News from the world of cruising ~
August 6-13, 2001
Back to Cruise News Weekly Index & Archive
August 25th and 27th Sailings Will Substitute Hubbard Glacier
SANTA CLARITA, CA--Aug. 9, 2001--As a result of last week's federal court ruling reducing the number of cruise ship calls in Glacier Bay, the National Park Service reduced Princess' number of entries by two calls this summer, both of which will occur at the end of this month.
To comply with the ruling, the National Park Service reduced the total number of Glacier Bay entries, industry wide, by nine.
The August 25 sailing of Sea Princess and the August 27 Sun Princess cruise will substitute Hubbard Glacier for Glacier Bay. The calls in Glacier Bay had been scheduled for August 29 and 30. The balance of the two itineraries will remain unchanged.
"We support National Park Service's plan to comply with this ruling, and share their regrets at having to take this action with so little advance notice,'' said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. "We understand the Park Service made every effort to minimize the disruption to visitors, and appreciate that they had no choice but to comply with the court's decision. We also feel fortunate to be able to substitute Glacier Bay with Hubbard Glacier cruising. Not only can we make this change without any additional changes to the itineraries, but Hubbard Glacier is the premiere glacier destination for our Inside Passage cruises already and gets enthusiastic reviews by our passengers.''
At 76 miles in length and with an ice face six miles wide, the spectacular Hubbard Glacier is the longest valley glacier in North America. When the ships visit Hubbard Glacier, Princess will have a local, native naturalist from Yakutat on board to provide commentary for passengers and to share information about the area's local history and culture.
Passengers on the two August sailings are currently being notified of the itinerary change, and they will also be credited with a $6.15 per passenger refund, which is the fee for entering Glacier Bay National Park. SOURCE: Princess Cruises
Back to the top of the news list
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CRUISE LINES ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
ARLINGTON, VA (August 9, 2001) - The International Council of Cruise Line's (ICCL) board of directors unanimously voted Colin Veitch, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), to the ICCL executive committee. He joins Richard Fain, Micky Arison and Peter Ratcliffe on the executive committee. Veitch fills the vacancy left by Joseph Watters, president of Crystal Cruises, who retired in July 2001. "ICCL welcomes Colin to be a part of our executive committee, he will be an excellent addition to our leadership team," said Michael Crye, president of the ICCL. "I look forward to working with Colin as we develop new initiatives and am pleased to have him aboard."
Veitch was appointed to his NCL post in February 2000, and also serves as the president of Orient Lines. Prior to joining NCL, Veitch was senior vice president of marketing and corporate development for Princess Cruises. Richard Fain, ICCL Chairman, had this to offer, "I am particularly looking forward to working with Colin. He was the obvious choice for this position, bringing many years of service and experience with the cruise industry to the executive committee." Under leadership of Veitch, NCL introduced Freestyle Cruising, which challenges the conventional model of cruising and is designed to meet the changing needs of today's cruise passengers. It offers NCL guests a more relaxed, resort-style cruise product with complete flexibility and non-intrusive service of the highest standard. Veitch has also developed an aggressive global deployment plan, and strengthened the organizational structure of the company.
"I'm honored to be a part of this dynamic group," Veitch said. "This is a very crucial time for the cruise industry, which is in the midst of an incredible building boom. New ships are built to be bigger, faster and to offer a tremendous range of amenities as cruise lines search for new ways to wow their customers. ICCL plays a very important role in ensuring a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment and I look forward to contributing in this effort."
ICCL represents the interests of 16 passenger cruise lines that call on major ports in the United States and abroad. Source: ICCL
Back to the top of the news list
PIRAEUS, Greece, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Olympic Cruise Lines Inc. announced that it has regretfully been forced to cancel the cruises of its new vessel, Olympic Explorer, for the remainder of the summer season.
