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Holland America Line has expanded its Digital Workshops powered by Microsoft Windows enrichment program with the latest technology and classes for all skill levels. The popular complimentary workshops, led by Microsoft-trained “techsperts” on all 15 ships in the Holland America fleet, teach guests with varying levels of computer and camera experience how to take better vacation photos, make movies, edit pictures and create online scrapbooks. Guests also learn how to share digital memories via email, keep a more secure PC at home, stay connected through instant messaging and webcams, find the best PC for their budget and lifestyle, and navigate new features of Windows 7, Microsoft's latest operating system. “The Digital Workshops have consistently been a favorite and the perfect way for guests to share their cruise experience with friends and relatives,” says Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Our partnership with Microsoft means that our guests will always have access to the latest software and tools, in addition to highly trained ‘techsperts’ who can show them the ins and outs of their computers — for no charge.” The curriculum currently offers ten 50-minute workshops, including: • “Camera Basics” teaches guests the best ways to use their digital cameras. • “Transferring Photos” demonstrates how to easily get pictures from a camera to a PC with Windows Live Photo Gallery. • “Introductory Photo Editing” illustrates how to improve the look and feel of photos with Windows Live Photo Gallery. • “Creative Photo Editing” shows how to apply artistic touches to pictures with Windows Live Photo Gallery. • “Making Movies” lets guests create slide shows and videos with Windows Live Movie Maker. • “Photo Sharing” covers how to email and store pictures to share with others using Windows Live Mail. • “Stay Connected” shows how to keep in touch with friends and family using Windows Live Messenger. • “Windows 7” provides an inside look at Microsoft’s newest PC operating system. • “PC Buying” helps guests discover the right Windows 7 PC for varying lifestyles and budgets. • “PC Security” explains how to protect information with the safety features of a Windows 7PC. Two new sessions also have been developed: “Files, Folders and Sharing” and “Introduction to the Cloud.” They will teach guests how to better manage the contents of their computers through file and folder management and how to create and share files with Office Web applications and Skydrive. The digital workshop showcases state-of-the-art technology provided and maintained by Microsoft, including Windows 7-certified computers, printers, scanners and a wireless network. The workshops also feature flat-screen TVs for easy viewing of videos and “techspert” demonstrations. Guests can choose to attend all or just some of the workshops, with each offered at various times and days throughout every cruise. Multiple workshops are held every day. In addition, one-on-one coaching, called “Techspert Time,” also is available for more than 20 hours each week for guests to stop by with questions. For more information on Holland America Line’s cruises and cruisetours, consult a professional travel seller, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com. - www.hollandamerica.com - Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com. About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 350 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds. Worlds Leading Cruise Lines Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.
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Relaxation and Indulgences in Store Just for Adults On Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream Share Print Release Filed in: Adults, Disney Dream, Headlines – Adults Related Media View Gallery PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – On the Disney Dream, while children are having the time of their lives in the elaborately themed youth areas, adults can indulge, relax and escape in exclusive areas and with offerings designed just for them. With a spectacular nighttime entertainment district, exquisite dining, a deluxe spa and a tranquil private pool, the Disney Dream provides adults with memorable ways to unwind, rejuvenate and pamper themselves. Escape… The District is a nighttime entertainment area featuring sophisticated bars and lounges, a playground for grownups that transports adult guests to a world that’s all their own. The array of experiences stimulates all the senses – with each venue presenting a unique design, look, feel, sounds and palate-pleasing delights. All venues in The District are interconnected and convey a sense of discovery as guests move throughout the areas. The District located on Deck 4 aft is open exclusively to guests age 18 and older. Venues include: District Lounge – sophisticated, yet relaxed area featuring live piano music and entertainment 687 – warm, welcoming and casual – a modern interpretation of a traditional pub Pink – an elegant and upscale cocktail lounge serving champagne and top-shelf libations Skyline – a chic, metropolitan “sky bar” with ever-changing views of stunning city skylines Evolution – inspired by the evolution of the butterfly, a dynamic, contemporary nightclub Relax… Senses Spa & Salon provides tranquility, pampering and relaxation in an ocean-view environment of more than 16,000 square feet. Located in the forward section of the ship and spanning two decks (11 and 12), the spa features a design that is soothing – using a color palate of natural green, blue and soft brown hues, organic tropical motifs and rich, dark woods to impart a calming effect. 