The Sea is Calling You To Adventure in Europe

ADVENTURE of the SEAS®
2013 Summer Europe Deployment

Adventure is seasonally dedicated to Europe giving you more options for a summer vacation abroad. This Voyager class ship is packed with all the action of our signature innovations—and plenty of time for relaxation, fine dining, and beautiful ocean views. Guests can climb a rock wall that overlooks the sea, or challenge themselves on the basketball court, ice-skating rink or mini-golf course.

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S) 2013	ITINERARY
14-Night Transatlantic	Apr 21	San Juan, Puerto Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Castries, St. Lucia • Basseterre, St. Kitts • Cruising • Cruising • Cruising Cruising • Cruising • Ponta Delgada, Azores • Cruising • Cruising • Cruising Southampton, England
2-Night Sampler	May 05	Southampton, England • Cruising Southampton, England
2-Night Sampler	May 07	Southampton, England Paris / Normandy (Le Havre), France Southampton, England
15-Night Central Mediterranean	May 09	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Gibraltar, United Kingdom Cruising • Barcelona, Spain Nice (Villefranche), France Florence / Pisa (Livorno), Italy Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy • Cruising Seville (Cadiz), Spain • Lisbon, Portugal Cruising • Cruising • Southampton, England
7-Night France & Spain	May 24	Southampton, England • Cruising Vigo, Spain • Gijon, Spain • Bilbao, Spain • Cruising • Paris / Normandy (Le Havre), France • Southampton, England
13-Night Iceland & Norway	May 31	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Reykjavik, Iceland (Overnight) • Akureyri, Iceland • Cruising Trondheim, Norway • Alesund, Norway Molde, Norway • Olden, Norway Stavanger, Norway • Cruising Southampton, England
12-Night Baltic	Jun 13, 25	Southampton, England • Cruising Oslo, Norway • Copenhagen, Denmark Cruising • Tallinn, Estonia • St. Petersburg, Russia (Overnight) • Helsinki, Finland • Cruising • Cruising • Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium • Southampton, England
14-Night Mediterranean Cities	Jul 07	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Malaga, Spain • Cruising Cannes, France • Barcelona, Spain Palma De Mallorca, Spain • Valencia, Spain • Cartagena, Spain • Cruising Lisbon, Portugal • Vigo, Spain • Cruising Southampton, England
14-Night Italian Mediterranean	Jul 21	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Malaga, Spain • Cruising Cannes, France • Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy • Florence / Pisa (Livorno), Italy Genoa, Italy • Cruising • Gibraltar, United Kingdom • Lisbon, Portugal Cruising • Cruising • Southampton, England
14-Night Italian Mediterranean	Aug 04	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Malaga, Spain • Cruising Nice (Villefranche), France • Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy • La Spezia, Italy Genoa, Italy • Cruising • Gibraltar, United Kingdom • Lisbon, Portugal Cruising • Cruising • Southampton, England
7-Night Norway	Aug 18, 25	Southampton, England • Cruising Alesund, Norway • Skjolden, Norway Flam, Norway •Stavanger, Norway Cruising • Southampton, England
12-Night Iceland & Norway	Sep 01	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Reykjavik, Iceland (Overnight) • Akureyri, Iceland • Cruising Trondheim, Norway • Alesund, Norway Olden, Norway • Stavanger, Norway Cruising • Southampton, England
16-Night Central Mediterranean	Sep 13	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Gibraltar, United Kingdom Cruising • Barcelona, Spain • Nice (Villefranche), France • Florence / Pisa (Livorno), Italy • Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy • Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy • Cruising Malaga, Spain • Seville (Cadiz), Spain Lisbon, Portugal • Cruising • Cruising Southampton, England
14-Night Spain & Canaries	Sep 29	Southampton, England • Cruising Gijon, Spain • Vigo, Spain • Cruising Madeira (Funchal), Portugal • Tenerife, Canary Islands • Gran Canaria, Canary Islands • Cruising • Lanzarote, Canary Islands • Cruising • Lisbon, Portugal • Cruising • Cruising • Southampton, England
14-Night Western Mediterranean	Oct 13	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Malaga, Spain • Cruising Cannes, France • Barcelona, Spain Palma De Mallorca, Spain • Valencia, Spain • Cartagena, Spain • Cruising Lisbon, Portugal • Vigo, Spain Cruising • Southampton, England
8-Night France & Spain	Oct 27	Southampton, England • Cherbourg, France • Cruising • Vigo, Spain Gijon, Spain • Bilbao, Spain • Cruising Paris / Normandy (Le Havre), France Southampton, England
13-Night Transatlantic	Nov 04	Southampton, England • Cruising Cruising • Madeira (Funchal), Portugal Cruising • Cruising • Cruising Cruising • Cruising • Cruising Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Basseterre, St. Kitts • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas San Juan, Puerto Rico

