You no longer have to go to the beach to flirt with the cute lifeguard who won't even know you're alive. You will soon be able to do it aboard every Royal Caribbean International ship.
Lifeguards will be staffing every pool on every RCI ship during its complete opening hours. It will be hard to miss them in their red and white uniforms.
The complete story appeared in the February 24 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Friday, February 24, 2017
Other Things You'll Want to Know - February 24, 2017
CND subscribers also read about:
- A man who went on a cruise with his wife and kids and then left he and the kids left the ship without her
- The people of New Orleans think size matters
- Something to worry about for the next two months
Details appeared in the February 24 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Norwegian Expanding/Revamping Cirque Dreams
Norwegian Cruise Line said today they will be expanding their popular “Cirque Dreams & Dinner” dinner theater to Norwegian Getaway, just in time for its summer season in Europe.
The complete story appeared in the February 23 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Other Things You'll Want to Know - February 23, 2017
CND subscribers also read about:
- Princess canceling all calls in Turkey in 2017
- Silver Muse getting its own scarves
Details appeared in the February 23 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Here We Go!
Carnival Corp announced finalization and updating of the terms of the MOU they signed last September to build two 133,500-ton cruise ships with the Fincantieri/CSSC (Chinese State Shipbuilding Corp) joint venture for Carnival's j/v Chinese cruise line. This MOU also made the agreement binding.
One of the updates was that the number of options for additional ships was doubled from the original MOU from two to four. Another update was that the first ship's delivery date has slipped a year to 2023.
One of the updates was that the number of options for additional ships was doubled from the original MOU from two to four. Another update was that the first ship's delivery date has slipped a year to 2023.
The complete story appeared in the February 22 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Too Soon to Be Excited by Cuba for the Long Term
Like all other cruise lines, the brands of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings are excited to be sailing to Cuba. And, yes, travelers are excited to be going to Cuba.
During today's conference call to discuss the company's fourth quarter earnings, NCLH president and CEO Frank Del Rio said he's “tremendously excited” by the first Havana call next month, and he went on to say they are “thrilled to be the first cruise line to offer weekly sailings from Port Miami with overnight stays in Cuba's historically and culturally rich capital, Havana, through December of 2017.” But ...
During today's conference call to discuss the company's fourth quarter earnings, NCLH president and CEO Frank Del Rio said he's “tremendously excited” by the first Havana call next month, and he went on to say they are “thrilled to be the first cruise line to offer weekly sailings from Port Miami with overnight stays in Cuba's historically and culturally rich capital, Havana, through December of 2017.” But ...
The complete story appeared in the February 22 edition of Cruise News Daily
Other Things You'll Want to Know - February 22, 2017
CND subscribers also read about:
- Kathie Lee and Hoda are looking for honeymoon horror stories to award a Windstar "Do Over" Honeymoon to
- And this couple may win
Details were in the February 22 edition of Cruise News Daily.
 |
| They're smiling now that P&O Hotel Director Melissa Yates came to the rescue |
Guenter Steinbrunner Named Corporate Hotel Manager by Windstar Cruises
Windstar Hires Cruise & Hospitality Veteran Guenter Steinbrunner as Corporate Hotel Manager
Steinbrunner is the latest addition to small ship leader’s talent arsenal.
Seattle, WA, February 22, 2017 — Windstar Cruises names Guenter Steinbrunner to the position of Corporate Hotel Manager for the award-winning small ship operator. In his new position, Steinbrunner is responsible for overseeing all aspects of shipboard product delivery on Windstar’s six yachts including standards, procedures, enhancements, efficiencies and innovations as well as the leadership, training, coaching and collective performance of the hotel management team.
“Guenter is the picture perfect hotelier. His passion and love for hotel products is his daily dose of motivation. He is an accomplished leader and role model who will help us to evaluate, enhance and elevate the very good Windstar guest experience and help progress our product and service delivery to the next level. Guest luxury and customization is the predominant trend throughout travel today, and that is where we intend to excel,” explained Christopher Prelog, Windstar’s Vice President of Fleet Operations. “It is a true honor and privilege to have Guenter join Windstar in this role, the entire team is very excited for his arrival.”
With the addition of Steinbrunner, Windstar debuts a power-house of culinary industry talent along with Director of Hotel Operations Peter Tobler. Together with their teams, the duo will concept and implement new guest experiences and innovations for the award-winning small ship cruise line.
