There was much hubbub recently over Royal Caribbean Cruise Line CEO Richard Fain’s call for reasonability when it comes to muster drills.  Mr. Fain used more colorful language on his blog, but let’s just say he questioned the value-add of requiring passengers to retrieve life jackets, don them, and then stumble up and down stairways en route to their muster stations, hating every moment of it. Instead, the idea is to store life jackets at the muster stations if practical.  Obviously some older ships may not have the space at the muster stations for storage.  Earlier this year I received reports of Royal Caribbean testing jacket-less drills on various ships and recent reports indicate Mr. Fain’s wishes are being rolled out to other ships.   A reader today informed me that on his Freedom Of The Seas cruise last week they didn’t wear life jackets, but still lined up at the muster stations and did all the usual steps.   When the Oasis Of The Seas starts sailing, passengers will be accounted for by scanning their cruise card when they arrive at the muster stations.

For years I have praised Princess for their muster drill procedure.  On Princess you don’t put your life jacket on and solemnly line up in modified sardine can formations on deck.  Instead you go to a nice air-conditioned public room carrying your life jacket.  You sit down and listen to the procedures, then stand and demonstrate you know how to don the jacket, then you remove it, and the drill is over.  The thing about this process is that people will actually pay attention and not tune out and wait for the all clear to be announced.  NCL does their drill in a similar fashion, and on the Celebrity Equinox naming ceremony cruise in July, we also did our drill in this manner.

I’ve had variations on the theme when cruising with Carnival.   It has depended on the ship mostly, but on the Holiday we’ve had one cruise where they had us don and remove the life jackets, and on a subsequent cruise we had to wear it for the whole drill as we wilted in the heat.

Wilting in the heat is not a good environment for instruction of passengers.  I have had two cases where someone near me fainted – one time on Royal Caribbean and another on Carnival.

Not all of the recent debate has been supportive of the no life jacket approach.  Many experienced cruisers are concerned that this lessens the drill and could create havoc in a real emergency.  My response is that if you drill someone to return to their cabin and retrieve a life jacket, what happens in that real emergency?  Will there be chaos in the hallways?  Will people take the opportunity to grab luggage while in the cabin?  In this day it is highly unlikely that a ship is going to be in imminent danger of sinking.  The more likely scenario is a fire at sea, where mustering the passengers for accountability reasons is the primary concern.  There is going to be time to don life jackets at the muster station.

I don’t understand why there isn’t some standardization between the cruise lines.  I suspect that in many cases it is simply a “that’s the way we’ve always done it” policy.  Stagnation of policy often leads to complacency.    I encourage all the cruise lines to take the jacket-less approach to the drill.  You’ll get bonus points for mustering inside the ship.  You’ll be glad you changed.

These new savings range from $885 to $2,000 per person and apply to all deluxe outside and verandah category staterooms on the September 26 Mediterranean cruise, a November itinerary from New York to Bermuda and the Caribbean, a November 12 Transatlantic voyage, a December 5 South American and the Amazon journey and a December 10 Panama Canal transit.

Crystal’s popular “All Inclusive - As You Wish” program provides an additional $500-1,000 per person of shipboard spending credits. A Crystal Family Memories program offers a host of perks for a family or friends group of six, and a free berth for a group of 10.

The 25% savings is available:

* September 26 Venice to Athens, 12 days aboard Crystal Serenity
Save $1,362-$1,890
Plus $1,000 “All Inclusive - As You Wish” spending credit
Plus Crystal Family Memories program free berth for only 10 full-fare guests

* November 10 New York to Miami, 12 days aboard Crystal Symphony
Save $1,046-$1,516
Plus $500 “All Inclusive - As You Wish” spending credit
Plus Crystal Family Memories program free berth for only 10 full-fare guests

* November 12 Lisbon to Miami, 12 days aboard Crystal Serenity
Save $885-$1,239
Plus $500 “All Inclusive - As You Wish” spending credit
Plus Crystal Family Memories program free berth for only 10 full-fare guests

* December 5 Manaus to Buenos Aires, 15 days aboard Crystal Symphony
Save $1,350-$2,085
Plus $1000 “All Inclusive - As You Wish” spending credit
Plus Crystal Family Memories program free berth for only 10 full-fare guests

* December 10 Caldera to Miami, 11 days aboard Crystal Serenity
Save $944-$1,277
Plus $500 “All Inclusive - As You Wish” spending credit
Plus Crystal Family Memories program free berth for only 10 full-fare guests

“Discerning luxury travelers appreciate great value,” says Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president, sales & marketing. “These savings offer compelling reasons to sail with the World’s Best.”

