Cruise News: Costa Cruises Details Costa Concordia Guest Reimbursement Offer

Costa Crociere wishes to again express its profound condolences to the families of the victims, continued sympathy to the families of the missing and deep regret and sorrow for the damages and hardship the Costa Concordia accident caused to all its guests.

Costa Crociere announced a compensation proposal for guests who have returned home after the Jan. 13 tragic Costa Concordia accident. This proposal is the result of negotiations between Costa Crociere and consumer associations protecting guests’ interests, with the support of multiple tourism and travel industry associations. In Italy, the company has already reached an agreement with the National Council of Consumers and Users, a national organization.

The families of the deceased and guests who were injured and required medical treatment on site will be covered under a separate proposal that will take into account their individual circumstances.

The compensation package for Costa Concordia guests who have returned home includes:

• A lump sum of 11,000 euros (US$14,458.07 at today’s exchange rate) per person as indemnification, covering all patrimonial and nonpatrimonial damages, including loss of baggage and personal effects, psychological distress, and loss of enjoyment of the cruise vacation;
• Reimbursement of the value of the cruise, including harbor taxes;
• Reimbursement of air and bus transfers included in the cruise package;
• Full reimbursement of travel expenses to reach the port of embarkation and return home;
• Reimbursement of any medical expenses resulting from the cruise;
• Reimbursement of expenses incurred on board during the cruise.
This compensation package is higher than the current indemnification limits provided for in international conventions and laws currently in force. The 11,000 euro lump-sum payment is offered to all Costa Concordia passengers, including nonpaying children, regardless of their age.

Costa also has pledged not to deduct from this sum any amount paid by any insurance policy stipulated by guests. In addition, the company will return all goods stored in cabin safes, where retrieval is possible.

Costa Crociere also has pledged to provide a program for psychological assistance to any guests that request it. The company has further agreed to offer customers the ability to cancel any upcoming cruise booked before Jan. 13, on any of its routes, without penalty through Feb. 7, 2012.

Dedicated operation units will handle claims to ensure timely resolution. Payments will be credited by the company within seven days of receipt of the acceptance of the proposal. Guests should e-mail careteam@us.costa.it or call 954-266-5693 for assistance.

Ruby Princess Rescues Boaters

The good news is that earlier this week three French sailors were rescued at sea northeast of Cuba (between Berrys/Clarencetown and Samana Cay in Bahamian territory) when their trimaran lost power, leaving them stranded miles from the nearest port. Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess altered course and launched a rescue boat to pick up the distressed mariners at 11:40pm EST on Monday, Jan 23. Hundreds of the Ruby Princess' passengers and crew witnessed the operation in the video below.

The bad news... that video is probably the last look the owner will have of his very expensive sailing vessel.

Cruise News: After Concordia, Deal Or No Deal?

Conventional “wisdom” among some travel bloggers suggests that booked passengers are cancelling their cruises en masse due to the recent Costa Concordia incident and now is the time to act quickly to get a rock bottom fare for your next cruise. I even had a friend ask me yesterday if I thought his family could get a great deal on a cruise in March. He was under the impression that cruise lines would be giving away cabins at bargain basement rates due to cancellations. First off, people who are booked to sail in March are probably in the cancellation penalty phase after making their final payment and they aren’t likely to be changing their vacation plans in droves. However, while this is the cruise industry’s Wave Season when low cruise fares and upgrades are typically offered on future sailings, March is Spring Break time and pricier than usual. I advised him to call a travel agent, but not to be surprised if most ships sailing from Miami and Fort Lauderdale in March are already fully booked.

Let’s step back and evaluate the advice of those bloggers who claim there are a lot of last minute deals right now because of recent cancellations. While I don’t know what sources of information they are using—or whether they are simply speculating about mass cancellations as my friend did—the real experts offer an entirely a different perspective.

A Travel Weekly survey of travel agents found that the Costa accident has had minimal effect on agent bookings. While the agents they surveyed reported an increase in calls from their clients with questions, they “overwhelmingly said they hadn't received any cancellations following the deadly capsize of the Costa Concordia off the Italian coast…less than 7% of agents said they had cancellations as a direct result.”

Even more interesting is an article in the authoritative Seatrade Insider entitled Post-Concordia UBS survey finds cruise pricing is up—even for Costa. The article states, “UBS Investment Research has found that the impact on cruise bookings may not be as negative as feared, and pricing in general is up—even for Costa Crociere.”

