Supply Chain In Focus for MHA Conference at Sea

Posted on 24 September, 2019 by Spacejunkie2

Among the topics set for the Marine Hotel Association’s (MHA) Conference at Sea, this December will be the cruise ship supply chain.

The Conference at Sea will run aboard MSC’s Divina on a three-night itinerary in December (Dec. 17-20); port calls will include the brand new Ocean Cay Marine Reserve as well as Nassau, as the cruise sails from Miami roundtrip.

The event brings MHA members together with relevant cruise line purchasing decision-makers.

The first session during the Conference at Sea will focus on the all-important cruise ship supply chain.

The three-hour workshop will discuss the supply chain from start to finish, purchasing to consumption and also include consolidation and loading.

Presentations are scheduled from multiple cruise operators and purchasing entities, and vendors will get the important question and answer time from panel participants ahead of business networking sessions scheduled for Thursday aboard the ship.

Immediately following the supply chain workshop, MHA members will have the opportunity to get a unique behind-the-scenes look aboard with hosted tours of key areas on the ship.

The MHA has thus far confirmed 14 participating cruise lines for its December Conference at Sea, representing 78 ships and nearly half a billion dollars in annual food spending.

Scheduled every other year, this will be the association’s third event hosted aboard a cruise ship, with previous events held with Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line

The MHA is a true not-for-profit organization, with membership dues at $500.

Its not-for-profit status also means that revenue is put back into the organization and into the famed MHA scholarship fund, which has doled out over 8,000 scholarships over 35 years.

Kelly Clarkson named Norwegian Encore’s godmother

Posted on 11 September, 2019 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Andy Stuart with Kelly Clarkson on the set of “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

In an appearance on the “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on Tuesday, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Andy Stuart invited Clarkson to be the Norwegian Encore’s godmother.

The recording artist and TV personality will perform at the Encore’s christening ceremony in Miami on Nov. 21 as well as fulfil the traditional ship blessing and naming.

The Texas-born Clarkson achieved fame in 2002 when she won the inaugural season of “American Idol.” Since then, Clarkson has recorded eight studio albums and numerous hit singles, including “Since U Been Gone,” “Miss Independent,” “Because of You” and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).”

The Grammy Award-winning Clarkson has hosted the Billboard Music Awards, appeared on “The Voice” as a coach and made her daytime TV debut in September with “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Stuart said Clarkson “represents our core values.”

“Kelly is a role model who is passionate about family and community, as well as music and entertainment. These are our passions too. We are honoured to have her join our family of godparents and look forward to celebrating Norwegian Encore’s debut in Miami with her,” Stuart said in a statement.

To celebrate Clarkson’s appointment as godmother, Clarkson and Norwegian Cruise Line awarded 20 music educators on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” with a seven-day cruise.

“I am so honoured to be named the godmother to Norwegian Encore, and to get to be a part of such a special ceremony to christen the new ship in Miami,” said Clarkson in a statement. “I believe that surrounding yourself with the ones you love and taking time for them is important while having the most amazing and unforgettable vacation, which is what Norwegian Cruise Line stands for and provides for its guests.”

The Norwegian Encore will sail seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami beginning Nov. 24.

Carnival and Arison’s Pledge $2 Million for Hurricane Relief

Posted on 5 September, 2019 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Corporation today announced that the corporation’s philanthropic arm, Carnival Foundation, and its nine global cruise line brands together with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation have pledged to donate $2 million in funding and in-kind support for relief efforts in The Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, according to a press release.

Carnival Foundation and the company’s nine cruise line brands are pledging a total of $1 million in monetary and in-kind donations in support of immediate relief and recovery efforts in The Bahamas.

Carnival Corporation Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine are matching the corporation’s commitment with a $1 million donation from the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation.

“We are fully committed to supporting the critical relief and recovery efforts already underway for The Bahamas, and we are working closely with officials and affected communities to identify the needs for support and assistance,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “Our company has always been closely tied to The Bahamas with a rich history spanning many years, so it’s heartbreaking to see the impact of Hurricane Dorian, and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of The Bahamas. We have long admired the unyielding spirit of the Bahamian people and have no doubt they will overcome, rebuild and recover, and we look forward to supporting their efforts.”

A portion of the combined pledge will immediately go to support efforts being managed by Direct Relief, an international humanitarian organization that provides critical medications and supplies during emergency situations. Direct Relief is currently assembling and delivering requested medical aid and additional emergency medical caches with first-aid supplies to the affected areas in The Bahamas.

In addition, Carnival Corporation and its brands are working together with local officials, community leaders and key relief and recovery organizations to identify the most timely and urgent relief needs and immediate allocations for additional funds and support.

Separately, the company today announced an effort to collect and deliver food and supplies donated in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties for the people of The Bahamas, through a partnership with Tropical Shipping and The Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The effort, funded by Carnival Corporation and Tropical Shipping, will work in partnership with NEMA to provide immediate assistance to the people of the Bahamas where it is most needed.