Cruise Forward Summit in Miami was an exhilarating experience, and I expected nothing less. The event was filled with innovative ideas and forward-thinking discussions. And as I am lucky enough to be VP of Global Partnerships for Tower (an influential global supplier to cruise lines), I had front row seats to the cruise industry’s full flow and excitement in Miami.
As well as hearing experts spell out their latest concepts for the industry, I also had the privilege of presenting my ideas around supply chain efficiency and cost-in-use to key stakeholders. This was a fantastic opportunity to help more companies shed excess and think carefully about their products, how they are used, shipped, and how much they cost. But what else did I learn and take back from event?
The buzz around the upcoming CLIA Cruise Week 2025 (set to take place in Rotterdam from March 12 to 14), was unmistakable. Tower have already secured a booth, and we cannot wait to highlight our latest innovations in crew wellbeing, productivity, efficiency, and ship sanitisation.
The first CLIA Innovation Showcase in Genoa back in March set the stage with impressive advancements, and Rotterdam promises to be an even more spectacular event. This event is not just a stage but a testament to our commitment to driving the industry forward with innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and crew welfare.
Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group’s President & CEO, emphasised the importance of “taking the friction out of the experience.” While his context was the guest experience, I think this principle applies broadly across business operations.
Cruise line CPOs highlighted the value of vendors understanding their situation through quarterly updates, aligning with their goals via strategic reports, and adhering to their requirements as outlined in accessible policies.
This call-to-action is not new. In April Antionette Wright of Carnival Corporation underscored the importance of key documents during her speech at Seatrade Cruise Global. I acted on this immediately and Miami gave me the chance to demonstrate my knowledge of sustainability goals, aspirations, and current policies.
I believe in Tower’s position as a knowledgeable partner. But we are also a leader who listens, adapts, and pushes the industry to evolve wherever we can with innovation and close working partnerships.
As one of fifteen suppliers who had the opportunity to pitch to cruise line CPOs, we were asked to challenge traditional practices. For Tower, we called for a rethink on how we view the supply chain. I used a familiar example that everyone could relate to – toilet tissue.
Toilet tissue is often made in China, shipped to America, and then transported to Europe. This is quite a journey, and a journey that people who care about achieving ambitious sustainability goals would rather we did not make.
I suggested to the room an alternative: A Tower product made in Europe and loaded onto ships IN Europe. This approach not only reduces supply chain miles and costs, but also decreases lead-time and the cost of floating inventory.
Our product offers more value per roll, whilst also aligning with the total-cost-of-ownership philosophy of cruise lines. By challenging the status quo, Tower demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and efficiency, setting a new standard for the industry.
Send me a message if you want to make contact and talk about supply chains and cost-in-use!
A leading authority on the cruise industry, Mark has board-level experience and has been involved in cruise since 1995, moving his focus to suppling cruise in 2014.
