Royal Caribbean introduce Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program

Royal Caribbean is to introduce their new Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program onto Liberty of the Seas as from May 19th 2007. Members will receive a Value booklet, delivered to their room. The booklet will have various items including puzzles, coloring booklets etc and depending on the member level (Gold, Platinum etc) they will receive vouchers for arcade games, Ben & Jerry’s in room Movies and the like.

One massive plus is that any points awarded as a child will automatically be given adult status when they reach the age of 18. So if they are Diamond youth member, they will become an adult Diamond member. Due to the Royal Caribbean Cruise rules though they still will not be able to book or travel on a cruise alone until 21.

Legend of the Seas to Cruise Asia

News is breaking that Legend of the Seas will not be returning to the Caribbean after its 2008 Mediterranean Season, it will be cruising in Asia instead. This follows on from the news that Barcelona will be hosting both Voyager and Navigator of the Seas, with Southampton hosting the new build Independence of the Seas. Carnival has already announced that their new ship for 2008 will also be heading to Europe as is Pride of Hawaii soon to be renamed Norwegian Jade.

With the above additions to the European Cruise offerings it makes me wonder if Legend of the Seas will make its proposed return to Rome on May 20th 2009. Why, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O, NCL, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC… the list is endless of new builds due over the next two years will mean that Europe will soon be reaching saturation point.

Monarch of the Seas has a new Captain!

Monarch of the Seas has a new Captain and the appointment is another Royal Caribbean innovation as she is the first female Captain of any major cruise ship. Karin Stahre-Janson has been an officer for Royal Caribbean since 1997 recently serving as Staff Captain on both Serenade and Monarch of the Seas.

Celebrity Cruises creates deluxe cruise brand Azamara Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has created a new deluxe cruise brand called Azamara Cruises. The cruise line will feature the two previous Renaissance ships that were to join Celebrity Xpedition as Celebrity Journey and Quest. These 30,277 ton ships are very popular among both cruise lines and guests.

Azamara Cruises will operate the two 710 passenger ships in Bermuda, Panama Canal/South America this year, Asia, the Caribbean, South America and Europe in 2008. In 2010 they aim to call at 200 ports in more than 70 countries.

Azamara Journey has just undergone a $19M refit including cabin upgrades and an expanded spa along with two new restaurants.

Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises, said: “This new line falls into what we consider the deluxe category - a category between premium and luxury.”