New cruise fares for the voyages start at just $2,655. Fares, credits and savings are per person, based on double occupancy.

For reservations, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the newly redesigned crystalcruises.com.

Holland America calls the new style for the se cabins “Lanai Staterooms,” Hawaiian for “porch.” The cabins were formerly plain “oceanview” cabins with picture windows. Ironically, in the past these cabins were ones to avoid because people walking on the deck could see into your room, especially at night.

However, the glass on these new doors have a one-way mirrored coating to ensure privacy. So we are guessing these new cabins will become very popular since they offer the advantage of allowing fresh air into the room without the expense of a verandah cabin. They will also be very useful for joggers and other people who want instant access to outdoor public areas.

They will be particularly useful in Alaska where one often needs or wants to run outside and get a better view of wildlife.

These Lanai staterooms will be added to ms Rotterdam this year and three other ships by 2013. Each lanai stateroom also features reserved deck chairs outside the sliding glass doors. The lanai staterooms on Veendam are the latest round of Signature of Excellence enhancements at Holland America Line.

Thirty-two new verandah staterooms were also built on the aft portion of the ship, along with eight new inside staterooms. All staterooms aboard Veendam received new décor, modern wall sconces, carpet, drapes, pillows, bed runners and resurfaced desks and vanities. Bathrooms receined an �extreme� makeover with new vanities and cabinetry.

A final stateroom enhancement was the creation of 15 spa staterooms � 12 outside converted to verandah in drydock and three other inside � featuring a variety of exclusive spa amenities. The rooms offer their own ambiance with a décor reflecting natural elements and soft earth-tones. A counter-top water feature in each stateroom provides a natural, ambient background sound and artwork reflects serene images in nature. Exclusive spa treatments and a spa room service menu are offered only in these staterooms.

And now two of those cruise lines have agreed to refund over $3 million to consumers nationwide. Oceania Cruises agreed to pay more than $2.1 million in restitution and Classic Cruise Holdings, aka Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will pay $1 million.

Under these agreements, any consumers who were retroactively charged a fuel supplement by the companies will be refunded the full cost of the surcharge. It is important to note that many cruise lines imposed fuel surcharges after cruises had already been paid in full and entrusted travel agents to contact the guests and ask them to pay the additonal fee. In most cases, if people refused to pay the extra fee their cruises were cancelled and their money refunded.

Some returns will come be onboard credits for consumers who have not yet sailed, the state said.

2-5-09
Feb 9-16 One Week Sale - Yachts of Seabourn
The Yachts of Seabourn has a one-week sale of certain cruises in Europe with savings of 60% off for 14 voyages between March and August of 2009. Bookings must be made from Monday, February 9 until close of business on Monday February 16, 2009.

The offer is for fares from $2,840 pp, double occupancy of a 277-square foot ocean-view suite. with new bookings on these 14 voyages in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The list of included voyages is:

Seabourn Pride
March 18 Portugal Passage I - Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon 13 days
March 31 Grand Mediterranean - Lisbon to Athens (Piraeus) 14 days
April 14 Mediterranean Panorama - Athens (Piraeus) to Lisbon 14 days
May 12 Grand Harbors of Europe - Dover to Copenhagen 11 days
June 13 Norwegian Fjords - Round Trip Copenhagen 9 days
June 22 Scandinavia & Russia - Round Trip Copenhagen 12 days

Seabourn Spirit
June 20 or July 11 Italian Idyll - Venice to Rome (Civitavecchia) 7 days

Seabourn Legend
Apr 16 Iberian Spring - Lisbon to Barcelona 10 days
June 20 Cote d’ Azur & Spanish Isles - Monte Carlo to Barcelona 7 days
June 27 The Yachtsman’s Riviera - Barcelona to Monte Carlo 7 days
July 11 Sardinia, Corsica & Cote d�Azur - Rome (Civitavecchia) to Monte Carlo 7 days

Seabourn Odyssey
July 18 Aegean Odyssey- Istanbul to Athens (Piraeus) 7 days
July 25 Greece & Dalmatian Delights - Athens (Piraeus) to Venice 7 days

For details, or to take advantage of this special one-week sale, contact your travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

2-5-09
Royal Caribbean CEO Invests in Own Company
Royal Caribbean’s chairman of the board and CEO, Richard Fain, put almost 1/2 million dollars of his personal money into the cruise line “for investment purchases”. He purchased some $471,635 of the company corporate bonds according to an SEC filing.

