Princess Cruises is following in Norwegian Cruise Line’s footsteps by replacing the traditional mode of debarkation with a more flexible one.
One of the most reviled aspects to cruising, big ship lines traditionally require passengers preparing to depart cruises to rush out of cabins on the voyage’s last morning to wait in public lounges waiting for a color-coded tag to be called. Then the morning is punctuated by increasingly annoying series of bleatings over the loud speaker (”pink group 10 may now disembark”). But ever since NCL expanded its “Freestyle” concept to allow passengers to disembark at their own pace, cruise lines have been looking for ways to make the process less of a time-waster.
In Princess’ case, the new effort aims to create a quieter, more streamlined send-off. Already in place onboard all its ships (except Sapphire Princess, which will adopt the system this spring), passengers receive a flier instructing them when to assemble (depending on air arrangements) and in which public area. Once they’ve arrived at the right place at the prescribed time, they will be escorted to the gangway by a member of the ship’s staff.
The line hopes that the new process will help eliminate passengers congregating in the ship’s atrium near the gangway, plus creates a more relaxed flow for morning meals.
Topics: 'Norwegian'
Nearly a dozen new cruise ships, some designed to carry from 3,000 to 4,000 passengers apiece, will be debuting this year. They will add more than 20,000 new berths a week, more than a million such berths a year. And they will be less like ships than like frantic amusement parks with bells clanging, lights flashing and crowds rushing from one spectacle to another.
On a recent broadcast of my Sunday Travel Show, a guest expert described all the new gimmicks we can expect. “They will be like nothing you have ever seen before,” she announced, and with enthusiasm in her voice, she ticked off the advances:
The Queen Victoria and the Celebrity Solstice, in particular, will have “circus-training programs,” “bungee jumping” and “clown acts.” These will be added, presumably, to the rock-climbing walls, boxing rings, bowling alleys and vertiginous Jacuzzis jutting out from the top deck and hanging perilously over the sea (the latter have become standard on some ships, but not necessarily on the Queen Victoria or Solstice). But let me repeat those outstanding new features: “circus-training programs,” “bungee jumping” and “clown acts.”
On a new ship of Costa Cruises, expect every conceivable game, sport and competition. What’s more, Costa will introduce new, extra-charge “spa cabins” so close to fitness rooms that those staying in them can walk to the showers in their bathrobes. People booking the new spa digs will have exclusive access to that spa and to their own spa restaurant.
On some of the new ships, the democratic, one-class policies of cruising will be totally jettisoned. There will be a “ship within the ship” — an area enjoyed solely by passengers paying higher fares, a number of restaurants to which they alone will be admitted, lounges set aside for the elite. On a new ship of Norwegian Cruise Lines, elite passengers will have special suites, special sun-deck areas to use and special swimming pools for them alone.
Photo from Stock.xchng
The Florida Attorney General’s Office, responding to more than 150 consumer complaints, is looking into whether the fuel supplement fees that major cruise lines began charging last fall are appropriate and properly disclosed to passengers.
”Our office has received more than 150 complaints about this issue and we are engaged in ongoing discussions about this with the cruise lines,” said Sandi Copes, press secretary for Attorney General Bill McCollum.
Copes said the Attorney General’s Office “is conducting a preliminary review. We’re looking into whether or not it’s appropriate and whether or not they are accurately disclosed at the point of sale.”
Tim Gallagher, a spokesman for Miami-based Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise operator, acknowledged that Carnival and other cruise lines are under review. ”We believe our fuel supplement complies with applicable laws and we are cooperating with the review,” he said.
Last Nov. 7, as fuel prices soared to record highs, Carnival Corp., which operates 11 brands, announced it was tacking on a $5-per-person, per-day ”fuel supplement” at Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Those lines will carry some 8 million passengers this year.
The cruise giant, which capped the charge at $70 per person per voyage, had previously added a fuel charge on European brands.
Other big cruise operators, including Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises and Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line, soon followed suit with their own versions of fuel-supplement fees.
Logo from Carnival.
Along with a flurry of new rules for travelers this year, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has implemented another item that directly affects cruise travel.
As of February 18, all cruise ships departing from U.S. ports must send a passenger manifest to the department of Customs and Border Protection no less than 60 minutes prior to departure, which means that all passengers must be checked in and onboard prior to that time.
Some cruise lines have taken a proactive role and are implementing the procedure now. Most lines — Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Regent, Crystal, Oceania, Princess — have implemented a policy that states you must be processed and onboard at least 90 minutes before sailaway or you can be denied boarding.
