Seatrade Cruise Talks brings your conversations with the with cruise professionals and industry leaders you want to hear from. Join Seatrade Cruise News editors Anne Kalosh, Mary Bond, and Holly Payne as they discuss the challenges of the current — and future — climate with the people making waves. To stay up to date with Seatrade Cruise Talks, go to: http://www.seatradecruiseevents.com/talks.
In this episode of Tech Talks, Ian Richardson is joined by Michele Potorski, President of Procell InSite, to explore the transformative power of predictive battery management in the cruise industry. Discover how proactive device management prevents disruptions like door lock failures, enhances guest satisfaction, and streamlines operations with real-time maintenance alerts. Learn how this innovative solution also supports sustainability goals by reducing waste and labor inefficiencies. Tune in to find out how intelligent power solutions are paving the way for a greener, more seamless future in cruise operations.Find out more about Procell Insite here: Procell InSite | Procell
In this episode of Eat. Drink. Cruise., host Ken Taylor dives into the culinary wonders of Norwegian Cruise Line with Christian Pratsch, the VP of Food and Beverage. Christian shares insights from his extensive background in hospitality, sharing his journey from a chef to his role at Norwegian Cruise Line, highlighting his passion for culinary excellence and innovation throughout. The pair discuss the evolution of dining at sea, particularly Norwegian Cruise Line's freestyle dining concept that revolutionised dining on board by offering guests flexible dining times and multiple specialty dining options.Christian emphasises the brand's commitment to keeping guests at the forefront of their innovations to continuously enhance their dining experiences on board. He cites new concepts like the Indulge Food Hall, allowing guests to order from a diverse menu via tablets, ensuring quick service and a variety of global cuisines. Tune in to discover the behind-the-scenes stories and future innovations that make dining at sea an unforgettable experience.
Join host Ken Taylor as he sits down with industry expert Darragh McGillicuddy, Founder of McGillicuddy Hospitality as they reminisce over lessons learnt from the hotel industry and their roles in shaping drinking & dining experiences at sea. Offering insight into the impact of F&B on passenger experience onboard and how clarity in brand standards and service excellence contribute to guest satisfaction and loyalty.In particular, Darragh highlights the unique challenges and opportunities of small ship F&B programmes and culinary teams, and the crucial role that onboard crew play. The pair discuss leadership programmes and team culture, and the invaluable role these can play in maintaining gold standards and brand quality. Tune in for behind-the-scenes anecdotes and practical advice for setting cruise F&B teams up for success and service excellence.
Dive into the world of food, travel, and social media influence with this weeks Eat. Drink. Cruise. episode. Join host Ken Taylor as he explores the fascinating intersection of culinary innovation, hospitality, and social media with special guest Rachel Samson (Stick a Fork in Me). In this episode, Rachel shares her journey to becoming a social media influencer, offering insights into the evolving landscape of digital content creation in cruise F&B.Discover how social media has reshaped the way we experience food and travel, as Rachel delves into the challenges and rewards of curating authentic content about food in the age of influencer culture. From behind-the-scenes glimpses of cruise ship kitchens to uncovering hidden culinary gems in bustling cities, Rachel's culinary adventures offer a tantalising glimpse into the world of food entertainment.Plus, Ken and Rachel discuss viral moments, how to drive engagement and connection with cruise F&B on social media, shaping the perception of cruise travel among younger generations and opening up new opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Dive into the world of cruise industry innovation in our latest Tech Talks podcast episode, where host David Tibbles from theICEway chats with Jessica Wright, Managing Director of Peel X. Together, they navigate the realm of augmented reality (AR), shedding light on its transformative potential within cruise tourism.Discover how AR breathes new life into travel experiences, overlaying digital wonders onto real-world landscapes. Jessica unveils the magic of interactive storytelling and engaging activities, from historical voyages to thrilling treasure hunts, all enhanced by AR technology. Jessica shares captivating examples of AR projects in the cruise space, including a fascinating archaeological storytelling initiative in the Outer Hebrides, demonstrating how AR breathes new life into forgotten histories and undiscovered locations.Join David and Jessica as they delve into the practicalities of implementing AR solutions, from technical intricacies to connectivity challenges in remote destinations. Plus, uncover how customised AR experiences are forging deeper connections to destinations, enriching the passenger experience ashore.Tune in, to uncover the boundless potential of AR to enhance cruise tourism, promising guests unforgettable adventures and enriching cultural encounters beyond the confines of traditional shore excursions.
