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Crystal Sets Pacific Rim Itinerary as 2012 World Cruise

The full text of the stories has been delivered to our subscribers on the dates indicated.

* Sailing Like a Celebrity
July 28 - A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to sail aboard Celebrity Solstice. This was an opportunity to update myself about Celebrity’s full product on a ship that’s been in operation for a little while.
In this series of CND articles we take a look at the full Celebrity product and how it operates in the real world for real passengers.

* The Pacific as a World Cruise Crystal-Style
July 28 - Crystal Serenity will circle the Pacific on its 2012 World Cruise from Los Angeles. The 94-day voyage will depart on January 18, 2012.
In addition to the entire 94-day cruise, it will also be sold in five segments and includes a number of unusual features not usually found on a world cruise.

* Other Things You'll Want to Know
July 28 - CND subscribers also read about the president signing the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act into law ... and an NCL passenger in trouble in Bermuda.

The complete text of these stories appeared in the CND editions referenced and was sent to subscribers.

* Back to Antarctica
July 27 - There have been a lot of headlines about cruising near Antarctica. Most articles have said that due to new environmental rules, large ships will no longer cruise the area, and it's going to be difficult even for smaller ones to comply.
Holland America says they are wrong. HAL CEO Stein Kruse says Holland America has again scheduled cruises that include Antarctica on the itinerary in 2011.

* The Hidden Bargain by the Port
July 27 - Most cruisers already know the advice that if you're traveling any distance to the port, go the day before. Yes, it costs you a night's hotel, but it should be looked at as insurance that you know you'll be there to board the cruise the next day without chancing some nail-biting delay on the way. Not only that, but it just makes for a good start to the cruise - getting up at a reasonable time, having a nice breakfast (and maybe lunch) and then going to the port once the crowds have dispersed.
A few weeks ago sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale, CND took our own advice and happened onto a surprising bargain by the port.

* Other Things You'll Want to Know
July 27 - CND subscribers also read about Norwegian Cruise Line's financial results for last quarter and how things are looking up ... and free cruises from Johnny Rockets.

* Freak Accident in Genoa
July 26 - A freak accident at the Port of Genoa claimed the life of one MSC Splendida passenger and seriously injured another as they were boarding the ship on Saturday.
The boarding bridge, operated by the port, between the terminal and the ship suddenly released from the ship, with the passengers on the gangway at the time falling some 30 feet to the pier and in the water.

* Brownsville Moving Ahead
July 26 - The Port of Brownsville (the Brownsville Navigation District) announced today that they are moving forward with a feasibility study to determine the potential for Brownsville becoming a turnaround port for cruise ships.

* Other Things You'll Want to Know
July 26 - CND subscribers also read about a power failure on Emerald Princess ... and Pride of America's cruise ending early last week.

* Four Months Later, MSC Signs on the Dotted Line
July 23 - Back on March 1 we reported that MSC had signed a letter of intent with STX Europe to build a third Fantasia-class vessel. Until today, the contract had not been finalized.
The contract was signed today for the ship to be built at STX France in Saint Nazaire with delivery scheduled for the late spring of 2012, and apparently there have been some changes since the LOI was signed.

* Other Things You'll Want to Know
July 23 - CND subscribers also read about even Queen Elizabeth likes to cruise ... Tropic Storm Bonnie closed the Port of Key West changing the itineraries of two cruise ships ... and Fincantieri's Marghera yard gets ready to float out Costa Favolosa.

* RCCL Execs Discuss the State of the Company
July 22 - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd released its second quarter earnings today and discussed them for financial analysts. They were back to making money, $60.5 million net income for the quarter, or about 28 cents per share (on revenues of $1.6 billion), beating most analysts' predictions by as much as 10 cents. That caused significant gains in the company's stock today.
During the call, there was nothing particularly earthshaking, but there were a number of comments by executives which were interesting.

* Other Things You'll Want to Know
July 22 - CND subscribers also read about record-breaking cruise traffic at Portland (Maine) ... Tropical Storm Bonnie already shuffling an itinerary ... and Southampton planning for the future.

* Princess to Send Two Ships to South America in 2011-12
July 21 - In the 2011-12 season, Star Princess will carry passengers to South America's breathtaking southern-most regions, while passengers aboard Pacific Princess will explore the fabled Amazon River.

* Just for the Suites
July 21 - Passengers enjoying the suite life aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas can take their luxury one step further this fall and winter.
The line is introducing a series of "Epicurean Discovery" cruises, exclusively for passengers booking suites on selected sailings.

* Other Things You'll Want to Know
July 21 - CND subscribers also read about a medevac from Sea Princess yesterday ... and Norwegian Epic breaking yet another sales record.

* Back to Bermuda
July 20 - Holland America returned to Bermuda this summer for the first time in 25 years. It must have been successful, because the line announced today that they are going to repeat the unique program again next summer.

* Rockland Blinks
July 20 - The city of Rockland, Maine has been playing a game of chicken with Royal Caribbean over taxes and fees, and last night, Rockland blinked, and backed off their increase, at least for Royal Caribbean and at least for this year.

* Other Things You'll Want to Know
July 20 - CND subscribers also read about Costa's new iPhone app and enhanced websites for mobile access ... and a medevac from Holland America's Statendam on Monday in Alaska.

The complete text of these stories appeared in the CND editions referenced and was sent to subscribers.

June 6 - HRH Princess Maxima tours the bridge of Nieuw Amsterdam with Capt Edward van Zaane shortly after she christened the ship in Venice on Sunday. More/Larger

July 1 - Norwegian Epic makes her maiden arrival at New York. More/Larger

June 28 - The new Tianjin cruise terminal as seen from the deck of the first ship to call, Costa Romantica. More/Larger

June 22 - The funnel is lifted into place on Costa Favolosa. More/Larger

June 17 - Norwegian Epic was delivered today to Norwegian Cruise Line by STX Europe. More/Lager

June 4 - The world's largest LED chandelier ever aboard a cruise ship was installed aboard Norwegian Epic. Larger

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Recent features:

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News File Index - past photos and articles available online.

Guide to New Ships Lots of new ships will be sailing over the horizon in the next couple of years. This is the place to sort them all out and keep them straight. Here we list in a table how big, how many, who's got them, when they're coming.

Cruise Weather Page Here, you'll find links to some major weather sites that will help you find the current weather forecasts at ports you plan to visit and to sites that track major tropical storms.

Links to Cruise-Related Sites Here we gathered all the links to the major cruise lines' official home pages (and some selected smaller ones, too) along with links to the official pages of tourist boards at ports of call. Also included are other cruise-related sites that you will find useful.

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We update each weekday, so please check back here often.

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