Crystal Cruises has yet again claimed the crown as World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line in the annual Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards readers' survey -- making the win Crystal's seventeenth consecutive triumph. The ultra-luxury vacation company is the only cruise line, hotel, or resort to win its category every year since the awards began.

Crystal's winning score for 2012 reflects thousands of jet-setting readers' ratings across six areas: service, itineraries/destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and value. The results are published in the renowned magazine's August issue.

"While we have delighted travelers this year with newly designed spaces, new services, and new value-conscious pricing, we have offered a consistency of experience that is unmatched in our industry," says Crystal President Gregg Michel. "Travel + Leisure's discerning readership clearly recognizes the best when they see it, and I couldn't be prouder of our staff for their generous service, creativity and attention to detail."

In recent months, Crystal has spent $40 million on stylish redesigns of its award-winning Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, and $100 million in a little over five years. Its Six-Star service, quality, and choices were also enhanced by introducing "All Inclusive" fine wines, premium spirits, and gratuities; partnering with renowned organizations like USC's School of Cinematic Arts for a complimentary sophisticated filmmaking curriculum; crafting dozens of innovative, maiden port calls and itineraries, including more local overnights and shorter voyages; helping travelers get to and from ships more easily via Crystal's new Fast Track Check-In and VIP Airport Services; and adding Bistro tapas and casual evening Chinese Comfort Food to a range of gourmet dinner options that includes Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio cuisines. Local European entertainment and experts on board, Elton John and Diva-homage shows, Facebook and iPad classes, 360-day previews of shore excursions, and a new marketing campaign entitled "Begin a New Story" were also introduced to the Crystal landscape this year.

The Travel + Leisure 2012 World's Best Award joins several other high-profile honors bestowed upon the luxury line since the end of 2011, including Travel + Leisure's World's Best Service (Large-Ship); Conde Nast Traveler's Best Mid-Sized Cruise Line (18th year), Cruise Ships (#1 and 2), and Spa; and ground-breaking design awards, including Hospitality Design magazine's first-ever Distinctive Cruise Design award.

Source: PR Newswire

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Pearl will be fitted with 10 pairs of interconnecting cabins as part of a minor refurbishment of select cabins and entertainment areas during a short drydock planned for August 2012.

The interconnecting cabins will be installed on Pacific Pearl during a routine dry dock from August 6t o 21, and will be configured as quad-quad, twin-quad or twin-twin bedding to suit the dynamics of different travelling parties.

Sture Myrmell, Vice President of Hotel Operations for Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said he expected the new cabins would appeal to immediate and intergenerational families travelling together as well as groups of friends.

“The interconnecting cabins make it easier to cruise together and we expect they’ll be a hot item for bookings on Pacific Pearl’s Christmas cruise and January school holidays cruises around the Pacific Islands,” he said.

Mr Myrmell said Pacific Pearl’s interconnecting cabins would go on sale on July 10, offering the perfect opportunity for friends and family to get organised so as not to miss out over peak holiday times.

A New Zealand Natural Ice Cream Parlour will also be added during dry dock, which will serve P&O Cruises’ own Chocolate Hokey Pokey, already popular on land and at sea.

Other scheduled drydock improvements include the laying of new carpets throughout the ship, whileminor refurbishments will take place in the Marquee, Mix and Orient Bars as well as the ship’s mini suites and balcony cabins.

The new cabins and ice cream parlour are in line with additions made earlier this year to sister ship Pacific Dawn, which have proved popular with passengers of all ages.

Source: Cruise Industry News

ROME – An Italian judge lifted the house arrest order for the captain of the shipwrecked Costa Concordia cruiser liner on Thursday, but said he must remain in his hometown near Naples during the criminal investigation regarding the accident off the Tuscan coast that killed 32 people.

Captain Francesco Schettino is accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning the liner while many passengers and crew were still aboard. Judge Valeria Montesarchio issued the written decision about his detention.

The ship's hull was severely gashed when the luxury liner rammed into a reef close to tiny Giglio island the night of Jan. 13.

Costa Crociere SpA, the cruise company, contends that Schettino steered the vessel too close to shore. Prosecutors suspect Schettino maneuvered the ship perilously close to the tourist and fishing island in a publicity stunt.

Schettino has insisted that the reef wasn't on the ship's navigational charts, even though the rocky reef jutting from the sea is a landmark in the area. In a written memo to his lawyers, the captain defended his handling of the Concordia after the collision, the Italian news agency ANSA reported, citing a document that will be presented on an Italian TV show later Thursday night.

In the memo, the captain contended that he is no coward and credits what he says was his quick and lucid reaction for preventing what he said would have been greater loss of life, ANSA said.

Schettino has previously said he guided the vessel, which quickly took on water and began listing badly right after impact, toward the island's port to make evacuation easier. In the memo he reportedly claims to have quickly steered the ship away from further harm `'out of pure instinct." The captain also said he wrestled with the decision `'to evacuate or not" the ship before it was near the port and decided against an immediate evacuation.

