New Chair Hog Program on Carnival Breeze

Cruise Lines is the latest to announce it will make every effort to put the brakes on chair hoggers (derisively known as "choggers"), who claim chaise lounges by the pool even though they're not using them, in a new pilot program.

The test effort, first revealed on John Heald's Facebook page, and later confirmed by the line, allows passengers to leave their loungers for no more than 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, chair-saving devices like towels, magazines, flip flops and articles of clothing are removed. It is taking place only on Carnival Breeze.

"Carnival Cruise Lines has recently begun testing a new system designed to ensure that all guests are able to enjoy equal access to sun loungers by preventing seat saving in outdoor deck areas," Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen commented.

In this iteration, outdoor deck area crew monitor sun lounger usage and when they see a seat that contains a towel or personal belongings that appears to be unoccupied, a notification sticker with the time of day is placed on the chair. If the seat remains empty for another 40 minutes, the contents are removed.

According to Gulliksen details of the new system are being widely broadcast to passengers "via public address announcements by the cruise director, signage in outdoor deck areas, messages displayed on the Seaside Theater poolside LED screen, as well as notices in 'Fun Times.'"

Carnival isn't the only line that's putting this method to the test. Norwegian Cruise Line has also been experimenting on its ships with a similar sticker system, allowing items to be removed from chairs after they've been unoccupied for more than 30 minutes.

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Cruise lines under fire for high internet fees

Ocean-going cruise lines are facing growing criticism over the high charges they impose on passengers for internet access.

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 Cruise clients commented on the issue via Telegraph Travel who undertook the research into internet charges onboard cruise ships 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".

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Carnival Cruise Lines Takes Delivery of Carnival Breeze

Carnival Cruise Lines Takes Delivery of New 130,000-Ton Carnival Breeze.

At a traditional maritime handover ceremony held earlier today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, Carnival Cruise Lines took delivery of the new 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze, the 24th vessel in the line’s fleet.

Carnival Breeze will depart on its inaugural cruise from Venice this Sunday, June 3, operating a special 12-day Mediterranean cruise that ends in Barcelona June 15. Following a summer schedule of 12-day Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona that runs through October 25, Carnival Breeze will reposition to Miami for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning November 24, becoming Carnival Cruise Lines’ largest South Florida-based ship.

“Carnival Breeze represents the continued evolution of our product, offering a huge array of branded experiences for our guests and inviting public spaces each with its own personality and character, all enhanced by the spirited fun that makes a Carnival cruise so memorable,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Carnival Breeze is the line's first ship to feature the Thrill Theater, an immersive multi-dimensional special effects experience that makes viewers feel as if they’re part of the movie. Other highlights sure to provide fun for the whole family include WaterWorks offering splash-tastic water slides and a 300-gallon drenching bucket, and SportSquare, an expansive recreation area with a suspended ropes course, a miniature golf course, an outdoor fitness area and more.

New dining options on Carnival Breeze include Bonsai Sushi, the line’s first full-service sushi restaurant, a free open-air barbecue venue called Fat Jimmy's C-Side BBQ, and The Comfort Kitchen, a casual poolside spot for American-style comfort food.  Other choices range from Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network personality Guy Fieri, to the Mexican-themed BlueIguana Cantina and Cucina del Capitano, a family-style Italian restaurant that brings the heritage of Carnival’s captains to the table.

Carnival Breeze is also the first ship in the fleet to feature all of the entertainment elements of the line’s groundbreaking “Fun Ship 2.0” enhancement initiative, including Hasbro, The Game Show, with larger than life adaptations of the brand’s iconic games, and Playlist Productions, which combine captivating live performances with high-tech LED staging and special effects to set a new standard in seagoing entertainment.

With a nod to its upcoming Caribbean itineraries, the tropics-inspired Carnival Breeze also features vibrant interiors and inviting public spaces, from the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar to the sun-splashed Lido Marketplace restaurant and a palm tree-lined indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza. Even the staterooms incorporate a palette of pastel hues and a striking new design inspired by the Caribbean’s cool island breezes and warm sunsets.

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How was 2009 for Cruising?

2009 was the busiest year in cruising history. A 2009 Cruise Industry Review.



The cruise industry must be doing better than most people expected. Carnival Cruise Lines just ordered a brand new ship, a third sister ship in the Carnival Dream class, and Royal Caribbean just announced that the financing for Allure of the Seas, the sister ship to Oasis, is already 80% in place with another loan guarantee (up to 95% of $1.13 billion) from Finnvera, the Finnish export credit agency.

