WORLD CITI COLLEGES

School of International Hospitality Management

Profile of Cruise Lines and Cruise Ship

Ship Structure

There are three ways to measure the size of ships.

Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT). This is determined by the total permanently

enclosed public spaces including hull-cut balconies. It is the volume of space within the
hull (ship’s outer body). The measurement is cubic capacity where 1 ton is equal to 100
cubic feet. The ship’s GRT is the basis for assessing port fees, canal fees tariffs, etc.

The number of guests (passengers) the ship can accommodate. It can range from very
small, small, medium, large or mega ship (2000 or more guests)

The number of state rooms. Smaller ships have few state rooms while mega ships
have many staterooms.

The areas of a ship

 Aft – towards the back or rear part of the ship.

 Forward – towards the front part of the ship where the bridge is.
 Midship – the middle part of the ship.
 Port – the left side of the ship when one is looking forward.
 Starboard – the right side of the ship when one is looking forward

Cruise Terminologies

 Alleyway – ship’s corridors

 Aboard – on the ship
 Ashore – on shore. Opposite of aboard
 Balcony – a private seating area outside the ship accessed from a cabin. A veranda.
 Bow – the front of a ship.
 Bridge – the control center of the ship where the ship captain works.
 Bulkhead – wall or partition separating cabins and compartments
 Bunkering – to take on fuel
 Buoy – a market or flat used to identify navigational landmarks
 Cabin – stateroom; room in a ship
 Cabin steward – one who cleans cabins
 Captain – commander of the ship
 Companionway – stairway
 Debark/ Disembark/ Debarkation – exiting the ship; the end of the cruise.
 Deck – each level (floor) of the ship, especially the open areas.
 Deckhead – ceiling

Cruise Tourism : Profile of Cruiselines and Cruise Ships/ Prof. Indias (FIC) Page 1
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Cruise Terminologies

 Deck chair – the chairs available on deck for passengers to lounge in

 Dock – wharf, the place where ships are moored.
 Embark/ embarkation – to board the ship; especially the start of the cruise.
 Excursion – a side trip at the port of call
 Galley - kitchen
 Gangplank – a ramp that connects the pier and the side of the ship by which passengers
board.
 Gangway – the opening at the side of the ship where one enters and exits.
 Head – toilet; bathroom
 Hull – the ship’s outer wall, outer body
 Knot – ship’s speed; one nautical mile per hour.
 Lido Deck – an open deck where pool and sun bathing facilities are located.
 Lift – elevator
 Maitre d’hotel – Supervisor of waiters in the dining room
 Muster – to assemble the passenger and crew.
 Muster station – assembly area especially important during drills; usually refer to the area
where one would go to get lifeboats in case of an emergency.
 Porthole – a small round window.
 Port of call – destination where ships stop
 Promenade – an area where passengers can stroll; upper deck
 Quay – a dock, berth or pier
 Stern – towards the rear of the ship
 Tender – smaller boat or lifeboat used to transfer passengers from ship to shoreand vice
versa when the ship is anchored off shore.

Profile of Cruiselines ( selected 2016 Cruise Line International Association)

 AIDA Cruises – British American owned German cruise line based in Rostock, Germany. It
caters to German speaking market and are known for their youthful style and casual service. It
features “club resorts” and have many on board amenities and facilities that attract younger
and more active vacationers. Its vessels have humanoid robots known as “ Pepper
Robots” on board that guides passengers upon embarkation, providing general information
and updates on promotions and excursions, which can be communicated in three languages
– English, Italian and German. Pepper Robots can interpret human emotions. It is now one of
the eleven brands operated by the Carnival Group.

 American Cruise Lines – offers a true all-American experience. Its American built ships
feature paddle wheelers while river cruising and exploring the historic waterways of USA. Its
ships are equipped with modern amenities, navigation and safety equipment. The ship’s crew
are known for their gracious hospitality and personalized service. Historians, naturalists,
and local experts join the cruise as resource persons providing daily lectures ranging
from history, ecology to culture and cuisines of America.

