Alaska”…check that out by the way.Despite my absence from the ‘blogosphere,’ the cruise industry never sleeps and is constantly moving, giving us more to talk about here on Ramblings. So lets talk about what’s new, interesting, and happening lately in our favorite industry! You will have to forgive me as some of this news is slightly old. :o
- Princess Cruises, Holland America and Carnival Cruise Lines have just announced that they will be implementing a new and more restrictive smoking policy.
Up until now, Princess has allowed smoking inside select cabins and on cabin balconies (ironically the 2006 fire aboard Princess’ ship Star Princess, was caused by 
a cigarette on a balcony – new safety requirements have been passed regarding balcony fire safety as a result). Princess said that it’s new policy is in line with the global trend towards a more smoking-free environment, and that it will go into effect on all cruises after January 15th, 2012. Princess is however, quick to add that they still welcome smokers on their ships and will still have several different and convienent location where smokers may get their fix. Theses places include cigar bars, portions of the open decks, and in certain areas of the casino and night clubs.
Holland America’s new policy will disallow any smoking in any cabin across their fleet, effective January 15th, 2012. However, smoking on balconies, and in certain other areas, is still allowed.
Carnival’s new policy will be implemented in 2 phases. Phase 1, effective June 15th, 2011, will limit smoking onboard to Carnival’s dance clubs, and certain areas of the casinos, casino bars, nightclubs, and certain portions of the open decks.
Phase 2, effective December 1st, 2011, will restrict all smoking in all cabins across the fleet. Smoking on balconies (with the exception of the smoke free Spa cabins) will still be allowed. All three lines have stated that anyone who breaks these rules will be charged a $250 cleaning fee.
In recent years, smoking has become one of the more controversial subjects in the cruise industry. Obviously, many people are staunchly against it and would prefer that there was no smoking at all…others are just the opposite, and want to be able to smoke more freely.
- Radiance of the Sea has just completed a seventeen million dollar overhaul in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The refit added several new features and venues to the 90,000grt ship, such as, "Samba Grill" (a B
razilian Churrascaria introduced on the Allure of the Seas), Royal Caribbean’s largest pub at sea, “The Quill and Compass,” “Izumi Asian Cuisine,” and “Rita’s Cantina. They have also added a new and improved mini-golf course, a big screen outdoor TV, an arcade, and even a nursery. The drydock, part of a larger 70 million dollar effort by RCI to upgrade their fleet, added several new cabins, (including 3 single cabins), as well as other new eateries from Allure and Oasis of the Seas.
Radiance is offering cruises this summer to Alaska. Then this Winter, it will be repositioned to the South Pacific for it’s first season in Australia.
- P&O Cruises has announced that they will be building the largest ship in the company’s, over 170 year history, at over 141,000grt. The ship will be sister ships to Princess Cruises' recently announced, and completely new, "Royal Princess," albeit with some differences. The most obvious difference at this point is that, unlike the Royal Princess, this new P&O ship will have 2 funnels situated on its stern. The ship will also lack the new “Sea Walk”, a cantilevered, glass floored walk way that takes you over the side of the ship where you can watch as the sea passes almost 200 feet below you, featured on the upcoming, Royal Princess.
Personal Note: Even though I love the way multiple funnels look on ships, I have to say that I am not so crazy about how they have done it on this ship…it looks unbalanced to me.
The ship will be built by Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy, and is expected for delivery in March 2015. At over 141,000grt, the ship will carry 3,600 passengers and will be the largest ship ever built for the British market.
- In a somewhat surprising move, Royal Caribbean has announced that they will be sending the 140,000grt, Voyager of the Sea’s, down to Sydney, Australia in Fall 2012. The ship will be, by far, the largest cruise ship to ever homeport in Australia, and one of the largest to ever even call
there. She will be joining her fleet mates, Radiance of the Seas, and Rhapsody of the Seas, in what some have called a ‘war’ against Australian cruise market leader Carnival Corp.
