August 2009 Archives

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises announced the winners of their annual environmental awards. For Royal Caribbean, Liberty of the Seas was selected as both the Environmental Ship of the Year and the Environmentally Innovative Ship of the Year. For Celebrity Cruises, the Celebrity Mercury was selected as the Environmental Ship of the Year, and the Celebrity Infinity was selected as the Environmentally Innovative Ship of the Year.

"Competing for these awards encourage and reward crew members who progressively advance their ships' environmental performance in ways that go above and beyond regulatory compliance," said Jamie Sweeting, vice president of Environmental Stewardship for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "I congratulate our winners and thank all of our crew members for doing so much to protect the oceans in which we sail," Sweeting said.

In its tenth year, this annual fleet-wide competition underscores Royal Caribbean and Celebrity's long-standing commitment to environmental innovation and improvement. For the first time, a panel of judges conducted the impartial evaluation for the award. The panel was comprised of leading oceanographic, marine biology, and policy experts, who reviewed the information provided by Royal Caribbean's 20 ships, Celebrity Cruises' nine ships and Azamara Cruises' two ships to determine the award winners based on their comparative performance.

The ships were judged on five rigorous environmental criteria established by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. These included environmental performance, timeliness and effectiveness of corrective actions related to audit findings, reports of near incidents and nonconformities, submission of environmental status reports, performance of environmental equipment and innovative thinking. For each of these criteria, ships were scored individually and then ranked against one another to determine the winning ships in each fleet.

This year, Royal Caribbean International's Liberty of the Seas won both the Environmental Ship of the Year and Environmentally Innovative Ship of the Year Awards for its excellent overall performance, having one of the most thorough and wide-ranging environmental programs of the entire fleet. The crew members demonstrated an exemplary level of commitment to saving energy, reducing waste, and increasing their amount of recycled materials. There was a particular emphasis on learning and continuous improvement that included establishing a water and energy savings team, as well as educating staff on how freshwater is produced onboard and how wastewaters are treated.

For Celebrity Cruises, Mercury received top honors in the Environmental Ship of the Year Award for its energy conservation, recycling efforts and reuse initiatives. The Mercury was bestowed the award most notably for its compliance and waste management, especially in the face of a challenging itinerary. The ship's staff worked to establish recycling in numerous countries along its cruise track. Celebrity Infinity was awarded the Environmentally Innovative Ship of the Year Award for effectively demonstrating how day-to-day operational changes can be coupled with smart onboard insight and engineering to produce an innovative approach to energy savings in cooling the ship. Adding to their improvement is their continued strong efforts in recycling, management of waste streams, and the environmental honors received.

The winning ships receive an award they can display year-round, and get to select a non-profit organization that will receive a cash donation on their behalf. The organizations selected by the Environmental Ships of the Year received a $10,000 donation, and $5,000 goes to the organizations selected by the Environmentally Innovative Ships of the Year.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Crystal Cruises is unveiling its first ever Crystal Overland Adventures from Ashdod on its Holy Land cruise this fall. A choice of three three-night journeys transport travelers to such revered sites as the 2,000 year old Rose City of Petra, the Pharaohs' tombs in Luxor's Valley of the Kings and the Dead Sea, among other astonishing destinations where Christian, Jewish and Islamic civilizations took root. The 12-day cruise sails from Athens to Venice October 8 aboard Crystal Serenity, with visits to Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu and Dubrovnik.

"With more than five millennia of history to explore, guests are able to lose themselves in the rich culture of these destinations with completely authentic experiences, and three full days to soak it all in," says John Stoll, director, land programs.

Rejoining the ship in Alexandria, Egypt, all three of the new programs feature the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem's Time Elevator and Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Giza, plus Cairo's Egyptian Museum, with more than 100,000 relics. Attractions specific to each program include:

• NEW! Israel, Petra & Cairo - Jordan's Petra, the archaeological site hidden for thousands of years, and whose only entrance is through the Siq, a narrow gorge of spectacular beauty;
• NEW! Israel, Luxor & Cairo - Luxor's Valley of Kings, where Tutankhamen's tomb was unearthed; and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh in history; and
• NEW! Israel In-depth & Cairo - Masada, a fortress built by King Herod; and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth with more salt and minerals than any other body of water in the world.

shown above: Petra archaeological site in Jordan

The cruise features an Ancient Civilizations Experiences of Discovery focus with guest archeologists and experts providing regional background on board, as well as during select excursions ashore. More than a dozen partial- and full-day excursions from Ashdod are also offered, several of them brand new.

Fares for the Israel and Egypt Crystal Overland Adventures start at $3,679 per person; cruise fares start at $4,940 per person, both double occupancy, including $1,000 per person All Inclusive - As You Wish onboard credits.

For terms and conditions and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit crystalcruises.com.

