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Here's What's New:

Jun 1, 2009, Costa Pacific Delivered in Italy as Costa's 14th Ship

The Costa Pacifica, the 14th ship in the Costa fleet, was delivered May 29 at the Genova-Sestri Ponente shipyard by Fincantieri. The sister ship of the Costa Concordia and Costa Serena, the 114,500-ton Costa Pacifica has a double occupancy capacity of 3,000 and a total capacity of 3,704. The ship cost about 500 euros million to build. The Costa Pacifica is the second of three Costa ships to be delivered by Fincantieri to the Italian company in less than one year. The 92,600-ton, 2,260-passenger Costa Luminosa was delivered on April 30. The Costa Deliziosa, sister ship of the Costa Luminosa, is also under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard and will be delivered in late January. Two other sister ships of the Costa Pacifica will be delivered in the spring of 2011 and 2012.

The Costa Pacifica, designed by architect and interior designer Joseph Farcus, has a music theme. Music is represented in the interior design and artwork (308 originals and 5,929 reproductions). Each area of the ship is distinguished by a song that is also the inspiration for the name of the area. The ship also has a sophisticated recording studio where guests can sing from a repertoire of 400 Italian and international songs and record it on a CD. The ship has a Samsara spa, which includes a wellness center, cabins with direct access to the area and a spa restaurant; a Grand Prix race car simulator; and a central swimming pool area with a retractable glass roof and a giant screen. There’s also a new “Playstation World” equipped exclusively with Playstation 3.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Jun 1, 2009, New How To Video For US Border Crossings

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a video on its Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) website to show U.S. and Canadian citizens travelers how to benefit most from their new WHTI-compliant documents. The new procedures are effective today, Monday, June 1. Many of the new travel documents that comply with WHTI are embedded with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology -- Passport Cards, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, and NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards. These cards can be read automatically when travelers enter the United States, making border crossing even more efficient. The next generation of Border Crossing Cards, for use by Mexican citizens to enter the U.S. border area to visit and shop, also are RFID-enabled.

The video shows travelers the simple steps to follow as they approach a U.S. land port of entry with their RFID-enabled travel card. Stop at the entry to the inspection lane and wait for a signal to move forward. Each passenger removes his or her travel card from its protective sleeve and holds it up, with the flat front face of the card toward a window on the driver’s side. The RFID-enabled cards will be read automatically while the vehicle proceeds to the inspection booth. Stop at the inspection booth, and be prepared to present documents for all travelers in the vehicle to the CBP officer.

As part of the June 1 implementation of WHTI, CBP has installed RFID reader technology in over 350 lanes at 39 ports of entry on the Northern and Southern borders to help streamline border crossings. These 39 ports process more than 95 percent of land border traffic.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Apr 30, 2009, Carnival Cancels Mexico Port Calls Through May 4

Carnival Cruise Lines is cancelling calls at Mexican ports for all current and future sailings through May 4 due to fears about swine flu. In many cases, Carnival will be able to substitute the cancelled call with an alternative port and is currently working on those itineraries. Carnival is posting itinerary changes on its website as they are finalized. For current sailings, alternate ports of call include Key West or Nassau, although most substitutes are days at sea. Guests who do not wish to sail on a modified itinerary will be given the option to reschedule their cruise for a later date. Carnival reiterates there are currently no reported cases of swine influenza on Carnival ships or in any of the ports that we normally visit in Mexico.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Apr 30, 2009, Mexico Sets Steps to Keep Travelers Informed About Health Crisis

Mexico Tourism Board and the Mexico Ministry of Tourism said that in spite of the health crisis resulting from the Swine Flu (H1N1 influenza) detected in Mexico as well as the travel alerts issued by the U.S. and other countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not contemplate the closing of borders or restrictions of trips. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that people “avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico,” but at no moment have they enforced a ban on travel to Mexico. Health authorities are suggesting that tourists should follow the recommendations provided by the Ministry of Health and international health authorities, in order to prevent the infection and spread of the virus.

Mexico’s Minister of Health, José Ángel Córdova, confirmed that over the next few days, the government will have access to instant rapid result testing detecting the virus in public health centers, to those who have flu-like symptoms. The Mexican Government has also taken aggressive preventive measures that are directly in line with those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for this level of crisis. Some of these actions include the massive distribution of face masks in Mexico City by members of the military; a probable suspension of public and metro transportation service until the situation is under control; a recommendation that the public do not attend large public events and keep their distance of 6.5 feet when with someone; expedited delivery of antiviral medication into the country, which will be managed under controlled prescription; preparation of call centers with proper information to attend, orient and inform the public (800-44-MEXICO)

The CDC in Atlanta said that there are two antiviral drugs to which the swine influenza is susceptible; these are now being used successfully in the treatment of people infected in the United States and Mexico. When asked about the position of the tourism sector, the Secretary of Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo, said the industry is working with federal authorities to confront this health crisis in a coordinated manner. “We have launched a communication strategy in order to keep the industry and tourists in the country informed on preventive measures.” In addition, Oscar Fitch, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB), said that “all offices of the MTB abroad are ensuring that both business partners and tourists who plan to travel to Mexico have all required official information.”

It is essential to the Mexican government that all tourists have accurate and timely information on the current situation. People arriving or departing the country must be aware of all the information issued by the health authorities. It is important to know that medical teams have been deployed to conduct questionnaires to passengers about their health and any symptoms of influenza so they can be sent to receive medical attention.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Apr 14, 2009, Cruise ships chartered as floating hotels in Trinidad

The Carnival Victory and the Caribbean Princess are both under two-week, dockside charter in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, to house staff and international press during the Fifth Summit of the Americas.

President Barack Obama is among the leaders of the 34 member countries of the Organization of America States attending the meeting, which focuses on economical, social and political development of North, Central and South America. The event is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors to Trinidad.

The ships were chartered by the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad & Tobago in order to supplement the 1,700 hotel rooms in Port-of-Spain, according to Landry & Kling, a Miami-based specialist in meetings at sea.

Landry & Kling, which arranged the charters, said that 3,000 additional rooms were made available on the 2,758 passenger Carnival Victory and the 3,100-passenger Caribbean Princess.

The summit takes place from April 17 to 19, but the ships also will be used for pre-summit and parallel events, including meetings and sessions.

Then the ships will embark on four-day, post-summit cruises with all revenue going to the government of Trinidad & Tobago to defray the cost of the charters.

