Cruise News by Cruisemates

7-2-09
Crystal Three-day Sale Savings: 25% MORE off Discounts
For three days only � July 8, 9 and 10 � Crystal Cruises will offer 25% additional savings off of its already low special savings fares on five itineraries this fall and winter.

These new savings � from $885 to $2,000 per person � apply to all deluxe outside and verandah category staterooms on its 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.

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6-3-09
New Holland America Cabins Open to Promenade Deck
The newly refurbished Veendam has an entirely new concept for cabins not seen on any major cruise ship. The cabins on the Promendae deck have sliding glass doors that open to the wrap-around promendae deck outside. It seems like a simple concept, and it is, but it is rare for cabins to open up to a common area on the outside.

Holland America calls the new style for the se cabins "Lanai Staterooms." Lanai is Hawaiian for "porch." The cabins were created out of what were formerly plain "oceanview" cabins with picture windows that looked out onto the Promendae deck. Ironically, in the past these cabins were considered ones to avoid solely because people walking on the deck could see into your room, especially at night when it is dark outside.

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.

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6-26-09
Carnival Offers West Coast Cruises from $169
With Carnival ships returning to Mexico earlier this month, the line is currently offering great rates on its shorter itineraries to Mexico from Long Beach and San Diego.

Early Saver rates from only $169 per person are available on three- and four-day voyages aboard Carnival Elation from San Diego, as well as four-day voyages on Carnival Paradise from Long Beach.

You must book at least three months in advance for 5-day or less cruises, and five months for longer cruises. These special fares include all stateroom types, including suites, and come with price protection if rates later drop below what you originally paid.

Attractive rates are also available on Carnival Elation's new four-day weekend and five-day cruises that begin next month featuring extended visits to Cabo San Lucas. Unique to this program is the five-day itinerary departing Saturdays that features two full days in Cabo San Lucas.

Carnival's West Coast shorter cruise options include:

Early Saver rates start at $219 per person for three-day cruises and $169 per person for four-day cruises.

Three, four and five-day Baja or Cabo sailings on the Carnival Elation year-round from San Diego. Three-day cruises departing Fridays visit Ensenada. Four-day cruises departing Mondays go to Ensenada and Catalina Island, with four-day weekend cruises leaving Thursdays to Cabo San Lucas. Five-day cruises depart Saturdays offer two full days in Cabo San Lucas, while five-day cruises departing Mondays stop at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

Early Saver rates start at $169 per person for three-day and four-day mid-week cruises; $259 per person for four-day weekend cruises; and $299 per person for five-day cruises.

Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, after their multi-million-dollar renovations, offer a variety of facilities and features - a 12,000-square-foot Spa Carnival health club, lavish production shows presented in elaborate multi-level theaters, three swimming pools, conference centers, a jogging track, and spacious accommodations. All staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Dining options include two main dining rooms, an expansive poolside eatery with 24-hour pizza and ice cream, sushi bars, patisseries and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service. Both of these ships offer the choice of traditional early or late assigned dining or Your Time dining which allows guests to dine at any time between 5:45 pm and 9:30 pm.

Each ship also features Carnival's award-winning children's programs - Camp Carnival for ages 2-11, Circle "C" for 12- to 14-year-olds and Club O2 for ages 15-17, with expansive facilities and dedicated counselors for each group. An Internet caf�, ship wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service are available, as well.

Rates are based on double occupancy, reflect category 4 (interior) accommodations for select fall sailings and are subject to change without notice.

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6-24-09
Silversea Introduces Custom-Designed Shore Tours
Silversea is making it easier for guests to design their own unique experiences ashore with the introduction of its new "Silver Shore Concierge" service.

Call the dedicated toll-free phone line, 1-800-968-9518, or email concierge@silversea.com
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (East Coast time, U.S.), Monday through Friday.

The Silver Shore Concierge arrangements could include not only sightseeing but also sporting activities, and securing behind-the-scenes or after-hours access to exclusive designer shops, museums, cathedrals and more. Other possibilities might include a champagne picnic and hot air balloon ride over Tuscany, access to a designer's atelier in Venice, or a journey through Juneau's glacier-carved fjords by private catamaran.

Additionally, guests can call upon the Silver Shore Concierge to plan pre- and post-cruise land adventures that include accommodations at some of the world's best hotels, flights, ground transportation, and guided tours of historical sites and other attractions.

To take advantage of the new service, Silversea guests will need to have a deposited or fully-paid booking. Payment for confirmed arrangements is made in advance of sailing and includes a service fee.

The Silver Shore Concierge is also offered aboard ship, where the shore concierge manager and team, together with the destination specialist, are available to assist guests with suggestions, planning and coordination of all their independent touring needs.

The Concierge service is the centerpiece of an array of new Silver Shore tour and hotel offerings designed to make the destination experience more personal and authentic, including:

• Silver Shore Privato -- lets guests experience the destination at their own pace on full or half-day excursions by private car or van service that can be reserved on board or in advance of sailing via Silversea.com/MyVoyage.
  
  
• Silver Shore Expedition -- adventurous and educational tours for the active explorer.
  
  
• Silver Shore Collection -- unique and exclusive in-depth explorations of local history and culture.
  
  
• Silver Shore Excursions -- intimate and rewarding small-group touring.
  
  
• Silver Shore Land Adventures -- multi-day excursions that head inland to explore the region in depth. Offered before, after or during select voyages, they include accommodations, porterage, all transfers, sightseeing and some meals.
  
  
• Silver Shore Simply Hotel -- single-night programs that feature a 4.5- or 5-star hotel stay before or after the cruise at such properties as the InterContinental Athenaeum in Athens, the Park Tower in Buenos Aires or Rome's Bernini Bristol. These flexible overnight stays offer guests the option to add transfers, additional nights or upgrades, if desired.
  
  
• Silver Shore Grande Hotel -- two-night programs that enable guests to extend their vacation at Claridge's in London, the Peninsula in Bangkok and other landmark hotel or boutique properties across the globe. Full breakfast and private transfer between the pier and hotel are included.
  
  

"The new Silver Shore Concierge desk has been created to provide our guests with one-to-one consultations and creative assistance," said Darius Mehta, Silversea's director of land programs. "Our team of destination experts are happy to set up arrangements to meet a guest's specific requirements, tailored to their personal interests, or help guests design their own one-of-a-kind onshore experience."

All Silver Shore tours are available for guests to pre-book online as early as 120 days prior to sailing. Silver Shore Land Adventures and hotel options can be booked as add-ons to the cruise vacation through Silversea reservations.

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6-23-09
Royal Princess Loses Two Engines - Cruises Canceled
The engine room fire that took place near Alexandria, Egypt, on Royal Princess took out two engines and will require the ship to have extensive repair work done before it can resume it regularly scheduled itineraries.

