This Week in Cruise: CroisiEurope Inaugurates New Barge; Royal Caribbean to Develop Next Phase of NJ Port

CroisiEurope recently inaugurated its newest barge, the "Raymonde," at the Quai de Grenelle in Paris, France. The Schmitters, CroisiEurope's founding family, were present at the christening,  including Raymonde, the founder's daughter-in-law who was chosen to be godmother of the ship named in her honor.

The 12-cabin Raymonde barge will navigate on the Saint-Martin canal in Paris and the Marne canal from Paris to Châlons-en-Champagne and back, offering stops in Paris, Nogent-sur-Marne, Meaux, La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Chateau-Thierry, Dormans, Epernay and Châlons-en-Champagne.

Royal Caribbean Cruises entered into an agreement with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the cruise company to develop the next phase of the Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J. The $55-million project will include the construction of a new, guest terminal, with 125,000 square feet of check-in, customs and immigration and luggage processing space, as well as a 900-car parking structure and pier improvements. 

The new facilities will be erected adjacent to the current terminal used to welcome guests and will accommodate the cruise company’s ships, including the Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, each to start service at Cape Liberty in November 2014 and 2015, respectively. Ground breaking has already occurred and the new terminal is scheduled to be completed in November 2014.

Silversea Cruises announced new appointments within its sales team. Kim Guimaraes has been promoted from director to VP of national account sales for the Americas, reporting to Kristian Anderson, SVP and GM for the Americas. 

Kris Endreson has been promoted to VP of field sales for the U.S. and Canada, reporting to Anderson. She will oversee management of the field and inside sales teams, with responsibility for developing and implementing strategic sales initiatives. Most recently she served as regional sales director for the eastern U.S. and Caribbean.

Lastly, Phil Flad, who joined Silversea last year as director of brand partnerships, is named regional sales director for the eastern U.S., reporting to Endreson. He will be responsible for driving sales in the region by strengthening and expanding relationships with agency partners, and will also continue to manage brand partnerships.