17 private treatment rooms – offering a menu of luxurious spa treatments and services such as massages, body wraps and facials. Rainforest – offering the benefits of steam, heat and hydrotherapy combined with the power of aromatherapy to relax the mind and body. Specialized areas include a steam bath, steam room, tiled sauna and aromatic showers that evoke everything from a waterfall to tropical rain to a refreshing mist. Guests can relish Rainforest’s calming ocean views while reclining in heated mosaic tile relaxation chairs, or lounge outside in one of two whirlpool hot tubs on the private teak deck. Two lavish couple’s spa villas – for the ultimate indulgence, the villas feature an indoor spa treatment suite connected to a private outdoor verandah with personal whirlpool hot tub, shower and a plush, double lounge chair. Ocean-view gym – a nearly 2,500-square-foot gym with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and complimentary group classes such as yoga, Pilates, aerobics, stretching and spinning. Additional Senses Spa & Salon offerings include manicures, pedicures, hair salon services, a barber shop, and teeth whitening at the Smile Spa. Adults can soak up the sun and bask in warm tropical breezes at the Quiet Cove Pool, a multi-level pool with varying depths. Also located in the adults-only area on Deck 11 is Cove Café. With a warm, comfortable design, Cove Café is a peaceful retreat where adults can sit back, sip a gourmet coffee, read a magazine or book, watch the national news or use a WiFi-enabled device to surf the Internet. Indulge… Two distinctive, adults-only dining experiences are offered aboard the Disney Dream. Available as alternatives to the normal rotational dining experiences, these refined culinary adventures on Deck 12 are reserved for guests ages 18 and older: Palo combines sweeping ocean views, rich décor and epicurean excellence to create the setting for a romantic escape. A redesigned version of Disney Cruise Line’s signature specialty restaurant, Palo invites adults to indulge in a menu of delectable Northern Italian cuisine, an extensive wine list and superior service. For an entirely new Palo experience on the Disney Dream, guests may dine al fresco on Palo’s private outdoor teak deck, with picturesque views and warm ocean breezes further tantalizing the senses. Remy is Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever premier dining option. In an exquisite Art Nouveau setting with incredible ocean views, guests enjoy French-inspired gourmet cuisine by two award-winning chefs. Chef Arnaud Lallement from l’Assiette Champenoise, a Michelin two-star restaurant just outside Reims, France, and Chef Scott Hunnel from award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World Resort collaborate to create a menu that melds classic and contemporary styles in a sophisticated dining concept featuring superior products and seasonal ingredients. Polished touches at Remy include a tableside trolley for serving international cheeses, decanting stations for wines, and post-prandial coffee service including French press and grand crème. A private Chef’s Table dining room offers a special multi-course menu. Nestled between Palo and Remy is Meridian, a cozy getaway with a décor inspired by the early days of sea travel. The venue features a sextant navigational tool embedded in the floor, banquettes with buckles to resemble old steamer trunks, and leather maps embossed with passport stamps from around the world adorning the walls. Outside on the teak deck are a cigar bar and a grand view overlooking the aft of the ship. With a location that makes it a perfect spot for libations before or after dinner at Palo or Remy, Meridian Lounge requires a dress shirt or jacket for men and a dress or pantsuit for women. Remy requires men to wear a jacket (tie optional). To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent. -30-
