New Customs Rules Go Into Effect In February

Beginning February 18th new rules implemented by the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Protection will require all cruise ships departing from U.S. ports to submit a passenger manifest to them no less than 60 minutes before leaving port. What this means is that all passengers have to be on board and checked in before that.

Some lines such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Regent, Crystal, Oceania and Princess have introduced policies that require passengers to be on board at least 90 minutes prior to departure. If they arrive late, they may be refused boarding. NCL has implemented a 60 minute rule but advise passengers to arrive at least 2 hours prior to sailing.

It's usually a good idea to get to the pier as soon as possible. Even though most lines state a boarding time, it really depends on how fast they can get the passengers from the previous voyage off and start the turnaround. I've always arrived 3 to 4 hours early and have never had to wait until the stated boarding time. If you're flying in, I'd recommend arriving the night before but if that's not possible, make sure you have a several hour window to get to the pier. You never know when or why a flight may be delayed.

Royal Caribbean and USA Today want you to name the two largest cruise ships in the world.

Royal Caribbean and USA Today just recently announced a contest to name the two "Genesis" ships under construction. The winner will attend a naming ceremony and receive an all expenses paid week long trip on the ship. Just as Royal Caribbean's godmother contests did, this breaks with maritime tradition in allowing a regular member of the public to name the ships.

I'd better get busy coming up with some names.

Here is the official press release:


Your Ship Has Come In... Now Name It!
USA TODAY Announces Unprecedented Contest

McLean, Va. - In an unprecedented move, USA TODAY and Royal Caribbean International announced a contest today that will provide the everyday traveller the opportunity to name the world's two largest cruise ships, presently code-named "Genesis I" and "Genesis II." The winner of the naming contest will attend the gala naming ceremony as well as embark on a week-long, first-class, expense-paid cruise vacation on the ship he or she named.

The six-week-long contest breaks maritime tradition where heads of state, corporations and governments selected the name of a ship. It is believed this is the first time that a member of the general public, not associated with the cruise industry, will have the chance to name a major cruise ship.

The contest kicks off today in USA TODAY and on USATODAY.com. To launch the contest, Gene Sloan, USA TODAY travel reporter, will look at how ships are traditionally named and how repetitive cruise ship names historically have been. Readers will then be invited to submit their names for the new ships at namethatship.usatoday.com between now and February 29.

The to-be-named Genesis I and II, weighing in at 220,000 tons and accommodating 5,400 guests each, debut in 2009 and 2010. Known for introducing cruise-industry firsts such as the Royal Promenade - an entertainment boulevard of restaurants, bars and shops - rock walls, and surf simulators, Royal Caribbean seeks entries that best encapsulate the universe of experiences a Royal Caribbean cruise provides its guests, rather than ones that focus solely on the sheer size of the ships.

Full contest and prize description and official rules can be found at namethatship.usatoday.com. The Name That Ship contest coincides with the launch of USA TODAY's new cruise community. Readers can log on to cruises.usatoday.com for an active community of cruise enthusiasts and get an extensive resource of useful information for all their cruise travelling needs. Readers also can check out Gene Sloan's cruising blog and join the discussion at USATODAY's new cruise forum all at cruises.usatoday.com.


Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand through its cruisetour division.

USA TODAY is the nation's top-selling newspaper. It is published via satellite at 34 locations in the USA and at four sites abroad. With a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA TODAY is available worldwide. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI). The USA TODAY brand also includes: USATODAY.com, an award-winning news and information Web site that is updated 24 hours per day; USA TODAY Sports Weekly, a magazine for enthusiasts of college and professional football and baseball; USA TODAY Mobile, offering up-to-the minute news and information on a variety of mobile platforms and devices; and USA TODAY LIVE, the television arm of the USA TODAY brand that brings the spirit and quality of the newspaper to television.

Celebrity's Solstice to feature a park with real grass.

Celebrity Cruises announced on Friday that their upcoming Solstice Class ships will feature a country club themed area called the Lawn Club. This will be an industry first park like area complete with real live growing grass. The Lawn Club will be located on the top deck and will be just over a half an acre in size which makes it 1.7 times larger than an olympic size swimming pool and larger than 8 tennis courts.

Maintained by a full time groundskeeper, the area will allow passengers to enjoy games of bocce ball, croquet and golf putting. Guests will also be able to just stroll around with the grass beneath their feet as well as enjoy picnics.

The Lawn Club will be one part of the top deck of the Solstice ships which also will include the Hot Glass Show presented by the Corning Museum of Glass (glass blowing, very exciting) and the Sunset Bar perched upon the highest point on the aft of the ship.

