Carnival Corporation strikes deal to tighten security

Posted on 27 November, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Corporation is to strengthen its security procedures through an agreement with international criminal police organisation Interpol.

The deal, claimed as a first for the maritime industry, will see advanced security screening across the group’s 10 brands and fleet of 101 ships that carry almost 11 million passengers a year to more than 700 ports around the world.

Carnival Corporation is to integrate its global passenger check-in process with Interpol’s I-Checkit system, a secure method for screening travel document information against its Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database, containing more than 69 million records from 175 countries.

The agreement follows a three-month trial of I-Checkit on four Princess Cruises ships which included 34,000 travel documents that were successfully checked against the SLTD database to demonstrate the system’s ability to enhance security for the global cruise industry.

I-Checkit will be deployed across Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line and P&O Cruises in the UK and Australia.

Image result for I-Checkit carnival cruise

Staff will be able to automatically query the SLTD database before and during the boarding process to see if any travel documents have been reported lost or stolen.

Interpol head of the I-Checkit system Micheal O’Connell said: “With its real-time secure global alert system, criminal intelligence potential and compliance framework, I-Checkit provides an invaluable preventative and investigative capability for global policing.

“I-Checkit’s initiative with Carnival Corporation offers an additional layer of safety in the travel sector by creating an international standard for security screening.”

Carnival Corporation chief maritime officer Bill Burke – a retired vice admiral of the US Navy – said: “One of our top priorities at Carnival Corporation is the safety and security of our guests, our crew and our ships.

“As the world’s largest cruise company carrying hundreds of thousands of daily passengers, having a highly effective and efficient security screening process is a crucial part of how we serve our guests every day.

Partnering with Interpol enables us to seamlessly enhance security across our global fleet while also maintaining our commitment to providing our guests with a great vacation experience.

“This is another important step for our company and industry as we continue taking proactive measures to enhance the safety and security of our passengers and crew members.”

Carnival Corp.’s profit skyrockets in ‘remarkable’ Q2

Posted on 29 June, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

The launch of Holland America’s Koningsdam was one of Carnival Corp.’s second-quarter highlights.

Driven by higher ticket prices and fuller ships, Carnival Corp. had net income of $605 million in the second quarter, up from $222 million a year earlier.

Net revenue yields rose 3.6%, significantly higher than the range of 1.5% to 2.5% in the company’s earlier forecast.

The results came despite a currency-exchange drag and fuel price increase equal to $127 million.

“This was among the most remarkable quarters in the history of the company,” said CEO Arnold Donald, citing not only the earnings but the introduction of three new flagships (Carnival Vista, Holland America Line’s Koningsdam and the AidaPrima) and the historic launch of Cuba cruises by the new Fathom brand.

Carnival’s revenue advanced slightly to $3.7 billion from $3.6 billion.

The increase in yield was a combination of a 3.5% increase in ticket prices and a 4% rise in onboard spending, CFO David Bernstein said.

Prices for Europe cruises on Carnival’s North America brands are lower although occupancies are up, Bernstein said.

Donald positioned the decision by Britain to leave the European Union as a boost for Cunard Line and P&O Cruises because their fares in the weakened pound sterling are now more competitive with land vacations abroad for British travelers.

Bernstein said every change of 10% or more in the pound’s value has an effect of about 8 cents a share, or about $60 million, on Carnival’s full-year results.

Donald said Carnival has looked at its U.K and European forecasts in light of the Brexit vote. “At this point, we have no reason to adjust anything,” he said.

Cruise stocks, including Carnival’s, were hit harder than the market in general after the British vote. After the earnings release, Carnival shares were up more than 4% but were up less than 0.25% by 11:30 am Eastern.

Asked about the future development of Fathom, Donald said that its cruises to the Dominican Republic are geared toward a “travel segment rather than cruise,” and that Carnival’s ability to access that segment is “challenging.” He said Cuba sailings on Fathom have been successful and are very strongly booked for fall, but that there are still unsold cabins on summer departures.