On a side note, I must admit that I felt queasy when I awoke early on Saturday, Jan 14th and saw the horrifying televised images of Costa Concordia. Would that prevent me from taking a cruise? No, and in fact I boarded a cruise ship only hours later. As a whole, I sincerely believe the cruise industry has always considered safety their top priority. Truthfully, I feel safer on a cruise ship than in an airplane or driving on I-95.

Cruise News: Message From Norwegian Cruise Line's CEO

As a past passenger of Norwegian Cruise Line, I received the email below today. Last week I sailed on Norwegian Epic and can state that the safety drill referenced was conducted within hours of boarding and before the ship sailed from the Port of Miami. While we were not required to bring personal flotation devices to the drill (as is currently a common practice on many cruise lines), the demonstration of their use was quite thorough. Attendees names and cabin numbers were noted on master lists by the crewmembers in charge. In the aftermath of the tragic circumstances that took place just the night before on Costa Concordia, our fellow passengers paid particular attention during the drill.

Dear Valued Guest,

Thank you for being a loyal Norwegian Cruise Line guest. We want to take this opportunity to assure you that the safety of our guests and crew is, at all times, our number one priority.

We operate all of our vessels to meet and exceed the requirements of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention and the International Safety Management Code maritime standards, the international safety requirements which govern the cruise industry. Every crew member is well trained in the Company's stringent safety protocols, participating in weekly safety drills onboard every one of our ships.

Our Captains are experienced seafarers with an average of 33 years at sea. All of our Captains come up through the ranks progressing from Second Officer to First Officer and then Chief Officer up to Staff Captain before they can become Captains. On average, it takes at least 15 years for a Captain to be promoted into that role. We further ensure that our Captains regularly undergo rigorous simulation training on navigation and bridge operations.

To assist our Captains and Officers while at sea, we have extensive navigation protocols in place. Our bridge operations are based on a two-person team approach. Accordingly, there are always two officers in charge of bridge operations, mandating strict adherence to operating procedures. Furthermore, our bridge teams follow pre-set voyage plans which are thoroughly reviewed and discussed by the Captain and bridge team prior to port departures and arrivals. In addition, all of our ships employ the latest state-of-the-art navigational equipment and technology to ensure that our bridge teams have the most accurate data regarding the planned itinerary.

Prior to every cruise setting sail, we hold a mandatory safety drill for all guests during which important safety information is reviewed and demonstrated. We also show an extensive safety video which runs continuously on the stateroom televisions should further information be required.

We appreciate your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you aboard again.

Sincerely,

Kevin Sheehan
Chief Executive Officer

Norwegian Cruise Line Launches New Alaska Cruisetours

The Alaska Railroad

Guests sailing aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun on Alaskan cruise vacations in 2013 can now add pre- or post- Cruisetours to round out their voyage. Ranging in length from four to six days, guests can select their perfect Alaska adventure from four different packages. The Cruisetours are escorted by a local Alaskan guide and each tour features two nights in Denali National Park, as well as a ride on the iconic Alaska Railroad.

For guests who want to explore the wilderness or the history of Alaska, there are two five-day options available: Denali/Alyeska Explorer and Denali/Fairbanks Explorer. The Denali/Alyeska Explorer gives guests the opportunity to hike on Winner Creek Trail, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see animals in their natural setting or take a helicopter ride to land atop a glacier. The Denali/Fairbanks Explorer offers an up close look at the Gold Rush that swept the nation, the Alaskan Pipeline, a visit to an Athabascan Indian Village and the chance to experience the midnight sun.

The best option for those with an adventurous spirit is the Authentic Alaska Cruisetour, offering diverse activities in a six-day tour. Guests can take a trip to an Iditarod Sled Dog Musher’s house to learn about the “Last Great Race” and meet some of the dogs (also included in both Explorer Cruisetours). In Homer, guests can learn more about the fishing history as well as take in the scenic view of Katchermark Bay’s glaciers and mountains. The tour concludes with a visit to Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, where guests can enjoy hiking trails, local restaurants and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Guests with limited time to explore the state can take advantage of the Denali Express package to explore Alaska in four days. Two days in Denali can be spent visiting the Denali National Park to view wildlife or go rafting, fly fishing, golfing and hiking before taking a ride on the world famous Alaska Railroad.

Now available, pre- or post-cruise land packages can be booked as part of Norwegian Sun’s 2013 cruises from Whittier, Alaska. Beginning May 20, 2013, Norwegian Sun’s northbound itinerary departs Vancouver, British Columbia on Mondays, and will cruise the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, and Hubbard Glacier, as well as visiting Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau. On her southbound itineraries from Whittier, Alaska, the ship will cruise the Inside Passage, Sawyer Glacier, and Hubbard Glacier, and make stops in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, and Icy Strait Point.

