CruiseNews

Century Cruises, which operates a fleet of Yangtze River ships in China used by many tour operators, next fall will introduce two new vessels -- the 398-passenger Century Paragon and Century Legend. The ships will have two Executive Decks with extra amenities. Connected by a private staircase, the two Executive Decks have an exclusive a la carte restaurant, a private reception area, bar, sun deck area and 24-hour concierge service for food and beverages. The 366-square-foot Executive Suites are furnished with an LCD TV, DVD player, mini bar, Italian coffee machine, and in-room Wi-Fi. Guests can also use butler service and free laundry service. Daily in-room snacks and fruits are also included. Executive Suite guests receive a welcome bottle of red wine and one Western dinner in the Executive Club Restaurant. The standard staterooms are 301 square feet. All have balconies, direct-dial phone, LCD satellite TV, air conditioning and a bathroom with a separate bathtub. The two ships also will each have a 2,150-square-foot heated indoor swimming pool and spa with bar, fitness center, private relaxation area and two dressing rooms with shower. The Grand Atrium lobby will be seven stories high. An auditorium-style HD cinema seats up to 150 guests and features multi-lingual translation equipment for international meetings. Each ship will have a main restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, two bars, Wi-Fi throughout, shops, a game room, a library, a card room, and children's playground. The ship will host lectures about the Three Gorges, cooking demonstrations about traditional Chinese and "hot pot" cooking, and Tai Chi classes every morning. Evenings will feature performances of a professional folklore entertainment troupe. The new Century Paragon and Century Legend were designed by Yran & Storbraaton, noted Norwegian cruise ship designers, and supervised by EMS and Schiffstechnik Buchloh, two German ship-building firms. The ships' engineering and green technology features include a propulsion and propeller system designed to substantially reduce vibration and noise, while significantly increasing the ships' maneuvering capability. They also will have an Internet-based remote control surveillance system for passenger security and safety. Click here to view the article

Blount Small Ship Adventures is offering three cruise itineraries on the Mississippi River in 2012. The seven-night "Tennessee Traditions on the Mississippi River" includes Nashville and Memphis. The eight-night "Treasures of the Mississippi" sails between Memphis and New Orleans, visiting Greenville, Vicksburg and Baton Rouge. The 11-night "Southern Traces" sails from New Orleans to Nashville, visiting Mobile, riverside towns in Mississippi and Tennessee and Kuttawa, Ky. Savings of $400 per couple is available on the March 23 departure of "Southern Traces: New Orleans to Nashville" when booked by Dec. 31. Those who book by Dec. 31 can save $300 per couple on the April 5 departure of "Tennessee Traditions." Blount's new itineraries come just months before the return of the American Queen riverboat, which has been refurbished by Great American Steamboat Company. Click here to view the article

Much of Britain is likely to grind to a halt Wednesday, November 30, when two million public sector workers walk out on strike in protest against pension cuts. Customs and immigration officials' participation in the walkout is taking center stage in the union-led action and looks set to cause misery for travellers. Long queues at immigration are expected to start forming at airports tonight, with the situation worsening throughout the day tomorrow. More than just an inconveniently long wait at passport control, immigration at London Heathrow, Britain's busiest airport, is expected to be delayed so severely that passengers could be held on incoming aircraft to avoid congestion in the terminals. Overcrowding inside terminals would ultimately cause delays for both planes on the ground as well as those headed for Heathrow, forcing diversions and displacing crews. The bad news has been tempered somewhat by an announcement from the British government outlining a plan for striking border control staff to be replaced by other civil servants not involved in the industrial action. Additionally, regional airports are not likely to suffer the same kind of disruption expected at Heathrow as they process far fewer international passengers, but passengers should still be prepared to face delays. Border controls at U.K. ports will also be subject to disruption, but only one cruise ship, Fred. Olsen's Balmoral, is due into a U.K. port tomorrow, on a turnaround day in Southampton. The line is confident that passengers will not experience any trouble disembarking. A spokeswoman told x: "We are not expecting any disruption tomorrow in Southampton; we only need one or two officers to clear the ship, and the UK Border Agency have advised us we will be attended, albeit perhaps by someone other than the usual staff we see." Nonetheless, this is the season for long haul cruising, as well as river cruises in Europe to visit the Advent markets (to which many passengers travel by train via St. Pancras International, which will also be affected), so there could well be an impact on some cruise passengers. If you're travelling tomorrow, here are a few measures you can take: If you have booked your cruise as a flight-inclusive package, check with the cruise line or your travel agent about contingency plans. If you've booked cruise-only and arranged your own flights, check with your airline before leaving for the airport to confirm that your flight is operating. Check to see whether your travel insurance covers strike action; many policies do. Keep any timed train ticket or parking receipt as you may need proof for an insurance claim -- should you miss a flight -- that you arrived in good time to check in. See if you can change your flight; British Airways, Virgin and BMI are all allowing passengers to do this. Know your rights with airlines, particularly if you are likely to be stranded abroad. If an airline cannot get you home, it is obliged to provide food and accommodation until it can do so. -- by Sue Bryant, x Contributing Editor Click here to view the article

