Cruise News Daily Headlines for May 23, 2014

* Cleaner and Cheaper - and More of It
Carnival Corp said yesterday they are going to more than double the number of ships on which they plan to install scrubbers that will clean the ship’s exhaust to remove pollutants, including sulphur, so the sulphur content is 0.1% or less. The company had planned to add the scrubbers to 32 ships (announced last September), but yesterday they said they were increasing that number to at least 70.

* Mein Schiff 3 Delivered
Although there hasn’t been much said on this side of the Atlantic, yesterday, TUI Cruises took delivery of their first newbuild, Mein Schiff 3.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about shopping until you drop and then you can cruise.

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

TUI's Mein Schiff 3 during sea trials

Photo courtesy of STX Finland. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for May 22, 2014

* MSC Continues Growth with Another New Order
MSC Cruises ordered another pair of giant ships today, but unlike the others, these two will be built by Fincantieri and will be the largest the Italian builder has ever built.  More

* Return to Mexico
Carnival Cruise Lines is returning to the year round Mexican Riviera market from Long Beach effective October 4, 2014. That change sets up several other new things from Carnival for cruisers on the West Coast. More

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about the Sapphire being Shanghaied ... and waiting for a mug shot.

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

The crew of Holland America's Oosterdam marks the ship's 500th sailing.

Photo courtesy of Holland America Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Port of Seattle Chooses Holland America as Marine Environmental Business of the Year

Holland America Line Named 2014 Marine Environmental Business of the Year by Port of Seattle
Company praised for sustainable seafood program and natural resource conservation

Seattle, Wash., May 22, 2014 — Holland America Line was named the 2014 Marine Environmental Business of the Year by the Port of Seattle. Port commissioner Courtney Gregoire presented the award to Keith Taylor, senior vice president, fleet operations, at the Seattle Propeller Club’s Maritime Festival Lunch held Tuesday, May 13, 2014, aboard Carnival Miracle, which was docked at Port of Seattle.

The cruise line was recognized for its efforts to reduce its global environmental footprint through a series of objectives that greatly reduce consumption of fuel and water, engine emissions and generation of solid waste, along with increasing recycling across its fleet of 15 ships.

“Holland America Line is a company that takes corporate citizenship to heart, and we are honored to be recognized by the Port of Seattle for our efforts,” said Stein Kruse, Holland America Line’s president and chief executive officer. “We remain steadfast in a firm belief that we can grow our company while employing responsible business practices for sustainable ship operations — and keep improving on our efforts.”

Holland America Line also was named Environmental Business of the Year in 2010 and this year received the highest level of the Green Gateway Partner Award from the Port of Seattle in March 2014 for its use of shore power and comprehensive practices to reduce emissions. Every year Holland America Line sets goals and targets for its fleet that include decreasing fuel consumption, conserving energy, reducing the loss of refrigerant gasses, increasing recycling and decreasing water use.

The only cruise line recipient of the Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2012, Holland America Line’s ships meet or exceed all provisions of the international regulations governing the environmental management of marine operations. But the company aims for superior environmental performance while operating responsibly via a firm promise to reduce all forms of pollution through improved policies, scientifically sound practices, consistent training of employees and innovative technology.

The company is among the pioneers in the maritime industry when it comes to investing in technology to reduce engine emissions while a ship is at berth. Six of the 15 Holland America Line ships — ms Amsterdam, ms Veendam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam — use shore power at the ports of Seattle, San Diego and Port Metro Vancouver.

Holland America Line has a partnership with Marine Conservation Institute, a globally focused nonprofit organization based in Washington State dedicated to maintaining healthy, living oceans. The program includes guest and staff education, funding for marine conservation biology research, and a sustainable seafood program with environmentally responsible purchasing practices and menus that showcase sustainable seafood.

“Congratulations to the more than 16,000 worldwide employees at Holland America Line for receiving this esteemed award,” said Courtney Gregoire, co-President of the Port of Seattle Commission. “Through hard work and dedication, Holland America Line has made a true commitment to environmental stewardship.”

A Long Partnership
Holland America Line ships have been sailing from the Port of Seattle since the early 1970s. In May 2002, Holland America Line began using Seattle as a homeport for Alaska cruises. This year the company has two ships based in Seattle sailing 32 Alaska cruises from May through September.


Source: Holland America Line
Photo courtesy of Holland America Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Carnival Returns to Mexican Riviera Year Round

Carnival Miracle to launch year round Mexican Riviera sailings,
Carnival Legend to operate line's popular Alaska program in 2015


MIAMI (May 22, 2014) -- Carnival Cruise Lines has made two exciting enhancements to its West Coast cruise operations, deploying two highly attractive Spirit-class ships featuring a variety of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations as well as a huge number of balcony staterooms.

