p22 cruise dec19 16/12/08 11:12 Page 22
Cruise
Lee Hayhurst
020 7921 8001
lhayhurst@ttglive.com
For the latest cruise news, visit
ttglive.com/cruise
Silversea cancels
Polynesia sailings
SILVERSEA has cancelled its French Polynesia
itineraries onboard Prince Albert II for summer
2009, with the ship now set to return to its
inaugural destination of the Arctic.
The line said it was responding to the
economic slowdown, with customers less willing
to travel as far afield as French Polynesia, which
requires an extra two days’ travelling on top of a
14-night cruise.
Prince Albert II was due to reposition from its
winter 2008-09 destination of Antarctica to
French Polynesia for the 2009 spring and sum-
mer seasons. SUPER SAVER TO SOUTHAMPTON: Bath Travel-owned online retailer Cruise Saver Travel
Now it will sail to the Arctic on June 1, where it chartered its first train service for guests from Manchester heading for a Cunard Queen
will operate nine expeditions, before returning Victoria cruise from Southampton. The service was put on with the support of Cunard
to Antarctica for its 2009-10 winter schedule. marketing arm Complete Cruise Solution. Pictured with Bath Travel’s Stephen Bath and
The winter 2008-09 and 2009-10 programmes CCS’s Zoe Scott (both centre) at the Mayflower terminal are Cruise Saver Travel’s Kelly
will remain unchanged. Woodford, Tracey Gillingham, Richard Lucas, John Capel, Sue Hanson and Marina Terry
In brief
Celebrity sticks to
■ Carnival sets up cruise blog website
Carnival has created a website profiling the “best
blogs at sea” following the popularity of the blog
written by the line’s senior cruise director, John
new-ship schedule
Heald. The site features a behind-the-scenes look
at eight Carnival brands: Aida, Carnival, Costa, Jo Rzymowska, UK and Ireland associate vice-
Sara Macefield.
Cunard, Holland America Line, Ocean Village, CELEBRITY Cruises has said the downturn will not president and general manager, said plans to
P&O Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. hit its plans to launch four new ships between phase out Ocean Village by 2010 and changes
bestblogsatsea.com now and 2012. to Island Cruises played no part in Celebrity’s
The Royal Caribbean line’s president and chief decision to use Southampton as a homeport.
■ Discounts rise on Harwich sailings executive, Dan Hanrahan, stressed it was full However, she conceded that Royal Caribbean
Voyages of Discovery has increased early-booking steam ahead for the new-builds despite the International had “possibly” had an impact on
discounts on ex-UK cruises from Harwich to at downturn in both its core UK and US markets. the budget lines as it also appealed to the
least 50% and is offering savings of £900 on “We have looked at a worst-case scenario, but first-time cruise market.
fly-cruises. Unusually, the line will also credit have not made any decisions as it would just be “It’s a shame because I thought the Ocean Vil-
existing summer 2009 bookings with the savings. guessing,” he admitted. lage brand and proposition was great and brought
“We have the financing in place for all the a lot of new people into cruising,” she said.
■ Grand Princess has spa facility added ships so we don’t have to worry about liquidity.
Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess is undergoing “We can weather the storm pretty well and it
a refurbishment ahead of its inaugural season is better for us to take these ships because they Enjoy some Star Treatment: As part of its
of Mediterranean cruises from Southampton. are so efficient and have the ability to generate new Celebrity Star Treatment programme,
The biggest addition will be the installation of so much cash.” Celebrity wants to bring ship captains and senior
The Sanctuary, an outdoor spa retreat. Hanrahan said the company had seen a slow- officers into more contact with passengers.
down in bookings, but had not suffered increased One way will be through free bridge and engine
ttglive.com
For the very latest cruise news, cancellations. “We don’t see any real reason to room tours that will be offered on request.
visit
ttglive.com/cruise
do lots of discounting at the moment,” he added.
22 19.12.2008
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