Tag Archives: Mediterranean Cruise

Royal Princess cruise cancelled after power failure

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Royal Princess cruise cancelled after power failure

By Phil Davies

Royal Princess cruise cancelled after power failurePrincess Cruises has been forced to cancel a cruise by new ship Royal Princess after it lost power in the Mediterranean.

The ship suffered from a power outage yesterday while sailing between Mykonos and Naples.

The vessel, carrying 3,594 passengers and 1,336 crew, was on the seventh day of a 12-day voyage from Venice.

Power was reported to have been out for around three and a half hours.

A statement from the US line confirmed that the cruise will be cancelled after the ship arrives in Naples tomorrow evening (Tuesday).

It is not yet known what impact there will be on the next cruise, due to depart from Barcelona on September 27.

Passengers in the current voyage will receive a full refund along with a 25% future cruise credit.

The US line said: “The ship’s technical team continued to evaluate the problem overnight and, upon further assessment, it became apparent that repairs need to be made to fully resolve the situation.

“We sincerely regret this means the remainder of the current cruise will be cancelled, and passengers will disembark the ship in Naples.

“Princess is making homeward air arrangements for passengers, and we anticipate that passengers will spend Tuesday night onboard and depart the ship on Wednesday.”

The company added: “We have dispatched a care team to Naples to ensure that all our passengers are provided with any assistance they may require.

“The impact of the repairs on the next Royal Princess cruise, scheduled to depart from Barcelona on September 27, is not yet known and we will keep passengers fully advised as details become known.

“Once again, we are deeply sorry for this unanticipated disruption of our passengers’ vacation plans, and we appreciate their patience and understanding of these circumstances.”

Royal Princess experienced a power outage at lunchtime on Sunday.

“During the power outage, an emergency backup generator was used to provide essential services, such as toilets,” the company said.

“The ship is not in any danger, and the captain has been keeping passengers regularly informed about the situation.”

The 141,000-ton vessel was named by the Duchess of Cambridge in June in Southampton.

Cruise ‘failing to cater for over 55s’ , says Fred Olsen

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Cruise ‘failing to cater for over 55s’ , says Fred Olsen

By Hollie-Rae Merrick

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Nathan Philpot questioned whether the cruise industry was ageist as he highlighted the importance of the older cruiser.

Speaking at Clia’s Columbus Day in Liverpool, sales and marketing director Philpot questioned whether it was right to try and attract a younger audience of cruisers.

He said considering one third of the population – 18 million people – is over 55, cruise lines and agents should be targeting this pool of potential cruisers.

“Cruise is a love it or hate it product as far as I’m concerned,” he said,  highlighting that 64% of clients are not interested in cruising, 14% have been on a cruise and 24% would consider it.

“That means there are 17 and a half million people that already are existing cruisers or potential cruisers,” he added. “What are we doing wrong? We’re not catering to the needs of the over 55s market.”

Philpot referred to the response to BBC’s recent series The Cruise: A Life At Sea, which featured a Fred Olsen world cruise, by asking if the cruise industry was ageist.

The show received a negative reaction from the industry with some saying it highlighted the preconceptions of cruising being for the older generations.

“It did cause a few issues about age. It was a world cruise average age of 69. The industry didn’t seem to like looking at cruisers as they are. Perhaps we prefer the airbrushed views of cruisers.

“Are we as a cruise industry ageist?”

Philpot said research by the cruise line had showed that the biggest barrier for bookings was the preconception that is was suitable for older clients. But he said that point should be a positive rather than a negative and that the industry should be doing more to cater to the 18 million over 55-years-old.

He added: “We need to question ourselves – are we promoting the image of cruise that we feel more comfortable with or the image of cruise that us most relevant to the audience we are talking to?”

Quantum Class Moves Forward

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Quantum Class Moves Forward

Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum and Anthem both see milestonesBy: Marilyn Green

Cruise
Royal Caribbean International commemorates two strategic developments at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.  // © 2013 Royal Caribbean...

Royal Caribbean International commemorates two strategic developments at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.  // © 2013 Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International marked two important milestones in the development of its Quantum-class ships at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, this month.

Quantum of the Seas received its first block, as the keel was officially lowered and put into place, and Anthem of the Seas, Quantum’s sister-ship, had its first piece of steel cut, signaling the first step in the ship’s construction.

“Today is a very special day in the development of our new Quantum class, as we are now two steps closer to delighting guests around the world with Quantum cruising,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas coming together so well, and today we not only honor these two very important milestones, but also recognize the years of hard work and dedication from the team developing these ships.”

The keel laying marks the beginning of the ship’s physical construction. During the ceremony, a 430-ton block measuring 59 by 75 feet was lifted into the building dock with an 800-ton crane. Newly minted coins placed under the keel stay in place until the end of construction, when they are presented to the ship’s captain and crew to be placed onboard the ship. According to maritime tradition, the coins are said to bring luck to the ship.

Quantum-class ships will span 16 deck and carry 4,180 guests. The ships will debut new features, including as RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea; the North Star, which transports guests more than 300 feet above the ocean; and The Sea-Plex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars and a roller skating ring; and more.

The Quantum class will debut in autumn 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015.