In the latest Carnival Corp earnings statement CEO Micky Arison said "We weathered the most challenging economic environment in the company's history exceptionally well. In 2009, Carnival was the most profitable leisure travel company, which is testament to the strength and quality of our global portfolio."

2009 brought us several brand new ships of significant size and evolution in design; starting with Seabourn Spirit, the first of the next generation of luxury cruise ships carrying as many as 450 passengers without changing the spacious cabins and personalized service. Celebrity Equinox arrived last summer, the sister ship to the Solstice-class from Celebrity. In November Carnival launched their largest ship ever, Carnival Dream. Just two weeks later we saw Oasis of the Seas arrive from Royal Caribbean.

January 20th, 2010, Silversea Cruises, arguably the most luxurious cruise line in the world - the line for people who want the best at any price - will introduce their brand new 450-passenger ship, Silver Spirit, in Fort Lauderdale. The ship has six different restaurants onboard plus full room service where your butler will bring your entire dining room meal to your suite, if you wish, set up a table with linens and serve it to you course by course.

There will be a spa on Silver Spirit where you can actually get Botox and other surgical enhancements and recover in privacy. They also offer unique eastern medicine treatments such as acupuncture and bamboo massage. The ship's first cruise after her inaugural is a 91-day circumnavigation of South America, and is already nearly sold out.

Reports come in to Holidays Online that certain kinds of cruises are still doing remarkably well. River cruises in Europe, for example, are more popular with Americans than ever before due to a realignment of focus towards the American audience. They now offer a larger variety of shore excursions, which they are making longer than before instead of rushing back to the ship for lunch every day, a practice the Europeans expect but Americans view as an annoyance. Since these riverboats now sail with almost 90% passengers from the United States, there is no longer any reason to take up valuable time translating lectures or having different shore tours for different languages. In addition, the new riverboats are beautiful, with actual balconies for fresh air in every stateroom and even free Internet access available via Wi-Fi throughout the boat.



In fact, computer use onboard ships is finally emerging as a real priority. Carnival Dream has a "FunHub" where cruisers can log in for free at several stations onboard and leave messages for other passengers. Brad Ball from Silversea Cruises tells me more people are coming on cruises and continuing to do their work; almost as if they never left land. As long as they have their computer and Blackberry they are essentially just as connected at sea as they are in the office. Cruising has become the preferred vacation for people who need to work while they play. Although Internet access isn't free on any cruises other than riverboats yet, I personally see this as a very big future draw and I predict that the first cruise line to offer unlimited Internet access for a reasonable fee will find that to be a highly attractive option to draw new business.

One thing that has proven itself is that veteran cruisers will still pay a premium to go on the newest and nicest ships; just for a chance to see something different with all of the latest enhancements.

Meanwhile, the cruise lines also continue to upgrade their older ships by re-decorating them and adding more amenities such as Wi-Fi, new restaurants, new rooms for onboard enrichment such as computer classes and additional places to eat more varieties of food. Holland America has spent more than 500 million dollars now to upgrade their entire fleet by continuing the "Signature of Excellence" campaign started in 2004. Carnival upgraded all of their Fantasy class ships over the last four years to include new water parks for kids, serenity areas for adults, more varieties of food onboard, better Internet access and nicer pool areas with hot tubs and cabanas.

Even the luxury cruise lines are enhancing their older vessels. Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Crystal have all announced significant upgrades to their older ships during the last year, making them all highly attractive and utile vessels.

In the long run, while the economy has slowed down consumer spending, it doesn't mean the cruise industry has gone into any kind of suspended mode by any means. Unlike previous economic downturns or interruptions in travel, such as 9/11, this recession has not had the effect of putting any cruise lines out of business or even in the position where they have had to cut back on their plans to continue to grow and improve their fleets.

The only exception was the decision of NCL not to go forward with building two of the F3-class of new vessels, the first of which will debut in June 2010 with Norwegian Epic. So they are only building one instead of two; if the economy gets better and Norwegian Epic is as well received as we predict it will be they can always change their minds again. After all, no one expected Carnival to order a brand new ship just two weeks ago, and yet they did.

It is surprising, in fact, how little effect this recession has had on the continuing plans of the cruise lines. Cruise fares are down so cruising has never been more affordable, and with all of the continuing upgrades we have seen throughout the cruise industry you can truly say that cruising is a strong industry with a proven track record of financial stability. If you believe Micky Arison, CEO of Carnival Corp, cruising is arguably the strongest leisure travel industry in the world right now.