Goldstein named RCCL president

Posted on 8 April, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

Adam Goldstein has been named president of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the parent company of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

Goldstein has been president of RCCL’s largest brand, Royal Caribbean International, for the past 12 years.

In addition to president of RCCL, he will hold the title of chief operating officer.

The company said it will begin a search to find a successor to Goldstein as president of Royal Caribbean International.

In his new role, Goldstein will lead the company’s cross-functional teams, RCCL Chairman and CEO Richard Fain said.

“Adam has played a key role in growing Royal Caribbean International, step by step, into a global leader. In the course of doing so, he has become an impressive leader in his own right,” Fain said.

Goldstein joined the company in 1988, and served in a number of positions before taking the helm of Royal Caribbean International, including senior vice president of total guest satisfaction, senior vice president of marketing and corporate secretary.

A graduate of Princeton University who also holds a law degree from Harvard University, Goldstein is an accomplished table tennis player and has competed in middle-distance running events in the National Senior Games Association track and field championships.

RCCL doesn’t currently have a president or a chief operating officer.

In addition to its three North American brands, RCCL owns Spain’s Pullmantur, French line Croisieres de France, and a 50% interest in TUI Cruises of Germany.

Celebrity Cruises’ new Suite Class includes exclusive restaurant

Posted on 13 February, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

Celebrity Cruises said it will launch a Suite Class on its ships to upgrade the experience of guests in its premium suites.

The category will include a dedicated restaurant that will have menus not available anywhere else onboard.

It also will include complimentary meals at all specialty restaurants, premium beverages, access to the Michael’s Club VIP lounge and unlimited Internet access for guests in Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites.

Suite Class will be fully implemented in April, Celebrity said.

Celebrity did not say what fare premium would be associated with Suite Class.

Carnival offers Wave season bonus

Posted on 16 December, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

Carnival Cruise Lines said it will pay a $25 bonus commission on certain bookings in January, as the industry’s Wave season swings into gear.

The offer joins Wave season promotions from MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises that have already been rolled out.

Carnival said the bonus payments apply to cruises of six days or more made in January for sailings from May 1 to Aug. 31, 2014.

Carnival also said it has sent agents advance notice of its first consumer promotion, which discounts fares by up to $400 on cruises of six days or longer that sail within five months of booking. Smaller discounts on shorter cruises are also part of the promotion.

MSC unveiled a “2-for-1 plus” promotion through March 31, that lets consumers pick a beverage package, an onboard credit or prepaid gratuities on certain Caribbean and European cruises and transition cruises between the Caribbean and Brazil.

Earlier, Celebrity Cruises jumped the gun on Wave season, which typically starts after the holidays, by reviving its 123Go! offer of perks on bookings between Nov. 29 and Feb. 28.