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Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Major New Innovation on Norwegian Breakaway: The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place The Waterfront on Norwegian Breakaway Norwegian Cruise Line today unveiled a major innovation in ship design: The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place on its newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, launching in April 2013. This new concept includes an oceanfront boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and bars, combined with three expansive, flowing decks of dining, bars, entertainment, gaming and more. The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place will take cruising to new heights and offer an unparalleled experience with a unique connection to the ocean. "With our newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, we are continuing our tradition of innovation with a brand new ship design that will provide our guests with a unique experience unlike anything else at sea," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "The heart of Norwegian Breakaway and the elements that truly set it apart are The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place. Guests will enjoy al fresco dining while admiring the beauty of the ocean, along with the excitement and exhilaration of three expansive action-packed decks, as everything is designed to flow seamlessly." Located on Deck 8, The Waterfront is a revolutionary outdoor experience that adds a whole new dimension to the line's signature Freestyle Cruising, by offering a number of seaside venues that feature breathtaking views and a sense of connection with the ocean. The hub of the ship is 678 Ocean Place, a space that uniquely flows, intertwines and connects three decks of daytime and nighttime amusements. There will be a total of 17* dining venues combined on both 678 Ocean Place and The Waterfront, along with 12* bars and lounges. Norwegian will also introduce a new dining concept on Norwegian Breakaway, Ocean Blu, the line's first ever all-seafood restaurant, which will include a premium raw bar, along with a separate sushi bar. The Waterfront The Waterfront will feature eight outdoor dining and lounging options, including signature Norwegian favorites like Moderno Churrascaria; Cagney's Steakhouse; La Cucina; Shaker's Cocktail Bar; Malting's Beer & Whiskey Bar; and the newest addition, Ocean Blu on The Waterfront, with outdoor seating and a special takeaway menu. The Waterfront will also feature another first for Norwegian – a gelato bar serving a selection of flavors of the delectable frozen treat. Guests will enjoy this creamy confection as they take a leisurely stroll along The Waterfront. A yet-to-be-announced entertainment venue will also have an outdoor space. 678 Ocean Place On Deck 8, 678 Ocean Place connects the excitement of The Waterfront outdoor spaces with interior dining venues for Moderno; Cagney's; Shaker's; La Cucina; Malting's and Ocean Blu, including the raw and sushi bars. An elegant modern take on an ocean-inspired theme with a glamorous feel, Ocean Blu is the newest addition to Norwegian's Freestyle Dining lineup. Featuring a premium raw bar and a sushi bar, Ocean Blu will offer seafood lovers a culinary treasure. "In a recent guest survey, our guests chose a seafood restaurant as the number one type of restaurant they would like on board our ships," said Sheehan. "We listened to that feedback when planning the dining on Norwegian Breakaway and will launch Ocean Blu as our newest signature restaurant concept." La Cucina celebrates the Tuscan countryside and will continue to serve Norwegian's delicious Italian dishes to guests who choose dine either al fresco on the outdoor patio on The Waterfront, in the main restaurant or the interior terrace option, giving guests the opportunity to dine along the interior walkway beneath twinkling lanterns, exposed wooden beams and greenery. Moderno Churrascaria is Norwegian's signature Brazilian-style steakhouse. Whether guests dine indoors or out, they will feast from a huge salad bar, followed by a variety of grilled and slow-roasted meats that are carved tableside by passadors. Overlooking the Manhattan Room is another Norwegian signature establishment, Cagney's Steakhouse, which will feature succulent grilled steaks, perfectly cooked double cut lamb chops and other steakhouse favorites. Guests will dine in style amidst warm wood tones as they enjoy watching the chefs prepare their meals in the open kitchen. Located between Cagney's and Moderno, Prime Meridian will offer guests the opportunity to order a signature cocktail and soak in the action taking place around them on 678 Ocean Place. Guests will also find retail outlets, the photo gallery, and the Humidor Cigar Lounge on Deck 8. A three-story open atrium with an exquisite LED chandelier with light changing effects will serve as the centerpiece of 678 Ocean Place with openings to all three decks and glass staircases connecting the levels. Spanning more than 18,000 square feet on Deck 7, the contemporary Breakaway Casino will have a stylish sophistication created by the use of rich materials, luxurious ornamental lighting and highly decorative artwork including gold tiles and upscale finishes. Breakaway Casino will offer guests the opportunity to try their luck on more than 300 of the latest slot machines; along with 26 gaming tables featuring poker, black jack, roulette and craps. With the most rewarding Casinos At Sea Players Club program, there will be something for everyone, from the novice to the high roller. Bar 21, located adjacent to the Casino, is a stunning, intimate bar featuring video poker and multiple plasma television screens. Reminiscent of a private New York City supper club, The Manhattan Room is a complimentary restaurant on Deck 7 that will feature a dance floor as its