Reaction To North American ECA – Other Cruise News: First Quarter Cruise Results Vary – Royal Caribbean Denies China Newbuilding Role

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 6th August 2012

Last week, the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) went into effect, calling for ships sailing less than 200 nautical miles from the coast to burn fuel with a sulphur content of no more than 1%, but the local cruise industry is unhappy with the situation and, fearing 2.2 million fewer cruisers visiting North American ports, is lobbying for changes. Likewise, the State of Alaska, fearing a loss of 585,000 of its own visitors, is suing the US Government, saying that implementation of the new ECA is unconstitutional. The big three cruise groups also reported on the second quarter of 2012 last week — Norwegian’s profit increased, Carnival’s dropped significantly, and Royal Caribbean reported a loss. Finally, while it has announced plans to send two 3,114-berth ships, the Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, to China in 2013, Royal Caribbean told Seatrade Insider last week that it has not signed any deal to build a cruise ship in China.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                       (See previous columns)