Tag Archives: RCCL

No Freedom of the Seas cancellations, just free onboard credit

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No Freedom of the Seas cancellation, just free onboard credit

Several days ago Royal Caribbean had to inform passengers on Freedom of the Seas that they were unable to call at the private island of CocoCay, and also reduce the amount of time spent in St. Maarten due to an issue with it propulsion system. The cruise company has not cancelled the cruise or any future one, although they did issue free onboard credit.

Royal Caribbean has said the issue is due to the ships center fixipod, which is the same that affected Allure of the Seas, and that one of the bearings is not in good condition. The company made the decision to remove the propeller blade from the center pod and cruise 5 knots slower than usual, which will have repercussions on future sailings and their itineraries.

With the ship only being able to travel at 18 knots she will not be able to make all ports of call, and the time spent in certain ports will need to be adjusted. If this is the case, then Royal Caribbean will have to issue more onboard credit for free.

Royal Caribbean Blog reports that Freedom of the Seas is due a dry dock session in January 2015, which will be the perfect time for repairs to be made to the propulsion system. Once again, there will be no cancellation, just readjustments due to the ship moving at a slower speed.

Longtime executives promoted to lead Celebrity, Royal Caribbean

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By Jerry Limone
Michael BayleyRoyal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) has named Michael Bayley president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, transferring to the company’s largest brand from the helm of Celebrity Cruises.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo replaces Bayley as Celebrity’s president and CEO, promoted from her position as Royal Caribbean’s executive vice president of operations.

Each executive has 30 years of experience in the industry.

Bayley had Lisa Lutoff-Perlobeen Celebrity’s president and CEO since July 2012. At that time, Bayley had been promoted from his position as Royal Caribbean’s executive vice president of operations, and Lutoff-Perlo was promoted to replace Bayley.

The top spot at Royal Caribbean International had been vacant since April, when Adam Goldstein was promoted to president and COO of the parent company.

In a statement, RCCL said Bayley “delivered strong results” at Celebrity “while building the company’s ‘modern luxury’ positioning, which resonated successfully with Celebrity’s sophisticated customer base.”

RCCL said Lutoff-Perlo “played a critical role in the recent successful launch of Quantum of the Seas.”

Celebrity Cruises orders pair of 2,900-passenger ships

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By Tom Stieghorst

Celebrity Cruises said it has ordered two 2,900-passenger ships from the STX France shipyard in St. Nazaire.

The ships are scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2018 and early 2020.

Celebrity’s most recent ship, the 3,046-passenger Celebrity Reflection, was delivered in the fall of 2012.The line recently agreed to send its oldest ship, Celebrity Century, to a new joint venture in China.

Celebrity’s parent, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., said the ships are being built under the Project Edge name. RCCL said they will deliver small-ship itineraries with large-ship amenities.

“STX France designs and builds some of the most innovative and stylish cruise ships in the world, and Project Edge offers them the opportunity to again set a new standard for modern iconic architecture,” said Michael Bayley, presdient and CEO of Celebrity.

Contract costs for the ship were not disclosed. With the addition of the two new orders, RCCL said company-wide capacity is scheduled to increase by 2.4% this year, 5.5% next year, 6.7% in 2016, 3.8% in 2017 and 4.3% in 2018.

The 117,000-gross-ton ships will be part of a new class of vessels for Celebrity. the line currently operates five Solstice-class vessels, including Celebrity Reflection, and four Millennium-class vessels.

Celebrity competes in the premium segment with Holland America Line, which has a 2,650-passenger ship called Koningsdam under construction for delivery in February 2016.