Jamaica's State of Emergency Continues

It's getting virtually no notice by major news outlets in the US, but the state of emergency in Jamaica's St. James parish, declared January 18, is continuing, and there are signs it will continue for a while. St. James parish contains Montego Bay.

The state of emergency was declared to deal with the high crime rate of the area. The murder rate in St. James is twice as high as in any other parish. Last year there were six murders a week on average in the parish. The government says that since the start of the year "general lawlessness" has intensified.

The complete story appeared in the January 26 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Ignore the Men with Guns - Have a Good Time Ashore

Last Thursday, the island of Jamaica declared a state of emergency in St. James Parish, the parish where Montego Bay is located. Despite armed government troops in the parish, the Jamaican government insists that tourists are not affected. The government said the move was necessary to combat the high crime in portions of the parish outside of Montego Bay.

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

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 3, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:

• Carnival's first customers to sail 200 cruise with the line
• Jamaica is upgrading their Dunn's River Falls attraction as part of an effort to improve cruise passengers' satisfaction with the country.
• AIDAbella has made the brand's first call in China. 

Details appeared in the April 3 edition of Cruise News Daily.

AIDAbella's maiden call at Shanghai April 2-4

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

Other Things You'll Want to Know - January 5, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:

• HAL's Koningsdam beginning a new streak
• Costa Luminosa beginning its world cruise
• Another British travel firm shuts down
• Rats in Jamaica

Details appeared in the January 5 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Cruise News Daily Headlines for June 16, 2014

* Jamaica Taking Notice
Jamaica is beginning to lose cruise ship calls, and the opposition party in Parliament is beginning to take notice.

* New Woman at the Top

The cruise industry must have one of the flimsier glass ceilings in the business world, because come this fall, another cruise line will be headed up by a woman. 

   TUI Cruises announced today that Wybcke Meier will become the CEO of the line effective October 1, replacing Richard Vogel, who announced last week he would be leaving the company. 

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

Cruise News Daily Headlines for February 26, 2014

* Trouble in Japan
It was a rough ride yesterday (February 25) into Tokyo for Azamara Journey. The command noticed the unusual vibration. Upon arrival, they made a closer inspection and found damage to one of the two propellers, caused by ocean debris, including some wires that were wrapped around the propeller.
   The ship is now sailing to Osaka (Kyoto) at a reduced speed and will arrive on Friday (February 28). The cruise will end there due to the required repairs.

* Don’t Try This on Your Next Cruise
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to fall off your balcony? One very lucky lady who sailed aboard Carnival Miracle last week can tell you.
   The 27-year-old woman fell from her balcony as the ship was sailing to Mexico, and she landed on top of a lifeboat three decks below.

* High Times Coming in Jamaica
Jamaica may be ready to follow Colorado’s lead. According to one parliamentary leader, he believes small amounts of marijuana may be decriminalized on the island as early as this year.

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

Azamara Journey

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

Cruise News Daily Headlines for January 20, 2014

* MSC Adding Capacity in Northern Europe
Until a year ago, MSC kept their largest ships in the Mediterranean. Then they tried basing one seasonally in South America, and now one year round in Florida. The next expansion of the Fantasia-class will go to Hamburg in 2015 for added capacity in the Northern Europe routes.

* Carnival Corp Extends Contract with MTN
Carnival Corp has signed a contract with MTN to continue to provide satellite internet and television services to three of their brands, Princess, Cunard and P&O Cruises (UK). The agreement continues a relationship of more than twenty years between the two companies.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Jamaica looking for more ... MSC extending UNICEF program (more) ... and Britannia is coming along (more).

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

Cruise News Daily Headlines for January 17, 2014

* Should I Wave or Salute?
It used to be when you’d see a ship with artwork on the hull, you’d think, “Look at that ship.” Today, when you see one with a plain, white hull, you think, “Why hasn’t that one been painted yet?”
   We’ve seen lines use hull artwork for the sake of art and to be distinctive, and we’ve seen lines use their logo as hull art. Now we are going to see a line making a statement with the artwork on their hulls.
   P&O will be updating the livery on their ships that dates back to 1931 when it debuted on Strathnaver. The new design will modernize the line’s image and celebrate their British heritage. More

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about if ships could fly (more) ... a winning team ... down in Jamaica ... and the BVI's new partners get preferential treatment.

