Friday, March 7, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 7, 2014

* A Special Year for Cunard
2015 is Cunard Line’s 175th anniversary. To commemorate it, Cunard has some special positionings of their ships planned to mark special occasions, and next week (March 13), the voyages that incorporate them will go on sale to the public.

* Passenger Overboard from Costa Classica
A 70-year-old German man was reported going overboard from Costa Classica Thursday evening about 11:20pm (LT) when the ship was approximately 90 miles east of Funchal.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about dry dock work continuing on Azamara Journey (photos below) ... and what to leave home without.

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

Work began immediately when Azamara Journey arrived, and within a couple of hours Friday,
the propeller was removed.

The propeller is removed, waiting for the new seal to be installed.
Saturday morning the new seal was installed and the prop was lifted back into place.

As the propeller is adjusted, you can see the shiny new seal that will fix Journey's problem.

Photos courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission. 

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 6, 2014

* NCL Sets Epic Winter Itineraries, But Not Everything Is Being Said
Several weeks ago, Norwegian Cruise Line said Norwegian Epic would remain in Europe year round beginning when it repositions to the Mediterranean for the summer 2015 season, and then the 2015/2016 winter season would be its first winter season there.
   At the time, itineraries for the winter were not yet finalized. Now they have been. While they are not unique, they should prove interesting, especially for North Americans venturing across the pond in the winter.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about the trouble with Journey (photos below) ... just standing around (more) ,,, and Carnival Paradise rescues 24.

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

Within an hour of the water being pumped out of the dry dock,
the damaged propeller was already being removed from Azamara Journey.

Azamara Journey's stay in dry dock is expected to be about three days.
Photos courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission. 

Dramatic New Images of Queen Mary 2

Cunard has released dramatic new images of Queen Mary 2 with its master, Captain Kevin Oprey, standing beneath her bow on the ship's bulbous bow.





The images were captured on Sunday, March 2, 2014 when the vessel was a mile off the coast of Bali as part the ship's world cruise, during her 10th anniversary year.

Photo credit: James Morgan

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 5, 2014

* Court Issues Sanctions against Anti-Cruise Groups
The coalition of Charleston groups opposed to the cruise industry, which brought suit to stop the new cruise terminal from being built (and hoping to force the cruise industry out of town) has been sanctioned by the court for their delaying tactics.

* Genting to Sell NCL Stake
Genting Hong Kong (which owns Star Cruises and approximately one third of Norwegian Cruise Line) said today in a filing with the Singapore Stock Exchange (where Genting is listed) that they plan to request shareholder approval to sell all of their NCL stock, which is approximately 31.35% (of the parent holding company, which in turn holds all of the Norwegian Cruise Line stock).

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Azamara Journey arriving at the dry dock today for repairs ... a break for the single traveler ... and how Celebrity is making the suite experience sweeter.

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

Azamara Journey arrives at the floating dry dock where it will be repaired in South Korea.
Photo courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 4, 2014

* Like Having a Buddy on Every NCL Ship
Just like the passenger who eats too many desserts, Carlo’s Bake Shop is spreading out on NCL.
   Carlo’s Bake Shop has been such a hit on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway that Buddy Valastro’s desserts will soon be available fleetwide on Norwegian Cruise Line. 

* Still Thinking after All These Years
More details are emerging about Richard Branson’s possible venture into the cruise industry, and from the sound of it, at least the media is excited about the possibility.
   But that doesn’t mean Virgin Cruises is any closer to reality.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about getting Allure back up to speed ... and the room service steward who allegedly assaulted and then tried to murder a female passenger on Neiuw Amsterdam is heading to trial because he just entered a not guilty plea.

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

Buddy Valastro's desserts are soon going to be served on every Norwegian Cruise Line ship.
Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Carnival Foundation Donates $200k to Help People Find Employment

Carnival Foundation donates $200,000 to Create Common Good to help people overcome barriers to employment

MIAMI (March 4, 2014) -- Carnival Foundation, in partnership with Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, has awarded a $200,000 grant to Create Common Good, a nonprofit social enterprise that uses innovative food-related job training programs to help at-risk people find, perform and retain work with the goal of attaining self-sufficiency for them and their families.

Carnival Foundation’s grant will support Create Common Good’s efforts to help more people overcome barriers to employment, while supporting the organization’s growth and expansion into new markets. The two organizations also will explore opportunities to introduce custom-crafted Create Common Good food products such as gourmet meals, dressings, sauces and soups into Carnival Corporation’s shipboard menus across the company’s 10 cruise line brands.

“Carnival Foundation works with organizations like Create Common Good that seek to improve the lives of individuals and families, which is why they are a perfect community partner,” said Linda Coll, director of Carnival Foundation. “Although Create Common Good operates outside of our usual geographic focus, their impressive success rate and similar charter align with our own mission and we’re thrilled to partner with them.”

