NCL America Christens Its Third US-Flagged Vessel

NCL America again made U.S. maritime history on May 20 by christening Pride of Hawaii, the largest, most luxurious and most expensive U.S.-flagged cruise ship in history. The historic presentation of this new US-flagged, US-crewed passenger ship continues NCL America's dynamic revival of the U.S.-flagged cruise industry that had seemingly been extinguished in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

At the official christening ceremony May 20 at the Port of Los Angeles, Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT LIM and NCL Corporation's President and CEO Colin Veitch were joined by the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, senior United States Senator from Hawaii, who sponsored and named the vessel at the pierside event. The Senator was joined by six female crewmembers from Pride of Hawaii, all hailing from Hawaii, who christened the ship with the traditional bottle of champagne.

The Pride of Hawaii crewmembers participating in the ceremony were Jana Anguay, a singer; Shastein Colon and Monica Pratt, both room stewards; Shari An Pontin, a senior officer utility; Janhavi Cleveland, a massage therapist; and Heather Holmes, a dancer.

"Today makes the culmination of our effort. This is the third and largest ship in a planned three ship U.S. flagged fleet," said Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT LIM. "We have invested over $1.2 billion building these three world class mega ships, purpose built for our unique Freestyle Cruising and outfitted to reflect the spirit and Aloha of the Hawai'i Islands."

"NCL has been at the forefront of industry developments for our entire history. We have done it so consistently for 40 years now that we like to think that we have created a tradition out of breaking with tradition. And today we celebrate what is undoubtedly our greatest break with tradition," said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation. "I'm very proud to celebrate the completion of a daring project to convert a large part of our business from the traditional model of the international cruise industry to the much more challenging and less developed model of US flag cruising"

Pride of Hawaii is the third in a series of U.S.-flag cruise ships sailing under the NCL America brand and built for the Hawaii market in furtherance of the "Hawaii Cruise Ship Initiative," legislation sponsored by Senator Inouye and passed by the United States Congress in February 2003.

At just over 93,500 gross registered tons, carrying more than 2,400 passengers, and costing over half a billion dollars, Pride of Hawaii is by far the largest and most expensive U.S. flagged passenger ship ever built. It employs a crew of over 1000, bringing the total seagoing workforce of NCL's U.S. flagged fleet to approximately 4000, making NCL America the largest private employer of American seafarers in the world.

NCL's fleet in Hawaii, including one international ship, is projected to bring Hawaii's cruise passenger carryings to more than 650,000 a year by 2007. At those levels, Hawaii will be comparable in size to Alaska as a cruise destination.

The ship is currently sailing to Hawaii where she will arrive at her Honolulu homeport on June 3. (Click New Ships for more details.)

 

Cunard Line Announces Queen Victoria's Maiden World Cruise in 2008

Cunard Line, the company that pioneered world cruising in 1922 with the first-ever world cruise aboard the Laconia, will make further maritime history on January 13, 2008, as its newest ocean liner, Queen Victoria, departs New York  simultaneously with Cunard's esteemed ocean liner, QE2, for their world cruise voyages.  Sailing roundtrip from New York, the concurrent world cruise departures mark the start of Queen Victoria's 105-day Pathway to the Explorers maiden world cruise and QE2's 90-day South America, Pacific and Far East Odyssey, her first foray into South America in more than a decade.

Following a full day of festivities to mark the historic occasion, both ships will depart for Ft. Lauderdale, where similar celebrations are planned.  From there, the ships will part, each sailing different epic itineraries before reuniting in Sydney on February 24. "Continuing Cunard's legacy of noteworthy firsts in maritime history, we are delighted to announce the simultaneous grand ocean voyages for our newest liner Queen Victoria and our 'grand dame' QE2.  Cunard's World Cruises are widely considered the 'gold standard' in voyages around the world.  QE2 has undertaken more long voyages than any other ship afloat and we are delighted that Queen Victoria will continue this fine tradition - offering a 21st century ocean liner experience as she makes her own circumnavigation of the globe in renowned Cunard style," said Carol Marlow, Cunard Line's president and managing director.

 

Virus Outbreak On ‘Van Gogh’ Cruise Ship Affects Over 100 Passengers

A travel company has offered a refund to hundreds of passengers whose cruise holidays were ruined by a virus outbreak. More than 100 passengers and crew suffered diarrhea and vomiting on their second day aboard the ship Van Gogh chartered by UK tour operator Travelscope. After docking at Harwich on Sunday, it was detained by the coastguard. Five hundred passengers waiting to board at the Essex port for a seven-day trip to Norway were sent home.

Leon Hill from Oxford who was due to board the ship at Harwich told BBC News the cancellation of the cruise was not the worst part of what happened. "We were hanging around in what can only be described as a shed at Harwich for three hours," he said.

'No information'  "They didn't provide any food and then said there was free tea and coffee, but it took an hour to get it.  "No-one was telling us anything. No-one was really being honest about what the situation was."

Travelscope spokesman Tim Knight said passengers who were unable to set sail on Sunday would be offered refunds and the company was still working out what package to offer those who had become ill. A statement from the holiday company said: "We are very sorry that the holidays of some passengers were affected by this virus."

It is not yet clear what caused the outbreak of the virus on board the ship, which was detained by the Maritime Coastguard Agency on the advice of port health inspectors and the local director of public health.

The Van Gogh and its crew will be monitored for 48 hours and it is expected to be able to set sail with the next scheduled departure on Saturday, 3 June. The ship had been due to depart for a seven-day trip to Norway on Sunday evening, calling at Bergen, Flam, Gudvangen and Rosendal.

The vessel, which can carry up to 795 passengers, is run by charter company Travelscope Holidays Ltd.                                               --BBC News

 

‘Crystal Symphony’ To Enter Drydock In October

Crystal Symphony is scheduled to enter Newport News, Virginia in late October for a 12-day drydock and refurbishment estimated to cost around $15 million. In addition to technical work and routine maintenance, upgrades for the 1995-built ship will center around her staterooms and entertainment areas, including the Casino.

 

Costa Crociere to Add Interactive Television System on Newest Vessel

Allin Corporation has contracted with Costa Crociere to implement an interactive television system on the new 112,000-ton Costa Concordia, which is scheduled to sail in July 2006. Costa Crociere is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, a multi-line cruise conglomerate.

The contracted implementation for the Costa Concordia, coupled with other existing interactive television systems for Carnival-affiliated companies, will take the number of Carnival Corporation & plc vessels installed with Allin interactive television solutions to fifteen. Across all cruise lines, Allin has a total of thirty-four shipboard interactive television systems in operation or under contract. This order was previously disclosed in the Company's year-end earnings release.

The interactive television solutions will use the latest in Web technology to provide Costa's guests the convenience of using their in-stateroom TV sets to access a variety of electronic commerce services such as previewing shore excursions, watching on-demand movies and informational videos, ordering room service, and reviewing their folio accounts and shipboard activities. The Allin solution will interface with the vessel's hotel management system to allow direct billing to guest accounts for E-commerce transactions processed through the interactive television system.

 

Oceania’s ‘Insignia’ Emerges From Multi-Million Dollar Refurbishment

Oceania Cruises’ Insignia has recently emerged from a multi-million dollar refurbishment. Carried out during a ten-day period in a French shipyard, Insignia gleams like a freshly polished jewel, resplendent with stylish new furnishings and sporting an abundance of new amenities. Several hundred shipyard workers were joined by Insignia’ s 400-plus staff members to undertake the refurbishment project which consumed thousands of meters of new upholstery, custom-milled carpeting and special flooring, thousands of gallons of paint and refinished acres of teak. 

