All articles by julian turner
julian turner
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.
Entrance to China – inside Norwegian Joy
With its launch date looming, Norwegian Joy will be the latest instalment in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class, but the first to be tailored specifically for the growing Chinese market. How much of a design departure does this demand and how different is the finished product? World Cruise Industry Review investigates.
Bigger and better – the evolution of Seabourne Encore
Having entered full service in January 2017, Seabourn Encore is Seabourn Cruise Line’s largest ship to date, boasting an additional deck and expanded public areas. Fuel consumption is also significantly reduced by optimisation of the ship’s hydrodynamics. World Cruise Industry Review charts the evolution of the vessel.
High-capacity cruising – the rise of MSC Cruises
Scheduled to take delivery of two very different prototype vessels later this year, including the largest ship ever built for a European cruise line, MSC Cruises is in the midst of unprecedented fleet expansion. World Cruise Industry Review takes a look at the operator’s heaving orders book and what this could mean for its international standing.
Port of Barcelona expects 158,000 passengers for Allure of the Seas in 2015
The Port of Barcelona expects 158,000 passengers in 2015 for the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, which will sail 25 times from the Spanish city during the 2015 season.
New wave of terror – Commander Mark Gaouette on safety at sea
Lingering fears about terrorist violence in Europe and the Mediterranean have seen cruise bookings dip in popularity across the regions. How might the sector reassure guests and allay security concerns? Greg Noone talks to Commander Mark Gaouette, former director of security for Princess Cruises and the author of Cruising for Trouble: Cruise Ships as Soft Targets for Pirates, Terrorists, and Common Criminals, to find out.
Something for everyone – serving Chinese retail customers
Cruise capacity in China is predicted to grow by 220% in the next five years, and with operators keen to make their mark on the market, maximising the availability of on-board retail will be essential to retaining customers and building profitability. Colin Castle speaks with Simon Weir, Royal Caribbean’s COO for China, and Erin Rafter, the company’s head of on-board services, about the popularity of shopping among Chinese customers and the importance of keeping up with trends.
A sip of something new – onboard wine trends
Cruise operators are upgrading their wine offerings to attract a growing band of oenophiles. Matthew Plowright speaks to Carnival’s Anthony Habert and AmaWaterways’ Rudi Schreiner to find out how their brands are keeping up with the latest shoreside wine trends.
The cruise that gives back – the rise of voluntourism
Voluntourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of travel, with research showing an increasing desire among guests – especially millennials – to use their leisure time to ‘give back’ to the global community. As cruise lines take up the mantle, Sarah Williams speaks to John Stoll, vice-president of land programmes at Crystal Cruises, and Yoshioka Tatsuya, founder and director at Peace Boat, about creating programmes that go beyond the feel-good factor to make a real difference.