Source: Travel Weekly

Apr 14, 2009, Norwegian Epic's Bow Lowered into Place

NCL’s Norwegian Epic, under construction at STX Europe in St. Nazaire, France, celebrated a milestone April 9 when the ship’s bow was lowered into place. The bow, known as block 642, weighed 445 tons and measured 85 feet long, 108 feet wide and almost 30 feet high. The process of putting the bow in place took 100 workers about two hours. This step represents the completion of the lower part of the steel hull, those areas that come in contact with the sea, and indicates that only the superstructures, or topsides, remain to be finalized. The 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery in late May 2010. The ship’s 2010-11 sailings will open for sale to the general public May 20, 2009. These include seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami. To date, the company has revealed the ship’s accommodations, night life, restaurants, aqua park, sports deck and family activities.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Apr 14, 2009, Obama Lifts Certain Cuban Travel Restrictions

President Barack Obama is allowing Americans to make unlimited trips and money transfers to family in Cuba and easing other restrictions to usher in a new era of openness toward the island nation ruled by Communists for 50 years. The White House made the formal announcement Monday during presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs’ daily briefing with reporters -- in both English and Spanish. “The president would like to see greater freedom for the Cuban people. There are actions that he can and has taken today to open up the flow of information to provide some important steps to help that,” Gibbs said. But Gibbs said Obama is only one part of the equation, suggesting that Cuba must do more as well. “There are some steps that the Cuban government can and must take,” Gibbs said.

With the changes, Obama aims to lessen Cubans' dependence on the Castro regime, hoping that will lead them to demand progress on political freedoms, the spokesman said. About 1.5 million Americans have relatives on the island nation that turned to Communist rule in 1959 when Fidel Castro seized control. Obama had promised to take these steps as a presidential candidate. It has been known for over a week that he would announce them ahead of his attendance this weekend at a Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.

“There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans,” Obama said in a campaign speech last May in Miami, the heart of the Cuban-American community. “It’s time to let Cuban Americans see their mothers and fathers, their sisters and brothers. It's time to let Cuban-American money make their families less dependent upon the Castro regime.” Other steps taken Monday include expanding the things allowed in gift parcels sent to Cuba, such as clothes, personal hygiene items, seeds, fishing gear and other personal necessities.

The administration also will begin issuing licenses to allow telecommunications and other companies to provide cell and television services to people on the island, and to allow family members to pay for relatives on Cuba to get those services. Last May, President George W. Bush announced a new policy that people living in the United States could include cell phones in gift parcels sent to Cubans. At the time, Bush aides said that U.S. residents could pay for the cell service attached to phones they send. However, though American cell phones with service contracts from the U.S. work on some parts of the island, service is not always reliable and depends on the phones’ specifications. Sending money to senior government officials and Communist Party members remains prohibited under Obama’s new policy. Restrictions imposed by the Bush administration had limited Cuban travel by Americans to just two weeks every three years. Visits also were confined to immediate family members.

Source: Travel Pulse

Mar 11, 2009, Royal Caribbean Expands Services For Families

Royal Caribbean International will expand its services and activities for kids, in a push to attract more families with children.

The cruise line will enhance its Adventure Ocean youth program, expand kids' dining options and open an area where parents can exercise with their children.

"We have conducted extensive research and sought the feedback of our guests to identify ways to enhance the family cruise vacation," stated Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of hotel operations.

My Family Time Dining, to be introduced in July, will expedite service for kids during the first seating in the main dining room, allowing parents to enjoy a longer meal. Caretakers will meet the kids after a 45-minute meal and escort them to the Adventure Ocean spaces for evening activities.

Available immediately, Royal Caribbean has launched a Lunch and Play option for days at sea. The program provides children ages 3 to 11 a meal with other kids in the middle of the day, for a service charge of $7.95 per child.

On March 23, Royal Caribbean will start a Babies 2 Go program that will enable parents to have organic baby food, diapers, wipes and creams delivered to their cabins upon their arrival.

The cruise line also will offer Stroll & Roll time for active parents who want to push a stroller on the jogging track.

In the evenings, the entire family can listen to Royal Bedtime Stories in the Adventure Family Library. Kids are encouraged to dress in pajamas and enjoy a cookie or two with milk while an Adventure Ocean counselor reads a storybook.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Mar 11, 2009, Oceania Begins Construction On New Ship

A ceremony to begin construction on Oceania Cruises' first new-build, the Marina, was held this weekend at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa, Italy.

The first of the 55 steel blocks that will comprise the new ship was lowered into the building dock.

Frank Del Rio, chairman and CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings (Oceania’s parent company), welded a U.S. silver dollar and a pre-Castro silver Cuban peso into the keel of the new ship, following the maritime tradition. It is believed to be good luck to weld coins into the ship’s keel.

The Marina, the first of the line’s new Oceania-class vessels, will hold 1,252 passengers and have six open-seating restaurants.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Mar 11, 2009, Disney Names New Ships Dream and Fantasy

Disney Cruise Line will name its two newbuilds Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The announcement was made at The Walt Disney Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. “Last week, steel cutting began on our next two Disney cruise ships. Today I’m pleased to announce their names,” said Robert A. Iger, Disney president and CEO. “The Disney Dream will set sail in 2011, while the Disney Fantasy will hit the high seas in 2012.”

“The names are very telling of our brand and are part of our history,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations. “Disney is known for making dreams come true, and for creating worlds of fantasy that go beyond the imagination. The names are a natural choice for our ships.”

Construction began with a steel-cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The first piece of steel cut was part of the art deco-inspired scrollwork that will grace the bow of the ships. Similar to the scrollwork on the existing ships, the pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s. The new ships will be purpose-built with families in mind. The expansion will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line. Each 128,000-ton ship will have 1,250 staterooms.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Mar 11, 2009, Holland America To Put Cruise Documents Online

Holland America Line passengers will be able to access their cruise documents online, beginning May 9.

The cruise line calls its Express Docs system "quick, convenient and green."

Passengers can still request mailed paper documents if they prefer.

"Express Docs provide all the same information our guests expect and will also help them finalize vacation plans much quicker, and they provide greater flexibility in providing copies for family and friends," stated Richard Meadows, Holland America's executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs.

Express Docs will have cruise and flight information, the itinerary, special-request information, info on reserved shore excursions, transfer vouchers, important notices and a boarding pass to be printed and brought to the ship for check-in.

Passengers can also view and book available shore excursions online.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Feb 26, 2009, NCL Offers Reimbursement In Case of Job Loss

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering the new BookSafe Travel Protection Plan, designed to provide a full cash reimbursement to guests who need to cancel because of job loss prior to their cruise. “In this challenging economic environment, we are offering a safety net for guests who want to book a cruise, but are uncertain about what the future holds in terms of their employment,” said Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice president of global sales and passenger services. “Our BookSafe plan enables guests to book with confidence knowing that they will receive a full refund if they need to cancel their cruise because of job loss.”

In addition to the new job loss protection feature, NCL’s overall travel protection plan, administered by BerkelyCare and underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, includes a variety of benefits and services. They include trip cancellation/trip interruption protection, medical protection including emergency evacuation coverage, baggage protection for lost or delayed luggage, and worldwide emergency assistance, such as emergency cash transfers, medical consultation and assistance with lost travel documents. Effective Feb. 26, guests who purchase the BookSafe Travel Protection Plan for any NCL cruise departing on or after May 1 are eligible for reimbursement of any cancellation fees if an insured guest loses their job as long as the person has been an active employee at the same company for at least one year.

