Going green!

We have seen recently the cruise line trying to do their bit for the environment by completing e-tickets and not sending shore excursion brochures. While this has upset many passengers I think this is a brilliant idea. If you don’t have a computer in your house we all know at least one person who has access to one. There even internet cafe if you get really desperate!!

Now Celebrity is taking up another notch by trying to educate passengers on board with a series of on board seminaries giving the environmental impacts of cruising.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, senior vice president of hotel operations, explained: "Our guests tend to have a keen sense of curiosity and interest in learning new things, and Oceans Ahead offers them a behind-the-scenes look at our shipboard operations across the fleet, with a special focus on Celebrity's sustainability practices."

An insight into how the ships work and how exactly the cruise line is trying and going to reduce its carbon footprint will be reduced in its Oceans Ahead programme. Passengers will be also be able to find out how Celebrity is investing in marine conservation, education and technology through the Ocean fund.

Muster drills but without the hassle!

How annoying do you find it when you have to complete the muster drill but first you have to mess around getting your life jacket when all you want to do is get the drill over and done with and get on with your holiday??!!

Well Royal Caribbean International have done away with the need for passengers to fetch their lifejackets from the cabins on the Oasis of the seas for the drills and quick to follow suite are Norwegian Cruise Lines.

They are introducing a new procedure whereby on hearing the emergency alarm, passengers go straight to the muster station, where they'll hear all the usual safety info and will hopefully learn how to put on a life jacket.

NCL's new muster drill will be rolled out to all ships bar Pride of America.

What do you think of this new drill system?

 Is it safe or is it just another way of cutting corners?

Hurricane 2010 cruising season!

An “active to extremely active” hurricane season is expected for the Atlantic Basin this year according to the seasonal outlook issued by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere.

EEK!!

The typical hurricane season runs effective from June 1st through November 30th.


La Nina is defined as a lower surface temperature usually 3-5 degrees Celsius, this is normally the years when hurricane season occur. The effect of these conditions is a typically wet winter in the U.S. particularly in the Midwest, and an increased likelihood of hurricanes as these weather systems head towards the Atlantic and combine with tropical air coming from Africa.



What does it mean to predict an active hurricane season? The average hurricane season contains 11 named storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), six hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher) and two major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph).



The NOAA is predicting 14-23 named storms: including 8 - 14 hurricanes of which 3 - 7 could be major hurricanes. With this is mind this could mean we could be in for one of the most active seasons on record!!

We do need to bear in mind though that NOAA can often be innocently incorrect but because predicting weather is incredibly difficult.



Now what happens in the event of a hurricane?



Well the cruise line will substitute different ports. Yes you might miss out on certain ports of call but this is the risk when you book in the hurricane season and hurricane season is no secret so we often see bargain prices.



Also the cruise ships are experts at avoiding these storms, so you should still have a great cruise. You just have to accept the possibility of a little uncertainty.

Chocoholic’s chaos on RCI!!

I have to admit I am a complete chocoholic!! I don’t think there are many of us out there who don’t enjoy a good box of chocs. But how much chocolate can you eat?

Well Royal Caribbean International cruise line is putting us to the test as they have just introduced a ‘completely decadent’ new breakfast feature being 'the chocolate breakfast'!

Yum yum I say!!

It appears that I am not the other one who thinks this as it has been a tremendous hit according to Lisa Bauer - RCI's Operations Manager, who said no less than 1,200 people showed up for last week’s offering aboard Oasis of the Seas which has prompted the breakfast to be now rolled out to the rest of the fleet.

Ironically, the idea was put forward by fitness-fanatic Royal Caribbean president and CEO Adam Goldstein, who competes in 10K races when he’s not pounding opponents at the ping pong table.

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I have to say I could defiantly eat and drink hot chocolate, chocolate milkshakes, chocolate pancakes with whipped cream, chocolate waffles with caramel-banana topping.… for my breakfast!! Could you?!

 

MSC Abandoned their mandatory service charges!!

Hooray!!

 

Finally a cruise line that listens to their customers!! MSC have abandoned their mandatory service charges which they put in to place earlier this year. Many cruises felt this was unnecessary and I understand where they are coming from. I think and I know the majority of my customers like to be able to use their own discretion when it comes to gratuities.

Their gratuities which are now optional. MSC have issued the following guide lines for the amounts:

 

Caribbean and Eastbound Transatlantic sailings: $12.00 USD per adult per day.

Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Westbound Transatlantic sailings: €uro 7.00 per adult per day

MSC Cruises have issued a statement to state that they will automatically add a modest service charge to your onboard account, which will be based on the number of days in which services are actually rendered and vary by itinerary.

 

There is no service charge for children under the age of 14, whereas, guests between the age of 14 and 17 will pay 50% less than the adult fare.

Service charges are subject to change and may vary based on the ship’s onboard currency.

 

Should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so by contacting the Guest Relation Manager at any point during your cruise.

 

MSC have also stated a 15% service charge is automatically added to beverage purchases. They do not recommend tipping individually.

 

I think this is really good that they have listen to the customer feedback and done something about it. Let’s hope other cruise lines will listen to their customer feedback and act on it as well.

What you do think about gratuities? Do you prefer to pay personally or automatically? I would be interested to hear your thoughts and views?

Cunards Queen Eizabeth centrepiece unveiled!

The greatly anticipated new edition to the Cunard fleet, the Queen Elizabeth which is due to depute this autumn, unveiled the stunning centrepiece of the grand lobby would be a David Linley Artwork.

David Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret has especially commissioned the artwork along with famous photographer Lord Snowdon – whose company specializes in the design and creation of fine furniture and marquetry.

The panel was unveiled yesterday in London, and will be shipped this summer to the Fincantieri shipyard at Monfalcone, Italy, where the ship is under construction. It will take four days to install, Cunard said.

The amazing work of art has many different types of wood involved in the creation, Featured woods are Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird's eye maple, satin walnut, ash, burr walnut and Macassar ebony - all utilized to depict the evocative image of one of Cunard's most elegant Queens.

 

Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunarder ever built and will join her sisters, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, as part of the youngest fleet in the world. The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard's greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.

Seabourn Sojourn godmother annouced!

The Yachts of Seabourn have announced the godmother of their newest member of the fleet 'Sojourn' is Twiggy!

The naming ceremony hosted at the River Thames on Friday 4th June 2010will also see the Yachts of Seabourn donate Seabourn Sojourn to Breast Cancer Haven as the venue for an exclusive fundraising gala event to celebrate the charity’s 10th anniversary.

Twiggy has comment: “I am incredibly excited that Seabourn has asked me to be Godmother to Seabourn Sojourn.” said Twiggy. “Her stylish interiors and sleek silhouette make her one of the most elegant yachts at sea. I am thrilled that Seabourn is combining their inaugural celebrations with Breast Cancer Haven’s 10 year anniversary – it really is a wonderful organization.’’