Send it Back – It’s Not Well Done! 5/3/02

     Celebrity Cruises was supposed to take delivery of their newest ship, Constellation, this weekend, but instead the line had to send it back to the shipyard after a leak was discovered in its starboard propulsion pod.

     According the Celebrity, the ship's builder, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, of St. Nazaire, France, will make immediate repairs to correct the leak, which is allowing seawater to enter the pod.

     This delay in the Constellation’s delivery will cause the cancellation of one chartered cruise, sailing May 5, 2002.
"We apologize to our guests for this unexpected situation," said Jack Williams, president and chief operating officer of Celebrity Cruises.

     "We need to ensure that all aspects of a new ship are operating properly before we take delivery. We look forward to a speedy correction of this situation and smooth sailing moving forward."

     The May 5 sailing was a seven-night charter to depart from Barcelona, Spain. If the ship's May 12 cruise needs to be cancelled in order to complete the repairs, a full refund and additional compensation will be provided to impacted guests. The exact timing and full extent of the repairs will be known by Monday, May 6.

      Celebrity has established a special help desk (available by calling 1-888-305-4549) to assist guests and travel agents with questions.

Americans Intend to Travel More 5/2/02

     The results of the Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown/Yankelovich Partners 2002 National Travel Monitor reveal that the travel industry is shaking off the aftershocks of 9/11 and both business and leisure travelers expect to hit the road more in the months ahead. The study also shows, however, that concerns about the economy still represent a potential drag on travel demand.

     Consumer attitudes toward travel have improved dramatically in recent months, said Peter C. Yesawich, president and CEO of Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown, an Orlando-based marketing services firm that co-authors the annual survey with Yankelovich Partners.

     Calculated from nationally representative polls of 1,351 leisure and 1,200 business travelers taken during the first quarter of 2002, the study revealed that over one-third of leisure travelers plan to take more trips in the next year.  Thirty-six percent say they will take more trips than last year; 39 percent expect to take the same number of trips as last year; and 25 percent say they will take fewer (or no trips) than last year.  If all participants actually execute their travel plans, the numbers translate into a six percent increase in leisure trips.

     The future intentions of business travelers were even more optimistic, according to the survey results. Over four out of 10 business travelers plan to take more business trips in the coming year, compared to 22 percent who expect to take fewer trips. Overall, the results suggest there will be an eight percent increase in business trips this year versus last.

     "The results of this year's survey indicate clearly that the industry is poised for a recovery," Yesawich said. "There is still a small minority of travelers hesitant to travel too far from home, but there are far more people who are ready to reclaim their vacations from the fear and emotional trauma that devastated the industry in the aftermath of September 11th. The numbers bode well for the forthcoming summer travel season."

      As mentioned, concerns about the sluggish U.S. economy remain the primary deterrent to the travel industry's full recovery. Among leisure travelers who plan to travel less, "current economic conditions and financial reasons" were cited as the reason why by 37 percent. Only five percent of leisure travelers said air travel is now too big of a hassle, and just four percent believe it is not safe to fly.

     The 2002 National Travel Monitor also reveals that Americans are becoming more comfortable with the use of the Internet to make travel plans and purchase travel services. This is particularly true for leisure travelers, 53 percent of which now report using the Internet during the previous 12 months to obtain information or rates online (up from 47 percent last year). More than half (55%) of business travelers consulted the Internet to obtain information, fares and rates during the past 12 months, the same percentage as last year.

     "Even though Internet usage is higher among leisure travelers today than in 2001, it is important to note that fully three out of every 10 leisure travelers still use the services of a travel agent. This is particularly true among older and more affluent travelers. Contrary to the expectations of some industry analysts, travel agents still play a very important role in directing leisure travel demand," Yesawich said.

Yachting in the Galapagos 5/1/02


     Peter Deilmann Cruises is venturing to the Galapagos Islands for the first time this year, with two cruise-tour options available year-round on the sailing yacht Lili Marleen.

     A 10-day package combines a seven-day cruise with three hotel nights in Quito. The ship sails round-trip from Baltra Island and visits the islands of Seymour Norte, Bartolome, Santiago, Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela, Santa Cruz, Espanola, and Santa Cruz, including guided tours and nature walks of Pinnacle Rock, James Bay, Darwin Bay, Punta Espinoza, Elizabeth Bay, Punta Moreno, Puerto Ayora, Gardiner Bay. Prices start at $3,348 per person/double occupancy.

