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CLIA to relocate to new digs in Fort Lauderdale in January
The Cruise Lines International Association will move its headquarters
from New York to Fort Lauderdale in conjunction with its merger with
the International Council of Cruise Lines. The new office will be
operational in January at 910 SE 17th St., minutes from Port Everglades.
Carnival creates new department, makes host of executive changes
Carnival Corp. has created a new maritime policy and compliance
department, comprised of the former corporate environmental
compliance and maritime affairs and maritime audit services departments.
Current vice president of maritime policy and compliance, Jim Hunn,
will head the department and be responsible for developing and
implementing corporate standards and policies regarding health,
environmental, safety and security issues, and identifying emerging
issues in these areas, Carnival said.
Regent Seven Seas cancels two cruises
Regent Seven Seas cancelled the Seven Seas Voyager’s four-night
cruise on Nov. 30 and a seven-night cruise on Dec. 4, both departing
from Fort Lauderdale, due to damage found in the ship’s motors
during a scheduled 10-day drydock.
The ship will resume its published schedule from Fort Lauderdale on
Dec. 11.
Regent said it extended a 10-night drydock for general maintenance in
Freeport, Bahamas, by 11 additional days after a regular inspection
of the vessel’s diesel electric motors by the manufacturer’s
attending technicians found some damage to the electrical connections.
Technicians determined that both motors needed to be disassembled and
repaired. The required spare parts and additional technical
assistance have been flown from the manufacturer in Europe.
Crystal completes Symphony renovation
The Crystal Symphony has emerged from its drydock after the
completion of a $23 million renovation project, the largest in the
company’s history.
The refurbishment included a renovation of the Symphony's staterooms
and bathrooms and a complete reconstruction of its social lounge and
casino. Boutiques, shops and the Bistro cafe were redone. A new
nightclub was installed and the ship's main entertainment deck was redesigned.
The line said that in the last two years, it has invested over $35
million into construction projects on the Crystal Symphony in order
to expand choices in dining, recreation and relaxation.
Record year for Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle expects 2007 to be a record year, with operating
revenue reaching $443.2 million, nearly $22 million more than it
forecast in its 2006 budget.
Part of the increase in operating revenue is from higher passenger
fees and volume at its cruise terminals, said the Port of Seattle. It
also cited increased grain exports, higher occupancy rates at various
seaport properties and more passengers at Sea-Tac Airport.
“This budget shows many of our key business indicators moving in
the right direction,” said Port of Seattle Commission President
Patricia Davis. “Business is good, and there’s every reason
to think it will continue to improve. We’re making investments
that will increase our cargo and passenger volumes and create jobs
and tax revenues that benefit the entire region.”
Five major cruise lines operate out of the Port of Seattle. Holland
America Line is the biggest client with three ships that call the
port home.
Bermuda Commission Recommends Second Berth for Dockyard
Even though the rest of the industry has realized it for quite some
time, Bermuda has decided that the cruise industry is moving to (or
should that be "has moved?") to ships which are too large
to fit into their traditional ports, and if they don't do something
to accommodate the mega-liners, they will be bypassed by almost all
cruise ships. That said, their blue-ribbon commission
settled on a plan, but nobody has approved it yet.
Sailing on to Infinity
Tests performed as Celebrity's Infinity was sailing from Callao
(Peru) to Valparaiso (Chile) have shown that the repairs made to the
electric motor in the ship's starboard propulsion pod were
successful, and the ship is able to again cruise at normal speeds
using both pods.
The repairs of the short circuit in the motor were accomplished
during a port call at Callao. The extended time spent in port
necessitated bypassing the following port. Arrival at Valparaiso is
expected to be on schedule Sunday morning.
Back to Europe
Since their first season in Europe, the Mediterranean has been a
strong seller for Carnival Cruise Lines. Next year is no exception,
and based on that, they have already committed Carnival Freedom to a
full season there in 2008. CLICK
HERE for the entire schedule.
That's Big, Mon
Jamaica's Transport and Works Minister Robert Pickersgill announced
today plans to build a new cruise terminal at Ocho Rios and plans to
improve berthing and other facilities at Montego Bay. The
US$67 million project is scheduled to be completed in 2008.
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