The huge business potential of weddings at sea and in ports is clearly on the radar screens of cruise lines and travel agents alike.

As the cruise industry rolls out new wedding packages and programs, agents are deriving considerable revenue from the market, despite the non-commissionable nature of cruise line wedding packages, which include the wedding elements but not the cruise itself.

Cunard, Cruise Planners get on board

Cunard launched its first weddings program this year. And executives from Norwegian and Royal Caribbean/Celebrity have talked up weddings at recent industry events – hinting they’re planning changes to their wedding package offerings.

Meanwhile, Cruise Planners – American Express Travel, a large home-based agent network, has entered the weddings business by launching its own Destination Weddings by Cruise Planners program, in partnership with Imagine Weddings & Events.

Revenue potential (but no commissions)

For agents, the number one deterrent to selling weddings is that packages offered by the cruise lines – which typically include the ceremony, flowers, a cake, a photographer and a bunch of optional extras – are not commissionable.

Agents in the business, however, say that the potential exists for significant commissions on the multiple cruise bookings that weddings generate – for the wedding couple and their family and friends.

For instance, a typical wedding booking for Carolyn Waffle, CTC, an independent affiliate of Avoya Travel in Binghamton, N.Y. is 10 couples, and she's had cruise ship wedding parties as large as 32 couples.

Waffle said she enhances her take by booking the wedding party on commissionable shore excursions and selling travel insurance – de rigueur for a life event of this magnitude.

Cruise Planners’ product

Cruise Planners – American Express has taken a different approach by creating its own product.

Vicky Garcia

“Our partnership with Imagine is pretty much a marriage made in heaven,” Vicky Garcia, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Cruise Planners – American Express, told Travel Market Report.

"We’ve provided Cruise Planners travel advisors with the tools and training to be the experts in booking all travel arrangements, which is why we saw a perfect fit with Imagine taking on the wedding planning portion of it.

"It's not only an added service to the client, but the agent also earns commission on the package, so it’s a win-win for everyone."

The Destination Weddings by Cruise Planners packages start at $995.

Cunard responds to customer demand Peter Shanks

Cunard's major move into the weddings market for the first time in its 172-year history was a direct result of customer demand, Peter Shanks, president and managing director of Cunard Line, told Travel Market Report.

“People are looking to do things differently, from the wedding perspective and value too, because in tougher times weddings are expensive," Shanks said.

"We'd been observing growth in the market at Princess and P&O, our sister brands," he added.

Selling the value

Although Cunard’s new cruise wedding packages, like those from other cruise lines, are not commissionable, they hold benefits for agents in terms of multiple bookings and offer considerable value for clients, according to Shanks.

"You're talking two people getting married spending $3,000 to $4,000 on a cruise,” he said.

“Our wedding package, which comes with included bits and pieces – the captain being there, flowers, wedding cake – is $2,500. Compare what we offer to a land-based wedding and it's great value," he said.

"It's a great opportunity for agents to say, 'How about saving money and doing an intimate wedding on the Queen Mary?'"

Tapping the market

The ease of breaking into the weddings market is another plus for agents, according to Shanks.

"The wedding fairs are very popular in big cities and small towns. You can work with wedding organizers, wedding dress shops. There's a whole industry happening around weddings," Shanks noted.

Support for agents

Cunard has an attractive wedding brochure that agents can use to show clients. "Our sales team is working with agents, and we are developing an academy program to support agents on weddings," Shanks said.

Training, he added, is essential. "You don't want to mess up someone's wedding. Agents should have great confidence. We will support them in training."

Cunard also provides a wedding planner as the sole point of contact, through its customer services team. This leads to a more "controlled experience," which is a benefit for both the wedding couple and their travel agent alike, Shanks said.

Healthy interest

Bookings this year are showing "healthy interest," both from North Americans, Germans, Australians and British passengers, Shanks said.

The first two Cunard weddings took place onboard the Queen Mary in May.

The first wedding was an intimate affair with just the happy couple and two of their best friends. But most weddings will likely have at least 15 to 20 guests, Shanks said.

2013 will be the test

Cunard sees next year as the first real test of the wedding program, as people tend to book such important events well in advance.

Shanks has big expectations for next year – 500 to 1,000 weddings aboard Cunard ships. "Based on our sister brands, that's achievable," he said.

"We believe getting married on the Queen Mary in the mid-Atlantic is a cool thing, and word of mouth will spread."

Bermuda bars same-sex unions

Shanks said he expects the couples marrying on Cunard ships to be older, perhaps on their second marriage. "The whole nature aims at a mature audience," he said.

Cunard would like to expand the wedding option to same-sex couples, but is currently prohibited from doing so by the laws of Bermuda, where its three ships are registered, according to Shanks.

“But we can do same-sex renewal of vows. And if Hamilton changes the legislation, we very much would offer same-sex weddings. We have a strong following in the 'pink' market."

By Fran Golden, Travel Market Report

A key Senate Democrat thinks cruise ships have become too big to be safe.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said in an interview with CNN for an upcoming documentary about the January crash of the Costa Concordia cruise ship in Italy that large ships are harder to evacuate in cases of emergency.

"The bigger they build those boats, the more likely people are not going to be able to escape when they have serious incident," Rockefeller says in a preview for CNN's special, titled "Cruise to Disaster."

Rockefeller is chairman of the Senate's Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Lawmakers in both chambers have called for reviews of the safety of U.S. cruise ships after the Costa Concordia accident, in which at least 30 people died when the ship ran into a reef off the coast of Isola del Giglio.

The cruise liner was carrying 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members when it crashed. CNN's documentary said the vessel is still lying on its side in the water near Giglio.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) spokesman Bud Darr defends the safety record of the U.S. cruise line industry, saying "[T]he safety of our passengers and crew is absolutely essential to our business."

CNN will air the special on July 8 at 8 and 11 p.m.

By Keith Laing, The Hill

The CNN Presents documentary "Cruise to Disaster" airs Wednesday, July 4, at 8 p.m ET. Encore presentation Sunday, July 8, at 8 p.m. ET

(CNN) -- It was one of the worst passenger ship disasters since the sinking of the Titanic a century ago. On January 13, the Costa Concordia was sailing a few hundred meters off the rocky Tuscan coastline of the island of Giglio.

The ship, nearly the length of three football fields, rammed into a bed of rocks around 9:45 p.m. Within minutes, the massive vessel began to tilt, as water rushed into the engine rooms through a gash some 50 meters long. The crippled ship, without power or propulsion, drifted onward a few miles before turning toward the small harbor on the island and coming to rest on rocks nearby.

Thirty-two people from eight countries -- both crew and passengers -- died. Many more barely escaped in the hours after the Concordia came to rest on its side, tilting ever closer to the sea. Countless survivors told CNN the same story -- they had received little or no safety training after boarding the ship, whether in Barcelona several days earlier or at a port near Rome just hours before the disaster. International guidelines at the time recommended a safety drill within 24 hours of embarkation, but the disaster came well before that period had elapsed for the 600 who stepped on board in Rome.

Multiple passengers who spoke to CNN and other media said they didn't know where to gather during the emergency. The common refrain: It was chaos, every passenger for him or herself. Some said that when they asked crew members for help, they got blank stares.

Covering a cruise ship disaster

Nearly six months later, lessons learned that night have brought changes to safety and evacuation procedures in the cruise industry. Carnival, the parent line of Costa, and several other cruise lines now require safety instruction, referred to as muster drills, before leaving port. The new muster policy consists of 12 specific emergency instructions, which include providing information on when and how to don a life jacket, where to muster and what to expect if there is an evacuation of the ship.

Costa Concordia survivors recall disaster

Last year, nearly 16 million cruise bookings were made worldwide. About three-quarters of them were from the United States, according to the industry group Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 26 cruise lines, including the world's largest, Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

But the Concordia disaster cast a shadow on a rapidly expanding industry that maintains it is one of the safest modes of transportation. It has also focused attention on how some international cruise companies operate, registering their ships in countries where there may be weak regulations or where international rules are poorly enforced, but at the same time headquartering their companies in the United States and Europe.

At a U.S. Senate hearing in the aftermath of the Concordia disaster, there was tough questioning about the practice. Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, one of the strongest voices at the congressional hearing, spoke to CNN about the cruise lines.

