Cruise ships in Florida generated $6.3 billion in direct spending in 2010, resulting in 123,255 jobs paying $5.4 billion in income, according to a report by Cruise Lines International Association.
Business activity at Port Canaveral — the state’s second-busiest cruise port — generated 13,093 jobs, $648.8 million in wages and $1.1 billion in revenue in 2009, a Canaveral Port Authority study released in June 2010 found. Last year, the port reported a profit of nearly $6.1 million, up from $923,627 in 2009.
Nationwide, the industry generated $37.85 billion of gross output, a 7.8 percent increase over last year, said the July 26 report. Florida accounts for 60 percent of all U.S. embarkation.
Industry direct expenditures with U.S.-based businesses increased by 5 percent to $18 billion in 2010, resulting in the direct employment of 140,359 workers, an increase of 4.4 percent, who earned $5.84 billion, up 6.5 percent.
Carnival Cruise Lines recently secured a $24 million verdict against Rolls-Royce, which was found guilty of fraud by a unanimous jury.
Rolls-Royce marketed its Mermaid pod propulsion system to Carnival for operation on its largest and most prestigious ship, the Queen Mary II. The jury found that at the time Rolls-Royce presented its pod to Carnival, Rolls-Royce knew the pod was defective and not fully developed.
Carnival argued that Rolls-Royce rushed into the market to beat its competitors and sold an untested product that failed throughout the cruise industry. It further contended that Rolls-Royce made money not only on the sale of the pods, but also each time that the bearings on the pods had to be replaced. It claimed that Rolls-Royce refused to pay for any of the replacement costs and made money off the repairs, forcing it to file suit.
The judge and jury agreed with Carnival. US District Judge Patricia Seitz said that the jurors asked her why the case ever went to trial: "The first question they had was why didn't these people settle when they have to work together." Seitz also stated that she regarded the trial as a potential "bellweather for lawsuits" filed by other cruise lines that also found fault with Rolls-Royce's pod system.
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. on Friday filed to raise up to $250 million in an initial public offering. The Miami-based cruise line operator plans to trade under the symbol NCLH on the Nasdaq. For the twelve months ended March 31, Norwegian Cruise Lines reported revenue of $2.09 billion and net income of $28.1 million. "We believe that improving leisure travel trends along with a relatively low supply outlook in the near term...lead to an attractive business environment for our company to operate in," the company said in its IPO prospectus.
This December, southern rockers the Marshall Tucker Band will be hitting the seas as they co-headline the annual Rock Legends Cruise, benefiting the Native American Heritage Association (NAHA). The band will share headlining duties with the legendary ZZ Top, as they set sail on the Royal Caribbean Cruise.
“That boat is going to be rockin’ for three or four days,” MTB’s lead vocalist and founding member, Doug Gray, tells Ultimate Classic Rock. “It’s going to be a great time. We’ve all got three shows each in different locations on the boat, plus I get a three and a half hour jam session. It is going to be one hell of a party on the Atlantic!”
The ship will depart from Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 1, returning back from the four-day Bahamian cruise on Dec. 4. Joining the Marshall Tucker Band and ZZ Top on this year’s cruise will be George Thorogood & The Destroyers, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Dickey Best & Great Southern, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, Johnny Winter, The Edgar Winter Band, and The Outlaws, and many others.
The ship is scheduled to head to stops in Bahamian cities Coco Cay and Nassau, all while passengers are entertained with the cruise’s main attraction — the live performances.
The unprecedented cruise will benefit Native American Heritage Association’s mission to provide emergency assistance and self-help programs to the Sioux Native Americans living on reservations in South Dakota.
To make reservations for the 2011 Rock Legends Cruise, visit their official website by clicking here.
Royal Caribbean’s two mammoth ships still sail out of Fort Lauderdale, but the company is staying put in Miami.
Officials with the Port of Miami and the world’s second-largest cruise ship company said publicly at a Miami-Dade County committee meeting Wednesday that they had negotiated an agreement with the county and port to keep Royal Caribbean’s headquarters in place at the port. A cruise terminal use agreement has been reached as well.
