Friday, August 29, 2008

From the ship update department:

We had a subscriber contact us this week to tell us that Norwegian Star was in need of some sprucing up.

We contacted Norwegian Cruise Line to see what they could tells us, and they know. That's why this week they are in the process of laying new carpet (while the ship is in service) in various parts of the ship.

The Norwegian Star is scheduled for a major drydock in November 2009.

At this time, however, all the Freestyle 2.0 elements are in place on the ship, except for the action stations in the Lido restaurant, and those will be done during the drydock.

From the Marconi department:

Earlier this week in Cruise News Daily, we reported that Princess Cruises had enhanced their Captain's Circle loyalty program for the Platinum and Elite levels. One of the perks of those levels (beginning with the customer's seventh cruise to attain that level) is an internet credit of $75 to $400 per person, depending on the length of the cruise.

Until now, that credit has applied only in the internet cafe; it has not applied if you connect to the internet via the ship's Wi-Fi. The program enhancement now allows members to use the credit on Wi-Fi connections as well as in the internet cafe.

The announcement said, however, it would be rolled out on a ship-by-ship basis through the end of the year.

Our subscribers asked if there was a schedule as to approximate date when the new plan will be offered on each ship. Princess tells us that it is dependent on new software being installed on each vessel. Currently it is installed and operating on all ships except Coral Princess, Golden Princess and Royal Princess. Princess doesn't have an exact schedule for those yet, but the software will be installed on each of them by the end of 2008.

(We will update this item if/when we receive updates from Princess.)

From the big new addition department:

When Carnival announced they would be homeporting Carnival Triumph in New Orleans, we've had several subscribers write to tell us they are excited about 7-day Carnival cruises returning to the city beginning in November 2009.

But knowing it will then be a ten-year-old ship, they've also wondered about its condition when it gets to New Orleans.

We checked with Carnival for any major refurbishment plans before it moves to its new assignment. Carnival tells us that they have been doing some ongoing work as they always do, and one of the most notable additions was the addition of Club O2, the teen club, which was constructed while Carnival Triumph was in service.

They did report that Carnival Triumph will go in for its biennial drydock next month. During that two-week time frame, in addition to the mechanical work (which is the main reason for these regular drydocks) they will do some general freshening (deep cleaning, carpet replacement, minor refurbishment, etc), and they will install one of the giant SeaSide Theater screens at the pool area.

So late in September, the ship should come out looking fresh and clean, but, of course, who knows what will happen to it over the next year. So to anyone sailing on it in the next year, we're sure the people in New Orleans would appreciate it if you keep your feet off the couches and use a napkin under your glass.

For those who are statistic-minded, here's something to keep you busy:

CARINVAL TRIUMPH
SIZE/CAPACITY:
GROSS REGISTERED TONNAGE: 102,000
LENGTH: 893 Feet
BEAM: 116 Feet
BEAM AT POOLDECKS: 125 Feet
MAXIMUM DRAFT: 27 Feet
TOTAL GUEST CAPACITY (INCLUDING UPPERS): 3,470
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY CAPACITY: 2,758
APPROXIMATE CREW SIZE: 1,100

SHIPYARD: Fincantieri at Monfalcone, Italy
INAUGURAL CRUISE: JULY 27, 1999
COUNTRY OF REGISTRY: BAHAMAS
SPEED: 22.5 Knots

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Tropical Storm Julio Updates

Update August 26

Tropical Storm Julio that affected the area of Mexico's Baja peninsula his dissipated.

For other cruise weather information, please see the cruise weather page on our main site at cruisenewsdaily.com.

Tropical Storm Fay Updates

Update Aug 26

Tropical Storm Fay which was affecting cruise itineraries along the eastern coast of Florida has dissipated and is no longer considered a tropical system.

For other cruise weather information, please see the cruise weather page on our main site at cruisenewsdaily.com.