Additional information can be found by visiting NCL.com.

Photo Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Labor Strikes Delay Oceania Cruises’ New ‘Riviera’

Oceania Cruises was notified by ship builder Fincantieri late last week of construction delays and as a result, will reschedule the maiden voyage of its m/s Riviera. Construction on the 1,250-guest ship fell behind schedule when strikes at Fincantieri's shipyard near Genoa, Italy, lasted longer than expected.

The maiden voyage of Riviera has moved from April 24 to May 16, and all guests affected by the delay will be contacted by their travel agents or by Oceania Cruises directly to discuss alternative cruise dates.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience that this may cause our guests,” stated Kunal S. Kamlani, the cruise line's president. “We are working very closely with the shipyard to ensure Riviera is completed to meet Oceania's high standards of quality and service.”

The new maiden voyage is a 10-day “Pearls of the Aegean” cruise that includes an overnight aboard ship in Venice before visiting Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Monemvasia, Crete, Santorini, Kusadasi (gateway to Ephesus), Delos, Mykonos and Athens.

Guests booked on affected sailings will have the option of rebooking another cruise and receive a future cruise credit, which ranges from $250 to $1,000 per guest, depending on category of accommodation. In the event guests do not wish to rebook, they will receive a full refund. Travel agent commissions will be protected.

For more information on Riviera or Oceania Cruises, visit OceaniaCruises.com or call toll-free at call 800-531-5658.

Photo Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Cruise News: Costa Cruises Clarifies Reports Regarding Discounts & Promotional Offers

As if the situation surrounding the deadly grounding of Costa Concordia weren’t bad enough, the media isn’t making it any better. In a sensational bit of tabloid-ish reporting that has been published and republished over the past few days (sorry, I don’t know the original source or I’d link it), Costa Cruises was said to have offered survivors of the Concordia capsizing a 30 percent discount on their next cruise with the line. A shocking and callous claim attributed to a survivor, but untrue.

Apparently a notice to travel agents regarding future canceled Costa Concordia voyages is the source of the grossly misleading stories. In the notice sent to agents, Costa offered alternative sailings to guests booked on upcoming Costa Concordia cruises or the the opportunity to cancel for any reason and receive a complete refund plus a future cruise credit worth 30 percent of the fare they paid for their cancelled Costa Concordia cruise.

Costa Cruises North America Statement:

In reference to news reports on discounts and promotional offers, Costa Cruises asserts that the company has never offered any discount on future cruises to our guests who were on board Costa Concordia for the cruise of Jan. 13 and involved in the tragic accident. The information originally published by a newspaper and reported in various news outlets is unfounded, as confirmed by the English passenger who was quoted by the newspaper.

Costa Cruises reiterates that after the accident the company’s priority has always been to provide the maximum possible assistance and solace to the people involved. From the outset the company has been fully aware of and saddened by the suffering and hardship endured by guests and crewmembers, and has acted with this firmly in mind.

On a joint basis with rescue teams, the company worked to provide evacuated passengers and crewmembers with all the necessary assistance to ensure they were able to return home. Subsequently, Costa Cruises contacted guests by telephone after they had returned home to check on their physical and emotional wellbeing, and to confirm that they will receive a refund for the cruise and all material expenses related to it.

As previously announced, the company welcomes discussion with its guests and all consumer-protection associations to determine indemnity for the hardship endured, with the support of tourism-sector trade associations with which it has been in contact for days.

Driven by its sense of ethics and the values of fairness and responsibility which guide it, the company also has given all customers booked on future Costa cruises the opportunity, if they have hesitations about cruising, to cancel their cruise booking by Feb. 7, 2012. All travel agents who work with the company were informed of that days ago.

Costa Cruises would also like to clarify that starting on the day after the accident, all advertising initiatives planned were cancelled out of respect for those affected by this tragedy. The company was unable to stop only one postal promotion, which had already been sent to some customers at the end of December.

Photo: © CruiseDiva.com

Disney Cruise Line Adds New Itineraries & Ports for 2013

With their growing fleet, Disney Cruise Line will offer new itineraries for 2013, including an expanded portfolio of European cruises with new destinations such as Venice, Italy, and the Greek Isles. In addition, Disney Cruise Line will utilize a second homeport in Florida, with Caribbean sailings departing from the Port of Miami for the very first time.