NCL’s enhanced travel protection plan is available starting at $29 per person, depending on the cruise fare paid.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Feb 26, 2009, Princess Collaborates with Klutz on Kids Crafts Program

Princess Cruises has teamed with Klutz, a publisher of activity books for children, to provide arts and crafts projects for young passengers and their families while onboard. Klutz and Princess collaborated to develop custom-built kits designed to engage young cruisers in fun and creative activities fleetwide. Children can participate in up to seven Klutz activities during their cruise. Kids will be able to build storybooks; create lanyard bracelets; make picture tags for charm bracelets, luggage tags, or pet I.D.s; create fuzzy masterpieces with Velvet Art; craft paper flowers; weave friendship bracelets; or make Thumb Doodle thumbprint art. The new Klutz activities are scheduled during the youth center’s regular activities or during the ship’s family fun fair in the atrium.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Feb 8, 2009, Carnival Conquest Returns to Galveston After Refurb

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest resumed service this week from Galveston, Texas, following a multi-million-dollar renovation that included the addition of a new Circle C club for 12- to 14-year-olds and a jumbo LED movie screen on the Lido Deck. Eighteen balconies were also added to existing ocean view staterooms. The Camp Carnival and Club O2 facilities for children and teens, respectively, were also updated. The 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest operates year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises departing Galveston every Sunday. In addition to seven-day Western Caribbean cruises to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, the ship begins a new weeklong Eastern Caribbean option Feb. 15, with calls at Key West, Freeport and Nassau. The Feb. 15 departure will be the first of 11 Eastern Caribbean cruises this year.

Carnival Conquest’s renovation included the addition of a Circle C facility on Atlantic Deck 8, part of the line’s fleet-wide program aimed at 12- to 14-year olds. The center includes a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma-screen TVs, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles. The 4,200-square-foot Camp Carnival play area was remodeled with updated gaming stations, while the 1,800-square-foot Club O2 teen center now features new plasma TVs. Various cosmetic enhancements were made to both rooms, as well.

Carnival Conquest is also the latest Fun Ship to feature the Carnival Seaside Theatre, a 270-square-foot LED screen on the Lido Deck displaying movies, concerts, sporting events, and other programming, including a morning show hosted by the cruise director. Utilizing the same technology featured in large stadiums and New York’s Times Square, the entertainment system includes a 70,000-watt sound system, providing concert quality sound, even outdoors. Also, 18 staterooms that previously featured floor-to-ceiling windows have been retrofitted with private balconies, creating 230-square-foot verandah staterooms. Including these accommodations, Carnival Conquest now has 573 total balcony staterooms. Additionally, dozens of individual pieces of exercise equipment were replaced in the ship’s 14,500-square-foot Spa Carnival facility. Carnival Conquest also now offers bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access, enabling guests to use their laptop computers from any location on the ship, including their staterooms.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Jan 28, 2009, Cruise Facility Opens In Dominican Republic

The first phase of the new San Souci Cruise Terminal has opened outside of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

In the first phase, two terminals were built, each capable of docking three cruise ships at a time.

Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas is operating cruises out of the San Souci terminal this winter.

A third larger temrinal for ships up to 5,000 passengers will follow as will several hotels, a convention center, a shopping complex and apartment buildings. The entire project will cost about $900 million.

The opening of the cruise terminal comes on the heels of a multimillion dollar upgrade to the Punta Cana Airport.

Source: Travel Weekly

Jan 28, 2009, NCL Names 150,000-Ton F3 Ship Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Cruise Line has named its 150,000-ton, 4,200-passenger F3 ship Norwegian Epic. It will enter service in summer 2010, following a series of inaugural events in Europe and the U.S., and will operate alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami year-round. Andy Stuart, executive vice president of global sales and passenger services, announced the name and itineraries during an NCL webinar with some 2,000 travel agents. Norwegian Epic’s cruises are scheduled to go on sale to the public later this spring, but NCL will open sailings for group block bookings exclusively for travel agents in mid-March. The exact date was not announced. Stuart said the Norwegian Epic is dubbed “The Travel Agents’ Ship,” since top-sellers were present for the steel-cutting, were told the name of the ship in the webinar, will get first crack at group space, and can attend several pre-inaugural events. The Epic’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary will visit St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau. The Western Caribbean itinerary stops in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán Island, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Norwegian Epic will feature new features and amenities, including “New Wave” staterooms with curved walls. All outside accommodations will have balconies. The ship will have five nightlife venues designed to feel more like nightclubs in Las Vegas, Ibiza, and South Beach. The five venues include an ice bar; POSH Beach Club, which will have an adults-only setting at the top of the ship; Halo, the Über Bar, a private bar and lounge in the villa complex; Bliss Ultra Lounge, an all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with four-lane bowling alley; and Spice H20, an adults-only aft pool deck experience.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Jan 18, 2009, Live Cruise Ship Web Cameras

Live pictures from cruise ship web cameras and live web cams from land

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Jan 14, 2009, Royal Caribbean To Charge For Late Night Room Service

Royal Caribbean International later this month will begin implementing a service charge for onboard room service orders placed between midnight and 5 a.m., in order to encourage "responsible food ordering," the cruise line said.

The topic has been a hot one at consumer site over the past week, prompting Royal Caribbean to issue a statement explaining that the $3.95 charge per delivery was based on an "exhaustive review of demand for room service by hour of day and the corresponding amount of food discarded."

The new policy is scheduled to take effect on a ship-by-ship basis between Jan. 13 and 23.

Royal Caribbean said room service would still be complimentary from 5 a.m. to midnight, and that in order to offer no-charge dining options late at night, the line is introducing newly extended hours at other onboard eateries.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Jan 7, 2009, Silversea Details Silver Spirit's Inaugural Itineraries

Silversea Cruises’ new Silver Spirit will operate a 91-day “Grand Inaugural Voyage” departing on Jan. 21, 2010. The long voyage follows an 11-day “Holiday Spirit” maiden voyage sailing from Barcelona on Dec. 23, 2009, to Lisbon, and a 16-day “Maiden Crossing” departing Lisbon on Jan. 3 to Fort Lauderdale. After completing its inaugural season, Silver Spirit will spend the summer in the Mediterranean and then reposition to the Caribbean for fall and winter cruises.

The “Grand Inaugural Voyage” will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles and twist back to New York. The ship will visit Rio de Janeiro in time for Carnaval, journey around the Cape Horn, explore the Mexican Riviera, transit the Panama Canal and conclude with a Statue of Liberty event in New York Harbor. The voyage will visit more than 45 ports in over 20 countries and island destinations across two continents, with overnight stays in Fort Lauderdale, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Lima, Acapulco and Los Angeles. In addition, guests on the full voyage will be invited to attend the naming ceremony, a gala dinner event on the eve of departure with accommodations aboard ship, exclusive shoreside events, and a VIP evening at the Rio Carnaval. Also included are commemorative gifts and a $2,000-per-suite onboard spending credit. A complimentary business-class air upgrade is also available for guests who purchase Silversea’s optional air program.

Silversea will begin accepting reservations on Jan. 12. An area of the company’s website is now dedicated to Silver Spirit. “As the New Year begins and the construction of our new ship moves forward steadily, I am delighted we’re able to reveal some of the highlights of her much anticipated inaugural season,” said Amerigo Perasso, Silversea’s president and CEO. “When Silver Spirit sets sail, she will embody the hallmarks of Silversea’s understated elegance and distinct luxury with even more spacious suites, expansive spa facilities and enticing epicurean venues.”

