Royal Caribbean signs deal for third Oasis class ship

Royal Caribbean has placed an order for a third ship in the 5,400-passenger Oasis class from the STX France shipyard. The ship will be the same size as the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, and is intended for delivery in 2016.

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Concordia hits profits at Carnival

Carnival Corporation has seen profits fall by 23 per cent over the past financial year, with the Costa Concordia tragedy affecting results. Net profit in the 12 months to November 30th stood at $1.47 billion, down from $1.9 billion at the same time last year.

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New website for Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has announced the launch of its newly designed UK website with new content and exciting new features. The new and improved homepage features a wealth of new content for holidaymakers and agents, making it easier for them to explore all of the possibilities that a Celebrity Cruises holiday has to offer.

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Concordia hits profits at Carnival

Carnival Corporation has seen profits fall by 23 per cent over the past financial year, with the Costa Concordia tragedy affecting results. Net profit in the 12 months to November 30th stood at $1.47 billion, down from $1.9 billion at the same time last year.

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American Cruise Lines claims top World Travel Awards title

American Cruise Lines, operator of the newest riverboats and small cruise ships in the United States, has been voted the World’s Leading Small Ships Cruise Line by World Travel Awards. Referred to as “the Oscar’s of the travel industry” by the Wall Street Journal, World Travel Awards has developed into the most prestigious and comprehensive awards program in travel and tourism.

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Global Cruise Industry Reports on Progress of Operational Safety Review, Extends Mandate for Independent Panel of Experts

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Global Cruise Industry Announces Support of Paris MOU’s

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Norwegian Cruise Line steps up to global stage with World Travel Awards

Norwegian Cruise Line has been named World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line by the World Travel Awards. The 19th annual awards recognise travel companies for delivering an outstanding customer experience and are voted by travel agents worldwide.

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New international body to represent cruise industry

Nine cruise industry associations have announced they have agreed to operate under a common organisation with a unified structure to serve as the voice and advocacy leader of the global cruise industry. The Passenger Shipping Association and the Association of Cruise Experts are among the nine cruise associations and will be known as CLIA UK, retaining their existing office in London.

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Cruise Industry Forms Global Trade Association

Nine cruise industry associations today announced they have agreed to operate under a common organization with a unified structure to serve as the voice and advocacy leader of the global cruise industry. The associations are Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), European Cruise Council (ECC), Asia Cruise Association (ACA), Passenger Shipping Association (PSA/ACE), France’s AFCC, Brazil’s ABREMAR, Northwest and Canada Cruise Association (NWCCA), Alaska Cruise Association (ACA), and International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA). Association members agreed to utilize the name Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) with the appropriate geographic designation, and the existing association offices will remain in place.

The new association was created to provide increased benefits and a globally unified voice for cruise lines, travel agents and business partners

New flagship for Costa Cruises under construction in Italy

Work has begun on the construction of Costa Diadema, the future flagship of Costa Cruises and what will be the biggest Italian-flagged cruise ship, at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard. The ceremony to mark the occasion was attended by Costa Crociere chief executive Michael Thamm and president Gianni Onorato, while Fincantieri was represented by its chief executive Giuseppe Bono.

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Crystal’s 2013 Northern Europe: Shorter itineraries, more overnights, more variety

Shorter summer voyages with more overnight calls highlight Crystal Cruises’ Baltic, Scandinavian, and British Isles cruise collection.  Beginning June 8 aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity, three new seven-day itineraries and five 10-day luxury cruises will take guests to some of the region’s most beautiful, culturally significant cities and landscapes in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Russia and the UK, including Ireland.

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Norwegian Cruise Line honored with Maritime Safety Award

Norwegian Cruise Line is proud to accept the 2012 Quality Ship Management Award from American Maritime Safety (AMS). This prestigious honor, which was bestowed during the maritime trade association’s annual safety awards in New York City, recognises Norwegian’s extensive safety standards and pervasive safety culture.

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Caribbean Cruises popular escape for UK travelers this holiday season

The United Kingdom might be known for a lot of things, but white sandy beaches, palm trees and endless turquoise coloured waters are not among them. No, when those in the UK are looking for the ideal escape they do tend to think about the warmth and sunshine of the Caribbean Sea.

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Ten new longships on order for Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises today announced it has placed an order for 10 additional Viking LongshipsTM, bringing the total number of new ships launching next year to 10 and the number launching in 2014 to eight. The launch plan will easily surpass the industry record Viking set in 2012 with the introduction of six new ships in a single season. By the end of 2014 the company will have introduced a total of 24 new ships in a three-year period, a fleet expansion unprecedented in the cruise industry.