focal point. As guests dine on cuisine that reflects the elegant and romantic nature of the room, they will enjoy live music and dancing. The two-story high restaurant showcases floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows looking aft. Due to the popularity of the noodle bar on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway will feature Shanghai's Noodle Bar, the largest noodle bar at sea. This exciting dining concept will offer all counter seating around an open kitchen and will serve traditional Chinese noodles, wok-fried dishes and dim sum. Another guest favorite, O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill, returns on Norwegian Breakaway. This complimentary 24-hour a day neighborhood sports bar and restaurant will serve classic American favorites and comfort food. It will feature a giant two-story screen, perfect for watching sports and movies, along with miniature bowling, pool and air hockey tables and interactive games. A popular hotspot on several Norwegian ships, Bliss Ultra Lounge has been re-designed on Norwegian Breakaway to resemble a true hotspot, similar to trendy New York clubs. Guests will feel the excitement as they walk through the LED-lit tunnel entrance to the illuminated bar, LED walls and pulsating dance floor where they will dance the night away. Savor, one of the three complimentary main dining options on Norwegian Breakaway, will feature cuisine that is traditional with a contemporary flair. Across from Savor, is where guests will find Taste, another complimentary main dining venue. Taste will serve a variety of culinary delights to please every palate. Both restaurants feature clean lines and upscale, contemporary décor. Located between Savor and Taste is Mixx Bar, the perfect, pre- or post-dinner gathering place, with a modern twist to a classical design. Norwegian's signature Teppanyaki restaurant will continue to dazzle guests on Norwegian Breakaway with the addition of a traditional Japanese rock garden, featuring bamboo plants and bonsai trees to promote a pleasing aesthetic ambiance. With 96 seats surrounding 12 flat top grills, Teppanyaki chefs will showcase their knife-wielding skills while cooking exhibition-style Japanese cuisine. Guests will be amazed by the masterful chefs while they enjoy an appetizing meal. Le Bistro, Norwegian's signature French restaurant, will feature an elegant indoor setting, along with a European sidewalk-style dining opportunity which will overlook the social hub of the ship, 678 Ocean Place. Guests will marvel at the three-story cascading LED chandelier above them, along with the constant flow of people as they dine on classic French favorites. Within the Atrium, located on Deck 6, guests will find a two-story video wall along with the Café and Bar at The Atrium. The Café will offer specialty coffees and fresh baked treats. The Bar at The Atrium will feature mixed drinks, along with a self-service wine bar. The Shore Excursion Desk, Internet Café and Art Gallery will be located in close proximity to the Atrium, along with two meeting rooms, card room and library. Additional dining options and bars not located within 678 Ocean Place will be announced in late April. There will also be a number of exciting entertainment venues located within 678 Ocean Place that will be revealed at a later date this spring. In order to showcase all of Norwegian Breakaway's features, the company launched the Norwegian Breakaway microsite today at http://www.breakaway.ncl.com. Renderings are available for download. Entering service in April 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will sail from her year-round homeport of New York City to Bermuda in the summer and The Bahamas & Florida and The Caribbean in the winter. To book a cruise on Norwegian Breakaway, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 800-327-7030 or visit www.ncl.com. Comment on today's announcement on our Facebook page: www.ncl.com/facebook. *One dining venue and one bar will be announced at a later date, along with all of the entertainment venues. About Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 45-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian invites consumers to "Cruise Like a Norwegian" on one of its 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has two 4,000-passenger vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, on order for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014. Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010 and has been named "Best Overall Cruise Ship" by the readers of Travel Weekly. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, appearing for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, Second City® Comedy Troupe, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top. High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, watch us on YouTube, or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784). " » Read full article on[NCL.com Press Releases] ‹ PreviousNext › 1/15
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OOPS, SORRY I HAVE A FAT FINGER, SLIPPED