Fares for the full Grand Inaugural Voyage start at $39,187 per person, double occupancy, and include “Extended Voyage Savings” of 5 percent, plus enhanced “Early Booking Incentive” and new “Extended Advance Payment Bonus” discounts applicable to voyages in 2010. (The company plans to announce more details about these new savings options shortly.) The 36,000-ton Silver Spirit will accommodate 540 guests. Ninety-five percent of the suites will feature a private veranda. The ship will boast one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea today, 67. The onboard décor will lend a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambience to the public spaces, highlights of which include an indoor/outdoor spa measuring 8,300 square feet, three whirlpools, and six dining venues including Seishin, a Japanese restaurant, and the Stars Supper Club, featuring live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment. A new full-color, 36-page brochure showcasing Silver Spirit’s inaugural season will be available in the coming weeks.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Dec 6, 2008, Carnival Corp. to Suspend Fuel Surcharges Dec. 17

As fuel prices continue to decline, Carnival Corp. said it will suspend fuel supplements for its six North American brands effective for all voyages departing on or after Dec. 17, 2008. The fuel supplement suspension applies to Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. A refund of the fuel supplement will be made in the form of a shipboard credit for all bookings within the final payment period for departures on or after Dec. 17, 2008. All bookings outside of the final payment period for departures on or after Dec. 17 will be adjusted to remove the fuel supplement, and guests will be provided with a revised final payment amount.

“As the price of oil has dropped to $46 per barrel, it has now reached a level where we are able to suspend the fuel supplement,” said Bill Harber, director of marketing for Carnival Corp. Harber cautioned that the fuel supplement could be re-instated if oil prices increase significantly. The company reserves the right to reinstate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day (except Seabourn, which would be up to $15 per person per day) should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the New York Mercantile Exchange Index increase above $70 per barrel. “It is our hope that fuel prices have stabilized and will remain at a more rational level,” Harber said. “The complete suspension of the fuel supplement makes the inherent value of a cruise even greater and that is increasingly important in the selection of a vacation in the current economic climate.”

The fuel supplement for five of the six Carnival Corp. brands is currently $9 per person, per day, for the first and second guest (not to exceed $126 per person per voyage) and $4 per person, per day, for third, fourth and fifth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage). Seabourn’s fuel supplement is $15 per person, per day, for the first and second guest (not to exceed $210 per person per voyage) and $4 per person, per day, for third and fourth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage).

Source: Travel Pulse

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Dec 3, 2008, Celebrity Eclipse To Debut in United Kingdom

The 2,850-passenger Celebrity Eclipse, the third in Celebrity's five-ship Solstice class, will launch in Southampton, England, in summer 2010.

The ship will join its sister vessel, the Equinox, the second in the class, in spending its inaugural season in Europe. The Equinox will sail its maiden voyage from Southampton in 2009, and will then move to Rome.

"Celebrity Cruises has enjoyed a strong relationship with the U.K. and Ireland market and experienced steadily increasing guest numbers in recent years," said Celebrity CEO Dan Hanrahan in a statement.

Robin Shaw, vice president and managing director of Celebrity Cruises’ U.K. and Ireland operations, said, "The U.K. and Ireland remain one of the fastest growing cruise markets in the world. Having the newest Celebrity ship based out of Southampton in 2010, and dedicated to the U.K. and Ireland, offers a fresh and contemporary alternative to traditional players."

Source: Travel Weekly

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Dec 3, 2008, Royal Caribbean To Open Sydney, Australia Office

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) will open an office in Sydney in response to increased demand in Australia.

The new office will support the commercial and operational efforts in Australia for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and Azamara. Since 2002, the number of Australian cruisers has more than doubled and is predicted to further grow, RCCL said.

"This region shows great growth potential in terms of providing new destinations for international cruise guests from North America, Europe and Asia,” said Michael Bayley, senior vice president of RCCL's international business. "This, coupled with the knowledge that Australia is a substantial source market for new cruise guests, gives us tremendous opportunity for growth in the region."

Source: Travel Weekly

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Dec 3, 2008, Royal Caribbean Lays Keel of Allure of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International and STX Europe laid the keel of Allure of the Seas, the second of the highly-anticipated 220,000-ton Oasis-class cruise ships. The keel-laying ceremony at the STX shipyard in Turku, Finland, marks the placement of the first block of Allure of the Seas in the dry dock where the ship will begin to take shape. When it launches in 2010, Allure of the Seas will share the title of the world’s largest cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. Allure of the Seas will span 16 decks and carry 5,400 guests double-occupancy in 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas will homeport at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Allure of the Seas will feature the neighborhood concept of seven themed areas, including Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and the Youth Zone. New categories in accommodations include bi-level, urban-style Loft Suites and two-bedroom, two-bathroom AquaTheater Suites, in addition to Central Park- and Boardwalk-facing balcony staterooms.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 25, 2008, Royal Caribbean Revises Disembarkation Process

Royal Caribbean International introduced new procedures fleetwide to further ease the departure process on all ships. The company also added programming for guests who are staying onboard for multiple sailings. “We listened to our guests’ feedback regarding the opportunity to transform the departure experience and responded with the launch of a refreshed process fleetwide,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president-hotel operations at Royal Caribbean.

“Early testing aboard Freedom of the Seas has yielded very positive guest feedback, with the enhanced communications cited as one of the most helpful tools for our guests on departure day. We also continue to see an increase in guests sailing with us for multiple cruises and our focus on specialcommunications and programming for these guests will also greatly enhance their overall cruise experience.”On departure day, guests will have extended access to their staterooms, as well as continued in-stateroom TV entertainment. Guests also will receive an “As You Depart” notice, which communicates the new enhancements and the location of departure lounges offering refreshments and light entertainment. Among the departure lounges will be a dedicated Family Zone, which will include refreshments, toys and games geared toward younger cruisers. Guests in suites will be treated to an exclusive continental breakfast hosted by guest services or the concierge. Additionally, there will be a minimal amount of ship-wide public announcements all morning to maintain a relaxing atmosphere, with nearly all departure updates limited to the departure lounges and through the in-stateroom TV programming. Guests may also elect to carry their own luggage as part of the Express Departure option. Express Departure allows guests to disembark the ship first and as soon as the gangway is opened and cleared by local authorities.

Guests sailing on multiple consecutive cruises will receive a special Compass, a variation of the daily Cruise Compass program schedule. The special Compass will offer an overview that includes the following sailing’s itinerary highlights -- such as entertainment and dining events throughout the guests’ stay -- as well as special events exclusively for guests on consecutive cruises. Consecutive cruises guests will receive special attention, activities and dining options, including personalized services, a letter from the hotel director, calls from Guest Services, and assistance to ensure main dining room seating requests are made in advance of the following cruise.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 25, 2008, Royal Caribbean Floats Out Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, now under construction at STX Europe in Turku, Finland, reached an important maritime milestone when it was floated out -- moved from dry dock to wet dock -- to begin the final stages of interior work. At ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and shipyard executives turned the valve that released 87 million gallons of water into the wet dock area. Among those attending the ceremony were RCCL Chairman and CEO Richard Fain; Harri Kulovaara, RCCL executive vice president-maritime; Martin Landtman, president, STX Finland Cruise Oy; and Toivo Ilvonen, project director-Oasis class. (pictured) “This is a historic day for our company. After more than three years of intense planning and collaboration and with 65 percent of the ship already complete, it’s exciting to see Oasis entering its final stages,” Fain said.

