THE CRUISE GUY
The big drag on the industry is a weak European economy. Fewer Europeans are cruising this year and sourcing passengers has proved a problem.
along with Piano Bar 88. Up on Deck 11, 12 & 14 forward, they created a 3-storey adult’s only sun-deck area called Serenity. They added Sports Square, which includes a genuine Carnival innovation, a ropes course, similar to Carnival Magic and Breeze. They also introduced a waterpark complete with duelling waterslides and splash zones. To make room, they needed a new deck, so the aft pool with retractable roof was sacrificed. In its stead, they added their speciality restaurants, Cucina del Capitano, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen and Havana Bar. The upside with the loss of the pool means new restaurants and activities but the down-side, with the loss of the pool, is significant. Additional cabins mean additional people and, with a reduction in open deck space, Carnival was hoping more adults would head to Serenity and families would camp around Waterworks. The reality is the waterpark is more
of an activity area and not a destination. Therefore the main pool was overcrowded and finding a deckchair was tough. It wasn’t a big deal in Europe, with only
one or two sea-days, but it will be when the ship begins its Caribbean season from New Orleans and then Port Canaveral. Overall, the updated Carnival Sunshine will still be a LOT of fun, though.
Speaking of Carnival... So many reporters and bloggers misreported the Micky Arison story. Arison is the Chairman of Carnival Corp, PLC, which is the parent company of cruise lines like Carnival, Cunard, Holland America, Princess and Seabourn, to name a few. Arison was promoted to president by his father six days after reaching his 30th birthday with just three ships in the fleet. Some 34 years later, he’s added nine cruise lines and the fleet totals 102. Bad PR had nothing to do with Arison hiring a CEO for Carnival Corp. Carnival Corp can’t replace Arison. Only Arison can replace Arison. He remains the corporation’s chairman, majority shareholder and ultimate boss in the company. He enjoys 100 per cent support of Carnival’s Board of Directors. This succession plan has been in
the works for several years. The UK shareholders have been demanding the title split for years and Carnival Corp, being dually listed in both the US and UK,
was one of few companies of this size to have one person holding both positions. Announcing this move earlier, like
February, probably wouldn’t have been the opportune time to make such an announcement, considering the fire aboard Carnival Triumph and the other mishaps with his Carnival Cruise Lines subsidiary. Arison still controls the company but shed the CEO, day-to-day responsibilities to focus on other areas and future growth of the corporation. The big drag on the industry, currently, is a weak European economy. Fewer Europeans are cruising within Europe this year, and sourcing passengers from Spain, Greece, Italy and the UK has proved problematic. The industry has turned the corner as far as the public’s perception of Carnival, though, while Costa has quickly returned to profitability. Having Arison continuing to lead at the helm of Carnival Corporation, PLC, provides much-needed stability and confidence for an entire industry, not just his company.
I’m Stewart Chiron, The Cruise Guy, and I approve your vacation!
www.cruiseguy.com
80 WORLD OF CRUISING I Autumn 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84