CELEBRITY CRUISES PRESENTS EXOTIC NEW VOYAGES
IN AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND. INDONESIA AND FRENCH POLYNESIA Inspired by guest demand, new itineraries feature 36 ports in six countries
Like the iconic boomerang believed to have originated in Australia, Celebrity Cruises today announced plans to return to the region in 2011-12, with an enticing new series of vacations on Celebrity Century.
“This marks a significant expansion of Celebrity’s diverse array of global vacation options,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. “We’re thrilled to return to Australia and New Zealand. It’s a region our guests and trade partners around the world have said they wanted to experience again with Celebrity, pairing our award-winning dining, exceptional service and high style with the beauty, charm and diversity of the area. This move further exemplifies our ‘Designed for you’ platform, and how we fulfill what cruisers desire.”
Marking the line’s first return to the land Down Under in two years, Celebrity’s exotic new Australia and New Zealand season – bookended by a series of vacation options in Hawaii – features a total of 36 ports in six countries: Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, French Polynesia, the U.S. and Mexico. The lineup includes 10 distinct itineraries, with six varied departure ports, including Sydney and Perth (Fremantle), Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Diego, California, and Ensenada, Mexico.
Celebrity’s new series begins October 2, 2011, with two consecutive 15-night Hawaii sailings from San Diego, followed by a 10-night Hawaii cruise from Ensenada to Honolulu. An 18-night “Pacific Jewels” voyage departs Honolulu November 11, followed by five 12- and 13-night New Zealand cruises between Sydney and Auckland, including a festive holiday sailing departing Sydney December 24. These offer a more destination-rich experience for cruisers, with only three days at sea, versus five on most competing lines’ itineraries.
Cruisers also have the opportunity to experience a rare, 36-night circumnavigational voyage – a first for Celebrity – through two combinable 18-night sailings: One will sail around the southern portion of Australia, featuring an overnight stay in Sydney and transits through three sounds – Milford, Doubtful and Dusky – in New Zealand’s World Heritage-designated Fiordland National Park. The second of the combinable 18-night sailings takes cruisers around Australia’s northern coast, and features a visit to the idyllic island of Bali, Indonesia – marking yet another first for Celebrity.
The new series also includes two tantalizing, 18-night Trans-Pacific voyages visiting the French Polynesian islands and Hawaii.
Among the ports Celebrity will visit for the first time are Geraldton, Broome, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Adelaide, Albany, Bunbury and Perth, Australia, in addition to Burnie, Tasmania, and Bali.
To complement the cruises and allow guests to delve deeper into the land Down Under, Celebrity has created a series of cruisetour packages, with details to be announced when bookings open for the entire slate of vacation options on Thursday, July 29. Celebrity also will announce details of an early booking incentive on that date.
The 1,814-guest Celebrity Century is ideal for offering guests spectacular views of the scenic region, having been refitted in 2006 to add 314 new verandas, along with the elegant Murano restaurant and the truly “cool” Martini ice bar.
Celebrity’s new itineraries replace the previously announced series of 12-night Caribbean cruises from Baltimore on Celebrity Century. Guests with individual and group bookings that are named and deposited on Celebrity Century departing between November 1, 2011 and March 21, 2012, have the option to cancel their booking, or move to the same category of accommodations on a comparable Transcanal voyage on Celebrity Infinity, either October 28, 2011, or March 27, 2012; Celebrity Century’s Hawaii sailings October 2 or 17, 2011, or April 2 or 20, 2012; 10- or 11-night Caribbean cruises on Celebrity Equinox in 2011, or entirely new 12-night Caribbean sailings from Cape Liberty, NJ, on Celebrity Silhouette, the line’s fourth Solstice Class ship, entering service in 2011. Holiday sailings are open only to guests currently booked on Celebrity Century’s double-holiday voyage of December 23, 2011. Guests with applicable bookings who opt to shift to one of the eligible sailings will receive a $200 per stateroom or $400 per suite onboard credit.
Guests with reservations on the previously announced sailings on Celebrity Century from Baltimore in 2011-12 will be proactively contacted by Celebrity Cruises. Guests with questions specific to those bookings are welcome to call 1-888-281-9343.
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Royal Caribbean pulling out of Miami should result in lower airfare. Airfare was cheaper to Ft. Lauderdale than Miami. Most clients from Ohio was flying into Ft. Lauderdale than taking a shuttle to Miami.
The Miami based company today announced the 3,634-passenger Liberty of the Seas will redeploy to Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades starting in November 2011 (after it spends the summer of 2011 in the Mediterranean). Liberty will join two other major Royal Caribbean ships already scheduled to sail year-round out of Fort Lauderdale: the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas and its soon-to-debut sister, Allure of the Seas.
The change will leave Royal Caribbean with just one relatively small ship based in Miami for the winter of 2011-12, the 2,354-passenger Majesty of the Seas. That's down from four ships in Miami this past winter and two ships in Miami for the coming winter of 2010-11.
The change also means Royal Caribbean will not have a single ship sailing to the Caribbean out of Miami for the first time in its 41-year history. The Majesty of the Seas sails to the Bahamas, not the Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean says Liberty of the Seas will operate four- and five-night cruises to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale -- becoming the largest ship ever to sail short voyages out of the city. Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages out of the city.
More than 20% of passengers on Celebrity cruise ship are sick
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say 369 of 1,829 passengers on the vessel have reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, up from 342 on Monday.
The Mercury is arriving in its home port of Charleston today, a day ahead of schedule, after Celebrity decided to cut the voyage short in the wake of the outbreak. The line also is delaying the next voyage of the ship, originally scheduled to begin Friday, by two days. The early arrival and delayed departure will allow for an extensive top-to-bottom cleaning and sanitizing of the ship that will stretch over three nights and four days.
The unusual delay comes after the CDC earlier this week issued a rare "no-sail" recommendation for the vessel, which has struggled with three large outbreaks of gastro-intestinal illness in a row.
The CDC, which tracks outbreaks of illness on cruise ships sailing from U.S. ports, says 411 of 1,830 passengers on the Feb. 15-26 sailing of the Mercury -- or more than 22% -- fell ill. The CDC says 182 of 1,749 passengers on the Feb. 26-March 8 voyage -- or more than 10% -- fell ill. About 7% of the ship's crew also have become sick over the past three sailings.
Test results have identified the pathogen on the first two voyages as norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug. The CDC hasn't finished testing samples from the third voyage to confirm its cause, but it is presumed to be related.
Outbreaks of such size are extremely rare, and to have three in a row is even rarer. In 2009, only two cruise ships visiting a U.S. port experienced an outbreak of illness that affected more than 10% of passengers, according to CDC data, and no ship experienced an outbreak that came close to 20% of passengers.
Celebrity also conducted an extensive top-to-bottom cleaning of the Mercury following the first outbreak that delayed the Feb. 26 departure by a day. The line also delayed the current March 8 departure of the Mercury out of Charleston by several hours so it could undergo extra cleaning and disinfecting.