The line announced that Oasis of the Seas will enter service under the command of Capt. William S. Wright and Capt. Tor Olsen. Wright, a 15-year veteran of Royal Caribbean International, was also the start-up captain for Freedom of the Seas, currently the largest ship in the world with sister ships Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, and 40 percent smaller than Oasis of the Seas. Wright also is one of the few American captains in international cruising and currently serves as the senior vice president of marine operations for the cruise line. Born in Norway, Olsen has been on the high seas since the age of 16. He joined Royal Caribbean in 1987, working on Song of America and has served as captain on five Royal Caribbean ships from the Voyager class to the Vision class. When the 220,000-ton Oasis launches in December 2009, it will span 16 decks and carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy in 2,700 staterooms. It will have a neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 25, 2008, Seabourn Sojourn to be Christened in London in 2010

Yachts of Seabourn announced that its second new vessel will be named Seabourn Sojourn in a ceremony in London (Greenwich) in June 2010, before sailing on its 14-day maiden voyage. The new yacht is being built in Italy, and will position from Genoa to London before its inauguration. “London has always been a great destination for our Seabourn yachts,” said Seabourn president and CEO Pamela Conover. “We have earned a large and loyal following of repeat cruise guests from the U.K., and we are proud to debut our beautiful new vessel in London.”

Sailing from Greenwich, ports of call on its maiden voyage include the Faroe Islands, Iceland and the Norwegian Fjords. Fares and detailed itineraries will be announced in February 2009. Like its sister Seabourn Odyssey, debuting in June 2009, Seabourn Sojourn will have 225 suites, of which 90 percent have private verandas. Top suites include Wintergarden Suites with a private solarium and veranda, and Signature Suites with verandas facing forward. All suites feature separate living areas and bedrooms, writing desks with personalized stationery, iPod and MP3 connections and granite bathrooms with separate bath and shower and twin sinks. The two-deck Spa at Seabourn features Spa Villas that can be reserved. The new vessels will offer four dining venues, including an open-seating restaurant capable of seating all guests. Six bars and lounges will serve a full range of beverages, including complimentary fine wines and spirits. Seabourn Sojourn is the second of three 450-guest vessels. The Seabourn Odyssey will debut at Venice in June 2009, and a third, as yet unnamed, is due in 2011.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 17, 2008, Royal Caribbean Partners on New Mega-Pier in Jamaica

Royal Caribbean International has signed a $224 million contract with Jamaican officials to build a new cruise terminal in Falmouth for its 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas. Jamaican newspapers reported the agreement, which includes retail areas, entertainment facilities and restaurants on the North Coast in Trelawny, between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Completion is scheduled for May 2010. According to the Jamaica Gleaner, the Jamaican government will invest $122 million while Royal Caribbean will contribute $102 million.

In related news, Mott MacDonald, a management, engineering and development consultancy company with projects around the world, has been selected by the Port of Authority of Jamaica to develop the new cruise pier on the north shore of Jamaica at Falmouth. The new pier is expected to welcome the first of Royal Caribbean Cruises new Genesis class of cruise ships, the Oasis of the Seas, in May 2010. The new Genesis class liners will accommodate some 5,400 passengers and the Falmouth pier is being configured to host two vessels simultaneously. The cruise terminal and shops will be themed on the Georgian architecture for which the town of Falmouth is noted. Environmental impact, design, cost projection and more are all part of Mott MacDonald’s mandate. The company will also manage the dredging of the basin, reclamation and shore protection, the design of the main terminal building and parking area, as well as waste management.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Nov 17, 2008, Windstar Adds Cell Phone Service on Star and Spirit

Windstar Cruises is offering cell phone service at sea on Wind Star and Wind Spirit. Wind Surf already offers this service. Wind Star will have the service available on the Nov. 29 14-day Panama Canal cruise from Barbados to Puerto Caldera. The network will be installed on Wind Spirit during an upcoming dry-dock and be ready on the April 18 seven-day cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona. Windstar has contracted with On-Waves Ehf for a roaming network which supports GSM and CDMA technology onboard the ships. Guests will be able to make and receive calls while at sea using their own mobile phone. Text messaging, GPRS and EDGE data service is also available. Guests will need to check that their phone is enabled for international roaming with their cellular carrier, and that their carrier is one of the 200 carriers that have roaming agreements with On-Waves Ehf. Charges will be determined by the guest’s cellular service carrier and will appear on their regular monthly cell phone bill.

To maintain Windstar’s atmosphere of casual elegance, guests will be advised of cell phone courtesy guidelines. Cell phone service is intended primarily for guest use in their staterooms. Talking on cell phones will not be permitted in public areas such as dining areas or lounges, and guests will be asked to set their phone’s ringer to vibrate when in public areas.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 17, 2008, Celebrity Solstice Christened as First in New Ship Class

Celebrity Cruises christened Celebrity Solstice, the first of five planned new Solstice class ships, in a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. The 2,850-passenger ship’s godmother was Professor Sharon Smith, the first ocean scientist ever to serve as godmother of a cruise ship. “We are genuinely privileged to have such a remarkable woman serve as godmother of this remarkable ship,” said Richard Fain, chairman of Celebrity Cruises and chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. A magna cum laude graduate of Colorado College, Smith earned a Ph.D. in zoology from Duke University, holds two additional honorary doctorate degrees, and a master's degree from the University of Auckland, where she also was a Fulbright fellow.

A biological oceanographer, Smith has traveled the world in research expeditions from Polar Regions to the Arabian Sea. She has devoted her career to studying some of the smallest components of food webs, with a particular focus on zooplankton and how their life cycles are tuned to physical forces. Smith investigates ecosystems by looking at how ocean physics shape the availability of the food supply, and the effects of global warming on food for birds, fish, and baleen whales, among other animals.

Smith served 15 years at the prestigious Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York, studying coastal ocean environments and the impact of nuclear energy projects. In 1993, she joined the faculty of the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science as a Professor of Marine Biology and Fisheries. Recently, she was named Dean of the Undergraduate Program in Marine Science, and also co-directs the university's Oceans and Human Health Center. Due in equal parts to her courage and her instincts as a scientist, Smith overcame cancer in 1993, and again in 1996. Her annual mammogram in 1993 turned up a two-millimeter cancerous lesion, about the size of a pencil point. She opted for a mastectomy, and emerged victorious over the malicious disease. And in 1996, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer, but survived that as well.

Celebrity Solstice, in partnership with United Way, will raise $100,000 for breast cancer programs to assist lower-income women who otherwise couldn't afford this simple measure that ultimately could save their lives.