     The 14-day program includes the same seven-day cruise mentioned above as well as five land days in Lima, Cuzco and Macchu Pichu and two in Quito. Rates begin at $4,688 per person/double occupancy.
 

Holland America Ships Re-Named 4/29/02

     Holland America Line has again decided to use the name of one of its former ships as the name for one of its newbuilds. The line’s third Vista class ship, scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2004, will be named Westerdam.

     The new 85,000-ton, 1,848-passenger vessel will be the third in Holland America Line's history to bear the Westerdam name. The first Westerdam sailed for Holland America Line from 1946 to 1965 and the second Westerdam sailed on 643 voyages for Holland America Line during a career spanning more than 13 years beginning on November 12, 1988.

     "We're excited to honor Vista 3 with the name Westerdam," said David A.Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales, Holland America Line. "She will share a rich history with two past Holland America Line vessels of the same name. And, this name is consistent with the points or 'vistas' of the compass that the other new Vista series ships will bear."

In other Holland America news. . .

     The line announced that all of its 10,000 employees worldwide will serve as the new Prinsendam’s godparents. The former Seabourn Sun was delivered to Holland America last week and is undergoing a 35-day refitting in Charleston, S.C. The ship will be re-named at a ceremony in New York on June 3, just prior to departing on its maiden cruise as the Prinsendam.

Greek Island Hopping for Less 4/29/02

     Tourlite International, a company of FAR&WIDE Travel Corporation, is now offering savings up to $300 for travel to Greece during their 2002 spring, summer and fall programs.

     A nine-day “Royal Aegean” itinerary is priced from $1,099 per person and combines a three or four-day Royal Olympic Cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey with an Athens city stay. Travelers begin their trip with a morning half-day city tour of Athens highlighting the Acropolis, Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum. The voyage then sets sail to the island of Mykonos, Patmos and Kusadasi.

     Rates for a new twelve-day program showcasing Athens and the Greek Islands on a combination land stay and cruise begin at $3,199 per person. The package includes tours of Athens and a seven-day cruise aboard the Harmony G. Port calls include Delos, Mykonos, Santorini and Kithyra.

     All packages include round-trip airfare on Lufthansa from New York City, transfers, hotel accommodations with American breakfast and sightseeing per itinerary.

     Call your travel agent or (800) 272-7600 or visit www.tourlite.com.

Anticipated Arrival 4/27/02

     Holland America Line has taken delivery of its named "Elegant Explorer," the new Prinsendam, which will make its grand entry on June 3 after a 35-day transformation, from which it will emerge with a new alternative Odyssey Restaurant and a Lido Restaurant, a new Ocean Bar, an Art Gallery, a new Internet Center, a revamped show lounge, and new "lanai" staterooms.

     Formerly Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Sun, the Holland America Line’s Prinsendam will undergo an extended drydock to turn it into a traditional Holland America vessel, with 14 additional staterooms and a new passenger capacity of 794. It also will feature Holland America's familiar blue and white livery, public room names and artwork.

"This ship has a very loyal following and a stellar reputation as a world cruiser. We're sure that our guests will agree that the enhancements we're making will only increase its already high appeal," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "We're calling the 4/25/02 our 'Elegant Explorer' to sum up its mid-range size, worldly destinations
and elegant, sophisticated décor. The Prinsendam also offers an intimate, yet spacious, environment. With a 794-guest capacity, this ship has a space ratio of 47.86 -- one of the highest in the industry."

     The ship's decks will be renamed to correspond with the naming system onboard the HAL fleet. Starting from the top deck, which on the Seabourn Sun is named the Observation Deck, the passenger decks will be renamed as follows: Sky (Deck 13), Sports (12), Lido (11), Verandah (10), Upper Promenade (9), Promenade (8), Lower Promenade (7), Main (6) and Dolphin (5).

     Other enhancements will include a reconfigured La Fontaine dining room to accommodate two dinner sittings, a new concierge lounge for the exclusive use of suite guests, a modified Shore Excursion Office, conversion of the present Compass Rose Room to an Explorer's Lounge, upgraded furnishing in the Wajang movie theater, a new wind screen at the bow, and a specially commissioned sculpture for the central atrium.

