Toddlers to teens will find plenty to keep them entertained on one of these Caribbean cruises.
Variety is an essential element of a successful family vacation. But entertaining the entire troop -- from the youngest child, hungry for some summer fun, to Mom and Dad, trying to make the most of their time off from work - can be easy, thanks to amenities offered by a number of Caribbean-bound cruise ships.
Modern cruise ships add to the appeal, as these "floating resorts" provide nearly every amenity you'll need to enjoy your holiday.
Cruises also provide a budget-friendly option for summer fun, because cruise fares include accommodations, food nearly 24 hours a day, and a bevy of shipboard activities in one price that's paid up front. You can even pay for shore excursions before boarding your ship, ensuring fewer out-of-pocket expenses during your vacation.
Below, we've profiled children's programs on four cruise lines and five ships bound for the Caribbean this summer. Though individual and group babysitting for small children costs a nominal fee, all other activities are included in your cruise fare. Age-appropriate activities are organized by the following categories: tots, tykes, tweens and teens.
We've provided a fifth category, troop, to highlight specific ships and cruises that the entire family will enjoy. They sail to various ports in the Caribbean, departing from the New York City area, Miami and Galveston, TX, about an hour from Houston. For more information on these oceangoing getaways, email me at jod@zanza.com.
Carnival Cruise Lines.
With supervised activities for kids 2 and older, Carnival is a popular choice for seafaring families. "Family fun ships," as Carnival calls its vessels, are often outfitted with private clubhouses and lounge areas to suit different age groups - teens looking to escape small siblings, for instance, will find refuge at Club O2, while bored younger children will find a high-energy summer camp built just for them. The minimum age for most Carnival sailings is 6 months, but trans-Atlantic, Hawaiian and South American cruises require a minimum age of 1 year.
Tots: Though specific programs aren't available for children under 2, Carnival does offer a low-cost babysitting service. Prices start at $6 an hour for one child, plus $4 an hour for each additional sibling.
Tykes: The Camp Carnival program provides the bulk of children's services. Kids from 2 to 5 are treated to finger painting, puppet shows and sing-alongs, and parents can borrow beepers and cell phones for regular updates on their little ones. Kids from 6 to 8, meanwhile, enjoy dance classes, talent shows and portable video game systems. Special lunch menus are provided for picky eaters, with childhood favorites like chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese.
Tweens: Camp Carnival covers the youngest members of this group, with kids 9 to 11 taking part in art classes, scavenger hunts, PlayStation battles and a series of educational activities, cleverly disguised as contests and games, hosted by Carnival staff.
Teens: Circle "C," a brand-new program for kids 12 to 14 years old, prefers "mix and mingle" activities that resemble popular television shows - "Musical Jeopardy," "Survivor Challenge" and "Teen Idol" are just a few of the options available. Meanwhile, the discerning (and difficult to please) passenger between 15 and 17 will find a home at Club O2, where card games, karaoke, pool parties and video games are offered.
Troop: Families aboard the 4.5-star Carnival Conquest, which sails seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston, TX, year-round, have four swimming pools to splash in. They also can choose from a variety of shore excursions, including camel rides in Montego Bay, Jamaica; a swim in Stingray City in Grand Cayman, the largest of the Cayman Islands; and a submarine trip along the coral reefs of Cozumel, Mexico. Meanwhile, the 4.5-star Carnival Valor alternates weekly seven-day Caribbean sailings from Miami. Choose engaging port calls in the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Netherland Antilles, or alluring destinations in the Caymans, Honduras, Belize and Mexico.
Norwegian Cruise Line.
Services for children with Norwegian are covered by two programs: Kid's Crew and Teen's Crew. Age-appropriate activities and trained staff, certified to perform CPR as well as minor first aid, are just two of the benefits available. Kids can peruse a longer list each morning in their copy of "Cruise News," a personalized newsletter delivered to the cabin each morning. Children must be at least 6 months old to sail aboard Norwegian.
Tots: Children under 2 can take part in a group babysitting program, with rates from $5 per hour per child and $3 an hour for each additional sibling.
Tykes: Kids from 2 to 5 are welcomed to the Junior Sailors program, where storytelling, face painting and magic shows entertain young cruisers. First Mates, for kids 6 to 8, offers wacky cooking classes and root beer float parties by the pool. A jungle gym complete with ball pits, climbing nets and exploratory tunnels awaits aboard several Norwegian ships.