The fire occured last last and although no one was injured it did require that all of the passengers offload Alexandria, Egypt and endure a 3 1/2 hour bus ride into Cairo where they were put up in hotels before they could be flown home. Obviously, while it was disconcerting to lose your vacation in sauch a manner, guests reported that they were treated very well by the cruise who has issued all of them a voucher for a free cruise. The cruise line also made all arrangements and covered all costs to get the guests home.

The ship, the former 30,000-ton 684 passenger R8 (Renaissance Cruises) is one of the eight identical ships built by Renaissance but now sailed by Oceania, Azamara and Princess under various new names. It will leave from Egypt on Wednesday and and take three days to sail to Greece (Piraeus) where the repairs will take place starting this weekend.

Unfortunately, the time for the repairs is up in the air and the June 25 cruise has already been canceled. Guests on the July 7 cruise are on standby to see if the cruise will go forward.

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6-22-09
Cruise Lines Aid in Capture of Land-based Sex Offenders
Take this as a warning to all convicted sex offenders - especially those on the "lam," a cruise vacation is definitely NOT a good idea.

In the last two weeks, two convicted sex offenders, one of them currently wanted by police and the other rearrested on new charges, were arrested by customs agents upon disembarking cruise ships and going through Customs and Border Protection control systems. Neither of them were arrested in connection to any crime that involved the cruise ships, but the ships aided in their arrests in non-cruise ship related charges.

Joseph Rosales, 52, was arrested when the border patrol flagged him boarding a cruise ship (believed to be Carnival) in Florida. The agent realized he was a convicted sex offender who was supposed to report his whereabouts at all times. Known for being especially "slippery" a local Albuquerque detective commented after his arrest, "Since February of 2008, he has been nothing but a problem for me. He knows the law so well that he plays it against us".

Well, he wasn't able to get away with anything on the cruise ship - and in reality it confirms that thinking sex offenders probably would not cruise in order to commit a sex crime. Neither of these convicted offenders appear to have been onboard to commit a crime. A cruise ship is a closed community with high surveillance. Rosales was followed during the entire cruise by a customs agent allowed onboard by the cruise line. The agent followed Rosales and took pictures of him during the cruise and then arrested him for leaving his New Mexico jurisdiction upon leaving the ship.

The other offender, David Anthony Webb, 32, had been convicted previously but was on the ship legally. He just happened to be flagged for further search of his laptop upom disembarkation where child pornography was discovered. He was arrested on the spot once the pornography was found, but the reason for his in-depth search was not revealed in the arrest report. Any person entering the U.S. is subject to indepth search on any electronic equipment in their possession.

Cruise lines have had the practice of sending a copy of their entire passenger list to a federal agency database to search for criminals of all kinds at least 24-hours before the cruise leaves for a few years now. This is not the first time criminals have been discovered and arrested either embarking or leaving cruise ships. In an odd twist, the ACLU has now challenged the arrest of Webb, saying the search was unconstitutional.

We say "keep doing what you're doing, cruise lines." It keeps criminals in check before they board the ship and it gets them off the street permanently. Frankly, we are surprised a criminal would not already know about this procedure. And if you know anyone who has been on a few cruises - you can be pretty sure he/she has already been "checked out."

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6-19-09
Phildelphia Summer Cruise Season Details
Philadelphia is one of our favorite U.S. cities for kicking off a cruise, especially if you are from the West Coast and have not experienced U.S. history. It is well worth your time to fly into the city early and take in all the tourist sites on tap.

This summer, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will return to Philadelphia for the seventh straight year with Norwegian Majesty. Philly is turning the cruising season upside down in 2009, offering expanded cruises to Canada throughout September and closing with fall trips to Bermuda.

NCL will make eight sailings from the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal in 2009. The season will kick off on August 29th when the Norwegian Majesty makes a five-day sail to Canada and New England. That trip will be followed by three consecutive 10-day sailings to Canada and New England - the longest Canadian cruises from Philadelphia to date. These 10-day cruises will call on Bay of Fundy/St. John, Sydney, Charlotte, Halifax and Portland, Maine. Beginning October 3, the Norwegian Majesty makes four consecutive seven-day sailings to the sunny pink beaches of St. George's, Bermuda. Norwegian Majesty's final sail to Bermuda, ending CruisePhilly's 2009 season, leaves Philadelphia on October 24th.

NCL's Norwegian Majesty accommodates 1,462 passengers and offers a broad array of amenities, including NCL's popular Freestyle dining program and a multitude of entertainment, spa, and fitness options. The Majesty also offers great nightlife from The Palace Theatre and Frame 52 Disco to the Monte Carlo Casino.

The Philadelphia Cruise Terminal is easily accessed by taxi from the downtown area or the train station. For information on cruising from Philadelphia or special pre- and post-cruise package, visit www.cruisephilly.com or call (856) 968-2052.

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6-18-09
Sam Donaldson, Kitty Kelley and Doc Severinsen on HAL World Cruise
Famed television news anchor, Sam Donaldson, best-selling writer and biographer, Kitty Kelley, and Grammy award winner, Doc Severinsen are scheduled to headline the enrichment program on Holland America Line's 2010 Grand World Voyage aboard ms Amsterdam.

The 114-day cruise departs Jan. 6, 2010, taking an eastward route sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Los Angeles, Calif., while exploring South America, Africa and Asia.

"Being a premium cruise line means offering our guests premium enrichment experiences, and the line-up for the Grand World Voyage is top-notch," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "To have a journalist as respected as Sam Donaldson and entertainers as talented as Doc Severinsen puts our enrichment program at the top of the cruise industry."

Sam Donaldson is scheduled to sail March 28 through April 1 from Hong Kong to Shanghai. While on board he will present lectures to guests on a wide range of current events.

Donaldson joined ABC News in 1967, yet the turning point in his career came 10 years later when he was assigned to cover the incoming Carter Administration as ABC's chief white house correspondent. By 1981, he was anchor of "World News Sunday." Donaldson also has hosted "Prime Time Live" and "The Sam Donaldson Show � Live in America" on ABC radio. He is the recipient of three George Foster Peabody and four Emmy awards. Today, he hosts his own half-hour program, "Politics Live," on the high-definition digital network "ABC News Now."

Kitty Kelley is scheduled to sail Jan. 28 through Feb. 7 from Punta Arenas to Buenos Aires, Argentina. While on board, she will discuss her popular biographies and participate in question and answer sessions.

Kelley is an acclaimed writer and biographer whose last four books have each ranked first on the New York Times best-seller list. Kelly's book, "Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography" sold one million copies in hardback and became the fastest selling biography in U.S. publishing history. Her other biographies, "Elizabeth Taylor: The Last Star," "His Way" about Frank Sinatra and "Jackie Oh!" also were New York Times best sellers. After four years as a press assistant to U.S. Sen. Eugene McCarthy, Kelley worked for two years as the editorial page researcher for The Washington Post. Since then, she has had a full-time career as a freelance writer.