Celebrity executives have said they believe passengers are bringing the illness onto the ship. News outlets in South Carolina have been reporting the state is experiencing a higher than normal number of norovirus cases this winter.
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY APPLAUDS ROYAL CARIBBEAN ON DECISION TO COMMIT TO PORT OF BALTIMORE THROUGH 2012
Newer and Larger Ship Begins Year-Round Cruising from Baltimore This Summer;
Will Continue for At Least an Additional Year
(BALTIMORE, MD) --- Governor Martin O’Malley today commended Royal Caribbean International’s decision to extend their relationship with the Port of Baltimore and offer year-round cruising through April 2012. Royal Caribbean announced earlier today that they will schedule 47 cruises from Baltimore in 2011, continuing with 11 additional cruises through April 2012. Royal Caribbean had previously only committed to year-round cruising from Baltimore through April 2011.
“The decision announced today by Royal Caribbean to expand year-round cruising from Baltimore through 2012 reflects that Baltimore is becoming the port of choice for thousands of cruise customers every year,” said Governor O’Malley. “Baltimore’s central location, the terminal’s easy access location off of Interstate 95 and our recent investment to expand parking adjacent to the terminal continue to attract passengers, even in a challenging economy. This winter also proved that the Port of Baltimore can handle year-round cruising, even when faced with unprecedented snowfall.”
Royal Caribbean will continue sailing in the next two years from Baltimore to Bermuda, the Eastern Caribbean, and New England/Canada. This summer, Royal Caribbean will begin its first year-round cruising itinerary from Baltimore on a June 18 excursion to New England/Canada. A newer and larger vessel, the Enchantment of the Seas, will be based inBaltimore in 2010. It will replace the Grandeur of the Seas, which had been home ported in Baltimore since 2004.
“With the great partnership we have had with the Port of Baltimore and our local trade partners, Royal Caribbean is excited to be launching a program from Baltimore for our eighth year and committing to a year round program for our second year,” said Diana J. Block, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises Vice President of Revenue Management and Deployment. “Along with an ideal cruise terminal location, this area is proving to be an outstanding cruise market and that is a key reason why we are bringing a larger ship and committing to another year round schedule.”
Today’s announcement by Royal Caribbean will give the Port of Baltimore a record 113 homeport cruises in 2011. Carnival Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises will also serve Baltimore in 2011. The Maryland Port Administration recently announced that a record 167,000 passengers embarked on 81 homeport cruises from the Port of Baltimore in 2009.
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Royal Caribbean to Cruise from Baltimore Through 2012
This year, the Port will have 91 homeport cruises onboard Carnival, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean. The Carnival Pride returns for its second year of year-round cruising to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean. Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas will travel to New England/Canada, Bermuda, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Bahamas. The Celebrity Mercury will return for a second season of winter cruising beginning in October and will travel to the Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean and the Bahamas. The total economic value to the State of cruising from the Port of Baltimore this year is expected to be about $90 million, an increase of about $10 million from 2009.
The Port of Baltimore is the closest East Coast drive-to port from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago. Baltimore is also within a three-hour drive from the New York City metro area. The Cruise Maryland terminal is only 2.5 miles from Baltimore’s world famous Inner Harbor, 10 miles from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and little more than an hour from three other major airports.
Maryland’s median household income of $70,540 is the highest in the U.S. Baltimore is also located within a four-hour drive of eight of the ten wealthiest counties in the U.S. The Baltimore-Washington DC-Northern Virginia region is recognized as one of the most affluent in the nation.
It's a Disney Cruise Line® first! The Disney Wonder® Cruise Ship is sailing to Alaska for a four-month season of 7-night cruises in 2011. Departing out of Vancouver, B.C., the ship will call on popular ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. More details >>
Book-ending the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sail 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles. The Disney Magic® Cruise Ship will once again return to the Mediterranean with 10- and 11-night cruises sailing out of Barcelona, Spain.
Bookings open to the general public on Sept. 28, 2009, so prepare today! Visit Disney Learning Connection to view a recorded Web seminar and learn more about the new 2011 itineraries.
Early Booking for Gold, Platinum Castaway Club Members!
If your Clients are Castaway Club members who've completed five or more sailings with Disney Cruise Line, they can book as early as Sept. 21, 2009! New benefits >>. For more information call Tyus Tours & Travel at 866-547-5362.
Mexican Rivera cruises replaced by with month long Pacific Crossings
Princesss has eliminated almost half of its Mexican Riviera Cruises as reported by Travel Weekly. Is it a sign of the times, has cruisers lost an interest in the Mexican Riviera.
Princess canceled 15 of the Sapphire Princes' seven day Mexican Riviera cruises during the 2010-2011 fall and winter season, but still offers 17 sailings to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.
Replacing those curises with two month long Pacific crossing from San Francisco to Sydney and then Sydney to Los Angeles beginning in September 2010 and three 14 day roundtip Hawii cruises from Los Angeles beginning in January 2011 all on the Sapphire. The ship will sail one 10-day Mexican Riviera itinerary.
Will the industry follow? Princess reports an enthusiastic respones to 2009 transpacific sailing. What do you think?
Carnival Cruise Line: Lose your job, we'll refund your money
Are worries about losing your job holding you back from booking a cruise? You might want to take another look at Carnival Cruise Line, which is following in the footsteps of Norwegian Cruise Line and JetBlue in offering "job loss insurance" to customers.
Carnival today announced it was enhancing its Cruise Vacation Protection insurance plan to include a clause that will give cruisers a full refund if they need to cancel due to a job loss.
The new job loss clause will kick in if a Carnival customer who has purchased the Vacation Protection plan is terminated by their employer after they have booked a voyage but before they set sail. The customer has to have worked for the employer for at least one continuous year.
Carnival also announced several other enhancements today to its travel insurance plan, including the addition of a severe weather watch/warning protection clause. The clause provides reimbursement in the event the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and/or National Weather Service issues or maintains a severe weather watch or warning within 48 hours of a cruise departure. Should the watch or warning affect either the cruise departure city or the passenger's route to that city, the plan will allow for cancellation and reimbursement up to the full amount of the cruise cost.
Another new weather protection feature provides that if a passenger is traveling to the cruise departure port via a common carrier (airplane, bus, train, etc.) and inclement weather ultimately causes the passenger to miss 50% or more of the cruise vacation, the passenger may receive reimbursement up to the total cost of the cruise.
The new clauses will apply to customers who buy Carnival's Vacation Protection Plan starting today. The plan, administered by insurance company BerkelyCare, must be purchased at least 14 days prior to the start of a cruise. Prices start at $49 per person and vary by cruise length.
Some travel insurance plans that cruisers can buy from independent insurance companies include a job loss insurance clause, but it has not been a common feature with the policies sold directly by cruise lines. Norwegian Cruise Line added a similar job loss protection to its travel insurance plan in February.
For more information call Tyus Tours & Travel at 1-866-547-5362
YOUR'RE GETTING THE BEST PRICE POSSIBLE...GUARANTEED!
