Destination News - Cruise

Jan 21, 2008

The U.S. economic picture was also raised as a red flag that, perhaps, could negatively impact the cruise industry. However, as both Dale and Hanrahan put it, the cruise industry tends to do well when the economy isn't ticking along, mostly because of the value proposition. Hanrahan pointed out that consumers, during economic downturns, are more likely to pass on buying new material items, than forego their vacation. Jan 17, 2008

CLIA Bullish On State of Cruise Industry. How is the cruise industry faring? The innovation bar keeps rising on cruise ships, strong first quarter bookings augur a profitable year for travel agents and consumer demand is on the rise. Those are just three of the sentiments stemming from the Cruise Lines International Association's annual "What's New In Cruising" press conference Wednesday in New York. The numbers reported are quite telling that the cruise industry continues to impress: CLIA projects that 12.8 million cruise passengers will sail CLIA's member lines this year; of the total, 10.5 million will originate from North America, the rest from international markets. Jan 17, 2008

Agreement Seeks Environmental Protection for Cozumel. Cruise industry leaders have joined with Mexican tourism officials and an environmental group on an initiative to preserve biodiversity in Cozumel, one of the world's busiest cruise ports. "Cozumel takes seriously the challenge of balancing continued growth of cruise tourism with protection of our island's natural heritage," said Cozumel's mayor, Gustavo Ortega Joaquin, about the agreement, which was facilitated by Conservation International, Cozumel's Department of Tourism and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Jan 15, 2008

American Safari Cruises

American Safari Cruises Announces 2009 Itineraries. American Safari Cruises, an adventure-oriented yacht line, will offer a diverse array of 2009 itineraries in such destinations as Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii. Of special note is the 36-passenger Safari Explorer's first season in Hawaii, January 3 through May 9, then back for November 14 through December 26. Seven-night inter-island cruises will visit Maui, Molokai, Lanai and the Molokini crater snorkel/dive site. As in previous years, American Safari's yachts will be in Alaska from mid-May through September. All of the line's yachts carry shore boats and kayaks and offer snorkeling and water-skiing. Jan 15, 2008

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Solstice Decks Out Top Deck With Real Grass. Celebrity Solstice is going green, and not just environmentally. The ship, Celebrity Cruises newest debuting in December, is adding real grass to its top deck, calling the area "The Lawn Club." The announcement, Celebrity Cruises' fourth ship reveal, was made in New York Thursday, fittingly, at Tavern on the Green restaurant in Central Park. Jan 17, 2008

Holland America Line

Renovations totaling more than $20 million have been completed on Holland America Line's Prinsendam. The enhancements include new luxury bathrooms in all staterooms, the addition of the Explorations Caf?, an expanded shopping promenade and new carpeting and flooring. Richard Meadows, Holland America's executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, said guests are very pleased with the new refurbishments. Up top, new croquet and bocce courts and two putting greens were installed on the sports deck, while the library's book collection was also expanded. With a 793-passenger capacity, Prinsendam is the smallest ship in Holland America's fleet. Jan 17, 2008

Peter Deilmann Cruises

Peter Deilmann Cruises, which specializes in riverboat sailings through Europe, is introducing a roster of 36 themed cruises, which will run this year from April through October on five of its vessels. Programs will vary and involves activities such as golfing, gardening, hiking and cycling. Golfers on the Danube region's "MV Mozart Golf Cup 2008" sailings will get to play at an array of courses in Germany, Hungary and Austria or the "Summer on the Rhine" sailings which offer play in Germany's Rhine region. The 12-day golf packages include green fees, transfers and caddies. There will also be a golf instructor on board. For those with a hanker for gardening, Deilmann will offer four seven-night programs, which transport passengers to some of the most magnificent gardens throughout Europe, with tours led by gardening and landscape experts. Cyclists can choose between four itineraries of right nights each. The Danube River itinerary has guests pedaling around Passau before heading off to visit the Wachau wine region. Jan 19, 2008

Peter Deilmann Cruises

Deilmann Extends Smoking Policy to Ocean-Going Ship. Peter Deilmann Cruises has banned smoking aboard its flagship the MS Deutschland, so now the company's ocean liner as well as river fleet will be smoke-free indoors. A smoking ban aboard Deilmann's nine European river ships begins in March. On those vessels and the Deutschland, guests will only be permitted to smoke on outside decks. The MS Deutschland can carry 513 passengers and operates itineraries in Europe, the Arctic, Asia and the Middle East. Jan 15, 2008