Ultra-Luxury Cruising

by Mark Tre

Barbara Muckerman, chief marketing officer of MSC Yacht Club, that line’s exclusive first-class section on board its newest ships, revealed some rather interesting statistics at Cruise Shipping Miami. First off, there are now 24.2 million millionaires in the world, or at 2.5% of the world’s population, more people than there are Australians. Of these millionaires, only 16% inherited their wealth and the rest worked for their assets.

Nearly half of this lot are entrepreneurs. Of this number, 40% live in the US and 10% in Japan, and the top ten also include Germany, China, the UK, France, Canada, Switzerland, Italy and Australia.
While net assets held by high net worth individuals tumbled by 20% with the events of 2009 they regained 19% in 2010. Over that period, the heedless spender was transformed into the cautious consumer by the economic situation and has now become what Barbara Muckerman calls "the mindful consumer."

The mindful consumer spends smartly and looks for quality and longevity, wanting authenticity and understated luxury – the word "bling" is heard less and less. At the same time the emphasis has gone from owning creations to experiencing things, with travel being the ultimate experience. The world of cruising now provides a large part of that quintessential luxury market, with ultra-luxury lines having increased their capacity in recent years.

A rather interesting statistic revealed by Ms Muckerman was that, in terms of butler service, Silversea provide 948 suites, Regent 355, Oceania 331 and Crystal 174. Then there are 425 staterooms in NCL’s courtyard villas, 375 Costa Samsara suites, 226 butler suites on Cunard Line and 142 in MSC’s Yacht Club. Effectively, almost 40% of butler suites are now provided in larger ships. At this point her presentation turned into a sales talk for MSC Yacht Club, but Ms Muckerman made enough points to demonstrate that whether the ultra-luxury lines had an exclusive hold on luxury was at least debatable, as private areas, multiple dining choices and special services can also be provided on large ships.

Rick Meadows, the incoming president of Seabourn, then presented some different statistics, showing that there were 4.7 million high net worth households in the United States, 1.9 million in Western Europe, 1.2 million each in Japan and China, 503,000 in the Middle East, 483,000 in the UK, 228,000 in Southeast Asia and 162,000 in Canada. Mr. Meadows’ total came to 11 million households compared to Ms Muckerman’s 24 million individuals. Mr. Meadows also calculated that cruising had only penetrated 1.2% of that market, compared to say 3% in the United States as a whole.

He further calculated that of $960 billion in luxury purchases, $620 billion was for things but $340 billion was for experiences, with travel and hotel accounting for $270 billion of that. He also pointed out that 11,000 baby boomers will now turn 65 every day for the next nineteen years, which is a way of saying that the market is there for the taking. Build the ships for affluent travellers and they will come seems to be what he is saying.

Sebastian Ahrens, managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, made a different contribution to the discussion. In the years beyond 2010 he described the cruise market as having become a mass market phenomenon, but with ultra-luxury forms of travel emerging and becoming a siginificant volume market in their own rite as the affluent baby boom progresses. Tied to this is the advent of an age of "non-ostentation" compared to earlier years, when luxury cruising had often been a means of showing off. Younger people entering the market think differently.
More to-day is about health, space, experience, authenticity, individuality and sustainability, as well as that most valued of commodities, time. Superficialty, ostentation, excess, noise and status are now giving way to authenticity, enlightenment, conscientiousness, discretion and symbolism. More intelligence will be sought and less sales and hype.
Mr. Ahrens outlined Hapag-Lloyd’s new Europa 2 product, to be introduced in 2013. Her cruises will not be as long as offered in the past by earlier Europa’s, but will be offered instead in 7-day segments that can also be taken as 14-day or 21-day vacations, with the ship triangulating on three ports, say Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Valletta in the western Med, or Venice, Athens and Istanbul in the eastern Med, with 7-day sectors offered between pairs of turnaround ports that repeat.

As to the ship herself, in addition to more verandah suites and premium and spa suites, the line will pay more attention to the children of the affluent. While parents will be able to make their own "private arrangements" around their cruise holidays.

