ROYAL
CARIBBEAN continued its media blitz to dispute allegations
of wrongdoing in the disappearance of passenger George Smith IV
from the Brilliance of the Seas last July. Last week the line
arranged a telephone conference call with media to counter the top
10 myths regarding Royal Caribbeans handling of the situation;
issued a statement blasting George Smiths family for releasing
before-and-after photos of the Smiths cabin to the media; and
holding a press conference at the same time as the family. Royal
Caribbean Cruises CEO Richard Fain and guest relations manager
Marie Brehret took to the airwaves to defend the lines actions, and
cruise line attorney Lanny Davis faced Smith family lawyer Brett
Rivkind on TV.
DELTA QUEEN
STEAMBOAT CO. said the American Queens 2006 schedule will
be cancelled due to conditions in New Orleans and along the lower
Mississippi River system. The vessel has been privately chartered
through January, and possibly beyond that time, according to Delta
Queen President Bruce Nierenberg. The ship is scheduled to return
to service in 2007. Passengers are being reaccommodated on the
lines Delta Queen or Mississippi Queen, or will receive a full
refund.
HOLLAND
AMERICA LINE said it will call its two newbuilds the
Signature Class, as part of its $225 million Signature of
Excellence branding effort. The two unnamed 2,044-passenger ships
will cost $450 million each, one due in summer 2008 and another
optioned for spring 2010. The ships construction at Fincantieris
shipyard in Marghera, Italy, was announced late last year as part
of Carnival Corp.s four-ship deal with the Italian
shipbuilder.
THE SIGNATURE
CLASS OFFERS more decks and 63 more cabins than the lines
Vista Class. Of those new cabins, 47 will be verandah cabins and 10
will be a new style of stateroom with ceiling-to-floor and
wall-to-wall panoramic windows. New concepts for the ships interior
include a topside 144-seat restaurant and 50-seat lounge; an
Explorers Lounge Bar; a premium wine-tasting lounge; a luxury
jewelry boutique; a new atrium bar area; an enhanced and
reconfigured show lounge; and a new photography and imaging
center.