US officials are working on a proposed rule that could dramatically alter the itineraries of many foreign-flagged cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines.
The new proposals would require much longer port stays. The changes would require 48-hour stays instead of the usual four to 12-hour visits at foreign ports of call. “It is aimed at helping the US-flagged ships operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines America on Hawaiian cruises compete with foreign-flagged cruise lines sailing from California,” say wire reports.
Virtually all cruise ships operating from US ports are registered in foreign nations to avoid the cost of meeting American labor, environmental and other costs. But the impact could have much broader implications, imperiling cruises from US ports to Alaska, Canada, New England and some to the Caribbean, complain critics. Cruise vacationers may find companies offering more limited itineraries and fewer three-and-four-day trips.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Feb 25
Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises announced today that its new expedition ship (originally acquired as World Discoverer II) will be renamed HSH Prince Albert II, in tribute to Prince Albert of Monaco. The name is fitting for a ship that will be dedicated to the exploration and conservation of the planet's oceans, wildlife and indigenous cultures. The Principality of Monaco, aside from being the world's capital of wealth and luxury, and home to Silversea's global headquarters, has long been recognized as a leader in marine environment research. Prince Albert I, a pioneer in oceanographic science and exploration, first explored the Arctic's Svalbard archipelago in the early part of the last century, and founded the world renowned Oceanographic Institute. In 2006, Prince Albert II plotted a similar course on part of his journey to the North Pole, in an effort to add to the scientific body of work started by his ancestor -- and to draw attention to the effects of global warming on the Arctic regions. As a result, the Prince is the first incumbent head of state to have reached the northern most point on Earth.
"We are deeply honored to have our new expedition ship named after His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco," said Manfredi Lefebvre, Silversea's chairman. "His passion for environmental conservation is well known and we are committed to supporting his mission by offering travelers the chance to discover and appreciate some of the world's most remote and unspoiled regions."
When Silversea's adventure ship sets sail on June 12, following a naming ceremony in Monte Carlo, it will herald the beginning of a new mode in exploration cruising--where a luxurious ambiance is just as important as the eye-opening educational experiences it will deliver. The Lloyd's Register A1A ice-rated vessel is purpose-built for expedition cruising and is currently undergoing an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation at the Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste, Italy. To ensure the ship will deliver an expedition cruise experience consistent with Silversea's award-winning luxury standards, the refurbishment will include exterior design modifications, state-of-the-art technological enhancements and a comprehensive upgrade of all guest accommodations and public spaces. The ship is also being outfitted with a new fleet of eight, latest-model Zodiac boats with Yamaha four-stroke engines (for lowest possible emissions) that will allow guests to enjoy up-close exploration and access to some of the world's most remote landscapes.
"The interest in expedition cruising is definitely on the rise, among both affluent baby boomers and seasoned travelers wanting to further enrich their already wide knowledge of more traditional and established destinations. Silversea's HSH Prince Albert II will be the perfect option for those adventure-seekers who prefer a genuine expedition ship experience enhanced with the comforts of a true luxury product," said Amerigo Perasso, Silversea president. "Adventure travel is also about having experiences that are intellectually enriching, so every voyage will feature a carefully selected expedition team of lecturers and leading experts who will share their insights on the natural, cultural and historical highlights of some of the most pristine and secluded regions on Earth."
In a related development, the company has announced the appointment of Conrad Combrink as Silversea director of expeditions, with responsibility for developing the ship's itinerary and programs. He will also oversee the recruitment of expedition staff and lecturers. Combrink's career of over ten years in expedition cruising includes serving as expedition leader on World Discoverer I and II.
EXPLORING THE EARTH: TOP TO BOTTOM
Silversea's expedition ship will set sail June 12 from London on an Inaugural Season of voyages of 10 to 21 days focusing on polar adventures. Sailing first to the Arctic Circle, Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland for the summer, the ship will then reposition to South America and Antarctica for autumn and winter voyages. From mid-August to November 2008, HSH Prince Albert II will journey from the east coast of North America through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles before heading south to Ushuaia. Along this special repositioning route are opportunities to explore the Sea of Cortez (with an extension to Copper Canyon), Falklands and South Georgia Island. Pricing starts at $3,867, per person, double occupancy, and includes shore excursions as well as Silversea's signature all-inclusive amenities.
After the ship's refit, the ice-class vessel will carry just 132 guests in 66 ocean-view accommodations, many featuring private verandas. With staterooms and suites ranging from 180 to over 600 square feet, it will provide some of the largest accommodations of any expedition ship. 18 suites will each feature more than 400 square feet of luxury.
