Captain Greybeard

It looks like the financial analysts do know what they were talking about, after all. Although not quite as right as they thought they were. Royal Caribbean, announcing last year’s results, have admitted that profit prospects for 2009 are even worse than anticipated. The recession is hitting cruise ship bookings, particularly in the United States, and RCL’s net income in the last three months of 2008 fell 98 per cent to $1.48 million, equivalent to one cent a share. Wall Street had been forecasting a profit of seven cents a share. For 2009, RCL are expecting a drop of 14 [...]

Comedian Michael McIntyre must have been ready for a holiday last night after he had finished presenting 49 gongs for the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Most of the awards are voted for by travel agents: in the cruise categories, Fred Olsen came out on top of the 3-star class, and Royal Caribbean for 4-star. Silversea were named the best luxury cruise line, and Hurtigruten, who run the Norwegian coastal voyages vessels, were the top niche operator. The people who pay for their holidays, and who pay the agents’ commission, thought differently. In the awards [...]

Until now, it has been known only as F3. Tonight, Norwegian Cruise Lines announced that their new mega-ship, being built in France, is to be called the Norwegian Epic. What’s more, she’ll be coming to the UK in 2010 for a series of spectacular inaugural events, before heading to Miami, from where she will sail year-round seven-day voyages to the Caribbean. The 4,200-passenger ship will, say NCL, take their brand of Freestyle cruising – no jackets required, even at dinner – to the next level, with a host of innovative bars and restaurants. There will be five nightlife areas simulating [...]

Sometimes, a cruise just isn’t enough. Ten days or so of living in the lap of luxury, food and drink constantly available; travelling from one spectacular sight to another without ever having to unpack and re-pack, and still you want more. Cruise and stay holidays take care of that, and there are many opportunities to combine a week on a ship with a week in a hotel, in Florida or Majorca for example. And land tours are a popular add-on to Alaskan cruises. I’ve found a package that knocks that sort of deal right out of court. It’s an 11-day [...]