Cruise Review: Holland America Line’s Koningsdam

Posted on 19 June, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

MS Koningsdam

With the recent launch of the groundbreaking 2,650-passenger Koningsdam, Holland America Line (HAL) has — in one fell swoop — refreshed and reenergized the brand with a musical hub, an elevated destination focus and culinary enhancements. Exceeding the incremental changes I had seen in previous HAL newbuilds, Koningsdam’s brighter and more daring interior design not only reflects the modern vision of designer Adam D. Tihany, but also emphasizes the line’s reach for new clientele, all while deftly striking a balance between contemporary and traditional styles.

While paying homage to HAL’s seagoing heritage with familiar public spaces such as Crow’s Nest and Explorer’s Bar, Koningsdam’s substantial departure from past HAL ship design is evidenced most clearly in its gorgeous dining room. With its cream-colored hues, rich feel and dramatic sweeping lines, the dining room makes a bold statement. Other public areas feature light woods and more colors than older sister ships, while white leather sofas and daybeds evoke a South Beach vibe on the upper pool deck. Sculptures, artwork, deck names and venues all follow a musical theme, while the line’s first purpose-built family and single staterooms enhance options for guests.

With a new focus on evening entertainment, HAL has upped the ante in the line’s Music Walk-branded trio of venues by featuring acts curated by prestigious institutions. Whether enjoying the soothing sounds of a five-piece chamber ensemble in Lincoln Center Stage; rocking to the beat of 50 years of pop music history in Billboard Onboard; or grooving to the soulful melodies of B.B. King’s All Stars, guests now have a wide range of high-caliber options in evening musical entertainment.

Main onboard showroom fare has been completely reimagined for the semicircular World Stage, where a 270-degree LED wall envelops both performers and audience members. New production shows such as One World — a music and dance performance featuring acrobatics, hauntingly beautiful music and impressive effects — is sure to wow cruisers. Meanwhile, a contemporary soundtrack courses through other public areas without overwhelming conversation.

While popular specialty restaurants The Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind and Canaletto are represented onboard Koningsdam, master chef Rudi Sodamin has introduced new venues and menus that lure diners in other directions.

In seafood brasserie Sel de Mer — HAL’s first a la carte restaurant — I enjoyed a delicious foie gras appetizer and bouillabaisse, while the casual Grand Dutch Cafe impressed me with authentic apple pancakes and Dutch pea soup. But Culinary Arts Center’s new farm-to-table dinner offers the most novel twist on alternative dining yet. Featuring show chefs and an open kitchen, the trendy menus — think celery and kale risotto and vacuum-poached seabass — are enhanced by microgreens grown in the Center’s CressOmatic “farm” system, adding a freshness factor that was previously unavailable. The $39 charge includes a welcome cocktail and unlimited organic wines.

HAL’s new Lido Market design, which is now rolling out fleetwide, delivers an upscale, international feel while further improving an industry-leading casual dining product. Themed stations present quality cuisine in an attractive, limited self-service environment, and guests are treated to high-quality dishes such as eggs florentine, roast duck, seared ahi tuna, carved leg of lamb and an extensive sushi selection, topped off by interesting demi-desserts and the line’s signature bread pudding.

Bringing the destination onboard, HAL’s Location Guides provide lectures that spotlight history, culture and context prior to port arrivals, while BBC Earth programming further enhances the experience for adults and Club HAL kids. On my sailing, a professional Spanish flamenco troupe entertained an appreciative, packed house in World Stage while the ship was docked in Gibraltar.

Koningsdam is HAL’s largest ship yet, as well as the first ship in the line’s new Pinnacle Class. While these game-changing factors will bring new attention to the line, familiar venues, quality cuisine and the always-warm and diverse crew ensure that the line’s loyal return passengers won’t be disappointed.