     Features that will undergo minimal changes are the Crow's Nest lounge on Sports Deck forward; the Java Café and Bar, centrally located on Promenade Deck; and the Oak Room, a dedicated smoking room, also on Promenade Deck. The Casino on Promenade Deck and the Ocean Spa, located on Upper Promenade Deck aft, were both renovated in 1999 and will undergo few modifications.

     The Prinsendam also will feature a new type of staterooms with the introduction of 10 "lanai" cabins. These staterooms will have private lanais and share a private, covered deck and a hot tub.

     The ship’s maiden cruise will depart from New York on June 3 for its 10-day sailing to Southampton, with calls at Halifax, Nova Scotia; Cobh (Cork), Ireland; and Plymouth, England. The ship's inaugural season will feature a full year of globe trotting from Northern Europe and the Mediterranean to Africa, Asia and the South Pacific -- and back again.

More NCL in Alaska 4/26/02


     Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it will expand its options in Alaska next summer, with two ships homeported in Seattle in 2003. Both the Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky will offer seven-day Alaska voyages from Seattle, while the Norwegian Wind will continue to offer seven-day sailings out of Vancouver.
 

     Beginning May 11, 2003, the Norwegian Sun will offer Sunday departures calling at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. The Norwegian Sky will join the ship on May 17, offering the same route departing on Saturdays. The Norwegian Wind will begin its Monday Vancouver departures on May 19, with visits to Skagway or Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan. All three ships also will sail through either Sawyer Glacier or Glacier Bay.

2003 Caribbean Options From NYC 4/25/02

     Carnival Cruise Lines will expand its presence in the Big Apple next year. The line will offer eight-day round-trip Caribbean cruises round-trip from New York in 2003 aboard the new 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend. The new program, which will operate May 13 through October 12, 2003, will call at San Juan, St. Thomas/St. John and Tortola Virgin Gorda.

     According to the line, the eight-day rotation will create a wide range of days of the week on which voyages will depart and return, providing maximum choice and flexibility for guests and will frequently place the Carnival Legend in Caribbean ports on less congested days, enhancing the shoreside experience.

"Carnival has enjoyed tremendous success operating cruises from New York for the past several years and we are discovering that vacationers want a greater diversity of choice when it comes to departure points," said Bob
Dickinson, Carnival president. "New, faster vessels such as Carnival Legend are creating added opportunities in itinerary planning and enables us to complement our popular four-, five- and seven-day day Canada/New England
cruises with these new eight-day round-trip Caribbean voyages from New York," he added.

     Carnival Legend will be with its sister, Carnival Victory, in port, which will offer summer-long four- and five-day round-trip Canada cruises and seven-day fall foliage sailings from New York from June 23 to September 1, 2003.

     Four-day cruises, which sail Thursday through Monday and call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and five-day cruises, which depart on Mondays and Saturdays, visit Halifax and Saint John, New Brunswick. Seven-day fall foliage cruises on the Carnival Victory will depart New York each Saturday September 6 through 27, 2003, and visit Boston, Portland, Sydney and Halifax.

New Ship on the Way 04/24/02

     Holland America Line today announced that it will build a fifth 1,848-passenger Vista-class ship for delivery in Spring 2006.

     Already on the way is the Zuiderdam, the first of the Vista class vessels, which will be delivered on November 15, 2002, and sail December 14, 2002 on her maiden voyage, a seven-day Caribbean cruise from Ft. Lauderdale. Holland America Line's new Oosterdam is scheduled for delivery in June 2003. A third Vista ship will be delivered in April 2004 and the fourth in October 2005.

     At 85,000 tons, Holland America’s Vista Class ships are the largest ever built for the company; they also will boast the highest passenger space ratio of its fleet at 46. The ships feature "exterior elevators," located on both sides of the vessel, a new "cabaret-style" show lounge and a new three-deck main show lounge. Other new features include a nightclub, the casual "round-the-clock" Windstar café, an Internet cafe, the largest spa facilities in the fleet, Internet/e-mail data ports in all staterooms, an extensive Club HAL children's facility with inside and outside play areas, a concierge lounge for the exclusive use of Penthouse and Deluxe Verandah Suite guests and two interior promenade decks.

