Royal Caribbean captain given heave-ho?

by Chris Owen on

If you’ve been following the ongoing saga of Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, the ship that chucked people and stuff around enough to make headlines, we have a new development in the story. It seems that the ships captain is no longer at the helm.

“Captain Erik Tengelsen has been placed on voyage leave so he may participate in the after-action review into of the severe ship movement Brilliance of the Seas,” Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez told CruiseCritic.com. “Captain Henrik Sorensen, who was already scheduled to relieve Tengelsen on January 10, took command of the ship on Friday, December 17.”

Gadling reported earlier that “passengers, furniture, and pretty much anything not tied down went flying back and forth as the ship was tossed around by inclement affecting the middle east.”

Later we told you that Royal Caribbean had stepped up and done the right thing, refunding the cruise fare of all those on board, providing a generous onboard credit and caring for the 30-some guests with minor injuries.

As the story developed, AOL Travel let us know that it was actually more than 100 guests injured at later count but that all were doing fine.

Yesterday, we heard from maritime attorney and perpetual pain-in-the-cruise-lines-neck Jim Walker who wasn’t buying any of it saying “RCCL has pulled this stunt time and time again, quickly issuing misleading statements in the hope that the media will quote its carefully crafted misinformation and then the story will quickly blow over”

Let’s hope Captain Tengelsen has not had to walk the plank.

Flickr photo by xJasonRogersx

Cruise line gets mixed reviews in aftermath of rocky ride

by Chris Owen on

Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas encounter with nasty weather earlier this month initially got rave reviews from guests and critics alike. Initial reports indicated the line did everything by the book and when out of its way to accommodate all on board. As time went on though, the story got a bit ugly.

The line was quick to issue $200 onboard credit and a full refund for those on board even though the cruise was almost over when the incident occurred. Initial reports were highly in favor of the cruise line doing the right thing.

But it did not take long for critics to smell a bigger story in the water causing cruise industry expert Stewart Chiron CEO of CruiseGuy.com to tweet “Did @RoyalCaribbean panic by refunding #cruise passengers on Brilliance of the Seas on 8th day of 12-night sailing? Must B more 2 story!” shortly after the event.

Indeed, it was a developing story and Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez told AOL Travel News. “As the cruise progressed, additional guests presented to the medical facility with symptoms and/or injuries” and the cruise line posted this video:

Adding to increasingly mixed reviews on how Royal Caribbean handled the situation, Maritime attorney Jim Walker had sharp criticism saying “RCCL has pulled this stunt time and time again, quickly issuing misleading statements in the hope that the media will quote its carefully crafted misinformation and then the story will quickly blow over”

Passengers who were actually onthe ship tell a bit different story though. Industry insider cruisecritic.com reports one typical passenger saying Royal Caribbean “went overboard” with the compensation.

Flickr photo by Rennett Stowe

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

When it comes to cruise ships, size matters

by Chris Owen on

Royal Caribbean just keeps on making big news with big ships in a big way. The line released video this week of new Allure of the Seas meeting up with nearly-twin ship Oasis of the Seas for a late night rendezvous.

In a ceremonious way, the ships sailed side by side and small crafts were launched from each to meet between the two. An exchange of gifts ceremony of sorts was conducted including posters signed by the officers of both ships, delivered by Adam Goldstein, Royal Caribbean’s President and CEO.

Both Oasis-class ships are rated as the same size, a whopping 220,000 tons carrying 5,400 guests at double occupancy. Allure has some cosmetic differences and is a wee bit longer. Her captain knows it and takes full advantage of his bragging rights.

Just five centimeters difference in length is all but Captain Zini of Allure did not hesitate to send along an over-sized measuring tape when company officials met mid-ocean. So yes, when it comes to cruise ships, size definitely matters.

One has to wonder how this exchange would have played out had the new ships been commanded by women captains.

Cruise lines slash prices, buyers cash in

by Chris Owen on

Maybe its a bad news spotlight or maybe just some last-minute bargains but cruise lines are slashing prices on everything from short 2-night sailings to longer 7, 10, and even 16-night cruises . Make it a quick getaway or long, relaxing escape, cruise lines have some of the best vacation values around right now.

“With a bit of flexibility, you’ll likely be able to snag a good rate, and maybe even a few added bonuses, such as onboard credits, prepaid gratuities and cabin upgrades” reports CruiseCritic.com.

Short sailings to the Bahamas like 2 nights on Celebrity Century from Miami on January 15th go for as low as $115 per person or do 4-nights January 21 starting at $279. In the Caribbean, 7 nights on Crown Princess from Fort Lauderdale January 15 start at $379 per person and Ruby Princess starts at $449 on the January 16th sailing.

Longer sailings are available too like Princess Cruises Ocean Princess 16-day South China Sea Holiday sailing December 22nd with prices starting at $899 per per person or a 10-day sailing to the Mexican Riviera on Sapphire Princess from Los Angeles for $599 per person on January 5th.

Check with your travel agent for additional savings which might include discounts for residents of certain states, active or retired military members, seniors, past guests, Canadians, or other special promotions which could get you reduced airfare, onboard credit, complementary upgrades or special gifts.

Flickr photo by Tom Mascardo