Quantum of the Seas Sails For New York – Oasis of the Seas Makeover – Cruise & Maritime Voyages Introduces CMV Magellan

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 3rd November 2014... ..

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The 4,180-berth Quantum of the Seas (left) visited Southampton last week, following by just sixteen days a similar visit by her larger fleet mate, the 5,488-berth  Oasis of the Seas. As Quantum departed yesterday for New York, we have a look at how she compares with the 2,620-berth Queen Mary 2 and we update readers on the changes effected to Oasis during her drydocking in Rotterdam. With today’s news that the 1,450-berth Magellan is about to join Cruise & Maritime Voyages on charter from Costa Cruises Group, we also have a look at some of the operators and the health of the European market for smaller more traditional ships.

FOR THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                                                                                 (See previous columns)

Century Sold To Chinese “Joint Venture”– Norwegian Acquires Regent and Oceania – Things That Were Not To Be

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 8th September 2014..

Celebrity Cruises’ Century as she will never appear, in the colours of Croisières de France, as she was sold to China instead

 

Last week was full of news. First, Royal Caribbean announced that it was selling Celebrity Cruises’ Century to a newly formed subsidiary of China’s Ctrip. This was mixed in with rumours from China about additional ships from within the Royal Caribbean group. On the same day, although rumours had been circulating for some time of the acquisition of Prestige Cruise Holdings, owners of the Oceania and Regent brands, by Norwegian Cruise Line, the deal was finally announced. From Australia came word of the cancellation of Funchal’s short 2015 season, and then from France confirmation that the Zenith would remain with Croisières de France as the Century was now going elsewhere.

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Trying To Squeeze Cruise Numbers Up – Iceland’s Volcano – Funchal Returns to The Europe-Australia Run

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 25th August 2014..

 

Last week, three different publications in three different countries, Cruise Week in the USA, Travel Weekly in the UK and Cruise Business Review in Finland, all highlighted how the cruise lines seem to be having difficulty growing their traditional markets. We have a look at these comments and what might be done, including a quick look at Bob Dickinson’s Selling the Sea, first published in 1997, and now available in Kindle. As Iceland’s volcanic activity raises a possible threat to travellers once more, we also look at the situation there. And finally, the Funchal is returning to Australia in 2015.

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Funchal Re-Enters Service On Sunday – American Cruise Lines Orders Four Riverboats – The Sunborn Gibraltar

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com by Kevin Griffin

The Cruise Examiner for 23rd December 2013..

Sunday December 29 sees Portuscale Cruises’ traditional liner Funchal (above) rebuilt and departing Lisbon on her first cruise for her new owners in a revitalization of the Portuguese passenger fleet. Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, American Cruise Lines have announced orders for four new 150/200-berth riverboats to be delivered between 2015 and 2017. And in Gibraltar, the final touches are being put to the 15,000-ton floating yacht hotel Sunborn Gibraltar, which is due to open in February.

FOR THIS WEEK’S STORY                                                     (See previous columns)