     "Exercising this option signifies a 73 percent growth in our capacity over the next four years," said A. Kirk Lanterman, chairman and CEO, Holland America Line. "These five Vista class vessels will define the next generation of Holland America cruising. We are tremendously confident in our brand and are eager to offer many more travelers a HAL premium cruise experience."

Rah! Rah! 4/23/02

     Royal Caribbean International cruise vacationers and sports enthusiasts won’t have to worry about missing any big games while they’re at sea. The line’s ships now feature live coverage of basketball, hockey, tennis and other sporting events onboard, via ESPN International, in sports bars, theaters, and lounges or on RCTV's channel 26.

     Featured events include the NBA Playoffs, which begin on May 3; the Stanley Cup Playoffs in May; and the 100th French Open tournament, beginning on May 24. Latin American and European soccer, the Senior PGA Tour and Grand Prix motorcycle racing, and Elite motorcycle racing also will be featured.

Book Online and Save 4/22/02


     Norwegian Coastal Voyage (NCV) has added online booking requests to its web site at www.coastalvoyage.com, with a discount of $100 per cabin on any NCV Escorted Vacation booked by May 15. The required deposit on all NCV bookings is reduced 50% -- from $300 to $150 per person -- when reservations are made online.

     The new feature can be used for cruise-only bookings between designated cities, air-inclusive NCV Escorted and Independent Vacations, and the new NCV Expedition Cruises to Spitsbergen, Greenland, Antarctica and the Chilean fjords.

     After clicking on "online booking request" on the NCV home page and on "launch quote/reservation system", consumers enter their preferences for type of vacation (cruise only, escorted or independent package, expedition cruise), specific package, sailing dates, airline and departure city, cabin category and price; indicate whether they wish to book a shore excursion package, travel insurance and "other needs" like pre- or post-tour options; and provide passenger and credit-card information.

Bids for Boats 4/20/02

      The Delta Queen Steamboat Company will soon be up for auction, and Uniworld announced that it has intentions to bid for the assets of New Orleans-based operation.

     The assets include the Delta Queen Steamboat trademarks and logos plus the Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen, the classic American river steamboats.

     "As the leading provider of river cruise vacations for Americans in Europe, it is logical for Uniworld to expand its fleet to include vessels operating on the fascinating rivers of the United States," declared Serba Ilich, President and CEO.

     "The acquisitions of the magnificent Mississippi Queen and the legendary Delta Queen would be a huge honor for our company, considering the great historic and commercial significance of the steamboats in the development of America," Ilich added.

     Uniworld operates its Europe river cruises through its wholly owned European subsidiary Global River Cruises. With 15 ships under ownership or long-term lease, Global River Cruises is Europe's leading river cruise line.

Two Nights for $95 4/19/02

     Windstar Cruises is offering a two-night pre- and post-cruise hotel package for $95 to guests who book the line’s seven-day Mediterranean cruises this year. Accommodations are at the Istanbul Hilton, Athenaeum Inter-Continental Hotel in Athens, Barcelona Hilton, and Le Meridien Hotel in Nice.

     The offer is valid on Windstar’s Greek Isles cruises aboard the Wind Spirit and Wind Star. Applicable dates on Wind Spirit include, May 11, June 1 through July 6, and September 7 through October 26, 2002; and on Wind Star on May 18 through October 19. Cruises between Athens and Istanbul will visit Kusadasi, Bodrum, Rhodes, Santorini, and Mykonos.

     The $95 Europe hotel package also is valid on four seven-day western Mediterranean sailings on Wind Spirit and Wind Surf. Sail dates include July 27, 2002 on the Wind Spirit and June 23, September 1, and November 10, 2002 aboard the Wind Surf. The ships sail between Barcelona and Nice with calls at Mahon, Port Vendres, Marseille, Sanary sur Mer, Porquerolles, and Cannes.

Details on The World 4/18/02

     ResidenSea Ltd. has announced that the christening festivities for The World will take place on Friday, May 17 in Venice, Italy, and the godmother will be Mrs. Anne Weedon, one of the original purchasers of a residence onboard The World. Originally, the new resort community at sea was supposed to be christened in New York this month, but a delay in the vessel’s launch caused for a change of plans. The ship, which is currently sailing its maiden voyage, debuted last month in Oslo. The World will spend two days at the Maritime Port of Venice before moving into Venice’s Grand Canal to dock off the Piazza San Marco on May 16, where it will remain overnight for the christening ceremonies on the afternoon of May 17.

