Island Cruises Update

Island Cruises, jointly owned by both Royal Caribbean and First Choice holidays have cancelled the next cruise of Island Star after a catastrophic power failure caused by was has been reported as an explosion but probably more like a generator failure.

A source told us that the they were watching a show in the Theatre at about 8pm when there was a loud “Bang” followed by the power failing. Further sources quoted that the ship was not running under any form of power, though this has yet to be substantiated. Eventually the ship was able to limp into Villefrance were engineers were able to join the ship about 4pm. At about 7pm the engineers tried to re-instate the power which lasted but 2 minutes. Soon afterwards the Captain announced that the Cruise was being cancelled and that all the passengers would be flown home the next day.

Without any power the rooms had no air conditioning and apparently many passengers slept with their doors ajar in order to try and quell the heat. Many passengers were disgruntled and Island Cruises eventually did offer some free drinks in the bars and are compensating their passengers.

Island Star Cancels Cruise

Rumours are afloat (sorry about the pun) that the Island Cruises has canceled a cruise on the Island Star, part way through the week apparently caused by some form of explosion (not suspicious) ! Though not yet confirmed, this will be a big blow (sorry pun) to the cruise line as Island Cruises only has two ships, the Island Star and the Island Escape. Apparently the ship limped into Villefranche in France and the guests where not told till later that day of the cancellation.

Island Cruises operate out of Palma in the summer, with the both the Island Cruises and Island Escape cruising from Brazil in the winter. The Island Star however will sail in the Caribbean for the first time (as Island Star) during the winter of 2008.

Island Cruises was is jointly owned by both Royal Caribbean and First Choice holidays.

Camilla to be Queen Victoria’s Godmother

Cunard Cruise Lines today have announced that Camilla, The Duchess of Windsor and wife of Prince Charles will be the Godmother of Queen Victoria when she is christened in December at Southampton. She joins her mother in law, The Queen who herself is Godmother (though the term is not used) to both the Queen Elizabeth 2 (in 1969) and Queen Mary 2 (2004).

A statement from Cunard read:

Cunard Line is delightedly announcing that Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will attend a ceremony in Southampton on December 10, 2007, to mark the introduction of Cunard’s new 90,000-ton liner Queen Victoria. At this ceremony, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will perform the naming of the ship. This naming will be a milestone in both Cunard and British maritime history, and will be a major event of worldwide interest, with over 2,000 VIP guests from around the globe in attendance at the prestigious ceremony.

“This will be an historic occasion. We are most honoured that Their Royal Highnesses have accepted our invitation and that Her Royal Highness will name our newest Cunarder,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “Every one of our Cunard Queens has been named by a member of the Royal Family and we are therefore delighted that Queen Victoria will follow in that tradition. In addition, this particular ceremony will mark the beginning of a new era, as it will be the first time in our 168-year history that we will have three Cunard Queens in service at the same time,” added Marlow.

Queen Victoria will not only be a classic Cunard ocean liner, offering the very best of Cunard heritage and traditions, but will also be the second largest Cunarder the company has ever built. She will be in Southampton for four days, during which time over 7,000 guests from around the world will visit the ship. She will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday December 11, 2007.

Independence of the Seas Floated

Independence of the Seas has been floated at the Aker Yards in Finland today. This is a major step, being moved from a dry to a wet dock and confirms that she is on schedule for her debut in May 2008. When she starts her cruises from Southampton, she will be the largest ship to ever homeport in Europe, taking the mantle over from Queen Mary 2 of Cunard.

Queen Elizabeth 2 celebrates 40 years!

Queen Elizabeth 2, celebrates 40 years today, though christened in 1969, she was first floated in 1967.

Queen Victoria has undergone her first Sea Trials

Cunard’s Queen Victoria has undergone her first Sea Trials. These are to test both her abilities and sea safeness. If all goes to plan and Cunard are giving no reason to expect anything different, she will hit her target date of arriving in Southampton in December of this year for her inaugural season.

Royal Caribbean Launches French Cruise Line Croisieres de France

Following on from Carnival (starting Spanish cruise line Iberocruceros) Royal Caribbean Cruise has announced the creation of a new cruise line, to be based in France called Croisieres de France (CDF for short). Croisieres de France will have just one ship initially, the Bleu de France which currently cruises with Pullmantur, the Spanish cruise line purchased by Royal Caribbean in 2006 as Holiday Dream.

After starting life as the original M/S Europa for Hapag Lloyd, its replacement the M/S Europa II is currently the best cruise ship in the world, according to the Berlitz guide to cruising, Holiday Dream was sold to Star Cruises. In 1999 the Europa was renamed M/S SuperStar Europe and a year later M/S Superstar Aries. In 2004 Star Cruises sold the ship to Pullmantur where she became the Holiday Dream. The Holiday Dream will be given a € 30 million refit in spring 2008, with its interiors being rebuilt to suit French cultural tastes, and renamed M/S Bleu de France. Currently Holiday Dream carries 752 passengers and at 37,012 tons is small by modern standards.

M/S Bleu de France will sail in both the Mediterranean from Marseilles and in the Caribbean from the Dominican Republic port of La Romana. Bleu de France will be marketed to French-speaking travellers with Royal Caribbean stating that “the onboard experience of Bleu de France’s guests will be totally French, from cuisine to entertainment to decor. French will be the language used on the ship as well.”