"They just know how to work the system and they work it very well and always to their advantage," he said.

Rockefeller and other critics of the industry say that cruise lines that are headquartered in the United States but have their ships registered elsewhere are getting a free ride on the backs of U.S. taxpayers, placing demands on federal agencies such as Immigration, Customs and the Coast Guard, which are charged with oversight when those ships enter and leave U.S. ports.

"They don't reimburse the Coast Guard, they don't pay taxes that will help with these 20 federal agencies that are watching over them in various ways and whose services they use, or might use," Rockefeller told CNN.

In the five years before 2010, Carnival, the company that owns Costa, paid 1.1% tax on $11.3 billion in profits.

Leading U.S.-based companies like Carnival often register their ships in foreign countries under what the industry calls "flags of convenience." For example, Carnival registers the majority of its ships in Panama and is incorporated there. Its headquarters is in the United States. Despite repeated requests, Carnival did not grant CNN an interview. However, Bud Darr, a spokesman for the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry group that represents Carnival and other major cruise lines, told CNN, "There's a variety of components that go into that decision [about where to register a ship] and it's individualized to a ship's owner. It's individualized across maritime sectors." Budd added, "Are there some fees and taxation considerations that go into that? Certainly."

The International Transport Workers Federation, which represents mariners around the world, is highly critical of "foreign flagging," saying on its website, "Cheap registration fees, low or no taxes and freedom to employ cheap labor are the motivating factors behind a ship owner's decision to 'flag out.'"

However, the Cruise Lines International Association maintains its members pay plenty of port and other fees in the United States. "We pay a wide array of fees, duties and we pay all of the taxes we are required to pay," Darr told CNN.

Rockefeller said that while more regulation of the industry is needed, achieving that will be difficult because of the industry's lobbying in Washington. According to Darr, the Cruise Lines International Association spent nearly $10 million on lobbying between 2004 and 2011.

The International Maritime Organization, which is tasked with the international supervision of passenger ships, has also been under fire in the wake of the disaster. Under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, known as SOLAS, there are many mandated standards for ship operators, but critics -- including U.S. lawmakers -- point to the fact that there are also many codes, guidelines and recommendations that are voluntary. Additionally, there are no unified standards for reporting incidents at sea. The International Maritime Organization does keep records of incidents reported voluntarily by ship operators, but does not maintain a public database of that information.

The International Maritime Organization has promised to address the issues raised by critics once the Italian authorities' accident report is published. So far, its Maritime Safety Committee, which met five months after the sinking of the Costa Concordia, has issued only voluntary guidance. That new guidance includes the introduction of onboard stability computers, new free-fall lifeboats and the establishment of appropriate minimum levels for staffing qualified mariners on board each passenger ship.

Bloggers and industry observers, meanwhile, have tried to fill any gaps left by the International Maritime Organization by archiving incidents, relying on information from media reports and passengers.

Ross Klein, a Newfoundland professor, has written four books on the cruise industry and maintains a database online. At the congressional hearings in March, he told the Senate committee there were more than a dozen incidents of passenger ships sinking and 99 ships running aground between 1973 and 2011. Klein also testified that 79 ships experienced fires between 1990 and 2011. Even so, given the rapid expansion of the industry, the number of fatalities has been low. And cruising remains popular. The industry is now worth $25 billion a year. Most of its customers are Americans, with 13 million U.S. bookings in 2011. The industry also is tapping into new markets, especially in Asia.

In the spring, a few months after the Concordia disaster, Costa released a statement that said bookings were robust. Meanwhile, the Cruise Lines International Association maintains the industry is committed to ensuring the safety of passengers. But industry insiders and regulators say another serious accident could do irreparable damage to the cruise lines' reputation -- and reinforce existing calls for more rigorous international regulation.

By Diane LaPosta and Tim Lister, CNN

BOSTON - When you think of taking a cruise, it's all about sun, fun and relaxation. But on the open waters, crimes do happen.

When victims and their families helped pass a law two years that would bring greater transparency about crimes on passenger ships operating out of U.S. ports, they were elated.

But now they say the law's intent has been gutted by the very people meant to protect the public.

Kendall Carver visits the statue of his daughter Merrian often. The Harvard student disappeared on a cruise ship in 2005, never to be heard from again.

Carver found out later that a steward had reported his daughter missing daily, but his boss told him to to forget about it.

"When the cruise ended he asked what he should do with the clothes in her room, and they said to put them in a bag and get rid of them," said Carver.

At the time, cruise companies didn't have to report crimes that happened out at sea.

But two years ago, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act was signed into law.

It required all cruise lines out of U.S. ports to report serious crimes to the FBI. The Coast Guard was instructed to maintain a public database. But seven words inserted into the law by the FBI altered its intent by allowing only cases that were opened, then closed, be made public.

"That's just an incredible situation. The FBI and the Coast Guard are here to protect us, not the cruise lines," said Carver.

Carver said he believes no one, including the bill's co-sponsor Sen. John Kerry was aware of how the FBI language would dramatically alter the bill's intent.

"On the surface, it didn't look like much," he said.

But since the FBI only opens 10 to 20 percent of cruise crime cases, the majority of those crimes are now not reported.

"I think the only people who understood were the FBI. It in effect nullified the reporting of crimes," said Carver.

A spokeswoman for Senator Kerry, told NewsCenter 5 "It's hardly the last word on the subject or the last effort needed to correct the problems. And...the senator will continue to work with his colleagues to push for even stronger transparency and reporting measures."

In the seven years since his daughter disappeared, Carver has met many families impacted by cruise crimes. They're on a mission together to hold the FBI and the cruise lines accountable. And they're not giving up.

"The public needs to know that. They need to know that the protection that they thought was there was not there," said Carver. "We are a voice not of one person but of all the victims."

In a statement, the FBI said "There's nothing in our review of the process that suggests the FBI requested a change in reporting requirements of the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act of 2010."

Source: WCVB.com

In the latest move to address concerns over cruise ship safety, industry groups on Tuesday announced new safety policies.

The Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 26 cruise lines, and the European Cruise Council announced the policies.

One says that the nationality of every passenger on a ship must be recorded and made readily available to search and rescue workers if needed.

The other specifies 12 key points that passengers will learn during muster drills and emergency instruction. They include: when and how to put on a lifejacket; where to find lifejackets; a description of emergency signals and what to do if you hear one; where to gather when an emergency signal is sounded; how information will be given in an emergency; what to expect if an evacuation is ordered; instructions about whether passengers should return to their cabins before mustering and a description of safety systems and features.

The policies go beyond what is already required by international regulations, CLIA said.

David Peikin, CLIA’s director of public affairs, said the list of 12 items is “a consolidation of the best practices in place within the industry.”

In the months since the deadly January shipwreck of the Costa Concordia, the trade group has already announced policies including requiring emergency drills for all embarking passengers before a ship leaves port, having more lifejackets on ships than are required by law and limiting access to a ship's bridge at potentially dangerous times.

By Hannah Sampson, The Miami Herald

Four new European destinations open, three new cruise lines start operations, 20 ships enter into service, 79 cruise ships return to European waters from their winter routes

Brussels - As the summer cruise season gets under way in Europe, 79 ships will be sailing back to European waters from their winter routes in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and Asia, bringing the total fleet in the region this summer to 206 cruise ships, operated by 64 lines, serving 528 destinations stretching from the Mediterranean to the Arctic.

Underlining the industry’s steady growth in Europe, the European summer fleet will include 20 new ships this year, including 13 ships re-entering service for new operators. In addition, three new cruise lines have started operations, and four new destinations have opened to cruise ships, data compiled for the Cruise Lines International Association and the European Cruise Council shows.

“The number of new destinations, new lines and new ships entering service in Europe this year are all further evidence of how cruising is growing and will continue to grow in the region, drawing on Europe’s unique offering in terms of its rich culture, its varied geography and its long maritime traditions, and its expertise in hospitality and service,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, ECC Chairman.

“Seeing so many ships arriving in European ports for the start of the summer cruising season underlines how the European cruise sector is an integral and growing part of the global cruise industry that offers consumers high value holiday options and economic benefits to hundreds of communities,” said Christine Duffy, President and CEO of CLIA.