“At Windstar we believe it takes talent to create talent. Building a team of consummate hospitality professionals lets our loyal cruisers, new guests and travel partners know that we are a customer-first operation, dedicated to creating those magical moments that perfectly match our legendary and luxurious small ships and deliver the experience that dream vacations are made of,” says Prelog.
Steinbrunner begins with Windstar immediately, bringing a host of international travel and hospitality experience in the cruising and hotel industries. Previously with Seabourn, Steinbrunner spent eight years at sea as Hotel Director and then held a key leadership role on the Newbuild product development team ashore before overseeing the line’s ultra-deluxe vessels as Corporate Hotel Director. Steinbrunner was instrumental in designing the guest experience in conjunction with the role-out of the line’s Odyssey-class ships. Steinbrunner has familiarity in working with the three new-to-Windstar all-suite yachts that joined the fleet in 2014-15; his experience with Windstar dates back to early career days as Steinbrunner was instrumental in the launch of the three original Windstar sail ships in the late 1980s.
Steinbrunner’s guest-centric perspective and far-reaching knowledge of cruising, culinary and service will allow for rapid integration of his expertise and influence onboard Windstar’s casually elegant ships.
Steinbrunner began his career in cruise management in 1998 working for Premier Cruise Line; prior to that he worked in various roles onboard vessels and at numerous elite hotels and restaurants in Switzerland, England, Austria and the United States. He studied management at Cornell Institute and was trained as a chef and service professional in his home country of Austria.
Steinbrunner joins the 130-plus Windstar team headquartered in downtown Seattle and will assist to lead an 800-strong team of ship culinary and service staff and crew across the fleet. The industry leader in small ship cruising, Windstar recently received numerous kudos from CruiseCritic.com cruise reviewers in the 2017 Best Small Ships awards including Best Overall Small Ships, Best Dining and Best Cabins; was voted #1 Best Boutique Cruise Line by readers of USA Today and was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Gold List.
As the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, in 2017 Windstar will offer numerous sailings featuring JBF-endorsed chefs as a part of JBF Culinary Cruise Collection. The line offers more than 250 cruises annually sailing to 170 ports worldwide with new cruise destinations offered in Arabia in 2017; in Asia and Alaska in 2018; and scheduled to visit a dozen new ports in Europe in 2018.
Source: Windstar Cruises
Steinbrunner is the latest addition to small ship leader’s talent arsenal.
 |
| Guenter Steinbrunner |
“Guenter is the picture perfect hotelier. His passion and love for hotel products is his daily dose of motivation. He is an accomplished leader and role model who will help us to evaluate, enhance and elevate the very good Windstar guest experience and help progress our product and service delivery to the next level. Guest luxury and customization is the predominant trend throughout travel today, and that is where we intend to excel,” explained Christopher Prelog, Windstar’s Vice President of Fleet Operations. “It is a true honor and privilege to have Guenter join Windstar in this role, the entire team is very excited for his arrival.”
With the addition of Steinbrunner, Windstar debuts a power-house of culinary industry talent along with Director of Hotel Operations Peter Tobler. Together with their teams, the duo will concept and implement new guest experiences and innovations for the award-winning small ship cruise line.
“At Windstar we believe it takes talent to create talent. Building a team of consummate hospitality professionals lets our loyal cruisers, new guests and travel partners know that we are a customer-first operation, dedicated to creating those magical moments that perfectly match our legendary and luxurious small ships and deliver the experience that dream vacations are made of,” says Prelog.
Steinbrunner begins with Windstar immediately, bringing a host of international travel and hospitality experience in the cruising and hotel industries. Previously with Seabourn, Steinbrunner spent eight years at sea as Hotel Director and then held a key leadership role on the Newbuild product development team ashore before overseeing the line’s ultra-deluxe vessels as Corporate Hotel Director. Steinbrunner was instrumental in designing the guest experience in conjunction with the role-out of the line’s Odyssey-class ships. Steinbrunner has familiarity in working with the three new-to-Windstar all-suite yachts that joined the fleet in 2014-15; his experience with Windstar dates back to early career days as Steinbrunner was instrumental in the launch of the three original Windstar sail ships in the late 1980s.
Steinbrunner’s guest-centric perspective and far-reaching knowledge of cruising, culinary and service will allow for rapid integration of his expertise and influence onboard Windstar’s casually elegant ships.
