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Alaska Has Almost Twice as Many Caribou as People
Alaska's human population numbers around 600,000, while there are
over one million caribou in the state. And the government doesn't
even pay them to live there!
Caribou are almost constantly on the move. Some caribou migrate more
than 3,000 miles each year farther than any other land animal. They
travel in herds every fall and spring from their wintering to their
calving grounds, and arrive just in time to think about heading back.
Caribou are built to travel. Their large, concave hooves hold them up
like snowshoes both on winter snow and on the soggy summer tundra. In
water, those hooves become enormous paddles. A caribou in a hurry can
run 50 miles per hour.
Carnival unleashes new branding campaign
Today marks the debut of Carnival Cruise Lines’ new
multimillion-dollar branding campaign. Carnival said the effort aims
to inject a fresh look and feel into its advertising, marketing and
collateral materials.
The centerpiece of the initiative is a series of 30-second television
spots that begin airing today. Backed by the Queen classic
‘You’re My Best Friend,’ the spots feature images of
people of all ages enjoying a Carnival cruise, enhanced by computer
animation and editing techniques that blend one scene into another.
The goal, the company said, is to transport viewers into the relaxed
and carefree environment of a Fun Ship vacation.
The print campaign encompasses full-page images gleaned from the
various TV spots, with shots of couples and families relaxing in
scenic locales and enjoying various on-board activities.
The TV spots will air on all major broadcast networks, as well as
select cable channels such as USA, TNT, TBS, Food Network, Travel
Channel, HGTV, and Discovery Channel. The first of the new spots can
be viewed at www.carnival.com/promo/tv.
Introducing the Class of 2008
Ten newbuilds will sail into service during 2008, adding nearly
26,000 lower berths. Six are post-Panamax, and five lines will be
introducing bigger ships than they have built before. Going post-Panamax
for the first time are Celebrity Cruises, P&O Cruises and MSC
Cruises.
The year's largest ship will be Independence of the Seas, the third
in Royal Caribbean International's 158,000gt Freedom class, and the
largest newbuild ever to spend a full inaugural season homeported in
the UK.
The smallest newbuild of 2008 is from newcomer Pearl Seas Cruises --
the sister company to the well-established American Cruise Lines --
with a 210-passenger vessel emerging from Canada's Irving
Shipbuilding.
Rounding out the year's newbuilds is Ruby Princess, third in a series
of 116,000gt ships for Princess Cruises.
House Votes to Delay Passport Requirement
The U.S. House of Representatives took a major step in delaying a new
security rule requiring passports at all U.S. border crossings next
year to avoid a repeat of last summer's backlog of passport applications.
The first phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
went into effect earlier this year, requiring U.S. travelers
returning by plane from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean to carry a passport.
In the second phase of WHTI, the Department of Homeland Security has
regulated that as of Jan. 31, 2008 all U.S. citizens at land and sea
crossings must prove their citizenship and identity with a passport
or an alternative, including a birth certificate, enhanced
driver’s license or other documents. Passports will be required
starting in July.
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), chairwoman of the House Rules
Committee, announced that language she authored delaying
implementation of the WHTI until 2009 was included in the Omnibus
spending bill passed by the House on Dec. 17th. Also included is
language withholding funds from the Department of Homeland Security
until it reports on the feasibility of WHTI to Congress.
The bill passed by a vote of 253-154. The Senate is expected to vote also.
The Bush administration said it plans to go ahead with implementing
the passport rule next summer, despite Congressional opposition.
Keep your eye on "Passport
Update" on The
Cruiseman Web Site. We'll keep you posted as
updates become available.
Cunard Liners to Sail Together
On Jan. 13, Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2
and Queen Victoria will, for the first and only time, sail
together out of New York harbor. The regal fleet is scheduled to
depart at 6:30 p.m. Queen Mary 2 will depart from her homeport,
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, while QE2 will depart from Pier 92 and
Queen Victoria will depart from Pier 88 both at the Westside Cruise
Terminal. Then, the three Queens will rendezvous and sail past the
Statue of Liberty during a fireworks celebration at approximately 7 p.m.
"This is an historic occasion for Cunard and New York, marking
the only time that the three ships will be together...ever,"
said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "More history will
be made as our grand dame QE2 departs on her 26th and final World
Cruise and Queen Victoria will depart on her maiden World
Cruise," added Marlow.
This is the first time in Cunard's 168-year history that three
"Queens" have been in service at the same time and with QE2
retiring in November will be the only time they will be together,
offering a maritime history-making moment, according to a spokesman
for the line.
NCL Announces Major Investment in Freestyle
As it was introducing the new Norwegian Gem to the industry Dec.
19th, NCL announced its "Freestyle 2.0" fleetwide
significant enhancements to its onboard product, including a major
investment in dining; stateroom upgrades; new onboard activities;
added recognition, service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa
guests; and a relaunch of a tiered Latitudes past guest recognition program.
The initiative, driven by feedback from guests and travel agents, has
been enabled by Apollo's $1 billion dollar investment and Star
Cruises' continued commitment, the line said.
