| ACA update 13 Oct 16 : Cruise season compels excellence

THE arrival of Celebrity Solstice
from the USA last weekend
officially marked the beginning of
the “Cruise Season” as we start to
see international vessels coming
down to homeport in Australia for
the spring/summer months.
ACA’s members are looking forward
to another exciting season as we
welcome eight new ships including
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the
Seas – the largest ship to ever cruise
Australian waters.
Welcoming this Quantum class
vessel, which carries nearly 5,000
passengers, will bring with it
opportunities for our members to
really show their capabilities.
Once the ship enters our waters,
the vital work of our members
truly begins in creating a successful
experience for the crew and
passengers.
From piloting and berthing through
to disembarkation security,
delivering a fabulous passenger
experience on shore and then
ensuring the provedores load the
requisite food and beverages back
on board – this behind the scenes
work is critical for every visit.
But it’s not just about quantity, we
also need to look from the supply
side at how our members perform
with luxury vessels such as the
Seabourn Encore, Crystal Symphony
and Azamara Journey.
While not high in guest numbers,
their passengers are looking for
bespoke experiences from the
moment they arrive.
The pressure is on but I am
confident ACA’s members will
deliver yet again as they continue
to perform a critical role in the
Australian cruise industry.

CONTRIBUTOR: Jill Abel, CEO Australian Cruise Association