We’ve got a few pieces of news from MSC Cruises that have been announced over the last week.
The first is that MSC has choosen a name for the newbuild that they announced almost two weeks ago. The new ship with will be built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France and named MSC Poesia (prounounced Po-a-SEE-a) which is Italian for “poetry.” The MSC Poesia is expected to be delivered in 2008 and will be a sistership to the MSC Musica scheduled for delivery at the end of June, and the MSC Orchestra scheduled for completion in 2007.
The big news however is regarding MSC’s planned US expansion scheduled for 2007, we first posted about it back in November… For the time being at least those plans are on hold.
Originally, MSC Lirica was going to be operating from New York staring in the Spring of 2007, meanwhile MSC Musica would be deployed to Florida in the Fall.
The new plan is for the MSC Musica to remain in Europe for the Winter, according to MSC Cruises, they have informed Bermuda that the MSC Lirica will not be operating there in 2007, but they will continue to discuss opportunities for 2008. The MSC Opera will be joining the MSC Lirica in Florida and now MSC will revise their Fall and Winter schedules to include more 11 night cruises to their sucessful deep Caribbean and Panama itineraries.
The new Caribbean deployment schedules for winter 2006-07 are as follows:
MSC Opera departs Italy Dec. 2 on a 17-night transatlantic sailing to Fort Lauderdale, where she will do two 7-night holiday sailings before beginning a series of 11-night Deep Caribbean and Panama itineraries. MSC Opera then departs Florida May 9, 2007 for Copenhagen.
MSC Lirica will maintain her previously scheduled sailing calendar, departing Italy on Oct. 29 and arriving Nov. 15 in Fort Lauderdale. She will also sail Panama and Deep Caribbean itineraries, including 11-night Christmas and New Year’s sailings. She will depart April 29, 2007 on a 17-night transatlantic sailing to Hamburg, Germany.
Guests booked on any of the previously scheduled cruises will be accommodated and given special consideration for the new Caribbean sailings.
We expect to have details on the revised schedules on the Cruise Planners website soon, or give us a call at 888-286-9827 for more information or to book your next MSC cruise.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: MSC Cruises Posted by Michael on 03/26/06
It’s been a perfect storm of sorts for us here… We go away for a long weekend with the intention of posting from the road which proves to be more difficult than we expected… and several big stories hit the wires…
We’ve been silent about the fire onboard Princess Cuise Lines’ Star Princess not just because we’ve been working remotely, but also because there was extensive media coverage of the incident in the first 24-48 hours. There really wasn’t much for us to report on that hadn’t been repeated often in the TV, radio and newspaper coverage. Now that the cameras and microphones have moved off to other stories, we intend to move in and ensure that the story isn’t forgotten.
The following statement was issued by Princess Cruise Lines on March 23 at 6PM Eastern: “Star Princess is currently docked in Montego Bay following a fire aboard the ship early this morning as the ship was in transit between Grand Cayman and the Jamaican port as part of a seven-day voyage. The origin of the fire is still unknown, and Princess is cooperating fully with investigators from the U.S. Coast Guard and other regulatory agencies to determine the cause and assess the damage.
Princess Cruises extend their deepest sympathy to the passengers and their families who were personally affected by the fire, in particular the family of the passenger who passed away, along with those passengers who experienced smoke inhalation injuries. This is the first time such a tragedy has occurred during the history of our company, and we are devastated by this incident. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the fire.
Following an assessment today of the damaged cabins, Princess Cruises believes that the best course of action is to terminate the current cruise in Montego Bay. All passengers currently onboard will be flown home over the next two days, and will receive a full refund of their cruise and air fare. In addition Princess will cover any out-of-pocket travel expenses our passengers may incur for this change of plans. We will also provide passengers with a future cruise credit equal to 25 percent of the cruise fare paid on this voyage.
Passengers in the cabins affected by the fire — which number approximately 100 — will be provided accommodations at hotels ashore in Montego Bay tonight, and the other passengers will remain on the ship until their flights home over the next two days. The ship is safe and is fully operational and continues to provide passengers with full services.
The following cruise, scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale on March 26, will also be cancelled. Similarly, passengers booked on this sailing will receive a full refund, the same 25 percent credit towards a future cruise, and Princess Cruises will additionally cover out-of-pocket travel expenses as a result of the change.
Over the course of the next few days Princess Cruises will fully assess damage caused by the fire and plan to make the necessary temporary repairs to enable the ship to maintain its onward schedule. A plan for the repairs to the affected cabins will also be drawn up, and passengers booked in those cabins will be advised as soon as possible of our forward plans.
A special number has been set up for inquiries from immediate family of passengers who are currently onboard: 1-800-693-7222.
For additional information, please visit the Princess Cruises website at Princess.com”
The following statement was isssued by Princess Cruises on March 24 at 6PM Eastern The investigation into the fire that occurred onboard Star Princess is currently underway and Princess Cruises is working in tandem with authorities in the UK, Bermuda and US to assess the damage to the cabins, and also to determine the cause. At this time the ship remains docked in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Princess Cruises anticipates that the assessment will continue through the weekend, and on Monday Princess Cruises should be able to provide a more definitive update on the situation to passengers booked on upcoming cruises.
Because the investigation is in the early stages, Princess Cruises does not have any information about the cause of the fire at this point. Princess Cruises is focused on their passengers, and arranging for their homeward travel and comfortable accommodations onboard the ship or at shoreside hotels until that time.
A special number has been set up for inquiries from immediate family of passengers who are currently onboard: 1-800-693-7222.
For additional information, please visit the Princess Cruises website at Princess.com” The most recent update that we have is from March 25 at 6:30 Pacific: ” Star Princess sailed from Montego Bay, Jamaica this evening at 9:00 pm local time and is currently en route to the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, where we will commence the repair process. The ship is expected to arrive at the shipyard on Monday morning.
