Carnival Corp. In Four-Ship
Deal With Italian Shipbuilder Fincantieri
Carnival Corporation & plc has reached
an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the
construction of four new cruise ships worth more than $2
billion. The agreement calls for the construction of four
new vessels, one each for Holland America Line, Carnival
Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Costa Crociere, along
with options for two additional vessels, one each for Carnival
Cruise Lines and Holland America Line. The four new ships
will add a collective 11,756 lower berths to the cruise
operator’s fleet. Two of the orders have been placed in
U.S. dollars and two others are in euros.
According to Carnival Corporation &
plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison, the agreement extends
Carnival Corporation & plc’s newbuilding program through
2009 while enabling the company to execute its strategy
of expanding its North American and European brands. “Fincantieri
constructs some of the world’s most beautiful and technically
advanced ships and this agreement enables us to expand our
core North American and European brands at very competitive
prices considering today’s unfavorable U.S. dollar/euro
ratio,” Arison said.
The new ships and options include:
-- A 2,044-passenger ship which will
be the largest ever constructed for Holland America Line.
With an estimated all-in cost of $450 million, the 86,000-ton
Panamax vessel will be built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard.
The ship is expected to enter service in summer 2008. There
is also an option for a sister ship scheduled to debut in
spring 2010.
-- A 3,100-passenger ship for Princess
Cruises set to debut in fall 2008. A sister to the Emerald
Princess, the 116,000-ton vessel will be built at Fincantieri’s
Monfalcone shipyard at an approximate all-in cost of $570
million.
-- A 3,608-passenger cruise ship for
Carnival Cruise Lines representing the largest vessel ever
constructed for the contemporary North American operator.
The 130,000-ton vessel, to be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone
shipyard at an estimated all-in cost of €560 million, is
expected to enter service in fall 2009. There is also an
option for a sister ship scheduled to enter service in summer
2010.
-- A 3,004-passenger ship for Genoa,
Italy-based Costa Crociere expected to debut in summer 2009.
A sister ship to the Costa Concordia, the 112,000-ton
vessel will have an estimated all-in cost of €485 million
and will be built at Fincantieri’s Sestri shipyard.
Including the four new vessels, Carnival
Corporation & plc’s capacity growth for 2008 and 2009
is now expected to be 8.2 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively.
The company’s order book now includes 16 new ships, 13 of
which are being constructed by Fincantieri.
University Of Virginia New Academic
Sponsor Of Semester At Sea Program
The University of Virginia in Charlottesville,
VA, has announced that it will become the academic home
for the highly regarded Semester at Sea Program beginning
with the 2006 summer session as part of a new partnership
between U.VA. and the Institute for Shipboard Education.
U.VA. will set the academic tone of the program by appointing
an academic dean for each voyage who will, in turn, create
the curriculum, work with the program to define the itinerary
and recruit the approximately 28 faculty members from across
the country. All participants will receive academic credit
from U.VA, which can then be transferred to the students’
home institutions. Each voyage also includes is 35-member
administrative staff consisting of a director of student
life, eight student residence life professionals, a physician
and medical assistants.
Courses on the voyages are offered in
20 different academic areas, ranging from anthropology to
environmental science to theater arts, and course content
is integrated with countries on the itinerary. Students
choose from more than 70 courses (30 for the summer session),
and classes meet daily while the ship is at sea. Every student
takes Global Studies, an upper-level geography course, which
highlights the complexity, dynamics, and interdependence
of world systems.
Semester at Sea’s campus, the MV Explorer,
is a 24,300-ton motor vessel built in 2002 by Blohm &
Voss shipbuilders in Germany for the now defunct Royal Olympic
Cruises. The Explorer, which was acquired in 2004 by Semester
at Sea, features classrooms, an 11,000-volume library, a
computer lab with wireless Internet access, a student union,
a campus store, two dining rooms, a swimming pool, and a
fitness center. The ship has a crew of 200.
The Spring 2006 voyage, which sets sail
on January 19, will leave from Nassau, Bahamas, and will
return to San Diego on April 28. The summer session leaves
from Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 17 and returns
to Seattle, Washington, on August 21. While both the spring
and fall voyages in 2006 have been booked to capacity, spaces
are available for the summer session. As a way to introduce
the Semester at Sea program to its students, U.VA is offering
discounts of 50 percent for the cost of the summer session
to 100 of its students. The standard cost of Semester at
Sea is $15,775 for a 100-day fall or spring voyage and $9,525
for a 65-day summer program. Financial assistance is available
to students based on financial need.
More information is available at U.VA’s
website at http://www.virginia.edu or Semester At Sea’s
website at http://www.semesteratsea.com/index.html.
Background: In 1963, a group of California
businessmen created the University of the Seven Seas, and
after three voyages, Chapman College of California became
the academic sponsor of the program, renaming it World Campus
Afloat. In 1967, the Institute for Shipboard Education,
a nonprofit corporation, was formed to assume administrative
oversight, renamed the program Semester at Sea, and moved
the academic sponsorship to the University of Colorado.
From 1980 until this summer, the program’s academic partner
has been the University of Pittsburgh.
Over the years, Semester at Sea’s
floating campus has become known for its groundbreaking
trips. For instance, a stop in Vietnam in 1994 was the first
large-scale visit by American college students since the
Vietnam War. The program made similar visits to China, South
Africa and the former Soviet Union. In spring of 1999, the
group made what was believed to be the largest sanctioned
visit to Cuba by a collection of American college students
in nearly four decades.
Crystal Cruises Announces 2007 Itineraries
Maintaining its commitment to rich destination
experiences, Crystal Cruises is introducing its 2007 collection
of ultra-luxury worldwide cruises for Crystal Symphony and
Crystal Serenity. Featuring 152 different ports, the rich
2007 roster of 63 exotic, romantic, historic and tropical
itineraries, range in length from seven to 109 days for
the line’s 12th annual World Cruise. New for 2007 will be
a return to a season cruising Asia, a call in Israel for
the first time since 1999, Antarctica, more seven-day cruises
than ever before, more overnight stays, an emphasis on more
ports per cruise and eight maiden calls in Chile, Norway,
Vietnam, Tunisia, Lithuania, Mozambique, Mexico and Russia.
Recognizing that its luxury travelers are seeking grand
experiences of the destinations, the line has planned cruises
around Carnaval in Rio, the Tall Ships regatta in Stockholm,
and the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, in addition to several
days in Beijing, St. Petersburg, and Cape Town, among others.
(More details on Cruise Itinerary
News/Offers)
Carnival Corporation & plc Reports
Revenues Exceed $11 Billion In 2005
Carnival Corporation & plc reported
record net income of $353 million, or $0.43 diluted EPS,
on revenues of $2.6 billion for its fourth quarter ended
November 30, 2005. Net income for the fourth quarter of
2004 was $294 million, or $0.36 diluted EPS, on revenues
of $2.2 billion. Net income for the year ended November
30, 2005 was $2.3 billion, or $2.70 diluted EPS, on revenues
of $11.1 billion, compared to net income of $1.9 billion,
or $2.24 diluted EPS, on revenues of $9.7 billion for the
same period in 2004.
Fourth quarter revenues increased by
14.4 percent driven by both a 9.1 percent increase in cruise
capacity and a significant increase in cruise revenue yields
(revenue per available lower berth day), partially offset
by a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and sterling.
Net revenue yields for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased
5.9 percent compared to the prior year. Net revenue yields
as measured on a local currency basis ("constant dollar
basis") increased 6.8 percent over the same period
last year, primarily due to higher cruise ticket prices
and onboard revenues. Gross revenue yields increased 4.5
percent. For the 2005 year, net revenue yields increased
6.5 percent (6.1 percent on a constant dollar basis). Gross
revenue yields increased 4.9 percent.
Net cruise costs per available lower
berth day ("ALBD") for the fourth quarter of 2005
were up 3.8 percent compared to costs for the same period
last year. On a constant dollar basis, net cruise costs
per ALBD increased 4.9 percent from the same period last
year primarily due to an approximate 50 percent increase
in fuel prices. Excluding higher fuel costs, the company's
2005 fourth quarter net cruise costs per ALBD were approximately
equal to the same period last year on a constant dollar
basis. Gross cruise costs per ALBD increased 2.5 percent
compared to the prior year. Carnival Corporation &
plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison said that he was pleased
with the company's performance during the period. "It
is a testament to the resilience of our cruise business
that despite an approximate 50 percent increase in fuel
costs for the quarter and the worst hurricane season in
our history, we were still able to grow earnings by 20 percent
to achieve record fourth quarter results," Arison said.
Looking forward to 2006, Arison said,
"We expect continued revenue yield growth in 2006 although
probably not at the levels experienced during the last two
years. As it stands today, advance booking levels for 2006
are ahead of the prior year on a capacity adjusted basis,
with average pricing also higher than last year."
The company's 2006 guidance is based
on exchange rates of $1.17 to the euro and $1.73 to the
sterling versus weighted average rates of $1.25 and $1.83
in 2005. Given the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative
to the euro and sterling, constant dollar information is
likely to give a more accurate picture of the performance
of the company's cruise operations in 2006.
