PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear MHA members,
As we approach the holiday season and reflect on our accomplishments as an organization, I’m pleased that through the support of our members we have been able to continue our offering of High Performance Leadership scholarships to our colleagues onboard the ships. Of equal importance, we continue to strive to create an environment for our supplier members and cruise industry partners to engage in business relationships which are mutually beneficial to all parties.
Our status as a not-for-profit entity affords us the unique opportunity to guarantee to our members that the revenues generated from our activities are directed solely to the development of the marine hotel product. This shall continue to be the focus of the MHA.
Our association website continues to expand our reach by attracting a growing number of companies wishing to explore business opportunities with the cruise industry. All a good sign of positive development for our organization.
We want our members to be assured that in all plans for future growth we will be guided by our commitment to providing the level of access and support they deserve — a benefit to which they are accustomed.
In recent years, our membership and conference attendees have mirrored the global reach of the Cruise Industry. In light of that, the MHA will continue to plan its activities accordingly.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank our supplier partners for the tremendous support which they provided this year to our member lines on a global basis and look forward to your continued support.
I wish you and your families a very safe and happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in Orlando next April.
 With best regards,
Alvin Dennis
President, MHA Board of Directors
Vice President, Purchasing & Logistics
Norwegian Cruise Line
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CUNARD ANNOUNCES QUEEN MARY 2 REFIT PLANS
Flagship to Receive Significan Enhancements During Planned Dry Dock
27 October 2011 – Cunard Line has released details of the planned refit of the company’s flagship Queen Mary 2, in preparation for her eighth birthday in January 2012. With major refurbishments and redesigns of carpets, curtains, bedcovers and linens, and other enhancements, a luxury cruise vacation will be even more appealing aboard the grandest ocean liner at sea.
Taking place at Blohm + Voss Shipyards in Hamburg, Germany, from 24 November through 7 December, the major soft goods refurbishments will comprise all staterooms, Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, the Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants, the Commodore Club, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, Sir Samuel’s, the Play Zone/Kids’ Zone, and a complete redesign of the Golden Lion Pub. To ensure that the latest changes will complement the ship’s signature elegance and glamour throughout, Cunard has again partnered with the noted Tillberg Design AB in Höganäs, Sweden, the company involved in Queen Mary 2’s original design.
“Queen Mary 2 is an iconic leader in the world of luxury ocean travel and continues to receive high ratings by guests and the cruise industry,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “A ship that still turns heads everywhere she goes, she is unquestionably the pride of our fleet. We are committed to maintaining that impeccable reputation, and this significant refurbishment is an important investment on behalf of our guests.”
The 14-day refit will require a team of thousands of workers replacing the equivalent of almost ten football pitches of carpet and manufacturing about 18 square miles of fabric into over 6,000 individual items. Specific plans include:
Staterooms – All 1,310 staterooms aboard Queen Mary 2 will receive a fresh look with new carpeting, curtains and beddings, and some will receive new furniture. The revised design will be in keeping with current designs but with an enhanced sense of luxurious comfort, as can be experienced in luxury hotels around the world.
Golden Lion Pub – With its increasingly popular traditional British pub lunch menus, busy bar, exciting sports events and nightly music offerings, the pub will benefit from a complete refurbishment and redesign to enhance its endearing appeal. The new design retains the British pub atmosphere and also evokes an American country club feel similar to the warm colours and plush seating in the same venues aboard sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Upgraded television screens will also be installed.
Canyon Ranch SpaClub – An extensive refurbishment of the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea will include the teak surrounds of the hydrotherapy pool and adjacent wet areas, and a general upgrade of all the facilities. In addition, new exercise machines in the fitness centre and new and improved features in the Beauty Salon will be installed.
Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants – A new, lighter carpet design for both of Queen Mary 2’s exclusive Grill restaurants will enhance the existing ambience, maintaining the reputation of these fine dining venues as among the best at sea or on land.
Commodore Club – One of the most visited public rooms aboard Queen Mary 2, this breathtaking lounge overlooking her bow will be refreshed with a new carpet design and additions to the white leather furnishings of chairs, sofas and bar stools.
Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar – A popular space especially on Transatlantic Crossings, this venue featuring the exquisite Veuve Clicquot brand of champagne will see a new carpet and soft furnishings design.
Sir Samuel’s – This busy venue which features specialty coffees during the day and an impressive menu of wines at night, will receive a new compliment of carpeting and furniture coverings.
The Play Zone/Kids’ Zone – Cunard’s first-rate facilities for younger guests will undergo a complete refurbishment, including new soft play areas, plus upgrades to the very latest in electronic gaming technology and entertainment.
