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Regent SSC confirmed that the 332-guest Paul Gauguin will depart its fleet in 2010 |
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises confirmed Wednesday that
the 332-guest Paul Gauguin will depart its fleet in January 2010
upon completion of its management agreement with Paul Gauguin
Shipping Ltd. (PGSL), the owners of the vessel. On Jan. 6, 2010, the
ship will be operated and marketed by PGSL, a subsidiary of
Boston-based Grand Circle Corp., a company that does not generally
work with travel agents. However, PGSL Executive Vice President Roy
Grimsland told Travel Pulse that travel agents will continue to be
paid commissions for booking the luxury vessel in 2010 and beyond. “We are extremely proud of the incredible product we created in French Polynesia. For more than 10 years, the magical and unique qualities of the Regent Tahiti experience has provided countless indelible memories for discerning travelers of all ages,” said Mark Conroy, RSSC president. “As we look to the future and consider our position as the leader in the luxury cruise segment, we have chosen to focus on the all-suite ships that are the core of our fleet, which are undergoing a $40 million refurbishment project beginning December 2008. We look forward to celebrating one last year on the Paul Gauguin in 2009, bringing more than 10,000 guests to Tahiti and providing them with the same luxury experience and six-star service levels that have won RSSC countless awards.” For the final year under the RSSC flag, guests will benefit from a host of cosmetic and physical upgrades, which will be performed during the ship’s scheduled 12-day dry-dock in January. The ship will receive new upholstery and carpeting and as well as 26 more private balconies to existing staterooms. Special offers for RSSC Tahiti sailings in 2009 are available on select sailings, including free air from Los Angeles, third guest sailing free, category upgrades, inclusive hotel packages and Seven Seas Society savings. |
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The newest addition to the Princess fleet "Ruby Princess" was recently delivered. |
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The newest addition to the Princess
fleet, Ruby Princess, was recently delivered to
Princess Cruises today in Monfalcone, Italy by the
ship's builder, Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani.
The 3,070-passenger vessel has set sail for Fort
Lauderdale where she is scheduled to arrive on
November 4. The ship was christened on November 6 by celebrity couple Trista and Ryan Sutter from ABC's hit reality series, The Bachelorette. In keeping with the launch's "romantic milestones" theme, Princess will help the duo celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. Ruby Princess will debut a number of new services and amenities on board, including new dining options such as a pub lunch in the Wheelhouse Bar, unique enrichment programs and the new Ultimate Ship Tour. The vessel also includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers, Princess' signature adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary, Sabatini's Italian restaurant, Crown Grill seafood and steak house, "Movies Under the Stars" giant outdoor movie screen, and Hearts & Minds wedding chapel. Ruby Princess will then set sail on her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale on November 8, beginning a program of Western Caribbean sailings taking passengers to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays. Following her inaugural Caribbean season, the ship will offer a program of Mediterranean voyages in summer 2009. |
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Royal Caribbean Cruises to End Fuel Supplement |
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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced that the
company's fuel supplement will no longer apply to new Royal
Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises
bookings made on or after Nov. 10, 2008, anywhere in the world, for
sailings that depart on or after Jan. 1, 2010. Royal said that its decision takes into consideration the recent reductions in global fuel prices. The company has also established specific guidelines that will determine whether fuel supplement refunds will be provided for sailings that begin in 2009 and later, which were booked prior to Nov. 10, if fuel prices remain below a specific price threshold. For 2009 sailings and 2010 sailings booked before Nov. 10, the company will determine on a quarterly basis whether fuel supplements will be refunded. Refunds, in the form of an onboard credit, will be provided if the closing price of West Texas Intermediate fuel is $65 or less, at the closing time of the New York Mercantile Exchange, two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter. When those conditions are met, an onboard credit will be provided to all guests on sailings that begin during the upcoming calendar quarter. The dates on which the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel will be measured, and the quarters during which refunds could apply are: Dec. 18, 2008 for first quarter 2009; March 18, 2009 for second quarter 2009; June 17, 2009 for third quarter 2009; Sept. 17, 2009 for fourth quarter 2009; Dec. 18, 2009 for first quarter 2010; March 18, 2010 for second quarter 2010; June 17, 2010 for third quarter 2010; and Sept. 17, 2010 for fourth quarter 2010. The company will continue to closely monitor the movement of global fuel prices and recognize that an upturn in those prices could necessitate the reinstatement of a fuel supplement. Royal Caribbean is the second company to end the supplement. Carnival Corp. & plc announce that it will eliminate the fuel surcharge for 2010 sailings. |
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Sea Trials for MSC Fantasia |
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MSC Fantasia continues its sea trials and is
scheduled to be christened in Naples on Dec. 18 with Sophia Loren as
godmother. Once the sea trials and interior fitting are completed,
the flagship will be delivered to the shipowner.
The same day, the flag changing ceremony will be performed. MSC Fantasia will leave the shipyard on Wednesday, Dec. 10 and head toward Naples, where it will be christened by Sophia Loren - the company's godmother - and celebrated at the big event planned for Thursday, Dec. 18. The new flagship of the MSC Cruises fleet will be the first ship in the line featuring an exclusive VIP area - MSC Yacht Club - with 99 suites, common areas, reserved access to the on-board MSC Aurea Spa and a service with English-style butlers for guests' needs. |
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The ultra-luxury cruise line, which is poised to
expand its fleet with the launch of Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009,
and two additional new yachts in 2010 and 2011, has consistently
earned the praise and the patronage of refined travelers the world
over, including the discerning readership of Condé Nast Traveler.
If Condé Nast Traveler’s readers liked what they’ve experienced on Seabourn to date, then the newest member of the fleet, Seabourn Odyssey, will not disappoint. The first ultra-luxury vessel to debut in six years, Odyssey will launch from Venice in June 2009 as the first of three “new builds” to be introduced over the next three years. The 32,000-ton yacht will accommodate 450 guests in luxurious all-suite accommodations measuring from 290 to over 1,600 square feet, more than 90 percent of them outfitted with private verandas. Onboard features will include five dining alternatives, five lounges and bars, an expansive pool and sunbathing area, and a spectacular two-deck, indoor/outdoor spa facility of more than 11,400 square feet. Additionally, passengers will delight in the same extraordinary levels of personalized service they experience on the existing vessels. |
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Plans for Clipper ‘Cape’ Ships |
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The Clipper Group is getting closer to deciding on a
charterer for its ships – the Clipper Discoverer and sister ship,
Clipper Voyager. The company is currently in talks with potential charterers from both the United States and Europe, Niels Jensen, director of the Clipper Group, told Cruise Industry News, adding that vessels “will be flying the U.S. flag with U.S. crew for at least the first three years.” Jensen would not confirm a timeline, but previously said that the vessels will be fully upgraded and ready for summer 2009. Both ships were acquired from the U.S. Dept of Transportation’s Maritime Administration for $20 million. Jensen said deployment could include the Great Lakes, U.S. East Coast, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic, Middle East and Indian Ocean. “We have also received interest for the vessels to be used as hotel ships,” he noted. The vessels, previously named Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light, are currently being upgraded in Green Cove Springs, Florida. All engines, safety systems, navigation systems, as well as galleys and air-conditioning systems will be completely overhauled, Jensen said. Both vessels will also feature a new sundeck. Clipper will spend “approximately $10 million on refurbishments” for the two ships, Jensen said. |