Cruise West Continues Restructuring

Port of Seattle, Washington

Seattle-based Cruise West is continuing it's restructuring of the company as it attempts to survive.  We first broke the news several days ago that the Spirit of Oceanus' world cruise had been terminated in Newfoundland, Canada.   (Cruise West Undergoing Restructuring).

We have learned that the Washington state Employment Security Department has received a legally required layoff notification from Cruise West.. The department says Cruise West laid off 24 employees last Wednesday and another 41 were to be laid off starting last Friday.  This isn't a surprising event since new bookings were suspended when the original news broke.

Meanwhile other sources indicate that the Spirit of Oceanus might be on the chopping block, which would make sense based on the termination of the world cruise.   Cruise West has been very silent throughout this process but the announcement released September 8th did indicate some cruises would continue through October.

UPDATE: Spirit of Oceanus Sold

When Cruise West abruptly terminated the 335 day world cruise on Spirit of Oceanus last week, it was rumored that the ship would be sold.    We now know the rest of the story...

Spirit of Oceanus has indeed been sold by ship management company International Shipping Partners (ISP), on Cruise West's behalf, to a group of  Danish investors. The ship will be renamed Sea Spirit, and will be available for long-term charter according to ISP.   Full story: ISP Insider

So ends the story of the Spirit of Oceanus.  Secrecy continues surrounding the various changes at Cruise West.   No word yet on the fate of the other ships in the fleet or the company itself.

If you are scheduled to sail on Cruise West, keep a close eye on this developing story.

Oasis OTS Ducks Under Great Belt Bridge

Oasis of the Seas photo courtesy Royal Caribbean Internataional

As Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas sailed towards the Great Belt Bridge, one might have thought it was an informidable challenge. Not to the Oasis of the Seas with its high-tech gear. The Oasis of the Seas, crossed under the Danish Great Belt Bridge early Sunday with just 2 feet to spare after retracting it's funnels.

Bridges are challenges to all ships. If you have ever been on the top deck of a river boat, you would have witnessed the lowering of the bridge and other gear so that there would be sufficient clearance to pass under the bridge. While that is a common sight onboard a river boat, this is a first for a large cruise ship as until now, they would fit under the bridges without issue.

See my previous post Oasis of the Seas Takes to Water for more technical information about the Oasis of the Seas as well as a graphic which compares the ship to well known landmarks.

Captains Log Day 3 Video: Clearing a Landmark (click here)

Here is a video of the ship going under the Great Belt Bridge that was taken by a crew member. From this vantage point you will clearly see the 2 foot clearance. Turn your sound down as there is alot of yelling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njOHaQ7V0j4


Another video taken from onshore as the Oasis of the Seas passes under the Great Belt Bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc3hnAKeKOc

Watch Additional Oasis of the Seas Videos Here!

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Book a 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard the Oasis of the Seas by November 9th and receive $100 Onboard Credit Learn more about Oasis of the Seas and applicable sail dates.