Tag Archives: Azamara Cruise

Royal Caribbean Group appoints a chief medical officer

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Royal Caribbean Group Names First Global Health Officer, Will Be ...

Royal Caribbean Group has named Dr Calvin Johnson as its global head of public health and chief medical officer.

In the newly-created role, he will lead the cruise giant’s global health and wellness policy across its brands Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea.

Johnson will manage the group’s public health and clinical practice, and determine its strategic plans and operations of its global healthcare organisation as well as collaborate with the Healthy Sail Panel which also involves representatives of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group, said: “Calvin’s extensive experience in public health and clinical care will help us raise the bar on protecting the health of our guests, crew and the communities we serve.”

Dr Johnson was most recently principal at Altre Strategic Solutions Group and has previously served as chief medical officer for of correctional health care provider Corizon Health and for Temple University Health System.

He was also secretary of health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 2003-2008 and was medical director for the New York City Department of Health from 1998-1999.

Johnson has previously led response efforts during active infectious disease outbreaks and was responsible for ensuring all aspects of patient care while overseeing a clinical operation with 1,300 caregivers and more than 300,000 individuals.

He said: “Royal Caribbean Group is committed to going beyond requirements. I am excited to join the industry leader, who is clearly establishing the way forward in managing public health initiatives and protecting health and safety.

Johnson added: “The Healthy Sail Panel is doing critical work to help us develop enhanced standards, and achieve readiness for the return to service, and I am looking forward to being involved in that work.”

Royal Caribbean Group senior vice president for safety, security, environment, medical and public health, Jennifer Love, added: “Calvin will add critical expertise in our mission to elevate the quality of care. His appointment is a testament to our commitment to transforming healthcare for those we serve.”

Royal Caribbean takes complete ownership of Silversea Cruises

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Royal Caribbean to take majority stake in Silversea Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group has taken complete ownership of Silversea Cruises, two years after acquiring a two-thirds share of the ultra-luxury line.

Royal Caribbean Group is the recently-introduced new name of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, the parent company of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara, Silversea and other lines.

Richard Fain, chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group, said; “Silversea has been a great fit for our company from the very first day. The cultures of the two organisations have proven to be harmonious, and guests have responded favourably to the combination.”

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, who took over the company from his late father, will serve as chairman of Silversea. Roberto Martinoli will remain the brand’s president and chief executive.

Fain added: “Manfredi and Roberto have brought a fresh point of view to our company, as well as deep knowledge of their brand’s unique audience. Their skills – and Manfredi’s inimitable style – will continue to play an important role in growing Silversea into the future.”

Lefebvre said: “The combination of our companies has been everything I hoped for. The skills and resources of the Royal Caribbean Group have helped us grow and flourish. We share a vision about the bright future of cruising, and I look forward to being a shareholder in the broader Royal Caribbean Group.”

Martinoli added: “Thanks to the incredible resources and skills of Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea will grow and thrive. Today marks another key step in our drive to uncontested leadership in ultra-luxury and expedition cruising.”

The remaining stake in Silversea held by Heritage Cruise Holding Ltd was paid for in the form of 5.2 million shares of Royal Caribbean Group common stock, representing about 2.5% of its total common stock.

Healthy Sail Panel Hopes to Have Plan By August 31 for Royal and Norwegian

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Norwegian and Royal Caribbean Ships in Nassau

The Healthy Sail Panel created by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings hopes to have its initial recommendations back to each company by the end of August, according to Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service, Royal Caribbean International.

Suggestions will then be vetted by each company and presented to the CDC.

Working together with a rival cruise corporation, Freed said: “When it comes to safety and security, there is no competition. We need to work collaboratively as a team, as an industry.”

The 11-person panel is already hard at work and is looking at everything from a reduced capacity to staggered embarkation.

Of note, Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service, Celebrity Cruises, said the CDC has been invited to participate in an observatory role.

Added Carol Cabezas, vice president and COO, Azamara: “The work of the panel will be open-sourced … available to anyone that needs it at no cost.”

She added the panel’s work may be helpful to land-based entities from spas to hotels and restaurants.

“We have to think about the destinations as well, we are working very closely with governments and ports we visit all over the globe to establish plans and protocols for the safe resumption of cruising,” said Cabezas, adding that extends to tour operator partners to make sure a safe experience continues from ship to shore.

“The goal is to create an environment that mitigates risk to the greatest extent possible while the virus is (still) a threat.”