Commencing with the first quarter of
2006, the company will adopt the new stock-based compensation
accounting standard and begin expensing stock options, which
is expected to increase 2006 full year expenses by $58 million.
Also, commencing with the first quarter of 2006, the company
will change the amortization period for dry-dock costs from
one to two years, to two to three years. This change in
estimate reflects the lengthening of the time between dry-docks,
resulting from regulatory changes and technological enhancements
to the company's ships. In 2006, this change is expected
to reduce dry-dock amortization by approximately $40 million
compared to normal levels of dry-dock amortization.
Based on the foregoing, the company believes
that 2006 earnings per share will be between $3.00 and $3.10.
The company has three ships scheduled
for delivery in 2006 -- Holland America Line's 1,918-passenger
Noordam in January, Princess Cruises' 3,100-passenger Crown
Princess in May and Costa Cruises' 3,000-passenger Costa
Concordia in June -- which represent a 5.5 percent increase
in capacity. Earlier this week, the company announced an
agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction
of four new cruise ships -- two of which are scheduled to
be delivered in 2008 and two in 2009. Including these new
ships, the company's capacity growth is expected to increase
8.0 percent in 2007, 8.2 percent in 2008 and 6.4 percent
in 2009.
Holland America Line Names Actress
Marlee Matlin as Godmother to ms Noordam
Academy Award-winning actress Marlee
Matlin will be godmother to Holland America Line's new Vista-class
ship, the ms Noordam, in a ceremony dedicating the ship
in New York City on February 22, 2006. "Marlee Matlin
is an accomplished actress, a generous woman in support
of those in need, and a driven advocate for causes that
benefit our society," said Stein Kruse, president and
chief executive officer, Holland America Line. "We
are honored to have her as the godmother for the ms Noordam
and launch this Vista-class vessel into service."
Matlin catapulted onto the big screen
in her debut film Children of a Lesser God (1986), winning
the Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award
for Best Actress in a Drama. The Oscar-winning actress has
since starred in 19 films and several television programs.
An advocate of charitable work, Matlin serves as national
celebrity spokesperson for the American Red Cross. She also
worked on behalf of closed captioning and, in 1990, was
instrumental in getting Congress to pass federal legislation
requiring televisions manufactured in the United States
be equipped with closed captioning technology. She serves
on several boards of charitable organizations, including
The Children Affected By AIDS Foundation and Easter Seals.
In 2002, she published a novel for children entitled "Deaf
Child Crossing." Two sequels are scheduled for 2006
and 2007 by Simon and Shuster.
The ms Noordam is the fourth in a series
of 81,769-ton Vista class ships. The ms Noordam will showcase
all the service and product enhancements of the line's $225
million Signature of Excellence initiative, including the
addition of an Explorations Café—a cyber-coffee house powered
by The New York Times—an expanded Pinnacle Grill, and a
new Pinnacle Bar. The Noordam will sail on its maiden cruising
season from homeport New York City to the Southern and Eastern
Caribbean. Eleven Caribbean sailings will depart New York,
beginning on February 22, 2006. Fares start at US$1,199
per person, double occupancy.
NCL Corporation Adds Environmental
Program To Its Onboard Youth Activities
NCL Corporation has partnered with the
Youth Environmental Programs, Inc. to offer the Officer
Snook Water Pollution Program onboard its ships. The Officer
Snook program, which launched on Norwegian Jewel this month
and will be offered exclusively on all NCL and NCL America
ships in 2006, seeks to educate young people about the importance
of clean water, and the affects of marine pollution and
ways to prevent it.
The Officer Snook Water Pollution Program
is a long term water pollution prevention program, emphasizing
youth education and involvement. The mascot for the program
– “Officer Snook” -- is a cartoon fish symbolizing the program’s
protection of the water environment worldwide. Elements
of the program are incorporated into the NCL Kids Crew and
include activities for kids of all ages. For example for
kids’ ages 2 to 5, there will be an Undersea Hospital, story-telling,
coloring books and games. For pre-teens there are crafts,
a simulated “Beach Clean Up” activity, a “Catch or Release”
game identifying endangered species and an environmental
poster contest.
Beginning in January 2006, NCL will add
a teen component that will allow high school students to
earn between 1 – 5 community service hours depending on
their level of involvement in the program. These hours may
be used at the teen’s school as part of their community
service allotment. “NCL is committed to the environment
and to the oceans in which we sail and this is a fun way
for our youngest passengers to learn about the importance
of the ocean and its protection,” said Andy Stuart, NCL
Corporation’s executive vice president of marketing, sales
and passenger services. “This is a unique program to the
cruise industry and we are proud to be a partner in sharing
this important initiative.”
The Officer Snook Water Pollution program
has grown nationally since its inception in 1994. To date,
more than five million students in grades pre-K through
12 have participated in an Officer Snook presentation or
related activity. The United States Coast Guard, as part
of its national “Sea Partners Campaign” conducts the Officer
Snook Program through 44 USCG Marine Safety Offices.
Carnival Corp. Plans To Sell Or Transfer
Some Of Its Lines’ Older Vessels
Carnival Corp. & plc will announce
the transfer of older tonnage to different brands and could
sell some ships during the course of 2006, management told
analysts during a December 16 earnings call. ‘There may
be some movement of ships from one brand to another and
there may even be some sales of ships,’ Carnival vice chairman
Howard Frank said. He referred to current ‘tremendous’ demand
for second-hand tonnage.
‘We have not been shy about moving ships,’
pointed out Carnival chairman and CEO Micky Arison, citing
last month’s transfer of Costa Tropicale to the P&O
Cruises Australia fleet. Vessel sales have not been factored
into current capacity-growth projections, Arison said.
Speaking to analysts, the Carnival chief
would not specify whether his company’s 2009 order book
is complete. Arison said work continues on prototype ships
for Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines that will
maximize return on investment. Some projects that have been
under consideration, like the giant-sized Pinnacle design
for the Carnival brand, “we decided to postpone and put
on the back burner for awhile,” Arison said. That’s partly
because Carnival seeks a more favorable euro-dollar exchange
rate, but other factors include rising building costs such
as higher prices for steel and major components like engines.
Carnival vice chairman Howard Frank noted
that orders for four cruise operators are well-spaced with,
for example, the Carnival brand's newbuild coming 17 months
after its previous delivery. ‘It’s going to be a beautiful,
new-concept ship,’ he added.
‘Regal Princess’ will replace P&O’s
‘Pacific Sky’
Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess
will move to P&O Cruises Australia in late 2007, replacing
Pacific Sky, which has been sold to Pullmantur Cruises
of Spain, according to Seatrade Insider.
Pacific Sky will leave P&O Cruises’
fleet on May 6, 2006. The 1991-built, 70,000gt Regal Princess
will become the largest and newest ship based in Australia
when it moves from the Princess fleet. Regal Princess will
be tailored to Australian tastes before its deployment in
late 2007 to join P&O Cruises’ 1,900-passenger Pacific
Sun and 1,400-passenger Pacific Star.
'Freedom' To Make US Debut At Cape
Liberty
Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel Freedom
of the Seas will make its first stateside call at Cape
Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J. The world’s largest
cruise ship will arrive from Europe on May 10 and is scheduled
to operate from Bayonne until May 18 on a series of introductory
pierside overnights and cruises to nowhere.
Lloyd’s Register’s Latest Marine Technical
News Publication Horizons Available
Lloyd’s Register has published the fourteenth
edition of Horizons, its technical publication for the marine
sector. This latest edition provides 12 pages of information
on the key technical issues affecting commercial shipping.
The December issue covers a range of technical topics including
the elongation of a series of pure car and truck carriers
in a ship repair and conversion yard in Vietnam; information
on what to do after a shipyard fire; information on a series
of risk management training courses being offered in Singapore
and the approach of Singaporean tanker operators to introducing
risk management methodologies onboard and ashore; the introduction
of a new quality scheme for marine materials and research
on the fatigue strength of angled welded joints.
Upgrades And Refurbishments Refresh
Star Clippers Fleet
The three tall ships that compose the
Star Clippers fleet recently received a series of upgrades
and enhancements. Public rooms, passenger areas and all
cabins throughout sister ships Star Clipper and Star
Flyer have been refurbished. Aboard Royal Clipper,
the line's flagship, the public rooms were the primary focus.
Saga Holiday’s Newest Vessel Getting
Refurbishment
Saga's latest acquisition Spirit of
Adventure is having a multi-million pound refit in advance
of her inaugural cruise next spring. Formerly the Berlin,
the ship is undergoing a technical refit in Genoa where
technical equipment is being replaced including a new sprinkler
system.
Later, the vessel is expected to undergo
refurbishment of her interior. The hotel refit includes
the creation of 12 deluxe cabins on the bridge deck and
substantial upgrade of all public rooms including a new
library, conversion of the dining room to allow single seating
and a new galley to service the verandah restaurant.
