Cruise & River Cruise Convention

Kyriakos Anastassiadis, Chairman, CLIA Europe and CEO, Celestyal Cruises and Karl J. Pojer, Chairman, CLIA Germany and Chief Executive Officer, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises share their views on the significant role Europe’s integrated cruise community is playing and can continue to drive across multiple platforms, including as a source market, a destination, environmental stewardship, technology, shipbuilding and economic driver.
Session moderator: TBC

A high profile line-up of industry leaders will discuss the cruise ship orderbook and new technology, as well as European source markets, supply and demand, port infrastructure, geopolitical challenges, regulatory and environmental issues, future collaboration and more.

Confirmed panellists:

• David Dingle, Chairman, Carnival UK
• Felix Eichhorn, President, AIDA Cruises
• Capt Michael McCarthy, Chairman, Cruise Europe and Commercial Manager, Port of Cork Company
• Wybcke Meier, Chief Executive Officer, TUI Cruises GmbH
• Gianni Onorato, Chief Executive Officer, MSC Cruises
• Neil Palomba, President, Costa Crociere
• Karl J. Pojer, Chief Executive Officer, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Chairman, CLIA Germany
• Harry Sommer, EVP International Business Development, Norwegian Cruise Line
• Richard J. Vogel, President & CEO, Grupo Pullmantur

Panel discussion moderator:

Session moderator: TBC

A session focussing on what is really new in Europe's river scene in 2017, including new ship concepts, new itineraries and as a particular focus, new excursions. Innovative shoreside activities for river cruise guests – trends, demands and best practices identified.

Opening Presentation:

"New ship concepts and new itineraries launched on Europe's rivers in 2017" – a classic presentation aimed to set the scene.
Daniel Thiriet, Co-Managing Director, AmaWaterways GmbH; Managing Director, SEA CHEFS Group and Vice President, IG RiverCruise

Confirmed panellists:

• Guido Laukamp, Chief Executive Officer, nicko Cruises Flussreisen GmbH
• Ben Wirz, Managing Director, GRC Global River Cruises GmbH, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Session moderator:

• Frederik Erdmann, German Correspondent, Seatrade Cruise News

A session analysing the security situation in river cruise turnaround ports and destinations throughout Europe, focussing on threats, what operators can do to contain them and how passenger education/information on-board can help control risks.

Confirmed panellists:

• Daniel Buchmüller, Chief Services Officer, River Advice AG and President, IG RiverCruise
• Lucas Sandmeier, General Manager Operations & Administration, Scenic Tours Europe AG
• Monic van der Heyden, Commercial Manager, Cruise, Port of Amsterdam

Session moderator:

• Frederik Erdmann, German Correspondent, Seatrade Cruise News

For some cruise lines, it will be ‘business as usual’, but how might Brexit affect the UK demand for cruising? What is the cost/benefit analysis of Brexit on cruise ships and their deployment in Europe and are there potential immigration issues?

Confirmed panellists:

• Stuart Leven, Vice President, EMEA and Managing Director, RCL Cruises Ltd
• Thanos Pallis, Secretary General, MedCruise
• Maria Pittordis, Partner, Head of Marine, Trade & Energy, Hill Dickinson

Session moderator

Tim Reardon, Policy Director – Taxation, Ferry and Cruise, UK Chamber of Shipping

With cruising in Europe continuing to grow, what are ports and destinations doing to accommodate the influx of larger cruise ships and passenger numbers, ensuring their safe passage between ship and shore, and how are they addressing the issue of berth and shoreside congestion? This session will present three case studies highlighting best practice in:

Case Study 1:

Port and airport collaboration for home porting operations – Arnt Møller Pedersen, Chief Operating Officer, Cruise & Ferries, Copenhagen Malmö Port

Case Study 2:

Adapting to a quickly changing world through efficient use of infrastructure – Sacha Rougier, Managing Director, Cruise Gate Hamburg

Case Study 3:

Sustainable tourism and managing congestion ashore – Rita Berstad Maraak, Port Director Geirangerfjord Cruise Port

Session moderator:

Alessandro Carollo, Head of Port Operations EMEA, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd

The strong commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable shipping maintains its very high priority for the cruise industry, as it continues to implement best practices and invest in related new technologies. This panel looks at where the industry is now in terms of environmental policy, stewardship, and technical solutions, and where it can go. There will be a particular emphasis on the supply network and policy implications for Europe.

Welcome remarks:

Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH

Confirmed speakers:

• Fred Danska, Director, Cruise Business, Marine Solutions, Wärtsilä Corporation
• Bud Darr, EVP Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC Group
• Sveinung Oftedal, Specialist Director, Department for Marine Management and Pollution Control, Norwegian Ministry of Climate & Environment
• Tom Strang, SVP Maritime Affairs, Carnival Corporation & Plc and Chairman, CLIA Europe Environment, Safety & Security Committee

Session moderator:

Andreas Chrysostomou, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, CLIA Europe

Designing ships for the future. What are the latest hotel design trends and can these be transferred to enhance the on-board cruise experience? Cruise operators are increasingly looking to the hospitality industry to inspire their vessels, but can a designer of land based spaces revolutionise the cruise ship? What innovative space saving concepts are available for the smaller river cruise vessel?

Confirmed panellists:

• Lars Clasen, Managing Director, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
• Britta Konkel, Seasoned cruise traveller
• Kevin Paintin, Experience Design and Brand Consultant, 20.20 Limited
• Timo Hogestraat, Director Design and Strategy , Partner Ship Design
• Trevor Young, New Building Director, MSC Cruises
Session moderator:
Nick Borbone, Head of European Business Development, Trimline Ltd

As the focus for shorex and land programmes diversifies to match the needs of multi-generational guests, independents, solo’s, adrenalin seekers, children and local immersion this session looks at how the industry can embrace the changing trends and work together with the destinations to ensure that everyone benefits.

Confirmed panellists:

• Andra Howie, Manager, Shore Excursions Operations & Product Development, Holland America Group
• Jean-Pierre Joubert, Shore Excursions Director, MSC Cruises
• Carmen Morosan, Global Shorex Manager, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services

An opportunity for exhibiting ports and destinations to give a 90 second lighting pitch in front of a high calibre judging panel.

Judging Panel:

• Federico Bartoli, Itinerary Planning Director, Revenue Management & Transportation, Costa Crociere SpA
• Paul Britton, Marine Operations Manager, Disney Cruise Line
• Liz Gammon, Principal, Lizgammon.com
• Olga Piqueras, Managing Director, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services