Introducing Carnival's Best Price Guarantee
You've seen them before. Low price guarantees filled with so many restrictions that the only thing guaranteed is a big hassle to get your money. We think our guests deserve better than that.
Carnival's 110% Best Price Guarantee
1. Guests have 48 hours from the time they book to find a lower price
2. Carnival will give 110% of the difference in onboard credit
3. Best Price Guarantee only applies to publicly available online rates
With Carnival, the fun starts with knowing you got the best deal possible. Let our guests concentrate on their upcoming cruise; we'll worry about the rest.
the new travel requirements for U.S. Citizens going into effect on June 1, 2009
Lynn C. Torrent
Senior Vice President of Sales and Guest Services
Carnival Cruise Lines
There has been much attention on the new travel requirements for U.S. Citizens going into effect on June 1, 2009, and we would like to clarify this for you. While the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires valid passports for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.
U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license. Children will also be required to carry a birth certificate and a photo ID if over the age of 15.
Although a passport is not required for “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel), a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license (EDL). Having these documents will enable them to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.
If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port, a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required if you are traveling on any of our Europe cruises.
For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that ALL guests need proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued.
We hope you will take the time to share this important information with your clients and encourage them to invest in a passport as the preferred document of choice for proof of citizenship.
We just wanted to take this opportunity to update you on some important information regarding cruise documents.
Based on the popularity of Carnival’s electronic documents, beginning with cruise departures of August 25, 2009 and beyond, Carnival will discontinue the paper version of the cruise travel documents. All guests on sailings from this date forward will need to use Carnival’s MyDocuments portal to print electronic cruise documents.
Since the vast majority of our guests already use the electronic system, we are expecting a smooth transition. As an added convenience for your guests you may print the electronic cruise documents for them at anytime once the booking is paid in full by simply going to the MyDocuments portal (accessible at www.carnival.com/mydocuments). This feature will also provides guests with on-demand access to their Carnival booking, enabling them to print boarding passes, the terms and conditions of the cruise ticket contract, luggage tags, and other pertinent information regarding their “Fun Ship” cruise from any Internet-connected computer.
This “paperless” system provides guests with many conveniences and offers the same travel documentation and information typically available with traditional cruise documents. Housed within a secure, easy-to-navigate Internet portal accessible on a “24/7” basis, the electronic document system operates in “real time” which ensures that all last-minute changes are reflected. In addition to the peace-of-mind created by eliminating the wait for cruise documents to be delivered by mail, this initiative has a positive impact on the environment. Please be advised that the migration to an entirely eDocument format applies to both individual and group reservations.
Additional details are below:
August 3 is the last day that paper documents can be ordered for sailings prior to August 25, 2009.
Cruise documents, which include the terms and conditions of the cruise ticket contract, may be accessed online after full payment is received and will require the following information; booking number, last name of the guest, ship and sail date.
The current terms and conditions of the cruise ticket contract can be viewed at all times at www.carnival.com.
Guests who purchased FlyAweigh air/sea packages may view their air schedules within 75 days of their cruise departure date.
Although having printed e-documents will expedite the check-in process during embarkation, guests may check in at the pier without documents as their information is contained within Carnival’s reservation system.
Electronic documents include printable luggage tags that may be printed in black and white. If they are not printed, luggage tags are available at the pier.
This change will provide a more efficient way for our guests to prepare for their cruise
vacation and help us continue our efforts to be more environmentally friendly.
We appreciate your business and support of this new initiative.
This item was written by Johanna Jainchill, who covers cruising for Travel Weekly. Jainchill is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log this week while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is on vacation.
How good are the cruise deals this summer?
Some people in the industry, like Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO Kevin Sheehan, say prices are “ridiculously low”.
We asked some travel agents to send us some examples of what they thought were the top summer deals this year.
And some of the prices they are advertising would seem too good to be true in any other economy. Especially in Alaska and Europe, where until this year, demand was so high cruise lines were able to get their best premiums.
Now, it’s where consumers can find some of the best deals.
CruiseOne is offering a seven-night Holland American Line cruise from Seward, Alaska starting at $349.
America's Vacation Center (AVC) is advertising seven-night Alaska cruises starting at $399 on both Holland and Princess Cruises, and a seven-night Celebrity cruise out of Seward on June 5 that starts at $449 - with a free coupon book for onboard spending.
Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean’s senior vice president of sales, said Royal’s seven-night Alaska cruise on the Radiance of the Seas, starting at $499 in July, would cost “more than double” a year ago.
Also this summer, the airfare to Europe could set you back more than seven days at sea.
For $599, AVC has a seven-night cruise out of Barcelona on Norwegian Gem’s August 30th departure.
Brad Tolkin, president of CruiseOne and Cruises Inc., said that the deals get better the higher you go.
“The discounts on the premium and luxury lines is double on a percentage basis than what it is on the mega ships,” he said.
For example, CruiseOne is offering a twelve-night Scandinavia/Russia cruise from $1,499 on Azamara Cruises in July.
Some of the cruise deals you see these days seem too good to be true. Whether you get them by email, see them online, or see a print ad, lots of cruises—on good ships—are going for under $100 a day per person, some are going for as little as $50 a day, and even some outside and "balcony" cabins are going at near those prices. A reader recently asked the simple question:
"Are those cruise deals we see real, or are they bait & switch come-ons?"
The short answer is that they're real—well, almost real—provided you understand the economics of cruising. You do face a few mandatory extras, but they're within reason; it's the optional extras that can gouge you.
The Base prices
In early April, I saw great deals from several of the big online cruise agencies, such as and Vacations to Go. Among the best deals was an Alaskan trip, from Whittier (Anchorage) to Vancouver, May 16, starting at $349 per person inside, $379 outside, and $599 balcony. Those are all at least 67% below brochure rates. Other good deals started at $499 per person, seven nights, Western Caribbean from Miami, May 2; $599 per person, seven nights, Western Mediterranean from Pisa, May 16; and $599 per person, seven nights, Mexican Riviera from Long Beach, May 3.
I also saw lots of good deals for later in the summer peak season and into the fall, but none quite so low as the last-minute rates available for sailings within a month to six weeks. That's par for the course.
It's too late to book most spring transatlantic repositioning cruises from the U.S. and the Caribbean to Europe. The next good transatlantic deals will be returning from Europe this fall.
How Do the Cruise Lines Do It?
These days, cruise line pricing is sort of like the pricing you find on some of the most tight-fisted low-fare airlines: Sell the basic product cheap and make your profit on the extras. Thus, cruise lines try to sell as many cabins as they can at brochure or near-brochure rates, then top off their empties with last-minute discount deals. In some cases, those deals can be almost unbelievable: A few weeks ago I heard about travelers, at the port just disembarking from a $4000 cruise, who were offered a second cruise leaving that same day for $500.
According to some recent trade sources, with today's squeezes on costs and revenues, the break-even occupancy rate on some mass market lines is 100%. They make their profits on the extras.