The 352-passenger Spirit of Adventure's
first commercial cruise departs from Limassol, Cyprus on
March 22, 2006 visiting Egypt, Greece, Crete, Syria, Lebanon
and Turkey. From March through to early October the ship,
aimed exclusively at travelers aged 50 and over, will sail
in the Med, Black Sea and Adriatic before heading off to
the Middle and Far East for winter 2006/07. The final cruise
of 2006 is a 14-night voyage from Bangkok to Vietnam and
China including a Christmas stopover in Ho Chi Minh City
and New Year's Day visit to Haikou, capital of Hainan Province
in southern China.
Now Available On Amazon.com: Princess
Cruises' Culinary Journey Cookbook
The chefs aboard Princess Cruises cook
for more than 30,000 passengers per day, so who better to
tap for tempting, time-honored recipes and helpful culinary
techniques? Princess' popular cookbook, Courses, A Culinary
Journey, a collective work of recipes from 20 of its talented
chefs-at-sea, has sold more than 100,000 copies on board
its ships and is now available online for the first time
at Amazon.com. This 224-page coffee-table cookbook is a
perfect holiday gift for the kitchen apprentice, consummate
chef or world traveler with a taste for culinary adventure.
"In Courses, we have included the most frequently requested
dishes along with our special signature delicacies, and
have shared our time-tested personal secrets on preparation
and presentation," said Franz Rom, Princess' vice president
of fleet operations. "So many of our passengers tell
us they want to bring their culinary experience home with
them and with this book, they can."
Princess, already well-known for culinary
excellence and innovation, designed the book to complement
its seven-continent itineraries. Pairing specific journeys
with strikingly original menus, the cookbook highlights
10 intriguing destinations in a colorful travelogue format.
Dramatic, full-page photography illustrates each of the
86 featured recipes. Black and white action shots, interspersed
throughout the book, attest to the round-the-clock efforts
of a culinary team consistently delivering delicious meals.
Rom points out that the cookbook is unique
in the cruise industry for its oversized, coffee-table-style
format and engaging photography. "It's not just a
cookbook," he says, "it's a beautiful presentation
of food and cooking that makes interesting reading for cooks
and armchair travelers alike."
Lloyd’s Register Publishes First Issue
Of Passenger Ship Focus
Lloyd’s Register has published the first
issue of its Passenger Ship Focus magazine, the latest in
its ongoing series of ‘Focus’ publications dedicated to
specific sectors of the maritime industry. The publication
contains 12 pages of information and news relevant to the
passenger ship sector. The first issue covers topics such
as passenger market outlook—ropax, high-speed craft, cruise
ships and yachts; the revised SOLAS chapter II-
risk assessment for passenger ships;
and comfort criteria for passenger ships.
Hans Rood Named President Of Norwegian
Coastal Voyage
Norwegian Coastal Voyage has announced
the appointment of cruise industry veteran, Hans Rood, to
the position of president. “After a thorough candidate
search, it gives us great pleasure to have Mr. Rood join
our company,” said Jan Kildal, CEO of OVDS/TFDS, the Norwegian
partnership that owns NCV. “We look forward to his vision
and innovative ideas as our business continues to grow.”
Hans Rood began in the travel industry
more than 20 years ago and has held executive management
positions in KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Royal Caribbean,
Cunard/Seabourn, Holland American and Windstar Cruises.
His active involvement in the development of sales strategies,
branding and international sales efforts has brought him
accolades within the industry. He brings to NCV a thorough
knowledge of travel sales, marketing and distribution approaches
as well as a strong reputation for success.
Born and raised in The Netherlands, Rood
earned a masters degree from the University of Amsterdam
as well as an MBA from The New School/Parsons and is fluent
in several languages. He will be based in New York at the
company’s North American headquarters.
Annual Cruise Shipping Convention
Scheduled For March 13-16, 2006
The 22nd annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping
Convention will be held in Miami March 13 to 16. The global
exhibition and conference draws nearly 10,000 attendees
and more than 900 exhibiting companies from over 100 countries.
The three-day trade show, which covers all facets of the
cruise industry, will be open daily Tuesday through Thursday.
The four-day conference will feature conference sessions
Monday through Thursday. The sessions cover pertinent industry
issues including shipbuilding and design, product development
and distribution, shipboard management, technology and the
future of the cruise industry.
In addition to a number of national pavilions,
the exhibition also features sections highlighting food
and beverage, technology, design, ship services, hotel operations,
ship equipment and destinations.
The conference is to feature the second
annual International Super Yacht Symposium with a two-day
series of sessions March 15-16 held in conjunction with
the convention. The symposium has grown from a few targeted
sessions into a full two-day symposium of panel discussions
offering valuable insight into this growing sector.
The annual conference will be held at
Miami Beach Convention Center (entrances: Hall C, D, A)
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
Convention contact: CMP Princeton Inc.,
125 Village Blvd., Ste. 220, Princeton NJ 08540; phone:
609-452-2800; fax: 609-452-9374; e-mail: info@cruiseshipping.net .
Conference registration or exhibitor
information for the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention
is accessible on-line at: www.cruiseshipping.net .
ICCL’s Michael Crye Tells US Congress
Cruising Is Among Safest Modes
Cruise travel is one of the safest modes
of travel, ICCL president Michael Crye said during testimony
last week before a House of Representatives subcommittee
on international maritime safety. The hearing was called
by Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN),
who respectively chair the House Subcommittee on National
Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations,
and the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal
Justice, Drug Policy And Human Resources.
George Smith, who disappeared from a
Royal Caribbean International ship while on his honeymoon
in the Mediterranean last July, was a constituent of Shays.
“There has been a great deal of misinformation about Royal
Caribbean’s response to the missing bridegroom that has
been supported by tabloid TV.” He added, “We got it on record
that Royal Caribbean, when the initial report came in, immediately
notified the appropriate agencies, including the U.S. government,
the FBI and the Turkish authorities, who conducted a forensic
investigation. The FBI later took over and did more forensic
testing, and Royal Caribbean cooperated fully throughout.”
Crye also noted that during the past
two years, there have been 14 cases of passengers missing
and presumed overboard out of 20 million passengers who
sailed during that period. “That’s one such incident in
1.3 million passengers,” he said, “and in the U.S. approximately
2,000 people are reported missing daily. I hope the FBI
publishes its findings as they relate to the George Smith
case.”
Crye also cited cruise lines’ forethought
in having onboard security plans and procedures in place
that allowed ICCL members to raise shipboard and terminal
security practices to the highest level the day after 9/11.
These practices, which form the baseline for what is in
place today, include x-raying or examining every person,
piece of luggage and all supplies loaded on board the vessels.
He pointed out that all passengers are screened prior to
boarding and properly identified with appropriate reservations
and traveling documents. Each crewmember holds a U.S. seafarers
visa and has thus undergone a U.S. State Department background
check prior to serving on the ships.
Other cruise industry speakers included
Charles Mandigo, director of fleet security for Holland
America Line (representing Carnival Corp.), and Greg Purdy,
director of safety, security and environment for Royal Caribbean
Cruises Ltd.
In addition to the cruise industry, there
was testimony from the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast
Guard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
During the session Crye said that “There
was a lot of discussion at the hearing about FBI crime statistics,
which are actually very good. Taking together all incidents
of any form of crime at all on the high seas, not just passenger
ships, but all ships, the count was 306 incidents in a six-year
period. This compares favorably to any municipality in the
United States.” He said Shays questioned the validity of
the FBI statistics, since the FBI does not include smaller
crimes like fights between two passengers or theft below
a certain amount. Also, certain narcotics crimes are reported
to Customs and Immigration because that is the appropriate
agency. “The record remains outstanding,” Crye added, saying
that the industry, however, may set up a central mandatory
reporting system to protect itself. No such reporting system
is required of hotels and resorts, he added. (Click ICCL
for more information.)
Costa Cruises And Sabre Travel Network
Team Up
Costa Cruises and Sabre Travel Network,
a Sabre Holdings business, has announced that all Costa
cruise programs are now available for sale through the Sabre
system. With Sabre CruiseDirector, travel agents in the
U.S. will now be able to book Costa's signature "Italian
Style" cruises aboard its fleet of ten ships for sailings
in the Caribbean, Europe and Transatlantic efficiently and
effectively 24 hours a day/seven days a week.
First Choice Holidays Plc Agrees To
Acquire INTRAV, Inc.
INTRAV, Inc. has announced that UK-based
First Choice Holidays PLC (First Choice) has agreed to acquire
the deluxe-tour and small-ship cruise operator from Kuoni
Travel Holding Ltd. for $65 million (US). Completion of
the acquisition will occur in January 2006. “We’re delighted
to join a formidable company that values the niche travel
and expeditionary cruise business in which INTRAV specializes,”
Chief Executive Officer David Drier said. “Our unique style
of travel and cruising will complement and enhance First
Choice’s other niche-focused brands. Intrav’s discerning
clients can rest assured that this acquisition will enhance
our efforts in providing outstanding worldwide travel experiences.”
Headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex,
England, First Choice is the market leader in activity adventure
holidays. Founded in 1973, the company operates in 17 countries
and already has a presence in the North American market
with a variety of brands — including just-acquired Grand
Expeditions. “We have identified North America as a key
source market for us in specialist niche segments,” First
Choice CEO Peter Long said. “Together with today’s acquisition
of Grand Expeditions and the addition of Peregrine Adventures
(Australia’s leading adventure holiday company) earlier
this year, we will be able to strengthen our position further
in substantial growth markets through the acquisition of
INTRAV. When the acquisition of INTRAV is completed, it
will enhance the Group’s current expedition cruising offerings,
as well complement Grand Expedition’s premium escorted tour
businesses.”
Founded in 1959, St. Louis-based INTRAV—comprised
of INTRAV and Clipper Cruise Line—has built its reputation
as a designer and operator of deluxe international travel
and small-ship cruises on every continent.
New INTRAV Unit Formed
In September the group announced that
it had formed a new division— Chosen Voyage at INTRAV—that
will offer dedicated cruises and travel itineraries designed
exclusively for the kosher-observant Jewish market. INTRAV
appointed Chosen Voyage founder Matthew Shollar as vice
president of this new division. The division will incorporate
the unique elements of the World's Only All-Kosher Cruises
with the corporate structure and wide range of travel offerings
that is INTRAV and Clipper's trademark.
The first such opportunity will be Clipper's
Exploring the Yachtsman's Caribbean (an eight-day voyage
through the U.S. and British Virgin Islands) aboard the
138-passenger Yorktown Clipper that is scheduled
to depart on January 19, 2006. The full line of cruises,
as well as further details including the day-by-day itineraries,
amenities, dates, and prices for each of these trips, will
be available later this year at the Chosen Voyage at INTRAV
website, www.chosenvoyage.com .
Catalogs and brochures can be ordered
from professional travel consultants or INTRAV at 11969
Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63146-3220;
by telephone at (800) 456-8100; by e-mail at info@INTRAV.com or clipper@clippercruise.com;
or at www.INTRAV.com
and www.clippercruise.com.
Princess Cruises Awards 40 Deserving
Contest Winners with Cruise Vacations
In a survey commissioned by Princess
Cruises earlier this year to mark its 40th anniversary,
the line found that homemakers, nurses and teachers rank
among the most over-worked professions in America. But
that was only part of it. The survey inspired an unusual
contest in which respondents were asked to nominate someone
they felt most deserved an escape. Surprisingly, the contest
generated a record 12,000 entries - more than any previous
contest - and offered an opportunity to showcase and celebrate
a group of hometown heroes who work tirelessly to comfort
and console, inspire and engage. "Naturally, teachers,
nurses and homemakers factored prominently among the winners,
but the heartening, and sometimes heart-wrenching, stories
of dozens of selfless individuals kept entry-readers enthralled,"
said Jan Swartz, senior vice president of customer service
and sales, who devised the contest to complement Princess's
"Escape Completely" tagline while celebrating
the line's 40 years of pioneering innovation. "The
contest gave us an opportunity to recognize some truly remarkable
individuals and mark our anniversary in a compelling and
memorable way," said Swartz.
No doubt the winners will not soon forget
the commendation or the cruise that will follow. Gavin
MacLeod, The Love Boat's beloved Captain Stubing of the
famed US TV series), was on hand to surprise selected winners
at their homes with a seven-night cruise vacation for two
to the Caribbean or Mexican Rivera.
The 40 winners came from around the U.S.,
in professions ranging from law and law enforcement to medicine
and social work. Winners included:
-- Mary H. of Florida - A "military
mom" who saw four of her own children and one son-in-law
off to Iraq and, ever since, has been sending shoebox care
packages to troops overseas. With the help of her community
and nearly 500 volunteers, she has shipped more than 100,000
shoebox care packages to overseas troops to date.
-- Brad W. of Missouri - A father of
three adopted, learning-disabled children and full-time
teacher who started an interactive art program for children
at risk within the community.
-- Eric M. of Washington - A teacher
who has developed a non-for-profit program offered in collaboration
with the local police department and school district, which
educates kids and teens on the dangers of drunk driving
and the importance of making good choices.
Princess launched the "Help Someone
Escape Completely" contest with a national consumer
survey in May asking U.S. adult consumer opinions about
people's need to "escape." Topics covered in
the survey ranged from ways people most escape to the celebrity
they'd most often like to accompany on an escape. More than
12,000 people took time to nominate someone they felt deserved
a well-earned vacation. Winners are posted at www.princess.com
, and site visitors can view video footage of Gavin MacLeod
surprising several of the winners with their awards at their
homes and offices.
‘Orient Queen’ Cruises From Dubai
Cancelled
Abou Merhi Cruises has announced that
it has cancelled its Arabian Gulf cruise program and is
repositioning Orient Queen back to Beirut. The 16,916gt
cruise ship became the first vessel to initiate regular
extended cruises from Dubai to destinations in the Arabian
Gulf when it was launched last month. Reportedly, lack of
passenger traffic led to the cancellation of the weekly
roundtrips.
MSC Cruises To Operate Year-Round
Cruises From New York
Italian-owned MSC Cruises is bringing
back Italian sophisticated cruising to New York in 2007
on a year-round basis. The announcement was made at a press
conference held in Manhattan this week. “It has been decades
since vacationers have been able to sail from New York on
a European-owned cruise line that has the classic style
and elegance only the Italians know how to present,” said
Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA).
And when the MSC Lirica—or possibly the MSC Opera—begins
year-round sailings in April of 2007, it will mark the first
time in several decades that an [Italian-owned] cruise line
will homeport year-round in the Big Apple as well as offering
varied itineraries in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and
New England.
Andrew M. Alper, president of the New
York City Economic Development Corporation also welcomed
the decision by MSC Cruises to homeport in the Big Apple.
“MSC Cruises’ decision to come to New York City is the latest
evidence that the investments we are making in our cruise
terminals are helping transform the City into an even more
attractive place for cruise lines.” (Currently passenger
terminals on the West Side are undergoing extensive renovations,
which will not be completed until 2009. Improving passenger
facilities also includes the building of a pier in the Red
Hook section of Brooklyn, which is scheduled to open in
April, 2006.)
Sasso, who was born and raised in New
York City, pointed out that New Yorkers love things Italian,
no surprise as the city has the biggest Italian population
outside of Italy. Just count the number of Italian restaurants
in the Zagat Guide, he said. “Homeporting a ship in New
York makes MSC Cruises’ True Italian Signature style of
cruising readily accessible to residents of the Northeast,”
which total more than 60 million residents. “Our Italian/European
style will be right at home in this, the crosswords of the
world.”
With seven ships currently in service
and newbuilds MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra joining the fleet
in 2006 and 2007 respectively, MSC Cruises recently announced
plans to add two more 133,500-ton post-Panamax ships with
3,300 passenger capacity—the MSC Fantasia in 2008
and the MSC Serenata in 2009. By 2009, the MSC fleet
will consist of 11 ships. “And who is to know if we won’t
buy or build other ships as our fleet continues to expand,”
pointed out Sasso. But, he emphasized, “we are not setting
out to become the largest cruise line but the one that is
the most respected.”
Sasso also announced that Sophia Loren,
the godmother of both the Lirica and the Opera, will become
an official spokesperson for the line’s new marketing campaign.
“Sophia Loren epitomizes all that is MSC Cruises—beauty,
elegance and style that is distinctively Italian,” says
Sasso, “and we are honored to have her as our spokesperson.”
A multi-faceted national campaign with strong emphasis on
the New York and South Florida markets will include billboards
in high-traffic areas, as well as TV and print ads in newspapers
and magazines.
MSC is making a strong effort to reach
into the North American market as a premium cruise line.
With rapid expansion plans in place, the company hopes to
become an icon for premium cruising Italian-style in the
states, much as it enjoys enormous popularity in Europe.
Homeporting a ship in New York year-round, as the thinking
goes, will help to boost MSC Cruises’ profile with travel
agents and cruise vacationers.
MSC Cruises USA was launched as part
of a $3 billion expansion program in 2003 with the introduction
of the new MSC Lirica. MSC Cruises subsequently added the
MSC Armonia (built in 2001) to its fleet in Spring 2004
and the new MSC Opera debuted two months later. The line
purchased the MSC Sinfonia in July 2004 and after a refit,
began cruising a year later.
The US headquarters of the cruise
line’s parent company, Mediterranean Shipping Company, is
based in New York and recently marked its 20th
year serving the US trade market.
SeaMobile To Deliver Wireless Services
For Mobile Devices On Silversea Ships
SeaMobile Inc., a leading global provider
of advanced at-sea wireless voice and data communications
services, has signed an agreement with Silversea Cruises
to provide never before offered communication solutions
for its passengers throughout the world. The first Silversea
ship to deploy the SeaMobile advanced wireless services
will be the Silver Whisper. Passengers and crew aboard
the ship will be able to use their own cellular phones and
wireless PDAs while at sea, just as they do on land. Charges
for calls and data services while at sea will simply appear
on the wireless customer's bill from their home carrier.