Source: Crystal Cruises

Fall in love with Europe and Cruising Italian Style this autumn on a cruise with Costa, Europe's Number One Cruise Line. Incredible fares for 7-night sailings beginning at just $449 per person come complete with visits to some of the old world's most celebrated destinations including Venice, Rome, Barcelona and Naples. Travelers may choose from sailings on the Costa Pacifica, recently inaugurated in June; new sister ships Costa Serena and Costa Concordia; Costa Fortuna, Costa Victoria and Costa Romantica. Attractive fares are available throughout September, October and November.

Seven-night sailings aboard the Costa Fortuna, feature fares as low as $449 on November 9 from Venice with stops in Bari, Katakolon (Olympia), Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Dubrovnik. Costa's newest ship, the Costa Pacifica features fares as low as $779 departing on September 27 from Civitavecchia (Rome) with stops in Savona, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tunisia, Valletta and Palermo. This innovative new ship is inspired by music and features its own recording studio as well as an exclusive soundtrack created for it by one of Italy's most famed composers.

"In-the-know travelers have long realized that fall is one of the best times for European travel with its lower airfares, fewer crowds and mild temperatures," said Maurice Zarmati, president and ceo of Costa Cruise Lines--North America. "To top it off, these cruises average around $56 per day per person and come complete with accommodations, meals and entertainment. You simply can't find a land-based vacation that comes near the value."

Costa offers a "true European experience" to travelers, combining the charm of the old world with incredible innovations of today. This special brand of Italian warmth and European sophistication makes cruising with Costa much more than a voyage to a new and exciting destination - it's an experience that creates lifetime memories that linger and make guests smile at unexpected moments. From delectable fresh pastas, warm cappuccinos, international guests who become friends from around the world and charming Italian greetings travelers hear such as "buongiorno" and "buonasera," sailing with Costa brings the passion and vitality of Italy to sea.

For complete information regarding Costa's autumn European cruise specials, guests may contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit www.costacruises.com. Guests in North America may also find Costa on facebook at www.facebook.com/costacruises.na.

Source: Costa Cruises

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced today that members of the Arison family and certain related entities, including trusts organized by members of the Arison family, have advised Carnival Corporation that they plan to sell up to 8.5 million shares of Carnival Corporation Common Stock in market sales, representing up to approximately 1% of the total combined voting rights of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Of the shares planned for sale, up to 5 million shares are held either directly or indirectly by Micky Arison, the company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. If all the shares covered by the sales plan are sold, the Arison family and related entities will remain beneficial owners of approximately 220 million shares, constituting approximately 28% of the total combined voting rights of Carnival Corporation & plc.

The sellers have advised Carnival Corporation that they are selling for tax planning, estate planning and diversification purposes. In connection with the sales, the sellers are expected to enter into one or more sales plans under Rule 10b5-l. Rule 10b5-l permits the creation of written plans for buying or selling stock at a time when insiders are not in possession of material non-public information. Once a plan is established, the insider does not retain or exercise any discretion over sales of stock under the plan and the preplanned trades can be executed at later dates as set forth in the plan, without regard to any subsequent material non-public information that the insider might receive.

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.

Together, these brands operate 92 ships totaling approximately 177,000 lower berths with 13 new ships scheduled to be delivered between September 2009 and June 2012. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Tours and Princess Tours, the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

Source: Carnival Cruises PLC

The Voyages of the Great Explorers - the Cruise West yearlong world cruise that launches in March 2010 -- will feature lectures and presentations by noted travel experts from the Smithsonian Journeys on select segments of the epic world voyage.

Cruise West and Smithsonian Journeys will develop the lecture series for 10 of the 24 distinct itineraries of the yearlong cruise highlighting such exotic locales as Singapore, Rome, Alexandria, Istanbul and Mumbai. Smithsonian Journeys experts will lead in-depth discussions and presentations on each region's rich history and culture.

The Voyages of the Great Explorers is a collection of distinct voyages that reflects the exploits of the legendary seafarers. Booked separately or as a complete journey, each segment offers historical insights into the sea commanders who first made history along the same routes.

"A world journey deserves world-class lecturers and guides," said Dietmar Wertanzl, president and CEO of Cruise West. "We recognized early on that a lecture series provided by Smithsonian Journeys would be a perfect complement for our adventure, given their long experience with onboard enrichment augmented by speakers recognized as authorities on our destinations. Working together, we can better achieve our mutual objective -- to educate people in the arts, history, sciences and culture through rich travel experiences."

Smithsonian Journeys, the Smithsonian Institution's educational travel program, feature top experts who are passionate about their subjects and delight in sharing their knowledge in lively, informative lectures and informal discussions.

