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Crystal Cruises to eliminate trans fats from ships
Eliminating trans fats in the industry is the newest trend to catch
on and Crystal Cruises has become the second cruise line to say it
will remove the fats from its ships, following Royal Caribbean
International's lead. However, Crystal became the first line to
implement the measure as it began taking action immediately.
Effective Jan. 24, the luxury line has removed trans fats from the
galleys on its two ships and chefs aboard the line's vessels have
replaced all trans fat oils with trans fat-free oils, Crystal said.
In addition, changes have been incorporated across the ships' menus
and restaurants, from French fries to salad dressings.
"Crystal is proud to pioneer a trans fat-free culinary
experience for our guests no matter where in the world they
travel," said Toni Neumeister, vice president, food and beverage
operations. "Crystal's priority in this initiative is to offer
healthy food choices. We are committed to implementing our ban on
trans fats in spite of the challenges of provisioning trans fat-free
oils around the globe.
Princess flips the switch to shore power in Los Angeles
Princess Cruises plans to tap into the local power source while
docked in Los Angeles beginning in 2008 and has signed an agreement
to turn off the engines on its vessels and "plug in" to the
city's electrical power.
The shore power agreement is part of the Port of Los Angeles'
Alternative Maritime Power Program, Princess said, that will have
ships plug into shore power, which enables them to turn off their
diesel engines and connect to electric power that travels to the ship
from a specially designed transformer, resulting in cleaner air
emissions. Princess said this shore-based electricity will run all
onboard services during the day-long calls.
The capability in Los Angeles will be available for use in 2008, and
the technology is already available on the Princess ships which will
call there. The project is similar to programs Princess debuted in
Juneau, Alaska, in 2001 and in Seattle in 2005, the cruise line said.
For this technology to work, Princess has outfitted its ships with a
custom-built electrical connection cabinet that automatically
connects the ship's electrical network to the local electrical
network onshore. The electrical power is transmitted from the
landside transformer to the vessel via flexible electrical cables.
The actual cable connection on the vessel is a traditional, though
quite large, male/female plug and socket, Princess said.
NCL joins Port of LA’s clean air initiatives
NCL Corp. signed a multi-year agreement with the Port of Los Angeles
that includes measures supporting the port’s clean air
initiatives.
As of Jan. 1, the LA-based Norwegian Star has been using only
low-sulfur fuel (with less than 0.05% sulfur) while at the port. The
ship is also participating in the port’s vessel speed reduction
program which limits air emissions by slowing ships to 12 knots or
less when within 50 nautical miles of the port.
In addition, NCL will use shore power or ‘cold ironing’
when it becomes available to cruise ships at the port in 2008.
Princess Cruises has announced it will do the same.
Silversea moves ‘Privileged Passage’ debut
Silversea Cruises announced a new ship and sailing date for the
launch of its ‘Privileged Passage’ program. The concept is
now scheduled for roll-out on a test basis aboard Silver Cloud’s
July 13 cruise, seven days from Athens to Istanbul.
The line had previously announced Privileged Passage would debut in
April aboard a 10-day Silver Whisper voyage.
Privileged Passage dispenses with formal nights and receptions,
extends the hours of the fitness center and spa, provides early or
late disembarkation, and offers complimentary tours and more casual entertainment.
Carnival: Not giving up on Asia
Carnival Corp. said it is not giving up on its Asia strategy,
despite today’s announcement that sales for Costa Allegra will
be opened to customers worldwide.
‘Asia remains the primary focus for Costa Allegra cruises,’
a Carnival Corp. spokesman said. He said there has been interest in
the ship from other markets even though Costa Crociere to date has
not promoted it outside the region.
‘Opening it up beyond Asia will allow better capacity
utilization in the short term by filling in soft spots as we continue
to learn and develop the Asian marketplace,’ Carnival Corp.
spokesman Tim Gallagher said.
Princess adds private tours in Alaska
Princess Cruises will offer 21 new tours in Alaska during the 2007
season, including seven new private options, for a total of 171 choices.
The custom adventures include tours in Hummers, floatplanes, open-air
boats, stretch SUVs, catamarans and classic cars. Charlie Ball,
president of Princess Tours, said the additions cater to the
independent-minded traveler.
HAL exceeds cancer fundraising goal
Holland America Line has exceeded its $250,000 fundraising goal for
the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization three months early.
Starting last April, HAL and the Holland America Line Foundation took
the fight against breast cancer to the high seas with ‘On Deck
for the Cure,’ a non-competitive 5K shipboard fitness walk in
which passengers are invited to participate with a suggested $15 donation.
Stein Kruse, HAL president and ceo, last week presented
representatives from Komen for the Cure with a $250,000 check. With
three months to go in the year-long HAL campaign, Kruse estimated the
ultimate contribution will exceed $350,000.
The High Cost of Leaving New Jersey
They have a different way of doing things in Bayonne, New Jersey. As
a result, passengers sailing from Cape Liberty Cruise Port this year
will get a bit of a surprise; they'll be paying $9.70 more than they
thought , for total port charges of $41.20 for the privilege of
sailing from Cape Liberty. (Of course port charges for your ports of
call still need to be collected, too.) Next year, they may pay less.
You'll never know in advance.
All in a Day's Work for Coral Princess
On Jan 17th the Coral Princess made a rescue at sea that probably
saved 16 lives.
Folding Their Tent
At the end of the year, the little white Cirque du Soleil tents
aboard Summit and Constellation were quietly folded up and shipped
back to Canada. The acrobats and contortionists, likewise. Thus ended
Celebrity Cruises' attempts to bring Cirque's brand of circus to
their passengers.
If You Haven't Been to Grand Turk, You're Going to Become a Minority
Carnival's new cruise facility at Grand Turk is a hit, both with
passengers and cruise lines. The new port, which
officially opened last February, exceeded Carnival's projections and
handled 136 cruise ship calls and more than 295,000 passengers.
For more about Grand Turk CLICK
HERE
Refurbishment Time
Majesty of the Seas is at the Grand Bahama Shipyard near
Freeport. The ship is at the midpoint of Royal Caribbean's
revitalization process. Interior work will continue for the next
couple of weeks at the yard. The most dramatic work
includes overhauls of the dining facilities, the spa/fitness center
and the accommodations. Major public areas are being updated, from
the casino and the main pool deck to the Viking Crown Lounge.
Windjammer Marketplace, the casual dining venue, will emerge with a
fresh layout and furnishings. The new Compass Deli will offer
sandwiches, soups and made-to-order salads, paninis and crepes. |
