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Azamara Quest reached port in Malaysia under its own power on Sunday after an engine room fire Friday night left the ship adrift. Five crew members were injured fighting the blaze, and the 17-night cruise the ship was on has been canceled. A statement from Azamara marked 9:23 p.m. local time (9:23 a.m. EDT) as the ship's official arrival into the port of Sandakan, where US and British embassies had consular teams in place to assist the 1,001 people onboard, according to reports. A Coast Guard spokesman, Lt. Cdr. Algier Ricafrente, told the BBC that the Azamara Quest was carrying 590 passengers and 411 crew. The 590 passengers reportedly hail from 25 countries and include 201 Americans, 98 from Britain, 89 from Australia, 45 from Canada, 39 from Germany, 32 from Austria, 16 from Belgium, 14 from New Zealand and 14 from Switzerland. According to Azamara, the conflagration started at approximately 8:19 p.m. ship's time (8:19 a.m. EDT) while Quest was en route from Manila, Philippines, to Sandakan, Malaysia. The line says the fire was contained to the engine room and quickly extinguished, but five crew members were treated in the ship's medical facilities for smoke inhalation. The line said one crewmember, who was more seriously injured would be transferred to a local hospital. There are no reported injuries among the passengers onboard. Engineers onboard Quest managed to get the ship back underway approximately 24 hours after the fire. Engineers managed to restore power to one of the engines overnight Friday, which brought most facilities back online, though, for a time, the ship was running only on generator power. The ship was adrift southwest of the Philippines, and after crossing from Philippines into Malaysian waters early on Sunday traveling at a speed of six knots, the ship was escorted to Sandakan by a Malaysian patrol boat. Ambulances and police personnel were on hand and buses were waiting at the port to take passengers to various hotels, according to Associated Press reports. Passenger Compensation and Travel Arrangements: Upon arrival in Malaysia, the line offered guests the option of staying onboard the ship -- which reportedly has no air conditioning -- or "being transported to a local hotel until they continue on their vacation," according to a statement. Azamara president and CEO Larry Pimentel is traveling to Malaysia, expected to arrive in Sandakan on Monday morning. Azamara is offering guests on the stricken ship a full refund for the cruise and a certificate for a future cruise worth 100 percent of the cruise fare paid for their March 26, 2012, Azamara Quest sailing. With the remainder of the cruise being canceled, in addition to the refund and cruise certificate, Azamara has told x that guests have been provided with several options for extending their trips and returning home. All options include flights and bookings at a luxury hotel paid for by the line or, if guests have chosen to arrange their own travel, reimbursements for hotel stays of up to $300 per day. Additionally, each guest is entitled to compensation of $150 per day for meals and incidental costs. The line is covering the costs of flight itinerary changes up to $500, and is also providing guests with a refund for all airfare paid with relation to the original cruise. For those guests who stay in accommodation arranged by the line, an Azamara representative will be on hand to provide assistance. The line has released regular statements concerning the incident both on its Facebook page and here on the x forums, where passengers are also posting accounts from the ship. First-Hand Accounts from Our Forums: Accounts from our members below provide further details concerning events onboard Quest: Westaussie posted, "I am on board and wish to add that everything was handled very professionally. It really was a serious situation. Our muster station in the restaurant was full of smoke so we assembled in the casino where there was a little confusion and lack of space but things improved when we were allowed on deck. We returned to our cabins (in the dark) at about midnight and lights and toilets functioned at 3.45 a.m. [A] crew member is seriously injured and as of a couple of hours ago we are proceeding to Sandakan for his further medical attention. Passengers will also disembark there and be flown to Singapore. We have the choice of staying on there till the 12 April." misterexec, who signed his post as Marc said, "I am writing this update fom Deck 5 of the Quest. For those of who do not have a balcony, the cabins are very hot and uncomfortable and many of us are sleeping on. Lounge chairs out here where we get a little breeze ... Food has been quite basic as the galley has limited power. Food has been cold sandwiches, fresh fruit and we had a BBQ deck party tonight. The chef has kept his sense of humor and while we were in the muster station I asked him what we would be eating from now on. He said smoked fish, smoked chicken and smoked beef! We needed a bit of comic relief at this point. Once we disembark, we will be flown to Singapore on chartered aircraft and then we will be assigned to hotels they are in the process of setting up. The line has set up two dedicated numbers for questions regarding Azamara Quest: from the United States and Canada, the toll free number is 1.888.829.4050. From outside the United States the direct or collect line is 1.408.916.9001. Quest began its 17-night sailing from Hong Kong, China, on Monday, March 26. The original itinerary was set to include port calls in Manila, Philippines; Sandakan (Sabah), Malaysia; Palapo (Sulawesi), Benoa (Bali), Semarang and Komodo, Indonesia and to conclude in Singapore on Thursday, April 12. Click here to view the article