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Caribbean Cruise Line: Scam artists target tourists most often

“While travelling, it’s important to watch out for people offering unsolicited help,” advises a representative for Caribbean Cruise Line Scam Watch, a consumer protection organisation. “Scams often involve some form of distraction, so be aware of your surroundings before you turn your attention to someone you don’t know.”

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Silversea and Cruise Strategies strengthen partnership

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises announced today that it has enhanced its relationship with Cruise Strategies Ltd to provide even more extensive promotional assistance, sales and marketing representation in Canada. Silversea, which has been represented by Cruise Strategies since 2007, has now forged an even closer relationship with the Cruise Strategies team to plan and implement sales and marketing campaigns to broaden awareness of the award-winning cruise company in the Canadian market.

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British company welcomes new cruise ship in Portsmouth

British company, All Leisure Group plc, today welcomes a new chapter in its history with the arrival of the extensively refurbished ship mv Voyager ahead of its naming celebrations in the maritime city of Portsmouth.

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Friends of the Earth criticises cruise industry environmental efforts

Friends of the Earth has released the 2012 edition of its Cruise Ship Report Card, documenting the environmental footprint of the cruise industry and its many ships - 15 cruise lines and the 148 ships operated by the lines were graded. The report card, last released in 2010, shows what the charity brands “a continued lack of effort” on behalf of many cruise lines to pursue ways to reduce their air and water pollution impact on the places passengers take cruises to see and the communities that host cruise ships.

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Celebrity Reflection launch

If there’s one group of people that demands only the best things in life, then it’s celebrities. A holiday experience that follows this trend is cruises - with the launch of the luxurious cruise ship, the Celebrity Reflection, demonstrating just what holidaymakers stand to gain from such a holiday.

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Miami artist unveils design for Norwegian Getaway’s hull artwork

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that popular Miami modern artist and muralist David “LEBO” Le Batard has been commissioned to paint the signature hull artwork for Norwegian Getaway, launching in January 2014.  At an event held at LEBO’s Wynwood studio, the company also revealed the hull artwork, which features a whimsical tropical ocean theme complete with a mermaid holding the sun, pelicans and palm trees, befitting the ship’s year-round home port of Miami.

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IMO to incorporate recommendation from Global Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the European Cruise Council (ECC) are pleased with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decision to approve incorporation of the cruise industry’s recommendation for the mandatory muster of passengers prior to departure from port in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

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Royal Caribbean International expands partnership with Dreamworks Animation

Guests of all ages will have even more opportunities to join in the high-seas hijinks of Ogres, Pandas, Lions, Dragons and other beloved characters as Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. announce the expansion of The DreamWorks Experience. The themed entertainment options will be available onboard a sixth ship when Mariner of the Seas arrives in the Far East in May 2013.

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Viking River Cruises set for continued expansion

Viking River Cruises has confirmed it will launch as many as eight further longships in 2014, in addition to the ten scheduled to take to the water next year. “The river cruise segment is rapidly growing, as more travellers are inspired to experience old destinations in a new way,” Viking chairman Torstein Hagen explained.

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Norwegians Cruise through the holidays with 12 days of savings

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering guests the opportunity to take advantage of incredible deals during the 12 Days of Holiday Savings limited time promotion.

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American Cruise Lines purchases historic 1880s Steam Calliope

American Cruise Lines, operator of the newest riverboats and small cruise ships in the United States, is pleased to announce it has just acquired a 132-year-old Nichol steam calliope to be placed aboard its brand new 150-guest paddlewheeler, Queen of the Mississippi. The historic instrument, which originated from the Washington, a paddlewheel steamboat which operated on the Mississippi and Ohio River from 1880 to 1938, is being meticulously and beautifully restored to full operation, and will then be installed aboard the Queen of the Mississippi.

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Royal Caribbean International inks Australia TV channel deal

OceansTV is providing Royal Caribbean International with a selection of Australian TV channels. Passengers travelling in Australian waters onboard Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas can enjoy the Sky News Australia, Fox Sports News, Fox 8, Fox Footy, Arena, W and Bio channels in the comfort of their staterooms.

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Innovative art collection to debut on Celebrity Reflection

Celebrity Reflection, the newest ship in the Celebrity fleet, will debut in Miami before the ship sets sail on its inaugural U.S. voyage. To mark the launch of Celebrity Reflection, ICArt and Celebrity Cruises will be hosting an exclusive press and VIP event onboard the ship to showcase the innovative, original art collection onboard, which coincides with the start of Art Basel Miami Beach week.

