The cruise industry has weathered economic and terrorism storms over the past 25 years and now faces another:  lower bookings industry-wide following the January 13 Costa Concordia disaster which is still unfolding.

Earlier this week industry giant Carnival Corporation (which owns Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises and P&O Cruises) reported a falloff in cruise bookings in both the U.S. and Europe.  Yesterday Royal Caribbean (parent company of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises) also says bookings have fallen to the “low to mid-teen percentages” as compared with a year ago.

Royal Caribbean Chairman/CEO said, “Overall, booking volumes from North America have fallen by low to mid-teen percentages versus same time last year for the last few weeks. In Europe, where media coverage has been more extensive, the decline has been higher, though results vary significantly by country. In aggregate, the company’s other markets, including Asia/Pacific and Latin America, are down slightly.”

Forbes Magazine says that Carnival Corp. CEO Micky Arison’s personal fortune has fallen by a half billion dollars after a year of  political and economic problems capped off by the Costa catastrophe.  According to Forbes, Arison owns roughly 29% of the shipping conglomerate, which includes 101 cruise ships.

While Concordia is the main contributor to the slowed bookings there are other contributing factors:  cruise lines and travel agents ceased advertising during “Wave Season” (when roughly 30% of all cruise reservations are made) and warm winter temperatures in the United States result in fewer people dashing off to warm weather vacations.

Another incident shows that the Costa Concordia accident has a major effect on the cruise industry.   According to USA Today’s Cruise Log, “Seattle-based cruise line Holland America kicked a passenger off a ship this week for “non-compliance” during a mandatory muster drill — an unusual incident that suggests a renewed focus on safety in the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster.  The unnamed passenger was put off the line’s Westerdam on Sunday in Ft. Lauderdale (for non-compliance) just before the ship set sail for the Caribbean.”

Typically the cruise industry lures passengers by offering steep discounts and some of these have been rolled out.   And since the cruise industry weathered 9/11, a disastrous economy, political upheaval in Egypt and the middle East, sky-high airfares, Norwalk virus and inaccurate reports of missing passengers I’ll place my money on Arison getting his half billion back. The Love Boats and Fun Ships will continue to chart an international course.

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Weeks after the January 13 Costa Concordia crash on the coast of Italy, the disaster continues to make news.

*  The death toll is 17 people and another 15 are still missing.  Heavy seas hamper divers from locating bodies and salvage teams from siphoning oil to prevent a major environmental disaster.

*  Uninjured passengers who were aboard the ship the evening it capsized have been offered settlements of $14,400 as class action suits form on both sides of the Atlantic.  According to Bloomberg, it will take up to ten months for cleanup.

* Carnival Corporation (parent company of Costa Cruises, Princess, Holland America, Cunard, Seabourn, Cunard Line, P&O cruises and Aida cruises) said the accident has negatively impacted cruise sales.”  After the incident,” says Carnival “we significantly reduced our marketing activities. Excluding Costa, our fleetwide booking volumes, subsequent to the incident through January 25, 2012, declined in the mid-teens compared to the prior year, after bottoming out on January 16, 2012.

“Costa’s booking activity is difficult to interpret because of the significant re-booking activity stemming from the loss of the ship’s use and related re-deployments, however we believe it to be down significantly. Despite these recent trends, we believe the incident will not have a significant long-term impact on our business.”

Carnival says that “as a result of Costa Concordia’s incident, we anticipate other financial impacts to our business, including lower net revenue yields, that are not possible to reasonably determine at this time.”

Regarding the cost of the accident, Carnival said:  “We self-insure for loss of use of the ship, which we expect to impact the 2012 full year net income by approximately $85 million to $95 million. Furthermore, we anticipate approximately $30 million to $40 million of other incident related costs.”

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Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of three luxury motorized sailing yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations, announces two-for-one fares starting from $1,399 per person, based on double occupancy, on select 2012 Caribbean voyages when booked by February 24, 2012.

Three Caribbean itineraries are available and each one features intimate and exclusive island-hopping experiences in the tropics all while sailing on a luxurious sailing yacht.