After the ship listed so badly it was almost on one side, lifeboats on the gashed side could no longer be lowered. Some of the 4,200 passengers and crew members aboard jumped into the sea to swim to the island, while others were rescued by helicopter.

Some witnesses said they saw Schettino on shore while many people were aboard waiting for rescue, but he has claimed he was helping to direct the evacuation, which passengers have described as chaotic and late in getting started.

Experts studying evidence are to report their findings to a court in two weeks.

In the memo, Schettino reportedly says he's `'comforted" by the information recorded on the so-called black-box. Earlier this week, an Italian newspaper reported that that data recorder had not worked properly in the days before the collision and had been scheduled for repair on Jan. 14, when the Concordia was supposed to have docked at an Italian port farther north.

What role a malfunctioning data recorder might have played in tragedy is unclear.

Source: FOX News

As part of the salvage plan to remove the wreck of the Costa Concordia, to be carried out by the Italo-American Titan-Micoperi consortium appointed by Costa Crociere, Fincantieri has been awarded a contract worth tens of millions of euros for the building of the watertight boxes, known as caissons, to be used in the operation to refloat the ship.

A total of 30 steel caissons, with combined weight of approximately 11,500 tons, will be built in different Fincantieri shipyards.

The Costa Concordia salvage plan entails the use of these caissons in order to right and refloat the wreck so that it can be removed in one piece.

Once the ship has been stabilized, caissons will be fixed to the upper side of the hull and gradually filled with water as part of the operation to right the ship; righting will be performed using a system of “strand jacks” – a hydraulic mechanism for pulling cables – fixed to an undersea platform. When the ship is upright, caissons full of water will also be fixed to the other side of the hull. Then the caissons on both sides will be emptied to refloat the wreck; once floated, the wreck will be towed to an Italian port.

Meanwhile, on Giglio Island preliminary work to prepare the wreck for salvage is proceeding on schedule; this includes steel structural jobs needed to cut and remove some external parts of the ship (OVI SAT antenna, forward masthead light, water slide) and facilitate the next stage of the plan. The seabed is also being inspected regularly ahead of the site clean-up operation devised to conserve the marine environment, which will be the main focus once the wreck has been removed. The preliminary stage is expected to finish by the end of July; it will be followed by the ship stabilization phase.

Source: Cruise Industry News

Four days before the Costa Concordia cruise ship sank off Italy's west coast, killing 32 people, emails from the liner's technical director reveal that the vessel had a faulty black box data recorder, according to new documents leaked to an Italian newspaper this week.

In correspondence before the ship capsized Jan. 13, Pierfrancesco Ferro, a technical director for Costa Cruises, reportedly told a repair company that the black box had broken down for the "umpteenth" time.

"The situation is becoming unbearable," he said via email in reports from an ongoing investigation by Italian authorities.

According to the Corriere Della Sera newspaper, the emails showed that the black box was scheduled to be fixed Jan. 14, when the cruise ship had docked at Savona.

The recorder was never repaired or replaced, even though the owners of Costa Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corp., insisted to Italian authorities that the recorder had been working when the ship hit rocks and then capsized off the shore of Giglio.

The Costa Concordia was carrying 4,234 passengers and crew when it struck rocks about 450 feet from the shore during the night. A 160-foot gash was torn into the hull, causing the ship to capsize. Efforts are still underway to right the ship, which is expected to be a total loss.

In documents, investigators said that not having the working recorder was making their probe into the accident more difficult. Media reports say they are relying on information from a computer system that crashed during the accident.

The documents obtained by the newspaper also indicated that the ship's watertight safety doors, which were designed to prevent flooding, had been left open.

Even though Costa Cruises maintained that was not true, officers on board reportedly said leaving the doors ajar was standard practice to make it easier for employees to come and go.

The report also suggests that the crew was using unauthorized, outdated maps that were found in the bridge of the ship.

Since Jan. 13, the blame has been placed on Francesco Schettino, the ship's captain, who is still under house arrest facing manslaughter charges for allegedly causing the ship to run aground near Giglio and for abandoning ship.

By Lama Hasan and Enjoli Francis, ABC News

In what the company describes as a ‘system issue’, but what looks more like user error, Cunard inadvertently sent an email with a spreadsheet attachment containing the contact information of 1,225 Cunard passengers to an unspecified number of customers.

The issue first came to light when ‘davyjones’ posted an alert to an internet cruise forum: “I have received an email from Cunard with a spreadsheet file attached giving me the booking reference and names and email address of 1225 passengers. This information would allow me to see all the information such as address, contact number and passport information that you need to enter before your cruise. My name and number is on the list.”

Cunard rapidly closed down the booking system and confirmed the error. It told the cruise forum, “Cunard can confirm that an e-mail was sent in error to some guests containing details relating to other guests' bookings. We took swift action to close down the check-in system, Voyage Personalizer, until we are able to re-issue new secure log-in details to all affected guests.”

Cunard Line’s President and Managing Director Peter Shanks told Jeff Randall Live (Sky News) that no passport information or credit card numbers were sent out. “However,” in support of davyjones’ original comment, “it would theoretically be possible to access individuals' passport information using the booking reference numbers, names and email addresses.”