Dwain Wall recently returned from Disney Fantasy’s inaugural sailing. Below are his thoughts: This ship is fit for travelers of all ages Multigenerational groups should look no further than Disney Fantasy, given the diversity of onboard activities and dining options. Disney has really worked hard to incorporate elements of each family member’s dream vacation onboard Fantasy. The show Wishes is a production appropriate for all ages. The private, adults-only areas of the ship are an especially nice retreat. Castaway Cay is an amazing private island oasis that only Disney could create, with bicycling, swimming with stingrays, character encounters, age-specific play areas and more. I was especially impressed by the beach wheelchairs Disney offers, which make shore excursions accessible and ensure every family member can participate in the fun. A meal is no longer just a meal When guests sit down to dine at the Animator’s Palate restaurant, they immediately become engaged in creative, unique ways. Disney has taken the traditional family dinner and turned it into a 360-degree experience. Children – as well as adults – have the chance to interact with animators through dinner, who draw images that instantly come alive on the walls of the restaurant. This interactive experience is something incredible to watch as it comes to life and will take any cruiser’s vacation to the next level. Evening entertainment is absolutely unprecedented Evenings aboard Fantasy are enchanting. The fireworks display that lights up the Caribbean – which is choreographed to everyone’s favorite Disney tunes – is an exciting magical Disney moment at sea. Disney Fantasy is a unique opportunity for corporate and incentive travel CruiseOne will be celebrating our 20th anniversary and our first-ever joint land and sea National Conference aboard Disney Dream is this fall. After experiencing all that Disney brings to group travel onboard the Fantasy inaugural, I am excited to see what we are able to do for our network of travel professionals, vendors and partners. Click here to view the article

AWAY! ZEBRA; HAPPY SAILING AND SMOOTH SEAS

WAVETIST; HAPPY SAILING

The 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph, which a judge had ordered held in Galveston, is sailing today as planned, according to the line. The legal snafu developed after the relatives of a German tourist who died in the Costa Concordia disaster filed a $10 million lawsuit in federal court in Galveston, according to Bloomberg news service. John Heald, Senior Cruise Director for Carnival, alluded to the ship's detainment by U.S. Marshalls on his Facebook page when alerting followers that the ship would soon be released. A statement provided by Carnival confirmed, "The matter involving the Carnival Triumph has been resolved and the ship has just departed on its scheduled five-day voyage. The ship will operate its normal itinerary with stops in Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico." Carnival Corporation is the parent of Costa Cruises, whose ship hit a rock off the coast of Italy and capsized on January 13. More than 30 people died in the tragedy, and the ship remains on its side near the island of Giglio. Bloomberg reported that the warrant ordering the ship held in port states that the “court finds that the conditions for an attachment of defendants' joint and collective property within this district, mainly the MS Carnival Triumph, appear to exist upon an admiralty and maritime claim.” Earlier in the day, Carnival told x in a statement, "We are aware of the situation and are working through the appropriate legal channels to resolve it. The litigation in question relates to a matter that involved a European-based cruise line that is a sister line to Carnival Cruise Lines. We are optimistic that the issues regarding the Carnival Triumph will be resolved and the ship will depart on its scheduled voyage later today." Click here to view the article

Following an engine fire yesterday, propulsion and power has been returned to the Azamara Quest as the ship makes its way to Malaysia, with 617 passengers aboard A number of crew members suffered from smoke inhalation and are being treated in the ship’s medical facilities. Azamara will cancel the rest of the cruise for ship repairs and media reports said that company President and CEO Larry Pimentel was planning to fly to Malaysia to meet passengers, who will receive a full refund and a future cruise voucher. Click here to view the article