Celebrity Solstice, which is 122,000 gross registered tons and one of the largest ships in the premium category, will embark on its inaugural season Nov. 23, on a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. In spring 2009, the ship will introduce a series of 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings roundtrip from Rome. Other Solstice-class ships will make their debut over the next three years. Celebrity Equinox will be launched in August 2009, Celebrity Eclipse will be introduced in June 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship will be introduced in 2011 and a fifth in 2012.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 13, 2008, Cruise Value Center Closes Doors!

Cruise Value Center, a cruise seller in East Brunswick, N.J., suddenly closed its doors on Monday after 14 years in business.

CVC was acquired a year ago by Travel Holding Entity of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Richard Smith, managing partner of Travel Holding Entity, could not be reached for comment.

Jeff Kivet, CVC’s former CEO and chairman, who became a consultant and special adviser to CVC after the acquisition, confirmed that CVC’s doors closed.

“As far as we know, the doors are closed, the employees were sent home and nobody is answering the phone,” Kivet said. “My attorney is finding out what is going on.”

When Travel Holding Entity acquired CVC for an undisclosed price last fall, sources said CVC’s annual sales volume was around $70 million. Travel Holding Entity also owns Cruises of Distinction, and Smith said that the two agencies were expected to top $100 million in combined sales in 2008.

There was no answer at CVC’s toll-free and local telephone numbers. The website address was working but no cruise prices could be pulled up.

In an email to friends and associates, Ross Spalding, general manager of CVC, said he had resigned from his position “due to the unfortunate situation at Cruise Value Center.”

A CVC employee, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that employees were sent an email at 11 p.m. on Sunday night, informing them that the agency’s doors would close Monday.

The agent said it was not clear whether they would be paid commissions on sales they had already closed, or if the cruise lines were going to be paid for cruises clients had booked.

“They left us all hanging,” the agent said.

Source: Travel Weekly

Nov 11, 2008, NCL’s Norwegian Spirit to Undergo Renovation

Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,376-passenger Norwegian Spirit is undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment that includes a total renovation of its public areas, staterooms and suites. These refurbishments are in addition to the enhancements already made as part of Freestyle 2.0, the company’s fleet-wide initiative to improve the guest experience from food and beverage to staterooms. “Norwegian Spirit’s multi-million dollar renovation will enrich the overall guest experience by making significant enhancements to the ship overall,” said Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice president of global sales and passenger services. “With the combination of our recent Freestyle 2.0 enhancements and all of the refurbishments being made, Norwegian Spirit will emerge refreshed and revitalized for her winter season sailing seven-day Exotic Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans.”

Norwegian Spirit’s total refurbishment includes 11 new staterooms, eight with balconies; replacement of one diesel engine; new seating and chairs in the Stardust Theater; reupholstering seating throughout the ship; and replacing carpet in public areas, stairwells, suites and staterooms. Also, new wallpaper is being installed in suites, corridors and public areas; new curtains are being added to all suites; tile is being replaced in 300 bathrooms; all open decks including the main pool, kid’s pool and four hot tubs are undergoing refurbishment; the Roman Spa & Fitness Center is being upgraded with new doors, panels and seats; more than 60 windows are being replaced; and the onboard phone system is being upgraded to a state-of-the-art wireless system.

Norwegian Spirit will re-enter service on Nov. 23 and begin 21 seven-day Exotic Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans with calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala; and Belize City, Belize. The ship joined the NCL fleet in 2004 and underwent a previous dry-dock in 2005.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 11, 2008, Royal Caribbean Launches New Brand Campaign

Royal Caribbean International has launched a new branding campaign, declaring itself “The Nation of Why Not.” The company’s first new integrated advertising campaign in nearly 10 years was created in partnership with Royal Caribbean’s lead agency, JWT NY, and a group of WPP agencies, including Mindshare and RMG.

The campaign was rolled out in North America on Nov. 10 and includes print and online advertising, television commercials, collateral, as well as a new social networking website at www.nationofwhynot.com. “The Nation of Why Not” kicks off with two television commercials inviting vacationers to “secede from land and become citizens of the nation.” The tongue-in-cheek spots -- a combination of live action and animation -- began Nov. 10, during morning show programming on ABC and NBC television networks, and during primetime programming on ABC and CBS. The commercials highlight Royal Caribbean’s global destinations and onboard amenities, challenging viewers to do things at sea that they could not do on land, such as “Why not ice skate on the equator and climb mountains at sea?” Additionally, print ads will launch in 40 newspapers nationwide on Nov. 16.

“‘The Nation of Why Not’ is a place where innovation and imagination rule supreme,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The founding of ‘The Nation of Why Not’ is not a revolution, but an evolution of Royal Caribbean’s legacy of presenting guests with a variety of unexpected possibilities onboard, such as rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, and surf simulators, which have always prompted the idea of ‘why not?’”

Nine years ago, Royal Caribbean introduced the successful “Get Out There” campaign.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 6, 2008, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas to End Fuel Supplements

Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, said that effective Nov. 10 fuel supplement charges will be eliminated from all voyages departing in 2010. The company also established guidelines under which the fuel supplement may be reimbursed to guests sailing on voyages departing in 2009. For voyages departing in 2010, no fuel supplement will be charged on new reservations. For existing reservations on voyages departing in 2010, the fuel supplement charge will automatically be removed from the guests’ final payment balance. For voyages departing in 2009, the company will continue to apply a $15 daily fuel supplement per person. Fuel supplement charge adjustments will be determined on a quarterly basis. Refunds, in the form of shipboard credits, will be applied to all reservations to which a fuel supplement had previously been charged if the quarterly closing price on the New York Mercantile Exchange of West Texas Intermediate fuel is below $65 per barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter.

“If oil stabilizes below $65 per barrel, we are confident that we can effectively eliminate the need to charge our guests a separate fuel supplement. However, we must see stability in fuel pricing on a mid- to long-term basis as there could still be significant volatility in the marketplace,” said Frank Del Rio, chairman of Prestige Cruise Holdings. Prestige will continue to monitor the price of fuel and will retain the right to reinstate the fuel supplement charge at any time should market conditions warrant.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Nov 5, 2008, Alaska Cruises - A Guide to Cruises In Alaska

Your complete guide to stunning Alaska Cruises, how, when and where!

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Nov 5, 2008, Cruise vacations - where reality and fantasy trade places!

Cruise Vacations Guide is a website designed to offer tips and information on how to plan and get the most from a cruise vacation.

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Oct 25, 2008, Cruise Vacations Expert Video Tips

Cruise Vacations Expert Video Tips

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Oct 23, 2008, Regent Seven Seas Confirms Departure of Paul Gauguin

Regent Seven Seas Cruises confirmed Wednesday that the 332-guest Paul Gauguin will depart its fleet in January 2010 upon completion of its management agreement with Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd. (PGSL), the owners of the vessel. On Jan. 6, 2010, the ship will be operated and marketed by PGSL, a subsidiary of Boston-based Grand Circle Corp., a company that does not generally work with travel agents. However, PGSL Executive Vice President Roy Grimsland told Travel Pulse that travel agents will continue to be paid commissions for booking the luxury vessel in 2010 and beyond.

