CELEBRITY
CRUISES redeployed the Century
to Europe for the summer 2005 season, a short-notice switch that
brings Celebritys number of Europe-based ships to four. To move the
Century to Europe, Celebrity canceled the ships summer season in
the Caribbean. Celebrity said steadily increasing demand for Europe
cruises was a deciding factor in the move. The Century will sail
12-day Baltic-region cruises from Amsterdam between May and August
and offer cruises in the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean
before moving back to Fort Lauderdale.
CELEBRITY said passengers
booked on the Centurys nine- and 10-day Caribbean sailings can
switch to another Celebrity fall sailing or choose another seven-
through 10-day Caribbean sailing with Celebrity or Royal Caribbean
International through Dec. 31, 2005. Passengers also can cancel for
a full refund. Agents earn a $50 rebooking fee per cabin. The line
set up a phone number, (800) 837-5676, for those
passengers.
WAVE
SEASON is almost upon us, and
several cruise executives have told Travel Weekly theyre bullish on
the upcoming season. Every Wave is slightly different, said Holland
America Senior Vice President Rick Meadows. But I absolutely think
theres [a big] one coming. During a conference call to discuss
Carnival Corp.s year-end earnings, Chief Operating Officer Howard
Frank said the booking momentum is the strongest I can recall.
Frank said there is very little left to sell for Carnival's brands
in the first quarter. In the second quarter, he said, the company
is about 11 points ahead year-over-year on bookings.
HOLLAND
AMERICA will bring its View
& Verandah promotion back for the 2005 Wave Season. The line is
offering free upgrades on cruises from inside to oceanview or from
outside cabin to the Deluxe Verandah category booked between Jan. 1
and Feb. 28. HAL will post applicable sailings for cabin upgrades
on its Web site. Agents who make View
& Verandah bookings online will be entered into a contest to
win prizes that vary from the lines Signature of Excellence
amenities to a seven-day cruise.
STAR
CRUISES took a majority stake in
Valuair, a budget carrier located in Singapore. Star, the worlds
third-largest cruise company, said the alliance with Valuair is
part of a strategy to develop Singapore into a world-renowned
cruise hub rivaling Miami.