NCL voted most improved cruise line

Norwegian Cruise Line was voted ‘most improved cruise line’ by CruiseOne, over 550 independent cruise travel agencies and Cruise Inc., the nation’s first host agency network, at the agency’s 15^th annual 2008 national conference which was held at sea on the 14-22 September.

"In 2008, we have seen significant enhancements with Partnership 2.0 - so much so that our more than 1,000 cruise agents voted NCL "Most Improved Cruise Line" for 2008," said Dwain Wall, CTC senior vice president, general manager, CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. "The voting, done in August, was one of the highest participations we've seen and NCL was definitely number one in this important category. On behalf of all CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. agents, we thank NCL for their commitment to travel agents. It is clear that Partnership 2.0 has been a great success for both of us."

"Earlier this year, NCL set out to strengthen its relationships with its travel partners through Partnership 2.0, so it is gratifying to see that those initiatives have resonated with them," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL's president. "We want our travel partners to know that we are continuously listening to their feedback in order to better improve the way we do business together."

NCL is currently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, set to launch 2010. With the youngest fleet of ships in the industry, NCL is giving guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea. The most recent addition to the NCL fleet is the 2,400 guest Norwegian Gem.

P&O Cruises sales of world cruises hit £14 million in one day

P&O Cruises launched their 2010 World Cruise voyage on the 22 September and met a rapturous response, so much so in fact that their sales for these amazing once in a lifetime voyages hit £14 million pounds in just one day.

The average brochure price for P&O Cruises world voyages are £14,000 per person, so it is believed that over 1000 people have booked up for the full world voyage in 2010. Passengers have the choice of the full world circumnavigation on the Arcadia or the connoisseur voyage for more experienced cruisers on Aurora.

P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale believes "In a time of economic instability, and when everyday budgets are being tightened, it is remarkable how resilient the cruise market can be."

Fred Olsen Cruise Line to go smoke free

Fred Olsen Cruise Line is due to be introducing a new policy from early 2009 which will mean all five of their vessels will have a totally smoke free indoors environment.

Smoking will be banned in all indoor areas and only permitted on cabin balconies and on specially designated areas of deck space. This new ruling will come into effect initially on three vessels: Boudicca, Black Prince, and Braemar will become smoke free from their first sailings in 2009 (January 1st, 5th and 8th respectively). Black Watch and Balmoral will follow suit after completion of their 2009 world cruises (13th April and 29th May).

“A recent very extensive survey amongst our current and past passengers has proved to us without a doubt that this course of action is what most people want and, frankly, expect. Even those passengers who are committed smokers understand the situation and accept that smoking on board will be restricted to balconies and specified deck areas” said Mike Rodwell, managing director of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. He continued: “Whilst we may have a few negative comments initially, I am confident that many new customers who are non-smokers will be encouraged to cruise with us in the future.”

Fred Olsen Cruise Line operates a fleet of five ships with itineraries in the Canaries, Mediterranean, the Caribbean, North America, Scandinavia and Europe.

Holland America launch new Shore Excursion e-Brochure

Holland America Line are pioneering a new Shore Excursion e-Brochure on-line system which allows guests to view and print shore excursion information relating to their specific booked cruise. The new system allows guests to receive the latest personalised information for their cruise itinerary and the opportunity to access and update any shore excursion that applies to their cruise.

“We strive to personalize each guest’s experience and to endeavor to make their interaction with us as easy and enriching as possible,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “By giving our guests the flexibility of printing an e-brochure with their shore excursion options that is tailored specifically to their cruise itinerary, we are able to present the exact information they need—when they need it. Additionally, more and more of our guests applaud our online efforts from an environmental standpoint.”

The Shore Excursion e-Brochures are tailored to each guest’s ship and sail date and the new online versions offers guests the same useful information at the printed versions but also tour pricing and excursion departure times.

All guests that are booked with Holland America need to do is visit the Shore Excursion page on Holland America Line’s website and input their booking number and last name, click on the ‘View Your Personalised Shore Excursion Brochure’ link and a personalised e-brochure will download. Guests can review their personalised Shore Excursion e-brochure from six months to a year before their cruise departs rather than having to wait for the hard-copy which arrives with cruise documents 30-60 days from their cruise departure date.