In this episode, Ken sits down with a cruise line supplier: John Devine, President of Michael J. Devine and Associates, a family-run business steeped in the wine industry's tradition. Together, they offer insights into supplying wine to the travel industry, navigating the journey of Michael J. Devine and Associates from family dynamics, to cruise line deals, providing anecdotes and best practice examples along the way. This episode offers the opportunity to understand the business of supplying F&B to cruise lines, and the importance of partnership with cruise line buyers - working together to adapt, finding products that meet everchanging guest expectations.Tune in as John shares insights into relationship-building in the cruise industry, the evolving landscape of wine sales, rising interest into sustainable and low2no wine categories, and current ventures into better-for-you snacks.
In this week's Ship Safety Spotlight, sponsored by Survitec, Seatrade Cruise's Holly Payne is joined by Richard McCormick, Commercial Director of MES and AES Systems for Survitec. The pair explore the critical role of safety in the cruise industry, and particularly the advancements in ship evacuation technology. Tune in to discover how Survitec's Seahaven Advanced Evacuation System, redefines safety. With its fully automated, rapid evacuation capability, ejecting and inflating in under four minutes. Learn how this technology is designed to enhances passenger safety and free up valuable deck space onboard! Key takeaways include insights into the increasing need for advanced evacuation systems as cruise ships grow larger and more ambitious, the crucial role of regulations in ensuring safety standards keep pace with innovation, and the impact of safety systems like Seahaven, on the future of cruise ship design.
In this week's episode, Ken Taylor hosts Charles Steadman, Director of Food and Beverage Experiences and Strategic Partnerships at Virgin Voyages. Together, they delve into the captivating journey behind the creation of Virgin's distinctive brand and its innovative food and beverage offerings. Explore Virgin Voyages' fresh perspective on onboard drinking & dining, shaped by collaborations with artists, musicians, and other creatives to elevate the experience for sailors. Charles offers insights into the meticulous process behind realising Virgin's vision at sea and sheds light into emerging trends shaping menu creation, tailored to their unique, adult-only demographic. From the rising interest in low-to-no alcohol options to wellness-centric initiatives. Tune in to discover how Virgin Voyages continues to redefine the cruise F&B experience.Mentioned in this episode:SSA MarineYou can visit SSA Marine at booth #1433 at Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11. SSA MarineYou can visit SSA Marine at booth #1433 at Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11.
In this weeks episode Ken sits down with Zach Sulkes, AVP of Beverage Operations for Carnival Cruise Line, bringing over 20 years of industry experience to the table. From his tenure at Bacardi to his current role at Carnival, Zach offers a unique perspective on the dynamics of cruise F&B.Discover how Carnival is leading the charge in F&B sustainability, reducing food waste, and pioneering circular packaging initiatives. Dive into the immersive bar experiences aboard Carnival's XL class ships, where each vessel boasts its own unique brewery and themed bars, elevating the onboard guest experience to new heights. Zach dives into factors that make a huge impact onboard, including the importance of investing in onboard teams, nurturing talent, and enhancing guest interactions for an unforgettable cruise experience. Plus, explore the delicate balance between Carnival's stellar guest satisfaction and revenue optimization, as Zach shares insights into decision-making processes that drive Carnival's F&B operations forward. Mentioned in this episode:ITD Food SafetyVisit ITD Food Safety at Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11 2024 at booth #3419.ITD Food SafetyVisit ITD Food Safety at Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11 2024 at booth #3419.
