Holland America Line Offers Extensive South America Program In Fall 2012 And Winter/Spring 2013

SEATTLE, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Guests looking for vibrant ports of call, historical adventures and an extreme range of climates can chart a southerly course to South America aboard three Holland America Line ships come fall 2012. ms Veendam, ms Maasdam and ms Prinsendam head to South America on a series of cruise expeditions featuring exceptional scenic cruising around the continent.

The popular itineraries range from 13 to 68 days and include a new 49-day extended, port-intensive Amazon and Carnival Voyage aboard Maasdam in early 2013. A 23-day Amazon Explorer Cruise in November 2012 and a 68-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in January 2013 aboard Prinsendam are additional highlights of the line's 2012-13 South America cruise schedule.

Read more:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/holland-america-line-offers-extensive-south-america-program-in-fall-2012-and-winterspring-2013-2012-04-24

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Introduces Cutting-Edge Video Game Technology

Disney Cruise Line now has two brand new $1 billion ships sailing the Caribbean, the Disney Magic and the Disney Fantasy. Both ships feature the latest technology, including video game experiences that cannot be found anywhere on land. The following videos will showcase some cool gaming tech aboard the new Disney Fantasy ship.

Read more:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/04/16/disney-fantasy-cruise-ship-introduces-cutting-edge-video-game-technology/

Carnival Cruise Lines to expand in Europe in 2013

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Industry giant Carnival today announced it would offer its widest array of European itineraries ever in 2013.

The line says it will send the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend to the Continent next year from April to October for an extended season of sailings that will include the line's first Norwegian fjords itinerary and its first extended program from the U.K.

Among the voyages on the newly announced schedule are a single 12-night sailing to Norway and Western Europe; a single 12-night sailing around the British Isles with stops in Norway and France; and multiple 12-night sailings around the Baltic -- all departing from Dover, England.

Also planned are 12-night Mediterranean sailings departing from Venice, Barcelona and Dover.

Read more: http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2012/02/carnival-cruise-lines-ship-europe/627467/1

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.

Read
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