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New President Appointed To Lead CLIA

The Executive Committee of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that Christine Duffy, president and CEO of Maritz Travel will become the association’s new president on February first. She replaces Terry Dale, who was CLIA’s president for seven years.

Duffy brings to CLIA an impressive record of success with Maritz, one of the largest meeting, event and incentive travel management companies in the world, and extensive experience in all aspects of the travel industry that impact cruising, including the travel agency distribution system, sales and marketing, legislative affairs and issues management. A travel agent prior to becoming a leading chief executive in business, she enjoys industry-wide respect and recognition for her vision, dedication, energy and management skills.

In accepting her new position, Duffy said: “The cruise industry has a remarkable record of growth and success, and tremendous potential for the future. Without a doubt, this industry’s bold, visionary leaders have created the most exciting, innovative and value-added vacation experiences available to consumers today, whether they are singles, couples, families, multigenerational and social groups, or shipboard meetings and incentives. It is an enormous privilege to lead CLIA in the years to come.” Duffy will be based in CLIA’s Washington DC office and also work from the association’s office in Fort Lauderdale. 

As president and CEO of Maritz Travel, Duffy managed more than $700 million in client programs, and was responsible for ensuring the highest level of service quality was delivered to clients, to help them achieve their unique business objectives. In charge of the pharmaceutical/healthcare sector for Maritz, she also headed a leadership team in developing a Wellness Solution for Maritz clients focused on integrating and customizing healthcare solutions to offer companies in pharmaceuticals, managed care, and medical device manufactures.

Meyer Werft Delivers Disney Dream in Official Ceremony

Disney Cruise Line took possession of its newest ship Disney Dream on December 9 from the Meyer Werft shipyard in a traditional maritime ceremony aboard the ship in Bremerhaven, Germany. The Meyer Werft flag was lowered, while the Disney Cruise Line flag was raised, transferring ownership from the shipbuilder to Disney.

The ship, nearly two years in the making, embarks on her maiden voyage January 26, 2011, from Port Canaveral, Florida.  “The Disney Dream is an extraordinary ship, in part because of the collaboration of the superb shipbuilders at Meyer Werft and the innovative technology and storytelling that our Disney team has developed and implemented aboard,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line.  “I cannot wait for our guests to experience this newest addition to our fleet, a ship that will delight and surprise all ages.”

From a water coaster at sea called AquaDuck, and inside staterooms with virtual views, to Enchanted Art that immerses guests in stories, and fine dining at Remy, the Disney Dream will deliver family cruise experiences like no other.  The shipboard experience remains focused on the legacy and heritage of The Walt Disney Company’s most known assets – master storytelling, world-class entertainment and legendary guest service.

The Disney Dream is scheduled to depart on December 19, for her transatlantic voyage to the U.S., with an expected arrival on January 4, 2011.

Captain Tom Forberg will officially take the helm of the Disney Dream for Disney Cruise Line.  As part of the Disney Cruise Line ship construction team, Captain Forberg has been with the company for 15 years and was responsible for launching Disney’s first two ships, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.                                                         

The Disney Dream is scheduled to sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas, from Port Canaveral.  Sister ship Disney Fantasy is currently in production at the Meyer Werft shipyard and is scheduled to set sail on its maiden voyage on April 7, 2012.  It will sail seven-night alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries, also from Port Canaveral.

Cunard Line Queens to Meet for Royal Rendezvous in NY Harbor January 13

On Thursday, January 13, 2011, Cunard Line's three luxury cruise ships – flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the new Queen Elizabeth – will meet together in New York Harbor for a true grand celebration, a Cunard Royal Rendezvous.  The youngest fleet at sea is scheduled to depart at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time; Queen Mary 2 will depart from her homeport, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, while Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will depart from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal – Pier 90 and Pier 88, respectively.  All three Queens will rendezvous at the Statue of Liberty for a spectacular Grucci fireworks celebration at approximately 6:45 p.m.

Cunard's first Royal Rendezvous in New York was in 2008 when its fleet – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Victoria – met for the first and only time in New York as the QE2 retired in November of that year, marking a historic moment in maritime history. For viewing locations click New York Cruise Scene.

For more ongoing information about the Royal Rendezvous, visit www.cunard.com/rendezvous.

Celebrity To Present More Industry Firsts On Its Next Two New Ships

Celebrity Cruises believes you break the rules, stay ahead of the curve, and provide what vacationers want most - often before they even say they want it. That belief is vividly reflected in the distinctive, luxurious, vacation-enhancing venues Celebrity will introduce on the fourth and fifth ships in its award-winning Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection. "We recognize that consumers' vacation time is precious, and that's what drives us to continually create new and unique experiences that enhance their rare time away," said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "The host of honors our Solstice Class and Millennium Class have won have been incredible validation of that commitment, and on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection, we're capitalizing on the opportunity to further elevate our onboard offerings, particularly in our Solstice Class' iconic Lawn Club, and with our wildly popular AquaClass category of accommodations and its exclusive specialty restaurant, Blu. Initially, we planned to introduce these exciting new enhancements only on Celebrity Reflection, but to our delight, our outstanding partners at Meyer Werft were able to also deliver every new feature with the exception of AquaClass Suites on Celebrity Silhouette."

Driven by high demand for Celebrity's industry-first AquaClass category of spa-inspired accommodations, and by way of an additional deck being added to Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity will introduce on that ship the line's first AquaClass Suites, each offering 251 square feet of luxurious interior space and spacious 57-square-foot verandas, and all the amenities associated with Celebrity's AquaClass accommodations, including exclusive and complimentary access to the highly-rated specialty restaurant, Blu, noted for inviting, modern design and flavorful, healthy, clean cuisine.

Additionally, Celebrity Reflection will offer 245 more loungers on its expanded pool deck to suit the increased overall guest capacity, as well as 45 additional seats in the Celebrity Theater, 118 in Oceanview Cafe, 24 additional seats each in Blu and in Tuscan Grille, four more in Qsine, and 40 additional seats in the main dining room, where Celebrity also offers Celebrity Select DiningSM, the industry's first flexible dining option allowing guests to choose when they wish to dine on a flexible, day-by-day basis. More details in New Ships.

Allure of the Seas Inaugurated With Surprise Godmother

Royal Caribbean International once again made maritime history. At the November 29 official naming ceremony for the world's largest and most revolutionary cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, guests were enchanted when her larger-than-life godmother was unveiled--Princess Fiona, seen here flanked by Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International; Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Princess Fiona; and Captain Hernan Zini, master of Allure of the Seas. This is the first time that a 3-D animated character is the godmother of a cruise ship. The 3-D star of DreamWorks Animation's megahit film series, "Shrek," presided over the celebration, joining and interacting in 3-D with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s Chairman and CEO, Richard D. Fain, during the ceremony. This naming is further testimony to Allure of the Seas being known as the "Entertainment Ship" and to Royal Caribbean's new partnership with the DreamWorks Animation film studio.

"It's never easy choosing the right godmother, but we realized we had the perfect candidate right in front of us. Princess Fiona is not only a Royal, but we felt such a unique ship deserved a unique godmother and Princess Fiona symbolizes the fun and entertainment that is so extraordinary on Allure of the Seas," said Fain.

Video of the event is available on the ship's dedicated website, www.AllureOfTheSeas.com.

Carnival Cancels Additional Voyages of Carnival Splendor as Repairs Continue

Carnival Cruise Lines has cancelled additional departures of the Carnival Splendor including the January 16, 23, 30 and February 6 and 13, 2011 voyages to allow for additional repair time following an engine room fire aboard the vessel in November.  The ship is now scheduled to re-enter service February 20, 2011.

As repairs have progressed and damaged components tested, additional issues have been discovered. Also, some of the needed parts are not readily available and are being manufactured in Europe. The ship, currently in San Diego, will sail to San Francisco in mid-January where repairs will be completed at a dry-dock facility.

Guests booked on the cancelled voyages will receive a refund or future cruise credit equal to the amount paid, along with reimbursement of air transportation-related change fees. Those who re-book may also receive a 25 percent future cruise discount and/or onboard credit depending on the ship and sailing date of the new booking.  Additional details are available at carnival.com. Carnival is contacting travel agents and guests affected by the new cancellations to provide assistance.  Travel agent commissions on cancelled sailings are being protected.

P&O Cruises' Oriana To Be Child-Free Ship From November 2011

Next winter the 69,000-ton, 1,818-passenger ship will begin operating as an adults-only ship and cruises from November 30, 2011 are now being sold exclusively to adults.

The reason? P&O Cruises has said in a statement that with the 45,000-ton, 1,196-passenger Artemis, currently a no-kid-zone, leaving the fleet in May 2011, the number of cruises available just for adults will be reduced. The British line is of course bringing in a replacement, Adonia (currently sailing as Princess Cruises' Royal Princess). It will also be geared to an adult demographic. However, the 30,200-ton, 710-passenger ship is a great deal smaller than Artemis -- hence the need to add another adult-only offering.

Families will still have the choice of Aurora, Oceana, Ventura and the newest ship to join the fleet this year, Azura. Although P&O Cruises originally promoted Azura as a ship for couples (although not exclusively), it has expansive facilities for youngsters, like its sister ship Ventura -- which is already family focused.

Holland America’s ms Rotterdam to Make Two Trans-Atlantic Crossings in 2011

To commemorate Holland America Line's 40th anniversary of its evolution from traditional trans-Atlantic voyages to becoming entirely dedicated to vacation cruising, the premium line's ms Rotterdam is sailing two classic crossings in July 2011.

Rotterdam's nine-day trans-Atlantic sailing departs Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on July 3, 2011, and calls at the traditional crossing departure port of Southampton, England, before heading to New York. The July 12 trans-Atlantic departure returns to Rotterdam from New York over nine leisurely days with a call at Cobh (Cork), Ireland, another time-honored stop on crossings of the past. "Trans-Atlantic cruises were the foundation of Holland America Line for several decades, and there's still a strong desire from today's travelers who want to step back in time and relive the celebrated days of an elegant crossing or follow in the footsteps of their ancestors," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "We're proud to honor our heritage with these two special itineraries, replete with nostalgia-themed menus, entertainment and a host of surprises and keepsakes."

The trans-Atlantic journeys will offer enriching activities, guest lecturers and chefs, complimentary mementos and opportunities to celebrate the line's 138-year heritage. In addition, a bon voyage sail away party, captain's gala party, special entertainers and events ensure that both itineraries will create recollections to last a lifetime. Guests seeking to discover more about the company's history can visit the Crow's Nest, which will be set up as a "Museum at Sea" during both crossings, or attend a lecture by a renowned maritime historian.

Bill Miller, considered an international authority on the subject of ocean liners and cruise ships, will be on board both sailings as a guest lecturer. Called "Mr. Ocean Liner," he has written more than 65 books on the subject — from early steamers and immigrant ships to liners at war.

Croisières De France To Gain A New Ship In 2012                               

With its only ship, Bleu de France, having finally been sold last week to an undisclosed buyer, CDF Croisières de France will be getting a much larger vessel in spring 2012.

The ship is Pullmantur’s Pacific Dream (formerly Celebrity Cruises’ Horizon,) which will be renamed L’Horizon. The 1990-built vessel offers 721 cabins, compared to the 316 of Bleu de France. It will undergo some refurbishment to meet French passengers’ tastes.

CDF will operate Bleu de France for the next 12 months, until the end of 2011.

French ‘art de vivre.’ Mediterranean itineraries are planned. ‘This is excellent news for the future of our company, which will go on progressing,’ said Antoine Lacarrière, gm of the Paris-based CDF. ‘With a broader range of cabin categories, including less expensive ones, this ship will allow us to attract a different category of passengers.’

L’Horizon offers a larger, two-deck theatre and a modern fitness center on the top deck. In Lacarrière’s words, ‘It is a more up-to-date ship yet retains a human size.’

CDF will have carried 35,000 passengers in 2010, 25,000 of them in the Mediterranean where occupancy reached 100 percent during the summer, up 25 percent from 2009.

Sea Spirit (ex Spirit of Oceanus) Chartered to Quark

Immediately following ISP taking over management of the Spirit of Oceanus, the vessel was renamed Sea Spirit and upgrading work commenced. The vessel was drydocked in Grand Bahama Shipyard, Freeport, Bahamas, where it was upgraded to get ice certification

On November 2 a charter contract was signed with Quark Expeditions, Toronto, for the Sea Spirit to operate in Antarctica for this winter season. The vessel will be delivered in Ushuaia this month and will operate up until March 6, 2011, after which the vessel will be available for long-term charter

Construction Begins For New Libyan Cruise Ship

This month, STX France officially launched the start of the construction of X32, future cruise ship for Libyan company GNMTC with a steel cutting ceremony. The vessel Hull number X32 will also become the first cruise ship owned by an Arab company.

With 333.33 meter long and 37.91 meter wide, the 139,400 UMS cruise ship will be delivered to GNMTC in December 2012 and therefore marks the entry of GNMTC into the cruising sector whereas the company is currently mainly specialized in the carrying of oil and oil related products over the world. "We are proud to launch the construction of the first cruise ship for GNMTC. This event marks the start of a long-lasting co-operation between our two companies," Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of STX France SA, declared.

STX Finland and USC Start Joint Venture for Arctic Shipbuilding in Helsinki

TX Finland Oy and United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) have formed a joint venture company, which will specialize in arctic shipbuilding technology. An agreement for the formation of the new company, Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy, was signed this month in St. Petersburg in a meeting with the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the Finnish Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi. According to the agreement both founding companies will hold equal shares of Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy. The new company will purchase the Helsinki shipyard from STX Finland.

The joint venture will focus on arctic maritime technology and shipbuilding and will unify Russian and Finnish Maritime clusters. It will start building highly specialized vessels such as icebreakers and other icebreaking special vessels. The joint venture also has an option to buy 20.4% of the shares of Aker Arctic Technology Inc. (AARC) from STX Finland. STX Finland will still remain the majority share holder of AARC, which is a world leading player in arctic maritime technology research and development.

Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy will be a 50/50 joint venture company owned by two of the largest shipbuilding corporations in the world. United Shipbuilding Corporation is the state owned Russian shipbuilding corporation, which was formed in 2007. The company has 42 shipyards in Russia and it focuses on developing the Russian civilian and military shipbuilding industry.

The joint-venture agreement is an important indicator of the powers of the traditional Russian-Finnish cooperation within the maritime industry. Finnish shipyards have delivered more than 1,500 vessels to Russia . Finnish shipyards have built 60% of all the icebreakers in the world including most of the Russian conventionally powered icebreakers. “The joint-venture has great potential to utilize the best skills and knowledge from the world-class Russian and Finnish Maritime clusters in an effective way” says Juha Heikinheimo CEO of STX Finland. “The short distance and long term experience of cooperation between the countries will be realized in many forthcoming projects and will bring a lot of activity  to Finnish-Russian maritime cluster . “ he continues.

NCL Announces Largest European Deployment In Company’s History

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced its largest European deployment ever for the 2012/2013 season with four Freestyle Cruising ships, including two year-round. Norwegian Spirit will join Norwegian Jade sailing year-round in Europe beginning in April 2012. This is also the first time Norwegian Spirit will sail in Europe offering 12-night Grand Mediterranean voyages in the summer and fall, along with nine-night Canary Islands in the winter and spring. The company’s largest and most innovative ship, Norwegian Epic, and Norwegian Sun will continue cruising seasonally from Barcelona and Copenhagen respectively. “Europe is one of the world’s fastest growing cruise markets and one where Freestyle Cruising is very well received. Given this, we felt it was the right time to deploy four ships, including two year-round, in Europe, marking our largest European deployment in the company’s history,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chief Executive Officer.

MSC Cruises Appoints New Marketing/PR Agencies for North America & Mexico

MSC has announced the appointments of David Morris International and The Brandman Agency to lead its sales/marketing and public relations initiatives, dedicated to the luxury MSC Yacht Club, offering the best of both worlds as an elegant and ultra exclusive “ship within a ship.”  Both agencies will play instrumental roles in branding this new and innovative cruise product within the North American and Mexican markets. “Passengers staying in the MSC Yacht Club have a totally different experience to those who cruise on a smaller luxury ship. A luxury section in a big ship gives them all the ship facilities, but also a privileged perspective for enjoying them. The idea, like all true innovations, is a simple one and with this new agreement we expect to raise awareness about this wonderful product and expand its audience even further,” comments Barbara Muckermann, MSC Cruises, Head of Corporate Marketing.

Conceived and launched by MSC Cruises, one of the world’s youngest cruise companies and market leader in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brasil, the MSC Yacht Club is a unique experience new to the cruise industry. It has been purpose built around an uncompromising vision of comfort on two of the company’s biggest and ultramodern ships, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, and consists of the ships two premier foredecks, keyed off as an exclusive sanctuary for travelers wanting a luxury all-inclusive cruise experience with the added benefit of a ‘downtown’ option incorporating the entire ships’ services and facilities. The MSC Yacht Club’s 99 superbly appointed suites offers the ultimate in luxury, privacy and personal service combined with elite access to a number of amenities aboard the ship. Website: www.mscyachtclub.com

Cunard Appoints the Line’s First Female Captain

When Inger Klein Olsen assumed command of Cunard Line's Queen Victoria on 1 December 1, 2010, she made history by becoming the venerable shipping line's first female captain. Captain Olsen’s first task at the helm of Queen Victoria was to take the ship, without passengers, to drydock in Hamburg for its planned refit. On December 15, she will be on the bridge as the ship sets sail with a full complement of guests.

 Forty-three-year-old Captain Olsen was born and raised in the Faroe Islands, which accounts for her maritime abilities, and she joined Cunard in 1997 as First Officer on board Caronia. In 2001 she transferred to the Seabourn fleet, which at that time was part of Cunard. She sailed on Seabourn Sun and Seabourn Spirit before being promoted to the rank of Staff Captain on Seabourn Pride in 2003.Following some years with other companies within the Carnival Corporation group, Captain Olsen returned to Cunard in August this year as Deputy Captain of Queen Victoria. “While we are far from being the first shipping company to have a female captain, it is nonetheless noteworthy when such a long-established British institution as Cunard makes a break with its captaincy tradition,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard. “But as Mark Twain drily observed, 'the folks at Cunard wouldn't appoint Noah himself as captain until he had worked his way up through the ranks.’ Inger has certainly done that,” Shanks continued, “and we are delighted to welcome her as our first woman driver.”

Olsen will helm Queen Victoria during a portion of the ship's debut Americas season, commencing from New York to Los Angeles on January 13 and concluding March 18 that includes several transits through the Panama Canal, four calls to Los Angeles, two roundtrip voyages from Los Angeles to Hawaii, and one Getaway voyage to Mexico  Captain Olsen will take her leave on February 13.

 

October, 2010

Norwegian Cruise Line Reports Results For Third Quarter 2010

Norwegian Cruise Line reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010.

EBITDA for the third quarter of 2010 improved 21.4% to $184.1 million versus $151.6 million for the same period in 2009.  The addition of Norwegian Epic to the fleet in June 2010 together with an improvement in Net Yield of 9.5% resulted in Net Revenue for the third quarter of 2010 increasing to $469.8 million from $390.0 million in the same period in 2009. The increase in Net Yield was a result of both improved passenger ticket pricing and increased onboard revenue per Capacity Day.  Capacity days increased 10.1% with the addition of Norwegian Epic, which started regular service in mid-July, partially offset by the departure of Norwegian Majesty from the fleet in October 2009.  Occupancy Percentage for the quarter was 113.2% versus 114.8% in 2009 with the slight decrease attributable to the initial phase-in period of Norwegian Epic.  Net income for the quarter was $93.0 million on revenue of $634.1 million compared to net income of $85.6 million on revenue of $550.7 million in 2009.

Net Cruise Cost per Capacity Day increased 8.9% primarily due to initial start-up costs related to the introduction of Norwegian Epic (which included inaugural events and advertising and promotion expenses), timing differences of maintenance and repair expenses including dry-dock costs, and a 13.9% increase in the average cost of fuel to $507 per metric ton in 2010 from $445 per metric ton in 2009. "Both improved ticket pricing across our fleet and the introduction of Norwegian Epic into regular service contributed to our strong results for the quarter," said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.  "Our 21% improvement in EBITDA was achieved despite one-time costs related to Norwegian Epic's start-up and inaugural activities, as well as an increase in the price of fuel.  We continue to keep a razor-sharp focus on our cost discipline and containment measures."

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, increased to $46.2 million in the quarter compared to $25.8 million in 2009 due to higher average interest rates and an increase in borrowings related to the addition of Norwegian Epic.  Other income improved to $1.6 million in 2010 versus an expense of $2.1 million in 2009 primarily due to gains on fuel derivatives in 2010 versus foreign currency losses in 2009.

 The Company recently announced an agreement to build two new 4,000 passenger berth vessels for delivery in the spring of 2013 and 2014 at an aggregate contract price of approximately ¬1.2 billion.  The ships will include signature elements from Norwegian's current fleet, including many from the Company's newest ship, Norwegian Epic.  This is the Company's first order for new vessels since 2006 and marks a return to a longstanding relationship with Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard.  "With the enthusiastic feedback we've received surrounding Norwegian Epic, and our guests' continued passion for Freestyle Cruising, it was only natural that we extend what we've learned in our 40-plus years of innovation in the cruise industry into a new, exciting class of vessel," commented Sheehan.  "This agreement is an important step forward for Norwegian as we continue to build upon the excitement surrounding our brand."  The Company has commitments in place from a syndicate of banks for export credit financing in connection with this project.

NCL Files Registration Statement For Proposed Initial Public Offering

NCL Corporation Ltd. announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") relating to a proposed initial public offering ("IPO") of its ordinary shares.

 The registration statement relating to these securities has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus, when available.  The registration statement on Form S-1 may be accessed through the SEC's website at www.edgar.sec.gov.

Holland America Line Partners With Legendary Le Cirque Restaurant

Holland America Line is adding another famous partnership to its innovative culinary program as it enters into an exclusive agreement with the illustrious Le Cirque restaurant to offer “An Evening at Le Cirque” in the Pinnacle Grill aboard its fleet of 15 ships. Holland America Line’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin is working with Le Cirque’s Executive Chef Craig Hopson to re-create the legendary eatery’s whimsical ambiance and award-winning dining experience on board — from serving the cuisine on fanciful orange Le Cirque china to featuring the restaurant’s famous crème brûlée.

On virtually every voyage, the Pinnacle Grill (photo) will be transformed for at least one night into a Le Cirque–like atmosphere. On those special evenings, menu offerings, wine selections, table decorations and the restaurant setting will be tailored to create an authentic Le Cirque dining experience that is sure to impress both the eyes and palates of Holland America Line guests. Reservations can be made for “An Evening at Le Cirque in the Pinnacle Grill” for a charge.

Guests will also have the opportunity to learn how to cook a dish or two during special Le Cirque demonstrations in the on-board Culinary Arts Center. “My family and I are excited to enter into a partnership with a cruise line that has such a celebrated and highly regarded reputation,” said Sirio Maccioni, founder of Le Cirque. “I recently sailed with Holland America Line and was very impressed with their cuisine, impeccable service and high level of hospitality. I look forward to putting my own culinary touch on the dining experience and sharing Le Cirque with Holland America Line guests."

Additional enhancements to the program include screenings of the HBO documentary “Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven” on in-stateroom television, as well as the opportunity to purchase a Le Cirque crème brûlée dish and Le Cirque founder Sirio Maccioni’s book, Sirio: The Story of My Life and Le Cirque.

P&O’s Pacific Pearl To Be Named December 21 in Auckland

P&O Cruises/Australia’s megaliner Pacific Pearl is due to arrive in New Zealand in December after a multi-million dollar refurbishment in Singapore. Godmother Barbara Kendall will officially name the ship at a ceremony on December 21 at Queen's Wharf, Auckland. The cruise line will create a carnival like atmosphere at Auckland's Queen's Wharf with a four-hour public event alongside the ship, featuring fair-style attractions, award-winning entertainers, and fireworks. The theme of the event will be a South Pacific Christmas party with food stalls serving cuisine representing Pacific Pearl's different restaurant offerings, including Luke Mangan's Salt Grill. Fireworks are also planned. Pacific Pearl departs on December 21 for her eight-night maiden voyage to New Caledonia.

Ship’s Captain Announced

P&O Cruises has announced that Captain Charlie Carr will take the helm of the Pacific Pearl.  Captain Carr has served on a range of ships in the P&O Cruises UK and Princess fleets for the past 14 years and has most recently been at the helm of Ocean Village, which will be known as the Pacific Pearl in Singapore next month.

Captain Carr will also be in charge when the ship begins its maiden Australian season, arriving in Sydney on February 3, 2011. Announcing the appointment, Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said she was delighted that Captain Carr would be the first master of Pacific Pearl. “Captain Carr has sailed as master of another of P&O Cruises’ ships, Pacific Sun, and has also served on many other ships which Carnival Australia represents, including P&O Cruises/UK’s Oriana and Victoria and Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess,” Sherry said.

The fourth ship in P&O Cruises’ fleet, the 63,500-tonne Pacific Pearl will carry 1,800 passengers and will feature a giant poolside entertainment screen, a Salt Grill by Luke Mangan restaurant, multiple bars and lounges including a swim-up bar and an aerial acrobatics rig spanning the width of its pool deck.

NCL To Build Two 143,500-ton Vessels For Sprig 2013/2014 Delivery

Norwegian Cruise Line announced it has reached an agreement with Meyer Werft GMBH of Germany to build two new next generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in spring 2013 and spring 2014, respectively.  Each of the 143,500 gross ton vessels, the largest passenger/cruise ships to be built in Germany, will have approximately 4,000 passenger berths and a rich cabin mix.

Additional details about each ship’s new and exciting features will be released as construction progresses. The contract price for the two vessels is approximately €1.2 billion.  The Company has committed financing in place from a syndicate of banks for export credit financing in connection with this project. “We have always been focused on a disciplined approach to capacity growth. Our decision to add two new ships reflects the significant progress we have made in improving our operating performance and repositioning the Company over the last several years, as well as the strong market demand we are seeing for Norwegian Epic and our other ships,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We are excited to be returning to Meyer Werft and are confident that their rich ship building history and expertise will bring our vision to fruition,” added Sheehan. 

Meyer Werft, based in Papenburg, Germany, most recently built Norwegian’s four Jewel-class ships – Norwegian Gem delivered in 2007, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jade delivered in 2006, and Norwegian Jewel delivered in 2005.  These new vessels are the eighth and ninth that NCL will build with Meyer Werft.

MSC to Homeport in Abu Dhabi Starting October 2011

Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become an international cruise hub has received a significant boost, following the signing, between Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and MSC Cruises of a landmark co-operation agreement that will see one of the world’s fastest growing cruise operator deploy one of its top vessels to the UAE capital on a homeport basis from October 2011.

Abu Dhabi’s anticipated elevation from port-of-call to homeport status strengthens the UAE capital’s nascent cruise tourism credentials and serves as a core enabler in ADTA’s strategy to attract 2.3 million hotel guests to the emirate by the end of 2012.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed Port will serve as the primary embarkation and disembarkation point for the Italian operator’s maiden regional itinerary – scheduled for the 2011-2012 season – with its MSC Lirica. The Lirica will offer 19 eight-day/seven-night cruises covering five destinations between November 2011 and March 2012. "MSC Cruises’ commitment to Abu Dhabi as a homeport will deliver both tactical and strategic outcomes for the emirate,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA. "Beyond the substantial, broad-based benefits to our domestic tourism sector through incremental gains in hotel guests, longer length of stay and greater spending, this partnership provides Abu Dhabi a firm footing on the international cruise tourism map and reinforces the strategic case for a world-class, purpose-built cruise terminal in the emirate.”

