Author: Alex Smith

Alex is a contributing writer for Cruise & Ferry Interiors, Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning and CruiseandFerry.net. He produces daily content for the website and interviews senior executives from the world's leading cruise companies, ports and destinations to write features, reports and other articles related to passenger shipping.

News, Onboard experience, Cruise news

Wonder of the Seas to offer over 20 dining venues

Wonder of the Seas to offer over 20 dining venues

Royal Caribbean International

By Alex Smith | 21 January 2022

The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar will debut alongside Royal Caribbean’s signature restaurants

Report, Itinerary planning

The fragile gems of Okinawa prefecture

The fragile gems of Okinawa prefecture
By Alex Smith | 21 January 2022

Cruise lines can provide guests with the chance to explore two unique destinations by visiting Irimote Island and Northern Okinawa Island in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, both of which have been named on the Unesco World Natural Heritage List

Guests can explore two unique destinations in Irimote Island and Northern Okinawa Island

Interview, Itinerary planning, Windstar

Staying flexible to overcome itinerary planning challenges

Staying flexible to overcome itinerary planning challenges

Windstar Cruises

By Alex Smith | 20 January 2022

Kristin Badgett explains to Alex Smith how Windstar Cruises’ adaptable approach to building its itineraries has allowed it to keep exploring and create new sailings for 2022

Kristin Badgett explains how Windstar Cruises has created new sailings for 2022

Interview, Itinerary planning, Princess Cruises

A western adventure on a MedallionClass cruise

A western adventure on a MedallionClass cruise
By Alex Smith | 19 January 2022

Crystal Morgan of Princess Cruises tells Alex Smith why the cruise line has chosen to welcome its new ship Discovery Princess with an inaugural season along the USA’s West Coast

Crystal Morgan explains why Discovery Princess’ inaugural season will include USA’s West Coast

Feature, Itinerary planning

What makes a cruise destination special?

What makes a cruise destination special?
By Alex Smith | 19 January 2022

CFR navigates a journey around some of the outstanding ports around the world to discover the attributes that continue to delight passengers call after call 

CFR discovers the attributes that continue to delight passengers at ports around the world

Interview, Itinerary planning

How Aurora Expeditions is building on three decades of exploration

How Aurora Expeditions is building on three decades of exploration
By Alex Smith | 18 January 2022

Monique Ponfoort talks to Alex Smith about how Aurora Expeditions continues to provide a unique guest experience with its varied range of itineraries and destinations

Monique Ponfoort discusses how the cruise line continues to provide a unique guest experience

News, Cruise news

Cruise Port Amsterdam adds river cruise operations to business

Cruise Port Amsterdam adds river cruise operations to business

Cruise Port Amsterdam

By Alex Smith | 18 January 2022

The company formerly known as Passenger Terminal Amsterdam will now manage ocean and river calls

Report, Itinerary planning

A slice of France in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles islands

A slice of France in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles islands
By Alex Smith | 14 January 2022

With a distinctive blend of French influences and West Indian culture, Martinique offers a range of unique experiences for cruise guests to discover

Martinique blends French and West Indian influences to offer unique experiences for cruise guests 

Event

Posidonia 2022: Linking Greece with the international shipping community

Posidonia 2022: Linking Greece with the international shipping community
By Alex Smith | 07 January 2022

6-10 June; Athens, Greece

The biennial event has previously attracted over 2,000 exhibiting companies and 25,000 visitors

Interview, Building and refurbishment, Cruise news

Forging ahead with small-ship luxury expedition cruising

Forging ahead with small-ship luxury expedition cruising
By Alex Smith | 07 January 2022

Niels-Erik Lund explains how SunStone Ships is continuing to develop after the challenges of the pandemic to Alex Smith

Niels-Erik Lund explains how SunStone Ships is developing after the challenges of the pandemic

Interview, Itinerary planning

Providing premium services to improve the passenger experience

Providing premium services to improve the passenger experience
By Alex Smith | 04 January 2022

Marie Ellingson tells Alex Smith how investments such as a complementary valet service are helping to improve cruise operations at the Port of Seattle

Marie Ellingson explains how the Port of Seattle is improving cruise operations

News

Happy holidays to all Cruise & Ferry readers!

Happy holidays to all Cruise & Ferry readers!
By Alex Smith | 24 December 2021

The Cruise & Ferry team would like to wish everyone a peaceful holiday period and a prosperous 2022

Report, Itinerary planning

A new home in the Mediterranean for cruise ships

A new home in the Mediterranean for cruise ships
By Alex Smith | 24 December 2021

The completion of the Balears Pier at the Port of Tarragona provides a new option for cruise lines looking to explore Catalonia and the wider Mediterranean

The Balears Pier at the Port of Tarragona is a new destination opportunity for cruise lines

Report, Marine operations

Engineering for a sustainable future with selective catalytic reactors

Engineering for a sustainable future with selective catalytic reactors
By Alex Smith | 23 December 2021

A comprehensive engineering project led by TecnoVeritas has ensured that Mystic Cruises’ Vasco de Gama could continue to meet emissions standards for years to come

TecnoVeritas has ensured that Mystic Cruises’ vessel meets emissions standards

News, Cruise news

New Northern Xplorer cruise concept launched for Nordic voyages

New Northern Xplorer cruise concept launched for Nordic voyages

Northern Xplorer

By Alex Smith | 23 December 2021

The company is planning for a series of 14 zero-emission ships accommodating up to 300 passengers

News, Cruise news, Events

Hong Kong’s WinterFest takes to the sea

Hong Kong’s WinterFest takes to the sea

Hong Kong Tourism Board

By Alex Smith | 22 December 2021

Tourist board partners with Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean for Christmas-themed activities

Interview

Bringing cruising back to Asia following Covid-19

Bringing cruising back to Asia following Covid-19
By Alex Smith | 20 December 2021

As one of the biggest cruise companies in Asia, Genting Cruise Lines is pivotal to the future of the region’s cruise industry. Raymond Lim tells Alex Smith how it restarted sailing in tough times

 Raymond Lim tells Alex Smith how Genting Cruise Lines restarted sailing in tough times

Interview, Itinerary planning

Ambassador Cruise Line plans inaugural season to start in April 2022

Ambassador Cruise Line plans inaugural season to start in April 2022
By Alex Smith | 14 December 2021

Michelle Lupino explains why the first British cruise line to launch since 2010 will focus on providing itineraries across Europe

The first British cruise line to launch since 2010 will focus on providing itineraries across Europe

Feature, Itinerary planning

How partnering with destinations will benefit cruise lines

How partnering with destinations will benefit cruise lines
By Alex Smith | 13 December 2021

Carnival Corporation’s Michel Nestour tells Alex Smith why the group believes port development and partnerships will play a crucial role in the long-term success of the cruise industry

Carnival Corporation’s Michel Nestour details why port development is important for the cruise industry

News, Marine operations

MJM Marine partners with Ilimex to introduce air sterilisers

MJM Marine partners with Ilimex to introduce air sterilisers

MJM Marine

By Alex Smith | 10 December 2021

The two companies have collaborated to adapt the units for the marine industry

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