HOLLAND AMERICA
inaugurated its newest ship last Wednesday, the Noordam.
Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin, the ships godmother, christened the
vessel in front of 1000 spectators in New York City. The 81,769-ton
ship holds 70 more people than other vessels in its class. It
currently is sailing on its first Caribbean voyage, which included
the maiden call at Carnival Corp.s cruise facility in Grand Turk,
Turks and Caicos.
EASYCRUISE Chairman Stelios Haji-Ioannou is
searching for a CEO to manage the cruise line and help it move to
an office in the U.S. (its headquarters will be in Monaco) and
expand its brand, the company said. EasyCruise also appointed Paul
Ellerby, former managing director of Costa Cruise Lines, interim
sales and marketing director. The line also wants to franchise its
brand to other ships and riverboats that will embrace its no-frills
concept.
ROYAL
CARIBBEAN sent travel agent Jami Sales to the Winter
Olympics in Turin, Italy, last week as the winner of RCs Go for the
Gold incentive contest. Sales is owner of Cruising Co. Etc. Inc.,
the agency that won the contest by booking passengers on 15
qualified sailings. The prize included airfare, hotel
accommodations, some meals and tours and Olympic events.
VIKING RIVER
CRUISES added one ship and removed another from its fleet
of three on the Yangtze River. The 306-passenger Viking Century Sun
will replace the 186-passenger Viking Century Star. The company
will offer four Yangtze itineraries on cruises from March through
November.
PETER DEILMANN
CRUISES will expand its European garden theme cruises this
year. Itineraries will explore Versailles and Monets garden in
France, Dutch and Belgian cottage gardens and the Saxony and Elbe
River regions gardens in Germany. Ocean sailings will explore
gardens in Southern England and Ireland. Local experts will give
tours and onboard gardening seminars.