Royal Rendezvous: Queen
Mary 2 Meets Queen Mary In Long Beach, CA
Maritime history was made February 23
when two legendary ocean liners, the Queen Mary 2
and the Queen Mary, met for the first time in Long
Beach harbor for a royal rendezvous. The commemorative festivities
were part of Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 highly anticipated
maiden call to Los Angeles on February 22, where more than
25,000 spectators turned out to welcome the ship on her
arrival.
As she entered Long Beach harbor on February
23, the Queen Mary 2 was met by a flotilla of 800 boats,
14 helicopters, three blimps, a squadron of skytypers and
skydivers as well as 6000 spectators lining the shore to
view the festivities. A first-time whistle salutation between
the famed ocean liners had even more meaning as the QM2
carries one of her namesake's original whistles, the tone
of whose deep bass "A" can be heard ten miles
away.
Since Queen Mary 2's debut in 2004, Cunard
enthusiasts have wondered if the grand ocean liner would
ever meet her legendary predecessor, the Queen Mary. Retired
from maritime service for nearly 40 years, the Queen Mary,
which sailed from 1937 through 1967, is now permanently
berthed in Long Beach and is one of the city's most well-known
attractions. "Since the debut of Queen Mary 2 in 2004,
Cunard Line has dreamed of the day these two sister ships
would meet," said Captain David Christy, vice president
marine, for Cunard Line. "We are delighted that it
is here at last and that we have had the opportunity to
share this once-in-a-lifetime experience in Long Beach,
home of the Queen Mary."
Though longer, taller and nearly twice
as large as the Queen Mary, Queen Mary 2 shares a number
of venerable "family" traditions with her namesake,
including worldwide fame, royal launching ceremonies, spectacular
maiden calls and a lineage of hosting noted society figures,
celebrities and other luminaries of the day.
Quark Expeditions Adds 2 Upgraded
Ships To Fleet Of Polar Passenger Vessels
US-based Quark Expeditions, a leader
in environmentally responsible polar explorations since
1990, will add two upgraded ships to its expedition fleet
—the largest fleet of small expedition passenger vessels
in the polar regions. Owned by Arctic Umiaq Line, a Greenland-based
shipping line, M/S Sarpik Ittuk will join the Quark
Expedition fleet in November for the 2006/2007 travel season,
and the M/S Sarfaq Ittuk will be added the following
season. Each of these 96-passenger ships, which feature
glass-enclosed observation lounges, spacious dining rooms,
cozy lounges/libraries and ship-to-shore communications,
will offer 10-day voyages to the white continent. “The
introduction of these modern, ice-strengthened expedition-class
vessels is part of the evolution of our company,” said Quark
Expeditions CEO Patrick Shaw. “We want to maintain our dominant
position in polar exploration by offering passengers an
authentic and memorable experience to Antarctica and also
eventually expand our base of exploration in the Arctic.”
These ships are perfect for the sensitive
Antarctic environment, according to Shaw. “They are quiet,
fuel efficient and ice-strengthened, and they provide the
ideal platform for comfortable exploration. They carry
state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the comfort of our
guests.” Specially equipped for polar cruising, the ships
were built in Denmark in 1992, renovated in 1999/2000 and
will receive additional enhancements before joining the
existing Quark Expedition fleet, which includes the Kapitan
Khlebnikov, a 108-passenger polar-class ice breaker; the
ice-strengthened 110-passenger M/V Orlova; and three
ice-strengthened 48-passenger vessels, the Professor
Multanovskiy, the Professor Molchano, and the
Akademik Shokalskiy.
HAL’s New ‘Noordam’ Displays Her Stuff
In The Big Apple
Last week Holland America Line’s newest
vessel, the ms Noordam, sailed into New York her
homeport for Caribbean cruises. The christening festivities
took place on board the vessel where Academy Award winning
actress Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God”) formally
christened the vessel. “May God bless this ship, her crew
and all who sail on her” pronounced Matlin after which the
traditional champagne bottle broke across the ship’s bow.
The naming ceremony was especially significant
in that Holland America has returned to operating cruises
out of New York. The cruise lines’ first transatlantic voyage
was made in 1872 when the Rotterdam sailed from Amsterdam
to New York. "Today is a proud day as we welcome the
new ms Noordam to the Holland America fleet,” stated Stein
Kruse, president and chief executive officer of Holland
America Line. "It is also my pleasure to return to
the great city of New York, where Holland America has a
long history of operating cruises, dating back more than
130 years."
Andrew Alper, head of the New York City
Economic Development Corp., also stressed the importance
of the city’s new partnership with Holland America. “The
continued expansion of winter cruising in one of the fastest
growing ports in the US,” he said, “has been a tremendous
source of growth for New York City's cruise business and
the cruise industry as a whole.” Alper pointed out that
in 2004, there were 9000 cruise passengers and this year,
over a million are projected to be sailing from New York.
“HAL’s return to New York indicates that our investments
are paying off for the city.”
The new Noordam (Dutch for “north”) is
the fourth and last of the line’s popular Vista-class ships,
rounding out the four points of a compass. Built by Italian
shipyard Fincantieri-Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A, the
ship boasts a spacious design for public areas and staterooms
with a high passenger space ratio of 43. Eighty five percent
of its staterooms have ocean views, with 67 percent of those
sporting verandahs. She is the first ship with all Signature
of Excellence amenities in place, including plush Euro-top
mattresses and flat panel TVs and DVD players in all cabins,
new dining options, the Culinary Arts Center presented by
Food & Wine magazine, the Explorations Café powered
by the New York Times, and the pampering Greenhouse Spa
and Salon.
What’s the ship like? Shipsandcruises
will let you know in its March review.
In 2006, the 1,918-passenger Noordam
will sail ten- and 11-day Caribbean cruises round trip from
New York in the spring and fall. The ten-day Eastern Caribbean
program visits the new port of call Grand Turk, Turk and
Caicos; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St.
Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and San Juan,
Puerto Rico. The Noordam’s 11-day Southern Caribbean itinerary
calls at Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S.
Virgin Islands; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados;
Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Between May and September, the Noordam
offers two alternating 10-day itineraries, exploring the
romantic and beautiful Eastern and Western Mediterranean
round trip from Rome, Italy.
