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More disruption of cruise
ship sailings
Hurricane Wilma is setting records of all types, not only
the strongest Atlantic Hurricane on record with the highest
wind speeds and lowest barometric pressure, but also due to
its slow movement one of the most disruptive to the cruise
industry and devastating to the Mexican Riviera.
The shear size of the storm plus its
projected track have caused cruises on all lines using Gulf
and South Florida ports to be routed away from the storm.
Not helping matters is the fact that the storm has stalled
so it's become difficult to really get a handle on when and
where it may ultimately strike land.
Caribbean & Gulf itineraries have been
adjusted to keep the ships away from areas which are likely
to be effected. Whilst business goes on, the safety
and security of the ships and their passengers is paramount.
Just reported - this weekends south Florida disembarkation
and embarkation will go ahead as scheduled.
Big Hike In Fuel Surcharges
Radisson Seven Seas will implement a fuel surcharge of $5
per person per day for all 2006 bookings that are not paid
in full by Oct. 31, 2005. The line currently has in place a
fuel surcharge of $2.85 per person per day applied to all
2005 sailings.
Clients with programs booked with RSSC would be advised to
check with RSSC.
RSSC to rebrand as Regent next year
The long-awaited re-branding of Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
will take place next year. The name Radisson will be
replaced with Regent.
Carlson
Hospitality Worldwide, a division of RSSC’s owner, Carlson
Companies, acquired Regent International Hotels from Four
Seasons Hotels and Resorts in late 1997. The company’s
website says ‘The Regent brand is synonymous with luxury and
service in hotels and resorts around the world.
Orion Expedition
Cruises is ramping up its efforts to attract the US and
Canadian fly/float and charter market.
Orion Expedition Cruises, operates the 4,000gt luxury
expedition ship Orion that Sarina Bratton brought to
Australia in April,
Bratton, who announced Hudson’s appointment today, has
launched a 2006/07 programme of exotic ports around the Top
End of Australia, The Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea,
the Solomon Islands, Indonesia and East Timor for passengers
who, in the words of her company motto, want to take 'a path
less traveled.'
Worldwide Cruise Associates is your charter contact for the
Orion - check our web site for full details of the
Orion.
Inside
the Industry
RCI’s Miller moves to A&K
Brad Miller joined Abercrombie & Kent as evp and chief
development officer with a focus on expanding the luxury
adventure operator’s river and expedition cruise business.
Miller is a 12-year veteran of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.,
where he most recently served as vp brand development with
duties that included overseeing Celebrity Xpeditions.
New president for
MedCruise
Laurent Monsaingeon is the new president of
MedCruise. The French Riviera Ports managing director was
elected at the MedCruise annual general assembly in Cyprus
yesterday. Albert Poggio has been re-elected as senior vice
president of the Association. Both will serve three year
terms.
Out-going president Juan Madrid remarked that he is
satisfied and proud of how MedCruise has developed in the
past three years. One of his main achievements was to create
a more decentralized association and sharing of
responsibilities across the board, to make future transition
easier and smoother.
Under his presidency the MedCruise membership has both grown
in numbers and extended geographically with Black Sea ports
now represented. Currently the membership stands at 43
involving 61 ports.
Madrid cited as 'crucial' developing on-going relationships
with other cruise associations and European institutions
working on common projects. He commented that he thinks the
EU is trying to over-regulate the cruise industry in a
number of areas and is worried that the authorities simply
do not understand the cruise sector. He stated - that it is
our job to inform and guide them. He singled out taxation of
onboard sales and passenger rights as two areas of current
concern.
So who is traveling
where?
Recently release statistics showed an increase in the number
of visitors to the United States in June 2005 was up 8
percent over June 2004.
Arrivals were also up almost 8 percent for the first half of
2005 compared to 2004. With double-digit growth in June
arrivals from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and
Sweden. Arrivals from Eastern Europe continue to be strong,
up 16 percent for the first half of 2005.
U.S. outbound Travel Sets Record
The U.S. Department of Commerce reported new records for
U.S. outbound travel in 2004. Last year, 61.8 million U.S.
travelers went abroad, surpassing the previous record of
61.3 million set in 2000. Spending by U.S. travelers abroad
also established a new record in 2004 at $89.3 billion, a 14
percent increase from 2003. The top five U.S. destinations
for U.S. travelers were Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom,
France and Italy. The average length of trip outside the
United States was 16.2 nights.
WWTCA's News
Worldwide quoted a number of ship charters associated with
the rebuilding of New Orleans with ships prepared to come
from as far away as Europe and Asia. Most of this
business tanked when Carnival Cruise Line signed their 3
ship deal with Fema which took the pressure off to a great
degree.
Monaco Grand Prix continues to be Worldwide's territory with
2 ships already chartered and a further two close to
signing. One of our charterer's has an attractive buy-in
package.
For more
information on any of OUR ASSOCIATES go to our website or,
email us.
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