http://www.travelweekly.comcruise/channels.aspxGet the latest Cruise News(c) 2012, NORTHSTAR Travel Media, LLC. All rights reserved.60http://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Victoria-Cruises-wraps-up-10-Million-dollar-renovation-of-Yangtze-fleet/239120kscholz@ntmllc.com (Michelle Baran)Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 GMTFeatured StoryWhen Victoria Cruises relaunched the 198-passenger Victoria Grace and the 208-passenger Victoria Sophia in March, it concluded a two-year, $10 million renovation of five of its seven Yangtze River cruise vessels.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-to-upgrade-res-system/239262kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 22 May 2012 16:10:00 GMTNewsRoyal Caribbean International in the next five years plans to invest $100 million in upgrades to its reservations system and automation.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/St--Kitts-and-USVI-pleased-with-Royal-Caribbean/239260kscholz@ntmllc.com (Gay Nagle Myers)Tue, 22 May 2012 14:45:00 GMTNewsOfficials in St. Kitts and the U.S. Virgin Islands welcomed the recent decision by Royal Caribbean to reintroduce summer cruising to the region after indicating that no new ship tonnage is slated for deployment in the Caribbean before 2014.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Former-Cruise-West-ships-enter-service-for-InnerSea/239246kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 22 May 2012 10:30:00 GMTNewsInnerSea Discoveries, parent company of American Safari Cruises and InnerSea Discoveries, christened two ships on May 18 — one for each brand.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Seniors-booted-from-Seabourn-ship-get-cash-refund/239209kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 21 May 2012 10:40:00 GMTNewsSeabourn said it would issue a refund to the elderly couple who was ordered to leave the Seabourn Sojourn after one of them failed to attend a passenger safety drill on May 12.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Senior-marketing-exec-to-leave-Royal-Caribbean/239180kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 18 May 2012 15:00:00 GMTNewsBetsy O'Rourke, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president of marketing for the last three years, on Friday announced her resignation from the line, effective May 25.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Concordia-salvage-set-to-begin/239171kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 18 May 2012 11:55:00 GMTNewsThe two salvage companies hired by Costa Crociere to float the Costa Concordia and remove it from the rocks off Giglio Island will begin work within the next few days, the company said at a press conference in Rome on Friday.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-finalizes-2013-Europe-plans/239157kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 GMTNewsRoyal Caribbean International said the Legend of the Seas and the Vision of the Seas will complete the cruise line’s 2013 Europe deployment.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Elderly-couple-forced-to-leave-Seabourn-ship-after-missed-drill/239156kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 17 May 2012 11:55:00 GMTNewsSeabourn is standing by its decision to force an elderly couple to disembark the Seabourn Sojourn on May 12, after the wife missed the ship’s mandatory passenger safety drill before departure from Lisbon.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-to-move-Grandeur-to-Baltimore/239132kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 16 May 2012 12:05:00 GMTNewsRoyal Caribbean International in 2013 will deploy the 1,950-passenger Grandeur of the Seas to Baltimore, replacing 2,252-passenger Enchantment of the Seas, which will reposition to Cape Canaveral, Fla.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Revenue-up-more-than-15-percent-at-Regent-Seven-Seas/239131kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 GMTNewsRegent Seven Seas Cruises reported a 15.5% hike in revenue for the first quarter of the year, to $119.9 million — a record first-quarter result.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Vicki-Freed-to-lead-Royal-Caribbean-road-show/239130kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:00 GMTNewsVicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International’s senior vice president of sales, trade support and services, will make her way across the U.S. to present “Royal on the Road,” an agent-focused program offering sales training and strategies.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Seabourn-enhances-rewards-program/239123kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 15 May 2012 16:10:00 GMTNewsSeabourn expanded the benefits it offers to passengers who are members of the line’s loyalty program, Seabourn Club.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-breaks-ground-on-DR-cruise-terminal/239122kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 15 May 2012 15:55:00 GMTNewsCarnival Corp. broke ground on its $65 million Amber Cove Cruise Center in the Dominican Republic.http://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Ports-big-and-small-eager-for-Mississippi-revival/239084kscholz@ntmllc.com (Michelle Baran)Tue, 15 May 2012 14:25:00 GMTNewsWith the launch of two paddlewheelers on the Mississippi River System this year, the cities and towns that dot the riverbanks are anxiously preparing for the boost in visitors, and visitor spend, the vessels will bring.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-completes-upgrade-of-Millennium-class-ships/239088kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 15 May 2012 10:10:00 GMTNewsCelebrity Cruises has completed its $140 million, two-year project to outfit Millennium-class ships with amenities and services introduced on Solstice-class vessels.