MSC Melody for sale

MSC Melody for sale

The future of MSC Cruises' Melody cruise liner hangs in the balance, with the holiday provider reportedly listening to a number of offers for the vessel.

First built in 1982, the ship is something of an old favourite for fans of the firm, with some 15 years of sailing to its name as part of the company's fleet.

The vessel is currently tied up at the port of Naples in Italy, with MSC Cruises currently debating its next step.

News of the plans first broke on the Seatrade Insider yesterday with a company insider revealing this latest development in an interview with the news provider.

"Melody is up for sale but has not yet been sold," the spokesperson explained.

No additional information has yet been provided on the potential sale, with negotiations currently continuing in private.

The MSC Melody is the latest liner to seemingly be heading for the scrapheap, following closely on from the recently retired Ocean Countess.

Concordia captain 'treated worse than Bin Laden'

Concordia captain 'treated worse than Bin Laden'

Just days before the first anniversary of the Costa Concordia tragedy the ship's captain, who is currently awaiting trial on charges of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship, has hit out at the public reaction to his actions.

Back on January 13th 2012, 32 people were killed when the liner carrying them hit rocks off the coast of the island of Giglio on the Tuscan coast.

It was alleged that the collision had been as a result of 52-year-old captain Francesco Schettino's insistence on carrying out a sail by salute.

In the aftermath of the incident, a series of reports also suggested Mr Schettino had fled his post and escaped on a lifeboat, despite the fact that many of the ship's passengers remained stuck onboard.

Regardless of this damning evidence, the cruise ship captain remains bitter about the public reaction to the incident.

Speaking in an extraordinary interview with La Stampa newspaper, he claimed: "I've been treated worse than Bin Laden."

"I reject the image that has been attached to myself, it ridicules not only 30 years of my work but my experience worldwide," he added.

Mr Schettino is due to stand trial later this year.

Fourth Dreamliner incident after US probe announced

Jan 14, 2013 

A fourth problem in a week affecting the new-generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner has emerged.

Japan Airlines reported a 100-litre fuel leak in a 787 during an inspection in Toyko yesterday.

The aircraft reportedly was the same one that had a fuel leak in Boston last Tuesday, which saw its flight aborted after around 40 gallons of fuel spilled onto the runway, according to theAFP news agency.

A Japan Airlines-operated 787 Dreamliner caught fire after landing in Boston on a flight from Tokyo a week ago as the aircraft sat empty of passengers on the tarmac. It took firefighters 40 minutes to put out the blaze.

All Nippon Airways cancelled a Dreamliner flight on Wednesday because of a brake problem, which was the third glitch to hit the next-generation aircraft in as many days.

Boeing has insisted that the 787's problems are no worse than what it experienced when its 777 was new in the mid-1990s.

The US Federal Aviation Administration announced on Friday that it would conduct a comprehensive review of the design, manufacture and assembly of the Boeing 787 after recent incidents.

However, transportation officials said there was nothing in the data the agency had seen to suggest the aircraft was not safe to fly.

Trade concerns over latest Atol overhaul

By Ian Taylor

The government has begun moves to overhaul Atol funding, triggering fears that an end to state backing so soon after Flight-Plus reform will damage the sector.

The Department for Transport (DfT) denied any change of policy. But with the Air Travel Trust fund, which provides financial protection to holidaymakers, poised to go into credit for the first time since the 1990s, it is believed ministers want to end 
the government’s liability for a future major failure.

Moves to revise the scheme are already under way. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) met senior industry figures to discuss changes before Christmas and the DfT is poised to issue a ‘call for evidence’ within weeks.

This would lead to a consultation later this year, with the DfT hoping to have a new funding scheme in place by 2014.

That has led to fears all Atol holders will have to bear the cost of trust arrangements or insurance premiums on protected holidays.

The extension of Atol to Fight-Plus sales has seen more companies operating trust accounts, which hold customers’ money until they take their holidays. The problem is the impact on cashflow.

A CAA spokesman said: “We’ve always said we would review funding arrangements when the fund returns to surplus.” A DfT spokeswoman insisted: “There is no greater urgency or added pressure from us.”

However, the DfT confirmed changes could be in place by 2014.

Atol specialists expressed alarm at the prospect. Association of Atol Companies legal advisor Alan Bowen said: “We’re aware of rumours the government is looking at alternatives to the existing protection scheme. The industry would be happy if things just sat still for a while. Trust accounts are not a panacea. There have to be options for people.”

Top 10 Family Cruises

January 8, 2013 By Liz Jarvis

From on-board water parks to rock school, and storytelling sessions to pizza parties, family cruises offer a dizzying array of non-stop fun

“The beauty of a cruise with children is that you can fall asleep having savoured the sites of one magical destination and wake up in another, with no stress — no need to panic about getting from A to B, and no listening to repeated pleadings of ‘are we nearly there yet?’ in the family car.

