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Tag: cruise

  • MSC cruises prepares ‘ambitious retail project’

    MSC cruises prepares ‘ambitious retail project’

    Swiss-based MSC Cruises, part of the MSC Group, is preparing its MSC Splendida ship for an ‘exciting and ambitious retail project’ later this year after which it will set sail on routes to South Korea and Japan from Shanghai in April 2018.

    Adrian Pittaway, Head of Corporate Retail for MSC Cruises tells that following the successful launch of the company’s first ship in China– the MSC Lirica – it plans to offer an equally ‘elevated retail offer with top luxury brands’ onboard the Splendida.

    MSC Splendida – targeting the Chinese market – will start sailing from Shanghai to destinations in Korea and Japan from April 2018 after being refurbished in November 2017.

    There will be nine shops onboard MSC Splendida offering perfumes, cosmetics, Korean products (especially Korean cosmetics), luxury watches & jewellery, fashion accessories, liquor, tobacco and confectionery alongside some MSC exclusive ranges.

    PASSENGER CAPACITY OF 4,000

    The total retail footprint, the cost of building the new shops and the selection of luxury brands on offer are all still to be confirmed.

    MSC-Lirica-watches

    Adrian Pittaway, Head of Corporate Retail for MSC Cruises tells TRBusiness that following the successful launch of the company’s first ship in China– the MSC Lirica – it plans to offer an equally ‘elevated retail offer with top luxury brands’ onboard the Splendida.

    MSC Lirica has a passenger capacity of 2000, but the MSC Splendida has double that at 4,000.

    The ‘No 1 cruise line in Europe, South America and South Africa’ commenced a 10-year $10bn investment programme last year, which includes 11 news ships, four extended ships and a private resort island in the Caribbean.

    Founded in 2003, the company currently operates 12 ships carrying 1.6m passengers a year, from 45 different countries.

    IN-HOUSE RETAIL OPERATION

    “From a retail perspective we are really unique in cruise-ship travel retailing,” Pittaway tells TRBusiness. “Unlike most other cruise lines who operate with third party concessions we operate all of the retailing on-board ourselves as an in-house operation.

    Gucci-MSC-Lirica

    Gucci boutique onboard the MSC Lirica.

    “We currently operate 110 boutiques across our 12 ships selling watches, jewellery, liquor, tobacco & confections, P&C as well as own brand and luxury goods.”

    MSC started operating in the Chinese cruise market in Tianjin, China from May 2016 with the MSC Lirica, which currently sails to South Korea and Japan.

    “It has been a really positive first 10 months for us from a retail perspective with a unique and adapted offering…[It is run by] an entirely Chinese team and offers unique product ranges only requested by Chinese passengers, such as Korean cosmetics and Japanese Rice Cookers.

    Bulgari-MS-Lirica

    Watches and jewellery brands on display onboard the MSC Lirica.

    “Alongside the many firsts we have seen we were also the first cruise line to offer Bally accessories and Tudor watches onboard. Alongside these unique elements we have over 150 brands such as Omega, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chopard, Lacoste, Coccinelle, Furla, Swarovski, Bvlgari and Longines.”

    Pittaway says the company was awarded the ‘Best Cruise Ship Shopping Environment’ and the China Cruise Awards in winter 2016 presented by the CCYIA.

  • Asia’s middle classes fuelling global cruise travel, says SCC

    Asia’s middle classes fuelling global cruise travel, says SCC

    Cruise travel worldwide will continue to grow at a ‘steady pace’ this year trumpeted by rising demand from Asia’s burgeoning middle classes and broadened vessel offerings, according to Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC).

    Christina Siaw, CEO of SCC, which manages and operates three ferry terminals and one international cruise terminal in Singapore, says: “We are particularly excited about the Chinese, Indian, South East Asian and Australian source markets, which have seen a surge of interest in recent years.”

    Last year, SCC’s HarbourFront Cruise and Ferry Terminal received 283 ship calls and handled more than 600,000 cruise passengers – a rise of 8% on 2015.

    It is set to welcome six new vessels in 2017, Pacific Dawn, Seabourn Encore, Pacific Pearl, Pacific Aria and AIDAblu.

    An estimated 25.3m passengers are expected to sail in 2017, up approximately +4.5% year-on-year, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) data indicates.