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Costa-adds-Asia-capacity-with-second-ship/239046kscholz@ntmllc.com (Jerry Limone)Mon, 14 May 2012 14:40:00 GMTNewsCosta Cruises plans to position two ships in Asia, beginning in May 2013.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/American-Cruise-Lines-launches-culinary-themed-sailings/239037kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 GMTNewsAmerican Cruise Lines introduced the "Culinary Cruise Collection," a series of sailings this summer that will emphasize the cuisine of specific cruising regions such as Alaska, New England and the Mississippi River.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-and-Maritime-Voyages-paying-commission-on-total-fare/239036kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 14 May 2012 09:20:00 GMTNewsCruise and Maritime Voyages, the U.K.-based operator of the Marco Polo and the Ocean Countess, is hoping to get the attention of U.S. agents by paying commission on taxes, fees and port charges.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Disney-Wonder-makes-Honolulu-debut/239026kscholz@ntmllc.com (Shane Nelson)Mon, 14 May 2012 03:00:00 GMTNewsThe 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder called on Honolulu May 6 in the middle of a 15-night cruise that marks the vessel’s first trip to the Aloha State.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Oceanias-Riviera-christened/239022kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 11 May 2012 12:45:00 GMTNewsOceania Cruises' 1,250-passenger Riviera was christened in Barcelona on May 11, with some 500 U.S. and international travel agents attending the pierside gala.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Aboard-Oceania-Riviera-acclimating-to-upper-premium/239016kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 11 May 2012 11:45:00 GMTNewsHaving spent the last year on a variety of contemporary and premium lines, I had become accustomed to the do-it-yourself buffet system. But things were different here. I was learning what Oceania Cruises’ self-styled “upper premium” product means, and it didn’t take long to get used to the idea.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Amid-Mideast-uncertainty,-Israel-cruise-arrivals-rise/238933kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 08 May 2012 14:35:00 GMTNewsEven as political issues upended tourism in some parts of the Middle East, cruise passenger arrivals in Israel have been growing at a healthy pace.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Costa-bolsters-safety-procedures/238922kscholz@ntmllc.com (Robert N. Jenkins)Tue, 08 May 2012 11:10:00 GMTNewsCosta Cruises has implemented measures aimed at enhancing passenger safety — a result of the loss of 32 lives following the capsizing of Costa Concordia.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Dispatch-Riviera-Rave-reviews/238920kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 08 May 2012 10:20:00 GMTNewsTop-producing agents and other VIPs this week are getting their first look at Oceania Cruises’ Riviera, which will be christened in Barcelona on May 11.http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Mediterranean-cruises-face-menacing-headwinds/238904kscholz@ntmllc.com (Johanna Jainchill)Mon, 07 May 2012 16:25:00 GMTNewsHigh airfares are compounding softness in summer Mediterranean sailings, cruise executives said here on Monday during a session at Vacation.com’s 14th International Conference and Trade Show.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Terrorism-expert--Al-Qaida-not-a-big-threat-to-cruising-right-now/238899kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 07 May 2012 15:50:00 GMTNewsThe potential for a different kind of cruise safety crisis reared its head last week with the release of al-Qaida’s “Future Works” document, which mentions the possible seizure of passenger ships.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Fascinosa-christening-gives-Costa-something-to-cheer/238887kscholz@ntmllc.com (Bob Jenkins)Mon, 07 May 2012 13:50:00 GMTNewsOn the stage of the Costa Fascinosa's three-deck theater, three men in business suits took turns speaking optimistically, even a little defiantly, about the glory of Italian industrial stalwarts Costa Crociere and the Fincantieri shipyard.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Travel-agents-reporting-healthy-summer-cruise-sales/238849kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTNewsThe two largest cruise companies have reported hefty drops in net income for the first quarter of the year and sluggish bookings for the second and third quarters, but that hasn’t dampened the spirits of some frontline cruise agents, who say their summer business is solid.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Grand-Princess-to-call-San-Francisco-home/238837kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 03 May 2012 20:25:00 GMTNewsPrincess Cruises for the first time will base a ship in San Francisco year round, beginning in May 2013.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Explorer-of-the-Seas-to-continue-sailing-from-N-J-/238816kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 03 May 2012 12:25:00 GMTNewsRoyal Caribbean International said it would continue to homeport the 3,114-passenger Explorer of the Seas at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J., in 2013.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-Breeze-specialty-restaurant-to-serve-sushi/238815kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 03 May 2012 12:05:00 GMTNewsThe Carnival Breeze, entering service in June, will offer two new dining venues: a full-service sushi restaurant and an open-air barbecue.