Friday, March 14, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 14, 2014

* Diamond Princess Enters Dry Dock
Last October we told you about the extensive refurbishment Princess Cruises planned for Diamond Princess before her Japanese program began this year. The ship arrived at Singapore’s Sembawang shipyard earlier this week, and the work has already begun.

* Going It Alone
TUI Cruises announced yesterday that in November 2015 they will base a ship in Singapore for a four-month series of cruises in Asia.

* Worth the Price of Admission?
Cruise lines can get themselves in odd positions and become victims of their own success.
   They can create a wonderful new feature for passengers, and of course, they are going to describe it glowing terms, and make it sound just as wonderful as it is. Then what happens when their customers like it so much, there’s not enough of it to go around? How do you limit it so no one goes home disappointed?

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 13, 2014

* Costa Doubles the Florida Fleet
Costa said yesterday that this coming winter they will again have two ships homeported in South Florida, for the first time in five years.
   The 92,000-ton Costa Luminosa will return to Miami with 10-day itineraries, while the 85,000-ton Costa Mediterranea will join her for 7-day programs.

* Windstar Sets 2015 Programs for New Vessels
Windstar’s fleet will reach twice its present size in 2015 when two additional vessels are acquired in the spring, and that additional capacity is allowing the line to expand into areas where they haven’t sailed before.
 
The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 12, 2014

* NCL Confirms Plans for Norwegian Escape & Realizes Goal
When Colin Veitch ran things at Norwegian Cruise Line, he made a very astute observation (and one that it was hard for the company to accept) and set them on a course to position the company correctly. In a way, that goal was realized today.

* Even New York Sits up and Takes Notice
Lots of cities want to get into the cruise business, mostly because they realize how much money the cruise industry brings to town.
   Even New York finds the cruise business lucrative, as they demonstrated when they tallied their 2013 figures.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Norwegian Escape's hull art was designed by noted marine wildlife artist Guy Harvey.

Detail of Norwegian Escape's forward hull art

Detail of Norwegian Escape's aft hull art

Renderings courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 11, 2014

* Norwegian’s Strong Response to Tunisian Incident
When Norwegian Jewel arrived at Tunis for its regular call on Sunday (March 9), Tunisian immigration officials told them Israeli passengers could not disembark the ship during the port call.
   Today, Norwegian Cruise Line took an equally unusual action in response. The line announced today that they have canceled all future port calls to Tunisia and will not return. 

* The Missing Option
Bermuda is about to play catch-up again under pressure from the cruise industry. They need to somehow enlarge their channel so Quantum of the Seas can get into port.

* They’ve Got the Ship and the Time - and Now the Place
Royal Caribbean has chosen Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore to perform a major refit of the 137,276-gt Voyager of the Seas.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers

Monday, March 10, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 10, 2014

* Seabourn by Design
Seabourn has hired Adam Tihany to be the lead designer on the indoor and outdoor public spaces on their new ship to be delivered by Fincantieri in 2016.
   Tihany specializes in “hospitality design” and is noted for his restaurant designs for celebrity chefs and hotel projects.

* When Dr Seuss Becomes Reality
A few weeks ago, we told you it was coming. Now it’s reality - at least on Carnival Splendor. Carnival’s kick off of their partnership with Dr. Seuss last week was a tremendous success, according to kids (yeah, and their parents, too) who were aboard for the first Green Eggs & Ham breakfast and Seuss-a-Palooza story time. (Photo below)

* What’s Good for the Women Is Now Good for the Men
Crystal has a tradition of having Ambassador Dance Hosts to dance with ladies without partners aboard their ships, but now in an industry first, they will also have Ambassador Dance Hostesses to dance with single gentlemen during the cruise.

* Hong Kong or Bust
Azamara Journey left the dry dock yesterday headed for Hong Kong. The repair work was completed on the ship’s port propeller, and Azamara Journey is now ready to begin its repositioning cruises from Asia to Europe.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

The first Seuss-a-Palooza aboard Carnival Splendor
Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.