Tow, Tow, Tow Your Boat

Saturday, 9:30am Eastern Time US
Norwegian Cruise Line reports that Norwegian Star has arrived in Melbourne under tow and is safely alongside.

The ship never lost electrical power, and all hotel services continue to operate normally.

An assessment team is checking the propulsion system, and the line says they should have a repair time line and expected departure time available within 24-48 hours.

Passengers are invited to remain aboard, or they may disembark and return to Sydney. Passengers were already given full refunds, onboard credits, and future cruise credits.

Following up on a Miracle

Last summer we told you that Carnival was breaking ground in the fall of 2017 by scheduling a two-week round trip cruise from Southern California (Long Beach) to Alaska. Demand was so strong that seven months before the first passenger goes up the gangway, they have scheduled another similar program for late in the summer of 2018.

Next time they will be sending Carnival Splendor on the two-week trip which will sail from Long Beach on August 25, 2018.

The complete story appeared in the February 10 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Fatal Accident aboard Emerald Princess

A crew member was killed Thursday aboard Emerald Princess while it was docked at Dunedin (NZ).

The 33-year-old Filipino man was working on deck servicing a gas canister connected to the hydraulic launching system on a life boat when the canister exploded.

Details appeared in the February 10 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Some Days You're the Beauty, and Some Days You're the Beast

Beginning this November, audiences aboard Disney Dream will enjoy a new production show - a live-action adaption of the classic “Beauty and the Beast.”

The show will be presented in the 1,340-seat Walt Disney Theater, and Disney will use their magic, as usual, to draw in every age group, and everyone will enjoy it on their own level.

Details appeared in the February 10 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

The Best Laid Plans

Yesterday we told you how technicians were aboard Norwegian Star repairing its nonworking port Azipod as it sailed its modified itinerary, and the plan was to have it all repaired by the end of this cruise. But then almost as soon as the story went out, it was almost like Neptune rose up from the sea and said, “Not so fast, NCL!” And he put up his mighty hands and the propellers on Norwegian Star's Azipods just stopped turning.

But there was plenty of power for those onboard. Hotel services are all still fully functional, and at last check, everything's going along just fine onboard.

Details appeared in the February 9 edition of Cruise News Daily.