The $600 million ship was named Queen Victoria three weeks ago in a Southampton, U.K. naming ceremony, during which Camilla failed to smash a bottle of champagne against the bow — a traditional omen of bad luck.
The 90,000-ton liner set sail for a 16-day Christmas cruise around the Canary Islands, but just days into the ship’s maiden voyage 78 passengers got sick with the vicious norovirus bug, which causes vomiting and diarrhea.
A spokesman for the ship’s operator, Cunard, said the sick passengers have been isolated and that the crew was disinfecting all public areas.
The bug is highly contagious and needs “meticulous” personal hygiene regimes if it is to be contained, he explained. He added it was possible a passenger brought the bug on board. Similar outbreaks on past cruises have been linked to poor hygiene by food handlers.
Archive for December, 2007
Not sure whether or not a passport is required for your cruise ship journey? If the Cruise touches any points outside the U.S., even Canada, then you need to have a passport. These are simply to get and can be purchased a U.S. post office. Make sure to bring a passport picture with for attaching to the document that you need to fill out at the post office. Make sure to allow a few weeks for processing.
“Passports are now required for all people entering the United States by air. Entry by land or sea (on a cruise ship, for example) is still exempted from the passport requirement and you can still use a certified birth certificate as proof of citizenship. The cutoff date for this rule is Jan 1, 2009 at the latest, however passports may be required as soon as Summer (exact date to be determined) of 2008.
The 2008, cutoff date could be announced at any time, and since it takes about 3 months to get a passport now, if you have a cruise scheduled and you still do not have a passport you may not be able to get one in time. Also, if you are traveling by cruise ship, keep in mind that should an emergency arise and you need to leave the ship and return home by air, if you do not have a passport you may be denied entry.
When the current requirements were instituted on Jan. 23, 2007, fully 99%-plus of people who came to enter the U.S. by air did present passports. This means that while exceptions may be made, do not count on them.”
Photo by planebuzz
“Almost soundlessly the first steel pile for the 445-metre-long 21-metre-wide mega cruise ship pier was driven into Great Bay Thursday afternoon on the signal of Port Affairs Commissioner Theo Heyliger and Carnival Corporation Chairman Mickey Arison. Work on the new pier will be in full swing as of today.
The celebratory group aboard the red harbour pilot boat included Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) President Michele Paige and Ballast Nedam Area Manager for the Caribbean and South America Johan Verhagen.
Watching the proceedings from the water taxi jetty were Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards and Commissioners Sarah Wescot-Williams and Maria Buncamper-Molanus, among other harbour and business officials.
The new pier, to be completed at the end of November 2008, will be juxtaposed to the existing Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Pier that was completed in 2001. Two 220,000-tonne cruise ships, slated to debut in 2009, will be able to dock alongside the yet-to-be named pier”
Photo by pier.cs.berkeley.edu
“A U.S. Navy crew came to the aid of a teenage girl suffering from a ruptured appendix while at sea aboard a cruise ship over the weekend. The girl was lifted onto a helicopter and transported the nearest hospital facility… a nuclear aircraft carrier.
The girl, 14-year old Laura Montero, became ill Friday while aboard the Dawn Princess, a cruise ship located off the coast of Baja, California. The ship sent out a distress call, which was received by the USS Ronald Reagan, 500 miles away.
The nuclear carrier took off to the location of the cruise ship overnight, and a helicopter headed for the final stretch of the journey at 5 a.m. Saturday. Upon reaching the ship 45 minutes later, a medic was lowered and put Montero on a basket, before pulling her aboard. The helicopter then headed back to the USS Reagan to give Montero an appendectomy. “
In order to make Cruise Ships more environmental friendly, the EPA has developed a report to identify alternatives for waste streams that come from cruise ships.
“The draft report assesses five waste streams from cruise ships: sewage, graywater, oily bilge water, solid waste and hazardous waste. For each waste stream, the draft report discusses the nature and volume of the waste stream generated; existing federal
regulations applicable to the waste stream; environmental management, including treatment, of the waste stream; potential adverse environmental impacts of the waste stream; and actions by the federal government to address the waste stream.
EPA also is seeking public input on options, alternatives, and recommendations on whether and how to better control and regulate the five waste streams. EPA intends to use this public input to help identify a range of options and alternatives to address these waste streams as it completes the Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report.
EPA has performed a comprehensive, multi-year evaluation of cruise ship sewage and graywater to better understand the nature of these waste streams. Complete results of that evaluation will be made public in 2008, and are summarized in this draft report as well.”"
Photo by mdiwqc.org
How you get your luggage and when you get your luggage varies according to the cruise ship.
” Norwegian Cruise Lines, known for its “free-style cruising,” has added a free-style disembarkation policy as well. Passengers can use the color tags they are given, leave the ship when an announcement is made, then proceed to the terminal and find their bags in the section by color code. But they also offer a relaxed system that allows passengers to stay in their cabins as long as they wish, or until their tag color is called, instead of waiting in public areas. According to NCL, this procedure is working quite well, despite the recipe for mass exodus and the ensuing problems if everyone decides to go at once.
Among other cruise lines: Holland America merely announces by color code, noting that the smaller size of its ships requires nothing special.Celebrity uses the color codes according to flight departure times, and then the remaining passengers are called, also by color. But those on the priority list are instructed to meet in a special place with coffee and are escorted off the ship before everyone else.
In addition to “first-off-if-you-take-your-own-luggage,” Carnival has implemented a relaxed system that allows passengers to stay in their cabins as long as they wish, or until their tag color is called, instead of vacating the cabins and waiting in public areas.