The “junk bonds” bonds are trading at a deep discount to face value. “I already own a lot of stock in our company, and I bought these bonds because I thought they were ridiculously undervalued,” Fain said. Moody’s downgraded the bond rating from Ba1 to Ba2 on Friday, Jan 30.

Fain bought $200,000 of 8 percent bonds due May 15, 2010; $200,000 of 8.75 percent bonds due Feb. 2, 2011; $150,000 of 7 percent bonds due June 15, 2013, and $100,000 of the company’s 6.875 percent bonds due Dec. 1, 2013. This adds up to over $550,000 face value for the bonds upon maturity for which he paid $471,635.

2-4-09
James Taylor to Play on Queen Mary 2 Crossing
The Irish Herald newspaper is reporting that folk music legend James Taylor has found a novel way of getting his entourage across the Atlantic to play Ireland and Britain this summer — singing for his supper on a Queen Mary 2 Atlantic crossing.

Multi-Grammy winning James Taylor, whose hits include You Got A Friend, performed alongside Beyonce and Stevie Wonder at President Obama’s inauguration celebrations last month.

Taylor will record a DVD of his performances aboard the liner. This was also done by Taylor’s ex-wife, Carly Simon, who recorded one in 2005.

“To bring all those people over to Europe and to bring all the equipment is a big hump to get over. So we have made a deal with Cunard Line to bring everybody over on the Queen Mary,” Taylor said.

Cunard said it continues a grand tradition aboard the transatlantic liner dating back to the times of Noel Coward, when stars would make impromptu performances for their fellow seafarers.

2-3-09
Carnival Holiday to Miss Two Cruises; 2-28 and 3-4-09
Carnival Holiday is set to enter dry dock at Atlantic Marine on Feb. 28 and remain there until March 8, missing two cruises, according to Carnival. Holiday will simply undergo regular maintenance, according to a local marine business.

Guests who had booked cruises on the affected dates were given the option to move their vacations to another date, book a trip on another ship or receive a full refund, according to Carnival.

Holiday, Carnival’s oldest and smallest ship, has been Mobile Alabama’s permanent cruise ship since 2004. Its rated capacity of two people per cabin is 1,452. Carnival plans to replace Holiday in Mobile with its 2,052-passenger Fantasy next November. At that time, the Holiday is scheduled to start service at a Carnival subsidiary in Spain.

2-3-09
NCL Offers New Discounts - Kids $99, $250 Onboard Credit
Norwegian Cruise Line is extending its Freestyle Resolution promotion. Families who book a cruise from now through March 15, 2009 on many of NCL’s sailings can take their kids for as low as $99 each, and also receive up to $250 in on-board credit to be used on anything from shore excursions and specialty dinners to spa treatments, the casino or otherwise.

Says Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s president and CEO, “Family cruises on NCL have great activities for kids of all ages, from our expanded Kid’s Crew program allowing parents to take the night off for a romantic dinner, to the two-story Nintendo Wii, four-lane bowling, rock climbing wall, teen disco, and arcade.”

NCL notes its most popular summer sailings include a seven-day Sawyer Glacier cruise round-trip from Vancouver to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, Alaska, from $599 per person. Norwegian Spirit sails a seven-day Bermuda cruise round-trip from Boston, from $599 per person; and Norwegian Gem features a seven-day Western Mediterranean sailing round-trip from Barcelona, Spain to Valletta, Malta; Naples, Rome and Florence, Italy; and Cannes, France; from $599 per person. Pride of America offers a seven-day inter-island Hawaii cruise departing from Honolulu and visiting Hilo and Kona, Hawaii; along with overnights in Kahului, Maui and Nawiliwili, Kaui from $999 per person.