Godmother Chosen For RCI’s New ‘Freedom
Of The Seas’
Katherine Louise Calder, foster mother
to over 400 children, has a new charge as Godmother of Royal
Caribbean International’s newest ship, Freedom of the
Seas. NBC’s TODAY morning show and Royal Caribbean revealed
that Calder of Portland, Oregon received the most votes
in the ‘Today Sets Sail’’ national Godmother search.
Putting a new twist on a long-standing
maritime tradition, the cruise line sought an extraordinary
“everyday” person to serve as the Godmother, as opposed
to the customary choices of celebrities or dignitaries.
Over the last 27 years, Calder has been a foster care provider
for hundreds of special needs children, as well as an adoption
advocate in the Portland area. Calder’s long-time dedication
to caring for such an under-served community makes her an
ideal choice. “Louise has demonstrated exceptional courage,
determination, inspiration and dedication, embodying the
woman we were looking for when we came up with the idea
for this contest,” said Adam Goldstein, president for Royal
Caribbean International. “We are humbled and excited in
equal measure to be able to bring recognition to someone
who has selflessly given so much to so many.”
The cruise line was so moved by the stories
of Calder and her co-finalists, Ieta Kimbrough and Robyn
Raphael, that it decided to award each of their charities
with a $25,000 donation. As Godmother, Calder will participate
in a live christening ceremony for Freedom of the Seas to
be aired May 12 on the TODAY show. Her status also guarantees
her a free cruise for life on any Royal Caribbean ship once
a year with the guest of her choice.
Bearing Replacement On ‘Freedom’ Not
Expected To Impact On Inaugural Events
In December, engineers from Royal Caribbean
International and Aker Finnyards of Turku, Finland, inspected
Freedom of the Seas after a sea trial and detected
some dirt and foreign particles in a bearing in the ship’s
propulsion system. After a joint review, it is believed
that the dirt and particles were accidentally introduced
during the bearing’s
Construction; and as a precaution, the
shipyard and Royal Caribbean agreed that the bearing should
be replaced. In late April, the ship will sail to a drydock
in Hamburg, Germany, to replace the bearing. The work is
not expected to have any impact on the scheduled inaugural
events for Freedom. Website: www.freedomoftheseas.com
Celebrity Cruises Orders Second Ship
In New Solstice Class
Celebrity Cruises has exercised its option
to order a second 118,000 gross-registered-ton ship today,
reaffirming its commitment to innovative products and high
guest satisfaction. German shipbuilder Meyer Werft will
build the new tonnage, with delivery of the first ship planned
for fall 2008 and the second ship in summer 2009. Celebrity
also announced names of both new ships.
The first new ship will be called Celebrity
Solstice, and the second ship will be named Celebrity
Equinox. The new series of ships will be known as the
Solstice class. Terms for the second Solstice-class vessel
are substantially the same as those of the first ship.
Both new ships will be 2,850-guest vessels
measuring 1,033 feet in length and 121 feet in width. Their
added size will allow Celebrity to offer larger standard
staterooms, a higher percentage of balconies and an exceptional
range of guest-inspired services and amenities. “The Solstice-class
ships accelerate the tremendous growth and excitement that
continues to build with this brand,” said Richard D. Fain,
chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises
Ltd. “We owe a lot of our inspiration to guests and travel
partners, and we think they will be enormously pleased with
this collaboration. We also thank our shipbuilding partner,
Meyer Werft, for working with us to produce so many of our
beautiful ships.”
QM2’s Pod To Be Replaced
After completing the assessment of when
and where to repair Queen Mary 2’s damaged propulsion pod,
the decision has been made that the repair work will be
done in two phases: This May, Cunard will dry-dock the ship
to remove the damaged pod and in November, the ship will
be dry-docked a second time to re-install the repaired pod.
Both dry-docks will be done in Hamburg by Blohm and Voss.
As a result two sailings have been been
cancelled or revised.
Following the completion of her April
29 Transatlantic sailing, the QM2 will be taken out of service
for six days for the removal of the damaged pod. Thus the
12-day Mediterranean voyage following the dry dock originally
scheduled to depart on May 5, will be changed to a six-day
Northern Europe itinerary departing on May 11.Guests who
are booked on the original 12-day sailing who opt to sail
on the new six-day voyage will receive a refund of up to
70 percent of their cruise fare; receive a 50 percent refund
of their airfare paid; and a $250 per person on board credit.
Guests who wish to travel on a later 12-day Mediterranean
voyage will have the option of re-booking on one of three
published 12-day Mediterranean departures, and we will protect
their fare during the peak season later dates.
The second phase of the repair in November
necessitates delaying the November 11 transatlantic voyage
by one week to November 18 and canceling the ship’s November
18 Caribbean sailing. QM2 will sail as scheduled on November
25 to the Western Caribbean. Guests booked on the rescheduled
transatlantic sailing will receive a $50 per person onboard
credit in consideration of the disruption to their cruise;
travel agents will receive a $50 bonus commission for handling
the re-booking. Guests booked on the cancelled sailing
will receive a $50 per person onboard credit in consideration
of the disruption to their cruise when they rebook on a
later Caribbean date.
Costa Cruises From Dubai Debuts In
December 2006
Costa Crociere debuts in Dubai this December,
when two ships belonging to the Italian group—the Costa
Classica and AIDAcara— will depart every week
from the port of Dubai on Arabian Gulf cruises in a marketing
move which is unprecedented in the global cruise industry.
The local authorities in Dubai," said Pier Luigi Foschi,
Costa Crociere Chairman & CEO, "have been involved
in an important development program aimed at making the
United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf a major travel
destination for European tourists. I believe that the arrival
in Dubai of an international operator like Costa Crociere
can make a significant contribution towards achieving this
objective.”
The seven-day itinerary includes two
nights in Dubai and one-day stopovers in the ports of Muscat
(Oman), Fujairah (United Arab Emirates), Abu Dhabi (United
Arab Emirates) and Bahrain.
In 2005 the port of Dubai handled 13
calls by cruise ships, with 8,500 passenger movements. The
Dubai cruise terminal, which opened in 2001 at Port Rashid,
is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously. Terminal
facilities a VIP lounge, café, palm gardens, duty free shops,
Internet corner, giant video screen and meeting room.
Crystal Cruise Line To Post Shore-Excursion
Details On Web
With interest in world cruising at an
all time high, this week luxury cruise specialist Crystal
Cruises will post its 2007 shore excursion details online.