Norwegian Cruise Line is formulating its official policy at this time and we will provide an update as soon as we know more; a message to travel agents asked that they advise their clients to be at the pier no less than two hours prior to departure. The message also indicated that if an individual attempted to check in within the 60-minute window, that individual would be denied boarding, but if a planeload of passengers was delayed, causing a late arrival at the port, the captain has the discretion to wait for them and delay departure of the ship.
This week, priceline.com is launching its winter Cruise Blowout Sale. For starters, the sale offers savings of up to 75% off select cruises to the world’s most popular destinations. But that’s not all. From now through February 15, customers who call (800-735-8000) and book a four-night or longer getaway in an oceanview or higher category stateroom on certain cruises will receive a special discount coupon that can be used toward a hotel stay.
In addition, for customers who book their cruises by January 31, Priceline Cruises major cruise line partners are offering many other extras, including:
- Carnival Cruise Lines: Free onboard savings booklet. Free upgrade worth up to $120.
- Celebrity Cruises: Up to $200 in free onboard spending.
- Royal Caribbean International: Up to an extra $200 off. Two free onboard savings booklets.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Free $300 onboard savings booklet. Up to $100 free onboard spending. 10% off suites and villas.
- Azamara Cruises: Up to $800 free onboard spending.
- Holland America Line: Up to $100 free onboard spending. Free dining upgrade. Free champagne and strawberries. Free upgrade to oceanview. Upgrade to balcony from $100.
- Crystal Cruises: $200 in free onboard spending. Pre-paid gratuities.
- Oceania Cruises: Up to $150 in free onboard spending. Ask about free airfare. Ask about 2-for-1 cruise fares. Pre-paid gratuities.
Image from Priceline.com.
We look dashing in our tuxedo and ball gown sipping flutes of champagne here in the Palm Court. The band has offered a drum roll following its opening strains of “Anchors Away” as the spotlight turns to the Capt. Glenn Edvardsen, the master of the vessel.
After a few words of welcome to this formal night’s cocktail party, Capt. Edvardsen, looking distinguished in his dress uniform, makes an announcement: Crystal Cruises has been voted Best Large-Ship Cruise Line for a record 14th straight year by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
There’s applause as the beaming captain adds, in his Norwegian accent, “This is not an accomplishment we can make alone. It is always the people around you who make you the way you are. We thank you.”
This cocktail party onboard is being held for those discriminating travelers, members of the Crystal Society — repeat voyagers on Crystal ships. The captain tells us, in all, they number 325,000 — a lot of votes.
Other accolades for Crystal include World’s Best Large-Ship Line, Travel and Leisure readers; Favorite Large-Ship Cruise Line and Most Environmentally Friendly, Conde Nast Traveler UK readers; and Best Cruise Line Spa, Conde Nast Traveler readers. That’s just the ‘07 highlights.
Orient Lines, the one-ship cruise line that operates under the Norwegian Cruise Line umbrella, will high-step into history in March as Marco Polo gears up to depart the fleet. NCL will not be replacing the ship, which means that Orient Lines, created in 1991 as a destinatino-oriented company, will no longer exist.
The 42-year-old Marco Polo, on the other hand, will get a new lease on life, having been acquired by U.K.-based Transocean Tours. Ex-U.K. specialist Transocean Tours’ is bringing in Marco Polo to replace Arielle. Marco Polo will be based at London Cruise Terminal, Tilbury.
Marco Polo, which sails its last cruise for Orient on March 2, will begin its voyages for Transocean with a Norwegian fjords sailing on April 19. Former Royal Butler Paul Kidd will be a special guest on that cruise; he’ll talk about life at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.
In between, the ship will undergo a minor refurbishment in which a small casino will be replaced with an extended bar area. Marco Polo will sail under the same name. The ship began its life in 1965 as the Alexander Pushkin.
“Cruise lines are striving to become more creative, offering innovative opportunities for travelers. Princess Cruises says it is the only big North American line to offer wedding ceremonies at sea performed by the ship’s captain. Other lines offer wedding packages,
but Princess ships are registered in Bermuda, which grants captains the authority to perform marriages on the high seas. Norwegian Cruise Line boasts the first full-size bowling alley, aboard the Norwegian Pearl. Royal Caribbean, which offers rock-climbing walls and ice skating rinks, sports a regulation-size boxing ring on Freedom of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas also takes the swimming pool to the next level with its Flow Rider surf simulator and an interactive water park called the H2O Zone. Carnival Cruise Line water activities include signature four-deck high twister waterslides, and Seaside Theatres, 12-by-22-foot screens poolside that show movies, sporting events, and concerts.