With the addition of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy to the fleet of cruise ships, Disney Cruise Line is able to take more families to more destinations around the world than ever before. Disney Cruise Line has always catered to the unique vacation needs of families, and next year enhances the cruise options for their guests—whether it’s sun and sand in the Caribbean, outdoor adventures in Alaska, or experiencing the wonders of Europe.

Highlights of the Disney Cruise Line 2013 schedule (which can be booked beginning Jan. 26, 2012) include…

Mediterranean from Barcelona
Beginning June 1, 2013, the Disney Magic returns to Europe with plenty of new twists to the Mediterranean itineraries, including a 4-night option and special 12-night sailings in addition to 7-night itineraries that treat guests to the best of Europe during the three-month season.

The new 12-night sailings visit destinations such as Venice, Italy, and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast on one itinerary and Ephesus, Turkey and the Greek Isles including Athens, on another. Each itinerary will offer a sailing departing in June and another departing in July.

All itineraries depart from Barcelona, Spain, as the Disney Magic takes guests on exciting journeys to richly diverse cities, cultures, and people. With romantic boulevards, bustling bazaars, iconic locations, mild climates, sun-drenched islands and the brilliant blue Mediterranean Sea, guests will enjoy a world-class family vacation with legendary Disney guest service.

Four-night Mediterranean Getaway
Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Departure dates: July 9, Aug. 6

Seven-night Mediterranean Cruise
Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples, Italy
Departure dates: June 1, 8, Aug. 10, 17, 24, 31

12-night Mediterranean with Greece
Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Valetta, Malta
Departure dates: June 15, July 13

12-night Mediterranean with Venice
Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples, Italy; Venice, Italy (overnight); Dubrovnik, Croatia; Valetta, Malta
Departure dates: June 27, July 25

Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Miami
Disney Cruise Line will sail from Miami for the first time on Dec. 23, 2012. One 6- and one 7-night Caribbean sailing aboard the Disney Wonder will set the stage for a schedule of 4- and 5-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean between Jan. 5, 2013, and May 2, 2013. The 4- and 5-night cruises have a variety of itineraries. Ports of call may include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West; Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

The itineraries offer days at sea for guests to explore all of the fun aboard the Disney Wonder and days in port to lounge on warm, golden beaches, to swim and snorkel in azure waters, or to shop to their heart’s content in exotic marketplaces.

Five-night Caribbean
Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay
Departure dates: Jan. 5, 19, Feb, 2, 16, March 2, 16, 30, April 13, 27

Five-night Caribbean
Ports: Miami, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
Departure dates: Jan. 14, 28, Feb. 11, 25, March 11, 25, April 8, 22

Four-night Bahamas
Ports: Miami, Key West, Nassau, Castaway Cay
Departure dates: Jan. 10, 24, Feb. 7, 21, March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2

Western Caribbean from Galveston
The Disney Magic, which will begin sailing from Texas in 2012, will continue to sail from the Port of Galveston through May 2013, to the Western Caribbean.

Six-night Caribbean:
Ports: Galveston, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
Departure dates: Dec. 15 and 29, 2012, Jan. 12, 26, Feb. 9, 23, March 9, 23, April 6, 20. May 4

Eight-night Caribbean:
Ports: Galveston, Key West, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel
Departure dates: Dec. 21, 2012, Jan. 4, 18, Feb. 1, 15, March 1, 15, 29, April 12, 26, May 10

Alaska from Vancouver
Beginning May 27, 2013, the Disney Wonder will sail 7-night cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska. These cruises will combine the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience found on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Disney Cruise Line worked closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history.

Seven-night Alaska:
Ports: Vancouver, Tracy Arm (scenic cruising through fjord), Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan
Departure dates: May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26, Sept. 2

Caribbean and Bahamas from Port Canaveral
The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral.

Disney Fantasy will sail out of Port Canaveral on 7-night Caribbean itineraries, alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings, January through April 2013, stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Disney Dream will sail 3-, 4- and 5-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line, visit DisneyCruise.com.

Photo Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

A message from Celebrity Cruises' President & CEO

As a past passenger, I received the following email from Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises and would like to share it with you.

Clearly, as the result of the Costa Concordia grounding and loss of life, the cruise industry wants to reassure past, present, and future passengers that they will do everything possible to prevent such a tragic accident from happening again. I believe their efforts are sincere and we will see changes to make cruise travel even safer in the years to come.

Dear Linda,

Like you, all of us at Celebrity Cruises, both shipboard and shoreside, are deeply saddened by the events surrounding the tragic Costa Concordia accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the incident.