By Michael McGarry, CLIA

CURAÇAO -- There is absolutely nothing wrong with Cozumel or the Bahamas.

But once you've seen them, it's time to branch out.

Cruise lines are experimenting with all kinds of interesting Caribbean itineraries that expose travelers to a broader swath of the region. Some feature islands that are hard to visit on your own. Some mix exotic with familiar, giving travelers a taste of wildly different cultures.

"The thing is, these islands represent different regions, and many are more European," says Carnival Valor Capt. Luigi De Angelis, who has captained ships throughout the Caribbean. His favorite islands are Aruba and Roatan, Honduras. By visiting more exotic islands with Dutch, French, English or Spanish roots, "you get a taste of all these different places on the other side of the ocean. That is why it seems to me it is more culturally interesting," he says. "On Curaçao, the people speak five languages. It's not often you go to an island where the people speak five languages."

More sophisticated than your basic western Caribbean or Bahamas itinerary, cruises labeled "southern Caribbean" or "exotic Caribbean" usually are at least eight days long. Most leave from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale or San Juan, Puerto Rico. And most cruise distances of 4,000 miles or more.

Counterintuitive

Admittedly, the exotic Caribbean isn't super trendy. Right now, the in-the-know cruise folks are flocking to the Mediterranean. The Caribbean cruise sector grew less than 1% in 2011 because lines redeployed ships to Europe, especially in the summer, according to Caribbean Tourism Organization data.

Caribbean cruising overall this year is expected to rise 2%-3%, a figure that's probably optimistic. Southern Caribbean islands have been especially vulnerable to the downturn.

But that's all the more reason to go now. Exotic Caribbean cruise prices are as low as $600-$900 per person for a week or more. It's easy and cheap to get to departure ports like Miami. So seek your best deal. Look for the unusual islands. Do you know how hard it is to fly to Guadeloupe on your own? But you can get there on Brilliance of the Seas in December. And look for those bonus sea days, when the ship doesn't stop, but just glides through the turquoise water like a floating cocoon.

Looking for an unusual Caribbean itinerary, I chose a Carnival Valor cruise out of Miami in late May because it visited four spots I'd never been -- Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic, Aruba and Curaçao.

But it was hard to choose. Some Royal Caribbean ships stop in cool places like Bonaire, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Celebrity Cruises stop at ports in St. Croix, St. Kitts, Dominica and Grenada. Silversea and Seabourn cruises call on sophisticated St. Barts.

Yes, most of the smaller destinations don't have the tourist development of a St. Thomas or Grand Cayman. Some are poor. Not every island has duty-free shopping. But that is their charm.

Aboard Carnival Valor at the end of May, I was surprised to find that our ship was the only one in every port. In eight days, I never saw another cruise ship. It was weird, but nice.

While walking peacefully along the cruise piers, I happily imagined 8 zillion cruise ship passengers elbowing and swearing at each other at the Italian port of Civitavecchia.

What's exotic?

It's a good question. What makes one Caribbean island more exotic than another? Think of places other cruises generally do not visit. Places hard to get to on your own. Places you may never have heard of or couldn't find on a map. Places without a Columbian Emeralds store (OK, this is hard). Places distant from tourist meccas.

For instance, our cruise stopped in Grand Turk. It delightfully turns out that while Turks and Caicos is a hip, hot destination, all of that trendy stuff is happening way over in Providenciales, about 65 miles away by sea, and definitely not in Grand Turk, where the most exciting event is watching the tide go out. Fantastic.

I likewise was pleasantly surprised by the Dominican Republic. The DR is the most visited island in the Caribbean, but almost nobody arrives by cruise ship. Carnival Valor docked way down at La Romana, on the southern coast, hours from Punta Cana and other giant tourism hot spots. The dock was near the sugar cane fields and orchid farms. It was warm and relaxing and real. And no Columbian Emeralds shop! Maravilloso.

Down in Aruba and Curaçao, both islands with Dutch heritage, the pastel buildings seemed to shout a happy welcome to our lonesome ship. Off-season, these islands near Venezuela still were hot and friendly. Curaçao, with its swinging pedestrian bridge, is definitely different from any other Caribbean island. The citizens do speak four or five languages -- Papiamentu, Dutch, English, Spanish and sometimes French.

And Aruba, with its divi divi trees bending to the wind, with its giant cacti spreading across the landscape like the old west, with its brand new Ritz Carlton rising on the shore, and with the scenic Alto Vista Chapel a sturdy outpost on a seaside cliff, was just plain fun.

By Ellen Creager, Detroit Free Press Travel Writer

Costa Crociere cruise fares are continuing to recover after the Jan. 13 Concordia disaster, according to Robin Farley, a leisure analyst with UBS Investment Research. Costa fares have risen for 10 weeks since an early April cut in pricing, which “seems an encouraging indication that incoming booking volumes have been satisfactory,” Farley wrote, adding that sources indicate Costa booking volume could be up 28 percent year-over-year in the April-May period.

“We believe this is an indication that [Carnival Corp.’s] pricing actions for the Costa brand have succeeded in driving booking volume, and that pricing for the brand has not seen further significant cuts,” Farley wrote in a June 13 report that tracks cruise pricing.

Cruise prices for the 2012 cruising season in the Caribbean have been holding steady since early to mid-March after a slight price correction, and are still up since the start of the year, the report said. Alaska is up slightly this week over last week, but pricing had been down since the start of the year over the prior two weeks.

“With third-quarter pricing so cheap for Europe, it is not surprising that it may be affecting whether some passengers will book for Alaska vs. Europe,” Farley wrote. “Finally, Mediterranean pricing has stabilized since late March/early April, after a downward pricing adjustment in the region, which we believe could have come from the Costa pricing cuts and Costa’s pricing also pushing other brands to lower pricing in the region.”

Source: Travel Pulse

PHOENIX — Ever since Kendall Carver's daughter mysteriously disappeared on an Alaskan cruise in 2004, he has dedicated his life to holding the cruise-line industry more accountable for passenger safety.

The retired Phoenix businessman believed he succeeded in 2010 with the passage of federal legislation that was supposed to reveal the full picture of the deaths, sexual assaults, thefts, missing persons and other crimes reported on cruise ships. ,

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., who sponsored the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, promised the bill would provide greater transparency about crimes on passenger ships operating out of U.S. ports.

However, unknown to Carver and other supporters, the bill was changed shortly before it passed to provide less, not more, information about cruise-ship crime.

Kerry's own office was responsible for altering the bill without alerting other stakeholders about the changes. Kerry's press secretary acknowledged for the first time publicly last month that the bill was changed to hold back information about cases at the request of the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard.

The agencies "feared that reporting on pending cases could impact ongoing investigations and endanger lives and efforts to bring criminals to justice," press secretary Whitney Smith said.

Carver, who helped spearhead the legislation, said he feels betrayed.

"The bill is being sabotaged. The FBI is using the regulation to gut the intent of the bill," he said. "The FBI and the Coast Guard, the very people who should be looking out for United States citizens, have watered this thing down."

The new act requires cruise lines to report all serious crimes aboard ships to the FBI. Originally, it required the Coast Guard to maintain a public database of all serious crimes on cruise ships. Language added before its passage altered the bill so that only crimes "no longer under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation" were reported in the public database.

The upshot: The public is not allowed to see reports of all alleged crimes aboard ships. Where the FBI once publicly reported more than 400 crimes a year, only six crimes on ships in the past nine months have been listed on the public database. And cases not investigated by the FBI — for example, allegations handled by a ship's security staff — never will be reported in the database under the new law.

Now, Carver and other cruise-safety experts say the industry is using the lack of crime reports to suggest that ocean liners are safer than they have ever been.

Carver and supporters of the legislation had no idea it had been changed until last year, when the first crime reports were posted. They spent months trying to determine how and why the wording in the bill was altered.

Matsui, in an April television interview, said her office was investigating how the language made it into the bill. She accused the FBI of misinterpreting the bill and said withholding crime statistics was counter to the law's intent.

The FBI and the Coast Guard would not comment on the changes in the bill or respond to questions about the crime-reporting statistics.

"We are not at liberty to discuss any information we may have fed into the legislative review process," FBI spokeswoman Denise Ballew said in an e-mail Friday.

