The client, a highly regarded expedition cruise company, faced significant logistical complexities and high costs related to crew changes. Their diverse itineraries and multinational crew made selecting the most efficient embarkation and disembarkation ports challenging. Additionally, visa requirements for their top two crew nationalities—Filipino and Indonesian—introduced added cost and complexity to their operations.
Approach: Strategic analysis to identify hidden optimizations
As a specialist Travel Management Company (TMC) for the cruise industry, ATPI Marine Travel conducted a comprehensive analysis to streamline crew changes and reduce costs. Our strategy included the following key steps:
Itinerary deep dive
First, the team meticulously reviewed the vessel itineraries for the upcoming season, considering port locations and frequency to identify optimal crew change opportunities.
Nationality & contract analysis
Next, crew nationality data, focusing on the most prevalent nationalities, was analyzed. This data was cross-referenced with the company for the contract durations and planned change dates to map out crew movement patterns effectively.
Port optimization recommendations
Using the completed itinerary and crew data analysis, it was possible to identify the best ports for crew changes, with key consideration given to:
Accessibility: Ease of access for international flights, including major airports and regional connections.
Cost-effectiveness: Flight costs to and from potential crew change ports.
Visa facilitation: (Together with the cruise company and their appointed port and manning agent) for visa requirements and processing times for key nationalities at each port.
Logistical efficiency: (Together with the Cruise company and the Port agents) Port infrastructure, proximity to airports, availability of ground transportation, and immigration processing capabilities.
Visa impact analysis
ATPI Marine Travel conducted a detailed cost-benefit analysis of visa requirements for Filipino and Indonesian crew members. Our findings demonstrated the potential savings if all crew members from these nationalities held U.S. visas.
Impact: Operational improvements and reduced crew change costs
Optimized crew change ports
Recommendations from the strategic analysis provided the cruise company with a clear strategy for selecting the most efficient crew change ports. This allowed them to consolidate crew movements, minimize travel disruptions, and reduce overall travel costs.
Significant cost savings
The analysis also revealed that facilitating U.S. visa acquisition for Filipino and Indonesian crew members as well as choosing the most optimum (cost wise) ports could result in an estimated 8% reduction in overall travel spend. This was achieved through:
Increased flight options: Accessing a broader range of flight routes, particularly via the U.S., potentially leading to lower fares.
Simplified logistics: Streamlining crew travel arrangements and reducing the risk of visa-related delays.
Conclusion
This case study highlights ATPI Marine Travel’s expertise as a Travel Management Company (TMC) specializing in cruise crew travel. By leveraging in-depth itinerary analysis, crew data insights, and a strategic focus on requirements, the expedition cruise company received actionable recommendations that led to substantial cost savings and improved operational efficiency. This proactive approach to crew logistics enabled the client to optimize their crew change processes, allowing them to focus on delivering exceptional expedition experiences.
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