“We are extremely proud of the incredible product we created in French Polynesia. For more than 10 years, the magical and unique qualities of the Regent Tahiti experience has provided countless indelible memories for discerning travelers of all ages,” said Mark Conroy, RSSC president. “As we look to the future and consider our position as the leader in the luxury cruise segment, we have chosen to focus on the all-suite ships that are the core of our fleet, which are undergoing a $40 million refurbishment project beginning December 2008. We look forward to celebrating one last year on the Paul Gauguin in 2009, bringing more than 10,000 guests to Tahiti and providing them with the same luxury experience and six-star service levels that have won RSSC countless awards.”

For the final year under the RSSC flag, guests will benefit from a host of cosmetic and physical upgrades, which will be performed during the ship’s scheduled 12-day dry-dock in January. The ship will receive new upholstery and carpeting and as well as 26 more private balconies to existing staterooms. Special offers for RSSC Tahiti sailings in 2009 are available on select sailings, including free air from Los Angeles, third guest sailing free, category upgrades, inclusive hotel packages and Seven Seas Society savings. For more information, call 800-285-1835 or visit www.RSSC.com. PGSL also recently opened sales for 2010 charter and incentive cruises.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Oct 15, 2008, Windstar Unveils Two New Dining Experiences

Windstar Cruises has launched two new evening dining experiences for guests aboard Wind Surf. Le Marché is a seafood bar on the Star Deck offering an array of fish and shellfish. Candles is a poolside grill on the Main Deck offering fine steaks and skewers. “Wind Surf guests now have the option of dining in one of four diverse evening venues,” said Diane Moore, president of Windstar Cruises. “We look forward in continuing to evolve our guest experience by offering more choice and value.”

In Le Marché, La Fantasie is the first course and includes scallops ceviche, salmon tartar, tuna sashimi and shrimp cocktail. The second course is Le Bisque d’Homard -- a lobster soup with fresh lobster bits, cream and Armagnac. A fresh Greek salad is next on the menu. For the main course, guests may choose between Le Plateau de Fruits de Mer, a shareable tower featuring lobster tail, clams, mussels, shrimp and langoustines, or a warm seafood dish of lobster tail, clams, mussels, shrimp and langoustines. Guests finish with a final course of Les Fromages, a selection of Reblochon, Boursin, Roquefort and Camembert cheeses, or Les Gourmandises, a selection of four desserts.

At Candles, guests start with insalate caprese, followed by a main course selection of rib-eye, New York steaks, fresh swordfish skewers or assorted vegetable skewers. The course is served with a choice of sauces -- black peppercorn, creamy mushroom, Café de Paris butter or red wine sauce. Desserts include tiramisu made of savoiardi dipped in coffee and mascarpone cream. Each new venue accommodates approximately 30 guests per night and is subject to weather conditions. While there is no additional charge, reservations are recommended.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Oct 15, 2008, Regent Seven Seas to Stop Operating Paul Gauguin

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) is expected to announce this week that it will no longer operate the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti after the 2009 schedule, Travel Pulse has learned. The 330-passenger luxury ship, which RSSC has operated since its launch in 1998, was sold in 2004 to Grand Circle Corp. Boston-based Grand Circle markets directly to consumers and does not pay travel agent commissions. Since Grand Circle acquired the vessel, consumers have been able to book it both through Grand Circle or RSSC. Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd., the Grand Circle subsidiary that owns the luxury ship, announced on Oct. 9 that it hired former RSSC Vice President Roy Grimsland as executive vice president of sales.

Grimsland has for years worked closely with travel agents at RSSC, West Paces Hotel Group, Royal Cruise Line, Costa and Norwegian Cruise Line. When Grand Circle acquired the Paul Gauguin, it announced that it would market, operate and staff the ship as it started operating in South America, the Mediterranean, the Baltic and Antarctica. Those plans obviously did not come to pass, and Grand Circle extended its management agreement with RSSC several times, the latest in October 2007 to continue through January 2010.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Oct 6, 2008, Carnival to Add Balcony Staterooms to Three Ships

Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to a number of cabins on three ships during upcoming dry-docks over the next few months. Staterooms on the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty that currently feature floor-to-ceiling windows will be retrofitted with private balconies, creating 48 additional 230-square-foot verandah staterooms on these vessels. Additionally, two new 750-square-foot Deluxe Penthouse Suites -- nearly double the size of the largest staterooms in the fleet -- will be added to the Carnival Liberty. “Balcony staterooms continue to be in great demand -- in fact, they’re often the first cabin category to sell out,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. Like all “Fun Ship” accommodations, the new balcony staterooms will offer in-cabin amenities such as the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high-quality linens and pillows. Carnival balcony accommodations also include terrycloth robes for use during the cruise, satellite television, mini bars, hair dryers and amenity kits with a wide array of brand-name products.

The two 750-square-foot Deluxe Penthouse Suites on the Carnival Liberty will feature a new cabin configuration with a separate bedroom, living area and two full bathrooms, including one with a bathtub. Located on the forward section on Deck 9, the Deluxe Penthouse Suites can accommodate up to five guests on two twin beds that convert to a king, a sofa bed and two pull-down upper beds. The new balcony staterooms on these three vessels are now available for sale.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Sep 16, 2008, Regent Seven Seas Plans $40 Million Fleet Enhancement

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will invest approximately $40 million on an extensive refurbishment and enhancement of the Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator. This investment is in addition to the $20 million that was spent on the fleet over the past two years as the line re-branded under the Regent moniker. “I am delighted to make this announcement as we are not only refurbishing the ships, we are adding many new luxury features that will enhance the guest experience,” said Mark Conroy, president of Regent Seven Seas. “This comprehensive enhancement program will see each of the ships emerge essentially brand new and positions our fleet as the standard-bearer in the luxury cruise category.”

The refurbishments will commence with the dry-dock of Seven Seas Voyager in December, followed by Seven Seas Mariner in January and Seven Seas Navigator in the first half of 2010. In addition to scheduled technical work, almost every area of the ships will be refurbished, with public rooms being substantially re-designed with new furniture, using sumptuous materials like imported leathers, suede and mahogany, along with warm color schemes and rich fabrics offset by marble and granite accents. The marine architectural firm of Yran and Storbraaten of Oslo, Norway, is overseeing the design work along with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Vessel Operations team. Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner will be refurbished at the Grand Bahama shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas. Final details and the location of Seven Seas Navigator’s 2010 dry dock will be announced at a later date.