Kerry's office did not elaborate on what evidence, if any, the FBI used to determine that releasing crime statistics on cruise ships would affect investigations.

However, both congressional offices say they plan to correct problems in the original bill.

"It's hardly the last word on the subject or the last effort needed to correct problems Mr. Carver and others identified," Smith said.

Safer than land?

More than 16 million people took cruise vacations worldwide in 2011.

The cruise industry, which supports the law as written, for years has maintained that cruises are one of the safest ways to travel, and that a person is far more likely to be a victim of crime at home than aboard a ship.

Crime statistics tell a different story, according to Ross Klein, a professor of sociology at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada.

"It is not safer than being on land. Passengers need to know that they are at risk," said Klein, who has written four books on cruise safety and testified at U.S. congressional hearings on oversight of the cruise industry.

Klein said that research based on crime reports from the FBI in 2007-08 showed that a person was more than 50 percent more likely to be assaulted on one popular cruise line than on land in Canada.

And Klein said that at a minimum, 18 percent of all crime incidents on ships involve minors. "You shouldn't be letting your child run around thinking that it is perfectly safe," he said.

Before the bill passed, cruise ships were self-regulating and not required under U.S. law to report crimes that took place in international waters.

Ships in national waters, which extend 12 miles from land, were required to report crimes to the FBI. Most cruise lines, however, voluntarily provided the FBI with the crime data.

The new law mandates that all cruise lines operating out of U.S. ports keep a log of reported crimes and provide them to the FBI.

But the public does not get to see what crimes are reported to the FBI or even all of the cases opened by the FBI.

On a website updated quarterly by the Coast Guard, only cases closed by the FBI are made public. The total number of closed cases reported on the website last year was 16. Six have been reported in the past nine months.

Critics say, at best, that represents 20 percent of crimes reported on cruises.

"The FBI is not including all alleged crimes, but only those that they open a file on, minus those under investigation. They only open a file on 10 to 20 percent of alleged crimes," International Cruise Victims Association President Jamie Barnett wrote in a February complaint letter to the FBI.

David Peikin, spokesman for the Cruise Lines International Association, which is made up of 26 cruise lines operating in North America, said the industry supported the legislation and "the stringent safeguards it provides for passengers and crew."

Peikin said the language added to the bill over crime reporting did not come from the cruise-line industry.

He said critics are distorting issues surrounding crime-reporting requirements and added that the industry is following the rules on crime reporting.

"Any controversy … has been created by a small minority of vocal, biased industry critics who lack objectivity as it pertains to the cruise industry and the crime reporting elements of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act," Peikin said in an email statement.

Industry connections

News that changes in the bill were requested by the FBI and the Coast Guard raises questions about the cruise industry's influence over law enforcement, according to critics.

Critics also express concern that several of the bill's provisions have been only partly adopted or in some cases not at all.

Over the past two years, Carver and Barnett have complained of perceived conflicts of interest, including quarterly meetings hosted by the Cruise Lines Industry Association attended by members of the FBI and the Coast Guard. They note that former high-ranking FBI agents and Coast Guard members now work for the cruise-line industry.

In a March email to the FBI, Carver and Barnett said government officials should not be attending meetings hosted by industries they are supposed to regulate.

"We feel it then becomes difficult for the agencies to maintain any sort of objectivity," they wrote.

Peikin denies the meetings pose any kind of conflict and describes them as necessary for sharing security information and to coordinate with law enforcement.

He pointed out that thousands of companies tap former law-enforcement officers to provide in-house security because of their training and background.

"To suggest that distinguished military veterans and former federal law-enforcement officials — as well as current members of federal law enforcement — are compromised in their ethics is offensive," he said. "It is also another example of the outlandish and unsupported allegations that are made by the industry critics."

Starting-point legislation

When Kerry and Matsui introduced the legislation, they said it would help put an end to a cycle of crime aboard passenger vessels and promised the bill would provide greater transparency of the cruise industry.

"The tragic loss of Ken Carver's daughter Merrian should serve as a reminder that security and crime-reporting regulations need to be tightened," Kerry said in 2008. "If U.S. passengers are at risk, then U.S. law should hold the industry accountable for their safety."

Now the two lawmakers say the bill was not intended to be a comprehensive measure but rather a starting point for cruise-line accountability and passenger safety. Both said last month that they are pushing for stronger legislation.

Carver, who said he is disappointed by the legislative changes, does not hold the lawmakers responsible. Carver said Kerry's office contacted him last month and took responsibility for changing the bill.

"They were hoodwinked," Carver said. "I think they are all embarrassed. I think they were surprised when they found out."

Learning that Kerry's office was responsible for the language changes in the bill was shocking, he said. Both lawmakers and their staffs had previously expressed outrage over the changes.

Neither Kerry nor Matsui would address questions about when they learned Kerry's office was responsible for the legislative changes.

Kerry and Matsui said last month that they are working on strengthening the crime-reporting requirements and plan to correct problems in the original bill. Kerry's office pointed to new legislation being sought through the Senate Commerce Committee.

"Like all legislation, we need to remain constantly vigilant that the intent of the law does not get unintentionally circumvented through its implementation," Matsui said.

Source: USA Today

Carnival Corporation’s German subsidiary AIDA Cruises has two ships on order that will be floating on air. The two 125,00 GT passenger ships each with a capacity of 3,250 passengers is presently under construction at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, Japan, with completion dates scheduled for the second quarter 2015 and second quarter 2016.

The air bubbles system to be used is the Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS) and uses patented technology whereby high efficiency blowers bleed air bubbles through small holes in the ship’s bottom to produce a carpet of air which reduces friction. Part of the know-how involves the configuration of the air outlet points to achieve maximum friction reduction at optimized air-blow volume.

Initial tests of this system started in 2010 on the heavy lift module carrier Yamatai whose wide shallow draft hull form made it an ideal choice. The friction reduction due to MALS produced a saving in fuel consumption in the region of 13 per cent. In this first application on a cruise ship, MHI predict a fuel saving of around 7% for the two AIDA vessels.

The AIDA cruise ships will use a diesel electric propulsion system driving two ABB Azipod XO2100 azimuth thrusters each with a rated output of 14 MW.

By Keith Henderson, Maritime Propulsion

Despite the fact that many cruise companies pride themselves on offering an all-inclusive holiday experience, and with free internet becoming increasingly common in hotels, bars and even fast-food restaurants, research by Telegraph Travel has revealed that every major cruise line is still charging for internet and Wi-Fi access – with rates as high as £37.85 for a single hour's browsing.

More than 20 cruise lines were analysed in the study. Regent Seven Seas had the highest fees. The company charges a "pay as you go" rate of $0.95 (59p) per minute, or $57 (£35.40) an hour, in addition to a one-off "activation fee" of $3.95 (£2.45). Alternatively, passengers can opt for a $600 (£373) bill for 20 hours of browsing.

Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, NCL and P & O were also found to impose some of the highest fees. Celebrity charges passengers $24.95 (£15.50) for 38 minutes' access, or 41p per minute; Cunard charges $0.75 (47p) per minute, or $47.95 (£29.80) for two hours' access; NCL charges $0.75 (47p) per minute, or $55 (£34.20) for 100 minutes' usage. P & O charges 50p per minute or £35 for 100 minutes' access; its charge to send a single email is £2.50.

Four hours of internet browsing on an Azamara Cruises ship will cost holidaymakers $99.95 (£62) – marginally more expensive than on Carnival Cruise Lines, which charges $89 (£55) for the same amount of web time.

The cheapest pay-as-you-go access was 20p per minute, offered by Fred Olsen, while Paul Gauguin Cruises offers some of the best-value packages, with 250 minutes' access costing $0.25 (16p) per minute – although the line does charge an activation fee of £2.45.

Several readers have contacted Telegraph Travel to express frustration at the charges, with some criticising the speed and reliability of the internet access they have paid handsomely for.

"The cost of accessing the internet was so overpriced it wasn't worth it," said Geoff Hebden, 58, from Ipswich, who took a P & O cruise last year. "And yet small businesses, bars and cafés across the world offer it free – it's ridiculous."

Cruise lines defend their charges by citing the high cost of providing the service – internet access at sea is delivered using satellite communication, making it dearer than the same service on land.

