Clinic in Mahahual Mexico. (photo: Cruise Ship Clinic)

The Western Caribbean cruise port of Costa Maya now has a medical clinic for cruise ships. The recently built Costa Maya Medical Clinic is a joint venture between Costamed Group and AirEvac International, located adjacent to the cruise port. The clinic offers services around-the-clock to cruise ship passengers, crew and the local population.

The clinic is able to treat most illnesses, do blood work and is set up for air evacuation if needed.

“They are all qualified doctors and nurses, certified to practice in Mexico,” said Carlos Ayala, spokesman for AirEvac International.

In case there is a need to evacuate a patient from the clinic to a higher level of care hospital in Mexico or in the United States, the staff of Costa Maya Medical Clinic has direct access to an Air Ambulance Lear Jet Series 25 based in Cancun. The aircraft is equipped as an Airborne Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and it is operated exclusively by AirEvac International.

Located on the Yucatan, Costa Maya, Mexico is a man-made cruise port that first started accepting cruise ship passengers in 2001, damaged by Hurricane Dean in 07, it has since rebuilt and able to accommodate up to three cruise ships per day.

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Costa Concordia as of this morning. (photo: the last salute webcam)

Every since Costa Concordia sunk of the Tuscan Coast this past January, residents of the island of Giglio and around the world have been wondering when the salvage operation would begin. This past Friday Costa Cruises announced they’ll be teaming up with salvage companies Titan/Micoperi to float and remove the ship that sits only 30’ off the island.

The Dutch Association of Journalists will document the salvage operation and floating of Costa Concordia in a unique way, through cameras positioned just feet away from the sunken ship.

Those interested can watch the salvage operation through the cameras during daylight hours, it’s currently active and refreshed every five-minutes.

You can view the cameras here.

The footage gathered from these cameras in the form of time lapse recordings will form the base the documentary ‘The Last Salute’ (working title). These recordings will be edited to form a flowing and dynamic documentary of the salvaging of  Costa Concordia.

Time-lapse documentaries isn’t a first for the journalists, they produced  the building of ‘Noord-Zuid lijn’ in Amsterdam, the multi-billion dollar construction project in which a new subway line is created right through the medieval city center of Amsterdam.

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This article was contributed by ceo of Trip Insurance, Dan Skilken.

Okay, a show of hands. How many of you have lost your luggage on a plane trip? Usually lost luggage finds its way back to its owner,eventually. Assuming you are in one location for a while and the airline has routed your bag to approximately the right neighborhood, the chances are that the airline will eventually reunite you with your lost luggage. However, unless you take some basic precautions when you check your bag, that suitcase may end up in the land of lost luggage.

Did you ever wonder where lost luggage goes to die?

Apparently it’s a strip mall near the freeway. The Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama, becomes the collection point for all baggage that the airlines can’t match to their owners. There are more than 700 million suitcases checked as luggage every year in the United States, and approximately 2 million of them get lost in transit. Of those, about 68,000 bags are never delivered to their owners, and after 90 days they are sold to the Unclaimed Baggage Center. It’s a great place for bargain hunters looking for everything from suitcases to used golf clubs to electronics such as digital cameras and iPods.

I used to consider my own baggage handling strategies to minimize the possibilities of loss. I used to think the last bag on the conveyer belt was the first one off, but you can’t predict that. Some aircraft are loaded by hand and others have pods filled with luggage. You don’t know. Some carriers, such as Delta, use an RFID or other type of system to verify that your baggage is on your plane before you even take off; we can only hope other airlines follow suit.

Travel Insurance from TripInsurance.com will cover your baggage for loss or damage, beyond what the airline will offer you. International baggage claim limitations are far lower than you might think. They are limited to roughly $25 a kilo. For a 50 pound bag, that would be about $570. That will barely pay for the suitcase, let alone your clothes. Most of the policies on our site offer $1000 to $2500 in baggage coverage, and many offer $100-$250 a day, with a cap at $500 for baggage delays of longer than 12 hours so you can buy essentials like toiletries and underwear.

Making sure that your suitcase isn’t bound for the baggage bone-yard is a matter of taking a few simple precautions:

1. Make sure your baggage is tagged correctly. Many people are checking in at the same time, and the agent pulls tags from a common printer. Watch them put the tag on your bag when they check your luggage and make sure you are headed for the same destination, e.g. SFO or OAK.

2. Be sure your name is on your bag. It’s amazing how few people put name tags on their luggage. Be sure the information is current and attached with a strong strap; something that won’t easily tear loose.

3. Put a copy of your flight itinerary inside your suitcase with your cell phone number and where you will be staying. If the tag is lost in transit, at least there will be some means of tracking you down.

4. When in doubt, carry it with you. If there is something you can’t do without, such as medication or the presentation for tomorrow’s meeting, put it in your carry-on. If you really want to avoid problems, travel light and carry everything on the plane.

5. Prepare your carry-on as if you are going to check it. This may seem counterintuitive, but given the overcrowding on most airlines these days, you never know if there will be room in the overhead.