    In 2014, Australia broke the 1m passenger mark, while China’s market share accounted for roughly 986,000 of the 23m total market as demand for cruise travel in Asia continues to grow rapidly.

    Overall, cruising has increased by roughly 60% in the past decade, CLIA data suggests.

    DFS CONCESSION TO BEGIN IN APRIL

    As reported, DFS secured the master duty free and general merchandise concession to operate duty free stores at SCC’s HarbourFront and Tanah Ferry Terminals for the next five years, including a two-year optional extension clause.

    The contract covers a reconfigured main space at the arrivals and departure areas of the terminals, where the area is being expanded to cover around 6,000sq ft.

    SCC is consolidating several separate duty free concessions into one contract, with DFS currently operating departure transit and arrivals transit stores alongside Ocean Duty Free outlets, operated by Heinemann Asia Pacific.

    “DFS Group will deliver a seamless, one-stop and engaging shopping experience across seven outlets at SCC’s terminals for travellers visiting and departing from Singapore by sea,” Siaw updated.

    “SCC is working closely with DFS to execute their business proposal and we look forward to showcasing the fantastic new retail experiences at our terminals as soon as possible.”

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  • Singapore Cruise contract award expected in January

    Singapore Cruise contract award expected in January

    The SCCPL invited interested companies to tender for the development and operation of the duty free and general merchandise concession contract at the Harbourfront and Tanah Merah terminals for a period of five years (with an option to extend for another two years).

    The SCC is investing in the redesign and upgrade of its commercial offer at both terminals, with expansion and reconfiguration of the main retail space in the departures and arrivals areas.

    The SCC also decided to consolidate several separate contracts for the existing duty free concessions (including liquor & tobacco, perfumes & cosmetics, fashion & travel accessories and confectionery), into a single contract, to run for five years with a two-year extension option, commencing 1st April 2017.

    The contract, for which the RFQ deadline was 30 June, will govern 542sq m of retail space, serving over 6.3m ferry passengers and 560,000 cruise passenger annually.

    SCC RECEIVE TWO TOP AWARDS

    As previously reported, the latter incumbent operator, Heinemann opened its third (157sq m) Ocean Duty Free store in Singapore’s HarbourFront Ferry Terminal in January 2015.

    This follows the earlier opening of its first two outlets at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in March 2014.

    “SCCPL does not bind itself to accept any tender nor the highest bid,” the SCC states on its website.

    Singapore received the top cruise destination award at the 10th Seatrade Cruise Awards for the second time in three years in October – following on from September’s separate accolade where it was voted the leading Asian port of call at the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards.

    In March earlier this year, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) reported that the country witnessed encouraged growth in the cruise and business segments as the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) was named the number one cruise port in Asia in 2015.

    Singapore-Cruise-Centre-large

    “SCCPL does not bind itself to accept any tender nor the highest bid,” the SCC states on its website.

    Interestingly, the cruise industry saw a 14% year-on-year increase in cruise passenger throughput last year to more than one million.

    In addition, the country welcomed a total of 385 cruise ships, including international cruise brands such as TUI cruises, and Royal Caribbean, as well as nine maiden calls – new to Singapore and Southeast Asia.

  • Singapore lauded as top cruise destination once again

    Singapore lauded as top cruise destination once again

    Singapore was just named top cruise destination by industry experts for a second time in three years at the 10thSeatrade Cruise Awards last Thursday (Sep 22). This accolade is another feather in the cap for Singapore, which was voted as the top Asian port of call in the inaugural Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards earlier this month.

    “We are honoured that Singapore remains prominent in the minds of the cruise community as an attractive cruise hub. This is testament to our efforts to grow Singapore’s cruise industry and strong destination appeal,” said Miss Annie Chang, Director, Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

    In growing Singapore’s appeal as a cruise destination, STB has been leveraging Singapore’s superb air connectivity, world-class berthing facilities at the Singapore Cruise Centre and Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, and proximity to myriad cruise offerings in the region.

    Strengthening Singapore as a cruise hub

    The award also caps off years of developmental work that STB, cruise lines and trade partners had put in to grow the cruise industry in Singapore. Some of the initiatives include forging more than 10 marketing partnerships with cruise lines and trade partners to drive cruise passenger numbers, training more than 800 travel agents overseas to raise their capability to sell cruises from Singapore, and widening Singapore’s reach to consumers via multiple media platforms in six major source markets.