Extras You Can't Avoid
No matter what you do, you can't really cruise for the hyped per-day prices. You have to pay at least two extras that the cruise lines don't pocket for themselves:
Tipping, although nominally "voluntary," is a virtual necessity. The mass-market lines generally recommend a total of $10-$12 per person per day, to a mix of cabin attendants and restaurant staff; more for "special" services. A few lines assess mandatory tipping or service charges—theoretically a good idea, but not unless it's coupled with a strict "no extra tipping" policy, and it generally isn't. Here's a useful online guide to cruise tipping.
Port taxes and immigration/customs fees collected on behalf of various port and government agencies are extra, just like airport taxes, although they generally add only a few dollars a day. Fortunately, the big cruise lines no longer do what they once did: split the true fare into a low-ball featured price plus a big phony "port charge" that really went to the cruise line.
As of last December, most of the big cruise lines had eliminated fuel surcharges. All told, the unavoidable extras are generally modest.
Extras You Can Avoid
The avoidable extras are those that the cruise lines do pocket for themselves or split with someone else. Those lines are generating significant profits by a combination of adding fees to features that once were "free" and by imposing big markups on optional expenditures:
Several lines have instituted extra fees to eat at some onboard "gourmet" dining rooms, surcharges for some menu items in the remaining dining rooms, and fees to use some of the ships' recreational facilities.
Merchandise at a ship's "boutiques" generally carries a stiff markup—more than you'd pay at a conventional retailer.
Beer, wine, and liquor, once sold at "duty free" prices, are now marked up to fancy-bar price levels. And most lines forbid you from bringing your own bottles aboard (although I suspect that lots of cruisers manage to circumvent this rule).
Almost all casinos are big moneymakers, and cruise ship casinos are rumored to be less generous than those in, say, Las Vegas or Laughlin.
You're apt to be constantly pestered to pose for ship photographers, and then buy the pictures at inflated prices.
Shore excursions are marked up well beyond the price you'd pay by arranging your own tour after you arrive. We've previously covered shore excursions in greater detail; the risk you face in organizing your own tour is that if you're delayed, the ship won't wait for you.
Clearly, you can avoid any or all of these optional extras. However, avoiding all of them may limit your cruise experience to an unacceptable degree.
Buyers' Guide
The longstanding suggestion to potential cruise travelers—buy very early or very late—appears to remain valid:
For maximum choice and flexibility, buy early enough to take advantage of "early bird" discounts offered by many cruise lines.
For bottom prices, wait for really good last-minute discounts, generally a month to six weeks before sailing.
Buying late requires a bit more flexibility: The number of ships, destinations, and itineraries available at rock-bottom last-minute rates is typically limited
To keep on top of opportunities, sign up for our weekly newletters featuring, Carnival's Best Deals, Carnival's Pack n Go Specials, Royal Caribbean Sales event and NCL Deals. Visit www.tyustours.com. No matter how you locate your deals, cruising remains an outstanding value, now and for the foreseeable future.
Benefits of Carnival’s Fly Aweigh® Services:
There are many great benefits when purchasing air transportation with Carnival’s Fly Aweigh program. First and foremost, Carnival takes care of your flight arrangements from beginning to end.
Additionally, Carnival has enhanced our Fly Aweigh program to provide guest assistance if travel interruptions occur. In the event that a flight does not arrive in time for the ship’s scheduled departure, guests will be flown to the next port of call and Carnival will provide complimentary hotel and ground transportation services as required.. Carnival takes the worry out of air travel so that our guests can enjoy a relaxing and memorable vacation.
Carnival’s air supplements can be added to any cruise booking beginning 331 days prior to the sail date. Flights will be assigned to guests 75 days prior to sailing and can be viewed via our website at (http://www.carnival.com/mydocuments).
Custom Fly Aweigh® Services:
At Carnival, we do everything possible to arrange the most convenient and comfortable flights for our guests. For those guests who want to customize their flight arrangements, we can adjust the flight dates, select a specific airline or arrange for Business or First class seats. The fee is only $50 per guest ($75 per guests on Europe or South America sailings) and we will take care of all the details for the customized flight arrangements. And, the best part is, you don’t pay the fee until you’ve approved your customized flight schedule.
Service Fee:
Please be aware that for bookings made on or after February 1, 2009, the current air supplement change fee of $50 will increase to $150.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT “STEPS” IT UP A NOTCH ON CELEBRITY CRUISES
There's big news today for Carnival fans who've always wanted to visit the historic city of Quebec in Canada: The line will offer its first cruises in years to the French-speaking provincial capital in 2009.
Carnival says the nine-night voyages will take place on the 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph, which will sail to Quebec out of New York. The trips are scheduled for June 25, July 23 and August 20, 2009.
In addition to Quebec City, the ship will call at Baie-Comeau and Havre St. Pierre as it sails up the glacier-carved St. Lawrence River -- a haven for whales and other marine life.
The new nine-day Quebec departures are the latest additions to Carnival’s New York cruise schedule, which also includes four- and five-day eastern Canada voyages and seven-day fall foliage cruises aboard the Carnival Triumph between June and August, and eight-day Caribbean sailings aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle between April and October.
A spokesman for Carnival tells USA TODAY the line hasn't offered cruises that stopped in Quebec City since the Carnival Mardi Gras visited the city decades ago, and this is the first time the line has offered such long trips to the city. The Triumph will remain in Quebec City for 16 hours, making it one of the line's longest port calls anywhere and allowing time for passengers to complete a day trip to Montreal.
Two Carnival ships scheduled to return Monday to ports along the Gulf Coast will remain at sea for at least two extra days to avoid an encounter with Hurricane Gustav.
Carnival today said the Carnival Ecstasy, based in Galveston, Texas, and the Carnival Fantasy, based in Mobile, Ala., are steering well clear of the storm as it barrels through the Gulf of Mexico.
The delayed return of the ships, which still must cross the Gustav-churned waters of the Gulf of Mexico to reach their home ports, will have a cascading effect on upcoming voyages. Carnival says the five-night cruise on the Carnival Ecstasy scheduled to begin Monday in Galveston will be shortened to three nights. The five-night cruise on the Carnival Fantasy scheduled to begin Monday in Mobile will become a four-night cruise.
A Carnival spokesman says passengers on the shortened voyages will receive a 50% and 25% refund, respectively, plus a discount on a future cruise. They also can opt to cancel the trip entirely for a full refund.
The movement of Hurricane Gustav and another growing storm in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Hanna, are forcing a bevy of other changes to cruise itineraries today.
In addition to the Ecstasy and the Fantasy, seven other Carnival ships are being forced to switch course due to the storms. Among them: The Carnival Inspiration, which departed Tampa on Saturday and is calling at Key West, Fla., today instead of sailing to Grand Cayman, and the Carnival Conquest, which departed Galveston today and is heading to Progreso, Mexico instead of Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Other Carnival ships with itineraries affected by the storms this week are the Carnival Liberty, Carnival Glory, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Legend.