Courtesy of http://www.cybercruises.com

Ship’s Registry

Bahamas Ensign

by Mark Tre’ – "The Cruise Examiner"
At one time, passenger ships were registered in their country of operation, but those days are long gone. As far back as 1922, William Harriman registered the ex-German Reliance and Resolute under the flag of Panama and, among other things, operated world cruises with them. The chief reason for doing this was to avoid Prohibition as these two ships were at the time American-owned.
In 1948, Edward Stettinius, former Secretary of State under President Franklin D Roosevelt, founded the Liberian registry. Later followed others such as the Bahamian and Bermudian registers and more recently, Malta and Portugal. Meanwhile, a number of countries, particularly Italy and the Netherlands, have seen cruise ships return to their native registries. To-day, for something a little different, we have a look at cruise ship flags if registry.

The Bahamian Flag: Almost a Cruise Ship Registry of Default
By far the most popular flag for cruise ships to-day, and one that has gained from both Liberia and Panama in recent years, is that of the Bahamas, formed just over thirty years ago and now numbering 59 major cruise ships under its flag.
The large carriers are present, but most notably Royal Caribbean International, whose 22 ships are all now under Bahamian flag, a flag that so closely resembles that of Denmark that it is a wonder that that country did not sue the Bahamians when it was first introduced.
Following Royal Caribbean International, which operates about a third of the Bahamian-registered cruise ship fleet, comes Norwegian Cruise Line, with ten Bahamian-flag ships. The one exception is the US-flag Pride of America. Also registered in the Bahamas are six ships from Carnival Cruise Lines and five from Seabourn, numbering 11 ships from Carnival Corp & PLC brands.
Apart from these major participants, who account for over 80% of the Bahamian-registered cruise fleet, there are Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, with four ships, Regent Seven Seas with three, and a number of other one-or-two-ship companies.
The Panamanian Flag: The Traditional Flag of Convenience
There was a time when many cruise ships flew the Panamanian flag at the stern but today the Bahamian flag has taken first place. This now leaves two major Panamanian-flag cruise ship operators, Carnival Cruise Lines and MSC Cruises.
Carnival Cruise Lines started under Panamanian flag, with its Mardi Gras in 1972, and has remained largely loyal. While it did go into a mix of Panamanian and Liberian-flag ships, in more recent years the Bahamian flag has displaced that of Liberia. Even to-day, Carnival’s most modern ships, 17 of them, fly the Panamanian flag, while half a dozen of its older ships use the Bahamian.
The other Panamian-flag operator is MSC Cruises of Naples, a line that at one time did contemplate the Italian flag, but has not made the move so far, MSC is of course part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company of Geneva, one of the world’s largest container lines, which keeps the majority of its fleet registered in Panama.

The Bermudian Flag: Weddings At Sea
Bermuda has offered an offshore registry for British-owned ships since 1974 and its flag is the British red ensign. For many years, this ensign carried the Bermuda coat of arms in the fly, as does the Bermudian flag, but now the merchant flag that is used is the "undefaced UK Red Ensign." This meant that when P&O transferred its ships’ registries from London to Hamilton, Bermuda, it did not even have to buy new flags for its ships!
The Bermudian cruise ship fleet almost all comes from this one source, what was once P&O Princess Cruises but is now part of Carnival Corp & PLC. The Bermudian-flag fleet thus numbers 15 ships from Princess Cruises and seven from P&O, forming a flag where Carnival Corp & PLC now has more presence than that of Panama.
Whilst a good part of this fleet was once registered in London, one of the interesting marketing gimmicks that the Bermudian flag allows is that P&O and Princess can now, unlike under the British flag, allow masters to perform marriages on board. While the Bermudian flag is British, its registry has different legislation. This is, of course, a new source of onboard revenue for P&O.
In addition, UK-based Voyages of Discovery keeps its Discovery, a former Princess Cruises vessel, flagged in Bermuda.