Under careful adherence to the line’s commitment to quality, this refurbishment project was undertaken with the ship only in service less than two years and was planned to coincide with the beginning of her 2006 European season. Read the details on New Ships.

 

Cruise West Launches New Website And Marketing Campaign

American-owned Cruise West has partnered with Marqui, Inc. to launch an integrated marketing campaign and technologically sophisticated website to match current trends and customer demands, including blog postings, “webinars,” and RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds.  “Today’s technology has created a variety of means to communicate a single message,” said Cruise West’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales Warren Sukernek.  “Now, with Marqui’s software, we can customize interactions with our customers to meet each individual’s interests on whether he or she desires print brochures, blogs or email updates.”

Cruise West’s new, simple-to-navigate website and partnership with Marqui provides a website that is more interactive and offers a heightened level of enrichment through the blog postings and RSS feeds, a method of syndicating information.  The blogs feature firsthand descriptions from trips and allow visitors to the site to post their own feedback.  This entity creates a greater sense of community with previous Cruise West guests and provides a more intimate tool for potential guests. Visitors to the site can directly request updates and news with the enhanced email campaign and RSS feeds, alerting them when new information has been added to the website. 

Travel agents are now able to email specific webpages to their clients and have easy access to rates and dates for each itinerary. Each month features a different course, such topics as predictions about baby boomers and maximizing agent motivation.

With this single effort to manage blogging, web content, search engine optimization, email marketing, RSS feeds and more, Cruise West can reduce time and resources previously needed to individually coordinate a multichannel campaign.  The integration synchronizes the message to avoid delays in distribution through various channels.         

 

NCL Corp. Announces Expanded 2007 Hawaii/Fanning Island Deployment

NCL Corporation has extended its relationship with the Republic of Kiribati enabling it to continue to offer Fanning Island on its long Hawaii cruises through to 2011 and to commit one of its purpose-built new Freestyle Cruising ships to this increasingly popular itinerary. Norwegian Sun, will replace Norwegian Wind sailing ten- and 11-day itineraries from Honolulu with a stop at Fanning Island beginning in September 2007. This newer, larger ship, launched in 2001, will take over and grow NCL’s ten- and 11-day Hawaii trade when Norwegian Wind is transferred to the Star Cruises fleet in late April 2007. The addition of Norwegian Sun to Hawaii, following the addition of Pride of Hawai in June, completes the Norwegian Cruise Line brand and NCL America’ brand Hawaii fleets and will bring the total NCL Hawaii fleet to over 8,500 lower berths.

The increase in capacity on these itineraries represents a significant increase in the company’s commitment to the Republic of Kiribati. And by deploying a newer ship into the longer itinerary with more than 2,000 guests, NCL has further increased its capacity in Hawaii and expects to bring some 450,000 passengers to Hawaii in 2007.

“The completion of NCL’s fleet in Hawai`i is a major milestone, with our guests having three modern U.S. Flagged ships sailing inter-island in Hawaii, alongside a big modern international-flagged ship offering longer Hawaii itineraries,” said Colin Veitch, NCL Corporation’s president and CEO. “In addition, this move enables NCL to continue its plan of renewing its fleet and Star Cruises to expand its Asian fleet with relatively modern medium-capacity vessels, in order to meet growing demand in the region.”

 

Celebrity Cruise Captain Fails Alcohol Breath Test

After failing a breath alcohol test during a routine safety inspection in Seattle last week, the captain of Celebrity’s Mercury was removed from command. The US Coast Guard said inspectors administered the test after they detected an odor of alcohol on the captain's breath.

Capt. Periklis Petridis, 46, was charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and could face a year in prison if found guilty. Operating a commercial vessel under the influence of alcohol is a misdemeanor that can bring up to a year in prison.

A cruise line spokesman said the staff captain assumed command and added that the company prohibits any officer from consuming alcohol within eight hours of reporting for duty.

 

NCL Corp. Announces Sale Of ‘Norwegian Crown’ To Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

 NCL Corporation has announced that its parent company, Star Cruises, has agreed to sell Norwegian Crown to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Pte. Ltd., Singapore effective August 2006. Star Cruises will concurrently charter the vessel back from Fred. Olsen and NCL will continue her announced deployment through to November 2007.

Norwegian Crown is presently owned by Star Cruises along with four other mid-sized vessels also operated by NCL and Orient Lines. These vessels are on inter-company charter between Star and NCL. “Although a beautiful and well-maintained vessel, Norwegian Crown’s smaller size is less suitable for Star Cruises’ ambitions in Asia,” said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation. “Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines specializes in operating smaller and mid-sized upscale vessels and this ship should fit perfectly in their fleet.”

This summer and fall, Norwegian Crown is sailing seven-day Bermuda cruises from Philadelphia and New York and will sail her popular 14-night South American cruises throughout the winter season of 2006/2007. In summer 2007, she will again offer a full season of Bermuda cruises from New York and Philadelphia and will end her deployment as an NCL ship at the close of the Bermuda season at the end of October 2007.

The ship will join the existing Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines fleet of four vessels which operate world wide itineraries focused mainly on the British market. The 32,242 ton vessel currently has 1,104 lower berths and originally entered service in 1988 as Crown Odyssey. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines expects to take delivery of the vessel in November 2007, and after an extensive refit will begin cruising under a new name in early 2008.  “This latest ship will fit perfectly into our existing fleet of small to medium sized vessels, and will extend our range of itineraries considerably,” said Chairman of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, Fred. Olsen Jr. “The British cruise market continues to expand and this acquisition demonstrates our commitment to this exciting industry”.

The purchase of Norwegian Crown by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will enable the UK operator to both broaden the spread of homeporting options across the UK and to increase its capacity in the Caribbean in the winter. With a fifth new ship, Olsen will be able to increase its homport options in the UK.

The departures of Norwegian Wind—which will be transferred to parent company Star Cruises in April 2007— and Norwegian Crown from the NCL fleet are designed to occur within the same period as the scheduled delivery and entry into service of two new purpose built NCL Freestyle Cruising ships of approximately 2,380 lower berth capacity each, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem.

 

Princess Website Debuts Unique "My Portfolio" Cruise Planning Tool

Starting today, visitors to Princess' website (www.princess.com ) will find it easier than ever to choose and prepare for a cruise with a new My Portfolio feature.  This new vacation planning tool enables anyone organizing a cruise with friends or family to conduct an invitation-based dialog to help coordinate choices and aid in the decision-making process about their Princess sailing. 

A completely new feature on the site, My Portfolio is a simple way for users to save cruise itineraries of interest and share these sailings with others to facilitate vacation planning. Integrated with princess.com's innovative Searchlight feature, My Portfolio enables users to save multiple itineraries, compare and view them at their convenience and then e-mail private invitations to other travel companions.  Users organizing a vacation with others can take advantage of this "share" feature to e-mail saved cruises to anyone they wish, and the recipients can post comments to a blog-like feature that will help everyone determine the perfect cruise and keep up-to-date on details as they prepare for the sailing.  As a result, My Portfolio makes cruise planning easier by offering a secure method to communicate with travel companions quickly.

The new My Portfolio tool can be found on each user's new personalized My Princess page, a new feature, also debuting today, that gathers all of a customer's Princess account information in one convenient desktop dashboard. "So many of us have had the experience of planning a cruise with friends and family, and have discovered that gathering information and responding to the many differing opinions and questions to be a daunting task for the organizer," said Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president of customer service and sales.  "My Portfolio really offers consumers a great way to easily gather and share cruise information, and then take the final details to their travel agent to make the booking."

With My Portfolio customers can save itinerary information on up to three cruises to revisit at their convenience.  These itineraries can be shared with up to 20 people that the user designates on their private invite list of friends and family.  Group members can then respond and conduct a regular dialog through the site, making it easier than ever to make sure everyone has the same updated information.