Tweens: Navigators, a club for kids 9 to 12, brings groups together for video games, movies and slumber parties. Some ships boast kids-only swimming pools - on the Norwegian Spirit, for instance, Buccaneer's Wet and Wild offers waterslides, climbing areas and spray guns, best used to soak a rival sibling.
Teens: Pool parties, basketball and volleyball games, trivia contests and evening theme parties are just a few Teen's Crew diversions. In addition to an onboard video arcade, NCL offers the hottest gaming system around, the Nintendo Wii, aboard every ship in its fleet.
Troop: The four-star Norwegian Spirit explores the Caribbean on eight-day cruises departing New York City through Aug. 23. Families can meet at the ship's Stardust Theater for a show, gather around one of two swimming pools or make plans for shore leave in Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.
Princess Cruises
Junior cruisers are treated to a variety of programs with Princess Cruises, with the bulk of services geared toward children from 3 to 17. Dedicated youth and teen centers are packed with arts and crafts tables, video game systems and special snacks, and most are equipped with kids-only splash pools. Select Princess cruises also include "edutainment" features, with interactive experiments, biology lessons and lectures by park rangers, marine scientists and other experts. The minimum age for most Princess cruises is 6 months, although more exotic sailings such as in South America, Hawaii, the South Pacific and Asia require that children be at least 1 year old.
Tots: Group babysitting, with rates starting at $5 per hour, caters to children under the age of 3.
Tykes: Princess Pelicans, as passengers from 3 to 7 are known, enjoy pizza, age-appropriate movies and theme parties. Plush animals -- including pint-size versions of Pelican Pete, the youth center's mascot - are handed out as children learn about animals they might encounter on their vacation.
Tweens: Shockwaves, a club for kids 8 to 12, offers scavenger hunts, sports and evening dance parties. The Junior Chef at Sea program provides cooking classes and easy recipes. Tours of the ship's bridge and meetings with the captain are available on select cruises.Teens: Remix, the teen club, gives passengers 13 to 17 a choice: Kick back in front of a big-screen television or mingle with peers in a number of group activities. Dance classes, "mocktail" parties, talent shows, sports tournaments and casino nights are often on tap.
Troop: Passengers aboard the five-star Caribbean Princess, offering nine-day cruises from Brooklyn, NY, through Aug. 15, will sample ports in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos and Bermuda. Families can see live entertainment in the Princess Theatre, catch a selection of the Movies Under the Stars program on the giant outdoor screen by the pool, or hit the ship's miniature golf course. Family-friendly fare is available at many restaurants, though an outdoor grill serves burgers, pizza and ice cream for the kids.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean ships are well-suited for families with young children, thanks to the lines' offerings for passengers as young as 6 months. Still, older kids will find plenty of distractions, too, while parents can join group activities or sneak off for some "me time" in another part of the ship. There is no minimum age requirement for Royal Caribbean trips.
Tots: Hands-on activities with roots in social, emotional and physical development are the cornerstone of Aqua Babies, a playgroup for kids between 6 and 18 months. Singing, dancing and the chance to play pirate are just a few of the daily activities at Aqua Tots, for toddlers between 18 months and 3 years old. Parents must be present while their children participate in either program. Babysitting is available in a group setting or in your cabin, for about $10 an hour for one or two children and $15 an hour for three kids.
Tykes: Kids between 3 and 5 are welcome at Aquanauts, a playgroup filled with crayon art, storytelling and theme parties. An "adventure theater" program introduces young ones to the fun of live performance, with workshops and playacting led by Royal Caribbean staff. Meanwhile, children from 6 to 8 can join the Explorers, where science experiments and scavenger hunts make learning fun.
Tweens: Royal Caribbean's Voyagers, for ages 9 to 11, enjoy many of the perks of their younger siblings -- arts and crafts, science programs and theater workshops - as well as sports tournaments and dance parties.
Teens: Navigators, a group for ages 12 to 14, can enjoy less structured activities and are able to come and go as they please without a staff member's permission. Younger teens can tour the ship, take part in club activities or simply enjoy their own lounge area. Some ships offer a teens-only casino and a snowball fight in the middle of the Caribbean. Even more freedom awaits passengers 15 to 17, who enjoy pool parties, movie nights and earn "adventure credits" to spend on prizes at the end of the cruise.