The Italian Flag: A European Flag
It is now some time since Costa Cruises returned to the Italian flag from the Panamanian, but with 14 ships registered there it is a significant influence. In fact, when one adds the eight ships operated by German subsidiary brand Aida Cruises, we have a total of 22 ships, an equally important fleet to that operated by sister brands P&O and Princess under Bermudian flag, and yet a third sphere of influence for Carnival Corp & PLC.
It is somewhat ironic that Costa Cruises now controls Aida Cruises as it brings the most important German cruise brand under Italian flag. It has not been German at any rate since the first Aida, as when P&O took an interest in Aida Cruises the ships went to British flag for a while. What is even more ironic, however, is that in order to travel on one of these Italian-flag Aida ships one must be able to speak German!
The end result of this is that the German flag retains only one important cruise ship, Peter Deilmann’s Deutschland, with the balance of the German fleet being registered in the Bahamas (Hapag-Lloyd) or Malta (TUI Cruises).
While MSC Cruises, whose ships remain registered in Panama, is still missing, there is one rather interesting addition to the Italian cruise fleet, in that Plantours & Partners, now owned by Venice-based Ligabue, transferred its Vistamar from Spanish to Italian registry some time back.

The Maltese Flag: Four Royal Caribbean Brands plus Louis
The Maltese flag, a fairly recent one for cruise ships, has been taken up in a big way by Royal Caribbean Cruises. Although its main brand, Royal Caribbean International, uses the Bahamian flag, four of its other brands, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Pullmantur and TUI Cruises, are now the mainstay of the Maltese registry. Pullmantur only in recent times moved its seven-ship fleet from the Bahamas to Malta, lifting the number of Maltese-flag cruise ships to 19 in the process.
These brands are followed by Louis Cruises, who intend to add more ships to the Maltese flag in the very near future when they are transferred away from the now-very-expensive Greek flag.
P&O Cruises Australia also keep Pacific Sun registered in Malta.

The Netherlands Flag: Holland America Line
For many years, Holland America Line left the flag of its home country the Netherlands for Panama and the Bahamas, but to-day its whole fleet of 15 ships has been returned to its land of origin and registered in Holland. While there was talk at one time before they went out of business of Royal Olympic transferring its ships to Dutch flag, the basis of the Dutch cruise fleet remains Holland America Line, yet a fourth Carnival sphere of influence.
Not only that, but its Eurodam was named by Queen Beatrix in 2008 and Nieuw Amsterdam was named by Princess Maxima last year (With Queen Elizabeth II having christened the new Queen Elizabeth last year, Micky Arison seems to meet a lot of Queens these days) .

Lesser Cruise Ship Flags: Portugal, the UK, the Marshall Islands, Japan and the US
One flag that has come almost out of nowhere in recent years is that of Portugal, through its offshore registry in Madeira. In addition to the five-ship fleet of Lisbon-based Classic International Cruises, as of last year it also counts among its number the four-ship fleet of Iberocruceros, yet another brand of Carnival Corp & PLC, which now gives Portugal a fleet of nine cruise ships.
A net loser over recent years, however, is the UK, which until recent times numbered the whole of the P&O fleet plus most of its sister Princess Cruises ships, under its flag, Now, however, it is left with the three Cunard Queens and one small Princess,  Hebridean Princess, that the Queen has in fact chartered twice, plus three other cruise ships.
Ironically, the three other UK-flag ships are the three ex-Sitmar ships that now form part of P&O Cruises Australia. So now we have P&O’s UK-flag ships sailing from Australia while the UK is served by its Bermudian-flag ships! The fourth P&O Cruises Australia ship is flagged in Malta. The three Cunard ships and three P&O Australia ships nevertheless form another sphere of influence for Carnival Corp & PLC once again!
The Marshall Islands is new to cruise ships, but the four ships of Oceania Cruises now call those Pacific islands home. Elsewhere, Japan also counts four cruise ships from its Mitsui OSK, NYK and Venus brands the United States continues to see Pride of America, the remaining rump of what was once a three-ship fleet, under its flag.

