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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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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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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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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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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?
Celebrity's '09-'10 Caribbean Season Opens for Booking
Celebrity Cruises' 2009-2010 winter Caribbean season will feature,
for the third consecutive year, a series of four- and five-night
sailings on the recently refurbished Celebrity Century. These
voyages opened for sale April 15th.
From Dec. 12, 2009 through April 22, 2010, Celebrity Century will
sail a total of 29 short Western Caribbean itineraries, departing
from Miami on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Each itinerary
features two ports of call: these include Ocho Rios; Grand Cayman;
Cozumel; and Key West.
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The Search For New Ports
As 2009 itineraries continue to roll out, Cunard and Sea Dream are
very consistent. Neither is adding a new ship, but they are both in
search of new ports for repeaters.
While 2009 marks the first full year for Cunard without QE2, it will
also offer the second world cruises for both Queen Mary 2 and Queen
Victoria, with a rendezvous of the two ships in Fort Lauderdale on
January 13, 2009. QM2's world cruise will add four maiden calls:
Lima, Osaka, Bangkok, and Salalah (Oman). Among the 37 ports on
QV's world cruise will be 18 maiden calls including Apia, Western
Samoa and Aqaba, Jordan.
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Pride of Aloha Rescues Stranded Dog
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NCL America's Pride of Aloha returned today (4/16) to Honolulu from a
12-day Hawaii cruise with one extra guest - an eight-month old cocker
spaniel named Snickers.
Working in conjunction with the Hawaiian Humane Society, NCL America
officials made arrangements for the abandoned dog to be picked up by
the ship during its planned stop in Fanning Island on April 9. |
Snickers spent the last four months on Fanning Island. In December, a
48-foot motorboat washed up on Fanning Island after spending 95 days
drifting across the Pacific. On board were the boat owners and their
pet dog, Snickers.
After two weeks on Fanning Island, the owners returned home to
California on an interisland supply ship, but Snickers wasn't able to
accompany them and he was left on the island.
After hearing Snickers' story, Las Vegas resident Jack Joslin called
the Hawaiian Humane Society for help in getting the dog off Fanning
Island. The Humane Society contacted NCL America and asked for
assistance in rescuing Snickers. Following a stop
in Honolulu, the dog will be flown to his new owner in Las Vegas.
North American travelers undeterred by tough travel conditions
You might think airline cancellations, a slowing economy, rising gas
prices and a weak dollar would deliver a powerful punch that would
deter US travelers. But that’s apparently not the case at all.
Americans appear to be sticking to summer vacation plans. Business
travelers are still moving about the country. But the one evident
change is a newfound emphasis on cutting costs.
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RCI Takes Delivery of Independence of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International took delivery of its newest ship -
Independence of the Seas, the third of the line's Freedom class of
ships - during a ceremony at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland.
In the first nationwide search of its kind in the United Kingdom,
Royal Caribbean is bestowing the title of Godmother of Independence
of the Seas on a British woman who has done extraordinary things to
further the well being of youth in her community. The search was
conducted with the cruise line's charity partner and British
five-time Olympic gold medalist, Sir Steve Redgrave.
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RCI Opens Bookings for Short '09/10 Cruises
Royal Caribbean International announced its short cruises for
2009-10, offering 18 itineraries, ranging from two to five nights, on
306 sailings. Bookings are now open for these short cruises.
Guests can choose departures from Tampa, Port Canaveral, Port
Everglades and Miami aboard one of five Royal Caribbean ships,
including Navigator of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of
the Seas, Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas.
Costa Maya cruise lines commit to return
Puerto Costa Maya, now due to reopen with two berthing positions in
July, said more than a dozen of the lines that called before the
facility was destroyed by Hurricane Dean last August have committed
to return. In addition, port officials announced new local
attractions.
The brands that plan to return include Cunard, Princess Cruises,
Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean
International, Holland America, Carnival Cruise Lines, Regent Seven
Seas Cruises, P&O Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises,
MSC Cruises and Ocean Village.
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