We may have started this show on more of a tangent than any other in the past – but eventually we get back on track and talk about the week’s happenings in the Cruise Industry.
Crystal visits Mexico, Princess gets two new builds and Cunard re-introduces the dreaded fuel supplement.
A criminal investigation is underway to determine the cause of a fire onboard Norwegian Epic.
Carnival ships will be frequent visitors to Bermuda, and there was a lot of Royal Caribbean news this week – from new shows on Allure of the Seas to a crew member overboard from Explorer of The Seas and an explanation about Royal’s decision to pull out of California and the Mexican Riviera.
Because of the continued rapid escalation of fuel prices, Cunard Line and P&O (UK) will introduce a fuel supplement of $3.85 (USD) per person per day. These brands will also implement this fuel supplement on third and fourth passengers.
The new fuel supplements will apply to all new bookings effective May 10, 2010 and will apply to all departures from November 1, 2010. The fuel supplements will not exceed $154.00 per person per voyage.
For bookings made prior to May 10, 2010, no fuel supplement will apply.
Please remember that all bookings made on or before May 9, 2010 will not be subject to the new fuel supplement.
After an almost two month absence WE’RE BACK!!!!!! Sadly we may also be a little rusty too – sorry…
Cunard announced that QM2 will spend almost a month in Australia next year…
A passenger is accused of doing something stupid on Carnival Paradise…
Celebrity Eclipse makes the River Ems transit…
Crystal offers Cosmonaut training…
Oceania, Princess and Royal Caribbean announce their 2011 European deployments, and Royal Caribbean announces that year round cruising will continue in 2011 from Baltimore and New York.
We also took a look at the idox Traveler iPod case. For some reason I kept calling this a dock – it’s not, it’s a case. Bottom line, we were impressed with it for what it is. To purchase one or for more information visit the idox website. Sorry Zune fans, this one is only available for iPods…
We also had a quick review of Brian David Bruns’ book Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline. Mr. Bruns was and may still be the only American to successfully complete a contract in the dining rooms of Carnival without quiting or transferring to a different department.
Combining 170 years of experience with the youngest, luxury fleet at sea – flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the soon-to-be-launched Queen Elizabeth – Cunard is pleased to announce its most extensive range of voyages to date, with a greater choice of itineraries, departure dates and overnight stays. Guests will have more opportunities to experience the new golden age of ocean travel with the classic traditions and legendary White Star Service for which Cunard is renowned.
The line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, will continue to offer extended Transatlantic Crossings between New York and Southampton, as well as to Hamburg; Queen Victoria will journey across the Atlantic for a second Americas season in early 2012; and new to the voyage schedule will be visits to the Holy Land aboard both Queen Victoria and the new Queen Elizabeth.
Queen Mary 2
The grandest ocean liner at sea, Queen Mary 2 will continue to offer her legendary Transatlantic Crossings in 2011, sailing 21 in total, with most voyages now seven days between New York and Southampton. Eight- and nine-day extended Crossings between New York and Hamburg also will be available. In addition, “Grand” voyage options are available, roundtrip from New York, combining classic European itineraries with a Crossing on either side.
Guests on the elongated Crossings will enjoy additional time to explore the extensive onboard offerings, including lectures through the award-winning Cunard Insights programme; stargazing in the only planetarium at sea; afternoon tea served in the Queens Room or a spin around the dance floor during a Royal Nights themed ball; taking in a performance or workshop by members of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; or perusing the 8,000 volumes in the largest library at sea.
Queen Mary 2 also will offer two voyages to the Atlantic Isles and Iberia, seven voyages in Northern Europe with trips to Norway from Southampton and Hamburg, and an eight-day Around the British Isles voyage. After her annual Getaway for the Fourth of July holiday, she returns to New York in the fall for an enhanced 10-day Canada & New England voyage, which now features an overnight stay in Quebec and in December, a holiday-timed Caribbean Celebration.