Although Cunard responded rapidly, the issue has potential to grow. In the ensuing online discussion, davyjones points out that Cunard’s booking system was not very well protected. “It is about time the likes of cruise lines and airlines allowed one to set an additional password to supplement only needing the booking reference and person's name to access their details.” He went on to look at the spreadsheet attachment and pointed out that the booking reference numbers (effectively the passwords) would be easy to crack. “The first two characters are all the same, the third has about 6 variations and the remaining three are random. It would not take too long to write a script to churn through...”

He then goes on to explain the relevance. “I'm a good guy but someone who wasn't might have a trawl for QG bookings (as that's where the money is), get their address and telephone number, ring up when they are away and if no answers pay a visit.”

Since several other members of the forum recommended making a complaint to the ICO, this might not be the last we hear of this particular breach.

Silversea Cruises will become the latest cruise line to stamp out smoking in its cabins, starting in 2013.

In a letter sent to travel agents, the luxury line said that "In consideration of evolving consumer trends, and to further promote a safe, comfortable and enjoyable environment for our guests, staff and crew," Silversea updated its smoking policy to prohibit lighting up in cabins.

The new policy also prohibits smoking in all inside, public venues, except the Connoisseur's Corner, where cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking is still permitted. Smoking also is permitted in specifically designated outside areas.

Silversea joins a growing list of cruise lines that have banned smoking in most public areas, as well as in cabins and balconies. Last summer, Princess, Carnival, Norwegian and Holland America all banned smoking in their cabins.

This item was written by Johanna Jainchill, who covers the travel industry for Travel Weekly. Jainchill is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

In today’s cruise landscape, massive ships are often billed as destinations unto themselves: floating cities that boast parks, water slides, boardwalks, branded entertainment, shopping and dozens of dining and drinking options.

Azamara Club Cruises, a tiny two-ship brand in the giant Royal Caribbean Cruises portfolio, is trying something different. In an effort to stand out among the crowded field, Azamara tries to keep passengers off ships as much as possible.

Since President and CEO Larry Pimentel came on board in 2009, the brand has sought to differentiate itself by focusing on unique destinations, longer stays in port and one-of-a-kind tours that stretch into evenings.

“People travel for destination,” Pimentel said in a recent interview in his office at Royal Caribbean’s Port Miami complex. “They travel for culture, they travel for places, for sights, for sounds.”

That focus — combined with an emphasis on service and relaxed atmosphere that lets guests leave the tux and gown on land — makes the company attractive to customers and travel agents, both terms that apply to Barbara Hacker.

President of Kendale Lakes Travel, Hacker recently raved about her sixth Azamara cruise in two years with a group of clients. This trip started in Southampton and ended in Amsterdam.

“It’s a very comfortable cruise line to sell because the product is so nice and the people that work on the ships, the staff, become family,” she said in an interview after taking a golf course tour in St. Andrews, Scotland. “It’s not a welcome aboard, it’s a welcome home.”

Just a few years ago, Pimentel says, few agents had even heard of the company or its ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest.

He was already a veteran of Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and the niche SeaDream Yacht Club when he got a call in late 2008 from Royal Caribbean Cruises Chairman and CEO Richard Fain about a new venture called Azamara Cruises.

“I said to him, ‘Azamara what?’” Pimentel said. “Because the name didn’t exactly resonate. Even the word itself ...there is no association with the word. One of the first things I asked him was what does it mean?”

(The answer, by the way: It’s a nod to Romance language words that mean blue and sea, and also takes inspiration from the star Acamar.)

Made up of two 694-passenger ships from the defunct Renaissance Cruises, Azamara Cruises launched in 2007 after Royal Caribbean acquired Spanish cruise operator Pullmantur, which was operating the ships. Miami-based Oceania Cruises sails two nearly identical former Renaissance ships.

Executives at Royal Caribbean decided to spin off a deluxe new brand rather than add the ships to the larger Celebrity Cruises fleet.

After the conversation with Fain, Pimentel called agents and travel writers, pored over blogs and booked a suite on a 10-day Azamara cruise with his wife and conducted what he calls “the ultimate focus group.”

Meals, morning coffee, laundry, lectures, shore excursions — all provided him with fodder for ways to improve the brand.

When Pimentel took the job in July of 2009, he took his time figuring out the best way to upgrade Azamara’s offerings.

The end result: An emphasis on land rather than sea, and more-inclusive pricing rather than extra charges at every turn.

Azamara Club Cruises debuted in April 2010. The word “Club” was added to emphasize the more casual feel of the ships; passengers often remarked that the experience reminded them of their country clubs or yacht clubs at home.

Now, extras such as boutique wine, bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee and tea, gratuities, self-service laundry and shuttle service in ports are all included in the price. The company changed itineraries that had already been set to keep ships in key ports for more nights.

Promotional materials were changed to emphasize the word “destination” rather than “cruise,” and the company added the phrase “You’ll love where we take you” along with the promise of longer stays, more overnights and night touring.

