Industry Insider

 

Silverseas announced the appointment of Conrad Combrink as Silversea's director of expeditions

Silverseas announced the appointment of Conrad Combrink as Silversea's director of expeditions, with responsibility for developing the ship's itineraries and program. He will also oversee the recruitment of expedition staff and lecturers. Combrink's career of over 10 years in expedition cruising includes serving as expedition leader on World Discoverer.

Travel Agents Choose Holland America Line As Number One Premium Line

Holland America Line is the favorite premium cruise line of travel agents, according to a survey by Florida-based Recommend magazine. Results of the survey, taken last summer, were published in Recommend's December issue.

"We are especially gratified to be recognized by such a knowledgeable group of people," said David Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "Travel agents know their clients will appreciate Holland America Line's unsurpassed, gracious service and great values."

As the leading premium cruise line, Holland America's ships feature spacious staterooms, superb dining, renowned service, casino, first-rate entertainment, a dedicated movie theater at sea, duty-free on-board shops, internet centers, the Club HAL children's program, and a complete fitness center.

Holland America also delights guests with "little touches" which carry no extra charge while making their cruise memorable: make-your-own ice cream sundae buffet featuring many toppings and liqueurs; espresso coffee drinks; hot hors d'oeuvres in all lounges during the pre-dinner cocktail hour; freshly-made popcorn served during movie times; shoe-shine service; and a Holland America Line signature canvas tote bag for shopping or beach-going.

Recommend's survey asked agents to name their favorite cruise line, but did not prompt them with a list of possible answers. Agents also named Holland America their top choice for a mid-ship cruise line. Recommend, a highly respected travel trade publication, features destinations and has a circulation of nearly 60,000 agents.

Royal Caribbean Turns Heads With Top Honors For Public Relations And Marketing
Cruise Line Bestowed With Yahoo!'S "Big Idea Chair" And Coveted Marketing Award

Royal Caribbean International celebrated its highly successful 2006 launch of Freedom of the Seas at the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards in New York City this week. The cruise line swept all major award categories, including "Best of Show" and Yahoo!'s "Big Idea Chair" distinction.

Royal Caribbean's nationally televised three-hour live broadcast on the "TODAY" show from the world's largest and most innovative ship received top honors, taking home the platinum award for "Best Feature Placement Broadcast," and the Freedom of the Seas website was awarded the cruise line's second platinum distinction of the evening for its immersive, user-friendly design. Gold awards were given in five categories: "Best New Ship Launch" for its overall Freedom of the Seas public relations program; "Best Special Event" for its FlowRider event; "Best Feature Placement" for articles in USA Today and TIME; "Best Newsletter" for Freedom of the Seas' Vodcast; and "Best Feature Placement Print/Trade" for its Travel Agent cover story.

A high point in the evening was the presentation of the "Yahoo! Big Idea Chair" award to the team, which recognizes forward-thinking campaigns and the strategic minds behind them. The iconic purple and gold Yahoo! Big Idea Chair will be proudly displayed in the lobby of its corporate offices in Miami.

In addition to these honors, Royal Caribbean's SVP of marketing, Alice Norsworthy, was named one of AdvertisingAge Magazine's top 50 marketing executives for 2006. The magazine credited Norsworthy for the cruise line's initiatives that 'broke through the clutter' and 'delivered real impact' to the cruise line's audiences, guests and partners. Ms. Norsworthy accepted the award at the magazine's ceremony in New York City today.

Oceana on the move promotes several key management team members
Oceania Cruises announced the promotion of several key members of its management team. As the line moves quickly into a period of substantial growth with two new mid-sized 1,260-guest ships being built at Fincantieri in Italy, it is promoting several members of its management team to support the expansion.

“The key to any organization’s success is great people and Oceania Cruises is proud to have such an exceptional group of professionals at all levels. I am extremely grateful for the tremendous contribution from each of these team members in making Oceania Cruises the success it is today,” stated Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises.