“With the launch of Shore Excursion e-Brochures we’ve created a way that our guests can leisurely review their shore excursion options in a much timelier manner. This allows guests to book early and to help avoid possible disappointment should the tours that pique their interests potentially sell out,” said Meadows.

NCL's Ultimate Touring excursions

Norwegian Cruise Line have further enhanced their Freestyle Cruising options with the introduction of Ultimate Touring, a new five-star class of exclusive tours allowing guests to explore ports of call in true VIP style. Ultimate Tours provide small groups of two to 18 people with their own personalised on shore adventure, so whether it’s a floatplane over the Alaskan fjords, a speed boat ride through the Finnish archipelagos or a private boat charter in the Caribbean.

Stephen Park, General Manager NCL UK comments, “Our guests already have the freedom to enjoy our ships however they choose with our extensive Freestyle dining, entertainment and relaxation options, and this concept has now extended to our tours.

“Ultimate Touring enables agents to offer customers a tailor made element, as guests can now experience tours in the privacy of a couple, or with a group of friends or family. They are likely to be popular with NCL’s high-end Suites & Villas customers, so agents can use as an additional selling tool.”

Norwegian Cruise Line boasts one of the most flexible choices of accommodation options afloat. NCL’s Suites and Villas include a range of ultra luxurious and contemporary living spaces including the 5,750 square feet Garden Villa, complete with three bedrooms, private garden and hot tub, or Courtyard Villa with private balcony, sundeck and butler service.

The new shore excursions from Norwegian Cruise Line can be booked pre-cruise by agents or guests can make bookings at the dedicated on board shore excursions desk.

Ultimate Touring excursions include:

Exclusive Overnight to Cairo: Travel via a private vehicle with own guide and enjoy luxury suite accommodation whilst exploring the highlights of Cairo as well as a cruise along the River Nile

Antique Exclusive Ocean Racing: This is an exclusive private charter offering a fully interactive experience under the watchful eye of a professional crew. You’ll be welcomed into a prestigious yacht haven in the Caribbean with the opportunity to race amongst the most famous yachts in the world.

Tuscany on horseback: Get back to nature with a horseback ride through the 56,000 acre San Rossore National Park and enjoy the spectacular pine tree forest in the Italian countryside

Celebrity Cruises cancel Australia 2009/10 cruises

Celebrity Cruises have announced that they will be removing their Australia and New Zealand sailings from their winter 2009/10 itineraries. Celebrity Cruises begun the sailings in 2007 but have now decided to operate Celebrity Millennium in Alaska which is a more popular destination and will ensure a fuller capacity on board.

Celebrity Millennium will take over from Celebrity Mercury, who will move to the Caribbean where it will be based out of Baltimore for future voyages. Celebrity Cruises final Australian cruise will be in April 2009.

For those customers that have made bookings for the Australia sailings after April 2009, Celebrity Cruises will be in touch imminently, with the option of cancelling the booking with a full refund or to re-book similar itineraries including Celebrity Millennium’s final sailing ‘down under’.

Regent Seven Seas refurbishment plans

Regent Seven Seas have announced plans to carry out major refurbishment work on its fleet of supremely luxurious cruise liners. The plan is to spend around $40 million renovating the Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator.

Some of Regent Sevens seas planned renovations include the addition of several new and exclusive dining areas, along with new wallpaper, carpets and light fixtures. Regent Seven Seas sail to Antarctica, Bermuda and the Caribbean, just some of the amazing destinations the luxury cruise line visits.

RSSC president Mark Conroy said the enhancements would improve the onboard experience for guests.

"This comprehensive enhancement program will see each of the ships emerge essentially brand new and positions our fleet as the standard-bearer in the luxury cruise category," he added.

Queen Mary 2 100th Transatlantic crossing

Cunard Cruises flagship Queen Mary 2 will set sail on her 100^th Transatlantic crossing from her home port of Southampton today, Sunday 21 September 2008. The momentous crossing with finish in New York on 27 September.

Queen Mary 2 entered service in January 2004 and since then has completed 711,288 nautical miles, with 316,729 nautical miles spent on Transatlantic voyages alone.

Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:
“Perhaps more than any other voyage, a Transatlantic Crossing captures the imagination of most travellers and recalls a bygone era of glamour and sophistication. For many, it is on par with the world’s greatest travel experiences.”