Viking Longboats Christened

Garlands of red & white balloons, what seemed like acres of red carpet, 
some fireworks, a pirouetting fireboat spraying water jets
 & a tenor belting out "Nessun Dorma" before a crowd of 600...
 the Viking Longships are here!

Viking River Christens 4 New Longboats in Amsterdam  (Courtesy Viking River)

Historic Christening 

Four Viking River Longships

In One Day

As we reported in our Viking River Cruises Longships Update, two of the ships are still under construction and will debut mid-April.

Amsterdam Ceremony

(March 21, 2012) Garlands of red & white balloons, what seemed like acres of red carpet, some fireworks, a pirouetting fireboat spraying water jets & a tenor belting out "Nessun Dorma" before a crowd of 600... the Viking Longships are here!

The Viking River Cruises launch of four ships during a single ceremony, breaks the previous  record for multiple and simultaneous christenings (three), which it also held.

Viking Odin and Viking Idun, were named in Amsterdam and two, Viking Freya and Viking Njord, by live video link at the yard in Rostock, where they're being finished off for a mid-April debut. Four godmothers cut scarlet ribbons and four bottles of Veuve Cliquot, two in Amsterdam and two in Rostock, smashed to cheers of a 600-strong crowd gathered in Amsterdam under dazzling sunshine.

The Godmothers
 
Joanna Lumley (left), star of "Absolutely Fabulous," christened Viking Odin, a ship named after the chief god of Norse mythology. "I've never been godmother to a god before," she told the delighted crowd.

Gail Wiswedel (second from left), who named Viking Njord, was chosen because she's Viking's most travelled customer, having notched up 11 cruises (which goes to show how young river cruising really is, given that plenty of ocean-going passengers would consider nothing less than 30 as an impressive total).

Dr Lisa Randall (third from left), Viking Idun's godmother, is a respected theoretical physicist, a subject close to the heart of Viking's Norwegian founder, Torstein Hagen, who himself holds a degree in nuclear physics.

Award-winning TV producer Rebecca Eaton, who served as godmother for Viking Freya, heads up "Masterpiece Theatre," a company sponsored by Viking.

Christening Tradition

Shipbuilding is filled with tradition.  Wine poured upon the deck before a long voyage represents a libation to the gods which will bring good luck. "Christening" a ship by breaking a bottle of champagne across her bow at the time of launching arose from this practice.  Read more about Nautical Superstitions & Legends.

About the Longships

 

The four ships  which feature full balconies, indoor-outdoor dining and chic interiors, are pretty well sold out for the rest of the year. These are only the first in a series with eight more sisters coming. Two Longships, Viking Embla and Viking Aegir, will debut this summer, and six more are scheduled to hit the rivers in 2013.    (Also see:  Viking River Cruises 2012 Fleet Upgrades)

More Pictures:  Introducing the Viking Longships!

Celebrity Europe 2013 Deployment

Where Northern Europe vacation  dreams become a reality.
2013 Europe Deployment

Celebrity Infinity – the second of four Millennium Class ships to complete Celebrity's ambitious, $140-million 'Solsticizing' initiative, incorporating a host of guest-favorite venues and experiences from the Solstice Class, such as the hip Celebrity iLounge, the eclectic Qsine specialty restaurant, and AquaClass accommodations with exclusive access to the Mediterranean specialty restaurant, Blu – will make her European debut in 2013, offering new 10- and 11-night British Isles, Norwegian Fjords and Iceland & Fjords itineraries roundtrip from Harwich, England.

