All articles by Amit Thadani
Amit Thadani
Sea change
Cruise ships were among the most high-profile casualties of coronavirus as several vessels became major sites for transmission. But with mass vaccination on the horizon, how do operators plan on maintaining safety practices and restoring passenger confidence? Andrea Valentino chats to Dr Calvin Johnson, the new chief medical officer at Royal Caribbean, and Dennis Peyton, director of Vikand’s public health practice, about what operators are doing to keep passengers secure, the challenges of controlling a virulent disease at close quarters – and why heightened health measures are likely to persist even once we’re all vaccinated.
Machine learning
Despite orders being delayed, postponed and cancelled, 16 new cruise liners were delivered in 2020 and more are on the way in 2021. With an impressive roster of ships set to be unveiled next year, shipbuilders have proven themselves capable of producing vessels in the most testing circumstances. Jim Banks talks to Ulstein Verft’s managing director Lars Lühr Olsen and lead naval architect Terje Våge about how Covid-19 has affected working practices and vessel design.
Appetite for adventure
With many large cruise liners dry docked for the foreseeable future, and towns and cities along more populated routes still in lockdown, the expedition cruise sector looks well placed to capitalise on its growing appeal as an intrepid form of travel. Will Moffitt speaks to Monique Ponfoort, CEO of Aurora Expeditions, about how the traditional company model is being adapted to suit the current climate – and whether the expedition sector could thrive in a post-pandemic world.
Dining with a difference
Dining has always sat at the heart of cruise travel, with the buffet a mainstay of the on-board experience. However, the risks posed by Covid-19 are set to fundamentally reshape this aspect of cruising. Elly Earls speaks to Wes Cort, vice-president of food and beverage for Norwegian Cruise Line; chef, mixologist and consultant Kathy Casey; and Fabio Scaglione, director of F&B at Celebrity Cruises, to find out how protocols are changing in the wake of Covid-19 and what post-pandemic dining might look like.
Cleaning up its act
Alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas have received ample publicity of late, touted as a surefire way of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and making cruise travel more eco-friendly. One possibility is hydrogen, with the first commercial shipping vessels run on liquid hydrogen expected in the next few years. But what are the implications of this new technology, and how can it help us reach the goal of zero-emission shipping? Abi Millar talks to Jogchum Bruinsma, application manager for maritime at Nedstack, about the clean-energy solutions being developed for the cruise industry.
An ocean of opportunities
With low levels of Covid-19 and around two million citizens set to receive a vaccine in the next few months, things in New Zealand are almost back to normal again. For its cruise industry, that means a renewed focus on local travel. Andrea Valentino talks to Sarina Bratton, chair of Asia-Pacifi c for Ponant, and Debbie Summers, chair of the New Zealand Cruise Association, about why the island nation proved so irresistible to travellers before the pandemic, the potential for Trans-Tasman cruising to boom again – and how safety measures must be accompanied by long-term infrastructure investments.
The show must go on
Pre-pandemic stage shows at sea were increasingly ambitious, with cruise lines delivering high-calibre renditions of West End and Broadway productions. Now, as the industry revs up its engines, entertainment directors are recalibrating their shows for a time of social distancing and striving to deliver memorable performances. Jim Banks speaks to Richard Ambrose, Norwegian Cruise Line’s vice-president of entertainment, and Nick Weir, senior vice-president of entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, about how the show can still go on against the odds.
Best-laid plans
Cruise ship design was developing at a steady pace before 2020: ships were being made more accommodating and efficient, and amenities and new technologies were plentiful. In the age of Covid-19, however, how are architects and designers ensuring that vessels are ready for a new era? Will Moffitt talks to David McCarthy, director of marine development at AD Associates, and Terry McGillicuddy, director of Richmond International, about what impact the pandemic will have on ship design.
A new vision
Kelly Craighead was appointed president of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in 2019, back when the industry was contributing $150bn to economies around the world. Since early last year, however, cruising operations have been delayed and cancelled as the sector strives to safeguard itself from further financial harm inflicted by the pandemic. Will Moffitt speaks to the CLIA president about the challenges of combating coronavirus and what recovery might look like.