We have a few automotive weekends coming up and as a result I try a very bad impression of Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear, however I’m not very good at it and as a result Patricia launches us right into the news.
We get started with several NCL stories: Norwegian Majesty is getting a new itinerary, Freestyle 2.0 launches March 30, and we’ve got a few hints as to what’s in store for NCL’s F3 ships.
The US Coast Guard was searching for a woman that reportedly jumped from the Costa Mediterranea last Monday.
Royal Caribbean will be refunding fuel surcharges for many guests as part of a settlement they reached with the Florida Attorney General - and Carnival may do the same soon. Regent is announcing a fuel surcharge as well.
Crystal’s introducing some super deluxe excursions.
Caribbean Princess is heading back to New York for the summer of 2009.
Silversea has announced the name for their newest ship and also that Silver Cloud and Silver Wind will be getting extensive refurbishments.
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Filed under: Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Podcast, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises Posted by Michael on 03/10/08
The Coast Guard suspended its search at approximately 3 p.m. Monday for the woman who jumped off the cruise ship Costa Mediterranea 20 miles southeast of Key Largo, Fla., Sunday morning.
Tina White, 39, a resident of Bonita Springs, Fla., was with her boyfriend aboard the cruise ship when she reportedly became angry and agitated and unexpectedly jumped overboard.
More than 3,000 square miles of ocean were searched by rescue crews from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., Coast Guard Air Station Miami and Coast Guard Cutters Farallon and Confidence.
“We have suspended our active search pending further developments,” said Lt. Eric Pare, a command duty officer at the Coast Guard Seventh District command center. ”If new information comes to light we would consider resuming our search. We are confident that if White was in the area we searched, we would have found her.”
The Coast Guard Cutter Confidence is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homported at Port Canaveral, Fla. The Coast Guard Cutter Farallon is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Miami.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Costa Cruises Posted by Michael on 08/27/07
With deadly wildfires continuing to ravage Greece, Costa Cruises has announced changes to Costa Serena and Costa Mediterranea intineraries this week.
Costa Serena, sailing from Venice for a seven-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise, will replace Katakolon with Mykonos on Tuesday. Costa Mediterranea, which is sailing a seven-day Greek Isles program from Venice, will call at Corfu instead of Katakolon on Wednesday.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Costa Cruises Posted by Michael on 08/06/07
When sailing Costa in the Caribbean, guests can transport themselves to “Italy in the tropics” via an onboard ambience that captures all the charms of Italy in two ships, and for the first time, they can indulge in the relaxation of exclusive spa cabins as well. Europe’s Number One Cruise Line released its Caribbean 2008-2009 lineup today, allowing guests to plan their winter getaways with Costa earlier than ever. Travelers can choose from routes aboard the grand Costa Fortuna and the breathtaking Costa Mediterranea, both of which will sail Eastern, Western and Southeastern routes from Ft. Lauderdale between December 2008 and April 2009.
As the cruise line that introduced the revolutionary spa cabin concept to the travel industry, Costa is now bringing the experience to the Caribbean with the new “Ischia” wellness program aboard the Costa Mediterranea, which will undergo renovations in April 2008. Guests who book one of the 44 exclusive accommodations will enjoy privileges including a personalized wellness consultation, three complimentary treatments, two fitness or meditation classes and complimentary access to the Wellness Restaurant, offering a wide array of spa-friendly cuisine. Spa cabins, available in ocean view, veranda and suite categories, will feature aromatherapy diffusers, special shower and air filters, and a mini bar stocked with healthy food and beverage selections. In addition, guests with these accommodations will be offered priority spa reservation times.
Alternating Western and Eastern Caribbean Departures on Saturdays and Sundays the 86,000-ton Costa Mediterranea, inaugurated in 2003, will once again sail seven-night routes departing on Saturdays from Ft. Lauderdale. With design features inspired by the lavish palazzos of Italy, the Costa Mediterranea boasts spectacularly designed public spaces, making the ship feel much like a floating palace. With a double occupancy capacity of 2,114, the ship features numerous staterooms with ocean views and balconies. The 2008-2009 Caribbean season will also feature the return of the 105,000-ton Costa Fortuna, which will sail seven-night routes departing on Sundays. Also inaugurated in 2003, the ship features a double occupancy capacity of 2,720. Inspired by grand Italian liners of the past, stunning design elements include a spectacular display featuring 26 models of past and present members of Costa’s fleet showcased from the ceiling of the main atrium. In addition to Western and Eastern Caribbean routes, the Costa Fortuna will sail special Southeastern Caribbean itineraries throughout the 2008-2009 season.
Costa’s ports-of-call in the Caribbean include Casa de Campo, Catalina Island, La Romana and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Key West, Florida; Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. John and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Maarten, Leeward Islands and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Early booking fares for seven-night sailings begin at $549 and are cruise only, per person, and based on double occupancy. Government taxes are additional. All fares are subject to change and based on availability. Call us at 888-286-9827 for more information or to book on board.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Costa Cruises Posted by Michael on 05/21/07
There was a lot of cruise news this past week. Most of it was just quick stories, but wow were there a lot of them.
Part of the reason for so much news this week was that a lot of ships were christened in the last 7 days. On Mother’s Day Emerald Princess was christened by 4 - yes 4 godmothers! MSC Orchestra was christened on Monday, Liberty of The Seas, and Delphin Voyager on Friday, and Costa Serena and Fram on Saturday.
Royal Princess’ “resident” Lorraine Arzt has been named godmother for the ship, Mrs Arzt is a big fan of Princess and typically spends as long as 10 months a year on their ships.
From one notable woman to another, Karin Stahre-Jansen has been named the first female captain of a major cruise ship. Royal Caribbean recently named her captain of Monarch of The Seas.
Costa is celebrating it’s Diamond Anniversary Jubilee with savings of as much as 60% off on their 2008 European itineraries, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra will be onboard Crystal Serenity on her November 9, 10 day Trans-Atlantic from Lisbon to Miami.
Cruise lines agree to not dump untreated waste water within the confines of the Olympic National Marine Sanctuary.
Princess opens the new King Salmon restaurant at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, while Carnival introduces a new contest to name their new spa.
Sea Princess has some engine trouble that forces a cancellation, and Empress of the North will cancel 3 sailings to repair damage from her grounding earlier this week.
Finally, Disney joins the growing list of lines offering onboard cellular service and Celebrity will be returning to Australia and the South Pacific for a second year.
The Deal of The Week is back! You’ll be able to find the details here soon. Don’t forget to take advantage of the opportunity to Crash Deb’s Vacation (and get a great deal too!), or get a taste of Alaska cruising on SeaSocks 2008.
As always you can find the show in iTunes or click below to download it or play it right in your browser window
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, General News, MSC Cruises, Majestic America Line, Podcast, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International « Previous Page — Next Page »
