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Could fuel surcharges make a comeback?
Last summer, when at the pump gas prices hovered around $4 per
gallon, and crude oil hit $145, fuel surcharges were a way of life
with taxis, pizza deliveries, and yes, cruise lines.
As we all know, oil prices soon plunged, and the cruise lines all
dropped their surcharges late last fall.
But while those supplements may seem like a distant memory, with fuel
prices creeping back up, could they be on their way back?
When Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.- parent
company of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara sailings - dropped
their fuel fees for all 2009 cruises last December, both companies
said that they reserved the right to reinstate the fuel supplement
should the price of oil increase above $65 per barrel.
Just Wednesday, the price of oil rose to $62. Does that mean that NCL
and RCCL are $3 away from reinstating those fuel fees?
Royal Caribbean said today that while it is monitoring global fuel
prices, and does reserve the right to reinstate a fuel supplement,
"we hope business conditions will not require such action.
We are pleased by the sustained lower prices of fuel and do not want
to speculate on actions that may or may not be needed in the future."
NCL said it has not had any discussions on reinstating the fuel surcharge.
Carnival Corp. parent company of Holland America, Princess, Carnival,
Cunard, Costa, and Seabourn, said when it eliminated its surcharge
last December that it reserved the right to reinstate the fee when
oil reached $70.
Carnival Corp. spokesman Tim Gallagher also said that so far, the
company has also not had any discussions on reinstating the surcharges.
Costa Takes 100% of IberoCruceros
Costa Crociere S.p.A., the largest Italian travel group and
Europe’s favorite cruise line, has signed an agreement with
Orizonia to acquire complete control of the Iberocruceros brand
operating in the Spanish market.
Iberocruceros was established in 2007 as a joint venture between the
Costa Crociere Group, which owned 75% of the company, and the leading
Spanish tour operator Orizonia, which had a 25% stake. Through
its acquisition of the remaining 25% of the capital, an operation
which is conditional upon the official approval by the Spanish
antitrust authority, Costa Crociere S.p.A. will control 100% of Iberocruceros.
Next Carnival cruise ship will boast double-decker adults area
With its upcoming Carnival Dream, Carnival Cruise Lines has
characteristically stayed out of the amenities race going on among
the next crop of new cruise ships.
Still, Carnival says that when the 3,646-passenger Dream debuts
Sept. 21, it will boast the largest adults-only area in the line's
fleet. The Dream’s Serenity area will take over 11,250
square-feet on two levels of the ship’s forward decks.
Up to 200 passengers can lounge on chaises, in hammocks, at the bar,
or in one of two whirlpools.
Before that, the only real new amenity the line had announced for the
Dream was the line's largest-ever water park.
The Dream has been overshadowed by amenities like the zip-line, a
carousel, and an actual rising bar on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis.
By the real grass lawn that debuted on Celebrity’s Solstice, and
the wave-shaped cabins and a bar made entirely of ice on the
Norwegian Epic.
Instead, Carnival has chosen to expand on what it believes gets
people on its ships, such as larger play areas for kids and
family-friendly features like cabins with two bathrooms.
Latest Holland America Changes
Holland America showcased its $40 million renovation of Veendam to
the press in Alaska this week. Key additions are 38 Lanai staterooms
on deck six, an inviting, spacious bar called Mix located next to the
casino on deck 8, and the Retreat on the top aft of the ship on deck 11.
Lanai staterooms: The Lanai staterooms are unique to this
industry. Overlooking the promenade deck, windows are floor to
ceiling and one-way mirrored, so guests can peer out at the scenery,
but passers-by can't peer back in unless they are looking directly
into the room and the lights are on inside.
We kept our curtains open the entire time and were pleasantly
surprised--not only was the noise from outside nonexistent, so we
slept well, but viewing the spectacular British Columbia and Alaska
scenery was a pleasure, noticeably better than doing so from an
outside stateroom. We could also people watch-- kind of a switch, as
the voyeurs were inside looking out.
Sliding doors allow access to the promenade, activated by a push
button on the inside and an electronic key card from the outside.
Theoretically, the deck chairs just outside our doors were reserved
for us, but the discreet reserved signs were occasionally ignored by
guests from other decks.
Mix: During the days, families were playing video checkers and
chess on the electronic tables in Mix; at night, couples relaxed and
enjoyed piano and guitar music in this stylish setting, which
features three specialty bar areas.
The Retreat: Since it's a cool area for warm days, the Retreat
wasn't exactly hopping during our cool weather sailing, but it's a
visual treat, with a hot tub and a small swimming pool surrounded by
44 lounge chairs set inside a wading area. An open-air bar and
pizzeria called Slice are adjacent to the pool.
The changes were all well received by the press, and, perhaps most
importantly, the additional cabins did not reduce the intimacy of
this 57,000-ton ship.
Miami HEAT’s Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra Address High
School Students Participating in Carnival’s Mentoring Program
Nearly 60 high school students participating in Carnival Cruise
Lines’ innovative workplace mentoring program were visited by
two special guests – Miami HEAT All-Star guard Dwyane Wade and
Head Coach Erik Spoelstra. Wade and Spoelstra spoke to the students
about the importance of academics, teamwork, and leadership, as well
as setting and achieving goals.
The appearance by Wade and Spoelstra was part of the end-of-the-year
festivities for the program which is operated in conjunction with Big
Brothers/Big Sisters and the Miami HEAT. Through the program,
high school students are paired with a member of Carnival management
team and shadow them throughout their workday to get a first-hand
look at the business world.
Fifteen students a year will also receive full scholarships to a
Florida state university sponsored by Carnival.
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