Industry Insider

 

NCL announced a series of executive appointments

NCL recently announced a series of executive appointments. Terri Burke is assuming the newly created position of vp-industry relations for NCL. The replacement for her present position of vp-business development has not yet been named. Vivian Ewart joins NCL as vp-passenger services. Most recently, Ewart was senior vp and general manager at CruiseOne/Cruises, Inc.

Several other executive appointments announced by NCL were all tied into the Partnership 2.0 and Freestyle 2.0 initiatives, and in contrast to how business is traditionally structured, several key execs were given new positions totally dedicated to the launch of a series of ships: the new F3 series. For instance, Amy Hiles-Maynard, currently vp of marketing, has been named vp F3 marketing. A search is underway for a new vp-marketing to replace Hiles-Maynard.

Maurice Zarmati as been named president and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines—North America
Maurice Zarmati, the longtime vice president of sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, has been named president and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines—North America. Zarmati will assume his new role beginning March 31, 2008.

The move is also a very visible sign by Carnival Corp. in recognizing Zarmati's contributions over the years. “Maurice brings nearly four decades of experience to the role, having led one of the biggest and best sales teams in North America with our sister company, Carnival Cruise Lines," said Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Crociere.

Meanwhile, Terry Thornton has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing planning for Carnival Cruise Lines. In this capacity, Thornton's duty includes overseeing the revenue management and strategic marketing departments for the brand.

Carnival's evp Martinoli is leaving ... for Apollo?
Roberto Martinoli, has resigned as exec vp of operations from Carnival Cruise Lines.  Apollo Management's signing of Roberto Martinoli, apparently to look for possible acquisitions in Europe, is seen as a big deal for Apollo Management's growing cruise group.

"Martinoli is far and away the finest technical mind in the cruise industry," said one veteran industry insider.

Carnival’s overall operations area will be divided between Natko Nincevic, svp hotel operations, and Brendan Corrigan, svp marine operations, for the foreseeable future, a company spokesperson said.

Both reported to Martinoli since August 2006, when he was promoted to the newly created evp operations position after previously serving as svp technical operations since joining Carnival in 2000.

Earlier, Martinoli was svp technical operations for Costa Crociere and also owned and operated Martinoli S.A.M., a ship management company.

NCL awash in red ink.
NCL reports losses of $227 million for fiscal year 2007 (up from losses of $130 million in 2006). NCL's net losses for the fourth quarter totaled $133 million compared to a net loss of $116.0 million for the same period in 2006.

NCL Corp. reportedly laid off employees at its Miami headquarters on Friday
According to the Miami Herald NCL Corp. reportedly laid off employees at its Miami headquarters on Friday. An NCL spokeswoman said company policy is not to comment on personnel issues. The newspaper said the number of employees laid off was undisclosed. The Herald cited an internal company memo that said, "Due to the downsizing of NCL America and a reduction in overall capacity for 2008, NCL has made a business decision to eliminate certain positions." NCL Corp. lost $227 million in 2007, widening the net loss of $130.9 million the prior year.

The company has had troubles with its NCL America operation in Hawaii, reducing the fleet there to just one U.S.-flagged ship. The memo said affected employees will get two weeks salary for every year served up to 26 weeks, according to the Herald.

NCL recently received a $1 billion investment by Apollo Management, which obtained control of the board and shares ownership with Star Cruises Ltd. NCL President and CEO Colin Veitch no longer serves on the board. Veitch was listed in the program as a participant in a panel at CLIA's cruise3sixty conference on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, but did not attend.