CLIA seeking ‘better connections’ via YouTube channel

Posted on 18 February, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

CLIA seeking ‘better connections’ via YouTube channel

By Laura Del Rosso

CLIA unveiled Cruise Industry TV, a YouTube channel with videos aimed at consumers, travel agents and the cruise industry.

The content includes a message from Bob Sharak, CLIA executive vice president, describing CLIA’s certification programs and the value of the designations to sharpen knowledge and the ability for agents to promote expertise to customers.

CLIA agents can share consumer-targeted video on the channel to showcase their expertise as CLIA members. One two-minute video aimed at the general public explains the benefits of using a certified agent, likening booking a cruise without a certified agent to undergoing surgery with an unskilled surgeon.

“Videos are a great, easily shareable way for us to explain the many different areas and unique features of the industry,” said David Peiken, a CLIA public affairs spokesman. LauraDelRosso

“We hope certified travel agents will use Cruise Industry TV to learn about topics ranging from the industry’s certification processes to some of the most popular options for cruisers, which will help create even better connections between the agents and their customers,” he said. “We look forward to the feedback from our incredible base of certified travel agent members to see what they have found most useful and how Cruise Industry TV has allowed them to provide even better service to their customers.”

Other videos offer tips and features to help vacationers book a cruise and an industry section highlights operational practices.

“Cruise Industry TV is the one-stop hub for videos about the industry and its commitments to its passengers, the environment, health and safety, and communities around the world,” Peiken said. “Our goal with Cruise Industry TV is to ensure the latest video content about the industry is easy to find and easy to share, and YouTube is the best platform to do both.”

Cruise Industry TV is designed to complement CLIA’s other social media, including Duffy’s CEO Blog, Twitter feed and CLIA’s cruise fan Facebook and Twitter pages.

Norwegian reports improved profits despite ‘unexpected challenges’

Posted on 13 February, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian reports improved profits despite ‘unexpected challenges’

By Phil Davies

Norwegian Cruise Line has delivered improved profits for 2012 of $169 million against $127 million the previous year despite the year’s “unexpected challenges”.

The result for a period when the cruise industry had to deal with the impact of the Costa Concordia disaster was announced after the company’s recent move to become a public company.

Full year revenue was up by 2.6% to $2.27 billion with an improvement in yields put down to increased fares and onboard revenue.

Norwegian posted a fourth quarter net profit of $5.6 million against a loss of $1.9 million in the same period in 2011, despite a rise in fuel costs.

Looking forward, the company expects a further improvement in net yields of between 3.5% and 5.5%.

The line takes delivery of Norwegian Breakaway, the first of two new ships, in April, along with a Breakaway Plus vessel due to enter service for in autumn 2015.

President and chief executive Kevin Sheehan said: “While 2012 included some unexpected challenges in the macro environment, our results demonstrate our ability to manage our operations through these external factors and report healthy growth.

“We are very pleased to begin our journey as a public company by posting strong results for 2012.

“In addition, our fourth quarter results marked our 18th consecutive quarter of year-over-year adjusted EBITDA growth.

“2013 marks the beginning of the next chapter of Norwegian’s growth story,” he added.

“The delivery of our Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class vessels, designed to improve on the already successful platform of Norwegian Epic, along with our strong product proposition that offers a consistent experience throughout our fleet, has Norwegian well positioned for 2013 and beyond.”