Troop: The five-star Freedom of the Seas, which offers two alternating seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami throughout the year, boasts a climbing wall, miniature golf course and an ice-skating rink. Port calls bring a variety of family-friendly activities, too, including nature hikes and historical tours. Sail to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or St. Maarten, or to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private island in Haiti.
For more information on booking a family cruise please email me at jod@zanza.com.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 - Putting Fun into Glamour and Elegance
With the Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line has put fun into glamour and elegance. The QM2 is able to maintain that romantic sense of classic Trans-Atlantic travel from the past, but in a modern setting. The formal dinners are there along with white-gloved tea service and ballroom dancing, but so are also informal dining options, a pulsating disco and jazz – even karaoke, along with many other entertainment venues.
An impressive line-up of day-time lectures also attracted record attendance on topics ranging from military strategy to current events, nature, healthy living and art history. Our recent Eastbound crossing was shared with some 2,800 other passengers, including 300 children, all of whom seemed remarkably well behaved. The passenger mix was made up mostly of Americans as well as Brits and Germans, as well as from many other countries.
The QM2 sailed peacefully from New York to Southampton in calm seas in early August. Following the Gulf Stream for the better part at a speed in the range of 26 to 26.5 knots, the weather ranged from bright sunshine to fog, where the Gulf Stream hit colder water, back to sunshine. So even in the middle of the Atlantic there were plenty of opportunities for the sunbathers to work on their tans. At 151,400 tons, the QM2 is a very large ship, and because she is built to cross the Atlantic even in winter, while keeping her passengers comfortable, the interior layout is different from cruise ships. And with some 2,800 passengers onboard, she was never crowded the way sea-days can be on cruises, especially if the weather is bad.
An impressive line-up of day-time lectures also attracted record attendance on topics ranging from military strategy to current events, nature, healthy living and art history. Our recent Eastbound crossing was shared with some 2,800 other passengers, including 300 children, all of whom seemed remarkably well behaved. The passenger mix was made up mostly of Americans as well as Brits and Germans, as well as from many other countries.
The QM2 sailed peacefully from New York to Southampton in calm seas in early August. Following the Gulf Stream for the better part at a speed in the range of 26 to 26.5 knots, the weather ranged from bright sunshine to fog, where the Gulf Stream hit colder water, back to sunshine. So even in the middle of the Atlantic there were plenty of opportunities for the sunbathers to work on their tans. At 151,400 tons, the QM2 is a very large ship, and because she is built to cross the Atlantic even in winter, while keeping her passengers comfortable, the interior layout is different from cruise ships. And with some 2,800 passengers onboard, she was never crowded the way sea-days can be on cruises, especially if the weather is bad.
Big Changes Ahead for Cruise Ships.
If the continuously increasing ship sizes and ever increasing number of special features are excluded, there have not been too many major changes in ship design and technology for several decades, according to Markus Aarnio, managing director of Foreship, a ship engineering and design firm. However, due to recently introduced new rules and regulations, together with the question of future fuels, significant changes are taking place today, he said.
Safe Return to Port
The safe return to port requirement that comes into force by July 1, 2010 is largely being complied with already, according to Karl Morten Wiklund, director of passenger ships at Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Wiklund made a point of distancing himself from what he called an academic debate around the new mandatory requirement. “Cruise-ship design and construction represent state-of-the-art shipbuilding and compliance,” said Wiklund. “And, contrary to some,” he said, “there are no uncertainties or mysteries surrounding the IMO requirement of a safe and habitable return. However, some yards, owners and manufacturers seem confused,” he added, “and some like to make this more complicated than it has to be. “Let’s look at the basic concept and not get lost in academic discussions.
We are looking at four main criteria:
1. The safe return to port.
2. Safe areas onboard for passengers and crew.
3. Habitable conditions.
4. A safety center.
New Standards
The cruise industry faces a number of challenges, including achieving better fuel economies and environmental protection, as well as meeting future IMO requirements for recycling and new safety standards, according to Andreas Ullrich, naval architect and ship type manager passenger ships at Germanischer Lloyd (GL).