Crystal Cruises asks passengers to leave their cabins after breakfast (8:30 a.m. at the latest) and gather in a specified theater or club to wait for a crew member to escort them, by color, to the gangway. Early flights and VIPs go first.
Princess Cruise Lines offers special options for passengers in its “Captain’s Circle” loyalty program. Platinum status is obtained after a fifth cruise or 50 cruise days, and members relax in a designated Platinum lounge and enjoy light refreshments while waiting for their group to be called. After a 15th cruise (or 150 cruise days), passengers become Elite members and, in addition to enjoying the special lounge, may contact the onboard “Circle” host to determine the most convenient time for them to be taken off the ship.”
Photo by businessgreetingcards
Today’s cruise lines have taken the onboard experience to new heights but what if rock climbing walls, skating rinks, surf parks, waterslides and bowling alleys at sea aren’t your cup of tea?
Enter cruising’s ambitious new era, where theme cruises rule.
In addition to showcasing the history, culture and natural wonders of countries and regions visited, such cruises are designed to help passengers pursue the latest trends in hobbies, explore new fields of learning, catch up on world developments and even engage some of the world’s leading experts and celebrities in conversation all the while at sea.
Crystal Cruises, the ultra-luxury line, will feature a host of theme sailings in 2008 including an Arts & Antiquities cruise; the Crystal Wine & Food Festival, offered on six voyages; three special golf cruises; Jazz & Big Band; Film & Theatre; and Smithsonian Journeys, featuring lecturers from the Smithsonian Institute.
Holland America Line, meanwhile, will showcase its Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine. Featuring celebrity chefs from around the world, look for special show kitchens, classes and cooking demonstrations on each of the line’s 13 ships.
What’s Hot: La Source, Grenada
One of the new breed of health-oriented all-inclusive resorts, La Source will reopen on 1st February 2008. Severely damaged three years ago during Hurricane Ivan, the resort has not only rebuilt what was damaged and lost, but also undergone extensive renovation work and an upgrading programme.Spread across 40 acres and overlooking the secluded Pink Gin beach, La Source provides an idyllic location for those looking to get-away-from-it-all in Grenada. With daily spa treatments and extensive land and sea activities included in the all-inclusive package there is something for everyone.
What’s New: Diva Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Diva Island Resort & Spa is set to become one of the stars of the Maldives. Opening March 2008, the boutique resort will offer a paradise retreat with four kilometres of sandy beach, crystal clear waters, a host of leisure facilities and beautifully designed villas and suites.Located in Dhidhoofinolhu, Diva Island is 25 minutes from Malé by seaplane and 2½ hours by boat. The idyllic hideaway is surrounded by a fabulous lagoon, perfect for swimming and snorkelling and it also boasts a prime dive site on its doorstep. For those who prefer dry land, there is a wide variety of activities available, including beach volley, table tennis, badminton, floodlit tennis courts, a gym, billiards, table football and an extensive choice of dining options and bars.
The resort’s spa offers a heavenly retreat with 11 beach treatment rooms and four water treatment rooms built on stilts over the lagoon. Offering indoor steam showers, outdoor showers and lounges, the water treatment rooms include a glass floor so guests can see fish swimming in the waters below whilst enjoying a massage.
A kids club for little ones aged from three to 12 organises a whole range of activities, whilst the teens club offers fun for the older ones with TV, DVD player and games machines.
What’s Quirky: Gazi Retreat, Kenya
This brand new exclusive hideaway is situated in a peaceful location by the forest and on the remote, mangrove-filled and unspoilt beach of Gazi Bay. A luxury ‘under canvas’ retreat with accommodation in Arabian-style tents, the unique resort offers a back-to-nature experience that’s second to none. Due to the intimate and relaxing atmosphere, this property only accepts guests over the age of 18.Each of the 12 deluxe air-conditioned tents are dotted along the white sand beach and contain four-poster beds, mini-bar, dressing table, en-suite bathroom with large shower area and a lounge that leads onto a private patio overlooking the pool.
Resort facilities include a beauty salon offering rejuvenating treatments and a small water-sports centre including boogie boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling. Bush walks, heritage visits, diving, deep sea fishing and sunset cruises are also available.
Spirit of Tasmania is pleased to launch its new live on board entertainment program for New Years Eve showcasing talented local musicians and vocalists for our passenger’s
pleasure.
Ms Melindy Green, Director Passenger Sales, Marketing and Communication said many people choose to sail with Spirit of Tasmania during the festive season providing passengers with a unique and fun way to see in the New Year listening to some fabulous live entertainment.
Ms Green said passengers who choose to put on their dancing shoes and make their way to Deck 10 will enjoy live entertainment from Mono Deluxe on the Melbourne to Devonport crossing or Calamity on the Devonport to Melbourne service.
Photo by targetwoman
Worried about cruise safety? In order to keep cruise ships safe and secure a Cruise Ship Safety Forum has been created to address these issues
“The Cruise Ship Safety Forum is the effort of many organizations committed to achieving the highest levels of cruise ship safety,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “Instead of each entity working on the same issues separately, we believe the strength lies in working together and anticipating the operational and technical issues that make these
ships both beautiful and safe.”
The Forum’s purpose is threefold:
- To develop strategic direction for advancing cruise ship safety issues in their broadest sense;
- To proactively address issues as they relate to the future of the industry, as they pertain to the design and construction of new passenger ships and modification of existing cruise ships; and
- To provide a forum to consider regulatory and other safety initiatives and develop a coordinated response to external bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
As part of its initial work, CSSF will be focusing on an initiative of the IMO known as “safe return to port” regarding the design and operation of a passenger ship to allow it to safely return to port in the event of a major accident or incident.”
Photo by LakeWoodConferences
