Abstract
This paper discusses considerations that need to be taken into account by the cruise ship industry. It particularly discusses the Grand Turk Cruise Center. It describes the tourist's role, customer satisfaction and on and off board problems. The paper then discusses potential changes for the future and how these would impact the cruise ship industry.

Table of Contents:
The Grand Turk Cruise Center
"She's Here"
"Full Satisfaction"
Grand Turk Cruise Center
Sampling of Sights Grand Turk's Perks
II. Ideas Regarding Relationships and Environment
The Tourist Role
The Small Caribbean Islands
Stay Away
"What's new?"
Pressure to Grow On
Caribbean Tourism: A Blight or a Blessing?
On and Off Board Problems
Fragile Balances
Discharged Pollutants' Safety Status
Societal Choices
Turtles in the Turks and Caicos Islands
III. Choices for Change
Features from the Present; Traces from the Past; Signs of Future
Artificial Versus Authentic
Stiff Solutions
Hidden Costs
Looking Back for Future Inspiration

From the Paper
"Mega-ships regularly dump pollutants illegally. Cruise ships environmentally generate horrific amounts of "sewage, oily bilge water, solid waste, grey water ("down the drain" waste) and hazardous wastes," Roberts states. Waste disposal management, as well as disposal of these wastes is only sometimes enforced and most of the time improperly regulated. International environmental practices are minimal in the industry. Federal and local laws which govern waste discharges into coastal waters have not "teeth." (Roberts)"
"Cruise ships generally transport approximately 2000 passengers. The largest ship can accommodate 5000 individuals, simultaneously sailing in international waters under flags of convenience. Frequently, some crews ignore labor and international maritime standards, utilizing opportunities to abuse labor rights, as well as environmental regulations. (Roberts)"

Tags:regulations, discharges, pullution, hazardous, liner

Abstract
This work evaluates the cruise industry, specifically the Carnival Cruise, Norwegian Cruise and Royal Caribbean companies. The evaluation uses Porter's Five Forces model to explore competition in the industry, the bargaining power of suppliers and the bargaining power of consumers. It also addresses whether the industry has substitute products and if there are new entrants into the industry. This work additionally answers the question of 'how intense is the rivalry' and whether there is a forecasting method that can be used to predict where the industry is going.

Outline:
Introduction
Porter's Five Force Analysis
Porter's Five Force Analysis Summary
Bibliography

Includes charts and graphs
Figure 1 - Forecasted Value Worldwide per Segment, Hotels, Resorts and Cruise Lines (in billion dollars) 2003-2008
Figure 2
Average Growth Rate 1980 - 2004
Figure 3
Passengers Percentage Change 1974 -2004
Figure 5 Cruise Ship Order Book as of January 1, 2004

From the Paper
"In an April 27, 2006 report entitled: "Cabin Fever - Smooth Times Ahead for the Cruise Industry" John Zamora writes that: "...there's plenty of room for growth in the cruise industry. Currently the number of tourists worldwide who book cruise vacations stands at around 13.4 million, representing about 1.8% of the total world travel market, as estimated by the World Tourism Organization." (2006) Zamora also writes that: "Far from being disappointed at this current level of market share, the industry fully recognizes the opportunities ahead as operators expand into new types of cruises (including the niche budget option); set their targets on different demographic groups; and, head for new waters." (2006) In a November 14, 2005 report entitled: "Which Way is the Travel Industry Headed?" it is stated that a Senior Analyst at eMarketer and author of the Online Travel Worldwide report, Jeffery Grau states: Without question, the Internet has shake up the status quo in the travel industry...Traditional travel agencies are struggling to stay relevant, online travel agencies are trying to instill loyalty among their customers,. travel search engines are the new upstarts, travel suppliers are flexing their muscles and global distributions systems are looking for way to recover their waning influence." (2005) In a report entitled: "Cruise Line Industry: Trends Opportunities for Canadian Exporters 2005" reported is a case study in which the researchers conducted interviews with 21 cruise line purchasers, chandlers, distributors and brokers findings stated in the report include the facts for Worldwide per Segment Forecasts including the cruise lines shown on the chart in Figure 1."

