night, is now working double time to oversee one of the most startling expansions in the history of the cruise industry.

“Only about 50% of our guests on Crystal Mozart have cruised with us before,” she says. “The other half are not only new to river cruising, they’re new to cruise entirely. That is because we are no longer just Crystal Cruises, we are now simply Crystal – the world’s most luxurious lifestyle and hospitality brand portfolio.”

Crystal’s diversification beyond a pure ocean cruise product has seen the company

grab column inches in a “myriad of different titles, in a myriad of different ways”. That in turn has led the brand to crack the much-coveted new-to-cruise market. However, that’s just part of the story.

“We are now appealing to an international wealthy global traveller,” Rodriguez comments. “Not only that, but we are appealing to different demographics – on our new expedition fleet with Crystal Esprit, the average age is just 35.”

It’s little wonder that other companies are paying attention to the Crystal story – even if they don’t like what they’re hearing. Under Rodriguez’s stewardship, Crystal’s portfolio will see wealthy individuals enter the Crystal funnel at 35 with the Endeavor expedition fleet (complete with submarine, jet skis and zodiacs) before graduating onto the air, ocean and river products. It’s the perfect formula, not that Rodriguez believes that the company has any rivals.

“Take Crystal Mozart,” she says when asked that very question. “We offer the only true a la minute dining experience, we are

Crystal clearThe breakneck speed of Crystal Cruises perfectly suits the company’s president Edie Rodriguez, nicknamed Speedy Edie. Sam Ballard finds out why

INTERVIEW

Left: Crystal Serenity made history with her Northwest Passage voyage. Above: Crystal also has its own customised Boeing 777

Image: Paragon Pixels

| Planning and Feasibility | Concept and Design | Furnishing and Dressing | Project Support |

Crystal Mozart

ASSOCIATES

International Cruise & Ferry Review64

Crui

se B

usin

ess

” We are now appealing to an international wealthy global traveller”

the only line with real open seating. We have Toto toilets, iPads that can call your butler or order room service. The list of accoutrements to this brand explains why we are the only true luxury experience on the Danube and the rivers of Europe. We don’t have any true competitors. This is not your grandfather’s river boat.”

Among the many highlights of the past year for Crystal, one could perhaps be said to rank above even the dazzling investments and announcements: the record-breaking journey through the Northwest Passage in September and October. The chance to be onboard the biggest vessel to ever undertake the Northwest Passage proved to be a huge draw for a lot of people. The 32-day voyage was so successful that Crystal will be doing it again in August.

“It was beyond phenomenal,” Rodriguez says. “In my 35-year history, I have never had guest satisfaction scores like that cruise. Our guests were surprised and delighted every day. They saw polar bears and the Northern Lights. They made history.”

The voyage did a lot to draw global media attention to the cruise industry, leaving no place to hide on potentially thorny environmental issues within the fragile polar region. For Crystal, which has been meticulous in its green policy planning, it was plain sailing.

In a statement the company said: “Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity

will shift to full time use of lower sulfur fuel, which we currently use now inside the internationally designated Emission Control Areas. It will likely be marine gas oil (which is 0.1% sulfur content) unless there is heavier fuel available which is under the 0.5% cap. Crystal Esprit already uses marine gas oil all the time and the Endeavor class newbuilds are being built as full time marine gas oil vessels.”

For a long time, exploits like the Northwest Passage have been what Crystal does best: reinventing itself within the narrow framework of its existing hardware. The cruise was one of the most triumphant achievements of 2016 because it reinforced what Crystal is so good at – and why they got the investment in the first place.

“In terms of how we are going to maintain the quality of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony across our new fleet, the answer lies in our staff,” Rodriguez explains. “Many people have left us over the years, simply because in the past they didn’t think they could grow within our company. Now, with the investment, they are coming back. Half of all the people we have hired for Crystal Mozart have worked for the company before.”

For 2017, the company will be launching its first river newbuilds – Bach and Mahler. Rodriguez’s main focus is going to be on ensuring the launch dates of other newbuilds stay on track.

“We pushed a couple of our launches back,” she admits. “But the reason was that we saw how successful the yacht and expedition segment were. We opted to build three more and make them the priority. I need to keep focused on our own brand and setting our own sail.” C&F

Crystal Mozart has attracted both regular and new-to-cruise guests

INTERVIEW

Epic Adventures Are Built Upon Equally Epic Service Standards.

4770 Biscayne Blvd PH-D • Miami, FL 33137786-522-7396 • Email: DWertanzl@CMI-Leisure.com

CMI-Leisure.com

CMI Leisure Management is the leading Hotel Concessionaire in small-ship cruising for good reason. We exceed your guests’ expectations for inspired travel,

while surpassing yours for rock-solid, top-quality, cost-efficient management. Let CMI Leisure Management make an epic difference for your fleet.

CMI-9067_Trade_Ad_and_Poster_Final.indd 1 1/10/17 10:57 AM

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

66

Carnival Vista is the first in a series of three ships and is the largest in Carnival’s fleet

arnival Cruise Line officially launched Carnival Vista, the first in the Vista class of vessels, in May 2016 and christened

the ship in New York, US in November.Carnival Vista has multiple innovative

features and is designed in accordance with International Maritime Organization Safe Return to Port requirements. Fitted with an Ecospray exhaust gas cleaning system and a Headway ballast water treatment system, the ship is also the first Carnival vessel with an intelligent power management system. The system optimises diesel engine operational settings to reduce emissions and conserve fuel. Meanwhile, a steam-turbine generator recovers excess steam produced by the

exhaust gas boilers while the ship is sailing. Classification society Lloyd’s Register has bestowed the ECO Notation designation on Carnival Vista, a first for a Carnival ship.

Innovations aimed at passengers include the first IMAX cinema at sea, the first brewery in North America on a cruise ship and SkyRide. Around 700,000 children sailed with Carnival in 2016, so there’s an emphasis on families with family-designed cabins that have separate bathroom facilities and sleeping areas.

“Feedback on Carnival Vista has been fantastic,” says Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president. “A lot of couples enjoy the Havana experience, a themed private and exclusive area with cabins, open bars and an infinity pool. Carnival Vista is the largest in the fleet, accommodating nearly 5,000

people, and has been designed in a way that we think really can accommodate that number effectively. We have spread the features on different decks.”

A second Vista Class ship, Carnival Horizon, is currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard in Italy and will be delivered in 2018. The third 133,500gt ship in the series – originally destined for Carnival’s sister brand P&O Cruises Australia – will be delivered by Fincantieri in 2019. In conjunction with this change, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Splendor will be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in late 2019.

“One reason for this was the new ship’s size, which represents a considerable leap compared to the current tonnage operated

High tech cruise timeCruise lines are becoming increasingly high tech in their offering to guests and the new Vista class is no exception. Carnival Cruise Line’s Christine Duffy tells Sandra Speares

INTERVIEW

67

” Feedback on Carnival Vista has been fantastic”

in the Australian market,” explains Duffy. “I think the infrastructure may not be ready for that size of ship yet.”

Carnival has also contracted Meyer Turku in Finland to build its first two LNG-powered cruise vessels for delivery in 2020 and 2022. Based on parent company Carnival Corporation’s next-generation green cruising ship design, these new vessels will be part of the first generation of cruise ships to be fully powered by LNG, making them the most efficient in the company’s history. Pioneering a new era in the use of alternative fuels that reduce air emissions in North America, the ships will use LNG to generate 100% of their power while in port and at sea.

Each 180,000gt ship will accommodate 5,200 passengers and be similar to those on order for sister companies Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises. “The design team is collaborating closely with our sister brands,” Duffy says in response to questions about the configuration of the ship taking the use of LNG into account.

As far as new destinations are concerned, Carnival is ‘very close’ to finalising an agreement with Grand Bahama to build a

private Bahamas destination for Carnival, Duffy says. In addition, the company is working to bring more ships and itineraries to Princess Cays in the Bahamas. Up until now, this has primarily been served by Princess Cruises but Carnival has scheduled six ships to make 138 calls at the private island in 2017 and 2018. “Given our huge focus on the Caribbean and the number of Carnival Cruise line ships sailing in the region, there was a good opportunity for us to use Princess Cays,” Duffy explains.

Other exclusive destinations open to Carnival guests include Half Moon Cay and the new Amber Cove – a US$85 million purpose-built port development by Carnival Corporation in the Dominican Republic.

Another project is the expansion of Long Beach cruise terminal in California, US. Three Carnival ships have been operating out of Long Beach including Carnival Miracle, which offers seven-day-plus cruises to the Mexican Riviera and longer cruises to Hawaii. In January 2018, the larger Carnival Splendor will replace Carnival Miracle on these routes, increasing capacity by 41% Carnival Miracle will reposition to Tampa, Florida.

The cruise terminal will be tripled in size to nearly 150,000 square feet and the cold ironing facilities will be expanded. Construction will begin later this year. Carnival will also gain full use of the Spruce Goose Dome, which gives the company two-way operation so embarking passengers can access the terminal before passengers have finished disembarking.

As far as environmental regulations are concerned, Duffy says the company is on track to meet the International Maritime Organization’s 0.5% sulphur cap deadline in 2020 and has been continuing its programme to fit its ships with scrubbing technology.

“We’re focused on continuing to train our shipboard employees, particularly those in deck and engine departments who now have the opportunity to go to Carnival Corporation’s new Arison Maritime Center in the Netherlands for state-of-the-art training,” Duffy comments. “The centre emphasises the importance we place on continuing to meet and exceed all the requirements of health, environment, safety and security of our guests and crew.” C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

68

few years ago the future of Costa looked precarious. The scuppering of Costa Concordia in 2012 made headlines right around the

world for years, while the saga with the buffoonish Captain Schettino continued to rumble on for a good deal longer.

By any measure, it was a PR nightmare. The company shrank from selling in the UK (admittedly never a big focus) and instead looked to build up its business in Asia. It opened offices across the continent and now appears to be making big strides in a region that many flag as the future of the cruise industry.

Fast forward to today and the company has four ships on order. Two massive 5,200-guest behemoths and two slightly smaller vessels will all head to the Far East.

“We opened the Asia Pacific and China offices back in 2006,” explains Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises. “Today we have four ships in the market and the Costa neoRomantica will be the fifth, arriving this year. Asia has been growing very fast as both a destination and as a source market, primarily China. During the winter, when we run ships from Hong Kong to Singapore, we source passengers from other regions in Asia. There is a huge opportunity – you just have to look at the populations within those markets.”

He’s not wrong. According to the Cruise Lines International Association’s Asia Cruise Trends report, cruise tourism continues to grow at a double-digit rate across the continent. The number of ships deployed to the region grew by 12% from 2013-2016 and passenger capacity grew by 29.3%.

As a source market, the number of Asian cruise travellers tripled between 2012 and 2015. China alone has been growing at about 39% annually. With an estimated 986,000 Chinese nationals cruising in 2015, it’s good but just a drop in the ocean considering the country’s 1.3 billion population.

Even in India, one of the hardest markets to crack, Costa has started to see gains. Palomba admits that while the number of Indians travelling to date has been small compared to the opportunity, it is only a matter of time before the Indian people see cruise as a destination. “Regardless of where they are travelling, I see an opportunity for them taking our cruises in Dubai or Europe – not just cruises from Singapore or Hong Kong.”

However, while more and more lines are deploying vessels to Asia, the trend of sending older hardware to the Far East is seemingly coming to an end. As Palomba explains, in 2019 and 2020 Costa will launch ships specially built for the Asian market. But that’s only half of the story – the two other vessels Costa has

on order will be powered by LNG, the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel available. Costa, with the financial might of Carnival Corporation, has become one of the most forward-thinking cruise lines in the world.

“As an industry we have evolved and we know that from an environmental point of view we need to become more sustainable,” Palomba says. “The regulations are becoming more stringent and we need a more sustainable solution from a propulsion point of view. LNG is already available for other vessels – it’s being used by ferries and even cargo ships – so the technology is reliable. We have signed a deal with Shell, which will see the company become our LNG partner. It’s something that we believe in. It’s fundamental. The ships are being built with this technology so we can’t go back – we are investing in it and believe in it.”

“We have always been ahead of regulations and our commitment is to try to implement new and innovative solutions and practices that allow our ships to be among the most sustainable vessels in the world,” Palomba adds. “We have introduced the scrubbers onboard our ships to reduce the emissions of sulphur and through the two new LNG ships we will be more and more effective on our environmental policy. The new rules will be introduced in less than three years, but

Building for the futureCosta Cruises is investing in its hardware and people to keep up with demand. President Neil Palomba talks to Sam Ballard

INTERVIEW

” From the moment a guest walks onboard they are welcomed into our family”

69

we believe that this challenge will involve all the stakeholders of the industry including the energy providers that will work closely with the industry to meet the regulations.”

The two larger newbuilds represent a major coup for Costa. Carnival Corporation has 10 brands, virtually all of whom would love the opportunity to launch that much capacity – especially with the added narrative that the ships are more environmentally friendly.

The acquisition has meant that Costa has bought a major stake in the Naval de Marseille shipyard to handle future repairs of ships bigger than any others seen in the fleet. It’s another example of the company’s savvy future-proofing.

For Costa, the ships are going to represent another new direction for them in that the

pair will have their designs overseen by Adam D. Tihany, who had a hand in the launches of Holland America Line’s Koningsdam and Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Encore. The vessels, which have been given a brief of being “Italy’s finest” mark a change from the brash flamboyance of Joe Farcus, who designed most of the recent Costa fleet.

It also fits in with another development for Costa, the opening of its academy for advanced training in onboard hospitality, a partnership between itself, government and professional bodies.

“We are the only Italian cruise line that proudly sails under the Italian flag,” Palomba explains. “Italy is known for a variety of beautiful destinations, but it is also known for its gastronomical experiences and, most importantly, the service. We

identified this as the strength of the brand – the service that we offer onboard – which means that we must ensure that our people deliver an Italian service. One that our customers deserve.”

“The academy allows us to train new crew and also constantly train existing crew – including middle and top management onboard,” continues Palomba. “They all have the opportunity to be involved in workshops to create new products and concepts. It’s a way of making sure we always stay on top.

“We, as a company, have defined what our values are: quality, style, hospitality and passion. They also represent the values of being an Italian, especially the passion. From the moment a guest walks onboard they are welcomed into our family.” C&F

Costa Diadema, top, was heralded by the ship designer Joe Farcus as the best vessel he’d ever designed. Costa NeoClassica, interiors pictured above, ran a season for the Indian market between Mumbai and the Maldives, which ended in March.

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

70

” Our newbuilds will be the world’s first electric-powered hybrid expedition ships”

orld leader in expedition travel Hurtigruten made history in 2016 when it placed its first newbuild order in more than a

decade. The company plans to expand its fleet with two new expedition cruise ships – one in July 2018 and the other in July 2019 – in a move that fits well with growing consumer demand for voyages to more remote destinations.

“We’re making the largest investment in Hurtigruten’s history to ensure our position as a world leader in expedition

travel in the Arctic and Antarctica, and at new adventurous destinations,” says Daniel Skjeldam, Hurtigruten CEO. “Adventure tourism is one of the fastest growing global tourist trends and it’s a market where Hurtigruten sees great potential for our unique product. The new adventure traveller is looking for active and authentic experiences. People no longer want to spend their all of their holiday time being passive spectators.”

Hurtigruten contracted Norway’s Kleven Yards to build the two 530-passenger vessels last year, adding an option for two more

newbuilds. Rolls-Royce will design and deliver equipment for both ships.

In addition to an innovative ship design with a wave-piercing bow, Rolls-Royce will supply an integrated package of technology and equipment. Among the deliverables will be the Rolls-Royce Unified Bridge, which represents a complete redesign of the ship bridge environment. Consoles, levers and software interfaces will have a common look and feel, which Rolls-Royce claims will result in a more comfortable, clutter-free and ultimately safer and more efficient working environment for the captain and the bridge team.

Given the tough climatic conditions, safety will be critical. Austria-based firm Palfinger Marine has been contracted to supply lifesaving equipment for the two newbuilds, which will each be fitted with lifeboats, tenders and two fast rescue boats. Each lifeboat has a capacity for 150 people, while each tender can accommodate 150 people when used as a lifeboat, or 120 when shuttling cruise passengers.

Skjeldam believes Hurtigruten’s new ground-breaking expedition ships will revolutionise adventure travel at sea. “It was a natural step for us to honour our explorer heritage by naming our new generation of vessels after the Norwegian legends of polar exploration Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen,” he remarks. “Our newbuilds will be the world’s first electric-powered hybrid expedition ships, with interiors reflecting

Polar adventuresDaniel Skjeldam explains to Sandra Speares why Hurtigruten has a good deal to offer the more adventurous traveller

INTERVIEW

71

Scandinavian design. We’re combining Hurtigruten’s more than 120 years of know-how with cutting-edge technology, designs of tomorrow, and a strong commitment to sustainability, to offer the modern adventure traveller unprecedented experiences.”

Adding that Hurtigruten’s newbuilds will also set a new standard for interior design and onboard customer experience Skjeldam says: “The aura of the period of the great exploration expeditions will be recreated within the framework of modernity, prime quality and comfort.”

New destinations are also on the horizon for 2017 and beyond. Commenting on what drives destination planning decisions, Skjeldam says the Hurtigruten has two mainstays: Arctic and Antarctic explorer sailings, and the legendary voyages along the Norwegian coast. “From the 2017 season, we are expanding to several new adventurous destinations such as the Amazon river and Arctic Canada.”

However, that’s just the beginning, Skjeldam says. There are 32 new destinations in Hurtigruten’s 2018 expedition sailings programme, which offers an expanded selection of Antarctica expedition sailings, including on Roald Amundsen. Hurtigruten will also offer explorer-style sailings in the Caribbean, along the US Atlantic coast (including New York) and to the Northwest

Passage. With these new additions, Hurtigruten will offer itineraries to 200 destinations across 28 countries.

“When planning our ground-breaking itineraries and expansion, we balance several drivers and considerations, such as market demand, operational factors, regulations, environmental factors, and whether the destinations are a good fit for the Hurtigruten product concept and DNA,” Skjeldam explains.

Skjeldam predicts that customer demand for expedition cruising will evolve over the next few years. “The Adventure Tourism Development Index Report from 2015 valued adventure tourism at US$263 billion, with an increase of 195% over two years,” he says. “We strongly believe this development will continue and intensify. Hurtigruten sailed our first expedition cruise to Svalbard in 1896. Seeing others trying to follow in our wake today is a sign that after 120 years as polar pioneers, we’re still disrupting and shaping the industry.”

Hurtigruten’s financial turnaround in recent years has enabled the company to invest heavily in a total makeover of the coastal product and its current coastal expedition ships. “We’ve introduced a new and modern arctic design, reflecting the pure and untouched nature we sail in and by,” comments Skjeldam. “In the

restaurants, guests are offered locally harvested fine dining. From spring, six of our coastal ships will feature onboard expedition teams modelled after our Antarctica operation. It’s a total makeover, giving our guests extra – and more active – choices, while still honouring our historical roots.”

Norwegian operators have always been in the vanguard of tackling environmental challenges and with its new hybrid ships, Hurtigruten is no exception. The issue is all the more important with the advent of the global sulphur cap in 2020.

“Operating in pristine waters for almost 125 years, we’ve constantly been focusing on developing sustainable travel,” comments Skjeldam. “We’re building the world’s first hybrid powered explorer ships with rapidly developing battery technology to allow us to sail totally emission free. Even though it is a huge extra cost, we don’t use heavy fuel oil in any of our 14 vessels. Hurtigruten is already well within the sulphur cap limit.”

Challenging the rest of the industry to follow, Skjeldam adds: “Time is overdue to discuss size limiting guidelines and ban heavy fuel oil in the Arctic; the industry needs to develop more sustainable operations and destinations. This is essential if you want to operate in the world’s most pristine and vulnerable waters.” C&F

Rolls-Royce has designed two hybrid expedition cruise ships for Hurtigruten

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Crui

se B

usin

ess

72

pproaching her first full year as president and CEO of Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), it’s clear that Cindy D’Aoust is pleased

with her progress to date.“If I could use one word to describe this

past year it would have to be ‘growth’,” she says. “We all witnessed the growth of the cruise industry and for me, both personally and professionally, 2016 was a year of growth. Looking back over these 12 months, I am proud to say that CLIA has evolved into an organisation that is well positioned to leverage all constituents in our community to support the common interests of the cruise industry.”

D’Aoust describes the year as being full of highlights, with the formation of a global leadership team particularly standing out.

“At CLIA, we have strengthened our leadership team around the world by

bringing onboard a myriad of experts who are passionate about this industry and focused on the future,” she says. “And to ensure our leaders focus on the right priorities, together with our most senior cruise line leaders, we have defined priorities and success metrics to create a roadmap for CLIA.”

CLIA has also worked to enhance its engagement with members and to advance its research practices.

“The satisfaction scores across all membership types is at the highest level in history and anecdotal feedback confirms the increase in value we are providing to our community,” D’Aoust says. “This year, we also worked with internal and external stakeholders to build a strong research repository that includes reports on economic impact, environmental issues, and updated data for our industry.”

The association recently released its CLIA 2017 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report, which provides an overview of current trends and areas of focus within the industry. The report indicates that the future looks bright, but what does D’Aoust believe the key drivers behind this positive outlook to be?

“I always like to reinforce that the number one key driver is the unprecedented diversity of cruise travel choices currently offered,” she says. “Cruising allows each traveller the opportunity to create their own unique experience. From expeditions to Antarctica to leisure cruises in the Caribbean, today more than ever before, there is a cruise for every travel occasion, style and budget.”

D’Aoust says that because of this, the industry is attracting new and repeat cruise passengers of all ages.

“In fact, cruise travel is being embraced and enjoyed by cruisers among younger

Better togetherSean Dudley catches up with Cindy D’Aoust of Cruise Line International Association to discuss her first 12 months at the helm of the organisation

INTERVIEW

D’Aoust says that growth has been a key theme of her first year in charge

73

” To deliver on the potential around the world, everyone in the cruise industry must continue to work together”

generations, including millennials, creating a new ‘cruise generation’,” she says.

For this positive outlook to become a reality, a sense of togetherness, hard work and a focus on each and every passenger will be key.

“To deliver on the potential around the world, everyone in the cruise industry must continue to work together to deliver the best once-in-a-lifetime experience for each guest,” says D’Aoust. “Additionally, they are part of the ‘cruising experience’ and must help tell our story. Many inaccurate myths exist and they have a role to play in educating, advocating and promoting this industry.”

D’Aoust explains that the recent CLIA Cruise Travel Report: Attitudes, Behaviors and Travel Preferences of Cruisers and Non-Cruisers found that, among a variety of factors, cruisers and non-cruisers alike are

looking for a unique experience that fits their specific travel desires.

“The industry will be rewarded for ensuring this is delivered to every guest on every trip,” she says.

D’Aoust hopes that she will continue to oversee positive shifts within the industry, but implores association members and the wider industry to work together to ensure that the growth continues.

“Together, we are stronger,” she concludes. “Our voice will be louder and our influence greater. My greatest hope for this year is a continued unity among the cruise industry as a whole. This also applies to leaders across the industry. We owe it to our communities and members to find ways to work together rather than continue to fraction the industry and we will only be successful if everyone continues to work together.” C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

74

erry operators are scrambling to invest in new vessels and replace propulsion systems as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020

deadline for ships to use fuel with less than 0.5% sulphur content creeps ever closer. However, Scandlines CEO Søren Poulsgaard Jensen isn’t concerned. His company is already well ahead of many other ferry operators when it comes to meeting and exceeding environmental requirements.

Between 2012 and 2015, Scandlines invested around €25 million (US$26.5 million) to implement its award-winning innovative hybrid propulsion systems and closed-loop exhaust gas cleaning solutions (scrubbers) onboard four ferries operating on the Fehmarn Belt between Puttgarden, Germany and Rødby, Denmark. The hybrid propulsion systems onboard Deutschland, Prinsesse Benedikte, Prins Richard and Schleswig-Holstein combine traditional diesel power with batteries, while the closed-loop scrubbers reduce sulphur emissions by 90%.

“Collectively, the four diesel-electric ferries offer close to 34,000 departures annually, with each ship sailing for around

6,200 hours and berthing in port for almost 2,560 hours per year,” Jensen comments. “This means that the ferries’ engines were operating for 17,000-30,000 hours per year and we decided that making them more efficient would lead to better results for Scandlines. We’re always on the lookout for new ways to optimise our operations and reduce costs where possible.”

Equipping the four double-ended, double-decked ferries, which have operated on the route since 1997, also helped Scandlines establish itself as an innovative and forward-thinking environmentally friendly ferry operator.

“Scandlines was the first ferry operator in the world to make large-scale use of onboard hybrid systems, which store excess energy in batteries,” claims Jensen. “By using our hybrid propulsion system, we have reduced carbon dioxide emissions from the four ferries operating on the Puttgarden-Rødby route by up to 15%. In addition to enabling us to comply with the IMO’s sulphur limit that came into effect on 1 January 2015, the hybrid systems have also optimised engine efficiency.”

Scandlines took its commitment to green cruising a step further in 2016 by introducing

two new 1,300-passenger hybrid ferries on the route between Rostock in Germany and Gedser in Denmark. Like the Puttgarden-Rødby ferries, both newbuilds have hybrid propulsion systems and closed-loop scrubbers.

The ferries were initially ordered at P+S Werften in Stralsund, Germany in 2009, but Scandlines cancelled the order due to concerns about construction and delivery. The shipyard went bankrupt in August 2012. In July 2014, Scandlines struck a new deal with Danish shipbuilding company and long-term partner Fayard and requested an extensive rebuild to reduce each vessel’s weight by more than 1,000gt. This was achieved by completely removing the upper deck, gutting the second upper deck, and moving the bridge to the top deck.

“The Rostock-Gedser route offers the largest growth potential because it has Central and Eastern European exposure, but the ferries were more than 30 years old so we wanted to introduce tailor-built ferries that would increase capacity, offer an improved customer experience and help us to optimise operating costs,” explains Jensen. “The project was launched more than six years ago and successfully reached its final conclusion in 2016 after a long and eventful journey.”

Forward-thinking environmentalists Søren Poulsgaard Jensen explains to Rebecca Gibson how Scandlines is reducing its environmental footprint by investing in hybrid ferries and scrubbers

INTERVIEW

” Scandlines was the first ferry operator to make large-scale use of onboard hybrid systems”

75

Berlin commenced operations out of Rostock on 23 May, replacing Prins Joachim, which was transferred to European Seaways on 24 May for service in Greece. Copenhagen started service alongside her sister on 21 December. A third vessel, Kronprins Frederik, acts as a reserve ferry for both the Rostock-Gedser and Puttgarden-Rødby routes to safeguard capacity.

“Now that Berlin and Copenhagen are in service, our oldest route – which dates back more than a century – operates two of the world’s most modern passenger and freight ferries,” says Jensen, adding that the cost of the vessels totalled €280 million (US$297 million).

The company also rebuilt Gedser’s facilities to accommodate the new ferries, and has started using a new berth built specifically for Berlin and Copenhagen in Rostock. One berth will also be reconfigured in Puttgarden.

Building on these investments, Scandlines ultimately aims to develop an onboard propulsion system that produces no emissions at all.

“We’ve earmarked investment funds of around €100 million (US$106 million) to be able to run an entirely electric-based fleet on the Puttgarden-Rødby route, completely eliminating all emissions,” Jensen says. “Later, we’ll also convert the ferries on the Rostock-Gedser route to plug-in hybrid ferries that can recharge their onboard batteries in port and run emission-free.”

Although improving environmental sustainability is a primary objective for Scandlines, the ferry line is also focused on continually improving the onboard experience for its customers.

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve invested heavily in modernising and improving the look and feel of the catering

and retail outlets onboard our vessels,” says Jensen. “For example, the passenger areas onboard three of the ferries on the Puttgarden-Rødby route have been completely refurbished recently. Both Deutschland and Schleswig-Holstein were renovated in 2013-2014, while Prinsesse Benedikte was revitalised in spring/summer 2015.”

Jensen notes that the new ferries and onboard enhancements have all helped to improve Scandlines’ financial performance.

“We’re very happy to see that we’ve been able to meet our expectations for double-digit growth rates in the first few months of both Berlin and Copenhagen entering service,” he comments. “Copenhagen and Berlin, plus our expanded port facilities in Rostock and Gedser, have secured Scandlines’ position as the primary operator in the central transport corridor between both Germany and Denmark, and Scandinavia and Europe.” C&F

Copenhagen and Berlin both offered improved retail and catering outlets

Berlin in Warnemünde, Germany

Imag

e: S

øren

Lun

d H

viid

Imag

e: M

icha

el D

ietz

Imag

e: M

icha

el D

ietz

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

76

ightlink Ferries will make history in summer 2018 when it launches the first-ever hybrid passenger ferry

on the Solent between the UK and the Isle of Wight.

Currently under construction at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey, the £30 million (US$37.5 million) newbuild will be the most environmentally friendly ever to serve the Portsmouth to Fishbourne crossing. The 1,000-passenger vessel will have two fixed vehicle decks for 178 cars, and use Wärtsilä’s hybrid battery technology to improve efficiency, reduce the exhaust emissions and lower noise levels.

“We replace our ships at intervals and as part of this, we have commissioned a new ferry using hybrid battery power,” says Keith Greenfield, who was appointed as CEO of Wightlink in June 2016. “We’re also carrying out substantial port improvements as part of our £45 million (US$56.3 million) Investing for the Future programme.”

In another first for the UK ferry industry, Wightlink will install MoorMaster, a

vacuum-based automated mooring system, at the Fishbourne and Portsmouth terminals. The system from Cavotec uses remote-controlled vacuum pads on the quayside to moor the ferries in less than one minute and hold them in place during embarkation and disembarkation. St Clare will use MoorMaster from summer 2017 and it will also be used by Wightlink’s new vessel, and may be modified for use by others in future. New two-tier boarding ramps will also enable more efficient loading and unloading at both terminals.

While much of Wightlink’s focus is on preparing for the ferry and completing the terminal upgrades, the line has also continued to invest in improving its existing ferries.

Currently, Wightlink’s six car and passenger ferries and two passenger catamarans operate 46,000 sailings on three routes each year, carrying almost five million passengers from the UK mainland to the Isle of Wight. Car ferries St Clare, St Cecilia, St Faith and Wight Sun all operate 45-minute crossings on the Portsmouth to Fishbourne route, while Wight Light and Wight Sky provide 40-minute services between Lymington and Yarmouth. The two

passenger catamarans – Wight Ryder I and Wight Ryder II – sail 22-minute journeys from Portsmouth to Ryde Pier Head.

“Some of our vessels are more than 30 years old, while others are less than 10 years old, but we do our best to keep each ferry looking as smart and modern as we can,” comments Greenfield. “Each vessel goes into dry dock every year for essential routine maintenance. This also gives us the opportunity to invest and install new furnishings and fittings.”

Making history on the SolentKeith Greenfield talks to Rebecca Gibson about the investments Wightlink is making to ensure its fleet remains fresh and environmentally friendly

INTERVIEW

” We do our best to keep each ferry looking as smart and modern as we can”

77

In January 2014, Wightlink invested £1 million (US$1.25 million) to completely refurbish two passenger decks on flagship ferry St Clare, which resumed service in mid-March. In addition to refreshing the vessel’s colour schemes and furnishings during the two-month dry dock, Wightlink added a soft play area for children and a Teen Scene zone with TV screens and music. The line also brought the first Greggs outlet to sea, allowing passengers to purchase a selection of savoury pastries, sandwiches, sweet treats and freshly ground coffee from the UK’s largest bakery chain.

“Although our crossings are short, customers rightly demand high standards and they expect to travel in comfortable passenger lounges and enjoy quality refreshments,” says Greenfield. “We regularly carry out surveys to find out what customers would like to see onboard and which facilities are the most popular. We were delighted to see that both the children’s play area and the Teen Scene zone are well used and greatly appreciated by the younger generation of passengers.”

All six of Wightlink’s car ferries and terminals have food and beverage outlets. “We offer the popular Costa range from one of the nation’s favourite coffee chains onboard our car ferries and at our terminals, and our customers definitely like the familiarity of the high-street brand,” comments Greenfield. “Wightlink also has an ongoing initiative to increase the number of local food and beverage producers and suppliers we work with.”

In recent months, the operator has teamed up with multiple Isle of Wight-based food and beverage companies, enabling passengers to purchase produce from The Isle of Wight Ice Cream Company, The Isle of Wight Sweet Company, The Isle of Wight Biscuit Company of Arreton, sandwich company Full Spread and Goddards brewery. Family-run business Island Roasted provides its award-winning drum-roasted coffee onboard St Clare, while the ferries on the Portsmouth-Fishbourne and Lymington routes sell garlic-infused chutneys, mayonnaises, sauces and beer from The Garlic Farm. Meanwhile, Wight Crystal is now the preferred supplier

of bottled water for the line’s ferries and its onshore retail outlets.

Working together with leading brands and our island community gives us a range of tasty treats to offer our customers,” says Greenfield. “However, sometimes the simplest options are the most popular – often the travellers on our early morning ferries seem to just want toast!”

According to Greenfield, Wightlink’s most recent upgrades have improved both passenger satisfaction and the company’s financial performance.

“New ships and terminal improvements are inevitably multi-million pound investments, but if the money is spent wisely, it has a direct benefit for the Wightlink’s bottom line,” he explains. “However, less expensive changes to services can also effectively improve financial performance. This could be enhancing customer care, and updating the customer relationship management systems with targeted marketing messages to attract more passengers. We’ll continue with such investments in future.” C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

78

t was back in 2014 that Governor Sean Parnell announced that the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Vigor Industrial had reached

a final US$101 million agreement to construct two Alaska Class Ferries (ACF) at Vigor Alaska in Ketchikan – the largest project of its kind to be completed entirely in state.

“The ferries are intended to replace one of the Alaska Marine Highway System’s (AMHS) three original mainline vessels that were constructed in 1963 when the AMHS was established,” explains Captain Michael Neussl, deputy commissioner for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. “The project is entirely funded by the state, which means we can keep Alaska’s dollars at work in Alaska.”

At 280 feet long and with capacity for up to 300 passengers and 53 standard vehicles, the two ferries – which were recently named Tazlina and Hubbard after Alaskan glaciers – will be the largest ships ever built in the state. Each ferry will feature bow and stern doors for quicker loading and unloading, fully enclosed car decks and controllable pitch propellers to maximise manoeuvrability and efficiency.

Although they won’t be complete until 2018, significant progress has already been made. “In November 2016, the front half of Tazlina was moved out of the assembly hall at the Ketchikan Shipyard to provide room to begin constructing the vessel’s aft half,” Neussl comments. “Tazlina is expected to be delivered to AMHS in spring 2018 and Hubbard at the end of 2018.”

A number of design considerations have been made to ensure the ferries will be able to sail in the Northern Lynn Canal, and that passengers will remain comfortable in rough waters.

“The ACFs were designed to exceed 99% sailing frequency for all identified routes,” says Neussl. “Seakeeping analysis of the hull design has estimated the passenger comfort to be similar to the comfort level of Taku. This is expected to be achieved by centrally locating passenger accommodations, and incorporating a hull and bow that are designed to minimise spray generation and forebody slamming.”

AMHS also ‘tank tested’ a to-scale model version of the ACF design to further analyse the seakeeping ability and to make design modifications to further improve the passenger comfort level during inclement weather. “However, AMHS also recognises that extreme weather events do occur and, as with all AMHS vessels, the ACF must operate under the limits defined as safe for both passengers and vessel,” adds Neussl.

The passenger amenities will be similar to AMHS mainline vessels in that they will have multiple decks, an observation lounge, a designated quiet area, a dedicated area for food and beverages and an aft solarium. Food will be served in a food court-type environment with select cold and hot food options available during the majority of the voyage. In addition, hot water and a microwave will be available for passengers who opt to bring their own food and wish to heat or cook their food onboard the ferry. The ACF are designed to operate as day boats, therefore they will not have staterooms for passengers or crew.

The project is just one part of AMHS’s vision for the future. “The priority to improve service and enhance revenue generation involves establishing a stable funding source for the system from year to year,” Neussl explains. “Budget fluctuations tied to the annual state budgeting process

Breaking records in Alaska With construction well underway on two of the largest vessels ever built in Alaska, the state’s ferry business looks bright. Captain Michael Neussl from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities speaks to Lindsay James

INTERVIEW

” The ACFs were designed to exceed 99% sailing frequency for all identified routes”

79

and various ship maintenance projects cause year to year schedule variations that impact ridership and system usage.”

AMHS is also adjusting the tariff structure to make it equitable, fair and logical on all routes. “We plan to implement peak and off-peak fare seasons and limited discounts to encourage ridership,” Neussl says. “As a predominantly state-funded public transportation system, AMHS seeks to improve its farebox recovery rate from the current 33% by increasing revenue while controlling costs.”

The organisation has also completed several ferry terminal improvements over the past year, including the replacement of the City of Kodiak Pier 1 facility. It has also reconstructed the Haines Ferry Terminal to increase passenger vehicle staging and replaced the mooring structure with a mooring dolphin and fender system. Plus, two new passenger waiting facilities have been added to the Kake and Angoon ferry terminals. Neussl says that completion of the Chignik Public Dock is expected in early 2017.

“AMHS also has plans in place to modify and rehabilitate the Skagway

Ferry Terminal in late 2017,” he concludes. “Other near future terminal projects include replacing the Prince Rupert, British Columbia ferry terminal, upgrades and improvements to the Tenakee Springs ferry terminal, upgrades and modifications to the Gustavus ferry terminal, and modifications to the Haines Ferry Terminal to accommodate the new ACFs. Outside of the ACF and Tustumena replacement projects, AMHS has plans in place to repower Matanuska and upgrade the ship’s systems. This project is expected to begin in autumn 2017.” C&F

Left: A rendering of the new ACFs, which will accommodate 300 passengers and up to 53 standard vehicles. Above: Construction of the ACFs is already well underway at Vigor Industrial’s yard

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

80

ong-time Stena Line executive and former deputy CEO Niclas Mårtensson took over as chief executive of the company from Carl-Johan Hagman in

September 2016. His first few months after replacing Hagman, who resumed his position as chairman of Stena Line’s board, have been busy.

“My first months in my new position have been very exciting,” says Mårtensson. “My background and experience across various positions within the business – including route manager for two different routes, chief operating officer and deputy CEO – are all very valuable to me in my new role.”

Mårtensson notes that his focus during the initial period has been on Stena Line’s strategy and important areas such as sustainability and the digitisation of the company. “Increased efficiency is another cornerstone that will help us be competitive and deliver long-term profitability for our owner,” he adds. “To support our strategy going forward, we’ve restructured the management team to make us more efficient and decisive. During my first few months I’ve also been travelling around our business to meet staff and customers, including a number of our key freight customers.”

Like many other companies in the ferry industry that operate routes to and from the UK, Stena has been left wondering how it will be affected by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU).

“Brexit is a completely new situation, which means Stena Line will have to evaluate

proactively this scenario from all different perspectives,” comments Mårtensson. “We are working with the UK Chamber of Shipping on the topic for the benefit of all of Stena’s UK interests. The UK Chamber is a great neutral platform for us to work with the wider shipping community, including its social partners and stakeholders, to better understand the implications of a UK exit from the EU. It is unclear what the implications on UK shipping will be as a result of Brexit, and it is equally unknown at what pace companies will need to adapt to the new economic environment.”

New international environmental regulations are also a hot topic in the ferry industry. Mårtensson says Stena Lina is making substantial efforts to decrease emissions and ensure it meets the International Maritime Organization’s January 2020 deadline for a 0.5% sulphur cap.

“As part of our strategy we are continuously working to decrease emissions from our vessels,” Mårtensson explains. “One example is the methanol project we are running on Stena Germanica to find an alternative to traditional fuel. We’re currently evaluating what steps we need to take regarding the 2020 deadline. To

do this, we’re using our experience from the introduction of the Sulphur Emission Control Areas in 2015 when we placed a 0.1% sulphur cap on our ships, excluding those in the Irish Sea outside the SECA.”