Musicians Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida are scheduled to sail Jan. 6 through 11 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Fuerte Amador, Panama, next year.

Severinsen, a long-time former music director of the Johnny Carson-hosted show, became a staff musician for the NBC television network in 1949. After years of playing with television studio bands, he was invited to play with the "Tonight Show" band. The conductor asked him to join that band in 1962, and five years later, Severinsen took over Carson's show, where he stayed until 1992. A Grammy award winner, Severinsen has more than 30 albums. After moving to Mexico in 2006, Severinsen created El Ritmo de la Vida with Mexican musicians Gil Gutierrez and Pedro Cartas.

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) is scheduled to sail April 1 through 5 from Shanghai to Xingang (Beijing), China.

CMS is one of 12 resident organizations of Lincoln Center, the world's leading performing arts complex. Through its performances, education, and recording and broadcast activities, it draws more people to chamber music than any other organization of its kind. Its annual activities include concerts, national and international tours, nationally televised broadcasts on "Live From Lincoln Center," and a nationwide radio show, and National Public Radio's "Performance Today" appearances.

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6-17-09
Declaration of Independence, Original Copy, to Tour Princess Ships
A rare, original copy of the United States of America's founding document, the Declaration of Independence, will make an exclusive appearance aboard Princess Cruises' Alaska-based ships the week of July 4th, 2009. This will give passengers the unique opportunity to see the only traveling copy of the Declaration of Independence � just as the country celebrates Independence Day. The historic exhibit will be showcased aboard all Princess ships calling in Juneau between July 1-8, 2009.

Hosted in partnership with Declare Yourself, a non-profit organization founded by legendary television producer Norman Lear, this unique opportunity marks the first time a copy of the Declaration has visited Alaska, and the first time a cruise line has shown the famous document.

The Declaration will be on display aboard the vessels for about two hours while each ship is docked in Juneau. The document will be shown aboard Diamond Princess and Star Princess on July 1; Coral Princess on July 2; Island Princess on July 3; Pacific Princess and Golden Princess on July 6, and Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess on July 8.

"This is an amazing opportunity for our passengers to get a first-hand look at history, which is especially poignant at a time of year when our country celebrates its independence," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "It's a rare occasion when we can bring such a unique attraction right on board � this document has never been shown on a cruise ship before. It will be a memorable way to mark the week of Independence Day as well as Alaska's 50th anniversary of statehood."

The only touring copy of the Declaration of Independence, Declare Yourself's historic document is one of an estimated 200 original broadside copies (about the size of a sheet of newspaper) printed by John Dunlap in Philadelphia in 1776 after it was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, to distribute across the colonies and to King George in England. This copy's current journey began in 1989 when a Pennsylvania shopper bought a frame at a flea market for $4.00. Later, while inspecting a tear in the back of the painting, he discovered a piece of paper wedged between the frame and painting. He pulled it out and uncovered what would soon be authenticated as the 25th remaining copy of the Declaration of Independence. The document changed hands several times and was purchased in 2000 by Lyn and Norman Lear for $8.14 million, with the goal of bringing the document directly to the American people.

Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign that was founded in 2003 to empower and encourage every eligible 18-year-old in America to register to vote. For more information about Declare Yourself, visit www.DeclareYourself.com.

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6-16-09
Two-day Norwegian Sale Starts Today
Tuesday, June 16, Norwegian Cruise Line launches its three-day NOW Sale for a limited time through June 19, 2009 offering unbelievable cruise deals and special booking offers for a range of popular cruise destinations including Alaska; Bermuda; Bahamas & Florida; Caribbean; Canada & New England; Mexican Riviera and South America. In addition to great cruise fares, Norwegian is offering up to $250 in on-board spending credit, fifty percent off cruise deposits and third through eighth guests from $99 per person. Union members and those in the military are eligible to receive up to an additional ten percent savings on the cruise fare.

Norwegian's NOW sale is offered on nine of its 11 Freestyle Cruising ships from three to 29-day sailings with departures from Miami, New York, Seattle, Vancouver, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santiago, Chile. The deposit required at time of booking is now half off and depending on the length of the cruise ranges from just $25 to $200 per person (excluding suites and villas). For cruises to Alaska, Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida and Canada & New England, third to eighth guests in the same stateroom are from $99 per person. For cruises to Bermuda and the Mexican Riviera, additional guests in the same stateroom are from $199 per person.

The on-board credit can be used to purchase anything from shore excursions and spa treatments; to specialty fitness classes like yoga and spinning; gifts in the duty free shop and can even be used in the casino. The amount is based on the length of the cruise and the category of stateroom booked. Guests who book sailings of up to five days in a Garden Villa receive $100 per stateroom in spending credit; $75 for suites; $50 for mini-suites; $40 for balcony staterooms; $20 for oceanview and $15 for inside staterooms. For sailings of six days and longer, guests sailing in a Garden Villa receive $250 per stateroom in on-board spending credit; $150 for suites; $100 for mini-suites and deluxe balcony staterooms; $75 for balcony staterooms; $50 for oceanview and $25 for inside staterooms.

To book a sailing NOW, guests should contact a travel professional or NCL at 866-234-7350. Further information, including specific sailing dates, can be found online at www.ncl.com.

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6-15-09
Oasis of the Seas Starts Sea Trials
The soon to be inaugurated next World's Largest Cruise Ship, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, just started what will be four or five days of sea trials, taking the ship out for a test run to see how she responds to the open sea. Sea trials are important for any ship, but extremely important for a brand new class of ship and ultimately important when a ship is not only the biggest cruise ship ever, but a radically new design in terms of superstructure.

Oasis is almost 30% larger than today's world's largest cruise ship, and at 220,000-tons it is getting fairly close to the largest ship ever to be built, a tanker that has not been in service for many years. Naturally, a cruise ship is a vastly different design than a tanker, with far more area above the water line. In addition, Oasis has two six-story tall structures containing inward facing balcony cabins looking down on open air public space running lengthwise along the the top of the ship. It also has a huge open stern with a tall stage structure you can see in the picture above. These structures will catch the wind, like most very tall mega-ships do, but it will be interesting to see if the sheer mass of the ship makes her even more stable than the average cruise ship which is about half her size.

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6-14-09
No Swine Flu (Scare) Can Stop John Travolta
The Miami New Times reported that John Travolta was cruising upon Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas when a swine flu scare upon cruise ships broke out. Another Royal Caribbean ship, Adventure of the Seas, had reported some three passengers had flu-like symptoms. That ship was not allowed to dock in three ports of call.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's "Enchantment of the Sea" left port in Miami on June 8th, but by the time the ship reached Belize yesterday an H1N1 scare had broken out causing Belize's Health Ministry to temporarily quarantine passengers on the ship, including actor John Travolta.