Explore the forefront of tech innovation and how to harness technology to create a world leading cruise destination, with Barbara Buczek, Chief Destination Experiences Officer at Cruise Saudi, as she joins David Tibbles on the brand new season of Tech Talks Podcast.In this captivating discussion, Barbara unveils the ambitious vision of Cruise Saudi in shaping the future of cruise in Saudi Arabia, and the role technology plays in their plans, crafting immersive experiences for guests and using digital platforms and social media to revolutionise destination marketing.Barbara shares insights into leveraging data analytics and social media to personalise guest experiences, highlighting the importance of collaboration between cruise lines, ports, and local businesses for sustainable growth. Plus, explore the exciting possibilities of smart infrastructure and AI in optimising guest flow and enhancing the overall cruise passenger experience.
Join Ken Taylor this week on Eat. Drink. Cruise as he is joined by Executive Chef Molly Brandt, providing a sneak peak into her life and culinary philosophy. Molly shares insights from her journey as a chef, from graduating from the CIA, to being one of the first North American female chefs to lead a chef driven concept: 150 Central Park on Allure of the Seas. Molly shares unique insights from her time at sea, since which, Molly has consulted for an array of cruise lines, before her current role where she is now taking her creativity and innovative approach to the airline industry with gategroup.This conversation teases the intricacies of culinary innovation at sea, complexities behind interactive dining experiences, and the evolving trends reshaping the food and beverage industry in travel and beyond. Discover Molly's secrets behind crafting authentic, immersive dining experiences at sea, from new galley's to bespoke menus. Don't miss the opportunity to hear more insights from Molly at F&B@Sea 2024, where she will be joining a panel of culinary experts and chefs.
Dive into the world of cruise retail onboard as this week, Nadine Heubel spoke with Daniel Buergo, Senior District Manager for Starboard Cruise Services. They explore building relationships, maximizing sales, and curating unforgettable guest experiences. Daniel, with over 28 years of retail experience, shares insights from managing retail revenue across 19 ships across 3 diverse cruise brands.Explore the intricacies of building strong relationships, maximizing sales, and creating unforgettable guest experiences, onboard. From practical tips for retail success to personal anecdotes from life at sea, this episode offers a candid look into the dynamic world of cruise retail.
Embark on a culinary journey like no other with "Eat. Drink. Cruise." your passport to the dynamic world of food and beverage onboard cruise ships, with our host Ken Taylor. In our first episode, we delve deep into the heart of the industry with none other than Cornelius Gallagher, Vice President of Hotel Operations for Celebrity Cruises.From sustainability initiatives to culinary innovation, Gallagher shares how trends in hospitality are reshaping the onboard experience. Exploring the intersection of food, culture, and hospitality Gallagher unveils the "Celebrity Way," a revolutionary approach to elevated guest experiences onboard.Discover Gallagher's illustrious career, from working alongside world-renowned chefs, to spearheading the launch of new F&B programmes and chef partnerships with Celebrity Cruises. Discover how his culinary expertise informs his vision for sourcing the freshest ingredients and creating memorable dining moments at sea.
In the latest episode of The Retail Wave Makers Season 3, where we hear from different departments on board the ship and their interaction with retail, Nadine is joined today by Chris "The Flying Scotsman" Williams, Cruise Director on board Carnival Celebration!Nadine and Chris explore the intricacies of being the face of the ship and the vital role of communication between departments, especially with retail. Chris sheds light on the unique initiatives and events that drive engagement, such as the 'Fun Aboard, Fun Ashore' initiative, where retail partners collaborate to offer exclusive deals and promotions.With over 16 years' experience at sea, Chris emphasizes the importance of authenticity and proactive communication in successful retail partnerships. From cross-branding events to creating personal connections with guests, Chris's passion for onboard retail shines through!
Join Claudine for the season finale of Cruise Convos as she sits down for an exclusive interview with Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, an extraordinary trailblazer in the cruise industry. Lisa shares her inspiring journey from starting out in an entry-level position to rising to the top as President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises.Reflecting on her 39-year career, Lisa reveals the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way. From overcoming rejection, to breaking through gender barriers, Lisa's story is one of resilience and determination.With authenticity and vulnerability, Lisa discusses her leadership philosophy and the importance of creating a caring environment built on mutual respect and gratitude. She shares insights from her new book, "Making Waves: A Woman's Rise to the Top Using Smarts, Heart, and Courage" offering valuable lessons in leadership for aspiring professionals.Listeners will be inspired by Lisa's journey and empowered to dream big and leave themselves open to the universe.
