Saturday, April 8, 2017

Search for Carnival Liberty Passenger Suspended

At 5:57pm Saturday evening, the US Coast Guard suspended their search for the 32-year-old man overboard from Carnival Liberty.

The 29-hour search of the Berry Islands covered 1,064 square miles.  The Coast Guard was assisted by Carnival Liberty and Norwegian Jade.

Crew members aboard USCG Cutter Charles David Jr continued the search through the night for Carnival passenger
Photo courtesy of US Coast Guard. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Time for another Sabatini Upgrade

Can you believe it? It's been almost 20 years since Sabatini's Trattoria debuted aboard Grand Princess (1998). Every four or five years, it seems like Princess reworks the restaurant - the menu style and the decor - and each time it comes out better than the last.

This time they are elevating the menu through a partnership with acclaimed Italian Chef Angelo Auriana, proprietor of The Factory Kitchen and Officine BRERA, in Los Angeles.

Details appeared in the April 7 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Overboard from Carnival Liberty

A 32-year-old man from Decatur, Georgia went overboard from Carnival Liberty early this morning as the ship was sailing off the Berry Island chain in the Bahamas.

Carnival said the man was observed jumping overboard from a stateroom balcony on Deck 9 just before 4:53am. The ship's command immediately turned the ship around and initiated search procedures.

The complete story appeared in the April 7 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Crew members aboard USCG Cutter Charles David Jr searching for missing Carnival passenger
Photo courtesy of US Coast Guard. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Sharing More of the Wealth

Carnival Corp declared a dividend today of 40 cents per share, representing a 14% increase over their previous dividend of 35 cents.

The quarterly dividend will be paid on June 16 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 26.

Carnival Fills Corporate Treasurer Post

Carnival Corporation Names Darrell Campbell as Corporate Treasurer

MIAMI, April 7, 2017 Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, announced today that Darrell Campbell joins the company as corporate treasurer, effective April 10, 2017. His responsibilities will include overseeing global treasury operations, risk management, tax compliance and tax strategy. Campbell fills the role currently held by Josh Weinstein, who is transitioning to a new position as president of Carnival UK.

Campbell brings to Carnival Corporation extensive accounting, audit and financial experience. He most recently served as an audit partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he led financial statement and internal control audits of Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies with revenues over $10 billion and market capitalization up to $40 billion. During his career he has supervised multinational teams, provided regulatory reporting advice for capital market transactions and periodic filings, and co-authored guidance on industry topics including compliance, accounting and financial reporting.

"Darrell brings us nearly two decades of extensive financial experience, and has the depth of expertise and insights to provide critical leadership for this key global role," said David Bernstein, chief financial officer for Carnival Corporation. Campbell will report to Bernstein and will be based at Carnival Corporation's headquarters in Miami.

Campbell is a licensed CPA in Florida and New Hampshire. He has master's degrees in accounting from Florida International University and in international business from the University of Florida. He also holds a bachelor's degree from University of the West Indies in Jamaica.

Source: Carnival Corp

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Fincantieri Closer to Acquiring STX France

After a series of negotiations, the French government said today they will approve Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri buying up to a 48% stake in STX France which has been for sale (subject to French approval) since the Korean-based STX entered bankruptcy.

After early interest from a number of potential buyers, Fincantieri was the only actual bidder.

The complete story appeared in the April 6 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 6, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:
  • European river cruise operator Uniworld launching a new brand
  • Juneau adding to their defense fund
  • After a call at St. Vincent, suddenly Seaworld doesn't look so bad
Details can be found in the April 6 edition of Cruise News Daily.


Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Costa Goes Bollywood

For years cruise lines have been appealing to brides to have their wedding on a cruise ship because the staff can take care of everything and make it a hassle-free way to get married. Sometimes the happy couple does it for a romantic wedding with just the two of them, and other times a whole wedding party sails, but Costa seems to have snagged the ultimate cruise ship wedding.