SeaMobile's proprietary technology is
a sophisticated IP/software based solution that is "agnostic"
to the type of phone (GSM, GPRS or CDMA) used by the wireless
customer when accessing the SeaMobile network at sea. This
allows virtually anyone aboard any vessel at sea to use
voice and data services available through their wireless
home carrier, just as they would on land. In addition, SeaMobile's
solution can work with any satellite provider, including
those currently offering services to the maritime industry.
Worldwide roaming agreements established by SeaMobile provide
transparent connectivity for wireless services. Coverage
aboard the Silver Whisper can include the entire ship or
select areas to enable "quiet zones." "We
chose SeaMobile because of their ability to provide a superior
wireless experience for our guests, giving them seamless
and convenient cell phone access to family, friends and
business associates not only on land, but also on the ship,"
Silversea CEO Albert Peter.
SeaMobile technology enhances the
communications experience of anyone at sea by offering vessel-to-shore,
shore-to-vessel and intra-vessel voice and short messaging
services, as well as WiFi Internet access services. Wireless
customers use their own mobile phone or laptop computer
just as easily as they do on land. The company has offices
in Seattle, Washington; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Paris,
France. Website: www.seamobile.com
Oceania Cruises’ ‘M/S Nautica’ Is
Named In Istanbul, Turkey
In a ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey this
month, Oceania Cruises named Nautica, its third vessel.
The mid-sized Nautica holds 684 guests, as do Regatta
and Insignia, the first two ships in the Oceania
Cruises fleet. Soon after the naming ceremony, Nautica embarked
on her Magical Maiden Voyage, a 24-day odyssey from Athens
to Singapore. “Our growing fleet has been voted one of the
top three cruise lines in the world in our first two years
of existence, a feat never before achieved in this industry,”
said CEO Frank Del Rio with pride. At the naming ceremony,
Del Rio announced the planned debut of the line’s fourth
ship, Marina, which is expected to be named in Hong
Kong on Saturday, July 7, 2007.
Clipper Cruise Line Updates Website
With Several New Features
Clipper Cruise Line, the award-winning
small-ship operator, launched its newly redesigned Web site
today with a fresh look, improved navigation, and many new
features. Still located at http://www.clippercruise.com
, the update features a cleaner look, details on the company
and its worldwide slate of small-ship cruises, direct online
assistance with Clipper employees, and the new Clippergear
online shop. “Our goal was to provide as much information
as possible in a clean and attractive way that is simple
to navigate,” CEO David Drier said. “With these improvements,
it’s even easier for our guests to select their desired
itinerary, whether they prefer to pick amongst one of our
varied worldwide destinations or choose their trip based
upon the date of departure. And, we’ve also added sections
of the website to assist those that are already booked through
the online shop, Live Help, and answers to frequently asked
questions. Travel professionals and their clients can now
use www.clippercruise.com as a one-stop shop for all of
their vacation needs.”
The revamped website also allows travelers
to view or download PDFs of Clipper brochures from their
home computer and lets travel agents order multiple copies
of these brochures to send to their clients. The Trip Preparation
heading presents the Clippergear store—where guests can
purchase Clipper logo items and equipment/clothing necessary
for their upcoming journey and a bon voyage gift shop that
lets family members and travel agents send cruisers off
with a special treat. A heading is also dedicated to members
of Clipper’s PINNACLE program, which rewards frequent travelers
with the line.
Fincantieri Expands Its Reach Into
North America
According to press reports, the Italian
shipbuilding company Fincantieri has formed a new company,
Fincantieri Marine Systems North America, as part of its
move to enter the North American market. The company hopes
to expand its range of services to the cruise industry by
offering ship repairs in the Caribbean and northern Europe.
The US-based subsidiary FDGM will be now be part of the
newly formed company.
Jazz Musician Dave Brubeck Celebrates
His 85th Birthday on the QM2
Legendary jazz musician Dave Brubeck
celebrated his 85th birthday aboard a recent Queen Mary
2 transatlantic crossing to England. With more than 50
years of award-winning albums to his credit, Brubeck is
not one to slow down, but enjoyed the leisurely six-day
respite from his back-to-back American-European concert
schedule.
The jazz icon, below and second from
right, took time out on the voyage to meet Queen Mary 2's
executive team on the ship's Bridge.
Royal Caribbean And Celebrity Honored
For Environmental Performance
Royal Caribbean International’s Jewel
of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation
were honored by the Ports of Stockholm with its Environmental
Life-Buoy Certificate for their use of low sulfur fuel.
The ships were recognized for their maritime environmental
initiatives, especially their use of a very refined, distillate
fuel, which virtually eliminates airborne emissions compared
to internal combustion engines. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity
each operate four ships equipped with smokeless gas-turbine
engines. Gas turbines reduce the emission of nitrous oxides
by some 80 percent and sulfur oxides by more than 90 percent.
In 2004, Jewel of the Seas was the first
international cruise ship to be honored by the Ports of
Stockholm with its Environmental Life-Buoy Certificate.
“We thank the Ports of Stockholm for this wonderful recognition,”
said Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president of Maritime
for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We continually seek to
improve our environmental operations and the use of gas-turbine
engines is just one example of those efforts.”
Since the mid-1980s, the Ports of Stockholm
have worked to reduce emissions of sulfur oxides and nitrous
oxides and to improve waste handling onboard commercial
vessels. In 2000, the ports began awarding praiseworthy
environmental initiatives on the Baltic Sea with the Environmental
Life-Buoy Certificate. As certificate recipients, Jewel
of the Seas and Constellation are now entitled to reduced
harbor fees at the Ports of Stockholm.
Jewel of the Seas and Constellation,
like all Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships, also operate
under the companies’ Save the Waves program, a comprehensive
environmental protection program. The program operates
on three key principles: to reduce the creation or generation
of waste materials; to recycle as much as possible; and
to ensure the proper disposal of any remaining waste. The
program is part of Royal Caribbean’s and Celebrity’s commitment
to environmental innovation and improvement.
Carly Simon: A Moonlight Serenade
on the Queen Mary 2
Pop music legend Carly Simon meets legendary
ocean liner Queen Mary 2 during the much anticipated
broadcast of Carly Simon: A Moonlight Serenade on the Queen
Mary 2, airing across the US on more than 100 PBS stations
starting December 1. Simon's historic performance was recorded
in QM2's Queens Room, the largest ballroom at sea, and marks
the first time that a television special was taped during
a transatlantic crossing.
The 90-minute program showcases Simon's
inspired renditions of romantic standards from her chart-topping
album, Moonlight Serenade, as well as some of her most-loved
greatest hits, and includes behind-the-scenes footage of
the renowned singer exploring the elegant surroundings of
the grandest passenger liner ever built. The full concert
DVD on Columbia Records goes on sale today and was directed
by veteran concert filmographer Jim Gable who has worked
with other such music icons as Sting, the Rolling Stones
and Cyndi Lauper.
Having sailed many transatlantic ocean
voyages, including on QE2, there was no question in her
mind that Queen Mary 2's ballroom was the perfect venue.
Simon croons with her signature sensual
vocal stylings to cherished romantic ballads penned by such
songwriting legends as Glenn Miller, Cole Porter, Rodgers
and Hart, and the Gershwins.
Travel Agents Name Star Clippers Top
Specialty Operator
For the eighth consecutive year, Star
Clippers was named World's Leading Specialist Cruise Operator
at the 12th annual World Travel Awards in London. The awards
are voted on by travel agents. More than 2 million voting
forms were broadcast to over 156,000 travel agencies and
professionals in 140 countries worldwide. "It is extremely
rewarding to know that Star Clippers has such high brand
recognition among travel agents around the world,"
said Jack Chatham, vice president of sales and marketing.
"Travel agents remain at the core of our business,
and to be recognized by them as having a superior product
is a true honor."
The World Travel Awards were developed
in 1993 to celebrate excellence and achievement in the world's
travel and tourism industry, and the winners comprise a
"who's who" of the travel community.
Deilmann Cruises Named “Best River
Cruise” at Porthole Once Again
Deilmann Cruises won the Readers’ Choice
award once again for “Best River Cruise” in the readers’
poll conducted by Porthole Cruise magazine. And for the
sixth time, Peter Deilmann Cruises is one of the ten best
small-ship cruise lines selected by readers of Condé Nast
Traveler in the magazine’s annual travel survey. The Deilmann
rankings are in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler
and the December issue of Porthole Cruise magazine.
Close to 28,000 readers of Conde Nast
Traveler responded to this year’s questionnaire on cruise
lines, airlines, cities, islands, hotels and resorts. Subscribers
judged cruise lines on activities/facilities, cabins, crew/service,
design/layout, food/dining and itineraries. Entrepreneur
Peter Deilmann launched the 513-passenger luxury ocean liner
MS Deutschland in 1998 on cruises in Europe and throughout
the world. In 2006, the five-star ship will sail to southern
Africa and Indian Ocean islands as well as to Western Europe,
the Mediterranean, Baltic and North seas, Caribbean and
South America. The Deutschland will also present a gala
onboard music cruise celebrating the 250th birthday of composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Oct. 4-17, and will offer golf,
garden and equestrian special interest cruises throughout
the year. Crew-to-passenger ratio on the ocean liner is
2 to 1.
