JACKSONVILLE came out a
winner in the Super Bowl extravaganza last weekend: Six cruise
ships provided about 3,800 extra beds to visitors in town for the
event. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said a
total of 7,638 guests would be accommodated on cruise ships during
Super Bowl week. Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Miracle, Radisson
Seven Seas Cruises Seven Seas Navigator and three vessels from
Holland America Line the Zaandam, the Zuiderdam and the Volendam
were in town as floating hotels.
Silversea Cruises Silver Wind was in Jacksonville under charter.
ROYAL
CARIBBEAN CRUISES revenues rose
9.9% during the fourth quarter of 2004 to $964.6 million, but the
second-largest cruise company also lost $25.8 million during the
quarter, compared with a net loss of $20 million during
fourth-quarter 2003. RCCL said a spike in at-the-pump fuel costs
during November and December was the "primary driver" of
fourth-quarter costs. In addition, RCCL CEO Richard Fain said other
costs and a less-than-exceptional take in onboard casino revenue
were factors. For the year, however, RCCL's net income rose nearly
70% over 2003 earnings to $474.7 million, on revenues of $4.6
billion.
RCCL WILL
SPEND an additional $20 million
in 2005 on its new split sales force the company in 2004 split its
sales force into brand-dedicated teams and expanding its Europe
sales presence. President Jack Williams said RCCL is looking at
some strategic alternatives with supporting that [Europe] market
with additional tonnage. As for new tonnage, the company said it
expects to grow the Celebrity brand, but as Fain said, We don't
have a deal until we have a deal.
NCL CORP.S
DEAL to hold off on a deal:
Aker Yards and NCL agreed to extend a letter of intent to build a
cruise ship for Norwegian Cruise Line until Feb. 28, the yard said.
The 89,000-ton ship was to be built at Aker Finnyards Helsinki yard
and delivered in spring 2007. Originally, the letter of intent with
the yard expired at the end of January.
PRINCESS
CRUISES added 13 shore
excursions to its Alaska cruise lineup, bringing the total number
of options to 137 tours.