According to Seatrade Insider (registration required) Disney Cruise Line is among six operators submitting proposals for 10-year Glacier Bay contracts. The contract terms are from 2010 through 2019.
Disney joined Compagnie des Iles du Ponant, Cruise West, Holland America Line, NCL Corp. and Princess Cruises in submitting proposals to the National Park Service.
The contracts will include the initial allocation of a limited number of vessel use days in the peak Glacier Bay season, June through August, of each year of the contract term.
Princess and Holland America legally qualify as ‘historical operators’ in Glacier Bay, giving them the ability to lock up their existing historical permits, which number 71 of the total 153 available permits annually for the next 10-year contract period. Additionally, Princess holds 13 ‘preferential’ entry permits.
HAL and Princess have the potential to maintain 84 of the peak season entries of the total of 153 available.
Dave Nemeth, chief of concessions management for Glacier Bay National Park, said the National Park Service hopes to allocate the permits by year’s end.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Cruise West, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises Posted by Michael on 07/07/08
We didn’t have any big reveals this week but we did have quite a bit of news.
Crystal is the first line to bring the Kinesis Fitness system to sea, and Cruise West is expanding their 2008/2009 South America cruise season.
Norwegian Gem is plays host to TLC’s What Not to Wear, and Seabourne celebrates not one but two keel layings. Carnival has their own unique plans for the naming of Carnival Splendor.
Legend of The Seas is headed to Asia full time next year, and the Norwegian Dawn gets to do some search and rescue.
Two lines are sued over Alaska Ocean Ranger access and a federal Ocean Ranger bill has been introduced in Congress.
Finally SOLAS fire code amendments when into effect on July 1.
This week have a little norovirus chat, in specific what it’s like to make a sailing that is dealing with a norovirus outbreak.
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Filed under: Carnival Cruise Lines, Cruise West, Crystal Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Podcast Posted by Michael on 07/02/08
As a result of demand, Cruise West has announced two additional spring departures and six themed cruises of its 2008 and 2009 Between Two Seas itinerary. Additionally, one enhanced and two new land tours are offered as add-ons. Choose from two holiday cruises, two PENTAX photography cruises or traveling in the company of a Panama Canal expert on two departures.
The 10-day, 9-night Between Two Seas voyages sail onboard the 100-guest Pacific Explorer and take in the sights of the San Blas Islands and a Kuna Indian Village, Portobelo and traversing the entire Panama Canal. Guests continue to the remote Emberá Village in the Darién Jungle, Coiba National Park, Golfo Dulce, Caletas Beach and Manuel Antonio National Park, known for its prolific wildlife and bird viewing.
Festive Costa Rican and Panamanian holiday activities and traditional cuisine complement a fun, relaxing Christmas on the December 20, 2008 departure. Ring in Feliz Año Nuevo on the December 29 New Year’s sailing amid the comforts and amenities of the Pacific Explorer with a New Year’s bash including a midnight toast and late night buffet.
Guests on the two PENTAX photography cruises offered December 2, 2008 and March 2, 2009, will benefit from onboard workshops with hands-on instruction by professional PENTAX photographer, Kerrick James. A Panama Canal guru will share knowledge about the history and future expansion of the canal on the December 11, 2008, and April 7, 2009 departures.
Highlighting the stunning flora and fauna native to Panama and Costa Rica, the two new land tours include a 2-night, 3-day visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest or a 4-night, 5-day stay in the Tortuguero National Park. Guests will immerse themselves in the serenity of the Monteverde Cloud Forest with a guided walk through its butterfly and hummingbird gardens. Alternatively, they can observe turtles nesting via a boat or canoe excursions to Tortuguero National Park.
The enhanced tour includes six days and five nights of accommodations and adventures in Sarapiqui and Arenal, Costa Rica. Guests visit the world-class Gold Museum, the majestic La Paz Waterfall Gardens and an Eco-Center tour in the company of local school children. At the Hacienda Pozo Azul, guests have the option to participate on the thrilling canopy zip line tour, a float or river rafting trip or a chocolate and pineapple plantations tour.
Prices start at $3,799 per person based on double occupancy. Guests can take advantage of early booking incentives of up to $175 per person when paying the full amount by September 5, 2008 for departures January 2009 through May 2009 or receive savings of $350 per person when booking the cruise and paying in full by March 27, 2009 for departures October through December 2009.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Cruise West Posted by Michael on 06/05/08
At 8 a.m. on June 4, Coast Guard Sector Juneau received a call from the Spirit of Alaska reporting that they had touched bottom and were requesting assistance. The ship reported unknown damage affecting its rudder and no injuries to passengers or crew.
The Coast Guard Cutter Liberty, a 110-foot patrol boat, was immediately launched from Auke Bay. A 47-foot motor life boat from Station Juneau and an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Sitka were also launched. The 124-foot cruise ship has 41 passengers and 22 crewmembers aboard.
A Coast Guard inspector and a commercial diver are on scene assessing the damage.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Cruise West Posted by Michael on 03/11/08
Cruise West has unveiled a new California Wine Country Spa Package to be paired with its California cruises for 2008. The California Wine Country Spa Package will feature two nights of accommodations and spa treatments at the luxurious Huntington Hotel on Nob Hill in San Francisco and can be paired with either the three-night Culture of the Vine cruise or the four-night Vintner’s Choice cruise as a post-cruise extension.The California Wine Country Spa Package includes:
- Two nights in a Luxury Room at the Huntington Hotel on Nob Hill
- One 80-minute spa treatment of choice per guest in the Nob Hill Spa (excluding LED Light Therapy)
- 15% off additional 80-minute treatments
- Daily Continental Breakfast in the Big 4 Restaurant
- Transfer to San Francisco International Airport via Towncar Service
- Bottle of wine in-room on arrival to the hotel with macaroon cookies
- The Huntington Hotels Services Include (but are not limited to):
- Complimentary Chauffeured Sedan Service to/from Union Square and the Financial District between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Twice Daily Maid Service
- Complimentary Access to the Spa
- In-Room Coffee and Tea Service on Arrival
- Full Service Concierge from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Both cruises sail aboard the 138-guest Spirit of Yorktown . The seven-day Vintner’s Choice cruise and spa package departs September 22, 29, October 6, 13 and begins at $2,849 per person based on double occupancy. The six-day Culture of the Vine cruise and spa package departs September 26, October 3, 10 and begins at $2,149 per person. Both cruises sail aboard the 138-guest . The seven-day cruise and spa package departs September 22, 29, October 6, 13 and begins at $2,849 per person based on double occupancy. The six-day cruise and spa package departs September 26, October 3, 10 and begins at $2,149 per person. Both cruises sail aboard the 138-guest . The seven-day cruise and spa package departs September 22, 29, October 6, 13 and begins at $2,849 per person based on double occupancy. The six-day cruise and spa package departs September 26, October 3, 10 and begins at $2,149 per person.
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