A pioneer in the river cruise industry
in the 1980s, Peter Deilmann was the first to design and
build ships that reflected the style and amenities of ocean-going
cruise ships but were keyed to the unique specifications
of river cruising. The line continues to be a leader in
luxury cruising. Based in the Baltic town of Neustadt in
Holstein, the privately owned German company was founded
in 1968 and has its North America headquarters in Alexandria,
Virginia. In addition to river vessels, the company also
operates the five-star Deutschland on ocean cruises in Europe,
Africa/Mid East and North and South America.
NCL Corp. Reports Third Quarter And
First Nine Months Results For 2005
NCL Corporation Ltd. reported net income
of $36.6 million on total revenues of $495.3 million for
its third quarter ended September 30, 2005. This compares
to net income of $40.3 million on total revenues of $410.9
million for the third quarter of 2004.
Net income for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 was $47.9 million on revenues of $1.2
billion, compared to net income of $29.0 million on revenues
of $1.0 billion for the same period in 2004. Earnings for
the nine months ended September 30, 2005 include a $21.8
million foreign exchange translation gain on NCL’s euro-denominated
debt.
Driven primarily by a 13.0% increase
in Capacity Days and a strong growth in Net Yields, total
revenues for third quarter of 2005 increased 20.5% compared
to the third quarter of 2004. Net Yields for the third quarter
of 2005 increased 6.5% compared to the prior year, due to
higher cruise ticket prices and an increase in onboard spending.
Gross Yields increased 6.7% from the third quarter of 2004.
Our third quarter results continue to illustrate a robust
demand for our cruise vacations,” said Colin Veitch, president
and chief executive officer of NCL Corporation Ltd. “While
the expansion of our Hawaii operations and the rising price
of fuel negatively impacted the quarter’s results, we are
very pleased with our year-to-date results. Despite these
cost pressures, our year-to-date operating income per capacity
day increased a very encouraging 19%. We are excited about
our future as we continue to focus on our strategy to renew
our fleet and expand our Hawaii operations.”
Total revenues for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 increased by 19.9% compared to the nine
months ended September 30, 2004. This increase was primarily
attributable to an 11.8% increase in Capacity Days and a
7.8% increase in Net Yields. Consistent with the company’s
results for the three months ended September 30, 2005, the
strong growth in Net Yields for the nine months ended September
30, 2005 was due to higher cruise ticket prices and an increase
in onboard spending. Gross Yields increased 7.3% compared
to the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
Looking forward to the 2006 booking environment,
demand is stronger than at the same time last year and early
indications point to a positive yield environment.
Glacier Bay Cruiseline Announces A
Change In Its 2006 Sailing Season
Glacier Bay Cruiseline will not be operating
a traditional 2006 cruise season. The company, headquartered
in Seattle, Washington, has been contacted by government-related
agencies and private companies in search of partners able
to assist in post-Katrina hurricane recovery efforts along
the Gulf Coast.
Glacier Bay Cruiseline will return in
2007 with an improved sailing schedule and exciting adventure
itineraries. Visit this website in Spring 2006 for details.
Steamship Rotterdam Heads To Cadiz
For Extensive Refit Of Ship’s Exterior
The former steamship Rotterdam left Gibraltar
where she was berthed for more than a year for Cadiz on
November 23 for repainting her hull and superstructure.
The ship arrived in Gibraltar after being laid up at Bahamas
for four years. She is expected to leave Cadiz in February
with her hull repainted in the original grey color for Rotterdam
where she will be permanently berthed.
This past June a consortium of Woonbron
and Eurobalance acquired the ship. Plans call for the vessel
to operate as a tourist attraction that will feature hotel,
restaurant and café facilities for visitors. More information
on the Dutch language website: www.derotterdam.com.
‘Hebridean Princess’ Chosen For Queen
Elizabeth’s 80th Birthday Celebration
This month, Buckingham Palace announced
that Queen Elizabeth II is to celebrate her 80th birthday
in 2006 by chartering the 1964-built Hebridean Princess
for a cruise around the Western Isles of Scotland. The Queen
will be accompanied by Prince Philip and other members of
the Royal family for the week-long voyage in August, and
it is expected to end with her disembarking at Aberdeen
to spend time at Balmoral Castle. The cost of the week-long
trip on the Hebridean Princess, which is manned by a crew
of 38, will be paid for by the Queen’s private funds, reports
The Daily Telegraph.
The voyage will take place in August,
four months after the Queen’s birthday on April 21. It will
be the Queen’s first set cruise since the Royal Yacht Britannia
was decommissioned in 1997.
The Queen recently inspected the vessel,
which has 30 bedrooms, a library and clay-pigeon shooting
facilities, when it was recently docked at the Pool of London.
For security reasons, Buckingham Palace refused to give
details of the Western Isles itinerary.
Encore Cruises Signs New Deal With
‘Paul Gauguin’
Encore Cruises, which represents Radisson
Seven Seas Cruises exclusively in Canada, has renewed its
contract with Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd, and restored the
Paul Gauguin to its Encore Portfolio. Encore will
manage the award-winning vessel on its Tahiti and South
Pacific program until the end of 2008.
The 339-passenger vessel, the only
luxury ship to make Tahiti a year-round home, will undergo
a US$6 million renovation during a January dry-dock in Brisbane,
Australia. She will get a new lounge/piano bar and 14 additional
staterooms, seven of them with private balconies. The internet
café will be redesigned and carpets and soft goods updated.
Royal Caribbean Certifies More Than
7,000 Guests In Diving Programs.
Royal Caribbean International, the cruise
line known for active onboard amenities such as surfing
simulators, rock-climbing walls, ice skating rinks and bungee
trampolines, announced more than 7,050 guests have received
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Scuba
Diver certification while on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
“Offering diving certification is another fantastic way
Royal Caribbean appeals to people who want to try something
new on their cruise vacation. Clearly, these results show
there are a lot of guests who fall into this category,”
said Craig Milan, senior vice president of Land Operations.
“To have certified more than 7,000 guests in 6 years is
an incredible accomplishment.”
PADI Scuba Diver certification is available
through the SeaTrek dive shops on all Voyager-class ships
(Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner
of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of
the Seas) and will be offered on Freedom of the Seas,
which will debut in May 2006. In just seven days, guests
over the age of 12 can complete the program by attending
a combination of classroom instruction and pool sessions
along with two open water dives at select ports of call.
Guests who receive this certification are limited to dive
in certain depths of water only and must dive with a dive
master or instructor.
A second type of certification, PADI
Open Water Diver, allows guests to dive with a certified
dive buddy--instead of a professional only, with fewer depth
restrictions than PADI Scuba Diver certification. PADI Open
Water Diver certification is valid for life and available
to guests over the age of 12 sailing on a Voyager-class
ship. And for guests who are already certified scuba divers,
the cruise line offers a variety of scuba diving excursions
year round in more than 14 destinations. Excursions can
be purchased onboard or in advance at www.royalcaribbean.com.
In addition to offering certification,
all Voyager-class ships have a variety of accessories and
equipment available for purchase at the SeaTrek dive shop.
Items range from snorkels, masks and fins, to regulators,
gauges and dive computers.
Silversea Ships To Showcase Works
By Sculptor Francesco Messina
The all-suite, ultra-luxury ships of
Silversea Cruises will soon feature a collection of 38 bronze
statues, figurines, and sculptural reliefs by the acclaimed
Italian sculptor Francesco Messina. The line has just completed
the first installation of 12 pieces aboard Silver Shadow.
Silver Whisper will unveil its collection in mid-December,
and the balance of the artwork will be rolled out aboard
the rest of the fleet by mid-2006. "Messina's sculptures
represent the cultural and artistic spirit of Italy, said
Lillo Mazzetti, Silversea's director of brand management
and global marketing, “and provide a further product enhancement
that gives our guests a deeper appreciation of our company's
Italian heritage.”
Francesco Messina, who died in 1995,
was a classicist and realist and his works rarely deviated
from the natural human form. Among his more famous private
commissions are the bust of Giacomo Puccini for La Scala
Opera House and the statue of Pius XII in St. Peter's Basilica.
NCL Corporation Donates Money To Hurricane
Katrina Relief Effort
NCL Corporation (NCL) donated $250,000
to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief
Fund to assist in the relief and recovery efforts in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The money was raised through
various onboard and shore side initiatives and includes
donations from the company, NCL's officers and crew, its
employees and from its cruise passengers across the fleet.
NCL's President and CEO Colin Veitch presented the donation
to J.P. Miquel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
American Red Cross of Greater Miami & the Keys at the
company's headquarters in Miami. "This money includes
matching contributions from the company but most of this
money has been donated by the people of NCL, our ship board
crews, our shore based team members, and by our guests across
the fleet," Veitch said. "Because it is primarily
money from the pockets of individuals within our company
and our customer base, it is an amount in which we take
particular pride."
