What makes an unforgettable holiday

Recreation, hospitality, entertainment: Suppliers of convenience products and services to cruise ships will be present at Seatrade Europe from 24 to 26 September in Hamburg

Holidaymakers are flocking to cruise ships in ever growing numbers. Offerings are abundant: "Our industry's mission and vision is to maintain this wide variety of choices while ensuring and continuously improving our outstanding levels of service and convenience for our passengers", said Helge Grammerstorf, National Director of CLIA Germany, the German branch of the world's largest cruise industry organisation, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The industry fair Seatrade Europe, held from 24 to 26 September 2013 at the Hamburg Messe fair site, will showcase the entire range of products and services for cruise ships.

Cruising comfortably is not necessarily prohibitively expensive. Cruises are being offered for nearly any budget and in many price categories. Providers are working tirelessly to tailor the perfect holiday for their guests. "It is our goal to ensure the best possible experience in every respect on every trip. This is why we not only invest systematically in the safety of our ships but also in high-quality on-board amenities“, said Color Line CEO Dr Jörg Rudolph. Germany's leading provider of mini cruises and Norwegian cruises is investing roughly 60m Euros in upgrading its vessels "Color Magic" and "Color Fantasy" this year. Guests attach particular importance to well-being, hospitality and entertainment on board.

Relaxing on the high seas
Cruise ships are increasingly evolving into floating spas offering everything from saunas and swimming pools to yoga and Pilates training and to beauty care. "Wellness is today considered an integral part of the cruise experience, much like fine dining and an elaborate entertaining programme," said Richard J. Vogel, CEO of TUI Cruises. Their "Mein Schiff" vessels feature huge spa centres accessible to every passenger at no extra cost. For example, on board "Mein Schiff 3" guests can relax in a far-eastern Zen garden, a true oasis of peace. "Mein Schiff 2" has a Thalasso centre offering therapeutic treatments with sea water.

Cruise ship guests can enjoy being pampered with products by Spa Vivent Vertriebs GmbH. At Seatrade Europe the company will present body lotions, peelings and massage oils designed specifically for the on-board environment: "We carry mainly exotic products with natural ingredients such as hibiscus, coconut or banana. For Seatrade Europe we have put together a special Welcome on Board package to entice potential customers," said CEO Erica Ramsay.

To lounge and relax on deck, try out the outdoor furniture offered by Garpa. "At Seatrade Europe we will present both, popular cruise ship classics and many new products, including our sun lounger "Alassio" as well as our outdoor furniture series "Monterey" made of teak and aluminium," said GARPA CEO Oliver Michels. "For us, Seatrade Europe is the optimal trade fair to network in the European arena and present our products here."

Hollywood nights
A good entertainment programme is essential for an enjoyable cruise. Over the last years providers have developed increasingly elaborate and spectacular entertainment programmes to enthuse their audiences. Laser shows, 4D cinema and numerous workshop offerings are open to everyone on board AIDA cruise ships. The centrepiece of the varied AIDA entertainment programme are roughly 65 show events including dance, song, acrobatics and flamboyant costumes. A unique dance show called "Mondän" which was specially produced for "AIDAstella" takes guests to the Paris nightlife of the 1920s and '30s. The repertoire also features the musical show "Rock Me Baby" with favourite hits by Ike and Tina Turner, the Jackson 5 show "Can You Feel It" as well as five theatre and four new pool deck shows. The main theatres of the Royal Caribbean fleet likewise captivate their audiences with a top-flight programme: Every night guests can enjoy live music, acrobatics or ice and water shows. Broadway musicals such as "Chicago" (Allure of the Seas), "Hairspray" (Oasis of the Seas) and "Saturday Night Fever" (Liberty of the Seas) are all-time favourites.

For the ultimate fun experience, companies like Namco Operations Europe Limited will highlight entirely new entertainment formats at Seatrade Europe. "Namco will be presenting unique global solutions for games & systems supplies in partnership with Intercard, your key to fun and rewards on board.  We look forward to welcoming you to our booth 202 at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg", said Trevor Sutton, Leisure Equipment Controller with Namco.

Five-star cuisine and choicest wines
Among the most critical factors for perceived well-being on board are the culinary delights which are prepared using advanced food preparation technology. For their "Europa" ships, Hapag-Lloyd was able to win two renowned chefs, Stefan Wilke and Willy Leitgeb. "Europa 2" has no less than eight restaurants which combine to realise the concept of a culinary journey around the world. "All in all there are 19,000 bottles of wine and approximately 450 appellations from 14 different countries on board. There are no limits to creativity and new ideas for tasting," says "Europa" sommelier Florian Sender. The most expensive wine on board is a Burgundy, the 2008 Romanée St. Vivant Domaine Romanée Conti from France, worth EUR1,413.00. But fine wines are available at prices around EUR25 to 30, as well.

Seatrade Europe will see food manufacturers and suppliers showcasing their products for the sophisticated palate, such as D. Entrup-Haselbach Tiefkühlbackwaren (DEH), a supplier of frozen bakery goods: The company offers more than 400 different products, from finger food to premium breads and snacks for the health-conscious. The ethno food and low carb segments have been especially successful. "On cruises we have observed a trend towards traditional products from international cultures," said DEH sales director Alexander Haselbach.

Belgian wafers are hot selling items on board luxury liners. The company Gofrino specialises on producing these popular sweet products and will present them at Seatrade Europe. Bindi, on the other hand, is a heritage company relying on original Italian patisserie craftsmanship. A synonym of Tiramisù, Italian Profiteroles and Tartufo, Bindi has firmly established its Mediterranean patisserie and dessert specialty brand in Germany where the company is represented by the Konzack family. At Seatrade Europe, Bindi will present its current range of gourmet products.

About Seatrade Europe
Seatrade Europe, the leading trade event of the European cruise and rivercruise industry, will be held at Hamburg, Germany's famous seaport on the Elbe river, from 24 to 26 September 2013. Industry decision-makers and professionals will meet to exchange ideas, set new trends and expand their business networks. Exhibitors include shipyards, F6B suppliers, classification societies, tourism organisations and ports.