Princess Captain’s Circle Introduces Faster Benefits Options
The Princess Captain’s Circle has introduced new ways to allow passengers to more quickly reach the program’s higher Platinum and Elite membership levels. The loyalty program will now count “cruise credits” instead of number of sailings, and passengers who travel in full suites and those who pay a single supplement will receive double cruise credits for their sailings — making them eligible for greater benefits with fewer cruises.

The new cruise credits program is effective for all sailings on or after December 7, 2008. All passengers who complete a cruise will receive one cruise credit, and in the following cases, passengers will receive double credit or more:

Second Ship Drops Off Passengers to Sail Through Gulf of Aden

Passengers have left an Italian-flagged cruise ship, the Vistamar, while it sails through the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden with a reduced crew. Vistamar’s owner, Plantours & Partner of Bremen, said about 200 passengers would spend three days making a land visit to Yemen.

The Vistamar is the second ship after the Bahamas-registered Columbus, owned by the Hapag-Lloyd company of Germany, to offload tour passengers in Yemen while it runs the pirate gauntlet.

Plantours requested protection because the line flies a European flag, but the German government rejected calls for convoy protection through the Gulf.

The Hapag Lloyd Columbus was the first ship to put passengers ashore to fly to Dubai last Wednesday. They were expected to re-embark on the Columbus in an Omani port, Salalah, to continue their holiday.

One cruise ship, the Oceania Nautica, reported being fired upon by rifle shots from a distance of some 300 yards. The cruise ship was easily able to outrun the intruders.

MSC Takes Delivery of 133,500-ton Fantasia in Naples

MSC Cruises received its flagship MSC Fantasia today at a hand-over ceremony at the STX France shipyard in St Nazaire, France. The largest ship in the MSC fleet with a total passenger capacity of 3,959, MSC Fantasia is the sixth new build for MSC Cruises from STX France.

Following the flag ceremony, MSC Fantasia sails to Italy via Lisbon, Gibraltar, Alicante, Barcelona and Marseilles, to reach Naples, where she will be christened on December 18 in a ceremony scheduled to feature Sophia Loren as the ship’s christener. After her inaugural cruise, she will be based in Genoa. sailing the Mediterranean year-round.

MSC Fantasia at 133,500 gross registered tons, measures 1,092 feet long, 196 feet high and 124 feet wide. It can cruise at a maximum speed of 23 knots, carrying 3,274 guests (double occupancy) in its 1,637 cabins.

Silversea Completes Multimillion-Dollar Silver Wind Upgrade

Silversea Cruises has just put the finishing touches on a multimillion-dollar renovation of Silver Wind, involving virtually every aspect of the ultra-luxury ship.

Undertaken over the past month during a dry dock at the San Giorgio shipyard in Genoa, Italy, the comprehensive refurbishment of Silver Wind features a new décor the line describes as a “sophisticated contemporary style that is warm and inviting with touches of natural cherry wood, russet and golden tones.”

A centerpiece of the project is a brand new Observation Lounge seating 60 guests, as well as a refurbished Spa, Beauty Salon and Fitness Center on the forward section of Deck 9, altering the ship’s exterior appearance with floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the new space. A new two-floor, glass-enclosed elevator was also installed connecting Decks 8 and 9.

Disney Cruises’ Kids Sail Free Offer in Early 2009

Disney Cruise Line is offering a “Kids Free” special offer on three-night cruises this winter and spring.

Guests 12 and under can sail free on three-night voyages aboard the Disney Wonder when accompanied by two full-fare paying guests within the same stateroom. This offer is valid for most sailings from Jan. 22 to May 28, 2009, and covers a variety yet limited number of stateroom categories, ranging from deluxe family staterooms with verandahs to standard inside staterooms.

While the cruise fare with this special offer is free for guests 12 and under, guests who book will be responsible for Government Taxes and Fees for all stateroom occupants, including those 12 and under.

Disney Wonder has the recently launched 3-D cinematic experience in both the Walt Disney and Buena Vista Theatres where guests can enjoy first-run, full-length 3-D films such as Walt Disney Pictures’ “Bolt” and the upcoming “Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience.” This past spring the Disney Wonder premiered a lavish theatrical production, “Toy Story-The Musical.”

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