London Is Site For First International Cruise Shipping Conference June 19-20

Cruise 85, the first international conference for all involved in the management, operation and services of cruise shipping, is scheduled to take place in the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, London, from June 19- 20, 1985. The event will be organized by the UK Secretariat of the well-known Ro-Ro Conferences.

The focus on the cruising sector of the leisure market will be particularly timely, as cruise companies are ordering new ships for expansion into new markets. Indeed, Norwegian Caribbean Cruise Line is reported to be looking at plans for a 4,000 passenger ship which would make it the biggest cruise vessel in the world. Proposals such as this, make the cruise market an exciting prospect for the future.

It is on the market and its future that the conference will open its debate, looking at how ships might evolve as self-sufficient "floating holiday centres," the ultimate in the "go-nowhere" cruise concept. This means, of course, increased attention to shipboard revenue sources, also an area of conference discussion.

In cruising, ship operations take on a hotel profile, and the various elements, concessionaire catering, provisions, baggage handling, waste disposal and—the largest overhead of all—reservations, will be examined at Cruise 85.

Cruise ship design is also moving into an innovative period. Futuristic concepts are now being evaluated by the leading owners and designers, but questions arise whether passengers may prefer to stay with the past and promenade on teak decking rather than Astroturf. Design aspects, including those affected by the regulatory bodies, IMO, US Public Health Service and the Classification Societies will be highlighted at the conference.

With cruise operators developing new itineraries, ports are becoming more aware of the facilities required to attract the ships, and thus become the cruise center of their particular coast. Aspects of the port interface and terminals will be discussed at the conference. The Scandinavian "overnight" cruise concept, and river cruises will also be featured in the program.

Details of Cruise 85 and its associated Exhibition can be obtained from the Cruise Secretariat, 2 Station Road, Rickmansworth, Herts, WD3 1QP, England. Telephone 0923 776363, Telex 924312.

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