While at sea, passengers still have lots to do: a small casino, entertainment, restaurants, spa, pool, fitness center, shopping, drawing room. And the night tour options include a private tour of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia or prime seating for the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.

The formula seems to be working. This year, the ships were top rated in the “Overall Small Ships Category” in x’s 2012 Global Cruisers’ Choice Awards.

Pimentel highlights “astronomical” guest satisfaction ratings (including a couple of perfect scores) and said prices have more than tripled since he took over.

While the cost of an Azamara cruise was between $90 and $115 a day when he started, Pimentel said the fares have soared to more than $300 a day.

“He has this magical talent for parting you with your money and making you beg for more,” said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of .

Sites that feature passenger comments — good and bad — remain important to Pimentel, who said he looks at them every day. The company also appointed a chief blogging officer, Bill Leiber, who responds to chatter on forums and discussion boards.

While such a small brand rarely commands headlines, Azamara found itself under an unexpected spotlight when an engine fire aboard Azamara Quest in late March set the ship temporarily adrift off the coast of Borneo. No guests were injured, but five crew members suffered smoke inhalation, including one who had serious injuries.

Passengers ended up praising the ship’s crew and the company for its handling of the incident, but media coverage was widespread since the fire followed the deadly shipwreck of the Costa Concordia in Italy by just a couple of months. Costa is owned by rival Carnival Corp.

Pimentel flew to Malaysia, where the ship was able to dock, to meet with all the passengers and help coordinate the aftermath.

“I knew full well going into this that this was not about Azamara, this was not just about Royal Caribbean Cruises, this was about the cruise industry,” he said.

He said the challenges were many: accommodating guests in Malaysia, getting medical care for crew, countering misinformation.

“That guy was on a plane for two days to get there,” Spencer Brown said. “So many times with cruise lines, when things go wrong they batten down the hatch. The way they handled that — and that’s what I’m telling you — you come back for more.”

Pimentel hopes, of course, that his existing customers will continue to come back for more as newcomers discover Azamara.

The next step for the company: a refurbishment and revitalization of both ships between the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next. Details haven’t been announced yet, but Pimentel said all areas of the ships will be included.

“It will create some wow factors on the ships which I think guests will be very enticed by,” he said.

Asked about future plans for Azamara at a Royal Caribbean Cruises shareholders meeting last month, Fain praised the brand’s development, customer satisfaction scores and service.

“It’s gone through a transformation,” he said. “And it has moved to distinguish itself and create a niche for itself at the very top end of the cruising field and it’s done that brilliantly.”

But, he said, the line was “still not earning its keep.”

“In the past, we have built when the demand is there,” Fain said. “We think it will come, we just have to get to that point.”

By Hannah Sampson, Miami Herald

LOS ANGELES, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Completing a two-week extreme makeover, ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises reveals chic-ly redesigned major public spaces aboard Crystal Symphony, including the Avenue Saloon, Palm Court lounge, Galaxy showroom, Hollywood Theatre, Bridge Lounge, Fantasia and Waves "junior cruisers" areas, and the Tender Landing/passenger boarding area. This latest triumph marks the culmination of a $65 million, five-year plan to redesign every room aboard the award-winning ship. Other invigorating new touches include "bells and whistles" added to all staterooms, paddle tennis court resurfacing, sprucing of tender shuttles, more energy-efficient hull paint, galley updates, and general maintenance and detailing of the entire ship, from propellers and boilers to the bridge and lifeboats.

"In keeping with our tremendous focus on design, we wanted to create something both highly contemporary and yet extremely accessible," says President Gregg Michel. "The ultimate result is all our guests' favorite gathering places now feeling even more welcoming, while also offering the stylish sophistication and comfortable elegance luxury travelers look for in a vacation setting, and expect from Crystal."

Three interior design companies from the UK and U.S. created the visions for the new spaces: Adfecto and SMC Design from London and KNA Design from Los Angeles, with inspiration culled from classic tony icons like New York's 21 Club, Hollywood's Coconut Grove, and Palm Beach country club life. With lighting being such a key creative consideration, Crystal and designers also worked with DPA Lighting Consultants to add to the design's drama, ambiance, and environmental-friendliness.

Elegant Tea, Tunes, Cocktails, and Vistas

KNA's redesign of signature lounges Avenue Saloon and Palm Court sets the perfect, lively backdrop for taking advantage of Crystal's newly all-inclusive fine wines and custom-crafted cocktails.

The panoramic-view Palm Court sparkles as the jewel in the crown on top of the ship, recalling the glamour-filled Coconut Grove of Hollywood's yesteryear, yet also delivering a sleek, uber-contemporary wow factor. More intimate, modern lounge seating in buttery soft leathers surrounds a larger, spiral-design dance floor and slick, stainless and hand-tiled mosaic bar. Flooring is a mix of white, laser-cut Calacatta marble, soft grey swirling wood, and carpeting with a bold, large-scale, graphic -- a pattern that is complemented by the reflective, decorative ceiling around the bar's perimeter. Together, aqua, chartreuse, ash, and cream jewel tones create a "light" California ambiance that helps bring the outside in during daytime tea and view-gazing. New lighting, including stunning, faceted Lucite wall sconces and shimmering Murano glass table lamps, transforms the space into a dreamy destination for evening dancing and drinks. The emblematic palm theme endures in pillow fabric, Sago palm trees, and a dramatic rock crystal, branch ceiling feature above the spacious dance floor. Six-foot-tall, lit alabaster urns, suede wall upholstery, electric window shades, and state-of-the-art Meyer speaker and audio control systems further accessorize the look and sound of this enchanting social destination.