Robin Lindsay - Executive Vice President, Vessel Operations
Lindsay has been with the line since its inception serving as Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations and for the past three years as Senior Vice President, Vessel Operations. Lindsay oversees all aspects of Marine, Technical and Hotel operations of the line’s fleet and is currently immersed in the development and construction of the new Oceania-Class ships.

Franco Semeraro - Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations
Semeraro joined the line in early 2003 during which time he served as Executive Hotel Director and oversaw the outfitting and introduction into service of the line’s first two vessels. Having also held the titles of Director of Hotel Operations and Vice President, Hotel Operations, Semeraro has played an integral part in the development of the line’s award-winning onboard product.

James Rodriguez - Senior Vice President, Marketing
An industry veteran that originally hails from Crystal Cruises, Rodriguez was a member of the line’s founding management team when he joined the line as Director of Internet and Database Marketing. With a diverse range of experience in E-Commerce, Sales, Human Resources and Event Planning, Rodriguez is responsible for all aspects of Consumer and Travel Agent Marketing, National Accounts and E-Commerce.

Frank A. Del Rio, Jr. - Vice President, Product Development
Del Rio is also a member of the management team that has been with the line from the start and is responsible for all land programs including shore excursions, pre- and post-cruise hotels and overland tours. Most recently Senior Director, Product Development, Del Rio has played a critical role in the success of the line’s award-winning land programs and development of innovative products such as the Discovery and Explorer shore excursion packages, the only ones in the industry to pay commissions to travel agents.

Alfred Alonso - Senior Director, Information Technology
Alonso first served as a consultant to the line in 2003 when as principal of VIOcom Technologies he was instrumental in the design, development and implementation of all information technology applications both shipboard and shore side. He was recruited to join the line on a full-time basis in 2004 and has played a critical role in supporting the expansion of the company’s infrastructure in Miami and Colorado Springs and the implementation of new technology applications aboard each ship.

Sergio Veglia - Senior Director, Marine Operations
Veglia, who joined the line in early 2005 as Director of Marine Operations, also served as a consultant to the line since 2003, assisting in the planning of itineraries. Hailing from Silversea Cruises, Veglia has traveled the world, is well acquainted with virtually all destinations worldwide and is responsible for all itinerary planning, port operations and bunkering.

Nikos Kalamakis - Senior Director, Technical Operations
A long-time industry veteran with a vast array of experience, Kalamakis has been a Director of Technical Operations since the line’s inception and has overseen the refitting, refurbishment and introduction into service of all the line’s ships. Based in Greece, Kalamakis plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of the fleet worldwide and is also engaged in the development and construction of the new Oceania-Class.

“It was just five short years ago that Oceania Cruises opened its doors and since then, we have gone on to achieve an unprecedented level of success. Each of these stellar professionals has contributed greatly to this success and we are all very proud of their accomplishments,” added Binder.

Florida's attorney general is reviewing the legality of fuel surcharges that several cruise lines began collecting this month.
More than 150 people have complained to Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum about the charges, which were imposed by Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises starting Feb. 1.

The lines announced the charges in the fall, saying their fuel costs had gone up so much that a separate fee was appropriate to recoup the rapidly escalating amount.

That may run afoul of a 1997 settlement of charges that Florida-based cruise lines improperly disclosed the type of revenues contained in port charges that were added to the cruise fare. In the settlement, major cruise lines agreed not to put extra charges on their bills unless they were for taxes or government fees.

"We are reviewing complaints about whether cruise lines can retroactively impose a fuel supplement/fuel surcharge to passengers," said Sandi Copes, a spokeswoman for McCollum.

Carnival's surcharge is $5 a day, but is capped at $140 a cabin. When it was announced in November, Carnival said it hoped to recapture about one-third of the increase in fuel costs it expects to see in the first half of 2008.

Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer De La Cruz said the company believes the supplement complies with applicable laws and that it is cooperating with the review. In a statement, Royal Caribbean said its surcharge is fair and reasonable and it plans to continue assessing passengers on a temporary basis. Both lines said the surcharges were announced with enough lead time to enable anyone who wanted to cancel their cruise to do so without incurring any financial penalty.