"The cost of providing internet access from the middle of the ocean is expensive," said Graham Sadler, managing director of Regent Seven Seas. "As a luxury cruise brand we choose a fast speed, which may be reflected in the charges – but the quicker download speed means it may eventually become cheaper."

In contrast to ocean-going cruise lines, several river cruise companies – including Scenic Tours, Viking and AmaWaterways – do not charge for internet access.

Irish Ferries, which operates services between Ireland and the United Kingdom and France, does not charge, either, even though it uses satellite communication to provide the service.

A spokesman for the company said that it could not say how much it spent on providing passengers with the service, as it could not "separate out the cost of providing free Wi-Fi from [the cost of maintaining its existing] satellite equipment".

Assessing how much cruise lines make from internet charges is difficult: none of the companies surveyed by Telegraph Travel responded to queries about the number of people who use internet services or how much those services cost to provide. However, a press release issued in 2010 by Silversea Cruises – which currently charges guests $0.50 (31p) a minute to go online – claimed that 65 per cent of its passengers used some form of on-board internet service.

"There is no doubt that internet charges provide a lucrative revenue stream for many cruise lines," said Jane Archer, Telegraph Travel's cruise correspondent. "The fact that these connections are often very slow - so you end up spending more - only rubs salt into the wound."

By The Daily Telegraph

In South Florida it's not uncommon to hear of cruise ships offering assistance to distressed boaters at sea.

Claims, however, that a Princess Cruises ship recently failed to help three Panamanian boaters are raising questions about the crew training and industry obligations.

Experts say it's both a tradition and an international maritime mandate for ships to help.

"The duty to respond to persons in need of assistance at sea is based on the moral obligation to save human life," said James Walker, a South Miami maritime lawyer and publisher of Cruiselawnews.com.

Mariners also are obligated to offer aid based on International Maritime Organization rules, Walker said. The IMO regulates industry safety, security and pollution.

The organization's International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea states: "A master of a ship at sea, which is in a position to be able to provide assistance on receiving a signal from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance."

At STAR Center in Dania Beach cruise ship officers often receive instruction concerning assistance of distressed vessels in a bridge resource management course, said Capt. Gerard Pannell, director, member training and officer development.

This training stresses the value of team building and effective communication and also addresses response to onboard emergencies, said Pannell.

Every ship also has a set of procedures and "standing orders" for handling distressed vessels, he added. A ship's watch keeping officer is trained to first identify there's a problem with a vessel by recognizing distress signals such as waving of hands, flares or through radio messages.

The International Code of Signals manual, which lists and illustrates distress signals is also required to be on the bridge of every ship, he added.

For example, "the slow and repeated raising and lowering of arms outstretched to each side," is an internationally recognized distress signal, Pannell said.

Once deemed in distress, the watch officer would notify the captain and take steps to offer assistance such as maneuvering the ship and preparing a rescue boat.

The training and protocol says "if you encounter an unusual situation notify the master," said Pannell.

If the captain isn't notified there's a breakdown in communication.

Princess' cruise ship deck officers receive bridge and emergency response training including a course on assistance to other vessels at the Center for Simulator Maritime Training in The Netherlands, a company spokeswoman said.

"In the bridge management courses, the bridge team is challenged in the simulator on various emergency scenarios," spokeswoman Karen Candy said.

According to the website Panama-Guide.com, three American bird-watchers on Star Princess alleged recently that the ship's captain failed to assist the fishermen after a crew member was told of their plight. Two died in the ordeal, and the survivor was rescued after 28 days at sea.

The boaters were spotted waving frantically for assistance as the ship sailed from Ecuador to Costa Rica early on March 10, the Panama-Guide said.

In its statement Princess — a unit of Miami-based Carnival Corp. — said it was "very sorry for the tragic loss of life."

After an internal review, Princess said it suspects it was a "case of unfortunate miscommunication," as the ship's captain was never notified of the passengers' concern.

Passenger accounts however seem to conflict with the line's findings that the ship's captain was unaware of their concerns.

Princess said Tuesday it's continuing its review of the incident and that it's unclear when authorities in Bermuda, where its ships are registered, would release findings of their investigation.

The line's ships have been involved in more than 30 rescues at sea in the last decade.

Maritime lawyer Walker said based on Bermuda law, there's the potential for the ship's captain to be imprisoned and fined along with his employer.

The fishermen's families also will likely pursue civil action for compensation against the cruise line and the captain in the United States and or in Panama, he added.

For some, the Star Princess incident is an anomaly.

"The cruise industry has an incredibly good record overall of rendering assistance at sea," said Brad Schoenwald of the U.S. Coast Guard Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise in Fort Lauderdale.

Last month Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas rescued 23 Cubans on a small boat as the ship sailed from Falmouth, Jamaica, to Cozumel, Mexico. They received food, water and medical treatment.

By Arlene Satchell, Sun Sentinel

Editor's note: This story is based on internal al Qaeda documents, details of which were obtained by CNN. German cryptologists discovered hundreds of documents embedded inside a pornographic movie on a memory disk belonging to a suspected al Qaeda operative arrested in Berlin last year. The German newspaper Die Zeit was the first to report on the documents.

(CNN) -- On May 16 last year, a 22-year-old Austrian named Maqsood Lodin was being questioned by police in Berlin. He had recently returned from Pakistan via Budapest, Hungary, and then traveled overland to Germany. His interrogators were surprised to find that hidden in his underpants were a digital storage device and memory cards.

Buried inside them was a pornographic video called "Kick Ass" -- and a file marked "Sexy Tanja."

Several weeks later, after laborious efforts to crack a password and software to make the file almost invisible, German investigators discovered encoded inside the actual video a treasure trove of intelligence -- more than 100 al Qaeda documents that included an inside track on some of the terror group's most audacious plots and a road map for future operations.

Future plots include the idea of seizing cruise ships and carrying out attacks in Europe similar to the gun attacks by Pakistani militants that paralyzed the Indian city of Mumbai in November 2008. Ten gunmen killed 164 people in that three-day rampage.

Does al Qaeda pose a threat to cruises? The politics of killing Osama bin Laden Exclusive access to bin Laden's compound Obama not 'over celebrating' OBL's death. Terrorist training manuals in PDF format in German, English and Arabic were among the documents, too, according to intelligence sources.

U.S. intelligence sources tell CNN that the documents uncovered are "pure gold;" one source says that they are the most important haul of al Qaeda materials in the last year, besides those found when U.S. Navy SEALs raided Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a year ago and killed the al Qaeda leader.

One document was called "Future Works." Its authorship is unclear, but intelligence officials believe it came from al Qaeda's inner core. It may have been the work of Younis al Mauretani, a senior al Qaeda operative until his capture by Pakistani police in 2011.

The document appears to have been the product of discussions to find new targets and methods of attack. German investigators believe it was written in 2009 -- and that it remains the template for al Qaeda's plans.

Investigative journalist Yassin Musharbash, a reporter with the German newspaper Die Zeit, was the first to report on the documents. One plan: to seize passenger ships. According to Musharbash, the writer "says that we could hijack a passenger ship and use it to pressurize the public."

Musharbash takes that to mean that the terrorists "would then start executing passengers on those ships and demand the release of particular prisoners." The plan would include dressing passengers in orange jump suits, as if they were al Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, and then videotaping their execution.

Lodin and a man called Yusuf Ocak, who allegedly traveled back to Europe with him, are now on trial in Berlin where they are pleading not guilty. Ocak was detained in Vienna two weeks after Lodin's arrest.

According to a senior Western counterterrorism official, their names were on a watch list, and when they handed over documents at a European border crossing, their names registered with counterterrorism agencies.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges. Ocak is also charged with helping to form a group called the German Taliban Mujahedeen, and is alleged to have made a video for the group threatening attacks in Germany.

Prosecutors believe the pair met at a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's tribal territories and were sent back to Europe to recruit a network of suicide bombers.

"We do not know what those men were up to but there are certain files of information that would make it plausible that they were probably thinking of a Mumbai-style attack," says Musharbash.

In the fall of 2010, a year after the document was written, European intelligence agencies were scrambling to investigate a Mumbai-style plot involving German and other European militants -- which sparked an unprecedented U.S. State Department travel warning for Americans in Europe.