Celebrity Infinity^®

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S) 2013	ITINERARY
12-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise	May 01	Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Ponta Delgada, Azores; Cherbourg, France; Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium; Harwich, England
11-Night British Isles Cruise	May 13	Harwich, England; Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France; St. Peter Port, Channel Islands; Cork (Cobh), Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Liverpool, England; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Inverness/Loch Ness, Scotland; Harwich, England
10-Night Norwegian Fjords Cruise	May 24; Jun 14; Jul 05	Harwich, England; Oslo, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Olden, Norway; Alesund, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Flam, Norway; Bergen, Norway; Harwich, England
11-Night British Isles Cruise	Jun 03	Harwich, England; Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France; St. Peter Port, Channel Islands; Cork (Cobh), Ireland; Waterford (Dunmore East), Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Liverpool, England; Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Inverness/Loch Ness, Scotland; Harwich, England
11-Night Iceland & Fjord Cruise	Jun 24; Jul 15	Harwich, England; Torshavn, Faroe Islands; Reykjavik, Iceland (overnight); Akureyri, Iceland; Geiranger, Norway; Bergen, Norway; Harwich, England
10-Night Norwegian Fjords Cruise	Jul 26	Harwich, England; Oslo, Norway; Kristiansand, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Alesund, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Flam, Norway; Bergen, Norway; Harwich, England
11-Night British Isles Cruise	Aug 05	Harwich, England; Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France; St. Peter Port, Channel Islands; Cork (Cobh), Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Liverpool, England; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland (overnight); Iverness/Loch Ness, Scotland; Harwich, England
10-Night Norwegian Fjord Cruise	Aug 16	Harwich, England; Oslo, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Flam, Norway; Alesund, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Olden, Norway; Bergen, Norway; Harwich, England
11-Night British Isles Cruise	Aug 26	Harwich, England; Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France; St. Peter Port, Channel Islands, Waterfront (Dunmore East), Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Liverpool, England; Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Iverness/Loch Ness, Scotland; Harwich, England
12-Immersive Wine Cruise	Sep 06, 18, 30; Oct 12	Harwich, England; Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France (overnight); Bordeaux (Le Verdon), France (overnight); Bilbao, Spain (overnight); Vigo, Spain; Porto, Portugal; Harwich, England
14-Night Westbound Transatlantic Cruise	Oct 24	Harwich, England; La Rochelle, France; Gijon, Spain; Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Nassau, Bahamas; Miami, Florida

Celebrity Eclipse – named "Best from the UK" in Cruise Critic's Cruisers' Choice Awards (UK), and the first ship to debut the hip Celebrity iLounge and the eclectic Qsine specialty restaurant – will continue to offer a mix of distinct 14-night Mediterranean, Scandinavia/Russia, Iceland/Norwegian Fjords and Canary Islands/Azores holidays roundtrip from Southampton.

Celebrity Eclipse^®

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S) 2013	ITINERARY
13-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise	Apr 20	Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Southampton, England
8-Night Norwegian Fjord Cruise	May 03	Southampton, England; Molde, Norway; Alesund, Norway; Flam, Norway; Bergen, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Southampton, England
14-Night Mediterranean Cruise	May 11	Southampton, England; Malaga, Spain; Provence (Toulon), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Nice (Villefranche), France; Gibraltar, United Kingdom; Lisbon, Portugal; Southampton, England
14-Night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise	May 25; Jun 08,22; Jul 20; Aug 17	Southampton, England; Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium; Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (overnight); Tallinn, Estonia; Copenhagen, Denmark; Southampton, England
14-Night Iceland & Fjord Cruise	Jul 06	Southampton, England; Reykjavik, Iceland (overnight); Akureyri, Iceland; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; Geiranger, Norway; Flam, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Kristiansand, Norway; Southampton, England
14-Night Iceland & Fjord Cruise	Aug 03	Southampton, England; Reykjavik, Iceland (overnight); Akureyri, Iceland; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; Geiranger, Norway; Alesund, Norway; Olden, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Southampton, England
8-Night Norwegian Fjord Cruise	Aug 31	Southampton, England; Bergen, Norway; Flam, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Alesund, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Southampton, England
14-Night Mediterranean Cruise	Sep 08, 22	Southampton, England; Malaga, Spain; Nice (Villefranche), France; Rome, (Civitavecchia), Italy; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Genoa, Italy; Gibraltar, United Kingdom; Lisbon, Portugal; Southampton, England
14-Night Canaries & Azores Cruise	Oct 06, 20	Southampton, England; Ponta Delgada, Azores; Madeira (Funchal), Portugal; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; Fuerteventura, Canary Islands; Lanzarote, Canary Islands; Lisbon, P ortugal; Southampton, England
13-Night Westbound Transatlantic Cruise	Nov 03	Southampton, England; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Nassau, Bahamas; Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Celebrity Cruises 2013 Alaska Deployment