Experience the eclectic Caribbean sailing from Dutch St. Maarten to French-influenced Martinique on Windstar’s Flavors of the Caribbean voyages.  Seven-day sailings on Wind Surf roundtrip from Philipsburg, St. Maarten visit Le Marin, Martinique; Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; Falmouth Harbour, Antigua; and Gustavia, St. Barthelemy. Departures: January 14, 28; February 25; and March 10, 24, 2012. 

Sail to the unspoiled Grenadines and discover the rugged natural beauty of St. Lucia and beyond on Windstar’s Jewels of the Windward Islands voyages. Seven-day sailings on Wind Spirit roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados visit Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Bequia, St. Vincent Grenadines; Tobago Keys, St. Vincent Grenadines (overnight); Mayreau, St. Vincent Grenadines; and St. George’s, Grenada. Departures: January 21, 28; February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 10, 17, 2012.

Rates listed are per person, US dollars, cruise only, and include non-discountable amounts. Government fees and taxes are additional ($70-$325 per person). Two-for-one cruise fares listed are per person, double occupancy, and based on 50 percent of published full cruise fares. Special two-for-one cruise fares are subject to availability, are not combinable with any other promotions or pricing offers, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at Windstar’s discretion at any time. Offer is valid on new bookings only for select departures. Certain restrictions apply. Cancellation penalties may apply, please see brochure for details. Offer expires February 24, 2012.

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Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan today announced that Norwegian Cruise Line’s new state-of-the-art 4,000 passenger ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will make New York City her year-round home port. Beginning in May 2013, Norwegian Breakaway—which will be the largest ship ever to home port in the City—will replace Norwegian Star, and embark on a minimum of 88 cruises from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal through March 31, 2015.

The ship calls will bring an estimated 140,000 additional embarking passengers into New York City over two years, resulting in an estimated $35 million in additional direct spending. Mayor Bloomberg and Norwegian Cruise Line were joined at the announcement in the Manhattan Cruise Terminal by New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky and NYC & Co CEO George Fertitta.

“Out-of-town visitors spent $31 billion last year, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in our restaurants, shops, hotels, and cultural institutions,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “By making New York City home to its newest and largest ship, Norwegian Cruise Line is further confirming our standing as a top cruise destination and a place that tourists from around the world want to visit.”

“Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest ship ever to homeport in New York City, bringing more passengers, generating more spending, and creating more jobs in our City,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky.

Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to home port year-round in New York City beginning in 2003. Since then, the company has been committed to bringing its newest and largest ships to the Big Apple, with two ships calling in New York City since 2005. In 2013 alone, Norwegian Breakaway is expected to make 34 calls at Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT). In addition, Norwegian Gem will continue to call year-round at MCT, with an expected 47 calls, and Norwegian Star will make 15 calls in 2013 before being replaced. In total, Norwegian Cruise Line ships will bring approximately 285,000 embarking passengers into New York City in 2013, generating approximately $70 million in direct spending in the City – a $13.5 million increase due to the additional passengers on Norwegian Breakaway.

Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Breakaway will be 144,017 gross tons and is scheduled for delivery in April 2013. Following inaugural events, the ship will sail a series of 22 seven-day cruises from New York to Bermuda beginning May 12, 2013 through Oct 6, 2013. Departing on Sundays, the ship will spend three full days in Bermuda, along with three days at sea.

Norwegian Breakaway’s New York to Bermuda cruises are scheduled to go on sale to Latitudes members, Norwegian’s frequent guests, on Friday, October 14, 2011 and to the public on Monday, October 17, 2011. Also, as part of its Partners First commitment, Norwegian will open Norwegian Breakaway’s sailings for group block bookings exclusively for travel partners on Monday, October 10, 2011. Travel partners wishing to block a group should call Norwegian at 800-327-7030.

Information on Norwegian Breakaway’s accommodations and itineraries can be found at www.ncl.com/breakaway. To book a cruise on Norwegian Breakaway, contact a travel professional or visit www.ncl.com.

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Carnival Corporation never does things half way.  From buying the most prestigious cruise lines to building new ports in New York, the Caribbean and Mexico, this company continues to expand in leaps and bounds.

Today in New York, top Carnival execs announced a $500 million fleetwide enhancement that will  transform its on-board guest experience to deliver even more memorable vacations. The multi-year effort will offer guests mouth-watering new dining choices, more  bars and lounges, and  enhanced entertainment options through  partnerships and new branded spaces.