The Traditional Flags: Norway and Greece
It is somewhat surprising that the Norwegian flag has totally disappeared from cruise ships, where even a few years ago Fred Olsen Cruise Lines still used it. Even with an open registry that allows offshore Norwegian shipowners to avoid heavy Norwegian taxes, the Norwegian flag has been relegated to coastal status with the Hurtigruten fleet, which is not counted here.
Names such as Norwegian America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Flagship Cruises and Royal Viking Line have all disappeared, being bought out over the years by British, Malaysian and American investors. Important Norwegian ownership does remain, however, as in addition to Fred Olsen, Anders Wilhelmsen, along with the Pritzker and Ofer families, remains a major shareholder in Royal Caribbean Cruises.
It appears that the Greek flag too is about to disappear from cruise ships, with the only major operator still flying it, Louis Hellenic Cruises, applying to leave the flag because of huge pension costs now being demanded by local seamen’s unions and potenitally an austerity-driven Greek government. None of the old Greek names is left, among them Chandris, Efthymiades, Epirotiki, Goulandris, Kavounides, Nomikos and Typaldos, all now long gone from the scene.
Two and a half years ago, on September 6, 2008, The Cruise Examiner wrote in "A Return to Greek-flag Cruise Ships" about Louis Cruises placing eight of its ships under Greek flag. Then, on August 30, 2010, we wrote a news item headed "Greece Gives up Cruising Monopoly From its Ports." Now, only a few months later, we find that Louis is contemplating giving up the Greek flag in protest against these demands for onerous pension fund contributions and has applied to have the Louis Cristal and Louis Calypso moved to Malta, where a number of its other ships such as Louis Majesty is already registered. Louis Emerald may also follow.
The savings from switching from Greek to Maltese flag is reported to be in the order of Euros 300,000 per ship per month and the move has more or less been brought about because vessels flying other European flags will now be able to compete with the Greek flag, thus offering Louis Cruises no protection. Louis, meanwhile, would still employ Greek masters, senior officers and senior engineers even under the Maltese flag.
If this happens it will be a sad day for Greece and the first time in many years that no important cruise ship will have flown the Greek flag, long so emblematic of professional seafarers.

Liberian Flag is Dead for Cruise Ships
For many years, the flag of Liberia, one that somewhat resembles that of the United States, was popular with American owners. Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity all used to operate some of their fleet under Liberian flag but since the dictatorship of Charles Taylor, who was removed from power in 2003 and has just been tried for war crimes, all cruise ships left the Liberian flag.
Along with Panama, Liberia used to be the other chief flag of convenience but we have now seen new ones arrive such as Malta and the Marshall Islands. Indeed, the Marshall Islands programme was originally administered by the same people that operated the Liberian register.
Meanwhile, Taylor’s trial was recently completed and a verdict is now awaited. Most people forget that it was President George W Bush who was responsible for removing this dictator. Although Liberia is now led by Africa’s first elected woman president and it retains a high number of cargo ships under its flag, it is very unlikely to be seen flying over cruise ships again, at least in the near future.

All in all, with cruise ships flags of registry seem to be a very fluid subject, but it is interesting that individual fleet policies are much more homogeneous now than they were a few years ago, when different parts of each fleet were registered under various different flags. Carnival Cruise Lines seems to be the only brand that still operates a two-registry policy.

Courtesy of http://www.cybercruises.com

Royal Princess Announced as Ship’s Name

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As the first steel plate was cut yesterday marking the official start of construction of Princess Cruises’ next ship, the line unveiled the vessel’s profile, released preliminary details about some of her features, and revealed her name – Royal Princess.

This will be the third time the name Royal Princess has been given to a Princess ship.

Debuting in spring of 2013, the new 141,000-ton, 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is the first of two new-generation ships for Princess which are being built by Fincantieri at their Monfalcone, Italy shipyard. The prototype design is an evolution of the line’s classic style of ships, while including some new features and expanded signature spaces.