Last year, Stena announced a newbuild contract for four ro-pax ferries, which are planned for delivery between 2019 and 2020. All four vessels are being built at the AVIC Shipyard in China and the plan is to locate the vessels on the Irish Sea, specifically on Stena Line’s routes to and from its expanding Belfast hub. The contract also contains an option for another four vessels to be ordered.

“The routes to and from Belfast are strategically important to Stena Line and over the past few years, we have made significant investments in ports and vessels to improve and develop our capacity for offering a frequent high-quality service for our customers,” says Mårtensson. “Looking ahead, we intend to continue our ambitious development plan for our business in the region and the new vessels are a part of this strategic plan. Over the past few years we have seen a steady growth in freight and passenger volumes and we believe this will continue. These new vessels will be

Taking the helm Niclas Mårtensson tells Sandra Speares about his new role as chief executive of European ferry operator Stena Line

INTERVIEW

81

” My background and experience across various positions within the business...are all very valuable to me in my new role”

the largest ferries ever to operate between Belfast and Great Britain.”

Each of the vessels will have more than 3,000 lane metres in a drive-through configuration and will accommodate about 1,000 passengers and offer a full range of passenger services. The main engines will be gas-ready so they can be fuelled by either methanol or LNG. The aim is to build on the ro-pax concept of mixing freight and passengers.

Stena Line also confirmed in October 2016 that Harland and Wolff’s shipyard in Belfast had signed a £7 million (US$8 million) contract to carry out the bulk of the annual refit and maintenance work on its Irish Sea ferry fleet. The company said it was committed to supporting local communities where it operates and that with its expanding operations at the port of Belfast, having world-class refit expertise close at hand is a real benefit.

Each year Stena Line carries out a series of passenger facility upgrade works, as well as scheduled maintenance and engine works, to ensure its fleet of 11 Irish Sea ferries are running to optimum efficiency. The Harland and Wolff refit schedule for nine of the Irish Sea fleet will run until early

May 2017 to ensure that Stena Line’s sailing schedules are not unduly impacted.

“We have had an intense period during autumn and winter where almost all our vessels on the Irish Sea have visited a shipyard for annual refit,” says Mårtensson. “Planning of an operation like this can potentially be a logistical nightmare, but through good internal cooperation and dialogue, the process has been very smooth and without any major disturbances for our customers.”

So how is Stena Line reducing operating costs and enhancing the onboard experience? “Efficiency is key for us to be competitive and achieve long-term profitability,” Mårtensson remarks, explaining that Stena works with efficiency from both a customer and an internal perspective. “Internally we work hard to keep our organisation and our operations as efficient as possible. For example, we’re continuously reviewing and optimising our timetables, and using digitisation and a fuel management system to reduce fuel consumption, which has been a success.”

Port operation is another big area that Stena is looking at from an efficiency perspective. “One example is that we are introducing automated check-in,” says Mårtensson.

“From a customer experience perspective, it is very important for us to provide efficient booking and check-in-procedures. Regarding our onboard experience, we’re continuously developing our product range in the shops and the food we serve in our restaurants. Importantly, to ensure we’re on the right track, we continuously ask the customers who have travelled with us for their feedback.” C&F

Stena Superfast VII is one of the nine Irish Sea ferries that will be refitted at Harland and Wolff

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

82

Spirit of Tasmania I offers various Tasmania-themed entertainment and dining options for passengers

asmania is a place of wild and beautiful landscapes, wonderful food and wine, and a haunting history evoked by world-famous convict ruins.

It’s also Australia’s smallest state and the most geographically diverse with more than 40% reserved as national parks and UNESCO World Heritage wilderness. The island has been something of a best-kept secret, but that has changed in recent times and last year the state welcomed more than one million interstate visitors and reached the AUS$2 billion (US$1.5 billion) visitor spend mark.

Meeting that considerable tourism demand is Spirit of Tasmania, owned and operated by the Tasmanian government’s TT-Line. Running sailings across Bass Strait between Melbourne, Victoria and Devonport, Tasmania with sister ships Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II, the operation is one of Australia’s most iconic travel experiences.

Last year TT-Line ran a total of 33 extra day sailings over the peak season, with visitors arriving on Spirit of Tasmania growing by an impressive 17%. Forward bookings for the 2016-2017 summer season were up 14.5% from the previous year, and again extra day sailings were

scheduled to keep up with the increasing market demand.

In the last Australian financial year, 418,831 passengers travelled with Spirit of Tasmania, injecting around AUS$500 million (US$378 million) into Tasmania’s economy explains CEO Bernard Dwyer.

“Spirit of Tasmania is an important part of the current government’s growth plan for tourism, jobs and the economy – visitors who come to Tasmania via Spirit of Tasmania stay longer, spend more, and visit more regions than those who arrive by air,” Dwyer says. “We work closely with Tourism Tasmania to maximise Tasmania’s tourism potential. In 2016 we launched two co-branded marketing campaigns with Tourism Tasmania, showcasing the State’s must-do attractions and unique experiences.”

The ships depart from each port at 7:30pm, arriving at 6:00am the following morning. During periods of high demand between September and May, Spirit of Tasmania also operates day sailings. The vessel will operate 138 day sailings from September 2016 until April 2017.

“Our aim is to provide our passengers with a memorable stress-free experience, one that is easy, convenient and delivered with the highest customer service,” comments Dwyer. “Our vessels provide a leisurely journey for thousands of travellers seeking a high-quality tourism experience to start and end their holiday, or as part of their holiday for those travelling around Australia. They also offer the additional benefit of convenience, flexibility and affordability as passengers can take their vehicles, bikes and even their pets with them. With ocean views and fresh Tasmanian cuisine, we encourage passengers to ease themselves into their Tasmanian holiday from the moment they board.”

Capturing the Tasmanian SpiritBernard Dwyer tells Justin Merrigan how Spirit of Tasmania is helping the economy of Australia’s island state to grow

INTERVIEW

83

” Spirit of Tasmania is an important part of the current government’s growth plan for tourism, jobs and the economy”

Spirit of Tasmania I and II each have four main passenger decks, five vehicle decks, one restaurant, a convenience and gift shop, children’s play area, games arcade, a tourist information centre, three bars, gaming lounge and two cinemas. Passengers can choose their accommodation from 222 cabins (Deluxe, Twin Bed or Four Bed) and 121 recliners.

In 2015 the vessels underwent a AUS$31.5 million (US$23.8 million) refurbishment by UK-based firm Trimline designed to further enhance the passenger experience on both night and day sailings.

“TT-Line is very proud of our highly rated customer service as evidenced by the results of our passenger surveys conducted with every sailing,” Dwyer says. “We continue to focus on our passengers, and aim to provide them with a seamless experience all year round. Training continues to be a key activity for all staff, particularly the training of onboard team members. The Discovery Series training programme focuses on aspects of service mindset, actions and discovering experiences on the journey.”

Dwyer adds: “Entertainment on day sailings includes live acoustic musicians,

face-painters, artists and school holiday programmes. Tasmanian-based Creature Tales continues to produce Tasmanian-themed entertainment and educational services for the enjoyment of adults and children onboard.”

The onboard outlets offer different experiences on each deck to cater for all budgets and passenger needs. Travellers can select from a wide variety of food and beverage options during their journey, which showcase Tasmania’s finest produce and wine.

“The Tasmanian Market Kitchen, our casual self-service restaurant, menu is reasonably priced with main meals from AUS$24.50 (US$18.50),” comments Dwyer. “Children under five years old eat for free with an adult meal. The Pantry convenience store offers freshly prepared sandwiches and snacks from as low as AUS$3 (US$2.26).

The ships also feature three modern bars. “Bar 7 on Deck 7 offers a selection of Tasmanian premium cool-climate wines, local craft beer and boutique ciders,” Dwyer says. “The Terrace Lounge Bar on Deck 9 is bright and inviting with flat-

screen TVs showing Foxtel and free-to-air channels located throughout. At the Top Deck Lounge on Deck 10, guests can relax in deck chairs surrounded by large glass windows offering ocean views.”

Spirit of Tasmania takes great pride in showcasing Tasmanian produce – 93% of wine served and 80% of food served in the 2015-2016 financial year was purchased through Tasmanian suppliers.

“From May to November, Flavours of Tassie showcases the best of Tasmanian gourmet food and beverage producers, featuring the state’s best cheeses, chocolates, preserves, beers, ciders, wines and spirits,” Dwyer says. “Travellers have the chance to enjoy free samples while they meet the makers behind the labels and learn what goes into these fine products. It’s all about uncovering the little-known gems of the state, and bringing the producer and the consumer closer together.”

Looking ahead, in November 2016, the Tasmanian Government announced it is preparing for the replacement of both Spirit of Tasmania vessels in the early-to-mid 2020s through the creation of a dedicated Vessel Replacement Fund. C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

84

erry operator DFDS celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016 and opted to share its success with more than 7,000 staff, giving every employee who

works 24 hours a week a welcome Christmas present of 30 shares valued at around DKK10,000 (US$1,413). Other employees also received shares proportional to their contracted hours.

In a video for staff, DFDS chief executive Niels Smedegaard explained that very few companies are in a position of being able to celebrate their 150th anniversary, and that even fewer are able to do so the year they are heading for ‘possibly the best result’ in company history. “We therefore wanted to combine the celebration of our foundation and our founders with a celebration of, and thanks to, our many employees who every day help to ensure that DFDS can continue contributing to trade, travel and growth also in the future,” he said.

DFDS operates a network of 25 routes with 50 freight and passenger ships in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and the English Channel under the DFDS Seaways brand.

Passenger director Max Foster says the company’s very strong result for the first half of 2016 showed that it had exceeded its 2015 performance.

“The introduction of two new ships on our Dover to Calais service helped us to achieve a 63% increase in freight volumes and grow our passenger market on the Dover routes by 23% in the first six months of last year,” he says. “We continued to see strong performance on our Newcastle to Amsterdam service, which carried a record number of passengers in 2015, and we were on track to increase passenger numbers on

the route again for 2016. Our Newhaven-Dieppe route also continued to record strong growth, with more than 100,000 passengers carried in the first six months of this year.”

This growth has been driven by DFDS’s decision to continue to invest in its services, which has enabled the company to increase the capacity offered on the Channel routes, providing more choice, greater flexibility and a better experience for customers.

“We work hard to maintain a sustainable platform for operating our business, so that we can continue to build and grow volumes

in the future,” comments Foster. “The outlook for 2017 is positive, and we’re aiming to build on our success last year to continue to grow passenger and freight volumes.”

Quarter three results indicated that so far, Brexit has had no impact on DFDS’s freight and passenger volumes.

“Freight volumes grew by 30% and passenger volumes grew by 15% on our cross-Channel routes in the immediate post-Brexit reporting period, so we are continuing our strong growth trend,” Foster says. “The depreciation of the British pound presents a challenge, but its effect has been negated by our strong volume growth. We are carefully monitoring the possible longer term effects of Brexit, as well as the impact of the immediate weakening of the pound.”

Foster adds that in the longer term, Brexit is likely to have positive and negative impacts for the ferry industry. “For example, it could lead to the reintroduction of duty free, which would be good for our business, but if the weakness of the pound continues over a long period, exports may decline, which would impact our freight business,” he explains.

While European border controls currently remain unchanged, any re-negotiation of

A successful past, a positive future Max Foster tells Justin Merrigan how service investments, new ferries and hard work are helping DFDS to grow despite a challenging market

INTERVIEW

” The outlook for 2017 is positive, and we’re aiming to build on our success last year”

85

the current arrangements is likely to have a significant impact on how DFDS operates its business. “We will continue our dialogue with governments on both sides of the Channel to help secure a solution that is in the best interests of our customers,” notes Foster. “Overall, however, we are confident that we are in a good position to adapt to the post-Brexit environment.”

Early indications are that Brexit has had very little impact on passenger volumes. “Our Dover-France routes seeing a 15% increase and the Newcastle-Amsterdam route holding up very well during the third quarter of 2016,” remarks Foster. “However, we are always working to attract new customers to our services to build on the strength of our valued and loyal existing customer base. We have seen back-to-back years of growth on our Dover and Newcastle routes, with extremely strong peak volumes.”

Foster says the challenge is to attract customers during off-peak times at the beginning and end of the year. “Our strategy focuses on offering products that appeal to particular customer groups who may not have considered ferry travel before,”

he says. “An example is our award-winning North Sea Sounds mini cruise product, where we provide customers with a package that includes live onboard entertainment from well-known bands and musicians so that the ship effectively becomes a floating concert venue. This product has proved very popular and has helped us to tap into a new audience who are interested in exploring new experiences, rather than relying on traditional customer segments that are principally focused on travel.”

DFDS has a reputation for keeping its fleet and onboard experience fresh, a task increasingly important in the quest for market share. The company constantly monitors feedback from its customers to identify opportunities to enhance the products and services offered on board.

“We’ve seen huge growth in retail sales on our Dover-Calais route in 2016, thanks to our investment in the two new ships for the service and our ability to offer an improved onboard experience,” Foster says. “We can flex ranges offered in the onboard shop on a regular basis to keep up with high street trends and meet the expectations of our customers.”

Foster explains that the annual refit period in the early part of the year provides a chance for DFDS to review its offer and make any changes needed to keep the fleet and onboard services to the highest quality standards, and carry out any necessary routine maintenance.

“On our Newcastle-Amsterdam route we are looking at additional restaurant concepts to keep our dining offer fresh and on trend,” he says. “We’ll also investing significantly in a refresh of the Calais Seaways on our Dover to Calais service. This will bring onboard areas in line with the experience our customers have been enjoying on the two new ships we introduced to the route in February 2016.”

In addition, DFDS has launched a wide-ranging review of its onboard offer to share best practice across the route network, seek the views of customers, learn lessons from other industries and investigate future trends. “This is part of our continuing improvement and investment programme and customers should start to see the results of the implementation of this project during 2017,” Foster explains. C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

86

” Winning the contract was the culmination of many years of hard work ”

conic Scottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries (CalMac) is set for a year of change in 2017 after securing a £900 million (US$1,125 million) contract to

continue operating the Clyde and Hebrides Ferries Network on Scotland’s west coast.

Named the successful bidder for the new contract in May 2016, state-owned CalMac competed with private firm Serco Caledonian Ferries for the Scottish government contract to run the services. CalMac already operated the west coast routes, which include the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Covering an eight-year period from 1 October 2016, the contract includes a separate agreement which sees CalMac taking responsibility for ferry operations at 24 ports on behalf of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd.

Winning the tender was a massive achievement for all involved, explains CalMac’s managing director Martin Dorchester. “Our competitor was the multinational public services specialist Serco, and many people thought we had met our match. We were never complacent, but always believed that our expertise, quality and deep knowledge of the service would shine through.”

The new contract provided CalMac with an excellent opportunity to put forward new ideas for how things could be done.

“Our bid was based on key themes including retaining safety at the heart of our operation, improving operational efficiency, growing revenue and offering even higher levels of customer satisfaction and community engagement,” comments Dorchester. “Our planned innovations will mostly be implemented in the first two years. This includes maximising opportunities for local companies and social enterprises to bid for supply contracts; introducing smart and integrated ticketing; and investing £6 million (US$7.5 million) in onboard, port and passenger area improvements.”

One of the latest innovations has been the introduction of wi-fi in all ports and onboard all ships – not an easy feat with remote routes without mobile signal and temperamental landlines. “This major investment has enabled staff to operate anytime, anywhere with access to network services such as corporate information systems, printing and internet,” says Dorchester. “Over the next eight years we’ll see the real benefit of this.”

A range of operational changes are planned, including expanded timetables, longer working days, and ferries working harder than ever.

“Our technical department does a great job keeping on top of maintenance and managing increasingly obsolete technology, but we need to be smarter about keeping the ships operating,” comments Dorchester. “We’re radically shaking up our refit and maintenance planning by partnering with shipyards to plan long-term maintenance activities to minimise reactive maintenance and improve vessel reliability for customers.”

Additionally, Ferguson Marine Engineering is building two CalMac ferries at its shipyard on the Clyde, with the first ferry to be delivered in summer 2018. Each is designed to carry 127 cars or 16 HGVs, or a combination of both, and up to 1,000 passengers. The dual-fuel ferries will be able to operate on LNG and marine diesel.

“It’s very exciting to get new vessels, not least because increasing the size of our fleet gives us more options during refits and in periods of weather or technical disruptions,” Dorchester says. “Plus, it’s great to see shipbuilding back on the Clyde.”

Happily, Dorchester has also committed CalMac to continue investment in officer cadets and rating apprenticeships, while partnering with local maritime training organisations to further develop its qualified and skilled workforce. This will create a strong maritime training economy.

Building on 165 years of success Speaking to Justin Merrigan, Martin Dorchester reflects on CalMac’s plans for improving services after securing an operating contract on Scotland’s west coast

INTERVIEW

87

What challenges does CalMac face as a public service operator that a private operator might not? “There is more commonality than difference; it’s about running a good business,” answers Dorchester, who has worked in both the public and private sectors. “However, as a publicly owned commercial company delivering a government contract to provide vital lifeline services, we face significant scrutiny from our customers and stakeholders, including the Scottish Ministers.”

“Complaints can be escalated to Scotland’s First Minister at the click of an e-mail, so building positive relationships with customers and local communities is a must,” Dorchester adds. “To support our efforts in this area, we’ve created a new role of director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement and we’re developing a Community Board to involve communities in strategic matters that affect them.”

Never a business to rest on its laurels, CalMac closed 2016 with its sights on another contract. “The next contracts in our sights are the passenger-only service between Gourock and Dunoon and the Northern Isles contract, which CalMac’s sister company NorthLink Ferries operated until 2012 when the contract was awarded to Serco,” says Dorchester.

The Clyde and Hebrides Ferries Services (CHFS) contract is the second £1 billion (US$1.24 billion) contract CalMac’s parent company David MacBrayne has won recently. “A joint venture between David MacBrayne and GBA – operating as Solent Gateway – won the contract to operate Marchwood Military Port in Southampton for the next 35 years,” Dorchester comments. “Its location will be familiar to many cruise operators and customers as it sits on the Solent directly opposite Southampton cruise terminal.”

CalMac hopes that profits from this venture, which offers substantial commercial scope, can be reinvested within the company for the long-term benefit of both customers and staff.

“I was particularly proud to win this contract with GBA as it puts down a strong marker that David MacBrayne has more strings to its bow than just west coast ferries, and it’s good to see a government-owned company winning competitive tenders against market leading organisations,” remarks Dorchester.

Addressing environmental concerns is on every company’s agenda and CalMac has embraced its obligations fully aware that its routes criss-cross some of Europe’s cleanest waters. The business is an active member of Marine Scotland, working closely with the

organisation to formulate environmentally friendly policies.

Currently, CalMac’s fleet includes three hybrid ferries and the next two major newbuilds will also use hybrid technology. “CalMac is the first UK ferry company to roll out a state-of-the-art fuel management system across a substantial proportion of its fleet to save a minimum of 1,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually – the equivalent to 4,285,714 miles in an average family car,” Dorchester says.

With two big contracts under his belt, Dorchester announced his intention to step down at the end of March 2017. However, his plans to were put on hold following the Scottish Government’s announcement that it intended to investigate the impact of applying an EU exemption that would potentially remove the requirement to put ferry services out to tender and have implications for the company’s structure. “Having considered the challenges and opportunities presented by this review, I have taken the decision to stay and lead the organisation through this new chapter,” says Dorchester. “I look forward to continuing to work with my team and our stakeholders to secure the best possible results for our employees, passengers and communities, as well as the taxpayer.” C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

88

” We deliver an experience that stands out from the London transport alternatives”

ean Collins, CEO of MBNA Thames Clippers, is confident that his ferries provide the most convenient, cost-efficient and enjoyable form of transport for

the millions of commuters and tourists travelling across London every day. Collins attributes this to the company’s focus on customer service.

“We deliver an experience that stands out from the London transport alternatives

– we don’t have any pushing and shoving, or the service reliability issues of some of the other available transport options,” Collins says. “Our prices are competitive at £2-3 (US$2.50-3.50) per trip for annual season ticket holders who are much happier travelling to work on the river – we offer a business class service at an economy price. Our regular commuters know who sits where, pick up their regular order from the onboard barista and like the routine. Compare

that scenario with the stereotypical scrum depicted as London at rush hour!”

MBNA Thames Clippers’ primary clients are Londoners, commuters and tourists, and the company is also seeing an increase in the grey pound. “Our eclectic demographic might be travelling the river for different reasons but the quality of service is appreciated equally by everyone,” comments Collins. “Even if a customer is just checking rates before going to talk to a competitor, we’ll still make sure they leave with a positive experience. Twitter and Facebook make it easy to engage with customers and share timetable changes and special offers, or report the occasional late arrival.”

Continually enhancing and improving the performance of frontline staff is a key priority.

“We monitor how we perform on a regular basis. Mystery shoppers evaluate the full experience, from ticket purchase, to the information customers receive before boarding, the boarding process, the crew’s welcome, and elements of the onboard experience like the seating, food and beverage offering, cleanliness and the staff’s goodbye,” comments Collins, adding that the company also continually monitors the customer feedback process.

Better than the competition MBNA Thames Clippers’ Sean Collins is a third-generation waterman, but the first to build a sustainable ferry business on the Thames that’s appreciated by passengers and investors alike. Jon Ingleton reports

INTERVIEW

89

Feedback from mystery shoppers has already helped MBNA Thames Clippers to improve operations.

“We were getting 85-90% overall ratings because the food and beverage ratings were letting us down,” Collins explains. “The food and beverage operation has recently been brought in house. Training our own baristas and managing food and beverage delivery ourselves gives us the quality guarantee that we wanted. Our ratings increased by 5% in this area as a result.”

When it comes to the ferries themselves, Collins believes it’s the little things that make a big impact.

“Customers’ response to the ferries is generally ‘wow’, but we always ask them what they want and they keep coming up with new ideas, so we’ve recently trialled an improved wifi service and developed an app with Masabi,” he comments. “Commuters on a 30-minute journey may not be as meticulous about the seat, carpet or other small details, but their collective impression is of great importance – give extra details and the luxuries will provide a ten-fold return. Open views are our biggest asset, so when we were designing the River Runner

200 Mark 2 we centralised the amenities to give everyone equal access and keep the views. I’m passionate about creating something that will improve people’s daily lives, but we’ve still got lots of refining and reconfiguring to do.”

Working with One2Three to design the next generation of MBNA Thames Clippers vessels, the company has contracted Wight Shipyard to build two 170-passenger ferries – the largest fast passenger ferry order at a UK shipyard in more than 25 years. When they debut in summer 2017, the vessels will increase fleet capacity by 14%.

“There’s huge excitement across the business that we’re taking this to another level,” enthuses Collins. “We put a great focus on the aesthetics of the vessels when designing them. We want them to look like a contemporary craft navigating through the increasingly contemporary waterscape of the Thames.”

Safety is also at the forefront of Collins’s mind when it comes to delivering a reliable service.

“Safety is the highest priority for any business, so safety targets should be in every ferry company’s charter,” he says.

“Through-life training has become a big deal for us and we have to spread the word and adopt an airline approach to training. Management have a responsibility to ensure consistency – from pier heights, to training plans, bollard positions and wheelhouse layout – because when you introduce inconsistencies, you compromise safety.”

Certainly, MBNA Thames Clippers’ business strategy is working.

“We changed our subsidy models with Transport for London (TfL) in 2016 and we’ve now built our popular routes into a standalone profit-making position,” says Collins. “We sacrificed these subsidies in exchange for a long-term licence which gives us the security we need to invest for the long term. Our 2016 ticketing improvements – we adopted contactless payments and integrated with the Oyster Card which is used across the TfL system – perhaps yielded the best response to any initiative we’ve implemented to date.”

Now that MBNA Thames Clippers has become a highly profitable business in London, Collins has other goals in his sights: “I wouldn’t rule out expanding our business into into new cities in the future.” C&F

MBNA Thames Clippers’ Hunt Class vessels, Galaxy and Neptune, sail past The O2 in Greenwich, London

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

90

ederij Doeksen’s two catamarans will certainly make waves when they debut in 2018. The vessels are also likely to enjoy significant

acclaim, particularly for the residents of Harlingen, Terschelling and Vlieland in the Netherlands.

“We wanted to replace one old ferry and also increase capacity, specifically by offering more sailings in peak season to serve car passengers,” says Paul Melles, director of Rederij Doeksen, explaining the line’s motivation for placing the order. “We already have catamarans in our fleet and we see that this hull form operates more efficiently in shallow water. But the ship will also get punched on the nose every now and then by unpredictable seas, so we had to have a vessel design that had inherent strength.”

To be built by Strategic Marine, Rederij Doeksen’s eco-friendly ro-pax ferries have been designed by UK-based naval architects BMT Nigel Gee, while Netherlands-based company Vripack has created the concept and interior design scheme. Each vessel will have capacity for 600 passengers and 66 cars, and will mainly be powered by two single-fuel LNG engines from MTU. The engines will drive azimuth thrusters – which are manufactured by Veth Propulsion – each with fixed pitch contra rotating propellers through mechanical gearboxes.

Melles notes that although there are multiple options for both hull form and engine combinations, Rederij Doeksen’s final vessel specifications were dictated by several factors. “Harlingen sits in the environmentally sensitive Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an area that also has draft limitations,” he explains. “We wanted to move to a single fuel LNG vessel and luckily for us, MTU has developed a single fuel gas engine system that fits perfectly and combines well the vessel’s efficient lightweight and shallow draft hull form.”

The use of LNG fuels is becoming increasingly widespread in The Netherlands. “The Dutch government is very supportive

of LNG as a transport fuel choice and there is an increasing network of trucks supplying LNG to the north part of the Netherlands which makes it possible for us,” Melles comments. “Maintaining our sailing schedules is very important and so the trucking of fuel has to be reliable. So far, the preferred suppliers have never had one day when they’ve not been able to supply. With this reliability, plus some room for redundancy, we can be assured of continuous operations.”

Strategic Marine recently confirmed that both vessels are on schedule for delivery in early 2018 in the Netherlands where they will undergo final commissioning and sea trials. C&F

Investing in green ferriesPaul Melles talks to Jon Ingleton about Rederij Doeksen’s order for two new eco-friendly 70-metre aluminium catamarans from Strategic Marine

” We wanted to move to a single fuel LNG vessel and MTU has developed a gas engine system that fits perfectly”

INTERVIEW

91

or much of the shipping industry 2016 was about the worst in living memory owing to a spectacular destruction of ship values right across the board. Recovery, it is

said, is conditional upon a huge increase in scrapping and aligning ship supply more realistically with demand. Owners are being urged to abstain from plunging into the newbuilding market, despite the attractive prices offered by desperate shipbuilders.

At the end of the year came the confirmation that a seven-year-old container ship had been sold for demolition, while 10 or 12-year-old vessels going the same way caused no surprise whatsoever. These ships, built in the first decade of the 21st century, and in some respects barely run-in, had seen their prospects and their value reduced to that of their dismantled components.

Why does the ferry market largely stand out from this trail of gloom and value destruction that has wreaked such havoc in the container

and offshore world? A quick glance at any list of ferries operating in the European market will reveal plenty of large vessels over 30 years old that are trading successfully, including some that were first commissioned in the 1970s. How can it be worthwhile keeping these old ladies, which in comparative terms must be considered technically redundant, running?

The most obvious answer is that there remains live demand for these ships, which have retained reasonable book values throughout their long lives. If one owner declares a vessel surplus to requirements, it probably will not be on the layup berth for long before another operator will take it aboard. By and large, ferry operators are about as far from the speculative ship owner as it is possible to be, and they tend not to be pushed into ordering tonnage for which there is no immediate demand. A lively charter market allows demand to be economically tested and with ferries of all types being non-standard and thus more expensive, the decision to build anew is not taken lightly.

Owners’ willingness to hang on to what they have probably amortised may also be encouraged by the levelling out of fuel prices, which has helped to maintain ship values in the ferry sector. In addition, there are several major uncertainties about the ferry future, which tend to encourage caution and the husbanding of existing assets. Even disregarding the implications of Brexit (which ferry operators in north Europe are not) the effect of emission and other regulations makes any replacement decision doubly difficult. At the same time, a sector that has previously been able to withstand the removal of its duty-free advantages, the appearance of fixed links and other regulatory burdens, tends to demonstrate robust resilience.

While there might be questions about whether a 30-year-old container ship or bulker could make it to the scrapyard under her own steam, old freight and ro-pax ferries will have been well maintained and regularly updated to maintain their attractiveness to customers or charterers alike.

A long life for the ferry fleetMichael Grey highlights why the ferry industry is enjoying long-term success, despite an increase in ships being scrapped in other marine markets

Michael Grey

Michael Grey is a master mariner turned maritime journalist and has edited both Fairplay and Lloyd’s List during his 60-year career

COMMENTARY

Color Line’s 35-year-old Color Viking leaving Sandefjord in Norway

International Cruise & Ferry Review92

Ferr

y Bu

sine

ss

Ferries might be among the hardest worked ships afloat, but tend to operate with quality staff and shoreside assistance near at hand. Unlike many types of ships where every effort is made to extend periods between repair and out-of-service maintenance, ferries have regular scheduled refit times. Passenger ships have their public rooms regularly refreshed by specialist firms and thus provide no real indication of their age to the uninformed public. The use of multi-engine, medium-speed machinery also makes onboard maintenance perfectly feasible and ensures a high level of reliability. If you have a 30-year-old ferry that does not look her age and performs well, why would you need to prematurely replace her?

It is also evident that ferries tend to lend themselves to structural updating and conversion in a way that is rarely seen in other ship types. This enables them to trade on into mature years. A classic example was the Hyundai Searunner ro-ro, an extensive class of which was built by the South Korean shipyard in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Regarded at the time as cheap and cheerful, the Searunner ships have lasted and several of the class are still operating today with North European lines. During their long lives their roles and routes have changed and they have been lengthened, internally reconfigured, and been fitted with new access equipment, additional decks, and passenger and driver accommodation. Most ferries seem to be able to require work to facilitate interchangeability, as there is yet no standard terminal and ramp configuration. A number of ship repair yards have built up a reputation with quite dramatic conversion projects that have changed ships out of all recognition for a new service.

It could be, however, that the writing is on the wall for many of these older ladies of the ferry world. Some of the strategic uncertainties that keep old ships in operation may soon be resolved. The competitive situation may be seriously altered by environmental pressures, which act in favour of road haulage and the fixed links, to the detriment of ferry operators.

It is unlikely that fuel prices will remain at present levels, while a regulatory squeeze will come from increasing environmental demands. And while the price of scrubbers and other mitigation equipment may reduce with volume production, major investments to maintain the value of a 25-plus year ship may soon become non-viable. Then the sort of attractions like sustainability, fuel consumption and other efficiencies will surely bring these well travelled vessels to the ends of their long lives.

It is possible that like their predecessors, some will find their way to the developing world. However, sentiment, along with concerns about the unsuitability of sophisticated ships to people without the necessary skills to operate them safely, may act against them and encourage final voyages directly to demolition yards. C&F

COMMENTARY

WE CARE ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS

Carus offers innovative solutions for the global ferry industry, giving your customers a better experience before, during and after their journey.

The Carus solution incorporates reservations, check-in, port automation, on-board and relationship management.

www.carus.com

WE LIVE AND BREATHEFERRIES, THAT’S THE

KEY TO OUR SUCCESSAnders Rundberg, CEO of Carus

” If you have a 30-year-old ferry that does not look her age and performs well, why would you need to prematurely replace her?”

93

fter 14 years in leadership positions with BC Ferries in my native Canada, I’m looking forward to my new role as CEO of Interferry at a time when our

trade association is poised to increase our role as the voice of the global ferry industry. My experience as an operator and long-time Interferry director – most recently as treasurer – makes me keenly aware that members need ever growing support to meet and anticipate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I look forward to working with, and providing support to, our members in this regard.

Interferry has come a very long way since its relatively modest networking origins in the US in 1976. As the only body representing the worldwide ferry sector, we have more than 200 member companies – operators and suppliers of all sizes – covering some 600 individuals from 35 countries. Industry cooperation and information exchange remains a central part of our purpose, and our annual conference is recognised as the ferry world’s key forum. We have emerged as a major force for action on the political and regulatory stage.

A quantum leap forward came in 2003 when Interferry won consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), enabling us to make crucial regulatory interventions. We took this further in 2012 by establishing an office for IMO and European affairs in Brussels. Meanwhile, we have developed active relationships with influential partners such as the International Chamber of Shipping and shipowners’ associations. Interferry is now positioned to share best practices among members and champion

safety, environmental protection and fair competition for the entire industry.

However, we are not resting on our past successes. Interferry’s board recently launched a three-year strategic plan aimed at enhancing our reputation as the voice of the global industry, and I will be proud to deliver this.

A priority for Interferry will be to remind politicians and regulators of the ferry industry’s significant contribution as a safe, eco-friendly and economically valuable benefit to society. We carry more than two billion passengers each year – a fraction short of the airline business – and around 250 million cars and 32 million trucks and trailers. We must ensure that government policies keep ferries on a level playing field with other transport modes.

Promoting a culture of safety and quality improvement is also high on our list of strategic objectives, as is contributing to developing international regulations and policies related to passenger ferry operations. Safety and environmental regulations are high priorities for our members, but many of the rules proposed for deep-sea shipping would be unworkable for ferry operations. Interferry has achieved notable success towards sector-specific amendments in areas such as damage stability, the Energy Efficiency Design Index and the Ballast Water Management Convention. Such initiatives will remain at the core of our mission.

We plan to improve our internal operations, re-examining our governance model and establishing regional meetings. This will help to attract membership from countries outside of Europe and the Americas. Our strategic plan will help us usher in a new era in Interferry’s growth and influence. I look forward to more industry colleagues and stakeholders joining us on this journey. C&F

Expanding growth and influence New CEO Mike Corrigan sets the stage for further development of Interferry’s networking and lobbying mission

Mike Corrigan

Mike Corrigan held senior positions in the energy industry before joining BC Ferries, one of the world’s largest ferry operators, in 2003. He was promoted to president and CEO of the company in 2012, leaving to become CEO of Interferry, effective 1 April 2017

” Our strategic plan will help us usher in a new era in Interferry’s growth and influence”

COMMENTARY

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Build

ing

& R

efur

bish

men

t

94

” We used to build one or two ship types at the same time whereas today we have five different designs” Harri Kulovaara

he second half of 2016 was an eventful time both for cruise lines and shipyards. Carnival Corporation placed an order for a further three 180,000gt

LNG-powered ships. They include two from Meyer Turku for delivery to Carnival Cruise Line in 2020 and 2022, and one from Meyer Werft for delivery to P&O Cruises in 2020. As a result, the newbuilds already on order at the German shipyard for Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises have been put back a year and will now be delivered in 2021.

Joining this LNG flurry was competitor Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), which signed a memorandum of understanding with Meyer Turku for two ships to be powered by LNG and new fuel cell technology. These Icon-class vessels will be delivered in the second quarters of 2022 and 2024 respectively.

One company that is exercising more caution on LNG is Genting Hong Kong. “We are also closely following the developments and the availability of using LNG for our future newbuilds, however we feel that it is still not the right time for us to adopt this fuel option yet,” says Gustaf Gronberg, senior vice president of Marine Operations and New Shipbuilding. “Our new ships are being built for high-speed travel which would require huge space reserves to store the LNG and therefore, at present, it makes more sense for ships that will be cruising at slower speeds to be fitted for LNG.”

Genting Hong Kong has named the three shipyards it bought in April 2016 MV Werften and revealed plans to invest €100 million (US$106 million) to upgrade the facilities so it can build three large cruise ships annually. The yard will deliver the first of the three larger Crystal Exclusive-class newbuilds (which

One sizedoes notfit all

The industry’s order book covers everything from expedition to LNG-powered ships, while the traditional shipyard map is changing as demand outstrips supply. Susan Parker reports

FEATURE: CRUISE ORDER BOOK

95

includes private residences) in 2022, a year later than recently stated and three years later than the original 2019 delivery date.

“Ownership of the shipyards will free Genting Hong Kong from both the delivery timing and pricing uncertainties associated with the cruise ship orderbook cycle, which is at a historic high,” Gronberg comments. “It will also allow management to focus on the strategic planning, design and deployment of its planned cruise ships among its three brands – Crystal Cruises, Dream Cruises and Star Cruises.”

MSC Cruises has now finalised contracts for two Meraviglia-plus newbuilds at STX France. The 177,000gt ships will be delivered in October 2019 and September 2020 respectively.

Contracts between Fincantieri and Virgin Voyages for three newbuilds valued at around €2 billion (US$2.48 billion) became effective on 20 December. Deliveries from the Sestri

Ponente shipyard in Genoa are scheduled for 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively.

In terms of smaller ships, Oceanwide Expeditions ordered a newbuild from Croatia-based yard Brodosplit. Hondius will be rated Polar Class 6 (PC6) and will enter service in 2019. Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ordered two 16,100gt, five-star expedition vessels (also to PC6) from Vard in Norway for delivery in April and October 2019 respectively. In August, Vard also confirmed contracts for four ice-class, 10,000gt, 180-passenger expedition ships for Ponant Cruises.

Vard is a relative newcomer to cruise ship building, but is 55.63% owned by Fincantieri, the Italian builder which is bidding for a 66.66% share in STX France. Spreading its wings eastward, the Italian shipbuilder has joined with China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Carnival Corporation and CIC Capital Corporation

to sign a non-binding agreement for the first cruise ships to be built in China for the Chinese market. The two-plus-two options will be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and will be based on Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista class, but tailored to Chinese tastes. The first delivery is expected in 2022.

The breadth and diversity of the current order book is challenging for all, particularly the operators.

“We’ve never had an orderbook like we have today,” says Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president of Maritime, Newbuilding and Innovation at RCCL. “We used to build one or two ship types at the same time, whereas today we have five different designs on the go – Harmony, Edge, Quantum, Icon and TUI. Just handling the sheer volume and complexities of all these projects and scaling up the competencies has been quite an undertaking.”

Genting Dream (left) and Norwegian Joy (bottom) have been designed for the Asian market, while Harmony of

the Seas (below) offers international appeal

http://www.cemreshipyard.com/

97

FEATURE: CRUISE ORDER BOOK

Despite the complexity, shipyards worldwide are rising to the challenge, says Robin Lindsay, executive vice president of Vessel Operations at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “The major yards are prepared to take on the designs of the future and are proving it today as they work on the projects for the major cruise operators that will be delivered between 2022 and 2030 and incorporate revolutionary concepts and mind-boggling ideas,” he comments. “The good news is that a new generation of engineers are coming to the higher management levels with a keen desire to improve on the design and construction processes.”

Certainly, major shipyards have continued to construct, launch and deliver high-quality vessels over the past year.

Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente yard launched Silversea Cruises’ 40,700gt Silver Muse on 1 July 2016 in preparation for her April 2017 delivery. The company’s Monfalcone team floated out MSC Cruises’ 154,000gt MSC Seaside on 26 November and held a keel laying ceremony for her sister ship, MSC Seaview, on 2 February 2017. The first of the Seaside generation, which also includes a pending option, is scheduled to enter service in December 2017 and the second in June 2018. Meanwhile, Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia team cut the steel for Princess Cruises’ fourth Royal-class ship on 3 November and engineers at its Marghera yard delivered the 40,350gt Seabourn Encore to Seabourn Cruise Line on 30 November. The keel-laying of her sister ship, Seabourn Ovation, took place at Sestri Ponente on 2 December. In addition, Carnival Cruise Line’s third Vista-class newbuild, which was originally designated for P&O Cruises Australia, is now under construction at Fincantieri and will be delivered to Carnival in late 2019.

In Finland, Meyer Turku cut steel for TUI Cruises new generation of Mein Schiff vessels on 16 August. The new Mein Schiff 1 will be about 20 metres longer than the previous ships and have space for an additional 180 cabins.