Although Ho Chi Minh City has a distinct advantage to attract international cruise ship visitors, this market has not developed fully because of lack of infrastructure and demand for high quality of service. A cruise ship brings visitors to Vietnam. (Photo: Sggp) The country has only a few travel companies that have the resources to receive a large number of cruise ship tourists arriving on luxury liners. Most of these companies don’t have tour guides speaking different languages such as Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese and Russian to be able to receive about 3,000 cruise ship passengers all at once. Rich cruise passengers can also have unexpected demands such as luxury cars to transport them around the country and sometimes even small luxury aircraft to fly them to neighboring countries. Even small handcrafted souvenirs have failed to attract foreign tourists because of lack of design quality and variety. Foreign visitors are interested in traditional handicraft products and are willing to spend money provided they are appealing and attractive. Vietnam has not yet developed a tourism pier to receive big cruise liners that presently have to dock at trading ports. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) chose sea tourism as one of its top priorities in its draft National tourism development strategy for the period 2010-2020. Ho Chi Minh City also plans to develop riverside tourism and build a part of the Saigon Port into a modern international luxury tourist pier to lure more cruise ship liners. According to the Statistics Bureau, the country received more than 224,000 cruise ship passengers in 2007, while there were only 25,000 cruise tourists in the first nine months of this year. Click here to view the article

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In its international relaxed, yet sophisticated, style, Crystal is transforming its ships into whimsical holiday wonderlands, with more than $100,000 in new decorations. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are honoring Christmas, Chanukah, and New Year's with festive trimmings, ranging from elegant Victorian to merrily modern. December 21 voyages boast seasonal parties, dances, carols, menorah and tree lightings, spirited musical productions, sessions with Santa, holiday movies, religious services, and traditional feasts. Custom decor features: Fantasy atriums-turned-forests, with Father Christmas driving reindeer through snow-covered trees twinkling with thousands of shimmering lights, red finches and berries adorning pine boughs Santa's Bakery inside Bistro Cafes, with Chef Claus welcoming guests to a world of large candy canes, teddy bears and dancing gingerbread cookies Victorian Christmas trees romantically decorated with ornate ribbons and baroque baubles Six-foot-tall, light-up menorah Hand-painted, jewel-covered and hand-blown glass ornaments Antique carousel horses wearing floral, crystal and beaded-tassel garlands Casino-dwelling, golden reindeer draped in pine jeweled harnesses encrusted with Christmas motifs An army of six-foot nutcrackers in lounge areas Santa and his reindeer enjoying a pint at the Avenue Saloon, sunning in Hawaii, and landing in the fireplace. Traditional culinary delights, in Crystal's gourmet style, include Christmas goose, roast turkey, and chestnut stuffing; potato latkes, as well as chocolate gelt, for Chanukah; and a gala New Year's Eve dinner and champagne countdown celebration, followed by Bloody Mary parties and mimosa brunch on New Year's Day. "Our ships feel both magical and comfortably familial for guests of all ages who dream of sugar plums and extraordinary holiday vacation memories," says Bret Bullock, vice president entertainment. Five holiday season sailing options include seven- to 14-day Pacific Coast, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Caribbean/Panama Canal, and Trans-Atlantic voyages, with Christmas/Chanukah/New Year's cruises round-trip from either Miami or LA. "Book Now" fares start at $1,995/person, plus up to $1,000/couple in shipboard credit. Crystal's Family Memories Program offers additional savings/perks for family/friends groups. Click here to view the article