This week, Nadine welcomes a special guest all the way from Antarctica, Chris Harrington, a Hotel Director at Anglo Eastern Leisure Management. Listen in, as Chris provides an insider's view into the life of a Hotel Director aboard an expedition ship, where he juggles numerous responsibilities and oversees the entire commercial operation.Delve into his rich experience as he compares retail dynamics between ocean-going cruise ships and expedition vessels, unveiling successful retail initiatives and uncovering synergies between the two.Chris shares his perspective on the key to successful retail initiatives onboard cruise ships, emphasising the importance of personalised sales and creating unforgettable guest experiences.Learn what it truly takes to excel as a retailer at sea and how to leave a lasting impression on guests while cruising through the world's most remote and breathtaking destinations.
Hear from a travel advisor's perspective this week, as Claudine engages in a captivating conversation with Susie Flores, the CEO and Founder of Countdown Travels LLC.With an astounding 95% of Countdown Travels' sales attributed to cruise travel, Susie provides valuable insights into the shifting dynamics of selling cruise packages. With a whopping 99% of these sales driven by the power of social media, Susie unpacks this shift in consumer booking and how she has harnessed the power of social media to become one of the top 100 travel advisors in the USA.Explore the world of content creation onboard these cruises and unravel the mystery behind the enduring popularity of booking through travel advisors, constituting 75% of all travel reservations. Susie sheds light on the evolving dynamics and growing trust in travel advisors, emphasizing the unique value they bring to the table – a human touch, specialized knowledge, and a genuine understanding of the cruise experience.
Claudine is joined by Julian, the CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises this week for a captivating episode filled with career reflections, leadership tips, industry successes, and a sneak peek into the future of Hapag Lloyd Cruises. Together, they delve into Julian's remarkable career journey, recounting his beginnings as a first-time cruiser on the Europa and tracing his impressive ascent to the position of CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises in 2020.Julian takes a moment to reflect on the highlights of 2023 for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. From growing shore power initiatives to achieving stellar guest satisfaction, boasting the largest champagne selection at sea, and hosting weddings in Antarctica—Julian shares the key successes that defined the year.Plus, anticipate insights into the exciting new developments and initiatives that will shape Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' operations in 2024 and beyond, as Julian provides a glimpse into the cruise line's future plans.
Have you ever wondered what a Captain of a cruise ship does on a day to day basis and how they are involved with each department onboard?This week, Nadine is joined by Captain Eric Barhorst, of Holland America Line who joined the podcast from onboard the MS Nieuw Statendam in Iceland!Listen in to hear more about the responsibilities of a Captain from navigating the ship, ensuring efficient operations to overseeing the business side of things onboard.In particular, Eric shares how he works with his team to oversee retail initiatives onboard and shares some of the new initiatives curated by his team which capture lasting memories of itineraries for guests to take home!
During this week's episode, Claudine speaks with Dan Cockerell - a seasoned consultant to companies across the service and hospitality sectors.Dan draws on 26 years experience at Walt Disney Company, starting his career as a parking attendant; and 26 years later, a Vice President leading 12,000 cast members at the largest theme park in the world! Drawing on his extensive career, he shares insights into his own leadership style and work philosophy whilst Claudine & Dan discuss what makes a good leader, and how to foster a strong company culture.
Discover how a cruise industry expert has seen the industry evolve over recent years, and where she sees the industry going in the future.This week Claudine speaks with Seatrade Cruise's own Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review.Claudine and Anne discuss her long-lasting career in the cruise industry and some of the most memorable moments she has documented throughout her career, covering global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends.
This week Claudine speaks all things diversity, inclusion and self-improvement, with none other than Dr Grant Van Ulbrich, Director of International Sales Transformation at Royal Caribbean Cruise Line!Having worked at sea for 10-15 years, and now been with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line for over 15 years, Grant shares his secrets to being successful as a cruise industry leader, and how this goes hand in hand with pushing diversity, inclusion and equity as core values.Plus, find out how his career in cruise led to him creating the worlds 1st accredited personal change model - Scared So What.