Families sailing with NCL can also save with half price dinners for children three to 12 years old in its numerous specialty restaurants. Unlimited soda package for kids 12 and under are $39.50 which includes a Kid’s Crew backpack, t-shirt and baseball cap. For teens, the Teen Passport Program is just $34.50 and includes a booklet with 20 tickets for non-alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic smoothies; and admission to an afternoon dance party with DJ, pizza and unlimited soft drinks.

With NCL’s new Groups 2.0 program, families looking to host reunions onboard can save. When booking eight or more staterooms via a travel agent, amenities offered range from the ability to make advance Freestyle Dining reservations in any restaurant prior to sailing, to a group cocktail party, on-board credits which can be used throughout the ship, and Freestyle Bowling in the Bliss Ultra Lounge, amongst others.

2-2-09
Caribbean Princess Receives Signature Upgrades in Drydock
Caribbean Princess has just emerged from an extensive three-week drydock to add many of Princess Cruises’ signature features that have proven so popular on its newest ships. The vessel now offers passengers the engaging street-café atmosphere of the piazza-style atrium with its International Café and Vines, the wine, seafood and cheese bar; the adults-only Sanctuary, seven new suites, and a more centrally located casino. Work is also nearly complete on a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant.

These amenities became passenger favorites when they debuted aboard Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess over the last three years, and are being added to a number of ships, including Golden Princess in May. The company has already introduced many of these features on Star Princess and Grand Princess.

“We want to give passengers who sail aboard any of our large ships the opportunity to enjoy the innovative amenities that have become hallmarks of the Princess cruise experience,” said Jan Swartz, executive vice president of Princess Cruises.

Caribbean Princess’ new atrium now features the specialty coffees, fresh baked cookies and pastries, paninis and tapas of the International Café. Also new is the Vines wine bar offering a selection of more than 30 wines by the glass, plus a selection of seafood, artisan meats and cheeses, and a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle.

Adult passengers looking to get away from it all will be able to relax in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess’ signature retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Visitors to this exclusive space can enjoy refreshing beverages and light snacks, or receive a massage in one of two private cabanas.

Caribbean Princess will soon debut a brand new Crown Grill restaurant featuring an open kitchen where passengers can enjoy watching as chefs prepare chops, steaks and seafood, including live lobsters.

As part of the renovation, the 3,080-passenger ship � which debuted in 2004 � also received seven new suites with ocean-view picture windows, and a relocated casino on deck 7, bringing it into the ship’s central entertainment area. Other changes include a new location for the sports court, a new Limelight boutique, new shore excursions and Captain’s Circle desks, new Internet café and library, and the addition of flat-screen televisions in all staterooms.

The dramatic makeover took place at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas, where more than 1,500 workers and contractors worked around the clock to complete the impressive project.

2-2-09
Alaska Cruising Beginning to Suffer
The Alaska cruise economy is taking a beating right with plenty of controversy about the reasons why. Royal Caribbean has already announced that it will reduce the number of sailings there in 2009 and that they are taking one ship out of the market completely in 2010.

Cruise West, a small-ship cruise line that specializes in Alaska cruising, has already taken three ships out the Alaska area for 2009, including the namesake Spirit of Alaska. While Cruise West ships only carry about 200 passengers apiece, it is an important referendum on certain government policies that Alaska tourism officials say are contributing to the downturn.

In 2006 the state imposed a $50 per head tax on all cruise passengers. This was opposed by Governor Sarah Palin but was passed by the legislature. The economic impact on the state just for the loss of the one Royal Caribbean ship, Seranade of the Seas, is estimated anywhere from 40 to $57 million dollars for the season in total revenue.

According to certain estimates, the cost of an Alaska cruise is roughly half the price what it was last year, especially on the larger cruise lines. The smaller Cruise West is relocating its small ships to the Columbia River where the decison to halt operations by Majestic America Line has left a void. Majestic America is the owner of several steamboats such as Delta Queen, Columbia Queen and Empress of the North. All of the ships have been taken out of service and the cruise line is for sale.

1-30-09
Grand Turk Cruise Center Projects 500,000 Visits in 2009
With 229 cruise ship calls scheduled for 2009, the Caribbean island-based Grand Turk Cruise Center built and basically owned by Carnival Corp. is on track to host a record 500,000 passengers in the coming year. The unprecedented half-million passenger mark is a 25% increase over 2008, during which the center was closed for 30 days following Hurricane Ike.