MANOFMAGNET; TO CRUISE CRAZIES HAPPY TO HAVE U ABOARD . PLEASE POST OFTEN JOHN & JACKIE

MARYLOU & JIM; FOR A GOOD REVIEW JOHN & JACKIE

Adventure Canada Takes Major Stake In Cruise North Expeditions Cruise North Expeditions, a subsidiary of the Inuit-owned Makivik Corporation, has announced its new partnership with Adventure Canada that will continue to offer polar cruises with the cultural content and Inuit staffing that has become a trademark of Cruise North Expeditions. In 2011, Cruise North Expeditions departures will be merged with Adventure Canada Clipper Adventurer schedule, including dedicated CNE programming. The Clipper Adventurer, a sister ship of Lyubov Orlova has benefited from extensive renovation and offers an ideal blend of safety, comfort and functionality that makes it a leader in the field. Cruise North passengers will enjoy enhanced comfort and programming through the new joint venture. Beginning in 2012, Adventure Canada and Cruise North Expeditions will each continue their traditional offerings of dedicated sailings with Inuit staff, itineraries and programs specially designed to bring benefit and opportunity to the people who call the Arctic home. Cruise North Expeditions was founded in 2005 by the Makivik Corporation of Quebec, a highly successful investment corporation born of the first modern-day Aboriginal land claim settlement agreement in Canada (the JBNQA of 1975). Makivik also owns the well-respected First Air and Air Inuit. Website: http://www.cruisenorthexpeditions.com Adventure Canada is an award-winning tour operator based in Mississauga, Ontario that has been providing comfortable and educational voyages to the Arctic, and the world, since 1988. Click here to view the article

Celebrity Cruises To Enhance Guest Experiences For Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises has today announced details of new developments due to be made this year to the Southampton-based Celebrity Eclipse in order to further enhance guest experience, including the introduction of a Champagne Royal Tea Experience, a full range of British beers (from Boddingtons to Guinness) and interactive iPad restaurant menus. Celebrity Eclipse, the only ship in the Celebrity fleet to be fully based out of the UK for the summer, has also confirmed beverage charges on board will be inclusive of service charge; a first for any ship within Celebrity Cruise fleet. Beer offerings on board will also be extended to include a full range of British brands, including Fuller London Pride, Old Speckled Hen, Boddingtons, Guinness, Murphy’s Stout and Newcastle Brown Ale. Celebrity Eclipse will also be able to boast newly introduced Champagne High Royal Experience where guests will be able to experience a truly world class white glove tea service, with Tea Forte loose teas served in custom made Wedgwood Bone China with elegant savories and pastry accompaniments set to calming music delivered courtesy of a string quartet. The Champagne Royal Tea Experience will be available for just $25USD per person. Additional new service benefits for 2011 include coffee available with tea in staterooms, national British newspapers available via iPads and increased guest entertainer line-ups and guest speakers during each sailing. The innovative use of iPads as part of the guest experience will be developed further with the introduction of interactive iPad menus in Qsine with video player options, touch-screen wine lists available to explore, interactive dinner menus and even an application which allows the guest to build their own cocktail. The enhancements were confirmed as part of a broader commitment to further developing the guest experience across the entire Celebrity Cruises fleet announced this month by Celebrity Cruise President & CEO Dan Hanrahan speaking in London. Click here to view the article

Crystal Serenity To Undergo Major Redesign in May This spring, Crystal will be spending some $25 million to keep its largest ship, Crystal Serenity, on the cutting edge of luxury style More than 400 expert technicians flown from around the world, working round the clock for just 14 days, are scheduled for the massive redesign of her 531 Deluxe Staterooms, Penthouses and Penthouses Suites; retail centers; expansive outdoor pool deck and other design projects during a May 8 to 22 dry dock at Hamburg's Blohm + Voss shipyard. All of Crystal Serenity's Deluxe Outside Staterooms, Penthouses, and Penthouse Suites will sport new, floor-to-ceiling tufted headboards, bedside cabinets, wallpaper, sofas, curtains, pillows, and custom carpets in contemporary lines and classic stone, silk, velvet, leather, and crisp linen textures. New modern lighting features and electronic "do not disturb" and doorbell system will allow guests greater personalization of their home-away-from-home. Serenity's retail shops will receive a similar, sophisticated metamorphosis. The Facets fine jewelry store will mirror a jewelry box, with mother-of-pearl feature wall, beveled chrome vitrines, and a new, private sales area. The Apropos boutique will become three-shops-in-one, with a flagship Christian Dior cosmetic/skincare area showcased amongst rich Zebrano wood and herringbone rosewood, arresting black-plum-magenta carpeting, and tufted leather seating. New Chic Pool Deck Inspired by Crystal Symphony's recent transformation, the Seahorse Pool teak deck will be refashioned with circular pod beds, plush sofa groups, and lounge chairs in a kaleidoscope of lime green, azure, and mango. New Lighting and Furniture The corridors throughout the ship will be transformed with new, custom carpeting, inspiring artwork, and mood lighting. Dramatic new lighting will also be installed in the Crystal Dining Room, as will new furniture on all stateroom verandahs. Following the dry dock, Crystal Serenity will embark on a series of Baltic, North Cape and British Isles cruises before heading to the Mediterranean for late summer and fall cruise series, where guests cannot only enjoy the resort's new look but exceptional value with verandah savings and a new fall fare sale Click here to view the article