Elsewhere, French yard STX France floated out MSC Meraviglia in September ahead of her May 2017 delivery, and German yard Meyer Werft delivered Dream Cruises’ 151,300gt Genting Dream on 12 October. Uljanik Shipyard JSC in Pula, Croatia started construction of Scenic Cruises’ 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse. Designed for polar conditions, she will be delivered in August 2018. And Sociber shipyard in Valparaiso, Chile delivered Lindblad Expedition’s 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour II a month earlier than scheduled on 3 December. C&F

Line Vessel Yard Pax Cost Del. estimate

Viking Ocean Cruises Viking Sky Fincantieri 925 US$370m 2017 Q1AIDA Cruises AIDAperla Mitsubishi 3,250 US$649.61m 2017 Q2MSC Cruises MSC Meraviglia STX France 4,500 US$1,000m 2017 Q2Princess Cruises Majestic Princess Fincantieri 3,560 US$786m 2017 Q2Silversea Silver Muse Fincantieri 596 US$275m 2017 Q2TUI Cruises Mein Schiff 6 Meyer Turku 2,500 US$510m 2017 Q2Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Joy Meyer Werft 3,900 US$900m 2017 Q2Lindblad Expeditions National Nichols Brothers 100 ------- 2017 Q2 Geographic Quest Boat BuildersStar Clippers Flying Clipper Brodosplit 300 US$110m 2017 Q4MSC Cruises MSC Seaside Fincantieri 4,000 US$966m 2017 Q4Dream Cruises World Dream Meyer Werft 3,364 US$955m 2017 Q4Viking Ocean Viking Sun Fincantieri 925 US$370m 2017 Q4Royal Caribbean Intl Genesis 4 STX France 5,400 US$1,300m 2018 Q1Seabourn Cruises Seabourn Ovation Fincantieri 604 US$275m 2018 Q1TUI Cruises Mein Schiff 7 Meyer Turku 2,894 US$510m 2018 Q1Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Horizon Fincantieri 3,954 US$700m 2018 Q2MSC Cruises MSC Seaview Fincantieri 4,000 US$966m 2018 Q2Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Bliss Meyer Werft 3,900 US$1,088 2018 Q2Viking Ocean Cruises Viking Spirit Fincantieri 925 US$370m 2018 Q2Holland America Line Nieuw Statendam Fincantieri 2,650 US$518m 2018 Q3Hurtigruten Roald Amundsen Kleven 530 US$150m 2018 Q3Scenic Tours Scenic Eclipse Uljanik 228 US$176m 2018 Q3Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Edge STX France 2,900 US$645m 2018 Q3Ponant Le Lapérouse Vard Norway ------- ------- 2018 Q4Ponant Le Champlain Vard Norway ------- ------- 2018 Q4Lindblad Expeditions National Nichols Brothers 100 ------- 2018 Geographic Venture Boat BuildersAIDA Cruises AIDA 1 Meyer Werft 5,000 US$900m 2019 Q1Costa Cruises Costa 1 Meyer Turku 5,000 US$900m 2019 Q1MSC Cruises MSC Bellissima STX France 4,500 US$1,000 2019 Q1TUI Cruises Mein Schiff 8 Meyer Turku 2,894 US$510m 2019 Q1Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Vard 1 Vard Norway 240 US$130m 2019 Q1Royal Caribbean Intl. Quantum 4 Meyer Werft 4,180 US$940m 2019 Q2Saga Cruises Saga 1 Meyer Weft 999 US$400m 2019 Q2Crystal Cruises Crystal Endeavour MV Werften 200 US$150m 2019 Q3Hurtigruten Fridtjof Nansen Kleven 530 US$150m 2019 Q3Costa Asia Costa Asia 1 Fincantieri 4,200 US$800m 2019 Q4MSC Cruises Meraviglia Plus 1 STX France 4,888 US$900m 2019 Q4Norwegian Cruise Line Breakaway Plus 4 Meyer Werft 4,200 US$1088m 2019 Q4Princess Cruises Princess 4 Fincantieri 3,560 US$800 2019 Q4Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Vard 2 Vard Norway 240 US$130 2019 Q4P&O Australia P&O 1 Fincantieri 4,200 US$800 2019Ponant Le Bougainville Vard Norway ------- ------- 2019Ponant Le Kerguelen Vard Norway ------- ------- 2019Oceanwide Expeditions Hondius Brodosplit 180 ------- 2019Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Beyond STX France 2,900 US$645m 2020 Q1Star Cruises Star Global 1 MV Werft 5,000 US$1000 2020 Q2Regent Seven Seas Seven Seas Explorer 2 Fincantieri 738 US$481m 2020 Q2Virgin Cruises Virgin 1 Fincantieri 2,860 US$650m 2020 Q2MSC Cruises Meraviglia Plus 2 STX France 4,888 US$900m 2020 Q4Royal Caribbean Intl. Quantum 5 Meyer Werft 4,180 US$940m 2020 Q2Costa Asia Costa Asia 2 Fincantieri 4,200 US$800 2020Princess Cruises Princess 5 Fincantieri 3,560 US$800m 2020Carnival Cruise Line LNG 1 Meyer Turku 5,200 US$900m 2020P&O Cruises ------- Meyer Werft 5,200 US$900m 2020Viking Ocean Cruises Viking 6 Fincantieri 925 US$370m 2020

Major cruise ship orders up to 2020

Courtesy GP Wild

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Build

ing

& R

efur

bish

men

t

98

Megastar, Tallink’s new LNG-powered fast ferry started service between Helsinki and Tallinn in January 2017

espite the general economic uncertainty resulting from the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, major operators in Europe’s

ferry market are continuing to invest in expensive new ships. Similarly, although Turkey has a growing involvement in the current Middle East crisis and had an alleged political coup in July 2016, shipyards like Cemre and Sefine continue to win work from Northern Europe.

At the end of 2016, French operator Brittany Ferries ordered a 1,700-passenger, LNG-powered vessel from the Flensburger yard in Germany. The vessel will operate between Portsmouth, UK and Caen, France and most passengers are expected to be British.

Brittany Ferries’ newbuild is part of the company’s environmental initiative, which was first launched with STX France a couple of years ago. Although no new ship came from this initial agreement, it did result in a £65 million (US$81.3 million) investment

in fuel-purifying scrubbers that were fitted on six of the operator’s 10 ferries at several different shipyards.

“Despite Brexit, we remain confident in our ability to grow our route network,” says Christophe Mathieu, Brittany Ferries’ chief executive, refusing to confirm the value of the new ship until the deal has been confirmed later in spring 2017.

Major Baltic operator Viking Line has broken new ground by going to China for a large new ferry. This spring, the line will ratify a €190 million (US$201 million) letter of intent with the Xiamen Shipyard for a 2,800-passenger LNG vessel, which will serve Viking’s main route from Turku, to Åland (both in Finland) and Stockholm, Sweden from 2020. There is an option for a sister ship. Stena Line is another major ferry line building four ro-pax ships in China, but has still not decided whether to use LNG or methanol to fuel the ferries.

Scandlines’ much-delayed order for two Gedser-Rostock ships was almost completed

when the second ferry, Copenhagen, started service in December 2016. However, there was another month’s delay before both ships were finally completed after parts of their electrical machinery were rebuilt for better performance. “We decided to rebuild as quickly as possible and now we have both new vessels, the service will be at optimum level,” says Søren Poulsgaard Jensen, CEO of Scandlines, estimating that the final cost of both ferries reached €280 million (US$297 million).

Major European ferry company Fjord Line won a competitive tender to operate some sailings out of Sandefjord, Norway to Strömstad, Sweden. Fjord Line expects this new route will double capacity requirements, so it is in the market for a new hybrid vessel. Rival Color Line is already building a new vessel for the route.

Fjord Line’s LNG ferries Sandefjord and Bergensfjord, built in 2013 and 2014 respectively, are to be fitted with 60 new cabins, adding to the 306 they currently have and representing a 20% jump in

Big ferriesstay popular

Future Brexit uncertainty is not stopping European ferry operators from modernising their fleets with new tonnage. David Mott looks at the 2017 order book

FEATURE: FERRY ORDER BOOK

99

passenger capacity. The work will be carried out by original builder Fosen in 2017.

The similarly styled, but much older, operator Fjord 1 has ordered three diesel-electric ferries from Havyard Ship Technology at a total cost of NOK500 million (US$60 million). The group has been awarded seven new routes by Hordaland County in Norway after a successful environmental tender.

Another Norwegian line, Torghatten Nord plans to build five new 499-passenger, gas-electric ferries on the back of winning a contract to service Norway’s third largest ferry route between Helhjem and Sandvikvag.

In Finland, Tallink started to operate Megastar, its new LNG-powered fast ferry on the route between Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia at the end of January. The 2,850-passenger shuttle vessel was built by Meyer Turku in Finland at a cost of US$250 million.

In the fast ferry business, Tasmania-based market leader Incat has won an order to build a 110-metre catamaran for Virtu Ferries in Malta. When completed, the ferry will be the largest in the Mediterranean and will operate services to Sicily from late 2018.

“Incat is kicking goals,” remarks Robert Clifford, Incat chairman. “A total of seven deliveries in the past 18 months and a further seven due in 2017 makes this our best order book for many years. The fast ferry market is very much alive and well.”

Rival Australian builder and naval specialist Austal has secured a €15.5 million (US$16 million) deal to build a 56-metre fast ferry for Forde Reederei Seetouristik in Germany, its sixth commercial order of the year. Meanwhile, the Italian Morace family is modernising its Liberty Lines (ex Ustica) fast ferry fleet by building five new hydrofoils at its HSC shipyard in Trapani, Sicily. The 250-berth vessels are priced at €8 million (US$8.5 million) each, and one new vessel will be delivered per year from 2017.

In the UK, P&O Ferries is rumoured to be in the market for new ferries for the English Channel and has also invested £8.5 million (US$10.1 million) to refurbish its mid-1980s ships, Pride of New York and Pride of Bruges. The work has gone to Remontowa in Poland and the company expects this will guarantee service on the Zeebrugge, Belgium route for another 10 years.

The ever-busy Remontowa will also construct two new vessels for the world-

famous Woolwich Ferry, which has been free to passengers since the service started operating on the River Thames in London in 1889. The newbuilds will be fitted with Norwegian electrical systems. Also in London, MBNA Thames Clippers has ordered two 170-berth catamarans from Isle of Wight-based Wight shipyard at a cost of £6.3 million (US$7.8 million).

Turkish shipyard Cemre has cut steel for UK operator Wightlink’s new 1,000-passenger, hybrid ferry which will serve the Portsmouth, UK to Fishbourne, Isle of Wight route. Funding for the ship came from a £45 million (US$56.3 million) investment fund and the ferry will be the most environmentally friendly ship to ever operate on the Solent when she debuts in summer 2018.

Basto VI, the first of three ferries being built in Turkey at the Cemre and Sefine yards for Basto Fosen, has been completed for service. C&F

Line Vessel Yard Pax Cost Del. estimate

Qatar Coastguard 17 coastguard ships Ares ---- ---- 2014/18

Boreal Transport Nord 3 high speed ships Brodrene 147/199 ---- 2016/17

NSW Government 6 harbour ferries Incat 400 US$38.2m 2016/17

BC Ferries 3 LNG vessels Remontowa 600 US$126m 2016/17

Mols Linien Catamaran Incat 1,000 ---- 2017

Tallink LNG Ferry Meyer Turku 2,800 US$243m 2017

Gotland LNG RoPax Guangzhou 1,650 US$135m 2017/18

Torghattan Nord Biodiesel hybrid ferry Fiskerstrand ---- ---- 2017

Shenzhen Catamaran Sunbird 332 ---- 2017

Thames Clippers 2 fast passenger ferries Wight ---- US$7.87m 2017

Wightlink Hybrid ferry Cemre 1,000 US$37.5m 2017

Fjord1 2 battery ferries Tersan 350 ---- 2017

Liberty Lines 5 fast vessels HSC 250 US$42.4m 2017/18

Mols Linien Catamaran Austal 1,000 US$74.6m 2018

Irish Ferries Cruise ferry Flensburger 1,885 US$152m 2018

Fjord1 3 electric ferries Havyard 195 US$59.5m 2018

Virtu Ferries 110m Catamaran Incat 1,100 ---- 2018

Caledonian Maritime Assets 2 dual fuel ferries Ferguson 1,000 US$121m 2018/19

Fordred Fast craft Austal ---- US$16.4m 2018

Washington State 3 ferries Vigor 1,500 U$190m 2018

Alaska Marine Highway System 2 ferries Vigor 300 U$101m 2018

Polferries 2 RoPax ferries Remontowa ---- US$106m 2018/19

Stena Line 4 RoPax ferries AVIC 1,000 ---- 2019/20

Brittany Ferries LNG ferry Flensburger 1,750 ---- 2019

Viking Line LNG ferry Xiamen 2,800 US$201m 2020

Torghatten Nord 2 LNG vessels Vard 550 ---- 2018.

Major ferry orders

” The fast ferry market is very much alive and well” Robert Clifford, Incat

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Build

ing

& R

efur

bish

men

t

100

Keeping things movingWe take a look at the latest repair and refurbishment projects that have taken place at some of the world’s leading shipyards

REFIT REPORT

Grand Bahama – Freeport, The Bahamas Navantia – Cadiz, Spain

Twenty cruise vessels visited the Grand Bahama shipyard in 2016. In the early part of the year, three Holland America Line vessels visited the yard – Maasdam, Veendam and Prinsendam. Work on these ships included scrubber installations, thruster overhauls, steel works and extensive hull treatment.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line drydocked four vessels at the yard in 2016. In January, Liberty of the Seas saw cabins added and the introduction of a waterpark, while Jewel of the Seas visited in April and Adventure of the Seas in October to receive similar work. Repairs were also made to Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Journey at the beginning of the year.

Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit underwent major hull and topside treatment in March 2016, while Carnival Cruise Line sent seven vessels to Grand Bahama for work – Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Magic, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Liberty. Carnival Ecstasy also underwent a multi-million dollar project at the yard, with work completed in January 2017.

Other vessels to visit the yard for work in 2016 included P&O Cruises’ Adonia, Princess Cruise’ Coral Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn, and MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina.

The yard’s busy schedule is set to continue this year, with 23 cruise vessels already confirmed for works in 2017.

In April 2016, repairs were carried out on four vessels simultaneously at Navantia shipyard. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3 saw a new aft thruster installed, while Phoenix Reisen’s Deutschland saw the introduction of 58 French balconies on the eighth deck, as well as hole docking and refitting work. Stabilisers and accommodation was refitted on private residential ship The World, while Thomson Cruises’ TUI Discovery was also rebranded at the yard.

Later in the year, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder underwent dry docking, with blast and hull treatment, propulsion, shafts, propeller and stabiliser work carried out. Bottom valve, sea valve, anchor and chain, and engine room works were also completed.

Blohm+Voss – Hamburg, Germany

Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria will drydock at Blohm+Voss in May 2017. Highlights of the project will include the renovation of all accommodation onboard, as well as the addition of more Britannia Club cabins.

Sin título-1 1 06/02/2017 12:52:10

& www.astican.es

www.astander.es

A perfect blend of:

Capabilities & Commitment

Build

ing

& R

efur

bish

men

t

International Cruise & Ferry Review102

Oresund Drydocks – Landskrona, Sweden

Oresund Drydocks redelivered Salen Ship Management’s cruise vessel Hebridean Sky in 2016, which underwent a large conversion and upgrade.

“This included the addition of a new aluminium cabin accommodation section, the refurbishment of cabins and public spaces, the installation of cranes for handling expedition rafts, and the renewal of alarms, controls and propulsion control systems,” explained Magnus Malmström, marketing manager at Oresund Drydocks.

Other vessels to visit the yard for works in 2016 included Eckerö’s Finlandia, Viking Line’s Amorella and Gabriella, and Gotland from Destination Gotland.

Palumbo Shipyards – Valetta, Malta

Palumbo Shipyards has seen a major increase in the volume of repair-related work for cruise vessels, especially at its Malta yard.

Among the vessels docked at its facilities during 2016 was Thomson Cruises’ Thomson Spirit, Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Crystal, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 2 and Costa Cruises’ Costa Neoriviera.

Going forward, Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Olympia will visit the yard in March 2017, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 1 will visit in April 2017 and Silversea’s Silver Cloud will undergo a challenging refit and ice class transformation work in August 2017. Two megayachts are also under construction for Columbus and ISA.

REFIT REPORT

Chantier Naval de Marseille - Marseille, France

Remontowa – Gdansk, Poland

Repair and refurbishment work to a number of cruise vessels took place at San Giorgio del Porto in 2016, with specific work on pods and modifications for compliance with new rules or greener, fuel-efficient operations.

“In spring 2017 we will open the Forme 10, which will be the largest dry-dock in the Mediterranean Sea at 465 metres long and 85 metres wide,” said Manolo Cavaliere, commercial manager at Chantier Naval de Marseille and San Giorgio del Porto. “There are several projects scheduled, with drydock works planned on passenger ships from both the cruise and ferry sectors.”

One of the most extensive upgrade jobs completed in 2016 at Remontowa was on Brittany Ferries’ Pont Aven.

“This project saw the fabrication and installation of a new funnel and surrounding structure, house scrubber installation and scrubber system installation,” said Grzegorz Landowski, a spokesperson at Remontowa. “Lifeboats were taken off the ship for repairs and maintenance, while oil sumps on the ship’s main engines were replaced. Hull maintenance works were also carried out.”

Four large engines were also overhauled and repaired, and were partially dismantled for the work to be completed. Another major task was the installation of scrubbers and modification of the whole ferry’s fuel system.

Gibdock – Gibraltar

Gibdock undertook a significant body of renewal work on Thomson Majesty, the Thomson-operated luxury vessel owned by Louis Cruises.

The project involved two weeks in Gibdock’s No 1 dock within a fixed schedule, after the ship came off her summer port rotations, in preparation for her regular winter cruising duties.

“We always take pride in the quality of our work and in redelivering ships to schedule,” said Richard Beards, the yard’s managing director. “For cruise ships, with pre-planned itineraries, there is no scope for any delays. A part of the project for Thomson Majesty required access holes to be cut into sections of the ship’s flat bottom. A prior inspection of the ship in Las Palmas and detailed measurements were carried out. By pre-planning, we were able to prefabricate steel sections and optimise work processes during the project.”

The docking coincided with the ship’s intermediate special survey. High pressure hull-washing took place and a new antifouling coating was added. The renewal of seals on one stabiliser and one stern thruster, pipework and anchor chain renewals and propeller polishing also took place. The project’s scope included extensive steelworks around the double bottom tanks and engine tank tops. Fourteen of the ship’s lifeboats were lifted ashore for inspection and bracket renewal, while davits were also tested.

Damen – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm) has completed upgrades on Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Magellan and Marco Polo.

Marco Polo underwent various equipment overhauls and repainting. DSAm’s project manager Wouter van den Bossche commented: “After examining the vessel, we scheduled various equipment overhauls and repainting. Our first task was to completely high-pressure clean the hull and then paint the flat bottom and vertical sides in the renowned Marco Polo blue. The topside of the vessel was painted at a later stage, which became the critical path for undocking.”

Other work included polishing the main propeller and bow thruster blades, overhauling the main engine coolers, and maintenance, renewal and upgrade works in the ship’s public areas and cabins. The HVAC system, evaporator rooms, sea water and freshwater pipes, rudder and overboard valves were also overhauled.

Magellan was in dry dock in late November and resumed service on 5 December 2016. Damen’s team fitted Magellan with a new sewage tank system, polished the starboard propeller blades, repaired the bow and stern thruster blades, and carried out maintenance, renewal and upgrade works in her public areas and cabins. It also repaired steel damage and upgraded numerous systems.

PROVEN HIGH SPEED CRAFT EXCELLENCE

DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED TO HIGHEST GLOBAL STANDARDS

TALK TO US FOR NEW BUILD AND FINANCING PACKAGES

www.wightshipyard.com | info@wightshipyard.com

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Build

ing

& R

efur

bish

men

t

104

ictoria Shipyards, located on Canada’s Vancouver Island, is well placed to meet the winds of change that have spun around North America

recently. The surprise election of Donald Trump and his fiery rhetoric leaves a question over many industries. However, given that Victoria sits at an ideal point for vessels working the Alaskan market, there is plenty to be positive about.

“The Canadian Navy remains our primary customer and they are beginning the process of fleet renewal and growth,” explains Joseph O’Rourke, the vice president and general manager of Victoria Shipyards. “However, we are getting more attention from US customers as the dollar remains strong and we continue to build our reputation of quality and delivery.”

The yard completed a fifth frigate modernisation last year, which was quickly followed by back-to-back cruise refurbishment projects on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Millennium and Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony. For the first time in its 95-year history, the yard also completed maintenance work on its graving dock, during which time the company continued work on its submarine progamme.

“The facility we occupy is publicly owned,” O’Rourke comments. “The government of Canada is in the process of making significant improvements to the shipyard including upgrading the utilities

that will allow us to cold iron cruise vessels once completed. The pumping system of the dock has been completed. Most importantly, our main pier and the contaminated silt have been removed. Construction of the new pier should start this year and once the work is completed, our facility will enhance our ability to serve our customer base.”

Victoria’s bulging order book includes ferries, barges and other vessels, as well as five cruise ships that are due to come in for work over the next couple of years.

O’Rourke expects that total to increase too. The Tote Midnight Sun came in for work in February and is the start of what O’Rourke hopes will be a leap into larger and larger contracts. So, what is the secret to the company’s success?

When one customer brought their ship to the yard, the story goes that he asked a technical representative how Victoria Shipyard would perform, as it was a time-intensive propulsion systems effort.

“The representative responded with a slow southern drawl and said ‘they take a bit longer than the shipyards in the gulf but they only have to do it once’,” O’Rourke explains. “The same customer who sent us most of his subsequent dockings believes our greatest strength is the skill and attitude of our workforce, a great complement to pay to our team. Overall, our customers come here due to our relentless focus on delivery and quality, our requirement to make each contract a team effort between the owner, yard and supporting contractors, and our honesty and trust we build with our customer base, suppliers, and external stakeholders.” C&F

Setting its courseVictoria Shipyards is ideally placed to increase its already bulging order book, says Joseph O’Rourke

INTERVIEW

Victoria Shipyard refurbished Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Millennium in 2016

” Our customers do choose to come here due to our relentless focus on delivery and quality”

Our yard provides reliable service, quality craftsmanship, quick turnaround. • New Construction and Conversions, Repairs and Maintenance • Cruiseship Conversions and Commercial Deepsea Vessels • Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast GuardCall us at 250.380.1602 or email info@seaspan.com.

VICTORIA SHIPYARDS IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO SERVE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST’S MARINE INDUSTRY AND IS COMMITTED TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SAFETY STANDARDS.

www.seaspan .com

www.seaspan .com

OUR REPUTATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

www.seaspan .com www.seaspan .com www.seaspan .com

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Build

ing

& R

efur

bish

men

t

106

urkey-based Cemre Shipyard is well known for building vessels for the fishing and offshore sectors, but in 2016, the company enjoyed

its first foray into the ferry industry. Last November, the yard delivered the 600-passenger Bastø Fosen IV to Norwegian operator Bastø Fosen.

Designed by Norwegian company Multi Maritime, Bastø Fosen IV is 20.7 metres wide and 142.9 metres in length, making her the longest-ever ferry to operate in Norway. The newbuild features high quality interiors supplied by Turkish companies and has capacity for 600 passengers, 200 cars and between 24 and 30 trucks.

Bastø Fosen IV operates on Oslofjord’s busiest ferry route between Horten and Moss, and runs on two main engines that collectively provide more than 2,250 kilowatts of power at 900 revolutions per minute. Supplied by General Electric, the main diesel-fuelled common rail injection engine has eight cylinders and an electronic governor. The auxillary engine, which has its own control system and power supply, acts as an emergency electric power source. Dubbed a ‘super ferry’, Bastø Fosen IV consumes 25-30% less fuel and produces 80% less nitrogen oxides than existing ferries.

Cemre also secured a contract to build a 1,000-passenger ferry with hybrid battery technology for UK operator Wightlink in early 2016. Currently under construction, the newbuild will enter service between the Isle of Wight and mainland England in 2018, becoming the most environmentally sustainable vessel ever on the route.

“Cemre has a young and ambitious team that likes to take on new challenges and that’s why we can adapt to various niche jobs,” says Hüseyin Şanlı, manager of Cemre Shipyard. “We will continue to make investments in both the shipyard’s physical infrastructure and human resources to ensure we can continue to grow and meet challenges in the future.” C&F

Entering new marketsAfter building its first passenger ferry and securing a second newbuild contract in 2016, Turkey’s Cemre Shipyard is already making a name for itself in the ferry sector

” Cemre has a young and ambitious team that likes to take on new challenges”

REPORT

Bastø Fosen IV features a lounge area with catering facilities

107

avantia began its adventure more than a decade ago and has since built a solid reputation in the cruise ship repair

market, largely for its high-quality workmanship, competitive pricing and on-time deliveries.

Situated in Cadiz, Spain, the yard is in a convenient location for operators wanting to dry dock their ships before they transition from Mediterranean to Eastern Atlantic itineraries, or vice versa. Cadiz’s climate is also well suited to year-round ship repair activities.

Navantia has one of the largest repair docks in Europe, which at 385 metres by 66 metres, can accommodate almost any cruise vessel. The yard can provide all necessary services and offers easy access for cranes, as well as lay-down areas, a large climate-controlled warehouse and space to manage more than 1,300 shipping containers at any one time.

Sixteen cruise ships were dry docked at Navantia in 2016 – the most for

any European yard – which helped the company to reinforce its leading position in the Mediterranean ship repair and refurbishment market. One of the biggest upgrade projects was Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder.

Royal Caribbean International has always been a great supporter of Navantia, which has led to a number of other cruise companies using the yard as a resource for repairs and refurbishments. The company has secured several cruise ship projects for 2017 and beyond.

Buoyed by its success, Navantia plans to further improve its production methods and working closely with its partners to

expand its business. The company will also continue to use its ‘lessons learned’ approach, working with clients to modify and improve processes to ensure each dry dock is more efficient than the last.

Although the market is the same for all cruise companies, each one has its own specific requirements, so Navantia’s philosophy has always been to adapt its facilities to individual clients. This flexibility, along with its strong partnership with Royal Caribbean, has been a key driver in the company’s success. Together, these factors all make Navantia an attractive choice for new and existing customers alike. C&F

An impressive recordNavantia is becoming well-known in the Mediterranean cruise ship repair and refit sector thanks to its high-quality services, location and flexibility

” Sixteen cruise ships were dry docked at Navantia in 2016 – the most for any European yard”

REPORT

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Build

ing

& R

efur

bish

men

t

108

We are specialists in newbuilding, conversion, and refurbishment of RoPax/ferries, passenger ships, cruise/explorers, and offshore/accommodation ships.

Our design and engineering department has over 25 years’ experience of ship design. We also offer dry docking and ship services.

Newbuilding and conversions• Concept • Production follow-up• Design • Testing• Commissioning • Project management• Basic design • Sea trial• Detail design • As-built documentation

www.fosenyard.comwww.facebook.com/fosenyard Visit us at Nor-Shipping stand D03–32

Phot

o: R

olf C

laus

en

Concept and design for the new Color Line hybrid passenger ferry

Building expertise Norway’s Fosen Yard offers a range of services for operators wanting to build cruise ships, expedition vessels and passenger ferries

REPORT

osen Yard is located near Trondheim, Norway has an almost 100 years of experience in building cruise ships, passenger ferries, ro-pax ferries,

cargo and other offshore vessels. For example, Fosen built private residential yacht, The World, and Fjord Line’s cruise ferries LNG-powered Stavangerfjord and Bergensfjord.

After new local owners took over and restructured the company in November 2015, Fosen refurbished four Hurtigruten vessels, updating the majority of the accommodation to reflect the line’s new Arctic-style interior theme. The team also carried out regular class and servicing works.

In the same period, the yard reconstructed and converted a ro-pax ferry into an ice-class expedition cruise ship named Spitsbergen for Hurtigruten. The ship’s accommodation was totally rebuilt according to Hurtigruten s Arctic-style theme.

Recently, Fosen provided the concept and design for Color Line’s new hybrid passenger ferry, which will be built at Ulstein Yard in Norway.

Fosen Yard aims to win more newbuild, conversion, refurbishment contracts in the near future, particularly in the ocean and expedition cruise market, and the passenger and ro-pax ferry sector. The yard can provide everything from concept designs, to building works and other services. C&F

Fosen will add more passenger suites and cabins onboard Fjord Line’s Stavangerfjord

109

FEATURE

aptain Jamie Marshall, vice president of fleet operations at BC Ferries, is first to acknowledge the importance of innovation

in order to stay ahead in marine operations. “We are currently in a large newbuild programme, where we will be constructing 12 vessels over the next 10 years with Remontowa yard in Gdansk, Poland,” he says.

Among those vessels are three Salish class ferries that can handle 145 automobiles and 600 passengers. “They incorporate the latest bridge and engine room technology, are

double-ended and have an integrated Sperry Marine bridge,” comments Marshall. “They have two Schottel thrusters that are collared by three Wärtsilä duel-fuel LNG and diesel engines. Our plan is to run them on LNG, making them one of the first ferries in Canada to operate on that fuel.”

Enviromental factors aside, the financials are one of the main reasons that the company is turning to LNG. It already burns fuel with a sulphur content of less than 1%, but the cost compared to LNG is big. Marshall estimates that BC will reduce its fuel bill by 40% by turning to LNG. Given that across the fleet it burns about 120 million litres of

futureSecuringthe

From clean fuel to new bridge

layouts and tougher security on Europe’s

rivers, Sam Ballard investigates some of the innovations

that are making operations safer and

more efficient

International Cruise & Ferry Review110

Mar

ine

Ope

ratio

ns

fuel every year – at about US$1 per litre – it is a game-changing amount of money.

It won’t just be new vessels that will run on LNG fuel, the company’s Spirit class vessels – which handle 2,100 people and about 400 cars – are going to be converted to LNG too. Each one burns one million litres of fuel every month. That’s not to dismiss the environmental argument altogether, however.

“Environmentally, we’re going to be reducing greenhouse gases by between 15-25%,” Marshall says. “We’re reducing sulphur oxides by 85% and nitrogen oxides by about 50%, and we’ll virtually eliminate particulates, which you get when you burn diesel oil. It’s a really significant reduction.”

Given that each one of the newbuilds is designed to last for at least 40 years, the ability to run on LNG fuel is future-proofing BC Ferries against increasingly stringent legislation from governing bodies such as the International Maritime Organization and the Canadian administration.

The extensive building programme isn’t just bringing the company up to date when it comes to environmental legislation

either, Marshall adds. The company has used the opportunity to undertake a bridge standardisation programme throughout its new and existing fleet.

“We have 35 vessels and 17 bridge layouts – for training and familiarisation or lifecycle of equipment and supply chain consistencies it makes sense to reduce the number of classes of vessels in terms of bridge layout,” he remarks. “We’re going from 17 down to five layouts. It’s going to mean that our training costs go down drastically too. Having that many systems and pieces of equipment also increased the chances of human error. Standardisation means that we are better positioned to take care of the human factor relating to accident and incident reduction. In the next five to seven years we should have a standardised bridge on most our vessels.”

The new bridge standardisation initiative fits in well with BC’s wider training programme – Standardised Education and Assessment (SEA) – which was implemented about five years ago.

“A lot of this came from the sinking of Queen of the North in 2006,” Marshall

explains. “We had an external safety audit and the auditor general of British Columbia, George Morfitt, made some recommendations that precipitated the training programme.”

Essentially, SEA takes BC’s previous training programme whereby new recruits would shadow or buddy with a senior officer and makes it far more comprehensive. It also standardises the quality of training.

“We now give each new starter a dedicated trainer, rather than their manager who also has to carry out their own daily duties and is potentially being distracted,” Marshall explains. “The trainer takes new recruits through a series of practical and written proficiency tests before a ‘clearer’ runs them through final tests and gives clearance.”

Having standardised bridges will make the whole process far simpler, predicts Marshall. “The new standardisation programme raises the bar to where we want it to be. Previously, the quality of training and knowledge officers and deck hands were given would have depended on who they were paired with – it may have been a very competent officer, or it may

Left: AmaWaterways AmaKristina has been designed with safety in mind; Below: BC Ferries first LNG-powered ferry will begin service this year

” The new standardisation programme raises the bar to where we want it to be” Jamie Marshall, BC Ferries

FEATURE

VIKING-LIFE.COM

VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT- Protecting people and business

Now just one safety equipment and servicing agreement can gradually be expanded to cover all of your evolving needs.

Your business is changing.We change with you.

The VIKING Shipowner Agreement covers almost all products and brands in a variety of predictable, fixed-price structures. And it ensures you know exactly:

- What you get- How much it will cost- How you can change your contract underway

Start with a comprehensive VIKING Shipowner Agreement or simply add vessels and safety products as needed.

Contact your nearest VIKING branch office or learn more at VIKING-life.com.

Instant advantages

n Consolidate evacuation systems and liferafts with other safety equipment under one contract.

n Simplify with one set of terms and conditions, and add new services to the agreement as needed.

n Save on extra transportation costs via VIKING’s integrated service stations and worldwide stock points.

n Minimize administration with a single, local point of contact available 24/7 - direct from VIKING.

n Ensure smooth service notifications with VIKING’s cutting edge booking system.

n Stay compliant around the clock with quality equipment and full documentation.

.

EVACUATION SYSTEMS

LIFERAFTS

MARINEFIRE

EQUIPMENT

TRAINING

LIFEBOATS, HOOKS AND

DAVITS

LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

B_VIKING_InternationalCruiseFerryReview_H280xW210_february2017.indd 1 06/02/17 15.36

Mar

ine

Ope

ratio

ns

FEATURE

International Cruise & Ferry Review112

not. The new system ensures that we know everyone has the same level of knowledge and practical experience. Ferry operators on the east coast of Canada and Carnival Corporation are interested in incorporating our comprehensive programme.”

The safety of passengers has arguably never been as prescient as today. Terrorist attacks in Belgium, France and Germany have meant that scrutiny around systems has never been so intense. Even Europe’s rivers, traditionally one of the world’s safer travel areas, are having their processes inspected like never before.

“Passenger safety has always been crucial to us, however, within the last couple of years there has been more of a focus on what we can do to increase it,” says Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and president of AmaWaterways. “We’re introducing a system whereby passengers will have to use a

keycard to access the vessel – even if they are simply passing through to get to their own ship. It’s a result of security fears in Europe, but really it’s been highlighted by ocean cruise passengers who have started river cruising and are apprehensive about how companies monitor those coming onboard.”

For ocean passengers who are used to having their identity checked when they come onboard, it is simply par for the course. For river passengers who are used to walking through the lobbies of foreign vessels that are docked closer to the shore than theirs, it hasn’t really been a concern. The threat of a terrorist attack on a cruise ship was highlighted in January 2016 when Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, the UK’s highest ranking naval officer in Nato, said that Islamic State could target a cruise ship for their next attack. While he was

alluding to ocean cruise vessels within the Mediterranean specifically, it hasn’t stopped other areas of tourism looking into their own procedures.

“We are now working as an industry to come up with a solution,” Schreiner comments. “We need to know who is coming through our vessels, we need to know that they have permission to be there.”

The move is one that has set AmaWaterways at the forefront of security within the river cruise industry. While ocean titans like Carnival Corporation are partnering with security agencies like Interpol, it’s important that the river industry does what it can to make sure that its passengers are as safe as possible. Especially now that their core destinations – countries such as France, Germany and Belgium – have come under sustained attack. C&F

Making manoeuvring easier

Navis Engineering supplies vessel manoeuvring control systems and dynamic positioning systems for cruise ships and large passenger ferries. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff series, for example, is equipped with the manoeuvring control system to make it safer and more comfortable for passengers during the tendering process, which can take several hours. The system ensures the vessel stays in one position, but also automatically follows the wind to provide a shelter for the tenders. It also prevents the anchor chain from breaking when the ship is at anchor.

Navis Engineering also offers a joystick control system for smaller ferries. Navigators can use a single joystick to manually or automatically control propulsion.

These manoeuvring control and dynamic positioning systems optimise propulsion, saving fuel and reducing costs.

Navis Engineering’s joystick control system is designed for small ferries

An AmaWaterways captain on the bridge navigating a vessel along one of Europe’s rivers

http://www.columbia-cs.com/

International Cruise & Ferry Review114

Mar

ine

Ope

ratio

ns

EFFICIENT OPERATIONS REPORT

The path togreener shipping

We highlight some of the latest naval best practices, which are leading to improved operational efficiency for passenger ship owners

Supporting compliance with MARPOL Annex VI Merging form and function

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed guidelines to help countries adopt mandatory energy-efficiency measures for shipping as part of the GloMEEP project, which launched in 2015.

The three guides help countries develop reports and clarify their current status with regard to energy efficiency and ship emissions; set out national maritime energy efficiency strategies/policies; and lay out draft national legislation to comply with MARPOL Annex VI. They were launched alongside a training programme in September 2016.

“This is the first time that training has been provided concurrently for three core elements that enable participating countries to develop a coherent plan for effective implementation of international shipping regulations,” says Edmund Hughes, head of Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency at IMO.

When passenger ship owners look at making their vessels more efficient, some worry about how this will compromise the look and feel of the ship. But Thibaut Tincelin, director of naval design office Stirling Design International (SDI), says that the two can work together in harmony, if planned correctly.

“Efficiency and aesthetics are not enemies if they are considered together at the beginning of a project,” he says.

SDI is currently developing newbuilds for Ponant and CroisiEurope, as well as cruise ship concepts for major lines. Describing some of the recent advances in naval architectural best practice, Tincelin says: “The major change is the capability to operate inland ships in shallow waters. The development of inverted bow is also helping to increase the ship waterline length and reduce fuel consumption. Many new ships make great use of space, with more open deck areas.”

IMO’s GloMEEP project is encouraging developing countries to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from ships

Stirling Design International shares some current trends in efficient ship design

115

A cleaner future It starts at the port

ABB will supply the complete power, propulsion and automation package for five new cruise vessels being built by MV Werften for Genting Hong Kong brands Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises.

The three Crystal ships will be powered by two Azipod D units each to enable the ships to navigate polar conditions, while the two new Star Cruises Global Class ships will each be installed with three Azipod XO thrusters. All the vessels will also feature ABB’s flagship automation with Intelligent Maneuvering Interface and Octopus marine software for optimised energy management.

“The cooperation with ABB will further strengthen and support our vision to build the world s most modern and efficient cruise vessels. Together with MV Werften and ABB we will incorporate the latest technology into our luxury cruise ships,” says Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Genting Group’s executive chairman.

With clients including PortMiami, Amber Cove Cruise Terminal and Port Rashid Cruise Terminal to its name, Atkins has a proven track record delivering complex maritime, ports and coastal projects, including port master planning, business planning and due diligence, and asset integrity inspections and analysis.

The company’s insight enables it to design future-proofed facilities that satisfy a port’s particular requirements, covering all areas of their operation.

The path to

Optimising operations

Wärtsilä Lifecycle solutions is a comprehensive offering that optimises the efficiency and performance of customers’ assets. It ensures that vessels operate efficiently and that the Ship Energy Efficiency Maintenance Plan (SEEMP) measures comply with MARPOL regulation. The solution includes monitoring services for engine and propulsion efficiency as well as engine and propulsion condition.

Onboard advisory services flag areas for improvement. The solution also provides a comprehensive view of the vessel’s efficiency performance, enabling real-time decision support. Working with Wärtsilä, operators can build an efficiency improvement plan with specified goals and actions, and carry out annual reviews.

ABB brings efficiency to a new generation of ships for Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises

Wärtsilä’s operations lifecycle solution

Atkins is helping ports develop the best waterside and landside facilities

http://www.saifeeship.com/

117

EFFICIENT OPERATIONS REPORT

Next-generation lifesaving equipment

Redefining high-speed ferries

TTS Marine has developed a 20-50 tonne range tender and life boat davit concept, which is designed to complement its complete passenger shipping product portfolio.

The TTS davit is developed for safe and easy operation. By varying the pull force of the emergency wire, the operator can easily select the speed and maintain full control of lowering the lifeboat. Due to hydraulic bowsing, the davit can be easily manoeuvred to a secure position at the evacuation deck.

In 2016, Wight Shipyard Co (WSC) delivered Isle of Wight operator Red Funnel’s largest and greenest high-speed vessel yet. The 41-metre ferry has four engines and four waterjets compared with two engines and two waterjets on earlier high-speed ferries in the fleet, and yet runs more efficiently – fuel consumption is reduced by 30% on Red Jet 6 compared with predecessor Red Jet 5 and by 11% compared with Red Jet 4.