Most of the visits to the cruise center are made by Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Princess and Costa ships (all owned by Carnival Corp.) although Silversea, Oceania Cruises, Crystal and Regent Seven Seas also have stops scheduled there in 2009.

Grand Turk has successfully developed a wide array of organized excursion opportunities for visitors, from horseback riding and kayaking to world-class diving, snorkeling and fishing. A recent addition is the new Grand Turk Grace Bay Car Rentals recently opened at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Guests can now self-drive to the island’s historical sites, gorgeous white-sand beaches, quaint Bermudian-influenced architecture and friendly locals at their own pace.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which can accommodate up to 6,000 passengers per day, consists of a 13-acre complex including an 800-foot-long private beach, swimming pool, expansive recreation area with a diversity of retail shops, FlowRider® surfing adventure and the Caribbean’s largest “Margaritaville”-themed bar and restaurant.

For more information about the island, the Grand Turk Cruise Center, as well as the 2009 cruise ship schedule, shore excursion offerings visit grandturkcc.com. For information on Grand Turk Grace Bay Car Rentals visit their web site at gracebaycarrentals.com.

We are getting reports of cruise passengers missing their ships due to nationwide weather delays. Please keep in mind that flights with stopovers in cities like Chicago, where bad weather often causes delays, can mean you arrive at your destination hours later than anticipated.

Even though a Holland America ship stayed docked in San Diego two extra hours last week, it is estimated between 50 to 100 people still missed the ship because their flights did not arrive on time. Those people had to fly to Honolulu and wait three days for the ship to catch up to thempaying for the air and hotels out of their own pockets unless they had travel insurance that covers such delays.

Even rain and especially fog is enough to cause significant delays, so CruiseMates recommends arriving a day early for your cruises if possible, especially if you are being routed through the Midwest (Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Cincinnati).

Carnival Gives Us a Preview of Its Biggest Ship Ever
Carnival has just added renderings and photos of Carnival Dream, the 130,000-ton behemoth that will be the biggest Carnival ship ever built to date when it debuts September 2009. The new information is available on the Carnival web site with a new section for Carnival Dream.

Included are digital renderings of the ship’s WaterWorks aqua park claiming the longest water slides at sea, as well as the ship’s décor for the dance club, casino, piano bar and dining venues.

John Heald, the new Carnival “Ambassador of Fun” and former top cruise director blogs a behind-the-scenes tour of Carnival Dream’s unique characteristics There is also a look at the The Lanai, a wrap-around promenade deck.

Heald highlights the new “cove balcony” staterooms closer to the water line and deluxe ocean view staterooms with five berths and two bathrooms made for families.

Carnival Dream will appear in Europe Sept. 21 with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through Oct. 27, 2009.

The ship will then sail to New York Oct. 27 - Nov. 12, 2009 for two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises on Nov. 15 and 23, 2009. Then following a nine-day cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla. the ship will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from that port Dec. 12.

Oasis of the Seas Arriving early - December 1st
Royal Caribbean International says Oasis of the Seas will arrive in the U.S. earlier than expected. Additional cruises are scheduled starting with a four-night voyage sailing December 1, 2009 to the launch of an all-new Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach paradise in Haiti.

There will also be a new date for the first seven-night inaugural cruise, departing December 5, 2009. On this inaugural Eastern Caribbean voyage guests will receive a special commemorative certificate to mark the occasion.

Guests booked on the original inaugural sail date of December 12, 2009 can move their cruise to December 5 until January 11, 2009. The following special benefits will apply for these guests; Those choosing to sail consecutively on both the December 1 and 5, 2009 voyages for an 11-night cruise also will receive a $200 onboard credit per stateroom ($300 onboard credit per suite).

Booked guests who wish to take either the December 1 or 5 sailing will be re-accommodated in the same stateroom and category. The cruise fare for the December 5 sailing will remain unchanged. Guests wishing to sail on the four-night voyage will receive a prorated fare.

Oasis of the Seas, to be the largest cruise ship launched to date, features new entertainment venues and amenities including the breathtaking AquaTheater light and water shows, and new productions in the Opal Theater and Studio B ice-skating rink.

The seven-night itinerary will call at St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Nassau in the Bahamas.