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Survey--15--of-wealthy-travelers-plan-to-cruise-this-year/238790kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 02 May 2012 15:00:00 GMTNewsThe spring 2012 survey by the American Affluence Research Center found that a lower percentage of people in wealthy households plan to cruise this year.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Holland-America-expands-vegetarian-selections/238786kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 02 May 2012 14:45:00 GMTNewsHolland America Line has introduced a vegetarian menu, as well as 30 new vegetarian dishes to the main dining room menus.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Seven-Seas-Navigator-to-be-renovated/238766kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 01 May 2012 14:20:00 GMTNewsRegent Seven Seas Cruises’ 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator will enter drydock in mid-May for a two-week renovation.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/CLIA-report-focuses-on-role-of-agent-in-cruising/238764kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 01 May 2012 13:50:00 GMTNewsCLIA published a report calling for a travel-industry dialogue aimed at elevating the role of the travel agent.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/CruiseOne-and-Cruises-Inc--redesign-websites/238758kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 01 May 2012 11:45:00 GMTNewsCruiseOne and Cruises Inc. unveiled redesigned websites that show real-time supplier promotions.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-announces-additional-Europe-deployments/238757kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 01 May 2012 11:35:00 GMTNewsRoyal Caribbean International revealed more Europe deployments for summer 2013.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Safari-Spirit-declared-a-total-loss-after-fire/238743kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMTNewsAmerican Safari Cruises said that its Safari Spirit yacht is a total loss after an onboard fire severely damaged the 12-passenger vessel April 27.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Steigenberger-makes-foray-into-Nile-river-cruising/238725kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:25:00 GMTNewsFrankfurt-based Steigenberger, parent company of Steigenberger Hotels and InnerCity Hotels, will have three cruise ships in Egypt this October.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Australian-businessman-to-build-Titanic-II/238722kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMTNewsAustralian industrialist and billionaire Clive Palmer has contracted with a Chinese shipyard to build a near-replica of the Titanic, according to published reports.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-Glory-headed-back-to-Boston-in-2013/238717kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:20:00 GMTNewsThe Carnival Glory will return to Boston in summer 2013 to operate a series of Atlantic Canada cruises.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Island-Routes-starts-paying-10--commission-on-shore-excursions/238715kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:05:00 GMTNewsIsland Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours began paying travel agents 10% commission on shore excursions in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and the Cayman Islands.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-turns-Q1-profit/238716kscholz@ntmllc.com (Jerry Limone)Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:10:00 GMTNewsNorwegian Cruise Line’s ability to boost revenue and hold down expenses enabled the company to record a $3.3 million net profit in the first quarter, reversing a $7.9 million net loss a year earlier.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/New-Princess-ship-to-have-TV-studio/238698kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:45:00 GMTNewsPrincess Cruises is constructing a television studio on the Royal Princess, which is due to enter service in June 2013.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/American-Cruise-Lines-to-launch-agent-portal/238695kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:35:00 GMTNewsAmerican Cruise Lines this summer will launch a travel agent portal on its website.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Oceania-takes-delivery-of-Riviera/238687kscholz@ntmllc.comFri, 27 Apr 2012 17:15:00 GMTNewsOceania Cruises took delivery of the 1,250-passenger Riviera at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa, Italy.http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Cruise-Planners-launches-wedding-service/238669kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:00 GMTNewsCruise Planners/American Express teamed up with Imagine Weddings and Events to create Destination Weddings by Cruise Planners, a wedding-planning service for shoreside ceremonies and celebrations in ports around the world.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Tap-into-pent-up-demand-Cruise3sixty-panelists-tell-agents/238681kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:30:00 GMTNewsReach out to cruise clients who haven't made a commitment yet, because there's pent-up demand in the marketplace, cruise line executives told agents Friday during a panel discussion at CLIA's Cruise3sixty conference in Fort Lauderdale.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-Breakaway-to-have-five-water-slides-ropes-course/238667kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:20:00 GMTNewsNorwegian Cruise Line revealed plans for a three-deck sports complex on the Norwegian Breakaway, which is under construction at the Meyer Werft yard in Germany and slated to enter service in spring 2013.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/MSC-Divina-to-spend-a-winter-in-Miami/238665kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMTNewsMSC Cruises for the first time will homeport a ship in Miami.