p20 Cruise Oct9 6/10/09 15:11 Page 2
Cruise
Lee Hayhurst
020 7921 8001
lhayhurst@ttglive.com
For the latest cruise news, visit
ttglive.com/cruise
Fred Olsen starts
Philippines fund
Royal Caribbean to
FRED OLSEN Cruise Lines has started a fund for
for the victims of the flooding in the Philippines.
review tips policy
Most of the line’s crew are from the country
and have family and friends there.
Lee Hayhurst.
The cruise line has sent a sizeable donation ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL has strongly
to distribute to families in urgent need of help. hinted that it could change its policy on cruise
Fred Olsen also said customers had asked how ship staff gratuities for the UK market.
they can help and, in response, the cruise line es- TTG understands there have been concerns
tablished the fund to help flood victims. Posters this summer about the number of customers,
are being displayed on ships to tell passengers almost a third on some sailings, opting not to
they can donate through their cabin accounts. pay tips on ex-UK cruises.
Donations will be distributed through Fred This led to the line requesting agents to
Olsen’s crew agency based in the Manila area. not encourage their customers to deselect
Managing director Mike Rodwell said: “This is automated payments when booking.
a very worrying time for many of our crew, and Royal Caribbean is set to significantly increase Royal Caribbean’s Jo Rzymowska shows off a TTG award
we have set up this fund to offer them much its UK deployment next year when Independence
needed support at this difficult time. of the Seas starts sailing year-round from At the recent Advantage conference in
“The company has pledged to match customer Southampton. Heathrow, the line’s UK managing director, Robin
contributions to the fund to a significant level.” Brits’ reluctance to pay tips puts strain on the Shaw, told delegates the issue was one that was
economic model of cruising, which is based on hotly debated internally.
■ To contribute to the fund, post a cheque, crew pay being supplemented by gratuities. “Tipping cultures differ massively,” he said.
made out to “Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines”, Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive “Royal Caribbean was effectively built out of
to Deborah Moore, Fred Olsen House, of Royal Caribbean, would not go into details as the US where the culture is very different. But as
White House Road, Ipswich IP1 5LL to the level at which Britons were not paying tips. become far more international we have to think
But he said: “It’s an important issue. It’s about how we develop tipping policies. There
not one that’s unique to Royal Caribbean may be things in the future we adapt.”
In brief
International; it’s inherent in this marketplace. Shaw celebrated a double win at the TTG Travel
“The issue for us is strategic because this is an Awards when Royal Caribbean and sister line
important strategic market for us. Celebrity Cruises won the two cruise categories.
■ Leading Cruise Agents plans regional events “Gratuities are a significant issue for the UK
The Leading Cruise Agents of the UK has decided market and we have to think about it.” ■ TTG Travel Awards coverage, starts p38
to hold regional meeting after requests from
members. The first will take place on November
4 in Birmingham. LCA members should email ABTA MEMBERSHIP. The line said the decision to join Abta would
Matt Bates at
lca.info@btinternet.com. not affect the PSA.
Sign-up shows
Robin Shaw, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ vice-
■ Dubai unveils new cruise terminal president and managing director for the UK and
Dubai unveiled plans for its new cruise terminal
at Seatrade Europe in September. The facility is
due to open in January 2010, when the emirate is
‘focus on UK’
Ireland, said: “There is a real feeling that busi-
nesses in travel and tourism should speak with
one voice through one body – and Abta is taking
expected to host 99 ships and 383,000 customers. on the challenge to be the main lobbying body.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN Cruises has claimed joining “We look forward to making a positive
■ Hurtigruten welcomes morning Bergen flight Abta underlines its commitment to the UK trade. contribution on behalf of the cruise sector.”
Cruise operator Hurtigruten has welcomed the The membership officially started on October Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive, added:
addition of a morning Gatwick-Bergen flight by 1 and means the line’s bonding shifts from the “Royal Caribbean Cruises are a great addition to
carrier Norwegian. The line said the flight provided Passenger Shipping Association to Abta. the Abta family.”
a more convenient service for its UK passengers. Royal Caribbean Cruises said it remained a full Cruise-only sales offered by the operator’s
member of the PSA and would continue to play three brands will be covered under the Abta
ttglive.com
For the very latest cruise news, an active part in its work promoting the cruise membership. Fly-cruise packages will continue
visit
ttglive.com/cruise
industry to both the trade and consumers. to be protected under Royal Caribbean’s Atol.
20 09.10.2009
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