Enchantment with Travolta onboard, also reported that six of the ship's crew began showing flu-like symptoms, so passengers were kept on the ship for four hours. Finally passengers were allowed on to land around Noon.

As for Travolta, he was previously scheduled to leave the Cruise at the stop and fly home on his private jet. Those plans apparently went ahead as scheduled.

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6-12-09
Royal Caribbean Ship Lands in St Thomas
After being refused entry into three different island ports, the Royal caribbean ship Adventure of the Seas was finally given permission to dock at St Thomas, a United States Virgin Island territory.

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6-11-09
Islands Bar Royal Caribbean Ship with Flu Victims
Due to reported flu-like symptoms of three people aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Adventure of the Seas, the ship has been refused entry into two cruise ports on its seven-day itinerary.

The ship has been stopped from docking as scheduled at Castries, St Lucia yesterday and St John's Antigua this morning. Two members of the ship's crew, and one passenger - among 3,100 aboard - are reported to have been showing flu-like symptoms even though the symptoms have not been confirmed to be from the H1N1 virus, also known as "Swine Flu."

The ship left San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday and has made just one port of call, at Bridgetown, Barbados. It is not yet clear whether the authorities at Phillipsburg St Maarten or St Croix, US Virgin Islands, will allow the ship to make its scheduled stops.

Although the WHO is said to be close to declaring H1N1 a world pandemic, so far out of a reported 27,737 cases only 141 deaths have occured. It is said 100 people die each day from regular flu symptoms in the U.S. alone every day. Most cases of H1N1 are mild and require no treatment.

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6-10-09
NCL to Offer Free Pepsi on Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Pepsi are offering up to two complimentary soda packages per stateroom on any seven-night sailing or longer. Guests who book a cruise on one of Norwegian Cruise Line's eleven Freestyle cruise ships between now and October 15, 2009, for sailings through 2010, can request the Pepsi Summer Cup promotion at the time of booking. Guests should reference promotion code PGPOP.

Once on board, guests will be given a special Norwegian and Pepsi branded souvenir cup and have access to unlimited complimentary fountain soda refills at any bar, lounge or restaurant throughout the duration of the cruise and have the choice of selecting Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew or Sierra Mist.

Pepsi fans can also try their luck with the "Sip. Save. Refresh" sweepstakes for a chance to win one of three Norwegian seven-day Alaska or European cruises for two in an oceanview stateroom with round-trip airfare. More information on the contest can be found at www.pepsisipsaverefresh.com. The sweepstakes ends on August 31, 2009. Pepsi "Sip. Save. Refresh" codes are available on more than 20 million specially marked Pepsi fountain cups and scratch-off cards at participating restaurants in nearly all 50 states.

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6-8-09
FBI Issues Final Report on George Smith Disappearance
The FBI just issued its final report on George Smith disappearance on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship near Istanbul, Turkey according to the Hartford (CT) Chronicle, in what has become one of the most famous cruise ship disappearance cases ever.

Bottom line, the FBI had nothing new to say about this case and since there was no evidence that any foul play occured the immensely complicated case will remain unsolved. Still, the people who are closest to the details of the case, George's widow Jennifer Hagel Smith, the FBI and the cruise line officials have all said they believe it is most likely that George Smith was highly intoxicated and either fell over by accident or he took his own life.

According to the report, indications are that Smith was alone in his stateroom just moments before he disappeared although there were other passengers in his room just before he disappeared. A neighbor called passenger services and complained of noise coming from the cabin next door. Security guards came to investigate the noise but left without entering the room when they did not hear anyone inside.

The neighbor later told the FBI that he had heard a group of men in the cabin when he made the call, but that he heard all but one leave before security arrived. He reported noises that sounded like one person in the cabin for a little while after that, including a loud thump or banging sound. Then all was quiet.

When the Turkish police entered the cabin to investigate the next day they found one small blood stain on a base board and the room was generally very messy with papers all over the desks and floor. Outside on the balcony a chair was propped up against the balcony railing. A very large bloodstain was outside the balcony two decks lower. It is not known whether Smith intentionally jumped or if he may have been smoking a cigar or cigarette on the balcony railing and lost his balance. In either case, there is no eveidence of foul play involving another person.

His newlywed wife was so intoxicated at the time that she had gotten lost on the way to her cabin and had fallen asleep in the same corridor but at the opposite end of the ship. Sometime around 4:30, not long after her husband disappeared, it is reported that security put her in a wheelchair and pushed her back to her stateroom. They placed her on her bed and left the room.

Jennifer Hagel Smith made the statement that to the Hartford (CT) Chronicle "this is where the ship's security fell down." She contends they should have started searching for her husband at this time. Security did not notice the small bloodstain on the wall, but then again neither did his wife the next morning. The timeline suggests George had already gone over the side of the ship by this time.

The next morning Jennifer woke up and went for a massage. A neighbor noticed the blood stain outside the Smith verandah and called security. Ship's officers began to search the ship for George and Jennifer Smith. They finally found Jennifer in the spa having a massage, but she did not know where her newlywed husband was or even that he was missing. This was about 10:00 am. She said she had guessed that he had been intoxicated and had slept in another cabin the night before.

During subsequent questioning Hagel Smith said her husband George had been prescribed and was taking strong antidepressant drugs. Furthermore, he had been drinking a very intoxicating liquor called absinthe that was illegal in the United States for many decades. She says the combination of the two would have made for a very dangerous combination in her opinion and she believes George was responsible for his own death, although she will not say whether she believes he did it on purpose.

Hagel Smith settled with the cruise line and insists there is no evidence to suggest foul play on the night her husband went missing. All indications are that he was in his room alone when he went over the side, and a chair was propped up against the veranda railing.

George Smith's parents, however, disagree with Hagel-Smith and have sued to have her setllement reversed (they lost that plea). The Smiths have become active in "cruise victims" groups wo want to make the cruise lines responsible for all acts by their 12,000,000 guests per year and want the ships to install higher railings, security cameras everywhere and place indepent international police agencies on cruise ships to investigate crimes, although such an independent international police agency does not exist.

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6-4-09
P&O's Princess Dawn Cleared for H1N1 Virus
The cruise ship, Princess Dawn of P&O Cruises, which had created a huge controversy "down under" by being forbidden to dock in New Caledonia because of fear of swine flu, has now been cleared by the local health authorities and will be allowed to dock. Furthermore, it has been determioned that the ship does not have any cases of swine flu onboard after swabs of five suspected cases in passengers were returned as negative for H1N1.

Two days after it was turned away from New Caledonia, all 2000 passengers and 800 crew will be allowed to disembark the ship on Friday morning and continue their onward travel, as normal.

The ship's 13-day South Pacific journey was constant trial and tribulation. The ship left Sydney nine hours late on May 24 after two passengers on the previous cruise required testing for swine flu. Then it was forced to forego its first scheduled stop on Noumea, in New Caledonia, because of bad weather.