Being supremely spoiled
in an unspoiled land
2013 Alaska Deployment

The sleek, 2,850-guest flagship of the Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Solstice – named "Best Premium Ship" in Travel Weekly's annual Readers' Choice Awards (US) – will become the first of its class to offer vacations in Alaska in the summer of 2013, joining Celebrity Century and Celebrity Millennium in pairing Celebrity's chic style and design, signature cuisine, exciting activities and extraordinary service with the region's breathtaking, inspiring scenery.  

Celebrity Century® 
 

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S)2014	ITINERARY
7-Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier Cruise	May 19,26; Jun 02,09,16,23,30; Jul 07,14,21,28; Aug 04,11,18,25; Sep 01,08	Vancouver, British Columbia; Inside Passage (Cruising); Icy Strait Point, Alaska; Hubbard Glacier (Cruising); Juneau, Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska; Inside Passage (Cruising); Vancouver, British Columbia
11-Night Ultimate Alaska Cruise	Sep 15	Vancouver, British Columbia; Inside Passage (Cruising); Sitka, Alaska; Icy Strait Point, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska; Prince Rupert, British Columbia; Inside Passage (Cruising); Victoria, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia

Celebrity Millennium® 

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S)2014	ITINERARY
7-Night Alaska Roundtrip Cruise	May 17	Vancouver, British Columbia; Inside Passage (Cruising); Juneau, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Hubbard Glacier (Cruising); Ketchikan, Alaska; Inside Passage (Cruising); Vancouver, British Columbia
7-Night Northbound Alaska Cruise	May 24; Jun 07,21; Jul 05,19; Aug 02,16,30	Vancouver, British Columbia; Inside Passage (Cruising); Ketchikan, Alaska; Icy Str ait Point, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Hubbard Glacier (Cruising); Seward, Alaska
7-Night Southbound Alaska Cruise	May 10,31; Jun 14,28; Jul 12,26; Aug 09,23; Sep 06	Seward, Alaska; Hubbard, Glacier (Cruising); Juneau, Alask a; Skagway, Alaska; Icy Str ait Point, Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska; Inside Passage (Cruising); Vancouver, British Columbia

Celebrity Solstice® 

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S)2014	ITINERARY
9-Night West Coast Wine Cruise	May 06	Ensenada, Mexico; San Diego, California; Los Angeles, California; Santa Barbara, California; San Francisco, California; Astoria, Oregon; Victoria, British Columbia; Seattle, Washington
7-Night Alaska Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise	May 24,31; Jun 07.14,21,28; Jul 05,12,19,26; Aug 02,09,16,23,30; Sep 06	Seattle, Washington; Ketchikan, Alaska; Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Inside Passage, Alaska; Victoria, British Columbia; Seattle, Washington
10-Night Wine & Americas Cup Cruise	Sep 13	Seattle, Washington; Nanaimo, British Columbia; Victoria, British Columbia; Astoria, Oregon; San Francisco, California (overnight); Catalina Island, California; San Diego, California; Ensenada, Mexico