The new deployments include Carnival Miracle introducing year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera departures from Long Beach, Calif., beginning in October 2014, and Carnival Legend operating the line’s Alaska program from Seattle in May 2015. Carnival Miracle and Carnival Legend will also offer four Hawaii cruises in 2015-16.

Carnival Legend recently underwent an extensive makeover that added a host of new features, including WaterWorks, highlighted by Green Thunder, the fastest and steepest water slide at sea, and the RedFrog Pub, a Caribbean-inspired watering hole serving the line’s private label draught brew, ThirstyFrog Red. The full-service Bonsai Sushi restaurant offering Asian specialties and Cherry On Top, a confections and novelty store, were added, as well.

Carnival Miracle also offers a wide range of innovations, including the Serenity adults-only retreat featuring its own pool and full bar service, the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez with up to 20 family-friendly and adults-only shows each week, a wedding chapel, a luxurious 14,500-square-foot health and wellness facility, and an enclosed corkscrew water slide full of exhilarating twists and turns. Carnival Miracle will also undergo a dry dock in March 2015 that will add a huge variety of additional Fun Ship 2.0 features.

Carnival Miracle and Carnival Legend each offer fun, supervised programs for children ages 2-17, as well as nearly 850 ocean view and balcony staterooms – perfect for viewing the beautiful passing scenery.

“Carnival is the leader in West Coast cruising with more ships and itineraries than any other cruise operator. With these new deployments, we’re providing two spectacular Fun Ship 2.0-equipped ships with even more fantastic features for our guests to enjoy, as well as additional opportunities to experience the rich diversity of this popular sailing region,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “Our travel agent partners have expressed an interest in a greater variety of West Coast options so we are very pleased to provide these attractive, value-packed ‘Fun Ship’ cruises to market to their clients,” he added.


Year-Round Mexican Riviera Cruising
Carnival Miracle will introduce year-round Mexican Riviera cruising from Long Beach on October 4, 2014.

The program will encompass three different week-long itineraries, including a new three-port, seven-day cruise featuring Mazatlán on the majority of departures. In addition to the call in Mazatlán, the new three-port itinerary will feature the stunning Mexican resort destinations of Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.

The full day call at Mazatlán will provide guests with ample opportunities to explore this scenic seaside destination, which features world-class beaches and sportfishing, as well as the Malecon, an outdoor promenade lined with shops, restaurants and centuries-old architectural structures.

Carnival Miracle’s year-round schedule from Long Beach also includes two other itinerary options. The first is a seven-day, two-port itinerary that features a stop in Cabo San Lucas, along with a two-day overnight stay in Puerto Vallarta. While in Puerto Vallarta, guests can explore this tropical paradise known for its beautiful beaches, excellent diving, and sizzling nightlife. The second alternate itinerary includes a visit to Puerto Vallarta, along with a two-day call at Cabo San Lucas, known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and the distinctive El Arco (The Arch), a 30-foot-high rock formation where the Pacific Ocean joins the Sea of Cortez.


Carnival Legend to Alaska
Following its inaugural season in Australia, Carnival Legend will operate the line’s seasonal Alaska program beginning in May 2015. In total, 16 week-long Alaska cruises will operate from the Port of Seattle from May 26 to September 8, 2015, departing each Tuesday.

Port calls on these voyages include the popular Alaskan towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord or sailing Glacier Bay. Carnival Legend will also operate a special one-time eight-day Glacier Bay voyage departing Vancouver May 18 and arriving in Seattle May 26, 2015.

Each of these destinations offers a rich history and culture, along with awe-inspiring natural wonders, including calving glaciers, magnificent fjords and native sea and animal life. A wide range of shore excursions – from helicopter flightseeing and rainforest canopy tours to hiking, canoeing and kayaking expeditions – are also available. Carnival Legend will also feature an on-board naturalist who educates guests on the region’s colorful history and points out animal and marine life from the ship’s bridge.


Say Aloha to Hawaii
Carnival will offer four Hawaii sailings in 2015-16 – an 11-day cruise on Carnival Legend departing from Honolulu in May 2015 and three 15-day voyages aboard Carnival Miracle operating round-trip from Long Beach in October and November 2015, and November 2016.

The 11-day Hawaii voyage on Carnival Legend will depart Honolulu May 7 and arrive in Vancouver May 18, 2015, with extended stops in Kauai, Maui, Hilo and Kona, along with an overnight call in Honolulu.

Carnival Miracle’s three Hawaii cruises will operate round-trip from Long Beach departing October 17 and November 28, 2015, and November 16, 2016. On these sailings, guests can visit the stunning island destinations of Maui, Honolulu, Kauai, Kona and Hilo, as well as Ensenada, Mexico.