"I think it is plausible to think that the 'Future Works' document is part of that particular project," says Musharbash. "Future Works" suggests al Qaeda was an organization under great pressure, without a major attack to its name in several years, harried by Western intelligence. If anything, its predicament is even more dire today.

"The document delivers very clearly the notion that al Qaeda knows it is being followed very closely," Musharbash tells CNN. "It specifically says that Western intelligence agencies have become very good at spoiling attacks, that they have to come up with new ways and better plotting."

Part of the response, according to the document, should be to train European jihadists quickly and send them home -- rather than use them as fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan -- with instructions on how to keep in secret contact with their handlers.

What emerges from the document is a twin-track strategy -- with the author apparently convinced that al Qaeda needs low-cost, low-tech attacks (perhaps such as the recent gun attacks in France carried out by Mohammed Merah) to keep security services preoccupied while it plans large-scale attacks on a scale similar to 9/11.

Those already under suspicion in Europe and elsewhere would be used as decoys, while others would prepare major attacks.

That is yet to materialize, but Musharbash believes a complex gun attack in Europe is still on al Qaeda's radar.

"I believe that the general idea is still alive and I believe that as soon as al Qaeda has the capacities to go after that scenario, they will immediately do it," he says. While "Future Works" does not include dates or places, nor specific plans, it appears to be a brainstorming exercise to seize the initiative -- and reinstate al Qaeda on front pages around the world.

By Nic Robertson, Paul Cruickshank and Tim Lister, CNN

Two-day ‘Fast-Track Your Cruise Training and Profits’ Seminar/Trade Show Program Features Opportunity to Earn Up to 70 Cruise Counselor Credits

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced dates and cities for Training Fest 2012, the popular touring combination of seminars and trade show that offers travel agents the opportunity to earn as many as 70 credits toward CLIA Cruise Counselor Certification.

Inviting agents to “Fast-Track Your Cruise Training and Profits,” Training Fest this year will visit 11 cities in the United States and Canada between July and September. In each location, the two-day program will enable participants to earn credits for up to four seminars and attend a Continental Breakfast Trade Show featuring CLIA member cruise lines. While CLIA member agents receive a significant price break, non CLIA travel agents are also invited to participate.

“CLIA’s goal is to make valuable training and Certification accessible to as many travel agents in North America as possible,” said Bob Sharak, CLIA executive vice president for marketing and distribution. “Training Fest will accomplish that goal this year by visiting cities on the East Coast, the South, the West Coast and Vancouver and Toronto in Canada. We urge all agents to ‘fast track’ profits by launching their personal professional development or continuing their training and Certification at a Training Fest location near home.”

The cities and dates for Training Fest 2012 are as follows:

• Houston: July 12-13
  
• New York/Flushing: July 19-20
  
• Las Vegas: July 26-27
  
• Washington DC/Arlington: August 2-3
  
• Atlanta: August 9-10
  
• Chicago/Rosemont: August 16-17
  
• Orlando: August 23-24
  
• New Orleans/Kenner: September 6-7
  
• Los Angeles/San Pedro: September 13-14
  
• Vancouver/Surrey, BC: September 20-21
  
• Toronto, ON: September 27-28
  

Agents with less than two years of experience selling cruises are encouraged to sign up for the following seminars: Cruise Vacations: An Introduction, Principles of Professional Selling, Delivering Great Customer Service, and Power Selling Techniques. Other topics designed for more experienced sellers include: Travel for All: How to Find, Sell and Market Accessible Travel, a new program for 2012; Effective Presentation Skills; Group Sales Made Easy; and another new seminar for this year, 40 Best Practices for Travel Agent Success.

The cost of Training Fest ranges from $45 for one seminar ($55 for non-members) to $110 for four seminars ($150 for non-members). All those attending at least one educational session are entitled to complimentary admission to the Continental Breakfast Trade Show. Agents wishing to attend only the trade show pay $10 ($15 for non-members).

To register for Training Fest 2012 or to obtain more information, agents may visit CLIA’s web site or call 855-444-CLIA (2542).

The Suggestions

Traveling by cruise ship can be one of the most relaxing vacations possible. Food allergies don't go on vacation so the same vigilance that is required at home when you eat out is also required on the ship.

Following are suggestions for before and during your cruise to make your experience as pleasant and stress free as possible.

* Always book your cruise with a trusted travel agent. Your agent should be experienced and show a genuine interest in you and your medical concerns. If you do not have an agent, look for a Master Cruise Counselor at: www.cruising.org.

* Always purchase travel insurance. Purchase a comprehensive policy that covers pre existing conditions as well as cancellation and emergency air evacuation.

* Choose a set dining time rather than freestyle dining. Assigned tables allow the waiter and the Maitre D to better assist you at every meal.

* When you book your cruise advise the agent at time of deposit that you have one or more passengers with life threatening food allergies.

* Specify if you always have an Epi-pen with you.

* List all known food allergies. If your list of foods that cause allergic reactions is extensive then it would be helpful to also include a list of foods that do not cause any reaction. This will allow the chef to carefully consider his menu for you.

* Ask the agent to send an email to the cruise line with this information at the time they make the deposit. I would provide all of this information to the agent by email and in the email request that a copy also be sent to the Head Chef. The email should include your various contact information including all phone numbers. Ask for a copy of this email and take copies with you to the ship.

* Wear a MedicAlert bracelet:

* Take with you the names and phone numbers of all of your physicians along with any other pertinent medical information including all medications and allergies.

* Pack all of your medication and medical information in your carry on bag.

* If your cruise requires an air flight, don't forget to call the airline and inquire if meals will be served. If so request a special diet or take a meal or snacks with you.

Getting to the Ship

When you get to the ship do the following:

* Check in with the Maitre' D. He will have a station set up before the ship sails. Give him a copy of the email that your agent sent to the cruise line. Ask for a waiter with excellent English speaking skills.

* With a child who will be in the Children's program, attend the meeting on the first day for you to meet the youth counselors. Advise them of the food allergies and give them a copy of the email as well. If you do not want them to give your child food if you are not present please discuss this with them.

* If you have a life-threatening allergy take a copy of your medical information sheet to the medical facility on board and write your cabin number on the top.

* Take all of your meals in the main dining room so that the wait staff can be of more assistance with your allergies. It is not advisable to eat in the buffet area, as the ingredients are not readily available. Buffet lines also pose the risk of having utensils moved from a dish that would be dangerous to a dish that looks safe. Avoid snacking at cocktail parties and at the bars, as the wait staff may not be as familiar with the ingredients. Remember that many of the staff outside of the main dining room have limited English-speaking abilities and may not fully understand your questions or concerns.

* At dinner the first night notify your waiter that you have discussed the food allergies with the Maitre' D and request his assistance in meal selection. Ask if he would like a copy of the allergies to give to the Chef.

* Each night request the menu for the next day so that you can go over it with the Maitre D or Chef if necessary.

* When you go ashore take your Epi-pen and oral Benadryl with you as well as your travel insurance card and your medical information sheet. If you are on a full day tour ask for a box lunch to take with you so that you know you have appropriate food.

Cruise ships have vast kitchens and feed thousands of meals a day; however, they do an excellent job of meeting all types of special dietary needs. Keep in mind that just telling one person does not insure that everyone in the chain at the restaurant knows of your special needs. Don't hesitate to repeat your special needs or conditions as often as necessary.

The ultimate weapon against food allergies is an informed consumer with a take-charge attitude. Never assume that anyone on land or sea knows of your special medical concerns. With so much at stake repetition of the facts is your best defense.

Going "bare" is an insurance slang for having a potential liability that is not covered by insurance. In today's world, insurance is something that we purchase routinely for our cars, home, and business. However, sometimes we don't realize exactly what type of liabilities we may encounter in our travels

The Insurance Claim

Most travelers never file an insurance claim. The ones who do have a major event and file a claim or utilize the services of the company feel that the cost of the insurance was inconsequential compared to the service provided. There are several excellent travel insurance policies on the market. Travel agents have preferred suppliers that they work with on a daily basis. If there are any questions the major travel insurance companies have toll-free numbers consumers can utilize for specific questions or clarifications.