All 257 Crystal Adventures for Crystal Serenity's 109-day
World Cruise, January 12 - May 1, 2007, may be reviewed
at www.crystalcruises.com,
with complete pricing and the option to book ready by April
1. "The detailed information provided for each Crystal
Adventure makes the destination come alive," says John
Stoll, Crystal's director of land programs. "Historically,
we have been sharing details of our shore programs earlier
and earlier, allowing guests already booked on a World Cruise
the opportunity to plan their shoreside excursions in advance,
and providing those not yet booked with compelling insights
on the Crystal Adventures that are possible."
Crystal Cruises' 12th annual World Cruise
travels from Miami, Florida to Southampton, England, exploring
45 ports of call in 27 countries on five continents—its
most extensive global crossing ever offered.
RSSC Partners With Hotel Plaza Athénée
Paris On Three 2006 Sailings
Haute cuisine on the high seas reaches
new heights as Radisson Seven Seas® partners with the legendary
Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris for a series of three special
food and wine theme voyages this year, the luxury cruise
line announced today. These Spotlight sailings on the Seven
Seas Voyager® and Seven Seas Navigator® in May, August and
December will celebrate the flavors of ports reached with
guest chefs and wine masters of the hotel’s renowned Alain
Ducasse restaurant Relais du Plaza. While sailing Iberia,
the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, the three Plaza Athénée
voyages will feature onboard cooking demonstrations and
wine tastings, Relais du Plaza signature dishes and shore
side market visits with chefs. In addition to putting a
Spotlight on great French cuisine, the partnership will
also highlight living life with style.
Louis Cruise Lines Purchases ‘Birka
Princess’
Cruise Lines has acquired the 1,537-passenger
Birka Princess through an agreement with Birka Cruises
based in Finland. The 1986-built ship had been serving the
Baltic market on overnight roundtrips from Stockholm to
Mariehamn, Åland, and underwent an extensive refurbishment
in 1999 at a cost of $26 million. The new addition to Louis’ fleet will operate three- and four-day
cruises from Piraeus on behalf of Louis Hellenic Cruises,
starting in April.
Oceania Cruises Launches The Guest Referral Network
Oceania Cruises has announced the launch
of its new Guest Referral Network, the industry’s only online
consumer booking engine that requires the use of a Travel
Agent. Created and designed by Oceania Cruises and developed
by Spotwerks, Inc., the Guest Referral Network allows guests
to book their Oceania Cruises vacation online, 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. With this dynamic new online reservations
tool, guests may reserve their cruise of choice, with complete
access to live inventory and pricing for their cruise along
with host of cruise enhancements including pre- and post-cruise
hotel and land options, full-cruise Cabana packages, shore
excursions and insurance, all from the comfort of their
home or office.
Once the guest has selected their cruise
of choice, they are prompted to select a travel agent. Once
they have selected a travel agent, the cruise reservation
is then forwarded to the agency of choice and they receive
full credit for the booking.
Once the reservation has been forwarded
to the agency of choice, the agent will follow up with the
guest to finalize all details, payment information and reconfirm
the reservation. Travel agents will receive full commission
on all bookings from the Guest Referral Network. “Travel
agents are our partners and the new Guest Referral Network
is the only travel agent friendly consumer booking engine
in the cruise industry. This is just one of the many ways
we seek to constantly enhance both the guests’ and agents’
experience,” stated Bob Binder, Executive Vice President
for Oceania Cruises.
CLIA Cruise Market Forecast Forum
To Feature Industry Heavy Hitters
Seven of the cruise industry's most influential
executives will offer rare insight into key issues facing
retailers and cruise lines in today's retail marketplace
during the
Cruise Market Forecast Forum at cruise3sixty,
the must-attend global travel agent conference event. Cruise3sixty
takes place April 8 to 11 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward
County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. cruise3sixty
is sponsored by the Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA), the chief marketing and training organization for
nearly 17,000 travel agencies and 19 major cruise lines
serving North America. Cruise executives participating in
the Forum will identify and discuss the latest trends and
critical issues shaping leisure cruising's fast-paced, highly
competitive retail arena. Website: www.cruise3sixty.com.
Families Victimized by Cruise Lines
Launch International Cruise Victims' Org.
The families of those victimized on cruise
lines and victims themselves are joining together to form
an international coalition dedicated to fighting for the
rights of those wronged on cruise ships. The parents and
sister of George A. Smith IV, who mysteriously and tragically
disappeared from the Royal Caribbean Ship Brilliance
of the Seas while honeymooning in July of 2005 and Kendall
Carver, father of Merrian Carver, who also disappeared from
a Royal Caribbean Ship, while on a cruise to Alaska in 2004,
formed the International Cruise Victims Organization (ICV)
to provide support to the victims of crimes that occur on
cruise ships and to also act as an advocate for legislative
reform which would protect passengers from cruise crimes
and increase the rights of cruise crime victims.
Brett Rivkind, a well-known maritime
attorney who been handling maritime cases in Miami for 23
years, is acting as legal counsel to the ICV. "As individuals,”
said Rivkind, “these families are facing insurmountable
odds taking on the cruise industry's extensive and self
promoting lobbying efforts. But as a group they can more
effectively counter those efforts.”
A Congressional hearing on cruise-ship
safety was held last December and a second is slated for
March 7, 2006. Several members of the ICV organization as
well as attorney Rivkind have been invited to testify on
the disappearances, rapes and robberies on cruise ships
and the subsequent mishandlings of such crimes by the cruise
lines. ICV’s website is http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org.
Newest NCL America Ship Now Berthed
At Outfitting Pier
On Sunday, February 19, Pride of Hawaii
was floated out of Meyer Werft’s roofed building dock and
is now berthed at the shipyard’s outfitting pier where all
remaining work will be completed. The 93,500-ton Pride
of Hawaii, which is the sister ship to Norwegian
Jewel, is scheduled to transit the river Ems passage
to Emsehaven on March 11 where she will undergo sea trials
March 15 through the 19th.