     The World of ResidenSea also has introduced a $1,400 per day promotional apartment rental fares on select five-day voyages from May through December 2002. (Standard rates range from $2,100 to $7,200 per apartment, per day). Itineraries include northern Europe, Spain, Italy, the Caribbean, Panama and Mexico. The best available two- or three-bedroom residence will be assigned to guests 60 days prior to the voyage.

Summer Savings on Crystal 4/17/02

     Crystal Cruises is offering discounted fares by up to 59 percent on eight Crystal Symphony sailings in Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and Canary Islands from July through October 2002, with rates beginning at $3,495 per person/double occupancy. The promotion is available on seven 12-day cruises departing July 7, August 13 and 25, September 6, and October 1, 13 and 25. Additionally, the line is offering fares starting at $5,995 for verandah staterooms on Crystal Symphony's September 18 and October 1 departures.

     Crystal Symphony's July 7 sailing will sail from London to Stockholm (overnight stay) with calls in Amsterdam, Kristiansand, Copenhagen, Helsingborg, and two days in St. Petersburg. Four 12- and 13-day itineraries will sail between Athens and either London, Venice or Rome, and two between Rome and Barcelona or Venice. Highlights include the line's first-ever visit to Thessaloniki, Greece; overnight shipboard stay in Bordeaux, Cannes, Monte Carlo, Venice and Barcelona; and a return to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Departures are available on August 13, 25; September 6, 18; October 1 and 13.

     Crystal Symphony's last cruise of the season, before crossing the Atlantic, is a 12-day Canary Islands itinerary from Barcelona to Lisbon on October 25, with calls in Málaga and Cadiz, Gibraltar, Las Palmas, Tenerife and Madeira.

Free Air to Tahiti 4/16/02


     Windstar Cruises is offering free airfare from ten North American cities on all seven May and June cruise departures aboard the 148-passenger Wind Song in Tahiti.

     Free round-trip airfare, a post-cruise hotel dayroom and transfers are included in the cruise price listed below for all
bookings originating from the following cities: Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson, and Vancouver. Seven-day cruise rates for the May 24 and 31, 2002 cruise start at $2,695. On June 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2002 the seven-day cruise rate starts at $2,795. Prices start at $3,895 for the 10-day Tahiti Maeva (welcome) cruise on May 14, 2002.

     The line also is offering round-trip airfare to Tahiti for either $199 or $299 from 26 other North American cities.

     Guests flying from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, New York, Orlando, Salt Lake City, and Tampa will pay $199. Those traveling from Detroit, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, and Toronto will pay $299.

     The Wind Song will stay overnight at Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti, and also will call at Huahine.
Call your travel agent or 1-800-258-SAIL or visit www.windstarcruises.com.

Suite Privileges 4/15/02

     Carnival Cruise Lines has expanded its "Skipper's Club" VIP check-in program to provide guests sailing in category 11 or 12 suite accommodations with expedited embarkation and special boarding privileges at all of the line's year-round U.S. homeports.

     Previously offered only in Miami and Port Canaveral, "Skipper's Club" is now available in conjunction with Carnival departures from Los Angeles, Tampa, New Orleans, San Juan, and Galveston, as well as New York during the summer cruise season.

     Guests occupying category 11 or 12 accommodations are automatically enrolled in "Skipper's Club" and should ask a Carnival representative upon arrival at the cruise terminal how to take advantage of this program.

Rhapsody in Texas 4/13/02


      This weekend will mark the first of many 2002 sailings and beyond from Galveston for Royal Caribbean International. The line and the Port of Galveston have signed a five-year agreement to sail from the Texas seaport.

     Rhapsody of the Seas, which was the first Royal Caribbean ship to sail regularly from Galveston, between October and December 2001, will return to Galveston on Sunday and sail seven-night western Caribbean cruises calling in Key West, Georgetown and Cozumel through 2007.

     "We are very pleased with Royal Caribbean's decision to homeport a ship at
The Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Galveston Island," said Steven Cernak, acting port director of the Port of Galveston. "It is becoming more and more apparent that Galveston Island is one of the most popular new homeports for cruise lines. Galveston has a lot to offer passengers whether they are sailing for the first time or are seasoned travelers."