On the four-night itinerary, guests will make a call at Labadee to herald new facilities. Water taxis and five different walking paths, trails and avenues will take guests from the welcome plaza to many areas throughout the peninsula, including the new Dragon’s Plaza, Labadee Town Square, and Columbus Family Beach, all currently under development. Sea-based excursions, including a new fast boat tour, also will depart from the welcome plaza.

At the north end of the peninsula, Dragon’s Plaza will be the heart of Labadee and feature the Dragon’s Breath Cafe and Pub, a welcome center, and central tram station, which will ferry guests to other areas of the peninsula. Guests booked on the extremely popular Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the world’s longest zip-line over water, also will begin their excursion here.

At the base of the peninsula, Labadee Town Square will offer the new Alpine Coaster, a thrilling new roller coaster experience on Labadee.

Oasis of the Seas (2009) and Allure of the Seas (debuting in 2010) will claim the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ships. Oasis and Allure of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms and the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas.

New categories of onboard accommodations include bi-level, urban-style Loft Suites; two bedroom/two bathroom AquaTheater Suites; and Central Park- and Boardwalk-facing exterior staterooms with balconies. Both ships will be homeported at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More information about both ships’ exciting, first-at-sea onboard amenities can be found at www.OasisoftheSeas.com.

NCL Freestyle Sale Offers Onboard Credits up to $500
Norwegian Cruise Line just launched its biggest ever “Freestyle Resolution Sales Event,” three weeks ahead of Wave Season, the January through March period when the majority of cruises are booked.

Cruisers who make a reservation from now through February 1, 2009 on any NCL sailing can earn up to a $500 on-board credit - amount depending on the length of cruise and stateroom category. On cruises six days or longer, the on-board credit ranges from $50 for an inside stateroom; up to $150 for a balcony and $500 for a suite or villa. For three to five day sailings, the on-board credit ranges from $35 for an inside stateroom up to $150 for a suite/villa. One and two-day sailings are excluded.

Travel agents can find more info at www.bookncl.com.

On December 30, NCL will take to the Internet and the streets of South Florida asking consumers to declare their New Year’s resolutions in an effort to promote its Freestyle Resolution offer. Consumers who log onto www.nclresolutions2009.com or visit the resolution wall from noon to 9 p.m. at Bayside Marketplace (Miami) on December 30 and 31; Lincoln Road (Miami Beach) on January 1 and 2; or Sawgrass Mills Mall (Sunrise) on January 3 and 4 will be entered to win a four-day Bahamas cruise, round-trip from Miami, on Norwegian Sky.

NCL and STX Europe Agree to Revise and Restart Original F3 Order
F3, the radical new ship design for a 150,000-ton free-style ship from NCL, is back on track! Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and STX France Cruise SA, the French shipyard charged with the building contract for the F3 project for NCL, announced today that they have reached an agreement and are moving forward.

NCL and STX Europe have agreed to revise the original F3 order. STX France Cruise is now building one F3 ship at 150,000-tons with a total of 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ship in NCL’s fleet. This will mean a continuation of the original hull which is currently in the early phases of construction, with delivery set for late May 2010, as originally scheduled. The planned second vessel, currently only in the preparatory stages, will not be built. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

To date, information has only been revealed regarding F3’s staterooms and nightlife. NCL plans to unveil the full F3 story in the near future. Further information can be found online at www.f3.ncl.com.

Oasis of the Seas Arriving Early!

Oasis of the Seas, the next “Largest Cruise Ship In the World” will be arriving almost two weeks earlier than expected. The first cruise will now be a four-day cruise sailing December 1st sailing just to Labadee, the private enclave beach resort Royal Caribbean owns on the Island of Haiti.

The new inaugural 7-day eastern Caribbean cruise date uis now December 5th. People who had gone to the trouble to book the inaugural sailing of the Oasis have the option of moving to this cruise, or combining it with the preceding 4-day cruise for one long 11-day cruise.

The cruise will also celebrate the launch of the new Labadee which will feature, among other things, the longest zipline in the world (currently under construction). This is facet alone should be enough to draw zip-line enthusiasts worldwide to Royal Caribbean, since many have been to travel as far as South America to try what is now the longest zipline in the world.