Royal Caribbean, meanwhile, has altered the itineraries of three Florida-based ships due to the approach of Hanna: Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.
Also switching gears today due to Hanna is Norwegian Cruise Line's New York-based Norwegian Spirit, which will head to Bermuda this week instead of the Bahamas. Another Norwegian ship, the Miami-based Norwegian Sky, will skip the Bahamas in favor of the Western Caribbean.
As of 5 PM EST, Hurricane Gustav was churning across the Gulf of Mexico towards the Louisiana coast with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour -- making it a powerful Category 3 hurricane. The storm is expected to make landfall on Monday. As of 5 PM EST, Tropical Storm Hanna was about 140 miles north of Grand Turk Island and heading for the Bahamas with sustained winds of 45 miles per hour.
UPDATE: As of 11:00 AM EST Tuesday, Hanna's sustained winds had fallen to 70 miles per hour, just shy of hurricane strength. It is now a tropical storm, although forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say it could strengthen back into a hurricane over the next 36 hours.
Last week it was Gustav causing trouble for the cruise industry; this week it's Hanna.
Even before the slow-moving storm reached hurricane status Monday it was forcing cruise lines to alter itineraries, and the list of ships affected by the storm continues to grow as it churns toward key ports in the Bahamas.
In the latest change, Royal Caribbean says two Florida-based ships that normally stop at CocoCay, the line's private island in the Bahamas, will instead head to Key West, Fla., this week -- a switch that some cruisers might consider an upgrade. Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas, which departed Port Canaveral on Monday, will visit Key West on Wednesday. The line's Majesty of the Seas, which departed Miami on Monday, will visit Key West on Thursday.
A third Royal Caribbean ship, Mariner of the Seas, also is skipping CocoCay this week but will not substitute another port (the ship will go ahead with its scheduled calls in St. Thomas and St. Maarten). A fourth Royal Caribbean ship, Liberty of the Seas out of Miami, also is being affected by the storm in that it's switching the order of its port calls.
Also switching gears due to Hanna, as we've previously reported, is Norwegian Cruise Line's New York-based Norwegian Spirit, which is heading to Bermuda this week instead of the Bahamas. Another Norwegian ship, the Miami-based Norwegian Sky, will skip the Bahamas in favor of the Western Caribbean.
At least one Carnival ship, the Carnival Miracle, also has changed itineraries this week as Hanna approaches. As we reported over the weekend, Carnival already has switched the itineraries of more than half a dozen ships the past week to avoid Hurricane Gustav (see the photo above of the Carnival Legend arriving in Key West on Monday; it was originally scheduled to visit Grand Cayman).
As of 5 AM EST Tuesday, Hurricane Hanna was about 395 miles southeast of Nassau with sustained winds of 80 miles per hour -- making it a Category 1 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center says the storm will gradually strengthen Wednesday and is likely to head along the Bahamas chain toward the Southeastern coast of the United States -- a track that could impact more cruises later in the week.
Meanwhile, another potentially problematic storm, Tropical Storm Ike, has formed in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center expects Ike to grow into a hurricane later in the week and reach the Bahamas by the weekend. As of 5 AM EST, the storm already boasted sustained winds of 50 miles per hour.
Are you on a Caribbean cruise this week or about to depart on one? Come back here for the latest hurricane updates and advisories. And leave your questions and comments about the storms below.
UPDATE, 8:00 AM ET Thursday: The Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder switched the order of its port call this week to avoid Tropical Storm Hanna. The ship visited Castaway Cay, the line's private island, on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. The ship visited Nassau on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Today the Wonder is at sea, as scheduled.
Fast-growing Hurricane Ike threatens Bahamas cruises
The National Hurricane Center says the fast-growing storm could reach the eastern edge of the Bahamas by Sunday and plow across the chain on Monday and Tuesday -- no doubt forcing itinerary changes.
A tropical storm as recently as Wednesday, Ike has exploded into a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds near 145 miles per hour. As of 5 AM ET Thursday, the storm was 550 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands and heading toward the Bahamas at 17 miles per hour.
Tropical Storm Hanna, meanwhile, is expected to turn northward away from the Bahamas over the next 24 hours and reach the Carolina coast by Saturday. As of 8 AM ET Thursday, the storm was about 280 miles east-southeast of Nassau and traveling northwestward at 12 miles per hour.
The National Hurricane Center says Hanna has sustained winds of 70 miles per hour -- just shy of hurricane strength.
Do you have a question or comment about this week's storms? Click on comments!. We'd particularly like to hear from people who are cruising in the region this week or have voyages planned for next week. How have the storms impacted your vacation?
Hanna-caused detour prompts 'mutiny' on Carnival Miracle
Pity the poor passengers on the Carnival Miracle this week. The New York-based ship was supposed to head to the Caribbean to visit such popular ports as San Juan and St. Thomas. But thanks to Tropical Storm Hanna, the 2,124-passenger vessel never got further than the Bahamas and will be spending Friday more than 1,000 miles off course in -- get this -- Newport, R.I.
The drastic change to the ship's itinerary -- no other ship has been forced so far afield by this week's storms -- has cause a virtual mutiny on board, according to passenger posts on cruise-focused websites.
"The Rhode Island announcement really put people over the edge," writes one passenger in a post on the message boards of cruisecritic.com. "The attitude of the captain has caused passengers to (go) ballistic."
The poster, who goes by the handle satirical7, tells cruisecritic.com that a crowd of passengers formed near the purser's desk to chant "refund, refund" in a scene that he describes as "chaos." And passengers have "lined up for hours protesting the only (other) way they know how . . . adjusting their gratuities down to zero!"
The Carnival Miracle left New York on Friday and was supposed to sail an eight-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary with stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas and Grand Turk Island. But as Tropical Storm Hanna approached the region earlier in the week Carnival announced the ship would go no further than Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas.
Later in the week, as Hanna threatened the Bahamas, the line changed the itinerary yet again, dropping Nassau and announcing the ship would turn back northward to spend Friday in Newport. The ship is scheduled to return to New York on Saturday.
As we reported earlier in the week, Hanna has forced more than half a dozen ships operated by Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Norwegian Cruise Line to switch itineraries this week. The lines have cited the safety of passengers in making the changes.
The possibility of an itinerary change due to a tropical storm is, of course, a well-known risk when booking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season. And one of the selling points of cruise ships is that, unlike resorts on land, they can move to a better place when faced with lousy weather.
Cruise Loggers, do you think the passengers on the Carnival Miracle have a legitimate reason to gripe? Leave your comments below.
Photo courtesy Carnival Cruise Lines
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE RECOGNIZED IN CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S AUGUST CRUISE ISSUE
MIAMI – July 21, 2008 – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) received top billing in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s special August cruise issue, which hits newsstands today. The top-rated travel magazine recognizes Norwegian Gem as one of the best cruise ships for “spa lovers” and Norwegian Jade as one of the best for “foodies.”
“Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade are two of our newest Freestyle Cruising ships that offer an unmatched cruise experience and appeal to a wide range of vacationers,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. “It is particularly gratifying to be recognized by the editors at Condé Nast Traveler, since this widely read publication is respected the world over as a genuinely independent authority on travel.”
Conde Nast Traveler’s Consumer News Editor Wendy Perrin opens the special pullout section with a letter to readers highlighting the amenities she and her family enjoyed during their sailing on board Norwegian Gem’s seven-day Florida & Bahamas sailing from New York.
She writes that she found the perfect ship for a family holiday because Norwegian Gem had everything she needed including, “…a well-equipped child-care center with age specific programs and plenty of kids for my boys to befriend; sports facilities that would allow me to exhaust the whirling dervishes with minimal effort on my part (large pool, a water slide, basketball court, space for running); a selection of kid-friendly places to eat; and never having to dress up.”
Norwegian Gem Best for Spa Goers
Norwegian Gem, NCL’s newest Freestyle Cruising ship, was lauded as having one of the best spas at sea. In the Yin & Yang Spa, guests can receive a wide range of exotic and rejuvenating treatments in 18 rooms, plunge into the thalassotherapy pool and relax on heated poolside loungers.
Norwegian Gem is currently sailing seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. From November through April, the ship sails seven-day Bahamas & Florida and 10 and 11-day Exotic Southern Caribbean itineraries out of New York.
Norwegian Jade Best for Foodies
Sailing year-round in Europe, Norwegian Jade is touted in the magazine for its 12 restaurants which give guests the opportunity to eat whenever and wherever they want. The ship caters to a wide range of tastes and features Le Bistro, NCL’s signature French restaurant; Cagney’s Steakhouse; Papa’s Italian Kitchen; Paniolo’s, offering authentic Tex-Mex; an Asian complex featuring Japanese teppanyaki, a sushi bar and an Asian fusion eatery; a 24-hour diner; and an action station restaurant. With the recent Freestyle 2.0 enhancements, all of Norwegian Jade’s restaurants have new, expanded menus and Lobster Galore, where foodies can find lobster in a different restaurant every night of the cruise.
Norwegian Jade homeports in Europe year-round sailing three to 23-day itineraries with ports of call in the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Africa and Spain.
For more information and cruise tips from Condé Nast Traveler, visit www.cntraveler.com/cruise. To book a cruise on Norwegian Gem or Norwegian Jade, call a Tyus Tours & Travel toll-free at 866-547-5362.NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line. NCL is building two new Third Generation Freestyle Cruising (“F3”) ships for delivery in 2010.
NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships in the market, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.
For high resolution, downloadable images, please log onto NCL's Web site at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on NCL Corporation, contact a travel agent or NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (866) 234-0292.
A travel agent can help you find the best cruise and the best deal
Question: Is it cheaper to book a cruise online through the cruise line or through a travel agent?
--Cindy Gardina
Answer: It may or may not be cheaper to book through a travel agent, but it is definitely smarter. Here's why:
If you want chocolate, you can go to See's Candies. The chocolate may even be on sale. But you'll get only See's. And that's not, I am here to testify, a bad thing.
But suppose you also like Godiva or Toblerone or Amedei or La Maison du Chocolat. What then? Wouldn't you need a guide to tell you which one is right for you?
"The cruise line only has their products to sell, their ships, their cabins, their ports of call," says Jay Rein, chief executive and president of TravelWorm.com, an online travel agency.
Cruises used to come in two flavors: one, for the newly wed, and the other, for nearly dead. That notion is more outdated than the fur you've hidden in the closet. There are different kinds of cruises for different kinds of people and different price ranges and different kinds of ships.
"The [travel] agent can sell you everybody's cruise ship, everybody's extracurricular activities, everybody's options," Rein says. "An agency has a greater portfolio to choose from."
As for price, an agency worth its salt should be able to help you get the most for your money, whether it's alerting you to an especially good deal or getting you upgrades and perks.
An agent also can help you book tickets to your gateway destination and arrange overnight stays if necessary.
But steer away from the agent who doesn't ask enough questions to know your "vacation personality" and immediately tries to tell you that a certain cruise line on a certain date is the ticket, says Evan Eggers, president of SureCruise.com, a cruise-only online agency.
If I set sail again, I'll use an agent, whether it's clicks or bricks because, frankly, he or she (or it) will offer to help. And when was the last time anybody else in the travel industry bothered to do that?
Question: Is it cheaper to book a cruise online through the cruise line or through a travel agent?
--Cindy Gardina
Answer: It may or may not be cheaper to book through a travel agent, but it is definitely smarter. Here's why:
If you want chocolate, you can go to See's Candies. The chocolate may even be on sale. But you'll get only See's. And that's not, I am here to testify, a bad thing.
But suppose you also like Godiva or Toblerone or Amedei or La Maison du Chocolat. What then? Wouldn't you need a guide to tell you which one is right for you?
"The cruise line only has their products to sell, their ships, their cabins, their ports of call," says Jay Rein, chief executive and president of TravelWorm.com, an online travel agency.
Cruises used to come in two flavors: one, for the newly wed, and the other, for nearly dead. That notion is more outdated than the fur you've hidden in the closet. There are different kinds of cruises for different kinds of people and different price ranges and different kinds of ships.
"The [travel] agent can sell you everybody's cruise ship, everybody's extracurricular activities, everybody's options," Rein says. "An agency has a greater portfolio to choose from."
As for price, an agency worth its salt should be able to help you get the most for your money, whether it's alerting you to an especially good deal or getting you upgrades and perks.
An agent also can help you book tickets to your gateway destination and arrange overnight stays if necessary.
But steer away from the agent who doesn't ask enough questions to know your "vacation personality" and immediately tries to tell you that a certain cruise line on a certain date is the ticket, says Evan Eggers, president of SureCruise.com, a cruise-only online agency.
If I set sail again, I'll use an agent, whether it's clicks or bricks because, frankly, he or she (or it) will offer to help. And when was the last time anybody else in the travel industry bothered to do that?
Question: Is it cheaper to book a cruise online through the cruise line or through a travel agent?
--Cindy Gardina
Answer: It may or may not be cheaper to book through a travel agent, but it is definitely smarter. Here's why:
If you want chocolate, you can go to See's Candies. The chocolate may even be on sale. But you'll get only See's. And that's not, I am here to testify, a bad thing.
But suppose you also like Godiva or Toblerone or Amedei or La Maison du Chocolat. What then? Wouldn't you need a guide to tell you which one is right for you?
"The cruise line only has their products to sell, their ships, their cabins, their ports of call," says Jay Rein, chief executive and president of TravelWorm.com, an online travel agency.
Cruises used to come in two flavors: one, for the newly wed, and the other, for nearly dead. That notion is more outdated than the fur you've hidden in the closet. There are different kinds of cruises for different kinds of people and different price ranges and different kinds of ships.