A new design element revealed is an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed enclosed walkway on the ship’s starboard side extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel. From here passengers can enjoy dramatic views, including to the sea 128 feet below. On the ship’s port side, passengers will find a similarly-unique cantilevered SeaView bar, featuring cocktails with unbeatable vistas.

Also on her top decks, Royal Princess will feature a new adults-only pool surrounded by seven private cabanas that appear to be floating on the water. Two additional pools will flank a tropical island that will offer pool seating by day, and by night will become an outdoor dance club, complete with a dazzling water and light show. Princess’ signature adults-only haven, The Sanctuary, will be expanded both in size and amenities. The popular poolside theatre, Movies Under the Stars, will play a starring role mid-ship with an expanded size and high-definition viewing.

“Princess passengers will easily recognize our next ship as a natural progression in our fleet,” said Princess President and CEO Alan Buckelew. “We’re taking the best features of our newest vessels that have been such customer pleasers, and taking them to the next level. Just as the original Royal Princess ushered in a new era for our company with its innovative design, we expect our new Royal Princess to do the same.”

Inside the ship, one of the line’s hallmark venues, the Piazza atrium, will be significantly expanded. This area will be the multi-faceted social hub of the vessel, combining always-changing quick bites and light meals, beverages, entertainment, shopping and guest services.

All outside staterooms in Royal Princess will have balconies, which means that 80 percent of the ship’s staterooms will include this desirable feature.

Royal Princess will include 260,000 square feet of inside public space with multiple dining and entertainment venues, as well as other special features and amenities which will be revealed over the coming months. A video preview of Royal Princess is available at http://www.princess.com/royalprincess.

A sister ship to Royal Princess will be launched in spring 2014.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through  The Cruise People on 1-800-961-5536.

LiveJournal Tags: Royal Princess

RMS QUEEN MARY 2 at Sea Off Japan

RMS Queen Mary 2 is currently on passage between Osaka & Nagasaki & is circa 450 miles south west of the epi-centre of this morning`s earthquake.Weather in the area is calm and it is extremely unlikely that the sea area and route the ship is on will be affected by any after effects of the earthquake.The Commodore has made a broadcast to passengers advising them of the situation. He has walked the decks and all is calm on board.

LiveJournal Tags: QM2,Queen Mary 2,Japan,tsunami,earthquake,tidal wave

Cunard Line Summer 2012-Spring 2013 Programme: On Sale 4 April 11

 

Highlights include Queen Elizabeth Fall Mediterranean Voyages and South Pacific Voyages to/from Los Angeles

Cunard Line brings more than 170 years of maritime heritage to the youngest fleet at sea to offer a programme of luxury cruise holidays aboard RMS Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in 2012 and early 2013. On sale 4 April, highlights of the new season include many popular itineraries with multiple departure dates; overnight stays in Amsterdam, Venice, Rome, Hamburg, St Petersburg, Boston, Quebec, Madeira and Barcelona; and maiden calls in Morocco and Spain. Featuring more than 70 departures, Cunard combines the New Golden Age of Ocean Travel with the traditions Cunard is renowned.

In addition to the extensive voyage programme, Cunard has announced a rendezvous on 5 June 12, when all three Cunard Queens will meet in Southampton, England to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

"Since the launch of Queen Elizabeth this past fall, it has been remarkable to see the response to our ships as they tour the globe," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "As the pace of life accelerates, more and more people are seeking unique experiences, traditional values and service excellence. Our unrivalled heritage and youngest fleet in the world are proving to be more popular than ever."

Queen Mary 2

The Line’s flagship, RMS Queen Mary 2 continues to sail her legendary Transatlantic voyages in 2012, including 19 classic seven-day voyages between New York and Southampton and six nine-day extended Crossings between New York and Hamburg.

Queen Mary 2 also offers voyages to the Baltic, Norway and the North Cape, the Atlantic Isles and Iberia, as well as a return to the Mediterranean including inaugural calls in Malaga and Valencia, Spain. All of these European itineraries can be combined with an Atlantic crossing on either side to create a Grand Voyage – offering North American passengers the chance to sail to Europe roundtrip from New York.