Experience Galapagos in 2014 on Celebrity Xpedition

Exploring the legendary Galapagos Islands aboard Celebrity Xpedition®

2014 Galapagos Islands Deployment

Many destinations promise visitors the chance to "step back into history." The Galapagos Islands perhaps best exemplifies that promise, as Celebrity Cruises take you to a destination that helped shape one of the world's leading scientific doctrines, Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S)2014	ITINERARY
7-Night Galapagos Islands - A	Jan 12,29; Feb 09,23; Mar 09,23; Apr 06, 20; May 04,18; Jun 01,15,29; Jul 13,27; Aug 10,24; Sep 08,21; Oct 05,19; Nov 02,16,20; Dec 14,28	Baltra, Galapagos; Daphne Island, Galapagos; Gardner Bay, Espanola; Punta Suarez, Espanola; Cormorant Point, Floreana; Bahia Post Office, Floreana; Punta Moreno, Isabela; Urvina Bay, Isabela; Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela; Punta Espinoza, Fernandina; South Plaza, Santa Cruz; Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz; Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz; Baltra, Galapagos
7-Night Galapagos Islands - B	Jan 04,19; Feb 02,16; Mar 02,16,30; Apr 13,27; May 11,25; Jun 08,22; Jul 06,20; Aug 03,17,31; Sep 14,28; Oct 12, 26; Nov 09,23; Dec 07,21	Baltra, Galapagos; Daphne Island, Galapagos; Puerto Egas, Santiago; Rabida, Galapagos; Elizabeth Bay, Isabela; Caleta Tagus, Isabela; Sullivan  Bay, Santiago; Bartalome Island, Santiago; Las Bachas, Santa Cruz; North Seymour, Galapagos; P. Baquerizo, San Cristobal; Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal; Kicker Rock, San Cristobal; Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz; Baltra, Galapagos

TRULY ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISE VACATIONS

Your Galapagos Islands cruise onboard Celebrity Xpedition includes nearly everything you need to relax and enjoy one of the world’s most pristine environments.
• All beverages, including bottled water, wine, beer and spirits, as well as coffee and tea service,
including espresso and cappuccino.
• All shore excursions, with choices of activity levels and locations.
• All gratuities.
• Pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodations and tours on 10 or more night packages.
• Air to/from Quito and Baltra on 10 or more night packages.
• All transfers on 10 or more night packages.
• Park entrance fees and Galapagos Tourist Card fees.
• All meals, including room service and in-stateroom dining during meal hours.
• All snorkeling equipment, including masks, snorkels, fins, wet-suits and snorkeling vests.
• All onboard briefings and lectures led by Xpedition expert naturalists.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS AND SERVICES
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONBOARD

• Massage services.
• Scuba diving (where available).
• Internet access.
• Select high-end liquors, apéritifs and wines.
• Laundry services.

There is no place on Earth quite like the Galapagos Islands, and no better way to experience all that this incredible archipelago has to offer than with Celebrity Cruises. In fact, they are the only major cruise line to travel to these enchanting islands. They combine up-close glimpses of some of the world’s rarest wildlife with generous amounts of the good life onboard.

These cruises take place year-round so you can choose the time of year that feels just perfect for escaping to a tropical hideaway.  Celebrity Cruises offers an environmentally conscious vacation that will leave you feeling connected with the incredible creatures we share the world with.  


Photos on our Facebook Fan Page:  Galapagos Critters      Enjoying Galapagos

The Sea is Calling You to Alaska in 2013-14

Royal Caribbean 2013-14 Alaska Deployment

RADIANCE of the SEAS®

A newly renovated ship, Radiance of the Seas offers 8 new dining options. From fabulous margaritas at Rita’s Cantina to family-style Italian at Giovanni’s to the Boardwalk Doghouse, there’s something for every craving.

Enhance your adventure with a Cruisetour excursion, which can vary from three to six nights, and include an expert Adventure Specialist to guide you for the entire land portion of your vacation.

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S)	ITINERARY
7-NIGHT ALASKA NORTHBOUND	May 17, 31; June 14, 28; July 12, 26; August 9, 23, 2013	Vancouver, British Columbia • Inside Passage (Cruising) • Ketchikan, Alaska Icy Strait Point, Alaska • Juneau, Alaska Skagway, Alaska • Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) • Seward, Alaska
7-NIGHT ALASKA SOUTHBOUND	May 24; June 7, 21; July 5, 19; August 2, 16, 30, 2013	Seward, Alaska • Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) • Juneau, Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Icy Strait Point, Alaska Ketchikan, Alaska • Inside Passage (Cruising) • Vancouver, British Columbia
7-NIGHT ALASKA ROUNDTRIP	September 6, 2013	Vancouver, British Columbia • Cruising Icy Strait Point, Alaska • Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) • Juneau, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • Cruising • Vancouver, British Columbia

RHAPSODY of the SEAS®

A newly renovated ship, Rhapsody of the Seas offers new dining options, like Royal Caribbean's signature steakhouse, Chops Grille or the intimate dining experience, Chef’s Table. Crown and Anchor® Society guests can take advantage of a new Concierge Club and Diamond Club.