The cruise line is partnering with George Lopez, who will become Carnival’s creative director for comedy and enhance its fleetwide comedy clubs; Food Network star Guy Fieri, who will develop a burger venue called Guy’s Burger Joint; leading video game manufacturer EA SPORTS to create the first-ever EA SPORTS Bar at sea, and Hasbro for new larger-than-life game shows featuring iconic games and brands.  In addition,   RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar and three other fun themed bars and lounges will be added, as well as a new complimentary BlueIguana Cantina casual dining option.

Carnival Liberty will be the first ship to feature many of the new dining and bar venues when it returns from a scheduled refurbishment later this month.  Fourteen ships are scheduled to receive many of the Fun Ship 2.0 enhancements through 2015.

Entertainment Upgrades

Through its partnership with comedian and TV personality George Lopez, Carnival will bring even more laughs to The Punchliner Comedy Club Presented by George Lopez.  As Carnival’s “curator of comedy,” Lopez will act as a consultant on the vetting and hiring of comedic talent in one of the line’s most popular nighttime entertainment options, and advise on decor, lighting, music and more to enhance the overall comedy club experience. Hilarious pre-recorded voice and video messages from Lopez will welcome guests and club patrons, and a new Punchliner Comedy Brunch will keep diners laughing with live comedic entertainment in the line’s main dining rooms. Over the next year, the revamped clubs will roll out fleetwide, creating laughter during multiple shows each voyage.

At Guy’s Burger Joint, Carnival and successful restaurateur, cookbook author and television star Guy Fieri have come together to cook up the best burgers at sea, and best of all, they’re free! Guests have a choice of delicious fresh-off-the-grill burgers designed by Fieri, or they can make their own at a condiment bar by adding a variety of tasty toppings.  Burgers are complemented by hand-cut fries. For lunch, a snack or dinner, guests can drop by this laid-back poolside dining venue modeled after a road-side burger joint off an iconic coastal highway.

Under license from Hasbro, Inc., Carnival will create Hasbro, The Game Show, a new series of larger-than-life productions and entertainment activities based on the popular Family Game Night television show from The Hub. Hasbro, The Game Show will put guests right in the middle of their favorite Hasbro games. Six main games are to be featured: Sorry Sliders, which involves a giant shuffleboard court; Simon Flash, where two teams of four guests wear giant light-up color boxes and must shuffle themselves quickly to repeat a color sequence; Yahtzee Bowling, with a giant ball and larger-than-life-sized bowling pins; Operation, which is set up like a skee-ball board where contestants try to get the balls into different slots on the “patient’s” body, and Connect 4 Basketball, which uses a basketball setup rather than the traditional checkers to play.

New Theme Bars

Carnival’s new themed bars and lounges will encourage guests to socialize and try interesting drink concoctions formulated by expert mixologists.   Carnival has partnered with EA SPORTS, the leading sports videogame brand in the world, on an exciting new sports bar concept.  Designed to be the ultimate hangout for sports fanatics, guests can play their favorite EA SPORTS videogames, watch live sports on a massive video wall comprised of 16 different 46-inch big-screen displays, and keep up with real-time sports scores 24/7 live on the ticker. Whether challenging their sports knowledge during daily trivia contests, competing in EA SPORTS videogame tournaments or just catching the latest sports action, patrons can enjoy a full drink menu and popular sports bar snacks.

Shorts and flip flops are welcome at Carnival’s two new fun and relaxed poolside destinations. RedFrog Rum Bar offers guests the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with a pool-side version of the popular Caribbean themed RedFrog Pub, which debuted on the Carnival Magic. It will specialize in refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s private label draft brew, ThirstyFrog Red. Just across the deck will be BlueIguana Tequila Bar, providing a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and specializing in delicious tequila-based frozen drinks and Mexican beers. Live music will fill the area as performers will entertain patrons at both bars, along with those enjoying fun in the sun by the pool.

