Tag Archives: royal caribbean cruises

Port Canaveral aims big with new terminal size

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Port Canaveral aims big with new terminal size

By Tom Stieghorst

 

 

 

 

 

Port Canaveral, already one of the powerhouse cruise ports worldwide, recently said it will be adding a new terminal in the next year capable of handling “the largest cruise ships currently sailing, as well as the 6,000-passenger vessels in design.”

That phrase brought to mind the only ships capable of carrying 6,000 passengers: The Oasis-class vessels of Royal Caribbean International.

The pair make their home at Port Everglades, about 175 miles to the south. But a third copy is being built for delivery in 2016. Could one of the trio make its home at Port Canaveral?

Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.,  isn’t tipping his hand quite yet. He says too much can be made of the “6,000-passenger reference.”*TomStieghorst

At a recent dinner aboard the Vision of the Seas, Fain said the same reference was made when the new Kai Tak passenger terminal was opened in Hong Kong harbor last year.

”Oasis has sort of become the standard when they say they’re capable of dealing with the largest ships being built,” Fain said. “So you shouldn’t read too much into that.”

The 185,000 square foot terminal at Port Canaveral will be the first modern one on the south side of the port’s ship channel. It will be adjacent to the port’s newly opened Exploration Tower, as well as the shops and restaurants on that side of the port.

“Cruise visitors will be able to walk outside the terminal to enjoy port destination options or depart from the terminal and Exploration Tower to enjoy area excursions,” said John Walsh, the port’s director.

Announcements regarding tenants for the new $85 million terminal, which comes with its own 1,000-space parking garage, are expected soon, Walsh added.
There is another possibility, or two.  One is that the new terminal could be for Anthem of the Seas, the sister ship to Quantum of the Seas, and a class somewhat smaller than Oasis. Royal is expected to announce the home port and itineraries for the Anthem as soon as this week. Although speculation currently centers on Southampton, England, the Canaveral terminal is slated to open next November, in time for the spring 2015 debut of the Anthem.

Also, Disney Cruise Line is putting three of its four ships in Port Canaveral to start 2015. Disney already has a dedicated terminal at Port Canaveral, but with the Magic Kingdom only an hour away, Disney has unique needs in central Florida. Carnival Cruise Lines is also at Port Canaveral with several ships.

One way or another, Port Canaveral is on the march. It should be interesting to watch where it is going.

Cruise lines set up relief funds for Philippines

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Cruise lines set up relief funds for Philippines

By Tom Stieghorst
Several cruise lines have organized relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which swept through the Philippines.

The Philippines is home to tens of thousands of cruise ship workers.

Costa Cruises said it has set up a $100,000 fund to support employees and families, and is planning a charitable donation as well.

A spokeswoman for CLIA said that Holland America Line has made donations to the Red Cross. Other cruise lines in the Carnival Corp. family also will be sending donations.

A Royal Caribbean spokesman said that company is working on a disaster relief plan, the details of which may be announced late Monday.

MSC, which also has Filipino workers on its vast fleet of container ships, is organizing relief efforts at its Geneva headquarters.

Norwegian Cruise Line has set up a relief fund and is collecting donations throughout the company and across the fleet. Guests onboard can contribute at the guest services desk, while past guests can mail a donation to corporate headquarters in Miami.

Norwegian said it has been in contact with its partners in Manila, who are actively reaching out to contact crew members and their families located around Manila and outlying provinces.

“Crew members onboard are being supported to help make contact with their families and we are making arrangements for those who need to return home to do so,” a Norwegian statement said.

Early drydock considered for Allure of the Seas

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Early drydock considered for Allure of the Seas

By Tom Stieghorst
Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas has developed a propulsion problem that is slowing the world’s largest cruise ship. The line is considering an early drydock.

Allure, which debuted in 2010, would normally be drydocked in 2015, but Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman Richard Fain said that schedule may be accelerated.

“We’re considering it, sure,” Fain said while onboard Vision of the Seas for a one-night cruise to display its recent renovations to travel agents. “We’re in the process of trying to assess [whether] we move up the drydock, and if it makes sense we will.”

One option would be to give Allure the 2014 drydock slot reserved for sister ship Oasis of the Seas, and push off the Oasis drydock by a year.

The unspecified propulsion issue developed about three weeks ago. Allure can still complete its weeklong itineraries, but the slower speed means that Royal Caribbean has had to shorten its port stay in Nassau, and some excursions have been canceled. It is also arriving late in the next port of call in St. Thomas.

Fain said the design of the Oasis-class ships, which has three podded propulsion motors instead of two, gives it better resilience when one of the units malfunctions.