6. Make your bag standout. One reason luggage gets lost is all bags look very similar, and someone may take your bag by mistake. Buy luggage in bright patterns or colors, or tie something distinctive to the handle so it stands out on the baggage claim carrier.

7. If you do lose your bag, don’t wait but file a report with the airline before you leave the airport. If you are on a cruise or in transit to another destination, be sure to leave your itinerary so the airline can forward your luggage.

If you take a few routine precautions, the chances are that even if your baggage is lost, it will be found and returned. Otherwise, it may end up on a one-way trip to the suitcase burial ground.

Source: TripInsurance.com

Celebrity Eclipse. (photo: Celebrity)

For those who have never cruised – cruising abounds with myths and hearsay. Over 50’s travel and review site, Silver Travel Advisor, has come up with its top 10 tips to make the transition from shore to ship and easy one, and a further ten tips to dispel some of the myths surrounding cruising.

Top tips for newby cruisers:

1. Check out what is and what isn’t included in the cruise fare. If you’re a non-drinker, an all-inclusive cruise may mean you’re subsidising others, and if you’re a foodie, you won’t want to pay a supplement for speciality restaurants when some cruise lines include them in the cruise fare.

2. Packing for a cruise can result in weighty excess baggage charges from the airlines, so find out in advance the cruise line’s dress code and how many formal nights, if any you’ll need to pack for, so you don’t end up excess black tie, ball-gowns or tiaras – or a caseload of heavy duty fleeces.

3. Shore excursions help you make the most of your time while in port and can be pre-booked in advance online. Some cruise lines often offer packages or discounts for advance bookings and the cost can be added to your cabin account, so look out for these and plan ahead.

4. If you like a bottle of wine with dinner, don’t feel that you have to drink it all. Your bottle will be labelled with your cabin number at the end of the evening and it will follow you around the ship, even if you dine in different restaurants.

5. Specialty restaurants get very booked up, so book your dining requirements as early as you can. Experienced cruisers will know this so make sure you don’t miss out and make your table reservations as soon as you can, some cruise lines will allow you to do this from home.

6. Whether you’re on the ocean or river cruising, you’re on a `ship’, not a `boat’! You’ll quickly identify yourself as a new cruiser if you refer to your floating home as a `boat’.

7. U.S. guests are used to tipping and cruise lines will notify you of the policy regarding tipping on their ships. It’s usually on a discretionary basis but make sure you’re aware of the guidelines and whether cash is expected, or if they are added to the onboard account.

8. Use the safe in your room for cash and valuables and avoid using your birth date as the code.

9. Take some time to plan your cruise, day by day, making the most of the excursions, the dining, the daily activities and the enrichment programme that many cruise lines offer, from dancing lessons to cookery, learn a language or a new skill.

10. The `Cruise Director’ is in charge of passenger enjoyment and is the person to consult when it comes to anything to do with the on-board activities and entertainment. Listen out for his announcements and make sure you read the daily newsletter that most cruise lines will leave in your room at early evening `turn down’.

Source: Silver Travel Advisor

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Rhapsody of the Seas in ship yard. (photo: Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean is making fleet-wide upgrades to their existing ships giving them the Royal Advantage, Oasis-class upgrades over the next few years. Some of these upgrades will include dining, technology, stateroom enhancements and entertainment upgrades.

Here are the Royal Advantage additions*:

• Pub
• Park Café
• Boardwalk Dog House
• Chefs Table
• Giovanni’s Table
• Izumi Asian Cuisine Rita’s Cantina
• Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse
• Digital Signage
• Shipboard wifi
• Interactive TV’s
• New staterooms
• Updated wine bar
• Nursery
• Concierge Club
• DreamsWorks Experience
• 3D movie theater
• Outdoor movie screen

SHIPS NOW AVAILABLE: Radiance of the Seas (see video below), Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas

*Exact dates and ship enhancements may vary.

Video:

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MSC Divina. (photo: MSC Cruises)

This morning in Saint-Nazaire, France, MSC Divina was officially delivered to MSC Cruises at the STX France shipyard.

During the traditional flag ceremony, the shipyard’s pennant and the French flag were lowered, accompanied by the French national anthem, before Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France, formally handed the ship over to MSC Cruises’ owner Gianluigi Aponte. Mr Aponte then gave command of the ship to Captain Giuliano Bossi, and the flags of Italy and MSC Cruises were raised to the sound of the Italian national anthem. Erminio Eschena, General Director of MSC Cruises France, Belgium and Luxembourg, was also in attendance.

MSC Divina is 1,094 feet long, 124 feet wide, and weighing 139,400 tons, the 3,502-guest  luxury cruise ship is able to travel up to 23 knots, offering smooth cruising in sumptuous surroundings.

Her elegant design is once again the work of award-winning naval architects De Jorio Design International. New features to MSC Divina’s 322,900 square feet of public areas include the Garden Pool, an “infinity” style pool with a chic and minimal design and its four “resounding sculptures,” to the Galaxy restaurant in the disco with its fabulous Mediterranean fusion cuisine and its chic décor, based around the theme of light.