To cure what ails you, Alchemy Bar is Carnival’s vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy,” the go-to spot for guests who are seeking a unique experience with interesting drink flavors and ingredients. Carnival’s mixologists will “prescribe” concoctions from different fun categories or guests can also try their hand at creating their own custom cocktails. Meanwhile, The Library Bar is a new intimate cocktail lounge featuring bar service and automatic wine dispensers, ideal for guests seeking a more relaxed and quiet venue.

Carnival’s New Cantina

Carnival is expanding on its wide array of dining options with exciting new venues that focus on free favorite foods that are highly popular among guests including burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint and fresh Mexican cuisine at the new BlueIguana Cantina. This complimentary poolside dining destination offers guests freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas they can make their own with a variety of salsas and toppings. Hungry vacationers can also watch the tortilla maker create fresh wheat and jalapeño tortillas, then enjoy three types of tacos with a variety of toppings, and three kinds of burritos with fantastic fillings, plus chips and salsa.

That’s (More) Entertainment!

Carnival is taking shipboard entertainment to an entirely new level. Working with leaders and industry experts from George Lopez and Hasbro to DJ IRIE and top Broadway producers, Carnival will offer not only a larger variety of new high-caliber entertainment but also more interactive shows for guests to enjoy.

Playlist Productions is a dramatic retooling of the line’s legendary revues that combine captivating live performances with high-tech LED staging and special effects that set a new standard in seagoing productions. These popular music-driven revues featuring a diversity of musical styles, genres and eras are designed to appeal to a broad cross-section of guests.  Playlist Performances will have guests singing along and dancing in their seats during the hit-packed, 30-minute shows created by leading producers, directors and choreographers who have worked on critically acclaimed productions for Broadway, London’s West End and some of the world’s most popular musical acts.

Guests will groove to “Motor City” which celebrates the R&B Motown sound of the 1960s and ‘70s, and “Divas” which combines music, dance and fashion to feature tunes from iconic female entertainers. “Latin Nights” offers a fusion of Latin culture, rhythmic music and hot choreography while “The Brits!” features tunes from the UK’s most famous artists of all time.  These exciting new shows will premiere on Carnival Breeze when it enters service next summer, followed by other vessels.

Additional information on the Fun Ship 2.0 initiative is available at www.carnival.com/funship2

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The inaugural season itineraries for Oceania Cruises’ new Riviera have been announced and travelers who book by Aug. 31 will receive a free hotel stay and bonus savings of up to $3,000 per stateroom. Fares begin at $1,999 per guest and include free round-trip Economy Class air from 22 North American cities.

From April 14 through Nov. 29, 2012, Riviera offers 13 distinctive itineraries on a total of 21 voyages, calling on ports in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey as well as Israel, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Morocco and Monaco.

Oceania Cruises’ 1,250-guest Riviera has been designed for epicureans and features 10 dining venues – six of which are open-seating, gourmet restaurants – including a French bistro by Master Chef Jacques Pépin. Facilities also include a Canyon Ranch SpaClub^® and Bon Appétit Culinary Center and Artist Loft enrichment center. Interior design highlights include a Lalique-designed grand staircase, elegant public rooms, spacious accommodations and Owner’s Suites furnished exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home.

Riviera Showcases Best of the Mediterranean -

Riviera’s maiden voyage, departing April 14, is a 10-day Mediterranean Tapestry cruise from Barcelona to Piraeus (Athens). Ports include Marseille (Provence), Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Civitavecchia (Rome), Taormina and Amalfi/Positano, as well as Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Santorini.

• From Piraeus Riviera operates a 12-day Ancient Grandeur itinerary, departing April 24. Ports include Alexandria and Port Said, Egypt; Haifa (overnight) and Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel; Rhodes, Patmos and Kusadasi before ending in Istanbul.

• On May 6, Riviera departs Istanbul on a 10-day Greek Glory voyage, call at Mitilini, Greece; Kusadasi, Mykonos and Piraeus before visiting Cephalonia (Argostoli), Greece – a maiden call for Oceania Cruises. Additional ports include Corfu, Dubrovnik, Split and Venice (overnight). The cruise is repeated, departing Aug. 3.

• Pearls of the Aegean, May 16, includes an overnight aboard ship in Venice before visiting Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Monemvasia, Aghios Nikolaos, Santorini, Kusadasi, Delos and Mykonos before ending in Piraeus. This itinerary is repeated Oct. 4.