I debated about writing to you, as I wanted to be respectful of the investigation process and avoid adding to the speculation as to the cause or related failures. However, the concerns that have been raised about the safety of cruise ships compelled me to take the opportunity to share what an intense focus we have always placed on safety, and how rigorously we put that focus into practice every day.

Since Celebrity Cruises’ founding more than 20 years ago, the safety of our guests and crew has always been our highest priority. The measures we take in the interest of safety are many, often exceeding regulatory requirements. It’s a critical part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in every aspect of our business.

Our guests see just a portion of our safety practices through the mandatory muster drills we conduct at the outset of every sailing. But our safety practices encompass so much more. In light of the Costa Concordia accident, we chose to post a summary of our safety practices on our web site. Simply go to, CelebrityCruises.com/Safety, and click on the tab labeled "Safety and Security". I encourage you to take a look, and to share the information with your family and friends.

Above and beyond what we’ve communicated there, you also may be interested to know that the leader of Celebrity Cruises’ Captains is a highly experienced former officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, Greg Purdy. As the head of our Marine Operations Department, Greg’s highest priority is to guide and monitor the safety of our fleet. His own experience at sea, including serving as Captain of a Coast Guard vessel, combined with his depth of knowledge of cruise ship safety, ensures that he and the entire Celebrity Marine team continue to build on our strong safety culture.

Our Captains across the Celebrity fleet hold degrees from some of the world’s finest maritime institutions. You also may be surprised to know that, along with the Captain, every one of our ships has at least two other officers who hold the level of license required to serve as Captain of a cruise ship. Essentially, we have three people onboard every Celebrity ship who qualify as a Captain.

On average, each of Celebrity Cruises’ Captains has 25 years of seagoing experience. Besides the training and drills we conduct onboard, our Captains and their bridge teams also participate in navigation simulator courses and other training. One of the cornerstones of our training is that everyone is expected to speak up if they detect something wrong, regardless of their rank. Our shipboard officers and our shoreside team spend a considerable amount of time focused on how we can continually improve our safety procedures.

Along with our vast in-house expertise, we also rely on a group of experts known as our Maritime Safety Advisory Board. The group was established in 2006 to help guide our safety program and provide critical thinking from the world’s leading marine safety experts. The group includes former senior officials from the US and UK Coast Guards, as well as leadership from the academic world.

Our Chairman Richard Fain has said there’s no such thing as perfect safety, but there is such a thing as perfect dedication to safety. And that’s what we strive for daily.

Whether you’re a longtime cruiser, or have yet to sail with Celebrity, I hope you’ll help us reinforce the fact that cruising continues to maintain the best safety record of any industry in the travel business.

Our highly skilled and dedicated crew members look forward to welcoming you onboard soon to provide you with an outstanding vacation experience. Meanwhile, I thank you for your continued support of our brand and our business.

Sincerely,
Dan Hanrahan President and CEO

Royal Caribbean Addresses Cruise Travel Safety

It's no surprise that the grounding of Costa Concordia has deeply affected not only Carnival Corporation and its cruise brands, but the entire industry. Yesterday Cruise Diva shared a message from Princess Cruises' Captain's Circle e-newsletter to past passengers and earlier today we shared an announcement from Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Now have the following message that was sent to Royal Caribbean International's past passengers, members of the line's Crown and Anchor Society.

All of us at Royal Caribbean International continue to extend our heartfelt sympathies to those affected by Carnival Corporation's recent tragic incident on the Costa Concordia. As a Crown and Anchor Society member and loyal Royal Caribbean guest, we know you may have some questions as the situation continues to unfold.

At Royal Caribbean International, the safety and security of our guests and crew is our highest priority. It is fundamental to our operations. Our maritime safety record over our 42-year history illustrates our commitment to the safety of the millions of guests and crew that sail on our ships. The measures we take in the interest of safety are many, often exceeding the regulatory requirements – these are all part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in every aspect of our business.

To address some of your questions and concerns, here is a video (below) that will provide an overview of safety onboard our ships; the training of our crew, officers and captains; and the many regulations that govern our practices.

As a past cruiser, we know your friends and family may be asking about your own time at sea. We hope that you’ll share this video along with your personal Royal Caribbean experiences with them, and reinforce that cruising continues to maintain the best safety record of any industry in travel.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you aboard again soon on one of our ships sailing to 270 destinations worldwide.