Atlantis Events does things in a big way. It bills itself as the world's largest travel company specializing in the gay market and for 20 years it has been organizing cruises, tours and gay weeks at resorts. Next year it is organizing what it says is the largest gay cruise in history. The company has chartered Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, and it hopes to put 5,400 gays and lesbians on board for a week-long tour of the Caribbean. The cruise leaves Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 29, and returns there on Feb. 5. There are only three ports of call: Labadee in northern Haiti, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, both in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. In between, the company promises top-notch entertainment, elaborate parties and innovative ways of introducing people to each other. There are, for example, five different dance venues showcasing different types of dance parties. Many types of rooms on the ship are already sold out; prices for remaining rooms start at $1,400 U.S. per person, based on double occupancy. Click here to view the article

Costa Cruises' Costa Marina is headed for a new home in Korea, according to reports, being acquired by a Korean-based ship management company, Polaris Shipping, and renamed the Harmony Princess.Polaris operates a number of bulk carriers. It is believed the 1969-built ex-cargo ship will operate under the Harmony Cruise brand starting in 2012. Click here to view the article

A group of residents on Molokai plan to hold another protest this weekend in demonstration against a cruise ship company planning port calls on the island. There are four more inter-island trips planned between now and the end of the year by the American Safari Cruises company, according to the company’s booking website. The Molokai leg of the cruise is on day three and four of the eight-day adventure, with a stop at Kaunakaki Harbor and hands-on activities at Halawa Valley. The booking website encourages customers to “meet the people of Molokai and experience their land and traditions as few visitors ever do.” Protest organizers say, “it will be the beginning of the end for the island’s rural lifestyle” if the Safari Explorer is allowed to come to Molokai without proper community process. “We must demand community participation in the decisions over tourism on Molokai, and not let a few business people control tourism for their personal benefits,” said Molokai resident Walter Ritte in an email communication issued prior to a similar protest earlier this month. American Safari Cruises promotes its journey as “an un-cruise experience” with voyages that combine upscale cruising with adventurous activities. The Molokai activities include hiking or hiding a mule on the switchbacks of the Kalaupapa Trail; visiting plumeria and macadamia nut farms; hiking with a local resident to a hideaway waterfall at Halawa Valley; restoring taro terraces; helping ready poi for an evening pa’ina; and spending leisure time in the charming paniolo town of Kaunakakai. The Molokai visit also includes an evening talking story with a local guest and enjoying the pa’ina with hula and a Hawaiian music. The protest, which is the third of its kind, is planned for 6 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at Kaunakakai Wharf. Click here to view the article

South Korea has been trying to boost its tourism industry as part of its effort to strengthen the domestic economy. On Wednesday, it unveiled its latest plan: getting into the cruise ship business. The plan includes tax benefits for cruise ship operators and training programs for workers who will be employed by the industry, as well as a green light for on-board casinos for foreigners. The initiative comes amid expectations that Chinese tourists—who are already a key source of income for Korea's relatively small tourism and retail industry–will boost demand for cruise tourism in Asia in coming years. Korea doesn't have a local cruise ship operator yet, but the government hopes that changes in regulations will allow the industry to develop. The plan also includes increased terminal and port capacity in order to accommodate a greater influx of cruise ship tourists. Korea currently has just two ports for cruise ships, one in the southern port city of Busan and another at Jeju island, but the government aims to build up or expand dedicated terminals in existing ports as well as in other areas like Incheon and Yeosu on the southwest coast. It remains to be seen whether a domestic cruising industry will spring up (if it does, surely only the hardiest travelers would be interested in chugging around Korea's coastline during the frigid winter months). But the plan highlights the need for South Korea to do more to boost its relatively poor infrastructure for tourists and make its economy more resilient to the ebbs and flows of global trade. Click here to view the article

