RCCL becomes ABTA member

RCCL has reinforced its commitment to UK travel trade with the confirmation of its membership of ABTA, effective 1 October 2009. The moves means that cruise-only holidays offered by the company’s three global brands – RCI, Celebrity and Azamara – will be bonded under the ABTA protection scheme from that date, rather than under the current Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) bonding scheme.

Robin Shaw, Vice President and Managing Director, RCCL UK and Ireland commented: ‘Our decision to joint ABTA comes at an exciting time for the organisation and the industry as a whole. Over recent months there is a real feeling that businesses involved in travel and tourism should speak with one voice through one body – and ABTA is taking on the challenge to be the main lobbying body. We look forward to having out say and being able to make a positive contribution on behalf of the cruise sector.

‘Obviously, the ABTA brand resonates with consumers and is a well-known sign of reassurances so it makes sense to switch our bonding arrangements on the cruise-only holiday business.’

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US $1.2bn port development programme in Los Angeles

The recently announced US $1.2bn rejuvenation of the waterfront of the US port of Los Angeles means that the west coast cruise port will get it long awaited new cruise terminal. An estimated $275m will be spent on a new Outer Harbour development, to accommodate vessels up to RCCL’s Freedom-class ships, and upgrades to the existing Inner Harbour berths, which date from the 1960s.

The Outer Harbour development will take place on the eastern side of Kaiser Point (Berths 49-50) instead of the west side (Berths 45-47), which faces a public beach. The port anticipates being able to handle four cruise ships of ‘significant size’ simultaneously. Sphere: Related Content

Unparalleled onboard entertainment venues, shows and activity options aboard Oasis of the Seas

When the world’s largest cruise ship, RCI’s Oasis of the Seas, enters service this December, she will introduce a unique and varied collection of entertainment and activities for all ages and interests. Highlights include West End-style shows, high diving, acrobatic exhibitions, comedy acts, theme nights and parades.

RCI is also making it easier for passengers to plan their entertainment and activities with show schedules made available for pre-booking prior to boarding at www.royalcaribbean.com. Under the Cruise Enhancements page of the RCI website, passengers can view show schedules by title, day and time and make advance reservations up to three months prior to departure for shows at venues including the Opal Theatre, Studio B ice-skating rink, Comedy Live and Aqua Theatre. Reservations made online will be recorded to each passengers’ Seapass card, which will serve as the show ‘ticket’. A traditional Box Office and a ticketing system using the in-stateroom TV will also be available for onboard reservations.

The headlining shows and entertainment offerings onboard Oasis of the Seas are as follows:

Opal Theatre

Seating 1,350, the Opal Theatre features a thrust stage and a proscenium extending into the audience to bring the action closer, and will present three different shows:

· Hairspray: The eight time Tony Award-winning musical is licensed exclusively to RCI. The 90-minute show features original costumes, sets, lighting designs, and a cast of performers, who were selected during a four city audition tour in London, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Hairspray will be performed four times throughout each cruise

· Come Fly with Me: This 45-minute show with interactive video, singing and dancing and aerial gymnastics will be performed four times during each cruise

· Headliner Showtime: Offered three times during each cruise, passengers will be delighted by the fabulous acts taking the stage including world-class singers, musicians, magicians and jugglers

Behind-the-scene videos of the auditions and the rehearsals of the productions can be viewed at http://www.OasisoftheSeas.com



Studio B

The Studio B ice-skating rink will present ice shows and host a variety of themed events:

· Frozen in Time: This dazzling show brings classic Hans Christian Andersen works to life, with a cast including top-rated figure skaters from around the world. This ice show will be available seven times during each cruise



AquaTheatre

As the first theatre of its kind, this oceanfront amphitheatre-style venue will seat 600 and features the largest and deepest pool at sea. AquaTheatre will host a variety of entertainment, including live music, fountain shows and cabarets and two elaborate dive shows that will take place each day and night:

· Oasis of Dreams: A cast of Olympic and champion athletes from around the world have been selected for this show, including divers, synchronised swimmers and gymnasts. The show is set to an original soundtrack and synchronised with fountain shows, lighting and special effects

· Splish Splash: Performed five times each cruise, the AquaTheatre’s cast of divers will combine poolside antics with Olympic-style diving, all to an upbeat soundtrack



Comedy Live

Located in the Entertainment Place neighbourhood, Comedy Live is one of the ‘after dark’ venues onboard Oasis of the Seas. The adult comedy club is a fun and intimate space with décor inspired by a New York subway station.

