All articles by Amit Thadani

Amit Thadani

WORLD-CLASS BALLAST WATER TREATMENT FOR FIRST IN WORLD-CLASS MSC WORLD EUROPA

MSC World Europa, the first in a series of four next generation cruiseships to join the MSC Cruises’ fleet, has been delivered with a state-of-the-art ballast water treatment system from the BIO-SEA by BIO-UV Group stable.

Wabtec to Advance Electrification of Vessels in HYPOBATT Project

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is working to advance the electrification of vessels by participating in the HYPOBATT (Hyper powered vessel battery charging system) project, which is part of the EU-wide Horizon initiative. The HYPOBATT is focused on developing a megawatt-charging standard and infrastructure for ferries in European ports.

Capital Cruising welcomes 100th cruise ship today with arrival of Emerald Princess into South Queensferry

The majestic Emerald Princess sailed up the River Forth into South Queensferry this week marking the 100th cruise call for Capital Cruising which welcomes cruise liners into its ports in Leith, Rosyth, Dundee and deep-water anchorages at Newhaven and South Queensferry.

In case of fire

The safety of passengers is paramount on a cruise ship. It is, therefore, essential to stay up to date with the latest fire regulations and standards to avoid disaster. Abi Millar speaks to Eddie Segev, senior vice-president of safety, security and environment at Royal Caribbean Group, and Andreas Hildingsson, principal surveyor and ship type expert passenger ships at DNV Maritime, about the importance of fire protection and firefighting on cruise ships.

Getting to the great unknown

Passengers are increasingly looking for a different, more exotic cruising experience, notably to off-season destinations. Yet that comes with its own issues – not least adapting to the often harsher climatic conditions involved. Kevin Smith, vice-president of sales at American Queen Voyages, tells Martin Morris what those challenges are and what his company is presently offering when it comes to expedition cruises.

Opulence on the oceans

Luxury has always been a key part of the cruise industry, but over the years a new trend has emerged in the form of VIP areas. Increasingly becoming a common option for many cruise lines, exclusive experiences offer guests the option of luxury wherever they sail. Phoebe Galbraith speaks to Cristian Comirla, brand performance director at MSC Cruises, and Eamonn Ferrin, vice-president of international business at Norwegian Cruise Line, about the rising trend of VIP areas and whether exclusivity is the way forward for luxury.

Elegance closer to home

Demand for river cruising has never been higher as guests ease themselves back into holiday mode post-pandemic. Europeans looking to explore uncharted beauty close to home can avoid large crowds without compromising on experience. Brooke Theis speaks to Janet Bava, chief marketing officer at AmaWaterways, and the director of global brand at Scenic Nichola Absalom, to discover the benefits of European waterways and what they have to offer guests in the current climate.

Shake it up

Operators are eager to give customers more sophisticated food experiences, encompassing everything from on-board cooking lessons to visits to famous restaurants. Not that any of this is easy. Andrea Valentino talks to Dom Gamba, director of fleet operations at Royal Caribbean and Adam Sachs, director of the S.A.L.T. programme at Silversea to understand how these new culinary adventures take careful planning and solid relationships, both on the ground and at sea.

Surviving in a new world

Australia has always been a seafaring nation – or it was anyway. Even more than the industry as a whole, the country’s cruise industry has suffered heavily from the government’s strict lockdown rules, with international tours only recently restarting. Yet, with new environmental pressures and seaside infrastructure growing apace, the dramas of the past few years seem far from finished. Andrea Valentino talks to Joel Katz, the Australasia managing director at Cruise Lines International Association, and Professor Ross Dowling from Edith Cowan University to learn more.

A thoughtful cruising experience

It often seems like bigger is better when it comes to the cruise industry. From Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas to the Costa’s Toscana, many operators are plumping for miniature cities on the waves, capable of carrying thousands of passengers and offering dozens of activities. Yet, buoyed by environmental concerns and the desire among passengers for more elegant, intimate holidays, some operators are going the other way. Andrea Valentino talks to Silversea Cruises’ Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO, and Roberto Bruzzone, senior vice-president of marine operations, to learn about such a vessel – and how it could presage broader shifts in balancing sustainability and comfort.