Although it had been reported that the Company had hoped to commence cruises with the vessel on September 15, it has not been possible to finalize all the discussions with the Blohm+Voss shipyard to allow the necessary technical modifications to be completed by this date.
Commenting on the cancellation, Yiannos Pantazis, Royal Olympic's Chief Executive Officer, stated: "It is a real disappointment to us that the ship will not be able to undertake any cruises during the summer season, but we hope to have the vessel ready to commence operations for the next season.''
The Company said that all passengers booked on Olympic Explorer from September 15 would be offered alternative cruises on other ships of the Company.
Royal Olympic Cruise Lines is the largest cruise operator in the Eastern Mediterranean, owning and operating a fleet of nine overnight cruise ships.
Some statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking, defined and as permitted by the SEC. This press release is for information only and should not be considered investment advice. SOURCE: Royal Olympic Cruise Lines Inc.
Back to the top of the news list
MIAMI, Aug. 7 -- Delta Queen Coastal Voyages, a subsidiary of American Classic Voyages Co., announced today that it will operate a total of 32 cruises on the Great Lakes in the summer of 2002 with its 224-passenger twin coastal cruisers Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light. The centerpiece of the schedule will be a series of 15 three-, four- and seven-night voyages from Chicago, IL operated by the Cape May Light. The ship also will sail several seven-night voyages from Buffalo, NY; Windsor, ONT and Duluth, MN. In its inaugural summer cruise season Cape Cod Light, currently under construction, will sail a series of eight seven-night cruises on the eastern Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway between Buffalo and Quebec City, PQ. Both ships will offer additional Great Lakes cruises as they move between different homeports.
"Great Lakes cruising is one of today's hottest vacations and we are delighted that with an expanded fleet of two ships, Delta Queen Coastal Voyages will be at the forefront with a series of truly unique cruises in the summer of 2002,'' said Scott McGinnis, Delta Queen Coastal Voyages' vice president of marketing. "By virtue of our U.S. flag, we can take travelers to destinations that allow them to experience the rich heritage and culture of ports that are off-limits to larger, foreign-flag ships. We can explore what, to the foreign-flag cruise industry, has been the 'forgotten coastline' of the Great Lakes.''
A century ago, the Great Lakes were crisscrossed with U.S.-flag overnight passenger ships offering skillfully prepared regional cuisine amid plush surroundings that reflected the times. The Cape May Light and the Cape Cod Light are the first ships in decades specifically designed to revive the true spirit of classic Great Lakes travel. Both ships feature hearty and refreshing all-American cuisine and entertainment set within period Federal- style decor. Unlike their predecessors on the Great Lakes, however, Delta Queen Coastal Voyages' ships bow to the demands of the modern traveler and feature amenities like telephones, air-conditioning, televisions and VCRs in every stateroom.
After spending the spring sailing along the eastern seaboard of the United States, the Cape May Light will sail the Great Lakes from mid-May until mid- October, 2002. Cruises include:
- Halifax, NS to Buffalo - 14 nights - May 18, 2002.
- Buffalo to Chicago - seven nights - June 1, 2002.
- Chicago roundtrip - three nights - June 8, 29 and July 27, 2002.
- Chicago roundtrip - four nights - June 11 and July 2 and 30, 2002.
- Chicago roundtrip - seven nights - June 15, 22; August 3, 31; September 7 and 14, 2002.
- Chicago to Duluth - seven nights - July 6 and August 10, 2002.
- Duluth to Windsor - seven nights - July 13 and August 17, 2002.
- Windsor to Chicago - seven nights - July 20 and August 24, 2002.
- Chicago to Buffalo - seven nights - September 21, 2002.
- Buffalo to Halifax - 14 nights - September 28, 2002.
The Cape Cod Light is scheduled to enter service on April 20, 2002 and spends both the spring and fall sailing an extensive program of seven- and 14- night cruises along the eastern seaboard of the United States.