This weeks episode takes a deep dive into cruise operations in the Asia Pacific region, teasing some of the important topics to be addressed in the upcoming Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific conference 2023, coming to Hong Kong this October 24-26. Chiara Giorgi is joined by a cruise industry trailblazer, Sarina Bratton, Chairman Asia Pacific and Special Advisor at PONANT, considered Australia's First Lady of cruising.Sarina shares her insights into recent developments and outlook for cruise tourism in Asia, paying specific attention to the resurgence of regional source markets, and outlook for emerging markets. The pair discuss in depth the challenges faced by small ship cruise operators in Asia, the potential benefits generated for local communities, and so much more!
Do you want to get to know decision makers in the cruise industry better this World Tourism Day?Join Claudine this week to celebrate tourism, as she spoke with Marie-Andrée Blanchet, Director of Cruise at the Port of Quebec!Marie tells all about her career in the cruise industry, sharing success stories from working at the port of Quebec for the last 10 years, Marie & Claudine discuss the changing cruise season in Canada, seeing the benefits of cruise ripple throughout the community of Quebec, and so much more!Don't miss new episodes every 2 weeks.
Join Seatrade Cruise's Holly Payne in conversation with Tal Danai and Lars Kruse, as they talk all things cruise and ferry interiors ahead of next weeks Marine Interiors Global Expo, in Hamburg.They discuss the influences they are seeing on ship design and build, from the growing importance of all aspects of sustainability. Plus, they look into the future to innovations that are shaping cruise and ferry design to continue providing exceptional guest experiences for a wide variety of cruise passengers.Join Tal and Lars in Hamburg next week, where the discussion will continue, at Marine Interiors Cruise & Ferry Global Expo.
Cruise Convos Season 2 is out now! Don't miss episode 1 as Claudine Pohl is joined by industry trailblazer Denella Ri'chard, named in The Network Journal's "25 Influential Women in Business" and Legacy Miami's "50 Most Powerful & Influential Business Leaders" of 2018.Denella sheds light on her path that led her to a career in the cruise industry and shares amazing stories working for Norwegian Cruise Line & Holland America line. Plus, the pair discuss starting your own business in the pandemic, and celebrate Denella's new success as a television producer and host, starring in award-winning travel shows streaming across the globe!
Join Seatrade Cruise's Holly Payne and Rachel Wehrle in the latest episode of Cruise News & Trends, filling you in on all of the top news & trending stories from July 2023.Tune in as they discuss:New ships launching and newbuilds on the horizon from Explora Journeys, Seabourn, Crystal Cruises and TUI River Cruises Exciting New F&B partnerships and offerings from Virgin Voyages, Carnival Cruise line, Princess Cruises, and innovation at AIDA Cruises who are recycling food waste into beauty products on board!News & updates on the ever-expanding expedition marketYour upcoming Seatrade Cruise Events calendarPlus, so much more!
This weeks Season 1 finale sees Claudine joined by special guest Ryan Stana, CEO and Founder of RWS Global, to learn how he went from entrepreneur to Emmy winner!Claudine & Ryan discuss everything from being an only child to starting their own businesses, and everything in between - including winning an Emmy!Ryan shares insight into his successful career as an entrepreneur and the story behind starting RWS Global, from its inception to the growth of the business around the globe.Plus, Ryan shares insight into the work he does in the cruise industry, creating memories for cruise guests world wide!
Join Claudine Pohl this week as she chats with a port agent for the first time on Cruise Convos, Mim Larsson from SDK Cruise!Tune in to find out what life is like as a port agent, where no two days are the same! As Mim shares hilarious stories from her career so far.Plus the pair discuss how they have witnessed the industry evolve over their careers, and where it could be in 10 years!
Tune in to the final episode of season 1 of Tech Talks, with Ian Richardson, a Seatrade Cruise Talks Podcast. Ian chats with Joel Tasche, Co-CEO and Founder of CleanHub. Joel tells all about his mission at CleanHub, to address plastic pollution. How? By building waste management systems and infrastructure in coastal areas where a significant amount of plastic waste enters the oceans. Plus, they discuss the next steps towards CleanHub's goal to prevent 50% of new ocean plastic and collect around 20 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste by 2040.
