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Norwegian
Coastal Voyage's Fram to visit U.S. during 1st season
Norwegian Coastal
Voyage, during the line's first season operating a ship in North
America, will offer departures from New York and Port Canaveral,
Fla., on its new ship, the Fram.
NCV said that the
ship will leave Iceland Sept. 18 on a 67-day cruise from the Arctic
to Antarctica, sailing along the coasts of the U.K., Canada and New
England, before picking up guests in New York on Oct. 9 and in Port
Canaveral on Oct. 13.
The 12,700-ton,
318-passenger Fram will visit Charleston, S.C.; and Savannah, Ga.;
and Key West, Fla., before heading to the Caribbean and transiting
the Panama Canal on it way to South America and Antarctica.
NCV is offering
segments of 23, 31 and 44 days from New York and 19, 27 and 40 days
from Port Canaveral, the line said. Countries with port calls include
the U.S., Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama,
Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Antarctica and Argentina.
Call The Cruiseman
to book a cabin on the Fram
Jury
awards Celebrity $15M in Essef Corp. case retrial
A New York federal
court jury awarded Celebrity Cruises $15 million after hearing the
retrial of a portion of its case against the Essef Corp. regarding a
1994 outbreak of Legionnaires' disease on a Celebrity vessel.
Celebrity sued
Essef, a maker of pool equipment, claiming that its whirlpool filter
system malfunctioned and led to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease
aboard the Celebrity Horizon in 1994.
A jury had
previously awarded Celebrity $193 million, but in January a judge
allowed only $10.4 million of it to stand, calling the verdict
"manifestly erroneous." The judge ordered a new trial on
the jury's finding that Celebrity deserved to recoup $47.6 million in
lost profits.
"We
appreciate the jury's understanding of the impact this event had on
our company," said Dan Hanrahan, president of Celebrity Cruises,
in a statement.
Pentair, Essef's
parent company, said that it is studying the verdict and the trial
record to determine the course of any future action, which could
include post-trial motions and an appeal to the Second Circuit Court
of Appeals.
Carnival
ships report two overboard incidents
One passenger was
rescued and another died after they both went overboard on separate
Carnival Cruise Lines cruise ships in less than 24 hours, Carnival said.
The cruise line
reported that on July 1 at approximately 11:30 p.m., a shipboard
security officer witnessed a 28-year-old male guest on the Carnival
Liberty go overboard while the vessel was sailing towards Freeport,
Bahamas, during a six-day cruise that departed that day from Fort Lauderdale.
The ship's command
initiated search and rescue procedures and notified the U.S. Coast
Guard, Carnival said, and at about 12:25 a.m., the passenger was
rescued and transferred to a Coast Guard cutter that was in the area.
Carnival reported that the guest is currently at a shoreside medical
facility for further evaluation and treatment.
Meanwhile, the
morning of July 2nd, at approximately 8:35 a.m., an 18-year-old male
passenger was seen jumping overboard from one of the upper decks of
the Ecstasy, by both guests and crew members, Carnival said. The
Ecstasy was en route to Cozumel, Mexico from Galveston, Texas, on a
five-day cruise that departed June 30.
That ship's
command also initiated search and rescue procedures and notified the
U.S. Coast Guard, and the passenger was recovered from the water by
the ship's crew. He was pronounced dead onboard at approximately 9:10
a.m. This has been confirmed to be an intentional suicide.
Both were
recovered within minutes of their jumps, and the factor making the
difference in their recoveries is that they were both witnessed, so
the ship could accurately note the location.
Fred.
Olsen Cruise Lines to lengthen the Braemar
Fred. Olsen Cruise
Lines revealed plans to lengthen a second cruise ship in 2008. The
Braemar, a 727-passenger vessel, will be given a 102-foot extension
to its mid-section, along with extended fore and aft sections on Deck
8, the British line said.
The project is
similar to one that will stretch the line's latest acquisition, the
Balmoral, which was formerly operated by Norwegian Cruise Line as the
Norwegian Crown.
Fred. Olsen said
that there will be no disruption to its cruise schedule as it had
scheduled its 2008 itineraries in anticipation of the work being
carried out.
Cruise
Lines' Success Is Other People's Folly
The new (last
year) Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is getting rave reviews from cruise
lines and some pretty good comments from passengers. It's even
garnering some awards from several industry groups. So from a cruise
industry standpoint, the $56-million facility is a hit. But the
planners had more in mind for it, and from that standpoint, the local
New York media is pointing out that it is a flop.
It had been
planned that when the cruise ships weren't in port, the terminal
would be generating money as a sought-after venue for events and
parties. It hasn't lived up to that.
Carnival
Sets South American Repositioning
When Carnival
repositions Carnival Splendor from Florida to the West Coast in
January 2009, since the 113,300-ton ship is too large to fit through
the Panama Canal, they will send it around South America. As Gomer
Pyle would say, "Sur-prise! Sur-prise!"