Additionally, on November 1, the company
donated and distributed supplies via Norwegian Sun to Cozumel,
Mexico to assist in the relief efforts after Hurricane Wilma
struck the popular resort town. The company worked with
various vendors and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association
(FCCA) and delivered 26 pallets of desperately needed supplies
including water, food, diapers and baby food. "NCL
has a long history of giving back to the communities in
which we live and do business and we want to do our part
in assisting the recovery efforts," Veitch emphasized.
Radisson Seven Seas Introduces New
Dining Concepts Aboard Its Fleet
From romantic Tuscan dining to a burst
of exotic Asian flavors and expanded Le Cordon Bleu® feasts,
food connoisseurs have a lot to look forward to as menus
at Latitudes, Portofino, and La Veranda on Radisson Seven
Seas Cruises’® Seven Seas Voyager®, Seven Seas Mariner®,
Seven Seas Navigator® and Paul Gauguin® have been further
refined and diversified to seduce even the most demanding
culinary aficionados.
The first cruise line to introduce permanent
Le Cordon Bleu restaurants-at-sea aboard the all-balcony
suite Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, Radisson
Seven Seas is expanding its relationship with the venerable
Parisian cooking school with a new menu at La Veranda on
the elegant 320-guest Paul Gauguin, which sails the stunning
islands of Tahiti and French Polynesia year-round.
The chefs of Le Cordon Bleu are bringing
their high kitchen arts to the South Seas with a menu that
not only explores the culinary highways and byways of France,
but also offers an extraordinary dining experience that
captures the food-loving heart of the country. La Veranda’s
à la carte menu is artfully assembled to take guests on
a gastronomic journey from Provence to Normandy and from
Alsace to the Loire Valley. In addition, to accommodate
every taste and concern about healthy eating, Le Cordon
Bleu has created lighter sauces and vegetarian options.
Further enhancing the menu are specially selected wines
and beautiful views of Tahiti and Her Islands.
Seabourn Ship Attacked Off The Coast
of Senegal
On November 5 at 5:30 am local time,
the Seabourn Spirit was approached by two small armed
boats, the occupants of which attempted to board the vessel.
Seabourn Spirit was off the Somalia coast in northeastern
Africa en route to Mombasa, Kenya during a
16-day voyage from Alexandria, Egypt.
The ship's crew immediately initiated
a trained response and as a result of protective and evasive
measures taken, the occupants of the small craft were unable
to gain access to Seabourn Spirit. No passengers or crew
were harmed during the incident. The ship was carrying
151 passengers and 167 crew. “In terms of security, we were
on the highest alert as we always are in that region,"
says Bruce Good, director of public relations for Seabourn,
“and it paid off. I think it is quite possible that these
particular actors may have learned a lesson, too—that cruise
ships are not easy targets to board.”
The security of guests, staff and ships
is the industry's highest priority. Cruise ship security
standards are strictly guided by internationally approved
protocols. Individual cruise lines, including Seabourn,
also have well established security assessment procedures
and protocols, which worked in this incident. Saturday's
incident on Seabourn Spirit was a highly unusual and isolated
occurrence, and serves to demonstrate the efficacy of existing
security protocols and the ability of ship's officers and
crews to
protect their guests.
The attempted hijacking incident is now
in the hands of the US and UK authorities.
ICCL Statement: The cruise
industry places its highest priority on the safety and security
of its passengers and crew, says the Washington, D.C.-based
International Council of Cruise Lines. With more than ten
million passengers cruising each year, the industry takes
every measure appropriate to ensure that its passengers
are safe and that they have an enjoyable vacation experience.
While this type of incident has occurred on occasion to
other types of ocean going vessels in remote waters around
the world this is the only such known piracy attack on a
cruise ship in the membership of the International Council
of Cruise Lines (ICCL). “This incident, while highly unusual
and an isolated occurrence, demonstrates the efficiency
of existing security protocols and the ability of the ship’s
officers and crews to protect passengers,” said J. Michael
Crye, president of the ICCL.
ICCL cruise line members will continue
to work with all appropriate international, federal and
state agencies to ensure the safety and security of all
passengers and crew onboard our vessels.
Deilmann Ups Security Measures For
‘Deutschland’ Cruises In Middle East. /2005
Deilmann Cruises’s Deutschland,
while en route from Limassol to Dubai via the Red Sea and
Gulf of Aden, is being tracked by the German navy as a precautionary
measure in the aftermath of the recent pirate attack on
Seabourn Spirit, the company reports on its German
website. The navy, currently positioned off the African
coast, will continuously monitor the ship throughout its
passage in order to ensure maximum security, according to
the line.
The area where Seabourn Spirit repelled
a pirate attack while sailing along the coast of Somalia
on Nov. 5 is more than 1,000 nautical miles away from the
route the Deutschland is taking. The ship is scheduled to
arrive in Dubai on November 24.
Silversea Announces Success Of Silver
Sailings Savings Program
Silversea Cruises has announced that
its Silver Sailings savings program has been more successful
than anticipated. With a number of voyages close to selling
out and limited suite availability on others, the line is
reducing the discount amount on several departures. The
company is also strongly encouraging its travel partners
to confirm their clients' travel plans while space is still
available. "The success of Silver Sailings has greatly
exceeded our expectations and projections," says David
Morris, Silversea's senior vice president of sales for North
America. "When we first launched our savings program
back in August, we hoped to entice guests to confirm their
2006 travel plans sooner rather than later. Now with the
overwhelming success of the program, we want to reiterate
to agents how important it is to book early so clients won't
lose out on the best savings opportunities available to
them."
‘MV Discovery’ to Make 25 Maiden Calls
in 2006
The Galapagos Islands, Lithuania, Ireland,
Corsica, Sicily, Israel, and Libya. The sound of these destinations
alone evokes excitement among intrepid travelers. The 650-passenger
cruise liner, mv Discovery will visit these ports and many
more for the first time as part of its upcoming 2006 worldwide
cruise program. In total, the ship will be making 25 maiden
calls among its 130 scheduled port visits, including a call
for the first time at Al Khums, Libya, a country of guarded
treasures which only recently opened its borders to Western
tourism.
Recently, the Discovery made her maiden
call at the port of Beirut where she received a warm welcome
from the Lebanese. Beirut was a featured port on the line’s
12-night “Red Sea Discovery” cruisetour from Larnaca, Cyprus,
to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.
MSC Cruises Announces Two New Orders
For Alstom Marine
This month, MSC Cruises announced that
it will build two new vessels at the shipyard Alstom Marine.
The post-Panamax newbuilds will be the biggest ships ever
built for an Italian cruise company. The agreement represents
the most important contract ever signed by the French shipyard.
MSC Fantasia and MSC Serenata,
the names of the two new ships, will be the largest biggest
ships currently in Europe. With an investment of over one
billion euros MSC Cruises will increase its fleet to 11
units in 2010.
MSC Fantasia will be delivered in June
2008 and MSC Serenata will join the fleet in March 2009.
"With the entry of MSC Fantasia and MSC Serenata, claimed
MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago, we can host, within
2010, more than 900.000 guests onboard our last generation
ships with a unique style of elegance and design, which
will identify MSC Cruises worldwide as the most distinguished
cruise company in terms of incomparable quality and service
onboard.”
With a weight of 133.500 tons and length
of 333 meters (1,092,5 feet), width 38 meters (124.7 feet),
speed 23 knots and 1,650 cabins, of which 1260 have balconies,
the two ships will be of Post-Panamax construction. Their
design, dimensions and speed are highly competitive and
the space concept of the lounges is absolutely innovative.
The company has grown from three ships
in 2002 to the current seven ships, to 11 vessels in 2010.
Alstom Marine Shipyard, which built the
MSC Lirica, MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia and MSC
Opera, and is currently building the MSC Musica
due in June 2006 and the MSC Orchestra due in 2007.
Libya Losing Cruise Calls After Spat
With United States
According to press reports, Libya, which
was heralded earlier this year as the new hot destination
for cruise ships, is losing some ship calls as a result
of a political disagreement with the US. In retaliation,
Libya has ruled that US citizens would not be allowed ashore
during cruise-ship calls. Several cruise lines have consequently
dropped visits to the port.
Carol Marlow Named President And Managing
Director Of Cunard Line
Cunard’s managing director for Europe,
the Middle East and Africa, Carol Marlow, has been named
the new president and managing director of Cunard Line.
The UK-based Marlow also served as UK managing director
for Princess Cruises and chairman of Swan Hellenic.
As president and managing director of
Cunard, Marlow will report to Peter Ratcliffe, chief executive
officer of P&O Princess Cruises International*, the
Carnival Corporation division which includes Cunard Line.
She will have worldwide responsibility for the luxury Cunard
brand, which includes the already legendary Queen Mary
2 and the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2, the only true
ocean liners in operation. A new liner, Queen Victoria,
will debut in December 2007. "I am pleased to appoint
Carol as president and managing director of Cunard,"
said Ratcliffe. "Her wide array of experience with
a number of cruise companies, along with her leadership
skills and understanding of international markets, will
add considerably to the strength of the Cunard brand. She
is in an excellent position to help maximize the potential
of Cunard around the globe, and help further develop the
guest base for our distinctive ocean liner vacation experience."