The new feature is just one of the dynamic features available on Princess Cruises website, www.princess.com.  Among the site's innovations is Searchlight, a custom-designed search tool that can instantly show users exactly which ships travel where, when and for how long.  The feature-rich site is designed to intuitively follow how users seek out information, and offers a plethora of cruise planning information.

 

Carnival’s CEO Inducted Into Tourism Cares For Tomorrow Hall of Fame          

Bob Dickinson, president and CEO of Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, has been inducted in the Hall of Fame of Tourism Cares for Tomorrow, an organization that makes grants to tourism related natural and historic sites and provides scholarship and internship opportunities to young people interested in pursuing careers in the travel and tourism industry.  The award, which was presented at the organization’s annual gala in Hollywood, Fla., recognized Dickinson for his outstanding contributions to the travel industry, particularly by sharing his widely known sales and marketing expertise with others, as well as his philanthropic efforts which includes support of a wide range of local and national charitable organizations.       “A true pioneer in our industry, Bob is certainly a deserving candidate for this honor.  Not only has he been one of the travel industry’s foremost marketers, he also selflessly donates his time and talent to help others,” said Bruce Beckham, executive director of Tourism Cares for Tomorrow.

Dickinson has been with Carnival since its inception in 1972 and was named president in 1993 and CEO in 2003. During his career, Dickinson is widely credited with helping to mainstream the cruise industry through innovative sales and marketing techniques and product positioning initiatives.

Dickinson co-authored the books "Selling the Sea:  An Inside Look at the Cruise Industry"—the second edition of which is scheduled to be published this summer— and "The Complete 21^st Century Travel and Hospitality Marketing Handbook.”

Based in Canton, Mass., Tourism Cares for Tomorrow is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, conservation and promotion of the responsible use of our world's natural, cultural and historic treasures through a variety of education and research initiatives. The organization’s mission is to help secure the positive future of travel and tourism worldwide. 

 

NCMA To Provide Travel Agent Training Sessions At 5 Industry Events

The Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance will provide educational opportunities on how to be successful by becoming a specialist in the niche cruise market to over 10,000 travel agents at five major travel agent events during the rest of 2006. These include  ASTA's  Trade Show in Orlando September 10-13; the Home-Based Conference and Trade Show October 19-21 in San Jose, California; the Leisure Travel and Winter Cruise-A-Thon in Fort Lauderdale December 1-5, Luxury Travel Expo and Home Based Travel Expo in Las Vegas December 5-7. NCMA will provide links to each of the shows information from their web site at www.nichecruise.com.

The NCMA training session involves a three-hour training program that provides agents with a clear understanding of the opportunities offered by niche cruise products and how they will help an agent stand apart from their competition and make more money. The program also deals with recognizing the market and promotional techniques that have been successful in growing the business. Agents will also receive a briefing on the many different experiences provided by niche cruise lines and how the lines and travel agents work together. At the end of the program the agents will have earned their Niche Cruise Specialist certification that include a diploma, listing on the NCMA web site, over $600 in bonus booking certificates, special FAM trip opportunities and all of the benefits provided to Niche Cruise Specialists.

NCMA member lines include American Cruise Lines, American West Steamboat Company, Cruise West, Discovery World Cruises, Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines, Galapagos Explorer II (Canodros), Imperial Majesty Cruises, Imperial River Cruise Lines, Norwegian Coastal Voyage, Orion Expedition Cruises, Peter Deilmann Cruises, RiverBarge Excursion Lines and Star Clippers. The Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance is expanding its travel agent training and other outreach programs including greater participation at industry events, a stronger alliance with other travel agent organizations such as ASTA/NACTA and the enhancement of its internet-based training program.

The NCMA 's web site is www.NicheCruise.com.

 

Carnival ’s Shipboard Trainers Certified By Leading Hospitality Training Institute

Carnival Cruise Lines lead corporate trainers, who coordinate hospitality, management and safety training to the line’s 33,000-plus shipboard employees, have been awarded the Certified Hospitality Trainer (CHT) designation by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. To be receive the CHT designation, the highest achievement awarded by the Educational Institute, Carnival’s corporate trainers had to successfully complete an intensive program that focused on a broad range of hospitality training areas, including hotel operations, financial management, human relations and human resources management. “Safety and hospitality are core values at Carnival Cruise Lines and our trainers earning the CHT designation allows them to do their jobs more effectively and underscores the tremendous emphasis that we place on training on our day-to-day operations,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.  

Carnival’s lead corporate trainers facilitate instructor-led and self-study training programs aboard all 21 of the line’s ships. Training takes place in the fleetwide crew training centers (CTC) which serve as the venue for industry-specific seminars focusing on hospitality, management and leadership skills, as well as required maritime safety and environmental regulations, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs. The CTCs also offer more than 500 different computer-based training programs, language courses, books and other resources fleetwide.

The lead shipboard trainers are part of Carnival’s corporate training department which is based at the company’s Miami headquarters and produces a broad range of custom-designed, in-house programs and videos delivered to a diversified global workforce of 36,500 aboard 21 cruise ships and within its various shoreside offices. 

 

Royal Caribbean’s ‘Majesty Of The Seas’ To Be Upgraded

The Majesty of the Seas will be taken out of service for about a month in early 2007 to get substantial upgrades, Royal Caribbean announced this month. The cruise line said that it will renovate most of the ship, a plan that includes implementing Royal Caribbean's new bedding program and relocating a larger and "more contemporary" ShipShape Fitness Center to Deck 9. A Johnny Rockets diner and Sorrento's pizzeria will be added to the Majesty. The ship will be out of service for about a month from January 12 to February 9.

The cruise line also announced that the Legend of the Seas will sail an Eastern Mediterranean itinerary alternating 12-day cruises to Italy and Croatia with 12-day eastern Mediterranean cruises.

 

NCL Corporation Reports Loss For First Quarter 2006

NCL Corporation Ltd. reported a net loss of $28.1 million on total revenues of $422.5 million for its first quarter ended March 31, 2006. This compares to net income of $6.0 million on total revenues of $349.0 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005. The net loss for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006 included a foreign exchange translation loss of $5.1 million, as compared to a gain of $4.3 million for same period of the prior year.

The growth in payroll and related expenses was primarily attributable to increased payroll costs associated with US crew used in the Company's inter-island cruises in Hawaii, which began operations in June 2004 and expanded to three ships with the delivery of Pride of Hawaii in April 2006. Cost associated with the crewing of this ship began well ahead of her first revenue cruise which is scheduled at the end May 2006 and were well underway during the first quarter of 2006. The increase in fuel costs was driven by a 52 percent increase in fuel prices. During the quarter, average fuel prices increased to $337 per metric ton from $222 per metric ton in the first quarter of 2005. "Consistent with our expectations, the first quarter continued to feel the effects of higher fuel costs and the impact of significant start-up costs associated with our NCL America operations," said Colin Veitch, president and chief executive officer of NCL Corporation Ltd. "While the NCL America start-up costs continue to be challenging, we expect to see some stabilization of these costs after Pride of Hawaii begins revenue service and our three-ship deployment is complete. The first quarter also felt the effects of softer pricing in the winter/spring Caribbean, both from southern ports and New York, as previously indicated in our fourth quarter conference call."

Booking levels, adjusted for the 17 percent increase in capacity, are slightly lower than at the same time last year; however, pricing continues to be ahead. The demand environment is not as robust as last year, suggesting that consumers generally may be feeling some impact of higher fuel prices and increased interest rates. However, with the addition of 17 percent capacity, the Company has a better year-over-year mix of higher yielding itineraries such as Hawaii and Europe. Therefore, the Company continues to expect Net Yields to increase approximately 5 percent for the full year of 2006.