After four stops in Fiji and Vanuatu, New Caledonian authorities refused to allow the Dawn Princess to dock for its final stop on Tuesday morning after the ship's crew notified them of five passengers with flu-like symptoms.

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6-4-09
Oasis Itinerary Change; Costa Maya instead of Jamaica
The proposed itinerary for Oasis of the Seas includes a stop in a new cruise ship stop in Falmouth, Jamaica that has not yet been developed for cruise ship stops. The Jamiacan port was chosen for it near access to a water park, zip lines and other interesting tourist attractions. This is especially important for Jamaica since the island is known to be less than tourist friendly for people who venture outside of structured resort areas.

Indications are that the planned development of Falmouth for Oasis of the Seas stops is behind schedule, as Royal Caribbean just announced that the first 16 cruises by Oasis of the Seas will stop in Costa Maya, Mexico rather than Falmouth. This is a good thing for Costa Maya, but not such a good thing for Jamaica. Take note that the line did not replace the stop with another port in Jamaica.

Oasis of the Seas' Western Caribbean itinerary also will include calls at Cozumel, Mexico, and Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach attraction on the northern coast of Haiti. By the time Oasis starts sailing Labadee is scheduled to have installed the longest zipline in the world.

Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Western Caribbean itinerary with an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, which will include calls at St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship is now scheduled to resume the original Western Caribbean itinerary and make its maiden call at the historic port of Falmouth during the ship's December 11, 2010 sailing.

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6-3-09
Carnival Dream: Line's First Two-Story Adult's Only Retreat
The new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream - Carnival Cruise Lines' largest ship set to debut Sept. 21 - will offer a host of innovations, including the largest adults-only retreat in the line's fleet.

Known as "Serenity," the Carnival Dream's 11,250-square-foot adults-only area will encompass two levels and accommodate up to 200 guests who can select from seven different styles of seating, from plush chaise lounges and chairs to shaded sun loungers and even hammocks.

Carnival Dream's Serenity will also feature a full bar on the lower level in a shaded area, while the upper level will offer two whirlpools providing magnificent sea views.

Design-wise, Serenity will feature decorative latticework, teak-style decking, and a series of custom windscreens specially created for this area. Spanning the forward section of Sun Deck 14 and Sky Deck 15, Serenity is accessible via a glass elevator within Carnival Dream's expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, as well as by two staircases.

Carnival Dream is set to debut Sept. 21 with a series of 12-day Mediterranean cruises followed by a trans-Atlantic crossing and two eight-day voyages from New York. Carnival Dream will then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special nine-day cruise then launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 12.

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6-1-09
Norwegian Epic Breaks Booking Records
Norwegian Cruise Line is reporting that demand for its largest ever Freestyle Cruising vessel, Norwegian Epic, skyrocketed in the first week that the ship's itineraries went on sale to the public, beginning Thursday, May 21, 2009. Norwegian Epic's first week of bookings far exceeded opening week sales for the company's last two new ships: Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem.

All categories of staterooms were in demand, from the innovative "Studios staterooms" for the value-conscious traveler to the ultra luxurious villas, penthouses and deluxe owner's suites. Prices start from $699 per person; however, based on high demand, NCL says prices increases are inevitable on some of the more popular sailings.

"We are thrilled to see the keen interest in Norwegian Epic this early on and we want our guests to know that we appreciate their excitement and support in helping to make Norwegian Epic's launch the most successful ever, said Norwegian's executive vice president, global sales and passenger services.

Members of Norwegian's past guest program, Latitudes, can take advantage of a special Norwegian Epic promotional offer from now through August 31, 2009, that includes up to a three category stateroom upgrade; additional discounts on the cruise fare of up to $100 per stateroom; and up to $500 in on-board credit for suites and villas.

Norwegian Epic is scheduled to enter service in late May 2010, and will take part in inaugural events before beginning her Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from her year-round homeport in Miami. The first Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami is scheduled for July 17, 2010 and the ship's alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries are available through April 2011.

Norwegian Epic's Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship's Western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roat�n, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Guests can make a reservation by contacting their travel professional or Norwegian Cruise Line at 866-234-7350. More information about the ship, her itineraries and offerings can be found at epic.ncl.com.

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5-28-09
Will Cruise Lines Reinstate Fuel Surcharges?
There seems to be buzz with the other cruise media that cruise lines are considering reinstating fuel surcharges.

The cruise lines originally started charging fuel surcharges back in November of 2007 and said the fuel surcharges would remain until the price of oil dropped to $70 per barrel. The rules for taking the surcharges away said the price of oil had to trade below $70/barrel for 30 continuous days. Within the next 50 days the price of oil went over $70 for one day, but that set the date back for revoking the fuel surcharges by about 21 days.

Now that oil is creeping back up to $65/barrel my cruise press colleagues are asking if fuel surcharges will suddenly reappear. The answer is NO. Not just because oil hits $70 anyway.

In fact, the day most cruise lines invoked the fuel surcharges back in 2007 the price of oil was well over $100/barrel and had been rising daily for months. That is not what is happening now. Now we are seeing oil prices fluctuate in the low $60s/barrel.

When Carnival and other cruise lines invoked these surcharges they said the charges would be applicable to any cruise sailing on February 8th or later. They asked the travel agents to collect the fuel surcharges, even from cruisers who had already made their fnal payments. The result was several official complaints to the Florida Attorney General who said the cruise lines had to give several millions of dollars in surcharges BACK to people who had paid them after already agreeing to and paying a final price. In other words, it was a public relations disaster.

The travel agents didn't like it one bit either - since they were put in the uncomfortable position of having to ask the customers to cough up the extra dough. All in all, putting on fuel surcharges was a strategic blunder by the cruise lines as far as customer and sales channel (travel agent) relations were concerned. It would not be a welcome development by anyone right now.

Another thing was very different back then - which we had no inkling about at the time, we were about to enter a severe recession with extremely low consumer confidence that still shows no real signs of recovery other than some Wall Street speculation which could evaporate in a heartbeat.

So, the answer, in the humble opinion of this editor, Paul Motter, is that the pricing and economic environment of selling cruises right now is far too delicate for the cruise lines to even think about invoking fuel surcharges. That could change, but only if oil coninues to rise far above $70/barrel, which is not likely at all, and it remains there for a long period of time.

In other words, don't get your pants in a knot about fuel surcharges yet. It isn't even close to happening.

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5-28-09
Swine Flu Affecting Cruises Down Under
The Southern Hemisphere is just about to transition from autumn to winter - the traditional start of flu season. Here in North America the H1N1 virus appears to be almost a lost concern as warmer weather is damping the spread of all flu viruses. But Australia has just instigated new rules that say all cruise ships must be inspected for H1N1 virus and cleared before passengers can even leave the ship.

