Friday, December 18, 2015

Just a Small Additional Charge

Well, now Carnival has gone and done it. They’ve become associate members of the “We Charge for Room Service” club. After experimenting on a few ships with the concept, they are adding a number of premium items to their room service menu that will carry a charge and expanding the concept fleetwide.

Some people are excited by the idea of now being able to get a $6 basket of Firecracker Shrimp and French Fries delivered to them at 1:00am. Others are incensed that there is any charge and overlook that they can still get the same grilled cheese sandwich they always have and not pay anything for it.

In this CND article we look at the issues surrounding the charges for food on cruise ships.

The complete story appeared in the December 18 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

The Bahamas’ Newest Island

A couple days ago we told you how MSC opened the books on MSC Seaside - two years in advance. It will be homeported in Miami year round for Caribbean cruising. (The new ship will arrive in Miami right from the yard in December 2017.) Sharp-eyed readers may have caught in both itineraries that we said one of the ports of call would be an out island in the Bahamas, but we didn’t mention which one.

Today we can, because yesterday, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago signed a 100-year lease on an island the line will develop into Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, their own private island.

Details appeared in the December 17 edition of Cruise News Daily.



Rendering courtesy of MSC Crociere. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - December 17, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:
  • A crew member from Norwegian Sun who was found guilty today in US District Court of smuggling cocaine into the US at Tampa last March. His four accomplices already pleaded guilty. 
  • Harmony of the Seas will have a giant water slide, giant meaning 10 stories tall as seen in the video below. 
The complete stories were published in the December 17 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Carnival Promotes Wang in China

Cherry Wang Promoted to Vice President of Carnival China

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (December 16, 2015) – Carnival Corporation & plc, announced the promotion of Cherry Wang to the new position of vice president of U.K. Carnival plc Cruises, the representative office for Princess Cruises and Cunard Line in China. In this new role, she will continuously be accountable for sales, customer service and marketing in China focused on growing the Princess Cruises and Cunard Line brands throughout the region and supporting the lines’ itineraries in China. In addition, she will help to further reinforce the strong relationships for the cruise lines with government authorities, industry associations and business partners in the region.

Wang began her affiliation with the company in 2005 as general manager of the Princess Cruises and Cunard Line international sales agent group in China, Her experience equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the brands and the Chinese market. Upon the establishment of the Carnival China offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Chengdu, Cherry was appointed country director in 2013.

She has successfully led the Carnival China team to launch the first Sapphire Princess Shanghai season for Princess Cruises in 2014 with high customer satisfaction. In 2015, she led the team to launch the Sapphire Princess Shanghai and Tianjin season for Princess Cruises. The fly cruises business grew significantly for Princess Cruises and Cunard Line in the region under her management. More and more Chinese guests now fly directly to join the cruise itinerary, which allows them to have more options to enjoy and explore a premium cruising experience.

“Cherry has been a tremendous asset to the continued success and growth of Carnival China,” said Anthony Kaufman, executive vice president of Princess Cruises. “Under Cherry’s leadership, we will continue to invest in the future of cruise travel and further our commitment to the China cruise market. We believe we can bring the best the world has to offer to more Chinese guests, for an unparalleled premium and international vacation experience.”

Through Wang’s leadership, Princess Cruises has been able to establish itself as a premium brand in China through the exclusive “Princess Class” experience, designed specifically for the Chinese market. Delivered by the line’s extensively trained international crew, these Princess Class enhancements enrich the travel experience of each cruise guest: authentic, classic events like the World Leaders Dinner and Traditional English Afternoon Tea; special culinary experiences such as the Lobster Grill, Ultimate Balcony Dining, and an ocean-view hot pot dinner option; and an unparalleled duty-free shopping experience, featuring leading designer brands.

In addition, Princess Cruises is expanding its China-based season with new itineraries, plus extended cruise length options and new ports to explore. In May 2016, Sapphire Princess will offer year-round itineraries from its homeport of Shanghai to destinations in Japan and Korea. Also in 2016, Golden Princess will start her first China summer season in Tianjin. In 2017, Princess Cruises will debut Majestic Princess, the first cruise ship designed and built specifically for the China market, will debut for China year-around cruising.

Wang is based in the Shanghai Carnival China headquarters office.

Prior to joining Princess Cruises, Wang managed sales for several travel agencies and hotels, including Zhejiang International Business Travel Co. Ltd.; Zhejiang Overseas Travel Company; American Bazza Scarf Co. Ltd, Zhejiang office and Shangri-la Hotel Hangzhou. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Comprehensive English.

Source: Princess Cruises

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Until Rosie Comes Along, There’s Pepper

When surveyed, most people say the thing they’d most like to have from the Jetsons (‘60's animated sitcom set in the future) that we don’t have yet is a flying car. What comes in second is they want a robot maid like Rosie. The future may be coming nearer on your next cruise.

Costa and AIDA have signed an exclusive agreement with French robot manufacturer Aldebaran for the use of “Pepper” robots on their ships.

The complete story appeared in the December 15 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Pepper
Photo courtesy of Costa Crociere. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - December 15, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:
  • MSC opened the books for MSC Seaside, the first of the new class of 154,000-ton ship that will be homeported in Miami year round beginning in December 2017, 
  • Vancouver's 2015 cruise season ended today when Ruby Princess sailed from Canada Place. 

Details appeared in the December 15 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Carnival Get New SVP of Hotel Ops

Morse named Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations for Carnival Cruise Line

MIAMI (December 15, 2015) – Richard Morse – an accomplished professional with more than 35 years of experience in the hotel and resort industry – has been named senior vice president of hotel operations for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line, the world’s largest cruise operator.

In this capacity, Morse will be responsible for all guest-facing aspects of the Carnival vacation experience, including entertainment, culinary and dining, beverage, housekeeping, and guest services and logistics. He joins Carnival January 11, 2016, reporting to Gus Antorcha, Carnival’s executive vice president of guest shipboard operations.

Prior to joining Carnival, Morse spent 36 years at Marriott International, one of the world’s largest hotel companies, most recently serving as general manager of Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at the National Harbor in Maryland.

In addition to on-property experience, which included management positions at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square and the Renaissance Miami Biscayne properties, Morse served as regional vice president of Renaissance Hotels for the eastern U.S. and area vice president for Marriott’s Select Service and Extended Stay properties in the eastern U.S. Morse earned his bachelor’s degree in hotel administration from Cornell University.

“Richard is the ideal candidate for this position, possessing extensive experience in all aspects of guest operations, while assembling a talented team for one of the world’s most successful hotel companies,” Antorcha said. “His wide-ranging experience, outstanding management skills and commitment to innovation will be of great benefit as we continue to build upon our leadership position in the cruise industry,” he added.

Source: Carnival Cruise Line

Monday, December 14, 2015

“Any Adventure You Can Imagine”

While Crystal has always referred to their shore excursions as Crystal Adventures, when their new yacht, Crystal Esprit, enters service next week, the concept of Crystal Adventures is going to expand.

They will no longer be exclusively “shore” excursions. With Crystal Esprit the adventures ashore will expand onto the water thanks to the array of water toys the ship will have available from its aft marina.

The complete story appeared in the December 14 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - December 14, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:
  • Norwegian Cruise Line's parent company becoming one of the NASDAQ 100.
  • Windstar just completed its first-ever cruise from San Juan.
Details appeared in the December 14 edition of Cruise News Daily.