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Today's Member Anniversaries: Davidk (2), rjohn03 (3), bhudda2 (4), bearnuts (4), rsmurray3 (5), kad (5), puffy13212 (5), denise (5), margincall (5), starlight2007 (5), sprice001 (5), jshawn (7), kecia (8), jims (8), Lokey (8), buttman (8), Lucycat29 (8), tjwcs (9), StaRed (1)
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<h4 class="statistics_head"> Today's Member Anniversaries:
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ROME, March 15 - Underwater thieves have evaded an array of laser systems that measure millimetric shifts in the Costa Concordia shipwreck and 24-hour surveillance by the Italian coast guard and police to haul off a symbolic booty - the ship's bell. The giant cruise liner capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio after hitting a rock on January 13, killing at least 25 people. Seven people are still unaccounted for. Prosecutors have accused Captain Francesco Schettino of causing the accident by bringing the multi-storey Costa Concordia, which was carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew, too close to the shore. Now prosecutors have opened an investigation to find out who filched the modern-day Titanic's bell. Judicial sources said on Thursday thieves nabbed the ship's bell more than two weeks ago from one of the decks of the Costa Concordia, which is submerged in 8 meters (26 feet) of water. Investigators suspect more than one person was involved in stealing the heavy bell, etched with the ship's name and 2006, the year it was christened. Ships bells were traditionally used to signal half-hour intervals in a four-hour watch. "I can only guess that someone took it as a sort of morbid memento," Giglio's mayor, Sergio Ortelli, told Reuters. "In my mind, the missing bell is of no importance. We have the ship's statue of the Madonna in our church, and that for us has much more symbolic meaning." Divers recovered the meter-tall plaster statue of the Madonna in January from the ship's chapel and gave the statute to the parish priest of Giglio.ROME, March 15 - Underwater thieves have evaded an array of laser systems that measure millimetric shifts in the Costa Concordia shipwreck and 24-hour surveillance by the Italian coast guard and police to haul off a symbolic booty - the ship's bell. The giant cruise liner capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio after hitting a rock on January 13, killing at least 25 people. Seven people are still unaccounted for. Prosecutors have accused Captain Francesco Schettino of causing the accident by bringing the multi-storey Costa Concordia, which was carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew, too close to the shore. Now prosecutors have opened an investigation to find out who filched the modern-day Titanic's bell. Judicial sources said on Thursday thieves nabbed the ship's bell more than two weeks ago from one of the decks of the Costa Concordia, which is submerged in 8 meters (26 feet) of water. Investigators suspect more than one person was involved in stealing the heavy bell, etched with the ship's name and 2006, the year it was christened. Ships bells were traditionally used to signal half-hour intervals in a four-hour watch. "I can only guess that someone took it as a sort of morbid memento," Giglio's mayor, Sergio Ortelli, told Reuters. "In my mind, the missing bell is of no importance. We have the ship's statue of the Madonna in our church, and that for us has much more symbolic meaning." Divers recovered the meter-tall plaster statue of the Madonna in January from the ship's chapel and gave the statute to the parish priest of Giglio.ROME, March 15 - Underwater thieves have evaded an array of laser systems that measure millimetric shifts in the Costa Concordia shipwreck and 24-hour surveillance by the Italian coast guard and police to haul off a symbolic booty - the ship's bell. The giant cruise liner capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio after hitting a rock on January 13, killing at least 25 people. Seven people are still unaccounted for. Prosecutors have accused Captain Francesco Schettino of causing the accident by bringing the multi-storey Costa Concordia, which was carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew, too close to the shore. Now prosecutors have opened an investigation to find out who filched the modern-day Titanic's bell. Judicial sources said on Thursday thieves nabbed the ship's bell more than two weeks ago from one of the decks of the Costa Concordia, which is submerged in 8 meters (26 feet) of water. Investigators suspect more than one person was involved in stealing the heavy bell, etched with the ship's name and 2006, the year it was christened. Ships bells were traditionally used to signal half-hour intervals in a four-hour watch. "I can only guess that someone took it as a sort of morbid memento," Giglio's mayor, Sergio Ortelli, told Reuters. "In my mind, the missing bell is of no importance. We have the ship's statue of the Madonna in our church, and that for us has much more symbolic meaning." Divers recovered the meter-tall plaster statue of the Madonna in January from the ship's chapel and gave the statute to the parish priest of Giglio.
