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.

$99 Bahamas: Oceanview Cabin on 2-Night Weekend Cruises



MS Bahamas Celebration



Sail away in an oceanview cabin on a two-night Bahamas cruise for $99 per person, plus tax taxes and fees, including all meals and entertainment.

 

Depart Aug. 21 – Nov. 15 – including weekend sailings – aboard Celebration Cruise Line, rated four stars in Stern’s Guide to the Cruise Vacation: 2011 Edition. 

 

Or for $199 per person, sail two nights in an oceanview cabin and stay two nights at the AAA 4-Diamond Radisson Our Lucaya Resort, which was ranked among Forbes magazine’s Top 400 hotels. Breakfast at the resort is included.

 

For more information visit: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/travelsmart/2011/08/09/99-bahamas-oceanview-cabin-on-2-night-weekend-cruises/

Carnival Cruise Inks 5-Year Deal with Port of Baltimore

Miami-based company will continue its weekly cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Carnival Cruise Lines announced this week that it had extended its agreement with the Maryland Port Administration to continue the company’s weekly cruises from Baltimore harbor for up to five years.

Read full article: http://essex.patch.com/articles/carnival-cruise-inks-5-year-deal-with-port-of-baltimore

Cruise passenger traffic up at Port Everglades 2.4%

Port Everglades, home to Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, saw its cruise passenger numbers jump 2.4% up in the third quarter compared to the same period last year.

Read full article: http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/south-florida-travel/2011/08/18/port-everglades-cruise-passenger-traffic-jumps-2-4-percent-in-third-quarter/

Family Cruise Vacation Sweepstakes

Enter Frigo Cheese Heads's Family Cruise Vacation Sweepstakes for your chance to win one of five 7-night cruise vacations for four, or one of 100 DreamWorks Animation DVD 3-packs.

Each of the five grand-prize winners will receive a week-long Royal Caribbean and $3,200 cash, for a total prize value of $8,052. In addition, 100 first-prize winners will each receive a DreamWorks Animation DVD 3-pack worth about $60 each.

Entry into Frigo Cheese Heads' Family Cruise Vacation Sweepstakes is open to US residents. Enter daily through December 31, 2011.

http://contests.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=contests&cdn=hobbies&tm=4&f=00&tt=11&bt=0&bts=1&zu=https%3A//www.frigocheeseheadscruise.com/Public/Age.aspx

American Safari Cruises acquires ship for Alaska expansion

This item was written by Fran Golden, a cruise expert and Trip Coach for Budget Travel magazine. Golden is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

American Safari Cruises

Luxury soft-adventure operator American Safari Cruises will more than double its capacity in Alaska next year with the addition of a ship from defunct Cruise West, the 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavour. The ship will be renamed Safari Endeavour and after an extensive renovation will operate with a capacity of 86 guests.

The line currently offers Alaska cruises with three fancy yachts, the 12-passenger Safari Spirit, 22-passenger Safari Quest and 36-passenger Safari Explorer.

"This is an ideal time to expand our fleet," said Dan Blanchard, American Safari's CEO. "In our 14-year history, our occupancy rates have never been higher, and we are seeing an increase in demand for the type of small-group adventure travel we offer."

Read full story:  http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/08/alaska-american-safari-spirit-of-endeavour/414719/1

Review board gives first approval to cruise terminal design in Charleston

By David Slade - The (Charleston) Post and Courier

CHARLESTON -- Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review is not known for recommending large signs, but they suggested the new cruise ship terminal should have large, free-standing letters on the roof that spell out “Welcome to Charleston.”

The idea of a welcome sign facing the water was among several directed at architects for the State Ports Authority on Wednesday, at a meeting where the BAR granted initial approval for the terminal design.
The BAR’s recommendations are often incorporated into building design plans, between the initial “conceptual” approval and the more detailed reviews that follow.

One suggestion the Ports Authority has signaled it’s unlikely to embrace is the idea that a parking garage would be preferable to the acres of asphalt at the site. Members of the public made the same suggestion during design forums for the new cruise terminal.

Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/08/10/2325785/review-board-gives-first-approval.html#ixzz1UkF3PDNY

Autumn is season of super cruise deals

By With Aaron Saunders, Postmedia New

As August begins its inevitable march towards September, savvy cruisers look for one thing - a great deal on a fall cruise. With the summer tourist season long gone and the kids back in school, the months from late September to early December regularly offer up some incredible voyages at equally impressive prices - if you're willing to be flexible.