Celebrity To Offer Champagne High Tea & Kosher Meals Celebrity has announced its latest culinary introductions: an authentic, world-class high tea experience called Champagne High Tea, and industry-first premium kosher meals. Our Champagne High Tea is designed in the tradition of the most highly regarded afternoon tea experiences in the world, said Celebrity Vice President of Culinary Operations Jacques Van Staden. Celebrity Champagne High Tea takes place once on every seven-night sailing, and at least twice on an eight-night or longer cruise. Held in Celebrity specialty restaurants, amidst live music performed by a string quartet, the event selections include premium Forte teas; Lavazza coffees, including espressos, lattes and cappuccino; savory sandwiches and desserts – including pastries, scones, truffles and pate de fruit – using Wedge wood china and Riedel Crystal. There a cover charge of $25 per person that includes one class of champagne. For guests interested in kosher meals, Celebrity has introduced another industry first: premium kosher meals, offered as an option amidst the brand vast array of other dining selections, for a fee. Kosher wines and champagne also are available. All food selections are Glatt Kosher certified and made from scratch in kosher kitchens under the strict supervision. Click here to view the article

Royal Caribbean, Azamara Cancel Egypt Calls from April to July Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises have canceled port calls to Egypt through July. Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, which departs Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on April 18 will no longer call on Alexandria on April 24. Instead, the ship will now call on Istanbul, Turkey, on April 24 and stay overnight until 7 p.m. April 25. A similar change is in place for the Mariner’s June 4 and June 28 departures. The Mariner of the Seas’ May 11 cruise from Civitavecchia cancelled its May 18 Alexandria call and instead will spend May 16 at sea, stay overnight in Istanbul from 7 a.m. May 17 until 7 p.m. May 18 and call on Kusadasi, Turkey, on May 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Brilliance of the Seas, which departs Dubai on April 21 will sail a modified itinerary. The revised itinerary will Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, United Arab Emirates; Muscat, Oman; passage of the Suez Canal; Civitavecchia and Livorno, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; and nine days at sea Azamara modified several cruises on the Azamara Quest. Its April 24 cruise from Dubai will no longer call on Alexandria on May 4 but instead will now spend May 4 at sea and call at Santorini, Greece, on May 5. The Quest’s May 6 voyage from Athens cancelled May 12 overnight in Alexandria. Instead, the ship will overnight in Rhodes, Greece, from 1 p.m. May 10 until midnight May 11, spend May 12 at sea, and call on Paphos, Cyprus, on May 13 from 7 a.m. to midnight. The cruise departing Haifa, Israel, on May 16 will no longer overnight in Alexandria May 19-20. Instead, the ship will now call on Paphos, Cyprus, on May 19 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and overnight in Rhodes from 1 p.m. May 20 until 5 p.m. May 21. Click here to view the article

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. has signed a letter of intent with German shipyard Meyer Werft to build the first of a new generation of Royal Caribbean International cruise ships. Developed under the code-name "Project Sunshine," the new vessel design incorporates new and exciting features that take advantage of the best of Royal Caribbean's experience and imagination. The project is a result of over a year of dedicated research and development. The order calls for one ship to be delivered in the Fall of 2014 with an option for a second ship for Spring 2015. The 158,000 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) new build will carry just over 4,100 guests based on double occupancy. The estimated all-in cost per berth is about €170,000. This all-in cost includes the yard's base contract price plus everything needed to design, operate and build the vessel, from architect fees to supervision costs and all loose inventories from computers to art and bed linens. "Royal Caribbean has worked hard to earn a reputation of offering the most innovative ships in the cruise industry and this next generation will not disappoint," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. "While we continue our policy of keeping our newest ideas and features under wraps during the early stages of construction, I can say that I am very excited about the passion and imagination that our teams have devoted to the project. Project Sunshine builds on the best ideas of our existing ships and adds exciting new activities and entertainment concepts. It will offer features for everyone: from grand, spectacular spaces to small intimate settings; from active, invigorating activities to the serenity of more personal space; and from a plethora of dining alternatives to a cornucopia of opportunities for families. I am also excited about the energy efficiency and environmental technologies which have been incorporated." Click here to view the article