Rumors had been that a real grass Central Park type area was going to be one of the features of Royal Caribbean's Genesis ships. It may still be but it seems they chose to let their sister brand, Celebrity, have the buzz on this one.

Here is the press release from Celebrity's web site.

"Turf’s Up!" The Grass Really is Greener on Celebrity Solstice

Miami - (January 19, 2008 ) - There is a new job opening at Celebrity Cruises: groundskeeper. The perfect candidate must be willing to perform his or her duties while traveling the world aboard a beautifully appointed ocean liner. The successful candidate also must be a dedicated horticulturist who possesses an unmistakable enthusiasm for the unexpected, as the greens will be miles out at sea.

When Celebrity Solstice launches in December, vacationers will find that the grass really is greener on a Celebrity Cruises vacation. The ship will present an industry first on the top deck of the ship: real, growing grass, set in an innovative new country club environment known as "The Lawn Club."

The half-acre Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice will invite guests to enjoy bocce ball and croquet, practice their putting, picnic with a basket of wine and cheese, or simply feel the grass between their toes, while sailing the oceans of the world. The area also will feature the Hot Glass Show, another first in the industry, developed in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; the Patio on the Lawn; the Lawn Club Shop, and the Sunset Bar.

"We want our guests to experience the unexpected, like the thrill of sinking a putt on a freshly manicured lawn in the middle of the ocean," said Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. "The experiences on and around the lawn exemplify what we aim to achieve: to recognize, celebrate and indulge our guests in style."

"Everything about the Celebrity Cruises brand is authentic," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises. "Our vision for a completely genuine experience demanded nothing less than real grass, and we sought out the right innovation to make that vision a reality."

Achieving that reality was no easy task. Celebrity worked with design firm Wilson Butler Architects to design the entire club area, then engaged a team of landscape architects and irrigation specialists along with turf and soil scientists at the University of Florida. Together, they conducted extensive research and tested a variety of grasses to determine which can withstand the winds, sun, shade and temperature variations that will affect the grass and soil as the ship sails in the Caribbean this winter. Other considerations included the ability of the grass to tolerate foot traffic, irrigation and day-to-day care and maintenance of the grass. Even the weight of the grass and soil had to be considered, as well as the water they absorb from the atmosphere and from irrigation.

Metric Facts about The Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice
• At 2,130 square meters (22,927 square feet), The Lawn Club is just over a half-acre in size.

The Lawn Club is:
• Over three times larger than New York’s Rockefeller Center ice skating rink (668 sq. meters)
• 1.7 times larger than an Olympic-size swimming pool, which is 1,250 sq. meters
• The equivalent of 8.2 tennis courts (these are 260 sq. meters each)
• 2.4 times the size of Centre Court at England’s Wimbledon Lawn & Tennis Club, which is 902 sq. meters
• One-third the size of a regulation soccer field, which is 6,500 sq. meters

The Lawn Club is the central element of the top-deck experiences on Celebrity Solstice. The Patio on the Lawn offers elegant yet relaxed sitting areas where luxury meets casual country club charm. Guests can read the morning paper, lose themselves in a good novel, or enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee with friends, courtesy of the patio’s coffee cart service.

The Hot Glass Show, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass, is the patio’s main feature. In its own, dedicated glassblowing studio, the Hot Glass Show will present the history and craft of glassblowing, from its ancient origins to its current countless uses. Three resident "gaffers" – highly skilled glassblowing artists – will educate and entertain cruisers with live glassmaking shows, lectures and workshops.

The area also features the Sunset Bar – the ideal sailaway setting on any ship, enhanced on Celebrity Solstice by the natural grass in The Lawn Club. Located at Celebrity Solstice's highest point aft, the Sunset Bar provides breathtaking views in a relaxed atmosphere. "We're confident our guests will be thrilled with The Lawn Club and the many new entertainment and sports options it offers," Hanrahan said.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour affiliate. Noted for "The World's Best Large Ships," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2007 Cruise Poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit Celebrity Cruises website. And for more information about Celebrity Solstice, visit Celebrity Solstice website.

Three Queens gather in NYC

No it's not what you think. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2, and new Queen Victoria made history on Sunday January 13 when all three departed from NYC and rendezvoused in the harbor near the Statue of Liberty for a quick celebration that included fireworks. This marks the first time in the company's history that three Queens have met and departed from the same port at the same time. It may also be the last time, for the immediate future at least, as the QE2 is being retired after a 40 year career. A new Queen Elizabeth is slated to be delivered in 2010.