Launched in 1999, the Voyager was the largest cruise ship ever built and was revolutionary for Royal Caribbean and the industry as a whole. She introduced novelties like, “Studio B” (Royal Caribbean’s ice skating rinks), rock climbing walls, and the huge indoor Royal Promenade; all of which have become staples of RCI ships. The addition of this ship to the Australian cruising fleet is no small upgrade.
In recent times, Australia has seen a rash of new high-end deployments to the country. Both RCI and Carnival Corp. are sending some of their best to be home ported in Australia for a season or more. As I reported a few months back, Carnival will be sending it’s Carnival Spirit, one of their most popular ships, and Holland America’s Oosterdam (both of which I might add, are leaving for Australia at the expense of the cruise industry in California…). Royal Caribbean is taking it up a few notches (if you ask me) from there. They are sending the wonderful, Radiance of the Sea’s, later this year (one of RCI’s best ships and most beloved), the Rhapsody of the Seas (one of RCI’s slightly older ships at 14 years old, but still a great and popular ship), and now, the Voyager of the Seas. On top of this, Celebrity Cruises – a
RCI sister company --, will be sending their cutting edge (and one of my personal favorites) Celebrity Solstice, down under next year.In my humble opinion, Carnival better watch out. RCI seems quite intent on taking Australia.
Moving on…
In an even more surprising move though, Royal Caribbean has announced that they will be first deploying the Voyager of the Seas to China in July 2012. This is surprising to me because I personally did not think that the Chinese cruise market, though fast growing, would be ready for a ship like Voyager. Up until now, like Australia, China has gotten some of the older and less flashy ships home-ported there. Over the years better ships have come, but nothing at quite the level of Voyager. However, obviously RCI must be confident that she will do well there, and I am sure she will be popular. She is a great ship and will offer something new for China!
Before this big move, Voyager of the Sea's will be based in New Orleans.
- Carnival has announced that they will be starting their first year round deployment out of New York City, with their Carnival Miracle. Beginning in April next year, Miracle will be offering 3 different eight day cruises. 1) An Eastern Caribbean cruise, calling at place like San Juan, St Thomas, and Grand Turk. 2) A Bahamas cruise calling at places such as Half Moon Cay (Holland America’s private island), Grand Turk, and Nassau. 3) will be a Bahamas/Florida cruise with stops in Cape Canaveral, FL, Nassau, and Freeport.
Carni
val will be joining NCL (who has 2 ships based year round in NYC), and Disney Cruise Lines which announced in April that they will be basing the Disney Magic in NYC for 20 cruises, starting May 2012.
Carnival currently has part time deployments in NYC with their Carnival Glory, and Carnival Miracle. The larger Carnival Corp. also bases Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 out of New York for a part of the year.
- P&O's ships the Arcadia, was recently subjected to very bad treatment by the US Customs and Border Patrol while docked in Los Angeles. Passengers (with a large number of elderly) were
made to stand and wait as each passenger was put through an extensive background check, even though the ship had already called on other US port's during it's cruise. The ship subsequently, stayed an extra 24 hours in Los Angeles (cancelling a call in Roatan) to allow it's passengers to actually see this great city. Interestingly enough, I was at the port during this unfortunate event and reported the news on Rambling's Facebook page, right away.As an Angelino (a person from Los Angeles) I am very sorry to all the passengers on the Arcadia for your bad time in our city.
- Some other small tibbits of news...
- Carnival Cruise Line's is being sued by preservation and environmental groups in Charleston, SC, who allege that the Carnival Fantasy - which is based out of the city - breaks zoning laws (the ship does not meet the city's 60ft height limit) , causes public disturbances, and breaks environmental laws. Personally, I think this lawsuit is absolutely baseless.
- South Carolina's legislator as passed a resolution thanking Carnival for it's contributions to South Carolina and it's economy.
- The Australian government is looking at ways to help ease cruise ship congestion in Sydney, with all the new deployments there.
Anyway…that's it for right now! Keep checking back here for more articles. Thing are busy in life so I make no guarantee that they will be up tomorrow, but rest assured that I am working on getting them posted as soon as possible…hopefully tomorrow…or the next day…or days ;) .
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