Cruise For the latest cruise news, visit
ttglive.com/cruise
Conference told of value of agents
“THE TRAVEL agent is integral to the success of the cruise industry revolution”: that was the message from the president and chief executive of the Cruise Lines International Association at the latest Cruise Baltic Conference in Copenhagen. Terry Dale said the industry had witnessed “accelerated growth in Europe”, and that agents were integral to this success. He also said that in a 2010 agent survey, the Baltic ranked in the top five cruise destinations. More than 45 partners of the Cruise Baltic network – which represents the ports of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Russia – were present at the meeting. Neil Palomba, MSC Cruises’ corporate operating
officer, said 2011 would see 250 calls by the cruise line in the Baltic regions and that MSC was looking to increase capacity in the region and extend the season, especially if ports lowered their costs.
In brief
■ Special rates in new Fred Olsen brochure Fred Olsen’s new brochure features 52 UK cruises for 2011. The Captain’s Collection offers further savings on prices in Olsen’s second edition brochure. The special rates are applicable on bookings made up to the end of February.
■ Celebrity Infinity to get Solstice-class update Celebrity Cruises is to add attractions from its Solstice-class ships to Celebrity Infinity when the ship enters dry dock next year. Additions will include Aqua Class accommodation, Blu restaurant, new verandas in Celebrity Suites, the iLounge, and an ice-topped Martini bar.
■ Silversea adds cultural land excursions Silversea Cruises is offering new land excursions for 2011 that aim to give customers intimate experiences of local people, history and wildlife in areas that are just beyond the port of call. They include Kangaroo Island near Adelaide, and a six-day Fremantle-Adelaide train journey.
ttglive.com
For the very latest cruise news, visit
ttglive.com/cruise
20 26.11.2010
Seabourn makes Singapore move
Sophie Griffiths. THE YACHTS of Seabourn has altered its 2012 south-east Asia cruise itinerary to finish at Singapore instead of Bangkok, as Singapore pushes to become Asia’s new cruise hub. Seabourn Pride had been due to operate
12-day cruises between Hong Kong and Bangkok, but the changes mean that new cruises will consist of 14-day cruises from Hong Kong to Singapore. The cruises will still call at Bangkok but will no longer end in the Thai capital. The decision follows fears that tourists would be put off travelling to Bangkok after the political violence earlier in the year, and has left the Tourism Authority of Thailand “very disappointed”.
Seabourn national sales manager Paul Beale insisted the route had been altered due to the “popularity of the Singapore route”. “Having seen the demand for it this year we decided to change the itineraries. Guests voted with their feet,” he said. “Singapore is one of the main hubs for coming in and out of Asia. It will become the next big cruise destination.” Chris Lee, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s trade marketing manager, said: “Thailand had
problems earlier in the year, but since then the country has remained in a decent and stable format. “We are very disappointed by this decision, but each company must make its own decisions. “Tourism in Thailand is down by 3% year-on-
year, but this is on a par with most of our competitors.” Singapore has pushed hard to become a key destination for cruise lines and is in the process of completing a new cruise terminal with deeper waters that will allow larger ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas to dock at the port. Eunice Yeo, the Singapore Tourism Board’s
area director Northern & Western Europe, said: “The development of the new international cruise terminal is a sign of Singapore’s confidence in the continued growth of the cruise industry in Asia, as well as our aspiration to be a cruise hub for the region.”
The news comes as Seabourn announced it
had expanded its sales team following a 250% increase in guest capacity Paul Beale has been promoted to head of sales and Jo Sillence has been appointed to the newly created role of national accounts manager.
sgriffiths@ttglive.com
Sophie Griffiths 020 7921 8010
THE UNIVERSITY OF CRUISE: Agents gathered at a ball in London on Tuesday to celebrate their graduation from Norwegian Cruise Line University. The two-year-old scheme has educated 4,600 students and had 350 graduates. NCL has also launched a PhD@Sea in which high-achieving students join a four-night Epic cruise to do the PhD.
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