NCL America welcomes the new Pride of
Hawaii to its U.S. Flagged fleet in April 2006. She is the
largest US-flagged passenger ship ever built, and joins
Pride of Aloha and Pride of America offering
seven-day, inter-island cruises visiting the beautiful 50th
state’s four main islands. Pride of Hawaii departs Honolulu
on Mondays and features the line’s extremely popular itinerary
with a full day in Hilo, Hawaii; two days in Kahului, Maui;
a day in Kona, Hawaii and two days in Nawiliwili, Kauai.
NCL America Continues Its Commitment
To Hawaii-Based Companies
Continuing its commitment to the community,
NCL America has partnered with several more Hawaii-based
companies. Its newest partners include Maui-based Roselani
Ice Cream, Kona Brewing Company, Hawai`i Taro Company, Pacific
Biodiesel and Aloha Recycling. “Since the launch of NCL
America’s first U.S.-flagged ship in 2004, we have sought
to deliver an authentic island experience to our guests
and simultaneously stimulate growth for local businesses,”
said Robert Kritzman, executive vice president and managing
director of NCL’s Hawaii operations. “As a result of our
mutually beneficial arrangements, our guests can enjoy fresh,
high-quality Island products onboard our ships as well as
superior on-the-ground service, and our partners can enjoy
the economic benefits our guests help generate.”
As a result of these new relationships,
NCL America’s guests can enjoy quality ice cream made with
homegrown ingredients such as Kona coffee and Macadamia
nuts; Hawaii’s finest handcrafted ales and lagers from the
state’s largest brewery; and delicious, meatless Taro burgers
made from the indigenous Hawaiian plant.
Although not impacting the guest experience
directly, NCL America has chosen to work with Hawaii-based
companies to recycle materials used onboard. Through Pacific
Biodiesel, NCL America is recycling its used cooking oils
to make a renewable, environmentally-friendly fuel and the
brand is also recycling its plastics with Aloha Recycling.
NCL America has existing relationships
within the Hawaii farming community to offer Maui-grown
tomatoes, Maui Brand® Natural Cane Sugar from Hawaiian Commercial
& Sugar Company (HC&S) and Hawaiian Gold® pineapple
from the Maui Land & Pineapple Company on board all
of its Hawaii-based vessels. NCL America also plans to buy
home-grown broccoli, romaine lettuce, cabbage, squash and
green beans from the Maui Farmers Cooperative Exchange.
In addition to NCL America’s ownership
of Polynesian Adventure Tours which provides tour and transfer
services for passengers, the brand works with various shore-side
travel and service providers to book accommodations, tours
and activities for its guests. Some of the line’s current
partners include Maui Divers, Hilo Hatties, Arnott Tours
and Kapohokine Adventures.
Star Cruises Group Ends 2005 With
A Profit
Higher ticket prices and on-board spending
narrowed fourth-quarter losses for the Star Cruises Group,
and the company ended 2005 with a profit of $17.9 million,
compared to a 2004 loss of $11.6 million. Annual turnover
was $1.95 billion, compared to $1.69 billion in 2004. For
the quarter, the group lost $25.7 million, compared to a
loss of $39.8m in the final quarter of 2004.Turnover for
the quarter was $511.7 million, up from $416.2 million in
the fourth quarter of 2004.
The additions of Pride of America
and Norwegian Jewel pushed up capacity for the year
by 8.1 percent, to 8.8 million capacity days, and higher
pricing and on-board spend drove a 5.2 percent increase
in net revenue yield. Ship operating expenses per capacity
day were up 11.5 percent, of which fuel costs accounted
for 5 percentage points. Higher payroll costs for the U.S.-flag
Hawaii operation and ship introduction costs were other
factors.
Average fuel prices in 2005 were 41 percent
higher than in 2004, with fuel costs accounting for 17 percent
of ship operating expenses, compared to 14 percent in 2004.
For the Star Cruises brand, net revenue dipped 4.6 percent
in 2005 because of lower capacity following ship disposals
and lower occupancy (93.5 percent, off 3 points from 2004),
partially offset by 3.6 percent higher net revenue yield
due to stronger on-board spending. In the fourth quarter,
net revenue increased 20.2 percent year over year, driven
mainly by 30.3 percent higher capacity after the addition
of SuperStar Libra (ex Norwegian Sea), which
was partially offset by 7.8 percent lower net revenue yield
and lower occupancy levels. Star attributed the lower yield
and occupancy to SuperStar Libra’s start-up phase in India.
First Details of Cunard’s ‘Queen Victoria’
Released;
Cunard unveiled the details of its next
new ship, Queen Victoria, scheduled to enter service in
December 2007. The new liner will not only include the hallmark
features associated with the cruise line, but also exciting
innovations including private viewing boxes in the Royal
Court Theater, alfresco dining for Grill guests, a floating
museum of Cunard memorabilia, and a two-story library with
6,000 books.
With the addition of this new 90,000-ton
vessel, the Cunard liner legacy will be faithfully upheld,
as Queen Victoria will offer all the classic characteristics
that have become associated with the company's unique liner
heritage. From the outside, her distinctive black and red
livery will hint at the experience that differentiates a
Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. And, importantly,
the ship has been constructed with impressive sea-keeping
qualities that will enable it to travel easily and efficiently
through the Atlantic and other demanding waters around the
world. "Cunard has the unique distinction of having
the only true liners in the industry, and we're proud to
be able to expand this heritage with our new Queen Victoria,"
said Carol Marlow, Cunard's president and managing director.
"This vessel will offer our guests the classic Cunard
luxury and experience they have come to expect while at
the same time providing the most up-to-date amenities and
facilities, along with a few impressive innovations."
Marlow added that the debut of this ship is particularly
noteworthy as it will mark the first time that three Cunard
Queens (Queen Victoria joins Queen Mary 2 and Queen
Elizabeth 2) have been in service together in the company's
167-year history.
In keeping with Cunard's reputation for
intriguing itineraries, Queen Victoria will debut with two
special maiden voyages —a Christmas Markets Voyage on December
11 and a Canary Islands Festive Celebration on December
23—incorporating both Christmas and New Year. These sailings
are now open for booking. (Click New
Ships for more information on Cunard’s newbuild.)
In keeping with Cunard's reputation for
intriguing itineraries, Queen Victoria will debut with two
special maiden voyages—a Christmas Markets Voyage on December
11 and a Canary Islands Festive Celebration on December
23—incorporating both Christmas and New Year. These sailings
are now open for booking.