Guests will also enjoy many amenities found on larger ships, such as an elegant single-seating main dining room, library (with computers and Internet access), boutique, beauty salon, fitness center, full-service spa and two Jacuzzi pools. The ship will also feature several lounges for enjoying drinks, music and entertainment, including a cigar lounge like the Humidor on the line's other ships. The HSH Prince Albert II will also be equipped with state-of-the-art satellite communication systems, providing bow-to-stern wireless Internet access, enabling guests with Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and PDAs to surf the Internet and check e-mails from the comfort of their suites as well as public areas. Cellular phone service will also allow guests to stay in touch using their own cell phones even when the ship is miles away from land. All suites and staterooms will feature flat screen monitors offering interactive TV and video options. In the ship's lounges, the latest audio-visual equipment, complete with high-definition video screens, will display live lectures hosted by the ship's world-class expedition and lecture staff as well as visiting destination experts. idel Castro's resignation has raised speculation about US travel to Cuba but the most likely impact may be on the cruise business, according to a leading industry analyst. Cruise lines that cater to Americans could be calling on Cuba within months of getting the go-ahead from US lawmakers.
That's what industry watchers such as Robin Farley of UBS suggest, noting that major lines such as Carnival are ready to jump on Cuba as a destination should the US lift its economic embargo on the Caribbean nation.
While the move does not mean that the US will end its economic embargo in the near future, "new leadership could be a positive event for the cruise industry if diplomatic relations resulted in the opening of Cuba to American tourism," Farley wrote in a research note.
Cuba would represent a new itinerary with significant pent-up demand from American tourists and a lack of developed hotel infrastructure, favouring cruise ships as a way to visit the island. "Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and only 230 miles from Miami, allowing for it to be part of a variety of itineraries and has long been in the cross-hairs of the American cruise lines," Farley wrote.
"Havana is a natural deep-water port and we believe operators could build dockside infrastructure on a much faster timeline than it would take to build US branded hotel."
Few industry watchers expect the US to lift its embargo on Cuba soon. But the move has raised the possibility that changes in the country - and in the US's relationship with it - could be coming.
So far the major cruise lines are not talking much about future plans.
A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told USA TODAY that while the line hopes to have its ships visiting Cuba in the future, "it's premature to judge how events will unfold there, and (we) don't have anything to say at this time". Bar Habor, Maine
Complaints about an overcrowded downtown have led a Maine towm, Bar Harbor, to impose a limit on the number of passengers cruise ships may bring to town.
The Bar Harbor Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to restrict the number of passengers that can disembark at one time to 3,500 in the months of July and August, with the harbor master able to raise that number to 3,700 at his discretion, according to the Bar Harbor Times. The number will increase to 5,500 from May 1 to June 30, and from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, the paper reported. The restriction will go into effect during the summer season of 2010.
The decision is in response to complaints from residents and business owners that passengers from larger cruise ships overcrowd the downtown, and buses transporting them restrict traffic, the Times reported. Currently, the town allows two ships to be anchored in the harbor on the same day, and larger cruise ships can hold more than 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members. On Azamara Cruises' and Celebrity Cruises' ships:
"While many of our guests come onboard seeking a once-in-a-lifetime wedding or vow renewal location, and we've been happy to provide them with in-port weddings led by a local official, their number-one request is for captains to perform the ceremony," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises Vice President of Hotel Operations. "Now, we're able to fulfill that wish, while sailing the open waters of the world."
With the recent re-registration of seven of Celebrity's eight ships in Malta, where Azamara's two ships also are registered, government regulations have changed to allow for captains to perform legal marriages while the ships sail the seas of the world. Guests planning to be married at sea by Azamara and Celebrity captains will have a variety of packages available to them and should book their weddings well in advance of their sailing dates to allow time for the processing of licenses and other legal documents. Lovebirds are encouraged to visit Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises web sites for details. Happy Valentine!