Among Freestyle 2.0 features: lobster on multiple days; signature
dishes in specialty restaurants; an enhanced NCL U onboard program;
upgraded stateroom soft goods; and a "bubbly" welcome for
everyone. Freestyle 2.0 will roll out immediately and be completed by summer.
RCI’s Independence of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Independence of the
Seas, will be coming into service two weeks earlier than scheduled,
since work has been completed earlier than expected.
“At the moment, it seems like Independence of the Seas’
inaugural revenue cruise will be on May 2, 2008,” instead of the
originally scheduled May 17 date, according to an RCI spokesperson.
The 160,000-ton Independence of the Seas will carry 3,600 passengers.
It is the sister to Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas.
Queen Mary 2 Named "Best Luxury Cruise Ship" By
Travel Weekly
Valencia, CA - December 20, 2007 - At its fifth annual Readers Choice
Awards gala, the editors of Travel Weekly, the national newspaper of
the travel industry, named Cunard Line's flagship ocean liner Queen
Mary 2 the world's "Best Luxury Cruise Ship." Presented at
a black-tie dinner at New York City's Pierre Hotel on December 13,
2007, the award reflects the educated opinions of Travel Weekly's
40,000 readers, comprising industry executives, travel agents and wholesalers.
"We are honored to receive this influential award," said
Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "We strive to deliver
the cruise industry's premier travel experience and this award is
recognition that when it comes to luxury, Cunard - and specifically
Queen Mary 2 - exemplifies the pinnacle of ocean voyaging. We look
forward to seeing her new sister ship, Queen Victoria, earn a place
on this prestigious list," she continued.
Costa Offers Discounts, Prizes
Just in time for Wave Season, Costa is offering rates of 60%
off. The “Diamond Jubilee” promotion, in honor of
Costa’s “60th Diamond Anniversary” in 2008, will be
offered for 60 days from Jan. 1 through Feb. 29, giving travelers the
opportunity to save up to 60% off most of Costa’s 2008
cruises. As an added bonus, guests who sail in the Caribbean
for the 2007-2008 season will have the opportunity to win a six-stone
diamond necklace from Diamonds International once onboard.
HAL Launches ‘View and Verandah’
Holland America Line has launched its “View and Verandah"
promotion offering savings on outside and verandah staterooms for
hundreds of departures throughout 2008. Starting Dec. 15 and running
through Feb. 29, agents can offer clients oceanview outside
staterooms for the price of inside staterooms on select sailings.
Costa Increases Asia Presence
Costa Cruises said it will position a second cruise ship in Asia
— the 1,680-passenger Costa Classica, beginning in March 2009.
Costa said it was the first international company to schedule regular
cruises in China and Asia, beginning with the Costa Allegra on July
2, 2006.
With this second cruise ship in the Asian market, Costa said it will
offer nearly 55,000 additional berths with a total of over 60
cruises, bringing its overall capacity in the region to 85,000 berths.
Carnival Revises Age Policies
Carnival Cruise Line has asked us to pass these new policies
along to our readers. These became effective on Jan. 1st.
Minimum Age: Infants must be six (6) months of age at the
beginning of the cruise. For Transatlantic, Hawaii & South
America cruises only, infants must be at least twelve (12)
months of age at the beginning of the cruise to travel.
Pregnancy Guests that will be 25 weeks or more into their
pregnancy by the end of the cruise will not be permitted to sail.
Guests that will be 24 weeks or less into their pregnancy by the end
of the cruise are required to provide Carnival with a physician's
letter stating that mother and baby are in good health, fit to travel
and the pregnancy is not high-risk.
AZ to Push for Passenger Bill of Rights
With New York State's airline passenger bill of rights scheduled to
take effect on January 1, 2008, the first of its kind in the nation
to get past the blocking efforts of the airline industry, an Arizona
lawmaker is jumping on the bandwagon.
State representative Jonathan Paton will introduce a bill nearly
identical to the New York law in the Arizona state legislature. The
bill would require any airline in the Tucson or Phoenix airports to
provide basic services to passengers stuck on the tarmac for more
than three hours. In addition, the bill would create a "flyer's
advocate" at each airport to log customer complaints.
Non-compliant airlines would face a civil penalty and a fine of up to
$1,000 per passenger.
Last week a federal judge in Albany upheld the New York law against
an appeal by the airline industry, which claims that only the federal
government can regulate airlines. Several other state legislatures
across the country are also planning votes on similar passenger
rights bills.
'Curse of Camilla' hits Cunard's new Queen Victoria
British papers report that nearly 80 people on Cunard's new ocean
liner, the Queen Victoria, have been hit with the highly-contagious
stomach bug known as norovirus -- an outbreak they've already
colorfully dubbed the "curse of Camilla."
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, the controversial wife of England's
Prince Charles, christened the 2,014-passenger ship earlier this
month in an elaborate ceremony in Southampton, England that was
marred only by the fact the champagne bottle didn't break -- a bad
omen in the superstitious seafaring trade.
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