We continue to assess the damage as well as the cause of the fire.
We anticipate that on Monday we should be able to provide a further update on the situation to passengers booked on upcoming cruises”
We will continue to follow this story and will post additional updates as they are received. In addition we will be closely following the status of the Star Princess and intend to post here was we get further information regarding the repairs onboard as well as when Star Princess is expecting to return to service.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Princess Cruises, Site Information Posted by Michael on 03/21/06
The Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention just wrapped in Florida, and the common theme throughout the event was new builds.
We already mentioned MSC Cruises latest order for a Panamax ship. But Cruise Community (sorry registration required) is reporting that MSC may be ordering a 300 passenger ship next year as well.
Norwegian Cruise Lines is expected to complete it’s new build program next year. However the company is reportedly in discussions for orders after 2010. There are no yard slots available before then for NCL to order addtional ships.
Which brings me to something that I discovered a few days ago as part of a seperate research project. Essentially at the same time that NCL announced “Project America” which was their plans to start inter-island service in Hawaii, NCL also purchased the SS Independence and the fabled liner SS United States. The SS Independence was sailing inter-island cruises until late 2001. NCL bought her at auction and she was moved to Pier 70 in San Francisco in 2003. But I haven’t been able to find any more information as to her status. The SS United States is in Philadelphia PA, but there’s been no word on when or if the United States may be refit. Over the course of the next several weeks we will continue to press our sorces to find out more about these ships.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a blueprint for a ship that would be 20% bigger than the 42,000gt Seven Seas Voyager but carry a similar number of guests – in much roomier suites. However, Seven Seas Voyager cost €250m at a time when the euro was worth 84 cents, so the company paid $200m. At current exchange rates, the price would be more than $300m. Before placing an order, Regent needs to see a continued bullish market and a stronger dollar.
When Oceania Cruises decides to build, ‘you’ll see mid-sized ships grow larger,’ president and ceo Frank Del Rio told Seatrade delegates. Many industry sources think Oceania will expand through building rather than acquiring additional tonnage, especially now that all the former R ships appear to have found stable homes.
Sources at the Seatrade convention indicated Silversea Cruises is moving forward with its building plans. Late last year, chief executive Albert Peter indicated the intention to contract in 2006. In recent months, there has been increasing talk that Seabourn Cruise Line will expand, despite Carnival Corp’s past indications that small vessels would not be a future strategy. A possible Seabourn newbuild was a topic of hot speculation at Seatrade Miami, though president Deborah Natansohn remained noncommittal.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises Posted by Michael on 03/21/06
This past sunday we posted that one of the Disney ships was going to be offering some unique itineraries for the Summer of 2007.
Well, we just got the announcement from Disney, the Disney Magic will be headed to to Barcelona on May 12. The repositioning cruise will be a 14 day trans-Atlantic voyage from Port Canaveral to Barcelona with a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private Caribbean island. After arrival in Barcelona the Disney Magic will start sailing both 10 and 11 night itineraries.
On May 26, June 16, July 7, and July 28, 2007 the Disney Magic will sail 11 night itineraries calling on Palermo (Sicily), Naples (Pompeii), Olbia (Sardinia), Civitavecchia (Rome), La Spezia (Florence, Pisa), Marseilles, Villefranche (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice), with three days at sea.
On June 6, June 26, July 18, and August 8 2007, the Disney Magic will sail 10 night itineraries that are identical to the 11 night sailings except there are just two days at sea.
The Disney Magic will complete her European adventures on August 18 when she sails another 14 day trans-Atlantic crossing this time westbound from Barcelona to Port Canaveral.
Reservations will open for these special sailings on April 4, and they are sure to fill up fast. Contact Cruise Planners at 888-286-9827 to book your magical European adventure.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Disney Cruise Line Posted by Michael on 03/20/06
Carnival Cruise Lines has announced the inaugural schedule for the Carnival Freedom expected to enter service in March of 2007. The 110,000 ton ship will start sailing on March 14, 2007 and offer seven 12 day Mediterranean & Greek Island itineraries, and twelve 12 day “Grand Mediterranean” voyages until October 16, 2007.
Some of the highlights of these itineraries include the first visit to the Greek Islands and Turkey by a Carnival ship as well as extended calls in several ports. All of these cruises will originate from the Italian port of Civitavecchia outside of Rome.
Some of the amenities we can expect onboard the Carnival Freedom include; 22 lounges and bars, a 13,300-square-foot spa, a jogging track, Internet café, and four swimming pools – one with a 214-foot-long water slide. A nine-deck-high glass-covered atrium will provide easy and convenient access to the various areas.
Dining choices include twin two-level formal restaurants with extensive menus and wine lists, a 1,400-seat casual poolside eatery featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, and an reservations-only supper club serving prime steaks and other upscale cuisine. These venues will feature “Georges Blanc Signature Selections” created by the talented French master chef.
Carnival Freedom will also include a comprehensive golf program, a 1,100-square-foot conference center, a duty-free shopping mall, and expansive facilities for the line’s “Camp Carnival” and “Club 02” programs catering to children and teens, respectively.
Of the ship’s 1,487 staterooms, 60 percent will offer an ocean view with 60 percent of those featuring private balconies – perfect for scenic cruising.
Prices for Carnival Freedom’s new 12-day Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises begin at $999 per person and the 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages at $1,449 per person, based on double occupancy. Round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways, along with special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, are also available.
You can read Carnival’s announcement after the jump.
For more information about the new Carnival Liberty visit Cruise Planners or give us a call at 888-286-9827
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