Offering full turnkey solutions, WSC seeks to redefine how fast ferries are built and has followed Red Jet 6 with a contract for two new state-of-the-art catamarans for Thames Clippers’ fleet. The yard also offers long-term charter options to operators with a proven financial track record seeking to build new and efficient high speed craft.

Putting money on the bottom line

Retrofitting scubbers

The experienced team of independent consultants at Carus can help ferry lines drive financial improvement and operational efficiency. “Although we use a client-led and results-oriented approach, a common theme is the need to drive financial and operational improvements in specific lines of business or across the entire organisation,” says Simon Johnson, Carus Executive Consulting.

“We have experienced greater demand for a business intelligence approach – reviewing data sources that often sit in different systems and integrating them into one management reporting suite where results can be better analysed to improve performance such as onboard sales. Accurate timely information is essential to make informed decisions and our consultants help companies put money on the bottom line.”

Brittany Ferries recently fitted scrubbers on five of its vessels – Normandie, Cap Finistere, Barfleur, Mont St Michel and Armorique. The work was carried out at Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain.

Each project took just over two months to retrofit the scrubbers. It required fabrication of a new pump room, modifications to a large amount of piping, and reshaping of the funnels to house the new equipment. The updated water systems were designed by STX France, and the scrubbers were designed and built by Yara Marine Technologies.

Based on the project’s success, Astander has now been contracted to carry out further maintenance work on three Brittany Ferries.

A new lifeboat concept from TTS Marine gives operators greater peace of mind

WSC’s new ferry for Red Funnel uses 30% less fuel compared to other models

Work is successfully carried out on five Brittany Ferries vessels with more to come

Ferry lines are working with Carus to gain a better view of their trading performance

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Mar

ine

Ope

ratio

ns

118

pun out of Columbia Shipmanagement two years ago, Columbia Cruise Services is able to offer clients the best of both worlds: the hunger

and flexibility of a start-up, combined with the heritage and knowledge that a firm like Columbia has earned across multiple decades.

“We aren’t trying to be the biggest company, but do want to be the best,” says Olaf Groeger, managing director of Columbia Cruise Services. “I want to come up with quality third-party ship management. We are open and transparent. We have a lot of knowledge and as a start-up, we are independent, but have the benefit of 30 years of experience. We know what we are doing and we try and channel that properly.”

In a short two-year period, the company has managed to establish everything from tailor-made manuals on bridge or general operations to a sophisticated client portal to allow what Groeger describes as ‘full transparency’ for his clients. Essentially shipowners can log in from anywhere in the world and read up on the vital statistics of their hardware – from vessel performance to checking who is onboard.

“We don’t just arrange the MOT for your car, but also manage the asset itself,” explains Groeger. “With a certain budget we can increase the asset in value, rather than decrease it.”

That’s one of the reasons why staff numbers have grown 213% in two years while business on the books has soared by 300%.

“We are purely dedicated to passenger shipping,” Groeger says. “We offer full management. Not dancers or shop assistants, but deck, engine and hotel management – everything behind the scenes. We manage the actual asset.”

“With some of our clients we offer the catering through a partner such as Apollo out of Miami,” he adds. “That’s because we don’t want to go out into the market claiming we can do everything. That would

be entirely the wrong message. I believe the future is specialisation, I honestly do. You must become an expert in a certain area.”

For Groeger that specialisation is even more focused than passenger shipping. He sees Columbia Cruise Services as moving into expedition-style cruising over anything else and it has led to some big wins – the biggest of which is on the verge of being announced.

“Regardless of whether it is three, four or five stars, I want to give the best service within that segment,” he remarks. “In

terms of quality I will be at the very top whether it is three star or five star. You can only achieve that if you partner with companies with a similar philosophy. I’m not geared towards doing everything and I don’t want to be either.”

The philosophy marks something of a sea change in the way companies have operated in the past. No longer is it the case that firms need to be all things to all people at the expense of developing expertise. For Columbia Cruise Services the future is about expertly setting its own course. C&F

Industry expertsOlaf Groeger tells Sam Ballard how Columbia Cruise Services is making a big noise by staying small

” We aren’t trying to be the biggest company but do want to be the best”

INTERVIEW

119

service and quality are within your reach

tel: +1 703 620 4880 info@register-iri.com www.register-iri.com

International Registries, Inc.in affiliation with the Marshall Islands Maritime & Corporate Administrators

the Republic of the Marshall Islands is the flag of choice for many of the world’s top shipping companies

lanning staff rotas for ferries can be difficult, particularly because the passenger demographic changes according to the seasons and

vacation periods in different source markets. Human resource and payroll firm Adonis has the solution: Adonis Day-to-Day Planning.

The tool captures data about passengers, including their nationalities, from ferry operators’ booking systems so managers can develop crew rotas for ferries.

Europe-based operator DFDS has played a key role in developing the specifics of the new tool, which will help the company to plan staffing schedules onboard its ferries.

“Based on certain parameters that have been set for each ship, the system will calculate the need for human resources in the various onboard departments and stations,” says Erick Meijer, development director at Adonis. “The tool will give department managers powerful user-friendly tools to set up staff schedules efficiently and transparently.”

The Day-to-Day Planning tool is the final part of the Adonis Personnel Manager system, which DFDS started to roll out in 2013 so it could centrally manage human resources, safety and payroll systems.

“By implementing Adonis as the global crewing and safety management system, DFDS will considerably reduce the amount of systems covering the same business area and

remove dependencies of unsupported third-party systems,” comments Meijer. “The system minimises manual processes, making onboard and onshore crewing and payroll processes more efficient and accurate.” C&F

Day to day planning Creating crew rotas is hard, but a new Adonis tool is making it easy for ferry operators, says Erick Meijer, development director at Adonis

REPORT

Mar

ine

Ope

ratio

ns

International Cruise & Ferry Review120

VIEWPOINT

he Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry is the third largest ship registry in the world. At the end of 2016, the fleet of vessels – which includes

cruise ships – surpassed 140 million gross tons. The Registry has more than 400 employees worldwide and 27 offices located in the world’s major shipping and financial centers, allowing it to provide 24/7 services to shipowners. The RMI Registry has maintained its position on the white lists of both the Paris and Tokyo Memorandums of Understanding and is the only large commercial flag on the USCG Qualship 21 Program.

In my role as maritime administration liaison, I coordinate a team of individuals that provide services to our cruise clients. Among this group are former USCG veterans and past cruise employees.

The RMI Registry has proactively anticipated the future needs of our global cruise fleet. To provide better post-registration and technical services to clients, we established a worldwide interactive status board to actively monitor and address all shipowner enquiries promptly. We can respond in a timely fashion, wherever our cruise ships are sailing.

The cruise industry is an exciting and innovative part of the shipping industry. We

will remain proactive in its approach to global maritime policymaking, doing its utmost to secure outcomes that owners and operators can implement effectively. C&F

Always available Angela Plott outlines how the Republic of the Marshall Islands Registry benefits cruise operators worldwide

– a global Human Resource Solution

Connect all your ships, offices and agents in one software solution

Let our maritime insight and competence bring you the best-of-breed solutions for Crew Management, Crew Planning, Time & Attendance, Payroll and Crew Portal. Customers world-wide appreciate “the human touch” that is our trademark.

Please visit our website for more information www.adonis.no

COMPLETE MARITIME HR SYSTEMS

IN THE CLOUD – ACCESS FROM ANYWHERE

SERVICE DESK OPEN 24 / 7 / 365

SHIPPINGCRUISERIG &

OFFSHORE

121

aritime safety equipment manufacturer Viking Life-Saving Equipment’s latest large-scale, flexible evacuation system has

been underway for several years – and with good reason. Known as Viking LifeCraft, the system represents a revolutionary hybrid approach to rescue craft design. And, as with any innovation designed to save human lives, every aspect must be carefully designed, tested and refined until engineers, regulatory authorities and, last but not least, shipowners are fully confident in the proven solution.

The LifeCraft system comprises two key components: a combined storage and launching unit to be placed on deck or integrated in the ship’s hull, and up to four inflatable rescue craft. Each craft contains 200 evacuees, giving the system a total rescue capacity of 800 persons in 15 minutes while combining the advantages of modern lifeboats with those of liferafts. Like a lifeboat, it is self-propelled, using battery-powered electric motors and a simple steering system, and features a fire-retardant canopy. Yet it offers all the flexibility and smaller footprint of a liferaft.

With development work reported to be firmly on track, Niels Fraende, director of Viking’s Passenger Division, is excited about LifeCraft’s prospects. “Right now, there are a lot of passenger newbuilds on contract and on their way into contract, so this is a market with lots of potential for us,” he comments. To date, all tests have been completed, bar the final sea trial, which is slated for this spring.

In line with its manufacturer’s vision, the new craft’s design prioritises deployment reliability and passenger safety in the event of an emergency. “Our main focus has been on ensuring operational safety,” Fraende says. “And we’ve achieved this through a combination of control systems, storage,

technical simplicity, simplified operation and easy manoeuvring.”

The LifeCraft can be integrated into the vessel in two ways. It can be installed on deck in a compact storage unit or it can be installed in the ship’s hull. The nice visual appearance of the unit is largely due to a dedicated industrial design effort aimed at matching its exterior to cruise ship aesthetics, while also instilling confidence in both passengers and crew. According to Fraende, this deck-mounted option is most likely to be chosen by the rescue craft’s first purchasers.

“Passengers can be very safety-conscious,” he says. “So we wanted the complete package to look good and solid, providing reassurance of its functionality via an up-to-date visual appearance and a visually high build quality. Being and feeling safe go hand in hand.”

Over time, Viking expects more shipowners to integrate the LifeCraft directly into the ship’s hull, freeing up even more deck space for leisure and operational use. Doing so will provide extra protection, too, keeping both the storage unit and the craft themselves almost completely sealed off from potentially harmful environmental factors such as salty ocean spray and humidity. C&F

A revolution in rescue craftViking Life-Saving Equipment’s LifeCraft is moving closer to its official launch. The company expects to supply its first units next year

” Our main focus has been on ensuring operational safety”

REPORT

Each LifeCraft vessel has a fire-proof canopy and holds up to 200 people

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Mar

ine

Ope

ratio

ns

122

unStone Ships manages a fleet of 10 vessels, which make expedition cruises to some of the most remote parts of the world. Its ships, which carry

between 60 and 250 passengers, are chartered by operators in the expedition cruise market, heading to places such as the Antarctic, Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Spitzbergen, Franz Josef Land, as well as warm water areas such as South America, South Pacific, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Formed in 2012, SunStone Ships is an off-shoot from passenger ship management company International Shipping Partners (ISP), set up to take over the commercial management of passenger ships – a function previously handled by ISP. With its fleet of 10 vessels, today, the company is the largest provider to the expedition shipping market, in terms of tonnage, and represents the vessels’ investors as well as taking responsibility for the buying, selling and chartering of the fleet.

The company is capable of handling the commercial management of any passenger

vessel, but specialises in the expedition cruise market – a niche where very few management companies operate.

In the last year, several of SunStone’s ships underwent major upgrades. Highlights include Ocean Diamond, which had one of its cabin decks completely renovated, and Sea Spirit, where the restaurant and main lounge were completely upgraded. In 2017, Sea Adventurer will be re-engineered with new main and auxiliary engines, propellers and automation systems.

Recent commercial developments for the company include an extension to the charter of Ocean Endeavour to Quark Expeditions; the signing of a new long-term contract for Ocean Adventurer with Quark Expeditions; and the renaming of Saint Laurent to Victory I as part of a long-term time charter to Victory Cruise Lines. From autumn 2017, the company’s vessel Ocean Atlantic, which has been chartered to Copenhagen-based operator Albatros Travel, will also begin expeditions in the polar regions.

SunStone has a very close working relationship with Cruise Management

Navigating the remoteManaging a fleet of 10 vessels, SunStone Ships provides a full management service to the ever-growing expedition cruise market

REPORT

Sea Spirit is one of ten vessels in the SunStone Ships fleet

123

” The company is the largest provider to the expedition shipping market”

International (CMI), one of the leading passenger ship managers in the world, who manages most of the SunStone fleet from a technical standpoint. The company also works with CMI Leisure (formerly known as ISP Leisure), a hotel management company in Miami, Florida responsible for hotel operations on several vessels in the SunStone fleet.

In addition to acquiring second-hand vessels on behalf of investors, over the last few years SunStone has also been working

on developing a newbuilding program. A result of this is the construction of a 150 to 200-passenger expedition cruise vessel, which meets the 1A ice classification and all new SOLAS regulations, including Safe Return to Port, as well as offering a number of new features in the expedition cruise market. With only around 35 to 40 expedition vessels in operation globally – most of which have an average age of more than 25 years – SunStone is filling an important gap in this growing market. C&F

The Junior suite onboard Ocean Endeavour

Ocean Diamond received upgrades in 2016

International Cruise & Ferry Review124

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

reating a unique and exciting onboard entertainment package is of huge importance for today’s cruise operators,

who are constantly looking to not only attract customers with a differentiated offering, but also keep them coming back year after year. “A memorable onboard experience is delivered in a number of ways, from the venues and facilities onboard, to the suites our guests call home when they sail with us,” says Gerald Mosslinger, vice president of hotel operations at Seabourn Cruise Line.

Mosslinger says that there are a few hallmarks of Seabourn that really resonate with its guests. “The first, and perhaps most important component, is an outstanding crew. Our onboard team is educated and trained to deliver a luxury experience like no other and this will remain a core focus for Seabourn in the future,” he explains. “Programming also plays a large part and we’re always innovating to keep it fresh,

bringing quality talent and speakers aboard. Our new partnership with multi-award winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice is a prime example. Each ship will feature our new flagship show ‘An Evening with Tim Rice’, which will highlight songs from his hit shows as well as the stories behind their creation in a narration by Rice himself.”

Jon Barker, creative director at Elixir, the entertainment division of Consultancy Team UK, also acknowledges the importance of good programming. “As an agent, in recent years I have seen a continuing trend whereby cruise lines ask so much more from their musicians, bands, duos and cocktail pianists,” he says. “Their repertoire needs to be big enough so as not to repeat the same songs and there is much more emphasis on presentation than there used to be. This contributes to higher standards all round and ensures greater guest satisfaction.

“As far as production shows are concerned, again the audience expectation is becoming more demanding and the shows must have a good pace,” Barker continues.

“In general, the musical arrangements have to be in line with what the audience sees on TV and experiences in spectacular live shows. The innovative use of technology has become essential to heightening the overall theatrical experience. At Elixir, we have seen this need and created an environment in which our specialists collaborate with clients to design and deliver unique and memorable experiences. The combination of exceptional sound, spectacle and technology, and talented artists to us is the essence of entertainment.”

But it’s not just the live entertainment that cruise ships want to perfect – there’s also demand for exceptional in-room entertainment too. With this in mind, BBC Worldwide has recently launched a global entertainment channel, BBC HD, the company’s first channel produced exclusively for cruise ships and the wider maritime market. It will go live through Global Eagle Entertainment’s MTN TV network, with P&O Cruises and Cunard Line being the first to offer this to their guests.

EntertainmentOffering star-studded live shows, dedicated TV channels and artisan dining experiences, today’s cruise lines are competing to create the ultimate onboard entertainment offering. Lindsay James reports

FEATURE

for all

125

“We are delighted that our guests will be able to travel the world but still keep up with their favourite television shows for that touch of home,” said P&O Cruises’ senior vice president Paul Ludlow in a press release. “BBC HD will be a superb addition to our in-cabin entertainment, and I am sure will be welcomed by our guests on both P&O Cruises and Cunard.”

Dining is another key part of the entertainment experience, and something that Seabourn’s Mosslinger acknowledges: “We’re in the midst of opening new culinary offerings,” he says. “The Grill by Thomas Keller is now open on two of our ships – Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Encore – and will debut on Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn later this year after dry dock periods. Plus, we opened a new venue on Seabourn Encore, called Sushi, which is a first-of-its-kind for our company and has been a tremendous hit.”

A first-class dining experience wouldn’t be complete without the right tableware, and this is an area where the European

company Villeroy & Boch comes into its own. “The right tableware is essential for a complete and harmonic onboard experience for guests,” says Jochen Stähler, marketing director of the B2B Tableware Division at Villeroy & Boch. “Whether it’s a delicious breakfast with our Amarah series that brings craftmanship to the table, a Café Gourmand and High Tea break with the graceful Stella Hotel range, or a fine dining experience with the delicate Blossom collection, Villeroy & Boch undoubtedly has a tableware collection for every occasion.”

When it comes to beverages, Koos Vrijlandt, sales manager for Global Duty Free at premium beer brand Heineken, says that innovation is crucial. “Our dedicated cruise team is creating powerful new synergies, supporting cruise line partners in everything from the quality of the guest experience to onboard operational efficiencies,” he explains. “Our current innovations include Heineken BrewLock – a one way double wall 20 litre keg developed especially for the cruise industry. This

innovation meets consumer expectations for outstanding quality at significantly reduced logistical costs and less handling complexity for the cruise operators. BrewLock is already available onboard several vessels with Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.”

Entertaining younger guests is also very important, and this is something that Princess Cruises is investing significant sums of money in. The company is redesigning its onboard children’s clubs, not only giving them a fresh look, but also adding new experiences and games including hands-on science experiments based on the TV show ‘MythBusters’, interactive scavenger hunts and cake decorating. Other non-discovery activities that will be added through the expansion include dance classes, mini golf tournaments, talent shows, video game play, theme nights, paper airplane challenges and Lego boat-building competitions. A family carnival-type experience with booths and activities will also be set up in the piazza.

EntertainmentAdventure Golf Services has recently provided themed miniature golf courses for Royal Caribbean’s Harmony

and Liberty and Norwegian’s Escape

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

FEATURE

International Cruise & Ferry Review126

According to Scott Lundmark, president of Adventure Golf Services (AGS), it’s this all-age onboard experience that is becoming a big trend in cruising today. “More families are taking to the sea than ever before, and creating fun for all ages with a variety of cruise activities is AGS’s speciality,” he explains. “We offer miniature golf, putting greens and courses, golf hitting bays, shuffleboard, croquet and bocce ball courts, and combined paddleball/pickleball courts. Recent projects include highly themed miniature golf courses for Royal Caribbean’s Harmony and Liberty, and Norwegian’s Escape.”

A recent unique installation from AGS is the first onboard SplashGolf course on Norwegian’s Epic. “SplashGolf is water mini golf on a splash pad, taking the game itself and the players into an interactive water environment,” Lundmark says. “This new application is generating discussions with cruise lines entertainment staff for new and retrofit options.”

With so many different experiences on offer, capturing them is a necessity. “Photography provides travellers with a long-lasting memory of a wonderful vacation, and is a treasured part of the cruise experience,” says Keith Packham, managing director at Ocean Images. “Photographs are timeless mementos of halcyon days onboard a luxury liner. New ways of viewing and gathering images are in their infancy, but will – over the next few years – present great opportunities for guest interaction. With many years of experience in the cruise industry, Ocean Images prides itself on keeping at the forefront of technical developments, whilst never forgetting the importance of ensuring first-class guest services to enhance the whole cruise experience.” C&F

Top left: Princess Cruises’ Treehouse children’s club. Top right: Sir Tim Rice; below far left: Heineken’s Brewlock keg. Below middle: The Grill, Seabourn Encore. Below right: Villeroy & Boch’s blossom collection

Celebrating 30 years with a new look

Check it out!ysa.no

International Cruise & Ferry Review128

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

tep onboard Viking Ocean Cruises’ newest vessel – Viking Sky – and it feels more like a contemporary hotel rather than a ship, albeit one with amazing

sea views. Guests booked in on the luxury liner will be able to swim in a glass-walled infinity pool, which is suspended seemingly unsupported over the sea, take afternoon tea with panoramic views of the ocean in the attractive Wintergarden, and ‘chill’ in the onboard spa’s Snow Grotto – a glass-enclosed room filled with manmade snow.

One of eleven newbuilds launching in 2017, Viking’s third ocean-going vessel is relatively small – holding up to 930 passengers – compared to some of her floating city-esque counterparts taking to the high seas in the coming months. But that doesn’t mean she holds back on amenities. Indeed, she is flush with so many activities that passengers will likely welcome a sea day to explore the vessel.

It’s a trend that’s prevalent across the industry. From waterparks to go-kart tracks and shopping centres, passengers are being offered more things to see and do onboard than ever before. Take MSC Cruises’ newest

ship. Debuting in June this year, MSC Meraviglia offers up an aqua park with water slides, a splash pool and champagne bowl; a spacious indoor promenade; twelve restaurants; and the ‘Himalayan Bridge’ where guests can zipline across the ship.

Passengers holidaying on the German-engineered Norwegian Joy, launching this summer, will have access to activities not found on other ships, including a two-level, electric-car raceway, multi-story water slides, and open-air laser tag.

Architect firm YSA DESIGN is working with a number of cruise lines at the minute

What’s newand next?

FEATURE

Bigger, better and jam-packed with entertainment, the newbuilds of 2017 will be some of the most impressive yet. Rebecca Lambert reflects on the design trends that are shaping the future of cruising

129

to bring the ‘wow’ factor to their ships. “One of our projects has involved designing the longest zipline at sea, which is presently under construction,” says CEO Anne Mari Gullikstad. “We’ve also been responsible for designing many new public areas, ranging from restaurant facilities and bars, to family areas and water parks.”

Tina Kjeldgaard, project manager at interior consultant Danish Decoration, also acknowledges a growing trend towards family-friendly features, which has seen her company helping to adapt existing onboard areas. “We’ve worked on many family

areas, particularly ones targeted at children and teenagers. Waterparks are particularly popular,” she says.

Offering onboard amenities that can be accessed and enjoyed all year round, regardless of the weather, is important too. On AIDAperla, AIDA’s newest vessel and sister to AIDAprima, passengers can relax in constant 24-degree heat under a transparent foil dome.

“The foil domed area on top of the vessel is the main feature in terms of providing a resort type of holiday onboard a vessel if the weather outside is not that great,” says Michael Ungerer, COO of Carnival Asia

and former AIDA president. “We will have a beach club in the centre of the vessel on top, themed from beaches around the world, with an activity area, the Four Elements.”

For ships destined for warmer climes, cruise lines are focusing on making the most of their outdoor spaces. MSC Seaside, which will launch in December 2017, has been designed to bring guests closer to the sea with connecting inside and outside public spaces and a waterfront promenade that wraps around the 323-metre ship. More than three quarters of the cabins are also positioned on the outside of the ship.

Left: The main pool on Norwegian Getaway. Below: Viking Sky’s spa will have a glass-enclosed Snow Grotto, while Norwegian Joy’s top deck will have an electric-car raceway

http://www.elmoleather.com/

131

FEATURE

“The design of the ship embodies our passion for the sea with innovative features to enhance the enjoyment of the open water and sunshine for our guests,” says Gianni Onorato, MSC’s CEO.

Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess, setting sail this April, makes the most of the sea as a feature too, with SeaWalk – a 60 foot-long glass-floor walkway, which extends 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship, offering thrilling views of the ever-changing seascape. Guests can also look forward to the Princess Water Color Fantasy fountain and light show on the top deck.

At 315 metres long, the latest TUI Cruises’ vessels – the new Mein Schiff 1 and 2 – are 20 metres longer than their predecessors, allowing for a redesign of the interior layout and the opportunity to introduce several new features and public spaces. Revealing some exclusive details about the vessels is Ralf Claussen, founder of interior design firm CM Design: “Because both vessels are longer, they will accommodate more cabins, suites and public spaces,” he says. “The whole feel of the ships will be quite different to that of the original Mein Schiff 1 and 2. They will include a new indoor sports- and multipurpose hall, and the public areas will be more open and spacious.”

One of Claussen’s design highlights is the new fitness area. “It’s much larger

The finishing touches

Forbo understands that material choice is one of the most critical aspects of designing cruise and ferry interiors. “The material sets the tone for the overall look and feel of a vessel with many criteria influencing the specification including aesthetics, durability, maintenance and the requirement of IMO certification,” says Jacco Vlaar, head of International Key Accounts – Transportation at Forbo Flooring.

That’s why the company offers a wide range of floor coverings, including a custom design service to help operators create flooring designs that perfectly match their interior requirements.

At TVV Marine Lighting, all of its lighting solutions are handmade in the EU and meet the strictest energy saving standards and regulations. It has a team of designers and engineers on hand to help customers develop their own ideas, providing an end-to-end service from concept sketches to the final product.

Forbo Flooring and TVV Marine Lighting deliver full design services to meet cruise lines’ specific interior requirements

Top left and right: MSC Seaside and her outdoor promenade. Bottom left: The fitness area on Mein Schiff 1

COMMITTED TO THE HEALTH OF ONE WWW.FORBO-FLOORING.COM/CHO

than before and offers almost 360-degree sea views thanks to its glass facade,” he says.

Space is also the name of the game on Silver Muse – Silversea Cruises’ all-suite flagship. Holding 596 guests, everything about the vessel exudes luxury, from the intimate cigar lounge to the marble bathrooms. Entry-level Veranda Suites are spacious at 323 square feet, plus a 64 square foot balcony. And it has the highest number of large, upper-category suites in Silversea’s fleet.

While not aimed specifically at the growing Asian market, which is increasingly attracted to luxury cruising, Silver Muse will undoubtedly appeal to passengers in this buoyant sector. A fact not lost on the brand’s chairman, who confirmed in an interview with ICFR last year that Silversea is “following the Chinese market very closely as we think that it will become one of the main markets for ultra-luxury cruising over the next decade.”

“The cruise market has become more diverse in its audience, with the Chinese market becoming more of a focus,” explains Ana Albert, vice president of PR and marketing at Almaco, which focuses on design for onboard accommodation and food handling areas. “Keeping the Asian customer in mind, ships are being purpose built and modernised to suit the guests’ preferences with special interior design features and unique equipment. Almaco has been at the forefront of this movement as a catering systems vendor to Dream Cruises’ Genting Dream, as well as Royal Caribbean’s Quantum and Anthem of the Seas, among others.”

Ultimately, as passengers seek more memorable experiences, cruise ship design continues to pursue luxury, choice and uniqueness. When it launches next year, Star Clippers’ Flying Clipper will be the largest sailing ship in the world. A near replica of the France II, built in 1911, the new vessel will offer passengers an authentic glimpse into the past, albeit surrounded by modern amenities such as three pools, open-seating dining and a glass Dive bar.

“It’s easy to be complacent,” says Michael Oliver, co-chairman of marine interior firm Trimline. “But it’s important that the cruise lines evolve with new trends and refresh their brand to keep one step ahead. We believe that it is a company’s brand that makes them unique. By incorporating their brand values into the interior design of their ships, we enable our clients to communicate their corporate attributes, personality and beliefs to their guests.” C&F

Larger ships mean that passengers are enjoying more spacious cabins

www.antti-teollisuus.fi | tel. +358 2 774 4700

The guests and crew sleep exceptionally well behind our doors, which are the quietest on the market. They are also safe, stylish and of high quality.

ANTTI doors guarantee that you wake up refreshed and ready for the new day

on all the oceans of the world, from deluxe cruise ships to offshore applications.

FEATURE

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

134

Jon Ingleton explores some of the industry trends that are influencing the evolution in the design of ship interiors and outside spaces

FEATURE

Cruise shipdesign trends

to watchWearable technology Failure mapping

This is an easy prediction after Arnold Donald’s CES keynote (the first non-tech company CEO to deliver this presentation) in January about Carnival Corporation’s Ocean Medallion, which will be rolled out on the Princess Cruises fleet (see p158). With functionality that includes onboard purchasing, wayfinding, cabin entry and personalisation, this innovation will certainly catch on and the functions it can perform will rapidly expand. The number of digital screens and other interaction points onboard will grow exponentially and interior designs will have to adapt to blend them into onboard spaces. The intelligence available from the data gathered and analysed in the process will lead to numerous changes onboard.

In effect, this involves using wearable technology to provide more detailed passenger flow maps to establish a full space usage interaction-cycle and achieve more informed redundancy decisions. Rooms that are underused at certain times will be designed so that they have multiple purposes or reimagined for alternative use altogether.

Ocean Medallion will be inspiring guests from November 2017

Failure mapping to swing the odds in your favour

135

Royal Caribbean International, famously innovating on Ovation of the Seas

Colour palettes Higher outside space ratios

Interior colour trends are changing more rapidly than ever before; the cruise industry will never be able to keep up with refurbishments only occurring in a three-year cycle at best. Colour palette selection is a blend of craft, science and gut-feeling (see Georgina Wright’s interview on p154). The funnel that drives cruise ship interior colour trends is fashion > home > hotel > cruise ship. Each step is a muted interpretation of the previous step. According to Vogue, fuchsia, zingy lemon yellow and tropical green are the colours of spring 2017 but they may never find a comfortable home onboard a cruise ship. Operators will rather continue to tend to default to a brand palette and refresh it periodically with colours that are assured some longevity – currently variations of natural and neutral.

Every cruise line has an enviable edge over their land-based competitors – the views. Cruisers who have experienced a cabin with a balcony and a ship with plentiful outside space rarely look back. Current newbuilds have a much higher proportion of balcony cabins than ever before and this trend will continue, and drive demand for more deck and other outside space. For example, MSC Seaside, due for delivery at the end of 2017, will have the greatest ratio of outside space compared to any other ship in the MSC Cruises fleet. Royal Caribbean International continues to innovate the deck activity options.

Operators tend towards timeless classics

MSC Seaside’s open air promenade

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

CRUISE_International_Cruise_216x286.pdf 1 18/01/17 10:59

137

FEATURE

Latency leading

Autonomous shipsEnvironmental psychology

Story telling

With dining and activity choices growing in parallel with ship size, passengers can experience anxiety as they consider the too many options available to them. Subtle leading techniques to channel passengers from one space to another have been used since the advent of cruising, often through lighting, carpet patterns and signage. Technology will take this a step further by changing the physical surroundings to synchronise with passenger choices (lighting the way to the cabin for a passenger who has elected to retire for the night) or by narrowing my choices based on personalisation data (suggesting a location for an after-dinner drink and then adding favourite music to the playlist in the bar).

Once regarded as the biggest disruptive force in the business, the marine industry now embraces this fantastical future. Even the traditionally conservative Norwegian Maritime Authority has opened the Trondheimsfjord as the world’s first designated autonomous ship testing zone. The technology exists and there’s even a symposium to maintain the momentum for its development and deployment (www.autonomousshipsymposium.com). How prolific the technologies become in passenger shipping will depend on consumer confidence, which will rely on a blemish-free safety record. Follow Oskar Levandar, vice president of innovation at Rolls-Royce, on Twitter to keep up to date with the technology. The stereotypical ship shape will be transformed as it makes way for new designs unencumbered by the need for a traditional bridge.

Demonstrably greener than ever, numerous environmentally friendly initiatives onboard cruise ships are commonplace: recycling, shore power, environmental officers, scrubbers, ocean water quality monitoring, crew beach clean-ups, low-energy lighting, recirculation of heat, twilight sensors, biodiesel from used cooking oil, water saving programmes and much more. The four LNG-powered Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises ships currently being built at Meyer Werft and due for delivery in 2019 and 2020 will emit no soot or sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced by 80% and carbon dioxide by 20%. Expect continuous improvement from the industry and visible references in design features and functionality to respond to the environmental psychology of passengers – think wind-powered refrigerators chilling your beer which is brewed onsite to avoid transportation, flavoured with herbs grown on the living wall that surrounds you.

Rooms that have a story better engage the passenger and lead to higher satisfaction ratings. Interior designers will increasingly share a story (or series of stories) with cruise lines so that staff working in these spaces can share them with passengers – for example, “Adam Tihany was inspired by the inside of a violin when he designed this room (Queen’s Lounge on Konigsdam),” or “did you know that bar stool is made with leather from Elmo in Sweden – the chemical agents typically used in the tanning process pollutes the water, but you can actually drink the water that’s been used to create this leather?” Whether the stories generate the design or vice versa, have no doubt that ships with a good story will be triumphant.Operators take the stress out of choosing with personalised offers

Land-based control centre conceived by Rolls Royce

Crystal Cruises’ herb garden

Queens Lounge onboard Koningsdam

139

Growth of speciality cruising

Cabin innovationResurgence of classes

Ship size

A cruise to Alaska, northern Norway, South America and other adventurous destinations turns every passenger into an explorer, honing their pioneer instincts. Inevitably, many of those passengers will eventually seek new and greater thrills, and so expedition cruising popularity explodes. Patterns quickly emerge and early adopters can clean up because the speed of speciality cruise adoption can be fuelled by unrelated issues in the mainstream market, such as port congestion and over-crowding. Purpose-built ships for these specialities each need to find their own design values that accurately reflect the speciality and the passenger perception of that niche. But like river cruising, which lost favour with some passengers due to the cramped conditions, the optimum balance between authenticity and comfort must be found for the speciality to thrive.

Accommodation used to be based on a few different box sizes, positioned on the inside or outside of the ship. The boxes were all effectively the same, making them easier to build, fit out, clean and maintain. Certainly, space has always been at a premium but demand for variety is increasingly winning the change debate – family, spa, solo and duplex cabins are included in some of the current newbuilds and this trend will continue. From a design perspective, curved walls, back doors and virtual portholes are easy illustrations of recent cabin trends but expect this evolution to continue – borrowing liberally from land-based success stories but also continuing to find invention within the industry.

Much of the perception of glamour has been lost for the travelling elite on all but the most luxurious ships as cruise lines seek mass appeal (Queen Elizabeth 2 inaugurated one-class cruising). Certainly, there are bigger accommodations proportional to the price tag, but this is not enough for some on ships of 2,500 plus passengers. In 2008, Celebrity introduced the AquaClass and more recently Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have embraced the concept with The Haven and Yacht Club. The Haven is an exclusive retreat hidden away at the top of the ship and is a big hit with guests. If the numbers continue to work on the real estate value, all brands will follow and extend this side of their offer as they build loyalty with this demographic.

Few industry commentators would have predicted 225,000gt ships, fewer still are now prepared to speculate on a likely future size limit. Many anticipated significant passenger dissatisfaction and predicted a negative impact on the overall appeal of cruising. Oasis of the Seas has a 4.5 rating on Cruise Critic and 4.1 on Cruiseline.com (and bagged third in Best Ship awards). The Oasis-class has also been responsible for countless technology, entertainment, activity and design innovations. Whether ships continue to grow in size or not, the bigger ships will continue to take the lead in design innovation because they have the space to trial new concepts and discard them if they don’t work without significant disruption.

Oceanwide Expeditions’ Hondius will meet Lloyd’s Register’s highest polar class notation for ice-strengthened vessels

Studio cabin for solo passengers onboard Norwegian Breakaway

The Haven observation lounge on Norwegian Joy

The Central Park neighbourhood onboard Oasis of the Seas

FEATURE

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

140

ondon-based AD Associates is rapidly becoming a respected name in the marine interior design industry. Strong concepts, considered designs

and a contemporary edge are the qualities that have helped the studio to solidify an exciting and long-term relationship with Crystal Cruises.

One of AD Associates’ past projects was Crystal Esprit, whose sleek and comfortable interiors make her feel more like a boutique hotel or high-end residence than a typical cruise offering. For this project, AD Associates had to work closely with Crystal to distil the big ship experience down into a much smaller package, while simultaneously creating the next generation of Crystal vessels.

In July 2016, AD Associates founder Chris Finch used 20 years of design experience and the expertise of his creative team to reimagine river ship Crystal Mozart as a ‘Ship for All Seasons’.

Acting as lead architect for the public and crew areas, the studio adopted an empathetic approach and retained the structural character of Crystal Mozart. The team also created the brand concept and livery, as well as signage that complements the interiors both functionally and aesthetically. Crystal Mozart has since become another design signature for Crystal, showcasing the brand’s memorable guest experience and ‘Crystal Difference’.

Crystal Mozart’s principal dining venue is the Waterside restaurant, which has a farm-to-table dining concept. Flexibility allows guests to enjoy an informal self-service approach during the day, and an à la carte table service throughout the evening.

AD Associates adopted an artisanal approach, working with skilled craftsmen to realise exquisite detailing and elegant clean lines. A prime example of this is the reeded glass and copper sliding doors, flanked at either side by striking copper fretwork screens. Bespoke and original artwork has a key presence in Waterside – and throughout Crystal Mozart – including delicate ceramic pieces which were handcrafted to add another layer of detail to the space.

A great design synergy is present on the Crystal Deck and runs throughout Crystal Mozart. Bistro Mozart is a prime example, reflecting the informal offering, while echoing the chic adjoining areas that it feeds from. Contemporary artwork and sleek accents add a level of layered depth and style. Elsewhere, AD Associates has recreated a residential setting with a focal marble fireplace that emits vapour flames to give a home-from-home feeling in the comfortable reception lounge seating area.

Other notable intimate settings onboard the vessel are Crystal’s signature Connoisseur Club and Vintage Room. Both have a worldly elegance, and the combination of timber and

studwork makes the Connoisseur Club an ideal retreat to sample one of Crystal’s fine cognacs and a cigar.

These venues create a juxtaposition with the freshness of Blue and Palm Court, displaying AD Associates’ ability to successfully incorporate diversity and give a project a design edge. Palm Court’s emerald blue and jade green tones come to life during the evening when Crystal offers its renowned entertainment. Sympathetic to the ship’s heritage, the original Bösendorfer piano has been restored and placed in the venue.

Moving to the open Vista Deck, AD Associates has delivered a unique design

Game-changinginterior design Following the completion of Crystal Mozart, design firm AD Associates has quietly carved a niche for itself within the luxury marine sector

” AD Associates is excited and privileged to continue working with Genting and Crystal as a trusted design professional”

REPORT

Crystal Luxury Air

Crystal Esprit

Crystal Esprit

141

Crystal Esprit’s elegant Patio Cafe (left) and Crystal Mozart’s Connoisseur Club were both designed by AD Associates

Clockwise from left: AD Associates’ contemporary designs inject new life into Crystal Mozart’s Cove, Bistro Mozart and Waterside restaurants

both in terms of concept and structure. The nature of river cruising and low-lying bridges required a multi-functional approach, resulting in all elements being collapsible. This includes the Pop-Up Bar, which has a vanishing screen for evening movies under the stars. At the front of the Vista Deck, guests can enjoy a permanent garden seeded around large skylights. These were a design solution to introduce additional natural light across the public areas on the Crystal Deck below.

Considered to be Europe’s ‘Queen of the Rivers’, Crystal Mozart is a precious jewel. The overall aesthetic is that of a timeless

contemporary elegance and, for the river market, introduces a game-changing service and design, set to inspire and attract the next generation of guests.

Since global leisure and hospitality company Genting Hong Kong acquired Crystal Cruises in May 2015, it has also established a new shipyard group, MV Werften, which is facilitating the rapid expansion of Crystal’s fleet. Building on the success of Crystal Mozart, AD Associates has been appointed as Crystal’s main research and development architect and is taking the lead on a further four river vessels, two of which will be complete this year.

Looking to the future, AD Associates is both excited and privileged to continue working with Genting and Crystal as a trusted design professional. Newbuild projects for the river ships and Crystal Endeavor expedition vessel require the studio to maintain a positive pace of development. However, AD Associates will always remain grounded to ensure that the strength and ethos of a client’s brand is reflected throughout the design process, from concept through to completion. It took just eight months to turn around Crystal Mozart, proving that it is possible to work efficiently and set the standard for high quality interiors, leading to game-changing design. C&F

Crystal Mozart Crystal Mozart

Crystal Mozart

Crystal Mozart

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

142

new year is in its infancy, and for many businesses this represents a fresh start, a chance to explore exciting opportunities and pursue

new ideas. For architecture and interior firm YSA

DESIGN this analogy couldn’t be truer. In 2016, the decision was made to reorganise and make strategic changes to Yran & Storbraaten Architects – a long-term provider to the cruise market – in order to secure its future.

The result was the creation of YSA DESIGN, which officially launched in July 2016.

While in many respects YSA DESIGN is a new company, it draws from its predecessor’s over 30 years of experience, delivering exceptional exterior and interior designs for ships on the high seas. In that time, the firm helped to drive significant change across the industry, shaping the cruise market as the booming holiday alternative it is today.

