Noro-Victoria Strikes

It has been reported that the legendary though unwanted Norovirus has struck passengers and crew on Queen Victoria’s maiden voyage. A type of gastrointestinal flu that causes vomiting and diarrhea, the Norovirus is found all to often in enclosed spaces such as ships and hospitals.

Travelscope Sink into Administration

A message on Travelscopes website states that the company has gone into administration. Based in Gloucester UK, Travelscope charters the Dutch owned MS Van Gogh a small15,420-ton, 506-passenger ship that was built in 1975.

Some 40,000 passengers will be affected during 2008, except for those on the January 4th World cruise, this apparently was sold through another company, a Dutch based cruise club and has been paid for in full.

Crystal Symphony Opens for Sushi

Chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa is to open two new restaurants aboard Crystal Symphony called Silk Road and the Sushi Bar. This follows on from the success seen from his two restaurants on-board her sister ship Crystal Serenity.

Nobu, as he is known by, is famously linked with Robert De Niro, the actor as they share ownership of the restaurant Nobu in New York.

Fred. Olsen Add Fuel Surcharge

Fred. Olsen Cruises, the independent UK based has, like many other cruise lines, introduced a fuel surcharge on their cruises.

The surcharge has been set at £2.50 per person per day (about $5) and applies to double occupancy only (third and fourth passengers sharing a cabin will not have to pay). Fred. Olsen have said that they will place a cap of £50 per person ($100) for longer voyages.

Genesis Keel Laid

The first of the Genesis class of cruise ship has had its Keel laid in the Aker shipyard in Turku, Finland. The 570-ton hull portion was placed in position in front of numerous Royal Caribbean executives and guests.

Eurodam Maiden Voyage Announced

Eurodam, the first new build in what will be HAL’s Signature class is a 86,000 ton, 2,104 passenger ship, which will be the largest in the HAL fleet when it enters into service.  

Her maiden Voyage has been set for July 5th 2008 and she will depart Copenhagen (Denmark) and visit Norway, England and Scotland. Her christening is on July 1st in Rotterdam, Holland the day before setting off on a 3 day introductory cruise from Rotterdam to Copenhagen, where the first paying guests will join the ship.

Aida Get Two New Builds

Aida Cruises, a Germany based company and part of the Carnival Corporation are to receive two new builds, they will be 71,000-ton, 2,174-passengers vessels and scheduled to enter service in April 2011 and May 2012. The cost Euro 380 million each. A third new build has had its design modified to be the same size as the two new orders, this as of yet an unnamed ship will arrive in service in 2010.

Already on order are the AIDAbella, due out in April 2008, and an as-yet-unnamed sister ship in April 2009. AIDAdiva, was introduced earlier this year when Aida Cruises lost AIDAblue to Ocean Village a division of P&O Cruises, which at the time looked good for Ocean Village and yet they would probably benefit more from a new build than Aida Cruises.

Aida Cruises are in direct competition with TUI AG, the other German line that is being bought by Royal Caribbean.

Prestige Cruise Holdings

Prestige Cruise Holdings is the banner under which Apollo Management will run its ever growing cruise business. This consists of the five star Regent Seven Seas and four star plus Oceania Cruises, both to be run as separate cruise lines under the watchful eye of PCH. This is a common factor within the cruise industry, aka Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation.

Norwegian Dream Gets a Rude Awakening

Norwegian Dream got a rude awakening today when she hit a barge in Montevideo (Uruguay). The result was damage to the bow of the ship, which will be repaired in port before the cruise can continue.

The port was closed for a few hours as 5 containers and a few new cars were retrieved from the water. This affected Celebrity’s Infinity and Orient Lines Marco Polo, Infinity was unable to leave the port on time, while Marco Polo was unable to enter the port.

Artemis Facelift

P&O Cruises’ Artemis is currently under going a face-lift in Bremerhaven in time for her 84 night South America cruise, which is set to depart on 17 December.

Now 23 years old, Artemis started life with Princess Cruises and was known as Royal Princess, before moving to P&O where she is one of two child free ships run by the UK based company. The other child free ship being Arcadia which is the cruise lines largest ship, until Ventura is launched that is.

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