Avenue Saloon and piano bar retains its 19th-century gentlemen's club feel, but incorporates updated colors, furnishings, materials, and music and seating configuration. Rich mahogany-paneled walls, leather upholstery, brass nailhead trim, sumptuous velvets, and thick, lush inset rugs remind one of a days-gone-by manor home. Heavily shuttered windows frame regal burgundies, golds, caramels, moss greens, and ivories that embrace guests in luxe warmth. The inviting piano relocation allows for increased seating and conversation area choices, including new brass-tack couches, embossed-leaf barstools, or tufted booths. New romantic lighting, sumptuous crown molding, antique-style trunk tables, custom artwork, and audio systems add to the salon atmosphere.

Exquisitely Swank Theatres

Old Hollywood panache also extends into Crystal's entertainment showrooms, the Galaxy Lounge and Hollywood Theatre, with an air of British tradition, thanks to the spaces' two UK designers.

With diamond-patterned glass doors, lustrous gold fabric panels, black Nero Marquina marble flooring, and large LCD digital signage screens, a new, contemporary entrance to the ship's live performance showroom immediately tells guests they're in for something special once inside the Galaxy Lounge. Through the entry, crystal lighting features, reminiscent of a dressing room mirror, and starburst-designed carpet and wall lights help create a galactic home fitting for Crystal's star guests and performers. Royal purple and old gold curtains in sheer and velvet fabrics envelop the space, including the main stage and side walls, in royal theatricality. New, modern mohair seating, cocktail tables, and under-banquette lighting add comfort and drama. Throughout, SMC Design includes artwork niches with abstract figurative sculpture and a harmonized color scheme of lively lilac, pink, and crimson shades. A new stage extension that expands performance space by 30%, plus cutting-edge tech enhancements such as a new sound booth, show control systems, high-definition Barco projection, infrared video cameras, stage lighting, and Meyer speaker system bring guests on the high seas even closer to Broadway.

Classic, Art Deco movie palaces and the stars of the silver screen inspired Adfecto's re-do of the Hollywood Theatre, Crystal's elegant space for feature films and presentations. New smoked woodgrain walls and velvet damson-colored curtains create a sweeping entry, while decorative and underseat lighting provides a warm ambience and soft glow. Crisp, architectural lines prevail in the design of knife-pleated pendant wall lamps and high-back, ivory-colored leather theatre seating -- a contrast to the circular starburst patterns in both the carpet and custom-woven acoustic wall-paneling. An additional, damson wallcovering of crushed silk texture synchronizes with dark umber, taupe, and pearl earth tones and bronze-colored ceiling and metal trim. New "stage" lighting, boosted surround sound audio processing from Bose® and Meyer, top-notch Barco high-definition projector, and enhanced lecture, recording, and presentation control systems further transform the space into a luxury screening room.

Family Fun and Games

Whether playing together or alone, Crystal Symphony's play/games areas for kids, teens, and adults have been transformed for family recreation.

Crystal's dedicated Junior Cruisers' areas, Waves (teens) and Fantasia (children), have been re-designed by Adfecto for savvy stylistas-in-training, acknowledging that the spaces' patrons are fashionable young cruisers who already have a strong sense of what's cool and sophisticated — while also providing versatility for a wide range of ages and activities. Scarlet, pistachio, denim blue, and magenta pink colors differ from typical "primary" kids colors and inject vibrancy into the sophisticated, warm grey and neutral base woodgrain colors. Dramatic graphic harlequin carpeting; custom, digital-printed wallcovering; Marimekko-patterned, Fatboy™ bean bags; '70's-classic, multi-colored Casala Casalino chairs and tables; and multiple oversized sofas, including a huge Walter Knoll Circle sofa, together, create a trendy urban loft/modern rec room look that kids can "own" as their own, be it curling up alone with a book, or piling on the couch with new friends for a movie night. The areas' divided layout has been reconfigured to create more privacy for teens and more of a welcoming, home den feel for younger children -- while also allowing flexibility for the space to be opened up into one. Different sections for group activities/crafts, storytime, relaxation, videogames (Wii, PlayStation®, Xbox, Kinect), and screenings (two wide-screen TV's, Blu-ray players, and movie projection system) encourage personal expression. New lighting features and Bose® speaker system help create different atmospheres and transform the entire space into an exclusive teen hangout at night.