Tags:cruise, line, industry, market, research, Porter's, Five, Force, Analysis

Abstract
This paper claims that while the immediate future looks not too promising for this industry, the long term looks good. Three main reasons for this statement are given. First, the cruise line industry has been a leader in the steady growth being experienced by the entire travel segment for the last ten years. Second, the industry is seeing expanding markets in Europe and new markets emerging in Asia. The third reason to expect long term growth is that the cruise lines are now offering their customers a wider variety packages at different lengths and price ranges. This has helped them to expand their market into lower income level clients. An overview of the market is provided.

From the Paper
"The key strengths of the cruise line industry are its high desirability among consumers. Cruises appeal to the American public's sense of adventure. The second strength is that cruise lines have shown a great ability to adapt their product to meet popular social trends and expand into untapped markets. The recent trend to offer a wider variety of entertainments and the recent popularity of "Theme Cruises" has been a valuable asset. The offering of various priced cruises is also evidence of the industry's ability to adapt and as a result expand their market. The expansion into foreign market is further evidence of this strength. The cruise line industry has demonstrated the ability to not only identify new markets, but to capture them as well. A third strength is that the cruise line industry operates at 100% capacity (Farley, 2000). In order to expand their market cruise lines need only to build more ships. "

Tags:911, ship, tourist, cruise, industry, holiday, investment, market, entertainment

Abstract
The paper relates that the cruise line industry has been experiencing a period of massive expansion over the last decade, thus heightening the competitive profile for the industry in terms of market share and competitive rivalry. The paper evaluates the industry competitors: Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. The paper provides a competitor profile matrix that shows Carnival Cruise Lines' market dominance.

Outline:
Industry Overview
Industry Competitors
Competitor Profile Matrix
Product Differentiation

From the Paper
"The cruise line industry has been experiencing a period of massive expansion over the last decade. By some estimates, the cruise industry in the United States (US) alone has generated more than $32b during 2005. Such revenue ensures that the cruise industry remains one of the most competitive across all markets. Even smaller markets have been experiencing an increase in cruise industry operations. The Canadian market has seen some ports exceed more than 90 cruise ship callings on an annual basis and this is a considerable amount of traffic for a traditionally smaller market. Thus, the competitive profile for the industry has heightened in terms of market share and competitive rivalry."

Tags:Carnival, Cruise, Lines, Royal, Caribbean, Norwegian, Cruise, Line, comfort, affordability, brand

Abstract
The paper reveals that the cruise line industry has been experiencing a period of massive expansion over the last decade, with revenue that ensures that the cruise industry remains one of the most competitive across all markets. The paper provides an analysis of the competition in this industry.

From the Paper
"Industry Overview: The cruise line industry has been experiencing a period of massive expansion over the last decade. By some estimates, the cruise industry in the United States (US) alone has generated more than $32b during 2005. Such revenue ensures that the cruise industry remains one of the most competitive across all markets. Even smaller markets have been experiencing an increase in cruise industry operations. The Canadian market has seen some ports exceed more than 90 cruise ship callings on an annual basis and this is a considerable amount of traffic for a..."

Tags:cruise, royal, carnival

Abstract
The paper looks at several studies of the shipping industry that use the Greek shipping industry as a representative of the whole industry. The paper shows how the impetus for major changes today is economic, with a desire to cut costs and improve efficiency at the same time. The paper predicts that this trend will continue so long as charter shipping in all its forms continues to lower costs. The paper discusses the pressure for using third party management and outsourcing and concludes that these strategies may increase in the future as they become vital for a company's competitive advantage. The paper includes tables and diagrams.

Outline:
Introduction
Methodology
Review of Literature
The Greek Shipping Industry
Ship Management
History
Legal Environment
Examples
Information Technology
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"The shipping industry has a long history, but the nature of the business changes over that history. It has been changing in recent years because of the pressures for change caused by internationalization, globalization, technological advances, economic shifts in different parts of the world, and so on. Where the tradition has been for companies to sail their own ships, carrying cargo for a fee, more and more companies are finding different ways to accomplish the same business, such as by chartering vessels for the job at hand, or having other companies handle the procedures as a form of third-party management, or some other approach to cut costs, reduce risk, and yet increase business all at the same time. The changes in the global marketplace can mean bringing in more and more local players who can handle some of the difficult tasks involved in working through the bureaucracy, while chartering for shipping can involve more experienced people for certain specific runs."