Royal Caribbean International Orders
Bold New Ship
Royal Caribbean International fast-forwarded
cruise-ship innovation this month by ordering a new ship
that will take the line's guest experience far into the
future. The 5,400-guest, 220,000-gross-registered-ton ship,
a prototype developed under the project name, Genesis,
builds upon the trail-blazing innovations of the brand's
landmark Voyager and Freedom classes of ships. Finnish shipbuilder
Aker Yards will build the ship for a Fall 2009 delivery,
continuing a 35-year collaboration with Royal Caribbean.
At 1,180 feet long, 154 feet wide and
240 feet high, Project Genesis will be 40 percent bigger
than the world's biggest cruise ship now under construction.
The company estimates the all-in cost of the ship to be
approximately $230,000 per berth or roughly comparable per
berth to a Freedom-class ship, despite its being a prototype
with significant advancements. The contract is contingent
upon the completion of certain conditions by the end of
February. Royal Caribbean also has an option for a second
ship. "It is exhilarating to take such a giant step
into the future," said Royal Caribbean Chairman and
CEO Richard Fain. "We are fortunate to have such gifted
collaborators as Aker Yards, and such valued supporters
and advisors as our guests and trade partners. Project Genesis
truly is a remarkable ship. Its bold design, daring innovations
and technological advancements will delight our existing
cruisers and help us draw in new ones."
Yrjo Julin, president of Aker Yards Cruise
and Ferries estimates that Project Genesis will take 5,800
man years to complete. Aker Yards has delivered 11 ships
to Royal Caribbean over the last four decades. Three of
the brand's newbuilds are now under construction at the
yard. The first out is Freedom of the Seas, which
debuts in June.
To see a rendering of the proposed vessel,
visit http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/pub/s?f=PRN/prnpub&p1=20060206/NYM083&view=thumbnail_grid
.
Swan Hellenic’s ‘Minerva II’ Visits
New Orleans In February
Swan Hellenic Discovery Cruises, is amongst the first
cruise companies to confirm their visit to the port of New
Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and will host the Mayor
of New Orleans, Ray Nagin on board to mark the ship’s arrival
to the city. Complementing Swan Hellenic’s existing Guest
Speaker program, Mayor Nagin will give Swan’s passengers
an insight and understanding of the city and its surroundings
in the context of its regeneration since the hurricane hit.
Docking in New Orleans on February 22,
Minerva II’s arrival coincides with the 150th anniversary
celebrations of the annual Mardi Gras. Although on a slightly
smaller scale than usual, the 2006 Mardi Gras that opens
February 23 and runs through Tuesday February 28. New Orleans
is the first port of call on Swan Hellenic’s two week Isles
of the Deep Caribbean cruise from February 23 to March 10.
MSC Cruises Debuts MSC Wi-Fi On Caribbean
Sailings
MSC Cruises is making it easier for guests
to stay connected while sailing on its ships in the Caribbean.
The line has completed installation of MSC Wi-Fi, a wireless
Internet communications system, onboard both MSC Opera
and MSC Lirica.
Installation was recently completed onboard
MSC Opera. The system was installed onboard MSC Lirica in
late 2005 and is expected to be phased in on the line’s
other ships.
Through MSC Wi-Fi, guests are able to
connect their laptop and personal PDA to the Internet at
various “hot spots” on the ship. On MSC Opera, those spots
are on the pool deck and in the Guest Reception, Caruso
Lounge, Library, Patio Bar, Aroma Coffee Bar and Sotto Vento
Pub. MSC Lirica’s “hot spots” are in the area of the swimming
pools and in the Geust Reception, Library, Lirica Lounge,
Bar La Pergola, Coffee Corner, Lord Nelson Pub and Le Cabaret.
“In this age of telecommunication, we are excited to be
able to offer this service in addition to the onboard Internet
Cafes to those guests who feel the need to stay connected
to home or work,” says Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO
of MSC Cruises USA.
To utilize MSC Wi-Fi, guests must have
equipment capable of operating Wi-Fi, purchase prepaid cards
at Guest Reception and activate the browser. The system
will automatically connect to the MSC Wi-Fi portal. By inserting
the user ID and password shown on the prepaid card, the
guest will be connected to the Internet until the credit
on the card is used up. Prepaid cards are valid only during
the passenger’s cruise; any residual amount is not refundable
and the card will be deactivated at the end of the cruise.
Customers Can Earn Bonus Frequent
Flyer Miles for Booking Cruises Online
Northwest Airlines announced that it
is providing customers with the ability to purchase cruises
through its website at http://www.nwa.com. "Customers at nwa.com
now have even more options when planning their next vacation,"
said Al Lenza, vice president of distribution and e-commerce.
"In addition to their air travel needs, Northwest customers
can take advantage of competitive pricing for cruises, on
and offline booking capabilities and 24/7 customer service
from our cruise experts."
Effective immediately, Northwest customers
can conveniently search, research, and book a cruise on
nwa.com with up to 12 of the most trusted cruise lines.
Customers will be able to research more than 1,300 unique
cruise itineraries and 7,800 departure dates as well as
up to 13,000 images of staterooms, ship public areas, deck
plans and exotic ports of call. Additionally, when researching
cruise options, customers will be able to see 360 degree
room views and read third-party opinions and reviews of
fellow travelers. Northwest will also offer the option of
purchasing cruise insurance.
Cruises can be researched and booked
through the easy-to-use Northwest Web site at http://www.nwa.com/cruise.
Queen Mary 2 to Meet Namesake Queen
Mary On February 23
Since Queen Mary 2's dazzling debut in
2004, Cunard enthusiasts have wondered if the grand ocean
liner would ever meet her legendary predecessor, the Queen
Mary. As part of Queen Mary 2's highly anticipated maiden
call to Los Angeles, the ship is set to wow West Coasters
with an historic meeting on Thursday, February 23 when the
two ships will unite in Long Beach harbor for a royal rendezvous
beginning at 12:00 pm.
Retired from maritime service for nearly
40 years, the Queen Mary, which sailed from 1937 through
1967, is now permanently berthed in Long Beach and is one
of the city's most well-known attractions. "Through
Cunard's storied history, we can recall few occasions that
have inspired so much anticipation," said Carol Marlow,
president and managing director of Cunard Line. "The
meeting of the Queen Marys is a rare opportunity to witness
the convergence of Cunard's illustrious past with the line's
21st century future."