• The 10-day Mediterranean Tapestry departs May 26 from Piraeus. Ports include Santorini and Kusadasi, Taormina, Amalfi/Positano, Civitavecchia, Livorno (overnight) and Marseille, before arriving in Barcelona.

• Riviera’s 12-day Exotic Lands begins June 5 in Barcelona and visits Mallorca, Valencia and Motril (Granada) – a maiden call for Oceania, Madeira, La Palma (maiden call) and Lanzarote, both in the Canary Islands; two ports in Morocco, and Cadiz (Seville) before Lisbon, where the cruise ends. The voyage is repeated Sept. 2.

• From Lisbon, Riviera embarks on a 10-day Iberian Odyssey visiting Casablanca and Gibraltar before heading to the Spanish ports: Motril, Valencia and Barcelona, where the ship remains overnight. The voyage continues to Marseille, Monte Carlo, Livorno and Civitavecchia. This itinerary is repeated Sept. 14.

• Accent on Italy is a 10-day cruise, departing June 27, from Civitavecchia to Monte Carlo, La Spezia (Cinque Terre), Livorno, Amalfi/Positano and Taormina. Additional ports include Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Venice (overnight). This itinerary is repeated Sept. 24 and Oct. 24 and operated in reverse Aug. 13.

• The 12-day Radiant Riviera, departing July 7, showcases the vessel’s namesake region. An overnight onboard in Venice is the prelude for calls at Dubrovnik, Corfu, Taormina, Sorrento/Capri, Civitavecchia and Livorno. Riviera highlights include Portofino, Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez and Marseille prior to concluding in Barcelona.

• A 15-day Lands of Time, July 19, features overnights in Haifa and Istanbul. Beginning in Barcelona, Riviera cruises the Mediterranean before calling at La Goulette, Malta, Aghios Nikolaos, Alexandria, Port Said (Cairo), Ashdod (Jerusalem), Haifa, Limassol on the island of Cyprus, Rhodes, and Kusadasi before making her way to Istanbul.

• On August 23, Riviera explores the Azure Coasts on a 10-day itinerary which begins in Civitavecchia and visits Sorrento/Capri, Amalfi/Positano, Livorno, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Marseille, Ibiza and Barcelona (overnight).

• Riviera next departs Piraeus on a 10-day Enchanted Grandeur cruise, departing Oct. 14, visits Kusadasi, Monemvasia, Argostoli, Messina, Sorrento/Capri and Livorno. The ship continues to Monte Carlo before ending in Civitavecchia.

• Rivera’s Europe season concludes with a 12-day Mediterranean Medley, departing Nov. 3 from Venice that calls at Dubrovnik, Corfu, Messina, Sorrento/Capri, Civitavecchia, Livorno (two days), Monte Carlo, Marseille, and Barcelona (overnight).

For more information or to order a brochure, contact a travel professional, visit www.Oceaniacruises.com or call Oceania Cruises toll-free at 800-531-5658.

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• Eastern Caribbean departures to San Juan, St. Thomas and Grand Turk, offered on a rotating basis April through October
• Bahamas sailings featuring stops at the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau, offered on a rotating basis April through October
• Bahamas/Florida cruises with port calls to Port Canaveral (Orlando), Nassau and Freeport, offered November through April

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As Hawaii and the U.S. west coast prepares for a tsunami following the 8.9 earthquake that struck Japan early this morning,  it’s natural to wonder about the safety of cruise ships sailing in the region.   According to CNN, boat owners are moving their vessels out to sea where they’ll be safe and I’m sure the same is true of cruise ships sailing in the area.

A cruise ship docked in port is in potential danger when a tsunami strikes because enormous waves could smash it against the pier.

But a ship at sea, even small ones, should be perfectly safe since, before it strikes land, the wave is only a few meters high.

The Real Threat to Cruise Ships

Think Poseidon, a dreadful but memorable movie about a passenger ship hit by a freak  wave that comes out of nowhere.    A rogue wave is virtually impossible to detect.   Imagine being at sea in perfect weather when a wave the size of a ten story building appears on the horizon.

