99 COMMENTARY Planned to perfection Sonja Merckel of cruisePAL discusses how itinerary route planning can be automated with its Port & Itinerary Planner Traditionally, cruise lines have managed their itineraries in complex Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, requiring significant effort and expertise to organise and maintain. The cruisePAL Port & Itinerary Planner is a cloud-based solution that revolutionises this process – it automates manual work, optimises ship routes and enables real-time collaboration with port agents for efficient, end-to-end cruise operations. The cruisePAL Port & Itinerary Planner empowers the planning department of a cruise line to build cruise itineraries well in advance based on various key factors related to the ship, ports, sea-routes and fuel consumption. Route creations could not be simpler with the cruisePAL Port & Itinerary Planner. A quick port add function allows planners to pick up ports with one click. The system handles the calculation of the most efficient routes between ports by estimating fuel consumption and costs and adding port charges and fees to each port and the entire itinerary. The solution’s fuel optimisation tool takes distance, zones and emission control areas into consideration to calculate how to minimise fuel use during an itinerary. It also enables emissions forecasting and carbon intensity indicator planning. If the planning department is not 100 per cent sure about an itinerary, the system enables comparison of multiple different itineraries so users can pick out the most financially beneficial one for them. Itinerary planners can also use this function for complete seasonal programmes. The cruisePAL Port & Itinerary Planner simplifies communications with port agents giving instant access to crucial information such as berthing availability, port costs, and terminal services. This enables quick responses from agents and allows planners to make informed decisions faster, improving operational efficiency. The cruisePAL Port & Itinerary Planner is an instant benefit for all types of cruise companies, from small fleet river to large fleet ocean cruises. The centralised dashboard allows for fleetwide schedule control and full visibility. Your itinerary is not just a route – it is a strategy. SONJA MERCKEL Sonja Merckel is head of sales at cruisePAL, where she has worked for 13 years
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=