· Comedy Shows: Talented stand-up comics will perform one-hour long shows two or three times nightly



Theme Nights and Parades

With a Royal Promenade almost double the width of those found onboard Voyager and Freedom class ships, Oasis of the Seas will continue to tradition of RCI’s signature theme nights and parades:

· Disco Inferno Street Party: This disco-themed street party will take in the Royal Promenade, the Atlas Bridge, Rising Tide Bar and the mezzanine

· The Royal Promenade Parade: will transform this neighbourhood with sights and sounds inspired by popular fairy tales Sphere: Related Content

RCCL opens office in Sao Paulo

RCCL is ramping up its commitment to growing the South American cruise market by opening a new office in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the first Royal Caribbean International company-owned office in the region.

Commenting on its decision to target Brazil, RCI President and CEO Adam Goldstein said: ‘The cruise market in Brazil is one of the fastest growing in the world, and with increased investment and commitment, we aim to accelerate this trend. In late 2009 RCI will have two ships – Vision of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas – dedicated to the Brazilian market which represents a significant uplift in available cruise departures.’

New for the 2009/2010 season, RCI will offer 21 departures of three and four night cruises from the port of Santos with the 2,000 passenger capacity Vision of the Seas and the 1,804 passenger capacity Splendour of the Seas. Also available are five, six, seven and eight night cruises onboard Vision of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas from December 2009.   Sphere: Related Content

Pimentel named as President and CEO of Azamara Cruises

As hinted at in last week’s ‘Off Radar’, cruise industry veteran Larry Pimentel has been appointed by RCCL to the newly created position of president and CEO of Azamara Cruises. He will have responsibility for the strategic direction and leadership of the deluxe brand to ensure its continuous growth and success. Pimentel will report directly to Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of RCCL.

‘It is time for Azamara Cruises to stand on its own, after a successful two years of operation,’ said Mr. Fain. ‘The onboard experience and brand recognition of Azamara Cruises is due to the leadership, dedication and commitment of Dan Hanrahan and his Celebrity Cruises team.’ 

Larry Pimentel has more than 25 years of travel industry experience catering to the high-end consumer. Most recently, he served as president, CEO and co-owner of SeaDream yacht Club. Previously he served as president and CEO of Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. Sphere: Related Content

Oasis of the Seas completes first sea trials

The world’s largest cruise ship, RCCL’s Oasis of the Seas has successfully completed her first sea trials in the Baltic, which were ‘a terrific success’ according to Chairman and CEO Richard Fain. Sphere: Related Content

The first carousel at sea on Oasis Boardwalk

RCCL’s Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, will be the first ship to feature a traditional fairground carousel. The carousel will be the centrepiece of the Boardwalk neighbourhood and has been handcrafted from poplar wood and features 21 figures suspended from stainless steel poles showcasing a time-honoured menagerie of animals such as zebras, giraffes and lions, alongside a variety of hand-painted horses. Sphere: Related Content

Costa and RCCL win approval for direct China-Taiwan cruises

In a ground-breaking deal two of the world’s leading cruise lines, Costa Cruises and RCCL, have received approval from the Chinese government for a series of direct cruises linking China with Taiwan this spring. The special cruise ship charters have been undertaken by manufacturing and distribution company Amway (China) Ltd.

Costa has received approval from China’s Ministry of Transport to run three special seven day cruises this April and May, using its 1,680 passenger capacity Costa Classica. After departing Shanghai, the cruises call at the Taiwanese ports of Hualien, Jilong and Taizhong.