Queen Mary 2 was recently named the world’s Top Large Resort Ship in the new 2012 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising. By continuing to invest in both her technical and hotel areas and retaining her grand status with signature White Star Service, the largest ballroom at sea, the only planetarium at sea, the first Todd English Restaurant at sea, and the largest library at sea, Cunard endeavors to ensure a consistently special voyage experience that will meet loyal guests’ expectations and turn first-time guests into true Cunarders.
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CARNIVAL'S ROBERTA JACOBY TO RETIRE
After 35 years in the cruise industry, Roberta Jacoby, svp corporate special events for Carnival Corporation, will retire at the end of 2011.
She began her Carnival career in the air/sea department where she held a variety of positions before being named vp air/sea operations in 1990. Jacoby also developed Carnival’s corporate training department and in 2000 was promoted to svp.
She joined Carnival Corp in late 2009 and prior to that held several key management positions at Carnival Cruise Lines, most recently as svp hotel operations.
Before moving up to corporate, Jacoby held key roles in hotel operations, air/sea and corporate training, personnel, entertainment, shore excursions and youth programming.
Prior to her hotel operations position, Jacoby had been svp air/sea operations and corporate training.
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COSTA VOYAGER
Costa Cruises announced the arrival of the 24,400 grt Costa Voyager. The vessel entered service in 2000 and sailed previously as part of the Iberocruceros fleet as the Grand Voyager. A 12.5m renovation at the San Giorgio yard in Genoa included upgraded public areas and cabins. Voyager will operate Red Sea cruise itineraries through 2012.
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TOP MIXOLOGIST
Edward Allen, an accomplished beverage industry professional with experience in top restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Las Vegas and New York, has been appointed vp beverage operations at Carnival Cruise Lines.
He will be responsible for overseeing the bars, lounges and nightclubs across CCL’s 23-ship fleet, including overall management, training, staffing and beverage list development.
Allen previously served as director of beverage operations for the Tao Management Group, which operates several high-profile restaurants and nightclubs in Las Vegas. In 2006, he was named one of the top sommeliers under 30 by Tasted Magazine.
Allen also spent four years as beverage director/sommelier at the Compass Restaurant in New York, overseeing a 1,350-selection wine list.
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WARMING UP TO THE CARIBBEAN
Tapping the UK market for Brits seeking an escape to the sun RCI will reposition their Independence of the Seas to the Caribbean for the 2012/2013 season, alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades. Positioned year-round in Southampton since 2010, she leaves there Novmber 2, 2012, to join all three Freedom-Class vessels sailing from Florida ports for the winter months.
The company will be target its past European passenger complement, offering them opportunity to escape the winter doldrums of Northern Europe for the warmer waters of the sunny Caribbean. Independence returns to Europe in the summer of 2013.
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NEW FACE FOR A QUEEN
The American Queen departed its long-time home in Beaumont, Texas in early November headed for Bollinger Shipyards in Louisiana. Both technical and cosmetic upgrades are planned for the renovation.
The vessel has been under the stewardship of the US Maritime Administration since 2008, following a brief period with Majestic America Line.
The 418-foot vessel is the largest paddlewheel steamboat ever built. Acquired more recently by HMS Global Marine, she is scheduled to begin operations for its affiliate, Great American Steamboat Company in April.
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RSSC TO MIAMI
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will soon join its sister company, Oceania Cruises at Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) headquarters on NW 33rd Street in Miami’s Doral area. While benefiting from proximity, the two brands will remain independent, occupying separate floors. PCH will occupy the middle floor between the two.
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WINDSTAR TO OFFER SOFT DRINKS AT NO CHARGE
Windstar Cruises has announced it will offer fleetwide complimentary soft drinks starting in December, 2011. The program will include bottled waters, sodas, juices, fruit smoothies and specialty coffee. All will be available at no charge beginning with the Caribbean and Panama Canal season.
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NEWBUILD FOR TUI
TUI company CEO Richard Vogel announced plans this fall for a 97,000 grt newbuild with Finish yard STX. The new vessel is scheduled for delivery delivered in 2014 – a second vessel option has a preliminary schedule of 2015.
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SHANGHAI CALLING
Costa Crociere has announced that it will establish the cruise industry’s first wholly-owned foreign enterprise in China. The new company will be located in Shanghai, Costa’s homeport in China. The entity will offer commercial and financial services to local travel partners and passengers, such as marketing, ticketing and collection.
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EURO FAVORITE
The Port of Barcelona reported a 16% increase in cruise passengers over last year. The forecast was for 2.5 million passengers and 900 calls during 2011 – by October there had been a total of 2.4 million passengers and 785 calls.
Barcelona continues to be a favored turnaround and homeport in Europe, with more than 50% of passengers spending pre and post cruise days enjoying the city’s many attractions.
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival we among the larger players that chose Barcelona as a homeport during the past season. Other companies with strong presence in the port were Costa, MSC, Pullmantur, Ibercruceros, Holland America, Disney and Windstar.
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