Cruise Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By Bob Mowat

April 24, 2012

Cruise industry unveils new safety policies

CLIA and the European Cruise Council (ECC) released details of three new safety policies that have been adopted and which will be immediately implemented. The announcement was made by Manfredi Lefebvre, chairman of the ECC and member of CLIA's executive committee, during a presentation at a major European Commission-organized Passenger Ship Safety event in Brussels. Manfredi outlined how these policies have been agreed to by the industry and that they represent the third such announcement arising from the cruise industry's Operational Safety Review. The three new policies address issues...

By Bob Mowat

April 23, 2012

Salvage contract awarded for Costa Concordia

Costa Crociere and the Costa Concordia Emergency Commissioner's Office have announced that the tender for the removal of the ship from Giglio Island has been awarded to Titan Salvage in partnership with the Italian firm Micoperi. The work will begin in early May subject to final approval from the Italian authorities and is expected to take about 12 months. Titan Salvage is an American-owned specialist marine salvage and wreck removal company, part of the Crowley Group. Micoperi is an Italian marine contractor with a long history as a specialist in underwater construction and engineering....

By Bob Mowat

April 20, 2012

New proposals to address crimes at sea

CLIA reports that the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed to the proposal of the United Kingdom, CLIA and the Philippines to develop guidelines to address concerns related to alleged serious crimes and persons missing at sea. All 24 delegations that spoke at the IMO meeting on April 18 expressed their appreciation for the proposal and supported it without exception. Building upon an earlier proposal from CLIA, the United Kingdom led a coalition of government and industry stakeholders in support of the proposal. CLIA President and CEO, Christine Duffy, said,...

By TravelPress Staff

April 20, 2012

Princess offers a ‘World of Savings’

For five days only, beginning today (April 19), Princess Cruises is offering special cruise deals to destinations around the world, including Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Hawaii, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. With the "World of Savings"sale, passengers can take advantage of savings up to US$2,000 per stateroom, plus up to US$100 onboard credit. These select September 2012 to January 2013 sailings feature the best of Princess' worldwide cruise destinations, offering the opportunity to sail to such ports of call such as Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Sydney,...

By TravelPress Staff

April 20, 2012

Viking Ocean signs on for two new ships

Viking Ocean Cruises, sister company of Viking River Cruises, and shipbuilder Fincantieri have announced the signature of a Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of two new luxury ocean cruise ships. The memorandum also includes an option for a third vessel. In line with Viking's intimate, destination-focused approach to cruising, the new ocean ships will be small by today's standards at approximately 45,000 GRT and will host 998 passengers in 499 cabins. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in late 2014, the second one in late 2015. The parties have reached an agreement on the...

By Bob Mowat

April 19, 2012

New online seminar from CLIA

CLIA has launched its 36th online training seminar -- 40 Best Practices for Travel Agent Success. The three-hour session, when successfully completed, represents 15 credits toward CLIA Cruise Counsellor Certification. The 40 Best Practices for Travel Agent Success seminar distills hundreds of tactics, strategies and practices culled from all of CLIA's training programs into what we consider the most important ideas or recommendations for business success, said Bernie Blomquist, CLIA's director of training. "We urge all agents to find out what these practices are and how they can be made to...

By TravelPress Staff

April 19, 2012

Crystal expands Jewish heritage tours

Crystal Cruises is offering almost 30% more Crystal Adventures exploring Europe's extensive Jewish heritage this year. A predecessor to the line's new Christian heritage tours, the popular program gives Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony travellers the opportunity to intimately experience Jewish culture and history. The boutique outings visit neighbourhoods, museums, monuments, synagogues and more somber sites in/near Palamós, Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hamburg, Rome, Odessa, St. Petersburg and Israel. Highlights include: !!! Haifa: A kibbutz, the ancient holy city of...

By TravelPress Staff

April 18, 2012

Kids get free shore excursions with NCL

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched a savings offer for families booking a 2012 cruise through May 13. With the "Little Norwegian's Explore For Free"offer, children 12 years and younger receive complimentary Norwegian-sponsored shore excursions and teens (13 to 17 years old) will receive half-off shore excursions when in the same stateroom with a paying adult on the same excursion. This applies to all 2012 sailings fleet-wide for all ports of call. Families can whale watch in Alaska; explore ancient cities in Europe; or have fun in the sun on a snorkel excursion in the Caribbean,...

By TravelPress Staff

April 18, 2012

New’ Queen Mary 2 set for transatlantic season

With major refurbishments throughout, Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 is set to sail its eighth transatlantic cruise season beginning in May. This year, the QM2 will sail 19 classic seven-day crossings between New York and Southampton, and six nine-day extended voyages between New York and Hamburg. This year's season includes several new offerings, such as new theatrical productions, jazz workshops, lecture programs, dining menus and spa treatments. Queen Mary 2's recent refurbishment included significant décor enhancements in all staterooms and suites, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, the...

By TravelPress Staff

April 17, 2012

Windstar looks ahead to 2013

Windstar Cruises has introduced its new 2013 collection of luxury sailing voyages in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Northern Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Greek Isles and transatlantic crossings. Leading Windstar's new offerings for 2013 are seven entirely new voyages, each designed to provide guests a unique sailing experience in extraordinary destinations. The 2013 schedule is highlighted by two 11-day voyages, Footsteps of Faith, exploring origins of world religions between Athens and Alexandria, and Scandinavian Tapestry, which includes scenic sailing in the Norwegian Fjords and Stockholm...