It isn't so much that the virus appears to be hopelessly out of control or deadly down under. But they have now had some 20 cases where cruise ships coming into Sydney had sufferers of H1N1 onboard. Health officials do not want to take any chances that this will help the virus to spread, so effective immediately, all cruise ships docking in Sydney are considered potential swine flu sites and passengers are to be held on board until the ship is cleared.

One cruise ship, the Pacific Dawn of P&O Cruises, docked in Sidney on Tuesday and passengers were held onboard until about 6:00 pm. This was due to a report that two crewmembers had suffered flu symptoms during the cruise, although they were well by the time the ship arrived. The problem, however, is that health officials were not sure how many passengers may have also been infected but either were not documented as being sick or were not yet displaying any symptoms.

The Australian health department asked these disembarking passengers to self-quarantine themselves for at least 24 hours. Meanwhile tests came back that the two crewmembers had indeed had H1N1 virus. Subsequent tests of the passengers who had been onboard showed that 20 of the 2000 tested positive for H1N1.

It doesn't hurt to take note that the flu symptoms appear to be very small, hardly dangerous at all. One man remarked that his only lasted for one day and that he had suffered paper cuts that were worse. Most of the people tested were not sick enough to have been noticed as carrying the virus without the follow-up testing.

In any case, the ship was allowed to leave with a new set of passengers and is currently off the coast of Queensland. Unfortunately, it is now known that three crewmembers currently on the ship have the H1N1 virus. As a result, Australian officials have ordered that the ship must remain at sea until further notice. Two passengers exhibiting symptoms were tested but found not to have the same flu virus.

It is important to note that while these signs that the virus is still alive are of concern, the actual symptoms and mortality of this flu virus are not nearly as bad as it was originally feared. Worldwide there have now been just 100 deaths in total from this virus since it was first identified. It has been noted that statistically there are 100 deaths from all flu viruses in the United States every day.

The important concern is whether or not the virus could become more virulent in the future as it mutates. Another concern is that it tends to afflict young adults more severely then the usual flu victims, the elderly and young infants.

It will be important to watch the Southern Hemisphere as the flu season is now just starting to reach its full impact. Still, it is widely hoped and believed that a vaccine for the virus can be found and manufactured is sufficient quantities before the flu season returns to North America.

Under the new protocol for arriving cruise ships to New South Wales, the government will treat flu-like symptoms on such vessels as swine flu, pending tests to clear any infected people.

Carnival Corp. said it is introducing measures to reduce risks, including screening passengers for flu before boarding and asking people with flu-like symptoms to report immediately to the ship's medical center, where passengers will receive free treatment.

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5-28-09
Princess Creates Movie Clubs by Leonard Maltin Fleetwide
Princess Cruises is creating an all new activity for cruisers onboard its ships, a "movie club" well-designed by famous film critic Leonard Maltin. The club will feature a different recent movie each month and a get-together for film buffs to discuss the film. The meeting will be guided by questions and trivia materials supplied by Leonard Maltin.

The Leonard Maltin Movie Club is being created to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Princess Cruises Movies Under the Stars, the large outdoor viewing screens Princess uses to run movies outside at night. With this program, Princess will showcase a new film chosen by Mr. Maltin each month which passengers can on Movies Under the Stars, in the Princess Theater or on the new Leonard Maltin Movie Channel available in staterooms.

Soon, films will be announced on Princess.com prior to the sailing, so passengers will know what Movie Club selection will be presented on their cruise. Upcoming films include titles such as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Wrestler."

"For many people in this country, there's no more recognizable movie expert than Leonard Maltin," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Given the popularity of Movies Under the Stars, we know our passengers love watching films, so it's a great opportunity to enhance the experience by featuring Mr. Maltin's expertise with this new movie club and dedicated movie channel."

As part of this new relationship with Princess, Leonard Maltin himself will be traveling aboard a Princess ship to share his movie insights with passengers in a series of onboard presentations, and to host the Movie Club. Mr. Maltin's sailing will be announced at a later date.

Leonard Maltin is one of the country's most recognized and respected film critics and historians best known as the resident film buff on the popular syndicated program "Entertainment Tonight," where he has appeared since 1982. His annual paperback "Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide" established his reputation first published when he was only 18. He has also published numerous other books and articles, and teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Movies Under the Stars poolside screens have been a signature feature on Princess ships since first debuting on Caribbean Princess in 2004. They are now featured on Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Grand Princess, Star Princess, Golden Princess and Sea Princess. The giant LED screens are more than 300 square feet in size with 69,000-watt sound systems and sufficient lighting power to be seen clearly at mid-day and heard even while the ship is moving at full speed � offering cruise passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater. Other special programs presented on the giant screens include sporting events such as the Super Bowl, the college football Bowl Championship Series, video game contests with Nintendo's Wii, a variety of concert events with artists such as Christina Aguilera and Matchbox Twenty, and even midnight showings of cult films such as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

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5-27-09
Update, Missing Teen Jumped From Cruise Ship
On Monday we got news of an 18 year old recent high school graduate who had "fallen" from Carnival Fantasy about 150 miles south of Tampa. The Coast Guard searched the Gulf of Mexico by boat and from the air for two days, ending Tuesday night.

Now, according to a local news report from WAFB in New Orleans, we know that Bruce O'Klepki actually jumped from the ship, according to several eyewitnesses. At CruiseMates we reported that we suspected this was the case earlier, but we did not see it in the mainstream media until just about an hour ago.

Eyewitnesses said that Bruce had a girlfriend who had just broken up with him. He was reportedly overheard saying that he planned on jumping several times during the day. His family only asked for "privacy" in the matter, which the media gladly obliged because it allowed them to go with the far more exciting "boy falls from cruise ship" angle than the sadder "young man jumps from ship."

Whether Bruce was trying to commit suicide or just showing off will never be known as the search has now been called off. He intended on attending college next year, and he was a track and field star at his high school. Sadly, we believe some people think jumping from a ship is a doable stunt, but unfortunately it is not as easy or as risk-free as it looks.

The Coast Guard said Bruce O'Krepki went over the rails of the Carnival Fantasy on Sunday night about 150 miles southwest of Tampa, but literally hundreds of news reports said the teen "fell" from the cruise ship.

People do not fall over the rails of cruise ships, it has never happened. Not long ago another story came out that was similar to this one in tone, but it turned out the victim was a photographer who had placed himself on a structure higher than the railing and close to the edge. A large wave rocked the ship and he lost his balance and fell over. That is the closest this induatry has ever come to an accidental "falling" from a cruise ship. No one, ever, who remained within the easily identifiable safety railings has ever accidentally fallen from a cruise ship. It simply does not happen.

The problem with the words "fell" and "went over the rails" is that it sounds like there is an inherent design flaw in cruise ships, and that is not true. You have to work really hard to get over the rails of a cruise ship, and that is what we believe happened in this case.