The Cape Cod Light will sail the Great Lakes and picturesque St. Lawrence
Seaway from mid-June until mid-September, 2002. Cruises include:
* Halifax to Buffalo - 14 nights - June 22, 2002.
* Buffalo to Quebec City - seven nights - July 6, July 20, August 3 and
August 17, 2002.
* Quebec City to Buffalo - seven nights - July 13, July 27, August 10 and
August 24, 2002.
* Buffalo to Halifax - 14 nights - August 31, 2002
By booking their cruise at least six months in advance, passengers can save up to $1,600 per couple. Incorporating the 6-month Early Booking Bonus, cruise-only fares for both ships, including port charges, begin as low as $995 per person double occupancy for three-night cruises, $1,395 for four-night cruises, $2,295 for seven-night cruises and $4,195 for 14-night cruises. For more information, consumers should contact their travel agent or visit www.coastalvoyages.com.
The ships will visit more than 35 cities and towns, offering a unique perspective on the heritage and charm of the Great Lakes region. Unlike most cruises today, many Delta Queen Coastal Voyages shore excursions are included in the fare. Passengers will be able to experience the Victorian heritage of Manistee, MI; relive the era of 19th century fur traders at Old Fort William in Thunder Bay, ONT; hike the Tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail in Goderich, ONT; witness an authentic Ojibwe Pow-Wow in Little Current, ONT; tour fabled Door County, WI and tap their toes at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, OH. Optional excursions include carriage rides on Michigan's car- free Mackinac Island and the thrill of riding a "dune buggy'' in Saugatuck, MI.
Delta Queen Coastal Voyages sails in New England and the Maritime Provinces, along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and along Latin America's tropical coastlines, offering nearly 20 different destination-rich cruise vacations with an emphasis on the heritage, attractions and natural wonders of more than 100 unique locations. Delta Queen Coastal Voyages is a subsidiary of American Classic Voyages Co., the world's largest U.S.-flag cruise company with a fleet of seven U.S.-crewed vessels. For more information, visit www.coastalvoyages.com or www.amcv.com. SOURCE: Delta Queen Coastal Voyages
Back to the top of the news list
- Winning Dish Earns a Yearlong Engagement
on United States Lines' Patriot -
MIAMI, Aug. 8 -- United States Lines, a subsidiary of American Classic Voyages Co., and Conde Nast Publications, publisher of Bon Appetit magazine, named Linda Rohr of Westport, Connecticut, the champion of its nationwide "Recipe for Adventure'' contest after a head-to- head cook-off at Miami's renowned Two Chefs Cooking School.
Rohr's original, never-published recipe, Raspberry Apple Tart with Macadamia Shortbread Crust served with Cinnamon Ice Cream, defeated dishes by two other finalists (Christine Montalvo of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Gregory Retz of Chesapeake, Virginia) and will become a featured menu item for an entire year aboard United States Lines' 1,212-passenger cruise ship Patriot. Rohr also wins a seven-night Hawaiian cruise aboard the Patriot, enabling her the unique opportunity to order her own creation off the menu.
"The winning dish not only looked and tasted great, but it also reflected the theme of the contest, which was to capture the all-American spirit of United States Lines,'' explained Maria Isabel Molina, the line's vice president of marketing. "This dessert is an exciting variation on the good old apple pie, complete with a macadamia nut crust to add some Hawaiian flair.''
In the finals, contestants prepared their dishes before the watchful eyes of judges from Bon Appetit magazine, United States Lines and Two Chefs Cooking School, all of whom indicated that the contest was an extremely close call. The three finalists were selected from more than 600 entries nationwide.
