All articles by Ky Nikitha
Ky Nikitha
Charm offensive
Appointed to the presidency of CLIA earlier this year, Kelly Craighead has won plaudits from industry insiders for her efforts to publicise the positive economic impact of the cruise sector, and realign relations with ports and destinations across Europe. Greg Noone sits down with cruising’s champion to discuss the emerging opportunities and challenges for operators, ports and the travel segment at large.
Kiwi cruises
New Zealand seems to be the perfect destination for a cruise holiday, with a long coastline of staggering beauty giving way to a dramatic mountainside background. Only recently, however, has the country come into its own as one of the sector’s most exciting destinations. Will Moffitt talks to Stuart Allison, Princess Cruises’ vice-president for the Asia-Pacific region, about the triumphs and tribulations involved in building a cruise business in the land of the long white cloud.
Evolution of cruising
Sailing to the biodiversity paradise that is the Galápagos archipelago is fraught with environmental dangers. Fortunately, Silversea is responding with a new green vessel that it hopes will allay those concerns and boost responsible tourism to the islands. Abi Millar talks to Fernando Delgado, vicepresident at Silversea, about the capabilities of the Silver Origin.
The ship’s come in
Built in Germany and named for the historic Scottish abbey, the Iona will be the largest cruise ship ever built for the UK market. Jim Banks talks to P&O Cruises’ president, Paul Ludlow, about the ship’s facilities and the operator’s wider ambitions to attract younger passengers with the vessel as it goes into service in 2020.
The revolution is here
The project will be gigantic. Beginning in 2019, the entire Celebrity Cruises fleet will be renovated to reflect the design philosophy of Celebrity Edge, the brand’s latest award-winning ship. Fresh from setting the aesthetic agenda for the Edge class, Kelly Hoppen is lending her expertise to this $500 million revitalisation project, the so-called ‘Celebrity Revolution’. Isabel Ellis talks to the renowned British interior designer about applying her signature east-meets-west luxury on the grandest scale.
Troubled waters
The Baltic cruise market is booming. With increased activity, though, comes more pollution, a worry that has led several countries in the region to impose strict environmental regulations on ships. Andrea Valentino talks to Andreas Slotte, head of sustainable development at the Port of Helsinki, and Claus Bødker, director of Cruise Baltic, about how cruise companies are working to better protect the region’s delicate ecosystem.
Hybrid theory
The launch of hybrid cruise vessels, which run on a mixture of conventional fuels and battery power, have long been talked about as a turning point for the industry. Now, the talk is over and the reality is here. Jim Banks looks at the hybrid vessels coming into operation and considers their impact in the years to come.
Avoiding tragedy
In May, shocking news emerged of a river cruise boat sinking in the Danube, followed shortly after by the footage of another vessel colliding at speed with a dock in Venice. Although two such accidents in as many months can be considered a freak occurrence, it is nonetheless emblematic of a systemic problem among cruise ships with collision avoidance. Will Moffitt talks to Richard Villavicencio, senior specialist marine at Lloyd’s Register, about whether existing software is doing its job in preventing such accidents.
All inclusive
Recent regulations have made cruise holidays more accessible, but for guests with special needs and mobility issues, commitment to the spirit of the law is just as important as compliance with its letter. Tim Gunn talks to Ronald Pettit of Royal Caribbean, Special Needs at Sea’s Andrew Garnett and Carnival’s Vicky Rey about ensuring that all guests are treated with dignity.
Weight of expectation
Cruise ships are known for their novel, sometimes daring cuisine options – but how healthy are they? According to former Carnival staff member turned writer Jay Herring, passengers gained a collective 6t of weight on one voyage. Abi Millar talks to Herring and Pierre-Marie Leprince, Princess’s director of guest culinary experience, about the momentum in the sector towards healthier food options.