From the new uniform department:

Some cruisers like to schedule their cruises to sail with a particular cruise director. James Deering, however, is one of the few hotel managers who seems to have a following. It seems like wherever he goes he has fans who look forward to seeing him overseeing the hotel operation on their cruise. They probably enjoy the hotel aspects of their cruise more than the entertainment and know James is going to make sure everything runs well on their vacation.

His fans are now going to need to make a change of line if they want to cruise with him. We just heard from James (a long-time CND reader), and he tells us that he's now aboard Crown Princess learning the Princess ways. (Most recently, until last month, he was the hotel manager on Holland America's Oosterdam.) He says he will now probably most often be found aboard Crown Princess and Emerald Princess.

Back in July he promised to let us know where he would be appearing next, and like a great hotel manager, he delivered. We wish him all the best with his new line.

From the going slow department:

While returning from Bermuda to New York, Norwegian Crown experienced a problem with its starboard propeller shaft which necessitated a reduced cruising speed. That is causing a delay in the ship's arrival in New York and a subsequent delay in the departure of the August 26 sailing.

NCL now expects Norwegian Crown to arrive in New York Monday morning (August 27) and be docked between 6am and 8am. Repairs will be made while the ship is in New York on Monday.

Norwegian Crown's August 26 sailing will depart a day late (on August 27) and operate a revised itinerary. Embarkation will begin at 1pm on Monday. A 4pm departure is planned, subject to repair work being completed. NCL says the ship will now arrive in Hamilton on Wednesday at 9am and remain there until Friday at noon. The return to New York will be as scheduled at 8am next Sunday.

NCL is refunding all passengers one seventh of the cruise fare paid in the form of an onboard credit. In addition they will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of one tenth of the cruise fare they paid for this cruise.

Jacksonville Cruise Terminal Evacuated

The cruise terminal at Jacksonville (Florida) was evacuated Saturday afternoon during the boarding process for Carnival's Celebration.

About 12:30pm, Carnival's security detected some suspicious material in one of the baggage pallets containing checked baggage to be loaded onto the ship. Authorities were called, and embarkation was stopped until all the baggage in that pallet could be thoroughly inspected. Nothing dangerous was found. There was also no bomb threat called in as some sources reported earlier.

Embarkation of Carnival's Celebration resumed about 6:30pm. The ship is now expected to depart at approximately 10pm. Arrival at the first port will not be delayed. Celebration is scheduled to sail tonight on a 5-day cruise to Key West and Nassau.

Updated Aug 25, 725pm

From the bouncing back department:

When Hurricane Dean tracked a bit farther south than was forecast, the island of Cozumel was spared much of the destruction that was expected.

The government reports that things are quickly returning to normal on the island. There is a status report with a detailed listing of the condition of facilities post-Hurricane Dean and their reopening times on the tourism board's official website. (Note: The site is rather busy and slow, for obvious reasons.) Yesterday, they promised photos today, but so far they haven't shown up. They do have other things on their mind, however.

Note: Link is valid at time of posting.

From the more time to say good-bye department:

Since Cunard announced Queen Elizabeth 2 would be retired, "The demand for QE2's 2008 voyages has been phenomenal, said Cunard president Carol Marlow. To satisfy some of that demand (and make some extra money) the line has decided to forgo some scheduled drydock time in April and schedule an additional 8-day cruise.

The extra voyage, called Iberia in Bloom, will depart Southampton on April 27 (2008) with calls at La Rochelle (for Cognac), Le Verdon (for Bordeaux), Bilbao, La Coruna (for Santiago de Compostela) and Lisbon.

Details are available from Cunard.