Photograph by: Lyle Stafford, Victoria Times-Colonist

There are plenty of reasons to consider saving those vacation days for a mid-October voyage. Many ports tend to be less crowded during the fall, particularly in Europe. Less crowding mean less stress and easier access to the sights you came to see in the first place. Plus, great deals can be had on so-called "repositioning cruises" that occur when ships switch from their summer runs, like Alaska or the Baltics, and head for the relative warmth of the Caribbean, South America, or Australia.

Read full story:  http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Autumn+season+super+cruise+deals/5236335/story.html

Contest: Help us name Norwegian Cruise Line's next ships

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

What should Norwegian Cruise Line call its next two ships? We have some exciting news today, Cruise Log fans: You're going to help decide.

Norwegian Cruise Line is collaborating with USA TODAY to hold a naming contest for the line's two as-yet-unnamed Project Breakaway vessels currently on order for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014.

Norwegian's Cruising for Names contest, as it's being called, runs from today through Aug. 14 and the winners will receive a trip for two to the first ship's inaugural festivities.

Read more at:  http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/07/norwegian-cruise-line-usa-today-ship-name-contest/177313/1

Cruising Fun For Everyone

Alumni Cruises offers a variety of cruise options for adults and children with disabilities.

By: Janine Wolfe

Traveling with kids is never easy. For many families living with a person with disabilities, travel can be twice as difficult.

That’s why Alumni Cruises started Autism On The Seas, dedicated to servicing the cruising travel needs for individuals and families
living with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, and all Cognitive, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as well as (but not limited to) Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome.

They have been collaborating with Royal Caribbean International since 2007 for their Group Cruises. They also provide Individual Autism Cruise Services for those individuals and families who wish to cruise on any date or ship of their choice on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess or Disney.

Read more at:  http://trumbull.patch.com/articles/cruising-fun-for-everyone

Hurtigruten Cruise Ship Live Streams Voyage, Sets Norway Ratings Record

This may only happen in Norway: Live video feed of a Hurtigruten a cruise ship sailing the coast of Norway for six-days has set a ratings record in the country.

The fjord trip entitled "Hurtigruten--Minute by Minute", broadcast by Norway's NRK, was watched by 2.54 million Norwegians--more than half the country's population!

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/23/hurtigruten-cruise-ship-l_n_882793.html

Carnival profits fall after costly second quarter

By Hannah Sampson

Soaring fuel costs, deployment changes and steep discounting took a chunk out of Carnival Corp.’s second-quarter profits, despite higher revenues year over year.

The world’s largest cruise ship company earned $206 million for the period that ended May 31, an 18 percent drop from $252 million during the same time in 2010.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/21/2278221/carnival-profits-fall-after-costly.html#ixzz1Q6ok2jLo

$250 million Port of Miami revamp would berth largest cruise liners

By Zachary Fagenson 

A Port of Miami master plan still under wraps includes a quarter-billion-dollar cruise facility upgrade that should allow two Oasis of the Seas-size ships to dock at a time. 

The plan "includes the construction of a multi-terminal — a single terminal that can accommodate more than one cruise vessel," said Kevin Lynskey, port director of business initiatives. 

Officials would unveil little more of the plan.

Read full article at: http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/110616/story1.shtml

Exclusive: Crystal Cruises Reveals Details on 2013 Schedules, Itineraries

Gregg Michel // (c) 2011 Deanna Ting

By: Deanna Ting 

NEW YORK--Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises, revealed to Travel Agent that the luxury cruise line is planning to unveil a new, innovative trip-length shedule rotation in 2013, as well as offer itineraries that are carefully timed to major world events and festivals. Michel spoke with Travel Agent at the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Media Marketplace, held yesterday at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

The new trip rotation schedule involves sailings that take place on a seven-day/12-day/11-day/seven-day schedule, Michel explained, in order to better serve a wider range of luxury cruisers with more limited and/or flexible travel schedules.

Read full article at: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/exclusive-crystal-cruises-reveals-details-2013-schedules-itineraries-29040

CruiseVacationCenter.com Announces Cruise Deals are "More Affordable than Ever"

Discount vacation company, Cruise Vacation Center, recently announced lower than ever cruise deals on domestic and international all-inclusive packages to a number of exotic destinations including Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. 

