CRUISE SHOPPES, the Fort Lauderdale-based
cruise consortium, is launching a private label line of vacation
packages to be sold exclusively by members. The line is called
Extraordinary Vacations and comes with 15% commissions for agents.
The initial product offering concentrates on Norwegian Cruise Line
sailings of its two newest ships, the Norwegian Dawn in the
Caribbean and the Norwegian Star in Hawaii. Purchased separately,
the package components would be more expensive, officials said.
P&O PRINCESS' after-tax profit for 2002
fell 45% to $208 million, as revenue rose 3% to $2.5 billion, the
company said. Fourth-quarter results were depressed by the $62.5
million break-up fee paid to former merger partner Royal Caribbean.
P&O Princess officials said "wave period" bookings have
accelerated recently, but "the acceleration has not been at the
rate normally experienced." However, executives said the company's
fourth-quarter results indicate that the line's business in the UK
has "bounced back to virtually the situation before 911."
THE FORMER Royal Olympic Cruises changed its
company name to Royal Olympia Cruises. The change was the final
part of an agreement with the International Olympic Committee
dating back two years, according to executive director Arne
Egeland. The name was changed to avoid confusion between the cruise
line's brand and the Olympic games. Under the agreement the
transition was made gradually, with ships' names being changed
first to maintain continuity in brand recognition.
RESIDENSEA added a new 14-night Alaska cruise
for the summer. The itinerary will include Kodiak, Homer,
Anchorage, Juneau, the Inside Passage, Canada's coast provinces,
Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. Land programs are offered in
conjunction with Abercrombie & Kent. Special fares begin at
$500 per unit per night. Voyages are scheduled from July 7 through
Aug. 23.
IN OTHER RESIDENSEA developments, the line
restructured its debt financing. The new financing includes an
amortizing $91 million facility due in 2008 and an increased $50
million revolving facility due in 2005.
THE CRYSTAL SERENITY'S Silk Road Restaurant
will feature the renowned cuisine of master chef Nobuyuki "Nobu"
Matsuhisa beginning in July. The chef, whose menu blends classic
Japanese fare with European and Peruvian influences, already
created the menu for the luxury liner's Sushi Bar.