The event took place between 8:30 and 9:00 PM and even though it was rather cold as well as rainy, the celebration and fireworks went ahead as scheduled. The weather did seem to keep all but the hard core fans of the ships from coming out to see. I know if it had been on a different night at a warmer time of year, I would have been out there just to get a look and a few pictures since some good vantage points are only about 5 minutes away for me. But, alas, I'm not a big Cunard fan and I just couldn't make it. I looked for some photos but the few I found online were very dark and not worth linking to. Sorry.

Call me when Royal Caribbean has a rendezvous of Voyager of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Genesis. I'll try my best not to miss that one.

Voyager of the Seas arrives in Texas

On Jan. 14 Voyager of the Seas arrived in Galveston for its inaugural winter season on the Gulf Coast. Voyager becomes the largest ship to be based on the Gulf Coast and will sail 7 night cruises to the Caribbean, South America and Mexico through April.

The ship arrived to fanfare as local media, travel agents, and politicians gathered at the port. As part of the ceremony the ship sported a set of longhorns which were 140 feet long and over 600 pounds.

The port itself will undergo a $3.3 million upgrade to handle the increased traffic resulting from the massive ship.

From Royal Caribbean's website:

Voyager Of The Seas Arrives In Galveston For It's First Winter Season in Texas
Royal Caribbean Introduces Gulf Coast's Largest and Most Innovative Cruise Ship

MIAMI, January 14, 2008 - Everything is bigger in Texas and the next biggest thing in the Lone Star State is Royal Caribbean International's Voyager of the Seas. The largest cruise ship ever to be based in the Gulf Coast and to sail from the Port of Galveston, Voyager will sail seven-night itineraries visiting the Caribbean, South America and Mexico calling on Cozumel, Costa Maya and Yucatan, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman through April 2008.

"Voyager's arrival also marks the first time a Voyager-class ship has been deployed in Texas," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "We are excited to offer more Texans the opportunity to experience our signature style of cruising right from their backyard."

At a ceremony held onboard Voyager of the Seas yesterday, special guests, including local dignitaries, travel agents and media gathered to celebrate the arrival of the ship which was adorned with gigantic longhorns, 140 feet long and weighing 600 pounds. Following the ceremony, Royal Caribbean kicked off a week-long charity auction on eBay (www.ebay.com/longhorns) with proceeds benefiting the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation (www.starlight.org), which helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. The highest bidder will win the longhorns and a seven-night cruise for two.

"In 2006, we welcomed 617,000 cruise travelers, making Galveston the Gulf Coast's most popular cruise port. With the arrival of Voyager of the Seas, the port will undergo a $3.3 million upgrade to accommodate a 50 percent increase in Royal Caribbean guests," said Steven M. Cernak, port director, Port of Galveston. "Hosting the most innovative ship in the Gulf will have a significant economic impact, adding to the success of 2006 when we saw $1.1 billion in direct spending, resulting in 19,341 jobs created and $907 million generated in new income in the state of Texas as a result of the cruise industry."*


When she debuted in 1999, Voyager of the Seas introduced cruise-industry innovations such as an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall and the 308-feet-long Royal Promenade, a shopping, dining and entertainment boulevard. Offering a vacation experience that can be tailored to suit all energy levels, Voyager also features a basketball court, miniature golf course, interactive golf simulator, three swimming pools, six whirlpools, the full-service Voyager Day Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

In the evenings, guests can enjoy a myriad of activities from top-rated Broadway-style productions in the theatre to gaming in the Casino Royale and a variety of dining and entertainment experiences in 16 bars and lounges and seven restaurants, including a 1950s-style Johnny Rockets Diner and Royal Caribbean's signature specialty restaurant, Portofino Italian Ristorante.

For the younger set, Voyager of the Seas also offers the line's award-winning Adventure Ocean children's program. Teens have dedicated onboard areas such as the Optix teen disco giving them their own space to meet, build friendships and relax with their peers. They, along with other cruisers will experience the line's hallmark Gold Anchor Service, which helps make each guest vacation a unique and unforgettable experience with friendly and engaging service from the staff and crew.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand through its cruisetour division.

NCL Gets $1 billion Investment

NCL announced that they have closed a $1 billion cash investment from a private equity group, Apollo Management, LP. As a result, Apollo is now 50% owner of NCL along with the previous sole shareholder, Star Cruise and Apollo will have the right to name a majority of the NCL board of directors.

What all this means is that NCL is now in a better position to continue their expansion and growth as well as improving current services. This should help NCL make up ground from their distant third place in relation to the two "big dogs" in the industry, Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Here is the press release from NCL's website.