Steinbrunner began his career in cruise management in 1998 working for Premier Cruise Line; prior to that he worked in various roles onboard vessels and at numerous elite hotels and restaurants in Switzerland, England, Austria and the United States. He studied management at Cornell Institute and was trained as a chef and service professional in his home country of Austria.
Steinbrunner joins the 130-plus Windstar team headquartered in downtown Seattle and will assist to lead an 800-strong team of ship culinary and service staff and crew across the fleet. The industry leader in small ship cruising, Windstar recently received numerous kudos from CruiseCritic.com cruise reviewers in the 2017 Best Small Ships awards including Best Overall Small Ships, Best Dining and Best Cabins; was voted #1 Best Boutique Cruise Line by readers of USA Today and was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Gold List.
As the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, in 2017 Windstar will offer numerous sailings featuring JBF-endorsed chefs as a part of JBF Culinary Cruise Collection. The line offers more than 250 cruises annually sailing to 170 ports worldwide with new cruise destinations offered in Arabia in 2017; in Asia and Alaska in 2018; and scheduled to visit a dozen new ports in Europe in 2018.
Source: Windstar Cruises
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Taking a Slow Boat (but not to China)
It used to be that Carnival saw the future as shorter cruises. They still do, but they've also discovered there's a market out there for cruises longer than seven or eight days. A couple of years ago they created the Carnival Journeys concept just for some specific situations.
The program has been growing year by year, and Carnival just announced the 2018-2019 winter program and next year it grows to 13 of the longer (12- to 14-day) cruises from a wide variety of ports.
The program has been growing year by year, and Carnival just announced the 2018-2019 winter program and next year it grows to 13 of the longer (12- to 14-day) cruises from a wide variety of ports.
Details appeared in the February 21 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Finally, a Happy Ending
The crew of Sun Princess did an expert job of saving a woman who apparently jumped overboard last Friday while the ship was sailing from Brisbane to Noumea one day into a ten-night cruise from Brisbane to the South Pacific.
The complete story appeared in the February 21 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Other Things You'll Want to Know - February 21, 2017
CND subscribers also read about:
The audio is in German, but you can get English subtitles by turning on closed captioning and then going to the settings (under the gear) and selecting auto-translate.
- Royal Caribbean International dropping calls at Kusadasi due to security concerns.
- Meyer Werft cutting the first steel for AIDA's first fully-LNG-powered ship. (Video below)
The audio is in German, but you can get English subtitles by turning on closed captioning and then going to the settings (under the gear) and selecting auto-translate.
Miliaras Joins Carnival Maritime
Carnival Maritime welcomes Minas Miliaras as Vice President Fleet Cruise Execution
Hamburg, February 21, 2017 – Since February 15, Minas Miliaras has taken on the role of Vice President Fleet Cruise Execution at Carnival Maritime, the Marine Service Unit of the Costa Group (AIDA, Costa) in Hamburg. Minas will head the fleet teams and the maintenance development team for all AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises and Costa Asia ships. He will be responsible for the fleet management of the 26 vessels according to efficiency and sustainability targets of Carnival Maritime. This includes technical management, improvement of repair efficiency, standardization and harmonizing processes as well as connecting offices and ships across the globe.
Greek-born Minas is a studied naval architect, and MBA marine engineer. Before joining Carnival Maritime, he worked for Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises for sixteen years. Since 2013, he headed the fleet team of 13 Royal Caribbean vessels in the position of Associate Vice President for Marine Operations. From 2009, Minas was Director Technical Systems at Celebrity Cruises where he was responsible for technical systems and services including Electrical and Automation, Energy, Advanced Water Treatment, Piping & Engines Maintenance. Minas started his career in the cruise industry in 1999 at Lloyds Register. In 2006 he began working as Site Office Manager for Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises where he supervised the construction of the 120,000 tons Celebrity Solstice Class Cruise Vessels.
Minas takes over his position from Björn Sprotte, who has led the department for the past 1 ½ years. Lars Ljoen, Managing Director of Carnival Maritime, says “I am very happy to welcome Minas to the team. He will add great competencies and longtime experiences in fleet operations to our team and is therefore a fantastic fit. I am confident that he will make a valuable contribution to the team and further advance our fleet management operations.”
Minas adds, “I am more than excited to join Carnival Maritime in this position and build on Björn’s great work. I look forward to further increasing the efficiency and sustainability targets of our services together with our international teams.”
