We had a big week in cruise news for Episode 50! This week was the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami Beach FL. There’s typically a lot of news from the cruise lines during Seatrade and this year was no exception, because of that we decided to do not one but TWO news shows this week.
First up this week was a review of the stories that made it up on to the site.
We had new build announcements from Oceania and Silversea, as well as a make over for Oceania’s Regatta. Wind Spirit begins her Degrees of Difference retrofit this week as well.
Carnival will debut new Europe excursions as part of Carnival Freedom’s European season, while Crystal adds hotels to their 2007 European Crystal Adventures Hotel Program. Disney has revamped their sail away party and the Disney Dreams stage show.
Cunard announced the 2008 itineraries for Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2, and Queen Victoria, MSC announced that a Panamax ship is headed to the Caribbean in 2008, and Celebrity announced the details for the 2008 Europe season for their ships as well as Celebrity Expeditions.  Meanwhile Caribbean Princess will head to New York for Princess’ 2008 summer Caribbean season.
This week’s Deal of the Week is an eye opening deal from Norwegian Cruise Lines, you’ll find it here.
As always you can find the show in iTunes and you can either download it or play it right in your browser window by clicking below.
Windstar Cruises’ second of three ships to undergo the latest phase of Degrees of Difference upgrades, the 148-guest motor sailing yacht Wind Spirit, begins a five-week work period on March 17, 2007.   Guest upgrades include remodeled bathrooms in all staterooms, an expanded beauty salon and a refurbished lounge.Â
All stateroom bathrooms will be remodeled for a more contemporary look with new fixtures, open glass shelves, new cabinets, granite countertops, porcelain sinks, and a magnifying mirror. Refinished teak floors retain the popular nautical style. In staterooms, full length mirrors and slippers will be added, and cell phone service will be available at sea.
There are changes coming to the  public spaces onboard as well, you’ll find the details when you click on “more.” Windstar offers a truely unique experience, call us at 888-286-9827 to learn more about Windstar or to book onboard.
Since we had a week off last week there were quite a few news stories that popped up, two of which were quite big.
- The stories we discussed this week included Carnival’s decision not to move the Triumph to New Orleans later this year.
- Crystal and MSC offering special golf cruises.
- Queen Mary 2′s New York sailings to the Caribbean
- Norwegian Dawn’s July 7 sailing canceled- and boy did we have a mouthful about this one!
- Damage to the Regal Princess
- Crystal launches Windows Vista and Office 2007 training
- Disney orders two new ships
- Windstar is sold and Swan Helenic will be shutting down
- Silver Whisper attends America’s Cup
- Seattle OKs cruise ship terminal move
There were several other stories from the past few weeks that we didn’t discuss on the show, including Costa’s 2008 worldwide itineraries announced, Deilman’s Seine and Rhone cruises begin March 24, and Holland America announces new Panama Canal cuises for 2008.
Since Disney has announced two new ships we’ve decided to run a pool of sorts to predict the names of the new Disney ships. So, leave a comment and tell us what you think Disney should name the two ships. The first ones people who accurate predict what Disney names the new ships will get a special prize pack. However, Disney Fascination, Disney Celebration, and Disney Hope are all taken.
Don’t forget to check out this week’s Deal of the Week, you’ll find it here.
As always you can find the show in iTunes, or click on one of the links below to download the show or listen to it right in your browser window.
Cruise Community (registration required) is reporting that Carnival Corp has completed a deal to sell Windstar Cruises to Ambassadors International for $100 million. Ambassadors International purchased Delta Queen Steamship Company last year and merged it with American West Steamship Company to create Majestic America Line.
Carnival CEO Micky Arison is quoted as saying that the company decided to exit the niche cruise market some time ago. That strategy began with the transfer of Swan Hellenic’s Minerva II to Princess Cruises. Minerva II will not be replaced, and as a result the line will be shutting down once the transfer of Minerva II is complete in a few weeks.
According to Mr. Arison, while both Swan Hellenic and Windstar Cruises offer excellent products they do not fit into the company’s future growth plans.
Carnival expects the transfer of Windstar Cruises to be completed in the second quarter.
Our very first show here on the new site! Hopefully you found us ok. 
Talk about great timing. Just 24 hours after we post our interview with Lily Mendoza from Disney Cruise Line we got a BIG announcement!
The good news of the week for Cunard: Queen Victoria has been floated out of her drydock. The bad news: A norovirus outbreak onboard Queen Elizabeth 2. There’s just a rash of norovirus reports, it seems that there has been a wave of norovirus ourbreaks throughout Western Europe, the US, Russia, China, and Japan and not just onboard cruise ships.
Another feel good moment, Pride of Hawai’i assisted with the release of young sea turtles off the coast of Hawai’i. Patricia is excited, John Cleese will be hosting a film festival onboard Silver Shadow.
Meanwhile, Emerald Princess successfully completed sea trials.
Don’t forget to check out the Deal of The Week. This week we have great price onboard the Wind Surf.
As always you can find the show in iTunes, Digg, or by clicking on one of the links below to play it right in your browser window or to download it to your computer.
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