Get It Right from the Start
At Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, Richard Goodwin, manager of passenger ships, also noted the safe return to port concept, recycling, environmental regulations, including ballast water treatment, and the evolution of ships driven by market development. Longer seasons in Northern Europe and year-round operations in the Mediterranean require different ship designs. Meanwhile, Goodwin also pointed to the passenger ship safety work of the IMO over the past five years which he described as a “major effort and just about completed.”
The major component of the new standards is the requirement for ships to be able to return safely to port with passengers and crew protected in safe areas in case of any damage to the vessel. “This represents a significant increase in safety,” Goodwin added. “Passengers and crew will remain onboard; a cruise ship will be its own best lifeboat. I consider this real progress compared to some of the efforts in the past which have been more on the cosmetic side.”
For more information or to book a cruise email me at jod@zanza.com.
Safe Return to Port
The safe return to port requirement that comes into force by July 1, 2010 is largely being complied with already, according to Karl Morten Wiklund, director of passenger ships at Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Wiklund made a point of distancing himself from what he called an academic debate around the new mandatory requirement. “Cruise-ship design and construction represent state-of-the-art shipbuilding and compliance,” said Wiklund. “And, contrary to some,” he said, “there are no uncertainties or mysteries surrounding the IMO requirement of a safe and habitable return. However, some yards, owners and manufacturers seem confused,” he added, “and some like to make this more complicated than it has to be. “Let’s look at the basic concept and not get lost in academic discussions.
We are looking at four main criteria:
1. The safe return to port.
2. Safe areas onboard for passengers and crew.
3. Habitable conditions.
4. A safety center.
New Standards
The cruise industry faces a number of challenges, including achieving better fuel economies and environmental protection, as well as meeting future IMO requirements for recycling and new safety standards, according to Andreas Ullrich, naval architect and ship type manager passenger ships at Germanischer Lloyd (GL).
Get It Right from the Start
At Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, Richard Goodwin, manager of passenger ships, also noted the safe return to port concept, recycling, environmental regulations, including ballast water treatment, and the evolution of ships driven by market development. Longer seasons in Northern Europe and year-round operations in the Mediterranean require different ship designs. Meanwhile, Goodwin also pointed to the passenger ship safety work of the IMO over the past five years which he described as a “major effort and just about completed.”
The major component of the new standards is the requirement for ships to be able to return safely to port with passengers and crew protected in safe areas in case of any damage to the vessel. “This represents a significant increase in safety,” Goodwin added. “Passengers and crew will remain onboard; a cruise ship will be its own best lifeboat. I consider this real progress compared to some of the efforts in the past which have been more on the cosmetic side.”
For more information or to book a cruise email me at jod@zanza.com.
Destination Focus: North America - The Northwest.
Northwest Pacific ports offer unique attractions on cruises to Alaska and British Columbia and are also setting new standards with a clean air strategy.
Vancouver - How to Grow the Market.
“To grow Alaska further, the industry needs better utilization on other days (than the popular days),” said Greg Wirtz, manager of trade development at the Vancouver Port Authority. “We also need new ports of call, and remember there are only two homeports – Vancouver and Seattle – compared to all the ports that serve the Caribbean, for instance. And there are only three main ports of call,” he added, “Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. “What we need to grow the business in Alaska is a more diversified product. New ports such as Icy Strait, Prince Rupert, Campbell River and Nanaimo help.”
Meanwhile, Vancouver’s Alaska business is solid with some 900,000 passengers projected for 2008, “within 10 percent of 2007 – down a little with one less ship from Celebrity,” according to Wirtz. Last year’s passenger count was approximately 960,000.
Seattle: Clean Air Strategy.
Seattle is projecting 208 calls and 828,000 passengers for 2008, up six percent from 2007, which Mike McLaughlin, cruise services manager, described as a very successful year with 190 calls and 781,143 passengers. That was a 4 percent increase over 2006.
Seattle expects to start construction on its new terminal 91 this year and Holland America and Princess will move to the new terminal. They are presently using Terminal 30 which will be converted back to container traffic.