The memorable event will begin as Queen
Mary 2 sails through Queens Gate in Long Beach harbor at
12:00 pm. This occasion will take on even more meaning
as Queen Mary 2 carries one of her namesake's original whistles,
the tone of whose deep bass A note can be heard up to ten
miles away. Commemorative festivities will take place onboard
both ships and along the shores of Long Beach.
The public can view the historic meeting
at Long Beach's best vantage points: Bixby Park, Bluff Park,
Junipero Beach, Shoreline Aquatic Park, Shoreline Village
and aboard Queen Mary, herself. A specially-dedicated website
has been created for the memorable event, www.thequeenmarysmeet.com
and features up-to-date details on all the related activities.
The first Queen Mary first set sail in
May 1936, and was named for and launched by Her Majesty
Queen Mary amidst great fanfare and celebration. During
her more than 30 years at sea, the most celebrated liner
of its time hosted A-list celebrities and society figures,
sailed more than 1,000 transatlantic crossings and played
a pivotal military role between 1940-1946, when she was
commissioned to transport military troops during World War
II. After carrying more than 765,000 service personnel
throughout the conflict, Prime Minister Winston Churchill
credited Queen Mary (as well as sister ship Queen Elizabeth)
with ending the war one year earlier than estimated. Today,
the Queen Mary is one of Southern California's most recognizable
icons and continues to educate and entertain visitors from
all around the world, offering tours, exceptional exhibitions,
a calendar of festivals and numerous social and special
events year-round.
The two ships offer a range of fascinating
similarities and differences. For example, length-wise
Queen Mary 2 is just 113 feet longer than the Queen Mary,
but in terms of gross tonnage, she is nearly twice the size
of her predecessor. In days gone by, salt cod and kippers
were menu highlights but today, caviar and lobster top the
bill of fare. In addition, the Queen Mary has a dozen decks,
but QM2 has 17. Finally, Queen Mary 2 can carry nearly
600 more passengers than her namesake.
During the Golden Age of Ocean Travel,
the Queen Mary welcomed such famous personalities as Elizabeth
Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Cary Grant, Bing
Crosby, and Clark Gable. Continuing Cunard's illustrious
heritage of hosting royalty, society luminaries and famed
entertainers, Queen Mary 2 has hosted a variety of notable
guests such as Barbara Walters, Katie Couric, John Cleese,
Tina Brown and Sir Harold Evans, Donald Trump, and Dame
Shirley Bassey. Eminent visitors have included Her Majesty
The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Her
Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent, Former President
George Bush, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator
Hillary Clinton.
Creative Cruising Offers Rare 23-Night
Cruise On ‘MSC Opera’
Creative Cruising has a rare 23-night
cruise holiday in March from Florida’s Fort Lauderdale to
the Caribbean and West Indies, across the Atlantic, and
through much of the Mediterranean priced from $2,568 pp
twin share. In addition, the whole cruise with meals is
free for children 17 years and under if they share with
two adults in the same cabin.
The four-star MSC Opera will sail on
March 18 for 16-nights from Fort Lauderdale to Genoa in
Italy, followed by seven-nights from there on April 3 through
the Mediterranean. Highlights will include San Juan in Puerto
Rico, La Romana and Cayo Levantado in the Dominican Republic,
six nights crossing the Atlantic to Madeira, Malaga in Spain,
Genoa, Monte Carlo, Valencia, Valletta in Malta, Tunisia,
Civitavecchia for Rome, and Genoa.
All onboard meals, entertainment and
port charges are included throughout the 23-night sailing;
air to Fort Lauderdale and back from Genoa is additional.
Seabourn Teams Up With Conde Nast
Traveler to Create Information Service
Seabourn Cruise Line will team up with
Conde Nast Traveler to provide the line's guests with exclusive,
up-to-date information about what's new, what's hot and
what's hip in various ports of call, gathered from the pages
of the magazine. The innovative complimentary service will
be introduced in April 2006, when the line's three all-suite
ships begin their European cruising season.
Dubbed "Conde Nast Traveler's Seabourn
Insider Tips," the service will provide expert information,
highlighting recommended attractions, suggested lunch spots,
popular bars, unique experiences, shopping tips and more,
produced in the form of easy-to- carry flyers. The Seabourn
Insider Tips service is designed to augment the menu of
exclusive shore excursions offered by the line in every
port of call, and to offer reliable intelligence for guests
who wish to customize their own port activities through
the ships' onboard concierge services.
The initial editions of Conde Nast Traveler's
Seabourn Insider Tips will include information about 28
European ports of call, focusing on ports that the line
visits often and where the ships' itineraries provide extended
stays. Among the first ports featured will be Barcelona,
Spain; Istanbul, Turkey; The French Riviera; Capri, Rome,
Venice, Italy; the Greek Isles of Mykonos, Santorini and
Corfu; Stockholm, Sweden; Oslo, Norway; St. Petersburg,
Russia and Copenhagen, Denmark. The program will eventually
be expanded to include ports in other sailing regions.
Royal Caribbean's Updated Sitelet
Provides Freedom of the Seas Virtual Tours
The ever-changing www.FreedomoftheSeas.com
sitelet is now giving guests more reasons to embark on
a virtual visit of the line's newest and most innovative
cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas. Commissioned by Royal
Caribbean, the successful sitelet, a joint effort by Arnold
Worldwide and I-Q Interactive, features full-motion video,
complete with three-dimensional renderings of the ship's
features folded into onboard scenes for a truly interactive,
life-like experience. New content showcasing the ship's
innovative features has been revealed on a rolling basis
beginning in July 2005 through the launch of Freedom of
the Seas in May 2006.
Some of the newest content on the site
is the interactive Art Preview. This area showcases all
art onboard Freedom of the Seas, including information on
the artists and in-progress pictures of these customized
works. Freedom's onboard art theme is "The Four Elements
- Earth, Fire, Air and Water," each of which the site
will visually explore January through April. The sitelet
features the Centrum, where the art will encompass all four
elements.
Guests can also virtually tour Royal
Caribbean's largest stateroom ever, Freedom's Presidential
Family Suite. Using advanced video compositing and animation
techniques, visitors are transported into a game-like environment
resembling the actual 2,000 plus square-foot suite. Visitors
can also explore each of the five rooms in the suite and
the balcony, interacting with the full-motion people they
encounter.