Colin Veitch, CEO of NCL Corp. said in a conference call with analysts that consumers are seeing tighter discretionary income, which has affected lower-price cruise markets in the Caribbean. NCL's parent company Star Cruises, meanwhile, said it lost $35.1 million in first-quarter 2006, compared with a $4.4 million profit in first-quarter 2005.  

 

NCL Corp. Announces Expanded 2007 Hawaii/Fanning Island Deployment

NCL Corporation has extended its relationship with the Republic of Kiribati enabling it to continue to offer Fanning Island on its long Hawaii cruises through to 2011 and to commit one of its purpose-built new Freestyle Cruising ships to this increasingly popular itinerary. Norwegian Sun, will replace Norwegian Wind sailing ten- and 11-day itineraries from Honolulu with a stop at Fanning Island beginning in September 2007. This newer, larger ship, launched in 2001, will take over and grow NCL’s ten- and 11-day Hawaii trade when Norwegian Wind is transferred to the Star Cruises fleet in late April 2007. The addition of Norwegian Sun to Hawaii, following the addition of Pride of Hawaii in June, completes the Norwegian Cruise Line brand and NCL America’ brand Hawaii fleets and will bring the total NCL Hawaii fleet to over 8,500 lower berths.

In 2007, NCL America’s U.S. Flagged fleet -- Pride of Hawaii, Pride of America and Pride of Aloha -- will continue their popular seven-day inter-island cruises calling on all four main islands featuring 100 hours in port with overnights in Kauai and Maui.

 

Carnival Corporation & Plc Revises 2006 Outlook

Carnival Corporation & plc is revising 2006 earnings guidance based on several items, including lower revenue yields, higher fuel costs and a change in accounting.

Earnings for fiscal 2006 are now expected to be in the range of $2.65 to $2.75 per share, roughly in line with 2005 earnings of $2.70 per share. The company expects earnings for the second quarter of 2006 to be in the range of $0.43 to $0.45 per share. With regard to the revised outlook, Carnival Corp. Chairman and CEO Micky Arison commented that  "although we are disappointed having to lower our guidance for the year, we believe the fundamentals of our business remain sound and our long-term strategies position us well to grow our business in 2007 and beyond."

 

Clipper Cruise Line and First Choice Holidays Form Expedition Cruising Force

INTRAV and Clipper Cruise Line parent First Choice Holidays, has announced the formation of First Choice Expedition Cruising. The two upscale, expeditionary vessels of Clipper Cruise Line—the 122-passenger Clipper Adventurer and 128-passenger Clipper Odyssey along with the two small ships operated by the First Choice Holidays-owned Australian travel company Peregrine, are being brought together under one management. First Choice has taken the opportunity to bring the best of both companies together, creating a very strong foundation for what will become world’s leading small-ship expeditionary cruise line.

Clipper Cruise Line will continue with business as usual and independent operations of its two vessels through October 31, 2006, remaining committed to the high level of service and innovative itineraries for which the company is renowned. “Being a member of the First Choice Holidays family of companies has shown yet another advantage — the Clipper philosophy brought to a global scale,” says David Drier, INTRAV’s President. “The small-ship expertise of both Clipper and Peregrine, joined with strength and vision of First Choice makes the future of this enterprise very encouraging.”

Founded in 1959, St. Louis-based Intrav, Inc. comprised of INTRAV and Clipper Cruise Line—has built its reputation as a designer and operator of unique international travel and small-ship expeditionary cruises to every continent.

 

Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean Resume Port Calls In Cartagena, Coloumbia

Colombia President Alvaro Uribe Velez and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain have announced that Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International will resume port calls to Cartagena, Colombia, starting in April 2007.  At a meeting in Cartagena, the two executives were highly enthusiastic about the cruise line’s return and the partnership that made it possible. The company last called in Cartagena in 2002.

Celebrity Cruises will make 24 visits to Cartagena: 11 on Zenith, seven on Constellation, six on Infinity and four on Summit.  Royal Caribbean will make eight calls at Cartagena over the 2007-2008 season: five on Brilliance of the Seas, two on Radiance of the Seas and one on Serenade of the Seas.  

 

Princess Website Debuts Unique "My Portfolio" Cruise Planning Tool

Visitors to Princess' website (www.princess.com) can now find it easier than ever to choose and prepare for a cruise with a new My Portfolio feature.  This new vacation planning tool enables anyone organizing a cruise with friends or family to conduct an invitation-based dialog to help coordinate choices and aid in the decision-making process about their Princess sailing. 

A completely new feature on the site, My Portfolio is a simple way for users to save cruise itineraries of interest and share these sailings with others to facilitate vacation planning. Integrated with www.princess.com 's innovative Searchlight feature, My Portfolio enables users to save multiple itineraries, compare and view them at their convenience and then e-mail private invitations to other travel companions.  Users organizing a vacation with others can take advantage of this "share" feature to e-mail saved cruises to anyone they wish, and the recipients can post comments to a blog-like feature that will help everyone determine the perfect cruise and keep up-to-date on details as they prepare for the sailing.  As a result, My Portfolio makes cruise planning easier by offering a secure method to communicate with travel companions quickly.

The new My Portfolio tool can be found on each user's new personalized My Princess page, a new feature, also debuting today, that gathers all of a customer's Princess account information in one convenient desktop dashboard.

My Portfolio is one of several online features now gathered onto a new My Princess home page.  This convenient new portal debuts an easy-to-use dashboard that gathers, presents and saves information about a user's cruise preferences, account status and upcoming booking information in one place. My Princess contains information about the user's Captain's Circle account status, Circle Savings Account balance, and a direct Cruise Personalizer link for upcoming bookings.  If a user has a cruise booked, they will see a variety of information about the sailing, including links to the itinerary and ship features.

In addition, users with upcoming cruises will no longer need to remember their booking number to check their Cruise Personalizer.  Simply logging into My Princess will provide a direct link to the Personalizer, instantly retrieving the passenger's booking information and enabling them to check on their reservation and add extra touches to their cruise, such as reserving shore excursions in port or planning a relaxing massage at the Lotus Spa.

Each user's My Princess home page also features boxes that include at-a-glance access to the traveler's Captain's Circle status and account number.  Users will instantly see if they have available cruise or onboard credits in their Circle Savings account, and can easily sign up friends through the club's Referral Rewards Program.

My Portfolio and My Princess are available to anyone registered with princess.com.  Current site users can log on immediately with their existing account information.  New users can set up an account quickly and easily on the site.

 

Cruise Passengers To Bermuda Get Bonus From Pink Beach Club

Pink Beach Club, the picture perfect resort in Tucker’s Town, Bermuda, is inviting cruise line passengers to go for a change of scenery and overnight with them during their ship’s stay in Bermuda this summer.  Accommodation in a junior suite with private veranda, a full English Breakfast, and a five course gourmet dinner are included.  Guests may spend the day lounging on one of the resort’s beautiful pink beaches, playing tennis or snorkeling amidst extraordinary sea life just off the coast.  All of this is at a special price of $350 for ship passengers, plus taxes and service.

Michael J. Williams, managing director of Pink Beach Club said “We offer what we feel that cruise line passengers often miss in Bermuda – quality time on our pink coral beaches, water sports, tennis, extraordinary accommodations, and delicious cuisine.  We can also arrange for them to play a round of golf at one of the world’s best golf courses, minutes away from Pink Beach Club or have a spa treatment on their private veranda.”

