News about cruises and cruising
Holland America’s CEO said the cruise line is looking more favorably on Alaska this week after state legislators reduced the head tax imposed on cruisers from $46 a passenger to $34.50. CEO Stein Kruse said that the move “will certainly be a positive influencing factor” as Holland America decides when and where its cruise ships … Continue reading “Holland America Considers More Alaskan Cruises after Head Tax Reduction”
Norovirus is nasty. Symptoms include…well…it’s a stomach virus, you know what they include – and they’ll ruin your vacation. The CDC has compiled the information on Norovirus outbreaks over the years and there are some clear winners and losers when it comes to keeping ships clean and avoiding large outbreaks. The CDC investigates ship illnesses … Continue reading “20 Years of Cruise Ship Norovirus Outbreaks listed by Cruise Line”
2,100 passengers aboard an all-gay Holland America Line cruise were told that their scheduled stop in Casablanca, Morrocco – despite previous confirmations – was being denied entry by port officials. The stop would have been the first of its kind in the Muslim country, though the Tourism Minister in Morocco is denying that any official … Continue reading “Gay Cruise Ship Allegedly Banned From Casablanca, Morroco”
UPDATE: 2:30 US Central Time: The Italian captain of the Costa Concordia has been arrested. The Guardian is reporting that an announcement was made after the ship had collided with underwater rocks stating that it was just an electrical failure. Passengers are also alleging they were attempting to board life-boats but the crew wouldn’t allow … Continue reading “Carnival’s Costa Concordia Cruise Ship Accident – Picture Gallery and Video”
The cruise industry calls it “Wave Season” and the rest of us call it “Hurricane Season.” It’s the time of year in late summer and early fall when cruises in the Caribbean are available at bargain prices due to the higher probability of your vacation being interrupted by Mother Nature. Depending on how you look … Continue reading “Taking a Cruise During Hurricane Season: A First-Hand Look”
Taxi drivers are at it again – this time in Victoria, British Columbia. Upset about a $200 seasonal fee to pick passengers from the cruise terminal, taxi drivers have boycotted the first cruise ship docking of the summer season. Just weeks ago, taxi-drivers in Phuket, Thailand interrupted the normal operations by blocking all passengers in … Continue reading “Taxi Drivers Cause Port Troubles Again – Now in Victoria, British Columbia”
In October 2010, divers doing homeland security safety checks beneath the cruise ship terminal made a startling discovery: Live ammunition between 20mm and 90mm in size. The port was used as a munitions depot during WWII up until 1971, and the investigators explain that it isn’t necessarily surprising. “Wherever munitions have been handled in the … Continue reading “Live Anti-Aircraft Ammo Found Beneath Seattle Cruise Ship Terminal”
Of the major international cruise lines, none are reporting any impact greater than a few port closings and ship reroutings. “Initial contacts with our members have indicated no damage to any cruise ships operating in the Pacific,” said Lanie Fagan, a spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 25 cruise lines, including major … Continue reading “Tsunami Causes Minimal Impact on Major Cruise Lines”
Alaska has long been a destination we’d love to visit – and with all the news lately, we decided to compile a few last minute deals from the major lines. We are not a travel agency nor affiliated with one – and all links on this post go directly to the cruise line’s website. Below … Continue reading “Top 4 Last Minute Cruise Deals to Alaska”
Cruise ship operators are continuing to reduce their Alaskan itineraries this week; Holland America and Princess Cruises are the two latest in a string of cancellations to the unique U.S. state. According to the Anchorage Daily News, the two operators are among six cruise lines that plan to either cancel or reroute ships to Alaska … Continue reading “Alaska Loses Two More Cruise Ships for 2011”