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Costa Cruises reveals its 7th sustainability report

Costa Cruises, Europe’s number one cruise line, has announced excellent environmental results in the seventh edition of its Sustainability Report. The report was revealed at the Seatrade Med 2012 in Marseilles, the biggest event of the year for cruise operators in the Mediterranean. Key achievements include a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 3.8% decrease in fuel consumption and a 40% increase in hours spent on training.

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Norwegian Breakaway brings the taste of New York to sea

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today two more New York-inspired food and beverage offerings onboard Norwegian Breakaway, the line’s newest ship: Sabrett Hot Dogs and Brooklyn Lager beer. Further enhancing the ship’s ties to New York City, its year-round homeport, these newly-announced offerings provide guests with a taste of the Big Apple at sea.

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Caribbean Cruise Line: Scams stop where gambling is made legal

According to the Boston Globe, a referendum next month will decide if some forms of gambling will be legalised in the Bahamas. But, warns Caribbean Cruise Line, scams known as “web shops” are currently the only way for islanders to participate in this pastime.

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Crystal to explore new ports across Mediterranean in 2013

For its 2013 Mediterranean cruise season, ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises is making first-time-ever visits to Canakkale, Turkey; La Spezia, Italy; and Castellon de la Plana, Spain.

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American Queen Steamboat Company reports record demand for 2013 voyages

The American Queen Steamboat Company today announced it will raise fares beginning January 1, 2013, as a result of unprecedented demand for the upcoming second season of the American Queen. According to the operator of the 436-passenger riverboat, many of next year’s sailings are selling out, particularly voyages between the paddlewheeler’s homeport of Memphis and New Orleans. Overall bookings are up 300% compared to 2012 and the fare increase will be an average of $200 per guest per voyage.

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Windstar Cruises announces 2014 winter deployment

Windstar Cruises is launching its collection of 2014 Caribbean and Costa Rican voyages with 2-for-1 cruise fares, plus bonus savings up to $1,000 per stateroom when booked by December 29, 2012. Guests can experience the freedom and panache of their own private yacht, with all the comforts of a luxury cruise ship, all while sailing on the warm breezes of the tropics.

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CLIA, CICF Host Benefit for Port Authority Police Benevolent Association Widow’s and Children’s Fund

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New York, NY — November 20, 2012 — The Cruise Lines International Association hosted a lunch Sunday, November 18, to benefit the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association (PAPBA) Widow’s and Children’s Fund, in partnership with The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF). CICF donated $25,000 to the Fund.

The benefit took place aboard the Norwegian Jewel, with Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan introducing CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy. Rep. Peter King, R-NY; Paul Nunziato, President of PAPBA; Michael Fedorko, Superintendent of the Port Authority Police; members of the PAPBA Board of Directors; the PAPBA Pipe and Drums Band and Honor Guard; 11 Port Authority officers, and 70 family members were also in attendance.

Duffy introduced PAPBA, and thanked all its members and their families for their service and sacrifice, saying,

Blomdahl steps down as Stena Line chief

Stena Line chief executive Gunnar Blomdahl has confirmed he will step down from the role after ten years on January 1st. Carl-Johan Hagman, who currently has responsibility for all shipping operations in the Stena Group, has been appointed to the role.

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NATIONAL CRUISE VACATION WEEK: BIG SAVINGS, GREAT VALUE DURING ‘WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE SALE’ OCTOBER 21-27

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REGISTRATION STRONG FOR CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION’S 2012 NATIONAL CRUISE VACATION WEEK

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CLIA COMMEMORATES WORLD MARITIME DAY

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— September 27, 2012 — Washington, DC - Cruise  Lines International Association (CLIA) today commemorated the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) World Maritime Day, honoring the work of the diverse maritime community and industry stakeholders that strive to preserve and continuously improve maritime safety

RECORD NUMBER OF TRAVEL AGENTS REGISTER FOR CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION’S 2012 NATIONAL CRUISE VACATION WEEK, OCTOBER 21-27

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Fort Lauderdale, FL — October 9, 2012 — With two weeks to go before Cruise Lines International Association’s “World’s Largest Cruise Sale” during the second annual National Cruise Vacation Week (NCVW), almost 6,800 travel agents and agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada have registered to host more than 5,360 live and online events, topping last year’s total by almost 500 registrants. The 25 participating CLIA-member cruise lines continue to provide new special offers to help agents take full advantage of the cruise industry’s single-largest consumer promotion.
 