Carnival Maritime is the marine service unit for the Costa Group, Europe’s leading Cruise Company. This unit bundles competences and best practices in the area of marine operations to achieve the highest safety standards in the cruise industry for the fleet of the Costa Group, which currently includes 26 cruise ships of the brands Costa Crociere, Costa Asia and AIDA Cruises. Carnival Maritime combines the company’s expertise in the areas of marine, technology, health, environmental protection and security for the Costa Group in Hamburg. The embedded Fleet Operations Center (FOC) monitors and supports 37 ships of the Costa Group, P&O Cruises and Cunard line. Carnival Maritime was founded in 2015, and employs 180 specialists.
Source: Carnival Maritime
 |
| Minas Miliaras |
Greek-born Minas is a studied naval architect, and MBA marine engineer. Before joining Carnival Maritime, he worked for Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises for sixteen years. Since 2013, he headed the fleet team of 13 Royal Caribbean vessels in the position of Associate Vice President for Marine Operations. From 2009, Minas was Director Technical Systems at Celebrity Cruises where he was responsible for technical systems and services including Electrical and Automation, Energy, Advanced Water Treatment, Piping & Engines Maintenance. Minas started his career in the cruise industry in 1999 at Lloyds Register. In 2006 he began working as Site Office Manager for Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises where he supervised the construction of the 120,000 tons Celebrity Solstice Class Cruise Vessels.
Minas takes over his position from Björn Sprotte, who has led the department for the past 1 ½ years. Lars Ljoen, Managing Director of Carnival Maritime, says “I am very happy to welcome Minas to the team. He will add great competencies and longtime experiences in fleet operations to our team and is therefore a fantastic fit. I am confident that he will make a valuable contribution to the team and further advance our fleet management operations.”
Minas adds, “I am more than excited to join Carnival Maritime in this position and build on Björn’s great work. I look forward to further increasing the efficiency and sustainability targets of our services together with our international teams.”
Carnival Maritime is the marine service unit for the Costa Group, Europe’s leading Cruise Company. This unit bundles competences and best practices in the area of marine operations to achieve the highest safety standards in the cruise industry for the fleet of the Costa Group, which currently includes 26 cruise ships of the brands Costa Crociere, Costa Asia and AIDA Cruises. Carnival Maritime combines the company’s expertise in the areas of marine, technology, health, environmental protection and security for the Costa Group in Hamburg. The embedded Fleet Operations Center (FOC) monitors and supports 37 ships of the Costa Group, P&O Cruises and Cunard line. Carnival Maritime was founded in 2015, and employs 180 specialists.
Source: Carnival Maritime
Adam Snitzer to Head MSC's US Guest Services
MSC Cruises Names Adam Snitzer Senior Vice President of Guest Services
Snitzer Appointment Supports MSC Cruises Ambitious Growth Plan and Strategic Focus on North America
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 21, 2017) – MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa, announced today that Adam Snitzer has joined the company as senior vice president of guest services for North America.
In this position, Snitzer will be responsible for overseeing the North American travel agent and consumer call centers, group operations, customer service and revenue management.
“We are thrilled to welcome Adam to the MSC Cruises’ family,” said Roberto Fusaro, president of MSC Cruises USA. “As MSC Cruises grows globally, with plans for 11 new, next-generation smart cruise ships entering service between June 2017 and 2026, the company will strategically expand its presence in North America. Adam brings to MSC Cruises a unique set of skills and experience that will be instrumental as we bring new ships to the U.S. and our ambitious growth plans come to fruition.”
Prior to joining MSC Cruises, Snitzer led Peak Revenue Performance, an international consulting firm specializing in the travel business. Snitzer is a cruise industry veteran with more than 18 years’ experience and has worked for various cruise lines including Seabourn Cruise Line, Costa Crociere, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International. Snitzer began his career at the American Express Company where he made significant advancements to the customer contact centers and loyalty programs.
“MSC Cruises has been one of my biggest consulting clients and I’m excited to have an even deeper impact,” said Snitzer. “I’m excited to join the world’s fastest growing cruise line and play a key role in helping the company achieve its growth objectives in North America.”
Source: MSC Cruises USA
Snitzer Appointment Supports MSC Cruises Ambitious Growth Plan and Strategic Focus on North America
 |
| Adam Snitzer |
In this position, Snitzer will be responsible for overseeing the North American travel agent and consumer call centers, group operations, customer service and revenue management.
