Over 200 of the globe’s most influential cruise line executives and managers will arrive in Lisbon this week to join Seatrade Cruise Med 2018 – the world’s largest cruise industry event focussed on the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.
Hosted by the Port of Lisbon Authority and supported by MedCruise and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the event will take place from 19 – 20 September 2018 and feature a showcase exhibition, conference and a full networking programme. It is an integral element of the Portugal Shipping Week and also the platform for the General Assembly of MedCruise which will take place on 21st September.
To date, over 200 cruise line executives and managers have already confirmed attendance at this key industry event, including AIDA Cruises; APT Touring; Azamara Club Cruises; Carnival Cruises; Carnival UK; Carnival Corporation & Plc; Carnival Maritime; Celestyal Cruises; Costa Cruises; Costa Group; CroisiEurope; Cruise & Maritime Voyages; Disney Cruise Line; Fred Olsen Cruise Lines; FTI Cruises GmbH; Genting Hong Kong; Global Cruise Lines Ltd; Holland America Group; Hurtigruten; Marella Cruises; MSC Cruises; MSC Cruise Management (UK) Ltd; Mystic Cruises; Noble Caledonia; Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; Norwegian Cruise Line; National Geographic Expeditions; Ponant; Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions; Princess Cruises; Pullmantur Group; Pullmantur Cruceros; Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd; Saga Cruises; Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours; Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH; SeaDream Yacht Club; Silversea Cruises; Silversea Cruises Expedition; Star Clippers Monaco; TUI Cruises GmbH; V.Ships Leisure; Viking Cruises; Virgin Voyages and Windstar Cruises.
President of Port of Lisbon Authority, Lidia Sequeira stated that: “To host this prestigious event is recognition of the work we have been doing in the cruise sector for many years. The hope is that this event will give an important boost to the local and national economy of this sector, especially now that Lisbon is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to welcome all the cruise ships and their guests.”
As part of the Seatrade Cruise Med itinerary, attendees will be able to visit the Lisbon Cruise Terminal, which opened its berths late in 2017. Lisbon Cruise Port (LCP), operator of the cruise facilities in the Portuguese capital and part of Global Ports Holding, invested approximately €22m in the new terminal building. The Port of Lisbon Authority estimates that current traffic continues to grow and that Lisbon becomes an important homeport for cruise ships.
The two day event includes an international exhibition which is a mix of ports, with nearly 50 represented, and destinations, tourism authorities, cruise associations, ground handlers, tour operators, port agents and technical equipment showcasing their products and services to the cruise industry.
Alongside the exhibition is a comprehensive and refreshing look into industry trends impacting the regional cruise industry. With hand-picked speakers from across the industry, the topics will include:
- Keynote Address – Industry Update by CLIA;
- A look at the State of the Industry, sponsored by Andalucia and Costa de Almeria;
- Meeting Future Demand in the Med and its Adjoining Seas;
- How the industry deals with air emission challenges;
- Hidden Gems uncovered, sponsored by Greek National Tourism Organisation;
- How new-build luxury yachts are impacting the upscale market in the Med;
- Making cruising welcome;
- The growing trend for the expedition cruise experience;
- How the industry is turning to new technologies and innovations
There will also be a series of Headway Talks which concentrate on pertinent topics impacting the industry.
As well as numerous networking opportunities on the showfloor with destinations providing a sample of their own unique tastes and sounds, there are some new initiatives that include: an immersive experience dome, brought to Lisbon by Immersive Adventures, where a series of presentations will take place in a 10x10m dome!
On Day 2, an exciting addition to the programme will be the unveiling of the finalists in the ‘20 under 40’ competition, which was launched by Seatrade Cruise News and sponsored by TVG Travel, to find 20 professionals from the global cruise industry who are under the age of 40 and already proved to be extraordinary at work!
The announcement and presentation of the final 20 will take place on the 20th September at 13:20-14:20 at the Excellence Theatre on the showfloor. The finalists will be presented with a certificate and invited on stage to have a chat with the two members from the judging panel, including Craig Milan, VP Itinerary Planning & Destination Development of Virgin Voyages and Mary Bond, Editor of Seatrade Cruise News, on what motivates them and drives their success.
A highlight of the two days will also be the Seatrade Cruise Awards. Now in its twelfth year, Seatrade Cruise Awards continue to recognise and reward the very best of international cruise achievement and act as a catalyst for driving the continuous improvement of standards across the industry.
Seatrade Cruise Med is held biennially and is this year hosted by the Port of Lisbon Authority with principal sponsor and supporter, MedCruise (The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports), of which Lisbon has been a member since 2000.
Principal regional sponsors include: República Portuguesa-Mar; Lisboa Câmara Municipal; Turismo de Portugal; Turismo de Lisboa; Lisbon Cruise Port; ANA Aeroportas de Portugal.
Sponsors include: Andalucía – Costa de Almeria; Caribbean Village; Delta Cafés; Docapesca; DP World; Gibraltar Tourist Board; Global Ports Holding; Greek National Tourism Organisation; Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services; Pasteis De Belém; Qatar Tourism Authority; Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur; ViaVerde and Wärtsilä.
Supporters include: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). Official Carrier is TAP Air Portugal; The Media Sponsor is: BBC World News; Official Hotel is Olissipo Hotels; Mercy Ships is the Charitable Partner of Seatrade Cruise Med; Sustainability Partner is EPAL; Seatrade Cruise Med is part of Portugal Shipping Week.
