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What mind-blowing innovation does Royal Caribbean plan for its
next ship?
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The Cruise World has been abuzz over the question for more than a
year, and now it finally has an answer: A massive "Central Park"
at the center of the vessel that boasts soaring trees, live grass
and outdoor restaurants.
The new area, which Royal Caribbean which was announced
last week at a press conference in New York, will be the central
feature of the line's Project Genesis ships launching in 2009 and 2010.
For more on this - with more pictures CLICK
HERE |
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Carnival Fuel Surcharge Increase
Because of the continued rapid escalation of fuel prices, six of
Carnival Corporation & plc’s brands, including Carnival,
Costa, Holland America, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and Cunard Line,
will increase their current fuel supplement from $5 to $7 (USD) per
person per day. These brands will also implement a fuel supplement on
third and fourth passengers of $2 per person per day.
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HERE for the rest of this article
NCL Increases Fuel Supplement
In response to the continued rise in oil prices, NCL Corporation
announced today an increase to its current fuel supplement. The new
fuel supplement will be $9 per person per day for the first and
second guests in a stateroom and $4 per person per day for any
additional guests in the same stateroom, based on the guidelines below.
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HERE for the rest of this article
Regent's 'Build Your Own Ship' Cruise
Regent Seven Seas Cruises can be pretty sure its next new ship will
please its passengers, because it is asking their help in designing
it. Regent is even asking them about the concept of shared ownership
of a designated portion of the suites on the new ship - and the
existing fleet as well - perhaps linked to access to luxury hotels or
condominiums across the world.
The line has a general idea of what its next ship will look like
structurally. At about 60,000 tons, it will be slightly larger than
the current fleet and will carry about 800 passengers, all in outside
suites with balconies. It will have larger cabins and probably four
specialty restaurants instead of the current two.
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HERE for the rest of this article
Celebrity Revamps Smoking Policy
Cruise enthusiasts may praise the virtues of "sea air," but
to many of them, what matters more is clean air. As more hotels and
restaurants worldwide implement stricter smoking policies in order to
promote healthier air, Celebrity Cruises also is taking action.
Beginning October 1, 2008, guests on Celebrity's ships will enjoy
fresher air as a result of a new policy that disallows smoking in
Celebrity's staterooms or on stateroom verandas. The policy also will
reduce the number of public areas in which guests can smoke onboard.
"We are proud to be the first premium cruise line to set a new
standard toward creating an environment of cleaner air on our
ships," said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan.
"We pay careful attention to what our guests have to say, and
approximately 90 percent of them have told us they are non-smokers.
By increasing the number of smoke-free areas onboard while still
designating areas for those who smoke, our aim is to make the onboard
experience as pleasant as possible for all of our guests."
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HERE for the rest of this article
Peace Officers May Soon Be Sailing the High Seas
A bill that would require peace officers aboard any cruise ship
sailing from California ports was passed in the California state
Senate's public safety committee. Senate Bill 1582, sponsored by
state Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), requires the funding of
"ocean rangers" onboard cruise ships, with a $1-a-day
passenger fee. Rangers would monitor public safety, as well as ensure
all ships comply with environmental regulations. If passed, the bill
would give California the most strict cruise ship regulations in the US.
CLIA has stated its opposition to the bill, saying that an embedded
ranger on board ships would not have jurisdiction and would hinder
any FBI investigation and prosecution.
Editors Note: Sounds like another money grab to
us. (re: Alaska's new $50pp tax). Figuring the Carnival
Spirit and Pride, which both sail from California,
this would amount to a "tax" of almost $15,000 per
cruise. When the Mariner of the Seas gets to California
next year that would be a "tax" of around $22,000 per
cruise. Do you suppose California is planning on paying for the
cabins for these "ocean rangers", or are they expecting the
cruise lines to give them free cabins? We can
imagine a lot of people would love to get this job! Where
do we apply?
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