In 1942, the original Queen Mary was broadsided by a 92 ft. rogue wave and listed 52 degrees before righting herself.   Queen Elizabeth 2 was struck by a 95 ft. wave in September, 1995.   In 2005, NCL’s Norwegian Dawn was hit by three 70 ft. rogue waves while sailing in the Atlantic Ocean off Georgia.  According to Wikipedia, several decks were flooded, a few passengers slightly hurt.

While a tsunami is terrifying to those potentially in the path of the enormous sea surge, if you’re at sea aboard a cruise ship you’ll be fine.   Fortunately rogue waves are rare, certainly nothing I want to encounter.

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For the first time ever, Carnival Cruise Lines is infusing its fun spirit into the world’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration in New York’s Times Square.  The cruise line announced it is the official confetti sponsor of the Times Square New Year’s Eve 2011 celebration.    The sponsorship includes multiple opportunities to associate the “Fun Ship” brand with the annual excitement and engage Times Square visitors and Carnival fans online with the option to have their wishes for 2011 added to the celebration’s confetti.

Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald will lead the official confetti air-worthiness test in Times Square in late December.  He will then grace the main event stage on December 31 to lead the New Year’s Eve celebrants in a practice countdown, complete with 500 pounds of Carnival-colored red, white and blue confetti, the first confetti drop of the New Year’s Eve 2011 party.  At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2011, a ton of colorful Carnival Confetti, hand-tossed by approximately 100 “confetti dispersal engineers,” including a number of lucky Carnival employees, will fill the New York City skyline.

Will you be there?

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Giant waves, loosing power, broken down cruise ships …. with three mishaps in the last few weeks you may think this is a new trend.   But it really isn’t.  Things happen in threes?  I don’t know.  If you follow the cruise industry for any length of time you’ll know that “ship happens” and the tab will be much higher that it is when your car breaks down.

Here’s an update on ships that have suffered damage and, in some cases, have to be laid up.

1.  Carnival Splendor made world-wide headlines when, as a result of a fire, the ship lost power 200 miles from San Diego and hand to be towed into port.   Not so much as a sprained ankle and passengers disembarked in a pretty upbeat mood.   The reason:  while it was a drag sitting on a ship in the ocean for four days, Carnival refunded everyone’s money and Carnival gave everyone credit for a future cruise.  However, Carnival Splendor will be out of service even longer than expected and five more cruises have been canceled.   Now she’ll be back in service February 20, 2011.

2. Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Sea had serious problems when a large storm caused damage to the ship and injuries to 30 people (two with broken arms).   The ship was off Alexandria, Egypt and the worst of the storm was the middle of the night:  beds slid across rooms, furniture went flying.   This mishap is the reason why the vast majority of cruise ships don’t sail in the Mediterranean from October through mid-April.  Of the cruise lines Americans are familiar with only Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewel brave the elements.Huge storms aren’t all that uncommon.   The ship’s Captain said it was the worst storm he’d encountered in 35 years (click here for video interview)

3. Clelia II, a former 100-passenger Renaissance II, is leased by Travel Dynamics for cruises in the Antarctic.   A large storm broke glass on the bridge resulting in the vessel loosing power.  The passengers and crew were very, very lucky:  in this part of the world a mishap can turn into a disaster quickly.  A spokesman for the company said Clelia II encountered waves six meters high.  When I sailed in Antarctica aboard the Hanseatic we had 30 ft. seas through Drake’s Passage which the captain said was pretty normal.

While pitching and rolling with no power, the ship was spotted National Geographic Explorer, another cruise ship.   After establishing communications with  Clelia II, , the Explorer stood by for much of the day, while crew members repaired the engine and managed to get the damaged ship limping back towards South America once again.

*** Equally disturbing, on December 26, 2009,  Clelia II hit rocks while preparing for a passenger landing at Petermann Island, Penola Strait, Antarctic Peninsula. In that incident, the ship suffered damage to the starboard propeller and resulted in the shutdown of the starboard engine and the loss of electrical power. The ship subsequently returned to Ushuia under escort and was pulled from service for propeller repairs.

Sorry, I don’t believe in coincidences, especially in Antarctica, the most dangerous place on earth for ships.   See this  hair raising video for dramatic footage of the ship without power.

It’s your call.

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