“We’ve been going through this negotiation process for many months now, and like any long-term relationship, you have your ups and downs,” said Craig Milan, senior vice president of land operations for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Fort there’s been a lot more ups than downs, so we’re really thrilled we’ve come to this agreement and we’re going to be here for a long time to come.”
SHANGHAI, June 8, 2011 – At a press conference today at the Shanghai International Conference Center in China, executives from Royal Caribbean International told an audience of 300 travel agents and media partners that it will introduce Voyager of the Seas to the China market in 2012.
Michael Bayley, executive vice president of International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director for China and Asia, revealed that Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 3,114-guest Voyager of the Seas to Shanghai, China in June 2012. Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from four nights to 10 nights, the move is designed to offer exciting new cruise experiences to Chinese vacationers, as well as attract cruise guests from around the world to visit China and sail around Asia.
“There are clear opportunities in the China market, a key area for Royal Caribbean International’s global development,” says Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Our brand’s strategy for China is to leverage Royal Caribbean International’s leading position in the market by offering innovative ships and customized services. And we look forward to working with our travel partners and helping to grow the cruise economy in China. ”
Voyager of the Seaswill be double the size of any cruise ship operating in China, and in the Asia-Pacific region – weighing in at nearly 150,000 gross registered tons and more than double the size of Legend of the Seas. Spanning 11 guest decks and with 1,556 staterooms, the ship will come to Shanghai from Europe and offer a variety of sailings to ports in Japan and Korea until August, including Fukuoka and Kobe in Japan, and Busan and Jeju in Korea. Voyager of the Seas will depart for Sydney, Australia in October.
MIAMI (May 31, 2011) – Camp Carnival Night Owls – featuring fun-filled children’s parties offering a full schedule of late-night activities and premium giveaways, along with nightly babysitting services – is being rolled out on all 23 Carnival Cruise Lines ships. Perfect for when parents want some much-needed “me” time, Night Owls further bolsters Carnival’s distinction as the leader in family cruising, with complimentary children’s programs for three age groups catering to the 670,000 children who sail with the line annually. Conducted in the children’s play rooms, three different Night Owls parties are held at least once each voyage, all under the direction of the line’s highly trained and enthusiastic youth staff. In addition to loads of age-appropriate fun – from video game tournaments and arts and crafts to sporting events and late-night movies and pizza parties – kids participating in the Night Owls festivities are provided with premium giveaways that may include specially branded plush toys, flashlights, watches and other items. Late-night munchies and refreshments are also provided. Night Owls parties are available in three different age groups, including:
• Owl Jams – a night of high-energy fun that runs from 10 p.m. to midnight and aimed at two- to 11-year-olds. Cost is $13 per child plus gratuity. • Fun ’Til One – this action-packed night caters to six- to eight-year-olds and takes place from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cost is $20 per child plus gratuity. • Fun at Sea…’Til 3:00 – aimed at kids ages nine to 11, this late-night extravaganza offers activities throughout the ship and runs from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Participants are escorted to their staterooms after the party. Cost is $33 per child plus gratuity.
MIAMI – May 9, 2011 – Kung Fu Panda fans can join Po aboard a Royal Caribbean International ship this summer during “Pandamonium” at sea and have the opportunity to experience DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: DWA) highly anticipated 3-D feature film, “Kung Fu Panda 2.” Starting today, the cruise line offers Kung Fu Panda fans a chance to win a Caribbean cruise for four, up to seven nights, in the Summer Pandamonium Sweepstakes at www.KungFuPanda.com. The Grand Prize winner will join Po and enjoy the DreamWorks Experience aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas or Liberty of the Seas, four of the world’s most innovative cruise ships.