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WE WILL JOIN YOU SOON IN THE LUGGAGE TAG DANCE, ON RUBY PRINCESS
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Princess cancels Caribbean Princess Cruises!
scalise12 replied to sailingrose's topic in Let's Talk Cruise!
THANKS FOR POSTING, ROSE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA -
"WELCOME TO CRUISE CRAZIES" YAMBUINN; HAPPY TO HAVE U ABOARD, PLEASE POST OFTEN & JOIN US IN THE DAILY DOCK AND WRITING REVIEWS JOHN & JACKIE
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MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.MIAMI — Cruise industry leaders gathered Tuesday for their first annual convention since the Costa Concordia disaster, emphasizing their commitment to safety and expressing confidence that business will return. The Concordia accident, in which 32 people died when the ship ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, cast a long shadow over this year’s Cruise Shipping Miami conference, attended by thousands from the cruise and travel industries in more than 100 countries. Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, said booking trends are running behind last year, leading it last week to slash 2012 profit forecasts nearly in half. Miami-based Carnival’s brands also include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line. “As everyone here well knows, the Concordia incident has focused considerable attention on our industry,” Carnival Corp. vice chairman and COO Howard Frank said in his keynote address. “While most of this attention has been negative, and we are clearly seeing some setbacks in the short term, we have faced similar setbacks in the past, and in each case we have shown tremendous resiliency in bouncing back.” Frank, who is also chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association trade group, said cruise lines are re-emphasizing passenger and crew safety, including improved emergency training for all passengers prior to departure. Other high-profile incidents have hurt the industry this year. Late last month, another Costa ship, the Allegra, caught fire and lost power, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. An outbreak of norovirus on ships on the Princess and Royal Caribbean lines and the robbery of 22 Carnival passengers on a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, added to the parade of bad news. Still, industry leaders said with 14 new ships coming online in 2012 and the continued trend toward globalization, they expect to see a record number of people taking cruise vacations this year. The trade group is expecting 17.2 million passengers across its 26 member lines this year, up 5 percent from 2011. International business is up — about 68 percent of the passengers will be from North America, compared with 74 percent two years ago. In addition to the new ships this year, 10 more will debut between 2013 and 2015. Gerald Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, lamented that the Concordia tragedy came at a time when the industry was expected to further recover from the recession and get more people onboard without offering deep discounts. He said the company stopped all of its marketing after the accident but has now resumed. “My perception was, most of our guests recognize — especially those who have been a cruise before — that the cruise industry provides a very safe vacation,” Cahill said.
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"WELCOME BACK, JASON " SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD TIME
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I LIKE TUNA ON BBQ, ALSO SHARK IS GOOD TO' HAS TO BE COOK RIGHT THANKS FOR THE ARTICLE!
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"WELCOME TO CRUISE CRAZIES" NURSE56'S HAPPY TO HAVE U ABOARD, HOPE U JOIN US IN POST NOW & THAN JOHN & JACKIE
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Home Ports: Barcelona, Spain; New Orleans, LA; Venice, Italy Cruises to: Caribbean, Europe, Transatlantic Carnival Highlights 3006PASSENGER CAPACITY 1040ONBOARD CREW 892LENGTH IN FEET 24HOURS OF FUN A DAY Because “Carnival Everything” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. If someone tells you that there’s nothing new under the sun, tell them to get aboard Carnival Sunshine! Launching in spring 2013, our newest “Fun Ship” cruising experience will be jam-packed with everything new, everything fun, everywhere you look. How is she going to get so fun? Carnival Sunshine will be the first ship anywhere to feature every experience from Fun Ship 2.0, Carnival’s ambitious program that’s bringing new dining options, bars, entertainment and more to ships all across the fleet. Well, what does that mean to you when you cruise Carnival Sunshine? It means chowing down on Guy-Fieri-designed burgers for lunch. It means sipping cool drinks poolside at BlueIguana Tequila Bar or RedFrog Rum Bar. It also means laughing uproariously at comedy talent hand-picked by George Lopez. It definitely means enjoying the latest sports games — interactive or televised — at the EA SPORTS Bar. It undoubtedly means spending quality fun time at Hasbro, The Game Show, or quiet time at our most stunning Serenity area yet, which spans three decks and even features a waterfall. It even means enjoying freshly-stuffed tacos and burritos at BlueIguana Cantina. And all of these things put together — and all of it on one ship — means a cruise experience you won’t find anywhere else. When Carnival Sunshine launches in April 2013, you can enjoy all this for a season of 9 and 12 day Mediterranean sailings… followed by Caribbean voyages year-round from her home port of New Orleans, starting in November 2013.