“With prices covering accommodation, childcare, food and entertainment, a family cruise really can be excellent value.”

Here, in no particular order, are Cruise International’s Top 10 Cruises for families.

*A seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Oasis of the Seas (royalcaribbean.co.uk; 0844 493 2061) costs from £1,334pp (two sharing), including return flights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from London. It departs on 26 October.	Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International has been flying the family holiday flag for years, and has the zipline, rock climbing walls and on-board surf simulators to prove it. There are high diving acrobatic shows in the AquaTheater, ice skating, a carousel and the chance to meet movie characters such as Shrek. The 5,400-passenger ship has a Youth Zone with free age-group clubs for children from six months to 17, as well as babysitting services. The Oasis of The Seas is sailing from Florida’s Fort Lauderdale to tropical ports in Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico, so children can cool off in the H2O Zone mini water park.
*A four-night Mediterranean Cruise on Disney Magic (virginholidayscruises.co.uk; 0844 573 4398) costs from £749pp (two sharing), including return flights from London. Departs from Barcelona on July 9.	Disney Cruise Line Each of Disney Cruise Line’s four ships have a whole deck just for clubs, for children from 12 months to 12 years, 11 to 13 and 14 to 17 (with lots of cool space for teens). There are family-sized staterooms with baths, complimentary Wave Phones so you can all keep in touch on board, free soft drinks all day and night, and even rotational dining so everybody can visit the three themed restaurants and still keep their waiter. As well as a kids-only pool and family pool there’s the AquaDuck water coaster, plus fireworks for the Pirates In The Caribbean celebration. And the 2,700-passenger Disney Magic is back in Barcelona for four to 12-night Mediterranean cruises next summer, the perfect opportunity to introduce children to history and culture in Nice, Rome and Naples.
*An 11-night Canary Islands cruise on Crown Princess (princess.com; 0843 373 0333) departs from Southampton on 1 June, costing from £899 per adult, £450 per child.	Princess Cruises Most of Princess Cruises’s large fleet have innovative programmes – not only are there free clubs for three to 17-year-olds, split into three age groups, they also have junior enrichment programmes. The California Science Centre provides ‘edutainment’ lessons in subjects such as coral reef studies, while pre-teens can sign up for the Chef at Sea programme with hands-on cookery lessons in the ships’ galleys to make pizza and sushi rolls. The older children get lectures on life lessons, relationships and fashion. There are even excursions especially for children: the Princess Adventures Ashore team takes youngsters to areas on the company’s private Princess Cays beach in the Bahamas.
*A 12-night Mediterranean Tapestry cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam (hollandamerica.co.uk; 0843 374 2300) costs from £1,868 per adult, £768.39 per child, including return flights from London.	Holland America Line Holland America Line’s newest ships, the 2,106-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam and 2,104-passenger Eurodam, are ideal for families. Both have a free Club HAL for children aged three to 12 with arts and crafts plus camp-out night, candy bar bingo, pyjama parties and more. Teenagers from 13 to 17 have a New York loft-style club equipped with sofas and games, where they can join in dance and sports or watch movies and have hot tub parties. There are also events such as Family Olympics so parents can join in. Paid-for babysitting is available after 10pm. HAL is known for its excellent food, and children’s choices are available.
*A 10-night Canary Islands cruise on Ventura (pocruises.co.uk; 0843 373 0111) costs from £1,249 per adult, £937 per child (2-16 years) and £249 per infant (under 2) for a Vantage Fare (four sharing). The return trip from Southampton departs on 8 August.	P&O Noddy and Mr Bump entertain children on P&O Cruises’ family-friendly Ventura, where children’s activities include cookery classes and mini Olympics as well as organised games, pool parties and talent shows. The free Reef kids’ club has sections for two to fours, five to eights, nine to 12s and 13 to 17-year-olds with daily activities so parents can take a break. There’s a children’s dip pool outside their club area and paid-for trapeze and tightrope walking workshops plus bungee trampoline. Teenagers can join the Rock School, and there’s a special play area for under-twos which doubles as a night nursery, as well as four pools – one with a retractable roof. And all children love Frankie’s Diner for its pizzas and ice cream. Ventura is in the Caribbean this winter, but sails from Southampton in the summer – as do the family-friendly sister ships Azura and Aurora.