Indian industrialist Rizwan Sajan, the founder and of the Danube Group, a leading building materials supplier headquartered in Dubai, has chartered the 114,500-ton Costa Fascinosa for the wedding of his son, Adel, who is a director or the company. He is marrying the charming Sana Khan who is a dentist, beauty queen, artist and writer. They will be accompanied by one thousand guests.

The complete story appeared in the April 5 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Norwegian Sets Cuba Program through 2018

The Cuban market may be becoming much like every other Caribbean itinerary faster than anyone imagined it would. Yes, everyone still has to meet government requirements, and cruise lines still need everything approved, but consider Norwegian Cruise Line's announcement today.

On April 20, they will open their 2018 Cuban program for sale. It will consist of a weekly sailing, with the same itinerary for 33 weeks (except for one sailing) that will run consecutively from March 26, 2018.

Details appeared in the April 4 edition of Cruise News Daily.

For Those Who Love Food

Sometimes a couple marks a special occasion with a new piece of jewelry. Michelin-starred chef Bruno Barbieri marked his continued collaboration with Costa Cruises by creating a new menu for the line's passengers.

Barbieri has more Michelin stars (seven) than any other Italian chef, and the collaboration with Costa demonstrates the importance the line put on having Italy's finest aboard their ships.

The complete story appeared in the April 4 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Monday, April 3, 2017

Silver Muse Delivered

Fincantieri delivered Silver Muse today at its Sestri Ponente yard near Genoa. The ship was formally presented in a ceremony yesterday, and the completion of the transfer of ownership took place today.

Details appeared in the April 3 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Overboard from Costa Deliziosa

A crew member apparently went overboard from Costa Deliziosa last week during its repositioning cruise from Florida to Europe.

The complete story appeared in the April 3 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 3, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:
  • Carnival's first customers to sail 200 cruise with the line
  • Jamaica is upgrading their Dunn's River Falls attraction as part of an effort to improve cruise passengers' satisfaction with the country.
  • AIDAbella has made the brand's first call in China. 
Details appeared in the April 3 edition of Cruise News Daily.

AIDAbella's maiden call at Shanghai April 2-4
Photo courtesy of AIDA. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Van der Werff Joins HAL as F&B VP

Holland America Line Names Frits van der Werff Vice President, Food and Beverage

Fruts van Der Werf
Seattle, Wash., April 3, 2017 — Holland America Line has named Frits van der Werff to the position of vice president, food and beverage within the Guest Experience and Product Development Department. In this role, van der Werff will oversee all of the culinary operations as well as manage beverage operations for the Holland America Line fleet, including revenue activities, product innovation and service.

The Netherlands native, who will be based in Seattle at the Holland America Line headquarters, will report to Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development, as well as have reporting responsibilities to Paul Goodwin, executive vice president, onboard revenue and port/shore operations, for Holland America Group.

“Holland America Line is highly respected for the culinary and beverage experiences onboard our ships, and we’re thrilled to have someone of Frits’ caliber join our team in this leadership role,” said Smith. “Frits brings a wealth of high-end food and beverage and cruise experience to our company, and we look forward to tapping into his knowledge and expertise as we continue to evolve our brand and our food and beverage offerings.”

Most recently van der Werff was brand performance director at MSC Cruises, where he was the project leader for food and beverage and hotel operations in the North American market. Additional cruise line experience includes director, restaurant operations and development at Norwegian Cruise Line.

Van der Werff has extensive experience outside of the cruise industry, having served as director of operations for Fisher Island Club on Florida’s most exclusive private island; director of food and beverage for both the St. Regis Resort & Spas in Aspen, Colorado, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and director of food and beverage for One Bal Harbour Resort and Spa in Miami, Florida.

Van der Werff holds a Bachelor of International Hospitality Management degree from Stenden University in the Netherlands.

Source: Holland America Line