Queen Mary 2’s regular Transatlantic crossings form the foundation of her annual itineraries, in addition to sailings in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norway, plus her Second World cruise in 2009. Not only has Queen Mary 2 logged nearly three-quarters of a million miles but her 100th Transatlantic voyage also marks many other milestones including –

- More than 229,000 guests crossing the North Atlantic

- 450 pets crossing the North Atlantic

- 97,000 pounds of lobster served

- 2,7000 pounds of caviar served

- 206,200 bottles of champagne served

- Enough tea to fill nearly five Olympic-sized swimming pools

Queen Mary 2 has welcomed many notable guests, including HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Noor, Former President George Bush, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Hillary Clinton, Uma Thurman, John Cleese, Richard Dreyfuss, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Tina Brown and Harold Evans, Donald Trump, and Dame Shirley Bassey.

The Duke of Edinburgh to bid farewell to QE2

It was with great honour that Cunard Cruises announced that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will make a farewell visit to Queen Elizabeth 2 in her homeport of Southampton on Tuesday 11 November 2008.

Cunard Cruise’s most famous ship, QE2 will spend her final day in the UK on Tuesday 11 November before departing on her final voyage at 1915 hours to journey to Dubai where she will become a first class hotel and entertainment centre.

QE2 is the most famous ship in the world and for some 35 years has been Cunard Cruises flagship, since being launched by Her Majesty The Queen at Clydebank on 20 September 1967 with His Royal Highness also in attendance.

Since that day QE2 has become a ship of legends, travelling almost 5.9 million nautical miles, more than any ship ever; has carried 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 world cruises and crossed the Atlantic 804 times.

His Royal Highness has a history with QE2 that dates from her launch and has visited her five times since the laying of her Keel on 14 July 1967. Immediately prior her maiden voyage His Royal Highness visited on 1 May 1969; on 29 May 1969 for the Council of Industrial Design Awards; on 19 June 1991 for a Royal Ball in association with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and on 27 July 1990 to mark Cunard Cruises 150^th Anniversary.

Details of the visit on 11 November will be announced shortly, but Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, comments:

“We are delighted and honoured that His Royal Highness has agreed to visit QE2 on her last day in the UK. The Duke of Edinburgh has taken a close interest in the ship over the last forty years, and I am certain this will be a memorable occasion for all involved”.


Cunard Cruises remaining two ships, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, will continue to fly the Cunard Cruises name.

Oasis of the Seas Entertainment Place

More eagerly anticipated details have been released of Royal Caribbean’s new ship Oasis of the Seas. It has been revealed that another of the seven neighbourhoods is Entertainment Place, a complex of diverse entertainment venues. Previously announced neighbourhoods include Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center.

Entertainment Place will be a contemporary night club district on board Oasis of the Seas and will introduce many after dark signature spaces offering guests more intimate venues and a variety of entertainment experiences.

Some of the new venues include Blaze, the hottest nightclub at sea; Jazz on 4, an intimate lounge with live jazz and blues music; and Comedy Live, with side-splitting comedy to entertain guests. There will also be a dance lounge called Dazzles where dance enthusiasts can participate in dance lessons and competitions.

The design and aesthetics of the individual venues will inspire guests. Comedy Live is inspired by a New York Sub station complete with underground theme; Jazz 4 is of the Chicago era with warm tones of rich walnut paneling, plush sofas and velvet drapes; Blaze will entice guests through its dramatic burning doors entrance complete with charred threshold, where they can dance the night away to pulsating music in a hip and trendy atmosphere.

Oasis of the Seas will also feature a state of the art main theatre called the Opal Theatre seating 1,380 guests, Studio B ice-skating rink and the largest ever at sea casino, Casino Royale. Entered by two themed walkways, The Hall of Odds and The Museum of Gaming, the elegant and stylish casino is reminiscent of the French Riviera with sculptured architecture and sparkling chandeliers.

Oasis of the Seas is set to launch late 2009 and will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

New Nickelodeon itineraries for Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean Cruises have announced that families will have further opportunities to sail on Nickelodeon-themed cruises, following the success of the first Nickelodeon cruise sailing in the western Caribbean this month on Freedom of the Seas.