*A six-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Breeze (carnivalcruises.co.uk; 0845 351 0556) costs from £396.71pp cruise only.	Carnival Carnival’s 23 ships are dedicated to fun and its newest, Carnival Breeze, is best for families. Launched last June and based in Miami for Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, it has so many children-friendly features they may never want to get off. The free Camp Carnival programme covers three groups for organised play plus Wii and Play Station. It stays open until 10pm for slumber parties, and babysitting is available. Tweens (12 to 14), have a club with Internet stations, while 15 to 17s have their own night club-style space. This 3,690-passenger ship has family-sized staterooms plus activities to enjoy together, such as the Waterworks Aqua Park, SportsSquare miniature golf, SkyCourse rope bridges and the Interactive Thrill Theater.
*A seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Epic (ncl.co.uk; 0845 201 8900) costs from £1,134pp (two sharing), including return fares to Spain from the UK. Departs on 7 July.	Norwegian Cruise Line When Norwegian Breakaway launches in April it will feature the free new youth programme for children aged six months to 17 years introduced by Norwegian Cruise Line on its 13 other ships in 2012. The Cirque du Jour will teach juggling, spinning and tumbling to youngsters up to 12 so they can join in a family circus show, while teenagers can take part in sports tournaments or chill out in the teen lounge with PlayStation3. Paid-for group babysitting in the children’s clubs is also available. The Nickelodeon characters SpongeBob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer are on board 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic, where you can have breakfast with SpongeBob, get slimed by Team Nick’s Splash Mobs or just have fun playing 10-pin bowling on the Wii screen. Epic’s Aqua Park with water slides, three pools including one for children and five hot tubs is another winner.
*A 10-night Northern Europe cruise on MSC Opera (msccruises.co.uk; 0844 561 1955) costs from £1,009 per adult and £120 in port taxes per child under 18 (four sharing). The return trip from Southampton departs on 16 July.	MSC Cruises Children under 18 sharing a cabin with their parents cruise for free with MSC Cruises, although flights, transfers and port taxes must be paid for – which makes its Southampton-based MSC Opera cruises all the more attractive. MSC’s children’s clubs are also free, offering supervised activities for three to six-year-olds, including sports tournaments and pizza parties for seven to 12s, and sports or dance classes for teenagers, plus karaoke parties. All MSC ships have children-only pools and play areas, and flagships MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida have a disco just for teenagers. MSC’s 13 ships have wifi internet connections plus the traditional nightly shows, a spa and gym. MSC Opera also offers mini golf, shuffleboards and a power walking track.
*A seven-night Ancient Wonders cruise on Celebration (thomson.co.uk; 0871 231 3243) costs from £564 per adult, £349 per child, including return flights to Dalaman, Turkey, from Stansted. Departs on 3 June.	Thomson Cruises Thomson Cruises is a bright and breezy choice for families who want fun at package holiday prices, including children’s fares for under-16s. Each of Thomson’s five ships has free kids clubs where there is storytelling, team games and mini discos. Thomson Majesty, its newest ship, has a paddling pool and children’s outdoor area as well as the usual two pools. All have sports courts for games like basketball except the Island Escape, where cruises have an emphasis on relaxation. Most itineraries also include family-friendly paid-for excursions, such as trips to Tenerife’s Rancho Texas conservation zoo and camel trekking on Gran Canaria. This summer the Thomson Spirit has UK departures from Harwich and Newcastle for hassle-free holidays, and the Dream and Celebration have had major refurbishments to include new interiors and extras such as iPod docking stations and flatscreen TVs.
* An eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on Celebrity Eclipse from Southampton, costs from £939 per adult and £301 per child (four sharing). Departs on 31 August.	Celebrity Cruises Celebrity offers free clubs for all ages: Toddler Time (under threes), Ship Mates (3-5), Celebrity Cadets (6-8), Ensigns (9-11) and Admiral Teens (12-17). They start at 9am (or half an hour before arriving in port if there are early excursions), allowing youngsters to stay on board and play. The only rule is that parents must stay if their children aren’t potty trained. The children’s area, Fun Factory, for ages 3-11, is open until 10pm. As well as computer games, there are crafts, music, karaoke, treasure hunts, theme parties, movies and more. Teenagers get their own (supervised) hangout and, for $6 an hour, children aged 3-11 can take part in the Afternoon Party (noon-2pm on port days) and the Slumber Party (10pm-1am). There’s also in-room evening babysitting.

