Ships sent to Europe forecast cruise industry future

by Chris Owen on

This week Norwegian Cruise Line announced that they were sending 4 ships to Europe in 2012 and 2013, their largest deployment ever. Norwegian joins some other cruise lines in a movement that started several years ago to redeploy ships to more profitable European waters.

In 2008, USA Today reported “Europe is the hottest story in cruising these days,” quoting Mike Driscoll, editor of industry watcher Cruise Week. “It’s reaching the point where if a line has trouble selling a ship (anywhere else in the world), they pack up and move her to Europe.”

What was once a summer-only destination for cruise ships has become more of a year-round deployment. The popular port of Southampton is expanding in anticipation of increased calls by cruise ships, 360 scheduled for 2011, up from 300 this year.

Royal Caribbean also will send more ships to Europe in the Summer of 2011 than they had last Summer including Mariner of the Seas, recently moved from the U.S West coast where the line struggled to fill berths.

What this will mean for the future of cruising from North America is becoming clear. Video from travel authority Peter Greenberg, speaking of the nature of travel in the wake of 9-11 notes “the cruise industry was the only segment of the travel industry that could literally move their assets in the wake of a terrible disaster.”

Cruise lines are apparently taking the lessons learned back then and applying them to today’s market.

A realignment of assets among cruise lines and less capacity in North America could mean fewer choices and higher prices. Travel authority Arthur Frommer called the shifting of capacity to European waters “the biggest development in cruising” noting “you’ll see far fewer cabins and berths in the Caribbean.”

In a recent interview with Gadling, cruise expert Stewart Chiron, CEO of CruiseGuy.com concluded “Europe will continue to be strong for the foreseeable future, with more and more cities warming up to cruising”.

Flickr photo by PhillipC

Cruise lines head back to Alaska

by Chris Owen on

After turning a cold shoulder to an Alaska that seemed determined to tax cruise ships out of the market, many lines are heading to the land of the midnight sun with more ships, sailings and capacity. Today’s announcement by Norwegian Cruise Lines to position Norwegian Jewel on an inside passage itinerary from Seattle is the latest in a string of “Can’t we all just get along?” moves.

Joining Norwegian Pearl sailing to Glacier Bay from Seattle, Norwegian Jewel will sail Alaska’s inside passage replacing Norwegian Star that will sail to Bermuda for the first time from her new home in New York City.

Earlier this year the Alaska legislature, on the heels of a low-capacity season, voted to lower the prevously raised head tax on cruise passengers. Later in the year, Princess Cruises announced a fourth ship to be added to it’s popular Voyage of the Glaciers run after two years of running a reduced capacity.

“We are particularly appreciative of the efforts of Governor Sean Parnell and the Alaska state legislature that have resulted in meaningful progress toward resolving the challenges facing Alaska’s recovery as a cruise destination,” said Princess President and CEO Alan Bucklew.

As some cruise lines head back to Alaska, others who have never been there before are joining in too.

Disney Cruise Line is sailing North with Disney Wonder as the line doubles its size by adding Disney Dream debuting in January and Disney Fantasy in 2012. Another first-timer, Oceania Cruises will send their Regatta on a series of departures from San Francisco, Vancouver or Anchorage.

It’s good to see the cruise lines and politicians play nice.

Flickr photo by brh_images

Norwegian Epic cruise ship – Blue man Group, 21 restaurants and Nickelodeon at sea

by Scott Carmichael on

The battle for domination in the cruise ship world just heated up a bit more – as Norwegian revealed some more details of their newest ship – the Norwegian Epic.

The amenities on this ship are quite simply mind boggling – 21 restaurants, a Blue Man group show, Nickelodeon at Sea, bowling, a sports club, an under-21 nightclub, the world’s largest at-sea spa, a water park with multiple slides and the world’s first tube slide, an ice bar, The Second City comedy club, the Cirque dreams and dinner show, a rock and roll piano bar and 15 different bars and lounges.

The lineup of restaurants is equally impressive with highlights like the first Brazilian Churrascaria at sea and whole-ship pizza delivery (yes – you can order a pizza for the pool, or in your room).

Other dining options include a noodle bar, bistro, tapas bar, adults only supper-club, Irish pub and a Latin-Asian fusion poolside eatery.

The Norwegian Epic sets sail in 90 days, on itineraries out of Miami. Her maiden voyage starts in London heading to Miami. In the summer, the Epic will also make trips from Barcelona through the western Mediterranean with stops in Italy and France.

To learn more about this amazing ship, check out the Norwegian Epic web site or the excellent resources at Cruise Critic.

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Incontinent and impotent after fall in cruise ship spa is worth $9.5 million

by Scott Carmichael on

In 2006, British Fitness instructor Danny Simpson slipped on the wet floor of the spa on board the Norwegian Cruise line’s “Norwegian Crown”. Mr. Simpson was employed by Steiner Transocean, responsible for operating the spa facilities on the cruise line.

When he fell, he suffered a back injury that made him impotent and incontinent. And apparently, that kind of suffering is worth $9.5 million. The defendant is obviously not content with the ruling, and has already filed papers seeking a new trial, or a reduction of the award.

Sadly, not much is known about the incident itself – whether the floor was not supposed to be wet, or whether the spa operator failed to ensure wet floors were made slip free. But if a court is willing to award just under ten million Dollars, I suspect someone screwed up enough to warrant that kind of cash.

The damages were awarded to cover his economic losses, medical expenses and future pain and suffering. Nine and a half million Dollars gets you heck of a lot of Viagra and adult diapers.

Daily travel deal – 7 day Bermuda cruise from New York for $540

by Scott Carmichael on

What better way to kick off Spring than a 7 day round trip cruise from New York to Bermuda? You’ll sail on board the Norwegian Dawn, and get to enjoy all the amenities on this ship.

Spend your time in one of the three pools, or enjoy a bite to eat in one of the 12 different restaurants or nine bars

Or how about losing some of that buffet weight in the fitness center? At night, you can be entertained in the Broadway theater or trying your luck in the casino.

This 7 day cruise starts at just $539, depending on the room level you select. To make the deal even better, you are even eligible for a shipboard credit ($25 for in inside room, up to $250 for the largest rooms). And if that isn’t enough, if you are an AFL/CIO union member, you may even be eligible for an even lower rate!

Remember, these cruises include all your meals, so for just over $75 you get a room and all your meals and entertainment, and because the cruise leaves from New York, residents of that area won’t have to invest anything extra in flying to a port.

The ship spends 3 days in Bermuda, which should leave you with plenty of time to enjoy the island, and because your “hotel” is parked in the port, you only have to unpack and pack once.

The price quoted is a “from” price, and depends on your date of departure, availability and room category. Quoted prices do not include taxes or additional fees.

Cruising not your cup of tea? Check out our other top travel deals!