In this week's episode of Cruise Convos, Claudine Pohl is joined by Simone Maraschi, Managing Director at Cruise Gate Hamburg!With Hamburg celebrating a season of more cruise calls than ever, Claudine and Simone discuss what makes Hamburg such a special cruise destination, all year round!Plus, as the Chair of the Cruise Europe Sustainability Committee, Simone shares insights into how sustainable initiatives have shaped Hamburg Cruise Port, with a strong commitment to improving and reducing their impact on the environment. Of course, the pair look forward to Seatrade Europe coming to Hamburg this September, and Hamburg Cruise Days on the river Elbe! To join them at Seatrade Europe, register here.
Join host Ian Richardson as he sits down with Greg Ross-Munro, the visionary CEO of Sourcetoad, in this week's episode of Tech Talks podcast, as Greg reveals the fascinating world of cruise mobile apps and their impact on the customer and crew experience.In this insightful episode, Greg and Ian delve into the ways in which innovative onboard apps and seamless communications are revolutionizing the cruise industry. Discover how these cutting-edge solutions are enhancing security, improving embarkation processes, and transforming the overall cruise experience.But that's not all – Greg provides an exclusive glimpse into the future of cruise mobile apps. Greg shares his insights into some of the innovations coming in ocean and river cruise apps that will improve security, experience & embarkation, from push notifications to augmented reality!
Tune in this week as Claudine speaks with Ilana from Life Well Cruised - a full time cruise blogger! Claudine and Ilana talk all things cruise content creation, and the impact of creating authentic content to connect cruise lines with cruise guests of all ages & interests! Ilana talks some of her favourite memories of cruising with her family and offers Claudine some tips for her upcoming trips!Plus, as always Ilana looks back, to offer her younger self some advice - tune in to find out what she says!
In today's special edition of Cruise News & Trend podcast, celebrate World Ocean Day with Seatrade Cruise's Holly Payne & Rachel Wehrle, chatting with special guests: Kate Weston and Steve Jones from ORCA, a whale and dolphin conservation charity.Kate & Steve shed light on some of the conservation work that ORCA do with their partners to protect our oceans! From educating guests on board, working with shoreside experts & itinerary planners, to placing ocean conservationists on board to monitor whales and dolphins and carry out essential research.As travellers are increasingly more concerned with sustainable travel options in our world's oceans, find out how ORCA work within the cruise industry to drive forward conservation efforts and protect our ocean's whales & dolphins, as well as what you can do as a guest or crew member on board to practice responsible tourism & whale watching.Plus tune in to find out some facts about whales that you will not believe, from the resident ocean experts!
Join us for a hilarious and inspiring conversation on this week's episode of Cruise Convos! Claudine sits down with Tom Goetter, VP Hotel Operations at Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, an esteemed world-renowned chef aboard Scenic Eclipse.Tom recently showcased his culinary prowess on the hit TV show "Top Chef: World All Stars" and is currently captivating audiences on "Maritime Masters." Together, Tom and Claudine discuss life onboard as a Top Chef!Discover Tom's remarkable journey as a chef, learning from acclaimed chefs around the globe to his current role as a visionary leader onboard Scenic Eclipse. Plus, gain insights into how he has shaped his kitchen culture and created an extraordinary dining experience!
In this weeks episode of Tech Talks, Ian Richardson chats with Tracey Estes & Jeffrey Weiland from LG Technologies to discuss some of the recent tech innovations onboard & how they being used to improves the guest experience for cruisers! Tracey & Jeff fill us in on the latest innovations at LG Electronics, from display technology to robots. Find out how this technology has evolved from land to sea, including tech they have designed specifically for cruise, from marine grade DVLED screens to serving robots, as seen at Seatrade Cruise Global 2023!Plus, they speculate what the future holds for technologies onboard & shoreside!
Join Ian Richardson whilst he chats with @EmmaCruises, a full time cruise content creator & vlogger, on this episode of Tech Talks!Ian & Emma discuss her love for cruising and how she started as a content creator to how she got to where she is today with 238K subscribers on YouTube! Plus, hear from Emma her top tips for content creation & how cruise lines can continue to use platforms like YouTube to connect with future guests authentically!Ian finds out how innovations in technology on board have changed since Emma first started cruising at 11, and how her favorite uses of tech onboard have truly elevated her experience as a passenger!