    STB also actively works with local trade partners to curate immersive and differentiated pre- or post-cruise experiences to enrich visitors’ stay in Singapore. In August 2016, STB organised a workshop for cruise operators to experience the unique offerings of local bookbinding atelier Bynd Artisan and homegrown scent artisans Je t’aime Perfumery. Participants tried their hands at creating bespoke leather nametags and scent blends of native orchid oils, seeding ideas of innovative experiences which may be offered to cruise passengers.

    Developing Southeast Asia as the cruising region of choice

    Being the ASEAN lead co-ordinator for cruise development in Southeast Asia, Singapore spearheaded initiatives such as the creation of the first Cruise Southeast Asian brand to promote the region in a unified voice. STB also developed tools such as a regional cruise port and attractions map to help cruise lines develop itineraries.

    These efforts have proved fruitful. Singapore experienced a 14% year-on-year increase in cruise passenger throughput in 2015, and major cruise line Royal Caribbean International will have their longest-ever homeporting season in Singapore starting October 2016.

    Said Ms Chang: “Singapore and Southeast Asia are set to ride the wave of growth for cruising in Asia and STB will continue to push the boundaries in establishing Southeast Asia as the cruise region of choice. As we mark ASEAN’s golden jubilee celebrations next year, we will embark on a VisitASEAN@50 campaign to encourage more visitors to experience cruising in Southeast Asia.”

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  • Indonesia to promote cruise, yacht destinations in Korea

    Indonesia to promote cruise, yacht destinations in Korea

    The Ministry of Tourism will promote Indonesian tourism destinations, especially for cruising and yachting, at the Seatrade Cruise Asia 2016 to be held on May 12-14 in Busan, South Korea.

    During the cruise industry exhibition, the government will introduce Indonesias best cruising and yachting destinations, Deputy of International Marketing Development of the Ministry of Tourism I Gede Pitana stated in a press release here on Thursday.

    The ministry will inform the international companies and yacht owners of the governments step to increase tourist arrivals by simplifying the approval procedure for yachts entering Indonesian waters through the Clearance Approval for Indonesian Territory system.

    “The process to issue an entry permit will take only one hour,” Pitana noted.

    The government is prioritizing 10 yachting destinations, such as Tanjung Kayang Belitung, Tanjung Lesung, Seribu Islands, Mandalika Lombok, Labuhan Bajo, Wakatobi, and Morotai, in which marinas have been built to accommodate yachters.

    For cruise tourism, the five major ports of Belawan in Medan, Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, Benoa in Bali, and Soekarno-Hatta in Makassar will serve as the entry gates to Indonesia.

    Eight marine tourism companies of Indonesia are also participating in the Seatrade Cruise Asia 2016.

    Moreover, the government is promoting its visa-free policy for Korean citizens by advertising its campaigns in the local media and through catalogs placed in Korean high-speed trains.

    The guests at the exhibition will be able to enjoy the performances of Indonesian dancers and several varieties of Indonesian coffee at the Wonderful Indonesia booth at the Seatrade Cruise Asia 2016.

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  • Cruise business up 14% in Singapore last year

    Cruise business up 14% in Singapore last year

    The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) reports that the country witnessed encouraged growth in the cruise and business segments as the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) was named the number one cruise port in Asia in 2015.

    Interestingly, the cruise industry saw a 14% year-on-year increase in cruise passenger throughput last year to more than one million.

    In addition, the country welcomed a total of 385 cruise ships, including international cruise brands such as TUI cruises, and Royal Caribbean, as well as nine maiden calls – new to Singapore and Southeast Asia.

    GROWING CRUISE INCENTIVES…

    The STB added that Singapore also launched the inaugural unified Southeast Asia Cruise brand​ and forged MOUs with Vietnam and Thailand to develop the regional cruise business. ​

    The tourism body also manages the Cruise Development Fund (CDF) which actively supports the ‘home-porting’ of new cruise ships or extension in deployments of existing home-ported cruise ships out of Singapore, with the aim of growing Singapore’s cruise industry and tourism generally.

