ExpertCruiser.com

Bigger is better: Britons get their Independence

Anita Dunham-Potter — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:09:25 +0000

Will the world's largest cruise ship that spans four football fields, rises 15 stories high, and carries 4,328 people play in the UK? Royal Caribbean is betting big that the brand new Independence of the Seas will woo Britons with a jolly good cruise.

I want my port tax back!

Anita Dunham-Potter — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:55:42 +0000

You've paid all your government port fees in advance, but then your port call is canceled. Should you get your money back? Absolutely! But what if you don't? Find out what happened when one passenger didn't take "No!" for an answer.

MSC Cruises raises fuel surcharge

Anita Dunham-Potter — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:56:04 +0000

MSC Cruises (USA) is raising the fuel surcharge that was implemented last year by $2, to $8 per passenger, per day. The new amount is applicable to new bookings made July 1, 2008 and after for departures after Dec. 1, 2008. The charge applies only to the first two passengers in a stateroom. Read for more...

Royal Caribbean launches ’sanitized’ social network

Anita Dunham-Potter — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:24:56 +0000

Royal Caribbean is launching an online social network dubbed "RoyalConnect." There's a catch: You have to be a member of the line's Crown & Anchor Society and that requires having sailed on the line for at least one cruise. Folks, this is a great idea, but why is Royal Caribbean sanitizing the social networking experience? Carnival has had a social network for over a year that's open to everyone. Why is Royal Caribbean afraid of opening up the site to all? Read for more...

Mona Lisa evacuated

Anita Dunham-Potter — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:08:36 +0000

The cruise ship Mona Lisa ran aground early Sunday morning on a sand bank in the Irbe Strait, south of Estonia’s Saarema Island. A few hours ago all 662 passengers, mostly Germans, were evacuated from the vessel. According the Associated Press, 322 crewmembers remain onboard as the salvage operation continues. Read for more details...

Carnival’s ‘Man’ attraction

Anita Dunham-Potter — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:57:11 +0000

John Heald, Carnival Cruise Lines' senior cruise director, has become the most famous cruise director since Julie McCoy of "Love Boat" TV fame. Except John's not on TV, he's taking the Internet by storm with his blog that boasts thousands of readers. Even more than that it has changed the way cruise lines interact with their customers by building online communities.

Independence of the Seas christened in Southampton

Anita Dunham-Potter — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:47:20 +0000

In typical English-style pomp and circumstance and drizzly weather, Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Independence of the Seas was christened in Southampton.

Disney Cruise Line implements fuel surcharge

Anita Dunham-Potter — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:41:21 +0000

Disney Cruise Line becomes the last major cruise line to institute a fuel surcharge. The company is implementing a fee of $8 per person, per day for the first two passengers in a stateroom and $3 per day for all other guests. The supplement is effective for new bookings only, made on or after May 28.

Ambassadors International to sell Majestic America Line

Anita Dunham-Potter — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:15:25 +0000

Ambassodors Internatinal announced it was selling Majestic America Line. The steam boat operator syas there are "several credible parties" expressing interest in acquiring some and/or all the assets of the company. Read for more...

Le Ponant to resume sailing May 5

Anita Dunham-Potter — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:38:36 +0000

Compagnie des Iles du Ponant’s Le Ponant is due to reach the French Mediterranean coast this weekend and will head to the yards in La Ciotat for a check-up and some light refurbishment following its hijacking off the coast of Somalia three weeks ago.