A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World consortium, the resort is just seven miles from Hamilton, Bermuda’s capital and port. Website: www.pinkbeach.com  

 

New Carnival Booking Promotion Offers Travel Agents ‘Reward Dollars’ Carnival Cruise Lines has launched a new promotion awarding travel agents “Reward Dollars” up to $50 per booking on a wide variety of “Fun Ship” departures. With Carnival’s “Booking Bonanza,” travel agents can earn up to $10 per booking for three-day departures, $20 per booking for four-day voyages, $25 per booking for five-day cruises, $30 per booking for six- to eight-day sailings, and $50 per booking for voyages of 12 days or longer. 

 “Reward Dollars” earned by travel agents will be placed in an in-house account at Carnival and can be redeemed for select Carnival cruises departing between now and April 2008.  Bookings must be fully deposited between now and July 17, 2006.

“Reward Dollars” will be awarded by Aug. 8, 2006, and must be redeemed by Dec. 13, 2006.  “Reward Dollars” are non-transferable, non-refundable, cannot be used as cash, and may only be used toward the payment of a cruise. Travel agents complete a registration available on Carnival’s travel agent Internet portal, www.bookccl.com, to participate in this promotion.

 

NOAA Predicts Very Active 2006 North Atlantic Hurricane Season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Washington, DC has announced this month that a very active hurricane season is looming, and encouraged individuals to make preparations to better protect their lives and livelihoods. "For the 2006 north Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to ten becoming hurricanes, of which four to six could become 'major' hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher," added retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

On average, the North Atlantic hurricane season produces 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. In 2005, the Atlantic hurricane season contained a record 28 storms, including 15 hurricanes. Seven of these hurricanes were considered "major," of which a record four hit the United States. "Although NOAA is not forecasting a repeat of last year's season, the potential for hurricanes striking the U.S. is high," added Lautenbacher.

Warmer ocean water combined with lower wind shear, weaker easterly trade winds, and a more favorable wind pattern in the mid-levels of the atmosphere are the factors that collectively will favor the development of storms in greater numbers and to greater intensity. Warm water is the energy source for storms while favorable wind patterns limit the wind shear that can tear apart a storm's building cloud structure. This confluence of conditions in the ocean and atmosphere is strongly related to a climate pattern known as the multi-decadal signal, which has been in place since 1995. Since then, nine of the last 11 hurricane seasons have been above normal, with only two below-normal seasons during the El Niño years of 1997 and 2002.

NOAA Expects Below Average 2006 East Pacific Hurricane Season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its 2006 east Pacific hurricane season outlook, predicting a below average season with 12 to 16 tropical storms, of which six to eight could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes of category 3 strength or greater. An average east Pacific hurricane season features 15 to 16 tropical storms, with nine becoming hurricanes, including four to five major hurricanes. “The last three east Pacific hurricane seasons have been below normal, following an overall trend of lower activity since 1995,” said Jim Laver, director of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Md. Neutral El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are expected across the equatorial Pacific during the next three to six months. “Therefore neither El Niño nor La Niña will likely be a factor in this year’s hurricane season,” added Laver. “At present, the leading climate pattern affecting the east Pacific hurricane season is a multi-decadal signal, which contributes to stronger easterly winds at jet stream level and hence higher easterly wind shear,” said Muthuvel Chelliah, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center lead scientist on the east Pacific hurricane season outlook. Wind shear refers to the change in winds between the lower and upper atmosphere. Higher wind shear inhibits hurricane formation. “Since 1995, despite the trend to warmer waters in the tropical east Pacific, higher wind shear has contributed to fewer tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes,” noted Chelliah.

Most tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the east Pacific generally move towards the open expanse of the Pacific Ocean and do not make landfall. However during any given season a storm or two may affect western Mexico, Central America and the southwestern United States, as was the case with Hurricane Ignacio in 2003 and Hurricane Adrian in 2005.

 

Crystal Cruises Becomes First Cruise Line To Offer Kilimanjaro Excursion

In an industry first, luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises is offering a new overland adventure to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.  From an equatorial jungle through a dense cloud forest to the perpetually ice- and snow-capped summit, thrill-seekers will revel at the rare chance to climb 19,340 feet to Uhuru Peak, the highest peak in Africa. The nine-night extended land program debuts in March 2007, and is available pre- or post-cruise in conjunction with two Crystal Serenity itineraries beginning or ending in Cape Town, South Africa.  The fascinating trek to the top of the highest free-standing mountain on earth is offered through the line’s partnership with Micato Safaris, a family-owned company renowned for its expertise in showcasing the beauty and wilds of Africa.

“This new excursion is quite literally the pinnacle of adventure, reserved for only the fittest adventure-seekers who have always dreamt of conquering Kilimanjaro,” says John Stoll, Crystal’s director of land programs.  “Under the expert guidance of Micato Safaris – a company that shares Crystal’s passion for excellence – a handful of Crystal guests will be able embark on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The program includes flights between Cape Town and Nairobi/Arusha/Mombasa; transfers to Marangu where the climb begins; all accommodations and meals; and, services of expert guides and porters.

 

Carnival Cruise Lines Rolls Out New Past Guest Loyalty Program

Carnival Cruise Lines has introduced a new loyalty program providing past guests with a variety of value-added benefits and features, including priority embarkation and debarkation, guaranteed supper club reservations and dining times, personalized stationery and custom-designed Carnival logo items.

Available exclusively to “Platinum” cardholders who have sailed aboard the “Fun Ships” 10 or more times, the new “Carnival Concierge Club” benefits are designed to recognize and reward those longtime Carnival guests for their loyalty over the years.

Platinum cardholders are entitled to the following shipboard benefits and features:

Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin one evening

Personalized stationery

A special Carnival logo item

Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations

Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack tournament

Spa Carnival priority reservations and complimentary treatment upgrade

Complimentary wash and fold laundry service

Priority tender boarding

Priority embarkation and debarkation

Additionally, a fully staffed concierge desk for Platinum cardholders has been established at the purser’s information desk aboard every Carnival ship.  A dedicated phone line is available fleetwide, as well. Special luggage tags indicating guests are “Carnival Concierge Club” members are included in guests’ cruise documents.  “Carnival Concierge Club” members also receive a special Welcome Aboard letter from Carnival President and CEO Bob Dickinson detailing the exclusive amenities and privileges available during their cruise.

 

Martha Stewart To Serve As Godmother For ‘Crown Princess’

Martha Stewart has been selected by Princess Cruises to serve as godmother for the line's newest cruise ship, Crown Princess.  Ms. Stewart will preside over the vessel's official naming in New York on June 14, 2006, when she breaks the traditional bottle of champagne on the ship marking its debut.  The ceremony, which will be the first to occur at the city's new Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, will honor Ms. Stewart and the many accomplishments that have made her America's premier authority on the home. That same evening across from the glittering Manhattan skyline, the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess will depart on her maiden voyage to the Caribbean, the first of a summer season of roundtrip New York voyages.

Princess Cruises President Alan Buckelew says Princess feels privileged that Ms. Stewart has accepted the company's invitation to name Crown Princess.  "Martha is truly an icon of style and, undoubtedly, has had more influence on how Americans entertain, cook and decorate and design in and around their homes than almost anyone in history," he said.  "We wanted to give the honor of christening our new ship to a woman of exceptional achievement, and Ms. Stewart is certainly that.  It is also fitting that she has grown her successful company in New York, the ship's home port."

From her award-winning magazine, Martha Stewart Living, to her bestselling product lines, Martha Stewart shares the creative principles and practical ideas that have made her America's most trusted guide to stylish living.  Millions of consumers rely on Martha Stewart as their arbiter of style and taste and their guide to all aspects of everyday living - from cooking and entertaining to decorating and home renovating, and much more.  Martha Stewart is the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which encompasses publishing, broadcasting, merchandising, and Internet business segments.

