The Jamaican government has imposed what it calls tourism enhancement fees on all arriving air and cruise passengers, as of May 1. The new fees - $10 per air traveler and $2 per cruise passenger - will be levied in addition to the country´s existing $20 departure tax, and likewise will be rolled into air and cruise ticket prices. Jamaican tourism minister Aloun Ndombet-Assamba explained the new fees, first proposed last spring, will raise much-needed capital for the maintenance and improvement of tourism infrastructure. Unlike departure tax monies, which end up in general-use government funds, the tourism enhancement fees will be deposited in a tourism-specific account.

No passengers or crew were injured when the Grandeur of the Seas struck a pier in Costa Maya, Mexico, while performing a docking maneuver, due to 15-knot winds and a 3-knot current, the Royal Caribbean International informed. The boat suffered a 42-foot-long football-shaped gash in its bow. The puncture, on the bow’s starboard side, is about five feet wide at its widest point.

Dominican Tourism Secretary Felix Jimenez said recently the local travel destination of Samana will welcome 23 cruise liners that are expected to carry some 40,000 passengers and crew members aboard. Mr. Jimenez noted the deluxe vessels will dock in Cayo Laventado, across from Samana, and that companies in charge of bringing those ships to the region are planning heavy investments in the location with the addition of a handicraft market and other services.

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.