KNA has transformed the Bridge Lounge into the perfect, classic card room -- reminiscent of Palm Beach's tennis and card clubs during the Gilded Age -- with ambient sconces flanking wooden built-ins, frosted mirrors, and saffron panel-covered walls. Soothing ocean blues and teals keep nerves calm during Bridge, board games, or spirited speaker sessions. Other new accents include floor-to-ceiling drapes, Roman sheers, modern chandelier, and a 12K gold, champagne leaf, dome ceiling that enhances the wall design. New podium, credenza, and A-V systems, along with new convertible game tables and armchairs, provide room versatility and expert-level presentation tools.

Tender Loving Care

In addition to Crystal-sprucing of the tender shuttles that transport guests to and from anchor ports, Adfecto has designed a comfortable and welcoming foyer for the Tender Embarkation Area. A hint of signature seahorse turquoise, with design references from other public areas of the ship, reminds guests they are back on Crystal immediately upon stepping off the gangway. Aged teak, plank-style flooring, a sky blue ceiling, bright lighting, and multi-colored, striped canvas curtains (a la the ship's poolside furniture) evoke feelings of being out on deck. Contemporary benches and boldly-colored, five-foot-tall travel photographs from around the world provide comfortable seating and global-inspired eye-candy when waiting to pass through the space.

The Best of the Rest

New electronic "do not disturb" doorbell systems -- a big success after installation on Crystal Serenity last year -- were added to all staterooms, as were new cordless digital telephones. Penthouses also received new glass shower doors. Smaller-level updates included a complete refresh of the paddle tennis court, new stoves and cooking equipment in the main galley, and environmental upgrades with lighting, boilers, and a new, energy-efficient hydrogel hull paint that mimics the low-friction characteristics of a shark's skin. The scheduled dry dock also boasted a massive cleaning and maintenance detail of the ship's entire exterior and interior. An update to stateroom verandah furniture is also scheduled to follow shortly after the dry dock's end.

Helping Local Communities

With the refurb taking place at Hamburg's Blohm + Voss shipyard, four 20' containers of Crystal Symphony furniture were donated to Hamburger Tafel, a charitable organization that has extensive outreach into local, underprivileged communities. Thanks to transportation assistance from fellow goodwill organization, Stilbruch, hundreds of chairs, stools, tables, and cabinets will be given directly to Hamburg area residents-in-need.

After Dry Dock

Crystal Symphony is now sailing her first of seven all-inclusive Baltic and Northern Europe cruises this summer before sailing across the Atlantic for a New England/Canada season this Fall. Until June 30, Book Now fares for a 2012 voyage aboard Crystal Symphony start at $2,355/person, with 7- to-18-day options also offered in the Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.

Crystal's passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more "World's Best" awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history. A keen focus on design has also earned the line numerous industry design honors, including first-ever awards from Hospitality Design magazine and the Association of Retail Environments (A.R.E.) in 2012.

Source: PR Newswire

A newly-built luxury cruise ship manged to collide with part of a bridge in China, chopping off the chimney after falling victim to high tide.

Captain Guo Lai, at the helm of the Pearl No 7 line in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, eastern China, also reportedly failed to take account of the fact that the £28 million ship - 518ft long and 98ft wide - was sitting higher on the water because there were no passengers or cargo on board.

Some witnesses said that the bridge, which is built over the Oujiang River, swayed slightly after the collision.

Yang Tao, chief engineer of the bridge's owner company, said the city's maritime safety department is investigating the cause of the collision. Apart from the chimney, the ship did not suffer any major damage, although it returned to the shipyard for repairs.

Source: The Telegraph

In the latest sign of an industywide crackdown on safety, another cruiser has been kicked off a ship for not attending a safety drill.

Industry watcher Cruise Week today reports that an 84-year-old woman and her 90-year-old husband were escorted off the Seabourn Sojourn this week after the woman refused to attend the mandatory safety briefing that is held at the start of every voyage.

The subscription-only newsletter says the couple were on the second leg of a three-leg trip on the 450-passenger luxury vessel, suggesting that they already had attended a safety drill on the earlier leg of the trip. The husband attended the drill, but his wife said she didn't feel well and had done it before, Cruise Week says.

The unusual incident comes in the wake of new, tighter safety policies on ships following the Costa Concordia accident in January that already has resulted in at least one other cruiser being removed from a vessel. In late January, Holland America removed a passenger from the 1,916-passenger Westerdam for "non-compliance" with a safety drill.

Cruise line policies on passenger safety drills came under intense scrutiny after the Jan. 13 Costa Concordia accident, which resulted in 32 deaths. At the time of the accident, there were nearly 700 passengers on the ship who had not received a safety briefing. The passengers, who had joined the vessel in Civitavecchia, Italy just hours before it struck rocks and partly sank, had been scheduled to receive a safety briefing the next day.

Under rules established by the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency, passenger ships must hold passenger safety drills within 24 hours of embarkation. After the accident, major cruise lines around the world announced they always will hold safety drills immediately after embarkation before ships set sail.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today

ABOARD THE RIVIERA -- At first glance, Oceania Cruises' new ship, Riviera, looks the same as its award-winning, one-year-old sister, Marina. But identical twins, they aren't.