The new terminal will be 143,000 square feet with two levels and able to accommodate up to Voyager- and Grand Princess-class ships, McLaughlin said. Ships calling in Seattle are required to plug into shoreside power or burn low sulfur fuel while in port to minimize emissions. "We are working with all the sectors of the maritime industry to minimize emissions," said McLaughlin, "and the cruise ships are the forefront of the effort."
Having joined forces with Tacoma and Vancouver, the three ports aim to reduce particulate matter from ships at berth by 70 percent and 30 percent from cargo handling equipment by 2010.
The key to success is to focus on the passenger experience. "We model our operating procedures around the passenger experience," said McLaughlin.
Prince Rupert: Record Year.
“We had a record year in 2007,” said Shaun Stevenson, vice president of marketing and business development at Prince Rupert.
With more than 100,000 passengers last year, Prince Rupert has seen steady growth over the past four years.
Stevenson pointed out that Prince Rupert is only 65 miles south of Ketchikan.
But while Ketchikan can be crowded with ships and passengers, a ship calling in Prince Rupert are usually the only one in town, thus providing a better experience, Stevenson added. “We are surrounded by wilderness, and there is a grizzle bear reserve just north of us. Prince Rupert also has a rich aboriginal history, according to Stevenson, who said that 40 percent of the area population is of aboriginal origins. And, that there is a variety of archeological sites. “We can compete with Alaska and offer a comparable and even better experience,” he added. “We are a one-ship-at-a-time port.”
For more information on cruises in North America please email me at jod@zanza.com.
Vancouver - How to Grow the Market.
“To grow Alaska further, the industry needs better utilization on other days (than the popular days),” said Greg Wirtz, manager of trade development at the Vancouver Port Authority. “We also need new ports of call, and remember there are only two homeports – Vancouver and Seattle – compared to all the ports that serve the Caribbean, for instance. And there are only three main ports of call,” he added, “Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. “What we need to grow the business in Alaska is a more diversified product. New ports such as Icy Strait, Prince Rupert, Campbell River and Nanaimo help.”
Meanwhile, Vancouver’s Alaska business is solid with some 900,000 passengers projected for 2008, “within 10 percent of 2007 – down a little with one less ship from Celebrity,” according to Wirtz. Last year’s passenger count was approximately 960,000.
Seattle: Clean Air Strategy.
Seattle is projecting 208 calls and 828,000 passengers for 2008, up six percent from 2007, which Mike McLaughlin, cruise services manager, described as a very successful year with 190 calls and 781,143 passengers. That was a 4 percent increase over 2006.
Seattle expects to start construction on its new terminal 91 this year and Holland America and Princess will move to the new terminal. They are presently using Terminal 30 which will be converted back to container traffic.
The new terminal will be 143,000 square feet with two levels and able to accommodate up to Voyager- and Grand Princess-class ships, McLaughlin said. Ships calling in Seattle are required to plug into shoreside power or burn low sulfur fuel while in port to minimize emissions. "We are working with all the sectors of the maritime industry to minimize emissions," said McLaughlin, "and the cruise ships are the forefront of the effort."
Having joined forces with Tacoma and Vancouver, the three ports aim to reduce particulate matter from ships at berth by 70 percent and 30 percent from cargo handling equipment by 2010.
The key to success is to focus on the passenger experience. "We model our operating procedures around the passenger experience," said McLaughlin.
Prince Rupert: Record Year.
“We had a record year in 2007,” said Shaun Stevenson, vice president of marketing and business development at Prince Rupert.
With more than 100,000 passengers last year, Prince Rupert has seen steady growth over the past four years.
Stevenson pointed out that Prince Rupert is only 65 miles south of Ketchikan.
But while Ketchikan can be crowded with ships and passengers, a ship calling in Prince Rupert are usually the only one in town, thus providing a better experience, Stevenson added. “We are surrounded by wilderness, and there is a grizzle bear reserve just north of us. Prince Rupert also has a rich aboriginal history, according to Stevenson, who said that 40 percent of the area population is of aboriginal origins. And, that there is a variety of archeological sites. “We can compete with Alaska and offer a comparable and even better experience,” he added. “We are a one-ship-at-a-time port.”
For more information on cruises in North America please email me at jod@zanza.com.
Destination Focus: Mexico - Building Up Their Cruise Future.