The inaugural 2006 summer season for Crown Princess will feature nine-day roundtrip voyages to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and will mark the return of Princess visits to Bermuda, as well as the line's first-ever regular calls to Grand Turk.  In the fall the ship will reposition to San Juan for winter Caribbean sailings.

 

Greenpeace International Tries To Save ‘The Norway’

Greenpeace International is appealing to India's Supreme Court to keep the 46-year-old ship that has been called the Blue Lady, the France and most notably the Norway from being sent to an Indian scrap yard. Greenpeace contends that the vessel is filled with 1,000 tons of asbestos and other toxic chemicals and is harmful to workers and the environment. The ship has sailed for Norwegian Cruise Line, but it has been out of service since May 2003, after a boiler room explosion onboard killed eight crewmembers.

 

 New On-Line Travel Agent Training Program Launched On Bookccl.Com

Carnival Cruise Lines has launched a new on-line travel agent training program offering proven sales and marketing techniques and a variety of helpful information on the “Fun Ship” vacation experience.         Available within Carnival’s travel agent Internet portal, bookccl.com, “Carnival University Online” is divided into seven distinct chapters each focusing on a different component of the line’s business.

Chapters include “Who Is Carnival Today,” providing a comprehensive overview of the brand; “Identifying Clients,” offering detailed information on Carnival’s demographics; “Cruise Choices,” covering accommodation types, on-board activities, and destination and shore excursion options; and “Sales Climate Today and Tomorrow,” with information on the evolution of the travel agency distribution system and how agencies must adapt to a changing business landscape.

The “Special Sales: Group and Cruising for Charity” chapter offers tips for developing group business, while “Booking/Marketing Support” provides an overview of Carnival’s wide-ranging sales tools and resources. There’s also a “Make Sure They Know Before They Go” section providing with information and tips on embarkation, packing, attire and other areas.

After reading each chapter, travel agents must answer a series of multiple choice questions correctly before moving on to the next chapter. Chapters can be completed individually and the program does not have to be completed in one session. Upon successful completion of the program, travel agents receive a certificate of completion signed by the Carnival regional vice president for their particular region.      

 “Carnival University Online” is the latest addition to the line’s comprehensive travel agent Internet portal, bookccl.com, which provides agents with a “one-stop shop” to fulfill all of their sales and marketing needs, with more than 1,000 pages content and  a dynamic booking engine linked directly to Carnival’s reservations system. For additional information on “Carnival University Online” contact the line’s business development services department at 1-800-327-7276.

 

Give Clients The Gift Of MSC Cruises Logowear

MSC Cruises’ agent website now includes a marketing store featuring MSC Cruises LogoWear. By going to www.msccruisesagent.com  and clicking on MSC LogoWear in the left-hand column, agents will be able to see an array of T-shirts, golf shirts, caps, travel mugs and tote bags  all featuring the distinctive MSC Cruises logo. The line will be regularly adding merchandise to the site.

Through the site, agents can order merchandise, inquire about special requests or receive information about large-quantity orders. “We are continually looking for ways to provide additional resources to our travel agent partners,” says Gail Nicolaus, director of marketing for MSC Cruises (USA). “We regularly expand and enhance the training, product information, and customizable marketing tools available on the site. Now, the MSC LogoWear shop enables agents to give their clients a gift that will serve as yet another memory of their MSC Cruises experience.”

 

 

 

May 12, 2006

RCI’s ‘Freedom of the Seas’ Makes Waves on Her Maiden U.S. Arrival

Royal Caribbean Internationals long awaited Freedom of the Seas arrived in New York Harbor May 10 to dock at her at the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal in Bayonne, New Jersey. At 160,000 GRT and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. She will be christened on May 12 while anchored off the Statue of Liberty. The inaugural festivities will be broadcast on NBC’s Today Show starting at 7 am DST.

The first in Royal Caribbean's new Freedom class, she boasts a slew of firsts including a the first FlowRider(R) surfing simulator at sea and the first cantilevered whirlpools at sea, suspended 112 feet above the ocean in the adults-only solarium, which also features a pool flanked by hammockssails. The ship 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, Haiti.

Panama Announces Plans To Widen Its Canal

The government of Panama recently announced an ambitious $5.3bn (£2.9bn) plan to widen its famous canal to handle a new generation of giant container ships. President Martin Torrijos described the project as a "formidable challenge" but necessary if the canal is to retain its place as a key route for global cargo. In a televised speech, President Torrijos said the plan was, "the most important decision about the canal and its role in the 21st century."

The  50-mile canal links the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and plays a vital role in global trade with some 40 ships daily passing through the Canal’s system of locks and lakes. The canal was opened in 1914 and run by the US until it was handed to the Panama government in 1999.

The proposed plan will be voted on in a national referendum later this year.

Eleventh Hour For The 'Norway' Now Under Tow To The Breakers

Singapore-based Star Cruises confirms their sale of the Norway but cannot divulge the identity of the ship's new owners. A consortium of breakers have reportedly bought the famed vessel, until recently anchored off Port Klang, Malaysia, from her Bangladeshi owner, who in turn purchased the ship from her last owner Star Cruises. Reports indicate that the former France cum Norway is due in Alang for scrapping in early June.

Fire On Board Louis Cruise Line’s ‘Calypso’

The Calypso, a cruise ship owned by Louis Cruise Line, suffered a fire in an engine room while cruising in the English Channel. The ship with more than 700 on board was on its way to St Peter Port in Guernsey. No casualties were reported. The disabled vessel was towed to  Southampton

Many of the passengers were employees and guests of the Dutch travel company Cruise Travel. Passengers and crew boarded the ship's lifeboats, but the fire was put out before a full evacuation was ordered. "They smothered the engine room with CO2, which is normal procedure, and they have managed to extinguish the fire," said an official in Dover, where the rescue was coordinated.

Joanne Groenenberg, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said rescuers decided it would be too risky to evacuate the ship before it returned to dock in Southampton. "It is quite a dangerous environment to be at sea in a lifeboat, so it was much safer to keep them on board," she said.

Six fire investigators were lifted by helicopter on to the 38-year-old vessel, in the first deployment by the new Maritime Incident Response Group. Launched last month, the unit is the UK's first specialized fire-and-rescue service for incidents at sea.  ---BBC

Celebrity Cruises Cancels One Alaska Sailing

Celebrity Cruises is canceling one sailing on Summit to replace the starboard thrust bearing in the ship’s propulsion system.  The ship must enter drydock to replace the bearing, which will result in the cancellation of its May 20 sailing.  The ship is expected to return to its scheduled sailings on May 27. The cancelled sailing is a seven-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Seward.  Summit is currently sailing a 13-night West Coast / Alaska cruise that will end in Vancouver, as scheduled on May 20.

Guests booked on the cancelled sailing will receive a full refund and a free Celebrity cruise from North America of up to seven nights, departing on or before September 30, 2007, excluding holiday and Celebrity Xpedition sailings.  Travel agents will receive full commissions for the cancelled sailing, plus a $50 rebooking fee per stateroom when their clients reschedule their cruise. “Although Summit continues to operate safely, this is a matter that must be addressed now,” said Dan Hanrahan, president of Celebrity Cruises.  Our business is to provide the best vacations possible and I regret the disruption this will cause our guests.  We will do everything we can to assist them onboard other sailings.”

Celebrity has established a special help desk to assist guests and travel agents with rebooking, air transportation, land tours and other issues.  That toll-free number is

1-888-281-9343.

Letter of intent signed between easyCruise and Neorion Holdings For New Vessels

easyCruise and Neorion Holdings S.A announced the signing of a letter of intent for the construction of two cruise ships with the option for a further two in the Neorion Holdings’ shipyards in Greece. (Neorion Holdings own two shipyards, one in Elefsis near Athens and one on the island of Syros, in Greece).