NCL Closes $1 Billion Investment by Apollo

Investment will drive further expansion of brand and Freestyle Cruising concept

Miami - Jan 7, 2008 ---

NCL Corporation ("NCL"), parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America, announced today the closing of a $1 billion cash equity investment by private equity group Apollo Management, LP ("Apollo") in NCL.

The infusion strengthens NCL's balance sheet and will enable the company to make significant investments in a number of key areas, in addition to funding continued expansion of what is already the youngest fleet in the industry. The company recently announced it will take its signature Freestyle Cruising to the next level with the introduction of Freestyle 2.0, a major enhancement to its on-board product fleet wide, that will further improve the guest experience, including an increased investment in food of $50 million over the next two years, and an upgrading of stateroom bedding and amenities across the fleet. The company also announced a new travel agent program, Partnership 2.0, which includes major changes to the way NCL does business and is designed to strengthen its relationships with travel partners. Both programs will be implemented within the first half of this year, and are part of the preparation for NCL's next large step forward, the introduction of the "F3" concept ships in 2010, under construction now in France at a cost of over $1.1 billion per ship. Concurrent with the new investment, the company has bolstered its senior management team with the addition of two key executives, one to the position of EVP and CFO and the other who will spearhead a new strategic planning and business development initiative. NCL is also building on its successful brand identity campaign with increased investment in consumer marketing, including the launch of a series of six new television commercials that will air nationwide beginning today.

"With the Apollo investment, NCL is now in the strongest financial condition we have ever enjoyed in our 41-year history," said NCL Corporation's President and CEO Colin Veitch. "With both Star Cruises and Apollo as dedicated and supportive shareholders, and with a fleet that has just become the youngest in the industry, we will take our vision of innovation to new and exciting levels."

Steve Martinez, partner at Apollo Management, noted, "NCL has the youngest, most distinctive fleet in the industry, along with its innovative Freestyle Cruising that delivers an experience that is vastly different from the traditional cruise product. Given this and the upcoming introduction of its F3 concept ships, we see NCL as having sizeable growth potential. We are pleased to solidify this partnership with Star Cruises and the existing management team of NCL, so that we can work together to propel this company forward."

As of closing, Apollo, through its affiliates NCL Investment Ltd. and NCL Investment II Ltd., has become a 50 percent owner of NCL. Star Cruises ("Star"), NCL's previous sole shareholder, has retained all of its existing shares in NCL and, like Apollo, is a 50 percent owner. Apollo will name a majority of the NCL board of directors with certain consent rights retained by Star.

"We welcome Apollo as we embark on the next phase of growth in NCL's history," said Star Cruises Chairman and CEO Tan Sri KT Lim. "We are extremely proud of what we have achieved to date with NCL, but we are even more optimistic about what the future holds for the company now that Apollo has joined us. NCL is well positioned for continued success in 2008 and beyond."

The completion of the investment constitutes a change of control under NCL's outstanding 10 5/8% senior notes due 2014 (the "Notes"). NCL will make a change of control offer within 30 days of the closing at 101%, together with accrued but unpaid interest up to but not including the date of repurchase, for the Notes as required under the indenture governing the Notes.

About NCL Corporation
NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and Orient Lines.

NCL is building two new Third Generation Freestyle Cruising ("F3") ships for delivery in 2010. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships in the market, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.

For high resolution, downloadable images, please log onto NCL's Web site at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on NCL Corporation, contact NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (866) 234-0292.

About Star Cruises
Star Cruises, the third largest cruise operator in the world is a global cruise brand with a combined fleet of 21 ships with about 33,300 lower berths in service with an additional 2 ships and some 8,400 lower berths due to be delivered by 2010, cruising to destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Hawaii, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Bermuda and the Antarctica under the Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, Orient Lines and Cruise Ferries brands.

Star Cruises is represented in more than 25 locations worldwide. Headquartered in Hong Kong, offices and representatives have been set up in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, India, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Germany, and UK.

About Apollo Management
Founded in 1990, Apollo is a leading private equity and capital markets investor with more than 17 years of experience investing across the capital structure of leveraged companies. The firm employs over 140 professionals and has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Frankfurt and Paris. Since its inception, Apollo has managed more than $28 billion of capital across a wide variety of industries both domestically and internationally. The firm's most recent private equity fund and its co-investment affiliate have capital commitments of approximately $11.6 billion. Investments in the leisure and hospitality industries have included Harrah's Entertainment (pending), AMC Entertainment, Sirius Satellite Radio, Wyndham International, and Vail Resorts. Apollo is already active in the cruise industry, having invested in the upper premium Oceania Cruises brand earlier this year. Since investing in Oceania, Apollo has supported the ordering of two new ships worth approximately $1 billion. Apollo also recently announced the purchase of luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises.