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CLIA commends IMO for adopting its motion regarding crime

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 May 2013 03 May 2013

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today commended the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Legal Committee for adopting at its recent meeting in London a proposal which CLIA co-sponsored on international standards for crime reporting, cooperation between governments, evidence preservation and care for victims.

CLIA first offered the proposal to the IMO in 2011, marking the continuation of the Association's efforts to have such standards adopted globally. In addition to CLIA, other co-sponsors were the United Kingdom, the International Federation of Shipmaster's Associations, and the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police. The proposal was also supported by the United States.

The IMO Legal Committee will now submit these important worldwide standards to be adopted by the IMO Assembly, the highest body in the IMO, as an Assembly Resolution at its November biennial meeting. In the interim, CLIA is already working with its member cruise lines to promote implementation of these comprehensive standards on all of their ships.

The standards include many elements of the United States' own Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010, which the cruise industry also supported and CLIA's members sailing to or from U.S. ports have already implemented. The CVSSA had established the most comprehensive set of laws worldwide to protect cruise ship passengers, requiring ships sailing to and from U.S. ports to immediately report all allegations of serious crime, suspicious deaths or missing U.S. nationals directly to the FBI and other appropriate law enforcement agencies.

The Act also requires that vessels have video surveillance systems to assist in documenting and producing evidence, in addition to crew training in evidence preservation and crime prevention, detection and reporting. It requires medical staff with three (3) years of clinical practice in general or emergency medicine or board certification in emergency, family practice, or internal medicine, and training which meets the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) guidelines related to treatment and care of victims of sexual assault.

The IMO's international standards complement the CVSSA by addressing cooperation and coordination between governments, law enforcement, and affected parties. While the CVSSA requires training in crime scene and evidence preservation which complies with the U.S. Maritime Administration's specified curriculum, the IMO's international standards also include actual templates for witness statements and step-by-step detailed instructions on the recovery, packaging, identification, and labeling of different types of evidence.

"We commend the IMO Legal Committee for adopting these standards," said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. "The cruise industry is global in every respect and CLIA believes that the same stringent standards regarding crime should protect every cruise passenger worldwide. A global standard will strengthen the collaboration among cruise lines, local and national law enforcement agencies and provide a truly comprehensive response to prevention and reporting. We are particularly grateful to the United Kingdom in working to bring this proposal to a successful conclusion."

The cruise industry has taken its own steps to provide for global consistency in crime reporting practices. CLIA adopted a mandatory Member Policy on the Reporting of Crimes and Missing Persons, which was developed as part of the industry's effort to unify reporting practices wherever cruise ships travel, and to ensure serious crimes are always officially and promptly reported to competent authorities. This policy requires that all serious incidents be officially reported to local law enforcement with jurisdiction depending on the location of the ship, in addition to the ship's flag State.

Trip Advisor buys Cruise Wise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 May 2013 03 May 2013

Trip Advisor has announced it has acquired key technology and talent from CruiseWise, Inc. the former online cruise booking agency. The team and non-transactional functionality will be integrated into the leading online cruise guide, Cruise Critic®, a TripAdvisor brand, TripAdvisor saifd in a statement.

“The cruise industry continues to grow in popularity and we are delighted to be able to further strengthen our Cruise Critic business with this move,” said Steve Kaufer, co-founder and CEO TripAdvisor, Inc. “By integrating key elements of CruiseWise and the in-depth knowledge behind it, we will enhance our ability to help travelers find their perfect cruise at a price that suits them with seamless links to our booking partners.”

Cruise Critic is published by The Independent Traveler, Inc., which was acquired as a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc. in 2007. Terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.

Navigator of the Seas to operate from Galveston year round 2014

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 May 2013 02 May 2013

Port of Galveston announced today that Royal Caribbean International has decided to base the Voyager class ship, Navigator of the Seas year-round from Galveston beginning in November 2013. Navigator of the Seas will replace Mariner of the Seas offering Texas vacationers round trip seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries throughout the year, the port said in a statement.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd that is the parent company of Royal Caribbean International said last week it would cut European itineraries by 10% next year due to economic situation. Navigator of the Seas has been based in the Mediterranean and it will be the first ship of the company to operate year round from a US port.

Navigator of the Seas is due for extensive drydock revitalization in January 2014. During her drydock, signature Royal Caribbean features, such as the FlowRider surf simulator and dining venues like Giovanni’s Table, Park Café and Izumi Asian Cuisine will be added. At the same time, new features such as Virtual Balconies for select interior staterooms, new panoramic oceanview staterooms – featuring full-length, floor-to-ceiling windows and unique new dining and entertainment concepts will be introduced to surprise and delight guests.

“The repositioning of Navigator of the Seas to the Port of Galveston represents Royal Caribbean’s confidence in the Port of Galveston’s efficient cruise operations and ability to attract passengers on its Voyager class ships,” said Mike Mierzwa, Port Director.

Royal Caribbean group’s five ship UK season starts

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 May 2013 02 May 2013

The first of five of Royal Caribbean International’s and Celebrity Cruises’ ships arrived into the Port of Southampton today, with four more sailing into the UK over the next couple of weeks to embark on their 2013 summer seasons.

This year marks the first season that five of the cruise lines’ ships have sailed from UK ports of call at the same time - Adventure of the Seas that will sail from Southampton being the additional entrant.

Independence of the Seas arrived into the Port of Southampton today and sister ship Adventure of the Seas will sail into the port on 5 May 2013, marking the first time the ship has sailed out of the UK port. Celebrity Eclipse will make its summer debut when it arrives in Southampton on 3 May 2013.

The Port of Harwich will also play host to new cruise ship arrivals as Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Infinity arrives on 13 May 2013. Sister brand Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas will also arrive on the 13th of May.

Sailing from Southampton, Independence of the Seas will offer a series of new itineraries including an increased number of shorter sailings such as two-night cruises to Le Havre for Paris. The ship will also offer eight night cruises to Norway, 14-night Norway and Cork cruises, various 14-night Mediterranean cruises, and 12-night Canary Islands cruises while the 3,114-guest Adventure of the Seas will offer a series of seven to 16-night cruises around the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse meanwhile, will offer a mix of 14-night Mediterranean, Scandinavia/Russia, Iceland/Norwegian Fjords and Canary Islands/Azores holidays from Southampton.

To kick off its summer season sailing from Harwich, Celebrity Infinity will offer a comprehensive mix of 10, 11 and 12-night Norwegian Fjords, British Isles and European wine harvest cruises while Brilliance of the Seas will offer a range of 11, 12 and 13-night Scandinavia and Russia sailings, taking in ports of call including Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, head of trade sales, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, commented: “Summer 2013 is a great milestone in the history of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises with five ships dedicated to the UK market, and plenty more throughout Europe. We’ve listened to agents and are offering great itineraries from both Southampton and Harwich featuring popular destinations such as Iceland, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. We are offering agents a huge range of cruise options to choose from this summer, and with both ports of Southampton and Harwich easily reached by road, rail and air, we’re confident that selling these fantastic itineraries will be smooth sailing.”

Tihany and Storbraaten to design interior of Holland America newbuilding

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 May 2013 02 May 2013

Holland America Line says it has selected two firms to create the interior spaces of the line’s new 99,000 gross ton ship that is slated for delivery in February 2016. “The first in a new Pinnacle Class of vessel, the ship will showcase decors by designer Adam D. Tihany and designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten,” the company said in a statement.

Tihany will join Storbraaten, who successfully worked with Holland America Line on ms Eurodam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam, in designing the ship’s public rooms. The new ship will feature exciting new public areas and dining venues. Several new concepts that have never been seen before on a Holland America Line ship are also under development and as they evolve more details will be revealed.

“We are fortunate to bring together such distinguished professionals for our next-generation ship,” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line.

“The ambience of a ship is an essential part of the cruise experience and we are confident that Adam, Bjorn and their teams of experienced designers and architects will strike the right balance between contemporary and traditional that is the hallmark of the interiors of Holland America Line ships.”