Cruise industry adopts new safety rules after Concordia disaster

By Mary ForgioneLos Angeles Times Daily Travel & Deal blogger
February 13, 2012, 2:51 p.m

Relatives and loved ones of victims of the Costa Concordia disaster sail to the damaged cruise ship to mark the one-month anniversary. (Enzo Russo / EPA)

 It's been a month since the Costa Concordia struck a reef and tipped over near Italy's Giglio Island, causing the deadliest cruise ship tragedy in modern times and prompting the industry to enact new safety rules.

The cruise industry last week announced a key change in how ships conduct safety drills. Passengers now will be informed of safety protocols and emergency evacuation procedures, known as "mandatory musters," before ships leave port. (Here's the Passenger Muster Policy.)

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-new-cruise-ship-rules-20120213,1,6488138.story

Norwegian Cruise Line profits improve in 2011

Norwegian Cruise Line said Monday that revenues and profits had increased in 2011, though the shipwreck involving another company’s ship earlier this year had a negative impact on bookings.

BY HANNAH SAMPSON

HSAMPSON@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Higher ticket prices and bigger onboard spenders helped Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line post improved profits in 2011, the company said Monday.

Norwegian, the world’s third largest cruise operator, reported that revenue increased more than 10 percent to $2.2 billion. Adjusted EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, increased to $506 million from $405 million a year earlier.

Net income increased from $23 million in 2010 to $127 million in 2011.

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Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/13/2640349/norwegian-cruise-line-profits.html#storylink=cpy

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/13/2640349/norwegian-cruise-line-profits.html

Royal Caribbean And Celebrity Cruises Hit Another Home Run

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises again win the majority of Travel Weekly's Readers Choice Awards

Hauppauge, NY (PRWEB) December 22, 2011

For the fourth consecutive year, Royal Caribbean International and its sister company, Celebrity Cruises, overwhelmed the competition by winning nearly every one of the Travel Weekly 2011 Readers Choice Awards for which they were eligible. Out of ten eligible cruise line categories, the two affiliated companies won an incredible eight awards, including:

· Best Cruise Line: Domestic - Royal Caribbean International

· Best Cruise Line: Caribbean - Royal Caribbean International

· Best Cruise Line: Europe - Celebrity Cruises

· Best Cruise Line: Premium - Celebrity Cruises

· Best Cruise Ship: Rookie - Royal Caribbean International Allure of the Seas

· Best Cruise Ship: Premium - Celebrity Solstice

· Best Cruise Line: Sales & Service - Royal Caribbean International

· Best Cruise Line: Overall - Royal Caribbean International

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/12/22/prweb9055937.DTL#ixzz1hHfwQILV

Carnival Cruises Q4 Profit Drops, Guides Q1 Below View

(RTTNews) - Cruise operator Carnival Corp. & plc  reported Tuesday a profit for the fourth quarter that declined from last year, reflecting a 39 percent increase in fuel prices that was partially offset by higher revenue yields.

However, earnings per share for the quarter met analysts' expectations, while quarterly revenues missed their estimates. The company also provided earnings guidance for the full-year 2012 in line with view, but projected earnings for the first quarter of 2012 below market expectations.

The Miami, Florida-based company reported net earnings of $217 million or $0.28 per share for the fourth quarter, lower than $248 million or $0.31 per share in the prior-year quarter. On average, 14 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected Carnival to earn $0.28 per share for the fourth quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Read full article: http://www.rttnews.com/Content/EarningsNews.aspx?Id=1784991&SM=1

Holland America Line Launches Alaska Cruise Sweepstakes on Facebook

SEATTLE, Aug. 13, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line recently launched a contest on Facebook that will award one fan a seven-day Alaska cruise for four including two verandah staterooms. The sweepstakes runs through Nov. 30, 2011 and the winner will be selected in December 2011.

To enter the contest, new visitors to Holland America Line's Facebook page must become fans and answer a few questions to be entered. Existing Holland America Line fans simply fill out the form for their chance to win the cruise. (The sweepstakes is limited to legal residents 18 years of age or older from the United States, District of Columbia, Canada — except Quebec — and the United Kingdom.)

"With a rapidly growing fan base, Holland America Line's Facebook page has become an engaging way for cruise enthusiasts to interact with the company," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Fans are able to connect with each other, explore our worldwide cruise offerings, and enter to win a fantastic Alaska cruise."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/13/3907316/holland-america-line-launches.html#ixzz1XwiHWHph

Norwegian returns to Jamaica as Ocho Rios tries to lure more visitors

By Cheryl Gerber, AP

This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former travel editor of The Dallas Morning News. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

Norwegian Cruise Line is sailing back to Jamaica after dropping the island from itineraries six years ago, according to Kingston's Gleaner newspaper.

The line, which has visits planned for Ocho Rios during the 2011-12 cruise season by the Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Sun, is also considering keeping the island on its schedule in years to come. Cruise line officials are visiting Ocho Rios on the north of Jamaica this month to evaluate facilities at the pier.

Read Full article: http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/09/norwegian-pearl-sun-jamaica-ocho-rios/547265/1

Portland's new pier for cruise ships opens

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The new pier for large cruise ships at the Portland Ocean Gateway is open.

The Celebrity Summit will use Pier II, formerly known as the "mega berth," when it pays a visit on Wednesday. The first ship to use it was the Enchantment of the Seas over the weekend.

The nearly 1,200-foot-long Ocean Gateway Pier II doubles the city's berthing capacity for cruise ships and other large commercial vessels. It was built at a cost of $6 million.

The project is funded by a transportation bond and can accommodate the world's largest cruise ships. A grand opening reception is scheduled for later this month.