Sincerely,

Adam Goldstein
President and CEO
Royal Caribbean International

Video Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announce Revised Muster Drill Policy

Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has announced that effective immediately all ships will hold guest muster drills on the day of departure. Presently, all Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises vessels hold muster drills on the same day of departure, with few exceptions.

“On just a handful of occasions the drill is held the following morning, primarily to accommodate late-arriving guests,” stated Robin Lindsay, executive vice president of vessel operations for Prestige Cruise Holdings. “However, in light of the recent tragic event, Oceania and Regent have adopted a new policy that requires all muster drills to take place on day of departure.”

All Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises vessels are designed and operated in compliance with the strict requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which mandates global standards for the safety and operation of cruise ships, through adoption of regulations, resolutions and treaties. The most important of these treaties is the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention, which includes comprehensive mandates on safety equipment and procedures. Prestige Cruise Holdings’ ships adhere to all IMO and SOLAS regulations and requirements. In addition, all officers and crew who have specific safety functions, such as evacuation leaders, boat commanders, fire teams, and lifeboat launching teams, regularly conduct simulated emergency training drills.

About Oceania Cruises: Oceania Cruises® offers unrivaled cuisine, luxurious accommodations, exceptional personalized service and extraordinary value. Award-winning itineraries visit more than 330 ports in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Americas aboard the 684-guest Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica. The line’s 1,250-guest Marina debuted in January 2011 and will be followed by Riviera, a sister ship, in spring 2012.

About Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the world’s most inclusive luxury cruise line. Fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip air, highly personalized service, acclaimed cuisine, fine wines and spirits, sightseeing excursions in every port, a pre-cruise luxury hotel package and gratuities. Three award-winning, all-suite vessels, Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas Voyager, are among the most spacious at sea and visit more than 300 destinations around the globe.

About Prestige Cruise Holdings: Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) is the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Formed in 2007 to manage select assets in Apollo Management's cruise investment portfolio, PCH is led by Chairman & CEO Frank J. Del Rio and President & COO Kunal S. Kamlani. PCH is the market leader in the upper-premium and luxury segments of the cruise industry with nearly 5,200 berths between the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, a number the company expects will grow to approximately 6,400 berths this year.

Message From Princess Cruises President Alan Buckelew Regarding the Costa Concordia Tragedy

From the Captain's Circle e-newsletter to past passengers sent out today, Princess Cruises President Alan Buckelew made this statement.

"All of us at Princess Cruises continue to be deeply saddened by the grounding of the Costa Concordia and the tragic aftermath. We are stunned that this incident occurred, and our hearts go out to all those affected, especially the families of the deceased, and to everyone at our sister company Costa Cruises as they cope with this difficult situation.

We want to assure our passengers that the safety of all those aboard our ships is always our constant focus and top priority, and that Princess operates to the highest safety standards. Princess has a multitude of measures in place to ensure a safe and secure shipboard environment including advanced navigation technology, extensive training of all officers and crew, and regular safety drills. We meet or exceed all international safety requirements, and our safety record during our 45 years of cruising is excellent. Incidents such as the recent tragedy are a rare occurrence, and cruising continues to be a safe vacation choice.

We expect that some important lessons will be learned from this recent incident, and we will use these to further refine our own safety practices so we can continue to provide our passengers and crew a safe and secure environment."

Sapphire Princess Drydock to Add Signature Princess Cruises Features

Sapphire Princess’ atrium is being transformed into
Princess Cruises’ signature Piazza

Sapphire Princess is two weeks into a dramatic, four-week drydock transformation that will completely transform the onboard experience, bringing it up to Princess Cruises’ standard of excellence.

The drydock, taking place in the Victoria Shipyards in British Columbia, continues a multi-year fleet renovation process that has brought Princess Cruises’ signature features to most of its ships. When Sapphire Princess re-enters service on Feb 4, passengers will be able to enjoy a brand-new Piazza atrium with the International Café and Vines wine bar, plus the new Alfredo’s Pizzeria. On the top decks, passengers will enjoy poolside movies on the new giant Movies Under the Stars screen, and an opportunity to relax in the ship’s “pocket of tranquility,” the adults-only Sanctuary.