Frank Del Rio, who oversees Oceania as chairman and CEO of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings, tells USA TODAY that the company made 727 changes to Riviera's design after Marina debuted.

"Riviera is a superior ship in many ways," Del Rio says in a sit-down interview aboard the vessel, which was named last week in a ceremony in Barcelona. "If any ship is going to dethrone Marina, it is Riviera."

Among the biggest changes to Riviera was the reworking of the Spa Terrace, an outdoor sunning deck for spa-goers at the front of vessel. It now boasts a large thalassotherapy pool that is infused daily with therapeutic seaweed extract. The pool replaces two jacuzzis that are located in the same space on the Marina.

Another difference between the two ships is the ceiling height of Deck 14, which is home on both vessels to top restaurants Toscana and Polo Grill. The ceiling is eight inches higher on Riviera, giving the room a more elegant feel. Lighting on the deck also was changed significantly on Riviera -- as it was in other parts of the vessel.

"We paid a lot of attention to lighting on Riviera," Del Rio notes. "We were very disappointed in the lighting (on Marina) overall. We had lights sort of at random as opposed to (illuminating) artwork."

Other changes to Riviera include more elaborate marble and wood flooring in interior areas that have carpeting on Marina; more teak decks in exterior areas; more chandeliers in public rooms; and the addition of shower heads to bathtub areas in cabin bathrooms (in addition to separate showers).

A number of the changes -- many of them little things -- were prompted by customer feedback to Marina, Del Rio says. Take our photo tour of Marina's public rooms, cabins.

"Customers noted that the depth of drawers (in cabins) weren't deep enough; We fixed it," he says. They also wanted an electrical plug next to nightstands and a light on the cabin sofa so that "if the husband or wife was sleeping, the other one could be on the sofa reading."

Riviera also has a faster Wi-Fi Internet system, another improvement that was a response to customer demand. In fact, Del Rio says slow Internet had become the No. 1 complaint of customers at the line.

"It's expensive (to deliver faster Internet on ships). For every 1,000 kilobytes of bandwith, it's an extra $30,000 per ship per month," Del Rio says. "But at the end of the day businesses either flourish or fail by how well they meet customer demand."

All of the artwork on Riviera, much of it hand-picked by Del Rio, also is different than on Marina.

One thing that Del Rio wishes could have been changed between the two ships that wasn't: The Bon Appetit Culinary Center, billed as the first hands-on cooking school at sea. Del Rio says in hindsight it should have been bigger as the line has had tremendous demand for cooking classes on Marina.

Del Rio says that many of the changes that were made on Riviera will be retrofitted onto Marina in the coming year when the vessel goes into dry dock for the first time.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today

New York - A $200 million lawsuit has been filed in New York federal court on behalf of four Hungarian musicians and dancers aboard the Costa Concordia cruise ship that capsized off the coast of Italy in January.

The lawsuit filed May 3 said the ensemble included violinist Sandor Feher, who drowned after trying to help children put on life jackets. He was among 32 people who died when the ship capsized off the coast of Italy. The lawsuit names Panama-based Carnival Corp. & plc among the defendants. A message left with the cruise holding company wasn't returned.

The lawsuit said the performers are unable to work after suffering physical and emotional injuries.

A similar lawsuit filed in Miami is seeking more than $500 million in damages on behalf of dozens of plaintiffs.

Source: The Associated Press

BARCELONA -- Celebrity chef Cat Cora has yet another new child: A 66,000-ton cruise ship.

The Iron Chef star and mother of four boys today served as the godmother in a christening ceremony for Oceania Cruises' second new vessel in just over a year, the 1,250-passenger Riviera.

"I must say as a mother of four, finally, I have a girl!" Cora quipped from a stage during the Catalan-themed event, which took place along the Barcelona waterfront.

In addition to her children, Cora spoke of her wife and mother, who were in the audience, and then choked up when remembering her father, Spiro, who died last year.

Cora also talked about her appreciation for Oceania, which is known for a focus on food and fine dining. Riviera and its 1-year-old sister ship, Marina, feature six upscale eateries each and Bon Appetit-branded culinary centers that are billed as the first hands-on cooking classrooms at sea.

"I feel like I share so many of their values: loyalty, friendship and excellence, as well as the best of travel, food and wine," Cora said.

The invitation-only ceremony, which came just two days after the premiere of Cora's new show on Bravo, Around the World in 80 Plates, culminated with a nebuchadnezzar of Veuve Cliquot champagne crashing against the hull of the ship.

The event included a speech by Oceania founder Frank Del Rio, who was introduced as a "larger than life" figure by Oceania president Kunal Kamlani.

"I lost 20 pounds for this day, and yet he still thinks I'm larger than life," joked a recently trimmed down Del Rio after taking the stage.

Del Rio, who now is chairman and CEO of Oceania's parent company, Prestige Cruise Holdings, noted that the company's first ship, Regatta, also was christened in Barcelona in 2002.

"From my perspective, this industry hasn't been the same since," Del Rio told the audience of leading travel agents from around the world, local dignitaries and Oceania investors.