The new company retains a few other characteristics from Yran & Storbraaten Architects too, namely its spirit and soul, and its three partners, which continue to contribute to the success of the business on a daily basis. This, together with new management, is providing YSA DESIGN with the solid platform it needs to secure a sustainable future.

“If you look back to the beginnings of the cruise industry and compare it to the present day, there have been some really impressive developments,” says new CEO Anne Mari Gullikstad. “From the ships themselves and their magnificent interiors, to the destinations that now make it onto the leading cruise lines’ itineraries, we have seen some big changes take place in the industry. But perhaps biggest of all is

the fact that cruise travel is now not just reserved for the few; it has become a popular holiday experience for many.”

When looking to what the future will hold, YSA DESIGN believes that there will be a growing awareness around the industry’s impact on the global environment and companies’ sustainability goals.

“People will pursue experiences rather than investing in materialistic merchandise,”

A new beginningOne of the world’s most respected architects has made some big changes as it positions itself for growth in 2017 and beyond. We find out about the all-new YSA DESIGN

INTERVIEW

” Our strength is that we can see a project through from the very beginning all the way to the final stages of completion”

143

YSA DESIGN’s team have a wealth of experience from across the globe providing active input throughout the entire design process

says Gullikstad. “As architects and designers, we should take responsibility for the elements we can control such as interior designs, materials and promotion of innovative technical solutions.”

It is for this reason that YSA DESIGN asks itself questions such as should interior designs be timeless – made to last and stay trendy for longer periods of time – instead of going out of fashion within a couple of years? Should materials be able to better withstand wear and tear, with the aim of reducing the number of refurbishments needed during a ship’s lifetime?

Priding itself on its long-standing reputation as a top cruise ship designer that has remained at the forefront of cutting-edge developments, it’s a matter that the company considers carefully. Operating as Yran & Storbraaten Architects, the firm was one of the first to bring high-end luxury design to the seas, working on ships like SeaDream Yacht Club’s Sea Goddess, which later became known as Seadream. It led the

way with Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, setting a new standard for inclusion of balconies on cruise ships – part of its long-standing policy to create suites where as close to 100% have private verandas. And by reinventing the general arrangement (GA) and basic exterior structure of Viking River Cruises new riverboats, it has helped the US-based river cruise operator bring a whole new level of luxury to its ships, leading to impressive revenue gains.

With its new company name, logo and management, combined with its enduring status as one of the most reputable ship designers and architects in the deluxe cruise market, YSA DESIGN has a very positive outlook for 2017 and beyond.

“Today we have 25 talented architects, interior architects and designers, working to provide a complete set of design services to the cruise industry,” says Gullikstad. “Our strength is that we can see a project through from the very beginning all the way to the final stages

of completion when the ship is ready to set sail. Our services include GA concepts and planning, exterior and interior design concepts, 3D renderings, as well as follow-up and construction.”

Gullikstad explains that in order to maintain its position at the top of cruise ship design and offer the best possible service to its clients, YSA DESIGN will continue to invest in its people and grow its team.

“Yran and Storbraaten has always focused on having good energy, great engagement and happy employees,” she says. “It is important to us that we carry this on, and that we nurture people that have a real sense of loyalty to our company and the projects we work on, and that they are proud of what we achieve. YSA DESIGN will continue this philosophy and it’s for this very reason that our aim is not to necessarily be the largest architecture firm, but one that consistently delivers innovative and creative designs, focused on sustainability in all areas of delivery. We are very proud of who we are and where we have come from.” C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

144

” The art was selected to compliment the sense of a dream-like adventure”

SMC Design’s team travelled to Asia to understand the design preferences and cultural heritage of Dream Cruises’ prospective guests before designing Genting Dream’s interiors

esigning a complete cruise ship is an amazing creative opportunity. From the initial concept stage to final delivery, designers must

anticipate the customer needs, emerging design trends, and of course, the future ambitions of their client. They must harness expectations while exceeding upon delivery. It’s a complicated and highly detailed procedure that London-based consultancy SMC Design continues to be heavily involved in. One of its main clients is the new Asia-based operators Dream Cruises, for which it designed inaugural ship Genting Dream.

“The main challenge for us was to understand the customer profile,” says Andy Yuill, managing director of SMC Design. “The diversity within Asia is massive. You go from Penang in Malaysia, round to Shanghai, China and there are so many countries and markets within that one region. You have to understand that and realise how it needs to be a flexible vessel that can cater for a variety of cultures.”

Andrew Brown, a senior associate at SMC, agrees. “Fundamental to anything we do is understanding the offering and the operation, and then the design flows from that,” he explains. “In designing the vessel, we travelled to many different Asiatic regions to gain an understanding of their design and culture. We’ve recently returned from a research trip to study the latest food,

beverage and spa formats in mainland China. We are continuously exploring, researching and visiting the different services and facilities in Asia so that we can stay ahead of the trends.”

On Genting Dream, SMC introduced restaurants catering to the Malaysian and Singaporean customers, including Dream Mansions, which serves Xiao Long Bao and other northern Chinese comfort food. A

Japanese restaurant that is popular with all markets, covering all bases.

The spa has also been carefully designed to meet Asian tastes. “A Chinese spa is completely different to a Western spa,” says Brown. “They are open for 24 hours a day and might have an extensive team of staff working there. The Chinese spa has specific references to Shenzhen, just outside Hong Kong, and has a completely

To dream a dreamSMC Design’s work for Dream Cruises means the company can offer a more holistic experience for guests

INTERVIEW

145

different flow of services as you go deeper and deeper into the spa. If you hadn’t been to one before you wouldn’t truly be able to understand them, but it is a very popular format. Visiting these spas for ourselves was crucial to getting the spa right on Genting Dream.”

The research wasn’t restricted to designing the public areas either. SMC’s head of art Jennie Drummond visited artists in Japan, Thailand, China, Bali and Korea to commission the 4,000 pieces of artwork that can be found throughout the vessel.

“There is a strong narrative running throughout the ship,” she comments. “The art was selected to compliment the sense of a dream-like adventure. The eye-catching graphic on the hull – a collaboration

with Jacky Tsai and the Dream Cruises team – incorporates it too. It’s a love story of an astronaut and a mermaid who are trapped in alien environments trying to find one another – they’re dreaming of being reunited. The love story continues inside the ship with a large feature wall where the pair finally embrace. Thus, the narrative continues from the outside to the inside.”

SMC was also responsible for all onboard decorative and directional signage. This included bilingual (simplified Chinese and English) digital wayfinding screens throughout the ship. A new internet protocol TV system and an onboard app were also developed specifically for this project.

“The app can help passengers make restaurant reservations, book shore

excursions and monitor their onboard spend,” says Rebecca Hodgson, senior designer and project manager at SMC.

SMC is currently working on Genting’s second vessel, World Dream, which will be delivered in October 2017.

“We are continually challenging ourselves on how we design at SMC,” says Yuill. “Especially when we have the responsibility of designing an entire vessel. The important point is that you get a far greater design cohesion when you’re controlling all of the various design elements. The communication is better, as is the integration between all of the different components that together continue to create such unique experiences.” C&F

International Refurbishment Specialists

MJM Group HQ, Carnbane Business Park, Newry, Co. Down, N. Ireland, BT35 6QHE: info@mjm-group.com Tel: 028 302 58450 Web: www.mjm-group.com

Ireland | UK | France | Poland

147

ake a look at any of De Jorio Design International’s projects over the years and you will see that they ooze a sense of class and timeless appeal that you

would only expect from an Italian design firm. Indeed, over the last 60 years that the company has been in business, it has earned a reputation for delivering elegant and luxurious cruise ships that marry a deep understanding of space, planning and layout with creativity and flair.

For Marco de Jorio, the firm’s current chairman, success comes down to an ability to deliver designs that stand the test of time. “We create cruise ship interiors that continue to appeal to cruise guests many years down the line,” he says. “We achieve this by monitoring the latest design trends and innovative concepts, but also opting for high-quality materials and looks that will last.”

Over the years, de Jorio himself has developed a particularly close working relationship with Italy-based MSC Cruises, who he has worked with since their first project together in 2001, designing the two sister ships MSC Lirica and MSC Opera, which were delivered in 2003 and 2004.

“Since then, we have designed almost all of the cruise line’s ships, including the new Fantasia-class of ships, which entered service in 2008 and 2009, the upcoming MSC Meraviglia being built at STX France,

and the Seaside prototype at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone,” de Jorio comments.

De Jorio says that the reason he believes the two companies work so well together is that they share very similar philosophies. “We work closely with management across all facets of the business at MSC to share ideas and evolve them,” he explains. “Like us, their aim is to build ships that will still look good in 20 years’ time. As a result, we have to define rather than follow trends; we have to imagine what will work for passengers of the future generation.”

It’s a task that is easier said than done, especially as people’s lifestyles are changing

so fast, as are the ships themselves, which, like his late father, de Jorio compares to cities – complete with many of the same issues regarding traffic flow and open spaces.

“Our design approach has to keep up with the times while still maintaining classic appeal,” he explains. “To do this, we look to offer experiences that passengers will remember and that will stay with them long after their holiday is over.”

For de Jorio, his most memorable design feature includes the double-deck entertainment lounge dedicated to the Cirque de Soleil onboard the soon-to-be-launched MSC Meraviglia: “With its movable floors and stairs, and an 80-degree circular glass wall, this was a huge design feat; I can’t wait for it to be unveiled.”

Like the materials his company chooses to employ – natural wherever possible, giving a sense of luxury, durability and timeless appeal – de Jorio hopes his firm retains many of the same attributes it has become so well known for in the industry. “De Jorio Design International has developed and grown over the last six decades, but not too fast – we want to stay in the business of quality. Every project has to fit in with our vision.” C&F

Timeless appealDe Jorio Design International has left its signature mark on most newbuilds for MSC Cruises since 2001. Marco de Jorio reflects on a successful partnership with the cruise line

INTERVIEW

” Our design approach has to keep up with the times while still maintaining classic appeal”

The MKN combi steamer is simply fun to use. Operated intuitively similar to a smartphone, the MKN FlexiCombi offers you a wide range of new applications.

EnjoyCooking!

MKN Maschinenfabrik Kurt Neubauer GmbH & Co. KGPhone: +49 (0) 5331 89-207 | km@mkn.de

www.combisteamer-fl exicombi.com

www.danishdecoration.dk

International Cruise & Ferry Review149 149

ver the last 50 years, Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) has earned itself an enviable reputation in the cruise

industry, working on some of the most prestigious projects in the market and growing from a team of just 20 to a team of around 100. This growth hasn’t gone unnoticed – the company has recently bagged a coveted Swedish Gazelle award for being one of the fastest growing companies in Sweden.

“We’re in the middle of a boom in the industry – it’s a very exciting time,” says Fredrik Johansson, who is celebrating ten years of being a partner at the company, alongside Michal Jackiewicz and Karin Falk.

“Today we’re running 20 projects concurrently,” Jackiewicz adds. “It takes

a huge amount of planning, especially because we want to maintain the integrity of each project. Our clients trust us implicitly and that’s extremely important considering we’re working with competitor firms on a daily basis.”

Indeed, TDoS’s current client list reads much like a cruise travel brochure. Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Star Cruises, TUI Cruises, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line…the list goes on. Johansson says that all of these clients have a single goal: to create a differentiated onboard experience that will cut through the noise and stand out.

“There are a few other trends that I can speak of,” Johansson explains. “In particular, there’s a demand for creating diversity inside each space and breaking down boundaries. For example, we’re

mixing retail with a coffee bar, dining with entertainment and so on. Creating a more informal boutique feel is also a big trend.”

Jackiewicz agrees: “Generating a sense of extravagance – whether it be via more space in cabins, through a more intimate dining experience or by adding luxury brands to a retail store – adds a huge amount of guest appeal.”

Consistently delivering unique designs that create this highly sought-after guest appeal is TDoS’s mission going forward. “While we’re growing at an unprecedented rate at the moment, we don’t want to risk diluting our output,” Johansson says. “We’d rather say no to a project than take it on and not be able to deliver. We are serious about what we do and our goal is to be the best design company in the world and the number one choice for our clients.” C&F

Cutting through the noise As more ship operators strive to differentiate themselves, Tillberg Design of Sweden has seen a 500% growth in business. Fredrik Johansson and Michal Jackiewicz tell Lindsay James more

INTERVIEW

” Our clients trust us implicitly and that’s extremely important”

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

150

How is the refurbishment market moving at the moment?The market has been a little quieter recently, but this follows a phenomenal run of spectacular projects for MJM.

Could the market be quieter due to quality of outfitting work?This isn’t a phenomenon that we’ve noticed and we certainly wouldn’t build any obsolescence into what we do! We like to think that our work would go out of fashion before it starts showing signs of wear. At MJM we build things to last and if the cost to us of that is that jobs are slower to come back round, then we can happily live with that.

What is the general motivation for refurbishment projects?Very rarely do ships get to the stage where they look tired because they’re well looked after and finishes or aging furnishings are replaced almost daily. It’s much more likely to be because of changing fashions, redeployment or the ship being transferred to another brand. Refurbishment projects can also be commissioned to ensure older ships offer the same experience as newbuilds.

Typically, how often do cruise lines carry out renovations? Currently, three to six years is probably a reasonable expectation for the time between major works. However, it could be shorter because they want to correct a dining experience that just hasn’t worked, or it could be longer because the ship has been so well maintained. The cabins might be on a different timescale altogether, particularly because the investment is colossal and overhauling around 1,000 cabins is a mammoth undertaking. But as cabins are less susceptible to changes in fashion, they can be kept looking good with a clever maintenance programme.

How are changing trends affecting refurbishment projects?It’s more than fashion in the visual sense, it’s also how people move around a ship and use the spaces available to them. Some operators have moved away from big open dining areas and now offer multiple food outlets. Ships offer more cabin types than ever before and entertainment options are more varied – it’s all because people want more choice. This trend towards greater variety has impacted the work of the outfitter far more significantly than changing colour or fabric

tastes. Conveniently, the timescale of this type of trend movement is much closer to the five to six-year refurbishment schedule, compared to other fashion changes, which are impossible for a ship to keep in step with.

What projects are MJM Marine particularly proud of?All of them – we work with a great sense of pride on every project. A few years ago, we studied the benefits of the LEAN approach, which evolved from the car production floor and is based on a just-in-time methodology. Our remit for Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 was to build 25 new cabins, completely refurbish 916 cabins and suites, and renovate various public rooms in 21 days. Using this approach, we ensured that every element of the job was planned, with materials all laid out as each of the tradespeople moved into a

Newbuild quality for refitsMJM Marine has successfully reinvented its outfitting approach using a car production-inspired methodology. Jon Ingleton catches up with Stephen McNulty about the refit market

INTERVIEW

” We’ve always been a quality outfitter for public areas, but recently we’ve built a solid reputation for large cabin refurbishments”

151

cabin ready to execute their role then straight on to the next. We built a materials store on the ship so we could access everything we needed for the day more quickly and keep a train of people delivering materials from the store to the cabins. It worked perfectly because almost 700 people worked uninterrupted and we minimised the number of lost hours waiting for one team to finish, or for their materials to arrive. At the peak of the project, we handed over 70-80 cabins per day. Our work onboard Queen Mary 2 is a good example of a big and complicated project that came together really well.

Has the increased variety of cabin types changed your approach?Absolutely. We used to be able to prepare for a job by going onboard to view each of

the different types of cabin. Now we have to put a team onboard to physically survey every cabin. However, this is also because we’re so thorough and determined to get every minute detail planned to ensure we successfully complete the job.

Do you expect future projects to be biased towards cabin work given this success?We’ve always been known as a quality outfitter for public areas, but recently we’ve built a solid reputation for hitting deadlines on budget for cabin refurbishments, so we’ll be adding more of this type of work to our traditional business. In fact, we’re getting some traction with the idea that MJM can be the single outfitter onboard. We’ve been a single contractor during a few of our recent dry dock projects, where we’ve planned,

managed and delivered every element of the job, on time and within budget.

How long does it take to prepare for a big renovation?Companies that are organised and planning major works talk to us a year in advance and we aim to get the order signed eight or nine months ahead so we can immediately start planning. On the flip side, we’re currently tendering for a job that is due to start within three months because we can deliver in the tightest of timeframes. We’ve built the infrastructure so that we can mobilise the labour force – primarily from Poland – to fit with the timescales that we’re given.

When it comes to the design and development process, we work with whatever plans are available – sometimes they are

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

International Cruise & Ferry Review152

INTERVIEW

fully measured and detailed, but often they’re just artist impressions or concept drawings. We break it down into a series of tasks, crafts, materials and products. Designers often rely on the contractors to ensure fire and safety compliance and we’re very comfortable with them because we’re process experts. We might spend four to six weeks going through this process, during which time we’ll release specifications for approval to keep the workflow running and

to avoid sign-off delays. Then we move to the procurement and production stage and if required, we can make the furniture for 1,000 cabins in our factory in Newry in six weeks and then ship it in containers to the site. Once on site, we walk the space managers through the whole job onboard the vessel so that everybody knows what to expect. Meanwhile, the containers are taken onboard in sequence and unloaded into the ship store that we’ve built.

How much does experience and the cost of a quote matter when it comes to winning tenders?Ironically, they’re both the same point: the more experienced you are the quicker you can get the job done and the fewer hours you bill for. Although we’re going about our work in a unique way and adding in steps that others might not, our approach does deliver savings through efficiencies that allow us to be very competitively priced. A cruise line executive was recently overhead saying that MJM Marine are ‘giving newbuild quality to refits.’

What differentiates MJM Marine from the competition?History remembers our past successes and cruise brands will happily share experiences that they’ve had with contractors. Sometimes when we set out our plan in a tender it’s met with disbelief, but on considering our reputation and successes the client realises that we can do it. We like to think our clients can sleep a little easier knowing that MJM Marine is on the job. C&F

www.meiko.info

Professional warewashing technology

From the Cape of Good Hope to the Isles of Faroe, from the Malabar Coast to the Antipodes, we at MEIKO are known to keep a clean ship. Whether you are launching into the deep blue or funcruising through shallow waters, MEIKO’s professional dishwashing systems are guaranteed to bring you the best in hygiene and cleanliness without compromise. This is the reason why you can find them wherever reliability and safety count – on cruise ships, yachts and ferries, on con-tainer ships, freighters and oilrigs everywhere around the world.

Discover the world of safe and hygie-nically clean professional dishwashing technology for cruise ships, ferries, megayachts and your commercial fleet.

Get ship-shape, the MEIKO way!

Fort Lauderdale/Broward Country Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL USA 13–16 March 2017 German Pavilion, Booth 229-09

M_Anz_Marine_180x117_mSt.indd 1 06.02.17 15:59

153

Let’s begin with a blunt question. Why place art on a cruise ship?Because it naturally belongs there. Travel is about exploration, as much of the traveller’s inner world as of the destinations, cultures and people encountered. Art is a powerful form of cultural expression; it records and communicates emotions and experiences. Art is therefore a natural companion to journey and exploration, finding an organic home onboard sea-going vessels.

After many years developing art collections for hotels, is curating and providing for a ship different? There are fundamental differences that are integral to the experience of travelling on a cruise ship, which influence the art programme – both the curatorial work and its subsequent technical considerations – that makes art practice on sea a unique experience.

Take guest experience, for example; unlike most hotel guests, cruise guests stay onboard from one week to several months, encountering the art daily for an extended period, so it is even more important for the art to be multi-layered and content-rich, revealing a little at a time.

Then consider that when calling on destinations the world over, guests experience diverse cultures, exquisite arts and

fascinating people. Upon re-boarding, the art must still retain its vibrancy and interest.

Lastly are the many technical challenges that a ship poses – it’s an environment that is constantly vibrating, so regular attachments cannot be used. Also, the immense steel structure distorts all dimensions when in water, creating an engineering challenge to anything connected to more than one surface. Add the strictest safety requirements to the mix, and it’s an extremely complicated environment to work in.

‘Storytelling’ has recently been a buzz word within the design industry and I imagine art, an excellent vehicle to move a story, must have a significant role within this design approach. How do you select your stories?I strongly believe that to create genuine guest experiences one should tell one’s own story and not a story one thinks others would like to hear. We do not travel the world to have someone tell us our own

stories; we travel to experience others’ stories, which in turn may enrich our own. To be impactful, a story should resonate emotionally or intellectually, or both.

With that in mind, I attempt to weave the ship’s brand story along with those of the designer, artists and my own into an engaging and enriching collection.

Has there been a notable development of art within the cruise industry? We are a relatively new player in this court, but I see a genuine effort to incorporate art into the overall guest experience, which ties into the ships’ voyages and destinations. This development is undoubtedly leading to very creative outcomes.

ArtLink is currently launching a programme that will further tie art into the guest experience and dramatically challenge the traditional art-as-expense perspective. Art does have a great return on investment; it just needs to be harnessed properly. C&F

The true value of artTal Danai, founder and CEO of ArtLink, speaks to us about the importance of art in helping to enrich the onboard guest experience

” I see a genuine effort to incorporate art into the overall guest experience”

INTERVIEW

The Spice Wall onboard Seabourn Encore is made from 1,840 hand-cast glass bricks, dyed in colours ranging from turmeric to cinnamon

Imag

e: A

. Pin

chuk

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

154

What drives colour trends in interior design?We can talk about trends as either a move towards something that is developing, or just a fashion. Trends come from a combination of factors and can be seen as a melting pot of responses to our environment. Some factors are slower than others, so the reaction to the political upheaval in the US and Europe might show up later in colour trends. Colours might get brighter and stronger to help us be positive, or subdued or saturated as a reaction to uncertainty. Interior trends are changing faster than ever.

How do colour fashions vary in different commercial environments?Commercial environments each have their own emerging trends. Office environments have very different requirements because they need to support work and decision making. Meanwhile, cruise ship designers also look to the hotel and hospitality market for trends, as they cater mainly for people at leisure.

Companies can use their colour palette, whether conservative or avant garde, to emphasise their brand identity for customers. Cruise ship interiors must have modern designs and colours that will remain relevant until the ship’s refurbishment. Colour stories can be used to link sister ships.

Do any colours transcend the fickle fate of fashion?Black and white are a constant and shades of red are frequently used in fashion and interior design schemes because the colour is classic and beautiful. However, when it comes to passenger ships that sail worldwide, designers must be aware of different cultural attitudes towards colours. In China and the Far East for example, certain colours are considered luckier than others.

How do you work with Elmo Leather to reimagine its colour palette?I design and develop Elmo Leather’s commercial and residential colour ranges. After we agree the project scope, I analyse the existing colours and develop new ideas based on information I’ve collected, particularly while visiting exhibitions and galleries, and exploring cities and wild places. Working in my studio, I use these ideas to paint new colours, which is an intensely immersive process that involves a lot of mixing and variation. My ideas are combined with colours that will remain in the collection. I discuss ideas with Elmo Leather at various points and gradually we finalise the new collection. It’s an exciting process.

Are there any product-related restrictions that influence your colour choices?We don’t think about restrictions, at least not in the research and development phase. If it’s technically difficult to achieve certain colours, we work with the technical department to find a way to make our ideas come to fruition.

How do you help Elmo Leather to enhance its appeal to cruise and ferry owners?I’ve extended and developed Elmo’s product range. For example, the Elmosoft products were previously only available with 30 colours but now there are 70 colour options, which can be combined to assist the interior designers of cruise ships and other commercial environments. We have extended both the natural/neutral and the more colourful areas of the collection. The collaboration has enabled Elmo Leather to differentiate from competitors and strengthen its position as a market leader. C&F

Colour impressionsGeorgina Wright, textile design consultant, talks Jon Ingleton through the mysterious art of colour palette development and selection for appealing and contemporary interiors

INTERVIEW

” Cruise ship interiors must have modern designs and colours that will remain relevant until the ship’s refurbishment”

155

Why should shipowners use specialist suppliers for their onboard flowers and plants?Dauerflora has various specialists in one team so we can combine the collective expertise of gardeners, florists, landscape architects, landscape engineers, carpenters, metal builders, sculptors, model builders, stage designers, marketing specialists and office clerks. Plus, we continually educate and train ourselves on fire protection regulations, plant protection methods, legal provisions, and trends in floristics and decorations. We know where living plants thrive, that a huge tree must be able to withstand strong vibrations, that there will be stiff breezes on the outer deck, and which decorations should be anchored to prevent unpleasant surprises.

What factors must be considered when selecting plants for ships?We work with architects and shipowners to understand their ideas and recommend a greening scheme that takes these into consideration and looks fantastic. Many architects now view Dauerflora as a partner that can support their designs with plants, rather than just another supplier.

One of the main factors to consider is the type of plants customers want. Recently, we established a global network of suppliers to give TUI Cruises access to fresh flowers worldwide, and helped the line to select and train florists who work on its ships. Other factors include lighting conditions, whether the greenery will be inside or outside, the temperature of the

installation site, the ship’s sailing routes, and whether the crew will be actively involved in looking after the plants. For example, if the crew will be responsible for decorating the ship for Christmas, we design easy-to-install decorations with clear plug-and-play instructions to minimise potential errors.

How does Dauerflora help shipowners plan their plant and decoration scheme?We’re often involved in the early stages on newbuild projects, planning greenery and decorations just as ship construction starts. Often, we’ve already worked with the customer on similar models of ships so we know what the vessel will look like and we can work with the architects and shipyards to make improvements. They usually

create renderings and we carry out on-site inspections to make any necessary revisions and final decisions.

Plants and decorations are also a wonderful way to cost-effectively transform ships during a refurbishment. For example, we could change the atmosphere of a space by covering a structural support with a tree.

How do you ensure projects stay on budget and meet requirements? All we need is for the client to name the budget and style guidelines. We can quickly determine whether client ideas are within budget, or whether we need to suggest alternatives. Thanks to our experience, we know the fire protection and hygienic regulations like the back of our hands.

Do you have any planned service improvements for 2017?We’re always working to improve our services. In 2016, our sculpture department moved to a new industrial hall and we built another warehouse, which will become operational this year. We’re also building additional offices and introducing a new merchandise management system this year. C&F

Creating floating gardensBarbara Bressem, partner and managing director at Dauerflora, explains to Jon Ingleton how the interior landscaping company uses plants and greenery to transform passenger ships

INTERVIEW

” Many architects now view Dauerflora as a partner that can support their designs with plants”

http://osm.no/

157

s a leading designer and supplier of doors for the marine industry, Antti Marine’s team believes no interior space is truly

complete without the right door in place.Markko Takkinen, the company’s

commercial director, has been pleased with how the past 12 months have gone for Antti Marine, describing 2016 as a ‘positive year’.

“We have been able to keep our position as one of the marine industry’s main suppliers of doors – a key component for any cabin construction project,” Takkinen says. “We continue to see a strong demand for our products.”

Takkinen says that while the fundamental elements of each door are often very similar, things such as new decorative prints and embossing can help to provide a unique style.

“With our recent work on TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 6 for example, we delivered a distinct decorative print on the doors,” Takkinen says. “We believe doors provide an easy and flexible way to add interest to a ship’s interior.”

Fire safety, sound reduction and ease of use have always been of paramount importance when developing doors for the marine industry. But as companies begin to incorporate IT into more areas of their operations, Antti Marine is now providing doors that can be used with remotely-controlled locking.

“All the time in this industry something is happening, so you have to stay alert,” he

says. “You cannot be one step behind – it’s better to be one step ahead!”

Antti Marine has been hired to deliver B-15 passenger and crew cabin doors for Dream Cruises’ newbuild World Dream.

“Work on World Dream is already underway, and we’ll be working on this project throughout 2017,” Takkinen explains. “We are very happy to be supplying the doors for this ship.”

Takkinen concludes by expressing his pleasure at how the industry is currently shaping up.

“At the moment, there looks to be a very bright future in shipbuilding,” he says.

“There are big ships coming, meaning lots of jobs to do – and for us, we hope that means lots of doors to supply!”

Going forward, Antti Marine is preparing for an anticipated growth in industry demand.

“We predict that in a couple of years the number of doors required will be double what they are today,” Takkinen says. “New doors are needed and we’re trying to keep up with that. We’ve invested in our technology to help support our efforts. This will massively help our business and meet the demands of our clientele.” C&F

Staying one step aheadSean Dudley speaks with Antti Marine’s Markko Takkinen about new projects and the growth in demand for doors within the marine sector

” All the time in this industry something is happening, so you have to stay alert”

INTERVIEW

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

158

” Our innovation will truly transform the guest experience to a level never previously seen in the travel industry”

Left to right: Michael Jungen and John Padgett designed the Ocean Medallion using Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ renowned MagicBand as their inspiration

rom November 2017, guests sailing onboard Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess will be able to locate friends and family, unlock their stateroom doors, and

purchase merchandise, food, beverages and shore excursions, all without touching a thing. Instead, they will simply need to carry a small disc wherever they go.

Deceptively simple, the Ocean Medallion is a first-of-its-kind wearable device that can be worn or carried by passengers to anticipate their every onboard need and deliver a fully personalised cruise experience.

“More than 250,000 passengers and crew members sail on ships in our global fleet every day, which gives our brands countless opportunities to engage with individual guests and improve their cruise experience,” says Michael Jungen, senior vice president of Guest Experience Design and Technology

at Carnival Corporation. “We wanted to develop an innovative experiential technology which would transform cruise vacations by consistently delivering experiences that make guests feel as if their cruise had been specifically tailored to them.”

Jungen designed the Ocean Medallion alongside John Padgett, inventor of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ renowned MagicBand and now Carnival Corporation’s chief experience and innovation officer. He says the main priority was to develop a portable device that was easy and intuitive to use, particularly for non-tech-savvy guests.

“The medallion had to be a perfect fit so we created a small, lightweight and waterproof disc that can be worn on a wristband, as a pendant on a necklace, in a clip, or simply carried in a pocket,” Jungen says. “Guests don’t need to switch the medallion on and off, charge it, or press buttons and navigate

menus to use it – they can simply take it with them wherever they go and it will automatically unlock enhanced services and personalised experiences.”

Guests can receive their Ocean Medallions in the mail before their cruise, or they can arrange to pick up their device at their embarkation port. Immediately after booking their cruise, guests can also visit Ocean.com to set up their Ocean Profile and select their preferred medallion accessory. By filling out required documentation like passport information, health forms, travel details and preferred form of payment at their leisure online, guests become ‘Ocean Ready’ and will enjoy a more streamlined boarding process at the terminal. In addition, they can upload a photo, create a digital avatar, share their likes and dislikes, and arrange to have their luggage picked up for expedited delivery direct to their stateroom.

Creating the perfect cruise experience Michael Jungen gives Rebecca Gibson an insight into Ocean Medallion, a first-of-its-kind wearable device that will help Carnival Corporation personalise the guest experience

INTERVIEW

159

“The Ocean Medallion syncs with the sailing and identification information a guest uploads into their profile, so they can be used for everything, eliminating the need for guests to switch between smart bands, key cards and printed barcodes,” comments Jungen. “The Ocean Medallion makes everyday activities – such as dining, purchasing goods and accessing staterooms – seamless and hassle-free because everything happens automatically without guests having to do a thing. They can stay fully engaged in whatever they’re doing.”

The Ocean Medallion pairs with an optional personalised digital portal called the Ocean Compass, which can be accessed online, via guests’ smart devices, stateroom TVs, interactive surfaces throughout the cruise ships, on devices carried by guest services crew, and on kiosks in homeports.

“The Ocean Compass serves as an always-available personal digital concierge that enables guests to manage their itineraries and access services,” explains Jungen. “The software also uses information from individuals’ profiles to provide personalised recommendations for shows, dining, shore excursions and more. It also powers interactive gaming and immersive entertainment experiences.”

Unlike existing wearable devices, the Ocean Medallion does not force guests to interact with technology, but silently powers an enhanced guest experience from behind

the scenes via an invisible network of sensors embedded throughout Medallion Class ships, homeports and destinations. The medallion contains two microscopic antennas – one for near-field communications and another for Bluetooth Low Energy – which connect to sensors as guests move around the ship.

“Our experience operating system collects data whenever a guest inputs personal information, engages with crew, or interacts with a digital display and passes it onto a machine learning system, which will learn individuals’ likes and dislikes over time,” explains Jungen. “This creates an ‘experiential aura’ around each guest and allows us to provide more personalised experiences in future. Plus, the medallions use long-range technology so they don’t need to touch anything to work and guests never need to stop what they’re doing.”

To capitalise on these exclusive guest insights, Jungen and his team developed the Crew Compass. The portal helps crew to instantly identify guests and proactively tailor experiences and offerings to their preferences. A waiter, for example, might suggest a particular cocktail based on the drinks the guest has previously ordered.

“Our crew members aspire to provide the best customer service, but some of today’s processes can momentarily redirect their focus to things other than the guests,”

says Jungen. “The Crew Compass takes the service delivery burden off the crew, allowing them to anticipate guests needs and proactively provide relevant experiences in a way they’ve never been able to do before.”

Jungen expects that this enhanced level of personalisation will boost guest satisfaction and loyalty ratings, and ultimately lead to increased yields and revenue.

“Ocean Medallion Class has the potential to shatter misconceptions about cruising and help us to generate demand for our cruise vacations,” he predicts. “Plus, because each person will enjoy a cruise experience that is fully personalised to them, they’re more likely to be satisfied and return to a Carnival Corporation ship for another great vacation in the future.”

The technology will debut on Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess in November 2017, followed by Royal Princess in January 2018 and Caribbean Princess in March 2018, and the rest of the fleet in the coming years.

“Our innovation will truly transform the guest experience to a level never previously seen in the travel and leisure industry, so we plan to expand the device, guest and crew portals to ships in Carnival Corporation’s other cruise brands,” enthuses Jungen. “We’ll do so at a pace and schedule that makes sense for our guests, operations teams and shareholders.” C&F

Guests can wear their Ocean Medallion to open up personalised experiences throughout their cruise

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

160

arkets from Europe to Asia are seeing unprecedented growth as cruise tourism continues to rise.

Growth took the number of cruise passengers worldwide to 25.3 million this year, putting operators under mounting pressure to continue to evolve their onboard offer. Now that a newer generation of consumers are looking at cruising, operators’ new ships need to depart from traditional formats. That tends to mean more shops, casinos, and enclosed sun decks, as well as a focus on high quality cuisine and investments in more consumer-facing technology and back-end IT systems to cater to tech-savvy consumers. Today, customer experience is everything.

Many cruise companies have started to attract the all-important market of first-time cruise passengers, particularly young families. Attracting this demographic is a strategic win for an industry where consumers tend to be repeat customers, and success typically comes not from relying on loyalty to cruising, but on outperforming alternative experiences on land. To do this, cruise operators have begun to invest heavily to improve ships in three key areas: technology, food and enhanced experience activities.

How is the cruise sector looking to create that edge around customer experience? Onboard installations are one way. Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas was equipped with a robotic bartender and North Star, a viewing capsule that lifts passengers 300 foot above sea level. MSC Cruises has partnered with Samsung and invested almost £20 million (US$25 million) to update its ships and host the technology-enabled theatre show ‘Cirque

Du Soleil’. The cruise industry has made staying connected while traveling a priority. More importantly, investments in internet infrastructure – increasing bandwidth by 25% every year and regular wireless network upgrades – have transformed the customer experience. It’s been vital in attracting first time cruisers who currently make up around 40% of cruise travellers.

The proliferation of cruise apps, high-speed wi-fi, RFID wristbands for staff and in-room iPads contribute to an improved customer experience, especially for younger

consumers who expect access to technology. This ranges from targeted promotional campaigns, to more activities to drive customer loyalty, such as preferential seats at shows and exclusive restaurants for guests who purchase premium accommodation. Further value is added when the technology supports customised experiences or personalised premium add-ons, meaningfully targeted at passengers with specific profiles. Carnival Corporation is leading the way in elevating the cruise experience using wearable technology via its new Ocean Medallion. The device connects with the ship’s onboard systems to create that seamless experience for passengers, whether they are ordering meals or unlocking cabin doors.

Gone are the days of cruise passengers sitting next to strangers and choosing from the same buffet in one enormous dining room. Today, guest expectations have risen radically and cruise lines recognise that food is where they can truly impact the customer experience.

Royal Caribbean transformed the dining experience onboard Quantum of the Seas – innovative in so many areas – by partnering with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver as part of its Dynamic Dining initiative. In addition, guests can book a specific table at one of the ship’s 18 onboard restaurants at their chosen time. Meanwhile, P&O Cruises has replaced the traditional buffet with The Pantry, which resembles an upmarket food hall. Not only do these innovations add more variety, but they also create more platforms to add premium features that prompt guests to spend more.

If they were once considered a comfortable way to travel between holiday destinations, now cruise ships are recognised as the focal point for all holiday activities

The rising tide of onboard spendCruise lines must invest in improving the onboard customer experience to boost revenue, advises Alex Avery, director of Airports, Travel and Commercial Spaces at Pragma Consulting

VIEWPOINT

” Now cruise ships are recognised as the focal point for all holiday activities and experiences”

161

and experiences. The inclusion of facilities to provide wellness programmes, free childcare and the more adventurous onboard activities – such as multi-storey waterslides and ziplines – reflects another move to attract a younger audience. It’s in partnerships with extra activities that has really shifted the cruise industry’s game and shows real innovation in the offer.

New holiday packages combine cruises with more active pursuits, such as the collaboration between Ramblers Worldwide Holidays and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Carnival Corporation has looked to attract younger consumers by offering social impact travel cruises via its Fathom brand, allowing guests to disembark in Cuba and

the Dominican Republic to work on local humanitarian projects. Azamara Club Cruises offers a ‘Cruise Global, Eat Local’ programme to please foodies by letting them dine at local culinary hotspots.

Comparatively little innovation has occurred within onboard retail. As in airports, cruise ships have lagged behind malls and high streets in their onboard proposition. Yet airports are beginning to appreciate that their large spaces and captive audience allow fantastic showrooming opportunities, and that with the right technology, they can even intelligently fulfil customer orders from different terminals to any chosen gate or the passenger’s home. Partnerships and joint brand ventures will

lead the way especially at the luxe end. LVMH’s partnership with Starboard Cruise Services is one example.

For now, cruise lines are investing heavily in the infrastructure they need to enhance their passengers’ experiences and they are beginning to reap some success. The next step is to better understand their newly acquired customer data and partner with relevant brands to provide an engaging retail offer which matches – or improves on – customer experience on land. As cruise operators continue to improve the experience in other ways and as passenger numbers grow, there seems a fair wind for them to continue to innovate and ride this wave. C&F

Quantum of the Seas has an innovative robotic bartender

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

162

he Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) predicts that the number of global cruise passengers is to reach more than 25 million in 2017,

consequently, the pressure on cruise lines to deliver an outstanding onboard experience has never been higher. CLIA’s research also shows that the food and beverage experience is the top priority for most regular cruise passengers and that they now expect a wider choice of high quality brands and drinking experiences.

Heineken Global Duty Free shares its cruise customers’ commitment to enhancing the onboard beverage opportunities that optimise the guest experience. It offers a tripartite approach that involves a dedicated global cruise and ferry team, a powerful brand portfolio and the spirit of innovation.

The latest launch to drive the onboard experience is Heineken’s BrewLock system, which won Drinks Innovation of the Year and Supreme Champion at the Drinks International Travel Retail Awards 2016. The system was designed specifically to provide brewery quality draft beer and give cruise guests the optimal authentic Heineken experience. Beer in the BrewLock keg is protected from outside influences from the moment it leaves the brewery, so it’s as fresh as the day it was made when it is served to cruise passengers. Brands available through BrewLock are Heineken Light, Newcastle Brown Ale and, since early 2017, Strongbow Apple Cider. Heineken expects to add more brands to the BrewLock portfolio in future.

In addition to serving a brewery quality draught beer, BrewLock delivers a range of operational efficiencies and significantly reduces logistical costs. Using a multi-layered 20L PET keg, the system is fully disposable and removes the need for additional gas and regulator systems. Incorporating a simple Easyfit coupler that enables quick keg changeover, the system is also 25% lighter than steel alternatives and delivers 100% yield.