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved a $13.5 million construction contract to ready a prominent, downtown-adjacent section of the San Pedro waterfront for a new open public space and harbor area. The approved Downtown harbor “water cut” will create the necessary land and harbor infrastructure to accommodate development of a new town square and promenade on the water. The location, just north of the Las Angeles Maritime Museum, will become a centerpiece of the ongoing revitalization of the LA waterfront, according to a statement from the port. “The Downtown Harbor development will be a crown jewel of the emerging LA Waterfront,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “This is the first major infrastructure project as a result of the Harbor Commission approval that we received in 2009 and the focus is on downtown first.” The Downtown Harbor project will cut into approximately 1.2 acres of existing waterfront land along Harbor Boulevard between Fire Station 112 to the north and the L.A. Maritime Museum to the south, creating a new harbor inlet for vessels to dock and approximately 700 linear feet of promenade. Surrounding the inlet will be a modern town square, featuring new landscaping, lighting and expansive promenades. Demolition and construction will be undertaken by contractor Reyes Construction of Pomona, California. The contract scope includes demolition of an existing downtown harbor parking lot, soil excavation and dredging, removal or relocation of existing utilities on the site, construction of a sheet pile wall system and extension of the Berth 85 tugboat wharf by 25 feet. Since the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Downtown Harbor development project was approved in 2009, a series of public workshops have been held to gather feedback from the community and finalize design aspects. As a result, several design elements were changed, which included adding more open space, widening the promenades, improving the physical and visual connectivity with downtown San Pedro. A public art display is also planned for the site. The groundbreaking ceremony to highlight the start of demolition and construction activities will take place in January 2012. The construction project is expected to take approximately 16 months to complete. Development of the Downtown Harbor town square and promenade will follow and is expected to take an additional 12 to 18 months. Click here to view the article

In the true spirit of expedition cruising explore some of the world's greatest environmental and maritime treasures, pristine in isolation, far from the tourist mainstream. This Orion II Micronesia Revealed twelve night voyage between Rabaul and Palau combines some of the world's best snorkelling and diving spots, World War II battle sites, shipwrecks, chains of coral atolls and remote island cultures. Snorkel with manta rays on untouched coral reefs the size of suburbs or dive the shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon. Join friendly villagers to absorb their rhythmic, throbbing, traditional dances. Visit outlying islands where visitors are a rarity, even today. Exploring the vastness of the world's largest ocean, the Captain will be checking the charts for remote atolls among this scattering of 600 plus islands – a perfect workout for the Zodiacs and the chance to visit places where man rarely steps ashore. From virgin forests and the unique birdlife in Tingwon to the cultural traditions of Manus and Yap, the Japanese ship graveyard of Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon, and a great eco system of coral reefs, you will be enthralled as we explore the oceanic wonder of Micronesia. Palau, with its famed Rock Islands, regarded by many as the most beautiful island group on the planet - 200 limestone islands, topped with jungle, sitting in transparent waters - is a fitting conclusion. Click here to view the article

The multi-award winning Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines www.fredolsencruises.com has received another accolade from the travel trade, having been voted 'Cruise Company of the Year for Mainstream Cruise Holidays' in the Travel Agents' Choice Awards. The other nominees in this category were P&O, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Thomson. These are the only travel industry awards entirely nominated and voted for by UK travel retailers, and are designed to acknowledge star performers in the travel industry. The awards are sponsored jointly by Selling Long Haul, Selling Short Breaks and Selling Cruising magazines, and online training provider, Travel Uni. Nathan Philpot, the new Sales & Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said: ' This is a great honour, and we are especially delighted to win this award from our travel trade partners, whose support is such an integral part of our business. We would like to thank everyone who voted for us.' The award follows several other accolades for the cruise line this year; it was voted 'Cruise Line of the Year' by readers of Cruise International magazine, and also won their award for 'Best Educational Cruise' for the Vistas enrichment programme, and 'Best Live Performance' for the 'Operababes', who appeared as part of its 'Music & Laughter' onboard entertainment programme. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has also carried off two trophies for its group cruises, having been voted 'Best Cruise Line for Groups' by both Group Leisure and Group Travel Organiser magazines. Click here to view the article

The Sea Cloud II will transit the Panama Canal and visit Costa Rica for the first time in January 2012. Biologists, local guides and lecturers on Costa Rica will be aboard the ship. The seven-night Costa Rica sailings will take place Jan. 16 to 23 and Jan. 23 to 30. Fares start at $3,995 per person, double, for an outside cabin, including shore excursions. Click here to view the article