Royal Caribbean Orders Third Oasis-Class Vessel

Royal Caribbean Signs Deal for New Ship
Royal Caribbean Cruises has signed a deal with shipbuilder STX France to deliver a third Oasis-class ship in mid-2016 and further expand its capacity with a possible fourth vessel.

In October 2012, the company announced it was exploring the option of building a new ship to complement the existing Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, which were deployed in November 2009 and November 2010, respectively. (See: Raft of New Ship Orders a Good Sign, Agents Say)

According to Royal Caribbean, the 5,400-passenger Oasis-class ships have helped solidify the company’s earnings.

“The Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas have fundamentally transformed the cruise experience for our guests,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises. “These ships have consistently generated outstanding guest satisfaction ratings and continue to produce superior financial results. We are thrilled to be adding a sister to this extraordinary class of vessels at a compelling price.”

The new contract also includes a one-year option for the mid-2018 delivery of a fourth Oasis-class vessel, along with the immediate transfer of Pullmantur Cruises’ Atlantic Star to Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

Crystal Cruises Plans Shorter Summer Trips and Culinary Masters
With its 2013 Baltic, Scandinavian and British Isles cruise collection aboard the Crystal Serenity this summer, Crystal Cruises will offer shorter voyages with more overnight calls. The company’s Northern Europe cruises will also offer a more than 25% increase in local overnights, along with new Dublin and London-Copenhagen itineraries. On Crystal’s July 5 North Cape voyage, several culinary experts including Sven Erik Renaa and Mark Cummings will be on board offering live cooking demonstrations and specially-designed menus for select Crystal Dining Room dinners.

Carnival Launches Gift Card Program …
Carnival Cruise Lines has launched its first-ever pre-paid gift card program, which allows guests to use a card to pay for vacations and shipboard purchases. The cards, available on-board and online, can be pre-loaded with a minimum of $10 to a maximum of $1,000. “These new gift cards are convenient and easy to use and can be applied either toward the purchase of a cruise or a wide variety of cruise-related experiences such as a relaxing spa treatment, an exciting shore excursion or a delectable meal in one of our specialty restaurants, to name a few,” said Gus Antorcha, Carnival’s senior vice president of guest commerce.

… and Donates $2 million to Sandy Relief
Carnival Corp. will donate $2 million to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy, sending funds to four charities. The Robin Hood Relief Fund will receive $1 million, Habitat for Humanity International will receive $500,000 and both Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City – Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts will receive $250,000.  

“Super Storm Sandy was one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history and on behalf of the 90,000 global employees of Carnival Corporation we are pleased to provide this financial support to those who were affected by the storm,” said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corp. “We also have a special relationship with the region, with several ships either homeported or visiting the area as a port of call, as well as  hundreds of thousands of  residents who sail on the fleets of our various cruise brands.”

YMT Expands River Cruise Departures
YMT Vacations has added several new river cruise itineraries to its 2013 offerings. The 14-day Romantic Rhine, Dutch Windmills & Germany’s Highlights package is priced from $2,099 per person and departs on September 4 and 18. The 14-day Elegant Danube, Alpine Beauty & Bohemian Highlights package is also priced from $2,099 per person and departs on April 22, September 2 and September 16.

MSC Details Adults-Only Solarium
A new adults-only solarium is planned for MSC Cruises’ Fantasia class vessels beginning in the 2013 summer season. The space will feature a lounge setting, bar menu and dedicated spa service on deck 18 of the MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Divina and the new MSC Preziosa, set for christening in March 2013. Full day passes to the new solarium will be priced starting at 15 euros and weekly passes at 80 euros.

Zegrahm Offers Double Commission for 2013
For new bookings made before January 31, 2013, Zegrahm Expeditions is offering travel agents double commissions on trips departing between January 1 and June 30, 2013. The company’s featured itineraries include the 19-day Vietnam and Cambodia journey priced from $10,980, the 20-day Best of Indonesia journey priced from $10,980 and the Papua New Guinea, Yap and Palau journey priced from $10,980.

American Cruise Lines Announces Guest Speakers
American Cruise Lines will feature several guest speakers on its 2013 Alaska Inside Passage cruises. They include river-running historian Todd Weber, natural resources interpreter and historian Ian Sampson and experienced biologist Tom Stanley. When visiting Glacier Bay, as well, park service rangers and native cultural interpreters will act as guest speakers.

Tauck Announces Godmother of Compagnie Du Ponant Ship
Kiki Tauck Mahar, wife of Tauck CEO Dan Mahar, will service as godmother to Compagnie Du Ponant’s new 264-passenger luxury small ship  Le Soléal when it is christened next July at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Ancona, Italy.