All articles by Blatha
Blatha
Sailing against the wind
In the past, commanding a cruise ship has been a male role – but times are changing. Grace Allen discusses the rise of female cruise captains with Sea Cloud’s Captain Kathryn Whittaker, Captain Kate McCue of Celebrity and Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, president of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association.
Voyage of discovery
Strategic design consultants 20.20 masterminded the project that transformed the Mein Schiff I into TUI’s newest cruise ship, the Marella Explorer. Kevin Paintin, the fi rm’s client director, talks to Grace Allen about creating a strong brand identity with a sense of fun when dealing with the challenges of a refurbishment project.
The royal treatment
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis, Freedom and Voyager-class ships are undergoing a massive modernisation programme over the next few years. Elly Earls meets Kevin Douglas, vice-president of technical projects and new builds, to find out why planning will be fundamental to the success of its refurbishments.
Out in the cold
Cruise ships are navigating more far-flung waters than ever before, requiring operators to have the correct safeguards in place to protect the lives of their passengers. Ross Davies meets Conrad Combrink, senior vice-president of strategic development for expeditions and experiences at Silversea Cruises; Markus Aarnio, chairman of Foreship; and Jeff Morgan, Aviem CEO, to find out what measures need to be taken.
Princely cuisine
Pierre-Marie Leprince is one of the most distinguished chefs working in the cruise industry. After cutting his teeth at Maxim’s, in Paris, he went on to transform the kitchens at Princess Cruises, with his ‘designed for fresh’ scheme winning plaudits from London to Los Angeles. Andrea Valentino talks to Leprince about his typically French upbringing and how mixing the classics with more daring flavours can yield mouth-watering results.
Surfing the waves
For over a decade now, free Wi-Fi has been a mainstay of land-based hospitality. At sea, however, the internet has traditionally been something passengers have paid extra to access. Abi Millar talks to Reza Rasoulian, vice-president for global connectivity at Carnival, about how new investments in satellite technology are boosting passenger access to the internet and driving costs down.
It’s such a perfect day
Nearly three decades after it first opened, Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay is getting a makeover. Nestled off the coast of the Bahamas, the private resort promises passengers a wealth of new activities and ways to relax. But the project is not without controversy. Andrea Valentino talks to Royal Caribbean for the lowdown on the new CocoCay and to a pair of environmentalists who happen to be less than keen about the renovation.
Passage to India
With a long, unspoilt coastline, a population numbering over a billion and a rapidly growing economy, India could be a vital market and destination for cruise operators. However, for decades the country has remained largely absent from cruise itineraries, with operators preferring to sail on to Singapore and China. But all this seems about to change. Greg Noone talks to industry insiders about why India’s cruising moment may be just around the corner.
The generation gain
As the average age of cruise passengers continues to fall, several operators are looking towards millennials as the next big cruise demographic. But with uptake still relatively slow, how big an emphasis should the industry be placing on attracting younger passengers, and what changes are required to snag millennials? Abi Millar talks to Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge to find out.
From trainee to trailblazer
As chairman of Carnival UK and a member of numerous maritime trade associations, David Dingle is one of the most influential figures in the European cruise sector. Greg Noone talks to the industry veteran about the challenges thrown up by Brexit, the importance of a close relationship with governments on both sides of the Channel, and opportunities for Carnival in China and India.