INTERNATIONAL. Starboard Cruise Services is expanding its footprint in the cruise retail market with a series of openings in early 2019, and more planned for later in the year.
This month, Starboard launches new space onboard Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s first ship in the Quantum Ultra Class and the cruise line’s first purpose-built for the Asian market. It includes many brand firsts for Royal Caribbean, including Marc Jacobs, Titoni of Switzerland, Breitling and Jo Malone, plus luxury boutiques from Bvlgari, Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Omega.
As revealed in our on location report, Starboard last month previewed over 8,000sq ft of space onboard Costa Venezia, Costa Cruises’ first ship designed exclusively for Chinese travellers, before the May launch of sailings from Shanghai. Highlights include the largest beauty space at sea, an Italian-led fashion offer and the Bvlgari Jewelry Fashion Show, a first-of-its-kind partnership between Costa Cruises, Bvlgari and Starboard.
Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream (formerly the Superstar Virgo) launched in March with upgraded retail space and new facilities and amenities, including The Palace, Dream Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship concept.
Other new ship launches include Costa Smeralda, Costa Cruises’ first ship powered by liquefied natural gas, with a focus on a sustainable retail product assortment and Norwegian Encore, the fourth and final ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus Class. Retail offerings will “break the rules” according to Starboard, “with exclusive, curated items, discovery brands, select luxury designers and unique experiences”. Both ships launch in October.
Other big retail renovations include the Carnival Sunrise and Norwegian Getaway in May; Celebrity Equinox to be unveiled during the Summer and Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas relaunching in November.
The company said it had delivered “a robust beginning” to 2019, with “retail launches aboard the industry’s most anticipated ships, continued dominance in the Asia market, industry accolades and strong leadership”. As reported, Starboard last month named Brenda Yester Baty as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), a newly created role.
As we reported recently, Starboard reorganised its senior management after the departure of President & CEO Beth Neumann and Senior Vice President Cruise Line Retail David Goubert.
Click on the link for our recent on location coverage of the shopping arena onboard the new Costa Venezia.
