An Unusual Prosecution

In an unusual court proceeding, a 20-year-old Scottish man was arraigned on charges of raping a woman who was also a passenger aboard Celebrity Reflection on a Mediterranean cruise last summer. What’s unusual is that the case is being prosecuted in Malta, and the ship didn’t go to Malta.

Details appeared in the July 24 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - July 24

CND subscribers also read about:

• Another celebrity partnership with NCL coming to an end. 
• A very expensive lawsuit 
• The robot bartenders get most of the attention in the media, but Anthem of the Seas has a more unusual feature than that which is usually hidden away:

The complete stories appeared in the July 24 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Carnival Corp to Build Terminal at Barcelona

Carnival Corp said today they have approval from the Port of Barcelona, to proceed with their plans to build and operate their second cruise terminal at the port. The new terminal will be on the port’s Adossat wharf.

At almost 124,000 square feet, the new structure will be one of Europe’s largest cruise terminals. Construction will start in 2016 with completion scheduled to be completed in 2018.

The complete story appeared in the July 23 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Entertainer Stops Alleged Sexual Assault on Celebrity Millennium

Local media in Juneau is reporting that a 40-year-old Honduran man, who was a crew member aboard Celebrity Millennium, was arrested when the ship called at Juneau on July 12. A grand jury has subsequently indicted him on two counts of felony sexual assault of a 29-year-old Canadian woman, also a crew member on Millennium.

The alleged assault was interrupted by Rodney Johnson, an American, who heard the woman scream for help. Johnson is a comedian from Atlanta who is aboard the ship entertaining, and he just happened to come down the hall at the right time.

Details appeared in the July 23 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Carnival Corp to Add Two Additional Ships in China

Carnival Corp said today that as a result of continued strong demand from China, they will homeport two additional ships there in 2016. Golden Princess and Costa Fortuna will be dedicated to the Chinese market, bringing Carnival's total fleet in China to six ships.

The additional ships will increase Carnival Corp's total capacity in China by an additional 58% in 2016 with the company operating about four million passenger cruise days in 2016.

The complete story appeared in the July 23 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Fire Aboard Freedom of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas experienced a fire in a mechanical room as it was arriving for its regular call at Falmouth today.

The complete story appeared in the July 22 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Princess Passengers about to Get “Stoned”

Some of the dining aboard Princess ships is about to take a turn toward Australia. The line has signed an exclusive partnership with noted chef, restauranteur, and cookbook author, Curtis Stone.

Details appeared in the July 22 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Will You Be a Voyager?

MSC has revamped their loyalty program and renamed it MSC Voyagers Club. This one seems different. MSC has either really listened to what their customers want, or the people heading up the redesign all utilize loyalty programs themselves and know what they want.

The complete story appeared in the July 21 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Carnival Marketing Chief Moves to Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer

Jim Berra

MIAMI, July 21, 2015 -- Royal Caribbean International, the world's largest global cruise line, has named Jim Berra Chief Marketing Officer. Jim will be responsible for all aspects of the cruise line's marketing program, including brand strategy and positioning, consumer and trade advertising, web and loyalty marketing, research, brand development and communications. He will report to Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

"We are delighted to have Jim join our team," said Michael. "With so many exciting initiatives on the immediate horizon for our brand, we feel that Jim's impressive history of creativity and proven results will continue the momentum of innovation the brand has created."

Jim most recently served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Carnival Cruise Line where he oversaw the company's advertising, public relations, customer marketing and digital efforts.

Previously, he served as senior vice president and general manager for Rodale Interactive, where he led the development and marketing of the company's online businesses. Rodale is a global media company publishing some of the best-known health and wellness lifestyle magazines and books. Prior to that Jim also held various marketing positions at Starwood Hotels & Resorts including as the senior vice president of customer marketing and strategic alliances, where he oversaw Starwood's loyalty programs, customer relationship management and strategic alliances. Jim began his marketing career at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

Jim received Bachelor's degrees in economics and philosophy from Northwestern University. He has been recognized with several awards and was listed as one of the World's 50 Most Influential CMOs in 2013 and 2014 by Forbes Magazine; received the Industry Impact Award by Inside Flyer Magazine; and was included in Brand Week's list of Next Generation Marketers.

Source: Royal Caribbean International

Crystal Announces Huge Expansion Plan - In All Directions

Backed by the deep pockets of their new owner, Crystal Cruises detailed a major expansion plan that will not only bring them new ships, but will also take them into several new sectors of the travel industry.

The line announced apparently firm plans yesterday for larger ships, smaller ships, river ships and even an airplane - all within three and a half years.

The complete story appeared in the July 20 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Crystal's new class of three oceangoing ships that will begin being delivered in late 2018

Overboard from Costa Fortuna

A passenger fell overboard from her stateroom balcony aboard Costa Fortuna while it was docked in Flamm yesterday. Costa said the ship’s crew “immediately intervened and recovered the passenger.”

Details appeared in the July 20 edition of Cruise News Daily.