The new experiences are seamlessly tied
to previously launched experiences by the Guide, a live-action
video composited in the scene, which greets guests upon
entering the sitelet. The Guide navigates a personalized
tour of the ship based on the user's vacation preferences.
Guests can immerse themselves in the ship, seeing and hearing
about the onboard amenities, including the FlowRider(R)
surfing simulator, cantilevered whirlpools, and the H20
Zone water park.
Carnival Names New 112,000-Ton Cruise
Ship ‘Carnival Splendor’
Carnival Splendor is the name Carnival
Cruise Lines has chosen for its new 112,000-ton cruise ship
scheduled to enter service in spring 2008. Representing
a new class of ship for the line, the 3,006-passenger vessel
will be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and
feature an innovative new design, including the largest
spa and children’s facilities in the Carnival fleet. Highlights
include a 17,800-square-foot spa—the largest ever incorporated
into a Carnival ship. Encompassing two forward decks, the
facility features an elaborate thermal suite, a variety
of health and beauty treatment rooms, and Carnival’s first
thalasso therapy pool. Encircling the upper level of the
spa will be a winter garden that will include a ceremonial
tea house. (Click New
Ships for more details.)
Royal Caribbean Reports Record Earnings
In 2005
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has announced
a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2005 of $3.6 million,
or $0.02 per share, compared to a net loss of $25.8 million,
or $0.13 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2004. Revenues
for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 6.7 percent to
$1,029.6 million from revenues of $964.6 million in the
fourth quarter of 2004. Gross Yields and Net Yields for
the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 6.1 percent and 8.2
percent, respectively, from the fourth quarter of 2004.
Fourth-quarter results were substantially
better than expected, driven by the following principal
factors:
* Net Yields increased 8.2 percent over
the fourth quarter of 2004. Toward the end of the quarter,
there was a surge in demand for late bookings which drove
higher ticket prices. Onboard revenues were exceptionally
strong as well.
* Gross Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs,
on a per APCD basis, increased 5.3 percent and 7.6 percent,
respectively, compared to the fourth quarter of 2004.
“This has been a very good quarter for
the company and tops off another excellent year,” said Richard
D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer. “It is unusual
that everything comes together so well as it did this quarter,
but it certainly feels good when it does.”
Outlook – Full Year 2006
While only four weeks of the industry’s
“wave period” is completed, bookings and pricing levels
continue to be solid. As a result, the company currently
forecasts Net Yields for the full year 2006 will increase
in the range of 2 percent to 4 percent compared to 2005.
Current “at-the-pump” fuel price is $425
per metric ton, which is 19 percent higher than the average
price for 2005 of $358 per metric ton. If fuel prices for
the rest of the year remain at today’s level, the company
estimates that its 2006 fuel costs (net of hedging and fuel
savings initiatives) will increase approximately $90 million.
This is substantially better than the level the company
calculated as part of its last guidance. The main reasons
for the improvement include the fall in at-the-pump pricing,
and the anticipated benefits of energy conservation initiatives
and enhancements in types and sourcing of fuels.
Additional report information can be
found at www.rclinvestor.com or at http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=rcl&script=410&layout=9&item_id=811875
.
Costa Crociere To Offer Departures
Out Of Dubai In December
Costa Crociere SpA, will be offering
cruises with departures from Dubai starting December in
a marketing move which is unprecedented in the global cruise
industry.
The Italian group, which operates the
brands AIDA Cruises and Costa Crociere, made the announcement
during a series of official meetings conducted in Dubai
by its top management team during a two-day tour on February
1 and 2.
From December 2006, two ships—the Costa
Classica and AIDAcara—will depart every week from the state-of-the-art
Dubai Cruise Terminal on Arabian Gulf cruises. A total of
25 departures and 70,000 passenger movements are forecast.
The seven-day itinerary features two nights in Dubai plus
one-day stopovers in the ports of Fujairah, Muscat (Oman),
Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. The Costa Classica will depart on
Saturdays while the AIDA will leave every Friday.
The Costa Classica and AIDAcara will
be positioned in the Arabian Gulf by means of two spectacular
cruises via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. The Costa Classica
is due to depart from Savona on December 5 and reach Dubai
on December 22, 2006, with stopovers en route in Naples,
Alexandria (Egypt), Port Said (Egypt), Sharm el Sheik (Egypt),
Aqaba (Jordan) Safaga (Egypt), Hodeidah (Yemen), Mukalla
(Yemen), Salalah (Oman) and Muscat (Oman).
The AIDAcara will reach Dubai by means
of two separate cruises: the first, departing from Palma
de Majorca on December 1 and arriving at Sharm el Sheik
on December 9, 2006; the second, departing from Sharm El
Sheik on December 9 and arriving in Dubai on December 21,
2006.
Costa Crociere President, Mr. Gianni
Onorato, said: “The Dubai cruises are a veritable innovation,
not only for us, but for the cruise industry as a whole.
At present we’re the only international operator to provide
this vacation option. It further extends the range of choices
we are offering our guests, alongside our winter holidays
in the Caribbean, South America and the Mediterranean.”
The cruises will include guided excursions
in each port of call, with visits to some of the best local
tourist attractions – places of natural beauty or historical
and cultural interest.
The program features desert adventures,
trips to some of the most exclusive beaches in the Arabian
Gulf, visits to the finest mosques, historical buildings
and museums, tours of the city and their typical markets,
as well as boating excursions to go dolphin-watching.
In 2005, the port of Dubai handled cruise
ships with over 12,000 passenger movements. The Dubai cruise
terminal opened in 2001 at the Port Rashid complex. This
3300 square- meter dedicated cruise hub is able to accommodate
two ships simultaneously.
NCL’s New ‘Norwegian Pearl’ To Feature
Bowling Alley At Sea
NCL’s next ship, Norwegian Pearl, will
bowl over the cruise competition with a “striking” innovation—a
full size, four lane, ten-pin bowling alley. The bowling
alley is part of an all-new, all-day entertainment, sports
bar and nightclub complex called Bliss. During the day,
Bliss is a sports bar with a four lane bowling alley, multiple
flat screen televisions to show sports events, and air hockey,
foosball and other arcade games.