Carnival cancels Belize calls, says port is overcrowded

By Jerry Limone

Carnival Cruise Lines is forgoing port calls in Belize through the end of 2013 because the port has become too congested, Carnival said.

“Although we have a confirmed berth in Belize, local officials accepted calls for additional ships. Consequently, their tender capacity is not able to effectively handle the increased volume of guests without creating long delays and limiting your time ashore,” Carnival said in a letter to customers. “Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to come to an acceptable agreement with Belize Port Authority regarding this situation.”

The Carnival Glory and the Carnival Legend, the two ships that had scheduled calls in Belize this year, instead will call in Costa Maya, Mexico.

MSC Cruises retires its smallest ship, the Melody

By Tom Stieghorst

MSC Cruises said it has withdrawn the 1,000-passenger MSC Melody from its fleet.

Melody has sailed for MSC since 1995, when it was acquired as the Starship Atlantic. It is the smallest ship in the MSC fleet.

In a statement, MSC said the move affirms its decision to focus on cutting-edge service and reflects a continued commitment to comfort, elegance and technology across the fleet.

Passengers booked on the Melody for 2013 will get a variety of cruise options, including upgrades on newer ships, and will be contacted over the next few days, either directly or through agents, MSC said.

Cruise lines become targets in latest Falklands face-off

By Tom Stieghorst

Thirty years ago they triggered a war between Great Britain and Argentina. Today the Falkland Islands are again causing friction, and this time cruise ships are getting caught in the middle.

Argentine activists have been targeting cruise ships that call on the South Atlantic islands and then visit Argentine ports. Passengers have been harassed and ships delayed from leaving port.

Some rancor stems from last year’s 30th anniversary of the war, a 74-day conflict over sovereignty won by Great Britain, and from a recent letter sent by Argentine President Cristina Kirchner to British Prime Minister David Cameron calling on him to return control of the islands to Argentina.

Underlying the tensions are hopes that undersea oil discoveries could bring new wealth to the islands.

Oil resources are unevenly divided in South America, with Venezuela and Ecuador having a lot and most of the other countries relatively little. But in 2009, one of the richest oil discoveries in the Western Hemisphere was made in deep water explorations off Brazil.

Seismic surveys show some signs that an equally large field could be tapped around the Falklands, and major players have been actively drilling exploration wells in the area.

Caught in the middle of this petro-political mess are cruise lines such as Seabourn, Princess and Silversea, which offer lengthy voyages this time of year in South America.

Cruise ships are targets because many are flagged in states associated with Great Britain, such as the Star Princess (Bermuda) or the Seabourn Sojourn (Bahamas). A law valid in five of Argentina’s provinces bans British ships involved in “exploitation of national resources” around the Falklands from docking.

Some ardent nationalists say the law extends to cruise ships. Last month, the Sojourn stayed in port an extra seven hours in Buenos Aires, under pressure to skip a stop in the Falklands, according to Britain’s Express newspaper.

A company statement said the delay was due to temporary unavailability of a tug and that it would sail to the Falklands after its stop in Montevideo, Uruguay, as scheduled.

While this latest round of protests continues, passengers booked on deep South America itineraries might best be prepared for the possibility of some extra days at sea.

Card transactions banned in the Vatican

By Gay Nagle Myers

Tourists headed to the Vatican's museums and shops now need cash for tickets and souvenirs. Credit and debit cards no longer are accepted.

The Bank of Italy decided to block electronic payments, effective Jan. 1, due to concerns that the tiny city-state has not fully complied with stringent European Union safeguards against money laundering. This means that Italian banks no longer are authorized to operate within the Vatican.

All ATM machines are being removed, and cash is needed at the ticket booths for admission to the Vatican's museums and guided tours. Souvenir shops will accept euros, dollars but no cards.

The ability to buy tours online using credit or debit cards will end on Jan. 15.

Fireworks a standard on Norwegian Breakaway

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Breakaway will offer a fireworks display on every cruise, distinguishing it from most other cruise ships.

The 4,000-passenger Breakaway, set to debut in May, plans a fireworks show on the second-to-last night at sea each week, after the ship departs Bermuda on its return to New York.

The fireworks will be coordinated with a production show set to a playlist of classic 1980s hits including "Come on Feel the Noise" by Quiet Riot; "Whip It," by Devo; "Cherish," by Madonna; "Final Countdown," by Europe; and "Purple Rain," by Prince.

Disney Cruise Line ships also do a fireworks show with every cruise. 

Disney introduces ID bracelets for park entry and more

By Michelle Baran

Within the next few months, guests to Walt Disney World will be able to enter the parks, purchase food and merchandise, enter their hotel room and access certain rides using MagicBand bracelet, which will serve as an optional payment account.

The MagicBand bracelet is part of a larger, technological initiative called MyMagic+ that Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is rolling out over the next several months in an attempt to improve the guest experience.

“Imagine booking guaranteed ride times for your favorite shows and attractions even before setting foot in the park,” Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, wrote on theDisney Parks Blog. “With MyMagic+, guests will be able to do that and more, enabling them to spend more time together and creating an experience that’s better for everyone.”\

Staggs wrote that MyMagic+ will be rolled out over the next several months at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

They will include the MagicBand as well as a new website and mobile app called My Disney Experience.

Through an enhanced FastPass system (FastPass is the current system that allows guests to skip attraction lines) called FastPass+, guests will be able to book dining and other activities, and reserve times for certain attractions and shows. They will also be able to use their smartphones to change their plans while at the park.

They will also be able to reserve viewing areas for fireworks and parades, as well as Disney character meetings.

