All articles by julian turner
julian turner
The importance of interior refreshes
With most cruise ships that are already in service having a major refit every two years, and some new-build ships planning a major refit up to every five years, maintaining the high standards of the ship interiors between refits is vital to the overall passenger experience. At any time during the ship refit cycle, the passenger expects the same standard of interior furnishing.
Lightweight composite cabin project secures Innovate UK funding
Following the success of the prototype launchat SMM in 2016, the UK consortium consisting of composite specialist PE Composites Ltd (PEC) and marine interior refurbishment specialist Trimline Ltd has secured further co-funding from the UK’s Innovation Agency, Innovate UK, to productionise and certify its Lightweight Composite Cabin.
Dellner to launch new heavy duty SKD disc brakes at Nor-Shipping 2017
Dellner Brakes AB, a leading manufacturer of technologically advanced braking systems, is introducing two new heavy-duty disc brakes to its SKD range at Nor-shipping in Oslo, Norway, from 30 May to 2 June.
Boutique disruptor – the rise of Virgin Voyages
With three ships on order and the power of a global brand at its disposal, Virgin Voyages is being positioned as a genuine disruptor to cruising’s status quo. Phin Foster meets president and CEO Tom McAplin to discuss the lessons learned from his love of the start-up experience, his plans to appeal to untapped market segments and the creation of a corporate culture that is unafraid to do things a little differently.
Access all areas – catering for disabilities and special needs
The cruise industry today provides an attractive means of leisure travel for guests with a wide range of disabilities and special needs. But, whether it’s inaccessible tender boats, a shortage of pool lifts or simply unclear regulations for operators, many barriers remain. Sarah Williams speaks to industry veterans Jan Tuck, access compliance manager at Princess Cruises; Debra Kerper, founder of Easy Access Travel; and Andrew Garnett, CEO and president of Special Needs at Sea.
Dining with the stars – partnering with celebrity chefs
The list of restaurants with celebrity chefs at the helm grows by the year, but what can ensure the right partnership? Elly Earls breaks bread with Royal Caribbean’s John Suley and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Karl Muhlberger to find out.
Cuba on the roster – a new addition to Caribbean cruising
As operators announce plans for new itineraries featuring Cuba, how transformational could the island be as an addition to the Caribbean region and what efforts must operators make to steal a march on the competition? Roger Frizzell of Carnival and Richard Twyman of Azamara Club Cruises give their input on whether the recent hype is a sign of anything more substantial.
Total immersion – HAL’s Exploration Central
From 2017, Holland America Line (HAL) guests can immerse themselves in destinations more fully than ever before, thanks to a new initiative called Explorations Central. Elly Earls meets HAL’s president, Orlando Ashford, to find out what they can expect.
Just like magic – the transformative impact of wearable tech
Carnival’s new Ocean Medallion is a first-of-its-kind wearable device that bridges the physical and digital worlds to deliver a new level of personalised service. Chief customer experience officer John Padgett, who previously led Disney’s MagicBand team, tells Eleanor Wilson about the potentially transformative impact of wearables.
Progressive partnership – RCL and WWF’s environmental collaboration
Last year, Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) launched a five-year global partnership with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), centred on emissions reductions and supply chain sustainability. With a joint report soon to be released, Ross Davies hears from RCL’s Rob Zeigler and WWF’s Jeff Malcolm on the partnership’s potential to create a more environmentally progressive industry.