After her annual Getaway for the 4 July holiday, Queen Mary 2 returns to New York in fall 2012 for two Canada and New England voyages – including one with an overnight stay in Quebec – and a Holiday sailing to the Caribbean.

Queen Elizabeth

Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Elizabeth, takes over the successful fall Mediterranean programme with 12-day Mediterranean voyages that begin and end in Athens, Venice or Rome. Featuring eight unique itineraries, Queen Elizabeth‘s Mediterranean season commences with a nine-day voyage from Southampton to Rome on 28 August and concludes with the 10-day voyage from Rome (overnight) to Southampton on 29 November. These voyages call on Seville (Cadiz); Palma; Barcelona; Monte Carlo; and Florence/Pisa (Livorno).

In 2012, this popular offering has been further enhanced with two voyages to the Holy Land – including calls in Jerusalem, Galilee and Alexandria – as well as more voyages to the Greek Isles and Black Sea including:
* Three 12-day Greek Isles voyages between Athens and Venice, and one 12-day Greek Isles voyage roundtrip Athens (including calls to Mykonos; Mytilene; Istanbul; Kusadasi (for Ephesus); Rhodes; Santorini; Katakolon (for Olympia); Corfu; Dubrovnik; Heraklion; and/or Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza), depending on the voyage)
* One 12-day Black Sea voyage from Venice to Athens (featuring calls to Katakolon (for Olympia); Mykones; Instanbul (overnight); Yalta; Odessa; Nessebur; Kusadasi (for Ephesus); and Santorini
Prior to that, Queen Elizabeth also takes guests on a series of voyages roundtrip from Southampton to Norway, the Baltic and her second circumnavigation of the British Isles.

In early 2013, Queen Elizabeth will showcase a series of legendary voyages that include full transits of the Panama Canal, plus new voyages to the South Pacific and New Zealand – including maiden calls in Hilo, Hawaii; Bora Bora, French Polynesia; and Christchurch, New Zealand. The ship’s South Pacific voyages include: one 15-day voyage from Los Angeles to Auckland; one 21-day from Auckland to Los Angeles; or travellers can opt to sail the 36-day roundtrip South Pacific voyage from Los Angeles.

Queen Victoria

With a range of voyages to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic Isles and Iberia, Queen Victoria makes Southampton her homeport for 2012.

New for Queen Victoria in 2012 is a 20-day voyage to the Black Sea and Turkey as well as maiden calls in Casablanca, Morocco and Constanza, Bulgaria.

Some of Queen Victoria‘s returning itinerary favourites include the seven-day Fjords and Waterfalls voyages to Norway, the 14-day St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer (with an overnight in St. Petersburg), the 17-day Adriatic Discovery and an enhanced Mediterranean Gems itinerary that adds an additional day for a 13-day voyage.

 
World Club members enjoy 5% discounts of up to $1,000 per person off public rates and are available to past passengers who book by:
* September 30, 2011 for summer 2012 voyages
* December 31, 2011 for autumn 2012 voyages
* March 31, 2012 for spring 2013 voyages

Reservations for Cunard’s 2012 and 2013 voyages will open for booking on 4 April for all guests. For more information and to book a voyage, consult The Cruise People, Ltd. on 1-800-961-5536.

LiveJournal Tags: Queen Mary 2,Queen Elizabeth,Queen Victoria

Hurtigruten Offers for 2011 Voyages

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Hurtigruten has announced three offers – ‘Spring Fling,’ ‘Unprecedented Savings,’ and ‘Half Off Companion Fare’ – for a diverse selection of voyages taking place in 2011, including itineraries in Norway, Greenland and Europe.  Aside from the classic six-, seven- and 12-day itineraries along the Norwegian coast, called “the world’s most beautiful voyage” by Lonely Planet, passengers receive savings on “Glaciers & Icebergs,” a Disko Bay expedition along Greenland’s west coast, and “Pearls of the Baltic Sea,” which visits half a dozen ports including Copenhagen and St. Petersburg.  Offers are valid for new retail bookings on select departures and cannot be combined with other discounts except for the repeater discount, which gives those who have travelled onboard Hurtigruten within the last three years savings of up to 10% on a subsequent voyage.  Prices are per person, in $US, double; higher rates are for suites.