Since Marlow joined P&O Princess
Cruises (now Carnival plc) in 1997, she has been involved
with a total of five cruise brands, first starting as managing
director of Swan Hellenic. She subsequently worked for P&O
Cruises for two years overseeing sales and marketing, and
in 2002 she became responsible for growing the Princess
Cruises business from the UK when she was appointed UK managing
director. In July 2004 Marlow took over as managing director
for Cunard Line in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and
also took responsibility for the UK sales of Seabourn.
Marlow became chairman of the cruise
section of the UK Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) in
2002, and has also recently become a director of the PSA.
Marlow will continue to be based in Britain,
but will split her time between the UK and the US.
Indian Ocean Cruises Begins Service
From Durban, South Africa
According to news reports, Indian Ocean
Cruises has begun service from Durban, South Africa, with
the 1960-built MV Madagascar. After a lengthy positioning
voyage from Odessa, Ukraine, the yacht-like 2,683 gross-ton
ship arrived in Durban on October 29 and is offering varied
itineraries.
New Cruise Service Between Dubai And
Oman Begins
The Orient Queen, billed as the
only luxury passenger ship currently based in the Gulf region,
will operate two round trips between Dubai and Oman, Qatar
and Bahrain weekly. The company plans to add Kuwait in the
near future.
Formerly cruising as the Starward
and the Bolero, the refitted 1968-built former Kloster cruise
ship is now operated by Lebanon-based Abou Merhi Cruises.
Master Chef Georges Blanc To Participate
In Presidential Wine Club Cruise
Georges Blanc, the world-renowned French
master chef whose “Signature Selections” are featured aboard
Carnival Cruise Lines’ menus, has joined a host of wine
experts participating in the first-ever Presidential Wine
Club Cruise aboard the 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty
on her December 4 to 10 cruise.
Blanc, who operates six restaurants in
his native France and markets several wines under the Georges
Blanc label, will lend his wide-ranging culinary expertise
to this event.
Blanc will join Carnival President and
CEO Bob Dickinson–namesake of the Presidential Wine Club
during the cruise’s opening Perrier Jouet Champagne Reception
sponsored by Allied Domecq, as well as the Mumm Cuvee Napa
Farewell Reception.
Also featured are five different wine
tasting seminars, including Spanish and Portuguese varietals
seminars, as well as a special food and dessert wine tasting
that will pair wines with almonds, fruits, cheesecake, chocolate,
cheeses, etc.
A number of leading wine experts, including
Steve Hosmer of Allied Domecq, Agnes LaPlanche of Mumm
and Perrier Jouet, Peter Spann of Broadbent Selections,
and Carolo Dumont from Campo Viejo, will be participating,
as well.
Presidential Wine Club members will receive
more than $200 in free merchandise and discounts and access
to a members-only stemware seminar hosted by Riedel Crystal
providing insight on the effect that different glasses have
on wine and why it is important to use the proper stemware
when drinking fine wine. Attendees will receive a free Riedel
stemware gift set valued at $120.
Launched earlier this year, the Presidential
Wine Club provides members with two bottles of select wines
each month, many from smaller boutique wineries located
in the world’s great wine regions of California, France,
Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina and Australia. The cost
is $39.99 per month plus $9.99 shipping and handling.
NCL America Says Aloha To Its Newest
U.S. Flagged Vessel
NCL America will welcome the new Pride
of Hawaii to its U.S. Flagged fleet in April 2006. She
will be the largest US flagged passenger ship ever built,
and will join 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, will depart
Honolulu on Mondays and will feature 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
Nāwiliwili, Kauai.
Purpose built for NCL’s signature Freestyle
Cruising, Pride of Hawaii will feature a vast array of accommodations
including two luxurious Garden Villas with their own private
gardens and sun decks, 10 Courtyard Villas sharing a private
courtyard, pool and sundeck on deck 14, and a spectacular
top-of-the-ship Owner’s Suite. The ship will also feature
multiple lively public rooms, 10 restaurants and impressive
onboard amenities. “Pride of Hawaii completes our plan of
bringing three U.S. Flagged passengers ships to Hawaii by
2006 and creating 4,000 new seafaring jobs in the US merchant
fleet,” said Colin Veitch, NCL America’s president and CEO.
“Consumers will now have the choice to sail inter island
Freestyle cruises on three different NCL America ships and
one NCL international ship (Norwegian Wind), each with its
own personality and style but all delivering an incredible
Hawaii experience.”
At over 93,000 gross tons, and with a
passenger capacity of close to 2,400, Pride of Hawaii will
employ over 1,000 crew. On June 19, 2006, Pride of Hawaii
will begin sailing her regular schedule of roundtrip seven-day
Hawaii Island voyages from Honolulu.
Princess Debuts Innovative Web Tool
to Make Finding the Perfect Sailing Easy
Princess Cruises has introduced a revolutionary
cruise planning tool on the www.princess.com
website, giving users a new and improved way to find just
the perfect sailing. Called Searchlight, the innovative
tool is a quick and intuitive way to search for and compare
up to three cruises at a time with just a few mouse clicks.
The custom-designed proprietary program quickly and easily
finds a cruise that meets a consumer's travel parameters
using four different criteria -- destination, date, ship
and duration -- and displays the results to help choose
the best voyage in seconds. "This is an exciting, next-generation
cruise planning tool," said Jan Swartz, Princess' senior
vice president of customer service and sales. "We did
extensive user studies to find out what consumers really
want on a web site and overwhelmingly they told us they'd
like the ability to easily find the cruise they want, and
to make a comparison with other sailings—we've given them
both."
With just a mouse click, users can instantly
see what ships go where, when and for how long, eliminating
the guesswork that has typically defined the cruise search
process. Searchlight also enables users to do a side-by-side
comparison of up to three separate cruises, considering
such elements as price, cabin category and itinerary. After
finding the perfect sailing, booking the cruise online is
also easy.
The feature is part of a new web site
re-design for Princess, meant to give the user a cruise
planning and booking experience that directly correlates
to the actual way people research and plan their vacation.
The site is organized to intuitively offer the options that
web users look for, and the information-rich site now offers
five distinct sections to facilitate the full cruise shopping
process. Users can "Learn About Our Cruises,"
"Find and Compare Cruises," "Book a Cruise,"
"Prepare for Your Cruise" or access "Customer
Care."
Orion Expedition Cruises Adds Fuel
Surcharge
Orion Expedition Cruises has introduced
a fuel surcharge of $36 per passenger per night for all
new bookings not deposited or paid in full. Orion said the
increase was a result of the continued rise in the price
of fuel and the unfavorable oil futures forecast. “Despite
incurring a 67 per cent increase in fuel costs, we have
held off passing on this added cost of fuel for as long
as possible,” said Managing Director Sarina Bratton. Orion
was one of the last international expedition operators to
implement such a surcharge, which was regrettable but forced
by global economic conditions, she added.
National Search For A Godmother For
RCI’s New ‘Freedom Of The Seas’
Royal Caribbean International is putting
a new twist on a long-standing maritime tradition by launching
a national search for the godmother of Freedom of the
Seas – the world’s largest and most innovative cruise
ship scheduled to debut in May 2006.
Historically an honor reserved for heads
of state, politicians and celebrities, godmothers officially
give ships their names and serve as guiding spirits. Royal
Caribbean Godmothers include Her Majesty Queen Sonja of
Norway, Rosalynn Carter, Lauren Bacall, Whoopi Goldberg,
Gloria Estefan, Katarina Witt, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, champion
wheelchair marathoner Jean Driscoll and 2004 Teacher of
the Year Kathy Mellor.
Through an unprecedented partnership
with NBC’s Today morning TV show, Royal Caribbean is seeking
to honor all adults by searching for an outstanding individual
– someone who has demonstrated exceptional spirit, courage
and integrity – to serve as the Godmother of Freedom of
the Seas. One of the privileges of being a Godmother is
that the individual will be allowed to cruise for life on
any Royal Caribbean ship or itinerary once a year with the
guest of their choice. “We have had so many remarkable,
well-known women serve as Godmothers of our ships over the
years,” said Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Richard D.
Fain. “Recently, we realized that we have the opportunity
to bring attention to amazing individuals who are not in
the spotlight, but have lessons in courage, dedication and
determination that are inspirational to all.”
In order to enter, people are encouraged
to go to http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9085102 and
complete an online application form and write an essay,
no more than 500 words in explaining why they (or someone
they would like to nominate) would be the perfect Godmother
for Freedom of the Seas. All entries must be received by
5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, December 2, 2005.
The winner selected to be Freedom of
the Seas’ Godmother will preside over the most exciting
and innovative ship at sea. Freedom will feature the first-ever
surfing simulator at sea, an interactive water park, two
cantilevered whirlpools that extend 12 feet out from the
sides of the ship and a pool deck with dedicated sports
pool that transforms into an open-air nightclub each night.
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.