    Significantly, the Royal Caribbean International cruise company signed its first-ever multi-million dollar marketing collaboration with STB and the Changi Airport Group (CAG) last year to promote overseas fly-cruising out of Singapore.

    This tripartite agreement now operates between 2015 and 2018 and all parties are estimating it could attract an additional 170,000 overseas visitors to Singapore on Royal Caribbean cruises over this aforementioned period.

    DFS AND HEINEMANN

    All of which is good news for DFS Singapore, which operates the departure-transit and arrivals transit shops alongside Ocean Duty Free’s outlets at the Singapore Cruise Centre.

    Heinemann Asia Pacific opened its third and largest duty free shop (157sq m) in partnership with the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) at the Harbourfront Ferry Terminal last January. Around 5m passengers use this terminal each year-Ed.

    The grand looking SCC

    The grand looking Singapore Cruise Centre.

    As reported, the STB is now forecasting that this year’s total tourism receipts will be between S$22bn and $22.4bn ($16bn to $16.3bn) representing a growth range between 0% and 2%. By contrast, it is forecasting international visitor arrivals of between 15.2m and 15.7m – a growth of between 0% to 3%. ​

    This follows a year when international visitor arrivals grew by 0.9% to 15.2m in 2015. However, tourism receipts declined by -6.8% to S$22bn ($16bn) with this attributed mainly to the decline in BTMICE visitor arrivals and spending. By contrast, leisure visitor arrivals grew by 2%.

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  • Genting adds premium cruise brand solely for Asia

    Genting adds premium cruise brand solely for Asia

    Malaysia-listed leisure and hospitality group, Genting, best known for its resorts and casinos, is setting up Asia’s first regionally-based premium cruise brand.

    Within its Genting Hong Kong operation [one of five public companies] which was formerly called Star Cruises, the company has announced the launch of Dream Cruises for Asia, which is one of the fastest growing markets in the world according to cruise association CLIA.

    The region also delivers strong duty free and travel retail spending says analyst CiR. According to its Asian Cruise Travellers report, 73% of Asian cruisers make DF&TR purchases, with almost half (46%) buying fashion/accessories.

    Genting – valued by market capitalisation at over MYR94bn ($22bn) at 31 August – is expected to take full advantage of the high-spending nature of Asian passengers – particularly the Chinese – with a large shopping offer on board Dream Cruises’ first vessel, Genting Dream when it sets sail in November 2016. It will carry 3,400 guests and 2,000 crew, a very high crew-to-guest ratio.

    A sister ship World Dream will follow in November 2017. Both were ordered by Genting Hong Kong and are under construction.

    THATCHER BROWN NAMED PRESIDENT

    The company has appointed cruise veteran, Thatcher Brown as President of Dream Cruises. Brown had been with Crystal Cruise Lines – which Genting bought in May 2015 – since its formation in 1988.

    “The launch of Dream Cruises completes the company’s mission of having a brand for each of the three major cruise market segments: Crystal Cruises for the luxury market, Dream Cruises for the premium market, and Star Cruises for the contemporary market.”At the launch event aboard SuperStar Virgo, a Star Cruises vessel, Genting Chairman and CEO, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, said: “Being the first company to offer cruises in China over 20 years ago with Star Cruises, we conceived Genting Dream three years ago to be the only purpose-built premium category new build for the Asian, and specifically Chinese, market.

    THREE CHINESE HOMEPORTS

    Genting Dream will have two exclusive floors of Dream Suites from 32sq m to 183sq m in size with butler services. Around 70% of Genting Dream’s staterooms will have private balconies.

    From next November, Genting Dream’s homeports will be in Guangzhou (Nansha Port), Hong Kong and Sanya and the ship will serve a bih catchment in the Pearl River Delta and Hainan. It will also cater to international guests flying into the airports of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Macau, Hong Kong and Sanya.

    Itineraries from Guangzhou will offer a year-round, two-night weekend cruise that calls at Hong Kong and a five-night weekday cruise calling at Halong Bay, Danang and Sanya.

    The Hong Kong homeport will feature a seven-night itinerary calling at Guangzhou, Halong Bay, Danang, Sanya and either Shenzhen or Zhuhai using Nansha Port. The Sanya homeport will also feature a seven-night itinerary calling at Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen or Zhuhai using Nansha Port, Halong Bay and Danang.

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