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Carnival in rough seas as cruise season starts By SAMANTHA BOMKAMP | Associated Press – 2 hrs 48 mins ago Email 2 Print NEW YORK (AP) — Carnival Corp. cut its profit forecast nearly in half Friday, another sign of the challenges the company and cruise industry face after the capsizing of the Costa Concordia in January. Cruise line operators entered 2012 thinking they could start charging passengers more again after offering widespread discounts following the 2007-2009 recession. But just two weeks into the year, 32 people died when Carnival's Costa Concordia sank off the coast of Italy. The incident happened during a critical period for the cruise industry referred to as "wave season." It's a time when a large number of travelers book cruises for the year. As a result, bookings dropped off even as the company lowered prices, Carnival said Friday. Rival Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has also said its bookings took a significant hit. Carnival's bookings improved gradually during the quarter, which ended Feb. 29, but the company had a further setback when another Costa ship — the Allegra — caught fire and lost power late in the month, leaving passengers without working toilets, running water or air conditioning for three days. The two incidents and higher fuel prices prompted the Miami company to slash this year's profit forecast to between $1.40 per share to $1.70 per share from $2.55 to $2.85 per share. Revenue for the year, after expenses, could fall as much as 4 percent. Excluding the Costa business, Carnival says the revenue figure will likely be flat. Bookings at the Costa line, which has suspended marketing, remain "significantly behind the prior year at lower prices," Carnival said. For the first quarter of fiscal 2012, Carnival posted a loss of $139 million, or 18 cents per share. A year ago, it earned $152 million, or 19 cents per share. Revenue rose 5 percent to $3.58 billion. Analysts expected a loss of 7 cents per share with revenue of $3.56 billion. Last month Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said it's hard to determine what impact the tragedy will have on its 2012 revenue, but it said the accident has already hit bookings significantly. Unlike plane tickets or hotel rooms which are mostly booked directly by customers on the internet, most cruises are sold by travel agents. That makes it harder to gauge the impact of an accident like the Concordia wreck. Micky Arison, Carnival's CEO, said the company's North American brands such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Holland America, still expect a "modest improvement" in yield — what the company makes from passengers after removing expenses — this year. European brands expect slightly lower yields because of the slowdown in some European economies. Arison also indicated Carnival intends to hold the line on pricing despite the Concordia accident. "Any consumers holding out for deeper than normal discounts may be disappointed," he said. Jefferies analyst Ian Rennardson said he feels like Carnival's outlook is a "worst case scenario." The "new guidance, which draws a line in the sand from which the company can build," overshadowed the better than expected results for the first quarter, he said. Shares of Carnival fell 38 cents to close at $30.57. The stock lost about 16 percent in the days following the Concordia wreck, and has not recovered much from a January low of $29.36. Rennardson is optimistic that Carnival can regain its footing. He expects the Costa brand to resume marketing to the public soon and believes the hard line on pricing will pay off, allowing Carnival to bolster revenue and eventually raise prices on a large scale next year.
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"WELCOME TO CRUISE CRAZIES" AKAKAY22&39:S HAPPY TO HAVE U ABOARD, PLEASE POST OFTEN & JOIN US ON THE DAILY DOCK JOHN & JACKIE
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"FAREWELL LOVE BOAT, THANKS FOR GIVING MY LOVE OF CRUISING" THE SONG WILL LIVE FOREVER;