“It’s been an incredible process over the past few years to retrofit these popular features onto our earlier-introduced ships, but we know our passengers appreciate that they can now find their favorite amenities on virtually any vessel in our fleet,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

The many changes to Sapphire Princess include:

• New Piazza Atrium: The ship’s atrium space will be redesigned to include this signature Princess feature – a European-inspired social hub of the ship combining always-changing quick bites and light meals, beverages, entertainment, shopping and guest services. The Piazza will feature the International Café for pastries, fresh panini sandwiches, salads, fresh-baked cookies and a variety of coffee drinks. Passengers will also enjoy a new Vines wine bar offering a selection of more than 30 wines by the glass, plus a selection of tapas and sushi, and a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle.
• Alfredo’s Pizzeria: Introduced last year aboard Grand Princess, Alfredo’s will expand to its second location on Sapphire Princess. The sit-down pizzeria serves up an enticing menu of freshly prepared, hand-stretched, individual-size pizzas. Named for the line’s master executive chef, Alfredo Marzi, the pizzeria will feature an open kitchen where passengers can watch chefs create their custom-made pies.
• Movies Under the Stars: Sapphire Princess will be the final ship to introduce Movies Under the Stars on board. The giant poolside movie screen will showcase feature films, concerts, awards shows and sports events, and passengers can enjoy their viewing on padded loungers under warm, fleece blankets. Complimentary popcorn and other treats enhance the al fresco entertainment experience.
• The Sanctuary: Sapphire Princess is also the final ship to receive The Sanctuary, a tranquil retreat exclusively for adults. Added prior to drydock, the new Sanctuary space has already received an enthusiastic welcome from passengers enjoying the enhanced comforts of this peaceful oasis, as Serenity Stewards attend to their every need, offering refreshing beverages, light snacks, pre-loaded MP3 players, and the cooling mist of an Evian atomizer.

Also part of the renovation are several relocated and upgraded venues, including the Art Gallery, Internet Café and Library, and the Photo-Video Gallery. New carpet and upholstery will be installed throughout the ship, and staterooms will feature new flat-screen televisions. The newly renovated Sapphire Princess will debut on Feb 4 in Los Angeles when the ship will depart on a 14-day Hawaiian Islands cruise.

Photo Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Cruise News: Costa Concordia Aftermath, Carnival Corporation Announces Safety Audit

In light of the tragic Costa Concordia disaster, Carnival Corporation, parent company of Costa Cruises and nine leading cruise lines around the world, has announced a comprehensive audit and review of all safety and emergency response procedures across all of the company’s cruise lines.

Carnival Corporation and the cruise industry as a whole have maintained an excellent safety record over the years. “However, this tragedy has called into question our company’s safety and emergency response procedures and practices,” said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “While I have every confidence in the safety of our vessels and the professionalism of our crews, this review will evaluate all practices and procedures to make sure that this kind of accident doesn’t happen again.”

The review is being led by Captain James Hunn, a retired U.S. Navy Captain and currently the company’s senior vice president of Maritime Policy & Compliance. Following a 32-year career in the Navy, Hunn has held senior positions at Carnival Corporation & plc for nearly a decade, focusing on corporate-wide efforts to establish maritime policy standards, while overseeing the company’s health, environmental, safety, and security practices. Hunn and senior health and safety executives from each of the lines will review all safety and emergency response policies and procedures, officer and crew training and evaluation, bridge management and company-wide response and support efforts. Hunn will report to the Health, Environment, Safety and Security Committee of the Board, and to Howard Frank, vice chairman and chief operations officer of Carnival Corporation.

In addition, the Health, Environment, Safety and Security Committee is engaging outside industry-leading experts in the fields of emergency response organization, training and implementation to conduct an audit of all of the company’s emergency response and safety procedures and to conduct a thorough review of the Costa Concordia grounding and subsequent capsizing. Frank said, “This company-wide initiative will identify lessons learned and best practices to further ensure the security and safety of all of our passengers and crew.”

Carnival Corporation also supports the call for a comprehensive evaluation of safety regulations by the International Maritime Organization, which was requested by the Cruise Lines International Association.

A Really Cool Time Aboard Norwegian Epic

After spending a week in the warmth of the Caribbean sun we couldn’t resist donning parkas and gloves for a short sojourn in Norwegian Epic’s Ice Bar—the only one at sea.

With our cruise winding down it’s a good way to get back into the “real” world where it will be winter when we get home. Besides, who could resist meeting this icy Viking? He also has a polar bear friend in the Ice Bar where we were each served two Svedka vodka drinks in glasses made of ice as part of the $20 per person admission.

This would also be a good time add our warm impression of the crew and service onboard Norwegian Epic. Servers, stewards, and staff alike greet passengers with a smile and service has exceeded our expectations in lounges, restaurants, and most importantly our cabin. Norwegian Epic is a happy ship and it shows in the satisfied looks on passengers’ faces. Plus, I haven’t heard a single complaint in the elevators.