Mexico is highly regarded and critically important to the cruise industry, despite a recent passenger tax passed by the country’s congress. At the October meeting of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) in Cozumel, port and tourism officials of this northernmost Latin American nation earned kudos for their professionalism, their awareness of what is needed in the marketplace and their collaborative spirit. "They’re all here to do business. They’re not here to play, they’re not here to enjoy themselves or pat themselves on the back. They’re here to promote their destination and why it’s a much better place to visit,” said Tim Littley, manager of deployment and itinerary planning for Holland America Line.
As Mexico’s ports lobby for more business, the country’s legislators are trying to give municipalities a direct piece of the cruise pie. At press time, congress had just put through a 56 peso (about $5) head tax on disembarking cruise passengers. Beginning in June 2008, the tax, which the Mexico tourism ministry estimates will generate about $30 million annually, will be invested mostly in infrastructure projects and maintenance in cruise-ship communities, according to news reports. Not all the ports agree with this tax. Although they are struggling to get cruise tourism accepted in their communities - Mazatlan, for instance, saw some of its expansion plans scuttled in a recent state election – they are loathe to take outside money for improvements. At the same time, they feel that the tax crimps their efforts to attract cruise tourism, which today has many more options than in the past as ports around the world open up.
But aside from this, cruise line executives who spoke to Cruise Industry News at the FCCA meeting on this island just south of Cancun were very impressed not only with Mexico’s level of service but also with its agility in bouncing back from disasters, most notably Hurricane Wilma, which leveled much of Cozumel’s facilities in 2005.
Mexico’s Pacific ports, although far from the Caribbean, were also represented. The Sea of Cortes ports are lobbying heavily for ships, and cruise executives took notice. These ports add a splash of diversity to itineraries, playing into a major theme of the conference: the need to differentiate each destination lest they start to merge in tourists’ minds. Carnival Corporation Chairman and CEO Micky Arison, also chairman of the FCCA, was enthusiastic, saying, “We had representatives from virtually every region in Mexico today. We met for two-and-a-half hours. We really had a very, very good meeting, and I’m very encouraged that there’s a real desire to partner with the industry to build their business, which is great.”
As Mexico’s ports lobby for more business, the country’s legislators are trying to give municipalities a direct piece of the cruise pie. At press time, congress had just put through a 56 peso (about $5) head tax on disembarking cruise passengers. Beginning in June 2008, the tax, which the Mexico tourism ministry estimates will generate about $30 million annually, will be invested mostly in infrastructure projects and maintenance in cruise-ship communities, according to news reports. Not all the ports agree with this tax. Although they are struggling to get cruise tourism accepted in their communities - Mazatlan, for instance, saw some of its expansion plans scuttled in a recent state election – they are loathe to take outside money for improvements. At the same time, they feel that the tax crimps their efforts to attract cruise tourism, which today has many more options than in the past as ports around the world open up.
But aside from this, cruise line executives who spoke to Cruise Industry News at the FCCA meeting on this island just south of Cancun were very impressed not only with Mexico’s level of service but also with its agility in bouncing back from disasters, most notably Hurricane Wilma, which leveled much of Cozumel’s facilities in 2005.
Mexico’s Pacific ports, although far from the Caribbean, were also represented. The Sea of Cortes ports are lobbying heavily for ships, and cruise executives took notice. These ports add a splash of diversity to itineraries, playing into a major theme of the conference: the need to differentiate each destination lest they start to merge in tourists’ minds. Carnival Corporation Chairman and CEO Micky Arison, also chairman of the FCCA, was enthusiastic, saying, “We had representatives from virtually every region in Mexico today. We met for two-and-a-half hours. We really had a very, very good meeting, and I’m very encouraged that there’s a real desire to partner with the industry to build their business, which is great.”
A year in cruising - 2008 Starting Strong...
2008 is going to be a good year for the industry, was the consensus among financial analysts that follow the industry as this issue was going to press. “It will be a good year, with bookings and pricing up year-over-year,” said Felicia Hendrix, managing director at Lehman Brothers. “But it will not be spectacular,” she added. Her concern is for 2009, which so far has little or no visibility.
Much of the business for 2008 is already booked, she explained, but how many may not cruise next year, because of the economy, is the big question.
