Recession hurting cruise ship builders

2010-03-19T05:01:12Z

<div id="subtitle">Ship builders fear downsizing, or worse, if cruise companies don't order more vessels</div><div><p>The cruise industry is rebounding, but not for the companies who build the increasingly elaborate ships.</p><p>Executives from the major European shipyards say they're not getting enough orders to keep busy and profitable. Though cruise bookings and prices are up, a flood of new ships is crowding the market, and operators have shown little will...

Cruise liner hit again with illness returns to SC

2010-03-18T12:18:07Z

<div><p>A cruise liner hit by an outbreak of intestinal illness for a third straight trip from South Carolina returned a day early Thursday as operator Celebrity Cruises brought in extra crew to scrub the ship down for three days.</p><p>The Celebrity Mercury arrived about 2 a.m. and passengers began disembarking as the sun rose over Charleston.</p><p>...

U.S. cruise lines say return to Cuba would take time

2010-03-17T12:45:31Z

<div><p>MIAMI (Reuters) - U.S. cruise companies are eager to add Cuba to their itineraries; but even if U.S. policy allowed that, Cuba's ports would need years of rebuilding to accommodate the ships, industry officials said on Wednesday.</p><p>"Our business has grown so much that these ports in Cuba that were (established) in ...

Celebrity Century Review

2010-03-15T13:26:40Z

Having just returned from our first Celebrity Cruise aboard the Celebrity Century and I wanted to post a Celebrity Century review that hopefully others can benefit from it.<br><br>Some background on our cruising experience. This is our 6th cruise we have taken in the last 20 years so by no means are we what you would call experts. Nor would you call us rookies either. In the past 20 years we have cruised with Carnival Cruise Lines said Wednesday it will raise prices by about 5 percent for summer bookings, effective March 22, after a strong showing during the busiest time of the year for cruise reservations.</p><p>The peak booking period typically runs from about mid-January thro...

SC ports to unveil concept for cruise terminal

2010-02-22T10:36:28Z

<div id="subtitle">South Carolina Ports Authority to unveil concept for new passenger cruise terminal</div><div><p>After months of meetings and planning, a South Carolina agency is unveiling a concept for a new cruise terminal to serve the state.</p><p>The

Study: Cruises to mean $37M for SC economy in 2010

2010-02-22T12:54:44Z

<div id="subtitle">New study estimates that cruise industry will pump $37 million into SC economy this year</div><div><p>A study released Monday shows South Carolina's expanding cruise industry will mean $37 million to the state's economy this year.</p><p>The study, commissioned by researchers at the

Travel Cruise Trends

2010-01-27T15:01:21Z

In this Jan. 5, 2010 photo released by Carnival Cruise Lines, the Carnival Dream is docked in St. Thomas, U.S.VI. The 1,004-foot-long cruise ship is the longest ever built for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines and can accommodate 3,646 passengers. It sails alternating weekly eastern and western Caribbean cruise itineraries, originatin...

Some worry about growing cruise industry in SC

2010-02-22T15:07:21Z

<div id="subtitle">As cruise industry expands in SC, some worry it will change the face of Charleston</div><div><p>As South Carolina's cruise industry expands, some worry more ships and people could hurt the charm that draws visitors to Charleston in the first place.</p><p>The Royal Caribbean Cruises to provide at least $1 million in humanitarian relief for Haiti</div><div><p>Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said Friday that it will provide at least $1 million in humanitarian relief in response to the earthquake in Haiti.</p><p>The cruise oper...

Weekend Cruise Comparison: Norwegian Vs. Carnival

2010-02-22T21:58:30Z

The cruise vacation industry has blossomed in recent years, offering an array of different experiences for all types of travelers. If you're interested in taking a weekend cruise vacation, one of the first decisions you should make is which cruise line suits you best. You might be tempted to select your cruise vacation based on itinerary alone, but there are two drawbacks to that strategy. One, weekend cruise itineraries really don't vary that much across cruise lines. And two, you might choo...

On the Call: Carnival Corp. CEO Micky Arison

2010-02-23T14:00:06Z

<div id="subtitle">On the Call: Carnival says Oasis of the Seas hasn't hurt business, shines light on industry</div><div><p>Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s behemoth boat that set sail this fall, got worldwide attention for its size. The largest cruise ship in the world, the 16-deck, $1.5 billion vessel is nearly 40 percent larger than t...

Bahamas man charged with robbing Segway tours

2010-02-23T17:25:35Z

<div id="subtitle">Bahamas man charged in shotgun robberies of cruise passengers taking Segway tours in Nassau</div><div><p>A 21-year-old man has been charged with robbing two groups of cruise ship passengers with a shotgun as they toured the capital of Nassau on Segways.</p><p>Court officials say Dekota Von Lockhart of Nass...

3 cruises cancel trips to Nassau after robberies

2010-02-23T22:29:31Z

<div id="subtitle">3 cruise ship companies cancel excursions within Bahamas capital after rise in robberies</div><div><p>At least three cruise ship companies have canceled excursions within certain parts of Nassau after police in the Bahamas reported several tourists being robbed.</p><p>Carnival spokeswoman Royal Caribbean says onboard H1N1 incidents few, optimistic about ability to minimize exposure</div><div><p>Last spring's outbreak of swine flu caused cruise lines to cancel visits to areas of Mexico and even quarantine infected passengers. On Tuesday, executives at Royal Caribbean Cruises Lt...

Earns Royal Caribbean

2009-11-03T13:17:37Z

FILE - In this June 5, 2008 file photo, Royal Caribbean's Majesty Of The Seas is shown docked in Key West, Fla. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, the recession kept passengers from booking vacations on its massive cruise ships during the third quarter, which hurt profit and revenue. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, file)

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Royal Caribbean profit falls 44 pct in 3Q

2010-02-24T10:41:09Z

<div id="subtitle">Royal Caribbean profit skids 44 percent and revenue 17 percent in 3rd qtr</div><div><p>Travelers are still vacationing, but they're spending less when they do, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said in reporting that its third-quarter profit and revenue tumbled because it deeply discounted fares.</p><p>The cruise...

LA harbor plan would mix leisure with industry

2010-02-25T01:31:00Z

<div id="subtitle">Los Angeles harbor plan seeks to draw visitors to industrial waterfront</div><div><p>The hulking container ships that ply the Port of Los Angeles already provide Southern California with a major source of revenue. Soon they could also provide the sc...

Pack a Lifetime of Travel Into 5-Star World Cruises

2010-02-25T01:44:59Z

If traveling the world is one of your plans for the future, why wait when you can do so with 5-star world cruises? There are six cruise lines that offer this cruising experience with various itineraries and cruise durations. Check out what each of the following has to offer you in an around the world cruise:<br><br>? Holland America Cruise Line<br><br>? P &...

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