If a comprehensive policy is purchased there may be no need for any additional coverage once you verify that your exposure is adequately covered and that you have met the pre-existing conditions coverage specifications.

The Policy

In reviewing the policy you are considering there are several items that you need to verify as included in the policy. If these things are not included in your policy ask your travel agent to refer you to a company who can provide the type of coverage that you need or add the coverage you need through a separate policy. There may be times that you need to purchase more than one policy or a rider to cover potential liabilities

The Coverages

Following are coverages that are often found in travel insurance policies.

Baggage and baggage delay

Trip cancellation or interruption

Trip delay or missed connections

Itinerary change

Death and dismemberment

Medical evacuation

Travel accident and illness

Return of mortal remains

Travel assistance

Generally the most financially significant liability that is encountered in traveling is due to injury, illness or death.

Most uninsured travelers are unprepared for the huge expenditure that even a non-life threatening accident or illness can involve. If a patient is not insured or prepared for these expenses, there are greatly added stresses to an already stressful situation.

For a US traveler who is going to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, etc. $50,000 of emergency medical transportation coverage is recommended as a minimum. The more exotic the destination the higher the coverage required. Destinations in Europe require a minimum of $250,000 in coverage, and remote and inaccessible destinations such as Antarctic require at least 1 million in coverage.

Even what would be routine medical care costs in the states can quickly escalate if a known intermediary is not available to intercede in the patient's behalf. When combined with the refusal of many US based health insurance plans to pay for care out of the country the patient may be at risk for large medical bills unless covered by travel accident and illness insurance.

Although return of mortal remains seems straightforward, this can be a very difficult problem in some countries. This situation can be further complicated if the casket must land in other countries with even more stringent standards than the originating country.

Knowing which funeral homes in the country of origin are acceptable to the receiving and final destination countries is critical in what will already be a very trying time for those accompanying. Knowledgeable travel insurance and travel assistance firms are greatly appreciated at these times.

Travel Assistance

Travel Assistance is a broad based area of service. It can be as simple as getting lost and requiring an interpreter for assistance to return to your home base. Other things that are offered are assistance in finding an English speaking physician, dentist or lawyer.

Travel assistance also comes into play in accident or illness in determining the medical facilities that are available and capable of meeting patient needs. There are many other valuable services often offered under this umbrella.

Being covered for pre-existing medical conditions that the traveler, a companion of the traveler (related or not) and non-traveling family members have at the time the policy is purchased is vitally important.

Generally the exclusionary period involves the period of time immediately prior to buying the policy-anywhere from one year to sixty days. However, most major travel insurance companies will now waive the exclusionary period if the policy is purchased within a specified time.

In reviewing the coverage that you need, first verify what coverage's you already have in place. Following are sources of insurance that you may have in place that may be of assistance in traveling.

Health insurance policies are changing so rapidly that some have revisions every few months. Now is a good time to verify with your carrier that your planned trip is within their coverage terms (As companies are trying harder to keep premiums down some services are being cut).

Remember that if you are on Medicare, that Medicare benefits are not available outside of the United States.

Air evacuation plans may only cover you if you are within a set distance from your home or in the company's catchment area. Before assuming that you have coverage, it is best to check with the company that you may be depending on for assistance.

Credit cards, especially gold and platinum cards, frequently offer perks such as baggage insurance, damage collision waiver for rental cars and travel assist. Ask about travel accident insurance as well.

Home owners or renter's insurance will frequently cover lost or stolen property even away from home. Your luggage, cameras, jewelry, etc. may be covered under one of these policies.

Business insurance purchased by some companies includes wide ranging protection and is sometimes included for non-business trips. Don't assume that coverage that is in place at home will cover you out of the country. If you are uninsured and you do not have a travel assistance company to adequately assist you during an emergency, you should have the ability to pay for any exposure by credit card or wire transfer. In this case a trusted friend or advisor should be able to access emergency funds. You may be detained until your debts are satisfied.

Travel Insurance Checklist

(Some items may be covered by sources other than travel insurance)

Necessary Coverages

Medical Evacuation and Transportation:

$50,000. minimum per person for Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, etc.

$250,000. minimum per person for Europe and accessible locations*

1 million minimum for exotic and inaccessible locations*

Policies with these coverages should also include:

Return of mortal remains

Travel injury and illness

Travel assistance to assist with locating an appropriate physician, dentist, hospital, pharmacy or lawyer

Assistance arranging hospital deposits

Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage

Suggested Coverages:

Trip cancellation or interruption

Operator failure, default or bankruptcy of the carrier

Death and dismemberment

Baggage and Baggage Delay

Itinerary change

Trip delay or missed connections

Emergency Cash Transfer

Optional Coverage

Security Evacuation

Travel insurance policies may provide secondary insurance coverage rather than primary coverage

* May require purchase of a separate policy

The 2012 Cruise Shipping Miami convention set records with a 6 percent rise in exhibitors and 4 percent more attendees from 120 countries. The 28th annual show attracted almost 11,000 attendees from March 12 to 15 in Miami Beach.

Among the significant news made during CSM 2012 were Carnival Cruise Lines announcing that the 1996-built Carnival Destiny will receive a $155 million refurbishment at Italy’s Fincantieri shipyards, emerging from dry dock in April 2013 with a new name -- Carnival Sunshine. Also, MSC Cruises announced it intends to launch another ship in 2013, bringing its fleet to 13 ships. MSC Preziosa will be the fourth ship in the Fantasia-class, along with MSC Divinia, which launches in May.

Norwegian Cruise lines unveiled new details about Norwegian Breakaway, which will enter service in April 2013. The ship offers 17 dining venues and 12 different bars and lounges, including an outdoor area known as “The Waterfront.”

The 29th annual Cruise Shipping Miami Convention is scheduled for March 11 to 14, 2013, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The terms “cruise ship” and “ocean liner” are often used interchangeably. However, while both are types of passenger ships, there is a difference.

An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport passengers from point A to point B. The classic example of such a voyage would be a transatlantic crossing from Europe to America. Because a ship could encounter any type of weather on such a voyage, an ocean liner must be built strongly, using a great deal of steel in the hull. Their bows are long and tapered to allow them to cut through the waves. They have a deep draft in order to be more stable. In addition, in order to make the voyage within a reasonable time, they are built so as to be able to go fast.

Classic examples of ocean liners are the SS United States, the Normandie and the Queen Elizabeth 2. The only ship built as an ocean liner in recent years is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

Cruise ships are built for the purpose of taking passengers on a journey that begins and ends in the same port. A classic example of such a voyage is a Caribbean cruise that begins and ends in Miami, Florida.

When the modern cruise industry first started to emerge, most cruise ships were ocean liners that had been retired from the transatlantic run because that market had been lost to the jet airliner. Indeed, Carnival Cruise Lines first ship the Mardi Gras was the former ocean liner Empress of Canada. NCL’s Norway was the former France. Holland America’s Rotterdam was built as an ocean liner.

In the early1970s, ship designers began to realize that a ship did not have to be built like an ocean liner in order to do such a voyage. Because the weather was likely to be sunny and fine, the ship did not have to be built as strongly as an ocean liner. This would result in savings in building the ship and in running it. Since the waves would not be as high, the bow could be shorter and wider. As a result, the ship’s shape could be more box-like thereby enabling it to carry more passengers. Because the sea conditions would be less severe, the draft could be reduced. This would allow the ships to dock in more ports. Finally, since such cruises would be leisurely voyages, the ships did not need to be built to go fast. This would produce fuel cost savings.

Such considerations led the cruise lines to depart from the classic ocean liner design and build ships that were different from what had gone before. The stereotypical cruise ship of the last part of the 20th Century was blunt-bowed, box-like and slow. It also used more glass and aluminum and less steel in its structure.

In recent years, however, the distinction is starting to blur. Cruising is no longer limited to the calm waters of the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Consequently, cruise ships have to be able to handle much more difficult conditions. Thus, cruise ships are taking on ocean liner characteristics, becoming stronger, faster and more hydrodynamic. Indeed, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance-class ships and NCL’s Jewel-class ships can achieve speeds that rival some the speeds of some classic ocean liners.

It's all about eating, getting fat and being trapped at sea with lots of strangers, she says.