· The Spring Fling deal offers savings of up to 30% – with fares discounted as much as $1,370 – on six, seven or 12-day Norwegian Coastal Voyages departing on applicable sail dates in April or May that are booked by April 30.  Special prices range from $1,178 to $3,198.

· The Unprecedented Savings offer allows travellers who book by April 30 to enjoy significant savings – up to $2,984 – on cabins or suites when they let Hurtigruten assign specific cabin choice at check-in on the day of departure; valid on the Greenland “Glaciers and Icebergs” itinerary, with special fares ranging from $5,646 to $7,339, and the European “Pearls of the Baltic” voyage, with rates from $2,034 to $3,325.

· With the Half-Off Companion Fare deal, passengers receive 50% off a second fare for the six-, seven- or 12-day Norwegian Coastal Voyages when the first is purchased for the regular price.  Offer valid on select departures between May 1 and November 6, 2011, when booked by May 31; 50% companion fares range from $525 to $2,639.

Hurtigruten is a leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway’s coast and Europe in the spring.  The company’s fleet of 14 ships, carrying 100 to 646 passengers, allows passengers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.   Additional information on all of these adventures, as well as brochures and reservations, can be obtained from The Cruise People on 1-800-961-5536..

Options When Booking Holland America Line, Cunard Line and Princess Cruises

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Be aware of the currency options when booking Holland America Line, Cunard Line and Princess Cruises and getting rates:

• You can book in CAD or USD. The Cruise People, Ltd. can check the currency to see what the rates are in both currencies. This varies per product

• Currency rates will not change once the booking is made. Regardless of dollar fluctuations, the amount quoted on the reservation is what it is locked in at for the booking.

• Once booked you will not be able to move the booking to an alternate currency.

• If you decide to change to other currency you  will have to cancel and rebook. This will be treated as a brand new booking.

You should ensure that you understand the above and let then make the decision as to the currency they in which you wish to book.

 

Cruise People Tahiti Cruise Jan 2012

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The Cruise People. Ltd. has available a 10-day Ocean Princess departure, round-trip, from Papeete for 18 Jan 12.

The double rates for a good balcony cabin are currently very attractive at less than $US300 per diem, each of two, cruise only, including taxes/fees.

If you are fed up with winter and are thinking about next year, think about this.  The deposit is only $US250 per person and is fully refundable until 03 Nov 11.

LiveJournal Tags: Ocean Princess,Tahiti,Papeete

Hapag-Lloyd Drops Columbus

Courtesy of Mark Tré – "The Cruise Examiner" at Cybercruises.com

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has announced that it would be bidding farewell in May 2012 to its Columbus, which will be replaced by Columbus 2, now sailing as Oceania Cruises’ Insignia. The crew of the present Columbus will then move to Columbus 2 next May
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be redelivering Columbus one year earlier than planned, by mutual agreement with Conti, the Munich-based group that owns the ship. All cruises offered up to May 2012 will take place as scheduled until the ship is replaced in spring 2012 by her successor Columbus 2.

With a passenger capacity of 698 persons, Columbus 2 is a modern ship. “She provides more diversity and comfort at a very good price/performance ratio and represents for us an economically attractive expansion of our capacity in the premium segment”, according to Sebastian Ahrens, managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The present Columbus was built in 1997 and among her other duties, she spent ten seasons cruising the Great Lakes. One wonders if later charterers will be interested in doing the same thing. With the bankruptcy of Cruise West last September and Pearl Seas Cruises’ litigation over Pearl Mist, now laid up at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, the Great Lakes have already lost two ships that should have been cruising those waters this season.

LiveJournal Tags: Columbus,Columbus 2,Pearl Mist