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Safari-Spirit-cruise-canceled-after-fire-in-port/238664kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:40:00 GMTNewsA fire broke out early on April 27 aboard the Safari Spirit, a 12-passenger yacht operated by American Safari Cruises.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Holland-America-unveils-South-America-cruises-for-2012-13/238614kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:45:00 GMTNewsHolland America Line rolled out its fall and winter 2012-13 South America program, which features three ships operating 13- to 68-day voyages.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Costa-to-hold-agent-event-on-brand-new-ship/238594kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:45:00 GMTNewsThe 19th annual Champions of the Sea, an event for Costa Cruises’ travel agent partners, will be held May 6 to 11 aboard the Costa Fascinosa, the line’s 3,780-passenger ship under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.http://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Focus-on-Cruising-Homegrown-heritage-is-key-as-American-Queen-sets-sail-once-again-on-the-Mississippi/238579kscholz@ntmllc.com (Michelle Baran)Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:30:00 GMTNewsWhen the American Queen is rechristened on the Mississippi River this week, the paddlewheeler's passengers will be treated to a nearly lost piece of Americana. But the starring roles will played by a crew that represents the potpourri of culture and diversity that lines the banks of this country's great inland waterways.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Focus-on-Cruising-For-oceangoing-lines-and-agents-social-media-and-trust-are-at-the-heart-of-an-evolving-partnership/238587kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:40:00 GMTNewsIt wasn't so long ago when the typical relationship between a cruise line and a cruise agent was strictly a two-party deal. The cruise line would offer a product, the agent would sell it to a client, and there was no reason to expect any communication between the supplier and the buyer.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Oceania-Regent-Seven-Seas-to-ban-rebating/238556kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:40:00 GMTNewsPrestige Cruise Holdings, parent of Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, informed agents via email that it is implementing an anti-rebating policy, effective May 1.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Declines-in-pricing-add-to-Europe-cruise-market-worries/238550kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:10:00 GMTNewsPricing for Europe cruises departing in the second and third quarters of this year has been flat or down since late March, adding to earlier concerns that the region will experience a soft season in 2012, a UBS Investment Research analyst has indicated.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-groups-to-adopt-new-safety-policies/238549kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:25:00 GMTNewsCLIA and the European Cruise Council agreed to adopt three new safety policies as part of the industry’s ongoing Operational Safety Review that was launched after the Costa Concordia shipwreck in Italy on Jan. 13.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-suspends-scuba-excursion-after-teens-death/238548kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:20:00 GMTNewsCarnival Cruise Lines has suspended a scuba excursion in Grand Turk after a 17-year-old passenger aboard the Carnival Pride lost consciousness and later died after participating in the excursion.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Small-fire-does-not-affect-Allure-of-the-Seas-itinerary/238528kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:45:00 GMTNewsA small fire erupted April 20 in an engine of Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas as the ship made its way back to Fort Lauderdale from a Caribbean cruise.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Foschi-retires-as-Costa-Crociere-CEO/238521kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMTNewsCarnival Corp. and subsidiary Costa Crociere said that Pier Luigi Foschi will retire as Costa Crociere's CEO, effective July 1.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-plans-more-changes-under-Partners-First-effort/238508kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:40:00 GMTNewsNorwegian Cruise Line is marking the first anniversary of its Partners First campaign with a look back at its “report card” and a look forward to initiatives aimed at helping agents sell its products, said Andy Stuart, the line’s executive vice president of global sales and passenger services.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/US-salvage-company-to-remove-Costa-Concordia/238507kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:35:00 GMTNewsAn American salvage company and an Italian marine contractor together won the bid to refloat and remove the Costa Concordia in one piece from its perch on a rocky reef off the Italian island of Giglio.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Preservation-group-SC-should-allow-suit-against-Carnival/238659kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 23 Apr 2012 02:00:00 GMTNewsOne of the country's most prominent preservation groups has joined a legal battle in South Carolina's state Supreme Court over Carnival Cruise Lines' operations in the historical port of Charleston.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/RCCL-Q1-profit-falls-40-percent/238480kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:25:00 GMTNewsRoyal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. reported a 40% drop in net income for the first quarter. Net income was $47 million, down from $78.4 million a year earlier.