After the closing of the flag ceremony, MSC Divina today began her pre-christening cruise from Saint-Nazaire, where calls are scheduled at Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday, Cadiz, Spain on Tuesday, and Valencia, Spain on Thursday. She will reach the port of Marseille on Friday, May 25, ready for her official christening ceremony the next day. The highlight of the event will be the cutting of the ribbon and the naming of the ship by screen legend Sophia Loren.

Source: MSC Cruises

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Serenity came in with a score of 94.0 and sister ship Crystal Symphony scored 91.4.  Good scores both.  How good?  The win in this category makes Crystal the only line with its entire fleet included in the esteemed list of top 10 which is a big deal.

“Whether one is seeking a day of beauty and pampering or an impromptu, complimentary sauna or steam session, our spas augment one’s vacation with varying options that will uplift, enlighten or enhance relaxation,” says Alexandra Don, vice president, hotel services and design.  “We are honored that experienced travelers recognize the exceptional service, choices and design of our Crystal Spa and Salons.”

What did it take to win?

• Feng Shui-inspired designs
• Expertly-trained therapists
• Elemis and Bliss products
• Private relaxation areas with sweeping ocean views
• Pro-Collagen Marine Facials
• Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow “rituals,”
• Reflexology
• Aroma stone therapy
• More than a dozen face, nails, hair and body treatments
• Couples’ massage
• Massages from the comfort of their suite for penthouse guests (except John Travolta)
• Teeth whitening
• Acupuncture

The Crystal Spa and Salons are operated by Steiner Leisure, a global provider of spa services for many cruise lines.

Travelers rated spas on staff, facilities and treatments and the complete list of the world’s best spas is featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s June issue.  According to Crystal, the line has been awarded more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

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• Crystal Cruises wins “Crystal Award” for innovative ship design

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• Cruise line hops on branding train, sneaks in amazing technology

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• Crystal Hosts Golf-Themed Cruises This Summer

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The Titan/Micoperi plan for the salvage of the Costa Concordia. (photo: Costa)

Today Titan-Micoperi, the winner of the bid to refloat Costa Concordia presented their plan to remove the wreck from the coast of Giglio Island.

The operation will begin in a few days and is expected to take up to 12-months.

Operations will be divided into four basic stages:

• After stabilizing the ship, a subsea platform will be built and caissons (tanks) that can be filled with water will be fixed to the side of the ship that is out of the water
• Two cranes fixed to the platform will pull the ship upright, helped by the tanks, which will be filled with water
• When the ship is upright, caissons will also be fixed to the other side of the hull
• The tanks on both sides will then be emptied, after treating and purifying the water to protect the marine environment, and filled with air.

“”We are very pleased to have been chosen to perform this incredible operation to remove the wreck of Costa Concordia,”” said Richard Habib, managing director of Titan Salvage. “”Our quality engineering and the experience we have gained in this area allowed us to present a project that met expectations. From now on we will work with the aim of preserving the environment and the natural habitat.”

You can see the slides and animations on the Cruise Radio Facebook Page.

Source: Costa

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photo: Royal Caribbean

At Vacation.com’s 14^th Annual National Conference and Trade Show, held aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, the cruise line was recognized with its seventh consecutive Power of Partnership Award in the Contemporary Cruise Line category from the largest travel services marketing organization in North America.

“Royal Caribbean is proud to receive this honor for the seventh consecutive year from our valued Vacation.com travel agent partners,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of Sales, Trade Support and Services, Royal Caribbean International. “Vacation.com member attendees also were the first to learn about Royal Caribbean’s Loyal to You Always, our continuous commitment to supporting travel agents and helping them sell cruises more effectively; increase their profits; and grow their business. This latest consecutive Power of Partnership Award reaffirms our proven track record in building meaningful relationships with our indispensable travel agent partners.”

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 ships.

Source: Royal Caribbean International

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Norwgian Pearl. (photo: NCL)

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching an Alaska Bonus Weekend limited time sales event beginning today, offering incredible savings on Norwegian’s once-in-a-lifetime cruise vacations to Alaska. Guests who book a 2012 Alaska sailing today through Sunday, May 20, 2012, will receive $100 per stateroom to spend on board towards exciting Alaska shore excursions; treatments in Norwegian’s award-winning spas; dinners in any of Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining restaurants and more.

Guests looking to experience the majestic beauty of Alaska this summer can set sail on board Norwegian Jewel or Norwegian Pearl, the youngest ships sailing in Alaskan waters. Norwegian Pearl is currently sailing to Alaska through September 16, 2012, and Norwegian Jewel will be sailing through Alaska from May 26 through September 8, 2012. Both ships sail a series of seven-day cruises from Seattle to some of the most scenic destinations including Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia. Cruise fares are from $399 per person, double occupancy and guests who book this weekend can also receive up to $500 in airfare credits on select sailings, plus an e-coupon booklet valued at up to $400 in on board savings.

This offer is available on most every Vancouver and Seattle-Alaska this sailing for 2012.

Source: NCL

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