The MagicBand will provide access to all the FastPass+ experiences selected and will serve as a connection to Disney’s PhotoPass program (PhotoPass is a photo taking, storing and sharing service).

The MagicBand will initially be made available to select Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests and guests who purchase other products, though Disney didn’t elaborate on which products those are.

Other guests will be able to use their standard ticket to access the benefits of MyMagic+, such as making FastPass+ selections on My Disney Experience.

“The MagicBand does not store any personal information — it contains a code that securely links to an encrypted database that associates the MagicBand with the benefits a guest has purchased,” Disney said in a statement. “Extensive measures are in place to protect the privacy of guests and the security of the personal information they choose to share.”

Guests are not required to participate in the MyMagic+ program or use the MagicBands, which can be disabled if lost. There is no additional charge for the MyMagic+ program.

“We’ll be testing, adjusting and adding features to MyMagic+ and My Disney Experience over time and will continue to make improvements based on our guests’ feedback,” wrote Staggs. 

Norwegian sets IPO price

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., the company planning to take Norwegian Cruise Lines public, set a price range of $16 to $18 a share for the stock.

The offering would raise about $370 million, which would be used mainly to pay off debt, the company said in a disclosure statement issued on Jan. 2.

In a statement Tuesday, Norwegian said it plans to sell 23.5 million shares, which it will seek to list on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol NCLH. 

MSC Cruises revises 2013 commission levels

By Melanie Hall |  

MSC Cruises has decided not to follow its competitors by introducing a flat rate of commission for agents.

The cruiseline announced it would opt for a variable commission rate of 10%-14% and is also scrapping its 5% online discount.

It said in a statement that the new commission levels have been set "according to season and product".

MSC said the new rates “will remain competitive within the market”, adding that it will offer more marketing support, together with a “lucrative” overrides scheme.

The cruise line said it is setting up the new commission levels after completing commercial agreements with travel agents.

It also told agents that as part of the 2013 commercial agreements, they must stop discounting “as this is confusing customers and causing frustration among the trade”.

Giulio Libutti, MSC Cruises UK and Ireland managing director, said: “MSC Cruises will take appropriate action if agents continue to discount MSC Cruises product. I hope this move will bring more clarity and a level playing field to the market.”

Royal Caribbean files trademark applications for ship names

By Jerry Limone

Royal Caribbean has filed federal trademark registrations for six potential ship names, as first reported by Royal Caribbean Blog, a blog unaffiliated with the cruise line.

Applications for Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Passion of the Seas, Pulse of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Vantage of the Seas were filed on Nov. 2 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Royal Caribbean will have at least three new ships to name, having recently ordered a third Oasis-class ship.

Royal Caribbean also has committed to two Sunshine-class ships, about which Royal Caribbean has not divulged any design information. The first of the Sunshine ships is scheduled to launch in late 2014.  

Tui and Thomas Cook press ahead with £120m Nats sell-off

Jan 07, 2013 

Tui and Thomas Cook could share £120 million through the sale of their stakes in National Air Traffic Services (Nats).

The two travel groups are reported to have started the process of selling the 12% they own in the UK’s air traffic control service.

The travel companies are part of the seven-strong Airline Group consortium which includes British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet, owning 42% of Nats.

The government is the biggest shareholder with 49% while the 5,000 staff own 5% of the business.

Tui and Cook view their slice of the air traffic organisation as non-core and have instructed investment bank Rothschild, which advises the Airline Group, to find a buyer, the Sunday Timesreported.

Cruise operator Norwegian prepares to float

Jan 07, 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line is being lined up for a stock market float.

Weekend reports suggest that a raft of extra advisers have been employed by the company including Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan and HSBC.

These are in addition to UBS, Goldman Sachs and Barclays to work on the planned Nasdaq listing in the US.

The emergence of the additional advisors will fuel speculation that Norwegian is prepared to press ahead, the Sunday Times reported.

The company first registered its intention with the US financial regulator the SEC in 2010.

Preview 2013: Cruise

By Tom Stieghorst

As 2013 arrives, the cruise industry can only pray that there is no repeat of the signature event of 2012.

A year ago, travelers seemed ready to pay higher prices for cruises. Then the Costa Concordia accident happened, casting a pall over cruising that lasted for a good part of the year.

Looking at next year, Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corp., which owns Costa Cruises, said in September that prices are generally well positioned to reach parity with 2011 by Q2 2013.

However, for the Costa line in particular, "to climb back to where things were before will take a couple of years beyond 2013," Arison said.

In some markets, there are signs that next year will be more normal. Starting in January, Norwegian Cruise Line is hiking prices 10% on its Pride of America ship in Hawaii.