United States Lines, which operates the U.S.-flag Patriot year-round from Honolulu on seven-night cruises visiting Kauai, Maui and both Hilo and Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, offers a vacation with a relaxed resort-style Hawaiian ambiance and nearly triple the amount of time ashore as other cruise lines that offer week-long Hawaiian cruises -- including overnight stays in Kauai and Maui. Two additional 1,900-passenger U.S.-flag ships are under construction for scheduled delivery in 2003 and 2004. United States Lines is a subsidiary of American Classic Voyages Co., the world's largest U.S.-flag cruise company with a fleet of seven U.S.-crewed vessels. For more information, visit www.unitedstateslines.com. SOURCE: American Classic Voyages Co.
Back to the top of the news list
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 8 -- The Great Lakes Cruise Company of Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society of Whitefish Point, Michigan have teamed up to organize the first ever live dive of a 1892 shipwreck, the wooden steamer Vienna, from the luxurious French cruise ship Le Levant. "Passengers aboard Le Levant are in for a remarkable experience,'' states Christopher Conlin, President of the Great Lakes Cruise Company, a division of Conlin Travel.
On September 14, 2001 the 90-passenger Le Levant will position itself over the Vienna. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will position its research vessel next to Le Levant and hook up audio and video feeds into Le Levant's television system. Two divers with underwater cameras along with the Society's Phantom S4 Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle, equipped with hi- tech cameras and lights, will dive to and explore the well-preserved ship. "Passengers will be able to hear a live narration from the dive team, as we explore the shipwreck,'' Farnquist states.
According to Tom Farnquist, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, in 1892 the 191 ft., 1006 ton Vienna rounded Whitefish Point and was smashed into by another steamer and sank in 147 feet of water. "The Vienna sits upright, her decks, dory, lifeboat and other features are extremely accessible. Her painted watermarks, white Roman numerals on an hourglass stern, are still visible. Like most of Lake Superior's deeper wrecks, she is remarkably preserved from decay due to the near freezing water temperature,'' states Farnquist.
During fall 2001, the Great Lakes Cruise Company will operate five cruises that will either embark or disembark in Chicago, Toronto or Windsor, aboard the newest, highest-rated passenger ships now sailing the Great Lakes -- 3-1/2-Star German cruise ship MV Columbus and 4-1/2-Star French yacht Le Levant (Source: Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2001). Both ships were specifically designed for Great Lakes travel, with its narrow connecting canals and locks. Both ships, along with the new cv Cape May Light, will re-enter the Great Lakes in 2002.
Passengers enjoy stops at historic Mackinac Island, Niagara Falls, Marquette, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Saugatuck while savoring the northern wilderness and the lakes themselves. For more information, visit www.greatlakescruising.com or call 888-891-0203. SOURCE: Great Lakes Cruise Company
Back to the top of the news list
Weekly "Voice Your Choice" Opinion Poll, Images from First-Ever Sea-Going Wedding Cam Debut, Giving Travelers a Choice Online
August 7, 2001 -- Using cutting edge technology, Princess Cruises will show travelers visiting its completely redesigned web site that their opinions matter, and that the cruise line is interested in providing a vacation experience tailored to their individual preferences.
The new web site, debuting August 7, launches a weekly, interactive "Voice Your Choice" opinion poll and also features live wedding images from at-sea nuptials aboard Princess ships. It was designed to reflect Princess' emphasis on its Personal Choice Cruising SM program, which has de-regimented the onboard experience by providing a variety of personalization options. The new web site can be found at www.princess.com.
"We're looking to our customers to tell us what they want in a vacation experience. That was the genesis of Personal Choice Cruising, which we introduced earlier this year," said Todd Putman, Princess' vice president of marketing. "Our new site, with its simpler navigation, features and opinion poll was re-designed to continue this theme and punctuate that our passengers' desires are at the heart of the Princess experience."
Voice Your Choice
Princess' "Voice Your Choice" weekly online poll, featured prominently on the site's home page, will gauge consumers' views on travel and leisure topics. The poll includes an instant tabulation feature that shows the participant how his or her views measure against earlier respondents. This engaging site feature will enable Princess to gain a better understanding of what their customers want in order to further tailor some of its offerings, such as menu items, shore excursions and onboard amenities. "Personal Choice Cruising is all about responding to passengers' hopes, dreams, whims and desires, and this will be reflected in our online poll," said Putman.
