The Rostock-based cruise company AIDA Cruises announces the formation of an educational establishment. It will be named European Cruise Academy and will be headquartered in Rostock, Germany.

The content of the academic education will be realised in cooperation with the University of Technology, Business and Design in Wismar. Within the scope of a so-called Public Private Partnership, the cooperation between University and AIDA comprises the formation of new courses of studies. Especially in the booming cruise market, the demand for well-trained employees and executives has risen strongly. The European Cruise Academy therefore specifically invests in the future and the qualification of the maritime trainees.

The focus of the European Cruise Academy will be on the nautical-technical area on board a cruise liner. Initially, the academy offers a Master’s degree course. The first classes already start on September 1, 2008, in line with the beginning of the new academic year. Nautical, technical and electro-technical Bachelor’s degree courses and further educational opportunities follow, starting with the winter semester 2009/2010.

Industry and education experts will lecture at the academy. Contents will be taught in English, which makes this course of study interesting for international cruise companies as well. Excellent prospects in top positions on board a cruise liner as nautical, technical and electro-technical officers till up to chief engineer and captain wait for the graduates.

Students with appropriate qualifications that are interested in the Master’s degree course can find further information on www.european-cruise-academy.com.

Rostock, February 15, 2008

Facilities and Location

The European Cruise Academy is located in Rostock. Classes are held in own classrooms and lecture halls in the Technology Centre in Warnemünde, right beside the existing campus of the Wismar University. The programme takes advantage of the ship handling simulator and also laboratories and library. Classrooms are equipped with the latest technology. A separate computer room allows training on simulation software.

Development and Products

The first classes at the European Cruise Academy started on 15th September 2008 with the advanced training courses of the master’s programme “International Cruise Ship Management“.

Starting in autumn 2009, three bachelor programmes will be added: Bachelor’s programmes in nautical science, engineering, and electrotechnics.

Besides the university programmes the European Cruise Academy is actively involved in the vocational training of engine and deck ratings.

The vocational training as “Mechatronics”, a combination of mechanic and electronic subjects is the first one of its kind for the maritime industry. It is a perfect approach to educate specialists for the new generation of engines and systems which nowadays consist to a high degree of electronic components.

The different MET concepts allow an integral and sustaining system of personal development in the marine area. A secondary objective is to offer universal career opportunities to young potentials. This makes it attractive for them to join, stay and grow with the cruise company. The variety of career options allows a much broader approach.

For over ten years, high standards of quality and service on board their cruise ships, river-going vessels and ferries, have been sea chefs key criteria for success. With exclusive management training for leading employees such as hotel managers and chefs on board the riverships run by sea chefs, the firm highlights once again its position as a company offering high-quality service in the shipping industry. ‘It is precisely the training and continuing development of our staff that is indispensable to the satisfaction of our customers,’ says Daniel Thiriet, manager of the Swiss branch of sea chefs. ‘Through this management training we not only optimise the quality of service on board our ships, but through the exchange of employees experiences and ideas we also strengthen the capacity for teamwork and the sense of responsibility of each individual. We also do plan an extension of this concept for all staff members.’

Known for its expertise in trend-setting training concepts, the Schools of Tourism in Bad Gleichenberg, Austria, place particular value on participants’ individual and flexible qualification measures. Professor Helmuth Hölbing, director of Schools of Tourism in Bad Gleichenberg, says: ‘Our courses have a modular structure so they can be easily and comprehensively combined. A direct transference of what is learned is therefore possible and is of great importance to us. A high proportion of practice as well as mentoring of the participants before, during and after this seminar also secures long-term success, which is of benefit to the customers of sea chefs.’

About sea chefs

sea chefs, founded in 1999, specializes in complete Hotel and Ship Management solutions for cruise ships, river-going vessels, as well as ferries, and is one of the leading suppliers in this segment. At the same time the enterprise sets high quality standards, which reflect in all the services undertaken such as hotel management, the composition of the crew, housekeeping and laundry services and the perfect menu selection in the restaurant. Cruise companies like Swan Hellenic Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, Amadeus Waterways and Scylla Tours are among long-time and satisfied customers. With premises in Switzerland, Cyprus and Germany, the company is internationally well positioned. For more information please visit www.seachefs.com, or contact PublicRelation(at)seachefs.com.

This month, Crystal Cruises will launch the third installment of its online training seminar on CrystalCruisesAcademy.com.  Complimentary to agents, the latest course in the luxury line's comprehensive online training program, Course III, Europe 2009 details the benefits of cruising Europe with Crystal in 2009, including:

• All ongoing Europe promotions including All Inclusive - As You Wish, Save Now, Save Later, European Celebration Fares and the Crystal Assurance Plan;
• Highlights of the 2009 Europe season by destination: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canary Islands and Trans-ocean crossings;
• Crystal Adventures, Extended Land Programs and Hotel Programs;
• Group sales incentives, including the Crystal Family Memories Program, and
• Sales and marketing tips

"In the current environment, the agents who are on top of their game and most knowledgeable will be the luxury travelers' trusted advisors and best resources.  It pays - literally - to invest the time in becoming an expert at selling the "World's Best," and consistently most highly-rated ships," says Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales and marketing.  "This course will equip agents with the tools they need to expertly sell Crystal European itineraries and, as with the first two courses, earn them greater return business and highly satisfied clients."

In 2009, Crystal offers two dozen voyages from seven to 14 days in the Mediterranean, Baltic, North Cape, British Isles and trans-Atlantic aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.  Cruises departing Venice, Barcelona, Athens, Copenhagen, London, Stockholm and more feature at least one overnight call and countless Crystal Adventures appealing to most any interest.

"Europe naturally lends itself to great cruise itineraries, with so many spectacular destinations so close together and easily accessible by ship," adds Smith.  "This presents agents with numerous opportunities to sell their clients on the Crystal Experience."

Originally launched in July 2006, CrystalCruisesAcademy.com was re-introduced earlier this year on a complimentary basis.  In 2008, CruiseBuilder, the second phase of the web-based training program was launched specializing in Crystal's online booking engine.  The comprehensive courses are an ideal forum for home-based agents, allowing them to learn at their leisure, while providing traditional brick-and-mortar agencies with a cost-free option for training each travel agent in their office to be a Crystal specialist.

In addition to valuable sales insights, completion of just one of the courses qualifies agents for eligibility to win a free cruise, with one drawing entry per course completed.  The most recent winner, Jane Hazelrig of All-Seasons Travel in Birmingham, AL, completed the first two courses.  Four drawings are held per year, the next scheduled for March, 2009.

To register for this new advanced course, agents can visit crystalcruisesacademy.com or access the site through a link on the travel agent center at crystalcruises.com.

Agents completing Crystal's online training beginning with the first installment course will also receive the line's sales binder, which is filled with valuable brochures, insider information not available in regular brochures, sample menus from each restaurant, resources for more information and other comprehensive sales tools.

To arm Crystal specialists with the most compelling sales tools, agents completing the line's online training courses receive E-Values, a weekly e-mail update highlighting the line's current best values to promote to their clients.  Agents who complete courses on CrystalCruisesAcademy.com will also earn CLIA accreditation towards ACC and MCC.