Norwegian Epic’s “Spicy” Retreat

All day every day there’s a spot where adults (over 18) can head to for peaceful serenity. It’s Spice H2O and a favorite retreat for sunbathing, swimming, hot tubbing, and just relaxing in the sun or the shade of an umbrella.

At the top of the tiered space for lounging are the Spice H2O pool bar and a convenient snack counter.

After dark the area comes alive with live music and deck parties, and concerts and sporting events on the big screen.

Spice H2O has easily become our favorite getaway spot.

Nick on Norwegian Epic

You never can tell, you just might see a celebrity or two on a cruise as we did here on Norwegian Epic. Last night we ran into Sponge Bob Squarepants and he graciously posed with us for a snapshot.

This is a Nickelodeon cruise and the kids have lots of opportunities to have fun with their favorite characters. The activities are numerous—Breakfast with Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon Meet and Greet, Slime Time LIVE!,
Nick LIVE! poolside, Nick Jr. Story Time with Dora, Nickelodeon Arts and Crafts, Dora’s Dance Party, and Know Your Nickelodeon Trivia.

There is a charge for the breakfast and Slime Time LIVE! But other activities are free and the kids of all ages on board are having a blast.

Epic Entertainment on Norwegian Epic

Cruise ship shows generally consist of troupes of talented singers and dancers performing songs from Broadway musicals and other themed productions that might feature medleys of tunes by popular artists. That’s not what you’ll find here aboard Norwegian Epic.

The Epic Theater is quite simply the site of the most spectacular extravaganzas at sea. All the way from Las Vegas, we’ve enjoyed Blue Man Group and Legends in Concert—shows that would command hundreds of dollars for tickets in Vegas and for which there is no additional charge on Norwegian Epic. They weren’t skimpy watered-down versions either..

Blue Man Group is a production that has to be seen to be believed. Creative doesn’t begin to describe it. Each of the three Blue Men is a gifted artist and collectively they are masters of the sideways glance. Without a word being spoken the hilarious show even includes audience participation. I don’t want to give too much away because their antic surprises are the highlight of the show. Some of us who have seen Blue Man Group on land agreed that their show on Norwegian Epic was even better

The Legends in Concert cast on our cruise included Steven Tyler, Lady Gaga, and the King of Rock ’n Roll himself, Elvis. Each impersonator captured the look, the sound, and the movements of their artist so perfectly that they were totally in sync with videos being shown of the artists themselves in concert. Lady Gaga was particularly striking in outrageous costumes and make up, while Elvis initially appeared all in black leather before changing into one of the famous white jumpsuits complete with cape. Also impressive were the band and back-up singers and dancers.

Although the shows are included in your cruise fare, you do have to make reservations as seating is limited. However, everyone has the opportunity to see each show as there are multiple performances scheduled. Theater doors open about 45 minutes before show time, but you don’t have to get there that early to get a good seat. The Epic Theater doesn’t have a bad seat in the house—there are no columns and the sightlines are unobstructed.

Luck of the Irish on Norwegian Epic

O'Sheehan's Burger

My husband Mel would tell you that I’m not a top-of-the-morning person and until I get my coffee I can be cranky. While room service is a good option, getting out for a good breakfast is an important start to the day so I try my best to not be a mean old crab in the buffet line. Mel likes buffets and I don’t so we’ve discovered a compromise here aboard Norwegian Epic that makes us both happy. Instead of a sit down breakfast in the dining room, which Mel considers too formal, we’ve discovered breakfast in O’Sheehan’s Irish Pub. The scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns in the Express Breakfast option are just what I like with a glass of juice and coffee. Other options are a Country Platter with eggs fried or scrambled and bacon or sausage, baked beans, a grilled tomato, and sautéed mushrooms; Homemade Corned Beef Hash with eggs; Create Your Own Omelet with popular fillings; and French Toast. Breakfast arrives with a Bakery Basket filled with muffins, pastries, and croissants.

O’Sheehan’s is also a hit with us for casual lunches with traditional pub grub (fish ’n chips) and comfort food (meatloaf and pot pie), as well as corned beef, grilled chicken, and tuna melt sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and a classic burger with cheese and bacon.

Best of all is that O’Sheehan’s is always open and I can get the Chocolate Brownie Sundae—a brownie, topped with walnuts, ice cream, and chocolate sauce—anytime I crave it. Well, even better is that there is no charge for the food in O’Sheehan’s. We also recommend it for a mid-morning Bloody Mary.