“MSC Cruises is proud to become the first cruise company to choose Abu Dhabi as a homeport,” commented Pierfrancesco Vago, Chief Executive Officer, MSC Cruises. “With our state-of-the-art vessel MSC Lirica operating 95 calls and 19 rotations in the region, our presence will have a significant impact on the tourism industry of Abu Dhabi.”

To foster continued growth in the cruise sector, Al Muhairi revealed that ADTA will - by the end of the year - commission a technical and operational feasibility study in co-operation with relevant domestic and international stakeholders towards the development of a dedicated cruise terminal capable of handling mega and boutique cruises alike.

ADTA had earlier completed a cruise tourism study in February, with a key output being that full-fledged homeport status for Abu Dhabi has the potential to deliver upwards of 50,000 new visitors annually. MSC Lirica’s 19 voyages next season translates to a potential of 39,000 cruise arrivals alone. “We see Abu Dhabi as an exciting cruise destination which has already proved immensely popular with international tourists” said Vago. “MSC Cruises will be an important catalyst in driving growth in cruise tourism in the region. After having discovered the UAE and their exciting attractions from our luxury ship, visitors will come back again, as they always do, further boosting the development and promotion of local economy.”

The ADTA-MSC Cruises co-operation is a major coup of the authority’s Horizons Abu Dhabi program, an incentive-based trade engagement initiative designed to attract innovative promotional concepts to stimulate consumer demand across the emirate’s rapidly-expanding tourism offerings.

NCL to Pay $140,000 in Agreement on ADA Violations

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has entered into a proposed agreement to pay $140,000 and improve services for wheelchair users and hard-of-hearing people, the U.S. Justice Department reported Oct. 25. The Justice Department is seeking approval in federal court of the agreement to resolve a lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on behalf of individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and individuals who use wheelchairs, who took NCL cruises of the Hawaiian Islands.

Under the proposed consent decree, NCL will ensure that individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing get auxiliary aids and services, such as a sign language interpreter or a written transcript of the emergency drill. NCL will also ensure that individuals who use wheelchairs get accessible bus transportation between the airport, cruise ship and hotels, and on shore excursions. In addition, NCL will pay $100,000 in damages to nine individuals with disabilities and will also pay $40,000 in civil penalties to the United States.

After an extensive investigation, the Justice Department determined that five deaf individuals on NCL cruises around Hawaii did not receive interpreters and other auxiliary aids, or a closed-caption TV, and thus were unable to enjoy the activities on board the ship or the shore excursions because they could not understand what was going on and communicate effectively.

The Justice Department also determined that four individuals who use wheelchairs did not get accessible buses between the airport, ship and hotel, and on shore excursions; had to wait hours for an accessible bus at times; were unable to go on shore excursions because of the lack of an accessible bus; were charged extra for accessible transportation; and/or were not allowed to get on and off the bus during a shore excursion even though the bus was accessible.

The agreement also requires NCL to provide: An access desk to handle requests for reasonable accommodations from guests with disabilities pre-cruise; access officers on the ship to handle requests for reasonable accommodations from guests with disabilities during the cruise; written response to a request for a reasonable accommodation within one week, when the request is made at least three weeks prior to sailing; ADA training for NCL staff; pagers for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing to use while on the cruise, through which safety and other important announcements will be transmitted; TTY communication devices for guests; visual tactile alert systems in staterooms for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing (i.e., visual or tactile alert to door knock, telephone ringing, alarm ringing and smoke detection); closed caption televisions in staterooms and common areas; written transcripts of the emergency drill; and accessible buses, shuttle buses, and vans for transportation between the airport, ship, and hotels and on shore excursions, with no extra wait times for accessible transportation.

Blue Ocean Cruises Launches Luxury Cruise Liner Service For India’s Residents

Blue Ocean Cruises, a Mumbai-based company, has launched cruise service with its cruise liner MV Ocean  Life for residents of India. The ship will sail out of Mumbai beginning November 9. The nine-deck vessel can accommodate up to 574 passengers in 231 cabins, which include 35 suites, 121 outside and 75 inside staterooms. Most of the cabins can accommodate four passengers with a big discount for the 3rd and 4th passenger in a cabin and kids up to 5 sail FREE. The ship boasts of a large swimming pool, 3 hot tubs, a kid's zone, a gaming zone, shopping & a casino. Food services are being provide by TAJ to serve both Indian and International cuisines including Jain meals. The onboard facilities include a spa & wellness zone, chill out zone, casino and pool bar restaurant,

To facilitate easy and attractive travel options for guests from all parts of India, Blue Ocean Cruises has tied up with Air India to offer Fly Cruise packages.

Royal Caribbean Announces Third Quarter 2010 Results

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Has announced net income for the third quarter 2010 of $356.8 million, or $1.64 per share, compared to net income of $230.4 million, or $1.07 per share, in the third quarter of 2009. This represents a 55% increase in earnings year-over-year in the third quarter.

Revenues improved to $2.1 billion in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $1.8 billion in the third quarter of 2009, as a result of capacity increases and yield improvements. Net Yields for the third quarter of 2010 increased 5.2% (7.2% on a Constant Currency basis).

In the third quarter of 2010, NCC decreased 2.3%, and NCC excluding fuel decreased 2.8%. Excluding currency impacts, the comparable figures would have been decreases of 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively.

Continued fuel conservation efforts resulted in better than expected fuel usage of 342,400 metric tons during the third quarter. At-the-pump pricing (including the benefit of the company's hedging) was in-line with earlier calculations at $481 per metric ton. Altogether, the quarter's fuel expenditures were approximately $5 million better than previous calculations.

The company reported that the current revenue environment has remained stable and continues to be characterized as slowly improving. Additionally, booked load factors and average per diems continue to run ahead of same time last year for the remainder of the year. Fourth quarter 2010 Net Yields are expected to improve approximately 5% on a Constant Currency basis, or approximately 4%-5% on an as-reported basis. Full Year 2010 Net Yields are expected to improve approximately 4%-5% on both Constant Currency and as-reported basis.

Owning primarily to timing, NCC is forecasted to be up approximately 2% in the fourth quarter, or up 3% on a constant currency basis. On a constant currency basis, full year NCC guidance remains unchanged at down approximately 1%. On an as reported basis full year NCC are down approximately 1%.

Operational disruptions on Pullmantur's Pacific Dream and the Celebrity Century have negatively impacted the company's fourth quarter EPS guidance by approximately $0.05.

Looking to 2011, while recognizing it is still too early to provide definitive guidance, the company reported that early indications are encouraging. At today's exchange rates, the company expects full year 2011 Net Yields to increase by a similar proportion to 2010. The company also noted that its business is seasonal and that the biggest yield declines caused by the recession impacted the second and third quarters more than they impacted the first and fourth quarters. As a result, the company expects that the most meaningful yield recovery in 2011 will occur correspondingly during those same two summer quarters. First quarter 2011 Net Yields are currently expected to improve 2%-4%. Taking into account these revenue trends as well as current fuel prices and exchange rates, the company expects 2011 EPS to exceed its previous record of $3.26 per share.

With only one ship delivery in 2011, capital commitments are dropping by more than 50% from 2010's levels. This slowing capacity investment combined with improving profitability is expected to generate meaningful free cash flow (cash from operating activities less capital commitments).

Small-Ship Line Buys Cruise West Database

A small-ship company that offers cruises in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest has purchased the website and database files of the now-defunct Cruise West company, saying that it hopes to provide "an entree to additional devoted small-ship cruising enthusiasts and travel partners."

The company, InnerSea Discoveries, owns two brands: American Safari Cruises, which offers voyages on megayachts of no more than 36 passengers to Alaska, Mexico and Hawaii and on the Columbia and Snake rivers, and InnerSeas Discoveries, which is set to launch next year with seven- and 14-night cruises to Alaska on 49-passenger ships formerly operated by another Alaska-focused small-ship company, Glacier Bay Cruiseline.

InnerSea Discoveries is owned by Tim Jacox and Dan Blanchard, both former employees of Cruise West. The firm did not purchase the Cruise West name, the business entity or any of its ships.

InnerSea Discoveries Announces Purchase Of Some Of Cruises West Assets

InnerSea Discoveries has purchased the website and database files of recently defunct Cruise West. The intent of the acquisition of these assets is to provide an entree to additional devoted small ship enthusiasts and travel partners. The company owns and operates two distinct brands, the new InnerSeas Discoveries and sister brand, American Safari Cruises. Neither the business entity Cruise West nor the brand name have been purchased, only the specific assets as indicated above.

InnerSeas Discoveries (www.innerseadiscoveries.com) offers high adventure, moderately priced seven- or 14-night Alaska cruises (starting from $1,795. per person) beginning May 2011 aboard the 49-guest Wilderness Discoverer and Wilderness Adventurer.

Norwegian Cruise Line Launches Epic Moments Video Contest

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched its Epic Moments video contest (www.ncl.com/myepicmoment ), where cruisers create short YouTube videos of their vacation on board the line's newest and most innovative ship Norwegian Epic for a chance to win a Caribbean cruise for two in a balcony stateroom on board the ship.

Cruisers can enter by uploading their vacation videos to YouTube as a video response to the contest overview video by Julie Valeriote, Norwegian Epic's entertainment director. Every two weeks for the next nine weeks, Norwegian will choose which video is the Epic Moment Semi-Finalist for that period. In mid-February, the 10 semi-finalists will be featured on Norwegian's YouTube channel and www.ncl.com  and the public will have a chance to vote for their favorite Epic Moment. The video with the most number of thumbs-up on YouTube will win a seven-day Caribbean cruise for two in a balcony stateroom on Norwegian Epic.

The first of 10 semi-finalist videos will be chosen on or around November 8, 2010 and will follow with nine more semi-finalists being announced every two weeks. To submit an Epic Moment video, head to www.ncl.com/myepicmoment.

Peal Seas Cruises Rejects Newbuild Pearl Mist

Pearl Seas Cruises has rejected the Pearl Mist being built by Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax. According to Charlie Robertson, CEO of Pearl Seas, the 210-passenger ship, which originally was intended for service starting in 2009, and was rescheduled for delivery in 2011, does not meet the requirements of regulatory bodies. Announced start-up dates have been delayed at least twice.

The involved parties are in litigation.

Previously regarded as a sister company to American Cruise Line (ACL), Robertson underscored that Pearl Seas was not a sister company or a subsidiary, but a totally separate entity from ACL.

Princess Cruises Will Add Alaska Ship in 2012

After two years operating just three ships on its Voyage of the Glaciers route, today Princess Cruises announced that it will be returning a fourth ship to its signature itinerary for the 2012 summer season. The decision by Princess to increase its Alaska capacity was prompted, in part, by recent changes to the head tax structure in the state and the more balanced approach to doing business in Alaska, according to the line. “We are particularly appreciative of the efforts of Governor Sean Parnell and the Alaska state legislature that have resulted in meaningful progress toward resolving the challenges facing Alaska’s recovery as a cruise destination,” said Alan Buckelew, president and CEO of Princess Cruises. “We still have work to do, but the recent changes definitely played a part in this decision.”

Buckelew pointed out that bringing a fourth ship back to the Gulf of Alaska route has wide economic impacts from Southeast Alaska to Prudhoe Bay. “Because the one-way route lends itself to longer visitor stays, with visits to both the interior and Southeast Alaska, we calculate it has twice the potential economic impact of roundtrip cruises,” he said. “We are especially pleased to be able to announce this additional capacity to our business partners and supporters throughout Alaska who have worked tirelessly to advocate for a more positive business climate,” Buckelew added.  “They have improved the investment environment for all cruise lines and for all cruise dependent businesses throughout the state.”

Princesses’ Voyage of the Glacier itinerary is the line’s most popular Alaska itinerary, taking passengers between Vancouver and Whittier across the Gulf of Alaska with a visit to Glacier Bay and ports of call in the state’s southeast. Because many passengers on this one-way route usually spend extra time in Alaska’s interior utilizing Princess’ lodges, rail and motor coaches, this itinerary provides significant tourism benefits to the state.

Full details of Princess’ 2012 Alaska deployment will be announced in spring 2011, including which ship will be added to the lineup.

Queen Of The West To Undergo Major Renovation

American Cruise Lines has announced that Queen of the West, which operates one week cruises from Portland, Oregon along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, will be undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation before going back into service spring of 2011. These renovations will occur in all areas of the ship including passenger staterooms, public areas, the galley, and even in the engine room.

All new furniture will be going into the passenger staterooms, including flat screen TV’s. Along with increasing the size of a number of staterooms and the addition of private balconies, more single staterooms are to be added. The passenger capacity will be reduced to 120, allowing for more space and personalized attention from the crew for each passenger.

To enhance the comfort level on the ship, the dining room and lounges are being redecorated and a brand new, well-stocked library will be added. Further, the sound and entertainment equipment will be replaced with a new, a state-of-the-art system.

Also, behind the scenes, Queen of the West will be getting a new galley, which, in turn, will take the passenger’s dining experience to a new level.

Renovations are scheduled to begin immediately after the last cruise of the season in November, and completed before next season’s first departure in April 2011.

Affluent Market Likely To Cruise Less During The Next 12 Months

According to the fall semiannual survey by The American Affluence Research Center, those planning to cruise during the next 12 months fell from 15% of the wealthiest US households in the Spring 2010 survey to match the record low of 12% (Spring 2009 survey). 

The affluent will continue to be an important source of business for the premium and contemporary cruise lines, as well as the luxury lines. At 12% of a population of over 11 million households, an estimated 1.4 million households (or 2.7 million total cruisers) will cruise over the next 12 months.

The older and wealthier respondents are much more likely to cruise during the next 12 months.

The American Affluence Research Center has been conducting its twice yearly affluent market tracking studies of the wealthiest 10% of US households since 2002. The new report is based on 439 male and female survey participants who have an average annual household income of $290,000, an average primary residence value of $1.1 million, an average net worth of $3.1 million, and average investable assets of $1.7 million. Their average age is 56 and 91% are married.

The lower intentions to cruise are consistent with the overall mood of the affluent survey respondents, who indicated a gloomy 12-month outlook for business conditions and personal household income.

Detailed highlights of the survey can be viewed at:  http://affluenceresearch.org/most-recent-tracking-study/highlights-of-most-recent-survey /

New Cancellation Coverage Added To Carnival’s Vacation Protection Plan

Carnival Cruise Lines is introducing a “cancel for any reason” enhancement to its travel protection program, the Cruise Vacation Protection Plan.  The new feature will be included in all plan purchases for voyages departing on or after January 1, 2011.

With the new enhancement, those who purchase Carnival’s Cruise Vacation Protection Plan will be able to cancel their cruise — regardless of the reason — and receive a future cruise credit equal to 75 percent of cancellation charges, provided they notify Carnival prior to the ship’s departure. Those who cancel for a covered reason will receive 100 percent cash reimbursement.

The “cancel for any reason” feature further bolsters the line’s current vacation protection plan, which offers a package of benefits, ranging from trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, emergency medical evacuation, medical, baggage loss and baggage delay. The program also provides a 24-hour emergency assistance hotline.  Last year, the plan was expanded to include severe weather watch/warning protection, as well as job loss protection.

All plans purchased for voyages departing next year will be eligible for the “cancel for any reason” benefit, including those plans that were already purchased for an upcoming

PSA Predicts 1.77 million Brits To Cruise In 2011

According to the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), about 1.77 million travelers in the UK are predicted to go on a cruise next year. This figure was released at the annual ABTA Travel Convention this month in Malta. The PSA says that the ocean cruise market in the UK will hit a record number of passengers next year, with an 8% increase on the 1.64 million that are set to cruise this year. They also say that the number of fly cruise passengers will reach 1.06 million, a 75,000 increase to this year, as well as the first time this figure has exceeded 1 million. It is also predicted that 710,000 British passengers will join their cruises at a port in the UK, which is 55,000 more than this year.

PSA director William Gibbons says that an additional 130,000 cruise passengers next year reflects a strong performance among major cruise lines in the UK. This has been a unique year, he continued, as there have been many new ship launches, which will effect 2011 the entire year. It’s likely that cruising will outperform other types of holidays again, with travel agents playing an integral role in counting for 80% of sales, he added. Passenger numbers are also on the rise for ferries.

The PSA says that 28.36 million travelers took the ferry in the first 9 months of this year, which is 1.2% more than the same period last year. Gibbons says that these figures demonstrate a renewed interest in traveling by ferry, which can be attributed to their contribution during the ash cloud crisis.

Azamara Club Cruises Engages Guests Through Facebook, Twitter & Youtube

Azamara Club Cruises has re-launched its Facebook page and established a Twitter feed and YouTube channel. Designed to engage guests and fans with the latest cruise line events and offerings, they can experience the Azamara Club Cruises unique voyages, destination immersion, extraordinary service, fine cuisine and boutique wine, and wellness and vitality, even when they are not aboard an Azamara Club Cruises voyage.          

“By establishing our online presence in various social media communities, we are taking our distinctive experience to our fans and advocates, onboard and on shore,” said Edie Bornstein, vice president of Marketing, Azamara Club Cruises.  “We are excited to engage up-market travelers, wherever they are, through these new initiatives.”

Azamara Club Cruises’ social media initiatives will deliver the latest news, deals and information about the cruise line, as well as establish a forum for guests, past and present, and like-minded world travelers to share and discuss their experiences. Azamara Club Cruises fans can “Like” the cruise line’s official Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/AzamaraClubCruises ; “follow” exciting Azamara Club Cruises news, intriguing destinations tips and trivia, and exclusive values and offers on voyages to ports around the world via Twitter at @AzamaraVoyages; view and share videos and photos on Azamara Club Cruises’ YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/AzamaraVoyages , and the cruise line’s Flickr page at http://www.Flickr.com/AzamaraVoyages. Links to Azamara Club Cruises’ new Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel also are available on the cruise line’s new microsite, http://www.AzamaraDestinationImmersion.com , which will launch at the end of the month. The microsite will feature an insightful blog by Chief Blogging Officer Bill Leiber, as well as destination videos and photos, expert travel advice, and news from Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest as they travel the globe.

Holland America Line Creates Innovative Culinary Council With Top-Name Chefs

In a bold move that will enhance all aspects of Holland America Line's shipboard culinary operations, the line has created the Holland America Line Culinary Council, which is composed of celebrated chefs from around the world. As Council members, the chefs will enrich Holland America Line's culinary initiatives and present signature recipes to be featured in all dining venues on all 15 ships.

The Culinary Council members include Council Chairman and Holland America Line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, along with renowned international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson, Jacques Torres and Charlie Trotter. "Bringing these icons and their diverse backgrounds to our guests places Holland America Line at the forefront of culinary initiatives within the industry," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "The Council's expertise and innovative guidance will touch every aspect of our shipboard food service, from the Lido Restaurant breakfast buffet to the dinner menu of the Pinnacle Grill and everything in between."

Besides sharing their insights on menus and culinary offerings, the Council will consult on the line's Culinary Arts Center enrichment program to help create new and even more innovative learning experiences for guests.

The Council will meet regularly with Holland America Line executives, with the first meeting scheduled for later this year.

Saturday Night Fever: The Musical To Debut Aboard Liberty Of The Seas

Royal Caribbean International is slipping-on its boogie shoes this spring and debuting Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, the third licensed main-stage musical production at sea for the cruise line. Created by Royal Caribbean Productions in association with Robert Stigwood Organization Ltd., the acclaimed-West End show will debut aboard Liberty of the Seas in April 2011, as part of the ship’s revitalization and shipboard enhancements beginning in late January 2011 aboard the popular Freedom-class cruise ship.  Based on the hugely popular 1970’s feature film, Saturday Night Fever, the theatrical experience features a repertoire of hit songs from The Bee Gees sure to inspire guests to dance the night away. “Our award-winning musical productions have been so incredibly well-received by guests, first with Hairspray aboard Oasis of the Seas and then with the announcement of Chicago: the Musical aboard Allure of the Seas, said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations. It’s only fitting we broaden the selection to include a West End hit as Liberty of the Seas embarks on its maiden season in Europe for the summer of 2011.”

In addition to Saturday Night Fever, Liberty of the Seas along with Freedom of the Seas will introduce some top-rated onboard features, that debuted aboard Oasis of the Seas, when the ships are revitalized during scheduled dry docks in January and March 2011, respectively. Many of the onboard enhancements will deliver some of the most exciting entertainment options at sea, such as the DreamWorks Experience, 3D movie technology in the main theatre; an oversized outdoor video screen on the main pool deck to entertain guests and offer movies under the stars.

Europa Debuts New Gourmet Restaurant

Dieter Mueller became the first award winning chef to open his own gourmet restaurant onboard the Europa. After a redesign, while docked in a Hamburg shipyard, the former Eurasian Oriental Restaurant was transformed into the Restaurant Dieter Mueller. Dieter Mueller will work along side MS Europa’s head chef, former Wohlfahrt-student Stefan Wilke, who will continue to run the other three restaurants onboard. Dieter Mueller will be in charge of his new restaurant, and be onboard 70-days a year. There will be no surcharge for dining in the 26-seat “Restaurant Dieter Mueller,” which will serve dinner daily.

Mueller, considered one of the best chefs in the German speaking countries, was awarded the five-star Diamond Award by The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. His restaurant received three Michelin stars from the Michelin Guide, and 19.5 points out of a possible 20 points from the Gault-Millau (one of the most influential French restaurant guide books in the world). No chef has ever received 20 points from the Gault-Millau, and he is the only German chef with 19.5 points. “Since its commissioning, the EUROPA has progressed from a traditional cruise ship to a modern day vessel competing with today’s new ships in all areas including superior cuisine,” said Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

 Dieter Mueller’s will be onboard the international cruise (Germany/English) from Darwin/Australia to Sydney/Australia, making stops in Papua New Guinea, from January 28-February 17, 2011.

September, 2010

Cruise West Cruise Line Shuts Down

Cruise West has ceased operations as of this month. In a statement on its website, the company announced that they would cease operations as of September 18. For the past year, the company has pursued a number of options with interested parties in order to maintain operations, but the statement says that “due to the recent dip in the markets and the continued lack of economic confidence, these options have not come to fruition.”

Cruise West’s Chairman and Managing Director says he had never given up hope that the company might be able to find a way to survive by working with the various parties . . . We have done absolutely everything to maintain operations but with limited resources and the current tight financial market, we simply cannot continue.”

West also pointed out that its Galapagos partner, Canodros, operator of the Galapagos Explorer II is working with Cruise West to provide an alternate program for guests already booked for 2011 cruises and may contact the operator by email at llmontalvo@canodros.com.

Cruise West’s flagship, The Spirit of Oceanus, was sold to TN Cruise K/S of Denmark, an investment company. The 4,200-ton, 120-passenger vessel, the former Renaissance Five, will be managed by International Shipping Partners (ISP) of Miami. The ship will be renamed the Sea Spirit and be available for long- term charter, according to Niels-Erik Lund, president of ISP, who said that charter inquiries should be directed to him. The fate of the line’s other vessels is not known.

In 2009, the dire global economy and credit crunch had its effects on two cruise lines. Peter Deilmann Cruises shut down its European river cruises unit and put the five river vessels up for sale. It’s one seagoing vessel, the Deutschland, still operates cruises.

A second company, Canadian Sailing Expeditions based in Nova Scotia, also shut down operations, citing reduced access to credit caused by the global crisis.

For more information, click USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program for Cruise West.

Silversea Introduces New Enhanced Websites

Silversea Cruises has launched a dramatically redesigned website (www.silversea.com). With special effects designed to capture the essence of luxury travel, the site opens to a muted-silver seascape that comes alive when colorful animated photography fades in and out -- as if being revealed by a curtain drawing across a stage. Visitors can readily navigate the new site by clicking on tabs that offer information on destinations, ships, services, programs, special offers and more. New animated itinerary maps are complemented by up-to-date port descriptions supplied by Fodor's Travel, one of the world's leading providers of travel information. And a new interactive deck plan tool enables visitors to view ship details, images, three-dimensional suite diagrams and 360-degree virtual tours.

Additionally, a new Google custom search feature has been added to improve accuracy of keyword searches on the site.

The redesigned Silversea Expeditions microsite (www.silversea.com/expeditions) displays a distinct look and feel unique to the expedition brand. Exciting new images and videos of the Prince Albert II in Antarctica, the Arctic, Central and South America offer visitors a glimpse into the amazing world of expedition cruising. Other improvements include an enhanced Voyage Journal section located on the home page, expanded Expedition Team section with profiles and schedules, and the debut of the Silversea Expeditions Blog, providing regularly updated news, commentary and expedition highlights.

In the coming months, the site will also launch content written in German and Spanish.

Celebrity Debuts New home luggage pick-up service Available for UK Passengers

A new luggage collection service from Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises in the UK means the service will allow travelers to have their holiday luggage collected from their home, delivered directly to their stateroom on-board their chosen ship and delivered back to their home after their cruise avoiding any hassles with heavy luggage.

A collection time is arranged directly with the guest and once picked-up; the safe and secure luggage service is track-able allowing guests to monitor the location of their luggage. Luggage is collected between 24 and 96 hours prior to the cruise departure depending on the address location in mainland UK.

Dominic Paul, , explains:

"The new luggage service has been designed to further enhance the exceptional service experience our guests receive whilst on-board any of our UK based Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises ships,” explains Dominic Paul, managing director, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, UK and Ireland. “We see this service as particularly useful to our guests with mobility issues, large families or need to travel some distance to the port.  The service extends the holiday from the moment guests leave their front door, right up until their return by providing an easy and convenient luggage transportation which takes the burden of dealing with baggage away from our guests".

The new luggage collection service costs £35 per luggage item each way, and is available for cruises on-board the UK-based Royal Caribbean International ships Independence of the Seas for cruises from Southampton, Jewel of the Seas for cruises from Harwich, and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse cruises from Southampton.

Guests can book the new luggage collection service by calling 0845 686 0662.  Collection must be booked at least five days in advance of departure. The service operates seven days per week. The service is currently not available in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

Europeans Now Account for 30% of the World's Cruise Passengers

The European cruise industry continues to increase its share of the global cruise market despite facing an unprecedented period of difficulty for the world economy. Figures, released this month by the European Cruise Council (ECC) at their annual conference this month in Brussels, show that passengers made 23.8 million visits to European ports in 2009, an increase of more than 9% over 2008, with 4.9 million European residents booking a cruise holiday last year, a rise of 50% in five years, and representing nearly 30% of the world’s cruise passengers.

To read more, click European Cruise Council Report for 2009.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, A Trailblazer In The Offset of CO2 Emissions

 Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the first cruise operator to offer passengers the opportunity to offset their cruise travel CO2 emissions, in cooperation with the climate protection organization atmosfair. The non-profit organization atmosfair under the direction of Prof. Dr Klaus Toepfer has developed the first climate calculator for cruises. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will assume a quarter of the voluntary climate protection contribution for their passengers.