For those who prefer interactive excitement, Norwegian Cruise Line has begun offering
Race car enthusiasts will be happy to discover that passengers age 16 and older can try out the Grand Prix racing simulators on the Costa Serena and Costa Concordia. Guests can virtually compete in races reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour. For those whose tastes favor quieter pursuits, Cunard offers twice-daily watercolor classes on trans-Atlantic cruises aboard Queen Mary 2. Queen Mary 2 is also home to the only planetarium at sea, with a 150-seat theater that offers three shows, including two developed by the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium.”
Photo by smh.com
CNN:
1. Where to go: Decide on the destination first, the ship second. Alaskan and Caribbean cruises have long been mainstays, but cruise lines are adding itineraries to unexpected places: Asia, the Indian Ocean, South America.
Next, look at the specifics — with Alaskan cruises, for example, ships tend to follow two routes. Inside Passage itineraries run round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver and call in southern Alaskan ports like Juneau and Skagway; Gulf of Alaska itineraries, which sail farther north, are typically one-way trips from Vancouver to Whittier or Seward, or the reverse.
2. When to go: Shoulder seasons can offer bargains and may be even more appealing than high season: a mild fall day can be more enjoyable than baking under the August sun in the Mediterranean. Alaska’s popularity with families means that going in May and September (when children are in school) often translates into fewer visitors — and better deals.
3. Which line to book: Select the cruise line, and the fellow passengers, that best match your personality. “This is crucial for the first time,” advises Anne Halsey-Smith of Gayle Gillies Travel in Rancho Santa Fe, California. “It will make or break your experience. If you aren’t matched to the line, you probably won’t cruise again.” Some have dress codes and assigned seating times for meals. Some, like Princess Cruises, are more kid-friendly. Norwegian Cruise Line is more casual than other lines and doesn’t have assigned dining times. Holland America’s offerings are more traditionally geared toward baby boomers. Finally, lines like Crystal and Regent are more upscale and, in turn, more expensive.
4. What it costs: Don’t look at the daily rate for a stateroom and then simply multiply by the number of nights you’ll be at sea. Remember to factor in airfare to and from the originating port, the costs of incidentals such as alcohol (unless the ship is all-inclusive) and shore excursions.
5. Beat the rush: Many cruise lines give discounts for booking far in advance. “It’s an issue of supply and demand,” Scully says. “As bookings come in, cruise fares go up in the most popular regions, like Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.”
6. Ship tips: Size matters. The size of the ship can dictate the itinerary. Smaller ships, like those operated by Cruise West (the largest of which carries only 138 passengers) and SeaDream Yachts, can dock at smaller ports and offer a more personalized experience.
7. Cabin splurge: Consider your itinerary when deciding whether to reserve a balcony stateroom. For a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic, when there will be nothing to see from your balcony but the open ocean for days, it may not matter. But on Alaskan and Mediterranean cruises, it’s all about the views.
8. Arrive early and stay on after your cruise: First, if you don’t book your flight through the cruise line, your ship won’t wait if it’s delayed. As canceled and delayed flights have become commonplace, it’s wise to arrive at your starting port at least a day before you are scheduled to set sail. Second, cruise extensions are an increasingly popular option. You can cap off a Crystal sailing, for example, with a safari organized by the line — with fewer hassles and less expenses than on a separate tour.
9. Before you board: Don’t waste time waiting in line after you’ve pulled out of port. There are enough activities to make the most adventurous cruiser happy, but popular shore excursions often sell out. Be sure to plan your onboard activities early.
10. Turn to an expert: When it comes to cruises, some professional advice is often indispensable (and it’s the main reason most cruises are still booked through travel agents).
Cruise ships are scheduled to visit Greenock 23 times this year, a slight increase on 2007’s total of 19.
The highlight will be iconic liner QE2’s last trip to the Clyde on Sunday 5 October. The ship is to become a tourist destination in Dubai next year.
A newcomer to the Ocean Terminal will be Norwegian Jade, a 92,500-tonne vessel operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines who haven’t used Greenock for several years.
Norwegian Jade, which can carry 2,500 passengers, will call on Saturday 19 July.
The biggest of the 10 cruise ships coming to Greenock will again be the 108,977-tonne Grand Princess which will call four times during the summer.
The most frequent visitor will be Clyde regular Black Prince due to call 11 times, starting and finishing various cruises.
She is the first cruise ship coming to Greenock this year – on 13 April – and the last – on 8 November.