Yonkers, NY (PRWEB) June 14, 2011

Cruise Vacation Center, a provider of the best cruise deals, recently announced lower than ever prices on all major cruise lines to a number of destinations worldwide. Last minute cruise deals allow people to experience vacations they never thought they could afford. Cruise Vacation Center is a company specializing in discounted vacation packages to Alaska, the Greek Isles, the Caribbean, and more.

These cruise deals make Cruise Vacation Center the destination for planning and booking vacations to exciting and far-off places. In a world where airfare continues to skyrocket, people are looking for more affordable ways to travel. Cruise Vacation Center delivers just that, as cruising takes vacationers where they want to go in style and within budget.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/11/06/p1164611/cruisevacationcenter-com-announces-cruise-deals-are-more-affordable-th#ixzz1PHIx0rEr

Summer Royal Caribbean Cruises

Summer is nearly here and there are many people scrambling for last minute vacation ideas.  A Royal Caribbean cruise is always a popular option and can be quite affordable as well.  Some people prefer to spread out the payments over a year trying to get the best deal, but there are also fantastic last minute deals available as well, especially for the summer season.

Read full article:  http://www.adi-news.com/summer-royal-caribbean-cruises/212122/

A tale of two ships: Little and large liners dominate the Cruise Critic awards

By Sarah Gordon

A 5,400-passenger floating resort may sound like some people's idea of a nightmare, but it has come out as the surprise winner in the first ever Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice Awards.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas won rave reviews from passengers and swept the board in its class with recognition for best cabins, dining, embarkation, entertainment, value, fitness and public rooms as well as best large ship overall.

Many had believed the 225,282-ton vessel would be unpopular when it first launched two years ago, but Oasis has proved critics wrong, becoming a popular choice among Caribbean cruisers.

Big is better: Oasis of the Seas was voted best in class

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2001428/Cruise-reviews-Passengers-award-Oasis-Seas-Azamara-prize.html#ixzz1Onfu4HrW

2011 Cruisers' Choice Awards: And the Winners Are

--by Dan Askin, News Editor

The people have spoken.

Cruise Critic announced today the winners of the first-ever Cruisers' Choice Awards, which honor the top cruise ships based on ratings submitted by thousands of real passengers over the last year.

Read full story: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=4513

Norwegian Cruise Line to offer voyages from Rome in 2012

By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Norwegian Cruise Line is adding new departures from Rome for the summer of 2012, on the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic.

The line had announced in December that the Norwegian Epic would sail seven-night Mediterranean voyages out of Barcelona for the summer of 2012, and that's still the plan. But passengers now also will have the choice of embarking the ship for the sailings in Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, as an alternative to Barcelona.

Rome already was one of the four port calls scheduled for the seven-night Norwegian Epic sailings out of Barcelona. The other stops are Livorno, Italy (for day trips to Florence and Pisa); Nice, France; and Marseille, France.

The itinerary for the sailings isn't changing, and passengers who board in Rome can expect the same experience as those boarding in Barcelona. The only difference will be the order of ports. Passengers who board the Norwegian Epic in Rome will disembark the ship in Rome, just as passengers who board in Barcelona will disembark in Barcelona.

Full story at:
http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/06/norwegian-cruise-line-epic-rome-barcelona-2012-mediterranean/173423/1

Puerto Rico anchor sues Carnival over image

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—A TV anchorman in Puerto Rico has sued Carnival Cruise Lines claiming the company has used his image in promotional materials without his consent.

Full article at:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_18224178?nclick_check=1

Carnival Cruise Lines will watch your kids -- until 3 a.m.

By Joy Jernigan, senior travel editor

Carnival Cruise Lines wants to keep your kids out waaayyy past their bedtimes.
The cruise line is rolling out Camp Carnival Night Owls, a full schedule of late-night activities and nightly babysitting services until 3 a.m. for kids 11 and under.

Full Story at:
http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/06/6797548-carnival-cruise-lines-will-watch-your-kids-until-3-am

Next-generation Cruise Ships to be Designed with Intergraph®SmartMarine®Enterprise

STX France, part of International shipbuilding group STX, signs a five-year agreement with software provider to improve its design quality and project management

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Intergraph has signed a five-year contact with STX Europe, one of the major international players in the shipbuilding industry. STX France Solutions has purchased SmartMarine® Enterprise to improve its shipbuilding design efficiency and quality, while achieving better project stages coordination and accurate material management.

Full article news at
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/next-generation-cruise-ships-to-be-designed-with-intergraphsmartmarineenterprise-123341158.html