In this weeks episode of Cruise Convos, Claudine chats with Kris Endreson, VP Strategic Sales at MSC Cruises USA.Kris gives Claudine insight into the fastest growing cruise line around the world, and their current growth in the North American market!What does the future hold for MSC Cruises world-wide? Kris shares some insight on current projects, including new home ports in North America, new ships on the way, and destination developments in the Bahamas! Kris also shares her history in the industry and how travel has changed her life for the better!
In this week's episode of The Retail Wave Makers, Nadine welcomes Mark Birnie, Deputy CEO & Chief Operations Officer of Harding Plus, taking a deeper dive into the supply chain planning, forecasting and logistics that are an integral part of the cruise retail business!Mark shares his secrets to managing the complexities of replenishing a cruise ship, ensuring the right product makes it to the right guests, on the right ship, on time.Mark shares some of the lessons learnt from the recent supply chain disruption experienced world-wide & Nadine and Mark discuss how the cruise retail supply chain is likely to evolve in coming years to cope with increasing demand & innovation!
In this week Cruise Convos SPECIAL, Claudine is joined by Rafat Ali, Founder & CEO of Skift, a company providing news & insights into the travel & tourism industry, named one of the most influential people in tourism worldwide!Rafat offers some outside perspective on the cruise industry trends & traveler behaviour.Plus, Claudine quizzes Rafat on how technological innovations will likely change travel marketing, tourism operations & traveler expectations into the future - from FinTech to generative AI!
Join the Seatrade Cruise team from across the pond, as Holly Payne and Rachel Wehrle keep you up-to-date on the latest news & trends across the industry! Today, they welcome special guest Ryan Stana, Global CEO RWS Entertainment Group to discuss one of the industry's most trendy & booming sectors - entertainment.They discuss the intersection of entertainment & cruise and some of their greatest memories on board and the latest trends that are taking over from immersive experiences to theme parks at sea! Don't miss Ryan at Seatrade Cruise Global next week in Ft Lauderdale for a deeper dive into some of the trends discussed!
This week, join Ian Richardson, CEO & Co-founder of theICEway as he chats with his colleague David Tibbles about what you can expect at this year's Seatrade Cruise Global! With an entire day of programming dedicated to Tech innovations, there are some great sessions ranging from using technology to, improve guest experience, simplify itinerary planning, remote working & more! Plus of course, the Innovation Tech Zone returns for its second year with some new additions, including robots & more!
Our resident retail expert Nadine Heubel, joins us this week with Dermot Davitt, President & Editorial Director of The Moodie Davitt Report.Dermot shares his insight into the expansion of cruise retail in the wider travel retail sector, with cruise lines continually thinking more about how they build their revenue plans and retail spaces.Nadine & Dermot also look forward to Seatrade Cruise Global, taking place in Broward County Convention Centre, Ft Lauderdale, Florida, March 27-30 2023. You can catch both Nadine & Dermot on stage to discuss the growing importance of retail to cruise line revenues, its role in the guest experience, as well as a deep-dive into what motivates cruise consumer drivers.
Join Claudine Pohl for this weeks episode of Cruise Convos on International Women's Day, Claudine chats with Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara. Claudine & Carol talk about Carol's journey in the industry, who not only loves cruising with her husband and two children but is also a trailblazing female leader in the cruise industry at the helm of Azamara!Carol also teased some of the amazing initiatives & itineraries happening at Azamara under her leadership, and discuss how the industry can continue to connect with a younger generation of travelers.As always, Carol looks back on her younger self and offers some amazing insight into overcoming life's challenges!