RCCL, meanwhile, has received approval to operate six cruises between Shanghai and Taiwan, using its Legend of the Seas, between 14 March and 19 April. The seven day cruises will call at Hualien, Keelung and Taichung. 1,700 Chinese passengers are expected to arrive in Taiwan on the first cruise, the largest single group of Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan since the establishment of the cross-straits ‘three direct links.’

Commenting on the new China-Taiwan cruises, RCCL’s managing director for China, Dr Liu Zinan said: ‘RCCL is very pleased with this chance to contribute to the peace and exchange between the people of both straits. Due to our global strategies and the strong demand from other markets, even though RCCL is not able to fully satisfy its customer’s needs for chartered cruises in China, this has shown us the huge potential for the Chinese market.’   Sphere: Related Content

RCCL announces enhanced programme for Suite passengers

RCCL has announced a comprehensive enhancement to the cruise line’s programme for passengers booked in suite category cabins. The new suite programme is designed to focus on distinctive and personalised service and touch on every aspect of the passengers’ experience from arrival to departure. Suite passengers will enjoy a number of special privileges and upgraded amenities for their cruise, along with RCCL’s world-renowned Gold Anchor Service from every member of its staff and crew. The new suite programme will be implemented fleet wide in March. Sphere: Related Content

RCCL relocates senior international management role to Miami

Following the decision by RCCL to relocate the role of regional vice president, international market planning to its corporate head office in Miami from its UK office in Weybridge, Sarah Newman has decided to leave the company due to family commitments.  

A replacement for Sarah Newman’s role, which oversees the development and co-ordination of core growth markets including their ship deployment, financial performance, distribution and operations capability, branding, marketing and PR, has yet to be announced. Sphere: Related Content

Oasis of the Seas to call at Southampton

The world’s largest cruise ship, RCCL’s Oasis of the Seas, is to out into the UK’s leading cruise ship port Southampton towards the end of this year on her delivery voyage from Finland. The 5,400 passenger capacity vessel is scheduled to arrive at 101 Berth in Southampton at 12.00hrs on 8 November, departing the same day at 17.00hrs. Sphere: Related Content

RCCL revamps online agent training

RCCL has revamped its dedicated agent training programme for this year for the brands RCI, Celebrity and Azamara. The award-winning online knowledge forum has a new look complete with a personalised introduction page, and new refresher modules to ensure agent’s selling skills are bang up to date.

David Chidley, training manager for RCCL explained: ‘in terms of new ships and new opportunities, 2009 will be a jam packed year for cruising, RCI is introducing the hugely-hyped Oasis of the Seas, and the new Celebrity Equinox from Celebrity Cruises will launch in Southampton. Giving agents the right tools and resources to both stay on top of all the new developments, and sell confidently, is a huge factor in growing our sales via our travel partners. The revamped Cruising for Excellence online training programme is one area of investment, look out for more ship visit opportunities and more training events, all coming in 2009.’

Since its launch in April 2006, RCCL’s online agent training programme has trained over 11,000 agents in the UK and Ireland, and has been recognised by the E-Learning Network with a Silver E-Learning Award highlighting its excellence, interactivity and quality of learning content. Plus, Cruising for Excellence also recently won a highly prestigious National Learning Award (NTA).


The Cruising for Excellence programme has been used within RCCL’s head office to help train new and current staff. It has also been adopted worldwide, with RCCL’s head office in Miami taking it to the Northern American and Canadian market, with future plans for a worldwide roll-out.

Agents can register for the new-look Cruising for Excellence by visiting www.cruisingpower.co.uk and clicking on the Cruising for Excellence banner, alternatively agents can call the RCCL training team on 01932 834290, or email: training@rccl.com Sphere: Related Content

New wastewater treatment systems for RCI fleet

RCI is to retrofit new gray and black water treatment systems aboard 16 ships in its fleet, using the Navalis Poseidon System developed by US-based Navalis Environmental Systems. The first ship to be fitted with the new system, which meets US Coast Guard and IMO rules, will be Rhapsody of the Seas.   Sphere: Related Content