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 Azamara Club Cruises – are mid sized, not too big nor too small. It can have 686 guests on
board. The big advantage of small vessels of Azamara is that it can access destinations
that large ships could notand can dock at even smaller marinas or ports. It has high
guest ratio (1 crew to 2 guests). Its fleet are once of Renaissance Cruises which went
bankrupt. Azamara Club Cruises are owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the
world’s second largest cuiseline operator.

 Carnival Cruise Lines – The “fun ships”. Carnival Cruise Line is the world’s largest Cruise
line based on passengers it carries annually, annual revenue and total number of ships in a
fleet. It was founded in 1972 and is currently based in Miami, Florida, USA. Its ships feature
fun vacations at sea and shore. It is one of the brands owned by world’s largest cruise ship
operator, Carnival Corporation & plc – a British American Company. Carnival Cruises features
day and night entertainment and makes everyone feel at home with comfortable staterooms,
attentive service, casual and elegant dining, a variety of bars and gathering places indoors and
outdoors.

 Celebrity Cruises – Established in 1989. It was voted “Best Premium Cruiseline” in Travel
Weekly’s 2016 Annual Globe Awards. It boasts of modern luxury experience through superior
quality and stylish design ships and intuitive service to include pools and Jacuzzis. Its ship
Celebrity Reflection’s facilities include SPA, Thermal Suite, Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea. . Its
cruises feature overnight stays, signature sailing exotic expeditions and specialty
dining where foods are made from scratch supervised by Michelin-starred chefs. It is
now a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL).

 Costa Cruises – Operated by Carnival Corporation. Its fleet are well known for “Italian Style”
of cruising. Costa is the largest cruiseline in Europe. Its facilities include pools and
Jacuzzis. Older ships reflect European Sophistication while newer ones have a more casual
and fun atmosphere.

 Crystal Cruises – An ultra luxury cruiseline offering six (6) star service. It was founded by
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) in 1988. Now it is acquired by Genting Hongkong
(GHK). Its fleet are sophisticated and contemporary without being too formal or traditional. It
prides itself with being:
The first cruiseline to partner with celebrity chefs
The first to offer a Computer University at Sea with personal e-mail and internet
services.
The first to launch Wine and Food Festival at sea.
It provides personal services with crew to guest ratio of 1:1.6 to 1:1.
Multi awarded brand from many prestigious award winning bodies.

 Cunard Line – hailed as the most “Famous Ocean liner in the World.”
It is known for its royal elegance and style. Cunard is the most historic passenger line in
the world whose heritage dates back to 1839. It is now owned by Carnival Corporation PLC.
Its ships are Queen Mary 2 (which offers Wine learning Programs), Queen Elizabeth, and
Queen Victoria.

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 Disney Cruise Line – Owned by Walt Disney Company and was incorporated as Magical
Cruise Company LTD. The cruise line is being marketed as family vacations. It features family
friendly cruises with large state rooms. Its fleet are built with children as prime consideration. It
is the first cruise ship that includes a bath tub in most of its state rooms, a necessity when
travelling with young children. It has no casinos and library. The Cruiseline was awarded for
eight years as the “World’s Best Megaship Ocean Cruise Line for Families” by Travel and
Leisure and Cruise Critics. It was named as best cruise ship by Conde Nast Traveler 2016
Reader’s Choice Awards. Disney’s fleet’s home port is Port Canaveral in Florida.

 Holland America Line (HAL) – is the leader in the premium segment of the cruise industry.
Launched in 1873, HAL has been in the industry for more than 140 years. It is proud of its
environmental program, being an ISO 14001 Certified. It offers Grand World Voyages of more
than 100 days, visiting all the seven continents. One of the highlights of HAL on board is
its show kitchen, where celebrated guest chefs and experts provide demonstrations,
wine tasting, cocktail mixology, and hands on themed cooking classes for adults and
kids.

 Mideterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Cruises – began in 1675, more than 300 years
ago. It entered the cruise business in 1988. It is a recipient of many prestigious awards related
to environmental management, safety management, energy performance and total quality
management. Its services includes health and wellness facilities. MSC Cruises today is the
leading cruise company in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brazil as its market grew
by 800 % between 2004 and 2014.

 Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) – started operation in 1966. It is operated by Norwegian

Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, which also operates Oceana Cruises and Regent Seven Seas. NCL
is widely noted for changing the common business model of traditional cruising with its
introduction of the concept of “Free Style Cruising” - a laid-back atmosphere with no
specific dress code and fixed dining hours. NCL fleet sails world wide to include Asia
(Norwegian Jade) and cruise can be up to 49 days.

 Oceana Cruises – Formed in 2002 and positioned itself as the cruise company of choice for
travelers seeking a truly refined and casually elegant dining experience. Oceana Cruises are
known for their gourmet culinary program inspired by Master Chef Jaques Pepin. Its
ships have more than 400 ports across Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia, New
Zealand and South Pacific.

 P&O Cruises (UK) – The oldest cruise line in the world and the biggest cruise line
serving the British or UK Market. It is now owned by Carnival Corp & plc. and its main
homeport is Southhampton. It introduced modern day cruising in 1837 and is now visiting
over 200 different destinations, offering themed cruises. P&O emphasizes the importance
of fine dining and cuisine and ties up with celebrity chefs on board its fleet.

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 WORLD CITI COLLEGES
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 Princess Cruises – Started in 1965 and is now part of the Carnival Corp & plc. It has become
one of the premier cruise lines in the world known for its Personal Choice Dining where
passengers can choose their main dining room experience – traditional seating or
flexible, anytime dining (restaurant style). It features different festivals of the world
depending on the ship’s sail.

 Regent Seven Seas – Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. It is the world’s most
inclusive luxury experience with fleets that visit more than 450 destinations around the world. It
specializes in ships with small passenger capacity and bundles amenities such as drinks, tips,
shire tours in its fares. It features all suites ans spacious accommodations, multiple specialty
restaurants and Canyon Ranch Spa. It provides personalized service with its extra ordinary
crew to guest ratio of 1: 1.42. Two of its ships feature a “Culinary Art Kitchen” a fully
equipped cooking school complemented with “Gourmet Explorer Tours” ashore. It has
earned a leadership role in the 6-star cruise industry.

 Royal Caribbean International (RCI) – Launched in 1969, RCI has been leading in cruise
innovations and astounding ship architecture which include rock climbing, ice skating,
and surfing on board the firsts in the cruise line industry. Its ships are the world’s largest.
Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship belongs to RCI fleet.

 Star Cruises – owned by Genting Hongkong (GHK) which operated since 1993. It is the travel
hall of fame of Best Trade Gazette for being the Best Cruise Operator in Asia and Pacific for
five consecutive years. In 2016 it was voted “Asia’s Leading Cruise Line”. Its ship Super
Star Virgo last cruise from Manila was from December 4 2018 to January 3, 2019. In April
2019 the ship joined Dream Cruises under a new name.

 Silversea – Offers luxury cruising and known for its European lifestyle. Its highest level of
personalized service is designed for fewer guests. Its fleet visits all seven continents and over
900 destinations worldwide. It features world cruises, grand and enriched voyages. It
specializes on expedition cruises in Antarctica, where almost all of the continent is
covered with ice.

 Windstar Cruises – market leader in boutique small ship cruising where boutique cruise ships
are known for intimate yacht-style experience, unique itineraries and exclusive access to the
world’s best small ports and hidden harbors.

Reference : Escabillas, Aisha. Cruise Tourism. Mindshapers. 2019.

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