At William Blair & Company, Leisure Analyst Bob Simonson said: “I think we are in a recession, and the consumer will be much tighter with his money this year than last year.” He admitted taking a somewhat contrarian position, but believes that what he called the “budding recession” will start having an impact on middle income households. Simonson expects Caribbean pricing to go down during the year and that European cruises will start to become affected, too. It is the aspirational buyer that will be impacted, he said, the customer who needs to borrow and buys a European cruise on credit.
Those who travel first class will go anyway, he said. At Wachovia Capital Markets, Senior Analyst Tim Conder did not see much that can derail the cruise industry, which he said “has proven that it can do well in hard times if necessary.”
It is important to note that pricing is up for 2008, said Robin Farley, leisure and gaming analyst at UBS Investment Research. She said that yield and pricing are driven by deployment – such as moving more ships to Europe, by introducing new ships, and by reducing capacity in the Caribbean. “While business could slow down,” she said, “I believe that is already factored into the forecasts.”
Earnings forecasts (per share) for the year are from $3.10 to $3.30 by Carnival Corporation, compared to actual earnings of $2.95 in 2007, and from $3.20 to $3.40 by Royal Caribbean Cruises, compared to actual earnings of $2.82 for 2007.
For more information or to book a cruise email me at jod@zanza.com.
Much of the business for 2008 is already booked, she explained, but how many may not cruise next year, because of the economy, is the big question.
At William Blair & Company, Leisure Analyst Bob Simonson said: “I think we are in a recession, and the consumer will be much tighter with his money this year than last year.” He admitted taking a somewhat contrarian position, but believes that what he called the “budding recession” will start having an impact on middle income households. Simonson expects Caribbean pricing to go down during the year and that European cruises will start to become affected, too. It is the aspirational buyer that will be impacted, he said, the customer who needs to borrow and buys a European cruise on credit.
Those who travel first class will go anyway, he said. At Wachovia Capital Markets, Senior Analyst Tim Conder did not see much that can derail the cruise industry, which he said “has proven that it can do well in hard times if necessary.”
It is important to note that pricing is up for 2008, said Robin Farley, leisure and gaming analyst at UBS Investment Research. She said that yield and pricing are driven by deployment – such as moving more ships to Europe, by introducing new ships, and by reducing capacity in the Caribbean. “While business could slow down,” she said, “I believe that is already factored into the forecasts.”
Earnings forecasts (per share) for the year are from $3.10 to $3.30 by Carnival Corporation, compared to actual earnings of $2.95 in 2007, and from $3.20 to $3.40 by Royal Caribbean Cruises, compared to actual earnings of $2.82 for 2007.
For more information or to book a cruise email me at jod@zanza.com.
Food & Beverage’s Evolution onboard.
The job of managing dining operations aboard cruise ships has changed enormously in the last decade. F&B directors who used to govern the one main dining room of cruise ships past, now find themselves in charge of a dozen restaurants on each ship, each with different menus, ambience and even clientele.
Here’s how Frank Weber, vice president of food and beverage operations for Royal Caribbean International, describes the operation: “We operate 21 ships, so this means 13,000 employees, 170 restaurants, about 350 bars and financial responsibility of about $500 million.”
On top of that, Royal Caribbean plans to roll out a flexible dining program, called My Time Dining, on its entire fleet.
Testing New Menus
Carnival Cruise Lines’ Corporate Chef, Peter Leypold, said new menu items are tried out aboard one ship, and if they catch on, implemented aboard the whole fleet. “Eight or nine years ago we tried sushi on one ship, and it was so successful, we now have it on every ship,” Leypold said. Carnival’s Mongolian grills are another idea that took off, helping open the line’s menu to all sorts of Asian dishes.
Offsetting lobster and prime rib with noodles and salads saves money, but training kitchen staff to prepare menu items from around the globe can be a chore.
Carnival gives new galley staff three-week courses – half hands on, half theoretical, Leypold said. And there is constant in-house training. New equipment can save time and reduce waste, said Frank Meissner, manager of food and beverage services at AIDA Cruises. “But well trained staff is absolutely required in order to use the whole features of these technologies. We are constantly training our staff to enable the best possible use of this modern equipment.”
At the luxury end of the market, Seabourn Cruise Line has introduced a tasting menu that offers a sample of 15 or so different dishes in one sitting, said Tony Egger, director of culinary and beverage operations at Seabourn.