In searching the multitude of articles online we saw one where a person who had been on the ship left a comment that the boy had intentionally climbed over the rails and "jumped." His girlfriend had just broken up with him and he had told many people he was going to jump, according to the message. This is NOT a confirmed and it could be wrong, but I have the feeling it is right because it is the only explanation that makes sense.

Why? Because the parents, who were onboard as chaperones, did not want to talk about it. No crime scene was sealed and there was no notice that the FBI was going to come aboard and investigate. If the boy had "fallen" from the ship all of those things would be pending, but the only thing the parents asked for was that the media respect their privacy.

That would be fine, if the news reports had been accurate, but when it appears they are letting the cruise line take the blame in the media for something that was not the cruise ship's fault, then it isn't right. The cruise industry deserves more accuracy from the media.

Bruce O'Krepki was one of 65 seniors who graduated, with honors, from St. Thomas Aquinas in Hammond, La., on May 9, where he ran track and played soccer. He was with about 30 classmates and members of their families on the ship. His uncle Rick O'Krepki said the teen's parents were among the chaperones. He planned to attend Louisiana State University on an academic scholarship, his uncle said.

"We hope people are keeping Bruce in their thoughts and prayers," Rick O'Krepki said.

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5-27-09
Suzanne Somers to Welcome MSC Poesia to North America
MSC Cruises announced today that television star, best-selling author and entrepreneur Suzanne Somers will welcome the MSC Poesia to North America when the ship arrives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on November 10, 2009 for its inaugural Caribbean season.

During a unique Welcoming Ceremony, Somers will present a special plaque to MSC Cruises (USA) President and CEO, Richard Sasso, and the Master of the MSC Poesia commemorating the special day. The plaque, inscribed "On behalf of the diverse inhabitants of the New World, I wish the MSC Poesia and all who sail with her safe passage and fair seas on the occasion of her inaugural visit to our shores... Suzanne Somers" will be displayed in the lobby of the MSC Poesia during her Caribbean sailings.

Somers will also offer a champagne toast to the MSC Poesia, her crew and MSC Cruises before she sails on the ship's inaugural five-night Caribbean cruise.

"The introduction of the MSC Poesia to our Caribbean cruise programs is an important milestone in MSC's continued commitment to the U.S. market," said Sasso. "Suzanne Somers is an iconic figure who captures the 'American Spirit', and we are delighted to have her act as an official ambassador welcoming MSC Poesia."

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5-27-09
Carnival Dream Entertainment Concept Revealed
When Carnival Dream debuts on September 21, 2009 it will be Carnival's newest and largest "Fun Ship" ever. The 130,000-ton beauty will combine recent technological advancements and the incredible imagination of the line's entertainment team, to create what Carnival says are the most spectacular shows at sea - raising the bar on shipboard entertainment.

Three new production revues will feature elaborate sets and costumes, state-of-the-art video technology and sophisticated special effects. But there is more. Carnival Dream will also offer alternative entertainment choices from solo singers, comedians and live bands to "Fun Force," the line's new high-energy acrobatic team, which will perform in different areas throughout the ship.

"The increased size of the Carnival Dream provides us with an expansive canvas to create some truly unique and innovative entertainment options that are sure to leave audiences amazed," said Roger Blum, Carnival's vice president of cruise programming who serves as producer for the line's shows. "'Fun Ship' cruising is all about creating a lifetime of wonderful memories for our guests and we can't wait to show off the wide range of captivating shows and other forms of entertainment aboard this spectacular ship," he added.

Carnival describes the first production show, titled "Dancin' in the Street," as a dramatic departure for the line, combining a gritty, urban feel with the latest in special effects, including neon lighting and video projection technology, to create "a truly spectacular and memorable show."

"Dancin' in the Street" makes maximum use of the Carnival Dream's entertainment cast - particularly the "Fun Force" team which takes center stage in the show with break-dancing numbers, acrobatic Chinese pole routines and even a high-flying trampoline segment "to leave audiences breathless."

The show features realistic sets with city scenes - exposed brick walls, street lights, and more - along with recognizable songs that run the gamut from pop and R&B to hip-hop and hard rock.

The second show, "Get Ready," takes a musical look at various professions through a variety of styles and genres. Classic tunes of the Motown era to recognizable R&B hits and songs from some of the greatest vocal artists of all time inspire elaborate production numbers themed to different occupations.

Like the name implies, the third show, "Xtreme Country," is a salute to country and western music with a Carnival twist. The show opens, appropriately enough, with a visit to a rodeo with singers and dancers donning 10-gallon hats for a clap-along line-dancing number, followed by a stop at a ranch and a raucous saloon, with authentic western-themed sets and costumes. The show culminates in a memorable finale showcasing the U.S.'s familiar red, white and blue, ending with a magnificent fireworks flash.

In addition to these three lavish revues, Carnival Dream will offer a diversity of entertainment venues to suit every mood or taste. These include the new Ocean Plaza which will not only offer a unique venue place for guests to relax and unwind but will also feature a wide variety of different entertainment options that will vary throughout the day and night.

Also offered on the Carnival Dream will be the line's legendary comedy revues with hilarious comedians who have appeared on network talk shows and comedy clubs across the country. Carnival Dream will also feature Carnival's Seaside Theatre, a massive LED screen on Lido Deck that will display movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming.

Other options include solo singers along the Dream Street promenade, a dedicated karaoke lounge, rollicking sing-a-longs in Sam's piano bar, steel drum and Calypso bands on Lido Deck and live bands playing everything from rock to country to disco.

Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome, followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 - Nov. 12, 2009.

From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, 2009, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special one-time nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3, 2009. Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, 2009, offering weeklong voyages to the eastern and western Caribbean.

Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Dream's various European and Caribbean departures.

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5-24-09
Sydney Australia Holds Ship Over H1N1 Concerns
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the local Australian health officials with concerns over "swine flu" held up clearing Dawn Princess for about four hours yesterday in Sydney harbor, keeping about 4000 crew and passengers onboard and preventing the next set of passengers from joining the ship for their cruise about to start. Furthermore, the health officials decided to sequester disembarking guests in their homes or hotels for about 24 hours while tests were conducted on the people presenting the flu symptoms.

Several people missed plane flights and incurred unnecessary expenses while the tests were sent to the public health offices. Finally, after 24 hours word came back that the flu was not even of the H1N1 (swine flu) variety and all passengers were cleared to go on with their lives.

The debacle started when health cards for the previous cruise, which had been to Hawaii, showed that four people onboard had displayed flu symptoms during the course of the previous cruise, even though they had already fully recovered as many as 10 days before the ship arrived in Sydney.

Adding to the drama but having absolutely nothing to do with the flu was the fact that the body of one passenger was removed from the ship in Sydney, but Sandy Olsen, a spokeswoman for Carnival Corporation, which owns the ship, said the death was heart-related and could not confirm at what point during the journey the person died. A second passenger was taken by ambulance to a Sydney hospital, but the Health Department said the person was not suffering from a respiratory illness (flu). Sandy Olsen, speaking for Princess Cruises said: "We have a standard operating procedure with the NSW Department of Health that we report any flu, irrespective of what it is."