Athens
Owner of sunken Sea Diamond will have its assets impounded if it fails to raise the wreck and mop up pollution, Greece says. Greece has threatened Louis Hellenic with legal action if it fails to raise the wreck of the Sea Diamond and clear up pollution from the sunken ship. Deputy merchant marine minister, Panayiotis Kammenos, says Greece will impound the Cypriot owner’s assets if it is
unwilling to follow orders. Greece wants sunken cruise ship owners to pay for cleanup."This issue tops our agenda until a solution can be found," Merchant Marine Minister George Voulgarakis said in a statement. The ministry and Santorini authorities will take "every legal measure" to drain the fuel and raise the wreck,the statement said. The 143-metre (472-foot) Sea Diamond operated by Louis Hellenic Cruises (LHC) sank to a depth of 140 metres (450 feet) after hitting a reef in April. Two French tourists were killed. The company has so far paid to collect over 300 tonnes of fuel that seeped to the surface and insists there was no harm to the local environment.
Honolulu
NCLs much touted Amercain Flag, American crew, cruise American….has gone sour. Another vessel is to leave Hawaii be re flagged and send over to STAR Cruises in Asia. The ms Pride of Aloha will depart on may 11th read more>>>>>
San Francisco
The historic ocean liner Independence, the last liner built in the United States to sail under the American flag, was towed out of its berth on the San Francisco waterfront Friday headed for an unknown future. It left the dock quietly and slowly in a thick fog, like a wraith, like a ghost out of the past. The Independence was a famous ship in its day, but that was long ago. The liner made its maiden voyage from New York on a cruise to the Mediterranean 57 years ago this month. The old ship sailed under a new name: It has been called the Oceanic since summer. Its voyage is also a bit of a mystery. Norwegian Cruise Line, the ship's last owner, sold it last year but refused this week to say who the new owner is. There was even a minor mystery about its destination. Earlier this week, Leon Hall, of Inchcape Shipping Services, an agent representing the ship, said the final port of call "had not been decided yet." On Friday, however, the destination was listed as Singapore. Read more >>>
Napoli
MSC Cruises has signalled its intent to capture a greater share of the European cruise market by unveiling its biggest ship. The Italian line's 3,959-passenger Fantasia is one of four new vessels under construction at the St Nazaire ship yard in France.
The 13O,OOO-ton ship, which is due to enter service in December, is the first of two megaliners being built for the company for year-round Mediterreanean cruising. The twin ships will bring the fleet up to 12 and enable MSC to increase its annual carryings to one million by 2O1O from the 8OO,OOO expected this year. The line is also weeks away from the delivery of 3,OOO-passenger MSC Poesia which is to be named in Dover on April 5. This is the third in a series of four ships. According to Lloyd’s magazine, Louis will adopt a renewal programme for its fleet. “The Company is to start negotiations with European shipyards on a newbuilding of around 2,000-passenger capacity for delivery in 2012”, chief executive Stelios Kiliaris told Lloyd’s.“Louis is looking to dispose of three ageing vessels from its fleet this year, Ivory, Princesa Marissa and Serenade. Negotiations are under way with prospective buyers for two of these ships, which are most likely to be turned into floating hotels”, the magazine wrote.According to the report, “on the operations front, the company is looking at new itineraries in the Greek islands as well as the possibility of offering a dedicated ship in the Eastern Mediterranean for either Chinese or Russian passengers. In another major development, Louis is part of one of the three international consortia fighting for the major contract to develop and manage the new Larnaka cruise port”.“Its involvement with easyCruise's newbuilding plans have been shelved for the time being”, the magazine concluded
London
Roger Allard, chairman of All Leisure, said he is on the look out for more cruise tonnage. Chartering, leasing or purchasing are the options. All leisure focus is on the more mature customer with a relatively stable disposable income and available time. All Leisure Group reported pre-tax profit of €9,96m on turnover of € 59.7m for the year to October 31 - its first full-year results as an AIM-listed company. Operational highlights included the acquisition of Swan Hellenic, a strong performance by Voyages of Discovery and the charter of Minerva.
Summer 2008 sales for its Swan Hellenic brand, purchased from Lord Sterling reached already 90% of budgeted revenue.
‘New York and the Northeast need an Italian ship back home,’ Sasso said. ‘We’re still setting the target of trying to have some presence by Spring 2010.’
Before that, MSC Cruises’ maiden call to New York City is scheduled for May 5-6, 2009, with MSC Orchestra. ‘It’s going to be a nice event. We will probably tie it in with promotions in New York since we still have ambitions to be a prominent player in the Northeast,’ Sasso parlare. ‘We’re having on-going discussions with the New York ports, the Northeast ports and Bermuda,’ he added. With MSC Orchestra joining the Caribbean line-up in the 2008/09 season, MSC Cruises USA can tout expanded itineraries to North American travel agents and customers. The ship joins MSC Lirica, which returns for another season. |
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