Alaska will continue to regain capacity in 2013 that was lost to the ill-conceived passenger head tax several years ago. But trouble looms in 2015 with a tighter standard for low-sulfur fuel, though some breathing room remains for reaching a regulatory compromise.

The biggest unknown hanging over the industry for 2013 is Europe, both as a source of passengers and as a draw for North Americans faced with continued high airfares.

At Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., capacity for 2013 is down 20% in the Western Mediterranean and 9% in the Eastern Mediterranean.

"The European market continues to be the most puzzling market we're facing," said RCCL Vice Chairman Brian Rice.

Closer to home, cruise lines continue to bring more ships to within driving distance of their customers. Princess Cruises in 2013 will operate a ship year-round from San Francisco, giving the Bay Area drive-market itineraries to Alaska, Hawaii and coastal California.

Disney Cruise Line will offer a full year of cruising from Galveston, Texas, another popular drive market, while Norwegian, Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line will all operate additional cruises from Boston.

But the port with the biggest potential increase in passengers next year is New York, which stands to gain 4,000 passengers a week starting in May with the introduction of the $840 million Norwegian Breakaway.

The Breakaway is staking its claim to New York-area loyalists with a ship that boasts Sabrett hot dog carts and Brooklyn Brewery beer among its food offerings. Five water slides, a two-story spa and Norwegian's first seafood restaurant are some of the Breakaway's other attractions.

Another big debut will take place across the pond next year with the delivery of the Royal Princess, the first new ship for Princess in nearly five years. The 3,600-passenger ship will do 12-day Mediterranean cruises before repositioning in October to the Caribbean. Among its noteworthy features will be a cantilevered, glass-enclosed skywalk that extends 28 feet beyond the ship's edge.

MSC Cruises also has an entrant in the newbuild derby, the $742 million Preziosa, which will boast a 394-foot water slide, the world's longest at sea.

Carnival Cruise Lines in 2013 will take the wraps off the largest ship makeover in its history when it refits the 17-year-old Carnival Destiny in a 49-day drydock. When it emerges in April, the vessel will sail under a new name, the Carnival Sunshine, and with a slew of new features.

The $155 million transformation will add part of a new deck and expand two others, giving the ship a new layout.

Another 182 cabins will be added to the ship, along with new restaurants, more sports activities and a three-story, adults-only Serenity space.

The Sunshine is emblematic of the trend toward reusing and upgrading older ships rather than ordering new ones. Cruise executives say they want to add new ships in a more measured way than in the past to avoid excess capacity, which dilutes cruise pricing.

They are putting capital into retrofitting older ships with features from newer ones to give them a contemporary feel.

Another example is the Royal Advantage program under way at Royal Caribbean International, which is spending $500 million to modernize 11 ships.

Due for a makeover in 2013 are the Legend, Brilliance, Independence, Vision and Navigator of the Seas, which range in age from 5 to 18 years old.

Prominent among the additional features will be specialty restaurants that boost onboard spending, but the whole package should enable Royal, and agents, to tout new amenities that command better prices.

Deployments in 2013 will feature more cruise segments that can be combined into longer voyages. Celebrity Cruises, for example, will offer more short cruises in Europe that can be paired with a second short cruise with a different set of port calls.

"We want to have more seven-day itineraries for that family or couple who can't get away for a long time," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales at Celebrity.

Luxury lines, as always, will be focused in 2013 on destination development. Azamara Club Cruises will offer a night excursion with each cruise after its two ships come out of drydock early next year.

Another trend is a tighter watch on rebating, which makes for an uneven playing field among agents. Silversea Cruises cracked down on client poaching by saying that agents who rebook a client more than 30 days after they have already booked with a different agent will not receive a commission.

Whatever actions cruise lines take to improve their prospects, some of the key ingredients to prosperity remain beyond their control.

The wild card factors of the economy, oil prices and geopolitical stability can upend any strategy the industry has conceived.

That said, economic trends seem favorable going into 2013.

The wealth effect from a rising stock market could drive a more robust Wave season early in the year. At about $90 a barrel, oil prices were off their March high of $110 a barrel. And U.S. unemployment fell to 7.7% in November, meaning more consumers would be getting a paycheck to spend on vacations.

Although the jobless rate remains high, travel agent Grace Dieleman, owner of Vellinga's Travel Service in Chatham, Ontario, said that inverting the equation gives 2013 a rosier hue.

"You always hear about 10% unemployment," Dieleman said, "but that also means that 90% of the population is still working." 

Arrest made after spate of agency robberies

Jan 03, 2013 

A man has been charged with robberies at four travel agencies after being arrested as he boarded a flight from Gatwick to Portugal.

The 20-year-old from south London was detained by police in the early hours of December 31.

He has been charged with four counts of robbery and four counts of possessing a firearm while committing an offence.

The alleged offences took place in London, Kent and Sussex with the theft of currency and travellers' cheques.