In conjunction with the May 26 premier of “Kung Fu Panda 2” in theaters, Royal Caribbean’s Pandamonium package exclusively offers an ideal family cruise vacation this summer. The package is available for new bookings aboard the four Royal Caribbean ships that exclusively feature the DreamWorks Experience at sea, and includes VIP seating at one of the onboard “Kung Fu Panda 2” premieres, exclusive meet and greets with DreamWorks Animation characters, two soft drink packages, two cupcakes from the Cupcake Cupboard, a complimentary family photo, and a chance for guests to build their own Pets at Sea plush animal. The “Pandamonium” package can be booked through a Royal Caribbean booking agent or with a travel agent using one of the promotional codes that start with “YNOT” and end with “PO.” Availability is limited.
Angry tourists have called the public transport system “a complete joke” after being welcomed to Bermuda with an hour's wait.
Passengers on-board the Enchantment of the Seas were yesterday eager to visit the Island's sights such at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, Horseshoe Bay and the Crystal Caves.
But minutes after arriving at King's Wharf, Dockyard, they came face-to-face with the stark reality of Bermuda's timetable cuts.
One woman complained: “How the heck do you get out of this place?” as hundreds of tourists faced lengthy waits at the bus and ferry stops.
There were angry scenes as tourists were told there wouldn't be any ferries for at least an hour as “it was lunch” and they'd have to wait “up to half an hour” for a bus.
Tourists complained about the “lack of organisation” and “rude staff” as they repeatedly asked how they were supposed to get to their chosen destinations.
MIAMI (April 27, 2011) -- Carnival Cruise Lines, a brand of global cruise operator Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), today accepted delivery of the corporation’s 100th ship, the Carnival Magic, in ceremonies at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, where the vessel was built.
In recognition of this achievement, on April 29 all guests sailing aboard Carnival Corporation & plc’s 100 ships will enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at dinner to commemorate this historic and unprecedented milestone. All told, more than 227,000 guests across the company’s 10 cruise brands will participate in the toast, believed to be the largest celebration of its kind at sea.
Following the traditional maritime handover ceremony in Italy, Carnival Magic will debut on May 1 with a nine-day Mediterranean cruise from Venice to Barcelona.
Prior to the departure of its inaugural voyage, the 130,000-ton vessel will be named by its godmother, Lindsey Wilkerson, a former patient of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who now serves as an employee and ambassador of the organization. The choice of Wilkerson as godmother is a tribute to Carnival’s ongoing partnership with St. Jude, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases.
April 25, 2011 – Royal Caribbean International is rolling out the red carpet in honor of the May 26, 2011 world premiere of the highly anticipated DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) film “Kung Fu Panda 2” with 3-D movie viewings, a family-themed promotion and special onboard programming throughout the summer. Guests sailing on Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas from June through August 2011 will have the unique opportunity to see the 3-D animated film at sea while it is still in movie theaters across the globe. The cruise line will host a series of red-carpet premieres, which will be celebrated onboard Oasis of the Seas on June 4, 2011, Freedom of the Seas and Allure of the Seas on June 5, 2011, and June 18, 2011 for Liberty of the Seas. Ample viewings of “Kung Fu Panda 2” will take place throughout each sailing onboard all four ships through the end of August 2011.
In conjunction with the at-sea premiere of “Kung Fu Panda 2,” the global cruise line will launch “Pandamonium,” an exclusive summer promotion perfect for a family cruise vacation. The package is available onboard four Royal Caribbean ships that feature the DreamWorks Experience and includes VIP seating at one of the onboard “Kung Fu Panda 2” premieres, exclusive meet and greets with DreamWorks Animation characters, two soft drink packages, two cupcakes from the Cupcake Cupboard, a complimentary family photo, and a chance for guests to build their own Pets at Sea plush animal. Kicking off today, the “Pandamonium” package can be booked through a Royal Caribbean booking agent or with a travel agent using the promotional code YNOTxxPO. Availability is limited.
As an extension of the DreamWorks Experience summer programming, the Oasis-class ships will dazzle consumers with Boardwalk family festivals celebrated three to four times per sailing through the end of August. Guests of all ages are invited to come down to the Boardwalk to get their faces painted; enjoy live performances by stilt walkers, marching bands and DJ’s; as well as watch themed circuses and balloon artists; and participate in special kids activities.