Create Common Good has engaged more than 3,000 volunteers since its inception in 2008, successfully placing 95 percent of its graduates in jobs with viable career paths. In addition to operating a small farm, the Boise, Idaho–based organization runs a commercial production kitchen and culinary training program led by world-renowned executive chef Brent Southcombe. With nearly three decades of experience in restaurants and five-star hotels across the globe, Southcombe was named Chef of the Nation for Australia and New Zealand in 1997.

“Our experiential job training program includes industry-relevant, skills-based training along with valuable vocational and language proficiencies, and confidence to prepare individuals to not only find gainful employment, but also thrive in their careers,” said Tara Russell, founder of Create Common Good. “Our work with Carnival Foundation will help us continue to reach new individuals and populations who are in extremely difficult situations and hugely in need of job training and skills as we work to expand into new markets with similar needs, while also meeting our long-term goal to be more self-sustaining as an organization.”

Carnival Foundation is dedicated to creating positive change through empowering youth, enhancing education and strengthening families. In the past five years alone, Carnival Corporation — which includes 10 brands — and its 120,000-plus employees have made more than $30 million in financial contributions and in-kind donations to a variety of local and national charities. Following the example set by Carnival's founder, the late Ted Arison, and continued by his son Micky, chairman of Carnival Corporation, Carnival Foundation endeavors to make South Florida and other communities better places to live and work. For more information visit www.carnivalfoundation.com.

Create Common Good uses food to change lives and build healthy communities. In addition to providing job-training and placement services to refugees and other populations with barriers to employment, the nonprofit social enterprise offers youth development, healthy access programs and daily volume-production food services via a local farm and large commercial kitchen. Create Common Good programs transform lives and enrich communities by empowering self-sufficiency, developing youth leaders and improving the health of communities through experiential nutrition education and feeding programs. Visit www.createcommongood.org to learn more.

Source: Carnival Corp

Carnival Partners with Isle of Capri Casinos

Isle of Carpi Casinos Inc. and Carnival Cruise Lines form promotional partnership

MIAMI and ST. LOUIS (March 4, 2014) – Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., a leading regional casino gaming company, and Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s most popular cruise line, and a brand of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), announced today that they have formed a promotional partnership to offer cruise benefits to Isle of Capri’s players club members at 15 Isle of Capri casinos in seven U.S. states beginning in March.

Isle of Capri guests will be eligible, based on their casino play, to receive complimentary cruises, preferred cruise rates and special offers aboard Carnival’s 24 ships.

“Partnering with such a well-known cruise line as Carnival enables us to reward our players for their continued loyalty to Isle of Capri,” said Stacy Dewalt, senior vice president of marketing, Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. “We are excited to be able to present our guests with such amazing travel experiences from Carnival.”

Carnival destinations include beautiful ports throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, and other regions.

“Isle of Capri is an ideal partner for this venture as they share Carnival Cruise Lines’ commitment to quality service and hospitality. We look forward to bringing the one-of-a-kind Carnival vacation experience to Isle of Capri guests,” said Marty Goldman, Carnival’s senior vice president of casino operations. The cruises can be booked through any of Carnival’s reservations channels, including its valued travel agent partners.

About Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. is a leading regional gaming and entertainment company dedicated to providing guests with an exceptional experience at each of the 15 casino properties that it owns and/or operates, primarily under the Isle and Lady Luck brands. The Company currently owns and/or operates gaming and entertainment facilities in Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Florida. More information is available at the Company's website, www.islecorp.com.

Source: Carnival Cruise Lines

Monday, March 3, 2014

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 3, 2014

* The Long Good-Bye
North America is getting ready to say good-bye to Carnival Legend, at least for the foreseeable future, because as was previously announced, Carnival is sending it to Australia to be the line’s second ship based year round Down Under. To prepare for that assignment, the ship has just returned from an extensive dry dock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard with a number of new features installed.
   Carnival Legend won’t be leaving its current home port of Tampa until the mid August, so until then, North America, you have use of all the new features.  More

* The Journey Continues
Last Friday, Azamara chose a shipyard in Gwangyang, South Korea to do the repair work on Azamara Journey.
   Passengers disembarked on Sunday at Osaka, but the line says there are quite a number of other passengers in need of assistance.

* Celebrating the Beatles on a Queen, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
In case you haven’t heard (and it would be hard not to), this year is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles American debut, and Cunard is commemorating that all year long.
   And they are doing it by treating passengers on selected sailings to the Beatles Experience.


Queen Mary 2 arrived Sydney last Friday all ready to celebrate Mardi Gras
Photo courtesy of Cunard Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

First Look at Carnival Legend's New Features

Carnival Legend has returned to Tampa from an extensive dry dock which added several new features to the ship, including a new aqua park and a new Asian restaurant. In September it will reposition to Sydney. The complete article appeared in the March 3, 2014 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Are you brave enough to ride Green Thunder?

The new full-service Bonsai Sushi restaurant serving a range of Asian-inspired cuisine

The Twister water slide towers above the Serenity Deck

As Green Thunder swoops past, the PowerDrencher
dumps 150 gallons of water in WaterWorks

Carnival's signature RedFrog Pub

Photos courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.