Last month when
the line announced the ship would be homeported in Long Beach, they
didn't want to confirm the South American trip, although with the
time allotted, that was the only way for it to get there, unless they
were building a large boat trailer for the trip across the United States.
Empress
of the North to re-enter service
Empress of the
North has completed repairs at Vigor Marine in Portland, Ore., and is
en route to Alaska where it will re-enter service from Juneau on
Saturday. Repairs were undertaken following the ship’s grounding
near Juneau on May 14.
Majestic America
Line said it is taking extra measures to ensure passenger safety as
the ship resumes sailing.
Costa
signs marketing partnership with Singapore Tourist Board
Costa Crociere has
formed a global strategic marketing partnership with the Singapore
Tourism Board. Both companies will engage in joint marketing
initiatives in the Australian, Asia Pacific and European markets for
cruise promotional campaigns.
These initiatives
will be launched first in Australia, then in Europe this month. The
Indonesia and India markets will follow in 2008.
What's
In A Name?
Seabourn Cruise
Line will name its new ship the Seabourn Odyssey and debut the $250
million new-build in Venice in mid-2009. The 225-suite ship is
currently under construction at Italy's T. Mariotti shipyard; it will
be the first addition to Seabourn's fleet in close to 20 years. The
line said that plans for the vessel's maiden voyages are expected to
be released by the end of this year. Seabourn President Pamela
Conover said that out of hundreds of names the line considered, it
wanted a name that would reflect the ship's primary purpose: "to
wander the globe, carrying our guests to the world's most exciting
... destinations."
The keel was laid
on July 11 for the new Seabourn Cruises ship, the Odyssey, at a
ceremony in Friuli, in northeast Italy between Venice and Trieste.
The keel and its
hull are being constructed there by CI.MAR, an alliance between T.
Mariotti and the Cimolai Group, a firm specializing in steel
fabrication, Seabourn said. Both will be floated to T. Mariotti's
Genoa shipyard where the ship will be assembled.
Following
tradition, Seabourn president and CEO Pamela Conover placed a coin --
an uncirculated 2007 U.S. Silver Eagle dollar -- on the keel as it
was joined to the first section of the hull. Marco Bisagno, president
of T. Mariotti, then contributed a newly minted Italian one-Euro coin
to complete the ceremony, which is meant to solicit good fortune for
the vessel during its construction and throughout its seagoing life,
Seabourn said.
The 32,000-ton,
225-suite Seabourn Odyssey is due to enter service in June 2009.
Majestic
America sets theme cruises
Majestic America
Line plans 77 theme sailings in 2008 showcasing the natural and
cultural treasures of the United States. The season launches with a
New Orleans-themed cruise on the 436-passenger American Queen.
This roundtrip
journey gives a full extra day to explore the Crescent City with a
choice of two included tours from among options such as a historic
walking tour of the French Quarter and a culinary adventure at a
Cajun cooking school. Enrichment presenters will share insights into
the history, culture and significance of New Orleans and the
Mississippi River. Seven departures are offered.
Other themes on
varied itineraries focus on spring in the South with a focus on
plantation history, fall foliage, the Civil War era with experts
highlighting major battle sites along the Ohio and Cumberland rivers,
a musical Independence Day celebration, and Western heritage holidays
on the Columbia River with performances by cowboy poets and musicians.
Regent
Seven Seas to institute partial smoking ban
Beginning in
December, smoking will be prohibited in all suites, staterooms and
balconies Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships.
Regent said that,
"in light of continuing legislative changes in smoking policies
around the world as well as the health and safety issues involved,
RSSC will be changing our smoking policy. ... Not only does smoking
present a fire hazard, but it is also an inconvenience to other
guests as the smoke, or its odor, invades surrounding suites,
balconies and public areas, creating discomfort for the guests in
these areas."
Regent also said
that, "the issue of smoking onboard cruise ships has become
quite a hot topic in our industry. And while Regent Seven Seas
Cruises is respectful of the lifestyle choices of our guests and will
always give smokers a warm welcome, we also recognize the need to
restrict where smoking is permitted so as not to cause discomfort to,
or provide a health or safety hazard for, the majority of our guests
who do not smoke."
A cigarette was
blamed in the balcony fire that killed one passenger and injured
several others on the Star Princess last year. Oceania Cruises banned
smoking in its staterooms and balconies shortly thereafter.
Costa
Magica to sail Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona
Costa Cruises'
Costa Magica will sail from Barcelona, Spain, from March through
November 2008.
The Italian cruise
line said the Magica will offer seven-day trips departing Barcelona
from the cruise line's new Palacrociere terminal, which opened in
April. Itineraries will call in Marseille, France; Naples, Palermo
and Savona, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Tunis, Tunisia.
Costa said the
sailings would operate from Friday to Friday to allow guests the
opportunity to arrange pre- and post- stays in Barcelona.