The DreamWorks Experience, first launched aboard Allure of the Seas, and now offered aboard Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, provides Royal Caribbean guests with renowned entertainment programs, including some of the studio’s most popular feature films. Year round, “celebrity” characters including Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots of “Shrek;” Alex, Mort, and the Penguins of “Madagascar;” Po of “Kung Fu Panda;” and Hiccup of “How to Train Your Dragon,” engage guests of all ages, day and night, in unique events and energetic parades, as well as through interactive character meals in the main dining room, and of course plenty of photo opportunities. Royal Caribbean’s younger guests in the complimentary award-winning Adventure Ocean children’s program can relish in an exhilarating line-up of activities, games and adventures rooted in the popular DreamWorks Animation movies. Additionally, guests can enjoy DreamWorks Animation programming on a dedicated RCTV channel in their staterooms, as well as DreamWorks Animation’s films in 3-D in the four ships’ theaters on the big screen. What’s more, all of these unique entertainment offerings are included in the cruise fare.
MIAMI (June 23, 2010) – Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston beginning Nov. 14, 2011, becoming the largest cruise ship based at the port year-round. Additionally, the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will reposition from New Orleans to Galveston to operate year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning Oct. 6, 2011.
Homeporting the Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph in Galveston represents the largest-ever capacity commitment by a cruise line to Texas. With these deployments, Carnival expects to carry more than 450,000 guests annually from Galveston – a 28 percent increase over the current year.
In turn, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest and 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy, both of which are currently based in Galveston, will reposition to New Orleans to operate year-round departures from that port, returning the line to pre-Katrina capacity levels there. With Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy, the line is expected to carry nearly 340,000 passengers annually from New Orleans – the most of any cruise operator.
Cruise ships in Florida generated $6.3 billion in direct spending in 2010, resulting in 123,255 jobs paying $5.4 billion in income, according to a report by Cruise Lines International Association.
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. on Friday filed to raise up to $250 million in an initial public offering. The Miami-based cruise line operator plans to trade under the symbol NCLH on the Nasdaq. For the twelve months ended March 31, Norwegian Cruise Lines reported revenue of $2.09 billion and net income of $28.1 million. "We believe that improving leisure travel trends along with a relatively low supply outlook in the near term...lead to an attractive business environment for our company to operate in," the company said in its IPO prospectus.
This December, southern rockers the 
Royal Caribbean’s two mammoth ships still sail out of Fort Lauderdale, but the company is staying put in Miami.
MIAMI (May 31, 2011) – Camp Carnival Night Owls – featuring fun-filled children’s parties offering a full schedule of late-night activities and premium giveaways, along with nightly babysitting services – is being rolled out on all 23 Carnival Cruise Lines ships. Perfect for when parents want some much-needed “me” time, Night Owls further bolsters Carnival’s distinction as the leader in family cruising, with complimentary children’s programs for three age groups catering to the 670,000 children who sail with the line annually. Conducted in the children’s play rooms, three different Night Owls parties are held at least once each voyage, all under the direction of the line’s highly trained and enthusiastic youth staff. In addition to loads of age-appropriate fun – from video game tournaments and arts and crafts to sporting events and late-night movies and pizza parties – kids participating in the Night Owls festivities are provided with premium giveaways that may include specially branded plush toys, flashlights, watches and other items. Late-night munchies and refreshments are also provided. Night Owls parties are available in three different age groups, including: 
MIAMI – May 9, 2011 – Kung Fu Panda fans can join Po aboard a Royal Caribbean International ship this summer during “Pandamonium” at sea and have the opportunity to experience DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: DWA) highly anticipated 3-D feature film, “Kung Fu Panda 2.” Starting today, the cruise line offers Kung Fu Panda fans a chance to win a Caribbean cruise for four, up to seven nights, in the Summer Pandamonium Sweepstakes at 