Tags:outsourcing, third, party, management, competitive, advantage, cost, efficiency

Abstract
This paper reveals that major sea routes constitute among the most important paths for American commercial trade and, simultaneously, reflect one of America's greatest economic vulnerabilities. The paper highlights the threats to America's ocean shipping industry of high fuel costs, terrorism, piracy and poor port maintenance. The paper points out that the Bush administration actually argued vociferously in favor of the management and ownership of port securities by a United Arab Emirates' state-controlled firm! The paper believes that prevention should be considered a primary priority for the industry, with a focus on personnel recruitment and resource designation.

From the Paper
"America is geographically and inherently given over to a high level of economic dependency on its maritime trade. As an enormous landmass surrounded by water and separated from many of its closest trade partners by a bodies of ocean, the United States is a leading entity in the global sea trade. In years prior as a leader in global production, export and retail, today the United States is distinguished for importing massive amounts of natural and consumer resources from its trade partners. Consuming massive amounts of food, lumber, natural minerals and fossil fuels, the American economic depends very much on the consistency of its shipping routes and the continuity of incoming ships from major partners. Particularly with the forces of globalization heavily increasing the emphasis on international trade freedoms, ocean-faring vessels bound for the United States have come to bear an important role and responsibility in the American economy and in the world economy."

Tags:piracy, maritime, terrorism, personnel, resources

Abstract
This paper describes the author's twelve-hour flight to Paris, her disappointment with the city and the family's boarding the "Princess Cruise" ship in Venice. Next, the author tells about the taxi driver in Naples, the over-30-foot waves, the four hour lunch breaks in Nice and the stops in Barcelona and Lisbon.The paper relates that, despite having to spend seven days out at sea because of the waves so that they got very bad cabin fever, the family did not fight at all.

From the Paper
"I was enjoying being treated like a Princess. The entire crew was so friendly and catered to everything I wanted. They cleaned our room in the morning and then in the evening when we went to dinner. They would turn down our beds and leave a chocolate mint on the pillow. The last day there I couldn't stop crying. I was so sad that it was time to go home. This was the most memorable family vacation I have ever had. This vacation was so unforgettable because my family and I bonded so well. Not once did anybody argue the entire trip. We all laughed so much our stomachs hurt. "

Tags:window, stunk, waves, bonded, puking

Abstract
This paper provides a a step by step account of how Carnival Cruise Lines has earned the dominant position they have today in the tourism industry through strategic alliances, marketing and how they have used technology to leverage their competitive advantage. It focuses on their efforts in four areas: being family orientated; being environmentally friendly; convenience and customer service; and their affiliations and strategic initiatives and shows how through these efforts customers stay loyal and come back in the future on one of their other cruises.

From the Paper
"Carnival Cruise management have a strong ability to recognize social trends such as the need for short 3-5 day vacations (mini-vacations) and have invested in travel and tourism related companies to help them offer the best vacation in that short time period. For example, Carnival purchased Cunard Line Limted And Airtows PLC to help compliment their cruises with land activities. This is given Carnival the ability to fully control and create packages for three different adventure categories that are truly unique to Carnival such as Dog Sledding in Alaska. Management has also been able to align itself with companies such as Universal Studio's."

Tags:business, carnival, competitive, management, marketing, organization, strategic

Abstract
This project discusses Allure Cruise Line and its operations and relates that the company is intending on expanding into the Mediterranean market from its home market in the Florida area of the United States. The paper relates that presently, the firm operates a fleet of three ships in the high-end cruise market and explains that its main competitors in terms of the general cruise line industry are Carnival and Royal Caribbean among others. The paper explains that the company also faces cultural and human resources issues among its various crew because of the diverse nature of its crew members which are represented by approximately 40 different nationalities. The paper explains that these and other organizational culture issues ensure that developing hiring and retention strategies that support the company's long-term expansion plans is critical, and this is especially important in view of its short-term plans of expanding into the Mediterranean market. Finally, the paper addresses how the company's leadership motivates staff and crew that is also a central part of the organization's mission since a motivated crew ensures a positive guest experience and high return traffic for the company's cruise products.

From the Paper
"This project discusses Allure Cruise Line and its operations. The company is intending on expanding into the Mediterranean market from its home market in the Florida area of the United States. Presently the firm operates a fleet of three ships in the high-end cruise market. Its main competitors in terms of the general cruise line industry are Carnival and Royal Caribbean among others. The company also faces cultural and human resources issues among its various crew because of the diverse nature of..."

Tags:extension, allure, cruise