These voyages provide guests a variety of opportunities to get an “up close and personal” look at the Aloha State, from hiking across volcanic rock formations and relaxing on some of the world’s most famous beaches to learning more about rich Polynesian cultures and getting a bird’s eye view of the lush countryside via a breathtaking helicopter tour.

Source: Carnival Cruise Lines

MSC Orders from Fincantieri

7:22 am EDT - MSC Crociere and Fincantieri today announced an order for two new cruise ships which will be the largest the Italian builder has ever produced. The order includes an option for an additional ship.

The 154,000-ton vessels are scheduled for delivery in November 2017 and May 2018. They will have a length of 323 meters and width of 41 meters. The ships will contain 2,070 passenger staterooms and suite with a maximum occupancy of 5,300 passengers and 1,413 crew members.

The complete story appeared in today's edition of Cruise News Daily.

MSC Project Seaside prototype ordered from Fincantieri

Renderings courtesy of MSC Crociere. All rights reserved.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for May 21, 2014

* Royal Caribbean Sets Quantum’s World Repositioning Cruise
When Quantum of the Seas ends its now-limited run in New York next May, Royal Caribbean earlier announced its new home port would be in Shanghai. In the intervening week, they have left the intriguing question open of how the ship will get there.
  They answered that question yesterday when they released the ship’s itinerary and opened it for sale to past passengers, and it will open to the general public tomorrow (May 22). The line is sending it on a 53-day eastbound Global Odyssey via the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

* Opening the Window Wider
Norwegian Cruise Line said today they are expanding the booking window to pre-reserve specialty dining and other options, doubling the previous window.

* Under the Bay and to the Port
The long-awaited tunnel to the Port of Miami officially opened on Monday, although it is still to be opened to regular traffic, but that will happen any day now, as soon as final inspections and tests are completed. For those driving to the port via the area’s expressways, it will be a shortcut directly into the port.

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

Cruise News Daily Headlines for May 20, 2014

* What’s NEXT?
Norwegian Cruise Line announced a new $250 million initiative today that updates Freestyle Cruising to the “NEXT” level. It will bring many of the new features introduced on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway to the rest of the fleet.

* Costa Deliziosa Power Loss Modifies Two Sailings
Sunday evening about 6pm (local time) Costa Deliziosa experienced a power outage while it was docked at Valencia (Spain). Costa says that technical personnel began work immediately and within a “few hours” power was restored.
   The ship, however, did not leave Valencia while work continued to repair the source of the problem. That resulted in cancellation of the balance of the itinerary along with a modification to the next sailing.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about things being larger than they seem ... and walking around the yard with the executives.

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

The entire crew of Regal Princess at delivery of the ship with president Jan Swartz at the center.

Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Walking around the Shipyard with Royal Caribbean Executives

It's less than six months before Meyer Werft delivers Quantum of the Seas to Royal Caribbean, and the executives the ship is coming together and beginning to look like the finished product. Most of the work to be done now is finishing work, and the Royal Caribbean executives are walking around the covered building dock at Papenburg sharing their impressions.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for May 19, 2014

* Carnival Transferring Ships to Australia
The Australian source market is continuing to grow, and Carnival said this evening, they are moving to match that growth by transferring two ships from their Holland America brand to their P&O Australia brand.
   Ryndam and Statendam will begin sailing for P&O Australia in November 2015. 

* So Many Destinations - So Few Ships
Disney Cruise Line revealed today what Disney Wonder will be doing during the fall of 2015 after its summer Alaska season ends. The ship will have several short series of cruises to or from ports that have been in high demand by Disney fans.

* Starting in the Middle
In December we told you about MSC’s plan to stretch their four Lirica-class ships. Then in February we told you about the start of the actual project when Fincantieri began cutting steel. It’s now May, and the yard is starting to put that steel together.
   At their Palermo yard today, Fincantieri laid out the first block (of four) that will make up the new midsection to be inserted into MSC Armonia during a ten-week dry dock beginning on August 31 at the Palermo facility.

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

The first block of the new midsection for MSC Armonia is placed in the dry dock at Fincantieri Palarmo

This is the first of four block that will comprise the new midsection. This block weighs
approximately 350 tons. The new midsection will increase the ship's length by almost 79 feet
and the ship's volume by 5,000 tons, with 193 new staterooms and 59 new crew cabins.