Fares for the following itineraries start from:
Transatlantic Crossings – $1,295 (6 days) Grand Voyages (roundtrip from NY) – $4,135 (21 days) Atlantic Isles and Iberia – $2,095 (11 days) Northern Europe – $1,435 (6 days) Around the British Isles – $1,995 (8 days) Fourth of July Getaway – $1,345 (5 days) Canada & New England – $2,795 (10 days) Caribbean Celebration – $2,995 (15 days)
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria once again begins her 2011 season with a series of voyages to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, roundtrip from Southampton. Additionally, she will offer five voyages to Northern Europe, including two 12-day St. Petersburg & Baltic Capitals itineraries which feature overnight stays in St. Petersburg, and a new Gallic Overture voyage, taking in Ireland, France and Spain. After repositioning to Venice at the end of the summer, she will once again be based in the Mediterranean for a series of12-day sailings between Venice, Rome and Athens.
These popular itineraries cover the very best of the region, including one voyage to the Black Sea, three voyages to Turkey and the Greek Isles, and two voyages to Egypt and the Greek Isles, with most featuring an overnight in either Istanbul or Venice.
New for 2011 is a Holy Land Explorer voyage, offering calls in Egypt and Israel. The 12-day voyage, roundtrip from Rome, provides the opportunity to visit historic Cairo, Jerusalem and Galilee.
Queen Victoria then journeys across the Atlantic to start her second Americas season in 2012. In addition to a return of the 17-day voyage from Los Angeles to New York, she will offer three 15-day Panama Canal transits between Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale, two 14-day voyages to Hawaii, and an 11-day partial Canal voyage roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. She will then head back across the Atlantic on an eight-day Transatlantic Crossing.
Fares for the following itineraries start from: Mediterranean – $1,995 (10 days) Canary Islands – $1,895 (10 days) Fjords – $1,795 (7 days) St. Petersburg & Baltic Capitals – $3,195 (12 days) Gallic Overture – $1,795 (7 days) Holy Land Explorer – $2,595 (12 days) Panama Canal – $1,995 (11 days) Hawaii – $2,595 (14 days) Transatlantic Crossing – $1,595 (8 days)
Queen Elizabeth
The eagerly anticipated 2011 maiden voyages for Queen Elizabeth will offer a wide-ranging series of itineraries in Europe and beyond from her home port of Southampton, with a total of 52 maiden calls in her first full season. Included in next year’s line-up are four sailings to the Mediterranean and one Voyage to the Holy Land, which includes calls in Jerusalem, Galilee and Cairo. Also available will be a series of 14-day Baltic voyages that include a full day and overnight call in St. Petersburg, two 7-day Fjord departures, an 11-day voyage to the North Cape, a maiden Around the British Isles voyage, plus a number of voyages to the Atlantic Isles and Canary Islands.
Rounding out her 2011 season will be a series of five-day Getaway voyages and two visits to the United States on roundtrip voyages from Southampton. Growing interest in overnight calls will see the newest Cunarder also stay overnight in Amsterdam, Venice, New York and Quebec.
Fares for the following itineraries start from:
Mediterranean – $2,795 (14 days) Voyage to the Holy Land – $3,795 (19 days) Northern Europe $1,795 (7 days) Around the British Isles – $2,495 (10 days) Atlantic Isles and Canary Islands – $2,095 (11 days) Getaways – $1,195 (5 days) United States (roundtrip from Southampton) – $3,695 (23 days)
All referenced fares are per person, based on double occupancy. Reservations for Cunard’s 2011 and 2012 voyages will open for booking on 26 April for Cunard World Club Members and 27 April for non-members.
Cunard Line has announced that the Queen Mary 2, will be based in Australia in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory.
Queen Mary 2′s Royal Circumnavigation of Australia is a first for Cunard.
The largest ship ever to visit Australia, Queen Mary 2 will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays, as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.
Australians will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options – a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on 14 February 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on 8 February 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on 11 February 2012.
In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.
The Australian deployment will mark the longest period of time that Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.
The Royal Circumnavigation of Australia will go on sale this spring as part of the announcement of the 2012 World Voyage programme.
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