Category: The Cruise Examiner

by Kevin Griffin

This week, as a result of a message from a reader, we have a look at the third-party travel operators who deal in selling products by offering “free cruises” as bate. Primarily concentrated on 2-night sailings out of Florida, these companies have created a bad taste for many consumers. As some would say, there is no such thing as a free cruise. And with Royal Caribbean’s Quantum and Anthem of the Seas stealing the spotlight with their North Star capsules, we look at Carnival’s SkyRide, a suspended outdoor cycling trip around the top of the ship. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This week we have a look at the relationship between Azamara Club Cruises and the rapidly growing Cruiseco cruise agents’ consortium in Australia, which is now expanding into the UK. Elsewhere, Pullmantur Cruises is now on its fourth UK agent in the past several years, having appointed a division of Fred. Olsen Travel to look after its business in the UK. And Portuscale’s Funchal, having had her 2015 cruise season cancelled, is now available for long-term charter. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This week we feature video footage that has just been released by Viking Cruises of their 930-berth Viking Star undergoing sea trials in the Aegean in December. She is due to enter service officially in May. At the same time, US-based Haimark Line will introduce the 210-berth coastal cruise ship Saint Laurent to summer service in the waters of the Great Lakes and St Lawrence. And finally, Stern’s Guide to European Riverboats has been released for 2015. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

With Crystal not having taken delivery of a new ship for twelve years, Hapag-Lloyd having bedded in its STX-built 2013 vintage Europa 2 and Fincantieri completing the last of Ponant’s four 264-berth luxury cruisers as well as preparing to deliver the new Viking Star this spring, it appears that the Italian shipbuilder now dominates the market for ultra-luxury cruise ships. With Regent’s latest ship on the way for delivery in 2016, two new 604-berth ships for Seabourn and a potential new order from Silversea for three ships of similar size, Fincantieri has this market wrapped up for now. Today, we examine this situation in a little more detail. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

In anticipation of an expected “big announcement” from Crystal Cruises last week, rumours began circulating in Germany that Crystal was about to buy the Deutschland, news that turned out to be false. The big news was only a new brochure, more details of which below. Elsewhere, Pearl Seas Cruises has its eyes on Cuba and American Cruise Lines is looking at a new more modern design of riverboat than the old paddle wheelers that have been built to date for the Mississippi and other American rivers. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Recent months have seen many announcements from Cruise & Maritime Voyages so this week we have a quick look at their successes of the past year. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, Ponant has announced its acquisition of small ship operator Travel Dynamics International of New York. And finally, in anticipation of an expected “big announcement” from Crystal Cruises today, rumours originating from Germany that Crystal was about to buy the Deutschland have been denied. (more…)