Given the long gap since our last cruise news update, we felt that now was the perfect time to bring you the latest updates. Each section has a concise summary of recent cruising events, with article URLs provided for those who would like to read into greater detail.
Norovirus cruise to be met by health officials
Many passengers onboard the Ventura reported experiencing sickness and diarrhoea. P&O confirmed that the illness was norovirus. Gastroenteritis (Norovirus) is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is primarily spread through eating contaminating food or touching a contaminated surface. A spokeswoman for the ship confirmed that 0.64% of passengers were symptomatic. The passengers that are showing signs of the illness have been asked to isolate in their cabins and will disembark the ship later and separately.
Article URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxxxn974pe6o
Marella cruises set to trial 'Industry first' Microplastic filter
In a bid to improve the vessels sustainability credentials, Marella Cruises are set to trial a new microplastic filter onboard the Marella Explorer. The cruise line has installed two INDIKON filters onto the ship's laundry system to prevent marine life from being damaged by microplastic fibres. The filters can be fitted to existing laundry systems which means that other cruise lines will not be discouraged by the idea of having to completely restructure their laundry system. The trial of this filter will last 6 months, before the full roll out to the rest of its fleet.
Article URL: https://www.cruisetradenews.com/marella-cruises-to-trial-microplastic-filter/
Port Miami Reports Increased Economic Impact
Port Miami’s economic impact has surged to $61.4 billion from $41.4 billion in 2016, showcasing its pivotal role in driving economic growth and job creation. The study by Martin Associates emphasized its contributions to taxes and job support, with over 340,000 jobs, including 29,000 local ones. Investing in infrastructure and sustainability initiatives like shore power and a net zero plan cements Port Miami as a key economic engine with a global impact.
Article URL: https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/05/portmiami-reports-increased-economic-impact-in-2023/
How Did NCLH Cut Costs Across the Board?
NCLH aims to slash costs by more than $300 million within the next 3 years. While this may seem like an unlikely task, NCLH has devised a detailed plan to reduce expenses in bunkering, housekeeping, entertainment, and dining.
NCLH previously sourced fuel from a single vendor but has since transitioned to utilising over 40 vendors globally, resulting in significant cost savings.
Known for their extravagant Broadway productions, NCLH found that smaller shows were more popular and cost-effective due to fewer cast members and lower licensing fees. Therefore, it was a no brainer to focus their efforts toward smaller productions.
An analysis of dining room data revealed that 4% of items accounted for 20% of the waste, prompting a reduction in the menu to focus on crowd-favourite dishes and eliminate the least popular ones.
Article URL: https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/how-nclh-reined-costs-dining-shows-housekeeping-purchasing
Conclusion
There have been a range of important developments in the industry. From Marella’s trialling of a potentially revolutionary micro-plastic filter to NCLH’s meticulous cost cutting plan. We hoped you enjoyed this monthly cruise news round-up. For more detailed information on these topics, be sure to check out the provided article URLs and stay informed about the latest trends and advancements in the cruise industry. If you would like to read some of our previous cruise news updates, please visit: https://www.theiceway.com/blog
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