“We looked at every aspect of the onboard service from our cruise customers’ perspective and developed BrewLock in response to their needs,” says Koos Vrijlandt, sales manager of Heineken Global Duty Free. “The cruise ship environment is unique and presents its own range of challenges but, thanks to our global innovations team, we have answered all the logistical issues and enable cruise and ferry guests to enjoy the perfect serve of Heineken beer and several of our other most popular beers and ciders at brewery quality.”

BrewLock is now available onboard key cruise ships and ferries across the world. “It’s delivering a new standard of onboard service and provoking rave reviews from our partners,” Vrijlandt remarks. “We

provide a holistic range of support services through our dedicated specialist team, including, for example, our customised Cruise Navigator marketing programmes. We’ll continue to develop innovative ideas that enhance the guest experience and drive onboard operational efficiencies and sales.”

Today’s cruise guests also want exciting new food and beverage experiences so Heineken’s portfolio offers a range of flavours. Besides Heineken, which is enjoyed in 192 countries, Heineken offers Red Stripe, which was established in Jamaica in 1928; Dos Equis, the fastest growing Mexican beer; Lagunitas, the craft beer from California; and Strongbow, one of the world’s leading cider brands. C&F

A wave of innovationHeineken’s BrewLock system helps some of the biggest cruise and ferry lines to deliver fresh draft beer onboard their vessels

” BrewLock is delivering a new standard of onboard service and provoking rave reviews from our cruise partners”

REPORT

No limits

Cruise decks

Our innovative mindset makes us

freerunners in heart and soul;

when appropriate or necessary,

we push the envelope of our

competencies. After all, what

matters in the end is the result:

the perfect deck that meets the

highest standards in terms of

functionality and durability.

Bolidt decks are sound-insulating,

wear-resistant, non-skid, low-

maintenance and colourful.

Bolidt, no limits.

http://cruiseship.bolidt.com

PassengerShipTech_3ndQuarter.indd 1 25-7-2016 10:11:40

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

164

rofessional kitchens are getting smaller, particularly on cruise ships where space is always at a premium. For some chefs, then, luxuries such as

a multifunctional, user-friendly combi steamer are out of their reach – they simply don’t have the room.

The problem is, faced with the task of catering for hundreds of guests, many professional chefs appreciate the advantages of a modern combi steamer. It’s arguably one of the most versatile pieces of kit in today’s commercial kitchen.

Recognising the quandary many maritime kitchens face, German cooking technology specialist Maschinenfabrik Kurt Neubauer (MKN) has developed a range of space-saving combi steamer models, which are specially geared to fit and operate well in tight conditions.

The SpaceCombi from MKN is 55cm wide, yet still equipped to the same degree as larger models. It features a state-of-the art MagicPilot touch and slide operating concept with information steps and favourites function, the automatic cleaning system WaveClean and a GreenInside consumption display. It may be small, but the SpaceCombi functions as a high-performance professional appliance and has an impressive capacity.

Like MKN’s range of larger FlexiCombi models, the SpaceCombi is available to buy in both MagicPilot and Classic versions. This means that every user can decide for himself whether he wants to operate his combi steamer similarly to a smartphone using easy touch and swipe

gestures or if he would prefer to use a classic control system.

As a premium supplier of professional cooking technology, MKN strives to continuously improve its products. To do this, it has a rigorous quality management system in place and has been certified according to ISO 9001 for many years. In fact, following a comprehensive audit, MKN has proven that it not only meets standards but also sets its own ones in

all areas. As a result of the audit, the independent certification body TÜV Süd has reconfirmed MKN quality and extended the ISO certification. In addition, MKN has successfully passed the energy audit related to ISO 14001.

During 2017, MKN will continue to set new objectives with the aim of further improving customer satisfaction and enhancing the quality of its products and services. C&F

Every centimetre countsMKN explains how its range of SpaceCombi combi steamers make best use of available space

” It may be small, but the SpaceCombi functions as a high-performance professional appliance”

REPORT

The SpaceCombi is ideally suited for smaller professional kitchens

165

roviding high quality hotel services on land is relatively easy, but delivering them onboard cruise ships that sail to multiple destinations

and remote regions of the world is much more challenging.

“The basic functions of providing hotel management services and interacting with customers are the same on land and at sea, but there’s one fundamental difference,” says Dietmar Wertanzl, president of CMI Leisure. “Staff at land-based hotels go home when they finish their shift, whereas crew members live and work on the same ship for months at a time. Consequently, it’s essential that shipowners, charterers and operators ensure crew remain motivated to perform well.”

The trick to maintaining morale? Treating crew like guests, advises Wertanzl.

“We create a supportive place where crew can flourish, both professionally and personally,” he explains. “We offer competitive crew packages and internal promotion opportunities, and set up a welfare committee that hosts nightly social activities in a designated leisure area. Plus, we have cultural enrichment programmes so they can learn about the destinations or try new languages.”

Based in Miami, US, CMI Leisure can help shipowners, charterers and operators with much more than just crew management. It can deliver end-to-end turnkey hotel management services, or oversee individual areas such as food and beverage, crewing, administration, housekeeping and logistics.

“We’re an approachable and financially strong company with a hands-on team of experts who deliver customised hotel management services to operators in the expedition, small and mid-size cruise ship markets,” says Wertanzl. “Over 20 years, we’ve established great relationships with port agents, suppliers, shipowners and crew hiring partners worldwide. We’ve achieved excellent guest ratings and client feedback.”

CMI Leisure’s main goal is to understand each client’s specific requirements and work with them to develop hotel services that really differentiate their brand.

“We don’t just copy and paste solutions from one cruise line to another, and we’re

very flexible so we can quickly act on customer requests,” Wertanzl comments. “New IT solutions are making planning logistics even easier, so we’re a great partner for operators sailing to remote destinations.”

Currently, CMI Leisure provides a variety of services to several different clients.

“We manage all hotel services for one client, food and beverage programmes for another, and just crew management for a third,” Wertanzl remarks. “Recently, we helped Island Pro Cruises to design a food and beverage offering that features local Icelandic delicacies and ingredients to immerse guests in the country’s culture. We’re also talking with clients about refurbishments and newbuilds.”

Wertanzl also aims to develop a dining and bar concept that CMI Leisure can offer as a concession to cruise lines for their onboard restaurants. “Guests want different dining experiences every day, so we could offer a customisable concept that operators can roll out whenever they want in partnership with us,” he says.

Noting that outsourcing hotel management services is now a viable option for most shipowners, charterers and operators, Wertanzl adds: “The cruise industry is constantly evolving as new source markets (like Asia) and passenger demands emerge, and as more operators replace older tonnage, or join the small ship and expedition cruise markets,” comments Wertanzl. “It’s an exciting time for CMI Leisure.” C&F

Happy crew, happy guests Dietmar Wertanzl highlights how CMI Leisure can help shipowners, charterers and operators to manage crew, food and beverage, hotel services and more in a conversation with Rebecca Gibson

INTERVIEW

” We create a supportive place where crew can flourish, both professionally and personally”

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

166

f you want to recruit the best people for cruise cuisine, why not just train them yourself? That’s what OSM Maritime Group (OSM) ended up doing when it entered the cruise sector

in 2016. OSM decided to develop a tailor-made training programme for onboard catering personnel.

By establishing the OSM Hospitality & Catering Academy, where chefs and catering staff are educated to the highest standards, OSM assumed full control of the level of competencies and skills required for delivering exquisite cruise cuisine. This also helped OSM to achieve the operational excellence that characterises its asset management services.

Keen on developing its new position in the cruise segment, OSM was convinced that its success would rely on its ability to connect with the best people in the various catering fields. Although OSM had 25 years of experience of providing competent crew to various customers, the company adjusted its recruitment process to ensure it could meet the needs of cruise clients.

“The cruise industry expects a five-star experience and that is why OSM collaborates with the best,” explains Tommy Olofsen, managing director for OSM Crew Management. “It is crucial that the catering and hospitality teams share a common mindset when it comes to skills, service and quality. A dedicated screening group helped us select the candidates capable of delivering the kind of extraordinary service we were looking for.”

Once accepted into the academy, candidates participate in a comprehensive programme where factors such as attitude and mindset are evaluated. On-the-job training is organised in cooperation with a five-star hotel to further refine each student’s understanding of culinary perfection and hospitality excellence.

OSM’s approach towards recruiting the perfect crew proved to be successful, according to Olofsen. In total 98% of candidates from the academy were accepted by Norway-based operator

Hurtigruten to provide culinary services on its ship Midnatsol.

“OSM’s Catering Academy has played a major role in our success with customers like Hurtigruten,” says Geir Ranneberg Nilsen, head of Cruise Service Management at OSM.

Although recruiting the best people can be difficult, the real challenge is often to keep them. High turnover can easily destabilise a well composed team. However, the retention rate is usually high at OSM.

“Our people onboard demonstrate quality, commitment and willingness to take on a challenge and master it elegantly,” says Olofsen. “These are key elements for developing professional pride, which in turn, is essential for keeping people onboard with OSM. The company’s programmes for extended healthcare, medical support and career planning benefit both the seafarer and their family, reassuring them that OSM is a safe haven.” C&F

Mastering cruise cuisineThe easy way to recruit the best people for delivering cruise cuisine is to train them in house, says OSM Maritime Group

” OSM’s Catering Academy has played a major role in our success with customers like Hurtigruten” Geir Ranneberg Nilsen, OSM Maritime Group

REPORT

www.liniLED.com

Expert in high-end, innovative & tailor made solutions

Expert in high-end, innovative & tailor made LED solutionswww.liniLED.com

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Onb

oard

Exp

erie

nce

168

wenty years ago, mobile phones were just beginning to make their mark with the general public, and there was no such thing as a smartphone. Ten

years ago, iPhones were first beginning to emerge, while tablets were practically unheard of.

Fast forward to today and people of all ages can’t contemplate going a day without such devices at their fingertips to not just handle work activities, but their day to day life, including when they are travelling or on holiday.

However, in the cruise and maritime industries, having the technology in place to allow passengers to use their devices as they would ‘on land’ has been a long time coming. This is something Pramod Arora, president and CEO at Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), is committed to remedying.

“Anything to do with communication technologies on cruise ships, we have the

capabilities, talent and experience to not only improve the experience of cruise line guests, but also to help cruise lines monetise technology in ways they are not doing today,” he explains.

Based in Florida, US, WMS is helping to significantly improve connection, accessibility and service levels on cruise ships and maritime vessels. As a long-time market leader, WMS is helping cruise clients harness the incredible power of new emerging technologies to create a better passenger experience and a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly world.

“Guests these days expect to be able to use their devices and technology the same way on a cruise ship as they do at home, at work, or on a vacation in a land based resort,” he says. “Our technology – be it infrastructure, management, software, or applications – makes that possible.”

Formed 13 years ago as a joint venture majority controlled by AT&T, WMS was the first company to bring global system

for mobile cellular roaming services to cruise ships. The company now has the largest market share and works with several of the largest and most luxurious cruise lines in the industry.

“When it comes to mobile technologies at sea, the network evolution on cruise ships is finally catching up to 3G and 4G cellular, although there are still a few cruise lines that need to speed up their technology upgrades from the old 2G networks,” Arora says. “Over the last few years, wi-fi has also become a big part of maritime communications, as

Better, faster communication Pramod Arora of Wireless Maritime Services explains how the company is not only helping enhance passenger satisfaction levels, but also offering opportunities for cruise lines to earn new revenue

INTERVIEW

” We want to make sure that life on a cruise ship is no different when it comes to mobile technology than being in your office or home”

169

it has for sectors such as hospitality and retail. These technologies are best used when designed and delivered in a coherent ecosystem that makes it seamless to the end users. Quite often, the fragmented way these technologies have been implemented on cruise ships makes it difficult for guests to use them in the easiest fashion, and actually hinder adoption and optimal monetisation.”

WMS provides a wide variety of services across the board, and Arora explains that cruise lines can partner more effectively in this space to effectively pursue the two main goals. The first is to make sure their passengers are happy.

“Cruise lines want their customers to enjoy the experience they have on their ships and want to come back,” he says. “Technology has increasingly become a very important part of that. If you don’t have the right technology onboard it can be a great source of dissatisfaction – not only around your company but around cruising in general. This trend is accelerating as upcoming generations, who are born and raised with mobile technology as the norm, become an increasingly bigger part of the cruise population.”

The second goal for cruise lines is to monetise their investment in improving technology infrastructure on their ships. According to Arora, these two goals are very synergistic, as long as cruise lines execute in the right manner.

“The right way to execute is to turn the monetisation strategy on its head, where we go from monetising only the consumption of technology to also using it as an enabler for alternative monetisation,” he says. “If you tax consumption of technology, the natural response is lower or selective adoption and usage, and that is opposite to what today’s cruise passengers expect.”

Arora believes that it is in this area that WMS brings the most value.

“We have a few cruise lines in Europe we have deployed new services and business models with, and they are really improving their operations,” he says. “It’s really the beginning of a revolution in this space.”

Arora is calling for cruise lines to think outside the box when it comes to their business models and the best way to monetise their use of technology.

“We are having success with cruise lines who are doing that, but a lot are still stuck

in the old mindset of a single business model that has worked for them in the past,” he says. “As technology changes, we have to evolve with that. The good news is that we have borne the initial risk of testing these models, and the results are a true win-win, for cruise lines and their guests, as well as cruise lines and their partners like WMS.”

Going forward, Arora believes that as a market leader, WMS is in a unique position to help accelerate the adoption of technology on cruise ships.

“I think cruise lines are still a few years behind terrestrial technology when it comes to the penetration and the use of mobile technology,” he says. “The future for us is to continue to close that gap as quickly as possible.”

Arora adds that ultimately, the company’s vision centres on enabling cruise lines to deliver an experience for their guests that is similar, if not better, to what they can get at a land-based resort.

“We want to make sure that life on a cruise ship is no different when it comes to mobile technology than being in your office or home,” he says. C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review170

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

Prince Edward Island offers a diverse mix of relaxing coastline and interesting urban areas

Destinationsdistinctionof

FEATUREIm

age: Stclair Macaulay

171

electing where to visit next is one of the biggest decisions a seasoned cruise passenger makes. Different types of guest will naturally search for

destinations they think will match their vision of the ideal cruise holiday.

For the people working at such destinations, it is vital to ensure that the spectrum of offerings they have continues to attract visitors. While every resort will have its differences, those working at each will ultimately have the same end goal: ensuring a memorable and enjoyable visit for cruise passengers.

With so many diverse locations forming part of today’s cruise itineraries, identifying why passengers will want to visit your destination is of great importance.

In North America and the Caribbean, diversity is the operative word. From the sunny shores of islands such as Jamaica and the Bahamas, to the frozen reaches of Canada and Alaska, the continent has something for every taste on the cruise spectrum.

For Bermuda-based Meyer Agencies, the island’s abundance of attractions is front of mind when looking to promote the country as a destination. These include Horse Shoe Beach, Crystal Caves, and Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

Joe Simas, the company’s vice president marine operations, says: “Bermuda is a safe, clean and friendly destination. We have direct contact with cruise lines and carry out onboard marketing and sales of onboard ship excursions. It’s also a great time for the island, as the Americas Cup will be visiting in 2017.”

Further north, much of the emphasis for many ports and destinations in Canada is on the country’s natural beauty.

Located at the gateway to the Bay of Fundy – which features the tightest tides on the planet – Port Saint John in the province of New Brunswick is home to two new and modern cruise terminals. Visitors have seamless access to premium tours of the region and close walking proximity to the uptown Saint John, which features Canada’s oldest working city market. Some of the most

popular experiences include visiting the St Martins Sea Caves and Hopewell Rocks – large rock formations caused by tidal erosion.

Staying in Canada, Prince Edward Island offers a great variety of things to do and see for all different interests.

“We recently redeveloped our cruise terminal to offer a more inviting layout,” says Craig Sulis, manager of trade and sales for Prince Edward Island. “Visitors can explore the island, visit the world of Anne of Green Gable, and take in our extraordinarily beautiful coastline.”

Sulis believes that one of the greatest things a destination can offer is a consistently good experience for the passengers and crew, including tours, independent experiences, services at the port and, in his case, accessibility around the island.

“If we can be viewed as a destination that always offers a great experience, this will translate into more business,” he says. “If the crew is happy and passengers leave wanting to return, we’ve done our jobs.”

Not too far away is Corner Brook, which lies about 35km inland from the Gulf of St Lawrence on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland. The port is sheltered by the Blomidon Mountains, an unspoiled range

that surrounds the city. The local area offers a range of outdoor adventures, ranging from a zip line across a waterfall, to rafting, kayaking, caving and hiking.

“Local activities include Captain Cook’s Trail, a scenic drive through seaside communities along the South shore of the Bay of Islands, and a visit to Gros Morne National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique geological features,” says Nora Fever, business development manager at Corner Brook Port.

Across the Atlantic, Northern Europe’s range of offerings are similarly diverse. Bustling cities and rugged, unspoilt wilderness lie in close proximity to one another, allowing cruise decision-makers to tick a range of boxes when selecting itineraries. For an organisation such as Cruise Baltic, when marketing the region’s highlights, this diversity is key.

“We have big cities, great nature, exciting history, prize-winning design and excellent gastronomy,” said Claus Bødker, director of Cruise Baltic. “You can experience no fewer than six capital cities on a seven-day cruise. The region is very safe, English-speaking and the infrastructure in the ports and destinations are very effective. We also have 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Baltic Sea region alone.”

The variety of experiences available in Norway is particularly impressive. The northern lights season in the north starts around September, and more than 100 calls are scheduled for this period in 2017. Attractions in the north include the midnight sun, polar bears, quaint fishing villages, fjords and the culture of the indigenous Sami People.

In mid-Norway lies the beautiful Helgeland Coast, the Svartisen Glacier and the historic city of Trondheim, while the warmer south features cultural hubs such as Bergen, Stavanger and the capital city, Oslo. Norway also offers great opportunities for turnaround operations from most major ports of call.

And in 2017, Cruise Norway intends to focus on turnaround possibilities in

With such a range of cruise options available to today’s passengers, how do destinations showcase their offerings and ensure they stand out from the crowd? Sean Dudley hears from representatives of ports and tourist boards to find out

” If we can be viewed as a destination that offers a great experience, this will translate into more business”

come find your

Island

Prince Edward Island has three ports welcoming cruise linesOne amazing Island. Endless possibilities. Learn more today at tourismpei.com/cruise

Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 10 - HYDRA Passenger Boarding Bridges

173

FEATURE

collaboration with Innovation Norway, to help open up more of the country’s access points.

“We believe that there is a huge unrealised potential,” says Sandra Diana Bratland, managing director at Cruise Norway. “With the Seawalk in place at North Cape Turnaround Port in Hamnbukt in northern Norway in May this year, new and exciting possibilities open in the Arctic. This means that a ship can be stationed in the North and do shorter cruises in this exotic region.”

In southern Europe and the Mediterranean, the warmer temperatures, scenic beach resorts and cities crammed with culture appeal to many cruise passengers. At A Coruña on Spain’s Atlantic coastline, the port is a particularly attractive destination for cruise ships as the sea is the principal access point for tourists to visit the city.

The cruise terminal is in the heart of the city centre and can be directly accessed via a large pedestrian square. Guests can discover the old town, walk through the pedestrian streets and lanes, and visit the San Carlos Gardens. The Tower of Hercules, the oldest functioning Roman lighthouse, is a further highlight, as is tasting local food and wine.

The City Walking Tour is the most popular shore excursion, while Santiago de Compostela can be reached by coach in one hour. This historic pilgrimage location with

its Cathedral and old town is hugely popular with cruise passengers.

From the Port of Huelva on Spain’s Mediterranean coastline, visitors can travel to nearby cities such as Seville and those on the Portuguese Algarve, as well as local national parks and nature reserves. Popular tours from Huelva include the Christopher Columbus Tour, and visits to Doñana National Park and El Rocio village.

The port is also taking steps to enhance its offerings. “In order to give the best service to cruise ships, the Huelva Cruise Network group has been created,” says Graciela Arcos, commercial development officer at Port of Huelva. “It is a work group formed by local authorities, public and private companies oriented to develop Huelva, its province and the port as cruise destination and be able to provide the best response that the cruise industry demands.”

Across the border in France, Bordeaux Port Atlantique features two berths located right in the heart of the 18th century city of Bordeaux. Passengers can enjoy a great view of the city from the deck.

“Before or after an excursion, passengers can ‘hop on and hop off’ the cruise ship and walk to shops museums restaurants,” said Laurence Bouchardie, head of development at Cruise Bordeaux. “You can reach the main

interest points of the city by foot in just a few minutes. No bus, no shuttle, no hassle. Passengers can also enjoy vineyards, wine estates, museums, golf, UNESCO classified villages, and the Cité du Vin – an interactive museum dedicated to wine civilisations.”

In June 2017, a new high speed train will connect Bordeaux to Paris in just two hours, presenting plenty of new opportunities for the city.

The Mediterranean’s eastern region offers a portal into the delights of the Middle East and Asia.

“Conveniently located close to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Tel Aviv, Ashdod Port in Israel is gateway to the modern city of Ashdod – a polished gem waiting to be discovered,” says the port’s CEO Isaac Blumenthal.

The port’s easy access to the abundance of historic attractions, including the Dead Sea, Jerusalem’s Western Wall, and Jonah’s Hill, where Prophet Jonah was ejected onto dry land after spending three days and nights in the fish’s belly, are central to Port Ashdod’s appeal.

By identifying and focusing on unique selling points and offerings that stand out from the norm, ports and cities around the world are transforming to truly become destinations of distinction. C&F

From top left, clockwise: Lark Harbour near Corner Brook; Aurlandsfjorden in mid-Norway; Queen Elizabeth calling at A Coruña; Visitors are entertained at Victoria Row on Prince Edward Island

Image: Stephen H

arris

Image: M

Dickson/Foap/Visitnorw

ay.com

Member of

23-24 May 2017MEGARON

GREECEATHENS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE

www.PosidoniaSeaTourism.com

Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors

Reinventing Cruising in the East Mediterranean

Int'l Cruise&Ferry Rev_210x280 2-02-17 18:50 ™ÂÏ›‰· 1

175

liminating waiting time is a challenge that ferry operators the world over are continuously looking to address. After all, a smooth and effective check-in

and boarding process leads to happier customers who are more likely to spend on the ship.

But achieving this manually is no easy feat. “Customer expectations are higher than ever,” says Jacob Pettersson product manager of Port Automation at Carus. “With this in mind, ferry operators are increasingly looking at automated systems to realise new efficiencies.”

Danish ferry operator Faergen is a pioneer in this respect. Without the need for a passport check, Faergen has been able to automate the check-in process so much that it has reduced the average waiting time from over two minutes to less than 10 seconds.

“Faergen’s check-in process takes advantage of automated check-in booths which can take payment for new bookings,” explains Pettersson. “On the occasions where a customer needs help, there are customer services representatives who

operate the system remotely from the port control office in Bornholm – from there they can see and manage all of the port check-in areas across Denmark.”

Pettersson explains that, unlike in traditional scenarios, the staff in the central Faergen control room are not idle at any time. “These staff can actually anticipate problems and call through to passengers before they even know they’ve got an issue,” he says. “They also do other tasks for the rest of the business when there are no customers to help.”

Many operators have now installed, or are considering, elements of what Faergen has done. “They are also looking at additional functionality from Carus such as implementing number plate recognition systems which not only save precious

seconds in retrieving booking information, but also use vehicle dimensions to more efficiently load the ferry and tailor selections so that customers who haven’t pre-booked only see relevant options,” Pettersson says.

“The Carus package is totally unique in that we offer a complete end-to-end service. All elements are plug and play and everything integrates into our booking system. Alternative payment devices much like those used in toll road systems are also integrated into the Carus system to enable one payment device to be used across roads, bridges and ferries – improving the overall travel experience further. Faergen and Carus are pioneers in this technology. I’m excited about the impact it will have on the ferry industry as a whole in the years to come.” C&F

How automation is transforming check-in Innovative Port Automation from Carus is creating new efficiencies for ferry operators, leading to a better customer experience. Lindsay James reports

INTERVIEW

” Ferry operators are increasingly looking at automated systems to realise new efficiencies”

Faergen has reduced the average waiting time from over two minutes to less than 10 seconds

177

ruise and ferry passengers may not pay much thought to how they get on and off a ship. But Barcelona-based ADELTE knows the

importance of efficiency and efficacy in the boarding bridge space.

Jordi Floreta, vice president and commercial director at ADELTE, says that when working in the cruise and ferry industry, the focus must always be on meeting the needs of passengers.

“We enable the easy and safe transfer of passengers, but we also design boarding bridges, and work with ports to improve all logistic operations on the quayside and passenger flow for example,” he says. “Our first boarding bridge was installed in 1998 at the Port of Barcelona, and we have gone on to successfully deliver more than 110 units all over the world. Our core clients are terminal operators, port authorities and cruise and ferry lines, but above all else are the passengers themselves.”

With each port and vessel having different configurations and needs, flexibility is key for ADELTE.

“We must consider the wharf layout and load capacity, port traffic and shoreside logistics, the range of vessels being served, passenger flows, security and climate conditions, among other things,” says Floreta. “We try to match with the style preferences

of the terminal. We deliver a safe product, but one that is unique and impressive.”

ADELTE custom designs all its passenger boarding bridges, meaning it can easily easily comply with any specific requirements and can meet the subtle differences between the needs of cruise vessels and ferry vessels.

“On ferries, the speed of the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers is vital,” Floreta explains. “The tunnels tend to be larger to allow for a better flow of passengers. On cruise ships, the passenger experience is more important. We must also think about adapting our design to meet the vessels of the future.”

ADELTE looks after its bridges throughout their lifecycle, which typically lasts between

20 and 30 years. The company carries out technical inspections, maintenance and repairs, and has a global support team.

The company now has a total of six boarding bridges operating at Port Canaveral, following delivery on its third contract with the port. The most recent were HYDRA type passenger boarding bridges, delivered in June and November 2016 as part of the port’s renovation of its cruise terminals 5 and 10.

“It’s very important we guarantee our clients that when a ship arrives, all passengers can disembark in a safe way, including of course those with reduced mobility,” Floreta says. “We also invest in new technologies focusing on safety, as well as automation systems and remote monitoring.”

Innovation forms a vital part of the company’s philosophy. Floreta says: “As a leader in the sector, we have an obligation to work hard on innovation. We have developed a number of patented technologies, and believe that this level of innovation helps us to stay at the forefront of the industry.”

Looking forward, 2017 is shaping up to be a prosperous year for ADELTE, with ten contracts already signed and the delivery of 15 seaport passenger boarding bridges on the company’s schedule in Europe, North America and Asia. C&F

Bridging the gapSean Dudley speaks with ADELTE’s Jordi Floreta to find out how the company is leading the way in the provision and development of passenger boarding bridges for the cruise and ferry sectors

INTERVIEW

” We deliver a safe product, but one that is unique and impressive”

Seatrade Cruise Global Broward County Convention Center Fort Lauderdale, Florida 14 – 16 March 2017 Booth number 1721Let’s talk.

cruisewales.visitwales.com

This is Wales.

WG30872 Welsh Government ICFR.indd 1 24/01/2017 14:07

179

” To cope with the development of the industry, all our ports are constantly improving their facilities and services”

Top: Global Ports Holding has a strong presence in the Mediterranean, including at Barcelona and Malaga

INTERVIEW

Emre Sayın of Global Ports Holding reflects on his first year as the company’s CEO and shares his vision for the future

Constant enhancement

lobal Ports Holding (GPH) has a portfolio of 14 ports in eight countries. As one of the largest cruise operators on the planet,

GPH works to develop the best industry practices across its vast network of ports, with the aim of ensuring every passenger enjoys their visit.

Having been appointed as GPH’s CEO in May 2016, Emre Sayın is approaching a year in the role. As he looks back, he describes his time at the helm to date as being both challenging and exciting.

“At GPH, we are making big steps on finding synergies between our ports and looking to operate under the best model,” he says. “We’ve also continued our expansion efforts. When I arrived, we had ten ports in our portfolio. Now we have 14 ports in eight countries. But there have also been challenges, particularly with regards to the worrying incidents that have happened in different parts of Europe and the Mediterranean of late.”

Sayın says that one of his key aims as CEO is to maintain and enhance GPH’s position within the industry. His intention is to expand the company’s

capabilities and offer the best experience for passengers, while also being a great partner organisation for cruise lines, local authorities and cities.

“Our network is composed of ports that are willing to learn,” says Sayın. “We have experienced local teams that do a great job that is recognised by industry members and by the local community as being beneficial for their destination. We have also developed the first proprietary cruise port operating system that is cloud-based, highly scalable and integrated with all our ports operations. Our aim is to keep contributing to the development of the industry standards.”

With 13 of the 14 ports in GPH’s portfolio located in Europe and the Mediterranean, how does Sayın reflect on the current cruise and ferry market in the continent?

“Europe and especially the Mediterranean are ideal for cruising, due to the variety of destinations, the wide range of cultures and attractions, and the relatively short distances between places of interest,” he says. “There is also tremendous room for growth in the European source markets. Ports and local authorities are increasingly interested in

cruise traffic, as they see the benefits to their local economy. They are also making investments or perhaps considering privatisation models. This last point is important to us, as GPH is considered one of the best options in this area thanks to our knowledge of the industry and our global marketing capabilities.”

www.cruisedublin.com

Cruise Dublin Partners:

Ireland’s Cruise CapitalCruise Dublin

Please visit our website: www.cruisedublin.com Email: cruisedublin@dublinport.ie

Contact 01 887 6000

181

Sayın says that while the future is bright for the company, GPH cannot simply sit back and relax, as the industry is constantly changing and new markets are always emerging.

“We are creating new developments at a number of the ports we operate,” he explains. “All of them are constantly improving their facilities and infrastructure to cope with the development of the industry and developing new services to offer to passengers. In Lisbon, Portugal, we are building a beautiful cruise terminal which is due to open in 2017, and a new terminal

was inaugurated a few months ago in Cagliari, Italy.”

Some of GPH’s plans are on a global scale. The company is currently working on a security code to be applied to all GPH ports within the year. This will set standards and help the company improve security in all its ports, regardless of location.

“Thanks to this code, our ports will not only comply with International Ship and Port Facility Security standards but also be ready for implementing some vital security codes and standards,” Sayın explains. “These include ISO:27001 information security management and ISO:20858

maritime port facility security assessments and security plan development.”

Moving forward, Sayın has ambitious ideas for the organisation and hopes to ensure that GPH’s burgeoning reputation within the industry continues to grow.

“We are also concentrating on overall guest journey and we are working on guest services to improve the experience at our ports,” he says. “We hope to extend our services and improve the quality of both the operations and guest experience at our cruise ports. We want to become the partner that develops specific solutions with cruise lines towards the improvement of the industry.” C&F

BERGENwww.bergenhavn.no

GATEWAY TO THE FJORDS OF NORWAY

183

ruise Europe welcomed several new members in 2016, including associate member and French tour operator BLB Cruises. Other new

members include the ports of Harlingen, Netherlands; Portland, UK; Ventspils, Latvia; and Caen – Ouistreham, France. Since Cruise Europe started with 27 ports in 1992, it has grown to 125 members and has a unique geographical spread from Lisbon in Portugal, to St Petersburg in Russia, Norway’s North Cape and Iceland.

As usual, Cruise Europe will be heading to Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this March. This year, our CE Pavilion will be a slightly smaller, 65 square metre booth in the central area of the exhibition hall near stand 1621. We will be joined by representatives from the ports of Dublin in Ireland, Riga in Latvia, Zeebrugge in Belgium and Bremerhaven/Wismar in Germany.

We will again offer our popular Monday afternoon reception on 13 March, bringing the cruise industry together by hosting a reception onboard a chartered yacht that will be moored outside the Hilton Marina. Co-sponsored by the ports of Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia, the reception will be open to Cruise Europe members, cruise line representatives and the trade press. The vessel will remain berthed during the full reception, enabling busy executives with tight schedules to pop in for a short time.

For our members, the Cruise Europe conference will be the must-attend event of 2017 and this year, we will be in Bremen and Bremerhaven, Germany from 25-27 April. We will start with excursions and internal meetings in Bremen before relocating to Bremerhaven for the full-day international Cruise Europe Conference on 26 April. Several high profile cruise executives have already been confirmed as speakers, and representatives of the German parliament will join a session specifically for German cruise lines.

Cruise Europe is also extending its partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in 2017, after we signed a letter of intent to collaboratively drive cruise growth in Europe at the Madrid Cruise Summit last November.

As part of a series of new initiatives, we have created a working group to focus on European environmental issues over the next five years. The group will launch in early 2017 and manage a programme of joint activities promoting a European Union framework that supports sustainable shipping operations and environmental protection. CLIA and Cruise Europe will also invest and participate in environmental workshops at major industry events.

“The Cruise Europe management team is looking forward to a collaborative approach with CLIA to drive this exciting industry forward,” says Michael McCarthy, Cruise Europe chairman. “With 25 years of experience, Cruise Europe is well positioned to collaborate and lobby on local, national and international environmental and regulatory issues. This is of paramount importance to our industry and members because the current political climate signals clear protectionist and isolationist policies regarding world trade, environment and travel. We draw on the experience of our Cruise Europe family, which includes 125 ports and associate members.” C&F

New members and important priorities Cruise Europe will work with its 125 members and CLIA to drive European cruise growth and improve environmental changes, says Jens Skrede

Jens Skrede

In his role as managing director Jens Skrede oversees the day-to-day management of Cruise Europe, working out of his office in Norway. Michael McCarthy, the organisation’s chairman, is based at the Port of Cork in Ireland

” We draw on the experience of our Cruise Europe family, which includes 125 ports and associate members”

EUROPE: COMMENTARY

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

184

hen a cruise guest disembarks at any of the Cruise Baltic partner ports, we know that they are likely to have a truly

memorable experience at the destination. The Cruise Baltic member ports and destinations have one of the highest cruise guest satisfaction ratings in the world. We’re very proud of this, but competition is fierce and we always strive to improve the guest experience.

One of the important aspects in elevating guest experience to new levels is to establish local cruise networks. These networks typically comprise most of the companies working with cruises, including airports, tourist attractions,

retailers, transportation companies, restaurants, and for turnaround ports, hotels.

Local cruise networks work to ensure the highest level of satisfaction for every cruise guest. Plus, they can take up cruise-related issues with the local municipalities or other authorities, speaking on behalf of all the partners in the network. Finally, the port and the local tourism authority work closely together to increase the cruise business in the region, which is relatively unique compared to other parts of the world.

I am extremely proud that most of the Baltic ports and destinations do operate a local cruise network. I am convinced that this is the reason for the high satisfaction levels among cruise guests in the Baltic Sea region.

So, when a cruise guest embarks again from a Cruise Baltic partner port, they can very often thank a local cruise network for their truly memorable experience. C&F

Claus Bødker, director of Cruise Baltic, outlines how local cruise networks improve guest satisfaction levels at ports and destinations

EUROPE: VIEWPOINT

Creating memorable experiences

185

his year, the Port of Bergen is scheduled to host more than 300 cruise calls and around 550,000 cruise passengers. These visitors will be able to visit the

Norwegian city’s historic streets, wooden houses, alleyways, Bryggen (dock) and the Fish Market, or take a trip to one of the seven mountains. Bergen serves as an ideal base for cruise visitors to take various tours, while the city, coast and region’s fjords offer the ideal combination of nature, culture and activities that will give them an experience they will never forget.

Bergen will welcome its first cruise ship on 1 February and the season will close on 11 November. The city’s cruise season is increasing every year, which is enabling visitors to enjoy the city in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Most ships berth in the port for the full day, giving passengers time to take tours and enjoy some independent exploring and shopping.

Cruise ships berths are within walking distance of the city centre. This walk takes visitors past landmarks including Haakon’s Hall, Rosenkrantz Tower and

the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bryggen in Bergen.

Bergen scores highly with its cruise line clients because it provides efficient port services for both homeporting ships and those making transit calls. These include maritime and technical services, as well as services for provisions, supplies and consumables; transport and allied operations; and tourism and shore excursions.

Turnaround calls are a new and important line of business for the Port of Bergen. The port has a large, functional and accessible terminal and has installed 200-ton bollards on the four cruise quays – Bontelabo, Skolten, Jekteviken and Dokken – so it can accommodate the largest cruise ships. Plus, the port is located in close proximity to the railway station and Bergen International Airport, which offers direct flights to more than 60 cities.

The Port of Bergen also caters for visiting crew members. Opened in May 2016 as a pilot project, Bergen International Seamen’s Center is located at Festnings quay in Bergen harbour and offers a local welfare service. Between May and November 2016, a total of 3,500 crew members visited the centre.

Whether Bergen’s cruise visitors and crew arrive by plane or ship, they are guaranteed a warm welcome because the city is buzzing with life all year round and loves its tourists. In fact, visitors from all over the world have just one complaint when they leave: their stay wasn’t long enough. C&F

Efficient services, modern facilities and close proximity to multiple tourist attractions – the Port of Bergen provides the ideal place for cruise guests to start their Norwegian adventure

” Bergen scores highly with its cruise line clients because it provides efficient port services”

EUROPE: REPORT

Gateway to the Norwegian fjords

Image: Robin Strand

Welcome to Norway, the ultimate nature-based cruise destination. Our long stretched coastline offers unique possibilities for cruising in both summer and winter. Norway offers vibrant cities, picturesque villages, awe-inspiring fjords, unique islands and the Top of The World. We have the spectacular Northern Lights in the winter and the midnight sun in the summer. Throughout the year, Norway offers something for everyone.

CRUISENORWAY The Ultimate Nature-based Cruise Destination

Photo: Fjord Norway, Paul Edmundson – Nærøyfjorden, Gudvangen Photo: Ernst Furuhatt / www.nordnorge.com – Bodø

Photo: Rune Nilsen / www.visitbodo.com – BodøPhoto: Kristian Nashoug / www.lofoten.info – VaaganPhoto: Marit Karlsen / Cruise Norway AS – Atlanterhavsparken

Photo: Nancy Bundt / Visitnorway.com Photo: Fjord Norway, Paul Edmundson – Preikestolen, The Pulpit Rock

VISIT US AT SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBALFT. LAUDERDALE BOOTH 1521

CruiseNorway_2017_Cruise&Ferry_210x280+3mm.indd 1 18.01.2017 14.14

187

ales – known for its castles, mountains, rugged coastline and rich Celtic heritage, this compact but

geographically diverse country has long been a popular tourist hotspot. Thanks to some shiny new attractions, its northern region has been named one of the top places in the world to visit in 2017. Ranked fourth in the Lonely Planet’s annual Best in Travel list, North Wales has been praised for its host of exciting facilities, including inland surf lagoon Surf Snowdonia, described in the guide as “perhaps the most headline-stealing example of North Wales’ reinvention.”

Judging by the number of cruise passengers flocking to Wales’ shores, they agree too. “This season we’re expecting 89 cruise calls, up from 58 last year,” says head of Cruise Wales, Suzanne Thomas. “The cruise industry is our fastest growing tourism sector; we haven’t had a year where we’ve not show signs of growth. It’s very exciting, and it’s testament to our great working relationship with the cruise lines as well as our ability to deliver something passengers want.”

Welcoming calls from the likes of TUI Cruises, Viking Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and National Geographic,

Wales attracts a diverse range of passengers seeking out adventure activities (such as Surf Snowdonia, Zip World – home to Europe’s longest zip line – and the nearby giant trampoline park Bounce Below in the caverns beneath Blaenau Ffestiniog) and local culture, booking in for classes at cookery schools, slate mine and castle tours, and much more.

There are plenty of new attractions on offer in the south of the country too, served by the ports of Cardiff, Fishguard, Milford Haven, Newport and Swansea. “One really popular family activity near Fishguard is Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm,” says Thomas. “It’s home to the Tropical Bug Zoo, Bug Museum and Grub Kitchen – the UK’s first edible insect restaurant where you can try such delicacies as cricket cake and bug burgers.”

This year, the country will be hosting some exciting events, including the UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff. To accommodate all of the extra visitors to the city, there will be a cruise vessel docked in the port of Newport, which will be used as a floating hotel. “It’s a really effective way

of holding extra people,” Thomas explains. “We’re expecting the match to bring millions of people to the centre of our capital city.”

