April 11th Newsletter

Cruiseman News

Star Cruises is moving into the India market with the Norwegian Sea, which will be renamed the SuperStar Libra when it transfers from Norwegian Cruise Line to Star Cruises. The SuperStar Libra will homeport in Mumbai, India, beginning in September and will offer four-day cruises.

Bookings opened this week for the Crown Princess, and one of that new ship's destinations beginning in June 2006 will be a newcomer to the cruise business: Grand Turk Island. The Crown Princess will be one of the first ships scheduled to call at the new port being constructed by Carnival Corp on the island, after Holland America's new Noordam begins its calls in February 2006.

NCL announced that the Norway is being transferred to their parent company, Star Cruises. Star is making arrangements for Norway to be towed to Port Klang in Malaysia and says they intend for the ship to be utilized in a new venture, but beyond that, they're not saying what it is.

The Cayman Islands say that according to recent figures, they are the fifth most-preferred port in the world for cruise ship calls. Normally, being fifth wouldn't necessarily be anything to advertise, but in this case, the reason they aren't higher on the list is simply that they are operating at capacity on the days everyone wants to come. The island is full.

Advance bookings have been strong for P&O's new Arcadia - so strong that the line is moving up the announcement of the 2006 program just to make more space available for those wanting to book the largest purpose-built vessel for the British market.

Royal Caribbean and Aker Finnyards officially signed off on the deal to build a third Freedom-class vessel for delivery in 2008. Earlier this month we reported that Royal Caribbean had signed a letter of intent to build the vessel, subject to arranging financing and other details.

Silversea Cruises, like other luxury cruise lines hit hard by the economic and political instability since 9/11, is optimistic 2005 will be a “turnaround” year.

The 14-year-old Regal Princess will leave the Princess Cruises fleet next year and will be transferred within Princess’ parent company to Ocean Village, a division of Carnival UK. The Ocean Village fleet, which sells to the U.K. market, will double in size when the Regal Princess enters service in November 2006. The 70,000-ton ship will offer winter Caribbean and summer Mediterranean programs carrying 1,690 passengers, 112 more than its current capacity.

Cruiseman Contest

The Question last week was:

Approx. how much will Carnival Corp. spend on fuel this year?

The answer is $480 million.

Here are our five winners, selected at random from among all the correct entries.

Cara Kashmer -- Oak Harbor, OH
Andrea Fuquay -- Reidsville, NC
Mary Reid -- Winfield, IL
Paula Arbolino -- Lakeland, FL
Mike Wolfes -- Palm Desert, CA

Each winner will receive a Holiday Inn Certificate.

This weeks Cruiseman Contest Question:

"Name the cruise ship that is scheduled to be the first cruise ship to visit Grand Turk Island."

To enter -- read the instructions, and then CLICK on the link below to send your entry.

1. Don't change the subject line.
2. Type your answer in the message area
3. Include your name & postal address (in case you win!).

To enter The Contest: CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Please, don't hit your reply button, or your entry will go to the wrong address! This address is for contest entries only. One entry per person, please.