Cruise Operations Management (The Management of Hospitality and Tourism Enterprises) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: senior assistant purser, hotel services department, cruise brands, United States, Princess Cruises, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a long awaited addition to the resource base for teaching a specialist tourism sector of Cruising. Dr. Philip Gibson has taken a novel approach that will be useful for students and practitioners alike.

An innovative and contemporary book on Cruise Operations Management, this text will be an invaluable source for hospitality, tourism, travel students and cruising practitioners as well as for more specialist target readers who require insights into maritime issues and legislation.

The integrated nature of the book is an ideal source for those studying not only for a career in Cruise Management but also for students studying specialist subjects at undergraduate and post graduate level in tourism and hospitality, services marketing, intermediary relationship marketing, geography of tourism and specific core operations management subjects such as facilities management, food and beverage management, destination cruising itinerary planning and customer service. The 'people' element of training is also addressed in a practical way. Case studies are featured in many chapters to consolidate the learning. The authors' own personal experience in the cruising sector 'adds value' to the reading.

Any academic developing a specialist elective unit/module in cruise management will see the benefits of this as a core text in hospitality, travel and tourism studies. The applied and theoretical nature of the book is clearly an unique source and focuses both on strategic and tactical operational perspectives in a cruising context. The final chapter synthesises the integrated nature of Cruising Operations Management; leaving the reader in no doubt that the Cruise Operations manager of the future needs not only to have a technical core role but also needs to be multi-disciplined in managing cruise ships.

The book I believe has made a major contribution to the body of knowledge in the expanding tourism sector of global cruising. An asset on any academic book shelf and hospitality, tourism and travel students' core reading list."

-- Adrian S. Thomas, MSc, DMS, MCIM, Senior Lecturer in Services Marketing for the Hospitality and Tourism industries, The Manchester Metropolitan University

Book Description

A complete insight into the cruise industry, from an introduction to the industry, to planning itineraries and managing food and drink operations onboard.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1 edition (May 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750678356
• ISBN-13: 978-0750678353
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #753,258 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on cruise management, July 26, 2006

By	M. Vogel (Bremerhaven, Germany) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has not primarily been written for cruise passengers, but for students, for people interested in a cruise management position, and for business partners of cruise lines. It provides a comprehensive look behind the scenes both shipside and shoreside. Many examples and short case studies help the reader appreciate the multiple facets of cruise operations. Along with Cartwright/Baird's 'Development and Growth of the Cruise Industry', this is probably the best text about cruise management on the market. We use it in our undergraduate Cruise Industry Management course (Hochschule Bremerhaven, Germany).

4.0 out of 5 stars A good textbook, October 4, 2009

By	R. Desrosiers (Korea) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a textbook, Cruise Operations Management by Philip Gibson was well written for the hospitality and tourism industry. It appeared to be well suited for students at the community college or undergraduate levels. With additional material, it could be adapted to be suitable for a stand-alone lower level graduate course or as a part of larger course.

The book and associated chapters were laid out nicely. The book was informative and appeared up-to-date and well referenced.

There are two major flaws that I see with this book. The biggest flaw was in Chapter 3 (Maritime Issues and Legislation) couple with Chapter 10 (Health, Safety and Security) as it was closely related to Chapter 3. Unfortunately, much of the information on maritime conventions (i.e. SOLAS, MARPOL, ISPS, ISM, etc.) was either under-written or just plain wrong. To paraphrase a B-movie, readers will be dumber for reading Chapter 3. The author and editors need to rework Chapter 3 at the earliest opportunity, particularly in view of public image and regulatory penalties that have been imposed on cruise ships in the past.

The less of the two major flaws was the lack of detail for the financial aspects of the cruise industry. To make up for short falls in the fiscal elements of the cruise industry, I would recommend that appropriate articles or video (i.e. CNBC's Cruise Inc. -- [...]) could be incorporated into the classroom.

A minor shortcoming of the book was the lack of good introduction to cargo ship cruising. While it couldn't have been a major portion of a chapter, it should have been address as one of the cruising industry segments.

Overall, the book was good and would be recommended as a textbook.