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: 'Princess'
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.
What’s the worst part about vacationing on a cruise ship? You’re not alone if you say the process of getting off the vessel on the last day of the voyage.
On many ships, the morning of “disembarkation,” as they call it in Cruise Speak, is a hurry-up-and-wait nightmare where you have to rise far earlier than anyone would think reasonable, rush to get ready to leave the ship and then twiddle your thumbs for hours while you wait for an announcement on the public address system that says your color code to leave has been called.
Now Princess Cruises says that it’ll banish the arcane system of blaring public announcements in favor of something more relaxed. In lieu of the wait-around-until-they-call-my-color rigmarole, the line says it will give each passenger an assigned time and place to assemble on the final morning of a cruise, eliminating the guesswork as to the actual time they’ll be disembarking.
The new program, to be rolled out fleet wide, eliminates loudspeaker announcements entirely. Instead, passengers will get a letter in their cabin the day before the end of the cruise that outlines their designated time to meet in an assigned public room. There they will be met by a member of the ship’s staff who will personally escort them to the gangway.
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.
If you have ever wondered about how effectively (or otherwise) hygiene is maintained in those important, behind-the-scenes areas on cruiseliners, such as food preparation and storage zones, there’s now a way to find out before you buy your fare.
The US Government’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a Vessel Sanitation Program that monitors all cruise ships visiting US ports, and this includes most of the ships visiting Australia.
Ships are subject to two surprise inspections a year, with CDC officers checking areas including galleys, restaurants, self-service buffets, laundry areas, room-service operations, children’s play areas and medical centres. Points are awarded for cleanliness in each area, with 100 points the maximum possible score.
The inspections are making news this month after the CDC awarded perfect scores to MSC Cruises liner Lirica and SeaDream Yacht Club’s SeaDream I from inspections in December. Only 20 or so liners - including Sapphire Princess, which is in Australian waters on a summer program and Diamond Princess, which will be here next summer - scored 100 per cent on their 2007 inspections.
Most vessels owned by the major cruise lines normally score in the mid to high 90s. Queen Mary 2, for instance, scored 97 from an inspection in June last year. QE2 scored 95 in May.
“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).
CNN:
1. Buy early. When Jeff Cooper worked for a cruise line, the best deals came just before wave season. “The sailings prior to Christmas and New Year’s were rarely at capacity,” says Cooper, who now works as a hospital administrator. And while the bargains during wave period were good, these were better.
2. Skip the air-inclusive cruise. “Cruise air is usually the worst possible deal,” says Amber Blecker, an agent for CruiseResource.com. “You get bad itineraries, multiple connections and higher prices.”
3. Find a preferred agent. There are travel agents, and then there are travel agents. “Find one that specializes in booking with your desired cruise line,” advises Charles McCool, a consultant who specializes in finding travel deals. “Only a select few have preferred status. These agents and agencies offer better discounts and amenities, and the cruises cost between 10 percent and 20 percent less than cruises bought from other agents.”
4. Think small, think shoulder-season. Crystal Griffith, a nurse from Baker, Florida, scored a deep discount on her Alaska cruise by choosing a September itinerary and picking a windowless inside cabin. “We rarely spent much time in the cabin, and used it mainly for sleeping,” she says. “It saved us lots of money.”
5. Become a shareholder. “If you buy 100 shares of Carnival or Royal Caribbean stock, you’ll get between $50 and $200 of free cabin credit on every cruise,” says George Smart, a consultant in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
6. Ask about discounts. One of the most popular is the military discount. Some cruise lines insist on either active-duty status or evidence of a long career.
7. Private tours can save you big money. That’s what Jerry Rothstein, a New York investment consultant, discovered on a recent cruise to the Greek islands. “We quickly figured out that for six people, we’d be better off having a private arrangement for shore excursions,” he says.