According to easyCruise’s expansion plans, these cruiseships, with capacity of 500 passengers each, will allow for the introduction of the easyCruise concept in the Greek islands as well as other parts of Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Florida and the Bahamas and Dubai and the nearby areas. “I’m delighted that after an international tender that began back in 2005 with participating shipyards from Italy, Spain and Germany, easyCruise selected Neorion shipyards of Greece to enter into a letter of intent”, said Stelios Haji-Ioannou. “We are confident that technically this yard can build great ships for us. However, there are still specific issues to be resolved within the next two months, in order to finalize the agreement.”

The cruise ships will sail from the Faliro area near Athens (avoiding the commercial port of Piraeus that other cruise lines and ferry companies use), offering weekend cruises to Mykonos and Syros, and 4-day cruises to Santorini, with possible visits to Paros, Naxos, Milos or Serifos. According to Stelios Haji-Ioannou: “We aim to create a new cruise market in Greece, just like we did abroad. easyCruise ships remain in the port during most of the day and overnight, so that the passengers are free to visit the local bars, restaurants and shops, thus strengthening local economy in their ports of call. We target a young, active crowd, with average age 30-35 years, both Greeks and foreign visitors.”

easyCruise Appoints Gwyn Hughes As CEO

Gwyn Hughes has been appointed CEO of easyCruise and will take up the position immediately. A well-known figure during more than 25 years in the cruise and travel industries, Hughes was managing director of P&O Cruises until its demerger from the P&O Group in 2000 and was Executive Vice President of P&O Princess Cruises 2000-2003. During his career Gwyn also worked for airlines and tour operators as well as, most recently, setting up his own strategy and communications consultancy Pinpoint Communications. "I am really looking forward to bringing my experience in the cruise industry to easyCruise," said Hughes. "As the other players in the industry continue to focus on older passengers, I will make sure that easyCruise continues to shake up the industry with their innovative business plan and unique product in order to grow the market by bringing in young cruisers."

easyCruise has also appointed Louise Reece as Senior Vice President for Itineraries and Shore Activities. She will be responsible for all negotiations with ports and port agents as well as maximizing revenue from passenger shore activities. Louise, a UK national, has been based in Miami for many years and for the last 10 has been working for Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, a Miami based casual cruise line.

After a most encouraging first year easyCruise is now established as a new arrival in the cruise industry. easyCruiseOne spent its inaugural summer 2005 season in the French and Italian rivieras and its first winter 05/06 in the Caribbean. easyCruiseTwo will join the fleet in July 06 offering river cruises on the Rhine between Amsterdam and Brussels. The easyCruise business is now gearing up for further growth which include contracting more existing operators to become easyCruise franchisees as well as commissioning new build vessels. easyCruiseTwo is operated by the first easyCruise franchisee and there were a dozen shipyards originally included in the tender for easyCruise new buildings. New itineraries will also be established by easyCruise to complement or replace the existing ones. Miami and The Bahamas are being considered for winter 06/07 if the suggested incentives prove strong enough, and easyCruise is also looking at other areas which include Greek and Spanish Mediterranean cruises as well as further river cruises

Orion Expedition Cruises Voted # 1 By Cruise Passenger Readers

Australia’s only five-star, expedition cruise line, Orion Expedition Cruises has been voted number one in two categories of the 2005 Cruise Passenger Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards. Readers of the Southern Hemisphere’s number one cruise magazine voted Orion Best Small Ship – and Best Adventure Cruise – acknowledgment of the ship’s ability to provide small ship luxury – and quality expedition experiences together. “It is wonderful to be chosen as Number One by the readers of Cruise Passenger Magazine – especially after just one year of operation. This recognition reflects our belief that North Americans are looking for a luxury small ship that delivers a unique travel experience. Our high level of repeat passage is also testament to this belief,” explained Sarina Bratton, Founder and Managing Director.

Orion Expedition Cruises offers voyages from Darwin through the remote Kimberley region, from Cairns through the Torres Straits, from Sydney to Tasmania and from Hobart to the Antarctic deep below the Antarctic Circle. A detailed Voyage Log from her first expedition can now be found at www.orioncruises.com.au.

Agreement Reached Between Fincantieri & Lloyd Werft Shipyards

A new agreement between the Italian shipyard Fincantieri and the German Lloyd Werft shipyard was reached earlier this month. Lloyd Werft Fincantieri – Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A and Bremer Investitions-Gesellschaft mbH (BIG), the service provider for regional and business development in the state of Bremen, have signed an agreement with the current shareholders of Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven GmbH for the acquisition of a shareholding in Lloyd Werft, which will extend Fincantieri’s presence in the market of ship refitting and refurbishment services, The agreement represents the first stage of an industrial and commercial cooperation between the Italian shipbuilding group and the German shipyard.

The strategic location of the two shipyards in the North Sea and in the Mediterranean Sea, will strengthen Fincantieri’s position in the areas where a significant part of the cruise and ferry fleets are operating. Fincantieri and Lloyd Werft will act as prime contractor for ordinary and extraordinary maintenance and upgrading services, offering technical support and assistance in planning and running maintenance programs.

Fincantieri and BIG will acquire 21.05 percent and 13.16 percent respectively of the share capital of Lloyd Werft through a capital increase. The remaining shares will be held by the current shareholders. The full effectiveness of the Agreement will be subject to the final approval from the EU Commission and the German Antitrust Authority. Moreover, Fincantieri will have the right, by the end of 2008, to reach the majority by acquiring further shares from the current shareholders.

Fincantieri- Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. Fincantieri is one of the world’s leading shipbuilding groups, employs a workforce of approximately 9,400 (20,000 including suppliers), in eight shipyards, two design centers, a dedicated research center in shipbuilding and ship propulsion and two marine systems plants. In 2005 Fincantieri recorded a turnover of € 2,268.8 million, with an EBIT of € 111.4 million, in line with the economic and financial performance of recent years. As of February 2006 the order book value is approximately € 9,300 million.

Lloyd Werft-Bremerhaven GmbH Lloyd Werft specializes in the field of ship repairs and major conversions, with over one hundred years expertise in a wide range of projects on all types of ship, including naval vessels. The yard employs more than 500 employees

Bremer Investitions-Gesellschaft mbH Bremer Investitions-Gesellschaft mbH is the parent company of the BIG Group which was founded in 1998 to provide central service for regional and business development in the state of Bremen.

Celebrity’s  ‘Century’s $55-Million Makeover Includes Specialty Restaurant

Celebrity Cruises' $55-million, five-week revitalization of Century, will include a specialty restaurant quite literally featuring a heart of glass. Century's new Murano specialty restaurant in the center of the ship will sparkle with magnificent chandeliers handcrafted of Murano glass, named for the island of Murano near Venice, Italy, where glass-blowing has been a fine art and tradition since the 13th century. Complementing the Murano chandeliers will be a large, round granite medallion composed of jewel-toned stone designed to resemble the antique paving of medieval European cities and create the feeling of an Italian piazza. "Century's Murano restaurant will be a delightful blend of tradition with a chic, contemporary flair," said Francesca Bucci of BG Studios International in New York, NY, designer of the venue.

The menu for Murano will be designed by Celebrity's longtime culinary and wine consultant, renowned Master Chef Michel Roux. The cuisine and service will follow the celebrated style of Celebrity's Millennium-class specialty restaurants -- the Olympic, SS United States, Normandie and Ocean Liners, which presented the industry's first tableside cooking, carving and flambé.

Century's dramatic, two-level Grand Restaurant will be entirely refurbished, and a new 76-seat Sushi Bar with a casual Asian atmosphere created through palettes of caramel-colored bamboo plank floors, tabletops inlaid with cracked coconut, stylish dark wood chairs, and a new collection of artifacts and artwork will also be created.