The Costa Magica
is currently sailing out of Copenhagen, Denmark on Northern Europe
itineraries, and will sail from Savona to ports in Spain and Portugal
in the fall and South America in the winter.
Bob
Dickinson stepping down as head of Carnival Cruise Lines
After 35 years,
Bob Dickinson, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, will
retire at the end of this year, Carnival Corp. said.
Gerry Cahill,
executive vice president and CFO of Carnival Corp., will take over as
president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines effective immediately, to
allow ample transition time, Carnival said.
"I have been
blessed to have had a long, fun-filled career helping to build
Carnival and the cruise industry," said Dickinson in a
statement. "I'm still having fun so giving all of that up has
been a very difficult decision but I'll be 65 next month and have
been pondering this with my family for some time. I look forward to
working with Gerry who will inherit what I believe is the most
talented and dedicated management team in the cruise industry."
Dickinson joined
Carnival as executive vice president in 1972; in 1993, he was
promoted to president, followed by CEO in 2003.
He has served as
chairman of Cruise Lines International Association, the Travel
Industry Association and the Miami Beach Visitors and Convention
Authority, Carnival said.
"Bob has
truly achieved legendary status in the travel industry," said
Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corp., in a statement.
"There is simply no other travel industry executive who is as
well known and respected as he."
Arison also called
Dickinson "one of the most influential people in the development
of the modern-day cruise industry," and said that Dickinson
would be missed "not only by everyone here at Carnival, but by
travel agents, his competitors and the media who loved his often
humorous sound bites."
Damage
to Celebrity Millennium forces cancellation of sailings
Millennium didn't
hit a diamond last week; they hit something much more costly - a rock
that is costing them $28.8 million. Celebrity Cruises had to cancel
two departures of Celebrity Millennium, due to damage the ship's
propellers sustained after hitting a rock on July 2.
On July 8, the
line said it had to cancel the remainder of the Millennium's current
cruise, which began June 30, and the ship's next cruise, scheduled to
depart July 12. Celebrity said the ship would reenter service for its
July 24 sailing.
Crystal,
SeaDream Voted Tops
Crystal Cruises
was once again voted the top large ship line by readers of Travel
& Leisure magazine. The line that improved the most in the large
ship category was Cunard, moving from eight place to fifth.
On the small ship
side, SeaDream Yacht Club jumped from fourth place in 2006 to the top
spot this year, with Seabourn moving from first to second place.
Analyst notes improved pricing in
cruise industry
Cruise pricing improved in June, according to a survey of travel
agents by Bank of America equity analysts.
The bank's monthly Travel Agent Survey found that after a slight
decrease in May, "there was a pickup in pricing" in June,
led by improved fares in Alaska and the Caribbean, said Michael
Savner, Bank of America leisure analyst.
Savner also wrote that the cruise lines were reporting improved
pricing later in the year.
Translation: What they are trying to say is that
rates have started to go back up. After months of very low
rates, the demand has caught up with supply, and rates are increasing.
If you are planning a cruise in the next 12 months, we recommend that
you go ahead and lock in your space now. Waiting around for
lower rates is now a bad idea. -- The Cruiseman
Cruiseman
Shorts .....
Big in Barcelona
When you think of Costa, most Americans would think of Italy. When
you think of Barcelona, Costa and Carnival Corp aren't the first
things that come to mind. It's time to start changing all that thinking.
Recently we reported about the opening of a Costa-built cruise
terminal in Barcelona. The growing size of Costa operations at the
Spanish port means the state-of-the-art facility will be used almost
exclusively by Costa and other Carnival brands. In its first two
months of operations, it is already turning in solid numbers, having
been used by 100,000 passengers.
Don't Say the Government Never Gave You Anything Free
So what advice does the CDC have about Cruise Ship Travel? Norovirus?
Sunburn? Dealing with jet lag? Preventing life-threatening blood
clots on long flights?
Wonder no more. The Centers for Disease Control has just published
the 2008 Yellow Book, the definitive guide (according to the CDC) to
healthy international travel.
A Buck to Get in and They Wouldn't Even Let Her Weld
Work is really underway now on Seabourn's new ship, Seabourn Odyssey.
It was only about six weeks ago we told you that the first steel had
been cut. It's being formed into blocks now, and yesterday they laid
the first block of the keel.
The Seabourn people are really excited about their first new ship in
15 years - so excited that Seabourn president Pam Conover flew right
over to Italy for the ceremony, but it cost her a buck to get in.
In Venice, Blue Means You're Green
MSC Cruises has become the latest cruise line to join the club that
wants to help save the environment in Venice - or at least not let it
deteriorate any faster.
The city is under constant assault not only by the sea, but also by
air since many of its buildings are hundreds of years old and they
are especially susceptible to air pollution. The Blue Flag agreement
which MSC joined, means that they, like the other c |