More importantly, if you have not already heard everything there is to know about Oasis of the Seas you need to catch up. This ship is going to be amaaaaazing! It is at least 30% larger than the current world’s largest cruise ships (the Freedom-class also from Royal Caribbean).

More details on the new release date can be found here: CruiseMates Oasis Debut News.

F3, the radical new ship design from NCL, is back on track!

F3, the radical new ship design for a 150,000-ton free-style ship from NCL, is back on track! Norwegian Cruise Line and the French shipyard charged with building F3 announced they have reached an agreement and are moving forward. The ship was almost cancelled a few months ago when cost overruns due to late design changes became an issue between the two companies.

NCL and STX Europe have agreed to revise the original F3 order, but the ship is still 150,000-tons with a total of 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ship in NCL’s fleet ever. Delivery is set for late May 2010, as originally scheduled.

To date, information has only been revealed regarding F3’s staterooms and nightlife. NCL plans to unveil the full F3 story in the near future. Further information can be found online at CruiseMates F3 news.

NCL Announces Huge Sale - Up to $500 shipboard Credit.

Cruisers who make a reservation from now through February 1, 2009 on any NCL sailing can may be offered up to a $500 on-board credit by their travel agents - amount depending on the length of cruise and category of stateroom booked. On sailings of six days or longer, the on-board credit ranges from $50 for an inside stateroom; up to $150 for a balcony and $500 for a suite or villa. For three to five day sailings, the on-board credit ranges from $35 for an inside stateroom up to $150 for a suite/villa. One and two-day sailings are excluded from this promotion.

More infrmation can be found here: CruiseMates NCL Sales Event News.

Holland America offers “Vacation Stimulus Plan”

Holland America has a new series of incentives for cruisers to book a cruise now. The new campaign is the “Holland American Vacation Stimulus Plan,” and according to company executive vice president, Rick Meadows, “the return on investment is guaranteed.”

The “Vacation Stimulus Plan” is comprised of four points: “Unprecedented” low fares, Deposits reduced by 50% on cruises and cruisetours departing on or after May 1, 2009, A 25% savings on the standard Cancellation Protection Plan for cruises and cruisetours departing on or after May 1, 2009, Suspended fuel supplements for cruises departing on or after Dec. 17, 2008.

Taxes are additional on all per person cruise fares. For more information go to the CruiseMates Holland America vacation Stimulus Plan News.

Carnival Reports Good Earnings

Carnival reported better than expected earnings this week for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008, beating expectations by a few million dollars. Most of that was attributable to lower fuel costs.

Fuel Supplement Charges Rescinded

Speaking of lower fuel costs, with the price of a barrel of oil now below $40 - an amazing turnabout, virtually ALL of the cruise lines have stopped charging extra for fuel supplements when booking a future cruise. In addition - those people who paid for higher fuel supplements are now receiving onboard credits when they get aboard ship for their cruise.

The average charge was about $10 per person per day. This means most people on a 7-day cruise will receive a $70 onboard credit per person. What a deal!

That is it for cruise news this week. As always, for more information go to CruiseMates Cruise news.

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.”

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.

Silversea’s president and CEO, Amerigo Perasso says “Silver Wind has a refreshed look and feel, yet the ship retains her elegance and charm throughout. The company has made an important investment to bring this vessel in line with the style and design themes that are planned for our new ship, Silver Spirit, currently under construction. With these enhancements, our guests are sure to enjoy a renewed sense of luxury and comfort aboard Silver Wind.”

SUITE ENHANCEMENTS
Accommodating 298 guests, Silver Wind’s 149 ocean-view suites range in size from 240 to 1,314 square feet (22 - 122 square meters), with eighty percent now featuring a private veranda. Suite modifications include the following:

Four of the always-in-demand Silver Suites added on Deck 8.

One Owner’s Suite with a connecting second-bedroom suite added on Deck 7.

One Medallion Suite added on Deck 7.

One Vista Suite added on Deck 7.

Fixed queen beds in larger suites have been replaced with convertible twin-to-queen beds.

Custom-built TV cabinets added to all Vista and Veranda Suites.

New flat screen TVs.

New sofa, armchair, desk, vanity, night tables and headboard.

New carpets, drapes and bed coverings.

Updated bathroom fixtures and bathtubs, including new marble countertops, walls and flooring.

