Carnival puts 15-drink daily cap on alcohol package

Posted on 18 January, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival puts 15-drink daily cap on alcohol package

By Tom Stieghorst

Carnival Cruise Lines has incorporated a daily limit of 15 drinks into its single-price drinks package.

The package, which is now being offered on 13 Carnival ships, lets passengers pay for all beverages on a cruise in a single payment.

A Carnival spokesman said the cruise line recently “formalized” the limit on how many alcoholic drinks guests will be served within a 24-hour period running from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. the following day.

He stressed that the program is still in a trial period. It started on one ship last summer and has since been expanded to about half of Carnival’s fleet.

Sodas and most other non-alcoholic beverages remain unlimited and are not counted toward the 15 drink ceiling, he said.

MSC Melody for sale

Posted on 14 January, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Melody for sale

The future of MSC Cruises’ Melody cruise liner hangs in the balance, with the holiday provider reportedly listening to a number of offers for the vessel.

First built in 1982, the ship is something of an old favourite for fans of the firm, with some 15 years of sailing to its name as part of the company’s fleet.

The vessel is currently tied up at the port of Naples in Italy, with MSC Cruises currently debating its next step.

News of the plans first broke on the Seatrade Insider yesterday with a company insider revealing this latest development in an interview with the news provider.

“Melody is up for sale but has not yet been sold,” the spokesperson explained.

No additional information has yet been provided on the potential sale, with negotiations currently continuing in private.

The MSC Melody is the latest liner to seemingly be heading for the scrapheap, following closely on from the recently retired Ocean Countess.

Carnival cancels Belize calls, says port is overcrowded

Posted on 10 January, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival cancels Belize calls, says port is overcrowded

By Jerry Limone

Carnival Cruise Lines is forgoing port calls in Belize through the end of 2013 because the port has become too congested, Carnival said.

“Although we have a confirmed berth in Belize, local officials accepted calls for additional ships. Consequently, their tender capacity is not able to effectively handle the increased volume of guests without creating long delays and limiting your time ashore,” Carnival said in a letter to customers. “Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to come to an acceptable agreement with Belize Port Authority regarding this situation.”

The Carnival Glory and the Carnival Legend, the two ships that had scheduled calls in Belize this year, instead will call in Costa Maya, Mexico.