The first passengers were finally allowed off the ship just after 6:00 pm. A disembarking cruise ship normally lets passengers off to meet their air reservartions as early as 7:30 am and usually has all passengers off the ship by 11:00 am. These passengers were mandated by Australian health officials to stay in Sydney and avoid unnecessary contact with others until further notice.

Passengers on the following cruise who would normally starting boarding the ship by 1:00 pm still were not aboard by 6:00, and estimates said they would probably be allowed onboard about 10:00 pm, although it was not known what time the ship would sail.

One hopeful passenger from Canberra who had been waiting to board the Dawn Princess since 2pm said, "They have been very good with information but the health authorities have been procrastinating. There has been no mention of swine flu but the rumour is that someone [on the ship] is very ill."

Kevin Wilkie, Beverley Ford and Judy Arnold were held behind yellow tape in quarantine at the departure terminal. Each had ticked a box on health forms that day indicating they had displayed symptoms of flu, including a runny nose, a slight cough and vomiting, the latter of which Mrs Arnold attributed to altitude sickness she suffered from her flight from Queensland. Many of the hundreds of passengers waiting to embark complained they had paid for a meal that night and would not be receiving it.

By Sunday the tests from the hospital were back and it was shown that the flu was not even Type A, indicative of possible Swine Flu. After 224 hours all people were allowed to resume their normal lives, but the ship still had not sailed due to weather conditions.

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5-21-09
European Cruising Boasts 10% Yearly Growth
The fourth edition of the "European Cruise Contribution" report of the ECC, presented in Rome this week, shows direct expenditure by cruise companies, shipyards and passengers of 14.2 billion Euros in 2008, a 10 percent increase from the previous year. 4.3 billion euros came from Italy at a 9 percent gain over 2007. Italy derives the greatest economic benefits from the cruise industry in Europe at 30 percent of total spending in 2008.

A key factor behind this growth is the increasing number of passengers embarking on cruises from European ports, up 10 percent to 4.7 million in 2008. Italian ports are the busiest in Europe with 1.7 million departing passengers. There is a similar pattern for the continent's transit passengers, who numbered 21.7 million in 2008, up 14 percent. Italy remains Europe's favorite cruise destination with 23 percent of transit passenger movements, followed by Greece, 20 percent, Spain 17 percent and France at 8 percent.

Another rise for 2008 was seen in the number of Europeans taking holiday cruises, up 10 percent to 4.4 million. In addition, there was an increase in the number of people employed in the cruise industry in Europe, with approximately 311,000 jobs in 2008, 15 percent more than the previous year.

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5-21-09
"Gotta Dance" All Ages Hip Hop Competition on Royal Caribbean Fleet
Gotta Dance (www.GottaDanceTheMovie.com) chronicles the first-ever senior-citizen hip-hop dance troupe for the New Jersey Nets Basketball Team. Just like the film, Royal Caribbean's Gotta Dance program will offer all guests, all ages, a chance to grab their moment in the spotlight. Royal Caribbean's Gotta Dance is inspired by the award-winning documentary film of the same name.

Based on the documentary film "Gotta Dance" by award-winning director and producer Dori Berinstein, which will hit the big screen across the United States beginning in July 2009. The guest-participatory Gotta Dance experience will be offered offered fleetwide by Royal Caribbean in summer 2009.

"Gotta Dance offers guests an opportunity to try something different on their vacation regardless of age and experience," said Peter Compton, vice president, Entertainment, Royal Caribbean International. "Every age is welcome and no experience is necessary. Gotta Dance helps bring families closer together and build lasting relationships for an unforgettable cruise vacation."

Kicking off each cruise will be a special screening of the film. Guests will then be divided into teams and will learn choreographed routines with a member of the Royal Caribbean dance team. The program will culminate with the main event � a farewell show on the last evening of the cruise where each of the teams will perform their routines in the ship's main theater.

Each groups will perform a different routine, all choreographed by New Jersey Nets Dance Coach Kimberlee Garris, who also appears in the Gotta Dance film. For each song an easy and more complex choreography has been designed, and Royal Caribbean's Gotta Dance instructors will have the option of tweaking these versions further based on group skill level.

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5-21-09
Norwegian Epic Open for Sale
The brand new class of ocean cruise vessel from Norwegian Cruise Lines, the Norwegian Epic, is now on sale. The inaugural season begins July 17, 2010 and promises every ground-breaking activity you could imagine. The ship is the next generation of Free-style cruising which NCL says will redefine cruising as we know it.

Norwegian Epic, one of the bigger and most innovative new ships on the horizon, features more dining options than any ship in history and a number of new stateroom sizes and styles. Among the innovative public features; there are six bowling lanes onboard, two available to youngsters. For more mature cruisers there are several nightclubs options including an innovative pool bar and the first complete Ice-bar at sea. The Ice-bar will be a completely frozen room where everything inside is made of ice from the chairs to the drinking glasses. You are issued a parka and fur hat before you enter.

Another groundbreaking features is the entirely new stateroom design known as "the F3 stateroom." These are not the square boxes were are all so used to on cruise ships. They feature curved walls with soothing colors and variable mood lighting. They have modular bathroom facilities including a separate shower and separate toilet and a wash basin in the room. Essentially, three people can all be getting ready at the same time.

The ship has the first "studio staterooms" where the rooms contain just a bed and bath facilities, but the sitting and entertainment areas are common to a large room all of the cabins share. These will be ideal for people traveling alone or for people traveling with people they may not want to spend all of thweir time with.

All of the staterooms feature large 32-inch flat-streen televisions. They also have coffee makers (rarely seen on cruise ships).

Norwegian Epic has eleven restaurants onboard, several of them included in the price of the cruise. There are two main dining rooms, plus an "action station" buffet-style dining area plus an indoor and outdoor cafes. For small extra charge you can dine in a steakhouse restaurant, Italian cuisine, Teppanaki Japanese dining, Dim Sum, Southwestern-style cuisine and more.

Here are the first itineraries on sale: Get 50%* off your cruise deposit when you book by May 24th.

7-Day Eastern Caribbean from Miami
Visit Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas,
U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.
Insides from $649* | Balconies from $949*

7-Day Western Caribbean from Miami
Visit Costa Maya, Mexico; Roat�n, Bay
Islands, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico.
Insides from $649* | Balconies from $949*

14-Day Caribbean from Miami
Visit Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands,
Nassau, Bahamas. Costa Maya, Mexico; Roat�n, Bay Islands, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico.
Insides from $1,239* | Balconies from $1,809*

Go to www.ncl.com or call your travel agent to book these cruises now.

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