In this pilot episode of Tech Talks, join Seatrade Cruise Technology ambassador, Ian Richardson, Co-Founder and CEO of The ICEWay, as he chats with Iain Milnes, Founder and President of Power Knot Ocean.Ian and Iain discuss Power Knot Ocean's mission to minimise waste on ships through the use of food waste biodigesters.Iain shares how the LFC biodigester works, and how the machines have drastically reduced onboard food waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The pair also discuss the bright future for Power Knot, and how the use of data and the LFC Cloud can allow cruise lines to store data on waste production and compare amongst their entire fleet, contributing to the continual reduction of waste produced on board.You can visit Iain Milnes and Power Knot Ocean at Seatrade Cruise Global and see their biodigesters in action, this March 27-30th at booth #575!You will also be able to visit theICEway at booth #207 to talk about all things related to IT and cruise!
This week, Claudine Pohl is joined by industry trailblazer Russell Benford, VP Government Relations at Royal Caribbean Group.Claudine & Russell discuss celebrating Black History Month in the US this February and taking the opportunity to reflect and tell the stories of generations that came before. Russell shares a truly inspirational story with Claudine about his great grandparents and how their story has shaped who he is today. Turning to Russell's career in cruise, Russell and Claudine discuss why he chose to work at Royal Caribbean Group after spending 23 years working in local governments across South Florida. Claudine and Russell talk about some of the reasons to cruise with Royal Caribbean and the continual innovation that happens behind the scenes to make their new ship Icon of the Seas come to life!As always, Claudine asks Russell what advice he would give to his younger self... Tune in to find out how Russell responded!
This week, Nadine Heubel takes a peak behind the scenes of retail teams onboard, as she catches up with Natalia Rolle, the Director of Human Resources at Heinemann Americas. Natalia oversees the administration and strategic direction for both corporate and ship board retail teams for Heinemann Americas who currently have 68 active crew members on board at any given time, and over 26 nationalities represented onboard!This episode turns the focus onto the HR process, as Natalia shares her insight into the complexities on onboarding and recruiting staff, and how this differs landside to on the ship. Further, Nadine & Natalia discuss harnessing company culture and supporting crew welfare as a main priority in cruise retail moving forward.
In this weeks episode, our retail guru Nadine Heubel meets with Jennifer Feldman, Executive Vice President at Effy Jewelry to discuss the companies journey in the cruise industry.Effy Jewelry is a trailblazer in the retail cruise market, Nadine quiz' Jennifer on their unprecedented growth in the sector. From its inception in 1979, a family business... to becoming the leading fine jewelry retailer at sea, with over 110 boutiques! Jennifer shares some of their secret ingredients, one being their investment in people, spending millions of dollars a year looking after their staff and harnessing their company culture.Turning to the jewelry...what are some of the trends Jennifer sees emerging with new innovations in years to come? And can you guess what the most expensive piece of jewelry ever sold at sea was?
Join Claudine Pohl for this all new season of Cruise Convos - here on Seatrade Cruise Talks! For the very first episode, Claudine catches up with good friend Alex Zeitz, Director of Customer and Employee Experience at Virgin Voyages to learn more about him and his journey in the cruise industry.Don't miss Claudine & Alex discussing what Virgin is all about and what it is really like to take a Virgin Voyages cruise - but also what it is like to work on board?Alex shares with us some of the things that Virgin do for their crew to make life on board a home - and creating a culture of belonging at Virgin Voyages which encourages their staff to be themselves!
To kick off season 2 of The Retail Wave Makers, Nadine Heubel hosts Marcos Zobel, who is the Sales Director, Travel Retail and Cruises Americas, at Victorinox. Marcos joins Nadine as the first vendor on The Retail Wave Makers and shares with the listeners the history of Victorinox and their growth in the cruise industry - as well as the brands plans across the cruise channel in coming years.Nadine and Marcos discuss how to connect with the guests on board and how products can become part of the guest experience on board, creating memories & developing a relationship with a customer whilst they are on their cruise.
This week, in episode 3 of The Retail Wave Makers, Nadine Heubel hosts her own boss, Simon Black, Executive Managing Director of Harper Dennis Hobbs. Simon sheds light on his 23 year history in travel retail and the parallels that can be drawn between airport and cruise retail. He also shares invaluable insight into changing customer behaviour and habits, offering the audience predictions of upcoming trends in retail globally. Nadine and Simon discuss in detail the great innovation within the cruise retail sectors that sets a precedent for other industry's, and Nadine grills Simon about why he has never before taken a cruise!