Let's Cruise!

U.S. Captain Held Hostage by Somali Pirates

 On Wednesday Somali pirates hijacked a U.S. flagged cargo ship with 20 American crew members on board.  The Maersk Alabama was carrying emergency relief to Kenya when it was taken.  This is the first American ship hijacked in 200 years, however 6 other ships have been taken by pirates this week!  Somali pirates are trained fighters and use speedboats equipped with satellite phones and GPS equipment.  Most hijackings end with million-dollar payouts and piracy is the biggest money maker in Somali.

Somehow the American crew was able to take back control of their cargo ship, but the Captain of the Maersk Alabama was taken as hostage.  Thursday morning a U.S. warship arrived near the 28-foot life boat holding four pirates and the kidnapped Captain.  The United States Navy is now in charge of the stand-off.

All of our prayers go to Captain Richard Phillips that he will be released unharmed soon.

Senior Citizens Can Now Live On A Cruise Ship

 Seniors can now live on a cruise ship for less money than independent-living facilities charge.  Waterfront Lifestyles International is currently taking reservations for retirement condos on the "Alegria."  This is a mid-size cruise ship that is home based in Port Canaveral, Florida.  The prices for an individual condo cabin range from $159,000. for a single room to $399,000. for a larger suite.  There will be a nominal residents care monthly fee that will cover all operating expenses such as:  fuel, maintenance, insurance, 3 meals daily, port fees, medical center and housekeeping.  On the Alegria the residents actually own the ship.  It will make monthly sailings to the Bahamas.

The ship has a spa, workout room, gift shop, dining room, beauty shop, library and resident storage area.  It also has twelve inside cabins that owners friends and relatives can use at no charge, and this includes their meals!

Waterfront Lifestyles International is based in Florida.  Although, the ship in Port Canaveral is the company's first, it expects to offer additional retirement ships in Tampa, Jacksonville, Palm Beach and Sarasota.

This article was found on www.cruiseindustrywire.com    

How Safe is the Gulf of Aden for Cruise Ships

  BULLETIN:  Somali Pirates seized a Greek freighter in the Gulf of Aden!  The ship was carrying iron to Korea when it was seized yesterday.

Lately, there have been numerous stories of pirates seizing ships in the Gulf of Aden.  These pirates are part of a large operation on the Somali Coast.  They're only interested in making money!  They first decide which ships would be the easiest and most profitable to take then they make their move.  They capture a ship, hold it for ransom, get paid and let it go.  Cruise ships don't really fit into this category.  Slow moving cargo ships are their primary target.  Cruise ships are built differently and even if the pirates get alongside of one, they are not easy to board.  Cruise ships also have a much larger security force to defend themselves than a cargo ship would have.  It is also believed that many cruise lines have a state of the art defense system, that we are not aware of and won't divulge what that system is for security reasons.  Cruise lines would never travel in an area that would put their passengers at risk, so if they should go through the Gulf of Aden they must believe the risk to their ships and passengers is minimal.

TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Announce a Joint Venture

TUI and Royal Caribbean Cruises announced a joint venture to serve the German Cruise Market.  Both partners will hold a 50% interest in the joint venture.  TUI Cruises will begin with one ship in 2009 and they asked the public "What should the first ship be called?"  More than 11,000 people sent in 30,000 ideas.  One of the most frequent suggested name and the winner was  "MEIN SCHIFF".  ( The name translated is MY SHIP)  She will be christened May 15, 2009.

"We are thrilled to partner with a company as highly regarded as TUI AG" said Royal Caribbean chairman and CEO Richard Fain.  Plans call for the new cruise line to be based in Hamburg, Germany.

Cruise.com Has Double Digit Sales Growth

 Cruise.com is one of the largest Internet cruise sellers and has just reported their 4th quarter sales are the best in over ten years.  The company is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and "Sales are well beyond our expectations for the 4th quarter," said Anthony Hamaway, President of Cruise.com.  The company has just begun a nationwide search to fill new job openings created by demand.

I can personally attest to the fact that this is an excellent company to do business with.  A year ago we booked a group cruise, ( consisting of 24 people ) with them and they took excellent care with each and every person.  We were all extremely pleased with their service to us and would definitely go through them again.

Passengers Rescued on Antarctic Cruise Ship

All 65 passengers and 41 crew members are safe, after being rescued on a cruise ship that ran aground off Antarctic.  The Ocean Nova ran aground on Tuesday amid high winds and was unable to break free during the rising evening tide as officials had hoped.  This happened in the middle of their 15 day voyage to explore the polar circle.  All 106 people aboard were taken aboard the Clipper Adventure and then taken to Ushuaia, Argentina.

A Cruise Ship Made of Snow

 Jerry Arzooyan and his wife had just received the latest magazine from Royal Caribbean and they were dreaming about taking a cruise.  Mr.Arooyan is a clay sculptor with the Ford Motor Company, so he and his wife decided to build a ship and a dolphin in their front yard with snow.  The snow and temperature was perfect for sculpting, so it only took 6 hours for him and his wife to complete their project.  They're planning to take a cruise next year, but in the mean time all they have to do is look out their front window to see a cruise ship and a dolphin.

Holland America - Operation Ship to Shelter

 In April of 2008 Holland America Cruise Line came up with a very unique community program called "Operation Ship to Shelter."  It began in the Port of Seattle by them donation hundreds of items to Northwest Harvest.  As a non-profit organization, receiving no city, state or federal money, Northwest Harvest relies solely on donations and contributions to help people in need.  I'm happy to announce that this program came to Florida this month and will be giving re-usable goods from their cruise ships to needy people in Broward County.  The items donated include:  linens, dishes, cookware, silverware, towels, bedding, mattresses and televisions.  This is an incredible program and hat's off to Holland America!

Princess Will Broadcast Presidential Inauguration

 The swearing in of President-Elect Barack Obama will be televised live on most Princess Cruise Ships on January 20.  Passengers will be able to follow CNN International event on "Movies Under The Stars" screens.  Seven ships currently offer Movies under the stars screens and the giant LED screen is more than 300 square feet.  Passengers will be able to view the oath of office and presidential walk down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Throughout the voyage ships will show a special biography on President-Elect Barack Obama, as well as movies such as, "The American President" and "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington."  On February 1 the ships will broadcast coverage of the Super Bowl XLIII and the 81st Academy Awards on February 22.

For more information on Princess Cruises you can visit:  www.princess.com or call 1-800-PRINCESS.

Somali Pirates Free Saudi Supertanker

  Somali Pirates released a Saudi supertanker and claim they received $3 million ransom!  The ship's owner would not comment on that claim.  The ship was taken November 15 and has a 25-member crew.   Mohamed Said, a negotiator with the pirates told the Associated Press the ship was released and was now traveling to "safe waters."

Piracy is considered the biggest money maker in Somalia and most hijackings end with million-dollar pay-outs.  It has been reported that pirates raked in more than $30 million in ransoms  last year!

The U.S. Navy said Thursday, that a new international naval force under American command will soon begin patrols in that area.