Travel agents in Barnet, north London, Sandwich and Hythe in Kent, and Hove in East Sussex were targeted during December, the BBC reported

Paul Gauguin Cruises christens second ship

By Jerry Limone

Paul Gauguin Cruises christened the Tere Moana on Dec. 29 in St. Martin.

The ship formerly operated as Le Levant for Compagnie du Ponant. After taking delivery of the ship from Ponant in the fall, Paul Gauguin Cruises refurbished it.

Folllowing the christening ceremony and gala dinner, the Tere Moana embarked on its inaugural sailing, a seven-day Caribbean voyage.

In January and February, the Tere Moana embarks on 13- and 14-day Panama Canal cruises. From April through November, the ship will sail a variety of seven-day European voyages.

The Tere Moana is Paul Gauguin Cruises’ second ship. Its other ship, the Paul Gauguin, sails in French Polynesia.

Hairy Bikers take over Cruise ship

Hairy Bikers take over Cruise ship

 

According to a report in todays mail, 2,500 hairy, American Bikers booked themselves onto the RCI Cruise ship " Freedom of the Seas" for a cruise around the Caribbean.

An English family on board reported that they took over the ship with Drunkenness & lewd behaviour, they wore Leathers & other Bikers regalia in the MDR & told the English family who had dressed for Dinner, that they were in the wrong dining room.

RCI have offered a refund but state that they welcome groups of all persuasions on there cruise ships..

You have been warned, its going to happen here in the UK soon, perhaps a Boat load of " Hippies" on Cunard, I kid not.

By Tom Stieghorst

Outbreak of stomach illness reported on Queen Mary 2

Two environmental health officers and an epidemiologist from the federal Vessel Sanitation Program are expected to board the Queen Mary 2 when it docks in Brooklyn on Jan. 3 to assess an outbreak of illness on the ship.

About 7.5% of the passengers have been affected by an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, according to reports to the VSP. The ship is on a 12-night Caribbean Fiesta holiday cruise that began Dec. 22.

No cause has been assigned to the outbreak. Norovirus is often to blame for gastrointestinal outbreaks on land and sea during the winter months.

Cunard Line will conduct staged disembarkation of active cases to minimize the chance of transmission to healthy passengers, according to the VSP website.

Embarkation for the next cruise to Southampton, England, will be delayed to provide extra time for disinfection and cleaning. 

By Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean orders third Oasis ship from STX France

Royal Caribbean finalized a long negotiation by ordering a third ship in the 5,400-passenger Oasis class from the STX France shipyard.

The ship will be the same size as the Oasis and Allure of the Seas, and is intended for delivery in mid-2016.

Royal Caribbean had been negotiating with STX Finland, but financial support from the Finnish government apparently could not be worked out.

Royal Caribbean did not divulge the cost of the new ship. It said its capital spending for the next few years would be $1.3 billion in 2012, $700 million in 2013, $1.2 billion in 2014, $1.2 billion in 2015 and $1.3 billion in 2016, when the third Oasis ship is scheduled to be delivered.

When Royal Caribbean confirmed in November that it was negotiating for a third Oasis-class vessel, it said the price per berth would be less than the original two ships.

Royal Caribbean has a one-year option to build a fourth Oasis-class ship from STX France.

The contract with STX France includes the transfer of Pullmantur's Atlantic Star as part of the consideration. 

Where Carnival Corp. saved more and spent more in 2012

By Tom Stieghorst

Carnival Corp., and Carnival Cruise Lines in particular, hang their hats on cost control. So it is instructive to take a look at where Carnival saved the most money in fiscal 2012.

According to Carnival’s profit and loss statement issued last week, it saved $169 million on commissions, transportation and other costs.  That’s triple what it saved on tour operations ($50 million) and ten times what it saved on other shipping operations ($14 million).

Carnival paid $2.46 billion in commission and transportation in 2011, and $2.29 billion in 2012, a 6.9% decline.  Tour expenses fell 24.5%, to $154 million. Other shipping operations were flat, dropping 0.6%.

All other expenses rose, including payroll, up 1.1%; onboard expense, up 10.3%; and fuel, up 6.8%.  The biggest absolute increase in cost was for fuel, an additional $188 million.

It is always hard to sort out how much commission payments change from looking at the financial statements, because they are lumped in with air fares and other transportation costs. And looking at one year’s data, even if it is the most recent, doesn’t show a trend over time.

It may be worth noting, however, that the same expense line for commissions and transportation at the cruise industry’s other big publicly traded company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., shows a $10 million increase through the first nine months of 2012.

For travel agents, that’s a comparison that bears watching in the year ahead.

The QE2 to be 'sold for scrap' to Chinese

Dec 24, 2012 

Former Cunard flagship The QE2 is set to be sold to the Chinese for scrap for £20 million after a bid to bring it back to the UK as a five-star floating hotel failed.

