Costa Cruises said work is continuing at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy, on the Costa Deliziosa, the 15th member of the fleet. The Costa Deliziosa is due to enter service in January 2010. Over the last few days, procedures were carried out for the installation of the diesel engine generator sets, the engines that produce the power needed for propulsion and shipboard hotel services. The complex operation included the installation of six engines.
Carnival Cruise Lines will debut a new branding campaign designed to capture the essence of the Carnival vacation experience, which the line said “embodies spirited and spontaneous fun.” Under the tagline “Fun For All. All For Fun,” the new campaign will kick off with events featuring Guinness World Record attempts in Dallas and Philadelphia.
Cruise line Royal Caribbean has cancelled its South American cruise program for winter 2009-2010. As an alternative, the Radiance of the Seas cruise ship will be deployed for an extended season of the Mexican Riviera.
With South America emerging as one of the top destinations for cruises, coupled with the demand for passengers who wish to experience this part of the world in a more intimate and premium fashion, Veendam is set to cruise South America for the fall 2009 and the winter and spring 2010 season.
Many travel agents applauded Carnival Corp. for doing what agents have long asked them to: eliminate fuel surcharges and raise cruise fares to reflect increased operating costs.
The North American cruise industry’s economic impact in the United States grew by more than 6 percent in 2007, creating more than 350,000 jobs while generating $38 billion in total economic output, according to a national study released by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).