As participants enter their answers to the "Voice Your Choice" poll, the results will be posted immediately and then archived for four weeks. Sample questions include: Whose recommendation do you most rely on when considering vacation options? If you could go behind the scenes on a cruise ship, what area would you choose to visit? What type of exercise do you do most often?
The online poll, which began as a real world Omnibus travel survey, has become a marquis feature of the newly designed site. "Survey findings showed that consumers seek personalized experiences and want to be treated as individuals, which supports the principles of Personal Choice Cruising. We found that `Voice Your Choice' was a powerful resource to get a pulse on what consumers want, so we decided to take it online and make it weekly," said Putman.
An earlier Omnibus poll revealed that seventy six percent (three-out-of-four) of respondents prefer a vacation "completely tailored and customized to my needs and desires." And, that the majority of respondents (63 percent) said "they felt annoyed when told exactly how and when to do something on vacation."
Wed Cam
Based on the popularity of Princess' innovative bridge cams, which provide site users with dramatic worldwide views captured from each Princess ship, the new web site debuts a similar "wed cam." In conjunction with Princess' exclusive wedding program that enables the Princess captains to perform marriages at sea, family and friends at home will now be able to "virtually" attend the nuptials of their loved ones, online. Weddings take place during sea days, and the live cyber images from the ship's wedding chapel are updated every 10 seconds during the ceremony. Weddings are currently being broadcast from the line's new Golden Princess, which is sailing the Mediterranean this summer, and this feature will soon be added to Grand Princess. The camera will be used only when a couple chooses the option prior to their ceremony.
Site Redesign
The new web site features a clean, fresh navigation and elements reflective of a passenger's ability to discover a vacation experience reflecting their unique personal desires. The site offers new features targeted to meeting consumer needs including "Plan Your Voyage" where users can find the best Princess cruise for them by destination, ship, time of year or special interest, as well as view illustrated maps with interactive rollovers so they can learn more about itineraries and ports; and "Cruise Personalizer" which enables passengers to pre-book shore excursions and customize other aspects of their cruise. In addition, the site debuts a search engine powered by AskJeeves so users can easily find what they want on the site. For travel agents, the site's Travel Agent Center features a link to Princess' convenient, new online ad planner. The site was produced by , who has been Princess' interactive agency of record since 1998.
Personal Choice Cruising
Personal Choice Cruising enables passengers to tailor their cruise experience with a wide array of customizable dining, entertainment and amenity options. Key examples of Princess putting its passengers in control of designing their own vacation are Personal Choice Dining SM, the only dining program in the industry to offer both the traditional fixed seating along with the option of restaurant-style seating allowing passengers to dine when, where, and with whom they want; Cruise Personalizer SM, a unique online feature that gives passengers the opportunity to book their shore excursions, special occasions and dietary requirements in advance of the cruise; FlightChoice SM, which provides air schedule details 60 days in advance of sailing, more than a month sooner than industry norm, enabling passengers to choose a customized air schedule if the assigned flights don't meet their needs; and Your Choice Boarding which gives passengers a fast, new Express Check-In option when pre-cruise documentation is returned early to Princess.
About Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises, one of the best-known names in North America cruising, is a global cruise and tour company. Part of P&O Cruises plc (NYSE: POC), it operates ten ships on 150 different itineraries calling at nearly 260 ports around the globe. By 2004 another five ships will be added to its worldwide fleet. SOURCE: Princess Cruises & Newstream
Back to the top of the news list
ACCLAIMED CHEFS AND MASTER SOMMELIERS HEADLINE
CRYSTAL HARMONY'S FALL WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
ABOARD PANAMA CANAL SAILINGS
LOS ANGELES, August 7, 2001 -- Award-winning chefs and master sommeliers are set to educate guests and stimulate the taste buds during Crystal Cruises' fall series of Wine & Food Festival sailings. Crystal Harmony is offering the program on four Panama Canal choices this fall: 10-, 11- and 17-day cruises on Sept. 1, Nov. 1, 12 and 23, 2001, from Acapulco, Costa Rica, and New Orleans.
As part of the Wine & Food Festival offered on half of the luxury line's worldwide itineraries, the guest chef will prepare a four-course dinner featuring his signature dishes, matched with wine pairings by the guest wine expert. The menu, showcasing an appetizer; soup, salad or pasta; seafood/fish and meat entrées; and dessert, is offered to all guests in the Crystal Dining Room. By day, the visiting chef will also demonstrate cooking techniques, share recipes and tips, and participate in question and answer sessions.
Scheduled for this fall's Panama Canal series are: Guillermo Pernot, named "Chef of the Year" by Esquire magazine for Philadelphia's new ¡Pasion! Restaurant featuring nuevo Latino cuisine; Joseph Wrede, chef/proprietor, Joseph's Table in New Mexico, and named one of Food & Wine magazine's "Best New Chefs in America;" Karl Edelbauer, corporate executive chef, Peabody Hotel Group, including its flagship properties in Memphis and Orlando; and Alain Sailhac, master chef and director, French Culinary Institute, New York.
These culinary stars will be joined by Robin Kelley O'Connor, U.S. liaison for the Bordeaux Wine Bureau; Karen King, wine director, New York's Union Square Café; Master Sommelier Jay Fletcher from Syzygy in Aspen; and, Master Sommelier Ken Fredrickson, director/proprietor Terroir, Jackson Hole. "Crystal Cruises, like our visiting guest chefs, wine experts, and their restaurants, has won the highest accolades in its industry," says Adam Leavitt, senior vice president, marketing, Crystal Cruises. "Their expertise and proven talent are fitting enhancements to the stimulating, quality programming we offer on our luxury cruise experience." The Master Sommeliers and other guest wine experts will lead guests through wine tastings to enjoy and compare appellations, vintages and varietals from varying wine-producing regions; learn the history of wine; receive valuable hints on choosing and pairing wines, and become more familiar with Crystal's cellar of more than 200 selections, one of the most extensive at sea. These tastings feature the renowned Riedel Tasting Glass, which allows guests to evaluate different wines in a short period of time, while improving several aspects of judging wine.
Depending on the itinerary, Crystal Harmony will call in Caldera, Costa Rica; Cartagena, Colombia; St. Thomas; Puerto Rico; Tortola; Bermuda; Grand Cayman; Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, Mexico; and Aruba. The Nov. 1 sailing also features Crystal Cruises' first-ever call in Coiba Island, Panama. With Value Collection pricing of up to 60% off brochure fares, cruise fares for the fall Panama Canal Wine & Food Festival sailings start at $1,595 per person, double occupancy, for the 10-day cruise.
Crystal Harmony's unique size in the luxury market -- 50,000 tons carrying only 940 guests -- allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations. The Six-Star rated liner features grand lounges, a full-service fitness facility, Computer , the only Caesars Palace at Sea casino afloat, a lavish spa adhering to the principles of Feng Shui, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment, and exquisitely-appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.
Crystal Harmony and her elegant sister ship, Crystal Symphony, are operated by Crystal Cruises, winner of the travel industry's most distinguished hospitality awards and guidebook ratings. Its most recent honor is an unprecedented sixth consecutive designation as best large-ship cruise line in the 2001 readers' survey conducted by Travel + Leisure magazine. Crystal Cruises is booked exclusively through professional travel agents. For a complimentary brochure on the Fall 2001 Panama Canal series, or on any worldwide departures, call 800.820.6663. Visit the web site at www.crystalcruises.com. SOURCE: Crystal Cruises
Back to the top of the news list