Not necessarily so, though you can chow down if you wish. But beyond that, it can be a feast for the soul too. Theme cruises make it possible to sail with like-minded folks who share your passion for, well, nearly anything, immersing yourself in camaraderie, learning, workshops and fun, often accompanied by top-notch lecturers. The gamut of themes runs from ballroom dancing, baseball, jazz, gardening, quilting and culinary cruises to nude cruises and "cougar" adventures for older women in search of younger men.

With so much available, the question isn't what to do but how to find the cruise that floats your boat. Many theme cruises are offered by outside organizers; others by the cruise lines themselves.

One place to begin is themecruisefinder.com, where you readily can match your interests to a specific sailing. Garden buffs, for instance, may want to catch a ride on Azamara's Chelsea Flower Show Voyage on May 17 from Amsterdam to Southampton, England (azamaraclubcruises.com). The cruise visits horticultural showcases from port to port. Or there is Carnival Cruises' Seed and Garden cruise to the Caribbean on Feb. 11 (carnival.com).

For total garden immersion, a 14-day trip aboard Swan Hellenic Cruises (swanhellenic.com) lets you explore the "gardens of the Celtic fringe." The cruise circumnavigates Ireland, then sails south to England and up the Seine River to Rouen, France, where you can visit some of the region's finest gardens and castles.

How about a "Fangtasy" vampire-themed cruise (vampsatsea.com). Sail Holland America's Zuiderdam in Alaska on June 23, and your fanged vacation even will include a visit from Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and a vampire movie fest. Concerned about cruising among bloodsuckers? Not to worry: The sun never quite sets in Alaska in summer.

Shouting "bam!" doesn't belong just to Emeril. An annual Mah Jongg Madness cruise (mahjongg.org attracts hundreds of players, with the possibility for true addicts to play 24/7. The 27th such event sets sail on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas' on Dec. 1 for seven days in the Caribbean.

Want to sharpen your cooking skills as well as your knives? Silversea Cruises (silversea.com rolls out 20 voyages this year featuring the famed Relais & Chateaux L'Ecole des Chefs cooking school. The curriculum includes workshops ranging from basic knife skills and kitchen terminology to baking and preparations of sauces.

Sew many places, so little time. You can keep yourself in stitches on any number of quilting cruises organized by quiltcruises.com. These cruises blanket the globe: Quilt your way through the Panama Canal, along the coast of Spain — even Japan and China — accompanied by master quilters and renowned instructors who conduct quilting seminars at sea.

For movie buffs, Crystal Cruises (crystalcruises.com may be just the ticket. On Serenity's April 21 Los Angeles-to-New York voyage, you can rub elbows with Tippi Hedren, Kate Burton, members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles and a faux Edith Head, as well as join hosted cinema screenings and trivia games.

On the intimacy of a small ship, a river cruise on Avalon Waterways (avalonwaterways.com retraces the footsteps of the great Impressionist artists in scenic northern France. View masterpieces at Paris' Musee d'Orsay, and Chateau d'Auvers for paintings by Cezanne, Van Gogh and Monet. Visit Joan of Arc's historic Rouen and the city's famed cathedral, a favorite subject for Monet, as well as the Musee des Beaux-Arts Andre Malraux in Le Havre.

If you want to combine a barge cruise with a bicycle tour in the Netherlands during tulip time, join a Yale-sponsored (yaleedtravel.org voyage in May that visits picturesque Dutch villages, a wooden shoemaker, a cheese farm and tulip fields, as well as other particularly Dutch treats.

Also, a company called BikeToursDirect (biketoursdirect.com gets you pedaling on more than 60 individual boat-and-bike trips in 16 countries including France, Vietnam and the islands of the Seychelles.

Each tour delivers a unique experience on small vessels, from those holding fewer than 25 passengers (barges, schooners, yachts or converted fishing boats) to those that carry 150 people.

How about American history — without the exams? Consider the newly introduced 149-passenger sternwheeler, Queen of the Mississippi, from American Cruise Lines (americancruiselines.com that will retrace the steps of the Civil War by visiting the hallowed grounds of famous battlefields, including those of Vicksburg, Miss., and Nashville, Tenn.

Perhaps your penchant is to explore a particular dot on the map rather than continent-hop. An exhilarating focus on wildlife and birding is offered by American Safari Cruises (innerseadiscoveries.com on a roster of weeklong sailings from November 2012 through April 2013, in the fabled Sea of Cortez. Bird enthusiasts will discover real-life tweets on the round-trip sailings from La Paz, Mexico, aboard an 86-passenger vessel. In this UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, you can snorkel with playful, young sea lions at Los Islotes or bird-watch on Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Coyote, among other pristine places.

Anglophiles can spend 10 nights in May exploring the heritage of the British Isles, a patchwork of palaces, castles, cathedrals, gardens and historic landscapes in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, on a rare all-England-all-the-time cruise aboard a Voyages of Discovery vessel. (us.voyagesofdiscovery.com.

For the ultimate in intimate adventures, you even can captain your own vessel with one of Le Boat's fleet of more than 1,000 watercraft along the rivers, lakes, lochs and canals of France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, England and Scotland. Drift along the Lot, wend your way on the Midi Canal, Europe's oldest waterway, or enjoy the sights and sounds of Venice from something bigger than a gondola (leboat.com.

And if total abandon is your goal, you can leave your luggage at home. Forget formal nights and bring only the barest of necessities on a raft of nude cruises (cruisenude.com be aware, this website shows examples!). Bare yourself in June for 14 nights in the Med aboard the 227-passenger Royal Clipper, or for eight nights of clothing-free cruising aboard the aptly named Carnival Freedom on a Panama Canal voyage in February 2013, or — for the ultimate in hedonism — two weeks in March 2013 in Polynesia aboard the 330-passenger Paul Gauguin.

Finally, for the older woman in search of studs with six-pack abs, there could be something special under Norwegian Cruise Line's Christmas tree. The next Cougar cruise is slated for gift-giving time in December, departing Miami for the sunny Bahamas.

Bathing suit? Check. Suntan lotion? Check. Nose spray to keep diarrhea from ruining your cruise?

It's not on the checklist yet, but scientists are closing in on a nasal vaccine that would protect against norovirus, the virulent bug that is the curse of cruise ships, cheerleading competitions and any other venue that brings large numbers of people into proximity.

With an estimated 20 million infections a year nationwide, norovirus is the No. 1 cause of the intestinal crud people call stomach flu.

"This virus is very democratic," said Jan Vinje, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "It affects everyone."

If the research goes well, the vaccine could be available within five years, said Charles Arntzen, a molecular biologist at Arizona State University.

"We are going to have a vaccine," he said recently at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. But it's not clear how effective a vaccine would be against a virus that evolves rapidly and comes in more than 30 varieties. And how many people will be willing to get vaccinated for a disease that's generally just a nuisance?

Cruise ships and community outbreaks get most of the publicity, but nearly 60 percent of norovirus cases occur in nursing homes, Vinje said. Cruise ships account for 4 percent, and another 4 percent are linked to schools and school events. Children and adults are equally vulnerable.

Most victims recover after a day or two of misery, but more than 70,000 a year are hospitalized. The CDC estimates that the virus kills 800 people a year, most of them older than 65. The annual economic toll is about $2 billion in medical costs and lost productivity.

Norovirus spreads quickly and can be harder to kill than the monster in "Alien." Symptoms hit suddenly. Outbreaks often start when an infected person vomits in the corridor of a cruise ship. Tiny particles fly through air and land on surfaces. Even flushing the toilet after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting can suspend more droplets in the air.

The bug can also slip into the body via food, water or dirty hands. Once it does, as few as 18 virus particles are enough to do the trick, making norovirus the most infectious microbe known, Vinje said.

While many viruses are too fragile to survive long in the environment, noroviruses are encased in a BB-like shell that allows them to live for days or even months in some settings. One contaminated airplane cabin spread the disease to successive flight crews over several days.

Cruise ships have learned through experience that ordinary mopping isn't good enough. They now use bleach to disinfect every surface, including hand rails and poker chips.

The first experimental vaccine worked well in a test on 100 people last year, Arntzen said.A nasal spray is better than a shot because it more directly targets the respiratory tract and gut where the virus concentrates.