You will have access to signature Royal Caribbean features like a rock climbing wall and a glass-canopied Solarium adults-only pool as well as new enhancements like the Royal Babies and Tots® Nursery program. Guests will also enjoy technology upgrades like Digital Wayfinders and Wi-fi throughout the entire ship, including staterooms!

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S)	ITINERARY
7-NIGHT SAWYER GLACIER	May 24, 2013	Vancouver, British Columbia • Inside Passage (Cruising) • Juneau, Alaska • Skagway, Alaska Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), Alaska Ketchikan, Alaska • Cruising • Seattle, Washington
7-NIGHT SAWYER GLACIER	May 31; June 7, 14, 21, 28; July 5, 12, 19, 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23, 2013	Seattle, Washington • Cruising • Alaska Inside Passage • Juneau, Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), Alaska • Cruising • Victoria, British Columbia • Seattle, Washington
7-NIGHT SAWYER GLACIER	August 30, 2013	Seattle, Washington • Cruising • Alaska Inside Passage • Juneau, Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • Inside Passage (Cruising) • Vancouver, British Columbia

Caribbean Princess Cuts Cruise Short

Propulsion Problems

Cause Cancellation

More Troubles for Carnival Corporation

Princess Cruises, who's parent company, Carnival Corporation, has been in the news all year, has issued a statement that Caribbean Princess has experienced a problem with her port propulsion motor during its current sailing.  It has been determined that the ship's current sailing must be canceled to allow for repairs.

The ship has returned to San Juan where the repairs will take place. All passengers will be able to stay onboard through Sunday, to enjoy an extended visit to San Juan, until their previously scheduled flights home.

Caribbean Princess was sailing on a seven-day Southern Caribbean voyage from San Juan, which departed March 11. The ship was scheduled to call in St. Maarten,  St. Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire, and Aruba before returning to San Juan on Sunday, March 18.

More Lost Revenue / Refunds

Passengers will receive a full refund of the cruise fare plus a future cruise credit equal to 25% of the cruise fare paid on this voyage. Further information will be communicated to passengers onboard.

If you read the cruise contract, you'll notice that skipping a port doesn't entitle passengers to any compensation, but Princess Cruises has announced the compensation plan above.   An extended stay in San Juan isn't what the passengers had signed up for, so the refunds seem to be the right thing to do.

What About Next Sailing

At this time it is unknown how the repair process may impact the ship's next sailing, departing March 18. Princess Cruises will communicate any impact to the next voyage as soon as information is available and impacted passengers and their agents will be notified.

UPDATE:  After further review by technical experts, Princess Cruises has confirmed the full extent of the damage to the motor. They now know the time and work required to make the repairs and have had to cancel the next two voyages, departing March 18 and March 25. 

Passengers booked on these sailings will receive a full refund as well as a 25% credit towards a future cruise. Those who booked their flights through Princess will receive a full refund or a future air credit based on the type of air purchased. Passengers who booked their air independently can submit their air change fees to Princess for a refund.  Princess  will also refund any transfers, pre- and post-hotel packages and government fees and taxes.

Source: Caribbean Princess Update 
 

 

Bad Timing

There never is a good time to have mechanical problems, but this is probably one of the worst times for this to occur.   This is Spring Break time, where the ships are full of passengers who have longed for the time off from school to take to the oceans and other warm destinations.

It will be interesting to see how the non-cruise media spins this story.   Reality is that ships are full of all kinds of mechanical parts, and everyone knows that they can break, and usually they break at the wrong time.   Just ask a "road warrior" how many times they were delayed due to mechanical problems with an airplane.   The difference is, odds are there's a spare plane or spare parts not far away, and usually you can be on your way after a short delay.  That's not the case with a cruise ship - there aren't any spare ships waiting around to come to the rescue of their sister-ship.

Let's hope that the repairs can be done quickly so that there isn't any further impact on the cruise schedule for Caribbean Princess.

Ship Profile | Itineraries & Pricing | Deck Plans | Dining Menus   Wine Lists | Kids Programs | Ship Reviews | 360 Tours | Photos

Maiden Voyage	2004 (Refurbished: 2009)		Passengers (dbl)	3,100
Tonnage	113,000 Tons		Normal Crew Size	1200
Length	950 feet		Crew Nationality	N/A
Beam	193 feet		Nationality of Officers	British/Italian
Draft	27 feet		Nationality of Dining Staff	N/A
Speed	24 knots		Registration Country	Bermudan