2017 also heralds the launch of the Year of Legends campaign, where cultural events have been planned throughout the year celebrating the country’s unique heritage and legends, new and old. And coinciding with the Volvo Ocean Race, which will visit Cardiff next year, 2018 will be the Year of the Sea. “Perfect for our sea-faring guests,” says Thomas.

Looking ahead, Thomas says that there are plenty of other exciting plans in the pipeline. “We’re looking at future developments in all our cruise ports, particularly when it comes to cruise facilities for passengers and crew,” she says. “We’re also carrying on our successful German-speaking ambassador programme, training up local German speakers to be on hand to welcome guests from regular cruise lines such as AIDA. Our cruise industry continues to grow at an impressive rate, and we’re doing all we can to keep the momentum going.” C&F

Wales: an award-winning destinationCruise calls are on the up, new attractions are open for business, and Lonely Planet has named the northern region one of the world’s top places to visit. We find out why Wales is the place to go

” This season we’re expecting 89 cruise calls, up from 58 last year”

EUROPE: REPORT

Visitors can learn more about bugs, and even eat them, at the new Bug Farm in Pembrokeshire

Our Island awaits...49° 11’ 14.64” N, 2° 10’ 13.44” W

CRUISE JERSEY

The tiny jewel that is Jersey is located some 160kms south of mainland Britain and lying in the Bay of St Malo is just 22kms from the French coast. While traditionally British, its French influences can be found a plenty, from its landscape of Norman style farmhouses, narrow winding lanes and French street names.

Measuring just 14kms x 8kms, Jersey boasts a rich and varied landscape, often referred to as the ‘warmest place in the British Isles’ and promises to send its visitors into a sensory overload.

Lush valleys, quiet country lanes and footpaths along with unspoilt coastline makes the Island a walker’s paradise.

With over 350 miles of roads, byways and lanes to explore, Jersey is one of Europe’s best kept secrets for cyclists.

For those who prefer a livelier pace then the cosmopolitan capital of St Helier, with its wealth of Michelin-star restaurants, al-fresco dining, bars and cafés together with top designer stores and well-known UK brands makes for the perfect destination.

Jersey is the perfect port of call for cruise itineraries and Ports of Jersey is delighted to welcome visiting cruise ships to its waters.

Myra ShackladyPorts of JerseySt PeterJersey JE1 1BY

T +44 (0)1534 446342E myra.shacklady@ports.je

ports.je |

For further information, please contact:

189

ublin Port Company’s chief executive Eamonn O’Reilly took over as chairman of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) in

2016 and he has plenty to bring to the table during his time in the chair.

“I’m chief executive of a very busy port so it’s an opportunity to bring that coal-face experience to the area of policy influence for ESPO,” he says, adding that his new role will also benefit Dublin Port. “Being involved with ESPO and supporting European transport policy really helps me to plan the development of Dublin Port in a way that is compatible with European policies.”

O’Reilly will focus on ESPO’s recent collaboration with the European Commission to develop the port services regulation. The regulation allows ports to adopt different elements of the regulation to fit local requirements. One of the main things that ports want is the freedom to set their own charges, says O’Reilly.

“The big challenge that ESPO is dealing with on behalf of European ports is the long-term financing of essential and economically viable port infrastructure projects,” he adds. “The other challenges include the environment and the carbon agenda.”

Dublin Port’s cruise business has been developing in recent years, and Celebrity Cruises has signed a deal for a turnaround season in 2018.

From the business perspective of Dublin Port Company, cruise business is currently nowhere near as attractive as its cargo business,” says O’Reilly. “There are two challenges for the ultimate development of Dublin as a cruise turnaround port. One of them is the provision of hotel capacity in the city. The other is that we must find some mechanism to get external financial

contributions for building cruise berths. That’s something we’re working on.”

Dublin’s new cruise berths will be multi-purpose and form part of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project, which has already started. O’Reilly estimates the berths will be available in four to five years.

“This is a big project in an already busy port with huge levels of growth and we have got to build it without disturbing existing customers,” he comments. “That’s the primary challenge.”

Ferry operations are another key part of the port’s business. Some 1.8 million ferry passengers passed through Dublin Port in 2016 and new tonnage joined the routes. However, O’Reilly predicts future growth is likely to come from existing players because there’s not much port capacity for new ferries on the routes.

“Dublin is a big ferry passenger port and we expect the frequency of ferries between Dublin and Holyhead to increase over time,” he says, adding that this will boost demand. “The ferry passenger market is the biggest part of our tourism business.”

Other plans for the future include a new road network in the port and an inland port will be built on a 44-hectare site. “This will take the pressure off the main port,” explains O’Reilly. “Growth rates have pushed the project forward faster than expected.” C&F

Sandra Speares catches up with Eamonn O’Reilly to hear about Dublin Port Company’s achievements and his new role as chair of the European Sea Ports Organisation

” Dublin is a big ferry passenger port and we expect the frequency of ferries between Dublin and Holyhead to increase”

EUROPE: INTERVIEW

Bringing coal-face experience

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review190

Passengers head to Jersey for its beautiful beaches, interesting harbours and outdoor activities

EUROPE: INTERVIEW

Sean Dudley speaks to Ports of Jersey’s Myra Shacklady to find out what makes the island so enticing for cruise passengers

Diverse delights

ocated just 22km off France’s nearby Normandy coastline, but part of the British Isles, Jersey combines the cultures of two nations, providing its visitors

with an offering that is both diverse and rich in historical interest.

This combination of location and culture is seeing more and more cruise lines realise Jersey’s potential – something Myra Shacklady, Ports of Jersey’s key account and marketing director, is delighted to see.

“To support our efforts and help realise our potential, in 2015 we revamped our tender pontoons as we are an anchor port

for vessels over 130 metres,” she says. “We upgraded our facilities, creating a much larger space to welcome our visitors and provide them with helpful tourist information. We have also recently rebranded ourselves as ‘Cruise Jersey’ to better reflect our product.”

Ports of Jersey was incorporated in late 2015, meaning the organisation came out of local government control to become a limited company. This has presented the opportunity to be more agile and commercial in its approach, says Miss Shacklady.

Jersey is expecting a flurry of cruise activity in 2017, with in excess of 12 cruise calls scheduled for this summer.

“A number of visitors will be making a welcome return, including Princess Cruises, Cruise and Maritime Voyages and Hapag Lloyd,” Miss Shacklady says. “We’ve also got some ships calling for the first time, including Viking Star, which was only launched in 2014, and MS Hamburg, which we’ve not seen here before. Silversea will also be returning after a break of a few years. It’s great to have these ships visiting and returning to the island.”

With such activity on the horizon, Myra Shacklady, who has overall responsibility for the Cruise Jersey operation and is an active member of Cruise Britain and Cruise Europe, is well aware of the importance of highlighting all that Jersey has to offer.

” Jersey is very diverse, with a number of French and British influences”

Cruise passengers are always keen to explore everything Jersey has to offer

“Jersey boasts a wealth of world-class attractions, including the Jersey War Tunnels, which is an amazing experience,” she says. “It’s quite a special offering, depicting local life during the island’s occupation by Nazi forces during the Second World War, as the Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles occupied by enemy forces. We are also home to Durrell’s Zoo and Wildlife Centre, which has attracted renewed interest following the ITV1 television drama show about the zoo’s founder, naturalist and conservationist Gerald Durrell during his early years. A second series is due to be screened in 2017, which will no doubt attract further interest.”

Jersey’s natural beauty has always been one of its strengths, and Miss Shacklady says that cruise passengers are always keen to come ashore and explore.

“Walking tours are very popular, and we have some lovely clifftop walks around the island,” she says. “Jersey is very diverse, with a number of French and British influences – in fact many street names are in French and the island even has its own local French language. Doing a round island tour is also a ‘must do’ for visitors. With an amazing shoreline, surfing, water sports and birdwatching are also popular pastimes among residents and visitors.

But there is also a fantastic array of beaches for those who simply want to relax in the sun.”

Looking forward, Ports of Jersey will be releasing its 25-year maritime masterplan in the second half of 2017, which will outline ways in which the island is planning to welcome more people to its shores and enhance its future offering.

“We are considering how we can enhance our cruise facilities going forward, including closer anchorage or possible alongside berthing,” Miss Shacklady concludes. “That’s just one thing on the agenda of our masterplan, which is very extensive as it covers all port activities and is a very exciting prospect.” C&F

A SUMMER IN LE HAVRE2017

ART IN THE CITY, EXHIBITIONS, PERFORMANCES, EVENTS…

www.uneteauhavre2017.frcruise@lehavretourisme.com

Cruise Destination

LE HAVRECELEBRATES 500YEARS

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

192

hroughout its history, the Port of A Coruña in north-west Spain has had close ties with the passenger transport industry. Initially, the port was a military stronghold and

later it served as a point of departure for Galician emigrants setting sail for America. Today, A Coruña is one of the Atlantic’s most attractive destinations for cruise ships, particularly because the sea is the principal access point for tourists visiting the city. Plus, the cruise terminal is in the heart of the city centre and can be directly accessed via a large pedestrian square.

In recent years, the cruise industry has become one of the Port of A Coruña’s strongest sectors and offers tremendous potential for future growth. In 2009, passenger numbers reached just over 50,000 but grew steadily to hit a record 157,000 passengers who visited during a total of 108 cruise calls in 2013. Numbers have since remained stable and the port closed the 2016 cruise season after welcoming around 140,000 passengers, making it the leader on the Cantabrian-Atlantic seaboard in terms of calls.

Forecasts indicate that the Port of A Coruña will maintain its leading position in

terms of northern seaboard calls and will also overtake destinations such as Porto, Portugal and Bilbao, Spain to become the leader in terms of passenger numbers in 2017. The port expects to beat its 2013 record by hosting more than 170,000 passengers and 60,000 crew during 120 calls. One reason behind the sharp rise in passenger numbers is that the port is handling larger ships and an increasing number of simultaneous calls. This year, for example, the port is scheduled to host five triple and 12 double calls.

The influx of 230,000 visitors to the city in 2017 will not only promote A Coruña to the international market, but it will also provide a major revenue source for tourism-related sectors. In fact, international estimates for cruise passenger expenditure per day suggest that the cruise sector will generate €15 million (US$15.9 million) for A Coruña’s economy

in 2017. This figure is testament to highly competitive rates, quality port services, the city’s tourism offering and, most importantly, the port authority’s efforts to collaborate with major international cruise operators via specialised meetings and trade events.

This year, six ships will make inaugural calls to A Coruña. They include Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Explorer, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Muse and two of MSC Cruises’ newest ships, MSC Magnifica and MSC Preziosa. Meanwhile, several cruise lines will return to the Port of A Coruña as part of their Atlantic routes, including TUI Cruises and AIDA Cruises. P&O Cruises has scheduled a total of 20 calls for its ships Britannia, Oriana and Oceana, while Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth will make five visits. Royal Caribbean International will bring more than 20,000 passengers to the city. C&F

Leading the Atlantic seaboard Spain’s Port of A Coruña expects to welcome a record number of cruise passengers in 2017 after tripling its cruise figures in recent years

” A Coruña is one of the Atlantic’s most attractive destinations for cruise ships”

EUROPE: REPORT

193

ocated on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, the city of Zadar has been a key destination in a part of Europe that has seen significant tourism growth during the past 20 years.

The Port of Zadar Authority oversees all cruise and ferry activity at the port. The authority works to ensure that visitors to the region, which is rich in culture and natural coastal beauty, have an experience they won’t forget in a hurry.

A number of national parks, historical sites and unspoiled islands in the Adriatic Sea are easily accessible from the city, which itself is more than 3,000 years old.

Visitors to Zadar can also explore other nearby places along the Dalmatian coast. Nearby lies the beautiful Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, while the Kornati archipelago is a group of 140 islands that together comprise one of Croatia’s most pristine national parks.

With such offerings available, the Port of Zadar Authority has seen a significant increase in the number of cruise passengers at its two ports – the City Port and Port of

Gazenica, which lies around three miles south of the main city.

The authority noted a 94% increase in cruise passengers in 2016 compared to 2015, with around 136,000 passengers visiting. More calls are expected in 2017, while passenger numbers are expected to remain at a similar figure.

These figures are even more impressive when compared to those from earlier this decade. The Port of Zadar welcomed seven times as many passengers in 2016 than in 2012 for example.

A major reason for such growth is the development of the facility at Gazenica, which commenced in 2014 and has radically enhanced the Port of Zadar’s profile. The port no longer has a ship size limit, meaning passenger number growth is now possible.

To help sustain such positive trends, a new terminal building is being constructed at the Port of Gazenica. The Port of Zadar Authority will be overseeing this work, which is scheduled for completion in January 2018. The tendering process for the management of the terminal building is expected to commence during 2017.

Part of the new terminal building will serve domestic traffic needs, while the rest will be dedicated to cruising – both transit and homeporting – and international ferry and ro-ro activities.

The Port of Zadar Authority is keen to enhance the port and the city’s growing reputation within the cruise industry. To support this, the authority is working with other stakeholders in Zadar to encourage investment in the city, particularly around commercial and hospitality opportunities. C&F

A rising reputationPassenger numbers are going through the roof in Zadar, Croatia, as more cruise visitors find out what the fuss is about

” The Port of Zadar welcomed seven times as many passengers in 2016 than in 2012”

MEDITERRANEAN: REPORT

The new terminal building at Port of Gazenica will help continue the growth in cruise passenger numbers

Member of:

FranceMarsella

Mediterranean Sea

195

ruise activities in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas experienced remarkable growth in 2016. Annual statistics from the

MedCruise association reveal that member ports handled a total of 27.4 million cruise passenger movements and 13,500 cruise calls last year, a significant rise from 2001, when they welcomed 8.6 million passengers and 10,100 cruise visits.

MedCruise ports have upgraded their cruise terminal infrastructure to meet this demand for more berthing capacity and to accommodate bigger ships. Providing first-class infrastructure for modern cruise vessels remains a top priority for port operators, particularly because the port is the first ‘face’ of a destination.

Cruise ports also aim to develop infrastructure to meet new environmental requirements. To help members achieve this, MedCruise has partnered with the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC). Together, the organisations plan to advance guidelines on the development of cruise port infrastructure and help MedCruise members benefit from the growth of the industry. The first discussions were held at the MedCruise General Assembly in Tenerife last September.

Architects often design port facilities according to the type of operations they will carry out, considering whether cruise lines will

use the port for turnaround or transit calls – or both. Transit ports must provide berths of a minimum depth, quays of a certain length, and a wide apron for handling passengers, International Ship and Port Facility Security rules implementation, immigration and customs. A high-quality connection to the local tourist attractions is also essential.

Turnaround ports must be easily connected to passengers’ possible arrival or departure points, such as airports, railway station or bus stations. It is particularly important to offer international connections at airports so passengers worldwide can easily reach their departure port. It is also critical for turnaround ports to provide vast parking areas near the terminal.

Some ports in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas are currently working on infrastructure development projects that take into account minimum requirements for draughts, berthing lines and navigation channels. Others are collaborating with destination representatives and stakeholders to improve the accessibility from the cruise terminal to the city, minimise road disruption, and to provide better car parking and public transport facilities. In addition, several port authorities and decision makers are upgrading the various spaces inside the cruise terminal, as well as the ground transportation area.

Upgrading infrastructure takes long-term planning because port authorities must secure

MedCruise aims to help member ports actively engage with cruise lines, itinerary planners and destinations marketers to develop the port facilities today’s operators need, says Thanos Pallis

Thanos PallisThanos Pallis was appointed as secretary general of MedCruise, the association representing cruise ports in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas, in 2013. He is a maritime economist specialised in port economics, management and policy

” MedCruise will continue to create platforms that enable cruise ports and cruise lines to ensure their strategies are aligned”

MEDITERRANEAN: COMMENTARY

Improving infrastructure in the Med

MAGAZINES & BOOKS

BROCHURES

CAMPAIGNS

CONTENTWHATEVER YOUR MARKETING NEEDS

Contact us NOW to discuss how we can help engage your customers

Jon Ingleton

+44 (0)116 222 9900jon.ingleton@tudor-rose.co.uk

www.tudor-rose.co.uk

More than 300 days of sun a year 2000 years of history19 km of beach Unique Shopping Opportunities Paellas and much more…

www.visitvalencia.comwww.valenciaport.com

Cruise & Ferry Review 180x117mm.indd 1 19/1/17 10:46

197

financing, complete environmental and other technical studies, and consult with multiple institutions before and during work. All of this adds to the initial high cost of the infrastructure investment.

The cruise industry is constantly evolving, and vessels have continued to grow in all dimensions for more than 40 years. For example, two of today’s biggest cruise vessels are Royal Caribbean International’s 360-metre long, 47-metre wide Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, which were built in 2009 to accommodate 5,400 passengers. Their size differs significantly from the cruise line’s former Song of Norway, which was built in 1970 and with a length of 168.5 metres, a beam of 24.1 metres and capacity for around 724 passengers.

Higher manoeuvrability, design changes and the use of technology are also key aspects that port authorities and architects must consider when developing infrastructure for particular vessels.

Needs also change when it comes to greener port infrastructure. Decisions on green infrastructure investments should be made in cooperation with the port users and stakeholders, as there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, cruise ports provide waste and cargo residue reception facilities that comply with existing regulatory requirements. However, to get the best results, the facilities and waste delivery and handling plans must be designed after an extensive consultation with all port users.

As ship sizes increase and more people choose to cruise, ports must improve their infrastructure. However, this does not mean that cruise infrastructure will pay off automatically, nor that it will ensure ports secure cruise traffic.

Certainly, investing in upgrades and construction activities is susceptible to several risks. It is difficult to secure funding and there is a long return on investment period, especially because cruising is

seasonal and terminals may not be fully used all year round.

Ports in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas continue to take these risks into account, frequently preparing for the worst when making their business cases for the intended infrastructure investments. However, they need more long-term engagement from cruise lines to help them to streamline investments and timelines, avoiding potential mismatches between their long-term port improvement vision and the cruise lines’ short-term itinerary planning decisions. Long-term engagement would involve cruise lines committing to calling at the ports for longer periods of time, and ports becoming more actively engaged with itinerary planners and cruise and destination marketers.

MedCruise will continue to create platforms that enable cruise ports and cruise lines to ensure their strategies are aligned and that ports can provide the infrastructure cruise lines need. C&F

The Port of Lisbon is just one of several MedCruise members that is currently upgrading its infrastructure

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

198

ocated on Spain’s western coast, the Costa Brava is a hub of tourism and Mediterranean culture. In 2017, the ports of Palamós and Roses are set to

welcome more cruise passenger than ever before to see what the region has to offer.

In 2016, the regional port authority invested €200,000 (US$212,000) to expand the Palamós passenger terminal in order to house new facilities and improve customer service. This was done as part of Costa Brava Cruise Ports’ aim to continuously improve facilities and services at Palamós and Roses and, as a result, boost cruise ship activity.

Why are so many people visiting the Costa Brava? The region has a diverse offering spanning excellent gastronomy, golf, cultural heritage and wine that appeals to a wide range of tastes. It is also something of a gateway to surrealist art. Both ports are close to artistic landmarks connected to the painter Salvador Dalí – the Dalí Museum in Figueres and Gala Dalí House-Museum in Púbol.

The cruise industry in the region has been strengthened by a number of new lines selecting Palamós and Roses as ports of call. In 2016, Roses hosted Saga Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Noble Caledonia for the first time, with the liners Saga Pearl II, Silver Cloud and Serenissima making maiden calls. Palamós hosted maiden calls from Phoenix Reisen’s Artania, Oceania Cruises’ Nautica, Saga Sapphire, Regent

Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Navigator and Seven Seas Explorer, Thomson Cruises’ Thomson Majesty and TUI Discovery. All in all, Palamós and Roses welcomed 37 ship calls and 25,600 passengers in 2016.

For the upcoming season, there are high expectations for both ports, with a combined 47 calls scheduled and around 45,000 passengers expected. Roses will host seven calls and 6,500 passengers, which would break all passenger number records for the port.

Meanwhile, Palamós will receive 40 calls and 38,000 passengers, which again would be a record for the port. Seven of these calls will be maiden visits – namely P&O Oriana, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAaura, Seven Seas Voyager, Oceania Cruises’ Sirena, Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Sun and Noble Caledonia’s Island Sky.

To help accommodate this growth, Costa Brava Cruise Ports has created a 2017 investment plan. In-port signage has also been improved to assist cruise passengers who want to reach the town on foot.

As Palamós has a natural draught of 14 metres and 536 metres of alongside berthing, it can host a diverse range of cruise ships, from luxury liners to mid-sized ships. Cruise companies have the opportunity to call at Palamós and anchor at Roses. Furthermore, Roses and Palamós can form part of cruise itineraries that go to the French Riviera, the Balearic Islands and northern Italy. Both ports are conveniently located halfway between Barcelona and Marseille, which helps ships save on fuel.

Together, the two ports are helping to increase the attraction for cruise ships to visit the Costa Brava. C&F

Breaking recordsIn 2017, more cruise ships are set to visit the ports of Palamós and Roses on Spain’s Costa Brava coastline than ever before

MEDITERRANEAN: REPORTIm

ages: Costa Brava Girona Tourism

Board Image Archive

Top: The port area at Palamós. Bottom left: the medieval village of Peratallada.Bottom right: the ruins at Empúries

The leading cruise port in the Mediterranean

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

2017_Anuncis_CRUISE.pdf 4 23/1/17 16:56

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review200

ocated in the Mediterranean Sea between the coast of Northern Africa and mainland Europe, the Balearic island of Menorca offers a mix of beautiful scenery

and interesting local culture.The port at Mahon – the island’s capital

– is the second largest in Europe and one of the most beautiful natural ports in the Mediterranean region. Furthermore, its east-west orientation protects it from the region’s ‘tramontana’ northerly winds.

Menorca’s shores have been imprinted with the footprints of different civilisations throughout history, including Phoenicians, Greeks, Punics, Romans and Vandals.

During the 18th century, Menorca was ruled for more than 70 years by the British. This occupation left a mark on many aspects of the island’s culture and daily life, from the local dialect to buildings like Nelson’s House. Here, according to legend, Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton lived out their love in

the summer of 1800. Travellers have the opportunity to take a tour of these iconic places from Mahon’s city hall.

Visitors to Mahon can take a look around the port, before discovering the island’s gastronomic offerings and trying the famous Menorcan gin. Mahon also has a close relationship with the opera, and the Teatro Principal, with more than 180 years of history, is a must-see in the city.

Away from Mahon, visitors to Menorca will discover points of interest and fantastic natural beauty at every turn. Travellers can see the island’s seven lighthouses, its white, sandy beaches, and try the local cuisine.

Visitors can also discover the prehistoric history of Menorca, with more than 1,500 archaeological sites on the island. In fact, the island’s talaiots – Bronze Age megaliths from the talaiotic period – are a candidate to receive Heritage of Humanity status. Travellers can visit these historic sites thanks to a range of excursions and guided tours which are available throughout the year.

All these special historical, cultural and geographical features help make Menorca an appealing destination to cruise passengers. Couple this with the fantastic port facilities at Mahon, and the island offers a winning combination. C&F

An island of delightsA Mediterranean location, rich history and interesting local culture is helping to ensure visitors enjoy their time on Menorca’s shores

” Menorca’s shores have been imprinted with the footprints of different civilisations throughout history”

MEDITERRANEAN: REPORT

Menorca combines pristine coastline and scenery with the marks of ancient civilisations

Image: Jesús Renedo/Consell Insular de M

enorca

ALL TIME RECORD: MORE THAN 8.7 MILLION CRUISE PASSENGERS STEP INTO SPAIN THROUGH ITS BLUE CARPET

Imagine arriving at the harbour to �nd the sea unrolled at your feet, like a luxurious blue carpet ushering you into Spain’s vibrant

culture with unbelievable ease ... Modern, competitive, and situated on the major tourist routes and destinations,Spanish ports

are more than ready to welcome cruise traf�c, with the highest standards of quality, safety and service. Thanks to a range of

expansions and improvements, the ports of Spain welcome nearly 4,000 large cruise ships and provide travellers with new and

advanced marine terminals, as well as seamless port-city integration to enjoy while ashore. A truly blue carpet experience.

www.puertos.es

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

202

editerranean sister islands Malta and Gozo are welcoming more cruise ships than ever before as capital city Valletta gears

up to celebrate being officially named the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

In 2016, Malta hosted 81 ships from 42 different cruise companies and recorded 682,222 cruise passenger movements – a 2% rise from 2015 and an all-time high for the Mediterranean island. Meanwhile, smaller island Gozo handled nearly 7,000 passengers during 19 cruise calls – double the number in 2012.

Several ships made inaugural visits in 2016, including Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista, which first called on 9 May and then made a further seven calls, bringing more than 27,000 passengers to Malta’s shores.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star also berthed in Valletta for the first time on 14 October. The ship will return in 2017 and offer a combined total of 20 departures from the port alongside Norwegian Spirit, amounting to more than 45,000 passenger movements.

This year, Malta aims to handle more than 330 port calls and 700,000 passenger movements. A homeporting contract for P&O Cruises’ Oceana will help Malta to hit this figure. In addition to sailing 27 departures from Valletta as part of a Fly-and-Cruise programme, Oceana will make five day calls, bringing a combined total of 110,000 passengers to the island.

The Malta Cruise Network Forum, which was launched last October, will help Malta to develop initiatives that promote and strengthen its cruise sector. The committee includes representatives from the Tourism Ministry, Malta Tourism Authority, Valletta Cruise Port, Transport Malta, the Ministry for Gozo, Malta International Airport, Heritage Malta, the Ship Agents Association, the General

Retailers and Traders Union, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Foundation for the Development of Tourist Zones.

“Stakeholder collaboration is vital to ensure that the cruise industry continues to have a positive impact on our islands,” says Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valletta Cruise Port and COO of Global Ports Holdings. “This will help ensure that passengers, crew and cruise lines alike have the best possible experience of what

we offer, also with the vision that we will have them back on a longer stay.”

Following the recent €1.5 million (US$1.6 million) upgrade of Forni Terminal, a project to widen Quays 4/5 at Valletta Cruise Port is in the pipeline. Other plans include redeveloping the Old Power House to create additional check-in terminals and more cultural and entertainment facilities on the quayside.

“Continuous timely investment in our infrastructure and service delivery is paramount for us to remain competitive,” remarks Xuereb. “Malta is a vibrant destination and this is reflected in the port of Valletta and all the ongoing activities around the Grand Harbour region and the capital city. Our distinctive capabilities include a central position in the Mediterranean, sound port infrastructure and services, destination attractiveness and a diverse product offering, outstanding service delivery, and more importantly our reliability and flexibility.” C&F

Cruise numbers are continuing to rise in Malta and Gozo as the government commits to infrastructure improvements and stakeholder collaboration

” Continuous timely investment in our infrastructure and service delivery is paramount ”

MEDITERRANEAN: REPORT

Valletta Cruise Port in Malta welcomed a record 682,222 cruise passenger movements in 2016

Investing in cruise success

Zadar, a city with a rich history and culture in the heart of the Adriatic Sea

www.port-authority-zadar.hr

Haifa

Natanya

Herzelia

AshdodAshkelon

Beer Sheba

BEit Lehem

Jeruzalem

Tel aviv Jaffa

Nazeret

Tiberya

Dead Sea

Eilat

ASHDOD PORTTHE GATEWAYTO ISRAEL

www.ashdodport.co.il

Year of JubileeTHE LEADING ECONOMIC GATEWAY OF ISRAEL

www.ashdodport.co.il

35 minutes drive

1.5 hour drive

1 hour drive

1 hour drive

ww

w.g

eorg

emed

ia.c

o.il

205

ancouver is one of the few global cities to have a port so close to its centre, with passengers able to disembark in Vancouver’s downtown

harbour and immediately feel they are at the heart of what’s going on.

As well as its thriving metropolitan hub, Vancouver is located in a great position on Canada’s western coast, surrounded by interesting shorelines and rugged mountainous areas.

Carmen Ortega, manager of cruise services at Port of Vancouver, says that visitor numbers continue to reflect the wealth of offerings in both the city itself and the wider local region.

“We welcomed just under 827,000 passengers in 2016, on 228 calls,” she says. “The first cruise ship we ever received at our cruise terminal back in 1986 was Holland America Line’s Noordam, and then in 2016 we saw one of Holland America’s newest vessels, the Niuew Amsterdam, berthing here. It’s interesting to see how the size of the ships have evolved in those three decades.”

Port of Vancouver has seen steady growth in passenger numbers since 2010 and the positivity is set to continue into 2017, with Ortega forecasting approximately 851,000 passengers from 238 scheduled calls.

“Seabourn Sojourn will be homeporting in Vancouver for the first time this year,” Ortega says. “We’re also seeing a lot more overnight

vessels. One example is Golden Princess, which will be overnighting with us on 1 July 2017 to coincide with the city’s celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary. Guests can visit the Canada Place cruise terminal at the port and enjoy a fantastic firework display.”

One of the biggest challenges faced by the port is accommodating the larger ships that visit, and the number of passengers they bring. Ortega says much of the port’s recent focus has been on improving the visitor experience.

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve developed the Canada Place Optimization Programme,” she explains. “This ties

into our constant aim to develop our infrastructure in order to improve flows in and out of the facility.”

2016 was the first year that Port of Vancouver used automated passport control kiosks. “All of our passengers have to pre-clear US customs before they get on a vessel going to Alaska,” says Ortega. “The kiosks have really helped us in terms of expediting processes.”

“We generate over 280,000 hotel stays in Vancouver each year, and over 400,000 throughout the province of British Columbia,” adds Ortega. “We also work very closely with the City of Vancouver, and last year we did a traffic study together to look at extra vehicle and people traffic. We’re working together to make some short, medium and long-term improvements to improve the flow in both areas.”

Going forward, the Port of Vancouver will continue to work closely with its tourism partners to help promote Vancouver as an exciting destination and all the benefits it generates as a homeport. They include Tourism Vancouver, Destination British Columbia and Vancouver International Airport. C&F

At the heart of thingsPort of Vancouver’s Carmen Ortega explains to Sean Dudley what steps are being taken to ensure every visitor sees everything the Canadian city has to offer

CANADA: INTERVIEW

” We welcomed just under 827,000 passengers in 2016, on 228 calls”

Image: W

illiamJans.com

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

206

ocated just above the 50th parallel and on the shores of a 10km wide natural bay protected by an archipelago of seven islands, Sept-Îles in

Québec, Canada has something beautiful for cruise guests to discover at every turn. Home to the Innu Native People community, the city boasts a diverse mix of cultures, represented by countless cultural sights and activities. The warmth of the city’s inhabitants, its vast boreal forest, sandy beaches and sunsets captivate, while its natural resources, strategic position and deep-sea port help it to attract and handle the biggest ships.

Part of the Canada New England group, ground operator Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu (literally ‘The place where one stops’) handles cruise calls in the city.

2016 proved to be another successful cruise season for Sept-Îles and was highlighted by its first double-ship day. The synergy and flexibility shown by the port authority and other partners involved in handling the two ships ensured that the calls went smoothly, which drew positive feedback from both tour operators and cruise industry members. Not only did the day mark a historic turning point for the destination, but it also sent a strong message to the industry about the port’s capacity, paving the way for new business opportunities.

In 2017, Sept-Îles will continue its steady course towards becoming a stop for all cruise ships on the St. Lawrence. Oceania Cruises’ Insignia will open the season, making her maiden call as part of her world tour. Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Navigator will also make her inaugural visit, while Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Marco Polo will return for a third consecutive year.

This year also marks Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu’s 10th anniversary.

Plans are already well under way to celebrate the organisation’s partners and local residents who have helped the organisation to successfully grow the city’s cruise industry. Passengers will be able to join festivities throughout the year. The port will also host Rendez-Vous 2017’s Tall Ships Regatta, a pan-continental sailing race as part of Canada’s 150th commemoration celebrations.

Sept-Îles already has 13 confirmed calls for 2018 – including a call from Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 and five maiden visits – which will bring a record number of passengers and crew members. This will

make 2018 the port’s busiest and most significant season to date.

Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu also aims to enrich the overall cruise experience in 2018 by rebranding the port’s image, refining the guest experience and developing a new tour portfolio. It will also expand its range of activities and services for crew.

2018 represents a pivotal year for ground operators in Sept-Îles. Local businesses are already enthusiastic about the future cruise season and plans to make investments that will make Sept-Îles an even more attractive destination for the international cruise sector are already underway. C&F

Heading towards new horizons Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu looks towards the Canadian archipelago’s bright future as it celebrates its 10th anniversary

” Sept-Îles will continue its course towards becoming a stop for all cruise ships on the St. Lawrence”

CANADA: REPORT

207

rince Edward Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, despite being the country’s smallest province by area.

The island has plenty to offer, and visitors regularly return to its shores time and time again.

Often part of a Canada-New England cruise itinerary, Prince Edward Island combines adventurous, accessible tours with unique cultural experiences. With only 147,000 residents, passengers can get a true feel for life on the island.

The island’s range of shore excursions include trips to the province’s national parks, which are free to enter in 2017 as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Cruise passengers can enjoy miles of sandy coastline and red sandstone cliffs, or explore the literary world of Anne of Green Gables – the protagonist of LM Montgomery’s 1908 novel set on the island and recreated in numerous film adaptations since.

With Experience PEI – a company that organises various trips and activities for visitors – cruise passengers can discover Prince Edward Island through hands-on adventures that help connect them

with the islanders. Visitors can sample local cuisine, history, music and lifestyle through walking tours, demonstrations and culinary adventures.

With three welcoming ports on the island – Georgetown, Charlottetown and Summerside – Prince Edward Island has a variety of offerings cruise guests are unlikely to forget. C&F

A taste of island lifeLocated off Canada’s Atlantic coast, Prince Edward Island offers passengers the chance to rediscover life’s simple pleasures

CANADA: REPORTIm

ages: John Sylvester, Paul Baglole

a g e n c i e s

Bermuda’s Premier Port AgencyServicing vessel calls to Bermuda since 1876. With three offices in

Bermuda’s three ports, Meyer Agencies are well positioned to servicevessels 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 365 days of the year.

ANCHOR ON US

Meyer Agencies Ltd. 35 Church Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda

Office: 441-296-9798 • Fax: 441-295-4556 • E-mail: shipping@meyer.bm24 hours: 441-337-8384 • www.meyer.bm

Cruise Ferry 1-4 ad_Layout 1 8/14/14 12:44 PM Page 1

GVHA.CA | VICTORIACRUISE.CA | BRITISH COLUMBIA | CANADA

FOUR DEEP-SEA BERTHS

MOORING DOLPHIN

CARGO STORAGE

WASTE DISPOSAL

CREW SERVICES AND REST AREAS

WALKING DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN

EXPLORE. EXPERIENCE. ENJOY.

OGDEN POINTVICTORIA

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review210

” Galveston is a great gateway to a vast number of diverse destinations”

NORTH AMERICA: REPORT

With more passengers visiting than ever before and expansion work underway, Port of Galveston is enjoying something of a purple patch

All go in Galveston

s one of the busiest ports in Texas, the fourth busiest in North America and one of the top ten ports for homeporting globally, it’s

clear that Port of Galveston is doing something right.

With Mexico and the Caribbean just a short trip across the Gulf, Galveston is a great gateway to a vast number of diverse destinations.

Passenger numbers reached new heights in 2016, with 1,730,289 passing through the port during the year. The port embarked approximately 869,000 passengers in 2016. In 2017, that number is expected to pass the 945,000 mark, with 257 calls scheduled for Galveston compared to the 235 recorded in 2016.

In March 2016, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Triumph sailed from Galveston for the last time, having completed 309 voyages to Mexico and the Caribbean during four

years at the port. The ship was replaced by Carnival Liberty – a 2,974-passenger ship, which began sailing four and five-day cruises to Mexico year-round.

In November 2016, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder resumed its seasonal sailing from Galveston, taking in the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas. December 2016 saw the port welcome another new

arrival, Carnival Valor, from Port Canaveral, Florida, to replace Carnival Liberty.

And the future looks prosperous. Between November 2017 and January 2018, the port will offer a total of 10 cruises on the Disney Wonder from Galveston to the Bahamas, which will include stops in Key West in Florida, the Bahamian capital Nassau, and Disney’s private island Castaway Cay.

Another regular visitor to Port of Galveston is Royal Caribbean International. In 2017, Vision of the Seas will head to the port, joining Texas’ largest cruise ship, Liberty of the Seas. It will begin seasonal sailings from Galveston on 6 November 2017, offering four and five-day Western Caribbean cruises. With 12 sailings scheduled, Vision of the Seas will bring about 24,000 additional visitors to Galveston in 2017.

To cope with such demand, the port has invested in its facilities. In 2016, Port of

211

2016 saw Carnival Valor (below left) call at Port of Galveston, while 2017 will see Liberty of the Seas (below right) visit

Galveston completed a number of major capital improvement projects, representing an investment of more than US$33 million.

To better accommodate visitors, Port of Galveston constructed the Galveston Downtown Transit Terminal using a Federal Transit Authority grant provided to the City of Galveston. This new facility opened its doors on 25 February 2016, and helps to better connect the port to the city itself. The terminal features retail space and 159 parking spaces, and current tenants include the Strand Art Gallery and the Cruise Stop shop.

In order to serve the larger cruise ships calling at the port and the greater number of passengers, Port of Galveston invested approximately US$13 million in expanding and renovating its Cruise Terminal 2. The expansion increased the floor space from 90,000 square foot to 150,000 square foot. The renovations include a check-in area, a large waiting

room and a ramp for disembarking passengers.

The new facility accommodates ships carrying as many as 5,000 passengers and has a significantly expanded space for passengers screening and a separate baggage area for travellers to retrieve their luggage after arriving from their cruise. As a result, the terminal can simultaneously handle embarking and disembarking passengers, enhancing the efficiency of the turnaround process for cruise lines using the facility.

To accommodate larger ships, upgrades to the moorings and an expansion of the dock at pier 29 are also taking place. The project’s first phase will see an expansion of the wharf, and the removal of an old sheet pile wall and construction of a new one. Additional dock space will be created and mooring bollards built. These will be used to improve the mooring of Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas – a 1,111 foot, 160,000gt with capacity for 4,200

passengers. The project’s first phase is set for completion in April 2017.

The port has recently completed several other repairs, specifically at pier 10 and on the pier 15 warehouse. In the upcoming year, the port will focus on making repairs to facilities that were damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008. An estimated US$30 million in repairs has been identified and the port is working with the federal government on funding for the infrastructure projects.

On the horizon is Carnival Vista, which will homeport in Galveston from 2018. Carnival Vista will operate year-round service to the Caribbean beginning in September 2018, and will offer two distinctly different week-long western Caribbean itineraries. The first itinerary includes calls at Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico. The other features visits to Mahogany Bay on the island of Roatan; Belize; and Cozumel. C&F

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review212

NORTH AMERICA: REPORT

The Port of New Orleans is optimistic for the future following six consecutive years of record cruise growth

Hitting all-time highs

he Port of New Orleans’ cruise industry grew by 4.5% in 2016, continuing its record pace for the sixth consecutive year. Over the past 12 months,

the Louisiana-based port managed 1,070,695 cruise passenger movements, topping the one million mark for the third year in a row.

“New Orleans is one of the most attractive cities in the world for travellers and our cruise partners find the Port of New Orleans to be a natural and efficient homeport and port of call,” says Brandy Christian, the port’s president and CEO. “We continue to strive to work with cruise lines to provide new and varied itineraries and a top-notch experience for our guests.”

Several cruise ships homeport year-round in New Orleans, including Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Dream, which offers seven-day cruises, and Carnival Triumph, which sails four- and five-day cruises. Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Dawn also sails seasonal seven-day itineraries from the port.

New Orleans is also a popular port-of-call destination and last year, the number of these calls and inland cruise passengers both hit all-time highs. Cruise ships making a one- to three-day call to the city brought 22,422 visitors to the city – a 67% rise from 2015. The port already has 10 such calls scheduled for 2017.