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


 Genevieve Gorder Episode 3: Bringing Design Details to the Shipyard
Interior designer and TV host Genevieve Gorder has been hired by Royal Caribbean to design the interiors of some of the suites on Quantum of the Seas. This video takes you along on her first trip to Papenburg to actually see the ship.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for October 9, 2013

* Lots New to See
When Carnival’s German brand, AIDA, contracted for two 125,000-ton ships to be built at Mitsubishi in Japan, it was a sure sign they weren’t going to be your run-of-the-mill ships. AIDA is known for the innovation, and now that they are releasing details, these ships will be no exceptions.More

In addition to releasing some major details of the ships’ features this week, they also announced that the first, when it’s delivered in March 2015, will be named AIDAprima.


* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about an Asian Celebrity ... and Disney "wonders" about Jamaica.


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

Cruise News Daily Headlines for September 12, 2013

* Carnival Guarantees It
Carnival Cruise Lines today revived one of their best selling tools for first-time or new-to-Carnival customers, people who may be a little unsure of the whole idea of going on a Carnival cruise. They brought back their satisfaction guarantee, with a couple of changes.


* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about the new "guy" on the Culinary Council ... and an option not on the shore excursion menu.


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

Royal Caribbean Executives Discuss their New Falmouth Jamaica Port

Although there's still a lot of work to be done, Royal Caribbean's new Falmouth port in Jamaica is now open. In this video, Royal Caribbean executives discuss the new port and why it's beneficial to passengers. The execs in the video also give potential passengers an overview of what's available nearby in Falmouth and easily accessible elsewhere in Jamaica from the port.

Lines Cancel Calls at Falmouth Jamaica

Not Ready for Prime Time

Back in August we told readers local reports from Jamaica were telling us the new port of Falmouth was seriously behind schedule and it didn't look to be anywhere near ready for the first cruise ship passengers scheduled to arrive in November. Cruise lines are now agreeing, and the lines planning to call there before the first of the year are now making alternate plans - at least until January. The first Oasis-class ships, for which the port was primarily built, aren't scheduled to arrive until March.


The complete article appeared in the October 15, 2010, edition of Cruise News Daily.

Norwegian Epic Fixed, Crystal Expands Visions, Carnival Glory Perfect, Calm in Jamaica

CND subscribers also read about Norwegian Epic being repaired and sailing from Southampton ... Crystal Cruises' expansion of their Visions enrichment program ... Carnival Glory scoring perfectly ... and good news for Jamaica and its visitors.

Details of these items appeared in the "Other Things You'll Want to Know" column in the June 23, 2010, edition of Cruise News Daily.

Business as Usual at Jamaican Ports, Another Drug Bust in Britain, a Ship in Anchorage for a Change

* Other Things You'll Want to Know

CND subscribers also read about violence in Jamaica having no effect on cruise calls in Jamaica ... a major drug bust aboard MSC Opera when arrived at Dover last week ... and a big day in Anchorage when Holland America's Amsterdam arrived at the city's pier. It was the first time in 25 years a large cruise ship had docked there; most now go to Seward or Whittier.

Details appeared in the "Other Things You'll Want to Know" column in the May 25, 2010 edition of Cruise news Daily.

Another New Opening Date for Falmouth

Royal Caribbean reports that work is proceeding on their new Jamaican port at Falmouth, but not fast enough.

The line has just pushed planned opening date back for the second or third time, depending on which ship you are talking about. When it does open, however, it's going to be a top-rated facility both from the cruise lines' and the passengers' perspectives.

The complete article appeared in the May 21, 2010, edition of Cruise News Daily.

Silversea's Prince Albert II Visits Other Side of Jamaica

Silversea's Prince Albert II made an unusual call at the port Black Water, Jamaica. The Jamaica Observer gave a local view of the call.