All articles by chris cox
chris cox
The immersion man: Larry Pimentel
Azamara Club Cruises is a small, upmarket brand with a business model that questions a number of accepted wisdoms within the cruise industry; little wonder it’s led by one of the sector’s most visionary veterans. World Cruise Industry Review meets CEO Larry Pimentel to discuss destination immersion, an ability to adapt and daring to be different.
Shop tactics: expanding on-board retail
The on-board duty-free market has expanded dramatically over the past ten years with Asian regions recording particularly impressive growth. As on-board boutiques become more profitable with fewer and fewer people able to resist the call of duty-free, the challenge for the cruise sector is how to build upon this rate of expansion. World Cruise Industry Review explores the possibilities with Sunil Tuli, president of the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association, and Erik Juul-Mortensen, president of TFWA.
ECA regulation forces changes for Carnival
Carnival Cruise Lines has pulled out of ports at Baltimore, Boston and Norfolk after claiming new rules governing sulphur emission would make fuel costs too expensive.
On-board entertainment: from free T-shirts to free falling
With families now a target market and the average age of cruisers down into the early 40s,
on-board entertainment is as different as it can be from its origins over three decades ago.
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, executive vice-president of Royal Caribbean International, tells Tom Vaughan how the company continues to meet customers’ needs and expectations.
Criminal charges brought in Costa Concordia case
Five people have been found guilty of manslaughter after the sinking of the Costa Concordia in January 2012.
Untapped potential
The Asian cruise industry is booming, and operators, governments and tourist boards are keen to get involved. Elly Earls meets the ACA’s Kevin Leong and Star Cruises’ Michael Goh to find out how all stakeholders involved can continue to make the most of Asia’s increased enthusiasm for cruising.
Arab Spring continues to affect cruise operators
Costa Crociere has announced cancellations to all its autumn and winter calls in the Egypt and Red Sea region.
Culinary journeys
Guests are becoming more demanding when it comes to what’s on their plate – some are even asking to prepare it themselves. World Cruise Industry Review talks to Crystal’s Toni Neumeister about the growing popularity of on-board cookery courses, the significance of localism and seasonality, and how operators are looking to meet ever higher expectations.
MSC names new CEO
Gianni Onorato, the former president of Costa Cruises, has been announced as the new CEO of MSC Cruises.
What price sustainability? The cost of low-sulphur regulations
Restrictions on fuel sulphur levels could have a serious impact on the bottom lines of cruise operators as they try to improve environmental standards and operate in a manner that is financially sustainable. Leaders from across the cruise industry discuss the economic viability of these regulations, the impact they will have on refiners and whether meeting them will require a new type of fuel.