Heading upriver, the three homeported riverboats that cruise the inland waters of the Mississippi handled 21,391 passengers, up 40% compared to the previous year. They include American Cruise Lines’ America and Queen of the Mississippi, and American Queen Steamboat Company’s American Queen. In June 2017, the American Queen Steamboat Company will add the 166-passenger American Duchess to offer nine-night cruises to/from Memphis, Tennessee. American Duchess

will be the first all-suite paddlewheeler on the Mississippi River.

Beginning 21 October, Norwegian’s newer and slightly larger 2,394-passenger Norwegian Pearl will replace the 2,340-guest Norwegian Dawn and sail seasonal seven-day cruises from New Orleans to the Caribbean.

New Orleans tourism officials predict a brighter future for international travellers when Louis Armstrong International Airport launches two new international flights to Germany and the UK in 2017.

” Our cruise partners find the Port of New Orleans to be a natural and efficient homeport and port of call” Brandy Christian, president and CEO

213

“Choosing New Orleans as a cruise departure destination also offers the unique charm and rich offerings of most exotic ports of call,” comments Kim Priez, senior vice president of Tourism for New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This combination continues to draw visitors from around the world. The new, direct air service on Copa, Condor and British Airways makes cruising from New Orleans that much more attractive.”

Currently, the Port of New Orleans ranks as the sixth-largest cruise port in the US. A Cruise Line International Association report found that Louisiana’s cruise industry generates a total of

US$406 million in direct industry expenditures, supports 8,102 jobs that provide US$324 million in personal income. Port studies found 80% of cruise passengers come from outside the State of Louisiana and 60% spend an average of two nights in New Orleans either before or after their cruise.

“Cruising is big business for the port and for Louisiana,” remarks Christian, who also serves as chair of the Cruise Committee of the American Association of Port Authorities. “Due to the port’s sizeable drive-in market, passengers embarking on cruises from New Orleans visit restaurants and attractions throughout Louisiana and

stay in our hotel rooms. We market cruising from New Orleans as two vacations in one – visit all that Louisiana has to offer either before or after your cruise.”

Thanks to an increase in international flights from the Louis Armstrong International Airport and the possible lifting of US sanctions for American tourism to Cuba, the Port of New Orleans can look to the future with optimism.

“The Port of New Orleans and Cuba share a long legacy of trade and tourism,” says Don Allee, the port’s director of cruise and tourism. “We are poised to play a significant role when the embargo has been fully lifted and cruises between the US and Cuba begin.” C&F

The Port of New Orleans’ cruise terminals are just steps away from the historic French Quarter

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review214

” Port Tampa Bay is on track to surpass one million revenue passengers for the first time in our history”

NORTH AMERICA: REPORT

Port Tampa Bay will serve as a homeport for seven ships this year, bringing record numbers of cruise passengers to the west coast of Florida

A record year for passenger throughput

ver the past several years, the Tampa Bay region has emerged as a premier destination for guests seeking pre- and post-

cruise activities in Central Florida, US. Offering easy access to the region’s world-class beaches and theme parks, Tampa Bay is a thriving community of more than 4.3 million people on the west coast of Florida, a state that is home to more than 20 million residents. Around 70 million tourists visit Central Florida annually, including Orlando, which is only an hour’s drive from Tampa Bay.

Around 800,000 to 900,000 passengers cruise in and out of Port Tampa Bay each year, visiting destinations throughout the Caribbean. This year, the port projects cruise passenger numbers to top

one million for the first time in history because seven cruise ships will homeport in Tampa. The ships will include two from Carnival Cruise Line, three from Royal Caribbean International, one from Norwegian Cruise Line and another from Holland America Line. Itineraries will range from four to 14 days.

November kicks off the winter cruise season, which is the busiest time of year for Port Tampa Bay. Carnival’s ships operate year-round four- and five-day cruises to the western Caribbean, including the popular destination at Mahogany Bay. Currently, the line also sails seven-day itineraries during the winter season and these will be offered year-round from January 2018.

Royal Caribbean’s two ships will provide four-, five- and seven-day cruises in the winter. And, for the first time, Royal Caribbean will operate four- and five-day summer cruises when Empress of the Seas begins sailing from Tampa on 30 April. The ship will also call at Havana, Cuba as part of her itinerary from Tampa.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade, which will offer itineraries ranging from four to 12 days that will include a stop at its new island destination, Harvest Caye in Belize. Many of the 2017 voyages will be Sixthman music-themed cruises with live performances from famous artists. Rounding out Tampa’s homeport offering is Holland America, which has increased its capacity by replacing Veendam with a larger ship, Oosterdam.

Port Tampa Bay has also become a popular port-of-call destination with many ships stopping in Tampa so guests

can visit local attractions, such as beaches, museums, world-class restaurants and bars, nightlife and cultural points of interest. Port-of-call visits will include German-based operator Phoenix Reisen’s Amadea, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Balmoral and Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Quest.

A quick eight-mile trip from Tampa International Airport and easy access to the interstate system make it

215

Port Tampa Bay’s proximity to airports and local at-tractions, and its terminal facilities make it a popular homeport for several major cruise lines

easy for cruise guests to arrive and depart Port Tampa Bay. A new US$2 billion infrastructure and commercial development in the cruise district, named Channelside, will transform Tampa’s waterfront district and further enhance the guest experience.

Port Tampa Bay offers three cruise terminals, one of which is currently undergoing significant improvements to expand its capacity so it can accommodate

more guests and larger ships. All cruise terminals are equipped with wi-fi for the convenience of passengers and vessel crew who wish to stay connected.

Located on Florida’s west coast, Port Tampa Bay is also ideally situated and well equipped to handle ro-pax ferry services from the US to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba. Already experienced in handling ro-pax services, Port Tampa Bay is expected to become one of the most

popular homeports for Cuba-bound ferries and cruise ships in the next few years.

“Port Tampa Bay is on track to surpass one million revenue passengers for the first time in our history,” says Paul Anderson, president and CEO at Port Tampa Bay. “We are committed to providing our cruise line partners with the infrastructure and services they require so that they will continue to operate successfully from Port Tampa.” C&F

SEE YOU AT BOOTH 1507 DURING SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL 2017.

There are so many reasons to choose Port Everglades. Our modern, efficiently operated terminals make transit a breeze. We’re just two miles from FLL international airport, and minutes from world-famous beaches. Plus, we’re fully scalable. We can accommodate any size ship or passenger volume, moving passengers from curb to ship in just 15 minutes. Year-round berthing available. Discover how Port Everglades propels your business forward in powerful new ways. Visit porteverglades.net or call 800-421-0188.

THE POWER OF A PREMIER CRUISE PORT

PEG752_International Cruise_Cruise Ship_FP_mech.indd 1 1/20/17 8:46 AM

217

ocated in the second largest county in Florida, Broward County’s Port Everglades is consistently ranked as one of the three busiest cruise ports

in the world. And it shows. The port has a huge amount going on over the next twelve months.

Royal Caribbean International’s newest Oasis-class cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, was named at Port Everglades last autumn and is sailing year-round on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, the first in the line’s Pinnacle Class ships, also began sailing from Port Everglades on 10 and 11-day sailings in autumn, following her inaugural season in the Mediterranean.

This January, Pearl Sea Cruises introduced the first cruise ship to sail from Port Everglades to Cuba since the 1950s. The 210-passenger Pearl Mist offers 10-day cultural voyages to Havana and several other ports of call in Cuba. More sailings are scheduled during the 2017-2018 cruise season.

In addition, Crystal Cruises’ luxury ships will return to Port Everglades after a 10-year absence with two ships sailing from Port Everglades beginning in October 2017 — Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

During summer 2017, four cruise ships will be sailing from Port Everglades instead of three, giving cruise guests a wider variety of sailing options. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Splendor joins Carnival Conquest on 7 May 2017. Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas also sail year-round from Port Everglades.

Spain-based Baleària replaced its daily ferry to Freeport, Bahamas, with the larger Juame 1, which is 256 feet long and carries 623 passengers and 130 vehicles.

Silversea Cruises will introduce its newest ship, the 596-passenger Silver Muse, to the US on 12 October with five sailings during the season. In addition to her sister ships

Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper and Silver Wind also sailing from Port Everglades.

Princess Cruises will begin year-round sailings in March 2018 with Caribbean Princess, which will be equipped with Carnival Corporation’s new Ocean Medallion service – wearable technology that enables passengers to seamlessly connect to enhanced services before and after they cruise.

In addition to all of this, Port Everglades is the first and only seaport in the US to adopt ‘Mobile Passport Control’ – a smartphone app developed by Airside Mobile and approved by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It’s hoped that the app will streamline the traveller inspection process and enable CBP officers to focus more on the inspection, and less on administrative functions. C&F

An exciting year ahead Port Everglades has a lot to celebrate as it enters the second year as host to UBM’s Seatrade Cruise Global event

” Port Everglades is consistently ranked as one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world”

NORTH AMERICA: REPORT

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review218

NORTH AMERICA: REPORT

With significant expansion plans and confirmed funding for the next five years, the future looks bright for PortMiami

Expanding to meet demand

hen it comes to convenient locations to access a host of luxurious cruise destinations, few places

beat Miami, Florida.As well as being a bustling metropolitan

hub in its own right, when it comes to cruising, Miami is a natural gateway from the US to the Caribbean.

This combination of factors means PortMiami sees millions of passengers pass through its doors each year.

In order to accommodate for such numbers and ensure that every passenger has a pleasant experience, significant investment has been made to expand PortMiami. The aim is not only to enhance the visitor experience, but for the port to be better placed to welcome the largest ships on the market.

In June 2016, a new deal was announced between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and PortMiami owners Miami-Dade County to construct and operate a new cruise terminal at the port. The new terminal will serve as a homeport for Royal Caribbean International ships, including a 5,400-passenger Oasis-class ship.

Regarding the announcement of the new terminal, Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., says: “We are truly excited to be working with Miami-Dade County and PortMiami to create not just another cruise terminal, but a truly iconic building. This new terminal is a symbol of our commitment to Miami, the city where our company first started almost 50 years ago. We can’t wait to bring an Oasis-class ship to PortMiami.”

Not only will the terminal boost Miami’s cruise operations, but the new addition will have significant economic benefits for the city and Miami-Dade County.

“This public-private partnership will have an estimated economic impact of US$500 million and generate approximately 4,000 jobs,” says Carlos A. Gimenez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County. “Royal Caribbean has been an important part of our world-class community for almost 50 years, and this expansion will once again make PortMiami Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise port in the world. I thank the company for its continued investment in and commitment to Miami-Dade.”

PortMiami currently welcomes around 750,000 Royal Caribbean passengers each year, comprising approximately 15% of its overall traffic. Once completed, the new

219

” Our port is a vital economic engine for not only Miami-Dade County, but all of South Florida”

terminal is expected to bring that number up to around 1.8 million passengers.

Royal Caribbean’s faith in PortMiami goes beyond the new terminal however, with the company building a 20,000 square foot Innovation Lab at its corporate headquarters, which are located at the port. This lab will be used to help generate new vessels for the company, and represents an investment of around US$20 million.

While new additions are in progress at PortMiami, enhancements to existing facilities are also taking place.

In November 2016, work commenced on the renovation and expansion of PortMiami’s Cruise Terminal F. Once

the project is completed, Terminal F will serve the cruise industry’s new generation of cruise vessels, including MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaside, which is scheduled to sail year-round from Miami from December 2017. Following the expansion, Terminal F will be able to process more than 5,000 cruise passengers at a time.

The growth of the port is set to continue following the news that US$33 million in state grants has been allocated to PortMiami over the next five years. These funds will be used to assist with the expansion of Terminal F, but will also be spent on three additional Super-Post-Panamax cranes, and enhancement to the port’s cargo facilities.

“I want to thank our state and local leaders for their support in securing the US$33 million in future state grant allocations for PortMiami,” says Gimenez. “Our port is a vital economic engine for not only Miami-Dade County, but all of South Florida and its continued growth represents thousands of jobs and increased opportunities for our community.”

It’s clear that PortMiami is in a position to enhance its offering, and the port is taking the necessary step to ensure that the facilities are in place to meet the demand and create positive experiences for the millions of passengers that pass through its doors. C&F

PortMiami welcomes millions of passengers annually and has significant expansion plans in the offing

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review220

” A key objective is to let the world know that The Bahamas is much more than Nassau and Paradise Island”

CARIBBEAN: REPORT

The Bahamas offers three ports and 16 different island experiences for visiting cruise passengers

A gateway port of call

ifty miles southeast of Florida lies a region of sub-tropical islands known as The Islands of The Bahamas. Formerly a British colony, The Bahamas

became an independent sovereign nation on 10 July 1973 and is officially known as the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The islands are now home to a population of 350,000 people.

Year-round sunshine, translucent blue seas and the warm hospitality of the Bahamian people have made The Bahamas a gateway to the Caribbean.

“A key objective of our global marketing effort is to let the world know that The Bahamas is much more than Nassau and Paradise Island,” says Joy Jibrilu, director general of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. “The Bahamas comprises 16 major island groupings, and the twin destination of Nassau and Paradise Island, which is known worldwide, is just one of our many island gems.”

The Bahamas’ other islands include Grand Bahama Island, Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bimini, The Berry Island, Andros, Cat Island, San Salvador, Long Island, Acklins & Mayaguana, Inagua, Ragged Island and Rum Cay. Each island destination has its own unique personality and offers the visitor a distinctly different vacation experience. Many travellers to The Bahamas have adopted a collector’s approach to vacationing in these islands, visiting one or two each year to experience the entire Bahamas. Many travellers opt to enhance these visits by taking advantage of the complimentary People-To-People Experience so they can explore the major islands accompanied by a Bahamian ambassador.

Cruise lines have featured The Bahamas on their itineraries from as early as 1859 and cruise ships now make a total of 1,900

calls to the islands every year. In fact, cruise passengers account for 70% of the six million visitors who vacation in The Bahamas annually.

Ships can berth at three ports: capital city Nassau, Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, and Bimini. Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd., Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line have also acquired or developed their own private islands in The Bahamas. In January 2017, MSC Cruises broke ground on its 95-acre Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which will feature 11,000 feet of beach front. Located 55 miles south east of Miami, Ocean Cay will be the largest private cruise resort in the Caribbean when it is completed in November 2018.

In Nassau, cruise guests are greeted by a modern tropical city that has preserved its quaint colonial past. Visitors can opt for sightseeing bus tours, heritage and cultural tours, chauffered taxi or limousine excursions, a walking culinary tour or bar-hopping tour, horse and carriage rides tours, segway tours, or leisurely guided walking tours. More active options include watching the marching flamingoes, swimming with dolphins, diving, sailing, paddleboarding,

kayaking, horseback riding, visiting the casino, duty-free shopping, and exploring the world’s largest marine park at Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

Nassau also offers visitors the chance to get acquainted with the cultural soul of The Bahamas: its music, food, history and folkways. Visitors can head to the Educulture Museum and Junkanoo World to learn about the traditional Bahamian Junkanoo – a street parade of music, costume and dance that takes place on 26 December and 1 January every year. Each month, the island also hosts major cultural events showcasing the music, dance, food, art and craft of The Bahamas, including a carnival in May, Junkanoo Summer Festival in July and Goombay Summer Festival in August. A must for cruise passengers

221

The Bahamas boasts a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, offering attractions suited to the tastes of every cruise traveller

wanting to sample Bahamian cuisine is the Fish Fry, an enclave of seafront restaurants near downtown Nassau.

In addition, cruise guests visiting Nassau on the last Friday of every month between January and November can attend the free People-to People afternoon tea party, which is hosted at the historic Government House. Guests can enjoy local bush teas, sandwiches and pastries while listening to live music and watching a fashion show. The Changing of the Guard Ceremony, which has been performed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force Guards since 1958, also takes place at Government House on alternate Fridays.

Grand Bahama Island prides itself on offering vacation experiences to suit all tastes, whether cruise passengers are visiting for the

day or longer. Outdoor lovers can opt for jeep eco-excursions through the pine forests and kayak through miles of mangrove marshes, stopping at isolated beaches and the island’s network of caves. Alternatively, cruise guests can go diving to see dolphins, tour the local brewery and perfume factory, or take a trip to nearby seaside villages. The island also hosts various international sporting events, such as marathons, cycling and fishing tournaments, speedboat races and an air show. Bahamas-based cruise line Paradise Cruises offers two-night voyages from Miami to Freeport, Grand Bahama every other day of the week.

Bimini comprises two islands – north and south – and is located in the northern reaches of The Bahamas, 50 miles southeast of Miami. Most of the touristic development is on North Bimini, commonly referred to as

Bimini. The island offers big game fishing, bonefishing, diving, swimming with sharks and dolphins, miles of white beaches, a nature trail through a hardwood forest and excursions into the mangrove, where Martin Luther King Jr. composed parts of his I Had a Dream speech in 1968 during a bonefishing trip. The 750-acre Resorts World Bimini has a casino, fine dining and a 305-room luxury Hilton resort. Bimini is a popular getaway for those living and visiting South Florida, who can travel there via regular air services or take a two-hour trip on the new 427-passenger FRS Caribbean ferry from Miami.

Most first-time visitors to The Bahamas depart the islands with a strong yearning to come back. There are always so many more islands to see and so many unique experiences to be had. C&F

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review222

CARIBBEAN: INTERVIEW

Sean Dudley talks to William Tatham of the Port Authority of Jamaica to find out how the country is working to advance its reputation as one of the Caribbean must-see destinations

Examining opportunities

amaica is high on the list of places many people would love to visit. But while the mind’s eye pictures beautiful beaches and vibrant resorts, there are

many people that work behind the scenes to ensure that the visitors to the island have an enjoyable and memorable time.

One such person is William Tatham of the Port Authority of Jamaica. As vice president of cruise shipping and marina operations, Tatham works with the numerous cruise ports on the island to help enhance their respective offerings and meet the expectations of visitors.

Work is currently being carried out at three of the island’s major north coast ports – Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ocho Rios. And following the recent visit of Pullmantur’s Monarch to the capital city Kingston – the largest cruise ship ever to visit Jamaica – Tatham is seeing an opportunity to expand cruise business on the island.

“Monarch was extremely well received,” Tatham says. “There was so much buzz in the capital, because many people had never seen a ship of this size. It created a lot of excitement around cruising, and we believe this has brought about a significant opportunity.”

Historically, the majority of cruise visits to Jamaica have been to the island’s northern coast. But following the visit of Monarch to Kingston, Tatham is keen to see what can be done to spread the cruise business across all parts of the country. A new cross-island highway has also recently

been completed, which will make it significantly easier for visitors to Jamaica to see more of the island – regardless of where they first land.

“We believe there’s an opportunity around Kingston,” he says. “There are museums, the home of Bob Marley, interesting areas such as the village of Port Royal on the Palisadoes peninsula, which protects Kingston Harbour. We believe that Monarch’s visit went well and we learned a lot from that experience. Kingston is a different kind of operation, but we think it’s only going to get stronger and the offering will get better. We’re very optimistic that we’ll be able to do even better when any other interest that comes our way.”

Jamaica has long been an established cruise destination, and has invested more heavily in the homeporting side of things in recent times. 2016-17 saw the island enjoy

its most successful homeporting season to date, playing host to seven ships.

“For 2017-18, we’ll again have seven homeports,” Tatham says. “The same companies will homeport with us again, with the only change being that Thomson will be upgrading their vessel to the TUI Discovery. That will bring an additional 500 passengers, and will have a positive impact on the port and the country as a whole, as TUI also does land-based vacations.”

Some enhancements to existing port facilities are now taking place to cope with growth in this area. At Montego Bay, upgrades to the main terminal are ongoing, where an increased cruise capacity of around 40% will be eventually achieved.

“That’s being done specifically to deal with homeporting – things like luggage, seating, all sorts of support that has to be in place – and it’s going well,” says Tatham. “At our second terminal at Montego Bay,

” There was so much buzz in the capital, because many people had never seen a ship of this size”

Top left: The plans for the redeveloped fisherman’s village in Ocho Rios. Bottom left: Passengers enjoying what Kingston has to offer. Right: Pullamantur’s Monarch was the largest cruise ship ever to visit Jamaica

223

we took a section of the cargo terminal and upgraded that for cruising. We took about 40% of our existing cargo terminal, enclosed that, and converted it into a fully dedicated cruise terminal.”

Tatham confirms that for the 2017-18 winter season there are plans to take the remainder of the cargo terminal at Montego Bay to create an even more spacious cruise terminal. A new cargo terminal will be built elsewhere on the port.

At Ocho Rios, the development of what was previously the town’s fisherman’s village is now underway. This once rundown area between the two terminals will become a great location for locals and tourists alike, according to Tatham, where people can get fresh sea food, and shop for souvenirs.

“We will also begin the upgrades to the Reynolds Pier – a multipurpose pier in Ocho Rios – in May 2017 after the end of the season,” he adds. “That will be significant

work and will help accommodate the Getaway class from Norwegian Cruise Line and the Royal class from Princess Cruises. Our engineers consulted with Princess and Norwegian to ensure their needs will be met, and that pier will be ready to take these larger vessels for the next winter season.”

At Falmouth, development plans for the area around the original Hampden Wharves are progressing, with a view to offering visitors retail, entertainment, food and beverage, and an artisan village.

“Guests will be able to buy unique works of art and meet the artists,” says Tatham. “That goes into development within the next three months, and at least part of that will be open for next winter.”

Cuba’s emergence as a cruising destination is also benefitting its Caribbean neighbours in Jamaica.

“We see Cuba as being very important, and the two countries are important to

one another,” Tatham says. “Many of these homeports are calling at Cuba, and that’s a great example of how Cuba benefits Jamaica. We have a boutique port in Port Antonio, and that goes very well with the Cuban port of Santiago de Cuba. It’s usually packaged up that way, and many boutique cruise lines are now calling at Cuba and are looking to go into those hidden harbours that the country has to offer. We believe that lends itself naturally to Port Antonio as well.”

Tatham believes that both Cuba and Jamaica’s South coast present exciting opportunities for the future.

“We will be looking to maximise these where we can to the benefit of the island,” he concludes. “At places like Port Royal and Kingston, people have a cultural interest in that part of Jamaica. But we’re not going to do anything that would disrupt or undermine our existing north coast destinations.” C&F

International Cruise & Ferry Review

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

224

hen Tortola Pier Park opened early last year, it promised to be the envy of cruise ports throughout the region.

Fast forward to today, and it has delivered on that promise and more. “We opened with 23 retail outlets, but today we have over 60,” explains Regis. “We’ve had such amazing feedback over the past 12 months from cruise lines and passengers alike – we regularly get told that we’re the most beautiful port on the itinerary and that feels amazing because it means we’ve achieved what we set out to do.”

What’s clear is that customers are truly put at the heart of this facility. “It’s not just about buying and selling,” Regis says. “We want visitors to have an experience and we want them to feel welcomed.”

Regis is personally making sure that all staff at Tortola Pier Park are able to deliver good customer service. “It’s a real passion of mine,” she says. “From the security guard, right through to the accountants, I want everyone who works at the park to recognise the difference that going the extra mile for our customers can make.”

Providing a great experience, Regis believes, is also about authenticity. “While visitors can buy a Reymond Weil or Cartier

watch at our park, they can also buy locally made gifts and souvenirs – and this is what really makes us unique. We’ve gone to great lengths to get the whole British Virgin Islands community involved and we have a large number of local producers selling everything from jewellery and lamps through to bath salts, liqueurs and handcrafted locally inspired glass pieces.

The park also has 11 food and beverage outlets which are proving to be extremely popular. “There’s something for everyone,”

Regis says. “There’s a beach bar, a cigar bar, kiosks selling rotis and bagels and the ever-busy ‘Camden Market’ which sells pies, soups and salads. We’re also planning to open a flagship restaurant in the not too distant future.”

And this is just the start of what is to come in the months ahead. “Our target is to reach 100% occupancy,” Regis explains. “We’re truly excited about the potential for the future, and we’re working hard to be a true inspiration to other attractions on the island.” C&F

Going above and beyond Since opening in 2016, Tortola Pier Park has become one of the flagship cruise and shopping facilities in the Caribbean. Dona Regis, the park’s CEO, tells Lindsay James why she’s striving for even more

CARIBBEAN: INTERVIEW

” We’ve had such amazing feedback over the past 12 months from cruise lines and passengers alike”

Tortola Pier Park has over 60 retail outlets and is aiming to reach 100% occupancy in 2017

TORTOLA PIER PARKFor You to DiscoverThe British Virgin Islands offer endless adventures and experiences for your clients or guests. The Tortola

Pier Park, located in the relaxed capital island of Tortola, welcomes all cruise passengers alike from

honeymooners and families to solo travelers. Along the colorful pier, unique local craft shops and authentic

restaurants neighbor international brands and lively entertainment. With a world of discoveries to be found

in the British Virgin Islands, it’s a secret worth sharing. Tortola Pier Park

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review226

Discovering Dominica

ome to Morne Trois Pitons National Park, tropical rainforests, natural hot springs, black sand beaches and vibrant communities of

friendly locals, the mountainous island nation of Dominica is a popular port of call on many Caribbean itineraries.

The island has three cruise ports, including one in the capital Roseau; Woodbridge Bay Deep Water Harbour, which is a 10-minute walk from the capital; and Cabrits in Portsmouth, an hour’s drive north of Roseau.

In 2015-2016, cruise ships visited 163 times, bringing a total of 273,447 passengers to Dominica’s shores. This season, the island is likely to welcome more than 288,000 cruise guests and 169 calls, a 5.5% and 3.7% increase, respectively. This will include nine inaugural calls from TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse, Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn

Odyssey, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam and Oosterdam, Star Clipper Cruises’ Star Flyer, and Costa Cruises’ Costa Pacifica.

“Our cruise season usually ends in April, but this year we’re also expecting seven calls from Carnival Cruise Line between May and August, which will bring more than 10,000 extra passengers to Dominica,” says Benoit Bardouille, chairman of Discover Dominica Authority and CEO of Dominica Air & Seaport Authority.

Dominica’s 2017-2018 cruise season is also set to be busy. “To date, we are scheduled to handle 260 calls, including 10 maiden visits,” comments Bardouille. “However, we’re optimistic that the many meetings we held with cruise lines at networking events in 2016, and those we’ll organise in 2017, will yield additional bookings.”

To ensure the island continues to attract high volumes of cruise traffic, the Discover Dominica Authority plans to continue diversifying its onshore activities

programmes and develop experiences suited to every individual.

“There’s already so much to see and do on ‘Nature Island’, but we’re constantly looking to make visits more enjoyable for cruise guests,” comments Bardouille. “Cruise tourists can head to the island’s cascading waterfalls, walk through tropical rainforests, bask on the beaches, sample the authentic cuisine on a culinary tour, go diving or snorkelling on the reefs, try river tubing and kayaking on one of 365 rivers, or take a whale watching trip (87% sighting rate).”

All of the available shore excursions allow cruise guests to enjoy an authentic Dominican experience, says Bardouille.

“Our tour guides and taxi drivers are all trained and certified, and we constantly monitor and review our cruise offerings to ensure visitors will be safe and happy during their time on the island,” he enthuses. “Whether they’re a first-time or regular visitor, Dominica offers an awe-inspiring experience that is like no other in the Caribbean, or elsewhere in the world.” C&F

Benoit Bardouille predicts Dominica’s cruise numbers will continue to rise as the island’s tourism authority diversifies its shore excursion programme and collaborates more closely with cruise lines

CARIBBEAN: INTERVIEW

Dominica offers activities to suit the tastes of every cruise guest

The ultimate shore adventure is sure to become the highlight of your cruising experience. Start dreaming of the adventures to be found.

The Commonwealth of Dominica invites adventurers of the mind, body, and spirit to experience the unspoiled natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the undiscovered Caribbean. A myriad of excursions ranging from leisurely to challenging, amazing underwater experiences at our easily accessible snorkeling sites, and the opportunity to get an authentic and unique cruise visitor experience awaits you! Come explore the Nature Island of Dominica.

DiscoverDominica DiscoverDominica Nature_Island www.DiscoverDominica.com

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review228

A growing number of cruise ships are calling in Grenada as part of their Caribbean cruise itineraries

CARIBBEAN: INTERVIEW

Rebecca Gibson speaks to Patricia Maher to understand how Grenada Tourism Authority is promoting Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to the global cruise industry

The Spice of the Caribbean

olling hills, waterfalls, picturesque harbours and villages, colourful vistas, historic forts, white sand beaches, tasty cuisine and

friendly locals – these are just some of the many elements that combine to create ‘The Spice of the Caribbean’, otherwise known as the State of Grenada. The state comprises three islands: Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

“Grenadians are known for being among the world’s warmest and friendliest people, and cruise guests can experience this for themselves by visiting our craft markets, restaurants, bars and beaches, or participating in cultural festivals throughout the year,” says Patricia Maher, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA). “Meanwhile, food lovers can try our farm-to-table approach to cuisine by sampling our famous spicy dishes, fresh fish, callaloo soups, savory nutmeg ice cream, soursop sorbets, potent rums and cocktails made with local juices.”

Explaining that Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are collectively marketed via the Pure Grenada brand, Maher says: “Our aim is to promote Grenada as a place of tropical beauty where travellers are surrounded by turquoise seas and lush landscapes. We work with the Grenada Port

Authority and other Grenadian businesses to connect with travel agents, tour operators and cruise lines at regional and global conferences, trade shows and sales events.”

For example, the GTA will meet with senior representatives and itinerary planners from major global cruise companies such as Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings and Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd. at Seatrade Cruise Global this March. It will also continue to communicate with port developers and shore excursion teams from Europe-based cruise brands, including P&O Cruises, AIDA Cruises and MSC Cruises.

To improve its customer experience and develop targeted marketing strategies, the GTA is also a member of both the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

“We’re working with the CTO to conduct ‘guestpitality’ surveys at our ports so we can use customer feedback to improve service levels, and we’ll also co-host the organisation’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference this autumn,” says Maher.

Social media is also playing a pivotal role in bringing international cruise tourists to Grenada.

“The FCCA and several global media houses help us to get our #PureGrenada, #CruiseGrenada, #DiscoverGrenada and #FreeToWonder marketing messages on the global stage,” comments Maher. “We have a new competition that encourages cruise visitors to share photos and videos of Grenada’s attractions via social media for the chance of winning a seven-day vacation at an award-winning hotel owned by a member of the Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association. Submissions must be received by 30 April 2017 and we’ll name the four winners – two cruise guests and two crew members – on 15 June 2017.”

Maher adds: “By working with our partners to train all tourism suppliers, we can ensure that our historical sites and other attractions provide stimulating learning experiences for visitors, and that our products and services provide added value to the cruise experience. This will make ‘Pure Grenada, The Spice of the Caribbean’ even more welcoming to cruise visitors from around the world.” C&F

” Grenadians are known for being among the world’s warmest and friendliest people”

229

aribbean tri-island state Grenada, which comprises Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, has recorded steady year-on-

year cruise growth over the past two years. “We saw a 19.3% increase in passenger

arrival numbers from 2014 to 2015 and a further 12.2% rise in 2016,” says Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Grenada’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and Cooperatives. “However, the Grenadian government is fully committed to growing volume of cruise traffic even further in 2017 and beyond.”

Grenada’s government has five key goals to help the island achieve this growth. They include: increasing cruise calls to Grenada; moving from a seasonal to year-round cruise business; building strategic purchasing alliances with global brands; developing training and employment opportunities for locals; and co-creating sustainable investment opportunities for the cruise industry.

Modeste-Curwen attributes Grenada’s current cruise success to the strong partnerships the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), the Grenada Ports Authority and the Ministry of Tourism have built with public and private sector businesses, cruise operators, shore excursion providers, and more.

“Together we manage and market the Pure Grenada and Cruise Grenada brands, train tourism suppliers, and provide safe, diverse activities for cruise and overnight visitors,” she explains. “In 2017, we’ll continue to redesign, re-package and promote our unique cultural, heritage, adventure and eco-tourism products for cruise visitors.”

Since 2014, the Ministry of Tourism and its partners have showcased Grenada’s cruise offerings at major industry shows, including the annual Seatrade Cruise Global and Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) conferences.

“We’ll continue to meet with major European and US-based cruise brands

to strengthen our corporate relationships and secure more cruise calls,” comments Modeste-Curwen. “The GTA will also continue to capitalise on its status as a platinum FCCA member to network with cruise itinerary planners and port developers, and gain access to competitive industry data.”

Grenada’s Ministry of Tourism also surveys cruise operators and consumers to find ways to improve its port and shore excursion operations, and shape policy decisions and business development incentives. Currently, cruise lines benefit from volume discounts for potable water provisioning, waste management and disposal services. “These incentives aim to increase seasonal traffic, encourage more cruise lines to call at off-peak times, and boost cruise visitor spending,” says Modeste-Curwen.

Last December, the GTA contracted US-based PR firm Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications (CAMC) to work with its sales offices in the US, Canada and the Caribbean to execute its global marketing campaign.

“In 2017, CAMC will collaborate with GTA teams in Grenada and the US to strengthen our corporate relationships with cruise lines,” Modeste-Curwen comments. “CAMC and our teams will also collaborate with travel agents – including members of Cruise Lines International Association – to promote our destination and drive cruise sales.”

The GTA has launched a social media-based Cruise Ship Visitor Incentive programme to better engage with visiting cruise passengers.

“We share videos and photos online and show cruise guests what they can see, do and buy while they’re on Grenada and Carriacou,” remarks Modeste-Curwen. “In the past six months, the Sun Hunters ATV Tours, Caribbean Rentals ATV Tours, Calypso Island, bowling alley Lavo Lanes and St. Margaret’s Fall Zipline have been added to our already extensive activities and entertainment portfolio. These attractions, our corporate partnerships and marketing initiatives are helping to make Grenada and Carriacou more attractive to cruise lines and their guests.” C&F

Clarice Modeste-Curwen tells Rebecca Gibson how Grenada’s Ministry of Tourism is working with various stakeholders to promote its cruise offerings to major operators

CARIBBEAN: INTERVIEW

MSC Cruises is one of many cruise lines that calls in Grenada

Growing Grenada’s global appeal

http://www.puregrenada.com/

231

have good and bad news for Caribbean cruise destinations and stakeholders. The good news is that the cruise industry continues to steam along, with a record-breaking 24.2 million

passengers cruising globally in 2016 – 4% more than the 2015 record – and 25.3 million are forecast to cruise in 2017. Global cruise vacations outpaced land-based vacations by a 20% margin from 2004-2014, demand for cruising increased 62% from 2005-2015, and 80% of travel agents certified by Cruise Line International Association expect sales to rise in 2017. The industry’s long-term potential looks even brighter. Currently, cruising represents just 2% of the total leisure travel market, but it has the highest satisfaction rates among global travellers.

The bad news is that this same success is not guaranteed for destinations. Ultimately, this growth means more competition, but it also offers exponentially more opportunities for destinations willing to put in the same kind of work that led to cruise industry growth.

Passenger numbers continue to rise, supported by a constantly increasing capacity that rose by more than 23,000 lower berths when nine new ocean ships representing a total of US$5.5 billion launched in 2016. Collectively, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Member Lines have 42 ships on order, amounting to a total of 165,000 lower berths with an investment value of US$36 billion. However, cruise passenger demand continues to surpass 100%, outstripping supply despite the growing capacity of the global fleet.

Where are these passengers coming from? Growing global markets are certainly helping. Asia has experienced meteoric growth, recording a 24% increase from 2014-2015 and welcoming more than two million passengers in 2016. Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific are nipping at Asia’s heels, reporting a 14% growth between 2014 and 2015 and 1.1 million passengers in 2016.

The growth of these passenger source markets has already surpassed ship capacity. As shipbuilding is naturally limited to an annual cap of around 4%, such significant market shifts mean that ships are being relocated to new regions. The Caribbean experienced some of these effects in 2016. Although the region still welcomes the lion’s share of global capacity (33.7%), itinerary deployment share is decreasing more than 5% year-over-year.

Here you might expect some good news for the Caribbean, particularly as the region recently succeeded in driving higher yields and pricing thanks to a strong US economy and proximity to the world’s leading source market of North America. The region supplied 12.01 million of 2015’s 23 million cruisers and expects to be a source of more than 14 million by 2019. Plus, the Caribbean expects a 5% passenger increase in 2017, while Europe deals with geopolitical issues and Asia faces price resistance.

Projected passenger increases will offset 2016 losses and put the Caribbean back on track, right? Many cruise executives would disagree and argue that despite the Caribbean’s short-term health, its long-term options are

Riding the cruise industry’s rising tideCaribbean destinations must differentiate themselves as global demand for cruising increases. The FCCA is ideally placed to help, says Michele Paige

Michele PaigeFCCA president Michele Paige continuously implements proactive and innovative programmes to strengthen ties between cruise lines and destinations

” New destinations could help drive demand for Caribbean cruising”

CARIBBEAN: COMMENTARY

Port

s &

Des

tinat

ions

International Cruise & Ferry Review232

CARIBBEAN: COMMENTARY

limited in potential growth because the North American source market is facing saturation point.

Fortunately for Caribbean cruising, this penetrated source market might have some wiggle room. Around 76% of the US population have never cruised, which means there are more than 242 million potential new cruisers and the MMGY Global 2016 Portrait of American Travelers showed there’s reason to be optimistic for converting them. The report found that 12% of active US leisure travellers cruised at least once within the last year and 56% wanted to cruise in the next two years. Millennials, which form the largest generational cohort of active travellers, showed a strong interest with around 18% having cruised in the last year and 66% wanting to cruise in the next two.

New destinations could also help drive demand for Caribbean cruising. The opening up of Cuba has unleashed pent-up demand, while destination developments like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ Harvest Caye in Belize and Carnival Corporation’s Amber Cove in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic are giving past and potential cruisers new reasons to cruise in the Caribbean. Such destinations open up

additional itinerary options, which will potentially attract more or larger ships and create opportunities for higher yields.

How can destinations maximise this potential rising tide in the Caribbean? It will take some work, especially as organisations will have to constantly create new products that wow passengers and encourage them to return. They must build a brand founded on authentic culture and experiences, remain at the forefront of consumer expectations and industry developments, and work with cruise lines to tailor options for certain brands and demographics.

Achieving this is easy with the FCCA. To thrive, the industry needs cruise lines and destination stakeholders to have mutual success, interests and understanding so we collaborate with destinations, ports, tour operators and others to tap into this synergy.

We do this by offering access to key decision makers from our 19 Member Lines via meetings and events, and also by first creating a tailored approach to help our Platinum Members improve their operations. This includes everything from developing new tours and destination developments, to getting products onboard, and achieving triple-digit increases in passenger arrivals.

For instance, our work with Puerto Rico led to an expanded terminal that supports Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis-class ships, an improved shoreside welcome, new destination products and more local purchasing. Meanwhile, we’re working with St Martin to help it attract smaller luxury liners, and Guadeloupe and Martinique to increase the number of German-speaking tour guides who can support additional calls from AIDA Cruises and TUI Cruises.

Differentiation like this is the cruise industry’s hull, and we go the extra nautical mile to ensure our members can benefit from these operational nuances. We look forward to continuing this work because it truly benefits all involved.

Some of these opportunities will be available first-hand at this year’s FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in Merida, Mexico from 23-27 October. Anyone can register to join with more than 1,000 attendees and 100 cruise executives to develop understanding and business through one-on-one meetings, workshops and networking functions.

I look forward to seeing you there and further fulfilling the FCCA’s mission to create beneficial relationships between cruise lines and partner destinations’ private and public sectors. C&F

New destinations like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Harvest Caye in Belize are helping to drive demand for Caribbean itineraries

Image: N

orwegian Cruise Line

With over 60 years experience in cruise passenger handling in Malta, SMS International Shore Operations are today providing turnaround and shore excursion services in over 20 ports including in Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Libya, Malta, Tunisia, UK & USA. The list is growing constantly depending on the requirements of our principals and clients, so it is no wonder we are rated as the top shore servicing company in the world.

shore excursions turnaround services port agency

SMS INTERNATIONAL SHORE OPERATIONS 65, Birkirkara HIll, St Julian’s, Malta | 1007 North America Way, Suite 505, Miami FL33132, USA

Tel +356 2577 1111 | Mob + 356 9949 5235 www.sms.com.mt | sam@sms.com.mt

port & shore operations worldwide

Photo courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority

PAJ MAgazine Ad_210mmwx280mmh.pdf 1 9/7/11 12:58 PM