Recruitment and Prices
Recruiting staff is on everyone’s mind, said Celebrity Crusies’ Jacques Van Staden, vice president of food and beverage. “It’s very difficult to find people. You find out that the Philippines has 5,000 people wanting work and, boom, they’re gone. Everybody is recruiting,” he said.
There is also the issue of the rising price of ingredients, how long they will last and their long-term supply. All this adds up to careful planning. “Cost is really a valuable part of planning,” said Weber. “We really have to be careful in selecting what products to use and how to use them and in what quantities, and of course we have to consider the cost.”
AIDA is also cost conscious, but Meissner said guest satisfaction has to come first. “Of course we are meeting the challenge of increasing prices for foodstuffs worldwide. But cooking is like fashion that’s permanently changing – so there is always a need for trendsetting,” he said. “Each and every product within the menu must be carefully checked and questioned. But guests’ satisfaction must always be the focus.”
Visual
There is much more to dining than taste and smell. Seeing good food can be just as important. Van Staden said the new Celebrity Solstice will add square and oval plates, not just circles, to better display the new menu to be rolled out on the ship. “You need a different type of canvas to do a different type of painting on,” he said. “With this plate perception, I can also cut that 12-ounce steak down to 9 ounces by slicing it, fanning it out, and making it look bigger. This helps cut costs while improving aesthetic charm.”
For more information or to book a cruise email me at jod@zanza.com.
Here’s how Frank Weber, vice president of food and beverage operations for Royal Caribbean International, describes the operation: “We operate 21 ships, so this means 13,000 employees, 170 restaurants, about 350 bars and financial responsibility of about $500 million.”
On top of that, Royal Caribbean plans to roll out a flexible dining program, called My Time Dining, on its entire fleet.
Testing New Menus
Carnival Cruise Lines’ Corporate Chef, Peter Leypold, said new menu items are tried out aboard one ship, and if they catch on, implemented aboard the whole fleet. “Eight or nine years ago we tried sushi on one ship, and it was so successful, we now have it on every ship,” Leypold said. Carnival’s Mongolian grills are another idea that took off, helping open the line’s menu to all sorts of Asian dishes.
Offsetting lobster and prime rib with noodles and salads saves money, but training kitchen staff to prepare menu items from around the globe can be a chore.
Carnival gives new galley staff three-week courses – half hands on, half theoretical, Leypold said. And there is constant in-house training. New equipment can save time and reduce waste, said Frank Meissner, manager of food and beverage services at AIDA Cruises. “But well trained staff is absolutely required in order to use the whole features of these technologies. We are constantly training our staff to enable the best possible use of this modern equipment.”
At the luxury end of the market, Seabourn Cruise Line has introduced a tasting menu that offers a sample of 15 or so different dishes in one sitting, said Tony Egger, director of culinary and beverage operations at Seabourn.
Recruitment and Prices
Recruiting staff is on everyone’s mind, said Celebrity Crusies’ Jacques Van Staden, vice president of food and beverage. “It’s very difficult to find people. You find out that the Philippines has 5,000 people wanting work and, boom, they’re gone. Everybody is recruiting,” he said.
There is also the issue of the rising price of ingredients, how long they will last and their long-term supply. All this adds up to careful planning. “Cost is really a valuable part of planning,” said Weber. “We really have to be careful in selecting what products to use and how to use them and in what quantities, and of course we have to consider the cost.”
AIDA is also cost conscious, but Meissner said guest satisfaction has to come first. “Of course we are meeting the challenge of increasing prices for foodstuffs worldwide. But cooking is like fashion that’s permanently changing – so there is always a need for trendsetting,” he said. “Each and every product within the menu must be carefully checked and questioned. But guests’ satisfaction must always be the focus.”
Visual
There is much more to dining than taste and smell. Seeing good food can be just as important. Van Staden said the new Celebrity Solstice will add square and oval plates, not just circles, to better display the new menu to be rolled out on the ship. “You need a different type of canvas to do a different type of painting on,” he said. “With this plate perception, I can also cut that 12-ounce steak down to 9 ounces by slicing it, fanning it out, and making it look bigger. This helps cut costs while improving aesthetic charm.”
For more information or to book a cruise email me at jod@zanza.com.
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