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/CLIA-appoints-panel-to-evaluate-new-safety-recommendations/238453kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:15:00 GMTNewsCLIA appointed a four-member panel of maritime and safety experts to assess recommendations from its Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review, which was created after the Costa Concordia accident in Italy.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Azamara-Quest-set-to-reenter-service/238458kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:15:00 GMTNewsRepairs to the Azamara Quest are completed, and the ship is on its way to Mumbai, where it will depart on its next cruise April 24.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-to-maintain-Australia-deployment/238451kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:55:00 GMTNewsRoyal Caribbean International will continue its commitment to the Australia-New Zealand market in 2013-14 by deploying the same three ships that will operate in the region during the 2012-13 season.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Viking-agrees-to-order-two-ocean-liners/238438kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:05:00 GMTNewsViking Ocean Cruises, sister company of Viking River Cruises, signed a memorandum of agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of two ships and an option for a third.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Freedom-of-the-Seas-to-remain-at-Port-Canaveral-next-year/238428kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:10:00 GMTNewsRoyal Caribbean International plans to continue its deployment of the 3,634-passenger Freedom of the Seas to Port Canaveral, Fla., in the spring and summer of 2013.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Fain-honored-by-U-K--organization/238404kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:45:00 GMTNewsRichard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., was inducted into the British Travel and Hospitality Industry Hall of Fame on April 17.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-Getaway-to-sail-from-Miami-year-round/238384kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:40:00 GMTNewsNorwegian Cruise Line will base the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway year-round in Miami when the ship enters service in the spring of 2014.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Vancouver-expects-1--growth-in-cruise-traffic-this-year/238375kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:45:00 GMTNewsBritish Columbia’s Port Metro Vancouver is expecting “modest growth” in cruise passenger traffic this year, with 191 cruise ships calling at the port’s two cruise terminals, Canada Place and Ballantyne.http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Vacation-com-schedules-Azamara-Journey-inspection/238374kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:00 GMTNewsVacation.com will host its sixth in a series of seven ship inspections this spring for agents who serve as concierge hosts on the network’s Vacation Vignettes sailings.http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Cruise-lines-and-tour-operators-eat-costs-of-higher-fuel/238368kscholz@ntmllc.com (Michelle Baran and Donna Tunney)Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:30:00 GMTNewsAs gas prices flirt with the $4-per-gallon mark for the first time since 2008, the travel industry is anxiously bracing for signs of what impact higher fuel costs will have on summer travel.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/MSC-Divina-completes-initial-sea-trials/238361kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:40:00 GMTNewsThe MSC Divina completed three days of initial sea trials off the Brittany coast on April 15, MSC Cruises said.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Saga-Cruises-sailing-cut-short-due-to-engine-trouble/238352kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:25:00 GMTNewsThe inaugural voyage of the Saga Sapphire was cut short April 15 after a problem developed in one of the cooling systems of the ship’s two engines while it was in the port of Valencia, said U.K.-based Saga Cruises.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/National-preservation-group-assists-Charleston-groups-suing-Carnival/238351kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:55:00 GMTNewsThe National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) filed an amicus brief with the South Carolina State Supreme Court asking it to deny the motions to dismiss a lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Lines.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Amid-distractions-Carnival-Corp-outlines-growth-strategy/238652kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:35:00 GMTNewsCarnival Corp.'s stockholder meeting this year was anything but typical, marked by a moment of silence for victims of the Costa Concordia accident, raucous interruptions by members of the Occupy movement and a webcast that for unknown reasons ended abruptly just as the question-and-answer period was about to begin.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Dublin-to-build-new-cruise-terminal/238311kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:40:00 GMTNewsAdd Dublin to the list of international destinations eager to upgrade cruise port infrastructure so that more vessels will be inclined to call.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Hapag-Lloyd-takes-delivery-of-Oceania-ship/238291kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:25:00 GMTNewsHapag-Lloyd Cruises took delivery of Oceania Cruises’ Insignia, a 684-passenger ship that the Germany-based line will charter for at least two years.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/ResortForaDay-adds-Roatan-resort/238279kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:30:00 GMTNewsResortForaDay added Roatan, Honduras, to its roster of destinations that cruise passengers can visit for a daylong excursion.