Specific voyages featuring the Smithsonian Journeys' Lecture Series include:

-- Voyage 2, 16-nights Song of India Chennai to Mumbai departing March 20, 2010, starts at $9,995

-- Voyage 4, 18-nights Pharaohs and Prophets Muscat to Alexandria departing April 17, 2010, starts at $10,695

-- Voyage 5, 14-nights Isles of the Turquoise Coast Alexandria to Istanbul departing May 4, 2010, starts at $11,595

-- Voyage 6, 14-nights Echoes of Odysseus Istanbul to Venice departing May 17, 2010, starts at $11,595

-- Voyage 7, 12-nights Pax Romana Venice to Valetta departing May 30, 2010, starts at $9,995

-- Voyage 8, 13-nights, Romans & Carthaginians Valletta to Rome departing June 10, 2010, starts at $9,595

-- Voyage 18, 9-nights Sojourn to Easter Island Guayaquil to Easter Island departing October 24, 2010, starts at $3,895

-- Voyage 22, 17-nights Discovering the Maori Coast Auckland to Sydney, December 15, 2010, starts at $14,395 (also a holiday cruise)

-- Voyage 23, 19-nights, The Land Down Under Sydney to Darwin December 31, 2010, starts at $10,695

-- Voyage 24, 16-nights Dragons and Spice Darwin to Singapore, January 18, 2011, starts at $10,995

Prices per voyage include a hotel night pre-cruise. For maximum savings, guests can book and pay in full by October 15 and save up to 21 percent. Guests who book more than one voyage save an additional five percent. For guests who book the entire voyage starting at $230,295, Cruise West will include first class airfare.

Other features of the partnership include select books and DVD's provided by Smithsonian Enterprises and a sweepstakes for a cabin for two on the Voyage Three, 14-nights Treasures of Persia traveling from Mumbai to Muscat, April 4-18, 2010. Sweepstakes information is listed in the September issue of Smithsonian magazine and online at www.Smithsonianmag.com/winatrip.

Departing Singapore on March 5, 2010, Cruise West's flagship -- the 120-guest, all-suite Spirit of Oceanus -- will sail westward to return to Singapore on February 3, 2011. For further details on The Voyages of the Great Explorers itineraries, visit www.CruiseWest.com, call 800-296-8307 or a travel professional.

Source: Cruise West

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is ramping up its commitment to growing the South America cruise market with the official opening of a new office in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the first Royal Caribbean company-owned office in the region.

The event is marked today by a formal visit by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, Adam Goldstein, highlighting Brazil as a key region earmarked for both investment and growth.

"The cruise market in Brazil is one of the fastest growing in the world, and with increased investment and commitment, we aim to accelerate this trend," said Goldstein. "In late 2009 Royal Caribbean International will have two ships - Vision of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas - dedicated to the Brazilian market which represents a significant uplift in available cruise departures. Reinforcing the positive knock-on economic benefits that cruising brings and improving cruise selling awareness are key objectives of my visit to Brazil. I look forward to Royal Caribbean International's expansion in Brazil and in the entire South America cruise market."

The new Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. office, located in Sao Paulo, will support the commercial and operational efforts in Brazil of the company's three cruise brands - Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises - and will continue to further its international expansion plans, supporting the growing demand for cruise itineraries departing Brazil and around the world.

The opening of Royal Caribbean's Sao Paulo office comes at a key time for the burgeoning Brazilian cruise business. In the last eight seasons, the number of guests embarking on cruises from Brazil grew 623%, with an average growth of 33% per year.

In addition to marking the official opening of the Brazil offices, Goldstein is also meeting cruise industry representatives from ABREMAR, the Brazilian association of cruise lines, and local authorities from the Ministry of Tourism, the Port Authority and the Commission of Tourism and Sports of the Federal Chamber.

Working alongside ABREMAR, Goldstein will be highlighting key benefits of the growing cruise industry to Brazil including international visitor attraction and increased revenue opportunities for related services such as hotels and land tours.

Plus, the official visit also will see Goldstein convey best practice examples from ports of call around the world that have improved port and destination infrastructure and services to attract growing cruise guest numbers.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. holds a leading role in ABREMAR, since the company's Brazil managing director, Ricardo Amaral, was appointed as the new President earlier this year.

"Leading ABREMAR and growing the cruise industry in Brazil complements my role with Royal Caribbean," said Amaral. "ABREMAR estimates that during 2008 to 2009, the cruise industry in Brazil was responsible for generating almost 40,000 jobs and almost US$340 million in related expenditure. The cruise market in Brazil has a huge growth potential. There is a lot still to be done and many challenges to face, but it is our first goal for the main cruise lines and related services to work successfully together in order to stimulate the expansion of the market."

When Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. appointed cruise veteran, Amaral as managing director for Brazil in January 2009, it was the company's first such appointment in the South America region. The cruise market in Brazil has grown from 70,000 cruisers in 2001 to over half a million guests in 2008.

New for the 2009-2010 season, Royal Caribbean International will offer 21 departures of three and four-night cruises from the port of Santos with the 2,000-guest Vision of the Seas and 1,804 guest Splendour of the Seas. Also available are five, six, seven and eight-night cruises onboard Vision of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas from December 2009 including cruises dedicated to Christmas and New Year celebrations, for a total of another 21 sailings.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.