"The [travel] agent can sell you everybody's cruise ship, everybody's extracurricular activities, everybody's options," Rein says. "An agency has a greater portfolio to choose from."
As for price, an agency worth its salt should be able to help you get the most for your money, whether it's alerting you to an especially good deal or getting you upgrades and perks.
An agent also can help you book tickets to your gateway destination and arrange overnight stays if necessary.
But steer away from the agent who doesn't ask enough questions to know your "vacation personality" and immediately tries to tell you that a certain cruise line on a certain date is the ticket, says Evan Eggers, president of SureCruise.com, a cruise-only online agency.
If I set sail again, I'll use an agent, whether it's clicks or bricks because, frankly, he or she (or it) will offer to help. And when was the last time anybody else in the travel industry bothered to do that?
Company announces Pride of America’s deployment through 2010 Pride of Aloha to leave the fleet in May
HONOLULU – February 11, 2008 –NCL Corporation (“NCL”) today announced the withdrawal of Pride of Aloha from the Hawai‘i market effective May 11, 2008. The ship is being transferred to Star Cruises and will be re-flagged and deployed in Asia in the summer of 2008.
The remaining year-round ship in Hawai‘i will be the larger and newer Pride of America, introduced in 2005, a vessel specifically designed and built for Hawai’i cruising. The company announced, and put on sale, Pride of America’s sailings through 2010 offering its popular inter-island cruises departing every Saturday from Honolulu.
Since the announcement a year ago of Pride of Hawai‘i’s temporary transfer to NCL's European deployment, renamed as Norwegian Jade, the company has embarked on a major fleet-wide initiative called Freestyle 2.0 featuring significant product and hardware upgrades to its modern fleet, including Pride of America. The Freestyle 2.0 program will further enhance the on-board experience taking Freestyle Cruising to the next level. Enhancements include a major investment in the total dining experience; upgrading the stateroom experience; new wide ranging on-board activities for all guests; additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa guests; and the establishment of casual action-station restaurants taking the place of the “traditional” buffet experience. Freestyle 2.0 will be in place on Pride of America and across NCL’s fleet, now the youngest fleet in the cruise industry, by the middle of May 2008.
“Pride of Aloha pioneered the new inter-island market but, as we move forward with Freestyle 2.0 to take our product to the next level across what is already the youngest fleet in the industry, we cannot justify further investment in this ship,” said Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice president of marketing, sales and passenger services. “Withdrawing Pride of Aloha was an extremely difficult but necessary commercial decision; however we see a strong future for the long-term flagship in Hawai‘i, Pride of America. In Pride of America, we have created a commercially successful modern U.S. Flag cruise ship home ported in Hawai‘i - the first time that has ever been achieved. With Pride of America, we are offering a high quality product, on a world class ship sailing one of the most exciting itineraries available in the industry.
“With today’s announcement of Pride of America’s itinerary through 2010, our guests and travel partners can choose a Freestyle Cruising vacation on a big, modern ship visiting all four main islands and featuring more time to explore ashore than any other cruise line sailing in Hawai‘i. In the longer term, as demand continues to grow for this premium experience, we hope to bring back our other modern purpose-built U.S.-flag ship, Pride of Hawai‘i.”
Guests booked on Pride of Aloha
For guests booked on Pride of Aloha from May 11, 2008 and beyond, NCL is holding space and will offer the same cruise fare as they currently have paid on their Pride of Aloha cruise if they would like to transfer to the same week on Pride of America, departing one day earlier. In addition:
• Guests will receive a $100 per person on-board credit (up to $200 per stateroom).
• For guests who made their air and/or hotel arrangements through NCL, NCL will protect the rates they currently have paid and cover any air or hotel change fees.
• For guests who purchased their own air, NCL will protect up to the first $100 per person of any increase in air costs and cover up to $75 per person in air change fees.
• For guests who made independent hotel arrangements, NCL will cover any hotel change fees up to $25 per person.
Guests may book any other NCL cruise and receive a $100 per person on-board credit (up to $200 per stateroom) if they rebook by March 7, 2008. In addition, NCL will cover up to $75 per person in air change fees and up to $25 per person in hotel change fees.
Guests may cancel their cruise and receive a full refund if NCL is notified by March 7, 2008. In addition, NCL will cover up to $75 per person in air change fees and up to $25 per person in hotel change fees. After March 7, 2008 cancellation fees will apply in accordance with NCL’s cancellation policy.
Pride of America’s deployment announced through 2010
Following a 14-day scheduled dry dock in Hawai‘i from April 26, 2008 to May 10, 2008, Pride of America will sail its four main island itinerary with a change in order of ports including an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kaua‘i; an afternoon cruise of the breathtaking Napali Coast; Hilo, Hawai‘i; an evening sail by Mount Kilauea; Kona, Hawai‘i; and an overnight in Kahului, Maui. All of the Freestyle 2.0 enhancements will be rolled out on Pride of America during the ship’s dry-dock.
Launched in 2005, Pride of America has over 660 balcony staterooms, the broadest range of family-friendly interconnecting cabins available at sea, a choice of nine different restaurants and 12 dining options, multiple entertainment venues, three pools, extensive children’s facilities, an abundance of spacious public rooms, and the largest dedicated meeting facilities at sea. All inspired by the diverse regions of America.
Cabotage Issues
Commenting on the Pride of Aloha withdrawal, NCL’s President and CEO Colin Veitch said: “Our Hawai‘i business has been extraordinarily difficult, and although we have progressively established a stable operation, delivering a good product in a great destination, the overall price level in the market has been driven down, to a significant degree, by an unprecedented expansion of capacity from low-cost foreign flag ships based on the west coast operating domestic Hawai‘i itineraries that the Customs Service has indicated are legally the preserve of U.S. flag ships.
“We have invested heavily in U.S. flag cruising in reliance on our nation’s cabotage laws providing a level playing field in Hawai‘i. Our remaining ship, Pride of America, is generating an encouraging profit now, and we project a continued improvement in this one-ship operation as the unique nature of Hawai‘i, from a cabotage standpoint, is clarified and restored. In due course, we would then expect, and hope, to be able to grow our U.S. flag business back to two profitable ships by reintroducing Pride of Hawai‘i.”
About NCL Corporation
NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line. NCL is building two new Third Generation Freestyle Cruising (“F3”) ships for delivery in 2010.
NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships in the market, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations for cruises departing from U.S. ports
Due to new U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations for cruises departing from U.S. ports, all cruise lines are now required to submit a final departure manifest at least 60 minutes prior to departure. As a result of this new regulation, guests are required to provide us with registration information prior to embarkation.
The easiest and most convenient way to provide this information is to complete our FUNPASS online registration process (www.carnival.com/mycruise) at least three (3) days prior to departure. Guests that do not complete the registration process prior to embarkation will be required to check-in at least 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or they will be subject to denied boarding (no refunds will be provided).
In addition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will no longer be accepting oral declarations to satisfy the requirements for identity and citizenship documentation. Guests must present the proper travel documentation at embarkation. For complete information on the required travel documentation, please visit the U.S. Government website (www.travel.state.gov).