Riviera is the second ship Oceania has built from scratch. The line's two other vessels -- the 684-passenger Regatta and Nautica -- sailed for the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises before joining the Oceania fleet.

Riviera sets sail tonight for Venice, where it will begin its maiden voyage -- a 10-night trip to Croatia, Greece and Turkey -- on May 16.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today

By Rod McGuirk, Associated Press

After what Cunard Line called major refurbishments throughout the ship, the Queen Mary 2 will sail 25 trans-Atlantic crossings this year, beginning in May. There will be 19 seven-day crossings between New York and Southampton and six nine-day crossings between New York and Hamburg.

Cunard promises fine cuisine and stimulating onboard enrichment, including theater productions, jazz workshops, lecture programs and spa treatments.

The ship’s specialty restaurant Todd English has switched to an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner, replacing the original Prix-fixe menu.

Breaking up the trans-Atlantic season will cruises to the Baltic, Norway, the North Cape, Iberia and Spain. These sailings can be combined with crossings.

The Queen Mary 2’s recent refurbishment included décor enhancements in all staterooms and suites, the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, the Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants, the Commodore Club, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, Sir Samuel’s Bar and Lounge and the children’s Play Zone. In addition, the Golden Lion Pub has been completely redesigned.

P&O Cruises has added exotic Papua New Guinea to its great range of Pacific destinations, with the cruise line announcing new cruises visiting the remote islands and towns of spectacular Milne Bay.

In a first for P&O Cruises, Papua New Guinea will feature in two dedicated itineraries, with Pacific Dawn sailing from Brisbane to the turquoise waters of Milne Bay, where it will visit the local capital Alotau as well as the beautiful white sand beaches of Doini Island and the culturally-rich Trobriand Islands, also known as the Islands of Love, along the northern straits of the Bay.

A highlight of the new 2013-14 program, the Papua New Guinea sailings are priced from $1049* per person quad share for a nine-night cruise, with the maiden cruise to Milne Bay in October 2013 timed to coincide with the sacred Canoe and Kundu Festival where local communities compete in canoe races, costume display and cultural performances.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said the cruise line was excited to be sailing its first dedicated cruises to Papua New Guinea on a superliner.

“Papua New Guinea is one of the most remote and untouched corners of the world – it’s so close to Australia geographically, but a million miles away in terms of culture and scenery,” Ms Sherry said.

“We’re very excited to be able to take Australian holidaymakers from their doorstep and show them this region from the comfort of a superliner for the first time - cruising really is the perfect way to explore Papua New Guinea’s idyllic beaches and scenery and discover its ancient customs and history.”

The new 2013-14 program, on sale from April 23, features 73 departures across 22 different itineraries with Pacific Dawn sailing from Brisbane and Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl cruising from Sydney.

Other highlights of the program include more weekend getaways and short breaks ranging from three to six-nights. In all, the program offers 21 cruises of less than a week with itineraries based around lifestyle themes as well as Melbourne Cup and Australia Day cruises.

The short break cruises start from $529 per person quad share for a three-night cruise from Sydney.

Start-up Premier Cruises has acquired the 118-passenger Andrea and plans to launch service in the Mediterranean and the British Isles and Norway in April 2013, according to Christer Morn, senior vice president.

Premier is owned by Vladimir Esakov, who owns the Volga Dream company, which has been operating the 100-passenger Volga Dream on Russian waterways since 2007, promising a luxury river experience.

Morn is also senior vice president of Volga Dream since retiring from his position as president of Sea Cloud Cruises.

The Andrea is the former Harald Jarl, built in 1960. She has been in Split, since arrested and tied up in a legal dispute until now.

Renamed the Serenissima, the ship will have a solid four-star standard, according o Morn.

Premier Cruises is based in Mariehamn, Finland.

Azamara Quest On Schedule for April 24 Departure

Azamara Quest expressed confidence that the fire-damaged Azamara Quest will be repaired in time for its next departure on April 24. “Azamara Quest arrived in Singapore ahead of schedule, and the repairs to the damage caused by the engine room fire are proceeding as planned,” the company said. “We continue to be pleased with the progress that has been made on the ship, and are on schedule to complete the necessary work before Azamara Quest’s next scheduled sailing from Mumbai (Bombay), India on Tuesday, April 24.”

The ship quickly extinguished an engine room fire on March 30, but lost power until the next day when propulsion was restored. Five crew members suffered from smoke inhalation, but no guests reported injuries. The ship slowly made its way to Sandakan (Sabah), Malaysia, arriving safely the evening of April 1.

Azamara gave guests several options, such as returning home early, staying in Singapore until April 12, or vacation in another location such as Bali. The company has been working with guests on vacation plans, but didn’t have a breakdown of how many chose each of the options.

The fire occurred during the March 26 sailing. Guests were given a full refund for the cruise and a future cruise certificate for 100 percent of the cruise fare paid. The following cruise, which was to depart April 12 was also concelled.

Those guests will receive a full refund and a future cruise certificate for 30 percent of the cruise fare paid.