Destination News - Cruise.

Feb 4, 2008

Carlson Leisure

Carlson Acquisition Affirms Confidence in Travel Agent Distribution Channel. In a stunning affirmation of the value of travel agents, Minneapolis-based Carlson agreed to the acquisition of its Carlson Leisure Group (CLG) led by Michael Batt. Batt has formed a new company Travel Acquisitions Group (TAG) to acquire the group. Jan 30, 2008

Crystal Cruises

Crystal Introduces Selling Tools and Promotions Aimed At Mediterranean. Crystal Cruises is offering a new slate of programs and selling tools to help travel agents increase their 2008 Mediterranean and Baltic bookings. Crystal is incentivizing agents to sell more Mediterranean and Baltic by creating a promotion that earns agents complimentary Mediterranean cruises in veranda staterooms. It also has designed a new sales kit to assist agents and launched a family promotion. Jan 30, 2008

Crystal Cruises

Crystal Introduces Selling Tools and Promotions Aimed At Mediterranean. Crystal Cruises is offering a new slate of programs and selling tools to help travel agents increase their 2008 Mediterranean and Baltic bookings. Crystal is incentivizing agents to sell more Mediterranean and Baltic by creating a promotion that earns agents complimentary Mediterranean cruises in veranda staterooms. It also has designed a new sales kit to assist agents and launched a family promotion. Jan 29, 2008

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Technical Issues Cause Cancellation of Balmoral Inaugural Cruise. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is canceling the January 30 inaugural cruise of its latest ship, Balmoral, citing technical issues that arose from an extensive refit the ship underwent, including a lengthening. More work needs to be done before the ship can commence its cruise program, the line says. "We are extremely disappointed," said Mike Rodwell, Fred. Olsen's managing director. "However, a number of unforeseen technical issues have emerged in the past week and these have led to this unfortunate decision being taken." Fred. Olsen will fully refund all passengers booked on the cruise, but says the ship's second scheduled cruise, due to depart Dover on February 13 for the Canary Islands, remains on schedule. Jan 30, 2008

Nickelodeon and Royal Caribbean

SpongeBob Takes Act to High Seas. Nickelodeon and Royal Caribbean have teamed to create the Nickelodeon Family Cruise, slated to sail a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary out of Miami the week of August 10. The cruise aboard Freedom of the Seas will offer a complete Nickelodeon experience, with onboard activities related to programming on the children's TV network such as live game shows featuring Nickelodeon's trademark green slime and regular visits by Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants. "We've been witnessing the coming of age of Nickelodeon families and have been expanding our brand and business to meet their growing entertainment, recreational and vacation needs," said Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. "Taking to the seas with our first-ever family cruise was the natural next step for us." Last year, Nickelodeon and Marriott announced a partnership to develop Nickelodeon-themed resorts. Nickelodeon Family Cruise packages can now be booked. Jan 30, 2008

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Reports Strong Fourth Quarter. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. reported record net income of $70.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 as strong close-in bookings drove revenues and offset high fuel costs. At the same time in 2006, Royal Caribbean posted net income of $46.6 million. However, 2006 was a stronger year for Royal Caribbean, which had net income for the full-year 2007 of $603.4 million, compared to $633.9 million in 2006. According to the line, fuel prices increased 41 percent over the fourth quarter of 2006, raising operating costs by $45 million. Jan 31, 2008

Victoria Cruises

Victoria and Trafalgar Team for China Cruise Tours. Victoria Cruises, a cruise company sailing China's Yangtze River, has partnered with tour operator Trafalgar to offer a special 10-night "Highlights of China & the Yangtze" itinerary for 2008. The sailing includes five-nights' accommodations in first-class Sheraton properties in Beijing and Xian, two nights in Shanghai's Regal International, and a three-night luxury cruise along the Yangtze. Sights include the Forbidden City and Imperial Palace. Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, Beijing Opera, the terra cotta warriors, Shanghai's Old Town and the Bund, and the Three Gorges dam site. Pricing begins at $2,399 per person, excluding international airfare. Departure dates run from March 26 to October 22. Clients have the option of adding Guilin and Hong Kong for Trafalgar's expanded 15-night "Majestic China" program. Feb 3, 2008

ZZ

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