Tuesday 16 September

Welcome:
Andrew Williams General Manager, Seatrade
Sixte Cambra President, Port of Barcelona

Keynote addresses:
Pierfrancesco Vago Chairman, CLIA Europe, and Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises
Stavros Hatzakos President, MedCruise, and General Manager, Piraeus Port Authority SA

The State of the Cruise Industry in the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean continues to enjoy stellar status as the world’s second most visited cruise destination, despite challenging conditions in the southern European source markets and the instability generated by the Arab Spring and other factors.  A high level panel from the cruise lines will discuss the outlook for the region as the world economy moves  out of recession and as the range of offerings in the Med proliferates, with new ships, new itineraries and new ports of call.

Participants:
Kyriakos (Kerry) Anastassiadis CEO, Louis Cruises
David Dingle CEO, Carnival UK
Adam Goldstein President & COO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited
Michael Thamm CEO, Costa Crociere SpA
Jorge Vilches President & CEO, Pullmantur Cruises

Moderator:
Chris Hayman Chairman, Seatrade

Afternoon
concurrent sessions
15:00-16:30

Upscale Cruising

The Med holds a particular attraction for luxury cruise operators.  With new investment in prospect, what is the outlook for the upscale sector in Europe and beyond, and how will the lines develop their offerings to meet the demands of the industry’s most discriminating consumers? How should the lines and destinations work together to enhance the diversity of destination and shorex experience?

Participants:
Hervé Bellaiche EVP Sales & Marketing – Member of the Board, Compagnie du Ponant
Larry Pimentel President & CEO, Azamara Club Cruises
Juan Rodero General Manager, Un Mundo de Cruceros

Moderator:
Tony Peisley Director, A.R. Peisley International (Cruise Analysts), & Author of the 2014 Seatrade research report “End of the Beginning for Cruising”

Logistics & Ship Supply 

Cruise ship supply is an important element of the economic footprint from cruise tourism. But successful suppliers need to meet the stringent demands of cruise lines in terms of quality, quantity, and consistency. This session will look at the dynamic of ship supply in the Mediterranean ports and the logistic challenges of meeting deadlines in a major hub port like Barcelona.

Participants:
John Paul Brigneti VP Global Logistics Cruise & Marine Solution, Savino Del Bene USA Inc
Tullio Giudice Member of the Board, Transcoma Global Logistics SA
Giorgio Zagami Corporate Procurement & Logistics Manager, MSC Cruises

Moderator:
Grenville Cartledge Managing Director, Four Gold Limited

Wednesday 17 September

Morning
concurrent sessions
10:00-11:30

Maximising Overnight or Late-Night Stays in Port

Cruise ship overnight or late-night stays in port are a growing trend as lines look to ring the changes on port-intensive itineraries, whilst saving fuel and providing passengers with the opportunity for greater destination immersion, chance to explore the local nightlife, and experience special events without having to rush back for a departing ship. This session will review both cruise line and destination perspectives and explore how it is working in practice, land-based tour and shoreside product development opportunities and challenges it poses for ship hotel operations and ports.

Participants:
Elisabetta de Nardo Director Port Operations, Silversea Cruises Ltd
Liz Gammon Manager – Shore Excursions and Cruise Services, Iceland Travel
Bruce Krumrine Vice President, Shore Operations, Princess Cruises
Erkunt Öner CEO, Tura Turizm

Moderator:
Tony Peisley Director, A.R. Peisley International (Cruise Analysts), & Author of the 2014 Seatrade research report “End of the Beginning for Cruising”

 

Marketing, Sales & Distribution of the Cruise Product

Cruise line sales and marketing strategies for the European source markets and innovative ways of reaching national markets. This session focuses on Lines’ interaction with the sales and distribution channels to tap new to cruise passengers and repeaters. How social media and mobile technology are driving digital marketing to consumers.

Participants:
Helen Caron Managing Director, Thomson Cruises & Island Cruises
Francis Riley Vice President & General Manager International, Norwegian Cruise Line
Belén Wangüemert General Manager, Spain & France, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited

Moderator:
Alfredo Serrano National Director, CLIA Spain

Afternoon
concurrent sessions
15:00 – 16:30

Ports, Terminals and Cruise Lines

Continued growth of cruise tourism in the Med depends on successful interaction between cruise lines on the one hand and ports and destinations on the other. This session will look at the nature of that relationship, and the challenges and opportunities it offers for both parties, as ships get bigger, and the challenges of handling passenger volumes in safety, comfort and security increase.

Participants:
Michel Nestour VP Global Ports & Destination Development Group – EuroMed, Carnival Corporation & Plc
Roberto Perocchio Managing Director, Venezia Terminal Passeggeri SpA
Mark Robinson Managing Director, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services
Carla Salvadó Marketing & Cruise Director, Port of Barcelona, and Director, MedCruise
Adam Sharp Chair, Ports & Infrastructure Committee, CLIA Europe, and Manager, Port Operations & Guest Port Services Europe, RCL Cruises Limited

Moderator:
Luis Ajamil President & CEO, Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, Inc

Green Ideas and Inspirations

With Pollution Control Areas becoming ever more widespread, what developments are likely to occur in the Mediterranean and Black Sea? How might this legislation effect cruise lines and ports in the region and how to prepare? Vast strides are being made in the areas of ship efficiency and new technologies, this session will review and discuss cruising’s fast moving Green Agenda including onboard innovations, shoreside power and waste reception facilities.

Participants:
Alex Benton Lead Environmental Specialist, Lloyd’s Register EMEA
Alessandro Bertorello Environmental Management Director, HESS Quality Assurance, Costa Crociere SpA
Anna Bobo Remijn Policy Officer, EU Commission (DG Move – Maritime Safety Unit)
Thanos Pallis Secretary General, MedCruise
Mattias Rust Ocean Management Expert, WWF

Moderator:
Robert Ashdown Secretary General, CLIA Europe

Thursday 18 September

Morning session: 10:00-11:30

Itinerary & Shorex
With the ever-increasing success of the Mediterranean as a cruise destination, cruise lines are constantly looking to improve their itineraries across the region, covering West and Eastern Med, North Africa, the Adriatic and Black Seas and the Atlantic islands. Destinations must continue to develop stimulating and varied shore excursions to entice both cruise lines and passengers alike. What are the challenges for both parties, and how can they work together to achieve their goals? How are fuel and port costs affecting itinerary planning decisions?

Participants:
Jens Kröger Head of Shorex Excursions, TUI Cruises GmbH
Antoine Lacarrière General Director, CDF Croisieres de France, and Secretary General, CLIA France
Javier Marin Martinón Corporate Strategy & Itinerary Planning Manager, Pullmantur Cruises
Gianluca Suprani Head, Global Port Development & Shore Activities, MSC Cruises

Moderator:
Chris Hayman Chairman, Seatrade