In addition, a new Martini Bar will feature a liquid wall that freezes to form a sparkling crystalline appearance and a bar counter that freezes into ice-cold stone, while a solid block of ice will creatively display bottles of liquor behind the bar.

Century will emerge on May 30, 2006, from its aggressive five-week drydock period with the Murano restaurant, 314 new verandas, 14 new suites, 10 new staterooms ranging from inside to veranda category, an expanded number of Concierge Class category staterooms, and a series of features and amenities that typify the line's acclaimed Millennium-class fleet.

HAL’s Boston Cruise Calls Bring Nearly $22 Million To Local Economy

From flowers to fuel and milk to wine, Holland America Line's cruise operations have a significant economic impact on Boston and Massachusetts. Last year that impact totaled US$21,429,680 million, and in 2006 it is projected to climb slightly to just under US$22,000,000 as the ms Maasdam sails to or from Boston on 17 cruises.

Holland America Line's economic impact includes staffing at the cruise terminal, provisioning ships, refueling, passenger spending, crew spending, port fees and taxes, and marketing and sales expenditures in the region. "Holland America Line has enjoyed working with Boston as our gateway for our Canada New England cruises," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. "The Canada/New England cruising region is really an up and comer for our industry, especially among families seeking summer cruises with great ports and fantastic scenery," added Kruse.

To operate its 17 cruises, Holland America Line works with more than 100 Massachusetts vendors. These businesses range from local companies who supply Holland America Line ships with US$100,000 in products each season to vendors who will provide US$1 million worth of marine fuel.

Holland America Line estimates the direct impact of its 2006 Boston cruises to total approximately US$4,126,000 for Boston and US$9,300,000 for Massachusetts. This includes direct spending of US$1,693,600, by the company in Boston and US$2,433,000 spent by cruise guests and crew in shops, restaurants, hotels, museums, local sightseeing attractions and taxicabs. Other expenditures include maintaining its ships and provisioning its fleet, plus port fees, charges and taxes.

Total, the company anticipates its overall economic impact in Boston and the surrounding region during 2006 will be US$21,948,000, using a 2.36 economic multiplier.

2007 Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention Scheduled For March 12-15

The Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention that takes place annually in Miami, is scheduled in 2007 for March 12.-15. The three-day trade show/four-day cruise conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center also presents a two day super yacht symposium. New in 2007 will be the International Super Yacht Pavilion dedicated exclusively to large yacht equipment and services companies. For exhibitor details click http://www.cruiseshipping.net/floorPlan.html. To register your interest for the Cruise Conference and International Super Yacht Symposium visit http://www.cruiseshipping.net/conferenceRegistration.html.

Louis Cruises New ‘Sea Diamond’ Begins Short Cruises From Piraeus

Louis Cruise Lines' new Sea Diamond is into her inaugural season of three- and four-day cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey, operating out of Piraeus under the Louis Hellenic Cruises brand.

The vessel was purchased from Birka Cruises of Finland for the amount of US$ 35 million. M/V “Sea Diamond” was built in Finland in 1986 and underwent an extensive refurbishment in 1999 at a cost of US$ 26 million. She is 22.412 tons and has 584 cabins in which she can accommodate 1.250 passengers. This impressively designed cruise vessel, is characterized by its spacious areas and modern systems. Among other features, she has 3 restaurants, various bars, a large show lounge, a nightclub, a number of shops, a specially designed children’s area, congress & conference facilities and even an indoor swimming pool and spa center. In other words she provides all the comfort required to satisfy the demands of today’s cruise passengers. With 7 catalyzers and an air pollution control system installed, Sea Diamond is considered to an environmentally friendly cruise ship. During her refit an extra deck featuring an outdoor pool was added to the vessel.

LCL now owns 12 vessels, eight of which it operates itself with four on charter: three to Thomson (of which it provides technical and hotel management) and one to Transocean Tours.

Nonstop Service from Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Begins May 26

Traveling to Nova Scotia just got easier than ever. Beginning May 26, 2006, The CAT will commence nonstop fast ferry service from Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, bringing travelers from the U.S. to Canada in just 5 1/2 hours. (Click Ferry News for more information.)

IntraCoastal Waterway Cruisers No Longer Lost at Sea

More than 13,000 recreational boaters annually are using the IntraCoastal Waterway (ICW) as a pathway to leisure travel, but until now, they had no simple way to plan their shore excursions. But now, boaters can refer to www.CruisingTheICW.com —a new planning resource that provides cruisers with information about marinas, destinations, restaurants, attractions, and other travel-related suppliers. "In recent years more publications have begun including stories on ICW destinations, but no one has connected the destinations in a way to help simplify the search process for cruisers' planning of ICW trips," says Dick Trammell, president of The Travel and Tourism Development Group, Charleston, SC. "With more cruisers traveling with computers and more marinas providing high-speed Internet access, it simply makes sense to provide them a comprehensive, yet fast loading, easy to navigate website everyone onboard can enjoy using."

Trammell developed his Thinking Outside the Boat concept that drives the new website. According to Trammell, this site complements, rather than competes with existing guide and chart books about the Intracoastal Waterways from Key West to Canada. "Our destination and marina pages are designed to give cruisers and boaters more local information of importance to them than most destination and marina websites," Trammell adds. "We are literally giving them the information they have told us they want. Many coastal communities are investing in waterfront redevelopment, but continuing to ignore the cruiser and leisure boat market. It is a growing market with disposable income, discretionary time, and an appreciation for the history and ambiance that most coastal and Intracoastal communities have to offer."

A recreational boater himself who found ICW travel planning resources lacking, Trammell decided to use his background in destination marketing to connect ICW destinations, marinas, and suppliers, and the boater just as the ICW connects coastal destinations. www.CruisingTheICW.com provides a cost- effective way to keep destinations and cruising-related businesses in front of cruisers no matter where or when they are planning their trip activities.

Silversea Installing New Cellular Phone Service On Board It Ships

Silversea Cruises has installed new, cutting-edge technology that enables guests to use their own cellular phones and wireless PDAs while at sea just as they do on land.  The new service is now available onboard Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, and will be expanded to the line's other two ships, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, in the coming months.

The ultra-luxury cruise company has partnered with SeaMobile, a leading global provider of advanced at-sea wireless voice and data communications services, to offer guests the convenience of using their personal cell phones during a cruise while miles from shore.   The new technology works for both GSM and CDMA mobile phones as well as PDA devices such as BlackBerries.  GSM is the digital standard in Europe and other parts of the globe, while CDMA is the wireless standard for North America and the Far East.

"Last year we outfitted our ships with Wi-Fi hot spots so guests could use their own laptops, and now we're taking things a step further and giving them the convenience of being able to use their personal cell phones and PDAs while at sea as well," said Rick Kneale, Silversea's vice president of information technology and chief information officer.  "Although we're pleased to offer this enhanced service, we realize cell phone use can be disturbing to others, so quiet zones (areas without reception) such as the restaurants, spa, library and other public lounges, have been created thereby ensuring the comfort of all our guests. We will continue to encourage guests to use their cell phones primarily in their suites."

Rates for the at-sea cellular service will vary, depending on the guest's wireless provider.  Generally, the rates can range from $1.99 to $3.99 per minute, based on different roaming zones across the world.  Charges appear as roaming calls on the guest's regular wireless bill from their home carrier, which may include additional taxes and fees charged by various carriers.  

When the ship is in port, guests' cell phones will be switched to the carrier for that geographic area and roaming rates for the country they are visiting will apply.  As with all cell carriers, guests' cell phones that work while the ship is at sea may not work in some ports.

 

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