Cruise news for 2011 included the latest ships, new shipboard policies, ship refurbishments, and a number of itinerary changes due to hurricanes and security risks. Here are some of the highlights.
Cruise News: January to March 2011
January – To start of the quarter, the Disney Dream made her debut, marking one of the first ship launches of 2011. Royal Caribbean made upgrades to their loyalty program, Crown and Anchor. And, a handful of cruise ships skip Mazatlan, Mexico due to violence and security risks.
February – Disney Fantasy laid the keel of their new ship, Disney Fantasy. Royal Caribbean signed a letter of intent to build a new generation of ships, named 'Project Sunshine'. Norwegian Cruise Line completed the first phase of enhancements at their private island, Great Stirrup Cay.
March – In early March, the Tsunami that struck Japan put many other cruise ships at high alert in the Pacific, anticipating rogue waves. Silversea Cruises finished the refurbishment of their Silver Shadow which included the re-purposing of the pool grill into a new outdoor restaurant where food is cooked on volcanic rocks at the guest's table.
Cruise News: April to June 2011
April – The Grand Princess entered a 24-day makeover which included the removal of Skywalkers Disco. Closing out April, cruise lines capitalize on the Royal Wedding, offering viewing parties in lounges, afternoon tea parties, and specialty cocktails on their ships.
May – The Carnival Magic starts her inaugural voyage from Venice, Italy. The ship features a family style restaurant, a pub with its own draught beer and the first ever ropes course at sea. As the Grand Princess emerged from dry dock this month, a few other ships were enhanced as well, including the Radiance of the Seas (RCI), Maasdam (HAL), and Crystal Serenity.
June – A number of cruise lines announced their no smoking policies that will be implemented in 2012. Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard Line are among the lines that will prohibit smoking in cabins and issue steep fees for those that do.
Cruise News: July to September 2011
July – The Celebrity Silhouette made her debut this month. It is the fourth ship in the Celebrity Cruises' Soltice-class. Norwegian Cruise Line began to roll out their Pizza 24/7 delivery service on a handful of the ships. Passengers can order a 16-inch pizza to be delivered practically anywhere on the ship for $5 each. Also this month, Norwegian announced their private suite complex, named The Haven.
August – Hurricane Irene becomes the first hurricane of the 2011 cruise season and cruise lines react with altered itineraries. Other news in August included Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando teaming up to offer vacation packages for guests.
September – Norwegian Cruise Line announced the names of their newest ships to be launched. Both the Breakaway (2013) and the Getaway (2014) will be 144,017 tons and will have 4,000 passenger berths.
Cruise News: October to December 2011
October – The keel was laid on Princess Cruises' new Royal Princess, due to launch in 2013. Princess made other news in October when the 50th and final post was entered in its award-winning blog, 50 Essential Experiences. Cunard Line made news this month when it announced that they would reflag their ships, enabling them to offer weddings at sea. Also in October, Hurricane Rina caused cruise lines to alter itineraries.
November – The Splendor of the Seas is the second Royal Caribbean ship to receive the Royal Advantage revitalization. The line announced earlier in the year that approximately $300 million would be spent to revitalize their ships through 2014. Also in November, Princess Cruises revamped the menu at their specialty Italian restaurants, Sabatini's.
December – Norwegian Cruise Line made changes to its passenger loyalty program, Latitudes. Points are now accrued by cruise night rather than by number of cruises with the possibility of achieving perks quicker. And, just in time for Christmas, Alvin and the Chipmunks go cruising on the Carnival Dream in the movie, Chipwrecked.
This is just a small sampling of what happened during 2011 in the cruise industry and 2012 will be no different. There will be a handful of cruise ship launches in 2012, new policies will be implemented, and more hurricanes and security risks will keep ships away from select ports in 2012.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
