Cape Canaveral
Disney Cruise Line is upping the ante in the battle for family cruisers today by announcing plans for a high-speed flume ride on its next ship, the Disney Dream. The 765-foot-long attraction, to be called AquaDuck, is like nothing ever before seen on a cruise ship. It will wind around a good portion of the top deck of the 1,250-cabin vessel, currently under construction at a shipyard in Germany and scheduled to debut in January 2011. more.... Juneau, Alaska
The cruise industry for the second time this year warned Juneau officials that it does not support planned port expansions in the capital city. The association said its members support repairs to existing structures, but "no new dock capacity is needed in view of the near- and mid-term outlook for the cruise industry in Alaska," president John Hansen wrote. The industry, through the Alaska Cruise Association, last month filed a lawsuit against the state challenging $46 out of its $50 cruise ship passenger tax. more... Miami
Few vessels in the history of cruising have received as much pre-inaugural publicity -- and positive buzz -- as Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. And yet with just over a month to go until the inaugural voyage of the largest cruise ship ever built, early sailings remain far from sold out -- a fact that is surprising some industry insiders. "It's quite odd, (and) it's not a good sign," says longtime industry watcher Stewart Chiron, CEO of cruiseguy.com. read more.... Seattle
The owner of luxury line America Safari Cruises will announce plans this week for a new brand, InnerSea Discoveries, that will focus on getting adventure-minded vacationers into the most beautiful and wildlife-filled corners of Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage.
InnerSea Discoveries is designed as a less expensive alternative to 12-year-old American Safari Cruises -- an Alaska-focused line that caters to the rich and famous with three small ships that cost $850 to $1,500 per person, per day. InnerSea voyages will start at around $300 per person, per day, with the typical cabin costing less than half as much as on an American Safari ship. more... Bergen
Hurtigruten ASA have signed a contract for an 18 month charter of MV Finnmarken with an optional 18 months extension. The ship will be providing marine construction support vessel services on the Gorgon project in Western Australia. The contract will commence early in 2010. The contract value is AUD 135 million for the 18 months period, including a charter of a supply ship. “This is an important agreement for Hurtigruten ASA. It represents predictable revenue over a long period of time, and shows that Hurtigruten also is competitive in this market” says Olav Fjell, the Hurtigruten CEO. Maghera, Italy
Details of Holland America Line’s newest ship Nieuw Amsterdam are being made available ahead of its launch through a new Site NieuwAmsterdam. Nieuw Amsterdam’s inaugural 10-day cruise departs from Venice on July 4, 2010. The site provides interactive videos, photographs, animation and renderings that bring the 2,104-passenger ship to life. La Romana
The Government of the Dominican Republic has granted Costa Cruises a five-year extension on the public concession for the use of Catalina Island as a private beach resort. Fewer than 10sq km, Catalina Island is close to La Romana and is renowned for its beaches and clear waters, especially good for diving and snorkeling. In December 2002, the new Port of La Romana, built under an agreement between Costa and the Central Romana Corp., was inaugurated. Honkong
Star Cruises Ltd. shareholders approved a resolution changing the company’s name to Genting Hong Kong Ltd. The change follows the soft opening of Resorts World at Manila, Star’s first foray into a land-based attraction, and the sale of its Port Klang pier and terminal in Malaysia. Genting Berhad, the holding company of the Genting Group of companies, is listed on Malaysia’s stock exchange and is a substantial indirect shareholder in Star Cruises. Ferry company Norfolkline is riding high on the English Channel despite the recession, stealing market share from its rivals for the fifth consecutive year. Norfolkline's share of the Dover car ferry market has risen from 4% in 2004 to 28% in 2009. In 2008 Norfolkline carried in excess of 600,000 cars between Dover and Dunkirk and this figure is set to be nearer 800,000 cars for 2009 with two and a half million passengers carried. Norfolkline was voted `Best Ferry Company' in 2008's Guardian, Observer and guardian.co.uk Travel Awards Copenhagen
DFDS is reported to be among the interested in buying the biggest Polish ferry operator, Polferries. Polferries operates a number of shipping routes in the Baltic Sea. For DFDS, Polferries may not seem to be the most obvious place to invest, but on the other hand it might be the estimation that more volume is needed in order to make a profitable business. DFDS has earlier said that the company wants to take part in a consolidating of the market, and the Baltic Sea. DFDS and Polferries have already a cooperation agreement in place and DFDS a vessel on charter from Polferries. Hansweert, Holland
M/v "Plancius" was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named "Hr. Ms. Tydeman". The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was finally purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. Still under construction at the dutch Reimerswaal shipyard, but available for Polar expeditions in January 2010, the vessel shall be completely rebuilt as a 110-passenger vessel. More ship's details here...
Photo shows mv Plancius at the Yard, courtesy of maritimephoto.com Barcelona,
During the ABTA convention, Micky Arison denied having "ship envy" over RCI's ms Oasis of the Seas. “QM2 will be the largest ship we will ever build,” said Arison, adding that the organization had no plans to build any larger ships than those currently in service for key brands Carnival Cruise Lines and P&O Cruises. Sounds like a Politician who, after his party lost the voting contest, still claims victory. Tilbury,England
The vessel is lying at Tilbury, England, and is to be sold by sealed tender, ‘as is where is’ at the time of sale, on the Admiralty Marshal’s Conditions of Sale. Offers should be submitted in a sealed envelope marked ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT to be received by CW Kellock & Co Ltd latest noon Tuesday 10th November 2009. The vessel was last operated by German Tour operator Phoenix Reisen. ...that is, a live, fully dynamic cruise booking website with real-time prices and availability that is the ultimate easy-to-use service for both holidaymakers and travel agents. Such is the strength of the fully integrated booking engine that runs the site, the company claims it will be able to offer the most comprehensive and competitive cruise prices in the UK – from the value end of the market right through to the luxury cruise product. CustomCruises.co.uk San Pedro, CA
A $1.2 billion plan aimed at redeveloping San Pedro's waterfront was approved by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners early Wednesday morning, including the construction of a controversial cruise terminal near Cabrillo Beach. Port officials have also said they hope the new cruise terminal would keep Disney Cruise Lines in San Pedro. Disney is scheduled to start offering Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles under the terms of a two-year agreement set to begin in 2011. more... Genova
After having received some 16,000 suggestions submitted by Travel Agencies in over 40 countries, Costa Cruises has come up with a shortlist of 25 pairs of names, from which the winning entry could be chosen and the names of the two new ships announced. All Costa customers and visitors to the website can take part by choosing their favorite pair of names from those listed at The World of Costa. Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced Monday that its 490-guest Seven Seas Navigator will undergo a comprehensive, stem-to-stern refurbishment. "Seven Seas Navigator is beloved by our loyal repeat guests because it feels like you are cruising aboard a world-class luxury yacht," stated Mark Conroy, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "After her makeover she will sport a stunning new look and feel, two new dining venues and a spa operated by the renowned Canyon Ranch." |
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