8. Become a frequent cruiser. Evelyn Fine, a market researcher based in Daytona Beach, Florida, has found that loyalty pays. Cruise lines offer her everything from discounts to special on-board perks, like VIP receptions and priority dinner reservations. “Becoming a loyal customer is worth it,” she says.
9. For a free upgrade, tell them you’re a VIP. Actually, get your travel agent to tell them you’re a VIP, says Royce Jones, a Jackson, Mississippi, furniture manufacturer’s representative. “My agent tells the cruise line I’m one of her best customers, and that if I like the trip, I’ll return again in the future,” he says. “And then she asks for an upgrade. It works most of the time.”
10. Don’t get on the bus. “One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is to not take the provided transportation that meets you at the dock,” says Michael Berger, an information systems consultant in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. “They usually cost more or end up taking you to their uncle’s store to get a discount.” Instead, he recommends walking a block or two away from the dock and finding a local transportation option. It’s cheaper, and you’re less likely to fall for a tourist trap.
11. Get a soda sticker. If you like bubbly drinks, buy the soda sticker for the cruise if your cruise line sells one. On Princess, for example, $29.50 gives you unlimited soda — something Tom Kinsella, a Woodbridge, Virginia, software manager, discovered on his last cruise. “And bring your own large soda mug. Ours is 64 ounces, and they’ll fill it any time you need it filled. That way, you’re not stuck with their small glasses.”
12. Or try these two booze tricks. TIP NO. 1: Bring your own wine and pay a corking fee at dinner. “It’s still cheaper than the roughly $30 low-end wines offered by the cruise line,” says Kirsten Taylor, an information technology manager in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. TIP NO. 2: If you prefer hard liquor, try emptying a water bottle and replacing it with your favorite vodka or gin. “No one will notice,” says David Tuder, a banker from New York.
13. Buy your next cruise … on your cruise. “The cruise line will offer special deals available only onboard, with much lower base prices than you’d find off the ship,” says Kevin Harris, a hotel owner from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “And when you book with the onboard person, you usually receive higher onboard credits to spend anywhere on the ship.”
Why, suddenly, are we seeing so many deals from so many different purveyors — just now? January through March is what’s known in industry parlance as peak booking, or wave season. It’s an annual tradition, always occurring right after the turn of the new year. The psychology runs like this: now that you’ve survived that first week back at work (and your festive season holiday, alas, is long behind you) it’s time to plan the next trip, whether it takes place next month or later this year.
“At this time of year the one thing people have in mind is something to look forward to. It has always been a traditional period of booking summer holidays,” says Frances Tuke of the Association of British Travel Agents.
And cruise lines, and by extension travel agencies, too, make it easy. What we’re seeing advertised may not be the cheapest deals of the year; but if you’re looking for value (otherwise known as getting something for nothing) you’ll have the best selection just about now if you want a free balcony upgrade, the aforementioned onboard cruise credit and complementary port parking or coach transfers.
And that’s why the U.K. cruise industry, fresh off a fantastic 2007 in which 11 percent more people took to the seas than the year prior, is inundating the airwaves, bandwidths, and printwaves with tantalizing deals.
This definitely is the time, says Andy Harmer, director of business development for the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE), to consider booking a cruise. “You get more for your money by planning ahead. Cruise lines are offering onboard credit and free upgrades — those kind of sweeteners — adding value rather than going out with a strong discount message.”
So, what, the deals won’t be there later in the year? While you may be able to find more rock-bottom pricing closer in to your preferred cruise, there’s no guarantee the cabin type or the sailing date will be available. And we can promise you that deep discount close-in fares (about one to two months before departure) don’t typically wrap in such extras as free parking, transfers or upgrades. As well, selecting accommodations on a cruise ship — which has so many more categories of “rooms” than, say a hotel or resort — is challenging. In an interesting paradox, the most expensive suites and the cheapest inside cabins tend to sell first. Also popular are cabins with connecting doors (families snap them up).
Photo from Cruise Critic.
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.