The seven day cruise was filled with splats and surprises, nautical nonsense, Nickelodeon characters and TV stars and lots of slime! The themed cruises are designed to entertain the entire family with interactive shows and performances from all the children’s favourite characters including Dora the Explorer, Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants.

The first of the new itineraries sets sail on 26 July 2009 for a seven day cruise through the Mexican Riviera on Mariner of the Seas. The Freedom of the Seas departs on the 9 August 2009 for a seven day cruiser through eastern Caribbean.

Commenting on the announcement, Cyma Zarghami, President of Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group, said: "The first Nickelodeon cruise was a home run … Populated by Nickelodeon families eager to spend time together, the combination of Royal Caribbean's expertise and the Nick brand experience set the stage for next year."

Royal Caribbean Cruises have also recently released further details of their newest ship currently under construction, Oasis of the Seas. The announcements detail two further neighbourhoods and deck plans.

Cruises cheaper now than 10 years ago

It has been discovered that cruises are more affordable now than they were 10 years ago. P&O Cruises have carried out the research that found out this fact – what a great excuse to book up your next cruise holiday!

P&O Cruises found that a 2 week cruise holiday this summer in an ocean view stateroom will cost £1,579 per person. The same holiday in 1998 would have cost £2,520 per person. An ocean view stateroom on P&O Oriana cruise ship this year would cost £3,158 per person, 37% less than 10 years ago when the same cabin would have cost £5,040 per person.

P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale believes, "The cumulative inflation rate between May 1998 and May 2008 is 32%, so if cruise holidays had increased accordingly, then our prices should be more than double those in this summer's brochure. In actual fact, this year's prices are more than £900 cheaper per person, almost £2,000 cheaper for a couple than ten years ago."

Esdale also adds that, "Household expenditure on everyday items has practically doubled, while cruise holidays have become more affordable than ever. Considering a cruise holiday today includes accommodation, almost all food, entertainment and even flights, the research proves the exceptional value it provides at a time when the credit crunch is hitting our wallets in every aspect of our daily life. Passengers can eat in the restaurant of a celebrity chef, try bungee trampolining and circus skills, enjoy a martini in a contemporary designer bar or see a West End style show at minimal cost."

P&O Cruises have even set up a website page where holidaymakers can compare the value for money that a cruise holiday offers.

Princess Cruises introduce new fitness programs

Princess Cruises are making it even easier to stay fit on a cruise with them by introducing new ways for guests to exercise on their cruise holiday. Princess Cruises are launching the industry’s first in-room fitness program, fun yoga classes for kids and teens and a new selection of Lotus Spa classes featuring three vitals components of balanced health.

Fitness@Sea is designed for cruisers of all ages and activity levels and these innovative fitness choices allow guests to exercise in the privacy of their own staterooms with classes hosted by celebrity trainer Gillian Clark, with nine different classes shown exclusively on Princess Cruises Wellness Channel.

Debuting fleetwide this month, Fitness@Sea will also be shown on ships with Movies Under the Stars 300 square foot screens in the morning for those guests who like to exercise whilst enjoying the fresh sea air on open deck.

Yoga for kids and teens is another industry first and will introduce kids and teens in a fun and imaginable way to the benefits of yoga, whilst also promoting exercise in a fun and positive environment. The classes promote building coordination, breathing, balance and emotional strength with an element of play incorporating music, chants and singing. The classes are complimentary and range from 30 minutes to 1 hour, with parents welcome to participate.

Princess Cruises Lotus Spa will be promoting the exclusive Core.Balance.Strength fitness program which focuses on these three vital components of balanced health. There will be a series of classes that correspond with each fitness component, from Pilates and postural alignment, fusion yoga classes centring on mind and body to high energy strength and cardio classes to get the heart racing.

The new Core.Balance.Strength fitness program will be available on all Princess Cruises ships by the end of the year and a nominal fee is charged for each class.

WiiFit is becoming a popular feature on Princess Cruises ships, with the revolutionary WiiFit balance games challenging guests of all ages to put their athletic skills to the test with active video game tournaments such as the ski jump, Hula Hoop and soccer balls. There are exciting family competitions held on board Princess Cruises ships, including on the dramatic Movies Under the Stars poolside screens.