THE SPA
The new Spa, which encompasses the Beauty Salon and Fitness Center, occupies over 650 additional square feet (60 square meters) following the renovation. The expanded Spa features an inviting reception area, four massage rooms, one body treatment room, one dry sauna and one steam sauna. The new Fitness Center includes a body-building room and separate aerobics room, both offering spectacular panoramic ocean views.

Other ship enhancements include new upholstery, curtains, wall treatments, carpets and/or flooring in the restaurants, public lounges, lobbies, stairs and corridors.

The first guests to experience the Silver Wind enhancements are sailing on a December 2, Las Palmas-to-Cape Town cruise, an exotic 18-day voyage calling in the Cape Verde Islands, Dakar, Banjul, Bom Bom Island and Walvis Bay.

Company president Perasso also added, “Despite the challenging economic environment, our company is showing a strong commitment with this important investment. This is clearly a difficult and unpredictable time and while our business is not immune, we have the strength of our assets, brand and management team that position us well in the long term.”

The ship was greeted with great fanfare, including a flyover by one of the world’s largest jets, the Airjet A380. There were fireworks, the police band and of course, bagpipes. The ship actually pulled into the citiy’s main cruise terminal, Port Rashid, as she had a full compliment of passengers onboard.

When the ship sailed past her new home, The World islands, she was greeted by a flotilla of local yachts, boats and leisure-craft led by a Royal Navy Frigate. The flotilla was also joined by My Dubai, the yacht owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Onshore, some 70,000 bottles of champagne were on hand, quite a hefty number for an Islamic nation whose main populace chooses not to drink alcohol. Those cases were there for the guests and tourists Dubai is courting so relentlessly.

The final refit into her permanent moor will take two to three years. Undoubtedly there will much more to her facility than a docking place and a gangway. One can’t help recalling the Queen Mary facility in Long Beach, CA, which, although it is alive and well, was never owned by a company that sought to make her the spectacular destination that Dubai has planned for QE2.

When she launches in 2010, Allure of the Seas will share the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, Allure of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas, will be homeported at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Allure of the Seas will tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will offer guests of every age the widest array of onboard vacation experiences that cater to their personal styles, preferences or moods. Guests will enjoy lush and tropical grounds open to the sky in Central Park, located in the center of the ship and spanning more than the length of a football field. Central Park will be lined with boutiques and specialty restaurants, ranging from casual to fine dining, and introduce balcony staterooms rising five decks above the storefronts and overlooking the park - one of a few new categories of onboard accommodations made possible by the ship’s revolutionary design.

Guests will delight in the amusements, eateries, and shops on Allure of the Seas’ Boardwalk featuring the AquaTheater. Also open to the sky, Boardwalk is reminiscent of classic seaside entertainment esplanades, featuring a handcrafted carousel and two rock-climbing walls. At the stern-end of Boardwalk is the AquaTheater, an amphitheater featuring the deepest freshwater pool at sea, which will showcase amazing high-dive acrobatics and water fountain ballets synchronized to music and lights.

Royal Promenade will present guests with a spectacular new design of Royal Caribbean’s signature interior boulevard of boutiques, restaurants, and bars and lounges. Natural light will cascade through two Crystal Canopy sculptured glass domes in Central Park and illuminate the widened Royal Promenade with a new overlooking mezzanine level. From the Royal Promenade, guests can enjoy a cocktail in the Rising Tide bar - the first moving bar at sea - while they gently ascend three decks into Central Park above.

The Pool and Sports Zone will feature a sloped-entry beach pool (exclusive to the Oasis-class); two larger FlowRider surf simulators; and a zip-line that soars nine decks above the Boardwalk. Building on the Royal Caribbean’s popular Vitality wellness program, guests will be able to soothe mind, body and soul in the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, which also includes a dedicated spa area just for teens. Entertainment Place will include the cruise line’s signature after-dark spaces in more intimate venues that offer a variety of entertainment experiences. And the Youth Zone will offer a wealth of kid- and teen-friendly adventures, featuring the cruise line’s first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older).

New categories in onboard accommodations for guests on Allure of the Seas include bi-level, urban-style Loft Suites and two bedroom/two bathroom AquaTheater Suites, in addition to Central Park- and Boardwalk-facing balcony staterooms. Additional information about the exciting features found on Allure of the Seas is available at www.allureoftheseas.com.