Jamaican authorities will levy a new US$2 tourism enhancement fee on each cruise passenger arriving on the Caribbean isle as of May 1. According to Jamaican tourism minister Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, the new fee will raise capital to maintain and improve Jamaica´s tourism infrastructure. Air travelers to Jamaica will pay a US$10 fee in addition to the country´s existing departure tax.

Star Cruises will shortly receive the Norway, which will be towed to Port Klang, Malaysia, in the near future. Star did not disclose any specific plans for the vessel. The Norway was damaged in a boiler explosion in Miami in May 2003 and has been laid up at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany since. NCL said the ship would not return to the NCL fleet, and last month CEO Colin Veitch said NCL had done our bit in giving the ship the best chance of finding a new home.

Blue Lagoon Cruises´ will extend the age limit for child fares and 2 Cabin Family rates from 12 years and under to 15 years and under for all cruises departing before 30th June 2005, the company announced. This change makes Blue Lagoon´s sensational 2 Cabin Family rates for two adults and up to three children (now 15 years and under) amazing value for growing families.

The Mexican city of Merida will be later this month home to a meeting of the Committee of the Florida Caribbean Cruises Association (FCCA), an organization that gathers the presidents of America´s top cruise companies. This encounter in Merida reflects the tremendous interest that the Yucatan Peninsula is drawing in the U.S. deluxe vessel industry, said Carolina Cardenas Sosa, tourism secretary in that Mexican state.

Norwegian Jewel, the newest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, will begin calling at Antigua from November 6 this year. The company´s Vice President Lania Rittenhouse said the boat will be delivered in August. After highlighting that cruise passengers in Antigua and Barbuda increased by 35% in 2004, reaching a total of 522,705, Antigua´s Minister of Tourism, Harold Lovell, recognized the importance of partnership with Norwegian Cruise Lines which is one of the most pioneering and dynamic lines in the industry with high spend visitors to the region.

Carnival Corp. enjoyed a first-quarter earnings surge of 70 percent, thanks to higher ticket prices and improving business. However, the world´s largest cruise company warned earlier this week that soaring oil prices could make it hit a few snags in the future. For the past three months, the Miami-based company earned $345 million, compared to $203 million netted in the first quarter of 2004.