Starting in 2011, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises passengers now have the option of donating a voluntary financial contribution in aid of a climate protection project. The cruise operator will support the passengers making a contribution by covering a quarter of the cost, based on the climate calculator for each cruise. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has chosen to have the money collected support atmofair’s project to supply electricity by means of solar lamps in India. “The cooperation with atmosfair enables us to make a contribution towards climate protection together with our guests and thus promote an environmentally conscious and sustainable mode of traveling aboard our ships“, explains Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

 The concept is very simple: Using a climate calculator on the homepage www.hl-cruises.com/climate-calculator, passengers can ascertain their respective climate protection contribution in advance, and decide whether they would like to contribute 75% of this cost, with 25% being covered by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The atmosfair calculation method has been officially approved by Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment. Contributions vary depending on the CO2 emissions and thus on the duration of the cruise, as well as the booked category. The full donation amount is passed on directly to atmosfair, who will then use the proceeds in climate protection projects financing renewable energies for households in India. “I am very pleased that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, one of the most long-established cruise operators, is supporting the protection of the climate, and is the first within the industry by doing so. Together, we are setting the course for sustainable travel, which is extremely important," says Dietrich Brockhagen, Managing Director of atmosfair (www.atmosfair.de ).

New Seabourn Quest To Be Delivered In May 2011

Construction of The Yachts of Seabourn’s third new ultra-luxury yacht, Seabourn Quest, is progressing well, and the company expects to take delivery of the vessel several weeks earlier than anticipated in May 2011.  Following the delivery, Seabourn will operate two pre-inaugural cruises: The three-day pre-inaugural voyage will sail June 9-12, and call at Livorno, Italy, the port for Florence, Pisa, Lucca and other Tuscan highlights, as well as the picturesque port of Bonifacio, on the French island of Corsica.  That will be followed by an eight-day cruise, June 12-20, visiting Portofino, Italy; Cannes, Ile de Porquerolles and Port-Vendres, France; and Valencia, Spain.

Seabourn Quest’s official debut will be June 20, with a gala naming ceremony featuring fireworks over the city of Barcelona, and a 14-day Maiden Voyage to Athens.  Maiden Voyage guests will participate in the festive ceremony, and their names will be engraved on the commemorative onboard Maiden Voyage plaque to honor them.  They will also mingle with Seabourn’s President and CEO Pamela C. Conover, who will be onboard and joining guests in a number of special gala events and activities throughout the cruise.

Seabourn Quest will be the third iteration of the sleek and widely admired design that first appeared on Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009, which has been hailed as a “game-changer for the luxury segment.”  The second sister ship, Seabourn Sojourn, entered service the following year in June of 2010.  Together, the three new vessels represent a capacity 216 percent increase for the line in a three-year period, allowing the line to offer more departures in more destinations than ever before.

American Cruise Lines Expands Into River Cruising

American Cruise is expanding to the Mississippi River system with a brand new sternwheeler, already under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. It plans to operate the new riverboat on routes similar to those formerly run by Delta Queen Steamboat Company, which will include the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers.

The first cruise is a scheduled to depart August 11, 2012 from New Orleans, Louisiana on a seven-night journey up the Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. The ship will then begin a series of seven-night cruises travelling as far north as St. Paul, Minnesota while utilizing its remarkable speed to open up new itinerary possibilities. Click River/Barge Cruises for more details.

Celebrity To Name its Fifth Solstice Class Ship Celebrity Reflection

Celebrity Cruises has announced that the fifth ship in its Solstice class will be called Celebrity Reflection. “Selecting the name of the fifth ship in the class led us to reflect on the significant impact the Solstice Class has had on the cruise industry,” said Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. “Our Solstice Class ships offer the finest in premium cruising, with service provided by the best men and women in the hospitality business, as evidenced by the tremendous response from our guests, travel partners and the press, and a continuously expanding series of prestigious awards. There is no question that Celebrity Reflection will deliver an equally outstanding holiday experience for our guests.”

Celebrity Reflection will enter service in November 2012 and join Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Silhouette, completing an investment totaling $3.7-billion.

Cunard Takes Delivery Of Queen Elizabeth

Cunard Line has taken delivery of Queen Elizabeth – the second largest Cunarder ever and the third new liner the company has built in six years. The Handover Ceremony took place September 30 onboard the new 92,400-ton vessel at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard.

The event included a speech by Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks. The Italian flag was ceremonially lowered and the Red Ensign was raised. And so another magnificent Cunard liner enters the Register of British Shipping. “This ceremony to mark the completion of the ship, and our acceptance of delivery, is just the first of a number of significant events over the next few weeks – including the ship’s official naming by Her Majesty The Queen in Southampton on Monday 11 October,” commented Shanks. “I’m certain the British will take this truly magnificent ship to their hearts, as they have all the Cunard Queens.”

Queen Elizabeth will sail to Southampton where she will berth at the Ocean Cruise Terminal on Friday October 8. She will depart on her Maiden Voyage at 1700 hours (5 pm) on Tuesday October 12.

The Queen To Name Cunard’s Newbuild Queen Elizabeth

 Cunard Line is pleased to announce that Her Majesty The Queen will name the company’s new Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, at a ceremony to take place in Southampton, England on Monday, October 11, 2010. “The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion and this will be an historic event in the true sense of the word,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “The Queen launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and named our current flagship, Queen Mary 2, in 2004. We are both honored and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner, Queen Elizabeth,” added Shanks.          

Her Majesty was also present at the age of 12 at the launch of the first Queen Elizabeth in September 1938 when she accompanied her mother, Queen Elizabeth, to Clydebank for the launch.

The day after the naming ceremony, the ocean going liner will set sail on her Maiden Voyage.

Official Portrait Of Queen Elizabeth II Unveiled

In line with the Cunard tradition of commissioning appropriate sculpture or portraits for display on board each ship named by a member of the Royal Family, the company has commissioned an official portrait of The Queen for the new Queen Elizabeth, due to be named by Her Majesty next month.

The portrait, which shows The Queen in the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, was painted by 31-year-old, Lancashire-born Isobel Peachey. Although an accomplished award-winning portrait artist, she had never before been commissioned to paint a royal portrait. “At my interview with Cunard, I answered many questions about how I would approach an important commission,” said Peachey. “But it was only at the end of the interview that the subject was revealed as The Queen. This was both a shock and a marvelous surprise.”

Commenting on how the artist was chosen, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, The Queen granted three sittings for the portrait, a three-quarter-length painting, which shows her dressed in blue and wearing Queen Victoria’s necklace and earrings, which she also wore for her Coronation in 1953.

The Queen will see the finished portrait for the first time on October 11 when she visits Southampton to name the new liner Queen Elizabeth. The portrait will hang in a prominent position in the ship’s Grand Lobby.

Clipper Adventurer Pulled From 2010 Season Of Cruises

As a result of damage sustained by the M/V Clipper Adventurer when she hit an uncharted rock last month off Canada’s Arctic Coast, the vessel will be pulled from service.

The Clipper Adventurer was grounded on an uncharted rock on August 27, according to Mississauga, Ontario-based Adventure Canada, the ship’s owner. The ship was en route from Port Epworth to Kugluktuk. No injuries were reported.

After several attempts, the vessel was finally dislodged from the rock with some damage. As a result, the owners say, the remainder of the 2010 Clipper Adventurer season as repairs will take longer than anticipated. As a result, Quark has cancelled the first three departures of Clipper’s 2010-11 Antarctic sailing schedule.

Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance Upgrades Its Website

The Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance has upgraded its website, www.nichecruise.com, to make it more user-friendly to both consumers and travel agents. Among the new features are downloadable profiles and videos of the eight member lines and a news feature that will provide up-to-date listings of media coverage of the member lines. In addition, the website allows consumers to locate a travel agent specializing in niche cruises.

On the website, each member line is supported with a brief description of the type of product they offer, but it also has contact information and links to the websites for each of the eight individual lines. Visitors to the website can enter their zip code and find Niche Cruise Specialists (travel agents who have completed the NCMA training seminar) close to their home. Niche Cruise Specialists can also be located by entering the agent or agency name or the name of city where the agency is located.

Using the Destination Map feature on the site, visitors can click on the part of the world they would like to explore and the site will show them what cruise lines offer sailings to that location.

Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance (NCMA) is a collection of cruise lines that provide an exciting alternative to traditional cruising. The diverse sailings offer the discriminating traveler alternatives to the standard Caribbean cruise or the typical mass-market cruise, providing a plethora of unique adventures on waterways around the world. NCMA member lines include American Cruise Lines, Cruceros Australis, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Galapagos Explorer II, Hurtigruten, Imperial River Cruises, Louis Cruises and Star Clippers.  Website: www.nichecruise.com.

YouTube Launches New Travel Channel Powered by Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line announced it is working with YouTube to power the first-ever YouTube Vacationer, a travel-specific channel within the world's largest online video site providing vacation inspiration with ideas and advice from well-traveled experts, such as Lonely Planet, National Geographic and Travel Channel. The YouTube Vacationer, www.youtube.com/vacationer, is also interactive, offering visitors a first of its kind opportunity to create their own "Vacation You" video experience and share it with others.

Norwegian Cruise Line's signature Freestyle Cruising approach is at the heart of this site, providing users the freedom, flexibility and choice to interact with more than two million combinations of video content enabling them to create and share their own unique Freestyle vacation experience. When interacting within Norwegian's "Vacation You" section of the YouTube Vacationer channel, visitors will select from a series of short video clips that tap into their vacation mindset to produce a customized 60-to-90 second montage of their ideal Freestyle Cruising vacations. Visitors can then share their personalized "Vacation You" video with friends and family through Facebook, Twitter or email.

Carnival Corp & PLC Reports Third Quarter Earnings

Carnival Corporation & plc (reported net income of $1.3 billion, or $1.62 diluted EPS, on revenues of $4.4 billion for its third quarter ended August 31, 2010. Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $1.1 billion, or $1.33 diluted EPS, on revenues of $4.1 billion.

Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison noted that earnings per share for the third quarter 2010 increased 22 percent over 2009 and were just 3 percent shy of third quarter record profits.

The third quarter 2010 operating results were significantly better than anticipated in the company’s June guidance due to the combination of higher than expected revenue yields and lower than expected unit costs. Commenting on the third quarter, Arison said, “Despite ongoing economic concerns, cruise ticket prices remained strong close to sailing rewarding consumers that booked early. We enjoyed robust demand across all products during our seasonally strong summer period. Our North American brands experienced a significant rebound in peak season revenue yields, increasing more than 10 percent over weak 2009 comparisons. Revenue yields for our European brands, which absorbed an 8 percent capacity increase, were up 1 percent (constant dollars) cycling relatively strong performance in the prior year. At the same time, our ongoing cost control efforts continued to bear fruit as we drove down operating, selling and administrative costs globally.”

The company expects full year 2010 net revenue yields, on a constant dollar basis, to increase 2.5 percent, in line with its June guidance of an increase of 2 to 3 percent. However, currency exchange rates have moved favorably since June guidance was provided. As a result, the company now expects net revenue yields on a current dollar basis to increase 1 percent for the full year 2010 compared to 2009.

Based primarily on lower costs achieved in the third quarter, the company now expects net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for the full year 2010 to be down 4 percent on a constant dollar basis, which is better than its June guidance of down 2.5 to 3.5 percent. Since June guidance, favorable changes in currency exchange rates have increased earnings by $30 million. In addition, a decline in fuel prices has reduced forecasted fuel costs by $27 million. Based on current spot prices, fuel costs for full year 2010 are now expected to increase $410 million compared to 2009, costing an additional $0.51 per share.

Taking all the above factors into consideration, the company now forecasts full year 2010 fully diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $2.48 to $2.52, which is above June guidance of $2.25 to $2.35 and 2009 earnings of $2.24 per share.

Fourth Quarter 2010

Fourth quarter constant dollar net revenue yields are expected to increase 2.5 to 3.5 percent (down 1 to 2 percent on a current dollar basis) compared to the prior year. Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for the fourth quarter are expected to be 1 to 2 percent lower on a constant dollar basis (down 5 to 6 percent on a current dollar basis). For the fourth quarter, unfavorable currency exchange rates and fuel costs are expected to impact earnings by $60 million compared to the prior year, costing an additional $0.07 per share.

Based on the above factors and using current fuel prices and currency exchange rates, the company expects earnings for the fourth quarter 2010 to be in the range of $0.32 to $0.36 per share, compared to $0.24 per share in 2009.

During the fourth quarter Cunard Line’s 2,092-passenger Queen Elizabeth will be christened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a much-anticipated ceremony in Southampton, England. This will be the sixth ship to be delivered this year furthering the company’s strategy to expand its global presence.

No New Ships On Order For Immediate Future Says Carnival CEO

In an earnings call, following the release of Carnival’s Corp’s Third Quarter Earnings Report this month, Carnival CEO Micky Arison said not to expect any Carnival Corp new ship orders for the immediate future, despite the low prices at struggling shipyards. “We don't make new building decisions based on sales with the shipyard. It is not like used cars," Arison said during Carnival's third quarter earnings call. "They are long-term strategic decisions. We look at it brand specifically and, as of right now, we have nothing hot."

Arison did not rule out placing an order for 2014 should the timing be right for the company.

Holland America's Cancellation Plan Allows Guests to Cancel for Any Reason

Holland America Line guests who purchase the line's Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) can cancel their cruise or CruiseTour for any reason and receive a refund of up to 90 percent of the cruise fare paid.

Holland America Line now also permits CPP coverage to be added any time after booking, as long as it is purchased before the date cancellation fees begin -- or 75 days prior to the departure date for most sailings. "Many of our guests book several months before their cruise and we understand that things happen," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. The plan now “provides added peace of mind for our guests to know that whatever might be affecting them, they can receive nearly a full refund, if needed."

CPP Standard reimburses 80 percent of eligible amounts paid for cancellations for any reason up to 24 hours prior to the cruise or CruiseTour departure. Plus, the plan provides an additional $500 (for a total of $600) for lost, damaged or delayed baggage.

CPP Platinum features a 90 percent refund upon cancellation for any reason prior to departure. Other benefits under the expanded plan include increased baggage protection for lost or damaged luggage up to $1,600 total, delayed baggage coverage up to $1,100, trip-interruption protection if a guest must return home unexpectedly and trip-delay coverage.

Medical coverage under the CPP Platinum plan covers emergency medical expenses for illness or injury occurring during the voyage, emergency medical evacuation and 24-hour emergency hotline assistance for legal, passport, cash transfer, medical and documentation assistance.

CPP Standard and CPP Platinum are available to U.S. and Canadian residents, and must be purchased prior to the date cancellation fees begin. The cost varies by cruise fare and is nonrefundable. For example, CPP coverage for a guest paying up to $1,000 for a seven-day Caribbean cruise is $79 for CPP Standard and $99 for CPP Platinum per person.

CLIA’s Invites Agents To Sign Up For October 13 World’s Largest Cruise Night

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) invites all its member travel agencies and agents to boost their cruise sales dramatically by participating in World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN), the industry’s single largest promotion of the year and centerpiece of National Cruise Vacation Month. This year the date is October 13 and registration is now available.

Whether it’s a "bricks and mortar" special agency event, a month-long online promotion, or both, there is no better opportunity than WLCN to heighten awareness of cruising, attract new customers and improve the agency's bottom line. And this year, with enhanced and expanded agency WLCN microsites, extensive marketing materials and a streamlined sign-up process, it is easier than ever to reap the rewards.

WLCN has grown larger every year. In 2009 it generated more than $45 million in cruise sales and almost $6 million in travel agent commissions. Nearly 50,000 consumers attended physical WLCN cruise events held by a record 1,309 participating agencies. The events were diverse and held in travel agency offices, hotel ballrooms, restaurants, luxury car dealerships, convention centers, even comedy clubs..

This year, with a whole new look and feel to the virtual program, agents may participate throughout the month of October, through their very own microsite, for free, with greater functionality than ever before, including the option to present as many as seven cruise line videos as well as expanded space for sales messages, agency logos and photos which agents can upload.

Agencies planning to host both a physical event and a virtual promotion can sign up online for both at one time. To view WLCN tutorial videos on CLIA Vision go to http://www.cruising.org/clia-vision/clias-worlds-largest-cruise-night. In order to register, gather promotional materials and get more information about WLCN, agents should visit www.cruising.org/travelagents.

New Cookbook Published By HAL’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin

Holland America Line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has written his third cookbook, "A Taste of Celebration," which is now available for purchase in bookstores and aboard the line's ships. The new cookbook completes the trilogy of Holland America Line Culinary Signature Collections cookbooks, published by Rizzoli. The first two titles are Sodamin's A Taste of Excellence and A Taste of Elegance. Click here for our review of A Taste of Celebration, a book filled with Sodamin's inspired recipes for complete menus - from appetizers to desserts - for 16 celebratory occasions. Click Book Review for our review.

Cunard Launches Web Video Series on the Line’s Travel Legacy

Cunard Line recently launched its web video series highlighting the brand’s rich travel legacy and luxury cruise vacation experience with a focus on some of its signature offerings, such as world-class entertainment, Cunard Insights enrichment program and its award-winning Queens Grill and Princess Grill accommodations aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the Line’s newest ship, Queen Elizabeth.

 The new video series dynamically presents the grand celebration at sea that defines a Cunard voyage. The series of web videos can be viewed at www.cunard.com/videos and showcases the best of what guests can expect while sailing on a luxury cruise vacation with Cunard. Each installment allows guests to view video of Cunard’s fully modern fleet, as well as commentary from guests on board and Cunard staff, including Entertainment Director Alastair Greener and President Peter Shanks.

Additionally, Cunard has launched its Grand Celebration Sweepstakes, which invites guests to enter for a chance to win a luxury cruise vacation on Queen Mary 2 and watch the new web videos to see for themselves why every voyage aboard Cunard is a grand celebration. Viewers also can increase their chances of winning by referring up to ten friends via e-mail. One grand prize of a seven-day Transatlantic Crossing cruise aboard Queen Mary 2 will be awarded by random drawing. The sweepstakes runs until the end of November, and is available on www.cunard.com/sweepstakes.

Families Invited To Enter ‘Reporters At Sea’ Competition For Allure of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International and USA TODAY announced today a search for America’s best and brightest family to cover the unveiling of Allure of the Seas, which will share the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship along with sister ship, Oasis of the Seas. Through October 15, 2010, families are invited to enter to win the coveted role of field correspondents alongside USA TODAY’S own cruise editor, Gene Sloan. Once onboard the ship, the lucky winning family of up to six will receive behind-the-scenes access to file reports that will appear at USA TODAY’s Cruise Log on the Allure. While embarking on a four-night preview sailing, the winning family will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at The DreamWorks Experience featuring the “How To Train Your Dragon On Ice” show, an aqua show featuring “Madagascar”, character breakfasts, activities for the kids in Adventure Ocean, character meet-and-greets, parades, sail-away parties, 3D films in the ship’s 3D theater, as well as backstage access to Chicago: The Musical. In addition to the United States, the “Reporters at Sea: Family Style” contest is searching for family journalists in Canada, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, South Korea, China and Venezuela.

Reporters-to-be can audition for the assignment of a lifetime by submitting a creative video of 45 seconds or less in length and no more than 100 MB in size at www.allureoftheseas.usatoday.com. The video should showcase the family’s best reporting skills and tout why Royal Caribbean should select them to be USA TODAY’s correspondents onboard Allure of the Seas. Videos will be judged on the entrants’ ability to entertain, as well as effectively bring to life and clearly explain innovative and imaginative travel or cruising concepts.

Once the entry period ends, judges will select three finalists per country, and Americans will vote for their favorite U.S. video between October 15 and October 29, 2010. Multiple generations are encouraged to enter. The individual who enters the contest on behalf of his or her family must be 18 years of age. Winning families of up to six members from each country will be simultaneously announced on November 15, 2010, and will be flown to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to cover two exclusive preview cruises onboard Allure of the Seas from November 19 to November 23, 2010.          

Carnival Repositions Two Ships To Long Beach, CA and Tampa FL In 2011

Carnival Cruise Lines has announced two exciting year-round homeport deployments for fall 2011, with the 2,052-passenger Carnival Inspiration repositioning to Long Beach, California, for three- and four-day Baja departures; and the 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise to Tampa, Florida, on four- and five-day Caribbean voyages.

Carnival Inspiration is currently based in Tampa while Carnival Paradise operates from Long Beach.

To reposition to their new homeports, each ship will offer a 14-day Panama Canal voyage that will provide consumers with a highly attractive longer length “Fun Ship” cruise option, as well as the unforgettable experience of transiting the Panama Canal.

Carnival Paradise Panama Canal cruise will sail from Long Beach to Tampa departing Nov. 28, 2011, while Carnival Inspiration Panama Canal voyage will depart Dec. 3, 2011, and operate from Tampa to Long Beach.

Three New "Legends in Concert" To Debut Onboard Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that three new "legends" will perform as part of the Legends in Concert show on Norwegian Epic beginning Saturday, September 25, 2010. The three are some of the world's most recognized entertainers: Britney Spears, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson. A staple on the Las Vegas' center strip for over 25 years, Legends in Concert is known as the pioneer of live tribute shows and has assembled the greatest collection of live tribute artists and celebrity look-alikes in show business.

"The Legends in Concert shows in both the Manhattan Room and in the Epic Theater are extremely well received by our guests," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "With the arrival of these three new legendary entertainers, we are offering Norwegian Epic guests fresh and exciting performances from some very talented and well known performers."

Legends in Concert on Norwegian Epic features three celebrity tribute performers taking the stage in the Epic Theater for six 45-minute shows over three days during a seven-day cruise. In addition, a Legends "Unplugged" show is performed on three additional nights in the Manhattan Room, the ship's New York-inspired supper club, providing an unprecedented dining and entertainment experience. The celebrity performers change every four months, keeping the show fresh and exciting. The initial performers portrayed Madonna, Tina Turner and Elvis Presley.

New NCL Website Debuts For Travel Agents To Learn About Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Cruise Line launched a new website designed to help travel agents learn about the Norwegian Epic, the 150,000-ton ship launched in July. The site is at www.Norwegianepiclive.com. “It includes a series of six videos highlighting dining, accommodations, the luxury aspect of the ship, studios, everything for families as well as entertainment,” an NCL spokeswoman said.

Agents can also request a DVD with the videos. The website also includes links to the booking engine, NCL University and the Epic Tool Kit with cheat sheets and marketing materials. “There is information on which restaurants are included and which are specialty restaurants,” the spokeswoman said.

New changes At Norwegian Epic’s Cirque Dreams & Dinner

NCL has also announced changes in the menu and cover charge at Cirque Dreams & Dinner, a dinner-theater production with acrobatics, singing, comedy and specialty acts. The cover charge was increased from $20 to $30 for premium seating and $15 to $20 for general seating. The increase was attributed to high demand for the dinner-show but also because the menu was upgraded. For more information, visit www.bookncl.com.

Aurelius AG Takes Majority Stake In Peter Deilmann Shipping

Munich-based industrial holding company Aurelius AG has taken a majority stake in Germany's Peter Deilmann Shipping, operator of the luxury cruise ship Deutschland. Aurelius has injected a undisclosed 'double-digit million euro' amount to strengthen the company's capital base.

The Neustadt-based family enterprise co-run by twin sisters, Hedda and Gisa Deilmann, generated revenues of around €50m in the last fiscal year and was in need of additional capital. The twins inherited the company after the death of their father Peter seven years ago. 
 According to a German news report, the sisters will give up management of the cruise company when the Aurelius deal is completed.

Built in 1998 by HDW in Kiel, the Deutschland is the flagship of the company. The vessel also features in the German TV series Traumschiff and is the only cruise ship registered under the German flag.

In June 2009, Peter Deilmann Reederei applied for protection from creditors for its eight-vessel riverboat division, saying it would focus on ocean cruising going forward. The Neustadt headquarters and Deutschland were not included in the insolvency proceedings. 
In a statement at the time, Deilmann described the collapse of the river division as ‘inevitable’ after banks called in loans and requests for assistance with liquidity were denied. 

Dr. Dirk Markus, ceo of Aurelius, says: “We are pleased to board the Deutschland. The vessel represents amazing travel experiences of the best German cruising tradition. We will extend this top class positioning and actively support the company in its further development.”

The transaction is still subject to approval by the antitrust authorities as well as the agreement of the accompanying consortium of banks consisting of Deutsche Bank Shipping, HSH Nordbank, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and DVB Bank.

Genting Hong Kong Ltd  Reports Profit For First Half 2010

Genting Hong Kong Ltd., formerly known as Star Cruises Ltd., swung to a profit of $11.3m, or 16 cents per share, in the first half of this year, its first 1H profit since 2006. During the first six months last year, the company lost $35.3m, or 46 cents per share.

Comprised of Star Cruises and Resorts World Manila and a joint owner of Norwegian Cruise Line, Genting HK reports results on a semiannual rather than a quarterly basis.

Operating efficiencies, cost control and effective deployment and marketing drove improvements at Star, while NCL posted stronger ticket pricing and booking trends. Resorts World, which had its soft opening in August last year, was profitable, and My Inn investments in China turned in an operating profit, reversing its earlier operating loss.

The group recorded a $17.5m loss for its share in NCL which—as earlier reported—had a second quarter loss on foreign exchange contracts for the financing of Norwegian Epic. That was offset by a $17.6m gain on the disposal of two wholly owned subsidiaries, Port Klang Cruise Centre Sdn Bhd and Glamourous Trendy Sdn Bhd.

Genting HK shaved operating costs through savings in payroll, port charges and insurance, partially offset by significantly higher fuel costs. The company lost $2.6m on fuel swaps.

Revenues were $184.7m, up from $175.8m. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization were $50.5m, up from $27.4m, driven by more capacity days (+4.7%) and higher ticket revenue (+23.5%), although occupancy fell 4 points, to 82%.

Genting HK said SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Libra and Star Pisces increased ticket pricing, though occupancy was off, and NCL continues to strengthen its position with the introduction of Norwegian Epic. For the full report, visit http://www.gentinghk.com/pdf/news/2010/Doc008-2Q'2010-HK%20GAAP%20Results%20Release%20(Final)(clean).pdf

P&O To Install Giant Entertainment Screen On Pacific Jewel

In a surprise move, P&O Cruises has announced it will install a giant entertainment screen on its Sydney-based superliner Pacific Jewel this November. Stretching four meters tall and seven meters wide, the Big Screen will be positioned above Pacific Jewel’s pool deck and will provide an ongoing source of entertainment for the ship’s 1950 passengers.

The decision follows overwhelming customer response to P&O Cruises’ announcement last month that its latest ship Pacific Pearl, which debuts in December, will feature a Big Screen.

P&O Cruises/Australia Bids Farewell to Tipping for Holiday Makers

P&O Cruises has responded to passenger feedback by eliminating automatic passenger tipping from its fleet. From October 1, 2010 the recommended daily gratuity of $7.50 per passenger will no longer be automatically added to passengers’ onboard holiday accounts. Guests will still have the option to reward P&O Cruises’ crew for exceptional service at their own discretion.
Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said the removal of automatic tipping followed passenger feedback and was in line with the cruise line’s continued commitment to ensuring its holidays & onboard products reflect Australian values.
“Our passenger feedback indicated that tipping is a personal decision for Australians, so we’ve updated our policy to accommodate this as we continue to grow our fleet,” Lourey said.

“P&O Cruises strives to lead the way in customer satisfaction and this change signifies both that and our focus on catering for Australian tastes.”

P&O Cruises presently operates three cruise holiday ships, with a fourth ship Pacific Pearl joining the fleet in December this year.

 

August, 2010

More news at:

Cruise Itineraries & Offers

Exploration/Eco Cruises & Offers

New Ships

Cruise Ports

River/Barge Cruise News & Offers

Carnival Corp. & Plc Orders New 71,300-Ton Ship For Aida Cruises Brand

Carnival Corporation & plc has ordered a 71,300-ton cruise ship for its AIDA Cruises brand, which caters exclusively to the German-speaking market.  The newbuild order is subject to financing and other customary closing conditions.  It marks the seventh new ship that the German cruise operator has ordered in the past six years.

The 2,192-passenger vessel, which will be built at Germany’s Meyer Werft at an approximate all-in cost of €150,000 per lower berth, is scheduled to enter service in spring 2013. The new vessel will operate under AIDA Cruises’ informal “club resort” cruise concept which is marketed exclusively to German-speaking clientele and offers a product aimed at younger, more active guests who enjoy a host of on-board innovations. “With growth that is outpacing other regions of the world, expanding our European brands continues to be a priority for us. This new AIDA ship will build upon the brand’s leadership position in the fast-growing German-speaking market, while offering a unique onboard experience preferred by its clientele,” said Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc chairman and CEO. AIDA Cruises’ President Michael Thamm added, “It has always been our strategy to achieve sustainable growth. We look forward to another innovative newbuild, tailor made for the German market.”

The new vessel will join the 71,300-ton AIDAsol, set to debut in April 2011, and an as-yet-unnamed sister ship in June 2012.

AIDA Cruises revolutionized the German cruise market with the introduction of its first “club ships” in 1996. By 2013, a total of 10 “club ships” will be in service, operating voyages to the Mediterranean, the Canaries, the North Sea, the Baltic, the Caribbean, the Arabian Gulf, Asia and Central America.

TUI Cruises Announces Naming Date For Newbuild Mein Schiff 2

Hamburg-based TUI Cruises has announced that May 14, 2011 is the date for the naming of its newest ship Mein Schiff 2. The ship, currently sailing as the Celebrity Mercury until next February, was built in 1997 at the Meyer Werft GmbH in Papenburg, Germany. The ship will undergo extensive renovations in 2011 prior to her May naming. The ship will sail for the German trade in Europe’s Nordic regions in summer 2011.

TUI Cruises is a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and TUI, Germany.

CLIA Now Accepting Early Membership Enrollment For 2011

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has opened its 2011 agency membership enrollment, providing new enrollees the opportunity to receive the entire platform of exclusive CLIA benefits for as many as 16 months for the price of a 2011 membership. CLIA membership is widely acknowledged to be one of the best and most extensive professional development and certification programs in the travel industry, with over 16,000 travel industry sales professionals counted as members. "CLIA strives to extend extraordinary value to its members," said Bob Sharak, CLIA's EVP, marketing & distribution. "By opening 2011 membership enrollment early, we are able to give our new agency members all the benefits of CLIA membership as soon as they sign up, as well as the added incentive of receiving more than 16 months of benefits rather than 12 months."

CLIA member agencies enjoy numerous exclusive benefits, including preferred access to CLIA "Gold Standard" training & certification programs, access to "members only" marketing programs such as "World's Largest Cruise Night," the CLIA Cruise Manual and a comprehensive portfolio of tools and materials designed to enhance and augment an agency's sales, marketing and promotional skills and capabilities.

To take advantage of this special membership offer and become a member of CLIA, or to re-enroll, please visit CLIA's Web site at http://www.cruising.org/membership-center  or call 754-224-2200.

Carnival & Royal Caribbean Adopt Policies Promoting Animal Welfare

Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines—the world’s first- and second-largest cruise companies, respectively—have adopted policies to join the growing national animal welfare trend by incorporating cage-free eggs into their dining operations. Both Miami-based companies worked with The Humane Society of the United States to develop their policies.

Royal Caribbean will switch 3.2 million eggs to cage-free immediately, increasing to 6.8 million within a year—sparing nearly 30,000 hens each year from being crammed inside tiny cages. Carnival Cruise Lines has made similar progress, converting more than 2 million eggs to cage-free. While there has been positive movement on this issue within the cruise line industry, Norwegian Cruise Lines, the world’s third largest cruise company and also based in Miami, still only uses eggs from hens confined in cages so small, they can barely move. “Many vacationers take their concern for animals, food safety and sustainability with them when they travel, and we applaud Royal Caribbean and Carnival for taking those concerns seriously by reducing their reliance on eggs from caged hens,” said Matthew Prescott, corporate outreach director of The HSUS’ factory farming campaign. “We hope that Norwegian Cruise Lines will follow the lead of its competitors in this area.”

Across the country, a national movement away from using eggs from hens confined in cages has taken root. Subway, Wendy's, Denny's, Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Quiznos, Golden Corral and Miami-based Burger King are just some of the major restaurant chains that use cage-free eggs. Wal-Mart's and Costco's private labels only use cage-free eggs. And Hellmann's mayonnaise announced plans to convert the 350 million eggs it uses in the U.S. to cage-free.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Releases 2009 Stewardship Report

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has made available its second annual Stewardship Report, which highlights the company’s industry-leading safety, security, medical/public health and environmental efforts. The 2009 Stewardship Report provides insight into Royal Caribbean’s strategy in the areas of energy and air emissions, water and wastewater, waste and chemical management, community involvement and conservation, destinations and education. The report also reviews how the Above and Beyond Compliance philosophy, which guides the company’s environmental stewardship program, also influences all areas of the company, including safety and security, as well as medical and public health. “Our goal with the 2009 Stewardship Report was to build upon last year’s inaugural report by enhancing its environmental stewardship content and significantly augmenting the safety, security and medical/public health information,” said Gary Bald, senior vice president of Safety, Security, Environment and Medical/Public Health for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Within the report, readers can learn about our emphasis on incident prevention, increasing focus on destination stewardship and conservation, partnerships with medical centers of excellence around the world and our newest safety innovations and progressive security measures,” Bald said.

Some of the highlights of the report include an overview of the company’s 40-year history of environmental activities, which was formalized with the creation of the Save The Waves® program. Since its beginnings in 1992, the Save The Waves® program has evolved from a program focused on reducing, reusing and recycling waste, to a companywide philosophy that is integrated into the daily operations onboard all our ships. This includes environmental officers onboard each ship, a waste-management program that completely addresses each waste stream, environmental training for every crew member and land-based employee.

CLIA Statement On Proposed EPA Rule For A No-Discharge Zone in California

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released the following statement August 25 regarding the US  Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule to establish a No-Discharge Zone covering all California coastal waters. The rule would apply to all cruise ships and to large ocean-going vessels with adequate sewage holding capacity. Though it is intended to protect receiving waters, the rule does not cover discharges from land-based sources such as municipal wastewater treatment facilities.

“Cruise Lines International Association members follow science-based industry practices that exceed mandatory California and other applicable water discharge regulations, and therefore meet the requirements of the new, proposed EPA rule covering blackwater. The cruise industry shares EPA’s and the State Water Resources Control Board’s commitment to protect California’s coastal waters. While international regulations permit the discharge of untreated blackwater (sewage) 12 miles from shore, as a policy our member cruise lines first treat blackwater with approved technologies prior to discharge anywhere in the world.”

Seabourn Expands Its Roster Of ‘Masters And Commanders’

As The Yachts of Seabourn continues to expand its fleet of intimate, all-suite vessels, the company is adding to the roster of its most responsible, and most highly visible officers on board. The latest to join Seabourn is Captain Dag Dvergastein, a well-known Norwegian seaman most recently with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Englishman Captain Ian McNaught, a longtime favorite of many guests aboard the Cunard liners, joined Seabourn this year. Also joining the roster in 2010 were Captain David Bathgate, a Scot who now lives in the South of England and has sailed on virtually every sort of ocean-going vessel, and Captain Sean Whalley, another Englishman whose 25-year career includes commands in the Falkland Islands Fisheries Patrol. “With the addition of Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest, we have created new opportunities for the right sort of senior officers,” noted Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn’s president and CEO. “With a complement of just 200 to 450 guests, our six intimate yachts offer an unusual degree of accessibility that really appeals to captains who like to socialize with guests and share their adventures," she added.

Two of Seabourn’s captains were added to its rotation in 2009. Danish Captain Bjarne Larsen had extensive experience sailing ice-rated exploration vessels in the Arctic and Antarctic. Andrew Pedder, from Yorkshire in England, had sailed aboard Cunard liners, then served as a maritime river pilot, joined Holland America Line and later the sailing vessels of Windstar Cruises.

P&O Signs Contract For Refurbishment Of Pacific Pearl

P&O Cruises/Australia’s expansion has taken another step with the official signing of the contract this month for the multi-million dollar refurbishment of its latest ship Pacific Pearl in Singapore. Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, joined senior representatives from Sembawang Shipyard in Sydney last week for the signing, with work to commence on November 13. Sembawang Shipyard is a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd.

The major refurbishment will include the addition of Pacific Pearl’s “Big Screen” on its pool deck, the creation of a new Salt Grill by Luke Mangan, new bars and lounges and the creation of a new Aqua HealthSpaFitness.

Following the three-week drydock, Pacific Pearl will make her way to Auckland for her official naming on December 21, 2010. Pacific Pearl will make her maiden visit to Sydney on February 3, 2011 when she commences her first Australian season.

Pacific Pearl is the P&O/Australia’s fourth ship, joining Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Sun.

Greece Parliament Lifts Cabotage Restrictions On Cruise Ships

As reported in the European press, the Greek Parliament formally approved a law lifting cabotage restrictions on cruise vessels on August 25. Under the terms of the new law, effective immediately, international cruise companies will now be able to embark and disembark passengers at Greek ports, once they have signed a formal three-year contract with the government submitting to certain conditions.

Such vessels must comply with international standards of safety and seaworthiness, have a minimum capacity of 49 passengers, and offer round-trip cruises that start and end at the same port and have a minimum duration of 48 hours.

A requirement that ships must remain a minimum of 12 hours in port to take on and discharge passengers prior to leaving was changed to eight hours at the eleventh hour.

Swan Hellenic Presents Unique Wildlife Blog On Minerva’s Iceland Cruises

Swan Hellenic has partnered with Marinelife, the marine conservation research charity, to bring a daily wildlife image blog to cruise passengers and the public alike. Marinelife was onboard Swan Hellenic’s Sagas of Fire & Ice cruise that visited the Orkney and Shetland Islands, Iceland (four ports and close-cruising Heimaey), Scotland and the Faroe Islands, creating a blog on the prolific wildlife seen ashore and in the surrounding seas of these remote regions.

The Marinelife team has recorded dailly all sightings and engaging with passengers on board through a program of presentations and deck watches. It allows both passengers and web readers the opportunity to keep up to with a range of spectacular encounters which include many hundreds of dolphins of multiple species, a Humpback Whale mother and calf pair and – of course – sightings of the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

The blogs for both the 2009 and 2010 cruise can be viewed on the cruise line’s website at www.swanhellenic.com/wildlifelog.

If the blog moves you to have a close encounter with nature, Minerva will be returning to Iceland and visiting St Kilda on a cruise departing July 5, 2011.

NCL Appoints Wendy Beck As Chief Financial Officer

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Wendy Beck will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  In this senior role, she will be responsible for leading all aspects of finance.  Beck brings a high level of knowledge and expertise to Norwegian with more than 20 years of leadership experience.

Beck most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Domino’s Pizza, a $5.6 billion publicly traded company with more than 9,000 franchised and company-owned stores in over 60 countries and all 50 states.  In that role, she oversaw all aspects of finance including public company disclosers, accounting, treasury, financial planning and analysis, risk management and internal audit. Prior to that, Beck served as CFO for two well-known national restaurant chains: Whataburger Restaurants and Checkers Drive-In Restaurants.

"Over the past several years, we have been building a very strong senior leadership team with a combination of both industry veterans and experts from outside the cruise industry who bring a fresh perspective to our business.  With her more than 20 years of relevant financial experience, Wendy brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to our Company," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's Chief Executive Officer.

Beck is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Florida and holds a BS in Accounting from the University of South Florida.

Oceania Cruises Issues New Pound Sterling Princed Brochure For UK Passengers

For the first time in the cruise line's history Oceania Cruises has introduced sterling pricing and is launching a new sterling priced brochure, enabling British guests to buy worldwide, luxury cruises in a currency other than the US dollar. Sterling prices will be in all brochures featuring cruises starting January 2011, including the new winter 2011/12 program, which goes on sale next month. Brochures will start to arrive into travel agencies from mid-September signifying a new level of commitment from Oceania Cruises to its British guests. "This is an incredibly big step forward for us and will certainly lead to some of the large travel agencies selling Oceania Cruises for the first time, now that pricing is in sterling,” says European Sales & Marketing Director Bernard Carter. “To date we have sold to our partners in US dollars and they have had to convert into sterling before selling on. This created uncertainty for many agents and customers and the move to sterling prices will undoubtedly lead to a rise in demand, particularly as we are maintaining our policy of fully refundable deposit until to final payment date."

For more information visit www.OceaniaCruises.co.uk or call Oceania Cruises on 0845 505 1920.

Celebrity Adds New Spa, Salon & Personal Fitness Pre-Cruise Booking Tool

Celebrity Cruises is adding spa, salon and personal fitness appointments to its ever-growing line-up of onboard experiences available for pre-cruise booking.  

 Celebrity Cruises pre-cruise spa, salon and personal fitness appointment booking options join a series of experiences available for guests to book online in advance of their cruise. These include beverage packages, shore excursions, specialty dining reservations, and complimentary “Celebrity Select Dining” main dining room preferences.

The option to pre-book these activities online can help guests avoid disappointment after boarding by discovering that desired times are already taken by other guests.

By mid-November 2010, guests will be able to book spa, salon and personal fitness appointments prior to their cruise on six of the nine Celebrity Cruises ships. The first ship to offer this option is Celebrity Solstice, the flagship of the stylish new Solstice Class ships. Guests booked on voyages departing on August 21 or later on Celebrity Cruises newest Solstice Class ship, Celebrity Eclipse, can also book these appointments.

On August 26, guests sailing on Celebrity Equinox’s voyages departing on or after September 9 can book these appointments. The rollout will continue throughout 2011, when Celebrity Cruises will launch its fourth Solstice Class vessel, Celebrity Silhouette. A complete list of dates is available at www.celebritycruises.com/AquaSpa

Carnival and Razorfish Launch Facebook Application for Planning Cruises

Carnival Cruise Lines and Razorfish have launched a new social commerce Facebook application that allows users to easily view, compare, select and share Carnival cruises with their Facebook friends. The application, the first of its kind in the cruise industry,

allows users to engage their social network in their vacation planning through

personalized newsfeed updates and even invite friends to book the same trip.

The application, available on Carnival’s official Facebook fan page

(www.facebook.com/carnival ), enables the user to explore all available Carnival

cruise options without leaving Facebook by providing the functionality to sort cruises by date, duration, port of call, and accommodation type. Once users decide on a particular cruise, they can share the detailed cruise information with their Facebook friends by simply clicking a button. Users can also customize their newsfeed messages, which include a link to the cruise, to invite friends to book the trip as well.

Digital marketing agency Razorfish sought to tap into the power of the online

community to drive engagement with the Carnival brand. As a result, the agency

helped conceptualize, create and design the application as a way to offer the

cruise line’s products and services in native locations for consumers.

Once users have taken advantage of the Facebook application to choose and share

their Carnival cruise plans, they will be directed to the appropriate shopping-cart page on www.Carnival.com to finalize the transaction.

Winner Of  Royal Caribbean’s Allure Of The Seas Culinary Challenge Announced

After hosting an eight week-long contest, which culminated with five intense hours in the competition kitchens at The Culinary Institute of America, Royal Caribbean International has found the next culinary superstar to lead the kitchen of the signature restaurant onboard Allure of the Seas, the cruise line's newest ship which will make her debut in December 2010.  Maureen “Molly” Brandt of Stillwater, Minn. has landed the job of a lifetime: a one-year paid contract to be the Chef de Cuisine of 150 Central Park onboard Allure of the Seas.    

Brandt was one of six chefs – all graduates of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world’s premier culinary college – to be a finalist in the Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge, a contest open exclusively to the CIA’s network of 40,000 alumni. The six chefs participated in a two-part final challenge at the college's Hyde Park campus in New York on August 5 and 6, where they were each required to showcase their culinary prowess and creativity by participating in an interview with, as well preparing a three-course meal for, an esteemed panel of judges from Royal Caribbean and The Culinary Institute of America. “Partnering with the Culinary Institute and having the ability to tap into their alumni has been an amazing opportunity,” said Lisa Bauer, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Each of the finalists truly showcased their passion and knowledge in the kitchen and we are extremely excited to have selected Molly as our new Chef de Cuisine for 150 Central Park.”

After her entry video was selected as the “fan favorite” in the consumer voting portion of the contest, Brandt went on to impress the judges at the Final Challenge by serving up a menu consisting of Chilled Lobster with fennel, carrots, citrus, caviar and tempura battered lobster mitt; Provencal Lamb Loin with Dijon potato puree, ratatouille, pattypan squash and olive tapenade; and Pistachio Cake with whipped rosewater crème fraiche and carbonated raspberries.

“This entire process with The Culinary Institute of America and Royal Caribbean has been such an amazing experience and hearing my name announced as the winner of the Culinary Challenge was surreal,” stated Maureen “Molly” Brandt, Chef de Cuisine, 150 Central Park, Allure of the Seas. “I am beyond thrilled to open this amazing restaurant and look forward to crafting the perfect menu for our guests over the next couple of months as we count down to the launch of Allure.”

 A 2006 alumni of The Culinary Institute of America, Brant was named a Food and Wine best student chef in 2006. While in training she worked at the Food Network as a culinary extern, where she prepared food for a variety of production projects including “Iron Chef America,” “Emeril Live,” and “Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee.” Immediately following graduation, she spent a year as a teaching assistant in the CIA’s Escoffier restaurant, before going on to work in the kitchens at many reputable restaurants in New York, Minnesota and abroad, including the critically acclaimed, Michelin starred Cafe Boulud in New York City.  Currently Brandt owns her own private chef and catering company, Cook in the Kitchen in the Twin Cities.  She is also the co-founder and villa chef for Flavors of Italia, a company that offers intimate, culinary-focused vacations in Northern Tuscany.

Pullmantur Reactivates Atlantic Star to Replace Pacific Dream

Following an engine failure on Pacific Dream, Spanish cruise line Pullmantur has moved to reactivate the Atlantic Star to replace the starting on August 29, 2010. The Pacific Dream suffered a major engine failure on August 15th, and had two cruises cancelled. It is unclear when the Pacific Dream will return to service. The Atlantic Star had been laid up in Marseille since last summer.

New President & CEO Named For STX Europe

STX Europe AS has appointed Su-Jou Kim as its new President and CEO. Su-Jou Kim will replace Sang-Ho Shin, and will start in his new position with immediate effect.

Sang-Ho Shin joined STX Europe in September 2008, initially as COO, and since May 2009 as President & CEO.  Shin has been appointed COO of STX Offshore & Shipbuilding and head of STX's shipbuilding operations in Korea. Shin will remain a Board member of STX Europe AS.

Su-Jou Kim (53) has held various management positions within the STX Business Group - most recently as Head of Business Development and Deputy President of STX Corporation. Kim is well known with STX Europe since he spent significant amounts of time with the company in 2008, including holding the position of Chairman of STX Europe AS from September 2008 to March 2009.

Celebrity Cruises Introduces More Flexible Group Policy

Premium cruise brand Celebrity Cruises is announcing a new and improved group policy to better align with consumer booking trends. This change provides travel agents with options, depending upon the number of staterooms they need to hold, with one of the key benefits being more time to market and sell their group inventory.

Celebrity’s group policy will continue to offer both a no-deposit and deposit program. Celebrity’s no-deposit program will now permit travel agents to hold a maximum of 16 staterooms up to 120 days prior to the sailing date for cruises of up to eight nights and 150 days prior to the sailing date for cruises of nine nights or longer. The deposit program grants travel agents the opportunity to set aside between 17 and 50 staterooms until 120 days before the sailing date for cruises of up to eight nights and 150 days before the sailing date for cruises of nine nights or longer. Deposits are due within 30 days of creating the group space.

Travel agents are welcome to use either group booking program at any time based on need. These changes do not apply to cruisetours or Celebrity Xpedition sailings. The new policy pertains to travel agencies operating in the United States and Canada. For more information on the group policy, travel agents can visit www.cruisingpower.com.

Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with

Alexander Bout Elected To NCMA Executive Committee

 Long-time cruise industry veteran Alexander Bout has been elected to a three-year term on the Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance's executive committee. Bout is currently president of two cruise lines - Imperial River Cruise Company and Expedition Cruises, Inc. He began his cruise industry experience in 1968 when he was a sailor on the cruise ship Russia. After his graduation from the Marine University in Odessa, he worked as a dispatcher, general manager of a marine agency and director of the cruise department of BLASCO, the Black Sea Shipping Company. In 1989, BLASCO sent him to London to serve as CTC cruise line chairman. In 1991 he was transferred to New York as vice president of Black Sea Shipping for North and South America and executive vice president of OdessAmerica Cruise Company. He began the venture of Imperial River Cruise Company in the mid-1990s. With its Russian partner, Imperial River sells over ten river cruise ships sailing from Moscow to St. Petersburg and from Kiev to Istanbul. The new venture of Expedition Cruises, Inc., was started in 2009.

Celebrity Introduces Art Tours On Apple’s iPads

Playing off the series of hip, high-tech “firsts” it has introduced in recent months, premium cruise line Celebrity Cruises is debuting the industry’s first self-guided art tours on an iPad®. Earlier this year, Celebrity introduced the first “Celebrity iLounge” – a modern lounge equipped with MacBook® workstations, a retail space featuring Apple products and accessories, and an enrichment center where certified staff present a variety of courses and offer guests tips on Mac and iPod® usage. Celebrity Cruises is itself an iPad pioneer, having become the first cruise line to present a menu and wine list on an iPad when it introduced its engaging “Qsine” specialty restaurant earlier this year.

A new addition to Celebrity’s extensive “Celebrity Life” series of onboard entertainment and enrichment activities, the iPads on each Solstice Class ship house floor plans of every deck on the ship, with select works of art flagged on every deck. A guest simply touches the screen to select the work of art he or she would like to learn more about, and the screen transitions to full details about the piece, including the title of the work, artist’s name, medium used, description and image. In addition to the art tour application, the iPads also present guests with the opportunity to explore digital versions of each Solstice-Class vessel’s in-stateroom art catalogs.

With more than 14,000 works of original, contemporary art on its three Solstice Class ships alone, Celebrity Cruises is the holder of one of the world’s largest corporate collections of contemporary art. Throughout the ships, a vast range of mediums is represented, including glass, acrylics, oils, photography, digital prints, video, etchings, sculptures and collages. Approximately 15 percent of the art on each Solstice Class ship is site-specific or commissioned artwork, such as the signature living trees in enormous vases suspended within the Solstice Class ships’ sweeping, airy Grand Foyers.

Celebrity’s new iPad art tours became available on Celebrity Solstice August 15, and on Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Equinox beginning August 21. The tours currently are in English, and also will be offered in Spanish by the end of this year. Celebrity will add German and French versions in 2011.

Paul Gauguin Cruises Appoints Diane Moore As Executive Vice President

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the m/s Paul Gauguin, proudly appoints Diane Moore to its management team as Executive Vice President at the company’s Bellevue, Washington office.

A seasoned veteran of the cruise industry, Moore joins Paul Gauguin Cruises with 36 years of cruise experience.  Moore began her career as a member of Royal Cruise Line, then run by her father, Richard Reynes, serving as Senior Vice President of Passenger Services, until she left the company in 1996 to join forces with Holland America Line as Vice President of Passenger Programs. During her time with Holland America Line, Moore immersed herself in client and passenger relations, assisting with reservations, air and sea bookings, inventory, hotel programs, and documentation. She spent four years handling the guest services for Holland America Line, before joining Crystal Cruises in Los Angeles as Senior Vice President of Guest Services. She shared her expertise with Crystal Cruises for four years before joining Virtuoso® as Executive Vice President of Supplier Relations, where she was in charge of negotiating agreements with all the suppliers in the network.

In 2005, Moore joined Windstar Cruises as Vice President of Sales & Marketing, and continued to further her experience in the cruise industry for the past five years as President of the cruise company.  Joining Paul Gauguin Cruises is a natural shift for Moore, as she is able to expand upon her extensive knowledge and experience of the cruise industry and help lead the company in its second year under the Pacific Beachcomber umbrella.

Moore was born in Chicago, Illinois, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Purdue University.

TUI Travel Earnings Flat For Third Quarter 2010

Turnover and operating earnings by TUI Travel were almost flat versus the prior year comparative period in the third quarter. Turnover amounted to 3.8 billion euro, a slight year-on-year decrease of 4 per cent (previous year: 4 billion euro). The slight decline was mainly driven by lost turnover due to the closure of Europe’s airspace following the volcanic eruption in Iceland and the slowdown in bookings still felt as a result of the financial and economic crisis.

The Cruises sector improved in the third quarter. TUI Cruises in particular recorded a sound quarterly performance. At 32 million euro, turnover3 by Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten was 29 per cent down year-on-year (previous year: 45 million euro) due to a one-off effect. Because of an unscheduled dry-dock period, several cruises with MS Europa, the flagship of the fleet, had to be cancelled. However, this effect only had a minor impact on underlying earnings. The cancellations of holidays resulting from the repairs were largely covered by insurance policies. Underlying earnings by the Cruises sector grew by 6 million euro to 2 million euro (previous year: -4 million euro). This increase was above all driven by the sound development of business operations in TUI Cruises. Mein Schiff delivered load factor growth to 93 per cent, significantly ahead of the second quarter of 2009/10 (85 per cent).

The full report is at http://www.tui-group.com/en/ir/news/2010/August/2010_8_11_q3

Carnival Debuts Superstar Live Karaoke, Giving Guests Center Stage

Carnival guests will take the stage, grab the mike and live out their music-star daydreams on the open seas. Introducing Superstar Live Karaoke, Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest entertainment feature puts guests into the act, fronting a live band and performing their

favorite songs to a packed house. Superstar Live Karaoke combines two popular forms of entertainment – live music by talented musicians and karaoke by Carnival’s singing sailors – and cranks it up. It is fun for all when aspiring singers or fun-seekers have their

moment in the spotlight while a few hundred of their friends, family and fellow

guests cheer them on and sing along.

Those interested in living their dream as a super star--for one night, at least--simply sign up with the on-site host in the designated Superstar Live Karaoke lounge on board.  Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  “Super Star Live Karaoke is quickly becoming one of the most popular and

exciting activities we’ve ever offered.  People love to express themselves

through music — we even had a groom sing to his new bride,” said Carnival’s

Senior Cruise Director John Heald. “It’s a dream of so many people to perform on

a stage backed by a live band, but so few get the opportunity. We’re giving

people the ability to live out their dream and just go out and have fun!” 

The program, which recently debuted aboard Carnival Conquest and Carnival

Valor, premieres on the Carnival Pride this month.  Superstar Live Karaoke will

be introduced to the line’s 12 Fun Ships that operate itineraries of seven days

or longer by year’s end.

 

 

July, 2010

MSC Cruises Confirms Construction of MSC Fantastica by STX France

MSC Cruises and STX France announced on July 23, the conclusion of the legal process

finalizes the order of MSC Fantastica, a new ‘Fantasia’ class cruise ship (technically called U32), and the 12th in the MSC Cruises fleet. Following a press conference in St-Nazaire this morning, French President Nicolas Sarkozy (photo right) visited the STX France ship yards together with Gianluigi Aponte, President of MSC, Piefrancesco Vago MSC Cruises CEO and Hardeley, General Manager of STX France. The official delegation also included Christine Lagarde, French Minister of Economic Affairs and Christian Estrosi, Minister of Industry.

An important factor in the success of the project was the financial backing provided by French financial institutions, and especially by Coface, the French Export Credit Agency, making it possible for the vessel to be delivered as required by MSC Cruises by the end of spring 2012. According to Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of STX France, he’s pleased with the contract being confirmed. “We look forward to continuing the long-standing relationship between the teams of MSC Cruises and STX France for the successful delivery of this magnificent vessel,” said Hardelay

Landmark Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act Signed Into Law                            

The Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act was signed into law by US President Barack Obama on July 24. The legislation, co-sponsored by Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and California Representative Doris Matsui, was supported by Cruise Lines International Association. “This has been a long, difficult road for all cruise victims and their families, and this legislation is truly a result of their courage, their dedication and their conviction to preventing further crimes from happening,” said Matsui, the author of the legislation. “This legislation is critical to providing the security and safety measures that all Americans need and deserve, no matter if they are on land or at sea.”

Cruise Lines International Association also applauded the bill. Commenting on the bill’s enactment, CLIA CEO and president Terry Dale said in a statement: “We appreciated the opportunity to work with Sen. Kerry and Congress to ensure that the new law would bring greater consistency and clarity of security laws and regulations for our industry.”

The law clarifies many industry practices and existing regulations, including a longstanding federal requirement to report to the FBI allegations of serious crimes occurring in US waters or involving a US national anywhere in the world. It formalizes the crime reporting structure among the cruise industry, the FBI and the US Coast Guard including requirements that each ship maintain a log book to record deaths, missing individuals, alleged crimes and passenger/crew complaints regarding theft, sexual harassment and assault.

Additional provisions include requiring 42-inch guard rails, peep holes in every passenger’s and crew member’s door, on-deck video surveillance and an emergency sound system. Further, the measure addresses crime scene response by requiring rape kits, anti-retroviral medications and a trained forensic sexual assault specialist aboard each ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line Reports Results For Second Quarter 2010

Norwegian Cruise reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

EBITDA for the second quarter of 2010 improved 12.6% to $94.7 million versus $84.2 million for the same period in 2009 (a 12.1% increase on an adjusted basis, to $95.7 million from $85.4 million). An improvement in Net Yield of 6.6% in the quarter resulted in Net Revenue increasing to $364.7 million from $353.9 million despite a 3.3% decrease in Capacity Days in the quarter due to the departure of Norwegian Majesty from the fleet in October 2009. The increase in Net Yield came from both improved passenger ticket pricing and increased onboard revenue per Capacity Day. Occupancy Percentage for the quarter was 109.2%. Net loss for the quarter was $14.9 million on revenue of $477.9 million compared to net income of $15.4 million on revenue of $478.4 million in 2009. The net loss in 2010 included a non-recurring charge of $33.1 million related to foreign exchange contracts associated with the financing of Norwegian Epic. Excluding this non-recurring charge, net income for the period was $18.2 million.

Net Cruise Cost for the second quarter was essentially flat year over year. On a per Capacity Day basis, Net Cruise Cost increased 3.5% primarily due to higher average fuel costs in the period and fewer capacity days as a result of the departure of Norwegian Majesty. Average fuel cost per metric ton in the period climbed to $508 in 2010 from $356 in 2009. Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day decreased 2.3%. "The results for the quarter demonstrate that we are continuing to build momentum," said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "Our improved results over last year were achieved while absorbing a 43% increase in the price of fuel," said Sheehan.

Last month the Company took delivery of Norwegian Epic, its largest, most innovative Freestyle Cruising vessel to date. After inaugural events in Rotterdam and Southampton, Norwegian Epic took guests on a maiden transatlantic voyage to New York City, where she became the largest vessel ever to dock at Manhattan’s West Side Pier 90. Regarding her bookings, Sheehan commented, "Norwegian Epic has been booking extremely well, setting records week after week since her introduction in Europe and subsequent inaugural events in New York and Miami." Norwegian Epic is currently sailing alternating 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries on Saturdays from the Port of Miami through April 2011, when she will then reposition to start her summer Mediterranean season out of Barcelona.

The second half of 2010 is showing solid improvements in pricing from 2009 levels with load factors consistent with prior year. Unlike this same time last year, the Company has been successful at holding price while balancing load factor. The booking curve continues to be healthy, but has narrowed from the highest levels achieved in the first quarter of 2010.

IAATO Forges Ahead With Antarctica Issues At Annual Meeting In Turin

Members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) pushed forward with several major initiatives at their 21st Annual Meeting, held June 21-24 in Turin, Italy. These included a planned educational outreach campaign to non-IAATO Antarctic-bound yachts; the continued commitment to developing the tiered risk assessment project for ship-based tourism operators; and agreement on new procedures designed to protect the Antarctic environment from non-native species.

More than 100 members, government representatives and Antarctica-related organizations from 15 countries attended the four-day meeting. “Considering that overall tourism to Antarctica was down from previous years, with less than 37,000 visitors during the season just ended, these initiatives – coupled with the relatively incident-free operation of our members – put IAATO on target in addressing our core mission: safe and environmentally responsible Antarctic travel,” noted Steve Wellmeier, executive director of IAATO.

Following the 2010 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM XXXIII) by just a month, the IAATO Annual Meeting wasted no time in following up on concerns about unauthorized yachts expressed at the May ATCM meeting. “While the number of these non-IAATO yacht expeditions is relatively small, recent incidents show that they have the potential to create serious problems for the broader Antarctic tourism picture,” said Wellmeier.  --“We suspect that most of these non-IAATO yacht operators heading for Antarctica are unaware that authorization and environmental documents are required, either by their flag state or country of operation,” added Wellmeier. The IAATO Yacht Working Group – comprised of a dozen yacht operators with many years of Antarctic experience – is developing a number of helpful tips and guidelines on pre-trip permitting and preparation, suggested equipment to be carried and operating procedures to be followed once in Antarctic waters.

The guidelines will form the basis for a new outreach campaign that will include multilingual posters, to be distributed to popular yacht clubs, marinas and port authorities in Argentina, Chile and Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas. The IAATO website-- http://www.iaato.org will also contain new pages of free information and links to governmental websites, all designed to assist yachts comply with the high standards established by IAATO and expected by the Antarctic Treaty Parties.

Tiered Risk Assessment – Forging Ahead

Based on recommendations of the IAATO Marine Committee, the Annual Meeting also agreed to move ahead with further development of the tiered risk assessment study. The initial phase – undertaken by the maritime consulting firm of Safety at Sea Ltd. – began in mid-2009, and has resulted in a 140-page document that was recently submitted to the Design and Equipment Sub- committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The tiered risk assessment plan, which is being developed in conjunction with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), will allow IAATO marine operators to evaluate risk during voyage planning, preparation and execution phases, with consideration given to a multitude of factors.

Protecting the Antarctic Environment from Non-Native Species

A number of enhancements to IAATO’s already rigorous bio-security guidelines were adopted for inclusion in next season’s Field Operations Manual, which is used by all IAATO Members and their expedition staffs. These include new guidelines for land vehicles that were proposed at the May ATCM; decontamination procedures between distinct bio-ecological regions; and a new “Don’t Pack a Pest” pamphlet to be distributed to Antarctic travelers before they head south for their trip. Based on a leaflet developed by the US National Science Foundation, the pamphlet can be downloaded online from the IAATO website: http://www.iaato.org/do_not_pack_a_pest.html

Woman Passenger Killed Boarding Cruise Ship In Genoa

A cruise passenger has died and another man was critically injured after the gangway taking them to their ship gave way at an Italian port on July 24. The Spanish tourist killed has been named as Maria Mercedes Bonastre, 62, from Barcelona, while the injured man was revealed to be Fausto Del Charro Arraza, 65.

Crew members and dock workers jumped into the water to try and rescue the two passengers but the woman was declared dead at the scene after being pulled aboard by a coastguard launch while her husband suffered severe head injuries.

The incident happened at the Italian Riviera port of Genoa as the couple boarded the MSC Splendida for a seven night £1,200 Mediterranean cruise taking in Marseilles, Barcelona, Tunis, Malta, Messina and Civitavecchia.

Cruise line MSC Cruises said in a statement the gangway (also known as a "finger bridge") had been seized by Italian authorities, and a "sudden release" appeared to be the source of the incident. "Technical assessments and the official investigation are going to clarify the dynamics that led to the tragic event," the line said.

Royal Caribbean Reports Improved 2nd Quarter Earnings And 2010 Outlook

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced net income for the second quarter 2010 of $60.5 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to a net loss of $35.1 million, or ($0.16) per share, in second quarter of 2009. Revenues improved to $1.6 billion in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2009, as a result of capacity increases and yield improvements. Net Yields for the second quarter of 2010 increased 4.9% despite the impact of the stronger US Dollar.

In the second quarter of 2010, NCC decreased 2.8%, and NCC excluding fuel decreased 4.4%. Excluding currency impacts, the comparable figures would have been decreases of 2.0% and 3.4%, respectively.    

Improved fuel consumption efforts resulted in significantly better fuel consumption of 318,000 metric tons during the second quarter. At-the-pump pricing (including the benefit of the company’s hedging) was virtually unchanged. Altogether, the quarter’s fuel expenditures were approximately $6 million better than previous calculations

The company reported that with the exception of currency exchange rates, the current revenue environment has remained stable. Additionally, booked load factors and average per diems continue to run ahead of same time last year for the back half of the year. Third quarter 2010 Net Yields are expected to improve approximately 7% on a Constant Currency basis, or 4% on an as-reported basis. Full Year 2010 Net Yields are expected to improve approximately 4% - 5% on a Constant Currency basis and 3% - 4% on an as-reported basis.

NCC are forecasted to be down 1% for the third quarter and down 1% - 2% for the full year of 2010. On a Constant Currency basis, NCC are forecasted to be flat to up slightly for the third quarter and down 1% for the full year of 2010.

“Demand for our cruises remains on track with our earlier projections,” said Brian J. Rice, executive vice president and chief financial officer. Rice continued, “The strengthening of the US Dollar will clearly result in a reduction of our reported yields, but also provides a corresponding reduction in expenses. Most importantly, our continued focus on cost controls and efficiency is driving improved earnings.”

Based on current estimates for 2010, the company anticipates that 30% of its net revenues, and 20% of its NCC excluding fuel will be denominated in currencies other than US Dollar, with the British Pound and the Euro being the most significant components.

The company has made additional progress over the past quarter in optimizing the fuel consumption on many of its newer itineraries, as well as fine-tuning the operations on its newest hardware. The ongoing focus on fuel consumption has allowed the company to further reduce its full year 2010 consumption estimate to 1,327,000 metric tons of fuel versus the estimates the company provided in April.

The company’s fuel consumption is currently 47% hedged for the third quarter of 2010. In keeping with its previously disclosed hedging strategy, forecasted consumption is now 48% hedged for the remainder of 2010, 55% hedged in 2011, 50% hedged in 2012 and 20% hedged in 2013.

Hapag-Lloyd Returns to the Great Lakes with the Columbus in 2011

Hapag-Lloyd will return of their Great Lakes cruises in 2011. MS Columbus, built in 1997, was specifically designed to navigate the locks of the Great Lakes, and will offer a unique opportunity to experience a European cruise ship on two Great Lakes itineraries in 2011, as well as on one itinerary along the eastern coast of North America.

The two international (German/English) Great Lakes itineraries provide the rare opportunity to visit seven different states, two Canadian provinces, and all five Great Lakes.

Cruise West Gets Bridge Loan to Continue Operations

According to a published report this month on Travel Pulse, an online newswire for travel agents, Seattle-based Cruise West has secured interim financing as it awaits a deal with new outside investors to recapitalize the company. The $1.5 million bridge loan came through as the company is in talks to obtain new investment or ownership, according to an internal company email reportedly sent to Cruise West employees. In that email, Cruise West Chairman Dick West is said to have written that he expects a Seattle-based equity firm to consummate a deal within 30 days. However, West said he had to secure a $1.5 million personal loan to continue operations until new financing could be obtained. In the email, he also wrote that the company is “pursuing parties who have expressed an interest in acquiring the SOO (Spirit of Oceanus) and leasing it back to us.”

In the meantime, according to the email, the company is urging customers to protect their payments by using credit cards or buying third-party insurance if using cash. In his email, West said Columbia Bank, Cruise West's bank and the same bank that provided the $1.5 million bridge loan, will not release any cash from credit card sales in excess of $13.5 million. “This means they will hold on to our lifeline -- cash - until UPR (Unearned Passenger Revenue) gets run off through our continuing operations,” he wrote. “In addition, given our very tenuous situation, we cannot take cash bookings any longer without the guests buying third party insurance to protect their payment. Or we can accept credit cards, which also provides the consumer protection for our guests.”

Cruise West’s efforts to recapitalize come as the small-ship specialist is attempting to become a more worldwide brand. Most recently, the company announced plans for Mississippi River, Galapagos and Patagonia cruises in 2011. This year, it also operated its first year-long World Cruise along with river cruises in Europe.

Construction Work On New Sea Cloud Hussar Suspended

It has been reported in the press that on June 19, 2010, the Spanish shipyard Factoria de Naval Marin filed for bankruptcy, resulting in a halting of the construction work on the largest full-rigged three-mast passenger ship ever built, the Sea Cloud Hussar. Following repeated delays in delivery, the shipyard is still unable to offer a completion date for the vessel. To safeguard its interests, the shipping company has therefore demanded reimbursement of the down payments secured via bank guarantees. Sea Cloud Cruises is now in the process of examining how the construction of this vessel could possibly be finished.

Hermann Ebel, owner of the Sea Cloud Hussar, reportedly expressed his continued interest in the completion of the vessel: "Together with all the parties involved, we are endeavoring to ensure the vessel is completed. However, we first have to wait for the Spanish court to appoint a receiver, but we do not expect any tangible results before the summer break."

Sea Cloud Cruises has been a blue-chip cruise operator since 1979.

A Royal Cruise On Hebridean Princess

Queen Elizabeth and members of her family are enjoying a late July cruise on the Hebridean Princess, which was chartered for ten-day voyage in the Western Isles of Scotland. The cruise is to celebrate the 60th birthday of Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and also the 50th birthday of Anne’s brother Andrew, the Duke of York. Family members will be dipping in and out of the holiday with the Queen and her entourage continuing their break on dry land.  The ship is well known among cruise connoisseurs.

It is not the first time the Queen has been on board. She rented Hebridean Princess for a family holiday in 2006, to celebrate her 80th birthday. The holiday is reportedly costing upwards of £125,000 and reportedly paid for from the Queen’s private funds.

The cruise is due to end with a visit to the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’s home at the Castle of Mey on the northern coast of Caithness at around the time of the 110th anniversary of her birth.

Holland America’s Redesigned Mariner Magazine Gets Top Industry Honors

Holland America Line’s Mariner magazine for alumni guests has received the 2010

Grand Magnum Opus Award, recognizing the best in custom publications and honoring the world’s top content marketing efforts in print, video and Web-based mediums.

 This year’s Magnum Opus Awards were sponsored by ContentWise — the leading interactive publication source of content marketing information— and the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism.  More than 200 categories were reviewed, ranging from best Web-based electronic publications to best integration of social media. Awards are based on criteria specific to each category and judged by professors from the university and leading content-marketing professionals.

In addition to its Grand Magnum Opus Award, Mariner also received Apex’s 2010 Award for Publication Excellence in the “Custom-Published Magazines and Journals” category. The Apex Award recognizes the best of the best in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. The 2010 competition drew more than 3,700 entrants in 11 major categories and 127 sub-categories.

Holland America Line revamped Mariner with a sleek contemporary design, sophisticated layout, glossy cover and editorial content by professional travel writers and celebrity authors. Additionally, each four-color issue contains featured sections including “Onboard,” which highlights what’s new on Holland America Line ships; “Ports of Call,” which profiles select ports and shore excursions; “Mariner Values,” detailing special cruise opportunities for past guests, and “Now Voyager,” a short destination article written by a travel journalist.

Carnival Punches Up The Fun With Fleetwide Comedy Clubs

Carnival Cruise Lines is adding more laughs and upping the fun quotient at sea with the introduction of Carnival Punchliner Comedy Clubs -- dedicated comedy lounges rolling out fleetwide on all 22 ships by the end of the year. Building on the tremendous success of its first comedy club, which debuted on the new Carnival Dream last fall, Punchliner Comedy Clubs will feature a wide variety of side-splitting comics.

Located in the ship’s aft lounge, each Punchliner Comedy Club will offer guests loads of laughs with five 35-minute shows on multiple nights during each voyage, with at least two comedians performing each night. The two early-evening shows offer fun for the whole family while the later performances will feature adult-oriented comedy.

Carnival Punchliner Comedy Clubs will feature hilarious, laugh-out-loud performances from established comedians as well as rising stars, with approximately ten shows per voyage offered on short cruise itineraries and approximately 20 shows per cruise on longer length departures.

Comedy clubs are currently also featured on Carnival Glory, Carnival Pride and Carnival Sensation -- with the concept being incorporated into the remainder of the fleet over the next several months. When newbuild Carnival Magic enters service in May 2011, a Punchliner Comedy Club will also be featured.

--News items updated 7/28/10

July--A Busy Month For Ship Christenings

The year, which will be marked by 15 ship debuts, the month of July saw three ship christenings in the space of a week in Venice, New York and Rockport, Maine. There’s a lull for the summer but the fall sees the christening of two large ships—Queen Elizabeth (October 12) and Allure of the Seas (December) as well the two small ships Stella Australis (September) and Sea Cloud (October).

HAL Christens ms Nieuw Amsterdam In Venice

In a gala ceremony rich with Dutch heritage, Holland America Line named ms Nieuw Amsterdam in Venice, Italy, on July 4. Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the

Netherlands officially named the premium line's 15th ship during the special celebration before the ship embarked on its maiden cruise. "We are exceptionally honored to have Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima as the godmother of this beautiful ship and to continue a long and proud tradition of having members of the Dutch Royal Family name our ships," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer, Holland America Line. "The second Signature-class ship in our fleet is elegant and the largest passenger ship to sail under the Dutch flag."

Fifteen fleet captains representing Holland America Line's ships participated in the festivities.

Built at Fincantieri's Marghera yard near Venice, the 2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam is the fourth to carry that name for the line and departed on its maiden voyage roundtrip from Venice to nearby Mediterranean ports following the naming. After a series of 12-day Mediterranean sailings, the ship embarks on a fall trans-Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean to sail seven-day eastern and western itineraries from November 2010 through March 2011.

Norwegian Epic Is Named In New York

On July 2, NCL’s newest ship, the 153,000-ton Norwegian Epic was christened in New York by country music star by the ship’s godmother country music superstar Reba McEntire.  The entertainment extravaganza, hosted by comedian and Curb Your Enthusiasm star Jeff  Garlin, included televised performances by the ship's world-class entertainers including Blue Man Group; Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner; Legends in Concert performers Madonna, Elvis and Tina Turner; Second City® Comedy Troupe; Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos. “I am deeply proud of our company today,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer.  “To me, this ship is truly epic in every sense of the word:  she is grand, she is luxurious.  And she will also carry lucky guests on the adventure of their lives.”

The hour-long event was simulcast in venues throughout the ship to allow maximum viewing opportunities and culminated with McEntire pushing the button (photo) that would crack the bottle against the bow to christen the ship.  “Like any proud godmother, I could go on for a while about how wonderful Norwegian Epic is,” said McEntire during the ceremony.

The ship, which was docked at Pier 88 at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. On July 4 after a post-naming, two-day preview cruise, Epic was the venue for the NBC-televised entertainment for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® Spectacular on Manhattan’s West Side. Click for shipsandcruises’ First Look at the Norwegian Epic review.

American Cruise Lines Christens Independence In Maine

American Cruise Lines christened its newest ship, the Independence, on Independence

Day (July 4) at a naming ceremony held in Rockland, Maine. US Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), served as godmother. According to the Bangor Daily News, Senator Collins said that to christen a ship called The Independence on Independence Day was perfect timing as the ship “is a blend of respect for the past and a commitment to a vibrant future.”

Built at the Chesapeake Shipbuilding yard in Salisbury, Maryland, the new, American-flagged ship carries 104

Photo courtesy of Bangor Daily News

passengers and features a modern design and technological amenities.

The ship is currently operating 13 seven-night “Maine Coast & Harbors” cruises, visiting, in addition to Rockland, the ports of Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Belfast, Castine. Website: www.americancruiselines.com

Atlantic Alliance Expects Positive Growth In The Future

Members of the Atlantic Alliance met July 1 in Lisbon. Together the members took stock of previous developments and formulated appropriate marketing measures for the future.

The 17 member ports of the Atlantic Alliance are currently expecting for the ongoing 2010 season an increase in calls of over 7,8 percent on the previous year. Meanwhile the total passenger volume will grow from 1, 57 million in 2009 to 1, 75 million in 2010, an increase of 12, 4 percent.

Lisbon tops the list as the Atlantic Alliance port with the most passengers at 460.000, followed by Dover, England (325.977 passengers) and Vigo, Spain (230.000 passengers). Hamburg is currently expecting over 100 calls for the first time with a passenger volume in excess of 200 000.

But the association is not all about the large ports, and there are notable changes among the smaller ports as well. Antwerp, Belgium expects nearly four times the passenger volume over the previous year (2009: 8.000 passengers/2010: 30.000 passengers), while Portland, England is doubling the number of calls and seeing nearly three times as many passengers as in 2009.

Future outlook: The member ports of the Atlantic Alliance are positive about future growth, as Europe remains a central focus of the cruise industry. With the mutual understanding that each port is only one element of the ‘cruise’ product and that cruise lines are constantly searching for new cruise destinations, the 17 member ports are fully focused on further developing the project. "The Atlantic Alliance is a perfect example of how an innovative idea can be packaged and marketed as a new product,” commented Michael Ungerer, Senior Vice President Operations AIDA Cruises. “What could be more exciting than visiting these fantastic Western European capitals with a cruise ship?”

An example of further growth is AIDA Cruises, which has already scheduled three ships in the region of the Atlantic Alliance for early 2011--AIDAblu, AIDAcara, and AIDAso--which will offer cruises between Hamburg and Lisbon.

To attract more business and to increase the awareness of the Atlantic Alliance cruise region, the ports representatives took the opportunity of the meeting to define their marketing strategy for the future. Beside the already existing tools, such as Itinerary Planner, Destination Videos and different theme cruises, the Atlantic Alliance is now looking to further promote its offering through new avenues such as Social Media.

The Port of Lisbon, the hosting member for the Atlantic Alliance meeting, is investing in a new quay of 670 meters in length which will be linked to the Santa Apolonia quay of 400 meters, according to Manuela Patricio, cruise and nautical department. The depth will be 12 meters and there will be no restrictions in the turning basin. A new terminal is also to be built in the same area.

Website: http://www.atlanticalliance.eu/

Cunard To Introduce The New Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company On QE

When Cunard's new Queen Elizabeth enters service in October 2010, the line will introduce an original concept in theatrical entertainment at sea with the newly formed Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company. Guests will enjoy a brand new repertoire of shows premiered by the Company's 29 singers, dancers, actors and musicians, including the hit 'Slice of Saturday Night', a popular nostalgic pastiche of 1960s music which has been staged in London and toured extensively throughout the UK and US. Adapted especially for the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company by its original writers, the Heather Brothers, 'Slice of Saturday Night' features all of the Theatre Company members, the largest production show that Cunard has ever staged and will be performed in the ship’s Royal Court Theatre.

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company will present a variety of musical productions and abridged versions of popular plays such as a Neil Simon triple bill and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The Simon show will feature three scenes, one each from some of the playwright's best-loved shows-- Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Plaza Suite and The Odd Coup--each linked by their setting: an apartment or hotel suite. At the conclusion of each show, the audience is given the opportunity for an informal Q&A session with the actors.

'The Piccadilly Line', featuring the talents of the entire Theatre Company, explores the spoken word, song and prose as characters get on and off a train journey on the world's oldest underground rail system. The action is set in the shell of a London tube train carriage.

"The entertainment on Queen Elizabeth is the most extensive ever seen on a Cunard liner,” says Peter Shanks, Cunard's President and Managing Director, “mixing tradition with satire. The Royal Court Theatre is as good as any London West End or Broadway Theatre and we have created our own Theatre Company to really bring it to life.

The new 90,400-ton Queen Elizabeth will be named on October 12 in Southampton. She will be the third new ocean liner to be introduced by Cunard in six years and the second largest Cunard ship ever built.

MSC/USA’s Nicola Gargiulo Promoted To Executive Vice President

MSC Cruises (USA), Inc. announced the promotion of Nicola Gargiulo to executive vice president, a newly-created position, reporting directly to Richard E. Sasso, president and chief-executive-officer, of its North American operations in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Gargiulo replaces Neil Palomba, chief-operating-officer for MSC Cruises (USA), Inc., also recently promoted, who will assume his new role as corporate operating officer for MSC Cruise’s worldwide operations at the company’s corporate headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on July 15.

Garguilo has worked for MSC Cruises for eight years in various roles shipboard and in its offices both in the U.S. and Italy. In his latest role, he was responsible for North American revenue including yield and inventory management. As executive vice president, Gargiulo will oversee the entire North American operations, sales, and marketing.

As a result of both promotions, the Group Sales, Revenue Management, and Customer Service departments have been reorganized.  The changes are effective immediately.

STX Finland Appoints A New President                          

Shipbuilding veteran executive Juha Heikinheimo has been appointed president of STX Finland, succeeding Martin Landtman who will step down with immediate effect.

While STX Finland in the last years has built and delivered some of the world's most magnificent vessels, STX Finland has also experienced low order intake of new vessels, resulting in gradually lower activity level during 2009 and 2010. The Board of Directors of STX Finland therefore believes that it is necessary to make a change in the management. STX Finland appreciates the significant efforts made by Mr Landtman to improve the situation for the company in a challenging economic environment.

Heikinheimo previously worked for STX Europe’s Cruise & Ferry Business Area in France and Finland for more than four years, and he has also held senior management positions in Metso and Santasalo Group/Componenta.

In addressing the change, STX Finland chairman In-Sung Lee underscored the board’s commitment to the future of the Finnish facilities, which include the Turku yard, where Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas is nearing completion.

The Rauma shipyard is constructing two large ferries for P&O Ferries, and a polar research vessel for South Africa. The Helsinki yard was recently awarded a contract with Color Line for the conversion of Superspeed I. ‘We want STX Finland to maintain and strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading shipyards for the development and construction of large cruise ships and ferries,’ the chairman said. ‘We believe that Juha Heikinheimo, together with his strong Finnish team at all levels in the organization, will be able to bring STX Finland forward to the next level of global competitiveness—and a successful future to the benefit of its clients, staff, shareholders, local communities and other stakeholders.’

STX Finland Oy has three shipyards in Finland, located in Turku, Rauma and Helsinki. The company is 100% owned by STX Europe, an international shipbuilding group and a leading builder of cruise and offshore vessels, with 15 shipyards located in Finland, France, Norway, Romania, Brazil and Vietnam.  STX Europe has approximately 16 000 employees.

Libya State-Owned GNMTC and STX France Sign Contract For New Cruise Ship

GNMTC and STX France confirm the signature of a contract for the construction of a new cruise ship. This signature follows the letter of intent signed on June 4, 2010.

Founded in 1975, GNMTC is a Libyan State owned company, which operates a fleet of 24 vessels that transport of crude oil, oil products and LPG, worldwide. In order to expand its activity, GNMTC recently decided to enter the cruise industry.

The 1new 39,400-ton vessel will be 333 meters long by 38 meters wide and include 1,739 passenger cabins and 732 crew cabins. Delivery of this ship is scheduled for December 2012. "We are proud to welcome this new client on our Saint-Nazaire shipyard and therefore contribute to the expansion of GNMTC activities" Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of STX France, said.

NCL President Roberto Martinoli Steps Down As President                            

Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief operating officer Roberto Martinoli will move into a consulting capacity effective August 1. As President and Chief Operating Officer, Martinoli was responsible for all aspects of fleet operations, including the construction of newbuild Norwegian Epic. Martinoli will continue to oversee the company’s newbuild program while also, for the interim, assisting CEO Kevin Sheehan on marine operations.

Sheehan will reassume his role as president in addition to all his current duties.

Reportedly Martinoli resigned for personal reasons. He will return to his hometown Genoa where he will additionally take the helm of ferry operator Grandi Navi Veloci as CEO.

US House Of Representatives Passes Cruise Line Safety Act

According to the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV), the House has passed Cruise Line Safety Act of 2009 authored by Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) “ensuring the safety of cruise ship passengers on the high seas.”

The first measure of its kind, the approval of this legislation represents an historic step towards securing for all passengers the safety and security they need and deserve, the ICV said in a press release. “Since the Senate has already unanimously approved this legislation, it will now move forward to the President to be signed into law.”

ICV was formed four and a half years ago by people who had lost members of their family. Since then, this small group has grown to have members in over 20 countries, according to the ICV. The group said it first advocated for major changes to improve safety for all victims of crimes on cruise ships during a Congressional hearing back in March 2006.

The measure approved today is a major victory in the fight for cruise passengers’ rights, according to ICV Chairman Kendall Carver: “Adoption of this bill would be proof to the world that our small group of volunteers with limited funds has been able to make a difference in the safety of Americans. When the Cruise Safety legislation is signed into law, it will serve to protect Americans across the nation during what ought to be relaxing vacations.

The ICV, however, sees this as just a first step in a long journey. Through the efforts of members in England and Australia, the group will be working to have similar legislation adopted throughout the world so that all passengers will have similar protection. Also, the ICV stated it plans to support legislation to change the Death on the High Seas laws so that passengers on a cruise ship have the same protection from wrongful deaths that a passenger on an international airline has.

Cunard Hosts Documentary Film On Maritime Historian Bill Miller

Cunard Line hosted the world premiere of Mr. Ocean Liner, a documentary about the life and times of American maritime historian Bill Miller, aboard Queen Mary 2 while docked in New York on July 1.  At the standing-room-only event, the film was introduced by creator, producer and director Robert Neal Marshall.  In attendance were Bill Miller and Peter Ising, who composed the music for the movie, as well as Captain Nicholas Bates, currently at the helm of Queen Mary 2. 

The official DVD release is scheduled for August 9 and advance DVD orders are now available at www.MrOceanLiner.com.  In addition, the film will

Miller (left) with Film Director Marshall (right)

be available for sale on board both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. “Bill Miller has been a longtime friend of Cunard and has gained a loyal following of fans as one of our most valued guest speakers aboard our fleet for many years,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.  “We’re pleased to have hosted the premiere of this wonderful film that captures the fascinating life of one of today’s greatest maritime authorities.”

The film is a biographical salute that shares the story of Bill Miller’s life, in his own words, from early childhood days on the Hoboken waterfront, watching the great liners sail down the Hudson River, through his early writings and success as an author and lecturer, with an intimate look at his dual career as a school teacher for more than 35 years.  Personal and touching, Mr. Ocean Liner is set against a backdrop of sensational ocean liner photographs and memorabilia from Miller’s personal collection, plus special vintage film contributed by Mark B. Perry, which includes live footage of Queen Mary, SS Independence, SS United States, SS America, SS Nieuw Amsterdam, SS Andrea Doria and more.

The nearly 60-minute documentary features interviews and insight from family, friends and a star-studded list of guests, including Commodore Bernard Warner, master of Queen Mary 2 and Captain Ian McNaught while he was aboard Queen Victoria (and final Captain of Queen Elizabeth 2

Miller is considered an international authority on the subject of the great ocean liners.  He has written some 75 books on ocean liners and cruise ships, as well as more than 1,000 articles for newspapers, magazines and nautical journals and newsletters. Miller has made nearly 300 voyages to date and has been guest lecturer aboard more than 50 different ships.  He received the National Maritime History Award and the Silver Riband Award, both in 2004.

Carnival Unveils New Pricing Policy to Fight Rebating

Carnival Cruise Lines unveiled a new policy on July 2 designed to fight rebating by cruise sellers. Seeking to counter practices that undermine price integrity for its brand, Carnival will now prohibit cruise sellers from offering prices that are lower than its published rates by phone or in face to face conversations, effective August 1, 2010. It already prohibits such offers by email, online, in print or in written marketing materials. “We are changing our advertising price policy to prohibit any travel partners from reducing the published price,” said Jodi Rein, vice president of worldwide sales for Carnival. Rein said the cruise line is acting after hearing from its travel partners that rebating continues to cause confusion on the part of consumers. She said rebating agencies are offering prices that are anywhere from 15 percent to 80 percent lower than published rates.

The new policy comes five years after Carnival introduced an advertised price policy that banned cruise sellers from advertising rates lower than its published rates on websites or printed media. As part of the new policy, Carnival is introducing monitoring mechanisms that it says will put some genuine teeth into its effort to provide a level playing field for all agents.

Costa Launches New Wellness Mini-Site

Costa Cruises’ exclusive Samsara Spas has launched a brand new mini-site dedicated to the world of wellness onboard its ships. The uncluttered site features click-through options to favorite health retreats making it simple to navigate. Key features include a video of The exclusive Samsara Spa, a beauty farm inspiring serenity with views across the open water. The Samsara Spa is onboard the Costa Deliziosa, Costa Luminosa, Costa Pacifica Costa Serena, Costa Concordia and the Costa Favolosa (to be named in July 2011).

An extensive photo gallery and video of The Wellness Program highlights Costa Cruises personalized treatments and circuits plus exclusive access to the Wellness Restaurant, onboard the Costa Mediterranea and the Costa Atlantica. The Costa harmony and relaxation section includes all services and treatments created for wellness of the body and the mind, on board all Costa Cruises ships. To visit the site click http://www.costacruises.co.uk/B2C/GB/MiniSites/CostaBenessere/Intro/Default.htm

Celebrity Cruises Enhances Its Concierge Service

Celebrity Cruises has introduced a new “Personal Concierge” program giving guests the opportunity to get expert advice when planning special occasions.

Personal Concierges can help guests plan and arrange a whole range of experiences and activities such as private shore excursions, spa and specialty dining experiences, onboard birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and retirement celebrations. The help and advice from the Personal Concierge is free of charge; guests only pay for the services and events arranged.

 Celebrity Cruises Personal Concierges can also assist guests with pre-cruise purchases of onboard experiences made through the online store at www.celebritycruises.com/shopcelebrity.

Crystal Commits To Serving Only Sustainable Seafood On Board Its Ships

In its dedication to protecting marine environments and preserving their habitats, Crystal Cruises has committed to serving only sustainable seafood aboard its vessels. Crystal is the first cruise line to publicly commit to such a policy.

Since 1990, Crystal has served fresh fish and live lobster in the Crystal Dining Room and specialty restaurants, and with this new commitment, will offer guests a wide variety of sea fare raised in a sustainable manner, protecting the species for future generations. With guidance from both governmental and non-governmental conservation organizations and fisheries, the line favors suppliers that share the same ideals and boast documented reputations for methods that minimize the impact on local wildlife and ecosystems. "We recognize that by sourcing seafood responsibly, we can help protect the environment and marine populations for generations to come," says Toni Neumeister, vice president, food & beverage. "It's simply the right thing to do, and allows us to continue offering our guests the highest quality cuisine while being good stewards of the oceans on which we sail."

Effective immediately, the initiative is the latest in Crystal's history of responsible seafood purchasing and sourcing. The line was the first cruise line to discontinue the use of endangered caviar from the Caspian Sea and introduced farmed caviar from the U.S., France and Uruguay, which has now become the standard in the luxury hospitality industry. Additionally, Crystal discontinued offering endangered species of fish more than a decade ago.

Hapag-Lloyd’s Ms Bremen Returns From Shipyard Drydock

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Bremen has resumed cruises after a two-week shipyard stay in June. Some of the ship’s cabins had already undergone a comprehensive makeover during the previous shipyard stay in 2008. Now, all remaining 46 cabins on decks 3 and 4 were equipped with new furniture, fabrics, carpets and new bathrooms. A staff of 550 technicians, tradesmen and engineers were busy fulfilling the hundreds of tasks on the list to successfully complete the many upgrades and renovations on the BREMEN.

In addition to the cabins, the Bremen Club, which is the heart of the ship, received new furnishings in light shades, as well as a new wall and lamp design. Wi-Fi access in all public areas and cabins were added and new DVD players were added to all cabins, including modern flat-panel displays, and an extensive selection of DVDs, enabling passengers to enjoy movies in the privacy of their cabins.

Professional sound systems in the pool area and on the Lido Deck were installed and an outdoor cooking station was added on the Lido Deck.

Royal Caribbean Names Dominic Paul VP & Managing Director For UK & Ireland

Dominic Paul is to become Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd’s new vice president and managing director for the UK and Ireland.   Currently Chief Operating Officer at Heathrow’s second biggest airline, bmi, Paul will join the business in September 2010.

Paul’s impressive career in business development and operational growth, spans national and international executive and board level posts within British Airways, Go Fly, easyJet and bmi.

Reporting directly to Michael Bayley, executive vice president, International Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Paul will be based in the Weybridge office, the UK and Ireland headquarters of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd, and will lead a team of 300. In addition, the role will see Paul taking on the business management of the year-round UK and Ireland dedicated ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas.

Celebrity’s New Oceans Ahead Program Offers Insight Into How Ships Work

Part of the brand’s “Celebrity Life” onboard activities program, Oceans Ahead–a series of presentations led by Celebrity’s shipboard Environmental Officers–is designed to engagingly educate Celebrity cruisers about the innovative approaches the brand has taken across the fleet to minimize its carbon footprint, and its ongoing commitment to go above and beyond compliance.

Celebrity regularly invests in marine conservation, education and innovative techologies through its corporate Ocean Fund, which has provided $11-million since its establishment in 1996. Those efforts also are discussed in Oceans Ahead.

Among the topics currently included in Celebrity’s Oceans Ahead program are:

The Secrets of Ship Navigation: How do Celebrity Cruises’ Captains and bridge officers chart the ship’s course each day? How do they maneuver around storms and sensitive marine areas? Guests attending this lecture will gain insight into that and more.

How Our Ships Move: Guests participating in this lecture will learn about the various forms of power generated onboard, such as Celebrity’s industry-first application of solar technology, and the many energy efficiencies implemented across the fleet, including silicon hull coatings, LED lights, specially glazed, UV-filtering window glass, and propulsion systems.         

The new Oceans Ahead program is offered at no charge, and will be implemented across the fleet by the end of July of this year.

Costa Cruises Unveils New Iphone App And Mobile Sites

Costa Cruises is introducing a new iPhone application and two news mobile sites to give travelers a sneak preview of its ships, before they embark on their trip of a lifetime.  Designed for the fleet’s 14 ships, the app can be downloaded free from the Apple Store and iTunes and is available in six languages: English, Italian, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

 Using the main and most popular iPhone multimedia functions each ship can be visited and examined with a 360° full-screen real virtual tour, plus photo galleries and descriptions: cabins and suites, wellness areas, deck lidos, bars, restaurants, works of art, as well as hi-tech features like the Grand Prix and golf simulators, swimming pools with sliding roofs and giant screens and 4D cinemas.

The clever device includes an interactive delocalization system, which allows the position of all the ships in the fleet to be displayed on a map at any time; and webcams on the stern and the bow enable keen cruisers to follow the entire journey day after day, in real time.

Travel By Land For Venice Cruises

According to a report on the British website www.TTGLive.com, a new company has claimed it will revolutionize the no-fly cruise market with a land cruise for passengers traveling to ships based in the eastern Mediterranean. Tour2Cruise.com will offer weekly departures from the UK to the cruise terminal in Venice.

The coach itinerary will take in Ypres, Luxembourg, Lake Lucerne and Verona. The return journey will travel via the French Alps, Burgundy, and Paris by night, targeting iconic places not usually accessible on a cruise. The weekly departures are scheduled to begin in May 2011 and continue to the end of October.

The firm said coaches would offer extra legroom and leather seats, and include features not typically available on coach tours, such as a hostess service and entertainment on drop-down screens. “This is an alternative for clients wanting to cruise the eastern Med from Venice,” says Managing Director Gary Boland. The firm also plans to sell seats to cruise lines and agents.

HMS Belfast To Lose Her Scaffolding And Gain Two New Masts

The veteran World War Two cruiser, HMS Belfast, is to have her rusting masts replaced courtesy of a former ally she fought to support – Russia. And Lloyd's Register, one of the UK’s – and the world’s – leading marine institutions, has been asked to help out on the project by its Russian sponsors.

Now owned by the Imperial War Museum, Belfast has been on permanent display on the River Thames in central London since 1971. For several years her profile has been marred by unsightly scaffolding surrounding her mainmast. The cause is corrosion, which has affected both the cruiser’s steel-lattice masts, and the museum have been involved in trying to raise sufficient funds for repairs. However, this year, Belfast’s role in helping to fight through vital wartime convoys to a beleaguered Soviet Union, has been recognized by the Russian government and the Russian marine industry with a commitment to replace the masts and restore the ship to her former glory.

As part of Russia’s marking the event the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, presented a signed commemorative diploma to the ship, and ordered the ‘State Jubilee Medal for the 65th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945’ be awarded to Belfast’s surviving crew members.

But more significantly for Belfast, with President Medvedev’s backing, the Russian shipping company, Sovcomflot, has mobilized several Russian shipyards to work on new steel-lattice masts for the ship. In support of the project, Sovcomflot also invited the City-based classification society, Lloyd’s Register to help in assessing and designing the restoration work.

St Petersburg-based United Industrial Corporation – OPK, completed the prefabrication of the new set of masts earlier last month (May), and they will be delivered later this year by Sovcomflot, for fitting to Belfast. The operation will involve a floating crane being brought up the Thames to lift away the corroded masts, and then re-step their pre-fabricated replacements.

David Moorhouse CBE, the chairman of Lloyd’s Register, who was personally involved in agreeing the restoration work with the IWM said it was a fitting way to show appreciation for the sacrifice of thousands of British sailors – merchant navy and Royal Navy – who took part in the epic Arctic convoys, delivering desperately needed munitions, tanks and aircraft, against determined German air and sea attack, not to mention sub-zero temperatures, ice and Arctic storms.  “This project is about a very special bond, born out of hardship and danger and the mutual respect, between the Russian and British sailors many of whom gave their lives to keep the supply lines that were the Murmansk and Archangel convoys operational,” commented Moorhouse.

Lloyd's Register, itself celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, performed a structural survey of the lower portions of the masts and supporting decks so that the cut-off point could be determined. The structure was examined and a recommendation made that the main mast be replaced above the superstructure deck and the fore mast be replaced above the fan room deck head.

To aid construction and enable quality control checks to ensure the accurate replication of the new masts, the Lloyd's Register team redrew the original blue prints, which were over 50 years old and in imperial units, and converted the dimensions into metric.

As well as service on the Arctic convoys, Belfast also took part in the sinking of the German battle cruiser, Scharnhorst off the North Cape of Norway in December 1943, and was part of the bombardment force covering the D-Day landings. She also saw service during the Korean War in 1950-53.

 

 

June 

                                                                                               More news at:

                                                                                                New Ships

                                                                                                River/Barge Cruises

Comedian Jeff Garlin To Host NCL’s Epic Naming Ceremony

In celebration of the world-class entertainment on board Norwegian Epic,

the line has selected comedian and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Jeff Garlin, also a Second City alumnus, to host the ship's christening ceremony in New York on July 2, 2010. The ceremony will also be webcast live so that Norwegian Cruise Line fans around the world can view the christening of the ship that has been named the hottest, most anticipated of 2010.

Garlin both co-stars and executive produces the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" starring "Seinfeld" creator Larry David. The unique comedy features Garlin as David's loyal manager.  The critically acclaimed series, which returns for its eighth season this summer, has won the Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy, the Danny Thomas Producer of the Year Award from the Producers Guild of America and the AFI Comedy Series of the Year Award.

Norwegian Epic's inaugural festivities will take place from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, July 2, while the ship is docked at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York City.  Joining Garlin will be country music icon Reba McEntire, who will serve as the ship’s Godmother. To register for the live webcast of the Christening Ceremony, click http://www-waa-akam.thomson-webcast.net/us/dispatching/?event_id
=d84932693b9fc29450cf790cf2049558
&portal_id=d20f05ee367b5169495d801914b29390

Carnival Corporation & plc Reports Second Quarter Earnings

This month Carnival Corporation & plc reported net income of $252 million, or $0.32 diluted EPS, on revenues of $3.2 billion for its second quarter ended May 31, 2010. Net income for the second quarter of 2009 was $264 million, or $0.33 diluted EPS, on revenues of $2.9 billion.

Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison indicated that operating results for the second quarter 2010 exceeded the company's March guidance as a result of better than expected net revenue yields and cost reductions. Commenting on the second quarter, Arison said, "We were encouraged to see revenue yields turn positive for the first time since late 2008. Improving revenue yields combined with an 8 percent capacity increase and ongoing cost control efforts offset significantly higher fuel prices." Increased fuel prices negatively impacted earnings by $0.20 per share during the quarter.

Key metrics for the second quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year were as follows:

  --  On a constant dollar basis net revenue yields (net revenue per available lower berth day) increased 2.0 percent for 2Q 2010, which was at the higher end of the company's March guidance, up 1 to 2 percent. Net revenue yields in current dollars increased 2.4 percent due to favorable currency exchange rates. Gross revenue yields increased only 0.4 percent in current dollars driven by lower air transportation revenue.

  --  Excluding fuel, net cruise cost per available lower berth day ("ALBD") declined 4.9 percent in constant dollars, which was better than March guidance, down 3.5 to 4.5 percent.

  --  Including fuel, net cruise costs per ALBD increased 4.2 percent on a constant dollar basis (increased 4.9 percent in current dollars). Gross cruise costs per ALBD increased 1.6 percent in current dollars.

  --  Fuel prices increased 64 percent to $498 per metric ton for 2Q 2010 from $304 per metric ton in 2Q 2009 but was lower than March guidance of $511 per metric ton.

Continuing with its strategic growth initiatives, the company took delivery of two new ships during the second quarter - P&O Cruises' 3,100-passenger Azura and The Yachts of Seabourn's 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn. In addition, contracts were finalized with Fincantieri for the construction of two Princess Cruises' 3,600-passenger ships for delivery in May 2013 and 2014.

2010 Outlook

Since March, booking volumes for the second half of the year have been running slightly ahead of the prior year at higher prices. At this time, cumulative advance bookings for both quarters are at higher prices (constant dollars) with occupancies for the third quarter in line with the prior year and for the fourth quarter slightly behind last year.

Arison noted, "Considering recent global economic concerns and other world events our advance bookings are holding up reasonably well and remain in line with our expectations. We believe this will lead to earnings growth in both the third and fourth quarters. The summer season, which is our strongest and most important quarter of the year, is shaping up particularly well."

During the second half of the year two new ships will debut in Europe--Holland America Line's 2,106-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam, and Cunard Line's 2,092-passenger Queen Elizabeth--furthering the company's strategy to expand its global presence. These vessels will be the fifth and sixth ships the company will introduce in 2010. The complete report is available at http://www.carnivalcorp.com.

Royal Caribbean Partners With Ecospec On Test of Emission Abatement System

Furthering Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s commitment to reducing their greenhouse gas footprint by one-third per available passenger cruise day by 2015, the global cruise line today announced that it is partnering with Ecospec to install a pilot test of their CSNOx system on Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas.

The CSNOx system was introduced by Ecospec in January 2009, and is the world's first abatement technology reported to remove sulfur dioxide (SOx), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from engine emissions in one process.  Royal Caribbean is the first cruise operator to initiate a feasibility study with Ecospec to explore the potential for installation of CSNOx systems on a cruise ship. "Every day, we are actively researching methodologies and technologies that will reduce our emissions of not only SOx and NOx, but also CO2 as part of our comprehensive strategy to reduce our environmental impact," said Jamie Sweeting, global chief environmental officer and vice president of environmental stewardship for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  "Our guiding principle of Above and Beyond Compliance, which is ingrained in our operating philosophy, challenges us to rise above what is required by law.  We are optimistic that the CSNOx system will help us to meet our goal." 

Previously, the CSNOx technology was installed and tested on White Sea, a Tanker Pacific vessel in 2009.  The results of this test, published by Ecospec in February 2010, revealed an impressive 99 percent reduction of SOx, 66 percent reduction of NOx, and a 77 percent reduction of CO2.  Additionally, wash water test results also surpassed the International Maritime Organization's exhaust gas cleaning discharge criteria.  The Royal Caribbean pilot test is expected to be complete by the spring of 2011.

Founded in 2001, Ecospec is a Singapore based technological company that researches and develops cost-effective solutions for environmental issues facing the marine and onshore industries. 

Carnival Glory Earns Perfect 100 Score on Health Canada Inspection

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 110,000-ton Carnival Glory, which operates the line’s seasonal Canada Atlantic program from New York, has earned a perfect 100 score on its most recent Health Canada inspection, which took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The 2,974-passenger vessel received perfect marks on all items that comprise the agency’s comprehensive vessel sanitation program checklist.

The unannounced inspections, which are required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling at a Canadian port, evaluate vessels in a wide variety of areas, including adherence to proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, and overall galley cleanliness.  Ships’ potable water supplies used in spas and pools are evaluated, as well

The Carnival Glory is currently operating four- and five-day Canada voyages to Saint John, New Brunswick and Halifax, and will switch over to the line’s popular seven-day Canada/ New England program September 11.

Royal Caribbean Names Dominic Paul VP & Managing Director for UK /Ireland

Dominic Paul is to become Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd's new vice president and managing director for the UK and Ireland, the company announced today. Currently Chief Operating Officer at Heathrow's second biggest airline, bmi, Paul will join the business in September 2010.

Paul's impressive career in business development and operational growth, spans national and international executive and board level posts within British Airways, Go Fly, easyJet and bmi. Since joining bmi in 2007, he rose to become Managing Director and then Chief Operating Officer.

Reporting directly to Michael Bayley, Dominic Paul will be based in the Weybridge office, the UK and Ireland headquarters of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd, and will lead a team of 300. In addition, the role will see Paul taking on the business management of the year-round UK and Ireland dedicated ship, Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas.

New Pre-Cruise Service Streamlines Crystal Experience

Crystal Cruises has announced a brand new online tool to simplify check-in and pre-cruise operations for its worldwide itineraries. Effective this July, the Priority Check-in & Planning Center will allow guests expanded options to complete tasks prior to sailing, from submitting guest immigration information and airport/ship transfer requests to booking spa treatments and shore excursions.

Immigration and flight details can be submitted upon initial deposit via the new Priority Check-in portion of the system, which also allows guests to request bed configurations and register their credit card for onboard charges, and provides easy access to partner websites like Luggage Concierge. Guests can view availability of restaurant and spa reservations, including Crystal's new Perfect Choice Dining, available in 2011.

Once the Priority Check-in and full cruise payment are complete, the 'Planning Center' enables guests to customize their Crystal cruise by making real-time reservations for the ships' restaurants and the spa, as well as reservation requests for Vintage Room experiences, pre-reserve shore excursions and sign up for Crystal's Creative Learning Institute courses. As the system will only show available restaurant and spa openings, guests will receive immediate confirmation of their reservations, whereas previously, only requests were submitted, and later confirmed on board. Another convenient feature allows gentlemen to pre-reserve tuxedo rental for formal evenings.

Also brand new, the Planning Center's comprehensive Cruise Calendar organizes daily requests and activities. The calendar will also advise dress codes, docking times and port locations for each day of the voyage, and will alert guests to any conflicts between their planned flight itineraries and embarkation/disembarkation schedules. Travelers simply print their completed itineraries and present them at embarkation for priority boarding.

Windstar Cruises Eliminates Position of Company President

Ambassadors International Inc. has discontinued the position of president for Windstar Cruises. As a result, current president Diane Moore is leaving the company. Moore has been president of Windstar since April 29, 2008, two years after joining the company as vice president for marketing and sales. When David Giersdorf, then president of Ambassadors, resigned on December 31, 2007, Moore was promoted to executive vice president of Ambassadors Cruise Group, which included Windstar and the ailing Majestic America Line, which in 2008 ceased operations.

Hans Birkholz, president and CEO of Ambassadors and CEO of Windstar Cruises, will now lead the company. Birkholz joined the company in May. He previously served as president and chief operating officer of Grand Expeditions Inc. Prior to Grand Expeditions, Birkholz was part of the executive management team of The Moorings, a sailing vacation company. As vice president of global sales and marketing and later co-president of The Moorings, he led all sales, marketing and fleet planning for the company’s charter and yacht sales business lines.

Alaska Governor Signs Tax-Reduction Bill

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has signed legislation lowering the state’s tax on cruise passengers, which will go into effect in October 2010. The new legislation in effect reduces cruise lines’ operating costs in Alaska starting in 2011.

The state head tax will drop from $46 to $34.50 per passenger. Voters had approved the tax in 2006 seeing it as a means to help cover the cost of infrastructure to accommodate the ships and the passengers. But the high cost of the tax combined with other issues led to the reduction in cruise capacity numbers in Alaska. However, some issues remain, including the most restrictive environmental regulations anywhere.

US Senate Unanimously Passes Cruise Ship Safety Legislation

In June the US Senate unanimously passed legislation designed to increase security and law enforcement on cruise ships in international waters. Sponsored by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the legislation formalizes crime reporting to the authorities, requires 42-inch-high railings and peepholes in cabin doors, and establishes crime reporting and prevention training for crewmembers.

Kerry is a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which unanimously approved the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act in July 2009. Rep. Doris Matsui, a Democrat from California, is the sponsor of companion legislation, which has already been passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said it supports the legislation. “This legislation brings greater consistency and clarification to many industry practices and existing regulations, including a longstanding federal requirement to report to the FBI allegations of serious crimes occurring in U.S. waters or involving a U.S. national anywhere in the world. The legislation also establishes additional safety provisions,” CLIA said. “The safety and security of our guests and crew is CLIA's number one priority. The cruise industry has reported allegations of serious crimes to federal law enforcement agencies for many years and looks forward to continuing our longstanding work with the U.S. Coast Guard, FBI, and law enforcement both here and elsewhere around the world. The cruise industry has comprehensive policies and procedures that ensure guests are safe and secure while enjoying a cruise vacation. In fact, serious crime on cruise ships is rare, with millions of guests each year enjoying a safe cruise vacation.”

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act will: require 42-inch guard rails, peep holes in every passenger and crew member’s door, on-deck video surveillance, and an emergency sound system; establish a structure between the cruise industry, the FBI and the Coast Guard, including requirements that each ship maintain a log book, which would record all deaths, missing individuals, alleged crimes, and passenger/crewmember complaints regarding theft, sexual harassment, and assault; improve crime scene response by requiring rape kits, anti-retroviral medications and a trained forensic sexual assault specialist be aboard each ship; establish a program designed by the Secretary of Transportation in consultation with the FBI to train appropriate crew members in crime prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or www.cruiseIndustryfacts.com.

CLIA CEO Terry Dale Resigns Effective December 2010

The Executive Committee of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has regretfully accepted the resignation of Terry L. Dale, who has served as president and CEO since 2003. Dale announced his intentions to the Committee on June 21 and intends to leave his position in December when his current contract expires.

In his statement to the executive committee, Dale said: “It is with great pride of accomplishment that I am submitting my resignation as president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association to take effect at the end of 2010. This is purely a personal decision and I will surely miss the very talented and inspiring cruise line executives, executive partners and travel agent members I have had the privilege of working with over the last seven years. I will especially miss my extraordinary, hard-working colleagues on the CLIA staff. But, just as cruising is all about adventure and life-changing experiences, it is time that I set sail on a new voyage of my own.

Dale also adds:  “Four years ago, at the request of the executive committee, I was asked to lead the merger of CLIA and ICCL as well as a complete relocation from New York to Fort Lauderdale. That significant job is done and a solid foundation laid for the future. Equally important, CLIA has navigated through regulatory and legislative challenges with commendable success and has demonstrated its leadership position in finding solutions to the health, safety and environmental issues of concern to our audiences and constituents. I can truly say that I leave behind a stronger industry that is admirably positioned to face future challenges and continue to grow.”

CLIA will initiate a search for Dale’s replacement immediately.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Decides To Resume Building Of Cruise Ships

After a ten-year hiatus, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) has announced that it will resume manufacturing large cruise ships. European manufacturers have dominated the large passenger ship market, mainly due to their track record in building luxurious cruise ships.

In 2000, a British firm placed an order with MHI to build two large cruise ships--the first time a Japanese shipbuilder had received such an order from a European or U.S. company. However, a fire seriously damaged the shipyard during construction of one of the ships, and Mitsubishi took a long time to rebuild its safety management system. And

for the next decade, the company did not receive any ship orders.

Japan was once admired as one of the world's leading shipbuilding nations. However, South Korean companies have far more ship completions these days than Japanese shipbuilders do. South Korean companies also have been building more vessels for carrying liquid natural gas--a high-value added vessel that was once the domain of Japanese shipbuilders. Last November, South Korean competitor Samsung Heavy Industries Co. received a cruise ship order from a US company. This heightened concerns at MHI that Japanese shipbuilders' technologies could soon be eclipsed by those of their South Korean rivals.

MHI still leads the field in developing state-of-the-art, low-emission engines for luxury liners. This technological superiority could be a plus for MHI as it plans to gain a bigger share of the large cruise ship market dominated by European companies.

In South Korea, several companies other than Samsung also are eager to enter the cruise ship business. If MHI loses its technical superiority, competition with South Korean rivals would likely intensify.

American Cruise Lines’s Independence Makes Its Debut

American Cruise Lines newest ship, Independence, made its debut earlier this month. The ship was completed ahead of schedule at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, and passed its sea trials with flying colors,” said Timothy Beebe, Vice President of American Cruise Lines. “Our passengers have been very excited about this new ship. In fact, over 60 percent of the Maiden Voyage passengers had previously sailed with American Cruise Lines.”

The ship will be christened by US Senator Susan M. Collins in Rockland, Maine, after which the ship will depart on the first of 13 seven-night Maine Coast and Harbors cruises. She will homeport in Portland

The Independence has a number of important differences from American Cruise Lines’ other ships, including a wider beam and active wing stabilizers. The wider beam allows for larger staterooms, public spaces, and private balconies. It has an elevator, a larger dining room, individual climate control in every stateroom and Internet access.

The new American-flagged ship accommodates 104 passengers with more balcony staterooms than the other four ships in the fleet.

Van Zaane Named Captain Of ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Captain Edward G. van Zaane will be master of Holland America Line’s newest ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam. The 29-year Holland America Line veteran brought ms Amsterdam into service in 2001 and served at its helm on the line’s Grand World Voyages for nine years. He recently arrived at the shipyard in Marghera, Italy to oversee the completion of the ship including the arrival and training of crew, testing various ship’s systems and participating in sea trials. “It’s a unique experience and the dream of any captain to bring out a new ship,” said van Zaane. “I’ve had the great fortune twice within 10 years, and I’m eagerly looking forward to launching this beautiful new vessel.”

Born in The Hague, Netherlands, van Zaane went to sea in 1977, first sailing on heavy-lift cargo ships and then a deep-sea research vessel before graduating with honors from the Maritime Academy in Den Helder, Netherlands.

He joined Holland America Line in 1981 as fourth officer on ms Statendam IV. Quickly working his way up the ranks, he served on many Holland America ships and was promoted to captain of Rotterdam V in 1994. Since then van Zaane has sailed on numerous grand and world voyages.

When not at sea, he resides in The Hague, Netherlands with his wife, actress and model Apollonia van Ravenstein.

Built at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard near Venice, Italy, the 2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam — the 15th ship in Holland America’s fleet — will sail its maiden voyage July 4, 2010.

Oceania Cruises Announces Fleet Updates and Enhancements

Oceania Cruises has launched a multi-million dollar initiative to update and enhance its award-winning fleet. The comprehensive “Pillars of Distinction” program – the most significant product investment in the company’s history – centers on the three hallmarks of the Oceania Cruises experience: comfort, cuisine and service.

The 684-guest Nautica, the first Oceania Cruises ship to undergo its Pillars of Distinction update, re-entered service June 4. Sister ship Insignia will incorporate Pillars of Distinction this November and Regatta in January 2011. All work will occur during regularly scheduled dry-docks.

Pillars of Distinction amenities and design highlights will be incorporated on Oceania’s two new ships, currently under construction in Italy. The 1,258-guest Marina joins the fleet in January 2011 and a sister ship, Riviera, is scheduled for delivery in April 2012.

"Oceania Cruises has set new industry standards since we launched the line nearly eight years ago," said Frank Del Rio, the line’s founder and chairman/CEO of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings. “With our new Pillars of Distinction initiative we have raised the bar in upper-premium cruising to ensure that the Oceania Cruises experience remains unmatched."

Under the new program, Oceania Cruises’ elegant and well-appointed staterooms and Penthouse Suites will be enhanced with even more luxurious amenities and stylish new décor highlights. Custom, tufted headboards with nail-head trim mounted on floor-to-ceiling Wenge walnut panels provide the dramatic focal point.

Oceania Cruises pioneered the luxury bedding trend at sea in 2003 and the new Prestige Tranquility Beds raise the standard even higher. The bed is composed of 400 encapsulated springs in seven zones that are covered by two inches of memory foam; a two-inch thick cushion filled with gel and wrapped in Chamomile-infused fiber tops the mattress. In addition, all beds will be dressed with 1,000-thread-count, Egyptian cotton linens and duvets and a plush down comforter.

All accommodations will also be outfitted with refrigerated mini bars, wall sconces and bedside reading lamps, as well as updated furnishings and bath amenities.

Oceania Cruises will refine its culinary offerings with new décor in Polo Grill, enhanced menus in Terrace Café and Toscana, and the introduction of sublime Canyon Ranch Spa Cuisine.

In order to provide guests with new and unique experiences, Oceania Cruises will expand its onboard enrichment program as part of the Pillars of Distinction initiative. On select sailings Canyon Ranch Healthy Living Experts will offer classes and workshops addressing lifestyle change, healthy living, stress management and a variety of other topics.

Oceania Cruises’ itineraries will be enhanced with one-of-a-kind shore experiences in many ports. New tours and excursions include visits to the Pope’s private place of worship at the Vatican, an “Alaskan Chef’s Table,” and photo safaris in Kenya, among others.

Keel Laid For Oceania Cruises’ Riviera

A keel-laying ceremony to mark the start of construction for Oceania Cruises’ 1,258-guest m/s Riviera was held June 3 at the Fincantieri Shipyard near Genoa, Italy.

At the ceremony Frank Del Rio, the line’s founder and chairman and CEO of its parent company, Prestige Cruise Holdings, and Oceania Cruises President Bob Binder, welded four U.S. silver coins onto the keel. The welding of coins into a ship’s keel is an age-old maritime tradition believed to solicit good fortune for the ship, its crew and its passengers. The four coins – dated 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2009 – represent the years keels were laid for the four other vessels in Oceania Cruises’ upper-premium fleet: Insignia, Regatta, Nautica and Marina, respectively.

Once the coins were welded, the first of 55 steel blocks that will eventually comprise Riviera was lowered into the dock, thus marking the official start of the building process. The ship is scheduled to debut in April 2012.

Riviera is a sister ship to Marina, which launches in February 2011. She will feature ten dining venues – six of which are open-seating, gourmet restaurants – including one by Master Chef Jacques Pépin. Facilities will also include a Canyon Ranch SpaClub® and gym, Bon Appétit Culinary Center, swimming pool and hot tubs. Interior design highlights include a Lalique-designed grand lobby, luxurious accommodations by Dakota Jackson as well as Owner’s Suites furnished exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home.

The preliminary cruise schedule for Riviera will be released in the coming months. For more information, call a travel professional or Oceania Cruises toll-free at 800-531-5658 or visit www.OceaniaCruises.com.

Silversea President Resigns His Position

Amerigo Perasso, president of Silversea Cruises abruptly resigned his position this month. He leaves his post a half year after the cruise line took delivery of its first newbuild in nine years, Silver Spirit. The company in a statement said “It is with regret that we communicate the resignation of Amerigo Perasso as President & CEO of Silversea Cruises. After 13 years of dedicated service, Amerigo has decided that he needs to move on and find new challenges and the renewed stimulus for further professional development.”

Amerigo, a lawyer by training, joined Silversea in 1997 as legal counsel and developed over the years, moving to financial responsibilities where he eventually covered the role of CFO, and taking over the role of President & CEO in 2007. During the last few years, Silversea strengthened its position within the market, growing its capacity by 40% following the following the addition of expedition ship Prince Albert II and newbuild Silver Spirit.

Celebrity Cruises Pairs With Food Network

Celebrity Cruises has long been recognized for offering award-winning cuisine, and in August, the brand will pair the Celebrity Solstice with invitation-only events sponsored by Food Network and designed for culinary enthusiasts, through the first “Food Network at Sea” program.

The only cable channel dedicated to connecting viewers to the power and joy of food, Food Network established Food Network at Sea to allow consumers to not only watch the network, but to experience it firsthand, on the August 22, 2010, seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing of Celebrity Solstice.

In addition to exclusive participation in engaging culinary demonstrations led by star chefs Cat Cora of Iron Chef and Aaron Sanchez of Chefs vs. City, guests who purchase the special cruise package also will have the opportunity to savor the following:

VIP pierside check-in with additional perks.

To book the inaugural Food Network at Sea cruise on Celebrity Solstice, call Food Network Travel at 866-951-9925, or visit www.foodnetworktravel.com. The unique Food Network at Sea experiences are available only to guests who book through these avenues.

Asian Cruise Services Network Debuts At Seatrade All Asia

Asian Cruise Services Network (ACSN), that represents 16 regional tour operators and cruise ground handlers from 20 countries in Asia launched its first joint promotion during Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention 2010, this month in Suzhou, China.

Formed in 2009 by Sea Tours’ director-inbound manager and the current ACSN chairman, Krai Panyarachun,  the alliance recently signed an MOU, six months since the initiative was first announced. He said the agreement marked the completion of all the 'nuts and bolts' required to move the association forward.

ACSN is a B2B network for cruise ground operators linking them with cruise lines. Regional meetings will be held twice year, rotating to different member countries.

The 16 members are Sea Tours, Thailand, First Travel, Cambodia, Saigon Tourist, Vietnam, Asian Overland Services, Malaysia, Myanmar Voyages, Myanmar, Pacific Arena, Singapore, PC Tours, Hong Kong, Sharp Travel, the Philippines, Bali Triloka Candra, Indonesia, Sunshine Borneo Tours, Brunei, Micato, India, Gemini Tours, Sri Lanka, Antrac, Maldives, JTB, Japan, Aju Incentive Tours, South Korea, and Golden Foundation Tours, Taiwan.

The alliance's website - www.asiancruiseservices.com  - will be live shortly.

Seabourn Taps Jack Anderson As SVP Sales And Marketing

The Yachts of Seabourn announced that it has named veteran cruise executive Jack Anderson to a newly created position of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, overseeing the luxury line’s guest acquisition efforts during its rapid expansion. Anderson assumes the role today, reporting directly to Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn’s President and CEO.

Anderson was previously Vice President of Marketing for Carnival Corporation, spearheading the cross-brand marketing initiatives of all of Carnival’s autonomous North American operating brands as the World’s Leading Cruise Lines. His 22-year career also included stints as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Holland America Line.

Royal Caribbean Lengthens Dubai-Based Cruise Season

Royal Caribbean International is increasing the length of its Dubai-based season for the 2,501-guest ship Brilliance of the Seas during the winter 2011-2012 season due to feedback from travel professionals that there is yet more demand for those cruises.

 Brilliance of the Seas debuted cruises from the United Arab Emirates in January 2010 with the ship operating a series of eight-night fly/cruise cruises until April 2010. Sales for 2009 and 2010 in UK and Ireland were 30 percent ahead of target for the cruise line’s first four-month season from Dubai.  Agent feedback that they enjoyed significant client interest for cruises in the Middle East as well as the strong airlift from across the country direct to Dubai, drove the decision to increase the number of cruises on offer during the third season in the region. The ship’s return to Dubai in November 2011, two months earlier than previously planned, will offer an increased range of itineraries including longer cruises up to 12- and even 18-nights.

The enhanced 2011-2012 Dubai-based season of Brilliance of the Seas will be the ship’s third year based from the destination following a second year of winter cruises from January until April 2011. New itineraries offered during the longer six-month season, include a 12-night Dubai and India cruise featuring ports of call such as Muscat, Oman; Cochin, Goa and Mumbai, India. Brilliance of the Seas  also will feature the first ever call by a Royal Caribbean International ship to the New Mangalore port in Panambur on the west coast of India.  The town is famed for its beautiful beaches on the Arabian Sea, the Nandaneshwara Temple and the Gurupura River.

During the 2011-2012 season, Royal Caribbean International will continue to offer the popular seven-night cruises departing weekly from Dubai. In fact, there will be double the number of seven-night itineraries compared to previous years, with minor changes to the itinerary including an overnight stay in Dubai at the end of the cruise, rather than the beginning, and a revised order in the ports of call to simplify visa processing. Featured ports of call include Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Muscat, Oman. The seven-night itineraries for the upcoming 2010-2011 season also will reflect these changes. The repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Dubai will be an 18-night option via the Suez Canal and ports of call such as Alexandria, Egypt; Suez Canal passage; Aqaba, Jordan and Safaga, Egypt.

Enchantment Of The Seas Begins Year-Round Service From Port Of Baltimore

Enchantment of the Seas sailed into Baltimore harbor today to inaugurate a second year-round Northeast U.S. port for vacationers to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

In the 2010-2011 summer and autumn seasons, vacationers can choose among five-night Bermuda, nine-night Eastern Caribbean and nine-night New England and Canada itineraries aboard Enchantment of the Seas. In winter and spring 2010-2012, vacationers can choose among nine-night Bahamas and 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries. Enchantment of the Seas and voyager-class Explorer of the Seas’ year-round sailings from the Port of Baltimore and Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, respectively, now offer Northeast vacationers two convenient Royal Caribbean homeports.

This year the Port of Baltimore will have a record 91 home-ported cruises. The total economic value to the State of Maryland of cruising from the Port of Baltimore in 2010 is expected to be about $90 million, an increase of about $10 million from 2009. Last year, the Port of Baltimore handled a record 167,000 passengers on 81 home-ported cruises. The Port of Baltimore is the closest East Coast drive-to port from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago. Baltimore is also within a three-hour drive from the New York City metro area.

The Cruise Maryland Terminal is only 2.5 miles from Baltimore’s world famous Inner Harbor, ten miles from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and within 90 minutes from three other major airports. 

Disney Cruise Line Adds Final Building Block to New Cruise Ship Disney Dream

The final building block for the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream, was placed today at the Meyer Werft shipyard signaling completion of a major milestone in the ship’s overall construction. On January 26, 2011, the Disney Dream will set sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. on her maiden voyage. The final block placed was a 260-ton portion of the ship’s bow, complete with the signature Disney Cruise Line golden filigree. With all 80 building blocks for the Disney Dream now in place, the focus shifts to outfitting the interiors spaces that include the whimsical, Disney-infused children’s spaces, dynamically chic adult nightclubs, spectacular restaurants and elaborate theatres.

MS Europa Receives Top Award From American Academy of Hospitality Sciences

For the third time in a row, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ MS EUROPA is the only cruise line in the world to be awarded the prestigious six star diamond award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is renowned worldwide for awarding excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector. Each year the Academy bestows its coveted International Star Diamond Award exclusively to five star establishments that are deemed to be the pinnacle of quality by its Board of Trustees.

 “The MS Europa is the only ship amongst our members deserving of the six star diamond recognition, it’s the most elite of its kind, said Academy president, Joseph D. Cinque. “We believe the MS EUROPA is one of the most beautiful yachts in the world and has earned its right as a six star diamond award recipient for three consecutive years.”

Europa is the first “all-suites” cruise ship, with staterooms that are never less than 290 square feet, 80 percent of them having their own veranda, assuring privacy and relaxation. The Europa is one of the few ships in the cruise industry that offers guests the largest space per passenger, as well as one of the highest staff passenger ratios, with 280 staff members for a maximum of 408 guests.

Royal Caribbean Brands Expand ChoiceAir, Ends Traditional Air

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s ChoiceAir, available through three brands, is introducing two programs aimed at offering more personalization, flexibility and competitive fares. ChoiceAir FlexFares and ChoiceAir Plus will launch on July 1. With the introduction of these new offerings, Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International will end their long-time traditional air program. “We created ChoiceAir because our guests told us that they wanted to see the cruise industry offer a new kind of air program that offered the kind of competitive rates and flexibility that they could find online -- with the travel support that we have always provided,” said Doug Santoni, senior vice president-revenue management. “The program has been well-received, which is why we first expanded the ChoiceAir suite of products to include fly-cruise discounts through ChoiceAir Specials, and are now adding FlexFares and ChoiceAir Plus.”

Whether cruisers are looking for the absolute lowest fares, the maximum in flexibility, or something in between, ChoiceAir offers flight and fare options to pair with the cruise vacation. ChoiceAir FlexFares is for cruisers willing to pay a little more to reserve their preferred flight and hold it for up to 75 days prior to sailing, without a penalty or having to purchase the tickets.

ChoiceAir Plus was created to improve upon and replace the existing Custom Air program. Like the previous program, ChoiceAir Plus provides service, but also includes extensive flight options and lower fares. The ChoiceAir Plus fees are the same as or lower than the old Custom Air fees.

ChoiceAir includes day-of-travel support to help guests get to their cruise vacation even if they encounter flight delays or cancellations requiring a last-minute change or diversion to the next port of call. The three cruise lines charge a non-refundable fee of $15 per guest for domestic itineraries and $25 per guest for international itineraries. These standard ChoiceAir Fees apply to the new ChoiceAir FlexFares program as well, and like most airfares, FlexFares are subject to change until paid in full.

Beginning November 1, ChoiceAir will become the exclusive air offering for individual bookings on all cruises worldwide, when booked in the U.S. or Canada. For more information, visit www.choiceair.com or www.CruisingPower.com.

Holland America To Deploy Two Ships In Australia For The 2011/12 Season

Holland America Line will deploy ms Volendam and ms Zaandam in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific in 2011-12, marking the first time the line will have two ships sailing a series of itineraries in the region simultaneously.

Guests will be able to select from a variety of itineraries ranging from 13 to 26 days, with calls at some of the most popular and exotic ports throughout the Pacific. Travelers looking for a longer exploration will be able to sail a Collectors' Voyage from 27 to 39 days long that combines two back-to-back itineraries, allowing for an in-depth experience while visiting multiple regions. "That part of the world has always been popular with our guests, and that greatly influenced our decision to increase our capacity in the region," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, for Holland America Line. "The entire area has such diverse offerings — from the Great Barrier Reef and fiords of New Zealand to the dramatic landscapes of the South Pacific islands and rich and exotic cultures of the Orient."

New Pre-Cruise Service Streamlines Crystal Experience

Crystal Cruises is implementing a brand new online tool to simplify check-in and pre-cruise operations for its worldwide itineraries.  Effective this July, the Priority Check-in & Planning Center will allow guests expanded options to complete tasks prior to sailing, from submitting guest immigration information and airport/ship transfer requests to

booking spa treatments and shore excursions.

Immigration and flight details can be submitted upon initial deposit via the new

‘Priority Check-in’ portion of the system, which also allows guests to request

bed configurations and register their credit card for onboard charges, and

provides easy access to partner websites like Luggage Concierge.  Guests can

view availability of restaurant and spa reservations, including Crystal’s new

Perfect Choice Dining, available in 2011.

Once the Priority Check-in and full cruise payment are complete, the ‘Planning

Center’ enables guests to customize their Crystal cruise by making real-time

reservations for the ships’ restaurants and the spa, as well as reservation

requests for Vintage Room experiences, pre-reserve shore excursions and sign up

for Crystal’s Creative Learning Institute courses.  As the system will only show

available restaurant and spa openings, guests will receive immediate

confirmation of their reservations, whereas previously, only requests were

submitted, and later confirmed on board.  Another convenient feature allows

gentlemen to pre-reserve tuxedo rental for formal evenings. 

Also brand new, the Planning Center’s comprehensive Cruise Calendar organizes

daily requests and activities.  The calendar will also advise dress codes,

docking times and port locations for each day of the voyage, and will alert

guests to any conflicts between their planned flight itineraries and

embarkation/disembarkation schedules.  Travelers simply print their completed

itineraries and present them at embarkation for priority boarding.

Celebrity’s ‘Oceans Ahead’ Program Offers Insight Into How Ships Work

Celebrity Cruises is launching a new “Oceans Ahead” program for guests to learn more about some of the industry-leading efforts to improve energy efficiency, reduce air emissions and water consumption, and increase recycling.  The new program will take place onboard the Solstice-class of ships, which feature energy efficient design.

Part of the brand’s “Celebrity Life” onboard activities program, Oceans Ahead – a series of presentations led by Celebrity Cruises’ shipboard Environmental Officers – is designed to engagingly educate cruisers about the innovative approaches the brand has taken across the fleet to minimize its carbon footprint, and its ongoing commitment to go above and beyond compliance.

Celebrity Cruises’ regularly invests in marine conservation, education and innovative technologies through its corporate Ocean Fund, which has provided $11-million since its establishment in 1996. Those efforts are also discussed in Oceans Ahead lectures that cover ship navigation, movement of vessels, onboard recycling and carbon footprint 101

There is no charge for these lectures and the program will be implemented across the fleet, by the end of July of this year.

 

 

May 2010

More News At

River/Barge Cruise News & Offers

New PSA Report On UK Cruise Industry

Cruise Ports

Cruise Itinerary News & Offers

Expedition/Eco News

Celebrity Mercury to Become Second Ship in TUI Cruises Fleet

Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Mercury will become the second ship in the fleet of TUI

Cruises, a cruise brand established in 2008 through a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and TUI AG, tailored for the German market. The new ship, to be named Mein Schiff 2, will become sister ship to Mein Schiff (the former Celebrity Galaxy), which set sail in May 2009.

Celebrity Mercury joined the Celebrity Cruises fleet in November 1997, and was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, builder of Celebrity's widely heralded, new Solstice Class fleet. The 77,713-ton ship carries 1,898 guests (double occupancy) and 909 crew. "The timing for expanding the TUI Cruises fleet could not be better," said TUI Cruises CEO Richard J. Vogel. "Mein Schiff has firmly established its place in the German market, and now, it is time to broaden and further develop the concept. The cruise industry has shown its resilience in the midst of the economic crisis, and we look forward to growing it further, with our expanded fleet and our unique 'premium all-inclusive' concept."

The ship will undergo an extensive refurbishment resulting in additional verandas, an expanded spa and fitness area, inclusion of a teen bar, and a host of design elements and other attributes consistent with those found on Mein Schiff.

Mein Schiff 2 will spend her first cruising season in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Full itinerary details will be published when bookings open June 1, 2010.

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. has agreed to provide seller's financing in the event that alternative financing is not fully available at the time of delivery. Additionally, the company will recognize a gain related to the sale of the Celebrity Mercury, but the gain is not expected to have a material effect on the company's annual earnings.

Celebrity Mercury will complete its scheduled sailings through the February 14, 2011, itinerary. Guests with individual bookings and named group bookings on Celebrity Mercury on or after February 26, 2011 have the option to either cancel their booking or move to any Celebrity Mercury sailing from Baltimore from October 18, 2010, through February 14, 2011, with the exception of the December 20, 2010 itinerary. Guests who pursue this option will receive an onboard credit of $75 per stateroom for inside or ocean-view accommodations; $100 per stateroom for veranda or Concierge Class, and $200 per suite.

Silversea Cruises' Silver Whisper Completes Major Refurbishment

Silversea Cruises' Silver Whisper has undergone a successful 14-day dry-dock project in

Genoa, where extensive renovations were made to most areas of the ultra-luxury ship. "The enhancements aboard Silver Whisper represent our ongoing commitment to delivering a luxury travel experience that is unsurpassed," said Amerigo Perasso, Silversea's president and CEO. "We made a significant investment in this renovation to ensure our guests continue to enjoy the very finest comforts and amenities in a totally refreshed and updated shipboard environment."

Echoing the sophisticated contemporary design themes and warm color palettes of Silversea's newest ship, Silver Spirit, some of the highlights of the Silver Whisper makeover include:

All carpets, headboards and curtains were completely replaced. The sofas and chairs feature new upholstery. Each suite has a new mattress custom-made exclusively for Silversea. The mattress features an individual spring system with a soft and firm side that can be reversed to suit each guest's preference. There is also a new memory foam pillow top that covers the mattress when configured as a queen-sized bed.