Photos courtesy of MSC Crociere. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Royal Caribbean Sets Global Odyssey for Quantum of the Seas

Quantum Global Odyssey to bring Quantum-class cruising to the world's top cosmopolitan cities

MIAMI, May 19, 2014 – World Travelers will not need to trek out to New York City to catch Quantum of the Seas, the most anticipated cruise ship to-date. The ship will come to them. Royal Caribbean International today announced the details of the Quantum Global Odyssey, a 53-night epic journey, departing May 2, 2015, from the New York-metropolitan area to its new home in Shanghai (Baoshan), China. Quantum of the Seas will take its never-before-seen-at-sea experience globally to savvy vacationers after the ship’s inaugural winter season in New York from Nov. 2014 through Apr. 2015. Guests sailing the entire Quantum Global Odyssey to the other side of the globe will be a part of history as the arrival of Quantum of the Seas is celebrated at some of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities along the way. The Quantum Global Odyssey will open for sale on May 20, 2014, for Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members and on May 22 for the general public.

Quantum of the Seas will sail its nearly two-month, epic journey around the world via the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Guests aboard the Quantum Global Odyssey will have the opportunity to enjoy all the Quantum-class innovations, while visiting a curated collection of fascinating destinations for an experience only found on Royal Caribbean.

Alternatively, vacationers can choose among five sailings, ranging from three to 16 nights, which comprise the Quantum Global Odyssey:

- An 11-night Ocean Voyage – Cape Liberty to Spain cruise, departing May 2, 2015, from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J., to Barcelona, Spain, with calls at Ponta Delgada, Azores; and Cartagena and Palma De Mallorca, Spain,

- A 16-night Suez Canal – Barcelona to Dubai itinerary, departing May 13, with calls at Rome (Civitavecchia) and Naples/Capri, Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Aqaba, Jordan,

- A 14-night India & Southeast Asia itinerary, departing May 29, which features overnights in Dubai, UAE; Cochin, India; and Singapore, as well as calls at Muscat, Oman; and Penang, Malaysia,

- A 3-night Short Malaysia itinerary, departing roundtrip from Singapore on June 12 , calling at Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia,

- And a nine-night Exotic Asia itinerary that departs June 15 from Singapore to Shanghai (Baoshan), China, with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam; Xiamen, China; and an overnight in Hong Kong.

The groundbreaking Quantum-class ships, Quantum of the Seas and sister-ship Anthem of the Seas (debuting in Southampton, U.K. in Apr. 2015), will introduce a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences, such as Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever. Guests also will enjoy the new Quantum-class “Dynamic Dining,” a completely new culinary experience that offers a landscape of 18 restaurant concepts as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, including specialty restaurants created with partner-chefs Jamie Oliver, Devin Alexander and Michael Schwartz.

The Quantum Class spans 18 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms. More information on Quantum class is available at http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas.

Source: Royal Caribbean International

Costa Deliziosa Loses Power at Valencia

Update May 19 - Costa has decided to terminate the voyage and is finalizing plans to fly passengers home. Updated compensation plans have not yet been finalized. We will have further details on Tuesday.

For you information, please find below a statement by Costa Crociere about a technical problem involving Costa Deliziosa at Valencia port:

Genoa, May 19th 12.30pm - Costa Crociere confirms that on Sunday 18 evening around 6pm LT while she was berthed in Valencia as per her planned itinerary, Costa Deliziosa experienced a technical failure which impacted on timing of scheduled departure. Guests on board were duly informed and at no time was the safety of the ship or the Guests ever put at risk. The technical personnel intervened immediately and after few hours restored the electrical power supply and all essential services. All the relevant authorities have been promptly duly informed.

The causes of the technical problem occurred are still under investigation and specialized technicians are on site. Since safety is Company’s number one priority and in order not to expose our guests to unacceptable delays and additional discomfort given the required timing for fixing the problem occurred , the company has offered to Guests on board alternative complimentary shore activities for today May 19 in Valencia. Moreover Costa Crociere is on site through its appointed Care Team to providing full assistance and reduce guests discomfort as much as possible. In addition the Company has also planned return charter flights to Rome and Genoa for Tuesday, May 20 for those guests supposed to disembark ending their cruise. Special re-protection plans have been put in place, in order to let Guests to reach the final destination or hotel, on the basis of special individual needs.
Costa Cruises is deeply sorry for what has occurred and will recognize to guests on board Costa Deliziosa a refund of 50 % of the cost they paid for the cruise and a credit of 100 € per person on the expenses incurred on board (and the complimentary shore activity in Valencia May19). Guests on board are appreciating the extension of call in Valencia offered by Costa and the atmosphere on board is calm.

Costa Crociere is also informing future guests supposed to start the cruise in Civitavecchia on May 20, that Costa Deliziosa will not be able to embark them on the scheduled timing (May20). The company is intensively working to set alternative options to make sure its guests can still enjoy their planned holidays through an appropriate solution, which will be fixed and communicated over the next hours.

Source: Costa Crociere