MIAMI – November 15, 2007 – NCL Corporation announced today that it will begin assessing guests a fuel supplement in response to record high fuel prices. Effective on all new NCL and NCL America bookings made on or after December 1, 2007, the fuel supplement will be $7 per person per day for the first and second guests in a stateroom and $3 per person per day for any additional guests in the same stateroom. “With oil prices skyrocketing, the fuel supplement is a necessary step for us,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. Prior to finalizing the details of the fuel supplement, the company sought input from members of its President’s Club, those travel partners that do the largest volume of business with NCL. “It was helpful to hear feedback from our travel partners. We value their opinions and took their input into consideration when setting the parameters for this supplement. Implementing it on new bookings only will enable travel partners to continue to focus on selling new customers on an NCL cruise versus servicing existing bookings,” Veitch added. “Decisions like this are often difficult and, in this case, we hope we have found the right balance for NCL and our valued travel partners, as well as our guests.” NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and Orient Lines. NCL plans to build two new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in 2010. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.
Hey Boo! (A term of endearment to my wonderful travel Partners) I just returned from our National Sales meeting in New Orleans! I must say I agree with their saying:
Joie de vivre (zhwah duh viv-re) "The joy of living" certainly is the attitude of the New Orleans citizens that permeates their lifestyle and your client’s vacation!
I have heard from many of you, that you are hesitant to sell New Orleans as a destination or departure port. I just returned from three days in the city attending our National Sales Meeting. I learned many facts that I thought I would share with you.
FACT: PORT FACILITIES: The Carnival port facilities are better than ever! Approximately 2 months after Hurricane Katrina our new port facility was opened and is beautiful! The process of embarkation/ debarkation is as easy as can be and the area is comfortable with great facilities. There are more than 1000 covered parking spaces which are conveniently located.
FACT: CRIME: The Attorney General, Mayor Nagin and Lieutenant Governor Landrieu addressed our meeting and shared with us crime statistics for the city.
Serious crimes (homicide, etc) are being committed outside of tourist areas and its primarily gang members against gang members. None of these crimes have been against tourists. As with any city, you must use caution when you travel and are in unfamiliar areas.
FACT: THE DEVASTATION: As your guests are flying into New Orleans and boarding a cruise they really don’t see the devastation and in some ways it is unfortunate. It might be a good idea for other areas of American to we see the terrible things that this city has had to go endure. They still have the poverty that they had before the hurricane and I do think as Americans that we should see it and know it and try to help. But for your purposes of selling travel and your clients vacations…
The airport is up and running. Shops and restaurants are open. Actually all of the same establishments are still there! Indeed some areas have improved.
FACT: FUN: New Orleans is FUN! Jazz, wonderful antique shoppes, lovely bars, Bourbon Street, the square are waiting for you and your customers. This city has everything to offer and more. The hospitality is as gracious as always and importantly New Orleans wants your business!
FACT: THE FOOD: "New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin." Mark Twain. A statement so true or as I would put it: “against the law good!” The service was and is fabulous and as always you can find unique dishes such as Etouffe, Jambalaya, Gumbo, beignets, andouille sausage and desserts – Oh the desserts!
“When the taste changes with every bite and the last bite is as good as the first, that's Cajun.” Paul Prudhomme
FACT: THE FRENCH QUARTER IS CLEAN: The one hundred block area in New Orleans is one of the USA’s great treasures! Wonderful antique shops, some of the best restaurants in the world, beautiful hotels, the courtyards, the flowers, specialty boutiques, they are there for you! Saks has a beautiful new store! Harrah’s for gambling. And of course for the more wild customers - Bourbon Street- (that’s the same, too - smile).
FACT: LESS TOURISTS: This means, better hotel rates, easier access to some of the finest dining in the world. It is easy to get around, easy to walk the streets, easy to find great seating in the best Jazz clubs in the country. New Orleans is not empty by any means, but there aren't as many visitors as before. Actually, I found it to be fabulous! It allows the people of New Orleans to provide as they say “Lagniappe” which is a Cajun word for "a little something extra."
FACT: THE CARNIVAL FANTASY: offers 4 & 5 day cruises from New Orleans. What a great opportunity to extend the stay in New Orleans for 2-3 days to make a seven day vacation! I hope you will recommend and promote New Orleans for the true destination it is. Plus a chance for more revenue.
Did I mention the Food…?
Don't let the media keep you from selling this incredible destination! New Orleans deserves our support- it is up to us, the travel industry. Should you want any assistance promoting New Orleans as a destination, please let me know.
Allons! (Let’s go!)
And, Laisser les bons temps rouler “Let the good times roll!
Carnival Cruise Line "Fun Ship" Fascination recently underwent a 35-day refurbishment and emerged with a host of new and expanded facilities. To view The Fascination PPT with updated photo's click on Picture.
For questions or comments contact Ricky Tyus at myblog@tyustours.com.
Baby Boomers seeking fun and entertainment should try Tyus tours & travel Olde School Cruise which sails May 27-June 2, 2007 aboard Norwegian Cruise Line Spirit from New York.
The Olde School Cruise is 6 day cruise. This cruise has it all. Visit Orlando's best Theme Parks. Visit the hottest beaches in Key West and Nassau, and NCL's private island, Great Stirrup Cay.
The Olde School Cruise will feature Live 70's music, 70's Dance and 70's Attire Evening an overnight party on NCL's private island, "Great Stirrup Cay". Plus an optional post Cruise Broadway play and stay. For more information visit www.tyustours.com/olde school cruise or call 866-547-5362 for more details. Click picture for more.
This Weeks Hot Spots! Presented by Continental Airlines Vacations We’ve tracked down these hot deals to our top destinations to make it easy for you to save on your next vacation.
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2nd Aruba Veterans Tennis Invitational priced from $1050 per person! La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club, 11/3-11/7/2010 The time is here to invite you to the 4th Aruba Veterans Tennis Invitational
We will again inaugurate this Special Tournament with our usual "Champagne Night" with Live entertainment.
GET UP & GO! Great Deals on last minute travel! Limited Time Offer!
Updated every Wednesday with hot prices to hot destinations. Presented by USAIRWAYS VACATIONS.
Specials for week of 07/27/2010;
Air, & 2 nights to Las Vegas priced from $186. Air & 2 nights to Orlando, Fl.
Carnival's Best Deals! So many Deals on so many Cruises to so many places!
Carnival features year-round sailings aboard 22 fabulous floating resorts (the newest and most innovative fleet at sea) to a wide selection of popular vacation destinations.
Tyus tours & travel is an Independent Travel Agent for Kenley Konnection Travel, 5773 Emporium Square, Columbus, Ohio 43231, 614-898-9505. A signed agreement is on file for your inspection.
Two Carnival ships scheduled to return Monday to ports along the Gulf Coast will remain at sea for at least two extra days to avoid an encounter with Hurricane Gustav.