NCVW, from October 21-27, last year generated $55 million in cruise sales and more than $7 million in commissions. In addition to bonus commissions, CLIA member lines are helping to drive sales to NCVW-participating agents with consumer offers that include: savings up to $6,000 per couple, plus free air, or two-for-one pricing on luxury cruises; complimentary upgrades or shore excursions; $1,500 savings per stateroom for river cruises in Europe; and more.
 
CLIA-member agencies or those agencies that join CLIA this month may continue to register to host in-person or online NCVW events at ncvw.cruising.org.  Online participants may register for their own customized, agency-specific, NCVW mini-websites, complete with a selection of cruise line promotional videos, special offers and other consumer incentives to cruise, which will be live all October.
 
CLIA’s NCVW site offers complete information about setting up the NCVW sites, as well as advice on hosting events, tips for agencies on how to promote their participation, and a broad selection of marketing and promotional tools and materials, including logos, press release templates,taglines, andpostcard and flyer templates. CLIA also will provide additional support to agencies through industry-wide publicity; national, regional and local media coverage; and other promotions. 
 
For further information about National Cruise Vacation Week, visit ncvw.cruising.org# # # About CLIA

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America's largest global cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 26 member lines, 15,000 travel agents, and 120 executive partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers, supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members across North America. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages, and CEO Christine Duffy can be followed

CLIA MEMBER CRUISE LINES OFFER OUTSTANDING VALUE ON AUTUMN AND WINTER CRUISES IN EUROPE

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CLIA RECOGNIZES MEMBERS FOR GIVING BACK

As the cruise industry celebrates its annual National Cruise Vacation Week (NCVW), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is proud to highlight the significant contributions its member cruise lines are doing to support communities around the world.

CLIA STATEMENT ON HURRICANE SANDY

The safety of passengers and crew is the cruise industry’s number one priority. Cruise ships have access to state-of-the-art weather forecasting resources and sophisticated routing tools to make decisions on whether a ship should leave port and the course those at sea should take. With regard to decisions pertaining to departures and arrivals and a ship’s itinerary in or near severe weather conditions, CLIA’s members maintain close communication with local port authorities and government agencies, including the United States Coast Guard. All of this input guides their planning to help enhance safety and minimize disruption, which may include diversion, remaining in port or putting to sea depending on the circumstances.

CREATE A NEW TRADITION: TAKE A CRUISE FOR THE HOLIDAYS AS CLIA CRUISE LINES OFFER GREAT VALUE TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS

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Fort Lauderdale, FL — November 9, 2012 — Untitled Document

“Home for the holidays” is taking a back seat as Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) members offer top value on popular cruises for the holiday season

GLOBAL CRUISE INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES LATEST SAFETY POLICIES

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Costa Crociere S.p.A. announces new senior vice president

Costa Crociere S.p.A., Europe’s number one cruise company, has promoted Beniamino Maltese to Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer.

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Windstar Cruises moves full sail ahead in 2013

Windstar Cruises announced today that advance bookings on 2013 sailings are 60% ahead of the prior year. Based on current pace, 2013 will mark the fourth straight year of increasing revenue for the small-ship cruise line.

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Pride of America fares to increase in 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that based on strong demand for its Hawai`i cruise, it will raise fares an average of 10 percent on Pride of America for new bookings beginning January 1, 2013. The only large US-flagged cruise ship, Pride of America sails year-round from Honolulu on a spectacular seven-day inter-island Hawai`i cruise, featuring close to 100 hours in port and overnights in both Maui and Kaua`i.

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Strong increase in passenger numbers at National Ferries Company, Oman

The number of passengers using fast ferries operated by the National Ferries Company in Oman has increased by 104 per cent during the first half of 2012 when compared to the same period last year. The data, issued by the Communications & Booking Office, revealed the gross number of passengers on board 13,930 during the period, up from 6,826 in 2011.

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Maltese takes over as chief financial officer at Costa

Costa Crociere has promoted Beniamino Maltese to the position of senior vice president & chief financial officer. Maltese will report directly to Michael Thamm, chief executive of Costa Crociere.

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National Ferries Company boosts fleet in Oman

National Ferries Company chairman Mehdi Al Abduwani has signed a contract for two new ROPAX Catamarans to operate the Shannah-Masirah route. The deal was signed with Strategic Marine, an experienced international aluminum shipbuilder.

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