“We are thrilled to welcome Adam to the MSC Cruises’ family,” said Roberto Fusaro, president of MSC Cruises USA. “As MSC Cruises grows globally, with plans for 11 new, next-generation smart cruise ships entering service between June 2017 and 2026, the company will strategically expand its presence in North America. Adam brings to MSC Cruises a unique set of skills and experience that will be instrumental as we bring new ships to the U.S. and our ambitious growth plans come to fruition.”
Prior to joining MSC Cruises, Snitzer led Peak Revenue Performance, an international consulting firm specializing in the travel business. Snitzer is a cruise industry veteran with more than 18 years’ experience and has worked for various cruise lines including Seabourn Cruise Line, Costa Crociere, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International. Snitzer began his career at the American Express Company where he made significant advancements to the customer contact centers and loyalty programs.
“MSC Cruises has been one of my biggest consulting clients and I’m excited to have an even deeper impact,” said Snitzer. “I’m excited to join the world’s fastest growing cruise line and play a key role in helping the company achieve its growth objectives in North America.”
Source: MSC Cruises USA
Monday, February 20, 2017
Windstar Taps Industry Veteran for VP of Technical Ops
Windstar Appoints Paul Barrett as Vice President of Technical Operations
Industry veteran to oversee technical operations for globally deployed fleet of the world’s best small cruise ships.
Seattle, WA, February 20, 2017 — Windstar Cruises announces the appointment of Paul Barrett to Vice President of Technical Operations beginning immediately. Barrett is responsible for the small ship line’s Technical Operations Department overseeing all related aspects with regard to safety and regulatory compliance, inventory control and purchasing, shipyard projects and refits. Barrett also oversees the Engine Department, to ensure timely, diligent and efficient maintenance and safe operation, with a minimum environmental impact as described in the company’s safety management system (SMS), and related policies, procedures, and practices.
“We are continuing to build incredible bench strength of industry leading talent in our efforts to be the world's best small ship cruise line,” said President John Delaney. “We are holding ourselves to a higher standard of operational excellence in everything that we do, which is why we are thrilled to have a consummate professional like Paul join Windstar’s team.”
Barrett arrives to Windstar with three-plus decades of marine engineering and technical operations experience, having most recently worked for the Holland America Group. Prior to that Barrett was Vice President of Technical Operations at Princess Cruises for seven years having progressed through various management positions and held oversight for the line’s 18 vessels deployed worldwide. Barrett began his maritime career as an Engineer Officer aboard P&O Cruises in 1984.
Barrett completed an Executive Management Leadership Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from California Coast University. Barrett is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists and Technologists in the U.K. and a member of the U.S.A. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. A native of England, Barrett resides in Seattle and joins the 130-plus corporate team at Windstar’s headquarters in downtown Seattle.
Windstar operates a fleet of six small cruise ships: three Wind-class sailing ships classified as motor sail yachts (MSY), and three Star-class all-suite ships classified as motor vessels (MV); the ships accommodate 148 to 310 passengers serviced by between 100 and 200 staff and crew depending on the vessel. Barrett leads a team of 128 marine engineers across the fleet.
Source: Windstar Cruises
Industry veteran to oversee technical operations for globally deployed fleet of the world’s best small cruise ships.
 |
| Paul Barrett |
“We are continuing to build incredible bench strength of industry leading talent in our efforts to be the world's best small ship cruise line,” said President John Delaney. “We are holding ourselves to a higher standard of operational excellence in everything that we do, which is why we are thrilled to have a consummate professional like Paul join Windstar’s team.”
Barrett arrives to Windstar with three-plus decades of marine engineering and technical operations experience, having most recently worked for the Holland America Group. Prior to that Barrett was Vice President of Technical Operations at Princess Cruises for seven years having progressed through various management positions and held oversight for the line’s 18 vessels deployed worldwide. Barrett began his maritime career as an Engineer Officer aboard P&O Cruises in 1984.
Barrett completed an Executive Management Leadership Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from California Coast University. Barrett is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists and Technologists in the U.K. and a member of the U.S.A. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. A native of England, Barrett resides in Seattle and joins the 130-plus corporate team at Windstar’s headquarters in downtown Seattle.
Windstar operates a fleet of six small cruise ships: three Wind-class sailing ships classified as motor sail yachts (MSY), and three Star-class all-suite ships classified as motor vessels (MV); the ships accommodate 148 to 310 passengers serviced by between 100 and 200 staff and crew depending on the vessel. Barrett leads a team of 128 marine engineers across the fleet.
Source: Windstar Cruises
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