PASSENGERS on a charter cruise of NCLs
Pride of Aloha in Hawaii last summer brought a class-action lawsuit
against the travel agency that organized the trip, seeking damages
because of an experience they maintain was way below expectations.
The agency, Blue World Travel in San Francisco, in turn filed a
cross-complaint against NCL. The suit was filed in the San
Francisco County Superior Court. NCL declined to comment on the
suit as a matter of policy.
CARNIVAL
CORP. reported another dynamic quarter, pulling in $345
million in net income. Net yields were up by 7.2% in the quarter,
coming in at the high end of the companys expectations, said
Carnival CFO Gerry Cahill. The company revised its 2005
yield-growth projections upward, to between 5% and 6%. Fuel
continued to be a drag on Carnivals cost side. Fuel prices rose
about 10% year-over-year; the company spent an additional $12
million on fuel costs, Cahill said.
SPEAKING
OF FUEL: Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) implemented a
fuel surcharge, making the luxury operator the first North
American-based cruise line to do so. Radisson is charging $2.85 per
person, per day on bookings that were made after Feb. 18. It also is applying the charge to bookings
made before Feb. 18 but not paid in full, for sailings from early
May to the end of 2005. In addition, the line is assessing fuel
surcharges for air arrangements to Tahiti or Europe that are booked
through the cruise line. The fuel charges actually do not include
the current spike we have had in fuel costs, said RSSC CEO Mark
Conroy.
CELEBRITY
CRUISES canceled the Infinitys March 27 cruise from
Ensenada, Mexico, to Honolulu and will drydock the ship in order to
replace the systems starboard thrust bearing. The ship is expected
to return to service April 6. Passengers received a full refund
plus a free cruise departing on or before March 27, 2006. Agent
commissions were protected; agents also will receive a $50
rebooking fee. The Infinity has been taken out of service for at
least one cruise each year since its 2000 debut to deal with
various propulsion issues. The ship was drydocked a year ago
forcing the Millennium to take over its March 28 and April 11
cruises.
ROYAL
CARIBBEAN CRUISES will pay $3.75 million and other
customary benefits to Jack Williams, who is stepping down as its
president and COO. The payment amount was specified in Williams
employment agreement, which he signed in August 2002. Williams, who
announced his departure March 18, will stay at the company through
a transition period, which is expected to end June 30.