Highlights of the refurbishment program for Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner include the creation of a alternative steakhouse named Prime Seven that will replace the current Indochine-menu Latitudes restaurants; the redesign of lounges and public rooms to create more spacious areas for relaxation; the creation of new lounge and dining areas around the Pool Grill; new carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, light fixtures and drapes in most public areas and guest accommodations; more casual dining options with the addition of pizza ovens and ice cream bars; and the creation of an extended coffee and snack bar area on Seven Seas Voyager, similar to the Coffee Connection on Seven Seas Mariner. The refurbishment and product enhancements are the result of extensive feedback from RSSC’s loyal guest base, through comment cards, personal interaction between the line’s management and the guests in regular town hall meetings or through the online community.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Sep 16, 2008, Port of Galveston Closed; Carnival Ships Head for New Orleans

With the Port of Galveston out of commission following Hurricane Ike, Carnival Cruise Lines is sending two Galveston-based ships to New Orleans instead. The Carnival Conquest arrived in New Orleans on Monday morning, and Carnival Ecstasy was scheduled to do so Tuesday morning. Conquest passengers were told they could disembark on Monday or Tuesday or remain on the ship until it can head back to Texas. Conquest on Tuesday will move down the dock to make room for Ecstasy, whose passengers can debark Tuesday or Wednesday or remain on the ship. “We do not currently have a lot of information about the status of the shipping channel, cruise terminal or the port access infrastructure,” Carnival said. “Local communication has been very challenging, and there are restrictions against incoming traffic into the Galveston area.…There is tremendous uncertainty about when the port will be available to us.” The line cancelled the Conquest’s Sept. 14 departure and the Ecstasy’s Sept. 15 cruise. Guests will receive a full refund of cruise fare within three weeks.

“We came into New Orleans for the sake of the people on these ships. They have the opportunity to get off if they want to, but they don’t have to. If people can extend their vacations they can stay onboard -- we’re not charging them,” said Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz. “Our object is to get the ships back to Texas as soon as possible.” She said she did not know how many passengers chose to disembark. Carnival was rebooking air arrangements for passengers who had booked air-sea packages through Carnival. “For those with independent air, it’s up to them to deal with the airlines, which we speculate will be quite cooperative -- they usually are when changing tickets for hurricane.” Passengers who drove and parked at the Port of Galveston likely lost their cars in the flooding, according to the Galveston Daily News. “We don’t have a complete handle on the car situation, we’re trying to find out as specifically as possible what’s happening there,” de la Cruz said. It remained uncertain when the ships can head back to Texas. De la Cruz said the company is talking to Houston port officials.

The Houston port sustained “limited negative impact from Hurricane Ike. As is most of the Houston area, we are without electricity and we are operating with limited temporary power from generators,” the port authority said in a statement. “Initial assessments of the terminals revealed minimal wind damage that knocked down a few fences, containers and electrical lines. We also received expected minimal water damage that caused some standing water. Overall, the port authority facilities and its assets are in good shape considering the magnitude and strength of the hurricane.” For more information, visit www.carnival.com or www.portofgalveston.com.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Sep 12, 2008, MSC Cruises Orders Two Ships: Meraviglia and Favolosa

MSC Cruises has placed orders for two new ships from the Aker Yards France at St. Nazaire. The new ships, due for delivery in 2011 and 2012, will be named the MSC Meraviglia (“marvelous/amazing”) and the MSC Favolosa (“fabulous”). They will be the fifth and sixth ships in the Musica class. Each of the 93,000-ton ships will offer 1,275 staterooms for a capacity of 2,550 passengers, double occupancy. Construction will start under the guidance of Korean STX Shipbuilding. The new ships will join the current fleet for a total of 14 ships and more than 1.4 million passengers carried by 2012. MSC has the most modern fleet in the world, with most of its ships under 5 years old. The line has made an investment of 5.5 billion euros between 2003 and 2009 for the construction of 10 new generation ships, subdivided into three classes: the Lirica class (60,000 tons), the Musica class (93,000 tons) and the Fantasia class (133,500 tons). MSC is the largest cruise company with entirely European capital. It offers two super-flagships, the MSC Fantasia and the MSC Splendida, at 133,500 tons, which will be the largest ships ever built for a European shipping company.

Source: Travel Pulse

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Sep 8, 2008, Costa rolls out loyalty program for U.S. customers

Costa Cruise Lines has introduced a loyalty program for U.S.Customers.

Those who enroll in Costa Club receive special offers and privileges based on the number of cruises they take and purchases made onboard. Each member receives 100 points for every day they cruise and 40 points for every $60 spent onboard. Members get a 5% discount on early-booking fares for select itineraries and discounts on a selection of cruises advertised throughout the year. Perks include a cocktail party with the captain, in-roomamenities, discounts on Costa merchandise and wine packages. Costa Club offers three membership levels: Aquamarine for members who have earned up to 2,000points, Coral for members who have earned between 2,001 and 5,000 points and Pearl for those earning5,001 points or more.

Past guests can enroll at Costa's website or at the Costa Club information desk on all ships.

Source: Travel Weekly

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Sep 2, 2008, Holland America to Spend $200 Million in Ship Upgrades

Holland America Line is doubling the amount to be spent in upgrades, enhancements and new features on five of the line’s most popular ships. As part of its ongoing Signature of Excellence program, over the next two years the Statendam, Ryndam, Maasdam, Veendam and Rotterdam will undergo extensive dry-docks to create new venues, new staterooms, new décor and more. The 18-month, $200 million program will begin when Veendam enters an extended dry-dock in spring 2009, and the last ship is slated for completion in late 2010. The investment in this new series of enhancements will include a new resort pool concept, lanai staterooms, new entertainment and enrichment options, new stateroom décor and more.

Holland America Line’s commitment to enhancing its premium fleet now exceeds $525 million. Signature of Excellence features and amenities are designed to offer guests more luxurious accommodations, more enticing destinations, enhanced dining experiences, more creative activities and even higher levels of service. Previously, during the first phase of Signature of Excellence, these five ships were enhanced with the addition of an Explorations Café, Culinary Arts Center, expanded Club HAL youth facilities and more. This next installment will add more verandah staterooms, introduce a new category of stateroom, expand the Lido Deck’s pool feature with The Retreat, create a showroom at sea and upgrade staterooms, bathrooms and fixtures.

In an era where cruise lines are building ships to carry more than 5,000 passengers, Holland America Line remains focused on mid-sized vessels. These enhancements will blend the latest innovations for premium travel into our ships, creating a deluxe experience that is unparalleled.” The most dramatic alteration will be to the aft portion of the ships, allowing for a new resort-style pool area on Lido Deck called The Retreat, which will have a shallow area where guests can lounge in chairs and dip their fingers and toes in the water or relax on a bench and dangle their legs in the water. A new pool bar and an upscale pizzeria called Slice will be installed, as well as a canopy and wind screens to provide additional covered seating for the Lido Restaurant.

All staterooms will receive new décor, carpeting and soft goods. Each ship also will have an additional 44 to 46 staterooms, 32 with verandahs and the remaining inside. On the four S-class ships, 12 staterooms near the spa on Deck 9 also will have verandahs added, and along with three inside staterooms, become spa staterooms featuring enhanced spa amenities. On the Rotterdam, 23 staterooms on Verandah Deck will become spa staterooms. On the five ships, 46 new lanai staterooms will be created by replacing existing windows of 42 staterooms (on Lower Promenade Deck 6) with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade, and adding four additional staterooms.

Source: Travel Pulse

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