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-introduces-George-Lopez-branded-comedy-club/238272kscholz@ntmllc.com (Jerry Limone)Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:45:00 GMTNewsThe Carnival Miracle launched year-round Caribbean sailings from New York on Thursday, offering several new dining and entertainment options for Carnival Cruise Lines.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-answers-protestors-who-say-it-doesn-t-pay-enough-taxes/238264kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:30:00 GMTNewsMembers of the Occupy movement in Miami Beach criticized Carnival Corp. for paying too little in U.S. taxes.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cunard-grows-Germany-presence-with-more-Hamburg-sailings/238263kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:20:00 GMTNewsIn a move aimed at further strengthening its commitment to the German source market, Cunard next year will increase by about 65% the number of transatlantic crossings that begin or end in Hamburg.http://www.travelweekly.com/South-America-Travel/Adventure-education-on-Costa-Rica-shore-excursions/238250kscholz@ntmllc.com (Nadine Godwin)Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:30:00 GMTNewsWith shorelines on the Caribbean and the Pacific, plus a widely varied terrain in a region fairly close to the equator, Costa Rica boasts multiple microclimates and thus accommodates a huge variety of plants and animals.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-Corp-COO-talks-emerging-markets-safety-issues/238235kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMTNewsThe emerging markets of Australia, Asia and South America represent the top future growth opportunities for Carnival Corp. brands, company Vice Chairman and COO Howard Frank told shareholders at an annual meeting in Miami on April 11.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-promotes-Olivere-to-senior-vice-president-sales/238232kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:15:00 GMTNewsNorwegian Cruise Line promoted Camille Olivere to senior vice president, sales, Americas. She had been vice president, North America sales.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/UK-charter-cruise-to-Titanic-site-makes-unscheduled-detour/238182kscholz@ntmllc.comTue, 10 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMTNewsA Titanic memorial charter cruise sailing from Southampton, England, to the site of the liner's sinking 100 years ago made an unscheduled detour from its route when a passenger became ill.http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Online-Travel/Travel-companies-see-potential-in-scrapbooking-site-Pinterest/238170kscholz@ntmllc.com (Johanna Jainchill)Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:30:00 GMTNewsPinterest, the much-buzzed-about scrapbooking website, might be the social media tool best suited to agents and suppliers alike, because it is all about images.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Azamara-Quest-arrives-in-Singapore-for-repairs/238163kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:25:00 GMTNewsAzamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Quest is undergoing repairs at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore, where the vessel arrived on April 9.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Upward-trend-for-Costa-bookings/238632kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 09 Apr 2012 07:30:00 GMTNewsThe tide appears to be turning for Costa Cruises. Booking volumes for its Easter season cruises this month "exceed the corresponding figures" for Easter 2011, the line said in a statement April 4.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Azamara-Quest-fire-cuts-short-one-sailing-cancels-another/238631kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Mon, 09 Apr 2012 07:25:00 GMTNewsAn engine room fire on Azamara Club Cruises' Azamara Quest forced the line to cut short one sailing and cancel the next.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Windstar-adds-new-cruises-in-Med-Europe-for-2013/238105kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:40:00 GMTNewsWindstar Cruises introduced seven new itineraries for 2013.http://www.travelweekly.com/Caribbean-Travel/Antigua-commissions-cruise-port-study/238104kscholz@ntmllc.com (Gay Nagle Myers)Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:30:00 GMTNewsAntigua has commissioned a Miami-based firm for a study of its cruise port in the capital city of St. John’s.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cunard-unveils-2013-schedule/238099kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:10:00 GMTNewsCunard released its 2013 sailing schedule for its three ships.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/MSC-details-Red-Sea-cruises-on-the-Armonia/238098kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:55:00 GMTNewsMSC Cruises unveiled details about its Red Sea itineraries later this year, when the 1,544-passenger MSC Armonia begins a series of cruises from its new homeport, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Things-looking-up-for-Costa/238093kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:55:00 GMTNewsThe tide appears to be turning for Costa Cruises. Booking volume for its Easter season cruises this month “exceed the corresponding figures” from last year, Costa said in a statement April 4.http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Silversea-offers-email-marketing-tool-to-agents/238089kscholz@ntmllc.com (Donna Tunney)Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:35:00 GMTNewsSilversea Cruises added an email marketing tool for agencies that operate a cobranded web site with the luxury line.