In the larger suites (Owner's, Grand, Royal and Silver), the veranda furniture was replaced and a new state-of-the-art home audio system added. The Owner's, Grand and Royal Suites are outfitted with Bang & Olufsens' BeoSound 3200 radio and CD player, and the Silver Suites have  BeoSound 1,which features a CD and radio integrated into a speaker. By mid-June, all suites will feature new alarm clocks with iPod docks -- as will all ships in the Silversea fleet.

La Terrazza, the Panorama Lounge, Reception area, Spa, Card Room and Conference Room received new upholstery, carpeting, curtains and wall treatments. New carpet was laid in the Observation Lounge and new wood flooring in the Spa. An upgraded sound system was added to the Show Lounge, Panorama Lounge and La Terrazza.  New carpet was installed in all corridors, landings and staircases.

The jogging track features all-new artificial turf, and the pool area has been outfitted with new deck furniture, plus a new sound and light system for evening entertainment and outdoor shows. The pool itself has been upgraded inside and out with new tiles. A large awning was installed over the outdoor dining section of La Terrazza. And the Pool Grill, will become The Grill for evening dining featuring the popular new Black Rock cooking concept that debuted aboard Silver Spirit.

Royal Caribbean Promotes Cruise & Hospitality Veteran, Michael Bayley

Cruise and hospitality veteran, Michael Bayley, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the company announced today. Bayley will continue to drive the strategic international business development for three of the company's cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

In his most recent role as Senior Vice President, International, Bayley was responsible for the International sales, marketing and commercial operations for the three cruise lines leading business activities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. He also serves on the Board of TUI Cruises AG, the German cruise line which is a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and TUI, Germany and is an executive committee member of the European Cruise Council. "Over the past three years, Michael has successfully spearheaded our aggressive expansion efforts into emerging and high-growth markets," said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We have seen significant international growth under his leadership and look forward to continuing to develop this segment of the business."

Bayley, 51, a 29-year veteran of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., previously served as Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International, where he oversaw the worldwide hotel operations and onboard revenue for the cruise line. Prior to that, he served as Chairman and Managing Director of Island Cruises plc, a joint venture Cruise Line and Tour Operator begun in 2002 by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and the British tour operator First Choice Holidays.

Deutschland Suffers Engine Room Fire Off Norway

Rescuers evacuated an estimated 600 tourists and crew from a German cruise ship docked in a Norwegian fjord on May 23 after hers engine room caught fire, emergency services said. When the fire broke out at around noon local time, 607 people were onboard including 364 passengers, 334 of them German, 241 crew members and two Norwegian pilots, Fjeld said. Other passengers included citizens of Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel and Japan.

The German cruise ship was docked deep in the picturesque Hardanger Fjord, at the port of the small town of Eidfjord, not far from Norway's second largest city Bergen on the west coast. After being towed to Bergen for damage assessments, it was announced in a Deilmann company statement, that the ship would undergo repairs at an undisclosed German shipyard and that the Deutschland would resume her cruises on June 7.

CLIA Issues Statement On Oil Spill In Gulf Of Mexico

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its individual cruise line members continue to monitor the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. While the situation continues to evolve and change, at the current time no cruise operations are being negatively impacted.

CLIA joins with VISIT Florida and other tourism organizations in the region to urge consumers and, in particular, our 16,000 travel agent members to make no changes in travel and vacation plans in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico region. Florida Coastal destinations are in full operation, Florida’s 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, 1,197 miles of coastline and 663 miles of beaches have not been impacted in any way, and Florida is welcoming families and friends, conference attendees, water sports enthusiasts and all other types of visitors to its shores. All CLIA member lines sailing from Gulf of Mexico and Florida ports are also operating normally.

CLIA and its members will continue to provide updates on the situation in order to keep travel planners and consumers fully informed. Several web sites are providing information as it develops. These include www.cruising.org and the VISIT FLORIDA Travel Update page. In addition, the latest information can be obtained at www.twitter.com/FloridaTourism and VISIT Florida’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/FloridaTourism.

RCI to Bring Signature Oasis-class Experiences to Life on Freedom-class Ships

After revolutionizing the cruise industry with the debut of Oasis of the Seas last fall, Royal Caribbean International is introducing select Oasis-class amenities and features on the popular Freedom-class ships, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. Rolling out in early 2011, guests of Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of Deilmann’s

the Seas will have some of the features from Oasis of the Seas, including new dining, entertainment, children's programming, and other enhancements.

Royal Caribbean also will introduce a Broadway production on Liberty of the Seas. Announcement of the show's title will be made at a later date. A family musical geared for children, such as the one playing in the Adventure Ocean Theater aboard Oasis of the Seas, also will debut in the main theaters of both Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas.

Oversized outdoor video screens similar to those wowing guests at Oasis of the Seas' Aquatheater will make their debut aboard Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. The large 18.5-foot video screen aboard each ship will be center of and overlooking the main family pool area and will feature movies and entertainment programs throughout the cruise for families, friends and couples to enjoy an evening under the stars.

NCL’s New Norwegian Epic’s June 24 Transatlantic Sold Out

Norwegian Cruise Line has  announced that its largest and most innovative ship Norwegian Epic is sold out on its June 24, 2010 seven-day transatlantic sailing from Southampton, England to New York City.  The line has launched a wait list for those interested in sailing on the transatlantic should cancelations occur.  The ship, the largest to berth in the Port of New York, will arrive at Manhattan Cruise Terminal’s Pier 88 on Thursday, July 1.  Country music legend Reba McEntire will christen the ship on Friday, July 2 followed by a two-day inaugural sailing.  On Sunday, July 4, Norwegian Epic will serve as the host venue for the 34th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks event.  The event includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET and takes place on board Norwegian Epic where invited guests will have a front row view of the fireworks display. “We are on the edge of our seats in anticipation of the debut of Norwegian Epic to the world in only a few short weeks,” said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.  “Guests on the transatlantic sailing will be among the first to experience all of Norwegian Epic’s innovative features including her more than 20 dining options and world-class entertainment.”

The company released a sneak peak video of Norwegian Epic on its YouTube channel showcasing the finishing touches being made.  The video is viewable at www.ncl.com/youtube

Newly 'Solsticized' Celebrity Constellation Sets Sail With Style

Celebrity Cruises coined the word Solsticized in January, and the meaning behind it is now a reality for guests embarking on Celebrity Constellation in Amsterdam.

Following an ambitious 15-day drydock and revitalization period, Celebrity Constellation now boasts some of the most

popular venues found on the line's widely-heralded Solstice Class ships, including the tantalizing Tuscan Grille steakhouse (photo); the vibrant crepérie Bistro on Five; a "cool" new ice-topped Martini Bar; the inviting Cafe al Bacio and Gelateria; Cellarmasters wine bar, complete with the state-of-the-art wine serving systems known as "Enomatics," allowing guests to select and serve wines by the glass, at the touch of a button; more sumptuous suites, with all new furniture, flat-screen TVs, upholstery, bedding and carpeting; restyled staterooms, with entirely new carpeting, flat-screen TVs, upholstery and bedding; and new color schemes, carpeting and upholstery reflective of the Solstice Class' stylish, modern design in every public venue.

Celebrity Constellation is the first of the line's four Millennium-class ships to be "Solsticized." Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Summit will be similarly refurbished in 2011, followed by Celebrity Millennium in 2012.

Cunard Unveils Centerpiece For Grand Lobby Of New Queen Elizabeth

Cunard Line has unveiled a stunning centerpiece for the Grand Lobby of the Line’s newest ship, Queen Elizabeth, debuting this fall. The artwork was specially commissioned to David Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret and the internationally

famous photographer Lord Snowdon – and Her Majesty The Queen’s only nephew – whose company specializes in the design and creation of fine furniture and marquetry.

Work is already underway, and the completed 18-and-a-half-foot panel (photo) will be shipped this summer to the Fincantieri shipyard at Monfalcone, Italy, where it will be installed over a four-day period to take pride of place at the heart of the ship just before she enters service in October.

Linley’s work shows the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth seen dramatically from sea level, and is intricately executed using the technique of marquetry inlay with nine individual panels made of various types of wood veneers seamlessly jointed to lightweight board. Featured woods are Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird’s eye maple, satin walnut, ash, burr walnut and Macassar ebony – all utilized to depict the evocative image of one of Cunard’s most elegant Queens.

Designers for the new Queen Elizabeth’s interiors considered the best way to treat the Grand Lobby’s soaring central arched space on the sweeping staircase leading up from the main deck, as it is the first area to greet embarking guests. “We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic – a ‘wow’ factor in an area already full of ‘wow’ – but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world.

Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunard ship ever built and will join her sisters, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, as part of the youngest fleet in the world. The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard’s greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.

Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday October 12, 2010. This 13-night celebration will leave from the company’s homeport, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal. She will then embark on five celebratory maiden voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean.

Stena’s Two New Superferries To Sail North Sea This Spring & Autumn

The two largest Superferries in the world will sail the North Sea between Harwich and Hook of Holland this year, following their launch by Stena Line this spring and autumn.

Stena Line’s largest ever investment of over £375 million has been spent on building the two new vessels, with the Stena Hollandica, which launched this month and the Stena Britannica launching this autumn.

The largest ferries of their type in the world in terms of combined passenger and freight capacity: each will be capable of transporting 230 cars, 300 freight vehicles and have 1,376 beds on board. The 538 cabins, finished in a light and fresh style, will be equipped with Dux beds, wider than on standard ferries, measuring a minimum width of 900 mm and up to 1600 mm in ‘captain’s suite’ rooms. All cabins will have a modern en suite bathroom with Hans Grohe fittings, and larger windows have been installed in both bathroom and main cabin areas to provide a feeling of space and light.

Customers will be able to enjoy onboard services including buffet and a la carte restaurants, cinema, bar, lounge, media room and internet corner. Customers can also stay connected throughout the journey with free Wi-Fi for all, mobile reception throughout the crossing and satellite television in lounges and cabins. There will be children and teenager zones, 12 kennels for dogs and a sundeck to allow passengers to relax outdoors during their journey.

Designed to have a low environmental impact, each Superferry is built in line with Stena Line’s Energy Savings Program. Eco-friendly features on the new Superferries include catalytic converters, an improved hull design, highly efficient engines and better combustion rates, all helping to reduce environmental impact. The ferries have facilities to recycle glass, cardboard and food waste onboard, while solar film on all windows will exclude up to 82% of the sun’s radiant heat, reducing the energy used by the onboard cooling system.

Departing twice daily, the crossing takes approx 6.5 hours with a choice of day or night sailings in each direction. Departures from Harwich leave at 9:00 am and around 11:45 pm each day; and at 2:30 pm and around 10 pm from the Hook of Holland.

Lead in fares start at just £49 one-way for a car and driver, plus £12 per additional adult or £6 per additional child (up to 15 yrs, under twos travel free). With a similar pricing structure to low fares airlines, as the cheaper fares sell out, the prices on popular crossings will rise, so those booking early make the largest savings. Cabins for overnight crossings start from £18 per person one-way, based on two sharing. Website: www.stenaline.co.uk 

Every year more than 450,000 people cross the North Sea between the UK and Holland with Stena Line, the largest ferry operator in Europe and one of the largest in the world. In the UK alone Stena Line, which operates Europe’s most comprehensive route networks, offers two daily crossings on its Harwich to Hook of Holland route as well as over 30 daily crossings on its five different routes to Ireland (Stranraer to Belfast, Fleetwood to Larne, Holyhead to Dublin, Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Fishguard to Rosslare).

Norwegian Epic Debuts Advance, Online Ticketing Entertainment

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic will feature a pre-cruise online reservation system for select on-board entertainment. Norwegian Epic is changing the face of cruise line entertainment with unprecedented and world-class on-board entertainment including Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner, The Second City® Comedy Troupe, Legends in Concert, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos Show and Nickelodeon™ at Sea.

To book tickets for many of these stellar performances, Norwegian Epic guests can pre-book reservations prior to their cruise. Booked guests can go to the Norwegian website, www.ncl.com, log in to the “My NCL” section and visit a special entertainment page where they can select and reserve their desired performance.  Pre-booking will be available for performances of Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, Legends in Concert, The Second City Comedy Troupe, Nickelodeon™ Slime Time Live!, Breakfast with Nickelodeon™ and the Murder Mystery “Presumed Murdered.”  Guests may make a reservation for each show once per sailing.

            Online bookings open 45 days prior to sailing date.  Reservations for entertainment events with no cover charge are valid until 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.  At that time, all unclaimed reservations will be released to guests on a first come first serve basis.  Cancellations of reservations for entertainment events that have a cover charge must be made no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time to receive a full refund.  If cancellation occurs with less than 24 hours notice, the full price of the ticket will be charged.  Once on board, guests may still make reservations for available shows through the ship's iTV system or by contacting the Box Office.

Guests will have many entertainment options and venues to choose from on board Norwegian Epic.  Blue Man Group will perform eight shows per sailing; Legends in Concert, six performances; Legends Unplugged, three shows; Nickelodeon SlimeTime Live, three shows; Cirque Dreams & Dinner will be performed 12 shows per cruise; Second City, 14; Howl at the Moon, four shows; and there will be Breakfast with Nickelodeon on three mornings per sailing.  Amongst the 13 entertainment venues is the first big top at sea, the Spiegel Tent, which will be home to Cirque Dreams & Dinner, created and directed by Neil Goldberg.  A special Murder Mystery, called “Presumed Murdered,” presented by The Second City will also be featured in the Spiegel Tent one time per cruise.

Online reservations for entertainment are currently being accepted for Norwegian Epic’s June 24 transatlantic sailing.  The ship begins alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean seven-day sailings from Miami on July 10.  To book a cruise on Norwegian Epic, visit www.ncl.com.

Cruise.Com Offers New Virtual Webinars In Their Virtual Cruise Lecture Series.

Cruise.com, one of the Internet's largest cruise sellers, has added a number of new virtual webinar dates to their Virtual Cruise Lecture Series. The program is designed to provide consumers with a unique venue to learn about the cruise experience from the comfort of their own home. A number of cruise destinations and topics will be covered. Registration is free and a variety of topics are covered.

Consumers can view the presentation schedule and register for a seminar at Cruise.com.

Anyone who is not able to attend the live presentations at the scheduled time will be able to view the recorded seminars at their convenience. To take advantage of recorded sessions simply register for the presentation(s) of your choice. An e-mail will be sent to you after the presentation is completed with a link to view the recorded program.

New topics will be added regularly. If there is a topic that you would like to see added to the program, please email us at virtual-lecture@cruise.com.

Web Site: http://www.cruise.com/

Varied Actions Taken to Enhance Cruise Ship Security But Concerns Remain

Over 9 million passengers departed from US ports on cruise ships in 2008, and according to maritime agency officials, cruise ships are attractive terrorist targets. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review cruise ship security, and this report addresses the extent to which (1) the Coast Guard, the lead federal agency on maritime security, assessed risk in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) guidance and identified risks; and (2) federal agencies, cruise ship and facility operators, and law enforcement entities have taken actions to protect cruise ships and their facilities. GAO reviewed relevant requirements and agency documents on maritime security, analyzed 2006 through 2008 security operations data, interviewed federal and industry officials, and made observations at seven ports. GAO selected these locations based on factors such as the number of sailings from each port. Results of the visits provided additional information on security, but were not projectable to all ports.

The Coast Guard has assessed the risks to cruise ships in accordance with DHS guidance, which requires that the agency analyze threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences--and, with other maritime stakeholders, identified some concerns. Specifically, agency officials reported in January 2010 that there had been no credible threats against cruise ships in the prior 12 months, but also noted the presence of terrorist groups that have the capability to attack a cruise ship. The Coast Guard, cruise ship and facility operators, and law enforcement officials generally believe waterside attacks are a concern for cruise ships. Agency officials and terrorism researchers also identified terrorists boarding a cruise ship as a concern.

The Coast Guard has also identified the potential consequences of an attack, which would include potential loss of life and economic effects. Federal agencies, cruise ship and facility operators, and law enforcement entities have taken various actions to enhance the security of cruise ships and their facilities and implement related laws, regulations, and guidance, and additional actions are under way. DHS and component agencies have taken security measures such as the Coast Guard providing escorts of cruise ships during transit, and CBP's review of passenger and crew data to help target passenger inspections. Cruise ship and cruise ship facility operators' security actions have included developing and implementing security plans, among other things.

The Coast Guard is also in the process of expanding a program to deter and prevent small vessel attacks, and is developing additional security measures for cruise ships. In addition, CBP's 2005-2010 Strategic Plan states that CBP should seek to improve identification and targeting of potential terrorists through automated advanced information. CBP, however, has not assessed the cost and benefit of requiring cruise lines to provide passenger reservation data, which in the aviation mode, CBP reports to be useful for the targeting of passengers for inspection. GAO's previous work identified evaluations as a way for agencies to explore the benefits of a program. If CBP conducted a study to determine whether collecting additional passenger data is cost effective and addressed privacy implications, CBP would be in a better position to determine whether additional actions should be taken to augment security.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Recommendation: To enhance the existing screening process for cruise ship passengers, the CBP Commissioner should conduct a study to determine whether requiring cruise lines to provide automated Passenger Name Record data to CBP on a systematic basis would benefit homeland security, and if found to be of substantial benefit, determine the appropriate mechanism through which to issue this requirement. The scope of the study should include potential benefits to security, any need for additional authority and international agreements, resource implications for CBP and the cruise industry, privacy concerns, and any implementation issues related to the automated transfer of Passenger Name Record data from the cruise lines to CBP.

Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security: United States Customs and Border Protection

Status: In process

Ambassadors International, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2010 Results

Ambassadors International, Inc. announced in May its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. Key Highlights:

Total revenue from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $12.6 million, compared to $16.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The results were better than the Company's forecast and budget for first quarter 2010, even though first quarter revenue was lower than in 2009. In first quarter 2010, Windstar Cruises experienced a capacity decrease of 3.9 percent. Windstar operated 14 days less than in first quarter 2009 due to the scheduled Wind Spirit dry dock and experienced a decrease in charter and incentive revenue due to global economic conditions over the last 12 months.

Cruise operating expenses were $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $13.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease in cruise operating expenses is primarily due to the reduction in materials and services and efficiencies gained following the transition of the ship management from a third party management company to in-house personnel in September of 2009.

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $5.8 million compared to $11.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

For 2010, "Windstar experienced a strong wave season this year, with wave season booking volume from January through March 2010 significantly ahead of last year," said Art Rodney, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Ambassadors International, Inc. "It will still be a challenging year. We are still feeling the effect of the decrease in charter and incentive business in 2010. However, we are experiencing positive improvement in per diems and load factors for the second half of the year."

"For 2011, Windstar's bookings for charter and incentive sailings have increased significantly in recent months when compared to the same timeframe a year ago," said Rodney. "Also, we are very pleased with early bookings we have received for our new itineraries featuring the Baltic and the Holy Land."

Ambassadors continues to execute on the plan announced in February 2009 to focus all capital and efforts on Windstar Cruises and the small ship luxury segment.

Louis Hellenic Cruises To Sell MV Aegean Pearl

Louis Hellenic Cruises has entered into an agreement for the sale of MV Aegean Pearl. 

The ship will be delivered to her new owners on June 23 2010 and her planned itineraries for the 2010 season will be taken over and operated by MV Calypso which can accommodate 740 passengers in 243 cabins and suites, 158 of which are outside staterooms.

The Greek-flagged vessel also features a swimming pool, five bars, a disco, library, a fitness center with sauna and massage facilities, duty free & cruise value shops and a restaurant.

Ambassadors Group Sells Paddlewheeler Mississippi Queen

Ambassadors International has sold the paddlewheeler Mississippi Queen, one of its four remaining Majestic America Line vessels. According to CFO Mark Detillion, the vessel was sold at salvage value, an immaterial amount.

Mississippi Queen, which has been idle in New Orleans for a number of years and never actually sailed under the Majestic America Line banner, is going to an undisclosed buyer.

The remaining Majestic America Line vessels are Delta Queen, on bareboat charter as a floating hotel in Chattanooga, Tenn., Columbia Queen and Contessa.

Country Music’s Reba McEntire To Christen Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that one of music's most iconic performers, Reba McEntire, will christen the Norwegian Epic in New York on July 2, 2010.

McEntire, who recently hosted the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, has achieved legendary status in the music world having sold over 55 million albums worldwide; earned 34 #1 singles and won 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards and two GRAMMY Awards. She is also an avid cruiser and has taken several family cruise vacations, most recently on Norwegian Gem in the Mediterranean.

Inaugural festivities for Norwegian Epic will take place in New York at 2:00 p.m. ET on July 2.  In addition, Norwegian Epic will serve as the host venue for the 34th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks event taking place on Sunday, July 4, 2010.  The event includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET and takes place on board Norwegian Epic where invited guests will have a front row view of the fireworks display.

Cruise Europe Appoints Managing Director

Cruise Europe has appointed a managing director for the first time in its 20-year history at a time when the European cruise arena is taking centre stage.

Jens Skrede will take up the role on July 1. Having worked as managing director for Destination Stryn & Nordfjord since 1999 he is no stranger to the cruise industry. Of his new appointment, he says: “I am delighted to have been appointed. I think Cruise Europe has a huge potential to become an even more important association for the cruising industry.”

the focus of Skrede’s appointment:

The association now numbers 99 member ports and four associates.

Cunard & P&O Cruises To Add New Fuel Supplement

Following global increases in the price of fuel, Cunard Line and P&O Cruises will be introducing a fuel supplement for all new bookings made from  May 10, 2010. The supplement will apply to all departures from 1 November 2010 across both of these brands.

The supplement will be $3.85 per person per day, up to a maximum of $154.00 per person. The supplement will apply to every paying passenger traveling, including third and fourth person fares and paid children’s accommodation.

Paquet A Legendary Cruise Line Returns                                   

With its first cruise on board chartered 400-cabin Costa Allegra, the legendary Paquet made its comeback in early May in Marseilles.

The French brand—more than a century old—was bought by Costa in 1996 and but has remained dormant for more than 10 years since its last ship, Mermoz, was sold.

This year 12- and 13-night charter cruises—four in spring and six in autumn, with the last departure on November 1—departing from Marseilles, will sail the Mediterranean to 19 countries and 48 destinations. Each cruise will promote the French art de vivre through the language and enhanced gastronomy and offers themes such as jazz, opera or French songs.

The revival of Paquet is managed by TMR, which holds the financial responsibility for the endeavor and its marketing, whereas Costa keeps the ship under its banner and handles the technical aspect of the charters according to TMR requests.

Carnival Corp Finalizes Contract For Two New Princess Ships

Princess Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc has announced that contracts to build two 3,600-passenger ships have been finalized with Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard.

The new ships are scheduled to enter service in spring 2013 and spring 2014. At an estimated 141,000 tons, the as-yet-unnamed ships will be the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet.

Specific amenities and design elements for the new ships will be revealed over the coming months.

Carnival Elation To Be Based in Mobile, Alabama

With Carnival Elation’s departure from San Diego, the port loses its only year-round cruise operation. Elation kicked off San Diego’s first full-calendar sailings in June 2007.

Elation is will assume Carnival Cruise Lines’ year-round program there this month, replacing Carnival Fantasy, which will be based in Charleston to launch that city’s first full-year sailings. The Charleston program, of five-, six- and seven-day sailings, is expected to carry 140,000 passengers a year

Carnival Elation’s new Mobile-based schedule opens with a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. In addition to seven-day voyages in July and October, the ship will offer four-day cruises calling at Cozumel and five-day cruises visiting Cozumel and Calica or Progreso.

Broadway Musical Chicago To Headline On RCI’s Newbuild Allure of the Seas

This December, Royal Caribbean International will once again make waves on the cruise vacation scene with the debut of the world's next largest and most innovative cruise ship, Allure of the Seas. As did sister-ship Oasis of the Seas, the arrival of Allure of the Seas will bring an unprecedented array of brand new features and onboard amenities, including one of Broadway's longest-running and most recognizable theatric productions, Chicago: The Musical, which will headline in the ship's main theater. Reprising the lauded at-sea debut of Hairspray aboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas' Amber Theater will join an illustrious list of venues, such as the Ambassador Theater in New York City and the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End, that have raised the curtain on the award-winning musical. A new webisode about Chicago: The Musical aboard Allure of the Seas is now playing at www.AllureoftheSeas.com.

Auditions for the Royal Caribbean's production of Chicago, as well as the other shows on Allure of the Seas will begin June 3. Open casting calls will be held June 3 - 5 in Chicago, June 8 - 11 in London, and June 14 - 17 in New York. More details and a full schedule can be found at www.RoyalCaribbeanProductions.com.

Carnival Cruise Lines' New 130,000-Ton Ship To Be Named Carnival Breeze

Carnival Breeze has been selected as the name for the line’s new 130,000-ton cruise ship scheduled to enter service in spring 2012. To be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze will be the third in the line’s Dream class. The series’ namesake vessel, Carnival Dream, entered service in 2009 and a sister ship, Carnival Magic, is currently under construction at Fincantieri and is scheduled to debut in Europe in May 2011.

Carnival Breeze will offer many of the popular innovations featured on Carnival Dream as well as some exciting and unique new elements created just for this vessel that will be detailed at a later date, along with homeport and itinerary information.

Carnival Breeze will be the 24th vessel in Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet.

Seabourn Announces Twiggy as Godmother To Name The Seabourn Sojourn

The Yachts of Seabourn has announced that former supermodel Twiggy will be the Godmother of its newest yacht, Seabourn Sojourn, at a glamorous naming ceremony hosted onboard on the River Thames Friday, June 4th, 2010. On Saturday, June 5th, The Yachts of Seabourn has donated Seabourn Sojourn to the non-profit Breast Cancer Haven as the venue for an exclusive fundraising gala event to celebrate the charity’s 10th anniversary.

More recently, Twiggy has been a judge on America’s Next Top Model and fronted the phenomenally successful campaign for the British retail giant Marks & Spencer. Along with this she designs her own clothing and bed linen lines in the UK and has just launched her ‘Twiggy London’ collection in the United States on the Home Shopping Channel. She is an ardent campaigner for animal welfare and breast cancer support. Following an early morning transit of the River Thames, Sojourn will position mid-river at Greenwich for two days of inaugural celebrations, and will sail from there on its maiden voyage on Sunday, June 6th.

Seabourn Sojourn is the second of the three new, ultra-luxurious vessels to be launched by the Yachts of Seabourn in a three-year period. The first, Seabourn Odyssey, launched in 2009, has already been hailed as a “game-changer” in the luxury cruise segment.

SeaDream Yacht Club Launches Honeymoon Contest

SeaDream Yacht Club has launched a honeymoon contest for those couples planning to be married this summer. The winning couple will receive a $20,000 honeymoon sailing in the Greek Isles aboard the ultra-luxurious, mega-yacht cruiser SeaDream I.

Applicants are invited to seek the support of friends and family in promoting them through various social media including Email, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and personal blogs. A jury selected by SeaDream will review all applications and comments of friends and family and then choose the winner.

The seven-day, luxury honeymoon voyage, September 11-18, includes such romantic ports-of-call as the Greek Islands of Sifnos, Itea, Mykonos and Santorini.

Entries must be received from May 26 through July 30. The winning couple will be announced early August.  Some Conditions apply.

Details and applications are available on SeaDream’s website---www.seadream.com or www.win-a-honeymoon.com. It is also possible to follow updates at www.facebook.com/SeaDreamYC or at www.twitter.com/SeaDreamYC.

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