The ship has been moored in a commercial port in Dubai since it was sold for £64 million in 2008.

A British consortium presented owner Dubai World with a bid to bring the QE2 to London and convert into a five star hotel moored opposite the O2 Arena.

The QE2 London bid could have brought up to 2,000 jobs to London.

However a Chinese crew of around 20 boarded the QE2 last Friday leading to fears it has already been sold as scrap, the Daily Mail reported.

They replaced a crew of around 40 who had been maintaining the QE2 in Port Rashid for the last four years.

Roger Murray of QE2 London told the newspaper: “We have been told the ship is going to be put into a dry dock before being taken to an unknown destination in the far east.

“That is a tragedy because it almost certainly means the QE2 is being sold as scrap.

“Our investors were going to give £20 million for the ship itself plus £60 million for renovation and the cost of bringing the ship back to Britain.

“But the ship could raise as much as £20 million as dead weight scrap and the Chinese cash would be immediate.”

Alaric Errington from an organisation called Equity in Finance was leading the investment consortium behind the QE2 London bid.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity and we put forward a very commanding commercial proposition that was designed to give Dubai a future return.

“The QE2 is an icon but our proposal also makes business sense. The cost of renovating the QE2 and bringing it back to the UK is no more than acquiring land in central London to build a luxury hotel.”

When Istithmar – part of the state conglomerate Dubai World - bought the QE2 from Cunard in 2007 it agreed it would not sell it on for at least ten years.

But a source close to Dubai World said he believed “a contract modification could be agreed” allowing it to be sold on for scrap, according to the report.

Dubai World was unavailable for comment.

Carnival to deploy third ship in Long Beach, Calif.

By Johanna Jainchill

Carnival Cruise Lines will deploy a third ship from Long Beach, Calif, in 2014, expanding its West Coast short-cruise program.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Imagination will operate three- and four-day cruises year-round from Long Beach beginning in January 2014. The Imagination will move from Miami, where it has been offering short cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy, currently sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., will reposition to Miami to take the Imagination’s place.

Gerry Cahill, Carnival's CEO, said that Carnival is the only line to offer a year-round, short-cruise program from the West Coast, and that the sailings are especially popular with cruisers who drive to the port.

Carnival said it will carry approximately 550,000 guests annually from Long Beach in 2014, more than any other cruise operator.

The vessel will offer three-day cruises to Ensenada, Mexico, and four-day voyages to Catalina Island and Ensenada. The Imagination's sister ship, the Inspiration, will continue to offer similar three- and four-day cruises out of Long Beach.

Carnival’s seven-day Mexican Riviera and 15-day Hawaii itineraries, currently operated by the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor through February 3, will continue on the Carnival Miracle from October 2013 through April 2014. 

Flights disrupted by Chicago snowstorm

Dec 21, 2012 

A severe snowstorm in the US Midwest forced more than 90 flights to be cancelled at Chicago's O'Hare airport.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said that flights into Chicago were being delayed at their place of departure. Some flights were being delayed by more than two hours.

Blizzard conditions and as much as 1ft of snow are expected from Kansas to Wisconsin, with the Rocky Mountains already affected.

At least four people are reported to have died in the storm which could see temperatures plunge below -17C.

The severe weather could disrupt pre-Christmas travel, officials warned.

Two people died in a car crash in Wisconsin, one was killed in a 25-vehicle crash in Iowa, and a woman died in Utah after becoming stuck in snow. Rescuers in Utah found a woman dead after she tried to walk to find help after her car became stuck in snow.

High winds are reported to have damaged homes and downed trees in Arkansas and Alabama while tornado warnings were in place yesterday for parts of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

Island Princess rescues five stranded sailors

Island Princess rescues five stranded sailors

A group of stranded sailors have been rescued from certain death by a cruise liner


Five sailors who had been previously drifting on a small vessel in the Caribbean have been rescued by a passing Princess Cruises liner.

The group of Jamaican sailors had feared the worst when their small boat lost its way during a recent trip to a friend's barbecue, leaving them stranded in the ocean for three weeks.

However, they didn't count on the passing cruise vessel the Island Princess, which had been scheduled to head to the nearby port of Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

Speaking to the Associated Press, cruise holidaymaker Andy Greenberg recounted the events involving the discovery of the stranded vessel.

"We noticed the boat slowing down," he told the news provider

"We pulled up and the occupants were screaming: `No food, no water.'"

The stranded sailors initially requested fuel to continue on their trip but with cruise officials concerned for their health, this plea was denied and they were instead transported to the safety of the shore.

The story contrasts the tale of the Star Princess, which was previously accused of failing to stop for stranded fishermen back in March.

In that instance, evidence was eventually produced which cleared the cruise company of the claim.