In the evening, in a complete change
of mood, Bliss transforms into a hip, high-energy ultra-lounge,
with the plasma screens adding video tracks to the non-stop
music spun by Norwegian Pearl’s own Vibe Master. A spacious
dance floor, a full bar, and mood-lit bowling all add to
the atmosphere of a totally unique seagoing experience.
“Bowling is one of America’s most popular recreational sports,
with more than 69 million* participants in the United States,”
said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL. “Will the ball
roll perfectly true? Much of the time yes, and some of the
time no. We won’t be hosting the world bowling championships;
it’s just fun we’re shooting for! Bowling, drinking, dancing,
and laughing with your friends and family. That’s a strike
every time in our book!” Veitch said.
Norwegian Pearl will make her debut in
2007.
Coin Ceremony Brings ‘MSC Orchestra’
A Step Closer
In keeping with maritime tradition, two
coins were soldered this month inside the keel of MSC Cruises’
latest new build, MSC Orchestra, at St. Nazaire,
France. Pierfrancesco Vago, Chief Executive Officer of MSC
Cruises, and Patrick Boissier, president of the Alstom Marine
shipyard, placed the coins as signs of good luck for the
ship’s long life on the sea.
The ceremony also consolidated the business
relationship and goodwill between MSC Cruises and Alstom
Marine. MSC and the shipyard have been working together
for four years. New builds MSC Lirica and MSC
Opera joined the fleet in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
MSC Musica is scheduled for delivery in June, followed
by sister ship MSC Orchestra in 2007.
The line has also contracted with the
shipyard to build two 133,500-ton post-Panamax vessels,
with delivery of the MSC Fantasia slated for 2008
and MSC Serenata for 2009. These two ships will be
the largest ever been built for a European ship.
Each of the new ships solidifies MSC
Cruises’ position in the cruise market with a growing fleet
that appeals to the demands of the marketplace while preserving
the line’s unique Italian hospitality, elegance and maritime
tradition.
Oceania Cruises Drops ‘Insignia’s’ May Scheduled Cruise Calls
In Libya
As a result ongoing diplomatic dispute
between the governments of Libya and the United States,
Oceania has been unable to gain the necessary assurances
that US passengers would be granted clearance to enter Libya.
The decision was made after US citizens were denied shore
leave under group visas on a number of cruises by various
lines last year. “Even if we were able to obtain individual
visas or our guests were able to obtain them themselves,
we don't have the assurances or the confidence the guests
would be cleared to go ashore,’ said an Oceania spokesman.
As a result, a revised itinerary for
the May 21 cruise on has been drawn up that now includes
calls in Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi and Taormina in lieu of
Tripoli and Benghazi. Guests currently booked on this sailing
may cancel without penalty until February 21st.
Regatta and Nautica are scheduled to sail similar itineraries
in November and Oceania is currently finalizing revised
itineraries for those voyages and will be communicating
the changes to Guests and Travel Agents in the near future.
NCL’s ‘Norwegian Sun’ Returns To New Orleans In October 2006
NCL’s Norwegian Sun returns to the Port
of New Orleans on October 15, 2006 to sail seven-day exotic
Western Caribbean cruises. “We are pleased to return Norwegian
Sun back to her winter home in the Big Easy and in some
small way assist in the recovery process of New Orleans,”
said Andy Stuart, executive vice president of sales, marketing
and passenger services for NCL. “We look forward to continuing
our partnership with the Port of New Orleans and welcoming
passengers back on board to explore the Western Caribbean
from this historic city.”
Norwegian Sun’s seven-day itinerary out
of New Orleans begins October 15 through April 8 and calls
on Costa Maya, Mexico; Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala;
Belize City, Belize and Cozumel, Mexico.
Groundbreaking Features Highlight RCCL’s New ‘Freedom of the
Seas’
Once again shattering the antiquated
notions of cruising being a passive vacation option, Royal
Caribbean International announces the action-filled and
cutting-edge amenities that will be found onboard Freedom
of the Seas when she makes her debut in May 2006.
Along with features such as the FlowRider(R)
surfing simulator and cantilevered whirlpools that have
never before been seen on a cruise ship, Freedom will be
outfitted with a full-size Everlast boxing ring, a group
Pilates reformer studio and many other elements that are
rarely seen in shoreside gyms, let alone on a cruise ship
fitness center. "We have a legacy of offering the unexpected
to our guests and we knew with Freedom of the Seas we had
to come out with something fabulous at every turn -- our
fitness center, the largest one found on any cruise ship,
is no exception," said Adam Goldstein, president. "Through
partnerships with such 'heavyweights' as Steiner Leisure
Limited, Everlast, Life Fitness and New Balance, we are
confident we are providing our guests with the best and
most innovative options in the marketplace."
At 160,000 GRT and holding 3,634
guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas will be the
largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in May
2006. The first in Royal Caribbean's new Freedom class,
she will be the most forward-looking and innovative ship
the company has built to date. Freedom of the Seas will
sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami
calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego
Bay, Jamaica; and Royal Caribbean's private destination,
Labadee, Hispaniola. Read the details by clicking New Ships.
Lindblad Expeditions Returns To South
Pacific With National Geographic
Lindblad Expeditions, the company that
pioneered travel to the South Pacific in the 1960s, returns
to the region in 2006 with their renamed flagship, the National
Geographic Endeavour. As part of the expedition travel company's
alliance with National Geographic, guests sailing aboard
the 110-passenger ship will have the opportunity to travel
with renowned National Geographic scientists, explorers
and adventurers in addition to Lindblad's core Expedition
Leaders and Natural History team as they explore the remote
beaches and atolls of the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Fiji, Easter
Island and Papua New Guinea. Geneticist, anthropologist,
and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Spencer Wells
will join Lindblad Expeditions' journeys to the South Pacific
this summer and share his work as director of National Geographic's
Genographic Project, a five-year initiative to map the journey
of humans as they populated the planet. Travelers aboard
the National Geographic Endeavour with Wells will participate
first-hand by submitting their own cheek swab sample prior
to traveling. They will then have the unique opportunity
to talk about their individual migratory histories with
Spencer while onboard. "We see this as the moon shot
of anthropology, using genetics to fill in the gaps in our
knowledge of human history," said Wells. "This
is an extraordinary opportunity to decipher that story,
now in danger of being lost as people migrate and mix to
a greater extent than they have in the past," he added.
